A View of Nature, in Letters to a Traveller Among the Alps

cles examined---his dogmatism .censured--- The mis-
chievous tendency of infidelity---the unreasonable-
ness and inhumanity of endeavouring to weaken the
most powerful motives to virtue, and to destroy the
best springs of consolation--- The beneficial tendency a
strong confirmation of its divine original--- The dis-
pute concerning the person difficult, but of little mo-
ment---Nothing absurd or unreasonable in the belief
VOL. IV,
b

of miracles-Honour due to Christ even independently.

of supernatural attestations.

LETTER XCII.

The doctrine of Christianity concerning a future stato

compared with that of the ancients---the strictness
of moral sanctions no ground of objection--- The
Christian religion not founded on Fatalism-The free-
dom of the human mind maintained against the Ne-
cessarians--their doctrine unfavourable to morality,
and inconsistent with the notion of a state of probation
---The selfish and the benevolent principles united in
human nature, under the direction of reason, and the
controul of conscience,

LETTER XCIII.

Níoral as well as natural evil reconcileable with the

goodness of God--- The inequalities of the human

condition levelled by the prospect of immortality---

The present restlessness of the human mind an argu-

ment for a future state---the human character ex-

alted by this hope---Christianity therefore a blessing

---Speculations concernipg the places of future re-

wards and punishments, and concerning angels or

devils, uscless---the notion of evil dæmons prevalent

among the ancients---fear a powerful instrument in

the cure both of natural and moral diseases---how

applied by the ancients---consolation of Christian

hope.

LETTER XCIV,

The triumphıs of Christianity over Paganism ---its prin-

ciples rational---its object, the universal benefit of

mankind

mankind---its good effects extensive, even beyond
the limits of Christian faith ---The religious princi-
ple universally the same; religious forms various---
the tendency of Christianity to simplify religion---
the Christian faith early embraced by enlightened
men---Christian ethics not inconsistent with the in-
terests and duties of society---The death of Christ a
great example---in what sense it was an attonement,
doubtful--- The rapid spread of Christianity a proof
of its truth.

LETTER XCV.

Of the establishment of Christianity under Constantine

---hence the abolition of gladiatorial exhibitions---
of exposing children---of slavery---and of immoral
superstitions--- The moral tendency of Christianity
alone sufficient to recommend it---its spirit not in-
consistent with vigorous exertions in active life---
its laws productive of human perfection and felicity.

LETTER XCVI.

The religious wars among Christians not to be imputed

to Christianity, but to the ambition of its professors
---The piety taught by Christianity rational and sub-
lime---its religious institutions simple and useful---
not answerable for corruptions introduced by bigo-
try or avarice---makes its appeal to reason---cn the
mere ground of authority, respectably supported---
Ridicule not the test to which the truth of Christianity
should be brought---its first propagation neither en-
thusiastic, nor compulsory, but rational---Meritori-
ous character of its first missionaries.

LETTER

b 2

LETTER XCVII.

Monastic institutions the offspring of persecution---fog-

tered by superstition---yet productive of many pub-

lic advantages ---monasteries long the seats of learn-

ing and charity--- The Christian fathers not intitled

to implicit regard, but to be admitted as credible wit-

nesses of facts---General survey of the state of Eu-

rope, with respect to knowledge and religion, from

the dissolution of the Roman power to the revival of

letters---fruitless disputes and fierce persecutions from