correctly understand what they fully believe. It has been compiled with a sincere desire to promote the cause of true christian faith and knowledge, piety, and comfort, and nothing but what it is conceived the scriptures clearly teach, nothing but what approves itself to the enlightened reason and conscience of men, is offered.

Wishing religion to appear, as it really is, our reasonable service, and not to teach for doctrines the commandments of men, we take the word of God only for our guide; and submit the work to the public with fervent humble prayer, that God would prosper all well meant endeavours, for promoting the knowledge and prevalence of the religion of Jesus Christ in the minds, the hearts, and lives of men.

As this work is designed for the edification of families more especially, it is recommended to them as a valuable manual for the instruction of children.

1. RELIGION is a principle of holy action in the soul of man. It originates in such a reverence, gratitude, trust and confidence in God, as will lead us to avoid every thing, which we think will displease him, and to study the things which he will approve. This is what in other terms we call the love of God, which is not so much a single as a compound affection; and it is rather an inward principle stimulating holy obedience, than an animal sensation inflaming the

B

passions. It is not, in every respect, precisely like that love which we entertain towards each other, which partakes somewhat of an animal nature, and is, in a degree, allied to sense. But this is a pure spiritual affection, a mental regard, which elevates the understanding, which purifies the heart, and par takes more of mental reverence than animal love.

2. There are many ingredients which enter into and compose what we call the love of God. In the view of his adorable majesty and glory, religion, or this principle of the love of God, for they are one and the same thing, is varied from ardent affection, and assumes the character of holy awe and profound reverence. In the contemplation of his mercies, it changes its appearance, and seems dissolved into affectionate gratitude. Enduring the evils to which nature is incident, and which chequer the lot of mortals, it assumes the placid countenance of submissive confidence ; and amidst all this variety, it uniformly imitates the goodness which it loves.

3. Mistakes often arise respecting the nature of religion, from considering it rather as a passion, than a principle; as a pleasing sensation of the animal