AC
7
$95
116.

SION COLLEGE LIBRARY.

SOLD BY ORDER OF THE
PRESIDENT AND GOVERNORS 1938.

Lif-Comm.
Hodgson
7-5-39
38627

CONTENTS.

LETTER XC.

CHRISTIANITY inestimable on account of its mo-

ral influence---the extent of its prevalence---circum-

stances which establish its credibility---the enlightened

age in which it obtained credit---The character and

sufferings of its first teachers---they could have no

motive to deceive mankind---their doctrine proves

that they were not enthusiasts---a general expecta-

tion of a great deliverer at the time of our Saviour's

appearance---This event predicted by the Jewish

prophets---many particulars of the gospel history

confirmed by the contemporary testimony of Pagan

writers---the character of Christ inconsistent with

that of an impostor.

LETTER XCI.

Mr. Hume's objection against the possibility of mira-
cles examined---his dogmatism censured---The mis-
chievous tendency of infidelity---the unreasonable-
ness and inhumanity of endeavouring to weaken the
most powerful motives to virtue, and to destroy the
best springs of consolation---The beneficial tendency a
strong confirmation of its divine original---The dis-
pute concerning the person difficult, but of little mo-
ment---Nothing absurd or unreasonable in the belief

of

of miracles-Honour due to Christ even independently.

of supernatural attestations.

LETTER XCII.

The doctrine of Christianity concerning a future state
compared with that of the ancients---the strictness
of moral sanctions no ground of objection---The
Christian religion not founded on Fatalism-The free-
dom of the human mind maintained against the Ne-
cessarians--their doctrine unfavourable to morality,
and inconsistent with the notion of a state of probation
---The selfish and the benevolent principles united in
human nature, under the direction of reason, and the
controul of conscience,

LETTER XCIII.

Moral as well as natural evil reconcileable with the

goodness of God---The inequalities of the human

condition levelled by the prospect of immortality---

The present restlessness of the human mind an argu-

ment for a future state---the human character ex-

alted by this hope---Christianity therefore a blessing

---Speculations concerning the places of future re-

wards and punishments, and concerning angels or

devils, useless---the notion of evil dæmons prevalent

among the ancients---fear a powerful instrument in

the cure both of natural and moral diseases---how

applied by the ancients---consolation of Christian

hope.

LETTER XCIV.

The triumphs of Christianity over Paganism---its prin-

ciples rational---its object, the universal benefit of

mankind

mankind---its good effects extensive, even beyond
the limits of Christian faith---The religious princi-
ple universally the same; religious forms various---
the tendency of Christianity to simplify religion---
the Christian faith early embraced by enlightened
men---Christian ethics not inconsistent with the in-
terests and duties of society---The death of Christ a
great example---in what sense it was an attonement,
doubtful---The rapid spread of Christianity a proof

of its truth.

LETTER XCV.

Of the establishment of Christianity under Constantine
---hence the abolition of gladiatorial exhibitions---
of exposing children---of slavery---and of immoral
superstitions---The moral tendency of Christianity
alone sufficient to recommend it---its spirit not in-
consistent with vigorous exertions in active life---
its laws productive of human perfection and felicity.

LETTER XCVI.

The religious warsamong Christians not to be imputed

to Christianity, but to the ambition of its professors

---The piety taught by Christianity rational and sub-

lime---its religious institutions simple and useful---

not answerable for corruptions introduced by bigo-

try or avarice---makes its appeal to reason---cn the

mere ground of authority, respectably supported---

Ridicule not the test to which the truth of Christianity

should be brought---its first propagation neither en-

thusiastic, nor compulsory, but rational---Meritori-

ous character of its first missionaries.

LETTER XCVIL

:

Monastic institutions the offspring of persecution---fos-
tered by superstition---yet productive of many pub-
lic advantages---monasteries long the seats of learn-
ing and charity---The Christian fathers not intitled
to implicit regard, but to be admitted as credible wit-
nesses of facts---General survey of the state of Eu-
rope, with respect to knowledge and religion, from
the dissolution of the Roman power to the revival of
letters---fruitless disputes and fierce persecutions from
the time of Constantine---Credulity and intolerance
the leading characters of the dark ages.

LETTER XCVIII.

Comparison of the superstitions of Pagan and Chris-
tian Rome---Origin and use of sacred statues among
the ancients, and of images of saints in the Ro-
mish church---superstitious practices respecting them
---Origin of the doctrine of transubstantiation---of
the Inquisition---State of knowledge among the
Christians and the Arabians compared---Destructive
effects of intolerance in the Christian world.

LETTER XCIX.

Monastic seclusion from the world founded on false no-
tions of Christian perfection---social enjoyment in-
nocent---active service meritorious---society the
school of virtue, as well as the field of happiness---
gloomy fanaticism injurious to the cause of Christi-
anity---regard to public opinion one of the chief
springs of action---Intellectual pursuits chiefly valu--