in some way or other, although some of them praise its morality and its sublimity in the warmest terms; but no one pretends to give any proof that his system is the true one, beyond the arguments of his own reason. Now, if our objector designs to cast off Christianity, in order to take his notions of religion from the philosophic school, we ask, which of them he will select, and on what principles he will make the selection? They all agree in pulling down the Christian system, but they differ, egregiously, in the structure which they would build upon its ruins. They all deny that our proofs are sufficient, and then modestly ask us to adopt their notions, without any proof whatever. They scorn the evidence of miracle and prophecy, and talk about the superior claims of reason; but the reason of one proves that there is a God, and the reason of another proves that there is none. The reason of a third establishes the immortality of the soul, and the reason of a fourth laughs at it, as an absurd superstition. Where is the guide-where the teacher, upon whose system the heart and understanding of a searcher after truth can repose with security? Alas! bewildered and lost must be the mind, that attempts to follow the mazes of extravagance and impiety, set before him by the infidel philosophers of the world. Many of them were men of splendid talents, commanding eloquence, and extensive learning; but the pride of intellect, and the thirst after fame misled them. They lost the docility and candor so necessary to every searcher after truth; and instead of being friends to the happiness, the morality, and the eternal welfare of their fellows, they spread around them the infection of a moral pestilence, and scattered the flowers of genius upon the path of ruin and despair.

We repeat, therefore, my brethren, that the choice we have to make in this matter, is between the religion of the Scriptures, and none. There is no religion of nature. This is but a delusive title, given by men to systems of their own devising; in which the little good they contained, was stolen from the Bible; but put together, after their own fancy, without a shadow of proof or authority. The philosophers who have distinguished themselves in this way, differed among themselves; and their notions were utterly useless to direct the conduct, to guide the aims, to restrain the passions, or to console the hearts of men. Who ever saw a congregation of Deists established in the worship of the God whom they pretended to acknowledge? Who ever saw the family of a Deist gathered together, to unite with him in praise and prayer? Who ever heard that the belief of a Deist had power to assuage the pains of a dying bed, and enable the part in the confidence of hope and joy? Oh no! my brethren; it is only the religion of Christ, which possesses those characters of true conviction. It is only the Gospel of Christ which can purify and strengthen the soul. Other systems may amuse the fancy, but this alone can take hold of the affections and the will. The religion of the Deist may engage the intellect, but it is only the religion of the Bible that can warm the heart.

spirit to de

May you be enabled, then, to enter upon the investigation of the evidences of our sacred faith, with a ready and a willing mind, animated by an honest love of truth, and freed from the blinding influence of prejudice and passion. And may you, my Christian friends and brethren, rejoice in the reflection, that you are in

possession of such inestimable privileges, as are set before us in the Word of God. While so many are sitting in the thick gloom of heathen superstition, what a blessing should we not esteem it to have the light of life! While so many are wandering after the wild-fire of false philosophy, what a blessing is it to behold the Sun of Righteousness, the glory of God, in the face of the Redeemer ! O! let us magnify, with one accord, the mercy and the grace which have led us to the knowledge of the truth; and while, 'with our hearts, we believe unto righteousness,' let us make confession unto salvation,' not only with our lips, but in our lives,' by giving ourselves up unto the service of the Saviour, and living 'righteously, soberly, and godly in this present world.'

1

DISCOURSE II.

JOHN, XX. 30, 31.

AND MANY OTHER SIGNS TRULY DID JESUS IN THE PRESENCE OF HIS DISCIPLES, WHICH ARE NOT WRITTEN IN THIS BOOK, BUT THESE ARE WRITTEN, THAT YE MIGHT BELIEVE THAT JESUS IS THE CHRIST, THE SON OF GOD; AND THAT, BELIEVING, YE MIGHT HAVE LIFE IN HIS name.

We are to enter, in the present discourse, my brethren, upon the first topic of the evidences of Christianity, viz. the authenticity of the New Testament Scriptures, in which are included all those doctrines of the faith, comprehensively called the Gospel. In the language of the text, these books were written, not for the gratification of literary taste or ambition, nor yet to be a record of passing events, for the sake of ministering to public curiosity or national pride. None of the common motives of authorship are assigned for their production. No, my brethren, they were written that we might believe in Christ, the Son of God, and that, believing, we might have life in his name. If the motive for writing these Scriptures were thus exalted and peculiar, if our life-our eternal life, be dependent on their truth, with how deep and lively an interest should we attend to the establishment of their claims. For creatures such as we are-standing continually on