behold, nothing would suffice to expiate the crime but the for- feiture of life itself : so atrocious did this light offence appear, when all his own unparalleled enormities were forgotten. We grant that this was a very extreme case ; and that nothing like it is commonly to be imputed to those who profess religion : but is there not amongst many professors an utter contempt of the ungodly? Do they not frequently speak of their irreligious neighbours with contemptuous asperity, as wretched, blind, carnal creatures ? The Jews designated the Gentiles as dogs, and as cursed ; whilst they fancied themselves the chosen people of God : and is not a great deal of the same spirit to be seen amongst what are called the religious world? The ignorance and ungodliness of the men of this world are at once conceded as just grounds of their eternal condemnation ; whilst the pride and uncharitableness, and ten thousand other evils that are found but too frequently amongst these contemptuous pro- fessors, are passed over as venial, or perhaps as having no existence in their hearts. How different was the lesson taught us by our Lord, who, when the Rich Youth came to inquire of him the way to heaven, " loved Mm" notwithstanding he knew that the love of earthly things would ultimately overcome all those better desires which occupied his mind ! Our divine Master loved him for the good that was in him, though he foresaw it would prove ineffectual for the final welfare of his soul : whereas the great mass of religious professors would have lost sight of all the good that was in him, and have treated him with unqualified contempt. But among those who with great confidence " cry, Lord, Lord," there are many who will be found in as bad a condition as he : and the Disciple who betrayed our Lord with a kiss, will be found in no happier plight, than they who apprehended him with swords and staves.]
4. In religious people towards each other —
[Strange as it may seem, the different sects of religious people are as ready to anathematize each other, as to condemn those who cast off all religion. It is even an avowed tenet in the Church of Rome, that they who are not of her communion cannot be saved. And there is not a little of that same bigotry existing amongst the different professors of the Protestant faith. To be of their party is almost of itself a qualification for heaven ; and a dissent from it a preparative for hell. Blessed be God ! this intolerant spirit has of late years greatly abated3: but still it prevails to an awful extent, and gives but too just occasion for sceptics and infidels to triumph. But even amongst persons of the same religious community this propensity to judge and condemn one another greatly prevails. The weak
a Since the establishment of the British and Foreign Bible So- ciety.