12.

Christianity is altogether a Religion of Grace*.

terprize. The twelve Propositions, here submitted, comprize an entire System; which, a moderate Capacity, and that degree of Consideration, which we flatter ourselves they deserve, may easily grasp, and retain. The Method, we have pursued in the following Arrangement, is, to descend from these first Principles to their necessary Consequences, and to dispose every Truth in its due place, with order, clearness, and precision. "For, what is a System-but a Chain of truths well combined? whatever be their nature, whether mathematical, physical, or moral. All weak and effeminate minds, that hover about the surface of Truth, that have not force enough to try its depths, and that cannot support a continued series of reasoning, very naturally exclaim against Systems. Generally speaking, they can relish nothing but poetical fiction, sprightly imagination, and sparkling

wit."

*We have heard, and we have read, of the superstitions of Reason, and Learning-of the idolatries of Paganism-and of the Mahometan imposture; but, to call either of those, by the sacred and honourable name of, Religion, is, in our idea, a most preposterous, not to say, impious, abuse of words. The fact is, that, from the eventful crisis of "Man's first disobedience," there never has been but one Religion in the world-or, Christianity,

We could wish, that all these Propositions may be considered, as so many

under different forms, and in several successive editions; such as, Christianity, in Promise-in Type-and in Prophecy; under the patriarchal-under the mosaic, or levitical-and, under the prophetic Dispensation; until "the fulness of the time was come," when this great "Mystery of Godliness" was to be consummated in the Person, Sacrifice, and Resurrection, of THE MESSIAH. A Mystery, which from the beginning has been removed, as far as possible, from any thing like a Religion of Nature, Reason, and Philosophy-if by that be intended, as I presume, a Religion, which the Light of nature, reason, or philosophy, could of itself discover, and frame. For, it has been from the beginning, and in every varied modification, A Religion of Grace: which we pledge ourselves fully to demonstrate to every impartial and ingenuous mind.

By others, it has been already and repeatedly proved, with laborious Research, and profuse Erudition, that, "Vestiges of all the principal doctrines of the Christian Religion are to be found in the monuments, writings, or mythologies, of all nations, and ages; and that these vestiges are Emanations of the ancient, primitive, universal Religion of mankind, transmitted from the beginning of the world by the antediluvian to the postdiluvian patriarchs; and, by them, to their posterity, that peopled the face of the earth."-Those, who have any legal claim to the title of, learned, cannot be ignorant of this: and some

Christian Aphorisms: and we have treated them, as containing matters of the highest import to the moral Nature, Excellence, and Dignity, of every human Being: compared with which, all the possible acquisitions of Literature, Wealth, and Fame, and all the most refined enjoyments of time and sense, are, according to the doctrine of just proportion, and in our Scale, lighter than a shade.

With the feeble hand of an intellectual Infant, we have ventured to light our glimmering Taper, at the Sun of Truth, Righteousness, and Glory: and, should we be so happy, as to conduct one benighted Traveller, who is feeling his way through all the gloom and darkness of Scepticism, and Infidelity, which, at this moment, are clouding our hemisphere, the hours of sober recollection, which have been devoted to this service, will not be lost; nor shall we have lived an entirely useless Incum

of them might be well employed, in compiling, "The Travels of Revelation throughout the habitable globe, from the earliest period to the present crisis."

berer of the Soil we tread, and the Clime we breathe.

To those, who are in the intelligent habit of viewing Truth, in the whole, and not by parcels, and fragments, it will be extremely gratifying, to perceive the harmony, order, and connection of truths, in the preceding disposition; the unity of the Principles-their mutual dependence on each other—their tendency to elevate the Heart, at the same time that they enlighten the Understanding: so that, each proposition may be said to reflect increasing light on the other, in regular gradation. For, all Truth being of a coherent nature, it is impossible to separate one branch from another, and see it in all its beauty. I intreat, therefore, that those, who honour these pages with their inspection, will not form any judgment from detached parts, but survey the whole, in its professed consistency.**

So very little, however, are these essential Characteristicks of our Religion understood, or regarded, that "not paly the Christian Revelation, but, the moral perfections

"Divine Truth, like an elegant and finished building, may be contemplated in its parts, distinctly: but, though they may be distinguished, they should not be se

and government of God, and the very being of Virtue, have been made a subject of dispute. Freethinkers are not ashamed to publish their doubts concerning these unquestionable and self-evident Realities! Divines and . Philosophers have not disdained to establish them by a multiplicity of arguments! What is still more to be regretted, the Preachers of the Gospel, forgetting the dignity of their Character, and the design of their office, have condescended to plead the cause of Religion, in much the same manner as Lawyers maintain a disputed right of property! They have entered into reasonings about piety, justice, and benevolence, too profound to be fathomed by the multitude, and too subtile to produce any good effect! Instead of setting forth the displays of divine Perfection in the dispensation of the Gospel, so admirably calculated to touch, to penetrate, and to subdue, the human mind, they have entertained their audiences with long and laboured proofs of a Revelation from God, with learned Disquisitions, and philosophic Essays, on the nature of virtue and morality! May not this be called, with the greatest propriety, a throwing cold water on Religion? And ought it not to be considered as one of the chief causes of that fatal and general insensibility to all its concerns, of which we so frequently, and so justly, complain? The multitude have been astonished-wise men have been ashamed-and good men grieved at this treatment of Religion, so much beneath its dignity."