Yet is this captious spirit an additional reason why the pious writer should guard against excesses in feeling, which, if the reader could witness, he would exultingly reiterate the vulgar but melancholy truism: How much easier it is to preach than to

uneasy under the exterior observance, if he felt that the spirit had not accompanied the form. The reprover might even accuse the serious Christian of absurdity, should he have overheard him humbling himself for something which was obviously a virtue. He was not, however, so preposterously hum-practise! How gladly would he have brought ble, as to make the virtue the ground of his regret he was abasing himself for some vanity, which like an excrescence had grown out of it, some inattention which like a poison had mixed with it. When a humble man meditates o.. his vices, and an irreligious man on his virtues, the vices of the one might be sometimes deemed as unsubstantial as the virtues of the other actually are.

*

the conduct to confront the counsel, and have missed all the benefit of the discourse, by the disclosure of the failing!

But allowing the worst-granting that the writer is not in all points exemplary; if we resolve never to read a work of instruction because the author had faults, Lord Bacon's inexhaustible mind of intellectual wealth might have still lain unexplored. Luther, The writer of good books, in common with the man to whom the protestant world owes other authors, is exposed to one danger from more than to any other uninspired being, which other men are exempt, that of being might remain unread, because he is said to so immediately the object of his own atten- have wanted the meekness of Melancthon. tion. This may lead him to be too full of Even the divine instructions conveyed in the himself. His intellect is even more constant-book of Ecclesiastes would have been writly before his eyes than the form and face of ten in vain. the beauty are before her's. But if in this It is not necessary that the writer under exercise he may be tempted to think too consideration should, like the sacred penwell of his understanding, the mischief will man, criminate himself. Their ingenuous be counteracted by the advantage which self-abasement added weight to the truth of such a close view may bring to his heart. their general testimony, and was doubtless The faults he reprehends in general, will directed by the holy Spirit, as well for this bring his own faults more forcibly before purpose, as for the humiliation of the offendhim, and it will be a humbling consideration | ing historian. But above all it is calculated which he will not fail to press home on him- to show that the renovation of hearts so imself, to reflect, that he is better able to pene- perfect was the work of the Spirit of God. trate into the recesses of the erring hearts of Though the pious writer in these days is others, from the sympathies of his own. Re-not called upon to exercise this self-dispapeated and successful pains have been taken raging egotism, yet let not his silence on this by some popular wits, in whom levity has head be attributed to a desire that he may answered the end of malice, to lower the va-be thought a better man than Moses, who lue of pious instruction, by exposing the dis-heroically perpetuated the memory of that crepancy between the exhortation and the offence which was an inhibition to his enterexhorter. They have ingeniously invented ing the land of promise-nor than David, the cases and situations in which the clergyman recorder of his own sins, the enormity of is preaching powerfully and efficaciously on which could only be exceeded by the intenthe duty of submission to the divine will; im-sity of his repentance-nor than saint Paul, mediately after which, they contrive to be- who published himself to have been a blastray him into a paroxysm of overwhelming phemer and a persecutor. If the best men impatience at some great domestic calamity among as have, through the preventing of his own. This as it tends to make the in-grace of God, been preserved from the sigfirmity of sincere Christians a matter of tri-nal offences of prophets and apostles, they umph, could only have been done with a will themselves be the foremost to acknowview to make them ridiculous; a laugh is ledge how, beyond all comparison, they are cheaply though not very honourably raised, below them, in that devotedness of spirit, and the insignificance or hollowness of reli-that contempt of earthly things, and that angious instruction perhaps indelibly stamped nihilation of self, which so eminently chaon the mind of the young reader. But sup-racterized those inspired servants of God. posing the circumstances to have been real, But suppose we were to go farther-even ought the frail affections, ought the con- if it could be proved that some individual scious infirmity of these good men to have charge had not been altogether unfounded. let them to withhold from their audiences Even this possible evil in the man, would the necessity of christian resignation? Such not invalidate the truths he has been teachinstances of natural feeling in certain stages ing. Balaam, though a bad man, prophesied of a progressive piety, neither prove religion to be powerless, nor its professor deceitful, Was the fervent, but fallible apostle, who in a moment of infirmity denied his master, a hypocrite, when he said, though all the world should be offended, yet will not I?'

