emboldened, by what they witness among professors; which confirms their notion that the doctrines of grace tend to laxity of morals, and consequently are useless or pernicious. What do ye more than others? our Lord says to his disciples and to each of us. With our principles, hopes, privileges, obligations, example, and assistances, we certainly shall, if we act consistently, do more than others: and whatever tends to promote the peace and purity of the church, or the stability, fruitfulness, and comfort of believers, as effectually tends to spread the gospel, as preaching to careless sinners, or sending missionaries into distant regions. These ought we to do, and not to leave the other undone. I never yet saw a few consistent, peaceable, exemplary believers in any place, but they won over, in time, some of their neighbors and relations, and rendered the gospel respected even by those without: but I have repeatedly seen a company of high professors, zealous for doctrines, and loud in disputes, but lax in their practice, who have set numbers against the gospel, and made it despised and hated, more than usual, by all around them. In this day of infidelity, in which Satan is inspiring his servants to uncommon exertions against the whole fabric of Christianity, books and sermons will do little, unless we can oppose to his progress, not only theoretical discourses on the tendency of the gospel, but also appeals to facts concerning its efficacy in rendering men holy in all manner of conversation. Our children, servants, or neighbors will be better preserved from infidelity, and more led to think of religion, by witnessing and feeling that the gospel produces happy effects on us, especially in our conduct towards them, than by all we can say. Thus we make a lodgment in their consciences, which they cannot get rid of. If they see us happier and better than other men, they cannot but feel the difference, even if they would willingly deny it: but, if they can fancy themselves about as good without the gospel as we are with it, nature will lead them to slight it without remorse.-Our conduct also must shew men what we mean by conversion, a new creation, being born of God, &c. We must embody such subjects, and be living examples and illustrations of them. We want more preachers, and should pray the Lord of the harvest to send forth laborers into his harvest: but preachers and sermons of the cast just described are most important; and thus all ought to preach daily. Christians of this kind will be the honored instruments of reviving religion, and diffusing it into distant lands, as well as of handing it down to posterity.* "But I have dwelt so long on this subject, that I have not room to discuss that which you particularly mentioned. However, I do not feel myself much grieved on that account; as the cultivation of the Christian temper at large is the best preparative both for Christian conversation, and the improvement of every talent. A few words spoken by a man of eminent piety, integrity, and benevolence, will go further than the most exquisite speech of a doubtful character. Even imperfections will be overlooked in the manner, when a man is credited for his sincerity and good will. A real desire to glorify God and edify man by our discourse, with daily meditation on the Scriptures, and prayers for heavenly wisdom, will generally lead a man to adopt such methods as suit him: for no rules suit all. persons. Though levity should be excluded, yet I own I think cheerfulness and good will so essential, that I would rather see too much sprightliness than any appearance of unsociableness and moroseness-especially when the former is known to be a man's natural disposition: for then (when it is altogether suppressed,) it is thought religion has made him ill-tempered.-I think addresses to the heart and conscience go further than discussions of doctrine; that religious subjects should be introduced gently, not forcibly; and that we should be careful not to get engaged in argument for which we are not competent. "I can only add that I remain "Your affectionate friend and servant, "DEAR SIR, "THOMAS SCOTT." "Chapel-street, January 3, 1797. "I REJOICE to hear of the success of the gospel in any place, and by any instruments; but especially when ministers are raised up to preach it. May the Lord grant that your friend the clergyman, and you, and I may all meet in heaven! and may numbers attend us, whom God hath made us the instruments of bringing along with us! For not only ministers are thus instrumental to the salvation of others, but every consistent Christian, by his example, prayers, conversation, and efforts in various * Isa. lviii, 8-14. lxi, 3, 4. ways, shares the same honorable privilege: and, should but one soul be won to Christ by the endeavors of a whole life, that one may be useful to others after our death, and the fruit may, and probably will, remain and increase on earth to the good of others, to the end of time; while the gracious recompense is enjoyed by us in heaven. On the other hand, if we disgrace the gospel, or imbibe and propagate pernicious principles, the fatal effects may remain, and be diffused further and wider, long after we leave the world. So important is the conduct of a professed disciple of Christ! and such need have we to watch and pray, lest we enter into temptation! "Indeed, if the Lord should weigh our feeble attempts in the balance of his perfect law, the best of them must condemn us: and, if he made no use of any but Christians of great attainments, we might sit down in discouragement. But, where there is a willing mind, it is accepted, according to what a man hath: and he blesses his own truth, not because we speak it, but notwithstanding that we speak it, because it is his own truth. He works by feeble instruments, and generally prefers such as man despises, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of men. Much more then will he work by those who think