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ing parties, may easily receive a satisfactory information.

should be less eagerly studied and less frequently treated, though not These debates turned upon a entirely neglected; that all mixvariety of points, and therefore ture of philosophy and, human the matter of them cannot be learning with divine wisdom was comprehended under any one ge- to be most carefully avoided; neral head. If we consider them, that, on the contrary, all those indeed, in relation to their origin who were designed for the minisand the circumstances that gave try should be accustomed from rise to them, we shall then be able their early youth to the perusal to reduce them to some fixed prin- and study of the Holy Scriptures; ciples is well known, that that they should be taught a plain those who had the advancement of system of theology drawn from piety most zealously at heart were these unerring sources of truth; possessed of a notion that no order and that the whole course of their of men contributed more to retard education was to be so directed its progress than the clergy, whose as to render them useful in life, peculiar vocation it was to incul-by the practical power of their cate and promote it. Looking doctrine and the commanding upon this as the root of the evil, influence of their example. As it was but natural that their plans these maxims were propagated of reformation should begin here; with the greatest industry and and, accordingly, they laid it zeal, and were explained inadvertdown as an essential principle, that ently, by some, without those renone should be admitted into the strictions which prudence seemed ministry but such as had received to require, these professed patrons a proper education, were distin- and revivers of piety were suspectguished by their wisdom and ed of designs that could not but sanctity of manners, and had render them obnoxious to censure. hearts filled with divine love. They were supposed to despise Hence they proposed, in the first philosophy and learning; to treat place, a thorough reformation of with indifference, and even to rethe schools of divinity; and they nounce, all enquiries into the naexplained clearly enough what ture and foundations of religious they meant by this reformation, truth; to disapprove of the zeal which consisted in the following and labours of those who defendpoints: That the systematical ed it against such as either cortheology which reigned in the rupted or opposed it; and to academies, and was composed of place the whole of their theology intricate and disputable doctrines, in certain vague and incoherent and obscure and unusual forms of declamations concerning the duties expression, should be totally abo- of morality. Hence arose those lished; that polemical divinity, famous disputes concerning the which comprehended the contro- use of philosophy and the value of versies subsisting between Chris-human learning, considered in contians of different communions, nexion with the interests of re

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ligion, the dignity and usefulness | who inculcated and explained it of systematic theology, the neces- without those restrictions that were sity of polemic divinity, the excel-necessary to render it unexceplence of the mystic system, and al- tionable. Hence arose endless so concerning the true method of and intricate debates concerning instructing the people. the following questions: "Whe

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The second great object that em-"ther the religious knowledge acployed the zeal and attention of "quired by a wicked man can be the persons now under considera-" termed theology?" "Whether tion, was, that the candidates for a vicious person can, in effect, the ministry should not only for " attain a true knowledge of relithe future receive such an aca- gion?" "How far artoffice demical education as would tend" and ministry of an impreas ecrather to solid utility than to "clesiastic can be pronounced samere speculation, but also that "lutary and efficacious?" "Whethey should dedicate themselves to "ther a licentious and ungodly God in a peculiar manner, and" man cannot be susceptible of exhibit the most striking examples" illumination?" and other quesof piety and virtue. This maxim, tions of a like nature.

