that reason may rest in deep repose while contemplating the grandeur of heavenly mysteries; and that the less the style of theology demands the exertion of thought, the better for the student. Christian simplicity, the sacrifice of which we allow could never be atoned for, suffers rather than gains by this. Simplicity is strength: the offspring of severe, reflecting, inquiring, and, therefore, selfdenying and humble minds: whenever it is not combined with carefulness and energy of thought, it wants the characteristics which render it so bright a jewel in the Christian's crown: simplicity is then voluble in talk; as weak, and therefore obscure, in argument as it is wordy in expression; humble in pretension, but often confident and proud in spirit; soft in its appeals, but rarely earnest; smooth, but never direct in its course; always ready to acknowledge what it dares not attempt, but never trembling at the awfulness of truth, because never caring to lift its veil. How different was the simplicity of the Fathers of the church to that of their degenerate sons! They offered not on the altar of Christ that which it had cost them little to purchase; nor was theology with them less worthy of intense application, than science or politics is with us now. May the Great Head of the church fill the souls of his ministers with a more earnest love of divine contemplation than they have lately manifested, if we may judge by the present state of theology! |