The Real Presence

when it is allowed to colour the minds of the teachers of the people, and to pervade the discharge of the duties of their ministry. For this is, not to build up in the hearts of themselves and of their people but, to undermine the fabric of THE FAITH; nor is there the compensation made, if indeed any compensation were possible in such a case, of bringing into the place of that harsh and stern turn of mind, which is not uncommonly supposed to accompany, as it were, by way of natural consequence, precision of theological statement, an amiable and loving spirit. For indeed there is no necessary connection, as some appear to assume, between an exact belief upon all points which it has pleased GOD to reveal, and a severe and overbearing temper. Rather may we be assured that the more deeply and the more closely the mind searches into those things of GOD which it is given to it to know, the more will it be enabled, under Grace, to disclose to itself new, and hitherto hidden springs of charity, and to fill the heart at least in some measure, with the meekness and the gentleness of CHRIST.

It is my hope and prayer that the statement of the Doctrine of the Real Presence, and the proof of that statement contained in this sermon, may be useful to my younger brethren of the ministry, and, through them, to the Church at large. I have been compelled, under circumstances of the gravest character, to place before the Church, in a formal

shape, the undoubting belief of many years. For as I can recall no time when I had any belief other than that I have now, so I bless God that every succeeding year does not change, but only confirm and strengthen me in holding fast what I have received as HIS TRUTH at the hands of the Church of England. What I have now done therefore, has not been done in haste. I trust it has been done in no presumptuous spirit, or with any feeling of unkindness or disrespect towards him whose act has called it forth. But I am bound to say that I know of no considerations which ought to prevent my public, formal, and solemn appeal from the charge of "Unsoundness of Doctrine," which has been made against me by a Bishop of the Church; but of many considerations, not personal to myself, which combine to satisfy me that I could not do otherwise than I have done; and that it is for the best interests of the Church of England and of the Churches of her Communion, that the truth and value of that charge should be inquired into and determined by FITTING

AND COMPETENT AUTHORITY.

Whether such inquiry into, and determination of, the charge shall take place, is in other hands than mine. Meantime the discussion, which is now be gun, while it cannot affect THE TRUTH ITSELF, will much affect and promote the reception of THE TRUTH by all who seek after it with a humble mind and a loving heart.

Brethren, it is one of our principal dangers in

these latter days, that considerations of policy, observance of times and seasons, love of ease and comfort, and love of this world's peace, be allowed so to influence us in respect of the obligation under which we have come by our Ordination Vow, that the vow itself become to us a dead letter and an unmeaning form.

"The Bishop.

"Will you be ready, with all faithful diligence, to banish and drive away all erroneous and strange doctrines contrary to God's Word; and to use both public and private monitions and exhortations, as well to the sick as to the whole, within your cures, as need shall require, and occasion shall be given?

"Answer.

"I will, the LORD being my helper."*

May He, Who gave us the will to vow, keep us from all delusion, whereby we come to forget what we have vowed. For to shrink from handling THE TRUTH, to set our hearts first upon this world's peace, to ask for "a more convenient season,"to have any fears for the issue to the Church of GOD,-if we will give to these things their real name, is to wait upon man, but not upon God, to love the world rather than GOD,-to speculate upon the contingencies of human infirmity, and to rely upon the arrangements and contrivances of human wisdom-BUT TO LACK FAITH.

*The Form and Manner of Ordering of Priests.