To the same spirit of Blasphemy, however concealed, or masked, under high pretensions to Morality, and Virtue, it must be ascribed, that so many "Messengers of Satan, transformed into Angels of Light," have impudently opposed the position, now to be established: and, that it may appear the more luminous, we shall prove, that,

SECTION VIII.

Salvation is neither to be sought, nor expected, because it is never to be obtained, by any works that we can perform *.

The

If there be any distinct branch of christian Science capable of demonstration, in its strictest sense, it is this. person, who can admit, ex professo, the divine authority of the Scriptures, and resist the force of that evidence, by which

dom-from whatever quarter it may arise. The frequency of this dishonour done to GOD, where it might least have been expected, renders this protest the more

necessary.

* « If the profoundest Humility towards God be the highest instance of piety; if every thing within us, and

this point will be confirmed, must have a construction of Intellect very far indeed from being enviable. Such resistance should only serve to remind us of Satan's address to the resplendent orb of day--

"Sun, how I hate thy beams *.”

In arranging the arguments, to be adduced on this occasion, the most judicious method will be, to dispose them ac

without us, if every thing we know of God, every thing we know of Ourselves, preach humility to us, as the foundation of every virtue, as the life and soul of all holiness; if Sin had its beginning from pride, and hell be the effect of it;" who would not wish to be radically cured of an evil so enormous? One of the first steps towards that cure, is, the cordial admission of this truth into the mind: so far is it from being any speculative notion. If all the arts of subtilty and sophistry can make it appear, that the doctrine of Salvation by works of righteousness, which we can do, is calculated to make us « lowly in our own eyes," as the Scriptures express it, let it stand. I shall not draw "the Sword of the Spirit against it." But, it is the language of Pride-horrid Pride: which is " an abomination to the Lord." "

cr

* The gloomy rays, emitted from the infernal regions, were more congenial with his apostate mind! And, is there nothing analogous to this, in the Disposition of

cording to their degree of strength.-We have been told, with a calmness and composure, which ought to shock every moral sensibility of the Soul-because, it would change the Truth of God himself into a lie" that, our works are the terms, or conditions*, of our Pardon, our

those, who, instead of being charmed with the beauties and glories of that more illustrious Luminary, "The Word of God," chuse rather to dwell in the dreary Caverns of Infidelity? They indeed deceive themselves, and impose upon others, by calling it Philosophy. Epicurus dignified his Atheology, and Democritus, his Atomicism, with the same honourable title! Our System, discarding › all these affectations of vain Philosophy, has said, I Cor. iii.. 18, 19. I agree with a Writer of uncommon talents, and science-though by no means favourable to the sentiments advanced in these sketches-that, "There would be more real knowledge and more true wisdom among mankind, if there were less learning, and philosophy."

* No judicious Writer, or Teacher, will make use of expressions, in concerns of great importance, that are even liable to be misunderstood. Why prefer them, when others, perfectly free from that inconvenience, are at hand? Is this ingenuous? If we are saved by Grace through Faith and that, not of ourselves-not of Works what place can a man of common Sense, or common Honesty, find, for Conditions? Unless indeed

Acceptance, our Justification, and our final Salvation. But, "if there come any unto you, and bring this doctrine, neither bid him God speed, nor receive him into your house. For, he, that biddeth him God speed, is a partaker of his evil deeds. For, what saith THE SCRIPTURE?"

The strain of the Scripture runs thus; "he, that believeth not God, hath made him a Liar!”—“ By the works of the Law shall no flesh living be justified, in his sight. For, by the Law is the knowledge of Sin.-Now, to him that worketh, is the reward, not reckoned of GRACE, but of debt; but, to him that worketh not, but

he means to contradict himself, as well as to blaspheme the sacred Truth, and will undertake to prove, that the. conditions, for which he pleads, are not works! In that case, it would become us, rather to compassionate his derangement, than to censure his folly. In omnibus his assertionibus unicum hunc nobis proposuimus scopum, ut gloria Salutis gratuita Deo et Christo illabata maneat. Ειδότες οτι Χαριτι εσε σεσωσμένοι, εκ εξ έργων, αλλα Θεληματι Θεό, δια Ιησε Χρις. POLYCARP. EPIST.

believeth on Him that justifieth the ungodly, his Faith is counted for Righteousness. Even as David also" [for, there never was any other mode of Salvation, since the Fall of man in paradise,]" describeth the blessedness of the Man, unto whom God imputeth Righteousness without works. Therefore, it is of Faith, that it might be by GRACE*"

But, what if we should produce you a passage from the same unerring Testimony, which will assure you, that it is impossible, in the nature of things, that our

The force of the Argument here, is, that whatever tends to diminish the splendour and riches of divine Grace, in the Salvation of Man-whether it be sentiment, or expression-must be utterly rejected by those, who intend to subscribe to the truth of Heaven, or to give God the glory of their Redemption. Whatever defects and infir mities, physical, intellectual, or moral, may attach to the Writer of these pages, he can appeal to the Omniscient, that, to secure this grand point, is his principal object in publishing these Strictures: and, if this be not the grand Aim of the inspired Oracles, he has confessedly mistaken their true import.