> IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) 1.0 ^i^ iii I^^S 1^ lU 12.2 Sf K4 I.I LS, 12.0 6" H]0tographic .Sciences Corporalion 23 VnST MAIN STRUT WltSTIR,N.Y. 145M (716) t73-4S03 "fv ^ CIHM/ICMH Microfiche Series. CIHIVI/ICIVIH Collection de microfiches. Canadian Inatituta for Hiatorical Microraproductiona / Inatitut Canadian da microraproductiona liiatoriquc vV Technical and Bibliographic Notaa/Notaa tachniquaa at bibliographiquaa Th4 to The Institute has attempted to obtain the best originel copy available for filming. Features of this copy which may l>e bibliographically unique, which mey alter any of the images in the reproduction, or which may significantly change the usual method of filming, are checked below. D D D a Coloured covers/ Couverture de couleur I I Covers damaged/ Couverture endommagAe Covers restored and/or laminated/ Couverture restaur^ et/ou peiliculAe Cover title missing/ Le titre de couverture manque Coloured maps/ Cartes gtographiques en couleur Coloured inic (i.e. other than blue or black)/ Encre de couleur (i.e. autre que bleue ou noire) I I Coloured plates and/or illustrations/ n Planches et/ou illustrations en couleur Bound with other material/ RellA avec d'autres documents Tight binding may cause shadows or distortion along Interior margin/ La rs liure serrte peut causer de I'ombre ou de la distortion le long de la marge IntMeure Blank ieeves sdded during restoration may appear within the text. Whenever possible, these have been omitted from filming/ II se peut que certaines pagee blanches aJoutAee lore d'une restauration apparaissent dans le texte, mais. lorsque cela Malt possible, ces pages n'ont pas At* film^es. Additional comments:/ Commentalres suppMmentaires: L'Institut a microfilm* le meilleur exemplaire qu'il lul a At* possible de se procurer. Les dAtalls de cet exemplaire qui sont peut-*tre uniques du point de vue bibliographlque, qui peuvent modifier une image reprodulte, ou qui peuvent exiger une modification dans la mithode normale de fllmage sont indiquAs ci-dessous. D D D Q D D D D D Coloured pages/ Pagee de couleur Pages damaged/ Pages endommag*es Pages restored and/or laminated/ Pages restaur*es etr^ou peiliculAes Pages discoloured, stained or foxed/ Pages d*color*es, tachet*es ou pIquAes Pages detached/ Pages d*tach*es Showthrough/ Transparence Quality of print varies/ Qualit* in*gale de I'lmpression includes supplementary materiel/ Comprend du met*riel supplimentaire Only edMoh available/ Seule Mition dieponible Pages wholly or partially obscured by errata slips, tissues, etc., have been ref limed to ensure the best possible image/ Les peges totalement ou partiellement obscurcles par un feuiliet d'erreta, une pelure, etc., ont *t* fllm*ee A nouveau de fapon A obtenir la mellleure image possible. Th po of fllr Or be th( sic oti fin sio or Th shi TH w^ Ml dif ent be{ rigl req mc This item is filmed at the reduction ratio checked below/ Ce document est film* au taux de rAduction indiquA cl-dessous. 10X 14X ItX 22X 2SX »X J lax 16X 2DX 24X The copy filmed hare hat been reproduced thanka to the generoaity of: National Library of Canada L'exemplaire filmA fut reproduit grAce k la ginAroaitA da: BibliothAque nationale du Canada The imagea appearing here are the beat quality possible considering the condition and legibility of the original copy and in keeping with the filming contract specif icationa. Las imagea auivantea ont At* reproduites avec le plus grand soin, compte tenu de la condition at da la nettetA de rexempiaire filmA, at en conformitA avec les conditions du contrat de filmage. Original copies in printed paper covera are filmed beginning with the front cover and ending on the last page with a printed or illuatrated imprea- aion, or the back cover when appropriate. Ail other originai copies are filmed beginning on the first page with a printed or illuatrated impres- sion, and ending on the last page with a printed or illustrated impreasion. Lea exemplairea originaux dont la couverture en papier est ImprimAe sont filmAs en commenpant par le premier plat at en terminant soit par la darnlAre page qui comporte une empreinte d'impression ou d'illustration, soit par le second plat, aelon le cas. Tous les autres exemplaires originaux sont filmAs en commenpant par la premiAre page qui comporte une empreinte d'impression ou d'illustration at en terminant par la dernlAre page qui comporte une telle empreinte. The last recorded frame on each microfiche ahaii contain the aymboi -^ (meaning "CON- TINUED"), or the symbol ▼ (meaning "END"), whichever appliea. Un das symboles suivants apparaltra sur la dernlAre image de cheque microfiche, selon le caa: le symbols — ► signifie "A SUIVRE", le symbols V signifie "FIN". Mapa, plates, charta, etc., may be filmed at different reduction ratioa. Thoae too large to be ent'.rely included in one exposure are filmed beginning in the upper left hand corner, left to right and top to bottom, as many framea as required. The following diagrams illustrate the method: Les cartes, planches, tableaux, etc., peuvent Atre filmAs A des taux de rAduction diff Arents. Lorsque le document est trop grand pour Atre reproduit en un seul clichA, 11 est filmA A partir de I'angle supArieur gauche, de gauche A droite, et de haut en bas, en prenant le nombre d'images nAcessaire. Les diagrammes suivants illustrent la mAthode. 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 THE •^ IMPRESSIONS OF THE MIND: TO WHICH ARE ADDED SOME REMARKS 9M CHURCH AND STATE DISCIPLINE, AND THK ACTING PRINCIPLES OF LIFE. BY DAVID WILLSON; BAST GWILLIMBUR7. COUNTY OP YORK, AND PBOVINCfi OP UPPER CANADA. TORONTO 1835. 0100 Page ■" ] :* V *' 1 1 1! i: IJ 1! 2 s; 2i 21 2! Si 3 Page 15, 21. 32, 37, 40, 46, 57, 63, 65, 66, r 111. 110, 123, 138, 155, 198, 207, 213, 332, 237, 268, 290, 330j 343, ERRATA. lOlh line from bottom, a period should be aflcr God, and not ai\er remembrance in the preceding line. 2l8t line from top, for " cannot," read can. 11th do. bottom, for ** ground," read ro$e. 23d do. top, for " slumber," read slumbered. 5ih do. do. for " is the earth," read is in the earth. 8th do. do. for " plead," read feed. 2l8t do. do. for " receive," read relieve. 27th do. do. for "creature's," read Creator'*. 2nd do. do. for " waywarks," read waymarks. 15th do. bottom, for *' those doth," read thou dost, 9tb do. top, for " robe," read Rabbi. Ist line of prose, omit the word not. 8th line from top, for *' are," read or. 18th do. do. for " better," read bitter, last line, 2nd verse, for " thine," read there. 4th line from bottom, for " The," read There. 8rd 7th 15th 2nd 24th 13th 12th 13th do. top, for *' and the storm," read lahen the storm. do. do. for " from," read for. do. do. for " shall seek," read shall not seek. do. bottom, for " a universal," read in a universtU. do. top, omit the period after the word government. do. bottom, afler " mountains," insert faUingm do, do. ->-^«r 'lacsM' read rw#.^^'^^, t' 'iilUU-S do. top, for " these a with," read these asmth. r - -v. ■fV'V OBSERVATIONS TO THE READER. The want of literary qualifications will be seen by every observing reader in the following pages. 1 have not set out to please the learned, nor supplicate the great. My object in the publication of these few broken hints to the world, hath been to improve the small measure given, that, in the end, I may lay down my head in peace with God. I have drawn the follow- ing lines from the mind ; and, where an error in senti- ment is discovered, I have published the weakness of my own mind. I trust a divided world will excuse me for my singular deviations in Church and State Go- vernment, as a diversity of sentiment is much in fashion in our age. I am neither partially affected to either Church or Nation, — as I have neither interest or honour from either of them. It will be observed that my mind is in favour of ancient simplicity and plainness of speech. The want of education ucid lite- rary skill has made my sentences but few on various subjects, and left the cause naked that I have taken in hand. Perhaps the learned may clothe the same sen- timents with a more pleasing language, and the Truth may live. / *^ i"' i r f y.^.^t. IMPRESSIONS OF THE MIND. OcTOBBB 0th, 1832. Lord, where the sun hath never shono, And v'here the line was never drawn, Where thy great name was never known, To thence my mournful spirit's gone. Dark are the regions of the dead, They 're these that perish in their sins, To thence my mournful spirit fled, And thence my mournful song begins. Lord, I attend with list'ning ears. With hope thy solemn voice to hear ; My spirit looks with watchful eyes. Where nothing, nothing doth appear. My hands O God, are spread abroad, But nothing, nothing can I feel ; I move my feet to find the way. That thy great absence doth conceal. There's life in death, and hope is there ; These watchful eyes shall ever see : And God in mercy will appear, My spirit, he will come to thee. OcTOBEB 14th, 1832. Oh Lord, afar I see thy name. Bright in the eastern skies ; From thence at first my spirit came» Thence will thy glory rise. I ; 9 iMPBiHioNt or tnm mind. My ipirit is a prii*ner, here, I itruffgle in my chain, I often shed the languid tear, While bolts and bars remain. As criminals in thy courts doth stand, I live amidst my foes, I only wait for thy command, From whence my spirit rose. Oh Israel's name afar I see. Both priests and prophets there ; The house of Jacob waits for thee. And I'm with them in prayer. October 16th, 1832. Ob Lobd, thou hast shewn forth marvelous light in thy decrees ; they are as the sun and stars unchangeable with thee. Thy sons and servants are of unnumbered value to us ; they are appointed to teach all nations forevermore. Thou hast made thy son Jesus, Emanuel, to be as the sun amidst stars. So he appeared amidst thy servants, glorifying the deeds of ancient days. Blessed be thy name, my Redeemer liveth, — thou art God over all of them. Thou canst add or diminish the number of thy servants as thou wilt. Thy mercy is ever found by them that seek after it in a needful time, i. e., in a time of action. Thou made conditional covenants with the world, by thy son Jesus Christ ; and thou keepest thy word — thou fulfillest them. Thou brought me O God, from the ends of the earth into thy vineyard. Thou anointest mine eyes with the light of thy grace, 'till I see more and more. Therefore my tongue and pen continue for thee, to glorify thy cause, and to exalt thy name. I am a servant of thy servants, at thy command. My spirit is older than any that have been in the world, . because it hath ever been with thee, and is not known only as deeds express to a beholding world. Thy servants hath been a staff to my soul in a needful time — a shield to my heart, and turned the arrows of the archers aside from ending my deeds in everlasting destruction. I am indebted to them for my past life, and preservation. Thou madest them my staff and my shield. I leaned upon them, and made use of their deeds in my defence. I find they were true weapons, and to be trusted in. In thy name I fought, and fell not a victim to my foes ; they were many but they came not out in thy name^or I had been •lain, at by an arrow thou hadst sent. 5 ; 1 TBI DKCRKII or «0P. I now let down to reward thy children the proj^hets, wah inch things as thou hast given me ; trusting in thy grace I shall be able to s'and alone hereafter, and do for myself, when my honest debts are paid. , , , ^ . These were born before me, and have acted, and taught for my reformation— and all that may live hereafter. I have no desire to exceed or excel them in deeds : my only prayer is to be as one of them, and it is enough. These Oh God ! were children led in thy hand, and governed by thy laws— they lived by the words of thy mouth, and were not the children of invention, but servants of justice unto thee. Here I see my prayer accomplish- ed in them. Why may I not receive also my God, my Saviour and my King. These taught Kings and Councils, and were not afraid. These clothed themselves with thy name, as with a mantle, and shunned not the siorm, these wore prophets of old. These furnish- ed thy son the (christian Messiah) with lessons to repeat, so did thy servant David, and Isaiah thy son ; for his spirit was of thee, teaching these things that came to pass. A remnant of the Jewg were saved. Thy son Jesus, that great Jrophet knowing all thingd from first to last, hath said, Abraham, saac, and Jacob should be seen in the kingdom of God — with all thy servants the prophets. Now if these have entered through the gates, into the city ; why not follow them, Christ hath given them a good title, viz : worthy of the kingdom of God. This light we receive from thy Son, that is, that the spirit of these thy servants, that he hath named are justified of thee. Can I doubt in their measure ? No, forbid it O God. that I should cast the least stain on bread thou hast given the world. Thy Son came to justify the characters of these people, for this purpose he was sent of thee. He foreknew that false people would arise zvti despise their reverend heads ; therefore he placed a diadem upon them that no false heart can take away, their title is as good to the kingdom ofheaven as any names on earth. I will now talk with the world of restoration in thy presence, and give these titles to theancienta which is justly their due. Israel, scattered Israel has only to come to the sacred writings, and they are a redeemed people as sure as the sun rises in the eastern world. These things O God thou hast hidden from their eyes, till the day of thine appointments, when thy Son shall return