1105 
 68 
 
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. \ 
 Chap. J.^iJLX.LL 
 
 Shelf 
 
 ?ii**-jL... 
 
 UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. ! 
 

 A DEFENCE 
 
 SUPPORTED FROM THE 
 
 LAWS OF GOD, THE LAW OF UNIVERSAL ORDER, 
 
 ENLIGHTENED REASON AND EXPERIENCE, 
 
 ALL CORRESPONDING WITH 
 
 THE HOLY SCRIPTURES, 
 
 By ZACHARIAH COX, 
 
 A CONVERTED DEIST. . 
 
 Who also saith :— " This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ 
 came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief."— 1 Timothy 1, 15, 
 
 C WASHINGTON: 
 
 1824. 
 
/ 
 
 
INTRODUCTION. 
 
 " This is Life Eternal, that they might know Thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ 
 whom thou hast sent." — St. John, xvii,;3. 
 
 A correct knowledge of the (a)fear, (6)the mercy, (c)the love, (d)the perfec- 
 tion, Ce)the power, and the glory, (/) of the true and the living God; is that inestimable 
 treasure in which the happiness of every rational intelligence is equally interested. 
 It is the way of (,§-)wisdom, the way to every (h) moral virtue, to every pious duty, 
 to every civil and religious liberty, and also the way to life and blessed immortality. 
 0)lt is evident, for want of such a knowledge, that superstition, bigotry, pride, ava- 
 rice, oppression, malice, revenge, heresy, infidelity, idolatry, party spirit, and all man- 
 ner of iniquity, ever have, and do still continue to abound. For our consolation it is 
 written, that, under gospel grace and light, the time shall come when (fc)" the earth 
 shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the 
 sea; (/)when all shall see eye to eye;" and when the discordant kingdoms of this 
 world(m) shall become the peaceful kingdoms of our God, and of his Christ. To this 
 desirable end may all our present and future inquiries and observations be directed, 
 with fervent charity, in humility, and Christian love; for (/z)wisdom, for knowledge* 
 for edification, and for instruction in righteousness; (o)" and be ready always to give 
 an answer to every man that asketh a reason of the hope that is in us, with meekness 
 and fear;" (p)vvith an eye single to the praise of the glory of God; and with exhorta- 
 tion; as it is written — (?)" Come and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what 
 he hath done for my soul." 
 
 It was in a solitary retreat, secluded from all human society, where that (r)small 
 still voice which wakes the dead, first drew the dark veil of unbelieving night from 
 my soul. (s)My wandering thoughts were imperceptibly ruled to a solemn pause ! I 
 (t)~By a dawn of light I was instantly convinced that the word of God was truth; and 
 that the Holy Scriptures (although at thattime (w)sealedfrom my understanding,) were 
 not that imposture I previously thought them; but were (ly)dictated and given from a 
 source and power beyond the reach of finite wisdom. In them was my true (^cha- 
 racter, fallen state, and (;r)s<nful lost condition, correctly drawn. (#)Nor did I after, 
 for the term of about three years, under a continual galling sense of 6in, ever find a 
 moment of true peace, until I experienced the happy evidence of a reconciliation 
 with God in Christ. Then (z) wandering six years in the twilight of gospel grace; in 
 the (a)wilderness of doubts, and fears, and unsettled principles of doctrine; (6)under 
 
 a. Job xxviii. 28. 
 
 b. Psalm c, 5. 
 c Matt, xxii, 36 to 40, and 
 
 1 Johniv, 16. k. 
 
 d. Dauteron. xxxii, 4. 
 
 e. Matt, vi, 13. I. 
 f. Deuteron. v, 26, Matt. m. 
 
 vi, 21, 33. 
 
 j*. Psalm cxi, 10. n. 
 
 h. The fear of the Lord is 
 the beginning of wis- 
 dom, &c. & John v,24. o. 
 
 i. Hosea, iv, 6, and Rom. p. 
 
 i, 17 to 32; Pslam cix, 
 
 Q 
 
 Psalm lxvi, 16 to 20. 
 
 26, 27; Isaiah i, 4; Mat. 
 
 r. 
 
 Isaiah xxx, 21. 
 
 vii, 23, and xxiv. 12. 
 
 s. 
 
 Proverbs xxi. 16. 
 
 Isaiah xi, 6 to 10, and 
 
 t. 
 
 Matt, vii, 12. 
 
 lxv. 25; Heb. ii, 14,15. 
 
 u. 
 
 2 Cor. iii, 14 to 16.' 
 
 
 V. 
 
 2 Peter i, 21. 
 
 Micah iv. 3, and Matt. 
 
 IV, 
 
 . St. John iii, 16 to 21. 
 
 vi, 10. 
 
 X, 
 
 Romans iii, 1 to 20. 
 
 1 Corin. xiv, 5, 12, 26; 
 
 y> 
 
 Isaiah lvii, 20, 21. 
 
 Ephe. iv, 12, 16, 29, 
 
 z. 
 
 Rom. vii and viii, 1 to 13; 
 
 and i, 8. 
 
 
 and Gal. iv, 1, 2, 3. 
 
 1 Peter iii, 15. 
 
 a. 
 
 Isaiah xl, 3; John i, 23, 
 
 Matt, vi, 22. 
 
 b. 
 
 Rom. viii? 1 to 14. 
 
4 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 bondage and temptation, exercised under the law, (e)striving against the carnal 
 mind,(rf) with much vital repentance, and hungering, and thirsting after righteousness. 
 On the ever to be remembered morn of the 24th November, A. D. 1810, (e) in virtue 
 Of the covenant of promise, the precious gift of faith, and gospel grace; (/Hhe sun 
 of righteousness did truly arise, with healing in his wings, upon my soul. My weary 
 spirit was truly set at (_§-)liberty, in the happy evidence of that (h) perfect love which 
 casteth out all fear; and my soul was (z)made free, indeed, with joy and peace unspeak- 
 able. (fc)The gospel plan of salvation, with many precious (Osealsin the Holy Scrip- 
 tures, and sure (m)promises, were opened, and with life, sweetly applied to my soul, 
 heart, and understanding; all harmonizing with that beautiful concordant economy, 
 (which appeared to me) so divinely wrought, and so evidently manifested throughout 
 all the perfect works of visible creation; and all to the praise of the glory of God 
 sublime ! ! (n) Under many subsequent sore trials, temptations, and unjustifiable per- 
 secutions; under a continual sense of my unworthiness and imperfections; (o)and, also, 
 under a continual impression, that it is my duty to submit a recital of those inexpres- 
 sible evidences of gospel grace and light, to public view; as I am enabled through 
 grace, I now com© forward with this first number of my brief reflections, upon that all 
 important subject, in which the prosperity, peace, and happiness, of all men, societies, 
 and nations, are equally and deeply interested; and all to the praise of the glory of 
 God sublime. As the Lord began with my soul, and as I have been taught experi- 
 mentally, so I endeavor, as far as my capacity and the nature of the subject will admit, 
 to come forward with this communication, in manner following, viz. 
 
 1st. With the law of God, the law of universal order; from the 1st to 7th verses of 
 which, reciting the evidences ap6n which this work is supported. And from the 8th 
 to 18th verses of which, showing my ideas of the ten or twelve principal powers, or 
 orders, or grand divisions of creation. That, if they do exist, we may be able, from the 
 evidence before us, to prove their place, identity, and reality; and to show that it is 
 bcth the wisdom and the interest of every rational intelligence, to avoid and to escape 
 the evil, and to choose and to obtain the good. But if those things be not so; if there be 
 no futurity, no resurrection, no heaven, no hell; let us be no longer perplexed with the 
 subject. It is evident, that error, falsehood, and superstition, can in no wise ever pro- 
 duce any good effect upon the world at large, or upon the individual mind and character. 
 
 2dly. I have commenced with brief reflections upon the laws of God, to be con- 
 tinued in our next numbers; together with my ideas upon the fall of man; with an 
 investigation of the fifth query, or leading question, as stated in the conclusion of this 
 first number. The truth is what we aim at, free from prejudice, party spirit, and 
 satire. A mutual, charitable exchange of ideas, and sentiments, will best ensure the 
 success of a true knowledge, in this the most interesting of all subjects; to the praise 
 of the glory of God in the highest; and on earth love and unity, peace and good will 
 towards men. 
 
 c Gal. v. 16, 17. i. St. John viii, 32, 36— viii, 15, 16, 17, and to 
 
 t*. Matt, v, 2 to 6. If ye continue in my 39; and Gal. iii, and 
 
 €. Isaiah lv, 3, and liv. 8 to word, &c ye shrill iv, 1 to 7. 
 
 17; John v, 24; Gal. iii, know the truth, and l Ephe. i, 9 to 14. 
 
 9; Eph. ii, 8, 9, 10; and the truth shall make m. Isaiah liv, 8 to 17; John 
 
 Genesis xxvii, 33. you free. And if the V, 24; Gal. iii, 9; Gen. 
 
 /• Malachi iv, 2. son shall make you xxvii, 33; Isaiah lv, 10 
 
 £■. Isaiah lxvi, 1; Luke iv, free, ye shall be free to 13; Psalm xix, 1 to 
 
 18; Rom. viii. 21; 2 indeed 11; and Psalms cxlviii. 
 
 t3orin. iii, 17. £. Isaiah xlii, 21; Rom. iv; cxlix, and cl. 
 
 fc. ISohniv, 16 to 19* and iii, 19 to 31, and n. 1 Peter iv, 12, 13. 
 
 o, Matt- v. 15, 16. 
 
Sua 
 
 a^o ooo tnilcs 
 m diameter 
 
DEFENCE, 2$C. 5 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 {a)The Law of God, the Law of Universal Order. 
 
 The Heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament showeth his handy work- 
 
 Psalm xix. 1. 
 
 1. (6) The Law of Universal Order evidently discov- a Law is a rule 
 ers that there is a (c) God, (d)Most High! The blessed ^^"force 
 (e)creator. preserver, and upholder of all things, visible f governing! 
 and invisible ! ! . . b Psalm si. 5. 
 
 2. (f)This law, to a finite mind, is incomprehensible; £m. v. 8. 
 but appears evidently manifested by a coherent, secret prin- c Ge °™( s it ' an( J 
 ciple, or given power, wrought in all the mysterious works ii. ch. 
 
 of visible creation. (g)By virtue of this Law, it appears, <* Psalm lxxxiii, 
 that all bodies, parts, creatures, and tilings, are ever sup- e Ne h em i a h ix 
 ported in their lawful order, or rank, station, and mo- 6. & Ephes! 
 tion, with perfect truth, to perform all their ultimate re- 3, 9. 
 volutions and ends, (&)for which purpose they were cre -/^ eilter - xxix » 
 ated, to the praise of the glory of the one only (i)living^ colossians i, 
 and true God. Incomprehensible!! 16, 17. For by 
 
 him all things 
 
 S. (fc)TheLawof God, the Moral Law; is an addition- ^ ^ ate ^ 
 al light; and, consistent with the Law of Universal heaven, and 
 Order, embraces for its subjects all intelligent creation. that are . , in 
 (i)This law,by grace, is a perfect reproof, and admonition, ^ m 7isTbie 
 to the knowledge and evil of sin; (m)and, also, to the/iEph. i. 6 
 knowledge, choice, and practice of every mora) virtue, to 12. 
 and pious and civil duty. 'S^itm 
 
 St. John xvii, 
 
 4. (n)The holy scriptures were given by inspiration: 10. 
 (o)and written by holy men of God, as they were moved by ^ xo ^P £ ' 3to 
 the Holy Ghost; perfectly qualified and suited to the ca- U g t 142^^ 
 pacity, circumstance, and situation, of fallen, inexperi- Pro. vi. 23. 
 enced man; as their chart, a sure guide, and their per- l P«*lm xix, 7 
 feet rule of faith and life. 2°j n ]' \\\ is 
 
 5. The holy scriptures are an additional light, and to 21. 
 consistent with the laws of God: they are every way n 2d Timo. iii s 
 calculated to discover, to all intelligent creation, the ex- 16> 17 ' 
 
 o Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpreta- 
 tion; but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost- 2d Pe- 
 ter, i 20, 21. The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy - Revel xix, 10. 
 And he openeth the understanding to understand the scriptures. Luke xxiv. 
 45. Search the scriptures, for in them ye think ye have eternal life, and they are 
 they which testify of me. John v. 39. 
 
