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65 (* Mr . ffieokiis on the Doctrine of Atcneme-nt .
fulness off memory when its directions and warnings are needed , or by what we think accidental circumstances , or by the frequently neglected services of the house of prayer , —in these , and in many other ways which we see not , some probably Vvhicti we cannot see , ( but all alike a part of the
allcomprehensive dealings of infinite wisdom , ) our gracious Parent influences our hearts , often strongly and obviously , sometimes silently and gently , yet powerfully , breathes into us holy desites , fans the flame of pious affection , strengthens the fainting resolution , and carries on that work in the soul which will be completed in
eternity . If you ask whether any of "these blessed influences , by which he brings back the wandering sinner , by which he succours the tempted , by which he strengthens the weak , by which he cherishes our pious affectious and
holy principles , by which he comforts the feeble-minded , by which he gives fortitude and vigour for the greater duties , the greater sacrifices , the greater trials , by which he makes our way plain through difficulties and uncertainties , by -which , in short , he
trains up his children for holiness and happiness , —if you ask whether any tif these , or what of them , arise from iris immediate agency on the human heart , I can merely answer , I am able
to say no more , decidedly , than the Scriptures declare , that all proceeds from him ; that the blessings are the same , and as much gifts of his grace , in whatever way he dispenses them . The rain which falls from the clouds
to fertilize the soil , was raised from the iearth by the influence of the sun ; it was supported by the air ; it was driven by the wind ; it was collected by the powerful influence of other
natural agents ; but when it was poured down on the earth , it was not less by the hand of God , than if , without this intermediate agency , he had sent it down like the manna for
the Israelites . Ifj therefore , the man of comprehensive , cultivated intellect , can trace out some links in the chain of divine agency , which are unobserved by the less philosophic mind , it ought not to check his prayers or his praises . Here all are upon a level ; and all are equally
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bound to cherish faith in the constant providence of God , his constant presence , his constant agency and influence . [ To be concluded in the next Number . ]
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BloxJiam , Sir , August 2 , 1819 . HAVE seen what Mr . Barham I says [ p . 356 ] on the doctrine of Atonement . If I understand him ,
( 1 . ) H-e believes that our Lord ' s death was a real sacrifice for sin . ( 2 . ) That it was designed to point out the evil of sin . But , ( 3 . ) That it is not to be considered as making any change in the mind of God .
But really , Sir , whether this last view of the subject be philosophically true or not , is it not a much too refined way of reasoning for the common people , and indeed for all people ? Can any but very clear-headed and intelligent persons , ( or even such , )
acquire and steadily retain the two first views of the subject , without any tincture of the last > They may hastily assert they can and do , but if they will look narrowly into the secret operations of their minds , I suspect they will discover their error .
We do not always know what is going on within us , because we reflect so little and so superficially . Many persons really believe what they think they do not believe . They have two
species of faith ; one may be called their controversial faith , and the other the \ r practical faith . With the first they are well acquainted , but the latter is a kind of unknown guest to them .
As almost all the sacrificial terms that are used in the Old and New Testament concerning the blood and death <* f Christ , are borrowed from the Scripture accounts of the Jewish sin-offerings , we cannot adopt a surer method to come at the truth
concerning the effects of the blood and death of Christ , than by considering what they say concerning the nature and effects of the Jewish sin-offerings . Now ,
1 . I hope it is most evident from what is said in your Repository , [ XI . 717—721 , ] that the Jewish sin-offerings were designed to lead the offerer to consider the evil of his ways , &c ,
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Sept. 2, 1819, page 550, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1776/page/26/
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