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eoncltisions i * Hv < al toast , rmy prow that the arguments of oi ^ r opponents wjll fail them . fa . what they way consider as fundamental data . > Sucfc , for instance , as the doctrine of future puniskm ^ il ; for moml depravity ; - * -it appears cpiteistetit with all our preconceived principles of justice , that vice should be made to suffer for its
turpitude ; but vvaen we attempt to vindicate eternal resentment and infinite misery as the retribution for finite errors and crimes , the reflecting mind must recoil with horror at the idea , and feel at onee that no argument can
establish such a i » onstrous proposition . Again , from dubious and apparently contradictory passages in the Old and New Testament , we may contend till doomsday about the person and offices of Christ $ but when the assertion is made that the God of
universal nature died on the cross—it is in vain to urge another word with such an opponent—there is no conv mon principle of mind or language which is not thereby violated beyond the power of argument to restore
To apply this reasoning to the doctrine of what is understood by the term of a , Particular Providence , as advocated by Dr . Price and . Mr . Tv ~ and to me it appears capable of proring that it is inconsistent even wiik their own statement and explanation .
If , as Mr . T . contends * «• Every thing which has happened , or is ta happen in the universe , w $ s immediately coibtennplated by the Divine mind , aad formed from the beginning an essential part of the general plan ; that
every individual entered separately and distinctly into the views of hie Creator ; that not merely our existence , not merely our welfare in general , but every in p meat ' s existence , even the minutest circumstance which
ministers to our welfare , w& « foreseen and provided for he&wre time e 6 mmeaced his course : it alao follows , that the execution ,, as well aa the original design , is in the hands o « tke same great and wise Being , ttad that
7 every event thftjt happens we behold tUe immediate e ^ eutii ^ uof divine pow er Adimttingr this ^ ta . qorreipoad ^ vitli the seatiotei ^ te held bfj ^ -ftm ^ jaen the Dootoci & iwiogfed : m raying urat to si ^ p ose < rthfir ) vrfai 8 i / 'ithfia tkle unuet ^ se is !* - a * fa& 1 k ** &m ^ IUe ceBif ^ iu r imnerfetet i aU tr ^ t
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ia feup * ^» d alt 8 HppU <^ ti 0 A ^ toluia are ab $ ii ^ d , aa 4 no p ^ rt of praptac ^ religioa « ha » any good fouodatiQa' . * I veneratQ the taieais , the virtues sm 4 tke memory , of tiie Doctor ftad
respect the character of Mjt . ; T *« lM& I must iK » t implicitly bow to theif or aajr other ^ utiiarity' ; and with this feeling-, the eonqlu ^ ions I draw &oni th ^ ir own premises are dtametrieally
opposite , - ¦ . ' : If every possible case in the natural world is under the " immediate eaev ~ tion" of the Deity ^—then every atoaa of the universe has beeo operated upon fK ) in its first ej * isteiic $ , by ab ^ - solute . and teniporary volition ; and in all Us future combinatioas and
eUemical affinities and changes , it inu ^ t wait the Almighty fiat before it , cw fulfil its decrees . What , thea , is $ he human frame but- part of the great ancl sublime mystery of iiaiversal organization , composed of primeval
atoms , anq acted xtpon by the eanie universal agencies ? Not to enter ini , o tfye metaphysieeil contentions about Materiali&m , ag it relates to a fetnafe state of existence , it vvill not be denied , on Mr . T , ' s hypothesis ^ liAt tite peesent state of the human aiiad derives
its hopes , its passioas , its powers and capabilities from the organizfttion of the tenement with which it is coanected ; that external . causes influ > eace ^ very Qrnotion of the heart , and regulate ^ if not absolutely controui ,
• everjT opinion of the iBtelie ^ t ; that certain relations will produce the same corresponding results , as well in the mor ^ d a $ in the physical world . But is ttore no difference bet ween general , immutable vn& eternal laavs , and
immediate ageqey ? If every ; thought and action oi an intelligent being is the con ^ e <{ ueuce of tfee immediate ew&rtimi or some power independent of iiLs own choice or will , whftt etm
rt iwain that ahouJd dignify biB& in auy < Iegreo with tUe cha ^ uctJer t » f a free t ^ gent ? And how can thfa be called a state of trial and probation—sub or
jectiag him to ; future reive ^ d puttiajijiient according ta hit desetts ; ^ vheu every utonx of his fram ^ every comWn ^ ioxi of esx ^ ens ^ M cii ^^ msfeaiice And etory impw ^ e a $ & inittdi wps impaled upon itauptomVm' -tei < 6 i * wWliS-^ heei . aod . aitegethw # ^( i&br Ib * mt i ^ iigicfti ^ fS ^ vWite ^ I h |^ d ^ ES £ and by
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Afr / Luvfaocfrs 'Defence V $ ^ & > Meyn < &k * n ProvUmte . ^ Ql
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voj , . xvm . 3 x
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Sept. 2, 1823, page 521, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1788/page/25/
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