Were it not for the vast importance of the subject, this might seem the place to introduce some observations on that most grievous error so common among religious persons, of supposing that God requires, on sacred matters, the abnegation of reason—of that reason which distinguishes men, and without which there is no distinction between us and brutes;—it is not merely our will, or affections, or instincts, but this will combined with the superadded attribute of our own understanding which makes us men, and makes us even images and likenesses, (so far as the will and understanding are united, and exist in perfection,) of our Maker! These doctors teach their hearers to dethrone reason, in order, as they say, that the Gospel, the grace, the wisdom, the justice, and goodness of God, may be exalted thereon. They call all this a reasonable and acceptable service. Strange paradox! Wonderful perversion, that a view so contradictory and false can be enforced with a fiery zeal that proves it is believed, embraced, and retained under the influence of the fear, (and not the conviction in the understanding,) that it is essential to their salvation! yet I know this doctrine is the main branch, or the first fruits of that grand fundamental error which is called in the strong prophetic language of Scripture, “the abomination which maketh desolate.”—Some of the effects are, separating faith from charity, truth from goodness, _the will from the understanding_; and all that God hath, according to the laws of order in the Creation ordained to be joined together, it tears asunder, throwing the mind into a dislocated and distracted state, destructive alike of its peace, and of the bonds which preserve society together:—madness, wickedness, infidelity, and anarchy are the fruits which it produces. If people are destroyed for lack of knowledge—if to hate the light is a proof of deeds being evil—if the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom—if this knowledge is the continent in the mind for the reception of every other what shall we say of those who teach—that this—the first, the best, the godlike gift of the Creator, must be sacrificed in order to embrace the view of religion which they propose? I cannot use stronger language than I have used already, but repeat that mental alienation is one of the dreadful consequences of that doctrine which is emphatically called the ‘abomination which maketh desolate;’—of that doctrine, whose fruits are bitter, and which fills the mind with doubt, gloom, and misery. When the only true basis of religious knowledge is removed, and insane notions occupy its place, what desolation follows!