i

the ignorance and paffions of mankind have been increasing for ages, and which they are still busy to involve in greater difficulties, requires no fmall degree of nice examination, diligence, and impartiality.

THESE, however, (as we have feen) the principle under confideration naturally produces and fupports; accordingly the perfon who is influenced by it, having firft endeavoured to fupply himself with those aids from human learning, which are neceffary to overcome thefe difficulties, applies himfelf to the undertaking with ardour and ferioufnefs. Without abject fubmiffion to the opinions of any, however recommended, he examines for himfelf: but at the fame time, he is equally cautious of miftaking a love of novelty for a fpirit of freedom, and thinks it but reasonable, that a young and inexperienced mind fhould not haftily, and without diffidence, publish and infift upon

its opinions, when they differ from those of greater experience; and efpecially when they contradict doctrines generally received in every age of the church: at least, in fo important a bufinefs, he will wait till that fondness for our own productions, which the most disinterested are not intirely exempt from, is a little abated; judging, that if no less a space than nine years, has, upon this account, been fixed by a great * master for the private probation of a literary compofition, it can never be prudent or decent to ufher into the world our determinations of fuch higher moment, without the matureft deliberation.

IF, however, after the faireft examination he can make, after waiting a due space of time, and revifing and reconfidering the whole afresh, he ftill fees cause to differ from the opinion of others, though it should be

* Horace.

be in important points, he will think it both mean and dishoneft to conceal his fentiments: fhould those points be fuch, as to render a conformity to the established religion an act of duplicity, he will behave confiftently with the convictions of his conscience; and, tho' unwilling to disturb the unity of the church, feparate from her worfhip: in fo doing, after fuch care and fuch endeavours to be impartial, he will deserve the esteem of every fincere friend to truth. But, if (as I hope I may, without undue partiality, suppose will generally be the cafe of a perfon of our communion, beginning fuch an inquiry upon fuch principles, and carrying it on in such a manner,) he fees good reafon to abide with that mother from whom he firft imbibed the milk of the gospel, having his faith and opinions built upon fuch a foundation, he will attend to the miniftry duly qualified

and

and duly fixed, fhewing himself a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

THIS leads us to the second point, with refpect to which I propofed to confider the importance of this principle, his doctrine. The perfon, who has from fuch motives taken fo much care to have his own opinions well founded, will confequently think it but just to build those which he is to inculcate on others on their proper foundations; and as all his conduct has respect to the pleasure of God, he will, as a christian, efteem this an indifpenfable duty, left he fhould be found to affume the character of being called master, in the strictëst sense in which it is forbidden in the gospel. But then, in this, as he is affured his duty is to edify his hearers, not to raise their vain admiration, very different methods of

proceeding

ceeding will be proper in different places, according to their abilities. To wife men he will *Speak as unto wife men, requiring them to judge of what he fays: to fincere christians of inferior capacity, tho' to them he will not preach himself, yet he will think a plainer and more direct application of the doctrines and precepts of religion neceffary; because fuitable to the abilities and opportunity which providence hath afforded them. With all he will remember that his business is to preach the trnth as it §is in Jefus: though he will by no means omit to inculcate the truths of natural religion and morality, as far as they are discoverable by our reafon: though he will call to his aid all the affistances of human learning and philosopy, as far as his attainments extend, he will not, however, forget, that with fuch principles and fuch wisdom, in a very improved and polished age, men did not themselves attain

1 Cor. ch. x. V. 15. § Ephefians, ch. iv. v. 21.