6 DEFENCE OF THE 
 
 p Proverbs i, cellent knowledge of good and evil, virtue and vice; 
 23. Turn ye (^ ev er admonishing, and by grace,infl uencing to the choice 
 beholdTwm aiic * practice of that which is morally good; with precious 
 pour out my promises, and evidences of their happy reward. (g)Wlien, 
 spirit unto upon a contrary choice and practice, (ever influenced 
 makeknown ^ rom an ev ^ source,) the consequent eifects ever were and 
 my words un- ever will be, discord, confusion, oppression, misery, and 
 to you. ultimate ruin, (r)except prevented by a timely, suitable, 
 
 9 xxixT bS and effectual remedy ! ! 
 
 r is. Iv, 6, 7, & 6 * All the evidence upon which this work is supported, 
 
 xlv, 22,& 43, corresponds to prove;(s) that the smallest violation of *the 
 
 11 . *" d St. ] aws f Q ^ either universal or moral, will, in its degree, 
 
 Lamb of God P rocmce disorder and confusion; which is contrary to 
 
 that taketh a- all the perfections of the blessed Creator. (J)Hcnce a 
 
 way sin of w. violation of these laws (the first act of human disobe- 
 
 ^Hosea i'x V dience) was the cause that brought sin into the world, and 
 Ezra ix, 7, 8, death by sin; attended with every moral and physical 
 l^Cor. xiv, evil. Upon this interesting subject, we shall endeavour, 
 
 t w'l f • as (through grace,) to dwell more fully, in a proper place, 
 by one man in the sequel of this work. 
 
 sin enteredin- 
 
 and^eaXbv" T ' M The everlasting Gospel of Jesus Christ, (v) the 
 sin- so death son 0I " God. is a further additional light, consistent with 
 passed upon the laws of God, and consistent with the Holy Scriptures, 
 all men; for embraces for its subjects, a fallen, degenerate, oppressed, 
 sinned Rom disordered world; enveloped in darkness, sin, affliction, 
 v, 12; & Gen- bondage, and misery. (w)And when, by grace, through 
 esis vi, 5, 6, 7. faith, the same is received, and effectually applied, it 
 & Psalm h, ,5. p roves a sovereign remedy to every moral and physical 
 •a Marie i, 1,15; ev ^* # Upon this most interesting subject, we shall en- 
 and Matthew deavor, through grace, to dwell more fully, in a proper 
 iv, 23; and pi ace i n the sequel of this work. 
 
 Mark xvi, 15. l l 
 
 rv Acts xx, 24; 
 
 and Ephes. 8. Consistent with my present knowledge, the Holy 
 
 i, 13; and vi, Scriptures, and the Law of Universal Order, discover, 
 
 I5^and Phil. w j£hi n ^he intelligible economy of creation, the following 
 
 Pet. l iv, 6. {x)ten or twelve principal powers, (y)or orders, or 
 
 Mat. xi. 4, 5, 6. ranks, (&)or grand divisions, viz. 
 
 Mesus answered and said unto them, go and shew John again these things, which ye 
 do, hear, and see; the blind receive their sight, and the lame walk; the lepers are 
 cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel 
 preached to them. And blessed is he whosoever shall not be offended in me. 
 Matt. xi. 4, 5, 6. 
 
 x. Cl. God. Gen. i. ch. Psalm lxxxiii. 18.} VI. Animal. Gen. i. 20 to 25. 
 
 I. < 2. Word. Gen. i. 1,2. John i 1 to 4. VVII. Vegetable. Gen. i. 11 to 12. 
 t 3. Holy Spirit. Gen. i. 2. Mat. iii. 16. J) VHI. Inanimate. Gen. i. 1, 2, 6, 7. 
 
 II. Angels. Psa. lxviii. 17. Markxxv. 31. IX. Hell. Deut. xxxii. 21. 
 
 HI. G. Saints. Iiev. 6, 9, and 7 chap. X. Pit. Num. xvi. 30. and Rev. ix. 2. 
 
 JV. Sons of God. Gen. vi. 3. John i, 12, 13. 2 and 20. ii. iii. 10. 
 
 V. Sons of Men. Gen. vi. 3. I.uke xvi. 8. 
 
 y. V. 7. As more fully represented from 9 to 18 verses. 
 
CHRISTIAN RELIGION, 
 
 I. 
 
 9. l.(a)Go&Ab)Mostmgh 9 {c)JJmOYAK 1 jg£5& ma/ Sow 
 
 2. (d)The Word, Christ, (e)or Son of God. y that thou whose name 
 
 3. (/)The Holy Spirit, (g)or Holy Ghost J alone is jehovah, 
 Those three co-eternal powers compose the one ^e t Mo^gh, 
 
 only true (/j)livmg and invisible Godhead. 1 he ] xxx i n is. 
 blessed Creator, preserver, and upholder of all c Exodus vi, 3. 
 things, visible and invisible— (i)The Light; the d Genesis i i,i, 3. John i, 
 
 e *? • ot •/> ,i s /-i /»m j? \ i 1 to 4. Tim. n. 15. 
 
 fountain ol Lite — (k) Grace— (l) love — and (m)elec- e ^arki, l. John vi, 69. 
 tion; (?i the fountain of living waters; (o)the pure/ John iv, 24, & vi,63. 
 water of life. p)Hence are all blessings; as it ff Luke i, 15, and 
 
 ... ri ° Acts n, 3, 4. 
 
 is written: h Kom< h 20 , colos. i. 
 
 Every good gift, and every perfect gift, is from 13 to 17, and ii, 9, 
 
 above, and cometh down from the Father of Lights, For in him dwelleth 
 
 with whom there is no variableness, neither shad- Godhe^bodil? ^ 
 
 OW of turning. i God is light, & in him 
 
 is no darkness at all. 
 
 tt 1 John i, 5, & John 
 
 , xrr., 1 • 1 *n *-* i i n 1 x i viii, 12, and Psalms 
 
 10. (g)The kingdom of God and of (r)glory; xxxvi> 9. For with 
 Celestial Heavens; with the (s)elect angelic crea- thee is the fountain of 
 tion. the (J)blessed inhabitants of light, where is Jj£ ^in &yHht shaM 
 (w)fullness of joy, and pleasures forevermore; jtstf john^if. 
 (v)in connexion with the church triumphant, the 1 1 John iv, 16 
 
 saints in 2;lory ! ! m Isaiah xlii > *> and 
 
 & J 1 Peter ii, 6. 
 
 n Jeremiah ii, 13. 
 
 III. o Revelation xxii, 1 . and 
 
 11. (w)The kingdom of God and of glory; Ce- isaiah iv, l. 
 lestial Heavens, or (^paradise; where is the tree i nd A the s P irit and th f 
 
 ei . r N „ ,. W- • I . n i bride say come; and 
 
 ol me, ( i/)fountain of living waters, river of plea- i et him thathearech, 
 sures, (a) crowns of glory; (a)songs of joy and say come; and let him 
 everlasting praise: and where is the immortal tha J 1S athir9t con ?e; 
 
 , A P x -i .i j?i«/»i -xii and whosoever will, 
 
 happy state and residence of glorified saints elect, j et nmi t ^ e f tne 
 
 in concord with holy angels, and in connexion water of life freely. 
 
 with the church militant, the saints in Christ. Rev - xxii > <} 7 - 
 
 p James i, 17. 
 
 q. Luke xiii, 29, and 
 
 IV. Matthew xvi, 27, and 
 
 12. (&)The kingdom of God, the (c)gospel king- f G £ ^ n % Cor 
 dom, or kingdom of Heaven; (d)the church mili- X v. 43. 
 
 5 1 Tim v, 21. *Eph. v, 8. 
 
 u Psalm xvi, 11. Thou wilt shew me the paths of life: in thy presence is fulness of 
 
 joy; and at thy right hand are pleasures forevermore. 
 v Rev. v, 9 to 14. 
 
 to Luke xiii, 29, Revelations iii, 21. 
 x Rev, ii, 7. 
 
 y Jeremiah xvii, 13, and Psalm xxxvi 8. 
 z 1 Peter v, 4, and Revelation ii, 10. 
 a Isaiah xxxv, 10, and Rev. v, 9 to 14. And they sung- a new song, saying, thou art 
 
 worthy to take the book and to loose the seals thereof; for thou wast slain, and hast 
 
 redeemed us to God, by thy blood, out of every kindred, and tongue? and people, 
 
 and nation, &c. 
 &Luk.iv,43,2Pet.i,ll. 
 c Matthew iii, 1, 2. and v, 3, 19, and viii, 11. d Matthew xvi, 18. 
 
$ DEFENCE OF THE 
 
 c Mat.xix,28,&Tit.m,5. tant, with (e)regenerate human creation; (/)chil- 
 C Luke xv!; 8, 8 'i Thes. *"» of S race; (*)children of light; ^children of 
 v, 5, l Peter i, 14. God, by faith in Christ Jesus; (i)sons of God, 
 h Mat. v, 9, Luke xx, 36. (ft)sons of adoption; heirs, heirs of God, and joint 
 johnxi 52,Ro.ix,26. heirs with Christ; (l)God's elect; (m)heirs of pro- 
 Gal, m, 26, Un. m.lO. . , . , i j' ; -il'a l i ■• ■ /» • 
 
 i jn. i, 12, & l jn. iii,i,2. mise; (w)and sealed with the holy spirit of promise; 
 kRovn. viii, 15, 16, 17,' & (o)the blessed; (p)the redeemed of the Lord; 
 
 2 Cor. v, 5, & Gal. iv, (gjmade free; (r)and joined in one spirit in Christ 
 i Isaiah xlii, l, xlv, 4, & J esus: (s)the light and Savior of the world in 
 
 ixv. 9. Mat! xxi'v, 22, (£)connexion with the holy angels, and saints in 
 
 24, 31. Mark xiii. 20, elory. 
 
 22, 27. Luke xviii, 7, * y # 
 
 Romans viii, 33, and 
 
 Col. iii, 12. 
 
 mGai. iii,29,Heb.vi,i7. 13. (a)The terrestrial kingdoms of God, (6)the 
 n Jn.\i,27,cant. iv,i2. kingdoms of men, the (c^unresenerate human cre- 
 
 2 Cor. i,22, Eph. 1.13. ,.° t- ■ a. # i. • x r 
 
 andE P hesiansiv,30. anon: subjects of mercy, subjects of grace; some 
 c Mat. xxv, 34, Gai.iii,9. in (d)bondage, and some in the (e) wilderness; to- 
 p Isaiah liii s &Luk. i, 68. gether with all the (/^unbelieving and disobedient 
 ^j^hnv^skstRom: children of men; some in (^Egyptian darkness, 
 
 viii, 15. Gal. iv. 5, 6. and some in Sodom, which is in (Zi)Babylon the 
 t John xvii, 20 to 26, & Great, the mother of harlots, and of every abomi- 
 
 l Cor. vi, 17. nation of the earth, that leads to sin, death, and 
 
 s John j, 4, 9, & vm, 12. . . 7 . 
 
 and l Timothy iv, io, hell, in connexion with the (i)prince ot the power 
 Luke ii, 32, and Eph. of the air, the spirit that worketh in the children 
 ,y» 14 -. ^ , ' of disobedience. (fcV'CoME out or hek, my feo- 
 
 t Rev. vi, 11, and v, 4 „ v J ' 
 
 to 17, and 7 chapter. P ^E. 
 «Ps. xxii,28,&Ob.21. , VL 
 
 b Psalm lxviii, 32, and 
 
 * XSmrfy* ?fand iviii. 14 ' W The animal creation, with all their given 
 
 l, 2. 3, and Rom. iii. powers and properties. 
 
 1 to 26, & Is. Iv, 6, 7. 
 
 J Rom. viii, 15. Gal. iv. VTT 
 
 24, & v, 1, Heb. ii, 15. T "' 
 
 e Isaiah xl, 3, 4, 5. 
 
 /Rom. xi, 20, Heb. iii, 15. (tn)The vegetable creation, with all their 
 J 2 ' . 19, .?*?« ^ X1 ' 8 ' fijiven qualities and properties. 
 
 2 lim. in,l to 9. ° * * 
 g Rev. xi, 8. And their 
 
 dead bodies shall lie VIII. 
 
 in the street of the 
 
 great city, which spi- j6. (n)Inanimate matter and elements, with all 
 dom U & Egypt! ed S °" their § iven powers, properties, and operations. 
 
 h Rev. xvii ch. and Rev. xviii, 24. And in her was found the blood of prophets, and 
 of saints, and of all that were slain upon the earth, &c. Jer. Ii, 49. 
 
 i Ephe9. ii, 2, and Rev. xvii, 17. For God hath put it into their hearts to agree, and to 
 give their kingdom to the beast, until the word of God shall be fulfilled. 
 
 k Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakeis of her sins, -and that ye receiev 
 not of her plagues. Revelation xviii. 4. 
 
 I Genesis i, 20 to 25. 
 
 m Genesis i, 11, 12. 
 
 n Genesis i, 1, 2, 6, 7. to 10. 
 
CHRISTIAN RELIGION. 9 
 
 IX. 
 
