ses called Aaron to an account for this wickedness, his excuse was, "thou knowest the people that they are set on mischief........and I said unto them, whosoever hath any gold, let them break it off. So they gave it me: and then I cast it into the fire, and there came out this calf." What a hypocrite Aaron was! He meant to deceive Moses by omitting to state a most important particular "he fashioned it with a graving tool;" whereas he would fain have Moses think a golden calf had been miraculously produced! The people were bent on mischief and he was willing to gratify them in it!

Our clergy very carefully teach children they deserve to be eternally miserable. If this be true, the injustice of God is the only foundation of their hope of salvation! Nothing in all the works, providence, or word of God would ever suggest the idea that sinners deserve endless wo. But when people have been thoroughly trained with traditionary notions; the preacher will work himself into a phrenzy, and his hearers into a consternation, by portraying the burning vengeance of an almighty destroyer, and "the lively bright horrors" of an endless hell; where misery will be sufficiently keen and lasting to cause the veriest savage in the universe to shed tears of blood! Then, a revival,founded on the fear of hell, commences. Young people, especially females, become dreadfully frightened. Then the preacher, who has conjured up this artificial storm, questions converts Is your nature totally depraved? Yes. Do you hate God? Yes. Does the justice of God require your endless misery? Yes Are you willing to be damned forever? Yes. It is all yes.

The

mind is completely captivated. If modern clergymen have not used "a graving tool," they have fashioned every one of the notions in question.

To

cap the climax of absurdity, they sometimes refer to the very feelings and opinions which they have produced, to show "the consistency of eternal punishment with perfect justice!"

Mr. P's. similitude of "a man in England accused of murder" &c. is irrelevant; because he was a hypocrite--and was conscious of his guilt while defending himself: but those sinners who do not think they deserve eternal punishment are not conscious of meriting it.

Mr. P. says "From our subject thus illustrated, we may see why the saints will be satisfied with the divine conduct, in the eternal punishment of the wicked. They are represented in the scriptures as looking upon the sufferings of the lost, and as praising God and shouting Alleluia as the smoke of their torment ascends up before them forever and ever. They rejoice not in the sufferings of the damned, but in the justice of God" &c. Here again Mr. P. has relied solely on tradition to give the impression that the subject to which he refers, alludes to eternal punishment-that the saints look upon the sufferings of the finally lost-that the smoke of their torment ascending up forever and ever, should be taken in an unlimited şense &c. He has adduced no proof of these things. He must know that the phrase forever and ever is frequently used in a limited sense in scripture. There are many considerations which induce the belief that the punishment of Babylon is in this world, for "the merchants of the earth shall

K

weep & mourn over her" &c. See Revelations Mr. P. says "so clear may we suppose will be the justice of God in the punishment of the wicked, that it will be impossible that any should refrain from heartily approving of the sentence which dooms them to endless punishment." If they heartily approve of that sentence, they not only ought to be damned, but will undoubtedly be happier there than they could be any where else!

Mr. P's. last paragraph contains nothing of note,except the recognition of the grand principle that the di vine government should regard "the greatest good" of the universe-and the idea that the everlasting favor of God, may be given up. Both these particulars

have been answered.

Το

"Shall not the judge of all the earth do right?" We consider this a question in form, but not in fact. It appears to be equivalent to a positive declaration that the Judge of all the earth will do right. treat all according to their deserts without any partiality, would be to do right. "Justice and judgment are the habitation of thy throne: mercy and truth shall go before thy face." Ps. 89. 14. Justice requires that a proper distinction be made between the righteous and the wicked. "Say ye to the righteous that it shall be well with him: for they shall eat the fruit of their doings. Wo unto the wicked! It shall be ill with him: for the reward of his hands shall be given him." Isa. 1, 10, 11. Justice will treat all according to their deserts; justice is essentially different from cruelty. knows the character of all creatures-he has power to do justice and is unchangeable. If any, or all of

but

God

the human race deserve eternal misery, it is just as certain that they will receive it, as it is, that God will do justice! If all sinners deserve eternal misery, every hope of salvation must be founded on the injustice of God! Not only is God a being of justice and judgment, but mercy and truth go before his face. The veracity of God requires that all his threatenings, and all his promises should be strictly and faithfully fulfilled; therefore the promises and threatenings should not be so construed as to stand in direct opposition to each other-lest one, or the other be violated. The justice and mercy, and all other attributes of God harmoniously seek, and will produce the greatest good of the whole universe. Mercy does not oppose a just punishment, and justice does not prevent the reception of divine mercy. "Mercy and truth are met together, righteousness and peace have kissed each other." "Alleluia; salvation, and glory, and honor, and power unto the Lord our God."

SERMON VI

"Prove all things: hold fast that which is good." Thess. 5. 21.

ence."

Free and candid investigation is undoubtedly encouraged and required, by the bible. That precious book clearly exhibits the moral character of man. In the language of Mr. P. "It places the whole race upon one level....it shows that no man has a right to dictate another's belief.... that every individual is solemnly bound to investigate and understand the truth for himself," The bible "gives no countenance to thoughtlessness by making religious doctrines a matter of indifferThe Bible not only represents the Saviour as the light of the world, but as possessing ample power to accomplish that mission of divine and infinite mercy, which he came into the world to establish. "The Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost." Jesus said "All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth." All mankind were lost, Jesus came to seek and save them. There can be no failure in the accomplishment of that most benevolent object.-The more thoroughly we search and understand the scriptures, the more lovely does the divine character appear, as manifested through him who is "the brightness of the Father's glory and the express image of his person." The more clearly