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+*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 40983 ***
+
+THOUGHTS ON THE CHRISTIAN RELIGION BY A DEIST
+
+TO WHICH ARE ADDED, A FEW IDEAS ON MIRACULOUS CONVERSION, AND RELIGION
+IN GENERAL.
+
+
+By A Theophilanthropist
+
+LONDON:
+
+PRINTED & PUBLISHED BY R. CARLILE, 55, FLEET STREET.
+
+1819.
+
+
+
+
+THOUGHTS
+
+
+Religion, in some form or other, seems to have been observed by mankind,
+in all ages and all parts of the world; and considered as the most noble
+employment, of the most divine nature, and producing the most beneficial
+effects to society, of all the objects that ever engaged their
+attention: although from casual circumstances, and interested motives
+of individuals, there are as many modes and varieties of worship, as
+languages or nations on the face of the earth.
+
+Europeans have in general embraced Christianity, as contained in
+the Bible, which _they_ call the Word of God, as the only true and
+infallible system on earth, and which only can lead us to eternal
+happiness. This Bible, we have been taught to believe, is holy, just,
+perfect, and superior to the human understanding; so sacred, that to
+doubt or disbelieve it, would entail on us inevitable never-ending
+misery. This doctrine, being instilled into children by their nurses,
+and enforced by terror at a riper age, has long been assented to by the
+_generality of people_, who seldom think or enquire for themselves, but
+are always more or less the dupes of designing men.
+
+But the times are now changing; the privilege of reasoning and believing
+for ourselves begins to be exercised--freedom of enquiry abounds; and
+the natural inherent right of speaking and acting according to the
+dictates of our own conscience (without injuring society) is happily
+enjoyed. Consequently, impositions of every kind, superstitious
+prejudices, and the long worshipped fabrics of civil and religious
+tyranny, are daily growing into contempt, and in all probability will
+soon be torn from their foundations, and consigned to that infamous
+oblivion which they so highly merit.
+
+To come more immediately to the point--the Christian religion, as
+generally practised, presents itself as one of those monuments of
+ignorance and credulity, which the wisdom of the present generation is
+probably destined to overthrow, and to substitute a system more simple,
+more pure, and more agreeable to the dictates of reason. The Bible, upon
+examination, we shall find deficient in many of the virtues that have
+been ascribed to it. As a human composition, its merits have been
+greatly over-rated: it is exceeded in sentiment, invention, style, and
+every other literary qualification. The obscurity, incredibility, and
+obscenity, so conspicuous in many parts of it, would justly condemn the
+works of a modern writer. It contains a mixture of inconsistency and
+contradiction; to call which the _word of God_, is the highest pitch of
+extravagance: it is to attribute to the Deity that which any person of
+common sense would blush to confess himself the author of.
+
+How are the rights and dignity of human nature insulted, degraded, and
+trampled upon! how are mankind blinded, deceived, and led away by this
+system! how is the honour and character of the Almighty affronted by the
+absurd and impious doctrines it contains! How is the sacred name of God
+abused and prostituted to the vilest and most execrable purposes, by his
+pretended worshippers! And all for one simple, evident end, to gratify
+the pride and avarice of unprincipled, designing men!
+
+But something more than declamation is necessary to support these
+assertions. I shall therefore give the reasons why I disbelieve the
+Christian system, and all the arguments advanced in its favour.
+
+As to the existing proofs of the divine authority of the Bible, whether
+internal or external, whether the evidence we feel in our own minds
+on examining it, or the miracles which are said to have attended its
+propagation, they are of no avail in convincing us of its divine origin:
+and I do not think, that independent of the prejudices of education, and
+the power of eloquence, there ever was a reasonable thinking man, who
+felt a sufficient internal evidence to convince him of the reality of
+the whole of its doctrines.
+
+With respect to the public proofs exhibited by its founders, we find
+them no stronger than those in favour of Mahometanism, or perhaps any
+other system. Mahomet is said to have wrought as many miracles, preached
+as good doctrine, converted ten times as many followers, and was far
+more successful in all his enterprizes, however bold or difficult, than
+Jesus Christ. The Christians say, the Mahometan miracles were nothing
+but impostures; and the Mahometans say, with as much authority, that the
+Christian miracles were the same.
+
+If the gospel system was so clear, so reasonable, and so powerful, as
+its advocates assert, what necessity could there have been for miracles
+to support it? If it had any foundation in reason and nature, there
+would have been no occasion for mystery, miracle, or revelation, to
+confirm it. A doctrine that is reasonable and true, will appear so to
+every unprejudiced mind, without the aid of any thing supernatural.
+Consequently, that system which requires miraculous assistance to
+establish it, and cannot be proved by human means, is neither reasonable
+nor true.
+
+Supposing the Bible to have been written by divine inspiration, at
+the times, and by the persons mentioned in it, still it is next to
+impossible, that it could have been transmitted down to the present time
+pure and uncontaminated, even if there had been but one nation and one
+language upon earth. The variety of translations and editions it has
+passed through in the course of near 1800 years, if it has existed
+so long, (which I am inclined to disbelieve of many parts) and the
+continual improvements and alterations in human language, during
+that period, amount to a presumptive proof that the sense has been
+unavoidably mistaken, or wilfully perverted. A confirmation of this
+remark is open to all: let any one take the trouble of comparing
+different copies of the Bible, printed in the last and present
+centuries, or even in the same year, and he will often find a striking
+disagreement.
