Simplicity and probity of mind proper qualifications

to understand, Divine Revelation, and to prac tice the Evangelical virtues.

I propose to prove this from the course of God's providence in the constitution, character, and moral government of the human mind, as it is exhibited to us in the inspired volume, and as we discover it in the lives, and manners of men.

We learn, from the Divine word, that we are born in sin. Except that, we are redeemed under the conditions of the covenant of grace, we come into the world lost creatures. We are so far fallen from original righteousness, that our best actions partake of the nature of sin. We have, nevertheless, either implanted in the embryo faculties of the understanding, or communicated from time to time, in the constant, but secret agency of the Holy Spirit, a power to distinguish and chuse between right and wrong, and to comprehend and obey the law of God. This power is not given to one, and withheld from another; it is the common endowment of every descendant of Adam.

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for the reception of divine truth.

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It may not, indeed, be imparted to all in equal portions. One man has only one ta lent; another has ten. But to every one is given what is essential to his consolation here, and to his undisturbed felicity in the immeasurable durations of futurity; all that is necessary to conduct him to the blessed end, which almighty goodness has marked out for him; so that he cannot fail to arrive at that end, but through perverseness and waywardness in the exercise of the understanding and the government of the heart; but through a criminal neglect or abuse of the powers given him, for the attainment of the salvation of God.

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With this directing power, this rational principle, man was originally formed in the likeness of his Maker; and, since his fall, it is by the exercise of this faculty, that he attains to any knowledge of the existence, of the attributes, and of the will of his maker. this knowledge is attainable, to a considerable degree, by the natural light of reason improved by education and reflection, cannot be denied by any person, who has only a slight acquaintance

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Simplicity and probity of mind proper qualifications

acquaintance with the wisdom of the ancient heathens. But it is attested by St. Paul in his epistle to the Romans. That, which may be known of God, saith he, is manifest in men; for God hath shewed it unto them; for the invisible things of Him, from the creation of the world are clearly seen, even his eternal power and Godhead, being understood by the things that are made. And again he says; there is no respect of persons with God. For, as many as have sinned without law, that is, without a particular or revealed law, shall perish without law, in the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ. For, when the Gentiles, which have not the law, the revealed law, do by nature the things contained in the law; these, having not the law, are a law in themselves, who shew the works of the law written in their hearts.

But, in opposition to this spiritual or rational principle, there is in man, from the transgression in Paradise, another principle springing up in the degenerated nature, and liable to accession of strength from time and habit, and from the influence, which wicked spirits

for the reception of divine truth.

spirits are permitted to exercise against us. This latter principle is continually soliciting us to infringe the law of our reason, in disobedience to the will of its divine author. The flesh lusteth against the spirit, and the spirit against the flesh, saith the apostle to the Galatians, and these are contrary the one to the other; so that ye cannot do the things that would. As the mind submits itself to this carnal principle, it insensibly loses its moral energy; -the power, with the pleasure, of obedience to the divine laws:-thus it becomes more and more the lover, and doer, of iniquity.

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Hence have arisen all the evils, that embitter the life of man; all that disturbs the peace, or deforms the beauty of this part of God's creation; and that still resists his purposes in the production of the human race. From the prevalence of this evil principle, to subdue or impair the powers of reason, guilt and misery had dominion over the world, when the son of God came into it. For, although the more enlightened among the heathen had some knowledge of the Deity, and of the law, by

Simplicity and probity of mind proper qualifications

which he wills that his intellectual creatures should govern themselves; yet the far greater part, the multitude, were in utter darkness, left to live and die like the beasts that perish, Even the best informed had only a doubtful prospect into futurity, terrific apprehensions, or gloomy restless hope, of what might happen after death; and having no animating principle of right conduct, they rarely practiced the great virtues, which, their reason told them, should have been the ornament of their lives. Amid all the learning and intelligence of their sages and philosophers, and the influence of many illustrious illustrious examples

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individual excellence, some of theples of

commonest duties of life where wholly neglected; some most hateful vices were tolerated by law, or the manners of the great-nay, were even a part their religious rites. Even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, saith the Apostle to the Romans, God gave them up to a reprobate mind, to work those things, which are not convenient, being filled with all unrighteousness.

While such was the state of the most polish

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