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we extend it to the writers of the Old Testament,' to whom it is equally applicable. How shall we account for it? Was there not a divine hand guiding the pen ?

SECTION VII.

The Motives proposed by the Gospel.

FROM ROM its doctrines, precepts, and discoveries of a future state, the New Testament appears to be no common book. The motives it presents, though partly included in these, may yet be considered as distinct, and in a peculiar point of view. If the matter be duly examined, it will not be looked upon as a rash assertion, that it is impossible to conceive stronger motives to deter from evil, and influence to good, and consequently to banish misery and produce happiness, than those which the gospel sets before our eyes. Here every spring of action in the human heart is put in motion : Hope, fear, love, hatred, desire, aversion, gratitude, is addressed: not a chord in the heart is left untouched. Diversity in motives is of essential benefit.

Is not the fear of evil known and felt to be a powerful principle in the soul? Christ and his apostles reveal from heaven the wrath of God

against all ungodliness, and unrighteousness of man; and enumerate the many and bitter mi series which tread on the heels of transgression, in a present life. But a future world is the state of retribution and we are taught by him, who will sit on the tribunal at the day of judg ment, "that the wicked shall go away into everlasting punishment, where there shall be weeping, and wailing, and gnashing of teeth." Could fear suggest a consideration more powerful, for restraining those strong propensities to evil which are in the human heart?

But motives of a different kind are more fully, and frequently insisted on. Christianity is not the religion of a slave. It does not debase the mind with terror. It is a noble and generous system; and abounds with motives of love, and promises of blessings, and the hopes of glory. Here we are entering on a most extensive field; but we must pass through it in haste: yet we may enjoy something of the delightful prospect as we advance. The Supreme Being describes himself by one word, which contains volumes of ideas: GOD IS LOVE. Infinite mercy to the guilty and the miserable, meets our eye in every page. The boundless compassion and grace of the Lord Jesus, who came into the world to seek and to save that which was lost, even the chief of sinners; and his inconceivable affection for his disciples; are a frequent and delightful theme. The power of the sacred

Spirit, and his enlightening, sanctifying, and comforting influences, are often presented to the mind. God's paternal care of his people, his guidance, his support, his presence, his consolations in affliction, and his more than a father's regard and sympathy at the hour of death, are expressed in language never used in any other book. In addition to all these, the eternal world is unveiled before our eyes; and we are called to behold a state of the noblest and purest felicity, continuing and increasing through all eternity.

Such are the motives of the gospel; all tending to promote faith, holiness, and resignation to the divine will, and to make men like God. Stronger ones cannot be adduced. But how came these fishermen and tent-makers and publicans, to exhaust the mine? Look at the motives of ancient and modern paganism, which the votaries of Jupiter, of Brahma, and of Fo, have held up to the view of their worshippers! Reason blushes at the sight, and is ashamed to draw a comparison. If Mahomet could not but perceive the strength of the motives from a future state of rewards and punishments, he has sunk them from spirit to flesh and many of those sweet, tender, and insinuating ones, which spring out of the love of God, and the compassion of the Mediator, he has entirely left out. Well informed deists will own, that their writers seem far more zealous in exclaim

ing against superstition, than in urging the motives to the practice of natural religion, which even natural religion affords: but these are unspeakably inferior in number, strength, and clearness to those of christianity.

SECTION VIII.

The Characters which the New Testament is designed to form.

WE naturally judge of a system by its tendency and effects; and determine from these, whether it be good or bad. By this rule let the gospel be tried. Its principles. we have traced. Let us now enquire what kind of character they are calculated to produce and how they will appear when drawn out into real life. The formation of character by a system is, as it were, the sum of the principles collected into a focus, and displaying their united energy in the temper and conduct.

If I may express the whole in a few words; such as Jesus Christ was when he dwelt on earth, such it is the design of the New Testament that his disciples should be: and such it is their aim to be.

But to descend to particulars, and take a fuller view of the subject; the christian is one who

hates evil, and follows what is good. He has a constant regard to the frame of his heart, and is intent on the destruction of every sinful disposition not one is tolerated. He loves God supremely, and it is the great business of his life to please God, in preference to his own inclinations, and the will of others. Gratitude for daily favors glows within his breast. It is his meat and drink to do the will of God, and to keep his commandments: and in the midst of affliction he submits to the dispensations of his Providence, as infinitely wise and good. To Jesus as his Saviour he constantly looks, and depends on him for the blessings of redemp tion: the example of Jesus he sets continually before his eyes, and endeavors, with persevering assiduity, to follow his steps.

At the same time, he regards himself as a member of the vast community of intelligent creatures upon earth: he feels himself among brethren; and he loves his neighbor as himself. He prefers the general good to individual benefit: he acts with rectitude in every situation; and conscientiously performs all relative duties, whether domestic, political, or religious. He pities the miserable: he is ready to relieve the indigent: he forgives his enemies: he returns good for evil, and blessing for cursing. In the exercise of benevolence is his delight: his affection extends to the whole human Country, language, religion, colour,

race.

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