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of their own knowledge and of their own virtue; revolting at the humiliating doctrine that human nature is corrupt, and in need of an atoning Redeemer, and a fanctifying Spirit; accuftomed to difdain whatever they think it poffible to clafs among common prejudices and vulgar fuperftitions; hearing of the prevalence in different times and places of different religions, all of which they know cannot be true, but all of which they conclude may equally be falfe: prepoffeffed against Christianity by difficulties which they imagine it to contain; by witty cavils and objections aimed against it, which they take. for granted are juft; and by a caufe ftill more to be regretted, the unchriftian lives of of its profeffors; and above all, averse to abandon those vicious principles and habits, which they perceive to be utterly prohibited by the Gofpel, and to acknowledge the certainty of that punishment, which, if they admit the Gospel to be true, they must neceffarily own to await themselves should they continue in their fins: actuated by fome of thefe or fimilar prepoffeffions, they refuse to examine into the evidences of the Chriftian religion; or they examine flightly, partially, uncandidly, with minds predifpofed to find objections, to take offence, and

many

to condemn. The faith which Christianity claims is not credulity; but affent founded on willing enquiry and rational conviction. "The people of Berea," faith the evangelical hiftorian, "were more noble than thofe of "Theffalonica; in that they received the word "with all readiness of mind, and fearched the "Scriptures daily whether thofe things were "So (r)." "Be ready always," faith the apostle," to give an answer to every one "that asketh you a reafon of the hope that "is in you (s)." But in all enquiries refpecting religion, as with refpect to every other fubject, the enquirer, if he would really discover truth, mut examine with ferioufnefs, with diligence, with patience, with humility; with a heart fincerely difpofed to embrace whatever he fhall discover to be true, and with a reverent defire that the Supreme Being, who is the fountain of knowledge, may lead him into all truth. If he examines without thefe habits and dispofitions; what can be expected but that his examination should prove unfatisfactory, and thus confirm him in his prejudices and errors? "He that will do the will of God," faith our Saviour, "fhall know of the doc

! (r) A&ts, xvii. II.

(s) 1 Pet. iii. 15.

"trine,

"trine, whether it be of God (t).” · Have you any doubt as to the truth of Chriftianity? Let your heart be prepared to obey whatever Christianity, if true, shall be found to command: and you will not conclude a patient enquiry without being convinced of its truth. But keep thy heart with all diligence for out of it are the iffues of "life (u)."

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(7)*John,`vii. 17.6 *** (u) Proverbs, iv. 23.

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CHAP. VII.

ON THE LEADING DOCTRINES OF THE CHRISTIAN RELIGION.

I.THE being and the attributes of God are truths, which lie at the root of all religion. "He that cometh to God, must believe that "He is; and that He is a rewarder of them "that diligently feek him (a)." They are truths to the discovery of which the Heathen world was perfectly competent. In the days of Pagan darkness, when the light of the Divine countenance feemed as it were withdrawn from mankind, God, faith the apostle, "left not himself without witness; in that "he did good, and gave us rain from Hea66 ven, and fruitful feasons, filling our hearts "with food and gladnefs (b)." Why is it that St. Paul pronounces the idolatrous and abandoned Gentiles inexcufable? "Because "that which may be known of God is ma"nifeft in them: for God hath fhewed it

(a) Hebrews, xi. 6.

(b) Acts, xiv. 17.

❝ unto

"unto them. For the invisible things of "Him from the creation of the world are

clearly seen, being understood by the things “that are made; even his eternal power and "Godhead: fo that they are without excuse, "because that when they knew God," (or might thus have known him had they been willing,)" they glorified Him not as "God (c)" by purity of worship and holinefs of life. The eternal exiftence and the attributes of the Deity, his omniprefence, his infinite power, wisdom, and goodness, his holiness, his juftice, and his other unbounded perfections, were inculcated on the Jews by express revelation; and are described in the fublimeft language by the facred writers, especially by the prophets, in the Old Teftament. Thefe fundamental truths neceffarily form the ground-work of Christianity. They are however so obvious in their nature, and fo generally recognised, that to dilate upon them is not requifite. I proceed therefore to confider fuch of the other leading doctrines of the New Testament as are either peculiar to the Chriftian religion, or have received from that religion fuch additional illustration as to require to

(e) Romans, i. 19, 20.

be

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