,transcriber's ,note3 ,italicized text delimited by underscores4 ,there are many special characters in this text that require a utf-#h compliant font4 ,if you find characters that appear as a question mark in a black box or a small rectangle with numbers in it1 you should check your reader's default font4 ,if you have a font installed with ,,sil after the font name1 you should use that one4 ,,the ,,works ,,of ,,richard ,,hurd1 ,d4,d4 ,,lord ,,bishop ,,of ,,worcester4 ,,vol4 ,,viii4 ,printed by ,j4 ,nichols and ,son1 ,red ,lion ,passage1 ,fleet ,street1 ,london4 ,,the ,,works ,,of ,,richard ,,hurd1 ,d4,d4 ,,lord ,,bishop ,,of ,,worcester4 ,,in ,,eight ,,volumes4 ,,vol4 ,,viii4 ,illustration ,,london3 ,,printed ,,for ,t4 ,,cadell ,,and ,w4 ,,davies1 ,,strand4 #ahaa4 ,,theological ,,works4 ,,vol4 ,,iv4 ,,sermons ,,on ,,public ,,occasions4 ,,charges ,,to ,,the ,,clergy4 ,,and ,,an ,,appendix3 ,,containing ,,controversial ,,tracts ,,on ,,different ,,subjects ,,and ,,occasions4 ,,contents ,,of ,,the ,,eighth ,,volume4 ,,sermons4 ,a ,sermon1 preached before the ,house of ,lords1 ,dec4 #ac1 #aggf2 being the ,day of the ,general ,fast1 on account of the ,american ,rebellion #a ,a ,sermon1 preached before the ,society for the ,propagation of the ,gospel in ,foreign ,parts1 ,feb4 #af1 #agha #ag ,a ,sermon1 preached before the ,house of ,lords1 ,january #cj1 #aghf2 being the ,anniversary of ,king ,charles's ,martyrdom #ce ,,charges4 ,a ,charge to the ,clergy of the ,diocese of ,lichfield and ,coventry1 in #agge and #aggf #ee ,a ,charge to the ,clergy of the ,diocese of ,worcester1 #aghb #gc ,a ,charge to the ,clergy of the ,diocese of ,worcester1 #aghe #hg ,a ,charge to the ,clergy of the ,diocese of ,worcester1 #agij #ajc ,a ,charge to the ,clergy of the ,diocese of ,worcester1 #agif #aag ,a ,charge to the ,clergy of the ,diocese of ,worcester1 #ahjj #abi ,,appendix4 ,,controversial ,,tracts4 ,remarks on the ,rev4 ,w4 ,,weston',s ,enquiry into the ,rejection of the ,christian ,miracles by the ,heathens1 #agdf #ade ,the ,opinion of an eminent ,lawyer1 concerning the ,right of ,appeal from the ,vice-,chancellor of ,cambridge to the ,senate1 #agea #ahe ,on the ,delicacy of ,friendship1 #agee #bee ,a ,letter to the ,rev4 ,dr4 ,,thomas ,,leland1 ,fellow of ,trinity ,college1 ,dublin2 on his ,dissertation on the ,principles of ,human ,eloquence1 c4 #agfd #cjc ,,three ,,sermons ,,preached ,,on ,,public ,,occasions4 ,a ,,sermon ,,preached ,,before ,,the ,,right ,,honourable ,,the ,,house ,,of ,,lords1 ,,in ,,the ,,abbey ,,church ,,of ,,westminster1 ,,on ,,friday1 ,,december #ac1 #aggf1 ,,being ,the ,day appointed by ,,authority for a ,,general ,,fast1 on ,account of the ,,american ,,rebellion4 ,die ,veneris1 #ac ,decembris #ad1 #aggf1 ,post ,meridiem4 ,,ordered1 by the ,lords ,spiritual and ,temporal1 in ,parliament assembled1 ,that the ,thanks of this ,house be1 and are hereby1 given to the ,lord ,bishop of ,lichfield and ,coventry1 for the ,sermon by him preached before this ,house1 this day1 in the ,abbey ,church1 ,westminster2 and he is hereby desired to cause the same to be forthwith printed and published4 ,,ashley ,,cowper1 ,cler4 ,parliamentor4 ,,sermon1 c4 ,,psalm ,,cxix4 v4 #ei4 ,i called mine own ways to remembrance3 and turned my feet unto thy testimonies4 ,the great object of this day's solemnity1 is1 to humble ourselves before ,almighty ,god1 in order to obtain pardon of our sins4 ,but this end requires1 that we enter into an earnest recollection of our ways1 and stedfastly resolve to forsake all those1 which we shall find reason to condemn4 ,such is the example set us by the royal author of the text3 ,and1 though it might claim our respect at all times1 it especially does so1 at this juncture1 when our sins have brought down upon us the heaviest of those judgments1 with which it pleases ,god to visit1 and1 if it may be1 to reclaim1 offending nations4 ,and the hand of ,heaven is not the less1 but the more visible in this calamity1 for it's befalling us1 when the acknowledged power of our country seemed to secure it against all resistance1 both within and without2 and when it was not to be expected1 from the usual course of human affairs1 that an attempt of this nature1 so unprovoked1 at once1 and so hazardous1 would be made4 ,something there must have been1 much amiss in that people1 against whom the ,almighty permits the sword of civil fury1 under such circumstances1 to be drawn4 ,from what causes1 and by what steps1 this portentous mischief hath grown up to it's present size and terror1 it is not needful1 and may not be proper1 for me to say4 ,for which of us is unacquainted with these things8 ,and how ill suited to the modest piety of this day would be1 the vehement accusation of others1 or the sollicitous justification of ourselves6 ,yet1 among the various pretences1 which have served to pervert the judgments of many1 ,,one is so strange1 and of so pernicious a tendency1 were it to be generally admitted1 that a word or two cannot be misemployed in the censure of it4 ,it is in the order of things1 that they who1 for any purpose1 wish to draw the people into a scheme of resistance to an established government1 should labour to impress them1 first of all1 with a persuasion of their being ill governed4 ,acts of tyranny and oppression are1 therefore1 sought out with diligence2 and invented1 when they cannot be found3 ,and the credulous multitude have but too easily1 at all times1 lent an ear to such charges4 ,but it is quite new1 and beyond measure extravagant1 to tell us1 ,that1 although there be no considerable abuse of the government1 as it now stands1 we are bound in conscience to resist it1 because such abuse is possible1 and because a more desirable form of government may be conceived4 ,and yet1 to the disgrace of an age1 calling itself philosophical1 such sophistry has passed1 not on the multitude only1 but1 as it is said1 on wise men4 ,on the other hand1 it would be unjust to say1 that speculations on the nature and end of government are1 therefore1 useless or even hurtful1 because we see them1 in the present instance1 so egregiously misapplied4 ,theories on government1 when framed by sober and thinking men1 cannot but be of great importance1 as serving to remind both the governors and governed of their respective interests and duties2 nay1 and as tending ultimately to improve establishments themselves2 but by degrees only1 and by constitutional means4 ,our own excellent establishment has1 in this way1 been much improved3 ,and we surely owe our thanks to those theorists1 whose generous labours have contributed to this end4 ,but to apply these theories1 how reasonable soever in themselves1 directly to the correction of established governments1 and to insist1 that force may1 or should1 be called in to realize these visions1 is a sort of fanaticism1 which1 if suffered to take it's course1 would introduce the utmost confusion into human affairs2 would be constantly disturbing1 and must1 in the end1 subvert1 the best government1 that ever did1 or ever can1 subsist in the world4 ,thus much1 then1 in reproof of so wild and destructive a principle1 ,i could not help saying in the entrance of a discourse1 which1 to suit the occasion1 should have little of altercation and dispute2 and which1 agreeably to the text1 must turn chiefly on the great duties of ,recollection and ,repentance4 ,but what1 you will say1 8,is a criminal enterprize1 like this1 which occasions our present meeting1 to be charged on those only1 against whom it is directed8 ,and must we be the worst of sinners1 because there are those of our fellow-subjects1 who have taken up arms against their ,sovereign80 ,far be it from me to affirm either of these things6 ,yet he was a wise man1 who said1 that1 when a man's ways please the ,lord1 he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him#a3 ,and ,i think it clear from the tenour of scripture1 and even from our own experience1 that no national distress is ever inflicted1 before it is deserved4 ,and the conviction of this sad truth is ground enough for us to turn ourselves to the great work of ,repentance2 which does not require us to form discouraging1 or indeed any1 comparisons between ourselves and the enemies we contend with1 but to call to mind that we have1 indeed1 merited the evil1 we suffer1 whether brought upon us immediately by our own sins1 or those of other men4 ,a civil war is the most dreadful of those instruments1 by which the moral government of ,god is administered in this world4 ,and1 when such a judgement is in the earth1 be our comparative merits what they may1 we shall do well to learn righteousness#b4 ,but1 after all1 who1 or what are we1 that we should talk of merits1 or scruple to place this alarming visitation of ,heaven to the account of our sins8--,merciful ,god6 ,do thou incline our hearts to follow the example of thy servant1 ,david1 this day1 in calling our own ways to remembrance1 and we shall presently see what need there is for us to turn our feet unto thy testimonies6 #a4 ,to begin from that point1 whence all true worth and goodness1 proceeds1 ,i mean1 from ,,religion4 ,there is no people on the face of the earth1 more deeply indebted to ,providence for blessings of all sorts1 spiritual as well as temporal1 than we of this ,christian and ,protestant nation4 ,but has our pious gratitude kept pace with these obligations8 ,infinite are the benefits1 that descend upon us from our ,,well-,,reformed ,religion1 and from the watchful care of ,heaven in the support and protection of it4 ,yet who reflects on these things8 ,should we so much as hear a word on the subject1 if it did not suit the purpose1 sometimes1 of peevish men and parties among us1 to revive the memory of it8 ,have we even a decent regard for the honour of our great ,reformers8 ,and is not the little zeal1 we have left for ,protestantism itself1 spent in idle cavils at the stupendous work1 atchieved by their hands8 ,but why speak ,i of reformed religion8 ,is there any of us1 almost1 who is animated with that zeal for ,,christianity itself1 which glowed in the breasts of our fathers8 ,too many proclaim their disbelief of it1 nay1 their utter contempt of all that is called ,religion2 and yet appear to give no offence 7where1 methinks1 it should be taken7 by their manifest1 their avowed1 their ostentatious impieties4 ,is it not even growing into a maxim1 in certain quarters1 that ,religion1 or ,irreligion1 is a matter of no moment in the characters of men1 and that none1 but a bigot1 is affected by that distinction8 ,it is true1 the wiser1 and1 in every sense of the word1 better1 part of the public have an abhorrence of this profligacy4 ,they profess1 and without doubt entertain1 a respect for the authority of their divine religion4 ,yet who has not observed1 that more than a few of these reduce that authority to just nothing1 and1 in a sort of philosophical delirium1 are for setting up their ,reason1 that is1 their own authority1 in it's stead8 ,even we1 of the ,clergy1 have we not some need to be put in mind of doing our first works1 and of returning to our first love#c8 ,has not the contagion of the times sicklied over the complexion of even our zeal and charity8 while we neither repell the enemies of the faith with that vigour1 nor confirm the faithful themselves with that vigilance1 which did so much honour to our predecessors in the sacred ministry4 ,but to come to plain practical ,religion1 as evidenced in our churches1 and houses1 and in the offices of common life4 ,how few are there1 in comparison1 who make a conscience of serving ,god1 either in public1 or in private8 ,is there so much as the air of piety in numberless families1 even on that day1 which by ,god and man is set apart for the duties of it8 ,nay1 is not that day1 ,i had almost said1 in preference to others1 prophaned by every sort of amusement and dissipation8 ,as if there was a full purpose to shake off even that small appearance of religion1 which the ,lord's day has hitherto1 and but barely1 kept up4 ,so little do we retain of that habitual seriousness1 that awful sense of ,god1 and of our dependence upon him1 in which the essence of the religious character consists6 #b4 ,and1 if such be the state of religion among us1 who will wonder1 that the ,,moral ,,virtues1 which have no firm abode in the ,godless mind1 are deserting us so fast8 ,who can think it strange1 that oaths have lost their power8 ,and that the most solemn engagements1 even those contracted at the altar itself1 are falling apace1 or rather are fallen with many1 into contempt8 ,our natural appetites1 indeed1 are impatient for their respective gratifications2 and the lower classes of men1 uneducated and undisciplined1 are1 at all times1 too generally enslaved by them4 ,but an overflow of wealth1 and1 it's consequence1 ingenious ,luxury1 has now made our fantastic wants1 as clamorous1 as the natural2 and the rage1 with which the objects of them1 or what we call polite and elegant pleasures and accommodations1 are pursued in the higher ranks of life1 discovers an impotency of mind1 equal to that of the lowest vulgar1 and more ruinous in its effects4 ,for1 whence is it1 else1 that bankruptcies are so frequent8 that every species of fraud and rapine is hazarded8 that a lust for gaming is grown epidemical and uncontroulable8 that the ruin of noble and opulent families surprizes nobody8 that even suicide is the crime of almost every day1 nay and justified1 too1 as well as committed8 ,if horrors1 like these1 admit of aggravation1 it is1 that they meet us in a country1 where the religion of ,jesus is taught in it's purity1 and1 as yet1 is publicly professed2 in a country1 that wants no means of knowing it's duty1 and1 among it's other motives to the practice of it1 has one1 as rare as it is valuable1 ,i mean1 ,the best example in the highest place4 #c4 ,in this relaxed state of private morals1 it is easy to guess what must be the tone of our ,,civil or ,,political virtues4 ,vice is never so shameless1 as when it pretends to public spirit4 ,yet this effrontery is so common1 that it scandalizes nobody4 ,if1 indeed1 noise and clamour and violence2 if an affected tumour of words1 breaking out in a loud defiance of dignities2 if intemperate invectives against the most respected characters1 and a contempt of all that wears the face of authority among us----were proofs of a just concern for the common weal2 there would be no want of this virtue4 ,but who sees not1 that true patriotism dares not allow itself in these liberties8 that1 if1 in pursuit of a favourite object1 it goes1 occasionally1 some lengths1 scarce justifiable itself1 it never fails1 however1 to stop at a certain point1 and to respect1 at least1 the firm immoveable barriers of the ,constitution8 ,but has such been the modesty of our times8 ,let every one judge for himself4 ,and1 for the rest1 ,i wish it had not appeared of late1 that such a spirit of rapine and corruption prevails1 both at home and abroad1 as threatens the subversion of all our public interests2--a spirit6 which neither the vigilance of parliament1 for the severity of public justice1 hath been able to controul4 ,i ,,pass ,,rapidly over these things1 and omit a thousand others1 that might be mentioned1 because ,i would rather suggest matter to your own reflexions1 than enlarge on so unwelcome a subject1 myself4 ,besides1 ,i know what is commonly thought of such representations4 ,some will treat them1 as decent words1 on this occasion2 others1 as charges much aggravated1 if not groundless2 even1 on many well-intentioned men an old and oft-repeated complaint will make1 it is possible1 but a slight impression4 ,still1 it is our duty to speak plainly1 on such a day1 as this2 and if we speak truly too1 it is very clear what must be the duty of our hearers4 ,reason stands aghast at the sight of an 8unprincipled1 immoral1 incorrigible0 publick3 ,and the word of ,god abounds in such threats and denunciations1 as must strike terror into the heart of every ,believer4 ,and1 although ,repentance may not ensure success in the great contest1 now depending1 7for the ,all-wise ,disposer of events may see fit to decree otherwise72 yet the likeliest method we can take to procure that success will be1 by rendering ourselves somewhat less unworthy of it1 than1 assuredly1 we now are4 ,at all events1 an amendment of life will recommend us to the favour of ,god1 and must therefore be useful1 indeed is the only thing that1 in the end1 can be truly so1 to us4 ,let us then 7every one for himself7 try what ,repentance can do1 under this conviction of a too general depravity1 and in this hour of national distress4 ,one natural effect of it will be1 ,a readiness to submit ourselves to the authority of ,government in all those just measures1 which it may see fit to take in the present emergency1 and to give the utmost effect to them by our entire agreement and unanimity4 ,and would to ,god1 we had always been of this mind6--,but1 let us1 at length1 resolve to be so4 ,then may we hope1 with the divine blessing 7which we have supplicated this day7 on his ,majesty's arms and councils1 that this unnatural ,rebellion will be soon composed2 the just rights of the nation restored2 and a way opened for the re-establishment of law and order in those miserably distracted provinces1 which have now learned1 from experience1 the just value of both4 ,to conclude2 a pious and ,christian use of the present occasion1 in putting up our vows to heaven for the return of the public tranquillity1 and in forsaking1 every one of us1 the error of our ways1 will perfectly correspond to the views of our most religious and gracious ,sovereign2 who1 in calling upon us to join with him in this solemn fast1 in the midst of his successes1 demonstrates1 that his trust is not in his own strength1 but that of the ,almighty2 that ,he regards this necessary chastisement of his undutiful subjects as a matter of the deepest humiliation2 and that ,victory itself but redoubles his ardour to procure for us1 and for all his people1 the blessings of ,peace4 ,a ,,sermon ,,preached ,,before ,,the ,,incorporated ,,society ,,for ,,the ,,propagation ,,of ,,the ,,gospel ,,in ,,foreign ,,parts2 ,,at ,,their ,,anniversary ,,meeting ,,in ,,the ,,parish ,,church ,,of ,,st4 ,,mary-,,le-,,bow1 ,,on ,,friday ,,february #af1 #agha4 ,at the ,anniversary ,meeting of the ,society for the ,propagation of the ,gospel in ,foreign ,parts1 in the ,vestry-,room of ,st4 ,mary-le-,bow1 on ,friday the #afth ,day of ,february1 #agha2 ,,agreed1 ,that the ,thanks of the ,,society be given to the ,right ,reverend the ,lord ,bishop of ,lichfield and ,coventry1 for the ,sermon preached by his ,lordship this day before the ,,society2 and that his ,lordship be desired to deliver a copy of the same to the ,,society to be printed4 ,william ,morice1 ,secretary4 ,,sermon1 c4 ,,hebrews1 xiii4 #h4 ,jesus ,christ1 the same yesterday1 to-day1 and for ever4 ,these words1 if considered with an eye to the preceding verses1 may mean1 8,that our ,lord ,jesus ,christ is always attentive to the wants and distresses of his faithful followers1 and always at hand to relieve them30 ,or1 if we connect them with the verse immediately following1 we may understand them as expressing this proposition1 8,that the doctrine of ,jesus ,christ is always one and the same1 independently of the wayward and changeable fancies of men40 ,in either way1 ,i say1 the words may be taken2 and they do not necessarily imply more than the one or the other of these two senses1 which the context will oblige us to bestow upon them4 ,but the minds of the ,apostles1 full of the greatest ideas1 and swelling with the suggestions of the holy ,spirit1 which1 in no scanty measure1 was imparted to them1 perpetually overflow1 as it were1 the subject of their discourse1 and expatiate into other and larger views1 than seem necessary to the completion of the argument1 immediately presented to them4 ,this being the manner of the inspired writers1 it can be thought no forced or violent construction of the text1 to take it in the full extent of the expression2 which is so striking and awful1 as naturally to turn our thoughts towards the contemplation of the three following particulars3 ,first1 ,the ineffable glory of our ,lord's ,person2 ,secondly1 ,the immensity of the scheme of ,redemption through his blood#d2 ,and ,lastly1 ,the unchangeable nature of his ,religion4 ,in these several senses1 it is truly and emphatically said of ,jesus ,christ1 ,that he is the same yesterday1 to-day1 and for ever4 ,i4 ,the transcendent dignity of our blessed ,lord's ,,person is expressed in these words4 ,for what less do they imply than a perfect state of being1 a proper eternity of existence8 ,agreeably to what we read elsewhere1 ,that he was in the beginning#e--;before all things#f--that he is ,alpha and ,omega1 the first and the last#g--that his throne is for ever and ever#h--;and his goings forth from everlasting#i3 ,nay1 and suitably to the very turn of phrase1 which the ,holy ,ghost employs in characterizing the ,supreme ,majesty of ,heaven1 ,i am ,alpha and ,omega1 the beginning and the ending1 saith the ,lord1 which is1 and which was1 and which is to come1 the ,almighty#aj4 ,when ,jesus ,christ1 therefore1 is held out to us in the text1 as being the same yesterday1 to-day1 and for ever1 we may be allowed1 or rather we are required1 to elevate our thoughts to the utmost1 and to conceive with inexpressible awe and veneration of that glory which he had with the ,father1 before the world was#aa4 ,,ii4 ,we are called upon by these words to reflect on the constant1 uniform tenour of that amazing scheme of ,,redemption1 which was planned before the ages1 was unfolded by just degrees1 and was finally completed in ,christ ,jesus2 in this sense1 likewise1 so interesting to us1 the ,,same yesterday1 to-day1 and for ever4 ,the works of the ,lord1 says the ,psalmist1 are great1 and sought out of all those that have pleasure therein#ab4 ,but which of his works is so stupendous1 or carries the enraptured mind to so high an original1 as that which respects the redemption by ,christ ,jesus8 ,man was produced in time1 and stationed on this earth at the distance of no more years1 than our chronology easily reckons up4 ,but who can go back to that moment1 when the ,godhead sate in council on the dispensation of ,grace by the ,gospel8 ,on the mystery1 which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in ,god1 who created all things by ,jesus ,christ2 to the intent that1 in the fullness of time1 unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the ,church the manifold wisdom of ,god1 according to the eternal purpose which he purposed in ,christ ,jesus our ,lord#ac8 ,inspired language itself labours1 we see1 in setting forth the extent of this dispensation2 in declaring to us what is the breadth1 and length1 and depth1 and height of this scheme of divine wisdom1 through the love of ,christ1 which passeth knowledge#ad4 ,known unto ,god1 indeed1 are ,,all his works from the beginning#ae4 ,but this great work of love seems to have been ever present to him2 to have engaged and occupied1 if we may presume so to speak1 the constant1 the unremitting1 the unwearied attention of the divine mind2 and to have entered into all the counsels of his providence1 which he had formed for the display of his glory1 through all ages1 world without end#af4 ,such is the idea which the ,scriptures oblige us to entertain of the manifold wisdom of ,god in ,christ ,jesus3 manifold1 as it presents to us the various evolutions of an eternal and infinitely extended dispensation of ,grace2 but one and the same1 with regard to the end in view1 the redemption of a ruined world1 and to the conduct and completion of them all by the means1 and in the person1 of the ,redeemer4 ,what parts of this scheme lie out of the verge of our world1 and how much of it hath respected1 or may hereafter respect1 other and higher natures by far1 than the sons of men1 it would be fruitless to inquire1 as these deep things of ,god have not been distinctly revealed to us4 ,yet one thing deserves our notice1 ,that the ,angels themselves#ag desire to look into this scheme of salvation2 and are surely some way concerned in it1 since it was designed to comprehend1 and gather together in one1 all things in ,christ1 both which are in heaven1 and which are on earth1 even in ,,him#ah4 ,but conceive of the interest which celestial beings have in ,jesus ,christ1 as you will2 there can be no doubt1 that he has been invariably the end of all ,god's revelations to mankind4 ,the history of ,redemption is coval with that of the ,globe itself1 has run through every stage of its existence1 and will outlast its utmost duration4 ,the precious hope of a ,redeemer was the support of fallen man2 the theme of all the ,patriarchs2 the basis of all the ,covenants2 the boast and exultation of all the ,prophets2 and the desire of all nations4 ,look round on the shifting scenes of glory1 which have been exhibited in the theatre of this world2 and see the success of mighty conquerors1 the policy of states1 the destiny of empires1 depend on the secret purpose of ,god in his son ,jesus3 before whom all the atchievements and imaginations of men must bow down1 and to whose honour all the mysterious workings of his providence are now1 have hitherto been1 and will for ever be1 directed4 ,such is the uniform1 immutable1 everlasting tenour of that dispensation1 we call ,christian2 the power and wisdom of ,god in ,jesus ,christ1 the same yesterday1 to-day1 and for ever4 ,but ,,iii4 ,lastly1 these words express the unchangeable nature and perpetual obligation of ,christianity1 considered as a ,law of ,religion1 or ,rule of ,life1 as well as a scheme of wisdom and mercy unspeakable for the redemption of mankind4 ,salvation by the blood of ,christ was the eternal purpose of ,god1 the ultimate end of all his counsels4 ,but1 for the attainment of it1 ,he chose to reveal his will gradually by several intermediate and preparatory communications4 ,hence the divine ,law1 though still directed to the same end1 has been diversified1 according as the ,legislator saw fit1 at sundry times1 and in divers manners1 to speak in times past unto the ,fathers by the ,,prophets4 ,but now1 at length1 ,he hath spoken to us by his ,,son2 whose word has become the standing law of mankind2 obligatory on all1 to whom it is made known1 and unalterable by any authority1 or by any change of circumstances whatsoever4 ,the terms of salvation are irrevocably fixed4 ,they are proposed to all1 and required of all1 without distinction of seasons or persons4 ,the everlasting ,gospel is addressed to all that dwell on the earth2 to every nation and kindred and tongue and people#ai4 ,the extent of it is universal2 and the obligation so indispensable1 that if an ,angel from ,heaven preach any other ,gospel than that we have received1 he is to be rejected by us2 nay1 an anathema rests upon him#bj4 ,since the sound of the ,gospel is gone out into all the world#ba1 we are to listen to no other4 ,nor is it to be modified to our expectations or fancies4 ,we are complete in ,,him1 which is the head of all principality and power#bb2 even in ,,jesus ,,christ1 with regard to the perpetuity and eternity of his ,law1 as well as in the other senses before considered1 the ,,same yesterday1 to-day1 and for ever4 ,,after ,,this explanation of the text1 every one sees with what force it applies to the occasion of our present meeting4 ,for surely such a ,religion1 as that of ,jesus1 so divine in its origin1 so extensive in its views1 and so permanent in its obligations1 deserves to be propagated through the world2 and justifies1 or rather demands1 the utmost zeal of its professors to spread it abroad among all nations4 ,and such is the end of this venerable ,society2 instituted for the double purpose of converting the ,heathen1 who sit in darkness and the shadow of death1 to the blessed hopes of the ,gospel2 and of keeping up and promoting in professed ,christians that faith1 which they have already received1 but1 through indigence1 ignorance1 or a vicious life1 have suffered to languish and die away1 or have not1 at least1 cultivated to any valuable purpose4 ,and can either of these objects be indifferent to us8 ,be it but the latter of the two1 it must deeply affect a good and compassionate mind4 ,where the want of instruction is extreme in those who bear the name of ,christians1 and the means of obtaining it clearly not within their power1 there is no doubt that both benevolence and piety call upon us to administer what relief we properly can to their pressing necessities4 ,but the former1 ,i suppose1 is the main object of the ,society3 ,and if1 on this occasion1 we may have leave to enlarge our ideas a little1 and to contemplate that object in the extent to which it has been carried by the zeal not of our's only1 but of other ancient and modern missions1 we shall find it above measure interesting to all true believers in ,jesus4 ,for look on the various wild and uncivilized tribes of men1 of whatever name or colour1 which our ambition1 or avarice1 or curiosity has discovered1 in the new or old world2 and say1 if the sight of human nature in such crying distress1 in such sordid1 disgraceful1 and more than brutal wretchedness1 be not enough to make us fly with ardour to their relief and better accommodation4 ,to impart some ideas of order and civility to their rude minds1 is an effort of true generosity3 ,but1 if we can find means at the same time1 or in consequence of such civility1 to infuse a sense of ,god and ,religion1 of the virtues and hopes which spring out of faith in ,christ1 and which open a scene of consolation and glory to them1 who but must regard this as an act of the most sublime charity8 ,indeed1 the difficulties1 the dangers1 the distresses of all sorts1 which must be encountered by the ,christian ,missionary1 require a more than ordinary degree of that virtue1 and will only be sustained by him1 whom a fervent love of ,christ and the quickening graces of his ,spirit have anointed1 as it were1 and consecrated to this arduous service4 ,then it is1 that we have seen the faithful minister of the word go forth with the zeal of an ,apostle1 and the constancy of a ,martyr4 ,we have seen him forsake ease and affluence2 a competency at least1 and the ordinary comforts of ,society2 and1 with the ,gospel in his hand and his ,saviour in his heart1 make his way through burning deserts and the howling wilderness3 braving the rage of climates1 and all the inconveniencies of long and perilous voyages2 submitting to the drudgery of learning barbarous languages1 and to the disgust of complying with barbarous manners2 watching the dark suspicions1 and exposed to the capricious fury1 of impotent savages2 courting their offensive society1 adopting their loathsome customs1 and assimilating his very nature1 almost1 to their's2 in a word1 enduring all things1 becoming all things1 in the patient hope of finding a way to their good opinion1 and of succeeding1 finally1 in his unwearied endeavours to make the word of life and salvation not unacceptable to them4 ,i confess1 when ,i reflect on all these things1 ,i humble myself before such heroic virtue2 or1 rather1 ,i adore the grace of ,god in ,christ ,jesus1 which is able to produce such examples of it in our degenerate world4 ,the power of ,religion has1 no doubt1 appeared in other instances2 in ,,penances1 suppose1 in ,,pilgrimages1 in ,,crusades2 and we know in what light they are now regarded by reasonable and judicious men4 ,but let not things so dissimilar be compared together1 much less confounded4 ,uncommanded1 useless1 sanguinary zeal provokes your contempt and abhorrence2 and with reason3 ,only remember1 for pity's sake1 under what circumstances of ignorance and barbarity the provocation was given4 ,but when the duty is clearly enjoined#bc by the ,redeemer himself2 when no weapon is employed by the enterprizing adventurer but that of the ,spirit2 when the friendliest affections prompt his zeal2 and the object in view is eternal life2 when1 ,i say1 the authority is unquestionable1 and the means blameless2 the motive so pure1 and the end so glorious--,o6 let not the hard heart of ,infidelity prophane such a virtue1 as this1 with the disgraceful name of fanaticism1 or superstition4 ,nay1 ,candour1 methinks1 should be ready to make allowance for some real defects or miscarriages1 which will ever attend the best performances of mortal men4 ,what though some error in judgment1 some impropriety of conduct1 some infirmity of temper1 ,i had almost said1 some imbecillity of understanding1 be discernible in the zealous ,missionary8 ,something1 nay much1 may be overlooked1 where so much is endured for ,christ's sake4 ,it is enough that the word of the ,cross is preached in simplicity and godly sincerity#bd4 ,he1 whose strength is made perfect in weakness#be1 will provide that even the frailties of his servants contribute1 in the end1 to the success of so good a cause1 and the display of his own glory4 ,thus much ,i could not help saying on the behalf1 and in admiration1 of a ,,charity1 which intends so much benefit to the souls of men1 which brings out so many shining virtues in its ministers1 and reflects so much honour on the ,christian name4 ,they that feel themselves unworthy to be made the immediate instruments of carrying on this great work of conversion among savage tribes and infidel nations1 should bless ,god for the nobler gifts of zeal1 and resolution1 and fortitude1 which he has bestowed on others2 and should promote it by such means as are in their power1 by their countenance1 their liberality1 their counsel2 by a strenuous endeavour1 in this humbler way1 to spread the honour of their ,saviour1 and the invaluable blessings of his ,religion1 to the ends of the world4 ,thus shall we make some amends for those multiplied mischiefs1 and1 ,i doubt1 injuries1 which our insatiable ,commerce occasions2 and second the gracious designs of an all-wise ,providence1 which brings good out of evil1 and turns to his own righteous ends even those ,,vices which our boisterous passions produce1 and which ,he sees it not fit1 in this our day of trial1 to prevent or restrain4 ,lastly1 ,thus shall we act as becomes the professors of that ,religion1 which is divine1 universal1 perfect2 in one word1 the gift and the likeness of ,,him1 who is ,,the ,,same ,,yesterday1 ,,to-,,day1 ,,and ,,for ,,ever4 ,a ,,sermon ,,preached ,,before ,,the ,,right ,,honourable ,,the ,,house ,,of ,,lords1 ,,in ,,the ,,abbey ,,church ,,of ,,westminster1 ,,on ,,monday1 ,,january #cj1 #aghf1 ,,being ,the ,anniversary of ,,king ,,charles',s ,,martyrdom4 ,die ,lun1 #f ,februarii1 #aghf4 ,,ordered1 by the ,lords ,spiritual and ,temporal in ,parliament assembled1 ,that the ,thanks of this ,house be1 and are hereby1 given to the ,lord ,bishop of ,worcester1 for the ,sermon by him preached before this ,house1 on ,monday last1 in the ,abbey ,church1 ,westminster2 and he is hereby desired to cause the same to be forthwith printed and published4 ,,ashley ,,cowper1 ,cler4 ,parliamentor4 ,,sermon1 c4 #a ,,st4 ,,peter1 ii4 #af4 ,as free1 and not using your liberty for a cloak of maliciousness1 but as the servants of ,god4 ,christianity1 while it provides1 chiefly1 for the future interests of men1 by no means overlooks their present2 but is1 indeed1 studious to make its followers as happy in both worlds1 as they are capable of being4 ,as an instance of this beneficent purpose1 we may observe1 that the religion of ,jesus is most friendly to the ,,civil ,,and ,,religious ,,liberties of mankind4 ,there is something in the constitution of our nature1 which leads men to expect1 and even claim1 as much independence on the will and caprice of each other1 as the ends of society1 and the form of government1 under which they live1 will permit4 ,agreeably to these instincts1 or conclusions of reason1 call them which you will1 the ,gospel1 both in its genius and precepts1 invites its professors to the love and cultivation of ,,liberty4 ,it allows the freedom of private judgment1 in which the essence of religious liberty consists3 ,and it indulges our natural love of civil liberty1 not only by giving an express preference#bf to it1 before a state of slavery1 when by just and lawful means we can obtain it2 but1 also1 by erecting our thoughts1 and giving us higher notions of the value and dignity of human nature 7now redeemed by so immense a price1 as the blood of the ,lamb of ,god71 and consequently by representing a servile condition as more degrading and dishonourable to us1 than1 on the footing of mere reason1 we could have conceived4 ,but now this great indulgence of ,heaven1 like every other1 is liable to be misused2 and was1 in fact1 so misused even in the early times1 when this indulgence of the ,gospel to the natural feelings of men was1 with the ,gospel itself1 first notified and declared4 ,for the zealot ,jews1 full of theocratic ideas1 were forward to conclude1 that their ,christian privileges absolved them from obedience to civil government3 ,and the believing ,gentiles 7who had not the ,jewish prejudices to mislead them7 were yet unwilling to think that the ,gospel had not1 at least1 set them free from domestic slavery2 which was the too general condition of those converts in their heathen state4 ,these notions1 as they were not authorized by ,christianity 7which made no immediate and direct change in the politic and personal condition of mankind71 so1 if they had not been opposed and discountenanced1 would have given great scandal to the ruling powers in every country1 where the ,christians resided1 and have very much obstructed the propagation of the ,christian faith4 ,the holy ,spirit1 therefore1 to guard the rising ,church from these mischiefs1 saw fit1 by the ,apostle ,peter1 to admonish both the ,jewish and ,gentile converts to conduct themselves as free men indeed1 so far as they were1 or could honestly contrive to become free 7for that their religion no way disallowed72 but not as misusing the liberty they had1 or might have 7which every principle of their religion1 as well as prudence1 forbad74 ,as free1 says he1 and not using your liberty for a cloak of maliciousness3 ,as if he had said1 8,be careful to observe a due mean in this matter3 ,maintain your just liberties2 yet so1 as not to gratify your malignant passions under pretence of discharging that duty40 ,and the better to secure the observance of this precept1 he adds--but as the servants of ,god--that is1 8,remember ye are so to employ your liberty as never to forget the service ye owe to ,god2 who1 in the present instance1 commands you to obey ,magistrates2 that is1 to submit yourselves to the government1 under which ye live1 not only for wrath1 for fear of punishment1 but for conscience sake40 ,and this caution1 so guarded by religious as well as moral considerations1 was the more important1 because no word is so fascinating to the common ear1 as that of ,liberty1 while the few only know what it means2 and the many1 of all ranks1 in all times1 mistake it for licence4 ,and well had it been if this warning voice of the holy ,apostle1 which sunk deep into the hearts of the first ,christians1 had continued to make the same impression on the whole ,christian world2 which1 unhappily1 has contemned1 or at least neglected it1 in almost all ages2 but never more remarkably1 than in those disastrous days1 which the present solemnity calls upon us to recollect and lament4 ,i4 ,the great quarrel of the times ,i speak of1 was opened with the cry of ,,religious ,,liberty2 not without reason1 it must be confessed1 yet with an ill grace in the complainants2 who certainly would have denied to others what they so peremptorily1 and indeed with too much petulance1 demanded for themselves4 ,the source of this evil 7to do justice to all sides7 is to be sought in the ,reformation itself2 which1 when it had succeeded in its great view of cleansing ,religion from the corruptions of ,popery1 concluded that no man could have reason1 thenceforth1 to dissent from the national church2 and that an universal conformity to its discipline and doctrine was to be exacted4 ,the conclusion was natural enough in their situation2 and the benefit of such conformity1 past dispute4 ,but it was not considered1 that differences will arise1 many times1 without reason2 and1 when they do1 that force is not the proper way to compose them4 ,this oversight continued long1 and had terrible effects4 ,it kept the ,protestants of all denominations from entertaining just ideas of ,toleration2 the last great point of reformed religion which was clearly understood1 and perhaps the only one of real moment in which the extraordinary persons1 whom ,providence raised up to be the conductors of our ,reformation1 were deficient4 ,in this state of things1 it unfortunately happened that the ,reformation was suddenly checked by the return of ,popery1 which forced many pious and eminent men to take refuge in the ,protestant churches abroad2 where they grew enamoured of certain forms of church-government1 different from those that prevailed at home2 and which1 on their subsequent return1 they fanatically strove to obtrude on their brethren1 and to erect1 under the new name of ,,the ,,discipline1 on the ruins of the established hierarchy4 ,so unreasonable a pretension naturally alarmed and exasperated those who had power in their hands1 and had their prejudices too1 not less violent than those by which the ,puritans 7for that was the name they went by7 were possessed4 ,the consequence was what might be expected4 ,a toleration for their discipline out of the establishment1 which was all they should have aimed at1 and to which they had a right1 would not have satisfied them2 and their iniquitous claim of ,dominion was too naturally repaid by penal laws and compulsive statutes3 that is1 one sort of tyranny was repressed and counteracted by another4 ,and thus matters continued through several reigns2 till some more pressing claims of civil liberty1 mixing with these struggles for church-dominion1 overthrew1 in the end1 the ancient ecclesiastical government2 drove the bishops from their sees1 the liturgy from our churches1 and brought in the classical regimen1 enforced1 in its turn1 as the episcopal one had been1 with the rigours of persecution4 ,still1 the restless spirit of the times continuing1 or rather increasing1 this new model was forced to give may to another1 which assumed the more popular name of ,independency2 under whose broad wing a thousand sects sprung up1 each more extravagant than the other1 till1 in the end1 all order in religious matters1 and religion itself1 disappeared1 under the prevailing torrent of fanaticism and confusion4 ,such is the brief1 but just1 account of the religious factions of those days3 from which we collect how miserably the zealots for religious liberty defeated their own aims2 or rather how wickedly they contended for power and libertinism1 under the mask of liberty3 ,an evil1 which could not have happened1 had they paid the least regard to the ,apostle's injunction of being free1 but not as using their liberty for a cloak of maliciousness4 ,,ii4 ,the claims of ,,civil ,,liberty 7which sprung up amid this rage of religious parties7 were better founded2 were for a time carried on more soberly2 and1 as was fitting1 were1 at first1 attended with better success4 ,the mixed form of the ,english government1 originally founded on the principles of liberty1 had1 from many concurring causes1 degenerated into a kind of monarchical despotism1 which an unquestionably virtuous1 but misinformed and misguided ,prince1 was for moulding into a regular system4 ,happily the growing light and spirit of the times excited a general impatience of that project2 and produced a steady and constitutional opposition to it4 ,the distresses of government aided the friends of liberty1 who managed their advantage so well as1 in process of time1 to support their claims1 redress their grievances1 establish their rights1 and1 in a word1 to reduce the ,crown1 from the exorbitances it affected1 within the ancient and legal boundaries of the ,constitution4 ,this the ,patriots of that time effected2 with great advantage to their country1 and with singular honour to themselves4 ,nothing indeed could have equalled their glory1 had their labours in the cause of liberty stopped there4 ,but1 besides that some means employed by them1 in the prosecution of their best-intended services1 cannot be justified2 the intention itself of many of them1 hitherto so pure1 began to grow corrupt2 their fears and passions transported them too far2 their public ends degenerated into selfish3 having vindicated the constitution1 their own security1 or some worse motive1 prompted them to make free with it1 that is1 to commit the very fault they had so justly resented at the hands of their ,sovereign3 ,in a word1 the patriots1 in their turn1 insulted the ,crown1 and invaded the ,constitution4 ,the particulars are well known4 ,ambitious leaders arose1 or the old leaders in the popular cause turned ambitious4 ,unconstitutional claims were made3 unconstitutional schemes were meditated3 what before was self-defence and sober policy1 was1 now1 revenge and hate3 the nation grew delirious1 and the civil war followed4 ,the rest is recorded in the disgusting annals of those times4 ,six desolating years brought on the subversion of the monarchy2 and 7as if the victors meant to insult the law itself71 by ,i know not what forms of mock-justice1 the bloody scene was wantonly closed with the public arraignment1 trial1 condemnation1 and execution of the monarch4 ,the tragedy of this day was the last insolent triumph of pretended liberty4 ,what followed1 was the most avowed tyranny2 upheld for a while by force and great ability1 but terminating at length in wild and powerless anarchy4 ,such1 again1 were the miserable consequences of not observing the ,apostle's rule of being free1 but not as using liberty for a cloak of maliciousness4 ,freedom was1 first1 justly sought after1 and happily obtained3 ,it was1 then1 made the cover of every selfish and malicious passion1 till the wearers of it were enabled to throw it off1 as an useless disguise2 when barefaced tyranny and licentious misrule were seen to emerge from beneath this specious mantle of public liberty4 ,the ,,restoration1 which followed1 redeemed these nations from some part of the miseries1 which their madness had brought on themselves4 ,but for the full establishment of our civil and religious rights1 we were finally and chiefly indebted to the ,,revolution4 ,from that memorable ra1 we became1 in every sense of the word1 a free people4 ,conscience was secured in the exercise of its just rights by a legal toleration3 and the civil constitution was restored to its integrity4 ,,iii4 ,such are the observations1 which the sad story of the times we have been reviewing obviously suggests to us4 ,and now let us pause a little3 ,and having before us what the nation so long suffered1 and what it so late acquired2 that is1 the horrors of fanatical tyranny on the one hand1 and the blessings of established order and freedom on the other2 let us inquire dispassionately what improvements we have made of both4 ,have the black pages of our annals given us a just abhorrence of the principles and practices1 which brought that cloud over them8 ,and have the bright ones1 which so happily at length succeeded1 affected our hearts and lives1 as1 in all reasonable expectation1 they ought8 ,in particular 7to keep the momentous admonition of my text in full view7 has the most perfect ,,liberty1 civil and religious1 been acknowledged with that thankfulness it calls for1 or been enjoyed with that sobriety which so inestimable a gift of ,heaven should naturally inspire8 #a4 ,to begin with ,,religious liberty4 ,has this great privilege1 so rightfully belonging to us1 as men1 as ,protestants1 and as ,christians1 which so many ages had panted after1 and the last so happily obtained1 ,has this invaluable acquisition been employed by us to the promotion of its proper ends1 the cultivation of just inquiry1 and manly piety8 ,on the contrary1 has not the right of private judgment been abused to the worst of purposes2 the open profession of libertinism in principle1 and its consequent encouragement of all corruption in practice8 ,has not religious liberty been the cloak1 under which revealed and even natural religion has been insulted2 infidelity1 and even atheism1 avowed2 and the most flagitious tenets propagated among the people8 ,in a word1 has not every species of what is called free-thinking1 free-speaking1 and free-writing1 been carried to an extreme8 ,but to come to those who are not guilty of these excesses2 have we all of us made the proper use of the fostering liberty we enjoy in religious matters8 ,have we been careful to apply it to the purpose of dispassionately studying the sacred scriptures2 of investigating their true sense with a due veneration for the high authority they claim1 and for the awful subjects they set before us2 and of maintaining our conclusions from them with a becoming modesty1 which in such inquiries can hardly be too great8 ,have we betrayed no symptoms of bigotry even in disclaiming it8 ,are we ready to indulge that candour to others1 which we so justly expect ourselves8 ,and is the public wisdom itself treated by those who speculate1 at their ease1 under the most tolerant establishment of ,christianity that ever existed1 ,has it been treated1 ,i do not say1 with a blind submission 7,god forbid67 but with that decent respect1 which is surely due to it8 ,in short1 have we1 in our several situations and characters1 been careful to exert the full spirit of ,christianity1 which1 one is ready to think1 should naturally spring up from ,christian liberty2 or1 at least to observe that temper of mutual forbearance1 which should seem to be an easy as well as reasonable duty1 now that all unjust restraints and provoking severities are withdrawn8 #b4 ,thus much for our religious liberties4 ,have our ,,civil1 on which we equally1 and with good reason1 value ourselves1 been secured from all abuse8 ,have we that reverence of just authority1 not only as lodged in the persons of inferior magistrates1 or in the sacred person of the supreme ,magistrate1 but as residing in the ,,law itself 7in which the public will1 that is1 the whole collective authority of the ,state is1 as it were1 concentered7--,have we1 ,i say1 that ingenuous and submissive respect for this authority1 which not only reason and religion1 but true policy1 and every man's proper interest requires8 ,our boasted ,constitution itself1 now so accurately defined and generally understood1 ,does it meet with that awful regard from us1 which it justly deserves8 ,are we anxious1 that1 of its several parts1 each should have its full play1 without interfering with any other8 ,and are we sufficiently on our guard against a spirit of innovation1 which1 after all our experience1 can have no probable view of effecting much good1 but may easily do unforeseen and irreparable mischief8 ,it is true1 in the less perfect forms of government1 alterations may not be so sensibly felt4 ,but in a ,polity like our's1 so nicely and artificially adjusted1 and1 like a well-constructed arch1 held together by the intimate relation and mutual pressure of its several parts1 the removal or even change of any one may loosen the connexion of the rest1 and1 by disjointing the whole fabrick1 bring it unexpectedly on our heads4 ,let me1 then1 repeat the question4 ,have we that religious reverence for the ,constitution which its value1 its authority1 its compact and harmonious contexture1 so evidently demands8 ,and1 when it hath bestowed upon us the blessings of civil liberty1 in as full measure as is perhaps consistent with government itself1 are we only solicitous to preserve it pure1 enjoy it thankfully1 and transmit it1 unimpaired by hasty and hazardous experiments1 to the generations to come8 ,if to these1 and other questions of the like sort1 we can answer to our satisfaction1 it is well4 ,if we cannot1 we should lay hold on the present occasion of recollecting the miscarriages and the miseries of past times1 and of regulating our conduct by the instructive lessons1 which they read to us4 ,we shall see1 in every instance ,i have suggested to you1 how the abuse of religious and civil liberty kept operating in those days1 till it produced the ruin and the loss of both--the irreparable loss1 if it had not pleased a gracious ,providence to be much kinder to us than we deserved1 or had reason to expect4 ,not to profit by this experience would be inexcusable2 especially1 when the date of it is so recent1 and when this solemn day of humiliation 7for that purpose kept up by authority7 so affectingly reminds us of it4 ,we cannot1 if we reflect on what it sets before us1 but see in the most convincing manner1 that1 to reap the benefits of the best government1 we must1 ourselves1 be moderate and wise2 and that to use our liberty for a cloak of maliciousness is1 at once1 the greatest impiety in those who profess themselves the servants of ,god1 and the greatest folly in those who are1 and would continue to be1 a free and happy people4 ,,six ,,charges ,,delivered ,,to ,,the ,,clergy4 ,a ,,charge ,,delivered ,,to ,,the ,,clergy ,,of ,,the ,,diocese ,,of ,,lichfield ,,and ,,coventry1 ,,at ,,the ,,bishop',s ,,primary ,,visitation ,,in #agge ,,and #aggf4 ,a ,,charge1 c4 ,,reverend ,,brethren1 ,it having pleased ,god to call me to the care of this large ,diocese1 ,i thought it became me to take the first opportunity1 which the established course of ,visitation afforded1 of meeting my brethren1 the ,clergy3 that so we might be the sooner acquainted with each other2 and that1 by means of their prudent advice and information1 ,i might be the better enabled to sustain the weighty office imposed upon me4 ,i may1 hereafter1 as occasion serves1 be more particular in my directions to you4 ,at this time1 it will be sufficient to lay before you some general considerations on our common ,,pastoral ,,duty1 and to animate myself and you to a faithful discharge of it4 ,when our blessed ,lord and ,master sent forth his favoured servants to labour in that ministry to which he had called them1 he addressed them in these memorable words--,i have chosen and ordained you1 ,,that ,,ye ,,should ,,go ,,and ,,bring ,,forth ,,fruit1 ,,and ,,that ,,your ,,fruit ,,should ,,remain#bg3 8,that ye may go with this commission to plant my doctrine in the world2 and that1 by your cultivation of it1 it may take such root as to bring forth a fruitful harvest of believers1 and continue to do so through all ages40 ,but what1 then1 is this mature and perpetual harvest1 which is here proposed to the ,disciples1 as the end of their labours8 ,is it a harvest of such believers1 as shall barely give their name to ,christ8 ,certainly1 not2 but of such as shall be found worthy of him4 ,it is a harvest1 then1 of well-informed1 pious1 and righteous1 believers4 ,this is the precious everlasting fruit1 which it was entrusted to their office to produce3 and this fruit1 the due discharge of their office1 under the blessing of ,god1 makes them capable of producing4 ,in these affecting words1 then1 of our divine ,master 7the more affecting1 because among the last that were uttered by him7 the ,apostles1 first1 and1 after them1 all succeeding ministers of the ,gospel1 are called upon to bring forth1 #a4 ,the fruit of a ,,right ,,faith in their hearers2 as resulting from the soundness of their doctrine4 #b4 ,the fruit of ,,piety in their flocks2 in consequence of a diligent ministration in all the offices of their sacred function4 ,and1 #c4 ,the fruit of ,,charity in their ,christian brethren2 as springing out of their godly exhortations and blameless examples4 ,such1 my reverend brethren1 is the end for which ,,we are chosen and ordained to serve in the church of ,christ4 ,and though1 in setting this end before you1 ,i shall but reflect your own thoughts3 yet1 in doing this1 ,i may be a no unuseful1 certainly1 no ungrateful1 remembrancer2 since it is the duty1 the desire1 and the glory of us all1 that we bring forth fruit1 and that our fruit remain4 ,i4 ,the ,,first object of our ministry is1 to instruct our hearers in the ,,right ,,faith3 and to this end1 we are required to take heed to our doctrine#bh4 ,the ,religion of ,jesus claiming to be from ,god1 the doctrines1 it delivers1 are as well to be believed1 as its precepts to be observed4 ,thus1 a dogmatic theology becomes essential to ,christianity2 its professors are equally bound by a certain rule of faith1 and of manners4 ,when the ,scriptures of the ,new ,testament were made public1 these were that ,rule of faith to the whole church of ,christ4 ,and1 if that ,church had agreed in the interpretation of them2 or1 if peace and charity could have consisted with its disagreement1 no other provision for the maintenance of the faith had been thought needful4 ,but the ,scriptures1 like all other writings1 being liable to a different construction1 according to the different views and capacities of uninspired men2 and it being presently found that such difference of construction produced the most violent animosities among ,christians1 while each sect pretended a divine authority for its own fancies2 no remedy occurred for these disorders1 but that the catholic church should be held together by one and the same confession1 received and acknowledged by all its ministers2 or1 when1 afterwards1 this extensive project was found impracticable1 that those1 who agreed in the same interpretation of the sacred oracles1 should be allowed to separate from all others1 and unite themselves into one distinct and subordinate church4 ,thus1 ,schism1 though it be always an evil1 and may be a crime1 was introduced into the church1 and was even tolerated there1 to prevent other and greater evils1 as well as crimes1 from flowing into it4 ,for1 though a diversity of interpretation1 in consequence of this liberty1 prevailed in different ,christian communities1 which yet acknowledged the same common ,rule1 the ,scriptures of ,god2 still1 peace was1 by this means1 preserved in each particular community2 and1 by virtue of that general principle of mutual toleration1 which the expedient itself implied1 it was1 or might be1 in good measure1 preserved through all the quarters of the ,catholic church4 ,this1 in one word1 is the ,,origin1 and1 at the same time1 the ,,justification1 of ,creeds and ,confessions2 which are only a bond of union between the members of each ,christian society4 ,for the purpose of them is not to set