 17. (a)The powers of darkness, (6)sin, death, a Mat. vi, 23, viii, 12, & 
 and hell; the miserable state and (^dwelling of sp'etVI &judei3* 
 (d)the reprobate, (e)fallen, and (/)unclean spirits; b p sa im M.Rom. v, 12^ 
 with the (g)devil and his angels; (A)the founder and James i, 15. 
 
 of Babylon the Great; (i)and the father of every * isafehjmni 14, and 
 unclean thing, wicked and idolatrous abomina- d Ro e ^' * ^g & Tit! i 16. 
 tion, that leads to sin, death, and hell; with all e 2 Thes.iiS to 15. 
 their (fc)rebellious, (^enchanting, (m)delusive host,/ Mat - xii » 43 10 45 - 
 and tormenting train of misery; in connexion with,^ XX y et 4i V R ev * xiM?" 
 and reserved in (w)chains of darkness, until the and' viii,' 44 &, xiii, 2.' 
 judgment of the great day, (o)to be cast into the h Gen. x, 8 9, 10, & 11, 
 lake of fire, burning with brimstone. . , l }° 9; -- Ac \ s /f \°\ 
 
 ' ° i John vni, 44, & Acts 
 
 xiii, 10. Rev. 18 chap. 
 X. k 1 Samuel >v, 23, and 
 
 18. (p)The lake of fire, burning with brimstone; ^amhj, 20, &lxiii, 10. 
 (g)the bottomless pit; the ultimate destiny of sin, i^ Vm x?xJ26, &Ex. vii, 
 death, and hell; with the beast, and every unclean 11, and2Thes. ii, 7 
 spirit; the dreadful habitation of the (r)serpent, . to 12 - .. 
 
 the dragon, the devil and his angels. All the m Jg™^"- R °^ *" 
 terrific inhabitants of the deep; (s)the sink of all n 2 Peter ii, 4. 
 iniquity, and the final reservoir of every foul and 
 unclean thing; (Qfrom whence proceed every 
 moral and physical evil ! ! 
 
 19. Those, with all their very numerous gradations, and concomi- 
 tant parts; from verse 14 ii, to verse 18 x, inclusive; consistent with 
 my present knowledge from the Holy Scriptures, appear to compre- 
 hend the sublime design of intelligible creation. 
 
 20. And so far as our peace and happiness may be interested, and 
 we are authorized from the written word of God, they appear to be 
 proper subjects for investigation; which, by grace, may tend to bring 
 us to a more perfect knowledge of God our Savior; who will, in the 
 fulness of time, (w)reveal that man of sin; and in virtue of the (iu)word, 
 by the Holy Spirit, through faith; free a fallen, oppressed, disorder- 
 ed world from the tyrannical influence of sin, bondage, affliction, and 
 misery, (w)to the happy restoration and enjoyment of that ever to be 
 remembered celestial, peaceful paradise in fallen Adam lost. 
 
 Rev. xx, 14, 15. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. And whoso- 
 ever was not found written in the book of life, was cast into the lake of fire, &c. 
 Rev. xix, 20. 
 
 p Rev. xxi, 8. 
 
 q Rev. ix, ^ & xx, 2, 3, &, 10. And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake 
 of fire and brimstone; where the beast and the false prophets are, & shall be tor- 
 mented clay and night forever 8c ever. 
 
 r Rev. xii, 9. s Rev. xviii, 2. 
 
 t Wherefore, by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin, so death passed 
 upon all men, Rom. v, 12. 
 
 u 2d Thessalonians ii, 3, to 12. 
 
 v 1st Corinthians xv, 25, 26, and 2d Timothy i, 9, 10, and Revelation xx, 14, 15, 
 
 w Revelation xxi, 1 to 7. 
 2 
 
10 DEFENCE OF THE 
 
 BRIEF REFLECTIONS 
 
 Upon the Law of God, the Law of Universal Order* 
 
 " Secret things belong unto the Lord our God; but those thing's which are revealed, 
 belong unto us and our children forever." Dent, xxix, 29. 
 
 b Before the The Laws of God, whether as they act universally, 
 ™°" n h* ins i l° ca Wy? or morally, in the government of all bodies, 
 forth, or'eveV parts, creatures, and things; together with their design, 
 thou hadst their order, their power of action, their creation, and pre- 
 formed the S ervation: are all fundamental truths, which existed with 
 wovld, a even the Most High(V) from everlasting to everlasting. (c)There 
 from everlast- can be no new thing with God:,(d) who, by his Almighty 
 ing to ever- power; consistent with the law, and consistent with his 
 arf&S Psl°m di v i oe will* to the praise of his own glory, brought into 
 xc , 2 existence all the good and perfect works of universal crc- 
 
 c Genesis ii, 4, ation. (e)From the knowledge of which, and in virtue of 
 ^ 9 E io Th a s P e(? ial divine revelation; the sublime character, and the 
 thing that incomprehensible perfections of the blessed Creator" can 
 hath been, it only be determined, judged, and known by finite creatures, 
 %-tth whlcl { As we shall, with becoming reverence and humility, 
 that which is (consistent with the light given) endeavor, for edification, 
 done, is that to investigate by the following brief reflections, viz : 
 
 which shall 
 
 there is no" The source from whence this solar system was brought 
 new thing un- into existence, we cannot perfectly comprehend. But that 
 Her the sun. there is such a system now in existence, there can remain 
 thing where- no more possible. doubt, than that there is a God incom- 
 ofitmaybe prehensible, who, by his Almighty power, brought the 
 said, see, this same into existence. (f)That there is also a ^governing 
 bTeTaheady 1 bod * v of P ure celestial light, fixed within the circle of this 
 of old time, solar system, from whence all other solar existents re- 
 whichwas ceive their light, preservation, order, and action, with 
 before us.* innumerable other blessings, is also certain; the mag ni- 
 w^^and^tude, the beauty, and the splendor of which, beyond the 
 Psalm cxxxix, reach of all finite wisdom, or comprehension and express- 
 15, 16. jon, is every way perfect and complete; and display, to 
 
 e ham°was i*" rem °te heavens, the wisdom, the knowledge, the strength, 
 AM ! st.'jn. the truth, the goodness, the beauty, the majesty, the 
 viii, 58. power, and the glory of its incomprehensible author, 
 
 / toT^ S1 Th«u 4( ^ JEH0VAH ! How ' or in what manner this celestial 
 hasi prepar body was created, and centrally placed within the circle 
 ed th light of the heavens; or of what materials it is composed, or 
 and the sun. ^^ w h a { j aw or coherent secret principle or given pow- 
 1 g am x er it is invested; so as, instrumentally, to illuminate, to 
 3-Es. 1.3. preserve the life, the action; and to support, in perfect 
 
 * The sun, from astronomical calculation, is about 890,000 miles in diameter. 
 
CHRISTIAN RELIGION. 1 1 
 
 order, the solar system, with all its appendants, a finite 
 creature cannot comprehend: those are secret things which 
 belong unto the Lord our God. It is written, (h ) God h Genesis i, 2. 
 said, Let there be light, and there was light. (i)God* Genesis i, 14. 
 said let it be so, and it was so. It is enough for finite t0 18 - 
 creatures to know, that it is so; and to view it with ad- 
 miration, as one of the most magnificent and highest or- 
 naments in all the works of visible creation, to the praise 
 of the (k) majesty, the (I) power, and the glory of thef^^ v f^ 3 ; 
 blessed Creator; of whom it is also written, (?n) "WhowPsalm v'iti, i. 
 hath set thy glory above the heavens; (n)who rideth up. nPsalm lxviii, 
 on the heaven of heavens; (o)who is clothed with honor ^ a ] m ' 3 - 5 ' i 
 and majesty; who covereth himself with light as with a to 4. * 
 garment; who stretchest out the heavens like a curtain; 
 who layeth the beams of his chambers in the waters ;p 1st John i, 5. 
 (jj)who is light and in him there is no darkness at all, q Exodus vi, 3. 
 (</)JEHOVAH: (r)Lord God omnipotent; the blessed Cre- 
 ator, preserver, and upholder of all things visible and in- »* Revelations 
 visible: (s)the father of lights, from whom proceedeth s ja mes i, 17. 
 every good, and every perfect gift; with whom there is no 
 variableness, neither shadow of turning: (fand, to whom* Revel. xv,4. 
 alone is due, all sublime adoration, divine worship, fer- 
 vent love, and hallowed praise — (w)God blessed forever. « Rom. i, 25. 
 
 Query 1st. As it is found from experience and minute observation, 
 (so far as human inquiries have been able with accuracy to trace the 
 subject,) that every element is filled with living creatures suitable 
 to the element in which they exist; can it be inconsistent with the ev- 
 idence upon which this work is supported, to conclude, that the fore- 
 going governing body of pure celestial light, the most magnificent, 
 and highest ornament in all the works of visible creation, should also 
 he inhabited with exalted, happy, celestial creatures, (v)'he an- 
 gels of light, and the holy elect: suitably qualified for that pure 
 element, (the celestial heavens,) for which they were created, to the 
 everlasting praise of the glory of their blessed creator: (w)In whose 
 presence is fullness of joy, and at whose right hand are pleasures 
 forever more; *and from whence descend innumerable blessings 
 from God:(#) who is in the light; (?/)the fountain of life, and also the 
 (^fountain of living waters ! ! 
 
 The next in order we discover within the solar system about 29 
 planets. As they are stationed in their respective orbits, 1st, Mer- 
 cury, the nearest of the planets to the sun, performs his revolution 
 around the sun in about 87 days, 23 hours. 2d, Venus, in 124 days, 
 17 hours. 3d, The Earth, accompanied by the Moon, in 365 days, 
 
 6 hours. 4th, Mars, in one year, 322 days. 5th. Ceres,, in 4 years, 
 
 7 months, 10 days. 6th, Pallas, in 4 years, 7 months, 10 days. 7th, 
 
 v 1st Tirao. v, 21; Revel. 4th ch. and v, 8 to 14; and ch. 7. w Psalm xvi. 
 x 1st John i, 7. y Psalm xxxvi, 9. z Jeremiah xvii, 13. Psalm xxxiii, 6. By the 
 word of the Lord, were the heavens made and all the host of them, &c. 
 
 * 1 Corin. xv. 40 to 49. We neither read, nor know of, any other bodies within the 
 solar svstem; but the celestial and terrestrial bodies, 
 
12 DEFENCE OF THE 
 
 Juno, in 5 years, 182 days. 8th, Vesta, in 3 years, 66 days, 4 hours. 
 9th. Jupiter, accompanied by his four moons, in 11 years, 315 da; s, 
 15 hours. 10th, Saturn, with his extensive ring, and accompanied by 
 his seven moons, in 29 years, 161 days, 19 hours. 11th, Georgium 
 Sidus, accompanied with his six moons, in 83 years, 242 days, 4 
 hours. Including, in the whole, eleven primary planets, and eighteen 
 moons, or satellites: all of which.* speaking after the manner of finite 
 things, are globular bodies of extensive magnitude. 
 
 All the planets, with their appendants and moons, appear to be 
 a compound mass of inanimate matter and elements; and are also 
 invested with a coherent secret principle, or given power, in virtue of 
 which they appear to be externally consolidated into globular bodies; 
 and are perfectly balanced to their respective orbits; where they are 
 ever found like so many little floating islands, within the vast ocean 
 of the circumambient power and light, or glory of the sun. And, 
 since the Almighty Author of their existence spoke them into being, 
 and action, (so far as comes within human observation) they have, 
 with astonishing velocity, ever performed all their diurnal, orbitical, 
 and periodical, revolutions, with perfect truth; so as at a moment 
 of time to be found in their destined and regular point, or place, in 
 the ethereal heavens. 
 
 Query 2. As those planets are all subordinate to their governing 
 celestial central orb, the sun: from whence they receive their light, 
 preservation, order, and motion: from the analogy, as stated in the 
 1st Query, can it be inconsistent with the evidence upon which this 
 work is supported, to conclude that they are all * terrestrial bodies, 
 and of the same order in creation; and that they are all composed of 
 like materials; and inhabited with living creatures, similar to those 
 in our earth, created for the same purpose in every respect, to the 
 praise of the glory uf their sublime author. 
 
 The next in order, we discover attached to this solar system, a 
 number of comets, some of which are not inferior to the planets in 
 magnitude: they are only occasionally seen, and appear to be flying 
 through every visible region of the etherial heavens, moving in every 
 possible direction. They appear also to be a compound mass of in- 
 animate matter and elements, and are invested with a law, or a co- 
 herent secret principle, or given power, in virtue of which they appear 
 externally to be consolidated into globular bodies. All comets are 
 equipped with an extensive elastic atmospheric fluid, or vapour, pro- 
 jecting from some of them in a long blazing train, called the tail, or 
 wing of the comet: by virtue of which, together with their other given 
 powers, they also appear to be balanced, and borne through the vast 
 ocean of the circumambient power and light, or glory of the sun. 
 Those mysterious orbs, by the great Author of their existence, have 
 delineated for their courses elliptical orbits: and ever moving with 
 astonishing velocity, (some of them, from the best information, at the 
 
 * Hebrews, xi. 3. Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by 
 Ihe word of God, so that tilings which are seen, were not made of thing's which 
 do appear; and Romans, i. 20. 
 
CHRISTIAN RELIGION. 13 
 
 computed rates of about 1 0, 000 miles per minute. ) After performing their 
 appointed, and very distant, orbitical and periodical revolutions, or 
 journeys; some of them, from the best information, to the distance of 
 about 76 years' journey ; and some of them to the distance of several hun- 
 dred years' journey; so far as comes within human observation; they, 
 at their respective appointed times, ascend or return to the governing 
 celestial centre of this solar system, the sun. And directly forming 
 an eccentric elliptical course around the same; some of them be- 
 tween the orbit of Mercury and the Sun; some of them between the 
 orbits of Mercury and Venus; some of them between the orbits of 
 Venus and the earth; some of them between the orbits of the earth 
 and Mars; and some of them between the orbits of Mars and Ceres. 
 They again descend or fly from the sun in tangent directions; and, 
 like so many links in the universal chain; or like so many preponde- 
 rating grains in the universal system; they wing their way through 
 the neighboring trackless regions of immensity of space, to a distance 
 so remote as to baffle all finite calculation. 
 
