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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.
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Lynn , Sir , August 16 , 182 G . WISH to observe that for several I years I have considered and read Col- i . 16 , 17 in the manner pointed out by your American correspondent ( p . 393 ) .
The following reasons have brought me to this conclusion : While the uniform tenor of the writings of Paul prevented rpe from believing , that in one place he would speak of Christ
as a man appointed by God to judge the world , and in another as the Creator — in the various renderings of this passage , and in the different comnftentaries thereon , I never have
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seen any :-tiling wi&ushlias ^ ntisfi&ri njy mind , and k&ve therefore epnc&utle ^ that this part of tha Apostle ^ letter to the Colossians was intended to teach them , who had before been accustomed to the worship of many gods , that there was but one God
even the Father . This opinion was strengthened and , to my satisfaction , confirmed by the use of the relative whoy in verse 18 . To me it appears , that if the Apostle was writing of the same person in 18 > as in J 6 and \ 7 % the introduction of the relative who
would be entirely superfluous . Nor do I conceive the who , in verse 15 , is necessarily connected with the him in 16 ; hut on the contrary this latter word I regard as applicable to God , " by whom all things were created that are in heaven , and that are in
the earth—all things were created by him , and for him . " Knowing then , as your correspondent observes , that Paul frequently introduces , and that sometimes abruptly , a parenthesis ; aware of Ms usual manner of representing the Father as the Creator of the heavens &nd
the earth , and Jesus the Christ as a part of his works ; unacquainted with any comment on the passage as it is now read ., which will justify its application to our Lord , and conceiving so
to apply it introduces something like tautology into the language of the Apostle , I have for some time concluded the creation here spoken of was intended as the work of the
Father , and I confess myself pleased at discovering that the opinion I have formed is embraced at least by another . It may perhaps be remarked , If this has been your opinion , why not before make it known ? My reply is at hand
Although , 3 s am English render , enabled to see what I considered an objection to the present reading of the passage , I was not able to say whether the original would not admit of a different translation , and thus way objection cease to exist . And this \* but one of many occasions when have had to regret my want of knowledge of Greek . I observe , however , your correspondent remarks he is aware objections may be brought against the vie * he has taken . I very jftiucU w * sU w had named them . And us I thia * *
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534 American G& ? re § pvtideM s reading * f CM . i . 16 , 17 .
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cMttj ^ e of &eaih Ms seldbtfc been attetijpte& i if so , some of ttese who have Witnessed its effects will perhaps comtatttricate their thoughts on the subject through the medium of your pages .
The only objection which occurs to me as likely to be urged against the frequent preaching of universal restoration , is the probability of its becoming a means of lessening the hatefulness of vice . If properly understood , It can have no such effect .
Pain loses none of its severity by becoming corrective ; and though future punishment is not infinite in its duration , it has still no fixed limit , and the persuasion that its severity will be proportioned to the enormity of the crimes to be corrected , will
cooperate with a corresponding belief respecting the allotment of future happiness ia creating a desire of unlimited improvement in the present life . Perhaps an objection which has been raised against us by our
opponents may have some weight , —that we do not enlarge sufficiently in otir public teachings on the dreadful severity of future punishments . The office of the preacher is to warn as well &s to allure : many can only be warned into goodness .
I offer these remarks in the hope that some one more experienced than myself will take up the subject . At present I am only a learner , and wish to benefit by the experience of those who have been long in the ministry , and whose minds are deeply imbued with Christian principles and ChristiViii wisdom . AGRESTIS .
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Sept. 2, 1826, page 534, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2552/page/26/
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