I. Stability and permanence are, perhaps, the especial ideas which a church brings before the mind. It represents, indeed, the beauty, the loftiness, the calmness, the mystery, and the sanctity of religion also, and that in many ways. Still, more than all these, it represents to us its eternity.
II. See what a noble principle faith is. The Christian throws himself fearlessly on the future, because he believes in Him which is, and which was, and which is to come. One lays the foundation, and another builds thereupon; one levels the mountain, and another "brings forth the head-stone with shoutings."
III. The Churches which we inherit are the fruits of martyrdom. Their foundations are laid very deep, even in the preaching of the Apostles, and the confession of saints, and the first victories of the Gospel in our land. The Church alone can plant the Church.
J. H. Newman, Selection from the Parochial and Plain Sermons,p. 377 (also vol. vi., p. 270).