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se>^^
Witherspoon
THE
WORKS
OF
JOHN WITHERSPOON,
D. D.
ESSAYS, SERMONS,
&c.
ON
IMPORTANT SUBJECTS
LIFE.
PIECES,
NEVER BEFORE
VOL. VL
EDINBURGH
PRINTED FOR
J.
rn/ifia
<
CONTENTS
OF
VOLUME
An
VI.
Clafs,
of the Stage,
EfFe(5ls
34
1
Church PoHcy.
to
in
is
(hewn,
29
Arcana of
plain
way
of attaining to the
Dedicated
to the
Spirit, of the
The
Church of Scotland,
139
Preface,
Mr
in
141
145
Maxim
All eccteiiaftical perfons,
I.
of whatever- rank,
are fufpedted of
Ij^erefy,
are to be efteemed
CONTENT
VI
S.
Page
men of great genius, vaft learning, and uncommon worth and arc by all means, to
;
155
JIIaxim IL
When
any
man
is
or tendencies to immorality, he
tices,
much
is
to
as poffi-
fermon,
that
made fome
^jices,
Maxim
It
is
III,
derate
man, never
make
the
word
orthcdoxyy a
it;
and
term of con-
Maxim
mo-
to
159
162
IV,
all
the
above and fubfequent principles of moderation in him, as the fource of every thing that
is
good
be confined to
commend them
i.
focial duties.
life,
He muft
re-
its
CONTENTS.
Vll
Page
flatc of
more extended
felf-intereft.
His
3.
few
or as
f;oncj
Maxim
A
very unaccept-
4.
able to the
from
poilible,
as
He mull be
common people,
Scriptuic.
'
l6<S
F,
degree of polltenefs, in
manner of a
fine
much
gentleman, as poffibly he
-
can,
Iiis
177
Maxim FL
It
is
to
man
have much
filled
itig
with a contempt of
but one
*,
which is
kinds of learn-
all
to underflandLeibnitz's
which
icheme well
beautifully
painted,
and
are fo
harmonioufly
fo
Mr
Maxim
A- moderate
man mud
iSj
n,
FIT.
endeavour, as
much
as
he hanufomely can, to put off any appearances of devotion, and avoid ail unnecellary
'
Maxim
whether pub-
FIJI.
come before
n-iiniilers for
judg-
86
CONTENTS.
Viii
who
Is,
common
Maxim
While
a fettlement
againft
is
peo-
ipo
IX,
where declared
and remarkable
abilities
worth,
provided always,
be
at pains,
and fuccced
Maxim
fall as
much
in his charadter,
Whenever we have
is fet-
in gaining the
it,
15^4
X,
by a majority
in the
General Aflembly,
the yilory fliould be Improved, by appointing fome of the orthodox oppofers of the fet-
tlement to execute
it,
efpecially thofe of
them
ment,
.-
fettle-
197
Maxim XL
The chara^er which moderate men give
.
their
ways be
CONTENTS.
fion ferves, the
may
and
fame perfon
IX
Page
pafs)
(if It will
2o8
Maxim XIL
As
to the
to
world
in general, a
man
moderate
is
in principle,
and vicious
but none
in their practice:
at all
a 19
Maxim XIIL
All moderate
ftiicleil
fup4)ort
men
fail to
'
will,
it
215
223
ra^leriflics,
To
The
225
Advertifement,
...
-
.2%^
28<>
Chap. L
Of
2p j^
CONTENT
y.
Page
Chap.
Of
II.
Chap.
298
III.
And
particularly
taken by
Servants,
tlie
303
Chap. IV.
A terrible Blow
Servants
and particularly
the Emperor,
Power of
-
310
Chap. V.
Reformed Eftabllfhmeat^
Northern Province ; and the happy ef-
Some Account
in a
to the
fel:s
of the
that followed
upon
it
for a time.
It
Chap.
Of
VL
pointment of fervants
318
Chap. VII.
Great
and
Chap. YIII.
Servants of different characters.
the good and bad.
fketch of
329
Chap. IX.
The
carelefsnefs of Servarfls
in
their
work.
iflued
in.
ilbthing,
33d
CONTENTS.
XI
Chap. X.
Of
vants,
upon
fell
34I
Chap. XI.
Of the
Chap. XII.
Continuation of the fame fubje6l.
Co^XLUSION.
The
fenti-
in confequence
-
348
j>
AN
ADDRESS
TO THE
STUDENTS
SENIOR CLASS,
OF the
AT PRINCETON COLLEGE,
September
Who were
to receive the
23, 1775,
degree of BACHELOR
o/Arts,
Gentlemen,
AS
public
finiflied
life
be
an exhortation to you,
at this important
much,
if
and inte-
fore,
may be
faid
now,
will
That
may
what
have to
duty to
The
II.
God,
and
Prudence
Vol.
intcrcft
of
divide
I.
your
Your
fouls.
provement of your
III.
the
fpeak with
I will
VL
in
talents, as
members of
fociety.
10
general,
ca mflances in
I.
As
more,
Some
men
to all
it is
of you,
of the
know, and
To
in the miniftry.
we
tliis
with which
is
But
I heartily agree.
make
who
thofe
I wiili
times
cir-
life.
moment.
greatell
and other
may
not fome-
dangerous,
fouls.
nifter,
necelTary to a ml-
is
to themfelves, or at
leaft fufpecSl,
own
their
to
and
in-
low fome
But, alas
otlier calling.
is
fmall.
is
of
life, it
will be but
to
little
vifible,
a detefta-
at the clofe
Therefore fuffer
who now
fouls
and when
but very
to be fure
chant.
all
me
he mufl go
nifter,
feems to
a dreadful charaler,
ble one
though the
is
the
hear me,
me
to fay to you,
that
the care
of every rank,
All
and to
of your
mankind,
fmners by nature.
of the
New
I 5
fliall
be
damned."
While
I fay this, I
the advantages
There
is
obferved in
it,
or people
fome
wifdom often to be
Unlefs reafons^
the providence of God.
of fovereignty, that
vent
if
an equity as well as
reafons
for the
ripe
is
is,
ftroke.
from
and Gtuation
foil
Therefore,
their
in
own
as
nature,
by the early pains taken upon them, and the privileges they have enjoyed, fill up the meafure o
their iniquities fooner than others,
many common
men
no ground
is
But
at
if
efi'efts
of
which you
it
There-
to
If this
is
intended to in-
in after life,
we
when young
perfons,
and are feduced into vicious courfes, they commonly run fader and farther than others, it is a certain
fa61:,
which may be
an important
eafily
accounted
for,
and affords
inftrucSlion to all.
to
in a matter of infinite
B2
moment.
eafily
Do
not
12
think
enough
it
in your condu6t, or to
upon worldly
motives.
am
attain
formed
a charafter
principles,
all
know)
in-
you
and
Neither
eftate.
fortify
name, body
that
you fhould
thefe motives.
Except
into the
arife
wrong
is it
But
alas
the
man be born
True
kingdom of God."
from a
evil
deeper,
lies
muft
clear
loft
ftate
liance
Suffer me,
mend
to all
faniStifying grace
upon
that
fear
God,
to
recom-
apply themfelves
from
of prayer and
is
life
This
mud
exemplary
to an
mentioned
the
is
why
have
when
when
this habit
are advantages
reafon
life.
the feafon
There
The
ftrong,
ed.
on
it
grow
in
life.
muft be form-
and difadvantages
An
at-
aged Chriftian
and fub-
THE
OF
On
early years.
it
SENIOR CLASS.
inftead of trufting
neceflary
pulfes, to guard
J3
im-
to occafional
and form.
peftilence,
whom
you perceive
to
be in-
the world
itfelf
condemns them
very
mean
indeed,
talle
who
is
reafon dcfpifc^
He mud
capable of
If I
have
had no higher
to eat
1.
:'c
finiiinv';
it-
of a fenfual
life.
Therefore
I will
not allow
my-
who do
the
fy.
ijig
and
all
who feem
vilify
to
vile
be
in
name
they can
earned on
tliat
names of whining,
In raak-
B3
14
derflood as
recommending
percilioufnefs
far lefs
judging of the
a rafli
of others.
ftate
this is not to
pharifaical pride
be unand fu-
and prefumptuous
It is
ful,
it
is
fecial
courteous, and to give every proper evidence of refpet and attention to others, according to their
What
you
againft
is,
its
refpel: to this,
men
panion of fools
be deftroyed."
fhall
come now
is
ftiall
to fpeak a little
to caution
we need not
with the infpired prophet, " He that
With
II.
mean
Tour education
in a feminary of learning,
petite for
firft
principles of fcience,
It
hath been
recommend
oppofite
extremes.
young
We
fee
find
fome perfons of
-,
we
human
OF
THE SENIOR
CLASS.
I5
by
meannefsand indecency, hardly lufFerable, in their
manner of handling them. On this account, indufa
try
and application
portance to thofe
to ftudy,
who
is
the miniftry.
But
you
have
hate
it,
but
as true,
it is
you
iloth, as
not
dangerous enemy.
is a common
own weaknefs ;
It
it.
know
their
their
own ftrength.
I defire that
which
to
of diligence and
know
they do not
life
and defpife
it,
men do
faying, that
recommend
further in view, to
Avoid
application.
Fear
it
without exception, a
all,
from me,
life,
while
mere
floth-
ved
ufelefs,
difpofition in
There
is
li-
alfo
have
gular
failles,
The
the truth.
chief.
It
requires no genius at
liberties,
very contrary
all to
do mlf-
Neither
is
what
it
might, with-
me
mend
to
you
a firmnefs of
moment
and
fuccefs.
may
be, if
Whatever
to
your progrefs
is
not altoge-
and uniformity, he
if
he be loofe and
will
volatile,
but
from
fliifting
that
am fomewhat
at a lofs
and reputation
yet
what
True
it
furnifli
you with
to fay, as to charac-
fo important a point
is
it
religion fliould
a higher
from men.
do what
is
is
life,
a juft
among men.
praife-worthy
This ought
be-
illuftrious actions.
praife but
truly
good man
even to difgrace
itfelf,
if
conduct.
ftep
is
it.
would
in life, will
You ought
notwithftanding
fpread
and
If I
your character
no
Yet he
will feek
will be fuperior
all
alfo
Every
to be
informed, that
tiie
"
is
never miflaken,
in point of morals.
There
lies
which
an
is
ihew
will
are afforded to
it.
Be
it.
as cautious as poffible to
ed as
pofTible
undeferved.
It is
fall
do
concern-
little
upon you
ly confiftent to fay, a
man
There
is
a meannefs and
much
much
as
in the firfl,
but
to the laft,
praife,
is,
do as
This
is
but an-
it
may be
my
come
When
it
you come
it.
intention in
it
more
dif-
and be-
guard againft
the
not only
you
will hear as
much
much
you
Therefore, pre-
Seve-
ral
given
as
it
who
and
intreat
pofition,
him
to
is
good judge,
carriage,
delivery,
&c. with
their
comI
fidelity.
itfelf,
have no
of
It is
it.
and
feldomer that
flill
freedom and
and
enough
felf-denial
Or
them.
it
impartiality.
if
be
we
to
little
is
afked in this
to
obtain a compliment;
is
If
know
wifh to
difficulty
his
own
in difcovering
enemies or
rivals, or talkative
the defect.
is
no great tendency
which makes a very
painful
this fully,
much
is
fo
agree to
much
the
more wifdom, and perhaps I may add, fo much the more pleafure, in
making this ufe of them
more
fing
virtue, fo
conclude
you
this
the
part of
my
fubje<l:,
to maintain a friendfliip
with advi-
Man, made
of
many
piety, nothing
communication.
preme
The
love of
I^
more
properly
It
to
eflcntial
it,
confifts
As
to
than focial
in
charity to
the fu-
men.
all
has fo
much
left
by
and
they
diftrefs,
difficulty,
their example,
to be pilgrims and
faid
keep together,
in doubts
Thofe who
oppofition to encounter.
afTift
They
each other
and they
afTift
prayers.
This
It
is
no
lefs
The
is,
men
in-clufters.
to their
im-
to the talents
Nothing
feverally
poflefs.
is
fo
and
affiftance of
men
is
from an undifcerning
multitude.
letters give to
each other,
The
is
which men of
If
that
now
it is
it is
poffible
in
a degree of knowledge as
fo
it is
one
we
life to attain to
fuch
man
aid,
There
new
back
is
no
country fo far
in point
braries,
The
III.
my
you
lafl
head on which
promifed to give
was prudence
in
your communica-
advice,
and exaftnefs
On
life.
this fubjeft, I
management of your
your
in
keeping of accounts.
from
outward pro-
my mind
affairs,
order
and
Nothing could be further
no higher
defire
am.bition,
unbecoming
opinion,
I
never
knew an
inftance of a perfon in
my
chara<3:er.
whom
this
to ftudy, or that
was good.
The
of youth, and
The
became eminent
oppofite vice
it is
frugality I
againft this I
in
the
common
fault
would recommend,
is
is
and fcorns
that of an infubjecSlion to
juft faying of
Solomon,
THE SENIOR
CF
that the horrcwer
gality
which
is
from
order
21
That
to the lender.
fervant
arifes
CLASS.
fru-
and ccconomy
is
the parent of
li-
it is
On
man can
nant to each other; and indeed they are more frequently joined than
many apprehend.
The
ftric-
been often
and may
cited,
guifli
make an
much
as
may be
inflance, but in
been, or
fliall
intereft, if
almoll:
be mentioned.
much your
be
make not
to
which men
and even
feology.
from appearances.
he?
fly
when you
The
habits of
what
arifes
in
from
youth,
it
Vol. VI.
mean and
in reality,
fneaking,
it
pleafure
that a perfon
was not
lefs.
Il
of principle
22
though not
more advanced
circumftance to him
otl\er
have
who from
a habit, perhaps
manner of
life,
much
ex-
M'hen applied
to,
for pious
liberal
berality.
Prov.
xi.
25. "
That
We
are told
tlie liberal
fat,"
li-
by Solomon,
foul Ihall be
made
" That
fliall
From
be eflablifhed."
thefe con-
feldom necef-
it is
and the
and
mod
charitable allowance,
is
intereft.
recommend
to
you humiI
confider
to
confider and
ly
it
Matth.
v. 5.
"
to the pradlice
as faying, every
good man
OF
inherit the
fliall
THE SENIOR
eartli.
fee
the
is
more
many
In
all
vitiates
Nothing
proud affum-
we may
views,
different
of this conneO:ion,
propriety
ing manner.
but
23"
on
CLAS?.
every
only magnifies
not
even good
conducSI:.
It is
is
it
equally,
if
(oj to
tices
line, as
thofe
one drunkard
is
is
offence
is
who
and
refpedl:,
is
it
is
and prepares
him
man
for intercourfe
life.
The fame
manage
virtue,
it,
enables a
be placed.
remarkable for
A
this
whatever
good (liopkeeper
quality.
faid to
not
man
whatever cal-
is
ftation he-
commonly
People love to go
ment
fits
may
which
and
as-
univerfally hated.
makes
of
perceived as
The moral
is
in
This
refledtion,
eafily
man
proud
as another of
vice
not
more
tills
fault,
treat-
fuffer
24
To
ufeful to a man's
felf,
as
meeknefs of carriage
The meek
acceptable to others.
evils
contrary difpofition.
Many
lefs
important kind,
when
of
fuffer
much
is
lefs
than thofe of a
life,
are in a
manner
annihilated
The injury
much to their
they do us,
is
weight or
own
fpirit is as
minds.
muft greatly
It is
their
the forrows,
it
as
it
mi-
life.
moderate por-
humble and
and impatient.
Nearly
ment
above virtue,
allied to the
the govern-
is
fay but
little.
portant
it is,
callings,-
fenfible
I fhall
how Im-
in public life,
to
have
INIen of furious
and ufeful
in their ftatiuns.
Perfons of ungovern-
which
is
of
all
things the
Thefe gene-
rally require
perfecV'on.
As
ticular,
to public
and
is
fo great^
THE SENIOR
OF
and
in
it
commonly
It is
no
Without inquiring
fay, that
I will
at
into this,
only
in fa-
it is ilill
it,
have
I fhall
to the virtue.
what
fo ufeful,
The
argument.
ufual to
but addref*
my
vour of
is
it
to principle,
and policy.
pafTions.
2^
acknowledged, that
fo unlverfally
impute
CLASS.
mud
lead correcting, a
many
fentiment,
common
faying or proverbial
and deception.
It
is
better to fpeak
it is
be true,
if
Perhaps
this
would
and
paffion.
there
is
vengeance,
it
But
truly infernal.
in
way
to
tion of an injury,
and perhaps
it,
refpedt like a
you
if
forget
a vent
is
if
pletely extinguilh
To
the
it.
the
Rageisinihis
given to
but
is
will
literally
fire
tongue
to rcllrain the
is
Itie
it, it
fuel to
it,
you
will in-
confume,
will
com-
it.
government of the
C3
26
great meafure,
therefore
recommended by
is
ments, yet
all
it
maxim
There
are great
from paf-
parately as a
fion,
of prudence.
other fources.
mend
to
would therefore
earneftly
recom-
to reftraint in
" Be
Forwardnefs
in fpeech is
to fpeak."
cretion.
ral,
and
It is
very
ftill
more
common
for the
fo for m.en of
world
gene-
in
judgment and
the whole,
way than
I
am
on
more unfavourable
If the
a talkative difpofition.
in this
firft
time
talks incefTantly,
good
or nonfenfe.
fay, give
none behind
to
govern
their alions.
it
Where no
littlq
to a
tale-bearer
man's
is,
felf.
among
Solomon
fays,
how
unfafe
is,
others,
it is
A
to
OF
.life
SENIOR CLASS.
Tlii:
much freedom
27
in fpeech
from
from
their miflakcs,
Perhaps
would be
it
Some
might
exceptions
But both
be conceived.
eafily
(liould
be
{lril-
ly to the rule or
juftify a departure
from
W'ill
it.
when you
Many and grievous are the complaints of 'what men fuffer from
the envenomed fhafts of envy and malice.
And
from the tongues of others,
fuffer
there certainly
vent, and in
The
is
a flrong difpofition in
many
fails to
fome
to in-
prevalence of party,
never
'
in religion or
politics,
this poi-
fonous weed.
One
on
is,
this fubje<St
that
when an
accufation
is
in
any
what
really
is
it,
th6
firft
duty
is
to
reform
at a diftance
from
liappen,
hold
it
pife
it.
when
to
But
the (lander
is
and turn an
it
may
often
perfectly groundlefs, I
Time and
evil,
in cafes, as
way wholly
to def-
28
kind
but
if
pofition to refent
or a follcitude to refute
it,
mankind
the
lefs,
an animal,
were
It difcovers a
commands
refpedl
mind
greatnefs of
not
a plant or.
it
of
If flander
the.
it,
it,
would
and
believe
will
this,
a dif
it,
which
whereas to be either
not
amiable,
or.
faife.
This rule
do not
fay,
There may be
tion.
is
cafes
wliolly without
excep-
And
I think
I.
make
reafon to
my
life,
If the
fixed
fa<Sl:,
and
ftances,
if it
be either wholly
may be
it
or efTential-
may be done.
But if
ed to a man, he ought
it,
falfe,
attempt no refutation of
the
to
but by condu61:
firmed that a
man
it,
when he was
at
but
if
all,
it
he
is
may be
eafily
and completely
alt^..
OF
of fals,
better to let
is
it
THE SENIOR
CLASS.
2t>
much
or by time confuted
proverb, Alagna
ejl
Veritas et pravalebit.
happy
to be the
united
effe61:s
may be
faid
wifdom which
fruits of that
But
mud
diate effect
ready to
is
"profitable to dire61:."
which
is
the
imme-
aflifl:
portunity.
is,
be
As
every thing
liable to
is
be abufcd,
in diitrefs.
is
To
give
way
to the
it is
furprife
and anxiety,
way
whelmed with
a very different
agitation of pafiion,
at a
fliall
and
to prevent,
parent over-
calamitous
be incapable
fliall
fometimes
But independently of
perfons
who
this,
fome
30
own
particular concerns
may be promoted
theiir
at the
fame time.
In oppofition to this, I
and an
merely by
civil expreffions,
affable
Be not unwilling
affiClance,
your
to lend
interefl, to thofe
ry alTiftance,
fliip.
and
if
you
and
them be employed to afTift the deferrIf you undertake to do the baing of every clafs.
fmefs of others, attend to it with the fame fidelity,
and if pofTible, with greater punluality than you
v/ould to your own.
Some are ready to excufe or
influence, let
juflify
by complaining of the
a contrary condu6l,
But
in
my
experience.
particular perfons
tells us,
with
judging, what
kind,
is
refpel: to
one
Our Sa-
meafured
to
you again
it fhall
be
good meafure prefTed down
fliall
men
rally
them
i
or theirs.
not in
its
The
perfecStion,
but
to an immediate return.
a fpeedy recompenfe,
fo perfons of a
the difpofition
is,
when
you
If
it is
humane
fiiall
truth
3I
there
is
it
to
itfelf
no regard
find
I
it
after
have
xi.
i.
of kindnefles that
It is
after they
had
thofe
who
It will
flood in need of
it.
firft clafs:
mean
religion,
private
have adlual-
But
of private
fcripture,
contrary to
it.
is
faid to
have
diftinguifli-
af-
32
that there
no true
is
but what
friendfliip,
is
found*
ed upon virtuous
principles,
and diredled to
tuous purposes.
To
perfon
^srorthy
of
Neither
is
love,
not
is
who
not
error.
placed in
at
bottom.
who was
true friend,
vir-
is
but an
a virtue,
trying cafes,
is
love
not an
is
it
a fpecies of
vice, but
whom
whom
and without
lean,
they feem
as if
is
tifm
may be
We may fay
ous.
that
plants
of
are falfe
it,
that
it is
obferved in
like
and fpurious
fome of thofe
their
in
tracted
friendfhips are
kind,
want the
of thofe that
efiential qualities
Such
are genuine.
all
not fo confpicu-
it is
and
is
fort cf
may
they could
This
they
commonly con-
greateft comforts of
eft
life as
nefs
may be
that though
"When
there
difcerned
it
is
is
its
genuine-
particular,
it
is
not
exclufive.
OF
a perfon
lefs,
who
THE SENIOR
deferves
all
33
make
man
not
others, as opportunity
him
You
will
it
it,
CLASS.
to ferve
them.
on that politenefs and grace in behaviour, which is fo much talked of, and which, in
or but
fome
little
late
~.^^hat
hope
As
mode and
well-polilhed behaviour.
that
it
is
external in
propriety of carriage,
beft
company.
and
As
Chefterfield's
many
to the writings
above referred
Maxims
them
as of
when viewed
perly, that
may be
otherwife,
as ufeful, as
pro-
by being viewed
They
contempt of mankind,
againft
the
as
may
well be an antidote
mean
to convey.
is
ridiculous, becaufe
it
is
telling
you that
and difplaying
own
their
ing yours.
Vol. VI.
addrefs by ov^-reach-
34
muft
Swift
fays,
*'
'
What muft
fay to this
Am
them
to
be true
juft
it is
principle
muft
By no means.
is
that
all
men
are neither fo
the
mankind
in general, give
Pro-
little
bad
fo
man without
be found.
to
bably
nature, but
It is
It is in himfelf,
take.
be-
I will not,
very
good
At any
thought to be.
is
maxim
thefe
for
the condutt of
life
and
*,
if
it
a wife
is
it
believe
ever found
The
lait
advice that
you,
I fhall offer
to pre-
is
here, or at leaft
how much
their
it,
muft know
general fubject,
now
to
very
This
introduce the
you
and
education
common; fuch
as
want
to
warn
now
fo
of punctuality in ap
THE SENIOR
OF
CLASS.
35
fmall matters,
is,
tions,
without
fin
hurtful than
jocular decep-
Not one of
to continue long, or
is
commonly
a thing indeed
parture from
is
it
fuppofed.
is
be avoided.
thefe
much more
So very facred
fhadow of de^
Suppofe
man
does fo
levity
you
truth
if
ftricfl:,
It
will
Let
me
he
the character of
to his difadvantage.
to
acquire
therefore
much
recommend
give dignity to
your character
;
it
It
view be your
it
own
is
of others,
I
am
a
al-
more
is
himfelf,
I) 2
SERIOUS
Q^
R Y
INTO THE
NATURE
AND EFFECTS
OF THE
E
BEING AN ATTEMPT TO SHEW, THAT CONTRIBUTING TO THfi
INCONSISTENT "WITH
IS
THE
reader
therefore
will
I
and
probably conjecture,
%yhat gave occafion both to the writing, and publifhing the enfuing treatife,
Douglas i
Edinburgh.
is
Church of Scotland.
the
One
very
new and
is
In one refpecl
extraordinary event.
from
buted
this
circumflance
its fliare
prefentation,
Natural
in
for doubtlefs,
which continued
curiofity
wliether there
it
contri-
prompted many
was any
difference
days.
feveral
to
make
between
trial,
a play
39
And
power
all in
their
Some
fcem
Edinburgh
be taken
Whether
in the church.
and
be,
if it
fured,
and
whether they
if
the
will be
to
iaft,
approved or cen-
what degree,
not to foretel.
be carried on,
this will
pretend
certain, that
is
It
much thought
all
muft have
that
It
ftate
of religion
tion.
though
That
among
is
no doubt
that
It
condemned by the
who go by
With them,
who
will be
think
It
who
all
ground to hope.
little
the appellation
it
will bring
great reproach
and many
upon the
There
ranks, and
refolvc to
of
laity
a
as
re-
no other confequences
apprehended
from
their difpleafure, than
to
be
;ire
being
provoked to unchriftian
the weaketl of them
refentment, or tempted to draw rafli and general
prefentation.
It
is
true,
conclufions from the conduct of a few to the character of the whole, or perhaps
rating
cfl^c<5lG
from the
cfl'ablilhcd
much
either feared
or
38
THE
fhunned.
to
that
it
it
was
commendable
a juft and
action.
bad thing,
be really a
that in cafe
is,
it
who
are
mod
religion, or
apt to take
none
it,
An
at all.
fuch as have
viz.
offence
is
leaft
a ftumbling-
danger of
them
of
to
fin.
falling
that
Now,
if
the ftage
to a Chriftian, thofe
dicted to
them of
is
to
fay,
it
that
it
their error,
this error,
is
who
is
emboldens
it
in the practice
unlawful or dangerous
by
are
inclination fo ad-
more
It
has ac-
among
commen-
difcourfe
fome
at this
this queftion,
whether
is
confiftent, or incon-
no purpofe
a minifter
is
It is
to
Whether
and mlfa5)plying
dicates theru to
his time
tlae
and
talents,
when he
?
de-
That point
39
the m?.tter
if
is
refted here,
it
be confidered
will
condemned
or even
bad
as
fucli,
will
it
have the
ftill
GiQt
them
to
The
>
we feem
much
to be already as
given
as
felf-denying apologies
common
with authors,
and
fo on, I
to
it
tafic
a better
and
up
ftir
Prudence
fight of
Icfe
it,
good,
is
but zeal
am
fenfible of
it,
the world
my own
teflimony
tempting
be,
it is
How
rare.
far I
fubje61:,
on
much more
my own
is
\
is
rifked
by
at-
it
fins,
among
ing judgments.
It is
it
is
fome difcouragement
whofe fakes
it
is
this
attempt, that
many
of thofe, for
in
chiefly intended,
and
who
ftand
it.
Such
a levity of
is
writ-
Whoever
will look
Into the
Britain for
this at
THE
fome years
What
one glance.
hiftories,
an immenfe proportion
titles
of
adventures,
lives,
Perhaps therefore
in
convinced of
be thought that
may be
paft,
fort
of
may
it
it
and handling
allegorical ftrucSlure,
wav
a
of wit and
modern
and
humour;
efpecially as
is
it
feems to be
as there
But,
in
though,
fome
in
even
cafes, or
from thinking
far
to be
tion
it is
its
It
am
feems
more proper for correction than for inftrucand though it may be fit enough to whip an
offender,
it is
expoftulate a
deferves
equally
little
for
it,
firit
to
Befides,
it.
fit
every
and indeed,
beyond
man's talent
now
is
not
a jeft,
and
to require
There
is alfo,
befides
difficulty in entering
be hard to
wh It
know
in
fome difcouragment,
on
this difquifition.
what manner
principles to build.
It
unl.iwfulnefs of ftage-plays,
a real
It will
to reafon, or
on
fhew the
by fuch arguments as
were eafy
to
botii
to
make
it
appear to thofe
who
chiefly frequent
4I
word
as the
and will
on which they are condemned.
it is
is,
upon
principles
truth
The
upon
this fubjeft.
upon
it
There were
at all.
who
is
become
lefs
and have
fo,
But there
chara<Sler.
is ftiil
is
given by
upon
called
to attack
vi^hat
they are,
A writer on this
yet always
is
are,
fubje(t
is
but as
adlually
a lliadow,
and which
fliall
way
of fuppofi-
fliall
fee,
what
gentlemen
thefe
ever
little
fupport
a vicious and
of plays but,
imagines
it is
may feem
to be given
when he
his own
is
by
Howthis to
no attendev
cauie that
is
efpoufed, and
felf-fatisfaction, contiiiucs
42
his pra<l'ce.
conduct not
is
abfurd, than
lefs
afi'ured
certain
if
of
difli
anfwer thus,
fliould
may
eat
with fafety.
very plain, that were
It is
men
but ferioufly
it
would not be
dif-
know-
neceiTary, in
now
to
is,
Such
combat
a reformation,
imaginary reformed
in its
it
it
ftate.
even
it,
But
it.
do
ftill
of
it
fince
defend
all
it
in this
feparate from
defend
it
fo far
its
evil
qualities
*,
fince
they
own
and, as
am
why
fa6t, is becaufe
it
not admitting of
I will
endeavour to
fliew, that
either
ftate,
of a Chriftian.
is
unlawful, contrary to
If this
it
4^
fliall
be acidcd upon the aggravation of the crime, confidering the circumllances that
pradice.
But, though
any
to
higher demand, nor expeft, bccaufe they have prevailed to have plays
they
themfelves
confidered in the
defire,
that
therefore
way
the
it
that
fame
muft
it.
by no means
modern relaxed
will
principles of
morality.
loft
upon the
caufe.
If
fome
late writers
it
would be a
on the fubjeCt of
morals be permitted to determine what are the ingredients that muft enter into the compofition of a
who
are
many
practices contrary to
ftill
confider, not
but what
and to
In fo doing I think
I fliall
ought
are,
to be.
reafon juftly
and
at
44
my
it is
THE
me
much
fitter
and delineat-
As
fo gradual
as
to
be infenfible
which
vi^orld,
verbal alterations,
thing,
do often introduce
fo
is
often
the moral
in
which are
real changes,
fo
much
fome
tlieir
approach
is
as fufpefted.
Were
modern
eiTays,
theatrical
fan61:ifi-
the
cation,
oppofition
fenfible.
