'As too much to slight their duties': a Hackney Phalanx sermon critiques populist evangelicalism

Today begins a series of extracts from an 1814 collection of sermons by Christopher Wordsworth (senior, d.1846). In 1814, Wordsworth was Dean of Bocking; he would be Master of Trinity, Cambridge from 1820-41. He was associated with the Hackney Phalanx and was a chaplain to Archbishop of Canterbury Charles Manners-Sutton. Indeed, this volume was warmly dedicated to the Archbishop's son (to whom he had been tutor), then Judge Advocate General in the administration of Lord Liverpool. 

As a recent excellent study of Liverpool has demonstrated, he was guided by and supportive of the Hackney Phalanx in his ecclesiastical policies. It was on the Archbishop's recommendation that Liverpool appointed Wordsworth Master of Trinity. In other words, we can regard this collection of sermons as expressive of the teaching and piety of the Hackney Phalanx.

In this extract, Wordsworth offers a critique of populist evangelicalism and revivalism, reflecting characteristic Old High concerns:

some, considering what great things God has done for mankind, are so occupied in the contemplation of these, as too much to slight their duties. In their reliance on the love of the Father, the merits of the Redeemer, the free gifts of the Sanctifier, they are too prone to forget that it is the will of the united Godhead, that without obedience and holiness, no man shall see the Lord. Some, building upon the awful truth of the eternal election of God, in the contemplation of this purpose of love exerted upon them, even before the world was, neglect too much to give diligence to make their calling and election sure, through those things, which if they do they shall never fall. Another description, being, as they trust, once purged by the blood of Christ, dream that they can be no more unclean; and being brought under grace, hold themselves on that account free from the bondage of the law. And others gain, rejoicing in the freedom of the promises of the Gospel, are too prone to undervalue the instituted means and ordinances of grace, the reading or preaching of the word, the ministry of exhortation, prayer, and the Sacraments.