latter to feek out analogies; and to combine arguments in favour of the truth from various topics.

On the other hand, human learning is apt to generate pride; felf-fufficiency; and emulation, which borders on envy. The man of learning often fets up his reason in oppofition to revelation ; and finding difficulties, which his reason cannot furmount, he becomes contemptuous, and sceptical. Or, if he go not fo far, he is apt to be refined-to introduce fubtilties into his interpretations of scripture; and in fhort to blend the gofpel with a variety of nice fpeculations ill-agreeing with its native fimplicity.-We need not therefore suppose, that St. Paul in the text meant to throw any afperfion on human learning; but only to brand, under the name of worldly wisdom, what he elsewhere ftyles, the oppofition of Science, falfly fo

called.

As it is a difficult matter however to check the oppofitions of Science-or to refine it from those various impurities which it is too apt to contract, all we can hope, is, that learned men would in the first place endeavour to keep the fimplicity of religion always in view: and fecondly that

II

that they would be very cautious how they fuffer any novel opinions to get abroad, which may even remotely tend to infuse prejudices against religion.

This hint, and the five following, are chiefly directed to the clergy.

LXI.

And he called unto him his disciples; and out of them be chofe twelve, whom alfo be named apostles.Luke, vi. 13.

FROM thefe words I fhall first confider the excellence of the apoftolical character-and Secondly, how far it may be the object of our imitation.

The excellence of it confifted in the natural, and Supernatural powers, with which it was endowed.

With regard to the natural powers of an apostle, the first requifite feems to have been a foundation of plain good fenfe, and of found judgment. This is evident from all the apoftolical writings, and tranfactions, which have been handed down to us. No depth of parts feem to have been required; only the free, and genuine use of a rational mind.

Simplicity of manners was the next requifite. A character trained in the world-adulterated by its fashions

fashions-and depraved by its prejudices, might have fuited the character of a pope; but not of an apostle.

Great zeal for truth was another requifite. Zeal without knowledge 'is a mifchievous ingredient. The zeal of an apoftle confifted not in persecuting others; but in taking every method of obtaining truth himself, and in gently perfuading others to embrace it.

To this zeal for truth was added a natural firmness of mind in maintaining it. In this the apostles of Christ were never deficient, even in their uninfpired state-except on one occafion, when they conceived all their hopes at an end.

These seem to be all the natural powers that were required in an apostle of Christ; and as far as we can judge, the whole apoftolic college poffeffed them. Judas Iscariot alone appears to have been deficient. He had neither that judgment-that fimplicity of manners-that zeal for truth-nor firmness in maintaining it, which the others poffeffed. Accordingly he found himself in a fituation, to which he was not fuited. He had made a falfe judgement. He was a man of the world; and divine truth had no charms for him.

On these natural powers, with which the apostles were endowed, were ingrafted the Supernatural powers of the Holy Ghoft. All men may be affisted by the fpirit of God; but we are enquiring now into its fupernatural powers. With these the apostles were endowed. They were enlightened with the knowledge of truth-they spake languages, which they had never learned-they were inspired with the spirit of prophecy-and were enabled to work miracles.

Having thus feen in what the excellence of the apoftolic character confifted, let us next fee how far it may be the object of our imitation.

None of the natural powers required in an apoftle, can be difpenfed with in a minifter of the gofpel even at this time. He should be a man of plain, good fenfe (fhining talents are not requisite) and of great fimplicity of manners; untrained in the world; and unprejudiced by its opinions. He fhould have a regard above all things, for the truth, and a zeal in maintaining it.

Young men are fometimes put into the ministry on lucrative motives. Parents and guardians, who are influenced by fuch views, must answer

the