which had been a hundred times advanced, and as many times refuted,
before they were born. But the matter appears so plain to them that they
cannot imagine how any honest mind can come to any other conclusion.
Hence, they are ready to doubt the piety of all who differ with them, if
not to assume the office of judge, and charge them with insincerity or
hypocrisy. Whereas, in truth, their strong confidence in their opinions
arises from having examined the subject partially and superficially, and
overlooked the objections and difficulties which readily occur to a
well-balanced and discriminating mind.

I would not, however, be understood to recommend implicit submission to
the judgment and opinions even of the greatest or even the best of men.
This is Popery. The mind must be convinced before it yields assent to
any position. But it would be the height of self-conceited arrogance for
any person, but especially for a youth, to presume himself too wise to
gain instruction from the writings of men who have devoted their lives
to the investigation of truth; or summarily to set aside, as unworthy of
his attention, opinions which have been embraced by the greatest and
best of men for successive generations. Nor does it argue any uncommon
independence of mind; for, you will generally find such persons arranged
under the banner of some one of the various schools of theology,
morals, philosophy, or politics, and following on with ardor the devious
course of their leader receiving whatever falls from his lips as the
voice of an oracle, and running with enthusiasm into all his
extravagances. Like the vane upon the spire, that lifts up itself with
proud eminence to the clouds, they are ready to be carried about by
every wind of doctrine. Whereas true independence of mind consists in
weighing evidence and argument impartially, and forming a decision
independent of prejudice, party feeling, pride of opinion, or self-will;
and, when coupled with humility, it will always rejoice to receive
instruction from any source. The person who knows himself will be deeply
humbled under a sense of his own weakness and ignorance, and will
advance his opinions with modesty, while he treats the opinions of
others with becoming respect.

V. Again, Charity _doth not behave itself unseemly_. It does not
disregard the courtesies of life, nor break over the bounds of decency
and decorum; but pays a strict regard to propriety of conduct under all
circumstanc