S3 



mitted the conclusions of the soundest phi- 

 losophy, it would have exemplified too near 

 an agreement with the account of Moses ; but 

 your shame and good sense would not permit 

 you to run into the contrary absurdity. Is not 

 this the real statement of your difficulties? 



Since " these principles of general physio- 

 " logy" have been so little able to lead you to 

 any sure and satisfactory conclusions, it will 

 naturally be thought that they are by no means 

 sufficient to afford us the requisite instruction 

 concerning the origin of mankind. By common 

 mortals, indeed, it has always been supposed 

 that ancient history was the safest guide in 

 subjects of this description ; and that notwith- 

 standing all the obscurity attending its details, 

 it forms our best and surest director in the 

 knowledge of antiquity. 



But to prepare your pupils for these scepti- 

 cal opinions, it was first necessary to shake 

 their confidence " in the Hebrew Scriptures, as 

 " writings composed with the assistance of Di- 

 M vine Inspiration, and therefore commanding 

 " our implicit assent."* For this purpose you 

 inform them, that this account of the creationf 

 " has the allegorical character common to 

 " Eastern compositions," and that " there is an 

 " irreconcileable opposition between the pas- 

 " sions and sentiments ascribed to the Deity by 

 " Moses, and that religion of peace and love 

 " which is unfolded by the Evangelists/' To 



* P. 247. f P. 248. 

 C 



