called, although, like many other properties
which bear the name of vices in our constitution,
it be, in truth, a beneficial principle acting accor
ding to a general law)-we are to supply it by a
deeper sense of the obligations under which we
lie: by a more frequent and a more distinct re-
eollection of the reason upon which that obliga-
tien is founded. We are not to wonder at the
pains which this may cost us; still less we are to

cate the despondency of some serious Chris
ts, who, in the impaired sensibility that hab-
at hath induced, bewail the coldness of a deser
and soul

a

Hitherto our observation will not be question-t ed: but I think that this principle goes farther than is generally known or acknowledged. I think n shat it extends to the influence which argument t sowel possesses upon our understanding; or, at Just, ie the infceace which it possesses in deter mming der Wal. I will not say, that, in a subject o er) ndertes, and in science properly s cules a demonstration is the less convincing for

T

T

ing we: but I am not sure that this is not, in Some Desire, true of moral evidence and prob blegeons. In tal subjects, however, where merente de, the understanding to be he will to be persuaded, I believe every argument is diminished by d Smilarity. The intrinsic value of the S must be the same: the impression may

e

Bate a disadvantage to contend with ad of The consequence of repetition sensibly by us, who are in the k our arguments to others: for second, a separate, and an unt mind, to bring back the concle e ring our arguments; in all the ar In constructing, in expres dy which we employ upon them; ti to hold continually in our view, y they may produce upon those

who hear or read them. The farther and best use

our of our meditations, their influence upon our own

iple acting

to supp

Sunder

to woode

still Jess

me serve

ensibility

les truly and in earnest their attention upon them

selves, is suspended, not to say forgotten, amidst the labours, the engagements, the popularity, of their public ministry; and, in the best-disposed minds, is interrupted, by the anxiety, or even by the satisfaction, with which their public services are performed.

These are dangers adhering to the very nature our profession: but the evil is often also augted by our imprudence. In our wishes to conwe are extremely apt to overstate our argu

We think no confidence with which we of them can be too great, when our intento urge them upon our hearers. This zeal Idom, I believe, defeats its own purpose, with those whom we address; but it always s the efficacy of the argument upon ourWe are conscious of the exaggeration, er our hearers perceive it or not: and this ousness corrupts to us the whole influence conclusion; robs it even of its just value. nstration admits of no degrees; but real life nothing of demonstration. It converses only moral evidence and moral reasoning. In the scale of probability is extensive; and argument hath its place in it. It may not be the same thing to overstate a true reason, advance a false one: but since two quespresent themselves to the judgment, usualed together by their nature and importance, a which side probability lies, and how much

it preponderates; to transgress the rules of fair reasoning in either question, in either to go be vond our own perception of the subject, is a simijar, if not an equal fault. In both cases it is a want of candour, which approaches to a want of veraeity. But that, in which its worst effect is seen; that, at least, which it belongs to this discourse to notice: is in its so undermining the solidity of our proofs, that our own understandings refuse to rest upon them; in vitiating the integrity of our own judgments; in rendering our minds, as well in capable of estimating the proper strength of mora and religious arguments, as unreasonably suspi elous of their truth, and dull and insensible to their impression.

If dangers to our character accompany the er ereise of our public ministry, they no less attend on the nature of our professional studies, I been said, that literary triffing upon the Seriy has a tendency, above all other employ to harden the heart. If by this maxim it he hed to reprove the exercise, to check the on, or to question the utility, of critical re hes, when employed upon the stered volum, hot by me to be defended. If it mean sinoguard sexist an existing danger, to state:

her disadvantage incidental to the charac-
hich we are now exposing the dangers, is
ral debility that arises from the want of
rained in the virtues of active life. This
int belongs not to the clergy as such, be-
heir pastoral office affords as many calls,
many opportunities, for beneficent exer-
s are usually found in private stations; but
ngs to that secluded contemplative life,
men of learning often make choice of, or
ich they are thrown by the accident of
tunes. A great part of mankind owe their
les to their practice; that is, to that won-
accession of strength and energy which au

good dispositions receive from good actions. It difficult to sustain virtue by meditation alone; but let our conclusions only have influence enough once to determine us upon a course of virt and that influence will acquire such augmentation of force from every instance of virtuous endeavour, as ere long to produce in us constancy and res lation, a formed and a fixed character. Of thi great and progressive assistance to their princ ples, men who are withdrawn from the busines and the intercourse of civil life find themselves i some measure deprived. Virtue in them is left, more than in others, to the dictates of reason, to a sense of duty less aided by the power of habit I will not deny that this difference renders their virtue more pure, more actual, and nearer to its principle; but it renders it less easy to be attain ed or preserved

Having proposed these circumstances, as diff culties of which I think it useful that our order should be apprised; and as growing out of the functions of the profession, its studies, or the sit uations in which it places us: I proceed, with the same view, to notice a turn and habit of thinking which late, become very general amongst

ses of the community, amongst all Sons of authority, and in common escriptions of men, amongst the Iam about to animadvert upand to a certain degree, un and right consideration; but, in hit prevails, has a tendency to he hearts of mankind all religious er What I mean, is the perform gious offices for the sake of setting and the allowing of this ssion of the mind, as to lace of the proper ground I must be permitted to this is the case, it bead extraneous, but a false ple of action. A conduct