the want of those miraculous assistances with which the first preachers of Christianity proved its truth. The plain state of the case is, that the gospel, though it be not in the same degree a witness to all who have it made known to them; yet in some degree is so to all. Miracles, to the spectators of them, are intuitive proofs of its truth: but the bare preaching of it is a serious admonition to all who hear it, to attend to the notices which God has given of himself by the light of nature; and, if Christianity be preached with its proper evidence, to submit to its peculiar discipline and laws: if not, to inquire honestly after its evidence in proportion to their capacities. And there are persons of small capacities for inquiry and examination, who yet are wrought upon by it to "deny ungodliness and worldly lusts, and live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world," Tit. ii. 12, 13, in expectation of a future judgment by Jesus Christ. Nor can any Christian who understands his religion object that these persons are Christians without evidence; for he cannot be ignorant who has declared, that "if any man will do his will, he shall know the doctrine, whether it be of God," John vii. 1 7. And, since the whole end of Christianity is to influence the heart and actions, were an unbeliever to object in that manner, he should be asked, whether he would think it to the purpose to object against persons of like capacities, that they are prudent without evidence, when, as is often the case, they are observed to manage their worldly affairs with discretion.
The design before us being therefore in general unexceptionably good, it were much to be wished, that serious men of all denominations would join in it. And let me add, that the foregoing view of things affords distinct reasons why they should. For, first, by so doing, they assist in a work of the most useful importance, that of spreading over the world the Scripture itself, as a Divine revelation; and it cannot be spread under this character, for a continuance, in any country, unless Christian churches be supported
