Museum of Antiquity Part 59

Add to this the testimony of the British Critic. "Not one syllable penned by eight obscure authors of the Scriptures of the New Testament, received by the Church as canonical at the death of John, has been lost in the course of eighteen centuries. Yet of the historical works of Tacitus half at least are wanting; out of the one hundred and forty-four books of Livy only thirty-five exist; the collections of Atticus have entirely perished; the orations of Hortensius are known only through the allusions of his rival; and the literary fame of the great dictator survives but in two narratives, one of which has sometimes been doubted. 'Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this world?' May it not be the power of G.o.d which, amidst this wreck of eloquence and learning, has preserved unmutilated, even to these later days, the simple and unstudied compositions of the illiterate Galileans--the impa.s.sioned but rugged addresses of the tent-maker of Cilicia?" Dr. Adam Clarke, no mean judge, p.r.o.nounced by the late Rev. Robert Hall to have been "an ocean of learning," said, "I have diligently examined the question, and I can conscientiously say that we have the Sacred Oracles, at least in essential sum and substance, as they were delivered by G.o.d to Moses and the prophets; and to the Church of Christ by Jesus, His evangelists and apostles; and that nothing in the various readings of the Hebrew and Greek ma.n.u.scripts can be found to strengthen any error in doctrine or obliquity in moral practice. All is safe and sound--all is pure and holy." And the judicious Selden, whom Grotius calls "the glory of the English nation," in his "Table Talk," speaking of the Bible, says, "The English translation of the Bible is the best translation in the world, and renders the sense of the original best; taking in for the English translation the Bishop's Bible as well as King James'. The translators in King James' time took an excellent way. That part of the Bible was given to him who was most excellent in such a tongue, and then they met together, and one read the translation, the others holding in their hands some Bible, either of the learned tongues, or French, Spanish, or Italian, etc. If they found any fault they spoke, if not he read on."[24]

_From its important discoveries._ It makes discoveries to man on the most momentous subjects, which natural reason never could have made.

One of the ancients said, "The Bible is the history of G.o.d." It reveals all that is needful to be known of the existence, nature, perfections, relations, mind and will of G.o.d. It discloses the whole history of man--opening with his creation, continuing with his present state, and closing with his eternal destiny. It lays open the amazing love of G.o.d to man, the plan of redemption, the means of salvation and the cleansing nature of the blood of Christ. It furnishes answers to the most interesting and perplexing questions ever suggested to man by himself, or propounded to him by his fellow-beings; and thus supplies him with that information which no other volume can impart. It points a second life, unveils eternity, and speaks of the resurrection of the body--the immortality of the soul--a judgment to come--a heaven, the gift of redeeming love--and a h.e.l.l, the dire desert of sin. In one word, it is G.o.d's heart opened to man--a map of heaven--an infallible rule of life--an immovable ground of hope--an everlasting spring of consolation--and the only sure guide to eternal life and happiness. A fine old writer beautifully remarks, "What is there not in the holy Scriptures? Are we poor? There is a treasury of riches. Are we sick?

There is a shop of soul-medicines. Are we fainting? There is a cabinet of cordials. Are we Christless? There is the star that leads to Christ. Are we Christians? There are the bands that keep in Christ.

Are we afflicted? There is our solace. Are we persecuted? There is our protection. Are we deserted? There is our recovery. Are we tempted?

There are our sword and victory. Are we young? There is our beauty.

Are we old? There is our wisdom. While we live, here is the rule of our conversation; when we die, here is the hope of our glorification.

So that I may say with Tertullian, 'I adore the fullness of the Scripture.' Oh blessed Scriptures! Who can know them and not love them? Who can love them and not delight to meditate in them night and day? Who can meditate in them and not desire to love them, love to desire them, and both desire and love to understand them? This is the Book of books, as David said of Goliah's sword, 'There's none like that.'" The Bible is, indeed, what that great philosopher, the Honorable Robert Boyle, called it, "that matchless book." We have often thought that the sublime descriptions which it gives of G.o.d, the humbling and exalting doctrines which it reveals, and the high-toned morality which it inculcates, are of themselves proofs decisive of its divine authority. For, certainly, there is nothing like them in the most admired productions of the most celebrated authors, either in ancient or modern times.

