2
(Heb.i. 6.);—and of whom it was likewise said, "Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever." Ps. xlv. 6.
I said, that our very spiritual existence depends upon our adhering to this great and fundamental truth; and this I said, not of us as individuals only, but as Members of the Church of Christ, and of that portion of Christ's Church in this Kingdom which is usually called the Church of England. It is true of us individually, as appears by the words of St. John; "He that hath the Son, hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God, hath not life," (1 John v. 12.); by which we learn, that as long as we slight or disbelieve, or deny this sacred truth, we have no spiritual life in us. It is also true of us, as Members of the Church of Christ, and of that portion of Christ's Church in this Kingdom which is usually called the Church of England, as appears from the passage before us; "Upon this rock, (i. e. upon this firm confession of faith in Jesus as the Christ, the Son of the Living God,) "I will build My Church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." For from this we learn, that the Church, and any given portion of that Church, is only then able to defy the assaults of the Devil, that she can only then look forward with confidence to get the victory, so long as she adheres firmly to this faith and belief in Christ. When she departs from that foundation, then she ceases to have a claim for the continuance of the promised aid. This is a matter which it behoves Christians at all times to place before their eyes, and to keep in remembrance; but, especially, at the present time, does it behove us, who are Members of the Church of Christ in England, to do so; because of the unceasing endeavours which are being made by men who are either careless of religion altogether, or who have embraced false views of it, to overthrow our Church; endeavours, which we have reason to regard either with fear, or not, according as we have reason, or not, to suppose that the Members of the Church have departed from the true faith and fear of God, and of the Lord Jesus Christ. If there is reason to believe that many or most of the Members of our Church are regardless of that true faith, and of the honour of Him in whom we believe, that by their lips, or by their lives, they set at nought His Majesty, neglect His Sacraments, despise His Word, forsake His Worship, obey not His
