and the opposition of Judaizers in Galatia stirred up the zealous Paul to write that fervent Epistle, of which we now reap the benefit. The enmity of Pagans and Infidels have been the occasion of calling forth the most able defences of Christianity. The corruptions of Popery led to the full statement of Protestant doctrine, and the writings of the Socinians to the clearer developement of Evangelical truth.

There is a stagnant peace full of infection and death. Vehement contention for truth may be a duty, and consistent with love and the meekness of wisdom. Peaceful minds are often apt to condemn not so much those who resist the truth, as those who by testifying the truth, are the innocent occasion of controversy, and thus first disturb the general quiet. This is not however the true peace-making spirit which our Saviour blesses, but the love of carnal ease, and the very opposite to the spirit of the gospel. Erasmus would thus have lost that Reformation, which Luther under God accomplished. There is a greater blessing than present quiet, even the maintenance of important truth, and millions will through eternity thank God for the holy boldness, decision, and courage of Luther. Indeed eager disputes about important religious truths are far better and far more hopeful than that total indifference which arises from infidelity.

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There may indeed be a disproportionate attention to controversy, as well as a despising of it; if it be pursued to the neglect or prejudice of devotional and practical religion, if it be pursued with the passions of the natural, and not with the graces of the spiritual man, it is disproportionately pursued. But because there is this mistake, there is a prevalent notion among those. to whom we may justly give the blessed title of peace

makers, that the simple statement of truth is a sufficient confutation of error. Such forget the advantage that error has against truth in its falling in with the natural principles of the heart. Exposure of error and false statement, in a controversial form, is a prominent part of the Epistles to the unsettled churches. The duty of controversy under many circumstances which might be stated is perfectly clear, We must earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered to the saints.

Yet while it has pleased our Heavenly Father thus to overrule some controversies for good, it is not all controversy that has done good, nor any in this fallen world that has done unmixed good. There have been controversies with comparatively little practical benefit, and with deep injury to the spirit of those engaged in them. Mr. Howe remarks

"It is little considered what is the true, the proper," and the right notion of the Christian church, or the churches of Christ in general. They are hospitals, or rather one great hospital, wherein there are persons of all sorts under cure. There is none that is sound, none that is not diseased, none that has not wounds and sores about him. Now how unsufferable insolence were it, that in an hospital of maimed and diseased persons, one sick or wounded man should say, such a man's sores are so noisome to me that I am not able to endure the being neighbour to him.'-See Howe's Works. Vol. VI. 177.

Whenever evil passions have thus been displayed, on whatever side, it tends to the detriment of truth; the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God. Our answer to every man that asketh a reason of the hope that is in us, should be given with meakness and

It

fear; meekness towards him who opposes, and fear towards God, lest we should dishonour his cause. is truly affecting to look back at the whole history of the church, and see the differences and failings of good men. Paul and Barnabas, Acts xv. 39; Peter and Paul, Gal. ii. 11-13. in the days of the Apostles; Fathers against Fathers in the early days of the church; Reformers against Reformers; Ridley and Hooper ; the martyrs in prison and the exiles abroad in Mary's reign; in every age how Satan has sought to divide, that he might destroy the church: in every age what confirmation do we thus receive of the fallen state of man!

Painfully depressing are some controversies; they either perplex the mind, and tend to raise doubts and unbelief; or, if our own mind be clear and fixed, yet is it no small sorrow to see multitudes, after all that can be said, wandering in irreclaimable error; to see some introducing ruinous errors, and bringing on themselves swift destruction, with that additional sad effect of which St. Peter speaks, Many shall follow their pernicious ways, by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.

Many also are misled by unscriptural sentiments, of which they never perhaps hear the sound and just refutation.

A powerful treatise taking an erroneous side of a question is read, and many are disposed to concur in it, till God graciously raises up a writer on the other side, who shows them how far the first has deviated from the truth. How often have we been reminded of that important truth, He that is first in his own cause seemeth just, but his neighbour cometh and search

eth him. Prov. xviii. 17. And yet from all good writers we get scintillations of truth: in the Bible only it is unmixed.

The book of Job, already referred to, furnishes a true specimen of the nature of controversy among religious men. How much is right, and how much is wrong in all! and God himself finally clears the matter, and humbles ALL, and glorifies himself.

In some cases, the subject itself is, in its various bearings, far above the human intellect. The Bible itself has informed us that the judgments of God are unsearchable, and his ways past finding out; we need not therefore be surprized if there are mysteries and things beyond our utmost reach of mind.

The very obscurity and darkness of divine mysteries is not without instruction. Dr. Owen observes, what we call darkness in divine subjects is nothing else than their celestial glory and splendour striking on the weak ball of our eyes, the rays of which we are not able in this life to bear. It is owing to the nature of the doctrines themselves, and their exceeding splendour, that there are some things hard to be conceived and interpreted, and which surpass our capacity and comprehension.' See his Works, vol. ix. 326,327. How calculated is this to give us just views of our own darkness, ignorance, and insufficiency! The wisest man thought himself but a little child, who knew not how to go out or come in (1 Kings iii. 7); and the expression of his humility was especially honoured and commended of God.

The circumstances of our situation will very much point out the line of our duty as to the study of particular controversies. If placed among, and in contact with INFIDELS and Deists, we ought to be acquainted

with the just answers to their cavils, and for this purpose must study the evidences.

But here let us bear in mind that Christianity is its own witness. Let this witness have at least the strong corroboratory testimony of pure affections and holy tempers and heavenly conduct in the life; this testimony, though silent, speaks more irresistibly than many arguments; let Christianity also be exhibited in that rich combination of blessings which its doctrines make known to us; and not merely in eloquence of words, or in the chilling and didactic statement, which may display our talent, may interest the intellect, may even convince the understanding, and still leave the heart unimpressed.

One of the main pillars of evidence for the gospel is, the influence of its doctrines on the lives of its professors and advocates. The cause is much weakened when the defenders of the faith do not present to their opponents the exhibition of the power and holiness of the faith. It is not always that the dignified advocate and the humble disciple combine. Has it not sometimes occurred, that the infidel is confuted by the nominal Christian, himself without that genuine faith which worketh by love?

It is most important that Christians should be intelligent on the grounds of their own faith. Some are so satisfied with the grounds and strength of their convictions, as to deem any extensive attention to the subject a misapplication of time and interest. But on a subject so extensive in itself, and so momentously connected with our present happiness and our eternal prospects, it may be questioned whether the best informed among us have not need of farther informa