(Acts xiv. 3—20) which they wrought, and which are acknowledged by contemporary writers, who were themselves enemies to the contents of the Bible.-Thirdly; The complete fulfilment of prophecies delivered by the sacred writers, in some cases, (especially those respecting the Messiah,) many hundred years before the events took place."-Fourthly; The salutary effects which the sacred Scriptures have produced on mankind in reforming their lives, and regulating their conduct, and affording them happiness in life, and consolation in death, wherever they have been received as the oracles of God. Q. 58. What are the internal proofs of the inspiration of the Holy Scriptures?

A. These also are very numerous; but four only shall be stated:-First; The Bible, and the Bible only, contains just notions of God; or reveals his moral perfections and attributes, and correctly describes the real state, and true character of man.t-Secondly; It reveals doctrines the most sublime and interesting, such as no other book does, and such as could not otherwise have been conceived; such, for example, as the Trinity in unity, immortality, and judgment to come. Its precepts and promises also, are such as tend to make mankind happy in this life, and to prepare them for a happy eternity. And it especially shows the method by which,

See § 3, on the name CHRIST.

+ It will be necessary to explain to children that many books contain the same truths as the Bible, but that these truths are all originally derived from the Bible, the real source of all divine truth.

consistently with the honour of God, mankind may be redeemed from the curse occasioned by the fall of their first parents a truth which it also reveals-and thereby explains the origin of moral evil in our world.-Thirdly; The perfect consistency and agreement of all the writers of the different parts of the Bible, who were men of very different talents in other respects, and of various ranks and employments, and who wrote in different countries and languages, and at very distant times, afford the clearest demonstration that they all wrote under the guidance and superintendence of divine inspiration that “holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost." (2 Pet. i. 21.)-Fourthly; The satisfaction and happiness which every one feels in his own soul, who really believes the Bible to be a revelation from God, and who studies to conform his conduct in all things agreeably to its holy precepts. "He that so believeth, hath the witness in himself." (1 John v. 10.)

Q. 59. Are there no mysteries in the Bible, or doctrines which are beyond our comprehension ?

A. Yes; the Bible contains many truths which our

* The young student of the Holy Scriptures will frequently be astonished at the exact description he will therein find, of the workings and feelings of his own heart, which none but God can discern and reveal. Hence he will be constrained to acknowledge the Bible to be indeed the word of God. This remark is here added as a specimen of the manner in which the Catechist may fill up what is wanting in each proof, and improve in like manner every part of the subject as he proceeds. Q. 240.)

(See also

reason cannot comprehend, but none which are contrary to reason and this forms another proof of its divine inspiration. For in all the works of nature, a variety of facts may be observed, which reason cannot comprehend. Such incomprehensible mysteries, therefore, of necessity must be found in a revelation from God, who himself is incomprehensible, and whose ways are past finding out."* (See Q. 117-121.)

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*It may be well in general at public schools to omit this part of the Treatise, on the first occasion of learning or explaining it.

24

PART THE THIRD.

OF THE DOCTRINES OF CHRISTIANITY.

SECTION I.

OF GOD.

Q. 60. In what does the Christian Religion consist? A. The Christian Religion consists in a right knowledge of God, and the due performance of our duty. Q. 61. How may we attain to the right knowledge of God?

A. Partly by the light of nature; but chiefly from revelation.

Q. 62. What do you mean by the light of nature? A. I mean that knowledge to which we may attain by the unaided exercise of reason, and independently of revelation.

Q. 63. What do you mean by revelation?

A. I mean all that may be known by us from the Holy Scriptures.

Q. 64. What can we know of God by reason only, without a revelation from God?

A. By reason only, or by the light of nature, we may

ascertain the natural perfections of God, but not his moral perfections.

Q. 65. Can you explain what you mean by an example?

A. From the works of the creation, we plainly see that their Creator must possess boundless wisdom and power, (a) which are two of his natural perfections; but there is nothing in the creation by which we can possibly know that the Creator is holy, which is the essence of his moral perfections. (b)

(a) Rom. i. 20. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead.

(b) Matt. xi. 27. All things are delivered unto me of my Father and no man knoweth the Son but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and be to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.

Q. 66. Can you tell me how many, and what are the natural perfections of God?

A. They are in number six; viz. his self-existence, immutability, eternity, omniscience, omnipotence, and omnipresence.

Q. 67. Are these all the natural perfections of God? A. Yes; these will include all others.*

* Many divines have multiplied these perfections and attributes of the Deity beyond all reasonable bounds. But it is here designed to state none that are obviously included in others; and so to simplify them, as to render them more intelligible to youth, and less burdensome to their memories. The following list will serve to show to what an endless length these subdivisions may be ex

D