_From its peculiar style._ How remarkably simple and plain! No histories were ever so plainly related as those of the Bible: no precepts were ever so clear, or promises less ambiguous. How wonderfully grand and sublime! Whenever the matter requires it, the style is

"Like the ladder in the Patriarch's dream, Its foot on earth, its height beyond the skies."

Witness many of the Psalms; the book of Job; the prophets, especially, Isaiah xl. and xliii.; and the Apocalypse. And how astonishingly concise and expressive! The sacred writers never burden their subject with a load of words. They express themselves in words few, and well-chosen--"in comely dress, without the paint of art." Witness the Proverbs; 1 Cor. xiii., etc. "Let there be light," is noticed by the great critic Longinus, as a truly lofty expression. And the style of Scripture has awakened the attention even of infidels. Rousseau was struck with the majesty of the Scriptures. His eloquent eulogium on the Gospel and its author is well known. Dr. Tillotson observes "The descriptions which Virgil makes of the Elysian Fields and the Infernal Regions fall infinitely short of the majesty of the holy Scriptures when describing heaven and h.e.l.l, so that in comparison they are childish and trifling;" and yet, perhaps, he had the most regular and best governed imagination of any man, and observed the greatest decorum in his descriptions. "There are I know," said the elegant Joseph Addison, "men of heavy temper and without genius, who can read the words of Scripture with as much indifference as they do other papers; however, I will not despair to bring men of wit into a love and admiration of the sacred writings, and, old as I am, I promise myself to see the day when it shall be as much the fashion among men of politeness, to admire a rapture of St. Paul's, as a fine expression of Virgil or Homer; and to see a well-dressed young man produce an evangelist out of his pocket, and be no more out of countenance than if it were a cla.s.sic printed by Elzevir."

_From its internal harmony._ Though written at different periods, by persons residing in different parts of the earth, and by persons whose natural abilities, education, habits, employments, etc., were exceedingly varied, yet where is there any real contradiction? The sacred writers exactly coincide in the exhibition they give us of G.o.d; of man; of sin and salvation; of this world and the next; and, in short, of all things connected with our duty, safety, interest, and comfort. They all were evidently of the same judgment, aimed to establish the same principles, and applied them to the same practical purposes. They could not write by concert--comparing notes, etc., for they lived in different times and places; and yet the exact coincidence that is perceived among them, by the diligent student, is most astonishing, and can not be accounted for on any rational principles without admitting that they "wrote as they were moved by the Holy Ghost."

"Whence, but from heaven, should men, unskilled in arts, In different nations born, and different parts, Weave such agreeing truths; or how or why Should all conspire to cheat us with a lie?

Unasked their pains; ungrateful their advice; Starving their gains, and martyrdom their prize."

_From its striking impartiality._ The amanuenses or penmen of the Holy Ghost for the Scriptures were not contemptible or ordinary, but incomparable and extraordinary persons. As Moses, "the meekest man on earth," the peculiar favorite of G.o.d, with whom G.o.d "talked face to face;" the None-such of all the prophets in Israel. Samuel, the mighty man in prayer. David the King, "that man after G.o.d's own heart." King Solomon, that "wisest of all the Kings," whom G.o.d honored with the building of the Temple. Daniel, in whom was found "an excellent spirit," and great dexterity in "expounding secrets and mysteries." John, "the disciple whom Jesus loved" above all the rest, who "leaned on Jesus' breast." Paul, "who was caught up into the third heavens," "whose writings," saith Chrysostom, "like a wall of adamant, compa.s.s about, or surround all the churches." In a word, "all of them holy men of G.o.d, moved by the Holy Ghost." The moral character of the sacred penmen is above suspicion: their greatest enemies have never attempted to throw the least stain upon their characters. Many of them were actually present at the scenes which they describe; eye-witnesses of the facts, and ear-witnesses of the discourses which they describe.

They could not, therefore, be deceived themselves: nor could they have the least inducement to deceive others. They honestly record their own mistakes and faults, as well as the other particulars of the story.

