A practical view of the prevailing religious system of professed Christians, in the higher and middle classes in this country, contrasted with real Christianity

Front matter

Gass ft t

Book-

PRACTICAL VIEW r---. ,

Chapter I

iNADECtUATE- CONCEPTIONS OF THE IMPORTANCE OF CHRISTIANITY.

The popular notions coneerning the importance of Christianity , extremely inadequate, . . . . ,75

Religious ignorance criminal, . . . . .78

Unreasonable to expect to become proficients in Christianity

without inquiry and pains, . . . . .79

Scripture representations of the importance of Christianity, . 80 The maxim, that it is of no importance what a man believes,

Also the maxim that sincerity is all in all, , . . i&.

True sincerity, what included in it, . . , .83

Concluding reflections, . . . . . .84

CHAPTER H.

CORRUPTION OF HUMAN NATURE.

Sect. I. — Inadequate conceptions of the Corruption of Human JYature,

Popular notions concerning human corruption, . . 84

The different lessons on this subject which Christianity teaches, proved by the contrast between what we might expect from man, and what we find him practise, . . . ib.

First, in the most polished nations of antiquity, . . 86

Next, in the inhabitants of the New World on its first discovery, 88 Next, in the general state of the Christian world, . , 88

Lastly, even among true Christians, . , . .90

The argument summed up and enforced, , , .91

The Scripture representation of human corruption, . . 93

Sect. IL— Evil Spirit.— JVatural State of Man.

Existence and agency of the Evil Spirit, though plainly taught in Scripture, generally exploded, . . . ,94

IV CONTENTS.

Page.

Nothing unreasonable in this doctrine, . . .94

Scripture representations of the Supreme Being calculated to inspire awe, ....... 95

The same awful impressions excited by the divine threatenings and punishments recorded in Scripture, and by the moral order of the world, . . . . . ,96

Christianity breaks in, . . • . • .97

Practical importance and uses of the doctrine of human corruption, ....... 98

Practical advice in relation to this subject, . • • ib.

Sect. III. — Corruption of Human JVature, — Objection.

The objection, that our corruption and weakness being natural

to us, will be excused or allowed for, stated and considered, 99 The objection, how best treated, . , . .100

Fallacy of this objection proved by Scripture, . .101

Danger of admitting the above objection, . • . 102

Humility becomes man, • . . . , ib.

Folly of busying ourselves with what is above our comprehension, and neglecting what is plain and practical, . .103

Chapter III

CHIEF DEFECTS OF THE RELIGIOUS SYSTEM OF THE BULK OF PROFESSED CHRISTIANS, IN WHAT REGARDS OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, AND THE HOLY SPIRIT WITH A DISSER- TATION CONCERNING THE USE OF THE PASSIONS IN RELIGION.

Sect, I. — Inadequate Conceptions concerning our Saviour and the Holy Spirit,

Leading doctrines concerning Christ and the Holy Spirit, as

stated in Scripture, . . . . . .104

Inadequate conceptions in the above respects charged on the

bulk of professed Christians, and enforced, , . 105

Great ingratitude hereby evinced, . , . .108

Inadequate notions concerning the Holy Spirit, . . ib.

Language of one who objects against the religious affections

towards our Saviour, . . . • .109

And against the Holy Spirit's operations, . . . ib.

Reply to the above ; unreasonableness of arguing from the

abuse of a thing against its use, . • . .110

Religious vulgarity, not to be too much disgusted by it, . 112

Sect. II. — On the admission of the Passions into Religion,

The opinion, that the affections are misplaced in religion, discussed and refuted, . . . . . .113

CONTENTS.

By reason of the thing, .....

By the nature of man, / . ...

By the authority of the Scriptures and of Scripture characters, True test and measure of the religious affections, Religious affections, different according to natural temper. The affections not merely allowable in Religion, but highly

necessary, proved by analogy, . , . .119

Christ the just object of our warm affections, . , 122

The objection, that we are not susceptible of affections towards

an invisible being, discussed, . . . * ih.

Close contact between subject and object, necessary to produce affection, . , . . . . .124

And sufficient to produce affection without sight, . .125

This explains why public misfortunes affect us less than private or personal, . . . . . .126

Means of strengthening our affections towards any object, . 127 Special grounds for the affections towards our Saviour, . ib.

