full of pride, vanity, and arrogance; and substitute such impostors, for the true ambassadors of the Prince of Peace!

“ Is there not some chosen curse, Some hidden thunder in the stores of heav'n, Red with uncommon wrath, to blast such men ?"

The injury they do is unutterable, for they will neither enter heaven themselves, nor (like the Jewish doctors) let their priest-ridden admirers and supporters enter there. They usurp the place of the true ministers* of Christ, who would (were it not for their cupidity and usurpation) be a blessing to many millions, who at present are fast asleep in the cradle of carnal security, and are continually rocked therein by those ungodly preachers, lest they should awake, and recognize the imposition : Hence many never open their intellectual eyes, till they open them in hell!

Indeed, a true minister of Christ is, and ought to be in his hand, the same as a speaking trumpet in the hand of a captain of a ship. They should always, therefore, be united to him by a living faith, like the branch to the vine ; and he would be alway's in their hearts, by the special light and influence of his spirit, that they may always know his will, and speak his words. And if they should at any time deviate from the path of moral rectitude, through weakness or unwatchfulness, they should not for one minute, leć guilt remain upon their consciences, but come instantly to the fountain of Jesus' blood, and with the towel of faith, wash the stain away ; before they presume, upon any account, to be the trumpet, or if you please, the oracle of the living God to dead sinners. How few of the clerical tribe will see as I do, or believe as I do in this respect ! and how many of them will laugh at these sentiments, as rank enthusiasm ! or, with their usual haughtiness,

affect to despise, what they cannot contro

vert.

One sentiment more on election, and we will conclude this department, which is more lengthy than I at first contemplated; and with the others, is both desultory, imperfect, and untranscribed. Indeed, it is matter of surprise to me, that the work is not more imperfect than it really is; and the reader would be as much surprised, did he but know the great domestic confusion in which it was chiefly composed. The last sentiment on election which I propose to suggest, is this; viz. To be "elected from all eternity," or "an eternal election," to use the phraseology of Calvinism, seems to me to be the quintessence of absurdity. Although I pay great deference to certain calvinistic characters, who rank high in the republic of letters, yet I cannot see how, or wherefore any individual, or association of individuals can be elected eternally, or from all eternity. When an election takes place

in political or ecclesiastical bodies, it is a positive proof, there was a time when no such election had taken place. Now those who assert that election is eternal, indirectly declare, that no such thing exists. The fact is, rank Calvinism is a species of Atheism, with this variation: the first says, election had no beginning, and the last, the world had no beginning. It is certain, that there was a time when election did, and when election did not exist; and it is equally certain, that there was a time when the world did not exist; at which time our glorious Messiah was elected to be the President, or rather the Prince, of all who should in time be elected, or chosen as coworkers with him; he being as the chief corner-stone, and only foundation, or frame of government, or plan of salvation, elected, chosen, or determined should be, before the creation of the world. All the chosen, or elected, and believers in Christ, are included in this building, or government, as the apostle Paul says.

"Now, therefore, ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow-citizens with the saints, and of the household of God; and are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner-stone; in whom all the building, fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord; in whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit." Eph. ii. 19-22.

Isaiah very beautifully shews for what purpose Christ was elected, not from all eternity, but before the foundation of the world, which was about 6,000 years ago, and is but a moment, compared to "all eternity."

"And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear: forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from