Every candid person must admit that the Scriptures are remarkable for faithfulness of narrative, and that, contrary to the practice of other histories, they do not conceal the faults of the persons they describe. The faults of Abraham and Jacob are detailed, as well as their virtues; and the incredulity of Thomas, and the defection of Peter, are not concealed, but faithfully recorded. The apostles, especially, seem everywhere to forget that they are writing of themselves, and appear not at all solicitous about their own reputation, but only that they might represent facts just as they were, whatever might be the consequences. Hence they readily confess, not only the meanness of their original employments, and the scandals of their former life, but their prejudices, follies, faults, unbelief, cowardice, ambition, rash zeal, foolish contentions, etc. How faithful is the pen of inspiration--here truth with impartial hand dips her pencil, now in brighter, now in darker colors, and thus draws her characters to the very life. Dr. Beattie justly says, "The style of the Gospel bears intrinsic evidence of its truth. We find there no appearance of artifice or party spirit; no attempt to exaggerate on the one hand, or depreciate on the other; no remarks thrown in to antic.i.p.ate objections, nothing of that caution which never fails to distinguish the testimony of those who are conscious of imposture; no endeavor to reconcile the reader's mind to what may be extraordinary in the narrative; all is fair, candid, and simple." And we number this among the proofs of the Divine authority of the Bible.

_From its stupendous miracles._ Miracle, from miraculum, a wonder, a prodigy. "A miracle," says Horne, "is a sensible suspension or controlment of, or deviation from, the known laws of nature." It is a signal act of Divine Omnipotence, that which no other being but G.o.d can do. Miracles flow from Divine power, and are the proper evidence of a Divine mission. The _reality_ of the miracles recorded in Scripture, wrought by Christ, and by prophets and apostles, may be proved by the _number_ and _variety_--their being performed _publicly_, and not in a corner--before _enemies_ as well as before friends--_instantaneously_, and not by degrees--and _independent_ of all second causes--were such as _all men could examine_ and judge of--and all served _an important end_, worthy of a Divine author: viz., to establish Divine truth. How superior the miracles wrought by Moses and Aaron to those wrought by the wise men and the sorcerers and the magicians of Egypt! Witness the transformation of the rod, Exodus vii. 10-12--the production of the annoying vermin lice--Exodus viii.

16-19--the plague of darkness, Exodus x. 22-24--the dividing of the Red Sea, Exodus xiv. 21-31. These bear all the characters of true miracles. And how far above the pretended supernatural doings of Mohammed, and the alleged Pagan and Romish miracles, were the wonderful deeds of Christ and His apostles! For example, our Saviour stilled the tempest, calmed the ruffled ocean, walked upon the sea, fed the famished mult.i.tude, opened the eyes of the blind, unstopped the ears of the deaf, healed the sick, cleansed the lepers, cast out devils, raised the dead, and restored Himself to life; and His apostles healed the lame, cast out a spirit of divination, gave the Holy Ghost, restored the dead to life, etc. Every ingenuous mind must see in these all the characters of real miracles. Ponder Matt. xi.

2-6; and John xiv. 11. Nicodemus, a Pharisee and ruler among the Jews, was so struck with the extraordinary character of our Lord's miracles that he came to Him, saying, "Rabbi," excellent master, "we know that Thou art a teacher come from G.o.d: for no man can do these miracles that Thou doest, except G.o.d be with Him." And miracles we think, with Nicodemus, show that a prophet or religious teacher comes from G.o.d, because G.o.d would not work a miracle in attestation of a falsehood, or to encourage a false teacher. When, therefore, a miracle is wrought in confirmation of anything, or as evidence of anything, we know that the thing is true, because G.o.d has given to it His testimony. Every real miracle is a work of G.o.d, done by His permission, and with His concurrence; it is therefore, emphatically, the testimony of G.o.d. And that greatest of miracles, the resurrection of our Lord Himself from the dead, crowns the whole, and clearly attests the Divinity of the Bible, and the truth of the Christian religion.