Divine help promised for producing religious affections, . 128

Unreasonable conduct of objectors in this instance, . .129

Appeal to facts, in proof of the reality of the religious affections. — The martyrs of our own church, and the apostles, ib.

Sect. III. — Inadequate Conceptions concerning the Holy SpiriVs Operations.

Scripture doctrine concerning the Holy Spirit's operations, 130

Sect. IV. — JMistaken conceptions entertained by J^ominal Christians of the terms of acceptance with God,

Inference afforded by the inadequate conceptions already noted, that mistaken conceptions commonly entertained of the means of a sinner's acceptance with God, . . . .132

Different degrees of error, ..... 133

Nature and proofs of this error, . . . .134

Their fundamental misconception of the scheme and essential principle of the Gospel, . . . . , ib.

Practical consequences and confirmation of the above misconception, ....... J35

Condemnation of those who abuse the doctrine of grace, , 137

Believing in Christ, what really implied in it, . .138

Answer to objection, that we insist on metaphysical niceties, ib. The atonement and grace of Christ further pressed, as the subjects of our habitual regard, . . , .139 Advantage justly taken by the Socinian, of the above defects, ib^ Practical application and address, . , , .141

X*

VI CONTENTS.

Chapter IV

ON THE PREVAILING INADEQUATE CONCEPTIONS CONCERN- ING THE NATURE AND THE STRICTNESS OF PRACTICAL CHRISTIANITY.

Sect. I.

Page.

Inadequate conceptions of the practical strictness required by

Christianity, generally prevalent, . , , ,144

Strong presumption against their notions, . ^ , 145

Practical strictness of Christianity, as stated in Scripture, . 147 Essential practical characteristic of true Christians, . .148

Excellence of this principle, . . . . , ib.

The principle further opened, and shown to include the love of God, . . . . . . . .149

The above principle of general application proved by the general terms of Scripture precepts, . . . ,150 Because resulting from relations common to all Christians, . 151 Proof from the strong practical precepts of Scripture, . 152 From God's requiring the heart, . . . .153

From the glory of God being prescribed to us as our great object, and from the criminality of idolatry, . . , ib. Extreme importance of the above considerations, . .154

Sect. II.

Notions of practical Christianity generally prevalent, . 155

They allow to religion only a partial jurisdiction, . .156

Mischievous consequences of the above error, . .157

The preceding statement confirmed by an appeal to various

classes of nominal Christians, particularly of the higher order, 1 58 To the idle and dissipated, . . . , , ib.

To the votaries of sensual pleasure, . . , .159

To the votaries of pomp and parade, . . * .160

To the votaries of wealth and ambition, . . . 161

To other classes, . • . . . .162

Conclusion from the precedmg review, and general fault in principle of all the above classes, that of transferring the heart from God to some other master, . , . .163

Effects of the fundamental error above-mentioned, on our judgments and practice in the case of others, . . . 164 Further effects ; religion degraded into a set of statutes, and

quibbled away accordingly, , . . , .165

Another effect — Religion placed in external actions, rather than habits of mind, . . . . .167

yet the internal principle all in all, . . . . ib.

As an evil resulting from the last-mentioned error, Christian

dispositions are not cultivated, . . . .168

Instances of the preceding position ; the generality forget that the Christian's life is a life of faith, and the true Christian's character in this respect, . • • . .169

CONTENTS. Vii

Another distinction between nominal and real Christians, grounded on their different tastes and relish for religious subjects, ....... 171

Proof drawn from the different manner of their employing the Sunday, and hints on that head, . . . .171

Other internal defects ; particularly in meekness and humility, 174

Sect. III. — On the Desire of Human Estimation and Jipplause-^The generally prevailing Opinions contrasted with those of the true Christian^

Universality of the desire of human estimation, . .175

Common eulogium of this passion, both as to its nature and effects, . .... . , 176

The above vindication questioned, even by the pagan moralists, 178 Essentially defective and vicious nature of this passion, stated and explained in Scripture, . . . . .179

The world's commendations naturally misplaced, , . 180

Yet Christians taught in Scripture to cultivate with moderation

the good opinion of the world, as an instrument of usefulness, ih. But points out a higher object of our ambition, . . 181

The inordinate love of human estimation generally prevalent and the natural result, . . . . .182

Proofs from various considerations j from the House of Commons, ....... 183

From duelling, . . . . . .184

Duelling, wherein its essential guilt consists, . , , ih.

