i\
%6^
i;^ a 5::o i^ .^:^ i:a ^2^
OF THK
AT
PRINCETON, N. J.
SAMUEL AGNE\V,
OF PHILADELPHIA, PA.
3 ® <^^>9 e<^^>9 ©ieafant and fuccefsful, I will lead you en a little
farther. Our moli learned and judicious divines
have a thoufand times obferved, that revelation
(lands on four principal pillars, or, in other words,
is fupporred and conlinned by four capital ar'Ju-
ments, viz. the fulfilment of prophecies— the work-
ing of miracles— the goodnefs of the doarine—
and the moral charac'^cr of the pcn-nien, ef^>e-
cially the divine charafter of the great founder oi'
the chYiilian religion.
I. FULFILMENT OF PROPHECIES.
This Is a glorious argument to demonftrate the
divine truth and authority of the holy fcriptures;
* This celebrated work was the refujt of thirtv years
accurate ftudy and labour, with the revifal of all his 'beil
friends and correfp indents.
C 2 ami
( >2 )
^nd It has this excellence, that its'evldence is ever
growing by the accomplifhment nf many prophecies
now in the world. No age or country has been
bleiTed with a brighter difplay of this evidence in
its vaft extent and connexion than our own. It is
enough to name Dr. Newton's three vols, of Differ-
tations on Prophecy ; it would be an aitront to com-
mon fenfe to fay any thing in favour of a work
which is fo generally known and efteemed, and
which furpaffes all commendation. However, it
will be no difparagement to that incomparable
work, to mention Dr. Gill's Treatife on the Pro-
phecies fulfilled in the Meffiah, 8vo. 1728. The
judicious Mr. Pvobert Fleming's Treatife on the
fulfilling of the Scripture, a fmall folio. And the
excellent Mr. Benjamin Bennett's Difcourfes on
the Fulfilment of .Scripture, towards good and bad
Men, in his Sermons on Infpiration, 8vo. 1730.
Let me advife you to ftudy this argument tho-
roughly . make yourfelf mailer of the fubjedl in
all its parts.
Nothing ftrikes a wife man's mind fo flrongly as
fafts, and it muft give you unutterable pleafure to
obferve how the bilhop of Briftol confirms and il-
lullrates the prophecies and fads of fcripture, by a
judicious
( '3 )
judicious and moft happy application of paflages
feleifired from antient hiftory. It is no difhonour
to this great man to fay, that our learned Dr. Pri-
deaux, and an author who is the glory of the
l^ingdom of France, and whofe name and writings
will e^er be dear to me, paved the way for Dr*
Newton, and pointed out the method which he has
fo well purfued. Would you know Hiis laft author ?
He is the amiable, I had almoft faid the divine
ROLLIN.
II. THE WORKING OF MIRACLES.
This is another excellent and moil convincing
argument to prove the divine infpiration of the
holy fcriptures ; and taken in connexion with the
fulfilment of prophecies on the one hand, and with
the goodnefs of the doftrine on the other, it rifes
np almoft to irrefiftable demonft ration.
I will not mention a thoufandth part of what
has been faid for or againft this head of argument ;
but will (hew you the plaineft and moft pleafmg
method of beginning your confiderations upon it,
fo as to produce the moft ftriking convidion of its
glory and evidence, only remarking, by the way,
that the Delfts have of late, as well as in former
2 days.
{ '4 )
days, employed their utmoft art and force to over-
throw this argument, particularly David Hume,
and Rouffeau. The former has been fully anfwered
by the late Dr. Leland, in his View of the
Deiilical Writers, Vol. II. Svo. and by the Rev,
Dr. Richard Price, F. R. S. in his Difiertations,
juft publiHied. The latter /. e. Rouffeau, has been
effeftually confuted by one of his own countrymen
and fellow-citizens. Dr. Claparede, profefibr of
divinity at Geneva, whofe work has been tranf-
lated from the French, and printed this year in
London for Mr. Newbery, 8vo. — I would advife
you to read this little treatife on miracles with
attention, as it is written with remarkable clear-
nefs and precifion and contains the fubilance of
what you will find in larger volumes.
But fuppofe you had no book on miracles
except your bible, what would you do in order
to have a clear and extenfive view of this fub-
jed, and anfwer your great end, which is ;i
full and compleat convitflion that the facred
fcriptures are infpired from heaven? I will fa-
tisfy you, ray dear young friend. I will point
out to you the mo{^ eafy and eifedual method
of Iladyiiig this fubjed.
The
( '5 )
The firft thing I advife you to do is this,
endeavour to attain the cleared idea of a
Miracle.
The learned and judicious Mr. John Hurrion *
defines a miracle thus — " Miracles are extraor-
dinary works of God, above, beyond or con-
trary to tlie courfe of nature, or the power of
fecond caufes, done to confirm the truth."
Dr. Doddridge + defines a miracle thus, *' When
fuch efFefts are probuced as [ccetcris paribus)
are ufually produced, God is l^iid to operate
according to the common courfe of nature : but
when fuch efFefts are produced as are [ccet, par,)
contrary to, or different from that common courfe, \
they are faid to be Miraculous.
* His fixtaen excellent fermons, p. 436, iatitlei, The
fciipture (lodtrine of the proper divinity real perfonality,
and the external and extr.iordinary works of the Holy Spirit,
ftatcd and defended at Finners-hall, 1729, 1730, 1731.
8vo. Ofwald in tl>e Poultry, 1754. — Note. Few people
in thewjrid know the wjrth of tliefe fermons. On the fub-
jeft they have no equal.
f See his leftures, part V. left. CI. definition LXVII.
Dr.
( 16 J
Dr. Claparede's * definition is the Oiortefl ahd
moft eafy to be ui>derftood, " A miracle is a
fenfible change in the order of nature." Nature
is the affemblage of created beings.
Thefe beings a«^ upon each other, or bv each
other', agreeable to certain laws ; the refult of
which is what v/e call the order of nature.
Thefe laws, being a confequence of the na-
ture of thefe beings, and of the relations which
they bear to each ether, are invariable : it is by
them God governs the world. He alone ella-*
blifhed them. He alone therefore can fufpend
them.
The proper effeft then of miracles is to mark
clearly the divine interpoution, and the fcrip-
tures fuppofe that fuch too is their defign.
Hence I draw this confequence, that he who
performs a miracle performs it in the name of
God and on his behalf, that is to fay, in proof
of a divine milTion.
* Read his confiJerations upon the miracles of the gofpel,
8vo» as. 6d, Nevvbery, 1767.
But
( '7 )
But what are the chara^flers of true miracles?
How may we know that the mafter of nature
hath beeu pleafed to modify or fufpend its laws?
A queftion of the higheft importance !
We have a clue to guide us in this refearch:
fince the end of miracles is to mark the divine
interpofition, the miracle muft have charaders pro-
per to mark this interpofition. ift. It muft have
an end important and worthy of its author. 2. Be
fenfible and eafy to be obferved. 3. Be indepen-
dent of fecond caufes. 4. Be inftantaneoufly per-
formed.
Now, my young friend, proceed to take a
furvey of the miracles in what I would call
A COMPENDIOUS VIEW OF THE
MIJIACLES RECORDED IN THE
BIBLE.
Deluge — confufion of languages — fire on So-
dom — burning buih — rod turned into a ferpent —
rivers made blood — the plague of frogs — duft
turned into lice — fv*arms of fl ies — murrain on the
cattle — boils on man and beaft — hail mingled
D with
(18)
"Vi'ith fire — lociifls — darknefs to be felt — death o(
the firft born — -red fea divided — bitter waters of
Marah fweetened — rock gufhes out with water
— law given at Sinai with thunder, fire, and earthr
quake — quails given to eat for 6c 0,000 men —
manna given every morning for forty years—
Nadab and Abihu burnt with fire — earth opens
to fwaliow up Korah, Dathan, and Abiram —
brazen ferpent curing — a dumb afs fpeaking
•vith an human voice — Jordan divided— fun and
moon ftanding flill for a whole day — Gideon's
fleece— powers of Sampfon — water flowing from
a jawbone — meal and oil multiplied — widow's
fon raifed— no rain for three years— Shunamites
fon raifed — the wonders of Elijah and Eiifha—
Naaman's leprofy cured— Gehazi made a leper
for life — one hundred fourfcore and five thou-
fand Affyrians killed in one night—the fun on the
dial of Ahaz poino; ten deorees backward —
three heroes in the fiery furnace— a man's hand
writina: on the -wall— lions refufine to devour
Daniel in the den— a fl{h«fwalIowing Jonah, and
after three days and three nights voniiting him up
iilive upon tlie dry land I
MIRACLES
( ^9 )
IMIRACLES OF THE NEW TESTA-
MENT.
The man Jefus born without ah earthly father
—-water turned into wine — a nobleman's fon re-
ftored— leper cleanfed — Centurion's fervant healed
— burning fever in Peter's wife's m.other removed
— a raging tem[>e{L calmed— legion of devils driven
out — palfey cured with a word— Jairus's dead
daughter raifed— ilTue of blood of twelve years
ftandrng fffeftually removed— dumb man made
to fpeak— two blind men made to fee — v/irhered
hand reftored— a man made blind and dumb
by the devil, reftored to fight and fpeech — five
thoufand fed with a few loaves and fifhes—
Jefus walking on the watery v.'orld — a poor wo-
man cured by touching the hem of his garment
— Svrophocnician woman's daughter reftored—
a man made a lunatick b}' the devil cured —
a fifii bringing the tribute money in his mouth
— fig tree v/ithering awa}' — deaf and ftammcrer
rellored to hearing and free fpeech— four thcu-
fand fed — wonderful draught of fifnes— v/idow 's
dead fen raifed— feven devils call out of Mary
Magdalen — a woman crooked for eighteen years
made iiraight— ten lepers cleanfed— a m.an im-
D 2 potent'
( 20 )
poten^ for thirty-eight years healed— a man blind
from his birth made to fee— buyers and fellers
whipt out of the temple-— (this is thought the
greateft miracle) — Lazarus dead and putrified
reftored to life — darknefs at Chrift's death —
Chrift's own refurredlion, a glorious miracle! —
the faints arifmg with Jefus— a net full of great
fiflies, (one hundred and fifty three) yet the net
not broken.
Note. I i Explain the precife circumflances of
each miracle. 2. make pertinent and Arising
reflexions on each.
III. GOODNESS OF THE DOCTRINE.
This is the mofl popular, convincing, and
at:tra(5live argument, to prove the divine infpira-
tion of the fcriptures.
/. Good, in its mod fimple idea, fignifies any
thing that is fuited to pleafe our tafie or pro-
mote our happinefs— natural good, is any thing
that is fitted to anfwer its end— met?iphyfical good
is whatever is agreeable to the intention of the
great and wife creator— natural good, as con-
lidered with relation to fenfible or rational and
2 intel-
( 21 )
intelligent beings, fignifies what is pleafant, or
that which tends to procure pleafure or happi-
nefs.
