=2.= This scheme contains as much that is wonderful as religion does: for it certainly would be as wonderful that all nature came into existence without a Creator, as that there should be a Creator: and as wonderful that the Creator should act without any rule or scheme, as that he should act with one; or that he should act by a bad rule, rather than a righteous one. =3.= Our very nature compels us to believe that the will and character of the Author of nature, is just and good. =4.= Whatever be his character, he formed the world as it is, and controls it as he does, and has assigned us our part and lot. =5.= Irrational creatures act their part, and receive their lot, without reflection, but creatures endued with reason, can hardly avoid reflecting whither we go, and what is the scheme, in the midst of which we find ourselves. [Here follows a recapitulation of the book.] PART II. CHAPTER I. IMPORTANCE OF CHRISTIANITY. Every one must admit that we _need_ a revelation. Few, if any, could reason out a system, even of natural religion. If they could, there is no probability that they would. Such as might, would still feel the want of revelation. To say that Christianity is superfluous, is as wild as to say all are happy. No exactness in attending to natural religion can make Christianity of small importance. If Christianity be from God, we must obey, unless we know all his reasons for giving it: and also that those reasons no longer exist; at least in our case. This we cannot know. The importance of Christianity appears if we regard it I. _As a republication of natural religion._ =1.= It gives the moral system of the universe. 1.) Free from corruptions; teaching that --Jehovah created all things. -- ” governs all things. --Virtue is his law. --Mankind will be judged according to character. 2.) It publishes its facts authoritatively. 3.) With vastly more clearness; e.g. the doctrines of a future state: danger of sin: efficacy of repentance. 4.) With the advantage of a visible church, distinguished from the world by peculiar institutions. _Objec._ The perversions of Christianity, and the little good it has done. _Ans._ 1. Natural religion is no less perverted, and has done less good. 2. The benefits of Christianity are _not_ small. 3. The evils ascribed to it, are not _its_ effects. Things are to be judged by their genuine tendencies. 4. The light of reason, no more than revelation forces acquiescence. 5.) With the additional advantage that every Christian, is bound to instruct and persuade others. II. _As containing truths not discoverable by natural reason._ =1.= A mode of salvation for the ruined. =2.= Duties unknown before. =3.= Our relations to the Son and Holy Ghost. 1.) Hence the form of baptism.