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Experimental investigation of the spirit manifestations, [electronic ...

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ON THE MORALS OF CHRISTIANS. 235touched ; nor ought he to be worshipped under any corporeal representation.AVo have ideas <strong>of</strong> his attributes, but what <strong>the</strong> substance <strong>of</strong> ««y thingis, we arc wholly ignorant. We see only <strong>the</strong> figures and colours <strong>of</strong> bodies;we hear only sounds; we touch only external superficies; we smell onlyodours; we taste only savours; <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir internal substance we have nolinowledgc by any sense, or by any reflex act <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> mind; much lesshave we any idea <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> substance <strong>of</strong> God. We know hira only by hisproperties and attributes, by <strong>the</strong> most wise and excellent structure <strong>of</strong> things,and by final causes; and we reverence and worship him on account <strong>of</strong> hisdominion. A God without dominion^ providence, and design, is nothingelse but fate and nature."1223. The language above quoted does not involve <strong>the</strong> idea that Newtonowed his idea <strong>of</strong> God to <strong>the</strong> Bible, or that he considered hira as havingany person, much less that he consisted <strong>of</strong> three persons. lie makes noallusion to Christ or to <strong>the</strong> Scriptures. His opinions are quite reconcilablewith Theism, but incompatible with <strong>the</strong> existence <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Trinity.On God and his Attributes, by Seneca.1224. '^ Great respect is due to universal opinion. We consider commonassent an evidence <strong>of</strong> truth. That <strong>the</strong>re are Gods, we are convinced,among o<strong>the</strong>r pro<strong>of</strong>s, from <strong>the</strong> fact that <strong>the</strong> belief in <strong>the</strong>ir existence isnatural to man. No nation has been found so brutal as to be entirelywithout religion.1225. "We begin to know God from his works. What is God? AllIn what does <strong>the</strong> nature <strong>of</strong> Godthat you see, and all that you do not see.and man differ ? The best part <strong>of</strong> man is his mind ; in God <strong>the</strong>re is nothingbut mind. He is pure <strong>spirit</strong>. Many names are applicable to him. Doyou call him Fate ? You do not err. He it is upon whom every thingdepends. The cause <strong>of</strong> causes. Do you call him Providence ? You areright. It is by his appointment that this world is so arranged that itperforms without confusion <strong>the</strong> part assigned to it. Do you call himNature ? You do not sin. It is he from whom all things are produced.1226. " You may properly apply to God any name expressive <strong>of</strong> celestialpower. All his benefits may give rise to distinctive appellations.Thus he is called Fa<strong>the</strong>r, Hercules, Mercury, &c. Fa<strong>the</strong>r, because he istruly <strong>the</strong> Fa<strong>the</strong>r <strong>of</strong> all; Hercules, because he is omnipotent; 3Iercury,because he is pure Reason, <strong>the</strong> principle <strong>of</strong> science, <strong>of</strong> order, and <strong>of</strong>harmony.1227. "Justice, Prudence, Fortitude, Temperance^ are all names <strong>of</strong> o/icGod, expressive <strong>of</strong> his various attributes, and are qualities <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> one mind;whichever <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>m you love, you Jove God. Known unto God are all hisworks.1228. " Whatever is to happen is present with him. What to us issudden and unexpected, has by him been foreseen and provided for.

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