 Here the highest source of human wisdom, reason, and observa- 
 tion, is lost in wonder and astonishment; and left to the bare conjec- 
 ture, that those flying globes, in their return, at their extreme dis- 
 tance, (some of them ) visit other governing celestial centres, or suns, 
 of the next neighboring solar system, similar to that in which we 
 exist, where they perform the same revolution as they do around the 
 centre of this solar system. From thence, another chain of comets 
 extend a connected union to the more remote neighboring solar system. 
 From thence we may pursue the same chain of conjecture, to a 3d, 
 a 4th, a 5th, and so on in progression to innumerable solar systems, 
 similar to that in which w r e exist; until all human conjecture, and 
 thought itself, is lost in profound wonder and astonishment, in that 
 incomprehensible ocean, of immensity of space, the kingdom of 
 
 the Great JEHOVAH!! Here we may pause!! We may take 
 
 the wings of the morning thoughts — and we may rise upon the pinions 
 of the evening meditations — so long as finite ages roll around; and 
 yet find ourselves but barely launched upon the celestial waves of that 
 incomprehensible ocean of vast eternity — or but one step advanced 
 into the flowery regions of the boundless kingdom of the (a) Almighty 
 JEHOVAH!! 
 
 Thus the kingdom of our God, is like the Omnipotent, Omniscient, 
 and Omnipresent God himself' — thatfilleth immensity! — eternity! — 
 there is no vacuum I — His kingdom is eternity, existing every where, 
 yet incomprehensible ! — He is styled the (fr)Eternal God !~ (c)The high 
 and lofty one that inhabiteth eternity; whose name is Holy! — We 
 are but finite creatures, with but very limited understanding at best; 
 located to this little terrestrial planet, or globe; which, in competition 
 with the kingdom of the Great JEHOVAH; would be inconceivably 
 less than the smallest particle of sand compared with the whole globe 
 
 a Exodus, vi. 3. Psalms, lxxxiii. 18. b Deut. xxxiii. 27; 
 
 c Isaiah, lvii. 15. Isaiah, xl. 12. to 17. 
 
14 DEFENCE OF THE 
 
 itself: and each individual of us human creatures, as but one imper- 
 ceptible fragment of that particle of sand itself.^ 
 
 Yet, by the great Author of the universe we are formed into a 
 body, beyond the reach of all finite wisdom, or comprehension and 
 expression, every way complete. Inhabited, also, by a soul, moral 
 and immortal, capacitated to be acted upon by the same divine Author 
 of the universe, so as to be fitted and qualified to comprehend, and to 
 enjoy, in part, the (d)fulness of the pleasures of that celestial king- 
 dom of eternity, and the Omnipresent (e)High and lofty One, who 
 dwelleth in the high and holy place; and with him, also, that is of an 
 humble and a contrite spirit; to revive the spirit of the humble, and 
 to revive the heart of the contrite ones ! 
 
 Query 3. As the comets are all subordinate to their governing, 
 celestial, central orb, the sun; from whence they receive their light, 
 order, and motion; is it not also consistent with the evidence upon 
 which this work is supported, to conclude that they are all terrestrial . 
 bodies, although perhaps inferior, yet of the same order in creation 
 with the planets; and that they are all composed, in part, of like ma- 
 terials, so diversified in structure and motion, as to exhibit a further 
 useful display of infinite wisdom? upon the wings of which a reflect- 
 ing mind may soar into a further knowledge of the omnipotence, 
 exalted majesty, and power, and glory, of their sublime Author. And 
 that they are all inhabited with living creatures, in some degree simi- 
 lar to some of those in our earth, created for the same purpose, in some 
 respects, to the praise of the glory of their incomprehensible Author. 
 
 Brief reflections upon Terrestrial Creation* 
 
 Withdrawing from those remote regions of the universe, we will 
 endeavor to confine our brief reflections to this little floating(/) isle, 
 the planet or globe in which we, for the time present, exist. With it 
 we have a more immediate connexion, and experimental knowledge 
 in the wonderful works, that pertain to, and compose the same. This 
 little planet, as before observed, literally speaking, is, of itself a com- 
 pound mass of inanimate matter and elements; which, by a law, or by 
 a coherent secret principle, or given power, every way suited to its 
 nature, properties, and design: is externally consolidated into a glo- 
 bular body, beyond the reach of all finite wisdom, or comprehension 
 and expression: every way complete. By virtue of the same power, 
 it is also balanced in perfect order, and kept in perpetual action, so 
 as to perform all its diurnal, orbitical, and periodical revolutions, 
 with perfect truth. 
 
 From the best inquiries, this terraqueous globe, and its subordinate 
 appendants, literally speaking, appear to be a compound of (g)nre, 
 
 * When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy hands; the moon and the stars 
 which thou hast ordained; what is man that thou art mindful of him, or the son of 
 man that thou visitest him? Psalms viii. 3, 4. 
 
 rfSt. John, i. 16. e Isuiah, lvii. 15. 
 
 /Isaiah xl, 15; Behold he taketh up the Isles as a very little thing. 
 
 g Psalm cxlviii, 8. 
 
CHRISTIAN RELIGION. 15 
 
 earth, water and air, with a diversity of minerals, vapour, fluids, and 
 gas; all of which appear to fill, and to be fitted in their proper place 
 am! station: within the circle of the globe, and within its extensive 
 atmospheric region. These, ever acted upon by secret laws, perfect 
 and absolute, are made to answer ail the salutary effects, and to per- 
 form all the revolutions and ends, for which purpose they were spoken 
 into being, order, and action, to the praise of the glory of their sublime 
 Author. 
 
 This little globe is about 7,917 miles in diameter, the surface of 
 which affords such a variety of subject-matter for delightful study,and 
 for improvement in knowledge, that, from its well known geogra- 
 phical description, there needs no further illustration to increase our 
 admiration of the magnificent and beautiful. consistent economy con- 
 tinued through the perfect works of the visible creation. 
 
 •On the ascending grade we discover, next in order, inanimate mat- 
 ter and elements, so perfectly fitted and qualified for the sublime design 
 of creation, and so acted upon by light and heat, and by secret laws, 
 perfect and absolute, that, in virtue of the word, they bring forth, (a 
 further display of infinite wisdom and power, ) in their great variety, 
 a wonderful, and a beautiful, blooming, fruitful, vegetable creation; 
 beyond the reach of all finite wisdom, or comprehension and expres- 
 sion, in their diversified orders, every way complete. All of which, 
 from the best information, (literally speaking,) appear to be a com- 
 pound of earth, water, air, fire, mineral fluids, gas, aud vegetable 
 substances. And although they are all brought into existence from 
 the same source; and all of them, after his kind, nourished and pre- 
 served by the same light, heat, soil, and climate, they each, in all 
 their diversified orders, aud forms, ever retain, without progressive 
 mixture, their separate, and special given properties, qualities, efflu- 
 vias, and variegated, ornamental beauties,(f) whose seed is, separately 
 in itself, ever yielding seed, and fruit after his kind, since they were 
 first spoken into being by the sublime Author of their existence. 
 
 Progressively, we discover next in order, inanimate matter and 
 elements, so perfectly fitted and qualified for the sublime design of 
 creation, and so acted upon by light and heat, and by laws perfect 
 and absolute, that, in virtue of the (g)*word, they bring forth a more 
 exalted display of infinite wisdom and power, in all their great va- 
 riety; a wonderful, sensitive, active, animal creation; beyond the reach 
 of all finite wisdom, or comprehension and expression, in their diver- 
 sified orders, every way complete. All of which, from the best infor- 
 mation, (literally speaking,) are a compound of earth, water, air, fire, 
 mineral fluids, gas, vegetable, and animal substances, with instinctive 
 and sensitive powers, capacitated to be so acted upon externally, as 
 to preserve their propagation and limited useful ornamental existence. 
 And although they are all brought into being from the same 
 source, and all of them, after his kind, nourished and preserved by 
 
 / Genesis i, 11, 12. * St. J®hn i, 1, 2, 3, > Genesis i, 20, 2L 
 
16 DEFENCE OF THE 
 
 the same light, heat, element, climate, and soil; they all, in their 
 diversified order, species, and forms, ever retain, without progressive 
 mixture, their separate and special given properties, qualities, and 
 ornamental useful powers; * whose kind* or propagation is, in itself, 
 bringing forth living creatures, after his kind, since they were first 
 spoken into being by the sublime Author of their existence. 
 
 Progressively, the next in order is the human creation; that best 
 known, and least understood, noble creature, man; which appears to 
 be the most excellent, the most perfect, the most important, and the 
 finishing work of terrestrial creation; (/i)made but a little lower than 
 the angels, crowned with glory and honor, (t')in the image and like, 
 ness of God. As it is written, (fc)when God created all other living 
 terrestrial creatures, he commanded the earth and the waters, and 
 they brought forth herbs, grass, and living creatures, after his kind. 
 When God made man he commanded not the elements to bring forth; 
 but it appears that he consulted all the united powers in the Godhead. 
 (Z)And God said, let us make man in our image, after our likeness; 
 and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowls 
 of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth; as it is to this 
 day, So God created man in his own image; in the image of God cre- 
 ated he him; male and female created he them. (m)And the Lord 
 God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nos- 
 trils the breath of life, and man became a living soul; (n)exalted to 
 the sublime rank of rational intelligence, capacitated to enjoy the 
 light, the presenee, the converse, and the happiness of his God; and 
 to know., and to understand, so far as related to his exalted sta- 
 tion, the divine will, and mind respecting him. (o)Man, in his pri- 
 mitive perfection, beauty, and moral innocence, as first created from 
 the hand of his Father, and his God; must have been the master- 
 piece of workmanship, in all the visible works of terrestrial crea- 
 tion, beyond the reach of all finite wisdom or comprehension, and 
 expression (in his exalted order) every way complete. 
 
 From natural philosophical information, it appears, that the human 
 system is a compound of earth, water, air, fire, mineral fluids, gas, 
 vegetable, animal, and human substances; (p)a sensitive, rational, 
 social, intelligence: capable of improvement, and to be taught in all 
 the knowledge of the arts and sciences.(g) Inhabited, also, by a soul, 
 moral and immortal, capacitated to be acted upon, and to receive di- 
 vine impressions of light and truth, for his moral government(r) 
 Capaciatted, also, to be fitted and qualified, by his sublime Author, 
 for blessed immortality: where is fulness of joy, and pleasures for- 
 evermore; in concord with (s)angels of light. Angels, the next pro- 
 gressive order in creation, with which, from all analogical and philo- 
 sophical reasoning, and from all revealed light and knowledge, man 
 
 * Genesis i, 20, 21, 25, & St. John i, 1, 2, 3. h Psalms, via. 5. 
 
 i Genesis, i. 26, 27. k Genesis i. 11 to 25 I Genesis, i. 26, 27. 
 
 m Genesis ii. 7- n Genesis, ii. 15 to 20. o Genesis, i. 31. 
 
 p Genesis, ii. 19. g Genesis, ii. 7. r Psalms, xvl 11, 
 
 s Psalms, viii. 5.— Revelation v, fc^to 14. 
 
CHRISTIAN RELIGION. 17 
 
 appeals to sland next iij^o&der connected. (/)Like unto all other terres- 
 trial creatujes, human existents, also, for the time being, are so acted 
 ypon by laws perfect and^ab'solute, that, hi every clime, they retain, 
 without progressive mixture, their rank, olffer, form, and station; 
 whpse n^ure v ^nd propagation is, in itself, ever producing human 
 creatuj^aj^r^his own kind; since they were first spoken into being, 
 an l^pgrpetuity of action, by the sublime author of their existence. 
 
