basement added weight to the truth of their general testimony, and was doubtless directed by the holy spirit, as well for this purpose, as for the humiliation of the offending historian. But above all it is calculated to show that the renovation of hearts so imperfect was the work of the spirit of God

lic religion-or be so anxious for the success of his work, that he cannot commit the event to heaven: let us thankfully profit by the truths he teaches: bless God that he has been useful to us; and pray that his errors may not be imputed to him."

Many a sincere Christian will confess that Though the pious writer in these days is when he is writing in an animated strain in not called upon to exercise this self-disparag- the cause of religion, there are moments ing egotism, yet let not his silence on this head in which, from imbecility of mind or infirmbe attributed to a desire that he may be ity of body, or failure of animal spirits, thought a better man than Moses, who hero- while he is promoting the spiritual interests ically perpetuated the memory of that of of others, he is inwardly lamenting his own fence which was an inhibition to his enter- deadness to the very things on which he is ing the land of promise-nor than David, the insisting. He however perseveres; like recorder of his own sins, the enormity of the army of Gideon, faint yet pursuing,' which could only be exceeded by the inten- he suffers not the feeling to obstruct the act, sity of his repentance--nor than saint Paul, till, as a reward for his perseverance, the who published himself to have been a blas- act brings back the feeling. Were it susphemer and a persecutor. If the best men pected that some of his most approved pages among us have, through the preventing were written under this declension of zeal, grace of God, been preserved from the signal what a clamour would be raised against his offences of prophets and apostles, they will inconsistency, when his merit-if we dare themselves be the foremost to acknowledge how, beyond all comparison, they are below them, in that devotedness of spirit, that contempt of earthly things, and that annihilation of self, which so eminently characterized those inspired servants of God.

cerned.

Erasmus.

use the word merit-consists in overcoming the languor of his spirit, and in acting as if he felt it not. His depression may in fact have been augmented by his humility. He has trembled lest the solemnity with which he has been calling upon others, should not stir up his own feelings; lest the arguments which were intended to alarm the reader, should leave his own heart cold and unaffected.

But suppose we were to go farther-even if it could be proved that some individual charge had not been altogether unfounded Even this possible evil in the man, would not invalidate the truths he has been teach- While it is of the nature of scientific prin. ing, Balaam, though a bad man, prophesied ciples to adapt themselves only to one partruly. Erasmus, whose piety is almost as ticular bent of mind, and of the inventive doubtless, as his wit and learning were un-powers to address persons of imagination onquestionable, yet by throwing both into the ly: it is the character of Christianity, and right scale, was a valuable instrument in ef- should be the aim of the Christian writer, to fecting the great work in which he was con- accommodate their instructions to every Erasmus powerfully assisted the class of society, to every degree of intellect, reformation, though it is not quite so clear to every quality of mind, to every cast of that the reformation essentially benefitted temper. Christianity does not interfere with any particular form of study, any politIf then the writer advances unanswerable ical propensity, any professional engagearguments in the cause of truth, if he im- ment, any legitimate pursuit It claims to pressively enforces its practical importance, incorporate itself with the ideas of every inhis character, even if defective, should not telligent mind which lies open to receive it; invalidate his reasoning. Though we allow it infuses itself, when not repelled, into the that even to the reader it is far more satisfac- character of every individual, as it originally fory when the life illustrates the writing, yet assimilated itself to that of every governwe must never bring the conduct of the man ment, without sacrificing any thing of its as any infallible test of the truth of this doc-specific quality, without requiring any mind trine. Allow this, and the reverse of the of a peculiar make for its reception. proposition will be pleaded against us. Take Without altering its properties by any inthe opposite case. Do we ever produce cer- fusions of his own, a judicious writer will altain moral qualities which Hobbes, Bayle, ways consider how he may render it most Hame, and other sober sceptics possessed, acceptable to the capacity of the general reas arguments for adopting their opinions?cipient. To exclude reason from religion, Do we infer as a necessary consequence, he knows is not the way to attract argumenthat their sentiments are sound because their tative men to inquire into its truth;-to exlives were not flagitious? clude elegance from its exhibition, is not But though it is an awful possibility, that the probable method to invite men of taste to the same work may at once promote God's speculate on its beauty. If however the glory and prove a danger to the instrument writer possess little of the graces which emthat promotes it-that the opulence of the bellish truth, if he cannot adorn it with very mind which is advancing religion, may those charms which, though they add nobe used by the owner to his hurt-that he thing to its lustre, yet attract to its conmay be so absorbed in it as a business, that templation; still plain sense and unaffected he may lose sight of his end-that he may piety may contribute to the production of a neglect personal, while he is advancing pub-work which may prove useful to a large and VOL. II.

