Considering the easy faith, or aversion to incredulity, which our townsmen, in common with most of their dear countrymen, have generally shewn, on almost all subjects and occasions, it may seem rather odd that there should be found here any religious unbelievers; and yet such is really the case. A very large portion of the community, comprehending not a few persons of reading and some reflection, appear to be at this time, either unconvinced, or decided disbelievers of the divine authority and truth of christianity. Nor is this perhaps much to be wondered at, when the case is duly considered. To many, no doubt, this unbelief, or infidelity, proves very _convenient_ and desirable, as it frees them from almost every moral restraint, and leaves them much at liberty to follow and gratify their vicious and lawless inclinations. Upon this ground we may pretty safely account for the scepticism and unbelief of _most_ of our avowed infidels. These too, seem to be the very worst of them, as they are more inexcusable than that other sort, who viewing christianity through the medium of its _corruptions_, hastily reject it altogether, as utterly unworthy of their credit or acceptance. But it may be said, “they are very wrong, in determining so hastily, without looking into the New Testament, and examining it as it is delivered there.” Very true. But who among our numerous christian sects and parties, will dare, for shame, to reproach them on that account, while they themselves, with all their professed veneration for that book, make no scruple to deviate from it, whenever their interest or policy, or the established formulas, creeds, or customs of their respective parties require them so to do? One takes up _the Athanasian Creed_, and says, “this is christianity; and except a man believe it he cannot be saved, but must, without doubt, perish everlastingly.” Can it be any wonder that an honest and rational enquirer should startle, and say, “if this be christianity, I cannot believe its divine authority, or that it came from God, for I am very sure that such a self-contradictory farrago can never have proceeded from him.”—Other articles in great abundance, all equally absurd and incredible, and very prominent in the creeds and observances of the religions world, might be here added, and which professing christians and christian ministers are daily representing and recommending, as unquestionable parts of christianity, and most worthy of our belief and reception. In viewing christianity through the mists and fogs of its numerous and enormous corruptions, it is certainly not very wonderful that many who are not disposed to bestow much time upon religious enquires should be discouraged, so as to stand aloof, and deem the divine authority of it incredible—and if they are very blameable for so doing, still no small portion of the blame must be imputable to those who have so greatly tarnished the beauties of christianity, and obscured its