testimony of his resurrection; and that Essay takes its place here as throwing light upon the subject of religion, both natural and revealed. Last comes a Treatise showing the great and manifold advantages which have accrued to mankind from Christianity, pointing out how widely and happily it has benefited them in their temporal concerns; besides improving their morals and cultivating their minds; and, over and above, its primary and blessed object of saving their fallen race.

Those of the Treatises which were formerly given to the world have been now carefully revised, and have received very great improvements, partly from the suggestions of several most able and intelligent friends. This has particularly taken place in the fourth Essay, which forms the subject of the supposed reflections of the eminent heathen when at Jerusalem; that paper being altered by the omission of such matter as was found to be too abstract for general readers, and by sundry important additions being made to it. The Treatise on the Testimony of Revealed Religion has been also much improved by a change of arrangement of its parts; and enlarged by the introduction of a new chapter on

the character of Christ; by observations on the peculiar style of the Epistles; and a considerable addition on the internal evidences.*

These are the topics of the several Treatises contained in this volume. The subjects are, from their nature, of the deepest importance, and merit our most serious attention. On these, however, the rash and inconsiderate sometimes excuse themselves for infidelity, by remarking, that men are not always answerable for it, as they cannot command belief. Now, in one sense, that may be true; and, if they have neglected to acquaint themselves with such matters, infidelity may probably be a necessary consequence; but they must be aware that there is great responsibility in all persons, that they shall make a fair and ample enquiry on things which so greatly concern their everlasting interests. "There is guilt in ignorance in a man, when knowledge is within his reach; there is guilt in heedless inattention, when truth and motives of the highest interest have claimed his serious attention."

* The publishers have taken the liberty to print in the Appendix, the terms of the notices that appeared in several Reviews and Journals, of those of the Essays which were formerly given to the world.

In treating of the influence of faith and conduct on one another in the life of any one, it is well remarked by Dr Paley, that before proceeding deliberately to transgression, a man is apt to ask himself, "Is religion true ?" In most of such cases, though he will not directly answer in the negative, he has but a slight conviction of the truth; the temptation prevails; and the crime is committed. The observation applies chiefly to the first steps towards vice; and demonstrates to us of what importance it must be as a safeguard to virtue, that persons should not only cultivate those pious feelings which arise from religion, but that they should be also well instructed in its evidences. It is of great consequence, too, that this should be done at those times of life when the passions have not yet been roused, and neither ambition nor avarice have yet begun to stimulate. If a young man in the quiet of his study, before being exposed to the fascinations of pleasure, or the self-interested pursuits of riper years, shall have duly examined and carefully weighed the proofs of religion, he will probably find little difficulty in the important question; and his answer to it will be a barrier against the fatal seductions of

vice. Should a mathematician's accession to a political plot depend, in a similar manner, upon his being convinced that a particular proposition was false, which his own science, on accurate enquiry, would distinctly inform him to be true, his loyalty would likely remain entire. The reasoning on religion is no doubt, by its nature, in some measure of a different kind from that which would be resorted to by him; but if any one's following or departure from the road of piety and good conduct depend upon its results, he will be most apt to continue in that path who carefully applies it.

It has been said, that such enquiries do sometimes harm rather than good; for that implicit faith is not unfrequently shaken by the use of investigation. But those who so argue, forget that, with the educated, endeavours to produce belief, without conviction, but too often lead to infidelity; and that intelligent and enlightened young persons will have neither faith, nor comfort in their religious pursuits, unless they are enabled" to give a REASON for the HOPE that is in" them.

In communications with the young on these interesting subjects, it is most material that they

be conducted in the spirit of kindness and domestic affection, as then most likely to produce valuable impressions, which will go down with the parties into after life, nor leave them even at its termination.

This idea has been given with so much good feeling in a recent work of an eminent physician and amiable man,* that I now resort to his own language." The stern lessons of morality," says he, "and even the sublime truths of religion, may be rigidly impressed on the minds of the young, and may in after life recur from time to time, as a mere matter of remembrance; but many must have experienced how different is the impression when they recur in close association with a father's affection, and a mother's tenderness, and with the lively recollection of a home, where the kindest sympathies of the human heart shed around the domestic circle all that is lovely in life, while a mild and consistent piety habitually pointed out the way to a life which is to

come.

It is of great consequence to young persons to acquire the HABIT OF FREQUENT READING in

* Dr Abercrombie of Edinburgh, on the Intellectual Powers, &c.