SECTION III. 273 the use of our understandings to enquire out truth and duty, as well as the activityof our will and affections, and our lower pow- ers to practise it. He expects that we should give diligence to search and find out the true religion in the midst of such rich advantages, as his providence has conferred upon us. He gives us no indulgence to go on in the practice of a false religion, and hope for the pardon of our sloth and negli- gence, and forgiveness of our thoughtless and stupid errors, on the mere pretence of sincerity in the practice of them. This leads me to the next question: Question. IV. But if I am sincere in seeking out the truth, shall not my sincere endeavours to find out the true religion, and to practise agreeably to my knowledge obtain acceptance with God, even though I should happen to fall into mistaken opini- ons, and practise a false religion instead of the true ? Answer I. Sincerity in the search after truth, has so many and various ingredients in it, that I fear the unbelievers in Great Britain would make but a poor pretence to sincerity, when called before the bar of the great and righteous God, and would find it a dangerous thing for them to have built their whole hopes and expectations on this pretence, while they have rejected the gospel of Christ his Son. The several qualifications which are required to makeup sincerity in the search of a true religion, are as follow I. "Awatchful and diligent disengaging' ourselves from all the secret and culpable prejudices that hang about the mind, and lead it astray from truth;" A restless and constant endea -your to free ourselves from every evil influence, every wrong bias and turn of mind, that might lead the understanding astray in its enquiries, or may warp the judgment in its determination. Now these are very numerous. 1. There are some prejudices that arise from the influence of those who are our superiors, either in riches or power, or wit and learning, or years, &c. Have any of the rulers believedon him? John vii. 48. was thought to be a good argument in the days of Christ against his gospel : And it is an argument of the same stamp, which vulgar souls inour days make use of : Are not many of the polite gentlemen, and fine wits of the age weary of christianity? 2. Our friends or acquaintance, or companions, have a strange influence also upon the mind, and by their constant con- versation prejudice it for, or against particular opinions. Even a sober youthwho happens to fall into heathenish acquaintance, by the perpetual impressions of their vile discourse may beeome a heathen too. 3. Some prejudices arise from the fear ofridicule attd shame VOL. III. S
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