on our hearts. The truth, the whole truth, is brought forward, without fear ; but it is brought forward also without offence : all is temperate ; all is candid ; all is practical ; all is peaceful ; and every word is spoken in love. This is an excellency that deserves particular notice, because it is so contrary to what is found in the worship of those whose ad- dresses to the Most High God depend on the imme- diate views and feelings of an individual person, which may be, and not unfrequently are, tinctured in a lamentable degree by party views and unhal- lowed passions. And we shall do well to bear in mind this excellency, in order that we may imitate it ; and that we may shew to all, that the moderation which so eminently characterizes the Offices of our Church, is no less visible in all her members.
Sorry should I be, when speaking on this amiable virtue, to transgress it even in the smallest degree : but I appeal to all who hear me, whether there be not a want of this virtue in the temper of the present times ; and whether if our Reformers themselves were to rise again and live amongst us, their pious sentiments and holy lives would not be, with many, an occasion of offence ? I need not repeat the terms which are used to stigmatize those who labour to walk in their paths ; nor will I speak of the jealousies which are entertained against those, who live only to inculcate what our Reformers taught. You need not be told that even the moderate sentiments of our Reformers are at this day condemned by many as dangerous errors ; and the very exertions, whereby alone the knowledge of them can be communicated unto men, are imputed to vanity, and loaded with blame. But, though I thus speak, I must acknow- ledge, to the glory of God, that in no place have mo- deration and candour shone more conspicuous, than in this distinguished seat of literature and science : and I pray God, that the exercise of these virtues may be richly recompensed from the Lord into every bosom, and be followed with all the other graces that accompany salvation.