If,
instead of the 'glad tidings' that there exists a Being in whom all the
excellences which the highest human mind can conceive, exist in a degree
inconceivable to us, I am informed that the world is ruled by a being
whose attributes are infinite, but what they are we cannot learn, nor
what are the principles of his government, except that 'the highest human
morality which we are capable of conceiving' does not sanction them;
convince me of it and I will bear my fate as I may. But when I am told
that I must believe this, and at the same time call this being by the
names which express and affirm the highest human morality, I say in plain
terms that I will not. Whatever power such a being may have over me,
there is one thing which he shall not do: he shall not compel me to
worship him. I will call no being good, who is not what I mean when I
apply that epithet to my fellow creatures."
That St. John would have assented to these bold and honest words, that
such is St. John's conception of human and divine morality, the story in
the text shows, to my mind, especially.
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