Good, in a rational fenfe fignifies any being
or thing thst is poffelTed of fuch perfedions as
are proper for any valuable and important end.
The gocdnefs of a thing is its fitnefs to pro-
duce any particular end that is valuable and im-
portant to a reafonable creature.
The goodnefs of the doftrine of revealed re-
ligion is its fuitablenefs to increafe our pleafure,
diminifh our pain, continue the prefence "of
good, and to remove the preflures of evil. .
Goodnefs, in the fenfe in which we ufe it
on this occafion, fignifies fuch a revelation or
difcovery of God, as hath an exquifite tendency
to pleafe a rational taile, elevate and extend our
perceptions, remove the preffurcs of guilt, fup-
port under a fenfe of pain, and particularly affill:
and animate us, in the purfuit of the nobleft ends
of our exillence, and carry us on to the final
deflination of cur nature, in its reft in the fu-
prenae
( =2 )
preme and eternal good, who is the final caafe
of our immortal fpirits. That which has the
litteft tendency to carry us with the fureft fuccefs
to the higheft end, mull be efteemed the richeil
and moft abundant good to man.
In order to know the chief good of the hu-
man kind, we muft confider what we are; what
are our chief fprings of adion; what are our
principles of fruition; and what is the laft end
of man.
We find that there are three conllituent prin-
ciples, or properties, which diftinguifli human
nature from the beafts that perilh. Man has a
perception of a firft caufe, whom we call God —
he has a moral fenfe, or perception, of the dif-
ference between moral good and moral evil— and
a lively apprehenfion of immortality in a future
world.
But in fpight of human pride man is a guilty
creature; he has fwerved from his trueit and
nobleft end; and has an- infinite need of a di-
vine revelation, to reftore him to his original
liate, arid tsdfc him to an immortal dignity.
The
( n )
Tlie gofpel is adapted to this end, with tlic
moft exquifite delicacy and wifdom. It teaches
us to confefs the depravity of our own nature,
and the reclitude and beauty of the divine; to
acknowledge the hoiinefs of the law, and cover
ourfelves with Ihame, for all our deviations from
the wife and excellent order of heaven — it in-
fpires us with fentiments of veneration for the ex-
cellencies of GcD; and obliges us to fee and
own the tranfcendent beauty of his perfedions, as
the objed of our choiceft thoughts and higheft
eileem.
This blefTed revelation perfuades us to trull in
the fupreme mind, and commit all our concernfi
in life and death into the hands of that God, who
is a Being of infinite tendernefs and fidelity ; it
animates us to a generous zeal for the honour of
his perfections, when they are denied or degraded
by the tongues and anions of infidels, who fet
themfelves againft him.
It teaches us to improve all our talents of na-
ture, literature and goodnefs, ail our power,
v.-ealth and reputation for the divine honour ; and
to produce the glorious fruit* of kupwledge and
bene-
( H )
benevolence, proportionable to the advantage we
enjoy; and thus to reprefent the beauty of God's
moral perfeftions to mankind.
This excellent religion perfuades and aiTids us
to acknowledge our infinite diftance from God,
our utter unworthinefs before him, and univerfal
dependance on his vital prefence, and inceflant
energy to preferve, enlighten, and extend our
powers; it teaches us to give him the higheft
glory, as the generous author of all our good, the
fource of all our blefTrngs ; to exprefs the utmolt
gratitude for his beneficence; to fet an extreme
value on all his bleffmgs of nature and grace ; and
to preferve a deep fenfe of the precious benefits of
health, wealth, and hapninefs.
This generous religion pours a torrent of plea-
fure through all the mind and foul of man ;
it breathes eternal chearfulnefs into the dif-
treiTed confcience; it recommends God's fervice
as moft agreeable to our rational powers, promo-
tive of our bell intereft, full of folid fatisfadion;
and it {v^^ttily conftrains us to avow in the face of
the whole world, that we do not repent of en-
* See Dr. Ridglcy's body of divinity, p. 1—7.
gaging
( 45 )
gaging in the fervice of our adorable mailer ; that
we do not wifh we had purfued the paths of vice,
and pleafed the grand apoftate, the firft rebel in
t"he world, rather than our omnipotent and good
Creator, the ever blelTed and immortal GOD.
A MINIATURE PICTURE OF THE
CHRISTIAN RELIGION, OR A VIEW.
OF THE BEAUTIFUL PERFECTIONS
OF CHRISTIANITY,
THE gofpel is a bright difcovcry of a bene-
volent provifion of happinefs for man ; — a pro-
vifion of happinefs confident with eternal redlitude,
and founded upon the invariable juftice of the di-
vine nature ; a proviiion replete with wonder ani-
mated by love, made effeftual in its intentions by
Omnipotence, and carried on to its fmal ifluc
under the condudl of the moft exquifite wifdom
and prudence.
This revelation gives us the beft ideas of God's
perfeftioRS, it unfolds God's full charader, it
difcovers all of God at once, as far as man in
his prefent ftate can apprehend. — This glorious
inflitution teaches us the feveral relations of God,
to our world, as its Almighty Creator, proper
E owner.
( 26 )
owner, wife governor, generous benefado^r, and
impartial judge.
This divine religion jifferts the original dignity
and happinefs of human nature, it fhows the
revolt of all mankind from God, and their
deviation from the eternal order of beings, and
the beautiful fitnefs which the will of God has
ordained to run through his univerfal empire. — It
opens to our admiring eyes, God's infinite com-
panions to miferable man, and the harmonious
aflemblage of the divine perfections . to recover us
from ruin, and raife us to final felicity. It gives a
wonderful view of commanding authority to awe the
mind, and of love to allure the heart to obedience.
Chridianity throws open the moft fublime
truths to aftonilh and yet improve the human un-
derftanding, and elevate the mind to its higheft
perfedion ; it draws the moft beautiful image of
God upon the foul, prefcribes the moft intenfe
adoration of man to his creator, and trains him
up to the moft generous devotion and the pleafures
tof angels.
This lovely fcheme of religion prefents us with
the moft perfeft ftaadard of beautiful and found
morals
( *7 )
morals, it holds up to our view the befl fyftcnt
of true virtue that ever appeared in the world, a
fyftem without redundaney, without defecl; a
Mem adjufted to the nature, the powers and the
connexions of man, and that is calculated for
the perfeft felicity, as well as the perfe<5l re&ii-
tude of human nature. It Hkewife provides the
bell fuccours for our feeble powers, and gives
the furell aids, the richeft affiftances to attain
the glorious holifiefs it prefcribes, and thus equally
prevents a bold prefumption of independence,
and a cowardly indolence and dreaming xnadi*
vity,i arifmg from a want of ftrength, or a con-
fcioaihefs of weaknefs.
This Chriftian revelation difcovcrs unutterable
encouragement to diftrefled fmners in the divine
obedience of the Lord Jefus Chrift; it opens a
fccne of the mo9i glorious aiTtions performed by
the Son of Goi> in the nature of man; or in
other words, it Ihews us the blefled Jesus filled
with heavenly dignity, and greatnefs of mind,
animated by the moft burning: love to God and
mankind, performing a regular courfe of the moft
beautiful adions and fervices ; or you may view
his whole life as one entire grand adlion performed
for the honour of God's moral attributes, fuf*
E 2 fering
( 28 )
jferlng a death the moft terrible and alarming with
invincible refolution and fortitude, and followed
with the moft precious confequences to man, for
it (hews us that this one grand aftion and fufFer-
ing compleated in death, it fhews us I fay all this
terminating upon us, as made rich by thefe me-
ritorious aftions and divine fervices which entitle
«s to the full fruition, of God I
What a contrivance of Go-d^s Superlative wif-
dom is this ? to give us all the infinite benefite
arifing from the glorious obedience, and moft
agonizing death of the higheft perfonage in, the
world! Thus by reafon of our relation to nim
and his connexion with us, we are made rich with
his riches, and heirs of all God's empire by virtue
of our relation to him who is the heir of all things.
This divine inftitution humbles the Jinner and
exalts the redeemer. It teaches us to form a very
low opinion of the extent of our own knowledge
and goodnefs, and to feel a deep fenfe of our con-
ftant and abfolute dependance on God's universal
ao-ency, and a confcioufnefs of our guilt : that
we have oiTended the infinite majefty of heaven,
and deferved his contempt and indignation.
That we ought to be treated with abhorrence,
2 and
( 89 )
and punifhed with the lofs of all poffiblc
and infinite good through an eternal duration. In.
a word, this religion plainly fhews us that fin is
an infinite evil, as it ftrikes at an infinite God, ex-
pofes us to infinite lofs, fixes a ftain in the foul
through an infinite duration. Such views of fin lay
the foul in the duft at the foot of God, and teach
us to adore and love that Saviour who with al-
mighty power and boundlefs love hath refcued us
from eternal and overwhelming deftrudion.
Our bleffed religion ordains the moft excellent
bufinefs and ufeful employment for every day of
our Ihort life upon earth, it teaches us to fill up
every hourwith fuch generous deeds as (hall follow
us with honour into eternity and enlarge our glory
and felicity for ever. Upon the Chriftian plan of
principles and adions, we are taught that a con-
templation of the moral perfedions of God, de-
votion to him through Christ, and unwearied
benevolence toman, are the only ends for which life
is worth a wi(h or a rational thought. Confequently
This divine fyftem propofes to us the nobleft
fprings of adion, and dire(fl:s us to the moft ex-
alted ends of our exiftence, it teaches us that God
is the father and author of our being, that we
fprang
i 30 )
fprang from his breath, fiiould refemble his v'u^
rues, and tend towards him as our final reft and
infinite good. This blefled gofpel raifes us to a
daily correfpondence with heaven,, a fublime con-
verfe with the great father of reafon, and the foun-
tain of immortal fpifits.
This precious fcheme of falvation, is excellcntfy
adapted to the welfare of the fouls of individual
perfons, to ftrengthen the underftanding ; to
brighten our genius : refine our reafon ; to en-
large the heart with benevolence ; fortify the foul
with courage; and fweeten all the devout and fe-
cial afFedtions,
This divine religion, glorioufly promotes the
good of all civil focieties, unites all ranks of men
in one bleifed band of fathers, brothers, fons and
fubjetfts ; it teaches the rich to be generous parents
to the poor, and the poor to be dutiful, grateful
children to the rich ; it teaches kings to be fathers,
and fubjeds to be fons, and turns all mankind into
one general family of friendlhip and love*.
JOHN RYLAND.
* The above addrefs was firft publiflied in the year 1768,
and is now reprinted, by particular defire, as an introduction
to the following little work.
'A
BODY OF DIVINITY
I K
MINlATUREi
( 33 )
DIVINITY
IN
PROSE AND VERSE.
