selves up without hands into a regular fleet. For what are towns, cities, or fleets, in comparison of the vast and amazing fabric of the universe? "In short, Atheism offers such violence to all our faculties, that it seems scarcely credible it should ever really find any footing in the human understanding." It must be owned on all hands, that the existence of a God is desirable and highly expedient: every argument to the contrary refutes itself, and evidently demonstrates what it is brought to deny. For, when it is said, as by Mr. Hobbes and his followers, that the notion of a God is not from nature, nor from revelation, but from policy and state craft, then is it owned to be for the good of society. When it is supposed that the world came into existence by chance, and is every moment liable to be destroyed by it, then is it dangerous to live in such a world. When it is alleged that the world is eternal, and that all things are by fatal necessity, then liberty and choice were infinitely better. When it is argued from supposed defects in the frame of nature, and in the government of the world, then is it better that the world had been made, and were governed, by a perfectly wise and gracious being. But, indeed, the being of a God is so necessary, and withal a truth so evident, that an Atheist, almost in any sense of the word, had been a creature unheard of in the world, at least in the civilized world, had we been guided solely by instinct and common sense; had not human reason, or rather the abuse of it, lowered some men to a level with the brute creation, from which we are more distinguished by our sense of religion than by our reason. The force of the argument from universal consent, will appear when thus stated, according to the method used by Aristotle, in his Topics, in arguing from authority: That which seems true to some wise men, ought to appear a little probable; what most wise men believe, is yet further probable; that in which most men, both wise and unwise, do agree, is still more highly probable ;-but, what is received as truth by the general consent of all mankind, in all ages of the world, hath certainly the highest degree of evidence of this kind that it is possible for it to have. In short, the arguments in proof of a Deity are so numerous, and at the same time so obvious to every thinking mind, that to waste time or paper in disputing with a downright Atheist is making too great approaches towards that irrationality which may be considered as one of the most striking characteristics of the sect; for, "that he is, all nature cries aloud!" And, as even Lord Chesterfield, who was not remarkable for credulity, has well observed, if we believe our own existence, we must believe his. Yes," To add another hue Unto the rainbow, or with taper light, To seek the beauteous eye of heaven to garnish, NUMBERS, AND COUNTRIES WHERE FOUND. On this head little can be said with certainty, unless perhaps by themselves. Atheists in general lurk in secret, their conscience and fears will seldom allow them to shew themselves to be open and appear is the property of Truth, the daughter of the light and of the day. It may however be affirmed, that the abettors of Atheism and Irreligion were never more numerous than they have been of late. They have compassed sea and land to find one nation or whole people of brethren; and once thought they had really discovered one, and stood with open arms ready to give that polite people, the Hottentots, the fraternal embrace *. But we have reason to believe that, as has always been the case, they are more numerous in Europe, and particularly in France, Germany, Italy, and Spain, than any where else; and, if there is any thing criminal in their principles and conduct, those of Europe have, of all others, the greatest danger to fear. But, whatever may become of their persons, on their emigration, we cannot help believing, with the epigrammatist Owen, that their principles are confined to the four corners of this world alone: "Descendat tristem licet Atheus in Orcum, MISCELLANEOUS REMARKS. The more noted Atheists, since the Reformation, are Machiavel, Spinoza, Vanini, Hobbes, and Blount. And to these we may add Hume, and Voltaire, the Coriphæus of the sect, and the great nursing father of that swarm of them, which, in these last days, had well nigh eaten out the vitals of Christianity, and, had they been encouraged, would have left unconsumed not even the skeleton of religion, or of any real virtue among men. "The reason of Voltaire," says the great and good Bishop See above, p. 352, note. Horne, was to right reason what a monkey is to a man. And his religion, by which I mean his speculations about the Deity (for he had no other), was, as nearly as we can discover, the same with that of the Atheist Vanini, whose principles he expressly defended *" Mr. Locke, who was a warm friend of toleration, yet would not admit that Atheists should be tolerated. And indeed, avowed Atheists seem to be inadmissible to full toleration, as incapable of being bound by any obligation of an oath; or of