which their greatest worldly interests depend, on far less evidence than this book can produce in its support. Indeed, if the evidence be maturely weighed, it will be found to be ample, and of various kinds which strengthen and support each other, suited to the nature of the subject, and sufficient to give the fullest satisfaction to every candid and serious enquirer.

CHAPTER I.

OF THE EVIDENCE FOR THE DIVINE AUTHORITY OF THE NEW TESTAMENT, ARISING FROM THE PRINCIPLES WHICH IT CONTAINS.

To speak of the evidences of christianity, to those who are ignorant of the nature of christianity, is almost hopeless labor; for they can but very imperfectly discern their force. Let us suppose a man to have been born in one of the houses of Herculaneum, and to have dwelt in his subterraneous mansion to the years of maturity. You wish to convince him, that there is a God; and you put into his hand, "RAY'S Wisdom of God in the Creation." I will not say that the book is in such a situation entirely destitute of weight; but I will propose another plan. First, bring him forth; and place him near the summit of Vesuvius, when all is still : let him behold the sun shining in majesty ; and take a view of the surrounding country, and of the neighbouring ocean. Detain him till the day closes, and the stars bespangle the firmament; and till the moon afterwards arises in her brightness, and makes them disappear. With the morning light carry him down to the vineyards, and let him walk through the fields of corn, and feast his eyes with the varied scenes of nature. Put the book into his hands now.

Will not the arguments appear with more than tenfold force? Proceed in like manner respecting christianity; for many weighty arguments in its favor rise out of the New Testament, as those for the being of a God rise out of the works of creation.

To the New Testament, every one who would know what the christian religion is, and who would enquire after truth with any hope of success, is earnestly intreated to resort. The particulars here detailed will enable you to form some idea of the leading principles of the gospel; and, at the same time, will be sufficient to convince you, that the New Testament is no common book. This some, especially of late, have endeavored to represent it; and too many, without reading, have been induced to believe it to be a weak, ridiculous compilation. But peruse the following sections; and I have no doubt, but every impartial mind will be obliged to confess, that the New Testament is the most extraordinary performance which the world has ever seen.

SECTION I.

The Character of God as delineated in the New Testament.

CONSISTENCY is a quality which it is not easy for a writer to support, in the persons introduced into his book. The higher the character,

the more difficult is which belongs to it. the difficulty rises to its highest pitch. Man may speak of man, as to the general principles of his nature, in a tolerably accurate way; but for man to speak of God, and to represent him in his nature and government, in such a manner that nothing shall fall beneath the dignity of a being infinitely perfect, is an arduous task indeed. But the writers of the New Testament undertake it. Their volume may be called the book of God. He is introduced at the very beginning; and he continues to the end. He appears in every page, nay almost in every sentence. There is a description of his various attributes; and we see him always clothed with power, wisdom, sanctity, rectitude, and goodness. He is held up to view as the creator and governor of the universe; and as the saviour of sinful men. He speaks; he acts: we are told what he has said; and what he has done. His extraordinary interposition for the redemption of the human race, is delineated at full length; and we are instructed what he will do, till the end of the world, and through all eternity.

it to keep up the dignity When God is introduced,

I sit down and enquire how the men of Galilee succeed in their hazardous attempt. To my astonishment I find nothing which it is beneath God to say or do. Some things are above my comprehension; and I do not wonder, for he is God and not man. But there is nothing level

to my capacity, concerning which I can say, "It is unbecoming God to have spoken or acted thus." On the contrary, every thing appears worthy of God. His plans, so far as I can understand them, are infinitely excellent. He is ever pursuing the general welfare in the highest degree; he is bringing good out of evil; and actually advancing the happiness of all who love and serve him. Did it not lead me into too large a field, I would extend the description to the Old Testament, the first volume of this book.

I am at no loss to account for this, because I believe the writers of the New Testament were inspired. But how will you, who reject christianity, account for it? Whence did these illiterate men acquire so just and exalted ideas of the Supreme Being?

But the argument is not presented in all its extent of evidence, till we compare the New Testament with the writings of other men. The compositions of the poets of Greece and Rome have been celebrated throughout the world. You admire them. Let us take a view of the deities which these men, the theologians of the ancient pagans, have described.—But their lusts, their quarrels, their revenge, their tem per, and their conduct, are so disgusting, that the mind cannot bear to institute a comparison. How high do the Philosophers of the same