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Sometimes speakers promise their hearers more than they can perform, and excite expectations which they are unable to realize. We find from the Gospel that Jesus Christ was not afraid to awaken attention, he knew that he could more than repay it; he knows that we can never raise our minds to the granduer of the subject. He does not trifle, his instructions are unspeakably interesting and important. In order to this they must be true. And we cannot but acknowledge that the reality of these things are possible, sometimes they may strike us as probable, and much more frequently than we are willing to allow; hence our uneasiness, our eagerness to bring forward our opinions, to make proselytes, and to embolden our trembling faith by placing members around it.

Let us affirm that these things are true, and see where we stand when we affirm it. Must we tremble at the affirmation when we have such numberless, and such convincing evidences in view? No, we will appeal to the series of prophecies, the train of miracles, the sublimity and holiness of the doctrine; to the competency and goodness of the writers. Yea, to the success of the Gospel, destitute of every worldly recommendation, and in the face of the most powerful opposition; to the blood of the best of men, and the consent of the wisest men; for we stand not only near the fishermen of Galilee but a multitude preeminent for genius and learning. With all this evidence shall we dispute the truth of these things. Would we wish to assure ourselves, as some have attempted publicly, and many privately to do, that there is not a shadow of truth in them. What could I think of the understanding of such persons, did I not know that we must pretend to all this, to justify our indifference, for when we have fallen out with our own conscience, we wish to separate from it for the sake of our own peace.

How pleasing is truth; how satisfactory it is to find something to which the mind may adhere with pleasure after being the dupe of ignorance and error, and like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. But though that which is important must be always true, that which is true is not always important. It is otherwise here, as the Gospel is a faithful saying, it is worthy of all acceptation. Even the angels desire to look into these things; we have no account of their seeking to be naturalists or astronomers, but they pass by moon and stars and press around the cross; and are we not much more concerned than angels? To us the Gospel is delivered, and this is not a history of wonders only; the journey of a God from a throne down to a cross, and from a cross back to a throne, truly deserves and demands our attention. It is the interesting narrative of our salvation.

Take every other kind of wisdom; how humbling its claims; they are confined to this world. Knowledge, it shall vanish away; the greater part of it is valuable only for a few years; the knowledge of various languages and a thousand other things is valua ble only on earth, it will be useless in a future economy. The soul is the standard of man, his supreme happiness must relate principally to the chief part of his nature, and the chief period of his duration. And the Gospel fixing its residence in the soul, illuminates, sanctifies, harmonizes, and strikes its blessed influences through eternal ages. Let us then contemplate the Gospel in connection with youth, and with age; observe its efficacy in the various conditions of prosperity and adversity; view its agency in the numerous relations of life, in rulers and in subjects, in parents and in children, in families and in nations, diffuse it throughout the world, and let all be influenced by its spirit and governed by its dictates, and I would ask, appealing to infidels, would not a scene be produced the most lovely, the most glorious, and the most beneficial. Would not the language of prophecy be immediately realized-"The wilderness and the solitary place shall be made glad for them; and the desert shall rejoice and blossom as the rose. It shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice, even with joy and singing: the glory of Lebanon shall be given unto it." Thus whether we consider the Gospel with regard to man in his individual or social existence, as an inhabitant of time, or an heir of eternity, it is an universal benefactor, it is of the highest importance, and as it demands, so it deserves, all his attention.

The demand seems to imply that the subject is accessible, that there is no secrecy in the case, nothing to be concealed. In heathenism there were many mysteries, from a knowledge of which, the common people, the mass of mankind, were always excluded. We read of men "who shall privily bring in damnable heresies;" for error needs disguise. Truth glories in exposure; and the Gospel has this character of truth. The Founder of the Christian religion declared that "in secret have I said nothing." The Apostle of the Gentiles could affirm "this thing was not done in a corner." These everlasting truths lie open for inspection; they challenge examination; it is not necessary to conceal any thing; the cause will derive advantage, from. publicity; it is a system of truth and evidence; and you are not. only allowed, but commanded to consider its claims, and examine its contents. The duty our Saviour enjoins, excludes force, and supposes every thing to be free; all dominion over conscience is forbidden. Mahometanism (as you will find in the succeeding pages of this work) was enforced by the sword; that

soldiers were the apostles of the Koran. Also, popery began and was maintained by means of spiritual usurpation. They knew the danger of free enquiry, and shewed their wisdom in not suffering it; they destroyed the right of private judgment, took away the Scriptures, and made ignorance the mother of their devotions. The blind must depend on a guide. But you will find by examining our accounts of the different creeds in this work that the disposition of usurpation was not confined to the church of Rome alone. Too much of this disposition may be discovered in succeeding ages, and by persons who have come much nearer the truth! You will find that after the reformation there were many that refused others the liberty which they had nobly taken themselves. And scorning to be slaves, they have shown a disposition to become tyrants; and though they were not willing to call any man master, yet they wished to be called master by many. It will soon be perceived by the following selection of creeds, that no one should have dominion over the faith of another; this conclusion has induced me to be more particular in the selection, as I wish no one on earth to pin their faith to another's sleeve, and by putting it in the power of men to see the various opinions and creeds invented and arrayed by man, and so directly opposite to each other, that no person of common judgment but must directly discover that they are mostly the inventions of man; by so doing I can take the more liberty in condemning all coercive dominion over the faith of another, and recommending the Gospel. No coercive influence, however exercised, has the least countenance from the nature of the Gospel, or manner in which it was established. The Bereans are commended for "searching the scriptures daily;" and comparing the preaching of Paul and Silas with the testimony of the law and the prophets. Hear the language of one who well knew there was no virtue in compulsion; "Prove all things and hold fast that which is good;" "I speak as unto wise men, judge what I say." The Gospel persuades by informing; even regeneration, (in the acceptation that I take it,) does not destroy the natural order of operation in the faculties of the mind. God enlightens in order to govern; we follow him from choice, this choice is founded in conviction, and this conviction is produced by evidence.