_From its wonderful prophecies._ Prophecy is a declaration of something to come; a prediction of future events. It is the foretelling of such future things as were beyond the reach of human sagacity, and which, therefore, none but G.o.d could reveal. What mere man can foretell the events of to-morrow? Who can say what shall transpire in ages to come? This is the sole prerogative of G.o.d, who alone knows the end from the beginning. Now the Bible abounds with predictions which were uttered long before their actual fulfillment, and which no human sagacity or foresight could possibly conjecture or foretell. Take the first gospel promise given--the seed of the woman to bruise the serpent's head; and remember that this promise was delivered at least four thousand years before its fulfillment. The celebrated prediction of Jacob (Gen. xlix. 10) was uttered between sixteen and seventeen hundred years before it took place. Moses declared the siege of Jerusalem by the Romans, etc. (Deut. xxviii. 49, etc.), fifteen centuries previously. In the first book of Kings (chap.

xiii. 2, 3) there is a prophecy concerning Josiah by name, three hundred and thirty-one years; and in Isaiah (xlv. 1) concerning Cyrus, one hundred years, before either of them were born. According to the predictions of the prophets Nineveh has been desolated (Nahum i. 1, 2, 3); Babylon swept with the bosom of destruction (Isaiah xiii. 14); Tyre become a place for the spreading of nets (Ezekiel xxvi. 4, 5); Egypt the basest of the kingdoms, etc. (Ezekiel xxix. 14, 15). Daniel distinctly predicted the overthrow, in succession, of the four great empires of antiquity--the Babylonian, the Persian, the Grecian and the Roman, all of which has taken place. Not only are the leading features of the character of Christ delineated with the faithfulness of history hundreds of years before He appeared, but there is scarcely an incident in His life which prophecy has overlooked. And according to the predictions of the New Testament we see Jerusalem in ruins; the Temple not rebuilt; the Jews scattered, but not destroyed; the conversion of the nations to Christianity; the many anti-christian corruptions of the Gospel; the idolatry, tyranny and persecution of the Roman hierarchy, etc. What prescience does all this imply--prescience no where to be found but in G.o.d! "Let now the infidel or the skeptical reader meditate thoroughly and soberly on these predictions. The priority of the records to the events admits of no question. The completion is obvious to every competent enquirer.

Here, then, are facts. We are called upon to account for those facts on rational and adequate principles. Is human foresight equal to the task? Enthusiasm? Conjecture? Chance? Political contrivance? If none of these, neither any other principle that may be devised by man's sagacity, can account for the facts; then true philosophy, as well as true religion, will ascribe them to the inspiration of the Almighty.

Every effect must have a cause." Prophecy is a species of perpetual miracle. And the prophecies of Scripture do not come short of the fullest demonstration which the case will admit of, that the books that contain them are the unerring word of G.o.d.

_From its holy tendency._ It came immediately from G.o.d, and leads immediately to Him. It bears on it the stamp and impression of Deity; and is, emphatically and really, "the power of G.o.d unto salvation to every one that believeth." It contains the most excellent precepts--the most weighty exhortations--and the most precious promises. The Bible teaches us the best way of living; the n.o.blest way of suffering; and the most comfortable way of dying. The word of G.o.d, accompanied by His Spirit, conveys strength to the weak, wisdom to the simple, comfort to the sorrowful, light to those who are in darkness, and life to the dead. It introduces the infinite G.o.d as speaking in a manner worthy of Himself; with simplicity, majesty and authority.

_It places before us the most important doctrines._ For example, the doctrine of the Trinity of persons or substances in the Unity of the G.o.dhead--the proper, supreme, and eternal divinity of Christ--the personality, divinity, and offices of the Holy Spirit--the great works of creation and providence--the fall of man from the mortal image of G.o.d--the necessity, nature, and extent of redemption--repentance toward G.o.d, and faith toward the Lord Jesus Christ--justification through the blood of the cross--the witness of the Spirit in the soul of believers--regeneration by the Spirit of G.o.d--holiness in heart and life--the resurrection of the dead--the general judgment--and the eternity of future rewards and punishments.

_It inculcates the highest morality._ The love of G.o.d, and the love of our neighbor--the doing to others as we would they should do to us--the forgiving of our enemies--the living "soberly"--in the use of food, apparel, and all things relating to ourselves, "righteously"--in the performance of all duties towards our neighbors, and "G.o.dly"--worshiping G.o.d in a right manner--the checking of all impurity of thought and desire--the rendering of honor to whom honor, and tribute to whom tribute, is due--the cultivation of humility, meekness, gentleness, placability, disinterestedness, truth, justice, beneficence, charity, and other virtues--and the avoidance of pride, discontent, despair, revenge, cruelty, oppression, contention, adultery, suicide, and other vices and crimes which injure mankind.

