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reason and revelation seem to point out a general assistance of the Deity in particular cases . cc Deo juvante ; Divina afflatu ; Nil sine Jove ; Jovis , omnia plena / ' were heathen maxims ,
which appear almost . to he discarded by some modern Christians . But these influences are suasory and not compulsory , and therefore neither miraculous nor supernatural , for the mind of man may he regarded as a curious machine , consisting of various
springs and movements , which in a certain degre act of themselves , though under the will and judgment of the individual ; for we cannot while awake avoid thinking of something , but then we may generally direct our thoughts according to our
choice , and the mind is excited to action by moral motives , and not by physical efficients . God is the great master of this machine ; he originally furnished it with all its powers and capacities , and can easily diminish their exercise or stimulate and
increase them . He can when he pleases ( so to speak ) press upon particular springs to promote his own wise purposes , in perfect consistence / nevertheless , with the original frame of the human mind , and with the accountability and proper character of a rational being .
A person sets out for a walk , but with no particular view , and at length feels a slight inclination to go into a certain district : when there , he saves a child from being run over ; or , perhaps , sees a fire breaking out , is the
first to give the alarm , and happily succeeds in preventing farther mischief . A pious man , under circumstances of unavoidable distress , applies to a friend , though with great doubts and hesitation , to lend him a certain
sum of money . He supplicates the Deity , that if it be consistent with the plans of his providence , ( for a Christian is not to pray for any temporal blessing absolutely , except for his daily bread , ) his suit may succeed . At length he receives an answer fully
equal to his wishes . Who shall decide here , whether in the former case , the determination was formed by a mere ect of the will , without any particular motive , or by a secret suggestion , acting , not by chains and ropes , but by an unperceived inducement : and
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particularly in the latter case , whether the desirable event was effected In the heart of this generous friend by the natural influence of the principle of benevolence originally impressed upon it by the broad seal of the Creator
— - -m -m m •¦ * _ X cultivated and improved , and always ready for action upon suitable occasions ; or , by a divine suggestion , pressing more strongly than usual upon this particular spring , and by a morally irresistible impulse , fixing the
resolution of the benefactor ? However , in either view , as before hinted , the beneficiary can scarcely avoid referring all to Providence , fas to a sensible interference in his behalf , and as a favourable answer to his prayers .
Prayer itself is founded in the belief of a Providence ; for to what end do we pray to an unseen power , but that we believe he is able and willing to help us ? And not to enter into the historical parts of the Bible , which would carry us too far , we may safely
assert , that both its history and its precepts inculcate the doctrine , not only of an ever-present , but also , though language is inadequate to the exalted idea , of an ever-active Intelligence . He is " a God near at hand , and not a God afar off . ' And we are
encouraged to the most strenuous exertions in the path of duty by this animating motive , that it is " God that worketh in us , both to will and to do . " Thus , divine and human agency are represented as perfectly
consistent , and by these incitements , without any miracle , or unconditional favouritism . " Many things may be prevented , that otherwise would be , and many brought about that otherwise would notS *
Your correspondent quotes Solo mon , " All things come alike to all , " and thinks to put us off with the literal sense . Writers of " the New Light" should be the last persons in
the world in capping texts , and supposing a literal sense , when such a sense is absurd , and contrary to fact ; especially when they are continually attackin g the Calvinists upon this score . We all know that this is an elliptical mode of speech very common
• Woollastpn , Addispn * Clarke , B axter , Watts , Foster , &c . &c *
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5 } g On Mr * LucTtcocft's Remarks on Providence .
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Sept. 2, 1823, page 518, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1788/page/22/
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