time of the apostles, bestow a knowledge of languages, or qualify ALONE, without the aid of human learning, for a TEACHER of theology.

The annals of suicide, if any such there were, and the registers of Bedlam, might bear witness to the mischiefs caused by fanatical mechanics, with strong, passions and imaginations, but of feeble and narrow intellects, wildly haranguing weak and aged men and women on their lost state, on their danger of eternal damnation, and a thousand other most awful matters, which at once puzzle the understandings, and dismay the hearts of the deluded multitude. True Christianity shudders at the sufferings of well meaning devotees, 'wantonly inflicted by ignorant zealots, seeking selfimportance, and gratifying the pride of their hearts, as leaders of a wretched tribe, whom noise and high pretensions collect easily in every populous city, and in every poor neighbourhood, where the necessity of constant manual employment for the means of subsistence 'precludes all contemplation, and the improvement of judgment that might result from it.

In compassion to these people, who deserve every assistance, because they certainly intend every thing that is good, though they do and suffer great evil, through defect of judgment, I wish the regular clergy, both of the established and dissenting church, to feed them with the food in which they delight-the heavenly manna, the doctrine of grace. There is no doubt but that many of them do so occasionally; but I submit it to them whether it ought not to be a leading and principal topic in every discourse inculcating morality. I beg leave to suggest that EVANGELICAL preaching, in which the doctrine of divine energy must always make a very considerable part, would keep their congregations from wandering after men, who have no other qualification for preaching but zeal, real or pretended; zeal

without knowledge, or a knowledge confined, superficial, and unaccompanied with general charity or sound discretion. With all their defects, they do, however, preach the doctrine of grace. The people know this to be the genuine doctrine of the gospel, and therefore they flock by tens of thousands to hear it, regardless of the barbarism of the self-appointed orator, who leaves the loom and the last for the pulpit.

The pearl of great price they estimate highly, however rudely it may be set; but how much more would they prize it, if it were set, adequately to its immense value, in the purest gold, by the hand of a master? If men of sound and extensive learning, of true taste and eloquence, were to recommend it, with all the beauties of proper language, the field-preacher would rant in solitude and the tabernacle* would be as empty as most To them I refer of the parish churches in London. the inquirer, who wishes to know how little the most decent and studied discourses on morality, or practical religion, avail to attract the people. Let him leave a

* When one sees the multitudes that throng certain tabernacles, where very weak men hold forth with scarcely any apparent recommendation but effrontery, one is almost tempted to say on the occasion, "God hath chosen the foolish things of this world "to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of "the world to confound the mighty, that no flesh might glory in "his presence." 1 Cor. i. 27.

;

These things, says the haughty court divine, are calculated for Hæc, inthe meridian of the vulgar. But let us hear Erasmus: " "quam, PLEBEIA, si præstarent pro suâ sorte principes, si in con“cionibus inculcarent sacerdotes, si pueris instillarent ludimagistri, non sic perpetuis pene bellis 86 potius quam ERUDITA ILLA*** “tumultuaretur undique res Christiana, no tam, insano studio per *fas nefasque congerendi divitias ferverent omnia; non tot litibus “ ubique perstreperent sacra pariter ac profana. Denique non titulo “ tantum et ceremoniis differemus ab his qui Christi Philosophiam non profitentur."

while his books and library, and read the volume of real life. We have had enough of words, enough of systems, enough of controversy; let us study and teach what is really and efficiently useful to the mass of the people, what improves human nature, renders life as comfortable as the condition of humanity will admit, and opens a pleasing prospect, (when life must be relinquished,) beyond the grave.

SECTION XLII.

Bishop Lavington's Opinion, respecting the Extravagancies and Follies of fanatical Preachers, and Pretenders to the Spirit.

WHEREVER I find great stress laid upon

❝some imaginary, insignificant, or unintelligible pecu"liarities; the word of God turned into a conjuring. "book; the divine ordinances either lightly esteemed, " or imputed to the devil; good works either under"valued or trodden under foot; wild-fire dangerously "tossed about, instead of that light which came down "from heaven; puffing pretentions to extraordinary "revelations, inspirations, usurping the name of the "Holy One; with personal conferences with God, face. "to face; enthusiastic ranters, comparing themselves "with prophets and apostles, if not with Christ himself; "the most wild and extravagant behaviour, the phren, ❝zies of a disturbed brain, or deluded imagination, the "effects of fits, of a weak head, or DISEASED BODY, all "turned into so many tests and marks of saintship; "the SPIRIT OF PRIDE AND VANITY possessing the "LEADERS; a spirit of ENVY, RANCOUR, broils, and im"placable animosities, dashing each other in pieces; a

spirit of bitterness and uncharitableness towards the

REST OF MANKIND; a progress through immorality, "scepticism, infidelity, atheism, through spiritual deser"tions, DESPAIR, and MADNESS, made the gate of per"fection; an IMAGINARY new-birth to be brought to pass "by means of REAL TORTURES, of some of the most exquisite pangs and sufferings that can affect human "nature;-I say, where these are found, and many "more equally horrible, one may easily discern a wide "difference between such a dispensation and GENUINE "RELIGION; as well as the bungling hands that are "substituting the former in the place of the other. One 66 may easily see what strangers such inconsistent ram"blers must be to the true devotion, as well as the "COMFORTS of a sedate, composed piety; to a firm be"lief of our Maker and Redeemer, and a constant reli"ance upon Providence; to a steady course of sincere, "habitual, and unaffected religion; to the cherishing of a warm love of God in the heart, and well-tempered ❝zeal for the truths of his inspired word; and all this 66 PROVED by the love of our neighbour; to a general "observance and attendance on the MEANS OF GRACE, "and a well-grounded hope of glory."

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From the wretched follies of fanatics, the mind turns with complacency to the gentle benignant Spirit which guided a bishop Wilson, a Watts, a Doddridge, a Nelson and a Horne. Such men do honour to the doctrine of grace, and rescue it from the contempt under which it has fallen through the extravagance of weak devotees, and the unhappy ingenuity of scholastic theologists, explaining away, to shew their skill, the strongest expressions of holy scripture.

SECTION XLIII.

Pride the great Obstacle to the general Reception of the Gospel of Grace.

A PROUD, turbulent, and vindictive spirit is

utterly incompatible with the spirit of Christianity; but a proud, turbulent, and vindictive spirit constitutes what is called, in the world, a man of honour; and who can aspire at the distinctions and rewards which the world has to bestow, without aspiring at the character of a man of honour-without zealously maintaining it, in defiance of all which the scriptures have taught us to consider as the WILL OF GOD? No wonder, then, that the genuine gospel the SPIRIT, which is first pure then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, should be utterly neglected by those who are more solicitous about the opinion of a few weak and wicked mortals like themselves, than about all that Christianity promises or threatens; who regard neither God nor man, when their own self-estimation is in the smallest degree depreciated. SUBMISSION of the temper and understanding, which is necessary for the reception of that EVIDENCE of Christianity which the Holy Ghost affords, is considered as contemptible meanness, by those who are full of themselves, and live only to flatter, for the sake of being re-flattered, in the circles of self-idolizing vanity.

The doctrine of a participation with the divine nature, conceded by Heaven to the faithful and pious of low degree, is highly mortifying to those who think the perfection of human nature consists in civil nobility, in blood, or in titles conferred by an earthly monarch. He who shares the divine nature, who is favoured with an emanation of Deity, is truly ennobled; for his very