_It preserves from all error._ It is an infallible rule of judgment and of practice, and clearly teaches what we ought to believe and what we ought to do--it enlightens the mind, informs the judgment, instructs the heart, and saves from those "faults in the life," which "breed errors in the brain." All error--false judgment of things, or a.s.sent unto falsehood--springs from ignorance of the Scriptures, Mark xii. 24; John vii. 17; 2 Tim. iii. 13-17.

_It promotes holiness and peace here, as well as leads to happiness and heaven hereafter._ "Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way?" Psalm cxix. 9, 103-105. "The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul," Psalm xix. 7-11. What an eulogy is this on the perfection of the sacred writings! the perfection of their utility--their certainty--their purity--their value--their comforts--their peace--and their sweetness. And this eulogy was p.r.o.nounced by a prophet, a poet, and a king--no common a.s.semblage.

_It secures to the lover of it, in a rich degree, the Divine favor._ "Thus saith the Lord, the heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool; but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word." "Such a heart," says Matthew Henry, "is a living temple of G.o.d; He dwells there, and it is the place of His rest; it is like heaven and earth, His throne and His footstool."

_And it furnishes the most powerful motives to the practice of its precepts._ For its rewards are such as "eye hath not seen, nor ear heard;" and its threats are eminently calculated to terrify offenders.

The Bible everywhere abounds with an intenseness of zeal for the Divine glory, and with a depth of self-renunciation on the part of the writers. And what a contrast does it, in this respect, exhibit to all other productions of authorship! In Scripture, G.o.d is all in all: in other writings, man is always a prominent, and generally the sole claimant of praise and admiration. And no man can attentively peruse the sacred volume without being awe-struck. For O how solemn and inspiring! and how admirably calculated to restrain from sin, and to sublimate the views and feelings! We say, therefore, that no man can diligently read the Scriptures without becoming a wiser and better man. The celebrated John Locke, whose pure philosophy taught him to adore its source, said, with his dying lips, when tendering his advice to a young n.o.bleman, "Study the Holy Scriptures, especially the New Testament; for therein are contained the words of eternal life: it hath G.o.d for its author--salvation for its end--and truth, without any mixture of error, for its matter."

"It sweetly cheers our drooping hearts, In this dark vale of tears."

It does more--

"It sheds a l.u.s.tre all abroad, And points the path to bliss and heaven."

[Ill.u.s.tration: SHISHAK AND HIS CAPTIVES ON SCULPTURED WALL AT KARNAC.]

"Tis for our light and guidance given." And O what a source of light, and strength and peace! How it clears the understanding, and fills the soul with sweet delight! How it quickens our inactive powers, and sets all our wandering footsteps right! And how its promises rejoice our hearts, and its precepts direct our lives!

"A glory gilds the sacred page, Majestic like the sun; It gives a light to every age, It gives, but borrows none."

Ah! there are no words comparable to the Scriptures. None containing doctrines so useful--commands so reasonable--arguments so powerful.

The lines of Scripture are richer than the mines of gold. How evidently suited to a sinful, sinning race! and how delightfully framed for the perfection of human happiness! What proofs of a Divine original! Show, if you can, in all this world, any one book of all that ever was produced in any age or nation, like the Bible. Ay, the Bible came from G.o.d; and it bears a moral resemblance to Him from whom it came. G.o.d is holy, just, and good; and the Bible is also holy in its nature, just in its requirements, and good in its provisions and tendency.

[Ill.u.s.tration: PORTRAIT OF REHOBOAM.]

_From its beneficial effects._ It has wrought wonders in all ages, in all places, on all persons, and in all possible varieties of human life.

Christianity--the religion of the Bible--has taught the great lessons of devotion, self-government, and benevolence. It has diffused and preserved literature--abated illiberal prejudices--produced humility, forgiveness of injuries, regard to truth, justice, and honesty, firmness under persecution, patience under worldly afflictions, and calmness and resignation at the approach of death--discouraged fornication, polygamy, adultery, divorces, suicide, and duels--checked infanticide, cruel sports, the violence of war, the vices of Kings and the a.s.saults of princes--and rendered its sincere professors true, honest, just, pure, lovely, and of good report. It has improved the condition of females--reclaimed dissolute men--abolished human sacrifices--prevented a.s.sa.s.sinations of princes, and revolutions in states--encouraged hospitality to strangers--founded charitable inst.i.tutions--emanc.i.p.ated slaves--abated the rigors of servitude--redeemed captives--relieved prisoners--protected widows and orphans--softened into tenderness and tears the hearts of despots--and given stability to thrones, wisdom to human laws, and protection to the people. Has it not done more for the honor of the prince and the weal of the subject than any other system?

