Analysis of theology, law, religion and the rights of man

Preface

The Author of the true Theology of the Bible claims to be the discoverer of the false Theology by which the World is cursed, as it retards the progress of Christianity, overthrows Morality, destroys Philanthropy, and turns Civilization into Tyranny and Slavery.

Doubtless there are many Christians who, in reality, believe in the true Theology of the Bible, but they are carried on by the wind and tide, under the false Theology extant, that rules the nations of the earth.

This discovery is claimed to be paramount to all the vast and important discoveries that have been made by Man.

The false Theology is this : that Christ’s mission on the earth is to save Man in eternity. But the true Theology of the Bible shows that Christ’s mission is to save Man in time and in eternity.

A- For more than fifty years I have seen that there was some thing radically wrong in the political and religious world. I could see the evils and the wrongs, but could not see the reasons why and wherefore. I plainly saw that the communications of God to Man were perfect and complete, and that Men are capable of Nobility.

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PREFACE.

I exerted myself for more than half a century, politically and religiously, for the sole purpose of heading and stopping those evils, but all to no effect. The public journals, both religious and political, would not publish my communications, because they were Truth.

Having fallen in love with the Word of God and the Testimony of Jesu^ Christ, in my infancy, my mind was led to watch the commotions of the World and the progress of the Church ;• and by the awful conduct of both Church and State, the eyes of my soul were sharpened to pierce the darkness. And about the time that I filled the measure of three-score-years-and-ten, the heavens opened, the fogs and clouds that had obscured my sight for more than fifty years, were all swept away, and I beheld clearly the radical cause of the curse of tho Earth. Some time after I had this discovery I heard that there was to be an important decision upon Theology, in Scotland, in January, 1854. I wrote, showing the true and the false Theology, and sent it on to Aberdeen, Scotland, but there has been no decision.

I have written the Commentary in three parts, which m added to the Theology, showing its effect in Church and State.

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THEOLOGY.

The evidence that there is a Being, all-powerful, wise and good, bj whom every thing exists, is plainly demonstrated by the things that are made; their immensity, variety, peculiarity and perfection prove a God. But man, in his chaotic state, can not receive the testimony. For man to behold God in the laws of nature, his soul must be elevated, and the mind formed by it, so that it rules the whole man. It is evident that man is formed of two parts, of different elements, the terrestrial and celestial. The earthly part is nourished and supported by the •arth. Of course, its genius is of the world, riches, honors, pomposity and pride ; right or wrong, self-aggrandizement.

But the noble faculties of the soul of man, his spirituality, is perfectly of an other element. (This proves God.) The soul of man can not grow and thrive by riches, honor and preferment ; its genius will remain perfectly dormant, as it was in Alexander, when he had conquered the whole world. But when the faculties of the soul are elevated enough to see that the laws of nature imprint the principles of love, mercy, truth and right, it begins to grow and develop its poble faculties, by viewing God in his works. So that the mind is formed, which is stronger than matter, and rules the whole man, like Socrates and Plato. (This proves God.) We have positive evidence that there is a God, in the aspirations of universal man for a God. Man is a wor- •hipful being; all nations have proved this, from the most savage to the most civilized, in all ages of the world. And the evidence is continued by universal man, for nothing contrary to the principles of love, mercy, truth and right can stand the test of time. Even heathen nations disapprove of falsehood and deceit. And when men raise themselves to the pinnacle of fame, by the principle of might, to rule over

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right, so that the world admires and fears them, like an Alexander, or like a Bonaparte, time disrobes them of all their imaginary glory, and their fame, like the spirit of the beast, goeth down, and nothing remains but the remembrance of two great animals that have cursed the earth and cursed themselves. Whilst such men as Socrates and Plato, who have advocated the principles of eternal truth and eternal right, rise higher and higher in the estimation of the world, as Christianity and civilization progresses. (This proves God with all his divine attributes). All things in nature combine in testifying that there is a God : all that is wanting, is a suitable elevation of the noble faculties of the soul, in man, to comprehend it. When we see the moon and stars giving light, we have positive evidence that there is a sun shining upon them. So, when we see men who are bright and shining lights in the world, we have the evidence that there is a fountain of light, of goodness and perfection: for these attributes are not innate in man. When we see the world filled with false gods, and false professors, hypocrites and counterfeits; all prove that there is a genuine. Again, it is plain that there is in terrestrial man, millions of evil propensities : these having their various operations in the different parts of the world, cause the earth to be like the troubled ocean, constantly throwing up mire and dirt. We can plainly see that ambition (without its regulator) opens, in the mind of man, a bottomless abyss. If his ambition is for money, he hesitates not to employ any of his faculties to obtain his object. And when he has thrown in millions on millions, the vortex is enlarged. If his ambition is for conquest and power, let him throw in states and nations : yes, the whole world ; and still it leaves the same aching void — the same bottemless pit.

