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But , f iend& , though we are thus favoured to see and to approve things which are excellent , yet when we review the state of our religious society , and scrutinize into the conduct of it * members we are often obliged to
observe that an enemy i . at work ; that earth ometime ^ obtrudes into the place of heaven ; and that self-love in inany is more conspicuous than self-denial . You know that the subjects of our inquiry dn these occasions are arranged under different heads ; and that it becomes from time to time our concern , to
remind you of your duty respecting many of them . « When we ask the question , ** Is there any growth in the truth ? ' * mode * ty , were there nothing else , might occasion a doubtful reply . But nothing needs prevent every man , endued with
the light of Christ in himself , from endeavouring to answer this most important query plainly to his own conscience . As the vigorous tree brings forth its fruit in its sea , on , so if any man grow in the Truth , he will bring , forth the fruits of Truth , even the fruits of the
Spirit , so well described by the apostle to the Galatian converts And what obstructs this growth in any ? We reply , The ! oveof ease—the dread of conflict . But as winter and storms promote the "well-being of the outward creation , so tribulation and conflict improve the Christian . They ha \ e their
appropriate and appointed end in the work of sanctifi ation ; they arise not out of the dust , but are sent or permitted in the proper seasons ; and whoever seeks to escape without hi . share , rejects the very means of his advancement , and scarcely can hope to attain his due * measure of the stature of the fulness
of Christ : '' a state of which * the same aposi ' e peaks , as attainable by all . Now . be oved brethren , a subject , a deeply interesting subject , hath intervened among our deliberations on the ^ tate of our socie ty ; and its long-felt 1
Imp © tance induces us to suiter it here also to interrupt the current of our Ch : isuan counsel . No longer . since than the last year we excited your attention afresh to ihe sufferings of the Africans , ; and spoke of the continuance of the cruel Slave-trade as of an accumulation
© f misery and of guilt . How then do yve now rejoice in having to proclaim fihat this tor tent of iniquity is arrested in its progress ; that an important restriction of the trade has taken place : that
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the annual enslaving of thousands is prevented ; and that the prospect again opens , with increased brightness , of" a termination to the wrongs of -Africa i " JLet us therefore thank God , and take courage , and still persevere in the support of those testimonies and practices .
to which Christian love gives rise , and which Christ requires of hie church ; and in order that we may be able to do this , let love , pure , unconquerable love , reign in our hearts . We have often expatiated on this topic ; but yet we must violate our feelings , if we suppress some further observations on it at this
time . Friends , remember , that to be " made perfect in Love , ** is a high state of Christian excellence , and not attain * able but by the sacrifice of selfish passions ; No degree of resentment can consist with this ^ tate . Some persons
are apt to profess that they can . forgive those whom they suppose to ^ have injured them , when such are brought to know and acknowledge their- fault ; but that is little else than a disguised pride , seeking for superiority ; the love which Christ commanded to his church
goes further than that . ' This is my commandment , that ye love one another , as I have loved you . ' * And how did the Lord love the world f JLet the apost'e answer . " God commendeth his love towards up , in that while we were yet sinners , Christ died for us . ' * And ,
friends , mark and remember his gracious dying words , when , praying for his very persecutors , he said , cc Father , forgive them , for they know , not what they do . ' * And shall we expect access for our more feeble prayers , at the throne of grace , if we harbour any ill wfti to our fellow-travellers towards
immortality ? J ^ et us hear again the'Saviour of men : * ' And when ye stand praying , forgive , if ye have ought against any . ' He doth not allow time for seeing the injuring person become submissive ; but— " Standing , forgive : " for ** If ye do not forgive , neither will
your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses . J O , the excellence of Christian love , and the temper of forjgivenes ^ ! It is the indispensable requisite in that spiritual worship to which we as a people more peculiarly bear testimony : yea , is it not the very balm of life , and the passport to heaven ? < Thus have we hinted at some of the leading characteristics of the Christian ; we have attempted to hold up the stan-
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440 Religions Intelligence ,
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Aug. 2, 1806, page 440, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1727/page/48/
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