And indeed it is with perfons of this character, that we have the beft hope of fucceeding, on religious fubjects in general. An obfervation therefore of Monfieur Pascal, has been both a direction and an incentive to the author, in the composition of his book. He has expected no more, than it encourages him to look for; and to this extent, he humbly hopes, that he shall not have written in vain : “Il faut plaire à ceux qui ont les fentimens "humains et tendres, et non aux ames barbares "et inhumaines *.” Penfées de Monfieur Pascal. CONTENTS. The general profanation of the fabbath........ The vaft numbers of people in the metropolis, who never attend any place of worship...... Page 32 The incompetency of fuch men, for reducing CHAPTER III. Impartial enquiry into the character and views of the clafs of clergymen, called evangelical minifters 33 41 SECTION I. On their being confidered as univerfally Cal- The variations exifting among them, with respect Their co-operation on the points in which they SECTION II. 46 50 53 On fome misconceptions refpecting thofe, who hold the Calviniftic doctrine of election.. 57 They maintain the neceffity of perfonal holiness.. The adoption of Calvinifm not in all inftances to be attributed to predifpofition..... Devout men on either fide of the queftion defcribed..... 58 .... 61 66 69 Hints on the qualifications necessary for the dif- SECTION IJI. On the fentiments of the clergy in queftion, refpecting the doctrine of juftification. ... 74 77 81 Whether they are chargeable with the folifidian Conditions of justification considered.......... Page 83 92 The enfe of the paffage in St. James's Epiftle SECTION IV. Of their infifting on the neceffity of a change Whether they maintain that all piety begins in an Whether they difcard the inftrumental meaus of religion and virtue.... 97 99 Whether there be any impropriety, in urging this SECTION V. On the alledged fimilarity between them and the Puritans.. The admirable work of the Reformers... The rife of the Puritans.... The ill effects of their oppofition.... The attachment of the clergy in queftion to the SECTION VI. On the deviation of their preaching, from the models generally imitated of late years 128 The rife of a new school of preachers in the English Church, noticed by Bishop Burnet.... 130 Obfervations on the strain of preaching introduced by it...... Reformers apt to go too far.. SECTION VII. Of their feclufion from the body of the clergy, 131 135 and their connexion with each other...... 139 The first circumftance accounted for........ 140 141 SECTION VIII. Pagu On fome juftly cenfurable things found among The charge of enthufiafm brought against them, not 151 ib. 153 Depreciation of the clerical body, in fome measure Allegorizing preachers..... ... 156 ib. A caft of preaching that nourishes melancholy... 157 .. 159 General reflections on the character of this clafs of 162 CHAPTER IV. On the expediency of enquiring, whether there be any individuals of unexceptionable character, among the perfons denominated. evangelical clergymen. With hints for the avoidance of error in the enquiry.... 167 Indifcriminate rejection of them, unadvifeable in the present state of religion and morals.... 169 The whole not to be judged of, by fuch as may appear in a metropolis... Nor by fuch as may have acquired great popularity.... ... 172 173 The publications of fuch of them as become au- No apology intended for those who depart from the ..... 177 182 The true Church of England pastor described..... 183 |