The Sun.
London, England, 1820-12-23 00:00:00

ed aloud for their election in the covenant of God, and yet
that none of us • being in the same .covenant to
presume upon the same election. The Jews were.
chosen, not as individuals hut as a body, tu telopu•
rat blessings and not to eternal-. What analogy then can
there exist between us and them in this respect? no more
than the promised Land.has with the Kingdom of Heaven.
The whole of their pie-eminence was only.a barliiitger of the
liglifthat,,is now come into the world ; and now that that-light
is cothe, there is no aiore:paiticular-chuic, expressly•marked
out, upon the beads of a select few, except as occasion might, •
arises and such selection promote the grand purpose of Uni-
versal Redemption. Without such occasion it appears to be
a most dangerous doctrine to believe in the election of a few,
without an the least regard to.their good life and conduct;
and t Ire -repenhation of the rest ; then indeed as (Quest. 7.),1
This cooelosiOn is most obvious and undeniable, however
his adversary may-chnse to evade it.
Once tidies ing that ‘otrr state in the nest world will not at
all depend Upon our behaviour in 'this, we shall go forth un-
coot i (Jule(' in the indulgOrte of our passions, but by the fear
of temporal punishment, which will be our only restraint
upon those litsts;and appetites which infect the peace and
harmony of ourselves and those amend us.
It is said, that this is the " Creed of none but.the rankest
A111;110[16,11; and to lake this for granted of the Predestin-
:unit's, is an artifice unworthy of the Bislison, as he most know
their sentiments according' with Set ipture, that without holi-
ness no ;lino snail see,. the Lord, aird that the wicked shall
he tweed into hell, and all,the people that forget God; and
the e tore tl ey supply us with every reasonable hope anti fear,
as if we coil put chase Heaven by our own doings?'
But, ho.,iver.honest and sincere the Predestinarian linty
be in his intention, or however subtle in his reasoning, the
consequences drawn by his Lordship are fair and unanswer-
, stile to all commoo apprehensions, however it may appear
to
th•.se chosen sew exalted spirits; the absolute elect ton of the
'I
we, and the absolute reprobation of the other :rum all ch.-
witlimit any the least refetence tti their conduct, must
ever appeor the greatest of all encimrageitients to both, to go
on pa) Ing uu regard to it; tneallNe, whatever they way 00,
the one must be saved, and the othei condOuned everiast-

•
ingly.
men of Such Persuasion refine as they will with all
those trice evasions, of which tiny may tie such great masters,
the leoole %stuts they instruct cannot, but draw by a direct
i oference this. one,,,conclosion ; and then, nu ilia/ter whether"
the former conleo that they are " Fleet Milo 'obedience,
or that holiness must 'be tho e,,iiseqlience of election, yet if
the last are toad Most expressly that they are elected with
out regard to holiness, how natural is it hit them, more es-
pecially if their evil lusts predoininate, which follow from
their original corrtiption, especially as depicted in the darl,
cohirs, in which our adversary delights to depict theta, how
natural I,say is it for them to listen with rapture to a doe,
trine likt this, so favourable to the indul4ence of their bad
propensities, and lease with Wing temerity, like must vie
tons to their passions, all the consequences to shift for them-