* Goldsmith, Fielding, &c. &c.

truly. Erasmus, whose piety is almost as doubtless, as his wit and learning were unquestionable, yet by throwing both into the right scale, was a valuable instrument in effecting the great work in which he was concerned. Erasmus powerfully assisted the reformation, though it is not quite so clear

that the reformation essentially benefited | accommodate their instructions to every Erasmus, class of society, to every degree of intellect, If then the writer advances unanswerable to every quality of mind, to every cast of arguments in the cause of truth, if he im-temper. Christianity does not interfere pressively enforces its practical importance, with any particular form of study, any polihis character, even if defective, should not tical propensity, any professional engageinvalidate his reasoning. Though we allow ment, any legitimate pursuit. It claims to that even to the reader it is far more satis- incorporate itself with the ideas of every infactory when the life illustrates the writing, telligent mind which lies open to receive it; yet we must never bring the conduct of the it infuses itself, when not repelled, into the man as any infallible test of the truth of this character of every individual, as it originally doctrine. Allow this, and the reverse of the assimilated itself to that of every governproposition will be pleaded against us. ment, without sacrificing any thing of its Take the opposite case. Do we ever pro- specific quality, without requiring any mind duce certain moral qualities which Hobbes, of a peculiar make for its reception. Bayle, Hume, and other sober sceptics pos- Without altering its properties by any insessed, as arguments for adopting their fusions of his own, a judicious writer will alopinions?-Do we infer as a necessary con- ways consider how he may render it most sequence, that their sentiments are sound, acceptable to the capacity of the general rebecause their lives were not flagitious? cipient. To exclude reason from religion, But though it is an awful possibility, that he knows is not the way to attract argumenthe same work may at once promote God's tative men to inquire into its truth ;-to exglory, and prove a danger to the instrument clude elegance from its exhibition, is not that promotes it-that the opulence of the the probable method to invite men of taste to very mind which is advancing religion, may speculate on its beauty. If however the be used by the owner to his hurt-that he writer possess little of the graces which emmay be so absorbed in it as a business, that bellish truth, if he cannot adorn it with he may lose sight of his end-that he may those charms which, though they add noneglect personal, while he is advancing pub-thing to its lustre, yet attract to its conlic religion or be so anxious for the success templation; still plain sense and unaffected of his work, that he cannot commit the piety may, contribute to the production of a event to heaven: let us thankfully profit by work which may prove useful to a large and the truths he teaches: bless God that he valuable proportion of readers. But here if has been useful to us; and pray that his er-genius is not essential, good taste is never to rors may not be imputed to him. be dispensed with. A sound judgment will

Many a sincere Christian will confess that be requisite to prevent piety from being rewhen he is writing in an animated strain in pulsive to readers who have been accusthe cause of religion, there are moments tomed to view other intellectual subjects exin which, from imbecility of mind or infir-hibited in all the properties of which they mity of body, or failure of animal sprits, are severally susceptible. Let them not while he is promoting the spiritual interests see a subject of this transcendent imporof others, he is inwardly lamenting his own tance, injured by any debasing mixture, disdeadness to the very things on which he is figured by any coarseness of language, nor insisting. He however perseveres; like degraded by any vulgar associations, the army of Gideon, faint yet pursuing,' On the other hand, while some object so he suffers not the feeling to obstruct the act, strenuously against the introduction of the till, as a reward for his perseverance, the affections into religion, what are we to unact brings back the feeling. Were it sus-derstand from it, but that in the opinion of pected that some of his most approved pages the objectors, a man will write the better were written under this declension of zeal, because he does not feel his subject,—that what a clamour would be raised against his he will teach religion more safely to others, inconsistency, when his merit-if we dare from not having felt its influence on his own use the word merit-consists in overcoming heart,-that he will make a deeper impresthe languor of his spirit, and in acting as if sion by writing from books than from himhe felt it not. His depression may in fact self, or rather that making an impression at have been augmented by his humility. He all is a dangerous thing,-that it is of the nahas 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.

ture of enthusiasm, proceeding from it, and productive of it !-that therefore it is better that the reader should not be impressed, but only informed.

