earnest and tender persuasions, by which the sinner may be arrested, and brought back to God. We dedicate it to Christian consolation, to those truths which assuage sorrow, animate penitence, and lighten the load of human anxiety and fear. We dedicate it to the doctrine of Immortality, to sublime and joyful hopes which reach beyond the grave. In a word, we dedicate it to the great work of perfecting the human soul, and fitting it for nearer approach to its Author. Here may heart meet heart. Here may man meet God. From this place may the song of praise, the ascription of gratitude, the sigh of penitence, the prayer for grace, and the holy resolve, ascend, as fragrant incense, to Heaven; and through many generations may parents bequeath to their children this house, as a sacred spot, where God had "lifted upon them his countenance," and given them pledges of his everlasting love. 8 Page 19.-The arrangement of the text from Deuteronomy, quoted on this page, is a little changed, to put the reader immediately in possession of the meaning. Eighth Head.-Under this head, I have more than once used the word atonement in the sense in which Trinitarians generally use it; and without doing so, my object might not have been sufficiently clear to some of my readers. I ought to say, however, that I do not consider this sense as the true one, or as agreeing with the meaning which belongs to the term in the Scriptures; and I always lament the necessity of using a Scriptural word in a manner, which may countenance a misapprehension of its real import. This subject of atonement needs a much more extensive discussion, than the limits and design of this sermon would allow. I have a strong impression, that the prevalent views of it may easily be shown to be false, though the true views of it may not so easily be established. I believe, too, that time will prove, that thinking men of opposite sects differ less on this point than is imagined. It will be observed, that I have not undertaken to state the way or method by which Christ's sufferings contribute to human salvation. On this point there is a diversity of opinion. I have thought it sufficient to state the general principle in which Unitarian Christians agree. They all believe, that God's love or mercy is "the beginning and the end" of human salvation, and that this gives to. Christ's sufferings and intercession their efficacy. |