CONTENTS.

LECTURE I.

INTRODUCTORY OBSERVATIONS, p. 15.

The Difficulty of presenting the Evidences of Christianity arises, not from any

lack of Arguments, but from the Difficulty of a just Selection and Arrangement

where Materials are so abundant, p. 16.

I. The high Importance of the Investigation proposed, p. 17.

The Question is, Is the Religion of Jesus Christ, as exhibited in the New Testa-

ment, a Revelation from God, and, consequently, possessed of a sovereign Right to uni-

versal Faith and Obedience? p. 17.

We must have the Religion of Christ or none, p. 17.

Deism, the only imaginable Substitute, shown to offer no Refuge, p. 18

The Investigation urged on the experimentally convinced Christian, as a mat-

ter of spiritual Pleasure and Improvement, p. 25; and as a matter of Duty to the

Cause of Truth, and to the Good of his Neighbour, p. 25.

The same urged on the merely nominal Christian, as necessary to a rational and

steadfast Belief of what he professes not to doubt, p. 26; and for a deeper Impres

sion of the Solemnity of its Truth, p. 27.

The Investigation derives additional Importance from the peculiar Character of

the present Times, as those of Licentiousness, under the Boast of Freedom, in such

Inquiries, p. 28.

It derives, also, advantage from the present Times, as distinguished for scientific

Research and Discovery, p. 32.

II. The Importance of strict Attention to the Spirit in which this Investigation is con-

ducted, p. 34.

The Opposition between the Precepts of Christianity and the natural Disposi-

tions of Man makes the Question one of Feeling as well as Evidence, and has a

Tendency to magnify Objections, and to depreciate the Contrary, p. 34.

The Pride of humam Reason is often deeply offended at the Claims of Christian

ity, p. 36.

It is true of Christianity, as of many other very important Matters of Truth, that

Objections are more easily invented than answered, p. 39.

Phenomena which these Considerations account for, p. 40.

Docility of Mind;

A deep Seriousness of Purpose;

And Prayer, earnestly recommended as necessary to this Investigation, p. 40.

LECTURE II.

AUTHENTICITY OF THE NEW TESTAMENT, p. 42.

The Study of the Evidences of Christianity may be brief or extended, accord-

ing as the Object is simply Conviction; or, in addition to that, the Pleasure of

collecting all the various Lights which may be concentrated on this Subject.

The Evidences are of two general Classes, viz., External or Historical, and In-

ternal, p. 42.

A brief Account of what each Head includes, p. 42.

The present Course of Lectures confined to the External.

The complete treatment of this Division would begin with the Necessity of a Di.

vine Revelation, as the History of Mankind exhibits it, p. 43.

We begin with the AUTHENTICITY OF THE NEW TESTAMENT, p. 44.

Difference between Authenticity and Credibility, as used in these Lectures, p. 44.

The Question is, How does it appear that the several Parts of the New Testament

were written by the Men to whom they are ascribed, the original Disciples of Christ,

and are therefore Authentic? P. 45.

The same Course pursued as in ascertaining the Authenticity of any other

Book, p. 45. A general Sketch of the Argument, p. 47.

vii

I. The Books of the New Testament are quoted, or alluded to, by a series of Writers,

who may be followed up in unbroken succession from the present Age to that of the Apos

tles, p. 48.

This shown by reference to Catalogues, &c., from the 4th Century to the Age

of the Apostles, p. 48-57.

Particulars included in the above which require a more special Notice.

1st. The Books of the New Testament, when quoted or alluded to, are treated

with supreme Regard, as possessing a singular Authority, and as conclusive in

Questions of Religion, p. 57.

2d. They were united at a very early Period in a distinct Volume, p. 58.

3d. They were at a very early Period publicly read and expounded in the

Churches, p. 58.

4th. Commentaries were written on them, Harmonies constructed, Copies dili-

gently compared, and Translations made into different Languages, p. 59.

5th. The Agreement of the ancient Churches as to what were the Authentic

Books of the New Testament was complete, p. 60.

6th. There was as entire an Agreement among the Heretics of the earliest Cen-

turies as among the Orthodox, p. 61.

7th. These several Heads of Evidence cannot be pretended to be in favour of

any Apocryphal Scriptures, p. 62.

Six Evidences of Spuriousness, all of which are found in the Apocryphal Scrip-

tures, none of them in the New Testament, p. 64.

Confirmation given by the Existence of Apocryphal Writings to the Claims of

the New Testament, p. 65.

