admitted to it, graciously received, preferred to those that are proud of their learning, and very often advanced to higher degrees of knowledge therein; according to that of the Psalmist, The law of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes; the entrance of His word giveth light; it giveth also understanding unto the simple. Psal. cxix. 130. You, therefore, whom some very forward youths leave far behind in other studies, take courage; and to wipe off this stain, if it be one, and compensate this discouragement, make this your refuge: you cannot possibly arrive at an equal pitch of eloquence or philosophy with some others, but what hinders you, I pray, from being as pious, as modest, as meek and humble, as holy and pure in heart, as any other person whatever? And by this means, in a very short time, you will be completely happy in the enjoyment of God, and live for ever in the blessed society of angels and spirits of just men made perfect.

But if you want to make a happy progress in this wisdom, you must, to be sure, declare war against all the lusts of the world and the flesh, which enervate your minds, weaken your strength, and deprive you of all disposition and fitness for imbibing this pure and immaculate doctrine. How stupid is it to catch so greedily at advantages so vanishing and fleeting in their nature, if, indeed, they can be called advantages at all; "advantages that are carried hither and thither, hurried from place to place by the uncertainty of their nature, and often fly away before they can be possessed *." An author remarkable for his attainments in religion, justly cries out, "O! what peace and tranquillity might he possess, who could be prevailed upon to cut off all vain anxiety, and only think of those things that are of a Divine and saving nature+!" Peace and tranquillity is, without doubt, what we all seek after, yet, there are very few that know the way to it, though it be quite plain and open. It is, indeed, no wonder that the blind who wander about

* Τὰ ἄνω καὶ κάτω φερόμενα, καὶ περιτρεπόμενα, καὶ πρὶν ληφθῆναι, απιοντά. O qui omnem vanam solicitudinem amputaret, et salutaria duntaxat ac divina cogitaret, quantam quietem et pacem possideret!

without a guide, should mistake the plainest and most open path; but we have an infallible guide, and a most valiant leader. Let us follow him alone; for he that treadeth in his steps, can never walk in darkness.

Let us pray.

O! INVISIBLE God, who seest all things! Eternal Light, before whom all darkness is light, and in comparison with whom, every other light is but darkness! The weak eyes of our understanding cannot bear the open and full rays of Thy inaccessible light; and yet, without some glimpses of that light from heaven, we can never direct our steps, nor proceed towards that country which is the habitation of light. May it therefore please Thee, O Father of lights, to send forth Thy light and Thy truth, that they may lead us directly to Thy holy mountain. Thou art good, and the fountain of goodness; give us understanding, that we may keep Thy precepts. That part of our past lives, which we have lost in pursuing shadows, is enough, and indeed too much: bring back our souls into the paths of life, and let the wonderful sweetness thereof, which far exceeds all the pleasures of this earth, powerfully, yet pleasantly, preserve us from being drawn aside therefrom by any temptation from sin or the world. Purify, we pray Thee, our souls from all impure imaginations, that Thy most beautiful and holy image may be again renewed within us, and, by contemplating, thy glorious perfections, we may feel daily improved within us that Divine similitude, the perfection whereof we hope, will at last make us for ever happy in that full and beatific vision we aspire after. Till this most blessed day break, and the shadows fly away, let Thy Spirit be continually with us, and may we feel the powerful effects of His Divine grace constantly directing and supporting our steps; that all our endeavours, not only in this society, but throughout the whole remaining part of our lives, may serve to promote the honour of Thy blessed name, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

353

EXHORTATIONS

TO THE

CANDIDATES FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER

OF ARTS,

IN THE UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH.

EXHORTATION I.

WERE I allowed to speak freely what I sincerely think of most of the affairs of human life, even those that are accounted of the highest importance, and transacted with the greatest eagerness and bustle, I should be apt to say, Magno conatu magnas nugas,-that a great noise is made about trifles. But if you should take this amiss, as a little unseasonable upon the present occasion, and an insult upon your solemnity, I hope you will the more easily forgive me, that I place in the same rank with this philosophical convention of yours, the most famous councils and general assemblies of princes and great men; and say of their golden crowns, as well as your crowns of laurel, that they are Καπνοῦ σκιας οὐκ ἂν πριάιμην—things of no value, and not worth the purchasing. Even the triumphal, inaugural, or nuptial processions of the greatest kings and generals of armies, with whatever pomp and magnificence, as well as art, they may be set off, they are, after all, so far true representations of their false, painted, and tinsel happiness, that, while we look at them, they fly away; and, in a very short time, they are followed by their funeral processions, which are the triumphs of death over those who have, themselves, triumphed during their lives. The scenes are shifted, the VOL. IV.

2 A

actors also disappear; and, in the same manner, the greatest shews of this vain world likewise pass away. Let us, that we may lop off the luxuriant branches of our vines, take a nearer view of this object, and remember, that what we now call a laurel crown, will soon be followed by cypress wreaths. It will be also proper to consider how many, who, in their time, were employed as we are now, have long ago acted their parts, and are now consigned to a long oblivion; as also, what vast numbers of the rising generation are following us at the heels, and, as it were, pushing us forward to the same land of forgetfulness! who, while they are hurrying us away, are at the same time hastening thither themselves. All that we see, all that we do, and all that we are, are but mere dreams; and if we are not sensible of this truth, it is because we are still asleep: none but minds that are awake, can discern it; they, and they only, can perceive and despise these iuraiyuara-illusions of the night. In the mean time, nothing hinders us from submitting to these, and other such customary formalities, provided our doing it interfere not with matters of much greater importance, and prospects of a different and more exalted nature. What is it, pray, to which, with the most ardent wishes, you have been aspiring throughout the whole course of these four last years? Here you have a cap and a title, and nothing at all more.

But, perhaps, taking this amiss, you secretly blame me in your hearts, and wish me to congratulate you upon the honour you have obtained. I cheerfully comply with your desire, and am willing to explain myself. These small presents are not the principal reward of your labours, nor the chief end of your studies; but honorary marks and badges of that erudition and knowledge wherewith your minds have been stored by the uninterrupted labours of four whole years. But whatever attainments in learning you have reached, I would have you seriously to reflect, how inconsiderable they are, and how little they differ from nothing. Nay, if what we know, is compared with what we know not, it will be found even vastly less than nothing: at least, it is an argument of little knowledge, and