gradually introduced, and almost universally prevailed. The details which Mosheim's history presents of the errors, follies, or vices of individuals; the extravagant and absurd notions and opinions which were broached and maintained; the divisions, dissensions, controversies, and persecutions which so frequently distracted the Christian world, afford such a sad and mournful proof of the imbecility of the human understanding, and of the depravity of the heart, as is apt to excite a prejudice, in the minds of many, against Christianity itself, as a system of belief inconsistent, in its effects, with the high pretensions of its origin. Even in the present age, when knowledge is more solid and extended, the external church still exhibits the picture of its followers divided into innumerable sects and parties, with creeds and confessions differing, though, for the most part, on points of minor importance, yet in a few instances on those which are essential. Absurd, strange, and singular opinions, are, from time to time, hazarded by individuals, and defended or controverted by others. Controversy still appears, though divested of its former bitterness and acrimony. The pride of sect and party, and their mutual jealousy, still pervades individuals, and

large bodies of Christians; and though there has been a grand step gained in the progress of improvement, there is still a great deficiency in that unanimity, love, and affection, which the Scriptures inculcate among its followers, and to which future and happier times will undoubtedly arrive.

Dark as the review of the progress of Christianity in the world may at first sight appear, the real Christian can, by patient observation and proper discrimination, see much that is cheering and consolatory. He knows, as a first principle of all reasoning, that man is an imperfect beinga creature subject to prejudice and to passion, He knows, that in every age there are thousands named Christians, who have neither understood the nature of Christianity, nor felt its power; and who, under the mask of religion, have pursued their own selfish and ambitious views. Many of this description have occupied the most eminent stations in the church, and been intrusted with the management of its concerns. It can be acknowledged also, that many who sincerely embraced the doctrines of the Bible, have mistaken, in innumerable instances, its spirit and tendency, and have been often actuated by their natural prejudices and tempers, while they imagined that they

were promoting the ends of truth. A history of the church, therefore, for so many ages, and comprehending the description of so many millions, can only exhibit those individuals, whose talents, virtues, vices, or errors, have rendered them conspicuous;-those opinions, measures, and events, which have, more or less, influenced the state and character of the church at large, either in its internal or external relations. But there is no room in such a record for an account of the many thousands of poor, humble, and sincere Christians, who passed their lives in quiet and obscurity, in whom, chiefly, the purest effects of Christianity were best exemplified. We find the truth of this observation illustrated in the "Church History" of Milner, who has traced soundness of essential principles, and consistency of practice, or, in other words, the principles and fruits of genuine Christianity, among individuals of almost every sect, and denomination, in every age. When we carry our researches still further, we can discern, that in proportion as corruption, errors, and schisms increased, was the Bible neglected and forgotten; and we need not wonder at the darkness and ignorance, the follies, crimes, and controversies of the middle ages, when we learn

that the Scriptures had almost disappeared from among them; and when the reading of them, where they could be found, was prohibited by authority, and confined to one class of the community, and the right of private judgment and interpretation condemned, under the pains of imprisonment and death: had the belief, and the lives, of nominal Christians, been sound and pure under such circumstances, we must have concluded, that any regard and attention to the Scriptures was unnecessary. When the Reformation took place, the Scriptures were restored to their proper rank and authority as the standard of all moral and religious truth, and the test by which opinions and actions were to be tried; and since that period, we find that, in proportion as their circulation has extended, and their doctrines and precepts have been understood and followed, has the happiness of mankind increased: thus affording, as well on the dark as the pleasing side of the picture, which the history of the past displays, a striking and important proof of the divine origin of the Scriptures.

The same principle will furnish us with the means of satisfactorily accounting for the dif ferences which still subsist among eminent and

good men, on many points directly connected with, or allied to, Christianity. In Christian countries, all are educated with prepossessions for the opinions and ceremonies, or want of ceremonies, of the sect to which they belong, and with a corresponding prejudice against the peculiar opinions and ceremonies of others. Some writers are influenced by a mixture of worldly motives, in their attempts to display powers of original observation; talents for profound speculation; their stores of erudition; their acuteness and strength of reasoning, or the charms of eloquent composition; and hence they are often led to the discussion of subjects, over which revelation has thrown a veil, and placed between us and them an impassable barrier. Some, are even destitute of the capacity requisite to elucidate the difficult subjects which their rashness prompts them to handle. Some, are formed by their peculiar education, and habits of thinking and study, to partial views of the Christian truth, and are, consequently, apt to underrate one part, and overvalue others. But whether these differences regard errors in doctrine of more or less importance, or relate to sound doctrine, elevated or depressed, out of its due proportion with others,--