and restore a kingdom to Israel. He hath appeared as a prophet unto them, but not as a Saviour, or they had seen his day and been glad and rejoiced with Abraham their father. Paren- tal knowledge was lost by the Jews, and not restored by us, or we could make the pathway plain before their eyes. By the light of a Redeemer, Israel shall appear in his ancient glory, that is fitted for ii3 IHPRBS8XON8 OF TUB HIMD. ji the kingdom of God. The servants of God in Israel knew Christ far better than ourselves — and hath declared his purpose and the even» of his coming. He went away with a desire to save, this thirst of his was not quenched, for they were not saved, — he will return unto them when sent of God. The Christian world is little or no happier than the Jews, for as Jews cheat Christians, so Christians cheat one another. As they sought high stations, so do these I have last na* med ; as Jews are scattered unto all the earth, so are Christians m spirit divided one against the other. As for that salvation, that came by Christ Jesus it is not on earth. Now who dare say, who will be first restored to a peaceable kingdom — or whether any. I will now take the liberty of expressing my belief, and leave it with God to accomplish the same, enable this pub- lic declaration to appear false or true. If we who are Christians, or bear the title of believing in that body that was born of the Virgin Mary, being the Saviour of the world, why dc we not keep his words ? nothing is more certain, we do not believe in them or truly we would obey ; we are preaching to these Jews to believe in this very bread we cast away, and institute substi> tutes in place thereof, and live on the imagination of our own brain and human reason ; and let me add, the Jews never will be restored to this Christian race as long as the sun rises in the East and sets in the West. The Jew saith our Messiah is to come^ the Christian saith our Mes> siah hath come, and may justly add, " and we are not saved." Now the former is better than the latter disposition. If our Saviour has come, and we believe not in his words to practice them, we are as far from the kingdom of God as the darkened Jew, and in my opinion will enter afler them ; these will become the gates of the city, and throOgh their means, we shall enter there. The Lord hath good ti> dings in store" for them, — he hath not cast them off forever, but only until his purposes are fulfilled with the Christian race, and then the house of Jacob shall enter there. We are perpetual crucifiers of a Redeemer's will, and have a right to that ever memorable prayer, " Father forgive them, they know not what they do." Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob is the way to the kingdom of heaven. The life of Christ, that sun of righteousness hath shone upon them, and told us so. I believe in Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and the prophets, and that Christ came to justify their days, and be a light to the whole earth by his precepts, and counsels he hath given unto men. Why should I not believe that Israel shall be saved, and thousands follow them 1 If the love of God is not to them, why doth my spirit bear witness of their ancient spirit ? I have said mine is still older because it hath been contained in the treasures of the Lord until now. I bear no man't testimony, nor no other man bears mine. We receive nd '-^y':: THB DB0RBE8 OV OOD. rth uld m? of lath no nd pToofby this, that I am alone, or thatmy testimoiiy ifl not true. I believe also in the Apostles equally with the Prophets, both believed in Christ, and consequently are saved. To as many as believed in his name, he was perfectly the Saviour. The Prophets that hath testified of him, were actually foll»wers of his spirit before his per. son was born, and the Apostles followed aflerwards, which maketU no difference between the two, that is, children of the former and lat- ter days. 1 am not a stranger to these, though I seemingly follow these sa- cred words alone. I speak personally and not spiritually, my person is acting in a station where there is none living to take part with me, I am sent to justify the ancients and proceed forward to my calling as a child to the commandments of God. I know there is hidden treasure in store for my spirit, and I must seek after it, it is bread for my soul. I have been fed by Priests and Kings of ancient days, but when I shall have rewarded them for their deeds, I shall be free, and wait for God*s command as a child waiting at the gates to enter into the city. Stars