The works of the Rev. William Thom, late minister ... - waughfamily.ca

SERMONS. 3even many of the people who attend our churches^loft the ferious and religious air ? and do they not toomuch wear the looks of careiefTnsfs, mdiffercnce^ orlevity ?Thefe, and many other things that might he mentioned,are ftrong indications that a change has happenedto the worfe -, and I prefume, that even the profaneare convinced that religion has declined. Letus then proceed to what we chiefly intend,—to inquireinto the caufes of this affecting appearance. Ithink there is a propriety in the inquiry ; if there wereno profeffion of religion, there needed be, and therewould be, no public teachers of it.And as this is a topic which, for ought I knov/,has not been commonly treated, I truft to the candourof you, my reverend and much efteemed fathers andbrethren. If I Ihall appear to have, miftaken views,as it is exceedingly pofllble I may have j or if I fliall advanceany thing that is not juft, I am under your correction,and my miftakcs, whatever they are, iliall not,I am fure, be pertinaciouily defended or adhered to.I begin my fubjecSt ; and I might account for theprefent irreiigion—from the depravity of human nature—fromin_^deiity, or diftelief of religious principles—froma general fcepticifm, or indifference aboutreligion—or from God's having withdrawn his grace,to punifh the world for their profanity and wickednefs.But ftill thefe very things are appearancesthat need to be accounted for. From what caufeshas the world become more wicked of late than itwas before, fo as to provoke God to withdraw hi;jgrace ? whence is it, that infidelity, fcepticifm, and indifferenceabout religion, has grown fo faft in the prefentage ? and if it be true, whence is it, that humannature is more depraved in this, than it was in the lafl:generation? Thefe general allegations, v/hatever truth.there may be in them, feem not fuilicient to accountfor the prefent profanenefs and irreiigion of men*.AaI