up human decisions against the word of ,god2 but1 by larger comments1 and more explicit declarations1 in such points of doctrine as have been differently apprehended1 and much controverted1 to express and ascertain the sense1 in which ,,they interpret that word1 who communicate together in the same ,church4 ,thus the case stands1 before the ,state gives a preference to any particular ,church4 ,thenceforth1 indeed1 the ,state concurs with the ,church to enforce one common ,confession1 by confining the emoluments1 which it provides for the encouragement of ,religion1 to the peculiar doctrines of the favoured ,church4 ,this1 the ,state does1 in equity towards that religious society1 with which it is now so closely connected3 it does it1 too1 in prudence and good policy2 because it conceives its own true interests to be concerned in maintaining those peculiar doctrines4 ,thus1 whether we regard the ,church1 before it acquires the countenance of the ,state1 as intent on truth and orthodoxy1 and only meditating how best to preserve that truth in the bosom of peace2 or1 whether we regard the ,state1 after it affords that countenance to the ,church1 as studious to provide for its own great object1 ,general ,utility1 of which the preservation of peace makes so considerable a part2 either way we understand why an agreement of opinion is required in the appointed ,guides and ,teachers of ,religion4 ,but1 as such agreement cannot be expected1 or not maintained1 where every ,teacher is left to inculcate what doctrines he thinks fit1 hence some common formulary of faith 7not in opposition to that delivered in the ,scriptures1 but by way of more precise explanation of what is believed to be its true meaning7 is reasonably proposed to the assent of those ,guides and ,teachers1 before they exercise their office in any particular ,christian society2 as a ,,test of their opinions2 and as a ,,rule1 by which1 in subordination to the general ,rule of ,christians1 they undertake to frame their public instructions4 ,this ,confession1 or formulary of faith1 with us1 is ,,the ,,thirty-,,nine ,,articles3 to which a subscription is required from every candidate of the ,ministry4 ,so that ,,the ,,scripture1 interpreted by those articles1 is the proper rule of doctrine1 to every ,minister of our ,church4 ,it follows from what has been said1 that such1 as cannot honestly assent to this formulary1 must 7if they aspire to be public ,teachers of ,religion7 unite themselves with some other consentient ,church4 ,this compulsion may1 sometimes1 be a hardship2 but can1 in no case1 be an injury3 or1 if some may chuse to consider it in the light of an injury1 it is such an one as must be suffered by individuals for the general good of that ,society1 to which they belong4 ,it is nothing1 that some object to these articles1 as improper1 or ill-drawn4 ,the ,church will judge for itself of these points4 ,societies have surely the same right of private judgement as ,individuals2 and1 till they revoke a constitution1 it should1 methinks1 be presumed that they see no cause to do it3 just as it is very fitly presumed1 on the other hand1 that such individuals1 as will not subscribe to this constitution1 cannot4 ,but it is forgotten in this dispute1 that1 although truth can only be on one side1 good faith may be on either4 ,still1 it may be said--8,these articles are themselves liable to various interpretations40 ,without doubt1 they are3 and so would any other1 which could be contrived4 ,yet1 with all the latitude of interpretation of which they are capable1 they still answer1 in a good degree1 the main end of their appointment2 as may be seen from the animosity expressed by some against them1 as too strict4 ,and1 if we only use that latitude1 which the expression fairly admits1 and which the ,church allows1 they will continue to answer the great end1 hitherto effected by them1 of preserving1 among the members of our ,church1 an unity of the spirit in the bond of peace4 ,such then is the fruit of a right faith1 which the ministers of our ,church are required to bring forth1 by the soundness of their doctrine4 ,,ii4 ,they are1 in the next place1 ordained to produce the fruit of ,,piety1 in their several congregations1 by a faithful discharge of the sacred offices1 committed to them4 ,the ,,liturgy of the ,church of ,england1 in which these offices are contained1 is composed with so much wisdom1 and is animated1 at the time1 with so true a spirit of piety1 that impartial men have generally agreed in the commendation of it4 ,that the forms1 prescribed by it1 may be lawfully used1 few at this time of day will dispute4 ,that other forms1 more complete and perfect1 may be devised1 as it is not denied by us1 who hold those forms1 however excellent1 to be of human composition only2 so1 that any such forms of greater perfection are likely to be devised by those who are the readiest to find fault with our ,liturgy1 will hardly be expected by reasonable and knowing men4 ,much indeed1 abundantly too much1 has been said and written on this subject4 ,most of the defects1 which some have pretended to find in our ,ritual1 are purely imaginary3 the rest are certainly unimportant4 ,so that our concern is plainly to submit all deliberations of this sort to the wisdom of the ,church itself2 and1 in the mean time1 to give all the effect1 that depends on us1 to the ministration which it requires4 ,and to this end1 it must be our duty to perform the sacred offices with regularity1 decency1 and fervour4 #a4 ,by regularity1 ,i mean such an observance of times and seasons1 and of all the modes of performance1 as the ,church hath thought fit to prescribe4 ,to this observance we are1 indeed1 constrained by ecclesiastical penalties3 but ,i mention it as a fit testimony of respect to public authority2 and as the means of promoting the true interests of ,religion4 ,for what is punctually performed by the ,minister will acquire a due consideration with the people3 and the uniformity of our service will make the attendance on religious offices more acceptable1 more convenient1 more edifying to them4 #b4 ,nor is it enough that these offices be performed regularly1 or according to stated rules3 they must also be performed decently1 or with due grace and propriety in the manner of discharging them4 ,for it is not1 perhaps1 enough considered1 how much a becoming celebration of the sacred offices contributes to make men delight in them1 and profit by them3 or1 on the contrary1 how much any degree of negligence in the posture1 or of impropriety in the accent1 or indifference in the air1 of the officiating ,minister1 sinks the credit and authority of his ministration1 and deadens the attention and devotion of his flock4 #c4 ,still1 this regular and decent discharge of our duty1 how useful soever1 is but an outward thing1 and may1 to a degree at least1 be counterfeited by those who are1 otherwise1 very unfit to be employed in this service4 ,to enliven1 to animate1 to consecrate our ministry1 we must bring to it all the zeal of internal devotion2 such as is sober indeed1 but real1 active1 and habitual2 such as flows from a religious temper1 and is wrought into the very frame and constitution of our minds4 ,for to this end1 more especially1 are we set apart from secular pursuits1 to give ourselves up to reading1 to meditation1 to all spiritual exercises2 that so we may be thoroughly penetrated and informed with pure affections and heavenly dispositions4 ,when these prevail in us1 they will naturally break forth and express themselves in all our ministrations2 they will be seen and felt by all who partake of them1 and1 by a kind of sympathy1 will force the hearts of others to consent with our own4 ,,iii4 ,the last and best fruit we are to produce1 is the fruit of ,,charity1 or a good life1 in those committed to our charge2 which is more especially cultivated and matured by our godly exhortations1 and blameless examples4 #a4 ,as to our public exhortations1 and discourses from the ,pulpit1 such an audience as this cannot want to be instructed in the manner of preparing them4 ,permit me only to say1 8,that your ,sermons cannot well be too plain2 and that they ought to be wholly ,christian40 ,the word of ,god is designed for the edification of all sorts and degrees among us1 and should be so dispensed as to reach the hearts and understandings of all4 ,and ,i need not say to you who hear me1 that to frame a discourse in this manner1 as it is the usefullest way of preaching1 so it will afford full scope and exercise for all the talents which the ablest of us may possess4 ,but1 further1 you will allow me to observe1 that the topics and principles1 on which we form our discourses1 must be wholly ,christian4 ,i do not mean to exclude natural ,reason from our public exhortations1 but to employ it in giving force to those best and most efficacious arguments for a good life1 which the ,gospel supplies4 ,i would only say1 ,that we are not to preach morality1 in exclusion of ,christianity3 for that would be to incur the guilt of preaching ourselves1 and not ,jesus ,christ4 ,the various motives to virtue and all goodness1 which may be drawn from the great doctrines of the ,christian ,revelation1 as they are infinitely more persuasive and affecting than all others2 so they should be constantly and earnestly impressed on our hearers4 ,to live as becometh the ,gospel1 is the duty of ,christians3 and therefore to preach that ,gospel must be the proper duty of ,christian ,ministers4 ,for that other requisite of a good example1 the case is too plain to require more than one word4 ,our blessed ,master has told us1 that we are the salt of the earth3 and we remember what he pronounces of that salt1 when it hath lost its savour4 ,this warning may suffice to guard the minister of the word from gross vice and immorality4 ,but much more is expected from him4 ,he is to excell in all virtue1 and in such sort as to make it amiable in the eyes of men4 ,he is to take care1 that even his good be not evil-spoken of1 and that the ministry be not blamed4 ,for there are certain decencies1 which must be ranked by us in the place of virtues4 ,to be wanting in these1 is to scandalize the brethren1 and dishonour ourselves4 ,our profession is so sacred1 that even our ,christian liberty must be abridged on many occasions2 and we must deny ourselves an innocent amusement1 when we have reason to conclude that others will take offence at it4 ,how far1 and in what respects1 this sacrifice must be made to the decencies of our profession1 is a matter of great prudence and charity2 and can only be determined1 in particular cases1 by an honest exertion of those two principles4 ,ye have now1 my reverend ,brethren1 presented to you a brief sketch of our ministerial duties4 ,and our encouragement1 for the performance of them1 is1 ,that hereby we shall bring forth fruit1 and that our fruit will remain3 that is1 we shall be instrumental in producing a ,,right ,,faith1 a ,,pious ,,observance ,,of ,,religion1 and a ,,truly ,,christian ,,life1 in our several charges and congregations2 and we shall1 likewise1 be the means of transmitting these blessings to ,posterity1 and of perpetuating these good fruits to the end of the world4 ,thus1 that which is the end of our ministry1 is also the reward of it4 ,nor will the recompence of our labours end here4 ,in saving others1 by the means now recommended1 we shall assuredly save ourselves4 ,for1 by giving this full proof of our ministry1 we shall be sincere1 and without offence till the day of ,christ2 being filled with all the fruits of righteousness1 which are by ,jesus ,christ unto the glory and praise of ,god#bi4 ,,amen4 ,a ,,charge ,,to ,,the ,,clergy ,,of ,,the ,,diocese ,,of ,,worcester1 ,,delivered ,,at ,,the ,,bishop',s ,,primary ,,visitation ,,in #aghb4 ,a ,,charge1 c4 ,,reverend ,,brethren1 ,on this first occasion of our meeting1 you will think it agreeable to the relation ,i have the honour to bear to you1 if ,i take leave to remind you of such of your ,clerical ,duties as tend more immediately to your own credit1 and to the good order of this ,diocese3 ,not1 as if ,i suspected you of being1 in any peculiar degree1 deficient in them2 but as1 from the general state of the present times1 and from the singular importance of them at all times1 these ,duties deserve to be frequently and earnestly recommended to you4 ,the ,clergy of the ,reformed ,church of ,england have always distinguished themselves by the soundness of their learning1 by the integrity of their manners1 and by a diligent discharge of the pastoral office4 ,but these virtues could not have flourished so much and so long1 had it not been for the ,,personal ,,residence of the ,clergy4 ,hence that leisure which enabled them to excell in the best literature3 hence those truly clerical manners1 unadulterated by too free a commerce with the world3 and hence that punctuality in performing the sacred offices1 so edifying to the people1 and1 from their being always upon the spot1 so easy to themselves4 ,now this ,residence1 which the very institution of ,parishes supposes1 and the ,common ,law intends1 has1 from early times1 been bound upon us by ecclesiastical canons1 and1 from the ,reformation1 also by express ,statute4 ,so that1 in the style of ,law1 and even in common language1 ,incumbent is the proper name of every ,parochial ,minister4 ,i know1 indeed1 what exceptions there are to the ,statute1 and needs must be in a ,constitution like our's1 founded on a principle of ,imparity and ,subordination4 ,i know1 too1 how many more exceptions must be made on account of the poverty of very many ,cures1 and the necessity there unfortunately is of having several churches served by the same person4 ,lastly1 ,i do not forget that1 in the case of ill health1 and doubtless in other cases that may occur1 there will sometimes be good reason for the ,incumbent to desire1 and therefore for the ,ordinary to grant1 an occasional suspension1 or relaxation1 at least1 of the general ,rule4 ,but1 when these cases are allowed for1 no ,clergyman1 who considers the nature of his office1 and the engagements he is under1 or who respects as he ought1 either the esteem of others1 or the satisfaction of his own mind1 will suffer himself to solicit1 or even to accept1 an exemption from ,residence4 ,and even they1 who have to plead the privilege of the ,statute1 or can alledge any other just and reasonable excuse1 will endeavour to compensate for their absence1 by occasional visits to their benefices2 by diligent inquiries into the conduct of their assistants2 by acts of benevolence1 hospitality1 and piety2 in short1 by such means as testify a readiness to do all the good they can under their circumstances1 and manifest a serious consideration of the duties which1 in some degree or other1 are inseparable from the ,pastoral ,care4 ,in short1 the reason of the thing speaks so strongly for the incumbency of ,parochial ,ministers1 that they1 who have the best excuse to make for themselves1 will lament their absence1 and accept the leave granted to them with regret4 ,and the rest of the ,clergy will not allow themselves to desert their charge1 and forfeit the dignity and almost the use of their destination1 for such slight and frivolous reasons as can neither satisfy themselves nor others3 for the convenience1 suppose1 of living in a better air or neighbourhood2 of seeing a little more1 or1 what is called1 better1 company2 or sharing in the advantages and amusements1 be they ever so innocent1 of the larger and more populous towns4 ,pretences of this sort are nothing1 when they come in competition with the decency and utility of being where we ought to be1 and among those whom we ought to serve2 with the obligation that lies upon us to make ourselves acquainted with the spiritual and temporal wants of our people1 and1 as far as we can1 to relieve them2 with the precious opportunities1 which a personal residence affords1 of knowing their characters1 and of suiting our publick and private applications to them2 of watching over their lives1 and contributing to reform or improve them2 of guarding them against the attempts of those who lie in wait to pervert their minds1 and indispose them to our ,communion2 with the heart-felt satisfaction of being beloved by our flocks1 or of meriting1 at least1 to be so2 of knowing1 in short1 that we discharge our duty towards them2 and1 while we approve ourselves faithful ministers of the ,church in which we serve1 are promoting the noblest ends which a mortal can propose to himself1 ,the salvation of souls1 and the honour and interest of our divine ,religion4 ,these considerations are so animating1 that they cannot but make a deep impression upon every serious mind2 and are so obvious at the same time1 that just to have mentioned them to you must be quite sufficient4 ,i return1 therefore1 to the duty of those who1 on several accounts1 may very reasonably excuse themselves from a constant personal residence4 ,and with regard to such of you as may be in this situation1 ,i must1 ,,ii4 ,in the second place1 recommend it to you1 in most particular manner1 that you be careful in looking out for proper persons to supply your place1 and that you faithfully co-operate with me in appointing none but regular1 well-qualified1 and exemplary ,curates4 ,by ,,regular ,curates1 ,i mean such as lie under no legal disabilities1 and have received episcopal ordination4 ,you will perhaps think it strange that these cautions should be thought necessary4 ,but in our licentious times there are those who will presume to offer themselves to you to be employed as ,curates1 although they have incurred the public censure of their superiors1 or have not perhaps been admitted into holy ,orders4 ,you will be careful1 therefore1 before you allow any one to officiate for you1 though for a short time1 and on a pressing occasion1 to inform yourself of his general character1 and to inspect his ,letters of ,orders4 ,but1 if you mean to take him for your settled ,curate1 you must do a great deal more4 ,you must send him with a ,title and ,testimonial to be examined and allowed by me4 ,and then ,i shall have it in my power1 not only to prevent your being imposed upon by irregular persons1 but to see that you take for your assistants only such as are in all respects ,,well ,,qualified3 including under this term a competent degree of knowledge for the service of the ,cure to which they are nominated2 a good report of their moral and religious conduct by credible and respectable witnesses2 and a willing conformity to the discipline and doctrine of the ,church of ,england4 ,with these qualifications1 it is to be presumed that your ,curates will represent you not unworthily1 and will instruct and edify your people as you yourselves would endeavour to do1 if you lived amongst them4 ,and the rather1 as both you and ,i are concerned to take care1 as much as possible1 that whosoever is admitted to serve any ,cure ,,do ,,reside ,,in ,,the ,,parish ,,where ,,he ,,is ,,to ,,serve3 especially in livings that are able to support a resident ,curate2 and1 where that cannot be done1 that he do reside at least ,,so ,,near ,,to ,,the ,,place1 that he may conveniently perform all the duties both in the ,church and ,parish#cj4 ,still1 it is not enough that an officiating ,minister1 whether principal or substitute1 be of no ill fame1 and under no disability1 nay that he possess the qualifications and the means of discharging his duty4 ,it is further expected of all who are commissioned to minister in holy things1 and therefore of ,curates as well as others1 that they execute their important trusts with fidelity and zeal1 that they be ,,exemplary in their whole conduct and conversation4 ,to merit the application of this term to himself1 a ,clergyman will not only perform the duties of his ,church with becoming seriousness1 and with exact punctuality1 but he will be ready at fit seasons to advise or exhort1 to comfort or rebuke1 as occasion requires1 such of his parishioners1 whether in sickness or health1 as may stand in need of his charitable assistance4 ,he will spend much of his leisure in reading and meditation1 particularly in the study of the sacred ,scriptures1 that he may adorn and purify his mind1 and qualify himself the better for his spiritual ministrations4 ,he will even take care that his very amusements be inoffensive1 and not pursued with an eagerness or constancy that may give occasion for censure or misconstruction4 ,he will be so far from drawing upon himself the imputation of any gross vice 7which it would be dreadful for a minister of the ,gospel to deserve71 that he will not be suspected of levity or dissipation2 but1 as the ,canon directs1 will always be doing the things which shall appertain to honesty1 and endeavouring to profit the ,church of ,god2 having always in mind that the ministers of religion ought to excell all others in purity of life1 and should be examples to the people of good and ,christian living#ca4 ,such is the conduct which the ,church requires of those whom you employ in the care of your parishes4 ,i hope therefore ,i shall not be thought too severe1 if ,i give a particular attention to the appointing and licensing of ,curates1 and if ,i expect of the beneficed ,clergy that they chearfully and heartily concur with me in this necessary circumspection4 ,to this end1 and that the ,church may be served with reputable and useful ministers1 ,i must1 ,,iii4 ,further make it my earnest request 7and this is the last particular ,i have at present to give in charge to you71 that you take especial care what persons you recommend to me on all occasions4 ,it is my duty1 and if it were not1 it would be my inclination1 to rely much on your advice in all things2 much more1 to lay the greatest stress on your opinion and sentiments1 when presented to me under your hands in the solemn way of a ,testimonial4 ,no consideration1 therefore1 ,i hope will ever prevail with you1 no bias of acquaintance1 neighbourhood1 civility1 or compassion 7for ,i shall never suspect my brethren of any worse motive71 to give the credit of your testimony to any person whatever that is unworthy of it1 whether for the purpose of obtaining holy ,orders1 or my ,license to a ,cure1 or ,institution to a ,benefice4 ,the most scrupulous good faith must be observed in all these cases2 or it will be impossible for me to prevent those scandals1 which an unqualified ,clergy will be sure to give to the world1 and the infinite mischiefs they do to ,religion4 ,whenever you set your hand to a testimonial1 consider1 ,i beseech you1 that the honour of the ,church is concerned in what you are doing2 that the edification of the people1 the integrity of their lives and purity of their faith1 the salvation1 in short1 of their souls1 depends on your signature4 ,when such momentous interests as these are at stake1 inattention is something worse than neglect1 and the easiness of good-nature the greatest cruelty4 ,and now1 my reverend brethren1 by observing these few plain directions--by residing on your benefices when you can1 and by improving that residence to its proper uses--or1 when you cannot reside yourselves1 by employing only resident and respectable ,curates--and1 lastly1 by a scrupulous use of your credit with me in recommending none but fit persons for the several departments of the ,ministry4--,by complying1 ,i say1 with my earnest request1 in these several instances1 you will render the government of this ,diocese easy and pleasant to me4 ,i reckon so much on your kindness to me as to believe that this consideration will be some inducement to you4 ,but there are others of more importance4 ,for you will consult your own honour1 and that of your ,order3 ,you will rejoice the hearts of your friends1 and stop the mouths of your enemies4 ,i said1 of your enemies2 for enemies you will always have1 so long as there are bad men4 ,and1 while we endeavour to lessen the number of these1 it should be our utmost care that none but such be ill-affected towards us4 ,god forbid that the friends of virtue and religion should have so much as a pretence to speak or think ill of us6 ,they cannot have this pretence1 but through our own fault4 ,be we therefore strictly observant of our duty3 ,let us be seen1 where the world will naturally look for us1 in our proper places1 intent on our proper business2 and acting in our proper characters2 and we shall infallibly secure the esteem of good men1 and till it please ,god to touch and convert their hearts1 we may defy the malice of bad ones4 ,the truth is1 my reverend brethren1 it depends very much on ourselves1 whether the world shall conceive well or ill of us4 ,licentious and unbelieving as that world is1 a learned and prudent and pious ,clergyman will force respect from it4 ,the more it may be inclined to blame1 the greater must be our diligence and circumspection4 ,and to animate myself and you to this care1 is the whole end and purpose of this friendly address to you4 ,it only remains that ,i pray1 with the holy ,apostle1 that we may abound in knowledge and in all judgment2 that we may approve things that are excellent2 that we may be sincere and without offence till the day of ,christ2 being filled with the fruits of righteousness1 which are by ,him to the glory and praise of ,god#cb4 ,the grace of our ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 and the love of ,god1 and the fellowship of the ,holy ,ghost1 be with us all evermore4 ,amen4 ,the ,use and ,abuse of ,reason in ,matters of ,religion3 ,a ,,charge ,,of ,,the ,,bishop ,,of ,,worcester ,,to ,,the ,,clergy ,,of ,,his ,,diocese4 ,,delivered ,,in ,,the ,,year #aghe4 ,a ,,charge1 c4 ,,reverend ,,brethren1 ,without the use of ,reason in ,religion1 we are liable to be imposed upon by others4 ,with the immoderate or indiscreet use of it1 we impose upon ourselves4 ,both extremes are to be carefully avoided3 but the latter1 being that into which we are most in danger of falling in these times1 will possibly deserve your first and principal attention4 ,indeed the great ,apostle of the ,gentiles1 foreseeing the mischiefs which the pride of human reason would produce in the ,church of ,christ1 gave a timely warning to the ,roman converts1 not to be wise in their own conceits#cc4 ,and whoever considers the history of the ,church from that time to this1 will find that nothing has been so injurious to it as the affectation of being wise above1 or beside1 what is written2 ,i mean1 in opposing our own sense of things to the authority of ,scripture1 or 7which is the commoner1 because something the modester way of the two7 in forcing it out of the sacred text by a licentious interpretation4 ,in either way1 we idolize our own understandings2 and are guilty of great irreverence towards the word of ,god4 ,it infinitely concerns the preachers of the ,gospel to stand clear of these imputations2 and therefore it may not be unsuitable to the occasion of our present meeting1 if ,i set before you what ,i take to be the whole office of ,,reason on the subject of revealed ,religion2 what it has to do1 and what it should forbear to attempt2 how far it may and should go1 and where it ought to stop2 and lastly1 how important it is for a ,christian teacher1 and indeed for every ,christian man1 to confine his curiosity within those bounds4 ,i4 ,the first and principal office of ,reason on this subject is to see whether ,christianity be a divine ,religion2 in other words1 whether the ,scriptures1 especially those of the ,new ,testament1 which contain the religion of ,christians1 be written by inspiration1 or have no higher authority than the compositions of mere fallible men4 ,now1 for this purpose1 you will collect and examine the numerous proofs1 external and internal1 which have been alledged as the proper grounds of assent to the truth of ,christianity3 ,the proof ,,external2 first1 from ,prophecy1 involving in it an incredible number of probabilities1 some less striking than others1 but all of them of some moment in your deliberation2 secondly1 from ,miracles1 said to have been purposely wrought to attest the truth of ,christianity2 recorded by persons of the best character1 who themselves performed there miracles1 or saw them performed1 or had received the accounts of them immediately from the workers and eye-witnesses of them2 and not questioned1 as far as we know1 by any persons of that time1 or for some ages afterwards4 ,in the next place1 you will consider the ,,internal ,,proof1 from the history and genius1 from the claims and views and pretensions of this ,religion4 ,under this last head1 you will particularly attend to the promises said to have been made by ,jesus to his disciples2 and to the manner in which those promises appear to have been made good3 the promise of inspiration to the ,apostles1 and the evidence they afterwards gave of their being actually so inspired4 ,above all1 you will carefully inspect those books which contain the account of these and other momentous things1 as well as the doctrines of ,christianity itself2 and you will see whether the facts they relate be1 any of them1 contradicted by authentick history1 or the doctrines they deliver be repugnant to the first and clearest principles of human knowledge4 ,you will next inquire whether these books1 containing nothing but what is credibly or supposeably true1 were indeed written by the persons whose names they bear1 and not by persons of later times1 or by persons of that time1 whose authority is more questionable4 ,you will1 further1 consider what degree of inspiration these writings claim to themselves1 and whether their claims have1 in any instance1 been discredited and confuted4 ,you will1 lastly1 take into your account the event of things1 and will reflect how far the success of so great an undertaking has corresponded to the supposition of its having been divinely directed2 if1 in short1 you can any way account for what you know and see to be clear and evident fact on any other supposition4 ,such1 ,i think1 is the outline of what must be thought the duty of a reasonable inquirer into the pretensions of ,christianity4 ,to fill up this sketch would require a volume3 but you see from these hints that here is room enough for the exercise of the understanding1 for the full display1 indeed1 of its best faculties4 ,if ,christianity1 which invites1 will stand the test of this inquiry1 you cannot complain that ,reason has not enough to do1 or that your reception of it1 as a divine revelation1 is not founded on reason4 ,only1 let me caution you against coming hastily to a conclusion from a slight or summary view of the particulars here mentioned4 ,you must have the patience to evolve them all2 to weigh the moment of each taken separately1 and to decide at length on the united force of these arguments1 when brought to bear on the single point to which you apply them1 the ,,divine ,,authority of your religion4 ,to grasp all these considerations in one view will require the utmost effort of the strongest mind3 ,and1 when you have done this1 you will remember that very much 7so widely extended and so numerous are the presumptions on this subject7 has probably1 nay1 has certainly1 escaped your best attention4 ,however1 on these grounds1 ,i will now suppose that a serious man1 who would be1 and is qualified to be1 a believer on conviction1 has fully satisfied himself that ,christianity is true1 and that the ,scriptures1 in which the whole of that religion is contained1 are of divine authority4 ,,ii4 ,a second and very momentous use of ,reason will then be1 ,to scrutinize these ,scriptures themselves1 now admitted to be divine2 that is1 to investigate their true sense and meaning4 ,for1 whatever their authority be1 as they were written for the use of men1 they must be studied1 and can only be understood1 as other writings are1 by applying to them the usual and approved rules of human criticism4 ,i have already supposed1 that you have seen enough of these ,scriptures to be satisfied of their containing no contradictions to the clear intuitive principles of human knowledge4 ,for this satisfaction must precede the general conclusion1 that the ,scriptures are divinely revealed2 all truth being consistent with itself1 and it being impossible that any evidence for the truth of revelation should be stronger than that of ,intuition4 ,still1 it remains to inquire of doctrines taught in these books1 and apparently1 as to the general sense of them1 not inadmissible1 what is their precise and accurate interpretation4 ,and here1 besides the use of languages1 antiquities1 history1 and such other helps as are necessary to the right understanding of all ancient books1 you will have ample scope for the exercise of your sagacity in studying the character of the sacred writers1 the genius and views of each1 with the peculiarities of their style and method2 in tracing the connexion of their ideas1 the pertinence and coherence of their reasonings2 in comparing the same writer with himself1 or different writers with each other2 in explaining the briefer and darker passages by what is delivered more at large and more perspicuously elsewhere2 in apprehending the harmony of their general scheme1 and the consistency of what they teach on any particular subject4 ,in all these ways1 and if there be any other1 your ,reason may be and should be employed with all the attention of which ye are capable4 ,and when this task is now performed1 and you have settled it in your own minds what the true genuine doctrines of ,christianity are2 what our religion teaches of divine things1 and what it prescribes to us in moral matters2 ,what more remains to be done8 ,clearly1 but this--,to ,,believe1 ,,and ,,to ,,live1 according to its direction4 ,but1 instead of acquiescing in this natural and just conclusion1 the curiosity of the human mind is ready to engage us in new and endless labours4 8,the wise in their own conceits will examine this ,religion1 and see if it be ,,reasonable3 for surely nothing can proceed from ,heaven but the purest and brightest reason40 ,here1 first1 they perplex themselves and others1 by the use of an ambiguous term3 for1 by reasonable is meant1 either what is not contrary to the clearest principles of reason1 or what is clearly explicable1 in all respects1 by those principles4 ,in the former sense1 it must be maintained that ,christianity is a reasonable ,religion1 and that no such contrariety to reason is to be found in it4 ,in the latter sense1 it may be true that ,christianity is not reasonable1 ,i mean1 that the reasons on which it is founded are not always apparent to us3 but then this sense of the word is not pertinent to the case in hand2 and we may as well pretend that the constitution of the natural world is unreasonable1 as that the system of ,revelation is so1 because we are in the same ignorance1 for the most part1 of the grounds and reasons on which either fabrick is erected4 ,in the next place1 supposing that1 by intense pains1 and a greater sagacity than ordinary1 we are enabled to see1 or guess at least1 in some instances1 on what principles of reason the great scheme of revelation or some of its doctrines at least are founded1 what do we get by the discovery8 ,only1 the addition of a little speculative knowledge1 which does not make us at all wiser to salvation1 than we were before1 and possibly not so wise2 since knowledge1 we know1 puffeth up1 and ,god giveth grace to the humble4 ,but1 lastly1 how do we arrive at this supposed pre-eminence of wisdom8 ,generally1 by forcing the word of ,god to speak our sense of it1 and not his2 by taking advantage of some difficult texts1 and by wresting many plain ones2 by making every thing bend1 in short1 to our presumptuous fancies and preconceived opinions4 ,you see1 then1 what my meaning is--8,that the ,,evidence of ,christianity1 and not its rationale 7which1 however justly conceived and ably executed1 cannot extend so far as curious men require1 because ,reason itself is so limited72 ,i say then that the evidence of our religion is the proper object of inquiry20 and 8that the ,scriptures are to be admitted in that sense which they obviously bear1 on a fair unforced construction of them1 although that sense appear strange to us1 or be1 perhaps1 inexplicable20 in a word1 that the ,,authority and ,,right ,,interpretation of ,scripture are what we ought to look after1 and not the ,,reasonableness of what it teaches4 ,,the ,,truth is 7for ,i would now1 in conclusion1 point out to you the mischievous effects of this curious theology1 which has so much engaged the minds of ,christians71 the truth1 ,i say1 is1 ,that we know not what we do1 when we take heaven1 as it were1 to task1 and examine a confessedly divine ,revelation by the twilight of our ,reason4 #a4 ,one effect is 7and can there be a more dreadful one87 that this inquisitive humour1 thus leads directly to ,infidelity1 and even ,atheism4 ,for the wise in their own conceits1 not being able to clear up many parts of the divine dispensations1 whether of nature or grace1 to their satisfaction1 hastily conclude that there is no fitness or wisdom1 where they see none1 and make their inapprehension an argument for their rejection of both4 ,a perverse conduct1 indeed6 but so common1 that ,i doubt whether there be any other so fruitful source of irreligion4 ,but #b4 ,when the mischief does not proceed to this extreme1 still it is no small evil1 that heresies arise1 and must for ever arise1 among believers themselves1 from this way of subjecting the word of ,god to the scrutiny of our reason4 ,for this faculty1 being a different thing1 under the same name1 in every pretender to it1 and1 in its most improved state1 being naturally incapable1 where the revelation itself is silent or obscure1 of deciding on what is fit and right in the divine counsels1 must needs lead to as many different views and conclusions1 as there are capacities and fancies of curious men4 ,and1 as every man's reason is infallible to himself1 because his own reason1 his zeal in the propagation of what he calls truth1 will keep pace with his presumption1 till all is noise and dissonance and discord2 till peace and charity forsake the world2 till ,religion herself disappears2 and what is left to usurp her name and place is only an art1 or rather a fit1 of disputation4 ,then consider #c4 ,how immense a sacrifice we make to the indulgence of a wanton curiosity4 ,the ,gospel was given to fix our faith and regulate our practice2 to purify our hearts and lives1 and to fill us with all joy and peace in believing4 ,instead of these substantial fruits1 we reap ,i know not what phantom of self-applause for our ingenious speculations3 we lose our precious time in reasoning1 when we should act1 and hardly ever come to an end of our reasonings3 we grope on in these dark and intricate paths of inquiry1 without ever attaining the heart-felt joy of conviction3 we are so intent on trying all things1 that we hold fast nothing3 we spend a great part of our lives1 some of us our whole lives1 in suspense and doubt3 and are so long examining what our faith is1 and whether it be reasonable or no1 that1 with a divine directory in our hands1 we drop into our graves before we come to a resolution of those questions4 ,these are the sad effects of this intemperate wisdom1 which therefore we shall do well to exchange for a little modest piety4 ,and such has been uniformly the advice of the ablest and wisest men1 from the foundation of ,christianity down to this day4 ,it would be endless to refer you to particular instances in their writings4 ,their sentiments on this subject are concisely and forcibly expressed in the following passage of as great a master of reason as hath appeared in the ,christian world since the revival of letters1 which ,i will therefore leave with you1 and would recommend to your most attentive consideration4 8,rationibus humanis scrutari divin natur 7and what he observes of the divine nature1 is equally true of the divine councils7 cognitionem1 temeritas est3 loqui de his1 qu nullis verbis explicari queunt1 dementis est3 definire1 impietas est40 ,and again--8,satis est ad consequendam salutem ternam1 ea de ,deo credere1 qu palam ipse de se prodidit in sacris literis1 per selectos ad hoc viros1 spiritu suo afflatos2 quque post versans in terris ipse discipulis aperuit3 ac demum per spiritum sanctum iisdem in hoc selectis discipulis patefacere dignatus est4 ,hc simplici fide tenere1 ,christiana philosophia est3 hc puro corde venerari1 vera ,religio est3 per hc tendere ad clestis vit meditationem1 pietas est3 in his perseverare1 victoria est3 per hc vicisse1 summa flicitatis est4 ,cterum ,,hominem ,,ultra ,h,c ,,humanis ,,rationibus ,,de ,,rebus ,,divinis ,,vestigare1 ,,periculos ,,cujusdam ,,atque ,,impi ,,audaci ,,est#cd40 ,a ,,charge ,,of ,,the ,,bishop ,,of ,,worcester ,,to ,,the ,,clergy ,,of ,,his ,,diocese4 ,,delivered ,,in ,,the ,,year #agij4 ,a ,,charge1 c4 ,,reverend ,,brethren1 ,it has been observed1 that men of sense and parts are not always on the side of ,christianity3 ,and it is asked1 how the unbelief of such men can consist with the honour of that ,religion8 ,we find this topic insisted upon1 or insinuated at least1 with much complacency1 in all the free writings of these times4 ,and some of them1 however offensive for their impiety1 being composed with vivacity1 and delivered in a popular style1 gain more credit with unwary readers than they deserve4 ,it behoves us to be on our guard against those insinuations1 and to prevent their having an effect upon others4 ,it will not therefore be unsuitable to the design of our meeting1 if ,i suggest to the younger part of you 7for the elder and more experienced have no need of my instruction71 if ,i expose in few words the folly of inferring the falshood of religion from the rejection of it by a few plausible or learned men4 ,and to give what ,i have to say the greater weight with you1 ,i shall deliver my sentiments on the subject in a short comment on a remarkable text of ,st4 ,paul2 who has indeed long ago obviated this prejudice1 and fully accounted for the supposed fact1 without derogating in any degree from the honour of our divine ,religion4 ,for no sooner was ,christianity published to the world1 than it was opposed by all the wisdom of that age1 which was1 in truth1 distinguished by its wisdom4 ,but then it was human wisdom only1 confiding in itself1 and wholly unacquainted with divine wisdom4 ,these were often at variance1 and sometimes irreconcileable with each other4 ,no wonder then1 that not many wise men after the flesh1 as the ,apostle expresseth it1 were called1 i4 e4 converted to ,christianity1 and that the wisdom of ,revelation was deemed folly 7as it is in our days1 and as it always will be7 by the idolaters of their own carnal wisdom4 ,this early and popular prejudice1 therefore1 against the religion of ,jesus1 the great ,apostle of the ,gentiles found it expedient to remove4 ,and he does it effectually in that oracular sentence delivered by him in the first ,epistle to the ,corinthians1 in these words2 8,the natural man receiveth not the things of the spirit of ,god2 for they are foolishness unto him3 neither can he know them2 because they are spiritually discerned#ce40 ,the meaning of the words is clearly this3 8,that no man can1 by the force of his natural understanding1 however improved1 discover the doctrines of the ,gospel2 nor even relish them1 when they are proposed to him1 so long as he judges of them by the light of his reason only3 and that upon this account1 because those doctrines are solely derived from the wisdom of ,god1 which is superior to our wisdom2 and will even seem foolishness to such a man1 because those doctrines are not such as his natural reason1 or wisdom1 would suggest to him40 ,the text therefore1 you see1 consists of two distinct affirmations1 with a reason assigned for each4 #a4 ,that the natural man receiveth not the things of the spirit of ,god1 for they are foolishness unto him3 and #b4 that he cannot know them1 because they are spiritually discerned4 ,i begin with the last of these assertions4 ,i4 ,that the natural man cannot know1 i4 e4 discover1 the doctrines of the ,gospel1 is so clear1 that this assertion hardly requires any proof2 or1 if it do1 the reason given in the text is decisive--because they are spiritually discerned--i4 e4 because the knowledge of them is derived from the spirit of ,god4 ,for1 how can man's understanding penetrate the secrets of divine counsels8 ,or1 as the ,apostle himself manages the argument much better1 ,what man knoweth the things of a man1 save the spirit of man which is in him8 ,even so1 the things of ,god knoweth no man1 but the spirit of ,god4 ,,ii4 ,his other assertion--,that the natural man receiveth not the things of ,god1 i4 e4 is indisposed to receive them--is more interesting to us1 and will require a larger illustration4 ,his reason for this assertion is1 ,for they are foolishness unto him4 ,the reason is very general1 and therefore obscure3 for you ask how or whence is it1 that those things are foolishness unto him8 ,i answer then1 #a4 because1 he could not discover them4 ,it is argument enough1 many times1 with the natural man1 to reject any doctrine1 which his own sagacity was unable to find out4 ,for1 taking for granted the all-sufficiency of human reason1 and that what is knowable of divine things is within the reach of his own faculties1 he concludes at once that such doctrines as he could not have discovered are therefore false4 ,if it be only in matters of human science1 a discovery1 which very much transcends the abilities of common inquirers1 is for that reason ill-received and slighted by many persons4 ,much more may we suppose this prejudice to be entertained against discoveries which no human abilities whatever could possibly have made4 ,but #b4 a further reason why such things are thought foolish by the natural man is1 because they are widely different from his notions and apprehensions4 ,he was not only unable to invent them himself2 but1 when proposed to him1 he cannot see how they should merit his regard1 being so little suited1 as they are1 to the previous conclusions of his own understanding4 ,now this prejudice is of great extent2 and is almost natural to the pride of human reason4 ,for1 supposing a divine ,revelation to be given at all1 men form to themselves certain notions of what it must needs be2 and finding that it does not correspond to those notions1 they receive it not1 i4 e4 they conclude it to be unreasonable4 ,thus1 one man imagines that the ,gospel could be only a republication of the law of nature4 ,he finds it is much more2 and therefore1 without further search1 infers its falshood4 ,another man admits that the ,gospel might be an extraordinary scheme for the advancement of human virtue and happiness3 but then he presumes that these ends could only1 or would best1 be answered by a complete system of moral truths1 and by making the future happiness of man depend upon moral practice only4 ,he understands that the ,gospel proposes to reform mankind by faith1 and holds out its rewards only to such as are actuated by that principle4 ,he rejects then a scheme of religion which so little accords to his expectations4 ,a third person allows that faith may be the proper object of reward1 but a faith in ,god only3 to his surprize he perceives that this faith is required to be in ,jesus1 the son of ,god indeed1 but the son of man too1 and in him crucified2 that the ,gospel supposes mankind to have been under the curse of mortality1 and to be redeemed from it only in virtue of ,christ's sacrifice on the cross4 ,this strange dispensation is nothing like that which he should have planned himself3 it is therefore disbelieved by him4 ,thus it appears how the natural man is disposed to think unfavourably of the ,gospel1 because its doctrines are not such as he should previously have expected4 ,but another and more fatal prejudice misleads him4 ,for #c4 ,the things of the spirit seem foolishness to the natural man1 because on the strictest inquiry he cannot perhaps find out the reasons of them2 and must admit them1 many times1 upon trust1 as we say1 or1 in the language of ,scripture1 on a principle of faith only4 ,this experienced inability to search the deep things of ,god hurts his pride most of all4 ,that the divine counsels are beyond his discovery1 may be true2 that they should be besides his first hasty expectations1 may be digested3 but that1 when discovered and considered1 they should yet elude his grasp1 and not submit to be comprehended by his utmost capacity1 this disgrace is insupportable to him4 ,yet such are the fundamental doctrines of the ,christian ,revelation4 8,the forfeiture of life and immortality1 for all mankind1 in consequence of one man's disobedience10 implies a degree of rigour in the divine justice1 of which he cannot understand the reason4 ,on the other hand1 8,the restoration of that lost inheritance by the transcendent humiliation of the ,son of ,god10 is an abyss of mercy which he can still less fathom4 ,these two principles1 on which the whole scheme of the ,gospel turns1 are not to be scanned by human wisdom1 and must be admitted on the authority of the ,revelation only4 ,the natural man finds his reason so much discountenanced and abased by its fruitless efforts to penetrate these mysteries1 that he has no disposition to receive1 nay1 he thinks the honour of his understanding concerned in rejecting1 such doctrines4 #d4 ,the fourth and last reason ,i shall mention 7and but in one word7 for the natural man's unfavourable sentiments of revealed religion1 is1 ,that the wisdom of this scheme1 so far as it may be apprehended by us1 can only appear from considering the harmony of its several parts1 or1 as ,st4 ,paul expresses it1 by comparing spiritual things with spiritual#cf2 a work of time and labour1 which he is by no means forward to undertake4 ,so that1 as1 in the former instances1 his indisposition arose from the pride of reason1 it here springs from its laziness and inapplication4 ,i omit other considerations1 which indispose men for the reception of the ,gospel2 such ,i mean as arise from the perversity of the human will2 because ,i confine myself at present to those only which respect the exercise of human ,reason4 ,now it has been shewn1 that this faculty1 as it is commonly employed by those who pride themselves most in it1 is unpropitious to ,revelation--because1 it cares not to admit what it could not discover--because1 it willingly disbelieves what it did not expect--because1 it is given to reject what it cannot at all1 or cannot1 at least1 without much pains1 comprehend4 ,so good reason had the ,apostle for asserting1 that the natural man receiveth not the things of the spirit of ,god6 ,very much of what his been here observed of ,unbelief1 might be applied to what is so prevalent in our days1 and is termed ,socinianism3 which1 though it do not disown altogether the authority of revealed religion1 yet takes leave to reduce it to a small matter1 and to explain away its peculiar doctrines1 by a forced and irreverend interpretation of ,scripture4 ,so that the difference is only this3 the unbeliever rejects revelation in the gross1 as wholly inconsistent with human reason2 the ,socinian admits so much of it as he can bend1 or torture into some conformity with his own reason4 ,but ,i have considered this species of ,unbelief on a former occasion4 ,at present1 ,i conclude1 on the authority of the text now explained and justified1 that no abilities whatsoever of the professed unbeliever bring any the least discredit on ,christianity1 because we know that the two inherent defects of the natural man1 pride and indolence1 very fully account for his unbelief1 without supposing any want of evidence or reasonableness in the ,christian ,religion4 ,let it then be no discredit to the ,gospel1 that it requires faith1 which is but another term for ,,modesty1 in its professors4 ,with this amiable1 and surely not unreasonable1 turn of mind1 the sublimest understanding will not scruple to receive the things of the spirit of ,god2 without it1 the natural man cannot receive them3 for1 as the ,apostle declares1 and this whole discourse testifies1 they are foolishness unto him4 ,a ,,charge ,,of ,,the ,,bishop ,,of ,,worcester ,,to ,,the ,,clergy ,,of ,,his ,,diocese4 ,,delivered ,,in ,,the ,,year #agif4 ,a ,,charge1 c4 ,,reverend ,,brethren1 ,the ,christian ,church has1 in no age1 been exempt from trials4 ,the faith and patience of the ,saints have been successively exercised by persecution1 by heresies1 by schisms1 by superstition1 by fanaticism1 by disguised or avowed infidelity1 and sometimes by downright atheism4 ,in the midst of these perpetual changes1 the duty of ,,us1 the ,ministers of the ,gospel1 is one and the same1 ,,to ,,preach ,,the ,,word1 in season and out of season1 that is1 whether the circumstances of the time be favourable to us or not#cg4 ,concerning the evidences of the ,gospel1 or the grounds on which our belief of it is founded1 ,i say no more at present1 than that they have been accurately considered1 and set forth at large1 by ancient and modern writers1 and are in themselves abundantly satisfactory4 ,taking for granted therefore1 as we well may1 the divine authority of our holy ,religion1 there can be no dispute about the obligation we are under to ,,preach it with diligence4 ,but this may be done in several ways3 and it may be of use to consider in ,,what way we shall most effectually discharge that duty4 ,the ,apostle delivers the whole secret in one word1 when he ordains--,,if ,,any ,,man ,,speak1 ,,let ,,him ,,speak ,,as ,,the ,,oracles ,,of ,,god4 ,and my present business will be to unfold the meaning of this text1 or rather to deduce the consequences which naturally flow from it4 ,we are to speak as the ,oracles of ,god3 that is1 as men1 who have it in charge to deliver the will and word of ,god4 ,i4 ,it follows then1 ,,first1 that we are to preach the ,gospel ,,simply ,,and ,,plainly2 i4 e4 #a4 to deliver ,scripture truths1 in opposition to merely human tenets and positions3 ,and #b4 cogent and immediate inferences from those truths1 in exclusion of far-fetched and fanciful deductions4 #a4 ,having a message to deliver1 our business is to report it with fidelity1 and1 as a message coming from ,god1 with all imaginable reverence4 ,human ingenuity may be employed in other compositions1 but has no place here4 ,our own fancies1 and even persuasions1 so far as they rest on our own discovery1 must be kept distinct from revealed truths2 and the two sorts of learning1 philosophy and divinity 7as the wisest man#ch of the last age advised71 are on no account to be blended together4 ,the reason is1 that they stand on different foundations2 the one1 on the use of our natural faculties1 the other1 on supernatural illumination only4 ,the latter we call ,faith2 the former1 ,opinion1 or1 as it may chance1 ,knowledge4 ,some regard must be had to this distinction1 in discoursing on ,christian morals1 where ,reason can do most4 ,but1 as to articles of faith1 that is1 the sum and substance of ,christianity1 properly so called1 the rule is to be observed universally and inviolably4 #b4 ,it follows also1 from our speaking as the oracles of ,god1 ,that we take great care how we deviate from the sacred text1 either in our conclusions from it1 or in our glosses upon it4 ,our conclusions1 unless immediate and direct1 and even countenanced by the inspired writers themselves1 may easily mislead us4 ,for the nature of the subject being not at all1 or very obscurely1 known1 we have but a dim view of the truths necessarily connected with it4 ,great caution1 then1 is in this respect necessary4 ,it is not less so1 in explaining the sacred text4 ,an oracle of ,god should be delivered either in its own words1 or1 at least1 in words clearly1 and according to the best rules of interpretation1 explicatory of them4 ,the contrary practice is evidently irreverent1 rash1 and even prophane4 ,had this circumspection in reasoning from revealed truths1 and in commenting upon them1 been strictly observed1 all those heresies which have corrupted1 and still corrupt the faith1 had been prevented2 and the ,church of ,christ had happily enjoyed the great blessing we daily pray for1 ,the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace4 ,,ii4 ,it follows1 in the next place1 from our being instructed to speak as the ,oracles of ,god1 that we preach the truths of the ,gospel ,,authoritatively1 in exclusion of doubt or hesitation4 ,this is a consideration of great weight1 and puts a wide difference between the ,christian preacher and the theoretical discourser4 ,when weak men have no ground to stand upon in their moral or religious enquiries but their own industry and ingenuity1 they may well suspect the soundness of their conclusions1 and had need deliver them with distrust and caution4 ,but the word of ,god is unquestionable4 ,what is built upon it is certainly true4 ,our modesty therefore suffers nothing from announcing truths1 so derived1 with perfect assurance#ci4 ,the advantage of this mode of preaching must be obvious to every body4 ,it was observed by the ,jews in the case of our ,lord himself2 who1 speaking as the oracles of ,god1 and as ,god1 astonished his auditory1 for that he taught them as one having authority1 and not as the ,scribes#dj3 as having authority1 because he uttered nothing but infallible truth1 which he had received from ,god1 and had even a right to deliver in his own name2 and not as the ,scribes1 who might indeed have spoken with authority1 if they had duly respected the ,law of ,moses1 which was the ,law of ,god2 but had forfeited this advantage by the liberty they took of mixing with it their own glosses and traditions#da4 ,a perpetual and awakening admonition to the ,christian preacher never to forget or betray his high privilege of speaking with that tone of authority which becomes his office1 and commands attention#db4 ,this authoritative mode of preaching requires that we carefully avoid1 in our public discourses1 whatever has the air of ,,controversy#dc4 ,our business is to speak undoubted truths1 not to dispute about uncertain opinions4 ,there are many points1 no doubt1 relative to the ,christian ,religion1 besides the evidences of it1 that may be properly inquired into1 but not in our ,churches4 ,we are to press there only what we know to be true1 and to press it for that reason4 ,let such persons1 then1 as are curious to pry into abstruse questions1 have recourse to the ,schools1 where such discussions are in their place2 or to ,books1 where they may be regaled with this sort of entertainment to satiety4 ,but let them not