OF

THE ESTABLISHED CHURCH

то

EXCLUSIVE ATTACHMENT AND SUPPORT,

AND

THE DANGERS

WHICH MENACE HER FROM

SCHISM AND INDIFFERENCE,

CONSIDERED;

IN

EIGHT SERMONS

PREACHED BEFORE THE

UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD, IN THE YEAR MDCCCXX.

At the Lecture founded by

THE LATE REV. JOHN BAMPTON, M. A.

CANON OF SALISBURY.

BY

GODFREY FAUSSETT, M. A.

LATE FELLOW OF MAGDALEN COLLEGE.

OXFORD,

AT THE UNIVERSITY PRESS FOR THE AUTHOR.

SOLD BY J. PARKER, Oxford; AND MESSRS. RIVINGTON, St.
PAUL'S CHURCH YARD, AND WATERLOO PLACE, LONDON.

CONTENTS.

SERMON I.

1 COR. iii. 3.

Whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divi-

sions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?

General insensibility to the duty of Church Commu-

nion.-I. Leading causes of misapprehension on the

subject. II. Prevailing modifications of latitudinarian

error. III. Plan of the following Lectures.

SERMON II.

1 COR. xii. 25.

That there should be no schism in the body.
Schism.-I. Its nature and criminality proved from
Scripture, and illustrated by the opinions of the primi-
tive writers. II. Usual evasions of the charge exposed,
and the measure of our obligations to Christian Unity
stated. III. Application of the argument to the religious
divisions of this country.

SERMON III.

JOHN XX, 21.

As my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.

Episcopacy.-I. Its Divine Institution, 1. Traced in

the writings of the New Testament; 2. Confirmed by

A

the universal practice and unvarying testimony of the
early Church.

SERMON IV. &

MATT. xxviii. 20.

Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.

The subject continued. II. Episcopacy of permanent
obligation, 1. Inferred from its close analogy to the
form of polity previously instituted by God for the
Jewish Church; 2. Proved from its being the only ap-
pointed method of continuing the Christian Priesthood.
3. Objections answered.

SERMON V.

ROM. x. 15.

How shall they preach, except they be sent?

The Christian Priesthood.-I. Proof from Scripture

that the Divine commission is necessary to the validity

of its important functions. II. Erroneous notions on

the subject considered.

SERMON VI

1 COR. xiv. 40.

Let all things be done decently and in order.

Forms.-I. The necessity of external form towards
maintaining the internal spirit of religion. II. The
authority of the Church in regulating the celebration of
divine worship. III. The lawfulness of the course
adopted by our own Church; and the positive benefits
derived from her appointments; more particularly
from her Liturgy..

SERMON VII.

JOHN Xviii. 36.

My kingdom is not of this world.

Alliance of Church and State.-I. Natural independ-

ence of the two powers on each other. II. Mutual ad-

vantages derived from their alliance, if formed on sound

principles, and discreetly conducted. III. Theory of our

own Establishment correct;-its benefits impaired by

deviations in practice.

SERMON VIII.

GALAT. vi. 10.

Let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who

are of the household of faith.

Toleration and test laws.-I. A test law necessary to
the security of the Established Church. II. Objections
answered. III. Religious indifference the leading source
of error on the subject.-Conclusion.