_It has been a blessing to every country into which it has been introduced._ It has been a blessing to Britain. It has enwrapped in graceful robes the once naked inhabitants of this great country: it has built cities, cultivated forests, reared our temples, regulated our inst.i.tutions, and rendered the country both powerful and happy.

America has found in it her freedom and her peace. The wrongs of Africa have been mitigated and removed by its justice and generosity.

Asia, and the isles of the sea, are waiting for its light and healing.

In every Pagan country where it has prevailed, it has abolished idolatry, with its sanguinary and polluted rites; raised the standard of morality, and thus improved the manners of the people; and diffused far and wide the choicest blessings of heaven--freedom to the captive, light to the blind, comfort to the distressed, hope to the despairing, and life to the dying. Ask the people of New Zealand, of Taheita, of Tonga, cannibals, infanticides, murderers of whole islands, what it has done for the salvation of their souls. It is at once the desire of all nations, and the glory of all lands.

_And it has produced the most happy effects on mult.i.tudes of men._ It has enlightened the most ignorant; softened the most hardened; reclaimed the most profligate; converted the most estranged; purified the most polluted; exalted the most degraded; and plucked the most endangered from h.e.l.l to heaven. What was it that transformed the persecuting and blaspheming Saul into a kind and devoted man? It was religion. What was it which brought the woman who was a sinner to bathe the feet of Jesus with her tears, and to wipe them with the hairs of her head? It was religion. What was it which produced the faith of Abraham, the meekness of Moses, the patience of Job, the wisdom of Solomon, the placability of Joseph, the penitence and zeal of David, the gentleness of Stephen, the boldness of the prophets, the undaunted zeal of Paul, the heroism of Peter, and the sweet temper of "the beloved disciple?" It was religion. What was it which produced such purity of life, and gave such majesty in death, in the cases of Grotius, Selden, Salmasius, Hale, Paschal, Boyle, Locke, Newton, Boerhave, Addison, Maclaurin, Lyttleton, and a thousand others? It was religion.

Even men who labored to erase out of the mind all respect for religion have acknowledged the importance and expediency of it. Bayle admits religion to be useful if men acted agreeably to its principles; and Voltaire says, expressly, that religion is necessary in every fixed community; the laws are a curb upon open crimes, and religion on those that are private. "No religion," says Bolingbroke, "ever appeared in the world whose natural tendency was so much directed to promote the peace and happiness of mankind as the Christian. The system of religion recorded by the evangelists is a complete system to all the purposes of true religion, natural or revealed. The Gospel of Christ is one continued lesson of the strictest morality, justice, benevolence, and universal charity.... Supposing Christianity to have been purely an human invention, it had been the most amiable, and the most useful invention that was ever imposed on mankind for their good." Hume acknowledges, that, "the disbelief in futurity loosens, in a great measure, the ties of morality, and may be supposed, for that reason, pernicious to the peace of civil society." Rousseau acknowledges, that, "if all were perfect Christians, individuals would do their duty, the people would be obedient to the laws, the chiefs just, the magistrates incorrupt, the soldiers would despise death, and there would be neither vanity nor luxury in such a state." Gibbon admits, that the gospel, or the church, discouraged suicide, advanced erudition, checked oppression, promoted the manumission of slaves, and softened the ferocity of barbarous nations; that fierce nations received at the same time the lessons of faith and humanity, and that, in the most corrupt state of Christianity, the barbarians might learn justice from the law, and mercy from the gospel. "To impute crimes to Christianity," says the celebrated King of Prussia, "is the act of a novice." His word may fairly be taken for such an a.s.sertion. And yet these unbelievers have been so vile and perverse as to decry a system which they acknowledge to be useful. How ungrateful! How reprehensible! Collect now the thoughts scattered under this branch of the subject, and be honest--heartily believe, and openly acknowledge, that G.o.d was the author of the Bible. What but a superhuman, a truly divine influence breathing in the Scriptures, can account for the energy and beneficence of their moral tendencies?

