PRINTED FOR J. G. & F. RIVINGTON, ST. PAUL'S CHURCH YARD, AND WATERLOO PLACE, PALL MALL; WAUGH & INNES, EDINBURGH; & COCKREM, TORQUAY. Price Sixpence. PREFACE. PECULIAR circumstances, which had occurred in the immediate vicinity of my ministerial charge, and of which more distinct notice is taken in a subsequent place, gave rise to the following Discourse. By a notable instance of perversity, (nor is it only a vulgar error,) the atheist, not unfrequently, has the credit of being a deep-thinking man: in the eyes of his more simple-minded neighbours, he comes forth as a sort of genius, and his monstrous opinions are regarded as evidence of his superior talents. Which captivating notoriety, if it does not tend to seduce others to become imitators or companions in his daring sin, serves, with the undiscerning at least, to throw a veil over its exceeding deformity. With the hope of putting an end to this delusion, of stripping off this specious disguise, and of showing by a plain and short argument, how that, so far from being entitled to any |