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was , he says , to be a teacher of morality ; not of that morality which is acknowledged by the world , and sanctioned by considerations of present interest , but of the pure , spiritual and exalted morality of the gospel . The most interesting topic to his own
mind was the hope of immortality , and this he justly characterizes as " the essence and glory of Christianity . " This sermon should be perused first by such as wish to appreciate Mr . Cogan ' smerits as a preacher ; the valedictory conclusion is an
ingenuous and interesting exposition of his views and feelings , with regard to the profession which his talents and character so eminently atdorned , and which alf his readers must regret that any considerations should have induced hi tn to relinquish .
The Sermons rarefy touch upon the controversies carrying on atftongst Christians ; though there are some exceptions to the remark , which make us almost wish that the preacher had
more frequently allowed himself to enter a province where be displays so much ability . His theology is , at the same ! time , by more than implication , Ufrttafrian .
The reader , apprized of Mr . Cogari ' s high reputation for learning , may expect the Sermons to abound with criticisms upon the Sacred writings ; but in this he will be disappointed . There are only a few passages in which there is any thing of
verbal criticism . The truth is , that the preacher appears always to have been attracted to topics of great and solemn practical irtiportaace , and to have been carried at once by a strong feeling of religion into the heart of his subject . As a proof of this , we may remark that his exordiums are
commonly striking and impressive . The general doctrine of the Sermorrs is the superlative importance of Christianity , as the revelation of a future state of existence . In * this vtew , the preacher goes repeatedly into tfae evidences of the Christian
religion , and particularly of the grand fact , on vvhich the whole system d ^ pends , the resurrection of Christ . ^? 11 piety and morality he resolves into the temper and conduct becoming a . being of immortal ex pect-atioiis . Mr . Cogan is , in the ttfue sense of the * term , an Evangelical preached .
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He Christians , quaintly described by Sir Thomas Browne , as <* disdaining to suck divinity from the flowers of nature . " He pronounces the natural arguments for a future existence to be ingenious and plausible , but not solid and
convincing , [ Vol . 1 . p . 4 , ] still allowing : some weight to the ** presumptions of human immortality , " [ Vol . 11 . pp . 5 and 259 »] which yet do not supersede the necessity of the Christian revelation , but , on the contrary , render it credible , [ Vol . I . p . 296 . ] He considers testimony of sufficient forc £ to
establish any fact , not implying ati impossibility ; and suggests reasons why the fact of the resurrection of Christ may be the best medium of proof , with regard to a future life , to a being * such as man , who is evidently in a state of intellectual and moral discipline .
Ihe Sermons on the Evidences of Christianity are amongst the best in the Volumes . They may be confidently recommended to philosophical inquirers , who will here find the question stripped of all that is adventitious , and the argument fairly brought to » conclusion .
The difference between the believer and the unbeliever is well stated m the following passage : < c He who believes that Jesus died and rose ag-ain , ^ vill of necessity admit the existence of a God , and will regard that God as a Being of infinite wisdom , power
and goodness : he will consider himself as placed in a state of discipline , which , after a few years , will usher him into another and eternal world ; and will look forward to glory , honour and immortality , as the reward of a patient continuance in
well-doing-. In his system of morality he will find the duties of devotion , benevolence anii self-government ; and these he will consider as essential to his happiness in that future state , for which h £ will regard the present © nfy a " s a preparation- The / arioMs trials a * nd afflictions of human life
will , t& him ,- be necessary parts of that wise an < $ benevolent plan , by which th <* Universal Parent is producing- I / he greatest ultimate good of his intelligent offspring ? . He , on the other hand , who does not admit
the resurrection of Josusy will , generally speaking , entertain 110 cheering , views of the Divine attributes , an < f will acknowledge iii tlie administration of the universe , no wortliy rirfd tttiitevtrffctat design , tie Will either took frtrvtaftrtf fa tenth ltd the termination of A * s iWing , or ttili «*« ftSd- hitf
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falls into the class of 258 Review . —Cogaris Sfernions . ¦ m 1 < t m % rm TX /• n 1 11 ¦» jm y-N
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), April 2, 1819, page 258, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1771/page/46/
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