in the Writings of Moses, which prove the most con- siderable Facts .. CHAP. XIV.-A Continuation of similar Proofs, drawn from some of the Memorials and Monuments con- tained in the other Books of Moses CHAP. XV.-Sequel to the Argument contained in the CHAP. XVI.-Proofs of the Divine Truth of the Bible, CHAP. XVII.-A Continuation of the Arguments in Fa- vour of the Divine Truth of the Scriptures, drawn from the Predictions which they contain . CHAP. XIX.- On the Style of the Sacred Writers CHAP. XX.-An Argument for the Truth of Sacred History, drawn from the Archives of Israel CHAP. XXI. Of the Canonical Books which compose CHAP. I.-A Concise Examination of the Prejudices of CHAP. II.—On the Excellency of the Christian Religion 245 CHAP. III. Of the Holiness of those Precepts which are which the Christian Religion inculcates: its Su- periority to that taught under the Mosaic Dispensation 266 CHAP. V. Further Proofs of the Truth and Inspiration CHAP. VI.-The History of the Death of Jesus Christ, a CHAP. VII.—Reflections on the New Testament, in further Proof of its Divine Origin . . . CHAP. IX.-The Memorials, or Monuments, which the Gospel affords us; a further Confirmation of its CHAP. X.-Of the Miracles of our Lord and Saviour CHAP. XI. On the Progress of the Gospel CHAP. XIII.-The Predictions of the Prophets, and those of Jesus Christ, touching the Conversion of the Gentile 20: for die, read died 111, note: insert Gen. xiii. 16; xv. 5; xxvi. 4; xxviii. 112, 135, 138, 13, 14 *: for Gen. xlix. read xlviii. t: for Joshua vi. 2, read vi. 22 for Judges vi. 25, read vi. 24 152, line 8: for to the ground, read upon the earth 4: for Scribes and Pharisees, read Scribes 3: ON THE TRUTH AND INSPIRATION OF THE OLD AND NEW TESTAMENT. CHAPTER I. GENERAL REFLECTIONS ON THE CONDUCT OF THE INFIDEL WITH REGARD TO RELIGION. IT may with truth be remarked of the human mind, that it has naturally an inclination towards a worship of some sort. Man's reason teaches him, that there must be a Being of more power than he has himself, to whom honour is due; and his self-love leads him to believe, that the benefits, which he may obtain by propitiating this Being, are not to be despised or rejected. This bent of our nature has been more or less conspicuous in all ages, from the earliest antiquity to the present day: and the history of every nation teaches us, that people have been continually led B to practise the most extravagant and even the cruellest superstitions, rather than forego religion altogether. This natural acknowledgment of a superior Being having been so nearly universal in the human race, is of itself a sufficient answer to those who affect to despise and disbelieve that religion which the Bible teaches us. If religion be natural to man, it is only consistent that God should give man a revelation of his will, that he may worship him in a manner suitable to his glory. Clear and convincing as this argument seems to be, we know, alas! that the world contains many persons weak enough to deny its force, and to glory in their infidelity; hoping by this to distinguish themselves as people of superior genius, and great understanding. With what shame would they be covered, if they could be closely interrogated on their knowledge of religion, and upon their reasons for despising it! I am well assured that the greatest number of those, who deny Revelation, do not know, much less can they tell, why they reject it. The sacred Book alone can furnish the true reason for by far the greater number of unbelievers: "Men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds are evil*." It is not necessary to prove by argument, or *John iii. 19. |