Page:A Cloud of Independent Witnesses.djvu/49

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TESTIMONY OF REV. JOHN CLOWES. 43

as in the matter of the book which he reads; and that it is not always the fault of an author that his works are not generally received and approved. You will, therefore, begin, like pure lovers of the truth, before you read, to remove from your hearts all those unreasonable prejudices and partialities which might tend to blind your eyes and pervert your judgment. You will recollect our Lord's words where he saith, *I thank thee, Father, Lord of Heaven and Earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes;^ and with these words in your remembrance, you will see the expediency of putting away from you all that mere worldly wisdom and prudence which they condemn as tending to hide the things of God, and the equal necessity of cherishing that child-like and simple temper of mind to which alone the things of God ever have been and ever will be made manifest.

"You will be taught, also, by the same divine words, in your examination of truth, not to place an ill-grounded dependence on any attainments of mere human science, or any natural talents or intellectual abilities you may possess; knowing that such advantages, unless under the guidance of a humble and teachable spirit, have, in all ages of the Church, excited the bitterest persecution against the truth of

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