18

valuable proportion of readers. But here if but to those treasures of inspiration, of which genius is not essential, good taste is never to they were the faithful expositors; to the be dispensed with. A sound judgment will Prophets and Apostles, to Jesus the mebe requisite to prevent piety from being re-diator of the new covenant, and to God the pulsive to readers who have been accustom- judge of all.'

ed to view other intellectual subjects exhib- And is it not a cruel return to refuse those ited in all the properties of which they are who still meekly wait the effect of their laseverally susceptible. Let them not see a bours upon earth, the honest gratification of subject of this transcendent importance, in-seeing that we have derived some little adjured by any debasing mixture, disfigured vantage from their exertions? Let us show by any coarseness of language, nor degra them that they have not offered up the ferded by any vulgar associations. vent prayers which doubtless accompanied their unwearied labours to no end. While so many saints are now rejoicing in heaven, in the society of those whom their holy labours were made instrumental in bringing thither; let us not give those who are still zealously devoting their talents to the same glorious purpose upon earth, sad cause to lament the total inefficacy of their endeavours

On the other hand, while some object so strenuously against the introduction of the affections into religion, what are we to understand from it, but that in the opinion of the objectors, a man will write the better because he does not feel his subject,-that he will teach religion more safely to others, from not having felt its influence on his own heart, that he will make a deeper impres--to regret that they are sent to them who sion by writing from books than from himself, or rather that making an impression at all is a dangerous thing,-that it is of the nature of enthusiasm, proceeding from it, and productive of it!-that therefore it is better that the reader should not be impressed, but only informed.

CHAP II.

On Providence.

will not hear, or who remain as if they had not heard-to suspect that if we do give them a patient hearing, it is for the sake of their style, their rhetoric, their good taste; but that when their eloquence opposes our corruptions, when their arguments cross our inclinations, when their persuasions trench But the sound and sober Christian takes upon our passions, or their remonstrances the best precaution against infusing a fanat-interfere with our vanity, we are insensible ical spirit by not possessing it. He cannot to the voice of the charmer; or if we forcommunicate the distemper of which he is give their piety for the sake of their talents, not sick. He cautiously avoids it on a dou- we seldom go further than forgiveness. ble ground. He knows that enthusiasm and superstition are not only mischievous in their nature, but that they furnish the profane with a plausible argument against religion itself. He remembers, and applies the observation, that to some pagan poets, especially Lucretius, these errors supplied Athe Ir is not easy to conceive a more deploraism with her most powerful arms. But ble state of mind, than to live in a disbelief though he allows that enthusiasm is danger-of God's providential government of the ous, he continues to write like one who world. To be threatened with troubles, and knows that it is not the exclusive danger of to see no power which can avert them; to the age; like one who is convinced that be surrounded with sorrows, and discern no frenzy is not the only distemper in our spir-hand which can redress them; to labour unitual bills of mortality: like one whose der oppression or calumny, and believe there heart is warmed, not by animal pulsation, but by those quickening oracles of truth which carry in them the demonstration of the spirit and of power;' like one who feels that religion is not a misleading fire, but an animating principle which at once enlarges his views, elevates his aims, and ennobles his character.

is no friend to relieve, and no judge to vindicate us; to live in a world, of which we believe its ruler has abdicated the throne, or delegated the direction to chance; to suspect that he has made over the triumph to injustice, and the victory to impiety; to suppose that we are abandoned to the casualties of nature, and the domination of wickBut to return to the reader. If we had edness; to behold the earth a scene of disno higher reason to aim at improvement in order, with no superintendent to regulate it; piety, one would almost think that the mere to hear the storms beating, and see the temfeelings of gratitude and good-nature might pests spreading desolation around, with no tempt to show our affection to our pious ben-influence to direct, and no wisdom to conefactors, by profiting from their exhorta-trol them: all this would render human life tions, their councils, their persuasions. It a burden intolerable to human feeling. might almost touch a heart dead to superior Even a heathen, in one of those glimpses of considerations, to reflect how many departed illumination which they seemed occasionally worthies have wasted their strength, as to to catch, could say, it would not be worth us, in vain. Among the witnesses who will while to live in a world which was not gov appear against us in the great day of account, erned by Providence. they will stand the foremost. Let us trem- But, as soon as we clearly discern the mind ble as we figure to ourselves our unwilling which appoints, and the hand which governs, accusers in that band of holy men, who ear-all events, we begin to see our way through nestly sought to draw us, not to themselves, them as soon as we are brought to recog