_From its general reception._ Vast numbers of wise and good men, through many generations and in different countries, have agreed in receiving the Bible as a revelation from G.o.d. Many of them have been noted for seriousness, erudition, penetration, and impartiality in judging of men and things. We might refer to Alfred, "replete with soul--the light of a benighted age"--to Charles V., Emperor of Germany--to Gustavus Adolphus, the renowned King of Sweden; to Selden, the learned and laborious lawyer and antiquary--to Bacon, "the bright morning star of science"--to Usher, the well-known archbishop of Armagh--to Newton, "the sun whose beams have irradiated the world"--to Boyle, celebrated for genius and erudition--to Milton, the prince of poets--to Locke, the man of profound thought--to Jones, one of the brightest geniuses and most distinguished scholars of the eighteenth century--and to many other deathless names. And if the evidence of the truth of the Bible satisfied men of such high intellectual capacity, ought it not to satisfy us? We do not wish to insinuate that we ought to believe in the Divinity of the Scriptures merely because they believed it. But we do mean to say that we ought not rashly to conclude against that which they received. They are acknowledged authorities in other cases; then why not in this? If we can place reliance upon them in their philosophical inquiries, why not in their religious ones? Surely the infidels of the present day, so far inferior to the believers of the former days, ought to express themselves with more modesty upon this important subject, and to hesitate before they openly profess their opposition to that book of religion and morals which has received the countenance of such honorable names as those which have been mentioned.

On the subject of the propagation of Christianity it has been eloquently said: "In spite of violent and acc.u.mulated opposition it diffused its blessings among the cities of Asia and the islands of Greece; over the deserts of Arabia and the European continent! From the hill of Calvary it speedily found its way to imperial Rome, gathering fresh laurels as it progressed, until it entered the palace and waved its banner over the proud dwelling of Caesar! With all the influence of priests and kings against it, and all the terrors of the gibbet or the flames, it rapidly overspread the extensive Roman empire and reached Britain, the little isle of the sea. With a power divine it achieved a triumph over mental and moral obliquity, surpa.s.sing all that the philosophy of Greece or Rome could boast; and still will it conquer, until the sun in the heavens shall not look down on a single human being dest.i.tute of the knowledge of Jesus Christ." And the Rev.

Robert Hall, whom to mention is to praise, remarked: "We see Christianity as yet but in its infancy. It has not already reached the great ends it is intended to answer and to which it is constantly advancing. At present it is but a grain of mustard seed and seems to bring forth a tender and weakly crop, but be a.s.sured it is of G.o.d's own right hand planting, and He will never suffer it to perish. It will soon stretch its branches to the river and its shades to the ends of the earth. The weary will repose themselves under it, the hungry will partake of its fruits, and its leaves will be for the healing of the nations. Those who profess the name of Jesus will delight in contemplating the increase and grandeur of His kingdom. 'He must reign until He hath put all enemies under His feet.' The religion of Jesus is not the religion of one age or of one nation. It is a train of light first put in motion by G.o.d, and which will continue to move and to spread till it has filled the whole earth with its glory. Its blessings will descend and its influence will be felt to the latest generations. Uninterrupted in its course, and boundless in its extent, it will not be limited by time or s.p.a.ce. The earth is too narrow for the display of its effects and the accomplishment of its purposes. It points forward to an eternity. The great Redeemer will again appear upon the earth as the judge and ruler of it; will send forth His angels and gather His elect from the four winds; will abolish sin and death; will place the righteous forever in the presence of his G.o.d, of their G.o.d, of his Father, and their father."

"As the waters the depth of the blue ocean cover, So fully shall G.o.d among mortals be known; His word, like the sunbeams, shall range the world over, The globe His vast temple, and mercy His throne."

Christianity, though not persecuting, has been bitterly persecuted; yet it has triumphed--and triumphed, too, in spite of all its foes.

Like Moses' bush, it was unconsumable by fire; and rose up amid the flames and prospered. And like the eagle--the imperial bird of storms--it will continue securely to soar amid every tempest. All attempts to impede its progress will be as powerless and vain as attempts to drive back the flowing tide with the point of a needle.

