The Life and Letters of the Rev. George Mortimer, M.A.: Rector of Thornhill, in the Diocese of Toronto, Canada WestArmstrong, John
Religion
The Life and Letters of the Rev. George Mortimer, M.A.: Rector of Thornhill, in the Diocese of Toronto, Canada West
Armstrong, John
Mortimer, George, 1784-1844
As to Episcopacy, I think with Bishop Hall, that it is necessary for the
_well_ or _better_ being of a Church, but not essentially necessary to
its very being itself; and as to High Church principles, or Puseyism, or
Tractarian notions, I go not a single step. I regard them as quite
subversive of the doctrine of Christ; there is not one single point, by
which they are distinguished but, if honestly carried out, must lead to
Romanism. Admit, for example, that in ordination there is conveyed
through the bishop, of necessity, and independent of the state of mind of
the candidate, any grace or virtue or qualification for the spiritually
and graciously discharging the duties of the ministerial office, which is
not conveyed by Presbyterian or Methodistical ordination, and you
arrogate for our Church what neither Scripture on the one hand, nor daily
observation on the other, will substantiate. They may authorize and
commission those who appear to them already qualified, but it is the
Divine Spirit alone, which can fit and qualify with all the gifts and
graces necessary for a due discharge of their important function.
FAITH AND WORKS.
WHEN a man is justified by faith, he is by faith accounted just and
righteous _before_ God.
When a man is justified by works, he is by his works proclaimed or
declared _to man_ to be just and righteous.
To be justified is generally to be considered or regarded just or
righteous.
FIRST STEP.
THE first step in vital religion is a sense of the presence of God.
FRIENDSHIP.
IT generally happens when there are little unpleasantnesses among friends
and relations, that they arise from mutual faults, and therefore I cannot
but conclude, that there must have been something either in my
observations or manner, which it would have been better to avoid. I am
surprised, however, that you should so long have suffered from such
incidents: friends, and especially relatives, should be like two bowls
suffering temporary collision; they should rub and go on, for in this
imperfect state we must expect many such a rub; we cannot move at equal
rates, we cannot keep at equal distances, there will be an infringing
every now and then, but still let us go on, go on in love, agree to
differ, and expect occasionally to feel; but why should this feeling be
either strong or lasting? I am glad, however, that you have relieved
your mind, and though it has been a little at my expense, yet as the
effort has been beneficial to you, I will not attempt in any way to
destroy the effect, but will, for the sake of good will and kind feeling,
admit anything you have said. And here may such matters rest “never to
rise again.”
MILLENNIUM.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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