 (u Thus we discover the law of God, the law of universakprder, to 
 fye perfect and absolute; by virtue of which all bodies, parts, creatures, 
 and^things; are ever supported in their lawful order, or ranks, sta- JP 
 tion, and motion, with perfect truth to perform all their ultimate revo- s / 
 lutions, and ends,for which purpose they were created; consistent with v v - 
 universal peace and divine harmony, to the praise of the glory of the 
 one only living and true God; incomprehensible! ! (v) Wicked angels, 
 nations, and men, are also chained by the same law, they are chained - ? * 
 within their given limits, as the waves of the sea: thus far shalt thou 
 go, and no further. Otherwise JEHOVAH, God, would be subject 
 to the creature, and the whole universe would be thrown into confu- 
 sion and disorder; which is contrary to all the perfections of the blessed 
 Creator! ! We also discover, throughout the whole economy of intelli- 
 gible creation, by virtue of the same law; or in virtue of the same 
 coherent secret principle or given power; that all bodies, parts 5 crea- 
 tures, and things, in their progressive concordant connection, are so 
 mysteriously, so perfectly, and so closely united and interwoven into 
 each other; and so lost and found, in all the progressive excellency of 
 their very great variety; and diversified orders, qualities, forms, and 
 beauties; as to engage, and to bafBe the highest source of finite wis- 
 dom ! ! With all our most skilful researches in the science of chemistry, 
 botany, and anatomy: and with all our most profound physical? meta- 
 physical, astronomical, and philosophical inquiries, and experimen- 
 tal knowledge; we cannot satisfactorily determine the source from 
 whence a single creature, or the source from whence a single particle 
 of inanimate matter and element, was brought into existence, and mo- 
 tion. Nor can we correctly determine their precise limited stations, 
 properties, and qualities; or minutely and correctly discover, the cer- 
 tain beginning, and ending, of that close union, and undivided connec- 
 tion, which progressively cement the whole into one regular, dependent, 
 universal system!! * Could we trace one mystery to perfection, there 
 remain others, more minute, with which the first is inseparably con- 
 nected! And could we, with the aid of our best telescopes and micro- 
 scopes, added to our highest skill, trace, and continue to trace, those 
 secrets and mysteries, ten thousand times over, there would yet re- 
 
 t Genesis, i. 28. and iv. 1. 
 
 u Pslam cxlviii 6. He hath estahlished them for ever and ever. He hath made 
 a decree which shall not pass. 
 
 v Psalm lxxvi 10. Surely the wrath of men shall praise thee: the remainder of 
 wrath shalt thou restrain. 
 
 *Ezekiel, 1st chap. See the mysteries of the works of creation, represented in a 
 vision as the works of awheel within a wheel. And the appearance of the likeness 
 of the^lory of the Lord, as represented in the 26th, 27th, and 28th versus. 
 $ 
 
18 DEFENCE OF THE 
 
 main secret, within secret; mystery, within mystery; and revelation, 
 within revelation; until all finite wisdom and reason, and even all 
 human conjecture, and thought itself: would be lost in profound won- 
 der and astonishment, in that eternity of mystery; which composes, 
 unites, and gives motion, and order, to all the incomprehensible per- 
 fections of universal creation. (w)Of all the mysteries that surround 
 us, that best known, exalted creature, man, is the greatest mystery 
 to himself — the greatest mystery to man! 
 
 After all our sublime physical researches into the anatomy, pro- 
 perties, and powers of man; we discover such great variety of acting 
 parts, properties, and powers; within acting parts, properties, and 
 powers; so far beyond the reach of all finite wisdom, or comprehen- 
 sion and expression, every way complete; that we are at last com- 
 pelled to confess; "secret things belong unto the Lord our God!" 
 and to end all our inquiries, in the language of Divine inspiration, 
 as it is written, " God said let it be so, and it was so!!" It is enough 
 for finite creatures to know that it is so: and to view (including mys- 
 terious and incomprehensible man) all the manifold works of univer- 
 sal creation, with sublime admiration, to the exalted honor, and sacred 
 praise; of the inexpressible power and glory of the blessed Creator. 
 
 Let us turn our inquiries and thoughts which way we will, from 
 this narrow precipice of time, upon which we, for the time present, 
 are moving: we meet with immensity of space: an incomprehen- 
 sible eternity in every direction; and are compelled at last to unite our 
 sublime meditations in sentiment with Divine inspiration. As it is 
 written — 
 
 (#)" Lord, thou hast searched me, and known me; thou knowest 
 " my down sitting, and mine uprising: thou understandest my thoughts 
 " afar off. Thou compassest my path, and my lying down, and art 
 "acquainted with all my ways: for there is not a word in my 
 "tongue, but. lo! Lord, thou knowest it altogether. Thou hast 
 "beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me. Such 
 "knowledge is too wonderful for me: it is high, I cannot attain unto 
 "it. Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee 
 "from thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there; if I 
 " make my bed in hell, behold thou art there. If I take the wings of the 
 " morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there shall 
 " thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me. If I say, surely 
 "the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me! 
 "Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as 
 " the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee ! For thou 
 «* hast possessed my reins; thou hast covered me in my mother's womb ! 
 "I will praise thee, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: mar- 
 " vcllous ar e thy works, and that my soul knoweth right well. My 
 " substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and 
 " curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth; thine eyes did 
 " see my substance, yet being imperfect, and in thy book all my mem 
 
 w Psalm exxxix, 14. 
 x Psalm exxxix. 1 to 18. 
 
CHRISTIAN RELIGION. 19 
 
 66 hers were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when, as 
 " yet, there was none of them. How precious are thy thoughts unto 
 " me, God! how great is the sum of them! If I should count them, 
 " they are more in number than the sand; when I awake I am still 
 •'< with thee." — (t/)Again: (a)again! and again!* 
 
 Under those and the like reflections and meditations, we may exer- 
 cise all our given powers and acquired abilities, so long as finite ages 
 roll around; and we shall at last find all human wisdom, and all 
 sublime thought itself, together with time, and the things of time, (in 
 their greatest extent) all of them, like an imperceptible fragment, 
 forever lost in that incomprehensible ocean — immensity of space — eter- 
 nity — the kingdom of the Almighty — JEHOVAH!! Thus the king- 
 dom of our God; and all the good and perfect works within the 
 kingdom of our God; is like the omnipotent, omniscient, and om- 
 nipresent God himself! that filleth immensity — eternity — there is 
 no vacuum ! ! His kingdom, and his works are every where manifested; 
 yet incomprehensible!! He is GOD!! And to the praise of his own 
 glory, he hath revealed himself, under the sublime character ! I AM 
 that I AM!— I AM JEHOVAH!! I am the first, and I am the last; 
 and beside me there' is no God! The high and lofty One, that inhabi- 
 ted eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, 
 with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the 
 spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones ! ! 
 We are but finite creatures, the third grade, or order, only advanced 
 above inanimate matter and elements; with but very limited under- 
 standing at best; which, compared with infinite wisdom, understand- 
 ing, and power; will be found inconceivably less than the smallest 
 instinctive insect; when compared with the highest degree of degene- 
 rate human knowledge and power!! Yet by the great Author of the 
 universe, we are formed into a systematic body, beyond the reach of 
 all finite wisdom, or comprehension, and expression, in our exalted 
 order, every way complete ! we are also invested with a precious soul, 
 moral and immortal; capable of receiving impressions of light and 
 truth, for our moral government; and to be so acted upon, and in- 
 structed, by grace; as to fill our exalted station in time, and in eter- 
 nity; to the praise of the glory of our blessed Creator, our Heavenly 
 Father, and our God ! ! 
 
 (a)" Lord of Hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in thee. 
 " (b) And blessed be thy glorious name, which is exalted above all 
 " blessing and praise; thou, even thou, art Lord alone; thou hast 
 " made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their hosts; the earth 
 "and all things that are therein; the sea and all that is therein; and 
 "thou preservest them all; and the host of heaven worshippeth thee! 
 "(c)For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. 
 « Amen." 
 
 y Deuteronomy xxxii, 1, 2, 3, 4, andxxxiii, 26 to 29. 
 
 - Job 1st chap. 38; and St. John i. iii. vi. xiv. x. xvii. chap. 
 
 * Psalms xix and cxlviii, and Rev. 17 chap. 18, 19, 20, 21; and 22 chap. 
 
 a Psalm lxxxiv, 12. ' 
 
 b Nehemiah ix, 5, 6. e Mat. vi, 13- 
 
20 DEFENCE OF THE 
 
 BRIEF REFLECTIONS 
 
 Upon the Law of God; the Moral Law. And upon the natural and 
 moral imperfections, of the unregenerate human creation, and charac- 
 ter; with evidences of Gospel grace, and light. 
 
 " The Law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul." Psalms xix. 7. 
 
 "In the beginning (a)God created the heaven, and the earth. And 
 the earth was without form and void. And darkness was upon the 
 face of the deep: (6) And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the 
 waters. And God said, let there be light, and there was (c)light." 
 From this Scripture we are taught, that (d)Light, the (e)Word, and 
 the (y)Spirit, are inseparable powers of God: the (gjfirst principle 
 of law, action, and order, in the creation of all things. We are also 
 taught from the same, and from succeeding Scriptures, that God, 
 (/i)to the praise of his glory, in the beginning created all things upon 
 principles (i)morally good; and consistent with that (fc)perfect law in 
 virtue of which they were universally, and individually, to be govern- 
 ed, upheld, and preserved, in their progressive order, form, station, 
 and motion. (£)It appears evident, that where there is a given pro- 
 perty, or power of action, there is also a coherent secret principle, 
 or a law, invested every way suited and proportioned, to the order 
 and the government, of the body, part, creature, or thing, to which 
 that first principle, or power of action, is given. (?n)Man is the 
 only conscious moral terrestrial being. All other terrestrial creatures 
 are entirely destitute of conscious moral principles; from which it ap- 
 pears evident, that they have no given power, or property, capacita- 
 ted to receive impressions of the divine nature in a moral sense. 
 (n)Anil from which it appears plain, that man is the most exalted 
 creature, in all the orders, and ranks of terrestrial creation: and 
 that (o)he is possessed with given powers and properties, capacitated 
 to receive divine impressions of light and truth, from the source of 
 his existence, for the government of his moral actions. 
 
 That superior given power and property in man, which raises him 
 above all other terrestrial creatures, to the sublime rank of rational 
 
 a Gen. i. 1, 2. John i. 1 to 4. In the beginning was the word, and the word was with 
 
 God, and the word was God. 
 b God is a spirit, and they that worship him, must worship him in spirit and in truth. 
 
 John iv. 24. 
 c God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 1 John i. 5. 
 d Proverbs vi. 23. Thy law is light. 
 e St. John xvii. 17 Thy word is truth. 
 /John iv. 24. and xiv. 17. Thy spirit is truth. 
 £-Colos. i. 16 to 20. 
 h Ephesians i. 6. 
 i Genesis i. 4, 10, 18, 21, 25. And God saw every thing that he had made, and behold 
 
 it was verv good. 
 k Genesis i. S',7, 10, 12, 14, to 18, 21, 22, 24, 25, 26, to 30. 
 I Genesis 1 chapter. n Genesis i. 26. 
 
 ct Genesis ii. 15.' o Genesis ii. 16 to 20. 
 
CHRISTIAN RELIGION. 21 
 
 intelligence, is the (p)soul, moral and immortal; breathed into him 
 by his Divine Author, when man became a living soul, in the image 
 and likeness of his God, (g)with voluntary powers of action, free 
 will, and mind; which rendered him as a subordinate creature, ac- 
 countable to God, his living head; consistent with the power, privi- 
 lege, and liberty, with which he was invested. (r)The soul, the su- 
 perior inner man, and senses, is alone capacitated to receive imme- 
 diate divine impressions of light and truth from God. From thence 
 those divine impressions are communicated to the heart, to the intel- 
 lect, and to the senses of the whole man: (s) which clearly evidence 
 the Omnipresent God; and is to man (J)the law, (it) which is rea- 
 son's helm, a sure guide, (T?)the true light, which lighteth every 
 man that cometh into the world; that faithful monitor, (^con- 
 science, by grace, a perfect reproof and admonition, to the know- 
 ledge and evil of sin; and, to the knowledge, choice, and practice, of 
 every moral virtue, and pious, and civil duty. The testimony of an 
 (#)enlightened, tender reconciled conscience ,(y) void of offence; and 
 the happy assurance of the mercy, the love, and the fear of the true 
 and the living God, is the way of wisdom. As.it is written, (#)<• Hap- 
 py is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth under- 
 standing. For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise 
 of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold. She is more precious 
 than rubies, and all the things thou canst desire are not to be com- 
 pared unto her. Length of days is in her right hand, and in her left 
 hand riches and honor. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all 
 her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon 
 her. and happy is every one that retaineth her!" (a)Behold the fear of 
 the Lord that is wisdom, and to depart from evil is understanding! 
 (6)Do not err, my beloved brethren, Every good gift, and every 
 perfect gift, is from above, and cometh down from the Father of 
 lights; with whom there is no variableness, neither shadow of turn- 
 
 p Genesis ii. 7. 
 
 q Genesis ii. 8, 16, to 23. 
 
 r The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul. Psa. xix. 7. & 40, 8. The soul 
 converted, the heart is changed, the conscience enlightened, the judgment 
 is correctly informed, the carnal mind is subdued. This is the work of the Holy 
 bpirit, commenced in the soul, the immortal part, and supported by grace spring- 
 ing up into everlasting life. St. John vii. 38, and iv. 14. Whosoever drinketh of 
 the water that I shall give him shall never thirst. But the water that I shall give 
 him shall be in him a well of water, springing up unto everlasting life. And' Re- 
 velation vii. 17, and xxi. 6, and xxii. 17. 
 
 * Psalm cxxxix. 1 to 18. u Prov. vi. 23. 
 
 t Romans ii. 14, 15, v John i. 9. 
 