By
taking
pofed, I
am
up the argument
in the light
now
pro-
on the
fubjetb.
by the
beft
it
every age
*.
very defenders do
Its
all
may be
far as I
feparated from
it
or
polfible
abufe
this
future
^)5
They do
it.
however,
all
they never
it,
of them,
this feparation as
in-
not eiTential to
is
only
attempt to aiTigm
it
first
tJj,
cautious were
thflt
3'et
so
fre-
when
number
of days. Even that erected by M. Scaurus, which is said
to have cost so immense a sum as a million sterling, was
speedily taken down. Pompey the Great was the first
who had power and credit enough to get a theatre continued.
''
As
8. cap.
32.
are
they
shall
lib.
enumerated
Many
renounce their
arts before
shall be
22. observes,
To
all
lib.
2.
14.
scenicos."
is
Vol. VI.
failed to
pronounce sen-
THE
46
any
which
in
sera
could be defended as
it
it
then
Some
hurtful.
number,
But
amounted
as to
many
The only
when it is
more
confelTedly pernicious.
that are
is
fair
That the
which it
that
it
ought
capable,
is
procure a
to
improvement of
dill inconfiftent
It
with the
a ftrong
is
many
after fo
years
trial,
fuch improvement
It is
tence, in
found
own
is
in fcripture.
ftage greatly
no exprefs prohibition of
I
it
to
be
vcrfe 4.
by "
and
jefting,''
He
alfo thinks
it
probable,
that
the
word
KofAoig
ufed in more places than one, and tranflated " revelling," points
at the
fame thing.
it
is
Whether
his
the ftage
and
if
from
it,
47
is
Nay,
time,
it
was
fuflicient
and
that
till
it
would be
it
idle to ex-
To
after age.
fliould
fo in
any
produ-
be
the
to re-
men
fhall
think
fit
it.
do not find
to be guilty of
fhall think
leaft
it,
proper to
in fcripture
fin,
and changeable
reftlefs
drums
and yet
to the will of
God, and
common and
ordina-
In order to
itite
make
as pofiTible,
this
may
it
be clearly per-
what we
when
the
more
is
fend
in writing or converfation,
it.
They
is
This
a great indiftin<Sl:-
who,
it
re<?:u-
by thofe
undertake to de-
it
into parts,
and
They
afk,
E2
.'*
THE
48
Comedy
expofmg the
is
and pointing
folly of vice,
And
Is
of difcountenancing vice
And is
lemn.
It is a
is
Tragedy, they
way more
in a
to be
fay,
What is
men
itfelf,
may
pro-
is
they
be.
Is
who
it is
it
them
that they
in
Is
pretend, that
fkill
it
criminal
it
found
is
is
intended?
Then
Then
tion ?
which
it
a fin to look
muft be
a fin to
the original, of
is
This
it
the
is
way which
thofe
who
one fhould
fay,
What
is
a ftage-play
bet?
It
harm
in that?
What
is
as unjufl
thofe
who
and inconclufive,
let it
be obferved, that
49
by accident, but
following things,
ceflity the
eflentlally
Such
(i.)
and of nea
number
fentatlons,
human
(2.) Theie
audience of
in
who
voluntary fpedlators,
company of
this as their
only bufinefs
who
have
C3.)
The
it,
and be expert
profits
may
(4.)
maintain thofe
mufl
in the performance.
alfo
who
They
or elegance,
if
you
which
pleafe,
their
way
of
life,
make them
defire
and require.
It
is
a thing im-
Now
all
without fuppofing
it
this,
ftage
and
if
any defend
there
houfe.
It is in
ceptionable.
in
may
be, of
were eafy
to
this is unnecefTary.
believe
it is
faults
;
but
very pofTible to
E3
A SERIOUS
50
the general
NC^JIRY INTO
rules of the
drama
THE
which
are obferved,
{hall
Neither
any
there
is
But
fociety.
were of
plays
tinue in
its
may be
it
it
in
that kind,
would fhut of
would demand
own
their
accefs *
accord, becaufe
nobody
were an
unlefs there
acSt
mu^h
cafe, as
pains
now
and plain
ther
it is
of
us to abftain.
is,
taken
The
Whe-
human
under
flate
command
good
fo
a regulation, as to
make
God, and
the ereling
to the will
of
profelTion.
And
here
let
us conHder a
little
what
is
the pri-
Whe-
what
some
now
into repute
Were
the3'
f'^''-
the fate of
attempting to reform the stage, and that the great majority of Christians acted more wisely who were for hyin^
it
wholly
aside.
it
compound
ultimately,
in{l:ru6ts
it
The
forms by fteahh.
flage have
it
no doubt
oF thefe ends in
pable of them
in their
power
they pleafe,
it
all
any
equally ca-
it
becaufe of fome of
if it
tlie
mud
But
be confidered in
as
arguments
it is
of
moment,
to be afterwards
let
far recreation
produced,
by
it.
from
it
when
termined from
praQice,
The
it
earlieft
it,
inftitution,
way
de-
at
amufement.
now
judgment
*.
They
a perfon of
any
tafte
or
=
This i3 confessed by a defender of the stage who says,
" Such of the comedies before his (that is Meander's)
time, as have been preserved to us, are generally very
poor pieces, not so much ludicrous as ridiculous, even a
52
THE
lent *,
lic rejoicing.
in times of
pub-
who would
them
in this light,
and
and reprefents
this alone,
improvement, not
their
having a
as lying in their
audience..
It is
to dignify
article of luxury,
againfl; vice.
apt to fmile
It
is
(hall
them
not
now
but
is
much contend
diftrefs
may
lives is
of
all
for their
if
amufement.
" As
in all ages
live in pleafure,
when
for the
new comedy,
&
it is
Sympos.
lib.
7.
quest.
make
8.
so necessary an ingredient
as well
we
indeed
viz,
It is
of the caufe
againft
alfo
be
and to
about ufefulnefs.
fo called,
amufements, and
to us as innocent
It
bulwarks
as
other footing.
and reprefented
Formerly they
title.
an indulgence of pleafure
as
tafte of the
may
53
But not
it is
plain
from
accident,
They
this pleafure.
confift in
an
Now
of the aftors.
this imitation, of
gives
itfelf,
And,
the
it
in itfelf con-
as fuch,
imitation,
tions
thinks impartially,
may be from
how
far
it
firft,
its
to
fKill
do
or rather
pollutes or purifies
may
to reprefent,
Every perfon
who
it
is
this
fo,
convinced,
eflential to
is
main defign
its
accidental,
and honefty of
its
and muft
regulators
and managers.
is
to
that
public
profeflion:
to be each of
when
fhew,
to all
appear
will I hope,
of the propofition.
In the /"r/?. place.
mufcment,
it
is
If
it
improper,
be confidered as an a-
a:ny
54
men
THE
Chriftian
by laying
all
it
are
bound fupremely
God
ly to ferve
that
is
to love,
and habitual-
law as
the rule, and his glory as the end, not of one, but
of
nor
Every
I
it.
No
their actions.
all
"is,
God,
can be,
know
this
It
defpifed
is
were
it
and
phrafe,
called a cant
is
abfolved
eafy,
and
however, to
it
thofe for
whofe ufe
fay,
it is
oracles,
that
all
this
difcourfe
made
things were
intended, to
is
for,
that
all
aim
ail
of God.
at the glory
Now, we
pofitions,
creation
ceffiiry
glorify God by cultivating holy difand doing pious and ufeful actions. Re-
is
*,
it
is
only ne-
muft be fome
its
nature,
its
ful
and invigorate
The
ufe of lleep
is
by
it
for duties of
ufe of recreation
but one
is
though they
way
in
which
more importance.
fame
precifely the
fleep
becomes fmful,
as the
to
It
is
viz,
ways
in
needlefs to
j|
particularly
Cor. X. 13.
"
or whatfoever ye do, do
If there
55
eat or drink,
to the glory of
all
God."
in general, a
is
much
may be
in
it
is
is,
would
the need
commonly
not necefTary,
finful.
in ufe,
truth
than people
lefs
be
The
of.
mud
it
need of recreation
in
bodily labour,
and fuch
have their
as
fpirits
As
mere
bour
is
unlefs
from
la-
and indeed of
it-
ceflation
when
the appetites
Of
this fort
fill
And
whofe
fpirits are
exhaufted by application
number of them
will
j.ufl
and compare
it
much
better.
Indeed,
if
we
we
fliall
all.
their hands,
and they
feel
lies
heavy upon
idlenefs,
but this
is
not
$6
THE
nefs
fo
much
them
good which
that
From
this I think it
if
pay for
chufe
it,
there
it,
as did themfelves
is
immediately obje6ted,
much
of
as
it
you
It will
be
make
as
This argument,
pleafe,
is
But
be remembered, that
let it
at-
may
it
I attack
not
fyftem containing
all
the branches
This cannot
ed above.
fubfift
have enumerat-
without a
full
mifiion of
it.
argument
demand
ftill
objel:, that
is
perfection, and
practice, in
will
by
to fin,
this
audiis,
which
'there
be committed.
is
That,
it
feems to
to
a probability that
if this
holds,
we
fni
fliould
becaufe
that no congregation
earth, but
much
fin
we have
a m.oral certainty,
committed, both by
between
But there
is
57
a great difference
is
attended with
is in
who
attend
But
it.
further, the
ft age
an improper, that
is
an unlawful recreation to
fay,
tion, becaufe
it
all
a circumftance, which,
however
who
thofe
little
to
This
impreflion
is
it
moment
In proportion as any
is
without excep-
to
man
improves in holinefs of heart, he increafes in ufefulnefs of life, and acquires a deeper and ftronger
fenfe of the worth and value of time.
To fpend
an hour unprofitably, appears to fuch a perfon a
greater crime, than to many the commiflion of
grofs
fin.
And, indeed,
it
own
procedure
ye the
nefs
at the
unprofitable
there
who
Chrift, of his
day of judgment, " Cafl
fervant
be weeping,
fliall
Lord Jefus
into
utter
dark-
Mark this, ye
ye fons of gaiety and mirth,
who imagine you are fent into the world for no higher
end than your own entertainment and who, if you
are free from, or able any how to palliate your
j
againft
once
refleiSl
Though
there
Vol. VI.
it is
furely
58
THE
faulty.
ceflliry,
when
they are
may
other circumftance
tion, all
men
fuppofe, whatever
much
and
it
not too
is
much
to
be
fome
when
example,
cafes, for
it,
to pleafure
it is
by way
for this
propor-
it.
certainly hurtful
it
gives
men
a habit of idle-
them
avcrfe
from
re-
So true
is
this,
and
ment upon
it,
that no
mind
and warmth
votion
it
that
has
of the Chriftian
offices
the bufinefs of
civil life.
diligent
On
life
and aftive in
the contrary,
it
is
59
and wearlnefs of
itfelf,
and to require
and re-
reft
fpirits,
what
a thing
called
is
a recreation.
But the
ftage
is
fumption of time,
it is
agitates tlie
tion, becaufe
it
and
too
intereils
deeply,
as,
To
in
fome
cafes, to
bring people into a real, while they behold an imKeeping in view the end of reaginary dillrefs.
creation, will* enable us to
is
to refrefli
when, inllead of
reft,
which
is
but an
eafy exercife of
Whatever
is difficult,
a ftrong application of
tention.
Now
it is
is
and
intereft
little
time,
many
men will
fpirits,
than
ought to
his paffions as
and
much as poffible,
u^l!lpcel5^ri]y exciting
inftead of voluntarily
them.
F2
The human
paf-
6o
it
but
fo general-
is
it
when they
tinguifh
which oppofe
others
many
un-
gratification.
each other.
of,
or no effe6l
little
Now
is
which
vices,
and deftruclive
has
This
vicious paflions,
are
their weaknefs,
and mifapplication.
their excefs
THE
is
to
keep
them
to direl
fpecSl
to the
firft
upon the
fpedlator,
as
is
to dire6t
is
to
for theije
all
mofl:
re-
tlieatrical reprefentations
they are
With
fit
to
them
objects,
it
will
As
be
afterwards fliewn, that the ftage has rather the contrary effedl
obferve, that
in the
it
fafely another
It
fliews
way.
to intereft;
as a recreation
no
life
on another
the affections,
more unworthy of
amufement,
life
wdiere
It is
certain there
of perpetual
no valuable purpofe
is
by nature
It is alfo certain,
much
too
6l
where recreations
to
God.
Tlicrefore,
are neccfTary,
to lead to excefs.
is
juft as
This
dif-
much
the
Though
it is
it
it,
becomes
command
neceflity of the
itfelf.
thing
**
duty directly
Watch and
pray,
Saviour to
where, "
What
Watch," Mark
his
all
difciples
xiii.
And
37.
and
fay unto
elfeali.
we
Scripture'
fame thing
It
15..
which the
is
will
impoffible
of
human
refolution, the
we
can
refifl
the
flighted
Now how
conftancy to unneceffary
to reafon,
trials,
be watchful.
tion,"
is
by him
if
we
put our
command
own
of
fafety,
God
to
F3
'6z
much do
contempt of
in
And
felves.
it,
who make
in
and the
reafon
little
temptations to them-
ftrongefi; kind,
pleafure,
How
THE
afFe\:ions
is
is
foftened with
powerfully excited
men
in the
life
tion
If
which
is
by
in Scripture called
It is this
many
Thus.it
is
reafonings,
(hew
that
finfulj
currence of as
many
could have
con-
numlittle
would be
The
fiiiful.
it is
recreation, which
and not
liable to
apy of thefe
tlie
purpofe,
objej^lions.
Wh^re
fort to
fo ftrong an
where
argument
needs be
fpetion
Such
afraid,
will
it
are altogether
is
cation
who
will
it,
fix
it
muit
be almoft impolTible to
void of
fit,
is
am
tliat I
to prefer thofe
to thofe
lefs,
finful.
But
"which are
er
6^
is
he
tian, fo
is
from a
fafe
ful
own
diflruft of his
luntarily
amufement.
dangerous to a
and eafy;
to prefer a
to one perfectly
If
one
doubt-
one fure
for
fit
to
in ficknefs fhould
of
chufe a medicine
one entirely
fafe,
rior efficacy,
it
Is
Is
Nay,
the itronger, by
to
madnefs.
conformity between
as of our bodies
much
equal accefs to
cafes
when he had
is
ti.kt:n
not the
how much
tjie
of our fouls
obligation
the one
is
fo
of great-
THE
54
men, and
The
ought not
to be omitted in
amufement
cod
it is
coftly
is
at
at a far
cheaper rate
no expence
at all.
for
man
the
is
well
is
It
conduct of
different
as well,
much
but
end
bet-
know
this
argument
by thofe who
will be
live in af-
fluence,
and ungovernable
world have any
defires.
title to
in this
at
the
is
The
not to be excepted.
lafl
To
day,,
make of
great have,
committed
for.
The
to
and moderate
would
greatefl
and riched
man on
God,
earth hath
for an
unr
6^
confuming
it
in
is laid
and
fay,
thefe
This
is
maxims
number of
which hath of
all
all
arguments,
it
Though
is,
make men
and
efFc61:,
fet people's
this is
perhaps, that
is it
if
the weakeft of
will ex-
minds
at
How hard
fafliion juftifies
There
is
no
making them
common and reputable, and there is no making
them afraid of what they fee done without fufpiBut is there any
cion by numbers on every hand.
judgment
feat of Chrift
number of
Or
who
at
the
th/?
offenders fcreen
can that
him,
man
them from
his
power?
commands
to
be qualifi-
company.
I (hall clofe
the reflexions
fubjcCl by obfcrving,
upon
that there
this part
are
of
tlio
two general
66
pear,
we
if
THE
which
will ap-
to
The
Though we
firft is
and mortification.
fhould not
there
pomp and
fomething of
is
gaiety in
it,
on the
is
The
character of a Chriflian.
infift
obje61:ions
felf-denial
gofpel
is
the reli-
mercy and
then,'
muft be
a life
The
tification.
free grace of
and
fore them.
God.
The
life
of fuch
crofs,
and tread
in the
fame path of
felf-denial, in
is
God, but
that exceflive
world
*
It
*.
is
It is true
satann\
more
there are
is
by the
fathers to be im-
Apotassomai to
he, " I renounce Satan and his works, and his
Apost. Const,
it,
lib.
7. cap. 41.
pomps, and his service, and his angels, and his inventions,
and all things that belong to him, or are subject to him."
Ambros. de Initiatis. Ingressus es regenerationis sacrari-
um,
&:c.
" Thou
lect
his
repeat
Hieron.
"
what you were there asked, and recolwhat you answered. You renounced the devil, and
generation
which require us
67
to maintain an habit-
Lord alway.
Bat there
is
a great dif-
do not
rife
men;
fo they
Is
fpirituality
and heaven-
mind.
verfation in heaven.
Whatever tends
their con-
to
weaken
and their
intereft.
Is
not this
pomps of the workl which they renounced, they are sometimes expressly said to be the public shows. Thus Salvian
GLuas est enim in baptislib. 6. page 197,
" For what is the first profession of a Christian
in baptism ? What, but that they profess to renounce the
Theredevil, and his pomps, his shows, and his works.
fore shows and pomps, by our own confession, are the
works of the devil. How, O Christian, wilt thou follow the public shows after baptism, which thou confessest
to be the works of the devil r"
There are some who pretend, that Christians were only
kept from the shows, because they were mixed with idola-
de Piovident.
mo, &c.
trous rites
but
it
is
vian, idolatry
er
dd
Do
which
fections,
ian to reftrain
is
it
who
ly thofe
holinfs
and
This
is
gave themfelves up to a
piet", ufed
mutually de-
to retire
life
of eminent
Though
it
plainly
What is offered
above,
we
now
muft
fider the
flrudlive
modern pretence,
j
that
defenders, "
its
But
warm
it
is
language of one of
The fame
tragedy
is
a ferious lecture
**
True
than an epic poem, and longer than a fable, otherwife differing from both only in the method, which
is
its
province
is
to
lawfulness of stage-plays.
and (humanly
fpeaking)
work
mind the
implied in the
is
ilage,
me,
and are
be,
to
It is
be found,
in
with
fubjel:
to recal to
ment
as child-
men."
may
Thus,
comedy
he
frailtes
when
On comedy
" An
fays,
6(^
much fewer
than
is
commonly
Thefe
fuppofed,
fliining
ed in the world by
men
There
of
tafle,
it is
which no
eafy to
fome things
to
jull obje^ion
and the
exift
folid
and
it is allov;^-
be found in plays,
a great differ-
However,
againft
is
ftill
more pure
is.
tendency,
agreeable
to
the
holinefs
and
ed,
all
mean
that
time,
done
is
is
VL
Till this
and wickednefs
Vol.
is
accomplish-
whatever
it
intereft of vice
may be
in itfelf,
and
THE
70
And
fingly confidered.
if
mixing a
There
is
a difcourfe of a foreigner of
In which he exerts
of plays,
when
all
improvement of youth
in aftion
As
was
But
fubjecSi:.
fome note,
commendation
his eloquence in
it
ought
to be
is
gentleman
this
often ufed
on
this
obferved, that as he
He
argument
to fuch plays as
in the fchools,
and rejefts
"
rant
**
Hiftriones,
<*
**
"
"
fuam venalem
*'
habent
Romano
mo abfit,
ut in hac im-
Quid
" notantur?
agis
adolefcens
Tune comcedos,
mimos, ex eloquentix
Qui,
merito,
Abfit, a
fludiofis facere
An
jure,
viles illos
infamia
<^
*<
Quanticunque earn
tr.nti
tamen nou
eft.
Qui
Qui
facio,
imo
mutum
(atlus
efle,
quam non
periculo eloquentiam
may
fine
difcere *."
71
fummo animi^
Which paflage
am afraid fome
Roman
law?
Far, far
minds
" of youth fliould be taught eloquence in this
" fchool of impiety. However much I value it, I
*
be
it
from me
*<
value
"
fliould
it
Better
Hammer in fpeech,
were dumb and incapable
it
were they
author's
this
When
a public theatre
inflrucSiion,
is
defended as a means of
it is
method
in the
it is
of impor-
altogether un-
word of God.
many, but
it
G2
who have
72
THE
Such
life.
men
And
ilage.
let
it
be remembered, that
it is
now
pleaded for in a higher light, and on a more important account, than merely as an amufement, viz.
as proper to
fliould therefore
employed
Who
all
it
be
it
fliould
meet with
other
human
devices will
it
And
and
that
fhift
to another, faying,
it
becomes a lawful amufement by its tendency to inftruft, and an effedlual inftrul:ion by its power to
pleafe at the fame time ; it muft be obferved, that
a finful amufement is not to be indulged on any
pretence whatfoever; for we muft not " do evil,
that
Nay,
call it
only a danger-
hardy as to
affirm..
improvement,
all
others muft be
wholly
73
unneceflary.
fulTcred
come
to
with them
demned
as
The
weak.
truth is, the (lage can never be defended on a more untenable footing, than when
it:
is
What
tian
i.s
ChrifIs tlie
fafely
through
all
"
and yet
is it
now
lamp
from
ordinances adminif-
Have
work of
body of Chrift
among
days,
law
to their path,"
additional illumination
Have
and
the
who
And
fcoffers
fliall
that
we
were
afTift ?
If
inllitution, all
any
to
come
in the lafl
new commilTion
pretend to open a
the players to
no divine
the minillry,
?"
thefe
faints,
fliall
men
for
tlie
inllrudlion
we
all
owe
G3
to
one another
74
anfwer,
it is
mode
as a
I attack
it.
than to fuffer
men may
whether good
be,
to be.
it
OPENLY
is
an enemy to
them do
that
no openly
vi-
it,
palTionately
man
vicious
all,
love
fay
it.
no
may be
may
who
fliew
nothing
more
is
according to
it
word
abundance of zeal
its
But
world
appearance,
it is
entertainment,
fears
it,
than which
it,
as a
of doing good.
words of our
Whoever
bleffed
means
Redeemer,
fuaded that poets and aftors for the ftage have received any commiflion to fpeak in his name.
flieep
my
hear
follow me,
voice,
John
and
x. 27.
<
My
they
know
not
It is to
the argument
is
upon
particular instances, in
many of which
it is
in-
and not
confes-
75
not
is
all,
This
tendency.
and
to the tafte
attend
it.
The
is
relifh
difficulty
not
I fhall
infifc
tain,
who
cer-
it is
rife
no
be willing to receive.
ftrained,
their entertainment
will have
Their attendance
but voluntary
it
is
not con-
to their tafte.
This
a part of the
is
who
in the ftrongeft
3ed,
it
all
proves
real character
it
For, as
it is
of scrae persons, in
difficult to
whom
know
there are
the
some
more
practice
clearly
is
so,
men
whatever
in general,
76
THE
Here
let
are frequently
little
There
to.
the children of
many
cannot, in
by
is
often
diftinl:ion
ftated,
cafes,
outward appearance
their
not only
and
be certainly diftinguifhed
yet
is
bottom
there at
a real diflin6lion
fect oppofition
between them,
ing principle of
all
as to the
And
their actions.
command-
as there
is
an
Our
blefl^
men
where
tells
when men
and
for
fliall
my
great
Matt.
v.
11,
revile you,
mamier of
evil againft
you
men
fathers
19.
"
vi.
26.
<f
for
Wo
And on
unto you
when
fhall
to the
falfe prophets."
Again, John xv.
were of the world, the world would
If ye
love his
but
Luke
for fo perfecuted
all
falfely,
fake.
is
and he every
muft expert no
12. " BlefTed are
better treatment.
ye
:"
own
His
apoitles. fpeak
always
in the
xii.
2.
77
to this
Rom.
world."
Now
Whether
11
thofe
on to true
who have
which
holinefs,
is
to
hear and
is
if
to the
God
crowd
fuch performances as
fee
I afk.
honour
is
Will thofe
who
faints themfelves,
there put
upon true
reprefentation
This
wliich
would be
to
they hate in
expct
the original
impoffibilities.
it
is
And
who at-
pleafure,
cannot,
a criminal tendency.
art
may be
Or even
it.
them but
there
human
arts
78
more
upon
a fub-
This
we
indeed,
je6t
THE
fame
arts,
by way of
in-
natural
of
God
man
:
know them,
can he
cerned."
of
For
this.
word of God.
in the
it
Cor.
if
ii.
him, neither
man
any
is
mak#
mean
not
the
obfcenity, that
that
which
is
horrid
is
found
in the worft,
herence to
it
do
but of
and fcandalous
profanity,
to be
dif-
a flrong proof
would
However plainly
God, and found
exceeding
it
this is
life.
age.
them
to
be
at
And,
as the
by the
through the
<*
world"
New
is
aid.
They
underftood, general-
Teftament, thofe
who were
aferibed to
church.
It is
judgment and
who
heart,
is
not to be
members of the
anfwered, the word did indeed
thofe
are
vifible
fignify
days of Chriflianity,
few
01"
it
But
it.
is
79
STAGE,
it,
unlefs they
flill
the
the fubftance
Was
the devil
**
now
world" then
over, and
is
tifed
Was
he not the
ilill
flate,
who
There
is
say against
it
on the
flage. *
plaj'S, to
in the child-
fpirit that
mud
are
lives,
ren of difobedience
generate
who
though they were once baphe the fpirit that " then worked," and
profane in their
is
equal dominion
by the gentlemen of
is
by
some
said to be written
It
modest and silent religious person n^presented. There must be something gieat and renowned according to men, or at least something lively and
would be strange
;;nnnatcd,
which
to see a
is
8a
That
this
how
ought to confider,
its
THE
proper force,
we
The
theatre.
far greateft
This
is
which could
a Fa6t
is
way
the
" Enter ye
for
wide
is
many
few there be
as
that find
it.''
and more
is ft ill
a greater proportion of
to his difciples,
kingdom of heaven.
it is
13, 14.
eafier for a
them
dom
man
To
Ye
fee
not
the fame
your
ing brethren,
Cor.
i.
flefh,
" Verily
ed."
And
vii.
mankind, there
who
Matt.
26.
are originally
it
call-
after the
are call-
at all fuppofe
more corrupt
arifes
from
their
Roman heroes,
Now,
tations.
much
if
Si
we
life,
real
again fub-
are
it,
" the
of the earth,"
What
unhallowed aflembly.
to pollute
fait
How much
fort
of pro-
fliall
more
fitted
If
therto been,
to
be wondered
It is
at,
becaufe
faid,
ought not
it
cannot be otherwife.
it
may be
all this
while
" The
true genius
is
of a nobler
gain,
but defpifes
it
he
art
its
is
he works not
kind
them
I
he
to
rial,
folved.
and
to hold
or any
The
will refine
admire in the
da not
for
not
cite
any par-
juft,
will
Thefe, though
right place.'*
knows, and
much admir-
obfervation
is
allowed to be
human
becaufe
art,
we know
of no
human
moft admire, when
its
exhibited to view.
Vol. VI.
82
of a bad
tafte,
may
they
find
it
THE
difficult at firft to
it
at laft
and when they are heard, they carry the prize from
all inferior pretenders
and indeed, their doing fo
:
is
lies
of their art
trial
itfelf.
Hume
ment of
to
a wifer few.
and
religion.
the ftage
was
own
tafte,
and that of
tions.
as a great
critic
from
of.
But whoever
by that means,
modern
is
no more
in
will
infidels,
will fall
to
be
to fuppofe that
human mind
tions,
from moral
perfection,
And
many
where there
is
difpofi-
no evidence
On
the con-
is
is
laft.
* i^riatotle.
nefs
^3
The
Scrip-
is
ture aiTures
us, that
the power of
"
iui,
man
thoughts of
is
mind
by nature under
are
Gen.
that continually,"
men
all
vi.
5.
enmity againft God, and," till it be renewed by divine grace, " is not fubjel to the law of
is
Now
men
tory, that
wliich
is
utterly impoflible
is
it
fliould
and
to bring
that
about a change in
is
in
of their hearts
them
viii. 7.
and felf-contradic-
human
but
art,
God.
ers to
ad
way whatever,
human art, but of
and weakeit outward m.eans.
Thus
Paul tells us his Mafter fent him
make
plained
the
the
"
apoftle
to
words,
preach
the
not
gofpel,
with
wifdom of
made of
left
none
the
that
alfo profeiTes
conformed
I
came
fpcech
his
practice had
" A.id
to this rule.
to
or
you,
of
my
been
always
brethren,
when
wifdom,
teftimony of God."
fpeech and
I,
declaring
i
Cor.
ii.
unto you
l.
" And
of
the
my
in demonftration of tha
THE
84
That your
wifdom of men, but
Spirit
and of power.
Hand
in the
God
It
*."
Cor.
may be
ii.
faith fhould
4, 5.
though
it
is
which feem to
ihall
memory
we
find feve-
be
men,
yet the
is
Thus we
not
power of
in the
in everlafting
are told,
remem-
<*
What-
which
then
Is
is
and to k^ep
it
out of view as
much
as possible.
And
it is
it is
it
in reality.
NATTfRfi
85
any
virtue, if there be
there be
mentioned above
matter of
if
which
many good
it is
manner,
The
men do
any
on thefe things."
praife, think
may
wicked
fome beauty, but feel fome pleafure in them, from nathough unfancSiified affections leading to them.
tural,
can approve
nor perform.
to the
will of
properties.
BC:
vii.
renouncing
2.
20. Phil,
ii.
all
iiiv
pretence
8.
de-
John
glory,
XV. 5.;
I
and with a
Cor. x. 31.
1.
fingle
Pet.
iv.
11.
it
It
is
not the-
And
and the very profeflion of moft of them, at lead, riThe truth is, it is
diculed by every worldly man.
not eafy to difcover thefe principles otherwife than
bv narration.
They
lie
deep
in the heart,
they do.
H3
8(5
on the
tliem
would be
flage
to their nature.
believe
a fort of contradicStion
it
art
would deflroy
fuch oflenta-
it
Or
its effel.
could be
if it
done,
ded
the
rt
humility,
felf-denial,
number
them among
the vices.
Prom
this
it
men
When
therefore,
mankind
its
it
the Scripas
ami-
it is
only
it,
in general,
excellence in
will bear
power of
or in
itfelf
its
And when
an argument
any other
its
ftandard or meafur^.
men
the approbation of
to
duty,
it
than as an
light,
afliftant
men,
If there be
as the
that
own
is,
;
it is
will, they
as
do
us
to
for the
aim
at
the
men
is
faid
above in
give In favour of
the voice of
and
fubordinate
propofed as
violation
its
is
cannot be confidered in
it is
all
God
in
extorted from
ia their
power
them
againft their
will
that
many
we may
This
of the evidence.
we
recollect, that
religion
is
it
87
be fenfible
of, if
when
in general,
yet there
is
call
hardly any
make
The
flaw.
heroes in profanity
and
in all
you
this
its
fame time,
or other
you
is
is,
itfelf
dire6lly,
llition, precifenefs,
at the
truth
vilify religion in
is
if
on under thefe
reflected
Which
all
man
that by
But
fome
appellations,
plainly teaches
than his
at lead,
fumes
*
it
own
For
to be *.
is
either
John
trutli
of
this passage,
hetUr
own
or he falfely pre-
is
it
is
as diff*erent in kind.
first
sense
it
comparisons between
commonly extend their charity to
not to those
those
They
when
done,
may
is
have more
who,
strict
to wickedntss or hypocrisy.
of this
who
move
in
men condemn
others
iiot for
88
gives
"
We
as
THE
knov7 that
becaufe
we
is
to
faint as fuch,
is
It wili
fiiy,
caa
fanftified.
it
has fome relation to this fubjet of what the advocates of the ftage often
make
if
and' that
it is
We
are often
put in mind of the pure tafte of an Athenian audience, who, upon one of the adiors expreffing a
profane thought,
all
rofe
up and
left
the theatre.
it
as an evidence of the
improvement of the
own
notion of
every Christian.
