The Analogy of Religion to the Constitution and Course of Nature. Butler Joseph
Our ignorance is a good answer to the difficulties of religion, but no objection to religion itself.Ans. 2. If our ignorance did invalidate the proofs of religion, as well as the objections, yet is it undeniable that moral obligations remain unaffected by our ignorance of the consequences of obedience or violation. The consequences of vice and virtue may not be fully known, yet it is credible that they may be such as religion declares: and this credibility is an obligation, in point of prudence, to abstain from sin.Ans. 3. Our answers to the objections against religion, are not equally valid against the proofs of it.[Answers rehearsed.]Ans. 4. Our answers, though they may be said to be based on our ignorance, are really not so, but on what analogy teaches concerning our ignorance—viz.: that it renders us incompetent judges. They are based on experience, and what we do know; so that to credit religion is to trust to experience, and to disregard it is the contrary.
CONCLUSION.
1. The reasoning of the last chapter leads us to regard this life as part of a larger plan of things.1.) Whether we are connected with the distant parts of the universe, is uncertain; but it is very clear we are connected, more or less, with present, past, and future.2.) We are evidently in the midst of a scheme, not fixed but progressive; and one equally incomprehensible, whether we regard the present, past, or future.
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.2.) Pious regards to Christ, and the Holy Ghost, based on our relations to them.
4. The manner of external worship.
III. The fearful hazard of neglecting Christianity.
1. Those who think natural religion sufficient, must admit that Christianity is highly important.
2. Our relations to Christ being made known, our religious regard to him is an evident obligation.
3. These relations being real, there is no reason to think that our neglect of behaving suitably to them, will not be attended with the same kind of consequences as follow the neglect of duties made known by reason.
4. If we are corrupt and depraved, and so unfit for heaven, and if we need God’s Holy Spirit to renew our nature, how can it be a slight thing whether we make use of the means for obtaining such assistance?
5. Thus, if Christianity be either true, or merely credible, it is most rash and presumptuous to treat it lightly.
REMARKS.
1. The distinction between positive and moral obligations.1.) For moral precepts we can see the reason: for positive we cannot.2.) Moral duties are such prior to command; positive duties are such because commanded.3.) The manner in which a duty is made known, does not make it moral or positive.
2. The ground of regarding moral duties as superior to positive.1.) Both have the nature of moral commands.2.) If the two conflict, we must obey the moral.—Positive institutions are means to moral ends.—Ends are more excellent than means.—Obedience to positive institutions, has no value but as proceeding from moral principle.3.) Both moral and positive duties are revealed, and so are on a level; but the moral law is also interwoven with our very nature, and so its precepts must prevail when the two interfere.
3. There is less necessity for determining their relative authority, than some suppose.1.) Though man is disposed to outward and ritual religion, nothing can give us acceptance with God, without moral virtue.2.) Scripture always lays stress on moral duties.3.) It is a great weakness, though very common, to make light of positive institutions, because less important than moral.—We are bound to obey all God’s commands.—A precept, merely positive, admitted to be from God, creates moral obligation, in the strictest sense.
CONCLUSION.
This account of Christianity shows our great obligation to study the Scriptures.
CHAPTER II.
PRESUMPTIONS AGAINST A REVELATION, CONSIDERED AS MIRACULOUS.
Having shown the need of revelation, we now examine the presumptions against it.
The analogy of nature is generally supposed to afford presumptions against miracles.
They are deemed to require stronger evidence than other events.
I. Analogy furnishes no presumptions against the general scheme of Christianity.
1. It is no presumption against Christianity, that it is not the discovery