+
+Admitting that the Bible contains the only doctrine by which we
+can obtain salvation and everlasting life, which of the numberless
+professions that have sprung out of it are we to embrace? One sect tells
+us that there is no salvation out of the pale of their church. Another
+tells us, that unless we believe and practise their doctrines, we shall
+surely be damned. Let us believe, therefore, in whatever particular
+profession we may, we shall be damned according to the principles of the
+others.
+
+How gracious and beneficent is the Christian system! so perfect and pure
+that it creates so many different, distinct, and opposite denominations
+of believers; all of them right, infallibly right, in their own
+opinions, and proving their doctrine by the clear, in-contestible
+authority of divine revelation!
+
+Many, as an excuse for countenancing a doctrine which they confess may
+not be true, say, that if the Christian religion be false, it is still
+very hurtful to attempt to overturn it; as we have no better guide, and
+no other method to restrain the passions and regulate the conduct of
+mankind; as it is the most perfect and beneficial system that could be
+devised. To determine this, we must look at its effects.
+
+That doctrine which has the greatest tendency to secure our present
+and future happiness is the best; it proves itself to be so. That the
+Christian system does not tend to make us happier, may easily be shewn,
+by tracing its natural operations on the human mind. By it we are led
+to believe, that we are all miserable and ruined wretches; corrupt and
+exceedingly wicked from our very birth; naturally sinful, and opposed to
+the will of God in all our actions, words, and thoughts; and so far from
+deserving the common blessings of life, that if justice had been
+done us, we should long since have been cast into endless punishment.
+Tribulation, distress, and sore trials, are the common lot of mankind,
+especially the good. "Whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth." This world,
+it tells us, is a wretched, tiresome, and accursed place; a mere sink of
+guilt and misery; and all its enjoyments vanity and vexation of spirit.
+Though by the bye, those who are called sincere and pious Christians
+seem to be as desirous of continuing in it, and tasting the good thing's
+it affords, as the most sensual and worldly-minded sinner. It likewise
+instils into its followers such a servile fear, and dread of the wrath
+of heaven, that they can neither lie down at night, nor rise in the
+morning, without first attempting, by intreaty, flattery, and fair
+promises, to appease the Divine anger, and persuade the Almighty to
+permit them to exist in peace. Every accident is a judgement, and a
+prelude to further punishment. Every misfortune that happens to their
+neighbours is a warning to them; and they are liable every moment to be
+cut off by an avenging God, and sent to Hell.
+
+While on the one hand, they represent the Deity as their servant,
+to assist them on every occasion, averting every ill they bring upon
+themselves, and extricating them from every difficulty and distress
+they plunge themselves into; on the other he is supposed to be a fierce,
+revengeful tyrant, delighting in cruelty, punishing his creatures for
+the very sins which he causes them to commit; and creating numberless
+millions of immortal souls, that could never have offended him, for
+the express purpose of tormenting them to all eternity. Thus they
+are generally miserable through life, in meditating on death and its
+supposed consequences.
+
+The authority of the Bible appears still more doubtful from the
+absurdities and contradictions it contains; contradictions which all the
+sophistical ingenuity of reverend divines, with their literal meaning
+of this text, and spiritual interpretation of that, can never explain or
+reconcile.
+
+In the very first chapter of the whole volume, containing an account of
+the creation, we find an inexplicable difficulty. In Genesis i. 27, 28,
+we are told, that "God created man, _male and female_, blessed _them_,
+and said unto _them&c_". But in ii. 20, we find that "there was not an
+help meet for Adam:" therefore, ver. 18, "God said, it is not good that
+man should be alone." And, ver. 22, "he made a woman, and brought her
+unto the man."
+
+The Almighty, according to many parts of the Bible, is a perfect,
+unchangeable being. In Isaiah, he is said to declare, that he is "not
+as a man, that he should repent." But in other places we read of his
+repenting very frequently. He repented that he had made man. Having
+determined to destroy the Israelites, and having slain seventy thousand
+of them, "he repented of the evil," and spared the rest. He told
+Hezekiah that "he should surely die, and not live," but immediately
+repented, and gave him fifteen years longer. Jonah prophesied, in his
+name, that in forty days Nineveh should be overthrown; but the people
+believing him (though he did not perform his promise) and forsaking
+their sins, he "repented of the evil that he said he would do unto them,
+and did it not."
+
+In one place it says, "Our God is a consuming fire;" and in another,
+"God is love." He is said to be Jealous, revengeful, and angry with the
+wicked every day; and pleased again as often as they repent: possessing
+all the good and evil qualities of man, that unstable, wicked,
+miserable, and insignificant worm. Notwithstanding all this, he is
+perfectly just, wise, immutable, and can never repent.
+
+The Christian system, I venture to affirm, has been the cause of
+more evil in the world, than any other that ever appeared in it. By
+inculcating a belief that the Deity was a terrible God, an inexorable
+judge, taking vengeance on all his enemies; its professors, wishing to
+conform as much as possible to the character and disposition of _their
+God_, have in all ages acted with the same spirit, and upon the same
+principles:
+
+     "O let this strong, unerring hand,
+     Thy bolts for ever throw;
+     And deal damnation round the land,
+     On each I judge thy foe."
