therefore fairer, attacks upon the credibility of Evangelic story, has contrived to weave into his narration one continued sneer upon the cause of Christianity, and upon the writings and characters of its ancient patrons.  The knowledge which this author possesses of the frame and conduct of the human mind must have led him to observe, that such attacks do their execution without inquiry.  Who can refute a sneer?  Who can compute the number, much less, one by one, scrutinize the justice of those disparaging insinuations which crowd the pages of this elaborate history?  What reader suspends his curiosity, or calls off his attention from the principal narrative, to examine references, to search into the foundation, or to weigh the reason, propriety, and force of every transient sarcasm and sly allusion, by which the Christian testimony is depreciated and traduced; and by which, nevertheless, he may find his persuasion afterwards unsettled and perplexed?”

“But the enemies of Christianity have pursued her with poisoned arrows.  Obscenity itself is made the vehicle of infidelity.  The fondness for ridicule is almost universal; and ridicule to many minds is never so irresistible as when seasoned with obscenity, and employed upon religion.  But in proportion as these noxious principles take hold of the imagination, they infatuate the judgment; for trains of ludicrous and unchaste associations, adhering to every sentiment and mention of religion, render the mind indisposed to receive either conviction from its evidence, or impressions from its authority.  And this effect, being exerted upon the sensitive part of our frame, is altogether independent of argument, proof, or reason; is as formidable to a true religion as to a false one; to a well-grounded faith as to a chimerical mythology, or fabulous tradition.  Neither, let it be observed, is the crime or danger less, because impure ideas are exhibited under a veil, in covert and chastised language.”

LECTURE VI.

On Marriage.

“Have ye not read that he which made them at the beginning, made them male and female?  And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife; and they twain shall be one flesh.  Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh.  What, therefore, God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.”—­Matt. xix. 4,5,6.

It is not impossible that some may doubt the propriety of introducing into the pulpit the subject which will claim our attention this evening.  Marriage is a topic of so much every-day conversation; it is so often and habitually treated as a light and trivial affair—­forming as it does, in every circle of society, a standing matter for jest and laughter, for tattle and gossip—­that many are surprised at the idea of treating it in a thoughtful and serious manner.  So far from this being an objection, it is an urgent reason for presenting this subject under the sedate influences of this place and occasion.  I would bring out the important event of Marriage, from amid the frivolity with which it is usually associated, and present it in its real and true aspect—­as a topic demanding the most sober and mature consideration.