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which deservedly excites serious alarm in well-disposed minds, that the character of the Christian Redeemer is become, amongst us, a subject of much doubt, which, in many instances, has led even to the denial of his Divinity.
The fact is too notorious to require any labour in the way of proof; for it is well known that both from the pulpit and the press, doctrines have been taught and circulated in the most public manner, and this by men distinguished both for their talents and their learning, utterly subversive of that article of Christian Faith which, in former times, hath been most generally believed, and supposed to be indisputable, in favour of the Godhead of that Holy Person who was on this day born amongst us.
I shall not waste your present time in enquiring into the causes of such doubts and denials. Sometimes men are fond of novelty, especially in the way of opinion, and are never so happy as in pulling down old, and building up new systems of Faith and Doctrine. Sometimes too, in their enquiries after truth, they do not, proceed, perhaps, with that coolness of dispassionate judgment and careful investigation which are necessary for the discovery of so precious a treasure: in the impetuosity of their quest, they make hasty conclusions; and overlook what they were seeking, through their over hurry to find it. Nor does it always happen that men of the most celebrated talents, whether natural or acquired, are the best qualified to discover holy truth; for we know, from the highest authority, that something more than natural talents is necessary for this purpose, and that the things of God, therefore, (to use the language of the