Lesson to the Believer from what has been exhibited, p. 67.

LECTURE III.

AUTHENTICITY AND INTEGRITY OF THE NEW TESTAMENT, p. 68.

From the Tenor of the preceding Lecture, it is Evident that the Canon of the

New Testament was not made without the most intelligent and careful Investigation, p. 68.

This farther appears from the numerous Catalogues that have come down to us,

p. 69.

From the Pains taken to procure Information, and the decisive Censure with

which an Attempt to pass a spurious Book was visited, p. 70.

The gradual Steps by which the Canon was completed afforded the best Oppor-

tunity for the settlement of the Claim of any Book to Authenticity, p. 70.

Some Remarks concerning the Formation of the Canon of the New Testament,

p. 71.

The canonical Authority of the Epistle to the Hebrews; of James; the Second

of Peter; the Second and Third of John; of Jude; and of the Book of Revelation,

p. 75-80.

The Testimony of the Adversaries of Christianity, p. 81.

The preceding Evidence confirmed by a Reference to

The Language and Style of the Books of the New Testament.

1st. They are in perfect Accordance with the local and other Circumstances of

the reputed Writers, p. 85.

2d. They are in perfect Harmony with the known Characters of the reputed

Writers, p. 88.

The Result is that, if the Books of the New Testament be not Authentic, no-

thing less than a Miracle can account for their early and universal Currency, p. 89.

On the INTEGRITY of these Books, that they have undergone no material Al-

teration, we reason,

1st. From the perfect Impossibility of any material Alteration, p. 94.

2d. From the Agreement among the existing Manuscripts, p. 96.

3d. From the Agreement of the Text with the numerous Quotations in the

Works of early Christian Writers, and with ancient Translations, p. 97.

LECTURE IV.

CREDIBILITY OF THE GOSPEL HISTORY, p. 99.

A Book may be Authentic and not Credible, p. 99.

Aim of this Lecture to prove that what the Gospel History relates as Matter of

Fact is worthy of Reliance as such, independently of all Inferences or Doctrines

connected therewith, p. 100.

The Credibility of the Gospel History ascertained precisely like that of any

other History, p. 100.

The Peculiarity of the present Case such as that, having proved the Authenticity

of the Books containing the Gospel History, we have proved the Credibility of the

History, p. 100.

But a broader Plan of Argument is taken:

A general View of the Proof of Credibility, p. 103. The two Points to be

made out in relation to any Historical Document are competent Knowledge and

trustworthy Honesty in the Writer, p. 105.

I. The Writers of the Gospel History had Opportunities of possessing adequate

Knowledge as to those Matters of Fact which they related, p. 106.

II. There is abundant Evidence that they were too Honest to relate anything but truth,

p. 107.

1st. The Narratives are in a high degree Circumstantial, p. 107.

2d. The Authors manifest no Consciousness of narrating anything about which,

as a Matter of Fact, there was the smallest Doubt, p. 109.

3d. There is a minute Accuracy in all the Allusions to the Manners, Customs,

Opinions, political Events, &c., of the Times, p. 111.

4th. The Argument greatly strengthened by considering the New Testament

as a Collection of Writings by eight perfectly independent Authors, p. 112.

The Consideration that the Writers of the Gospels were Disciples and Minis-

ters of Christ should be regarded as strengthening their Testimony, p. 113.

Absurd Consequences of supposing them not to have been Sincere in their

Statements, p. 117.

The Gospel History has all the Testimony that could possibly have been ex-

pected, in the Nature of Things, from the Enemies of Christianity, p. 119.

It was utterly impossible that the Gospel History should have gained such Cur-

rency as
had in the Apostles' Time, had it not been Trut., p. 121.

LECTURE V.

MIRACLES, p. 126.

Authenticity of the Books, and Credibility of the History contained therein, being

ascertained, we are prepared to open the Contents of the New Testament. The

first thing we perceive is, that it professes to teach a Divinely-revealed Religion.

And the Question is,

What are the Evidences that the Religion contained in the New Testament is a Di-

vine Revelation? p. 126.

The Lord Jesus Christ constantly appealed to Miracles for his Credentials as

an Ambassador from God, p. 126.

The sufficiency of Miracles as Credentials, when well attested, acknowledged

by Infidels, p. 127.

Reasons for not proceeding directly to the Proof of such Credentials, p. 128.

The present Lecture devoted to certain preliminary Considerations.

