and, in a word, that the whole time of his ministry was a continued succession of the most beneficent and astonishing miracles-miracles as surprising in their nature as their number, such as vastly exceeded the power of all created beings; and were therefore the strongest testimony from heaven, that this Saviour most certainly was what he professed himself to be.

Would you expect that this Saviour should verify his divine mission, to future times, by prophecies of succeeding events? Do not the evangelists afford you many instances of such predictions, which have been clearly and fully accomplished? In these historians you will find, how he foretold the treason of Judas, the shameful fall of Peter, with the flight of all his disciples, in that gloomy, dreadful night, when the Shepherd was smitten, and the sheep scattered."-In these you will find, how he foretold the time and manner of his own death, the term of his continuance in the grave, with his glorious resurrection and ascension. You will there also find him foretelling the mission, divine inspiration, miraculous powers, and glorious success of his apostles, and their fellow-labourers in the Gospel-ministry. These historians do likewise set before you his particular prediction of the destruction of Jerusalem, and the abolition of the Temple, with the prodigies which preceded, the tribulation which accompanied, and the dispersion of the Jewish nation which followed, that amazing desolation. And does not it surprise you to find, from Josephus, that the twentyfourth chapter of Matthew, and the twenty-first chapter of Luke, are more like a history than a

prophecy of that dreadful event? If you should yet further expect some predictions from him, that extend to the present times, and are now visibly accomplished before your eyes, has he not foretold, and do you not find it true, that "Jerusalem shall continue to be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the time of the Gentiles be fulfilled?"

Would you expect, that when this Messiah, according to the prophecies concerning him, was cut off, he should "declare himself the Son of God with power, by his resurrection from the dead ?” And has it not appeared true, that no precaution, by sealing his tomb and setting a guard over it, could prevent his triumph over the grave; and his appearing to great numbers of his disciples; and frequently and familiarly conversing with some of them, for forty days together; and, finally, ascending up to heaven before their eyes ?

Would you expect that his disciples, who were eye and ear witnesses of his life, death, resurrection, and ascension; and could not possibly be deceived in facts so open to all their senses, should, at their peril, preach this Saviour to the world; and continually undergo a life of painful travel and fatigue, poverty and reproach, opposition and persecution, to propagate his Gospel; and that they would finally sacrifice their lives in the cause, and seal their doctrine with their blood? This they have done, and it is impossible that more could be done to raise their truth and sincerity above all suspicion.

Would you expect that these disciples should be extraordinarily and peculiarly qualified for their great work; and sent forth to the nations with suf

ficient credentials, to confirm their testimony and make their doctrines credible? What greater furniture can you suppose needful in such a case, than for a number of unlearned men and women to be instantaneously endued with an intimate and familiar acquaintance with all sorts of languages; and (not, as pretended by some modern French prophets, have their organs of speech improved by the devil, in pronouncing languages which they did not understand; but) capable constantly and familiarly to converse with nation in their own proper every speech; and with the greatest propriety to write, and transmit to posterity, the history and religion of their Lord and Master, in a foreign language which they had never learned? Can you, Sir, possibly imagine a greater and brighter display of the immediate agency, and omnipotent power, of the glorious Author of our beings, than thus at once to enlarge the mind, and furnish it with such an amazing extent of knowledge, while "God himself has borne them witness, with signs and wonders; and with diverse miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?"

Suppose you should see some unlearned rustics, with whom you are acquainted, pretending to a new revelation; and confirming their pretences, by speaking familiarly all the languages of Europe, by healing the sick and decrepit with a word; raising the dead to life, and striking men dead by a word; revealing the secrets of other men's hearts; communicating these and such like powers to others by the imposition of their hands; and declaring to you, that it was not by their own power or holiness

that they performed these works: should you find the strictest holiness and conformity to the divine nature joined with these miraculous powers, would you not believe the truth of their pretensions? Would you not acknowledge that God was in them of a truth? Would you expect that those men, who were sent out to preach and propagate a new religion in the world, should themselves be inspiredwith a prophetic spirit, and capable to foretel future events? And is not this also visibly fact, in the case before us? Have they not distinctly foretold the state and fate of the church in all its periods, until the consummation of all things? Do not we ourselves see their predictions exactly and circumstantially verified, with respect to the rise, reign, and rage of Antichrist; and with respect to the Jews still continuing a distinct people; and remaining in their unbelief, until God shall again graft them into the olive tree, from whence they have been cut off?

Would you expect that the Messiah should prosper and succeed those disciples, whom he should send out to propagate the Gospel among the nations, by the conversion of multitudes to the faith? And do we not find in fact, that he has assisted a few mean and unlearned fishermen, without riches or power, art or eloquence, to triumph over all the prejudices in men's minds against the doctrines of the cross, over all the bitter opposition of the rulers of the world, all the rivetted prepossessions amongst both Jews and Gentiles to their ancient religion, and all the learning of Greece and Rome; and to bring so great a part of the world into a professed subjection to the cross of Christ?

Would you expect that the religion of such a Saviour should be every way worthy of God, agreeable to all his glorious perfections, and every way suitable for man, perfective of his nature, and adapted to his welfare, in every station, relation, and capacity that he sustains in this world, as well as to his eternal interest in the world to come? All this, I think, is what the Deists themselves are forced to allow.

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Would you expect some apparent influence of this religion upon the hearts and lives of those who sincerely profess it, and who commit their souls and eternal interests into the hands of this Saviour? And do not you yourself see this continually exemplified? Does not every body see, that they who cordially receive the Lord Jesus Christ for their Prince and Saviour, are distinguished from the rest of the world, by the exercise of love both to God and man? not the change wrought in the hearts and lives of such, visible to every observer, in the blessed fruits of holiness, righteousness, charity, and beneficence? This change they themselves profess to have experienced by their exercise of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. This experience they justify to the world, by the steady conduct of their lives. And thus the great Redeemer approves himself indeed the great Physician of souls, by recovering all from their spiritual maladies who apply to him, and depend upon him for a cure.

Would you expect a consistent and harmonious scheme of religion through all the parts of divine revelation? And is it not wonderful to observe, how the New Testament every way answers the design of the Old; and how all the numerous writers