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But WICKLIFFE of the same university was ordained to confirm more fully the evangelic testimony. He was properly the first great light in that dark age. He translated the Bible into our own tongue; and his own mind was illumined by it. He then assailed with an intrepid spirit the before-mentioned errors, and in particular, the position (which is the fundamental principle of a corrupt theology)" That a man becomes acceptable to God, and is finally saved, by his own works and merits." "Human nature," pronounced Wickliffe from the theological chair," is wholly at enmity with God. Man is a sinner from the "womb. He cannot think a good thought; " he cannot perform a good work, except he "receive GRACE." And with respect to that Faith whereby we shall be saved, he speaks in these terms. "The merit of Christ is sufficient "of itself to redeem every man from Hell. "Faith in our Lord Jesus Christ is sufficient " for salvation. We are not to seek to be jus"tified in any other way than by his justice. "We BECOME righteous through the participa"tion of HIS righteousness." * Wickliffe

here speaks the sense of a Text, from which every Theologian should learn to preach; "To him that worketh NOT, but believeth on

* Dr. James's Apology for Wickliffe.

"HIM that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is "counted for righteousness." This text is found in the fourth chapter of the Epistle to the Romans, and at the fifth verse. But the unanswerable argument for the truth of this doctrine is derived from the history of CORNELIUS, the Centurion. "His alms and prayers "came up as a memorial before God." Acts x. 4. ; but he became not THEREBY an heir of salvation. He was directed to go to the Apostle PETER," who should tell him words wHERE"BY he should be saved." Acts xi. 14. Until Cornelius heard the words of the Gospel from Peter, and thereupon "received the Holy Ghost," he knew nothing of that Faith whereby alone he could be saved.

But Wickliffe was only the forerunner. Like John the Baptist, he prophesied of a Light that should come; and almost in his words he said, "I am but a solitary evidence against a Host. "I am but the voice of one crying in the wil"derness." But his own light did not dispel the gloom. Though it shone far into the vale of night, it reached not to the throne of darkness at Rome.

II. The second Era of Light is the REFORMATION. In the midst of this spiritual darkness, while men were sitting a second time" in "the region and shadow of death," the " dayspring from on high visited them." This

has been accounted by some, an epoch in the Church, not less remarkable than that of the first promulgation of the Gospel. And although it is now much out of view in the minds of many; although Infidelity would obscure its glory, and "the withered hand hath "been lifted up against HIM that healed it,” the Reformation will ever be considered as a great event in the divine dispensation by all true members of the Church of Christ, to the end of time.

As, in the first age, the preaching of the Apostle PAUL was chiefly instrumental in the conversion of men; so, at this second Era, the ministry of LUTHER was principally honoured of God, for that purpose. Luther was ordain ed to be the great instrument of Light; and he, like WICKLIFFE, gave the HOLY SCRIPTURES to his nation in their own tongue.

But, by what means was Light restored at the Reformation? The CAUSE is to be found in the third part of our Saviour's doctrine before mentioned, namely, the inspiration of the HOLY GHOST, the spirit of Truth which should resist the spirit of Satan and of error," reprove the "world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment; and guide men into all truth."This was the efficient cause: but the means or instrument was the Bible. Light was restored to the world by the BIBLE.

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The writers of that day give an animating account of the sensations of joy and exultation, with which the people of our own country received the Word of God. A Copy of the Bible was fixed by the Royal command to a desk in the Churches: and the people assembled in crowds to read it, or to hear it read. It is recorded that many persons learned to read in their old age, that they might be able to read the Bible. A frequent Text of the Preachers of that time was that which we have chosen, "And God said, Let there be Light; "and there was Light." For the light of truth shone upon them suddenly; and every where illumined the minds of men, almost at the same time.

The distinguishing doctrine of the Reformation was "Justification by Faith alone."

This," said Luther," is the ONLY SOLID "Rock."-"This Rock," continues he, "did "Satan shake in Paradise, when," he per

suaded our first parents that by THEIR OWN "wisdom and power they might become LIKE "unto God; and thereby induced them to "renounce their faith in God, who had given "them life, and a promise of its continuance." -In the same manner do many at this day renounce their faith in God, who hath promised LIFE by his Son; and they seek Life by THEIR OWN Wisdom and power. "The king

"dom of Satan," added Luther, "is to be re"sisted by this heavenly and all-powerful "doctrine. Whether we be rude or eloquent, "whether we be learned or unlearned, THIS "ROCK must be defended; this doctrine "must be published abroad in animated "strains."

Pure religion being thus restored, the first labour of our Church was TO DO HONOR to the true and genuine doctrines of Christianity. And this she did by exhibiting them to the world" in a form of sound words," in the composition of our LITURGY, ARTICLES, and HOMILIES; which we maintain to be the standard of sound doctrine unto this day. †

But an affecting and awful scene was to follow in England. The providence of God directed that the truth and efficacy of THESE DOCTRINES thus set forth, should be PROVED. In like manner as at the first promulgation of the Gospel, its divinity was displayed by the marvellous constancy of the first MARTYRS; so it was ordered that when the truth was pub

* Preface to the Commentary on the Galatians.

+ And not we only; for though certain churches differ from us and from each other in form and discipline, they agree with us in DOCTRINE. The doctrines of our Church are acknowledged by the Protestant Churches on the CONTINENT, by the Established Church of SCOTLAND, and by the great body of Dissenters in our own Conatry.