/3 v-"^ / -^«. i 1. 1 B R A^ R Y OF THE •, Theological Seminary, PRINCETON, N. J. Case, BS 511 .C64 1835 ' '' fc u Book, ^^ctures on Scripture facts and proDh e c y txJti^ fCttyO^. yk:^ LECTUirES" S C RIPTURE FACTS AND PROPHECY, WILLIAM BENGO COLLYER, D. D. Monumentuni aere perennius, Regalique situ Pyramidum altius: Quod non imber edax, non Aquilo impotens Possit diruere, aut innumerabilis Annorum series, et fuga temporum. HOR. TWO VOLUMES IN ONE. VOIi. I. THE FraST AMERICAN, FROM THE SECOND LONDON EDITION. PHILADELPHIA: PUBLISHED BY GRIGG & ELLIOT. No. 9, North Fourth Street. 1835. ORIGGS & CO., PKINTERS. TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE THOMAS LORD ERSKINE, &c. &c. &c. My Lord, If flattery be essential to a Dedication, I shall never write one : but, in the present instance, I have the satisfaction of believing that an attempt at adulation would be as disgust- ing to your Lordship, as I feel it would be unworthy the dig- nity of the subject of this volume, and degrading to me as a minister of the sanctuary. It would be easy to tell your Lordship that I admire your talents, and that the world ad- mires them too: this would not be adulation : but it would be a tribute unconnected with the cause of Christianity, and I shall therefore wave it altogether. Permit me, then, to remind your Lordship, that you descend from an ancient and noble House, which piety has distinguished as well as rank; and that, in various branches of your family, religion has shed a lustre more dazzling and more glorious than the ra- diance of nobility. Providence has placed your Lordship high in the sphere of society; and it is in your power to do much to serve the cause of revealed truth. With the con- fidence inspired by your public and admirable defence of Christianity; and with the affection kindled by the distin- guished honour I have enjoyed in the friendship of an illus- trious Relative; I presented, in an early stage of this work, an IV DEDICATON. outline of it to your Lordship, and received from you a note, authorizing me to assume the sanction of your name in the eyes of the public, and expressing, in your own energetic language, your persuasion of the infinite value of " Revela- tion, without whose hopes and consolations, all human dis- tinctions are nothing." Under these auspices the work was carried on, and is now brought to a conclusion : and I have the honour to present to your candour, with my most grate- ful acknowledgments, the offspring of your own indulgent patronage. It is my sincere and earnest desire, that the power of that Religion, the evidences of which your judg- ment approves, may be the consolation of your heart; that its influence may shed a divine light upon the elevated orbit in which you move; and that its unfading honours may be your future recompense, when the distinctions of rank shall indeed be lost, and when the only nobility allowed will con- sist in an alliance with Him, who, in the days of his pilgri- mage upon the earth, had *^ not where to lay his head." I have the honour to remain, with high consideration. My Lord, Your Lordship's much obliged and most obedient servant. WILLIAM BENGO COLLYER. Blackhea.th-Hili., Kent. Oct. 21, 1809. PREFACE. It is a pleasing duty now devolving upon me, in sending forth into tiie World this Second Edition of Lectures on Scripture Facts, to ex- press the gratitude which I owe to the Public, for that favourable, and even flattering reception, which has distinguished my feeble, but well-in- tended efforts. Perhaps the best and most expeditious mode of explain- ing the design of this work, will be to transcribe some observations pre- fixed to the First Edition: to which I shall take the liberty to subjoin some remarks relative to the criticisms which have passed upon it, and the alterations which I have felt it necessary to make in the present im- pression of these Lectures. " The history of the publication is simply as follows. — It was suggest- ed to me, about seven years since, in a cursory conversation, that it would be a desirable thing to produce a confirmation of the facts record- ed in the sacred writings, from contemporary historians, so far, as these could be obtained: and where the remoteness of scriptural narra- tions stretched beyond the chronology of heathen compositions, to adduce such fragments of antiquity as time has spared to us, so far as they bear any relation to events transpiring at the earliest periods. It was justly observed, that while many and successful efforts have been made, and are daily making, to elucidate and defend the doctrines and the precepts of Christianity, the facts recorded in the Bible have not been placed in the same advantageous point of view. Some have, perhaps, been deterred by the toil necessary to collect such testimonies, to select from the mass evidences which are more prominent than others, and to discriminate such portions of heathen records as mingle truth with fable, — to detect and expose the one, and to produce and enforce the other. It is also probable that not a few have declined to adventure upon this plan, be- cause it is so unlike the usual and popular modes of pulpit discussion. Vi PREFACE. Thus, while the citadel of revealed religion has been ably and zealously defended, the out-works have been abandoned, or at least over-looked; and the posts where some veterans of old times fought, have, since their removal by death, remained unfilled. Upon revolving this conversation in my mmd, I felt that the remark was important, and I began serious- ly to think of undertaking the proposed discussion, just so far as it might be useful to my own congregation, and would not interfere with the other arrangements of my ministerial labours. My first object was to dis- cover by whom the ground had been trodden before me. I well recol- lected that Grotius had expressly set apart a portion of his Treatise on the Truth of the Christian Religion, to the consideration of Foreign Tes- timonies: and in that useful little volume will be found many of the au- thorities produced in the following pages. But Grotius-has written in Latin, and is not, therefore, accessible to an English reader. He has been translated,- but the plan proposed forms a very small part of his pro- duction; and the whole work can only be considered as an epitome of the Evidences of Christianity, where the principal arguments in its favour are enumerated and stated, but never dilated, and seldom more then barely named. Various have been the productions which tend to this point, un- der the sanction of such illustrious names as Shuckford, Prideaux, Lard- ner, Bryant, Stillingfleet, Pearson, Gale, Doddridge, and others. But these all enter only into a part of my scheme; tliey elucidate a particular portion of the sacred writings, or advert, in general terms, to the stability of the whole. Above all, it appeared to me that there was yet wanting a work, which might interweave foreign testimonies to the truth of Scrip- ture history, with the discussion of the history itself; which might admit general and important remarks with a selected subject; and which might relieve the barrenness and languor of mere discussion, and of a series of extracts from heathen writers, by assuming the shape and the ardour of pulpit and popular addresses. Such was the design of the Lectures now submitted to the public, and it would ill become me to conjecture how far I have succeeded in filling up the outline. The plan was sketched for the use of my own congregation; and delivered in ray own pulpit. It was afterwards desired by some, who perhaps thought too favourably of the execution, that it should be brought into a larger circle; and the Lec- tures were accordingly delivered during two winters in London. By the importunity of the same persons, the work is now committed to the press; and time must decide (while I anxiously wait its decision) whether I have done well or ill in yielding my private opinion of the demerits of the execution, to their