carry this sceptical humour into that ,chair1 whence oracles only should proceed4 ,the preacher will indeed say1 his design is to recommend and illustrate the truth by the use of reason4 ,it may be so3 but let him remember1 that the plainest truths lose much of their weight when they are rarefied into subtleties#dd2 and that what is readily admitted on the authority of ,god's word1 becomes doubtful to the common hearer1 when we would prove it by ingenious argumentation4 ,to compleat the character of a ,christian ,preacher1 it follows as a ,,iii4 ,third inference from the ,apostle's rule of speaking as the oracles of ,god1 ,that he inculcate his doctrine with ,,earnestness and ,,zeal1 and not with that indifference which is usually found1 and cannot be much wondered at1 in a teacher of his own inventions4 ,the ,christian preacher should1 ,i say1 speak with earnestness2 that is1 with a solicitous concern to instruct and persuade1 such as the known truth of his doctrine warrants4 ,this earnestness must also be attended with zeal2 by which ,i mean nothing extravagant or fanatical2 but such a fervour of application as must become an ,instructor1 who1 besides the certainty1 knows the moment of what he utters4 ,these rules1 it is true1 were not unknown to the ancient masters of ,rhetoric1 who told their scholars1 ,that to convince1 and1 much more1 to persuade1 they were to speak with force and warmth4 ,but to do this1 they were first to be convinced and persuaded themselves#de2 which1 in their case1 was no easy matter4 ,for the principles they went upon in their reasoning on moral or religious matters1 were frequently such as they could not confide in2 or the end they aimed at1 in applying to the passions1 was in no high degree interesting4 ,in spite of the rule1 then1 their discourses were often feeble and unimpressive4 ,it is quite otherwise with the ,christian preacher4 ,for we are not recommending a scheme of notions which we have framed out of our own heads1 or which we think in some small degree conducive to the benefit of our hearers4 ,but we speak that which is indisputably true2 and inforce that which1 out of all question1 concerns us most1 8,the salvation of our souls1 and eternal happiness40 ,the coldest heart must be touched with sure truths1 and cannot impart them without vehemence4 ,i intimate1 rather than express1 my meaning to you in few words2 both because the time allows me to do no more1 and because ,i know to whom these hints are addressed4 ,for your experience in the ministry of the word must have prevented me in all ,i have said1 and will readily supply what ,i have omitted to say4 ,i assure myself1 therefore1 you will come with me to this short conclusion1 8,that in our sermons we should execute our commission with ,,fidelity1 because it is a commission--in the way of ,,authority1 because it is a divine commission--and lastly with ,,zeal1 as knowing the end of our commission1 and the infinite importance of it40 ,by this method of instruction 7of which there is no want of examples1 or even models1 in the sermons of our best preachers#df71 by this ,apostolic mode of preaching1 ,i say1 we shall do justice at once to our ministry and ourselves4 ,by speaking as the oracles of ,god1 we shall speak as we ought to speak2 and we shall speak with an energy that can rarely fail of effect4 ,we shall alarm the careless1 instruct the ignorant1 confirm the weak1 reclaim the perverse1 disconcert the wise1 and silence the prophane4 ,we shall do this1 and more1 in the strength of him who bade us teach all nations4 ,and if we teach them in the way which the ,holy ,spirit enjoins1 we may confidently expect the completion of that gracious and animating promise--,,lo1 ,i ,,am ,,with ,,you ,,always1 ,,even ,,to ,,the ,,end ,,of ,,the ,,world#dg4 ,a ,,charge ,,of ,,the ,,bishop ,,of ,,worcester ,,to ,,the ,,clergy ,,of ,,his ,,diocese4 ,,delivered ,,in ,,the ,,year #ahjj4 ,a ,,charge1 c4 ,,reverend ,,brethren1 ,i found it necessary to defer my ,visitation of you somewhat longer than the usual time2 and have even now no pressing occasion to trouble you with many words of advice or pastoral exhortation4 ,for it is with great satisfaction ,i observe that1 in the present eventful crisis1 the clergy in general1 and those in particular committed to my charge1 have zealously performed their duty in those instances1 that have chiefly called for their exertions4 ,if the unprecedented expences of a just and unavoidable war1 against an enemy the most outrageous that has ever alarmed ,christendom1 have been felt by all2 you have not only supported your share of them with becoming alacrity1 but have done your utmost to infuse into others the same ready obedience to the authority of ,government1 and the same zeal for the support and maintenance of our invaluable ,constitution4 ,if1 again1 for the punishment of our sins1 and to recall us to a due sense of sobriety and piety1 it has pleased ,god to visit us with inclement seasons1 and with the usual effect of them1 an extraordinary scarcity2 you have every where come forth to assist the poor out of your own1 not always affluent1 incomes1 and to solicit the contributions of your parishioners with such effect1 as demonstrates their ,christian temper1 as well as your own watchful care and diligence4 ,if1 lastly1 the portentous libertinism of the times hath menaced the destruction of all civil subordination1 and even set at defiance all the sacred ties of our holy ,religion2 you have not been wanting1 in your respective spheres1 to admonish the people of their duty2 to revive in them that veneration of ,god's word and will1 which had been their support and safety in former ages2 and1 agreeably to your solemn engagements at your ,ordination1 to banish and drive away all erroneous and strange doctrine4 ,having then so much to approve in your conduct1 little remains but to put you in mind of those standing duties of our ministry1 which should never be omitted1 and cannot be too frequently recollected by us4 ,and1 of these1 one is so particularly called for in the present moment1 that ,i shall make it the subject of my address to you4 ,i mean the duty of ,catechizing the children of your respective parishes4 ,for1 since the enemies of all goodness are unwearied in their endeavours to corrupt the young and unwary1 and to eradicate from their minds1 as far as they can1 the first principles of religion and virtue1 the ,christian minister cannot by any means so effectually counteract their designs1 as by a contrary conduct4 ,in other words1 he must labour incessantly to instruct the rising generation in the first grounds and elements of ,christianity1 contained in that excellent summary of faith and practice1 which the ,church has enjoined to be taught in its ,,catechism#dh4 ,now the uses of discharging this part of the pastoral care with persevering industry are evidently very great in respect1 #a4 ,to the ,catechumens2 #b4 ,to the congregation present at these exercises2 ,and1 #c4 lastly1 ,to the officiating clergy themselves1 the younger part of them especially4 #a4 ,the ,catechumens themselves cannot but be greatly benefited by this regimen4 ,for the intention of the ,church is1 that1 by the care of their parents1 and by means of those little schools which are set up in all places1 young children should be taught1 as soon as they are able to attend to any thing1 the ,church ,catechism4 ,and when1 by some practice in this discipline1 they can repeat it well1 they are to be sent to the ,minister of the parish1 to be by him publicly in the ,church1 at appointed seasons1 proved and examined before the ,congregation4 ,this usage being continued for some years1 not only the responses to the interesting questions in the ,catechism must be deeply infixed in their memories1 but something of the sense and meaning of what they have learned1 will be gradually apprehended by them4 ,so that1 by the time they appear before the ,bishop for ,confirmation1 if their respective masters and teachers be not wanting to them1 they must have acquired a competent knowledge of those important doctrines and precepts1 which are contained in it4 ,add to this1 that1 though at the time of learning their ,catechism their knowledge of it be not considerable1 yet it is of the highest importance that it be learnt1 and that they can readily recite it4 ,for1 this foundation being laid1 they will1 in maturer years1 and as their understandings open1 the more easily call to mind the rules of their duty1 and profit the more by any future instructions conveyed to them in sermons1 in the use of the ,liturgy1 and otherwise4 ,such will especially be the case1 if the children be accustomed1 as they should be1 to make their answers distinctly and deliberately2 and1 if the ,minister intermix some short hints and observations of his own1 tending to make the sense of those answers easy and familiar to them4 ,so much for the ,catechumens2 ,i observe1 #b4 ,further1 that the whole ,congregation present at these exercises must be specially edified by them4 ,the parents and friends of the catechized children will1 for obvious reasons1 take a lively interest in this public trial of their sufficiency4 ,they will listen themselves1 more attentively perhaps than they had ever done before1 to the questions and answers1 and will enter further into the drift and use of them4 ,nay1 the whole congregation will be put in mind of those fundamental lessons of piety1 which they had heretofore learnt and repeated themselves1 and be now capable of reflecting more deeply upon them4 ,so that the old will carry away with them much solid instruction1 while the young are training up to smaller degrees of it4 ,there is no doubt1 then1 of the benefit which the ,congregation would derive from this practice of ,catechising4 ,but it would rise still higher1 if the ,catechizers1 besides interrogating the children1 and trying their memories1 would further take this opportunity of teaching all present the momentous truths contained in this breviary3 ,i mean1 if1 during the season of ,catechizing1 they would make the several parts of the ,catechism the subject of their ,sermons4 ,and1 to induce them the rather to do this1 ,i add1 #c4 ,lastly1 that1 by exerting their industry and talents in this way1 the ,clergy themselves will derive no small use from this ,catechetical institution4 ,from the earliest times of ,christianity1 care has been always taken to provide ,confessions1 ,creeds1 and ,catechisms1 for the use of ,converts and the newly baptized4 ,these were so contrived as to contain in few words the fundamental doctrines and commands of our ,religion2 that so they night be easily understood and remembered4 ,of these summaries1 several were drawn up by our ,reformers2 and1 after some changes and improvements1 were reduced at length into our present ,church ,catechism1 the most convenient and useful1 because the simplest and shortest1 of all others4 ,all these1 whether of earlier or later date1 are well known to the ,clergy1 and without doubt are studied by them4 ,besides1 some of the most eminent of our ,divines have applied themselves particularly to write comments on these ,catechisms1 to explain their meaning more fully1 and to give the most accurate expositions of them4 ,these expositors are so numerous1 and so well known1 that ,i should scarce have mentioned the names of any1 if two of them1 ,i mean ,bishop ,pearson and ,dr4 ,barrow1 did not deserve to be specially recommended to the student in ,divinity1 for their superlative excellence4 ,now then1 by the use of our protestant ,catechisms1 and of the many learned ,commentators upon them1 the younger clergy1 as well as the more advanced1 will have such abundant materials before them1 that they may1 with no great trouble1 and with extraordinary benefit to themselves1 draw up a set of ,sermons and ,lectures to accompany their ,catechetical examinations4 ,i say with extraordinary benefit to themselves2 because it is certain that he who takes due pains to teach others1 teaches himself3 nor can the least prepared of our brethren be at a loss to furnish his mind with a competent1 indeed a sufficient1 degree of knowledge2 so as to instruct his congregation in all the ,articles of the ,church ,catechism1 that is1 in all the necessary points of ,christian faith and practice4 ,in contemplation therefore of these benefits1 ,i recommend this mode of catechizing1 and of expounding the ,catechism in occasional concomitant discourses1 to all my brethren very particularly4 ,the children will be trained up for ,confirmation in the knowledge of the first principles of their religion2 those of riper years will be confirmed in what they had before learnt2 and the teachers of both will advance their own skill and ability by this course of theological study4 ,we shall be told perhaps by some1 that this way of catechizing is the way to fill the minds of the ,catechumens with prejudices4 ,and1 without doubt1 what is taught them in this way is pre-judged for them4 ,but by whom8 ,not by weak1 or unskilful1 or dishonest persons2 but by men1 the ablest1 the most learned1 and the holiest1 that have appeared in the ,christian world4 ,such doctrines1 so derived1 and1 let me add1 clearly sanctioned by apostolic authority1 may surely deserve the name of truths1 and not of prejudices4 ,i am persuaded1 therefore1 that a ,regimen1 so reasonable and so salutary1 will recommend itself to your special notice1 as the likeliest means of putting some stop to the licentious principles of the times4 ,i will not suppose that your zeal to do good can be1 at such a juncture1 less operative1 than that of others to do mischief4 ,in a word1 by adapting a set of clear1 plain1 earnest1 and scriptural sermons to the authorized office of catechetical examination1 we shall provide1 at once1 that our ,congregations be instructed in the right way2 the way which the wisdom of the ,church prescribes2 and that we ourselves be duly qualified to impart that instruction4 ,the ,grace of our ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 and the love of ,god1 and the fellowship of the ,holy ,ghost1 be with you all4 ,amen#di4 ,,appendix3 ,,containing ,,four ,,occasional ,,tracts ,,on ,,different ,,subjects ,,and ,,occasions4 ,,occasional ,,tracts1 ,,chiefly ,,controversial4 ,,advertisement4 ,the controversial ,tracts1 which make up this ,volume1 were written and published by the ,author at different times1 as opportunity invited1 or occasion required4 ,some sharpness of style may be objected to them2 in regard to which he apologizes for himself in the words of the ,poet3 ----,me quoque pectoris ,tentavit in dulci juvent ,fervor---- ----nunc ego mitibus ,mutare quro tristia4 ,r4 ,w4 ,,remarks ,,on ,,mr4 ,,weston',s 8,,enquiry ,,into ,,the ,,rejection ,,of ,,the ,,christian ,,miracles ,,by ,,the ,,heathens40 ,,first ,,printed ,,in #agdf4 ,,advertisement ,,in #agdf4 ,the following ,remarks were drawn up within a few weeks after the publication of ,mr4 ,weston's ,book2 but without any intention of printing them at that time1 when it was conceived not unlikely that some more elaborate ,answer might come out4 ,but nothing of that kind appearing1 and it being now no longer probable that there is in fact any such design1 the ,author has been induced to review his papers1 and to give them1 with some small additions and alterations1 to the ,public4 ,how far that ,public will esteem itself obliged to him for having suppressed them thus long1 he presumes not to say2 but believes himself well intitled to the thanks of the learned ,inquirer1 as having still this merit1 that he is the ,,first who has paid his respects to him4 ,,remarks ,,on ,a ,,late ,,book1 ,,entitled1 ,,an ,,enquiry ,,into ,,the ,,rejection ,,of ,,the ,,christian ,,miracles ,,by ,,the ,,heathens4 ,,remarks ,,on ,a ,,late ,,book1 c4 ,the ,writer of the ,inquiry into the ,rejection of the ,christian ,miracles by the ,heathens#ej having1 as he is well assured#ea1 an undoubted claim to one of the two reasons for making a work public1 that what it contains ,,should be new1 and not willing that so uncommon a merit should be thrown away upon his reader1 is careful to advertise us of this point himself1 and accordingly flourishes upon it with much apparent alacrity and satisfaction through a great part of his ,preface4 ,for1 not content with this bare assertion of his claim1 he grows so elate1 as to wonder this important theme should be reserved for him#eb1 and that no sagacity of former times had been blessed in the discovery4 ,nay1 lest his very ,patron should neglect him1 or as if he suspected my ,lord might look no farther than the ,dedication1 he scruples not to mention even there the excellency of his work2 and is very frank in declaring his own good opinion of it#ec4 ,an exordium like this1 we know1 is generally inauspicious4 ,however1 it may serve to one end1 not the least considerable1 it may be1 in an author's views1 to engage the public attention4 ,for it is indeed but natural to inquire into the peculiar merit of a work that could inspire its writer with such boasts1 and fill a place in it1 till now sacred to a real or pretended modesty1 with such unusual confidence and triumph4 ,and this1 we are told1 consists in the discovery of a new solution of a difficulty about miracles#ed1 which had long perplexed the ,inquirer more than all the rest put together4 ,for1 taking into his consideration the argument for the divinity of our holy ,religion1 as arising therefrom1 he could not help thinking it extremely odd1 that such numbers of men1 for so long a time1 could reject what to ,christians in general1 and himself in particular1 seemed to be of so great weight#ee4 ,and the embarras he was under from this difficulty put him upon looking for some solution of it amongst the variety of authors on this subject1 both ancient and modern2 but to no purpose1 it seems1 till the felicity of his own genius had struck out a new route1 and led him to seek it in the low opinion which the heathens entertained of miracles4 ,and now the whole discovery is out2 and1 to say the truth1 is every way so surprizing1 that an author of less modesty than ours had assumed a still farther merit upon it4 ,for1 wherefore else should he rest in the honour of a new solution1 when the objection itself is his8 ,and surely at this time of day1 when every species of hostility has been tried1 and the whole armoury of the enemy been exhausted in the service1 it must be deemed a higher praise of invention to have furnished new arms1 than to counteract the use of them4 ,nor do ,i pay the author too great a compliment in supposing the objection his1 since he fairly owns it has always been passed over#ef1 which1 in an age like this1 when every difficulty relating to ,revealed ,religion has been sedulously urged1 and honestly examined1 is in effect saying it was never started4 ,and1 indeed1 this is so much the case1 that1 instead of dreaming of any objection from this quarter1 ,christian writers have universally agreed in representing the quick and speedy conversion of the heathen world1 as an undeniable evidence of its divinity4 ,and1 for the truth of the fact1 they appeal to the testimony of the heathens themselves complaining of the enormous growth of the new sect2 which had spread itself over at orders and degrees of men1 insomuch that their altars were neglected1 and the temples of their gods left in a manner desolate#eg4 ,nay1 the ,christian apologists1 we know1 braved them to their very face with the incredible progress of ,christianity#eh4 ,and thus1 instead of its being true1 as the ,inquirer candidly insinuates1 that there was something so exceedingly perplexed and intricate in the subject itself1 or something so critical and dangerous in the solution of it1 that it was always thought proper to be kept from view#ei1 nothing1 on the contrary1 can be more evident than that there is no difficulty to be accounted for at all2 or1 if some more forward projector should affect to make one of it1 the pretence might easily1 and without any danger1 admit a solution4 ,so that1 upon the whole 7if a dealer in novelties were not too much disgraced by so stale an allusion71 one should be apt to regard the learned writer as having been pushed on to this ,inquiry by much the same spirit as1 in an evil hour1 led the valorous ,knight of ,manca out upon his rambles4 ,for1 struck with the conceit of his own superior prowess1 and considering withal the loss the world might sustain by his not appearing in it1 he marched forth into the land of ,religious ,disputation1 in quest of adventures2 where1 finding no real objections to encounter1 he was determined however to create imaginary ones1 and so1 converting the next innocent thing he came at into a monster1 laid out his whole strength and force in the combat4 ,where too the success of the adventurers is not unlike4 ,for the difficulty1 if it be one1 is much too hard for the abilities of our ,inquirer2 as1 whatever his antagonist was1 the unlucky ,knight had always the worst of it4 ,for1 in examining the other part of the author's discovery1 his answer to the supposed objection1 we shall find that as he set out with a difficulty without grounds1 so he will salve it by a fact without proof4 ,and this1 it will be owned1 consistently enough3 for1 where a phantom only is to be engaged1 the hero but exposes himself that goes against it in real armour4 ----,frustra ferro diverberet umbras4 ,but let us hear the fact itself4 ,it is maintained then as the basis of the ,inquirer's whole work1 that the heathens in general had a very low opinion of miracles2 and that this was not put on by them to serve some particular purposes1 but was really a principle that influenced their actions on the most interesting and trying occasions#fj4 ,the ,inquirer has more than once#fa expressed his apprehensions that the novelty of his doctrine would1 at least with many of his readers1 be a prejudice against its reception2 but not once1 that ,i can find1 does he appear to have entertained any the least distrust or concern about the truth of it4 ,and yet the public will be apt to think this the fitter object of his fears4 ,for1 allowing the utmost weight and force to the several testimonies he has put together1 the whole amount of their evidence is this3--that a few particular persons1 many of them under inveterate prejudices against ,christianity1 expressed but a low opinion of miracles1 which they knew to be ,,false1 or of certain ,,real ones1 which they did not believe4 ,and where is the wonder8 ,or how has the ,inquirer1 with all his sagacity1 been able to collect a proof of the low opinion of miracles amongst the heathen in general from the unavailing evidence of such witnesses8 ,for1 is it strange that the ,roman prfects#fb were not the immediate converts of ,jesus and ,paul1 on account of the wonders said to have been done by them8 ,if the ,inquirer believes such testimonies to his purpose1 ,i will engage to furnish a long list of them1 even as many as there were unconverted heathens1 who had the means and opportunity of informing themselves of the truth of his history4 ,is it remarkable that the miracles of one impostor#fc are not spoken of with much esteem by writers1 who were not delivering the popular opinion concerning them1 and who had plainly too much sense to believe them themselves8 ,or is it so much as true1 either of him1 or the others he mentions1 that they were then negligently treated by their professed admirers and encomiasts#fd8 ,or1 were it true1 could any thing more be collected from it than that the miracles imputed to them were too trifling in themselves1 or too weakly supported1 to be believed8 ,but we have not yet done with the writer's negative testimonies4 ,for he thinks that of ,marcellinus should not be passed over2 though the most he can make of it is1 that the historian dissembles a miracle#fe wrought to the utter confusion of his ,master1 and relates an event1 which he was not at liberty to confute4 ,what comes next is indeed positive1 but still less to the writer's purpose4 ,we can scarce think him serious1 when he would urge the testimony of ,hierocles1 ,celsus1 and ,julian1 the avowed and virulent opposers of ,christianity#ff1 as an evidence of a general contempt of miracles in the heathen world4 ,nor has he better luck with his philosophers4 ,for1 is the opinion of a few atheistical speculatists#fg1 and perhaps one or two more of better fame1 of the least weight in deciding this matter2 especially when it is plain1 from the very passage referred to#fh1 that they saw through the imposture of the heathen miracles2 and rejected them merely on that account8 ,can his gyptian ,gymnosophists1 piqued1 as they were1 at the reputation of the ,indian miracles#fi1 and yet1 in effect1 confessing their esteem of them by pretending to work such themselves1 can these witnesses be thought deserving the least credit8 ,above all1 is the wonder-working ,apollonius brought in to disclaim miracles1 and that too in a passage intended only to express his contempt of some fooleries in witchcraft#gj8 ,but what the philosophers could not do for him1 the law-givers he resolves shall1 and therefore brings in a long list of sages#ga1 all of them1 as he thinks1 concurring to establish this point4 ,but how8 ,why1 in his negative way of witnessing1 in their making no pretence to miracles--that is1 as every body sees1 in their making no pretence to what they durst not counterfeit1 or did not want2 and when it is certain they did pretend to them in the only safe way of a secret intercourse and communication#gb4 ,but the cause is growing still more desperate4 ,for1 are the ,christian ,apologists to be charged with this evil principle#gc8 and that only for maintaining1 in their occasional disputes with the heathens2 what the ablest ,divines have ever done1 and still continue to maintain1 the insufficiency of miracles alone1 and if taken by themselves1 to establish the divinity of any revelation8 an opinion founded1 as it should seem1 on the express testimony of ,jesus ,christ#gd2 or1 if false1 which has not been made appear1 excusable enough in their situation1 when real miracles were owned to be in the power of evil spirits1 or when at least the general prevalency of this persuasion amongst their heathen adversaries might render it expedient for the ,christian writers to argue on the concession of it4 ,but1 ill as this treatment is1 the venerable ,apologists have no cause of complaint4 ,they share but the same fate1 as ,,one much their better4 ,for1 the dignity of the writer's witnesses1 whatever becomes of their evidence1 is still increasing#ge2 and having made free with the ,fathers of the ,church 7for ,i say nothing of his ,jews1 not only because he confesses them nothing to his purpose#gf1 but because1 if their evidence has any weight at all1 it determines the contrary way#gg71 having1 as ,i said1 made free with the ,fathers of the ,church1 he next claims the sanction of an ,apostle4 ,has then the ,inquirer one sure and certain retreat8 ,and is his novelty at last1 all spent and wearied as it is1 to elude our hopes by finding refuge in the sacred writings#gh8 ,so indeed he would persuade himself or his readers4 ,and this1 it must be owned1 is no novel practice4 ,it is ever the last expedient of a sinking cause1 when forsaken of all human help1 and fearing the just vengeance of indignant reason1 to strive to support itself by laying hold on the altar4 ,but the ,scriptures are no sanctuary for falshoods4 ,we shall therefore esteem it no irreverence to approach the holy place1 and1 as we are instructed in a like case1 to take the fugitive from it4 ,the case appears to have been this3 ,in the ,apostle's design of breaking an unchristian faction in the ,church of ,corinth1 which had arose1 it seems1 from a vain ostentation of human science1 his business was to discredit their misapplied learning with the people1 and to check the arrogance of these perverse disputers themselves4 ,to this end1 he sets himself to shew that it was not on account of any advantage of skill in human learning or eloquence that ,god was pleased to make choice of the preachers of the ,gospel2 but that1 on the other hand1 he rather chose the foolish1 i4 e4 the illiterate and uneducated1 the better to expose the weakness of human wisdom1 and to display1 with greater force1 the power and excellency of the ,cross of ,christ#gi4 ,and this1 he proceeds to observe1 is but agreeable to the general conomy of ,god's providence1 which doth not conform itself to our views of fitness or expediency2 but most commonly by the choice of such instruments and means as to us seem unfit or inexpedient1 destroys the wisdom of the wise1 and brings to nothing the understanding of the prudent#hj4 ,a remarkable example of which method of dealing with mankind1 continues the ,apostle#ha1 we have in the dispensation of the ,gospel1 introduced in such a manner1 and established by such means1 as both to ,jew and ,gentile appear absurd and unaccountable4 ,for the ,jews ask after a sign1 i4 e4 look for an outward ostentatious display of worldly power and pre-eminence going along with1 and attending on the ,messiah2 and1 under the influence of such prepossession1 make that a sign or test of his coming1 and even refuse to acknowledge his ,divine mission without it#hb4 ,whilst the ,greeks1 on the contrary1 seduced by the charms of a studied eloquence1 or inslaved to the tenets of a conceited philosophy1 require the ,gospel to be preached in agreement to their notions and prejudices2 and reject a ,redeemer1 whose method of salvation is not conformable to the conclusions of their schools1 and whose doctrine is unadorned by the graces of their learning4 ,whereas1 in fact1 proceeds the ,apostle1 our commission is to publish1 in all plainness1 a religion to the world1 fundamentally opposite to the prejudices of both4 ,for its main doctrine1 and on which hangs all the rest1 is that of a crucified ,saviour2 which therefore1 as being offensive to the fond hopes and expectations of the ,jew1 and not suited to his ideas of the ,divine power and greatness1 is to him a stumbling-block3 ,and being a method of salvation neither agreeing to their conceptions of the ,divine wisdom1 nor set off with the colours of heathen wit1 is to the ,greeks foolishness4 ,though yet it is to both these ,jews and ,greeks1 when rightly instructed in the ways of ,god's ,providence1 both the power of ,god and the wisdom of ,god#hc4 ,thus we see1 at length1 what the writer's sacred authority is come to2 which1 having no foundation but in the groundless comment a mistaken passage is thus easily overturned and confuted4 ,for from hence it appears1 that the ,apostle1 far from attesting his whimsy of the low opinion of miracles amongst the heathens1 does not so much as of ,miracles at all3 or1 if he must be made an evidence in the cause1 gives judgment against him2 as plainly enough expressing his opinion1 that it was not a contempt of miracles1 but the conceit of wisdom1 which made the great difficulty to converting the ,pagan world4 ,and now having dispersed his cloud of witnesses 7which1 unlike the sacred one it would seem to resemble1 instead of illustrating and reflecting a fuller light on the fact it surrounds1 serves only to obscure and conceal it7 having shewn1 ,i say1 if not the falshood of his fact1 at least the insufficiency of his evidence to support it1 ,i might fairly dismiss the remainder of his book without any confutation2 the following chapters1 as he tells us1 being intended to account for this fact1 which he presumes to have fully established4 ,but1 as he appears unwilling to rest the whole of his cause on the merit of so slight an evidence1 and has therefore engaged for a further confirmation of it in the following pages#hd1 it will be proper to collect in a few words1 what additional evidence may arise from that quarter3 ,and in doing this1 ,i shall think it sufficient to examine1 not his premises1 but conclusion2 and so1 leaving him in full possession of his facts1 to argue with him1 in agreement to the design of these slight sheets1 on the weight and force of his deductions4 ,and here1 #a4 ,allowing him to have proved the vanity of the heathen pretensions to miracles1 c4 iv4 v4 vi4 in the fullest sense he can wish2 and that no real wonder was ever wrought1 or oracle delivered1 by any of the numerous pretenders to either1 what will the author say is the proper inference from it8--,that therefore the heathens could not but have a low opinion of miracles8 ,that1 indeed1 would be to his purpose2 but nothing can be less supported4 ,for were not such miracles and oracles at least generally believed8 ,or1 if several impostures were detected1 does the author imagine that such detection would utterly sink the credit of all future miracles#he8 ,a writer1 so skilled in the workings of superstition1 and who appears to have taken much pains to pry into the dark corners of humanity1 ought to know1 that the passion for wonder is a foible too intimately connected with our nature to be thus easily driven out from it4 ,and the history of mankind gives the strongest confirmation of this1 in relating1 as it does1 notwithstanding the presumed effect of such discoveries1 the very ready reception1 which ,miracles have ever met with4 ,the truth is1 the ,inquirer might as well have set himself to prove the vanity of the ,popish pretension to miracles1 and then have inferred1 from the frequent detection of impostures amongst them1 that therefore the ,papists cannot but have a very low opinion of miracles4 ,this1 ,i say1 had been as logically inferred2 and yet1 ,i believe the first traveller from ,rome1 or next account he should look into of ,italy1 or ,spain1 would infallibly spoil the argument1 and confute his conclusion4 ,and1 to do the author justice1 he seems not unconscious of this1 when1 after all the learned pains he had taken to establish this point1 he allows1 that though his argument had shewn1 what little reason the heathens had to think1 that miracles had ever been wrought amongst them at all1 yet it does not of consequence follow1 that they would certainly make use of the light1 that was held out to them2 but observes1 that whether they did or not1 their esteem of miracles will be but little increased2 for if ever they were alarmed by an appearance1 which they could not tell how to account for1 or over-borne by the weight of such testimony1 as they could not tell how to invalidate1 the principle of magic was one general recourse4 #b4 ,his strong-hold1 then1 we see1 at last1 is ,magic4 ,we shall follow him therefore one step further1 and try if we cannot dislodge him from it4 ,the fact conceded to him is1 that the persuasion was pretty general in the heathen world1 that by means of magic1 that is1 of certain superstitious rites1 and sacrifices1 and by certain words and invocations of dmons1 many things could be done exceeding the power of man2 and that accordingly many seeming miracles1 wrought amongst them1 were imputed to this power of magic4 ,but then to infer from hence1 as the ,inquirer would have us1 that therefore the heathens under the persuasion of these principles1 must necessarily entertain a very low opinion of all miracles1 is sure concluding too fast4 ,for1 though ,i could admit this to be a tolerable reason for the rejection of some ,pagan miracles1 it does not1 we see1 at all affect the ,christian2 which only are1 or ought to be1 the concern of his book4 ,so that the argument1 fairly stated1 confutes itself4 ,for it stands thus3 ,the heathens conceived many miraculous appearances1 produced for some trifling or noxious purpose1 to be in the power of certain persons1 acting under the power of bad dmons#hf1 and by the means of certain magical1 and superstitious rites4--,,therefore they of necessity entertained a low opinion of all miracles1 though wrought by pawns1 claiming their power and pretensions from ,god himself1 for purposes the most momentous and benevolent1 and without the interposition of any sacrificial or superstitious rites#hg4 ,but this is not all3 ,we learn from the history of the propagation of ,christianity1 that in certain places 7and who can doubt in all where the pretended powers of magic were opposed to the genuine workings of the ,spirit of ,god87 such methods were used by ,christ and his ,apostles1 as were sufficient to manifest the difference of their miracles from those of magicians1 and to assert the divinity of their mission1 in the very judgment of the magicians themselves#hh4 ,and this1 as it seems1 always with such illustrious evidence1 as to render it inexcusable in those1 who had the opportunity of seeing and examining the difference1 to remain unsatisfied of it4 ,for ,i cannot but think it worthy the ,inquirer's regard1 though no novelty1 that the ,heathen charge of magic1 was but in other words the ,jewish accusation of ,beelzebub2 either of them the genuine result of pure unallayed malice1 and1 concerning which1 our ,saviour's determination is well known4 ,and therefore when the learned writer contends1 that the ,heathens had a low opinion of miracles in general1 on account of the supposed power and efficacy of charms1 and magical incantations1 he might with equal reason here have taken upon him to shew1 that the ,jews also had it low opinion of miracles in general on account of the supposed power of their diviners1 and sorcerers1 of which we likewise bear much amongst them1 and from their ascribing1 as we know they did1 many miraculous effects and operations to them3 an opinion1 which1 ,i presume1 the learned writer will not find it to his purpose to maintain4 #c4 ,as to the author's argument from the multiplication of the ,heathen ,gods 7which is the only remaining part of his book ,i think myself concerned in#hi7 if he means to conclude from it1 that in consequence of the multitude of pretended miracles1 flowing from such belief1 miracles themselves must of necessity lose their force1 and sink in their esteem#ij1 it is very frivolous1 and admits an easy answer4 ,for1 besides its inherent weakness of bad logic1 in concluding from a cause of possible efficiency to a certain effect1 it has the misfortune1 in common with his other reasonings on this subject1 to be confuted by plain matter of fact4 ,and1 for his satisfaction in this point1 ,i refer him once more to the case of the ,romanists2 who1 notwithstanding the multiplicity of their saints1 all of them dealers in miracles1 and swarming in such numbers as to equal1 if not exceed1 the rabble of ,pagan divinities1 do not yet appear to have contracted from thence and disrelish1 or disesteem for miracles4 ,the truth is1 the whole additional evidence arising from the main of his book in confirmation of his pretended fact1 that the ,heathens entertained a low opinion of miracles1 is so very inconsiderable1 that1 as we now see1 it hardly amounts to a bare probability4 ,for1 after all1 the reader will perhaps incline to think1 contrary to what the learned writer directs him1 that such prevalency of magic1 and multiplicity of gods1 is no bad proof of the esteem and credit1 that miracles were in amongst them4 ,at least1 'tis no unfair presumption1 that a people could not be so averse to miracles1 as the author pretends1 nor generally be possessed by a thorough contempt of them1 when1 notwithstanding the frequent detection of false miracles1 and more than one degrading solution at hand for the true1 they should yet be able to maintain their ground1 and take such footing in the popular belief1 as to be continually affording fresh occasion to imposture1 and fresh encouragement to the dealers in this traffic to practise on the wonder and credulity of mankind4 #b4 ,and whoever sets out with this surmise1 7which is apparently not ill-founded7 will find it greatly strengthened in observing1 that of all the reproaches cast upon the ,heathen world1 and of all the prejudices objected to them by the first propagators of ,christianity1 this of the contempt of miracles was not so much as once mentioned1 there not being the least hint1 or remotest intimation in the sacred writings of their labouring under any peculiar prepossession of this kind4 ,a circumstance perfectly unaccountable1 if what the ,inquirer contends for be true1 since such prepossession could not but greatly obstruct the ,apostolic labours1 and make it necessary for them to bend their first care and application that way4 #c4 ,and it raises the wonder still higher to observe1 that whilst the ,heathens escape uncensured in this respect1 the ,jews are severely rebuked for their incredulity and disregard miracles#ia2 where too1 by the very cast and turn of the reproof1 the ,heathens are to be understood as less chargeable on this head1 than the ,jews4 #d4 ,but1 what has still the worst aspect on the writer's scheme1 is1 that whilst the ,apostles are quite silent as to this charge upon the ,gentile1 nor appear once to rank it in the list of such impediments1 as retarded the conversion of the ,pagan world1 they are at the same time very express in declaring to us1 what the chief of those impediments were4 ,they in part have been already suggested#ib1 and were1 if ,st4 ,paul may be credited1 in reality1 these3 #a4 ,a conceit of superior wisdom amongst the men of letters and education#ic4 ,and1 #b4 ,the corruptions and gross idolatries of the people at large#id4 #e4 ,but what6 it will after all be asked1 ,is there then no truth in what the leaned writer has advanced concerning the ,heathen contempt of miracles2 and in particular1 is his long detail of principles and circumstances1 concurring1 as it should seem1 to produce such contempt1 utterly without all force or meaning8 ,this has no where been said2 and the contrary is what ,i am now ready to affirm4 ,for1 to do the ,inquirer justice1 it was upon the basis of a good1 old truth1 that this wondrous novelty was erected4 ,a fine writer#ie will tell us what it was4 8,we may observe10 7says he1 in accounting for the silence of ,pagan writers in respect of our ,saviour's history7 8that the ordinary practice of ,,magic in those times1 with the many pretended ,,prodigies1 ,,divinations1 ,,apparitions1 and ,,local ,,miracles amongst the ,heathens1 made them less attentive to such news from ,juda1 till they had time to consider the ,,nature1 the ,,occasion1 and the ,,end of our ,saviour's ,miracles1 and were awakened by many surprizing events to allow them any consideration at all40 ,we see here the ground-work of our author's performance1 and have determined to our hands with great accuracy1 how far his general position is true1 and to what extent the particular circumstances and situation of the ,heathens would in reality affect their opinion of miracles4 ,had the learned writer confined himself within these limits1 he would1 ,i conceive1 have had reason and history on his side1 and1 whatever alarm he may be in from the froward and contentious spirit of party in religion1 no enemies to oppose him4 ,but then this1 it must be owned1 had been saying nothing new3 ,the world had lost the benefit of a discovery1 and the author1 what of all things he would most regret1 the glory of ,,invention4 ,,the ,,opinion ,,of ,,an ,,eminent ,,lawyer1 c4 ,,first ,,printed ,,in #agea4 ,,the ,,opinion ,,of ,,an ,,eminent ,,lawyer1 ,,concerning ,,the ,,right ,,of ,,appeal ,,from ,,the ,,vice-,,chancellor ,,of ,,cambridge1 ,,to ,,the ,,senate2 ,supported by a short historical ,account of the ,,jurisdiction of the ,,university4 ,in ,answer to a late ,pamphlet1 intitled1 8,an ,inquiry into the ,right of ,appeal from the ,chancellor or ,vice-,chancellor of the ,university of ,cambridge10 c4 ,is ne erret1 moneo1 et desinat lacessere4 ,habeo alia multa1 nunc qu condonabitur2 ,qu proferentur post1 si perget ldere4 ,,by ,a ,,fellow ,,of ,a ,,college4 ,,the ,,opinion ,,of ,,an ,,eminent ,,lawyer#if1 c4 ,the dispute concerning ,appeals1 which at present engages the attention of the ,university of ,cambridge1 is apparently of such importance to the peace and welfare of that great body2 that it could not but be expected from any one1 who proposed to deliver his thoughts upon it to the world1 that he should at least have taken care to inform himself perfectly of the merits of the question1 before he presumed1 in so public a manner1 to concern himself in it4 ,it must1 therefore1 surprize the reader of a late ,inquiry into the ,right of ,appeal1 c4 to find1 that the writer of it1 whoever he be 7for as he chuses to conceal name1 ,i shall not take the liberty to conjecture of it7 should adventure to treat a matter of this consequence1 without any distinct knowledge of the state of the case itself1 or indeed without appearing to possess one single qualification1 which is required to do justice to it4 ,for the question1 discussed1 is of such a nature1 that it cannot be determined1 nor indeed tolerably treated by any one1 who hath not a pretty exact knowledge of the ,history1 ,customs1 and ,statutes1 of the ,university2 and who is not1 besides1 at least competently skilled in the ,civil and ,ecclesiastical ,laws4 ,and yet this writer1 as though nothing else was required of him1 besides a confident face1 and willing mind1 boldly undertakes to decide upon it1 under a perfect incapacity in all these respects4 ,instead of an accurate acquaintance with the ,practice and ,usages of the ,university1 it appears he had no further knowledge of them1 than what a few hasty and ill-considered extracts from the ,register had supplied him with4 ,so far is he from being conversant in the ,statutes of the ,university1 that he blunders in every attempt to explain the very easiest of them4 ,and1 as to his ,law1 he has only skimmed the surface of it for a few frothy terms1 without giving the least proof of his being possessed1 in any degree1 of the sense and substance of it4 ,this utter inability to discuss a point1 he had voluntarily undertaken1 must be thought the more extraordinary in a person1 who1 throughout the whole1 assumes an air of authority2 and though he professes modestly in his title page to enquire1 yet1 in effect1 prescribes and dictates from one end of his pamphlet to the other4 ,the tone of this disputer1 whatever becomes of his reasoning1 is all along decisive2 and he does and must insist1 as if he thought his very word of force enough to bear down all the reason and argument1 that could be opposed to him4 ,indeed the superior airs he gives himself1 on all occasions1 are not without their use4 ,for persons unacquainted1 as the generality of his readers must needs be1 with the question itself1 are readily enough inclined to believe1 that a person so assured1 cannot be so entirely ignorant of the merits of it1 as in fact he is4 ,and they who know better1 cannot but apprehend somewhat from the assumed authority of a writer1 who talks so big2 however his total insufficiency might1 in other respects1 provoke their contempt4 ,for my own part1 ,i could not help considering him as a person of eminent dignity in the ,university2 whose rank in it might give him a right to dictate to the school-boys of the place2 for so he gives us to understand1 he conceives of the ,members of the ,university ,senate#ig4 ,in pursuing my conjectures further about him1 ,i was sometimes inclined to think1 from the very reverend regard he every where professeth for the ,heads of colleges1 that he must1 himself1 be one of that illustrious body and was led to excuse the superiority of his manner from reflecting1 that a habit of governing absolutely in his own college 7for so he thinks ,heads of colleges have a right to govern#ih7 had insensibly inspired that despotic style and language1 which were so disgustful1 and had looked so ungracefully1 in any other4 ,but then1 again1 my profound respect and esteem of that venerable order1 and my actual knowledge of the great talents1 with which these reverend personages so worthily preside in their high places1 would not suffer me to imagine1 that any of their number could be so unqualified to treat a matter of a merely academical nature1 as this writer had shewn himself to be2 and especially1 as it immediately concerned their own authority1 which they so assiduously study1 and so perfectly understand4 ,on the whole1 ,i was forced to dismiss this conjecture1 as having no reasonable foundation to rest upon1 and1 in perfect civility and good manners towards a set of men1 for whom ,i have so sincere an honour1 could only conclude him1 at last1 to be some weak and shallow pedant2 unknown and uncountenanced by them2 whose vanity had done him an ill turn2 and thrust him unadvisedly on a weighty office1 which he had no warrant1 as he had no abilities1 to discharge4 ,under this opinion1 both of the writer and his performance1 which1 as the reader sees1 ,i took not up upon slight grounds1 it was not likely ,i should ever think of giving myself the least trouble about either2 much less that ,i should believe it worth the while to undertake in form1 the examination of a foolish pamphlet1 which indeed1 ,i had hardly patience enough to peruse4 ,the truth is1 it had lain for ever unnoticed by me among the rubbish1 which of late hath so oppressed the publick1 on the subject of our academical disputes2 or1 at least1 had been left for some future ,,academic to discourse of1 at his leisure2 had it not been for the ,opinions of two truly learned and respectable ,lawyers2 which the ,inquirer had thought fit to intersperse1 as a little needful seasoning1 in his insipid performance2 and which1 indeed1 give it all the real weight and authority1 it can possibly carry with it to men of sense4 ,the ,inquirer1 as supposing these gentlemen to afford some countenance to the good cause1 he is maintaining1 thinks fit1 on the mention of their names1 to drop his crest a little2 and1 in a lower tone of voice than usual1 affects to treat them even with some appearance of respect4 ,yet this he does in so aukward a manner1 as shews it was not usual or familiar to him1 to descend to such submissions2 for1 as the height of that civility1 which he was willing to express towards them1 he chuses to distinguish them only by the title of the ,gentlemen of the ,,long ,,robe4 ,what impression the idea of a sweeping train may possibly make on the phantasy of this writer1 ,i know not2 but ,i1 who am more concerned about the heads than the tails of these learned gentlemen1 should have thought it an apter compliment to have turned our attention the other way4 ,unless1 perhaps1 he was secretly conscious1 that by a little unfair dealing in the proposal of the ,queries1 in relation to which their opinions were asked1 their ,answers themselves did no real honour to the more essential part of a great lawyer1 and so far willing to pin the credit of them intirely on their gowns4 ,in plain truth this was the very case1 as will appear from the ,queries themselves1 and the ,answers2 together with a few observations1 which ,i shall beg leave to subjoin to them4 8,after stating the #db;d and #dhth of ,queen ,elizabeth's ,statues1 some circumstances of ,mr4 ,a--'s behaviour1 and that an appeal of the same nature with his was not quite unprecedented1 the two following ,queries were put1 ,inq4 p4 #bh4 8,qu4 ,i4 ,whether1 in this case1 the ,vice-,chancellor and his assessors have not acted solely under the #db;d ,statute2 de ,cancellarii ,officio2 and whether any appeal can lie against the suspension of ,a4 by virtue of that ,statute8 or whether this case must be deemed one of the caus forenses1 and of consequence subject to an appeal by virtue of the #dhth ,statute1 de ,causis ,forensibus8 8,qu4 ,,ii4 ,whether1 if in the case above stated1 the said ,a-- hath a right to appeal from his suspension2 the same right of appeal will not follow to every delinquent scholar1 who shall be punished a trifling mulct or piece of exercise by the ,vice-,chancellor80 ,after stating1 says he1 the #db;d and #dhth ,statutes1 c4 ,whence it appears1 that no other evidence was laid before the ,lawyers1 with regard to the right of appeals1 than certain extracts from ,q4 ,elizabeth's ,statutes3 ,which was not the most certain method of obtaining an accurate decision4 ,for1 though the ,queen's ,statutes alone1 as we apprehend1 afford sufficient evidence of our right1 yet they are by no means1 as will presently be seen1 the whole evidence4 ,but1 waving this consideration1 let us come directly to the ,queries themselves4 ,the first is a master-piece in its kind1 and may be of use to instruct future querists1 how to propose their doubts in the most convenient manner4 ,for instead of asking the ,lawyers1 whether the powers1 given in the #db;d ,statute1 are subject to appeal1 the question is put to them1 whether in suspending ,mr4 ,a-- they had acted under that ,statute8 ,again2 instead of inquiring whether the jurisdiction given in the two ,statutes be the same or different1 the ,query is 7on supposition of a difference7 to which class of tryals ,mr4 ,a--'s case belonged8 ,in short1 the ,lawyers were made to believe1 that this was the main point in dispute1 whether the case before them was of a criminal or 7as the ,inquirer expresses it7 of a forensic nature4 ,it would have been hard indeed if a design so well laid1 and so artfully conducted1 had failed of success4 ,accordingly1 we find both the ,lawyers expressly declaring1 that the case in question belonged to the #db;d ,statute1 and from thence seeming to infer1 that an appeal is not to be allowed4 ,answers to the ,queries4 8,to ,q4 ,i4 ,i am of opinion1 the ,vice-chancellor's authority in the case above stated is well founded by the #db;d ,statute1 de ,cancellarii ,officio1 and that the ,vice-chancellor and his assessors acted under that ,statute2 and that this case does not fall under the #dhth ,statute4 ,and ,i am of opinion that an appeal does not lie in the present case4 8,to ,q4 ,,ii4 ,this in effect is answered by what ,i have said upon the first ,question4 ,and if an appeal might be allowed in the present case1 it would be of most fatal consequence to all discipline in the ,university2 since it would take away all distinction between the two ,statutes2 and every scholar1 who should fall under any censure or punishment inflicted by the ,vice-chancellor1 might have his appeal2 and the #db;d ,statute would be entirely of no effect4 8,dec4 the #abth1 #agej4 ,w4 ,n--40 8,to ,q4 ,i4 ,upon consideration of the two ,statutes above recited1 it seems to me that the first was calculated to give a jurisdiction and power to the ,chancellor1 or1 in his absence1 to the ,vice-chancellor1 to interpose in criminal matters1 i4 e4 in matters relating to discipline3 the latter gives a jurisdiction or cognizance in civil matters1 i4 e4 matters of controversy concerning civil rights3 and therefore the first gives power1 contumaces1 c4 suspensione graduum1 carcere1 aut alio leviori supplicio judicio suo castigare3 by the latter1 power is given to determine causas et lites1 viz4 causas forenses1 for that is the title of the ,statute4 ,as to the first1 ,i think that the jurisdiction is final in the first instance3 for his power is judicio suo castigare2 and it must necessarily be so1 for immediate imprisonment seems to be one of the punishments which he may inflict against which there can be no appeal1 for it may be executed before there can be any appeal4 ,as to the other1 viz4 the civil jurisdiction1 there the statute requires speedy determinations2 but gives an appeal from his sentences in foro1 and prescribes the manner of appealing4 ,upon these principles1 ,i think that no appeal can lie1 the suspension of ,a-- being grounded1 ,i think1 on the ,statute de ,cancellarii ,officio2 and that this is not causa forensis within the latter ,statute4 8,to ,q4 ,,ii4 ,if all offences against the ,statutes are punishable by this ,statute1 the punishments for the minora1 as well as the majora delicta1 would be appealable2 which ,i think would be absurd4 ,linc4 ,inn1 ,dec4 the #acth1 #agej4 ,r4 ,w--40 ,it is seen that both these opinions rest on one common foundation1 viz4 that the #db;d ,statute gives authority in none but criminal1 the #dhth in none but civil causes4 ,now if this support shall appear to be wholly imaginary1 all that is built upon it must fall to the ground4 ,let us proceed then to examine the ,statutes themselves2 or rather simply to represent what is contained in them4 ,we shall have no occasion for nice distinctions1 or remote inferences2 the plain literal sense of the passages to be cited will overthrow at once the principle we are opposing2 will afford such an evidence as cannot be resisted1 until a method of interpreting shall be found out1 wholly independent on the received rules of ,criticism and ,grammar4 ,the #db;d ,statute is entitled ,de ,cancellarii ,officio1 and contains an enumeration of the various powers conferred on him by the ,university4 ,it gives him a right to hear and decide controversies2 to call congregations2 to give and refuse degrees2 to punish the transgressors of the ,statutes2 to see that the ,university officers do their duty2 to inflict censures on some particular sorts of offenders therein named1 in some cases with1 in others without1 the consent of the ,heads2 to give or refuse leave to ,members of the ,senate to go out of a ,congregation before it is ended1 and to impose a mulct on those who depart without leave2 to require the presence of regents and non-regents at ,congregations and ,conciones ad clerum1 and to punish the absent2 and1 lastly1 to make new ,statutes1 with the consent of the ,university4 ,now ,i think ,i may safely refer it to any reader1 whether the single design of this ,statute was to convey authority in criminal causes8 or1 whether it be not manifestly an enumeration of the various branches of the ,chancellor's power1 intended to give1 at once1 a general view of the whole8 ,if any one shall think that the administration of civil justice is not here included1 ,i must desire him to read again the very first clause4 ,cancellarius potestatem habebit ad ,,omnes--controversias--tum audiendas tum dirimendas4 ,nothing sure but the most outrageous zeal for a desperate cause can make any one affirm that the word controversias is necessarily confined to the trials of offenders4 ,but1 if not1 then the ,statute gives jurisdiction of both sorts1 in civil as well as criminal causes4 ,with as little foundation has it been asserted that the jurisdiction given in the #dhth ,statute relates only to civil causes4 ,the single ground of this assertion is the title of the ,statute1 viz4 ,de ,causis ,forensibus4 ,it happens that a certain set of men1 by endeavouring for a long time to deceive others1 have in the end deceived themselves4 ,for ,i would1 in charity1 suppose them to be sincere1 when they translate