of direction have they been to my feet, a compass to my spirit in the night season, the Lord hath brought them to my re. membrance when I was weary, and gave me rest. He hath made their blood as water to me by the way side, that my spirit might drink when she was thirsty and near to faint, then their blood was as wine to my soul, the Lord hath cheered me with their blood till I became intoxicated with joy, and became among my fellows (according to the flesh) as a drunken man, that standeth not upright unto the Lord. The Lord hath caused this pool to go dry unto me, though a spring of living water to all that live af\er me, and thirst therefor, that is to drink the blood of ancient days as wine to cheer the faint, ing soul. I sought and I found the spring of living water, it hath not gone dry, there is sufficient for all the earth. All flesh will find consolation in the blood of Israel. I cannot do justice to God, and to his chosen people except I declare these things — that which I have received, I have known ; but I am now about to leave this liv- ing spring, and inherit a thirsty land, my spirit hath stolen away as one in the night season, and where she is gone no one knowcth, but God alone. It is where the Prophet never saw, and she hath no evi. dence but the deeds of my person that may arise from the direction of my spirit, whom I trust this day is with God and a Redeemer. Great are thy works O God that are unrevealed, thou will appear as the morning — as the dawning of the day without clouds, so shall the coming of thy spirit be unto Israel thy chosen one, from the founda. 'tions of the world. Thou wilt give light to his eyes and shoes for his feet, and rings for his fingers, and jewels for his ears, and lead him to the land thou hast promised to Israel thy son, and unto Abraham hiB father. Abraham will be restored to his, Isaac to his house, and a 3 :l J I ■I }■ I iMPnissioNs or run mixd. Jacob to hif own. This is not comprehending Jewi only, but thes« that love and fear the Lord, leave the world and glorify the life of Abraham. Oh let my spirit rise and sing. For Israel hath a Priest and King, - > And a deep Jordan to go through, And they'll receive the land anew. Oh Israel's God hath love in store, . ' . , And bread for him forevermore ; A Saviour will his God appear, And all his sons attend to hear. ., . Decrees are made, the lines are drawn . In darkness, where my spirit's gone, *^^ And none are given eyes to see - <' ■ , What is their part or God's decree. In Eastern worlds will God appear. He'll cleanse me from my doubts and fear, : He'll oil my tongue, and bid me tell. My soul's beyond the the gates of hell. He bids mine eyes to see the land, ' ., " The pillars where his house shall stand; He bids mine eye-lids rise and see > His great design, his good decree. -w i That all believing though we're lost, . ^ Shall see the stream that Israel cross'd ; .< vv r , And all that can his burden bear. Their feet shall walk and enter there. If Israel brought forth a Saviour to the world, and salvation is of the Jews, why look we for another people ? Their system was pure, but the people transgressed, yet as many as believed in Christ and , the prophets, he liberated from the bondages of the law. When we have fulfilled the sacred laws of God given unto us, we shall be libe- rated from these bonds, and not sin. Behold we cast off the fetters, and do sin, and bring shame to the house of Israel. The pathway of Israel is cast up for us to walk in ; then should we receive his glory and be not a few, but the human brain is full of invention and we are continually trying new ways, and defer his mercies from the house of the Lord. What are these ? they are salvation for all the world, behold how extensive are the plans ! These are the pillars of the house — peace with all the earth, and a reconciliation with Israel of old ; thither it my spirit gone, and she will not return. The Lord - . ^- THB DECREES OF OOD. ' * 7 Will make a peaceable mansion for her in the bosom of the Jews. Though my body shall never see that day, there my spirit will be found at perfect rest in the bosom of the God of Israel. I am tired of the transgressing Christian world, that profess thrice more than they fulfil, and not one of the Christians I see are now at rest. She may court Christian Missionaries to enjoy her rests, but I am not an heir of them, these have neither lot nor part with me in the work ; and as to my soul, there is no temptation in a Christian church. I had rather be with ten Jews, that keep their laws, than ten thousand transgressing Christians ; for the vengeance of the Lord is in store for the transgressor, but his love and mercy for them that do well. By the laws of Israel Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, entered the kingdom of God ; are there better laws than these ? I do not allude particularly to the hand- writing of Moses, but what God impressed on the minds of these dear children before Moses was born. It was only a loss of faith, that was the cause why Moses wrote his law. Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, saw the apostolic age, as bright and glo- rious as it ever will be seen : for they lived by faith, and brought forth fruits of the spirit of God. The new testament was only writ' ten for this dark age, that God foresaw would come on the world. And the old Testament is to restore Israel to the spirit of their fa> thers : and the new Testament to restore the world or Christians to the Apostolic faith, and then their great mission and appointment of God is done ; but like the sword of David or Goliah, they will be laid up in the house of the Lord forever. Time will shew whether I have any measure of this faith, and whether I can live alone and bring forth fruits of God's spirit without scripture, or stand in the storm without this ancient staiT to lean upon. I am forewarned by them to boast not of to-morrow, as I know not what the day will bring forth, but to improve to-day, and pray for bread the morrow. I am satisfied I have heard the voice of the Lord in the garden, as did my father that sinned against God^by his measures I have sinned also, and have a right to his decrees ; it was promised him that God would help him, and do by him according to 1 is deeds. Now I am confident t' ma- ny were restored to God before scriptures were written, by be .ng in the promises of God, and the virtue of his in speaking word, i be- lieve I am heir of this promise — it was by these means that Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob -entered into the kingdom of God, and by these means my soul will enter a kingdom here and be at rest. Who can rise above these means, or who can be happy, and fall below them ? It is God's design to make this literary world a spiritual world, as it was before Moses took up the pen to reveal his will, or write down his decrees. Oh, my soul, be not the last to believe thesQ f IMrSK>8I0278 OF THB MIKD. Chingi, nor wait till the gatei are shut that exclude thee from the City, but rua in haate and bring tidings to thy bretLr«>n, for God ii there t thlit ie a apirit and not letters. Thia ia the laat teatimony I •ball leave of theae things, and it waa my firat hand writing. My spirit now goeth forth to ahow the world that my Redeemer liveth and bringeth forth from the Spirit of God, receiveth the impressiona •f the mind that waa common before Scripture, and believeth in them, and practiaeth God'a daily command. Deep were the watera. Lord, I know, That ancient Israel passed through; Both the deep rivera and the aea Are now, are now, prepared by thee. God of my life, my feet prepare. And let my footstepa lead me there! And let mine eyea thy promise see. What is for Israel — thy decree. HMt thou forbid his feet to move, Or sworn his land he '11 not improve ? Or hast thou love for him in store. To be revealed for evermore? My children shall the fountain find, A living spring amidst the mind ; Though monarchs fall and princes die. This ipring, this spring, Aall never dry. I 'v6 markM good Israel for mine own» And in his tent I 've laid the atone That never, never, will remove ; There I attend with deeds of love. I«et net thine heart attend to fear, ^or kindred oationa be ao near As to my ancient aon deapiae. For be 'a the eldest and most wise, X .Thy spirits in the darkened tomb From thence will rise, as sun at ooon. And when the clouds doth flee away. Thine eye shall tee good Israel's da^. TUB IMTI8IBILITY OF OOD. 9 October 18th, 1832. God and his holy angels are obscure from us, and aflTord room for extensive argumene, and abundant human reasoning, still adding no proof on the subject, nor deciding what is the truth of this hidden kingdom — the residence of God. If I can add light to darkness, I am bound so to do, in my duty towards God, and my love and good will to men. I believe in no atmosphere of angels, but the mind. That spirits subsist amongst the clouds mure visible than (hey do amidst the waves of the sea, I believe not. The mind is a spirit, and her attendants are such. We never see a spirit with our