flood; that as the water of baptism that sends the child to Heaven is itself cast down the kennel; semblably it is with these; and they that by the word, the Sacraments, the keys, are unto other the conduits of grace, to make them fructify in all good works, may well so be, though themselves remain unfruitful, as do the pipes of wood or lead, that by transmitting the water make the garden to bear both herbs and flowers, though themselves never bear any. And let that content us, that what is here received, for us it is received; that which to them is given, is given them for us, and is given us by them. Sever the office from the men, leave the men to God to whom they stand or fall; let the ordinance of God stand fast." Brethren, pray that may be so. Pray that for the service of this day, it may be so the more. Pray for this Deacon that he may be a Priest of God after His heart. Pray for all Deacons, for all Priests, for all Bishops, that by them the word of God may have free course and be forever glorified. And to the Father, &c. it *SERMON XVII. THE CHURCH FOR USE. EXODUS XII. 26.-What mean ye, by this service? THE point, upon which, our age most prides itself, is, that it seeks the useful. Its motto is, " Cui Bono?" What's the use? Utilitarian is its name of highest favour. And, justly, so, if rightly understood. God doeth nothing, in vain. Waste has no place, in His creation. "Gather up the fragments, that nothing be lost," was the injunction of perfect wisdom, at the very moment, that it proved itself omnipotent. "What is the use?" then, is a proper question, to be asked; so it be, "with meekness, and with fear." For that, which is of no use, God can have, and man should have, no favour. The error, which has justly brought discredit, on this question, has been the limitation of utility, to temporal things, and subjects of the senses. A proud, and most pernicious, limitation! Proud, since it undertakes to comprehend the infin ite; and most pernicious, since it sets the shadow, At the Institution of the Rev. John Wragg Shackelford, as Rector of “the House of Prayer," Newark; Feb. 12; A. D. 1856. VOL. II.-36 above the substance; and postpones the immortal, to the mortal. "Canst thou, by searching, find out God?" "The secret things belong unto the Lord." "The things, which are seen, are temporal; but, the things, which are not seen, are eternal." While, then, we earnestly and constantly protest, against the limitations of Utilitarianism, we cannot but allow the proper application of its tests. And, in the subjects, which come, fairly, in the range of human comprehension, however high, however holy, they may be, it is not only lawful, but most strictly dutiful, to show their fitness, to endure them. True, that whatever God reveals, or God ordains, we must receive, and use, with reverence; however it transcends our comprehension; as done, by Him, Who "doeth all things, well." As true, that, what He teaches, or appoints, so far as He adapts it to our understanding, we are carefully and constantly to show, in all the wisdom of its plan, and all its fitness, for our use. "The secret things," indeed, "belong unto the Lord our God." Why He hath done so, or how, what He hath done, works, for its gracious end, we cannot, often, know; and may not venture to inquire. "But, those things, which are revealed, belong to us, and to our children." These, we may study. These, we may admire. Of these, we may discourse. These are commended, not to our knowledge, only, but our practice; "that we may do all the words of this law." I design to carry out this train of thought, in appli cation to a subject, much in the mouths of men; and, yet, from the distrust, with which it is, by many, still regarded, far from being understood, even in its ob vious practical relations. My theme, to-day, will be the Church. My object, to set forth THE USES OF THE CHURCH. "What mean ye, by this service?" I shall consider, now, three uses of the Church. As "the pillar and ground of the truth;" As the body of the Lord Jesus Christ; the Church is for the use of men: meets all their spiritual necessities; supplies the needful strength, for their infirmities; and brings them, through the comforts of His grace, to be partakers of the riches of His glory. I. The Church is for use, as the pillar and ground of the truth; and perfectly adapted, in this office, to the necessities of our condition. Truth is a trust, from God. As it comes from Him, it is pure, perfect, and beyond all price. As it is in Him, it changes not; one, like Himself, immutable, eternal. But in us, through our infirmity and sinfulness, there is, not only, no fitness to retain it, but a prejudice against it; which is certain to result, in its dilution and adul teration. St. Paul admits this tendency, and deems it due to his apostleship, to disavow it; when he says, in writing to the Corinthians, "We are not as many, which corrupt the Word of God: "* the expression, 2 Corinthians ii. 17. in the original, being that which is applied to thievish tradesmen, who dilute their liquors, and adulterate their groceries. It is a trust, then, which is not safe, with us. The Word of God, St. Paul has told us, may be handled deceitfully. The Holy Scriptures, St. Peter tells us, may be wrested, by unlearned and unstable souls, to their own destruction. Is there a doubt, that it may be so? Is there a doubt, that it has been so? Surely, there can be none. It is too sadly, too severely, true. What mean those names, unless it be so, of Pelagian, Calvinist, Arminian? What mean, if it be not so, those volumes upon volumes, those piles of volumes, upon piles of volumes, which the wit of men has filled with "doubtful dis putations," as to the meaning of God's Holy Word? What means that separation, into schools, of those, who bear the same generic name; rate councils? Can all be right? ifold? Can there be two faiths? two Lords: "one Lord," as the faith." and, yet, hold sepa Can truth be manNot, till there be Apostle says, one "These are One must In the great Nor, is this all. Nor, yet, the worst. but questions," some may say, "of words. not be too strict, in judgment, as to unity. truths, no doubt, these all agree." Waiving the ques tion, as to great or little, where the truth is drawn, into discussion; we need not make a distant search, to find the question gravely stated, whether there be a Word of God? Whether there be any, with authority to act, for Him, in holy things? Whether there be a Church, |