every manuscript and version extant. Of the original Hebrew Gospel there is no copy remaining. The evidence against these chapters, of an internal nature, arises, first, from the discrepancy between the genealogy they contain, and that which Luke gives us; and as the genuineness of Luke's introduction is almost undisputed, this is an argument which principally affects the already doubtful authority of Matthew's. Then there is the account of the Wise men, and the Star in the East, occurrences which do not seem to be natural or probable, and are not easily to be explained. The whole relation wears rather an apocryphal air. Every person is free to judge whether this evidence is or is not satisfactory. On the issue of the question, depends in a great degree, if not entirely, the scriptural authority for the Miraculous Conception of Christ; because there is no certain authority for it, except in the first chapter of Matthew. The relation of Luke is, to be sure, very generally considered as asserting the same event; but if any one will candidly examine that portion of his Gospel, he will see that though his account of the annunciation to Mary, will easily admit of an interpretation in favor of the Miraculous Conception, it does not absolutely demand it. The reason why such an interpretation is generally given to the narrative of Luke, is, that we have already in our minds the more explicit and minute narrative of Matthew, which serves us as its commentary. There are, besides, some considerations founded on other expressions of Luke, which would lead us to suppose that he regarded Jesus as the son of Joseph and Mary. They are as follows. He says, chap. ii. 33, according to Griesbach's reading, "His father and his mother marvelled at those things." In verse 41, of the same chapter, we read, "his parents went to Jerusalem." In verse 48, Mary, says to her son, "Behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing." At the commencement of the genealogy, he calls Jesus "the son of Joseph." With regard to this last expression, however, it is answered, that Luke himself guards against its being misapprehended, by making use of the reservation, "being, as was supposed, the son of Joseph." But to this it is replied again, that we are not required to understand the clause as a reservation. We may, with quite as good reason, understand it as a strong affirmation of the fact, thus; "being, in truth, as he was supposed to be, the son of Joseph." This reading is further recommended, when we consider, that as it was the object of Luke to deduce the descent of Jesus from David, it was not at all to his purpose to prove that Joseph was descended from that monarch, unless Jesus was Joseph's son. The above is a slight outline of the evidence against the introductory chapters of Matthew, and of the principal inference to be deduced from their probable want of authority. To some it may be convincing; to others not; while others again may think that there is not sufficient proof on either side to determine the honest inquirer. Let every man be persuaded in his own mind. If he pursues his investigations with care and humility, and decides impartially according to the preponderance of testimony, he does but his duty, and he need not fear rebuke. Certainty. "I AM not so foolish," says the pious Richard Baxter, "to pretend my certainty to be greater than it is, merely because it is dishonour to be less certain. My certainty that I am a man, is before my certainty that there is a God; 2. My certainty that there is a God, is before my certainty that he requireth love and holiness of his creatures; 3. My certainty of this, is greater than my certainty of the life of rewards and punishments hereafter; 4. My certainty of that, is greater than my certainty of the endless duration of it, and the immortality of individual souls; 5. My certainty of the Deity, is greater than my certainty of the Christian faith; 6. My certainty of the Christian faith in its essentials, is greater than my certainty of the perfection and infallibility of the holy Scriptures; 7. My certainty of that, is greater than my certainty of many particular texts; and so of the truth of many particular doctrines, or of the canonicalness of some certain books. So you see by what gradations my understanding doth proceed; as also that my certainty differeth as the evidence differs! and they that have attained to a greater perfection and a higher degree of certainty than I, should pity me, and should produce their evidence to help me." Home. By Bernard Barton. WAERE burns the lov'd hearth brightest, Cheering the social breast? Where beats the fond heart lightest, Its humble hopes possess'd? Where is the smile of sadness, Of meek-eyed patience born, Worth more than those of gladness Which mirth's bright cheek adorn? Pleasure is mark'd by fleetness, To those who ever roam; There blend the ties that strengthen Fresh eloquence impart; At Home! dear home! Go! leave thy gift unoffer'd, Editor's Farewell Address. CIRCUMSTANCES which relate to my own personal concerns, and not to the patronage this work has received, which has been sufficient, have lately called on me to discontinue my editorial labours; and the present number of the Unitarian Miscellany will be the last. It is not without considerable reluctance that I bring it to a close; for it has furnished, during the two last years, the interesting occupation of my best hours, and has been, I have reason to believe, of some service to the cause of religious truth. The three first volumes of this work were edited, it is well known, by the Reverend JARED SPARKS. The reputation which they acquired, I cannot hope to have equalled. It is enough for me that my volumes will be the constant companions of his-a symbol of our friendship. It will always be a most pleasing recollection to me, that I have contributed, though in ever so small a degree, to the diffusion of rational Christianity; and that I have borne a part in conducting the first periodical I work that ever announced on its titlee-page, that it was devoted to the inculcation of the leading truth of our religion, the proper Unity of God. What I have written, I have written, I trust, not in the spirit of party, for I am no partisan, but in the spirit of sincerity and conviction, and with the sole aim of recom |