Though the name of the author of Psal. cxxxvii.
be not recorded yet his generous disposition
should ever be admired. If I do not remember thee,
let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth ; if
I do not prefer Jerusalem above my chief joy. Good
old Eli mourned more for the loss of religion, than
for the loss of his relations. His heart was bro-
ken before his neck. If the church be lost. Chris-
tians cannot be saved if the church be saved.
Christians cannot be lost.
Hosea 4:6. My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge
In a short time there will (we have reason to fear) remain but two kinds of persons among us, either those who think not at all, or those whose imaginations are active indeed, but continually evil. Of these latter it may be said, "Their foolish heart was darkened." Of the principles, I do not say of the detail, of political science, a sound theology is the only sure and steady basis. Now we trace the operations by which a destruction so extended in its consequences has been effected. The master-spring of every principle which can permanently secure the stability of a people is the fear and knowledge of Almighty God. The first operation of a principle of atheism, and perhaps one of the most formidable in its consequences, is that which leads political men to conceive of Christianity as a mere auxiliary to the State. Religion was not instituted (in the Divine council I mean) for the purpose of society and government, but society and government for the purposes of religion. As a...
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