flattering prepossessions in favour of its utility. I'RKFACK. Vil "Respecting the work itself, I have little to add to the remarks which will be found to introduce the first Lecture. Using freely different wri- ters, I have also constantly acknowledged my obligations to them. I have carefully read over, and have endeavoured, faithfully to translate the passages produced from antiquity: and, separating them from the body of the work, I have preserved their original form for the use of the scholar who may choose to hear them speak their own language, and yet might be unwilling to take the trouble to hunt them down through various works, in notes at the end of each Lecture. I have subjoined a list of the names of the principal writers quoted in this work, and have placed over against their names the periods in which they flourished. " I expect to derive much advantage from our public organs of criticism; and to candid criticism, criticism such as it ought always to be, willing to allow a merit as well as a defect, to point out a beauty as well as a fault, I shall always bow with respect, and shall always be happy to avail myself of its corrections and of its advice. If I could write a faultless volume, I must possess more then human powers: if I have produced one which shall be useful to the cause of truth and religion (and such was my design,) I shall rejoice in my general success; and, I hope, be wil- ling to listen with gratitude to the candour which discovers to me where I have failed." I had flattered myself that the preceding observations would have so far explained my plan, as to have preserved me, at least on the part of can- dour, from misrepresentation. I wished it to be understood, that I was par- ticularly anxious to occupy the attention of young persons; of all others the most likely to be insnared by the popular objections of Skepticism; and that, so far from attempting to supersede the writings of those vene- rable names to which I have already referred, I was desirous of exciting attention to their invaluable labours, by placing in a prominent point of view, some of their arguments. I will not, however, allow, that this vo- lume is a mere compilation: the form is altogether new — the evidences brought forward, select — and for the remarks designed either as illustra- tions or improvements, I am not indebted to any of my predecessors in these labours. While some have conceived the Notes ought to have been extended, others have maintained that they should have been retrenched, and might have been omitted altogether: the one party has considered me superficial; the other, has represented me, pedantic. Amidst such con- trariety of opinion, it only remained for me to act according to the best of my judgment. It would be easy to extend the Notes— but my objext was to interest, if possible, the attention of the Public, and not to over- wheltn it with that mass of heavy literature which encumbers earlier productions — and which might be more easily gathered as it presents it- self, than selected, as it appears in this volume. At the same time, I deemed some Notes necessary, that the testimonies produced might not be placed upon my unsupported authority, nor trusted to general refer- ences, which would probably never have been followed up to the writers to which they appealed. One critic has said that I cannot have read all the writers whom I have quoted: it required no great degree of penetra- tion to make this sagacious discovery — inasmuch as many of the names produced, rest upon the authority of Josephus, and other ancient writers, from whom their testimonies are extracted, the original works having lono- since perished. I will venture, however, to reassert, that I have carefully read the testimonies which I have produced — and if, in any par- ticular instance, I have taken a quotation from a secondary author, not having the original at hand, I have referred to that author upon whose authority I produced it. At an early stage of these Lectures I was de- terred from trusting second-hand references, by a circumstance, the re- lation of which may be useful to those who are disposed to confide in them. I had frequently seen Plato's imaginary description of the cha- racter and sufferings of a just man, produced as presenting a singular coincidence with the actual sufferings *bf Jesus Christ — and felt disposed to appeal to this circumstance, in the course of the present volume. An examination of the passage proved, that it is so far from being the senti- ment of the philosopher, that he is merely giving the popular opinion upon the subject, as a statement of one objection to virtue, from the afflictions which it is said to involve. It is to be found near the beginning of the second book de Republicd and is introduced by e^aa-iv. I have been ac- cused of vanity in the parade of names prefixed to this volume, as wri- ters quoted or referred to, in the course of the work. My object was to bring these names together merely that their respective chronology, which I was at some considerable pains to determine, might be seen by the reader at once, and without trouble: for the same reason I have retained it, in the present edition, in defiance of critical anathemas. Had those critics, who have carped at these little things, given themselves the trou- ble to read a volume, upon which they professed to sit in judgment, they would have discovered some errors of greater magnitude, and in so doing would have rendered me an important service — these, so far as I have detected them, I have endeavoured to correct. I am indebted to the European Magazine, for some judicious remarks on the aid of eastern literature to biblical criticismj and in confirmation of Scripture Facts. PREFACE. ix The reason why I have not availed myself of this species of evidence is, that it will bo more essential to me in the prosecution of a future part of my plan, than it is in the present volume. I am indebted to the Litera- ry Panorama, for some useful general remarks, of which I hope in fu- ture to avail myself; and for a correct statement of the object of the Lec- tures, which so many periodical publications, either did not, or would not, understand. I am indebted to the British Critic, for some remarks on the style of the Lectures: which had also occurred to me before, and which I feel now with considerable force, as a motive for future diligence. Above all, I am indebted to the Monthly Review, for some judicious cri- ticisms, upon which I have endeavoured to correct the present edition so far as it was in my power; and I have only to regret that their candid remarks did not appear, till it had far advanced towards publication. Upon the whole, I can say with truth, that I shall ever cherish as great respect for sound and liberal criticism, as I must feel high scorn of the insolence and ignorance which sometimes assumes its name. With re- spect to this volume, I am conscious of many imperfections. I have, ne- vertheless, accomplished my object as well as I could; and, with regard to that Holy Record, which I have endeavoured to serve, and to illus- trate, I feel assured that it is, what it is represented in the title-page of this work, — !— Monumentum sere perennius, Regalique situ Pyratnidum altius: Quod non imber edax, non Aquilo impotens Possit diriiere, aut innumerabilis Annorum series, et fuga temporum. W. B. C. BBACKBEATB-HII.L, KeBT. Oct. 21, 1809. Vol. IL B Writers quoted, or referred to, in the Course of the Lectures, with their respective Dates. B.C. A.D. Oepheus . . - - 1000 Tacitus . . . . 276 Hesiod . . - - - 900 Chalcidius — in the 3d century Homer .... 850 Arnobius ... - 300 Sanchoniathon - 760 Porphyry . - . . 304 Xenophanes . . - 620 Eusebius .... - 342 Herodotus | ^^^ . " . Plato - . - - - 484 Julian 363 413 n.rr.\u.,^ I of Alexandria ^^"^'""^ \ of Jerusalem 386 - 348 444 Aristotle - . - - 322 Epiphanius — died . 403 Diodes - . - - - 321 iEneus Gazeus 490 Abydenus .... 300 Alexander Trallianus . 