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SERMON I.

EXHORTATION TO ENQUIRY.

1 THESS. 5. 21.

Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.

THE enemies of the Gospel have often objected to its precepts, that they lay a restraint on the free exercise of man's understanding, in the search after religious truth. Of such objections St. Paul here furnishes us with a complete refutation; not only permitting but positively requiring us to "prove all things," to exert our utmost diligence in the examination of every doctrine and duty. On the other hand it might be supposed, that this habit of free enquiry would tend to make the mind unsettled in matters, wherein a steady conviction is absolutely necessary to its peace. But here also the apostolic

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precept will be found satisfactory, directing us so to conduct our investigations, as that we may ultimately "hold fast that which is good."

The doubts and difficulties which arise in the mind of a person anxiously enquiring after the things that belong unto salvation, demand the respect of all; and deserve the peculiar attention of the Christian minister. And the text has been selected as affording a principle which may become most effectual for their settlement and satisfaction. It seems to say that enquiry is a duty, and yet to pronounce unsteadiness a fault. It is designed at once to promote investigation, and to define its object and its use. And at the same time it furnishes the enquirer with a test by which to know that which is to be held fast, from that which must be rejected.

I proceed to consider this most interesting subject, with a deep sense of the responsibility which lies on the office of a teacher; and of the risk of error which attaches to every human effort towards

elucidating divine truth. Since however the words of inspiration are diversely interpreted by mankind, it becomes the duty of those who minister therein to expound them to the best of their power. And the exhortation to prove or try all things is to them an additional motive, towards exertion in the convincing of others. I exhort you therefore, according to the words of the text, to prove (Note I.) or try those notions, which now distract your mind, by the test which is in this text laid down. I demand your serious attention to the arguments by which I shall endeavour to point out, and ascertain," that which is good." And I pray God, for Christ's sake, that He may give his blessing to the enquiry; that He may enable you to hold fast the opinions you may thus adopt, to the everlasting comfort of your soul.

I would not however have you suppose, that I am about to argue against what can with any propriety be denominated an excess (Note II.) of religious practice. I do not think that there can be such an

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