FREE THOUGHTS

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FREE-THINKERS.

HAVING had some discourse with a young man of bright natural parts, concerning another world, and of leaping out of this into that in the dark, which must needs be very dangerous; and fearing that many take that great leap out of this world into the next in that manner, I have been induced to write these lines.

Upon which I cannot forbear immediately asking, what man in his senses will venture (naturally speaking) to leap in the dark, he knows not where? or into a pit, he knows not the bottom of? To think of it is terrifying, and must needs shock any considerate freethinker.

Now, though a man, having a bright genius, and ➜ large share of natural parts, may acquire much literal and natural knowledge; yet, for want of a spiritual understanding, which is derived from the Divine Spirit, he may greatly err concerning true faith and religion, and have no apprehension of the eternal kingdom and judgement of God, or of another world; which it might be well for the ungodly were not, or were never to be at all which, were it to be supposed, yet to live. virtuously (as the bishop of Sarum observed to that great libertine Lord Rochester) would be an advantage to men, even in this world.

But if there should be an eternal righteous kingdom, (of which we may internally and spiritually be sensible) and a state of life therein to come; then, Oh, then! what will become of the wicked, and all who forget God! and what perturbation of soul must attend such, when, under the convictions thereof, they shall be ready

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to launch into eternity. I beseech thee (Oh, soul!) seriously to consider, before it be too late.

The great Saviour of the world says, "The kingdom of God is within you." Luke xvii. 21. That is, inwardly and spiritually, to be known and perceived. He also says, "I am the light of the world." John viii. 12. He, by this divine and supernatural light, lights us through this dark world to his spiritual and glorious kingdom, where he rules and reigns in transcendent majesty and brightness; of which his faithful subjects are in some measure sensible; glory to the King of kings forever.

And that eminently wise apostle Paul says, "He was sent to turn men from darkness to light." Darkness he calls the power of satan, and light the power of God. Now as a man walking in outward darkness is in continual danger of falling, not knowing whither he goeth; so also a man living and walking in spiritual darkness (which is the power of satan, where the wonderful power and works of God cannot be seen nor understood) must needs be in the greatest danger of falling into the bottomless pit of perdition, where horrible darkness and unutterable misery prevails forever.

The many bitter cries, dreadful shrieks, and heavy groans, which my ears have heard from such dark souls, ready to depart the body, have been enough to convince me of the judgement of another world, though there had been no other demonstration of it to me. May our fine wits, and sprightly youths concerned, repent in time. Oh! my heart is pained for them; and my soul mourns in secret for many of my former and latter acquaintance, as I have also tender desires for the well-doing and wellbeing of mankind in general.

If any, by duly thinking of these things, should be awakened and convinced of their state, and their former lives and wicked practices; and have so much light as to see the danger of living without God in the world; but be ready to conclude, that if there be indeed a righteous God, who will reward every man according to his works, there can then be no hope for them, such wretched sinners. Oh, souls! (if this be the case of any) look

not at such thoughts, which (in the midst of your just apprehensions) satan, taking advantage, may thus suggest to you; who having got you deep already in the mire of sin, would by such infusions plunge you deeper both into sin and despair.

Be it remembered that Christ died for sinners even the chief (as Paul says) and he can make a chief saint of a chief sinner, as appears in the case of that apostle by his own testimony. God hath and can do it, though it be wonderful!

Wherefore abide not in darkness, but repent and turn to the light of life! strive and struggle for life, the life of God in the soul of man! turn ye to the divine light, turn to God who is light, and in him is no darkness at all! live and walk in the light of God, which is far above the light of human reason; therein shall we have fellowship with the Father of lights, and his son Jesus Christ; whose religion is spiritual: "God is a spirit, and they that worship him (aright) must worship him in spirit and truth."

