linger out, in an uncomfortable and dreary mansion, three of those years, in which, Man, guided by a virtuous mind, Might every day some pleasure find, It therefore, behoves me in a special manner, to make some inquiry into the nature of this GOD. What is it? or whether such a thing either does, or ever did exist? finding, that many "Cloud capp'd towers," and gorgeous palaces," which have been, are now no more; it might have happened that this God, through length of days, like all other things, has long since ceased to exist. 66 First, let us inquire what is meant by the word GOD? In the course of my travels, especially in Africa, I have been shewn several things which the natives called Gods; some made out of wood, some out of stone, others out of ivory, &c. And in one place, I saw men and women worshipping that, which they called a God, while the Christians, who were with me, called it a Crocodile! The " powers that be," in England, tell us that the word God, implies a sovereign, intelligent Creator, and Governor of all things; who is a Spirit, or no thing; yet capable of moving matter, or every thing; an invisible being, whose power is equal to his will; incomprehensible, yet punishes with the greatest severity, those who know him not; which makes our inquiry concerning it the more necessary, in consequence of its importance. But, alas! how very few there are who trouble themselves about it. The greater portion of mankind being daily employed in labouring to procure, not only that which is necessary for themselves and families, but in addition thereto, superfluities for others, have no time for making inquiry after this one thing so needful; but leave it to those who may, possibly, be deceived themselves, or have an interest in deceiving others. Some, there are, who are exempted from this labour; yet, their time is so occupied in the pursuit of pleasure, that they neither have time nor inclination 140 And to think on this subject, which is so opposite to their natural propensities; others there are who have much leisure time, but in consequence of some defect, or imperfection in their reasoning faculties, are rendered incapable of judging for themselves. And among those who are capable, few, yea, very few, have honesty and courage sufficient to induce them to impart the result of their inquiries to their fellow creatures; being prevented either by fear or interest. For if any have the fortitude to avow it, they not only expose themselves to the censure of the ignorant, but to the malevolence of the interested " powers that be;” whence, it becomes indispensibly necessary, that this God should be manifested in a plain, evident, and notorious manner. surely, if he were desirous that all men should know him, and acknowledge him for their Lord and Creator, he would not avoid exhibiting himself in the most conspicuous manner, both unequivocal and unquestionable. As we find that he has not, by the diversity of opinions concerning him, it is a convincing proof that he does not wish to be made known; consequently, men are to blame for troubling themselves about him. For, if it were even true, as we are told, that it is in consequence of our understanding being so darkened, that we are not able to comprehend him, he would either, in the first place, if he had any hand in the making of us, have prevented that darkness, or would, afterwards, have enlightened it. They further tell us, that this God has made himself known by revelation, and this revelation informs us that he is made known by his works.2 But if known by his works, what need is there of revelation? And if known by either, why should so many men of exalted minds, still doubt of his existence; or need so many thousands of volumes to prove it? We find that this God, whom revelation makes known, is an inconsistent being, full of strange whims and contradictions. One, upon whom there can be no dependence, as he himself confesses, that he deceived the prophets, 3 He boasts that he is almighty; yet curses the people because they came not to his help against the mighty. When he made heaven and earth, he said that all things contained therein, was very good; yet the stars are not pure, nor the Heavens clean in his sight; besides a number of birds, beasts, and creeping things, which are an abomination to him; even man, whom he made in his own image, had a portion of matter, which he considered superfluous; or why command Abram to cut it off? He rested from all his works, and was refreshed; yet he is continually working in us to will and to do of his good pleasure. He commanded that the seventh day should be kept holy; but the priests say, that he has since changed his mind, transferring the holiness from the seventh to the first day of the week; notwithstand ing it is written, that, with him there is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. He is slow to anger: yet, he slew 50,070 persons in an instant for looking into his travelling box. His anger endureth but a moment; yet, when it is kindled, he makes his people to wander in a wilderness during the space of forty years. Genesis xvii. 1 Genesis i. 31 Ex. xxxi. 17 Exodus xx. 10 Psalms cxlv. 8 1 Sam. vi. 19 Psalms xxx. 5 Numbers xxxii. 