But if man’s noble faculties can be elevated, so that he can see God in the order of nature, it will close up the bottomless pit, and regulate all his evil propensities; so that he will be satisfied with a competency. We see also permanent laws regulating all creation. Even man’s complicated organization, has a penalty for every transgression, perfectly similar to all the commands of God. This proves his existence.

When we turn our attention to revelation, we have uncontrovertable evidence of the true God ; of his wisdom, power, and goodness. In the history of the Creation, there is plainly seen the great purpose that God has in view, in revealing himself to man. It is the elevation of man; for nothing but the attributes of God can elevate the soul of man. In all the writings, by inspiration, of different men, in their different

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modes of communication, we ean see plainly the great purpose of infinite wisdom is, to manifest himself to man. “For man to know God is eternal life.”

Under the old dispensation perfection is not presumed, but holding forth, and shadowing forth the principles of a perfect day. The variety and unity of communication, forbids the idea that it was by chance, -or by the plans of man. In all plans of men, we can see the impress of the hand of man — self-aggrandizement at the expense of the many. And in all the writings by inspiration, we can see the impress of the hand of God — universal love, and good will to man. And all his divine commands are for the benefit and salvation of universal man, in time and in eternity.

Although “darkness covers the earth, and gross darkness the people,” there is progress in the knowledge of God, by the light of science. It is not true that science is infidel, but perfectly the reverse. True science proves God : for it is the same God that fixed the laws in nature, that has revealed himself by Jesus Christ. All tending to the same great object — to develop the noble faculties of man by a knowledge of God, so that truth and righteousness should be established in the earth. Note the progress- of man in steam, electricity, &c.

In the prophecies of the coming of Christ, by Isaiah, and confirmed by all the other prophets, (which you have : I need not copy them,) we have uncontrovertable evidence that it was of God. There is no foundation for mere chance; and there is nothing of the impress of the hand of man in it: of tyranny and oppression. But we can plainly see the impress of the hand of God in it — his great love to “undo heavy burthens and let the oppressed go free.” And in the New Testament we have the record of his coming, perfectly in accordance with the prophecies. Matt. i. 21, “and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins.” Again, 23, “and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.”

The Theology that is extant, that Christ’s mission was only to save the souls of men and women in eternity, is very erroneous. It leads to a misunderstanding of the Scriptures, and casts a cloud of darkness overall the works of God; and generates inconsistencies and unbelief in God. But the theology of the Bible is plain and distinct that, Christ came to save us, both soul and body, from the evils of this present world ; so that when the soul leaves the body, it may be prepared for happiness in eternity. “Thou shall call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people

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from their sins.” This was to be in time, not in eternity. Sin is a transgression of the law, physically or mentally, to every transgression there is a penalty. “ And they shall call his name Emmanuel, which is, God with us.” Here, again, we see the great purpose of infinite wisdom, to reveal his divine attributes by Jesus Christ : love, mercy, truth and right : also wisdom, power and goodness. These are the only elementary principles that are congenial to the growth of the soul of man, for its development; so that the mind may be established in righteousness to govern all his evil propensities, and save him from sin.

Here follows the testimony that proves the theology of the Bible to be true, and man’s theology, that Christ came only to save the souls of men and women in eternity, to be false. Here is the uncontrovertable testimony: 2 Cor., v. 18, “All things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by J esus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation.” Again, 19: “To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them.” Again, John, iii. 16: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him, should not perish* but have everlasting life.” John, IT : “For God sent not his son into the world; to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.” John, xii., 47 : “For I came not to judge the world, hut to save the world.” This is plain and decisive language, from him who is truth and life. Again, we have the testimony of Paul: 1 Tim, ii., 4: “ Who will have all men to be saved, and come unto the knowledge of the truth.” We have the testimony of Jesus Christ again, t» the bible theology, when he taught his deciples to pray. Matt., vi.,i 10 : “Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” “Thy will be done on earth.” This divine command is to all, and if all would obey and practice it, the knowledge of God would soon eover the earth, and all the imaginary views, of unbelieving man, of imperfections in the divine character, would be swept from the world.

