He must be just, because he is wise,
he must be good, because be is omnipotent. For to exalt one
attribute at the expence of another equally noble and necessary, bears
the stamp of the warped reason of man- the homage of passion. Man,
accustomed to bow down to power in his savage state, can seldom divest
himself of this barbarous prejudice, even when civilization determines
how much superior mental is to bodily strength; and his reason is
clouded by these crude opinions, even when he thinks of the Deity.-
His omnipotence is made to swallow up, or preside over his other
attributes, and those mortals are supposed to limit his power
irreverently, who think that it must be regulated by his wisdom.
I disclaim that specious humility which, after investigating nature,
stops at the author.- The High and Lofty One, who inhabiteth eternity,
doubtless possesses many attributes of which we can form no
conception; but reason tells me that they cannot clash with those I
adore- and I am compelled to listen to her voice.
It seems natural for man to search for excellence, and either to
trace it in the object that he worships, or blindly to invest it
with perfection, as a garment. But what good effect can the latter
mode of worship have on the moral conduct of a rational being? He
bends to power; he adores a dark cloud, which may open a bright
prospect to him, or burst in angry, lawless fury, on his devoted
head he knows not why. And, supposing that the Deity acts from the
vague impulse of an undirected will, man must also follow his own,
or act according to rules, deduced from principles which he
disclaims as irreverent.
Pages:
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81