A peculiarity in respect of this vice, . . .185

Commonly supposed value of the inordinate love of human estimation, questioned and disproved, . . . ih. Reasonings of Chrisian moralists on this head often bear few traces of Christian morality, . . . . 186

Conduct of the true Christian, in what regards the love of human estimation, . . . . . .187

The most effectual method of moderating this love, . . 191

The true Christian guards against it on small no less than on

great occasions ; in religion, no less than elsewhere, . 193

Parting counsel to those who wish to bring this passion under due regulation ; particularly to cultivate love and humility, 194

Sect. IV. — The generally 'prevailing Error of substituting Amiable Tempers and Usejid Lives in the place of Religion^ stated and confuted ; with Hints to real Christians.

Amiable tempers and useful lives, their merit commonly exaggerated, . . , . . . .197 Stated to be the sum of religion, in substance, if i ot in name, 198 Tiie distinction between morality and religion f I. c>l, . . ih*

Vlll CONTENTS.

The worth of amiable tempers, as estimated by the standard of

unassisted reason, commonly overrated, » . ,199

Many fiilse pretenders to them, .... ib.

Essentially defective nature^ of amiable tempers when not grounded in religion, ..... 200

Their precarious and short duration, .... ib.

Worth of useful lives, when estimated by the standard of unassisted reason, overrated, . . . . .201

The particular good of them more than countervailed by the general evil, ... ... 202

Worth of amiable tempeis and useful lives, when not grounded in religion, proved to be greatly overrated, if estimated on Christian principles, . . . . , ib.

Their nature essentially corrupt, .... 204

The true Christian really the most amiable and useful character, 205 Admonitions to true Christians in the above respects, . 206

To the naturally sweet-tempered and active, • . ib.

To the naturally rough and austere, .... 207

Amiable tempers and useful lives, their just praise, . , 209

Apt to be deceived by them in our own case, . .211

Danger to true Christians from mixing too much in worldly business, . . . . . . , ib.

Advice to thos*^ who suspect this to be their case, , . ib»

Exquisite sensibility, its flimsy texture ; School of Rousseau and Sterne, . . . . , . '215

Sterne reprobated for indecency, .... ib.

Sect. V. — Some other Grand Defects in the Practical System of the Bulk of JVominal Christians,

Inadequate conceptions generally prevalent of the guilt and evil of sin, ......

Proofs from our common language,

Different standard in the word of God,

Inadequate fear of God generally prevalent, .

Sin, its baneful nature.

The future punishment of the wicked represented in Scripture as resulting from established relations,

State of the world at the time of the Deluge, .

Inadequate sense of the difficulty of getting lo heaven,

And of the necessity of acquiring a peculiar character, in orde to fit us for it, . . . . •

True Christian's efforts in this great work.

The Christian's life, represented under the character of a journey through a strange country, . »

The bulk of nominal Christians defective in the love of God,

The stage tried by this test, ....

Practical excellence of this quality,

Our referring the stage to this test justified by political analogy, 227

Bulk of nominal Christians defective in love of their fellow, creatures, ...•••

True marks of love of our neighbor,

The stage tried by reference to this test.

228 229 231

CONTENTS. iX

Sect. VI. — Grand Defect. — JYegiect of the peculiar Dcc' trines of Christianity.

Page, Grand defect in the practical system of nominal ChriBtians — their neglect of the peculiar doctrines of Christianity ; and practical evils resulting therefrom, in the case of persons desirous of repentance and reformation, . . . 233 Advice of modern religionists to persons of this description, . 235 Advice given to them by the Holy Scriptures, and by the

Church of England, . . , . . ib.

Extreme importance of this point — nature of true holiness, and Christian method of obtaining it, .... 236

Practical use made by the true Christian of the peculiar doctrines of Christianity, ..... 237

The same use of them made in the Scriptures, . , 238

Use of the peculiar doctrines of Christianity, in enforcing its importance, ....... z6.