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which, when considered in itself, These revivers of declining pimust be acknowledged to be high-ety went still further. In order to ly laudable, not only gave occa-render the ministry of their pastors sion to several new regulations, as successful as possible in rousdesigned to restrain the passions of ing men from their indolence, and the studious youth, to inspire them in stemming the torrent of corwith pious sentiments, and to ex-ruption and immorality, they cite in them holy resolutions, but judged two things indispensibly also produced another maxim, necessary. The first was, to supwhich was a lasting source of con- press entirely, in the course of troversy and debate, viz. "That public instruction, and more es"no person that was not himself pecially in that delivered from a model of piety and divine the pulpit, certain maxims and "love was qualified to be a public phrases which the corruption of "teacher of piety, or a guide to men leads them frequently to in"others in the way of salvation." terprèt in a manner favourable to This opinion was considered by the indulgence of their passions. many as derogatory from the pow- Such, in the judgment of the Pieer and efficacy of the Word of tists, were the following proposiGod, which cannot be deprived tions: No man is able to attain of its divine influence by the vices to that perfection which the divine of its ministers; and as a sort of law requires; good works are not revival of the long exploded errors necessary to salvation; in the act of the Donatists: and what ren-of justification, on the part of man, dered it peculiarly liable to an in- faith alone is concerned, without terpretation of this hature was, good works. The second step they the imprudence of some Pietists, took in order to give efficacy to

had derived from reading or meditation, with a certain mixturé of the important truths and doctrines of religion.

their plans of reformation, was, to form new rules of life and manners, much more rigorous and austere than those that had been formerly practised; and to place So far Mosheim, whose account in the class of sinful and unlawful of the Pietists seems to have been gratifications several kinds of drawn up with a degree of sevepleasure and amusement which rity. Indeed, he represents the had hitherto been looked upon real character of Franck and his as innocent in themselves, and colleagues as regardless of truth which could only become good or and opinion. A more recent hisevil in consequence of the re-torian, however (Dr. Haweis), obspective characters of those who serves, "that no men more rigidly used them with prudence or abused contended for or taught more exthem with intemperance. Thus, plicitly the fundamental doctrines dancing,pantomimes,public sports, of Christianity: from all I have theatrical diversions, the read-read or known, I am disposed to ing of humorous and comical books, with several other kinds of pleasure and entertainment, were prohibited by the Pietists as unlawful and unseemly; and, therefore, by no means of an indifferent nature. The third thing on which the Pietists insisted, was, that, besides the stated meetings for public worship, private assemblies should be held for prayer and other religious ex

ercises.

The other class of Pietists already mentioned, whose reforming views extended so far as to change the system of doctrine and the form of ecclesiastical government that were established in the Lutheran church, comprehended persons of various characters and different ways of thinking. Some of them were totally destitute of judgment; their errors were the reveries of a disordered brain; and they were rather considered as lunatics than as heretics. Others were less extravagant, and tempered the singular notions they

believe they were remarkably amiable in their behaviour, kind in their spirit, and compassionate to the feeble-minded."

PIETY consists in a firm belief and in right conceptions of the being, perfections, and providence of God; with suitable affections to him, resemblance of his moral perfections, and a constant obedience to his will. The different articles included in this definition, such as knowledge, veneration, love, resignation, &c., are explained in their proper places in this work.

We shall, however, present the reader with a few ideas on the subject of early piety; a subject of infinite importance, and which we beg our young readers especially to regard. "Youth," says Mr. Jay, "is a period which presents the fewest obstacles to the practice of godliness, whether we consider our external circumstances, our natural powers, or our moral habits.. In that season we most free from those troubles

are

"Consider the beneficial in

mainder of our days. Youth is the spring of life, and by this will be determined the glory of summer, the abundance of autumn, the provision of winter. It is the morning of life; and if the sun of righteousness does not dispel the moral mists and fogs before noon, the whole day generally remains overspread and gloomy. Piety in youth will have a good influence over our bodies; it will preserve them from disease and deformity. Sin variously tends to the injury of health; and often by intempe

