attempt it, their curiosity and patience would be exhausted before we arrived at the most important part of the inquiry, namely, the nature and tendency of the truths revealed in the Scriptures; and our discussion, I feared, might probably terminate in an increased disinclination, on their part, to examine its doctrines. The best plan, therefore, it appeared to me, was first to endeavour to convey to them a clear account of the nature of the truths revealed in the Bible,-their consistency with the attributes of the Deity,—and the state of mankind in every age and under every variety of circumstances; their tendency, when clearly comprehended and embraced, and the peculiar evidence of miracles and prophecy, by which they are supported, an evidence, which no other sort of truth possesses, and which it is in the power of no one but God to furnish. After having gone over those grounds, I should, I said, give them a summary view of all those topics which the external evidence embraces, with as much fulness as they might wish or deem necessary. This method would be attended with the additional advantage, that if they obtained a clear and correct idea of the doctrines which real and sound Christians believed and maintained, many of those objections which they would bring forward, were the

external evidence to be first investigated, would be set aside, and the prejudices which arise from ignorance be removed; and they would be prepared with more impartiality to decide upon the combination of the whole evidence, both external and internal.

I told them that I did not undertake to make them real Christians: this was far beyond my power, for they might give a firm and rational assent to the truth of the Scriptures, might view their doctrine as a whole, complete and perfect in all its relations,-might perceive the irresistible weight of their evidence, and the weakness of all objections, and might with ability explain and defend them, and yet not be real Christians. To make a man a real Christian, was in the power of God alone, by the operation of his Holy Spirit. But there was one thing which I might undertake to do, and that was, to display to them the varied and extraordinary mass of evidence in support of the divine origin of the Scriptures, and show that no other books, facts, systems, principles, or truths, of any description, possessed evidence so great and of so peculiar a nature; and that whoever rejected it, must do so from ignorance, misapprehension, or prejudice, in violation of every rule of sound and logical reasoning.

The Christianity, I said, which in the present discussion I undertake to defend, and to which alone all my observations apply, is that which is found in the Scriptures; and I requested that this might be attentively kept in mind. It was not that view of it which is to be gathered from the decrees of councils, the creeds and confessions of churches, or the writings of divines. The doctrines of the Bible became early corrupted by an admixture of human opinions, speculations, and false philosophy, and the lives of thousands who professed it were often inconsistent with its precepts. History presents us with decrees of councils on points which have not been revealed, and which consequently no human reason can comprehend or determine; with decrees of one council opposed to those of another; and, what is more to be deplored, with decrees establishing dogmas contradictory to, or in subversion of, some of the truths which the

Scriptures reveal. We acknowledge, that we cannot trace either the spirit or the precepts of the Bible, in the intrigues, dissensions, hatred, animosity, and controversy among individuals; nor in the struggles, wars, and persecutions among bodies of nominal Christians; nor in the pomp, luxury, ceremonies, and dogmas which were

gradually introduced, and almost universally prevailed. The details which Mosheim's history presents of the errors, follies, or vices of individuals; the extravagant and absurd notions and opinions which were broached and maintained; the divisions, dissensions, controversies, and persecutions which so frequently distracted the Christian world, afford such a sad and mournful proof of the imbecility of the human understanding, and of the depravity of the heart, as is apt to excite a prejudice, in the minds of many, against Christianity itself, as a system of belief inconsistent, in its effects, with the high pretensions of its origin. Even in the present age, when knowledge is more solid and extended, the external church still exhibits the picture of its followers divided into innumerable sects and parties, with creeds and confessions differing, though, for the most part, on points of minor importance, yet in a few instances on those which are essential. Absurd, strange, and singular opinions, are, from time to time, hazarded by individuals, and defended or controverted by others. Controversy still appears, though divested of its former bitterness and acrimony. The pride of sect and party, and their mutual jealousy, still pervades individuals, and

large bodies of Christians; and though there has been a grand step gained in the progress of improvement, there is still a great deficiency in that unanimity, love, and affection, which the Scriptures inculcate among its followers, and to which future and happier times will undoubtedly arrive.

Dark as the review of the progress of Christianity in the world may at first sight appear, the real Christian can, by patient observation and proper discrimination, see much that is cheering and consolatory. He knows, as a first principle of all reasoning, that man is an imperfect being— a creature subject to prejudice and to passion. He knows, that in every age there are thousands named Christians, who have neither understood the nature of Christianity, nor felt its power; and who, under the mask of religion, have pursued their own selfish and ambitious views. Many of this description have occupied the most eminent stations in the church, and been intrusted with the management of its concerns. It can be acknowledged also, that many who sincerely embraced the doctrines of the Bible, have mistaken, in innumerable instances, its spirit and tendency, and have been often actuated by their natural prejudices and tempers, while they imagined that they