plish the mind for another state. Greater knowledge afforded us at once might perhaps have rendered its operations insipid to us, and a certain degree of obscurity was necessary for the end designed. As it is incumbent upon us, however, to struggle against the disasters of life, so it is our duty, as far as we can, to dissipate the darkness of it; with humility to trace the Almighty in his works, and to trust, that, in doing so, we shall fit ourselves for that higher sphere, where we shall " see him face to face."

Nor in this great endeavour has our Creator left us without aid. As it is painful for the bodily eye to look directly upon the sun; and as it is necessary, in attempting it, to take the aid of art in screening it from his blaze; so, in like manner, our soul is overwhelmed with the thought of boundless might, and spotless purity; and we require a Mediator and High Priest made like unto ourselves, to enter with us, into the sanctuary of so much sublimity, on our approach to infinite Deity. Now Jesus is that Mediator and High Priest. He knows our frailty, because he put on our nature, and his spirit supports and leads us into the holy temple.

But while, in this our present state, we see as but through a glass darkly, shall our little knowledge here be all that we shall ever have of God? Sound analogy forbids the conclusion. While the chrysalis bursts open its tomb, and rises to the enjoyment of sunshine and happy days, man too, through his Re

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deemer, "shall live again." That intelligence of his, which in this humble existence has so distinctly pointed to another; which has with ever-straining eye so unceasingly endeavoured to pierce the dark cloud which surrounds him-that mind, in a more exalted state of being, and through a happy eternity, shall know, and adore, and enjoy its omnipotent Creator!

ESSAY II.

EVIDENCES

OF

REVEALED RELIGION.

"If the Christian religion be true, it must be of great importance; and even the probability of its being so, would render it the duty of Natural Religion to enquire into it." But, "The evidence of the Christian religion seems to be so clear and strong, that no person who is previously qualified by benevolence, piety, and the moral sense, can refuse his assent to it."

HARTLEY'S Observations on Man.

EVIDENCES

OF

REVEALED RELIGION.

CHAPTER I.

HAVING in the preceding Essay treated of the Evidences of Natural Religion, I now proceed to the testimony of that which has been revealed, or the Christian dispensation; which is founded on the fatal event of man's fall, and on his redemption through the sufferings and death of Christ. As to the degraded situation of man, but too many circumstances concur to authenticate the fact. In the most remote periods of time, and under almost every religion, such an idea has been found to prevail. The golden age of the poets, and the residence of our first parents, amid the delightful bowers of Eden, equally point to a once blessed and happy state, which, alas, no longer exists!