personal eyes, it is the spiritual man only that knoweth the things of God, for it is the soul that discerneth them. That appearances were seen in days of old, I dispute not ; and that God gave them to confirm the ' feeble and unbelieving mind — not only so, but to manifest his dignity and power to the world, — that John who wrote the Revelation saw many visions, I dispute not. But that they were written to confirm our weak and feeble minds, I believe also. He believed long ere that day. But they were given to John to make a book of, that wa may read and believe in a Deity as did this dignified servant of the Lord. That the Virgin Mary saw not the likeness of God's Spirit by Gabriers name, I believe not, but that she did really see, and hear, and understand; and although it is the mind that conceives the spiritual Son of God, yet I really believe her person did conceive, and that God formed this Emanuel within the bounds of her body or person, and that he was born like another child into the world. I also believe that his mind conceived of God ; as true it is that I believe that Mary received his person from a Divine original. Now if I could end a disputed matter, I think I am doing well in so doing. Arguing and not gaining is like seeking and not finding, — like travailing and never coming to the city, — like toiling and receiving no wages ; for the world is farther from the knowledge of God in these days than in times that are past: viz, the patriarchal age, before the Son of God was bora of his Virgin mother. All received of one God whether judgment or mercy. It is singular to repeat, but no more so than is true, that is before the Scriptures, all the godly Patriarchs of old believed in one God, and one word, and were agreed these days God will restore to the world in the resur- rection of the dead. These shall appear with Messiah our Saviour. It is all the attributes and merits of God that compose a Saviour. I have laid Christ that was born received of God, but he that is to come ii God. A holy spirit thedi will our past Messiah appear again, I mMui 10 IMPRESSIONf OF THB MIIfD. the deeds done in his person. His person also will be brought to re> nicnibrance and gloriP.ed on earth. He that is to come is God, and cannot conceive of another, then will he make use of a Redeemer's heart or mind to redeem the world. Cain the son of Adam was and is counted one of the worst of men because he killed his brother. There is asmgular testimony in scripture of him, and that is, that he knew he was worthy of death, according to the laws of Moses, and consequently our laws this day. But God forbade the vengeance of men upon their brother. Cain knew his crime and that was enough in the sight of God, he said his burden was more than he could bear. Here let us learn that he had to borrow of God, a back to bear the burden or a heart to feel the stripes and yet live. Cain was a vebsel of his own choice, as a stone in a building. His life forms part in the written books of Moses. Now, if this hard-hearted man could be made sensible by the convicting voice of God, that he was guilty of sin, he was nearer the kingdom of Heaven than many in this day that sin and know it not. In him Gt d has pleased to display the power of his wrath and yet save his soul alive. The soul or spirit of Cain liveth, or he could not feel and testify of the anger of God. Now if God showed mercy to Cain, to whoni shall we not shew mercy ?' Cain's neighbours let him live, for God swore that he would be avenged of them that rose up to be their brother's Judge, and lay on the stripes according to their unforeseeing mind in the extensive purposes of God. We will now describe a Deity as we can prove — and not leave our lines in darkness for blind men to dispute about, (for so we all are, till God gives us light the second time from heaven,) the sun in the firmament is our first light, when we are born into the world ; but this clouded and unclouded light lets us know little or nothing of a spiritual kingdom or world to come. It is but an allusion though really necessary for our personal benefit, that is as the sun in the skies — teachethlus how to procure for the person, so doth that sun within, that tells us we must provide for the soul, or she will perish like one wanting bread. To measure spiritual things by these that are natural is with me impossible ; if we could see all, if we could comprehend all, we are yet short of this kingdom, where the spirit forever is at rest. The Shilosopher and star-gazer is far short of the kingdom of