SECTION XXIV.

Of the Church, as distinguished from the World; and the Expediency of preserving our Connection with it by Sacramental Communion.

IT

seems probable that few, in comparison, have given themselves the trouble to form a true idea of the Catholic Church; though it is absolutely necessary, not only that its nature should be rightly understood, but that every man who professes himself a Christian, should become an incorporated member of it.

According to the plain deductions from Scripture, mankind are divided into two distinct tribes; those who belong to the kingdom of Christ, and those who belong to the world. The kingdom of Christ is the Catholic Church; but here it must be observed, that the Church comprehends all true believers in Christ in every part of Christendom, laity as well as clergy, however distinguished by different names, or subdivided into national, or other less numerous sects or societies. It is the Catholic Church that is meant, when it is contra-distinguished from the world; it is that grand society which is united to Jesus Christ, as the limbs to the head of the body.

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The word Ecclesia (the Greek for Church) originally signifies an evocation, or a calling out. It

imports, therefore, that they who are in the Church are called out of a wicked and unbelieving world, and admitted into a society, of which Jesus Christ is the head. The English word Church(xvgian, Kyriac, Kirk, or Church) signifies a house or society appropriated to the Lord (xvpi~; ) a portion of mankind devoted to, and accepted by, the Author of our holy religion. It is obvious to all but the illiterate, that the word Church, when applied to a building, where a part of the people thus separated, meet for the purposes of worship, is a popular term, and has deviated, like many other words from its original and proper signification.

sense.

All human beings must belong to one or other of these classes; they must be members of the Church or of the world; the world, I mean, in a Scriptural If they believe in Christianity, they must acknowledge the condition of those who are not of the Church, but of the world, to be truly deplorable. If a limb be cut off from a living body, it must die inevitably.

It should be the endeavour then of every serious man, to make haste to escape from a situation in which it is dangerous to continue; and to be incorporated with those who are in the way of peace and security. As Christ is the head of the Church, so an evil spirit is represented in Scripture to be the Prince of the World: the one is the Captain of Salvation: the other, often under the disguise of an

angel of light, a Tempter to sin, misery, and everlasting perdition. The sheep that are in the fold, are under the protection of the good Shepherd; but those who stray become the victims of famine, or the ravenous Wolf, "who goeth about seeking whom he may destroy."

This distinction between the Church and the world, is of prime importance, as it is Scriptural. "I am well assured," says an ingenious Author of an Essay on the Church," that if this subject of the Church, now so much neglected and almost forgotten, should come to be better considered; there would be more true piety and more peace, more of those virtues which will be required in Heaven, and which must therefore be first learned upon earth.

"Some think they can make their own Church, and so despise the word of God, and fall into infidelity. Others think they can make their own Church, or even be a Church unto themselves; and so they fall into the delusions of enthusiasm, or the uncharitableness of schism. But as there is nothing to enlighten the minds of men in the doctrines of salvation, but the word of God, so is there nothing that can unite their hearts and affections, but the Church of God:-" Ye are one bread and one body," saith the Apostle ; " one body by partaking of one bread, and that can only be in the same communion.

tage, instead of Bishop Wilson. The pulpit is certainly the proper place for instructing the poor; but unfortunately the very poor, those who are ashamed of their ragged and squalid appearance, seldom enter the church. Yet of such was Lazarus and other paupers, recorded in the Gospel, to whom the compassionate Jesus shewed particular attention. Tracts very short and very plain should be placed in their hands; and though many of them cannot read, yet they usually find somebody who can and will read to them, especially since the establishment of Sunday Schools. It is something to turn their minds to the subject. They are pleased with, the attention and solicitude of their supe. riors in their favour; and are often converted by this circumstance alone, from the error of their ways, from drunkenness and idleness, to industry and frugality. I know nothing more that can be done, except, indeed, the zeal of well disposed persons should lead them to make domiciliary visits to the poor, in order to enlighten their minds in things which so much belong unto their peace. Such would be a god-like office; and they who undertake it, must not be offended by the scoffs and ridicule of worldly-minded and infidel by-standers. I believe there are some among the despised religionists, who, animated with sincere piety, perform such offices as these, and are succesful. No liberal and truly Christian mind will despise men who

do so much good, and, in consequence of it, suffer so much evil, as the contempt and reproach of their acquaintance. To go about doing good, and to be reviled and persecuted for it, we should remember, was the lot of him who was our Great Exemplar.

But it must not be supposed that the neglect of the Sacrament is confined to the poor. The man of business, the man of pleasure, and the man of ambition, seem to take little notice of it; whether from thoughtlessness, from contempt, or from the multitude of their occupations, is not easy to determine. All that can be said respecting such persons. is, that the churches are open, and they are invited to enter and receive instruction; that treatises are written and offered to their perusal ; and that if they will not enter the one nor read the other, on themselves only must fall the evil consequence. In the day of pain, sickness, or some other adversity, they may learn to feel their want of spiritual consolation. In the day of health and wealth, they are too apt to be under the influence of pride, which renders the heart obdurate, and the ear deaf to admonition.

The persons above spoken of, whether rich or poor, are spoken of as what they profess to beChristians. Sceptics, infidels, and many modern rationalists, are a numerous tribe, who, on principle, neglect the Eucharist. Argument has little effect on them, for they are enthusiasts in their way, en