MISCELLANEOUS THOUGHTS. 395 rectify their notions in things that regard their present or future, welfare. And when we reflect how very impotent and low are the capacities of some ignorant creatures that we have to do with, how short their reasonings, how few their advantages to improve their minds, how incapable their judgments are of growing up to a solid and mature state by our utmost cultivation, and how' unable their minds are in many cases to discern and distinguish truth ; I have been tempted to persuade myself, it is not dishonest policy to engage their affection a little. I know well, that the passions were never made to judge of truth ; but if we find per- sons who will never judge by any other rule, I would make enquiry whether we might not in some cases honestly make use of this. If we find that affection is the great gate of entrance into the judgments of the multitude, and reason is but like the back-door, or some meaner avenue, and seldom opened to let in any doctrine; may we not thence infer, that the softer arts of winning upon men, are to be studied by us as well as hard arguments? How have I mourned inwardly, to consider that even pious and holy souls have been so over -run with ignorance and zeal (that is, with fire and darkness) and have been so possessed with narrow thoughts and uncharitable notions, that it must be the work of an age, or the power of a God, to correct their errors. Yet I reflect again, that my Maker in his wise providence dispo- sed my lot amongst persons of this constitution, and expects that I should carry it amongst them, as it becomes one to whom he has indulged higher favours ; that I should strive with con- stancy to reduce my neighbours to thoughtfulness, virtue and religion, and not be tired and desist, though I find but little success. It is a coward soldier, that declines the fight, because he cannot every day gain a new victory. When I recount how many weary months my Saviour spent in preaching divine doctrines to a wild multitude, and to their more conceited leaders, and how little, very little fruit he found whilst he was upon earth ; I persuade myself it was with a design to encourage his followers in the gospel, and become a pattern of patience to such as should meet with the same disappointments. " Though Israel be not gathered; yet surely my judgment is with the Lord, and my reward with my God. If I cannot bring Jacob again to his duty, yet shall I be glorious in the eyes of the Lord, and my God shall be my strength ;" Is. xlix. 4, 5. These were the encouragements of the Son of God himself, when dwelling in feeble flesh, and contending with an obstinate and vicious age ; and St. Paul, the next in dignity to the man Jesus, expected to be " a sweet savour unto God in them that perish, as well as in those that were saved;" 2 Cor. ii. 15. If we cannot turn stupid and head- strong sinners from the errors cco,
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