improvement. But since the invention of printing, the instruments of Knowledge have grown so common as to get into the hands of the PEOPLE: where, instead of improving the understandings, they have had no other effect than to inflame the passions: of which RELIGION, SOCIETY, and even LETTERS themselves, now feel the miserable effects. On the whole then we see, how ridiculous as well as malicious the noble person's observation is, "That Revelation owes its credit to ignorance; and loses ground as Learning and Science advance against it." For what there is of fact, on which he supports his observation, is only this, that there is a greater number of Unbelievers amongst the professors of Christianity since the revival of Letters than before. But if this inference be just, it would hold as well against the being of a God, as against the truth of Revelation: for, to one Atheist in the Monkish times, there were a hundred at the revival of Learning. One degree of science is fitted to discover error; and another, to find out the truth. In the interim, the infirmity of our nature betrays us, and in running from an absurdity we rarely stop till we be got intangled in its opposite. But the inference is, in every view, so groundless, that Christianity (as we have shewn) made its first way against the highest powers and prejudices, in very centre of the most flourishing age of Know the ledge. At the last revival of Letters it received the strongest aid from human Science; and the sincerest homage homage from the most illustrious names that ever adorned or cultivated Letters. The only enemies it found amongst the Learned were either such as were immoral in their lives; or were tied down by a false Philosophy to inveterate prejudices; or were carried away by vanity; or were incompetent judges by their unacquaintance with the nature of the proofs; or lastly such who pretended only to a Knowledge they indeed had not. And as to the gross body of licentious men, Learning had no concern in the affair; These were entirely under the sway and influence of FASHION. From all this we conclude, that let INFIDELITY be risen to what height it will, it is not yet of that kind which brings any real discredit to REVE LATION. The Rejectors of it, therefore, would do well to consider the grounds on which they stand; and what account they will be able to give to the great Judge of all the earth at his second coming, for having contributed to that horrid defection which he hath foretold will be then found amongst men. |