Letter XVIII.-The decision, or decree of the Council of Nice, is a convincing proof that the doctrine of the Divinity of Christ was the Letter XXII.-Fourth Letter on Unitarianism Letter XXIII.-Modern Arianism, or Unitarianism Letter XXIV.-The whole Catholic Church agrees with the Nicene A VINDICATION OF THE DIVINITY OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST. LETTER I. TO THE REV. CHARLES LE BLANC. JESUS CHRIST, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God; but debased himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men, and in fashion found as a man. He humbled himself, becoming obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.-Phil. ii. 6, 7, 8. REV. SIR, I should wish to speak on the Trinity and Divine Incarnation of Jesus Christ; but how can I explain what I do not comprehend? They are mysteries; and, as such, must be incomprehensible. Yet I can assent to them as incomprehensible truths,-as I assent to many others in nature. I believe, for instance, that matter was created; but how, I know not.-I believe that the corn grows from the seed; but how, I cannot tell. In the same manner, I can believe, that three distinct Divine Persons, in an identity of nature and essence consubstantial with each other, B constitute that Supreme Being we call God. Moreover, that the Second Person of this sacred Trinity, begotten by an eternal generation, assumed in time the nature of man, without detriment to his Divinity; yet the moment I attempt to comprehend and unfold the mysteries which are here involved, I advance beyond my depth, and am lost in infinity. The comparison used by a poor Indian to justify his belief in the Trinity, when accosted by an antichristian Philosopher, is worthy of the notice of many others who pretend to wisdom. The Philosopher asked him, how he could believe that the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, are each God, and yet admit but one God? "Why," replied the Indian, "what is rain?" "Water," said the other." And what is snow?" "Water."-" And what is ice?' "Water."- "Cannot I then believe in God what you admit in nature?" The several passages of Scripture which are urged by the adversaries of the Trinity,-as, The Father is greater than I (John xiv. 28); At what day and hour no man knoweth, neither the Angels in heaven, nor the Son, but the Father (Mark xiii. 32-see note to Letter XI.),—are only perplexing to those who forget to distinguish between Jesus Christ as Man, and Jesus Christ as God. Nothing is more calculated to strike with astonishment an observing and philosophic mind, than the difference of impression which the evidence of religion produces in the world. Was Christianity the religion of enthusiasts, did a mad fanaticism reign throughout, an explanation might easily be found in the varied conformation of the human mind. But since the reverse is obvious,-since learning, talents, and sound judgment, form the qualifications of the believer as well as unbeliever,-let a philosophic reason be given, why the educated Deist rejects the faith and religion of Jesus Christ, which the instructed Christian from prin ciple professes; and why the one strenuously opposes a testimony which the other readily admits, and is ready to seal with his blood. It is of this question that I demand a philosophical elucidation, or a satisfactory reason why there should exist such a contradictory result. Will it be said, that our minds are differently constituted and endowed ?— the case supposes them to be equally enriched by nature and art. Will it be said that either one or the other has acted without a motive, and against his judgment?-both profess to be directed by the best of motives, that of reason and conviction. Here, therefore, is a difficulty which I believe I may defy philosophy to explain. Let religion, then, solve what philosophy cannot;-let her for once be heard in her own cause. It is in the passions and vices of our species that we shall discover the reason;-it is they which, by first influencing the will, corrupt the understanding. Religion is readily embraced by those who have freedom of election; but when the passions domineer, the human mind is degraded to a state of slavery, and instead of acting from a pure and noble principle, becomes the most abject and servile flatterer. They admit no other independence in the person, than such as does not interfere with that dominion which they have acquired-a sentiment continually urged by the Fathers: "A corrupted heart," says the great St. Augustine," may see the truth, but can never like it, or find it amiable." It is to no purpose that you enlighten and instruct yourselves, if your doubts are in your passions. Religion will be clear, when you shall become chaste, temperate, and just; and you will have faith, when you shall cease to have vice. Religion, Rev. Sir, is not the fruit of contentions and disputes, not of learning, and an ostentatious display of argument; but in innocence, prayer, and an humble confidence in God. And the world shall be judged, that is, condemned, said Jesus Christ; because the light is come into the world, and men loved darkness, rather than the For every one that doth not to the light, that his light; for their works were evil. evil, hateth the light, and cometh works may not be reproved. But he that doth truth, cometh to the light, that his works may be made manifest, because they are done in God (John iii. 19, 20, 21). It is but in justice, therefore, to truth and religion, that in distinguishing these characters, we mark those who are thus morally disqualified from receiving the doctrine which the Church teaches. The point I intend in these letters to enforce, Rev. Sir, is the Divinity of that same Jesus Christ who suffered for the world. The proofs I shall adduce will be clear, positive, and wholly sufficient for those who possess a virtuous heart, and uncorrupted mind. But for the conviction of the vicious, for the satisfaction of the proud, I plainly declare, they will not suffice. On them alone we can expect to make no impression: we may confound, but we shall never convert them.-We may detect all their sophisms, and leave them without an answer; but shall never induce them to confess, that the crucified Jesus is the only begotten Son of God. The Jews ask for signs, says the Apostle, and the Greeks seek after wisdom; but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to the Jews, and a folly to the Gentiles (1 Cor. i. 22). The philosophers of modern, like those of ancient date, recoil from a religion which confounds their wisdom, humbles their pride, and restrains those passions they are so eager to indulge. Interested in the opposition they make, they decry Christianity, because they know Christianity has condemned them :-they reject the Scriptures, because in every page they read the sentence pronounced against them: they ridicule the cross of Christ as a folly, because it is the sign of their eternal reprobation. Name me the |