an affirmation as in the sight of God, which is equivalent to an oath. Nay, even in this country, direct Atheism, if openly avowed, is a capital offence; for in an act of Parliament in 1661, c. 21, there is a clause to this purpose: "Like as his Majesty, with advice foresaid, finds, statutes, and ordains, that whosoever shall deny God, or any of the Persons of the blessed Trinity, and obstinately continue therein, shall be processed, and, being found guilty, that they be punished with death." Yet, in open defiance of this act, (for I am not aware that it is repealed, at least, as far as Atheists are concerned,) and with an unusual effrontery and assurance, we are told that a Mr. William Hammon, of Liverpool, or a person assuming that name, publicly declared himself to be an Atheist. Thus: "Whereas some have doubted whether there ever was such a thing as a proper Atheist, to put them out of all manner of doubt, I do declare, that, upon my honour, I am one. Be it therefore remembered, that, in London, in the kingdom of England, in the year of our Lord, 1781, a man has publicly declared himself an Atheist +." The conduct of this man, too, whoever he was, creates a suspicion that the faculties of his mind were at that time not so perfectly sound as might be wished. Cato Zwack declared himself a downright Atheist; and Dupont exclaimed, in the French Convention, "I am an See the second volume of " The Scholar Armed." Lacilio Vanini was an Italian; and, notwithstanding it is said that he had proved to his judges, in a strong and moving manner, the existence of a Deity, from a straw which he had picked up at the bar before them, yet the parliament of Toulonse pronounced on him sentence of death, and he was accordingly burnt there for his atheistical tenets, A. D. 1619. He confessed that he was one of twelve who set out from Naples to spread their doctrines in all parts of Europe. Yet, after all, few will be inclined to defend his punishment, any more than his principles; for the man's eccentricities through life, as well as his ravings after he had heard his cruel fate, evidently shew that his sentence should have been confinement, rather than death. +See Dr. Priestley's reply to this man, entitled “Letters to a Philosophical Unbeliever." VOL. II. 21 Atheist!" but these are the mere ebullitions of that intellectual process which was then carrying on, and were said at a time when the observance of religious worship was punished in France, as an offence against the laws. The period of implicit reception, in that country, appears to be over; the period of implicit rejection has succeeded; and the period of just discrimination, it is hoped, will yet take place, however little ground we may have to conclude, from present appearances, that it is near at hand. Mean time, I close this work with the following supplication, which the Church of England, whose charity embraces all mankind, puts into the mouth of all her members; and I can readily believe that every reader of these volumes, who calls himself a Christian, whether Churchman or Dissenter, or of whatever denomination he be, will sincerely and fervently join me in it, and add his hearty Amen. "O God, the Creator and Preserver of all mankind, we humbly beseech thee, for all sorts and conditions of men, that thou wouldest be pleased to make thy ways known unto them, thy saving health unto all nations. More especially, Iwe pray for the good estate of the Catholic church; that it may be so guided and governed by thy good Spirit, that all who profess and call themselves Christians may be led into the way of truth, and hold the faith in unity of spirit, in the bond of peace, and in righteousness of life!" Amen. *Christianity was abolished in France in 1794, and re-established in 1802. See in Dr. Ryan's History of the Effects of Religion, 426, &c., the substance of the Concordat between the Pope and the French Republic, on the 5th and 7th of April, 1802, when Portalis and Simeon, two of Bonaparte's counsellors of state, lamented the effects of their Atheism and infidelity, and maintained the necessity of religion, on the ground of its advantages to individuals and communities. INDEX. The numerals refer to the volumes, the figures to the page, and the AARONICAL blessing, the, is that used in the church of Denmark, i 386 Abyssinia, the church of, its rise and history, i 242-5; doctrine, worship, 250 Accommodation, the doctrine of, much followed in Germany, i 375 Africa, number of Christians in, i 33-4; of Roman Catholics, 322; Jews, African Pagans, believe in a Supreme Being, and in a future state, but wor- Afghans, the, an independent Mohammedan sect; supposed to be descended Ainsworth, Mr., the rabbi of his age, and the most distinguished of the Almanach des Protestans, referred to, ii 271 America, Christians in, i 34; Roman Catholics in, 322-3; Methodists, ii 70; American Baptists, when their first church was formed, i 217; are Calvin- American Independents, the first were emigrants from England or Holland, Angelus Domini, the, a private prayer in the church of Rome, i 305 |