BUT perhaps we fhall be told, infidels are inoffenfive, are amiable and refpectable, good members of fociety, poffeffed of worthy qualities. All this has been faid, and names of this worthy and honourable fraternity have been fedulouly collected. It ought however to be remembered, that men profeffing, and even holding, the fame principles, may be very different in their temper, manners and character. It is not, therefore, a fufficient proof that a principle is harmless or excellent, that certain maintainers of it are inoffenfive, or, in fome inftances, agreeable and ufeful, members of fociety. The fire that makes little impreffion on metals devours combustibles. One who boafts that he believes neither in GOD nor Devil, Heaven nor Hell, or, in other words, is under no restraint in allowing himfelf in whatever he defires, when he cannot be controlled by human laws and interference, may be harmless; may feel no inclination to disturb fociety by the indulgence. of unlawful paffions; may fhrink from the thoughts of outrage, robberies and murders. His original character, his education, his habits and purfuits, may excite and preferve an abhorrence for every thing of so shock

Another man

ing and atrocious a nature. of a different original caft of mind and education, of different or oppofite habits and purfuits, becoming an infidel, and freed from all religious restraints, would work "all uncleannefs with greedinefs," to use the ftrong language of the apostle, and perpetrate crimes the most atrocious and abominable. A harmless and amiable infidel, if we can allow an enemy of GoD, of CHRIST, and of the best interests of men, that epithet, with all his qualities that can recommend him, encourages vice, patronifes vice, emboldens wickednefs. The harmless, and if you will, the refpectable, Atheist and infidel, is like a warlike engine of exquifite workmanship and beauty, that remains unmoved while it spreads, or may fspread, devaftation and ruin far and near.

BECAUSE reflections of this kind are not attended to, I am afraid, many become, first less afraid of infidelity, then indifferent as to principles, and fo are in the high way of praifing, of affociating with, of imitating, the irreligious.

THE

THE popularity, acceptableness and fuccefs, of irreligious men and irreligious writings, may perhaps appear, to fome, proofs that they ought not to be represented and regarded, as an untoward generation. But it requires little reflection to be convinced that what is popular and acceptable, is not always just and tenable. Men who love darkness, and the works of darkness, dislike the light, and whatever renders their characters and conduct manifest: they wish to be uncontrolled, and to indulge themselves in all their heart's defire: having done fo, they feek to justify themselves, and to be quieted; to banish fufpicion, and fearlessly to go on in the way which they have chofen. How acceptable to fuch men, is the doctrine, No GOD, no CHRIST, no hereafter! To fuch men, the mere fhadow of argument becomes fubstance and beauty. Alas! we can account for the currency of irreligious principles, too eafily, among thofe who have the command of worldly pleasures; whofe idleness and diffipation, and diffolute companions, hurry them into vice. An irregular and diffolute life is condemned by Christianity: the irregular and diffolute, are in effect, its enemies; and welcome

welcome the instruction that justifies and applauds their conduct. The irregular and diffolute have their dependents, their flatterers and companions: their dependents and flatterers, and companions, are tempted not to contradict, fometimes to approve, or feem to approve of, the doctrines of their friend " and fuperior. "The fear of man worketh

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a fnare:" the proud are refpected, though "they turn afide to lies :-the covetous are "courted and bleffed, though the LORD ab"hors them."

FROM fuch facts and appearances, the fuccess of infidelity and number of its votaries may be thought to be much greater than it really is: both its friends and enemies are apt to flide into this opinion. Let us recollect, that we may not rafhly adopt it, that the fquanderers of money on diffolute pleasures, diffipated company and pernicious books, though courted by fome, are not the men whofe judgment is the most valuable; whofe manners are the best model; whose authority is the most decifive; whofe admirers are the most numerous and most fincere.

If we can juftly charge infidels with hypocrify and inconfiftency, we destroy their claims to the character of amiable and refpectable; and convict those of impropriety who represent them or esteem them as entitled to our regards. Now, do not we maintain, without any to contradict us, that if men really believe that revelations have been made from GOD, and that Christianity is divine, they ought not to write or fpeak against the Scriptures and the Gospels, for any confideration whatever; not though their wit and effays, and infinuations and reveries, fhould obtain them the reputation of bold fuperior fpirits, high genius; and fhould fecure admirers, and readers, and emolument? If, on the other hand, they really disbelieve Christianity, amiable and worthy men, ought not to countenance it by hypocritical conformity, thefe characters are abandoned. These propofitions cannot be controverted, by men of truth, honour and consistency : if we give them up, diffimulation and falfehood are approved and juftified: to say and write one thing, and to hold another, is to forfeit all claim to the character of men of

honour,