But the Confequence of the foregoing Ob-CHAP. fervations is, that the Question, upon which III. the Truth of Chriftianity depends, is scarce at all, what Objections there are against its Scheme, fince there are none against the Morality of it; but what Objections there are against its Evidence: or, what Proof there remains of it after due Allowances made for the Objections against that Proof: Because it has been fhewn that the Objections against Christianity, as diftinguished from Objections against its Evidence, are frivolous. For furely very little. Weight, if any at all, is to be laid upon a way of arguing and objecting, which, when applied to the general Constitution of Nature, Experience fhows not to be conclufive: and fuch, I think, is the Whole way of objecting treated of throughout this Chapter. It is refolveable into Principles, and goes upon Suppofitions, which mislead us to think, that the Author of Nature would not act, as we experience He does; or would act, in fuch and fuch Cafes, as we experience he does not in like Cafes. But the Unreasonableness of this Way of objecting, will appear yet more evidently from hence, that the chief things thus objected against, are justified, as fhall be farther shown', by diftinct, particu1 Ch. iv. latter part. And v, vi.

lar,

PARTlar, and full Analogies, in the Conftitution and Course of Nature.

II.

But it is to be remembred, that, as frivolous as Objections of the foregoing Sort against Revelation are, yet, when a fuppofed Revelation is more confiftent with itself, and has a more general and uniform Tendency to promote Virtue, than, all Circumstances confidered, could have been expected from Enthufiafm and political Views; this is a prefumptive Proof of its not proceeding from Them, and fo of its Truth: because we are competent Judges, what might have been expected from Enthusiasm and political Views.

СНАР.

271

CHA P. IV.

Of Chriftianity, confidered as a Scheme or Conftitution, imperfectly comprehended.

I

Thath been now fhewn that the Ana

CHAP.

logy of Nature, renders it higly credi- IV. ble beforehand, that fuppofing a Revelation to be made, it must contain many things very different from what we should have expected, and fuch as appear open to great Objections: And that this Obfervation, in good measure, takes off the Force of those Objections, or rather precludes them. But it may be alledged, that this is a very partial Answer to fuch Objections, or a very unfatisfactory Way of obviating them: because it doth not fhew at all, that the Things objected against can be wife juft, and good; much less, that it is credible they are fo. It will therefore be proper to fhew this diftinctly; by applying to these Objections against the Wisdom, Juftice and Goodness of Chriftianity, the Answer above given to the like Objections against the Constitution of Nature: before we con

b

a in the foregoing Chapter.

Part I. Ch. vii: To which This all along refers.

PAR T fider the particular Analogies in the latter, to II. the particular things objected against in the wformer. Now that which affords a fufficient

Answer to Objections against the Wisdom, Juftice and Goodness of the Constitution of Nature, is its being a Conftitution, a Syftem or Scheme, imperfectly comprehended; a Scheme, in which Means are made use of to accomplish Ends; and which is carried on by general Laws. For from these things it has been proved, not only to be poffible, but alfo to be credible, that those things which are objected againft, may be consistent with Wisdom, Juftice and Goodness; nay, may be Inftances of them: and even that the Constitution and Government of Nature may be perfect in the highest poffible Degree. If Christianity then be a Scheme, and of the like Kind; it is evident, the like Objections against it, must admit of the like Answer. And

I. Christianity is a Scheme, quite beyond our Comprehenfion. The moral Government of God is exercised, by gradually conducting things fo in the Course of his Providence, that every one, at length and upon the whole, fhall receive according to his Deferts; and neither Fraud nor Violence, but Truth and Right, fhall finally prevail. particular Scheme under this

2

Christianity is a general Plan of Providence,

Providence, and a Part of it, conducive to CHAP. its Completion, with regard to Mankind: IV. confifting itself alfo of various Parts, and a mysterious Oeconomy, which has been carrying on from the Time the World came into its prefent wretched State, and is still carrying on, for its Recovery, by a divine Perfon, the Meffiah; who is to gather together in one, the children of God, that are scattered abroad, and eftablish an everlasting Kingdom, wherein dwelleth Righteousness. And in order to it; after various Manifeftations of things, relating to this great and general Scheme of Providence, through a Succeffion of many Ages: (For the Spirit of Chrift which was in the Prophets, teftified beforehand his fufferings, and the glory that should follow: Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themfelves, but unto us they did minifter the things which are now reported unto us by them that have preached the Gofpel; which things the Angels defire to look into:)—after various Difpenfations, looking forward, and preparatory, to this final Salvation: in the fullnefs of time, when infinite Wisdom thought fit; He, being in the form of God,-made bimfelf of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a Servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion