cepts and prohibitions lay us under an imperative obligation to pursue the conduct which they seem to make incumbent, neither is it, apparently, in any of the consequences to which they lead, that the shadow of a pretext for disobedience can be found. As the one could not be sanctioned without leading to the other, so far seems Revelation to be consistent with herself, that not contented with merely interdicting the pursuit of wealth, she appears to contemplate and follow out the consequences to their full extent. She seems openly and pointedly to abrogate the distinctions to which the pursuit of it must inevitably give birth.

"Verily I say unto you, that a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven. And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles, exercise lordship over them, and their great ones exercise authority upon them. But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will

* Matt. xix. 23, 24.

be great among you shall be your minister; and whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be the servant of all*."

That, if at all admitted as literal and binding portions of her law, the precepts and prohibitions which we have pointed out, must be followed to the consequences which are stated here, does not afford us valid reasons for asserting that in this light they ought to be summarily and at once rejected. Carried, however, to their full extent, they are consequences which furnish us with the strongest reasons for examining the grounds on which they are to be held, strictly and universally, a portion of her code.

That, on a close examination of the passages in question, with every other of a similar description, they present an aspect of a very different nature from that which they exhibit on a cursory observation, is a truth well known to all who have bestowed on them a candid and unprejudiced attention. To shew that they were never meant to influence society in the mode their literal interpretation must infer, to many may appear a

* Mark x. 42-44.

CHAP. IX. Of the general Arrangements of the Church, as they have been modified from a Regard to incidental Circumstances, p. 108.

CHAP. X.-Of some of the national and individual Features which bear Witness to the Wisdom and Efficiency of the Church, p. 124.

CHAP. XI. On the Questions that are connected with the Endowment of the Church, as their Consideration is suggested by the previous Views, p. 137.

CHAP. XII. Of the Spirit and Constitution of the Church of Rome, as they affect our Estimate of the relative Perfection of the reformed Churches, p. 148.

CHAP. XIII. Of the Spirit and Constitution of the Church of England, considered in their absolute Superiority to those of others, p. 161.

CHAP. XIV.—Of the relative Perfection of the Church of England, as it is verified by Reference to the practical Results, p. 174.

CHAP. XV.-On the relative Superiority and Perfection of the
Church, as they immediately affect our Estimate of the
Evils attributed to the Extent and Form of her Endow-
ment, p. 183.

CHAP. XVI. On existing Circumstances as they affect the
Policy of weakening the general Influence of the Church,
p. 199.

CHAP. XVII.-On the Dangers attendant on the Growth of
Superstition, as they demonstrate our Dependance on the
Spirit of Religion as it emanates from the Church, p. 214.

CHAP. XVIII.—On the Possibility of supporting the general Influence of the Church by Means different from those which have been hitherto employed, more especially as connected with the Nature of her Endowment, p. 224.

CHAP. XIX. Of the Propositions which have been suggested

for supporting the Efficiency of the Priesthood as a Body, by equalizing the Distribution of its present Funds, or by constituting its Provision a Portion of the general Expenditure of the State, p. 237.

CHAP. XX. On the further Consideration of the Impossibility of interfering with the Endowment, consistently with perpetuating the Services, of the Church, p. 250.

CHAP. XXI.-Of Circumstances which have a Tendency to mislead the Mind, in estimating the Danger to be anticipated from innovating in the Points in Question, p. 258.

CHAP. XXII. Of the Views preceding, as they may Influence the Conduct, which, by many, is respectively pursued towards the Church, p. 275.

CHAP. XXIII. On the Privileges reserved for Members of the Church, as justified by Reference to the previous Views, p. 289.

CHAP. XXIV. Concluding Observatious, p. 314.