 ■w Turn >ou at my reproof, &c. St. John viii. 9, Actsxxiii. 1, and xxiv. 16, Rom. ii. 15, 
 and ix. 1, and xiii. 5, 2 Cor. i. 12, 1 Tim. iii. 9, and iv. 2, Heb. ix. 14, and x. 2, 22, 
 and 1 Peter iii. 21. 
 
 x Ephesians i. 18 to 23. 
 
 y Acts xxiv. 16. 
 
 z Prov. iii. 13, Prov. iv. 5 to 9, and Mat. xi. 19, and 1 Cor. i. 30. 
 
 a Job. xxviii. 28, and Psalm cxi. 10, and Psalm xxv. 14. The secret of the Lord is 
 with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant, and Psalm xxxiii, 
 18, and Psalm xxxiv. 7, 8, 9. 
 
 b James i. 16, 17. 
 
22 DEFENCE OF THE 
 
 ing. (c)Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto u 
 knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one Mediator, 
 between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; who gave himself a 
 ransom for all, to be testified in due time!" (rf)All analogical and phi- 
 losophical reasoning, correspond with the evidence upon which this 
 work is supported, to prove that like will produce like; and that 
 man, as immediately turned from the hand of his Creator, his Fa- 
 ther and his God, in his primitive perfection, beauty, and moral 
 innocence, when pronounced (e) k • very good," was. in some limited 
 sense, the image and likeness of his Sublime Author; (/)capable, so 
 far as the nature and the design of his creation would admit, to be 
 experimentally taught in all the requisite knowledge and enjoyment 
 of his Living Head. That the human creation, although continued, 
 and confined, by laws perfect and absolute (for the time present) with- 
 in their lawful order, form, and station;(g) have degenerated, or, by 
 some means, have lost, or fallen, from their exalted privilege of pri- 
 mitive perfection, beauty and moral innocence, as well by nature as 
 by wicked works; needs no further proof than a reference to every en- 
 lightened impartial conscience; and to all the facts recorded in an- 
 cient and modern history, corresponding with the evidence upon 
 which this work is supported. How, or in what manner, the human 
 creation has thus elapsed into that degenerate, disordered, and op- 
 pressed condition; mourning within the shades of death; enveloped 
 in darkness, sin, affliction, bondage, and misery, in which we, at 
 present, find them; is one amongst the most interesting inquiries. 
 
 A variety of sentiments, and diverse opinions, from able, learned, 
 and godly men, have been passed upon this subject: all of whom ap- 
 pear to agree, and are. from experience, compelled to confess, that 
 there is moral good and evil in the world. (ft)And that, although 
 there is an evil disposition, and wicked spirit, obnoxious to the good 
 order, peace, and happiness, of man and society, (contrary to all the 
 perfections of the blessed Creator.) attached to the human character 
 (i)It is also admitted, and proven from experience, that rational intel- 
 ligences have the given power, so far to choose the good, and to refuse 
 the evil, (i)that they may, by proper application, and by the proper 
 exercise of their given powers, curb their evil passions and wicked 
 dispositions, so far as to bring them into subordination; and under 
 such moral discipline, as will render them respectable, ornamental, 
 and useful members in society, as their reasonable and most interest- 
 
 c 1 Tim. ii. 4, 5, 6. and Acts x. 34, 35. Then Peter opened his mouth and said, of a 
 truth T perceive that God is no respecter of persons; but in every nation, he that 
 feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him. Ezekiel xviii. 32. 
 For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dietli, saith the Lord God: where^ 
 fore, turn yourselves and live ye; and Isaiah lv. 6, 7, and Mat. vii. 7, 8. 
 
 d Genesis i. 12, 21, and Genesis iv. 1, 2. 
 
 e Genesis i. 31- 
 
 /Gen. ii. 19,20, and Eph. iv. 15. 
 
 ^•Gen. mix . chap, and Gen. vi. 3, 4, 5, 11, 12. 
 
 h John :ii. 19, 20, 21, and Romans viii. 7. 
 
 i Joshua xxiv. 15, and 1 Kings xvii. 21, and Luke x. 42. 
 
CHRISTIAN RELIGION. 28 
 
 ing duty. (i/)But, in every other respect, as it relates to tlie glory 
 of God, and to their own salvation, (by reason of fallen nature's im- 
 perfection,) as it is written. They are but unprofitable servants! 
 (^Nevertheless, in all ages, we have ever found, in the degenerate 
 human creation, such an infectious, fatal moral defect; (rc)that men 
 and nations, regardless of every admonition, have sunk down into 
 heathen idolatry, savage cruelty, and brutal barbarity :(&) so as to 
 forget and to deny the true and the living God. They are correctly 
 represented as being dead in trespasses, and in sins; vain in their ima- 
 ginations; fashioning to themselves Gods to answer their own wicked 
 inventions; their foolish hearts became darkened, (c)" Like the deaf 
 adder that stoppeth her ear, which will not hearken to the voice of 
 the charmer, charming never so wisely!" (d)From undoubted autho- 
 rity, a large majority of the human family ever have been, and still 
 continue to be, in this truly lamentable condition. The word of in- 
 spired truth has correctly marked them in all ages: and by the right- 
 eous judgments of the true and the living God, their ruins are spread 
 over the earth. (e)It is also written, their final dissolution shall 
 surely come!* 
 
 To remedy a perpetual succession of those miserable evils which 
 threatened a destruction of the world; (/)the wisdom of God, (g)to 
 the praise of the glory of his grace, wrought in the human creation; 
 
 y So likewise ye, when ye have done all those thing's which are commanded you, 
 say we are unprofitable servants; we have done that which was our duty to do. 
 Luke xvii. 10. 
 
 z Genesis iv. 8 to 17. The degenerate sons and daughters of Adam characterized, 
 See Genesis vi, 3, 4, 5, 11, 12. 
 
 a Genesis x. 8, 9, 10, and Genesis xi. 1 to 9. Babel the great idol raised; God's judg- 
 ment on them. 
 
 b Psalm xiv. 1 to 5. and Psalm liii. 1 to 5. Rom. i. 18 to 33; and Ezekiel xxiii. 20; 
 and in sundry other scriptures; Psalm xcvi. 5; " For all the gods of the nation 
 are idols." 
 
 c Psalm lviii. 4, 5. Their poison is like the poison of serpents, &c. Psalm xl. 3; and 
 Romans ill - 15. 
 
 d The heathen are sunk down into the pit which they made; in the net which they hid 
 is their own foot taken. The Lord is known by the judgments which he exe- 
 cuteth: the wicked is snared in the work of his own hand ! Higgaion ! — Selah ! 
 The wicked shall be tured into hell with all the nations that forget God. Psalm 
 ix. 15, 16, 17. 
 
 e Psalm ci. 8; and Rev. xviii. and xx. 12 to 15; and xxi. 8. 
 
 * Query 4. Is it not consistent with the evidence upon which this work is supported, 
 to conclude, that the title written " Mystery, Babylon the Great, the Mother of 
 Harlots, and of every abomination of the Earth," has a reference to those idola- 
 trous nations, with whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication; and 
 the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornica- 
 tion: the latter alluding to that wicked carnal spirit, manifested in the unregene- 
 rate sons and daughters of fallen Adam. Rev. xvii. 5; and xviii. 24. 
 /Corinthians i. 2 ,31. 
 
 g Ephesians i. 6. 
 
 h Judges xiii. 18. Why askest thou after my name, seeing it is secret ! — The secret of 
 the Lord is with them that fear him; and he will-show them his covenant. Psalm 
 xxv. 14. 
 
24 DEFENCE OF THE 
 
 a coherent (h)secret principle; (?)a seed of (fe) life smd immortality; 
 {l)etemal life. In virtue of which, in all ages, He hath miracuoosly 
 reserved, and qualified to himself, a peculiar people, zealous of good 
 works; whom He (m)called from amongst the idolatrous ration- and 
 to whom, and to their successive generations, He committed the ora- 
 cles oHruth and divine revelation. Through their instrumentality, (for 
 the strong consolation; the sure hope; and the happiness of his people; 
 and for the government, the conversion, and the happiness of apostate 
 man.) He disclosed from the inexhaustible treasures of his own divine 
 perfections, a further knowledge of the truth* and of the way of life 
 and immortality. *First, in virtue of the (n)covenant of promise, to 
 all that believe. And, secondly, in virtue of the (o)word, published from 
 Sinai's thundering, fiery top the original (p)law; the ttn command- 
 ments^*/) on two tables of testimony — two tables of stone; written with 
 the finger of God ! The first four commandments teaching man his 
 duty towards God; and the last six commandments teaching man his 
 duty towards his fellow man. 
 
 In addition to the foregoing, are sundry subsequent corresponding 
 (r)promises; as well as moral precepts; (s)or corresponding moral sec- 
 
 / Genesis iii. 15. Gen. xii. 3. and xviii. 18. and xxvii. 33. and Romans iv. 13. And in 
 
 thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed. Psalm xxii. 30. and Mat. 
 
 xiii. 38. The good seed are the children of the kingdom. Luke viii. 11. The 
 
 seed is the word of God! — 1 Peter i. 23.— 1 John iii. 9. — Prov. xi. 21. Isaiah liii. 
 
 10. — Malichi ii. 15.— Rom. ix. 6, 7, 8, 29.— Gal. iii. 16. Now to Abraham and his 
 
 •ted were the promises made. He saith not, unto seeds, as of many, but as of one;' 
 
 And to thy seed, which is Christ ! ! 
 h Genesis ii. 7, 9. Deut. xxx. 15. Psalm xvi. 11; and xxx. 5; and xxxvi. 9. For with 
 
 thee is the fountain of life. In thv light shall we see light. Prov. viii. 35; xv. 
 
 24; St. John i. 4; and iii. 36; and vi. 35, 40, 47, ^8 to 51, 63, 68. St. John viii. 12; 
 
 and x. 10; and xi. 25, 26; and xiv. 6; and Romans v. 17; and viii. 2, 6; and 2 Cor. 
 
 ii. 16; and iii. 6. and v. 4; and Gal. ii. 20; and Colos. iii. 3, 4; and 2 Tim. 1. 10. 
 I St. Mat. xx. 28; S. John iii. 15; and vi. 54, 68; and x. 28; and xii. 25; and xvii. 2, 
 
 3; and Acts xiii. 48; and Rom. v. 21; and vi 23; and Titus iii. 7 ; and 1 John i. 2; 
 
 and ii. 25; and v. 11,12. And this is the record God hath given to us, eternal 
 
 life; and this Life is in His So". 
 m Genesis xii. 1, 2, 3, and Exodus 3 chap, and Romans ix. 1 to 5. 
 n Genesis iii. 15; andix. 9 to 17; and xii. 2, 3; and xv. 18; and xvii. 7; and 2 Samuel 
 
 xviii. 3, 5; and Psalm cv. 9, 10; and lxxxix. 3,4, 28, to 37; and Isaiah xiii. 6, & 54, 
 
 10; and lv. 3; and lix. 21; and Dan. ix 27; and Malachi iii. 1; and Heb. vi. 13 to 
 
 20; and viii. 8 to 13; and xii 24. So then they which be of faith, are blessed with 
 
 faithful Abraham. Galatians iii. 9. 
 o The Lord gave the word: great was the company that published it. Psalm lxviii. 11. 
 
 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. Psalm cxix. 105. 
 
 The entrance of thy words giveth light, it giveth understanding unto the simple. 
 
 Psalm cxix. 130. Thy word is truth. John xvii. 17. Thy law is the truth. Psalm 
 
 cxix. 142, 151. John i. 1 to 4. In the beginning was the word; the word was 
 
 with God, and the word was God. 
 p Exodus xx 3 to 17. 
 9 Exodus xxxi. 18 The Law. 
 r Psalm lxviii. 18; and cxlv. 13, 14; and Isaiah xi. 1 to 11; and xiii. 1 to 4; & Iii. chap. 
 
 and liv. 8 to 17; and lxi. 1 to 3; and Zech. ix. 11, 12; and Isaiah xlix. 15, 16; and 
 
 Micah vii. 8, 9; and vfalachi iii. 1; and Matt. i. 21; and v. 3 to 12; and St. John v. 
 
 24; and Gal. iv. 4, 5, 6, 8; and Ephe. i. 13, 14; and Heb. ii. 14, 15; and x. 7 to 17, 
 
 &.c. with many others. 
 .? Micah vi. 8; and Mat. vii. 12 Therefore, all things whatsoever ye would that men 
 
 should do to you, do ye even so to them; for this is the law and the prophets. 
 
