the evidences of Christianity, although the testimony it affords is peculiarly forcible. The truth of the Christian religion has been generally defended at the expense of the complete inspiration of the book on which that truth is founded; and so fatally prevalent has been this error, that I know not of an individual among them who has exhibited a just and scriptural view of this important and fundamental doctrine. Yet if we ask the most experienced unsophisticated private Christians what are their views of the inspiration of the Bible, with hardly a solitary exception it will be found that they understand in its plain and obvious meaning the testimony of the Apostle, when he affirms that " ALL Scripture is given by inspiration of God.". Such notions as those which introduce distinctions in regard to the degree and extent of the agency of the Holy Spirit in the composition of the Word of God, are not from above, and cannot boast even of the semblance of a sanction from the language of the Bible. They originate in that vain philosophy which has been the parent of every pernicious and fatal error that has divided the Church of Christ, against the indulgence of which the Apostle, when standing on the confines of eternity, so earnestly and solemnly warned his fellow-labourer Timothy. The plenary and verbal inspiration of Scripture has been held by distinguished Christians in this and foreign countries, as may be seen in the Appendix, yet, by some strange oversight, this view of the subject appears to have been but incidentally mentioned by them, while in none of the different systems of divinity, either at home or abroad, so far as I know, has it been discussed or fully developed. The field has been left in the almost undisturbed possession of those who first introduced novel and unscriptural distinctions on the subject, who have been blindly followed by many excellent men, of whom better things might have been expected. The plenary inspiration of the Bible is a most important doctrine. The opposite error originates in some, in inattention, or in disaffection to the Word of God, and in others, in a desire to make the defence of the Scriptures, as they conceive, more easy. But the theory is unfounded and unnecessary, as well as dishonourable to the character of Revelation. In furnishing extracts from those writers who in early times opposed or adhered to the Christian religion, the selection has been made so as to bring into view the great truths of the Gospel, especially such of them as Arians, and Socinians, and others falsely called Christians, affirm to be the inventions of a more modern date. Throughout the whole of the work, the question of the truth of Christianity is never treated as one that is doubtful-on which the judgment should be suspended till the proof of it is exhibited. The principle of its absolute certainty is everywhere assumed. It is not intended to prove that to be true which was previously doubtful, but to exhibit those evidences in their order which stand connected with the truth of the Bible. No truth ever published is capable of such variety of proofs as the divine original of the Scriptures. Many different kinds of evidence unite their testimony in its favour, and in each of them there are innumerable links, strong in themselves when taken separately, but irrefragable when received as a whole. Above all, the character and glory of the Gospel afford the strongest evidence of the truth of Divine Revelation, and impart to the believer the highest consolation. They comprehend the very marrow and substance of the sacred record, and direct to its proper use. Το study the Scriptures merely as a subject of criticism, or with a view to wrest them in support of their own errors, has been the object of too many of those who have spent their lives in turning over their pages. But the study of the Scriptures is only valuable, as it leads to the understanding and unfolding of divine truth, and to living by faith on that truth. It has been my constant aim to direct the reader to the grace of God that bringeth salvation, and especially to arouse the attention of that numerous class in this country who are not ranked as infidels or avowed opposers of Christianity,who profess to believe the Bible to be true, yet, after all, are not Christians,—to awaken their consciences, to point out their awful responsibility, and to induce them to listen to the truth as it is in Jesus. The principal design of this book is to furnish Christians with materials to employ their minds on the subject, and especially to lead them into the right track in exploring the treasures of Divine Revelation. Books of evidence are seldom taken up by avowed unbelievers. They may occasionally be urged on their attention by Christian friends, and in this way be useful. But it is Christians themselves that I have chiefly the hope of assisting, by exhibiting the evidences connected with the doctrines of Christianity. While the following work does not lose sight of the importance of convincing the sceptic or unbeliever, its chief object is to bring the believer nearer to God, and to induce him to live with his heart more in Heaven. Every thing it contains is intended to lead to the Lamb of God, who taketh away the sin of the world. Jesus Christ is the centre and substance of all Revelation, and those who do not perceive the glory of the Divine character as it shone in him, are still ignorant of Christianity. CONTENTS OF VOL. I. PAGE Modern writers on Moral Science-Ancient Philosophers— Pagan superstition and immorality-Religious and moral systems of the Philosophers their ignorance and moral de- gradation-Inadequacy of Natural Religion-The revelation CHAP. II. No religious toleration among Pagans-Their persecutions of Christians—Gibbon's inconsistency, and Hume's self-con |