dom of the ancient legislators among the heathens: and many in modern times have laughed loud at the folly of attempting to give a perfect code of laws, to an imperfect and depraved nation. The religion which the legislators of old blended in their system, was of a piece with their laws; and was designed to be sweet to the taste of their vicious countrymen. It required few sacrifices, and those not painful: it indulged eager appetites, and heated passions. Mahomet acted on the same principles. How gratifying are many of his maxims to flesh and blood! To be allowed to retain and to cherish evil dispositions in the heart, and yet be on the road to paradise, is beyond measure delicious to every lover of iniquity. We are not to wonder, if such systems were received without a struggle, by those to whom they were proposed. Is this the cause, that the Koran is more respectfully spoken of by many modern deists, than the New Testament? They will at least own, that none of their party have ever appeared the advocates for an austere morality.

But here is a religion which declares open war, and irreconcilable enmity with every evil disposition in the human heart. It tolerates none it denounces an anathema against all. Of the most odious sins, disobedience to parrents, dishonesty, injustice, murder, and adul

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tery, it speaks with abhorrence: it says they ought not even to be named among christians. But this is not all it descends into the heart; it puts forth its hand and plucks out every root of bitterness which, springing up, would pollute the soul, and defile the life. Many principles which the world approves, as ambition, the eager pursuit of wealth, fondness for pleasure, pride, envy, revenge, contempt of others, emulation, the gospel condemns. These the world considers on many occasions to be harmless, in some commendable: christianity condemns them all, in every form and degree. It forbids the indulgence of them even in thought; and commands the desire to be strangled in its birth. Neither the hands, the tongue, the head, nor the heart, must be guilty of one iniquity. However much the world may applaud the heroic ambition of one, the love of glory in another, the successful pursuits of affluence in a third, the high-minded pride, the glowing patriotism which would compel all the neighboring nations to bow the neck, the steady pursuit of revenge for injuries received, and a sovereign contempt of the rude and ignoble vulgar; christianity condemns them all, and enjoins the disciples of Jesus to crucify them without reluctance, and without delay. Not one is to be spared, though dear as a right-eye, for use or pleasure; or even ne

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eessary as a right-hand for defence or labor. While the gospel insists on the destruction of evil principles, the exercise of the opposite dispositions, humility, contentment, meekness, charity, forgiveness, perfection, &c. is strictly enjoined. As a specimen, read the words of the book itself. Matt. v. 43, 44, 45, 48. “Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbor, and hate thine enemy: but say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; that ye may be the children of your father in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. Beye therefore perfect, even as your father, which is in heaven is perfect." Rom. xii. 20, 21. "Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves but if thine enemy hunger, feed him ; if he thirst, give him drink for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head. Be not overcome of evil; but overcome evil with good." 1 Peter, iii. 9. "Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing; but, contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing."

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What a system of opposition to evil, and of the purest goodness is here! To what source shall we trace it? From beneath, such divine

sentiments cannot come.

Nor do they grow

on earth They spring not from the human heart; for no such seeds have been sown there. Will it be thought unreasonable if I should say, They must have come down from heaven ?"

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SECTION IV.

Men never get before the New Testament. FOR centuries past, the world has been in a state of gradual improvement, which is still increasing with accelerated rapidity. Ancient ages, even the most renowned, we have far outstripped in evey useful science and by means of modern discoveries, their most famous books are found extremely deficient. Within the limits of the eighteenth century, this has How many trea

been remarkably the case. tises regarded as master-pieces, at the beginning, were looked upon as antiquated, before the end. When we consider the intense application of thousands of enlightened and highly cultivated minds, all in quest of new discoveries, and all endeavouring to improve on what was written before, we shall not wonder at this advancement.

We are naturally led to enquire, how it is in reference to religion, and whether the New Testament stands its ground. A full proportion of learned men have applied themselves to the study of the principles of religion and morals, and to those sciences connected with them, which have respect to moral obligation and privilege. But have any of them outstripped the New Testament, as the moderns have outstripped the ancient philosophers? Have they found out any part of the character of God which it does not display; or any duty which it does not inculcate ?-No: after all their researches, and with all the additional knowledge of eighteen centuries, they have not moved a step before it. Nay, they may perceive the New Testament is still before them.

In these latter times, many conceive that considerable progress has been made in the knowledge of that part of morals which respects individual, and domestic, but especially national relations. After having viewed these pretensions, which profess to have their basis fixed on the principles of eternal justice, let us turn to the New Testament, and examine if these men have outstripped it. But we find there all these noble sentiments, the force and extent of which were not perceived before, that are applicable to what is good in them, and to those things which are really improvements;