CHRISTIAN RELIGION. 25 
 
 tions to the said law; given in virtue of divine inspiration, through 
 the instrumentality of the holy prophets, as fully recorded in the Holy 
 Scriptures. All of these are perfectly qualified, so as to be completely 
 suited to the capacity and character of a fallen intelligent creation; 
 as their perfect rule oifaith[t) and life bearing testimony, with every 
 enlightened conscience, to the knowledge of the truth, and to that which 
 is morally good; and, also, to the knowledge and evil of sin. (n)And 
 also directing them to their living head, by faith;(v) and by a conti- 
 nual practice in all the means and works of moral virtue, and pious 
 and civil duty. In the exercise of which, it has pleased God to attach 
 the happy reward(w) of exceeding great and precious promises (x) 
 that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having 
 escaped the corruptions that is in the world through lust! Neverthe- 
 less, we still find, as the true light prevails,(i/) such is the moral de- 
 pravity of the unregenerate human character; (» N and of the carnal 
 mind which is enmity against God: that many are deceived, and 
 tempted to disbelieve, and to oppose the oracles of truth, and divine 
 revelation. (a)They presumptuously set at nought the councils of 
 God;(b) and in the pride of their hearts, (c)professing themselves to be 
 wise above what is written; (d)tliey prefer and take their own fallen 
 reason for a guide: they also become their own judges; judging them- 
 selves by themselves. (e)Thus the light that is in them, becomes 
 darkness: and they are easily and contentedly drawn into that very 
 prevalent, flattering delusion of a natural good(/) heart; and of a 
 betrayed, obdurate, counterfeit conscience; in their view, void of 
 
 t St. John v. 39. Search the Scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life; 
 
 and they are they which testify of me. 
 u St. John i. 29; and "iii. 14 to 21; and vii. 37; and vi. 35, 37; and Mat. xi. 28, 29, 30. 
 
 Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest; take 
 
 my yoke upon you, and learn of me, for I am meek and lowly in heart, and ye 
 
 shall find rest unto your souls; for my yoke is easy and my burthen light. 
 v Psalm xxvii. 14; and 1. 23; and cvii. 43; and Isaiah lv. 1, 2, 3, 6, to 14; and Revela- 
 
 xxii. 17. 
 a 2 Peter i. 4; Genesis xxxii. 24 to 29; IChron. iv. 10; and Psalm xxv. 14; and xxxiv. 
 
 7; and Ixxxv. 9; and cxi. 10; and cxlvii. 11; and Mai. iv. 2; and Matt. v. 6; and 7 
 
 chap.: and Luke xii. 5; and Rom. xii. 2; and Heb. iv. 1. 
 .r Psalm lxxxiv. 11. St. John viii. 12, 31, 32, 36. Gal. vi. 9. And let us not be 
 
 weary in well doing", for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. And Matt. 
 
 xxiv. 13; andRom/xii. 12 to 21; and 1 Corin. iii. 8; and xv. 58; and Reve. ii. 7, 10. 
 y Romans iii. 10 to 18. 
 z Romans viii. 7. Becauset he carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject 
 
 to the law of God; neither indeed can be. 
 a Proverbs i. 24 to 33. 
 b Obadiah 3, 4; and 1 John ii. 15, 16, 17. 
 
 c Job xi. 12; and Jeremiah iv. 22; and Romans i. 22; and 1 Corinthians iii. 19. 
 d Proverbs iii. 5. 
 
 e Job xviii. 5; and Matt. vi. 22, 23. If, therefore, the light that is in thee be dark- 
 ness, how great is that darkness. 
 /The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked who can know it. 
 
 Jerem. xvii. 9. Rom. vii. 9; and Phil. iii. 6. Repent and believe the Gospel. 
 
 St. Marki. 15. Acts ii. 38. 
 4 
 
26 DEFENCE OF THE 
 
 offence! (g)Others, more notorious, from the corruptions of a heart 
 rejecting reason's guide,* and regarding the honor, wisdom, and 
 flattery of men, more than the fear, the truth, the word, and the love 
 of God; are tempted to disbelieve and to use all their influence in op- 
 position to that incontrovertible truth of a coherent conscious principle 
 of moral good and evil; attributing every moral virtue as the effects of 
 necessity, arising entirely from the force and prejudice of education, 
 manners, and customs; rather than from that moral law, by the word; 
 and finger of God set forth; and wisely wrought in the perfect economy 
 of the human creation, as an acting principle leading to the knowledge 
 of the truth; and to that which is morally good; and to the knowledge 
 and evil of sin ! 
 
 It is evident, that from the force and prejudice of an unguarded 
 education. (h) and of bad manners and customs, the moral law, that 
 perfect monitor, may be so far(i) set at nonght, that the inexperienced 
 may be more readily (fe)enticed by sinners; and, in the pride of their 
 hearts, fall easy victims to the habitual practice of sin; and to delight 
 in every moral evil, which experience has ever taught, leads to inter- 
 minable misery ! !(m) 
 
 It is also evident, that from the force of a well directed educa- 
 tion, pious example, and civil manners, and customs, as previously 
 observed, rational intelligences may be taught more properly, 
 and successfully, in the exercise of their gifts and abilities, so as 
 better to curb their evil passions and wicked dispositions, and 
 bring them under such moral discipline, as will render them re- 
 spectable, ornamental, and useful members in society, as their 
 most reasonable and interesting duty. (n)Upon this principle is 
 founded the equitable authority of all civil governments; and moral 
 institutions, leading to every promotion, and to every useful scientific 
 
 g Psalm xxxix. 5, 11; and lxii. 9; and St. John v. 44. How can ye believe when ye 
 receive honor one of another, and seek not the honor that corneth from God ? 
 Wo unto him that stnveth with his Maker! Let the potsherd strive with the pot- 
 sherds of the earth. Tsaiah xlv. 9; Psalm x. 
 Mat. iii. 8; Bring forth, therefore, fruits meet for repentance. Except ye repent 
 ye shall all likewise perish. Luke xiii. 2 to 9. Ezekiel xviii. 32. For I have 
 no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord; wherefore, turn your- 
 selves and live ye; and 2 Peter iii. 9. 
 * Reason, the most noble faculty in man, is not left without a law or a guide. He. 
 that rejects the law, the reproof; rejects the higher power. John xvi. 7 to 11. 
 And forsakes his own mercy. Jonah ii. 8. He that rejects the law, the light; 
 rebels, and set up his own fallen reason for a guide; a rival against the Omnipre- 
 sent God. He sets up a standard of infidelity and idolatry, by which, if he is 
 judged, he will surely be condemned; as it is written. Luke xix. 22 Out of 
 thine own mouth shalt thou be judged. 
 
 h Corinthians xv. 33. Be not deceived; evil communications corrupt good manners. 
 
 i Prov. i. 25; 
 
 k Prov. i. 10, 16. My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not. For their feet 
 run to evil; and make haste to shed blood — and Prov. vi. 17, 18, 19. and 7 chap, 
 and 19, 18. Train up a child in the way that he should go, and when he is 
 old he will not depart from it. Prov. xxii. 6. 
 
 m Deut. iv. 9; 1 Samuel xii. 32. Psalm cxi. 10. Psalm xxxiv. 11 to 14. Psalm 
 lxxxiy. 11. 
 
 n Exodus xx. 1 to 20- 
 
CHRISTIAN RELIGION. 2 7 
 
 knowledge and improvement. (o)To this desirable end has ever been 
 directed the wise administration of every well regulated political go- 
 vernment. (p)And to this exalted purpose has ever been exercised 
 every honest, honorable, and godly exertion of human wisdom and 
 power. (tf)Yet we find, from long experience, that the arm of fleshy 
 has ever failed in a perfect recovery of the human creation and cha- 
 racter, from that unhappy moral defect, or physical evil; with which 
 all the natural sons and daughters of fallen Adam have ever been in- 
 fested ! 
 
 Such is the subtilty of (r)that man of sin; by reason of fallen na- 
 ture's imperfection, and by reason of the strong propensities of an 
 unsubdued, carnal mind, (s) which is enmity against God, it appears 
 from example; (f)that the highly favored subjects of mercy, (under 
 the law) (m)"w1io were once enlightened, and have tasted of the 
 heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, and have 
 tasted of the good word of God, and the powers of the world to 
 come." That even those are liable to fall away. And under bondage, 
 and temptation, (r)some of them contrary to their better light and 
 knowledge, have drawn back. (w)Entangled again in sin, their last 
 state became (a?)worse than the first. (y) So that, consistent with the 
 examples, and faithful exhortations held forth in the Holy Scriptures; 
 long experience has ever taught the absolute necessity of a continual 
 (a)vigilant perseverance in welLdoing; as well politically, as religi- 
 
 o Leviticus and Deuteronomy 28 chapter. 
 
 p Deuteronomy xxxi. 15 to 20; and Isaiah xxviii. 10, 13. 
 
 q The Jews are a living witness of this lamentable truth. See Jeremiah xxvii. ch. 1 
 
 to 10; and in sundry other scriptures. The wickedness of fallen man described. 
 r Genesis iv. 7. Sin lieth at the door, 8cc. Psalm iv. 4. Stand in awe, and sin not: 
 
 and 2Thess. ii. 3; and 1 Peter v. 8; and R<*v. xiii. chap, andxviii. 24. 
 s Romans viii. 7. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject 
 
 to the law of God, neither indeed can be. 
 1 1 Chron. xxviii. 9; and 2 Chron. xv. 2. The Lord is with you while ye be with him; 
 
 and if ye seek him he will be found of you; but if ye forsake him, he will forsake 
 
 you. And Ezekiel xxxiii. chap. 10 to 16; and Luke viii. 12, 13, 14. 
 u Hebrews vi. 4 to 8; and x. 25 to 31, 38; and xii. 13 to 17"; and 1 Corin. ix. 26, 27; and 
 
 1 Tim. i. 18, 19, 20; & 2 Peter i. 10; & 2 Peter ii. 20, 21, 22; & the epistle of Jnde; 
 
 and Rev. ii. 5, 16; and hi. 15 to 19; and 1 Corin. x. 12. Wherefore let him that 
 
 thinketh he slandeth, take heed lest he fall. 
 v John iii. 19, 20, 21; and vi. 66 to 71; and 1 John v. 16; and Hebrews x. 38. 
 w Gal. v. 1 to 6. Be not entangled again in the yoke of bondage. And Heb. xii. 1 to 4. 
 x St. Matt. xii. 43, 44, 45; and Luke xi. 24, 25, 26; and 2 Peter ii. 20, 21, 22. 
 y St. Matt. xxv. 13. Watch — therefore watch and pray lest ye enter into temptation. 
 
 Mark xiii. 37. And what I say unto you I say unto all, watch. 
 x Deuteronomy x. 12 to 22; and xiii. chap.'; and Micah vi. 6 to 9; and vii. 9; and 2 Pet.i. 
 
 1 to 10. Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling 
 
 and election sure; for if ye do these things, ye shail never fall. And 3 Ch. 17; 
 
 and 1 John iii. 19 
 Should any be betrayed into error and sin; or have backslidden, we exhort: " Repent 
 
 and do thy first works. Rev. ii 5. W T ait upon the Lord. Psalm 27, 14. And hope 
 
 in the mercy of our God. Psalm xxxiii. 18; and cxlvii. 11. The Lord taketh 
 
 pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy. And Jeremiah 
 
 iii. 13, 14; and Hebrews xii. 4; and Psalm xxv. 8 to 14; and Micah vii. 18, 19, 20. 
 Should any fall into temptation, we encourage to wait upon the Lord, and to believe 
 
 in the promises. 1 Kings vi. 13; and Isaiah xii. 17; and xiii. 16; and xlix. 15, 16; 
 
 and Micah vii 7, 8, 9; and James i. 12; and 1 Peter iv. 12; and 1 Corin. x. 13; and 
 
 Hebrews ii. 9 to 18. 
 
28 DEFENCE OF THE 
 
 ously, and individually, to prevail (in a moral sense) against that uni- 
 versal evil, which has ever invaded the tranquillity, peace, and hap- 
 piness of all men, societies, and nations? 
 
 It also appears, from example, that all (a)subjects of mercy, who 
 by grace are (6)convinced of sin. (c)And who are experimentally ex- 
 ercised under the law. (d)WJio are mourning under the burthen of 
 sin; (e)and striving to be delivered from bondage, and from the reign- 
 ing influence of the carnal mind which is enmity against God. That 
 even they themselves; although they know, and disapprove the wrong, 
 (under bondage and temptation.) (/)yet the good that they would 
 they do not; but the evil which they would not, that they do; so that, 
 by reason of the (g-)strength of sin, (under the law) they are con- 
 strained, with vital repentance, and humility, to adopt the language 
 of divine inspiration, as it is written, (/i)"0 wretched man that I am, 
 who shall deliver me from the body of this death \"(i) And with a bro- 
 ken and a contrite heart !(&) And with fervent prayer and supplica- 
 tion 1(1) And with zeal and attention to all the means of grace; they 
 
 Should any fall under chastisement, or in the furnace of affliction, we exhort to trust 
 in the Lord. IChron. v. 20; Psalm xxii. 4, 5; and iv. 5; and xxxvii.3, 4, 5,40; 
 and lxii. 5 to 8; and cxxv. 1; and Isaiah xxvi. 4. Wait upon the Lord; believe in 
 his word, and in his promise. Deuter. xxx. 5; and Job v. 17 to 27; and Psalm xciv. 
 12; and cxviii. 18; and Lamenta. iii. 21 to 32; and Heb. vi. 13 to 20; and xii. 5 to 13; 
 and Rev. iii. 19; and Rev. vii. 14. The Lord passeth hi9 people under the rod, 
 and saveth them through the furnace of affliction. " Zion shall be redeemed with 
 judgment, and her converts with righteousness." Isaiah i. 27. 
 We are not of them who draw back unto perdition, but of them that believe to the 
 saving of the soul. Hebrews x. 39. For this is the will of God, even your sancti- 
 fication. 1 Tbes. iv. 3. 
 
 a Exodus xx. 6; and Psalm xxv. 10; and Prov. xvL 6; and 2 Sam. xxii. 26; and Hosea 
 vi. 6; and Psalm c 5. 
 
 b John i. 17; and xii. 46; and xvi. 7 to 11; and Ephes. ii, 5, 8. 
 
 c Rom. vii. 7 to 23; and Gal. iv. 1 to 6. 
 
 d Matt. v. 3, 4; and Rom. vii. 24. 
 
 e Romans viii. 1 to 15. 
 