caus forenses1 causes between party and party4 ,it is true1 no such use of the words can be found in ancient authors1 or1 in what might have been more convincing to them1 modern ,dictionaries4 ,but what then8 ,admitting that a school-boy would have construed these words trials in court1 or public trials1 yet this sure cannot be alledged as a precedent to grave and wise men3 much less can it be expected they should reverence quotations drawn from heathen writers1 who had no idea at all of the ways of supporting discipline in an ,university4 ,but if the title of the #dhth ,statute will not confine the jurisdiction it gives1 what shall we say to the ,statute itself8 ,it begins with these plain words1 never afterwards restrained or limited1 ,,omnes caus et lites1 qu ad ,universitatis notionem pertinent1 tam ,procancellarii quam ,commissarii judicio subjiciantur4 ,if this clause be not general1 ,i should be glad to know whether a general clause be possible8 whether any words can be invented of sufficient extent to include trials of every sort8 ,but it is not indeed to be thought strange that the same profound critics1 who would confine omnes controversi to criminal causes1 should confine omnes caus et lites to civil causes only4 ,after all1 ,i have a good mind to give up this point1 for the sake only of trying the experiment1 what advantage can be made of it3 ,let it1 then1 be supposed that the jurisdiction given in the #dhth ,statute1 and the appeals allowed in it1 belong only to civil causes2 and let it be further supposed that the #db;d ,statute relates merely to criminal causes4 ,what will follow8 ,that the ,queen's ,statutes allow no appeals1 for that the omission in this ,statute amounts to a prohibition8 ,nothing can be wider from the truth than this conclusion4 ,for1 #ast1 the powers given to the ,chancellor may not be exercised in an arbitrary manner1 but in strict conformity to the customs and privileges of the ,university3 ,if this restriction were not always to be understood1 the ,chancellor might confer degrees by his sole power2 for no mention is made in the ,statute of the consent of the ,university4 ,the powers1 then1 here given to the ,chancellor are to be limited by the known rights of the ,senate2 and among these rights no possible reason can be given why that of appeals should not be included3 a right 7as will presently appear7 of very great antiquity1 perhaps not less ancient than the ,university itself4 #b;dly4 ,the very same clause which impowers the ,chancellor to judge omnes controversias ,scholasticorum1 that is 7as we are now to render the words7 all offences committed by ,scholars1 requires him to judge secundum jus civile et eorum privilegia et consuetudines2 and consequently to judge not finally1 but under an obligation of having his sentence re-examined on an appeal made to the ,university4 ,there is another argument in ,mr4 ,w--'s opinion1 which seems indeed at first sight1 to be more specious4 ,he observes that the ,chancellor is to punish contumacy and some other offences judicio suo1 and seems to think these words might be intended to prevent appeals4 ,but the learned person must excuse my differing from him also upon this head4 ,the ,queen's ,statute ,de ,off4 ,cancell4 is copied1 with some alterations1 from a ,statute upon the same subject in the first collection1 she gave the ,university2 as that was verbatim from one of ,king ,edward's4 ,in this ,statute the ,chancellor was empowered to punish judicio suo et assensu majoris partis prfectorum collegiorum2 that is1 he was appointed judge1 they assessors4 ,but the latter ,statute of ,queen ,elizabeth distinguished these punishments into two sorts1 regard being had to the importance of the punishments themselves1 and to the rank and condition of the offender4 ,in causes of less moment1 and towards offenders of inferior rank1 the ,chancellor was to proceed judicio suo2 in others1 non sine consensu prfectorum collegiorum4 ,these two clauses being so manifestly opposed1 we cannot surely mistake1 if we interpret the former by his sole judgment1 or by his single authority2 and suppose that nothing further was intended than to enable him to pass sentence1 without#ii the concurrence of the ,heads2 a circumstance which will never shew that his decision ought to be final4 ,there is one point more in which ,i cannot help dissenting from the gentleman last named4 ,he seems to think there can be no appeal from a sentence of imprisonment2 because such sentence is to be executed immediately4 ,but ,i need not observe to so good a judge1 that an appeal apud acta may suspend this execution2 and he has not favoured us with his reasons why this manner of appealing may not be allowed 7as it always has been allowed7 in the ,university4 ,as to the second ,query1 it is a doubt altogether superfluous2 and seems to have been proposed for no other reason than to obtain opinions concerning the expediency of appeals2 which is not surely a point of law4 ,the learned gentleman1 who has declared his sentiments on the question1 must therefore pardon us if we do not receive them with the same deference1 as if the subject had fallen within the proper limits of his profession4 ,but ,i think it unnecessary to dwell any longer on these ,queries1 or the ,answers to them2 since it is clear that the learned persons were abused by a partial and unfair representation of the case2 of which had they been fully informed1 as they should have been1 by laying before them a just view of the question in debate1 and by furnishing them with the proper materials for decide upon it2 there is no reason to doubt that persons1 so eminently qualified to judge of all disputes of this nature1 would have given much more satisfactory opinions about it1 and such as the ,university might safely admit1 as decisive in the present case4 ,and ,i think myself authorized to say this the more confidently1 as it luckily happens that the proper ,queries concerning this very point were1 some years ago1 put more honestly by a very excellent person1 at that time ,vice-chancellor of the ,university2 and therefore answered very differently by the greatest ,lawyer#ajj of this or any age2 from whose decision though there lies an appeal1 yet his sentence never was1 as indeed no good man had ever cause to wish it should be1 reversed4 ,these ,queries1 together with the ,answer of this great person to them1 ,i purpose laying before the ,reader1 as a full and perfect confutation of all that has been yet advanced against the right of appeal to the ,university2 and carrying with it more authority than any thing which the most knowing academical advocate could possibly say for it4 ,but1 that the reader may come the better prepared to judge of the merits of his determination1 and as some further support to it1 for the satisfaction of such as are unacquainted with the state of the case itself1 ,i have judged it not improper1 in the first place1 to draw together a brief historical account of the jurisdiction of the ,university2 collected from authentic monuments1 which are well known to such as are versed in academical matters2 and which1 if there shall be occasion1 will be produced at large in a more proper place4 ,the ,university of ,cambridge was possessed of a jurisdiction over its own members1 as clerici1 many years before any was granted to it by charter from the ,crown4 ,this jurisdiction1 being ecclesiastical1 seems to have been originally derived from the ,bishop of the diocese4 ,the causes cognisable by the ,university were chiefly causes of correction2 the rule of proceeding in the ,court was the ecclesiastical law1 and ,statutes of their own making1 consonant to that law4 ,the censures inflicted upon offenders were either ecclesiastical1 viz4 excommunication1 suspension1 c4#aja or such as were appointed by the ,statues for particular crimes2 and the names of places1 offices1 pleaders1 the same as are used in ,ecclesiastical ,courts to this day4 ,this jurisdiction was not usually exercised by the ,university in its collective capacity4 ,but a particular officer was empowered to exercise it1 under the name of ,chancellor2 who as official#ajb1 acted by an authority derived to him from the ,university1 was accountable to them for the use of it1 and liable to have his acts annulled at their discretion2 every person who thought himself aggrieved by the ,chancellor being at liberty to apply to the ,body for redress4 ,when an ,appeal was brought before the ,university1 they usually authorized ,delegates to hear and judge it1 as was agreeable to the practice in other ,ecclesiastical ,courts4 ,the jurisdiction here described was not originally independent2 for no academical decision appears to have been final4 ,an ,appeal always lay from the judgement of the ,university by their ,delegates to the ,bishop of the diocese1 till the ,university was exempted from his authority1 and their jurisdiction made final by ,royal ,charters1 confirmed by ,act of ,parliament4 ,in the reign of ,henry ,,iii4 attempts were made to carry ,appeals directly from the ,chancellor to the ,bishop1 and so to pass over the ,appeal to the ,university1 which ought to have been an intermediate step4 ,but ,hugh de ,balsam1 ,bishop of ,ely 7the founder of ,peter-,house71 by a rescript1 dated ,dec4 #abfd1 entirely frustrated all such attempts4 ,hitherto1 the ,appeals to the ,university had been from causes of correction and censure4 ,the ,university was not as yet possessed of jurisdiction in civil causes4 ,scholars were first allowed to implead the burgesses and other laics of the town of ,cambridge1 in all kinds of personal actions1 before the ,chancellor of the ,university1 anno #cc ,ed4 ,i4 ,from that time1 the ,university began to acquire a civil jurisdiction1 which1 by degrees1 was inlarged and established by grants from the ,crown in succeeding reigns4 ,and now1 in consequence of this jurisdictions1 ,appeals were extended from criminal to civil causes4 ,accordingly1 in a rescript of ,simon de ,montacute1 ,bishop of ,ely1 which bears date #af cal4 ,april1 anno #acda1 there is express mention of ,appeals to the ,university in causes of both kinds4 ,for the design of this rescript is to commission the ,university to determine finally in all civil causes1 without a further ,appeal to his ,court2 and to prevent frivolous and vexatious ,appeals from the ,university to him in criminal causes1 by laying the ,appellant under the obligation of an oath4 ,this addition of civil power did by no means abrogate or lessen the spiritual4 ,we find1 in the reign of ,hen4 ,,vi4 that all sorts of ecclesiastical authority were adjudged to belong to the ,university1 by the ,prior of ,barnwell1 the ,pope's delegate2 and it was then made appear1 that all these branches of power had both been claimed and exercised time out of mind4 ,it is certain1 the probate of wills hath at all times belonged1 and still belongs1 to the ,university4 ,the power of excommunication was exercised as late as the reign of ,hen4 ,,viii4 and the power of absolution is exercised at this day4 ,this ceremony is constantly performed on the concluding day of each term4 ,and here1 to observe it by the way1 gentle ,reader1 a goodly and reverend spectacle it is1 to behold the spiritual ,head of our ,university spreading his paternal hands1 like another ,pope1 over his erring and misguided flock1 who1 in all humility1 receive his ghostly absolution on their knees4 ,it is true1 the new objects of litigation1 introduced by the royal charters1 occasioned an alteration in the ,law of the ,university4 ,for the ecclesiastical laws did not suffice for the decision of controversies about civil rights1 particularly contracts between scholars and townsmen1 and breaches of the peace4 ,from the time1 therefore1 that these new causes came before the ,chancellor1 to the reign of ,edward ,,vi4 his ,court was directed1 as our ,spiritual ,courts are now1 by a mixed kind of law1 made up of canon and civil law#ajc4 ,yet this must not be understood without restriction4 ,for the ,university1 like other corporations1 had all along a power of making local ,statutes2 and not unfrequently particular usages acquired the force of ,statutes1 from long continuance4 ,but whatever changes were made1 either by express ,statute1 or in consequence of a more extended jurisdiction1 the practice of appealing from the ,chancellor to the ,university still continued2 only1 as was observed1 with this difference1 that it now was allowed in civil1 as before it had been in criminal causes4 ,the right of appeal which then subsisted received a fresh confirmation from the ,statutes made by the ,university itself4 ,in these ,statutes the right is not only referred to and presupposed1 but directions are given in regard to the manner of exercising it#ajd2 which directions1 till cancelled by succeeding ,statutes1 established the right as effectually as if it had been originally introduced by ,statute4 ,the times when many of these ,statutes were made cannot be fixed2 but it is certain they were collected and transcribed into the ,proctors' books between the year #adij and #aejj4 ,in the reign of ,edward ,,vi4 a body of new ,statutes was given in a ,visitation under an ecclesiastical commission2 which enjoined1 among other things1 that the jurisdiction of the ,university should be directed by the ,civil ,law2 that is1 as every one understands1 a mixture of the ,civil and ,canon ,law2 or what ,oughten calls ,jus ,ecclesiastico-,civile2 the same which prevails in all ,ecclesiastical ,courts to this day4 ,and1 in the first year of ,queen ,elizabeth1 ,statutes were again given to the ,university in a ,visitation under a like commission2 which were almost an exact transcript of those before given in the reign of ,edward ,,vi4 ,the right of appealing from the ,chancellor to the ,university received no alteration from these ,statutes4 ,for there is no change in either of them by which such ,appeals are forbidden or even restrained4 ,accordingly1 the practice appears to have continued to the time when ,queen ,elizabeth gave her second body of ,statutes 7under the broad seal indeed1 but not by ,visitors under ecclesiastical commission71 which was in the year #aegj4 ,what alterations have been made by these1 or by the practice of later times1 remains to be considered4 ,it is plain from several passages in ,queen ,elizabeth's new ,statutes1 that many of the ancient ,statutes and customs of the ,university were designed to be continued2 and in ,stat4 #ej we have a direction given1 by which we may understand what ,statutes and customs were to be preserved1 and what not4 ,those only she declares to be taken away1 qu ,scripturis ,sacris1 institutis nostris1 istis ,statutis adversari videbuntur2 of which number the practice of appealing from the ,chancellor to the ,university was not one4 ,there is1 besides1 the less reason to imagine this practice was abolished1 because1 in ,stat4 #db1 the ,queen requires all causes to be heared and determined secundum jus civile2 and in her ,charter to the ,university1 confirmed by act of ,parliament1 secundum leges et consuetudines suas1 ante tunc usitatas1 which1 as appears1 were agreeable to the ,civil ,law4 ,this law allows ,appeals in cases of correction and censure2 and therefore it is certain that ,appeals were allowed by ,queen ,elizabeth4 ,indeed1 nothing but a clear and express prohibition could make us imagine1 that the right of appealing1 a right of particular importance1 was designed to be either wholly abolished1 or restrained only to civil causes4 ,and such prohibition1 had it been the ,queen's intention to forbid ,appeals in any case1 might the rather have been expected1 as1 in the #dhth ,stat4 where several directions are given concerning ,appeals1 one ancient usage of the ,university#aje in relation to them is expressly forbidden3 nec secunda provocatio omnino admittatur4 ,yet she gives not the least hint of restraining ,appeals to any particular sorts of causes2 which surely were an unaccountable omission in this place1 had she actually intended to lay them under any such restriction4 ,and1 indeed1 it is evident from a ,,ms4 of unquestioned authority1 that neither the ,body of the ,university1 nor the ,heads themselves 7some of them supposed to have been concerned in compiling the ,statutes71 had the least imagination of such restraint4 ,what ,i mean is1 a ,,ms4 in ,c4 ,c4 ,c4 ,library1 containing some ,complaints of several of the ,body of the ,university1 in the year #aegb1 against ,queen ,elizabeth's second edition of ,statutes1 and the ,answers of the ,heads1 c4 ,one of their complaints is the frustrating ,appellations1 by transferring the power of nominating ,delegates from the ,proctors1 in whose hands it was before lodged1 to the ,caput2 and by encreasing the forfeit of ,appeals1 from a very inconsiderable sum to #bjs4 with an addition of #bs4 to be paid to the ,proctor2 an expence which1 as was then urged by the ,body1 would prevent poor scholars injured from the benefit of appealing1 having not so much money4 ,what1 now1 is the answer of the ,heads to this complaint8 ,why1 that1 for the stay of the quietness of the ,university1 it was necessary to lay ,appeals under these restrictions4 ,not a syllable is said against the right of appeal itself in any case2 though the complainants had expressly set forth the importance of having ,appeals unincumbered by these limitations1 for the redress of wrongs in general4 ,nay1 the wrongs they apprehended are even specified2 such as punishments of a regent in the regent-house1 for modestly asking a question2 or of a disputer1 for modestly disputing2 which1 if we are to call them causes at all1 are surely causes of correction4 ,nay1 so far are these ,statutes from prohibiting ,appeals1 that they have actually given the strongest sanction to this practice1 by admitting the right in very general terms1 and prescribing rules for the exercise of it4 ,stat4 #dh4 ,the subsequent practice till of late years cannot now be known1 either from the neglect or corruption of the ,university ,registers1 who have not taken care to record the proceedings before ,courts of ,delegates4 ,only a few loose papers have been accidentally preserved1 from which it appears that ,appeals were allowed in civil causes1 and there is no reason to imagine they were discontinued in causes of correction1 as no distinction was made by the ,statutes on trials between civil and criminal causes4 ,but if it were true in fact1 that no ,appeals had been heared between #aegj and #agbe1 in causes of correction and censure1 yet this would not affect the right1 any more than the want of ,appeals from a censure of a peculiar sort would render that single kind of censure unappealable4 ,for1 a right extending to various particulars will not surely be lessened from want of opportunity or inclination to exercise it in every one of them4 ,and such disuse would be the less strange in the instance before us1 because the discipline of the ,university hath been chiefly supported by censures inflicted in particular ,colleges4 ,little of this business is left to the ,vice-chancellor2 and they who know the ,university1 and wish well to it1 will not1 perhaps1 desire to see more of it in his hands4 ,if the supposed disuse of ,appeals in criminal causes shall yet be thought to have abolished the right1 the opinion now to be produced will at once remove such suspicion2 even though it should not be insisted1 as it may1 that this pretended prescription itself is already destroyed1 by three instances of ,appeals in causes of correction1 the first of them in the year #agbe4 ,but1 before ,i proceed any further1 ,i would beg leave to make one general observation on what hath been now advanced4 ,it is this3 ,a great ,civilian had expressly affirmed1 8that ,appeals are always admitted in those ,courts where the civil and ecclesiastical ,laws are in force1 where penance1 suspension1 deprivation1 or any censure is inflicted as the punishment of a fault#ajf40 ,to all which the writer of the ,inquiry gives his entire assent3 ,the observation1 says he1 is undoubtedly just4 ,now the capable and impartial reader is left to judge1 whether it be not most evident1 from the facts here offered to his consideration1 that the jurisdiction of the ,university is1 in the properest sense of the word1 ,ecclesiastical2 and further1 whether the ,civil and ,ecclesiastical ,laws be not of force in the ,university ,court4 ,the dispute then is brought to a short issue4 ,appeals are1 by the full consent ,of the ,inquirer himself1 to be admitted4 ,i come now to the ,,opinion itself2 of which ,i will only say1 further1 that it was not given by the great person hastily or negligently1 but with all the care and deliberation which so important a matter deserved3 as is clear1 not only from his diligence in calling for and inspecting the ,commissary's ,patent1 which1 he clearly saw1 was of moment to the determination1 but from the time he took to consider it4 ,for the ,queries appear to have been put some time before ,christmas2 and this ,opinion bears date the #ahth of ,march following4 ,qu4 ,i4 8,whether ,appeals to ,delegates by the ,statute de causis forensibus are restrained to civil causes1 in which two parties are litigant80 ,ans4 ,the ,statute de causis forensibus is penned in such general terms1 that ,i think the ,appeal to ,delegates thereby allowed cannot be restrained to civil causes only1 wherein two parties are litigant1 but doth extend to causes of correction and censure2 the rather because the ,appeal from the ,commissary to the ,vice-chancellor is given in the same clause1 and in the same manner1 with the ,appeal from the ,vice-chancellor to ,delegates2 and the words of the ,commissary's ,patent extend as well to causes of correction and censure as to civil causes4 ,now there can be no doubt but that an ,appeal lies from the ,commissary to the ,vice-chancellor in all cases4 ,the entry in ,mr4 ,tabor's ,register imports that1 even in causes of correction1 an ,appeal lies from the sentence of the ,vice-chancellor1 when he doth not act jointly with the major part of the ,heads of houses4 ,qu4 ,,ii4 8,whether by the ,statute de ,cancellarii officio1 which binds the ,vice-chancellor to proceed secundum jus civile1 an ,appeal to ,delegates can now lie in a criminal cause against a prescription of #bjj years to the contrary1 excepting only the case of ,campbell1 anno #agbe80 ,answ4 ,there can be no prescription in this case1 because the question depends on ,statutes1 given within such a space of time1 as the ,law calls1 time of memory4 ,qu4 ,,iii4 8,in case the ,delegates should receive an ,appeal1 from the ,vice-chancellor's court in a cause of this kind1 and cite the ,vice-chancellor to appear before them1 what the ,vice-chancellor should do8 ,whether appear before them1 and appeal from the sentence of the ,delegates to his ,majesty in council2 or not appear1 but apply immediately to his ,majesty by petition2 praying a prohibition1 to stop the proceedings of the ,delegates80 ,answ4 ,supposing that there is a right of appealing to ,delegates1 from the sentence of the ,vice-chancellor1 in a cause of correction or censure1 no authority can be interposed to stay the ,delegates from proceeding4 ,but if the ,delegates should not have a jurisdiction1 his ,majesty in council cannot grant a prohibition to them3 and if upon an incident of this kind1 the ,vice-chancellor should think fit to bring the point to a judicial determination2 the only proper method1 is by applying to some of the courts at ,westminster1 for a prohibition to the ,delegates proceeding4 #ah ,march #agcj4 ,the reader sees1 by this determination1 that the question turns entirely upon this point2 whether1 supposing there had been no ,appeals in cases of discipline from the year #aegj to #agbe1 as is asserted1 but without proof1 the intermission of the exercise of this right for so long a space1 could amount to a legal abolition of it4 ,to which the great ,lawyer1 whose ,opinion has been recited1 replies expressly1 ,,no4 ,if any should then ask1 what evidence there is of such a right subsisting at that time8 ,besides the ,statutes themselves1 insisted on in the ,opinion1 ,i can now refer him to the brief hints which compose the preceding account of the jurisdiction of the ,university2 and which the reader may be assured1 are advanced on the best grounds4 ,much more might1 indeed1 have been said2 for what ,i have thought fit to deliver at present on the subject1 is but a small part of that evidence1 which can and will be produced1 if it be found expedient to do it4 ,in the mean while1 ,i may well excuse myself from this trouble4 ,for to talk further on these matters to a person1 who appears so wholly ignorant of the ,history of the ,university1 as the ,inquirer1 were a vain waste of time2 and to take the pains of confuting particular objections1 founded on that ignorance1 a still vainer4 ,only ,i will condescend to put him in mind of one essential defect in his argument which runs through his whole pamphlet4 ,it is1 that he all along goes on the supposition1 that the express authority of ,statute1 is required to make good the claim to ,appeals4 ,and he therefore very idly lays out his whole strength1 in attempting to prove1 that no such express authority is to be found1 either in the old or new ,statutes4 ,i own1 ,i could not but smile1 at first1 to observe the ,inquirer addressing himself1 with so much importance1 to this task4 ,but1 when afterwards ,i came to consider1 the labour and difficulty1 with which he was forced to make his way1 for this wise purpose1 through the discouraging 7for so ,i presently saw1 he found them to be7 of the old ,statutes1 ,i could not1 upon second thoughts1 but pity his unnecessary sufferings about them2 and was even tempted in my own mind1 to blame the waggery of the ,fellow of a ,college1 whose request had drawn him into all this trouble1 and who1 to divert himself with him1 had plainly put him on so wrong a scent4 ,the truth is1 ,i could not think this usage fair in his good friend1 to request him to draw out his sentiments1 on such a point2 especially1 as he tells us1 his time was so precious1 and that he had so little of it to spare1 amidst the variety of his necessary avocations#ajg4 ,it had1 surely1 been more kind to inform him at once1 as ,i shall have the goodness to do1 that no body1 who understood the matter in debate1 ever pretended to found the right of ,appeal on express ,statute2 it being well known1 that the right stands entirely on the nature of our jurisdiction2 in consequence of which1 there has been a continued immemorial practice of appealing in the ,university2 supposed indeed1 and admitted in both the old and new ,statutes1 and authorized by the prescription of various rules1 for the exercise of it2 but neither expressly commanded1 nor prohibited in either4 ,and now1 having done this act of charity towards the ,inquirer1 which may prevent his future pains1 in puzzling and perplexing himself with the study of the old ,statutes2 ,i shall have reason to expect1 in return1 his good leave to expostulate with him pretty freely on the use1 he proceeds to make of this unhappy blunder4 ,for1 plumed with the vain conceit of the ,university's resting their claim on the sole express authority of ,statute1 he goes on1 to insult so considerable a body of men1 in the most opprobrious manner2 as guilty of the most absurd and irreverent behaviour1 as well towards our illustrious ,chancellor himself1 as the ,vice-,chancellor1 and his brethren1 the ,heads of ,colleges4 ,what ,i mean1 is in relation to the ,grace1 which the assertors of the right of appeal thought fit to propose1 in order to refer the decision of this point to the arbitration of the ,senate4 ,he harangues1 for several pages1 on what he calls1 the irregularity and indecency of this proceeding2 and affects besides1 to cavil at the substance of what was proposed in it4 ,but1 good ,sir1 where was the irregularity of the ,senate's presuming to confirm1 by their own authority1 a right1 essential to their constitution1 authorized by immemorial prescription2 and which no single ,statute1 they act under1 in any degree contradicts8 ,or1 where was the indecency of opposing the exercise of that power in the ,vice-,chancellor1 which is inconsistent with the very nature of our jurisdiction2 for which1 he can plead the sanction of no ,statute2 and of which he was never rightfully possessed8 ,as to the ,grace itself1 the substance of what it proposed1 was to this effect3 8,that the right of appeal1 from the sentence of the ,vice-,chancellor to the ,university in all cases1 should be confirmed to every member of the ,university2 but that this right1 with regard to persons in statu pupillari1 should be exercised only by the tutor of each person1 interposing in his name40 ,this1 it seems1 gives great offence to the ,inquirer2 who1 in his tender concern for the authority of the supreme magistrate1 is perfectly shocked1 to think of the consequences of such a right being acknowledged2 and is prophet enough to foresee1 that it would bring the lowest disgrace upon his office1 by warranting the arraignment of him1 as he puts it1 before ,delegates1 upon no very important occasions#ajh4 ,but his fears are as groundless1 as the insinuation1 which he labours to convey under them1 is impudent and unjust4 ,for1 though an appeal be claimed ab omni gravamine utcunque illato 7which sure is nothing but reasonable1 as the ,statutes make no distinction1 and the practice1 as well as ,law of the ,university1 equally authorizes ,appeals in every case7 yet1 why should he throw himself into this unseasonable panic1 when all frivolous and vexatious ,appeals are expressly provided against1 by a considerable pecuniary caution1 and when the ,delegates themselves are1 in effect1 of the supreme magistrate's own appointment#aji8 ,would the members of the ,senate1 does he think1 appeal from any judicial sentence1 though ever so just and statutable1 on no very important occasion1 when a certain expence is necessarily incurred1 and when there could not be the least hopes of redress8 ,or1 would any tutor can he imagine1 who has a character to maintain1 and who is not less concerned to support good order and discipline1 than the supreme magistrate himself1 interpose his claim of ,appeal for his pupil1 without1 at least1 some fair and reasonable grounds8 ,but the insinuation1 as ,i observed1 is still more impudent1 than his apprehensions are groundless4 ,for what he would covertly signify under this impertinent sollicitude for the honour of the supreme magistrate1 is1 that the ,delegates1 who are the representatives of the collective body of the ,university1 are unworthy to take cognizance in any case of the acts of their officer#aaj3 ,nay1 that the members of the ,senate itself are a company of factious1 disorderly1 licentious boys2 who are impatient of any authority themselves1 and would be sure to concur in all cases to countenance the irregularities of one another1 or of the youth of the place2 by setting them loose from all restraint1 which the ,statutes and discipline of the ,university have provided against them4 ,there is something so outrageously insolent in this abuse of the body of the ,university2 a body consisting of three or four hundred persons2 the youngest of which is of the degree of ,master of ,arts2 almost all of them clergymen2 and the greater part of equal age1 and it may therefore be presumed of equal prudence1 as many of the ,heads themselves2 that ,i should be cautious of charging it upon him1 if he had not expressed himself in terms too clear to be mistaken4 ,for he has the assurance to advance in so many words1 that 8if the person who apprehends himself to be aggrieved1 may happen to be a member of the ,senate1 and1 as such1 may possibly bear with indignation the thought of having any part of his conduct judicially animadverted upon2 if it be further considered1 that his particular friends and acquaintance may possibly think the same in his case1 and that all the advocates for1 and the warm assertors of independency will be sure to think so in every case1 ,i do and must say1 c40 ,and1 again1 in the words of the very provident ,mr4 ,tabor1 a little doting registrary of the ,university1 a century or two ago2 whose mumpings this writer has the confidence to oppose1 to the united sense of the ,university1 at this day3 8,what dangerous cure does that state hazard1 when for the sullen distemperature of one active member1 the ruling head must bleed1 that suffereth enough otherwise2 and all the discontented parts of the body must sit in judgment on it2 nay when ,sense must disapprove or disallow the acts of ,reason8 ,if this ,appeal be suffered and countenanced to pass current1 farewell the power of ,chancellor and ,vice-chancellor2 my young masters of the regent house will and must judge1 examine1 and rule all2 yea1 their censures or judgments must stand or be disallowed at their will and pleasure4 ,good ,sir6 by all means labour to smother this ,hydra2 it will have more heads than we shall overcome1 and breed a greater mischief than we are aware1 in these times of liberty and discontent#aaa40 ,such are the sentiments of this forward ,inquirer of the ,senate of the ,university of ,cambridge3 sentiments1 which must needs create in the breast of any man of sense1 who is a mere stranger to us1 the strongest resentment2 and for his public declaration of which1 were the author known and considerable enough1 he would judge him to deserve the severest censure1 the ,university has it in its power to inflict4 ,but what must those think1 who have an opportunity of knowing the characters of the men1 whom he thus vilely traduces8 ,almost all of them fellows of colleges1 many of them tutors1 whose sobriety and good behaviour have recommended them to places of trust and profit in their respective colleges3 ,men1 who are under the obligation of oaths1 to maintain and promote statutable discipline1 and regularity2 who are trained in the habit of restraining and correcting academical disorders of all kinds2 and whose situations and interests require them to be as watchful to support just authority and good order1 at least1 as the ,heads of ,colleges1 or the officers of the ,university themselves4 ,and the censure is the more grievous at this time of day1 when1 by the confession of the partizans of the ,heads themselves#aab1 extorted by the very evidence of fact and truth1 there never was a time in which the elder part of the ,university were more sober1 temperate1 and regular2 when fewer excesses of any kind were chargeable on the fellows of colleges2 or1 indeed1 when they were more prudent and exemplary1 in their behaviour1 in all respects4 ,but the charge is not only unjust1 but has a direct tendency to discredit and destroy that reasonable authority in the ,university1 which this prater1 if he means any thing by his talk1 would seem ambitious to support4 ,for how is the great affair of education and good government in this place to be carried on1 but by means of those very persons1 whom he would represent in so ignominious a light8 ,for1 certainly1 how much soever the ,university may owe to the ,heads of ,colleges1 in their capacity of legislators1 yet1 for the execution of those laws which it seemeth good to their wisdoms to enact1 they must still depend on the concurrence1 ,i had almost said1 on the sole authority of their inferiors4 ,and how shall such authority be kept up1 when they are thus upbraided1 as abettors of every act of licence2 and represented to the younger part of the ,university1 as patronizers of that ungoverned independent spirit1 which it is their office to restrain8 ,nor can ,i think so ill of the policy of these great lawgivers1 as to believe that they will chuse to concur with this officious ,inquirer1 in representing them in such a light4 ,for what will become of that balmy ease and quiet1 in which these sovereign guides of youth so delight to wrap themselves1 if the care of government must1 after all1 devolve on their shoulders2 when a course of injurious calumnies shall have disabled their subordinate ministers from taking their place1 and bearing1 as at present they most commonly do1 the full weight of it8 ,but to return to the ,grace itself1 from which this reviler's treatment of the whole body of the ,university has a little diverted me4 ,he labours much1 as ,i observed1 to impress on the reader's mind the opinion of the frightful consequences with which a right of ,appeal in all cases would be attended2 and to give a sanction to these fears1 he alledges the authority of the learned gentlemen of the long robe1 who1 it seems1 have pointed out the absurdity of such a practice1 and the pernicious effects of it#aac4 ,but what is all this tragical declamation to the purpose8 ,where is the sense1 as ,i before asked1 in supposing the ,university ,senate would concur in every attempt of its idle and disorderly members to get themselves relieved from a deserved and statutable censure8 ,or1 how should those learned gentlemen1 whose robe he still hangs upon1 be better able to judge of the expediency of this practice than the ,senate of the ,university itself8 ,indeed he thinks the absurdity of this right of calling the supreme officer of the ,university to account for his judicial determinations the more glaring1 in as much as1 even in private colleges1 no act of discipline of the ,head1 he fancies1 was ever liable to be reversed by any of the subordinate members3 nay1 he is persuaded that his good friend1 the ,fellow of a ,college1 for whose instruction all this is designed1 were he even authorized to new model the ,statutes of his own ,college1 would not chuse to vest in his brethren the ,fellows such a power of controuling the acts of the ,master#aad4 ,what the ,colleges are which are here glanced at1 and which leave the ,master full power to exercise every act of discipline without controul1 the ,inquirer himself best knows4 ,for my part1 ,i have always understood that acts of censure in all private societies1 such acts ,i mean as are of consequence to the reputation and interests of their members1 are not left to the caprice of the ,master1 but are passed by the joint authority and concurrence of the ,society itself2 unless1 perhaps1 ,i am to except one little ,college1 in which1 it is said1 the ,master claims to himself this sovereign and uncontroulable authority4 ,but1 then1 this is no fair precedent4 ,for the members of the ,college have nothing to apprehend from a licentious and wanton abuse of such power2 as well on account of the known candour1 equity1 and moderation of the worthy president of that society1 as for that a few exertions of it would leave him no subjects to preside over4 ,but1 whatever may be the case of this one foundation1 the despotic form is not1 ,i believe1 statutable in any other4 ,nay1 the authority of the fellows to controul the acts of their ,head in some ,colleges1 ,i have been told1 goes so far1 that they are even impowered1 in case of an utter inability 7such as may arise from extreme folly1 dotage1 or the like7 to govern prudently1 to remove him forthwith from his place4 ,and surely this must be deemed a wise and sober institution2 at least1 were ,i authorized to new model the ,statutes of any ,college which wanted it1 it is such an one as ,i should certainly chuse to vest in it4 ,but there is one circumstance in the ,grace which1 it seems1 provokes his more especial dislike4 ,and1 unluckily1 it is one which any other1 who considered the tenor of it1 would be likely enough more especially to approve2 as shewing the singular moderation and good temper of the persons who proposed the ,grace1 and as studiously contrived to prevent all imaginable abuses of it4 ,it is1 that the right of undergraduates to appeal should be exercised no otherwise than by the interposition of their tutors#aae4 ,a provision of great prudence2 and which the proposers of the ,grace1 in their concern to support authority and just government1 purposely made to obviate the only abuses that could be possibly apprehended from it4 ,for1 if the wanton exercise of the right to appeal were to be feared from any quarter1 it certainly must be from the inferior members2 whose youth and inexperience might make them forward to appeal from any censure1 however reasonable1 and of which1 therefore1 the tutor of the person censured1 who is under all the ties of interest and duty to act discreetly and warily1 is left to judge4 ,yet this provision1 wise and moderate as it is1 appears to the ,inquirer extremely strange2 because1 by means of such a limitation1 a tutor might prevent his pupil from appealing in any case1 though the supreme ,magistrate of the ,university would be empowered to prevent it in none4 ,as if the judge who passed the sentence1 and was therefore concerned to support it1 were as fit to determine1 whether the party aggrieved should have the liberty to appeal from it1 as an indifferent person who had no concern at all in it4 ,nay1 the tutor1 as was observed1 would be obliged1 by a regard to his own authority and character1 and 7,i would add1 but that the ,inquirer is pleased to make no account of that obligation#aaf7 by the religion of an oath1 to proceed with all imaginable caution in advising him to such a step4 ,in every view1 then1 this objection to the ,grace must appear very unaccountable4 ,and the rather1 when the reader understands that this clause was1 with the greater readiness and pleasure1 inserted into it1 as this ,vice-chancellor himself1 whose goodness and candour require no encomiums of mine1 had intimated1 and even declared1 that a provision of this kind was all the restriction upon the liberty of appealing which he wished to see made to it4 ,for this excellent person was so much convinced of the propriety and expediency of this claim in general1 that he very frankly professed his approbation of it1 and only wanted to secure his authority1 where indeed the only danger lay1 from a torrent of ,appeals1 which1 as he apprehended1 might pour in upon him from the younger sort4 ,so that1 ,i think1 we shall hear no more of this objection2 and ,i am even not without the fond hopes1 that1 after this information1 the ,inquirer himself1 whatever displeasure he might conceive at this part of the ,grace before1 will now grow into good humour with it4 ,after all1 one cannot but suspect1 that the ,inquirer must have some better reason for his strong antipathy to this ,grace than any that has yet appeared4 ,the violent heat it puts him into1 whenever he touches upon it1 demonstrates1 there must still be something at the bottom of this matter1 which is the object of just offence4 ,in looking narrowly for it1 ,i found it at last1 half smothered under a very shrewd and indirect insinuation1 which ,i shall bring to light1 after having presented the reader with his own words3 8,i see not how a ,grace of this kind could be offered1 consistently with the ,resolution said to have been taken at one of your first meetings1 to assert the right of ,appeal in such a manner as was warranted by the ,statutes of the ,university3 ,nor am ,i less able to reconcile it with those professions of deference and respect1 which at the same time were thought proper to be made for our great and illustrious ,chancellor4 ,no person would receive a greater pleasure than myself from seeing all the members of the ,university1 however divided in other points1 agreed in entertaining the highest sentiments of regard and veneration for him2 but ,i confess1 that this is a pleasure ,i am not very likely to have2 till one set of men shall be pleased to give clearer and less questionable testimonies of this1 than by opposing every useful regulation he recommended1 and endeavouring to lessen and curtail an authority1 which is only vested in the ,vice-chancellor as his representative and locum-tenens#aag40 ,here1 then1 we have all the venom of his heart injected into one malignant paragraph2 which1 under the gilding of a compliment1 is to do its office without offence4 ,and yet1 it is plain enough what he would insinuate4 ,it is neither more nor less than that the advocates for this right of ,appeal are an unquiet1 factious set of persons1 bent on opposing all measures that tend to promote the good of the ,university2 and1 to say all in one word1 listed in a vile cabal to dishonour1 revile1 and abuse their ,chancellor himself4 ,the gentlemen against whom all this is levelled must1 ,i am persuaded1 hold such senseless and licentious calumnies in such contempt1 that ,i should not merit their thanks for attempting seriously to confute them4 ,and yet ,i cannot help saying for them1 that the ,resolution hinted at in this place was drawn up with so respectful a regard to the authority of the ,statues1 and to the honour and dignity of our great ,chancellor1 as1 one should think1 might stop the mouth of ,malice itself4 ,yet all this can be overlooked by our candid ,inquirer4 ,and on what pretence8 ,why1 because some of those persons1 who came to such a ,resolution1 had different sentiments1 it seems1 of the expediency of the late regulations from this writer2 and because this claim of ,appeals tends to lessen the authority of the ,vice-chancellor4 ,for this he modestly calls opposing the ,chancellor1 and curtailing his power4 ,well1 then1 the crime is now out2 and1 to say the truth1 if it be a crime1 the ,university is deeply involved in it4 ,for1 when the late regulations were first proposed to the consideration of the ,senate1 a considerable majority were clearly of the same opinion as these culprits3 and1 with regard to the present claim1 the ,university may be almost said to be unanimous in supporting it4 ,but what in the mean time must be this scribbler's sentiments of that most noble and illustrious person1 for whose honour he here professes himself concerned2 and of whom1 it seems1 he can think so unworthily1 as to believe1 that a liberty in judging concerning the expediency of some academical laws1 which he had the goodness to propose to them1 should give offence to one who has no other aim than to serve the ,university in a manner the most agreeable to their best judgments2 and which1 ,i am satisfied1 they used the more freely1 on a full persuasion that such liberty could not be taken as an instance of disrespect to him4 ,this ,i should not doubt to call1 of itself1 a sufficient confutation of the idle calumny4 ,but it comes with the worst grace imaginable from a declared enemy to the right of ,appeals2 who must know1 if he be at all acquainted with what passed at that time1 that the principal reason1 which induced the ,university to oppose the regulations1 was the just apprehension they were under1 of an encroachment on this very right2 not indeed from the ,chancellor1 who had no such intention1 nor even any knowledge of it1 but from certain forward directors in that affair1 who gave the clearest and least questionable proofs of their designing to make the new laws the instruments of their own tyranny in this respect4 ,so that1 if any offence was given by the ,university on that occasion1 the blame of it should fall elsewhere1 and not on those on whom it is here so invidiously cast2 persons1 who on every occasion have testified the sincerest honour for their ,chancellor1 who venerate him as the protector and patron of the ,university1 and would humbly co-operate with him to the attainment of those good ends1 which it is his sole endeavour to promote4 ,but what follows1 if possible1 is still worse4 ,a second charge against the ,university is1 that they are endeavouring to lessen and curtail an authority1 which is only vested in the ,vice-chancellor1 as his representative and locum tenens4 ,what the collective body would return to this accusation1 ,i pretend not to say2 ,i have no commission to answer in their name4 ,but1 for myself1 and those whose thoughts ,i have the opportunity of knowing on this matter1 ,i answer boldly thus3 ,that we are not in the least apprehensive of giving offence to this great person1 who is more solicitous for the maintenance of the just rights of the ,university than any other member of it1 by any respectful and moderate endeavours to assert our own reasonable privileges2 that we are well assured1 he approves1 and is ready to countenance1 all such honest endeavours2 and that1 lastly and chiefly1 we are therefore earnest in our endeavours to lessen an authority 7if that must be called lessening which is but preventing its being usurped71 because it is vested in1 and must be constantly exercised by his representative4 ,for1 whatever liberties he may presume to take with the assertors of this claim1 ,i will venture to assure him1 that1 were unappealable power itself to be exercised only by our ,chancellor1 who is too high in rank1 and too noble in nature1 to be under any temptations of abusing it1 though we might still think the authority unreasonable and dangerous in itself1 we should esteem ourselves in perfect security under him1 and could safely trust the administration of it to his care4 ,but1 as the person who by our ,constitution is vested with it1 is and must be a very imperfect representative of the ,chancellor1 in this as well as other respects1 we hope to be forgiven by every equitable judge1 if we are not forward to compliment ourselves out of our privileges2 and have little inclination to lodge our liberties in less worthy hands4 ,after all1 one would be glad to know a little more explicitly of this writer1 since he professes himself so little satisfied with the conduct of the ,university1 what those clearer and less questionable testimonies of their regard for the ,chancellor are which he so loudly calls for1 and the want of which1 it seems1 hath made his life so distasteful and uneasy to him4 ,and1 ,i think1 ,i durst almost take upon me to guess at them4 ,no doubt1 they are such as these3 8,that the ,university ,senate would be pleased to make no distinction in any case between the supreme ,magistrate and his representative1 nay1 and his representative's representatives0--8,that they would courteously give that honour to his locum tenens or locum tenentes1 without perhaps one single merit to justify such a claim1 which the illustrious rank and dignity of their ,chancellor himself1 his eminent virtues1 and services to the ,university1 all conspire to challenge and demand from them30--,in a word1 8that the ,university would offer themselves as willing instruments to carry into execution every paltry project1 every low and selfish design1 which little men in office are apt to form for themselves2 and all this under the notion of its being a tribute of respect to the supreme ,magistrate1 and an instance of their veneration for him40 ,such as these1 ,i can readily believe1 are the testimonies of respect the ,inquirer wishes to see paid to the ,chancellor1 and which1 no doubt1 would administer that sincere pleasure1 which at present he divines 7and1 ,i trust1 truly7 he is not very likely to have4 ,but does he think the ,chancellor is to be abused by this thin pretence of respect8 that true greatness is to be taken by this mere outside of an officious and false compliment8 ,on the other hand1 ,i dare be confident that nothing is more disgusting to him than such sycophancy2 and that he is so far from allowing this conduct in the ,inquirer1 that he even disdains to have his cause and dignity so defended4 8,for1 though 7to use my ,lord ,bacon's words on a like occasion7 ,i observe in his book many glosses1 whereby the man would insinuate himself into his favour1 yet ,i find it to be ordinary1 that many pressing and fawning persons do misconjecture of the humour of men in authority2 and many times seek to gratify them with that which they most dislike40 ,but the virulence of these malignant calumnies hath held me on a very unnecessary argument too long3 ,i return again to the ,inquirer1 to whom ,i have but one word or two more to say1 and shall then take my final leave of him4 ,you have talked1 ,sir1 very importantly of the pernicious consequences of a right of ,appeal in the ,university4 ,the reasons on which you would ground these so anxious fears have been examined1 and exposed1 as they deserve4 ,but1 granting that some slight1 nay1 that some considerable inconveniencies might arise from it2 were this any good argument1 think you1 against the subsistence of such a right8 ,what would become of all the liberties which just government leaves us1 nay1 of the blessings and privileges which indulgent nature bestows upon us1 if the accidental and occasional abuse of them were thought a reason sufficient to extort them out of our hands8 ,should you not have considered that a right of ,appeal is one of the most important and valuable rights which mankind enjoy in society1 and which1 indeed1 is almost essential to the very being of it8 ,and would you have this sacred claim1 patronam illam et vindicem libertatis1 as a great ancient calls it1 rudely and inhumanly wrested from us1 on the frivolous pretence of some possible or even probable abuse8 ,had you been as conversant in the civil law as an ,inquirer into such a question should have been1 you might have found cause to entertain very different opinions of it4 ,for the great masters in that science were as well aware as you can be1 that such a right was liable to some abuse2 but which of them ever thought this consideration of force enough to decry or abolish it8 ,on the other hand1 they acknowledge the inconvenience1 yet assert and vindicate the use4 ,give me leave to refer you to one passage 7you will find ,l4 #a4 ,d4 ,de ,appell471 very express to this purpose4 8,appellandi usus quam sit frequens quamque ,,necessarius1 nemo est qui nesciat3 quippe cum iniquitatem judicantium vel imperitiam re corrigat2 licet nonnunquam bene latas sententias in pejus reformet1 neque enim utique melius pronuntiat1 qui novissimus sententiam laturus est40 ,what will you say1 now1 to this8 ,that ,ulpian1 who affirmed it1 was a factious1 turbulent boy8 one of those whom you disgrace under the name of the warm1 assertors of independency1 and who bear with indignation the thought of having any part of their conduct judicially animadverted upon8 ,i presume to think you would hardly venture on this assertion4 ,nay1 ,i please myself with hoping1 that1 when you have well considered this so sage and venerable sentence of an ancient ,lawyer1 you will even be disposed to abate of your vehemence in declaiming against such as go on his principles at this day4 ,seriously1 ,sir1 it is a bad cause you have engaged in2 and1 in mere kindness to you1 ,i would wish you to relinquish it with all speed4 ,the claim itself of ,appeals1 as ,i have had the honour to shew you1 is of long and ancient date2 indeed as ancient as the ,constitution of the ,english government itself4 ,of what consequence you may chance to be in your political capacity1 it is impossible for me to say2 if you are of any1 and should proceed in these ,inquiries1 ,i should go near to apprehend that the ,house of ,commons itself might take umbrage at them2 for the rise of that great part of our ,constitution is not usually1 ,i think1 carried higher than the point from which the right of ,appeal hath here been deduced4 ,or1 do you think you may safely make free with the ,constitution of an ,university1 though it were dangerous meddling with that of the ,state itself8 ,this may be true1 indeed2 but where is your generosity in the mean time8 ,why should the thoughts of impunity encourage you to such an attack on the rights and privileges of a body of men1 who1 though unable to punish such offences against themselves as they deserve1 have yet been generally secured from all outrage1 by the very regard and reverence which the public hath ever paid to them8 ,in a word 7for ,i would not hold you longer from your necessary avocations71 it may be worth your inquiry1 when you shall think fit to sally forth on another adventure1 what the ,learned of ,great ,britain have done1 that they should have their liberties written and inveighed against in so outrageous a manner2 and1 amidst the securest enjoyment of every civil right1 under the justest and most equal ,government in the world1 what peculiar circumstances of offence have so inflamed the guilt of the scholars of this land1 that they1 of all his ,majesty's good subjects1 should deserve to be the only slaves4 ,,finis4 ,,on ,,the ,,delicacy ,,of ,,friendship ,,first ,,printed ,,in #agee4 ,,on ,,the ,,delicacy ,,of ,,friendship4 ,a ,,seventh ,,dissertation4 ,,addressed ,,to ,,the ,,author ,,of ,,the ,,sixth4 ,si bene te novi1 metues1 liberrime ,lolli1 ,scurrantis speciem prbere1 professus ,amicum4 ,,hor4 ,nunc te marmoreum pro tempore fecimus3 at tu1 ,si ftura gregem suppleverit1 ,,aureus esto4 ,,virg4 ,,an ,,address ,,to ,,the ,,rev4 ,,dr4 ,,jortin4 ,,rev4 ,,sir1 ,as great an admirer as ,i must profess myself of your writings1 ,i little expected that any of them would give me the pleasure that ,i have just now received from the last of your ,,six ,,dissertations ,,on ,,different ,,subjects4 ,the other ,,five have doubtless their distinct merits4 ,but in this1 methinks1 ,i see an assemblage1 a very constellation1 as it were1 of all your virtues1 all that can recommend the scholar or endear the friend4 ,this last1 give me leave to say1 is so unusual a part of a learned mind's character1 and appears with so peculiar a lustre in this discourse1 that the public will not be displeased to have it set before them in full view1 and recommended to general imitation1 with a frankness1 which though it may somewhat disgust your own delicacy1 seems but very necessary on such an occasion and in such times4 ,i leave it to others therefore to celebrate the happiness of your invention1 the urbanity of your wit1 the regularity of your plan1 the address with which you conceal the point you aim at in this ,dissertation1 and yet the pains you take in seeming obliquely to make your way to it4 ,these and many other beauties which your long study of the ancients hath enabled you to bring into modern composition1 have been generally taken notice of in your other writings1 and will find encomiasts enough among the common herd of your readers4 ,the honour ,i propose to do you by this address is of another kind2 and as it lies a little remote from vulgar apprehension1 ,i shall have some merit with you for displaying it as it deserves4 ,to come to a point then1 next to the total want of ,,friendship which one has too much reason to observe and lament in the great scholars of every age1 nothing hath at any time disgusted me so much as the gross indelicacy with which they are usually seen to conduct themselves in their expression of this virtue4 ,i have