INTRODUCTION.

IF there were no other arguments (as there are innumerable and irrefragable) for the truth of divine revelation and the Christian religion, than modern experience, I am persuaded that alone is abundantly sufficient to those who allow themselves leisure rightly to consider and duly to apply it.

To bring this thought to a point, be pleased to look on the example now exhibited to you; while he lost the power and influence of this persuasion, by giving himself up to the waves of doubt and Scepticism, he fell into various dangerous vices and the horrid crime for which he suffered, a reproach to human nature and a terror to civil society!

But when by due instruction and recurring to his own heart by serious reflection, wherein he found the principles of truth early implanted by a good education, hé recovered himself to repentance; he no longer was that horrid monster, dreadful to himself, and dangerous to society: he recovered inward peace, good resolution and composure of soul; in one word, he recovered that peace of God which passeth all understanding, except in those who know and feel it. All which sentiments are the very dictates of the lively oracles of truth.

There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked. Isa. lvii. 21.

He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy. Prov. xxviii. 13.

I said I will confess my sins unto the Lord: and so thou forgavest the wickedness of my sin. Ps. xxxii. 6.

O cleanse thou me from my secret faults. Keep thy servant also from presumptuous sins, lest they get the dominion over me, so shall I be undefiled and innocent from the great offence.

Deliver me from blood guiltiness, O God: thou that art the God of my salvation. Ps. li. 14.

Thus one proof among many of the truth of the Christian faith may be fixed on the same basis with that of all true and useful science, viz. that of experiment.

Agreeable to that of the Psalmist, O taste and see how gracious the Lord is: blessed is the man that trusteth in him. Ps. xxxiv. 8. Thus elegantly paraphrased.

O make but trial of his love;

Experience will decide,

How blest are they, and only they,

Who in his truth confide.