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 har

mony, 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 only 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 Jaboured 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.”

parated: because, however they may strike us, when singly viewed, it is only as related to the whole, and as united, that we arrive at a suitable conception of the beauty of the building, and of the Builder's design*. If indeed, the object of pursuit be only our own gratification, and

*This, if I comprehend it right, is one of the principal uses, for which we are taught the art of Logic; or, of reasoning with perspicuity, and method-so as to arrange our own ideas, to connect each link in a series of arguments, and, eventually, to exhibit Truth, according to its different kinds, and importance, to the greatest possible advantage, in point of clearness, fullness, and comprehension. But, throw aside System, and what will become of Logic? And why prefer detached pieces, to a great whole? Is it not much the same, as preferring a Segment of science, to a Circle? or the separate parts of an Edifice, to the complete Fabrick. 'Tis a whimsical sort of a Taste, to say the least of it.

"System," says our first Lexicographer, "is a combination of things acting together: a Scheme, which unites many things in order."" The best way to learn any Science, is, to begin with a regular System," says a great Logician: that is, to make use of some short and plain Scheme of that Science, well drawn up into a narrow compass. Now, we deal much in Essays, and despise systematic learning: whereas, our Fathers had a just value for regularity, and systems.”

not a desire of knowing the end of the great Architect, our time is mispent, and our labour without honour."

1 Cor. x. 15.

Far be it from us, to encourage any man in an undue partiality for a System: but, if the system, he prefers, be founded in Truth, can he be too ardently attached to it? The most learned men in every preceding age have taught all truth, by system. But, there is a Fashion, it is said, in every thing; and even Religion must conform to it!

« We think our Fathers, fools-so wise we grow Our wiser Sons, no doubt, will think us so."