ERRONEOUS OPINIONS.

Ir does not appear from the gospel, that it was the purpose of God that one part of his church should tolerate or lord it over another, or that one part of it should adopt one mode of worship, and other parts other modes; much less, that they should be split and divided into parties, holding principles in direct opposition one to another. None of his commands, institutions, or instructions, afford room for any such conjecture. There are, indeed, a few observations made respecting scrupulous consciences, and advice given on that subject; but the whole church is required to be of the same mind and judgment, and cautioned against divisions, and those that caused them. We must, therefore, look upon the divisions, quarrels, and debates among christians, as so many proofs of our ignorance, prejudices, and imperfections. To say that God has turned it to the advantage of the world, is, with me, a matter of doubt. The world, I think, would have been much more benefitted, if the church had remained one, according to the intention of its Living Head. But, admitting that the world has received good by these divisions, it only proves that we are foolish, and that God is wise and good in restoring that which we have marred, or turning it, one way or other, to our advantage, and that of our fellowcreatures. Such a returp of unity as that which the first christian church experienced in Jerusalem is greatly to be desired; where all were of one heart and soul. And cannot the same cause produce the same effects? It was from the abundant pouring forth of the Spirit of holiness and power that such wonders were performed; and when the purposes of Heaven are fulfilled, and the fulness of the Spirit is given in the latter days, it may naturally be expected that there will be again one fold under one Shepherd, while pure and perfect love shall dwell and reign triumphant in every believing heart. In the mean time, the true disciples of Christ must be inviting him to come, and in every lawful way, and every heavenly disposition, spreading

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his truth among mankind. They may meet with no reward here, except the satisfaction arising from endeavours to do good; but the Saviour will acknowledge it at his coming. Should any inquire why such a variety of sentiments prevails among christians, what error is, and how it is opposed to the gospel, it is answered with regard to the first, that it may arise from

Indifference.-Sin has so darkened the mind, perverted the judgment, seared the conscience, and stupified the heart of man, that he conceives not aright the nature and importance of Divine truth, which prevents him from knowing how much it concerns him, and leaves him an easy prey to error. He may feel himself not much interested in either; but as the latter generally makes a plausible appearance, and promises something gratifying to his carnal dispositions, he the more readily embraces it. Truth does not display all its excellencies at first sight; it is like the precious metals in the bowels of the earth, that must be sought with care, diligence, and labour. Now, to toil hard in what we have no interest, is of all services the most unpleasant, and the soonest relinquished; so if men see not their own interest in spiritual matters, they will not trouble themselves about them, but make light of them. This conduct is a gross insult of fered to God, and highly provoking in his sight, from whom, having so freely and generously provided a spiritual repast for them, they contemptuously, or negligently turn away, and refuse to come. The king was wroth, and said, not one of the men that was bidden shall taste of my supper,' for their ingratitude, coldness, and indifference.

Prejudice. The influence of this on the mind and actions of men is surprizingly great. However excellent persons, things, or actions, may appear, when it is not known that the public have attached odious names and meanings to them, and the truths they deliver; as soon as that discovery is made, their lustre is lost, their words disre garded, and their character pitied or despised. This preju dice appears to the truths of the gospel: they will not re

ceive such and such doctrines, because certain enthusiasts receive them; or they explain away their meaning, lest they should be suspected of favouring the despised party, and bring themselves into contempt. And it is the same prineiple which leads them to embrace systems they neither understand, are benefitted by, nor are capable of defending by argument or scripture. It was on this ground that the Jewish nation in general rejected the Son of God. Their prejudices were all in favour of a temporal Messiah, and a glorious earthly kingdom; and, therefore, when they saw him assuming the character of a spiritual teacher, coming in the name of another, and setting up a spiritual kingdom, they opposed him and his designs, and persevered in their malice and opposition, till they put him to an ignominious and accursed death. This has kept miriads from embracing "the truth as it is in Jesus."

