A. That they agree in the periods, events, persons and circumstances with all those other histories that have been received as most authentic, written as well by Jews and Heathens both before, as since the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Q. Give an example of this?

A. The history of the Deluge-that of the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah-that of the Jewish nation, and of those Kings mentioned in the scriptures, are confirmed by the testimony of Pagan authors.

Q. Does not the New Testament particularly contain principles which prove its divine origin?

A. Yes such as the manner in which the Supreme Being is there represented-the character of Jesus Christ-the motives of action there proposed the doctrine of redemption by the death of a Mediator-the representation which is given of a future state of existence -by the characters which the gospel is designed to form the general happiness that would result from the universal establishment of its principles and from its containing every thing which a revelation from God, might be expected to contain.

Q. What say you of the doctrines which the Bible teaches?

A. They are consistent with the suggestions of reason, and calculated to exalt and perfect the human character-its moral precepts are reasonable and perfect-it imparts more improvement to the mind than any other bookthere is neither error nor falsehood in its doc

trines-it is in direct opposition to the depraved principles of human nature.

Q. Do not the contents of the New Testament more particularly prove its divinity?

A. Yes, for here the vast scheme of the divine sovereign is more fully unfolded-here life and immortality are clearly brought to lightour duty, and the motives to perform it are rendered so obvious-that the highest human genius has never since the promulgation of the gospel, been able to improve the system of morals it prescribes, or to advance one step beyond it.

Q. What other reasons confirm the divine origin of the Christian religion?

A. The striking harmony between the authors of the New Testament, as well in regard to events, as to doctrine-the remarkable adaptation of its principles and forms of worship to every class and condition in every nationto all states of society, in every region of the globe-its analogy with the works and government of God in the material world, and its influence in ameliorating the condition of mankind.

Q. What is observable in the commandments contained in the Bible?

A. Like its doctrines, they are conformable to what enlightened reason and conscience teach all men. Thus it has been and inust ever be the universal and deliberate opinion of the wise and good-that we should reverence God, be just, temperate, and not do to others what we are unwilling they should do to us.

Q. Is it sufficient to believe that the Bible is true?

A. Beside this, we must acknowledge it to be divine, and although men have been the instruments used in committing it to writing, yet that they have acted by the command of God, under the inspiration of his spirit. "All scripture is given by inspiration of God."

Q. How do you prove that this book comes from God, and not from man?

A. Because we here find things which human reason, unassisted, could never have discovered, and which therefore must have come from God.

Q. What are those things?

A. They are principally four, 1. we find in the scriptures doctrines so pure, sublime, and perfect, that they could have come from God only.

Q. What further is there in it remarkable and divine.

A. It is accompanied 2. with an admirable efficacy, and with the influence of the spirit of God, which sanctifies the heart, and fills it with a joy and consolation, that is inexpressible....

Q. Could the gospel have been established, but for this efficacy with which the preaching of it has been accompanied.

A. No, certainly'; during the three first centuries it had to encounter the most bitter persecution of the Jews, the power of the Roman sovereignty, the ridicule and sophistry of philosophers, the opposition of interested priests,

and of all the abandoned portion of mankind. Over all these obstacles it has triumphed, and it is daily gaining new victories over the vices and prejudices of corrupt human nature in eve-ry part of the world.

Q. What is the third particular which proves the Divinity of Scripture?

A. It is the miracles which the Prophets, our Lord Jesus Christ, and his apostles have performed, which prove that God had sent them, and spoken by them.

Q. But how do you prove the possibility of

miracles?

A. That miracles are possible, none will deny who believe the existence and perfections of God; nor is it at all contrary to reason or probability, that he who ordained the laws of nature should suspend them to accomplish the most important moral purposes, namely, the redemption and happiness of mankind.

Q. What is most remarkable in the miracles recorded in the New Testament?

A. Their vast number, their great variety, and the public and authoritative manner in which they were performed.

Q. What was their obvious design?

A. In the first instance to establish the mission of our Lord and the truths which he taught; and in the next to relieve the maladies and evils of all those who applied to him for relief.

Q. Have we sufficient evidence to satisfy a candid enquirer of the reality of the miracles of -the New Testament?

E

A. We have the testimony of the persons who performed the miracles, of those on whom they were performed, of those who were eye witnesses, and of enemies to the gospel, who nevertheless admitted the truth of the facts recorded therein.

Q. What is the fourth proof of the divinity of the scriptures?

A. It is taken from the prophecies or predic-tions of future events.

Q. How do prophecies prove the divinity of the scriptures?

A. From its being altogether impossible that any man should know and foretel future events, long before the actors in the same had any existence. As the prophecies could not then come from human foresight, they must of necessity have been derived from God.

Q. Do not these prophecies clearly prove the existence and prescience of God?

A. They do with an evidence that is irresistible, for were there not an omniscient spirit to whom all future events were perfectly known, it were impossible that there should be such a thing as prophecy. But as there are prophecies, which from authentic evidence we know have been fulfilled, and are at this time fulfilling in the world, we cannot doubt the existence or agency of the Supreme Being.

Q. Mention some of the prophecies that have been fulfilled, and are now fulfilling in the world.

A. They are those which relate to Antichrist, to the Arabian nations, to the condition of Ba