ance of reason, that to give such close and constant attention to the evidence of nature and revelation, as would seem necessary for the establishment of such a faith as that here described, must be to many a work of extreme difficulty, while to some it is totally impossible. Let it, then, be at once admitted that, so far as the formation of such a faith is impossible to any one, he cannot be responsible for the want of it; and that in proportion, likewise, as his difficulties increase, his responsibility must diminish. This principle of always proportioning our responsibility to our opportunities, so equitable in itself, has been plainly declared by our Lord, in his parable of the talents, to be that by which the Divine proceedings towards us will be regulated. Neither can it be denied, with any appearance of reason, that the opportunities of religious improvement with which our situations in life 'furnish us, are infinitely varied. There are some, though happily the number is fast diminishing, whom inability to read even the language of their own country shuts out altogether from the perusal of the Scriptures, and makes entirely dependent, for their acquaintance with revelation, upon the instructions of others. There are many in society who, for want of habits of reflection, as well as of the assistance of the most approved

writers on the subject, are prevented from taking views of the works of nature, either sufficiently minute, or sufficiently comprehensive, to impress them with the liveliest and deepest conceptions of the power, wisdom and goodness of their great Author. Even among those who have enjoyed the highest advantages of education, great differences are likely to exist in the views which they take of religious subjects. The attention of some is more frequently and strongly attracted, by their habits and way of life, to the appearances of nature, whilst others make the volume of revelation their peculiar study. Different minds are so constituted by nature or education as to receive the deepest impressions from different kinds of evidence. A tree or flower, the structure of an animal, or the sight of the starry heavens, will speak volumes to one, whilst another will receive much more satisfaction upon religious subjects from the evidence of testimony. Let every man make the best use he can of the means of information placed within his reach, and "let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.” Let no one suppose, however, that in anything that has now been said, we mean to admit the existence of a right, on the part of men, to attend as much or as little as they please to the evidence for the Divine perfections with which

nature and revelation furnish them. We are bound, as responsible beings, to give our best attention to that evidence; and so far as our own negligence shall appear hereafter to have been the cause of any imperfection that may be found in our religious convictions, we cannot too deeply impress it upon our hearts that we are answerable for the consequences. In truth, my friends, when we consider the wonderful advantages for acquiring religious knowledge with which this age of the world presents even the humblest classes of the community; when we consider the exertions that are continually being made for the spread of useful information, the ease with which copies of the Scriptures may be procured, and the unwearied exertions of many benevolent individuals to promote the religious improvement of society, exertions which we admire and honour not one particle the less on account of any differences of opinion, however considerable, that may subsist between us, it is impossible for us not to conclude that any very serious deficiency in point of religious feeling must be the result rather of culpable carelessness or inattention, than of unavoidable ignorance. In a Christian country, the most benighted of its inhabitants, if he only possess a tolerable share of candour and inquisitiveness, cannot long remain destitute of good grounds for be

lieving in the existence, perfections and providence of his Maker. The means of religious instruction are too generally diffused for any man to seek for it in vain. The very existence of Christianity, in its present state, around him, must form, to an unprejudiced mind, no inconsiderable evidence of its having some foundation in truth. Such a person could find no difficulty in obtaining from those around him further information respecting its divine authority, as well as its leading doctrines and principles. If we only suppose him capable of reading the Bible, he may add the further presumptions in its favour resulting from some of its strongest internal evidences; such as the character of its author; the suitableness of its precepts to our moral nature, and of its promises to the loftiest aspirings of the human mind; and the apparent impossibility, upon any other supposition but that of its truth and Divine origin, of its ever producing such extensive and lasting effects upon society as we see it to have produced. A little additional exertion will suffice for procuring such a general knowledge of the other descriptions of evidence produced in its favour, as would be quite sufficient to furnish him with rational and solid grounds for believing in it. It is needless to add, that a belief in Christianity cannot fail to

communicate the most cheering and satisfactory views of the Divine character; such, too, as cannot consistently be entertained, without inspiring the most unshaken confidence in the wisdom and benevolence of the Deity. Nor is it less evident that the works of nature speak plainly, even to the least cultivated mind, of the Divine existence and perfections. Nothing more is necessary to this, than a moderate share of attention, and inclination to receive their testimony. Who so thoughtless, for example, as never to have wondered at the wisdom by which his own frame must have been constructed! Who can doubt the goodness of the Being that gives us rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness; or avoid forming the highest conceptions of the power and majesty of Him, who sends the sun to give light by day, and the moon by night, and peoples heaven with the starry hosts! The reasons, then, my friends, for believing in the existence and perfections of God, are not difficult to be discovered. They suggest themselves, with no inconsiderable force, even to those whose opportunities of acquiring knowledge have been the least numerous; whilst to those whose views of nature are more commanding, and whose acquaintance with the evidences of revelation is more accu