The Character of the Genuine Theologian [pp. 158-170]

Character of the Genuine Theologian.
heavenly meditations, simulates no gravity of visage or garb,
but panting for high and eternal things, holds in contempt the
splendour of the rich, and the earth with all its gold and silver. Contented with the grace of Christ the Saviour, and
the fellowship of the indwelling Spirit, he looks from an
eminence down on all the blandishments of earthly vanity,
and craves no wealth, nor pleasure, nor fame. Fully intent
upon the care of souls, and the guarding, protecting and extending of Christ's spiritual kingdom, and on beautifying
what is already possessed, he owes nothing to the forum, the
camp, or the court. He looks for no office, preoccupies no
rostrum, courts no patronage, seeks favour of no authority,
plays no oratorical part, but justly discriminating between
the church, the college, and the court, limits himself to the
pulpit or the chair. The higher his flight in the contemplation of heavenly things and the practice of piety, the less
does he seek to obscure a brother's honour; measuring himself not with himself, but with those who are above him, and
especially with the perfect law of God. In all that concerns
the catl. of God, the salvation of souls, the defence of the
church, and the protection of divine truth, he is all on fire
with zeal for God, and would rather endure a hundred deaths,
that concede one iota to an adversary in that which is not his
own, but the Lord's. Yet for himself he avenges no wrongs,
meekly bears the maledictiqis which are hurled at his head,
and in the warmest contest, lays no stress on his own imaginations, but yields every thing for peace and concord. Such
an one, to use the expression of the ancients respecting Athanasius, is, to those who strike, an adamant; to those who differ, a magnet. With prudence in counsel, he attempts nothing rashly, accomplishes nothing turbulently; and with a
humility not feigned nor outward, but with all the simplicity
of candour, casts himself at the feet of all, exalts himself
above none, and prefers each to himself. Show me such an
one, and I will salute himn as the genuine Theologian, with
veneration, with embraces, acknowledging that he is the
glory of Christ, and that the glory of Christ is in him.
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