13 He kept them as the apple of his eye, by hanging Deut. xxxii. 10 their heads up against the sun to dry! He chasteneth his people as a father would his son; first seeing them famishing with hunger, before he would give them meat; and then, when given, smiting them with a very great plague, while the meat was between their teeth, ere it was chewed. As he delighteth in mercy, he commands his people to shew no mercy nor pity upon their captives. He is very pitiful, and of tender mercy; therefore promises that their infants shall be dashed to pieces! and their women with child ripped up!! He doth not afflict, nor grieve the children of men willingly; yet smites them with emerods in their secret parts; pelts them with great stones; sends fiery serpents, plagues, pestilence and grievous famines, among them. Numb. xxv. 4 Deuter. viii. 5 Micah vii. 18 James v. Il Lam. iii, 33 His mercy endureth for ever, by raining fire and brimstone upon them at one time, and drowning them all, like a parcel of rats at another. 1 Chro. xvi, 41 Gen. xix. 24 · vii. 21 Exod. xx. 28 Isaiah iii. 17 xlvii. 31 He has no desire to see the nakedness of a man, but has a strong propensity to discover the secret parts of a woman; he being very expert in the open- Gen. xxix. 31 ing and closing of wombs. He says that he hath no pleasure in the death of the wicked; yet hardens the hearts of the nations, that they may be destroyed. He willeth that all men should come to the knowledge of the truth and be saved; so sends them a strong delusion, that they might believe a lie and be damned. xx. 18 Ezek. xviii. 32 Josh. xi. 20 1 Tim. ii. 4 2 Thess. ii. 11 He justifieth the ungodly, but will not justify the Rom. iv. 5 wicked. He forgiveth their iniquities and remembereth their sin no more; yet will by no means clear the guilty. Exod. xxiii. 7 Jer. xxxi. 34 Ex. xxxiv. 7 He punishes the just for the unjust; and makes 1 Peter iii. 18 the wicked ransom the righteous. He cuts off the righteous and the wicked, because he delights to exercise loving kindness, judg ment, and righteousness in the earth. He appoints some kings to utter destruction, and chooses the poor of this world, to inherit his kingdom; yet, of a truth, he is no respecter of persons. He loved Jacob, and hated Esau, because his ways are equal. He will not allow his priests to take to wife a woman who is a whore; but commands them to take a wife of whoredoms, one who is an adulteress. He says thou shalt not commit adultery; yet promises them, that their wives shall be ravished, while their children are being dashed to pieces. Prov. xxi. 18 Ezek. xxi. 3 1 Kings xx. 42 Mal. i. 2, 3 Lev. xxi 7 iii. 1 Exod. xx. 14 He makes foolish the wisdom of this world, by 1 Cor. i. 19, 20 destroying the wisdom of the wise; although he knows that when made fools they say in their heart, that there is no God. Ps. liii. 1 He gave them statutes that were not good, and judgments whereby they should not live; because his ways are just and true. His eyes are too pure to behold evil; yet while the people were waiting for good, evil came from the Lord. Ezek. xx. 25 Hab. i. 13 He is the creator of evil; yet the earth is full of Isaiah xiv. 7 his goodness. None can stay his hand, or say, what doeth thou? yet Moses could prevail upon him, to repent of the evil, which he thought to do unto the people. He is not a man to repent; yet weary with repenting. His eyes are in every place; yet he had a difficult matter to find Adam, when he hid himself from the presence of the Lord." His eyes are running to and fro throughout the earth; yet he must come down to see whether things be so or not. Ps. xxxiii. 5 Dan. iv. 35 1 Sam. xv. 29 Jer. xv. 6 Prov. xvi. 3 2 Chr. xvi. 9 Gen. xviii. 21 He is near to them that call upon him; yet those Ps. xxxiv. 18 who do, complain of his being afar off. He dwelleth in thick darkness; yet no man can approach him, by reason of the great light. He wishes that all men would seek him; though his most upright and faithful Servant, knew not where to find him. x. 1 1 Kgs. viii. 12 Ps. xcvii. 2 1 Tim. iv. 16 Jer. xxix. 13 He filleth heaven and earth; yet may be crammed Jer. xxiii. 24 into a little box of shittim wood. Ex. xxv. 8, 10 He is willing to be made known, yet ashamed to Hosea ii. 20 shew his face. Ex. xxxiii. 23 11 No man can see his face and live, yet Moses, and Ex. xxxiii. 20 likewise Jacob, saw God face to face, as a man speaking with his friend. No man hath seen him at any time; though seventy nobles not only saw but did eat and drink with him. His voice was never heard at any time; yet all the people of Israel acknowledged to have heard it. Gen. xxxii 30 1 John iv. 12 Ex. xxiv. 10,11 John v. 37 Deut. v. 24 |