-Vide Deuter. xxyiii. 15. 25. 33. 37. 41. 43, 44. 46. 52, 53. 58, 59, 60. 65.

But the most wonderful circumstance is, that notwithstanding they have been in this dispersed, despised, and afflicted situation, they have yet subsisted for more than 1700 years a distinct people. What a standing miracle is here! Well may we add, with the author of The Insufficiency of the Light of Nature, "Is there any thing equal to it in the history of all the nations under the sun?"-and they will; continue living monuments of the truth of the Scripture prophecies, till they have their full accomplishment.

In all the annals of history there is not a more remarkable passage than the prophecy of our Saviour concerning the miserable fall of Jerusalem, and the tragical catastrophe of his country, &c.; and he who carefully reads this most di-, stinguished prophecy of our Lord, and afterwards diligently compares it with the account which, the Jewish historian hath left us of the siege and destruction of Jerusalem, would be disposed to believe that Josephus was a Christian; and, as he was a spectator of these tragical events, that he published a faithful historical commentary on our Lord's prophecy, for the confirmation in all: ages of the truth of the Christien religion.

The plain records in the Old Testament of a variety of facts, without any disguise, respecting the failings of exalted individuals, are proofs of ́a faithful adherence to the truth in the writers of - them. The history of David is a memorable instance of this: as was also Moses himself, who relates the fatal consequences of his not giving glory to the Lord at Meribah. Abraham's deviation from truth, when he pretended to Abimelech that Sarah was his sister, is also related; which, with a multitude of other instances equally clear and connected, fully prove that there was no intention in the sacred historians to palliate or deceive.

र

The records which bear testimony to the occurrences concerning Jesus Christ in the New Testament, are written in a style so simple, and yet convincing, that many wise men have expressed their surprise that any could doubt or disbelieve them.

John Locke and Gilbert West have both ably written on this particular subjeet.

The latter remarks thus: "I cannot forbear taking notice of another mark of integrity which appears in all the compositions of the sacred >writers, particularly the Evangelists; and that is, the unaffected, nornamental, and unostentatious manner in which they deliver truths so

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important and sublime, and facts so magnificent and wonderful, as are capable, one would think, of lighting up a flame of oratory even in the dullest and coldest breast. They speak of an angel descending from heaven to foretel the miraculous conception of Jesus; of another proclaiming his birth, attended by a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God, and saying,

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good-will towards men;' of his star appearing in the east; of angels ministering to him in the wilderness; of his glory on the mount; of a voice twice heard from heaven,

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This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased;' of innumerable miracles performed by him, and his disciples in his name; of his knowing the thoughts of men; of his foretelling future events; of prodigies accompanying his crucifixion and death; of an angel descending and opening his sepulchre, and frightening away the soldiers who were set to guard it; of his rising from the dead, ascending into heaven, and pouring down according to promise the various and miraculous gifts of the Holy Spirit upon his apostles and disciples. All these amazing incidents do these inspired historians relate nakedly and plainly, without any of the colourings and heightenings of rhetoric, or so

much as a single note of admiration; without making any comment or remark upon them, or any conclusion in honour of their master or themselves, or to the advantage of the religion they preached in his name; but contenting. themselves with relating simple truths, whether it seems to make. for or against them: without magnifying on the one hand, or palliating on the other, they leave the cause to the unbiassed judgement of mankind, seeking, like genuine apostles of the Lord of truth, to convince rather than persuade; and therefore coming, as Paul speaks of his preaching, not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in the demonstration of spirit and power."" 1 Cor. ii. 4. To those who ask what need there was for a Saviour, what advantage have we by Jesus Christ? John Locke replies, "It is enough to justify the fitness of any thing to be done, by resolving it into the wisdom of God who has done it, whereof our narrow understandings and short views may utterly incapacitate us to judge; and we shall take too much upon us if we shall call God's wisdom or providence to account, and pertly condemn for needless all that our weak and, perhaps, biassed understandings cannot account for."

Still speaking of Jesus Christ, he adds:

"After his resurrection he sent his apostles amongst the nations, accompanied with miracles, which were done in all parts so frequently, and before so many witnesses of all sorts, in broad daylight, that, as I have often observed, the enemies of Christianity have never dared to deny them; no, not Julian himself, who neither wanted skill nor power to inquire into the truth, nor would have failed to have proclaimed and exposed it, if he could have detected any falsehood in the history of the Gospel, or found the least ground to question the matter of fact published by Christ and his apostles-the number and evidence of the miracles done by our Saviour and his followers by the power and force of truth, bore down this mighty and accomplished emperor and all his parts in his own dominions. He durst not deny so plain matter of fact; which being granted, the truth of our Saviour's doctrine and mission unavoidably follows, notwithstanding whatsoever artful suggestions his wit would invent, or malice offer to the contrary."

Though there have been many attempts, as has been before observed; to introduce scepticism and infidelity, yet they were not productive of so much evil as was at first apprehended; the doctrines of Scripture having been most ably