-07-Conclusion

Conclusion

Let us, then, if we are Christians indeed offer up our grateful acknowledgments to the ALMIGHTY, who has laid such a firm foundation for our faith. Let us exult in the inviolable certainty of the Holy Word, viz. CHRIST, (John 1:1-51 :) and assure ourselves that his promises are as infallible as his predictions: To "the witness" within us (1 John 5:10.) and to an acquaintance with the interior excellence of the gospel, let us labor to add a more perfect knowledge of the historical and moral evidence which defends it; that thus we may be better qualified to convince gainsayers. If we are Christians in name only, let us receive a salutary admonition from that exemplary vengeance which was inflicted by the ALMIGHTY upon the whole Jewish nation; who, while "they professed that they knew God, in works denied him;" and while they boasted that they were his peculiar people, remained "strangers to the covenant of promise." Let us also seriously reflect, that as he was not a Jew who was only one "outwardly," "in the letter" merely, and whose praise was of men -- so now, in like manner, he only is a Christian who is one " inwardly," whose religion is seated in the heart; "in the spirit and not in the letter"; whose praise is not of men, but of God." (Romans 2:28-29.) Let the Unbeliever, or the professed Deist, for whose benefit, chiefly, the preceding pages were written, seriously ponder their contents. It may be proper to state, that the faith which we wish him to possess is not merely an admission upon evidence, that " all Scripture is given by inspiration of God," (which, standing alone, has no higher value than the faith of education,) but a VITAL, ACTIVE PRINCIPLE, A FAITH that will purify the heart;" that "works by love that will enable him to " fight the good FIGHT," " to overcome the world," and to obtain "a crown of life," and an "in corruptible inheritance" in heaven.