ideas of the author of nature of | gainft God, not subject to his law, that God who he tells us created the heavens and earth were folely matter of revelation. Be this as it may, what is there in nature, in all the works of God which we fee, or which Moses saw, which has or then had the least conceivable aptness or fitness to excite in his mind one idea of creation? And much less to suggest the manner or process in which the work was carried on. But least of all, the idea of divine rest. All the ingenuity of the Deist will leave the history of the creation as given by Mofes perfectly unaccountable and inconceivable on any other fuppofition but this, that God revealed it to him, or that he had it from those to whom it had been revealed before his day. The prophecies delivered several thousand years since, which contained the hiftory of the world in epitome, the accomplishment of which has been clearly made out down to our day, furnish further striking proof of the truth of the divine scriptures. nor can be. Stronger language is not to be found. Universal expe rience concurs to support the scripture account of the matter. The government of God and man appear to have their foundation, and I think only foundation, in deprav. ity. Regulations might be useful, probably necessary, in a fociety perfectly holy and virtuous, but coercive and penal laws could have neither place or use. The bible throughout supposes and implies the depravity of human nature, the best men have ever acknowl. edged and lamented it, the hiftory of the Jews gives ample proof it, but the most finished, compleat proof is to be found in the appoint ment and work of the Saviour.It is agreed that this depravity has fixed its feat in the moral pow. ers of the man principally; but I think we shall not err if, we suppose that a degree of inju. ry or inconvenience refts on all his faculties. If the heart be by nature opposed to the divine gov ernment can it be possible for it to alter itself, to oppose its own motions and feelings? The supposi tion is contrary to the reasoning of philofophers; and absolutely re pugnant to the bible. This depravity of our nature being allow. must follow, viz. That all men will be objects of sovereign mercy without any regard to the condi tion specified in the gospel; or a certain number only, as we are theretaught. The current of fcripture feems to me strongly to mili tate against the supposition of universal salvation; but those passages especially which declare that Chrift will call all before him to judgment and then make that public and juft distinction between the righteous and the wicked which their refpec But the most forcible and irrefiftible evidence of the truth of the fcriptures is the fublimity and incomprchenfible nature of their doctrines. There can hardly be conceived a more palpable and ridiculous abfurdity than this, that doc-ed, one of these consequences trines which the mind of man cannot comprehend should have any other than a divine original. The bible then is a revelation of divine truth. Taking this for an established truth I will offer some tho'ts more immediately connected with the doctrine of Election. Human depravity is a doctrine of the bit'e. It is there taught in terms which imply at once its certainty, malignity and univerfality in the most pointed manner. It is represented as very enmity itself a tive characters shall require, and in consequence, assign to them vastly different portions. Salvation then must be wholly of grace, and it will follow that God is a sovereign, and has mercy on whom he will have mercy. And the doctrine of Election as given us in ❘ the bible will not only appear to be true, but the thing itself necessary to the falvation of any part of the children of apostate Adam. I have gone, you will fee, upon the supposition that all the divine acts are results of divine counsel, or more properly perhaps, of divine decrees; a truth easily demonstrated, but it will not be necessary to show it. I am fsensible, objections are made against the doctrine I have attempted to establish; one is that it is irreconcileable with some parts of the fcripture-and it is a bold presumptuous cavil. Is it possible that eternal unchangeable truth should declare inconsistent things? Most certainly it is not. That there should be difficulties attend faints and sinners act with equal freedom in choosing their reipective objects? They certainly do. No man can come unto me (says a benevolent Redeemer) except the Father who hath fent me draw him. Did anyone in consequence of this drawing, ever perceive the least force or compulfion upon his mind? Surely not. That we short fighted creatures cannot perceive the consistency of the present doctrine with other scriptures affords no solid ground of objection againft it. On the like ground we might deny the poffibility of God's making a man. The same objection will lie in its full strength against the moral government of God; and will lead to downright scepticism; and possibly to that which is more to be dreaded, rooted unbelief. It ought to fatisfy us to believe and know that God who favors us with his revealed truths perfectly fees their connection and confiftency. It may be observed here, with propriety, that could men clearly difcern the consistency, and fully comprehend the mysteries of revealed