Page:A Cloud of Independent Witnesses.djvu/39

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TESTIMONY OF REV. JOHN CLOWES. 33

to light in them. Various religious errors are detected and exposed, various religious truths too are manifested, recommended and confirmed.

THEIR DUTY TO EXAMINE THESE WRITINGS.

" The ministers of religion ^ therefore, must needs feel themselves particularly interested in, and in dutybound to a careful and candid examination of, these writings, and of the ground and reasonableness of those high titles by which they are announced to the public. And as such examination implies at least perusal, serious attention, candor and impartiality of judgment, the exercise of these virtues will also be expected from you. To condemn, therefore, or approve blindly; to suffer your judgment to be influenced by popular prejudice, or to be determined by the sentiments of others rather than by your own; to be deterred from engaging in a deliberate and equitable inquiry, because you have heard the author vilified, and his works stigmatized by those who perhaps never read them, or who have an interest in condemning them; all this would be criminal in you, and expose you to the censure of all wise and discerning men, and especially of your own consciences at that hour when you appear in private before the Maker of hearts and the Inspector of secret purposes. 3

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