8. But the Doctor overlooks this important matter. He neither supposes them to have this knowledge, nor endeavours to help them to it; but in a flow of zeal, reflects at large upon all attempts towards a piety, that is not _modern, common_, and according to the present fashion of religion in the world. Thus, you every where find severe reflections cast upon pretenders to piety, pretended spiritualists; great accusations of excesses, extraordinaries and by-paths; but no where a word or a hint, in favour of those, who would only be so extraordinary, and so much out of the _common_ paths, as the blessed saints and martyrs of the primitive church were. No where are _such people_ told, that he wishes them _God speed_, that _their zeal_ is much wanted both amongst _clergy_ and _laity_, and that the gospel suffers because we know not where to find living examples of its purity and perfection. No where are they told, that he writes not against them, that he loves their spirit, and should be glad to add new fervours to it: nor what Christian perfection is, what a holiness of body, soul and spirit it requires; how powerfully all are called to it, how earnestly all ought to aspire after it, and how sadly mistaken, what enemies to themselves they are, who for the sake of any, or all the things in the world, die less purified and perfect, than they might have been.
9. If we had to do with _one single_ person sincerely good, yet seeming to carry matters too high in some part of his duty, and intended privately to dissuade him from such heights; yet even this, thus privately done and to a person of piety, would be exceeding _dangerous_ and _unjustifiable_; unless we took the utmost care at the same time, to _keep up_ the pious zeal of his mind, to shew him wherein true perfection consisted, and to encourage his utmost endeavours after it.
But if this caution, instruction and encouragement, cannot be omitted without great hurt to religion, when we speak only to a person of piety, and in private, about any religious _extremes_, what must be said of the Doctor’s conduct? Who to the world dead in trespasses and sin, preaches up the _sin_, _folly_ and _danger_ of _being_ righteous over-much? To the world _eating and drinking and rising up to play_, he harangues temperance, abstinence, mortification and severity of life! To the world asleep, insensible, and careless, not only of the purity and perfection, but of the first principles of the gospel, he boldly and rashly approaches all appearances of holiness, that are uncommon and extraordinary! To _no_ part of the world does he represent or propose the _perfection_ of the gospel, or recommend it as that, which deserves all that they can do, or suffer for the sake of it.
This, therefore, I am obliged to point out, as a _fundamental defect_ in the Doctor’s discourse, and such as renders it an evil _temptation_, a dangerous _snare_, and fatal _delusion_ to all those who do not read it with a full, and thorough dislike.
10. * Coldness, indifference, and a lifeless, outward compliance with the duties of religion: a slavery to ease, softness, and sensual pleasures: a criminal conformity to the spirit, fashions, and corruptions of the world; unmortified passions; conniving at favourite sin; deep roots of pride, partiality, and self-love: an unawakened conscience; an insensibility of their corrupt, unreformed, unregenerate state: a proneness to be content and satisfied with poor beginnings, names and appearances of virtue; is perhaps the state of more than two _thirds_ of those that are looked upon to be the religious amongst us.
Now the Doctor’s discourse has a direct and natural fitness to lull all these people asleep, to ♦suppress all stirring and intentions of amendment, to keep up and nourish every disorder of their hearts, to increase their blindness, and awaken nothing in them, but a _hurtful zeal_ to censure and condemn all those that are endeavouring to practise the _uncommon_ piety of the gospel.
♦ The first line on page 144 “upon the madness, danger, and folly of too much” appears to be extraneous and inconsistent with the text flow, so has been removed. The catchword from the previous page appears at the start of line two.
There is scarce a reader amongst this number of people, whether he be _layman_ or _clergyman_, but will find this effect from the Doctor’s instructions; he will begin to take _fresh comfort_ in his state, to think himself _happy_ for having had no aspirings after high improvements in piety; he will not only be content with his corruptions, but be fixed and hardened against all _inward_ and _outward_ calls to a solid piety; he will approve of the deadness and insensibility of his own heart, and acquiesce in it, as his just security, from the _sin_ and _folly_ and _danger_ of being _righteous over-much_.