countries stand in the annals of fame! But when we hear some of them denying that there is a God, and see others excluding him from the government of the world; and among the best of them, for one just sentiment of God, ten that are absurd :-if we find more decent company, it is but little more instructive. It is equally needless to stop with the votaries of Bramha and Buddha in the east: they discover a similar taste, and present us with similar descriptions of the object of their worship. Mahomet, it has been observed, is a peculiar favourite with the opposers of christianity. Let us attend to his representation of God

only be it remembered that he had the Old and New Testament to copy from: but he could not copy. His features of deity are harsh and forbidding. Some of the divine perfections are left out his God is imperfect. The men of Judea and Galilee alone could delineate the character of God. They have done it so well, that in the most polished countries at the present time, none can say, "You have forgotten an attribute: we can improve the description.” -Were they not taught of God?

SECTION II.

The Character of Jesus Christ.

WERE there nothing else to distinguish the New Testament from other books, this alone would establish its superiority. That it is a real character which is drawn, and not a fiction, is evident from the very representation. No human mind would ever have conceived such an one. We find nothing like it in any ancient writings: PLATO and ARISTOTLE had no such conceptions. Such a birth, such a life, such a death, lie beyond the bounds of human invention ; for human invention is limited and regulated by human passions and pursuits. There is a peculiar symmetry of features, a certain original and appropriate cast of countenance, which proves the portrait to be drawn from a real person; and not to be a fancy piece, which sprang out of the imagination of the painter. This is eminently the case in the life of Christ. The discerning reader will perceive it to be no romance, no effort of genius, to pourtray a remarkable character which never had existence; but a real personage who lived on earth, and did, and suffered, and spoke, and acted, what is related of him. If in any instance human sagacity can discriminate between real life and fiction, it is here; for a thousand

circumstances are adduced, which furnish the fullest opportunities of distinguishing the one from the other. The heated imagination of a writer may fancy that his hero acts naturally and according to character in the various situations in which he places him; and those likewise with whom he has intercourse. But one reader, more conversant with a peculiar walk in life, sees one thing to be unnatural, and another, another and thus the romance is discovered. But in the life of Christ no such unsuitableness appears : all is in its proper place. Were the men of Galilee such proficients in deception? No. The conclusion is obvious :— They write a true history.

The perfection of Christ's character is another consideration which stamps a peculiar excellence on the New Testament. A representation is given of one entirely free from every error and every sin,-of one who is perfectly wise and perfectly good. This character is not pourtrayed in a few brilliant passages at the end of the gospels: it rises out of the whole of the history of his life and death. Jesus is presented in many, and in different situations. He is introduced speaking on an infinite variety of subjects; he converses familiarly with his friends; he discourses to the multitude; he replies to the cavils of his enemies. He is displayed both in active employments and in sufferings: but not one word is contrary to the dictates of wis

dom; not one action contrary to the rules of rectitude. He is often thrown into the most trying circumstances; and sudden and ensnaring questions are frequently put to him: but his consummate prudence shines forth in his answers, and in his conduct; and none can accuse him of folly or of sin. In his most bitter sufferings, from the hands of his Father, and of the Jews, there is neither murmuring against God, nor hatred and revenge, nor reviling of man. But he does not rest in negative virtue he is all resignation to the will of God. His treatment of Judas, when betrayed, and about to be delivered up; his behavior before Pilate; his words to the daughters of Jerusalem, when they wept at his sufferings; and his prayer on the cross for his enemies, all manifest the highest and purest efforts of goodness. Not one evil passion shews itself in the slightest degree even in an unbecoming word. No ignorance, no error, no imprudence; all is truth, and all is wisdom. Enthusiasm and superstition have no place in this wondrous personage. There is from first to last a full display of perfect rectitude and perfect goodness.

In persons of remarkable activity, who are constantly engaged in one duty or another, and who are thereby thrown into situations of difficulty and temptation, how hard is it to keep free from blame! Something is hastily said;

something is unwisely done: a reproof is given without due consideration; a reply is too bitter. Into the few years of the ministry of Christ is compressed a greater portion of good works, and active services, than can be found in the protracted life of the man who dies at threescore years and ten; and who has served God from his youth. But no imperfection is to be found: "Which of you," said he, to his bitterest enemies, and he says it to you, "which of you convicteth me of sin ?" Examine the life of Jesus fully and maturely. It is written by four men and I venture to say with confidence, you will find nothing which can detract from the perfection of his character. No other book furnishes a like instance.-A few pages of panegyric may be written without a fault. A life of tranquil inactivity it may be possible to represent without many prominent blemishes; but a life of so much business as the New Testament exhibits in Jesus Christ, does not exist : and it encreases a thousand fold the difficulty of drawing a perfect character. Yet they suc ceeded. No men of ancient or modern times can furnish such an example. Take a view of the writers, their education, their manner of life, their social intercourse and relations; and you may justly exclaim with astonishment: "How were these men alone able to do what "all others, in ancient or modern times, who