the prophets, who composed the first volume of this book, and who were animated with the same spirit. How high does this raise the Scriptures above every other book! Can we conceive it possible that imposture lurks behind such a design? The idea of such a character is not only opposite to the dispositions of bad men, but beyond the capacity even of good men, and gives reason to conclude that it comes from God.

But the character, it may be said, is merely ideal. No: Jesus exemplified all that he required his disciples to be; and they, according to their measure, followed his steps. Such men were Peter, and John, and James, and Paul, and thousands more. Imperfections in them we can discover, and the marks of infirmity amidst the sudden gusts of temptation: these they daily deplored, and they bitterly complained that, in every part of the Christian character, they fell short of their aim and of their rule. But all the divine principles enumerated above reigned in their hearts, habitually regulated their temper, and shone forth in their conduct. The blemishes we discover in them, are like the clouds flying along the sky in a summer's noon, which now and then obscure the sun; but their path was like that of the just, shining more and more unto the perfect day. There have been myriads of the same spirit in every succeeding age. There are myriads still, whose highest and whose constant end in life is to realize and exhibit the character of a Christian. But wickedness is noisy; goodness does not strive nor cry. The lightning and the thunder of heaven attract universal notice by their glare and roaring; the sun moves quietly on his course, and diffuses his blessings in silence.

SECTION IX.

The Happiness which results from the Influence of the Gospel, in forming such Characters.

THE importance of the truths contained in the former section will appear more clearly, if we consider the influence which the prevalence of such a character will have on human happiness. That in the individual who is moulded into it, it will produce tranquillity, satisfaction, and peace, resulting from the hope of the friendship of God, from the banishment of evil passions, and from the exercise of holy affections, and the noblest principles, every competent judge of human nature

will readily grant. Let all the members of a family be animated by these sentiments and dispositions; it becomes the abode of love and joy. A town full of citizens of this description is a holy brotherhood, where harmony reigns; and a reciprocation of kind offices renders neighbourhood and social intercourse unspeakably pleasing. Were a country filled with such inhabitants, it would exhibit such a scene of felicity as the world never yet beheld. All would perform the duties of their station with fidelity, and exhibit integrity in their dealings, and seek the general good, and make private give way to public benefit. There would be peace, and union, and abundance, and contentment, and the love of order, and veneration for the institutions of society. Tyranny, insubordination, and anarchy, would be unknown.

O that Europe were full of people of this character! There would be a strife who should be the first in proposing an end to war, and have the honour of soliciting reconciliation. Peace would be easily made; for pride, avarice, ambition, revenge, the love of glory, and the lust of domination, would have no vote in the congress. Rectitude, benevolence, and compassion for the miserable, sitting alone in council, would bring the negociation to a speedy close. They would all embrace as brethren; and it would be easy to live in peace, because the seeds of war in the human heart were destroyed.

But mere abstinence from injury would not satisfy men of such a spirit. No longer possessed with the evil demon, falsely called patriotism, which taught and impelled them to seek the exaltation of their own country on the ruin of others, they would feel it a duty and a pleasure to promote the prosperity and happiness of each other. Instead of proving, as has hitherto been the case, a curse, nations would be a blessing to each other; and, in the spirit of the gospel, love a neighbouring country as their own. When any of those causes occurred which have hitherto, alas! deluged the fields of Europe with blood, Christian love, mutual forbearance, forgiveness of injuries, returning good for evil, and requiting insults by benefits, would tie the bonds of peace and amity closer and stronger than they were before.

But still more widely would the influence of these divine principles be felt. Asia, Africa, and America, rejoice at the change in the sons of Europe. Instead of beholding strangers grasping at every advantage, and pursuing by every means an increase of power and commerce, they find men who act as brothers; who are as forward to confer benefits as to re

ceive them; nay, more anxious to do them good, than to possess their wealth. They are astonished at the pleasing alteration; and they conclude that principles which lead men to act thus, must be from God. While benevolent Europeans labour to do them good, and to make them happy, they eagerly enquire, "Whence proceeds this remarkable change? Formerly you were a curse, and we viewed you with dread. Our gold, our territory, our very persons, you snatched away. Now you are a blessing; your highest end is to confer benefits upon us. Whence did you derive these principles, which have indeed made you new creatures ?"