truths and doctrines this of itself would remove a main pillar on which the spiritual building refts. It would weaken, it would destroy one of the most substantial arguments we have to prove the truth of the fcriptures. Could men comprehend revealed truths in their full extent and meaning, would they not immediately, and with appearance of reason, say, is this the revelation which claims divine honors? There is nothing here ing the doctrine ought not to be confidered as ground of just objection against it. Every thing about us, every thing within us presents numberless unsearchables abundant matter for difficult inquiry and which, indeed, will forever difappoint the best and most thorough human investigation. In God we live and move and have our being. This implies the most abfolute, continual and univerfal dependence. This notwithstanding, we feel ourselves possessed of all the liberty necessary to render us the proper subjects of divine commands, and to make us accounta- above what the sagacity of a Newble for all our conduct; nor could ton or a Locke might have discovwe use a greater portion of liberty ered. Thanks to God the scripthan we now enjoy. Apply this tures are divine, fublime, and inobservation to the doctrine of Elec- comprehensible! Befides, we live tion. Did ever any person feel by faith. What ground for faith his liberty impaired by it? Do not could we fee every thing! The difficulty philosophic minds, tants. If you find your love to feel respecting the scriptures grows out of a misapplication of their reasoning powers more than out of the divine oracles themselves. The proper province of reason is to examine the evidence produced in support of the authenticity of the scriptures. Having found this evidence satisfactory, reason has done its work. We have then little else to do but believe and obey. This examination will take in both the internal and external evidence of divine truth, and having found no absurdity, the fublime truths of the scriptures are not to pass the scrutiny of cavilling worms and then receive a contemptuous rejection. This will afford you a striking reason why unbelief has marks of divine displeasure so pointedly fixed upon it in the gospel. God has given us clear evidence of the God the Father for his precious unspeakable gift, to God the Son for his matchless love to mari, to God the Spirit for astonishing and much abused and despised Grace in arresting and binding a rebel madly pursuing the road to ruin, daily receiving an increasing glow, accompanied with greater anima. tion in duty, warmer zeal for God and more operative benevolence to men, rejoice and be thankful. Give him the praise to whom it is due; but don't forget that you maybe deceived in the view you take of yourself if you do not perceive that humility increases in proportion to that glow of love I have mentioned. Religious Intelligence.. truth of the fcriptures, and par- The following Letter from the East ticularly of the coming and work of Chrift, and commands us on pain of death to give him credit, to believe him. The penalty is not unreasonable. A man will not patiently take the lie. He that believeth not maketh God a liar! Indies to the Directors of the New-York Missionary Society cannot fail to interest every friend to Miffions. Serampore, O&. 15th, 1800. I hope, daughter, you will not dif. To the New-York Missionary So as pute about the bible doctrines. If I ciety. DEAR BRETHREN, T has given us much pleasure to hear that a fociety has been eftablished in America for the purpose of spreading the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Chrift among the heathen nations which border upon you We most heartily with you God speed: we pray that you may have wisdom from above, to enable you to concert your plans aright, and patience to wait in these labors of love till God shall give the bleffing expected. The various tribes of American Indians appear to have a claim upon the American churches; or rather, -fra perfons. Were we however to look on the Mission in this point of view, we should conclude that nothing had been done to any purpose; but when we compare the time of our first arrival with the present, we cannot help concluding that some very important ends have been accomplished. Our firstlanding was a formal taking poffeffion of the country for God: it was fixing a colony in the strongest part of Satan's poffeffions. Since that we have been preserved and perhaps we may fay, that one great end of the exifting of the churches in America is, to spread the glorious gospel among the heathens in their vicinity, It is said, "He 'that believeth, out of his belly • shall flow rivers of living water." The faints individually are converted, that they may work for God, and glorify him; not merely that they may go to heaven when they die; fo alfo churches may be looked upon as little emcampments from which we are to sally out, in attacks on the great enemy, or rath-increased infomuch that the colo er on the kingdom of the great enemy of God and man. You, idear brethren, are now drawing el up in battle array-Go forwardPerfevere-Redouble your efforts. Be not weary in well doing: for if you don't faint, you shall reap in due time. Undoubtedly you el will meet with difcouragements : many professors of the gospel may not at first enter into the idea