which embitter, those schemes to him their youth, they do not which engross, those engagements profanely tell him to suspend his which hinder us in more advanced claims till the rest are served; till and connected life. Then the bo- they have satisfied the world and dy possesses health and strength; the flesh, his degrading rivals. the memory is receptive and tena- They do not send him forth to cious; the fancy glows; the mind gather among the stubble the is lively and vigorous; the under- gleanings of life, after the enemy standing is more docile; the affec- has secured the harvest. They are tions are more easily touched and not like those, who, if they reach moved; we are more accessible to Immanuel's land, are forced thithe influence of joy and sorrow, ther by shipwreck: they sail thihope and fear: we engage in ther by intention. an enterprise with more expectation, and ardour, and zeal.fluence of early piety over the reUnder the legal economy, the first was to be chosen for God: the first-born of man; the firstborn of beasts; the first-fruits of the field. It was an honour becoming the God they worshipped to serve him first. This duty the young alone can spiritualize and fulfil, by giving Him who deserves all their lives the first-born of their days, and the first-fruits of their reason and their affection: and never have they such an opportunity to prove the goodness of their motives as they then possess. See an old man: what does he offer?rance the constitution is so imHis riches? but he can use them paired, that late religion is unable no longer. His pleasures? but he to restore what early religion can enjoy them no longer. His would have prevented. Early honour? but it is withered on his piety will have a good influence brow. His authority? but it has to secure us from all those dangers dropped from his feeble hand. He to which we are exposed in a sealeaves his sins; but it is because son of life the most perilous. Conthey will no longer bear him com-ceive of a youth entering a world pany. He flies from the world; but it is because he is burnt out. He enters the temple; but it is as a sanctuary; it is only to take hold of the horns of the altar; it is a refuge, not a place of devotion he seeks. But, they who consecrate

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like this, destitute of the presiding governing care of religion, his passions high, his prudence weak, impatient, rash, confident, without experience; a thousand avenues of seduction opening around him, and a syren voice singing at the en

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some instances of usefulness; to some poor traveller, to whom we have been a refreshing stream; some deluded wanderer we guided We shall

look forward and see the God who has guided us with his counsel, and be enabled to say, 'Hence

trance of each; pleased with ap-tered upon them for life. pearances, and embracing them early dedication to God, therefor realities; joined by evil com- fore, renders a religious life more pany, and ensnared by erroneous easy, pleasant, and safe. It is of publications these hazards ex-unspeakable advantage also under ceed all the alarm I can give. the calamities of life. It turns How necessary, therefore, that the curse into a blessing; it enters we should trust in the Lord with the house of mourning, and sooths all our hearts, and lean not to the troubled mind; it prepares us own understanding; but in for all, sustains us in all, sanctifies all our ways acknowledge him, us by all, and delivers us from all. that he may direct our paths! Finally, it will bless old age: we "Early piety will have a bene-shall look back with pleasure on ficial influence in forming our connexions, and establishing our plans for life. It will teach us to ask counsel of the Lord, and arrange all under the superintend-into the path of peace. ency of scripture. Those changes which a person who becomes religious in manhood is obliged to make are always very embarrass-forth there is laid up for me a ing. With what difficulty do some good men establish family worship, after living, in the view of children and servants, so long in the neglect of it!-but this would have been avoided, had they early followed the example of Joshua: As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." How hard is it to disentangle ourselves from associates with whom we have been long familiar, and who have proved a snare to our souls! Some evils, indeed, are remediless; persons have, formed alliances which they cannot dissolve: but they did not walk by the rule, Be ye not unequallynus, a stranger or traveller. yoked together with unbelievers?'

crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give me at that day; and not to me only, but unto all them that love his appearing." Jay's Ser., vol. i, ser. 5; Jennings's, Evans's, Doddridge's, and Ferment's Sermons to Young People; Bryson's Address to Youth.

PILGRIM, one who travels through foreign countries to visit holy places, and to pay his devotion to the relics of dead saints. The word is formed from the Flemish pelgrim, or Italian pelegrino, which signifies the same; and those originally from the Latin peregri

PILGRIMAGE, a kind of relithey are now wedded to misery all gious discipline, which consists in their days; and repentance, in- taking a journey to some holy place, stead of visiting them like a faith-in order to adore the relics of ful friend, to chide them when they some deceased saint. Pilgrido wrong, and withdraw, is quar-mages began to be made about VOL. II.

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