146

DISCONTENT

DISCRIMINATION.

And Virtue fled. The schools became a scene
Of solemn farce, where Ignorance in stilts,
His cap well lin❜d with logic not his own,

With parrot tongue perform'd the scholar's part,
Proceeding soon a graduated dunce.

Ed. Was Cowper a prophet, or historian, or both?
239. DISCONTENT.

Discontent often arises from false estimates of the condition of others.

Ed. Discontent breeds misery and mischief.

Ib. The generation of Israel which left Egypt, were discontented with the allotments of Providence, and with their condition, while passing through a very needful trial in the wilderness, and their temporal murmurs sealed their everlasting discontent and ruin.

240. DISCRETION.

Sh. Discretion is the better part of valor.

A friend of Dr. Nettleton having classified the leading qualifications for a theological student as follows,- first, piety; second, talents; third, scholarship; fourth, discretion, Dr. N. observed," Change the order, and put discretion next to piety." Let reason go before every enterprise, and counsel before every action.

An ounce of discretion is worth a pound of wit.

241. DISCRIMINATION, DISTINGUISHING. Brainerd. Labor to distinguish clearly upon experiences and affections in religion, that you may make a difference between the gold and the shining dross. I say, labor here, if ever you would be a useful minister of Christ.

Nettleton. All those ministers who do not discriminate between true and false zeal, and true and false affections, will turn out to be the greatest traitors to the cause of revivals. They become responsible for the corruptions which prevail, in consequence of this neglect.

Ib. It is an important part of a preacher's duty, in a season of powerful revival, to discriminate between true and false conversion. Without this, the work will rapidly degenerate. The

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147

most flaming spiritual pride will be taken for the highest moral excellence, and will rise up and take the lead.

Ed. Many preachers have a world of discourse without a single word of discrimination. They see their subjects as a certain person mentioned in Scripture saw men, "as trees, walking," and set them in a similar light. [See 249.]

242. DISCUSSION, EXAMINATION.

Channing. The more discussion the better, if passion and personality be eschewed; and discussion, even if stormy, often winnows truth from error- - a good never to be expected in an uninquiring age.

Wayland. When men differ in any matter of belief, let them meet each other manfully. Neither has a right to take offence at opinions plainly and honestly expressed. Let each allow this privilege to the other, and then put the whole question to the issue of argument. No man ought to wince from this. No man has a right to complain, because, while I allow him the same privilege, I frankly and decidedly express my opinions.

Paul. Prove all things: hold fast that which is good.

Anon. Let gold be heated ever so long in the crucible, and still it remains. But dross goes off in a smoke. So it is with truth and falsehood in the crucible of free investigation.

Barnes. To maintain the supremacy of the laws, and preserve order and peace, the right of free discussion must be conceded. All our institutions are based on this right. Herein is our warfare with the tyrants of the old world; herein is our contest with those thrones of despotism which have so long tyrannized over man; herein is the contest of the Protestant religion with the Papacy; herein the struggle between freedom and arbitrary power. The moment the principle is conceded, that there is one point that may not be examined, that moment our liberty ceases. A wedge is entered that may be driven, and that will be driven, until the whole fabric of civil and religious freedom is riven asunder and demolished. Every man who can contribute to the defence and illustration of this right, confers an invaluable service on his country, on human nature, and on the world.

148

DISCUSSION

DISGRACE.

Spring. The interests of truth are promoted by the spirit of inquiry. Nothing has established the truth of God upon so firm and immovable a basis, as free discussion. Infidels and heretics have been driven from the field by free discussion. Says Lord Bacon, "Discussion is the winnowing of truth from error." Truth may indeed suffer for a time, by rashness and impatience, but, in the end, it stands upon a firmer foundation, for having been honestly and thoroughly investigated. The cause that will not abide investigation, is rotten at the core.

The

Ed. Discussion is the armor of every defender of the faith, offensive and defensive. Whoever would be "valiant for the truth in the earth," must discuss valiantly. Our Puritan ancestors were close examiners of truth and of falsehood. leaders in the Reformation examined the corruptions of Rome. Paul examined the systems of judaism and heathenism, and disputed daily. Luther and Calvin examined papacy, formalism, and the other errors of their times. Edwards examined the half-way covenant, and other prevalent errors of his day. Hopkins, Bellamy, Emmons, and others, exposed the antinomianism, Arminianism, and other mischievous errors of their time. Whither have our theological warriors, and defenders of the faith, fled? [See 166, 305.]