"Read this book," the Europeans reply, putting the New Testament into their hands; "we have translated it into your tongue, that you may, like us, derive from the perusal wisdom, goodness, and felicity." They eagerly snatch the book; they read it; they too are made wise unto salvation; and the happiness it imparts is enjoyed throughout the world. Arms become useless; magazines are opened; arsenals are emptied. "Let not our eyes," they say, any more behold the heartrending sight. Convert these huge cannons into instruments of husbandry; these destructive balls into mattocks and shovels beat these swords into ploughshares, and these spears into pruning hooks." Mankind live in peace. Extended in

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tercourse produces increasing affection. Wherever man meets man, he meets a brother; love to God, and love to man, reigning in the heart, generate every where righteousness, harmony, benevolence, and joy.

Can principles so directly tending to felicity, and producing it in every form, spring from imposture, and from the hearts of bad men? Satan's kingdom would be divided against itself, and must fall. Characters so formed, do they not proclaim their original to be from above, and not from beneath? Does not the scheme announce its author to be the infinitely merciful and gracious God, who delights in the happiness of his creatures, and who has framed it with such wisdom that it suits every relation, and renders at once the individual and the world happy? Will it be said, this is a mere Utopian dream? It will be granted, however, that it is a pleasing one. But is it not the natural result of the influence of the principles of the gospel on the heart? Nor, to him who believes the Scriptures, is it an imaginary state of things which has been described. The faint representation which has been given, is consonant to the predictions of the Old and New Testament, which plainly foretel and describe, in the most

glowing and lovely colours, the full establishment of knowledge, goodness, and felicity over the face of the whole earth, by the establishment of the gospel of Jesus Christ in the hearts of men.-Isaiah, chap. ii. and xi.; Micah iv.; Rev. xx. I ask no more, but that you would thoroughly weigh the subject, and throw its just weight into the scale of evidence.

SECTION X.

There is every thing in the New Testament which a Revelation from God may be expected to contain.

BEFORE God has given a revelation of his will, for a man to say precisely what it will contain, would be as absurd as for an angel, before the formation of the earth, to have attempted to describe what kind of a world God would create. When it is created, he may form an accurate idea of it; and may clearly perceive the wisdom, power, and goodness of God, displayed in its formation, and in its various parts. It is thus in respect to divine revelation. The wisest of the human race must have groped in the dark before it was given, and could form no distinct view of its nature. Every sober inquirer now may discover clearly how well it suits the necessities of man, and how much it manifests the perfections of God, and is calculated to promote his glory.

Every thing necessary for us to know is here revealed. God instructs us in his nature and his government. Various books have made pretensions to a divine origin; but there is not so much said of God, nor is there so full and enlarged a view of God in them all, as in the New Testament alone. Human nature is delineated in all its parts, in all its principles, and in all its wants. The character of Christ furnishes a model for the imitation of every intelligent being. The doctrine of a Mediator, and redemption through him, presents a remedy for the wants and miseries of mankind; and opens the way to everlasting blessedness. In the precepts of the gospel there is a full and perfect rule of temper and conduct. A future state is unveiled, and we are presented with a view both of the happiness of the righteous, and of the misery of the wicked; and in addition to this, every motive which can influence the heart is set before us in all its force.

In short, there is nothing of value which men need to know, but is here taught. I will not say there is nothing we can de

sire; for we may desire to know many things which are not revealed. But I will confidently assert, that every thing which sober reason can say it is necessary for us to know, in order to the direction of our conduct, and to the real comfort of a present state of being, is here revealed with inimitable simplicity, purity, and precision.

An inattentive reader of the New Testament may say,"What is all this to the purpose; and what proof does it afford of a divine revelation ?" But the judicious and reflecting inquirer who is in search of principles, and who is determined to examine with care whatever professes to be a revelation from God, will not satisfy himself with asking, "What external evidence is there of its divinity;" but in the first place, "What are the things which it contains, and delivers as heavenly truths, that I may know what it is which the evidence is to confirm." This is the proper method of proceeding: and whoever will take the pains to search profoundly into the principles which have been presented to view; and survey them in their light, sanctity, extent, and fulness; and give due weight to the consideration, that there is every thing in them necessary to the perfection of human nature in goodness and felicity, will see abundant reason to conclude, that they are worthy of an infinitely excellent Being to reveal, that they carry with them a presumption of their divine original, and if they be accompanied with external evidence, are to be embraced as a revelation from Heaven.