Wherever there
is
is
essential to
a real approbation,
is
provement of Vrhich
diligence.
is
im-
it
8p
tators
which
a holy
woman had
As
been condemned."
were eafy
it
(hew
to
that
fa\:,
nice difquifition
upon
fome things
mod abandoned
is,
and ihocking,
fo very grofs
will
that,
as
commit them,
in be-
holding them.
tially diftinl
To
from true
fet this
member,
piety.
matter in a
as
that,
form of
jufl;
light,
virtue,
actions, or a defe6!:ive
is
vice
is
monly
by
view
im-
much fwayed
There-
to public praife.
The
prefence of fo
change
re-
we muft
many good
matter of
perfe<Sl
is,
nature, or render
its
it
many
fin,
but cannot
innocent.
The purity
verfation
There
is
required in con-
vice
is
in
men may
90
amounts to
this
How much
is
is
it
no
ter.
is
fo
far
from
obliged,
to
is
the
often
Thus
it
which
this
be a
eafy to judge.
it
will
lefTon
and whether
method of inll:rution, is
Every one who knows human na-
who believes
fcripture,
in
much
fafe or profitable
.ture, efpecially
.of
is
own
characters,
fin
be-
wrong, will be
an amiable light, and divelted
fundamentally
In
is
deceived and
ftiort,
made
muft wear the garb, aflume the name, and claim the
reward of virtue.
How
experience
Have not
plays in fa6t
we from
commonly
turn-
name
Pride, under
But
which
is
9I
tlie
human
There women
itage.
and adored
men
there
and
Hath
mafk of honour.
at particiilar
want of
this
it is
covered with a
or for
? No, it is
Such hath been
infeparable from
conllitution.
its
who attend
them,
tafte
it is
all
former ages,
tinue to be *.
* Perhaps
it
may
reasoning
be evaded,
by supposing
a stage directed
make such
a supposition,
to the ^tage
serve
fits,
it
in
that
Why
why
this inviolable
must so many
it
make
What are
it
it
t^fforts
attachment
be
its
were, out of
its
give it up as pernicious
It is also to be observed that,
however useful an ordinance of God magistracy be for
?
is
very
little
We
re-
A SERIOUS
PZ
INC^TiitT
INTO TUB
it is
own
In
nature.
pibure of
its
human
may
be drawn from
moft improved
Hfe,
ftate,
it
its
is
giiilt}^
any country,
will be
Such,
with the other qualifications necessary to magistrates, are
always, or even generally, persons of true piety.
it
Neither
is
there
any necessity
who
fear
God
will
jects,
Magistracy has
and
it is
its
object;
is
done.
There-
other,
if
man
trate
it
will be
wholly
An
Though he
paint
is
and copy.
fo excellent,
there
if
93
a refem-
they would be
life,
fuffered, but
fion of the
Now,
art.
bad
on
Mufl not
And
which they make upon the fpecbe hurtful in the fame proportion ?
ftrong impreflion
tators
It is
of
all
known
truth, eftabliflicd
by the experience
is
This
may be
particular
which
is
of
it
from yielding
to
Its follcitations.
we
ought
muft
to
have
ferves to keep us
Frequently fee-
emotion.
And from
the tranfitlon
is
Icfs
cafy, to a
compliance with
its
re-
aflign
why
It will
be
difficult to
wickednefs
is
always
Vol. VI.
94
cities,
and
fedately,
would
Do
come
THE
not multitudes, in
to perpetrate, calmly
furprife a lefs
knowing fmner
fo
much
as to
Can it then be fafe, to be prefent at the exhibition of fo many vicious charadlers as always muft
appear upon the ftage ? Muft it not, like other exhear of
is to be feen.
But is there not a wide
between the permiffion of any thing by a
God, or
its
to
it
proper end
its
There
are
many
it
is
things
God, which
Becaufe
we
can
it
man to
God
which
would
imitate.
to vifit
when he
fees
it
proper,
our
own
think,
pleafure
that thefe
would
it
therefore be law-
at
fportive reprefentations
on
-the
were
fo to
95
which they have been hitherto viewed. Beought to be remembered that, though evil
in
(ides,
it
a6lions, as permitted,
make
God, yet
who
deferve the
hitherto, all
as
human
name
finful in
is
of
any
adequate caufe
its
what
upon the
flage, is
The
(ins
of men.
There we
it is
by
forbidden in the
word of God.
that
this,
that
find,
though
in his
own
fmners in this
and makes
ftate,
connection
tlielr
warned
in Scripture,
made
"
that
We
neceflary.
evil
corrupt
muft
fly
tells
us,
"
Blefled
is
the
man
are
communications
The
we
Pfalmifl
i.
I.
Agreeably to
this
the characters of
good
men
Thus
tion,
"
in
Scripture
I will fet
I hate the
always
reprefented.
own
refolu-
work of them
cleave to me.
are
froward heart
I2
fliall
it fiiall
not
depart from
-9^
me,
I will
not
The fame
all
them
know
THE
wicked perfon,"
"I am
Pfal.
ci.
3,4.
a companion of
my
But there
is
no need of
it is
will
well
known,
good
that
who may
of any
with
They
finners.
how-
communication
On
pleafure.
wholly
fly
burden,
from
and
in
the
contrary,
their fociety,
fome
when
it
they cannot
becomes a hezvj
cafes intolerable,
and fo
as ta
juft
-Is tliere
any
and are
grieved,*'
to the theatre,
chofen, and
the repetition
I
made
they are
How
ufur.Ily fiiew
unavoidably expofed
and
how
folemnly
and
paths in which
fliun the
to the world,
God
to
They
deftroyers go.
97
STAGE.
example of
their Saviour,
who,
in the profpet
difciples,
many
after
of leaving his
up
for
them
more
and
in the world,
thine
may
that they
be one as
we
are
pray
am no
world,
the
in
not- tliat
fliouldeft
15.
tliat
xvii.
who
a finful
John
by
evil,"
man
is
it
fee
it
oyer again, in a
probably be
much
is,
in
many
ters,
ried
Were not
difficulty
Perhajis, even as
quence.
for the
little
But
the knowledge ot
purpofes of religion.
would be
it
Aad
who
at
what
is
herd said
it
on
5u
13
98
THE
a fpecies of compofitlon,
hath received as
benefit,
little
which they
The
laft,
at
fir ft
are
as to their capacity
of
circumftances of aiion,
once of
fo
many
perfons,
among
whole of the present argument, to overcome gtrong prepossessions, and to shev/ men the sin and danger of a praotice which they know to be common, and have been long
accustomed to look upon as lawfnl and safe. For this reason,
it is
way of
by
Do
who
treat
ters,
without exception,
Now why
it
is
not
all
Christian wri-
of the government of
rule, that
we -know
we
are not to
the truth of
than in conversation
lasting in
How
or
its
why
its effects.
purposes of religion ?
answer
it is
is
If an^' ask.
necessary to the
as
may
and
only are proper for this purpose, and not feigned stories,
in the choice and dressing of which, experience teaches
us, the great
may
end
be glorified.
is,
that
man
God
whom
^i^
fpiritual poifon
Left
it
Is
is
be called to mind
the author
rules he
is
He
pleafes.
is
them
is
lefs
let
that, as
left
muft
in
at liberty to
do
in this as
he
and the
For he muft
trary eiFe<^.
of what
not
ill
diveft his
bad characters
really are.
Befides,
he muft not
a part,
it
alter
he {inds
as
it.
and
It
is
a departure
from nature,
fo not in tafte.
matic reprefentations
rality of
is
necelTity,
and feeing
it
cannot be denied to be one efFeCt fought and expected from them, and from every part of them.
An
aCtor
is
much
when he
much
reprefents a
bad character
be more
liable to infeClion
from
evil
than at other
100
times
Is there
be formed
in
which every Chriftian ought to conupon feeing it committed? or, that he is able to
preferve that awe and fear, which he ought to have
of the juft judgment of God, when he fees the
tion againft fin
ceive
micked
So
it
in a perfonated characSler ?
far
is
this
c'afe,
fpirit
is
performed.
His attention
is
away, and a
total forgetfulnefs
place, except
what
is
Can,
known
and no
to be,
effedl
felt
remain?
after it
by the
fpe):ator in
fympathy
little
more ready
to recur,
The author
bounds of
fuffer
his defcription.
them
to exceed the
it
Some
real or
fuppofed provoca-
we
every paflion
new
feel caufes a
there
if
is
101
tell us,
that
modification of
any truth in
this,
then every pafTion excited in the theatre takes poffefhon for a time of the very animal frame, makes
a feat to
itfelf,
at in
is
argument
a third general
merits confideration.
It is, that
againfl: it,
fins
to be attended to, as
it
ftage,
This
of others.
is
which
encouragement of the
tribute to the
it,
fin j
without
is
proper
ing
it,
is
it
be criminal
duct, but
is
own
proper con-
feducing others.
few,
who
in a
it
to be true,
and
They
ac-
amufement,
preferred
to
it
is
a moft hazardous
ordinarily to
will,
be
much more
who
attend them.
Yet
ftili
rule,
who
have fo
at leaft, that
much
clearnefs
102
of judgment, and fo
to feparate the corn
much
conflancy in virtue, as
from the
At
chafF.
a particu-
lar time,
and
alfo learn
fome-
which
on the
Upon
is
no where feen
in fo great perfec-
ftage.
it may be affirmed,
who have this confidence in the ftrength
of their own virtue, are far from being the perfons
who may be mofl fafely trufted in a place of dan-
that thofe
On
ger.
when expofed
truly ftedfaft,
are
mod
to temptation,
who
diffident of themfelves,
pretence, yet
them
would
it
in
their
fo
of others, a thing
even fuppofing
it
who
are of
at-
good charac-
(i.)
By
fupport-
(2.)
all
who
are
I03
molt danger of
in
infection.
FirJ}^ It contributes to
unchriftian occupation.
now
the
poflibllity
doubt can
little
Is
occafional prefence
may be
fome
to
Inconfif-
Whatever
fpeClators, con-
On
al
the very
befl:
.fuppofition,
amufement, which
and
religion.
It
is
it is
life
of perpetu-
is
mean
tional
How
live,
in
much
ter
it
make
a manner, perpetually in
for one to
malk, to be
And
yet this
is
all
players, if to
which
is
neceffary to prepare
pearances;
be,
What
bcfides their
own
foul polluted
that
way
for
is
where one
obliterated only to
make
for another!
THE
104
Chrifllan, but
We
minal.
more
it is ftill
directly
and grofsly
cri-
of
all
fuccefsful plays
in the
the
of a player
life
It is
men. For
Un-
this
and
fpirit,
and weak,
if
And
men
ters of all
and way of
who
infeled,
employment
more muft theirs be
How much
life ?
If their
perform-
them
fo lafting
fame
time
is
This
an
effeCl,
fpent in this
is
fo certain,
manner
and
at the
fame time
who
fo
acknow-
are fondeft of
the
whofe whole
mean and
fordid pro-
in all
impiety which
they reprefent.
is
and
to
As
THE STAGE.
it is
it is
more eminent-
which
diilributed to others.
It
makes no
we muft
from
collected, and
is
dif-
here fuppofe
be
never can be
it
it
muft be always
whom
ftill
remain.
men
in this
it
regulated
fo
Can
leaft
it
de-
unhallowed employment?
where
And
their very
it is
will a Chriftian,
God,
and
feminary
in
affift
Men
Secondly^
by emboldening thofe
nately,
who
all,
whom
number, to
the ftage
is
to fay,
heed,
left
come
For
if
would
lead
noxious and
bound
is
commands
is
If
ufing
of others,
there be any at
The
things,
finfu?,
to abftain.
the Corin-
when
their
him
by any means
into
fin.
this liberty
<
But take
of yours be-
any
man
Vol. VI.
fee thee
which
haft knowledge,
fit
I06
at
ment
in
THE
not the con-
fliall
fcience of
thofe
to eat
And
Cor.
viii.
the
fhall
13.
to
be found
word of
that this
precept
God, and
to
is
it.
If
in the
cufes,
are
which they do
palliate
unmindful of
quite
to others.
it
with ex-
the
injury
word
is
Such
jis
who
be
are difpleafed
to
finful, are
them
com-
as difpleafing others.
fome few of
duced
to
draw
rafli
But
made
vaft multitudes
who
fet the
them.
Is
it
example,
is
it
be to thofe
undoubtedly pernicious to
can reafonably be
numbers
to great
for,
efpecially as
it is
enticing to
I07
muft be hurtful,
it
And,
all ?
be
that
if
done.
is
Perhnps
it
the paflage of fcripture cited above, that the particular danger there pointed out by the apoille,
inducing
men
upon a
to venture
doubting confcience.
think
highly probable,
it
go
They
ftill
is
practice with a
many, who
example of others.
lawfulnefs, they
its
em-
men
them,
and
is
minds
fet their
This
will probably
law, and
it
at eafe,
fin.
will be aiked. Is a
mifinterpreted,
if
The
that
it is
nature,
own
we
precifely
to
be
any regard
to believe will
we remember,
own
the apofl;le*s
which become
on account of
or the confe-
But
in things
duties,
or not,
their confequences,
K2
there
I08
we are to beware
The fcripture rule
though
it
were
we
ence,
by infnaring
any prefent
it
from
And
law
this equitable
objelion,
?
Shall
in the balance
immortal foul
with the
Now, who
neceflary duty
fpiritual intereft of
fee
table to every
it
and yet
it
or that
is,
apoftolic rule.
The
morality of Stage-
ground fuppofed,
that
neceffary duty
fo very near
it,
for he
it,
to be a
or gone
him a
to
that
till
condemned by the
me,
is
mind
evidently ftands
an
he hopes to
Or what
we value
we once
will be fo fhamelefs as
v/ill
incom-
fins
in matters of indiffer-
into fin.
fmallefl
thought againft
it
But
fo highly as to
put
to fave multitudes
ment
We
leafl fin
foul
THE
it in
upon
allert,
who do
not go
of
,their
fpeak
it
ferioufly
it is
and
it
none of
is
my
fault, for I
much more
natural
drawn from
it
(which
he has
.his
himfelf.
is
and
Ho <;onriders
fays,
109
true) that
it
to
by
be doing good,
much accuftomed
of fcripture
is
for a little,
to
good indefinitely
is
good
may be exchanged
or better, may be
is
not oppofed to
any Cmilar
that
it
not
pofition, doing
a<flion
is
in itfelf, is indifferent
for another
put in
its
when one
when
is
is
op-
indif-
and
he
afraid at
is
making
at laft,
it-
indeed, though
to fay fo,
firft
And
in its circumftances.
it
as good,
Nothing
place.
An
cafe.
his conclufion
clofe of the
What
it is
But how
xlo6lrine,
is
Ihall
of
is
we
its
way of doing
it,
and
good
fetting his
*
own
it is
qf the
affertions together ia
Page 23.
K3
mea
refute this
their
no
THE
and if he
is
mud
"
fuit
We.
tion.
According to
this author,
But
from the
\\niiether
a certain truth,
firft
it is
who
fit
no Chriftian ought
go there.
And what
a iliameful
aboliih it."
iii
is
till
entertainment cannot be
its
men
to
-Ergo,
it.'*
it is
It is
ed.
we may hope
for
infift
Nay, we do hope
other vices.
tell
that
to
v/hat
it
ought to be abolifh-
preach againft
ftill
men
In
to
fair,
ftiort,
much as
when
or lying; but we
r.\:olifti it
Wc cannot hope
all
go
juft as
muft
is
to
hard to
we
but
this age,
to gaming-tables, to per-
and
leflen the
wickednefs of
it is
men
being obliged, as
is
it
* It
is
commanded
is
not,
in the
]^ose; that
how
Ifee
natural
it
to
there-
any
*.
was to sup-
when
And fince it is
it
I I I
well as
relation to,
form each
among
we
it
upon others
us,
give
contribute every
other's character.
elTecfb
as well as themfelves.
What
moment,
a melancholy
has
us at prefent, that
and
all
derided
fions of
ofF,
Nothing indeed
is left
prefent conveniency
for that
offices
of
refiners
nothing
elfe
is
a provocation of
each
would now
is
is
which remark
will
now
clearly appear,
12
the negative,
ment
in its
he
If
THE
fhall
anfwer
if
flill
would next
reafoning, I
at leaft render
it
afk.
Whether
a doubtful point
does not
it
Whether,
join-
attends
it,
of hefitation
Chriftian,
And,
becomes on
who
is
not at
is
if fo
this very
of his conduct.
fuafion
there
but allowed,
it
word of God
takes the
There
fome ground
leaft
much be
clear evidence
and
per-
full
and where doubt arifes, we are commanded to ab" Happy is he that condemneth not himfelf
ftain.
in that thing
eth
is
faith, for
whatfoever
is
not of faith
Rom.,
is fin,"
Hitherto
we have
a " well-regulated
ftage."
we have endeavoured to
intended by
tafte of
it,
to
is
called
is
to fay, inftead of
make
it
is
ftate,
itfelf,
every reader,
let it
it,
and general
ftra6led,
to
a public theatre
as
That
is
If
thie
any
too ab-
be remembered, that
it is
direct-
to believe
never can
it
in
it,
it
exift.
It is
13
never yet
is
reafon
indeed altogether
up by every author who dethe manner and form that beft: pleafes
imaginary, and
fends
we
is
himfelf, fo that
drelTcd
it is
than to
know what
If the authors
down
this fubje6t
and give us a
particulars,
lay
it is.
on
lilt
which our
a plan of ftri^l
would enter
ftage
is
to
whom
it
and fliew
conduct,
be ferved j
into
fome general
But,
when
than by calling
it
it,
make
It
is
no wonder
a parade with a
few
glit-
diftrefs,
We
if
are
we
wanton
gefticulations
trcatife,
with
all
remains as en-
of alors,
it,
114
whom
mud
which
naught, and
therefore, fo
on
it;
trial.
It
the
any attempt
flage
may be brought
and kept
into,
in fuch a (late
money may be
in
how
to fliew
grow
rich
it is
in
few
years,
with
little
But none,
fo far as I
fo bold as to lay
down
provement of the
ftage.
confiderations already
a diftin<3t plan
When this
mentioned,
is
it
for the
im-
added to the
will confirm
provement
is
not to be expected.
hope therefore, there may now be fome profpet of fuccefs, in warning every one who wifhes
I
as
it
of
all
now
is.
Experience
is
practice.
It is ftill
more
to
tried.
II5
Let us then
common and
as rivalfliip
and jea-
may be
Is
may be
fet
its
ftrongly
triumph
man
the he-
max-
falfe
What
is
ability,
moft
part,
when
is
hypocrify
men
of
This
is
when appearing
in
fome of
that function.
faults
it
that profeflion,
by
comparing them with others free from fuch reproachful defels, but
clergyman
fingle, and,
in general,
it
who
is
commonly
introfiuced
is
it
little
to his advantage.
The
wiLi
truth
to ftrip
men
the
16
fpolls
how
THE
even learning
commonly
is
afcribed to
him
I leave
itfelf,
termine.
And where
by
allufion
from impurity,
women who
think, that
How
It is
by
much
unchaftity, as
come-
amazing to
putation,
fo
at leaft
either direftly or
is
found
to be
to
be mo-
their prefence,
in the theatre.
can
fee, confidently
And
even
felves,
when
between the
which the
al:s,
diverfion
The power
concluded.
is
is
of
There
of things.
the flage,
who
if
are ladies
who
frequently attend
rife
public
bills
which
with inif
ever
no knowledge of
I pretend to
a<Sled,
fometimes
may
it is
no
woman
much
of reputation (as
lefs
of piety,
who
company
all
With what
II7
minds muft
their
tre,
tion to
mon
or
for
Com-
life.
upon the
There muft
little
when
except
flage,
common
marriage
the
when all
is
mind fuch
a turn, that
it is
Alk
a merchant,
tices fhould
the itage
go
or,
and the
This gives
done.
is
as
ridiculous.
his appren-
to learn exaftn^fs
whether he
it
expedls"" the
moft punctual
is
ftrengtli-
fill-
contemptible do
all
the
affairs
them
The
this.
a6tors themfelves
Mow feldom
does
it
are
They
conipofition
manage
are originally
with others,
proof
of
ever, that
any
fjgnal
happeUj
if
lives,
pay
their affairs
men
gives
them
VoL. VI.
with
of the fame
their
a dilfipation of
mmd an.l
re^^ula-
uiiltayed-
A SERIOUS
l8
of
Nay,
life.
deprives
a
if I
am
riety of characters
them of common
manner no charaber
at
trial,
all
who
in thej:heatre,
fenfe,
of their own.
have thought
anfwer for
remark, having
this
my
that em.ployment in
It
cannot indeed
only by report,
it
-a
m.uft
if it
holds,
neceiTarily
might
make
juftly
Can men
fuch mafters.
harlots
players
And
will
who
defend the
learn piety
under
fenfua), or
have always,
thefe characters
to
abandoned charac-
thofe
from
is
be
ftage, aftiamed
more
on any other
However,
life.
is
worth
it
can be attended, or
how
tkeir trade
encouraged, without
fin ?
This (hews
alfo, that
be
vixidicated
ed
for the
new
theatre, that
it
It is piei.d-
is
Itage,
it
this piece
is
in itfelf,
ty
it
ufeful.
Wliat
certain-
is
be ever fp excellent in
it
is
for reforming
it.
his
let it
altogether infufficient,
is
But
itfelf,
An
19-
till it
by report
nay,
own
credit,
and that of
made innocent
till
He
or ufeful.
fins
mufl not
fin
himfelf,
him
in a higher degree
In
fliort,
fuch an attempt
can be confidered in no other light, than as encouraging a pernicious pra6i:ice, and fupporting a criminal
The
pJlbciation.
chara6i:ers of thofe
who
attend
is,
it
who
to others
There
flage,
obferve
it.
its
that
fliionable education.
plifliment
thing
is
more contemptible
mankind
of
which no-
L2
120
THE
lite
which
it
No
chiefly turns.
to be feared, are
difficulty
Why
madnefs
truly,
flefh,
i6.
il.
we remove
fnall
All that
it, *
and the
lull
to feek the
It is certainly
in the
is
of
the great-
men
Whatever
in their fins.
How
is
fhame-
parents,
is
this
of the eyes,
life, is
John
ful
parents
then
of the
lull
it is
How
many
able diverfions.
upon
to infpire
may
them
be plunged
t(^
* This
is
plishments,
elfe,
Why
that they
fliould the
improvement
to our fpiritual
in fni,
.
Therefore,
all
that
not meant to condemn all human accomwhich ^lave not an immediate reference
improvement, but to
to our religioiis
ought to be kept
in
they
and subservi-
affirm, that
a just subordination
There are,
ency, to the great and chief end of man.
no doubt, a great number of arts, both useful and ornamental, v.'hich have other immediate effects, than to
are,
by the
greatest
But this
is
mistake
for a
121-
the fcofFs of
is
the great-
eft glory.
is
the ftage
of
all
in
its
place.
It is
they
moft innocently, or
hurtfully employed.
there 'any
Is
more
in
leaft.
this,
ferious
all
Chriftians
thcfe
it
as
But
it is
lefs
ments ufed
converfation
fame way.
He
fays^
all
life.
such
was--
by the generalr
he who eats for
arts,
And
as
laa
when compared
fect decency,
to
of, at a gofTipping, a
merry making,
Again, after
telling us that
fays,
cabals,
manners of
abolilhed."
who
civilized times
I lay
tifying
it,
as a
duced
all
meant
to
For,
indeed
He
muft
if
he
of his
it
be
fo)
is
could be no evidence of
tJierefore,
if
worfe,
it
at all.
that
is
lefs finful
Having mentioned
this author,
perhaps
it
may
It
is
com-
He
fays,
(page 3.)
"The
people of thi^
Gountry whatever.
If
And,
operation."
its
It is
23
but flow in
at leaft
Wc
<<
p. 17.
may
venture to
owned,
be.
that
opened here
firft
It
will
were allowed
be in many
eafily
ftage, as
to be true,
controverted
refpe<Sls
If the
improvement, then
is
we ought
tory, for
his
argument felf-contradic-
much
The
longer, which
truth
is,
is
contrary
the ftage
not
is
and
it is
neither the
knowledge,
except fo far as
certainly
it
implies
civilized
name
feveral vices
prevail
in
Should
places
at
How
eafy were
unknown
of
tafte
it
me
for
to barbarians,
to
which
tliat
thefe
and
tafte,
it
here ufed
in
ing of both
of
would be
juft
knowledge
fuch an argument as is
is
the caufe
it.
It
provements
in
to confider a little
knowledge
in
this
our im-
knowing
writers.
may
Perhaps
it
"world a
but
plain
it is
deceflbrs,
we owe
it
v/e
know
therefore,
It
is
mod
it is
away, in the
idly
purfuits.
in the
no better than
it
They
fion of
now
different kinds,
And
may improve
many young men do, who come
it
is
to be feared,
ther
THE
421
it,
nei-
but fquander
unprofitable or hurtful
from magazines,
He
now
is
But
a part.
for
reileCl:,
our mortification,
let
which he
makes
that he himfelf
us recolle61:,
human things
is commonly
There
at a fland.
and power.
For as
ftates
grow
power;
fo,
up-
rance to application
;
from a
',
to
ledge
from poverty
men
rife
from application
man-
from igno-
know-
to
and judgment
then,
folid
and they
fall
The
commonly
corre-
fpond
and
if
we
defire to knovi^ in
what period of
THE STAGE.
we
WG
a falfe
firft,
fear,
it,
in
as a late
that
We
**
and
tafte as to
and frothy
learning;
25
probable,
it is
fhall relapfe
barbarifm."
this
author
is,
a fentence
Greek
(he fays)
play,
irt
which now
fuh'icient to
is
and,
has
connect
The
itfeif."
facl
is
by mittaking,
by the apoRle
preliion quoted
"
In
him we
which, he
age,
this
live,
fays,
is
-*
was not
cited
For we are
(as
he
it ?
could
poet
thina: that
If
it
write,
was true
fpired writer
mouths
fol-
affirm, that
And what
is
to hinder an in-
concern has
this
their
own
muft imply
no
What
alfo
eafily
lows from
and
it
Now,
126
the
Thefe
Chriftlan chara6ler.
other
way connel
do no
citntions
from Horace or
is
to
be found in the
reft
the ob-
all
of their works,
The
in the
preceding difcourfe,
on the
what he
at laft
fuft'er
on the
laid out
no
by
it,
is
for
it
paid
my
lofs
with
fays
expence
tlie
comes
is
" That
It
The
truth
is,
than the
perufal of thefe
little
pieces
of
fatire,
It
is
THE STAGE.
OF
127
nefs, deceit,
or not
but
if
that
can be offered in
attend
its
That
old faying,
If this
it
fupport,
to
all
There
known by
is
thofe
who
in its advocates.
man
his
is
an
company.
it
muft be
defence
wo
it.
think
is
of Douglas,
it
is
who have
a
appeared in
work of very
little
merit.
may be
It
performance on the
reflections,
it is
it
length.
any
If
this treatife
man makes
to an
it is
fo,
immoderate
a queftion of this,
he
muft be wholly ignorant of the nature and importance of the minifterial character and
therefore,
and
it
would
to cojifider the
be neceflary to
office.
open
Thefe,
diftintlly,
in fcripture, to
as thofe
to give themfeives
entering on an unchangeable
when they
hand
die unconverted,
ftate,
fliall
whofe blood,
be required
at the
128
my
words.
make bold
to the office,
is
I will
an em-
and attending
have been
it
laid
Is
aiSt
law
And though
the
is
a tragedy,
&c
which
world
in
judging
conduct of
its
members,
will
audacious
attempt
at
Can we then
the
prefent
And
in that
to weeping,
nefs,
flaying
oxen and
morrow we
ears
die.
by the Lord of
let
And
of hofts,"
Ifa. xxii.
Ifaiah,
of hofls call
to baldnefs,
and
killing
was revealed
hofts, Surely
words of
God
think of
juncture,
till
you
in
mine
Lord
LETTER
RESPECTING
PLAT^ACTORS,
Sir,
HERE
the
of
March
laft,
a paflage faid
to
be
It
was
to the
following purpofe:
It
to the
efpecially
when compared
to the kindred
although the
much
inferior to thofe of a
good comedian,
as the talents
manners.
I
have long expel:ed to fee fome remarks pubon this fmgular fentiment, but, either no-
lifhed
it
worthy of
is
their attention, or
my way
therefore
Vol. VI.
nnrl
73
on the contrary, the prefent controverfy in Phlladephia, on the application to the legiflature againft
as,
pecuUarly feafonable,
it
the following
publifli
obfervations.
The
warm
Freneau, though a
vouches for
me
many
Though he had
profefllon.
firmed
the fab
it,
is
been a
ages, imprefled
Mr
upon
not af-
had a difgrace
affixed to
it
the countries
all
Roman
above para-
porary,
it
occafional, local,
and tem-
fome of thofe
which
But
fo uniform and
muft have fome adequate and
permanent caufe or caufes to produce it which Is
fo general
an
effect
from
their
been able to
own
exift in Philadelphia, or
minds.
any where
efface this
im-
any perfon
131
be pleafed with an
who would
with the ftage, either by their fon's maran aftrefs, or by their daughters being
with
riage
alliance
married to adtors.
Before entering into the principal part of the fub]eCt, it will be neceflary that the reader ftioUld give
The
infamy which
itfelf,
may be
when
Players
diftinguifhed.
and not to
which they
on the
which
is
from thofe
who
life.
fometimes confidered as in a
it is
want of education of
arts are
of difgrace, but
ftate
of th'em.
The
profeflion
ufeful,
me
is
a great majo-
lawful, laudable,
fuppofe a blackfmith,
comes
rich early
enough
who
is
the perfon,
up
if
handfome fortune,
in-
he be-
GaiTick,
tell
me
whom
ron in France,
who would
a factory
Is
it
though eminent in
132
Bellamy
in
England,
believe there
hardly any
is
ftation, or of
mid-
connection.
may be
Therefore, I repeat
it,
and
defire it
perfon.
exceptio
or
tVv'o
merit,
lative
this
is
now
founded,
cellent in themfelves,
when
idle,
vain, or vi-
become contemptible.
upon
record
among the fayings of bold
There is not
men, one more remarkable than that of Sobrius
the tribt^^ie, to Nero tlie Roman Emperor ; when
alked by the emperor, why he who was one of his
perfonal guards, had confpired againft him ? He anfvv^ered, I loved you as much as any man, as long
cious part of fociety,
am
ment.
am
foramufe-
33
fchools or Icf-
fons of morahty.
