and Philosophical Societies. 87 
of God, when conducted with that frame of mind, 
the fitness of which in such enquiries will not be 
disputed; an honest desire to discover truth; an im- 
partial investigation of evidence ; humility suited to 
the shortsightedness of man; a willingness to re- 
nounce erroneous preconceptions; and a reverence 
and love for the glorious Creator, can tend to sub- 
vert the belief of a revelation, which, in order to be 
received, requires only to be studied with those dis- 
positions. But if men are precipitate in judgment, 
self-sufficient, and presumptuous; if they investigate, 
not with a solicitude to establish truth, but to sub- 
stantiate their own previous decisions; if, after 
gleaning together some facts and conjectures in na- 
tural knowledge, they deem themselves competent 
to pronounce on the mysteries of the universe, and 
I had almost said, on the duties of its Governor; if 
they construct high-sounding theories, and instead 
of trying the truth of revelation on its proper evi- 
dence, estimate it by its agreement or disagreement 
with those theories; if the object of their researches 
be to glorify not God, but themselves ;—such men 
may easily be unbelievers, but let them not usurp 
the name of philosophers. If to be a philosopher, 
is to be lover of wisdom; he alone may hope to de- 
serve the appellation, who cherishes the dispositions 
which wisdom enjoins. If to be a philosopher, is 
to be a lover of wisdom, he is the true philosopher, 
who loves the wisdom revealed from above, 
