'The way in which he is to secure his salvation': a final extract from Le Mesurier's Bampton Lectures

For the final time, an extract from Le Mesurier's 1807 Bampton Lectures, On the Nature and Guilt of Schism. Here Le Mesurier provides a description of Anglicanism combining modesty, a gentle native pride, and a quiet confidence. It remains an attractive and wise description, a reminder of how Anglicanism, at its best, has no need for exalted claims, for faithfully administering Word and Sacrament for the salvation of souls is sufficient.

Perfection I do not attribute to her; for God has given perfection to no mortal being, and to no institution upon earth, however proceeding originally from himself. By the very infirmity which shews itself in almost every act of every man, and of every body of men, we are forcibly and hourly reminded that we have no "continuing city" here; but that we must look for happiness, and for reward, to state of things far different, and "to come." Yet I must say that it is a great blessing, and a great privilege, too apt to be despised, and held cheap by those who enjoy it, to be born, as we have been, under a form of discipline so conducive to piety, and of which we have such assurance that it is agreeable to the word of God.

I do not say neither, I never have pretended to say, that the church of England contains within her bosom no unworthy members; nay, no unworthy ministers of the word. He must be a much bolder man than I who will venture to say this of any community to which he belongs. This is a presumption which will rather be found with our adversaries than with us. But this I will affirm, and it is the least that can

be said, that there is in her no such corruption of doctrine, no such perversion of discipline, no such imposition of what is wrong, and suppression of what is right, as makes it any way dangerous or criminal to live in her communion. Nay, I will further assert, that in her the gospel is so preached, the sacraments are so administered, that no sincere and religious member of her establishment can be left to seek for the means of serving God, or be at a loss for the way in which he is to secure his salvation.