But
as they
dill called
by the writers
am
feems to
me
ferve, that
was
this
and
of confequence in
what
is
News-
in the, Pliiladelphia
papers, arntifementSy fo I
argument
this
to
It
ol-
human
is
genius or art
when
amufement and
folly,
Of
accomplifliments, there
many
is
all
external
manfliip.
It
whim-
full gallop,
foolifh,
And
appears contemptible.
it
immediately
my own
for
part, I
The
human
clafs.
finell
plies to all
arts,
arts
in the worfliip of
Yet when
Ms
niufjc
God,
is
ap.
IJ4
amufement only,
And
wholly contemptible.
I believe,
it
becomes
py
my
am
hap-
to
afiiftarft
in this caufe
for
though he acknow-
is
and to be always
fid-
ter of a gentleman.
As
employment
critics,
that
'
di-
It is
an
no human
be
felt
the part.
this they
Now,
phical remark
is
I,
paflion, efpecially
when
human
the
of
and
fpir its,
fufceptible
of
and makes
its
return.
human
to thefe
fame paflions
*,
more prone
to
fo often
prefentation.
feemed to be.
whole extent of
Whoever
theatrical re-
I fliould
and
if
truft
fall
be willing to
of a
not like to
I fliould
It
may
not
ei-
135
ers,
by
fo frequently appearing In an
aflumcd cha-
own. Nothing,
fays an eminent and learned writer, " is more aukward and infipid, than a player out of the line of
his
of
pofTeflbr is to obliterate
its
make way
only to
folly,
moment
for another
it
is
an afTumed
it,
Truth
is
truth.
chara6t:er, or
ring to aflume
mull
fo facred a
leall violation of
it, is
and danger.
was
It
not without
its
from being
far
and
degree of guilt
fo abfurd as it
who
fwered to an Athenian,
fine
lefTons
found
in
much
better
it
young perfons,
to
and behaviour.
man
and impor-
becaufe
it
called, in lan-
tends to de-
myfclf, in early
of good talents,
who
by
life,
knew
young
abfolutely unfitted
this pracSlice.
him-
He was
13^
he had
fo often
mimicked.
This, as foon as
it
was
altogether, for
fpoiled himfelf
by the
talent of imitation
may
is
A play with-
love.
This paflion
is
of
all
others, that
Now
guilt
is it,
or can
up
pect:,
form
their
a^ll
its
know-
forms
young peo-
manners,
be denied,
it
in the
all.
from
is
to ex-
profligates,
but they
137
Of
in pronunciation.
me
to be of
propofed.
is
much
dan-
lefs
it
may be
acquired at fuch
to the
I will
little
it.
between the
talents neceffary to a
and
able
to
part, I
his reafoning.
requifite to a player,
I
qualifications, that
examine
eflentially
and
perfedlion,
many
fome of the
firft
men whom
in underftanding
in point
of
memory, and
ECCLESIASTICAL CHARACTERISTICS
ARCANA 6f CHURCH
POLICY.
BEING AN
HUMBLE ATTEMPT
TO OPEN THE
MTSTERT
OF
MODERATION.
WHEREIN
IS
SHEWN,
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.
TO THE
DEPARTED GHOST,
OR
SURVIVING
SPIRIT,
OF THE LATE
Mr,
Reverend
Worthy
Minijlir in
^.
Sir,
DURING
to have dedicated
and indeed,
you
fee I
to
abroad by
any perfon
my
ftill
kept
my
was
fully
and not
itfelf,
the world
in
have
fon of this
it
it
word
refolution.
*,
worldy
The
rea-
find
to a book.
ardly
way
in
all
dedications,
by way of forerunners
a
mean and
cow^-
fomcwhat confident
lordfliip
worth of
my
(as
intrinfic
intended to have
come
I difcover-
Vol. VI.
wcrt
DEDICATION.
142
now
mentioned,
is
con-
To
fo that if I could
This aim,
when
trious
SHADE
I 'think,
have dedicated
as
my
this
book
to you,
poor
it
moft
of,
illuf-
my
commending
I fliculd
lordfliip's cenfure.
to others, or giving
it
book, re-
away
my
to the
tranllation
me
puted to me,
in
were efteemed
but
hope
this
you
lived,
nor ever
That
objccSlion occurred to
altogether unprecedented.
But
is
me.
either almoft or
am
not
much
con-
religion.
authority
am
Dean Swift
has ufed
Jure DlvbiOy
dedicated,- v/ith
great
folemnity, to
PLICATION.
Prince (or rather,
book
to a faculty of the
to an abftradl idea, I
me
tion in
to dedicate
mortuorum
tue
;"
King) Reafon.
believe, to
144
L",
hope
mine
it
is
the other
no great prefump-
to you,
though "in
efpecially as there
is
not a
i\:i-
livin*^
man who
a treatife
upon
But
my
fubjel.
book prefented
to
you, as
any inclination
port
much
After
it.
lieved
by
trouble, I
reflecting, that
was
Mr Pope
at
length re-
places in
tain, that
If this
is
is
I will
to departed
it
as cer-
in the afiembly-
For though
alive;
be fuppofed,
in
much
your
life-
plcafure.
from making
flatc,
to
is
minifters.
Iioufe at
it
circuits
and
the
men
fe
after
and
your
own
y,
where there
are fo
many
therefore
my
'
DEDIGATICN.
144
rnaiice,
hoping
voury to
all
manner
H ranger.
the
it
am
wholly
celebrated
-,
and therefore
I fhall
no farther launch
is
left
in the
;
following pa-
good caufe
flill
fit
upon
make
Sir,
T:IE
PREFACE,
^''...'Vm^'-^'*
GRATITUDE
obligctli
mc
to acknovvloJge the
If this laft
flvill.
would give me
fliould be the
true folution,
it
However,
as
a double fatisfaclion.
and
is
as
no
poflibiiity
foftcft
them
-,
Incurable^
is
influence, I think
it
tli^^re
publiflicr to print
part of
eal-tion,
it
with-
From
an objection, that
ed that party
in the
would occur
it
as
church which
have chofen to
ihey have
chofen
made
rather
little
to
reprefent
themfclvcs
as acting
as
fup-
upon cou-
146
PREFACE.
to confuusn,
&c. while
at the
and pretend
to,
title
of moJerath;!,
It is alfo hinted,
pri^icip/es.
which the
In anfvver to this
obferve, that
my
treatife
has
thi&
ori-
US
though
it
now
hath
account of the
lateft
among
that charaler,
up
it is
*,
perfons
my
friends,
fliall
as
of moderate men
d^fignation of
even
as well
name
be completely executed.
it
enemies,
it
and wholefome
is
an objection
examples
ra<l:er
of a friend of his,
aiTcpibly,
and
p.irticularly
to the
;^
FKEFACE.
man?
moderate
unfwered,
/4^
yes, fierce
for modera-
tion !
I think
proper to inform
It
tlic
uncommon
one
reader, that
choice of a patron
work was, an opinion I had long entertainand in fupport of which I could alledge very
to this
ed,
men and
poflellion
right to the
fame
his
after
At the fame
a particular hero
time, though
in view, yet
author had
tlie
he chofe
to publifh it
which might
The
defign
it
it
to the
might be fuch
fame
a juftift-
modern
few
This invention
challenge as wholly
my own
among
from ufing no dedications at all, to forming them upon a plan entirely new. Let them each keep his patron in his eye,
graphically
name,
or
as
draw
poffible,
^ith this
and
publifli
ir.fcription
it
Dctur
and
without a
dign'fjimo
r4S
then
if
PREFACE.
the world do unlverlail)^ afcribe
perfon Intended,
fecond
ec'itioii
and
and acceptable
ling,
name be
his
let
it
will be
praifjp,
more
But
to a
it
to th?
and
true,
iler-
it
prefixed to the
on the contrary,
if,
perfon, let
different
good an expedient
in *fo
and make
his court
to
who
nev/ patron,
his
will
compliment.
licate
I dare not
recommend any
would occafion
it
fo vio-
many
de-
dications,, as
who
this
method of revenging
Should any
important difputes.
my own
not followed
name
my
of
for reafons,
patron
known
rule,
They
afk,
why
all
have
it till
my
fit
to
blame me,
for writing in
bock,
being the
anfwer,
lateft
and
it
its
my
have chofen
it
on purpofe,
of writing
is
is
j^
a de-
The fame
as
proof of
who
felfrdetiialy
;j
PREFACE.
virtues,
column
to the oppofite
felf,
column of vices.
149
as
;
he exprefleth him-
that
This fcheme,
to
is
fay, the
fland
it
fury
qualities,
for
clafs.
There
it
was
many
feveral
maxims; and
thefe emi-
Is
more ufual in moral writings, than to illuflratethem by extracts from the lives of the philofophers,
and other heroes, of ancient times? and
advantage of example
it is
is
furely the
bed of
commonly
it
puts
life
fince the
all
denial, are
no more
to
However,
reflel:,
judgment on
this
performance,
am
that
have pafled
in tlio
for there
PREFACE.
150
me many
noble Inftances
be added to
fliould
knowledge
my
my
collection.
thankfully ac-
for
it
would,
at lead,
Further,
pocket-carriage.
do
them,
afliire
and
this extent:
fo
much
to
am
deliberation, I
with
affixed
fledfaflly
refoif^ed
to
adhere.
were indeed
It
and allowed,
left to himfelf,
own work
to finifh his
his
man was
own way
for I
have
feldom obferved thefe things called hints and fuggeftionsy to have any other efFel: than to perplex and
An
miilead.
author's fituation,
man
me
to
when
perfecuted
who,
if
all
proba-
am
fcurity,
fervations
has been
to private ob-
much wondered
at,
loft in
that a
the
it
certain very
crowd of heroes
Now,
by any means
PRPFACE.
151
able to do
my own abilities,
being
a defpair of
and
Nei-
his
-Befides, th:it
many and
his
which
fame,
focial afFel:ion,
The
The
when brought
endure,
to
fun
is
firmament
and
though
yet,
it
The
is,
were
in the
his
all
fliall
may be
him
life,
have drawn
much
in -as
moderate
men
evidently both
in the
take notice of
faid to
and
falfe
foolilh.
as I
do, in fa6l,
I
have made
obje^lion,
power
luflre, there
pofiefs every
obje6ls in the
all
Great Britain.
feem
infilled
No
This
upon,
is
rc^ider
of
were
at all
in
it,
tion of them,
grees of perfedlion,
themfelves.
which
If
fo,
h;is
They
in illuftra-
different de-
moderate
member
of
rHEFACt.
1$2
They
office.
areyalfo
intended to intimate
fo
and
much,
I con-
on
this ac-
that,
cellencies.
beau-
ty,
and
yet,
it
it:
would be
always in the
them
throug^h
dirt,
when
it.
one of the
jufteft
and moil
is
lignificative imaginable,
but
I fhall
profecute
it
no farther
one
real omiiTion
been
juft
now
at this time,
convinces
me
of
what hath
maxiJiiy
.thirteenth
my
in
it
and
illuftrated
to
it
at large *.
It
mony, and
for a firm
and
fledfaft
adherence to each
Neither
contrail
dox
as
1753.
-^
little cofifcience
as ivifdom,
it
is
probable he would
ECCLESIASTICAL
CHARACTERISTICS.
NTR
'^T^HE
JL
them
tion
and who
blefTed
2^.
neither
ftate
fo
as
all
and
churches have
a zealous, high-
who
(it is
to be
hoped
juftly) appropriate
themfelves
men
a moderate,
wild party
a certain party,
to
is
known, that
aifo well
flying,
ticularly the
iifually in
moderation
It is
D V
is it
of
periods, that fo
church, in
the
many
of our young
and
approaching
its
men
are fmitteii
me
are defirous of
it,
in
this
mod
many
ufefui of all
fciences.
For however perfedly it is known, and
however fleadily pra^tifed by many who are adepts;
and notwithllanding there are fome young men, of
pregnant parts,
loficiency,
Vol. Vr.
without
ECCLESIASTICAL CHARACTERISTICS.
54
at
many
inftances,
who
and pralice.
The fame
perfons
alfo,
or
'
Thefe bad
ly, if
eifecSIs, I
not only,
of moderation, containing
and giving a
diflindi
all
the principles of
it,
one upon another, as well as proving their reafonablenefs, and Ihewing, by examples, how they ought
to be put in practice.
There
is
no work of
this kind, to
my
knowledge,
yet extant,
of
it
the
the
more
acceptable.
what
I earneftly intreated
men
mg
feveral
and fhining
lights of
upon
it
myfelf,
among
us, thofe
who
our church,
burn-
are,
and
fome of them
upon
it.
me
to think,
what would
ECCLESIASTICAL CHARACTERISTICS.
15*
would be
necefliiry
bring a work of
to
fuch a
mine
is
arrived
I fhall
work, after
of
it
which
-,
and
at.
now
briefly this, to
feveral
enumerate
themfelves
all
the
conducfb
illuflration
and confirmation of
fight,
experience, or both.
(hall
N. B.
is
not very
fubjoin to each an
evident at
little
diftincflly,
and conneCiion,
it,
I Avail
-,
from reafon or
contrary to
as will be feen in
the fequel.
MAXIM
All
ecclefiaflical perfonsy
I.
of luhatever ranhy
wheth
and
uncotn?non ivorth
fuppoi-ted
and protecfed.
of fellow-feel-
O2
ir,
ECCLESIASTICAL CHARACTERISTICS.
I5<5
This fa6t
derate
is
man
unqueftionable
in
my
life,
up
in his defence.
knew
never
mo-
and honour
v/e
ry
it is,
that
men
who
*,
flig-
upon going
and ob-
ferving the heretic Gerinthus there before him, heretired with the utmoft precipitation, left the edifice
ihould
fall,
fuch^ an
enemy of
was
Dr Middleton
company with
be true,
If the ftory
the truth.
in
is
but
not true
make
it
How-
highly improbable.
all
moderate
men
it
is
directly oppofite.
As to the juftice of
fons may be given for
is
one of the
human
fineft
this
maxim, many
it
Compaflion
folid rea-
which
itfelf,
the reverfe, in
r.nd conftitution,
gotted zealots.
of this
when
laft
fort,
Now,
it is
all
they hear of a
man
refpeits, of bi-
common
many
people
nor after he
is
know any
ECCLESIASTICAL CHARACTERISTICS.
QTe
commonly
of them
all
they ever
oome
The
him.
in
157
to be as early
is,
and
remember, when
to this
was the
to truth,
To whom
anfwered.
man
fierce
fore,
the balance of
you mention,
fall
bycj
nor
there-
a facriiice, to the
commonly fupported by
is
if,
(lations,
fierce,
calm midfmen
re-
no fmall de-
which by the
a grateful re-
turn.
This brings
maxim,
to the
viz.
to
That
my mind
for
it
vindicates the
who
affirm, that
friendlhip
it
does not
recommend
having
all
private
a very
03
ECCLESIASTICAL CHARACTERISTICS.
158
do by
ne(Slions,
their practice,
way, confute
lid
I
may add
which
is
this llander.
to thefe another
which
maxim
He
minifler.
God
though
filly
knowing,
as well
fuppofe, that
he can
fufiicient
will reckon
me
Now, though
get.
tion ferves
my
purpofe, as
"^'as
convinced of the
und
all
enemy
man
ability
it
the world
the ftrongeft of
is
hope no
all
iide.
I
conclude
fl^iall
maxim with
this
obferving, that
fome,
is
yet, in
many
commonly an honefl
Heretics are
all their
They
its
face,
it
is
all
of
like to
principles.
They
meet with,
affront the
fort
Oa
tells
us
men
EC CLESIASTICAL CHARACTERISTICS.
thorough-paced
and
By
this
(if it is
like to
be attend-
In
it
it,
all this
who
Simfon's
59
in
in the aflembly
afi'air,
was challenged by one prefent as herefy, immediately replied, " Moderator, if that be herefy, I renounce
it."
MAXIM
Whe?i any man
charged
is
dencies to immorality^ he
tected as
in
much
charge
to his
as prjfthle
he^
11.
is to he
or ten-
feme
noife lately^
vices,*'
mutandis
there being
any of them
fcarcely
A liber-
is
as fuch.
that the
Dr Tillotfon
word
inilead of
of
is
is
to be treated
word, which
all
and
is
is
bad
life
now,
if
an uncomely expreffion,
the greateft of
all
heretics,
and
to be
honoured
l6o
ECCLESIASTICAL CHARACTERISTlCSv
Even the
in proportion.
moft
are
The
fcruples.
lieveth that
DRINK
all
moured
is
of moil knowledge
in
is
:
is
who
who
and
the reader
may
man
be-
" good-hu-
when
pra^ice
their
brethren,
man
very
vices,'*
it is
fo far
is
v/eak
is
things.
In order
" the
men
narrow confcience
his
that
weak
(who
and bold
free
by
apoflle Paul
to us in
man
is
merry, and
this obfervation
upon
in
religious fubjecls,
good humour
:"
and
that
many who
ings.
Whatever
it
by
therefore, ferves to
promote merri-
fo far ferve
But
as there are
many ways
of making a perfon merry, which narrowminded people will call vice ; from thence, in compliance with common language, arifes the new compound " good-humoured vices." It is not, however
fo to be underftood, as if either the inventor of
or thofe
by
it
who
but what
is,
"
mean any
in their apprehenfion,"
it,
thing
both in-
affection for
focial pleafures,"
and
and fuch
this is
an
ECCLESIASTICAL CHARACTERISTICS.
hlghefl regard, infomuch that no furer
l6l
mark can be
quent returns of
writings.
It will ferve
maxim,
that according to
and
on account of
it is
mod
of the
the fubjeb of
arts, as
mo-
It is alfo eC-
known
as a principle
tabliflied
of manner,
beauty.
what
is
Why
chiefly
then
fiiould
be
and
tiful
a bold
real, as
efpecially as
all
hand
is
in imitated life
to the bulk of
relifli
of the kinds.
I
to pre-
from
this
maxim
that
that
is,
when
made
the perfon to
whofe charge any faults are laid, is reputed orthodox in his principles, in the common acceptation of
that word,
that cafe
true,
they are
and the
colours.
evil
all
to
of them
fet forth in
In confequcnce of
this,
he
the liveliefl
is
to
be pro*
ecclesiastical characteristics.
j62
But
crimes.
fo
if it
convi6ted upon a
trial,
then
ruin
if poflible,
was
is
that
very
many
whom
of
make ufe
to exprefs
There
trial at all.
this
is,
example of
a noble
beft to
it
bounds of a pref-
are eminent in
mode-
ration.
much
and
yet,
though he
infilled
The
for, in the
fuppofed cafe,
tion to the
young man
which,
let
annexed
all
fail
to the firll
maxim, and
my
fave
book from
MAXIM
It
is
man
luith
never
to
a fneer
to
thoroughly believe
give
it
fy
and
hints y
to
HE
reproach,
we
are
now
all
framed
it
III.
can hardly be
and therefore
ECCLESIASTICAL CHARACTERISTICS.
163
So
do not remember
man
to
true
that
is this,
it,
or
or private difcourfe, in
which change
for opinions,
fixed ftandard
am now
compiling and
perfelion
they
and
jufl as
complete
illuftrating,
their being
in
lies
may be
all
No
maxims
their great
ambulatory, fo that
times.
Upon
That
this
upon the
what will, it cannot, as the foundation upon which it refts, remains
In anfwer to this, I beg
always firm and the fame.
if
leave to
make
comparifon
When a
and
drefs,
fees
(lie
but in her
fame
faithful mirror
arife
from
it,
When
an
nothing but a
little
telefcope, he
but
talks
when
modern views
It
with
and
164
ECCLESIASTICAL CHARACTERISTICS.
tance in looking at
The
it.
is
one very
cannot
and confequently
a fa-
Who
uncharitable perfons
among
us
Who
Who are
Plato,
In fine,
who
ar^
pofiti^n,
who
from what
their fathers
all
or different be-
lefs
intelligent beings in
man, who
It
is
defires
mention a
place.
^That
by our fubfcription we
queen of
To which
virtues, to private
I
anfwer, in the
it
would
for,
fol-
tCCLESlASTICAL CHARHCTERISTICJ),
x\eYgf of the church of England are
many
l6^
villains; thcur
of them, <liametrlcally
ftbfcribe.
Now,
by any
charitable
which they
as a necelTary confequence,
But
further^
ftibfcriptions,
and
what
fall
more
there
it
is
all
our
infinceVe in
flows,
to the ground.
which
civility,
is
mud
this
The
and
we are at a great
we
gentleman
fign
is
-the matter.
fe<Sl:
any confequence
aflembly.
if
it is
Many
and do
that be thought of
that they
infift,
atteft
if
tefting
tefted,
ought
them, as qualified in
t(?
be at-
all refpc(fls,
is
ho evidence
favourable
fide.
Now,
{hould be applied to
may be
all
as
every
new
lie
to tlie
on the
difcoveiy
method
\)e
it
adopted by the
l66
ECCLLSIASTICAI. CHARACTERISTICS.
fcription of
more
Confenion of Faith.
tlie
ignorant of what
it
them
contains
ought to be
is
wholly
Nothing
to keep themfeh^es
as true, becaufe
it
fo.
MAXIM
IV.
j^ good preacher miift not only have all the above and
fubfequent principles of moderation in him^ as the
is
good; but
miijl^
over
and
filed
only
for preaching,
to
f'om
His
i.
focial duties,
2.
He
from
HESE
to
His
and
advantages in
its
a future flat e of
authorities mufl
Scripture.
ceptable to the
jL
felfintereft.
drawn from
poffible^
and
life,
more extended
he
4.
He
common people.
purpofes)
fliali
may be
As to the
jccl
endeavour diftinftly to
this
illuftrate
important branch of
my
fub-
fully underftood.
firlt
fubje61:s mufl:
of thefe rules,
That
a preacher's
him
high
it is
mo-
flights
of
n:;y, it is
obferved, that
all
It
may
of our (lamp
feCCLESlASTlCAL CHARACTERISTICS.
word grace
avoid the
agreed to
much
as
and have
fubllitute
as poHible,^
167
And
expreilion.
Spirit,''
indeed
it
which
is
in
the
is
the
not in th.s
tha::
gree of fanaification," a
is
the cafe,
man
faid
"
a great de-
of moderation arid
Now,
it
plain, a
moderate preacher
muft confine
infill
After
all,
excellent
Vv-ay,
it is ftill
more
away from
it
quite
it
to fpeak the
its
Thus
champion of ours chofe once for his fubRom. viii. 2. " For the law of the Spirit of
a noble
jcfl,
life,
in Chrift
law of fm and
Jefus, hath
dcatli
:"
made me
free
from the
which he explained
in this
i?,
is
ECCLESIASTICAL CHATIACTERISTICS.
:^S
tJie
religion,
vantage of this
The
is'c.
tearing the
it is
nil-
weapons
And
againfl themfelves.
may
it
perhaps, in time,
our fenfe
affix
or at leaft, which
is
ilie
find
any other.
However,
way of doing
tliat this
is
muft acknowledge,
my
continue
ma-
advice to'
ftill
<ueiivered.
The
duties are to be
,ccniideratIons."
ifli
in a
fermon
mufl be
irrational, that
this part
tain
Who
rational
way
tion to the
ter
Oiaij.
is
we
nor was
it
moved
ever
by them
this rational
raifing
further, th*e
fet in
oppofi-
the paffions.
and therefore
raifed or
little
fometimes
pathetic v/ay of
laft is vv^hat
hot-headed
of preaching
fbmething immoderate
pafilons
do not love
and
they hear
led captive
method a
to explain this
when
ignorant,
women,
of going to heaven
it
It is in
vulgar,
filly
This
to fay, abfurtj.
is
contemptible,
But
be any thing
rational confiderations,
country elders, or
way
If there
defpifers.
the
from
difFerent
it is
known
arty
is
We
fclf.
l6()
tlic
vehement bawlers, or
" they
will ipend
telling,
f.ilvation
And
fouls."
let
whether there
it
is
man,
fortij;vide in that
that can
with as
hell,
much coolnefs and i.ndilTerence as if it were a common matter. To fay the truth, Indeed, we do not
How-
preacher, that
make
a text,, and
an
it
uncommon
is
it
firil
Thus
bend
good
to our plan
fo
it Is
alfo
great proikient In
we ought
mark of
our wa\^,
to
do
lately
made
it,
An
hearers.
great degree,
and
was
Gambuflang convitil.
fion our hero got hold of;
righteoufnefs,"
raifed in Felix to a
that he
i^'i.; as
"As
he rcafoned of
he reafoned, that
is,
argued^,
waking
me
fine
epportunlty of
jwr^achcr.
P3
ECCLESIA.^TICAL CHARACTERISTICS.
l-^-C
on the
text jufl
now mentioned
and
*,'
"
reprover;" fpeaking
home
been guihy of
rance
In his
which he
;"
to Felix,
him of any
government.
faid Ihould
his
was
i.
firfl:
Of "
righ-
iniquity he
,2.
ob-
a faithful
had
Of " tempe-
him and
who
Drufilla,
v/ere
living
in
adultery.
He
^
firft
from
it
rational.
to this did
**
righteoufnefs,"
ftrlve
tlieir
judgment.
was indeed
informed
a little difappointed
word
ufed,
which
is
?<t>.7^wy,
and
fignifies
fo
might be either in
way, but
was
by reSccling, that the word evidently inand fo " reafoning" being the beft, it
cludes both
fatlsficd
is to
Agrec.'.bly
after
him
^ves au
to
this
rule,
it,
own
church,
clergymen, not tQ
ECCLESIASTICAL CHARACTERISTICS.
that idle
afTeci:
ambafruilovs," or
<*
fo foiully
" plenipo-
claimed by zealots,
the advice
under
in
both,
viz,
on an
air
and deliver
rity,
of
from heaven,"
tentiaries
and
title
I7T
their mefiage
" That
of autho-
with pathos to
wliicli
His
* Gentlemen, where
aflcs,
has
your commifiion
is
it
where the
letters
many more
how
patent?
queftions,
some tersons
to anfvver.
The
recommending "
virtue,"
from
is
not
One
kinds of perfons.
tians,
who will be
is,
much
defpife.
who
lieathens,
gion at
all
*,
The
call
them, and
other
is,
pay no regard
they
known, there
are
It
is
much
great-
well
who
men
whom
er
that
it,
mo-
There-
and
let
ECCLESIASTICAT. CHARACTERISTICS.
172
it.
Upon
this heati
is tlie
best book
thiit
ever wsrs
laft
illuftratioti
That none
or very
made of
at
<'
all,
And
Scripture."
little
fay,.
in thefe
John
mode-
be
orthodox principles
cannot even
to
few of the
that very
is,
is
deal plainly,
really, to
alio fpeaks in a
very myfterious
wives,'*"
word3,
The apofllG
way of union
tuous
how
which
Now,
life.
this
is
his
way
let
ture> fuch as
through the
Spirit,
\vhLch-
ia
it
* Jungere
si veli;'*
aH
Horaca.
fcrvatian,
*'
againft
from being
1-CGXESlASTICAL CITA-RACTERISTICS.
"Which
my learned
reader cannot
fail
we
now
are
73
both to remem-
upon.
If
it
be
faid,
rompofcd by the
miilake
many
rules of poetry
among
full
much
fame thing
to the
anfwer,
of poetical flights,
heard pnrts of
poems 5 at
which comes
How
often
mons
Mr
com-
us, are
have
it is
in fer-
is
a fnarl'ng, fallen,
now recommending,
in the following
two
am
lirjes
When
and that
is.
this
head,
am
in great
hopes
we
(hall fhortly
Howbe quite
ECCLESIASTICAL CIIARACTERISTlf S.
74
make our fermons poetry t"'.ere are fomeamong us, that can make veiy
order to
pcrfons of genius
good poetry of
their
own
which
of
but
could pro-
do not think
it
at
prefent expedient.
fays,. that
Now, what
I
make
leaft,
fliould pretend to
cymbal
j"
man
I riiali
it,
Thofe whofe
allow to be good,
if
at
be acceptable to the
that he
in-
is
adhere to
tliis
all
alone, he
brafs, or a tink*
put a cafe
fup-
to
not as
It
criterion, the
Though one
all.
firft
the
to pleafe;**
compoung fermons
being the
of
mod
if
we
ourfelves
common
tafte
pej^ple,
it is
a (ign
jfor there
fo perfect
common
I
is
and uniform
in
hope there
is
little
I fuppofe
it
all
maxims f
tCCLESIABTieAL CIlAIlACTERISTICS.
TJioderatlon,
concur in
people arc
all
and
pi'inclple
pral:ice
known
this
and therefore
muft be wrong.
Heathen
ftory of a
common
his
eftabliflilng
75
for the
its
modera-
if
Tliere
is
orator,
pronouncing an
immediately turned
.oration,
Now
had committed.
an audience of vulgar
if
to be fo infallibly
wrong
in
their
t'loriy
in
From
this
it
always fo underftood by
exprelTion.
that he
are
is
If
we
but hear
it
and
cafe,
fame
inverted; for
is
we
a certain
deteft
In
On
we
dilhculty
it
among
very popular
under no
us",
man
him.
is
not
and rejoices
in himfelf,
in
and
difoblige them.
,Of
it
this I
not that
It
muft
certain]
them
in
obferves,
great
critic
more beauty
from the rules
ECCLESIASTICAL CHARAeTERlST;^.
X7<5
of
when an important
art,
poiiit is
it fliall
to
be gained,
fo,
thefe
all
them
to break
may
fpeak
for a
good end
as for inftance,
he
when-
his
even in Whiteneld's
flyle,
which
people
cefs.
We
make pompous
fenfe
is,
fhould
by altering Chrif-
common
moderation and
to
fuc-
of Scripture-texts, as
collei:ions
it
Mr.
firfl-rate writers,
upon the
have
To
conclude
maxim,
this
it
for
all
fliall
is
falfe
it
any of the
reft.
It
is
therefore mention
,
alledged, there
is
enumerate
to the reader to
is
no method
random
Nothing more
flights, and general declamations.
The polite reader, or hearer, knows that
untrue.
in
our
may be an
there
where there
are
of cavil,
let
method,
no formal
;
diftin6lions of firftly,
all
occafion
John
xi.
He
ftinketh."
Me
obferved,
we had
words
there (or
ECCLESIASTICAL CHARACTERISTICS,
177
bad man
he fickened
firft,
he
thirdly,
This
flank.
fecondly he died
be
eaf)*-
MAXIM
A
it
will net
to find a parallel.
