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tion of human nature in goodness and felicity, will see abundant reason to conclude, that they are worthy of an infinitely excellent Being to reveal, that they carry with them a presumption of their divine original, and if they be accompanied with external evidence, are to be embraced as a revelation from Heaven.

CHAPTER II.

OF THE EVIDENCE FOR THE DIVINE AUTHORITY OF THE NEW TESTAMENT, ARISING FROM CONSIDERATIONS SUGGESTED BY ITS CONTENTS.

TH HE preceding chapter presents a system of religious principles, with which every one should be well acquainted, who means to study, with advantage, the evidences of christianity. They indeed themselves form a body of evidence, of which those who are in quest of truth from pure motives, will feel the force in no ordinary degree. For want of the knowledge of these principles, many valuable treatises have been read with little effect. But when the nature of christianity is understood, its excellence seen, and its importance felt, there is a field prepared by previous cultivation for the reception of the seed of evidence, which, there is reason to believe, will spring up, and bring forth fruit abundantly unto everlasting life. So long as the mind is ignorant of the principles of the gospel, reading on its evidences is like sowing on the highway, or on a rock.

Besides the evidences arising from the doctrines of the gospel, there are some considerations closely connected with them, and suggested by the contents, spirit, structure, and

design of the New Testament, which merit particular attention. If they do not of themselves amount to a full proof that it is divine, they at least render it plain, that it is the most extraordinary book which was ever written: they strengthen the presumption in its favor; and they lay a still stronger and surer foundation for external evidence to rest upon.

SECTION I.

The New Testament conveys more improvement to the Mind than any other Book.

MOST of the men who composed this book, spent their early days in manual employments. They lived about three years with Christ, as his disciples. After his death they became teachers of his religion; and they wrote the New Testament. The Grecian philosophers, and some Romans, spent all their days in the pursuits of literature; and in the acquisition of knowledge. They also wrote books. On a. comparison, judging merely from the character of the writers, which may be expected to excel! Can it be a question? Can any imagine these unlettered Jews capable of writing a book to be even named after the works of men of such exalted genius as the Grecian sages? But let both be examined with impartiality; and it

will be found, that with respect to real information and knowledge, the New Testment is as far above the best heathen writings, as the heavens are above the earth. It may indeed be justly asserted, that the New Testament, connected with the Old, here stands alone; and has neither equal, nor second. The knowledge it conveys concerning God, his perfections and government; concerning man, his nature, duty, and happiness; concerning the present world, and a future state of retribution; in short, concerning every object which it is important for us to be acquainted with, is unequalled.

The ideas are most excellent, most abundant, and expressed with clearness and simplicity. The imagination may be more entertained with the decorations of fancy in other books; the taste may be more gratified with elegant composition; but no where else is there such a mass of interesting truths, on every subject which concerns man as a citizen of this world, and as an immortal creature. In both these respects the New Testament contains the greatest measure of mental improvement; and tends to make men not only more pious and moral than all other books can, but likewise more rational and wise.

The argument will derive still more weight from the consideration, that the whole mass of truth in the gospel is not discerned at once.

From the day when it was written to the present time, every age has found out something new. During the two last centuries, how many important discoveries have been made of latent truths, which are now clear as the light of day. Nor is the mine exhausted. From the same field, wise and good men will by persevering research continue to present their precious and ample treasures, as the reward of pious industry.

If any thing more be thought necessary to produce a conviction of its superior excellence, let it be compared with other books. I need not say, 66 compare it with the Koran :" for the good ideas there are borrowed from the New Testament. Or shall I say, compare it? and you will perceive the man of Mecca often corrupting what he pilfers, defiling it with prejudices and passions, while it passes through his mind, and blending it with his own absurd reveries. I need not compare it with the books of christian writers; because they glory in having derived their sentiments from the code of their religion. You urge me to compare it with the writings of modern deists. But the comparison would be unfair. They borrowed their ideas of moral truths from the New Testament: they lighted their taper at the fire of this sun. If you can point out one good principle in them, which is not contained in it, there will then, and not till then, be room

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