Page:Bible testimony, on abstinence from the flesh of animals as food.pdf/33

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ADDRESS ON ABSTINENCE.
31

nifying fish. It signifies some other kind of provision, of the delicious sort, that may be eaten with bread." In short we believe there is reasonable ground for our argument, that the Scriptures, rightly interpreted, do not sanction the eating of either fish, or flesh, or fowl. There is, we believe testimony sufficient in them as they are, to raise doubts in enquiring minds, and the Apostle says "He that doubteth is condemned if he eat; for whatsoever is not of faith is sin."

Lastly:—Christianity inculcates self denial as one of the duties of her votaries; a term that denotes a relinquishment of every thing that stands in opposition to the divine commands, or that would be detrimental to their spiritual welfare. She calls upon her followers to deny themselves, and take up their cross daily. She entreats them to mortify the body with its deeds; to shun fleshly lusts; to avoid luxury, intemperance and gluttony, and whatever is done, that it be done in the fullness of faith, without doubting and in the fear of the Lord. She represents the blessings of Eternal Life as attainable only by keeping the Commandments. She exhorts her believers to be humane and merciful, as their Father in the heavens is merciful; to mortify the fleshly mind, which is ever contrary to the mind of Christ; to keep the body under subjection to the precepts of the Gospel; not to live to the flesh, but in all things, whether they eat or drink, or whatsoever they do, that it be done to the glory of their Heavenly Father. She calls upon her followers peremptorily to renounce all those pleasures of sense, worldly examples, and unhallowed practices, that are prejudicial to their physical well being, or injurious to the spiritual interests of immortal souls. And shall Christianity hold out to us these blessed truths of our holy religion in vain? Shall we continue rebellious to her purifying and heavenly doctrine of self-denial Shall we be unwilline to take up oar cross; to die daily to an indul-