612 AN HUMBLE ATTEMPT, &C. pine whether the evidence of its heavenly original be clear and ittroug :, it is reason must judge whether such a doctrine or such a duty be contained in this gospel, or may bejustly deduced from it : it is the work of human reason to compare one scripture with another, and to find out the true sense of any particular text by this means:. and it is reason also must give its sentence, whe- ther a doctrine, which is pretended to be contained in scripture, be contrary to the eternal and unchangeable 'relations and reasons of things ; and if so, then reason may pronounce that this doc- trine is not from God, or can be given usby divine revelation. Reason therefore bath its office and proper province, even in mat- ters of revelation ; yet it must always be confessed, that some propositions may be revealed to us from heaven, which: may be so far superior to the limits and sphere of our reasoning powers in this present state, that human reason ought not to reject theme Ùecause it cannot fully understand them, nor clearly and perfect- ly reconcile them ; unless it plainly see a natural' absurdity in them, a real impossibility, or a plaits inconsistence with other parts of divine revelation. Well then, since you have to dowith reasonable creatures in your sacred work, let your manner of speaking be rational, and your arguments and inferences just and strong ; that you may effectually convince your hearers of the truth of what youdeliver, in your ministrations of the gospel. And in your representation of things to the reason and understanding of men, it would some- times be of special aevantage to' have some power overthe fancy or imagination : this would help us to paint our themes in their proper colours, whether of the alluring or the forbidden kind. And now and then we should make use of both, in order to im- press the idea on the soul with happier force and success. When you would describeany of the personal or social vir- tues of life, so as to enforce their practice, set yourself to display the beautiesand excellencies of them, in their ownagreeable and lovely forms and colours. But do not content yourself with this alone : this is not sufficient to allure the degenerate and sensual mind of man to practise them. Few persons are of so happy a disposition, and so refined a genius, as to be wrought upon by the mere aspect of such inviting qualities. Endeavour therefore to "illustrate the virtues by their contrary vices, and set forth these moral mischiefs both in their deformities and their dangerous con- . sequences, beforethe eyes of your hearers. Think it not enough to represent to them, the shining excellencies of humility and `benevolence, of justice, veracity, gratitude and temperance ; but produce to sight the vile features of pride, envy, malice, spite, knavery, falsehood, revenge, sensuality, luxury, and the rest of that cursed train, in their proper places and seasons. Make it evident, howcontrary tl;e' are both to the law of God and the
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