Page images
PDF
EPUB
[blocks in formation]
[blocks in formation]

THE EVIDENCE,

ETC. ETC.

CHAPTER I.

INTRODUCTORY.-ON THE ORIGIN OF THE CHRISTIAN

RELIGION.

A BOOK is put into my hands, professing to give an account of a revelation from God. I find this revelation established as the religion of my country, under the name of CHRISTIANITY. I find the laws acknowledging it, and taking cognizance of any very gross insults against its divine authority. I find a maintenance, secured by law, for ministers who teach, explain, and enforce it. I see a great variety of persons, who do not receive or claim any participation in that public maintenance, also endeavouring to extend a belief in its truth, and an observance of its precepts.

A slight acquaintance with the nature of Christianity, assures me also, that such a religion is expedient for the public good. It teaches men to consider

B

themselves as placed under the eye of their Creator. It declares the importance of human conduct and character to be such, as to have occasioned the interference of a Divine Person, called the Son of God. It demands a very pure morality. Wherever it is received, it regulates the lives and habits of men by sanctions so awful, as must affect and influence all that are capable of extending their view to things future and invisible.

These circumstances, however, though they may justly be considered as presumptions in favour of the truth of Christianity, are not decisive. It is a presumption in its favour, that our ancestors should have made Christianity a part of the constitution of the State; because we are entitled to suppose that they had reason for what they did. It is in its favour, that they should have provided for its support and extension; and that so many persons should take an evident interest in its success. It is still more in its favour, that its doctrines should be beneficial to the morality and happiness of men. But then I find some of these circumstances on the side of other religions also. The ancient inhabitants of Europe had a religion prior to Christianity, which they maintained at a considerable expense of statues, sacrifices, temples, and ministers. They defended this religion carefully. Their wisest men, though they perceived its absurdity, still supported it, on the express ground of its utility to the State. Again, the religion of

Mohammed is established over an immense and populous region; and has its priests and temples, publicly acknowledged and maintained. The Hindoos and the Chinese have a religion and a priesthood, whose authority is acknowledged, and who have powerful influence over the people. In fact, no civilized country exists without some form of religion; the members of which, whatever it be, are no less vehement in its support, and often no less confirmed in its belief, than the professors of Christianity. The morality, indeed, of these religions is very different from that of the Gospel, and their effect upon the mind and upon the happiness of their votaries very different. But as the moral state of different nations, independent of religion, is also unequal; the purer morality and general superiority of the Gospel may, it is possible, have arisen from the exercise of a nobler intellect, and from a happier combination of circumstances, and are not alone a sufficient reason for my embracing it as divine. England has a better religion than Turkey or Hindostan. But then England has made a far greater advance in arts and sciences; has a wider field of literature; is in every respect a more enlightened country; and its superior religion may be no more a result of divine interference, than its better constitution and more equal laws. Besides which, the Gospel, in proportion as it is purer than the religions of Brahma or Mohammed, demands greater sacrifices; and requires, therefore, to be con

« PreviousContinue »