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leave him as lonely , helpless and desolate as be was before the Lion of the tribe of Judah did take the book of God ' s hidden secrets aud prevail to unloose the seals thereof V ( Pp . 471 ,
472 . } This statement augurs well . This celebrated preacher and his admirers , with this rational view of the Scriptures , may sit down to a calm and deliberate examination of their
contents . The New Testament is consistent with itself . The attributes of the Supreme Being are there never libelled ; and the happiness of man is held up as the end of all the divine dispensations . From creeds and from confessions of faith , as from an empoisoned fountain , have issued the tenets
most inimical to the glory of God , and subversive of tHe welfare of mankind . Christ came to save , not destroy , the human species . And should the majority of the inhabitants of the world be condemned to eternal punishment ,
his mission must prove a curse , and not a blessing , to the children of men . The apostolic asseveration , that where sin hath abounded , grace shall much more abound , is realized only by the final restoration of man to undissembled felicity .
The subject is doubtless attended with difficulty . But as in a court of justice we incline to the side of pity and compassion , so let us adopt that creed from the word of God , which wars not with the feelings implanted by heaven in our breasts . The
doctrine of the eternal torments of the wicked is alike irreconcileable with reason and revelation . Nor has this awfully terrific dogma a salutary influence on the mind of man . Love , rather than terror , is the predominant trait of the dispensation of Jesus .
Hie lightnings and thunderings of oinai have given way to the small still voice of the gospel . Persuasion invites , denunciation terrifies and drives away . The former avails , whilst the latter multiplies the evils of transgression , by hardening the sinner against his Maker . Thus , agreeal >* to the well known lines of the poet , Fear frightens minds , whilst Love , like heat , Exhales the soul sublime to seek her native seat :
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To threats the stubborn sinner oft h hard , Wrapt in his crimes against the storm prepar'd ; But when the milder beams of merey play , He melts , and throws his cumbrous cloak away ; Lightnings and thunder proclaim the Almighty ' s stile—then disappear , The stiller sound succeeds , and—God is there ! I must apologize for the length of this communication . The topic is interesting , and I should rejoice to find that the most popular preacher
of his day entertained more just views of the glorious gospel of the everblessed God—blessed , because he is so in himself—delighting * to render the work of his hands felicitous , either in this world or in the world to come .
Mr . Irving compliments the Univer salts ts with the designation of " amiable enthusiasts , " adding , that he has " no hesitation to ascribe the bias of their mind to the very best of
feelings , a desire to save the mercy and benevolence of the Almighty "whilst he confesses that " the mercy and goodness of God , exceeding great , and greatly to be adored , is sufficient for the salvation of all the earth / ' Of
these concessions let not their author be ashamed . They are dictated by the omnipotent energy of truth , and are sanctioned by the sublimated genius of Christian charity . The great and good Dr . Isaac Watts says , " If the blessed God should at any time ,
in consistence with his glorious and incomprehensible perfections , release those wretched creatures ( suffering future punishment ) from their acute pains and long- imprisonment , I think I ought cheerfully to accept this appointment of God for the good of
mi / lions of my fellow-creatures , and add my joys and praises to all the songs and triumph of the heavenly world , in the day of such a divine and g lorious release of these prisoners . This will , indeed , be such a new , such
an astonishing and universal jubilee , both for evil spirits and wicked men , as must fill heaven , earth , and even hell , with joy and hallelujahs !" j ; evans .
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Dr . Evans on Passages in Irving s Orations . 459
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Aug. 2, 1823, page 459, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1787/page/27/
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