520 Megasthenes . . - - 298 Hermippas "1 Menander - - . - 293 Rhodigenus f uncertain Strato Lampsacenus - - 288 Numenius T Lycophron . . - 276 Eupolemus \ Manetho ... - 261 Aristobulus ... 124 MODERNS. Diodorus Siculus - 44 Cicero 43 Pearson . . . - 1600 Trogus Pompeius - 41 Grotius - . . - . 1645 Catullus .... 40 Usher .... 1655 Virgil .... - 18 Milton .... . 1674 A. D. Addison .... 1719 Nicholaus Demascenus - 6 Rollin .... . 1741 Suidas .... - 11 Saurin Ovid 17 Burnet Strabo .... - 25 Whiston Apion 35 M. de la Pry me Philo — about - - - 50 Taylor Lucanus . - . . 65 Prideaux Seneca . . - - - 65 Bryant Pliny the elder 80 Shawe Solinus .... - 81 Pococke Josephus — 'died 93 Volney Pliny the younger - 103 Bisselius Plutarch . - . . 119 AUix Juvenal .... - 128 Doddridge iElian .... - 140 Home Justin .... - 148 Poole Justin Martyr ■ 163 Bruce Lucian - - . . - 180 Watson Origen - - - - - 200 Geddes Clemens Alexandrinus - 220 Burn Philostratus - - . - 241 St. Pierre Ocellus Lucanus - 250 Ancient Universal History Cyprian . . - - - 258 Humphrys' Annotations Longinus . - - - - 273 Encyclopaedia Britannica. COi^TEI^TS OF VOIi. I. LECTURE I. Page, 29— 45.— Notes, 45—47. introductory — the necessity of a divine revelation. Job XI. 7— 9.— Apology for the undertaking— Statement of the plan of the Lectures — Mode of discussion proposed by an appeal to the heathen world — Their ignorance of the nature and attributes of God — Commencement of man's errors —Source of polytheism— Rise of image-worship — Visible objects — heroes — be- nefactors— deified— Impurity of their worship— Sacrifice of human victims— con- trasted with Christianity — Their civil institutions— their defective morals— their systems too refined for the multitude — Universal adaptation of Christianity —Their uncertainty respecting the future, instanced by Homer and by Paul at Athens — Revelation has removed these difficulties— Infidelity anticipates annihilation— Ob- jections against Revelation refuted — State of man without it deplorable — ex- pectation of Socrates — Revelation possible, probable, found in the Bible alone. LECTURE IL Page 48— 69.— Notes, 69—74. THE CHEATION THAT THE MOSAIC ACCOUNT OF IT IS THE ONLY RATIONAL ONE WHICH WE HAVE KECEIVED. Gen. I. 1. — The province of sense, of reason, and of faith — Incitements to in- quire into the origin of all things — all ages have attempted it — The several opi- nions of mankind reduced to two — First, that the world was produced by chance — examined on acknowledged principles — refuted by Cicero — Appeal to the hu-^ man frame, and the conversion of Galen — Hypothesis of the Egyptians — a disfigured copy of Moses — hypothesis of modern philosophy — Second opinion, that the world is eternal — By whom held—Refuted — by the world's mutability — by philosophi- cal and astronomical laws — by history — by tiie arts and sciences — by the origin of nations — Objection raised from some recent discoveries in volcanic irruptions con- sidered— tradition of the Creation imiversal — The Bemg of a God inferred, and our connexion with him exhibited — Mosaic account of the Creation — Dr. Geddes —Light created — Longinus — Work of the six days — Inquiries answered respect- ing primeval light — astronomy — extent of the Creation — the six days — the infor- mation of Moses. Xli CONTENTS. LECTURE III. Page 75- 93.— Notes, 93—96. THE DELUGE. Gen. vir. 11, 24. 2 Pet. hi. .5 — 7. — Ruins — apostacy of man — progress of vice — antediluvian longevity — Union between the sons of God and the daughters of men — Giants — State of the world at the time of the Deluge — Plan of the Lec- ture— The fact established — By the general consent of all nations — Testimonies of Abydenus — Berosus, Lucian — remark of Grotius — By the existence of marine productions on laud — Hypothesis of volcanic irruptions examined — objections of BufFon and others opposed — Hypotheses of Burnet, Whiston, M. de la Pryme, and St. Pierre stated — Effected by Divine interposition — Objections, respecting the ark, America, infants, and the rainbow, answered — Improvement — appeal to the last judgment. LECTURE IV. Page 97— 114— Notes, 114—116. THE DESTRUCTION OF BABEL, THE CONFUSION OF LANGUAGE, THE DISPERSION OF THE PEOPLE, AND THE ORIGIN OF NATIONS. Gen. XI. 1 — 9. Obadiah, 3 & 4. — Noah's mingled emotions, of pity, of grati- tude, and of faith — The fear of man impressed upon brutes, and the law for mur- der— Noah's failing — his death — genealogy of his descendants — his predictions — Nimrod — the original tongue — Situation of Shinar — Building of Babel — its design and form — Imagery of the Bible — Confusion of language, what"! — Dispersion of the people, how effected! — Origin of njj.tions — supposed — uncertain — Ancient testimonies — Fable of the giants — one of the Sibyls — Abydenus — Inquiries — whether the attempt was criminal ? — whether man would have separated without a change of language? — whether language would have changed without a mira- cle?— Improvement — Our errors spring from the pride of our hearts — appeal to Nebuchadnezzar and to Belshazzar — Prosperity often excites rebellion — There can be no security when God is our enemy. LECTURE V. Page 117— 137.— Notes, 137—139. THE DESTRUCTION OF SODOM AND GOMORRAH. Gen. XIX. 15 — 26. 2. Pet. ii. 6. — Domestic scenes of Genesis — contrasted with profane writers — the patriarchal tents welcomed — Abraham introduced — Idolatry of his country — triumphs of faith — titles of Abraham — his infirmity in Egypt — his memorials of gratitude — his separation from Lot — the battle of Sid- dim, and Lot rescued — Melchiscdec — Interview with Jehovah — Religious worship to be guarded — Domestic contention — Hagar's flight — prediction respecting Ish- mael — Circumcision, and Abraham's name changed — Three angels visit him — God reveals his designs against Sodom, and' Abraham pleads for it — Two angels visit Lot — danger threatens the city in the morning — Lot hastened — is sent to the mountain — objects — pleads for Zoar — obtains his request — The destruction of Sodom sudden — how effected — The Dead Sea — Lot's wife — Testimonies of Tacitus, Philo, Pliny, Diodorus Siculus, Strabo, and Solinus, to this fact — Modern writers — Evidences remaining on the spot — Representations of the Bible concern- ing its appearance in different ages — correspondent features remain — Testimony of Josephus — Changes supposed to be effected by time, and their immediate causes — The subject improved — Judgments delayed will yet be executed — The righteous are always. safe. CONTENTS. Xlll LECTURE VI. Page 140— 157.— Notes, 1.57, 158. THE HISTOnr OF JOSEPH. Gen. xmx. 22 — 26. Acts vii. 9 — 16. — Intervening history slightly touched — Sacrifice of Isaac — Death of Sarah — -Subsoquent events enumerated — Joseph's history commences with his mother's death — ;in(i at an interestins; a^^e — Jacob's partiality, and its effects upon his sons — Joseph's dreams — His brettiren remove from home — Joseph visits them — proaress of sin in their bosoms, and they resolve to slay iiim — Reuben's interference — Joseph assumed nothinjj in consequence of his father's partiality — He is sold, and his coat dyed in blood — Jacob's anxiety and despair — Joseph in Eeypt, and in temptation — Joseph in prison, and his acquaint- ance with Pharaoh's chief butler and baker — The chief butler's in<>ratitudc — Pha- raoh's dreams — Joseph's elevation — Justin's remarkable testimony — Joseph's bre- thren visit Egypt, and know him not — Simeon bound — They return dismayed — Benjamin brought into Egypt — on their second return Benjamin is arrested — Ju- dah pleads for his brother — Joseph discovers himself — Retrospection — They tell their father of his prosperity — Jacob and Joseph meet — Their after-feelings sup- posed— Jacob introduced to Pharoah — Israel dies — Joseph's mourning — He re- turns to fulfil his duties in Egypt — and dies also — Concluding Remarks on Gene- sis— It relates facts in whicii we arc concerned, and which revelation must ne- cessarily contain — iMoses is the author of it — The connexion between it, and the succeeding books, is inseparable — The historian writes like a man convinced of the truth of that w'hich he advances — The difference between the style of Gene- sis and that of his other writings, noticed and accounted for. LECTURE VIL Page 159—173. a scriptuhal repuesentation of the natcre ant) desti^'atioir of matt. Gen. II. 7. Job xxxii. 