is all hypocrisy ; for, instead of receiving my testimony respect- ing their Messiah, they shut their eyes and ears against every word that I have spoken; and make no other use of my testi- mony, but to pervert it, and to found upon it their rejection of that very Saviour whom I have revealed."]
But stronger far is that charge which the whole inspired volume brings against us —
[We profess to believe in the written word, both of the Old and New Testament : and if any one were to brand us with the name of infidels and deists, we should be filled with indignation against him, as uttering a gross calumny. But how do we manifest our faith ? The Scriptures tell us, that " except we repent, we must perish." But who believes it ? Who is stirred up, by that declaration, to real penitence and contrition? The Scriptures tell us, that we must look to Christ for salvation, as the wounded Israelites did to the brazen ser- pent. But where do we find that intense earnestness to obtain relief, and that utter renunciation of every other hope but that revealed to us in the cross of Christ ? The Scriptures require us to live by Christ, exactly as the Israelites lived by the manna which they gathered, and the waters of the rock that followed them. But where do we find persons making this continual use of Christ, if I may so speak ; and living altogether by faith in the Son of God, who loved them and gave himself for them ? The Scriptures tell us, that " having been bought with a price, we must glorify Christ with our bodies and our spirits, which are his." But where do we find persons employing every member of their body, and every faculty of their soul, for the glory of Christ ?
Behold, then, what an accusation the whole inspired volume brings against us. ' See, Lord, this people ! Thou knowest how fully thy holy will is revealed in every page of thy word : yet who regards it ? Who regards any word contained in this volume, provided he has any interest to serve, or any lust to gratify, by the violation of it ? I accuse the whole Christian world, with the exception of a very few, as hypocrites : for, with all their professed regard for thy revealed will, they violate it in all its most essential points ; and with their boast of being Christians, they live altogether as if they were down- right heathens.']
Now then, having stated the charge, I will pro- ceed to, II. Put you upon your trial in relation to it —
Of the little flock who believe in Christ, I will say nothing. I will confine myself to the great mass of