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The exercise of supreme love to God our Maker, and benevo

it. At present we are abund-professions of amendment, they antly furnished with evidence of have not yet discovered what is impressions counter to princi-so desirable and needful. In ples professed. What is all this these there is a living testimony reasoning in favour of this lati-open to the eyes of all, and felt tudinarian principle, what are by many who are unwilling to these endeavors to uphold and acknowledge it, that if ever spread them, and what are these we discover the way that is right, censures of all who disagree, we must have instruction bebut practical acknowledgments, yond the light of natural reason. that all are endued, with the And what are those frequent same powers, and that there is a pilferings from the scriptures, way in which they are to be ex- but practical expressions of a ercised and improved, a way sense of this necessity? that is preferable to all others, which is wisest and best? How desirable, how neces-lence to his creatures according sary is it that we have an unchanging rule of conduct that shall be of universal application? Practically it is acknowledged by every enquirer after truth and duty, and verbally by many, but the light of reason is gloried in as sufficient to make the dis-and tending to happiness in our incovery. Experience hath taught the reverse. The heathen, left to the guidance of the light of reason, found themselves involved in darkness, they groped in their blindness, wandering thro' superstitious idolatries, sacrificed to their vanities, friends, parents and children, and became the dupes of enchantments, divinations, and every unreasonable and debasing

to their ranks in the scale of being, are connected with the greatest happiness of the intellectual world. Every thought and desire and emotion of the soul that is noble, sublime or pure, and every thing generous

tercourse with each other, spring from a heart actuated by such love. The man who possesses such a character cannot fail to command respect. It is a character to be imitated by all, it is approved in moments of serious reflection, it is truly excellent. This is the character recommended and enforced in the scriptures, and exemplified abomination.-in the life of Jesus Christ our Lord. How often has the charac

and his doctrines extolled by those who believed not the divinity of the scriptures. These are acknowledgments that discover some impressions of excellence in the truth as it is revealed. Would God there were

They were sensible of their lamentable condition, in some in-ter of the Saviour been admired, stances they felt their burthen and anxiously wished for a better guide. The advocates for the sufficiency of the light of reason, the unbelieving under the light of the gospel, with all their advantages of experience and instruction, are equally wan-in them an honest and good dering. They differ from each heart' to receive all the truth.other in points most essential, But like the homage which vice they alter, they mutilate with

yields to virtue, it is not natural,, hereafter. Yet, by many, the it is out of necessity.

delusion that they shall have peace, a delusion so flattering to the indulgence of sin, is fondly cherished. Yea although the unfinished state of things in this world, the instances of sin es

The total depravity of the heart of man and the consequent necessity of a change, a renewal of heart, are fundamental doctrines in the holy scriptures. They are rejected, they are de-caping.with impunity and even rided by unbelief. Yet they are without detection, the triumphs daily acknowledged by all men of iniquity and the sufferings of in their intercourse with each virtue, naturally lead men to exother. Who entrusts his pos- pect a dispensation hereafter sessions in the power of others which shall equalize all these on without ample security? Who the principles of righteousness; leaves his coffers of portable and though fearful apprehenwealth open and free of access sions are experienced by the to every hand? Even the doors guilty, the language of delusion and other openings to our dwel- is readily heard, thou shalt not ling are barred and bolted surely die,' until the light of against the aggressions of the eternity break the charm, and midnight plunderer. Laws are destruction have swallowed her enacted with severe penalties to prey. restrain the rapacity and violence of a wicked world. Courts of justice are crowded with the contentious, the unmerciful, the factious, the criminal. And efforts are daily used to correct the corruptions of society, to reform the world, to ameliorate the state of man. Surely the whole world lieth in wickedness.' The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked,' and all, whatever their avowed principles may be, are aware of the truth in practice.

Rewards and punishments are connected with virtue and vice in the present life. We witness it daily. All are sensible of it, and under convictions of the truth, on principles of self-preservation, men restrain themselves and guard against the consequences of vicious indulgences. The natural inference forces itself upon the mind, as God is immutably holy, and death only changes our state of being, the same connection must exist

Suppose these characters of unbelief arraigned before the tribunal of the Son of God, the Searcher of hearts. The sentence is passed according to the gospel. They are condemned for a wilful ignorance of God and an obstinate opposition to the gospel. To confirm the righteousness of such a sentence, what more is needed than the exhibition of their lives in heart and practice? The continual variance between principles and practice will bring to light the efforts of enmity striving to resist impressions that could not be eradicated, and will seal in silence every reply. May we all so regard the truth that when our Lord shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.'

A.

On the Divine compassion to Sin

ners.

N forming our conceptions of an infinite being, the greatest caution ought to be observed. When we speak of God, words are often used, which were primarily applied to the powers, qualities, actions and passions of depraved men. From the poverty of language it becomes necessary that many words, invented to describe objects of sense, should be used in speaking of heavenly and eternal things; also in our description of the nature, counsels, works and glories of the Almighty Jehovah. In understanding language it must, therefore, be always considered to what subject it is applied. A general knowledge of the subject, will direct an intelligent reader in the meaning of words. Justice and compassion are words of stable meaning, but when applied to men, and to our Almighty Creator, their signification, in many particulars, may be different. The nature of justice is the same in all beings; but the justice of God is infinite, and the justice of creatures is always finite, and in the most perfect Christians is mingled with many imperfections. The glory of creatures is derived, the glory of God is eternal and essential to his being. So the compassion of God is different from the compassion of the best men.

