the importance of our becoming the guides of opinion, we must add, to a profound and accurate knowledge of the Sacred Volume, and of all its theological appendages, such an acquaintance with the graver literature of the age as may qualify us to combine learning and science with religion, and to prove that they illustrate and confirm Divine truth; "ut neque relligio ulla sine sapientiâ suscipienda sit; nec ulla, sine relligione, probanda sapientia '." It is obvious that these are arduous undertakings, ὅπου πλείων κόπος, πολὺ Képdos 2; and that, if they be added to those unremitting pastoral attentions, which are even more important, they will necessarily withdraw us from any considerable participation in the ordinary business or pleasures of the world; and unless we are prepared to make this sacrifice, and, arming for the warfare, 1 Lactant. lib. i. Ignatius Epist. ad Polycarp. to avoid " entangling ourselves with the affairs of this life," we shall be overborne by an awakened intelligence, of which we are not competent to assume the direction. When we look back to the example of the brightest ornaments, and most faithful ministers of the English Church, it is difficult for us to conceive the arrangement by which they devoted so many hours of the day to severe study, whilst they were unremitting in the duties of preaching, and exhortation from house to house. And yet, it is evident that our attainments and our parochial diligence ought both very far to exceed theirs; since, in order to become scholars and theologians, we must add vastly to the extent of their acquirements; and to keep our congregations untainted amid the innumerable heresies of modern times, we must exercise a still more anxious and incessant vigilance. 1 2 Tim. ii. 4. It cannot be necessary to remind a Christian ministry of the consoling reply to the natural inquiry of human frailty "Who is sufficient for these things?" Undoubtedly He, whose wisdom has permitted circumstances imperatively demanding such an increase of industry, and exertion, and self-devotion in our holy work, will supply the ability, and bless our efforts, and finally crown them with success, if we be not wanting to Him, and to ourselves; if, in humble dependence upon His aid, we devote ourselves, without reserve or vain regrets, "to the work of the ministry, the edifying of the body of Christ1.” ἀδιαλείπτως οὖν προσκαρτερῶμεν τῇ ἐλπίδι ἡμῶν, καὶ τῷ ἀῤῥαβῶνι τῆς δικαιοσύνης ἡμῶν, ὅς ἐστι Χριστὸς Ἰησοῦς 2. If, having done all which the exigency of the time demands, we should still fail to conciliate public favour, and regulate public opinion, let us not relax in our assiduity, nor despair of the final triumph of our cause ; μεγάλου ἐστὶν ἀθλητοῦ τὸ δέρεσθαι καὶ νικᾷν'. In the worst period of our Church, when its faithful defenders were exposed to dangers such as we have, as yet, no ground to apprehend, they "were not weary nor faint in their minds;" they looked forward with confidence to the re-establishment of the Church, when the rage of persecution should have subsided; and they exulted, at the stake and amid the flames, in the prospect of its restoration; "semen est sanguis Christianorum"," 66 2 But, if the will of God be otherwise; nos hæc pati Deus patitur;" if it be ordained that the temporal establishment of our Church must fall to rise no more, there remains abundant consolation in the glorious certainty that this is the utmost evil which the malice of the enemy 1 Ignatius Epist. ad Polycarp. 2 Tert. Apol. 3 Id. ibid. |