God. acob saw more in his vision of the ladder, the descending and ascending of angels, than all the philosophers in the world ; for he ■aw the Lord above, but they only see herbs and plants below ; rocks, seas, and insects, globical apparitions with stars above ; but Jacob saw the Lord. Jacob could not discover this to another, — it was his own bread from heaven. He could testify of God and angels, but could not give this illumination . to the world ; and that is all that earthly Divines can do, from that day to this. f THB INVISiniLITT Or GOD. 11 These things were bread for his own soul, and it induced him to erect a memorial to the Lord ; he could not write, and therefore erected his memorial of stone, a well chosen material, because it decayeth not. A Deity is power above us, to whom we can neither give form, shape, nor size; but whosoever hath seen the creation by visions of heavenly light, hath seen the body or person of the Lord. If he is not in every thing created I am mistaken ; and this is where the natural philosopher comes short of describing n. Deity to the world. I form no disputes with any person, because i covet not, I envy not, neither am I afraid that another will prove stronger and take my crown away, — not a crown as a king, — but that which God hath given, I place uppermost on my head. To me it is a diadem of chief delights, the author of all my joys. Whosoever hath received the words of conviction into his soul from an offended God, has seen God, has known Gpd ; and him that believeth sets to his seal that God is true, though we are sinners. This way we receive the living God into the mind, and we know that his testimony is true, for it is stronger than all in us, and the most powerful ; and in that hour we have received an angry God into the mind. Thus Cain knew the Lord long before Scripture ; and thus my stubborn soul may know him when I know Scripture no more : t. e. when other men's deeds shall or may be forgotten, and I shall be swallowed up in mine own, whether they are deeds of sin or righteousness. Cain's heart became a kingdom of hell to him ; but he could not bear the convicting flame without expression. If I have had my share in this kingdom, shall I not speak also, and add to his testimony by saying, I know how his spirit did feel within him; every foody hated him for his crime; to him the earth was comfortless for a time. We know not but God abated the flame before he built the city, or enjoyed society, or embraced a female companion in life ; for we never read that he sinned afterward, but was prosperous in this world. If he had been cut off by men according to our designs, he could not have shewn the chastising hand of God and such marks of forgiveness as he hath done. But these deeds form precious lines in the hand-writing of Moses, and are God's favours unto us. God was more powerful than him. Though of a hard heart and of an unmerciful mind, yet he was brought to confession before the Lord, whom we suppose might be accounted as one of the worst of sinners. Tlese written lines afford more knowledge of God to the world than all the Newtons and Miltons that ever put pen to paper. Here we have marks of God's superiority : that is to say, be is too strong in judgment for the worst of men, and his flery darts or arrows of conviction can convince the hardest heart of sin, and set the whole kingdom on fire within us that we rest not. Now my opinioa of f- It mPBKMIOIfS or THB MI»P. ■alvation it this, — that a man'a bitter heart or mind of woea, wher* the whole creatioa ia cursed to him and comfort not, can be changed from this convicting and consuming flame to which all muat yield, can be changed by repentance, and the forgiveness of God, till that heart or soul that burned in the convicting flame and yet died not, can be re*changed to be a kingdom of joys. Thus we know that God is powerful by the changes uf the mind, more than the atmosphere, or all the herbs, plants, trees, or seas and tides that ebb and flow below the sun. It is the mind that is (he mediator ; the mind of Emanuel was placed between God and my sins. His soul was in hell for them ; that is, suffered judgment for sin, that sinned not, and was translated from the kingdom of hell or conviction (for thia kingdom is composed of spiritual fire, that is, the wrath of God that reaches our spirit, which no material fires can do) to the kingdom of heaven, where all is peace, and the spirit rests justified of our deeds, which are according to command. As sin is counter thereunto, here we see God's pre