But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.--1 Cor. xi. 28.

Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. For he eateth and drinketh damnation (or condemnation) to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.-1 Cor. xi. 27, 29, 30.

5. As this institution was intended to display the oneness of believers, so Independent churches cordially admit to their communion all those who, though they differ on minor points, yet agree in fundamental doctrines and spiritual character; and consider that these are the only subjects respecting which they ought to be concerned.

God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you: but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.-1 Cor. i. 9, 10.

For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow-citizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.-Eph. ii. 18-22.

For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living. But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment-seat of Christ. For it it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God. Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumbling block or an occasion to fall in his brother's way. -Rom. xiv. 9--13.

We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let every one of us please his

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neighbour for his good to edification. Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us, to the glory of God.-Rom. xv. 1, 2, 7.

For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature. And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.-Gal. vi. 15, 16.

NOTES.

NOTE (A.)

Gibbon remarks, alluding to the apostles :-"The scheme of polity, which, under their approbation, was adopted for the use of the first century, may be discovered from the practice of Jerusalem, of Ephesus, or of Corinth. The societies which were instituted in the cities of the Roman Empire, were united only by the ties of faith and charity. Independence and equality formed the basis of their internal constitution.... The public functions of religion were solely intrusted to the established ministers of the church, the bishops and the presbyters; two appellations which, in their first origin, appear to have distinguished the same office, and the same order of persons."

Mosheim affirms, unhesitatingly, that "the people were, undoubtedly, the first in authority; for the apostles showed, by their own example, that nothing of moment was to be carried on or determined without the consent of the assembly; and such a method of proceeding was both prudent and necessary in those critical times. It was, therefore, the assembly of the people, which chose their own rulers and teachers, or received them by a free and authoritative consent, when recommended by others. The same people rejected or confirmed by their suffrages the laws that were proposed by their rulers to the assembly; excommunicated profligate and unworthy members of the church; restored the penitent to their forfeited privileges; passed judgment upon the different subjects of controversy and dissension that arose in their community; examined and decided the disputes which happened between the elders and deacons ; and, in a word, exercised all that authority which belongs to such as are invested with the sovereign power."

Dr. Isaac Barrow candidly admits that :-"At first each church was settled apart,.... so as independently and separately to manage its own concerns: each was governed by its own head, and had its own laws."

NOTE (B.)

This opinion is confirmed by the admissions of Episcopalian writers themselves, and from many which might be adduced, the subjoined extract may serve as a specimen. "That our Reformation, indeed, was conceived in sin, it would be most unjust and most ungrateful to maintain: for undoubtedly, the seeds of it were scattered by the hands of sincere and holy men, long before the days of Henry VIII. But when we look to certain of its mightiest patrons and leaders in his time, we feel almost com

pelled to avow that it was cradled in iniquity, and nursed in baseness.' When we view it purely with reference to the secular agency by which it was established, we are tempted to liken it to a lamb suckled by a wolf; or, to a dove warmed into life by the incubation of a vulture: and, in truth, it seemed, at times, as if the foster parent was ready to devour its adopted progeny. And when we come to inquire how it is that the new establishment survived the tender mercies of its protectors,-how it was preserved in the midst of patronage which seemed every moment to threaten it with destruction, we find ample reason for adoring the wisdom and goodness which often causes the most formidable evils to correct each other, and to give to the results some intermediate and beneficial direction."-Life of Cranmer, by the Rev. C. Webb Le Bas, A.M., Professor in the East India College, Herts; and late Fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge, vol. ii. p. 289.

NOTE (C.)