PRINCIPLE 1.
Of our own Immortal Nature y its chief End,
Glory-, and Happinefs.
THE foul is a fpiritual effence, incorporeal,
invifible, and immortal ; endowed with life
and a^^ion, underilanding, will, and afFeftions;
created J^y God to know, love, refemble, honour,
and pofTefs him for ever.
There is a fpirit in man. Job xxxil. 8. — ■
A fpirit hath notfle(h and bones, Luke xxiv. 39. —
He created the fpirit of man v/ithin him, Zech.
xii. 1. — Man became a living foul, Gefi. iL 7. — >
This people have I formed for myfelf, I/a, xliii. 2 1 «
F God
( 34 )
God hath made all things for himfelf, Prov^
xvi. 4. — -Life and immortality are brought to
light by the gofpel, 2 Ti'm, i. 10. — God is my
portion for ever, P/a. Ixxiii. 26.
Of our own Nature^ its chief Endy Gloryy
and Happinefs,
Now for awhile afide I'll lay
My childilh trifles and my play.
And call my thoughts, which rove abroad.
To view myfelf, and vie^ my God :
I'll look within, that I may fee
What I now am and foon mufl be.
I am the creature of the Lord ;
He made me by his powerful word ;
This body in each curious part
Was wrought by his unfailing art :
From him my nobler fpirit came.
My foul, a fpark of heavenly flame:
That foul, by which my body lives.
Which thinks, and hopes, and joys,^ and grieves.
And mull in heaven or hell remain.
When flelh is turn'd to duft again.
What bufinefs then Ihould I attend.
Or wliat efteem my nobleft end?
Sure
( 35 )
Sure it confifts in this alone—
That God my maker may be known;
So known, that I may love him ftill.
And form my aftions by his will ;
That he may blefs me whilft I live.
And when 1 die my foul receive.
To dwell for ever in his fight.
In perfed knowledge and delight.
PRINCIPLE IL
The Infpiration of the Scriptures^ and the
Knowledge of our Duty and Happinefs to
be learnt from the Bible,
THE Holy Spirit of God infufed the thoughts
and words of fcripture into the underftanding of
the prophets and apoftles, to teach us what God
is, to ihew us what we may expedl from him,
and what a(5ls of love and obedience we owe
to him.
All fcripture is given by infpiration of God,
2 Tim, iii. i6. — Holy men fpake as they were
moved by the Holy Spirit, z Pet. i. 21. — Hp
hath (hewed thee. O man, what is good, Mk, vi..8.
F 2 tht
( 36 )
Ths Knowledge of God, and our Duty^ to be
learnt from the Bible.
How fhall a young immortal learn
This great, this infinite concern
What my Almighty Maker is.
And what the way this God to pleafe!
Shall fome bright angel fpread his wing.
The welcome meffage down to bring ?
Or mufl we dig beneath the ground.
Deep as where filver mines are found ?
I blefs his name for what I hear ;
The word of life and truth is near.
His gofpel founds through all our land.
Bibles are lodg'd in ev'ry hand:
That facred book, infpir'd by God,
In our own tongue is fpread abroad ;
That book may little children read,
Aud learn the knowledge which they need:
111 place it ftill before mine eyes,
For there my hope and treafure lies.
PRINCIPLE III.
The juhlime and beaut ful Character of God,
AS God is a Spirit, we muft arrange his per-
fedions and attributes in agreement with the fcrip-
tural
( 37 )
tural defcription of a God. A fpirit is a being
incorporeal, invifible, and immortal; endowed
with life and aftion, underllanding, will, and
affeftions. As a fpirit he is uncreated: aftive,
and operative in his power : poffefTing the faculties
of a rational being. — A fpirit with amiable and
awful commotions. — A fpirit adorned with good
qualities or lovely perfeftions. — An all-fufficient,
happy, and glorious fpirit. — A fpirit of infinite
dignity, of abfolute dominion, of tranfcendent
rights and prerogatives, of delicate and corred:
tafte; incomprehenfible in his nature, attributes,
actions, and glory.
God is a fpirit, John iv. 24. — A fpirit hath
not fieih and bones, Luke xxiv. 59. — The King
eternal, and immortal, and invifible, i Tim. i,
17. — The living God, and ftedfaft for ever,
Dan.Yi. 26. — He is the living God, Jer. x. 10. —
The L'oRD God omnipotent. Rev. xix. 6. — Thou
God fceft me. Gen. xvi. 13. — The only wife
God, Jnde. ver. 25. — Can any man hide himfelf
in fecret places that I ihall not fee him ? Jer xxiii.
24. — None good but one. Mat. xix. 17. — Holy,
holy, holy Lord of Hoils, Ifa. vi. 3. — A juft
God, I/a. xlv. 21. — True God and eternal life,
2 I Jo.
( 38 )
J(K V. 20. — Great is thy faithfulnefs, Lmn, ill.
23. — He doth according to his will. None can.
ftay his hand. Dan, iv. 35. — Who by fearching
can find out God ? Joh^A, 7,
Of the Nature and Attributes of the Blejfed
God.
God is a fpirit none can fee.
He ever was, and e'er fhall be^
Prefent where e'er his creatures dwell.
Through earth, and fea, through heavenand hell.
His eye with infinite furvey
Views all the realms in full difplay ;
What has been, is, or fliall be done.
Or here, or there, to him is known;
Nor can one thought arife unfeen
In mind of angels or of men.
Yet far above all anxious cares.
Calmly he rules his grand affairs;
While wifdom infinite attends.
By fureft means the nobleft end^.
Majefiic from his lofty throne.
He fpeaks, and all his will is done :
Nor can united worlds withftand
The force of his Almighty hand.
Yet ever tighteous are his ways,
Ilaithful and true whate'er he fays :
The
( 39 )
The holy, holy, holy Lord,
By all th' angelic hoft ador'd.
The bounty of his gracious hands
Wide as the world he made extends ;
And though himfelf completely bleft.
With pity looks on the diftrefs'd}
And by his Son, our Saviour dear.
To fmners brings falvation near :
All that is glorious, good, and great.
Does in the Lord Jehovah meet;
Then to his name be glory giv'n.
By all on earth, and all in heav'n.
PRINCIPLE IV.
Of God's Relation to us,
GOD is our Creator, who gave us our exif!-
ence: he is our Owner, for he has the deepeft
interefl in our exigence : he is our Governor, for
he has the greateft right to rule over our exiftence :
our Benefadlor, for he fuflains and ncuri(hes our
exiftence: and he is our fole Judge, and has a
right to determine our exiftence for eternity.
( 40 )
He hath made US, andnotweourfelves, Tfa c. 3. —
All fouls are mine, E^ek. xviii. 4. — He doth ac-
cording to his will in the army of heaven, and
among the inhabitants of the earth, Dan. iv. 35. —
The Lord is good to all, Ffa. cxlv. 9. — God
is Judge himfelf, Pfa. 1. 6. — He is Judge of the
living and the dead, ASis x. 42. — He will judge
the world 'in juftice, Ads xvii. 31. — The Lord
made this foul, Jer. xxxviii. j 6.
Of God's Relation to us.
The Lord, my Maker I adore.
Created by his love and power.
He fafnion'd in their various forms.
Angels and men, and beafls and v/orms 5
And all their well-rang'd orders Hand
Supported by his pow'rful hand.
Father of light ! amidfl the &ies
He bids the golden fun arife ;
He fcatters the refrefning rain.
To cheer the grafs, and fwell the grain ;
And every day prefents the food
That fatisfies my mouth with good.
At home, abroad, by night by day.
He is my guardian, and my ftay;
And fure 'tis fit my foul fhould know
He is my Lord and Sov 'reign too.
O
( 4' )
may that voice that fpeaks his law.
My heart to Cweet obedience draw ;
That when I fee the Judge defcend,
1 in that Judge may fee my friend.
PRINCIPLE V.
The Sum of our Duty to God and Man,
DUTY is that ad of mind and body, which
we are obliged to perform by the fupreme authority
of our Creator and Benenefador. Love to God
confifts in th^ higheft efteem for his being, the
raort ardent defire of his prefence, the ftrongeft
good will to his kingdom, and higheft delight in
his perfedions. — Love to man is an efteem for his
perfon, a will to do him good, a defjre of hi?
welfare, and a delight to fee him happy.
Fear God, and keep his commandments, for
this is the whole duty of man, EccI, xii. 13. —
Whom have I in heaven but thee, P/a. Ixxiii. 25. —
The defire of our foul is to thy name, I/a. xiT. i. 8. —
\^ ith my foul have I defired thee in the night,
I/a. xxvi. 9. — Becaufe of lue houfe of the Lord
ihy God I will feek thy good, P/a, cxxii. 9. —
G Deli^kt
( 4^ )
'Delight thyftif iii th^e Lord, i^, xxxvii. 4. —
Thou Ihalt loViC thy nieighhour as thyfelf, Ma/t,
xxii. 39. — Do goqd, O Lord, unto thofe that
be good, P/a. c^^v. 4. — They fhall profper that
love thee, P/a. cxxii. 6.
The Slim of our DMy to God and Man*
The knowledge which my heart defires.
Is but to learn what God requires.
Speak then the word, my Father dear.
For all my foul's awake to hear.:
And O what joy my breaft muft move
To hear that all thy law is love!
This is the fum of ev'ry part.
To love the Lord with all my heart.
With all my foul, with all my might.
And in his fervice to delight.
That Lilioukl love my neighbour too.
And what I wifli from him, fhould do.
Plow fliort and fweet, how good and plain,
Eafy to learn and to retain !
O niay thy grace my foul renew,
. And 'twill be {vf^^^ ^o pradife too!
PRINCIPLE
( 43 )
PRINCIPLE VI.
How our Love ia God is tc he exprejftd.
OUR loVe to God will be cxpreffed in thoughts
of admiration and efteem ; in thoughts of boundlefs
benevolence and gratitude; in fpeaking of him with
the higheft refpeft and veneration ; in worfiiipping
him with high ' fati6faib. v. 4. — No corrupt com-
munication, Epi, iv. 29. — Evil communication
corrupts good manners, 1 Cor, xv. 33.
Sins io be avoided in Thaught-, Wordy and Atlion,
Guard me, O God ! from ev'ry fin.
Let heart, and tongue, and life be clean ;
Tho' with ten thoufand fnares befet,
I never will my Lord forget.
Fain would I learn to lay a fide
Malice, and ftubbornnefs, and pride.
Envy, and ev'ry evil thought :
Nor be my breaft with anger hot.
Each other paiTion, wild and rude,
I long to feel by grace fubdu'd.
When thus my heart is well prepar'd.
My tongue I eafily fhall guard
From ev'ry oath and curfe profane.
Nor take God's rev 'rend name in vain :
No facred things fhall I deride.
Nor feoff nor rail, nor brawl nor chide;
My
( 48 )
My Toul will ev'ry He detefl".
