THE churchman's CONFESSION, OR AN APPEAL TO THE LITURGY.
2 Cor. i. 13. TFe write none other things tmto you, than tchat ye read or acknoioledge.
AS the testimony of one's own conscience is the strongest support under false accusations, so an ap- peal to the consciences of others is the most effectual means of refuting the charges that are brought against us. To this species of argument God himself condescended to have recourse, in order to convince his people, that the evils which they imputed to him originated wholly in their own folly and wickedness : " O inhabitants of Jerusalem and men of Judah, judge, I pray you, betwixt me and my vineyard. What could have been done more to my vineyard, that I have not done in it ? wherefore when I looked that it should bring forth grapes, brought it forth wild grapes^?" '' Have I been a wilder- ness unto Israel ? a land of darkness ? wherefore say my people, We are lords, we will come no more unto thee''?" " Ye say, the way of the Lord is not equal. Hear now, O house of Israel, Is not my way equal? are not your ways unequaP?" The inspired writers also not unfrequently vindicate themselves in a similar manner. St. Paul, for instance, had been represented by some at Corinth as fickle and incon- stant, because he had not come to them at the time they had expected him. To clear himself from this im])utation, he informs them, that he had met with insuperable obstacles in Asia, which had prevented him from prosecuting his intended journey ; and that in the whole of his conduct towards them he had been actuated, not by temporizing motives and carnal policy, but by the most strict unblemished integrity. He declares, that he had " the testimony of his own conscience" respecting this*^; and that he had a further testimony in their consciences also, respecting
a Isai. V. 3, 4. *» Jer. ii. 5, 31.
^ Kztk, xviii. 2r). '' 2 Cor. i. 12.
2000. J i'lE churchman's confession. 407
the truth of what he said ; that, in asserting these things, " he wrote no other things than what they read in his former epistle, and were constrained to acknowledge ; and he trusted they should acknow- ledge even to the end."
The faithful minister of Christ derives great ad- vantage from being able to appeal to records, the authority of which is acknowledged by his hearers. By referring them to the Holy Scriptures in proof of all that he advances, he establishes his word upon the most unquestionable authority, and fixes convic- tion upon their minds. The ministers of the Church of England have yet further advantage, because, in addition to the Scriptures, they have other authorities to which they may refer in confirmation of the truths they utter. It is true, we are not to put any human compositions on a level with the inspired volume : the Scriptures alone are the proper standard of truth ; but the Articles, Homilies, and Liturgy of the Church of England are an authorized exposition of the sense in which all her members profess to understand the Scriptures. To these therefore we appeal as well as ToTlie sacred records. But because it would occupy more time than can reasonably be allowed for one discourse to appeal to all at once, we shall content ourselves with calling your attention to the Liturgy, and especially to that part of it which we call the General Confession. We will briefly state what doc- trines we insist upon as necessary to be received ; and under each we will compare our statements with what we "^read" in the Scriptures, and "acknowledge" in our prayers : And we trust that, after having done this, we shall be able to adopt the language of tlie text, and say, '' We write none other things unto you than what ye read, and acknowledge."
There are three things, which, as it is our duty, so also it is our continual labour, to make known ; namely, Our lost estate — The means of our recovery — and The path of duty.