8. — Introduction — Vegetable world — Animal world — Man — his natural dignity — What is spirit! — Its opnrations traced — Understand- ing— Passions — Memory — Imagination — Dreams — Its separate state — The Soul — sleeping scheme examined — How represented in the Scriptures — capable of separate joys or sufferings — Source of human dignity — Life secretly communi- cated by God — Intelligence distributed variously by the same hand — Madness — Spiritual knowledge the gift of God — The future existence of the spirit flows from him — Reflections — How hiirh is the destination of the spirit! — Its power shall be devoted to the Deity — How vast is its loss! — How diligently should it be cultivated — Concluding remarks — A Skeptic is an enemy to himself, and to man- kind— Humanity is concerned in the progress of Christianity. LECTURE VIIL Page 174— 191.— Notes, 191—195. THE SLAVERY AND DEEIVERANCE OF ISRAEL IN EGYPT. Gen. XV. 13, 14. Acts vir. 35, 30. — The Bible recalls pa?t events — Man al- ways man — his information confined to the pa.-5t and the present — he knows no- thing of the future — Commencement of Exodtis — Subject proposed, and its ar- rangement stated — Changes effected in a few y^ars — [low much often depends upon an individual — Ravages of tim« impressively portrayed by the inspired writer — Multiplication of Israel — Their bondaire — Children slain — Birth ofMoses and his exposure — He is rescued by Pharaoh's dau^jhter — her blindness to the fu- ture Education of Moses — Difference between man and man in talents, in litera- ture, in rank of life, and in piety — Silence of Moses respecting the first 40 years xiv CONTENTS. of his lift; — He slays the Egyptian — and flies— He marries Zipporah — He ap- proaches the burning bush — his commission opens — he meets tiie Magicians be- fore Pharaoh — General statement of his miracles — Death of the first-born — The Israelites depart — Criticism on the word "To Borrow" — They pass the red gea — Foreign testimonies to this fact — There was such a person as Moses, proved by Justin and Longinus — He brought Israel from Egypt, proved by Justin, Mane- tho, Tacitus, Pliny, Trogus Pompeius — The Jews could not have asserted these things, unless they had been true, without detection — Testimony of Numenius — The Jews themselves could not have been imposed upon — Tiiese facts are kept in remembrance by their rites — Ancient custom of the Egyptians on the day be- fore the Passover — Testimony from Diodorus Siculus — an appeal to Skepticism. LECTURE IX. Page 196— 211.— Notes, 211, 212. THE JOUBNET OF ISRAEL IN THE WILDEKNESS: THEIR ESTABIISHMENT IN CANAAN? AND THE CIRCUMSTANCES ATTENDING THESE EVENTS. Joshua xxiv. 2 — 13. — Reason is to the mind what the eye is to the Iffidy, and Revelation is to reason what light is to the eye — the one is the organ — the other the medium — Revelation necessary to eli>cidate Nature and Providence — and to develope futurity — The Subject stated in its extent, and arranged according to the Scripture history — Cliaracter of the Israelites — They murmur for water — Manna and quails sent — a fresh supply of water — Two events distinguished — They subdue Amalek — The Law given — Contrast between Sinai and Calvary — The Golden Calf — The spies bring an evil report of Canaan — A general enume- ration of succeeding events — and tiie death of Moses — a tribute to his memory — Joshua succeeds him, and the situation of Israel stated — They pass Jordan — The fall of Jericho — and the fulfilment of J(*hua's curse — A shower of stones, and the sun and monn stand still — Foreign testimonies — Positive evidence from the most ancient writers to the history at large — from Aristobulus, the Orphic verses, Strabo, Juvenal, Diodorns Siculus, Pliny, Tacitus, Calcidiua, Hermippas, and the Poets in general — Testimony of Manetho to the antiquity of these events — Cir- cumstantial evidences — Publicity of the Law — adherence of the Jews to it — its perfection — impossibility of imposition — So also of the miracles of the journey — Customs of the Jews, perpetuated to this hour, refer to these events — Reason for the reservation of the Canaanites — aspect of the whole to the Messiah — Objec- tions— that the conduct of the Israelites was immoral — that it was cruel — that the instruments used to punish these nations were improper — refuted — Improve- ment— the harmony and success of the designs of God contrasted with human fluctuations — he presides in the councils of princes — It is pleasant to see the gradual development of his plans — it will be delightful in heaven to review the whole. LECTURE X. Page 213— 229.— Notes, 229—231. THE GOTERNMENT OF THE JEWS INCLUDING THE THEOCRACY AND MONARCHY, TO THE BUILDING OF Solomon's temple: with a confirmation of some subordinate facts. 1 Sam. viri. 6—10, & 19, 20. Acts vii. 44—48. Heb. xi. 32— 34.— Revela- tion to be examined with reverence, with caution, and with candour — Retrospec- tion— The subject stated — An inquiry into the rise of government — The parental and the patriarchal — Nimrod — Origin of monp-rchy — Selection of Israel — The- ocracy— derivation of the term — Threefold relations of God to the Hebrews — Distinction of the terms, statutes, commandments, judgments, and testimonies — Scripture epithets expressive of God's choice of the Jews — Appointment of their rulers — Samuel and his sons — Expiration of the Theocracy; and in what sense 1 — Monarchy of the Jews — The change of government displeasing to God — and why 1— Saul anointed — his alienation from God — David brought to court — his CONTENTS. XV friendship with Jonathan— Saul and his sons slain— David's lamentation— His succession, Jiis character, and his trials— His design to build a temple— The mo- narchy traced to its close — absorbed in the spiritual reign of Jesus— Solomon's by the story of Iphigenia — Samson's foxes, in Ovid s Roman leasts — Delilah a treachery, in the story of the daughter of Nisus — The strength and valour of Samson, in the labours of Hercules— The victory of David over the Syrians, by Nicholaus Damascenus — The taking of Jerusalem, and the destruction of Senna- cherib's army, by Herodotus — The translation of Elijah, in the story of Phaeton — Jonah's preservation by the whale, is related of Hercules by Lycophron, and by ^neus Gazeus — The dearth in the days of Ahab, by JMenander — and the fire from Heaven which consumed Elijali's sacrifice, by Cyprian, and by Julian — Conclusion — Christ compared with Solomon. LECTURE XI. Page 232— 248.— Notes, 249—251. THE CAPTIVITIES OF ISRAEL AND OF JTJDAH. 2 Kings XVII. 1 — 6. 2 Chron. xxxvi. 14 — 21. — The history of empires is the record of the human heart — The Bible makes us acquainted with men — Cautions arising from Solomon's fall — Succession of Rehoboam, and division of the king- dom— The captivity of Israel, when? and by whom ] — Samaritans — Cause of the captivity — Menander's testimony — Man's abuses of power — Contrasted with the benevolence of the Deity — Loss of the ten tribes — Inferences — The Messiah was the great object of the Old Testament dispensation — The very existence of the Jews depended upon their connexion with the Saviour — The captivity of Judah, when 1 and by whom ] Intermediate events — The reading of the roll — Nebuchad- nezzar's first vision explained by Daniel — Total ruin of Jerusalem — Description of Babylon — Its walls — The bridge and banks of the river — Canals — Palace, hanging-gardens, and temple — Nebuchadnezzar's pride and fall ; related in his decree — Obscurely hinted in Abydenus — Confirmed by Herodotus — Asserted by Josep^ius — Gathered from Ptolemy's Canon — His reign and works mentioned by Berosils, Megasthenes, Diodes, and Philostrates — Evil Merodach, succeeds him — Then Neriglasser — Then Belshazzar — Babylon taken by Cyrus — The Jews restored — Improvement — The facility with which God can punish nations — Ele- vation sometimes bestowed upon the worst of characters — The power of the wicked limited — War a dreadful curse — Let us seek a better world ! LECTURE XII. Page 252— 269.