sonable allusion to serious subjects; a caution for its own guidance, even by conscience requiring the nicest judgment and discrimi- itself. nation, most particularly where he felt the sentiments or the zeal of his company to be not congenial with his own. His would be the spirit of the prudent mariner, who does not even approach his native shore without carefully watching the winds, and sounding the channels; knowing well that a temporary delay, even on an unfriendly element, is preferable to a hasty landing his company, on shore indeed, but upon the point of a rock.

Certainly much allowance, perhaps respect, is due in cases of very doubtful decision, to those feelings which, after the utmost self regulation of mind, are found to be irresistible. And certainly the habits and modes of address attached to refined society, are such as to place personal observations on a very different footing to that on which they stand by nature. A frown, even a cold and disapproving look, may be a reception which the profane expression or loose action Happily for our present purpose, the days of a neighbour of rank and opulence, may we live in, afford circumstances both of have never before encountered from his flatforeign and domestic occurrence, of every terers or convivial companions. A vehepossible variety of colour and connection, so ment censure in his case might inflame his as to leave scarcely any mind unfurnished resentment without amending his fault.— with a store of progressive remarks by Whether the attempt be to correct a vice or which the most instructive truths may be rectify an error, one object should ever be approached through the most obvious to- steadily kept in view-to conciliate rather pics. And a prudent mind will study to than to contend, to inform but not to insult, make its approaches to such an ultimate ob- to evince that we assume, not the character ject, progressive; it will know also where of a dictator, but the office of a Christian to stop, rather indeed out of regard to others friend; that we have the best interests of than to itself. And in the manly avowal of the offender, and the honour of religion at its sentiments, avoiding as well what is cant-heart, and that to reprove is so far from a ing in utterance as technical in language, it gratification, that it is a trial to ourselves, will make them at once appear not the the effort of conscience, not the effect of ebullution of an ill educated imagination, choice. but the result of a long exercised understanding.

Nothing will be more likely to attract attention or secure respect to your remarks, than the good taste in which they are delivered. On common topics, we reckon him the most elegant speaker whose pronunciation and accent are so free from all peculiarities, that it cannot be determined to what place he owes his birth. A polished critic of Rome accuses one of the finest of her historians of provinciality. This is a fault obvious to less enlightened critics, since the Attic herb-woman could detect the provincial dialect of a great philosopher. Why must religion have her Patavinity? Why must the Christian adopt the quaintness of a party, or a scholar the idiom of the illiterate? Why should a valuable truth be combined with a vulgar or fanatical expression? If either would offend when separate, how inevitably must they disgust when the one is mistakingly intended to set off the other. Surely this is not enchasing our apples of gold in pictures of silver.'

The feelings, therefore, of the person to be admonished should be most scrupulously consulted. The admonition, if necessarily strong, explicit and personal, should yet be friendly, temperate, and well bred. An offence, even though publicly committed, is generally best reproved, in private, perhaps in writing. Age, superiority of station, previous acquaintance, above all, that sacred profession to which the honour of religion is happily made a personal concern, are circumstances which especially call for, and sanction the attempt recommended. And he must surely be unworthy his Christian vocation, who would not conscientiously use any influence or authority which he might chance to possess, in discountenancing or rectifying the delinquency he condemns.

We are, indeed, as elsewhere, after the closest reflection and longest discussion often forced into the general conclusion, that a good heart is the best casuist.'-And doubtless where true Christian benevolence towards man meets in the same mind with an honest zeal for the glory of God, a way will be found, let us rather say will be opened, for the right exercise of this, as of every virtuous disposition.

We must not close this part of our subject without alluding to another, and still more delicate introduction of religion, in the way of reproof. Here is indeed a point in Let us ever remember what we have so religious conduct to which we feel it a bold- often insisted on, that self-denial is the ness to make any reference at all. Bold in- ground work, the indispensable requisite for deed, is that casuist, who would lay down every Christian virtue; that without the general rules on a subject where the consci- habitual exercise of this principle, we shall ences of men seem to differ so widely from never be followers of him who pleased not each other and feeble too often will be its himself.' And when we are called by conjustest rules, where the feelings of timidity science to the largest use of it in practice, or delicacy rush in with a force which we must arm ourselves with the highest sweeps down many a land-mark erected considerations for the trial; we must consi

