whenever they spake according to the genuine sense of nature, used simply the name of God in the singular number, as though they were contented with one God.  And this was wisely remarked by Justin Martyr, who for this purpose wrote a book ‘On the Monarchy of God,’ in which he demonstrates, from numerous testimonies, that the unity of God is a principle universally impressed on the hearts of men.  Tertullian (De Idololatria) also proves the same point, from the common phraseology.  But since all men, without exception, have become vain in their understandings, all their natural perception of the Divine Unity has only served to render them inexcusable.”  In consonance with these views, the Presbyterian CONFESSION OF FAITH (ch. i.) affirms that “the light of nature, and the works of creation and providence, do so far manifest the goodness, wisdom, and power of God, as to leave men inexcusable.”]

[Footnote 2:  The word [Greek:  apolountai], in Rom. ii. 12, is opposed to the [Greek:  sotaeria] spoken of in Rom. i. 16, and therefore signifies eternal perdition, as that signifies eternal salvation.-Those theorists who reject revealed religion, and remand man back to the first principles of ethics and morality as the only religion that he needs, send him to a tribunal that damns him.  “Tell me,” says St. Paul, “ye that desire to be under the law, do ye not hear the law?  The law is not of faith, but the man that doeth them shall live by them.  Circumcision verily profiteth if thou keep the law; but if thou be a breaker of the law, thy circumcision is made uncircumcision.”  If man had been true to all the principles and precepts of natural religion, it would indeed be religion enough for him.  But he has not been thus true.  The entire list of vices and sins recited by St. Paul, in the first chapter of Romans, is as contrary to natural religion, as it is to revealed.  And it is precisely because the pagan world has not obeyed the principles of natural religion, and is under a curse and a bondage therefor, that it is in perishing need of the truths of revealed religion.  Little do those know what they are saying, when they propose to find a salvation for the pagan in the mere light of natural reason and conscience.  What pagan has ever realized the truths of natural conscience, in his inward character and his outward life?  What pagan is there in all the generations that will not be found guilty before the bar of natural religion?  What heathen will not need an atonement, for his failure to live up even to the light of nature?  Nay, what is the entire sacrificial cultus of heathenism, but a confession that the whole heathen world finds and feels itself to be guilty at the bar of natural reason and conscience?  The accusing voice within them wakes their forebodings and fearful looking-for of Divine judgment, and they endeavor to propitiate the offended Power by their offerings and sacrifices.]