V.
man, as
1 HIS
is
much of the
air
to
gentle^
pojlbly he can,
mark between
ufually a diftinguifiiing
it is
and
how much we
Good
extremely obvious.
manners
place of them
ly
all
And
to,
fure-
more orna-
or
gains him
him from that
which renders many of them fo odious
:
it
and detedable
times,
minifters
were
or,
all
and
fo
it.
In former
monkifh and reclufe for
when
libertines, fliunned
and
fled
from them
into their
company,
Vol. VI.
all
imaginable liberty.
This gives
ECCLESIASTICAL CHARACTERISTICS.
1^8
manner
though indeed
it
This,
againil fwearing.
it
is
as
How
is it
can underftand
much
lows
himfelf (but
it
tiie
wicked
To do
known narrow-minded
have
blgotted (Indents do as
to
no
The
whereas
it is
evident
be underflood.
till it
error, darkens
there are,
by
upon the
who may
be
eafily
known
is
this
and
how
like to
employments among us
by
of
to be minifters,
demure
ible
liars
looks,
and
How contempt-
as failors
who
are
known
were you
to fee
at a vilit, or
is
peculiar
them
in the
fpend an even-
men
of that character.
remember an
Agreeably to
by
gen*
ECCLESIASTieAL CHARACTERISTICS.
79
nothing
I
at all
maxim, when
fliall
this
my
advice as to the
method of
given
which
is,
That
have
attaining to
it
-,
young
flexible,
may
as
whom
twenty, of
much
parents,
rived at
but
Is
tiie
by the
years of majority.
form upon
a noble pattern to
hav?
for they
is
the
all
quiring a free
ac):-
by
a ftrict
all,
rifing
This
it.
iiitutlonally, or
it
from the
ner
fets
way
//
and recom-
MAXIM
is
Ini-
man-
VI.
man
to
have much
Q2
80
ECCLESIASTICAL CHARACTERISTICS.
all hinds
is to
underfland
which are
the chiefparts of
A HIS maxim
is
enemy
Much
to.
men,
fludy
it
the
is
;;.
to poiitenefs in
of haufehold
fine lady
immortal Air
Lord
Shaftejbury^
carelefs air of a
is
be facrificed
to
Befides
man
it
tut impofTible.
in brevity
prompted
tlent
a certain
might get
as
ially
much
in
fix
it
may be un-
which,
clergyman to
fay,
divinity as
weeks.
tliat
fuppofc,
any (lu-
he would ever
It
is
alfo
quite
and fciences of
now more
for
late years
is
better to
chanic
all
arts,
and eafe
ings, to
the purpofes of
life.
way
more
to elegance
Gothic build-
modern ones.
ECCLESIASTICAL CHARACTERISTICS.
l8l
know-
ledge.
in thefe lail
fliort,
to
it
were, in
phials
little
is
Agreeably
all
we
not feen in
many
facSb^
who
come
prefented
we may come
fo that
ftudents
have be-
were grown,
I
mud
alfo-
When
a providential
intereft,
and
raifed
is
and,
quite altered,
is
is
fitnefs of that
of living
an ob-
ferving world
when
when a
the rate
fpiteful
a hecdiefs parliament,
have re-
way remains
lefs
time to
it,
and
no need
arriv-
Then
cheapen
ftudy of
acquaintance
for an
but
whole
all
is
of which I
that
is
it
may
fay ferioufly
fuffcr
and
foberly,.
any thing
to
it is
all
truth,
felf.
We
find that
ititution,,
too
moderate
much
men have
fpirit to
Q3
moftly, by con-
l82
ECCLESIASTICAL CHARACTERISTICS.
all
who do
There
fo.
is
no controverfy
no-w,"
holds.
who
aflert, that
It is
when
fpeak fo
tliey
and yet
what
who,
if
will
venture to
that
regard Arminianifm.
myfelf,
little
tell
do they
reader will
the
perceive,
be objected againft
this
and
in
are,
vulgar,
who,
to their pretending to be
adverfaries,
been
fhcv'n_(
it
is
moit juft
fact
by the
Now,
more
as
their
it
themfelves.
by the vulgar,
it is
they be unintelligible.
their fermons, as
And
fermons
tafte,
and
and purpofes,
ECCLESIASTICAL CHARACTERISTICS.
the fame thing as
thbfe
were
if It
may
get
eafily
of an olavo
',
and
in
and
in
if
one of
is
to be fo beautiful
above the
It
which Mr.
feelings
deceitful
true.
iSj
his
iifeful,
books not
they incline to
now
man
make
a truly
learned moderate-
Liberty,
old as
II
's
* It
our
all
the
Mr.
-n's
D n's
Creation,
catalogue
tliut
as
Scheme, and
hit
are
Scots
another author of
but I judged
Befl
The two
Moral EfTays'.
Human
pieces, Chrifllanity
it
a place
in so very
ECCLESIASTICAL CKAIiACTERISTlC?^
184
authors
and
It
with pleafure
Is
them
mj
moft perfect of
all,
As
be
can afTure
far the
to poetry,
It
will
fufficient to read
tion,"
becaufe in
dramatic
it
fummit of perfetian
poetry
and
carried to the
is
is
it
believed, by the
publiflied after
lirious.
may
and of
fo
is
de-
this effedl:,
not, in a perfon of fo
felf-denial,
that
much
humility and
confummate and
difinterefted
muft leave
it
But
to give a
cannot
tell
and therefore
to
womb
flill
of Time*.
higher proof of
my
deep con-
ous youth,
faithfully the
fum and
which
is
it
under a name
pposers.
^In
age
ecclesiastical chakacteristic5.
ij^^
Dame
and guardian;
for
obliged (blefled be
it
name)
its
to niake
us
very
all
good.
I believe
that the
wound up from
huge machine,
number
in a progrelFive
fection,
is
fiding of an infinite
little
univerfe
everlafting
am
that I myfelf
that
my foul
(if I
have any)
is afi
much
certain perfons in
and
that-
who
can do nothing at
I believe that
there
all.
is
no
ill
fins,
that
ture, or patches to
that the
whole
Judas Ifcariot
it
is
good
In fine,
for
I
is
by
him
this
time a glorified
and
faint,
faintfhip of
Marcus Antoninus,
fublimity of
e,
the
ECCLESIASTICAL CHARACTERISTICS.
1^6
Mr.
n*s
Amen.
tendency to oblivion.
MAXIM
A moderate man
fomely
catiy
and avoid
to
miijl
put
VII.
off
FULLY
to have been at
feme pains
my
fubjecb,
company
how
fider
but u^hcn
con-
was
at-
any difpofition of
ftantly
this fort
as
among
is
to be
clergy or laity,
alfo
how
met with
fhall
at this
day,
only rejoice in
my reader, upon
which
feldom
the p.urity
maxim.
Now,
fhlp
is
wor-
reafon-
by which we
them
it
many
fuperfluities
in his
ECCLESIASTICAL CHARACTERISTICS.
are apt to overload religion, and render
It
87
unpalata-
in
we
all
(lifle
; which experience
promote idlenefs, and
Upon
difcourage induftry.
fought
at
Agincourt, a folemn
fall
Henry V.
was kept in Eng-
*,
difproved this
flrated
upon paper,
50,000!. to
it
can be demon-
day
in Scotland lofes
was very
now
and
that a faft
it
fome
wins.
refrefhing to hear, as
we
this reafon,
it
*lt,
who
is
though
it
monde
God
then
at lead,
at other times
fome
parts of
altogether
it,
yet
we
now and
and in gentlemen's
fa-
through hurry
be dropping,
it ;
own
yet be conveni-
fo very quickly, in
In our
we
ECCLESIASTICAL CHARACTERISTICS*
83
company.
Sometimes indeed
may happen, by
it
a concur-
rence of circumftances, that one of us may, at bedtime, be unequally yoked with an orthodox brother,
M'ho
may
propofe a
little
fuch a motion
ways
or, if
we
down
to fteep
be
fliould
lie
way
infifted
but
upon
upon,
of complying with
ed wonderfully to promote
ought
to
men
in a
Whatever
be avoided
it
focial mirth,
contribut-
and fweet-
forced
is
unnatural, and
we may
P^-
of devotion, " That he would not wear them, becaufe his head was round.'*
mod
*,
and
them
as
ft ill
vouchfafe
away from
their company
the facrament of the Lord's fupper, where the fervice is expected to be more tedious and tirefome.
Now, the only way to regain them to the church, is
foinetimes, are yet driven
to
as
much
as
may
be, to
ECCLESIASTICAL CHARACTERISTICS.
their tafte
known,
I
viz.
is
S9
fo well
it.
up
tion tlirown
in
the
That
high
argument,
life,
by thofc
and to increale,
iheir talle.
a conduct, not
tliat
made
to fuit
it
to
by the dictates of
by the depravation of
make
my
of
their hearts
and therefore
In anfwer
objcdion,
I fhall
But
lefs
I fay,
there remains no
man
comes much
of moderate prin^
flill
for
or the
it
plainly
to the
at lail,
moufe
to the
mountain.
fame thing
to the
moufc,
If I fhould
meet a
though he
fliould not
lliould be nearer
in-
unthankful, render-
move
a foot, I
if I
am
fure
had kept
me,
we
my
But whatever be
to be conftantly
it,
and
doubt
not but every moderate man, will have the very fame
fellow-feeling.
VoL
VI.
lyO
ECCLESIASTICAL CHARACTERISTICS.
votion
lias
that any
had
bell
Befides,
fluence.
it
fome ground
is
divinity
for
he
it,
that let
will,
it
is
And
tem.
by fome of our
friends, to avoid
venience
from what
yet,
mud
remedy but
fome of
this incon-
have obferved
own,
can
in the
at pre-*
way
polTible.
as
MAX M
VIII.
which are
//;
regarded
who
is,
J.
are
HAT
moderate
that ever
this
men
maxim
is
"
at
The
prefentations
is
is
certain,
were prefent
prefentation
and
the great
and
common
to he utterly defpifed.
national church.
when
the patron
all
invariably obferved by
all
cafe
is
not
now
all
this
as formerly,
no prefentation, the greatnefs and noI was witbility of the heritors are upon one fide.
nefs once to a caufe (which indeed unhappily mif-
when
there
is
was
a noble (land
made
for
it
by
at all in
parifli,
but a fmall
it
was
in
order to run a
dike ftraight.
as
of ground which
bit
lie
I9I
a token
af
There
is
the
many
arc
founded
elders
and
common
people,
my
without exprefFing
it
ment, that
fo clear-fighted
bear to
pafs
maxim
tliis
we
as
illuih-at-
cannot
an author, and in
re-
all
fpeits fo agreeable to our fentiments, as lord Shaftefbury, (hould have faid, in his Eflay
dom
of
of
that
It <*
on the
men
flavilli
made me
This
L. one of our
own
life ;"
perfe61;ion,
tling of kirks,
when he wrote
Mr G.
attain-
little, it is
had fomething
is
liath
able in this
bad he
free-
belongs to
probable he
manner
fet-
for
lived in
though, without
But
to return
elder,
all queilion, he
and fent up, du-
General Affembly.
Tlie natural refpet
we owe
mony of it required in
the
to
tefti-
]l 2
792
and
ECCLtSIASTlCAL CHARACTERISTieS*
For
eflential difference
people,
which ought
we have
this,
who
Of
up
here.
gentleman.
common
mind
to be particularly kept
man, but
as a
this difpofition
happened to
and befides the
for fornication
eccleiiaftical cenfure,
ply to the
civil
ing to
for
lavv-
men
it
magiftrate to get
in diiTerent flations,
be fined
lie fliould
worfiiipful
at the rate
of a gentleman, the
been pleafed
men and
to
it
make a
ether men,
the following
diftinftion
why
between gentle-
we
fiiould not
And
fo
keep up
he was
this
fined only
commoner.
Another thing (Irongly pleads for gentlemen having the chief hand in fettling kirks, that now-a-days
as a
is
fettled,
or playing a
it is
but
common
fair,
game
at
fliall
only fur-
him
ECCtESIASTICAL CHARACTERISTICS.
preaching
which
mod
as being
gifts,
1^^
difinterefled
for
are by
it,
much
The
thofe
much
given
commonly
of patrons
cafe of heritors.
quite
For, as to the
to us to determine
on any
to determine
other, about
not juft
*,
it is
law maintains
If the
we
fide
of thefe,
firft
for the
have here
is
a6b as to
what
law hindered us
As
before us.
to
for the
its
irrefiftible
it
the heritor
upon them
the
it is
at firft
any body
firft,
he
hap-
may
but
though
thefe
However,
himfclf.
reafons be not
fufficient at bottom, I deny not but it may be very
proper to aftign them to fuch as are ignorant
perhaps be
enough
forry that
to yield to
them, or
who
fliould get
have fo fqueamiflv
upon which
have grounded
beft agree
with
its
as
it is
able
it
to bear,
muft be
and
R3
folid
my maxim.
it
reaIt
feet
as wilh
ECCLESIASTICAL CHARACTETllSTICSi
194
MAXIM
Wh'de ajettlement
nvhom
IX.
rs
abilities
be at pains^
is fettled^
pyeoples's affection^
the
the
raifednhove
l)OTH
it,
ronable to
good preacher,
pretty
principles,
tedt ^"
"
all
alfo a
maxim
parts of tins
is
as has
fign of his
fiu-e
The people
:
it
i*
being of moderate
wliicli
and thefe
when
It is
a procefs
is
in agitation, that
may
help
pon
this
is,
the giving a
high chara6ler.
It
man an
wea-
extraordinary and
hath
this peculiar
rying of
principles
di<fi
it:
for
may
ivEvt'^y
is
no par-
has
it
in his
power
to fpeak
ECCLESlAbTICAL CHARACTERISTICS.
r^ell
berty to fpeak
ill
of a
man
time have
men
heard young
li-
lie
IQ5
Many
libel.
highly extolled in
truth,
flril:
who
after-
when
As
be
this will
thodoxy,
accounted
eafily
for,
be
if it
was
remembered how
given them ; and therefore it may be taken away
It was given to bring them in as an
at pleafure
came by
they
It
it.
freely
additional flrength
therefore,
when
to
they forfake
jed, that
this
of veracity,
as
**
in
which an
once v/rote
the whole
end
ftricl
is
ob-
rules
that
in
now
con-
truth,"
it
Ihall
intereft,
any
may be remembered,
it
much improved
is
If
is
dcfire
phy
that
ir.
and
nor
in
book
to
prove
and therefore an
;"
WooUallon,
" the good of
fanfliiies the
means of
but in
illuftrious
attaining
it.
and noble
Our
fenti-
ever
who,
it
believe
meant no good
to us
how-
ECCLESIASTICAL CHARACTERISTICS^
1^6
** And weight,
he thouglit
" That inch of truth, in courtesj'-,
**
*'
If
it
tisfies
Is cheaply bought.'*
As
bad
ftlll
and that
is
man was
we can
now he
to this,
good, but
no contradilion
it is
for
ic?
though the
now and
in
then
young men
who,
in old
to
oM
we term
How-
who
fome,
in old
number was
the late Rev. Mr. J. R. in K. whofe name I have
thought proper to record in this immortal worky
age, and to their dying day
that
it
may be had
of which
in everlafting
MAXIM
IVhemver
belly
ive
xemembrance^^
X.
the parijlj^
tJSe
by a
victory JJ.ouU
I97
ECCLESIASTICAL CHARACTERISTICS.
he
to
cfpechdly thofe of
li,
an affive hand
TpIEY
fignlfies nothing, if
To
not executed.
it
reft fatisfied
be
we
we
it
gained
in
it
This
appearance.
thofe
Who
is.
who
at
finful
call
few
alk a
Now,
who
appointed, or thofe
felf-evident.
is
be employed in
fliall
as to this,
plain queftlons.
Is
be what they
allow
me
only to
mafters,
What
is
fubjefc
tlie
but to determine
Other?
who
when once
is
vote
lias
made
who
is
the
us mafters,
And do
need
to afic further,
of drudgery to be performed,
the mafters or the fervants
cafe in hand.:
fording a river,
ef
it
pulpit
before
Who
if
him
.''
if
there
who
Apply
Who
any piece
it
belongs to,
this
then to the
own
life in
to try the
depth
would hazard
he had a fervant
is
.f"
his
would chufe
to
go
to a
jopulace,
if
IpS
ECCLESIASTICAL CHARACTERISTICS.
whom
rand
Now,
dent
for
obey.
it
is
If the
is
we
very evi-
is
obey or
ihall
dif-
have
common
If
ah"er.dy.
people
in
commendation, of which
ftate,
make way
This will be
young men,
for
advan-
to the
ceteris paribuSy
are
rupt
members
our days,
but
thefe
is
fhall
be a prevailing meafure in
like to
endeavour to fupport
demonftrative arguments
which, indeed,
have
Ihall
little
it
by
in
a few,
mofl:
of
two
laft
men
that
it is
of a proper authority
fufhcient to
is
executioner fhould be
nay,
happened
if
to
infomuch, that
commanded
command
make any
ac-
ble
General AfTemblies.
to
God, or reading
have been a
hang
Roman
an
his Bi-
difciples
foldier,
if
his fa-
had
and fhould
ECCLESIASTICAL CHARACTERISTICS.
Ipf
f the Chriftian religion, had he made the lead difficully in executing fuch orders.
no purpofe here
It is to
God
obedience to
if
human
laws, as
The
man
;"
we
but
ther text,
in
which feems
may come
that good
we do
chapter of the
to teach, that
:"
ano-
Romans,
for as in the
in-
rather than
the third
do
apoilles
God
one
evil
what-
cafe,
the other,
fo, in
if
human authority be once duly interpofed, it is obeying God to comply with whatever is enjoined thereby
;'
and therefore
it is
an interference happen.
muft, no doubt, be made
Befides,
fome allowance
which
down,
is
now
But
I
have
can
laid
who
are
members
of our
any body
to call
it
in
And what
queftion.
an ob-
and
Ikilful
and
cold iron
lately
been em-
now
fhe
is
ftifF
yield-
can
eafily
aoo
ECCLESIASTICAL CtlARACTERISTies.
And
here I muft
fine
and
man
that great
fo
" even
that a cafe
iit-
may be
ecclcfiaftical
any difference,
of the two)
military authority
given,
is
now
it is
down
fufficient to bear
Itarted a
preferved from
falling
even
pity, that fd
was not
earlier,
that
fome
it
later, or
tie
think
f;iy,
" paramount
Is
I fhali
;'*
only obferve
with
tirely in
The
it is
it,
it
what
<*
im-
two very
how happy
before
no Jefs, and
it
will appear,
and proceeds
fo
uniformly upon
it.
in
leaft
for
it
its
lawfulnefs, he might be
in cafe
it
was not
it
were found
principle of implicit
is
his province to
no repelling his
judge whether
CommifTion
tic,
are,
who
by that time,
all dilTolved,
The
other advantage
is
fupremc
iOI
ECCLESIASTICAL CHARACTERISTICS.
would be
in
is
own
appointments,
qucnce
its
The
illuftrating
irom which
were
flows,
it
it,
univerfally embraced.
hear
Dr Goodman,
tender confcience
and uninftructed
is
:"
Englifh writer
nothing
elfe
iiaind
"
but an ignorant
or a fickly, melancholy,
no fuch thing
is
ground-
a noble
is
as to whicl^^
could eafily
as a real fcruple
of confcience
who
are
men
do not conceive
gentleman of
away
them
it
this court
minifters flipends
The renowned
fcience.
finition
learned
certain
would enlighten
their con-
author of Hudibras
fame opinion
to be of the
rities I will
poflible.
is
known
endeavour to amend
for a
mind," but a
very dangerous.
full
ftomach
is
Vol. VI.
as all phyficians
it
is
needlefs to
infifteJ
go
upon by the
202
ECCLESIASTICAL CHARACTERISTICS.
ditobedient as flraitening to
fliall
pretend
it is
and therefore
when
nothing
a benefice
But
body can be
is
title
And
be not
it
to ordain a
as
man
much more
mock cerewhen a
to a congregation,
to the
without
whether
mony,
and proper
tr>ue
piece of formality,
a necefTary
not be raifed
je6^ion,
not extremely
it
cannot con-
which,
a folemn
is
light, .as
They
fcientioufly
ly
them
if
fhall
own.
The
-fkird
founded,
mentioning of
world
how
principle
it
little it
fuiHcient to convince
is
light than as
if
all
cordingly no moderate
That
is
is
man
views
it
in
the
ac-
any other
government in an inilant
neither
all
commands nor
at
one another
all
at
would
once
nay,
would
fplit
ECCLESIASTICAL CHARACl'ERlSTICS.
into ten ihoufand piccos
203
into
rufli
The
pwof
fair to
wild
reader will
of an
think
it
the nature of
is
paper and ink, that they have not the power of doing
is
it all
which
capable
Whoever
elfc where.
it
it
air,
and
own
the
part, I
mod
in the
am
fo entirely influenced
faithful, diligent,
and
Wy
it,
tb^t if
to
my
orders, and
beg
me on Sunday
to be excufcd, fuppofe
from
morning, and
my
I fliould
fliaving
mediately diffolve
tJiink of
unhappy
my
would im-
Againfl
this principle,
understood, as
if I
a great genius,
; yet
take a view of these same
axioms, dignity and adorn thtm, by writing an essay
round about each of them, and prove that tliey ouc^lit to
be called Feelings.
This is greatly to the advantage.^ ol'tlie
thing,
may
ccmmoi.wealth of learning,
as experience
hath shewn.
204
feCGLESIASTICAL CHARACTERISTICS.
fumed
being
actually admitted>
to kill the
himfelf
refufed to
affair
fall
upon the
them
flaying
his guards
committed that
priefls,
Now,
faiSls
and
appears ta
me
unfit tn
beinf^c
,^
'--
eafy to aflign
pofterity of
any
'
oy
gvfciii,
upon.
different reafon,
'
allowing
tfius n,.r:A
Nor will it be
why none of the
to
rule
fort
Ifrael.
as
that of the
who
murderers
of Captain Porteous.
In the
man
of his benefice
am
of
and for
perfuaded he
cafe, I confefs
firft
manner
the government
In the other
was much
to
be
ECCLESIASTICAL CHARACTERISTICS.
blamed
come;
to
which followed
fo foon after
It
it.
to
is
20^
for I
am
The
Britain.
am
maxim
reft,
That the
mention, and
fliall
fure
abundantly
is
down
laid
fuffi-
du6^,
is.
of
all
beft
cenfures,
which may be
pacities, as depofition,
its
higheft rigour
by men of the
felt
is
is
it
dulleft ca-
ed
is
by
to be
had
to
this.
argument, or
meafured by
it,
It
I think,
th^j
none
muft be allow-
many
ages
mies
able to
make
ufe of
And whether we
weapon
hands
this
upon
whom
As
it,
all,
it
they became
in their turn
whofe
muft
fall, it
will plain-
who
lifolefs
when
the weight of
ly appear to be
this
in the
it
which of them
yet,
fall to
to
be driven by
be fuch
dull,
and
S3
make
ECCLESIASTICAL CHARACTERISTICS.
lOv')
any
imprefTion
upon them.
However
liorf^
afs mo.ve,
There cannot be
fides.
its
to
do
if
more
They even
pliable fuccefibrs.
and
tell
us they are
how
judge
Now,
it.
neceflary
be
let
the reader
it is,
that a
more
and therefore
eftij6lual
method
how
fliould
tried.
On
at prefent to
be peculiarly
no benefice
have
the laity
lies in
as they poflefs
reach
inflil:in.g,
when
much accuftomed
it j
and
as
to folving cafes of
to
them,
is fo
The reH
find
of our fide
conn lis
ECCLESIASTICAL CIIARACTLRITSICS.
IQJ
who
as they
enough
cular, I
a61:
Though
judgment.
fort
be fuppofed to
toric
youngeft
in clergy of the
are Imitators
may
public
fpirit in
may
,of
them
rlie-
in parti-
literally fay,
He cannot ope
His mouth, but out there
is
it Is
well
a trope
flies
known
this part
contempt
and
of educanot to be
it is
fpirits,
who hive
in this
down
to the flrid
method of convit^ion,
warm
we
are
own
we muft
its
is
fo
No
fuccefs
ourpower, as a late
more agreeable for being new ;
the fweets of authority, which can
is
tafte
ar-
may be
acquifition,
methods of
gumentation.
new incumbent,
it
If
is
for,
as
is
made,
from whence
much
own mind,
meaning.
And as
words without
to that
fo
is
way
to
al:
nothing but
to the expref-
church-power, which
20S
ECCLESIASTICAL CHARACTERISTICS.
is
a various reading
and
once
if
for edifica^
fecret, that
we had,
for
might perhaps be
ticifm,
if w^e
eafily
were
done,
dealers in cri-
we
fliould
not
on our
it
MAXIM
XL
^^
^^
hjaves*^ or
their
always
adver-
be that
of
be reprefented
as
fool^^ at another.
it is
a demonftration, that
and therefore
we
refift
their influ-
from confcience.
Be*
their
are
therefore there
is
-,
we
pleafe, at leaft
remarkable
people
Now
whereas
*,
anld<
it is
They
endeavour to
by pleafing the
we
ECCLESIASTICAL CHARACTERISTICS.
^aiii
much
trampled upon us (o
defeated our
tirely
as of late
application
20^
parliament for
to
we from
be-
we
foi*
So
augmentation of ftipend.
far are
to ingratiate ourfelve$
live
to
nay,
at
many
a high
of them have
men
of reafon, could
taught
rate,
give
defpife us
firfl
Now,
up.
it
we,
as
this,
is
it
lead us to al as
we
Whereas, on the
have done.
efteem of the
fefo the
but to attain
common
However,
it.
peo|)le
no other view
to
{hew our
men
tellectuals, as is evident
from
we do.
The
maxim
i'onable,
fo
charity,
who
their fide
and
it is
in their conduiSl
we
are indiffe-
is
abundantly rea-
and fometimes as a
fool.
This
In order to
its
it
afFair
is
ferved.
I/?.
Let a
man be
is
incau-
2IO
ECCLESIASTICAL CrIARACTERISTlCS.
him be reprefented'
let
let
the
call
all
much
fame>
firft
that hate
and
among them
thofe
fl:ril!:nefs
is
it
plain,
The
fecond rule
is,
that,
if pofiible,
tliere fliould
By
this
appa-
itfelf,
tliey will
lefs liable
to difcovery
and thus,
as the fcveral
means, confpire
The
ed,
principle
is,
litical
upon which
we would
down, and
different
and oppoGte
falfehood
is laid
feemingly
in
two
to be ftudied in every
have believed
which
principle
Po-
not.
It will not, I
my
fubjel,
when
is
to
be applied to
Thefe two-
is,
fequence, a defamation
ibme
cafes,
Praif-
which mny
of
eafily
its
oppofite
be conceived,
and in
it is
the
ECCLESIASTICAL CHARACTERISTICS.
and the
ibofl eligible,
it.
mod
been prefent
ive
efIc<Si:ual
way
211
of
doiiio-
where
a converfation,
at
mod
he had
at heart,
was
to ruin the
know whether
tity
charader and
who happened
to
be
fafer
drawing
it
with
all
a ^lyianner, as
fome of
its
known
to
be true
quated orthodox
character, are
ceflity
nothing mull be
or
may be
and particularly
phrafes,
in
judg-
cafe, great
-,
giving
eafily
all
the anti-
minifler's
to be religioufly avoided.
The
ne-
example
Suppofe
fay of
I fliould
Momus, he was
man of
continues to be a
many hours
his
lays
it
tells a lie,
-,
has a moft
fectly free
from
has a
jeft
has fo facred a
even in
is
per-
dence
difpleafure at
all
ua-
ECCLESIASTICAL CHA11ACTER1STIS.
-212
racters
and
facred cha-
as
all
who have
the
fhould
I fay, if I
of a panegyric.
It
is,
however,
to
poflible
draw
the character
in
it
and which
as being the
modern commendatory
moft fprightly and
ftyle.
lively fancy, of
an inexhauflible
it,
to dif-
He
indulgence.
its
is,
in
not-
manner of
eafe
man may
He
and freedom.
my
knowledge a man of
among the
and beauty
but
it
gain.
it
man of
good heart,"
enjoy
molt
and,
to
heart *.
is
much
is
for I
knew
it
a particular in-
was intended
to
ECCLESIASTICAL CHARACTERISTICS.
MAXIM
As
world
to the
XII.
man
a moderate
in getieraly
213
have
is to
and for
loofe
and
vicious in their
profejfion
praB-ice
in their lualk
1 HIS maxim
yet,
upon
follow
and
converfation.
a ftril enquiry,
will
we endeavour
and draw
to
as near
upon nothing
accommodate
them
to be a part, or an
And
ture.
other fort,
as to
as poflibly
evident
we
way
for
may be
faid
of fpeaking,
good fenfe
can, infifting
are.
when we
(unlef*
and
;)
when we
in a very
we
charity for
is
and
as evident
it is
ourfelves to them,
in our
laid
be found that
That we have
very exactly.
it
it
fay
Nay,
feldom taken by us
fay,
One of the
"
a certain
he thought,
which he afterwards printed, in words
purpofe " They can indeed talk very flu-
in a fermon,
to this
YoL.
VL
ECCLESIASTICAL CHARACTERISTICJ.
214
did dlfpofition
who
but
their charity
confined to thofe
is
leaft
appear-
enough
to forfeit
Indeed?.this charity
it.
is
is
myf-
as
is
folved to found
the want of
Where
it.
itfelf,
is
word
but where
lies at
the bottom."
right
without evidence
a
fe
It is
it.
rity in
no charity
fee
requires
it
of the perfons
perhaps very
many
charity,
lieve well of
all
not
and charity in
all,
it
is
your
will,
a demonftration, that
or
main-
perfection, to be-
its
Well, fi^ce
In
to believe well
them.
we
outward appearances
no charity
when
but
to the rich
it is
be
at all to believe
when we do
but
it,
to
it
to believe
of goodnefs,
tain
is
is
it
maintain
meaning of charity
man when we
good of
we
is
Oh
!
is
not evident to
goodnefs, which
is its
oppofite,
ECCLESIASTICAL CHARACTERISTICS.
or rather believing
That
if
ill
of them
21^
If any/flill infifl.
requires
yet
this,
it
not
is
my
fentiment
for
good opinion
improper
obje61:s
iliould liate
and being
*,
alfo, as
of charity,
it
our
in juftice to
remains that
we
as in fa6b we.
do.
MAXIM
All moderate men are joined
xin.
together
in the JlriBeJl
to fupport
and defend
ged
JL
in luhat
will.
it
HIS maxim
do not
infert fo
much
my own
And
whatever.
controverfy, to
known
of,
fail in
any inftance
without
it
belongs to them
for they
do moft loudly
the moderate, fo
thets,
them
in
as has
it,
ever
all
by an exclufive privilege
complain
it
who
attempt to imitate
for
T2
is
12
ECCLESIASTICAL CHARACTERISTICS.
