accordingly devoted to the Mosaic account of the fall, the effects of which
are traced in man's corruption. A searching examination follows into the real
evil of sin, and its heinousness is found to consist in the intention:
hence, and from copious illustrations in Scripture, corrupt desires, even
though they do not break out into overt acts, are proved to be offensive and
deserving punishment in the sight of God. The erroneous notions of Moslems as
to venial offences are grounded upon false principles; and it is shewn
that all sins, though they may differ in enormity, are alike
transgressions of the law; nay, that what appears to us a venial sin may,
from the intention, be in God's sight one of the most aggravated
nature. The dreadful effects of sin are next treated of. The pains of hell
will be chiefly mental and spiritual, in opposition to the doctrine of the
Coran which depicts, with hideous detail, the various species of bodily
torments inflicted upon the damned. The Mohammedan account of the fall of
Satan is shewn to be without foundation; the origin of Evil is cautiously
touched upon ; and the reason of its. permission left with Almighty wisdom.
The whole of this argument is conducted with great ability.