On this page
-
Text (2)
-
Untitled Article
-
Untitled Article
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
-
-
Transcript
-
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
Additionally, when viewing full transcripts, extracted text may not be in the same order as the original document.
Untitled Article
Defence of Metaphysical Studies . HAVE for some time past been I much interested in the study of Metaphysics , as far , at least , as Hartley ' s inquiries have led me . Of other systems I do not wish to speak , as my knowledge of them is not sufficient to
enable me to g peak with authority concerning them . I am aware of having derived some improvement and much pleasure from the study , as far as I have pursued it , and was proceeding in it with ardour and fearlessness , when I was warned that , in the
opinion ot many wise and good persons , it was dangerous to pay too much regard to Hartley ' s Theory , partly because " there is no safety m mixing metaphysical arguments with religion , " partly because " the Hartleians are apt to disregard the plain , simple evidences of revelation , and to puzzle out a system to which scripture must be afterwards reconciled . " I have given much attention to these representations , und the more
Untitled Article
my thoughts dwell on them , the more am I convinced that they are mistaken ; that the tendency of Hartley ' s system is to confirm the Christian ' s faith , by affording" additional evidence of the truth of the gospel , by exhibiting clearer views of the Divine
character and government than could be obtained , except by the * ' mixture of metaphysical arguments with religion , " and by confirming what the Scriptures declare concerning the nature of man , the purposes to be answered by his present state of discipline and his final destination .
As others may be deterred from pursuing this noble study , by similar representations , I think it may be * use * fill to put down a few of the ideas which have occurred to me on the subject , for their consideration . It is ray intention to be very brief , and I wish to offer mv remarks with the
diffidence of a learner , and not with the authority of a philosopher . With respect to the objection that it is dangerous to mingle metaphysical argument with religion , it seems difficult to give a reason why a science
which had its origin in scripture , should be separated from it . Who can suppose that without the Christian revelation , Hartley ' s system would ever have been framed ? Surely the wish to discover what the constitution
of the human mind must be , to which such a code of morality as that of the gospel is suited , must have animated the inquiries of the Philosopher . He saw that what was already discovered
of our mental structure was , in some respects , inconsistent with itself , with his own experience , and with that revelation which was his guiding star in the midst of his labours . He felt
that if he could discover a more peculiar relation than was yet suspected to exist between the constitution of the human mind and the system of moral discipline which he believed to
be derived from heaven , his faith would be confirmed , his views of scripture truth more clear , and , consequently , his piety more influential . This peculiar relation he has discovered : it was
evident to him , and is now to his followers , that scripture language and doctrines can be consistently and satisfactorily explained upon no principles but those which are derived from his Theory . And here is found so
Untitled Article
than that of revelation , but the information which it gives is not so clear , full , rational and consistent . It is certainly true in the abstract , but falls short of certainty in its supposed particulars , which is something like being certain and uncertain at the same time .
It is the main support of Christianity , and in return ( which indeed is equitable enough , ) it receives from Christianity a splendid and glorious light which it does not itself possess , and consequently cannot diffuse . All that here appears clear and intelligible is ,
that of the two religions , if I may still be allowed to call them two , Christianity is , as I always suspected , by far the more valuable and important . But I am impatient to take my leave
of the controversy , which I do without any diminution of the respect which I have been long accustomed to feel for the character and talents of my opponent . And if he shall appear here and there to have reasoned
inconsistently , of which I do not make myself the judge , the reader will , I doubt not , attribute it with me to the difficulty of maintaining the divine origin of Christianity together with the superior authority of Natural Religion . E . COGAN .
Untitled Article
268 Defence of Metaphysical Studies .
-
-
Citation
-
Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), May 2, 1824, page 268, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2524/page/12/
-