— Notes, 269—273. the ufe, death, resurkectioit, and ascensioit of jesus christ, proved as matters OF FACT. Luke ii. 1 — 7. 1 Cor, xv. 3 — 8. 2 Pet. i. 16. — Sublimity allied to terror — God alike great in every point of view — The former dispensation has yielded to one more simple and more spiritual — The obscurity of antiquity left behind — The subject stated — It relates to facts transpiring in the zenith of the glory of Rome — Expectations of the world at this period — Extract from Virgil's Pollio — compared with Isaiah's predictions — Tranquillity of all nations — The decree of Augustus — Conjectures respecting this tax, and its extent — Inns of the East — Poverty of the Saviour's birth — It is announced to the shepherds — Journey of the Magi — who they were — the star which conducted them — their country — Testi- monies of Pliny and Chalcidius to this circumstance — Cruelty of Herod — Evi- dence that Christ had been in Egypt — Testimony of Josephus respecting him — Julian, Porphyry, and Celsus allow his works — His death — Acts of Pilate — as- serted by Justin Martyr and Tertullian — Manner of it mentioned by Tacitus and by Lucian — Miracles attending his death — Darkness supernatural — Testimony XVI CONTENTS. of Phlegon — of Stiidas — and the remark of Dionj'siiis the Areopagite — Burial of the Saviour — Evulencps of the resiirreclion — Plea of the ^^uards answered in se- ven different ways — Ascension — Testimony of Pliny to the early worship of Christ — General evidences of Quadratus — Tertuilian, and Arnobius — Improve- ment— Revelation resembles the guiding Star — in its nature — in its source — in its object — and in its issue. LECTURE XIII. Page 274— 292.— Notes, 292, 293. THE CHAnACTEll OF THE WRITERS OF THE OLD AND HEW TESTAMEHT8. 1 John i. 1 — 3. Heb. xi. 36 — 38. — Sensations excited in heaven and upon earth, by the Ascension — The subject statecj — The books of the Old and New Testaments were really written by those whose names they bear, proved by the testimony of their countrymen, and the consent of all nations — They were, for the most part, eye-witnesses of the facts which they recorded — What they did not see they derived from the most certain evidences — Their integrity — Their impartiality — Their candour — Their wisdom — Their holiness — Their lives con- trasted with those of their opponents — Their motives disinterested — proved by their actions — and by their preaching — Their testimony respecting themselves — They believed what they taught — proved by their sufferings — They were guided by that which they preached — proved by the correspondence of their lives — They could not be deceived in the facts which they relate — They would not de- ceive— proved from their acknowledged characters — and from their criminality, supposing it possible — Their views stated, and their prejudices — Their appeals considered — The concession of their enemies — Improvement — The allowances to be made in reading the scriptures — and the spirit in which they should be con- Bulted. ♦ LECTURE XIV. Page 294— 307.— Note, 307. THE UNSEARCHABtE GOD; 015, AS ATTEMPT TO PROTE AN ANALOGT BETWEEN THE HE- LIGION OF NATURE AND THAT OF THE BIBLE, DT SHOWING THAT THE SAME OBSCC- KITT WHICH OVERSHADOWS REVELATION, EaUALLT OVERSPREADS NATURE AND PROVI- DENCE. Job XXXVI. 14. — Man, a needy dependent creature — in his infancy — his child- hood— his youth — his manhood — his death — Revelation meets him on the terms of his nature — Magnitude, beauty, and wisdom,- comparative terms — Limitation of human powers — Created minds swallowed up in the Deity — The subject stated — God unsearchable in the works of creation — Ignorance of man in early ages — Progress of Philosophy — Our present ignorance of the planetary system — Attempts to reach the poles frustrated — Our ignorance of the minutiae of nature, and of the structure of the human frame — God unsearchable in providence — Its mysteries relative to empires — The assistance of Revelation — Its perplexities re- lative to individuals — Partial illumination from the Bible — Our ignorance of the invisible worlds — These were once unknown altogether — Their existence is now clearly proved in the Scriptures — Their nature in general is ascertained — But few particulars respecting them have transpired — God unsearchable in the word of Revelation — Its general truths exhibited — Its promises — Concession respect- ing its difficulties: but in this very point consists its analogy with nature and providence — These all are but partial views of the Deity — The thunder of his power is inconceivable — Illustrations — Conclusion. COi^TEJ^XS OF TOLIJITIE II. LECTURE L Page 9— 25.— Notes, 25, 26. irtbodvctort the nature and kind* of prophect. 2 Pet. i. 21.— Introductory remarks— Apology for the undertaking— State- ment of the plan of the Lectures— Object of the present discourse — Prophecy de- fined— The methods of conveying it enumerated — by dreams — by visions — and the distinction between these— the inspiration of Moses, and its superiority — by an audible voice — by Urim and Thummim — Paine's objections to Scripture Pro- phecy— stated and refuted — First, because musical instruments w^ere employed — answered — Secondly, because Saul was among the prophets — answered — ^Thirdly, because Deborah and Barak are called prophets — answered — Fourthly, because David is included in their number — explained— Fifthly, because there were greater and lesser prophets — explained — The absurdity of his conclusion from these premises — and the general weakness of bis reasoning — detected and ex- posed— Conclusion. LECTURE IL Page 27— 45.— Notes, 45—47. SCRIPTCKE PROPHECY, DISTINGUISHED FROM HEATHEN ORACEES. 2 Pet. i. 21.— It is not possible to judge of the future from the present— Illus- trations— Man's power progressive — The perfection of the Divine plans — Every thing that is excellent has its counterfeit — applied to Scripture Prophecy — Gene- ral outline of the Lecture — The nature of heathen oracles — Question respecting the influence of demons — partly admitted — ^First, because a knowledge more than human was sometimes displayed — examples — opinion of the fathers — Se- condly, heathen oracles ceased at an early stage of the propagation of Christianity — Most of them were the productions of art and cunning — Their number — The oracle of Delphos — of Dodona — of Trophonius — the general oracles — Distinc- tions between the best and wisest of them, and Scripture Prophecy — in the man- ner of their delivery — the time — the place — Description of the cave of Tropho- nius— the ceremonies — the matter — all of these contrasted with Scripture Pro- phecy— Conclusion from these remarks — The distance between the prophecy and the event predicted, in most instances — That the prophecies were written before the events which they profess to predict — instances — the destruction of the altar of Bethel — ^the fall of Jericho — prophecies of Daniel — assertion of Porphyry refuted — that tiie prophecies were written at the time in which they profess themselves to have been delivered — general reflections — internal evidence from the prophe- cies themselves — the improbability of imposition — Scripture Prophecy established — elucidates the doctrine of Providence — exhibits the connexion of the Sacred Writings — furnishes a presumptive evidence in favour of miracles — proves the volume inspired — application of the whole. c XVm CONTENTS. LECTURE III. Page 48— 62.