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THE

SCEPTIC'S MANUAL,

OR

CHRISTIANITY VERIFIED:

Being a new method of Appeal to the Understandings and Consciences of Deists, Jews, Sceptics, and Formal Professors:

For the truth, power, and efficacy of the Christian Religion; demonstrated in three parts:

BY THE

TRUTH OF THE HOLY SCRIPTURES,

BY THE CERTAINTY OF THE

MANIFESTATION OF THE SPIRIT,

AND BY THE

INFLUENCE AND POWER OF RELIGION,

AS EXEMPLIFIED IN THE CONVERSION OF NOTORIOUS SINNERS, AND IN THE LIVES OF DISTINGUISHED SAINTS.

"He that heareth reproof getteth understanding."

PROV.

PHILADELPHIA:

PUBLISHED BY J. F. WATSON,

SW. corner of Third and Chesnut streets,

BT 1210 1539

PREFACE.

IT is intended in the following pages, to offer to Unbelievers, AFTER THEIR OWN MANNER OF REASONING, reasons for the truth and certainty of the Christian Religion, both in its theory, and in its power," deduced from, and confirmed by, data, tọ be found in their own judgments and consciences.

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Those who disbelieve the Bible, do not allow their opponents to urge their arguments from premises, which their minds already reject, it is therefore the purpose here to convince them from "topics of reason" in which they can at once give their consent. -In this manner the Bible is demonstrated to be true.

It is next endeavoured to show, how it is that God, who is a Spirit, "and whom no man hath seen at any time," doth yet as certainly and perceptibly manifest Himself to the mind, as does the radiance of the natural sun to our outward senses at noonday. This being a doctrine of vital importance to christianity, though little regarded by some theoretical christians, is here proposed to the reason and understanding of all objectors, and enforced by suitable Scripture

concurrence.

Finally, as Religion is a Scriptural service, and is an affection and feeling of the heart, wrought there, perceptibly and preternaturally by the Holy Ghost, to the sure and certain evidence and consolation of all true Believers, it is endeavoured to show the energy and transforming effect of that spiritual power in convincing and convicting of Sin, and in "changing the heart," by exhibiting the operations of that spirit

in the death of convicted Sinners, dying in despair; in Sinners reformed; and in Saints who lived and died in the assurance of Faith.-The persons selected for this evidence, are such as are best known to the literary world, and to the truth of whose lives history has affixed her sufficient testimony.

This work is chiefly derived from the writings of Leslie, Fletcher, and Simpson.

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