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    cogitation of society , to be capable x > f final and total eradication ; and ths endless variety of forms , under which they have manifested themselves , bears a . striking attestation to their accordance with the tendencies of the human frame , anifto tfye strength of the convictions on which they rest . From intellectual ( excitement these principles have nothing to fear ; on the contrary , if inherent in the human constitution , they must gain force and clearness by every discussion ; nor is there a more base and groundless apprehension ,

    than that inquiry , once commenced and followed into its consequences , leads to Atheism . * The most sceptical of Hume's conclusions may be confuted b y his own principles . The charge of Atheism is very largely dealt about by some men , but with little judgment and less charity . Ail bad men are , indeed , practical Atheists , but of serious , speculative Atheism , I believe very few well-authenticated cases are on record . If there be any instances in

    which opinions have been deliberately advanced at all approaching this fearful doctrine , they would , I think , upon examination , be found resolvable , like those of Spinoza , into a sort of pantheism ; and ought to be ascribed , not so much to a hardened wickedness of heart as to a morbid love of speculation overmastering , in retired and studious men , the sound exercise of the reason and affections : and to that blindness which comes over the mental

    eye from the vain and perhaps irreverent attempt to penetrate the unapproachable glories of that awful Being

    Whose throne is darkness ou the abyss of light . In such instances , I recognize an additional cause of thankfulness for the gift of revelation , which beautifull y adjusts the light that it imparts to the weakness of our intellectual vision , and veiling the brightness of the Divine perfections , shadows forth our Creator under the engaging aspect of a Father and a Friend ; but I see in them nothing to weaken my conviction , that religion is an inherent principle of the human mind , or to lead me to apprehend its destruction from the freest exercise of the intellectual powers .

    Happily , then , for the friends of virtue and mankind , there is an immoveable barrier against the final prevalence of scepticism in those universal principles of sentiment and conduct , which are co-extensive with human nature , and which are more and more developed with its progress and improvement $ and which cause the feelings of piety , all the sentiments of mercy , compassion , and gratitude , a sense of moral obligation , the love of truth , and justice , and freedom , and a fond desire of renewed existence

    beyond the grave , to spring up , variously combined , and in various degrees of perfection , in all good and generous minds , wherever and whenever they may have existed , and under whatever dispensation of the Almighty they may have been educated . Christianity presents a perfect embodying , in the teachings and example of Christ , of these great universal principles of sentiment and action ; and , like them , it must be immutable and eternal . Itis

    the complete manifestation of all those moral and religious truths which are essential to human well-being and happiness , and which are only feebly and partially disclosed by the light of reason and nature . It sets the seal of divine authority , the miraculous sanction of the Almighty , on those truths , and ^ SBfWW ^ I ^ P * ^ ff ^ ^ tipn ^ ^ ; iwl ^ wJU * gaq 4 , TOea , in , all ag ^ s 9 so far as they were able to discern and cherish and practise them , have admired and venerated

    >¦ •• « " iWWft * >? M » $ W ) te * . faMi ? llfe .. joC : " AqosH « ij / ' iw exeraple qui fovoriae ceux qui JB ^^ W ^^^ . MMl ^^ . 1 ^^ fPft 1 ^^^?^ t 9 u ^> , 4 < 3 *< ^ nai ^ ii 6 re » f de religion ; car Us s'apuient beaucoup siir ce que cettem&hodQ conduit petfivd-peu d # AthtUme ou at * DiimtS *

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    808 On the Spirit of Setts .

• Citation
  • Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Dec. 2, 1828, page 808, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2567/page/8/