K 4.3 THE 4375 C 4 CONSTITUTION OF SOCIETY, AS DESIGNED BY GOD. 'If.... this work be of men, it will come to nought: but if it be of God, ye cannot 'If God be for us, who can be against us?'-Rom. viii. 31. BY DANIEL BISHOP. ARTHUR HALL AND COMPANY, 25, PATERNOSTER ROW, LONDON. MDCCCXLVII. 'The more diligently I turn in my mind, either the affairs of the moderns or of the ancients, the more conspicuous appears the absurdity of human arrangements throughout all the concerns of this world.'-TACITUS. 'How must a spirit, late escaped from earth, The truth of things new-blazing in its eye, 'The most lamentable scepticism on earth, and incomparably the most common, is a scepticism as to the greatness, powers, and high destinies of human nature.' P R E F A CЕ. 1. In a right inquisition into, and proper attention to the subject of the following Essay, is in a less or greater degree involved the following points; namely, -The number of human beings that are to arise in the world,-And the temporal and eternal happiness of every one of those now living, and that shall arise. What human power can do justice to so great a theme? What mind but the Omniscient's can comprehend its importance? 2. Some may say, that less or more of what is advanced is not THE TRUTH. Such persons are referred to the quotations in the title page. They are also solicited to publish the truth. The author of the following pages desires that nothing he writes may be received on his affirmation. Every reader is imperatively bound to exercise his own judgment. 3. Others may object, that the state of things we advocate cannot be practically realized. To these we say,-though perfection be unattainable, to it all should strive to approximate. Every man that comes into the world, assuredly should do all in his power to cause the Divine will to be done as perfectly and as extensively as possible. Who will venture to declare, that the will of the Omnipotent is only to a certain extent to be obeyed, and beyond this it is to be treated with contempt? 4. God designs that all shall be-wise,-and good, and prosperous,―and happy. Man appoints that―The Many shall be sacrificed. Hence the following questions arise;-What so worthy our attention as the Divine intention, and man's unspeakable ingratitude in its frustration? When will it be universally acknowledged, that—all measures are wholly opposed to the Divine will, but those which promote universal prosperity? And as to you, reader, will you arrive at this conclusion in time, or will you not arrive at it until after you have passed into eternity? If the latter, what may be expected will be the consequence to you? 5. Whoever shall study the subject with sufficient attention, will be satisfied that the POLITICAL and COMMERCIAL institutions of mankind are opposed to the will of Heaven. On them all human concerns greatly depend (472). Every good man should therefore consider with the most anxious solicitude, what is his duty in the present state of society, (248,) comparing it with that state which would be maintained, if the Divine will were done as it ought to be, i. e. as it is in heaven (257, 860 to 863). 6. From all eternity, the principle of rectitude has subsisted in the Divine mind. In the image of it was man created. Departure from it has been his temporal fall and misery. In another state of being this rectitude will be restored to its original authority. The whole order and disposition of things human, from their origin to their consummation, will then be found one entire and consistent scheme for promoting the happiness of man, and thereby the glory of God. 7. By the cultivation of a right disposition, we should so elevate our souls, as properly to feel, in all that surrounds us, the Invisible, the Infinite, and the Eternal! Neither the possession of the whole universe, nor even of life itself, is of any value in comparison with that frame of mind which causes men to rejoice in the truth; and thence to be constant in the practice of justice and mercy towards one another, and of humility towards God! 8. This alone is the disposition which will enable the reader rightly to enter upon the study both of what is, and what ought to be THE CONSTITUTION OF SOCIETY. |