..re therefore melt venture to preach, in this strain,
ty should prove most satisfactorily, wit hunt; the shadow of
a doubt to themselves, from a variety of plain and connected
pasSaglis„almost beyond the possibility of controversy, a doc-
trine so pregnant with the elements of discord to the com-
munity at large, as well as con t racy to the general spirit of the
Gospel, and yet such as their folhavers May naturally deduce
without any force or -st rainiug, and are kt; the coustant habit
of deducing 'by the. simplest and most direct inference front
their ono general repetition.
What appears su entirely to militate against the plain duc-
t, ire and commandments of religion should at least be as
plainly delivered as either those commandments or doctrines.
Else, if we know au), thing of the treachery of the heart, we
may soon determine which way it will incline, whether to
those doctrines and commandments which would thwart its
evil lusts and affections, or to such as would almost by direct
consequence encourage, and I may say consecrate- them, as
belonging to the Family of the Elect, and therefore received
into the Ark of Faith, to enjoy the promises .vouchsafed to
he Faithful.
These Preachers, with the best intentions, may " mean
ty to deny all Claim in Man, and to shat out pride and
..righteousness, those odious and destructive vices, which
tl.e cup'of salvation as we take it to our lips ;" but
icy consider nit, that, denying all claim even in the re-
motest sense, they shot, out together with it, all Motives to
Faith and Obedieuce, and wake the voluntary and involun-
tary agent, the just and the unjust, alike to drink of the cup
of salvation. l'hey may contend, that the first " link in the
Golden Chain of Pied. stination is Election, the second Grace,
the third fifuliness, and the (math Salvation but if they
also contend not only for this gradation, but that once elect-
ed, they never fall from grace, and therefore never from sal-
vation, how easy is it for the curious and carnal, lacking the
sputa. of Christ, but boasting of his power, trout one of their
mysterious impulses, which they never fail to imagine at the
hearing of an extraordinary discourse, or. at one or other of
their secret though sensible experieoces•which Wait upon the
godly, all at once to rank themselves in the number of the
Elect, and leave to cuter kith) Grace, from which they shall
Beyer he recalled, and thence into Holiness and Salvation:
though at she same time for this strange confidence they
have no other authority froni the first to the last step of their
spiritual progress, than thi extravagant phantom of their
own presumptuons imagination, often excited and not sel-
dom confirmed in their wildest reveries, by the very voice
that professes to instruct them in the plaits and sober truths
of the Gospel.
By such a belief (Q. 8.), the ruffian that goes forth upon
the highway to transgress that law, may plead once believing
this, that he is bound down to the transgression by the chain
fixed from all eternity, of predestination; and that he is no
more guilty titan the . brick or stone, which from the moul-
dering wall falls and wounds the unwary passenger.
Such a doctrine as this, throws at once the reins over the
nt ck of those passions that want the most controul, that
t,reak our own peace and the peace of society ; and conse-
crates every impulse of Satan with the indelible sear of the
Spirit, operating tmoin us by a blind fatality.
Such men, so sealed, are now found, and have been in
former times, whatever our adversary may say, who in fact
plead this very doctrine in excuse for the grossest vices, and
transgressions of the law ;, and some even of their most no-
torious Preachers, not %try long ago, have admitted that
many have " wrested it to their own destruction." They have
therefore been obliged to hold back And take good heed how
they hasten to communicate to all, with Out distinction, a
tenet so dangerous to the community, when unjustly inter-
preted', or put too liberally, in practice. • • .
Happy would it he for such men if all would follow this
example of forbearance and caution, if they would pause be-
fore they venture to commit a weapon of so keen a temper
into bands as yet too lade and untaught to wield it.
Armed with this weapon, the ignorant have gone forth in
crowds, whatever this adversary may boast its its favour, and
upon the strength of the divine Decree, the great rule of our
doings, hare trampled upon the laws of nsan. as far inferior
in the contemplation of the saints,and perfectly incompatible
with divine election !
We all know what dreadful havoc . such self named saints
have done formerly in the world, whenever they were let
loose upon society to the wanton exercise of all their fierce
passions, now tha' they are inspired, and no longer to be con-
trolled by the hand of the civil power. •
Blessed be God, our Laws are as yet too powerful in them,
selves, and too wisely administered, to be overthrown by
men of the same stamp in the present times. rise strong arm
of the State can as yet restraint the inundations of aupersti
Com; but though it stay the mountain torrent that. would
carry all before it, tho re is still sufficient fisrce its the rasing
waters to find their way into the vale V lite, and slit ead
in
their coot se a dreary desolation, and tiny thing but peace and
comfort wucreeer this doctrine teaches, distinguishing its
con ei rts by a ;41oonty and austere countenance which evinent-
ly belies their own Faith ; for • a merry heart maketh a
cherrtul countenance," ' and whose countenance then ought
to be more cheerful than his who really believes in his heart
what hr professes with his mouth„ that he is most infallibly
assured of his own salvation ?
Some of those Knight--Errants of this woeful countenance,
it is a fact " obvious and indisputahle" to those who are ver-
sed in the Annals of their History, have often turned either
" Rebels, Traitors, or Criminals" of other descriptions, who,
if thy have been instigated to crime by any .Creed, have
hero e
instigated by this most hotrible Doctrine of absolute
Predest inatioo.
Every ball has its commission.; as it has driven the MalM-
fuetan, so has it driven very many that profess to be Chris-
tians, to meet the enemy in the held; for nothiag they can.
do will either, accelerate or retard their fate. As the fol-
lower after his own evil lusts rushes into his ruin,
thrust by spirit, and mistaking its impulse four the
good, into the wretchlessness of unclean living, no less
petilous than desperation; while the others distracted with
the terrors of the Lurd are sinking under the influence of the
same spirit, Tutu all the horrors -of despair ; " having conti-
nually before their eyes the sentence of predestination they
are thrust by the. Devil into desperation'," resigning every
faculty to this sine over-ruling principle of which they are to-
tally possessed ; and nothing but the grace of God, who has
already declared most positively against theta, can ever dis-
possess them.
Go to the gloomy ruansions of the unhappy Maniacs, and
there behold bow many of the tenantsaiwe their wretched-
ness to this sad perversion of the wre;cbed Faith delivered to

yrs

.be saints to illuminate Reason, and speak peace and comfort

:o the heart.

What then have they to answer for, who, instead of allow-
ing that Faith to'speak for itself thii language so naturAl to
the God of Mercy who bath spoken ity delight rather to go
about with the evil spirit, seeking whom to devour„to annoy
and distract with the terrors of the Lotd; as if they were the
terrors of the Lord, and not the bitter fruits of their own de-
sponding imaginations.

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TIIE SUN.