+
+
+Inspired with the most vindictive hatred to all who do not subscribe to
+the principles they profess (who are, according to their faith, enemies;
+for they say, there is no medium or neutrality, "all who are not for
+us are against us;)" they have never failed, in any country, and at
+all times, when they had the power, to exercise the most cruel and
+detestable spirit that ever disgraced human nature. Not contented with
+insulting, oppressing, enslaving, and butchering the poor heretics here,
+but most humanely and charitably condemning them to everlasting torments
+hereafter.
+
+During the first 320 years of its existence, Christianity occasioned
+the destruction of many millions of mankind. In the first part of this
+period, the Christians were the greatest sufferers; but in the year
+312 Maxentius and his army of 200,000, were most of them drowned in the
+Tiber, or slain by Constantine, the Christian emperor; who, in three
+great battles, in one of which 100,000 were killed, reduced and put to
+death Licinus, the deputy emperor of the East; persecuted the Heathens
+and destroyed their idols, the symbols of their divinities.
+
+In the twelfth and subsequent centuries, millions of Waldenses and
+Protestants were murdered in the south of France. How many millions lost
+their lives in the mad crusades for the recovery of the Holy Land!
+In Germany and Flanders, in England, Scotland, and Ireland, in South
+America. But I stop, or "I could a tale unfold, whose lightest word
+would harrow up the soul," chill the blood with horror, and draw forth
+curses from the grave against the very name of a religion which has been
+made the pretext for such cruelties.
+
+Indeed, it is impossible to calculate the mischief that has attended
+the Christian system since its commencement. But, say its advocates, all
+this was done by Antichrist, or the false church. Which then is the true
+church? Not that which persecutes. And what church is that? The
+church of Rome? No: for that, after long struggles, no sooner became
+established in power, than it persecuted its dissenting sons with all
+the zeal and barbarity that it had experienced from its enemies. The
+church of England? No: for although that separated from the church of
+Rome, and rejected many of the errors and corruptions which had crept
+into it; yet no sooner was it fully established in Great Britain, than
+it very carefully trod over the steps of the mother church, persecuted
+Roman Catholics, and all Dissenters. The Puritans, who fled to this
+country for the sake of freedom of conscience and religious liberty,
+were no sooner settled, than they discovered the same illiberal
+persecuting spirit which drove them hither, and persecuted the Quakers
+in their turn; becoming as corrupt as any of the former churches. Each
+of them, while they were weak and defenceless, suffered by the murderous
+hand of its oppressors; and, when become strong and powerful, persecuted
+and martyred its feebler enemies. And I believe there is not a church in
+Christendom but would, if it could not convert, most gladly destroy
+all its opposers; had it that one essential and only necessary quality,
+_power_. For they affirm, that the world, with all its blessings, are
+nothing but temptations to draw them away from their true interest; and
+that unbelievers of every kind are their natural implacable enemies.
+
+The carnal mind, say they, is enmity to God and his people, (themselves)
+and is in continual opposition to every thing good and heavenly; they
+must then of necessity wage an eternal war against all who do not
+acknowledge their system, as the only sure, guide to heaven.
+
+The powerful blow which has been aimed at this system of faith by
+Paine's Age of Reason, has created a general and well-founded alarm.
+That work, to every bigotted or interested follower of Christianity,
+appears in a dreadful light indeed, as it is a direct attack upon their
+favourite, their dearly-beloved system of gospel faith, which exalts
+them, in their own opinions, so much above the rest of mankind.
+
+The Christian theology is so favourable to the pride and vanity of man,
+that the slightest attempt to overturn it occasions an universal panic
+in its supporters, who immediately display all the ensigns of their
+cause, the pompous, high-sounding anathemas of Scripture, to frighten
+the bold invader of their aërial territories. So far they act
+consistently; for where they have no weapons or defence from nature
+and reason, fear and hope, though unfounded and delusive, are the only
+expedients left. By representing the terrors of their law in the most
+horrid colours, the wretched victim of their designs cries out in the
+depth of despair, "Lord, what shall I do to be saved?" The work is
+then in a certain way of success; the convert gives himself up to the
+direction of the church in all things, and is ever after the passive
+tool of its power. These converts are seldom or never made by pure
+reason and sound argument, for these would never answer the purpose; but
+the passions, which may be driven by every gale that blows, the fickle
+and inconstant passions, are so influenced by the power of false
+eloquence in violent declamations and vehement harangues, that the calm,
+even voice of reason is not heard, or is disregarded, amidst the bustle
+of jarring emotions; and the poor frightened wretch catches hold of the
+first object that is held out to save him from his fancied perishing and
+undone condition. Without ever once considering whether the profession
+they embrace is founded in nature and reason, they confide wholly in the
+piety of their spiritual teacher, leave their faith and hope altogether
+in his hands, and trust entirely upon his promises and power. Their
+belief he can alter or abolish at pleasure; for what he preaches they
+must adhere to; what he allows they must profess; what he approves must
+be true.
+
+In fact, the Christian system has never yet been weighed in the
+impartial balance of reason, or received a candid trial in the thinking
+world. Force, fraud, and other unfair means have always been necessarily
+employed for its establishment. Had it been founded on truth, or
+consistent with common sense, its advocates would never have refused to
+submit it to reason, and the cool, dispassionate judgement of mankind.
+But they well knew that it could never stand the test, and this would
+be the certain means of its destruction. They therefore boldly and
+presumptuously tell the world, that it is beyond the reach of human
+reason, which is not competent to judge rightly of it. They confess that
+we cannot comprehend a great part of it; but at the same time command us
+to believe it, though we cannot understand it.
