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minute particulars , how few are there so nobly , so generally true to natate and revelation , as Dr . Cbanning ! i Howr few who , deeply conversant with their own spirits , can deal freely , effectually , and winningly , with the spirits of others ! How few who , looking at the character of Christ , take their stand for the proof at once of Di vine Goodness and the destiny of man , upon
that bright example ! With Dr . Changing , preaching is not confined to examination of verbal evidence , of didactic precepts , or authoritative doctrines , or established principles : none of these would he , we hope , be inclined to slight ; yet still his preaching is of a more vital character than these : it is an attempt to bring the whale spirit of Christianity to bear upon human nature , td shew what there is in man which corresponds to the revelation given him by the Deity , and thence to provoke into action some of those energies which lie dormant under a less powerful ministry .
The Sermon before us is the last , and perhaps the greatest , effort of Dr . Ohanning ' s pen . On reviewing it , it seems almost impossible to make extracts . Yet there are some passages which must be given .
Ephes . v . 1 : ' Be ye therefore followers of God , as dear children / "To promote true religion is the purpose of the Christian ministry . For this it was ordained . On the present occasion , therefore , when a new teacher is to be g iven to the church , a discourse on the character of true religion will not be inappropriate . I do not mean , that I shall attempt , in the limits to which lam now confined , to set before you all its properties , signs , and operations ; for in so doing * I should burden your memories with divisions and vague
generalities , as uninteresting as they would be unprofitable . My purpose is , to select one view of the subject , which seems to me of primary dignity and importance ; and I select this , because it is greatly neglected , and because I attribute to this neglect much of the mefficacy , and many of the corruptions , of religion . " The text calls us to follow or imitate God , to seek accordance with or likeness to him ; and to do this , not fearfully and faintly , but with the spirit and hope of beloved children . The doctrine which I propose to illustrate , is derived immediatelfrom these wordand is with the whole
y s , incorporated New Testament . I affirm , and would maintain , that true religion consists in proposing as our great end , a growing likeness to the Supreme Being . Its noblest influence consists in making us more and more partakers of the Divinity . For . this it is to be preached . Religious instruction should aim chiefly to tarn men ' s aspirations and efforts to that perfection of the soul which constitutes it a bright image of God . Such is the topic now to be discussed : and I implore Him , whose glory I seek , to aid me in unfolding and enforcing it with simplicity and clearness , with a calm and pure zeal , and with unfeigned charity *
" I begin with observing , what all iudeed will understand , that the likeness to God , of which I propose to speak , belongs to man's higher or spiritual mature . It has its foundation in the original and essential capacities of the mind . In proportion as these are unfolded by right and vigorous exertion , it is extended and brightened . In proportion as these lie dormant , it is obscured . In proportion as they are perverted and overpowered by the appetites and passions , it is blotted out . In truth , moral evil , if unresisted and habitual , may so bKght and lay waste these capacities * that the image of God in man may seem to be wholly destroyed .
" The importance of this assimilation to our Creator , is a topic which needs no laboured discussion . All men , of whatever name , or sect , or opinion * will meet me on this ground . All , I presume , will allow , that no good ki the compass of the universe , or within the gift of Omnipotence , can be compared to a resemblance of God , or to a participation of his attributes . I fear no contradiction here . Likeness to God is the supreme gift . He can
Untitled Article
90 Ckcrnning ' s Discourse .
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Feb. 2, 1829, page 90, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2569/page/18/
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