And ev'ry bafe indecent jeft.
This humble, watchful foul of mine
Shall with abhorrence then decline ;
The drunkard's cup, the glutton's fea(^,
That fink the man below the beaft.
Th' injurious blow, the wanton eye.
The lofs of hours that quickly fly ;
And that which leads to ev'ry crime.
The vain mifpence of facred time ;
What brings difhonour on God's law.
Or what on man fliould mifchief draw«
PRINCIPLE IX.
The Corruption of Nature^ and Sins oj Life,
acknowledged,
SIN is a defeft of nature and aclion In an in-
telligent rational creature, including an oppofition
to the divine law, and, according to the divine
juftlce, binding a man over to punifhment.
Hatred to fm is a defife of difunion from Hn,
and never to return to it, but to be feparated from
it to all eternity,
2 Original
( 49 )
Original corruption confifts in three things :
I. The total abfence of all fpiritual or divine
good from all the powers ahd afFedlions of the foul.
II. Enmity, or a rooted averfion to God, and
violent oppofition to all moral and divine good,
and even to the divine exiftence and perfedions.
III. Livelv inclinations to all manner of fin,
and a moft ah. ii. 3. — Whole world
guilty before God, Rom, iii. 19. — All have come
fhort of God, Rom. iii. 23. — Curfed is every one
that continueth not in all things, GaL iii. 10. —
Without llrength, /, e. a lofs of the virtuous free-
H 2 dom
( 52 )
dom of the will^ Rom v. 6. — By one man death
entered Into the world, Rom, v. 12. — Depart, ye
curfed. Matt. xxv. 41.
Of the Mijery which Sin hath brought upon us.
Who can abide God's wrath, or ftand
Before the terrors of his hand,
Jehovah's curfe what heart fliall dare
To meet ? or what be ftrohg to bear ?
He ev'ry good can take away.
And ev'ry evil on us lay ;
Can by one fingle word bring down
The talleft head that wears a crown :
The ftatefman wife, the warrior brave.
To moulder in the filent grave ;
And fend the wretched foul to hell.
To the fierce flames where devils dwell ;
For endlefs years to languifn there.
In pangs of infinite defpair:
I then, poor feeble wretch, how foon
Muft I diffolve before his frown ?
And yet his frowns, and vengeance too,
I by my fins have made my due.
Is there no hope, and muil I die ?
Is there no friend, no helper nigh ?
Is it beyond repeal decreed.
That ev'ry foul that fms muft bleed ?
O let
( 53 )
O let ray longing, trembling ear.
Some found of grace and pardon hear •
My foul would the iirft news embrace.
And turn its trembling into praife.
PRINCIPLE XI.
The GofpeU or tht good News of Salvation hy
Chriji,
The Gofpel is the difcoverj' of good news for
a miferable fmner.
It is the revelation of a wife and gracious falva-
tion from fjn, mifery and impotence, regulated by
prudence, adorned by holinefs, guarded by juftice,
and made effedtual by divine power, truth, and
faithfulnefs.
Glad tidings of good things, Rom. x. xv. — '
Good will to men, Luke ii. 14. — God fo loved the
world, John iii. 16. — Herein is love, i Joiiniv, ic.
— O! the depths of riches, Rom. xi. 33. — Ex-
ceeding riches of grace, E^h. ii. 7.
Of
( 54 }
OJ the Gofpetj or the good News of Salvation by
Chrifl,
What joyful tidings do I hear;
*Tis gofpel-grace falutes my ear ;
And, by that gentle found, I find
This righteous God is mild and kind.
Jefus, his only Son, difplays
The wonders of his Father's grace.
The great falvation long foretold
By Prophets, to the Jews of old.
Is now in plainer words made known.
As to th' Apoftles clearly fhown :
By this blefl: meflage brought from Heav'n,
Pardon and peace, and grace are giv'n.
O ! may I know that Saviour dear.
Whom God hath reprefented there !
And that eternal life receive.
Which he was fent by God to give.
PRINCIPLE XII.
Of the Perfon of Chrijl as the incarnate GoJy
and how he lived on Earth,
THE perfon of Chrifl is God the Son-; God,
the eternal Son, co-equal with the Father; God
of
( 55 )
of the fame eternal effence with the Father, Jeho-
vah, God, Jefus, Emanuel ; God with us, God
in our nature, for us, God in us, God the Son in
human nature, whofe conception and birth is
the wonder and glory of Revelation, the wonder
and beauty of the univerfe, the glory of Heaven,
the joy of earth, the terror of devils, and all loft
fouls: he is the true God and eternal life, the
Amen, the faithful and true witnefs, the light,
teacher, atonement, and righteoufnefs ; the ruler,
governor, life and joy of all true believers.
Jehovah, God, Lord. — Jehovah Jireh, Gen,
xxii. 14. — Jehovah Rophec, Exod. xv. 26. — Jeho-
vah Nifli, Ex. xvii. 15. — Jehovah Shalom, Judg,
vi. 24. — Jehovah Tzidkcnu, Jer, xxiii. 6. — Jeho-
vah Shammah, Ezek. xlviii. 35. — Emanuel, I/a.
vii. 14. — Mighty God, J/a. ix. 6. — God, and
none elfe, I/a. xlv. 22. — God above all, Rom,
ix. 5. — True God and eternal life, i John v. 20.
— Great God, Titus ii. 13. — The only wife God,
Jude i. 25. — God, bleffed for ever, Rom. ix. 5. —
God of Abraham, Ex. iii. 6. — Lord of hofts, I/a.
liv. 5. — King of kings, 1 Tim. vi. 15. — Lord of
lords, i^f-x.xix. 13, 16. Firft and laft, ^fv. i. 1 1 .
2 Wh»
( 66 )
Who Chrijl is, a?2d how he lived on Earth.
Jesus ! how bright his glories (hine ?
The great Emanuel is divine ;
One with the Father he appears.
And all his Father's honors fharcs;
Yet he, to bring falvation down.
Has put our mortal nature on.
He, in an humble Virgin's womb,
A feeble infant did become :
A ftable was his lodging made.
And the rude manger was his bed :
<5 rowing in life, he ftill was (ttn
Humble, laborious, poor, and mean.
The Son of God, from year to year.
Did as a carpenter appear.
At length, when he to preach was fent.
Thro' towns and villages he went.
And travel'd with unwearied zeal,
'God's will and nature to reveal.
To prove the heav'nly truths he taught,
Unnumber'd miracles were wrought :
The blind beheld him, and the ear
That had been deaf, his voice could hear :
Sicknefs obey'd his healing hand.
And devils fled at his command :
The
{ 5; )
'I1ie lame for joy around him leap ;
The dead he wakens from their fleep:
Thro' all his life his doctrine fhincs.
Drawn in the plained, faireft lines :
And death at length did he fuftain.
Our pardon and our peace to gain ;
That fmners who condemned ftood.
Might gain falvation by his bloods
All honor then afcribed be
To him who liv'd and dy'd for me.
PRINCIPLE XIIL
Redanption a?id SatisfaBioJi,
REDEMPTION is a deliverance from fin and
mifery, by price and power ; Redemption is the
deliverance of a foul from bondage and captivity,
and the mifery connefted with thaty?/?/^ and horrid
condition, by the interposition of a ran-
fom-price paid by the R.edeemer to the conqueror,
by whofe power the captive is detained, that he,
being delivered, may be in a ftate of freedom, and
he at the difpofal and in the fervice and command
of the Redeemer, as entirely devoted to his glory.
I Satis-
( 58 ).
Satisfaction.
Satisfaction for fin, by the death of Chrift, is
the vvondet and glory of the Chriftian Religion,
which diftinguifhes it from all others ; it is that
which gives it preference to all others, and without
which it can be of no ufe itfelf.
Satisfaftidh of Chrifl cohfifts in this, that Chrift,
in our room and Head, did, both by doing and
fufFering, fatisfy divine juilice; both the law-
making, the rewarding and punifning juftice, in
the moit perfeft manner, fulfilling all the righteous
demands of the law, and bearing all its righteous
curfes, which the law otherwife required of us in
order to impunity, and to our having a right to
eternal life*
Resurrection.
The Refurreftion of Chrift was the firil glo-
rious ftep of his eternal exaltation ; it confilled in
an ad of his own almighty energy, by which he
conquered the dominion and empire of death ; on
the third day after his crucifixion, he quickened
his dead body, drained of blood ; by uniting his
human foul to that body ; he raifed the fame fleili,
or the very body that died, and was laid in the
grave.
•( 69 )
grave, and carried his human nature vi61oriouny
through death, and all its gloomy horrors, that it
might live with God throughout an immortal
duration in liglit and glor)-.
Redemption.
My Redeemer liveth, J^^lf xix. 25. — Redemp-
tion through his blood, Eph/i. 7. — ^Redeemed u»
^rom all iniquity. Tit. ia. 14. — Eteriial redemption,
Heb, ix. 12. — Reden;ipdon of ttanfgreffion, Heb,
ix. 15. — Purchafed by God's own blood. Ads
XX. 2^.
Satisfactiom.
Wounded for our tranfgreffion, T/a. llii. r.
Pleafed God to bruifehim, Ifa. liii. 10. — Put him
to grief, liii. 10. — Cut off, but not for himfelf,
Dan, ix. 36. — Awake, O fword ! Zee, xiii. 7.
— Sore amazed, ty.^aiJi.Qna-Qut^ Mark xiv. 33. —
Exceeding forrowful, isrEpAyTro,', Maff, xxvi. 38. —
Made a curfe, GaL iii. 13.— Blood Ihed for };ou,
Luke xxii. 20 Body broken for you, I Cor.
x'i. 24. — Slain, Re-^\ v. 9.— Propitious by bjQod,
i^^arrfjov, Rom. iii. 25. — Offering of his body-
once, Heb. x. 1 c— One facrifice for fins, Heb. ^^) 2,
— Reconciliation for iniquity, Dan. ix*. 24 —
Offered himfelf without fpot to Goj>, HebHx, 14,
I 2 Resur»
( Oo >
Resurrection.
The Lord is rifen indeed, Luke xxiv. ",4.— '
After three days he will raife us up, Hofea vi. 2. —
Why Ihoiild it be thought incredible. Ads xxvi. 8.
• — He rofe again the third day, i Cor, xv. 4.-—
As Jonah was three days and three nights. Matt.
xii. 40. — Deftroy this temple, and in three days,
John ii. 19. — My Lord and my God, Johny^y.,
28. — Many infallible proofs. Ads i. 3.
Of ChriJTs Deaths Refurreclion^ and AJctnfion,
Jesus, the righteous^ lo! lie dies
For fin a fpotlefs facrifice :
Juftice has on his facred head
The weight of our tranfgreflions laid.
