But the evangelical Christian, although guilty, trusts to that atonement for justification, which has made justice and mercy meet together; for grace reigns," through righteousness, unto eternal life, by Jesus Christ our Lord."

Lorenzo. Those who believe all mankind will be saved, think they possess all advantages; they hold to the being and perfections of God, as described in his word; to the divine mission of his Son; to an infinite atonement for sin, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting; they have every possible ground of consolation here, and no uncertain hope hereafter.

Evander. The evangelical Christian enjoys 'all this, not because he expects all mankind will be saved, whether holy or unholy, but because he trusts he is a new creature, and is adopted into the family of God, and entitled to all the privileges of the sons of God.

Lorenzo. None suppose they enjoy more advantages than those who believe they are by nature innocent, but capable of receiving habits from education, and that Jesus Christ, who is a perfect being, was sent by his Creator to teach them the knowledge of the true God, and leave a perfect example for their imitation; so that if they are sincerely kind and affectionate, benevolent and courteous, just and merciful, they will continue to progress in goodness through life, and at death, enter upon a more exalted state of trial, where they will advance

from one degree to another, until all bad habits contracted in this world, are subdued, and an exalted state of improvement and felicity obtained.

Evander. Although the evangelical Christian does not consider himself by nature innocent, still he trusts he is clothed with a perfect robe of righteousness, so that the shame of his nakedness will not appear. He believes the Lord Jesus Christ to be, not only an exalted man, who was a teacher from heaven, and has left a perfect example, but one with the Father, the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and who is over all, God blessed for evermore; so that his righteousness is perfect and finished, and his atonement for sin infinite and efficacious. He believes the imitation of Christ's example, not only necessary, but delightful; not because he expects it will atone for his past transgressions, but because he possesses his spirit, and receives his highest enjoyment in reflecting his image; he, therefore, becomes the widows' comforter, the friend of the fatherless, the guide of the youth, and physician to the sick; a benefactor to the poor, an advocate for the injured; he does justice, loves mercy, and walks humbly before his God; he believes that he is accountable, and in a state of trial, which will work not only for his own good, but the divine glory; he expects at death, instead of entering on another state of trial, to

enter immediately into heaven, into the full fruition of the presence of God and the Lamb; so that he possesses all the advantages, for time and eternity, which those do that you have been describing, admitting their sentiments true; for sincerity is their only test of piety; and he is conscious of sincerity in his belief, practice, and hope. Those who consider our Lord but an exalted creature, would do well to seriously examine the inconsistency of their belief and practice; for by attempting to maintain unbounded catholicism, they do not hesitate to fellowship with idolaters. If the Lord Jesus Christ is not the true God, and eternal life, then he is a creature, and to worship him is idolatry; "for it is written, thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve;" so that not only all evangelical Christians are guilty of gross idolatry, but " ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands of glorified saints, and holy angels; for St. John heard them, "saying with a loud voice, worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing;" they rendered worship "unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever."

Lorenzo. I perceive all speculative opinions, if true, would lead the possessor to perfect felicity, and none can promise any thing beyond that. Those consider the ir sentiments decided

ly superior, who believe that they came into existence like a blank, ready to receive any impression that may chance to be stamped upon them; and as they advance in existence, become only a bundle of habits; which they receive through the organs of their natural senses. They believe if their good habits exceed their bad, their Creator will graciously forgive their errors, and at death, receive them into a perfect and uninterrupted enjoyment, where they will increase in happiness for ever and ever.

Evander. I perceive no superiority which they possess over the evangelical Christian. Although he does not believe that he came into existence without any natural propensity, either to good or evil, still he believes that he possesses the temper of Christ; which is not the effect of a progressive habit, but the fruit of the Spirit; which will prepare him to enter into that inheritance which is incorruptible and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, eternal in the heavens.

Lorenzo. Well Evander, after all our conversation on these subjects, instead of gaining light, I have been verging more and more into darkness. I have given myself much trouble and anxiety, but to no purpose, except to be entangled in a labyrinth of doubtful speculation; from which, I should now be thankful to be extricated. I am resolved to have no more to do with speculation, and beg you would for ever excuse me from any farther conversation on

these subjects. The only thing of consequence, in my opinion, is, to attend to our practice, to be just and merciful, and patiently wait the event of futurity. I have no objection to your particular tenets; if you can receive any happiness from them, I wish you to enjoy it undisturbed. I find that all sentiments, if followed, would end much in the same thing; I cannot, therefore, see any great advantage one possesses over another.

Evander. I could never accede to your opinion, unless I considered there was no such thing as truth and error; or believed falsehood and truth equally valuable, and happiness and misery synonymous terms. If there is any such thing as truth and error, and God has not left himself without a witness, then it must be of infinite importance to know the truth; as it cannot be a fact, that sentiments directly opposite to each other, can be equally true or eligible. We have been examining different sentiments, to see which is entitled to superiority. As you have drawn conclusions I can by no means grant, I must therefore beg your patience, while I point out in a few words, what I conceive gives the sentiments of the evangelical Christian a decided advantage over all others; after which, I will give you no more trouble on these subjects. Lorenzo. I will endeavour to hear you patiently for this once.

Evander. We may see, from our conversa