16
own
principles, a robbery
ftifF
and
inflexible
:'
Confcience,
others.
to a^,
is,
of
things,
all
art,
it
all
may be
purpofes imaginable.
which
take
to
danger of a profecution.
fcheme, in which he
come
firft
may
ftart
If
Momus
'^
been trufted
how
who ought
powerfully
is
not to have
he upheld by the
the
fable,
bees
againfl:
Nay,
for
induftrious
more
by the moil
ECCLESIASTICAL CHARACTERISTICS.
21 7
and
high
as
wonderful concurrence
mud
and excellence of
moderate man.
this part
or
by
alfo,
vi6]:ory,
this
and do
They
orthodox party
as they
we have
all
who
approve
;"
to fee
tereft of the
mud
It
enter into
not
it
tlie
it,
dividuals,
Is
have been
obtained the
Hill preferve
laws of fociety,
What
to follow
what they
a^Sl
dif-
whole body.
we
illuftrious charac-
probable there
It is
may be
fc-
ment
tainly
and
in a fhort time;
from the
ill'ue
for
we
have carried
amongft
much more
And
it is
it
cer-
from
whoever began
man
firft,
each cafe,
in
this pra6lice
T3
2l8
am
ECCLESIASTICAL CHARACTERISTICS.
not miftaken, hath hardly ever been done in any
civil court.
How
fall in v^^ith
generation
is
formed
It iilu Urates
Mr
the truth of
H n's dodrine.
and
is
afFe6iion,
its
and that
all
when
In
fliort, it
mod
in miniature,
and do
fyftem.
Time would
fail
me,
if I fliould
of this
excellencies
the
go through
crowning maxim
the
known
perfpicuity.
and
it
truth of controverted
fai:s,
more
all
and
excels
it
men
a ftudy
much
agreeable, as well as
of books.
ftudy at
all
of any kind
common fame
communicates the impreffion, and feldom or never
This is probably the reafon that the
deceives us.
general
tendency of a character,
maxim,
as has
the illuftration,
been obferved
is
at the
conilantly and
beginning of
unerringly fol-
en v/hich account
give
it
as
my
opinion, that
it
ECCLESIASTICAL CHARACTERISTICS.
21^
Thus
have
laid
down and
cellent
make a complete fyftem for the education and accomplifhment of a moderate clergyman, for his
guidance in public judgment, and his direction is
to
And now,
practice.
private
as a
traveller, after
courteous reader,
let us (land
dif-
fome eminence
to
ftill
which moderation
arrive at,
by adhering
to thefe
and
let
us
O v/hat noble,
fublime,
preached
fo greatly prevails
rejoice in
What
iliall
and triumphs
viftories
now be
(liall
be
when
finiflied
(liining
tuous and
who
finlefs
by
foldiers,
And what
lives fliall
this profpel:,
tion
perfectly vir-
fcheme
this vaft
There
is
no-
way
marching
who
can
could
my hope
is
whether,
now
when we fliall
when wc
tinCl:
Iiave
tell
lament in
220
ECCLESIASTICAL CHARACTERISTICS.
have driven
fhall
common
the whole
avi^ay
to
fit
people
and
for them,
may
temples, they
folitary
do but
I
to
fpend them
we
fhall
have nothing to
Ge-
neral Aflembly
or not) that
it
in the nation
this
fliall
all
week upon
may be
up from
trained
This,
am
their
fure, will
be
much more
nay, I
am
it.
profitable than
divinity, as Pidlet
perfuaded,
more ex-
is
it
in
laft,
by many young
Mr
divines, in their
firft
year,
been mif-
my
treatife fhall
acceptance that
it
juftly deferves,
ftill
it
is
my
intention
parti-
book of a
different
form from
this,
;
or
which
hiitory,
order to render
it
more inilruding
the
more
to the reader.
many
have
alfo
by
me
trc.tr
ECCLESIASTICAL CHARACTERISTICS.
which
tifes,
mufes
fliall
give afliftance
(hall
221
fuch
as,
The
of
art
One
refolution of
all
from the
cafes of confcience,
and
mention of towns,
lefh it
which
ing the
fcarcely
is
my
cafe,
known
in
many
Thefe, with
air.
time in catechifmg
practice
in
much
vifiting in country-parifhes
others, I
am
with
affiduous care
may go on
in a progreffive
now
who
defire to
will
aflc,
how
anfwcr, that
book, that
it
duly qualified
I
is
-,
common
imagine
reader.
them up
Perhaps fome
have effected
this
and
intelligible
to every
my
only to perfons
fuch perfon
I
at
to the
it is
tran-
ECCLESIASTICAL CHARACTERISTICS.
222
how-
may
our kidney, others they will be fo far from convincing, that they will be
contrary way.
worth, that
many,
this
to be the
wager of
all
way.
am
that I
They
men and
be tempted to laugh
will
at us,
whom
lation
of our myfteries
they deceived
perly prejudiced
fyftem,
mind
upon which
iregulate his
but
how
ingenioufly are
condud.
is
to
furniflied
form
his
with a complete
fentiments,
and
A SERIOUS
APOLOGY
FOR THE
ECCLESIASTICAL CHARACTERISTICS.
By
the real
AUTHOR
of that Performance,
TO THE
NOBILITY
GENTRY
AND
OF
COTLAN D;
^.^RTICULARLV,
IHEM AS ARE ELDERS OF THE CHURCH, AND FREQUENTLY MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY,
StiCn OF
JRight Honourable i
THERE was
there feems
To whom
it ought to be
moment's hefitapromoting the intereft;
aim
It profefles to
tion.
at
none have
fo
it
much
in their
power
and certainly
to preferve or
am
not to
flatter
mod
flate,
and Worfhips.
The
de-
whe-
am encouraged to this, by
we are obliged
vailed.
that
to you, indeed,
it is
fome bounds
Vol. VI.
reflecting,
for fetting
2 26
DEDICATION.
cculd give feveral inftanccs of this
;
but
mention one, becaufe it is very recent.
In the Aflembly 1 762, it was evidently owing to the
honourable members, that a fan6lion was not given
gy.
ihall only
upon minifters
own
people at their
a thing fo odious in
its
appearance, and fo
ends to be ferved by
to
me
firft
" willing"
to
human
nature,
.it
Therefore,
able'*
in the prefent
flate
good.
it.
"
in the church-courts
lic
mod
may, but,
Individuals
ter.
nf
give
be
it,
power,
men
will give
or eafe, for
when once
the clergy
up
pubare
There
an obfervatlon to
this
is
bertfon's liiilory, *
letters
**
of gold
ill
fuccefs
which hath always attended every propofal for reformation addrefied to that order of men to abandon
iifurped povv'er, to renounce lucrative error
crifice,
which
a fa-
on fome
is
The
cor-
recommended by common
* Vol.
1. p.
143.
DEDICATION.
and
Utility,
viewed by
by univerfal practice,
juflified
its
2 27
arc
horror
or
hand."
am
writer's opinion,
fo
much
of that eminent
upon every attempt
that I look
u:ileis
you be pleafcd
am
will fee
it
to fupport
my
hope.
is
fad approaching,
me in adding
Many of you have
N2W
and
at
when
you.
necelVary to interpofe.
it
.?
Now
Teftament, that
a fanciful reafon
was
lawyer
it
who took
had been
His name
and the
four evangelifl?,
facl
Who
is
recorded by
ail
the
Chrift's myfticalbody,
pofitions of
Look
churchmen
in
power
this
which
from
laity
never lent
ward
in ingratitude
and coiv.empt.
have heard
convenience of thofe
who bear
U3
.i
.,orldly
who
28
DEDICATION.
mankind
the wifefl of
beg leave
to obferve, that
by
Both the
ble ufurpatlons.
vi^ords Clergy
The
all
which
xAt^o,-,
and Church
firft
fignifies inheritance,
to minifters,
feems to
inti-
furely
tance as they.
phrafe, and
New
two
or
is
Teftament.
at
mod
But of
can
minifters, exclufive
it
all
one
Therefore
of the people.
word
if
in its
it
icr,dtliip zivX
provided for at
all ?
or
why
is it
an amiable charac-
may be promot-
ter to
ed
that, free4
from the
their time
committed
For
necelTity of attending
may have
liberty to
to.
bcftow
to their care.
this reafon, I
youx exalted
humbly
ftations,
intreat you,
only can do
it
who, by
with
fuccelJs,
DEDICATION.
to
22^
afpiring, to
value in
On
profperity.
of your
may
pleafe
inte-
itfelf,
obje(l:
is
encou-
The
both accounts
mod
hope
tender care
it
and
will be the
in return,
experience,
honour me,
I will
ihall
it
honour
be lightly efteemed."
I
am, &c
U3
me^
A SERIOUS
APOLOGY
FOK THE
ECCLESIASTICAL CHARACTERISTICS.
THE
fatire
It Is a fatire too,
ter.
was Intended
to carry in
it
Is
good
it
it Is
fa-
Hence
this man-
for nothing.
eflential to
made
juft as
The
many
this
It
was
certainly,,
It
was
and therefore
me
tires,
jcublic.
The
my name
work.
The
when
I acfted
to the
33!
publifhcdj
flrft
The mod
readers.
hi Scotland
is
known
ragtr
this
almoil to
all
gentleman
One
who
in particular,
fell
it,
though
think
al-
it
fent production,
other
But though
myfelf a
pofed but
The
head.
flielter
heard
truth
ble attention to
performance
it
is,
all
my
pofli-
its
much
concern, that
and the
as contrary to the
it
and manner of
fplrit
it,
mon
a
bad heart
piece."
tion,
No
The
upon notice
author
that a
me
new
an
inclina-
irrefillible
edition of
it is
fame time,
intend-
a fericus
232
apology for
that
THE
purpofe
it,
my own
vindication, but
if it
may
what
firft
induced
me
to write,
was a
the
tion at
The
reafons of
its
mean
afterwards; in the
and
{hall
plain
its
lieve to
may
reft
wholly ferious,
and
literal
be true.
borrow any
Not
afliftance
fo
much
as attempting to
ridicule,
he fub-
mits his caufe to be tried by calm difpaiTionate reafoning and only begs the impartial attention of the
reader.
To
from ambiguity,
it
will
be
in general
upon the
-,
which
principles,
is
i.
manners, and
of certain clergymen.
2.
The
fubjecSt of
confefled to be an attack
political
Why it is written
conduct
in an af-
who
The
first
was dons
who
chen
of Linlithgow,
the settlement of Torphi-
ment of Inverkeithing,
Mr
ECCLEIAST1CAL CHARACTERISTie^.
fumed
fion
and ironical
characSler
it
ftyle.
by thole
3.
whom
to
I.
While
am
fpeaking upon
tliis
head,
An
jull.
it
clergymen.
mud
take
it
end does
church.
chara<lers of
*;icking
own
:>33
ferve to publilh
purpofe
to this
them
be true, what
to
If tendernefs
ed through their
to iriamph
lides,
Is
tlvis,
this 'iianncr.
Nay,
to iufidels
I believe,
as the undiilurbed
it is
is
am
cenfure minifters
altogether
when
much more
wifh nothing
indulgence of themfelves
know what
in
who
at a lofs to
throw
wound-
much
to
?'^
In anfwcr to
fo
man
not religion
they deferve
it.
it
criminal to
That
their
and cautious
how
do
it
chara.(Sler is
renllj
bad,
THE
234
I
hold
it
to
when done by
This
feverity.
them
in
it is
it
ought
is
fo far
even
can be
nillers, is a
and accurate
tions
but
difquifition,
any
in
if,
degeneracy of
life,
plain
is
and
When
it is
the clergy
not done,
it
men
provokes
combined together,
all
vifible,
tu render
certainly be a duty.
like
to
conclude
Demetrius
credit,
for their
benefit of thofe
Well, perhaps
melancholy truth.
among
I (hall
be told^
them
anfwer, That
deny
promote
fo far
from
infidelity, I will
it, I
by no means
produce
it
in
The
great, as well
more influenced
in their
ECCLESIASTICAL CHARACTERISTICS.
2?^
occafions, to confefs.
Bifliop Burnet, in his Difcourfe of the P.iftoral Care, acquaints us, that, " having had much free converfation with many that have
been
fatally
owned,
ten
promoted
They
clergymen.
" that
much
this fo
in
f-iys
he,
ftriclinefs
that zeal,
of
life,
that
it
whofe bufinefs
thofe
it
ijito
they themfelves
if
knew
to inquire
that
it
was
But the
it
was."
quedion
x^et
re-
land
fivft
Was
the
firft
formance
tion of the
objedion
and indeed
it is
that
it
we
are confidering,
is
not true:
licentlo ifn-fs
of pra^Slice,
it
failiion.
can be no fccrct to
It is
commonly
in
2^6
the
unclerical carriage
mod
converfation and
free
who
is
regret fuch
cdt
the laity
much
fo
either
all reftraints,
it is
from the
difcipline or
known how
well
little
So
fion of gentlemen's
firft,
if
it
did not
make fomething
Many wrong
from confounding
opinions arife
Thus what
ought
really to
quently imputed to
the
liate their
crimes
On
religion.
fre-
Becaufe a
men
to infidelity,
is
punifhment.
and pal-
their failings,
to expofe
them
is
doing hurt to
it is
far
more
ners
is
expexSted
from them
them be
if
was ne-
of the late
Duke
happened,
that
during
his
regency,
It
one of the
ECCLESIASTICAL CHARACTERISTICS.
237
French princes of the blood was conviled of committing robbery on the highway.
Great intercef-
To
blood.
this the
Duke
replied.
it
was
llained by the
is
com-
now
may,
Chrift-ians
if
to be their
own
condudl of
infidels,
is
poffible.
conduct:,
who
generally underftand
no confequence
to
an
infidel to
make
IS,
to infinuate, that
of
His great
bufi*-
of
ftrain
is it
writings
their
uncommon
"
priefts of all
neral
is
appear that
Neither
it
what
It
and
converfation.
to fee infidels,
who on
all
nomination.
fome
Whether
their friendfliip
this
conduct,
the
is
an
Iio-
fo diftinguifhed, I
is
oppofition to
maintain
However,
in
it
to con-
tempt.
That
am
Vol. VI.
238
from the
liiftory
Were
age.
it
THE
not that
might be confidered
it
an
as
could eafily
what
now
own
And
times.
is
this
yet
may
be
was the
That
this
eafily
feen by any
who
tle into
Mr
lit-
In our neigh-
Gildas Salvianus, or. Reformed Paftor, which contained a very plain and very fevere reprehenfion of his
made
it,
among
the fin
open
is
hut aggravate
it,
it
To
:
world,
this
"
is
it
he
When
in
will
If the
in Latin
hear
us
it
reft,
coft
fnift
to
in Englifli.
to cover
Unpardoned
we be
Our
it.
though
at
fin
muft
ever fo
much
care and
ECCLESIASTICAL CHARACTERISTICS.
if
we
God
239
Too many
hand
to
this
it is
If
become
we
could
we
reproof,
but
when
than
the fm,
at
ceafe
ning,
think
I fhall
it is
(n\r.
to
which
man.
Does not
hlftory bear
all
Port-royal,
fociety of Janfenifts,
lent attack
upon the
Pafcal,
in
his
vio-
which are
Provincial Letters,
a little
mod
mour.
who,
more than
M.
teftimony to the
at this
Itill
way
univerfally admired
and
integrity.
At
the time
made
* This
letter,
to the Characlcriftics,
were
to his writings *.
see,
who
as well as
X2
the
Mr Arnauld.
24
The
may
reader
many are
One reafon
am
cion I
THE
not fmcere in
for this fufpi-
proach which
brings, in
it
many members
is
well known,
in
my own
my
for.
apprehenfion, upon
defence
but as
unneceflary to conceal
is
am
the re-
entitled to repeat
it.
it,
it
and
There
have been, within thefe few years, writings publifhed in Scotland directly levelled' againft religion
taking
treating our
itfelf,
derifion,
God.
and bringing
Writings of
in
this
Now, where
Have they
?
moved for the exercife of difcipHne againft the writers ? Have they fupported the motion when made
Charateriflics againft fuch writings
pel,
all
impeaches the
fidelity
at leaft a profefled
whole
faid
Does not
which only
tempt
this
men
to fay, as
was
That
tu ffe.
againft
God
man may
Almighty,
in perfedi fecurity j
but
if
he
he
is
CharaiSleriftics,
24I
ECCLESIASTICAL CHARACTERISTICS.
a regard
that
ground of
men,
-,
and yet
it
never occurred
cha-
all
to thefe gentle--
was hurtful
to the intercil
of religion.
Charai:eriilics,
months before
was
pamphlet publiihed
called,
it,
-A
This univerfal
the
it is,
uncontradicted
PI
ient a certain
fame
few
attributed
Dr
late
to rcprc**
fet
of popularity.
Befides this he
he
calls
fcene of iniquity,"
**
which
with the
initial
letters of the
guilty.
it,
tells
Was
to bii
my
know, what
of iniquity,
it is
that
Now,
Jt
(hould be glad to
a fcene
I
mult
way
contrary to
it
tills
at all?
by
am
difference of
X3
THE
242
in themfelves,
thofe
againft
the reafon
is
others.
do not
and attacking
tutional decifions,
print
liate
their characters in
if
laft
to reta-
fit
with fo
it
as poflible,
from
from prudence,
becaufe
tempted many to
juft, or
it
fa6t
in
conduct
their
fay, the
is
wound
forgiven.
This, however.
It
would be of
little
moment.
Is
itfelf
But
were juft.
hope
it
if
appears
fuppofing the conduct of the clergy to be unbecoming their profeffion, a regard to religion not only
permits, 'but loudly calls for
of
it.
This
is
agreeable
ti
to
fevere reprehenfion
the
fentiments and
men
in every age.
among
their weaknefies
mention
this, left it
(hould
come
into
virtues.
any perfon's
ECCLESIASTICAL CHARACTERISTICS.
mind, what
is
243
be namelefs in Englifti
fhall
know
of a crime that
a6);
*',
and
this
earneftnefs,
fubjedl:, the
next point
To
is.
"
ironical ftyle.
prompted
ligion
way
"
Would
it
why was
them of
to attack the
not done in a
it
ly to
made of my^
am
it
iftics,
when he
to the public
fenfible,
made an im-
it,
would
it
it
and there-
" Alas
there
if
tion
humoly apprehend,
between thefe two means
many
cafes,
it is
was
general, I
with care.
firil
in a ridicu-
them
and warned
fin,
them
there
:
Is
.''"
In
no oppofi-
and therefore, in
Let
me
THE
244
proper method,
and
what p^w-
fecondlyy
concurred to render
it
the moft
if
That
it
is
is
There
thority.
are
we have an
interpreters
irony
and
as
many
which
:
ridicule In
facred writings.
ver. 22.
employ
a lawful thing to
fuch a caufe,
God
do generally fuppofe
mod
of the
it is
himfelf
be in
to
man
is
"And
become
the
as
Lord God
one of
us, to
faid.
know
upon the
God.
Adam
On
devil's promife,
of becoming
by
The conduct
It is
is
another
recorded,
known
Kings
27.
on
Eliis
is
purfuing, or he
a journey, or peradventure
he fleepeth and
god, either he
is
this
is
talking, or
he
muft be awaked."
There are
fame manner
ECCLESIASTICAL CHARACTERISTICS.
ef fpeaking in the prophetical books
245
particularly,
The
footifti
known
folly of idolaters.
as are alfo
and therefore
fome
in
omit them
who, though
man
X. 32.
was the
it
flrongeft
wrot^
but aflerted
this,'let
and
its
any
when
neceflity
man only
his writings
in this
and
ufe.
manner themfelves,
To
be convinced of
others of the
mod
approved charaders.
many
It is in-
There
commonly
men under
a pride
and
felf-fufliciency in
them deaf
is
to
foning
pride
But
is
left
neither
is
levelled a little
by
this
them
till
their
difmaying weapon.
24<5
my
THE
my
The
firft
have done,
real
which they
lived> than
prefent purpofe.
from Tertullian
is
nothing
is
combat.
different
they are to
That which
elfe
beg
I fhall
from three
in effel.
to laugh,
is
There
are
many
things
which ought
to be treated
with
Nothing
bating them.
than derifion
becaufe
caufe
it is
it is
*,
and
more
is
juftly
due
and
chjearful,
aflured of victory.
It is true,
we ought
do
it
to vanity
it
but
if
and un-
it is
and
duty
fo."
The
fecond paffage
following words
"
is
from
Who
St.
Auguftine, in the
of falfehood
religion {hall be
and
wit
to entice or feduce
,
ftyle as to lull
the reader
alleep ?"
The
third paflage
is
ECCLESIASTICAL CHARACTERISTICS.
247
which
are oppofite to
the
firft,
There
and contempt.
them
are
a divine beauty
two
which
and
laft,
a guilt
and
a delufion
and contemptible.
folly
Wherefore, as the
faints
filly
have
them
contempt.
Their zeal
bad
men
by
That
folly
derifion
it is
and fcorn."
hope
is
That
this is
fubjel,
I
is,
when
their
own
do not,
lill
in proportion to their
flcill,
yet
who
endeavour to en-
It is
often in-
it
but fmiling
at
my
what
my
is
whether
the execution.
defence here.
It
was, in the
this,
was
is
might there-
abfurd
men have
it
fell
talents for
of courfe to the
THE
248
readers to determine,
But
how
far I
either, or
as, in fat, it
my
own
termined
me to make
fliall
choice of
way
it,
feemed
to render
it
necefla-
the reader.
Nothing
the age.
mind
which makes
is
more
prevails at prcfent
levity of
very hard to
it
is
ferious.
among
very
though
firft
I refolve to
fetting out, I
little
am
this
adhere to
moment
title
*,
of a
many, and
ranks
their attention
fix
The
fufficient to difguft
is
all
my
to
contains
it
promife at
ers of
my former
Nay, it
is
treatife will
vouchfafe
and
them
*,
juft or pure,
a perufal.
it
this to
be the
affirm, that
that
is
is
it
to fay,
no
is
which
is
is
is feriojjs,
me^n
application of
difpofition has
fubjel, be
it
what
been wonderfully
it
This
and wonderfully increafed by the generality of
The authors
wTiters among us for fome time paft.
will.
grati-
fied,
ECCLESIASTICAL CHARACTERISTICS.
silnes,
and even
common
and
From
get a
Another
fame
their feve-
it is
fo eafy to
means of forming,
for the
government, or learning.
principled,
is
Great Britain,
What
novel-writing.
we have had
tion of thefe
in
in the variety
which make up
perufing thefe,
that
one another
fuperficial
little
is
own
ral colledions.
249
upon the
an inunda-
pad
would
known.
fafBciently
It
in
From-thefe circumftances,
;an
mud
intending author
it is
eafy to fee
what
eyes.
can ufe
made
it
relifli
neceflary for
who
far better
it,
and more
me
upon
to fall
This
folid food.
method of
compofition which might have fome chance to procure the attention of the public
executed,
I
could think
almofl: univcrfully
is
and
pleafing,
Befides,
culous light
-,
Chara6teri{lics
been long a
were
me
fo,
publiflied.
in a very ridi-
than
when
the
Moderation had
among themj
mod
They made
great
manner of
Vol. VI.
think-
250
jng
and
as a teltimony
pofed, that
who
all
of
it,
THE
weak
two
fools, except
filly
or three knaves
who
knew
fo that I never
-,
my
attempt would be
gueiTed at
them
but
fuccefsful, could
imagined, that
fame
How
far
only
be
could exhibit
if I
light in
which they
and
ib
happened
it
in fa6l.
a half fheet,
under the
containing
title of,
the
lift
My firft inMay
I753>
maxims themfelves,
of felf-evident truths
:"
were added,
few months afterwards, in the
and
fent abroad a
bear.
way
to render
little
regard
a fcrious kind.
The
Characlieriltics
of morals
whole
office
difcipline in point
pofition of a call
call at all.
This,
when done
it
as
always
mock-
25 F
ECCLESIASTICAL CHARACTERISTICS.
ing of God.
felvcs
came
ordinations-,
till
atlail
it
was
the conltitution
man muft
although every
who
lived
agree,
about
fifty
would
fay,
it
-,
but
all
were trodden
came
to
fo confident of their
all
reafoning on
tlie
Nay, they
at lafl
fo
be-
deaf
fubjedl:,
ner
This induced
them
them
though
One
to write in a
other reafon
way
was no
it
corretion.
fliall
fo greatly
is
Y2
The
was LordShaftef-
" Ridicule
man-
whether they
it
me
to hear
it
is,
that
This principle of
A SERIOUS
252
his
/-POLOer FOR
THE
there
hardly any
is
who
world,
man
fended in conVerfation.
how
try
and
it
was
therefore willing to
this
it
might
at
The
particular opinion.
of thefe I do really
laft
at leaft within
-,
Iphere of converfation.
Iiear
it
keep
lent
I
is
narrow
we now
If they have
leaft
my
but feldom
It is
more
it
to themfelves,
upon it
hope the reader
and are
lefs info-
will
be truth
in
in
it
nothing that
is
an A^uivocal fenfe
true
my
ad-
There may
myfelf.
it
for to be fure
but
is
as
is
it
excellent
may, by
Ur Brown,
in his Effays
atioa
from reafoning,
la ihi
it
"
is
place of rcafon
is
far as
for, fo
it is
diflin-
ECCLESIASTICAL CHARACTERISTICS.
more ready
are
tilings
allows, that
falfehood
pofe
the
and
*'
very proper to
is
it
But he
lead us aflray.
to
difgrace
as the application of
253
known
pur-
to this
it
is
bed and
to hinder
mean
In the
time,
if
now under
fhown by
and
fon,
am
clear
confideration, let
ready to repent of
it,
and renounce
it.
3.
This leads
treatife
among
be abfolutely neceflary,
This
us.
as
confefs to
it is
is
It will be*
nothing fmful or
where they
or that this
ridicule.
ters of the
Very
in
a6l in a
manner unworthy of
their office,.
really deferved
it ?
this
branch of the
fome
There
fubje<n:.
which
places.
is
it
Upon
are
many
dangerous to
the fuppofi-
church
is
of
them with
be in a forry fituation
judges.
man
v^'ho
The
if
vent as convitii
Y3
fhould upbraid
manner, would
lit*-
fervice, or rather
tie
THE
CJ4
their refentmeHt.
ed agalnfl
mad
hope
as to
to
envenom
already fo enrag?
and
am I fo
to
However formidable
am
may
difEcuky
this
appear, I
what
is
now
may
to be offered,
made
be more inclined to
;
and, by breaking
members, re-
With
view
this
Many from
let
me make
a preliminary
remark.
all
who
joined in the
were reprefeuted
tirized
in the Chara6teri(lics,
from the
An
writer's mind.
admit, was
tion of the
book
itfelf
The
guity.
fa-
and
fhall
now
deliver
my
political
of Scotland, appear to
me
pad
in the
church
refts of religion.
mod
of thofe meafures
on
their
pei^-
own
ECCLESIASTICAL CHARACTERISTICS.
men
mod
lupport the
to
tliemfelves
in their
The
public meafures.
25^
Union
of opinion in po-
men
conne6Vion between
of
and
human
men to giv
who are worfe
as
dernefs, that
it is
do, and
yfkamed of
it,
honeftly defend
Whatever
all
appearance
it.
unites
party, alienates
nate reflections
tereft,
mere
it
*,
been
tural for
obferved,
moting
than
for
rife
religion,
Nay,
fomewhat
na-
eafily irritable at
and
zeal for
pro-
at thofe
is
it
clergymen, to be more
concern
it,
and rcfentment.
that
indlfcrimi-
another in-
clfecl of party-malice
has
in
foil to
it.
So
that every
may
one
lay
from fuca
256
THE
below him.
The more
one refpet,
it
is
juft, the
more
difficult, in
who
obferve
it.
however
therefore,
plainly I
evil
convince
many
it
of
it
it,
to
or
a church
of
may make
that fuch
great degree.
my
in
lies
it
fin,
and
appear,,
will be hard to
Many
was once
the fame ideas of
be
to
fins that
were admit-
fin,
fame degree of
it.
worlhip, for inftance, as an unneceflary piece of devotion, will never be brought to imagine, that an
aflembly
is
members who
fo
many
if I
may
On
men
who
are to be
found
though
at routs
all
fhould
the terras
name thofe
ECCLESIASTICAL CHARACTERISTICS.
tion.
If
we go
we may, from
knowledge of human
not
file
is
in a lax
would be
fo, it
it
a general obferva-
of Scotland,
firm,
farther, perhaps
improper to introduce
we
to
expel to find
fa6ls, I iliould
will not be
257
commanded
go further, and
pad
a miracle.
to fay,
it
Nay,
I will
would be fuch
We
in this
If
were
it
venture to
a miracle as
church have
and during
all
civil
power.
no
efFe61: in
ners,
it
mufl needs be
a miracle
-,
becaufe
The
a trial
interval
con-
thing
confident be unfuccefs-
primitive church
will, I
had
it is
and he that
am
happened before,
ful.
had
man-
how
firfl:
centuries
yet they
And
hif-
tory informs us, that though they had not then any
civil
which
So long
as 3 minifter
is
THE
258
men
eft
and
how
can
though
living
elfe
were
Therefore,
knew nothing
it?
Japan, and
in
would
it
in-
of outward
(lie
had
profperity,
manners was
that iron
'
After
all,
it
is
fomewhat
in
it
bad man
and that
This
is
it is
certainly
the candid.
There
is
among
thofe
who
It is
how much
firft
mean
the laity*
approbation
publiQied
am
were,
if it
and that
gion
if it
had been a
is
na-
its
admirers would
clafs
intereft of reli-
mankind,
perfuaded
it
and not-
it
fatire
at all,
without an objet.
of the
ECCLESIASTICAL CHARACTERISTICS.
25^
them
in
an oppofite Hght
to rc-
fuppofe he had
who had
faved
mortified in their
own
fermon on the
after
little
fitting half
Lord's day, or
walking
lives,
at their
as fo rigid
and
were
dan-
that they
in
church of Rome.
Whether would
the author of
judgment
read
or,
it ?
derftood
was
fo idle as to
backwards
it
cafe, there
if
Whereas,
the prefent
in
drawn, by the
aflent
and
and
The
priety
laity
:
many
its
pro-
dence
have been
n, in con-
verfation with a
it
whom
alfo
faid
againfi:
;
but
a certain
party of the
we have many
in
England
credit,
tliat
It
is
the
i6o
Blfliop of
O d
and
He
faid,
then
Dr
fpoke
wiflied their
have feen a
THE
letter
n,
commends
thefe words
Is
it
r,
in
which he
party to which
for
A
we
fine
to be fuppofed, that
Or
Eng-
Shall
many fuch
filler-church
fome
furprife,
on the different
fituation of affairs in
which
and
tools of thofe in
power
fome of them
*,
fome
prehenfion of
book
that
had
it.
tlie
to publifh a
It,
2^1
ECCLESIASTICAL CHARACTERISTICS.
in Scotland,
hired to
fliip
he ought,
fly to
at the
fame time,
all
tice
viour of thofe
The
to have a
another country.
who
is
are fuppofed to be
made
the beha-
aimed
at firft, the
at.
ma-
lice
virell
We
founded.
ground
was none,
reduce
ftiall
was none.
