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strong an evidence for the truth of revelation , as ought to dispel the doubts of every thinking mind ; if in such a mind doubts can remain . What can be more incredible , than that , in an age when the science of the human
mind was unknown , a system of religion should be framed by ignorant men , which should be found to consist exactly with the discoveries of future ages respecting' the mental structure of man ? How could such
a character as that of Jesus be portrayed , so perfectly agreeable as it is to principles , the existence of which . was unsuspected for hundreds of years afterwards , by men who , from their education and occupation , were cut off from the means of learning the little
that was taught on these subjects by the sages of their time ? They copied from the life : ignorant of the rules of drawing , they produced a portrait , perfect in symmetry , unequalled in beauty ! If any see not the hand of God in this , let him doubt the
existence of God , let him doubt his own existence . If the study in question bring such an accession of evidence of the truth of my religion , I cannot but think those mistaken who object to
the mixture of metaphysical arguments with religion . " The gospel system of morals , also , appears to have a close connexion with Hartley ' s Theory . On no other system is the necessity of forming
virtuous habits so apparent : no other theory makes us so aware of the importance of avoiding temptation , of exercising strict government over the thoughts , of forgetting the things which are behind , and pressing forward towards those which are before : and
more especially we are shewn by it the importance of cultivating Christian benevolence , as the chief means of happiness here and hereafter . What can be more consistent with the Christian code of morals , than tlie
conclusion of Hartley , that our ultimate happiness will be found in self-annihilation , that this is to be attained by the diligent cultivation of the benevolent affections , and , in short , by Implicit obedience to what is known to
be the will of God ? Is there any thing in this like disregarding the simplicity of scripture , and perverting it so as to make it suit with it theory invented by human reason ? Doubt-
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less the gospel is all-sufficient for the salvation of all men ; but why should those who have the means of cultivating their reason by the study of their own minds , cast away an evidence for its truth , for no cause but that it is not known to many , and is not , therefore , called a " simple evidence" ? I believe that the ultimate truths of
revelation were revealed by God ; that science has since developed a train of reasoning which , by leading to the same conclusions , at once corroborates their correctness , strengthens our faith , and demonstrates its own truth .
Hence there can be no ground for the fear that this theory should lead us away from scripture ; it is derived from scripture ; it pursues the sarne path ; it tends to the same conclusions ; therefore it appears to me the most valuable study next to that of
the Scriptures ; the next best gift which has been presented to the human mind , and the highest subject but one which can exercise its powers It seems by a remarkable provision to have been ordained , that there should never be the shadow of a
failure of evidence with respect to the truth of revelation . While it was yet recent , every fact of history confirmed it - j and while it was fresli , no one in his senses , who examined the Subject , could doubt that the things related
in the Scriptures actually took place . The lapse of time must , however , necessarily weaken that kind of evidence by which the early Christians were assured that Jesus of Nazareth had
lived and taught , and done all that is related in the Gospels concerning him . Since that time prophecies have been remarkably fulfilled , and very many yet remain , which , by their gradual development , will prove that the Christian religion is not a work of human reason . It seems to me that the
discovery of this metaphysical system is intended as another confirmation of Christian faith . I , with many others , feel it to be so , and I believe the time will come , when these principles will be understood and acknowledged to
be true , by the whole body of Christians ; and long before that time will the fear be banished that the study of them should lead away from scripture , or even modify its truth . Long before that time will those systems be exploded which lead to scepticism , and
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Defence of Metaphysical Studies . 269
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), May 2, 1824, page 269, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2524/page/13/
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