SOLEM QUIS DICERE FALSUM AUDEAT

LONDON,
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 23, 1820.

We received at a lafe hour this day the Paris
Papers of Wednesday last. Those of Tuesday
arrived last night. The former contain the
KING'S Speech on the opening of the Session of
the Chambers as follows :
" PA R I S, Dec: 40.—Yesterday, the King opened the Session
of ,the Chambers in the usual state. His Majesty having
taken his seat upon the Throne, after the arrangements of
ceremony had been completed, delivered the following

CCGii .-
f' Mrsst El:BS—Arrived at the termination of a year, mark

ed at first by the most grievous events, but so fertile since
consolation and hopes, we ought, before it closes, to tetur
thanks to Divine Providence for all hi; mercies.
" Mourning Vas in my house, but a son bas been granted
to my ardent prayers. France, after mingling her tears with
mine, has participated in my joy and nay gratitude, with
transports which I have deeply felt..
" Tim Almighty has not limited his protection to
this event: we owe to bins the continuation of peace, that
source of all prosperity. Time has only. served to knit closer
the alliance of which France forms a part. This alliance,
at the same time that it does away the causes of war, lends to
ensure us against those dangers, to which social order or the
politicatequilihrium might otherwise be exposed.
" Thrse dangers become every day more distant, as to us ;
I.cannot, ;however, be silent in this solemn communication
with niy people, respecting those serious circumstances, which
in the course. of the year.liave afflicted my beast. But
I am happy in being enabled to say, that if the State and
myfamily have, beets menaced by a conspiracy, too soon fol-
lowing the preceding disorders, it has beets made manifest
that the French nation is faithful to its King, and indignant
at the mere idea of seeing itself torn from his paternal
sceptre,' and of becoming the plaything of a perturned spirit,
Which it utterly detests.
" This spirit has thus not interrupted the movement
which carries bads France to the days of her prosperity. In
the interior a continually increasing success has crowned the
efforts of that laborious activity which is equally applied to
Agriculture, to the Arts, and to Industry.
"The an►elioration of the Revenue of the State, the eco
mousy which I have .prescribed, and tire solidity attached to.
credit, allow of being proposed-to-you, evert in the present
Session, a further diminution of the direct taxes. This alle-
viation will t►e so much the more efficacious as A will produce
a more equal division of the public burdenst
" Such a result renders more dear-to me the du'ics which

Royalty imposes.
" To render perfect the movements of the great politica,
bodies created by the charter, to place the different parts of
the administration in harmony with that fundamental. law,to
inspire a gic;eiaT confidence in the stability of the Throne,
and in the inflexibility of the laws, which protect the
interests of all, such is the object of my efforts. To
attain it, tWo conditions are necessary, time and repose.
We ought not to expect from nascent institutions what
can only be
.looked fur front their entire developernent,
and the habits which they are destined toform; hitherto we
have distinctly recognized, that Co public affairs patience
and moderation are decidedly powers, and those which, of all
ethers, deceive the least. Let us not forget that it would be
impossible for Government to maintain order, that chief
guarantee of liberty, unless armed with a force proportioned
to the difficulties whiclrenviron it.
" Every thing announces that the modifica''ons intro-
duced into our Electoral System will produce the advantages
Which I promised myself ; whatever increases the strength
and the independence of the Chambers, adds to the autho-
rity and the dignity of my Crown. This Session will, I hope,
Complete the work happily commenced by the last Session.
In confirming the necessary relations between the Monarch
and the Chambers, we shall succeed in forming that system
of Government which in all times so vast a Monarchy has
called for, and which is most imperiously required by the
present state of France and of Euaopt. •
" in order to accomplish these designs that I wish to
see prolonged the years that may be still reserved fur me; it
is also for the purpose of accomplishing them that we ought
to rely, you Messieurs, on my firm and inviolable Will, and
me on your loyal and constant support."
• The newly elected Deputies took the oaths ; the Sessions
was formally declated to be opened, and the King took his
departure with the accustomed ceremonies.
" PARIS Dec. t9.—Yesterday mass was celebrated at the
Metropolitan Church, on the occasion of the opening of the
Chambers this day. The service was attended by the Princes
and ptincesses, the Ministers, the Marshals, the Foreign Am
,bassadors, Peers, Deputies, &c., The. King continues to s:njoy
the best health. His Majesty transacted business with the
Doke de Richelieu.
" Letters flop) Vienna of the 9th instant say, ' No one can
doubt the result of the propositions which have been made to
the King of Naples ; it is the dominant party, and nut the
Monarchs, who will reply. It is on this supposition) too proba-
ble that all, the military arrangements will he completed.'
" Colonel of the Ex-Imperial Guard, has been ar-
rested atTroarn, iu the arrondissement of Caen. He was
immediately conveyed to Paris, by virtue of a Mandat Of the
Commission of the Court of Peers employed in the Instruction
relative to the Conspiracy of the 19th August. He has since
been liberated. ••
" The remains of M. Naldi were interred on Sunday, in the