nize God's authority, and to confide in his fected by an inferior agency. We somegoodness, we can say to our unruly hearts, times speak as if we assigned the governwhat he said to the tempestuous waves, ment of the world to two distinct beings: Peace, be still. Though all is perplexity, whatever is awful only, and out of the comwe know who can reduce confusion into or- mon course, we ascribe to God, as revoluder: once assured of the protection of the tions, volcanoes, earthquakes. We think Supreme Intelligence, we shall possess our the dial of Ahaz going backward, the sun souls in patience, and resign our will with stationary on Gibeon, marvels worthy of submission. As soon as this conviction is Omnipotence: but when we stop here, it is fully established, we become persuaded that a being of infinite love would never have placed us in a scene beset with so many trials, and exposed to so many dangers, had he not intended them as necessary materials by which, under his guidance, we are to work out our future happiness;-as so many warnings not to set up our rest here; -as so many incentives to draw us on in pursuit of that better state to which eternal mercy is conducting us through this thorny way.

To keep God habitually in view, as the end of all our aims, and the disposer of all events-to see him in all our comforts, to admire the benignity with which he imparts them to adore the same substantial, though less obvious mercy, in our afflictions-to acknowledge at once the unwillingness with which he dispenses our trials, and the necessity of our suffering them--to view him in his bounties of creation, with a love which makes every creature pleasant-to regard him in his providential direction with a confidence which makes every hardship supportable to observe the subserviency of events to his eternal purposes: all this solves difficulties otherwise insuperable, vindicates the divine conduct, composes the intractable passions, settles the wavering faith, and quickens the too reluctant gratitude.

not virtually saying, that to maintain invariable order, unbroken regularity, perpetual uniformity, and systematic beauty in the heavens and the earth, does not exhibit equally striking proofs of infinite superintendence.

Many seem to ascribe to chance the common circumstances of life, as if they thought it would be an affront to the Almighty to refer them to him; as if it were unbecoming his dignity to order the affairs of beings whom he thought it no derogation of that dignity to create. It looks as if, while we were obliged to him for making us, we would not wish to encumber him with the care of us. But the gracious Father of the universal family thinks it no dishonour to watch over the concerns, to supply the wants, and dispose the lot of creatures who owe their existence to his power, and their redemption to his mercy. He did not create his rational subjects in order to neglect them, or to turn them over to another, a capricious, an imaginary power.

We do not it is true, so much arraign his general providence, as his particular appointments. We will allow the world to be nominally his, if he will allow us our opinion in respect to his management of certain parts of it. Now, that he should not put The fabled charioteer, who usurped his forth the same specific energy individually father's empire for a day, is not more illus- to direct as to create, is supposing an anomatrative of their presumption, who, virtually ly in the character of the all-perfect God.--snatching the reins of government from Whatever was his design in the formation of God, would involve the earth in confusion the world and its inhabitants, the same reaand ruin, than the denial which the ambitious son would, beyond a doubt, influence him in supplicant received to his mad request, is ap- their superintendence and preservation.plicable to the goodness of God in refusing David, in describing the simple grandeur of to delegate his power to his creatures: My omnipotent benignity, sets us a beautiful patson, the very tenderness I show in denying tern. He does not represent the belief of #ruinous a petition, is the surest proof that I am indeed thy father.

God's providential care as an effort, but describes our continual sustenance as the necessary unlaboured effect of infinite power and goodness. He openeth his hand, and filleth all things living with plenteousness; thus making our blessings rather, as it were,

Sounds to which we are accustomed, we fancy have a definite sense. But we often fancy it unjustly; for familiarity alone cannot give meaning to what is in itself unintelligible. Thus many words, without any a result than an operation. determinate and precise meaning, pass curreat in common discourse. Some talk of those chimerical beings, nature, fate, chance, and necessity, as positively as if they had a real existence, and of almighty power and direction as if they had none.

And as we are not under the divided control of a greater and a subordinate power, so neither are we, as the Persian mythology teaches, the subjects of two equal beings, each of whom distributes respectively good and evil according to his peculiar character In speaking of ordinary events as fortuit- and province. Nor are we the sport of the cus, or as natural, we dispossess Providence conflicting atoms of one school, nor of the of one half of his dominion. We assign to fatal necessity of another. There is one him the credit of great and avowedly super-omnipotent, omniscient, perfect, supreme natural operations, because we know not Intelligence, who disposes of every person how else to dispose of them. For instance: and of every thing according to the counsel We ascribe to him power and wisdom in the of his own infinitely holy will. The help creation of the world, while we talk as if we that is done upon earth, God doth it himself.' thought the keeping it in order might be ef- The comprehensive mind, enlightened by