When infidels can grasp the winds in their fists, hush the voice of the thunder by the breath of their mouth, suspend the succession of the seasons by their nod, and extinguish the light of the sun by a veil, then, and not till then, can they arrest the progress of truth or invalidate the verities of the Bible. Unwise and unhappy men! they are but plowing the air--striking with a straw--writing on the surface of the water--and seeking figs where only brambles grow.

And compare not the propagation of Mohammedanism with the propagation of Christianity; for it is useless, if not absurd. Suffice it to say that the former was propagated by fanaticism, falsehood, pandering to the pa.s.sions, promising a voluptuous paradise, and the frequent use of the sword; but the latter by sanity, truth, restraining the pa.s.sions, promising a pure and holy heaven, and the use of no other sword but the sword of the Spirit, that is, the word of G.o.d. Christianity came--saw--and conquered. And all her victories have been bloodless--of untold advantage to the vanquished themselves. They have desolated no country--produced no tears but to wipe them away--and broken no hearts but to heal them. Now to what is all this to be attributed? Can we reasonably ascribe the general reception of the Bible and the consequent spread of Christianity to anything short of divine power? Is it not unprecedented? "Could any books," says an able writer, "have undergone so fearful and prolonged an ordeal and achieved so spotless and perfect a triumph, unless they had been given and watched over by the Deity?"

_From its innumerable martyrs._ "If a person," says Dr. Jortin, "lays down his life for the name of Christ, or for what he takes to be the religion of Christ, when he might prolong his days by renouncing his faith, he must stand for a martyr in every reasonable man's calendar, though he may have been much mistaken in some of his opinions." It has been calculated that since Christianity arose, not less than fifty millions of martyrs have laid down their lives for its sake. Some were venerable for years; others were in the bloom of life; and not a few were of the weaker s.e.x. They were, for the most part, well-instructed persons. Many were learned and respectable men; neither factious in their principles nor violent in their pa.s.sions. They were neither wild in their notions, nor foolishly prodigal of their lives. This may safely be affirmed of such men as Polycarp and Ignatius, Jerome and Huss, Latimer and Cranmer, Ridley and Hooper, Philpot and Bradford, Lambert and Saunders, and many others. Yet these so valued the Bible, that, rather than renounce it, and relinquish the hopes it inspired, they yielded their bodies to be burnt, or otherwise tormented, and "rejoiced and clapped their hands in flames," or the like. "All that a man hath will he give for his life." All account life sweet and precious. No man of sense and understanding will sacrifice his life, when he can preserve it, but for some deeply rooted conviction of truth or duty. In this view, Christian martyrs are ent.i.tled to our respect and esteem. For, they gave the strongest proof of sincerity of their faith: and no suspicion of fraud can reasonably be entertained against them. "We conclude," says Dr. Jortin, "that they were a.s.sisted by G.o.d, who alleviated their pain, and gave them not only resignation and patience, but exultation and joy. And this wonderful behavior of the former Christians may justly be accounted a proof of the truth of the Bible, and our holy religion, and we should deserve to be blamed and despised if we parted with it, and gave it up tamely on account of a few objections." "No man," observes Dr. Beattie, "ever laid down his life for the honor of Jupiter, Neptune, or Apollo; but how many thousands have sealed their Christian testimony with their blood!"

What a moral victory! And whence but from heaven such a religion, having such attestation?

Other arguments might be added tending to demonstrate the truth of our proposition; but surely, enough have been produced to establish the authority of the Bible on an immovable basis. "Forever, O Lord, Thy word is settled in heaven. I esteem all Thy precepts concerning all things to be right; and I hate every false way." "All flesh is as gra.s.s, and all the glory of man as the flower of gra.s.s. The gra.s.s withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away; but the word of the Lord endureth forever. And this is the word which by the Gospel is preached unto you."

"The proudest works of Genius shall decay, And Reason's brightest l.u.s.tre fade away; The Sophist's art, the Poet's boldest flight, Shall sink in darkness, and conclude in night; But Faith triumphant over Time shall stand, Shall grasp the Sacred Volume in her hand; Back to its source the heavenly gift convey, Then in the flood of Glory melt away."