It is true, the reading of the sacred books is per mitted, and even recommended to the Protestants, who are also enjoined to examine their religion. But faith must always precede that reading, and follow that examination; so that before reading, a Protestant is bound to believe the Gospel to be divine; and the examination which he makes of it, is allowable only, while he finds there what the ministers of his sect have resolved that he shall find; beyond this, he is regarded as an ungodly man, and often punished for the weakness of his intellects.

We must then conclude, that the salvation of Christians depends neither on the reading nor understanding of the sacred books, but in the firm belief that these books are divine. If, unfortunately, the reading or examination of any person, does not coincide with the decisions, interpretations, and commentaries of the church, he is in danger of being ruined, and of incurring eternal damnation. To read the gospel, he must commence with being disposed blindly to believe all which that book contains; to examine the gospel, he must be previously resolved to find nothing there but the holy and the adorable; in fine, to understand the gospel, he must entertain a fixed persuasion, that our priests can never either be themselves deceived, or wish to deceive others, in the manner they explain it. "Believe, (say they), believe on our words, that this book is the work of God himself; if you dare to doubt it, you shall be damned. Are you unable to comprehend any of what God reveals to you there? Believe evermore :-God has revealed himself that he may not

the faith of Christians is founded only on one single article, amely, the infallible authority of the church."

1st = 1779

ECCE HOMO!

OR,

A CRITICAL ENQUIRY INTO THE HISTORY

OF

JESUS CHRIST;

BEING A

Rational Analysis of the Gospels.

Paul Henri

The Cross was the banner under which madmen assembled to glut the earth with blood.-Vide chap. xviii.

Let us not despair that Truth will one day force its way even to thrones.--Boulanger.

SECOND EDITION.

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