But the sound and sober Christian takes the best precaution against infusing a fanaWhile it is of the nature of scientific prin- tical spirit by not possessing it. He cannot ciples to adapt themselves only to one par- communicate the distemper of which he is ticular bent of mind, and of the inventive not sick. He cautiously avoids it on a doupowers to address persons of imagination on-ble ground. He knows that enthusiasm and ly: it is the character of Christianity, and superstition are not only mischievous in should be the aim of the Christian writer, to their nature, but that they furnish the pro

his character.

CHAP. II.

On Providence.

fane with a plausible argument against religion itself. He remembers, and applies the observation, that to some pagan poets, especially Lucretius, these errors supplied Athe- IT 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 dange-of God's providential government of the rous, 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 spi- hand which can redress them; to labour unritual bills of mortality: like one whose der oppression or calumny, and believe there heart is warmed, not by animal pulsation, is no friend to relieve, and no judge to vindibut by those quickening oracles of truth, cate us; to live in a world, of which we bewhich carry in them the demonstration of lieve its ruler has abdicated the throne, or the Spirit and of power;' like one who feels delegated the direction to chance; to susthat religion is not a misleading fire, but an pect that he has made over the triumph to animating principle which at once enlarges injustice, and the victory to impiety; to suphis views, elevates his aims, and ennobles pose 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 be- influence to direct, and no wisdom to connefactors, 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 goappear against us in the great day of account, verned 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, but to those treasures of inspiration, of which they were the faithful expositors; to the Prophets and Apostles,-to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to God the judge of all.'

them: as soon as we are brought to recognize God's authority, and to confide in his goodness, we can say to our unruly hearts, what he said to the tempestuous waves, Peace, be still. Though all is perplexity, we know who can reduce confusion into orAnd is it not a cruel return to refuse those der: once assured of the protection of the who still meekly wait the effect of their la-Supreme Intelligence, we shall possess our bours upon earth, the honest gratification of souls in patience, and resign our will with secing that we have derived some little ad-submission. As soon as this conviction is vantage from their exertions? Let us show fully established, we become persuaded that them that they have not offered up the fer- a being of infinite love would never have vent prayers which doubtless accompanied placed us in a scene beset with so many tritheir unwearied labours to no end. While als, and exposed to so many dangers, had he so many saints are now rejoicing in heaven, not intended them as necessary materials in the society of those whom their holy la- by which, under his guidance, we are to bours were made instrumental in bringing work out our future happiness;-as so mathither; let us not give those who are still ny warnings not to set up our rest here;zealously devoting their talents to the same as so many incentives to draw us on in glorious purpose upon earth, sad cause to la-pursuit of that better state to which eternal ment the total inefficacy of their endeavours mercy is conducting us through this thorny -to regret that they are sent to them who way. will not hear, or who remain as if they had | To keep God habitually in view, as the not heard to suspect that if we do give end of all our aims, and the disposer of all them a patient hearing, it is for the sake of events-to see him in all our comforts, to their style, their rhetoric, their good taste; admire the benignity with which he imparts but that when their eloquence opposes our them—to adore the same substantial, though corruptions, when their arguments cross our less obvious mercy, in our afflictions-to acinclinations, when their persuasions trench knowledge at once the unwillingness with upon our passions, or their remonstrances which he dispenses our trials, and the necesinterfere with our vanity, we are insensible sity of our suffering them-to view him in to the voice of the charmer; or if we for-his bounties of creation, with a love which give their piety for the sake of their talents, makes every creature pleasant-to regard we seldom go further than forgiveness. him in his providential direction with a confi

