all from this fruitful force, MISUNDERSTANDING and MISAPPLYING particular passages of scripture detached from the general connexion, which may seem in the sound, or at first hearing, to support the tenets, which, the abettors of such tenets, adduce them to support. Some may be plausible. And when much art, sophistry, and false reasoning are used, may deceive even such persons as are, in a measure, upon their guard. All errors and false systems of doctrine not only originate from an abuse and perversion of scripture, but clearly argue the great degeneracy and corruption of human nature. Were not man a depraved creature, or were he as he was, when first formed in Paradise, he would never wander into erroneous principles. He would never be attached to them. He would never disgrace himself by unwearied efforts to proselyte others to them. Persons who have embraced errors like the troubled sea, whose waters cast up mire and dirt, are restless and uneasy. They have _committed_ themselves to the business of faction; and are zealous to diffuse the poison of their errors, as extensively as possible. Long since did our Lord make the remark; and every age and country have verified it. _Wo unto you Scribes, Pharisees, Hypocrites; for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of Hell than yourselves._ It is to the benevolent mind, painful to recollect, that errorists of every description, are more active and laborious to disseminate their mischievous opinions, than the lovers of truth are, the true principles. One cause no doubt is that false principles are pleasing to depraved nature. But the truth, in things moral and divine, though approved of by natural conscience and reason, is never approved of by the unsanctified heart. To receive the truth in the love of it, is the mark of a gracious state. It is one of the most amiable tempers which man ever exercises.--It is also melancholy to think, that persons who have embraced error, are far more anxious to gain proselytes to their FALSE CREED, than to promote peace, charity and holy living. They tithe _annise_ and _mint,_ and neglect the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith. They are not contented to enjoy their own singularity of opinion and practice, and the right of private judgment; but, like insurgents in civil government, go about to bring others over to their party.--Hence unhappy differences in the church.--Hence hard speeches and reviling of others.--Hence strange abuse and perversion of scripture.