Chap. VII.] IMMORAL INFLUENCE OF SKEPTICISM.

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earth ; its object is to dethrone God, its tendency is to destroyman.

There is a third vice, not less destructive to society than eitherof those which have been already mentioned, to which the sys-tem of modern infidelity is favorable ; that is, unbridled sensuali-ty ; the licentious and unrestrained indulgence of those passionswhich are essential to the continuation of the species. Themagnitude of those passions, and their supreme importance to theexistence, as w T ell as the peace and welfare of society, have ren-dered it one of the first objects of solicitude with every wiselegislator, to restrain them by such laws, and to confine theirindulgence within such limits, as shall best promote the greatends for which they were implanted.

Among innumerable benefits, which the world has derived fromthe Christian religion, a superior refinement in the sexual senti-ments, a more equal and respectful treatment of women, greaterdignity and permanence conferred on the institution of marriage,are not the least considerable ; in consequence of which, thepurest affections and the most sacred duties are grafted on thestock of the strongest instincts. If the recorded sentiments andfeelings of the leading champions of infidelity are examined, it willbe seen to be their aim to rob mankind of these benefits, andthrow them back into a state of gross and brutal sensuality. *

Under every possible aspect in which infidelity can be view-ed, it extends the dominion of sensuality ; it repeals and ab-rogates every law by which Divine revelation has, under suchawful sanctions, restrained the indulgence of the passions. Thedisbelief of a supreme, omniscient Being, which it inculcates,releases its disciples from an attention to the heart, from everycare but the preservation of outward decorum ; and the ex-clusion of the dearest affections and an unseen world leavesthe mind immersed in visible, sensible objects. The religiousaffections and sentiments are, in fact, and were intended to be,the proper corrective and antidote of sensuality, the great de-liverer from the thraldom of the appetites, by opening a spirit-

* Such examination has been made by the late President Dwight, in two Ser-mons on Infidelity.