mighty armies or array of matchless flects, can avail to perpetuate the welfare of a nation. The blessing from on high can alone ensure prosperity. That heavenly blessing has never yet, in ages past, been withheld from the people of these realms. To the same protecting arm of God we look for safety now. "The Lord of Hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge." The nation's heart, we trust, still beats true to the sacred principles which give vitality and strength to all her institutions. When disaffected bands seek to do her harm, they shall be seen to be few and powerless before the mighty host of the wise, the holy, and the brave. And even the spirit of discontent itself shall vanish from her shores, when the light of truth and piety shall penetrate the dense masses of her people that are sitting in darkness and in the shadow of death. Oh, may success, at no distant day, crown the

efforts of her patriots, amongst whom we rejoice to number some of the most illustrious and noble of her sons, to teach the ignorant and reclaim the vicious; that they may both know the things which belong to their everlasting peace, which are now hidden from their eyes; and also be instructed to understand the advantages held out to all, from the highest to the lowest, by the constitutional form of government under which it is their privilege to live. Thus may knowledge and devotion be long united to support the altar and the throne; and the institutions of this favoured country continue to be the model of rising empires and the admiration of mankind, till the destinies of nations shall expire with the cycles of accomplished prophecy; and Time, like the champion of Gaza, shall pull down the pillars of Nature, and entomb himself in the ruins of the universe.

W. E. Painter, Printer, 342, Strand, London.

PREACHED

ON TUESDAY THE 28TH OF NOVEMBER, 1848,

IN THE

CATHEDRAL CHURCH OF WINCHESTER,

ON BEHALF OF

THE SOCIETIES

FOR THE

PROMOTION OF CHRISTIAN KNOWLEDGE,

AND FOR THE

PROPAGATION OF THE GOSPEL IN FOREIGN PARTS,

AND

PUBLISHED AT THE REQUEST OF A MEETING, Held on the same day at St. John's Rooms.

BY THE REV. R. S. BARTER, B.C.L.

WARDEN OF WINCHESTER COLLEGE.

WINCHESTER :

JACOB AND JOHNSON, HIGH-STREET.

RIVINGTONS, LONDON.

SERMON.

1st TIMOTHY, iii. 14, 15, 16.

These things write I unto thee, hoping to come unto thee shortly. But if I tarry long, that thou mightest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the Church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. And without controversy, great is the mystery of godliness. God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.

VERY glorious things are spoken of the Church of God in the holy Scriptures. Christ is her head; she is His body-His bride; He loves her, cherishes her, gave Himself for her; the gates of hell shall not prevail against her. She is the ark of salvation, into which are brought daily such as shall be saved. Her's are the living word of God, the laver of regeneration, the bread which came down from heaven, the cup of blessing, the perpetual presence of her Lord. Her first and highest duty is to keep the faith whole and undefiled; her distinctive character to be the pillar and ground of the truth. Herself "built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ being the chief corner stone," she must support and lift up on high the superstructure of their divine doctrine, as a city set upon a hill, as a light placed in a candlestick, which all mankind may behold, and become wise unto salvation.