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when at the house of Simon the tanner. They had depended so much on outward miracles that he condescended to give this evidence, and this was the weakest evidence that he ever condescended to make use of, but they could not in that weak state, see fully into the gospel dispensation.

Now when Peter got to the house of Cornelius, and when through the operation of the power which he had received, and which truly cost him nothing, for they who preach the gospel live by the gospel. Here their souls were fed and comforted. Here he partook of the gospel with them. And as they who preach the gospel live of the gospel, it was good to his soul; and that which was good to his soul, was communicated to them, because, through the efficacy of the doctine which he preached under the influence of this holy spirit, they were brought to believe in the witness for God in their own souls. This witness was raised in them: by the light of God which shone into their minds, their inward eye was opened, and they were baptized together in the holy spirit. And so it would be at this day if we were honest,-if we were open to receive divine instruction. At such seasous as this, if our minds were sufficiently turned inward and placed upon the Comforter, which is only known within, how his power would prevail. We should

be brought together and made to rejoice together, and we should sit down together in heavenly places, were we only faithful to the manifestation of truth in our souls.

Therefore, without adding many words, I have felt my mind inclined to impart these things, that we may honestly apply what we have heard to our own selves; that we may consider the great importance of being honest to God and to ourselves. God is in man, and speaks with power to our souls, and thus this reprover would show us our transgressions; and if we would fall down and acknowledge them and pray for mercy, he would grant it, and thus we should be able to fulfil the requisition of the prophet: "Cease to do evil, learn to do well, seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow." Then, and not till then, can we come into this state of open intercourse, and be admitted into the presence of the Most High. "Come now and let us reason together, saith the Lord; though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land; but if ye refuse and rebel," death shall be your portion.

SERMON V.'

BY THOMAS WETHERALD.

DELIVERED AT HESTER STREET MEETING, NEWYORK, SUNDAY AFTERNOON, MAY 28TH, 1826.

But in order

An investigation of what is truth, leads to a detection and exposition of error. to produce these effects, it is necessary that the investigation be conducted on principles in accordance with the nature of the subject to be investigated. Mechanical truths must be investigated and proved upon mechanical principles; mathematical truths must be proved according to mathematical principles; and spiritual truths must be spiritually proved.

Now it is not in the nature of any thing, which stands not immediately in the revelation of God, manifested unto man, to enable us to pursue this investigation, so as to produce these results; for this revelation is the alone medium whereby we can come to a comprehension of God and of spiritual truths. As to matters of opinion, belief,

and systems of religion, they are the works of man; and if necessary to appeal unto these, I apprehend that I could unite in belief with almost all the members of the various religious societies. I could believe that there is no salvation out of the Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church. I could, with the Episcopalian, “believe in God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried;" but that he descended into hell, I dare not believe, because he declared to the thief on the cross, "To day shalt thou be with me in paradise." I can, with those who adopt the Calvinistic platform, believe that only the elect are saved. I can believe, with some of the Baptists, that baptism is essential to salvation. With Arminius, that all men may be saved. And I can believe, with the Quakers, that "the grace of God, which bringeth salvation, hath appeared unto all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world, looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ."

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