If God's own Son would fmners fave^
He muft be humbled to the grave :
That fo a pard'ning God might ihew
What vengeance to our crimes was due,
Nail'd to the crofs, with tort'ring fmart.
What anguilh rack'd his tender heart \
Alas ! how bitterly he cry'd ;
Tailed the vinegar, and dy'd !
Cold in the tomb, that mournful day,
My Saviour's mangl'd body lay :
Well
{ 6i )
Well may I blufli, and weep to fec^
What Jesus bore for Ioa^c of me.
But Oh ! my foul, thy grief refrain,
Jeeus the Saviour lives again!
On the third day, the Conqu'ror rofe.
And greatly triumph'd o'er his foes ;
Prov'd his recovered life, and then
Afcended to his heav'n again :
Exalted on a fhining throne.
At God's right hand he fits him dowrr,
To plead the merits of his blood.
And rule for all his people's good.
Wide o'er all worlds his power extends,
And well can he proteft his friends :
May I in that bleft band appear.
Secure from danger, and from fear !
.PRINCIPLE XIV.
Righieou/nefs, and Jvftijication^ by a leal
Imputation of that Righteoiifnefs,
RIGHTEOUSNESS confifts in perfedly right
habits, and perfe^ly right adions flowing from
right habits.
JUSTI*
( 62 )
Justification.
Jufliiication is a j-uft and gracious a<5l of God, in
the united charader of a judge and a father, by
which ad a fmner is releafed from all obligation to
punilhment, and a right to eternal life is aiSgned
over to him, on the footing of law and juftice ;
folely through the imputation of the obedience of
Chrift, or the placing it to his account and credit
by God the eternal judge.
Surely in Jehovah I have righteoufnefs, Ifa,
xlv. 24. — Jehovah Tzidkenu, Jer» xxiii. 6. — Of
God he is made to us righteoufnefs, 2 Cou v. 21.
Chrift is the end of the law for righteoufnefs, Rovr,
X. 4. — Not having my own righteoufnefs, Fhil,
iii. 9. — Juftified freely by his grace, Rof7i. iii. 24.
Chrift our Wifdom-^ Righteoufnefs -^ &c^
Eury'd in fhadows of the night.
We lie, till Christ refloresthe light;
Wifdom decends to heal the blind.
And chafe the darknefs of the mind.
Our guilty fouls are drown'd in tears,
' Till his atoning blood appears ;
Then we awake from deep diftrefs.
Ana fing, ** The Lord our righteoufnefs !'*
;$ Ouy
( 63 )
Oer very frame is mix'd with f.n ;
His Spirit makes our nature clean :
Such virtues from his fuff'rings How,
At once to cleanfe and pardon too,
Jesus beholds where Satan reigns.
Binding his flaves in heary chains;
He fets the pris'ners free, and breaks
The iron bondage from our necks.
Poor helplefs worms in thee poffefs
Grace, wifdom, power, and righteoufnefs ;
Thou art our mighty ALL, and we
Give our whole felves. O LORD! to thee.
PRINCIPLE XV.
Regeneration by God the Holy Spirit-y and daily
AJJiftanccs by aBuul Grace.
REGENERATION is a permanent principle,
determining the foul to holinefs of heart and life,
and not to the contrary. It is a lively habit in the
underftanding, the will, and paflions ; difpofmg the
foul to univerfal holinefs : produced and every mo-
ment continued by the grace of God the Holy
Spirit ; ading in us as fpirits, or iateiiigent and
immortal
( 64 )
immortal creatures, according to our rational na*
ture, as accountable to God,
I. The afliftance of the Spirit of God confifts
in illuminating the underftanding to difceni his
perfections, and our duty and holinefs.
II. The Holy Spirit gives a favoury tafte of all
the glorious truths of the gofpel, with a lively
fenfe of all gofpel motives.
III. The Holy Spirit fupprefles all indifference
of heart to God, and all inclinations to fm.
IV. The Holy Spirit works in us a willingnefs
and readinefs to all manner of duties.
V. Tlie Holy Spirit enlivens all graces into
pleafmg exercife.
VI. He difplays all the motives to univerfal
holinefs and duty.
VII. He ftrengthens the foul to comply with
thofe motives.
Spirit drive with man. Gen, vi. 3. — A man in
whom is the Spirit of God, GVw.xli.38. — God hath
filled him with the Spirit of wifdom. Ex, xxxi. 3,
The
( 65 )
The Spirit helpeth, ^ )
Chiefly becaufe they have the oracles of Gon,
T» Aoyta Ttf ^£tf, Rom. iii. 2. — GoD hath itl fome
apoftles, ^/Z*. iv. 1 1. — Believe in the Lord Jesus,
J^sxv'u 31. — Repent ye, and believe the Gofpel,
Mark i. 15. — Except ye repent, ye Ihall perilh,
Liiie xiii. 5. — He that believeth not fhall be
damned, Marc/j xvi. 16. — Loved thou me, Jo/ju
xxi. 17. — Go teach all nations, baptizing them,
Mau, xxxviii. 19. — This do in remembrance of
me, I Cor. xi. 24.
Of the Means of Grace which God has appointed.
What kind provifion God has made.
That we may fafe to heav'n be led !
For this the Prophets preach'd and wrote.
For this the blefs'd Apoftles taught ;
Taught, as that Spirit did infpire.
Who fell from heav'n in tongues of fire.
And gave them languages unknown.
That diftant lands his grace might own.
His hand has kept the facred page
Secure from men's and devil's rage:
For this, he churches did ordain.
His truth and worfhip to maintain :
For this, he pallors did provide
In thofe aiTemblies to prefide j
K 2 And,
( 68 )
And, from the round of common days,
Mark'd out our Sabbaths to his praife.
Delightful day ! when Chriftians meet
To hear, and pray, and fmg, how fweet!
For this he gives, in folemn ways,
Appointed tokens of his grace ;
In facramental pledges there
Kis foldiers to their Gen'ral fwear :
Baptiz'd into one common Lord,
They joyfull meet round his board j
Honour the orders of his houfc.
And fpeak their love, and feal their vows»
PRINCIPLE XVIL
Of the Nature of Faith. Of the Nature of
Pxepmtance.
FAITH is a cordial reft in the fcheme of fal-
vation by Chrift. Faith is a good thought of
Chrift. — Faith is taking Chrift at his word. —
Faith is an approbation of Chrift as God the Son,
able and refolved to fave with delight. — Faith is a
receiving of Chrift with love, as light, truth,
righteoufnefs, and Governor. — Faith is a commit-
ting of our fouls into his hands, to be fared by
hic3»
( 69 )
him In his own wife and gracious method. — Faith
is truft in the honefty and veracity of the iinceie
God incarnate, the true God my Saviour. Un-
fliaken adherence to Chrift's righteoufnefs, perfon,
and atonement.
Repentance Is a convi^lion of fm ; a turning
from it ; free confeffion of its guilt ; mourning
under a fenfe of fm ; refolving againft the praftice
of it; amending our condud, and cordially
working with zeal for Chrifl.
Without faith it is impoffible to pleafe God,
Heb. xi. 6. — Doil thou believe on the Son of God,
Johrt ix. 35. — If thou canft believe, A/rt-r/^ ix. 23,
— With the heart man believes, Rom, x. 10. — .
I have committed that to him, 2 Tim, i. 1 2. — To
as m.any as received him, John i. 12. — Look unto
me and be faved, Ifa. xlv. 22. — Come unto me,
all ye that labour. Matt. xi. 28. — Except ye eat
the flefh, and drink the blood, John vi. 53. — Re-
pentance and remilTion of fm, Luke xxiv. 47. — .
They repented not, Re^w xvi. 9.
REPENTANCE.
Except ye repent ye ihall perifli, Luh xiii. 5. — '
Repent ye. Matt, iv. 1 7. — All men eVery where
-ro repent. Ads xvii. 30,
2 Of
( 70 )
Vf the Nature of Faith and RepentanQc
They muft repent, and muft believe.
Who Chrlft's falvation would receive.
may thy -pirit faith impart.
And work repentance in ray heart !
Bled Jcfus, who can be fo bafe
As to fufped thy power or grace ?
Or v/ho can e'er \o ilupid be
To flight thy bleiTmt^s, Lord, and thee ?
With humble, rcv'rent hope and love, .
1 to thy gracious feet would move ;
.And to thy care my all refign,
Rcfolv'd to be for ever thine.
Secure', if thou vouchfafe to keep
My feeble foul among thy flieep :
The fms and follies I have done,
Hambl'd in dun, I would bemoan :
And while paft C;uilt I thus deplore,
I would repeat tliat guilt no more ;
But by a life of zeal and love.
True faith and penitence approve :
So Ihall thy grace my fms forgive,
Jefus fhall fmile, and I Ihall live 1
PPJNCIPLB
( 7' )
PRINCIPLE XVIII.
Of the Dejign and Obligation of Baptifm,
BAPTISM is an ad of worihip, or an acknow-
ledgment of the perfe^flions of God, with vcnera-
lion and love, according to the revealed will of
God in his word. Thib is, in all views, as fublime
an ad of worfliip as ever was inftituted by God :
it includes feven aftions towards the Three Perfons
in the undivided eflence or being of a God.
I. Adoration of all the divine perfons.
II Invocation of each perfon.
III. Subjedion of foul to each.
IV. Fear and expedation from each.
V. Confecration of heart to each ; and perfonal
felf-dedication.
VI. Love and delight in each perfon.
VII. Gratitude and praife to each.
Then cometh Jefus from Galilee to be baptized.
Matt. iii. 13. — And were all baptized of him in
the river Jordan, Mark i. 5. — The lawyers rejeded
the counfel of God, being not baptized, Luke vii.
30. — I have a baptifm to be baptized with, Luke
xii. 50, — John was baptizing in Enon, becaufc
there
( 7^ )
there was mnch water, John iii. 23. — They went
down both into the water, Aas y'm, 38. — Buried
with him by baptifm, Rom* vi. 4.
Of the Def.gn and Obligation of Baptifm,
In Baptifm wafli'd we ali mufl be.
In honour of the facred Three,
To (hew how we are wafii'd from fin.
In Jefu's blood, and born again
By grace divine, and thus are made
Members of Chrift, our common Head,
The Fatlier form'd the glorious fcheme.
And we adopted are by him.
The Son great Prophet, Prlefl, and King,
Did news o\ this redemption bring ;
He by his death our life procur'd.
And now bellows it as our Lord.
The Holy Spirit witnefs bore
To this bleft Gofpel heretofore,'
And teaches thofe he's purify'd.
Faithful and patient to abide.
Into thefe names was I baptiz'd.
And be the honour juftly priz'd * ;
Nor
* We will not alter Dr. Doddridge's words, but for
the fake of the children of parents of the Baptjft denomi-
nation
( 73 )
Nor let the facred bond be broke.
Nor be my Cov'nant-God forfook :
Thus walh'd, I'd keep my garments cleani
And never more return to fm.
