A CHARGE, &c. MY REVEREND BRETHREN, Of all the institutions of this long favoured country, no one excites so much interest at the present moment, or occupies so much of the attention of the community, as the Church,-that branch of the Catholic Church of Christ, established by law in this kingdom. To invigorate its existing power, to add to that power, and increase its means of promoting the temporal and eternal peace and happiness of the inhabitants of this country, and of carrying the words of truth and salvation to every corner of the world, is the anxious desire, the fervent prayer, and the earnest endeavour of many of her dutiful and grateful children, sincere worshippers of their God and Saviour, in every part of this kingdom. Whilst this is the glorious object of the desires and endeavours of many of her children, it cannot be denied that some of them are perverse, disobedient, and rebellious; and that her enemies are numerous and eager to set their feet upon her neck, to deprive her of her rights and privileges, and to lay her beauty and her honour in the dust. Of these, some are open and undisguised in their hostility, and, consequently, though vehement in their vituperation, and unscrupulous and unsparing in their efforts to accomplish her downfall, are more easily met, and more successfully opposed; and, God be praised, the Church of England has never wanted champions competent to wield the well-tempered sword, and hold up the thick-bossed shield which her armoury provides for her defence. Some, on the contrary, and they a crafty band, spread their ambushes on every side, and endeavour to carry by feint and stratagem, the citadel which they are afraid or ashamed to assail by a direct and unmasked attack; who, under the pretext of doing service to the Church and Religion, would strike from under them their chief temporal supports, endeavouring with deceitful lips to persuade us that such aids are not needed, and that, instead |