Mercenary motives.-Money, in the present state of society, being the grand medium of supplying the wants of men, of gaining them respect, pleasure, ease, and various superfluities; as this gives them power, influence, and ima ginary independance, it is highly prized, eagerly sought, and impiously idolized. For this religion has been renounced, 2 Pet. ii. 15; the honour of God trampled on, 2 Kings v. 21; peace of conscience lost, and all evil committed, 1 Tim. vi. 10. Its tendency is to blind the eyes and corrupt the heart, till darkness is loved better than light; and the most destructive errors have been preferred to the purest and sublimest truths. Many, on this principle, have connected themselves with individuals and communities of the most opposite opinions and jarring sentiments, of the most discordant manners and views, and widely different forms of worship; but the love of money, has reconciled all oppositions, and harmonized all discordancies. Can minds like these submit to truth? Can they love and follow it? It is unlikely they should. Such hypocrisy leads them deeper and deeper into error, till it becomes their element, and truth is far from them.

Natural disposition. Of this there is great diversity, and

it is probable it has a considerable share in the choice or rejection of Divine truth. The rash and considerate, the reserved and open, the contracted and liberal, the gloomy and cheerful, the churlish and affable, the unfeeling and compassionate, the timid and headstrong, the pliable and opinionated, and many others. How different may truth and error appear when viewed through these mediums! Some are led calmly and deliberately to investigate every subject that is presented to the mind; some go farther, and reject all they cannot comprehend; while others reason scarcely at all, and take for granted what is proposed by persons supposed wiser than themselves. The association of ideas, antipathies, and sympathies, are acknowledged in other subjects; and why not in that of religion, and of what is erroneously substituted in its place? Thus, for instance, the gloomy may prefer the gloomy and superstitious, while the cheerful would avoid both, and adopt what it found agreeable to its own views; the unfeeling might be for the intolerant and persecuting part, while the compassionate would shun it with horror, and embrace what was more in unison with its own sentiments; and so of the rest. He who would find out truth will need to bring a candid, sincere, and resolute mind to discover it; without which his labour will be fruitless. I would not have it understood that we are laid under the fatal necessity of choosing or refusing, according to our natural bias: there are other circumstances to be taken into the account as well as this. My meaning is, that men are apt to follow this, without duly considering how easily, by this means, we may mistake truth, and fall into dangerous errors. Thus the Athenians were remarkable for their diligent enquiries and investigations of new subjects, and superstitious attachments to idol temples and worship; but when truth was spoken by the inspired apostle, it appeared to them mere babble, and drew from them the contemptuous sneer; while their excessive devotion shut out the true and living God, and kept them ignorant of his spiritual and acceptable worship.

Contradiction and obstinacy.-An attempt to lead some persons to enquire after truth would be altogether vain, being resolved neither to enquire seriously either what is truth or what is error. They are determined they will not be of your opinion, let the consequence be whatever it may; they will follow their own, right or wrong, although they are incapable of giving you a consistent account of what they believe, experience, or practise. No concern you discover; no method you pursue; no argument you may use; no scripture you may produce; no system described; and no character, however excellent, brought forward can move them. They resolve to follow the steps of some they approve of, or to avoid the reproach of changing their religion, as it is called; or to escape persecution and the cross. Like the stubborn Scribes and Pharisees of old, they abide unchanged under all advantages; find fault with others, instead of minding their own situation; say of him that uses self-denial and abstinence, that he is sent of the devil, or under his power; and he who comes, like the Saviour, more courteous and friendly, that he is gluttonous, and a wine-bibber. They will neither dance to your music, nor weep at your sorrow. In a word, they "are contentious and obey not the truth, but obey unrighteousness." Is such a mind as this prepared to "hear the word of God, and keep it?" Would it not be a libel upon truth to affirm it?

Family connexions and acquaintance.-The controul of parents and guardians over the minds of youth is great, and though their authority may be considered as diminishing when they come to years of maturity, yet, in general, it is still felt from the habits of mind it has produced. Now, should these persons be erroneous in their sentiments, and have diligently instilled them into their tender minds, it would be extremely difficult to eradicate them. The desire to please those to whom they consider themselves so deeply indebted, and the fear of incurring their displeasure by any kind of opposition, (especially where there are any expectations of riches or advancement) would lead them to give up