+
+It has been the peculiarly honourable lot of Thomas Paine, the firm
+advocate of truth, the undaunted champion of reason, and the resolute
+and unconquerable enemy of tyranny, bigotry, and prejudice, to open
+the door to free and impartial enquiry. He has boldly entered the
+field himself, and taught the world, that no true system of principles,
+however sacred they may be held in the public opinion, and however
+strongly protected and enforced by the terrors of man's vengeance
+here, and eternal punishment hereafter, is too awful to be canvassed by
+reason, or too sublime to be comprehended by common sense.
+
+The Christian system, as it is not consistent with reason, is declared
+to be above it; and should be received even if it does not appear clear
+and intelligible to our human capacities.
+
+This by prohibiting enquiry, effectually prevents detection of falsehood
+and confirmation of truth. The doctrine is received upon trust, upon the
+credit of our forefathers; because, they taught, or rather said so,
+we must implicitly believe so, all the remonstrances of reason and
+experience to the contrary notwithstanding.
+
+This is certainly a very great absurdity. For there once was a beginning
+to every system or theory in being; and at that beginning it was
+necessary to exercise reason as the unerring guide to direct in the
+choice or rejection thereof. If mankind were not only allowed, but
+necessitated to weigh every doctrine in the infallible balance of
+reason, at any time, why are we not entitled to the same privilege
+at present? Is our reason degenerated? Are our faculties impaired?
+Or rather, are we not far more wise and enlightened than mankind were
+centuries ago, and much more competent to understand and judge of things
+than they were? By the practice before mentioned, by that tyranny over
+the minds of men, which has ever been exercised in despotic states, the
+grossest falsehoods have been forced upon the world for realities, and
+the most detestable impositions established and maintained in all the
+strength and vigour of immutable truth.
+
+But these arts, how long soever they may prosper, and by whatever
+authority they may be supported; though they may call to their aid all
+the powers of superstition and prejudices of education, and be assisted
+by the pride and deceit of hypocritical bigots and mercenary tyrants;
+still must they finally fall, and sink into contemptuous oblivion. The
+present state of society seems peculiarly adapted to the advancement
+of truth, and destruction of error. The sun of reason has begun to
+appear, dispelling the thick and almost impenetrable mists of ignorance
+and superstition, illuminating the most secret recesses of the mind,
+and will continue to increase in splendour, till it shine forth in one
+clear, unclouded, and eternal day.
+
+The writings of modern philosophers have served greatly to illuminate
+the minds of the present generation. I will here, quote Pope's beautiful
+description of that _sublime and heavenly_ religion, which mankind in
+a state of nature professed, contrasted with that distorted, gloomy
+religion which has been imposed on mankind by power and fraud.
+
+     "Man, like his Maker, saw that all was right,
+     To virtue, in the paths of pleasure, trod,
+     And own'd a father when he own'd a God.
+     Love all the faith, and all th' allegiance then;
+     For Nature knew no light divine in men,
+     No ill could fear in God; and understood
+     A sov'reign being but a sov'reign good."
+
+
+     "Superstition taught the tyrant awe,
+     Then shar'd the tyranny, then lent it aid,
+     And Gods of conq'rors, slaves of subjects made:
+     She, 'midst the lightning's blaze and thunder's sound,
+     When rock'd the mountains, and when groan'd the ground,
+     She taught the weak to bend, the proud to pray,
+     To pow'r unseen, and mightier far than they:
+     She, from the rending earth and bursting skies,
+     Saw Gods descend and fiends infernal rise:
+     Here fix'd the dreadful, there the blest abodes;
+     Fear made her devils, and weak hope her gods;
+     Gods partial, changeful, passionate, unjust,
+     Whose attributes were rage, revenge, or lust;
+     Such as the souls of cowards might conceive,
+     And, form'd like tyrants, tyrants would believe.
+     Zeal, then, not charity, became the guide,
+     And hell was built on spite, and heav'n on pride.
+     Then sacred seeneth ethereal vault no more;
+     Altars grew marble then, and reek'd with gore:
+     Then first the Flamen tasted living food;
+     Next his grim idol smear'd with human blood;
+     With heav'n's own thunders shook the world below;
+     And play'd the god an engine on his foe."
+
+From an attentive perusal of such liberal, enlightened writers as
+Pope, Locke, Hume, &c. who were not interested in forcing any unnatural
+systems upon mankind, whose only aim was the happiness of the human
+race, and from my own reflections, I have adopted the following _creed_,
+which I here submit to the impartial consideration of my fellow-citizens
+of all denominations.
+
+1. I believe in one God, or first cause, wise, powerful, and good; and
+too far above the influence of human actions to be affected by any thing
+that can be done on earth.
+
+2. I believe in the equality of men by nature (though so different by
+accident) the universal power of conscience, and the unerring authority
+of natural reason.
+
+3. I believe the whole duty of man is comprised in this one great
+republican principle--Do just as you would be done unto.--My reasons for
+believing thus are, in the first place, that this first 'cause is wise
+and powerful beyond our conception, is clearly evinced in the wonderful
+formation and disposition of nature, exhibited in every thing that we
+have any perception of. That he is good, the whole creation proves: for
+we find nothing made but what is useful, beneficial, and conducive to
+the happiness of the whole. And that he is too far above the reach of
+human actions to be affected by any thing that can be done on earth, is
+inferred from nature, reason, and experience: for the only idea that we
+can form of the Deity is, that he is a perfect, unchangeable being; and
+if we suppose that he so particularly notices the conduct of mankind
+as to be differently affected by their different actions, we must allow
+that he is an imperfect, changeable being, liable to be pleased or vexed
+at the mere will and pleasure of his creatures, and dependent upon the
+whim and caprice of _man_.
