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But when all these arts fail, Dr. Priestley and his disciples have another shift; namely, the denial of the plenary inspiration of the Scriptures. This completes the business. But in this affair, they have the unhappiness of contradicting the sacred writers, who have solemnly declared, that "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God." If they have told the truth, the doctrine of materialism cannot be supported; but if in that, they have stated a falsehood, they are not to be trusted in any part of their testimony. Anti-Trinitarianism, in all its bearings, leads directly into the gloomy region of Infidelity. We need say no more, therefore, to prove the crime of appearing as its advo

cates.

It will be readily admitted, I presume, that danger inseparably attends crime-Infinite Wisdom has established this connection. The sinful mind, on this account, is always full of fear and trouble. No self-flattering theories, that wicked men can invent, will wholly relieve their minds. The threatenings of Heaven, enforced by the conscience, are like peals of thunder; and the most obdurate of men, sometimes are forced to hear. To deny the separate existence of the soul, is a dangerous doctrine, both for the preachers and hearers; for Christ saith, "If the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch." Matth. 15. 14. People who embrace a delusive system, must realize its painful consequences; and to be employed in teaching it to others, greatly enhances their guilt, and adds to their misery. It is no small crime to ruin the souls of men. Being the property of God, He will, no doubt, call their destroyers to a solemn account. prised the Prophet Ezekiel of his duty in this respect, saying, "Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me. When I say unto the

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wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will Irequire at thine hand." Ezek. 3. 17, 18. To be occupied in deluding immortal souls, is surely a much greater crime than merely neglecting to warn them to flee from "the wrath to come." But if all the preachers of error are involved in such guilt, in what an awful situation are they placed, who have taken the lead in capital and extensive heresies? Arius, Mahomet, Voltaire, and many others, whose names might be mentioned, have, doubtless, been instrumental in the eternal ' ruin of many millions of mankind! The inventor of the deleterious plan of materialism, must bear no inconsiderable degree of comparison, in guilt and punishment, with those conspicuous file-leaders in iniquity. Materialism is a dreadful scheme, when it is correctly viewed in its various bearings. It degrades man below the rank which he holds in the creation-cuts off his inducements to holiness-encourages him to commit sin-and prevents the very possibility of his salvation. It makes the proper Deity of Christ, an impossibility, and, of course, the idea of his Atonement, a mere farce. According to the

plan in question, He, who is emphatically called, "The Son of God," can be nothing more than a curious organization of mere matter. If, as Dr. Priestley says, "there is no common property between matter and spirit, by which they can subsist in union," it will, of course, follow, that Christ's body could have no such connection with God, as to form one Person. The principle, in fact, excludes the possibility of His having even an immaterial and immortal soul. But, is it a thing credible, that One of such preeminent dignity as the Holy Scriptures represent the Lord Jesus Christ, should be, at last, no more than a composi

tion of matter, and his astonishing intellect, the result of its peculiar modification? They, who can lend themselves to believe such leamed and philosophic nonsense, are, surely, prepared to " swallow a camel!!" It is not improbable, that Dr. Priestley adopted the theory of materialism, to overthrow the Divinity and Atonement of Christ. In vain, however, "do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing." Great philosophers, with "the the rulers of the earth, may take counsel together, against the Lord, and against His anointed-He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision-He shall speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in His sore displeasure." Psl. 2. 1-5. As to this matter, "if we are wise, we shall be wise for ourselves;" but if we will "sit in the seat of the scornful," we must expect to be "like the chaff which the wind driveth away.” Psl. 1. 1, 4. "God is not mocked." No; He is infinitely jealous of His truth, and of His glory.

4. If we possess immortal souls, it will necessarily follow, that we should examine the subject with great care, that our minds may be settled in regard to its truth. It is wicked to permit ourselves to think, that God has left a matter of such vast importance without sufficient evidence-evidence within the reach of the weakest mind. To be settled in this case, nothing farther is necessary, than diligence and common honesty; for the ground on which it rests, is the testimony of God, and that is so clear, that he that runs may read and understand. "The wayfaring man, though a fool," in respect to abstruse subjects, "need not err" in this case. In this enquiry, the Lord will guide the meek in judging of the nature and properties of the soul. It is not by human wisdom that a knowledge of the mysteries of the invisible world is acquired. Many people, of eminent abilities and learning, are whol

ly unacquainted with the plainest doctrines of the Scriptures. Their ignorance of theology, arises from the blindness of their hearts. It is a great unhappiness to be unsettled in respect to the soul's immortality--it is wickeda manifestation that they do not ask counsel of God, When people are placed under the influence of corrupting principles, their attention to the Scriptures should be more close and constant, and be accompanied with unceasing prayer.

Young people are, in a special manner, in imminent danger under the sound of a deluding ministry. Bad impressions are easily made on juvenile and inexperienced minds. An oblique remark, a sarcastic sneer, a contemptible pamphlet, may lay the foundation of their everlasting ruin. Great events frequently grow out of apparently small causes. Parents should, therefore, be peculiarly anxious about their children, and careful in having their understanding properly cultivated on religious subjects. If they neglect the matter, Satan and his emissaries will not be slack in taking the advantage of it. The hearts of children are, by nature, prepared to fall before their seductive arts! Sinful ways, and the doctrines which support them, are always pleasing, when the heart is not reconciled to God. We live in a dangerous world; and "the heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked." Those people are highly favored, who have been delivered from the bondage of moral corruption, and brought into the glorious liberty of the children of God; for their minds are now settled on all the grand truths of the gospel. This produces peace, joy, and hope.

5. If we possess an immortal soul, capable of existing separately from the body, it will follow, that its best interest claims our daily and strict attention. In general, much labor is bestowed to secure our welfare in the world;

but the soul is greatly neglected by the majority of mankind. Such a course of action is superlatively foolish. As to this, Christ saith, "What is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or, what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?" It will amount to very little, whether we have been rich or poor, honorable or despised in this life, when we shall have entered on the scenes of eternity. The joys of heaven, or the miseries of hell, will very soon make us overlook all that we shall have passed through on the earth. My dear hearers, eternity is a solemn and impressive subject! In the view of it, we may say with Moses, concerning sinners, "O that they were wise; that they understood this; that they would consider their latter end!" Eternal salvation and damnation, are really overwhelming considerations! They are calculated to rouse Christians to every possible exertion, and to awaken sinners from their moral sleep; for it will be but a short time, when we shall all be either in heaven or in hell! It is foolish and wicked beyond conception, to ruin our own souls! The highest eloquence is unequal to the illustration of this iniquity. Through divine mercy, we are now in a situation in which we may prepare to meet our God. O, let neither your Bibles, nor the Throne of Grace be neglected! "Behold, now is the accepted time! Behold, now is the day of salvation!" Even if some here are great sinners, and grown old in iniquity, there is forgiveness with God, through Jesus Christ, that his name may be feared. Seek ye the Lord, therefore, while He may be found, and your light shall rise in obscurity; and when your bodies are in the grave, your separate spirits shall shine like the sun in the kingdom of heaven. AMEN.

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