what cannot be done by others, or by deputyfor sitting in judgment on ourselves, and demanding an account of our own stewardship ?or by what more similar occurrence could we be reminded of the bar at which we must one day stand, when God, who tries our hearts now, will try our thoughts, and words, and works?

We are stewards of the mysteries of God; and perhaps can call to our remembrance the feelings with which we at first undertook so high a responsibility. Did we over-rate that responsibility then, or do we under-rate it now? May we not seasonably ask God to rekindle whatever ardour may since have subsided; and enable us henceforward to devote ourselves without reserve, and without weariness, to his service ?that, as we grow older in that service, we may become better acquainted with its duties, and more zealous in discharging them-that a recollection of the superintendence exercised by God, may excite a corresponding vigilance on our own part that so, being set to watch for souls as those that must give account, it may be our happiness, when our Lord returns to reckon with

us,

* that our account be rendered with joy, and

not with grief.

Matthew, xxv. 19.

REV. JOHN WORDSWORTH, M. A.

RECTOR OF WORKINGTON, VICAR OF BRIGHAM, AND DOMESTIC
CHAPLAIN TO THE EARL OF WESTMORELAND.

LONDON:

PUBLISHED BY J. G. AND F. RIVINGTON,

WATERLOO PLACE AND ST. PAUL'S CHURCHYARD.

M.DCCC.XXXV.

The following Sermon, written and preached under the impression that more was to be feared for the Church of England at present from the relaxation of her discipline, than from any want of zeal in her Ministers, taken as a Body, having been much approved by some of the Author's Clerical Friends, whose judgment He highly esteems, is, at their instigation, published.

A SERMON.

HEBREWS xiii. 17.

Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves; for they watch for your souls, as they that must give an account, that they may do so with joy and not with grief, for that is unprofitable for you.

THESE words of St. Paul addressed to the Hebrew converts, set before us, in a most impressive point of view, the relation which subsists between spiritual Teachers, and the people committed to their charge. They are therefore most appropriate for the edification and instruction in their mutual duties of both Ministers and the members of their respective flocks. And as I see many of the Laity around me, no apology can be required for directing the word of exhortation to them likewise; especially as nothing can be addressed to the one party, that may not by implication at least, be profitable to the other. Moreover, this course will in part, free me from the embarrassment of appearing with too great freedom to admonish those, who (most of them at least), from years, learning, and professional experience are more competent to give, than

they are under any necessity of receiving, the best instruction that can be offered, by so humble an Individual as Myself.

It appears to me likewise, that my topic is a well chosen one, on this account, that confessedly one of the greatest errors, or rather calamities, of these present times, both amongst the Laity, and amongst the Clergy also, is, from an excess of Protestant feeling, the habit of depreciating the spiritual claims and authority of the ministerial office. But the danger from Popery, which is represented as fast increasing upon us, arises, I suspect, from our too great fear and dread of it-our strengthening disinclination to separate and to retain what is tenable and philosophic (wise) in its system, (and what, in times when spiritual authority was more respected, was more prominently brought forward as belonging to our own,) from what is untenable, irrational, and unscriptural. Consistent error must, in the end, gain the mastery over inconsistent truth, or what possesses the greatest share of it. It therefore behoves us to strengthen our cause by a greater unity of action and sentiment, my Reverend Brethren, to increase our influence by an increased attention to, and enforcement of, that discipline which is so much required, and fearless of taunt and misrepresentation, to exact the spiritual allegiance, and submission, which the Apostle so earnestly and so emphatically enforces upon his Hebrew converts in the words of my text.