It is evident that God is immutable, ruling universally by fixed laws, with certain penalties for every transgression. When the judgment* of God fall upon the people, God has not changed, but it is the natural penalty for transgression. In the New Testament, we have the perfect principles of God, that will make it perfect day with man. Love, Mercy, Truth, and Bight, are four of God’s attributes. Can these be changed or altered? Can love be any thing but love? Can mercy be any thing but mercy? Can truth be any thing but truth? And

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3> right bo any thing hut right ? All men will say, no, it is an impossibility. And the other attributes, wisdom, power, and goodness, are th* lame — unchangeably and eternally fixed in their own nature. (Let unbelieving man hide his head in the dust.) All of the commands of Christ go to confirm the divine character, in the great purpose of man’* ■alvation, in time and in eternity, and to disprove that it was the plan of man. Here follows the testimony.

Matt., v., 44: “But I say unto you, love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you and persecute you. ” Again, 45 : “ That ye may bo the children of your Father which is in heaven, for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil, and on the good; and sendeth rain on the just, and on the unjust. Matt., v., 87: “But let your communication be yea, yea; nay, nay; for whatsoever is more than these, cometh of evil.” Matt., vii., 12: “Therefore, all things whatsoever ye would that men •hould do unto you, do ye even so to them : for this is the law, and the prophets.” These Scriptures are a synopsis of the whole perfect, eystom of salvation, that God has given, that bears evidence, in its own nature, that it i3 of God, and not of man. As Paul says, “I received it not of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesu* Christ.” We have more positive evidence of God’s immutability; although the great exertions of the Christian world, is a failure (but soma progress and partial good) by their false theology. Sects, pride, going round and establishing systems of their owrn, and not submitting to th# righteousness of Jesus Christ. But God says, “My word shall not return to me void, but it shall perfect the work whereunto I send it.”

We have positive evidence that all these imperfect systems of men, will be done away, and God will be all, and in .all. Isaiah, lxv., 17 : “For behold, I create new heavens, and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind.” Isaiah, lxvi., 22: “For as the new heavens, and the new earth which I will make, shall remain before me, saith the Lord, so shall your seed and your name remain.” 2. Peter, iii., 13 : “Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens, and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. Rev., xxi., 1 : “And I saw a new heaven, and a new earth, for the first heaven, and the first earth were passed away; and there was no mor» •ea.” “No more sea!” — men’s systems, mixed with Christianity. Daniel, ii., 44: “And in the days of these kings, shall the God of b*aven set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed : and the king-

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dom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces, and consume all these kingdoms; and it shall stand forever.” Again, 45 : “ Forasmuch as thou sawest that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it brake in pieces the iron, the brass, the clay, the silver and the gold : the great God hath made known to the king what shall come to pass hereafter, and the dream is certain, and the interpretation thereof sure.” “The stone cut out of the mountain without hands” — truth, revealed by Jesus Christ. It is to become a great mountain, and fill the whole earth. We have more evidence upon this important subject.

Isaiah, ii., 4 : “And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people, and they shall beat their swords into plough-shares, and their spears into pruning-hooks : nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.” Again, 11 : “The lofty looks of man shall be humbled, and the haughtiness of men shall be bowed down : and the Lord alone shall be exalted in that day.” Micah, iv., 3 : “And he shall judge among many people, and rebuke strong nations afar off : and they shall beat their swords into plough-shares, and their spears into pruning-hooks : nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.” Again, 4 : “ But they shall sit, every man under his vine, and under his fig tree : and none shall make them afraid : for the mouth of the Lord of hosts hath spoken it.” Isaiah, xiii., 12 : “I will make a man more precious than fine gold: even a man than the golden wedge of Opher.” Isaiah, lxv., 21: “And they shall build houses, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and eat the fruit of them.” Again 22 : “They shall not build, and another inhabit; they shall not plant, and another eat.” Zech.-, xiv., 9 : “And the Lord shall be king over all the earth : in that day shall there be one Lord, and his name one.”