+
+In the second place, it appears from the experience of mankind in all
+ages, that Nature, in the creation of man, acts impartially and equally;
+but leaves his talents, disposition, &c. to be regulated by mere
+accidental circumstances. That conscience has an universal power, is
+evident from the dislike and abhorrence, with which all mankind look
+upon actions that tend to the injury of society. And not to believe in
+the unerring authority of natural reason, would be to accuse the Deity
+of injustice for not creating us capable of distinguishing good from
+evil, and then punishing us for the evil we commit.
+
+In the third place, that the whole duty of man is comprised in this one
+great republican principle, "Do as you would be done unto," has appeared
+so notorious to the world in all ages, that it has been universally
+agreed upon, as the unerring rule of action, and the basis of happiness:
+by the observing of which there can be neither oppression, deceit, or
+injustice of any kind. The duty of man is his interest; his interest is
+to make himself happy; and the surest and best way of doing this is to
+promote the prosperity of the whole.
+
+Finally, that system of religion which contradicts itself, cannot be
+wholly true.--That which is not consistent with reason, or agreeable to
+the order of nature, must be false, as different from the will of the
+Deity, displayed in all his works:--And, that which tends to promote
+discord, pride, and deceit, is prejudicial to society, and ought to be
+discountenanced and opposed by every good man.
+
+
+
+
+ON MIRACULOUS CONVERSIONS.
+
+
+It appears to be the general opinion among the learned, that all matter
+is, more or less, in a continual state of transmutation; that there is a
+perpetual repulsion and attraction in nature. It is also the opinion of
+many philosophers, that the human mind is never quite stationary.
+
+That locality, early habits, examples, affections, and associations have
+the greatest effect in forming the characters and opinions of men, is
+evident to our senses; and that after the character may be considered
+to be formed, a contrary course of habits, &c. of equally long or longer
+continuance will generally produce a contrary character.
+
+Every attentive observer must perceive, that we sometimes dislike and
+entertain an unfavourable opinion of what we at another time approve and
+cordially agree to. To a cursory examiner these alterations may appear
+to take place arbitrarily: but to one acquainted with the philosophy
+of the human mind, accustomed minutely to trace the different links and
+associations which bias our ideas, they will appear, so far from being
+arbitrary or supernatural, to be perfectly natural and agreeable to
+the wise order of things. It would seem that most parties agree to the
+reasons given by the learned for such alterations, &c., except they be
+in matters of religion; here each party abandons the usual methods of
+philosophising, and has recourse to the supernatural interference of
+divine agency.
+
+That extraordinary instances of conversion from vice to virtue, from
+error to truth, sometimes take place, for which the most profound and
+subtle reasoners fail to give satisfactory causes, is most readily
+granted; but still it may be said, that our not being able to trace a
+natural cause is no proof of there being none; for past experience has
+abundantly proved to the world the folly of such kind of inferences.
+Many things in science and philosophy are now even demonstrable, that
+formerly were, with equally good reason, considered to be miraculous or
+supernatural.
+
+There are many reasons for considering the religious conversions not
+supernatural. There are no human criteria to determine when they are
+from God and when they are not. So many and so frequent impositions and
+deceptions take place, that there is no distinguishing the false from
+the true.
+
+These enlightenments are equally claimed by every sect, however
+different in opinion. Now, supposing them to be from God, we are under
+the necessity of believing that there can be only one sect which can
+really have them; for it would be absurd to suppose the Immutable
+Creator of all things would inspire his creatures to believe, as true,
+opposite and different doctrines; and the confining of the divine
+influence to one sect only, certainly appears to be partial and
+arbitrary, and contrary to the saying, that "God is no respecter of
+persons."
+
+People professing to be converted can never give a satisfactory
+explanation of their state, either to others or themselves, so as to do
+away all apprehension that they may not be actuated by impulse, fear,
+affections, &c., with a variety of other natural causes which every day
+make astonishing alterations in the minds of men.
+
+We sometimes meet with individuals who at one time considered themselves
+to be inspired, and shewed every outward sign, and afterwards declare
+they conceive they never were.
+
+Sudden and extraordinary changes frequently take place for the
+worse; but these are never accounted as supernatural. It appears that
+conversions most frequently take place after some circumstances which
+naturally have a tendency to fix the attention, soften the affections,
+affect the passions, and subdue the will; such as attending religious
+discourses, the deathbed of a friend, extreme pain, poverty, and
+distress, &c. Now, may not these be said to account for the first
+natural link? Then why should the rest of the chain be miraculous? If
+these observations were untrue, we might expect to find conversions
+occur as frequently among one sort of society as among another; but that
+is not the case.
+
+It is observable in religious as well as in other operations of the
+mind, that those alterations which are the most sudden and vehement, are
+generally more transient than those which take place more gradually and
+after accountable associations.
+
+We might naturally expect that those divinely inspired would be superior
+to the weaknesses of passion and imperfections of nature incidental to
+others; but our converts appear not to be. These supernatural affections
+are unattended with any discernibly supernatural effects; the possessors
+of them never perform miracles!
