Verwandte Artikel zu On the Common Maxims of Infidelity
Inhaltsangabe
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1850. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER IV. CONCERNING THE SKEPTICAL MAXIM, THAT, IF THE LIFE BE RIGHT, IT IS NO MATTER WHAT ONE THINKS OR BELIEVES ABOUT RELIGION. It is a common opinion of irreligious men, that the character of our belief is-of no importance; that if one's life be right, it is no matter what religious sentiments he adopts; and that his religion may assume the form of Mohammedanism, Idolatry, or Infidelity, without serious detriment to his future welfare. This" sentiment pervades the writings of such men, and we need only remark, that it is a common maxim of infidelity. Pope, who was himself inclined to skepticism, and was the associate of some of the master spirits of infidelity, gives it the sanction of his authority when he says, "For modes of faith, let graceless zealots fight, His canst be wrong, whose life is in the right" So influential is this sentiment as understood and applied in a wrong sense; and so generally is it received as expressive of truth, that it becomes important to illustrate the fallacy of its pretensions. It is an opinion more often met with than almost any other, as falling from the lips of irreligious men, that if one be honest, kind, free from open vice, and escape the censure of men, he need not trouble himself about religion; and that if his life be right, a just Grod will not condemn him, whatever he may think or believe beside. The whole force of this sentiment turns on the supposition, If The Life Be Right. What constitutes a right life? Is it one inspired by holy principle, all of whose actions are prompted by a love of virtue; or is it a life conformed externally to what men generally esteem as right? If the former, then it includes a proper religious belief; for no man can perfectly conform himself to the great principles of his duty ...
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