that the Scriptures are written in such an ambiguous manner, that their general meaning is not visible to every serious and candid examiner.

Lorenzo. I believe the question may still be asked with propriety, what is truth? When I take a survey of mankind, and see persons born and educated together, not much different in mental powers and external appearances, but widely differing in their belief and hope` of futurity, I am led to doubt, whether any sentiments can be formed that are not liable to weighty objections. Some doubt whether we exist at all after death, and are subjects of future reward and punishment; and if we are, whether we can do any thing to obtain the one, or to avoid the other; they think it uncertain, whether chance, or an intelligent Being, reigns without controul. Others profess to believe in the existence of a supreme Being, who is not only the creator of all things, but the disposer of all events; who is above viewing with displeasure the imperfections of his dependant creatures; and that he has given them reason, and affections, which are sufficient, if followed in the light of nature, to guide to happiness; they consider a special revelation altogether unnecessary, and beneath the dignity of the Sovereign of the universe. Others again, profess to believe in the existence of an eternal, independent, and all-perfect Being, who has been graciously pleased to make a special reve

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lation of himself in the Scriptures; and that they are the only infallible guide in faith and practice but this class is divided, and subdivided in expounding the Scriptures; one says, lo, here! and another, lo, there! one is for Paul, and another for Apollos. New difficulties are continually increasing, and different denominations multiplying; volume after volume has been written in contending for party; sharp and bitter conflicts have been maintained; each has proclaimed the victory on the side he has espoused; few have retired from the scene of contest with composure; contending Christians. have been sport for unbelievers. It is difficult to determine what denomination possesses the greatest advantages, as all ́have arguments in abundance to shew the superiority of their particular tenets. For my part, I think there is little advantage to be gained by listening to any of them. If I conduct honestly, I believe it is of little consequence what sentiments I possess; if I am only sincere in my conduct, I need not be very anxious as to futurity; that, I may safely leave to the disposal of my bene-volent Creator.

Evander. If it is of no consequence what a person believes, if he is only sincere in his belief, then no action can be morally wrong, however contrary to the divine law, if it only flows from sincerity. None are more sincere than

the benighted heathen in their abominable idolatry. There can be no question but that those were sincere, who overcame all natural feelings, and sacrificed their sons and daughters unto devils, and caused the blood of innocence to flow. Notwithstanding their sincerity, for these very acts, God swept away the nations in his wrath. Thousands blunt the sting of a guilty conscience, by sheltering themselves under the specious idea of sincerity, when they have never viewed their actions an hour in the light of God's word. From corrupt sentiments, proceed corrupt actions. There is an inseparable connection between belief and practice. "Do men gather grapes of thorns? or figs of thistles?" "A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit;"

by their fruits ye shall know them." When I recollect your professed candour, I am not a little surprised that you should become involved in such a sceptical delusion. If any man will do the will of Christ, "he shall know of the doctrine whether it be of God." So plain is the truth," the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein." I will venture to affirm, that no one, who has searched for truth as for hidden treasure, can say he has not found it; he that seeketh shall find, and to him that knocketh it shall be opened, and he shall know the truth, and the truth shall make him free; it is

written, "the lip of truth shall be establishe d for ever." To suppose the truth cannot be found by the candid and earnest enquirer, is to suppose that God has left himself without a witness, and that he has given us a revelation totally unintelligible, and, of course, no revelation at all. No, my dear sir, God has given to his people exceeding great and precious promises, and in keeping his commandments they have a great reward. The evangelical Christian has a faith, practice, and hope, which will never make him ashamed; it is a joy that the world can neither give nor take away.

Lorenzo. Do be good enough to inform me what is the belief, practice, and hope, of an evangelical Christian, (as you are pleased to style him) that I may see what particular advantage he possesses over any other sectarian; admitting them severally to be true, only for the sake of the comparison.

Evander. This I will attempt, but shall have time only to give you the outlines. The Evangelical Christian, after examining the Scriptures with a candid, and prayerful attention, receives and treasures them up in his heart as divine truth, and not as a cunningly devised fable; for he is convinced from the evidences which appear, that holy men of old, spake and wrote as they were moved by the holy Ghost; and that the present translation is generally a good one, being preserved by Divine Providence from any

material corruption, and that they are worthy of unreserved confidence, and must be implicitly. observed in faith and practice, notwithstanding they may reveal truths beyond the narrow bounds of his comprehension. He believes that in the Scriptures, the being, and perfections of God, the character of man, and the scenes of eternity, are justly delineated. He believes they teach the existence of one only, living and true God, who exists in a trinity of persons, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost; who is eternal in his being, infinite in wisdom, almighty in power, perfectly benevolent in his nature, cloathed with every attribute and perfection that can render him glorious and lovely in the eyes of all holy beings : and that he is the Creator of all things, and the governor of all events, throughout immensity ordering them for the highest possible glory of his name, and the happiness of his kingdom; and that he is a righteous lawgiver, and will judge and reward all his creatures according to their character; and that he is the only proper object of religious worship, praise, and adoration, and is worthy of all the affections and services which his creatures are capable of rendering; this he believes, although the manner of his existence is infinitely above his comprehension; for he does not pretend to fathom the depths of existence, without beginning of days, or end of time, nor to draw aside the vail which covers from human understanding the manner in which three persons exist in one God;