and the Jews, concerning the true nature of the Messiah's Character. Viewing it in this light, discoveries have gradually been made by him, of which he had no conception, particularly with respect to St. Paul's Man of Sin, and the Antichrist of St. John. And he is firmly persuaded, that if the same plan is faithfully pursued; it will be followed by discoveries, still more important and satisfactory!

ASH, 7th August, 1802.

b

.

THE

TABLE OF CONTENTS.

Pages

FREE enquiry encouraged by Christianity 1, 2.

-

2, 3.

The opposition of Infidels favorable to Christi-
anity

Christianity, notwithstanding, on the decline 3, 4.

Artifices of the French Philosophers to destroy
it, well stated by Bishop Horsley

-

-

4, 5.

The charge of the decline of Christianity charged,

by Dr. Edwards, to the weakness of its Advo-

cates

5.

Mr. Gibbon charges Christ and his Apostles with

having predicted the end of the world, in their

7.

- ibid.

Grotius says, it was for wise purposes the pious de-

ception was permitted to take place

Christians called upon, by Dr. Edwards, to con-
cede the Objection to the Adversary

The Bishop of Landaff charged by Dr. Edwards

with not having been extremely solicitous to

relieve the Apostles from the accusation of

Error. The Bishop takes no notice of the

Objection, as it relates to Christ

7, to 9.

Passages of Scripture, on which Mr. Gibbon's

objection is founded, as it relates to Christ,

stated

---

P

ს 2

8.

Necessity

1

-

Necessity and advantages of re-examining the

subject

pages 9, 10.

Present imperfect, state of Scripture Criticism,

strongly stated, by Bishop Newton

11

The Study of the Gospels as Histories, and parti-

cularly as Histories of the Controversy concern-

ing the true nature of the Messiah's Character,

neglected

-

11, 12.

The coming of Christ the subject of Prophecy

from the earliest Ages

13.

Prophecy of Daniel concerning the coming of

the Messiah

13, 14.

Excellent remarks, by Mr. Richards, on Moses's
prediction concerning the coming of the Mes-
siah. Note -

14, 15.

The language of our Lord, that the Kingdom of

Heaven was at hand, founded on the Prophecy

of Daniel

15, 16.

16.

ibid.

The attention this language excited
This language scrupulously adhered to, through-
out the Ministry of Jesus

The expectation of the coming of the Messiah,

very general, when Jesus appeared-proved by

Dr. Sykes-Bishop Chandler-Dr. White, and

Mr. Richards and among Antient Writers, by

Josephus-Tacitus, and Suetonius. Acknow-

ledged, likewise, by the Atheistical Volney 17--20,

Nature of the expectations of the Jews concern-

ing the coming of the Messiah, different from

his real Character-proved by Dr. White and

Dr. Lardner

22 to 25.

The manner in which Jesus conducted himself to

give the Jews just ideas of the nature of his

Character

25 to 28.

Importance

Importance of considering the Gospels as Histories

of these facts

pages 25 to 28.

The Beatitudes intended to correct the prejudices

of the Jews concerning the nature of the Mes-

siah's Character-addressed to the Jews at

large

-

29.

30 to 34.

34 to 38.

View of the Beatitudes

The expressions the Salt of the Earth and the

Light of the World applied to the Jews, at large

-not excusively to the Disciples. Dr. Camp-

bell's judicious remarks on it

The importance of the situation of the Jews as a

Nation strikingly displayed by Dr. John Leland

and Dr. Ellis, in his knowledge of divine things

from Revelation-not from Reason and na-

ture

-

34, &c.

Christianity designed to purify the Morality of the

Jewish Nation

39, 40.

Excellence of the Gospel Morality stated by Mr.

Graves, in his vindication of Christ and his

Apostles from the charge of Enthusiasm

Beatitudes applicable to none, with so much pro-

priety, as to the Jews

-

-

40.

41.

The Disciples invested with a Commission to an-

nounce the approach of the Messiah's King-

43 to 53.

The language of Jesus, upon that occasion con-
sidered a proof of the genuine authenticity
of the History
Firmness and Integrity of Jesus in representing
the great difficulties the Disciples were to meet
with in the execution of their Commission ibid.

John the Baptist's Message and our Lord's Answer

considered

55 to 58.

Jesus's