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aii ^ xc ^ Hence in the precepts * and a h ^ fiXpng n * the doetrioes which could originate solely in its truth aiiii divine inspiration . This holy system instructs us in the Unity of God—the infinitude of his
Attributes—and the impartiality of his Providence—and , in every part of it , is Hiost wonderfully suited to the nature and condition of man—to his nature , for it enlightens the understanding as well as speaks to the passions—to his present condition , for it treats him according to his real state as a creature fallen from
innocence and happiness . In this situation it informs us of the abundant grace of God , exhibited by his oj * ly begotten Son—it promises pajrdon to every humble penitent , through his mediation and
deathassures us of divine assistance in er ^ ery duty , trial , and sorrow , and gives us the full and glorious expectation * , of inheriting the blessing of life , everlasting ! The sanctions of this religion are invisible and future , for itdeclares that the dead shall be
raised , that all human beings shall be tried , and that every one must reqeiva according to his actions . And further , to promote the interests of piety , it has enjoined upon its * follower ^ the two plain ordinances of Baptism and the Lord ' s
Supper , which are most admirably calculated to inspire us with the love of holiness , and to exalt us with the hope of mercy * These , Sir , ar ^ irj my ap prehension , the chief outlines of the Christian System ; an $ , while they serve to describe
it& nature , I trust they also demonstrate its unrivalled excellence . But in making this declaration ^ I reserve to myself the liberty of saying , that with increase of years , and improvement in knowledge , I wisji always to keep my mind open to conviction . " pp . 41—43 .
This explanation of Christianity is thus characterised by Mr . Evans , ( p . 43 , ) in the words of one of Mr . Worthington ' s pub * licaUons ;
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^ . A Faith of this kind is no burden * - but a source of infinite pleasure . Here Virtue can smiley leaning upon the arm of Hope , and the night of affliction brightens into the dawn of day ! The apoatie observed , and with iovlet the tidings
be repeated—Life and Immortality are brought to light by the gospel . " Mr . Evans remarks , ( p . 44 , ) that c < the press , with all its wonderfully communicative qualities ,
cannot convey an adequate idea of any kind of eloquence to those who have never heard it , * ' that it cannot u embody look , voice , and gesture , " that < c even in Whitfield's works . ' ' he " never rqet
with any thing to justify the high reputation he had acquired for pulpit eloquence ;' ' but he produces the two following extracts as fc < specimens of that useful eloquence in which" his ;< deceased friend excelled : ' *—
" In this first extract the preacher is dissuadinar from a criminal anxiety of disposition . * The more we reflect on the life of man—on the history of states and kingdoms- —on the vicissitudes of human condition
—and the brevity of our own continuance , the more we shall rise above this undue anxiety , The *« is nothing below the sun fixed and stable . Vanity is written in legible
characters on every object around us ! Shall we then betray so much ignorance of the world as to expect more than it can give , or be greatly ruffled by events and disasters which fell to the lot of millions before
us ? When I think of some of the best men being in trouble , that thought quiets my own—but when I furtherthink how soon their trouble is over , I am ashamed of this
anxious agitated spirit . What is now become of them who set the world in a flame bv controversy and prjde ? Where are the great men that once divided the earth among * themselves by ivar and ^ oaquest ? Where we
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& 0 » € * fg * +. B $ ttf * 8 € * mu&tfor fKoTthington * & $
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Jan. 2, 1814, page 55, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2436/page/55/
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