+
+From these observations it is presumed, that there is abundant reason
+for apprehending that those conversions termed supernatural are nothing
+more than nature acting upon the mind of man, agreeably to those wise
+and immutable laws laid down by the adorable Maker of all things; and
+the reason of our terming them miraculous is, because we are unable with
+our weak faculties to trace the wonderful concatenations, and view the
+infinite variety of shades of which the intellectual part of man is
+susceptible. At the same time it is confessed, that it being a matter of
+internal feeling, and what cannot perhaps be demonstrated either way, no
+arguments on the subject can be hoped of any material benefit, either to
+the person who supposes himself to have it, but cannot explain it, or to
+him that has it not, and cannot conceive it.
+
+Bristol,
+
+THEOPHILANTHROPIST.
+
+Feb. 18,1819.
+
+
+
+
+
+A FEW IDEAS ON THE CHRISTIAN RELIGION.
+
+
+It appears, that at least 99 persons in 100 take their religious
+opinions from their parents, and according to education, &c. without
+ever afterwards examining for themselves. Now, as this belief arises
+from causes that are variable and quite independent of the believers,
+it follows, that there is no security whatever for its being true, the
+chance being always against it: consequently, such persons' opinions are
+of no weight in the dispute.
+
+A due attention to this consideration will, it is presumed, render the
+number of real believers and unbelievers in Christian countries much
+less unequal than at first we may be inclined to suppose.
+
+The evidence for Christianity is founded on probabilities by a process
+of reasoning, not being intuitive or self-evident. The contrary of its
+being true can easily be conceived and does not imply a contradiction.
+
+Owing to the different constitutions of the human mind, there always
+is, more or less, a certain difference of opinion upon all subjects in
+proportion to their want of self-evident proof. Then, when a subject
+confessedly has it not, ought we to expect from it those universal
+results which it could only produce by having it?
+
+That there should be many who are not satisfied with the evidence of
+the Christian religion is not to be wondered at, since it is not of
+that nature to produce universal acquiescence. Where then can be the
+propriety of inveighing so bitterly against some for rejecting what,
+according to the nature of things, all cannot be expected to receive?
+Assuredly, the sin of doubting must be proportional to the evidence;
+then why should we attach the same punishment for disbelieving things
+that are not self-evident as we do for things that are?
+
+With regard to the assertions, that "'tis their pride prevents their
+belief, that they make a Deity of their reason, and put themselves
+in opposition to Heaven," &c. it may be seriously asked, Are these
+assertors sincere in what they say, or is it merely spleen they, or any
+one, for an instant conceive it to be possible for a man in his
+senses, who has any idea of his Maker, or of himself, and is so deeply
+interested in the subject, to act in such a way?
+
+There may be some reason for considering that doctrine to be false which
+might cause us to think existence a curse, rather than a blessing, and
+to entertain views inconsistent with the Divine Nature.
+
+If the orthodox opinions be correct, how few among professors really
+profess! How small a proportion of mankind profess at all! It follows,
+according to even probability, that the number of the saved will be
+extremely small in proportion to that which is lost. Then, when a child
+is born, according to the laws of chances, there are very great odds
+against its being saved. Query, Whether it be a blessing to be born, to
+run any risk at all of endless misery, even were they very contrary of
+what they appear to be, greatly in favour of everlasting bliss?
+
+Bristol,
+
+THEOPHILANTHROPIST.
+
+Feb. 18,1810.
+
+
+
+
+DEISM EXAMINED
+
+By A Christian
+
+
+It has often been said, that if Christianity is not competent to
+withstand the test of reason, it ought to fall.
+
+To this opinion I willingly subscribe; and so confident am I of our
+succeeding against our adversaries, the Deists, that I am for truly
+putting Christianity to this trial. That is, I would that there should
+be allowed as perfectly free discussion in all theological matters,
+that the "Age of Reason," and other works of a similar nature, should be
+allowed to be published. Let the enemies of our religion bring forward
+their objections as fast as they like; have we not, or our part, a ready
+refutation for every one of them?
+
+The Deists, I know, have strongly contended, that many actions recorded
+in the Bible, said to have been done by the express command of God, are
+shocking to humanity, and in contradiction to all our ideas of moral
+justice. Such as putting whole nations to the sword; sparing neither age
+nor infancy; utterly destroying men, women, and children; leaving not a
+soul to breathe, &c. &c. But does not the Bishop of Llandaff reconcile
+this seeming incongruity, and vindicate the morality of the sacred
+writings by explaining, that, as the Almighty constantly superintends
+all the actions of nature, and in so doing permits, or rather causes
+smiling infants so to be swallowed up by earthquakes, or destroyed by
+other natural means; it is evident that these shocking transactions (as
+they are called) recorded in the Bible, do not militate in the least
+against the character of the Deity. The unbelievers certainly may bring
+a puerile argument against this profound assertion of the Bishop's;
+but the Christian who truly appreciates the real value of an unwavering
+_faith_, will have for such argument a thorough contempt, even before he
+reads it. They may tell us, if they choose, that nature being actuated
+by general and unvarying laws, it is not to be supposed the Almighty, in
+order to save a human creature, will perform a miracle. Or (to state
+the case more particularly) if a society of human beings will be so
+unthinking and imprudent, as to make their residence at the bottom of
+Mount Vesuvius, or Etna, that the Creator will partially suspend the
+laws of nature, in order that the burning lavas may not overwhelm them
+in destruction; or, that if mortals will be so presumptuous as to
+build their dwellings on the site of former desolations, as Lisbon for
+instance, that the Almighty will interpose, in order to prevent the
+recurrence of another earthquake; or that God will in any case partially
+suspend the eternal laws of the universe, in order to preserve a mortal
+that may be accidentally liable to be destroyed by their effects. They
+may tell us all this if they choose, and likewise, that this is quite
+another thing, to an express command from God himself to one set of
+human beings to annihilate another.--Thus we refute it all: such
+arguments are built on _human reason_, which it behoves every pious
+Christian to distrust!
