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or how far it might give a check to the intemperate zeal of Chriftians at that time, I am not a judge; and therefore, can only obferve, that as the cafe then ftood, viz. when the aforefaid revelation was first promulged, it seems to have been not altogether unworthy of the fupreme God, for him to have interpofed, by a particular and fpecial application of his power and providence, for the removal of the aforefaid evils, fuppofing them to be fuch, and fuppofing he does interpofe, upon like occafions, to anfwer the like purposes. So that, whether the Mahometan revelation be of a divine original, or not; there feems to be a plaufible pretence, arifing from the then circumftances of things, for ftamping a divine character upon it.

As to the CHRISTIAN revelation, which was first promulged by Jefus Chrift, and therefore was called after his name; this, of course, comes more immediately within my notice and obfervation, as it's divinity is acknowledged, and contended for in all this part of the world. And as that is a principle which was very early impreffed upon my mind as a facred truth, (though, perhaps, by it I may pof

fibly have been prejudiced in it's favour) fo it feems to require that I fhould examine this point with fo much the more care and caution, in order to guard against any bias that may affect my judgment, with relation thereto; feeing all partiality, all respect in judgment ought to be avoided, as well with refpect to things as perfons. Nor do I think this fubject to be altogether fo clear and free from difficulties as might well be expected, confidering what is ufually affumed concerning it.

THAT there was fuch a perfon as Jefus Christ, and that he, in the main, did *, and taught as is recorded of him, appear to be probable; and this probability is grounded

upon

* The present run of methodism, or it's prevailing in the way, and to the degree that we find by experience it does, without any miraculous power attending it, or any external evidence to back it, this, it must be confeffed, takes off, in fome degree, from the weight and force of the prefent argument: for if methodifm now prevails without any miraculous power attending it, or any external evidence to back it; then, why may not that have been the cafe of Chriftianity heretofore? And if the letter of the present Scriptures, together with the operation of the divine Spirit upon the human mind, or what is judged to be fo, is at prefent fufficient for the founding and propagating of methodifm; then, why may not the letter of the Scriptures then in being, together with a like operation of the divine Spirit upon the human mind, or what was then judged to be fo, have been fufficient for the introduction and propagation of Chriftianity alfo?

upon the improbability of the contrary fuppofition; that is, it appears improbable that Christianity should take place, and prevail in the way, and to the degree that it did, or, at least, that it is reprefented to have done*, fuppofing the history of Chrift's life and ministry to be a fiction. And from the improbability of this arifes the probability of the contrary fuppofition, viz. that there was such a perfon as Jefus Christ, and that he, in the main, did, and taught as is recorded of him. Again, if fuch power attended Jefus Chrift, in the exercife of his ministry, as the history sets forth; then, seeing that miniftry naturally terminated in the publick good, it is more likely that God was the primary agent in the exercise of that power, than any other invifible being; because it is more likely that God would interpofe for the common good of his creatures, than that one creature fhould thus interpofe in favour of the reft; and then it is probable that Jefus Chrift, upon whose will the immediate exercise of that power depended, would not use that power to impose upon and mislead mankind, feeing that power appears to have been generally well

See the laft part of the appendix.

directed

.

directed and applied, in other refpects. Again, as it appears probable that Jefus Chrift was intrufted with a fuperiority of power, to be administered for the publick good; fo, from hence it becomes probable that he was likewife intrufted with the administration of fuperior knowledge, to answer the fame end, feeing he affumed fuch a character; I fay, the former is a probable ground of the latter. From these premises, or from this general view of the cafe, I think, this conclufion follows, viz. it is probable Chrift's miffion was divine. I say, the above conclufion is probable, and this is the utmost that can be inferred from the above premises; at least it appears fo to me, from the light or information I have received concerning it, upon a due and careful examination of the cafe, and from which alone my judgment is, and ought to be directed. The great diftance, both of time and place, in which these things were tranfacted, and the false or partial reprefentations which may poffibly have been given of them, and alfo my inability to examine the cafe thoroughly, thefe may bar me from other premifes, which were I in the possession of, perhaps, other and different conclufions might

appear

appear to me to follow from them; but then, fuppofing there are fuch, they are nothing to me, whofe judgment ought to be directed by fuch information as I have attained, and not by fuch light as I have not. Thus far then I am a believer, and a Chrif tian; but whether it will be allowed that these appellations are properly applied to me, I know not, nor am I at all follicitous about it. Nevertheless, if other perfons have other premises, from which they can draw other conclufions, or if they can draw other or ftronger conclufions, than I have drawn from the premises aforefaid, let it be so; I am not injured by it, and therefore am not offended at it. And as to discipleship to Christ, I think myself concerned to imitate that excellent example he has fet me, and to follow thofe wholefome counfels or precepts he has given, or recommended to me; thefe being the trueft and fureft marks of discipleship to Christ, according to his own account of this matter, as in Luke vi. 46. And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I fay? This, I think, is the fame as to fay, that profeffing difcipleship to Chrift, without following his precepts, is idle and vain: but then, the paying

undue

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