by me a large collection of the civil things which these lettered friends have been pleased to say of one another1 and it would amaze you to see with what an energy and force of language they are delivered4 ,one thing ,i thought very remarkable1 that the greater the parts and the more unquestioned the learning and abilities of the encomiast1 just so much the stronger1 that is to say1 according to the usual acceptation1 just so much the more friendly are his encomiums4 ,i have a great example in my eye4 ,a man1 for instance1 hath a bosom ,,friend1 whom he takes for a person of the purest and most benevolent virtue1 presently he sets him down for such1 and publisheth him to all the world4--,or he hath an intimacy with an eminent ,,poet3 and no regard to decency restrains him from calling him a great genius1 as ,horace1 you know1 did his friend ,virgil1 almost to his face4--,or1 he is loved and honoured by a great ,,lawyer or two2 and then be sure all the fine things that have been said of your ,,ciceros1 your ,,sc,,volas on your ,,hydes1 are squandered away upon them4--,or1 he hath perchance the honour of being well with a great ,,churchman1 much famed for his political and religious services2 down he goes at once for a lover of his country1 and the scourge of infidels and freethinkers1 with as little reserve as if he had a ,,jerom or a father ,,paul to celebrate4--,or1 once or twice in his life it hath been his fortune to be distinguished by great ,,ministers4 ,such occasions are rare4 ,and therefore a little gratitude1 we will say1 is allowable4 ,but can any thing be said for abominable formal dedications8--,or1 lastly1 he thinks he sees some sparks of virtue even in his ordinary acquaintance1 and these1 as fast as he observes them he gathers up1 and sticks1 on the first occasion1 in some or other of his immortal volumes4 ,o ,doctor ,jortin6 if you did but see half the extravagancies ,i have collected of this sort in the single instance of one man1 you would stand aghast at this degree of corruption in the learned world1 and would begin to apprehend something of your great merit in this seasonable endeavour to put a stop to its progress4 ,and what above all grieves me is that this is no novel invention2 for then it might well have ranked with the other arguments of degeneracy so justly chargeable on the present times2 but the all-accomplished ancients themselves have1 to own the truth1 set the example4 ,i took notice just now of the ,,ingenium ,,ingens of ,horace4 ,the other poets of that time abound in these fulsome encomiums4 ,but ,i am even shocked to think that such men as ,,cicero and ,,pliny1 men so perfect1 as they were1 in the commerce of the world1 and from their rank and station1 so practised in all the decencies of conversation1 were far gone in the folly4 ,and yet there are1 in truth1 more instances of this weakness in their writings than in those of any modern ,i can readily call to mind4 ,something ,i know hath been said in excuse of this illiberal manner1 from the ,,views and ,,characters and ,,necessities of those that use it4 ,and my unfeigned regard for the professors of learning makes me willing that any thing they have to offer for themselves should be fairly heard4 ,they say then1 and with some appearance of truth1 that as all the benefit they propose to themselves by their labours is for the most part nothing more than a little fame 7which whether good or bad1 as the poet observes1 ----begins and ends ,in the small circle of our foes or friends47 they think it hard to be denied this slender recompence1 which each expects in his turn1 and should therefore be not unwilling to pay to others4 ,they1 further1 alledge1 that as they are generally plain men1 much given to speak their mind1 and quite unpractised in the arts of that chaste reserve and delicate self-denial1 to which some few of their order have happily habituated themselves1 they hope to be forgiven so natural an infirmity1 to which the circumstances of their situation and character fatally expose them4 ,but1 lastly1 they say1 this practice is in a manner forced upon them by the malignity of the times4 ,let a learned man deserve ever so well of the public1 none but those who are known to be of his acquaintance think themselves at all concerned to take notice of his services4 ,especially this is observed to be the constant humour of our countrymen1 who rarely speak well of any but their friends1 as our polite neighbours rarely speak ill of any but their enemies4 ,now this malevolent disposition of the learned makes it necessary1 they pretend1 that such of them as are connected by any bond of friendship should be indulged the greater liberty of commending one another4 ,unless you will utterly exclude all intercourse of praise and panegyric from human society1 which they humbly conceive may be attended with some few inconveniencies4 ,to strengthen this last observation they even add1 that the public is usually more shy in bestowing its praises on writers of eminent and superior merit than on others4 ,as well knowing1 ,i suppose1 that posterity will make them ample amends for any mortification they may meet with at present2 and that in the mean time they are more than sufficiently honoured by the constant railings and invectives of the dunces4 ,lastly1 they observe1 that in the more frivolous and easy kinds of learning1 such for instance as are conversant about the collation of ,,mss1 the rectification of ,,points1 and the correction of ,,letters1 the general and approved custom is for all professors of this class1 whether friends or enemies1 to cry up each other as much as they please1 and that it is even reckoned a piece of incivility not to preface a citation from ever so insignificant a dealer in verbal criticism with some superlative appellation4 ,and why1 say they1 should these nibblers of old books1 8,these word-catchers that live on syllables10 be indulged in this amplitude of expression to one another1 when they who furnish the materials on which the spawn of these vermin are to feed in after-ages1 are denied the little satisfaction of a more sizeable1 as well as a more deserved praise8 ,i have not been afraid1 you see1 to set the arguments of these unhappy advocates for themselves in as strong a light as they will well bear1 because ,i can easily trust your sagacity to find out a full and decisive answer to them4 ,in the first place1 you will refer these idolaters of ,,fame1 for their better information1 to that curious discourse on this subject1 which makes the fourth in the present collection4 ,next you will tell them that you by no means intend to deprive them of their just praise1 but that they must not set up for judges in their own case1 and presume to think how much of it they have reason to look for from their friends4 ,you will further signify to them that the truest office of friendship is to be sparing of commendation1 lest it awaken the envy of a malicious world2 that there is a kind of fascination in praise which wise men have been justly suspicious of in all ages2 and that a grain or two from those who are not used to be prodigal of this incense1 is an offering of no small value4 ,but chiefly and lastly1 you will give them to understand that true honour is seated not in the mouths but in hearts of men2 and that1 for any thing they know1 one may be forced to entertain the highest possible esteem of their virtues1 though1 for their sakes1 and for other wise reasons1 one has that virtuous command of one's tongue and pen as not to acquaint them with it4 ,then1 as to the plainness and openness of mind which is said to make a part in the composition of a man of letters1 you will tell them that this is the very foible you most lament1 and most wish them to correct3 that it exposes them to much censure and many other inconveniencies2 that this frankness of disposition makes them bestow their praises on those whom the world has no such esteem for1 or whom it would rather see left in obscurity and oblivion2 that they often disgust their betters by this proceeding1 who have their reasons for desiring that a cloud may remain on the characters of certain obnoxious and dangerous writers2 that by such warm and unmanaged commendations they become partners1 as it were1 of their ill deserts2 that they even make themselves answerable for their future conduct2 which is a matter of so very nice a consideration1 that the great master of life1 though he had not the virtue always to act up to his own maxim1 delivers it for a precept of special use in the commerce of the world1 ,,qualem ,,commendes ,,etiam ,,atque ,,etiam ,,adspice4 ,for it signifies nothing in the case before us1 whether the recommendation be to a patron or the public4 ,for all these reasons you will assure them that this ill habit of speaking their mind on all occasions1 just as nature and blind friendship dictate1 is that which more than any thing else exposes them to the contempt of knowing and considerate men4 ,lastly1 with regard to that other frivolous plea taken from the malignity of mankind and even those of their own family and profession1 you will convince them that this is totally a mistake1 that the world is ready enough to take notice of superior eminence in letters1 that it is even apt to grow extravagant in its admiration1 and that this humour of the public is itself a reason for that reserve with which their friends1 if they truly merit that name1 ought to conduct themselves towards them3 that this splendour of reputation1 which is so generally the consequence of distinguished learning1 requires to be allayed and softened by the discrete management of those who wish them well1 lest it not only grow offensive to weak eyes1 but dazzle their own with too fond an imagination of their own importance1 and so relax the ardour of their pursuits1 or betray them into some unseemly ostentation of their just merits4 ,you will farther suggest1 that great atchievements in letters are sufficiently recompenced by the silent complacency of self-esteem and of a good conscience2 while lesser services demand to be brought out and magnified to public eye1 for the due encouragement and consolation of those who would otherwise have but small reason to be satisfied with themselves4 ,you might even observe1 that silence itself is often a full acknowledgment of superior desert1 especially when personal obligations1 as well as other reasons1 might provoke them to break through it4 ,in such cases it is to be understood1 that1 if a friend be sparing of his good word1 it is in violence to his inclination1 and that nothing but the tender apprehension of pushing an acknowledged merit too far1 withholds him from giving a public testimony to it4 ,but1 in conclusion1 you will not omit to set them right with regard to one material mistake in this matter2 that whereas they complain of the superior estimation in which the professors of verbal criticism are held amongst us1 whom with a strange malignity they affect to represent as the very lowest retainers to science1 you1 and all true scholars1 on the other hand1 maintain that the study of words is the most useful and creditable of all others2 and that this genuine class of learned men have reason to pride themselves in their objected1 but truly glorious character of ,,verbal ,,critics4 ,and now1 ,sir1 having seen how little can be said in justification of that offensive custom which the learned have somehow taken up1 of directly applauding one another1 ,i come to the more immediate purpose of this address1 which was to shew how singularly happy you have been in avoiding this great vice1 and to take occasion from the example you have now set us to recommend the contrary virtue to the imitation of others4 ,i am sensible there are some difficulties to be encountered at setting out4 ,a generous mind will probably feel some reluctance1 at first1 to the scheme of suppressing his natural feelings1 and of withholding from his friend that just tribute of praise which many others perhaps are but too willing should be withheld from him4 ,but all scruples of this sort will be got over when the full merit of your example hath been considered2 ,i mean1 when the inducements you had to give into the common weakness on this occasion come to be fairly drawn out2 by which it will be clearly seen that you have the glory of setting a precedent of the most heroic magnanimity and self-denial1 and that nothing can possibly be urged in the case of any other1 which you have not triumphantly gotten the better of in your own4 ,i observe it to your honour1 ,sir1 you have ventured on the same ground in this famous ,dissertation1 which hath been trodden by the most noted1 at least1 of our present writers4 ,but this is not enough4 ,it will be of moment to consider a little more particularly the character of the person whom you chuse to follow1 or rather nobly emulate1 in this route4 ,and lest you should think ,i have any design to lessen the merit of your conduct towards him by giving it in my cool way1 take it from one of those warm friends who never balk their humour in this sort of commendations4 ,upon asking him what he thought of the learned person's character1 and telling him the use ,i might perhaps make of his opinion in this address to you1 he began in a very solemn way4 8,the author of the ,d4 ,l40 says he1 8is a writer whose genius and learning have so far subdued envy itself 7though it never rose fiercer against any man1 or in more various and grotesque shapes71 that every man of sense now esteems him the ornament1 and every good man the blessing1 of these times40 ,hold1 said ,i1 my good friend1 ,i did not mean to put your eloquence to the stretch for this panegyric on his intellectual endowments1 which ,i am very ready to take upon trust1 and1 to say the truth1 have never heard violently run down by any but very prejudiced or very dull men4 ,his moral qualities are those ,i am most concerned for4 8,his moral10 resumed he hastily1 8shine forth as strongly from all his writings as the other1 and are those which ,i have ever reverenced most4 ,of these1 his love of letters and of virtue1 his veneration of great and good men1 his delicacy of honour in not assuming to himself1 or depressing1 the merit of others1 his readiness to give their due to all men of real desert whose principles he opposes1 even to the fastidious1 scoffing ,lord ,,shaftesbury and the licentious ,,bayle1 but above all1 his zeal for religion and for truth1 these are qualities which1 as often as ,i look into his volumes1 attract my admiration and esteem4 ,nor is this enumeration1 though it be far from complete1 made at random4 ,i could illustrate each of these virtues by various instances1 taken from his works1 were it not that the person you mean to address is more conversant in them1 and more ready1 ,i may presume1 to do him justice on any fitting occasion than myself4 ,the liberty indeed he takes of dissenting from many great names is considerable1 as well as of speaking his free thoughts of the writers for whom he hath no esteem4 ,but the one he doth with that respect and deference1 and the other with that reason and justice1 and both with that ingenuous openness and candour1 the characteristics of a truly great mind1 that they1 whom he opposes1 cannot be angry1 and they whom he censures are not misused4 ,i mention this the rather on account of the clamour which has so frequently been raised against the freedom and severity of his pen4 ,but there is no mystery in the case4 ,no dead writer is so bad but he has some advocates1 and no living one so contemptible but he has some friends4 ,and the misfortune is1 that1 while the present generation is too much prejudiced to do him right1 posterity1 to whom the appeal of course lies1 are not likely to have it in their power to re-judge the cause3 the names and writings1 he most undervalues1 being such as are hastening1 it seems1 to that oblivion which is prepared for such things4 8,these10 continued he1 8are some of the obvious qualities of the ,,writer2 and for the personal virtues of the ,,man--,but here ,i may well refer you to ,dr4 ,,jortin himself1 who will take a pleasure to assure you1 that his private character is not less respectable than his public2 or1 rather1 if the one demands our veneration1 that the other must secure our love4 ,and1 yet1 why rest the credit of ,,one1 when ,,all of his acquaintance agree in this1 that he is the easiest in his conversation1 the frankest and most communicative1 the readiest to do all good offices1 in short the friendliest and most generous of men40 ,thus far our zealous friend4 ,and1 though ,i know how much you agree with him in your sentiments1 ,i dare say you cannot but smile at so egregious a specimen of the high complimentary manner4 ,but1 though one is not to expect an encomiast of this class will be very sensible of any defects in the person he celebrates1 yet it cannot be disowned that this magnified man hath his foibles as well as another4 ,i will be so fair as to enumerate some of them4 ,as he is conscious of intending well1 and even greatly1 in his learned labours1 he is rather disposed to think himself injured by malicious slanders and gross misrepresentations4 ,and then1 as he hath abundantly too much wit1 especially for a great divine1 he is apt to say such things as1 though dull men do not well comprehend1 they see reason enough to take offence at4 ,besides1 he doth not sufficiently consult his ease or his interest by the observance of those forms and practices which are in use amongst the prudent part of his own order4 ,this1 no doubt1 begets a reasonable disgust4 ,and even his friends1 ,i observe1 can hardly restrain their censure of so great a singularity4 8,he is so much in his study1 they say1 that he hardly allows himself time to make his appearance at a levee4 ,not considering that illud unum ad laudem cum labore directum iter qui probaverunt prope jam soli in ,,scholis sunt relicti40 ,these infirmities1 it must be owned1 are very notorious in him2 to which it might be added1 that he is very indiscreet1 sometimes1 in the topics and turn of his conversation4 ,his zeal for his ,,friend is so immoderate1 that he takes fire even at the most distant reflection he hears cast upon him4 ,and ,i doubt no consideration could withhold him from contradicting any man1 let his quality and station be what it would1 that should hazard a joke or an argument1 in his company1 against ,,religion4 ,i thought it but just to take notice of these weaknesses2 and there may1 perhaps1 be some others1 which ,i do not now recollect4 ,yet1 on the whole1 ,i will not deny that he may fairly pass for an able1 a friendly1 and even amiable man4 ,this person then1 such as he is1 such1 at least1 as the zealots represent and you esteem him1 you have the pleasure to call your ,,friend4 ,report says1 too1 that he has more than a common right to this title3 that he has won it by many real services done to yourself4 ,how doth the consciousness of all this fire you6 and what pains do ,i see you take to restrain that impatient gratitude1 which would relieve itself by breaking forth in the praises of such a friend6 ,and yet--in spite of all these incitements from esteem1 from friendship1 and from gratitude1 which might prompt you to some extravagance of commendation1 such is the command you have of yourself1 and so nicely do you understand what belongs to this intercourse of learned friends1 that1 in the instance before us1 you do not1 ,i think1 appear to have exceeded the modest proportion even of a temperate and chaste praise4 ,i assure you1 ,sir1 ,i am so charmed with the beauty of this conduct1 that1 though it may give your modesty some pain1 ,i cannot help uniting the several parts of it1 and presenting the entire image to you in one piece4 ,i meddle not with the argument of your elaborate dissertation4 ,it is enough that your readers know it to be the same with that of another famous one in the ,d4 ,l4 ,they will know1 then1 that1 among the various parts of that work1 none was so likely as this to extort your applause4 ,for it is universally1 ,i suppose1 agreed that1 for a point in classical criticism1 there is not the man living who hath a keener relish for it than yourself4 ,and the general opinion is1 that your honoured friend hath a sort of talent for this kind of writing4 ,some persons1 ,i know1 have talked at a strange rate4 ,one or two ,i once met with were for setting him much above the modern1 and on a level1 at least1 with the best of the old1 critics4 ,but this was going too far1 as may appear to any that hath but attentively read and understood what the judicious ,mr4 ,,upton and the learned ,mr4 ,,edwards have1 in their various books and pamphlets1 well and solidly1 and with great delight to many discerning persons1 written on this subject4 ,yet still ,i must needs think him considerably above ,,minellius and ,,farnaby1 and almost equal to old ,,servius himself1 except that1 perhaps1 one doth not find in him the singular ingenuity#aah you admire in the last of these critics4 ,but be this as it will1 it seems pretty well agreed1 that the learned person1 though so great a divine1 is a very competent judge1 and no mean proficient in classical criticism4 ,there are many specimens of his talents in this way dispersed through the large and miscellaneous work of the ,d4 ,l4 ,but the greatest effort of his genius1 they say1 is seen in the explanation of the ,sixth ,book of the nis4 ,and1 with all its defects1 ,i can easily perceive you were so struck with it1 that it was with the utmost reluctance you found yourself obliged1 by the regard which every honest critic owes to truth1 and by the superior delicacy of your purpose1 to censure and expose it4 ,another man1 ,i can easily imagine1 would have said to himself before he had entered on this task1 8,this fine commentary1 which sets the most finished part of the nis1 and indeed the whole poem1 in so new and so advantageous a light1 though not an essential in it1 is yet a considerable ornament of a justly admired work4 ,the author1 too1 is my particular friend2 a man1 the farthest of all others from any disposition to lessen the reputation of those he loves4 ,the subject hath been well nigh exhausted by him2 and the remarks ,i have to offer on his scheme are not1 in truth1 of that consequence as to make it a point of duty for me to lay aside the usual regards of friendship on their account3 and1 though ,,he hath greatness of mind enough not to resent this liberty1 his impatient and ill-judging friends will be likely to take offence at it4 ,the public itself1 as little biassed as it seems to be in his favour1 may be even scandalized at an attempt of this nature1 to which no important interest of religion or learning seem to oblige me40 ,after this manner1 ,i say1 would a common man have been apt to reason with himself4 ,but you1 ,sir1 understand the rights of literary freedom1 and the offices of sacred friendship1 at another rate4 ,the one authorize us to deliver our sentiments on any point of literature without reserve4 ,and the other will not suffer you to dishonour the man you love1 or require you to sully the purity of your own virtue1 by a vicious and vulgar complaisance4 ,or1 to give the account of the whole matter in your own memorable words3 ,the ,sixth ,book of the nis1 you observe1 though the most finished part of the twelve1 is certainly obscure4 8,here then is a field open for criticism1 and all of us1 who attempt to explain and illustrate ,virgil1 have reason to ,,hope that we may make some discoveries1 and to ,,fear that we may fall into some mistakes2 and this should induce us to conjecture with freedom1 to propose with diffidence1 and to dissent with civility4 ' 1 quoth old ,hesiod#aai40 ,which shall ,i most admire1 the dignity1 the candour1 or the prudence1 that shine forth in this curious paragraph1 which stands as a sort of preface to the refutation1 as no doubt you designed it1 of your friend's work8 8,you have reason to hope that1 after the unsuccessful efforts of the author of the ,d4 ,l41 you may make some discoveries40 ,in this declaration some may esteem you too sanguine4 ,but ,i see nothing in it but a confidence very becoming a man of your talent at a discovery1 and of your importance in the literary world4 ,you add1 indeed1 as it were to temper this boldness1 that 8you have reason to fear too that you may fall into some mistakes40 ,this was rather too modest2 only it would serve1 at the same time1 to intimate to your friend what he had to expect from the following detection of his errors4 ,but you lead us to the consequence of these principles4 8,they should induce us1 you say 0,,to ,,conjecture ,,with ,,freedom40 ,doubtless4 ,and the dignity of your character is seen in taking it4 ,for1 shall the authority or friendship of any man stand in the way of my conjectures8 ----scilicet1 ut non ,sit mihi prima fides2 et ver quod placet1 ut non ,acriter elatrem6 --8,,to ,,propose ,,with ,,diffidence40 ,certainly very prudent1 especially for one sort of free-conjecturers2 and1 by the way1 no bad hint to the person you glance at1 whose vice it is thought to be1 above that of most other writers1 never to trouble himself with composing a book on any question1 of whose truth he is not previously and firmly convinced----8,,and ,,to ,,dissent ,,with ,,civility40 ,a candid insinuation1 which amounts to this1 8,that1 when a writer hath done his best to shew his learning or his wit1 the man at whose expence it is1 especially if he be a friend1 is1 in consideration of such services1 not to take it amiss40 ,i have been the freer to open the meaning of this introductory paragraph1 because it lets us into the spirit with which you mean to carry yourself in this learned contention4 ,for a contention it is to be1 and to good purpose too1 if old ,hesiod be any authority4 ' 1 quoth old ,hesiod4 ,though to make the application quite pat the maxim should have run thus1 ' 1 which ,i do not find in old ,hesiod4 ,however the reason of the thing extends to both4 ,and as friends after all are but men1 and sometimes none of the best neither1 what need for standing on this distinction8 ,yet still the question returns1 8,why so cool in the entrance of this friendly debate8 ,where had been the hurt of a little amicable parlying before daggers-drawing8 ,if a man1 in the true spirit of ancient chivalry1 will needs break a lance with his friend1 he might give him good words at least and shake hands with him before the onset4 ,something of this sort might have been expected1 were it only to save the reputation of dissenting with civility40 ,now in answer to this question1 which comes indeed to the point1 and which ,i hear asked in all companies1 ,i reply with much confidence1 first1 that the very foundation of it is laid in certain high fantastic notions about the duties of friendship1 and in that vicious habit of civility that hath so long been prevalent among learned friends2 both which props and pillars of the cause ,i may presume with great modesty to have entirely overturned4 ,but secondly and chiefly ,i say that the whole is an arrant misrepresentation2 for that you have indeed proceeded in this affair1 with all that civility and even friendliness that could in reason be expected from you3 ,i mean so far as the sobriety and ,retenu1 as the ,french term it 7it is plain the virtue hath not been very common amongst us from our having no name to call it by7 of a true critical friendship will allow4 ,now there are several ways by which a writer's civility to his friend may appear without giving into the formal way of address3 just as there are several ways of expressing his devotion to his patron1 without observing the ordinary forms of dedication2 of which1 to note it by the way1 the latest and best instances ,i have met with1 are1 8,a certain thing prefatory to a learned work1 entitled1 ,the ,elements of ,civil ,law10 and 8,those curious two little paragraphs prefixed to ,the ,six ,dissertations on different ,subjects40 ,you see the delicacy of the learned is improving in our days in more respects than one4 ,and take my word for it1 you have contributed your share to this good work4 ,for as you began1 so you conclude your volume with a master stroke of address1 which will deserve the acknowledgment and imitation of all your brethren1 as ,i now proceed distinctly and with great exactness of method to unfold4 ,,the ,,first way of distinguishing a learned friend1 without incurring the guilt of downright compliment1 is by writing on the same subject with him4 ,this is an obvious method of paying one's court to a great writer4 ,for it is in effect telling him that the public attention is raised to the argument he hath been debating2 and that his credit hath even brought it into such vogue that any prate on the same subject is sure of a favourable reception4 ,this ,i can readily suppose to have been your first motive for engaging in this controversy4 ,and the practice is very frequent4 ,so when a certain edition of ,,shakespear appeared1 though it had been but the amusement of the learned editor1 every body went to work1 in good earnest1 on the great poet1 and the public was presently over-run with editions and criticisms and illustrations of him4 ,thus too it fared with the several subjects treated in the ,d4 ,l4 ,few were competent judges of the main argument1 or disposed to give it a candid interpretation4 ,but every smatterer had something to say to this or that occasional disquisition4 ,thus ,,sykes1 and ,,stebbing grew immortal1 and1 as the poet says truly1 in their own despite4 ,and what but some faint glimmering of this bright reversion1 which we will charitably hope may be still kept in reserve for them1 could put it into the heads of such men as ,,worthington1 ,h4 ,g4 ,c4#abj and ,,peters1 to turn critics and commentators on the book of ,,job8 ,,secondly1 ,though ,i acknowledge the full merit of this way of treating a learned friend1 ,i am rather more taken with another1 which is that of writing against him4 ,for this demonstrates the esteem one hath of the author's work1 not only as it may seem to imply a little generous rivalry or indeed envy1 from which infirmity a truly learned spirit is seldom quite free1 but as it shews the answerer thought it worth writing against2 which1 let me assure you1 is no vulgar compliment2 as many living writers can testify1 who to this hour are sadly lamenting that their ill fortune hath never permitted them to rise to this distinction4 ,now1 in this view of the matter1 ,i must take leave to think that you have done a very substantial honour to the author of the famous ,discourse on the ,v,ith book of ,virgil1 in levelling so long and so elaborate a disputation against him4 ,and ,,he1 of all other men1 ought to be of my mind1 who to my certain knowledge hath never done thus much for one in a hundred of those learned persons whose principal end in commencing writers against him was to provoke him to this civility4 ,but then1 ,,thirdly1 this compliment of writing against a great author may be conveyed with that address1 that he shall not appear1 ,i mean to any but the more sagacious and discerning1 to be written against at all4 ,this curious feat of leger-de-main is performed by glancing at his arguments without so much as naming the person or referring to him4 ,this ,i account the most delicate and flattering of all the arts of literary address1 as it expresseth all the respect1 ,i have taken notice of under the preceding article1 heightened with a certain awe and fear of offence1 which to a liberal mind1 ,i should think1 must be perfectly irresistible4 ,it is with much pleasure ,i observe many examples of this kind in your truly candid dissertation1 where without the least reference1 or under the slight cover of--some friends of ,virgil say#aba--some commentators have thought#abb--,virgil's friends suppose#abc--;and the like1 you have dexterously and happily slid in a censure of some of your friend's principal reasonings4 ,but1 to be impartial1 though you manage this matter with admirable grace1 the secret is in many hands4 ,and whatever be the cause1 hath been more frequently employed in the case of the author of the ,d4 ,l4 than any other4 ,i could mention1 at least1 a dozen famous writers1 who1 like the flatterers of ,augustus1 don't chuse to look him full in the face1 but artfully intimate their reverence of him by indirect glances4 ,if ,i single out one of these from all the rest it is only to gratify the admirers of a certain eminent ,,professor#abd who1 as an ,oxford friend writes me word1 hath many delightful instances of this sort in his very edifying discourses on the ,,hebrew ,,poetry4 ,,fourthly1 ,another contrivance of near affinity to this1 is1 when you oppose his principles indeed1 but let his arguments quite alone4 ,of this management a wary reader will discover many traces in your obliging discourse4 ,and can any thing be more generous than to ease a man of the shame of seeing his own reasonings confuted1 or even produced when the writer's purpose requires him to pay no regard to them8 ,such tenderness1 ,i think1 though it is pretended to by others1 can1 of right1 belong only to the true friend4 ,but your kindness knows no bounds4 ,for1 ,,fifthly1 ,though you find yourself sometimes obliged to produce and confute his reasonings1 you take care to furnish him with better of your own4 ,the delicacy of this conduct lies in the good opinion1 which is insinuated of the writer's conclusion1 and in the readiness which you shew to support it even in spite of himself4 ,there is a choice instance in that part of your discourse1 where agreeing with your friend that the punishments of ,tartarus are properly eternal1 you reject his reason for that conclusion1 but supply him with many others in its stead4 8,this alone will not prove the eternity of punishments for1 c4--,,but if to this you add the ,platonic doctrine1 that very wicked spirits were never released from ,tartarus1 ,,and the silence of ,virgil as to any dismission from that jail1 ,,and the censure of the ,epicureans1 who objected to religious systems the eternity of punishments1 ternas quoniam pnas in morte timendum2 ,,and the general doctrine of the mythologists1 ,,and the opinion of ,,servius1 that ,,virgil was to be taken in this sense1 we may conclude that the punishments in his ,tartarus were probably eternal#abe40 ,never let men talk after this of the niggardliness of your friendship1 when1 though you take from him with one hand1 you restore him five-fold with the other4 ,after such an overflow of goodness1 nothing ,i can now advance will seem incredible4 ,i take upon me to affirm therefore1 ,,sixthly1 ,that it is a mere calumny to say that you have contented yourself1 though you very well might1 with mere negative encomiums4 ,you can venture on occasion to quote from your friend in form1 and1 as it should seem1 with some apparent approbation4 ,an instance is now before me4 ,you cite what the author of the ,d4 ,l4 says of 8the transformation of the ships into sea deities1 by which1 says he1 ,,virgil would insinuate1 ,i suppose1 the great advantage of cultivating a naval power1 such as extended commerce and the dominion of the ocean3 which in poetical language is becoming deities of the sea40 ,to which you add1 8,in favour of this opinion it may be further observed1 that ,,augustus owed his empire in a great measure to his naval victories#abf40 ,now can any thing be civiler than this1 or more expressive of that amiable turn of mind1 which disposes a man to help forward a lame argument of his friend1 and give it the needful support of his authority8 ,for it hath been delivered as a maxim by the nice observers of decorum1 that wherever you would compliment another on his opinion1 you should always endeavour to add something of your own that may insinuate at least some little defect in it4 ,this management takes of the appearance of flattery1 a vice which the ,latin writers1 alluding to this frequency of unqualified assent1 have properly enough expressed by the word ,,assentatio4 ,but catch you tripping in this way if one can4 ,it is plain you went on this just principle in the instance before us1 which otherwise1 let me tell you1 ,i should have taken for something like an attempt towards downright adulation4 ,as here qualified1 ,i set it down for another instance of just compliment1 more direct indeed than the other five1 yet still with that graceful obliquity which they who know the world1 expect in this sort of commerce4 ,and ,i may further observe1 that you are not singular in the use of this mode of celebration4 ,many even of the enemies of this author have obligingly enough employed it when they wanted to confirm their own notions by his1 or rather to shew their parts in first catching a hint from him1 and then1 as they believe1 improving upon it--,still ,i have greater things in view4 ,for1 ,,seventhly1 ,you not only with the highest address insinuate a compliment in the way of citation1 but you once or twice express it in full form1 and with all the circumstance of panegyrical approbation4 ,having mentioned the case of the infants in ,virgil's purgatory1 which hath so much perplexed his learned commentators1 you rise at once into the following encomium4 8,it is an ingenious conjecture proposed in the ,d4 ,l4 that the poet might design to discountenance the cursed practice of exposing and murdering infants40 ,this was very liberal1 and ,i began to think you had forgotten yourself a little in so explicit a declaration4 ,but the next paragraph relieved me4 8,it might be added1 that ,virgil had perhaps also in view to please ,augustus1 who was desirous of encouraging matrimony and the education of children1 and extremely intent upon repeopling ,italy which had been exhausted by the civil wars#abg40 ,it is plain you have still in your eye that sage rule which the men of manners lay down1 of qualifying your civilities4 ,so that ,i let this pass without farther observation4 ,only ,i take leave to warn you against the too frequent use of this artifice1 which but barely satisfies for calling your friend's notion 8an ingenious conjecture40 ,not but are there others who see this contrivance in another light1 and treat it as an art of damning with faint praise2 a censure which one of the zealot friends presumes to cast1 with much injustice and little knowledge of the world1 on the very leader and pride of our party4 ,whereas ,i deliver it for a most certain truth1 that the fainter and feebler our praise of any man is1 just so much the better will it be received by all companies1 even by the generality of those who call themselves his best friends4 ,and so apprehensive indeed am ,i of this nice humour in mankind1 that ,i am not sure if the very slight things ,i am forced to say of yourself1 though merely to carry on the purpose of this address1 will not by certain persons1 inwardly at least1 be ill taken4 ,and with this needful apology for myself ,i proceed to celebrate1 ,,eighthly1 ,the last and highest instance of your civilities to your admired friend1 which yet ,i hope to vindicate from any reasonable suspicion of flattery2 ,i presumed to say in the foregoing article that you had once or twice hazarded even a direct compliment on the person whose system you oppose4 ,i expressed myself with accuracy4 ,there is one other place in your dissertation1 where you make this sacrifice to friendship or to custom4 ,the passage is even wrought up into a resemblance of that unqualified adulation1 which ,i condemn so much1 and from which1 in general1 your writings are perfectly free4 ,i could almost wish for your credit to suppress this one obnoxious paragraph4 ,but it runs thus1 8,that the subterraneous adventures of neas were intended by ,virgil to represent the initiation of his heroe1 is an elegant conjecture1 which hath been laid before the public1 and set forth to the best advantage by a learned friend#abh40 ,i confess to you ,i did not know at first sight what to do with the two high-flown epithets1 elegant and learned1 which stand so near together in one sentence4 ,such accumulated praises had well-nigh overset my system4 ,and ,i began with much solicitude to consider how ,i should be able to reconcile this escape of your pen with your general practice4 ,but taking a little time to look about me1 ,i presently spied a way of extricating both of us from this difficulty4 ,for hang it1 thought ,i1 if this notion of the heroe's adventures in the infernal regions be elegant1 it is but a conjecture2 and so poor a matter as this were hardly worth pursuing1 as the author of the ,d4 ,l4 hath done1 through almost a fourth part of a very sizeable volume4 ,and then as to the term elegant1 to be sure it hath a good sound2 but more than a third part of this choice volume of yours1 ,i observed1 is employed in making appear that the conjecture1 whatever it be1 hath not the least feature of truth in it4 ,and elegance1 altogether devoid of truth1 was1 ,i concluded1 a very pitiful thing1 and indeed no very intelligible encomium4 ,well1 but let there be as little truth as you will1 in this conjecture1 still it hath been set forth to the best advantage1 and to crown all by a learned friend4 ,here a swarm of fresh difficulties attacked me4 ,sed nil desperandum te duce4 ,for why talk of advantage1 when the conjecture after all would not bear the handling8 ,it was but mighty little 7your friendship would not let you do more7 which you had brought against it4 ,and the conjecture ,i saw1 was shrunk to nothing1 and is never likely to rise again into any shape or substance4 ,so that when you added by a learned friend1 ,i could not for my life1 help laughing4 ,surely1 thought ,i1 the reverend person tends on this occasion to be pleasant4----,indeed you often are so with a very good grace1 but ,i happened not to expect it just at this moment4--,for what learning worth speaking of could there be in the support of a notion1 which was so easily overturned without any8 ,you may be sure ,i mean no reflection in these words4 ,nobody questions your erudition4 ,but it was not your fortune or your choice to make a shew of it in this discourse4 ,the propriety of the epithet learned1 then1 did not evidently and immediately appear4 ,however1 as ,i knew there was in truth no small quantity of learning in the piece referred to1 and that the author of the ,d4 ,l4 whatever ,,bate1 and ,,peters1 and ,,jackson1 may say or insinuate1 is unquestionably1 and to a very competent degree1 learned1 ,i began to take the matter a little more seriously4 ,and1 upon looking attentively at the words a second time1 ,i thought a very natural account might be given of them upon other principles4 ,for1 as to the substantive friend1 why might not that for once be put in for your own sake as well as his8 ,the advantages of friendship are reciprocal4 ,and though it be very clear to other people which is the gainer by this intercourse1 who knows but ,dr4 ,,jortin1 in his great modesty1 might suppose the odds to lie on his own side8 ,and then for learned1 which had embarrassed me so much1 ,i bethought myself at last there was not much in that1 this attribute having been long prostituted on every man who pretends1 in any degree1 to the profession of letters4 ,so that1 on the whole1 though ,i must still reckon this for an instance1 amongst others1 of that due measure of respect with which your politeness teaches you to treat your friends1 yet ,i see no reason for charging it with any excess of civility4 ,and now1 ,sir1 having been at all this pains to justify you from the two contrary censures of having done too little and too much1 let us see how the account stands4 ,malice itself1 ,i think1 must confess that you have not been lavish of your encomiums4 ,you have even dispensed them with a reserve1 which1 though ,i admire extremely1 will almost expose you to the imputation of parsimony4 ,and yet1 on the other hand1 when we compute the number and estimate the value of your applauses1 we shalt see cause to correct this censure4 ,for1 from the ,,eight articles ,i have so carefully set down1 and considered1 it appears at length that you have done all due honour to your friend1 and in ways the most adapted to do him honour4 ,that is to say1 ,you have adopted his subject--,you have written against him--,you have glanced at him--,you have spared his arguments--,you have lent him some of your own--,you have quoted him--,you have called his conjecture ingenious--,nay elegant--,and you have called himself learned1 and1 what is more1 your friend4 ,and if all this will not satisfy him1 or rather his friends 7for ,i hope1 and partly believe1 he himself thinks nothing of this whole matter71 ,i know not for my part what will4 ,i am sure 7and that should be your satisfaction1 as it is mine7 that you have gone as far as was consistent with the delicacy of friendship 7which may reasonably imply in it a little jealousy71 and with the virtuous consciousness of that importance which writers of your class ought to be of to themselves4 ,and ,i hope never to see the day when you shall be induced by any considerations to compliment any man breathing at the expence of these two virtues4 ,and here1 on a view of this whole matter1 let me profess the pleasure ,i take in observing that you 7and ,i have remarked it in some others71 who have so constantly those soft words of candour1 goodness1 and charity in your mouth1 and whose soul1 one would think1 was ready to melt itself into all the weaknesses of this character1 should yet have force enough not to relent at the warmest influences of friendship4 ,men may see by this instance that charity is not that unmanly enfeebling virtue which some would represent it1 when1 though ready on fit occasions to resolve and open itself to a general candour1 it shuts up the heart close and compact1 and impregnable to any particular and personal attachment4 ,i take much delight in this pleasing contemplation4 ,yet1 as our best virtues1 when pushed to a certain degree1 are on the very point of becoming vices1 you are not to wonder that every one hath not the discernment or the justice to do you right4 ,and to see1 in truth1 the malignity of human nature1 and the necessity there was for you to inculcate in your third ,discourse1 ,the duty of judging candidly and favourably of others1 ,i will not conceal from you1 at parting1 what hath been suggested to me by many persons to whom ,i communicated the design of this address4 8,they said10 besides other things which ,i have occasionally obviated in the course of this letter1 8that the excellent person whom you have allowed yourself to treat with so much indignity and disrespect 7,i need not take notice that ,i use the very terms of the objectors71 in this poor and disingenuous criticism upon him1 had set you an example of a very different sort1 which you ought in common equity1 and even decency1 to have followed40 ,they observe that his own pen never expatiates more freely1 and with more pleasure1 than when it finds or takes an occasion to celebrate the virtues of some deserving friend4 ,they own the natural warmth and benevolence of his temper is even liable to some excess on these inviting occasions4 ,and for an instance they referred me to a paragraph in the notes on ,julian1 which1 though ,i know you do not forget1 ,i shall here set down as it stands in the last edition4 ,he had just been touching a piece of ecclesiastical history4 8,but this10 says he1 8,i leave with ,julian's adventures to my learned friend ,mr4 ,,jortin1 who1 ,i hope1 will soon oblige the public with his curious ,dissertations on ,ecclesiastical ,antiquity1 composed like his ,life1 not in the spirit of controversy1 nor1 what is worse1 of party1 but of truth and candour#abi40 ,here1 said they insultingly1 is a specimen of that truly liberal spirit with which one learned friend should exert himself when he would do honour to another4 ,will all the volumes which the profound ecclesiastical remarker hath published1 or ever will publish1 do him half the credit with posterity as this single stroke1 by which his name and virtues are here adorned and ushered into the acquaintance of the public8 ,and will you still pretend to vindicate him from the scorn which every honest man must have for him1 after seeing how unworthily he requites this service by his famous ,,sixth ,,dissertation in this new volume8 ,this1 and a great deal more to the same purpose1 was said by them in their tragical way4 ,i need not hint to you1 after the clear exposition ,i have given of my own sentiments1 how little weight their rhetoric had on me1 and how easily ,i turned aside this impotent1 though invenomed1 invective from falling on your fame and memory4 ,for the compliment they affect to magnify so much1 let every candid reader judge of it for himself4 ,but1 as much had been said in this debate concerning ,,friendship1 and the persons with whom it was most proper to contract it1 ,i found myself something struck with the concluding observation of one of these rhetorical declaimers4 ,as it was delivered in a language you love1 and is1 besides1 a passage not much blown upon by the dealers in such scraps1 ,i have thought it might1 perhaps1 afford you some amusement4 ,he did not say where he found it1 and you would not like it the better if he had1 but1 as ,i remember1 it was delivered in these words3 1 1 1 4 ,lincoln's-,inn1 ,nov4 #be1 #agee4 ,a ,,letter ,,to ,,the ,,rev4 ,,dr4 ,,leland4 ,,first ,,printed ,,in #agfd4 ,a ,,letter ,,to ,,the ,,rev4 ,,dr4 ,,thomas ,,leland1 ,,fellow ,,of ,,trinity ,,college1 ,,dublin3 ,,in ,,which ,,his ,,late ,,dissertation ,,on ,,the ,,principles ,,of ,,human ,,eloquence ,,is ,,criticised2 ,,and ,,the ,,bishop ,,of ,,gloucester',s ,idea of the ,nature and ,character of an inspired ,language1 as delivered in his ,lordship's ,doctrine of ,grace1 ,,is ,,vindicated ,from ,,all the ,objections of the learned ,author of the ,,dissertation4 ,a ,,letter ,,to ,,the ,,rev4 ,,dr4 ,,leland4 ,,rev4 ,,sir1 ,i have read your ,,dissertation on the principles of human ,eloquence1 and shall very readily1 ,i dare say1 be indulged in the liberty1 ,i am going to take1 of giving you my free thoughts upon it4 ,i shall do it1 with all the regard that is due from one scholar to another2 and even with all the civility which may be required ,,one1 who hath his reasons for addressing you1 in this public manner1 without a name4 ,you entitle your work ,a ,dissertation on the principles of ,eloquence3 but the real subject of it1 is an ,opinion1 or ,paradox1 as you chuse to term it1 delivered by the ,bishop of ,gloucester in his late discourse on ,grace4 ,this opinion1 indeed1 concerns1 or rather1 in your ideas1 subverts1 the very principles of ,eloquence1 which your office1 it seems1 in a learned society obliged you to maintain3 so that you cannot be blamed for giving some attention to the ingenious ,prelate's paradox1 which so incommodiously came in your way4 ,only the more intelligent of your hearers might possibly think it strange that1 in a set of rhetorical lectures1 addressed to them1 the ,controversial part should so much take the lead of the ,didactic3 or rather1 that the ,didactic part should stand quite still1 while the ,controversial keeps pacing it1 with much alacrity1 from one end of your ,dissertation to the other4 ,yet neither1 on second thoughts1 can you be blamed for this conduct1 which one way or other might serve to the instruction of your young auditory2 if not in the principles of ,rhetoric1 yet in a better thing1 the principles of ,logic4 ,it might1 further1 serve to another purpose1 not unworthy the regard of a rhetoric lecturer4 ,the subject of ,eloquence has been so exhausted in the fine writings of antiquity1 and1 what is worse1 has been so hackneyed in modern compilations from them1 that your discourse wanted to be enlivened by the poignant controversial air1 you have given to it1 and to be made important1 by bringing an illustrious character into the scene4 ,all this ,i am ready to say in your vindication1 if your conduct may be thought to require any4 ,having1 therefore1 nothing to object to the general design1 or mode of your dissertation1 ,i shall confine myself entirely to the ,,matter of it1 after acquainting the reader1 in few words1 with the occasion and subject ,of this debate4 ,the ,bishop of ,gloucester1 in late theological treatise on the doctrine of ,grace1 which required him to speak fully to the subject of inspiration1 found it necessary to obviate an objection to what he conceived to be the right notion of inspired scripture1 which had been supported by some ingenious men1 and very lately by ,dr4 ,,middleton4 ,the objection is delivered by the learned ,doctor1 in these words4 8,if we allow the gift of inspired languages to be lasting1 we must conclude that some at least of the books of scripture were in this inspired ,greek4 ,but we should naturally expect to find an inspired language to be such as is worthy of ,god2 that is1 pure1 clear1 noble and affecting1 even beyond the force of common speech2 since nothing can come from ,god but what is perfect in its kind4 ,in short1 the purity of ,,plato1 and the eloquence of ,,cicero4 ,now1 if we try the apostolic language by this rule1 we shall be so far from ascribing it to ,god1 that we shall scarcely think it worthy of man1 that is1 of the liberal and polite2 it being utterly rude and barbarous1 and abounding with every fault that can possibly deform a language4 ,and though some writers1 prompted by a false zeal1 have attempted to defend the purity of the ,scripture-,greek1 their labour has been idly employed#acj40 ,thus far the learned ,,doctor4 #8,these triumphant observations1' says the ,bishop1 #8are founded on two propositions1 both of which he takes for granted1 and yet neither of them is true3 #8,the one1 ,that an inspired language must needs be a language of perfect eloquence2 #8,the other1 ,that eloquence is something congenial and essential to human speech#aca4' ,the ,,bishop then undertakes to shew the falshood of these two propositions4 ,,you1 ,sir1 contend for the truth of the latter3 and controvert the principles on which the ,bishop would confute the former4 ,that the reader may be enabled to judge for himself between you1 ,i shall quote his ,lordship's own words1 paragraph by paragraph1 so far as any thing said by him is controverted by you2 and shall then endeavour1 with all care1 to pick up the loose ends of your argument1 as ,i find them any where come up in the several chapters of your ,dissertation2 intermixing1 as ,i go along1 such reflexions of my own1 as the occasion may suggest4 #8,with regard to the ,,first proposition 7resumes the ,bishop7 ,i will be bold to affirm1 that were the ,,style of the ,new ,testament exactly such as his ,dr4 ,,middleton',s very exaggerated account of if would persuade us to believe1 namely that it is utterly rude and barbarous1 and abounding with every fault that can possibly deform a language1 this is so far from proving such language not divinely inspired1 that it is one certain mark of this original#acb4' ,by the manner1 in which the learned ,bishop introduces this affirmation1 one sees that he foresaw very clearly it would be esteemed a bold one4 ,nay1 in another place#acc1 he even takes to himself the shame1 with which some readers1 he well knew1 would be forward enough to cover him1 and in one word confesses his general notion of eloquence to be a ,,paradox3 which yet1 says he1 like so many others1 ,i have had the odd fortune to advance1 will be seen to be only another name1 for ,,truth4 ,after this concession1 it had been more generous in you to have omitted some invidious passages2 such as that where you say1 the ,bishop in his reply to this objection of ,dr4 ,,middleton seems to have displayed that ,,bold ,,opposition ,,to ,,the ,,general ,,opinions ,,of ,,mankind1 by which his learned labours are distinguished2 ,intr4 p4 ii4 ,and again in p4 vii4 where you speak of his principles as paradoxical1 and implying ,,an ,,hardy ,,opposition ,,to ,,the ,,general ,,sense ,,of ,,mankind4 ,but let the boldness of the ,bishop's principles be what it will1 there is small hurt done1 provided they turn out1 what he seems persuaded they will1 only truths4 ,let us attend his ,lordship1 then1 in the proof of his ,,first ,paradox4 #8,i will not pretend1 says he1 to point out which books of the ,n4 ,t4 were1 or were not1 composed by those who had the ,greek tongue thus miraculously infused into them2 but this ,i will venture to say1 that the style of a writer so inspired1 who had not 7as these writers had not7 afterwards cultivated his knowledge of the language on the principles of ,grecian eloquence1 would be precisely such as we find it in the books of the ,new ,testament4 #8,for1 if this only be allowed1 which no one1 ,i think1 will contest with me1 that a strange language acquired by illiterate men1 in the ordinary way1 would be full of the idioms of their native tongue1 just as the ,scripture-,greek is observed to be full of ,syriasms1 and ,hebraisms2 how can it be pretended1 by those who reflect upon the nature of language1 that a strange tongue divinely infused into illiterate men1 like that at the day of ,pentecost1 could have any other properties and conditions#acd8' ,here1 the features of this bold paradox begin to soften a little4 ,we are something reconciled to it1 #a4 by being told1 what the rudeness and barbarity is1 which is affirmed to be one certain mark of an inspired language1 namely1 its being full of the idioms of the native tongue of the inspired writer3 ,and #b4 by being told1 that these idioms are equally to be expected whether the new language be infused by divine inspiration1 or acquired by illiterate men in the ordinary way4 ,in the latter case1 it is presumed1 and surely with reason enough 7because experience uniformly attests the fact71 that a strange language1 so learnt1 would abound in the native idioms of the learner3 ,all that remains is to shew1 that the event would be the same1 in the former4 ,the ,bishop then applies himself1 in order1 to this task4 #8,let us weigh these cases impartially4 ,every language consists of two distinct parts2 the single terms1 and the phrases and idioms4 ,the first1 as far as concerns appellatives especially1 is of mere arbitrary imposition1 though on artificial principles common to all men3 ,the second arises insensibly1 but constantly1 from the manners1 customs1 and tempers of those to whom the language is vernacular2 and so becomes1 though much less arbitrary 7as what the ,grammarians call congruity is more concerned in this part than in the other71 yet various and different as the several tribes and nations of mankind4 ,the first therefore is unrelated to every