to drink; derision, scorn and reproach were cast upon him; his garments were parted among his enemies; he saw no corruption in the grave; and, lastly, he ascended on high triumphing over all opposition*. And were indeed all these particulars predicted of the Saviour, many ages before, in the Old Testament? What a most convincing evidence, then, have we, not only that these predictions are true, but also, that those who recorded them, were "holy men of God, and spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost?" Would time permit, we might direct our attention to the prophecies of the New Testament. We must, however, content ourselves merely by reminding you of the accomplishment of those, which re late to the destruction of Jerusalem, the dispersion of the Jews, and the calling of the Gentiles to a participation of spiritual blessings. These are facts, so firmly established, and so exactly consonant to the New Testament predictions, that nothing but obstinate blindness can withstand the evidence they afford in favour of the Scrip

tures.

V. In addition to the decisive arguments. already advanced, consider the design of the Scriptures. If the Bible were an impo-.

* Psalm lxix 21, xxii, 7, 8, & 18, xvi. 10, and lxviii. 18.

sition, its tendency could not be good. A forgery-a lie-must have something bad in view. But, blessed be God! it is clear to demonstration, that the scope and design of our Scriptures are superlatively excellent. Who does not know that their sole object, is to produce effects the most desirable? -Who is not aware, that their grand design, is to humble the proud hearts of men before an holy God;-to recover the vicious from their wanderings; to raise the sensual and groveling mind, to the soul-ennobling realities of eternity;-tounite persons of discordant dispositions, in harmony, peace, and love ;-in short, to lead them to render the highest glory to God, connected with an enjoyment of the purest happiness? And can such a book as this, be an imposition-a forgery-a lie?

VI. Consider further the character of the sacred writers. Were they men of bad principle? Were they influenced by selfinterested motives? Was their moral conduct censurable? We challenge their greatest adversaries, to lay any of these things justly to their charge. We are bold to assert, that every part of their deportment will bear the strictest scrutiny. Such was their sincerity, that notwithstanding they wrote in different ages, in situations widely

distant, and under a great variety of circumstances; yet a beautiful harmony pervades the whole of their writings. All the predictions, histories, laws, doctrines, promises, and threatenings, not only accord with each other, but tend to their mutual establishment. Such was their disinterestedness, that with no other earthly prospects than those of loss, contempt, hardships of every kind, and death itself,-they indefatigably persevered in propagating religion. And such was the superior excellence of their moral conduct, that they evidenced the purest benevolence, the deepest humility, the utmost candour, the strictest temperance, the most unwearied patience, meekness, forbearance, and the like. And would men of this description, have consumed their days, in spreading and establishing this religion, if it had been a delusiona cheat a falsehood?

Lastly; let us endeavour to call to our recollection the wonderful effects which have been accomplished by the Scriptures. Notwithstanding the apparent weakness and unfitness of the means employed, they triumphed over the furious rage-the studied subtilty-and bigotted authority of the Jewish Sanhedrim. The haughtiness, policy, and power of the Roman Empire, fell before the preaching of the Cross. The pride of

literature-the obstinacy of superstition, prejudice and lust, were unable to resist the efficacy of the Gospel of Christ. The vilest inclinations were conquered :-deep-rooted customs and long-fixed laws lost their influence; and thousands and tens of thousands of those, whose hearts had once been the seat of every impurity and wretchedness, felt the transforming efficacy of faith and love; and were filled with joy unspeakable. And, even in the present day, how many vile and notorious transgressors have been reclaimed! How many hard hearts softened! How many disconsolate sinners comforted! How many have been led to the practice of sobriety, equity, and every relative duty! How many enabled to bear, with pious resignation, the most trying afflictions, and to meet death with triumphant joy, through the influence of the Bible? Can we, then, hear of these glorious effects, and know their reality, and yet hesitate whether the origin of this Book is divine ?-But I will say no more. Convinced I am, that if any are determined to stifle their convictions, and to reject the clear and demonstrative arguments, which exist in favour of the Oracles of God? there is great reason to fear, that they themselves are an awful exemplification of their veracity. "Because they received not the love of the truth, that

麝

they might be saved, God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a LIE." O my fellow-mortals! suffer me to expostulate with you. You are indeed guilty of the basest ingratitude to God, by rejecting this best of books. The revelation of his will, is one of the greatest favours he ever vouchsafed to the sons of men. And will you slight and can you deliberately DESPISE this favour?Let the feelings of your heart speak-Let the judgment of your sound reason say whether it deserves not a better reception. Be persuaded, then, to give it this reception. Thus you will adopt a measure, the result of which, may prove most blessed. But, on the contrary, a perseverance in your present system, will certainly conduct you to inevitable ruin. The threatened judgment must fall-your airy delusions must vanish ?-for, "God is not a man that he should lie."

But, probably I am addressing some, who, although they acknowledge the validity of the Scriptures, yet adopt a creed of their gren devising. Such persons cannot presume to oppose the irresistible evidence in favour of the Bible; but, with strange inconsistency, they venture to disavow all those parts which militate against their pre-conceived opinions. Is not this, my brethren, taking an unpardonable liberty with the Almighty?