overcome. I freely allow that to be, like Milton's angel, faithful where all around are unfaithful, is no easy task; and that in the case under consideration there is much, very much, to cause an unholy fear of man, and to render a constant recurrence to the above advice highly desirable and salutary.

Yet, on the other hand, all these difficulties will usually meet with a counterpoise. Setting aside, for a moment, the powerful influence of genuine piety, in raising a minister above the fear of irreligious men; the natural ardour of the human mind in pursuit of a favourite object, and sometimes, perhaps, a sort of controversial pertinacity blending itself with really religious zeal, will prevent our young divine from going over to the enemy. There is a conscious feeling of dignity and manliness in speaking one's mind, which, added to a de sire of obtaining the approbation of religious friends, will often add an unwonted stimulus even to a was vering character. To many minds also, there is a pleasure in being known and spoken of, even though the notice be accompanied with considerable marks of wonder and disapprobation. In addition to these dubious motives, others of a better description will often com bine to check the fear of man in the inculcation of religious truth. A love for the Gospel, a real desire for the salvation of men, a hatred to the sins and vanities of the world, a dread of being found unfaithful at the last day, a de pendence upon the Spirit of God for strength and assistance, will all tend to prevent the fear of irreligious men assuming much influence over the mind of a deeply pious young minister. Indeed, it is rather more usual, upon the whole, to observe persons of this descrip tion somewhat unadvised or un seasonable in their language and conduct, than absolutely shrinking from that portion of the reproach of the Cross of Christ which origi

f

Let us again imagine, for the sake of example, that a devout clergyman, after a few years resi dence in such a parish as was before described, begins to find that opposition to the peculiarities of the Gospel has nearly subsided; and that it has even become a respectable thing to profess a some what high tone of religion. Here, then, the snare against which the young divine was more immediately guarded, has ceased to operate; and he, perhaps, even gains credit and popularity by his plainness of speech and manliness of conduct. In the course of his ministerial labours he has, probably, become gradually encircled with a number of religious friends, who cherish and animate him in proportion to his faithfulness and zeal, and who would be the first to observe and reprehend any degree of worldly concession either in his principles or conduct. Thus surrounded and supported, it is not very probable that he should willingly embitter his own peace, and wound the minds of his friends, from fear of those with whom he has compara

tively little intercourse, and whose good opinion would, perhaps, rather injure than raise his character in the eyes of the religious world.

But, on the contrary, if a temptation arose from the other side, as might easily happen, would there not be danger of indiscreet compliance? Suppose, for example, that by any means some of his most affectionate, but least judicious friends, should be drawn off from that soberness of religious views which he had inculcated, to a some what overstated and ill-balanced system of doctrines. Imagine that a whisper should begin to prevail, that the minister to whose labours, under the Divine blessing, the whole parish were indebted for their religious knowledge and piety, was by no means duly acquainted with the higher mysteries of the Gospel; and that although a sincere Christian himself, his preaching was fit only for "babes," and did not furnish nutriment sufficient for the more advanced believer. Here, sir, is a case in which the fear of man is especially likely to bring a snare a case, however, not always taken into the account of those who warn the young minister against improper compliances. A clergyman of piety can submit to be censured by the irreligious; he can forgive the sneers of the formal; he does not feel inclined to recede a single step for the persecutions of the profane; -but to be told by his own chil dren in the faith, and to whom he looked as his "crown of rejoicing," that he has withheld from them the riches of the Gospel and been unfaithful to his trust, merely because he has not entered into some un hallowed speculations which may have seduced a part of his flock, is a charge so painful and severe, as to require no small share of wisdom and fortitude, as well as of Chris tian meekness, to enable him to endure its weight. To find some even of his more advanced converts entering on a new system, and pitying him for not doing the same, is

4

an acute trial to the constancy of the most steady pastor. It is no easy thing so far to overcome the fear of man as to yield nothing to mistaken piety, to the most tender reproaches, and the most conscien tious but mistaken solicitations.