that Christians, and all which they profess, belong entirely to the Lord, and confequently may for a time act as if the giving or withholding supplies was at their option; others may tire, if they don't fee immediate fuccess, and many may blame your measures, after you have done the best in your power; but it is your business to endure all things for the elect'ssakes, that they may be faved. EN ch It is now, dear brethren, seven years fince we entered upon the work of the Mission in this country, and it is uncertain to this hour, whether any of the heathens are truly converted or not, though there have been many very hopeful appearances, and some which were fo much fo, that we believed God had begun his work in reality: and the evidences continued for a long time, but at last decayed. Yet we still hope of fome ny which at first confifted of only five grown persons and five children, now consists of seven males and five women, evidently on the fide of God (tho death has removed two of our brethren, viz. Grant and Fountain from us) befides the children in number seven. God has alfo been gracious in the converfion of fome Europeans, and others. The language has been acquired the gospel preached to many thousands, and the bible tranflated into the Bengal language: part of the New-Testament is printed, and the whole will be fo before you get this. Some hundreds of copies of Matthew's Gospel, and some other small pecies have been distributed and read by many. The system of Hindooism begins tototter, and even Bramans are in many instances ashamed to avow that their Shafters are of divine original: fo that, notwithstanding all our difcouragements, and all our want of fuccess, we are constrained to fay that the Lord has done great things for us; and it is alfo in our hearts to expect greater. We are indeed rather strengthened than weakened, and though the much defired fuccess has been delayed till now, yet we are all with one heart trufting in the Lord; and, I believe are all disposed to continue in our work till death, and not to be moved with any discouragement. What can we say, dear brethsen, to encourage you to perfevere in the good work, and to abound in it? Two confiderations are of great weight with us, viz. 1. Every foul is of more value than the whole world: therefore no length of time, or expense of treasure is too great to be devoted to the salvation of fouls; and the effectual calling of one to the fellowship of the faith, is more than an ample recompenfe for all that can be given, done, or fuffered, to accomplifh it. 2. The Gofpel is the power of God to salvation; and the publication thereof the ordinary means of delivering tinners from the power of fin and Satan. It would be prefumption in us to expect the salvation of sinners any other way; and the height of unfeeling cruelty to refuse to the heathen world, that which we believe and know to be God's ordinance for the falvation of finners. The man who keeps that money in his purse, or employs it in trifing gratifications, which is wanted to send the gofpel to them, is guilty of the blood of fouls; and the man who is furnished with gifts for this work, if when encouraged by the Church to devote himself to this work, declines it through fear of danger, or love of ease, is alfo guilty of the blood of fouls. Churches not feeking out and encouraging fuch gifts, are in the fame condemnation. So that this work is as incumbent on every Chriftian, as any of the divine commands are, and cannot be neglected without very great guilt. But on the other hand, the example of our Lord Jesus Christ, who spared no pains or cost to fend the gospel of his grace to fin ners; the example of the Apof tles, who did not account their lives dear, so that they might fin. ish their course with joy, and the ministry which they had obtained of God, to testify among the Gen. tiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; the intrepidity of the mar tyrs, who loved not their lives unto death; the promises that he that watereth shall be watered himself, and that Chrift will fupport his ministers in this important work till the end of time; thefe-all these are arguments with us, and we doubt not with you also, to persevere in this work; and never, never to give it up-rather to consider it as a work which must not be deferted; which must be persisted in; which must become more and more common ; and which must be finally fuccefsful, and terminate in the universal dominion of our Lord Jesus Chrift over every kindred, and nation, and people, and tongue. Dec. 9. Capt. Hague, the bearer of this, has frequently visited us, and has gone with us when we have gone out to proclaim the Saviour in the streets to the wretch. ed Hindoos. Within the last two months our prospects and hopes have brightened up, and we hope the Lord has revealed himself to some of the heathens. Five perfons, three men and two women, give us great hope. One has giv en himself up to the church by re lating the experience of the grace of God on his foul; and we ex pect that the others will foon fol. low his steps. We may be too fanguine in our joy at this event; but when you reflect on its valt importance, you will eafily excufe We have felt the pain of difappointed hopes before, more than once or twice: but the first true converts must appear fome time; us. |