 /Romans vii. 14 to 23; and Gal. v. 16, 17. For the flesh lusteth against the spirit, and 
 the spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary the one to the other, so that ye 
 cannot do the things that ye would. 
 
 g 1 Corin. xv. 56, 57. The sting of death is sin; and the strength ofj sin is the law. 
 But thanks be to God,which giveth us the victory, through our Lord Jesus Christ. 
 And Rom. iv. 14 to 17; and v. 12 to 21. 
 
 /< Romans vii. 24, 25; Isaiah xlii. 16. I will bring the blind by a way that they knew 
 not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known: I will make darkness 
 light before'them, and crookedjthings straight. These things will I do for them, and 
 not forsake them. 
 
 i Acts v. 31; andxi. 18; and Mark i. 4; and Luke iii. 3; and Matt. iii. 8; and ix. 13; and 
 Psalm li. 17. The sacrifices of God is a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite 
 heart, O God thou wilt not despise. John vi. 28, 29; and Isaiah lvii. 15 to 19; and 
 Matt. v. 2 to 12. 
 
 k Matt. vii. 7, 8; and Luke xviii. 13; and Acts ii. 37, 38, 39; and Luke xv. 17. 
 
 I Matt. vi. 33; and John v. 39. 
 
 m Songs i. 7, 8; Ephes. v. 1; Heb. xiii. 7; and 1 Peter 1 ch.; Isaiah xlii. 21; and Matt, iii, 
 17; and Rom. x. 4, 6,9, 10, 11. 
 
 n Gal. iii. 6, 9, 14, 21 to 29; and Heb. vii. 6, 13 to 20; and Rom. viii. For what the law- 
 could not in that it was weak through the flesh; God sendeth his own son in the 
 flesh, and condemned sin in the flesh. 
 
 o John iii. 3, 5, 6, 13 to 21; Psalm lxviii. 18, 19, 20. Thou hast ascended on high: 
 thou hast led captivity captive: thou hast received gifts for men; yea for the rebel- 
 lious also, that the Lord God might dwell among them. 
 
CHRISTIAN RELIGION. 29 
 
 again, and again, with all diligence, trim the midnight lamp, and 
 travel o'er the sacred lettered lore; and, as they are (m)instructed, 
 consult the way-marks, leading to life and immortality in a final per- 
 severance, to (n)inherit the promise. *Born of the Holy Spirit, 
 and influenced by grace; (o)they ever press forward towards the 
 mark for the prize of their high calling of God in Christ Jesus, (p) 
 Thus taught of the Holy Spirit; in the exercise of faith, they gladly 
 hear the (q) joyful sound! And entertain a sure hope, founded in the 
 (r)covenant promise, (s)the gospel of their salvation. " Whereby ye 
 are sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, which is the earnest of 
 our inheritance, until the redemption of the purchased possession, to 
 the praise of his glory. (£)The spirit itself beareth witness with our 
 spirit that we are the children of God: And, if children, then heirs, 
 heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ. If so be that we suffer 
 with him, that we maybe glorified together! (m)Now we know that 
 what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the 
 law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world become 
 guilty before God. Therefore, by the deeds of the law there shall 
 no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of 
 sin. But now, the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, 
 being witnessed by the law and the prophets; even the righteousness 
 of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all, and upon all those 
 that believe: for there is no difference, for all have sinned and come 
 short of the glory of God; being justified freely by his grace through 
 the redemption that is in Christ Jesus." 
 
 Thus the (v)kingdom of our God, with all the good and perfect 
 works within the kingdom of our God; and the laws of our God, uni- 
 versal, and moral; are all like the Omnipotent, Omniscient, and Om- 
 nipresent God himself! that filleth immensity ! eternity ! there is no 
 vacuum. His kingdom is eternity ! His works and his laws are every 
 where manifested; suited to the nature, capacity, circumstance, and 
 situation, of all bodies, parts, creatures, and things; so as not to pro- 
 duce disorder and confusion; yet incomprehensible! (w)He is God; 
 the righteous Judge; (.x)the Lord God, merciful, gracious, long-suf- 
 
 * John iii. 3, 5, 6, 13 to 21. 
 
 o Philip, iii. 14. p 1 John ii. 27, 28, 29. 
 
 q Psa. lxxxix. 15. Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound: they shall walk,'0 
 Lord, in the light of thy countenance. In thy name shall they rejoice all the 
 day: and in thy righteousness shall they be exalted. 
 
 r Isaiah lv. 3; and Jeremiah xxxi. 33, 34; and Hebrews viii. 9 to 13. 
 
 s Ephes. i. 11 to 14; and Isaiah xli. 10. I will greatly rejoice in the Lord; my soul shall 
 be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation; he 
 hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh him- 
 self with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with jewels. Isaiah lxi. 10, 
 11; and Hab. iii. 17, 18, 19. 
 
 t Rom. viii. 15, 16, 17, 32 to 39. Deuteronomy xxxiii. 27, 28, 29. Happy art thou 
 O Israel; who is like unto thee, O people, saved of the Lord, the shield of thy help, 
 and who is the sword of thy excellency! And thine enemies shall be found liars 
 unto thee, and thou shalt tread upon their high places. 
 
 u Romans iii. 19 to 31. 
 
 v Psalm cxlv. 1 to 14. 
 
 •w Psalm lviii. 11. 
 
 x Exodus xxxiv. 6. 
 
30 DEFENCE OF THE 
 
 fering, and abundant in goodness and in truth ! And to the praise of 
 his own glory he hath revealed himself under the sublime character, 
 — {y)I AM THAT I AM— I AM— (*)JEHOVAH!— (a)The God 
 of Israel ! (6)1, even I, am the Lord, and besides me there is no Sa- 
 viour! (c)Look unto me, and be ye saved, all ye ends of the earth, 
 for I am God, and there is none else! 
 
 (d)In defiance of all the ungodly devices, the sinful influence, or 
 scornful opposition, of the wisdom of this world, or of deluded men, 
 and nations, to the contrary. The law of God, the holy moral law, 
 has, heretofore, and will, forever, prevail, (ejin a total condemna- 
 tion; and, in the final overthrow of all the degenerate impenitent 
 wicked; or in the happy conversion of thousands, to a knowledge of 
 the truth; and to a peaceful reconciliation with that just and righte- 
 ous God; who by that holy law will (/)judge the world in righteous- 
 ness! 
 
 Apostate man may seek innumerable remedies and inventions, 
 to rest his false hopes upon; aud under his (g)fig-leaf covering pre- 
 sume, to put forth his defiled, impious hands to take of the tree of 
 life, and say, I live forever. Which may (speaking after the man- 
 ner of the unregenerate) for the time present, give momentary ease. 
 But the cherubims! — The laws of God, perfect and absolute, univer- 
 sal; and the holy moral law ! — The flaming sword, which turneth 
 every way, to keep the way of the tree of life; will irresistibly in 
 letter and in spirit, point to the least, and every sin, and moral im- 
 perfection, (h) From the bondage and the curse of which, if we are not 
 
 y Exodus iii. 14. 
 z Exodus vi. 3. 
 a Exodus xxiv. 10. 
 b Isaiah xlii. 11. 
 c Jeremiah xlv. 22. 
 
 d Psalm I. 1. Blessed is the man that walketh not in the council of the ungodly, nor 
 standeth in the way of sinners, norsitteth in the seat of the scornful. 
 
 2. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and 
 night. And Josh. i. 8; and Psalm, cxix. 97. 
 
 3. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his 
 fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall 
 prosper. And Jerem. xvii. 8. 
 
 4. The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away. 
 
 5. Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the con- 
 gregation of the righteous. 
 
 6. For the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous, but the way of the ungodly shall 
 perish. And Psalm xxxv. 18; Nehe. i. 7; and 2 Tim. ii. 19. 
 
 Psalm II. 1. "Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? 
 
 2. The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, 
 against the Lord, and against his anointed, saying 
 
 3. Let us break their bands, and cast away their cords from us. 
 
 4. He thatsitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision. 
 
 5. Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure- 
 
 6. Yet have I set my son upon my holy hill of Zion. And 6 to 12 verse, 
 e Exodus xx. 5, 6. 
 
 /Psalm xcvi. 13. 
 
 g Genesis iii. 7,24. 
 
 h Galations iii. 7 to 29; and Romans x. 4. 
 
CHRISTIAN RELIGION. 31 
 
 redeemed; this law will for ever shut, and bar us out from an entrance 
 into the peaceful presence of a reconciled God; and from the happy 
 enjoyment of that ever-to-be-remembered, celestial paradise, in fallen 
 Adam lost ! 
 
 By the foregoing brief reflections, as I designed, having, so far, 
 shown my ideas of the infinite perfections of the blessed Creator; 
 and, also, as I designed having shown my ideas of the moral defect 
 that there is in the human creation and character, there now remains 
 the following query, or leading question, to be resolved, upon which 
 turns the whole arguments of our investigation, in support of this 
 part of the subject before us, viz. 
 
 Query Y.~—Or leading Question. 
 
 How are all the incomprehensible perfections of the blessed Crea- 
 tor to be reconciled with the imperfections, and that moral defect, 
 which is proved to be in the human creation and character? And how 
 is that perfect, pure, and holy God, together with his perfect, pure, 
 and holy law, and the imperfect, impure, unholy, and sinful human 
 creation and character, to be reconciled, and harmoniously united, to 
 the praise of the truth, the justice, the mercy, the love and the glory 
 of God? 
 
 If this query, or leading question, can be resolved upon literal 
 evidence, or upon natural, analogical, and philosophical reasoning, I 
 should feel highly gratified to see the statement. I confess mjself 
 inadequate to the task upon that principle; and, of course, from that 
 source cannot find the happy knowledge, or the love of God. But, 
 upon the doctrines of the Christian religion, the everlasting gospel, 
 and divine revelation; to me, it appears plain, that the same may be 
 resolved consistent with all the evidence upon which this work is sup- 
 ported, and consistent with all the perfect works of intelligiblecreation; 
 to the praise of the truth, the justice, the mercy, the love, and the 
 glory of the blessed Creator; and, upon the evidence of which, I 
 know from blessed experience, there is an inexpressible happiness in 
 the knowledge, and in the love of God!=& 
 
 * It is written, " Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have enteredinto the heart 
 of man, the thing's which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath 
 revealed them unto us by his spirit." 1 Corin. ii. 9, 10; and Isaiah lxiv. iv. And we 
 know that God is love. 1 John iv. 16. 
 
32 DEFENCE, &JC. 
 
 In the conclusion of the preceding brief reflections, on Sunday 
 night, 1 6th November, A. D. 1823, in my repose, the following hymn, 
 leading from the law to the gospel, was suddenly and sweetly im- 
 pressed upon my mind. I instantly arose from my pillow and com- 
 mitted it to writing. As I received the precious gift, in the conclu- 
 sion of this first number; under a humiliating sense of my unworthi- 
 ness and imperfections; so I submit the same to public view; with fer- 
 vent prayers, that both it and my labors, through grace, may prove a 
 blessing; and that they may be attended with the knowledge and the 
 love of God; and with everlasting consolation, to the perfect peace, and 
 union of all brethren, children of our heavenly king, who sit together 
 in heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 
 
 HYMN I. 
 
 1 . Thy perfect, good, and holy law, 
 That strikes the heart with silent awe; 
 Dictates thy omnipresent will, 
 
 And tells the sinners what will kill. , 
 
 2. Grace doth the stony heart unveil, 
 Thy law and truth shall then prevail; 
 To turn the sinner from his ways, 
 
 With fear, repentance, prayer, and praise. 
 
 3. Thy truth, thy law, and sin all tell, 
 The soul is sentenced down to hell; 
 Thy justice speaks — the ransom's paid: 
 Thy mercy shows the sinner saved. 
 
 4. Thy promise and redeeming love, 
 Thy Holy Spirit from above, 
 Inspires the soul with life divine, 
 And seals the purchase that is thine. 
 
 5. Thy wisdom, truth, and righteousness, 
 Thy justice, mercy, love, and peace; 
 Here all unite with sweet accord, 
 
 And turns the heart to praise the Lord.* 
 
 6. Creation all in chorus join, 
 With praises to our God divine; 
 Christians love, and sing, and tell, 
 That Christ the Lord doth all things well. 
 
 * Psalm lxxxv. 10, 
 
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