of these impositions are no way concerned in the queftion, for that authority which hath power to impofe, will affume also the right to interpret.

If in abatement of the force of this argument, it fhould be infifted, in behalf of our church, that such impofition is confined to the clergy, we have returned upon us the abfurdity of compelling the clergy to preach, what we confider the people under no obligation to believe. How aptly then would the close of Paul's reafoning in proof of the important doctrine of the refurrection of Christ be applied to our shame and confusion, for might not our adversary say, "Then is your preaching vain, and then is their faith "alfo vain ?"*

B 2

It

"always in the wrong with it."

This obfervation of

bishop Hoadly's is noticed by the venerable and learned Dr. Robertson (formerly rector and vicar of Ravilly, in the diocese of Leighlin, in Ireland) in his Attempt to explain the words, Reason, Subftance, &c. (3d edit. 1767. p. 238.) where alfo he makes the following obfervation, "The clergy of the church of Rome subscribe to XXIV "articles of religion; the clergy of the church of England, "as more orthodox, fubfcribe to XXXIX."

* I Cor. xv. 14.

It has been a favourite argument, in the mouths of fome controverfialists, that "all "focieties must have fome bond or centre of

union, and that a fummary of certain mat"ters both of faith and doctrine is necef

fary and lawful in every chriftian fociety,

as a guard and bulwark against mifinter"pretation of fcripture, feeing that the "wildeft fanatic calls fcripture to his proof.*"

That all focieties both fhould and must have fome bond or centre of union, shall be granted in the fulleft extent of the maintainer's wishes. And as we are agreed in acknowledging Jefus Chrift to be the head of the

* The writer who feems to venture the moft upon the fuccefs of this figment, is archdeacon Balguy, whose words are, "It is scarce poffible to name or to invent an ❝ opinion more abfurd in itself, or more hurtful to fociety, "" or more fatal to the cause of virtue and piety, than many " of those which have actually been maintained by men, "who called themselves chriftians." Charge in 1772, p. 10. There are fome fentiments and arguments of bishop Hoadly's in his Common rights of subjects, chap. ii. § 6. (vol. ii. p. 732. of his works) well deserv ing the perufal of Dr. Balguy, and which must have escaped his notice while he was forming his present perfuafion.

the christian fociety, we have none other to whom we can look up, or refer ourselves for lawful directions relating to fuch bond of union.*

The furtheft that our inquiries into the conduct of Chrift himself will carry us, is the fatisfaction he expreffed at Peter's answer to his question, "Whom fay ye that I am? "Thou art Chrift the fon of the living God," returned Peter. "And Jefus answered, and "faid unto him, Bleffed art thou Simon "Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not "revealed it unto thee, but my father "who is in heaven. And I fay also unto thee, that thou art Peter, and upon "this rock I will build church; my and the "gates of hell fhall not prevail against it.†” In more familiar language, This confeffion

*This bond of union, a favourite idea in the writings of the worthy dean of Gloucefter, seems to be even at this day, and in our own church, a vague and unfettled expreffion, in respect to what, properly speaking, is underftood by that term, and fhould operate as fuch. Thus much may be collected from an excellent Letter to Sir William Meredith, upon the fubject of fubfcription, &c. 4to, printed for J. Swan, 1772,

Matt. xvi. 15-18.

of belief in me as the Chrift, the fon of God, is full proof of faith in me as the promised meffiah and mediator of a better covenant.

The apostle Paul, in an address to the jews, in all the glowing warmth of affection for their best interest, declares "the word "of faith which he preached to be, that if "thou shalt confefs with thy mouth the "lord Jefus, and fhalt believe in thine heart, that God hath raised him from the "dead, thou fhalt be faved."*

Thefe then are fummaries of confeffions which fatisfied the demands of Chrift and Paul; the firm belief of which (a correfpon

dent

* Rom. x. 8, 9. Confult alfo Acts xvii. 2, 3. where Paul is related to have reafoned with the jews of Theffalonica, "out of the scriptures, opening and alledging "that Chrift must needs have suffered, and risen again from "the dead; and that Jefus whom he preached unto them "was Chrift." See alfo John xi. 25-27. where Jefus declares the fufficiency of Martha's faith, that he was "the "Chrift, the fon of God, which fhould come into the "world ;" and ver.40-44 confirm it by the refurrection of Lazarus her brother. Compare alfo 1 John iv. 14, 15.Let now the advocates for a form, of found words find other than thefe, as fufficient evidences of a chriftian's faith, warranted by Chrift; and they will have fome reafon to plume themselves on their discovery.

ut conformity to their precepts fuppofed) is declared to be the foundation of the christian church, and to give men a full affurance of falvation. To this confeffion of faith in Christ, might be joined a declaration of the sufficiency of the fcriptures, as an outwork placed against the incroachments and spread of the grand apoftacy of christian Rome; and, as on the one hand the authority of man should be bounded by this barrier, fo on the other, the wit of man cannot fuggeft or devife a more effectual bond of union for christians and proteftants.

When it is urged, that fome fummary is neceffary and useful for the instruction and direction of fuch fubfcriber; I would be understood not to object to the utility of any proper and judicious affistances, fo far as may enable inquirers to form a judgment or perfuafion for themselves; but to the impofition of them as terms of communion, precluding a free and impartial judgment by a peremptory dogmatic determination. In that light, I cannot forbear to confider them as highly derogatory to the credit and authority of the holy fcriptures. Nor need I to B 4 remark,