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mining for themselves . I was deim € "i ^ ay ; " that my friend sfrouid rather " blindly believe , than UiMly disbelieve , and that for the following reason r
That , supposing all systems of religion and morality ( the scrip , ttires included ) to carry with them equal evidence of being true , then is it the part of wisdom to act in conformity with that , which threatens or promises the most , for it is that , from which we shall
have most to suffer or enjoy , if it should prove true . The scriptures therefore , as of all known systems they profhise the highest * rewards to our obedience , and threaten the severest punishment to our disobedience , would , if they
possessed only equal evidence with others , have a prevailing claim to the obedience of rational and provident creatures . But the truth is ; that they possess much more evidence in their favour * than has erer'Belonged to any other moral or religious ' code received amongst
men . 1 should rather say that tfcey alone pbssess any evidence which deserves to be respected , or to be considered as establishing an authority of general force and Universal application . For ,
adopttfig any other system of conduct , what assurance has any living % tt , that he is right , or safe ? It wilt be answered , I am aware , tfe assurance of his reason ; the conviction of his understanding . But if ihe assurance of hi 9 reason be a proof that he is right , then
roav two mett holding diametri-^ ly ' o ' ppbsit ^ djftrTi 6 ft& ih religion -5 l ^ i $ ?^ ls , ' but each equally ^ y ^ c ^ V ^ the propriety of » & * & h 0 has adopted , be both ^ tj at ^ th ^ s ^ rh ^ Wrrie . If con-2 s ^^ ^ I ^ t tfght , be i sure uuence uragf we are so * then may
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all the jarring speculative theorists in the world he right at the same time . Right reason must decide , says the disciple of philosophy . But what is right reason ; where to be found ; what the
standard by which to try her ? Rational enquiry , it is affirmed * brings us to the truth . I ask wfr&t evidence we can ever have that it has brought us there . Evidence which proves to our neighbour the very contrary of what it" proves to us , should ever be distrusted *
Now the scriptures have at least some evidence of affording a certain rule of right conduct , for they have some evidence ( evidence which infidelity has never been able to overthrow , though she may be dissatisfied with it ) that they corne from God . What then is
it the part of wisdom to do , in a case , where , amidst a host of uncertainties , one only system appears with any shew of paramount authority ; any evideiu : * nrcunaf . kiiman nriffin nnvrcnannui of -human oriin shadow
super g ; any of proof that it is exclusively framed for general adoption , and universal obligation ; any distinguishing test in its favour , which may not also ( as reason has done ) decide in favour of a hundred
other systems , and give ( as reason does ) the same assuttancfe of safe * ty , to men professing the most opposite tenets ? What , I say , is the part which wisdom should choose under circumstances such
as these ? Must she not adopt and act on the scripture ordinal ? * ces , either till she can overthrow th £ evidence in favour of their divine origin , or else bring forward some otber system wjth as strorig or stronger evidence ia favour of
its paving such an origin ? J ^ e human rilind , dotes , it is tjr \ je ? * i Mr * Sturch says , comeffj ^ m Q& 4 ,
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Vindication of the Dialogue on the Scriptures . 6 ^ 5
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Oct. 2, 1813, page 651, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2433/page/27/
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