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This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated.1811 Excerpt:... stretched beyond its own measure: and sober Christians have been rather shocked by its daring outrages, than staggered in their faith by its speciousness and sophistry. If the attempts had succeeded, we should have had little remaining but the name of Christianity: and that in the end would have yielded to a name more grateful to those who would rob it of its distinguishing honours. The gradation from Socinianism to Deism js very slight; and especially that species of Socinianism which has been patronized by a writer, who in order to support it has thought proper to abandon the inspiration of the scriptures; and has made no scruple to call the apostle St. Paul an inconclusive reasoner. On such a footing Socinianism may possibly maintain its ground. But on such a footing Deism may maintain its ground much better: and it is rather wonderful that those who have given up so much, should retain any thing. For what is there in Christianity, when all its distinguishing doctrines are taken away, that could render it a subject worthy of a particular revelation? Did the stupendous miracles that were wrought to introduce and establish it in the world, and the train of prophecies which were gradually disclosed to point opt its high and illustrious origin, find an end suitable to their extraordinary naT tnre? Morality, and a future state, include the whole of Christianity according to the representation of a Socir nian. But suppose a Deist should adopt (as many have, and justly may) the same morality, and the same sanctions on the ground of natural evidence, wherein lies the essential and discriminating characteristic of Christianity? Where lies the real difference between a believer in divine revelation and a religious theigt f Socinianism cuts to the very root of all...