Christian faith, discovers the same harmony The prescience of God is among his pecul

and design in the course of human events, as the philosopher perceives in the movements of the material system.

iarly incommunicable attributes. Happy is it for us indeed that it is as incommunicable, for if any portion of it were imparted to us, how inconceivably would the distress of buman life be aggravated! But if we allow his omniscience, we cannot doubt his Providence. He would not foresee contingencies, butes are in fact so interwoven that it is impossible to separate them. His omniscience foresees, his understanding, which is infinite, arranges, his sovereignty decrees, his omnipotence executes the purposes of his will.-His wisdom may see some things to be best

Without a thorough conviction of this most consolatory doctrine, what can we make of the events which are now passing before our eyes? What can we say to the perplexed state of an almost desolated world? for which he could not provide. His attriThere is no way of disentangling the confu sion but by seeing God in every thing. Not to adore his providence as having some grand scheme which he is carrying on, some remote beneficial end in view, some unrevealed design to accomplish, by means not only inscrutable but seemingly contradicto- for a while to answer certain temporary purry, is practical atheism. To contemplate poses, which would not be good for a conthe events which distract the civilized world, tinuance. When the present appointment the tyranny which tears up order and morali- shall have answered the end to which it was ty by the roots; to behold the calamities of determined, a new one, to which that was some, the crimes of others-such blackness preparatory, takes place. The two arrangegathering over the heads of some countries, ments may appear to us not to be of a piece, such tempests bursting over those of others to be even contradictory; while yet this de-these scenes must subvert the faith, must termination and this succession are perfectly extinguish the hope, of all who do not firmly consistent in the mind of a being who sees believe that the same power which stilleth all things at once, and calls things that are the raging of the sea and the noise of the waves,' can in his own good time also still the madness of the people; will in his appointed season enable us to say, And where is the fury of the oppressor? He may, and we know not how soon, enable us to ask, Where is the man that made the earth to tremble-that did shake kingdoms-that made the world as a wilderness-that destroyed the cities thereof-that opened not the house of his prisoners?' Yes-disorganized as the state of the world appears to be, let us be assured that it is not turned adrift, that things are not left to go on at random. Though the people are rebellious, the Sovereign has not renounced his dominion over them. The most oppressive and destructive agents are his mysterious ministers; they are carrying on, though unconsciously, his universal plan-a plan, which though complicated is consistent; though apparently disorderly will be found finally harmonious.

6

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not as though they were. God's views of all men and all events throughout all ages, is one clear, distinct. simultaneous view. Infinite knowledge takes in present, past, and future, in one comprehensive survey, pierces through all distance at a glance, and collects all ages into the focus of the existing moment.

Once thoroughly grounded and established in this faith and sense of the divine perfections, we shall never look upon any thing to be so monstrous or so minute, so insignificant or so exorbitant, as to be out of the precincts and control of eternal Providence. We shall never reduce, if the allusion may be forgiven, the powers of omnipotence to a level with that of some Indian rajah who has a territory too unwieldy for his management, or of an emperor of China who has more subjects than one monarch can govern.

We ask why evil rulers are permitted ?We answer, though rather mechanically, our own question, by acknowledging that they In some pieces of mechanism we have ob- are the appointed scourges of divine displeaserved different artists employed in different sure Yet God does not delegate his authorbranches of the same machinery in this di-ity to the oppressor, though he employs him vision of labour, each man performs his allot- as his instrument of correction; he still keeps ted portion, in utter ignorance perhaps, not the reins in his own hand And besides that only of the portions assigned to the others, an offending world stood in need of the chasbut also of the ultimate application of his own. tisement, these black instruments who are Busy in executing his single pin, or spring, thus allowed to ravage the earth, may be, in or wheel, it is no part of his concern to un- the scheme of Providence, unintentionally derstand the work assigned to others, still preparing the elements of moral beauty. less to comprehend the scheme of the master. When divine displeasure has made barren a But though the workman is ignorant how the fruitful land for the wickedness of them whole is to be arranged, the machine would that dwell therein,' the ploughshare and the have been incomplete without his seemingly harrow, which are sent to tear up the uninconsiderable contribution. In the mean productive soil, know not that they are protime, the master unites, by apt junctures and viding for the hand of the sower, who is folarticulations, parts which were not known to lowing their rude traces in order to scatter be susceptible of connexion; combines the the seeds of future riches and fertility. separate divisions without difficulty, because Or take the conflagration of a town.the several workmen have only been individ-They whose houses are burnt, are objects of ually helping to accomplish the original plan our tenderest commisseration. The scene, which had previously existed in his inventive if we beheld it, would alike excite our termind. ror and our pity. But, after we have mourn

el over the devastation, and seen that des pair is fruitless, at length necessity impels to industry; we see a new and fairer order of things arise; the convenience, symmetry, and beauty which spring out of the ashes make us eventually not only cease to regret the deformity and unsightliness to which they have succeeded, but almost reconcile us to the calamity which has led to the improvement.

an arbitrary compulsion of men's minds, rob them of that freedom by which they offend him, nor by a force on their liberty, prevent those sins and follies which, if he arbitrarily hindered, he would convert rational beings into mechanical ones; but he turns their sins and follies to such uses, that while by the voluntary commission of them they are bringing down destruction on their own heads, they are not impeding his purposes.

