of these sages, however, have not even the merit of originality; and happily for mankind, their theor es are conceived so much under the influence of dul'ness as to be unintelligible.

Inflated with arrogance, they ascribe the slow progress of their doctrine to the obstinate and indocile ignorance of mankind, whose prejudices, like clouds, obscure the light of the new philosophy. Foreseeing the opposition which their abstruse theories must encounter, they have defended themselves by the very pertinent remark, that metaphysics are above the capacity of the common reader. For whom then are such books published?-certainly not for the exclusive information of philosophers, but the general instruction of mankind.

Were we to enquire why so many new systems of metaphysics and ethics are promulgated among mankind, we should find that they originate in the pride of aspiring individuals. Learned pride in the philo'sopher, and the flattered vanity of his votaries, are the origin of all those abstruse systems of human knowledge that now militate against revelation and "the happiness of thankind; but the voluminous productions of French, German, and English freethinkers and atheists will, when brought to the test of truth, be found to consist of a few impious ideas, expanded into long dissertations. These aërial castles, like immense columns of clouds, will, when exposed to the pervading rays of common sense, evaporate

into air.

Without a God, the universe would be as dreary as our system without a sun. The comfortable idea of his presiding Providence, enables the believer to struggle with adversity, and to hope amid the

most discouraging circumstances. On the othes band, the atheist, who has erected for himself a fanciful edifice of human perfection, and who, trusting to his own sagacity and exertions, finds to his inexpressible woe that his proud notions were unfounded, either sinks into the torpor of imbecility, or rises to the phrensy of despair, and often flies to self-murder, as a refuge from reflection! What says the Christian?

-There lives and works

A soul in all things, and that soulis GOD.

What says the atheist? "Nature produced all things.' Atheists! look around, behold the wonders of creative wisdom in the heavens and the earth; contemplate the structure of the human frame -the faculties of the mind; and exclaim with David, 66 Fearfully and wonderfully am I made!" Ah! do not impiously employ your endowments in opposition to the revealed will of the beneficent Giver of life and reason! Act not so ungratefully; but, with melting hearts, fall prostrate and repenting before your omnipresent Creator,

Atheistical metaphysicians, however, are not so dangerous as might at first be apprehended. Their researches in the labyrinth of ratiocination have imperceptibly carried them so far into the bottomless abyss of dulness, that they are unintelligible. Their lamp of reason emits a brilliant light at the outset; but, as they proceed, it gradually becomes dim, and eventually expires, leaving them over

whelmed in eternal darkness.

A more formidable and ingenious sect of specu

latists has emerged into public observation. These sages adapt their systems to the natural propensi ties of the human heart. By rejecting and deriding the moral precepts, which enjoin self-denial, and by artfully cherishing the passions, they enchant their votaries, who extol them as demi-gods.

Our modish sages, with an ingenuity and effrontery unknown to the ancients, have combined the pride of the Stoic with the voluptuousness of the Epicurean; and at once gratify their proselytes with the idea that they are pursuing the dictates of virtue, while yielding to the impulse of every desire. Hence their popularity, and the pernicious effects of their sophistry on the morals of the community.

Thus vice has not only assumed the garb, but even the sentiments of virtue! But did our fashionable infidels allow themselves to exercise their own' reason, they would discover, that instead of thinking independently, they are the most superstitious of mortals! Misled by the eloquent sophistry of a few proud modern illuminati, they are neither free in thought nor action, but led captive by their tyrannic appetites.

The task of enlightening the public mind has been undertaken by men of refined manners, and superior genius, who have united elegance with sophistry. Indeed their fine spun theories are amusing, but impracticable; while Christianity enjoins no precept that is not practical and conducive to happiness. Thus the gorgeous and luxuriant hues of the rainbow may delight for a moment, but we soon turn from its fading magnificence to enjoy the agreeable and permanent light of the sun.

It is much to be regretted, that the deist, whose

P

penetration has discovered such errors in the reli gion of our ancestors, should be so successful in the depravation of his fellow-creatures. When Addi son flourished, this metropolis could boast of only a few freethinkers; but we are polished now,'

and the attorney's clerk, the man milliner, nay, even the waiting maid and footman, embracing the modern philosophy, deride the faith which led their parents to heaven. From the tribunal of impious wit there is no appeal;-ridicule is her sword, sophistry her shield, and vain glory her reward. In short, the modern deist denies the authority, and execrates the precepts of the Bible, because it prohibits the indulgence of his passions; while, by his affectation of humanity and sentiment, he passes through life with the character of an accomplished gentleman, though destitute of that modest dignity which ever accom. panies merit.

Tell me, ye deists, do you ingenuously peruse the Bible for instruction? Do you not rather gratify your pride, by criticising that sacred volume, and rejoice when you find a passage which you can warp, so as to exercise your wit at the expence of revelation? Are you not ashamed of such an artifice, exerted to deceive others, and excite their admiration of your sagacity, while thus opposing the feeble glimmer of your reason, to the meridian glory of divine truth?

Were we to trace this fashionable infidelity to its source, we should find that it originated in an injudicious mode of education. Indulgence in infancy leads to foppery in youth, and pride in manhood: an inordinate gratification of the appetites depraves the heart, and bewilders the imagination: a.continual

succession of illicit pleasures corrupts the morals -the next step is scepticism, which leads to atheism. Glad to catch at any twig that will save him from sinking into the ocean of reflection, the volup‐ tuary, who dares not meet his naked heart alone, luils his conscience in the soporific gloom of annihilation, till remorse, rending the delusive veil of infidelity, exhibits to his terrified mind the infernal brood of vices, hatched and cherished by depravity.

Mandeville, and other freethinkers of the last age, artfully endeavoured to depreciate religion, by asserting that it was merely an invention of statesmen, to overawe the credulous multitude, and render them obedient to the laws. For this purpose it was necessary that it should be connected with morals. But the infidels of the present day have gone farther, and, like the impious Spinoza, contend, that religion is subversive of morality! It is indeed astonishing to contemplate the pains taken by deists to subvert Christianity. The intercourse of the sexes is considered by them as liable to no restriction, but merely a matter of choice; and consequently they condemn marriage as a tyrannic restriction of

the human will.

Such is the accommodating nature of this fashionable Epicurism, that it excludes reflection, and leaves the mind disincumbered with intrusive thought, vacant, and ready to embrace every joy. Hence the voluptuary will ever be its strenuous advocate.

Pause-Oh! pause one moment in your frantic career, ye dupes of modern philosophers. Awake from the delusions of sensuality to true happiness, which can only be obtained by your return to virtue. No longer glory in the wild and extravagant theo