One body now all Chriftians are ;
Oh may they in one Spirit (hare !
And cherifli that endearing love
In which the faints are bkfs'd above.
PRINCIPLE XIX.
Of tht Nature and Defign of the Lord' s Supper*
This is a moft fublirae aifl of worfliip, inftltutcd
by God Jehovah Jefus, the Firft Caufe, the Chief
Good, the Higheft Lord, and Lad End of all
worlds, and of the whole new creation — the re-
deemed and blood- bought world of eleft men. It
is an ac1vnowledn:ement of the infinite and eternal
perfections, love, fufferings, and fatisfadion of
our God and Saviour, with veneration, love, and
joy, according to his revealed will ; and with an
ardent zeal for the honour of his noblcfl work of
nation, thefe two lines may be exprcfled thus :
When I'm into thefe names baptizM,
Then be thg honour juftly priz'd.
L redemption
( 74 )
redemption by the blood of Jehovah Jefus. This
ordinance defies all infidels, and all kinds of infi-
delity.
The Lord Jefus the hmt night, i Cor, xi. 3. —
Do this in remembrance of me, i Cor, xi. 24.
— Ye do (hew forth, i Cor. xi> 26, — Let a
man examine, i Cor. xi. 28. — Jefus took bread,
MaU, xxvi. 26. — The cup of bleiTmg, 1 Cor.
X. 16.
0/ike Nature and Deftgn of the Lord's Supper,
The mem'ry of Chrift's death is fweet.
When faints around his table meet.
And break the bread, and pour the wine.
Obedient to his word div^ine.
While they the bread and cup receive.
If on their Saviour they believe;
They feaft as on his flefh and blood.
Cordial divine and heav'nly food !
Thus their baptifmal bond renew.
And love to ev'ry Chriflian fi:iew.
Well may their fouls rejoice and thrive ;
Oh ! may the blefled hour arrive.
When, ripe in knowledge and in grace,
I at that board Ihall find a place :
And
( rs )
And now what there his people ^o^
I would at humble diftance view ;
Would look to Chrift with grateful heart.
And in their pleafures take ray part;
Refolv'd while fuch a fight I fee.
To live to him who dy'd for me.
PRINCIPLE XX,
OF ANGELS AND DEVILS.
I. The Nature and Office of Holy Angels,
II. Of the Fall and State of Devils^ and
their Devices and Temptations,
ANGELS are fpiritual effences, incorporeal,
invifible, and immortal. Holy beings ; holy in
their nature, genius or aptitude to excel in holi-
nefs, having a permanent principle, which deter-
mines them to all holy a^^tions, and not to the
contrary.
Knowing and wife fpirits; having clear under-
ilandings, extenfive, deep, fure wifdom. Wife to
propofe the bed ends ; wife to ufe the beft means ;
wife to ad at the fitteft time, and in the moil
L 2 beautiful
( 76 )
beautiful manner ; wife to fecure from all caafe of
bitter remorfe or refledion.
Being of amazing power or ftrength, both
natural and intclleftual.
Works a?id Operations of Angels,
Adoring God the Father, Son, and Spirit;
waiting on all true Chriflians; fighting and con-
quering devils ; guarding and proteding empires,
kingdoms, and focieties of men.
DEVILS.
The devils are fpirits, incorporeal effences, invi-
fible beings, polfefTed with underilanding, will,
confcience, memory, and all bad pafTions of
hatred, contempt, ill-will, or malevolence, anger,
wrath, malice, fear, dread, defi^air ; they are moll
wicked beings ; crafty, deceitful, raging with
wrath and malice againft God, and angels, and
men. Pride or felf-eileem, but no felf-approba-
tion : envy even to raging madnefs.
Their work is all mifchief and mifery, guilt,
and malignity ; immenfe malice, and eternity in
iin and wickednefs.
Their
( 77 )
Their firfl fin was pride, felf admiration, envy,
and infidelity to God. But hell has now cured
unbelief, for they believe and tremble.
The angels of God met him. Gen, xxxii. i. —
This is God's hoft, Geti. xxxii. 2. — Ten thou-
fand times ten thoufand *, and thoufands of thou-
fands. Rev. v. 11.
DEVILS.
Now the ferpent was more fubtle. Gen, iii. i.
Satan fald. From going to and fro in the earth.
Job I. 7. — Satan fiood up againft Ifrael, i Chro/u
xxi. I. — The tempter came to him. Matt. iv. 3,
Of the Nature and Office of Angels.
My foul, the heav'nly world furvey.
The regions of eternal day ;
Ther^ Jefus reigns, and round his feat
Millions of glorious angels meet.
Thofe morning ftars, how bright they (hine !
How fweetly all their voices join.
To praife their Maker, watchful ftill
To mark the fignals of his will ;
* The Angels are mentioned one hundred and feventy
times in Scripture : Devils are mentioned one hundi^d and
forty times in Sciinture.
• While
( 78 )
While with their outftretch'd wings they ftand.
To fly at his divine command.
All happy as they are, and great.
Yet fcorn they not on men to wait.
And little children in their arms
They gently bear, fecure from harms.
Oh ! may I with fach humble zeal.
My heavenly Father's word fulfil !
That I, when Time has run its race.
May with blefs'd angels find a place.
Borne on their friendly wings on high,
To joys like their's, which never die !
Of the Fall and State of Devils,
Well may I tremble, when I read
That fin did Iieav'n itfelf invade ;
Curs'd pride, with fubtilty unknown.
Perverted angels near God's throne;
They fin'd againft his holy name.
And hateful devils they became :
But wrath divine purfu'd them foon.
And flaming vengeance hurl'd them down.
Now in the pangs of fierce defpair.
Prisoners at large they range in air,
V/alk through the earth, unheard, unfeen.
And lay their fnares for thoughtlefs men ;
Tempt us to fin againfl: our God,
And draw us to hell's downward road :
( 7^ )
Eiit God can all their power reftrain.
My Saviour holds them in his chain.
Till at his bar they all appear.
And meet their final fentence there.
PRINCIPLE XXL
OF DEATH.
I. Of Life, II. Of Death. III. Of tht
Immortality of the SouL
DEATH is a deprivation of life. Life is a
ftate of aftive exiflence. Annihilation is not
death ; a man may be annihilated and not fuffer
death, becaufe death is a privation of life, the
fubjeft ftill remaining. Death is the oppofite to life.
I. LIFE.
Life is the circulation of the bicod in the arte-
ries, and back to the heart by the fame canals
inverted. Life is the refpiration of the lungs.
Life is the fenfation of the nerves. Life is the
full tone and perfeft ftate of the organs of the
animal frame. Life is the free motion of all the
fioids. Life is the found flate of all the mufcular
powers. Life is the union of foul and body in
one man.
IL DEATH,
II. DEATH.
Death is the entire ftoppage of the circulation of
the blood, and the total lofs of all fenfation in the
nervous fyilem. The ceffation of refpiration in
the two lobes of the lungs. The entire lofs of
the free How of animal fpirits. The ruin of the
tone of all the organs of life, and the ftoppage of
the motion of all the fluids. The beginning of
putrefaftion in all parts of the body. The entire
difunion of foal and body, and the total departure
of the foul, fo that aftion on foul and body ceafes,
till the grand day of the refurreftion.
III. IMMORTALITY.
Glorious immortality! The immortality of the
foul coniifts in its perpetual ftate of adive exiftence
as exifting with rational and eternal confcioufnefs.
Thought and life are the eifence of a fpirit. Im-
mortality is eternal thoughtfulnefs ; an inextin-
guilhable power of thought, attended with plea-
fure or pain.
THE IMMORTALITY OF THE SOUL.
The proofs and demonftrations of the eternal
cxiftence of the foul are as bright as ten thoufand
fans, and numerous as the ftars in the Iky. We
draw proofs from nature — from the natural and
2 morai
{ 8. )
moral attributes of GOD — from the aftoniihing
powers of the human foul, and the grandeur of its
pafTions — from the fublime truths and doftrines of
the Gofpel — from the poGtive aflertions of fcrlp-
ture — from the threatenings of eternal mifery to
wicked fouls — and the promifes of eternal happi-
nefs to good and holy fouls, all through the Bible,
Fear not them which kill the body, but cannot
kill the foul. Mat/, x. 21. — Alt men muK once
die, Heh. ix. 27. — What man is he that fhall not
fee death ? P/a. Ixxxix. 48. — A time to die, Ecc,
iii. 3. — V/e muft needs die, 2 Sam. ili. 2. — Man
formed out of the dufi, G^//. ii. 7. — 71;ou fhalt
furely die. Gen. ii. 17. — I am but dull and aflies,
Gev. xviii. 27. — Let me die tlie death of tLe
righteous, Niim. win. 10. — Oh! that they would
confider^heir latter end, /)^.v/. xxxii. 29 — I go the
way of all the earth, Jo/.xxni. 14.
SCRIPTURE EVIDENCES OF IMMORTALITY.
Spirit fliall return to God who gave it, Ecc.
xii, 7. — Kill the body, but cannot kill the foul.
Matt. XX. 21. — Worm dieth not, Mark {::. 4^,
46. i-8, and the fire is not quenched, 43 — 4^.—
M Two
( 82 }
Two men appeared, Mofes andElias, Luke ix. 30.
JBeggar died and was carried by angels, Luke xa'L
•22. — In hell he lift up his eyes, Luke xvi. 23. —
This day (halt thou be with me in Paradife, Luke
xxiii. 43. — Stephen faid. Lord Jefus receive my
fpirit, A.'is vii. 59. — Abfent from the body, but
prefent with the Lord, 2 Cor. v. 8. — Whether in
the body or out of the body, I cannot tell, God
knoweth, 2 Cor. xii. 2. — A defire to depart, and
be with Chrirt, Fhil. i. 23. — To live is Chrift,
to die is gain, FhiL i. 22. — Spirits of juft men
made perfe(5l, hleb. xii. 23. — I faw the fouls of
them that were flain for the word of God, Rtnj,
yi. 9.
ON DEATH.
Lord, I confefs thy fentence juft,
That fmful man Ihould turn to duft ;
That I ere long fhould yield my breath,
The captive of all-conqu'ring death.
Soon will the awful hour appear.
When I muft quit my dwelling here ;
. Thefe adive limbs, to worms a prey.
In the cold grave muft waftc away \
Nor fhall I fnare in all that's done
la this wide world bensath the fun.
To
( 83 )
To diftant climes, and feats unknown.
My naked fpirit muft be gone ;
To God its Maker mud return.
And ev^r joy, or ever mourn ;
No room for penitence and pray'r.
No farther preparation there
Can e'er be made ; the thought is vain.
My ftate unaltered mud remain.
Awake, my foul, without delay,..
That if God fummon thee this day.
Thou chearful at his call may'fl rife,
A.nd fpring to life beyond the Ikies.