dence which makes every hardship support- tion to his mercy. He did not create his raable to observe the subserviency of events tional subjects in order to neglect them, or to to his eternal purposes: all this solves diffi- turn them over to another, a capricious, an culties otherwise insuperable, vindicates the imagniary power. divine conduct, composes the intractable We do not it is true, so much arraign his passions, settles the wavering faith, and general providence, as his particular apquickens the too reluctant gratitude. pointments. We will allow the world to be The fabled charioteer, who usurped his nominally his, if he will allow us our opinion father's empire for a day, is not more illus- in respect to his management of certain trative of their presumption, who, virtually parts of it. Now, that he should not put snatching the reigns of government from forth the same specific energy individually God, would involve the earth in confusion to direct as to create, is supposing an anomaand ruin, than the denial which the ambi- ly in the character of the all-perfect God.tious supplicant received to his mad request, Whatever was his design in the formation of is applicable to the goodness of God in refu- the world and its inhabitants, the same reasing to delegate his power to his creatures: son would, beyond a doubt, influence him in My son, the very tenderness I show in deny- their superintendence and preservation.— ing so ruinous a petition, is the purest proof David, in describing the simple grandeur of that I am indeed thy father. omnipotent benignity, sets us a beautiful patSounds to which we are accustomed, we tern. He does not represent the belief of fancy have a definite sense. But we often God's providential care as an effort, but defancy it unjustly; for familiarity alone can- scribes our continual sustenance as the nenot give meaning to what is in itself unintel-cessary unlaboured effect of infinite power ligible. Thus many words, without any and goodness. He openeth his hand, and determinate and precise meaning, pass cur- filleth all things living with plenteousness; rent in common discourse. Some talk of thus making our blessings rather, as it were, those chimerical beings, nature, fate, chance, a result than an operation. 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 In speaking of ordinary events as fortui- teaches, the subjects of two equal beings, tous, or as natural, we dispossess Providence each of whom distributes respectively good of one half of his dominion. We assign to and evil according to his peculiar character him the credit of great and avowedly super- and province. Nor are we the sport of the natural operations, because we know not conflicting atoms of one school, nor of the how else to dispose of them. For instance: fatal necessity of another. There is one We ascribe to him power and wisdom in the omnipotent, omnicient, perfect, supreme creation of the world, while we talk as if we Intelligence, who disposes of every person thought the keeping it in order might be ef- and of every thing according to the counsel fected by an inferior agency. We some- of his own infinitely holy will. The help times speak as if we assigned the govern- that is done upon earth, God doth it himself." ment of the world to two distinct beings: The comprehensive mind, enlightened by whatever is awful only, and out of the com- Christian faith, discovers the same harmomon course, we ascribe to God, as revolu-ny and design in the course of human events, tions, volcanoes, earthquakes. We think as the philosopher perceives in the movethe dial of Ahaz going backward, the sun ments of the material system. stationary on Gibeon, marvels worthy of Without a thorough conviction of this Omnipotence: but when we stop here, it is most consolatory doctrine, what can we not virtually saying, that to maintain invari- make of the events which are now passing able order, unbroken regularity, perpetual before our eyes? What can we say to the uniformity, and systematic beauty in the perplexed state of an almost desolated heavens and the earth, does not exhibit world? There is no way of disentangling equally striking proofs of infinite superin- the confusion but by seeing God in every tendence. thing. Not to adore his providence as haMany seem to ascribe to chance the com-ving some grand scheme which he is carrymon circumstances of life, as if they thought ing on, some remote beneficial end in view, it would be an affront to the Almighty to re- some unrevealed design to accomplish, by fer them to him; as if it were unbecoming means not only inscrutable, but seemingly his dignity to order the affairs of beings contradictory, is practical atheism. Το whom he thought it no derogation of that contemplate the events which distract the dignity to create. It looks as if, while we civilized world, the tyranny which tears up were obliged to him for making us, we would order and morality by the roots; to behold not wish to encumber him with the care of the calamities of some, the crimes of others as. But the gracious Father of the univer--such blackness gathering over the heads sal family thinks it no dishonour to watch of some countries, such tempests bursting over the concerns, to supply the wants, and over those of others-these scenes must subdispose the lot of creatures who owe their vert the faith, must extinguish the hope, of existence to his power, and their redemp-all who do not firmly believe that the same

power which 'stilleth the raging of the sea piece, to be even contradictory; while yet and the noise of the waves,' can in his own this determination and this succession are good time also still the madness of the people; perfectly consistent in the mind of a being will in his appointed season enable us to say, who sees all things at once, and calls things And where is the fury of the oppressor? that are not as though they were. God's He may, and we know not how soon, enable views of all men and all events throughout. us to ask, 'Where is the man that made all ages, is one clear, distinct, simultaneous the earth to tremble-that did shake king-view. Infinite knowledge takes in present, doms-that made the world as a wilderness past, and future, in one comprehensive surthat destroyed the cities thereof-that open-vey, pierces through all distance at a glance, ed not the house of his prisoners? Yes and collects all ages into the focus of the exdisorganized as the state of the world ap-isting moment.

