IV. DEPARTMENT: 



THEOLOGY. 



IN the Department of Theology, we include the study of all Reli- 

 gions, whether of heathen or Christian nations. The name is 

 derived from the Greek, eoj, God ; and Jioyo?, a discourse ; as it 

 comprehends the study of the Deity, his laws and revelations, and 

 our duty towards him ; all of which is sometimes designated as the 

 study of Divinity. It may be properly subdivided into the branches 

 of Paganism, Mohamedanism, Judaism and Christianity : to each 

 of which, the term Theology has been applied, by believers therein. 

 We place this department last, in the province of Psychonomy ; be- 

 cause we regard it as the highest and noblest of human studies. But 

 it should not be forgotten that a theoretical knowledge even of The- 

 ology, may, like the sunbeam on the mountain glacier, only dazzle to 

 blind ; while, unless the heart is warmed with vital piety, the cold- 

 ness and barrenness of eternal death may reign within. 



The term Religion, is from the Latin religio, a sacred obligation ; 

 and it is nearly synonymous with piety, signifying love to God, obedi- 

 ence to his laws, and submission to his will. By Natural Religion, 

 is meant that knowledge and veneration of the Deity, which was 

 attainable by the heathen nations, or by human reason, unassisted by 

 revelation. The fact that every nation, however barbarous, has some 

 object of worship, shows that piety is natural to man, although it 

 is so often corrupted by debasing passions ; and that some religion 

 is necessary to satisfy our better nature. The necessity of a First 

 Cause, to create and govern the world ; the existence of moral good 

 and evil ; and the doctrine of future rewards and punishments ; these 

 are perhaps the chief truths which were discoverable by human 

 reason ; and which have accordingly been more or less known to' 

 heathen nations. 



Revealed Religion, comprehends, besides the doctrines of Natural 

 Religion, many truths which were beyond the reach of human rea- 

 son, though not contradictory thereto ; and for a knowledge of which 

 we are indebted directly to divine Revelation. The unity and 

 spirituality of the Deity, may have been discoverable by the light of 

 reason ; though more probably made known by traditions, handed 

 down from the early patriarchs, to the migrating families of their 

 descendants. But the peculiar doctrines of the Gospel ; such as the 

 fall and condemnation of mankind ; the incarnation, and atonement 

 of our Saviour ; and the mission of the Holy Spirit ; in short, the 

 whole gospel scheme of salvation ; these are truths which revelation 

 alone could unfold, to cheer the saddening human heart. While, 

 therefore, we deplore the weakness of our nature, as manifested by 



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