If we would, then, comply with our Lord's demand, let us remember that it is the Gospel that we have to consider. Separate from it whatever is adventitious and human; and during this investigation keep the subject before you pure and unmixed. Be careful that it is christianity you are surveying; not any corruptions and errors which have blended with it; not any modifications

and arrangements which fallible men have made of it. When you ask for a Bible, see that no spiritual legerdemain be handed you in the room of it, no human creed or system; Popery, Protestantism, Armenianism, Calvanism, nor, no other human creed or system but what have to be tried themselves. They may be true or they may be false; they are not standards. Distinguish between Scripture and explanations of Scripture; see with your own eyes; explore the good land for yourselves.

Nothing may be considered as more adverse to our Saviour's demands than dissipation. Attention is absolutely necessary, and in order to this we must call in our thoughts, and fix them. The more finite and contracted our powers, the more loose and roving our minds are, the more averse we feel to reflection; the more intellectual and spiritual the subject, and the less there is in it adapted to the senses, the more necessary, and the more difficult application becomes. But labour and diligence will be amply rewarded in the pleasure of progress, and glory of success; "If thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart unto understanding; if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; if thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hidden treasure; then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord giveth wisdom; out of his mouth cometh knowl edge and understanding."

But, I must tell you, that it is of little use to apply a mind already biased; we must therefore guard against prejudice. Prejudice always makes us partial; it will keep us from doing justice to any sentiment we dislike; while it will lead us to seize with greediness whatever is capable of giving evidence or importance to the opinions we have espoused. No prejudices are more simple nor more common than those derived from" our fathers worshipped in this mountain.” But none so awful as those which spring from, sinful lusts and passions. These will affect practical subjects; entangle the plainest duties, and perplex every rule by which we are unwilling to walk. In this case, a man, before he weighs evidences will examine consequences. "And exclaim, why if I own this, I must renounce the world; I must pluck out a right eye, and cut off a right hand; I must take up the cross; be serious and circumspect in my conversation." Such inferences are arguments; and they easily prevail with unholy

minds.

I would now close this subject, in order to proceed in the selec tion of Creeds, &c. but wishing to remove prejudices as much as in my power lies, and never expecting to raise my pen on a subject of the kind again, I will pursue this vet farther. And

must I tell you that impatience disqualifies us for religious investigation. For instance, if we review life, we shall find that many of our mistakes and errors have been occasioned by too hasty a judgment. How changed they have appeared when the mind has returned to them at another time, and from a different quarter! But may I not also add, that nothing is so unfavourable to fair and successful enquiry, as pride. We should come to the Gospel, not full, but to be filled; not to cavil, but to learn; sensible of our ignorance, and praying for divine direction, and receiving "the kingdom of God as a little child." "With the lowly is wisdom." "The meek will he guide in judgment, and the meek will he teach his way." Gather up all these; here is the Gospel unveiled and exposed; we need not be afraid to approach it, no authority can restrain you; but be sure it is the Gospel you investigate; let dissipation, prejudice, impatience, and pride, be banished, and then we can invite you to search and examine the whole system. Examine the character the sacred writings give us of God; is he not a Father; the Father of mercies; the God of all grace; the God of love? Examine the representation they have given of man; does it not agree with actual life and daily observation? Examine the threatenings they have denounced, and the warnings they have given; do they not accord · with the judgments which God has frequently inflicted on individuals, families and countries, and which prove a moral government in the world? Examine the promises; are they not such as the state, and consciences of men require? Where do they countenance sin? Examine the precepts; take only the command "thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and thy neighbour as thyself." What then must we think of those who wish to exclude this principle and to destroy a book they never read, the grand aim of which, they do not understand. Dislike precedes and influences investigation; and nothing is more absurd than to suppose that infidels renounce the Gospel by the force of conviction, after having fully and impartially examined its contents. But we may be assured they never weighed the subject, though they are bold enough to pronounce that it is "found wanting." Few ever give these things a due consideration. Here, however, another class of characters appear in view; for while some refuse to hear, others give these things a hearing only.

Let us next endeavour to behold the character of the Supreme Being, and take as clear a view as in us lies. For whom were all things, and by whom were all things: the original cause, the final end of the whole universe of beings, material or spiritual; in heaven or on earth; visible or invisible; whether they be

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