If there
it,
for
Many, even
it
much
why
difconcerted by
no more open
ftiould they
it ?
If they
to
have been
were not
hit, it
but
us
let
now go
little
ftate
fatire.
It
how
far
would be
it
te-
dious to mention every fmgle ftroke of raillery contained iu that performance but fo far as it carries
:
ing
clafles,
We
fliall
may
ately.
I.
VoL.VL
ftate in
point of
THE
262
Doctrine.
many
It is
certainly
hinted,
that
arc
th'er6
v.'ho
And
Catechifms.
Is
it
is
it
poffible to
deny
this fat
many
pulpits there
gofpel? or,
if
they be mentioned at
all, it is
no more
than an aukward and cold compHment to fave appeara'nces, while fomething very different
infifted on.
iiines,
If I
both
am
in the
is
and
chiefly
man by
fallen ftate of
nature
The
*<
^The abfo-
The pardon
fo great
fo extenfive an influence
religion, that
believed, they
the
omifTion
plaints
yet certain
upon
therefore I
doctrine
is
fubjc6l:
no jealoufy of an intended
it is,
this fubjet
am warranted
that
many
are the
com;
and
complained of arc
manner
as to
I fhall
There
is
now
be underftood.
put the argument in another form.
If
ECCLESIASTICAL CHARACTERISTICS.
263
in the
are
am
it.
more
fo in the
mod
and
clear
who
explicit
perfuaded there
to
have
it
are
known
I iliall
be tokl here.
general complaints
Why
name
It is
anfwcr, that
it is
men may
of
afide.
What
legal pro-
would
To
in fuch a
it.
they
manner, that
my,
pro-
be immediately laid
is
do
this I
to
bable
thought
and nothing
men
to
preach he-
a profecution fignify,
a court, of which,
if it
laity,
differ little in
per-
opinion
My
me
to fay
any thing
my
am
perfuaded,
all
Wherever they
and inculcated,
are maintained
On
life
pradlical religion.
and manners
the contrary,
2^2
ftriCl-
will be their
A SERIOUS APOLOGY
264
F^B.
THE
Of
morality in practice.
our
former periods,
But there
fubjeft
this
turns not fo
it
no occafion
the ridicule
thefe dodlrines,
the CharaSteriftics
in
abfurdlty of
grofs
firm a perfuailon I
that of
the
as
compared with
is
much on
of
nation,
a ftrong
is
and
will immediately
certainly- introduce
may have
men's
However
by every one
men,
for
to
who
diflers
at their entrance
a/ter tl>ey
all
their
deftroy,,
is
given to
1
fo-
office,
But
from them.
on the facred
it
a printed fermoii,
nod
in
Scotland
tions, th^
preached
minds
it
i&
is
What
keep them
commifTion of
thjit
it.
The
to religion.
fy-
fo direl: a violation
opening of a
aftonilhlng to think
of
at the
of fincerjty, that
fet their
from
weli as a fcandal
it
with an acl of
fo-
26$
ECCLESIASTICAL CHARACTERISTICS.
complicated guilt
How
them up
or to train
fin,
is
in vir-
chargeabb
falfe entries,
and
This
is
and yet
know no circumftance
fer, that
which they
in
it
to
be
lefs
dif-
criminal
laity
who,
Catechifms, and
whoever
having
will reflect
all
fubfcribed to
it,
am,
their
condemn the
What
neral.
tics
is
above,
The
may
enough anfwcr
compofition,
may well
any defence.
is
beyond
all
in-
queftion.
manner of fpeaking on
which both fpeaker and hearer
thofe fubjets, in
lefs
Mr Witherspoon's Syhod-:ermon,
Z3
%66
fn^nted foppery of
of the pulpit
ftyle, fo
ill
TOE
it
all,
where
ii\y
the
is
own
fin
am
part, I
grieved to fee fo
drawn from
real life^
For
learning
little
is
ani in a
weakefl commonly do as
as the wifeft
much
fervice
fill
mud
attention
Let
manner of the
fpeaker.
people.
Upon
church,
that
review,
to
is
morals of minifters
an.i
all
"What
(hall I fay in
thing appears to
me
defence of
this,
5ire
vity
to be manifellly true
There
in general, le-
And would
to
God
there
were not
ly
few
foijie
diforderly perfons,
ECCLESIASTICAL CHARACTtRIS
youngefl: fort in general, but
as in
fome meafure
increafe of corruption
vifible
the beft.
This
teaches us to
among
without exception,
is
It
expe<Sl:.
2.
among
is
The
prefent age
Becaufe iniquity
**
Matt. xxiv.
a remarkable
is
iOy
IC3.
be a
alfo
all
If there
guilty.
wax
fliall
is
cold,"
moving exam-
As
there
piety
is
preferve
fome regard
who
which our
I
am
own
of hiftory put
have been
but
it
many
liable
beyond
to
fome deception
queftion, that
all
among
it)
every age
the quantity of
may
yet certainly
it
Nay,
it
local
and oc-
I fee
no rea-
human
virtue,
often changes
its refi-
fettle in anotlier.
tliat
as
nation, in a
growing
there
human
in
nations, of
all
Perhaps (though
com-
in every age,
the
at
inflances,
cafional depravation.
ill
and of
age,
plaint of religious
local
lafl
quiet and
peaceable
infenfibly worfe,
till
it
ftate,
is
always
be either fo corrupt
2^8
They
much
are
to be
and
vifionary,
refufing
nature as foolilh
this
much
fo
examine
to
as
On
or groundlefs.
of opinion, that
power
it is
the contrary,
and vigilance
own
in the duties
is
juft
by
in
lirs
ftrit-
a bold and open teftimony againft every thing contrary to the intereft of true
and undefiled
now
chiefly to
could
If
religion.
do with the
were proper,
it
eafily
to
fill
;
every ferious
would
not
tolerated
book
by
am
all.
This
is
the
more proper,
tions
that the
from duty,
rather fmlles
at
as are
on fuch devia-
the ridiculous,
ECCLESIASTlCilL CHARACTERISTICS.
There
is
many
trays
26p
when
therefore,
war-
little
who
minifters
Thefe fentiments,
which are univerfal, contribute to keep the proportion between the clergy and laity always nearly the
When
fame.
Hill
ready to forget
how
Many
men.
to have been.
There
is
lefs
criminal in other
which
ap^
one
(hows
from cenfqre
how
and make
If
*,
his
pro-'
fet apart
m;inifeilly
fatirical reproof.
if
he reckons
it
a piece of
improve-
feldom, or
his
boaft
who
aje willing to
by a
libel,
it
may be
Chriftian.
That fuch
is
2^0
THE
there
it
beyond contradidion.
is
that
wounds given
to their
however,
cafe,
they have an
eafy
In
remedy
am
ters of minifters-,
and therefore
fhall
only add,
we
nifters
think
themfelves
at
Did not
let
few
feveral mi-
liberty to attend
am
upon me
the
many
fenfible,
as a perfon
mark of our
it,
depravity.
muft, however,
infift
upon
man may
modem
times,
which any
much
did
fo gentle^ that
it
m.iny,.
ECCLESIASTICAL CHARACTERISTICS.
it
to encourage, than
if I
27I
am
now
It
ap-
rupted, there
is all
This, indeed,
would be
it
tempt a proof of
a reflection or
it
idle
and unneceflary to
and therefore
to
fo noto-
is
only
I fhall
at-
make
who had
moral fentiments.
It
what
known what
well
is
met with
nor will
was ufed
be
forgot,
it;
fort of reafoning
reduced.
which our
flate to
It
fpirit.
it
Upon
this
lliall
fooii
againft
light, that
difcipline is
cuting
violent
from
as a
a perfe-
What
ly?.
is
ecclefiaflical
cenfure? Is
it
nny more
penalties follow
upon
it
in
No
civil
and no
civil
it is
among
upon
it
us,
in any nation.
and necefTary,
ned
From
for v/hat
is
If in
is
any
condem-
272
refle(9:
THE
who pronounce
it.
idly..
provoked
at the
to be
impudence of profefTed unbelievers,
name
them of
it? If infidelity
of Chriftians, or to fmile
perfecution to deprive
it
were a
principle, properly
all
men,
felves
bound
tifm,
as honeft
what
defiring admiflion to
Inftead of
believers.
would confider
them ; and
As
They
it is
do with
to
and
we
friends.
Tfdly,
What
fing Chriftians
who
None
of
Can
commu-
they, or will
Can
it
can
be of any benefit to
all thefe.
But
it
muft
vifibly
ECCLESIASTICAL CHARACTERISTICS.
now
It
3.
273
(late
government.
This, fo far as
it is
its
from the
touched upon in the
it is
different
few
miniflers, with a
and
upon the
hints
who
atteftations of elders
fit
as
qualifications
members
in the
fupreme court.
The
tions
is
probably
differences.
lies at
am
among
us upoii this
the bottom of
all
our other
many who
my
power, would
it
in
of their
power of
any thing
have to
In order,
let
me
offer.
if poflible,
to procure
fome
attention,
am
embraced, or
or malice are
commonly imputed
eflablifliment
Vol. VI.
has a right to
;
as.
call a
to
me
and others
u^on an
this
right for
ought to
them by
'well,
that
Who
has a
it
his death
it is
title
maintenance
Neither would
we
whom
we
my
to
it.
have
Every
following propofitions.
him
it
man ought
Such a
The
inequality.
contained in the
is
man
in this
to
our pow-
in
that fubje6t.
real
pu-
title
of
perfei:ly
lum
know
mofl fedi-
in the
We
er
though
tious
blic
THE
274
hath a natural
happy
ifland, to
reli-
The
it.
legal fti-
He
cannot be of
upon
if
ill
much
fervice to
;
compelled, by ecclefiaftical or
religion
-,
No man
they be
at all,
ought to be
civil penalties, to
fub-
The
if
he can be of none
them,
is,
only in-
that decen-
and our indifpenfable duty as church-courts, remake no fuch fettlements, without the
quires us to
Perhaps
might go
a little farther,
and
fay, that
no-
ECCLESIASTICAL CHARACTERISTICS.
The
point
Does
make
the law as
now
it
without expoftulation
and what
dependent
is
If
does,
it
we have
it,
law
is
the be-
is
It is in
fe-
vain to dif-
upon ourfelves
and thofe
*,
from parochial
are averfe
what
jurifdi(Slion of
Ihips
compel us to
and
femble
(lands,
all
nefit,
275
who
in their hearts
Were
fettle-
we
At any
from them.
fhould have
little
trouble
in
our
would be removed.
difficulty
hap-
many
of
blifliing
nay,
them zealoufly contending for it, and eftait by their own repeated decifions. It would
only
it
to every
man
but
at prefcnt I forbear,
to affign
and
for himfelf
them
period.
Whether
ward change
is
of
fecms to be
likely to
fo
near
little
being contended
it is
for,
a 2
27^
THE
When
comes
be a
to
fettled
it
ment, they
and
will
This
fold.
is
ways be the
human
of
itate
may
cafe in
teach us this.
Within
it
will al-
experience
great
To
Cur own
nature.
And
ftrengthen the
That
it.
it
will
fhown to
zeal
is
highly
be quite ineffec-
power of
prefentations,
and yet prevent fimony, is juft as hopeful an attempt, as to open the windows, and keep out the
light.
to find
is
men,
happened.
There
pe61:,
is
one
diftrefiing
The
among us
uncommon
will be
degree.
they will be every year of ftill lefs value by the improvements of the country, and increafing wealth
of other clafles of men.
ECCLESIASTICAL CHARACTERISTICS.
who
277
fo fcanty a provifion?
any money^ to
mend
I believe fo
give.
fordid, per-
money.
am afhamed
it
is
Can any
Such
a minillry
the
undoubtedly cer-
procured.
in
even to mention
have been,
muft
fall
into the
mod
lowed and
We
differ
much from
clergy in the
many
that church,
mod
In
inferior
who
en-
Thefe have
nob-
dif-
By
this
from
a ludre
which
(lie
her conditution.
Scotland
But what
mud
be the cafe in
Shall
into futurity
as to fubmit to
part
themfelves
may
fiiall
be thrud
down
to a
a 3
SfS
than ever.
It is in
THE
riched by additional
ance of thofe
who
many
falaries,
for
The
reft.
aflift
fame expec-
govern the
a very
truth
is,
and
let
The above
pedl, and
is
is
of thofe
When
they
it
licentious
tuate
them
danger in
to
this
fawning and
cafes,
as well as habi-
There
fervility.
On
is
more
confult-
more odious
ters
open
in
forry that fo
much way
am,
al-
Small changes
men
In ancient
office
own
of a bifhop.
as
ECCLESIASTICAL CHARACTERISTICS.
which
was
procefs
who
verfaries,
and
I
of a
the,
callers or refufers.
for
to
at the biir, to
people
on by the
carried
279
to treat
difdain.
mind,
practice
for
it
So long
as they are
is
it
can be of very
of
in the
confequence
little
how men are chofen, if they are fit for the office.
They tell us, an edicb is ferved before admifhon,
where every man has accefs to object againft the life
The effect of this will
or dolrine of the prefentee.
Judicial procefles of that kind are
be very fmall.
How
fometimes dangerous.
them
of England
to
land as in Scotland
yet
difficult,
few then
!
will
and
be fo
The example
competent
It is as
immorality in Eng-
what perfon or
parifli
ever
thinks of
why do you
to prefent
How
licenfe
any
improper
man who
furprifing
is
refleclion (hould
it,
make
men
human
impoflible
it is
that perfons
ufe'of this
of ever fo
argument ?
leafl
It
little
pro-
knowledge
and
vigilant.
If there
aSo
THE
be but
fo faithful,
any one of
Nay,
let
may be
de-
all.
they
nnd fuch
and fupport
a fentence
The more we
we fhall
of refufal.
better fecurity
regularity and
for
clergy, than
all
the fubje61:.
Frequently
they
will
decency in the
men
not,
would be a
itfelf.
If a prefentation
muft fupercede
all
judgment
of the church-courts, as to the propriety of an ordination, and even the expediency of a tranflation,
may
we
We
connections.
kind already
may be
much
but
greater and
this
more fhameful
quired an
haps,
power.
irrefiftible
anfwer, that
is
is
all
likely they
very true
ning and
end of
in
tliat
period.
Patrons conti-
to pay a regard
to the
opinion of the
at the
nued long
It
28
Jieritors,
As
congregation concerned.
the
i;i
own
and
iefs
lefs
they
hand,
at
at all.
This argument
will,
weight, that
perfons, both
among
who
who were
in other
cafes,
but
when
manner.
nical
The
have
common
people
and
themfelves, as
is
tical flruggles,
mufl
rity
being
this
they
finiflied,
feel the
it
now
whetlier a remedj be
The
eftabliflied.
hath
evil
fomewhat uncertain
is
poflible
nay,
it is
dill
more uncertain, whether any refinance will be feThe confequences however are
rioufly attempted.
be fo
like to
terrible, that
plaint, and,
they
in particular,
may
my
be
well juftify
com-
whom
As
fufed to be prefent
no body,
r.t
I Giall fay
on miniftcrs who. re
but
little,
of
Mr
punity.
Gillefpic,
The
reafun probably
is,
the thing
is
now
382
fo
common,
that the
odium attending
deavour to divide
Jike to
become
it is
become
But
it.
THE
univerfal,
as that
may
it
what,
alas
God,
it is
is
commonly
of
men
there
was
doubtful, or pernicious
Let any
lefs
man
commandments
when
nourable fettlements.
Nay, though we fhould look
upon the prefervation of church- authority as a matter of great moment, it was not obedience to the
flanding laws, on which the welfare of the whole
depends, that was fo ftril:ly required, but compliance with, or approbation of the decifions of the
look upon
It
con-
fcience, in
What
me
it
perfons
have,
man
who
fhould
where fome
though joined
in
This part
lengthened
of
out,
the
fo
much
ECCLESIASTICAL CHARACTJRISTIC3.
There
ehurcli-courts.
Is
283
owing
men do
not fee
themfelves,
it
mult be
it
in vain to
it is
contend with.
Thus
hope
Nothing
me
to
it
as
an
which the
it
to.
on account of
its
na-
ture,
the public.
its
If there
myfelf.
me
is
viz.
It
often happens,
that
fl:and
champion
forth as a
the battle
when
That the
to find
one
with the
vilify his
meafure, give
it
much
fatisfa6tion
a(Sted in a wifer
and
all
who
284
of Scotland
is
fuch as
There
a natural union,
fpirit
among
pears.
am
inftances in
is
all
a wonderful,
men
worldly
though
againft the
wherever
religion,
it
ap-
one of the
is
this
world are
Nothing
adopt
it
God.
is
impolTible to the
power of
apoftacy,
the
This was
ftreet,
Cor-
Scotland
and
appeared in
way
to
defponding thoughts.
that fhall
its
ruins
at laft prevail.
and
its
flie
had done
We
Religion
{hall rife
hope for
its
from
fpeedy revival.
us to
THE
HISTORY
A
OF
CORPORATION
Off
SERVANTS.
BISCOVERHD A
SOUTHAMERICA.
COKTAINING SOME VERY SURPRISING
EXTRAORDINARY CHARACTERS.
Vol.
VL
15
EVENTS- AN
ADVERTISEMENT.
THE Reader will find h'nnself obliged to the
Author of the following History, for the pains
he hu'.h taken to render it as entertaining and
With
sentimental as possible.
this
view he
when he had
Instead of
this,
own
country.
By this
easy and
intelligible.
is
defi-
rendered quite
THE
HISTORY
OF A
ORPO RATION
OF
SERVANTS.
INTRODUCTION,
THE
Ikill
lies chiefly in
tainty,
much my
This
There
are
general
two
forts of
late,
if
any thing
account of the
my
inquiry
made very
own
is
what
age and
as follows*
demand in Great
Biography,
have, of
in
able and
is
may
vh.
is
(i.)
This
is
indeed,
of Hiflories,
Lives,
teaches people
how
(2j The
other
is
Adventures, Memoirs,
to live after
Bb2
^r.
and
288
INTRODUCTION.
ment of nine
new
nion, that
The
of religious enthufiafm.
ed
have been of
at,
very
little
reader
is
As an
curiofity.
really
raife
th<2
moft ex-
A great
ed.
living author,
and a running
when
nrll publiflied,
it
but
and
is
fore,
little
an unpardon-
taken notice of
now almoU
wholly for-
gotten.
Therefore, an author
is
who
undoubtedly happy
my own
bly prefume to be
good fortune,
of a
mod
cafe,
hum-
lead, for
labours under
is,
that
The
it
is
memory
This
now
it
remember
cf Shaftefbury, whcfe
true
are
us
for I
there
is
muchi.
INTRODUCTION.
more truth
of
tedious relaters of
This
The meaning
employing
289
lofs,
however,
I trufl will
be abundantly
made
may
many
truth
is,
hope there
ry, according to
like fiction,
Lord Shaftefbury,
all
is
true
fame
It will
chara(Slers.
and
will
it
be
be
being
in its be-
it
in its
lies-
both thefe
my
every refped.
fubjecSl in
The
readers.
a fmgular felicity in
is
it
partakes of
like truth,
like fidion,
becaufe
becaufe the
happened
iii^
To
introduce myfelf to
my
ftiips
of his
South Seas.
The
greateft part
made
a long
water,
it
fwim
happened
afliore
that, at
for
As
they were
provifions
and
Bb3
ri4TR0DUCTI0N.
2C)&
the
upon
afliore
near the
part
mouth of
Having flayed all night, unfortunately next morning the wind blew fo hard in fiiore
the ftreights.
and the
velTel
was obliged
to
other eight.
It is needlefs
here to
infill
'acci-
The
mean and
there
is
faculty of
man
abfolute
to
c-ed
when
extremity,
the inventive
fcanty pro-
vifion
poflible
all
Let
it
fufRce,
them were
killed
After
prifoners.
liift
way
who
hands of one
carried
There they
of a powerful prince.
them
at
a great
lived
many
years,
Two
of.
them,
at
laft>
acquired fuch a degree of favour, that, in compliance with their eaTneft requeil, they were fent
to
IJortugueze
the
fettlements,
One
of thefe perfons,
who was
man
of toler-
coming
to live
iii
my
neighbourhood, cam-
INTRODUC
miinicatecl to
me what
29 1:
riOl^.
In
much
Intereil
nble.
taining places of
peaceable
power and
and dignity
profit,
merit.
How
like
ourfelves.
all tliat
wliile
they
hail,
The
knovirledge
benefit
*,
for
though every
clafs cf
men
little
could clearly
he,
commendable
profufe,
difeafed,
would
For example>
qualities.
needy
lord,
would
traders
in
and regularity
owed
all
their fuccel's.
that
remember
to
have heard
it
before.
whofe conftitution
clafs
as a
of
men
in that
body, and
many
naof
whofe characlers and pra6hices were of the moft extraordinary kind, viz, the
S servants.
Their
flato
INTRODUCTION,
29^
and condut,
obfervation,
curiofity
at the
were
fo
time which
to
This
trace them.
cate
to
the
is
public,
fell
what
am now
to
commuift-
my
fliould
grace,
if a
fimilar to
flory
it,
in
book,
dif-
CHAR
Of
I.
much
among us.
they are
at prefent
and
a Corporation.
different
It
flill
fome
the fer-
from what
in
to
They were
trained up
fome acquaintance with, and applied themfelves
fuch work as they feemed to be fitted for by the
their bodies.
in
They were
own
labours, and
were
ed
it.
or mifbehaviour,
tliey
This, in-
honed,
refl:
fobcr,
and indutlrious.
They had
the inte-
much
or more^"
HISTORY OF A
'^^^^
2^4
wages.
But
it
princes,
againft
The prince was a man of a warm heart, and an uncommonly generous difpofition. Not content with
bountifully rewarding his benefa61:or by kindnefs
t4>
memory
of the
facSt,
for
For
this
purpofe, being
it
vants in particular.
It
1.
was ordered
that the
wages of fervants
evidently
that
it
all
dictated
by compaflion.
This was
He
obferved
who
who promoted
that thofe
in labour,
withftanding
live
fo poorly
diet,
He
" For my
my
part, I think a
man
confider
am
defirous
CORPORATION OF SERVANTS.
which they contribute
delicacies of life,
fo largely
accommodation of others."
He
295
comthem
poor would entirely difpirit them, and make them
do their duty in the mod carelefs and flothful manner, by which their mailers mud receive manifefl
prejudice.
On the other hand, a good and fecure
provifion would give them great vigo^ur and alacrity.
alfo obferved, that interefl:, as well as
fame thing
He
would
their falary
increafe their
by
that keeping
this
feeming burden.
would
provifion
free
by
to reap
thii
was
well enough
period, the
remembered
kingdom had
it
diftant
little
from
uncul-
them
no very
tivated,
Now
that, at
fufFered not a
It
to
come
into the
fervants,
kingdom from
blefs their
by inducing
them
to
marry
force his
argument,
fefvants poor,
tlaat
it
alledging,
would be odious
(gance to have
that
keeping his
to people of talle
them about
their perfons, or
and
ele-
even to
THE HISTORY OF
096
fee
them
in their houfes.
well-dreiTed;
genteel,
general
That
this
muft
be an advantage in particular to families in the counwho were coniiderably diflant from one ano-
try,
ther,
and
rery
little
in certain feafons
intercourfe
it
would be
many
better, in
abroad.
would
eftablilhed
an
put
entire
period
now
to
all
which
was
of
fource
family to another,
inconveniences.
daily
fenfe of
and
2.
much
feh>ols
jers
their
all
along at heart, as
built,
There were
ments.
It
was
tors of thefe
fervants
fit
difpofe of
fit
and raaf-
them
for
different tradls of
of employ-
them according
As
CORPORATION OF SERVANTS.
grooms, gardeners, and labouring
297,
men
of
forts
all
without doors.
The
is all
parts,
in
Education,
it
was
its
faid,
all.
the fervant.
will
It
They
much
therefore prepare
them
for
till
will enter
fome meafure of
retaining
man
feemed
iliould
alfo a
facility,
ruilicity
or, perhaps*
and inalivity
lives.
am-
iliould
be
bition
And
it
left to
3.
on
m judgment
and im^ar-
their part.
The
third
and
laft
regulation he eftabliflied,
large
corporation, containing
it.
To
many
fmaller
this corporation
was compofed, and eflabliftied a complete fuborThis was thought a piece of admirable
tlination.
wifdom and
policy.
They were
men
all
and
it
to
be
flri^tly
was fuppofed
which
nature.
The
Vol. VI.
feveral
clafTes
and
divifions
of the
THE HISTORY OF
298
all
fer-,
them
to turn
off
That
work.
their
when
this
the.,
law
in their
employments.
left in
any family could not be turned away but by an order of his fellow-fervants, to
whom
all
were
to
complaints
whom they
be judged.
Who
reafons.
fo
the
mod
excellent
body
on the whole
^
reflecSb
collective-
C
Of the
AT
Effects
firft,
H A
P.
11.
were
af-
eftablifhed, experivvell as
gene-
and
to difcover their
They
underflood the
CORPORATION OF SERVANTS.
upon
it,
They
ner.
in a
much
299
exatnefs,
Th6
and
ele-
fields
due regard to
who
Perforts
travelled
were
little
like
little
palace, and
Thus
paradife.
much upon
from
feemed
and diligence;
to
be
a fenfe of gra-
was
fo
them-
that every
change of their
But
alas
flate.
how
Ihort-fighted are
human
creatures
It
was
yet feemed, at
firft,
their
to be the chief
wages, which
for,
after they
had
When
to
grow
fat,
and
Cc
fPHE HISTORY Ol A
3*0
hear at
all
in their motions,
When
dd.
would
impoflible
pofitively ftand
to return fooner.
to
If this
that
it,
it
was not
v.
"<^
and yet
fatisfying,
they
to eat
This
fee med to
it ;
much
and
fo the'
diminifhed.
j^eral,
more
ought
upon
>to
do the
this part
bet-
for with
liberally they
lefs for
It is
it.
of the fubjedl
that, in general,
now
having
now
needlefs toenlarg-e
let
it
fufHce to fay,
in their generation,
they
Changes
in all refpe^ts
came on
infenflbly.
It
30I
CORPORATION OF SERVANTS,
by the regulations, was the
of fervants.
This
the country
Whereas before
witnefs.
increafe of the
number
effect
Not only
was there a great confluence of llrangers from diftant places, but many of the inhabitants, not inconfiderable in point of ftation
found
it
their intereil to
it.
Of
I fliall
pro-
duce them.
As
gan
way
of thinking be-
fame time.
employment
now
ence
of
fo
know nothing
much,
as the difference
fpeaking in
Scotland,
and what
is
ufual in
Here we fpeak of
in
England they
man
call it
fervice,
priety, a
it
this fituation, it
happens with
all
c 3
THE HISTORT
32
OF A
upon
fall
all
number of
wages.
When
imaginable methods
They contrived an
in-
own
had of their
a family
free
mo-
mark of favour upon a good ferthe thing was immediately fpread abroad, and
vant,
all
their fervants
the fame^
till
They would
often in a
afe
and,
when
it
came
to their
own
own
covet-
Where
ouilom
it
imilies
pri-
and by that
means procure their confent. When they were not
only ignorant, b\it timid and cowardly, they would
go
a (hort
way
to
if
to
burn their
^very demand.
and
were the
arts of
Such
as got
fas it
were
in perpe-
The
fervants of
fome perfons
lift
COBPOKATION OF
t^ay
kVA>TTS.
SI
^cy^
over to them
it
They perfuaded
mud
**
weakh
Induftry,"
it
they,
"
is
the
to a nation.
acknowledge, are
thence
faid
public
their thriving
means of indullry
tb.e
more ferargument
made
And
for fervants.
made
were fettlements
dernefs,
a fmgle creature to
a fea-ihore,
where
They
fcrve
alfo got
officious
care,
about
Tick
fervices,
40
their
them
many
left
great legacies
in their wills.
Continues the
CHAP.
III.
same
And particularly
Subject.
WHEN
and im-
THE HISTORY OF
304
They
affirmed, that
it
was
eflential
them (hould
In a family
to arch-overfeers,
To
added fub-overfeers,
they
who had
all
At a
was
which
it
fubfift.
to,
An
follows.
great
after
many
pofal he
had
to lay
made a fpeech to
" Honoured and very dear
before them,
Brethren,
is
the
tion,
Is
to
order,
The
great-
us with as
as complete
we
is
of fociety
fubordination.
among
life
much
ftrldlnefs,
and extenfive as
ftand
fo
and
to
it
There are
poffible.
fecurely,
form of a cone
officers
make
or
as
thofe
a pyra-
fORPORATION Ot SEKVANYS.
le/Ten
305
is
carried on
till it
it
be
Therefore, the
terminate in a point.
till it
end
in a iingle perfon,
who may
unite
And,
nion.
as the perfon
who
on ths top of a
is
who
upon any of the lower Heps of it, fo the peris at the head of the whole fociety of ferwho
fon
ftand
wifdom and
judge
is
as this order
and as a
laft refort
in
of the
is
or fupreme
fociety, fo I
to be
Nay,
fagacity.
jnflitution of nature,
all
do think
it
may be
hope
to
knoMdedge, and a
it is
fort
whom, and
to
my
Now,
of infinite mind.
I
am
myfelf
the perfoa
power
One
effccSts
upon the
rifes
up and
fays, ".J
no good
At any
give up.
to precipitately
-,
for
it
it is
a prodigious innovation.'*
have condefcended
you that
one who,
rate,
to reafon
of a pyramid,
as alfo^ that
tliis
<*
for
is
muft be
incumbent
can be no other
THE HISTORY
306
than myfelf,
pire
who
OF A
been always
who
The
from whence
was
this evid-ence
fun
for
though
regulation are
my
me
is
The
to proceed.
It
far
wonder
to
as clear as the
is
all
yet
loft,
nurfe told
objector
hath
it
was an empire
before
v/as
d her
it
was hS:."
However
unwilling, one
would
think,
men
fhould
ped
authority,' yet fo
this
fcheme
not
ill
it
was
and, indeed,
;'
conceived at
how
acquiring and
own
ends.
It is
not to be
Thev
when they
for
the family,
it
was
to be underftood, that
In
it
would
privileges,
many
and
places the
lutely refufed to
up
to lazy contemplation.
ed
to afk
If
this,
CORPORATION OF SERVANTS.
were employed
wilhing that
all
307
all
and
fa-
It
fcheme by
But
as
ed, they
changed
confiderable
men
their note,
mod
They
affirmed
it
to be abfo-
have
the,
men by confequence
Inftead of being
able.
infilled, that
all
whofe
names I have forgot, becaufe they had neither fenfe nor
meaning. Nay, the emperor of the fervants arrived in
time at fuch power, that he made the richefl men in
the country, even the governors of provinces to tremble.