— Notes, 62—65. THE PROPHECY RELATING TO THE ARABS. Gen. XVI. 11 — 12. — The Bible contemplated — by the scholar — the antiquarian — the poet — the speculatist — the man of taste and of feeling — the lover of histo- ry— the statesman — the philosopher — the admirers of the marvellous — the Chris- tian— and tlieir different emotions — The prophecy of Noah respecting his sons — especially Ham — Appeal to its truth in the slave trade — Expostulation — The prophecy concerning the Arabs — different predictions on this point — all of them assert his wild independence — general review of the language employed — his multitude — his princes — his character — reflections — exemplified — in the former periods of their history — they were unsubdued by Sesostris and Cambyses — pro- jects of Alexander against them defeated by his death — disappointment of Anti- gonus — vain efforts of the Romans — The fulfilment of the prediction in the pre- sent state of the Arabs — Tliey do not acknowledge the power of the Turks — Their habits of life are unchanged — Their character is unaltered — Testimony of Sale in his preliminary discourse to the Koran — Appeal to their supply of the English army lately in Egypt — Remarks on the skepticism of Gibbon — his asser- tions relative to the Arabs — confuted by himself — prophecy supported hy present evidences — Improvement. LECTURE IV. Page 66— 84.— Notes, 85—90. THE PROPHECIES O^DTING JACOB. Gen. XL. 9. — The close of life Impressive — the duty of performing the last of- fices of friendship to the dying, and the dead — Different feelings of different cha- racters at a dying moment — Reasons for these opposite feelings — Jacob's hope — Prevailing opinion of prescience connected with death — illustrated from Homer — Socrates — Xenophon — Diodorus Siculus — Shakspeare — remarks upon this sin- gular circumstance — The adoption of Ephraim and Manasseh, the sons of Joseph, by Jacob — Accomplishment of his predictions respecting them — explanation of the term, "the last days" — Reuben — his crime and punishment — Simeon and Levi — their offence, and malediction — Judah — predictions respecting him — terms Sceptre, Lawgiver, and Shiloh, explained — referred to the Messiah — from different readings of the passage — from the application of the Targums — from the absurdi- ties of those who maintain a contrary opinion — because, in respect of the Mes- siah, the prophecy has been exactly fulfilled — the remaining part of the predic- tion— Apostrophe — Zebulun — his maritime lot — Issachar — his troublesome, but pleasant inheritance — Dan — respecting his right of judgment — his subtlety — pause of the patriarch — Gad — his exposure and final triumph' — Asher — the fer- tility of his possession — Naphtali — criticism on the passage — the translation of Bochart — the opinion of the editor of Calmet — the last preferred — fecundity of this tribe — Joseph — the language of the patriarch paraphrased — Benjamin — his courage and ferocity — Conclusion of the paternal predictions — close of Jacob's life — his death desired. LECTURE V. Page 91— 105.— Notes, 106—108. THE CHARACTER AND PROPHECIES OF BAIAAM. Numb, xxiii. 7—10, and 18— 24.— Characters of different descriptions trans- mitted to us, from former ages, in the Bible, and wherefore ]— Obscurity of Ba- CONTENTS. XIX laam's descent — his country described — Cultivation of astronomy in the East — The absurd system of astrology invented by cunning to impose upon superstition — Embraced by Balaam — his renown as a soothsayer — Danger of Moab and Mi- dian — Balak sends to Balaam — liis aft'eclation of mystery — falsehood courts con- cealment— God's prohibition is signified to him during the night — Balak's embassy dismissed, and their mutilated message to the king — Another application made to Balaam — Avarice — Balaam wavers — receives permission to go — sets out on his journey — is withstood by the way — is reproved by the ass speaking — Remarks upon this singular piece of history — it is not without its parallel in heathen wri- tings— He is reproved, yet permitted to pursue his own course — Meeting between him and the King of Moab passed by — He contemplates Israel from the top of the mountain — his altars and superstitious rites — God meets him — His first para- ble— includes four leading points — The security — The separation — The increase of Israel — his desire of a personal interest in their privileges — illustrated and im- proved— His second parable — the majesty of his address to Balak — the immuta- bility and fidelity of God — contrasted with human instability and falsehood — Ba- laam is compelled to defeat his own purposes — Pardon promised to Israel — God's presence with them — including vigilance — protection — direction — constant sup- plies— accompanied by tokens of majesty — Balaam refers to their deliverance in Egypt — declares their security — predicts their victories — contrast of these repre- sentations with their present debasement. LECTURE VI. Page 109— 128.— Notes, 129—13-2. THE PHOPHECIES OF BALAAM CONTINUED AND CONCLUDED. Numb. xxiv. 1 — 9, and 15 — 24. — God's sovereignty in his choice of instru- ments— exemplified in his distribution of the gift of prophecy — Destructive union of talents and vice — hypocrisy in religion — abandoned characters have subserved the interests of the church — the ardour of worldly men forms a contrast with the indifference of professors — exemplification of all these things in the character and conduct of Balaam — His third parable — We are reluctant to believe that which we do not wish to be true — the prosperity of Israel was unwelcome to his heart — His singular exordium noticed, explained, and improved — prosperity of Israel still predicted only in general terms — his language applicable to the church of God in all ages — their lot is pleasant and desirable — tiiey are fruitful, and their verdure is perpetual — Increase — plenty — dignity — success — permanency — are the most striking features in this prediction — the prophet pronounces his own doom — Balak's patience exhausted — and his indignation against Balaam ex- cited— the parables become more distinct — The term "corners of Moab" ex- amined— The star and sceptre applied to David — they are terms implying splen- dour and power — Criticism on the sentence, "destroy all tlie children of Sheth" — fulfilment of the prophecy in David — It belongs more remotely to the Messiah — the images employed correspond with the metaphorical representations of the Saviour — the passage is applied to him by .Jewish paraphrasts and Christian fa- thers— many predictions wore two aspects — instances — In those days clear and decisive revelations of the Messiah were made — Applied — The star — explains the journey of the wise men — corresponds with the names and titles of Jesus — accords with his nature — and with his offices — The sceptre — is an emblem of his authority and power — of his majesty and dominion — remarks preliminary to the closing predictions of Balaam — respecting Providence — res|)ecting obscurity in the prophetic writings — Balaam's prophecies in relation to Amalek — to the Kenites — to Asher — to Eber — to Chittim — illustrated — Extract from Rollin — Balaam's farewell — improvement of the whole Lecture, and especially of Balaam's character and ruin. XX CONTENTS. LECTURE VII. Page 133— 151.— Notes, 151, 152. thb prophecies of moses aespecting the formeii, anb the present state, 07 thb JEWS. Deut. XXVIII. 