thing but to the genius of language in general2 the second hath an intimate connexion with the fashions1 notions1 and opinions of that people only1 to whom the language is native4 #8,let us consider then the constant way which illiterate men take to acquire the knowledge of a foreign tongue4 ,do they not make it their principal1 and1 at first1 their only study1 to treasure up in their memory the signification of the terms8 ,hence1 when they come to talk or write in the speech thus acquired1 their language is found to be full of their own native idioms4 ,and thus it will continue1 till by long use of the strange tongue1 and especially by long acquaintance with the owners of it1 they have imbibed the particular genius of the language4 #8,suppose then this foreign tongue1 instead of being thus gradually introduced into the minds of these illiterate men1 was instantaneously infused into them2 the operation 7though not the very mode of operating7 being the same1 must not the effect be the same1 let the cause be never so different8 ,without question4 ,the divine impression must be made either by fixing the terms or single words only and their signification in the memory2 as for instance1 ,greek terms corresponding to the ,syriac or ,hebrew2 or else1 together with that simple impression1 another must be made1 to inrich the mind with all the ideas which go towards the composing the phrases and idioms of the language so inspired3 ,but this latter impression seems to require1 or rather indeed implies1 a previous one1 of the tempers1 fashions1 and opinions of the people to whom the language is native1 upon the minds of them to whom the language is thus imparted2 because the phrase and idiom arises from1 and is dependent on1 those manners3 and therefore the force of expression can be understood only in proportion to the knowledge of the manners3 and understood they were to be2 the ,recipients of this spiritual gift being not organical canals1 but rational ,dispensers4 ,so that this would be a waste of miracles without a sufficient cause2 the ,syriac or ,hebrew idiom1 to which the ,disciples were enabled of themselves to adapt the words of the ,greek1 or any other language1 abundantly serving every useful purpose1 all which centered in giving ,,clear ,,intelligence4 ,we conclude1 therefore1 that what was thus inspired was the ,,terms1 together with that grammatic congruity1 which is dependant thereon4 ,in a word1 to suppose such kind of inspired knowledge of strange tongues as includes all the native peculiarities1 which1 if you will1 you may call their elegancies2 7for the more a language is coloured by the character and manners of the native users1 the more elegant it is esteemed7 to suppose this1 is1 as ,i have said1 an ignorant fancy1 and repugnant to reason and experience4 #8,now1 from what has been observed1 it follows1 that if the style of the ,n4 ,t4 were indeed derived from a language divinely infused as on the day of ,pentecost1 it must be just such1 with regard to its style1 as1 in fact1 we find it to be2 that is to say1 ,greek words very frequently delivered in ,syriac and ,hebrew idiom4 #8,the conclusion from the whole is this1 that nominal or local barbarity of style 7for that this attribute1 when applied to style1 is no more than nominal or local1 will be clearly shewn under our next head7 is so far from being an objection to its miraculous acquisition1 that it is one mark of such extraordinary original#ace4' ,i have given this long quotation together1 that the reader may comprehend at one view the drift and coherence of the ,bishop's argument3 which is so clearly explained that what force it hath1 can receive no addition from any comment of mine upon it4 ,it is true1 this force appears to you no mighty matter--8,we are told1 you say1 that1 in order to convey clear intelligence to a foreigner1 nothing more is necessary1 than to use the words of his language adapted to the idiom of our own4 ,but shall we always find correspondent words in his language#acf80 ,shall we always find correspondent words8--,not always1 perfectly correspondent4 ,where does the ,bishop say1 we shall8 ,or1 how was it to his purpose to say it8 ,he does indeed speak of such a correspondency of terms1 and chiefly of such an adaption of the terms of one language to the idiom of another1 as shall abundantly serve to give clear intelligence4 ,and this is all he had occasion to say4 ,well1 but an exact correspondency of terms is material4 ,to what8 ,to give clear intelligence8 ,but if this be true1 no clear intelligence can possibly be given in any translation from one language into another2 for1 in all translations whatever1 it is necessary to render some words by others1 that are not perfectly correspondent4 ,you will scarcely deny that our ,english translation of the ,gospels conveys1 in general1 clear intelligence to the ,english reader1 though many terms are used in it1 and were of necessity to be used1 that do not perfectly and adequately correspond to the ,greek terms1 employed by the sacred writers4 ,without doubt it was your purpose to convey clear intelligence to your ,english reader in the elegant translations1 they say1 you have made of ,,demosthenes3 and yet doubtless you will acknowledge that many words of the ,athenian orator are not perfectly correspondent to those employed by you in your version of them4 ,what follows from this8 ,why1 either that all translations must be exploded and set aside as insufficient to give clear intelligence1 or that we must accept them1 with all their unavoidable imperfections1 as1 in general1 sufficiently representative of the sense of their originals1 though in some particulars that sense be inadequately conveyed to us4 ,but how then1 you will say1 shall we gain a clear and perfect intelligence of such particulars8 ,why in the way1 which common sense suggests2 by inquiring1 if we are able1 what the precise meaning is of those terms of the original language1 to which the translated terms are thus imperfectly correspondent4 ,and if this be an inconvenience1 'tis an inconvenience necessarily attending every translation in the world1 in which a writer would express the mixed modes denoted by the words of any other4 ,for supposing the ,greek tongue1 infused by divine inspiration into the sacred writers1 to have been that of ,,plato or ,,demosthenes himself1 you will hardly pretend that it could have furnished them with ,greek terms perfectly expressive of such compound ideas as certain ,syriac or ,hebrew terms expressed1 and of which their subject obliged them to give1 as far as the nature of the case would permit1 clear intelligence4 ,so that ,i cannot for my life comprehend the drift of that short question1 ,shall we always find correspondent terms in a foreign language8 or1 the pertinence of your learned comment on the text of ,,cicero',s letter to ,,servius4 ,i am sensible indeed1 that1 if the terms only of the new language were divinely infused1 these1 whether perfectly correspondent or not1 would be insufficient of themselves to give clear intelligence4 ,but the ,bishop supposes more than this to be infused2 for1 what was inspired1 he tells us1 was the terms1 ,,together with that grammatic congruity which is dependent thereon4 ,now this knowledge of the grammatic congruity of any tongue1 superadded to a knowledge of its terms1 would methinks enable a writer to express himself in it1 for the most part1 intelligibly4 ,i confess1 the ,bishop speaks--of fixing the terms or single words ,,only1 and their signification1 in the memory--,but then he does not mean to exclude the grammatic congruity in the use of them1 which1 as we have seen1 he expressly requires in the very same paragraph1 but merely to expose the notion of the phrases and idioms being required1 too4 ,his ,lordship speaks of the terms1 or single words ,,only1 in opposition to phrases and idioms3 you seem to speak of terms1 or single words ,,only1 in opposition to systematic congruity4 ,i say1 you seem so to speak3 for1 otherwise1 ,i know not what to make of all you say concerning the insufficiency of the terms only of any language to give intelligence4 ,and yet1 in what follows1 you seem to do justice to the ,bishop1 and to admit that1 besides the terms1 a grammatic congruity in the use of them was divinely inspired4 ,for you go on to observe1 8,that the real purport of almost every sentence1 in every language1 is not to be learned from the signification of detached words1 and their grammatical congruity1 even where their signification may be expressed by correspondent words in another language#acg40 ,and here1 ,sir1 your learning expatiates through several pages3 the purpose of all which is to shew1 that1 if the terms of one language1 though congruously used1 be strictly adapted to the idiom of another1 still they would give no intelligence1 or at least a very obscure one2 as you endeavour to prove by a decent instance taken from your countryman1 ,,swift1 in his dotages2 and another1 given by yourself in a literal version of a long passage of a sacred writer4 ,it is true1 in this last instance1 you do not confine yourself to the strict observance of grammatic congruity4 ,if you had done this1 it would have appeared1 from your own instance1 that intelligence might have been given1 and with tolerable clearness too1 even in a literal version4 ,but be it allowed1 that1 if the terms of one language1 even though a congruous construction be observed1 be constantly and strictly adapted to the idioms of another1 the expression will still1 many times1 be very dark and obscure3 how is this obscurity to be prevented8 ,take what language you will for the conveyance instruction1 it will be necessary for the reader or hearer to gain a competent knowledge of its idioms and phraseology1 before he can receive the full benefit of it4 ,so that1 unless there had been a language in the world1 native to all nations1 and in the strictest sense of the word universal1 ,i see not how inspiration itself could remedy this inconvenience4 ,suppose1 as ,i said before1 that the inspired language in which the ,apostles wrote had been the purest ,greek1 still its idiomatic phraseology had been as strange and obscure to all such to whom that language was not native1 as the ,syriac or ,hebrew idioms1 by which the ,apostolic ,greek is now supposed to be so much darkened4 ,i conclude upon the whole1 that nothing you have said overturns1 or so much as affects1 the learned ,prelate's notion of divine inspiration1 as conveying only the terms and single words of one language1 corresponding to those of another1 together with that grammatic congruity in the use of them which is dependant thereon4 ,this first and grand principle1 as you call it1 of the ,bishop's new theory1 is such1 you say1 as no critic or grammarian can admit#ach4 ,on the contrary1 ,i must presume to think1 because ,i have now shewn1 that no critic or grammarian1 who deserves the name1 can reasonably object to this principle1 as it allows all that is necessary to be supposed of an inspired language1 its sufficiency to give clear intelligence3 so clear1 that1 had the idioms of the new language been inspired too1 it could not1 in the general view of ,providence1 who intended this intelligence for the use of all people and languages1 have been clearer4 ,but your unfavourable sentiment of the ,bishop's principle arises from your misconception of the circumstances1 abilities1 and qualifications of the ,apostles1 when they addressed themselves to the work of their ministry1 and especially to the work of composing books for the instruction of the faithful in this originally inspired language4 ,when the ,greek language was first infused1 it would1 no doubt1 be full of their native phrases1 or rather it would be wholly and entirely adapted to the ,hebrew or ,syriac idioms4 ,this would render their expression somewhat dark and obscure to their ,grecian hearers4 ,but then it would be intelligible enough to those to whom they first and principally addressed themselves1 the ,hellenistic ,jews1 who1 though they understood ,greek best1 were generally no strangers to the ,hebrew idiom4 ,further still1 though this ,hebrew-,greek language was all that was originally infused into the ,apostles1 nothing hinders but that they might1 in the ordinary way1 improve themselves in the ,greek tongue1 and superadd to their inspired knowledge whatever they could acquire1 besides1 by their conversation with the native ,greeks1 and the study of their language4 ,for1 though it can hardly be imagined1 as the ,bishop says1 that the inspired writers had cultivated their knowledge of the language on the principles of the ,grecian eloquence#aci1 that is1 had formed and perfected their style by an anxious and critical attention to the rules and practice of the ,greek rhetors1 yet we need not conclude that they wholly neglected to improve themselves in the knowledge and use of this new language4 ,so that1 by the time they turned themselves to the ,gentiles1 and still more by the time they applied themselves to pen the books of the ,n4 ,t4 they might be tolerable masters even of the peculiar phraseology of the ,greek tongue1 and might be able to adapt it1 in good measure1 to the ,greek idioms4 ,all this1 ,i say1 is very supposeable2 because their turning to the ,gentiles was not till near ,,ten years after the descent of the ,holy ,ghost upon the ,apostles and the date of their earliest writings1 penned for the edification of the ,church1 was not till near ,,twenty years after that period3 ,in all which time1 they had full leisure and opportunity to acquire a competent knowledge of the native idiomatic ,greek1 abundantly sufficient to answer all ends of clearness and instruction4 ,but ,i go further1 and say1 ,it is not only very supposeable1 and perfectly consistent with all the ,bishop has advanced on the subject of inspiration1 that the sacred writers might thus improve themselves1 but it is1 likewise1 very clear and certain that they ,,did4 ,how else are we to account for that difference of style observable in the sacred writers1 whose expression is more or less coloured by their native ,hebrew idioms1 according as their acquaintance with the ,greek tongue was more or less perfect8 ,there were still1 no doubt1 very many of their own native idioms interspersed in their most improved ,greek3 ,as must ever be the case of writers who compose in a foreign tongue1 whether acquired in the ordinary way1 or supernaturally infused into them3 ,but these barbarisms1 as they are called1 ,i mean these ,syriasms or ,hebraisms1 are not so constant and perpetual as to prevent their writings from giving clear intelligence4 ,in short1 the style of the inspired writers is ,,just that which we should naturally expect it to be1 on this supposition of its being somewhat improved by use and exercise1 and which the learned ,bishop accurately 7and in perfect consistency with his main principle1 of the terms only being inspired1 with the congruous use of them7 defines it to be1 8,greek words ,,very ,,frequently delivered in ,syriac and ,hebrew idiom#adj40 ,thus1 in every view1 the ,bishop's grand principle may be safely admitted4 ,all that we need suppose1 and therefore all that is reasonable to be supposed1 is1 ,that the terms of the ,greek language1 and a grammatical congruity in the use of them1 was miraculously infused3 ,the rest would be competently and sufficiently obtained by the application of ordinary means1 without a miracle4 ,after saying so little1 or rather after saying indeed nothing1 that affects the ,bishop's principle1 ,i cannot but think it is with an ill grace you turn yourself to cavil at the following incidental observation of his ,lordship1 which yet will be found as true and as just as any other he has made on this subject4 ,to those who might expect that1 besides the simple impression of the ,greek terms only1 and their signification on the minds of the inspired linguists1 another should have been made to inrich the mind with all the ideas which go towards the composing the phrases and idioms of the language so inspired 7all which had been necessary1 if the inspired language had been intended for a perfect model of ,grecian eloquence71 the ,bishop replies--#8,this latter impression seems to require1 or rather indeed implies1 a previous one of the tempers1 fashions1 and opinions1 of the people to whom the language is native1 upon the minds of them to whom the language is thus imparted2 because the phrase and idiom arises from1 and is dependent on those manners#ada4' ,but such an impression as this1 he goes on to shew1 was not to be expected4 ,it is clear from this passage1 that the ,bishop is speaking of an impression necessary to be made on the minds of the ,apostles1 if the inspired language had been so complete as to extend to all its native phrases and idioms4 ,if the ,apostles were instantly to possess the inspired ,greek in this perfection1 it is necessary to suppose that this last impression must1 as well as that of the terms1 be made upon them4 ,can any thing1 be more certain and undeniable than this affirmation8 ,yet1 in p4 #hf4 of your book1 you have this strange passage4 ,after having shewn1 as you suppose1 that the ,bishop's grand principle1 of the inspiration of the ,,terms only1 stands on a very insecure foundation1 8,perhaps10 you say1 8it is no less ,,hazardous to affirm1 that a knowledge of the idiom or phraseology of any language1 always implies a previous knowledge of the customs and manners of those to whom it is vernacular40 ,you intended1 no doubt1 in your censure of this hazardous position1 to oppose something which the ,bishop had affirmed4 ,be pleased now to cast your eye on the passage you criticize1 and tell me where the ,bishop asserts1 that a ,,knowledge of the idiom or phraseology of any language ,,always implies a previous knowledge of the customs and manners of those to whom it is vernacular4 ,what the ,bishop asserts is1 ,that an ,,impression of the phrases and idioms of an inspired language implies a previous ,,impression of the tempers1 fashions1 and opinions of the people to whom the language is native1 upon the minds of them to who the language is ,,thus imparted3 that is1 if a knowledge of the idioms had been impressed1 a knowledge of the customs and manners from which those idioms arise1 and without a knowledge of which they could not be understood 7as they were to be1 by the recipients of this spiritual gift71 must have been impressed likewise4 ,no1 you say3 a knowledge of the idiom of a language does not always imply a previous knowledge of the manners4 ,who says1 it does8 ,we may come to know the idioms of languages1 without a divine impression3 and without such impression1 for any thing appears to the contrary1 the ,bishop might suppose the sacred writers came by their knowledge1 so far as they possessed it1 of the ,greek idioms4 ,but the impression of such idioms could only come from another and previous impression of the customs and manners3 because in this case1 without a previous impression of the customs and manners1 the idioms themselves1 when impressed1 could not have been understood1 nor consequently put to use1 by the persons on whom this impression was made4 ,they had no time to recur to ,lexicons1 ,grammars1 and ,commentaries to know the meaning of the impressed idioms4 ,how then were they1 on the instant1 to know their meaning at all1 but by a previous impression of the manners1 from which they arose1 and which would put them into a capacity of understanding these impressed idioms8 ,in a word1 the ,bishop is speaking of ,,supernatural ,,impression3 you1 of ,,natural ,,knowledge4 ,no wonder1 then1 your reasoning and your learning1 in the concluding pages of this chapter1 should look entirely beside the matter in hand1 or1 at best1 should look so askew on the ,bishop's hazardous position4 ,it is certain1 you are far enough out of all danger of encountering it1 when you entrench yourself1 at length1 behind this distant and secure conclusion--8that the knowledge of idiom is so far from requiring1 or implying a previous one of tempers1 manners1 c4 that the very ,,converse of this seems to be the safer principle2 and that tempers and manners are not to be learned1 without some degree of previous acquaintance with the peculiarities of a language#adb30 a proposition1 which though exceptionable enough1 as you put it1 and even suggesting some pleasant ideas1 ,i am in no humour1 at present1 to contest with you4 ,this1 ,,sir1 ,,is ,,the ,,whole of what ,i find advanced by you1 that hath any shew or appearance of being intended as a ,confutation of the argument by which the ,bishop supports his ,,first ,,paradox2 in opposition to ,dr4 ,,middleton',s opinion1 ,that an inspired language must needs be a language of perfect eloquence4 ,the ,bishop has told us in very accurate terms what he conceives the character of an inspired language must needs be3 and ,i have at least shewn1 that the character he gives of it may be a just one1 notwithstanding any thing you have objected to it in your learned ,dissertation4 ,i now proceed to the ,bishop's ,,second ,,paradox2 which opposes ,dr4 ,,middleton',s second ,proposition1 ,that eloquence is something congenial and essential to human speech1 and inherent in the constitution of things4 #8,this supposes1 says the ,bishop1 #8that there is some certain ,,archetype in nature1 to which that quality refers1 and on which it is formed and modelled4 ,and1 indeed1 admitting this to be the case1 one should be apt enough to conclude1 that when the ,author of nature condescended to inspire one of these plastic performances of human art1 he would make it by the exactest pattern of the ,archetype4 #8,but the proposition is fanciful and false4 ,eloquence is not congenial or essential to human speech1 nor is there any ,archetype in nature to which that quality refers4 ,it is accidental and arbitrary1 and depends on custom and fashion3 it is a mode of human communication which changes with the changing climates of the ,earth2 and is as various and unstable as the genius1 temper1 and manners of its diversified inhabitants4 ,for what is ,,purity but the use of such terms1 with their multiplied combinations1 as the interest1 the complexion1 or the caprice of a writer or speaker of authority hath preferred to its equals8 ,what is ,,elegance but such a turn of idiom as a fashionable fancy hath brought into repute8 ,and what is ,,sublimity but the application of such images1 as arbitrary or casual connexions1 rather than their own native grandeur1 have dignified and ennobled8 ,now ,,eloquence is a compound of these three qualities of speech1 and consequently must be as nominal and unsubstantial as its constituent parts4 ,so that1 that mode of composition1 which is a model of perfect eloquence to one nation or people1 must appear extravagant or mean to another4 ,and thus in fact it was4 ,indian and ,asiatic eloquence were esteemed hyperbolic1 unnatural1 abrupt and puerile to the more phlegmatic inhabitants of ,rome and ,athens4 ,and the ,western eloquence1 in its turn1 appeared nerveless and effeminate1 frigid or insipid1 to the hardy and inflamed imaginations of the ,east4 ,nay1 what is more1 each species1 even of the most approved genus1 changed its nature with the change of clime and language2 and the same expression1 which1 in one place1 had the utmost simplicity1 had1 in another1 the utmost sublime#adc4' ,the ,bishop then proceeds to illustrate this last observation by a famous instance1 taken from the first chapter of ,genesis1 and then recapitulates and enforces his general argument in the following manner4 #8,apply all this to the books of the ,n4 ,t4 an authorized collection1 professedly designed for the rule and direction of mankind4 ,now such a rule demanded that it should be inspired of ,god4 ,but inspired writing1 the objectors say1 implies the most perfect eloquence4 ,what human model then was the ,holy ,ghost to follow8 ,and a human model1 of arbitrary construction1 it must needs be1 because there was no other3 ,or1 if there were another1 it would never suit the purpose1 which was to make an impression on the minds and affections2 and this impression1 such an eloquence only as that which had gained the popular ear1 could effect4 ,should therefore the ,eastern eloquence be employed8 ,but this would be too inflated and gigantic for the ,west4 ,should it be the ,western8 ,but this would be too cold and torpid for the ,east4 ,or1 suppose the generic eloquence of the more polished nations was to be preferred1 which species of it was to be employed8 ,the rich exuberance of the ,asiatic ,greeks1 or the dry conciseness of the ,spartans8 ,the pure and poignant ease and flowing sweetness of the ,attic modulation1 or the strength and grave severity of the ,roman tone8 ,or should all give way to that ,african torrent1 which arose from the fermented mixture of the dregs of ,greece and ,italy1 and soon after overflowed the ,church with theological conceits in a sparkling luxuriancy of thought1 and a sombrous rankness of expression8 ,thus various were the species's6 all as much decried by a different genus1 and each as much disliked by a different species1 as the eloquence of the remotest ,east and ,west1 by one another#add4' ,thus far the learned ,bishop1 with the spirit and energy1 as you well observe1 of an ancient orator#ade2 and1 let me add1 with a justness and force of reasoning1 which would have done honour to the best ancient ,philosopher4 ,but here we separate again4 ,you maintain1 with ,dr4 ,,middleton1 that eloquence is something congenial and essential to human speech3 ,while ,i1 convinced by the ,bishop's reasoning in these paragraphs1 maintain that it assuredly is not4 ,the subject1 indeed1 affords great scope to your rhetorical faculties2 and the cause1 you maintain1 being that1 as you conceive1 of the antient orators1 and even of eloquence itself1 you suffer your enthusiasm to bear you away1 without controul2 and1 as is the natural effect of enthusiasm1 with so little method and precision of argument1 that a cool examiner of your work hardly knows how to follow you1 or where to take aim at you1 in your aery and uncertain flight4 ,however1 ,i shall do my best to reduce your ,rhetoric to ,reason2 ,i mean1 to represent the substance of what you seem to intend by way of argument against the ,bishop's principle1 leaving your eloquence to make what impression on the gentle reader it may4 ,and1 ,,first1 in opposition1 as you suppose1 to the ,bishop's tenet1 8,that eloquence is ,,not something congenial and essential to human speech10 you apply yourself to shew1 through several chapters1 that tropes1 metaphors1 allegories1 and universally what are called by ,rhetoricians figures of speech1 are natural and necessary expressions of the passions1 and have their birth in the very reason and constitution of things4 ,to make out this important point is the sole drift of your ,i1 ,,ii1 ,,iii1 and ,,iv ,chapters2 in which you seem to me to be contending for that which nobody denies1 and to be disputing without an opponent4 ,at least1 you can hardly believe that the ,bishop of ,gloucester is to be told1 that metaphors1 allegories1 and similitudes are the offspring of nature and necessity1 ,,he1 who has1 with the utmost justness and elegance of reasoning1 as you well observe#adf1 explained this very point1 himself1 in the ,,divine ,,legation4 ,what then are we to conclude from these elaborate chapters8 ,why1 that by some unlucky mistake or other1 let us call it only by the softer name1 of inattention1 you have entirely misrepresented the scope and purpose of all the ,bishop has said on the subject of eloquence4 ,and that this is no hasty or groundless charge1 but the very truth of the case1 will clearly be seen from a brief examination of the ,bishop's theory1 compared with your reasonings upon it4 ,the position1 that eloquence is something congenial and essential to human speech1 supposes1 says the ,bishop1 that there is some certain ,archetype in nature1 to which that quality refers1 and on which it is to be formed and modelled4 ,the ,bishop1 you see1 requires an ,archetype to be pointed out to him of that consummate eloquence1 which is said to be congenial and essential to human speech4 ,the demand is surely reasonable2 and not difficult to be complied with1 if such an ,archetype do1 in fact1 subsist4 ,but do you know of any such8 ,do you refer him to any such8 ,do you specify that composition8 or do you so much as delineate that sort of composition1 which will pass upon all men under the idea of an ,archetype8 ,nothing of all this4 ,permit us then to attend to the ,bishop's reasoning1 by which he undertakes to prove that no such ,archetype does or can exist4 #8,the proposition that asserts1 there is such an ,archetype is fanciful and false4 ,eloquence is not congenial or essential to human speech1 nor is there any ,archetype in nature to which that quality refers4 ,it is accidental and arbitrary1 and depends on custom and fashion3 ,it is a mode of human communication which changes with the changing climates of the earth2 and is as various and unstable as the genius1 temper1 and manners of its diversified inhabitants#adg4' ,the ,bishop asserts there is no ,archetype1 because eloquence is a variable thing1 depending on custom and fashion2 is nothing absolute in itself2 but relative to the fancies and prejudices of men1 and changeable1 as the different climes they inhabit4 ,this general reason seems convincing3 it appeals to fact1 to experience1 to the evidence of sense4 ,but the learned ,prelate goes further4 ,he analyzes the complex idea of eloquence3 he examines the qualities of speech1 of which it is made up2 and he shews that they are nominal and unsubstantial4 ,hence it follows1 again1 ,that there is no ,archetype in nature of perfect eloquence2 its very constituent parts1 as they are deemed1 having no substance or reality in them4 ,but why should the ,bishop condescend to this analysis1 when his general argument seemed decisive of the question8 ,for a good reason4 ,when the ,bishop asked for an ,,archetype1 though you are shy of producing any1 he well knew that the masters of ,eloquence1 those ,i mean who are accounted such in these parts of the world1 had pretended to give one4 ,he knew the authority of these masters of human speech with the sort of men1 he had to deal with3 he therefore takes the ,archetype1 they have given1 and shews1 upon their own ideas of eloquence1 it is a mere phantom4 ,it is not to be supposed that the ,bishop1 in touching incidentally the question of ,eloquence in a theological treatise1 should follow the ,greek and ,latin rhetors through all the niceties and distinctions of their ,art1 or should amuse himself or us with a minute detail of all the particulars which go to the making up of this mighty compound1 their ,,archetypal ,,idea of human eloquence4 ,if he had been so pleased1 and had had no better business on his hands1 it is likely he could have told us news1 as you have done1 out of ,,aristotle1 ,,longinus1 and ,,cicero4 ,but his manner is to say no more on a subject1 than the occasion makes necessary2 which1 in the present case1 was no more than to acquaint his reader1 in very general terms1 with the constituent parts of eloquence2 which he resolves into these three1 ,,purity1 ,,elegance1 and ,,sublimity4 ,but this you call a most illogical division of ,eloquence2 for that the ,bishop hath not only enumerated the constituent parts imperfectly2 but1 of the three qualities which he hath exhibited1 the first is included in the second1 and the third is not necessarily and universally a part of eloquence#adh4 ,the enumeration1 you say1 is imperfect4 ,yet ,purity1 ,i think1 denotes whatever comes under the idea of ,,propriety1 that is1 of approved custom1 as well as grammatical use1 in any language3 ,elegance1 expresses all those embellishments of composition1 which are the effect of ,,art3 and ,i know no fitter term than ,sublimity1 to stand for those qualities of eloquence1 which are derived from the efforts of ,genius1 or ,,natural ,,parts4 ,now what else can be required to complete the idea of ,eloquence1 and what defect of logic can there be in comprehending the various properties of human speech under these three generic names8 ,the division is surely so natural and so intelligible1 that few readers1 ,i believe1 will be disposed to object with you1 that the first of the three qualities is included in the second1 and that the third is not necessarily and universally a part of eloquence4 ,but let the ,bishop's enumeration be ever so logical1 you further quarrel with his idea of these three constituent parts of eloquence1 and his reasoning upon them4 #8,what2 says his ,lordship1 is ,,purity but the use of such terms with their multiplied combinations1 as the interest1 the complexion1 or the caprice of a writer or speaker of authority hath preferred to its equals8' ,this idea of purity in language you think strange2 and yet in the very chapter in which you set yourself to contemplate and to reprobate this strange idea1 you cannot help resolving purity1 into usage and custom1 that is1 with ,,quintilian1 into consensum 7eruditorum72 which surely is but saying in other words with the ,bishop1 that it consists in the use of such terms1 with their multiplied combinations1 as the interest1 the complexion1 or the caprice of a writer or speaker of ,authority hath preferred to its equals--for equals they undoubtedly were1 till that usage or custom took place4 ,when this consent of the learned is once established1 every writer or speaker1 who pretends to purity of expression1 must doubtless conform to it3 but previously to such consent1 purity is a thing arbitrary enough to justify the ,bishop's conclusion1 that this quality is not congenial and essential to human speech4 ,next1 the ,bishop asks1 #8,what is ,,elegance but such a turn of idiom as a fashionable fancy hath brought into repute8' ,here1 again1 you grow very nice in your inquiries into the idea of fancy1 the idea of fashion1 and ,i know not what of that sort4 ,in a word1 you go on defining1 and distinguishing to the end of the chapter1 in a way that without doubt would be very edifying to your young scholars in ,trinity ,college1 but1 as levelled against the ,bishop1 is certainly unseasonable and out of place4 ,for define elegance that you will1 it finally resolves into something that is not of the essence of human speech1 but factitious and arbitrary2 as depending much on the taste1 the fancy1 the caprice 7call it what you please7 of such writers or speakers1 as have obtained the popular vogue for this species of eloquence1 and so had the fortune to bring the turn of idiom and expression1 which they preferred and cultivated1 into general repute4 #8,lastly1' the ,bishop asks1 #8,what is ,,sublimity but the application of such images1 as arbitrary or casual connexions1 rather than their own native grandeur1 have dignified and ennobled8' ,to this question you reply by asking another1 ,whether sublimity doth necessarily consist in the application of images8 ,but1 first1 if what is called ,sublimity1 generally consists in the application of images1 it is abundantly sufficient to the ,bishop's purpose3 ,next1 ,i presume to say1 that the sublime of eloquence1 or the impression which a genius makes upon us by his expression1 consists necessarily and universally in the application of images1 that is1 of bright and vivid ideas1 which is the true1 that is1 the received sense of the word1 images1 7however rhetoricians may have distinguished different kinds of them1 and expressed them by different names7 in all rhetorical and critical works4 ,lastly1 ,i maintain that these bright and vivid ideas are rendered interesting to the reader or hearer from the influence of ,,association1 rather than of their own native dignity and grandeur3 of which ,i could give so many instances1 that1 for this reason1 ,i will only give your own1 which you lay so much stress upon1 of the famous oath1 by the souls of those who fought at ,marathon and ,plata#adi3 where the peculiar ideas of interest1 glory1 and veneration1 associated to the image or idea of the battle of ,marathon and ,plata1 gave a sublime and energy to this oath of ,,demosthenes1 by the souls of those that fought there1 in the conceptions of his countrymen1 which no other people could have felt from it1 and of which you1 ,sir1 with all your admiration of it1 have certainly a very faint conception at this time4 ,i should here have dispatched this article of ,sublimity1 but that you will expect me to take some notice of your objection to what the ,bishop observes1 #8,that this species of eloquence changed its nature1 with the change of clime and language2 and that the same expression1 which in one place had the utmost simplicity1 had1 in another1 the utmost sublime#aej3' ,an observation1 which he illustrates and confirms by the various fortune of the famous passage in ,genesis1 ,god said1 ,let there be light1 and there was light2 so sublime1 in the apprehension of ,,longinus and ,,boileau1 and so simple1 in that of ,,huetius and ,,le ,,clerc4 ,to this pertinent illustration1 most ingeniously explained and enforced by the learned ,prelate1 you reply with much ease1 8,that this might well be1 and even in the same place10 and then proceed to inform him of ,i know not what union between simplicity and sublimity2 though you civilly add1 8,that it is a point known to every ,,smatterer in criticism1 that these two qualities are so far from being inconsistent with each other1 that they are frequently united by a natural and inseparable union#aea40 8,simplicity and sublimity may be found together40 ,i think the proposition false1 in your sense of it1 at least4 ,but be it true1 that these qualities in expression may be found together4 ,what then8 ,the question is of a passage1 where these qualities1 in the apprehension of great critics1 are found separately2 the one side maintaining that it is merely simple1 the other1 that it is merely sublime4 ,simplicity is1 here1 plainly opposed to sublimity1 and implies the absence of it3 ,,boileau1 after ,,longinus1 affirming that the expression is1 and his adversaries affirming that it is not1 sublime4 ,can any thing shew more clearly1 that the sublime of eloquent expression depends on casual associations1 and not on the nature of things8 ,but the ,bishop goes further and tells us1 what the associations were that occasioned these different judgments of the passage in question4 ,the ideas suggested in it were familiar1 to the sacred writer3 they were new and admirable1 to the ,pagan ,critic4 ,hence the expression would be of the greatest simplicity in ,,moses1 though it would be naturally esteemed by ,,longinus1 infinitely sublime4 ,here you cavil a little about the ,effect of familiarity3 but1 as conscious of the weakness of this part of your answer1 ,not to insist1 you say1 upon this1 ,how comes it then that ,,boileau and many other ,christian readers1 to whom the ideas of creation were as familiar as to ,,moses himself1 were yet affected by the sublime of this passage8 ,you ask1 ,how this comes to pass8 ,how8 ,why in the way1 in which so many other strange things come to pass1 by the influence of authority4 ,,longinus had said1 the expression of this passage was sublime4 ,and when he had said this1 the wonder is to find two men1 such as ,,huetius and ,,le ,,clerc1 who durst1 after that1 honestly declare their own feelings1 and profess that1 to them1 the expression was not sublime4 ,but more on this head of ,authority presently4 ,you see1 ,sir1 ,i pass over these chapters on the qualities of ,eloquence1 though they make so large a part of your ,dissertation1 very rapidly3 and ,i do it1 not to escape from any force ,i apprehend there to be in your argument or observations1 but because ,i am persuaded that every man1 who knows what language is1 and how it is formed1 is so convinced that those qualities of it by which it comes to be denominated pure1 and elegant1 and interesting1 are the effects of custom1 fashion1 and association1 that he would not thank me for employing many words on so plain a point4 ,only1 as you conclude this part of your work with an appeal1 which you think sufficiently warranted1 against the most positive decisions of fashion1 custom1 or prejudice1 to certain general and established principles of rational criticism1 subversive1 as you think1 of the ,bishop's whole theory1 ,i shall be bold to tell you1 as ,i just now promised1 what my opinion is1 of these established rules of ,,rational ,,criticism3 by which you will understand how little ,i conceive the ,bishop's system to be affected by this confident appeal to such principles4 ,i hold then1 that what you solemnly call the established principles of rational criticism are only such principles as criticism hath seen good to establish on the practice of the ,greek and ,roman speakers and writers2 the ,european eloquence being ultimately the mere product and result of such practice2 and ,european criticism being no further rational than as it accords to it4 ,this is the way1 in which ancient and modern critics have gone to work in forming their systems3 and their systems deserve to be called rational1 because they deliver such rules as experience has found most conducive to attain the ends of eloquence in these parts of the world4 ,had you attended to this obvious consideration1 it is impossible you should have alarmed yourself so much1 as you seem to have done1 at the ,bishop's bold ,paradox1 as if it threatened the downfall of ,eloquence itself3 which1 you now see1 stands exactly as it did1 and is just as secure in all its established rights and privileges on the ,bishop's system of there being no ,archetype of ,eloquence in nature1 as upon your's1 that there is one4 ,the rules of criticism are just the same on either supposition1 and will continue the same so long as we take the ,greek and ,roman writers for our masters and models2 nay1 so long as the influence of their authority1 now confirmed and strengthened by the practice of ages1 and struck deep into the ,european notions and manners1 shall subsist4 ,you need1 therefore1 be in no pain for the interests of ,eloquence1 which are so dear to you2 nor for the dignity of your ,rhetorical office in the ,university of ,dublin2 which is surely of importance enough1 if you teach your young hearers how to become eloquent in that scene where their employment of it is likely to fall2 without pretending to engage them in certain chimerical projects how they may attain an essential universal eloquence1 or such as will pass for eloquence in all ages and countries of the world4 ,you see1 ,sir1 if this opinion of mine be a truth1 that it overturns at once the whole structure of your book4 ,we1 no doubt1 who have been lectured in ,greek and ,roman eloquence1 think it preferable to any other2 and we think so1 because it conforms to certain rules which our criticism has established1 without considering that those rules are only established on the successful practice of ,european writers and speakers1 and are therefore no rules at all in such times and places where a different1 perhaps a contrary1 practice is followed with the same success4 ,let a ,spartan1 an ,asiatic1 an ,african1 a ,chinese system of rhetoric be given3 ,each of these shall differ from other1 yet each shall be best and most rational1 as relative to the people for whom it is formed4 ,nay1 to see how groundless all your fancies of a rational essential eloquence are1 do but reflect that even the ,european eloquence1 though founded on the same general principles1 is yet different in different places in many respects4 ,i could tell you of a country1 and that at no great distance1 where that which is thought supremely elegant passes in another country1 not less conversant in the established principles of rational criticism1 for ,,finical2 while what1 in this country1 is accepted under the idea of sublimity1 is derided1 in that other1 as no better than ,,bombast4 ,what follows1 now1 from this appeal to experience1 against your appeal to the established rules of criticism8 ,plainly this3 ,that all the rhetors of antiquity put together are no authority against what the ,bishop of ,gloucester asserts concerning the nature of eloquence2 since ,,they only tell us 7and we will take their word for it7 what will please or affect under certain circumstances1 while the ,,bishop only questions whether the same rules1 under ,,all circumstances1 will enable a writer or speaker to please and affect4 ,strange6 that you should not see the inconsequence of your own reasoning4 ,the ,bishop says1 ,the rules of eloquence are for the most part1 local and arbitrary3 ,no1 you say1 ,the rules are not local and arbitrary1 ,,for they were held reasonable ones at ,athens and ,rome4 ,your very answer shews that they were local and arbitrary4 ,you see1 then1 why ,i make so slight on this occasion of all your multiplied citations from the ancient writers1 which1 how respectable soever1 are no decisive authority1 indeed no authority at all1 in the present case4 ,hitherto1 the ,bishop had been considering eloquence ,,only ,,so ,,far as it is founded in arbitrary principles and local prejudices4 ,for1 though his expression had been general1 he knew very well that his thesis admitted some limitation2 having directly affirmed of the various modes of eloquence1 not that they were altogether and in all respects1 but ,,mostly1 fantastical 7p4 #fg71 which1 though you are pleased to charge it upon him as an inconsistency#aeb1 the reader sees is only a necessary qualification of his general thesis1 such as might be expected in so exact a writer as the learned ,bishop4 ,he now then attends to this limitation1 and considers what effect it would have on his main theory4 #8,it will be said1 ,are there not some more substantial principles of eloquence1 common to all the various species that have obtained in the world8--,without doubt1 there are4--,why then should not these have been employed1 to do credit to the ,apostolic inspiration8 ,for good reasons3 respecting both the speaker and the hearers4 ,for1 what is eloquence but a persuasive turn given to the elocution to supply that inward1 that conscious persuasion of the speaker1 so necessary to gain a fair hearing8 ,but the first preachers of the ,gospel did not need a succedaneum to that inward conscious persuasion4 ,and what is the end of eloquence1 even when it extends no further than to those more general principles1 but to stifle reason and inflame the passions8 ,but the propagation of ,christian truths indispensably requires the aid of reason1 and requires no other human aid#aec4' ,here1 again1 you are quite scandalized at the ,bishop's paradoxical assertions concerning the nature and end of eloquence2 and you differ as widely from him now he argues on the supposition of there being some more substantial principles of eloquence1 as you did before1 when he contended that most of those we call principles were arbitrary and capricious things4 ,you even go so far as to insult him with a string of questions1 addressed ad hominem3 for1 having quoted some passages from his book1 truly eloquent and rhetorical1 you think you have him at advantage1 and can now confute him out of his own mouth4 8,can any thing10 you ask1 8be more brilliant1 more enlivened1 more truly rhetorical1 than these passages8 ,what then are we to think of the writer and his intentions8 ,is he really sincere in his reasoning8 or are these eloquent forms of speech so many marks of falshood8 ,were they assumed as a succedaneum to conscious persuasion8 ,and is the end and design of them to stifle reason and inflame the passions#aed80 ,to blunt the edge of these sharp and pressing interrogatories1 give me leave to observe that the main question agitated by the ,bishop is1 whether divine inspiration can be reasonably expected to extend so far as to infuse a perfect model of eloquence1 and to over-rule the inspired ,apostles in such sort1 as that all they write or speak should be according to the rules of the most consummate rhetoric4 ,he resolves this question in the negative3 first1 by shewing that there is no such thing as what would be deemed a perfect model of eloquence subsisting in nature2 a great part of what is called eloquence in all nations being arbitrary and chimerical2 and1 secondly1 by shewing that even those principles1 which may be justly thought more substantial1 were1 for certain reasons1 not deserving the solicitous and over-ruling care of a divine inspirer4 ,his reasons are these3 ,first1 that eloquence1 when most genuine1 is but a persuasive turn given to the elocution to supply that inward1 that conscious persuasion of the speaker1 so necessary to gain a fair hearing1 and which the first preachers of the ,gospel had already1 by the influence and impression of the holy ,spirit upon their minds3 ,and1 next1 that the end of eloquence1 even when it extends no further than to those more general principles1 is but to stifle reason and inflame the passions2 an end of a suspicious sort1 and which the propagation of ,christian truths1 the proper business of the sacred writers or speakers1 did not require4 ,you see these reasons1 in whatever defective1 are both of them founded in one common principle1 which the ,bishop every where goes upon1 and the best philosophy warrants1 ,that1 when the ,deity interposes in human affairs1 he interposes no further than is necessary to the end in view1 and leaves every thing else to the intervention and operation of second causes4 ,the ,apostles wanted ,,no succedaneum to an inward conscious persuasion1 which the observance of the general principles of eloquence supplies2 they were not1 therefore1 supernaturally instructed in them4 ,they wanted ,,no assistance from a power that tends to stifle reason and inflame the passions3 it was not1 therefore1 miraculously imparted to them4 ,every thing here is rational1 and closely argued4 ,what was not necessary was not done4 ,not a word about the inconvenience and inutility1 in all cases1 of recurring to the rules and practice of a chaste eloquence3 not a word to shew that1 where eloquence is employed1 there is nothing but fraud and falshood1 no inward persuasion1 no consciousness of truth3 not a word to insinuate that either you or the ,bishop should be restrained from being as eloquent on occasion as you might have it in your power to be1 or might think fit3 nay1 not a word against the ,apostles themselves having recourse to the aids of human eloquence1 if they had access to them1 and found them expedient2 only these aids were not ,,required1 that is1 were not to be claimed or expected from divine inspiration4 ,thus stands the ,bishop's reasoning1 perfectly clear and just4 ,the only room for debate is1 whether his ideas of the nature and end of eloquence be just1 too4 ,eloquence1 he says1 is but a persuasive turn given to the elocution1 to supply that inward1 that conscious persuasion of the speaker1 so necessary to gain a fair hearing4 ,the general affirmation you do not1 indeed cannot1 reject or controvert2 for1 the great master of eloquence himself confirms it in express words--,tum optim dicit orator1 cum ,,videtur vera dicere4 ,,quinctil4 l4 iv4 c4 #b4 ,and1 again1 ,semper ita dicat1 ,,tanquam de caus optim sentiat4 l4 v4 c4 #ac2 that is1 an inward conscious persuasion is to be supplied by the speaker's art4 ,the ,bishop's idea then of the nature of eloquence is1 as far as ,i can see1 the very same idea which ,,quinctilian had of it4 ,both agree1 that eloquence is such a turn of the elocution as supplies that inward conscious persuasion so necessary to the speaker's success4 ,the ,bishop adds1 that this supply the inspired writers did not want4 ,but you will say1 perhaps1 that merely human writers may have this inward conscious persuasion1 as well as the inspired4 ,what then8 if human writers can do without this succedaneum1 which human eloquence supplies to inward persuasion1 who obliges them to have recourse to it8 ,yes1 but they cannot do so well without it4 ,who then forbids them to have recourse to it8 ,for1 neither are the inspired writers barred of this privilege3 only1 as being simply ,,unnecessary1 it was not prternaturally supplied4 ,your perplexity on this subject arises from not distinguishing between what is absolutely necessary1 and what is sometimes expedient3 ,divine inspiration provides only for the first2 the latter consideration belongs to human prudence4 ,but it would be1 further1 a mistake to say1 that merely human writers have their inward conscious persuasion as well as the divine4 ,they may have it1 indeed1 from the conclusions of their own reason1 but have they it in the same degree of strength and vivacity1 have they the same full assurance of faith1 as those who have truth immediately impressed upon them by the hand of ,god8 ,i suppose1 not4 ,but the ,bishop's idea of the ,,end of eloquence revolts you as much as his idea of its nature4 ,what1 says he1 is the ,,end of eloquence1 even when it extends no further than to those more general principles1 but to stifle reason and inflame the passions8 ,and what other end1 ,i pray you1 can it have8 ,you will say1 ,to adorn1 recommend1 and enforce truth4 ,it may be so1 sometimes3 this1 we will say1 is its more legitimate end4 ,but even this end is not accomplished but by stifling reason and inflaming the passions3 that is1 eloquence prevents reason from adverting simply to the truth of things1 and to the force of evidence2 and it does this by agitating and disturbing the natural and calm state of the mind with rhetorical diminutions or amplifications4 ,,vis oratoris ,,omnis1 says ,,quinctilian1 in ,,augendo ,,minuendoque consistit4 l4 viii4 c4 #c4 sub fin4 ,now what is this but stifling reason8 ,but it goes further3 it inflames the passions1 the ultimate end it has in view from stifling reason1 or putting it of its guard4 ,and for this1 again1 we have the authority of ,,quinctilian1 affectibus perturbandus et ab intentione auferendus orator4 ,non enim solum oratoris est docere1 sed plus eloquentia ,,circa ,,movendum valet4 l4 iv4 c4 #e4 ,or1 would you see a passage from the great master of rhetoric1 where his idea of this double end of eloquence is given1 at once2 it follows in these words--,ubi ,,animis judicum ,,vis afferenda est1 et ,,ab ,,ipsa ,,veri ,,contemplatione abducenda mens1 ,,ibi ,,proprium ,,oratoris ,,opus ,,est4 l4 vi4 c4 #b4 ,that is1 where the passions are to be inflamed1 and reason stifled1 there is the proper use and employment of the rhetorical art4 ,so exactly has the ,bishop traced the footsteps of the great master1 when he gave us his idea of the ,,end of eloquence6 ,well1 but this end1 you say1 is ,,immoral4 ,so much the worse for your system2 for such is the undoubted end of eloquence1 even by the confession of its greatest patrons and advocates themselves4 ,but what8 ,is this end immoral in all cases8 ,and have you never then heared1 that the passions1 as wicked things as they are1 may be set on the side of truth8 ,in short1 ,eloquence1 like ,ridicule1 which is1 indeed1 no mean part of it1 may be either well or ill employed2 and though it cannot be truly said that the end of either is simply immoral1 yet it cannot be denied that what these modes of address propose to themselves in ,,all cases is1 to stifle reason and inflame the passions4 ,the ,bishop's idea1 then1 of the end of eloquence1 ,i presume1 is fairly and fully justified4 ,but your complaint now is1 that the ,bishop does not himself abide by this idea4 ,for you find a contradiction between what his ,lordship says here--that the ,,end of eloquence1 even when it extends no further than to those more general principles1 is but to style reason and inflame the passions1 and what he says elsewhere--that the ,,principal end of eloquence1 ,,as ,,it ,,is ,,employed ,,in ,,human ,,affairs1 is to mislead reason and to cajole the fancy and affections#aee4 ,but these propositions are perfectly consistent2 nor was the latter introduced so much as for the purpose of qualifying and palliating any thing that might be deemed offensive in the former4 ,for though eloquence1 chastely employed1 goes no further than to stifle reason and inflame the passions 7and the chastest eloquence1 if it deserves the name1 goes thus far71 yet the principal end of eloquence1 as it is employed in human affairs1 is to mislead reason1 which is something more than stifling it2 and to cajole1 which is much worse than to inflame1 the passions4 ,reason may be ,,stifled1 and the passions ,,inflamed1 when the speaker's purpose is to inculcate right and truth3 ,reason is only in danger of being ,,misled1 and the fancy and affections of being ,,cajoled1 when wrong and error are enforced by him4 ,so very inaccurate was your conception of the ,bishop's expression6 which ,i should not have explained so minutely1 but to shew you that1 when you undertook to expose such a writer1 as the ,bishop1 you should have studied his expression with more care1 and should have understood the force of words at another rate1 than you seem to have done in this instance4 ,still you will ask1 if the end be so legitimate1 why should not the inspired writers be trusted with this powerful engine of human eloquence8 ,the ,bishop gives several reasons3 ,it is a suspicious instrument1 p4 #eg4 ,it was an improper instrument for heaven-directed men1 whose strength was not to be derived from the wisdom of men1 but from the power of ,god1 p4 #ei4 ,but the direct and immediate answer is contained1 as ,i observed1 in these words--,the propagation of ,christian truths indispensably requires the aid of reason1 and requires no other aid4 #a4 ,christianity1 which is a reasonable service1 was of necessity to be propagated by force of reason2 in the ,bishop's better expression1 ,,it ,,indispensably ,,required ,,the ,,aid ,,of ,,reason2 but ,reason1 he tells us in the next words1 can never be fairly and vigorously exerted but in that favourable interval which precedes the appeal to the passions4 #b4 ,the ,propagation of ,christianity1 which indispensably required the aid of reason1 ,,required ,,no ,,other ,,human ,,aid3 that is1 no other human means were simply ,,requisite or ,,necessary4 ,god1 therefore1 was pleased to leave his inspired servants to the prudential use and exercise of their own natural or acquired talents2 but would not supernaturally endow them with this unnecessary power of eloquent words4 ,the inspired writers1 even the most learned and1 by nature1 the most eloquent of them1 made a very sparing use of such talents1 proudly sacrificing them1 as the ,bishop nobly and eloquently says1 to the glory of the everlasting ,gospel4 ,but