Page images
PDF
EPUB

the world. A mass of other matter was also committed in like manner by the writer to paper, merely for the purpose of private satisfaction. The contents of these papers were for the most part suggested by the conversation and arguments employed by sceptical persons, which the writer frequently happened to hear; and at a more advanced period, by being much in the society of those who had formed their opinions on important subjects while resident on the continent, and whose freedom of sentiments went much greater lengths than that of those who had adopted them at home; and a very large portion of the manuscripts in question were written during the era which was styled the age of reason.

About this time, the writer having found the arguments and conclusions resulting from the inquiry which had so long engaged an anxious consideration, very efficacious in removing the objections broached by some very confirmed sceptics against revealed religion, felt somewhat inclined to offer them to the public; and with a reference to this purpose made additions to the original manuscript, to fit it for the same. In the perusal of it, it should be kept in mind that the Author had at an early age been taught to consider inquiry and research the indispensable

[ocr errors]

duty of every intelligent creature; that it was in pursuance of these injunctions that the materials of which this work is composed were first committed to paper; that by following them the writer's mind was left wholly unfettered from the restraints that are perhaps very wisely laid upon adventurous research by the orthodox and pious Christian; and that a mind naturally contemplative, under the influence of the above-stated considerations, was almost certain to be led into inquiries that would, by those who consider it their duty to submit their reason to the obedience of faith, be deemed (to name the mildest epithet that would probably be used by such persons) very presumptuous inquiries. The anticipation of exciting such censure has occasioned much demur as to the expediency of publishing the manuscript. But advancing years, together with the persuasion, that if this was not now very speedily effected, the whole would be consigned to oblivion, imposes the necessity of prompt determination-a determination which has been powerfully strengthened by a full conviction that sceptics never will become believers in revealed religion, without the tender of a far more extensive explanation of the wonders it unfolds--without soaring much higher, and diving much deeper,

when endeavouring to attain a right understanding of its sacred communications, than has probably been as yet ever offered to the world. When unbelievers in the assertions contained in the gospel are anxious to gain proselytes to the opinions they have formed, and for the accomplishing of this purpose, tender books containing arguments for effecting the same to the orthodox and pious, the perusal is generally declined by them. To such refusal the reply is uniform and laconic, You are afraid of conviction. Should the orthodox and pious endeavour to convince the sceptic of the truths which they reject, the argument they employ is almost invariably the following:---If we on rational grounds have sufficient evidence to assure us that the Scriptures are imparted by inspiration of God, we are bound to believe all the doctrines they contain, though we cannot understand them.

Now, this is the very point round which infidelity rallies. The Deist blesses God for entertaining far different ideas of his goodness and his mercy, than to believe that He requires any rational creature to believe what they cannot understand; and much less, to have ordained their salvation to depend upon any such a test.

This

description of persons are generally most amiable

and benevolent, and very solicitous to disseminate opinions which they think would promote the happiness of mankind. The orthodox and pious (though most excellent persons) are frequently supine, and far less on the alert in guarding their opinions from the assaults of enemies. They take little or no care to prevent their descendants from forming intimacies, and ofttimes matrimonial connexions, with very partial believers in revealed truth, possibly without consciousness (for want of due inquiry) that they are doing so; for if they chance to witness the attendance of young persons at the church established in these realms, though these may have imbibed principles most opposite to its doctrines, (particularly when self-interest favours such connexions,) they easily satisfy themselves that all is right, and with the full consent of Christian parents, these marriages are solemnized. Hence it is, that infidelity has so lamentably spread for the last fifty years within the compass of the Author's knowledge, into numberless families, who, but for this negligence, had retained belief in revelation. The full assurance of this fact powerfully combats the objections which have so long withheld this work from the public eye, by propounding an additional and very strong

inducement for its publication; namely, an humble hope that it may sometimes supply the means of enabling young persons to give an answer to those who ask them a reason of the hope that is in them.

That eminent writer, Dr. Johnson, remarks, that the evidences to the truth of the Christian religion are very strong, but that the doctrines therein contained are contrary to reason. Happy will it be should the contents of the following pages tend to remove this impediment to the reception of them. It was not originally intended to affix any preface to this work, as the conclusions recorded in the first volume are merely preparatory to those that will be found in the second and third, and which were designed to gradually lead the readers to receive the assertions set forth in the gospel, from what appears to the Author rational argument. But on due consideration, and the advice of a friend, it has been deemed best to state the reasons which occasioned the subsequent research.

It is often urged as an objection to the inspection of books of the nature of the following, that they raise doubts which they do not solve : it is trusted no such objection will be found in this work.

« PreviousContinue »