These testimonies, by inspiration, need no comment. They are positive proof, that God will establish truth and righteousness in the earth.

We can not expect these prophecies will be fulfilled, until the days of the ‘ beast ’ and 1 false prophet 9 are ended. Then will the church of Christ arise and shake herself from the dust, and put on her beautiful garments. And from the present appearance of the world, and the terrible shaking among the nations of the earth, there is evidence that the time is nigh, even at the door. I will now introduce a series of prophetic testimony, that time has proved true to a demonstration, of what the professed Christian church would do. The names, Jerusalem,

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Zion, and Babylon; are terms applied to the cbristian church in her iniquity. These prophecies prove God beyond all doubt and equivocation, and confirm the other testimony, that God will establish truth and righteousness in the earth. As is said, Rev., xi., 15 : “The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign for ever, and ever.” As witnessed, also, Daniel, ii., 35: “And the stone that smote the image became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth. Predictions of the iniquity of the church : Micah, iii., 10 : “They build up Zion with blood, and Jerusalem with iniquity.” Again, 11: “The heads thereof judge for reward, and the priests thereof teach for hire, and the prophets thereof divine for money: yet will they lean upon the Lord, and say, is not the Lord among us? No evil can come upon us.” Isaiah, i., 23: “Thy princes are rebellious, and companions of thieves: every one loveth gifts, and Tolloweth after rewards. They judge not the fatherless, neither doth the cause of the widow come unto them.”

Jer., v., 26: “For among my people are found wicked men: they lay wait as he that setteth snares, they set a trap, they catch men.” Again, 27 : “As a cage is fall of birds, so are their houses full of deceit: therefore they are become great, and waxen rich.” Again, 28: “They are waxen fat, they shine : yea, they overpass the deeds of the wicked, they judge not the cause, the cause of the fatherless, yet they prosper; and the right of the needy do they not judge.” Verse 30: “A wonderful and horrible thing is committed in the land.” Ver. 31 : “The prophets prophesy falsely, and the- priests bear rule by their means: and my people love to have it so.” Isaiah, ii., 7 : “Their land also is full of silver and gold, neither is there any end of their treasures, their land is also full of horses, neither is there any end of their chariots.” Ver., 8: “Their land is also full of idols, they worship the work of their own hands, that which their own fingers have made.” Ver. 9 : “And the mean man boweth down, and the great man humbleth himself; therefore forgive them not.” Rev., xviii., 5: “For her sins have reached to heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities.” Jer., Ii., 53: “Though Babylon should mount up- to heaven, and though she should fortify the height of her strength, yet from me shall spoilers come unto her, saith the Lord.” Amos, ix., 2 : “Though they dig into hell, thenee shall mine hand take them : though they climb up to heaven, thence will I bring them down.” Isaiah, xxix., 16 : “Surely your turning of things upside down shall be as the potters

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day.” Ezk., xxxiv., 8: “As I live, saith the Lord God, surely, because my flock became a prey, and my flock became meat to every beast of the field, because there was no shepherd, neither did my shepherds search for my flock; but the shepherds fed themselves, and fed not my flock.”

These prophecies prove that there is a God, that can not look upon gin with any allowance — and they become insurmountable evidence, of the reality of the eternal God, with all his divine attributes. When we see by the history of the world, that all these prophecies have been fulfilled, by the Greek, Roman, and Protestant churches. I repeat it fgain, that the true history of the Greek church, and the true history odf the Roman church, and the true history of the Protestant church, prove the truth of God’s word, spoken by different men, by inspiration, ft different times, and at different places, thousands of years before tho «vil deeds spoken of, were actually committed. Mark the truth of prophecy, and its fulfillment by history; and we have incontrovertible evidence of the true God ; with whom all things are one eternal now.

I will now point out the inferences most necessary for, and useful to, mankind.

The first thing for us to consider is, the philosophy of man, for Which I shall refer to his creation. — Gen., i., 26: “And God said, let us make man in our image, after our likeness; and let them hav« dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and aver the cattle, and over all the earth.” Yer. 27: “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him, male and female created he them.”