Often have the earthquake. the hurricane, Nor does Providence, in his wide arrangethe bolt of heaven, kindling and throwing ments, exclude the operation of subordinate far and wide its baleful light on this earthly causes and motives, but allows them to assist stage, realized in their ultimate effects this the greater, and thereby to work his will; image And we are reminded of a future as subalterns in the battle contribute severgeneral conflagration, when the elements ally their share to the victory, while, like shall melt with fervent heat, and the earth it-those inferior causes, they are compelled to self shall be burned up,' which is to prove keep their ranks, and not to aspire to the only the signal and the preparatory scene command. As we have a higher end, we for a new heaven and a new earth wherein must have a Supreme direction to our aims. dwelleth righteousness. Let us, in every Yet a lower end is sometimes made a means stage leading to this final restitution of all to a higher, and assists its object without things,' wait with patience for its sure com- usurping its place. Some who begin by abpletion. Let us, in the mean time, give cre staining from evil,or set about doing good from dit to the great Author of the book of Fate a principle not entirely pure, are graciously for the consistency of its catastrophe! led to the principle by doing or forbearing When we peruse the compositions of a hu- the action; and are finally landed at the man author, we look for unity and consisten-higher point, from beginnings far below those ey in his whole plan; we expect connexion at which we might rashly have asserted they and relation between its several parts, and could only set out with any hope of success. an entireness in the general combination. Though this may not very frequently ocWe are not so much delighted with a fine pas- cur, yet as it is by means God works, rather sage incidentally introduced, a short episode, than by miracles; and as the world does not of which we discern at once the rise and the overflow with real piety, what a chaos, would end, and take in all the incidents and beau- this earth become, if God did not permit inties at a single glance, as we are with the ferior motives to operate to a certain degree judgment which discovers itself in the dis- for the general good! Many whom the uttribution of the whole work, and the skill, most stretch of charity cannot induce us to not without difficulty discerned, which ar believe that they are acting from the purest ranges, connects, and, as it were, links to- principles, are yet contributing to the comgether the several divisions. Yet do we not fort and good order of society. Though sometimes presume to insinuate as if the they are sober only from a regard to their great Author of all created nature cannot re-health, et their temperance affords a good duce the complexity of its parts into one example; though they are prudent from no consistent whole? Do we not intimate ob-higher motive than the love of money, yet jections as if there were no concert, no their frugality keeps them within the same agreement in the works of the Almighty bounds as if they were influenced by a betmind? Do not the same persons who can speak in raptures of a perfect poem, a perfect scheme of reasoning, a perfect plan in architecture, yet presume to suspect that the concerns of the universe are carried on with less system, and on a more imperfect design, than the rude sketches of a frail creature, who is crushed before the moth?

But if we go so far as to leave to God the direction of the natural world, because we know not well, after all, to whom else to commit its management, yet we frequently make little scruple to take the government of the moral world into our own hands. If we consent to his ruling matter, we reluctantly allow that he governs mind. We reason as if we suspected that the passions of men lay beyond his control, and that their vices have overturned his dominion But we should particularly call to mind what is the daily language of our lips, not only that His is the kingdom,' but that the 'power' is the source, and the glory' the result of his administration. He does not, it is true, by

ter motive; though they may be liberal only to raise their reputation, yet their liberality feeds the hungry; though they are publicspirited merely from ambition, yet their patriotism, by rousing the spirit of the country, saves it. If such right actions, performed from such low motives, can look for no future retribution;-if, being done without reference to the highest end, they do not advance the eternal interests of the doer, nor the glory of God, they are yet bis instruments for promoting the good of others, both by utility and example. On this ground we may be thankful that there is so much refinement, generosity, and politeness among the higher orders of society, while we confess that, tear away the action from its motive, sunder the virtue from its legitimate reference, the act and the virtue lose their present character and their ultimate reward.

The means by which an infinitely wise God often promotes the most important plans, are apt illustrations of the blindness and obliquity of man's judgment. May we be al