doctrine of demons, or the worship of them; nor, is a single hint given, that they were real beings, or had ever been so. And as to persons being possessed with demons, not a vestige of evidence respecting this is to be found in all the Old Testament. It begins and ends, without any allusion to such a thing. The case of Saul is no exception to this, as has been seen above. The Old Testament prophets performed miraculous cures on persons, but not one of them is ever said "cast out demons.” Nor in Moses laws, laws, were any rites of purification prescribed, for such as had demons cast out of them, although this was done for persons cured of the leprosy and other disorders. Besides the Old Testament prophets predicted, the miraculous cures which the Messiah should perform when he appeared. See Isaiah chap. 35 and other passages. But not one of them intimates, that he was to cast out demons, evil spirits, or the ghosts of dead men. But how could they overlook this, if the possessions in the New Testament, were real possessions of such beings, for their casting them out is represented as the most wonderful work of Christ?

2. It is also a fact, that the doctrine of demons, and men being possessed with them, was not a new revelation given to the world by the New Testament writers. We read of demons in the Old Testament, but of no one being possessed with them. But, when many read the New Testament concerning possessions of demons, they conclude that this must be a new revelation from God to mankind. This is a great mistake, for in Egypt, Chaldea, Greece, and other heathen countries, demons were well known, and also of persons being possessed with them. In India this was also well known in the days of Christ. And all must here notice, that the New Testament never

speaks of demons, or of persons being possessed with them, as a new or strange thing. They are introduced, and spoken about like other common things of the day. It is not demons, or the possession of them, that is spoken about with surprise, but the Saviour's casting of them out. This is mentioned as a most extraordinary event, for it was never done before as he performed it. Before his day, demons were common, were cast out, or pretended to be cast out of persons, as could easily be shown by abundant testimony. And this was even done in Judea in the days of Solomon, and down to the days of Josephus if he may be credited. And that other persons cast out demons, or cured persons supposed to be possessed with them, there is abundant testimony in proof of it were it disputed.

3. It is also a fact, that demons were considered the ghosts, or the souls of dead wicked men. The quotations from Parkhurst, Enfield, and others abundantly prove this. But, do either Old or New Testament writers sanction this as true? Nothing like this is to be found in their writings. Nor, do they describe them as real beings of any kind whatever. But admit them to be the souls of dead wicked men, and what follows? It follows, that the souls of wicked men in ancient times, were not sent to hell as many have believed, but took up their abode in the bodies of men to torment them. Souls surely could not be in two such different places at once? And if it is said, they carried their hell about with them wherever they went, is to tell us, that hell changes with the times, and any new use which men may have for it. But no such notions are to be found in the Bible, for this would make it a book which changes with the changing opinions of men.

4. Another fact is certain, that we never read in the Scriptures, of the souls of dead good men, taking possession of any persons, whether pious or profane. But why not? Is it not as rational to conclude, that good men's souls would do this, as the souls of wicked men ? And might we not expect, that God would so far permit good men's souls to take up their abode in the same bodies with the souls of wicked men, as to counteract their evil influence upon them? It is not much to the honor of God's character to permit the one, without also permitting the other. And if this was admitted as true, then souls both good and bad, neither go to hell or heaven after death, but stay in our world to do good and evil to mankind. But will people in our day, give up their views of hell or heaven? One of the two must be done, for to believe the popular opinions about demons, and also about hell and heaven seems to be impossible, unless we are determined to credit the most palpable contradictions.

5. But it is also a fact, that the Scripture writers do not speak as men have done, and some do now, about the souls of either good or bad men after death. The heathen sent the souls of wicked men to Tartarus after death, and the souls of good men to Elysium. But where did they learn such notions? Not from the Bible, but from their own vain imaginations. The Jews, and others, sent all good and bad to sheol or hades. But some divided this place into two parts, the one for the good and the other for the wicked. But does the Bible do this? No, is it not rather an alteration, or improvement on the heathen opinions respecting their Tartarus and Elysium? And pray, what great improvement have modern Christians made on the ancient heathens, for their

hell is pretty much the same as theirs. Some make a heaven for good souls before the resurrection of the dead, compounded of heathen opinions and Scripture statements of immortality to man promised after it. But, if we are to leave behind us the Bible in one thing, and embrace heathen opinions, at what point are we to stop? Why not believe in their doctrine of demons in all its breadth and length. And why not advocate, that persons in our day are possessed with demons as in ancient times? Why should we not say, that a wild maniac has a legion of demons in him ?

We intended to have stated more facts, in confirmation of the views we have advanced; and, also noticed some objections, which might be made against them. But we must close for the present. In conclusion we remark, that we have with some care, examined the Scriptures to know, what is meant by the terms satan, devil, and demons. We have stated the result of our examination, and rise from it with the fullest conviction, that the common opinions entertained on these subjects have no foundation in the Bible. Let a false idea be attached to words in one country and age, and however superstitious it may be, it will descend to posterity; let it once take root in men's minds, and who can calculate to what extent it will grow, and to how many generations it will descend as an inheritance to their children?

God has given to men a revelation of his will, to guide them both as to faith and practice. Their wisdom and happiness consists in holding fast the faithful word and obeying it, without alteration or addition. Who ever altered or added to it, and thereby promoted the glory of God, his own good, and the happiness of mankind?