persecutors and the vilest criminals; and we ought to pray for their conversion and salvation. This, however, does not interfere with our special love to the righteous, gratitude to benefactors, and tender affection to relatives: for the Lord sends common benefits on the unthankful and evil, but reserves his special blessings for his obedient children. I have, however, something further to say to Mr. P. on this subject, in reply to his liberal charges against christianity as a persecuting religion. In a paroxysm of zeal and indignation he exclaims; 'It is ́ better, far better, thta we admitted, if it were possi'ble, a thousand devils to roam at large and to preach 'publicly the doctrine of devils-than that we should ⚫ permit one such impostor or monster, as Moses,and the Bible-prophets, to come with the pretended ' word of God in his mouth, and have credit among us*. Now if Mr. P. could establish a government exactly to his mind, in any country where men resided who reverenced the Bible-prophets, and zealously preached the word of God, would this principle allow him to tolerate them? Would he lay no restraints on men, whom he deemed such mischievous monsters and vile impostors; and in case they would not be restrained from preaching, would he not inflict penalties? and if they continued obstinate, would not their contumacy expose them to heavier punishment? and does not this principle ultimately lead to exterminating persecution of all who adhere to the Bible, under the stale pretence that they disturb the peace of the community? * P. ii. p. 47. I have indeed long avowed an expectation of persecution, extensive dreadful persecution of real christians carried on by men, who now talk the most about toleration, candour, and liberality of sentiment, and exclaim against the intolerance and bigotry of zealous believers; for they show no candour to men strenuously maintaining the doctrines not long ago distinguished as orthodox.-Some declarations made by the late king of Prussia, concerning the difficulty he found in retaining Voltaire and several others, within the bounds which he prescribed for them; certain recent publications of French philosophers, atheists, and deists; and the strong passage just quoted from Mr. P. tend to confirm this opinion; and it is a subject well worthy the attention of all who sincerely love the Bible. But at the same time, I avow an abhorrence of all persecution; and would have no man abridged in his civil rights, on account of his religious principles, if in other respects he be a peaceable member of the community. The smallest degree of persecution seems to me to contradict the spirit of the Gospel: nay, all bitterness, contempt, or reviling in controversy; and whatever is not necessary to defend the reader against the misrepresentations of a plausible writer, and the delusions to which he is exposed. On this subject let every one recollect our Lord's words, "Woe be to the world because of offences; for it "must needs be that offences come; but woe be to "that man, by whom the offence cometh!" For the most plausible argument in Mr. P.'s books, is taken from that very misconduct of Christians which our Lord expressly predicted. Lay the things together, which we have considered. Advert to man's need of revelation, and the reasonableness of expecting one; the incontestable miracles, by which both the Old and New Testaments were introduced; the prophecies contained in the Scriptures, and their remarkable accomplishments; the suitableness of christianity to our wants, and the distinct answers it gives to the most interesting inquiries; its evident tendency and actual effects; the sublimity of its truths and the beauty of its precepts; its existence after so many ages, though it has been assaulted most vehemently from without, and disgraced most shamefully within; and the wonderful agreement of our present copies with ancient versions, though they have been handed down to us by Jews and papists: I say, take all these things together, and I cannot but think they amount to as full a demonstration, as the subject admits of, that the Bible is the word of God. I would now observe in conclusion, that a serious mind is the grand requisite for obtaining satisfaction in an inquiry of this nature. If the reader sincerely desires to be preserved from mistake, and directed into the way of truth: let him give the Bible itself an impartial and diligent investigation. Let him act according to the dictates of his conscience without reserve, while he waits for fuller information. Let him use his understanding, and not be determined by his passions and prejudices. Let him ask himself whether he be as willing to be convinced that the Bible is true, as the contrary? And if he be conscious that he is not, let him honestly inquire after the cause of this prejudice, for if pride or love of for bidden objects bias his mind, an impartial verdict cannot be expected. Let no man who would know the will of God, pay the least regard to wit, ridicule, eloquent declamation, or virulent abuse: these suit corrupt nature, but they always tend to obscure the truth, or perplex and mislead the mind. Finally, as the belief of a God is taken for granted by all parties; and as God must in all senses, be the Fountain of knowledge and wisdom; let every inquirer beg of him to strengthen and assist his judgment, to keep his mind unbiassed, to enable him to distinguish truth from error, and to guide him in the path of everlasting felicity. PRAYERS. A Morning Prayer for a Family. : O ALMIGHTY and eternal God, we would humbly attempt to begin this day with worshipping thy great and glorious name. Thou art worthy of universal and everlasting adoration and thankful praise. Thy nature is incomprehensible, thy perfections infinite, thy goodness inexhaustible. Thou hast created all things; thou upholdest them by the word of thy power; and every one of thy works proclaims thy glory. Thou openest thy hand, and fillest all things living with plenteousness and so abundant is thy goodness, that even the sinful children of men are invited to take refuge under the covert of thy wings! Thou art" in Christ reconciling the world unto thy"self;" upon thy mercy-seat thou waitest to be gracious; and thy glorious wisdom, holiness, justice, and truth, are adored by the hosts of heaven, whilst thou dispensest pardons and showerest down blessings, on poor sinners who call upon thee. "Thou art exalted "above all blessing and praise." How then shall we, poor sinful worms, offer any acceptable tribute to thy name? Thou mightest justly reject both us and our worship, as below thy notice, or deserving thine |