may be exposed by remarking, that Buddhism or Paganism, under various forms, has unfortunately the greatest numerical ascendancy, and by parity of reason is entitled to the same distinction, which is absurd. Christianity and Islamism may indeed be considered as nearly equal in point of numbers, but their character, doctrines, evidences, and the means by which they attained their present height, are essentially different, as will appear by instituting a comparison between the two systems.

The world was Pagan, except the Jews, when Christianity preferred her claims, and challenged exclusive homage and respect; and the principle of Revelation was not so generally acknowledged. There was a firm, unyielding inflexibility in the religion of Jesus, adverse to its early reception, or extensive dissemination. No favour was conceded to any other mode of worship, but annihilation

threatened to every altar and temple throughout the world. Its doctrines were not accommodating in any sense of the expression, but directly the reverse; truths were propounded beyond the wisdom of man fully to comprehend, such as the doctrines of the Trinity, the Incarnation of the Saviour, and salvation through him, which are confessedly preternatural discoveries, but to which we are required to yield assent. As to precepts, Christianity lays the axe at the root of every vice, inculcating the eternal obligation of the moral law," a death unto sin, and a new birth unto righteousness." No temporal inducements were offered to its followers, but persecutions and affliction foretold; and there was hardly a tribunal before which the primitive converts were not dragged, or a torture which they did not endure, and many sealed their testimony with their blood.

Though Jesus was lineally descended from

King David, agreeably to ancient prophecy, yet his family was reduced to poverty and insignificance, and both his connections and followers were of humble occupations and without worldly influence. The period chosen for its publicity was a time of peace, most favourable to investigation, and an age eminent for literature. It was assailed from every quarter. The Jews despised the humility of the Messiah, though in agreement with Scripture, as the death-blow to their expectations of temporal distinction and sovereignty: the doctrines of Jesus were, for obvious reasons, accounted foolishness with the Greeks; and the Romans loathed Christianity, being in their opinion a Jewish superstition.

Thus prejudices and obstacles insurmountable by human power, impeded the way; its utter extinction might be anticipated; yet under such circumstances it struck root and prospered. Jesus did not indulge in privacy

or screen himself under a pretended intercourse with heaven, but openly produced his credentials, and wrought miracles in confirmation of his mission. He appealed also to the Scriptures and the understanding of mankind, and violence was wholly disclaimed. With unparalleled meekness he bore with the infirmities of his disciples, resolving doubts, enlightening their understandings, and instructing them as they were able to bear it, in the spiritual nature of his kingdom. When exerting miraculous power, he endeavoured to impress their minds with the superior value of the Message with which he was charged : and investing them with ability to perform miracles, he told them to rejoice rather that their names were written in the book of life: he did not attempt so much to raise their wonder as to ground them in the truth. At the transfiguration, when partially glorified, Peter, James and John alone were admitted

to the heavenly vision, with injunctions not to disclose it till the proper time. His efforts were unceasingly bent to instruct them in the necessity of his death, the manner and particulars of which he at the same time foretold, as also his resurrection on the third day, his ascension into glory, and the descent of the Holy Spirit; the destruction of the Jewish temple, and polity, and the subsequent spread and enlargement of his kingdom. When his decease was accomplished at Jerusalem, and he had risen the third day from the dead, for forty days he appeared publicly, and taught them further in the things pertaining to him, and promised the aid of the Comforter: having led them out to Bethany, he visibly ascended into heaven in their presence, and agreeably to his promise sent the Holy Ghost on his disciples, on the day of Pentecost, enabling them to speak in different languages before astonished multitudes, and furnishing