on earth. They are comparatively little known; and the prefent unworthy attempt to throw light on his character is made in the hope of leading some to a closer study of his writings. They are few and short-but they are golden all. Many writers have left behind them folios of divinity, history and ethics, rich stores of every kind, invaluable records of truth, depofitories of learning, expofitions of doctrine, commentaries on Scripture, irrefragable proofs of the fure foundations, on which our Chriftian Faith is builded up. Out of these we draw, as occafions serve,-now for one good purpose, then for another; and we cherish the names of the authors with deserved reverence. But we have already faid that, as a devotional writer, Bishop Ken ftands among the very firft;—and because prayer is the "key, to unlock Heaven's gates, his works are fecond to few in importance and interest. "Prayer," he says, "is our Treasury where all bleffings are kept, our Armoury where all our strength and weapons are stored, the only great prefervative, and the very vital heat of Divine Love." And lastly he has bequeathed to the CHURCH OF ENGLAND, for all time, a Pledge, which in this wavering age especially is of ineftimable value, his ever-memorable Teftimony to her truly Scriptural, Primitive, and Catholic doctrines. In and for the service of our loved Church he was early nurtured: he devoted all the energies and gifts of his maturer life to defend her integrity,-in his advancing years, he facrificed all that was most dear to him on earth to be a Confeffor to the inalienable rights of her fpiritual kingdom; and at his death he crowned a life of faithful adherence to her by this declaration of attachment, which ought to be infcribed in the hearts of all her true children : "As for my Religion, I die in the Holy Catholick and Apoftolick Faith, profefs'd by the whole Church, before the difunion of East and West : more particularly I die in the COMMUNION OF THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND, as it stands diftinguished from all Papall and Puritan Innovations, and as it adheres to the doctrine of the Crofs." If, at any time, men of restless consciences, in their afpirations after fome ideal perfection, be tempted to swerve from their allegiance to the CHURCH OF ENGLAND, let them study the writings of humble, fimplehearted, stedfast, Bishop Ken, (stedfast, because humble, and fimple-hearted):-there they will find folid arguments against "widening her deplorable divifions," and thus be animated by his fpirit of obedience, and united with him in a firm refolve to " continue ftedfast in her bofom, and improve all those helps to true piety, all thofe means of grace, all thofe incentives to the love of God," which He has mercifully afforded to them " in her Communion." Above all, let us follow him into his closet, and join with him in his prayers. They are suited to all periods of life,-to every varying circumftance of trial or of need. There are praises in joy, thankfgivings for mercies, penitential fighs for the contrite, breathings of faith for the wounded and dejected heart, afpirations of heavenly love for devout fouls, raising them to the fpiritual vifion of the glories of the eternal Throne. and for every place; They are fitted for They are fitted for every hour, we may use them as we walk by the way, as we rife in the morning, or commit ourfelves to fleep, or lie wakeful;-as we travel, as we dwell at home;-from our firft Communion to our laft, we may cherish them as a Companion at the Altar, and a Manual of Devotions to keep alive the heavenly influences, imparted to us in the Holy Eucharift. Let the conclufion be in his own words, often addreffed to thofe who differed from him,-" MAY GOD KEEP US IN HIS HOLY FEAR, AND MAKE US ALL WISE FOR ETERNITY." AMEN. |