but he will certainly be more predisposed to receive it, if he finds that his weatherglass is falling rather than rising.  The fact remains the same, it rains; but the mind—­precluded by circumstances from positive personal assurance of such fact, and able only to arrive at truth from exterior evidence—­is in a fitter state for belief of the fact from being already made aware that it was probable.  Let it not then be inferred, somewhat perversely, that because antecedent probabilities are the staple of our present argument, the theme itself, Religion, rests upon hypotheses so slender:  it rests not at all upon such straws as probabilities, but on posterior evidence far more firm.  What we now attempt is not to prop the ark, but favourably to predispose the mind of any reckless Uzzah, who might otherwise assail it; not to strengthen the weak places of religion, but to annul such disinclination to receive Truth, as consists in prejudice and misconception of its likelihood.  The goodly ship is built upon the stocks, the platforms are reared, and the cradle is ready; but mistaken preconceptions may scatter the incline with gravel-stones rather than with grease, and thus put a needless hindrance to the launching:  whereas a clear idea that the probabilities are in favour, rather than the reverse, will make all smooth, lubricate, and easy.  If, then, we fail in this attempt, no disservice whatever is done to Truth itself; no breach is made in the walls, no mine sprung, no battlement dismantled; all the evidences remain as they were; we have taken nothing away.  Even granting matters seemed anteriorily improbable, still, if evidence proved them true, such anterior unlikelihood would entirely be merged in the stoutly proven facts.  Moreover, if we be adjudged to have succeeded, we have added nothing to Truth itself; no, nor to its outworks.  That sacred temple stands complete, firm and glorious from corner-stone to top-stone.  We do but sweep away the rubbish at its base; the drifting desert sands that choke its portals.  We only serve that cause (a most high privilege), by enlisting a prejudgment in its favour.  We propose herein an auxiliary to evidence, not evidence itself; a finger-post to point the way to faith; a little light of reason on its path.  The risk is really nothing; but the advantage, under favour, may be much.

5.  It is impossible to elude the discussion of topics, which in their direct tendencies, or remoter inferences, may, to the author at least, prove dangerous or disputable ground.  If a “great door and effectual” is opened to him, doubtless he will raise or meet with many adversaries.  Besides mere haters of his creed, despisers of his arguments, and protestors, loud and fierce against his errors; he may possibly fall foul of divers unintended heresies; he may stumble unwittingly on the relics of exploded schisms; he may exhume controversies in metaphysical or scholastical polemics, long and worthily extinct.  If this be so, he can only plead, Mea culpa, mea