der him, who (through his faithful reproofs) ence becomes general, that all religious men 'endured the contradiction of sinners against are equally unsound or equally deluded, onhimself.' And when even from Moses wely that some are more prudent, or more forhear the truly evangelical precept, thou tunate, or greater hypocrites than others. shalt in any wise rebuke thy brother, and After the falling away of one promising chanot suffer sin upon him;' we must duly racter, the old suspicion recurs and is conweigh how strongly its performance is en-firmed, and the defection of others pronounforced upon ourselves, by the conduct of ced to be infallible. one greater than Moses, who expressly 'suffered for us, leaving us an example that we should follow his footsteps.'

CHAP. XVI.

Christian Watchfulness.

There seems to be this marked distinctions in the different opinions which religious and worldly men entertain respecting human corruption. The candid Christian is contented to believe it, as an indisputable general truth, while he is backward to suspect the wickedness of the individual, nor does he allow himself to give full credit to particular instances without proof. The man of the world, on the contrary, who de

Of all the motives to vigilance and self-nies the general principle is extremely prone discipline which Christianity presents, there to suspect the individual: Thus his knowis not one more powerful than the danger, ledge of mankind not only furnishes a proof, from which even religious persons are not but outstrips the truth of the doctrine: exempt, of slackening in zeal and declining though he denies it as a proposition of Scripin piety. Would we could affirm, that cold-ture, he is eager to establish it as a fact of ness in religion is confined to the irreligious! experiment.

If it be melancholy to observe an absence of But the probability is, that the man by his Christianity where no profession of it was departure from the principles with which ever made, it is far more grievous to mark he appeared to set out, so much gratifies its declension, where it once appeared not the thoughtless, and grieves the serious only to exist, but to flourish. We feel on mind, never was a sound and genuine Christhe comparison, the same distinct sort of tian. His religion was perhaps taken up compassion with which we contemplate the on some accidental circumstance, built ou pecuniary distresses of those who have been some false ground, produced by some evaalways indigent, and of those who have fal-nescent cause; and though it cannot be fairlen into want from a state of opulence. Our ly pronounced that he intended by his forconcern differs not only in degree but in kind.

This declension is one of the most awakening calls to watchfulness, to humility and self-inspection, which religion can make to him who thinketh he standeth;' which it can make to him who, sensible of his own weakness, ought to feel the necessity of strengthening the things which remain that are ready to die.'

had apparently outstripped, and who, though they had started together, he had left behind him in the race.

ward profession and prominent zeal, to deceive others, it is probable that he himself was deceived. Perhaps he had made too sure of himself. His early profession was probably rather bold and ostentatious; he had imprudently fixed his stand on ground so high as to be not easily tenable, and from which a descent would be but too observable. While he thought he never could be too secure of his own strength, he allowed If there is not any one circumstance which himself to be too censorious on the infirmiought more to alarm and quicken the Chris-ties of others, especially of those whom he tian, than that of finding himself grow languid and indifferent, after having made not only a profession but a progress, so there is not a more reasonable motive of triumph to the profane, not one cause which excites in him a more plausible ground of suspicion, either that there never was any truth in the profession of the person in question, or which is a more fatal, and, to such a mind, a more natural conclusion-that there is no truth in religion itself. At best, he will be persuaded that this can only be a faint and feeble principle, the impulse of which is so soon exhausted, and which is by no means found sufficiently powerful to carry on its votary throughout his course. He is assured that piety is only an outer garment, put on for show or convenience, and that when it ceases to be wanted for either it is laid aside, In these unhappy instances the evil seldom ceases with him who causes it. The infer

Might it not be a safer course, if in the outset of the Christian life, a modest and self-distrusting humility were to impose a temporary restraint on the forwardness of outward profession? A little knowledge of the human heart, a little suspicion of the deceitfulness of his own, would not only moderate the intemperance of an ill-understood zeal, should the warm convert be come an established Christian, but would save the credit of religion, which will receive a fresh wound, in the possible event of his desertion from her standard.

