October 31

I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ. - Romans 1:16.

SO far from being ashamed of the gospel, we have every reason to admire it. Christianity is the only religion founded in love and requiring only love in return. As to other religions, they always want the assurance that “God is love.” The heathen only derived their confidence from nature and providence: by observing these they did see something to encourage hope; but then they found other things to excite their fear, and in their guilty minds (for every man is conscious of some guilt) the fear hath more power to operate than the hope. And this will account for it, that in the history of all superstitions we find they have not only been absurd and foolish, but they have always been cruel and bloodthirsty.

Our missionaries from abroad have always told us, among the heathen they have never found any thing like love, real love, or regard to their gods and goddesses. They only dreaded them, and therefore hated them; and this was an advantage in their conversion, that as soon as ever they could be assured of being protected from the resentment of their deities, they would trample them under their feet; they would throw them into the sea, or burn them in dressing their food. No, there is no religion of love but the religion of Christianity. We have reason not only to rejoice in the character but in the influence of Christianity too. This can never be fully appreciated.

The Jewish kings were, in general, very bad men; still, however, they had a little more humanity than the surrounding despots. Therefore it was said by the Syrians that the kings of Israel were merciful kings; because they had revealed religion, and this had produced a degree of humanity and tenderness which others had not. So we see that when religion comes into countries, it operates according to the degree of the truth and spirit in which it is received. We might be ashamed if there were not much more Christianity in Protestantism than Popery: but now compare these religions together, as to the countries in which they have rule; see what a difference there is.

Observe Scotland, and compare it with the state of Ireland. Observe the civil war after the French Revolution, when so many hundreds and thousands, as they fell into each others’ hands, were immediately butchered; and then turn to the time of the civil war here in the time of Charles the First,-not an instance of a private ever being butchered on either side, during the whole war. So it was in the American war: nothing of this was ever practised; none of those who fell into each others’ hand were treated with cruelty, or destroyed. Then, if we go to Spain, and see what they have done, and are doing there to this very hour, and see what a difference there is between Protestantism and Popery.

Is it possible such a religion as the gospel of Christ should ever be received without doing much good? Christianity was not only the power of God unto the salvation of many, but, where it did not operate savingly, yet what advantages did it produce! How it tamed the fierceness of the passions and the savageness of the manners of the heathen! In proportion as persons have imbibed its spirit, and received the truth as it is in Jesus, they have always been distinguished by their humanity, benevolence, and exertions to do good.

As Christians, therefore, we have reason highly to esteem the religion we profess, which comes to us with this proclamation, and with this aim:-“Love is of God, and every one that loveth is born of God.” “Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.”