as the end was not1 so neither was the use of eloquence1 simply immoral or evil in itself4 ,they were considerations of propriety1 prudence1 and piety1 which restrained the ,apostles generally1 but not always1 in the use of eloquence2 which was less decent in their case1 and which they could very well do without4 ,when the same considerations prompt other men1 under other circumstances1 to affect the way of eloquence1 it may safely1 and even commendably1 for any thing the ,bishop has said on this subject as it concerns divine inspiration1 be employed4 ,admitting then the ,bishop's ideas both of the nature and end of eloquence1 the want of this character in the sacred writings is only vindicated1 not the thing itself interdicted or disgraced4 ,the conclusion from the whole of what the ,bishop has advanced on this argument1 follows in these words3 #8,what1 therefore1 do our ideas of fit and right tell us is required in the style of an universal law8 ,certainly no more than this--,to employ those aids which are common to all language as such2 and to reject what is peculiar to each1 as they are casually circumstanced4 ,and what are these aids but ,,clearness and ,,precision8 ,by these1 the mind and sentiments of the ,composer are intelligibly conveyed to the reader4 ,these qualities are essential to language1 as it is distinguished from jargon3 they are eternally the same1 and independent on custom or fashion4 ,to give a language clearness was the office of ,philosophy2 to give it precision was the office of ,grammar4 ,definition performs the first service by a resolution of the ideas which make up the terms3 ,syntaxis performs the second by a combination of the several parts of speech into a systematic congruity3 these are the very things in language which are least positive1 as being conducted on the principles of metaphysics and logic4 ,whereas1 all besides1 from the very power of the elements1 and signification of the terms1 to the tropes and figures of composition1 are arbitrary2 and1 what is more1 as these are a deviation from those principles of metaphysics and logic1 they are frequently vicious4 ,this1 the great master quoted above ,,quinctilian freely confesseth1 where speaking of that ornamented speech1 which he calls 1 he makes the following confession and apology--esset enim omne schema ,,vitium1 si non peteretur1 sed accideret4 ,verum auctoritate1 vetustate1 consuetudine1 plerumque defenditur1 spe etiam ,,ratione ,,quadam4 ,ideoque cum sit a simplici rectoque loquendi genere deflexa1 virtus est1 si habet ,,probabile ,,aliquid quod sequatur#aef4' ,there is no part of your book in which you exult more than in the confutation of this obnoxious paragraph4 ,it is to be hoped1 you do it on good grounds--but let us see what those grounds are4 ,the ,bishop1 in the paragraph you criticize in your v ,chapter1 had said that tropes and figures of composition1 under certain circumstances1 there expressed1 are frequently vicious4 ,you make a difficulty of understanding this term1 and doubt whether his ,lordship means vice in a critical1 or moral sense4 ,i take upon me to answer roundly for the ,bishop1 that he meant vice in the critical sense3 for he pronounces such tropes and figures vicious1 ,,only as they are a deviation from the principles of ,,metaphysics ,,and ,,logic2 and therefore ,i presume he could not mean vice in the other sense1 which is a deviation from the principles of ,,ethics4 ,all you say on this subject1 then1 might have been well spared4 ,this incidental question1 or doubt of your's1 being cleared up1 let us now attend to the more substantial grounds you go upon1 in your censure of the learned ,bishop4 ,he had been speaking of clearness and precision1 as the things in language1 which are least positive4 ,whereas1 all besides1 from the very power of the elements and signification of the terms1 to the tropes and figures of composition1 are arbitrary2 and1 what is more1 as these are a deviation from the principles of metaphysics and logic1 are frequently vicious4 ,in the first place1 you say1 it were to be wished that his ,lordship had pleased to express himself with a little more precision--,want of precision is not1 ,i think1 a fault with which the ,bishop's writings are commonly charged2 and ,i wish it may not appear in this instance1 as it did lately in another1 that your misapprehension of his argument arises from the very precision of his expression4 ,but in what does this supposed want of precision consist8 ,why1 in not qualifying this sentence1 passed on the tropes and figures of ,composition1 which1 from the general terms1 in which it is delivered1 falls indiscriminately upon ,,all writers and speakers2 for that 8,,all men1 who have ever written and spoken1 have frequently used this mode of elocution1 which is said to be frequently vicious#aeg40 ,well1 but from the word1 frequently1 which you make yourself so pleasant with1 it appears that the ,bishop had qualified this bold and dangerous position4--,yes1 but this makes the position still more bold4 ,indeed6 ,the ,bishop is then singularly unhappy1 to have his position1 first1 declared bold for want of being qualified1 and1 then1 bolder still1 for being so4 ,but your reason follows4 8,what makes this position still more hardy is1 that1 however the conclusion seems confined and restrained by the addition of that qualifying word frequently1 yet the premises are general and unlimited4 ,it is asserted without any restriction1 that figurative composition is a deviation from the principles of metaphysics and logic4 ,if then it be vicious as it is1 i4 e4 because quatenus it is such a deviation1 it must be not only frequently but always vicious2 a very severe censure denounced against almost every speaker1 and every writer1 both sacred and prophane1 that ever appeared in the world#aeh40 ,here your criticism grows very logical2 and1 notwithstanding the confidence ,i owned myself to have in the precision of the ,bishop's style1 ,i begin to be in pain how ,i shall disengage him from so exact and philosophical an objector4 ,yet1 as the occasion calls upon me1 ,i shall try what may be done4 ,as these tropes and figures of composition are a deviation from the principles of metaphysics and logic1 they are frequently ,,vicious4 ,since the ,attribute of this proposition is so peculiarly offensive to you1 your first care1 methinks1 should have been to gain precise and exact ideas of the subject2 without which it is not possible to judge1 whether what is affirmed of it be exceptionable1 or no4 ,by tropes and figures of composition1 you seem to understand metaphors1 allegories1 similitudes1 and whatever else is vulgarly known under the name of figures of speech4 ,for in p4 #bg1 you speak of ,allegories1 ,metaphors and ,,other tropes and figures1 which1 you say1 are no more than comparisons and similitudes expressed in another form3 ,and your concern1 throughout this whole chapter1 is for the vindication of such tropes and figures from the supposed charge of their being a deviation from the principles of metaphysics and logic4 ,but now1 on the other hand1 ,i dare be confident that the ,bishop meant these terms1 not in this specific1 but in their generic sense1 as expressing any kind of change1 deflexion1 or deviation from the plain and common forms of language4 ,i say1 ,i am confident of this1 #a4 because the precise sense of the words is such as ,i represent it to be2 and ,i have observed1 though1 it seems1 you have not1 that the ,bishop is of all others the most precise in his expression4 #b4 ,because ,,quinctilian authorizes this use of those terms1 who tells us that--per tropos verti formas non verborum modo1 sed et sensuum1 et compositionis1 l4 viii4 c4 #f4 ,and as to figuram1 he defines it to be 7as the word itself1 he says1 imports7 conformatio qudam orationis1 remota communi et primum se offerente ratione1 l4 ix4 c4 #a4 words1 large enough to take in every possible change and alteration of common language4 ,so that all manners and forms of language1 different from the common ones1 may1 according to ,,quinctilian1 be fitly denominated tropes and figures of composition4 #c4 ,i conclude this to be the ,bishop's meaning1 because the specific sense of these words was not sufficient to his purpose1 which was to speak of ,,all kinds of tropical and figured speech4 ,now though allegories1 metaphors and other tropes and figures1 which are no more than comparisons and similitudes1 expressed in another form1 belong indeed to the genus of figured language1 they are by no means the whole of it1 as so great a master of rhetoric1 as yourself1 very well knows4 #d4 ,i conclude this1 from the peculiar mode of his expression3 if the ,bishop had said simply tropes and figures of speech1 ,i might perhaps 7if nothing else had hindered7 have taken him to mean1 as you seem to have done1 only metaphors1 allegories1 and other tropes and figures1 expressing1 in another form1 comparisons and similitudes1 which1 in vulgar use1 come under the name of tropes and figures of speech3 ,but when he departs from that common form of expression1 and puts it1 tropes and figures of ,,composition1 ,i infer that so exact a writer1 as the ,bishop1 had his reasons for this change1 and that he intended by it to express more than tropes and figures of speech usually convey1 indeed ,,all that can any way relate to the tropical and figurative use of words in literary composition4 ,it is now seen what the ,,subject of this bold proposition is3 namely1 tropical or figured language1 in general4 ,this figured language1 as it is a deviation from the principles of metaphysics and logic1 is frequently vicious2 i4 e4 is an acknowledged vice or fault in composition1 as such4 ,we now then see the force of the ,,predicate4 ,well2 but if this figured language 8be vicious as it is1 i4 e4 because1 quatenus1 it is such a deviation1 it must not only be frequently1 but always vicious40 ,the premises are general and unlimited3 so must1 likewise1 be the conclusion4 ,what sense1 then1 is there in the word1 frequently8 or what room1 for that qualification8 ,see1 what it is to be a great proficient in logic1 before one has well learnt one's ,grammar6 ,as1 i4 e4 because1 quatenus1 say you4 ,how exactly and critically the ,english language may be studied in ,dublin1 ,i pretend not to say3 ,but we in ,england understand the particle as1 not only in the sense of because1 quatenus1 but also1 and1 ,i think1 more frequently1 in the sense of in proportion as1 according as1 or1 if you will needs have a ,latin term to explain an ,english term1 prout1 perinde ac4 ,so that the proposition stands thus3 ,these tropes and figures1 ,,according ,,as they are a deviation from the principles of metaphysics and logic1 are frequently vicious4 ,the premises1 you now see1 are qualified1 as well as the conclusion4 ,figured language1 ,,when it deviates from the principles of metaphysics and logic1 is--what8 always vicious8 ,but the ,bishop did not say1 that figured language is always a deviation from those principles4 ,he only says1 when it so deviates1 it is vicious4 ,it is implied in the expression that figured language at least sometimes deviates from those principles1 and the ,bishop1 as appears1 is of opinion that it frequently deviates3 ,he therefore says1 consistently with his premises1 and with his usual accuracy1 ,it is frequently vicious4 ,in short1 the ,bishop's argument1 about which you make so much noise1 if drawn out in mood and figure1 would1 ,i suppose1 stand thus--8,tropical and figured language1 ,,when it deviates from the principles of metaphysics and logic1 is vicious--,tropical and figured language ,,frequently deviates from those principles--,therefore tropical and figured language is ,,frequently vicious40 ,and where is the defect of sense or logic1 ,i want to know1 in this argumentation8 ,but you impatiently ask1 ,are metaphors1 allegories1 and comparisons then included in this figured language1 which is pronounced vicious8 ,to this question ,i can only reply1 ,that ,i know not whether metaphors1 allegories1 and comparisons1 are1 in the ,bishop's opinion1 deviations from the principles of metaphysics and logic2 for ,i cannot find that he says any thing1 in particular1 of this kind of tropes and figures4 ,but if you1 or any one for you1 will shew clearly1 that metaphors1 allegories1 and comparisons are such deviations1 the ,bishop1 for any thing ,i know1 might affirm1 and might be justified in affirming1 that they were in themselves vicious4 ,but be not too much alarmed for your favourites1 if he should3 ,they would certainly keep their ground1 though convicted of such vice2 at least unless the ,rhetoricians of our time should be so dull as not to be able to find out what ,,quinctilian calls probabile aliquid1 some probable pretext to justify or excuse them4 ,but1 instead of troubling ourselves to guess what the ,bishop might say on a subject on which he has said nothing1 it is to better purpose to attend to what he has said1 on the subject in question4 ,the ,bishop has said1 ,that tropical and figured language is frequently vicious4 ,you ask when8 ,he replies1 ,when it deviates from the principles of metaphysics and logic4 ,but in what particular instances does this appear8 ,he tells you this too4 ,he gives you instances enough1 to justify his affirmation1 that tropical and figured language is frequently vicious2 for he exemplifies his affirmation in ,,one ,,whole class of such figured speech1 as deviates from the principles of metaphysics and logic1 and is therefore vicious1 namely1 in the class of verbal figures4 #8,this1 i4 e4 the truth of the affirmation1 ,that figured language1 according as it is found to be a deviation from the principles of metaphysics and logic1 is frequently vicious the great master1 ,,quinctilian1 freely confesseth1 where1 speaking of that ornamented speech1 which he calls 1 he makes the following confession and apology--esset enim omne schema ,,vitium1 si non peteretur1 sed accideret4 ,verum auctoritate1 vetustate1 consuetudine1 plerumque defenditur1 spe etiam ,,ratione ,,quadam4 ,ideoque cum sit simplici rectoque loquendi genere deflexa1 virtus est1 si habet ,,probabile ,,aliquid quod sequatur#aei4' ,the difficulty1 ,i trust1 now begins to clear up4 ,figured language1 is frequently vicious4 ,of this we have an instance given in one entire species of figured or ornamented speech1 namely 1 or verbal figures4 ,can any thing be clearer and plainer8 ,yet1 because you had taken it into your head that by tropes and figures of composition the ,bishop understood1 nay could only understand1 metaphors1 allegories1 and comparisons1 you dreamt of nothing1 here1 but the same fine things4 ,and though ,,quinctilian lay before the ,bishop1 when he quoted these words1 though the ,bishop's own express words shew the contrary1 for he speaks not of tropes and figures in general1 much less of such tropes and figures as you speak of1 but solely of that ornamented speech1 called 1 you will needs have him quote ,,quinctilian in this place as speaking of ,rhetorical figures4 ,but let us attend to ,,quinctilian',s words4 ,esset omne schema vitium1 si non peterentur1 sed acciderent4 ,what6 ,shall we think the ,bishop could mean to affirm of rhetorical figures1 that they would always be vicious1 if they were not sought for1 but occurred of themselves8 ,for that1 ,i think1 is the translation of--si non peterentur1 sed acciderent4 ,surely one way1 and that the chief1 in which rhetorical figures1 metaphors1 allegories1 and comparisons1 become vicious1 is1 when they ,,are sought for1 sollicitously hunted after1 and affectedly brought in4 ,the very contrary happens with regard to these verbal figures3 they are vicious1 when they are ,,not sought for and purposely affected4 ,i conclude then1 that his ,lordship1 who surely does not want common sense1 and1 ,i think1 understands ,latin1 did not1 and could not intend to exemplify his observation in the case of rhetorical figures4 ,still you are something puzzled and perplexed by the ,bishop's observation4 ,admitting him to mean1 as his author does1 verbal figures1 how can these be considered as a deviation from the principles of metaphysics and logic8 ,how8 ,why1 has not the ,bishop told us1 or1 if he had not1 is it not certain in itself1 that to give a language clearness is the office of philosophy2 and that ,definition1 a part of ,logic1 performs that service by a resolution of the ideas1 which make up the terms8 ,but these verbal figures are often a deviation from1 nay a willful defiance of1 all logical definition4 ,witness the very instance you and ,,quinctilian give us1 in ,,virgil',s timidi dam4 ,logic defines ,dam to be the females of that species of animals called ,deer4 ,the figurative ,,virgil confounds this distinction by using this term for the males1 as well as females4 ,but1 universally1 ,grammar itself1 whose peculiar office is to give precision to language1 is a part of logic3 the ,bishop says1 its rules are conducted on the principles of ,logic4 ,but verbal figures1 even when they do not offend against the strictness of definition1 are universally violations1 in some degree or other1 of ,grammar1 i4 e4 of ,logic4 ,yet these violations of ,logical ,grammar1 ,,quinctilian tells us1 may be allowed1 si habent probabile aliquid quod sequantur2 that is1 for some fantastical reason or other1 by which the masters of ,rhetoric are pleased to recommend them to us4 ,and now1 ,sir1 let me ask1 what becomes of your fine comment on ,,quinctilian',s chapter concerning verbal figures1 and1 particularly1 of your nice distinction between these1 and rhetorical figures1 which the ,bishop1 no doubt1 wanted to be informed of8 ,the issue of your exploits in ,logic and ,criticism is now seen to be this1 ,that you have grossly misrepresented the ,bishop2 and needlessly1 at least1 explained ,,quinctilian4 ,first1 you make the ,bishop talk of rhetorical figures ,,only1 in the specific sense of these terms1 when his ,lordship was all the while speaking of figured language1 in general4 ,next1 you make him deliver a bold position concerning rhetorical figures1 as being frequently vicious1 because always deviations from the principles of metaphysics and logic2 when all he maintains1 is1 ,that figured language is ,,frequently vicious1 according as it deviates from those principles2 and1 in particular1 that that part of figured speech1 called grammatical or verbal figures1 is ,,always vicious4 ,to conclude1 if you had shewn any compunction1 or even common respect in exposing what you took to be the ,bishop's absurdities on this subject1 ,i should have made a conscience of laying you open on this head of ,rhetorical and ,grammatical figures4 ,as it is1 your unmerciful triumph over the poor ,bishop makes it allowable for me to lay your dealing with him before the reader in all its nakedness2 and1 after what has been said1 ,i cannot do it better than by letting him see how the ,bishop's argumentation is represented by you1 as drawn out in your own words1 and that in full mood and figure4 8,i should by no means10 say you1 8willingly misrepresent the argument of my ,lord ,bishop2 but upon repeated examination of the passage here quoted1 ,i must state it thus3 8,quinctilian declares1 that what are called grammatical figures are really no more than faulty violations of grammatical rules1 unless when purposely introduced upon some reasonable or plausible grounds40 ,therefore1 8,he confesses that tropes and figures of composition1 as they are a deviation from the principles of metaphysics and logic1 are frequently vicious40 ,you add1 8,if this be a fair representation1 it were to be wished that the learned author had so far condescended to men of confined abilities1 as to explain the connexion between these two propositions#afj40 ,as the learned author1 ,i guess1 may be better employed than in this unnecessary task1 which you wish to impose upon him1 ,i have taken upon me to discharge that office1 with less able hands2 and1 yet1 have explained the connexion between these two propositions in such sort1 that1 if ,i mistake not1 we shall never hear more from you1 of any inconsistency between them4 ,i have ,,now1 ,sir1 gone through the several particulars of your ,dissertation1 and have shewn1 ,i think1 clearly and invincibly1 that all your objections to the ,bishop's paradoxical sentiments on the subject of ,eloquence are mistaken and wholly groundless4 ,the ,,two propositions his ,lordship took upon him to confute1 #a4 ,that an inspired language must needs be a language of perfect eloquence2 and1 #b4 ,that eloquence is something congenial and essential to human speech1 and inherent in the constitution of things3 ,these two propositions1 ,i say1 are so thoroughly confuted by the ,bishop1 that not one word of all you say in any degree affects his reasoning1 or supports those two propositions against the force of it4 ,i am even candid enough to believe that1 on further thoughts1 you will not yourself be displeased with this ill success of your attack on the learned ,prelate's principles2 which are manifestly calculated for the service of religion and the honour of inspired scripture4 ,for1 though you attempt to shew us in your two last chapters1 how the honour of inspired scripture may be saved on other principles1 yet allow me to say that1 for certain reasons1 ,i much question the validity of those principles2 at least1 that the persons1 most concerned in this controversy1 will by no means subscribe to them4 ,if there be an ,archetype of eloquence in nature1 #8one should be apt enough1 as the ,bishop says1 to conclude1 that when the ,author of nature condescended to inspire one of these plastic performances of human art1 he would make it by the exactest pattern of the ,archetype#afa4' ,or1 whatever you and ,i and the ,bishop might conclude1 assure yourself that the objectors to inspired scripture will infallibly draw that conclusion4 ,and1 when they do so1 and fortify themselves1 besides1 with the authority of so great a master of eloquence1 as yourself1 it will be in vain1 ,i doubt1 to oppose to them your ingenious harangues and encomiums on the eloquent composition of the sacred scriptures4 ,nay1 it would give you1 no doubt1 some pain to find that1 though they should accept your authority for the truth of their favourite principle of there being an ,archetype in nature of perfect eloquence1 they would yet reject your harangues and encomiums with that disdain which is so natural to them4 ,the honour of sacred scripture will then hang on a question of ,taste3 and unluckily the objectors are of such authority in that respect1 that there is no appeal from their decisions of it4 ,the contemplation of these inconveniencies1 together with the love of truth1 determined me to hazard this address to you4 ,i will not deny1 besides1 that the mere justice due to a great character1 whom ,i found somewhat freely1 not to say injuriously treated by you1 was also1 one motive with me4 ,if ,i add still another1 it is such as ,i need not disown1 and which you1 of all men1 will be the last to object to1 ,i mean a motive of ,charity towards yourself4 ,i am much a stranger to your person1 and1 what it may perhaps be scarce decent for me to profess to you1 even to your writings4 ,all ,i know of ,,yourself1 is1 what your book tells me1 that you are distinguished by an honourable place and office in the ,university of ,dublin3 and what ,i have heared of your ,,writings1 makes me think favourably of a private scholar1 who1 they say1 employs himself in such works of learning and taste1 as are proper to instill a reverence into young minds for the best models of ancient eloquence4 ,while you are thus creditably stationed1 and thus usefully employed1 ,i could not but feel some concern for the hurt you were likely to do yourself by engaging in so warm and so unnecessary an opposition to a writer1 as you characterize him1 of distinguished eminence#afb4 ,time was1 when even with us on this side the water1 the novelty of this writer's positions1 and the envy1 which ever attends superior merit1 disposed some warm persons to open1 and prosecute with many hard words1 the unpopular cry against him1 of his being a bold and ,,paradoxical writer4 ,but reflexion and experience have quieted this alarm4 ,men of sense and judgment now consider his ,paradoxes as very harmless1 nay as very sober and certain truths2 and even vye with each other in their zeal of building upon them1 as the surest basis1 on which a just and rational vindication of our common religion can be raised4 ,this is the present state of things with us1 and especially1 they say1 in the ,universities of this kingdom4 ,it was1 therefore1 not without some surprize1 and1 as ,i said1 with much real concern1 that ,i found a gentleman of learning and education revive1 at such a juncture1 that stale and worn-out topic1 and disgrace himself by propagating this clamour1 of ,i know not what paradoxical boldness1 now long out of date1 in the much-approved writings of this great ,prelate4 ,nor was the dishonour to yourself1 the only circumstance to be lamented4 ,you were striving1 with all your might1 to infuse prejudices into the minds of many ingenious and virtuous young men2 whom you would surely be sorry to mislead2 and who would owe you little thanks for prepossessing them with unfavourable sentiments of such a man and writer1 as the ,bishop of ,gloucester1 they will find1 is generally esteemed to be4 ,these1 then1 were the considerations1 which induced me to employ an hour or two of leisure in giving your book a free examination4 ,i have done it in as few words as possible1 and in a manner which no reasonable and candid man1 ,i persuade myself1 will disapprove4 ,i know what apologies may be requisite to the learned ,bishop for a stranger's engaging in this officious task4 ,but to you1 ,sir1 ,i make none3 ,it is enough if any benefits to yourself or others may be derived from it4 ,i am1 with respect1 c4 ,,finis4 ,printed by ,j4 ,nichols and ,son1 ,red ,lion ,passage1 ,fleet ,street1 ,london4 ,,footnotes3 #a ,prov4 xvi4 #g4 #b ,isaiah1 xxvi4 #i4 #c ,rev4 ii4 #d1 #e4 #d ,eph4 i4 #g4 #e ,john i4 #a4 #f ,col4 i4 #ag4 #g ,rev4 i4 #ag4 xxii4 #ac4 #h ,heb4 i4 #h4 #i ,micah v4 #b4 #aj ,rev4 i4 #h4 #aa ,john xvii4 #e4 #ab ,ps4 iii4 #b4 #ac ,eph4 iii4 #i1 #aj1 #aa4 #ad ,eph4 iii4 #ah1 #ai4 #ae ,acts x4 #ah4 #af ,eph4 iii4 #ba4 #ag #a4 ,pet4 i4 #ab4 #ah ,eph4 i4 #aj4 #ai ,rev4 xiv4 #f4 #bj ,gal4 i4 #f4 #ba ,rom4 x4 #ah4 #bb ,col4 xi4 #aj4 #bc ,matth4 xxviii4 #ai4 #bd #b ,cor4 i4 #ab4 #be #b ,cor4 xii4 #i4 #bf #a ,cor4 vii4 #ba-bd4 #bg ,john xv4 #af4 #bh #a ,tim4 iv4 #af4 #bi ,phil4 i4 #aj1 #aa4 #cj ,archbishop's ,injunctions1 ,s4 xi4 #ca ,canon ,,lxxv4 #cb ,phil4 i4 #i-aa4 #cc ,rom4 xii4 #af4 #cd ,erasmi in ,evang4 ,joannis ,paraphrasis1 cap4 i4 #ce #a ,cor4 ii4 #ad4 #cf #a ,cor4 ii4 #ad4 #cg #b ,tim4 iv4 #b4 #ch ,lord ,bacon1 ,a4 ,l4 ,b4 i4 p4 #dag4 #ci ,fiduciam orator pr se ferat1 semperque it dicat tanqum de caus optim sentiat4 ,quint4 l4 v4 c4 #ac1 p4 #dbb4 #dj ,matth4 vii4 #bi4 #da ,matth4 xv4 #f4 #db 8,in omnibus qu dicit tanta auctoritas inest1 ut dissentire pudeat2 nec advocati studium1 sed testis aut judicis afferat fidem40 ,said of ,cicero by ,quintilian4 ,the ,roman orator acquired this praise by consummate art and genius4 ,the plainest ,christian homilist1 who does his duty in speaking as the oracles of ,god1 attains it with ease1 and deserves it much better4 ,such is the pre-eminence of what the ,apostle calls the foolishness of preaching6 #dc ,tanta in oratione auctoritas1 ut probationis locum obtineat4 ,quintil4 p4 #dbb4 #dd ,bishop ,stillingfleet1 ,sermon ,,iv4 #de ,afficiamur1 antequam afficere conemur4 ,quint4 p4 #dfa4 moveamur ipsi4 ,ib4 #df ,if ,i mention the names of the ,bishops ,,beveridge and ,,blackall1 it is not in exclusion of many others1 but because ,i suspect they are less known to the younger clergy than they deserve to be4 #dg ,matth4 xxviii4 #bj4 #dh 8,parentes et ,pdagogi pueros olim cum primum per tatem sapere1 et intelligere cpissent1 primis ,christian religionis rudimentis diligenter instituebant1 ut pietatem un pen cum lacte nutricis imbiberent1 et primis statim cunis1 virtutis incunabilis ad vitam illam beatam alerentur4 ,quem etiam ad usum breves libri1 quos ,catechismos nostri appellant1 conscribebantur40 ,noelli ,catechismus de ,baptismo4 #di #b ,cor4 xiii4 #ad4 #ej ,w4 ,weston1 ,b4 ,d4 ,fellow of ,st4 ,john's ,college1 ,cambridge2 and vicar of ,campden1 ,gloucestershire4 ,camb4 #agdf4 #ea ,pref4 p4 ii4 #eb ,pref4 p4 ii4 #ec ,ded4 p4 iv4--8,the best compliment ,i can make your ,lordship on the occasion is the true one1 that ,i have a good opinion of the present performance myself10 c4 #ed ,pref4 p4 iii4 #ee ,pref4 p4 iii4 #ef ,pref4 p4 ii4 #eg ,the following passages brought to confirm this fact are so well known1 that1 if there was not something uncommonly strong1 and subversive of the writer's objection in the very turn of expression1 ,i should scarce think myself at liberty to transcribe them4--,visa est mihi res digna consultatione1 maxim propter perielitantium numerum4 ,multi enim omnis tatis1 omnis ordinis1 utriusque sexs etiam vocantur in periculum et vocabuntur4 ,neque enim civitates tantum1 sed vicos etiam atque agros superstitionis istius contagio pervagata----prop jam desolata templa1----sacra solemnia diu intermissa4--,plin4 #eh ,hesterni sumus1 et vestra omnia implevimus1 urbes1 insulas1 castella1 municipia1 conciliabula1 castra ipsa1 tribus1 decurias1 palatium1 senatum1 forum2 sola vobis relinquimus templa4 ,tertull4 ,apol4 c4 #cg4 ,and before speaking of the heathens1 ,obessam vociferantur civitatem1 in agris1 in castellis1 in insulis ,christianos1 omnem sexum1 tatem1 conditionem dignitatem transgredi ad hoc nomen quasi detrimento mrent4 c4 i4 ,see also ,arnobius1 contr4 ,gentes1 insisting on the same fact4--,vel hc saltem fidem vobis faciunt argumenta credendi1 quod jam per omnes terras in tam brevi tempore et parvo immensi nominis hujus sacramenta diffusa sunt8 c4 ,l4 ii4 sub fin4 #ei ,pref4 p4 iii4 #fj ,chap4 iii4 p4 #ch4 #fa ,speaking of ,i know not what sour and dogmatical divines1 8,i am not sure 7says he7 that ,i shall escape their anathema2 since it is their custom generally to be displeased with every thing that does not fall in with their fixed and settled sentiments2 and every defence of religion that is out of their way wants another to support it40 ,pref4 p4 viii4 ,and again3 8,with some1 ,i suppose1 the novelty of this matter will be for ever a bar to its reception40 ,p4 #cgj4 #fb ,the reader sees ,i complaisantly allow the writer's representation of the cases both of ,pilate and ,gallio2 though much might1 with good reason1 be objected to each of them4 ,for1 #a4 ,if ,i should lay any stress on the acts of ,pilate1 which1 he owns1 if admitted1 would overturn the whole use of his evidence1 ,i should but follow in this the best authorities1 and those too supported by such reasonings as the ,inquirer would find it difficult to confute4 ,and1 #b4 ,as to ,gallio's case1 however inattentive he might be to the fame of ,paul's miracles1 the passage alledged is certainly insufficient to prove it4 ,acts1 chap4 xviii4 #ag4 ,for1 indeed1 the ,inquirer did not so much as apprehend the purpose of the sacred writer in that whole narration2 which manifestly was not to signify to us ,gallio's inattention to the ,apostle's miracles1 but his candour1 and prudent conduct in refusing to interfere in religious matters1 and in chusing rather to overlook an act of violence done in his presence 7which1 though strictly speaking illegal1 he might probably think not altogether undeserved of the malicious intolerating ,jew71 than gratify the complainant's passion in punishing either ,paul or his heathen advocates4 ,for this is the sense of those words1 ,he cared for none of these things2 which the writer ought to have seen is so far from proving ,gallio's disregard of miracles1 that1 had he been ,paul's convert1 the very same thing had been observed of him4 #fc ,aristeas4--,the writers referred to in the margin are ,strabo1 ,maximus ,tyrius1 ,pliny1 and ,herodotus4 ,of these1 the three first mention ,aristeas occasionally only2 and yet ,strabo calls him 2 and ,max4 ,tyrius and ,pliny1 though they explode miracles1 yet plainly enough declare the common creed to run in his favour4 ,max4 ,tyrius in particular1 after having given us his opinion of his miracles1 together with his reasons for pretending to them1 adds1 ,and ,aristeas gained more credit by this pretension to wonders and supernatural communications1 than ,xenagoras1 ,xenophanes1 or any other philosopher could have acquired by relating the plain truth4 1 4 ,lastly1 the account ,herodotus gives us is so much to the credit of his miracles1 that one cannot imagine how the writer should think it to his purpose to refer to him4 ,for he was1 indeed1 delivering the popular history of ,aristeas2 and therefore did1 as might be expected1 represent him1 not only as a worker of miracles1 but as much reverenced and esteemed for them4 ,this he attests upon his own knowledge of several cities1 all concurring in the firm belief of his miracles2 and one of them in particular transported by so religious a veneration of him1 as to erect a statue to his memory2 which they also caused to be set up in the most public part of their city1 and even close to one they had at the same time decreed to ,apollo4 ,and for the historian himself1 though in truth the story be even foolish enough1 yet so far is he from speaking of it with disregard1 that ,i am not certain if he did not believe it1 at least that part which relates to the ,metapontini2 which1 after the mention of some other things from hearsay only1 he introduces in the following assured manner3 8,thus far the report of these cities3 ,but what ,i am now going to relate1 ,i certainly know to have happened to the ,metapontini in ,italy1 c40 1 1 c4 ,l iv4 #ae2 and then mentions the affair which gave occasion to the statue2 which1 he tells us1 he saw himself1 placed1 as ,i have said1 and inscribed to the memory of ,aristeas4 #fd ,the other impostors mentioned as not much esteemed for their miracles are ,pythagoras1 ,jamblichus1 and ,adrian2 though it is certain the writers of their lives lay great stress upon them4 ,jamblichus and ,porphyry1 after enlarging on several of ,pythagoras's miracles1 which drew the applause and admiration of his followers1 appeal to current fame for the credit of these1 and of other still diviner miracles1 which1 say they1 are related of him with an uniform and constant belief1 ' ' 4 7,porph4 ,s4 #bh and to the same purpose1 and nearly in the same words1 ,jambl4 ,s4 #ace74 ,jamblichus even goes so far1 in speaking of the ,pythagorean fondness for miracles1 as to assure us1 that they were conceived to prove the divinity of their authors1 and by that means to give a sanction to their opinions and doctrines4 ' 1 c4 ,s4 #adj4 ,they conceive it1 says he1 to add a ,,credit and authority to their doctrines1 that the author of them was a ,,god2 and therefore to the question1 ,who was ,pythagoras8 their answer was1 ,the hyperborean ,apollo2 and in proof of this they alledge the miracle of his golden thigh4 ,and yet1 says the ,inquirer1 ,pythagoras was not much more esteemed for his thigh of gold than one of flesh4 ,what pity is it1 the wit of this antithesis should be no better supported6 ,as for ,eunapius1 though he plainly disbelieved the silly tale of the two boys of ,gadara1 yet1 in relating it circumstantially as he does1 he clearly enough expresses his own opinion of miracles1 and acknowledges thereby the credit they would bring his master1 were they better attested1 or but fairly received4 ,the miracles of the emperors are well known4 ,and as their manifest intent was1 of the one of them1 to add a credit1 or1 as ,suetonius more strongly expresses it1 an authority1 and certain awfulness1 befitting majesty1 to the person of ,trajan1 and of the other1 to inspire the hopes of recovery into ,adrian1 so the relation of them by their historians1 as useful and subservient to those ends1 is a thorough confutation of what the author pretends about the little regard paid to them4 ,and here it may be proper to observe1 once for all1 that the frequent narrations of prodigies and miracles1 of which all ,pagan story and antiquity is full1 is infinitely a stronger argument for the high credit of miracles amongst the heathens in general1 than any pretended coolness1 tranquillity1 and indifference1 which the writer's warmth1 in the prosecution of his favourite novelty1 leads him to imagine in the narrations themselves1 is1 or can be1 for the contrary opinion4 ,since this could only shew the incredulity of the relaters2 whilst the relating them at all demonstrates the general good reception they met with from the people4 #fe ,this miracle was that of the fiery eruptions which hindered the building of the temple at ,jerusalem by ,julian2 and which1 falling into the hands of ,marcellinus1 might be expected to be spoken of as a natural event4 ,but this is all3 for1 as to that wonderful coolness and tranquillity1 which the writer pretends to have discovered in the narration1 it is so far from appearing to me1 that1 on the contrary1 ,i see not how the historian could have expressed himself with more emotion1 without directly owning the miracle4 ,his words are these3 ,quum itaque rei fortiter instaret ,alypius1 juvaretque provinci rector1 metuendi globi flammarum prope fundamenta crebris assultibus erumpentes1 fecere locum1 exustis aliquoties operantibus1 inaccessum3 hoc modo elemento destinatius repellente cessavit ,inceptum4 #ff ,pp4 #dj1 #ed1 #eg4 #fg ,epicurus1 ,democritus1 c4 p4 #eh4 #fh ,for the passage referred to 7,orig4 contr4 ,cels4 l4 #h7 is in answer to an harangue of ,celsus1 wherein he had expatiated largely on the heathen miracles1 and opposed them with great confidence to the ,christian4 ,upon which the excellent ,father observes with much force1 8,i know not how it is that ,celsus thinks proper to alledge the heathen miracles as incontestably evident1 and undoubted facts2 and yet affects to treat the ,jewish and ,christian miracles recorded in our books as mere fables4 ,for why should not ours rather be thought true1 and those which ,celsus preaches up fabulous8 ,especially1 since those were never credited by their own philosophers1 such as ,democritus1 ,epicurus1 and ,aristotle2 who yet1 had they lived with ,moses or ,jesus1 on account of the exceeding great clearness and evidence of the facts1 1 would in all probability have believed ours40 ,having thus fairly laid the passage before the reader1 it is submitted to his judgment with what colour of reason the learned writer could think of deducing a proof of the low opinion of miracles in general amongst the philosophers from it4 #fi ,p4 #fb4 #gj ,p4 #fc4 ,philost4 ,l41 v4 c4 #ae4 #ga ,p4 #fd4 #gb ,this was remarkably the case of ,mahomet and ,numa2 the former of whose converse with the angel ,gabriel1 his journey to heaven1 and the armies of angels attending on his battles--as well as the other's pretended intercourse with the goddess ,egeria1 is well known4 #gc ,it may seem odd that any of the ,fathers of the ,church should retain such a strong tincture of this evil principle2 yet this1 c4 p4 #ff4 #gd ,matthew1 xxiv4 #bd4 ,for there shall arise false ,christs and false ,prophets1 and shall shew great signs and wonders1 insomuch that 7if it were possible7 they shall deceive the very ,elect4 #ge ,our evidence is still increasing1 and is in the next place confirmed even by ,divine authority4 ,p4 #gj4 #gf ,but ,i could not lay too great a stress on the authority of the ,jews1 because it neither properly belongs to the present case1 nor1 c4 ,p4 #gd4 #gg ,for this would shew that the heathen rejection of miracles might not be owing to any contempt of them as such1 since the ,jewish was plainly owing to a very different reason4 #gh #a ,cor4 i4 #bb4 ,the ,jews require a sign1 and the ,greeks seek after wisdom1 c4 #gi ,v4 #ag4 #hj ,v4 #ai4 #ha ,v4 #bj1 #ba1 #bb4 #hb ,it is remarkable that ,maimonides pushes this prejudice so far as to deny that the true ,messiah was to work any miracles at all1 except that of restoring the temporal dominion of ,israel4 ,if he 7the person pretending to be the ,messiah7 ,,prospers in what he undertakes1 and subdues all the neighbouring nations round him1 and rebuilds the ,sanctuary in its former place1 and gathers together the dispersed of ,israel1 then ,,he ,,is ,,for ,,certain ,,the ,,messiah4 ,maimon4 in ,yad ,hachazekah ,tract4 de ,reg4 et ,bell4 eorum4 c4 #aa4 s4 #d4 #hc ,the right understanding of what is meant by the ,jews requiring a sign is of such importance to the perfectly comprehending several parts of the ,gospel history1 that ,i shall be allowed to justify and illustrate the interpretation here given by some further considerations4 ,and1 #a4 ,if by is to be understood simply a miracle1 then it is not true that ,jesus1 whom ,paul preached1 was or could be on that account a stumbling block to the ,jews1 it being allowed on all hands that many and great miracles did shew forth themselves through him4 ,see ,john vii4 #ca4 xi4 #dg4 ,but1 #b4 ,notwithstanding this1 and though it was owned in the fullest manner by the chief priests and ,pharisees themselves1 yet we find them very pressing for a sign1 ,matth4 xii4 #ch4 xvi4 #a4 ,luke xi4 #bi4 and that too 7which is very remarkable7 at the instant our ,saviour had been working a miracle before them2 a degree of perversity not rashly to be credited of the ,jews themselves4 ,it is true this sign is sometimes called 1 a sign from ,heaven2 which1 if meaning any thing more than 1 as explained above1 i4 e4 a test or credential of his heavenly or divine mission 7and what can be more natural than that the ,jews should express by this name the only mark they would admit of the ,messiah's coming from ,heaven87 ,i say1 if any thing further be intended in it1 it must be either1 #a4 ,an outward1 sensible display of the ,divine power1 indicating1 by some prodigious and splendid appearance in the heavens1 or actually interposing1 in some signal way1 to accomplish the deliverance of ,israel2 and then either way it falls in with and includes the interpretation here given4 ,or else1 #b4 ,it must mean a mere prodigy1 asked out of wantonness1 and for no other end than to gratify a silly curiosity in beholding a wondrous sight from ,heaven3 an interpretation1 which1 though maintained by some good writers1 is utterly unsupported by the sacred accounts1 calling it indiscriminately1 without as with the addition of 2 and shocking to common sense1 which makes it incredible that so frivolous a reason as the being denied a sign1 thus understood1 could be1 as ,st4 ,paul asserts it was1 the stumbling-block of infidelity to the ,jewish nation4 #c4 ,but what above all confirms and fixes this interpretation is the tenor of our ,saviour's answer to the question itself4 ,for1 upon the inquiry1 ,master1 shew us a sign1 c4 his constant reply was1 ,a wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign1 and there shall no sign be given them but that of the prophet ,jonas3 ,for1 c4 ,as though he had said1 8,a perverse and degenerate people1 disregarding the wisdom of my doctrines1 and the power of my miracles--the genuine marks and characteristics of the ,messiah--are yet crying out for the test1 1 of my coming4 ,i know the proud and ambitious sentiment of your heart3 but assure yourselves1 ,god will not accommodate his proceedings to your fond views and prejudices4 ,no such test shall be given you4 ,one sure and certain ,,test indeed there shall be1 over and above what has yet been afforded2 but to shew you how widely different the ,divine conduct is from your prescriptions1 it is such a one as ye shall least expect2 the very reverse of your hopes and expectations4 ,it shall be that of the prophet ,jonas4 ,for1 as ,jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly1 so shall ,christ 7sad contradiction to your conceit of temporal dominion67 be put to death by the ,jews1 and lie three days and three nights in the heart of the earth4 ,and this event1 so degrading of my character with you1 and so repugnant to your wishes1 shall1 ,i readily foresee1 so scandalize you1 that1 though my return from the grave1 like that of ,jonas from the whale1 shall be in the demonstration of power1 yet shall ye1 through the inveteracy of that prejudice1 be so hardened1 as not to be convinced by it40 ,the answer of our ,saviour is related by ,matthew and ,luke with some addition1 but such as is further favourable to this interpretation4 ,for1 upon their asking a sign1 it is plain he understood them to mean not a miracle1 but a ,,test1 by the question immediately put to them3 ,when it is evening1 ye say it will be fair weather2 for the sky is red4 ,and in the morning1 it will be foul to-day2 for the sky is red and lowering4 ,o6 ye hypocrites1 ye can discern the face of the sky1 but can ye not discern the face of the times8 8,are the appearances which1 in the order and constitution of nature1 precede the changes of weather1 a sign or test to you of those changes8 ,and are ye stupid and perverse enough to neglect those which1 by the ,divine appointment1 are made the sign or test of the ,,times1 of the change of the ,mosaic for the ,christian dispensation8 ,how is it that ye do not collect this from my miracles and doctrine1 the ordinary and stated marks of this change1 but ye must perversely demand a test of it1 which the ,scriptures nowhere promise1 and the order and course of ,god's ,providence disclaim80 ,if1 after all this1 there can yet remain any doubt of the truth of this comment1 it will be effectually removed by an authority or two from the other ,evangelist1 which the reader will indulge me in just mentioning4 ,in our ,saviour's exerting an act of civil power1 in scourging and driving the money-changers out of the temple1 the ,jews require him to shew the credentials of his authority1 ,what sign shewest thou that thou doest these things8 ,the asking a miracle in this case were impertinent2 for that1 how extraordinary soever1 could never prove to the ,jews that he came invested with the powers of the civil magistrate4 ,the sign they expected1 then was evidently of another kind3 an express declaration1 or open display1 of the regal character and office1 evidencing his commission to do such things4 ,accordingly1 the reply of our ,saviour was to the same effect as before4 ,jesus said unto them1 destroy this temple1 and in three days ,i will raise it up2 for he spake1 we know1 of the temple of his body4 c4 ii4 ,the next authority is in the sixth chapter1 where we have an account of the miracle of feeding the five thousand4 ,upon the multitude's following him after this1 our ,saviour objects to them their neglect of miracles1 which he presses upon them as motives to their belief4 ,ye seek me not1 because ye saw the miracles1 c4 ,now what do the ,jews return to this charge8 ,why1 they fairly own it to be just1 and1 what is more1 give a reason for their conduct4 ,their answer is to this effect3 8,wherefore do you urge your miracles thus constantly to us1 as motives for our belief8 ,if you would have us trust and confide in you as the ,messiah1 ,where is the sign8 ,for1 as to your miracles so often insisted on by you1 we cannot admit them as proper evidences of your commission4 ,and indeed how should we8 for ,moses wrought as great1 if not greater wonders than you4 ,to confront your late boasted miracle of feeding the five thousand with five loaves1 did not he1 as it is written1 give our fathers bread from heaven8 ,what miracle of yours can be more extraordinary8 ,yet ,moses could do this4 ,the ,messiah1 therefore1 of whom greater things are promised1 we expect to be characterized by other signs4 ,what work takest thou in hand1 80 ,here1 at last1 we see 7and the reader will forgive the length of the note for the sake of so clear conviction7 that the sign asked for1 of what kind soever it might be1 neither was nor could be a miracle1 since all such signs were rejected by these inquirers upon principle4 #hd ,i have now done with this head the low opinion of miracles in the heathen world and am not aware that any reasonable exceptions can be made to the testimonies which have been brought to confirm it2 but if any one should think otherwise1 and maintain that something else is necessary for the establishment of so singular an opinion1 he will be gratify'd in his expectations1 as we go along2 and will find the principles and practices of much the greater part of the heathens on this point strengthening and confirming each other4 ,p4 #gg4 #he ,for this he must say1 and not that the credit of miracles would hereby be something weakened3 a point1 that1 as we shall see hereafter1 may be allowed1 and yet be of no manner of service to his conclusion4 #hf ,i have said bad ,dmons2 for miracles wrought by the assistance of good ,dmons were1 as the ,inquirer observes1 p4 #bdg1 in great repute4 #hg ,for that this was the obvious and essential difference betwixt the genuine miracles of the gospel1 and the tricks of magic1 is apparent from many strong expostulations of the ,christian apologists1 who1 when encountered with this frivolous1 but malicious objection1 used to exclaim3 ,potestis aliquem nobis designare1 monstrare ex omnibus illis magis1 ,qui unquam fuere per scula1 consimile aliquid ,christo millesim ex parte qui fecerit8 ,qui ,,sine ,,ulla ,,vi ,,carminum ,,sine ,,herbarum ,,aut ,,graminum ,,succis1 ,,sine ,,ulla ,,aliqua ,,observatione ,,sollicita ,,sacrorum1 ,,libaminum1 ,,temporum8 c4 ,arnob4 contr4 ,gen4 ,l4 i4 ,and again1 ibid4 ,atqui constitit ,christum ,,sine ,,ullis ,,adminiculis ,,rerum1 ,,sine ,,ullius ,,ritus ,,orservatione ,,tel ,,lege1 omnia illa1 qu fecit1 nominis sui possibilitate fecisse2 et quod proprium1 consentaneum1 ,deo dignum fuerat vero1 nihil nocens1 aut noxium1 sed ,,opiferum1 ,,sed ,,salutare1 ,,sed ,,auxiliaribus ,,plenum ,,bonis potestatis munific liberalitate donsse4 #hh ,acts1 ,c4 viii4 and xix4 #hi ,for as to the remaining chapters on the idolatry of the ,heathens1 the parallel betwixt the ,heathen and ,protestant rejection of miracles1 and his ,conclusion1 they seem very little to concern either him1 or me4 ,for1 #a4 ,the influence of idolatry is urged to prove1 that the religion1 not miracles1 of ,jesus1 was hard to be admitted 7p4 #ceb72 which1 though true1 has nothing new in it1 and is1 besides1 intirely foreign1 if not contradictory1 to his purpose4 #b4 ,the parallel betwixt the ,heathen and ,protestant rejection of miracles derives all its little illustrative force from this poor presumption1 already confuted1 that the ,heathens had universally a contempt of miracles4 ,i said the parallel drew its whole force from this fact1 for unless it be true that the ,heathens universally disbelieved all miracles said to be wrought amongst them1 the case of their rejection of ,christian miracles1 the reader sees1 is widely different from that of the ,protestant rejection of the ,popish4 ,this one circumstance then1 to mention no others1 overturns the whole use of his parallel4 ,but1 #c4 ,as to his conclusion1 the design and business of that is1 ,i allow1 something extraordinary4 ,it is to shew us1 that his whole force was not spent in this wearisome ,inquiry1 but that1 was he disposed for it1 he could go on to answer other objections against miracles 7p4 #djh-i7 and our common ,christianity1 which had been already confuted to his hands4 ,for1 having shewn us what he could not do with an argument of his own1 he was willing1 it seems1 to shew us what he could do with those of other writers4 ,for which meritorious service he has my compliments and congratulations3 ,labore alieno magno1 partam ,gloriam ,verbis sp in se transfert1 qua sal habet1 ,quod in ,,te est4 #ij ,page #cdh1 and in another place he says1 it has been fairly shewn from their own accounts1 and from ,,the ,,nature ,,of ,,their ,,principles1 that the ,heathens neither had1 nor could have an high opinion of miracles4 ,p4 #chc4 #ia ,matth4 xi4 #bj4 ,luke x4 #ac4 #ib ,page #agb4 #ic #a ,cor4 i4 ,col4 ii4 #h4 #id ,rom4 i4 ,eph4 v4 and elsewhere passim4 #ie ,mr4 ,addison of the ,christian ,religion1 ,s4 #a4 #if ,lord ,chancellor ,hardwicke4 #ig ,page #gj4 #ih ,page #ab4 #ii ,or1 by judicio suo may be understood that the ,chancellor is impowered to inflict which of the several censures mentioned in the ,statute he shall think fit1 on offenders4 ,the words are ignavos1 c4 suspensione graduum1 carcere1 aut alio leviore supplicio1 ,,judicio ,,suo castigandos4 ,and the same is the meaning of ,,pro ,,arbitrio ,,suo in the ,statute de ,officio ,procuratorum2 on which the ,inquirer affects to lay some stress 7p4 #cb74 8,eum1 qui deliquerit1 prim pecuni prfinit mulctabit2 iterum delinquenti duplicabit mulctam2 terti ver si deliquerit1 gravius1 pro ,,arbitrio ,,suo1 coercebit40 ,but take it in which sense you will1 either of passing sentence by his single authority or determining the kind of punishment at his discretion1 neither way can this expression be made to serve the cause in hand4 ,no art of construction can pick1 out of the words judicio suo1 the sense of final determination4 #ajj ,lord ,chancellor ,hardwicke4 #aja ,the ignorance of the ,inquirer1 who asserts that the ,university has nothing to do with ecclesiastical censures1 and that suspension from degrees1 in particular1 is a punishment merely academical 7p4 #bf71 is amazing4 ,had he been in the least qualified to treat the matter he has undertaken1 he would have known that suspension is not merely an usage of the ,university ,court1 as such1 but was practised by the ,ecclesiastical ,court of the ,bishops or ,archbishops1 as long as they had jurisdiction in the ,university4 ,to let in one ray or two of light1 in mere compassion1 on that utter darkness which environs him1 and shuts out all law1 canon as well as civil1 ,i will just refer him to ,arundel's ,constitutions in a provincial ,council2 where ,members of the ,university offending in the premisses are declared suspended1 ab omni actu scholastico1 and deprived1 ab omni privilegio scholastico4 ,lyndwood1 de ,hret4 cap4 ,finaliter4 ,and the same appears in a ,constitution of ,archbishop ,stratford4 ,ib4 ,de ,vit4 ,honest4 ,clericorum1 cap4 ,exterior4 #ajb ,so ,mr4 ,attorney ,general ,yorke1 in his ,argument for the ,university in ,dr4 ,bentley's ,case1--8,the congregation are to be considered as the judges of the ,court1 and the ,vice-chancellor as their official40 ,the ,inquirer hath himself desired the reader to observe 7p4 #aj7 that the ,v4 ,c4 in the absence of the ,chancellor1 hath all the power which the ,university delegates to this great officer4 #ajc ,that his ,court was directed by this law1 appears from a determination of ,delegates1 concerning second ,appeals in the same cause1 which ,i will take the liberty to transcribe4 ,de ,appellationibus ,delegatis4 ,in ,dei nomine1 ,amen4 ,nos ,d4 ,buckmaister1 ,inceptor ,dakyns1 ,m'ri ,myddylton1 ,longforth1 et ,pomell1 authoritate nobis ab ,universitate commiss1 decernimus ac pro firm sententi determinamus1 qud liceat unicuique in su caus appellare judicibus delegatis per ,universitatem ad eandem ,universitatem1 mod id fiat juxta juris exigentiam1 hoc est1 si antea ab eodem secund vice in edem caus appellatum non fuerit4 ,quod si ante bis appellaverit1 neutiqam terti appellare licebit1 quum id prorsus sit vetitum tam per jus civile qum canonicum3 ,cterum unicuique tam actori qum reo maneat sua libertas appellandi in su caus judicibus delegatis per ,universitatem modo supradicto et jure prscripto4 ,lib4 ,proc4 ,jun4 fol4 #acb4 #ajd ,see old ,statutes ,de ,judiciis et ,foro scholarium2 ,de pnis ,appellantium2 ,de tempore prosequendi ,appellationes4 #aje ,see ,determination of ,delegates1 before cited1 p4 #be4 #ajf ,p4 #bf4 #ajg ,p4 #a4 #ajh ,p4 #fb4 #aji ,delegates are nominated by the ,caput2 and the ,caput is1 in effect1 appointed by the ,vice-chancellor and ,heads of ,colleges1 who are commonly parties in all appellations4 ,see ,stat4 ,de capite ,eligendo4 ,so 7as the ,university complained1 in their remonstrance against this very ,statute of ,q4 ,elizabeth7 8when they the ,v4 ,c4 and ,masters of ,houses offer wrong1 and themselves appoint judges to redress that wrong2 it is too true1 which ,livy writeth in the state of ,decemvira1 siquis ,collegam appellaverit1 7meaning ,appius's judgment71 ab eo1 ad quem venerit1 it discessurum1 tanquam pniteret prioris decreto non stetisse40 ,c4 ,c4 ,c4 ,,mss4 ,so little reason is there on the part of the ,vice-chancellor1 to fear any thing from partial ,delegates6 #aaj ,the ,inquirer hath even had the hardiness to advance this in the plainest terms4 ,he harangues at large from p4 #i4 to #ac4 on the impropriety of appealing from the determination of a superior to an inferior2 and1 in another place1 p4 #ci4 derides the notion of citing the supreme ,magistrate before more supreme ,delegates4 ,but how different were the sentiments of a late learned ,civilian on this head1 from those of this little academical ,lawyer6 ,speaking of ,mr4 ,campbell's case1 in #agbe4 8,there is1 says he1 a subordination of jurisdiction in the ,university4 ,the ,vice-chancellor's jurisdiction is inferior to that of the ,senate2 and upon ,mr4 ,c--'s saying1 that he appealed to the ,university1 the inferior jurisdiction ceased and devolved to the ,senate1 even before the inhibition4 ,and1 afterwards in considering the proctor's inhibition2 upon the ,appeal1 the ,proctors represent the ,university1 and are in that case superior to the ,vice-chancellor4--,and ,i am of opinion1 that the ,delegates in ,mr4 ,c--'s cause may1 upon the ,proctor's applying to them1 primo et ante omnia reverse the whole proceedings against him1 in the ,v4 ,c's court1 as an attentat upon the ,university's jurisdiction2 and may likewise inflict such censures1 as the ,statutes impower them to make use of1 for the breach of the inhibition2 all inhibitions being by ,law1 sub pn juris et contempts40 ,dr4 ,,andrews4 #aaa ,p4 #gj4 #aab ,we have this confession from the candid writer of ,considerations on the late ,regulations1 c4 8,i must enter1 says he1 upon this subject with acknowledging1 as ,i do with equal truth and pleasure1 that there never was1 within my remembrance1 nor1 ,i believe1 within any one's memory1 a set of more able and industrious tutors than we have at present2 more capable of discharging that useful office1 or more diligent and careful in the discharge of it10 p4 #ab4 ,and1 again1 8,i think there prevails in general and through all degrees among us1 a great disposition to sobriety and temperance10 p4 #ad4 #aac ,p4 #fd4 #aad ,p4 #ac4 #aae ,p4 #fe4 #aaf 8,you will urge--that1 as a previous oath must be taken by the tutor1 that he believes in his conscience that his pupil has a just cause of appeal1 all ,appeals would by this means be prevented1 but such as were founded upon good reasons4 ,but the force of this argument will not be thought very great1 if1 c40 ,reader1 ,i can easily guess the sentiments which must arise in thee1 at the sight of this shocking paragraph4 ,but think not ,i have abused thee in this citation4 ,they are the author's own words1 as they lie in p4 #fe of the ,inquiry4 ,well1 but his reason8 ,why1 8if it be remembered1 that1 though oaths of this kind were exacted in order to prevent the frequency of ,appeals1 they by no means had their proper effect1 the same number having been commenced for the three years next after this regulation1 as in that towards the close of which it was first made40 ,this provision of oaths had not1 he says1 its proper effect4 ,and how does this appear8 ,why1 because ,appeals were as frequent afterwards as before4 ,now1 any other man would1 surely1 have inferred from hence1 that 8therefore the ,appeals made were not without good reason40 ,not so the ,inquirer4 ,he is of another spirit4 ,rather than give any quarter to ,appeals1 let every tutor in the ,university be an abandoned perjured villain4 ,in very tenderness to this unhappy writer1 whoever he be1 ,i forbear to press him farther on such a subject4 #aag ,p4 #ff4 #aah ,diss4 ,,vi4 p4 #bei4 #aai ,diss4 ,,vi4 p4 #bea4 #abj ,hodges1 ,garnet1 ,chappelow4 #aba ,p4 #bif4 #abb ,p4 #bee4 #abc ,p4 #bif4 #abd ,dr4 ,lowth4 #abe ,page #bfa4 #abf ,page #bec4 #abg ,page #bfi4 #abh ,page #bic4 #abi ,julian1 p4 #caf4 #acj ,essay on the ,gift of ,tongues1 ,works1 vol4 ii4 p4 #ia4 #aca ,,doctrine ,,of ,,grace1 b4 i4 c4 viii4 p4 #da4 #b ,ed4 #h4 #acb ,ib4 #acc ,d4 ,g4 p4 #ea4 #acd ,p4 #da1 #db4 #ace ,from p4 #db to p4 #de4 #acf ,dissertation1 p4 #hb4 #acg ,dissert4 p4 #hb4 #ach ,dissert4 p4 #hf4 #aci ,doctrine of ,grace1 p4 #da4 #adj ,doctrine of ,grace1 p4 #de4 #ada ,doctrine of ,grace1 p4 #dc4 #adb ,dissert4 p4 #hh4 #adc ,doctrine of ,grace1 p4 #eb1 #ec4 #add ,doctrine of ,grace1 p4 #ee1 #ef4 #ade ,dissert4 p4 #ai4 #adf ,dissert4 p4 #d4 #adg ,doctrine of ,grace1 p4 #eb4 #adh ,dissert4 p4 #da4 #adi ,dissert4 p4 #de4 #aej ,doctrine of ,grace1 p4 #ec4 #aea ,dissert4 p4 #eh4 #aeb ,dissert4 p4 #hj1 n4 #aec ,doctrine of ,grace1 pp4 #ef1 #eg4 #aed ,dissert4 p4 #bj4 #aee ,dissert4 p4 #hj4 n4 #aef ,doctrine of ,grace1 p4 #eh4 #aeg ,dissert4 p4 #bd4 #aeh ,dissert4 p4 #be4 #aei ,,quinct4 l4 ix4 c4 #c4 #afj ,dissert4 p4 #cd4 #afa ,doctrine of ,grace1 p4 #eb4 #afb ,adv4 to the ,dissert4 ,,index ,,to ,,volumes ,v4 ,,vi4 ,,vii4 ,,and ,,viii4 ,a4 ,,adultery1 absolution of the woman taken in1 vi4 #cai1 #cbg4 gives no encouragement to think slightly of the sin1 #ccj4 ,,neid1 the sixth book of1 finely criticized in the ,d4 ,l4 viii4 #bgg4 the same subject discussed by ,dr4 ,jortin1 #bhc1 #bhe1 #bhg4 ,,alembert1 ,m4 ,d'1 his opinion on ,antichrist1 v4 #bjb4 ,,alphonsus the ,wise1 blasphemed the system of nature1 vi4 #ca4 n4 ,,amusements1 ,,lawful1 may not be expedient1 vii4 #cjj4 ,,anticato1 a name once assumed by ,csar1 v4 #aha4 ,,antichrist1 prophecies concerning1 v4 #agb4 characters which distinguish that power1 ib4 meaning of the term1 #agi1 #ahj4 how construed and applied by the early ,christian writers1 #aha4 how by the ,church of ,rome1 #ahg4 application of the term to that ,church at various periods1 #aij to #bja4 deduction from those facts1 #bjb4 prejudices against the doctrine1 #bje1 #bad4 how to be removed1 #bjg4 term not applied against the person of the ,pope1 #baf4 prophecies respecting the downfal of1 #bah4 disagreeing opinions of learned men concerning1 #bbj4 time and other circumstances relating to1 not to be ascertained1 #bbd4 main prejudice against it1 whence arising1 #bcb4 prophetic characters of1 #bhf4 testimony of ,st4 ,paul1 #bii4 another symbol from ,st4 ,john1 #cjb4 tyrannical1 intolerant1 and idolatrous1 #cjd4 time of appearance in the world1 #cbf4 declared expressly by the prophets1 #cbh4 the several marks of1 enumerated1 #cca4 uses of this inquiry1 #ccd4 ,,antichristian ,,superstition1 prevailed not against the ,church of ,christ1 vii4 #cfd4 ,,antinomians1 of the last century1 their profligacy1 vi4 #af4 ,,apologies for ,christianity1 wherein generally faulty1 vi4 #bf4 ,,appeals4 ,see ,,cambridge4 ,,aphorisms1 why a favourite mode of instruction with the inspired writers1 vi4 #age4 ,,apostolic ,,age1 ,christianity how propagated in1 vii4 #aaf1 #aag4 ,,apostles1 conveyed instruction by general precepts1 vi4 #age4 preached not themselves but ,christ ,jesus the ,lord1 vii4 #agf4 used no arts to set off their moral character1 #agh4 or their intellectual1 #ahf4 preached therefore by the direction of the ,holy ,spirit1 #aia4 the ,spirit promised them by our ,saviour1 #bbb4 to guide them into all truth1 #bbd4 to shew them things to come1 #bbe4 their character1 #bbi4 and situation considered1 #bca4 the promise not abused by them1 #bcb4 admonition of the angels to them on our ,lord's ascension1 #bdj4 under what circumstances the ,greek language was inspired into them1 viii4 #cbe4 had time to improve themselves in it1 ere they turned to the ,gentiles1 #cbf4 their style such as might be expected1 #cbg4 needed no aid from eloquence1 #ceg1 #cfc4 ,by what considerations generally restrained from the use of it1 #cfd4 ,,apostrophe1 of ,solomon to youth1 vi4 #dje4 ,,apocalypse4 ,see ,,revelations4 ,,aristeas1 an impostor1 esteemed as a worker of miracles1 viii4 #aeg4 n4 ,,aristotle1 at one time gave law to the ,christian world1 vii4 #bff4 ,,arnulphus1 bishop of ,orleans1 styled the ,pope ,antichrist1 v4 #aia4 ,,articles1 the ,thirty-nine1 are the formulary of faith with us1 viii4 #fc4 ,,arts1 ,,fine1 administer to luxury1 vii4 #bii1 #cjb4 ,,asiatic ,,christians1 their condition different from that of the ,jews1 v4 #adi4 ,,ascension of ,jesus into ,heaven1 vii4 #bcg4 his coming to be in like manner1 #bch4 ,,assentatio1 a species of flattery1 viii4 #bhi4 ,,atheism1 adopted as a release from the restraints of morality1 vi4 #ai4 ,,aventinus1 ,,joannes1 points out the beginning of the reign of ,antichrist1 v4 #aic4 ,,augury1 of the duration of the ,roman ,empire1 v4 #hd4 ,,authority1 an air of1 its effect in orators1 viii4 #abd4 n4 ----1 of our ,saviour's teaching1 in what consisting1 vii4 #acj4 ,b4 ,,babylon1 a ,pagan idolatrous city1 of what an emblem1 v4 #aif1 #cji4 ,,bacon1 ,lord1 his observation on the double sense of prophecy1 v4 #ee4 ,,baptism1 its reference to the typical washings of the law1 vi4 #aee4 ,,baptist1 ,,the1 his food and raiment emblematical1 vii4 #djb4 ,,barrow1 ,dr4 an eminent expositor of the ,catechism1 viii4 #ach4 ,,beast1 in the ,revelations1 its seven heads a double type1 v4 #bif4 ,,benevolence1 how perverted1 vi4 #abj4 in the ,gospel takes the name of ,charity1 #ace4 ,,berengarius1 styles ,rome the seat of ,satan1 v4 #aib4 ,,bernard1 ,st4 denounces the church of ,rome as ,antichristian1 v4 #aid4 ,,bible1 only1 the religion of ,protestants1 v4 #cdi4 ,,blood of ,christ1 its efficacy and value how signified by him1 vi4 #aea1 #aed4 danger of refusing to be washed by it1 #aeg4 its benefits how to be secured1 #aeh4 ,,boniface ,,iii4 begged the title of cumenical ,bishop1 v4 #aij4 ,,bossuet1 ,m4 his remark on the conduct of the primitive ,christians1 v4 #afh4 n4 on ,mr4 ,mede's work on the ,revelations1 #bgb4 on the terms fornication and adultery1 as applied to ,rome1 #cjg4 n4 justifies persecution1 #cae4 n4 his unreasonable jocularity on the ,reformation1 #cah4 n4 ,,british ,,people1 zeal for religion abated among them1 viii4 #i4 private morals relaxed1 #aa4 civil or political virtues disappearing1 #ac4 ,,brutus1 erred from excess of virtue1 vi4 #cji4 ,c4 ,c,,sar1 his baldness a mark of infamy1 vi4 #djc4 his admirable way of recording his own achievements1 vii4 #agi4 ,,cambridge ,,university1 dispute concerning appeals at1 viii4 #ahi4 historical account of its jurisdiction1 #bjh4 addition of civil power to the spiritual1 #baa4 power of making local statutes1 #bac4 body of new statutes given1 #bad4 appeals not forbidden1 #baf4 the right of appealing not affected by disuse1 #bai4 grace proposed by the assertors of the right of appeal1 #bbf4 delegates by whom nominated1 #bbh4 n4 subordination in the jurisdiction1 #bcj4 n4 objections against the grace answered1 #bce4 right of under-graduates exercised by the interposition of their tutors1 #bch4 insinuations against the advocates for the right of appeal exposed1 #bda1 #bdb1 #bde4 the claim as ancient as the ,english ,constitution1 #bej4 ,,casuists1 have perverted the precepts of the ,gospel1 vi4 #bcg4 ,,catechizing1 the duty of1 viii4 #acc4 its uses to the catechumens1 #acd4 to the congregation present1 #acf4 to the clergy themselves1 #acg4 ,,catiline1 described by ,cicero1 vi4 #cad4 ,,cato1 his virtue contrasted with that of ,csar1 vi4 #cjh4 ,,celsus1 how he represents the ,jews1 v4 #f4 n4 his objections against their oracles1 #ad4 n4 ,,chance1 by some considered1 as supplying the place of inspiration1 v4 #ha4 could not have accomplished the spiritual prophecies1 #ij4 ,,character1 moral1 artifices which men use to display it1 vii4 #agh1 #aha1 #ahd4 intellectual1 two ways of displaying1 #ahf4 ,,charity1 ,christian1 its genealogy1 vi4 #aaf1 #aba1 #abc4 genuine how to be distinguished from false1 #abf4 the proper cure for learned pride1 #bgh1 #bhg4 ,,charles ,i4 the religious troubles in his reign whence originating1 viii4 #da4 struggles for civil liberty1 #dd4 ,,chillingworth1 and others1 established the old principle of the ,protestant religion1 v4 #cdi4 ,,christ1 the spirit of prophecy1 his testimony1 v4 #ba4 his appeal to that spirit1 #cj4 all the prophets bear witness to him1 #ce4 great purpose of his coming1 #cg4 fortunes of his dispensation not yet perfectly disclosed1 #fi4 his prophecy concerning the treachery of ,judas1 #gd4 its use1 #ajj4 prophecies concerning his first coming1 #ajb4 how enforced among the ,jews1 #ajg1 #aaj4 concerning his second coming1 #acb4 his prophecy of the destruction of ,jerusalem1 #acf4 fulfilled1 #ada4 his sublime command to his followers1 to teach all nations1 #afc4 foretold the appearance of false ,christs1 #agg4 his mediatorial office not to be interfered with by the worship of saints1 #cbd4 time of his appearing how foretold1 #cbf4 vast scheme of prophecy relating to his first and second coming1 #ccf4 benefits of his death extend to all men1 vi4 #fc4 faith in him the condition of salvation1 #ga4 declared to the believing ,jews1 how they were to be judged1 #gi4 to his disciples1 that they had seen the ,father1 #hd4 why he spake in parables1 #id4 his promise to manifest himself1 to whom given1 #ajj4 why he condescended to wash the feet of his disciples1 #ade4 his answer to ,peter on that occasion1 #adi4 his death a propitiation for sin1 #aed4 his admonition respecting the hearing of the word1 #bji4 his sentence on those who receive it not1 #bab4 his reply to the ,pharisees concerning blindness and sin1 #bfj4 denounces a woe against those of whom all men speak well1 #cje4 his question of the ,jews who stoned him1 #caa4 his admonition to the woman taken in adultery1 #cai4 his address to those who accused her1 #cbe4 why he did not condemn her1 #cbh4 ,,he first acknowledged humility as a virtue1 #ccd4 particulars of his humility1 #cci4 why derided by the ,pharisees1 who were covetous1 #cea1 #ceb4 the author of eternal life1 vii4 #ah1 #bd4 duties which we owe him1 #bi4 made manifest in the flesh1 #fd4 justified in the spirit1 #ff4 seen of angels1 #fh4 preached to the ,gentiles1 #gj4 believed on in the world1 #gb4 received up into glory1 #gd4 never man spake like him1 #abd4 as to the matter of his discourses1 #abe4 the authority with which they were delivered1 #acj4 their wisdom1 #acc4 their divine energy1 #acg4 why he spake to the unbelieving ,jews in parables1 #ade1 #aea4 why he wrought few miracles among them1 #aei4 why he preached the ,gospel to the poor1 #aid4 the goodness of his character thus displayed1 #bjc4 his wisdom equally1 #bjf4 his ,father's house1 of many mansions1 #baj4 his sincerity conspicuous in this declaration1 #bac1 #bad4 what was truly his character1 #bah4 what our expectations from him1 #bbj4 promised the spirit of truth to his disciples1 #bbb4 fulfilment of the promise1 #bcd4 his ascension graced by the ministry of angels1 #bcg4 prejudices of his countrymen against him1 #bec4 his triumphs over the kingdom of ,satan1 #bga4 forbade strict retaliation1 #caj4 his declaration to those who shall be ashamed of him1 #cbh4 and of his words1 #cda4 his memorable promise to ,peter a two-fold prophecy1 #ceg1 #cfg4 his driving the buyers and sellers out of the temple1 #chf4 in what light understood1 #cij4 acted thus not as a zealot but a prophet only1 #djj4 prophecy to which he appealed1 #dje1 #djh4 in what light regarded by the ,jews1 #daf4 why he used this mysterious method of information1 #dbc4 the same yesterday1 to-day1 and for ever1 viii4 #ai4 dignity of his person here expressed1 #ba4 immense scheme of redemption through him1 #bb4 unchangeable nature of his religion1 #be4 ,,christian1 bound by principle to be modest and humble1 vi4 #ahj4 character of a wise one1 #bbg4 his body the temple of ,god1 #chb4 he is bought with a price1 #chf4 encouraged to reason on the subject of religion1 vii4 #aae4 not bound to inquire curiously into the doctrinal and moral part of the gospel1 #aai4 ,,christianity1 attested by prophecy1 v4 #fi4 in a secondary as well as a primary sense1 #ih4 weight of the general evidence1 #ajj4 argument from prophecy of no less weight to us because the ,jews were not convinced by it1 #abh4 proof of its divine institution1 #cch4 why propagated by mean instruments1 vi4 #ij4 its evidences many and various1 #ii4 philosophy how far serviceable to it1 #aif1 #aii4 objections on its mysterious nature answered1 #bgb4 questions to those who sincerely reject it1 #bih4 danger and crime of disbelief1 #cjj4 its evidences a subject of inquiry in different ages1 vii4 #aaa1 #aah4 the faith early adulterated by vain speculations1 #bde1 #bdf4 purified in part after the ,reformation1 #bdg1 #bdh4 use of reason in its support1 #bej4 force of prejudice against1 #bed1 #beh1 #bfb4 in modern times1 against its evidences and doctrines1 #bfd4 what the only exorcism it permits1 #bgd4 doctrine of not resisting evil1 #caj4 does not supersede the use of resentment1 #cad4 except in case of persecution1 #caf4 liberties taken with it to render it not mysterious1 #cdg4 zeal for it abated among us1 viii4 #i4 its unchangeable nature1 as a rule of life1 #be4 ,,christians1 ,primitive1 idea formed of ,antichrist by them1 v4 #ahd4 their advantages of acquiring religious knowledge1 vi4 #aia4 precept addressed to them of giving a reason for their hope1 #aaa1 #aaf4 ,,cicero1 palliated the desertion of his principles1 vii4 #aha4 abounded in fulsome encomiums1 viii4 #bfa4 ,,clemens ,,alexandrinus1 his opinion on the persecution of ,christianity1 vii4 #cfj4 ,,church1 its union with ,christ1 how prefigured1 v4 #bc4 on what rock founded1 vii4 #cee4 ,jewish and ,gentile persecutions raised against it1 #ceh4 internal commotions when settled under ,constantine1 #cfa4 endangered by the ,mahometan imposture1 #cfb4 by the ,antichristian superstition1 #cfc4 its trial by the enlightened reason of mankind1 #cfe4 by the learned ,jews1 #cfh4 by the ,gentiles1 #cfi4 after the revival of letters1 #cgd4 by modern infidel writers1 #cgg4 the gates of ,hell prevail not against it1 #cha4 ,,clarke1 ,dr4 ,,samuel1 his remark on the book of ,revelations1 v4 #bfg4 ,,clergy1 why chosen and ordained1 viii4 #ei4 first object of their ministry to teach a right faith1 #ei4 the second1 to produce the fruits of piety1 #fe4 and of charity1 #fh4 benefits of personal residence1 #gf4 directions respecting curates1 #hj4 none but fit ones to be recommended1 #hd4 what the office of reason on the subject of revealed religion1 #ij1 #id4 requisites of a ,christian preacher1 fidelity1 #abj4 an air of authority1 #abc4 zeal1 #abe4 duty of catechizing1 #acc4 benefit of sermons to accompany the examinations1 #ach4 ,,cobham1 ,lord1 why committed to the flames1 v4 #bjj4 ,,conceit1 admonition against1 vi4 #agh1 #aha4 proper remedy for1 #ahe4 ,,conjectures1 in the way of prophecy1 frequently verified1 v4 #hb4 ,,conscience1 defined1 vi4 #dd1 #aba4 ,,constantinople1 not the residence of ,antichrist1 v4 #bia4 ,,controversy1 in public discourses1 to be avoided1 viii4 #abd4 ,,corinthians1 how addressed by the ,apostle on their impurity1 vi4 #chj4 their city a market of prostitution1 #chg4 ,,covenant1 ,new1 the christian dispensation so called1 v4 #afc4 ,,courage1 the affectation of1 a snare to those who seek the honour of men1 vi4 #beb4 ,,creeds1 origin and justification of1 viii4 #fa4 ,,crevier1 ,m41 defends persecution1 v4 #cae4 n4 ,,criticism1 as of late improved1 of what use in explaining the ,scriptures1 vi4 #aii4 rational1 what its established principles1 viii4 #cdi4 ,,curates1 directions respecting1 viii4 #hj4 ,,curiosity1 anxious1 its folly1 vi4 #djh4 tends to create quick resentments1 #dab4 leads to peevish complaints1 #dac4 breeds uneasy suspicions1 #dae4 its injustice1 #daf4 ,,cyaxares1 of ,xenophon1 supposed to be ,darius the ,mede1 v4 #cha1 #cif4 ,d4 ,,daill1 ,m41 on the use of the ,fathers1 v4 #cdh4 ,,daniel1 his vision of the four kingdoms1 and of ,antichrist1 v4 #bhg1 #big4 foretold the rise of that power1 #cbh4 antiquity of the book questioned1 #cfe4 objections answered1 #chg4 cause of his advancement1 #cij4 ,,darius the ,mede1 doubts respecting his existence1 v4 #chj4 ,,dedication1 two good instances of1 pointed out1 viii4 #bhb4 ,,demosthenes1 his sublime and energetic oath1 viii4 #cde4 ,,devil1 if resisted1 will flee1 vii4 #bfg4 terms applied to that wicked spirit in ,scripture1 #bfi4 ,christ's triumphs over1 #bga4 powers permitted him over the bodies and fortunes of men1 #bgb4 over the souls of men1 #bgd4 objections answered1 #bgg4 religious and moral uses of the doctrine1 #bhj4 whole scheme of ,christianity depends on it1 #cdh4 ,,distress1 ,national1 never inflicted before it is deserved1 viii4 #g4 ,,divination1 idea of pagan philosophers concerning1 v4 #i4 from augury1 instances of1 v4 #hc4 ,d4 ,l4 the author of1 his character by a warm friend1 viii4 #bgj4 his personal virtues1--reference to ,dr4 ,jortin1 #bgb4 some of his foibles enumerated1 #bgc4 his talents for classical criticism1 #bgg4 ,,dragon1 a symbol of the ,roman ,government1 v4 #cjc4 ,,dreams1 a mode of prophecy1 v4 #ag1 #bdh4 ,,drusilla1 her character1 vii4 #b4 ,e4 ,,eagles1 a figurative expression for the standards of the ,roman army1 v4 #ach4 ,,eclipse1 why an emblem of the ruin of empires1 v4 #bdf4 ,,elegance1 of speech1 what1 viii4 #ccd1 #cdb4 ,,eloquence1 among the ancients1 studied from vanity1 vi4 #bhd4 ,dr4 ,middleton's notion of1 confuted1 viii4 #ccc4 no archetype of it in nature1 #cci4 its rules for the most part1 local and arbitrary1 #ceb4 what its end1 #ced1 #cef4 ,,egyptians1 retained their hieroglyphics after the invention of the alphabet1 v4 #bci4 ,,energy1 of our ,saviour's discourses1 vii4 #acg4 ,,envy1 excited by eminent virtue1 vi4 #cjf4 a striking picture of1 vii4 #bec4 ,,erasmus1 his observation on the use of reason in religion1 viii4 #aja4 ,,error1 in matters of religion1 notion of its innocency considered1 vi4 #big4 ,,evidence1 moral1 gradation in the scale of1 vi4 #hh4 ,,ezekiel1 foretold the cessation of prophecy among the ,jews1 v4 #aaf4 n4 ,f4 ,,faith1 the condition of salvation1 vi4 #ga4 the parent of charity1 #abc1 #abe4 why said to come by hearing1 #bja4 some inclined too much to it1 at the expence of morality1 #bah4 not at variance with knowledge1 #bfb4 ,see ,,christianity4 ,,falkland1 ,lord1 his glorious excess of virtue1 vi4 #cji4 ,,fame1 the love of1 to be controuled by the love of truth1 vi4 #bei4 ,,fashion1 the rule of life with men of the world1 vii4 #bhf4 ,,fathers of the ,church1 their application of the term ,antichrist1 v4 #ahb4 question respecting their authority in the interpretation of scripture1 #cdg1 #cdh4 plainness of their discourses1 vii4 #h4 ,,fear ,,of ,,god1 the proper guide of life1 vii4 #bhd4 contrasted with fashion1 #bhf4 with law1 #bhh4 with philosophy1 #bia4 inclines men to depart from evil1 #bic4 ,,felix the ,procurator1 his character1 vii4 #b4 effect of ,paul's preaching on him1 #e4 his subsequent treatment of the apostle1 #ae4 ,,figurative language1 a cause of obscurity in prophecy1 v4 #fh4 ,,fig-,,tree1 cursed1 a sign1 vii4 #djc4 connected with that of purging the temple1 #dac4 ,,fire1 allusion to its effects1 frequent in ,scripture1 vi4 #afh4 ,,flesh1 the vices of1 to be put away from us1 vii4 #dh4 ,,fleury1 ,abb1 his observation on the authority of the ,pope1 v4 #cad4 ,,free-,,thinking1 modern1 to be resolved into two sophisms1 vii4 #cgi4 ,,friendship1 among the great scholars of every age1 indelicacy in the expression of1 viii4 #bei4 various arguments in exercise for1 #bfa4 answered1 #bfd4 specimen of the high complimentary manner1 #bgj4 delicate ways of conveying encomium1 #bhb4 ,see ,dr4 ,,jortin4 ,g4 ,,gadarenes1 their sordid prejudice against our ,saviour1 vii4 #bfj4 ,,galatia1 ,churches of1 early infested with false teachers1 vi4 #agg4 ,,gallio1 his disregard of miracles not proved1 viii4 #aef4 ,,genealogies1 system of1 reprobated by ,st4 ,paul1 vi4 #aaf4 ,,genesis1 a famous passage in1 how regarded by different critics1 viii4 #cdf4 ,,gentiles1 method of the early ,christians to convert1 v4 #abe4 how convinced by the argument of prophecy1 #abf4 their conversion foretold1 #aee4 took its rise by small beginnings1 #afd4 prevailed by pacific means only1 #afe4 are a law unto themselves1 vi4 #cg1 #ch4 force of conscience among them1 #dc4 diversity of human judgment accounted for1 #dd4 their debates concerning right and wrong evinced their sense of natural law1 #di4 benefits of redemption extend to them1 #fc4 their notion of a temple1 #chc4 their conversion quick and general1 vii4 #gc4 condition of the poor among them1 #aih4 adversaries of the ,christian religion among them1 vii4 #cga4 the calling of1 predicted by the expulsion of buyers and sellers from the temple1 vii4 #dji4 ,,gibbon1 ,mr4 his anonymous letter to ,dr4 ,hurd1 v4 #cfc4 answered1 #chf4 character of his ,history1 #dja4 ,,glorifying of ,god1 in our body and spirit1 vi4 #cgh4 ,,gloucester1 ,bishop of1 his idea of the nature and character of an inspired language vindicated1 viii4 #cjg4 obviates an objection made by ,dr4 ,middleton1 #cji1 #caa4 avows his notion of eloquence to be a paradox1 and at the same time truth1 #cab4 nominal barbarity of the style of the ,new ,testament1 a mark of its miraculous original1 #cag4 the inspiration comprehended the terms1 and their grammatical congruity1 #cba4 circumstances1 abilities1 and qualifications of the ,apostles who received it1 #cbd4 opposes ,dr4 ,middleton's proposition concerning eloquence1 #ccc4 proves that no archetype of that quality exists1 #cci4 that the sublime of eloquent expression depends on casual associations1 #ccd1 #cdg4 shews that eloquence was not necessary to the ,apostles1 #ced4 his idea of the end of eloquence justified1 #ced1 #cfb4 considers clearness and precision as the aids common to all language1 #cfe4 tropes and figures when and in what sense vicious1 #cfg1 #cgc4 ,,god1 what must be done to obtain his favour1 vii4 #ha4 what that favour is1 #hi4 ,,godliness1 the great mystery of1 vii4 #fb4 ,,gospel1 its connection with prophecy1 iv4 #db4 with that concerning its promulgation1 v4 #aef4 by whom announced1 #afj4 contrary to the structure of the ,jewish law1 #afa4 its use not discredited by the natural moral law1 vi4 #eg4 its necessity not superseded1 #ei4 the eternal purpose of ,god declared in it1 #gf4 why not forced on the minds of men by irresistible evidence1 #ic4 stress laid on ,faith1 #ie4 binds men together as brethren1 #acf4 illuminates and sanctifies men by successive improvements1 vi4 #bjh4 its doctrines and precepts forbid us to seek the honour of men1 #bdg4 its rapid propagation1 vii4 #gc4 if hid1 is hid to them that are lost1 #if4 appealed to1 when written1 as the ground of belief1 #aag4 preached to the poor1 #aic4 ----1 ,sermon before the society for propagating1 viii4 #bc4 ,,grace1 the law of1 vi4 #gj1 #ga4 some had rather trust to the law of nature1 #gc4 obligatory on those who do not receive it1 #gg1 #gh4 ,,gregory ,i41 his dispute with the ,bishop of ,constantinople1 v4 #ahh4 disclaimed the title of universal ,bishop1 #ahi4 ,,grotius1 ,,hugo1 undertook to prove that the ,pope was not ,antichrist1 v4 #bba4 from what motives1 #bbb4 a conjecture of his confuted by ,bishop ,newton1 #cjj4 his comment on the washing of the disciples' feet1 vi4 #aeb4 n4 ,h4 ,,half-,,belief1 a vice of the spirit1 vii4 #ej4 ,,hardwicke1 ,lord ,chancellor1 his opinion concerning appeals at the ,university of ,cambridge1 supported1 viii4 #ahi1 #bba4 ,,hearing1 the way by which faith cometh1 vi4 #bja4 admonitions concerning1 #bjc4 diligence in1 why requisite1 ib4 #bje1 #bjg4 ,,heathens1 their quick conversion to ,christianity1 viii4 #aeb4 inquiry into their opinion of miracles1 #aee1 #aha4 ,,hell1 the gates of1 their signification in ,scripture1 vii4 #cef4 ,,heresies1 their origin1 vii4 #ajb4 ,,hesiod1 his maxim on contention1 viii4 #bgi1 #bha4 ,,hieroglyphics1 their origin1 v4 #bci4 means of learning them1 #bde4 ,,hippias1 the ,elean1 boasted that he knew every thing1 vi4 #bhe4 ,,holy ,,ghost1 the living in communion with1 vi4 #chb4 the possessor of the body of ,christians1 #chf4 ,see ,,spirit4 ,,honour1 the duty of preferring one another in1 explained1 vi4 #acj4 its nature and grounds1 #acb4 right application of it in practice1 #acg4 that only which cometh of ,god1 to be sought1 #bde4 the ,gothic principle of1 inflames pride1 #ccg4 ,,hope1 ,christian1 the precept of giving a reason for1 explained1 vii4 #aaj4 to be given with meekness and fear1 #abb4 ,,horace1 his indelicate encomium on ,virgil1 viii4 #bei4 ,,humanity1 its duties never overlooked by the inspired writers1 vi4 #acj4 ,,humility1 ,christian1 how best expressed1 vi4 #ahf4 first acknowledged as a virtue by our ,saviour1 #ccd4 why so rare among men1 ib4 #ccf1 #ccg4 of whom to be learned1 #cci4 ensures rest to our souls1 #cdc4 ,,hypocrites1 those who embrace ,christianity from corrupt motives1 vi4 #cjb4 ,i4 and ,j4 ,,james ,i4 remark of ,hume on his commentary on the ,revelations1 vi4 #bff4 ,,idolatry1 how designated in the language of ,scripture1 v4 #cje1 #caa4 of two sorts1 #caf4 ,,jerom1 states the notion of the ancient ,fathers respecting ,antichrist1 v4 #ahd4 ,speaks of the fall of the ,roman empire1 #bcj4 ,,jerusalem1 destruction of1 v4 #ace4 by the ,romans1 #ach4 of the temple1 #adj4 its mystical sense1 #cja4 its destruction1 of what emblematical1 vii4 #cbh4 ,,jews1 their erroneous notion of the use and end of prophecy1 v4 #aj4 divine communications concerning ,christ1 why appropriated to them1 #fd4 origin of their principal mistake respecting the ,messiah1 #ii4 prophetic spirit1 how employed under their system of polity1 #ajf4 why many of them not convinced by the argument of prophecy1 #aai4 their incredulity foretold by their own prophets1 #abj4 their invincible prejudices1 #abb4 driven to the necessity of supposing a two-fold ,messias1 #abc4 destruction of their city and temple1 #ace4 their dispersion1 #adc4 their number comparatively small in ,juda1 #aeb4 distinguished by descent1 as well as by religion1 #aec4 their language why figurative1 #bda4 hieroglyphic style common among them1 #bdc4 their ritual abounding in symbols1 #bfc4 their idolatry considered as adultery1 #cjf4 how far enabled to compute the time of the ,messiah's appearing1 #cbg4 a plain frugal people1 vi4 #b4 to what purpose their law was given1 #ec4 how to be judged for disbelieving the ,gospel1 #gi4 questions respecting wars and fightings among them1 #aja4 their practice of conveying information by action1 #adf4 heterodoxy with them disloyalty1 #bib4 their notion of a temple1 #chc4 why our ,lord spake to them in parables1 vii4 #adc1 #aea4 and wrought few miracles among them who believed not1 #aei4 condition of the poor among them1 #aig4 their prejudices against our ,saviour1 #bef4 abused the right of retaliation1 #caa4 ashamed of ,christ1 #cbg4 the ,christian religion prevailed over their prejudices1 #cfi4 the rejection of them prefigured1 #dab4 conduct of their rulers1 when our ,lord had purged the temple1 #dad4 ,,immanuel1 prophecy of ,isaiah concerning1 v4 #ajh4 ,,immortality1 a free gift to man1 how forfeited1 and restored1 vi4 #gj4 vii4 #ai4 ,,impenitence1 final1 the issue of procrastination and vice1 vii4 #ad4 ,,incense1 a symbol of prayer1 v4 #bfc4 ,,incumbent1 the proper name of a parochial minister1 viii4 #gf4 ,,independency1 a name comprehending a thousand sects1 viii4 #dc4 ,,infidelity1 may proceed from the pride of reason1 vii4 #ii4 ,,infidels1 their main argument against prophecy answered1 v4 #hb4 ,,inquiries1 religious1 how to be conducted1 vii4 #aaf1 #aai1 #abb4 ,,intercession1 of ,christians for each other1 a duty1 v4 #cbb4 distinguished from the worship of saints1 #cbc4 ,,integrity1 requisite in judging of religion1 vi4 #cd4 an admiration of1 may lead to irreligion1 vi4 #bed4 ,,job1 his complaint of being made to possess the iniquities of his youth1 vi4 #cic4 ,,john1 ,st4 his vision of the marriage of the ,lamb1 v4 #bc1 #bd4 his mention of ,antichrist1 v4 #age4 designates the appearance of ,antichrist1 v4 #cbi1 #ccj4 ,,jortin1 ,dr4 an address to1 on the delicacy of friendship1 viii4 #beg4 happy in avoiding the offensive custom into which the learned have fallen1 #bfh4 his conduct towards his friend the author of the ,d4 ,l4 #bgd4 adopted his subject1 #bge1 #bhc4 wrote against him1 #bgg1 #bhe4 glanced at him1 ib4 #bhf4 spared his arguments1 ib4 furnished him with others1 #bhg4 quoted him1 #bhh4 called his conjecture ingenious1 #bij4 nay elegant1 #bic4 and the writer a learned friend1 #big4 ,,josephus1 his account of the religion of his countrymen1 v4 #cef4 his praise of ,daniel1 #cgj4 ,,irreligion1 not so general as is imagined1 v4 #ced4 ,,isaiah1 a remarkable prophecy addressed by him to ,ahaz1 v4 #ajg4 how he claimed belief of the ,jews1 #aaj4 his prophecy respecting parables1 vii4 #adh4 considered two ways1 #adi1 #aej4 his prophecies1 to what chiefly relating1 #dje4 ,,judas1 his treachery foreseen1 vi4 #aej4 had no part with ,jesus1 #aeh4 ,,jus ,,talionis1 why necessary in the ,mosaic institute1 vii4 #caa4 ,,justice1 ,civil1 perverted by the lusts of men1 vi4 #aji4 ,,justin ,,martyr1 urges the argument from prophecy in his apology to the ,antonines1 v4 #abe4 ,k4 ,,key to the ,revelations1 by ,mr4 ,mede1 examined1 v4 #bge4 ,,kingdom of ,christ1 import of the prayer1 that it may come1 v4 #ajc4 ,,knowledge1 requisite to judge of ,christianity1 vi4 #cb4 why productive of pride and vanity1 vi4 #bgg4 its remedy1 not ignorance1 but charity1 ib4 error in considering it the supreme good1 #bgh4 ---- religious1 of the present age1 compared with that in the times of the ,reformation1 vi4 #ahi4 ,,knowledge ,,of ,,life1 a name for fraud and disingenuity1 vi4 #bcc4 ,l4 ,,lactantius1 his confidence in the spread of the ,gospel1 v4 #cee4 ,,language1 original1 of all nations imperfect1 v4 #bcg4 ---- inspired1 needs not be perfectly eloquent1 viii4 #caa4 must necessarily abound in the native idioms of the persons inspired1 #cad4 correspondency of terms1 to give clear intelligence1 #cai4 impression of phrases and idioms not to be expected1 #cbh4 no archetype in nature1 to which eloquence refers1 #ccc4 clearness and precision the aids common to all language1 #cfe4 ,,law of the magistrate1 by whom deemed an adequate rule of action1 vii4 #bhh4 ---- ,jewish1 to what end instituted1 v4 #dh1 #eb4 ---- ,natural1 written in the heart1 vi4 #ci1 #dj4 appealed to by heathens as well as ,christians1 #dh4 necessary to the support of revelation1 #ed4 does not discredit the use of the ,gospel1 #eg4 its existence presupposed by the ,christian law1 #fd4 its penalties1 #fi4 ,,lebanon1 a symbol of a city1 v4 #bfc4 ,,leland1 ,dr4 letter to1 viii4 #cjg4 ,real subject of his dissertation on the principles of eloquence1 ib4 his remark on the imperfect correspondency of words in languages1 #cah4 his objections to the ,bishop of ,gloucester's notion of inspired language refuted1 #cbh1 #ccj4 his opinion respecting eloquence controverted1 #ccg4 his appeal to the rules of rational criticism answered1 #cdi4 his misrepresentation of the ,bishop's remark on tropes and figures1 exposed1 #cff1 #cgj1 #cgh4 ,,leo ,x4 issued an edict against the use of the term ,antichrist1 v4 #bja4 ,,letter1 anonymous1 to ,dr4 ,hurd1 concerning the ,apocalypse1 v4 #cfd4 answer to it1 #chf4 ,mr4 ,gibbon the writer of the letter1 #djj4 ,,levity of mind1 a spiritual vice1 vii4 #ec4 ,,liberty1 misused1 its fatal effects1 vi4 #ajc4 civil and religious1 favoured by religion1 viii4 #ch4 questions respecting the abuse of the latter1 #dh4 of the former1 #di4 ,,life ,,eternal1 doctrine of1 first delivered to us through ,jesus ,christ1 vii4 #ah4 scheme of ,god's providence respecting1 #bb4 different degrees of happiness or misery in1 #bg4 may be taken in two senses1 #cd4 ,,light1 the emblem of knowledge1 vii4 #gh4 that of revelation the most certain1 #gi4 ,,lightfoot1 ,dr4 his idea of the apocalyptic style1 v4 #bff4 ,,litigation1 ancient1 a picture of1 vi4 #aab1 #aac4 ,,liturgy of the church of ,england1 generally commended1 viii4 #fe4 ,,longinus1 his opinion of a famous passage in ,genesis1 viii4 #cdf4 ,,lowth1 ,dr4 distinguished for a species of literary address1 viii4 #bhf4 ,,lusts1 the origin of wars and fighting among men1 vi4 #ajb4 perverted religion1 #ajd4 and civil justice1 #aji4 ,,luther1 his resolution to break through the papal servitude1 v4 #bji4 dreaded the charge of schism1 #baa4 ,m4 ,,mahometan imposture1 its success1 to what owing1 vii4 #cfb4 ,,malachi1 foretold the precursor of the ,messiah1 v4 #aae4 ,,malmesbury1 the philosopher of1 how misled into infidelity1 vi4 #bec4 ,,mammon of unrighteousness1 the precept of making friends of1 vi4 #cea1 #cgg4 ,,manich,,an doctrine1 early prevalent in the ,east1 vii4 #bde1 #bfh4 spirit of ,christianity abhorrent from it1 #bga4 ,,mansions1 many in the house of our heavenly ,father1 vii4 #baj4 ,,mantuan1 his character of a pope1 v4 #cjc1 #cjd4 ,,marcellinus1 his mention of the fiery eruptions of ,jerusalem1 viii4 #afj4 ,,meaux1 ,bishop of4 ,see ,bossuet4 ,,mede1 his observation on the prophetic chronology of ,daniel1 v4 #ff4 n4 on the use and intent of prophecy1 #ajf4 n4 on the doctrine of ,antichrist1 #aie4 n4 his opinion on the ,apocalypse1 #bfa4 sketch of his character1 #bga4 his disinterestedness and impartiality1 #bgc4 his ,key to the ,revelations considered1 #bge4 ,,medes and ,persians1 their law unalterable1 v4 #cgf1 #cib4 ,,meekness1 the virtue of1 nearly dismissed from the world1 vi4 #cch4 not absolutely incompatible with resentment1 #cdg4 ,,messias1 a particular prophecy concerning1 v4 #ge4 various specific characters in the prophecies respecting him1 #hb4 contrast of the ,christian and the ,jewish interpretations1 #abc4 ,,metaphors1 in the ,oriental style1 frequent1 vi4 #aga4 the offspring of nature and necessity1 viii4 #cch4 ,,middleton1 ,dr4 his objection to the notion of an inspired language1 viii4 #cji4 ,,milton1 his allusion to an eclipse as ominous1 v4 #bdf4 n4 ,,minister of the ,gospel1 for what use his stores of knowledge are destined1 vi4 #e4 his office1 #g4 decorum of his character1 #h4 the word to be dispensed to those who most need it1 #aa4 ,,miracles1 a great foundation of our faith1 #bff4 few wrought by our ,saviour among the unbelieving ,jews1 vii4 #aei4 because many were not necessary to their conviction1 #afc4 or to give a just proof of his mission1 #afe4 would have hindered the success of his ministry1 #afg4 and have violated a general rule of his conduct1 #agj4 opinion of the heathens concerning1 viii4 #aee4 many seeming ones imputed to the power of magic1 #agf4 difference of those wrought by ,christ and his apostles1 #agg4 ,,missionary1 ,christian1 his arduous duties1 vii4 #cj4 ,,moralist1 ,pagan1 his reproof of a young reveller1 vi4 #baj4 ,,moralities1 the lesser1 what1 vi4 #aca4 ,,morality1 some incline too much to it1 at the expence of faith1 vi4 #bah4 how relaxed by casuistry1 #bcg4 ,,moses1 weight of his prophecy with the ,jews1 v4 #aji1 #aaj4 foretold their dispersion1 #adc4 ,,mysteries of ,god's kingdom1 declared in parables1 vii4 #aee4 ,,mystical meanings1 in the prophetic style1 v4 #cja4 ,n4 ,,nahum1 his prediction of the overthrow of ,nineveh1 v4 #bed4 ,,names of eminent persons1 custom of changing in the ancient world1 iii4 #ced4 ,,nature1 human1 not a sufficient guide in religion1 vi4 #bfi4 a generous pride why implanted in it1 #ccd4 ,,nazareth1 why our ,saviour wrought few miracles there1 vii4 #afj4 evil disposition of the people towards him1 #afh1 #bec4 ,,nero1 by some considered as the ,antichrist of a future age1 v4 #ahc4 ,,newton1 ,sir ,,isaac1 his remark on the prophecy of ,revelations1 v4 #bbf4 n4 on the prophetic characters of ,antichrist1 #bhi4 his illustration of prophecy how considered by the infidels1 vi4 #bfe4 n4 ,,nicodemus1 ashamed of ,christ1 vii4 #ccg4 ,o4 ,,obedience1 perfect1 to be attained by degrees1 vi4 #bjh4 the promise annexed to it1 vii4 #bj4 ,,oecumenical 7or universal7 ,bishop1 a title assumed by the ,bishop of ,constantinople1 v4 #ahh4 accepted by ,boniface ,,vi4 #aij4 ,,offences1 or scandals1 mentioned by our ,lord1 what1 vi4 #afa4 ,,oneirocritics1 v4 #bdf4 their rules of use in explaining prophecy1 #bdh4 ,,oracles1 ,pagan1 their design1 v4 #h4 wherein unlike scriptural prophecies1 #fj4 ,,origen1 his reply to a remark of ,celsus on miracles1 viii4 #afa4 n4 ,p4 ,,pagans1 their superstitions whence derived1 v4 #bdf4 two religious topics on which their wise men were chiefly intent1 vii4 #bda4 ashamed of ,christ1 vii4 #ccb4 ,,parables1 all the prophecies written in1 v4 #bfj4 why addressed by our ,saviour to the ,jews1 vii4 #adc1 #ade4 what their subject1 #aed4 ,,paris1 ,,matthew1 his testimony respecting the charge of ,antichristianism on the see of ,rome1 v4 #aig4 ,,pascal1 his remark on the dispensation of prophecy1 v4 #fb4 on the danger of disbelief1 #cja4 ,,patience1 requisite in judging of ,christianity1 vi4 #cb4 ,,paul1 ,st4 his characteristic of ,antichrist1 v4 #bii4 his remark on his appearance1 #cbi4 his awful warning against unbelief1 #cei4 his zeal of persecution while a ,jew1 vi4 #bij4 why he called himself the chief of sinners1 #bie4 his error not innocent1 #cjc4 his address in reproving the ,corinthians1 #cgi4 substance of his remonstrance1 #chg4 his preaching before ,felix1 vii4 #b4 his divine encomium on our ,lord's ministry1 #bje4 his labours at ,ephesus how overturned1 #bei4 effects of his preaching at ,athens1 #bfa4 ,,pearson1 ,dr4 an excellent commentator on the ,catechism1 viii4 #ach4 ,,persecution1 almost sanctioned by the ,jewish law1 vi4 #bic4 ---- of the ,apostles1 resistance to it forbidden1 vii4 #caf4 of the first ,christians by the ,jews and ,gentiles1 #ceh4 ,,peter1 ,st4 denied his ,lord through shame1 vii4 #ccd4 and fear1 #cce4 his name why conferred on him1 #cee4 two prophecies thus given1 #ceg4 ,,petrarch1 applies the name of ,babylon to ,rome1 v4 #aih4 ,,pharisees1 how reproved by our ,saviour for infidelity1 vi4 #bfa4 with what view they heard the word of the ,lord1 vi4 #bab4 why they derided our ,saviour's precepts1 #cej1 #ceb4 ,,philip1 one of the ,apostles1 asks of ,christ that he would shew them the ,father1 vi4 #hd4 ,,philologist1 ,italian1 his objection to reading the ,bible1 vii4 #cdc4 ,,philosophers of the ,gentiles1 ill treated the poor1 vii4 #aih4 ,,philosophy1 an inadequate rule of life1 vii4 #bia4 progress in1 since the reformation1 how far serviceable to religion1 vi4 #aif1 #aii4 ,,phinehas1 his act of zeal1 vii4 #cic4 had relation to religion and not morals1 #cif4 ,,plato1 at one time gave law to the ,christian world1 vii4 #bdf4 ,,play1 the favourite amusement1 because the most violent1 vii4 #bii4 ,,pleasure1 the lover of1 cannot be rich1 vi4 #djc4 ,,pleasures1 the pursuit of1 to be restrained1 vii4 #bih4 when lawful1 may not be expedient1 #cjj4 the mind should be independent of1 #cje4 ,,pliny1 abounded in fulsome encomiums1 viii4 #bfa4 ,,poets1 ,greek and ,latin1 their works of use in the exposition of the ancient ,prophets1 v4 #bdi4 ,,politeness1 true1 distinguished from false1 vi4 #aci4 ,,pompey1 his generosity in burning the papers of an enemy1 vi4 #dad4 ,,poor1 the ,gospel preached to the1 vii4 #aic4 their condition when ,saviour appeared among them1 #aig1 #aih4 their hearts less perverse than those of the rich and great and wise1 #bjj4 ,,pope1 the1 styled ,antichrist at the synod of ,rheims in the tenth century1 v4 #aia4 his authority defined by the ,abb ,fleury1 v4 #cad4 ,,popery1 how brought into disrepute among us1 vi4 #ai4 ,,porphyry1 illustrated the book of ,daniel1 v4 #cfe4 ,,possessions1 demonic1 explained1 vii4 #bgc4 ,,praise1 general1 a woe denounced against those who obtain it1 vi4 #cjd4 implies a mediocrity of virtue1 #cjf4 frequently positive ill desert1 #caj4 and sometimes depravity and prostitution of character1 #cac4 ,,prayer1 its efficacy considered1 vii4 #hb4 ---- ,,the ,,lord',s1 an instance of ,oriental construction in1 vi4 #afe4 ,,preacher1 ,christian1 character of one1 viii4 #abj1 #abb1 #abe4 ,,prejudice1 the strange power of1 exemplified1 vii4 #bee4 among the ,jews1 #bed4 among the ,gentiles1 #beh1 #bfa4 among the ,heathens in the fourth century1 #bfb4 in later times1 #bfc4 ,,pretences1 continued1 become realities1 vi4 #beg4 ,,pride1 how generated1 vi4 #acb1 #acc4 to be corrected by philanthropy1 #acd4 why a vice1 #bgg4 how counteracted by charity1 #bgh1 #bhg4 mistaken for a natural principle1 #ccf4 made sacred by fashion1 #ccg4 danger of indulging it1 #cdc4 intellectual and moral1 productive of infidelity1 vii4 #ii1 #ajf4 ,,procrastination1 the usual support of vice1 vii4 #e1 #f4 is itself supported by sophistry1 #i4 leads to final impenitence1 #ad4 ,,prophecy1 scriptural meaning of the term1 v4 #c4 origin of false ideas respecting its subjects1 #d4 its ultimate purpose1 #h4 and dispensation1 #ab4 questions to be answered by enquirers into its divine character1 #ae4 true idea of it1 #ba1 #bf1 #bg4 n4 our reasonings on the subject how to be regulated1 #cb4 what its ultimate accomplishment1 #cd4 its extent1 #cg4 considered as a system1 #ci4 conclusions from the true idea of it1 #dd4 why obscurely delivered1 #de1 #df4 what its double sense1 #ea4 how distinguished from ,pagan oracles1 #fj4 why confined to one nation1 #fb4 its obscurity affords no objection to it1 #fg4 general argument from it1 #gd1 #gf4 instances of casual conjecture fulfilled by events1 #hc1 #he4 answer to objection on this ground1 #hh4 examples illustrating the general scheme of prophetic writings1 #if4 prophecies concerning the ,messiah's first coming1 #ajc4 unity of design with all the prophets1 #aac4 amount of evidence on comparing predictions with facts1 #aah4 the ,jews why not convinced1 #aai4 its weight with the ,gentiles1 #abe4 how connected with the evidence from miracles1 #acj4 prophecies concerning ,christ's second coming1 #acb4 and the ,christian ,church1 #acc4 destruction of ,jerusalem1 #ace4 dispersion of the ,jews1 #adc4 call and conversion of the ,gentiles1 #aef4 concerning ,antichrist1 #aga4 what its declared end1 #bbf4 style of prophetic writing considered1 #bcc4 why more figurative than ours1 #bcf4 tinctured with the ,hieroglyphic spirit1 #bdj4 means of rendering it intelligible to us1 #bdd4 some important prophecies delivered in the way of dreams1 #bdh4 causes of the obscurity of prophecy1 #bea4 suspicions taken up against it1 unfounded1 #bef4 the symbolic style expedient in such writings1 #beh4 its chronology not defined with historical exactness1 #cbf4 uses of the inquiry into1 #cea4 chief evidences of religion drawn from1 #bfc4 nature of the prophetic power1 vii4 #bbf4 how liable to be abused by pretenders to it1 #bbg4 ,,prophets1 ,jewish1 used similitudes1 vii4 #djb4 ,,propitiation1 doctrine of1 how inculcated by our ,lord1 vi4 #aea1 #aee4 ,,protestants1 their tenets respecting ,antichrist1 v4 #agc4 how far their aversion to the ,church of ,rome properly extends1 #bag4 their divines censured for temerity in fixing the fall of ,antichrist1 #bbi4 justified by the ,apocalyptic prophecies1 #cdb4 how secured against the charges of schism and heresy1 #cej4 ,,punishments1 future1 how proved to be eternal1 vi4 #afd4 ,,puritans1 their struggles for ,church dominion1 viii4 #db1 #dc4 ,,purity of speech1 what1 viii4 #ccd1 #cdb4 ,q4 ,,queries1 respecting the right or appeal in the ,university of ,cambridge1 viii4 #aie4 answers to1 #aig4 the proper ones formerly put1 and differently answered1 #bjg1 #bba4 ,,quintilian1 his admiration of ,plato's eloquence1 vii4 #abe4 his idea of the nature of eloquence1 viii4 #ceh1 #cfj4 his observation on verbal figures1 #cff4 ,r4 ,,reason1 its use1 on the argument of prophecy1 v4 #ai4 how to be employed on the evidences of religion1 vi4 #ig1 #ih4 compared with revelation as a guide in matters of religion1 vii4 #hj1 #ib4 why given to man1 #ii4 what its pride1 #ajb4 its true use in support of ,christianity1 vii4 #bej1 viii4 #ij4 how abused1 #ii4 how unpropitious to revelation1 #aji1 #aab4 ,,rebellion1 ,american1 ,sermon preached on account of1 viii4 #c4 ,,redemption1 the great scheme of ,providence1 v4 #eg4 through ,christ extends to all men1 vi4 #fc4 brief account of1 #gj4 vastness of the scheme1 viii4 #bb4 ,,reformation1 in ,germany1 not effected wholly in the spirit of the ,gospel1 v4 #afg4 begun and prosecuted on the principle that the ,pope was ,antichrist1 #bjj4 that doctrine not an innovation1 #bjg4 two great principles on which it was conducted1 #cdf4 question respecting the interpretation of ,scripture1 ib4 various considerations decisive of the controversy with the ,papists1 #cej4 an evil originating in1 vii4 #db4 ,,reformers1 their advancement in religious knowledge1 vi4 #aij4 formed their idea of ,religion from the scriptures1 ib4 how enabled to understand them1 #aib4 especially the most important points of doctrine1 #aid1 #aif4 ,,religion of ,nature1 and of the ,gospel1 defined1 vi4 #fg4 ---- ,christian1 designed for the instruction of all degrees of men1 vi4 #bd4 its truths how to be explained to wise men1 #be4 high demands of evidence impertinent1 #hh4 improper to be complied with1 #ij4 presumptuous and unwarrantable1 #if4 mischiefs arising from misapplication of1 #ajd4 early attacked by superstition1 #ajh4 by worldly policy1 #ajf4 its whole system in what founded1 #abd4 its doctrines objects of faith1 and not of knowledge1 #aig4 its chief evidences drawn from prophecies1 #bfc4 and miracles1 #bff4 its doctrines consistent with reason1 #bfh4 does not oblige us to profess poverty1 #cge4 hath descended to us through two1 the most enlightened ages of the world1 vii4 #cfg4 its power shewn in the zeal of ,missionaries1 viii4 #cj4 most friendly to civil and religious liberty1 #cg4 use and abuse of reason in1 #hi4 its evidence the proper subject of enquiry1 #ih4 ,,repentance1 what its merits and claims1 vii4 #he1 #id4 the great duty of1 viii4 #f4 in the hour of national distress1 #ae4 ,,residence1 personal1 of the clergy1 its benefits1 viii4 #gf4 ,,retaliation1 strict1 forbidden by our ,saviour1 vii4 #caj4 natural resentment not therefore superseded1 #cad4 true patriotism not injured1 #cah4 nor military spirit weakened1 #cai4 the injunction consistent with the true interest of individuals1 #cba4 ,,revelation1 the only sure guide in matters of religion1 vii4 #gi4 how opposed by the pride of reason1 #ajd4 why not accompanied with the strongest possible evidence1 #ia4 ,,revelations1 book of1 its prophecies in part fulfilled1 v4 #abg4 its character and authority1 #bfa4 its style1 #bfb1 #bfe4 its method1 #bfh4 examined by means of ,mr4 ,mede's discovery1 #bge4 what the chronological order of the visions1 #bgf4 the prophecy made up of two great parts1 #bgi4 the book1 of three1 #bhj4 of the residence of ,antichrist1 #bij4 proved to be ,rome ,christian1 #big4 its predictions respecting the time of his appearing1 #cbf4 foretels all the events of the ,christian dispensation1 #cda4 utility of studying this prophecy1 #cea4 ,,revolution1 the ra of our liberty1 viii4 #dg4 ,,richard ,i4 heard a lecture against ,antichrist at ,messina1 v4 #aie4 ,,ridicule1 the resource of sinners1 vi4 #cec1 #ceg1 #cei4 especially when reproof comes home to them1 #cfc4 ,,roman ,,empire1 its reverse of fortune ascribed by the ,heathens to ,christianity1 vii4 #bfb4 ,,romans1 their nice sense of right and wrong1 vi4 #ej4 abuses in the administration of justice1 #aaa4 ,,rome1 ancient1 a supposition concerning1 v4 #eg4 ,virgil's allusion to its seven hills1 #bic4 modern1 the throne of ,antichrist1 v4 #bia4 ecclesiastical and not civil1 #big4 its idolatry how described1 #cji4 why a harlot and not an adulteress1 #cab4 her pride and intolerance1 #cac4 professes and enjoins the worship of ,saints1 #cag4 its tenets respecting ,antichrist1 v4 #agc4 the ,antipopes branded each other with that name1 #ahf4 denounced as ,antichristian at various periods1 #aia to #bja4 ,,romulus1 famous omen of his twelve vultures1 v4 #hc4 ,,rousseau1 disclaims the authority of prophecy1 v4 #gg4 n4 his reasons examined1 #gh4 his strange boast of probity1 vi4 #beg4 ,s4 ,,sacraments1 ,christian1 on what principle founded1 vii4 #djb4 ,,saints1 the worship of1 in the ,romish ,church1 v4 #cag4 apology for1 controverted1 #cai4 ,,sallust1 in his writings1 appears a model of frugality1 vii4 #ahe4 ,,salt1 allusion of our ,saviour to1 its two interpretations1 vi4 #afc1 #afd4 applied to discipline as well as faith1 #agj4 ,,salvation through the blood of ,christ1 the eternal purpose of ,god1 viii4 #be4 danger of neglecting it1 vi4 #fg1 #ha4 faith and morality its appointed means1 #bah4 ,,sanhedrin1 could not punish with death but by leave of the ,roman governor1 vi4 #cbc4 ,,schism1 import and application of the term by the ,church of ,rome1 v4 #bjh4 how introduced into the ,church1 viii4 #fa4 ,,science1 human1 very limited1 vi4 #ahd4 ,,scipio1 his continence1 and frivolous curiosity1 vii4 #cjf4 ,,scribe1 ,christian1 compared with a ,jewish householder1 vi4 #c4 ,,scorn1 irreligious1 the sources of1 vi4 #cec4 admonition against1 #cfd4 ,,sects1 fanatical1 of the last century1 confusion caused by1 vi4 #af4 ,,selden1 his notion on the expulsion of the buyers and sellers from the temple1 vii4 #cic4 where apparently taken up1 #cih4 ,,self-,,denial1 its uses1 vii4 #cjf4 ,,self-,,love1 too frequently the parent of pride1 vi4 #acb1 #acc4 its ends how answered by philanthropy1 #acg4 an instinctive sentiment1 #cce4 ,,seneca1 an oracle of his1 predicting the discoveries of ,columbus1 v4 #he4 ,,sermons1 advice respecting1 viii4 #fh1 #abj1 #abd4 models proposed1 #abh4 n4 ,,shakespear1 various editions and criticisms of1 how occasioned1 viii4 #bhc4 ,,shame of ,christ1 what1 vii4 #cbi4 cases which imply its existence among unbelievers1 #ccj4 among professors of ,christianity1 #ccd1 #cch4 shame of his words1 #cdb4 of the doctrines contained in them1 #cdf4 of the precepts1 #cdi4 ,,sherlock1 ,bishop1 his remark on the figurative language of prophecy1 v4 #fh4 n4 ,,sibylline oracles1 general opinion concerning1 v4 #cfi4 ,,sign1 what is meant by the ,jews requiring one1 viii4 #afh4 n4 ,,silver1 the lover of1 shall not be satisfied1 vi4 #cff4 ,,simplicity concerning evil1 the virtue of1 in what consisting1 vi4 #bca4 the neglect of it has degraded religion1 #bcd4 relaxed morality1 #bcg4 and polluted common life1 #bci4 caution against evasive pleas and pretences to part with it1 #bdj4 ,,slavery1 personal1 common among the ,heathen1 vi4 #chf4 ,,society for the ,propagation of the ,gospel1 its objects1 viii4 #bg1 #bh4 ,,socinianism1 what1 viii4 #aad4 ,,socrates1 his prediction of his own death fulfilled1 v4 #hj4 n4 confessed that he knew nothing1 vi4 #bhe4 uncertain in his hope of immortality1 vii4 #bae4 ,,solomon1 prescribes the ,fear of ,god as a rule of life1 vii4 #bhc4 peculiar deference due to his judgment from men of the world1 #bic4 from politicians and philosophers1 #bid4 ,,souls of ,men1 influence of evil spirits on1 vii4 #bgd4 ,,speaking1 the rules of1 more arbitrary than they are taken to be1 vii4 #cdd4 ,,spendthrift1 more to be reprobated than the miser1 vi4 #cgj4 ,,spenser1 his general purpose in the ,faery ,queen1 v4 #ig4 ,,spirit1 ,holy1 he that soweth in1 shall reap life everlasting1 vii4 #cb4 in what sense the assertion understood1 #cc4 in what way the blessing conferred1 #cg4 returns of duty thereby required1 #dj4 justification of ,god in1 #ff4 ---- ,human1 its vices1 vii4 #di4 --a fluctuating faith1 #ej4 levity of mind1 #ec4 deadness of heart1 #ef4 perverse sophistry1 #eh4 ,,state1 why it countenances the ,church1 viii4 #fb4 ,,statutes1 relating to the jurisdiction of ,cambridge university1 examined1 viii4 #bjj4 ,,sublimity of speech1 what1 viii4 #ccd1 #cdb4 the definition illustrated1 #cde4 not united with simplicity1 #cdg4 ,,sully1 the great1 his situation somewhat similar to that of ,daniel1 v4 #cgd4 ,,superstition1 its early inroads into the ,christian religion1 vi4 #aje4 ,,symbols1 an early way of writing1 v4 #bch4 ,,synchronisms of the book of ,revelations1 v4 #bge1 #bgi1 #bhc4 ,t4 ,,tabor1 ,mr4 his mumpings against university-appeals1 viii4 #bca4 ,,temple1 what the notion of one implies1 vi4 #chc4 of ,god1 an emblem of the ,church of ,christ1 v4 #cja4 ---- of ,jerusalem1 utterly destroyed1 v4 #adj4 buyers and sellers driven from1 vii4 #chf4 the act a prediction of the call of the ,gentiles1 #djh4 ,,temptation1 ,god's providence respecting1 vii4 #bhj4 ,,tertullian1 his remark on the rapid progress of ,christianity1 viii4 #aec4 ,,testament1 ,old1 considered by ,st4 ,austin1 a prophecy to the ,new1 v4 #ec4 n4 the divinity of both inferred from the completion of prophecy1 #abg4 ,,testimony of ,jesus1 the spirit of prophecy1 v4 #ba1 #bd4 ,,text1 which the most difficult in the four ,gospels1 vi4 #afj4 ,,theology1 dogmatical1 essential to ,christianity1 viii4 #fj4 ,,theophrastus1 a name1 why given1 vii4 #abe4 ,,thomas the ,apostle1 admonished respecting faith1 vi4 #ie4 ,,tiberius1 the religion of ,jesus first published in his reign1 vii4 #cfg4 ,,tillotson1 ,abp4 his zeal against ,antinomianism1 vi4 #ag4 ,,time1 scriptural division of1 respecting the coming of ,christ1 v4 #ag4 ,,toleration1 not yet perfectly understood1 vi4 #aie4 ,,trinity in ,unity1 where accurately distinguished1 vii4 #dd4 ,,tropes and figures1 when and in what sense vicious1 viii4 #cff4 what forms of language so denominated by ,quintilian1 #cga4 often a deviation from logical definition1 #cgg4 when they may be allowed1 #cgh4 ,,truth1 the spirit of1 promised by our ,lord to his apostles1 vii4 #bbb4 the promise fulfilled by the event1 #bce4 ,u4 ,v4 ,,vanity1 why a vice1 vi4 #abg4 ,,vettius ,,valens1 augured the duration of the ,roman empire1 v4 #hc4 ,,vice1 naturally breeds a disposition to ridicule1 vi4 #cec4 what its usual support1 vii4 #e4 ,,virgil1 purpose of his predictions in the neid1 v4 #if4 a passage from1 descriptive of ,rome1 #bib4 allusion to the predictions in his fourth eclogue1 #cfh4 the sixth book of his neid by whom finely criticized1 viii4 #bgg4 ,,virtue1 superior1 excites envy1 vi4 #cjf4 runs at times into excesses1 #cjh4 can never obtain general praise1 #cji4 an intermitting state of1 most miserable1 #cii4 what its reasonable reward1 vii4 #ia4 the pride of1 by which the ,gospel may be hid from us1 #ajf4 ,,virtues of the ,heathen1 vi4 #db4 ,,ulpian1 his observation on the right of appeal1 viii4 #bdi4 ,,unbelief1 always owing to some or other of the passions1 vi4 #bde4 accounted for1 from man's pride1 viii4 #aji4 and indolence1 #aac4 ,,uncleanness1 arguments against the sin of1 vi4 #chb1 #che4 its heinousness1 #cia4 inexcusable in ,christians1 #cib4 ,,voltaire1 his sarcasm on ,sir ,isaac ,newton1 vi4 #bfe4 n4 ,w4 ,,waldenses1 or ,,albigenses1 in what age they first appeared1 v4 #aie4 leading principle of their heresy1 #aif4 crusades employed against them1 ib4 ,,war1 civil1 a most dreadful instrument of ,god's government1 viii4 #h4 ,,washing of the disciples' feet1 a lesson of humility1 vi4 #ade4 its other1 and more important signification1 #adi1 #aej4 ,,wealth1 pernicious when over-rated1 vi4 #cfh4 or when misapplied1 #cgj4 always a snare1 and too often a curse1 #cge4 has a tendency to corrupt manners1 vii4 #bic4 ,,weston1 ,mr4 remarks on his inquiry into the rejection of ,christian miracles by the heathens1 viii4 #aej4 his negative testimonies examined1 #aee4 his positive testimonies1 #afa4 his charge on the fathers of the ,church1 #afc4 claims the sanction of an apostle1 #afe4 his strong hold proves to be magic1 #age4 answer to his argument from the multiplication of ,heathen ,gods1 #agi4 ground-work of his performance1 #ahc4 ,,western ,,empire1 the period of its dismemberment that of the rise of ,antichrist1 v4 #ccj4 ,,wiclif exposed the ,antichristianism of the ,roman pontiff1 v4 #aii4 great effects of his writings1 #bjj4 ,,will-,,worship1 condemned in ,scripture1 v4 #cbe4 ,,wisdom1 infinite1 in the dispensation of prophecy1 v4 #f1 #gj4 ---- ,christian1 its properties and characters1 vi4 #bae4 defects in our nature which hinder the attainment of it1 #bag4 virtues1 how to be rendered most graceful1 #bbj4 how most reasonable1 #bbb4 and how most attractive and efficacious1 #bbe4 character of a wise ,christian1 #bbg4 the duty of being simple concerning evil1 #bca4 ,,wise ,,men1 invited to judge of ,christianity1 vi4 #h4 qualities requisite for this1 #cb4 ,,wit1 the ostentation of1 leads to infidelity1 vi4 #bdh4 ,,woe to those of whom all men speak well1 vi4 #cjd4 ,,word ,,of ,,god1 admonitions respecting the hearing of1 vi4 #bjc1 #bje4 the ministry of it1 for what purposes destined1 #bjg4 men will finally be judged by it1 #baa4 ,x4 ,,xenophon1 character of his writings1 v4 #chb4 his admirable way of recording his own acts1 vii4 #agi4 ,y4 ,,youth1 its peculiar sins1 vi4 #cid4 just decrees of ,god against them1 #cie4 guilt and remorse1 ib4 tyrannous habits produced by them1 #cii4 temporal afflictions which they entail1 #dja4 value of innocency and rectitude1 #dje4 ,z4 ,,zedekiah1 two nigmatical prophecies respecting him fulfilled1 v4 #bec4 ,,zelotism1 its object1 vii4 #cif4 ,,the ,,end4 ,nichols and ,son1 ,printers1 ,red ,lion ,passage1 ,fleet ,street1 ,london4 ,transcriber's ,note3 ,inconsistent spelling and hyphenation are as in the original4 ,greek words beginning with have had the character replaced with 4