SUPPLEMENT TO THIS PRINCIPLE.
ON THE IMMORTALITY OF THE SOUL.
L PROOFS from NATURE.
The grandeur of the univerfe, as apparently
refemblifig the eternity, immutability, and omni-
prefence of God. Who can contemplate this,- and
conceive it exifting only for a brute ?
The revolutions of the natural world, in the
compafs of a year, if we could watch every night
in the northern and fouthernhem.ifpheres, we fnould
fee every one of the conftellations in the whole
M 2 vaft
( 84 )
vafl concare ; and who can imagine that thefc
grand profpecls were all made for a creature ot
only a moment's exiftence.
THE SUCCESSION OF THE FOUR SEAS0N5,
Spring exhibits a new creation.
Summer Ihews frefh fcenes of goodnefs.
Autumn difplays the frefn bounties of Provi-
dence.
Winter exhibits new views of the wifdom,
power, and goodnefs of God.
Has God brought on nearly fix thoufand years
fuch fucceffions of the feafons, merely for dogs
and aOes ; for blocks and brutes ?
The regular and beautiful fuccelTion of day and
night bears a i^riking evidence of our immortality.
II. The natural and moral perfeftions of God
all demonftrate the im.mortality of the foul. — His
eternity is a refemblance of our immortality : his
omniprefence refembles the vaft range of thought,
by which the foul can fly in a moment through
heaven, earth, and hell. His omnipotence is a
ftriking
( 85 )
ftriking image of the amazing ftrength and aftivity
of our immortal fpirits. The wifdom and know-
ledge of God refembles the worlds of fcience re-
fiding in the valt underftanding of man. The
goodnefs of God is a lively image of the un-
bounded benevolence which lives in a good man's
heart. His holinefs is the bright pattern and
fource of our holinefs. The juflice of God is a
lively and infinite refemblance and image of the
foul of a juft man. And his truth and faithfulnefs
is the origin, the pattern and the end of all truth,
veracity and faithfulnefs, in our immortal fouls
to eternity.
III. PROOFS from MAN.
His difcontent with his prefent condition in life
— the gradual growth of reafon. The nature of
hope — the nature of virtue — the increafe of know-
ledge and virtue in all — the grandeur of the paf-
fions — unbounded ambition, or the love of honour,
fame and glor)' — the infatiable appetite for plea-
fure — the fordid paflion for wealth, or the mean
appetite ftiled avarice, or love of gold, is a proof
of our im.mortality — our prcfcnt Hate quite puz'
zling and unintelligible, on a fuppofitlon we diQ
2 like
( 86 )
like a dog — the abfurdities that follow from the
brutal ftate of a human foul — the fnppofition of
our dying like brutes makes a wife man mad- the
war between devils and angels proves our fouls to
be immortal.
For non-exiftence no man ever wiih'd
But iiift he wiln'd the Deity deftroy'd.
Night VII. 892.
Kind is fell Lucifer, Oh ! infidel, whencompar'd with thee.
Line S74.
IV. Proofs from the fublime and glorious doc-
trines of the gofpel, ^iz, the Sacred Three, elec-
tion, redemption, adoption, juftification by Chrift's
imputed righteoufnefs, pardon of fm, regenera-
tion, effeftual calling, converfion, landification,
vital union, and final perfeverance in Mental
Habits of holinefs to eternal glory.
V. A clear account in fcripture of fouls now in
heaven and hell, and the promifes made to all good
men now on earth, and the thivatnings now de-
nounced of eternal mifery to all bad men, is a
bright demonfcration of the immortality of all
mankind.
PRINCIPLE.
( 8; )
PRINCIPLE XXII.
RefurreBion of the Body^ and the LaJlMay of
Jfudgmait.
THE Refurreftion is the grand and aftonifliing
ad of the omnipotence of God the eternal Son,
Jehovah Jefus, by which the bodies of all that are
dead in earth and fea (hall fpnng up from the duft,
and ftand on their feet in a moment, in the tuink-
ling of an eye, never to die any more, but have
their eternal exiftence doomed and determined in
the laft judgment to the horrors of hell, or joys
of heaven, as long as God endures.
LAST JUDGMENT
Is that great adlion of God the eternal Sen, in
which he will accurately fift the fouls of all men,
and attentiA-ely examine the internal charafter of
every foul, and declare the qualities of every tem-
per and adion, and determine the ftate of damna-
tion and mifery, or falvation and happinefs, for
every rational and living immortal foul, to all
eternity, in heaven or hell.
Man lieth down in death, and rifeth not till
the heavens be no mor*, Joh xiv. i 2. — In my flefh
' ihatl
( 88 )
fhall I fee God, Job xix. 26. — When I awake in
thy likenefs, Ffa. xvii. 1 5 . — Death is fwallowed
up in vidory, Ifa. xxv. 8. — Thy dead men fhall
live ; with my dead body (hall they arife, Ifa,
xxvi. 19. — Many that flept in the duft fiiall awake
to life. Dart. xii. 2, — I will buy them back from
the power of the grave ; I wlil Lay them out
from death. Oh ! Death, I will be thy plagues.
Oh ! Grave, I will be thy deftruriion, Hof. xiii. 14,
LAST JUDGMENT.
Sin lieth at the doer, C. a\ iv. 7. — Judge of all
the earth, G:n. xviii. 25. — Referved to the day
of wrath. Job xxi. 30. — Stand at the latter day.
Job xix. 25. — Wicked fliall not rife in judgment,
Pfa. i. V. — God is ju >c, Ffa. 1. 6.-^Verily
there is a God that judgeth the earth, Ffa, Iviii. 1 1 ■.
— A terrible and fublime dcfcription of the judg-
ment, Pja 1. I J. — He ccmeth to judge the world
in righteoufnefs, Ffa. xcvi. 13. — Shall not God
render to every man according to his works ?
Pro'v. xxiv. 12. — Know thou that God will bring
thee into Judgment ? Ecc. xi. 9. — For God will bring
every work into Judgment, with every fecret thing.
Exc, xii. 14. — The eyes of God are upon all our
v/ays, to give every man according to his ways,
7--
( % )
%;% xxxii. 19. — Thrones of fire, and ftreams of
ilame, Dan^ vii. 10. — Judgment books opened,
Dan, vii. i o.
On tlic RtfurreElion of the Dead^.
What awful ruins death hath made !
How low the wife and great are laid !
Alike the faints and finners die,
Mould'ring alike in dull they lie.
But there's a day (hall change the fcene.
How awful to the fons of men !
When the archangel's trump fhall found,
And fliake the air, and cleave the ground,
Jefus, enthron'd in light, appears
Circl'd with angels bright as ftars ;
*' Rife, ye that deep !" the Lord Ihall h\\
And all the earth, and all the fea,
Yield up the nations of the dead.
For ages in their bowels hid.
Bone knov/s its kindred bone again.
All cloth 'd anev/ with ficlh and flcin ;
Each fpirit knows its proper mate.
They rife an army vaft and great.
But Oh ! what difr 'rent marks they bear.
Of tranfport fome, and fome of fear ;
When madliard in the Judge's fight,
Thefe to the left, thofe to the right,
N They
( 9° )
That they may that laft fentence hear.
Which fliall their endlefs flate declare.
My foul in deep attention flay.
And learn th' event of fuch a day.
PRINCIPLE XXIII.
//°5 )
The Univerfity of Paris, fays the amiable and
inQomparable Mr. RoUin *, founded by the kings
of France, for the inftrudlion of youth, has three
•principal objeds in view in the difcharge of {o im-
portant an employment, which are Science, Mo-
rals, and religion. The /r/i care is to cultivate
and adorn the minds of young perfpns with all
the aids of learning, of which their years are
capable. From thence -they proceed to redlify and
form the heart by the principles of honour and
probity, in order to their becoming good citi-
zens. And, to compleat the work, of which thus
far is only the defign, and to give it the laft degree
of perfeftion, their next endeavour is to make
them good Chriftians,
With thefe vievv^s the Unlverfity was founded,
conformable to which are the rules of duty, pre-
Tcribed in the feveral ftatutes made in its favour.
That of Henry the Fourth, of glorious memory,
begins in thefe words : ** The happinefs of kicg-
* Read thofe excellent Volumes of Mr. RoUin's, inti-
tuled the Method of Teaching and Study, or. An Intro-
duction to Languages, Poetry, Eloquence ?.r.d Hiftory,
with Reflexions on Tafte, 4 Vols. izmo. — 6th Edit. 1761.
This Work is my con;lant Guide and Mailer in the Educa-
tion of Youth,
P dom?
( J06 )
doms and people, and efpecially of a Chriftlan
ftate, depends upon the good education of youth ;
whereby the minds of the rude and unlkilful are
civilized and fafhioned, and fuch as would other-
wife be ufelefs, and of no valuCj qualified to dif-
charge the feveral ofSces of the ftate with ability
and fuccefs. By that they are tatight their invio-
lable duties to God, their parents and their
country, with the refpe<^ and obedience which
they owe to kings and magiftrates."
We fhall examine each of thefe three obje<^s in
particular, and endeavour to fhew how neceffary
it is to have them conftantly before our eyes in the
education of youth.
A LIBERAL AND -VIRTUOUS EduCATJON
confifts in fumilhing the mind of a youth with all
fuch branches of divine and human knowledge,
as Ihall, under the fpecial blefTmg of Chrift,
enable him, in a ftate of manhood, with reditude
and beauty, with prudence and wifdom, with
greatnefs of foul, elevation of thought, and fub-
limlty of fpirit, to perform all the anions and
duties of the perfonal and fecial life, to the glory
of the everlafting Godhead, to his own honour
and fubftantial felicity, and for the advancement
of
( '07 )
of the peace and happinefs of mankind. In a
ftate o£ civil or religious foc-iety.
The ultimate end and ufe of a found education,
and univerfal learning, is, under the energy of
God's Spirit, to repair the ruins of our firft
parents, and raife us in fome degree out of the
rubbiih of the horrid and difmal fall ; by regaining
clear perceptions, and right ideas of God ; and
from this knowledge to love him, imitate him,
and be as conformable to the divine Jksus as
poflible ; which we attain in the happieft and moft
effei^ual manner, when our fouls are endued with
the heavenly grace of vital faith and folid virtue.
Thefc conftitute the higheft reclitude and happi-
nefs, raife us to the nobleft elevation, extent and
pexfedion of our faculties, and aflift us to purfue
and obtain the true and utmoll end of our eternal
exiilence. The grand def^gn of a good education
Is to be like Jefus Chrlft, in his heavenly mind
and life, and enjoy his ever blefled perfections
through an endlefs duration.
Of what vaft and unutterable Importance is the
Tifing generation ? The children and youth of
England will be the bleifings or the curfes of the
P 2 king-
( 108 )
kingdom, when we are dead, and putrefying in
our graves ! How frightful and alarming is the
corruption of the whole human race ? What an
indifputable and dreadful neceffity of a found and
liberal education, in order to revive the de-
fpairing and dying genius of Great-Britain ?