243. DISEASE, DISEASES.

Diseases are the interest we pay for sensual pleasures.
Watts. Our life contains a thousand springs,

And dies if one be gone;

Strange, that a harp of thousand strings
Should keep in tune so long.

Ed. The diseases and "evils which flesh is heir to,” are all the messengers of God, to rebuke us for our sins, and ought so to be regarded.

244. DISGRACE.

Disgrace is honorable, when endured for the Lord of Glory. Ed. No being was ever so disgraced in our world as the author of grace — next, the principal subjects of grace. Witness Paul's persecutions unto death. But the time hastens,

DISINTERESTEDNESS

DISSIPATION.

149

when righteousness will be honored, and all unrighteousness meet its merited and everlasting dishonor.

245. DISINTERESTEDNESS.

Mather, (Cotton). Thrice in the Scriptures we find the good angels rejoicing, but it is always at the good of others.

Ed. Disinterested and impartial love is the supreme glory of intelligent creatures. Without this love, they can glory only in shame. It is a complete foundation for good morals, good manners, and useful services.

Richter. The last, best fruit that comes to perfection, even in the kindliest soul, is tenderness toward the hard; forbearance, toward the unforbearing; warmth of heart, toward the cold; and philanthropy, toward the misanthropic. Ed. This must be "the fruit of the Spirit," spoken of in Scripture.

246. DISPATCH. Dispatch is the soul of business.

Ed. Mankind dispatch the business of sensual indulgence; defer the business of intellectual pleasures; put off the business of immortal interests; and decline the business of serving and glorifying God with their bodies and spirits, which are his. Their dispatch needs conversion.

247. DISSIMULATION.

Dissimulation in youth is perfidy in old age.

Ed. Dissimulation in ordinary business ruins confidence; dissimulation in conversation breeds contempt; dissimulation in friendship creates disesteem; and dissimulation in religion destroys Christian fellowship. Through the deceit of sin, this vice is liable to become a habit, and should be vigilantly guarded against by parental example, care, and discipline, by the teachers of youth, and by all the friends of virtue, and everywhere discountenanced. [See 208.]

248. DISSIPATION.

Dissipation leads to crime; crime, to infamy and misery. Ed. The dissipation of the press is highly prejudicial, both to sacred and secular literature. It deteriorates thought, and corrupts the religion, morals, and manners of the masses.

Ib. Of all dissipation, religious dissipation is the most ruin

150

DISTINCTIONS

DIVINITY.

ous, for it tends to annihilate the standard of piety, and the principles of godliness.

249. DISTINCTIONS.

Watts. It is of great service to distinguish well between knowables and unknowables.

Ed. Distinctions literary, and especially distinctions theological, by keeping variety and contrasts in view, greatly facilitate general knowledge, and are essential to accurate knowledge. They illuminate science, and elicit thought. [See 241.] 250. DISTINCTION, MOMENTOUS.

Em. Of all distinctions, that between the godly and the ungodly is the greatest. Though the sacred writers mention worldly distinctions, yet they say much more about that essential distinction which God makes between saints and sinners. In the Psalms, we find one continued contrast between the spirit and character of the righteous and wicked. David begins with a description of the godly and the ungodly; of their diverse views, feelings, and conduct through life; of their final separation at the day of decision; and he never loses sight of these two characters through the whole of his writings.

251. DISTRUST.

Distrust poisons the cup of life, and fetters the energies of

men.

Ed. Discreet and well-founded suspicion, avoids a multitude of evils, which credulity brings upon itself. We ought always to be suspicious enough to avoid all improper and forbidden trust in man, or in our own hearts.

Ib. A proper distrust in others is compatible with the highest politeness and Christian kindness. [See 917.]

252. DIVINITY.

Thompson, O. Of all sciences, that of divinity is the most sublime, the most profound, and the most comprehensive. The study of divinity demands the brightest parts, the strongest powers, and the most capacious minds. The angels desire to look into these things; 'and here they may look, and study, and pry forever, and still see more and more to admire, and love, and praise.