ment, mercy, and truth." We mean not to say, that any truth, or any duty, is of small moment ; but we affirm, that there is a vast distance between some truths or duties, and others ; and that consequently there should be a proportionate difference be- tween the zeal we exercise in relation to them. St. Paul " became to the weak, as weak ; and to them that were without law as without law:" he even circumcised Timothy, though he knew that the rite of circumcision was abrogated : but when the cir- cumcision of Titus was required as necessary, he would not give place, no, not for an hour ; but declared, that if even an angel from heaven should insist upon the works of the law as neces- sary to salvation, he should, and must, be accursed. The same sentiment applies to those doctrines of our religion which are less cleai'ly revealed, and about which the best of men may differ ; as also to those matters which relate to Church government, respecting which there is a great diversity of opinion amongst men of equal piety and learning. We should insist upon them, not in proportion to the interests or prejudices of any parti- cular party, but according to the stress laid upon them in the Holy Scriptures ; always distinguishing between what is clear or doubtful, essential or non-essential.
There is yet another thing proper for us to consider, namely, The best means of attaining our end. Nothing is further from Christian simplicity than artifice of any kind. We must never attempt to " catch any man with guile." But there is an address, " a becoming all things to all men," which we shall do well to cultivate. As in warfare it often happens that an enemy is induced by the skilful motions of his adversary to relinquish a post from which he could not have been driven by a direct attack, so, in seeking to benefit mankind, much may depend on the manner in which our efforts are conducted. We know full well, that success is of God alone ; but we know also that he makes use of means suited to the end, and that he requires us to " walk in wisdom toward them that are without," and to " give no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed."]
We will conclude this subject with one or two direc- tions proper for the occasion : 1. Let your zeal begin at home — [A man's own heart is the first sphere for the exercise of zeal. To get a deeply penitent and contrite heart is an object worthy of our utmost exertions. Zeal in relation to this is expressly enjoined by our Lord himself, who could not endure the lukewarmness of the Laodicean Church0: and the diver- sified actings of that zeal are accurately described in the account
c Rev. iii. 19. k k2