The compassion of God to sinners, in their state of rebellion to him, is a subject on which many persons have incorrect conceptions. Although they have in their hands the holy scriptures, in which God hath clearly described his sense of the

evil nature of sin, and his compassion to the guilty, they do, still differ materially from his word, and from each other, in their opinions on these subjects. Some profess to conceive, that God hath not a strong displeasure against sinners; for although they are wrong, an infinite being, as he is, cannot be angry with creatures so weak and ignorant as he knows them to be. Others imagine that the divine compassion, which is so often expressed, will be a safe-guard against all punishment. Another error of opinion on this point is, that the punishment, which is threatened to the impenitent, is inconsistent with any degree of compassion. The last is doubtless the greatest of these errors; although each of them is contrary to the unerring scriptures of truth, in which the Lord our God hath described both his justice and benevolence. The word of God assures us he is angry with the wicked every day, which is a description of great displeasure. It also represents an awful punishment, which is prepared and will be executed on all who do not turn from their sins by repentance towards God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. So many are the threatenings of this punishment, that we cannot doubt its reality; nor can we doubt that God will appear to be just in the infliction, that it will be eternal, that all righteous beings will allow its fitness, and that the consciences of guilty sinners will be so convinced as to shut their mouths for ever. Of all these particulars there are many scriptural proofs, which might be recited at large, if the proof

of this point was the principal design of my paper. But my purpose in these remarks is to show, that although God be angry with the wicked every day, and will most certainly punish the impenitent, who refuse the salvation of the gospel, and live in disobedience to the divine law; yet he still pities the state of the sinful. His justice, although awful in its works, is united with the most benevolent compassion. That a most holy God pities the state and miseries of the sinful appears from many considerations.

The testimony of God's word is sufficient evidence that he hath compassion on those, who against their own knowledge transgress his laws and dishonour his name. How can this be more plainly expressed than it is by the prophet, "Say unto. them, as I live saith the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways, for why will ye die O, house of Israel?" This expression of pity, doth not mean that, sinners shall escape punishment, if they remain such; for turning is men

It is evident from the worldly blessings which are bestowed upon them. Although he re-tioned as the only condition on proves their sin, describes how which they can be spared. The unreasonable they be, how un-justice of God and the glory of justifiable in his sight, and how his holiness require they should righteously they might be con- die if they do not turn from demned; still, he is kind and their iniquities. All such pastender of their present safety, sages are designed to teach us, that they may have a space for that although God be infinitely repentance. He feeds, clothes, just and righteous, he hath for guides them in the midst of its own sake, no delight in pundanger, and like a father watches ishment. In his punishment of over them, and fills their garners sinners there is no revengeful with good. The Lord saves them, anger, for he compassionates by the special direction of his the pains which they must enProvidence, from suffering in- dure while he pronounces their numerable painful consequences sentence.-The Lord our God of their own froward conduct. is a just and good judge. A In how many instances, when good judge, for the honour of they have digged a pit for them-justice and the public benefit, selves, or through their sin have while he condemns a criminal, exposed themselves to innume- may weep over the sentence rable pains, doth he guide them pronounced by his own lips. safely, by his own care and wisdom? All these preservations and blessings show, that our heavenly Father, while he is displeased with our sinful practice, and if we continue therein intends to punish us, doth still compassionate our miserable

state.

VOL. I. NO. 1.

We have many scriptural testimonies of the divine compassion. "For though he cause grief, yet will he have compassion according to the multitude of his mercies. For he doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men." D

"What more could I have done, that I have not done?" He bemoans their condition." How is the gold become dim, and the most fine gold changed!" With all the compassion and reasoning of a father he saith,

land, but if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured." He hath provided an atonement, the spirit is purchased for our assistance, and he saith, "Come for all things are now ready.”

"It is of the Lord's mercies | ments over them in his word that we are not consumed, be-Thou hast destroyed thyself" cause his compassions fail not; they are new every morning, great is his faithfulness."-How wonderful is that description of divine love to sinners, which is given by the apostle Paul, in the fifth Chapter of the Epistle to the Romans! Reader, peruse it" Why will ye die, O house of and admire the love of God! Israel? why should ye be strick"For scarcely for a righteous en any more? Come now and man will one die. Yet perad- let us reason together, saith the venture for a good man some Lord, though your sins be as would even dare to die. But scarlet they shall be white as God commendeth his love to- snow; though they be like ward us, in that while we were crimson they shall be as wool: yet sinners, Christ died for us." If ye be willing and obedient, The gift was the greatest possi-ye shall eat the good of the ble! his own Son. Especially its greatness appeareth when we consider what humiliation and sufferings he was given to endure. This wonderful gift was made while we were yet sinners, in a state of enmity to his char- All necessary instruction is acter, opposition to his govern- given in his word; the ordinanment, disobedience to his laws, ces of religion are fitted for our and enemies to him both in the assistance, the spirit knocks at state of our hearts and in our the door of our hearts, the dispractice. This gift, being made pensations of providence are calbefore we had any repentance,culated to reclaim, and all nature reformation or reconciliation to around us is moving to invite, his character was the greatest to instruct, to warn and bring us possible evidence of pity to sin-to repentance. Do not those ners. His compassion was ex-things show that our father in ercised before there was any heaven pitieth the misery of sinreturn to their duty, and doth ners? not this prove he hath no pleas But let us look again and beure in that misery which justice hold the life of Jesus Christ. to himself and his kingdom in- The whole of his life discovers cline him to inflict ? deep pity for his most inveterate The same compassion to sin-enemies. He not only prayed ners, on account of their pres- at last "lay not this sin to their ent pains and the eternal misery charge" "Father, forgive them, they must endure, is apparent for they know not what they do," from the means used by the but before this, on entering Jeword, providence and spirit of rusalem, the seat of enmity God to reclaim them from their against himself and his kingHe thus la- dom, he bewailed its state in the dangerous state.

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