verfion. Is not this the real amount of the religious profeffion of many who pretend to think more justly, and to form more extenfive views, than the vulgar? Can we reafonably expect that their religious faith, if it de. ferves the name, fhould have the leaft influence on their temper and conduct?

3. A fpirit of fcepticism among the learned and fpeculative, in proportion as it fpreads, has no fmall influence to abate their zeal and attachment to the Chriftian religion. Superficial reafonings will always have weight with fuperficial thinkers. The adverfaries of our holy religion have, of late years, changed their method of attack. After being fo often foiled in the open field, they now try to work their way imperceptibly, by fecret undermining; the tendency of which is only known by its effects. By introducing univerfal fcepticifm, by difputing even the truth of felf-evident principles that are fundamental to all reafoning, they lead their difciples first to doubt, and then to deny, the effential principles of all religion. And, indeed, from scepticism to downright infidelity, the tranfition is natural and eafy.

At any rate, an indifference to religion muft certainly fpread, and take deep root, in proportion as this fceptical humour prevails or gains ground; and Chriftianity itself, the nobleft fyftem of divine truth, and the most proper for reforming the world, be treated merely as a fubject of speculation, which men VOL. III.

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may

may receive or reject at pleasure. Such academics in religion, though equally averfe to every religious fyftem, yet might, with a better grace, affume any other name or profeffion than that of Chriftian; because, if the gospel is of divine original, and promulgated by the authority of Heaven; if its evidence be fuch as is fufficient to found a rational conviction of its truth; in this cafe, we are not only bound to give our affent to it, but to act upon the principles of that belief, as a matter of the last importance to our eternal happiness. If it does, indeed, contain "the words of eternal life," the only plan and terms of acceptance with God, then, furely, to reject it with fcorn, or even to neglect to confider it with due attention, must be highly criminal and dangerous : "How "fhall we escape, if we neglect fo great falva, tion?" Heb. ii. 3.

4. The fame noxious disease, of indifference to religion, in any fociety, is always greatly cherished and promoted by a factious and diwifive fpirit in others, by ill-placed and intemperate zeal about points of leffer importance, and of a doubtful nature. Scepticism and bigotry, how oppofite foever to one another, yet are often fimilar in their influence, and productive of the fame effects; they are both equally repugnant to the true spirit of religion. They agree in taking away all diftinction between the primary and fecondary truths of religion; the one, by depreffing

the

the former into the obfcurity of the latter; the other, by exalting the latter to the dignity and importance of the former. The fceptic affaults the fyftem of religion, by undermining its foundation; the bigot, by erecting an unwieldy fuperftructure of perishing materials.

The folly and perverfenefs of mankind often change their most important bleflings into real evils, by abufing them, contrary to the intention of the divine goodnefs. And there is no public bleffing more frequently perverted in this manner, than that of liberty, both civil and religious. My fubject naturally leads me to fpeak of the latter; which, though one of the best of earthly bleffings in itself, yet feldom fails, through mifimprovement, to hatch, under its prolific wings, many dif ferent fects and parties, who generally profecute the interefts of their faction, with much heat and paffion, under the name of religious zeal.

It would be extremely improper for me, at prefent, to make a differtation on the various fects and factions which enjoy a legal indulgence amongst us; and far more, to enter into a difcuffion of their feparating principles. Perhaps it might juftly be thought to favour of that very spirit of animofity which we condemn as fo prejudicial to the moral influence of true religion. But, in general, one may venture to affirm, without offending the most angry difputant, that the far greater number

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number of controverfial points among Proteftants, are carried to a much greater height, and profecuted with a keener zeal, than their weight and importance will bear; that amidst fo many questions, agitated with so much uncharitable humour, the effential points of religion feem to be but little understood, and ftill lefs regarded; and that its most facred laws are often trampled on in the rage of dif putation.

What manifold mifchiefs doth not this factious and turbulent fpirit produce? Particularly in caufing many fuperficial inquirers to think, that religion is merely a fubject of difpute and opinion, without any relation to life or manners; that its tendency is fo far from promoting peace on earth, that it ferves only to divide mankind more and more. Thus it is, that profeffing Chriftians, by their unchriftian animofities, have furnished infidels with the most plaufible objections against our holy religion whereas, was this truly amiable inftitution but fairly delineated, as taught by our Saviour and his apoftles, and its exalted virtues exhibited to public obfervation, in the lives of its votaries; it could not fail to gain more profelytes, than the moft excellent apologies that were ever written in its defence. Thefe may convince the judgement, by difplaying its evidence; but this would reach the heart, and captivate the affections to its love and obedience.

Happy, indeed, were it for Proteftants, members

members of churches that are called reformed, if the experience of paft ages taught them wifdom, to differ in peace and charity, and to unite their influence against the adverfaries of their common faith. Was this the cafe, our religious controverfies would even become fewer in number; because the minds of men would be better difpofed for feeing and embracing the truth, which prejudice and paffion are so apt to disfigure, and conceal from

our view.

I fhall proceed to point out,

II. THE vifible fymptoms of the preva lence and progrefs of this fatal disease, of indifference to religion, amongst ourselves.

However difficult it may be to trace this noxious disease to its proper caufes, yet its fymptoms are plain and evident.

And, 1. Where-ever this spirit prevails, it will naturally produce a growing neglect, if not a contempt, of the inftitutions of divine worfhip. Outward forms of worship and devotion are effential to religion, and abfolutely neceffary to fupport the ferious belief and impreffion of its truths on the minds of men ; and when thefe are difufed, it is impoffible to preferve their moral influence on our temper and conduct. In this fentiment all mankind have agreed, let their fchemes of religion have been ever fo oppofite; and the fame principle has been ratified and confirmed under all the difpenfations of true religion.

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When,