religious significance—the same with that of Polytheism—seems to be this; God does not limit himself within the unity of his essence, but incarnates himself in man—hence the Son; diffuses himself in space and in spirit, works with men both to will and to do—hence the Holy Ghost.”[1]
1. Merits of this Party.
This party has great practical merits. The doctrine sketched above shows the hatefulness of sin, the terrible evils it brings upon the world. Alas, it need not look long to see them. It shows Man at first the child of God; holding daily intercourse with the Father; enjoying the raptures of Heaven on earth, but by one step, cast out, degraded, lost, undone! It shows the world full of sweet sunshine, truth, beauty, love, till Sin entered, and then—“the trail of the Serpent is over it all.” It tells how sin benumbs the mind, palsies the heart, and shuts out wisdom at every entrance, bringing death to the intellect, death to the affections, death to the soul. The great Enemy of men is the child of sin. It tells Man he is the son of God, fallen from his high estate, and crushed by the Fall; but he may yet return. Christ will bind up his wounds; wash away all sin, with his blood, and he may start anew. It encourages men who are steeped in sin; tells them they may yet return. It says, “Come unto Christ.” But alas, the wounded man, with no freedom, must wait till the Holy Ghost, like the good Samaritan, bind up his wounds and bid him rise and walk. If he is of the elect, the invitation will come, and each hopes he is of that blessed company.
One excellence comes out of its very defect: it thinks none can be saved but by accepting Christianity, a knowledge of which comes though the letter of the Bible. Therefore it is indefatigable in sending Bibles and missionaries the world over. If they do little good where they go, the very purpose and effort are good. A man is always warmed by the smoke of his own generous sacrifice.
It recommends an austere morality. It calls on men to repent; addresses rousing sermons to the fears of the wicked, and stirs men whom higher motives would not
- ↑ See Miscellanies, Art. XII., and Sermon of the Relation of Ecclesiastical Institutions, &c.