+
+Let them assert, that Jesus Christ himself, (if there was such a
+person) has proved the delusion he laboured under, since he actually and
+distinctly predicted, in more places than one, that his second coming
+would be in the days of the last surviving apostles, and that the
+apostles themselves sufficiently shew by their writings, that such was
+their opinion. Let them descant upon the description of his coming in
+the clouds (as related in the gospel) with the trumpets sounding before
+him, and call it a mere representation of human pageantry, and unworthy
+of being imputed to the Almighty Creator, who has millions of millions
+of worlds at his command! We thus refute the first part of this
+misrepresentation. Jesus, after predicting the destruction of Jerusalem,
+as we find it now related, speaks of his second coming, and gives a
+description how he will appear in the clouds, with the angels sounding
+their trumpets before him, &c. &c. and then continues thus: "Verily
+I say unto you, _this generation shall not pass away, till all these
+things be fulfilled._" Now it is evident, that this last verse can
+only allude to the destruction of Jerusalem, and that the passage is
+misplaced by many sentences. It is true, we have no vouchers for this,
+nor can we perceive what instance there could have been for any one
+to have made the alteration; but as more than seventeen centuries have
+revolved since the death of Christ, and no second coming yet taken
+place, we are fully justified in maintaining the passage to be
+misplaced.
+
+The Deists accuse us of all along suppressing their works, and
+certainly, in this respect, I must acknowledge we have acted unfairly.
+They say that most of the ancient productions on their side the
+question are lost; while the answers to them are still extant. From this
+circumstance they infer, designing and superstitious monks and priests,
+in order to remove every thing out of the way that might militate
+against their doctrine, destroyed all the writings of their opponents,
+while they carefully preserved those of their own party. It is likewise
+affirmed, the book entitled the Age of Reason, is a more formidable
+enemy to Christianity than any work ever before published, and
+threatens, should it become popular, to shake its flimsy fabric (for
+thus they speak of our religion) to its very foundation; that the charge
+of blasphemy is brought against it to suppress it, solely from fear of
+this consequence, and that our oft repeated assertion, "if Christianity
+cannot withstand the test of reason it ought to fall," is a mere
+mockery, for, in fact, we fully prove our intention is, never to bring
+our doctrine to such a tribunal. I am very sorry that this last charge
+against us is not altogether unfounded. Why should not the arguments of
+our opponents be allowed to be published? their authors would very
+soon, I am fully persuaded, meet with a total discomfiture, and find our
+Polemics more than competent to justify their own cause.
+
+Every one knows that Mr. Paine was illiterate, that is, he only knew his
+own language perfectly, and had a smattering of French. Now, have we
+not bishops, deacons, lecturers, curates, &c. who are acquainted with
+Hebrew, Greek, Syriac, Arabic, Latin, and several other tongues, living
+as well as dead; and surely, it would be strange, if, with all
+this various learning, aided by their laborious researches into the
+antiquated writings of the primitive Christians, (those credible
+attesters of _miracles and witchcraft_,) that they should not be able to
+overturn such a paltry antagonist as Thomas Paine; who, alas! made use
+of no other weapon but _human reason_; who ridiculed _Faith_ as a mere
+_chimera_; and maintained, that a strict observance of _moral virtue_
+constituted the only worship that was in _reality_ pleasing to the
+Deity. Physiologists have asserted, I know, that the human brain is only
+capable of a certain degree of active energy, and that every additional
+talent we may acquire must be gained at the expence of all the other
+powers; and that, consequently, he who is familiar with a variety of
+languages cannot possibly think very profoundly in any, the whole of
+his intellect being absorbed, and the pure ideal part of it absolutely
+extinguished, in the complicated matter of grammatical construction, and
+the endless labour of committing to memory the various characters and
+innumerable quantity of words necessary for obtaining such knowledge. On
+the other hand, it is boldly averred, that he who knows his own language
+perfectly, and no other, may become, as it were, in his very essence,
+a compound of thought and reflection, capable of drawing, from the
+luminous stores of his own understanding alone, arguments that shall put
+to flight all the scholastic quibbling of the mere Christian linguist,
+causing the gloom engendered by his subtilties to vanish like mist
+before the sun.
+
+The Deists accuse us of disturbing the last moments of the virtuous, and
+terrifying their imaginations with the prospect of eternal damnation.
+They say, that when such infatuated persons (whose bodily weakness
+renders them more than childish) become overwhelmed with the dreadful
+picture, and give way to the weakness of humanity, that we then infer,
+they had a proper sense of the enormity of their guilt before they died;
+and that we then exclaim, in the gloomy pomposity of the fanatic Young,
+
+     "Men may live fools, but fools they cannot die!"
+
+This quotation, when applied to the case in question, the Deists
+maintain to be unjust, and are for making a new reading, as being rather
+more applicable, viz.
