[²] Hebrews i. 14.
[³] Revelation xix. 10.
“All my sophisms on this head were entirely overthrown by a few hours candid reading the holy scriptures, which now became as a lantern to my feet, and a lamp to my paths, directing me in the way wherein I should go. I could see no manner of authority either in the old Testament or the new for invocating any saint, or apostle whatsoever. God, the triune God, is, alone, the proper object of prayer, and of all divine worship.” He is likewise a jealous God (Exodus xx. 5.) and will not give his glory to another, before his glorious Majesty the hosts of heaven, angels and authorities, principalities and powers, thrones and dominions, vailing their faces, fall down in lowly prostrations, while they adore him (whom all should adore!) that sitteth upon the throne, and the Lamb, that liveth for ever [♦]and ever.”
[♦] omitted word “and” supplied
Not many days after, he fell into discourse with his father on the head, and informed him, that he was minded to forsake the church of Rome, being clearly convinced she was not that infallible, or pure church he once esteemed her, “but rather (to use his words) an harlot, who had committed spiritual and vile adultery. My father (adds he) was much provoked, and produced his strong reasons to overthrow all I had said. I dared not but listen to him, which I did with much attention. But the more he argued, the more was I confirmed in my former resolution.”
Being now fully satisfied, and deliberately determined, he resolved to omit no becoming method of testifying the same. And accordingly (having no temporal interest to serve thereby, as may be undeniably plain to every one) he, without farther delay, publickly and in form, renounced his former communion; abjured the errors of the church of Rome, and thence forward regularly attended the service of the church of England.
He was greatly delighted with the prayers. (As was, St. Austin at his first attendance, with the service of the Church in general. Confess., book 9, chapter 6. His heart melted with divine sweetness, and his eyes flowed down with tears of love.) A certain providence seemed to direct the very matter of the first sermon which he heard there. “The first text (says he) I heard preached on at church, was He that believeth and is baptized, shall be saved: but he that believeth not, shall be damned, (Mark xvi. 16.)
“Yet, alas! How little did I know of believing? Being taught, and accustomed to call by the name of faith, the peculiar principles of the church of Rome. But I have now learned a better lesson, and know that rightly to believe, is one of the greatest things in the world.”
“And now that I have left the church of Rome, I nevertheless declare that I think there are many sincere souls among them. For I bear them witness, that they have a zeal for God, tho’ not according to knowledge. Many of them have justice, mercy, and truth; and may (notwithstanding many errors in sentiment, and therefore in practice, thro’ invincible ignorance) since as is God’s majesty, so is his mercy, be dealt with accordingly.”
There have been doubtless, and still are among them, some burning and shining lights; persons who (whatever their particular sentiments may be) are devoted to the service of Jesus Christ, according as their light and opportunities admit. And in reality, whatever opinions people may hold, they are most approved of God, whose tempers and behaviour correspond most with the model of his holy word. This however, can be no justification of avowed unscriptural tenets, such, as has been often proved, are many of those of the church of Rome.