A Forgotten Christian Deist

This is a cultural and intellectual biography of a neglected but important figure, Thomas Morgan (1671/2–1743). Educated at Bridgewater Academy, he was active as Presbyterian preacher, medical practitioner, and one of the first who called himself a Christian Deist. Morgan was not only a harbinger of the disparagement of the Old Testament, but also a prolific pamphleteer about things religious, and a publisher of medical books. He received praise for his medical work, but a negative press for his theological visions, and he ended as a forgotten figure in history; this book restores an overlooked writer to his due place in history. It is the first modern biography of Morgan and its readership comprises historians of deism, the enlightenment, the eighteenth century, theology and the church, Presbyterianism, and medical history.

Excerpt from A Short and Easy Method With the Deists: Wherein the Certainty of the Christian Religion Is Demonstrated by Infallible Proof; In a Letter to a Friend, to Which Are Added, a Letter From the Author to a Deist, Upon His Conversion by Reading His Book; And the Truth of Christianity Demonstrated Now, Sir, that which you desire from me is some short topic of reason, if such can be found, whereby without running to authorities, and the intricate mazes of learning, which breed long disputes, and which these men of reason deny by wholesale, though they can give no reason for it, only suppose that authors have been trumped upon us, interpolated and corrupted, so that no stress can be laid upon them, though it cannot be shown wherein they are so cor rupted; which, in reason, ought to lie upon them to prove who allege it; otherwise it is not only a pre carious, but a guilty plea: and the more, that they refrain not to quote books on their side, for whose authority there are no better, or not so good grounds. However, you say, it makes your disputes endless, and they go away with noise and clamour, and a boast that there is nothing, at least nothing certain, to be said on the Christian side. Therefore you are desirous to find some one topic of reason, which should demonstrate the truth of the Christian religion, and, at the same time, distinguish it from the impostures of Mahomet, and the whole Pagan world: that our Deists may be brought to this test, and be obliged either to renounce their reason, and the common reason of mankind, or to submit to the clear proof, from reason, of the Christian religion; which must be such a proof as no imposture can pretend to, otherwise it cannot prove the Christian religion not to be an imposture. And, whether such a proof, one single proof, (to avoid confusion, ) is not to be found out, you desire to know from me. And you say, that you cannot imagine but there must be such a proof, because every truth is in itself clear, and one and, therefore, that one reason for it, if it be the true reason, must be sufficient; and if sufficient, it is better than many: but multiplicity confounds especially to weak judgments. Sir, you have imposed a hard task upon me: I wish I could perform it. For though every truth is one, yet our sight is so feeble that we cannot (always) come to it directly, but by many inferences, and laying of things together. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.

Excerpt from The Principles of Deism Truly Represented, and Set in a Clear Light: In Two Dialogues Between a Sceptick and a Deist; The First Concerning the Christian Revelation; The Second Concerning Natural Religion Deifi.' s to ravelling, I don't know what you mean; but, by the Strength of my own Reafon, I have made a lhift to clear up many Points to my (elf, which I could never be certain of before. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.

Excerpt from The Gospel Its Own Witness, or the Holy Nature, and Divine Harmony of the Christian Religion: Contrasted With the Immortality and Absurdity of Deism About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.

Excerpt from Deism or Christianity?: Four Discourses IN publishing these Discourses, which were composed without such an intention and in the ordinary course of ministerial service, the author thinks to discharge a debt to the religious denomination with which he is connected, and to the cause of which he is set for the defence. At the same time, since subjects of this kind are by their nature incapable of exact demonstration, and therefore always open to debate, he will not feel called upon to enter into any controversy with those who may choose to assail his positions. Here are his thoughts. Let them. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.

Excerpt from The Moral Philosopher: In a Dialogue Between Philalethes a Christian Deist, and Theophanes a Christian Jew Out firl't, and make the loudelt and bitterefi Complaints; but fuch Com plaints and Outcries will be' regarded by rational fohet Men only in Pro. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.