I. There is nothing Unreasonable or Improbable in the Idea of a Miracle being wrought

in Proof of a Divine Revelation, p. 128.

II. If Miracles were wrought in Attestation of the Mission of Christ and his Apos-

tles, they can be rendered Credible to us by no other Evidence than that of Testimony,

p. 131.

III. Miracles are capable of being Proved by Testimony, p. 133.

Hume's Argument against Miracles, in Proof of a Divine Revelation, stated

and answered, p. 134.

IV. The Testimony in Proof of the Miracles of the Gospel has not diminished in

Force by the increase of Age, p. 146.

V. In being called to examine the Credibility of these Miracles by the Evidence of

Testimony, we are more favourably situated than if we had been enabled to subject them

to the Evidence of the Senses, p. 148.

The whole Truth exhibited in this Lecture calls us to adore the Wisdom of

God, p. 152.

LECTURE VI.

MIRACLES, p. 155.

Have we satisfactory Evidence that genuine Miracles were wrought by the

Lord Jesus Christ and His Apostles? p. 155.

This Question iş settled by the Proof of Credibility.

Another line of Argument adopted.

The Religion of the Bible is the only one which, in its first Introduction, ap-

pealed to Miracles for Evidence of the Divine Authority of its Teachers, p. 156.

I. Supposing the Works related of Christ to have actually occurred, many of

them must have been genuine Miracles, p. 159.

II. The alleged Miracles of Christ were such as admitted at once of the Test of

the Senses, p. 160.

III. They were performed in the most public Manner, p. 160.

IV. They were very Numerous and of great Variety, p. 161.

V. The Success was in every Instance Instantaneous and Complete, p. 162.

VI. There is no Evidence of an Attempt on the part of Christ or His Apostles

to perform a Miracle in which they were accused of a Failure, p. 163.

VII. The Length of Time during which they professed to perform miraculous

Works, p. 164.

VIII. Their Works underwent the most rigid Examination from those who had

every Opportunity of ascertaining their Character, p. 165.

IX. Their Adversaries had every Advantage in the Fact that these Miracles

were published and appealed to immediately after, and in the Places where they

occurred, p. 166.

X. These Arguments derive important Aid from a Consideration of the Agents

whose Works were subjected to such Scrutiny, p. 168.

XI. None of those who were Eyewitnesses of what Jesus or His Apostles

wrought, were ever induced to confess themselves deceived, or that they had

ever seen anything but Truth in those miraculous Gifts by which they had been

persuaded to embrace the Gospel, p. 169.

XII. The Character of the Miracles themselves, p. 171.

XIII. Evidence from the primitive Adversaries of Christianity, p. 172.

XIV. Testimony of all who were converted to Christianity. Such Testimony

shown to be stronger than that of Adversaries, p. 176.

The Absurdities which must be believed by those who maintain that the Mira

cles were Fictions, and, consequently, that their Authors were Deceivers, p. 179.

LECTURE VII.

PROPHECY, p. 184.

In having proved the Genuineness of the Miracles attesting the Divine Mission

of Christ and His Apostles, we have made out a complete Proof of the Divine Au

thority of Christianity. But our Object being, not only to prove this, but to show

by how many Ways it may be proved, we take up a new Line of Argument derived

from Prophecy, p. 184.

What a Prophecy is. The Application of fulfilled Prophecy to the Proof of a

Divine Revelation, p. 185.

Prophecy furnishes an Argument which, in point of Force, is continually grow

ing, p. 186.

In much of the Argument from Prophecy, the Evidence is before our Eyes, ad

dressed to our Senses, p. 188.

The Religion of the Bible is the only one which, on its first Introduction, ap.

pealed to Prophecy for the Credentials of its Founder, p. 190.

The Weight of the Evidence from Prophecy, and the moral Grandeur witn

which it appears in Evidence of Christianity, can be appreciated only by a ful

View of the immense Scheme and Extent of the Prophecies in the Bible, p. 193.

The Fulfilment of a Selection of miscellaneous Prophecies exhibited, p. 198.

Prophecies concerning Zedekiah, p. 198; the Destruction of Babylon, p. 198; and
of Tyre, p. 199; concerning Egypt, p. 200; concerning the Country and Cities of
udea, p. 201; concerning the Jews, p. 202; concerning the Empires of Chaldea,

Persia, Macedon, and Rome, in Daniel, p. 206.

The Fulfilment of Prophecies concerning Christ, p. 208.