What need is there of an awakening, pathetic, fer-
vent addrefs to all parents to convince them, per's
fuade them, and urge them on to take the wifeft,
the beft, and raoft effedual care of their dear im-
mortal offspring, who are all born for eternity ;
an eternity of forrow with devils, or of joy with
God,
The eflence and fpirit of a good education, or
the grand effcntial articles in which children and
youth fliould be inftruded ail through the king-
dom, are
I. Christianity * in all the parts of it, or
the fubftance and fpirit of the Christian Reli-
gion ; what they are to believe, and what they;
are to pradife. This is moft neceffary to be
taught in the firft place, before and above every
* Dr. Doddridge's excdhnt Sermons on Religious £du-
catioa, lamo.
thing
( 109 )
thing elfe; of which thefe arc the principal ar-
ticles :
Right ideas of God ; his perfeiflions and provi-
dence ; the fmfulnefs and mifcry of their nature ;
and the curfe under which they were* born. — The
fon of God the only Saviour by his blood and
IMPUTED Righteousness. — The necelfity of
regeneration by God's Holy Spirit. — Their
duty to God and man in its juft extent. — The
nature and excellence of daily prayer, and devo-
tional exercifes in hymns to God.— The ordi-
nances of the gofpel. — The immortality of the
foul. — The ftate of the good and bad in heaven
and hell : — And the terror and glory of the refur-
reftion, at the eternal judgment.
II. Children and Youth fhculd be v/ell
taught,the true Use, Exercise and Improve-
ment, of all their natural powers of mind and
body. — Exercife their underftanding on the various
ivorks of God around them. — Cultivate and im-
prove their memory in treafuring up feleft words,
and the nobleft fadls recorded in facred and all
other ancient hillory. — Exercife and improve their
judgment. — Pafs no judgment on men or things
raflily
( 110 )
rafhly" or fuddenly. — Judge not from outward ap-
pearance and {how, but fearch to the bottom —
Judge not by cuftom, or the common opinion of
the multitude. Judge not by the practices of the
rich, the great or the gay. — Cultivate their reafon,
teach them the true ufe and ultimate end of their
reafoning powers. Afk them the reafon of every
thing they do. — Tell them the reafon of your
condu(ft and behaviour to them.— Confcience is
another natural pov/er, wherein the principles and
rules of duty to God and man are to be exadly
lodged. — This moral fenfe is to be ftrengthened
and quickened to the utmoft. — •Regulate and ma-
nage the powers of the body in the wifeit manner —
their eyes, tongue, hands, feet.
III. Self-Government. — Children Ihould
be thoroughly inftrufted in the art of fclf-govern-
ment, and felf-poifeiTion.- --Their thoughts and
fancies ihould be brought under early government.
Fix their thoughts and attention on proper fubjefts.
Govern their inclinations and wilhes. — Teach
them to determine their wills and choice of things,
not by humour, and wild fancy, but by the dic-
tates of reafon, and God's Holy Word; never
kt them gain any thing, by** I will because
I WILL.'"
( »»1 )
I wiL'L." — Appetite fhould be put under ftri^
government ; and children (hould be taught be-
times to abhor all gorging and gluttony. — Paffions,
or ftrong wild aiFedions, appear very early in
children and youth, to want regulation and go-
vernment. — They love or hate too rafhly. — They
grieve or rejoice too violently for mere trifles. —
Their hopes, or their fears, their defires or aver-
sions, are prefently raifed to too high a pitch or
tenor — Their anger is outrageous, and needs the
inofi: exaftregimen.
IV. The Common Arts of Reading and
'Spelling, Writing and Arithmetic clearly
•and accurately taught.
The Art of Reading., aiTifts us to converfe
with the Scriptures of God; and multitudes of
books, for two thoufand years paft.
The Art of Writing, enables us to manage
the various aiFairs of bufmefs and literature.
The Art of Arithmetic, gives us clear
ideas, and teaches to calculate with eafe and expe-
dition on a thoufand occaiions.
V. The
{ «>2 )
V. The knowledge of forae proper Business,
Trade, or Employment for life: — fome lau-
dable artifice or manufadure.
Ccnfider the circumfiances of the parent : The
capacity and talents of the child ; his temper,
taile, and inclination, fhould be well confulted : —
Then feek out for a virtuous, fkilful, diligent,
humane mafter.
VI. Rules of Prudence, and good Con-
duct. — All children fiiould have fome found In-
ftruftioii in' the conduft of human life : — fome
neceffary and fuitable rules of prudence, by which
they may juftly regulate, and beautifully manage
their own affairs, and their behaviour towards
their fellow-creatures. -^^If children and youth
have all other forts of knowledge, and this is
wanting, they are but learned fools, and plunge
themfelves into many (hameful follies and terrible
miferies.
Prudence confifls in felefting good *. and rejeift-
ing evil, or in preferring the moft excellent, and
durable good ; and avoiding the moft terrible
* Fordyce's Elements of Moral Philofophy, izmo.
evils.
( i«3- J
evils, when there is a competition among eithw ♦
and in ufmg the heft means to attain the fupremc
and eternal Good we want ; and avoid the Ilh we
fear. This in our inivard, correfponds to Saga-
city, or a quicknefs of fenfe in our outiuard
frame.
The foundations of human prudence lie in
three heads: — a deep knowledge of ourfelves ; — .
an accurate knowledge of mankind ; and a large
and exa(^ knowledge of the things of the world,
and the various affairs of human life.
VII. Useful Ornaments and Accom-
plishments OF Life, — An accurate and cxten-
five knowledge of the Latin and Greek His-
torians; and aa exa6l acquaintance with the
Greek Teftament, and Hebrew Bible; a feleft
number of the finell French Authors ; but chiefly
a complete and mafterly Ikill in the English
Language, in order to fpeak and write it with
the utnioft-propriety, energy, and beauty.
Logic, or the confideration of clear ideas;
the exadl method of comparing them ; drawing
jud inferences ; and ranging thcin ;n a happy order.
Q^ Geometry,
( »4 )
Geometry, or the fcience of extcnfion. —
^eofuration of land, heights, diftances.
Geocraphy *; or the knowledge of the
earth and waters.
Astronomy, or the dodrine of heavens.
Natural Philosophy In its effentlal princi-
ples, and grand foundations : — The frame, and
ftrufture of the world ; — the eflential, and fpecial
properties of matter ; — the Laws of Nature ; — and
fmal caufes,
Thefe things will enlarge and refine the under-
ftanding ; give us fairer views of the grand and va-
rious works of the omnipotent God ; — improve our
judgment and our devotion at once ; — a^d bring
the faculty of reafoning into a jufter exercife, even
upon all manner of fubjedls.
History +, natural, civil, and facred, is ano-
ther accomplilhment and ornament of youth.—
Nothing
* See the introduftion to Dr. Lowth's Engli/li Grammar,
24mo. where you have a library for little boys and giils.
\- "No ftudy (o fit for youth as hiftory j and no books,
within the compafs of my knowledge, (the facred hiftory
excepted)
( »»5 )
Nothing fixes a volatile, vagrant mind more than
folid ftriking fafts.
A clear and extenfive view of the ftruaure and
excellence of the Britijh conjiitution and la and knew
every thing worthy of notice. With him Eugenio
made the tour, firft of England, and then of Eu-
rope, in the twenty-firft year of his age, and after
^intilianus had finiftied his education at home \ —
then, and not till then, Engmio travelled to open
his
( «»9 )
hii mind \-^' to enlarge his views of x\ie^ nvorls of
43 )
this draw your circles for our moon round the
earth, for Jupiter's moons round him, and laft of
all for Saturn's five moons. There is no occafion
to be fcrupuloufly exaft till the boys are well
▼erfed in thefe firft eafy notions, reduce them to
accuracy by degrees. Mr. Whillon's Aftronomicul
Principles of Religion, and Mr, Fergufon's Aftro-
nomy will furnifh you with ample materials for
all your purpofes. Now begin your play, fix
your boys in their circles, each with his card in his
hand, and then put your orreri' in morion, giving
each boy a direction to move from weft to ealt,
mercury to move fwifteft, and the others in propor-
tion to their diilances, and each boy repeating ki
his turn the contents of his card, concerning his
diftance, magnitude, period, and hourly motion^
Half an hour fpent in this play once a week will,
in the compafs of a year, fix fuch clear and fure
ideas . of the folar fyftera as they can never forget
to the laft hour of life : And probably rouze
fome fparks of genius, which will kindle into a
bright and beautiful flame in the manly part of
life.
FINIS.
In the Prefs-i andfpeedily will be publijhejy
SELECT ESSAYS,
OM THE
MORAL VIRTUE
AND ON
Genius, Science, and Tafle;
INTERSPERSED WITH
Defigned to lead the Britlfh Youth into the
bcft Methods of Study, and the moft eafy
Attairament of Knowledge.
Behig the Refult of aho've Fiftj Tears Reading and
Experience ; and '■was one of
THE LAST ACTIONS OF THE JUTHOR's ZIfiS,'
To evince his Love to his Country, in the
SEVENTIETH Y£AR OF HIS AGE,
By the late Rev. JOHN RYLAND, J, M.
Printed for H. D. Symonds, Fater-Nojier-Roiu ;
And may be had of the Author s Son,
Mr. James Ryland, Upholder, No. 8>
Great Hurrj-iilreety Blackjnars^
BOOltS printed forH. D. SYMONDS.
Leffons to a Young Prince,
BY
AN OLD STATESMAN.
Price 4s. 6J.
For Sunday Schools.
ON.
A Hopeful Youth falling fhort of Heaven.
EXTRACTED PARTLY FROM
Dr. WATTS's SERMONS,
ON THE SAME SUBJECTS^
pRI.Cfi 6d.
BOOKS printed for H. D. SYMONDS,
Theological, Philofophical, and Moral
ESSAYS
ON THE FOLLOWING SUBJECTS:
CELIBACY, y GENEROSITY,
WEDLOCK, Q TEMPERANCE,
SEDUCTION, U EXCESS,
PRIDE, Q PROSPERITY,
DUELING, Q ADVERSITY,
SELF-MURDER, K JUSTICE,
LYING, ^ MERCY,
DETRACTION, ^ DEATH,
DUPLICITY, ^ JUDGMENT.
AVARICE, ^^
By the Rev. EDWARD BARRY, M. D,
Price 5s. in Boards.
Hardwick's Corre6l Tables,
FOR FINDING AT ONE VIEW
The Amount of any Quantity of Goods.
bought or fold by the Hundred Weight, or
Ton, to a Single Farthing.
ALSO,
Of Goods bought or fold by Tale or Meafurc
of any Kind.
PrKE 28. 6L ' 't\