Page:Tracts for the Times Vol 1.djvu/163

 world, there is yet danger, lest that light itself should be obscured. Yet the remedy for this, under blessing, is not to be sought in rescuing or concentrating some scattered rays of that Church, while the Church itself is abandoned to the world. The Ordinances of the Church itself afford the means of its own restoration. Not to speak of those ulterior and fearful powers, committed to it, (and which other communions exercise,) of ejecting from its bosom "the wicked person," the observance of its own other institutions would virtually eject them. Not indeed at once, (as indeed Himself has thought fit to allow even His own Blessed Spirit but gradually to leaven our corrupted mass,) not at once, for at present, long continuance in opposed habits would prevent many from receiving the Ordinances of the Church, but yet, one should trust, steadily and increasingly; the mists which now encircle the Church, would disperse, and its glorious elevation on Zion's hill would more effectually be seen. Those, whom the easy Service of the Lord's Day repels not, who would fain serve on the seventh day, and Mammon on the remaining six, would be brought to some test of what spirit they were; and if the Church, like Him, who is its Head, and because joined to that Head, becomes a stone of stumbling, if some shall more openly fall back unto perdition, still it will have performed its office; many, one may be sure, (for our assurance rests on  Word,) would also be awakened from their lethargy of death; and if it be to some a savor of death, it will, by  mercy, be to many more a savor of life, unto life. Yet the result of any system, built upon Word, belongs not to us. Were the consequences of more Apostolic practice a great apparent defection and desolation, we dare not hesitate. "It must be made manifest that they are not all of us." Meanwhile a beacon will be held out to those, who would wish to see their path: the plea, that every shew of religion, which the world tolerates not, is the mere excess and badge of a party, could no longer be held; those, who shrink from what might seem a voluntary or ostentatious forwardness, would no longer be deterred from uniting in observances, which, if authorized, they would love; and there might again be no separation but between those who serve and those who serve Him not. The world has seen that its own principles are leading to its own destruction; it acknowledges that its increased laxity has fearfully increased