pears to be, let us be assured that it is not Once thoroughly grounded and establishturned adrift, that things are not left to go on ed in this faith and sense of the divine perat random. Though the people are rebel-fections, we shall never look upon any thing lious, the Sovereign has not renounced his to be so monstrous or so minute, so insignifidominion over them. The most oppressive cant or so exorbitant, as to be out of the and destructive agents are his mysterious precincts and control of eternal Providence. ministers: they are carrying on, though un- We shall never reduce, if the allusion may consciously, his universal plan-a plan, be forgiven, the powers of omnipotence to a which though complicated is consistent; level with that of some Indian rajah who has though apparently disorderly will be found a territory too unwieldy for his management, finally harmonious. or of an emperor of China who has more subjects than one monarch can govern.

In some pieces of mechanism we have observed different artists employed in different We ask why evil rulers are permitted?branches of the same machinery: in this di- We answer, though rather mechanically, vision of labour, each man performs his allot-our own question, by acknowledging that ted portion, in utter ignorance perhaps, not they are the appointed scourges of divine only of the portions assigned to the others, displeasure. Yet God does not delegate but also of the ultimate application of his his authority to the oppressor, though he own. Busy in executing his single pin, or employs him as his instrument of correction; spring, or wheel, it is no part of his concern he still keeps the reins in his own hand. to understand the work assigned to others, And besides that an offending world stood still less to comprehend the scheme of the in need of the chastisement, these black inmaster. But though the workman is igno-struments who are thus allowed to ravage rant how the whole is to be arranged, the the earth, may be, in the scheme of Provimachine would have been incomplete with-dence, unintentionally preparing the eleout his seemingly inconsiderable contribu-ments of moral beauty. When divine distion. In the mean time, the master unites, pleasure has made barren a fruitful land for by apt junctures and articulations, parts the wickedness of them that dwell therein,' which were not known to be susceptible of the ploughshare and the harrow, which are connexion; combines the separate divisions sent to tear up the unproductive soil, know without difficulty, because the several work- not that they are providing for the hand of men have only been individually helping to the sower, who is following their rude traaccomplish the original plan which had pre-ces in order to scatter the seeds of future viously existed in his inventive mind. riches and fertility.

The prescience of God is among his pecu- Or take the conflagration of a town. liarly incommunicable attributes. Happy They whose houses are burnt, are objects of is it for us indeed that it is as incommunica-our tenderest commisseration. The scene, ble, for if any portion of it were imparted to if we beheld it, would alike excite our terus, how inconceivably would the distress of ror and our pity. But, after we have mournhuman life be aggravated! But if we allowed over the devastation, and seen that dehis omniscience, we cannot doubt his Provi-spair is fruitless, at length necessity impels dence. He would not foresee contingencies, to industry; we see a new and fairer order for which he could not provide. His attri- of things arise; the convenience, symmetry, butes are in fact so interwoven that it is im- and beauty which spring out of the ashes possible to separate them. His omniscience make us eventually not only cease to regret foresees, his understanding, which is infi-the deformity and unsightliness to which nite, arranges, his sovereignty decrees, his they have succeeded, but almost reconcile omnipotence executes the purposes of his us to the calamity which has led to the imwill. His wisdom may see some things to provement.

be best for a while to answer certain tempo- Often have the earthquake, the hurricane, rary purposes, which would not be good for the bolt of heaven, kindling and throwing a continuance. When the present appoint- far and wide its baleful light on this earthly ment shall have answered the end to which stage, realized in their ultimate effects this it was determined, a new one, to which that image. And we are reminded of a future was preparatory, takes place. The two ar-general conflagration, when the elements rangements may appear to us not to be of a shall melt with fervent heat, and the earth