I fully believe that it is a fear of what is usually called the religious world, far more than a paramount feeling of duty,, that has induced many pious young ministers of the present age to adopt a style of preaching and conversation, which, though not perhaps substantially false, yet greatly transgresses the sobriety of scriptural instruction. A minister whom the fear of one class of men could not render pharisaical or legal in his preaching, may, by the fear of another class, be driven to the very verge of Antinomianism. dread of his fellow-creatures prevails, he has lost his independence of character, and must be content in future to veer about with every "wind of doctrine" that happens to prevail among his people.

If once the

I would not wish, sir, to have the tenor of these remarks so far mistaken as to imply a supposition that the world has, in this or any other age, ceased to oppose scriptural views in religion; and that, therefore, a young divine has to guard only, or even chiefly, against the excesses of its professed friends. I believe both dangers to exist in undiminished energy, but that the latter is, in many places, really on the increase. I might, indeed, have said the former, also, notwithstanding all the increasing piety which exists among us. Indeed, that very extension of piety which has been just mentioned, may, perhaps, be the cause of this; for when religion was scarcely to be seen, except at a distance, men did not think enough of it actively to hate; it, and even treated it with a sort of awful veneration and respect. But in proportion as the subject is brought nearer home, and men are forced, as it were, by the

tively little intercourse, and whose good opinion would, perhaps, rather injure than raise his character in the eyes of the religious world. **But, on the contrary, if a temp. tation arose from the other side, as might easily happen, would there Tot be danger of indiscreet compliance? Suppose, for example, that by any means some of his most affectionate, but least judicious friends, should be drawn off from that soberness of religious views which he had inculcated, to a some what overstated and ill-balanced system of doctrines. Imagine that a whisper should begin to prevail, that the minister to whose labours, under the Divine blessing, the whole parish were indebted for their religious knowledge and piety, was by no means duly acquainted with the higher mysteries of the Gospel; and that although a sincere Christian himself, his preaching was fit only for "babes," and did not furnish nutriment sufficient for the more advanced believer. Here, sir, is a case in which the fear of man is especially likely to bring a snare a case, however, not always taken into the account of those who warn the young minister against improper compliances. A clergyman of piety can submit to be censured by the irreligious he can forgive the sneers of the formal; he does not feel inclined to recede a single step for the persecutions of the profane; -but to be told by his own children in the faith, and to whom he looked as his "crown of rejoicing," that he has withheld from them the riches of the Gospel and been un faithful to his trust, merely because he has not entered into some un hallowed speculations which may have seduced a part of his flock, is a charge so painful and severe, as to require no small share of wisdom and fortitude, as well as of Chris tian meekness, to enable him to endure its weight., To find some even of his more advanced converts entering on a new system, and pitying him for not doing the same, is

an acute trial to the constancy of the most steady pastor. It is no easy thing so far to overcome the fear of man as to yield nothing to mistaken piety, to the most tender reproaches, and the most conscientious but mistaken solicitations.

I fully believe that it is a fear of what is usually called the religious world, far more than a paramount feeling of duty, that has induced many pious young ministers of the present age to adopt a style of preaching and conversation, which, though not perhaps substantially false, yet greatly transgresses the sobriety of scriptural instruction. A minister whom the fear of one class of men could not render pharisaical or legal in his preaching, may, by the fear of another class, be driven to the very verge of Antinomianism. If once the dread of his fellow-creatures prevails, he has lost his independence of character, and must be content in future to veer about with every "wind of doctrine" that happens to prevail among his people.

I would not wish, sir, to have the tenor of these remarks so far mistaken as to imply a supposition that the world has, in this or any other age, ceased to oppose scriptural views in religion; and that, therefore, a young divine has to guard only, or even chiefly, against the excesses of its professed friends. I believe both dangers to exist in undiminished energy, but that the latter is, in many places, really on the increase. I might, indeed, have said the former, also, notwithstanding all the increasing piety which exists among us. Indeed, that very extension of piety which has been just mentioned, may, perhaps, be the cause of this; for when religion was scarcely to be seen, except at a distance, men did not think enough of it actively to hate it, and even treated it with a sort of awful veneration and respect. But in proportion as the subject is brought nearer home, and men are forced, as it were, by the