REASONS OF THE PROTESTANT RELIGION: A Discourse DELIVERED AT A MONTHLY ASSOCIATION OF PROTESTANT DISSENTING S MINISTERS AND CONGREGATIONS, HELD AT THE MEETING-HOUSE IN ISLINGTON, MAY 4, 1815. BY JOHN PYE SMITH, D.D. Stand fast in the LIBERTY with which CHRIST hath made us free. GAL. v. 1. LONDON: Printed by Stower & Smallfield, Hackney; FOR JOSIAH CONDER, ST. PAUL'S CHURCH-YARD; T. HAMILTON, and gale, ΤΟ THE MOST NOBLE HENRY, MARQUIS OF LANSDOWNE, EARL OF WYCOMBE, &c. &c. &c. THIS DISCOURSE INTENDED TO SERVE THE CAUSE OF TRUTH AND LIBERTY, OF WHICH HIS LORDSHIP HAS EVER BEEN THE FIRM, JUDICIOUS, AND CONSISTENT ADVOCATE, IS INSCRIBED, FROM A SENSE OF OBLIGATION, AND IN TESTIMONY OF THE AUTHOR'S HIGH ESTEEM AND MOST RESPECTFUL ATTACHMENT. REASONS OF PROTESTANTISM. 2 Ep. to the Thessalonians, ii. 3, 4. LET NO MAN DECEIVE YOU BY ANY MEANS: FOR [THAT DAY SHALL NOT COME,]EXCEPT THERE COME A FALLING AWAY FIRST, AND THAT MAN OF SIN BE REVEALED, THE SON OF PERDITION; WHO OPPOSETH AND EXALTETH HIMSELF ABOVE ALL THAT IS CALLED GOD, OR THAT IS WORSHIPPED; SO THAT HE AS GOD SITTETH IN THE TEMPLE OF GOD, SHEWING HIMSELF THAT HE IS GOD. THE apostolic prediction, of which these words are a part, describes a great and extensive apostacy, which was to arise in the very bosom of the christian church. The description purports, that this falling away should not be a renunciation of the christian name, but should have its seat" in the temple of God," in the interior of the church or great body of christians; that its principles were already in operation, but that a temporary restraint would, be imposed upon them; that, on the removal of this restraint, it would rapidly and powerfully develope itself; that its character would be wicked, its means of action extremely artful, deceptive, and iniquitous, and its tend B |