y you can generally pick out your
particular duty from the Bible, though that immediate duty be not
fully explained."

"Indeed, sir," replied the shepherd, "I think I can find out the
principle at least, if I bring but a willing mind. The want of that
is the great hinderance. _Whosoever doeth my will, he shall know of
the doctrine._ You know that text, sir. I believe a stubborn will
makes the Bible harder to be understood than any want of learning.
'Tis corrupt affections which blind the understanding, sir. The more
a man hates sin, the clearer he will see his way, and the more he
loves holiness, the better he will understand his Bible--the more
practical conviction will he get of that pleasant truth, that _the
secret of the Lord is with them that fear him_. Now, sir, suppose I
had time and learning, and possessed of all the books I saw at the
bishop's, where could I find out a surer way to lay the axe to the
root of all covetousness, selfishness, and injustice, than the plain
and ready rule, _to do unto all men as I would they should do unto
me_. If my neighbor does me an injury, can I be at any loss how to
proceed with him, when I recollect the parable of the unforgiving
steward, who refused to pardon a debt of a hundred pence, when his
own ten thousand talents had been remitted to him? I defy any man to
retain habitual selfishness, hardness of heart, or any other allowed
sin, who daily and conscientiously tries his own heart by this
touchstone. The straight rule will show the crooked practice to
every one who honestly tries the one by the other."

"Why you seem to make Scripture a thing of general application,"
said Mr. Johnson, "in cases in which many, I fear, do not apply."

"It applies to every thing, sir," replied the shepherd. "When those
men who are now disturbing the peace of the world, and trying to
destroy the confidence of God's children in their Maker and their
Saviour; when those men, I say, came to my poor hovel with their new
doctrines and their new books, I would never look into one of them;
for I remember it was the first sin of the first pair to lose their
innocence for the sake of a little wicked knowledge; besides, _my
own book_ told me--_To fear God and honor the king--To meddle not
with them who are given to change--Not to speak evil of
dignities--To render honor to whom honor is due_. So that I was
furnished with a little coat of mail, as I may say, which preserved
me, while those who had no