Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1818-05-20
FOR TIE ALEXANDRIA GAZETTE.

stamped all have said as scphistcal rea'
soning, still continue to be Of the same
riind as the apostle, that is, F." Jesus Christ
the same yesterday, to day, and for ever
and although z made bis assertion with
aut proof, but from his own opinion, yet
Ibelievc it right for HE t. endeavor to
show that his impressions are rather in.
correct. In the first place, it will be ne
cessary to understand what it is that con-
stitutes the christian, and then to disco.
yer how long this christian making spirit
has had Influence 10 the world-l put no
confidence in the name, but in that power
from whence the name origihated--Ihe
apostle says, "e.cept ye are Of the 'P'.
rit Of Chris. ye are none OF iis," and
Jesus told the Jews, Il and my Father
are one.' From these passages we may
infer that Jesus vas actuated by the spl
rit OF the Father, consequently none can
be christians except they are actuated by
the same spirit, and if under the insiu-
ence of that spirit, then are they chris
,ians indeed, let their name to religion
be what it may, either Jew or Gentle.
know this will cram the secta1ian prir-
ciple, which plumes itself as being alone
the tavcri,e of heaven, and the very iGea
that Cd is impartial sets it distracted.
The table of tie dog in the manser, is
verified in thi, principle, it partakes not
Of the spirit itsel', and would prohibit all
others from it. Let US now endeayor TO
discover how long this christian spirit has
had influence in the world-I suppose on
this rests the whole OF the dispute. And
6rst will quote the opinRn of the apes.
tie John, for have great respect for the
opinion Of these old authors, believing
they knew more about these things than
either of :peakiug Of Jesus Christ or
the divine word. he says, all things
were made BY Him, and withou, Hin
was NOT made any thing that was made,
IN Him was life, and the life was ire light
Of men''-and again, I" that was the tue
light that li,hteth eve-y man that cometh
into the world" If Jesus Christ was the
same yesterday, to day, and forever, and
il the world was made by him, perhaps
it NAV not be scphistical to suppose that
bis spirit had some influence at that time,
which / believe was rather before Socra-
ties, and perhaps Jesus knew what he
said when ne told the Jews, when they
doubted respecting his origin and nature
i" your father Abraham rjoiced to see
my day, and he saw it and Gas glad
and again, "beforc Abraham wa, ! am."
When we see these things staring rs in
the face it is almost enough to pat US at
a stand, We might almost conclude there
may be seine truth in them. for to be sure
Jesus mast have known better than either
of US, and il these words Of his are true,
he was in the world from the beginning
and if SO, the world was not so dark as
we might have imagined. will now
quote one Of Psul's scyings, to show his
opinion, "for not the hearers Of the law
are Just before God, but the dcers Of the
Law shall be justified; for when the Gen.
tiles which have net the law, do BY ma
ture the things contained in the Law, the,
not having the Law. are law unto them
selves, which show the work Of the law
written in their hearts" &c. 1taPPear'
from this that Pau, held some Of these so
phst,cal opinions, and he told the CORN
thisns a!sc,, that the spirit Of Christ, Oh
that spisit which made all things that val
made, was with tie fathers in their joar
ney through the wilderness, he says
"they all were baptised unto Moses il
the cloud and ia the sea, and did all ca
Of the same spiritual meat, and did al
drink Of the came spiritual drink; TO
they oil drank Of that spiritual ro tina
fellow ed them, AID that rock was Christ.
These passages speak such plain language
they need no comment. Since we ar,
plainly told that God IS no re.recter Q
persons, but that sail in every nation
that fear Him and work righteousness, i