The following passages from a letter addressed by John Penry, A.M. to the Lord Treasurer-a "Protestation before his death"-are too interesting to be omitted:

"I am a poor young man, born and bred in the mountains of Wales. I am the first, since the last springing of the Gospel in this latter age, that publicly laboured to have the blessed seed thereof sown in those barren mountains. I have often rejoiced before my God, as he knoweth, that I had the favour to be born and live under her Majesty, for the promoting this work.... And being now to end my days, before I am come to the one-half of my years, in the likely course of nature, I leave the success of my labours unto such of my countrymen as the Lord is to raise after me, for the acomplishing of that work which, in the calling of my country unto the knowledge of Christ's blessed Gospel, I began.... An enemy unto any good order and policy, either in church or commonwealth, was I never. All good learning and knowledge of the arts and tongues I laboured to attain unto, and to promote unto the uttermost of my power. Whatsoever I wrote in religion, the same I did simply, for no other end than for the bringing of God's truth to light. I never did any thing in this cause (Lord, thou art witness!) for contention, vain glory, or to draw disciples after me; or to be accounted singular. Whatsoever I wrote or held beside the warrant of written Word, I have always warned all men to leave. And wherein I saw that I had erred myself, I have, as all this land doth now know, confessed my ignorance, and framed my judgment and practice according to the truth of the word.... Far be it, that either the saving of an earthly life; the regard which in nature I ought to have to the desolate outward state of a poor friendless widow, and four poor fatherless infants, whereof the eldest is not above four years old, which I am to leave behind me; or any other outward thing, should enforce me, by the denial of God's truth, contrary to my conscience to leese [sic] my own soul. The Lord, I trust, will never give me over unto this sin. Great things in this life I never sought for, not so much as in thought. A mean and base outward state, according to my mean condition, I was content with. Sufficiency I have had, with great

outward troubles; but most contented I was with my lot; and content

I

am, and shall be, with my undeserved and untimely death: beseeching the Lord, that it be not laid to the charge of any creature in this land. For I do, from my heart, forgive all those that seek my life, as I desire to be forgiven in the day of strict account; praying for them as for my own soul, that although upon earth we cannot accord, we may yet meet in heaven unto our eternal comfort and unity; where all controversies shall be at an end.... Many such subjects I wish unto my prince; though no such reward unto any of them.... Subscribed with the heart and the hand, which never devised or wrote any thing to the discredit or defamation of my sovereign, Queen Elizabeth: I take it on my death, as I hope to have a life after this.- By me JOHN PENRY."

NOTE (D.)

The deposition of Daniel Buck respecting the discovery of this place, the mode of conducting Divine worship, and administering the ordinances of baptism and the Lord's supper, will be read with interest.

"The examination of Daniel Buck, scrivener, of the Borough of Southwark.... Being required to be deposed upon a book, refuseth to take any other oath than to protest before God, that all his sayings were true.... Saith, that he was upon Sunday last, in the afternoon, in the constable's house at Islington; where he did see, among others of his fraternity, Penryn [Penry]; and that George Johnson was reader there in the constable's house as aforesaid; and, that there were above forty of them together, and divers others that were not of their society. And, that he was not in the parish church these twelvemonths, because it was against his conscience, unless there were reformation in the church, according as they be warranted by the word of God. And as concerning the bishops, he thinketh that they have no spiritual authority over the rest of the clergy.-Being asked, what vow, or promise, he had made when he came first into their society? He answered, he made this protestation, that he would walk with the rest of the congregation so long as they did walk in the way of the Lord, and as far as might be warranted by the word of God....

"And being further demanded, who was their pastor; and by whom he was created? Saith, that Mr. FRANCIS JOHNSON was chosen pastor; and Mr. Greenwood, doctor; and Bowman and Lee, deacons; and Studley, and George Kniston, apothecary, were chosen elders, in the house of one Fox, in St. Nicholas Lane, London, about half a year sithence, all in one day, by their congregation; or at Mr. Bilson's house in Cree Church; he remembereth not whether. And, that the sacrament of baptism was, as he called it, delivered there, to the number of seven persons by JohnBut they had neither godfathers nor godmothers. And he took water, and washed the faces of them that were baptized. The children that were there baptized, were the children of Mr. Studley, Mr. Lee, with others, being of several years of age; saying only in the administration of this sacrament, 'I do baptize thee in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and the Holy Ghost;' without using any other ceremony therein,

son.