Some of the most distinguished Christians in this country began their religious career with this graceful humility. They would not suffer their change of character, and their adoption of new principles, and a new

course to be blazoned abroad, as the affec-grown affluent. Or it might be assumed as tionate zeal of their confidential friends something wanting to his recommendation would have advised, till the principles they to that party or project by which he wished had adopted were established, and worked to make his way; as something that would into habits of piety; till time and experi-better enable him to carry certain points ence had evinced that the grace of God had which he had in view; something that, with not been bestowed on them in vain. Their the new acquaintance he wished to cultivate, progress proved to be such as might have might obliterate certain defects, in his forbeen inferred from the modesty of their out-mer conduct, and white-wash a somewhat set. They have gone on with a perseve- sullied reputation.

rance which difficulties have only contribu- Or in his now more independent situation, ted to strengthen, and experience to con- it may be he is surrounded by temptations, firm; and will, through divine aid, doubtless softened by blandishments, allured by pleago on, shining more and more unto the per-sures, which he never expected would arise fect day. to weaken his resolutions. These new en

But to return to the less steady convert. chantments make it not so easy to be pious, Perhaps religion was only, as we have hint-as when he had little to lose and every thing ed elsewhere, one pursuit among many to desire, as when the world wore a frownwhich he had taken up when other pursuitsing, and religion an inviting aspect. Or he failed, and which he now lays down because, is perhaps by the vicissitudes of life, transhis faith not being rooted and grounded, ferred from a sober and humble society, fails also ;—or the temptation arising from where to be religious was honourable, to a without might concur with the failure with- more fashionable set of associates, where, in. If vanity be his infirmity, he will shrink as the disclosure of his piety would add nofrom the pointed disapprobation of his supe-thing to his credit, he set out with tariors. If the love of novelty be his besetting king pains to conceal it, till it has fallen inweakness, the very peculiarity and strict- to that gradual oblivion, which is the naness of religion, the very marked departure tural consequence of its being kept out of from the gay and primrose path' in which sight. he had before been accustomed to walk, But we proceed to a far more interesting which first attracted, now repels him. The and important character. The one indeed attention which his early deviation from the whom we have been slightly sketching, may manners of the world drew upon him, and by his inconstancy do much harm; the one which once flattered, now disgusts him. on which we are about to animadvert, might The very opposition which once animated, by his consistency and perseverance effect now cools him. He is discouraged at the essential good. Even the sincere, and to all near view, subdued by the required practice, appearance, the established Christian, espeof that Christian self-denial which, as a specially if his situation in life be easy, and his culation, had appeared so delightful. Per-course smooth and prosperous, had need haps his fancy had been fired by some act of keep a vigilant eye upon his own heart. For Christian heroism, which he felt an ambi- such a one it will not be sufficient that he tion to imitate: a feeling which tales of mar- keep his ground if he do not advance in it. tial prowess, or deeds of chivalry, some-Indeed it will be a sure proof that he has gone thing that, promising celebrity and exciting back, if he has not advanced. emulation, had often kindled before. The truth is, religion had only taken hold of his imagination, his heart had been left out of the question.

Or he had in the twilight of his first awakening, seen religion only as something to be believed; he now finds that much is to be done in the new life, and much which was habitual to the old one left undone. Above all, he did not reckon on the CONSISTENCY which the Christian life demands. Warm affections rendered the practice of some right actions easy to him; but he did not include in his faulty and imperfect scheme, the self-denial, the perseverance, the renouncing of his own will and his own way, the evil report as well as the good report, to which every man pledges himself, when he enlists under the banner of Christ. The cross which it was easy to venerate, he finds it hard to bear.

Or religion might be adopted when he was in affliction, and he is now happy when he was in bad circumstances, and he is now VOL. I.

67

In a world so beset with snares, various are the causes which may possibly occasion in even good men a slow but certain decline in piety. A decline scarcely perceptible at first, but which becomes more visible in its subsequent stages. When therefore we suspect our hearts of any declension in piety, we should not compare ourselves with what we were in the preceding week or month, but what we were at the supposed height of our character. Though the alteration was not perceptible in its gradual progress, one shade melting into the next, and each losing its distinctness, yet when the two remote states are brought into contrast, the change will be strikingly obvious.

