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Untitled Article
the early decease of so excellent a character , it is pleasing to reflect that it was so worthy of removal , and that a profession remarkable for polished manners and extensive knowledge , was in this instance graced with the nobler ornament of pure and nndefiled religion ; but it is the principal object of the present
review to give an account of Mr . Cappe ' s sermons , chiefly for the sake of diffusing more widely the admirable and useful sentiments which they contain . According to him , faith is distinguished from knowledge , because it respects things invisible and future . 'Religious faith relates to the nature , character , will , counsels , and providence of God . Faith places things unseen in a clear , convincing , and affecting light . Faith is the
grand principle in the Christian life : it was a principle with the ancient worthies mentioned in the Old Testament , and even with the wise and good amongst the Gentiles . But Christian faith is a much nobler , clearer , aqd better principle of conduct it respects not only the Divine Providence in general , but also a future life ; it brings the most incontrovertible evidence for that state , and exhibits it as a happier and more certain
condition than any which either Jews or Gentiles received . Faith is a reasonable principle , not dark , mysterious , or unintelligible , not enthusiastic or fanciful , not supernatural or inexplicable , no sudden irradiation , but the object of the
mind ' s eye ; every hour of the day men act upon this principle * in taking food or medicine , in planning schemes , in buying and selling , in sowing seed , and in many other transactions and operations In all such instances , probability is the spring of action —faith , not sight . Hence , if there be evidence for the Divine
Providence and for a future state , it is reasonable to act as if those doctrines were true . The evidence without doubt is great and strong ; but were it otherwise , sijch are the natural consequences of religious and Christian faith , that a very small degree of probability should engage rational beings to live righteous , godly , and sober lives .
Since then faith is a reasonable principle , men need not be ashamed of it . Christian faith is peculiarly reasonable , because it is founded on the strongest- evidence—the testimony of honest and able men . The distinction is not always clear between faith § xid reason , as much of what is called reason is in fact faith , founded upon the testimony of probability ; so faith itself isiflfHI an act of reason . Nothing unreasonable therefore
should be called faith , lest what is reasonable and deserving of credit be liable to prejudice ; whilst then all proper and just means should be used to confirm persons in the faith , it should be-pursued into all its practical and moral consequences . Faith is a desirable and important principle ; if no dependence were
Untitled Article
32 Cappe r s discourses *
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Jan. 2, 1806, page 32, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1720/page/32/
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