Here it is said that man was made in the image of God. I will ask how we shall understand this? Was it that part of man that wai formed of the dust — this terrestrial body, whose element is the earth with its millions of evil propensities (rendered so by the freedom in which he was created) ? Certainly not, there is no likeness of God in it. We must look again, Gen., ii., 7: “And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils tha breath of life, and man became a living soul.” It is this living soul that is made in the image of God : its element is celestial : capable of elevation and development in power, by the attributes of God ; so that he can rule all his terrestrial organization. I will observe, that we can eee, that God has, in the earth, provided abundantly for all the want* wf terrestrial man. The want and oppression that is seen, is by the

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IS misrule of man, and contrary to all the commands of God. But the provision for the soul is not of the earth. It is the spiritual essence of eternal truth, and eternal right; delivered to man by Jesus Christ. It is the bread of life and water of life, that came down from heaven. Man can not be happy without it; in time or in eternity. Hence w» are forced to the conclusion that there is no salvation for man, no complete happiness for the human family, but in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Paul says it is the power of God unto salvation. And it is a truth that, there is no other name given under heaven and among men, whereby we can be saved. Because it is the only system that establishes the principle of right, to rule over might.

The soul of man, in its element, is congenial to the rule of right; but the earthly part of man, in its element, is congenial to the principle of might, to rule over right. This causes the evil propensities, and has made the apostle say : The carnal mind is enmity against God, it is not subject to his law, neither indeed can be. The great question is now before us. What can man do for his own salvation, and for the salvation of the world ? It is a plain truth that God only is able, and it is also plain that God requires men to work with him, so that men shall be co-workers together with God. It is a truth that man must be born again. u For that which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the spirit is spirit.’ 7 This brings us to the point, that man must be bora of God. But what can man do? The different sects of professed Christians have their various systems, and some of them link in much of heathen mythology ; but all of it goes no farther than to affect the animal nature of man. I shall pass over it. The more correct preachers of the gospel, hold forth {Pis principle that, the creature must exercise faith and repentance, as * a means of their salvation. This may appear reasonable, but if we examine the subject farther, we shall discover an inconsistency; for, true faith arises only in an elevated soul, and repentance is the effect. To require faith and repents ance of a soul that is held completely dormant, by the millions of evil propensities that rule this terrestrial body, is paradoxical.

I will now come to the true Christian philosophy, that elevates the soul of man, and makes the kings and priests to our God.

It is said the soul is made in the likeness of God. No earthly powers can elevate it. It is of the celestial element; and when the gospel in preached in its purity, (unmixed with men’s systems,) the soul is

ANALYSIS OP THEOLOGY, ready to receive it. Then comes the conflict between the flesh and the spirit. Paul says, ‘it wrought in me all manner of concupiscence/

God may also be seen in the laws of nature, and awaken the powers of the soul; but in his word God is made manifest to man, plainly, clearly and definitely, for his salvation in time and eternity.

John says, in the beginning was the word, the word was with God, and the word was God. The word was made flesh and dwelt among us, &c. Here we see the fulfilment of the prediction, they shall call his name Emmanuel — God with us. Here, we have God, in the spiritual essence of his attributes, made plain to all men: viz., love, mercy, truth and right; also wisdom, power and goodness. These attributes, the perfection of God, are seen in the preaching of the gospel that awakens the dead faculties of the soul; by the true light, the soul is developed, and becomes strong — repentance flows as the natural consequence, and faith takes hold of the promises of God. In a perfect work, the soul is born of the spirit.

I will now say that, all men and women are capable of receiving God in this way ; and he is life eternal. They can embrace the principles of love, mercy, truth and right, with the other attributes : they can press them to their bosoms, nourish and cherish them. The soul will take hold on God; all the evil propensities of this terrestrial body can not withstand the power of God. They will be subjected, and, by the elevation of the soul, the mind will be established in righteousness, so that he or they, will work out their own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God that worketh in them, both to will and to do of his own good pleasure. Thus we have brought the subject to a focus, that God is the only salvation of the soul; that God “has revealed himself so plainly, that man can receive* him; and when the soul is thus elevated, man saves himself from the evils of this present world. One question still remains, of vast importance. What can man do to save the world. Answer: salvation is within his power: and man can save the world by the same principle, by which the individual is saved. Solomon says, : train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.