Among other causes, may be assigned the indiscreet forming of some worldly connexion, especially that of marriage. In this connexion, for union it cannot be called, it is to be lamented that the irreligious more frequently draw away the religious to their side, than that the contrary takes place; a circumstance easily accounted for by those

who are at all acquainted with the human practice. He may gradually lose someheart. what of the dignity of his professional, Or the sincere but incautious Christian and of the sobriety of the Christian characmay be led by a strong affection which as- ter. He may be brought to forfeit the insumes the shape of virtue, into a fond desire dependence of his mind; and in order to of establishing his children advantageously magnify his fortune, may neglect to magniin the world, into methods which if not ab- fy his office. solutely incorrect, are yet ambiguous at the best. In order to raise those whom he loves to a station above their level, he may be tempted, while self-deceit will teach him to sanctify the deed by the motive, to make some little sacrifices of principle, some little abatements of that strict rectitude, for which in the abstract, no man would more strenuously contend. And as it may be in general observed, that the most amiable minds are most susceptible of the strongest natural affections; of course the very tenderness of the heart lays such characters peculiarly open to a danger, to which the unfeeling and the obdurate are less exposed.

Even here, from an increasing remissness in self-examination, he may deceive himself by persisting to believe-for the films are now growing thick over his spiritual sight-that his motives are defensible. Were not his discernment labouring under a temporary blindness, he would reprobate the character which interested views have insensibly drawn him in to act. He would be as much astonished to be told that his character was become his own, as was the royal offender, when the righteous boldness of the prophet pronounced the heart-appalling words, Thou art the man.'

Still he continues to flatter himself that If the person in question be of the sacred the reason of his diminished opposition to order, no small danger may arise from his the faults of his friend, is not because he has living under the eye of an irreligious, but a more lucrative situation in view, but berich and bountiful patron. It is his duty to cause he may, by a slight temporary conmake religion appear amiable in his eyes. cession, and a short suspension of a severity He ought to conciliate his good will by every which he begins to fancy he has carried too means which rectitude can sanction. But far, secure for his future life a more exten though his very piety will stimulate his dis-sive field of usefulness, in the benefice which cretion in the adoption of those means, he is hanging over his head. will take care never to let his discretion intrench on his integrity.

In the mean time hope and expectation so fill his mind, that he insensibly grows If he be under obligations to him, he may cold in the prosecution of his positive duties, be in danger of testifying his gratitude, and He begins to lament that in his present situfurthering his hopes by some electioneer- ation he can make but few converts, that he ing manœuvres, and by too much election-sees but small effects of his labours, not pereering society. He may, unawares be ceiving that God may have withdrawn his tempted to too much conformity to his blessing from a ministry which is exercised friend's habits, too much conviviality in his on such questionable grounds. With his society. And when he witnesseth so much new expectations he continues to blend his kindness and urbanity in his manners, pos-old ideas. He feasts his imagination with sibly so much usefulness and benevolence in the prospect of a more fruitful harvest on his life, he may be even tempted to suspect an unknown, and perhaps an unbroken suil that he himself may be wrong; to accuse as if human nature were not pretty much himself of being somewhat churlish in his the same every where; as if the labourer own temper, a little too austere in his ha-were accountable for the abundance of his bits, and rather hard in his judgment of a crop, and not solely for his own assiduity; as man so amiable. He will be still more like- if actual duty, faithfully performed, even in ly to fall into this error if he expects a fa- this circumscribed sphere in which God Your than if he has obtained it; for though it is not greatly to the honour of human nature, we daily see how much keener are the feelings which are excited by hope than those which are raised by gratitude.-The favour which has been already conferred, excites a temperate, that which we are looking for, a fervid feeling.

has cast our lot, is not more acceptable to him, than theories of the most extensive good, than distant speculations and improbable projects, for the benefit even of a whole district; while, in the indulgence of these airy schemes, our own specific and appointed work lies neglected, or is performed without energy and without attention.

These relaxing feelings and these soften- Self-love so naturally infatuates the judged dispositions, aided by the seducing luxu- ment, that it is no paradox to assert that we ry of the table, and the bewitching splen- look too far, and yet do not look far enough. dour of the apartment; by the soft accom- We look too far when passing over the acmodations which opulence exhibits; and tual duties of the immediate scene, we form the desires which they are too apt to awa-long connected trains of future projects, and ken in the dependant, may, not impossibly, indulge our thoughts in such as are must relead by degrees to a criminal timidity in mote, and perhaps least probable. And we maining the purity of his own princi- do not look far enough when the prospective ples, in supporting the strictness of his own mind does not shoot beyond all these little

earthly distances, to that state, falsely call- the test of truth-'A great cause of comed remote, whither all our steps are not the misseration truly, to be transferred from a less tending, because our eyes are confined starving curacy to a plentiful benefice, or to the home scenes. But while the preca- from the vulgar society of a country parish, riousness of our duration ought to set limits to be a stalled theologian in an opulent to our designs, it should furnish incitements town!' to our application. Distant projects are too apt to slacken present industry; while the magnitude of schemes, probably impracticable, may render our actual exertions cold and slugglish.