49 — 53, and 64 — 68. — Different periods of time have been dis- tinguished by different manifestations — Before the flood — longevity — from Noah •to Moses the communication between God and man was immediate — Afierwards, miracles — then, prophecy — lastly, a Divine Teacher — In the new dispensation, miracles and prophecies were blended — then arose the testimony of martyrs — Skepticism demands a present sign — this Lecture produces a standing miracle — its peculiar interest — reasons for passing by some prophecies relative to the Jews Plan of the Discourse — The desolation of the Jews— threatened — the reason of the malediction — the direction of it to their sufferings under the Romans — the agent in these dreadful scenes — the formidable instruments — they were re- mote in point of situation — remarks on the term " ends of the earth " — they are compared to the eagle — the Roman standard — their language not known — in- ference in favour of the inspiration of the passage — of fierce countenance — the lanfTuage of Pyrrhus, King of Epirus — their vindictive character — the destruction of the fruits of the earth — the horrors of war — and of famine — horrible relation of Josephus — The dispersion of ihe Jews — established — compelled to idolatry-- persecutions — testimony of Gibbon — of Hume — their oppressions — in Spain, France, Portugal, Bohemia, and England — especially in the 13th, 14th, and 15th centuries — and in the reigns of Richard the First — John— Henry the Third — and Edward the First — the torments of Divine indignation — the testimony of Josephus to the numbers that perished — The contempt in which the Jewish nation are at present held — they were carried to Egypt by the Romans, according to the pre- diction— and sold as slaves — or perished 'with want — their present population among different empires — Excellent observations of Bishop Newton — Anticipa- tion of their future recovery, and of the fulness of the Gentiles. LECTURE VIII. Paok 153— 173.— Notes, 173, 174. prophecies respecting babylon, tyre, the former and the present state of egypt. Isaiah xm. 19—22. Ezek. xxvj. 3—6. Ezek. xxix. 14, 15.— Valuable ef- forts on the part of literature to support Revelation — apology for the humble un- dertaking of this volume — an attempt at imposition in the Old and New Testa- ments imagined — the probability that a different plan would have been pursued: and the impracticability of that which has been actually adopted in the sacred writings, upon such a supposition — The same reasoning applied to prophecy — Plan of the Lecture — Prophecies respecting Babylon — Its glory at the time when Isaiah wrote — beautiful personifications respecting the fall of the King of Baby- lon— The instruments by which its ruin was to be effected were foretold — Cyrus — an army of allied Medes and Persians — The time was determined — The man- ner of taking the city predicted — with the consequences of this great event — its utter desolation — the gradual steps by which it was effected — confirmed by the testimony of successive historians — Prophecies respecting Tyre — preliminary remarks on its situation and antiquity — Tyre, insular and continental, distin- guished— Its situation favourable to commerce — the predictions relate to two different sieges — It was clearly foretold by whom the displeasure of God against it should be executed — the manner of the siege was described — Its effects upon the inhabitants shown — a partial revival predicted — Its total ruin crowns the whole prophecy — Its present appearances gathered from Shawe, Maundrel, and modern travellers — Prophecies respecting Egypt — Review of the different parts of the prediction — her inhabitants were to be vanquished and dispersed — It was to b« subdued by Nebuchadnezzar — a specific date was named for its depression CONTENTS. XXI — it was never to recover its former greatness — at the time ef this prediction such a catastrophe was improbable — it did not even appear possible — to the ex- tent foretold — yet it has been completely accomplished — Its humiliation was gradual — effected by Nebuchadnezzar — Cambyses — Alexander — Rome — the Sa- racens— and the Turks — Its present state — Testimonies of Pocockc — Thavenot — and Bruce — The French and English armies visit it without raising the cha- racter, or meliorating the condition of the Egyptians — It is what the prophet pre- dicted it should be — A general objection of Skepticism answered, and the subject improved. LECTURE IX. Page 175—186. prophecies respecting the messiah. John i. 45. — Prophecy and Providence have an unbroken connexion with the grand scheme of Human Redemption — tiie harmony of all the arrangements of the former dispensation with Christianity — The predictions of the Law respecting the Messiah — The First Promise — The fall of man, a statement of facts — an im- portant doctrine — evidences of this produced — The Promise to Abraham — the Pre- dictions of Jacob and of Balaam — Notice of a promise which has by some been considered a prophecy relating to the Messiah — no stress laid upon it — and why? — The prediction of Moses respecting another Legislator — tried and established — the book of Job — and his testimony to the Redeemer, lightly touched — The Types of the Law — The offering of Abel — The translation of Enoch, and his pro- phecy— Noah's ark — Jacob's ladder — Israel's slavery and deliverance in Egypt — Atonements — and ablutions of the Mosaic dispensation — especially the Passover — the brazen serpent — the priesthood — and the general arrangements of the ce- remonial Law — the more extended evidence of the prophets glanced at, and re- ferred to the succeeding lectures — weight of the conviction of the disciples, and it is a conviction mingled with joy, worthy our imitation. LECTURE X. Page 187— 198. PROPHECIES RESPECTING THE XESSIAH CONTINUED. Luke iv. 44. — Old Testament saints had enlarged views of the Messiah — our superior advantages have made us less anxious to obtain information, than those who saw the day of Jesus afar off — we follow, in these lectures, the leadings of tile Bible — and shall attempt gradually to unfold his character in tiie prophecies — reference to the last lecture — establishment of one leading position in the pre- sent— examination of some general prophecies relative to the names and offices of the Messiah — his names and titles — Metaphorical predictions admit of poetical embellishment — remarks on eastern composition — the Messiah predicted under the images — Licrht — Sun — Morning Star — Day-spring — the Branch — Plant of re- nown— Vine — Tree of Life — a Covert — the Shadow of a great Rock — an Ensign — a Foundation — a corner stone — a cluster of the Metaphors in Hosea — Titles of Dignity — the Ancient of Days — the Mighty God — Jehovah — Emanuel — Names of Humiliation — a Child — a Servant — such apparent incongruity incompatible with imposition — reconciled in the nature and work of Jesus Christ — offices of the Mes- siah predicted by his names — Jesus, a Saviour — Christ, the anointed — ancient custom of anointing, with oil — to the prophetic, the priestly, and the Royal Digni- ty— the last retained in modern times — some explicit predictions on this point — he was to be a king — a Priest — reference to Melchisedec — a Prophet, or Teacher-— appeal to the Cliaracter of Jesus on these points — Conclusion. Xxii CONTENTS. LECTURE XL Page 199— 211.— Notes, 211—213. PBOPHECIES RESPECTING THE MESSIAH CONTINUED. 1 Pet. 1. 10 — 12. — Perfection of the divine character — Harmony of his attributes in the scheme of redemption — Ascriptions of praise and gratitude due to the Mes- siah— His titles, not dictated by adulation, but descriptive of his character — Prophe- cies relative to him, more explicit in their nature, produced — His birth — Great con- vulsions were to prepare the way before him — prophecy of Haggai — how accom- plished— Alexander's visit to Jerusalem — universal expectation of him — his sud- den appearance — prophecy of Malachi — A Forerunner was predicted — his charac- ter and ministry — he was to be a prophet — John the Baptist — Malachi calls him Elijah — he was to be a pioneer and herald — Isaiah's prophecy — allusion to an- cient customs — Examination of the parts of this sublime prediction — The man is lost in his message — he cried — in the wilderness — he proclaimed the dignity of the person whom he preceded — comparison of these things with facts — The cir- cumstances of the birth of the Messiah — of a virgin, according to Isaiah — at Beth- lehem, according to Micah — Predictions respecting his life — the mildness and perfection of his character — Isaiah's prophecy — His benevolent employment, as a shepherd, by the same prophet — He was to be a distinguished blessing to the world — on the testimony of the same prophet — The effects of his kingdom upon the natural and moral world, by the same prophet — His triumphant entry into Je- rusalem, and the manner of it — by Zechariah — his humility is preserved in the midst of his triumph, both in the prediction and in the event — astonishing blindness of the Jews — predicted — an extraordinary evidence in favour of the Messiahship of Jesus — appeal to the heart respecting his intrinsic excellence — and his adaptation to all our wants — and all our feelings. LECTURE XII. Page 214— 226.