+
+     "Men may live wisely, but fools they often die!"
+
+"Shame!" the Deists cry, "forbear to disturb the departing moralist with
+your strange dogmas! His sole trust is in his Creator, therefore let his
+last hours be spent in peace! Your interference is useless, and as it
+adds to the sufferings of expiring humanity, may well be termed impious
+and cruel. And further, what conviction can be gained from making public
+the imbecile and terror-extorted confessions made by the dying; for as
+Rousseau rightly observes, it is 'our reason that determines our
+belief, and when, through sickness, that faintly becomes impaired, what
+dependence can be placed on any opinion we may then adopt?'" All this
+seems at the first glance very striking and imposing, but is easily
+refuted. I shall confine myself, however, to only answering the latter
+part of the above. I maintain, then, that even shouting our dogmas in
+the ears of the dying,1 and thereby disturbing their last moments, is
+a mere trifle, when put in competition with the eternal advantages
+that may by this means accrue to their souls. It is well known, that
+Christians formerly, more generally than at present, did not scruple
+to compel men to become converts; and when the heretics, as they were
+termed, obstinately held out, they actually burnt them for _the love
+of Christ!_ This manner of proceeding Dr. Paley has, in some measure,
+justified, 2 by affirming, that as the salvation of the soul is a matter
+of infinitely more importance than the well-being of the body, so these
+_converters_, who actually believed salvation to exclusively depend on
+the reception of their dogmas, may be said to be in some sort excusable,
+for endeavouring by all the means within their power to save a man's
+soul, though his body, in consequence, might be devoted to the flames.
+
+     1 Vide Life of M. de Voltaire.
+
+     2 Vide Haley's Evidences of Christianity, Part III. Chap.
+     vii.
+
+
+Some, I know, would go further, and urge, that even the burning of
+those who _were_ converted by the threats of the holy fathers, was
+not impolitic, since it may be justified as the above principle, of
+preferring the welfare of the soul to that of the body. For might not
+a new-made convert, made so against the evidence of his own reason,
+recant, and thus render all the pious zeal of those _soul-preservers_
+quite abortive? Nothing more likely, and therefore to make sure of his
+eternal felicity, they were equally excusable in committing him to
+the flames. A similar principle influenced the pious Monk towards the
+unfortunate Jew, as related in a well-known but somewhat ancient story,
+concluding with these lines:
+
+     "Drag, drag me out--I freeze--I die."
+     "Your peace, my friend, is made on high;
+     Full absolution here I give;
+     Saint Peter will your soul receive:
+     Wash'd clean from sin, and duly shriven,
+     New converts always go to heaven;
+     No hour for death so fit as this;
+     Thus, thus I launch you into bliss!"
+     So said--the Father in a trice
+     His convert launch'd beneath the ice.
+
+
+But enough of this bringing forward accusations and objections of the
+Deists, and answering them myself. Let them be brought against us in
+the regular way, and we will readily refute them. In fact, there will
+be some novelty in such an occupation to many of our divines, who
+have passed many years in the continued sameness of preaching to
+congregations who are much too passive and obedient ever to dissent a
+single syllable from the doctrine laid down. It is now several years
+since our Doctors of Divinity really exerted their talents, viz.
+ever since the first publicacation of the Age of Reason. I think it
+downright inconsistency for our authorities to prosecute those who
+publish works of this kind, seeing those works absolutely benefit
+Christianity. For did not the above production give rise to innumerable
+answers, each of which was sufficient in itself, to prove the divine
+origin and infalibillity of the sacred Scriptures! Read Bishop Watson's
+Apology for the Bible, for instance, a work _replete with genius_;
+a work which will confer lasting honour on its reverend author; and
+wherein we cannot perceive the _least traces_ of what our adversaries
+term _priestcraft_, and not a _single sentence_ which may be called _a
+quibble_. Another answer to the Age of Reason, by a _wit_, named Robert
+Thompson, also deserves to be made honourable mention of, as being
+neither _scurrilous nor contemptible_; as does likewise an answer, by a
+layman of the name of Padman, a work of vast _profundity_, and in which
+there is not to be found any _perversion or pitiful misrepresentation of
+passages_ in Mr. Paine's book. Should these two last gentlemen be
+still in existence, and chance to peruse this, they will be extremely
+grateful, I am sure, for my thus noticing them; but they may reserve all
+thanks, for the encomiums I have passed upon them are nothing more than
+their real deserts. 1 But to conclude. Seeing, I say, that deistical
+works are beneficial to our holy and only true religion, by making
+its ministers exert their talents, let them be printed and freely
+circulated, and in so doing we shall no longer lay under the vile odium
+of being oppressors and persecutors for righteousness sake.
+
+A firm Believer in the only true God, and a future state of Retribution.
+
+London,
+
+Jan. 30, 1819.
+
+     1 There is also a Mr. S. Thompson, a member of the sect
+     called "Free Thinking Christians," who in a work entitled
+     "Evidences of Revealed Religion on a new Plan," has
+     attempted to answer some of the objections of Mr. Paine; but
+     as his arguments, though said to be quite inconclusive, have
+     too much the appearance of human reason, I have not thought
+     proper to mention him as a person who has much benefited our
+     cause; and especially as I understand that "implicit faith"
+     forms no part of the creed of the above sect.
+
+
+THE END.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Thoughts on the Christian Religion by
+a Deist, by Anonymous
+
+*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 40983 ***