We are far from estimating at a low rate the exchange from a state of uncertainty to a state of independence, from a life of penury to comfort, or from a barely decent to an affluent provision.-But does the ironical reLet it be observed that we would be the marker rate the feelings and affections of last to censure any of those fair and honour- the heart at nothing? If he insists that moable means of improving his condition which ney is that chief good of which ancient phievery man, be he worldly or religious, owes losophy says so much, we beg leave to insist to himself, and to his family. Saints as well that it is not the only good. We are above as sinners have in common, what a great the affectation of pretending to condole with genius calls, 'certain inconvenient appetites any man on his exaltation, but there are of eating and drinking;' which while we are feelings which a man of acute sensibility, in the body must be complied with. It would rendered more acute by an elegant educabe a great hardship on good men, to be de- tion, values more intimately than silver or nied any innocent means of fair gratification. It would be a peculiar injustice that the most diligent labourer should be esteemed the least worthy of his hire, the least fit to rise in his profession.

gold.

those he is quitting? Is it nothing for a faithful minister to be separated from an affectionate people, a people not only whose friendship, but whose progress has constituted his happiness here, as it will make his joy and crown of rejoicing hereafter?

Is it absolutely nothing to resign his local comforts, to break up his local attachments, to have new connexions to form, and that frequently at an advanced period of life? The more serious clergyman has also the Connexions, perhaps less valuable than same warm affection for his children with his less scrupulous brother, and consequently the same laudable desire for their comfortable establishment; only in his plans for their advancement he should neither entertain ambitious views nor prosecute any views, even the best, by methods not con- Men of delicate minds estimate things by sonant to the strictness of his avowed prin- their affections as well as by their circumciples. Professing to seek first the king- stances: to a man of a certain cast of chadom of God and his righteousness,' he racter, a change however advantageous, ought to be more exempt from an over may be rather an exile than a promotion. anxious solicitude than those who profess it While he gratefully accepts the good, he less zealously. Avowing a more determin- receives it with an edifying acknowledged confidence that all other things will, as ment of the imperfection of the best human far as they are absolutely necessary, be things. These considerations we confess add added unto him,' he should, as it is obvious the additional feelings of kindness to their he commonly does, manifest practically, a persons, and of sympathy with their vicissimore implicit trust, confiding in the gracious tudes, to our respect and veneration for their and cheering promise, that promise ex- holy office. pressed both negatively and positively, as if to comfort with a double confirmation, that God who is 'both his light and defence, who will give grace and worship, will also withhold no good thing from them that live a godly life.'

6

It is one of the trials of faith appended to the sacred office, that its ministers, like the father of the faithful, are liable to go out, 'not knowing whither they go;' and this not only at their first entrance into their profession, but through life; an inconvenience to which no other profession is necessarily liable; a trial which is not perhaps fairly estimated.

This remark will naturally raise a laugh among those who at once hold the function in contempt, deride its ministers, and think their well-earned remuneration lavishly and even unnecessarily bestowed. They will probably exclaim with as much complacency in their ridicule, as if it were really

To themselves, however, the precarious tenor of their situation presents an instructive emblem of the uncertain condition of human life, of the transitory nature of the world itself. Their liableness to a sudden removal, gives them the advantage of being more especially reminded of the necessity and duty of keeping in a continual posture of preparation, having their loins girded, their shoes on their feet, and their staff in their hand.' They have also the same promises which supported the Israelites in the desert.-The same assurance which cheered Abraham, may still cheer the true servants of God under all difficulties.-'Fear not-I am thy shield and thy exceeding great reward.'

But there are perils on the right hand and on the left. It is not among the least, that though a pious clergyman may at first have tasted with trembling caution of the delicious cup of applause, he may gradually grow, as