On this page
-
Text (2)
-
Untitled Article
-
Untitled Article
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
-
-
Transcript
-
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
Additionally, when viewing full transcripts, extracted text may not be in the same order as the original document.
Untitled Article
more honest , and the man , contemptible in the eyes of those with whom he deals , and in the estimation of the law of God 5 is embraced as a brother ; there is in this conduct partiality ^ and as such injustice : and while one is shut out from the means of improvement , another is encouraged in the abuse of them .
II . Without assuming a power which no man can possess , it is impossible to asc ^ t&rn whether any person proposing himself to take theJLord s supper , ought to be rejected . If I rightly understand what is expressed by partaking in this ordinance , it is this ; that we believe in the Christian religion .
But if this be the sentiment which the act expresses , can any minister ordeacon , penetrate the heart of the person engaging in devotion , to discover whether he is indeed devout ? True , his conduct hitherto , has not been consistent with this
sentiment , but m the present instance it is perfectly so . If he should relapse again and again , every instance of sincere penitence , and every honest attempt at reformation should be encouraged : and it is impossible to say that when he comes to engage in this duty he is not sincere , and that this is not an honest effort to bind himself to obedience , to virtue .
III . Such limitations upon the view which the Unitarian takes of religious ordinances would be quite useless . Amongst those who consider the receiving the supper as conferring a title to future bliss , or amongst those who consider it in
connection with the self-justifying doctrine of election , the depraved man may endeavour by this act to ease his consci ' ence , and to satisfy himself in the ways of vice , when this act of receiving the ordinance is represented as of such efficacy or when it is connected with the delivery of a doctrine so well calculated to encourage evil courses . But what
inducement could such a man have to enter those places where the devout servants of the one true God are , without any mutual flattery , or specious and false promises , obeying Jesus , because thev believe in his mission , ajid where the minister
represents , and the people believe this , as only a small part of that obedience which he must pay . who expects the Christian ' s reward ? He who is not sincere and virtuous in a degree ^ will have no motive to enter : it would therefore be superfluous to use any . coercive means to keep him out from your assemblies .
IV . Suck limitations cannot be exercised without encouraging the love of censure . Christians are not under an obligation to Ix * spies upon . the conduct of each other , but rigid examiners of their own . They are forbidden to condemn and judge others , as they would avoid severe judgment theui-
Untitled Article
Arguments against Church Discipline . 185
Untitled Article
VOL . II . 2 C
-
-
Citation
-
Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), April 2, 1807, page 185, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2379/page/17/
-