A. A better foundation than that—That! What? To what substantive does this refer? According to the rules of grammar, (for all the other substantives are in the genitive case, and consequently to be considered as only parts of that which governs them) you must mean, “A better foundation than that foundation which is founded on this doctrine.” As soon as I understand the question, I will endeavour to answer it.
Q. 4. Can that sudden and instantaneous change be easily distinguished from fancy and imagination?
A. Just as easily as light from darkness: seeing it brings with it a peace that passeth all understanding, a joy unspeakable, full of glory, the love of God and all mankind filling the heart, and power over all sin.
Q. 5. May we not well suppose the workings of imagination to be more strong and powerful in one who is taught to expect such a change?
A. Perhaps we may—But still the tree is known by its fruits. And such fruits as those above-mentioned imagination was never yet strong enough to produce, nor any power, save that of the Almighty.
7. There is only one clause in the eighth query which falls under our present enquiry.
“They make it their principal employ, wherever they go, to instil into people a few favorite tenets of their own; and this with such diligence and zeal as if the whole of Christianity depended upon them, and all efforts toward the true Christian life, without a belief of those tenets, were vain and ineffectual.”
I plead guilty to this charge. I do make it my principal, nay, my whole employ, and that wherever I go, to instil into the people, a few favourite tenets. (Only be it observed, they are not my own, but his that sent me.) And it is undoubtedly true, that this I do, (tho’ deeply conscious of my want, both of zeal and diligence) as if the whole of Christianity depended upon them, and all efforts without them were void and vain.
I frequently sum them all up in one, in Christ Jesus, (i. e. according to his gospel) neither circumcision availeth any thing nor uncircumcision, but faith which worketh by love. But many times I instil them one by one, under these, or the like expressions. Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy mind, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself; as thy own soul; as Christ loved us. God is love: and he that dwelleth in love, dwelleth in God, and God in him. Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law. While we have time let us do good unto all men; especially unto them that are of the houshold of faith. Whatsoever ye would that men should do unto you, even so do unto them.
These are my favourite tenets, and have been for many years. O that I could instil them into every soul throughout the land! Ought they not to be instilled with such diligence and zeal, as if the whole of Christianity depended upon them? For who can deny, that all efforts toward a Christian life, without more than a bare belief, without a thorough experience and practice of these, are utterly vain and ineffectual?