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\ raris those who differ : but in humility , meekness , and gentleness like his ; in implicit submission to God who sent hitn > and by whose supreme authority we are bound to learn what he hath taught and to do what he hath commanded .
" If this be the proper distinction and character of disciples of Jesus Christ ; if it consists in a serious study and competent knowledge of his own pure word , in a conformity of 9 pirit and temper to his , and a conscientious obedience to all his commandments ; if , as we persuade ourselves , your education has hitherto
been conducted on these pure principles , and your conduct has hitherto given a fair ground of hope that you will sincerely wish to promote the improvement , in these respects , of those who may be placed under your care } let me exhort , intreat and charge you , my
young friends , to bend to this point your chief attention , to direct towards this great object your principal endeavours . Let this purpose regulate your private studies and compositions in your closets , your public discourses , your familiar conversations , and the whole series of
your conduct m society at large . \ " Let me advise you , therefore , as you have be ^ un , in like manner to proceed , constantly , carefully , accurately , critically , but above all things practically , to srtudy the words of the Lord Jesus Christ . Continue to avail yourselves of the various assistances and helps you can
obtain ; but , at the same time , take care to preserve your judgments open and candid , unprejudiced against , and unbiassed in favour of , any human sentiments or decisions . Thus prepared , proceed to explain them , with faithful - ness and simplicity , to those whom you may be called to address j and
powerfully inculcate their doctrines and precepts , according to the ability "which God has given each of you , and to the best knowledge which you may have acquired concerning them . Remember , that it is your Master ' s commission to you , as well as to his immediate disciples , to 1
teachyour hearers * taobserve all things , whatsoever rre hath commanded ? and t will be « mly ~ so long as you do thrs , that you will have a right to claim the "tie of ministers of his word ; if you deviate into the speculations and opinions of men , you may be philosophers , you "frflylic orators , you maybe champion *
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for this or the other sect or party , but you will cease to be ministers of Christ . " ^ v But instruction by precept , even in the words of Christ himself , will be of little avail , unless you exhibit , at the
same time , a pattern of the temper , character , and duties of real Christianity , in your conduct . I am far from being of the opinion of a late biographer , * € that the principal part of a pastor ' s ; work is in the house of God . ' Your
stated instructions to your people will return , perhaps , but once a week ; but your example and behaviour will be exposed to their observation every day and hour ; and you will find , that they will observe this with greater accuracy than they will your public discourses : you will even soon observe that those who
discover little delicacy or sensibility witU regard to their own conduct , will judge with great sensibility and delicacy of what they see or hear in you . They will often , indeed , judge uncandidly and unfairly ; but this should only put you the more on your guard against all appearance of evil . '
\ Not that I mean to advise you to high pretensions , or an affectation of great appearances . This would be taking up a credit with mankind , which it would require an uncommon capital to answer j and if it should not be answered , the man who assumes it will soon become a bankrupt in the esteem of the
discerning and the wise . No : let your light so shine before men , that they , seeing your good works , may glori f y your Father who 19 in heaven j ' let it be your ambition to engage and charm the affections of your people by the simplicity , meekness , modesty , and humility of your manners , by the
purity , sobriety , and decency of your conduct ; by your truth , integrity , and honourable conversation . This will give a graceful assurance in the performance of your public services ; and when your people observe an amiable
correspondence between your character and doctrine , they will be induced to embrace the one through esteem of the other . You may then with a good grace address them in the words of the apostle , « Brethren , be ye followers of me , even as I also am of Christ . *
* Life of the Rev . Robert FoQte , Minister of Tettcrcairo , prefixed to M » Sermons , p . xxiy .
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Intelligence *—Manchester College , York . 483
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), July 2, 1813, page 483, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2430/page/59/
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