Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1813. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... CHAP XXII. REFLECTIONS OF AN INCONSISTENT CI1IUSTIAN AFTER A SERIOUS PERUSAL OF THE BIBLE. I Profess to believe that Christianity is true. Its promises are high; but what have been its profits. It is time to inquire into its truth and its advantages. It never, indeed, pledged itself to confer honours or emoluments; but it engaged to bestow benefits of another kind. If the Christian is deceived in these, he has nothing to console him. Now what am I the better for Christianity? It ypeaks of changing the heart from darkness to light. What illumination has my mind experienced from it f--But here a doubt begins to arise. Ami indeed a Christian? What claims have I to the character? Is there any material difference, whether I depend on heaven as a thing of course, to those who have been baptized, though they possess no corresponding temper and onduct; or whether I never reflect that there is a heaven, or whether I absolutely disbelieve that there is any such place? Is the distinction so decisive between speculative unbelief, practical infidelity, and total negligence, as that either of them can afford an assurance of eternal happiness in preference to the other? Vet while the thought of heaven never enters my mind, should 1 not hotly resent it as an injury, if any one disputed my title to it? Should I not treat him who advised me to a more serious life, as an enemy, and him who suspected I required it, as a calumniator? Is it not, however, worth th- inquiry, whether my confidence of obtaining it is well founded; and whether my danger arises from my ignorance or my unfitness? If the scriptures be authentic--if, aa I have always professed to believe, they indicate a state of eternal happiness, together with the means of attaining to it--thca. surely not to direct my..."
