Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1840-09-09
For the Telegraph.
INSURANCE OF SOUND DOCTRINE.


7aIl sorts of fortunes, and even the most
cruel deaths, upon those who were ac-
counted heretics But in more modern
times the folly and wlckedness of such
practice has been by a great portion of
the world discovered. 1t is a question,
however, whether we have moi fallen into
the contrary extreme. With many, de-
parlure from the faith once delivered 10
the saints is scarcely censurabe, provid-
ed the delinquent keep himself from scan
dlIous crimes in practice. Some NAV
make religion consist TOO exclusively in
theoretical knowledge of the Bible. But
others err as much, who speak of the doc
trinal part of religion as of very little
Importance. And 10 make their notions
appear al plausible as they can, they
speak of the important principles of the
B.ble, under the name of tenets, and mere
opinions, and what a man happens to
think. According to the expressions of
such persons, there is nothing morally
right or wrong in mans faith, whether
nc believes in one God or ten, it is imma-
lerial, he happens TO think so. Another
cares nolwhat PERSONS principles are,
IL he is TN good christian. AS if man
could be- an infdel in principle, and ye, be
q good christian. Another class hold
some things contained in the Bible TO be
essential, and many other things non-es
sentIal BY the way, though, they will
strenuousE maintain these non essential
things, Itthe hazard of the peace of the
church, a d the prosperity of the cause of
Christ. But time would fail TO mention
all the aburd noions that have been in
\ vented, to wade the truth as it is in Jesus
} The thing of God are hid from the wise
and prudat, and revealed unto babes in
Christ. What is said below is intended
TO show tie importance Of the doctrinG'
part of chtaianty, in particular, though
it may emB,ce other parts of The system
in a generalsense.
BY doclrihl truth, mean that delinea
licn or exhibition of the character anC
projections O God the Father; the per
son, attributed Offices and mediation 9th,
Great Redeeter; and the office-work
pcrfections ofthe Holy Ghost, contained
in the Bible. In short, the " hole that !;
10 be beIieve pertaining 10 christianity
And il Shout be remembered that th
doctrine of CEist is one. There are doc
trnes Of devil and doctrines of men :
but know b Of the plural, doctrine
being used ID all the 3 bic, when tn
truth is intendl And the reason is OF
yious. The Sctrine Of the scriptures
a connected sytem Of great and impor
ant principles Whereas error is ma
OF absurdines Id contradictions. Henc
as the docrnef the gospel is conncc
ed system of Erand principles of trut
every one off ese principles is essen'i
10 the perfectA Of the system; audi
the whole is ode up Of parts, with
same proprieivhat we relinquish one, ,
NAV two. and son until the whole four
alton of our fab and hope is taken frc
US. saw theIundaton Of our faith d
hope, for whai; there for these TO STA
upon if the define Of the Bible is rel
qushed! Tbs, faith is oiien used in
scriptures in bom of doctrine. WI
Paul SAYS hereached the faith which
once dcs,roJ. what shall we understa
but that he leached the doctrine VIII
he once sire 10 overthrow! To c
tend earncg for the faith is doubles
contend fohe truth. To build up yC
selves in 4 most holy fath--to strive
getter fotSe faith of The Gospel,
are exprejns which 90 10 show
that cam be genuine filth which
not enbrcl the true doctrine, be it
so strouf and sincere. Faith. II
Love ansby have an agent, and an
ject; anHhat can the object of then
if they ] evangelical. but the truth
The ddine of the Bible seems 10
the fou alton Of the prophecies. prec
and u"ises of the scriptures. II
doctrI be overthrowo, or denied
groq IS there for confidence in any