He ordered them
and,
when
flioes;
When my
I
much amazement
at
modedly
He
mod
pofitive
manner,
many
things dill
as an indance of
more wonderful
to
which he affirmed,
communicate.;
that
it
was not
tME
^OS
HISTORY OP A
men
command them
If
any perfdn or
leaft article,
bum
either,
to, for
fervants,
and them
be
to
whip thejn*
felves.
would
to
fa-
they
the houfe
io that they
What
or they
behoved immediately to
contributed not a
iifurpation,
fell
it,
was
eftablifh
ftarve.
to
little
flattering great
new
this
which they
men, and
They never
diftrid^.
In fupport of this
their fchemes.
it
aU
was alledged,
that families
was
did not
it
was
fome becaufe
black.
his
That they
know when
on by fuch
them.
as
That,
if
families
in a
raife fedition
and
On
the
other hand
it
men would
much
CORPORATION OF SERVANTS.
As
309
they were
alfo, that
But
houfe.
alas
the contrary of
found by experience.
They
was foon
all this
learned fpeedily to
when
which
to gratify,
fell
they
in-
of
profit
this fale
when
was found
out,
the
themfelves, and at
laft
it
came
to be
made an
addi-
peror.
It
may
in'
fo, as tradition
many
ages.
The
and
lands
now
eafily
fad fituation,
No body
were
forrily clothed,
and honourable
To
feers.
thefe indeed
fpeculative fort,
mod
As
and arch-over-
may be added
who were
fettled in hives, in
the
fortlie poorer or
tually aid
much
any work
opprefied, by
were as
time, as
mafters.
this
their
Vol. VI.
Dd
-'
THE H (TORY
310
H A
terrible
OF A
IV.
p.
Blow given
p the
'Domination of
and particularly
the Servants ;
to the
Power
of the ErnperOr,
appears to be a fat, though not very well ac-
ITcounted
for
by philofophers,
become
in their mifery
that,
when men
to flavery, they
hug
their
itfelf.
is
rags,
through the
by
reafon
itfelf
They
gloried
ftoutly
defended
all their
If
fome
by chance
it
happened,
(as there
one thought
fit
to
were always
complain of
the floth, debauchery, avarice and tyranny of the fervants, his brethren immediately raifeda hideous accufation againft him,
They immediately
afTifled
his
'
3II
CORPORATION OF SERVANTS.
They
firll,
If
upon
this,
he was will-
ing to recant, and folemnly to declare that the condiKfi of the fervants
of them
a
all
if
infilled
on
rid
at
length ended in
death.
However,
terrible
at laft, this
blow.
One
honeft heart, and a determined refolute temper, being filled with indignation at the oppreflion v/hich
the reft were- guilty of, fet himfelf to open the eyes
He
made
how been
a full
difeovery of
all
to
promote
mafters,
that
principle,
he
at all
fet
fervants
were
obHged
the
Whenever he went
lic
light.
pub-
in a long difcourfe,
from
their lethargy,
ment
This
with an opportunity
Many
imminent danger of
his life.
Dd2
When
he had nar-
;;
THE HISTORY
Of A
and
fornetimes
friends to take
him
attempted to bribe
him
in private
his
intirrate
However, by
by poifon.
off
would
public, they
in
how much
f;iw
rather,
by a
mod
ways brought
he was
fingular providence,
At
ofFfafe.
opened the
Thefe
came
al-
laft,
who
intereft, or
yoke
them back
to the old,
diately
in
founded
motion
the
alarm,
throughout
and
fet the
fervants
dominions.
his
all
mod violent
He
him of
nor was
it
eafy to fee
where
Me
fent out a
hat
it
it
it
would
with
all
power
flop.
He
his might.
was no
lefs
earth.
He
reprefented
it
as
fer-
own
fervants,
and of
fer-
CORPORATION OF SERVANTS.
He
without precedent.
devoting
execration,
The
who
all
fliould continue in
this re'ocliion to
Many
kingdom.
3 12
battles
civil
there
had
court,
The emperor
a manifeil advantage,
many
and
fides,
of
them
and
indeed,
hivS
by long praftice,
in devifing the
and cruelty.
in the,
which
in
war
were fought,
But, to fhorten
my
narrative
After
conferences, at
laft
to
keep
Par-
method
but
all
controllers, accountants,
The
fervants.
fpeculative drones
were expelled,
men
to
name
were well
were
hired.
was reduced
and only
The
for
which they
as well as
all
extravagant perquifites,
Dd3
fettled.
THE WISTORY OF ^
3f j
CHAP.
V.
THE
however, again
people of
this
to
degenerate,
now
province were
fo fully
ed
all
pof-
to
In
themfelves feem-
mated with
their
own
down in
warni zeala^a.inil
order.
Many
t-he
bufinefs
^Tiive,
and
jiunketing,
rn.ortified lives
and gaming.
*,
to
to forbear
They
were
of
laid
They were
apply them-
penailties to
jCelves
veUii>g
worthlcifs part
excellent rules
live
all
fober,
ranting,
c>r
The
was
ijfed
in
tfeey
were hired
and very
di-
CORPORATION OF SERVANTS.
llgent inquiry
and
family, they
oatli, to
made
When
fincerity.
315
tremendous
at heart,
But
prejudice.
its
it
was
In order
will.
ther-e
fliould
be
prudent
fort
from the
families.
no
falaries,
it
was ex-
For
py
in their
reformed conftitution.
The moll
per-
pleafure to
who
greatefl: tendernefs
there
to vie M-itli
and humanity.
Once
province
per
fpirit,
fuffer
or twice
to introduce overfeers
one
them
neighbour-
thefe
officers,
to be fubjecSl to
a pro-
Ail this
3l6
THE HISTORY
OF A
But
alas
things began
rice,
and quiet,
Ambition, ava-
They found
titles.
way
of in-
The
was
men
re-eftablifhing the
to
this about,
nominate fervants
This
to inferior families.
For
moft facred
fervants foon
many
of
might procure
a
began
itfelf.
to find, that
it
in their
work.
That
As
all
when any
per-
would
if
they would
not
comply.
If
CORPORATION OF SERVANTS.
any confentcd, their names were
fet
number
3 l8
down
if
three or
fenfes,
and
incap.ible of judging.
down
fit
was
in this inftance
mod
nious invitation.
It is
when one
rcflc(f>s
When
been nominated.
this
was
eafily obtained,
becaufe
it
was nothing
endeavoured
fervant as
good a
title to in-
Matters
who knew
not
much
helpers.
places.
members of the
By
this
piece of bread,
but in
of eflates,
getting in to be
poration,
many gentlemen
prociftred themfelves to
Not
them
When
if a
it,
to prove,
ill.
to
in hunting,
Such was
when my informcf
THE HISTORY
went
OF A
may
the cafe
guefs
eafily
He
was very
how much
his
among them.
would be endlefs
to
mention
it
all
that
remarks were
It
he told m.e,
fhall be communicated
world in the following chapters.
CHAP.
Of the great
vr.
THERE
The confequence
to great
men.
wanted
a houfe-
own
This fellow
kitchen.
When
to look
upon.
eat,
and
in fufHcient
CORPOKATION OF SERVANTS.
quantity to
up
their bellies,
fill
3?^
made complaint
of
If at
this,
and would
tafte,
men
of fenfe,
common
pointment of
wanted
Sometimes,
fervants.
plowman
and ap-
family
if
If a confi-
him
For
who
condudt
this prepofterous
The
was no remedy.
great
men counted
them
would
could nei-
the
which no
to part with.
And
as the
power of determination,
lay
ill
fupported
the
moft
to
appointments.
unreafonable
trary conduct
filent
impeach-
fent Rations.
Be fides,
it
had happened
it fo.
The
happened
in a
in
this cafe,
as I obferved
many
loved to have
former age,
would be thought
to be of better rank,
who
by an unac-
To
..llr.w
would be
a fource
THE HISTORY OF A
320
of
endlefs
confufion,
method of proceeding.
was
It
common and
a fa-
common
people,^
who were
wills.
If
fied that
them
any perfon,
he thought
in a
this
who had
own fer-
upon thofe
againfl
their
figni-
conduct
with
inconfifteiit
to
fit
be
reafoned with, but a great and loud laugh was immediately raifed againft him, fo that he was not
Nay, there
that
no body
on
finifter
my
it
was
views.
informer was
which indeed
lie often
own mind,
marks of
knew
is
aftonifliment.
the abfurdities
human mind
of which the
mod
incredible
fhould be laughed
down
as
a ridiculous notion,
Qwn
On
fervants.
this
he was not a
little
fays,
converfationsj
I lliall
be wholly
If
filent
you
offended,
It
was to
and former
no more,
"
my
obfer-
defire to
hear
CORPORATION OF SERVANTS.
which we
we
with when
return home,
and ungrateful.
we
If
tell
if
we
that
tell
you
furprifing,
travellers
meet
once unreafonable
at
is
32
you things
that are
as
and
infipld
com-
trifling ^
let
know with
great
good manners,
" Pray
Then
after a little
paufe,
Europe, Afia, or
are there in
Africa,
liberty to choofe
their
to an account for
or bad government."
opprefl'ion
he, "
perhaps,
if,
thought
it
fifty
them
modell in you
to
choofe their
mafl:ers, is
it
when
I tell
I,
fays
to
Truly, faid
fix.
to fufpe6l
my
it
own
veracity,
became
fa-
own
But
he,
**
fervants."
to
are
come
you not
little
clofer to
member
of the
fociety in
am, and glory ia it as a moft honourable diftiniSlion. " Have you not taken agricul?" I
Undoubtedly and
ture under your patronage ?"
by what means can we better promote the interelt
of the public ? " 13y none, I admit.
But fufFer mc
;
to
my
proceed with
interrogatories.
?'*
and have
Not
yet.
coil
me
They
profits
Have you
of your improve-
<*
Are
"
You
Vol. VI.
;!
THE HISTORY
322
commonly worfe;
OF A
according to
for,
the
mark of an improver
but
to
is
hovvr
you not
alfo
he came
to
beggar by putting
man
you
to believe that
himfelf a
Perhaps
"
coming
may
it
How
Sir, abfurdities
who made
fo,
and
to write books,
in pra^ice ?"
it
But have
encouraged a
alas
obfervation,
account
be
my
into fafliion
is
came
Alas
not fo
my
truth of
narrative,
when
I told
at
any thing,
late, to
To compare them
country.
in
this
therefore,
that
let
you have
faid, Sir^
might
eafily
do you think
of, or
could not,
it
be anfwered
at prefent,
what
to fay againft
upon agriculture?
eft arithmetical
Do they
among
totally
reafon
In the
why,
truly, I
firjl ^lace,
Your
reafon, pray.
"
My
me
in
mind of a
CORPORATION OF SERVANTS.
one remedy for
to
be
ftruclc
new
with fome
and immediately
clifeafes.
all
to
falls
323
gentleman happens
theoretical printiple,
purpofes,
what
all foils,
and
Many
You know
feafons.
all
weeds.
was once
men
aiTd
difficulty in
it,
than
how gentle-
and
at
heap.
is
engender
way
grow up to an enormous,
"When under
thefe apprehenfions, I
rememby
remedy.
efFeclual
to
the
all
low grounds,
by the help of
colledlion
away
fea.
The expence
laft
empty
it
into the
apprehended, would
it,
its utility.
convinced
it
may
certain county,
if it
obftinacy of the
common
people.
be, I
in practice in a
am
alfo of opir-
3M
TRE HISTORY
OF A
nion, that
and
would have
cattle
pafled very
who
fed upon
them
of a grofs or excre-
little
mental nature.
" r
fhall
my
more of
to accept of them.
any
man
know
fall
is fo far
their
own
On
bring a
likely to
is
from prefTmg
it
upon
good
a fabric
profit,
he
he
to himfelf.
he
fecret
is
imitate
it
in
very
mankind
fition in
There
time.
little
to refift
what
is
is
a difpo-
till
their viable
method of working, or
as
families,
upon
of goods, that
in
were difcovered by
excellence
faid public
It is
eiFeds.
It
new fchemes of
fo
their
the
vv^ere
would be
out, they
to
come
at
what
"
all
and to
fall
pralice
fuccefsful,
quite
heartily about
and,
it
common.
Or,
let
to
will not
it
the fubjedi,
if
they be
who
difcovers
CORPORATION OF SERVANTS.
325
no body may be
you,
fuffered to ufe
that
if
had
it
fufficient-
can afTure
whom
veller."
I fhall
was convinced by
it
how
far
made me
might
be.
how
Having
CHAP.
Great partiality
VII.
of Servants, and
uncertainty in the characters given of them.
in the trial
what was
IFpreceding chapter,
it is
In
the
own
credit, look
Ee
faid
Since
it
better
was
iu
THE HISTORY
12d
their
power
to licenfe
OF A
them or
not,
may be
it
fup-
iliould
But
be admitted.
it is
to
as the method
upon the nomination of lords or great
men, came to be again in ufe, the trial of their
fufficiency turned to a mere farce.
There might be
fome degree of integrity found in one court but,
of fixing
fervants,
in
To what
thing.
may be
to proceed,
of what
literally
afhamed of no-
who
of a young man,
was
\vere
happened.
certain court
that he
who
fully accomplifhed as
a fervant, and
member
Anf.
By running
the
what
fliff
it.
fir,
land
The
member
another
gentle
temp:?r,
of court, being of a
and
great,
My
bafliful,
tion,
dear
which
though
it
fir,
the
enemy
He
young man
But
meek and
to
feverity,
modeft and
hinders
fo dif-
tinclly, as
CORPORATION OF SERVANTS.
land, becaufe
the
into
it
327
nor
foil,
fufiiciently.
it
Jnf, Yes,
Then
the
fir.
firft
refumed
Now,
his examination.
pray
fir.
man
being naturally a
fubje6t,
he had heard, that the deeper the better, and immediately anfwered,
minator
fell
to
aik
faid.
How
us to inftal
as a
matter
fir,
exa-
his
this
and
pafTion,
you
On
yards.
fix
into a violent
Was
ing land
yards deep
fix
you have,
in
the thing
your
You
or
own mind,
ought
to
of the poffibility of
gainfl:
in this country.
The
was roufed by
Pray
'the
this fevere
do you imagine
fir,
fervants
brought up
of
to a
the
fpirit
of the candidate
treatment
eftabliflied
For
he replied.
improved age
corporation
are
fo,
that, in this
my own
falaries are
particular part,
I
could not
ap-
you ought
tell
you
how
in my life.
How, when, where and by whom
were you educated then ? fays the other in amaze.
j^nf. I
Very
THE HISTORY OF A
3 23
improved times
happy
give
up
When
dif-
courfe,
polite
in
what man-
how
to a farmer
whether
pleafanteft'diverfion
the
diet,
children
&c.
of a
is
was carried by
in this
manner,
ty that
it
a great majori-
was
with them, from the inferior courts of the corporation, wherever they
went
but
if
true,
man might
atteft
to
be
any thing
to
On
falfe.
be
this-
low, of
whom
they
knew
little
or nothing,
him
and
in
would
com-
to be a
he was found
totally deficient in
If,
upon
any of the
were
who
certified for
upon
their
CORPORATION OF SERVANTS.
329
On
a bad.
all
man
had
as
right
cular and
good word,
another's
to
forfeited
by
as
,far
it
foiiie parti-
known misdemeanor.
-CHAP.
Servants
it
oj' different
the
the
bad against
HOWEVER
reader
is
viir.
characters,
A sketch of
the good,
all
fervants
who
There were
ft ill
The
commonly with
oppcfite principles
may
forts
be learned from
They
differed, tcto
coeloy
affirmed, that
The modern
and
courage
he ought always
deeds.
to
be fpeaking
*,
faflilonable
fclf-fufliciency
a fervant.
in praife of his
to allow of
That
own
any error
THE HISTORT
33
to infift that
Who
is
who
fpeaks
OF A
of himfelf
man
confefiiiig that
On
were
in themfelves hateful,
in fervants.
tenfions, left
of their mailers.
It
was curious
thefe principles.
terms of their
Thofe.
own
who
qualifications,
They grudged
the;Ta
If,
own
would
at
to
do any more
ingenuity, aud
commending
trary, the
in a tolerable
humble and
felf-
it
to
On
all
who
the con-
and
affiduity,
enough.
CORPORATION OF SERVANTS.
When
gcigeJ in.
33 I
commend
his diligence,
he entreated them to
Men came
to
racter,
If they en-
unknown
fervant,
Jtiid
would with
But, alas
had
this ferved
his
guard,
very
little
purpofe
were obliged
td receive
in the f.iddle,
for, if
he
nomination, they
he made a
full difcovery
of both his
efpecially fuch as
re-
They fpread
flanders againft them without number.
They ufed
to go about with indefatigable diligence, among the
great
ries,
to exafperate. their
them
as a fet of poor,
filly,
They
repre-
fneaking, fpirit-
an
fon,
'r
V.
ns
pretended, that,
when
THE HISTORY
332
OF A
field
They
of corn.
was indeed
repre-
partly true)
met, by chance, one of the induftrious in a foplace, or going of an errand, they cunningly
litary
folicited
him
to join
complied, they
all
and
after they
let
If
he
one
he was no better
fo that
Whenever
fo,
had done
they difcovered a
pelt
him unmerci-
fpirit
met with
fo fevere treatment
induftrious fervantsj
lies
lowed
to the higheil.
from theni
who were
None
as honefl
neither
was
there,
any
If
CORPORATION OF SERVANTS.
333
among the mriids, thefe were all human infirmities, no way atrocious in their nature.
They were aifo hard to \>(i arcertained fo that it
r xvantonnefs
was
But,
to
pened
to be accufcd of doing
at their defire,
or working
when
if
one hap-
uncommon
any
others
fervice
were allow-
But of
all
the corporation.
who had
member or two
would humbly
and begged
to
Whenever
be excufed
this
in the general
much
as
a crime
It
meeting,
which
fo
mufl take
this
my
informer
who was
left
the country.
One of
the fervants,
meafures,
upon
a fingular device.
VoL. VI.
Being poffefTed of
little
a vein
'^^^ HISTORY OF A
334
ing,
He
in general.
alfo
Here was
den
fide
all full
ruft.
Another
and
fifh,
with him
many
ner, and
drew
others, he
in fuch a
and
^Thefe
manner,
as clearly
in the night-time,
all
No body
2]id
plaf:e
in
it,
it
it is
As
without laughing
fervants,
mortification,
ftfeets, the
boys
un-
honoured with a
the
not to be
in
Copies in mini-
many
in an
families
ill
and hold
The
fo that,
in their eye.
CORPORATION OF SERVANTS.
publication of this piece,
The
not to be conceived.
is
with
it
much
him
legally convict-
However, they
ed.
335
at lead
either difcovered, or
Above
revenge.
who had
unlucky fellow,
that
all,
was
girl,
tran-
fo
He
right fenfes.
draughtfman himfelf,
ridicule of the
ture In
ed with fo
much
The poor
a
fet
fervants
fo diflicult, or
and
his friends
but,
he proceed-
perfecft caricature,
Jiim to fupprefs
he
Induftrious
was
to
^fo
it
wms a
prevailed with
it.
mean
author. In the
was obliged
time,
fet
armed
if
mean
without ceafing.
all
agreed in telling
They
lies
affirmed, that
upon him
no bqdy but a
a laughing at
them
too,
fat
was committed,
country
and
was the
It
fet
other people
clcareft
was
my
that
was
demonftra-
informer
left
the
leafl
I obferved, had
made
degree
a deep
f 2
circumflance which,
impreflion
upon his
THE HISTORY
33<5
mind
Co that
he would often
OF A
fay,
From
the fury
He
this
exam-
talent unfpeakably
affiduity to eradicate
as a vice.
it
H A
P.
IX.
issued in nothing,
will eafily be perceived, frorn^ what has been
ITfaid
above, that the greateft part of the fervants
were excefnvely
it
may
The
truth
is,
Whenever
a fer-
it
able
In the
mean
always
fell
upon
time,
it
was remark-
On
fubjei: particularly
done
as
it
deal,
is
foon done.
ought to be,
which
is
is
better
is
this
well
executed
CORPORATION OF SERVANTS.
337
This happened
fliall
en-
own
neglecSt.
man, about
(hewed
plainly
One
to reform them.
that,
fall
He
go
in a
all
He
told
cattle pafturing
them
that there
mend
in {a forry a condi-
to
be
parti-
cularly, that
feen a
and
One
fit
for
jumping.
and a lank
On
belly^
this a difpute
faithful account.
mo-
tion,
look a
would
little
more
at
home,
fays
he, perhaps he
Ff3
7.
THE HISTORY
33^.
and unbenevolent.
ance ufed
in
JF A
The propofal
There
fliould
Is
unkind
be great forbear-
No
A
ing
no notice
tliat
fecond then
effi^O:.
ma(ler*s
now
is
am
it.
am
There
perfuaded
it
perfon
the
his
all
would be
fine
profefiions
altogether in vain.
is
it
kinds
is
any
pretends to remedy.
it
all
fol-
much attached to my
who made this
perhaps as
as
interefl,
at all."
it
motion, notwithftanding
but
be taken of
(liould
If I thought that
rifes
All perfe-
cution,
we know,
fo that
at this time, if
upon
it,
more
at his heels."
A
*'
There
made
is
more
fize,
bour's
difficulty in
very great
would oblige
to do.
cattle
and
(liape
his neigh-
we
point.
port his
"vrhole
twenty
fi'milarity in colour,
nion,
it
-with
a very fage
Is there not a
and
we may depend
third
Take
own
fentiments, that
CORPORATION OF SERVANTS.
any conclufion.
plc, that every
iniiflcr's
acknowledge
bead
fliould
grounds-, but,
it is
a fixed pritici-
hope you
339
own
will be fenfible,
it is
On
to another.
and
ages,
this fubjedt
all
<
that
my certain
you from
pleafure
knowleiige,
who
tion in being
He
is
him an
of
it
infe61:ed
with an inveterate
infinite pleafure in
fifth faid,
upon
fatisfac-
at,
which
fpent
has a vaft
would be the
can afiure
give great
of.
Befides, he
would
to-
gives
it
"
am
this
itch,
which
in the palTage."
much time
The author
furprifed to fee fo
ridiculous propofal.
fpeftion
is
government of any
belong to his
as
own
mafter.
Now,
fays he,
it is
itfelf,
tliis
nay,
which
and incompetent.
is,
If that
him when he
with him.
Then
pleafes
Let us
THE HISTORY
340
OF A
loft
" Brethren,
concluded thus.
when the
ifcrangers
very few
but, at pre-
Will any
fent,
it is
man
when the
many
ought
make
a very
be few
left
Laft of
miftake at
am
fuch as truly
would
would
behind."
them
all,
the debate
one
was
tells
in a
altogether 'idle
that there
:
To fum up
the matter,
one or other of
thefe vari-
come
to this refolution.
That
it
was
be winked
at,
he was.
in particular,
ftiould cotitinue
whe?e
CORPORATION Of SERVANTS.
H A
C
the ambition
X.
P,
and covctousness of
ViintSy
and
HAVE
the various
the Ser-
upon
to
34
For
parity
every meafure
among
tliCi-<:ould
iii-
By
generated in point of
fidelity
made
great encroachments
felf.
They had
hiigh-founding
were given
upon the
conftitution
it-
titles,
to fervants in the
neighbouring province.
upon
they ef-
and took
and arch-overfeers.
trodudion of overfeers
this time,
It
this reafen
the fervants,
when
that
fent
fome of
were
about in chariots,
ft ill
own
province
ofiices
They were,
it.
and
therefore, ob-
In fom^
THE
34^
few
HISTORY OF A
inftances, they
might be hitroduced
joy both the
fometimes
if
in the" one
or,
in the
mod
of the province,
number of
that a fmall
falaries
annexed to
encouragement
of good fervimts.
lowed
office
and there
fol-
them,
The
reader
may perhaps
where they
ferved.
They
tried every
only
or, if
it
It
fa-
in that
way
that
to be difappointed.
of
flattery,
afhamed
to
to attend
way
them
of their
to great
not
men,
in their noctur-
Some endeavoured
out of the
Some were
to
make them-
own
bufmefs.
One
of
houfe where he
lived.
it
The confequence
of this
and admiring
it
little,
would
CORPOKATrON OF SERVANTS.
343
The
anfvver im-
faw near,
riiey
mediately followed,
a moj}
it-
Tht^fi't-njant
iftgenietis felloiu
who
lives here^ he is
Thus was
his
to the
who wa$
was
alive
probably
he
fell
country, and
The method
of the he-
ftories
He had
He
t-he life
which he belonged
all
work
to hear him.
in the family to
civilly
put him
gT)
was
He
tlous
a fellow of
remarkable
carried
on
falary after
uncommon
enterprife
for
fchemes
his
another
his intimate
mankind iverefo
and no
lefs
He
and refolution.
among
ability
fail
to laugh at
companions.
ea/ily
deceived, by the
formal counte-
nance of a fervant.
The fupernumerary
falaries,
however, were
fo
little
elfe,
after
more.
To remedy
this,
they
fell
upon
me-
TWE HISTORY OF
344
they could not
fill.
was invented,
title
whicfij
(like the
this
The
title
it,
according to the
fkill
and proficiency of
from
all
ally,
and,
if poflible,
came
in
*,
new dance
flea
CHAP.
Of the
XI.
Servants,
and
their
manner of treating
them.
THE
him
may
how the
reader
elf,
probably be wondering in
people behaved in thefe cir-
affairs.
He
muft be
may be
many
of
at
CORPORATluN
but, being divided
SERVANTS.
01'
among
34^
mention
all
which the
the effects
two
but
will
clafles
fubjea.
One
fet
of
pecpk
rofe
as
fenti-
and extra-
fingular
They
to reafon
much
and
to abftradl
They were
wifdom of the nation centered
of opinion, that
all
in themfelves
and that
*,
the
madman.
fools or
all
many
was
It
and
mifliakes,
led
them
they found,
among
and
There
into
at
cullom
their
firfl:
their
conceit of
had been a
the fervants.
All the
own
times
feverity.
in
which they ex^ofed with the greatAt laft, by long dwelling upon this
;
came
fubjedl,
they
ought
to
to be of opinion, that
would be much
Sometimes fober-minded
them
to rights,
VoL. VI.
there
people attempted to
and
dli-
34^
lioneft
yet
of a
ftill
Tiefs
THE HISTORY
'
there were
nay,
could not
that fociety,
fubfift
as well as noify,
ufeful-
to ferve and
it
ly poflible, to have a
They
men were by
own
happinefs
other
all
fully
To
fervants.
fit
this race,
whom
all
had happened
the world.
all
things.-
They fhewed
firft
made
caufe
and
is
evil,
to be feen in fociety
were
eafily
accounted
mean
time,
it
was obvious,
for,
In
from
the
were
CORPORATION OF SERVANTS.
the produel: of nature too
347
and according
to the
fame
and
difpofitions,
in all
refpeds as
faultlefs as their
own
difficulty in their
fcheme,
was
it
if
plain,
ne-
briers
Here they
They
faid,
and upon
tlie
and
that in great
inhabitants
that
its
all
it
it
It
was
to
no purpofe
to
mention
field*;
all
eafiiy
carried by the
for a
new
njitt^iid
every
at
-work.
man would be
in
fl-iould
little
be adtime,
as wife as a philofopher, as
After
all,
G22
THE HISTORY
2^3
OF A
Though
was
delirium took
it
plain, to
its rife
from the
tricks
and mifbehavi-
our of bad fenrants, yet they had the moft rooted and
The
were good.
reafon, probably was, that the diligence and ufefulnefs of this laft fort flood direbly in the
way
of their
from
and
in
The
idle,
flothful,
their
companions
and
it
was one of
their highefii
pole, "
pur-
this
thefe rafcals ?
them
in
your houfes
they are
of one
all
you
com-
to mifery
and
fpeedy deftru(Si:ion/*
CHAP.
XIL
same
subject.
Continuation of the
The
senti-
No
by
whole nation
CORPORATION OF SERVANTS;
number aled
common
plain
as prudently
could do in their
347
circumrtances.
fenfe,
proportion as corruption
in
They
faithful.
ufed every
own
mean
power
in their
to
was buckled
to
own mind
their
and only
him
them no
to give
own
fancy.
It
their
Some
predicament.
to
fee
ufed
when
they
fell
under
this
many
artful
methods
to
prevent
v/here
it
could not.
lieve
their revenge
when
all flail
and power of
was inherent
in
they
to be-
that
game
cocks.
The
them
fo as to
make them
it
was im-
fit
for fer-
vice.
If this
did
Gg3
all
pofTible
pains
THE HISTORY
55^0
were taken
to
OF A
tional fervants.
many
faults
imputed to
it
it
prefiTion
If
they
inelegant.
plagued
fubftantial,
with
who minded
fervants
fo
long
nothing but
When
nothing
elfe
thofe
It
grofTeft lies
new
was pretended,
and
fervants and
that;
difafFecSlion,
in
was
It
if
try,
obtained
they had a
they could
tell-
You-
On
fervants
were
altogether
themfelves.
how
They knew
few of
the eftablifhed
indifferent
Httle
how many^
work was
that their
left
to
to-
and
follow
CORPORATION OF SERVANTS.
35-1
fatisfied
if
In the
mean
time,
it
was highly
diverting to hear
fay,
am
fulTered to
to himfelf.
many
man
am
fervants
you
incline. I alk
and
my own
fruits for
ufe.
up
few
If thefe
me a
never interfere with
good man
to live
cafe,
with
that one
with the abfurdity of
phlegmatic fpeech, would anfwer, " That, very
it
(hall
well, he
little
eafy,
all
the while,
filent
expence." This
contempt^ and difplay
fmce
at their
^^5 2
As
THE HISTORY
OF A
fervants as
upon
were fent
as they could.
highly extolled
to
poor and
as
in the
them
merry
greatly
as beggars,
fear.
whole kingdom.
-,
folid
Thefe
who
have nothing to
CORPORATION OP SERVANTS.
253
CONCLUSION.
THUS
certain,
is
fomething in their
It
is
alfo probable,
feels
ous to
deliverance.
my
who
informer,
is
anxi-
me
afTured
I often
that,
alked at
from what he
raoft diltant
The
had
management of the
cor-
in
their authority,
and openly
fet at
There remained
jufl a
buted as
meafures
much
;
as
any
They had
chofen
at firft contri-
to the introduction of
wrong
THE HISTORY,
354
b*r.
ed them
from degrading,
in feveral inftances
ping, and
branding thofe
who
ftrip-
They had
miiTion of
whom
fome drunken
brought about
From
and
that,
After
thefe
had
a ilrong
circumftances,
it
would
forcer!
all,
dif-
flattered
foon be
and
inclination to fpare.
fome
fots,
it
whether any
,
and there-
fore, while
impofitions of
tlie
fame or any
fimilar kind.
John Turkbull,
Printer.^