as were an abomination to Him, and a difgrace to humanity. Stately temples were erected to his honor, and these were hung round with gaudy trophies, as though he delighted in the vanities of human pomp and oftentation. Satisfied of his omniscience also, they so far mingled the corruptions of human nature with their religious sentiments, as to think that his decrees were to be purchased, and that the events of futurity were to be disclosed by confulting oracles and augurs!

Thus, as the great apostle truly observed, " when they knew God, they glo"rified him not as God, neither were "thankful; but became vain in their

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imaginations, and their foolish heart "was darkened." The most favorable view of paganism presents us with nothing but fuperftitious follies and the grossest impurities. Yet these mistaken duties of piety, as they sometimes proceeded from a fincere, though blind devotion, fufficiently shew the anxiety of the mind, its eager

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defire to gain the favor of the Almighty, and make its peace with heaven. So strong, indeed, is this propenfity of the human heart to worship the great Creator, that, rather than live without religion, men have greedily embraced whatever systems were promulged, however abfurd; and, as the schemes of policy are always interwoven with the doctrines of false religion, it is obfervable, that wicked and ambitious princes have often used the ardor of devotion to kindle the rage of battle, and to extend the conquests of tyranny. MAHOMET, for instance, when he professed himfelf a prophet, aimed only at power; and founded his empire on doctrines, that were purposely adapted to gratify his luxury and ambition.

THAT it is the duty of every human being to worship the Deity, there never was any doubt. The question was how to worship him, and what services he would be pleased to accept. The world strove for four

thousand years, a time long enough, furely,

for

for fufficient trial, and never could produce a system of religious worship, or belief, which, as a wHOLE, we now think worthy of a rational creature. A revelation, therefore, was, doubtless, neceffary to open and enlarge the mind of man, on this highly interesting and important fubject. This feems to have been the opinion of one of the most enlightened of the heathen philosophers. The plan of providence is too complicate for human reason to develope, with any certainty or fatisfaction; and the great first Caufe of all things is too remote for the object of human enquiry. The mind, whenever she exerts her powers, is overwhelmed with the ideas of his nature and existence; and when we reflect on his attributes, contemplation must sink into reverence, or rise to adoration and praise.

SOME being, endowed with fupernatural perfection, was requifite, therefore, to give us just notions of the Deity and his providence, as far as it is connected with the happiness of mankind. And to familiarize this E3 wonderful wonderful subject to human nature, fome SENSIBLE means of instruction were necessary to ground a faith sufficiently firm for the basis of true religion, and practical virtue. This was the great office of our ever blessed Mediator and Redeemer, when he came to take up his abode with man.

WITHOUT such a gracious revelation, how should we know the will of the everlafting Father, or learn "to worship him " in fpirit and in truth?" Our minds are dazzled and perplexed with views of INFINITY. We might as_well attempt to examine the fires of the noon-tide fun with our naked eyes, as contemplate the ways of providence without knowledge from above. Weak and helpless as we are, how can we trace out the operations of Omnipotence? Blind and foolish as we are, how can we pry into the counsels of unsearchable wisdom? And ignorant as we are of good and evil, how can we judge of those plans which are carried on by infinite juftice, and infinite perfection ?

Bur though we have the precepts and example of Him who came from the Father laid before us; though " the day

fpring from on high hath visited us," and a system comprehending every thing that is truly fublime in religion, or beautiful in morals, has been established on the fureft testimonies; yet mankind have not, at all times, made the best use of these divine favors, nor been fufficiently careful to form their morals and religion on the true principles of the gospel. Some have erred through ignorance or negligence; few, I hope, from design; and others have been mifled by the prejudices of education, or fome ruling paffion in their own bofoms. As to the gross abufes of the Romish church, it will be of little consequence to enlarge on them here; but an attempt to point out a few causes of religious error, which are common to men in general, and to explain the nature of