meanly of their own attainments and services, rather than by those who are wise in their own eyes, and think highly of themselves. Even the Saviour was the stone which the builders rejected, before he was made the head of the corner: he humbled himself even to the death of the cross, before, in our nature, he was exalted to the throne of glory. Even the manifest imperfections and failings of upright persons do not render them unmeet to be employed in doing good to others. We may pull a beam out of another's eye, though we have a mote in our own; though a beam in our own eye will render us unfit to pull a mote out of our brother's eye. If we be evidently humbled when we have done wrong, and ready to acknowledge the offence we have been drawn into, those among whom we live will see the difference between us and such as do wrong, persist in it, and excuse it. It is so natural to us all to err, and so contrary to nature to own our faults, that I have known instances in which I have gained upon even those without, or at least, upon very doubtful characters, by acknowledging that I had been to blame in my conduct towards them. "As self-knowledge, arising from an increasing knowledge of God, his spiritual law, and our obligations, and from diligent self-examination, must produce increasing humility; and as Satan will aim to graft a temptation to discouragement, in our attempts to do good, upon our humbling discoveries of our own sinfulness, the deceitfulness of our hearts, and the corrupt mixtures in our duties: these considerations seemed suited to counterbalance that effect. I have seen many, through a deep sense of their own sinfulness, discouraged even from speaking, writing, or attempting any thing for the good of their nearest relations: nay, they have even thought it would be presumption in such unworthy creatures to pray for others: and I have, at times, felt somewhat of the same kind myself, and do still on some occasions. I have known very good men afraid to exert themselves, not lest they should seem vain-glorious, but because they felt so strong a propensity to this and other evils, mixing with their exertions. But, if we must not move till we can do it with perfect decorum, we may sit still till we die. We should therefore remember that we are under a covenant of grace. A merciful father will accept, and even recompense, such services as a severe master would punish. But he that buries his talent is a wicked and slothful servant. We should study the duties of our several relations, the talents committed to our stewardship, and the dangers to which we are peculiarly exposed: and, in the spirit of faith and prayer, should be steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that our labor shall not be in vain in the Lord.-May we spend this year more profitably than any heretofore! "Your affectionate friend and servant, "THOMAS SCOTT." "Chapel Street, May 19, 1797," In this letter the writer, in answer to inquiries made of him concerning his situation and circumstances, sketches his own history to the completion of his Commentary, and the occurrences which followed with respect to that work, in perfect accordance with what has been since published in his Life; and then proceeds: "Had it not been that I could not raise money to p my volume of sermons (1796,) without borrowing, and no right to risk the property of others, I should r think, have submitted to solicit subscriptions for the work even by general proposals: aud, when it was published, I found the printers and publishers much more punctual in their demands than the subscribers and booksellers in their payments, which reduced me to serious difficulties; though I have got my money uncommonly well since I believe I may claim the honor of having done, and doing, as much work for nothing as any man in my line; and I can assure you that I should, humanly speaking, have been several hundred pounds richer than I am, had I never published a book in my life. I do not, however, repent: for I trust I have been more useful that way than by preaching.—I have almost always found those with whom I have dealt too deep for me in making bargains;* and the desire of publishing cheap has led me sometimes to publish too cheap; though, upon the whole, I have not lost materially by any publication except the Bible; and am in general rather a gainer: but, if I have gained 2001. by other books, I lost above 7001. at once by that. I only wonder that a man who was just before without any property could lose so much, and not lose his credit, or even his liberty. But I can say with Jacob, The Lord hath fed me all my life long; and, having food and raiment, let us be therewith content. I have maintained my family decently, and kept up my credit fully, during above twenty years, since I first cast myself on God's providence, (by following the dictates of my conscience, and the path of duty,)† and have been enabled to help many others likewise. My losses never troubled me, except when I could hardly answer the demands made on me, and the sense of being in debt disquieted me. I have all sins in my heart; and, among the rest, have often to conflict with covetousness: but it is not my easily besetting sin; and my trials in that respect have scarcely been felt, compared with others that respect my ministry and domestic concerns; especially the death of relations, frequent sicknesses in my family, and the pain I feel on account of unconverted friends. I do not feel the least anxiety to be rich, or to see my children rich: nor do I fear but they will be provided for, if they act properly........I am surrounded on all sides with *It may be due to the present proprietors of his Bible, and publishers of his Works, to say that this was written before my father had any dealings with them. + See Life, p. 78. He thinks it needful to explain this in a postscript; that "in domestic life he had een peculiarly comfortable, except as death or sickness had intervened." |