American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1824-03-19

preserve -thls IS the peculiar and uniadinB glory
! of Christanity-this is conquest over ourselves,
which, without the aid of merciiul God, none of
US can achieve, and which it was worthy of his spe-
cial interposltion to enable us to accomplish" In
my last, I'shewed you from the very words OF our
Saviour, that he commanded his deciples 10 aim at
perfection and that this perfection consisted IN
self subjugaton and broihery love, ia the complete
conquest OF passion, and in the practice OF benevo-
ence to our fellow creatures, including among
them our most inyeterale enemies. -" You will
there find proved the duty OF totally subdueiDg the
passions. 1t is some times objected that this theory
is not adapted to the inhrmities OF human nature
that it is not made for being constituted man
than an earhen vessel is not formed to dash against
la rick that in yielding to the impulse of the
passions, only follows the dictates oil his matt :;
land that to subdue them entirely, is an effort be-
Iyond his power. The weakness and fray Of man,
lis strongly attested by all human experience, as
well as by the whole tenor Of the scriptures; butt
the degree of weakness is to be limited by the ef-
forts to overcome it, and not by indulgence to it'll
Once admit weakness as argument to folbesr,
eXertion, and it results in absolute impotence III
is also very inconclusive reasoning, to infer, that
because perfection is moi absolutely to be obtained
it's therefore not to be sought. Human excel
lence consists in the approximation to perfection i
and the only means OF approaching to any term,
is by endeavoring to obtain the term itself With
these convictions upon the mind, and with sincere
honest effort to practise upon them, and with the
aid OF divine blessing which is promised to it, the
approach to perfection may at least be so great as
nearly to answer all the ends that absolute Derfec-
ton itself could attsn.''
I" In order to preserve the dominion Of our own
passions, behoves US to be constantly and strictly
upon our guard, against the influence and Infection
Of the passions OF others. This caution is allI'
necessary in yoHth and deem it the more indis.
pensabe to enIoin Il upon yoa because, as kind
hess and oeneyoence, comprise the whole systeml
u Christian duties, there may be, and often is
great danger Of falling into error and vice merely
~ the want of energy to resist The example, or
Of others. On this point, The true
.haracter OF Christian morality, appears 20 have
been misunderstood by some Of its abes and warm
81 defenders. In Paley's " View of the Eydcn S
'es oi Christianity there is chapter upon the
morality OF the Gospel, in which is the following
passage The truth is, there are two opposite S
descriptions OF characters under which, mankindl
nay generally be classcd.-Ihe one possesses
IGOR hrmness, resolution /; is daring and active.
uck IN its sensbilities, jealous of its lame eagerI
its attachments inhexible in its purposes violent
It's resentment. The other, meek yielding,
oHplylng lorgivng, not prompt to act, but vii =
hg 70 suffer, silent and gentle under rudencss and
lsult' suing Tor reconciliation, when others would
emand sstislaction giving way to The pushes oil a
npudence, conceding and indulgent to the prelu !,
ices the intractlblty o! those it has 20 deal WIKI
le former OF these characters is and ever hath"
cen the tavorite OF the world. II is the character
SFPat men, There IS dignity in it, which uni y
ersally commands respect. The latter is poo I
1ried' tame aud AFFECT. Yet so il happened with "
lie JoHhder OF Christianity, tie latter is The sub L
~ o. ms commentator, his precepts his exam ~
lie and that the former Is 10 part Of its coInpo u
r. N lie nh all
plnloh OF Soame Jenyns, whose essay upon the u
tera evidence OF Christianity lie vcly strongly p
'commendsi but ! cannot consider il as an acru "
le ana discerning deneation Of character, or as|
Shloluns correct representation of ChrislianI
rinciples. The founder Of Christianity, did indeed
rohouhee distinct end positive blessing upon lie Z
DOR ~ spirit (Which is by no means synonymuus
i'h the poor spiited) and the meek. But IN .
nat part d the gospel did DR. palcy find him d,
1untenancing by commentator, preccpt or ex G.
npie' The t4ne and abject. The character which, =
h'ls' assumed upon earth, was that OF Lord andI u
laster II was IN tins character that Ills discirlesl
celved and acknowledged him. The obeGienceI p
a' ne required was unbounded; infinitely be. ~
'hd that whlch was claimed by the most absolutel
r'hly sovereign over his subjects. p
Never for one moment did he recede from The J.
thnrItatlve system--He pre.erved it in washinqI ri
{ iee OF his disciples. He preserved il in his an c.
yer 10 the high priest. He preserved it in the yeTyIo
'ony OF his exclamation upon the cross Fatb4rI ~
FBve Them, they know not what they do:'' lie * !,
'essy declares himself to be the prince of tbjss
ORD, and the Son of God. He spoke as one HAVING as
minority not only to his Disciples but to his mo u
er' ms Judges to PLATE the Roman Governor 10 w.
'nh me Baptist, his precursor. And there IS no -,
me TOUR Gospels, one act, nor one word recorded
MIN Excepting in his communion with Godl Thai =.
a. not direct Or implied assertion of authority az
n lICr 1VN1s., n a.
e, Tor am meek and lowy in heart and We sbaIll,h
10 rest 10 your souls" But where did be ever saw H.
arm OF me- Tor am tame and AFFECT. There Isl Z
,any' nothing more strongly marked in the pre. fe