On this page

• Text (1)

  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.

  • 

    Untitled Article

• 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

    tery and stumbling-block to the Jews , that by the gdspel all mankind were placed on a level in respect of aecejptanee in the sight of God ; that his favour was liihiteci to no particular age or country , but that in every nation he that feareth God and worketh righteousness is accepted with him . This opening of the gates of grace and mercy to ail mankind , who are all invited to enter

    aad-partake-o ^ the-inheritanGe—of--the ~ saints 4 n 4 ight , _ is-sureLy-a discovery of great and unspeakable importance / which can never lose its interest , in whatever respects the outward circumstances of men in the most distant nations and periods may be altered . We may add , that the developement of this great mystery gives us a view of the comprehensive grace and mercy of God , not easily reconciled with the exclusive notions of some later theologians .

    And this leads us to observe further , that although we may be led into serious error by a too close and literal application to ourselves , of expressions in the New Testament which were intended to apply only to the disciples of those times , there is yet a most valuable practical benefit which may arise to ourselves , if we read the holy book with understanding , and derive from , these sacred records of heavenly grace , those views of the great principles of gospel morality , and of the methods of tlie divine moral

    government which they were intended to explain and exemplify in trieir application to the primitive disciples . And though circumstances and characters may vary , yet these principles are unchanged and unchangeable . Nor can it be alleged that there is any such alteration in the situation and condition of Christians in the present age , that the same motives and exhortations which were addressed by the apostles to their converts * may not also be addressed to us . The early disciples were what they were , they

    enjoyed advantages , and were enabled to acquire a knowledge of divine things which others had not attained , not at all by any previous good works or merit on their part , but entirely through the grace or good pleasure of God , who thought fit so to favour them . In like manner , let us compare our condition with that o £ the poor heathens ^ who are still wandering in darkness and the shadow of death ; let us compare ourselves with those of our brethren nearer home , in respect of tvhom we enjoy peculiar advantages through the accidents , as they are sometimes called ,

    of birth or education 3 and then let us ask ourselves the question , is it in consequence of any virtue or merit on our part , that we possess , in these . respects , opportunities .. and blessings which have been denied to others ? If not , we may , without impropriety , apply to ourselves language not unlike that which was addressed by the apostles to their immediate disciples . J 3 y the kind providence of God , we who have been born in a Christian country , and have received the inestimable blessing of a religious education , conducted on enlightened and evangelical principles , have been elected to the possession of these advantages , which place us in a condition so

    Untitled Article

    110 ON THE CAliVINlSYTC J > O € TI 11 NE

• Citation
  • Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), April 1, 1833, page 110, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2611/page/14/