God, he acknowledged and confessed that he was. So also, when the Jews attempted to fasten upon him the charge of blasphemy, as though he had pretended to be equal to God, his reply was, that he claimed to be only the Son of God. Martha's declaration was, "I believe that thou art the Messiah (or Christ) the Son of God, who was to come into the world."

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After our Lord was raised from the dead, Peter says of him, that he was approved of God by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him." Again, "This Jesus, whom ye crucified, God has raised up, and exalted him to his right hand." Therefore, let all Israel be assured, that God has made this same Jesus both Lord and Christ." God, having raised up his Son, (or Child) Jesus, sent him first to you (Jews) to bless you, by turning you every one from your iniquities. The God of our fathers hath raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree-him, God hath exalted to his right hand, to be a Prince and a Savior, to give repentance and remission of sins. Against the Lord, and against his Christ (or anointed) the rulers and kings of the earth were gathered together: Of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou has anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were gathered together." The confession of the Eunuch, was, "I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God." St. Paul, after his conversion, declared, "That God anointed Jesus of Christ with the Holy Spirit, and with power-and testified that it is he who was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead." He also contended with the unbelieving Jews, "that he was the Christ, (or Messiah) the Son of God." Again he says, "of this man's (David's) seed God hath, according to his promise, raised unto Israel a Savior, even Jesus."

"We declare unto you glad tidings, even that the prom. ise, which was made unto the fathers, God has fulfilled unto us, their children, in that he has raised up Jesus; as it is written in the second psalm, thou art my Son, this day I have begotten thee: And through, or by this man is preached unto you the forgivness of sins."

These passages of Scripture, candidly considered by those not wedded to particular systems of theology and who do not form their opinions by the creeds of fallible men,plainly teach that there is but one God. They fully assert the Unity of the Deity and, that Jesus of Nazareth, the Messiah, or Christ, who is our Instructor, and guide, in spiritual things, the Teacher of the glori ous gospel of our salvation, was constituted and sent of God for these purposes: That, under God, he is our Savior and Redeemer-that he is the Mediator between God and man; our Advocate and Intercessor with the Father; that through his mediation, God bestows pardon However exalted and salvation on sinful, dying men.

the powers and qualities Christ possessed, it is evidently and clearly taught, in our apprehension, that these were confered by God, who appointed him to be the Savior of the world.

of

In some places, indeed, Christ is represented as exercising divine power. But these are, either said to be communicated to him by God for the great purposes constituting him the Savior of mankind; or are applied to him on account of his being the visible Representative and Agent of the Deity, with a view to make displays of the power and wisdom of God. Moses was a god to Pharaoh-Christ had all power, and all things were subject to him, and all things were made by himyet all this power was given him by God,to constitute him the Savior, and to enable him to convince the world that

he was commissioned and assisted by God; all things were put in subjection to him by the Father, who was himself excepted from this subjection; "I can of myself do nothing-I give eternal life to those whom God has given me-I lay down my life and take it again; but this command, or power, I have received of the Father-who shall sit on my right hand, is not mine to give, except to those for whom it is prepared."

The miraculous power posssessed by Christ and other prophets, may truly be said to be divine, as it was above the ability of man, and was given immediately by God. To Christ, the Messiah, indeed, the Spirit was given without measure. He is exalted to be a Prince and a Savior, and placed at the right hand of heavenly power and majesty. Yet all this wisdom and ability to save, were given to him. It is expressly and plainly taught that all were communicated to him by God.

It is an argument with some, we are aware, that Christ is equal to God, or is divine, since he is called the Son of God. But such a conclusion is, by no means, necessary. The conclusion most clear and satisfactory, is, that, being the Son of God, he is distinct from, and in some sense inferior to him, or dependent on him. It is however conceded, that this appellation implies, that he was an highly exalted Being, and endowed with miraculous and even superangelic power. Though we contend for the doctrine, that Jehovah, our God, is one Lord, as we are fully persuaded it is the doctrine of the Bible.-Though we are Unitarian, we are not Socinian. We are unable to reconcile the doctrine of the Socinian, as well as the Trinitarian, with various passages of sacred Scripture.

That many passages in the Bible, which speak of our

Savior, are figurative, and, therefore, not to have a strict and literal interpretation, is readily admitted. Nor do we undertake to oblige others to receive our constructions of the word of God. The true Protestant princiciple is, that every one search, and think, and believe for himself. "To his own master, he standeth or

falleth."

The Character of Christ, the Savior, his followers ought to endeavour to understand. They should search his gospel, to learn what is said of his dignity, attributes and power; as well as to ascertain his commands and precepts. It is important, that we believe right, and that our sentiments be founded in truth. Yet correct opinions on all subjects, we do not imagine essential to piety and virtue.

The writer of these remarks has studied Scripture much, with a view to obtain correct, precise and distinct ideas respecting the character of the Savior. He is ready to acknowledge, that the subject is not without difficulty; and he hopes not to be rash or dogmatical in giving his opinion. When Christ is said to have come down from heaven, to do the will of the Father, who sent him; when he is said to be the Lamb of God, who taketh away the sin of the world, and to be the beloved and only begotten Son of God; to have all power given him; to be exalted to be a Prince and a Savior; to be the way, the truth and the life; to have power given him to raise us up from the grave; and to be appointed the Judge of the living and dead; to be the brightness of the Father's glory and the express image of his person; to be ordained to come hereafter in the glory of the Deity with all the holy angels, &c. We acknowledge we can. not consider these passages as altogether figurative; but as implying and teaching that Jesus Christ, our

Lord and Savior, pre-existed, and had power and glory with God before this world was formed: That he is greatly superior to other inspired prophets, and to various, if not to all orders of angelic intelligences. We must, however, at the same time insist, that these passages even teach, that the Savior is distinct from the Father, the self-existent Deity, and received all his powers and attributes from him.

That he is called the Son of God, implies either his miraculous character, his being endowed with power far above human, to enable him to reveal and prove the doctrines of pardon and immortality; or, his being of a superangelic nature, possessing greater wisdom and power than even angels. It, by no means, proves that he is the self-existent God. He prayed to his Father in all his trials and afflictions. He constantly referred all his powers and ability to him, declaring, that he came to perform the work and reveal the doctrines, which he was directed by God to perform and teach. "That holy thing," said the angel to Mary, "which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God," because it was by the immediate power and spirit of God. Two of the Apostles, Peter and Paul apply this appellation to him, ("Son of God") because of his resurrection from the dead. And in the evangelical history, he is often so denominated, when the phrase is evidently synonomous with Christ or Messiah, the Savior, who came with miraculous powers to teach and redeem mankind.

In several places, however, the Scriptures speak of Christ in still more exalted terms. By several of the apostles he is spoken of as superior to the angels, and to be placed above all principalities and powers, whether on earth or in heaven. But in all these instances, he is said to be exalted to, or placed in such a high station, and to be clothed with this great ability by God.