The Middlebury people's press. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1841-1843, 1843-05-17

the Church as the Pillar and ground ot
truth !; it will be a most discouraglng evil
dence of what has often been, as supposed,
untruly alleged. that our evangelical Liiur-
gy and our scripturel Articles are not an
adequate protection against The inToads Of |
ruinous error.
"When can bring my mind 10 believe
that, instead of taking my Bible as the guide
of my faith, should dishonor this best OF
Heavens gifts, by admitting tradition 10 a
coequal rank when can be persuaded
that there is dread obscurity in Scripture,
even in the fundamentals Of Christian faith,
that renders indispensable tie aid of such
an adjunct in the discovery of truth; when
NJ charity SO fail that can consign my
fellow Christians Of other names. whatever
the strength oftheir faith in Christ, and the
holiness of their lives, 10 the uncovenanted
mercies O. God, because Of their not belong
ing 10 a Church governed by Bishops, con
secrated by succession from the Apostles
when dare assert, that that order is requI-
site, not only TO the perfection and completes
ness of Christian Church, but also to its
very existence when | am convinced, that
| must ascribe exclusively 10 the Apostolic
cal commission the derivation OF the grace
of the Spirit, and our mystical communion
with Christ TO believe in truth, that the sac
-aments of the Church are the only o1an-
neIs whereby the gifts Of the Holy Spirit
are conveyed 10 men when ! can see that
there is an actual sacrifice in the Eucharist,
and that the Redesmer is really and esst IL
tally present in his natural body and blood
in that Sacrament when | can reInquish
the grea, doctrine justification by faith a
lone, and substitute for it the Roman dogma
of justification by Inherent righteousness,
or, in other words, believe that salvation is
of works when can doubt the mercy Of
God in pardoning sins committed after bap-
tism. on sincere repentance and faith; when
am willing 10 go back 10 the dark ages 10
be taught the Stacking doctrine of" reserve
liz the communication Of religious knowl-
edge" when | can persuade myself that
may innocently cunt rive expedienls for di~
minishing the horror have fell. as Proi>
estant, at the Romish practice OF invoking
saints, and virtually admit the doctrines OF
purgatory, by allowing rs innocent, prayers
! for The dead when can be so presumpiu-
/ GUS as 10 Cldlinf as u nliulSNSi ~ OAi''S' W.
power of personally absolvirg individuals
/ from their sins when | can so far suppress
the light of truth as to go back 10 heathen-
ism respect towards images and relics, and
favor the re-admission of long discussed and
superstiiious ceremonies and forms when
dare approve the contemptuous treatment OF
the Reformers. which they have received at
the hands Of the Tractarians and, when tho ,
a member and a Minister OF that Church.
which, at such sacrifice. they redeemed
from the rubbish of ages, ! can feel at llber-
ty to resort TO Popish Council for an ex-
plication of the Articlrv in which they so
strenuously protected against the corruP-
lions Of Rome when eau look with COM
Dlacency and appreciation upon the unwar.
ranted attempt 10 stultify the trainers of
these articles, by reconciline their doctrines
with the DEGREES Of Trent, the very object of
which was to condemn and reject them !;
when can make these admissions, and sub
scribe to these sentiments, ! NAV join the
ranks of the men of Oxford. But so long
as adhere 10 the Bible as my only rule Of
faith, and to the Articles and Liturgy Ofthe
Church of my adoption, because. as be-
lieve. they are in all respects, i'll harmony
with its prescriptions, whercinsoever the
writings of fallible men, however learned
and distinguished, depart from these, must
withhold my approval, and, as far as in me
lies, oppose their noxious Influence.