ADDRESSED TO THE DAUGHTER OB a Nobleman, ON THE FORMATION OF RELIGIOUS AND MORAL PRINCIPLE. IN TWO VOLUMES. VOL. II. BY ELIZABETH HAMILTON, JUTHOR OF LETTERS ON THE ELEMENTARY PRINCIPLES OF EDUCATION, 8c. &c. &c. THE SECOND EDITION, LONDON: PRINTED FOR T. CADELL AND W. DAVIES, IN THE STRAND, 1806. LETTER I. Or natural religion-Founded on belief in God and a future state of rewards and punishments peculiar peculiar to many of their dogmas--Whence derived--Mysteries connected with certain parts of revelation-Their gradual developement-Analogous to that of the human faculties—Views. of Providence presented in the Bible, clear in all that relates to religious and moral duty-Objections to revelation originate in the limitation of the human mind-Docility recommended-An arrogant spirit inimical to every species of improvement. 1 LETTER II. Early corruption of the principles of natural religion--Of the truths communicated by immediate revelation to the Jews–Knowledge of the Supreme Being-Of his providence and government–The relation established between religious belief and moral obligation --The brevity of the Scriptures an evidence of their authenticity--A reason assigned for the little information contained in them respecting the first ages of mankind-- Incapacity of the human mind to form distinct conceptions of a state wholly removed from human experience Illustration of the supposed analogy between mythological dinary and extraordinary dispensations of Providence- The works of nature considered as a revelation of the divine power mythological fable and Scriptural historyThe events related in the latter clearly explained by their reference to the Messiah History of the promises made to our first parents after the fall- to Noah-to AbrahamThe covenant made with Abraham predictive of the Messiah-Gracious condescension of the Almighty, in attaching to every promise of that event predictions concerning events speedily to be accomplished, and which in their accomplishment, afforded a convincing proof of the divine veracity-Of the promised land -The manifestation of Moses Miracles necessary to the establishment of his authority..... 22 LETTER III. Of the harmony which appears between the or and wisdom State of religious belief at the time of MosesSensible evidences of revelation necessary to afford conviction to the Jews-Their entering into |