purified moral sentiment, than in that to which the natural bias of the mind leads.

SECT. II.

Moral Truth is not unfolded with universal clearness.

We come, then, to this fact, in the present state of man, acknowledged and to be deplored, proof enough of his natural weakness and need of helpthat the dictates of truth and knowledge of duty are not unfolded with universal clearness, nor imparted in all states of the mind and under all circumstances, with that convincing evidence which commands implicit assent, and wholly excludes error.

Truth, like an object before the natural eye, sometimes is seen dimly; sometimes it is distorted; sometimes other objects intervene; sometimes it is enveloped in darkness; sometimes the organ itself is blind, and cannot see; sometimes the reflecting orb of Reason eclipses the true light of the mind. These are conditions which attach to mortality-to frail and imperfect man; they belong to the infirmity of his nature-conditions to which not only the senses but the nobler faculties are liable, in this state of being.

Truth is a ray of practical wisdom, which man must not expect to see, in the storm of passion, nor in the lap of sensual indulgence, nor in the false light or mist of prejudice, nor in the darkness of ignorance,

nor under the veil of self-deceit, nor even in the dreams of enthusiasm the delicious extacy of fancy's brightest visions, nor on the mountains of speculation, where human reason tries its own strength in drawing it down as it were from the fountain of light itself.

Truth is found in the pure sunshine of the soul, in the low valley of humility, the retreat of calmness and peace, where all storms are at rest; by those only who seek it with earnestness and patience; by the simple in heart, who endeavour to subject their wills and affections to the will of their Maker. No man can command its presence; not even the best. And whoever hath it and uses it not to profit, possesses it to his condemnation. So that the mere knowledge of divine things, by whatever means obtained (even by the ministration of Angels) is worth nothing, if it is not obeyed. Is it possible then for man to find it by the exercise of a faculty, which in its pride and elevation, is ever more disposed to say like the haughty Assyrian, "By my own arm I have done it," than in prostrate meekness to petition for divine help-a faculty which, it need not be told, is often the first to challenge and doubt the appearance of Truth itself; so as almost to set itself in array against Omniscience, and to ask for demonstration when heart-felt evidence is all that in the nature of things can be offered ?

I speak of Truth-the living water from God's throne-the pure manna from heaven, food of an immortal spirit-the ray of divine effulgence which can

alone enlighten the imprisoned soul with true light: -of that truth, the formal object of Faith, an internal sense God only can awaken; which no man can give his neighbour, but under the same influence with which God himself would give it; and therefore which has its source, by immediate Divine influence, in the very inmost recesses of the heart.

I do not speak of natural truth, chemical, mechanical, geometrical or astronomical, the object of physical science, nor of formal propositions, moral, political, or religious, cognizable by speculative reason, however good and excellent in themselves; which it is possible for human power to attain by intellectual labour, without a single thought of the divine Author, merely from outward observation; whose source is therefore external.

Is it the speculative philosopher, who only possesses Truth? How comes it, then, that of all men specula→ lative philosophers differ most among themselves; each claiming it and each denying it the other? But Truth, as above explained, is not a thing which can be divided, as it were, by argument, and a morsel given to each disputant for his reward; or to be carried off as an exclusive prize by the high-minded exulting victor. It is one and indivisible; which a man may have in greater or less measure, and more or less complicated with error; but is the same thing in all, and consists not in mere outward opinion. It

"From hence it comes to pass, that Truths, though they be in never so many several and distant minds apprehending them, yet they

has a root whose vitality is maintained from another source, to which, opinions, never so correct, cannot immediately supply one drop of nourishment, notwithstanding such opinions may ultimately lead the mind, by various channels, to draw its own supplies from the divine fountain from which Truth is primarily and essentially derived.

Disputation may cloud the mind, but it seldom elicits the true spark. When men, therefore, dispute, though it is important that the conscience should be bound by sound opinions, and very important to attain them, yet the effect of disputation is not in either side the immediate possession of soulsustaining virtue; unless it be the contest of meekness, purity, innocence, supported by Truth itself, against, violence, persecution, pride, led on by wickedness. It is not in the nature of things for the pure in heart to wrangle with each other about that which they individually possess. Truth knows its own, and has a concord with its own. For light cannot oppose the light.

are not broken, multiplied or diversified thereby; but they are one and the same Individual Truths in them all. So that it is but one Truth and Knowledge that is in all the understandings in the world. Just as when a thousand eyes look upon the Sun at once, they all see the same individual object:-so in like manner, when innumerable created understandings, direct themselves to the contemplation of the same universal and immutable Truths, they do all of them, but as it were, listen to one and the same Original Voice of the eternal Wisdom that is never silent."-Cudworth concerning Morality, page 258.

SECT. III.

Of the Diversity of Religious Notions among
Mankind.

The tendency to moral obligation, if we may not call it a practical principle, is a law firmly inherent in the mind, exclusive of any particular creed or form of religion; and may be said to constitute an essential part of its nature. This tendency operates so as to make individuals religiously tenacious of apprehended duties (provided they do not cast off all moral restraint, as each has the power to do, by wilful disobedience); whether these duties may be justly imposed or be derived from perverted modes of education. It even exerts itself in enforcing obedience to the authority of rules, which in themselves may be insignificant or absurd; yet being objects of this inherent law, they not only acquire the force of undoubted truth, particularly if impressed in early age, but are regarded as if they were of sacred obligation. Like the tendrils of the vine to its support, they adhere so closely to the first objects presented to their embrace, that they are afterwards separated with difficulty from the list of indispensable duties.

This, surely, is an important feature in the human mind; and leads at once to an inquiry into the nature