God must be worshipped in thought, word and deed; that is, in all things we ought to express an humble reverence and adoration to the Sovereign Being, frequently meditating on his great name; but all evil and sinful thinking we must refrain from with abhorrence, as displeasing to him; and is of the devil, that wicked spirit; and which indeed is contrary to the nature and end of free-thinking; which is a sincere exercise of the rational faculty, in order to distinguish between good and evil, truth and falsehood, that we may choose and acknowledge the one, and avoid and reject the other. And here it may not be unfit to recommend the care of all our thoughts, from whence proceed our words and actions, as naturally as good and evil fruit from the different seeds sown in the earth.

And as the truest and most sublime end of thinking, (which is the reasonable service of every intelligent being) is the contemplation, fear, and adoration of the Almighty Creator; so are we thereto greatly encouraged by that scripture of Malachi, which I am concerned

here to transcribe and recommend, viz. "Then they that feared the Lord, spake often one to another, and the Lord hearkened and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon his name. And they shall be mine, saith the Lord of Hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels, and I will spare them as a man spareth his own son that serveth him. Then shall ye return and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God, and him that serveth him not." Mal. iii. 16, 17, 18.

In which scripture we may observe how great and glorious a reward is promised to those who sanctify the name of the Lord; the consideration of which must needs raise their love and admiration, and add to their present delight in such holy thoughts.

But, on the contrary, it is to be feared, that evil thinkers and actors, when the divine spirit and light would inspire them with good thoughts, or convince them of their sins, endeavour to stifle or overcome such thoughts or motions, as would awaken them to righteousness, or restrain them from sin; and strive by their natural wit, to reason the good spirit out of their souls; at the same time opening their hearts to the evil spirit and his suggestions, which they hug, to their own destruction. But indeed to judge rightly of these things, if a man have ever so much natural wit, and strength of reason, it must be sanctified through his faithful subjection to the divine will, and raised by divine inspiration; which as far surpasses human reason as heaven is above the earth. May our men of bright natural thought think clearly and seriously of this. This is evident in the case of the great apostle Paul, who was educated at the feet of. Gamaliel, in the perfect manner of the law, yet, by all his knowledge, could not justly distinguish concerning religion, but was a persecutor of the church of Christ; but when his knowledge and spirit came to be sanctified by the grace and spirit of our Lord Jesus Christ, then, and not till then, he became of great and good use to his Maker and mankind. Then his reason

and religion became spiritual, "who had not conferred with flesh and blood, but had been obedient to the heavenly vision." Gal. i. 16. And he says, "If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most miserable." 1 Cor. xv. 19. So that his hope and expectation (as of all faithful believers) must have been of another life, and the kingdom of God hereafter: "For here (says he) we have no continuing city, but seek one to come." Heb. xiii. 14. And though the condition of such, in this life, be often exposed to much persecution and trouble for their faith's sake, towards the name of God, and testimony against this world, and the evil spirit ruling therein; yet, blessed be the Most High, he gives them strength, and the assurance of his favour, whereby they endure to the end, as well as that he refreshes them with his outward blessings and comforts; so that they may well say with his ancient servant Job, "Shall we receive good at the hand of the Lord, and not evil?" Job. ii. 10. Thus afflictions have been indeed usually called, but they often, in the hand of God, are means of redeeming the soul, and raising up many excellent virtues, when they are rightly submitted to.

But to return. I would inquire what subject we can possibly choose so worthy of our meditation, or from whence so great a benefit can redound both to spirit and body? The fear and thoughts of Almighty God, which are inspired by his grace, sanctifying our hearts, thereby render us more fit to receive his favours both to spirit and body, which he multiplies according to his wisdom and good pleasure; and all our faculties and passions being redeemed and governed by the spirit of faith, we shall possess and enjoy all things in a more regular and excellent manner. But who is there that hath not been so great a partaker of the many blessings, with which the infinite Creator filleth the world, and in an especial manner encompasseth mankind, as not to be thereby obliged to a continual acknowledgment thereof, and remembrance of the great and bountiful Author? The state therefore of the wicked and rebellious, is stigmatized in holy scripture, with this character, in particular, that "God is