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
in its behalf , certain expressions , such as sacrifice , propitiation , ransom . But these words are capable of being gendered figuratively . 1 do not now contend that they must be so
rendered , but that they may . When , however , it is said that God forgives sins freely , these words are not capable of being construed figuratively , they can admit only of one meaning , and that meaning which is agreeable to
their " common , accepted signification . " In all controverted questions 1 ] ay the greatest possible stress upon this sort of language Where-1 can get hold of a phrase which can be taken onlv iss one sense , it is with me
of much greater weight than a hundred phrases which are susceptible of many interpretations , and which may bear a figurative construction . Now I contend that the premises upon which I have rested the doctrine of the final happiness of all men , are
supported by this sort of plain Scripture language , and that to weaken the authority of these premises it must be shewn that the language by which they are supported is susceptible of a different construction from that which
I have given it . Let this be done and my argument will be shaken , but till then I shall believe that it stands perfectly secure , and bids defiance to every other attack .
Cantabrigiensis asks also , * whether , if the Scriptures had been designed to teach the final cessation of existence to the wicked , the sacred writers could have used more plain , express and positive language than they perpetually adopt . " [ have no
hesitation in saying , that they could , and that it is because , upon this subject , they have used words which are capable of bearing more senses than one , that we are not obliged to adopt the interpretation which the annihilation scheme requires . If the original
of the words " destruction , corruption , death , " had but one signification , and that signification which accords with their literal meaning , the objection of my friendly opponent would have had considerable force , but he well knows that this is not the case . He knows
thftt these words are used in several different senses , and that , therefore , it is incumbent upon him , when addiU&ng them , for the purpose of eata * - Wishing the doctrine of the annihila-
Untitled Article
tion of the wicked , to shew , that when applied to this subject by the Scripture writers , they must and can be understood only in their literal acceptation . But Cantabrigiensis must also be aware , that unless he gives up the resurrection of the wicked , ( a
doctrine which is most plainly and expressly taught in Scripture , ) he will be obliged , in many cases , to give up the literal meaning of the words to which he appeals . I do not choose to enter into any dispute about the interpretation of the particular texts where these words occur . Let
this be done by those who are more capable and more fond of verbal criticism than myself . All which I contend for , and all which is necessary to ray purpose , is , that the words to which Cantabrigiensis refers , as of so
simple and plain a signification , are capable of being understood in different senses , and , consequently , that something more is necessary to give colour and complexion to the miserable doctrine of annihilation , than the
mere use of these words . Let him turn to Schleusner ' s Lexicon , and he will there see that the language in which he supposes this doctrine : to be expressed , is not so plain and positive
as his statement represents it . Why then , oh 1 why give it a meaning which strikes upon our hearts withr horror , at which humanity trembles and turns pale , which is abhorrent to all our notions of that love which
never slumbereth , and of that mercy which never failed *; which takes from Christ , " the resurrection and the life , " more than half of the glory of his conquest , and still leaves to death and the grave the larger portion of
their spoil , the greatest share of power and of empire ! 1 have only to add , that it will give me great pleasure if I have been able to afford Cantabrigiensis the slightest degree of satisfaction . THOMAS MADGE .
Untitled Article
On Mr . Unit ' s Charges against Dr . Bentley . 743
Untitled Article
Snl , Nov . 17 , 1818 . WAS very sorry to find so re-I spectable a writer as Mr- Rutr , deciding so peremptorily against Dr . Bentley , in the case of the quotation from Collins e s Discourse on
Free-Thinking [ p . 625 ] . The strong and severe terms in which he has spoken of that emineat critic , ought not to
-
-
Citation
-
Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Dec. 2, 1818, page 743, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2483/page/15/
-