III. THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS IV. THE SECOND EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS V. THE EPISTLE TO THE GALATIANS VI. THE EPISTLE TO THE EPHESIANS VII. THE EPISTLE TO THE PHILIPPIANS VIII. THE EPISTLE TO THE COLOSSIANS IX. THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE THESSALONIANS X. THE SECOND EPISTLE TO THE THESSALONIANS PREFACE. THE HORA PAULINÆ, ever since its first appearance, has maintained a high and deserved reputation, not only as a decisive argument for the genuineness of St. Paul's epistles, and the fidelity of St. Luke's narrative, but as a pattern of sagacious and discriminating historical criticism. The strong proof deducible from undesigned coincidences between separate documents, to establish their authenticity, though it must have been felt by many, and may have been partially traced by others in this very case, had never before received so striking a development. No candid reader, after a perusal of the work, can escape the full conviction that the Acts of the Apostles, and the epistles of St. Paul, forming together nearly one half of the New Testament, could neither be the result of fraud on the part of contemporary authors, nor have an artificial origin in later times, but are certainly what they bear upon their face, a genuine history, and authentic letters of the great apostle of the Gentiles. The present edition of the work embraces several distinct, but kindred objects. First of all, it has been endeavoured to offer such partial corrections of the original treatise, as further study of the subject, aided by the light of more recent criticism, appeared to require. Secondly and principally, it seemed desirable to extend the argument still further, to glean many coincidences which Paley had overlooked, and to extend the inquiry to the Four Gospels. The HORA APOSTOLICE, which forms the second half of this volume, is the fruit of that design. Many particular coincidences are there brought to light, from the epistles of St. Paul, including that to the Hebrews, from the book of Acts, and last of all, from the comparison of the gospels with the incidental statements of the letters, and with each other. Their peculiar character here imposed a limit, since the full development of their harmony would involve many inquiries, not easily reconciled with the form of Paley's work, and the cumulative nature of the argument. These topics of evidences are reserved, if occasion should arise, for a distinct work; but the present volume embraces nearly all, in the editor's judgment, that admits of being presented in distinct articles, and in a popular form. Besides these objects, which refer to the conduct of the argument, it has been endeavoured, in agreement with the great purpose of the Society, under whose sanction the work now appears, to impress on the whole inquiry a practical tone. practical tone. An intellectual conviction, that the New Testament writings are genuine, is of little worth, unless their saving doctrines are impressed upon the heart. And though I have not thought it desirable, either in the notes or the added treatise, to digress frequently from the direct line of argument, I trust that the whole volume, with the reflections at its close, will commend itself not merely to the intelligence of every thoughtful reader but to the conscience and heart of the sincere Christian, and serve as a humble contribution to the spread of that knowledge of Christ revealed in his own word, which alone is able to make men wise unto salvation. 66 Two works of a kindred nature have been consulted, in the composition of this treatise-Professor Blunt's Undesigned Coincidences," which, although chiefly occupied with the Old Testament, include some remarks on the New, and Mr. Biley's "Supplement to the Hora Paulina." The former work, highly valuable in the Old Testament portion, has offered me but slight aid in the present subject, as many of the coincidences there suggested appear to me to be either unim |