INDEX

FAITH NO FANCY;

OR,

A TREATISE OF MENTAL IMAGES.

—

BEING obliged to write in defense of the truth I have delivered in the above Appendix, against the violent and virulent attacks made upon it in the pamphlet, entitled Mr. Robe’s fourth letter to Mr. Fisher; that my readers may have the subject matter of the following treatise more distinctly before them, it seems necessary that I handle it in different parts or chapters. That I may reduce to some method the remarks I offer upon that pamphlet,

I. I would consider in general, what I take to be the sum and substance of Mr. Robe’s gross divinity and philosophy, as he lays it, pages 30 and 34 of his letter.

II. I would speak of the glorious person of Christ our Immanuel, God-man, and the mysterious constitution thereof; shewing, how his humanity therein existing can be the object of faith only, and not of fancy, or any imaginary idea.

III. I would shew the error, ignorance, atheism and idolatry, imported in an imaginary idea of Christ as man; and hence,

IV. The absurdity of that principle. That an imaginary idea of Christ as man is helpful to the faith of his being God-man; and that no imaginary idea of any corporeal object can give any help, either to the divine or human faith of any truth or proposition relating to that object.

V. Offer particular remarks upon all the parts of Mr. Robe’s letter relating to this subject, and in so far as he impugns the doctrine delivered in the above Appendix, and charges it with heresy and blasphemy.

VI. Shew in what respect the human nature of Christ is the object of faith, so as it cannot be the object of any imaginary idea.

VII. Adduce the sentiments of eminent divines on the subject; though I have seen none directly treating it.

VIII. Offer some remarks upon certain virulent passages of Mr. Robe’s pamphlet relating to Deism, which he seems unable to purge himself from; and schism, which he charges the Associate Presbytery with, &c.