_A._ A better foundation than _that――That!_ What? To what substantive does this refer? According to the rules of grammar, (for all the other substantives are in the genitive case, and consequently to be considered as only parts of that which governs them) you must mean, “A better foundation than that foundation which is founded on this doctrine.” As soon as I understand the question, I will endeavour to answer it.
_Q._ 4. Can that _sudden_ and _instantaneous_ change be easily distinguished from fancy and imagination?
_A._ Just as easily as light from darkness: seeing it brings with it a peace that passeth all understanding, a joy unspeakable, full of glory, the love of God and all mankind filling the heart, and power over all sin.
_Q._ 5. May we not well suppose the workings of imagination to be more _strong_ and _powerful_ in one who is taught to expect such a change?
_A._ Perhaps we may――But still the tree is known by its fruits. And such fruits as those above-mentioned imagination was never yet strong enough to produce, nor any _power_, save that of the Almighty.
7. There is only one clause in the eighth query which falls under our present enquiry.
“They make it their _principal_ employ, wherever they go, to instil into people a few _favorite tenets_ of their own; and this with such diligence and zeal as if the whole of Christianity depended upon them, and all efforts toward the true Christian life, without a belief of those tenets, were vain and ineffectual.”
I plead guilty to this charge. I do make it my _principal_, nay, my whole employ, and that wherever I go, to instil into the people, a few _favourite tenets_. (Only be it observed, they are not _my own_, but his that sent me.) And it is undoubtedly true, that this I do, (tho’ deeply conscious of my want, both of zeal and diligence) as if the whole of Christianity depended upon them, and all efforts without them were void and vain.
I frequently sum them all up in one, _in Christ Jesus_, (_i. e._ according to his gospel) _neither circumcision availeth any thing nor uncircumcision, but faith which worketh by love_. But many times I instil them one by one, under these, or the like expressions. _Thou shalt love the Lord thy |God| with all thy heart, and with all thy mind, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself_; as thy own soul; as Christ loved us. God _is love: and he that dwelleth in love, dwelleth in |God|, and |God| in him. Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law. While we have time let us do good unto all men; especially unto them that are of the houshold of faith. Whatsoever ye would that men should do unto you, even so do unto them._
These are my _favourite tenets_, and have been for many years. O that I could instil them into every soul throughout the land! Ought they not to be instilled with such diligence and zeal, as if the whole of Christianity depended upon them? For who can deny, that all efforts toward a Christian life, without more than a bare _belief_, without a thorough _experience_ and _practice_ of these, are utterly vain and ineffectual?
*8. Part of your ninth _query_ is to the same effect:
“A few young heads set up _their own schemes_, as the great standard of Christianity: and indulge _their own notions_ to such a degree, as to perplex, unhinge, terrify and distract the minds of multitudes of people, who have lived from their infancy under a gospel-ministry, and in the regular exercise of a gospel-worship. And all this, by persuading them, that they neither are, nor can be true Christians, but by adhering to _their doctrines_.”
What do you mean by _their own_ schemes? Their _own_ notions? _Their_ doctrines? Are they not _yours_ too? Are they not the schemes, the notions, the doctrines of Jesus Christ? The great, fundamental truths of his gospel? Can you deny one of them, without denying the bible?――It is hard for you to kick against the pricks!
“They persuade (you say) multitudes of people, that they cannot be true Christians, but by adhering to their doctrines.” Why, who says they can? Whosoever he be, I will prove him to be an infidel. Do _you_ say, that any man can be a true Christian, without loving God and his neighbour? Surely you have not so learned Christ! It is _your_ doctrine, as well as _mine_, and St. _Paul_’s, _Though I speak with the tongue of men and angels, though I have all knowledge, and all faith; though I give all my goods to feed the poor, yea, my body to be burned, and have not love, I am nothing_.