In enforcing an unconditional surrender of ourselves to God, . 239 In enforcing the guilt of sin, and the dread of its punishment, . ih. In promoting the love of God, .... 240

In promoting the love of our fellow-creatures, . . .241

In promoting humility and meekness, . . . . ib.

In promoting a spirit of moderation in earthly pursuits, and cheerfulness in suffering, . . . . • 244

In promoting courage, confidence in danger, andheavenly-mindedness, . . . . . , , ib.

Grand distinction between nominal and real Christians, the place practically assigned by them to the peculiar doctrines of Christianity, . . . . • . 245

Chapter V

ON THE EXCELLENCE OF CHRISTIANITY IN CERTAIN IM- PORTANT PARTICULARS. ARGUMENT WHICH RESULTS THENCE IN PROOF OF ITS DIVINE ORIGIN.

Consistency between the leading doctrines, and practical precepts, of Christianity, ..... 247 Between the leading doctrines of Christianity among each other, 248 Between the practical precepts of C hristianity among each other, ib. Higher value set by Christianity, on moral, than on intellectual

attainments, .....

Intrinsic excellence of the practical precepts of Christianity, 252 Strong evidence of the truth of Christianity, afforded by the number and variety of the kinds of evidence by which its divine origin is proved, , , , , . ib.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER VL

BRIEF INQUIRY INTO THE PRESENT STATE OE CHRISTIAN- ITY IN THIS COUNTRY, WITH SOME OF THE CAUSES WHICH HAVE LED TO ITS CRITICAL CIRCUMSTANCES. ITS IMPORTANCE TO US AS A POLITICAL COMMUNITY, AND PRACTICAL HINTS FOR WHICH THE FOREGOING CONSIDERATIONS GIVE OCCASION.

Page,

Tendency of religion, and especially of Christianity, to promote

the well-being of political communities, . . . 254

A general standard or tone of moral practice, in every community, 255 Christianity has raised this general standard or tone, . ih.

Effects on religion, of adversity and prosperity respectively, . 256 Natural presumption concerning the present state of religion

among us, afforded by the preceding consideration, . 258

Causes from which the peculiarities of Christianity slide- into disuse, ....... 259

Still farther decline to be expected, . . . . ib.

The above presumptive statements justified by facts, , , 260

One cause assigned which has principally operated in reducing

Christianity among us to a mere system of ethics, . . 261

Christianity, such as it is, stated in the present work, the religion of the pillars of our churches, . . . ib. Its corruption accelerated by the civil commotions of the last century, ....... 262

The peculiar doctrines of Christianity, at length almost left out of the system : this position confirmed by an appeal to our best novels, ....... 264

The literati of our days, sceptically disposed, . . . 265

Consequences to be expected, ..... 266

The objection, that the author's system so strict, that if it were

to pievail, the world could not go on, stated and refuted, . ib, Happy effects to us as a political community, from the prevalence of vital Christianity, ..... 269

The position, that Christianity is hostile to patriotism, opposed, 270 Superior nature and extent of true Christian benevolence, . ib, Christianity peculiarly adapted to promote the well-being of

political communities, from its hostility to selfishness, . 271

Political expedients for preventing the mischievous effects of selfishness on civil communities, and superior efficacy of Christianity in this respect, . . . . . 272

Means by which Christianity produces the above effect, . ib.

Vital Christianity can alone produce them, . . . 275

In the present circumstances of this country, we must either

have vital Christianity, or we shall have none at all, . ib.

Appeal to experience, in confirmation of the above position, . 276 Political good effects from the revival of vital Christianity

among u^, and bad ones from its further decline, . . 277

A state of great civilization, no security against great moral corruption, ...,.*. 278

CONTENTS. XI

Fage.

Practical hints for the conduct of men in power, suggested by

the above statements, . . . . . 279

No time for half measures. — A decided line of conduct called for, 280 Duty enforced on us of checking open profaneness, and, above

all, of giving religious insirucLJon to the rising generation, 281 Evangelical Christianity alone likely to produce any real

amendment^ ..... , , ib.

The above remark pressed on the bishops, the clergy, and our

universities, ..... . . 282

Apology for having treated of religion so much with a view to

its political effects, ...... 283