brethren. Ufe thy liberty of judging concerning the doctrines and duties of religion; but deny not the fame liberty to thofe who have an equal claim to it with thyfelf. A confiftent Proteftant is a character of the first order-admired by men, applauded by angels, and accepted of God! * But though we are thus enjoined to exercise our reason in matters of religion, yet, concerning the communications of revelation itself, we fhould be exceedingly careful left we form a rash and precipitate judgment. Upon this hallowed ground, infidels have trodden with an incautious step, and fuffered their liberty to degenerate into licentioufnefs. Knowing but in part, and feeing through a glass darkly, we are by no means competent judges of what is the best method to be ufed by the Supreme Being, in order to bring his fallen creatures to repentance and falvation. Were this remark (however obvious) duly regarded, it would put an end to moft of the cavils which are brought forward in the prefent day, to invalidate the credibility of the gospel. It would not then be effeemed fo pertinent an afk why the Chriftian revelation was published; as w ether it be of divine enquiry, to not fooner origin, and * See the ingenious and venerable Mr. Turner's (of Abingdon) publication, entitled, A Compendium of Social Religion. The conclufion of that judicious work, contains many excellent obfervations in favour of Candour and Unanimity. calculated to promote genuine holinefs? It would not be accounted fo much our business to puzzle ourselves and to perplex others, by enquiring why it is not made universal, as to examine diligently what it requires, and what encouragements are afforded to ftedfast obedience? It would not be afked with the fame impatient expectation of being fully fatisfied, why the refurrection of Christ was not in this or in that particular manner manifefted to fuch and fuch particular perfons, as whether he be indeed rifen, and did actually ap pear to faithful and competent witneffes? Perfons acquainted with only the first elements of religion, must perceive that in these latter enquiries, the truth of revelation is most nearly concerned. Questions refpecting its origin, nature, and tendency, have been fatisfactorily folved; whilst full answers to enquiries more curious than important, may lie concealed in the profound abyfs of that providence whose paths are in the deep waters, and whose ways are past finding out! If it be indeed an indifputable fact, that Jefus was crucified, and rofe again according to the fcriptures, then is it altogether unreasonable to fuppofe that his doctrines are not true that his precepts are of no authority that his promifes fhall not be fulfilled, and that his threatenings fhall not be executedefpecially when it is alfo confidered that these conftituent parts of the gofpel are defigned, and adapted, to make us partakers of the divine nature, and inheritors of eternal life. Even Bolingbroke himself, one of its keenest and most infidious opponents, has confeffed, that " No religion ever yet appeared in the world, of which the natural tendency was fo much directed to promote the peace and happiness of mankind, as the Chriftian; and that the gospel of Chrift is one continued leffon of the ftricteft morality, of justice, benevo lence, and univerfal charity." Let therefore the pure knowledge which we profefs to derive from the fcriptures, that repofitory of divine truth, be accompanied with an ardent piety towards God, and with an extenfive charity for our brethren. Thus fhall we underftand the nature, difcern the excellence, and feel the energy of the gofpel of Jefus Chrift. To live down error and vice, is the most fure mode of deftroying them; and this, happily, every believer has the power of accomplishing. The noxious weeds of atheism and of infidelity would have never rifen to their prefent alarming height, had not the foil in which they fhoot up, been manured by the vices of profeffed Chriftians. By living foberly, righteously, and godly, we hold forth, as from an eminence, the word of life, and others, seeing our good works, are led to glorify our Father who is in heaven. And why fhould we be difcouraged with the difficulties by which our understandings are embarraffed in this preliminary state of existence? * See the article Religion-Encyclopædia Britannica." When this mortal puts on immortality, and this corruptible incorruption, then fhall the powers of our fouls be invigorated, and the objects of contemplation be encircled with that superior degree of light which enfures the firmest conviction. Faith fhall have terminated in vifion. been converted into enjoyment. brought life and immortality to Hope fhall have JESUS, who hath light, fhall have drawn afide the veil which now covers the works and the ways of God, and the full radiance of eternal day will beam on our enlightened fouls! Is this the bigot's rant?-Away, ye vain, Your hopes, your fears, in doubt, in dulness steep; Yet know, ye fceptics, know-the Almighty mind Nor fhall the pile of hope, his mercy rear'd, MASON. |