patterns of good works,* and to mahe full proof of their ministry. These considerations will undoubtedly call on them to be gravely and peculiarly watchful over themselves, that they let not their affections. carry them too far into worldly affairs. But to believe, that they are forbidden to have any affection or interest in those affairs, is as remote from the truth, as, in the conviction of their own inner heart, they know it to be impossible.

To look farther into the question, let us consider that the duties of a minister of religion are to teach the human animal, man; and that he is himself a man, "of like passions." Can he be competent to teach, without experience of the sensations, habits, and associations of those on whom he is to operate? By divine inspiration undoubtedly, he could; but can he, without it? The first teachers were holy men, divinely inspired, and divinely guided. They had, from heavenly instruction, the knowledge which our teachers must get by human means, or they get it not. The inspired teachers also, with all their divine lights, did, as we may learn from numerous instances, consult and bend to very many human habits and customs, even though they condemned them. They studied fitness and expedience; and insinuated their doctrines, when occasion required, by ways suited to the very prejudices of mankind.§ They were possessed of the most extensive acquaintance with all the habits, prejudices, ideas, and character of the people with whom they mixed.

Our ministers, let it be repeated, can supply the want of this divine instruction, by human means alone. The general course of their education certainly communicates to them, but a very limited knowledge of mankind. From the small family circle Acts xiv. 15.

* Titus ii. 7.

+2 Tim. iv. 5.

§ See Acts xvi. 1-3. Paul even circumcised his disciple Timothy, in compliance with the abrogated Mosaic ritual, "because of the Jews which were in those quarters."

to a primary school, and from thence to the larger school of the University, they see mankind but in a very limited variety of positions and emergencies. From the University they soon pass at once, fully clothed in all external requisites, to the quiet duties of some Ecclesiastical cure; with a disposition to believe themselves past the age of learning, and fully competent to teach; and considering that to teach is now their only duty. This is assuredly the general course of education, from which far the larger number of our Ministers derive that knowledge, which is to qualify them for the most difficult of all tasks purely human, the task of controlling and directing the perversity of the human mind. The consequence is natural and obvious. We see it daily and hourly in those numerous instances, in which a sincere Christian must deeply lament, how often the best designed efforts of the most zealous ministers entirely fail, from their extreme ignorance of the real character of the beings, on whom they attempt to work, and from their total disregard of all prudent considerations of fitness and expedience, in their principle and mode of ope

ration.

We come then to this deduction, that not only are the rational and temperate pursuits of the world not inconsistent with the office of a minister of our holy religion, but a participation in them is his duty, and is essential to the acquisition of that knowledge, which is necessary to the right and effective discharge of it. Unless he do participate, he can not have any real acquaintance with the human heart and character, in all their diversities and recesses. He can not otherwise be competent to till the soil of whose qualities he is actually either entirely ignorant, or but very imperfectly informed.

Here again let it be confessed, that these are human arguments, of no avail, if repugnant to the Revealed Word. But it may be boldly maintained, under divine correction, that they are built upon that sacred

authority itself; and that they do but add the weak support of human reason, to the all-powerful strength of divine command. For this, let us appeal to the Holy Scriptures. That appeal is the sole object of the present discussion. If it be made with a right mind, unfettered by previous persuasions, and sincerely open to conviction, and be pursued with candor, through a deliberate consideration of the whole divine authority, and not limited to detached portions, there is no reason to doubt, that it can end only in those conclusions, which it has been the object of these pages to enforce.

APPENDIX,

CONTAINING PASSAGES EXTRACTED FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT, RELATING TO 1. FAITH.-2. WORKS.

IT has not been thought expedient to presume to criticize the accuracy of the authorized translation; although perhaps some small corrections might be advantageously suggested. Conscious of a want of sufficient learning to render him competent to do it effectively, the Compiler has refrained from the attempt.

The authorized translation is undoubtedly sufficiently exact for all useful purposes. There may be small errors; and it is marvellous that there are not more, than have ever yet been alleged. But the general accuracy is unquestionable, and quite sufficient for every necessary object.

The Compiler may perhaps have made some trivial amendments in the language, for the purpose of rendering the meaning more intelligible; by substituting which and who, more correctly, for the old and awkward that. But he has not in any other way departed from the authorized version.

The marginal references shew, in some cases, where the same occurrences are narrated in the books of the other Evangelists; and in others, they shew passages bearing on the same subject, as the texts to which they are affixed.

Amongst the Extracts relating to Faith many passages will appear, not applying to the particular question in discussion, but merely to some more limited and temporary use of the word Faith. But as they do contain that word, or some allusion to the same subject, they have been taken, for the purpose of obviating any objection of partiality, or intentional omission.

A different course has been followed on the other question of Works. For, thinking the argument abundantly strong without them, many passages enjoining good deeds have been omitted, for the reasons stated at the head of that part of the Appendix.

1. FAITH.

MATTHEW.

CHAP. VI. v. 30.-O ye of little faith.

VIII. 2, 3.—And behold there came a leper and Mark, i. 40.— worshipped him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou Luke, v. 12. canst make me clean. And Jesus put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will, be thou clean; and immediately his leprosy was cleansed.

10. When Jesus heard it [the speech of the Luke, vii. 9. Centurion] he marvelled, and said to them who followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.

13.-And Jesus said unto the Centurion, Go thy way, and as thou hast believed,* so be it done unto thee. And his servant was healed in the self-same hour.

26.—And he saith unto them, Why are ye fear- Mark, iv. 40.— ful, O of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked Luke, viii. 25. the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm.

ye

IX. 2.-And Jesus, seeing their faith, said unto Mark, ii. 5.the sick of the palsy, Son, be of good cheer, thy sins Luke, v. 20. be forgiven thee.

22. But Jesus turned him about, and when he Mark, v. 34.saw her [who had touched the hem of his garment] Luke, viii. 48. he said, Daughter, be of good comfort, thy faith

hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour.

28, 29. And when he was come into the house, the blind men came to him; and Jesus saith unto them, Believe ye that I am able to do this? They said unto him, Yea, Lord. Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith, be it unto

you.

X. 32, 33.-Whosoever therefore shall confess Mark, viii. 38.-me before men, him will I confess also before my Luke, ix. 26.— father, which is in Heaven. But whosoever shall xii. 8,9.--2 Tim. deny me before men, him will I also deny before ii. 11, 12, 13.my father, which is in Heaven. 1 John, ii. 23.-Romans, i. 16.

*See preceding Appeal, &c., page 20, for observations on the allusions of this sort, made by Christ to faith.