— Notes, 226, PROPHECIES RESPECTING THE MESSIAH CONCLUDED. Lure xvi. 31. — We usually judge of actions from their splendour rather than their utility — Difference of opinion on the same subject by different persons — tes- timony of the senses, universally accredited — yet confessedly imperfect — rejected on religious subjects by human inconsistency — Revelation appeals to the senses — and the apostles to their testimony — no evidence of itself adequate to remove un- belief— Subject stated and arranged — Predictions relative to the sufferings of the Messiah — Causes of his rejection — freewill and divine ordination reconciled — The time of his appearance and his sufferings had been foretold by Daniel — the calcula- tion of the prophet compared with facts — to precede the destruction of Jerusalem — and to be followed by the ceasing of the daily sacrifice — The place of his suffer- ing was shadowed out indirectly in the typical sacrifices — The manner of his death was most minutely described by the prophets — that he was to be sold — the price that should be paid for him — and the subsequent use to which the money should be applied — by Zechariah — he was to be forsaken— foretold by the Psalmist — condemned by the Jews and heathens — by the same — to pass the forms of a trial — to die by the cross — to undergo the usual scourging previously — by Isaiah — The scorn of the spectators — their very language— the division of his raiment — the lot cast for his vesture — the ingredients that should be presented to allay his thirst — the language which he should himself employ — predicted by the Psalmist — The sepulchre which he should find with the rich — by Isaiah — The miracles attending his sufferings — supposed to be anticipated by Joel — The design of his sufferings minutely exhibited by Daniel, and by Isaiah— The reference of CONTENTS. XXUl the latter to the scape-goat — and the evidence of the whole in favour of the doc- trine of the atonement — prophecies respecting the exaltation of the Messiah — His resurrection — by David— His glorification — in the Psalms—justification of the doctrine of Christ's pre-existence — His intercession — by Isaiah — His universal empire — in the vision ol Nebuchadnezzar, and the interpretation of Daniel — The whole compared with facts— The astonishment excited by these things — angels were astonished — demons were astonished — men were astonished — the world are still astonished — converts and Christians are astonished — Conclusion. LECTURE XIII. Page 227— 237.— Notes, 237—239. THE PROPHECY OF JESUS CHRIST RESPECTING THE DESTRUCTION OF JERU9A1EM. Jesus either an impostor, or all that he professed — the first impossible by his life and feelings — Character of his lamentations over Jerusalem — The dispensa- tions of God mingle judgment and mercy — exemplified in this subject — lamenta- tion of Eleazer — General predictions relative to the destruction of Jerusalem — remarks on the evangelists who recorded our Lord's predictions — The signs which were to precede this event were distinctly foretold — their clearness — False pro- phets were to arise — Examples in the administration of Felix — and during the war — on the testimony of Josephus — Great convulsions were foretold — partly in metaphorical, partly in literal terms — Fearful sights and signs in heaven were announced — prodigies recorded by Josephus — The countryman's prediction and death — A general diffusion of the gospel anticipated — the fall of Jerusalem — The CIRCUMSTANCES of the siege foretold — The planting of the Roman standard before the city — the escape of many from this ruin — The calamities of those who re- mained— Appeal to the history of Josephus — The time for the accomplishment of these things was absolutely fixed — and exactly fulfilled — It was predicted that this destruction should be total and final — Burning of the temple against the will of Titus — and description of its magnifience — Total ruin of the city — Vain attempt of Julian to rebuild it — miraculously defeated — testimonies of Gregory Nazianzen — and of Ammianus Marcellinus — Extracted from Gibbon — animad- versions on Gibbon's ungenerous insinuations — Conclusion. LECTURE XIV. Page 240—252. CONCLUDING LECTURE ON PROPHECIES UNFULFILLED. Acts i. 7. Rev. xxii. 18 — 20. — Every thing connected with this world is local and temporary. — Religious dispensations are changing too — Nature fails, and Cre- ation fades — Man's calculations of time — God's grand epochs — Creation — the Flood — the incarnation — the Millenium — the Judgment — Subject of the Lecture announced, and its arrangement stated — Our inquiries after prophecies unfulfilled ought to be modest and cautious — fashion of the present day in discussing scrip- ture prophecy — how far justifiable — wherein exceptionable — illustration — appeal to past prophecies — cautions suggested relative to the future — The scriptures fur- nish general outlines of the events predicted — and yet to come, leaving them to be filled up by time— Respecting the power and dominion of Antichrist — St. John's description of Antichrist — includes — Papal Antichrist — described by St. Paul — Mahometan Antichrist — Infidel Antichrist — The universal dominion of Je- sus Christ, a sublime and evident subject of prophecies unfulfilled — its nature — one passage selected, as a specimen of the whole, from Isaiah's prediction — The kingdom of Christ is a diffusion of knowledge — Itistobeunconfined — The certain- ty of this event — The effects which it shall produce — That which it does for in- dividuals, it shall accomplish for society at large — Men shall be kindly affectioned Xxiv CONTENTS. one towards another — It produces peace within — It transforms the disposition — Isaiah's beautiful imagery on this subject — It produces universal holiness — Effect of example— It is our duty to keep our eye fixed upon prophecy, in tracing the dispensations of Providence, and to compare from time to time the one with the other ; yet, rather to apprehend that which is gradually unfolding than to pre- judge that which lies concealed — Allusion to present events — Two points of view in which they are interesting — Mortal symptoms of the ruin of Papal Antichrist — Mahometan threatened, and its seat, Turkey — Infidel Antichrist vnust follow — the scandalous abuses and impositions of modern prophecy, so called— Awful de- nunciations of the text — Improvement of the subject — Conclusion of the Course of Lectures— and a solemn farewell to the congregation. LECTURES ON SCRIPTURE FACTS. LECTURE I. INTRODUCTORY— THE NECESSITY OF A DIVINE REVELATION, JOB XI. 7 — 9. Canst thou by searching find out God? Canst thou find out the Almighty unto per- fection? It is high as heaven, what canst thou do? deeper than hell, what canst thou know ? The measure thereof is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea! To enlarge the sphere of knowledge, and to increase the sum of happiness in the present world, is an object worthy the attention of every friend of human nature; and the effort, even should it fail, deserves the approbation and the applause of wise and good men; but to provide consolation against the severest moments of trial, to disperse the cloud which hangs over " the valley of the shadow of death," and to conduct the immortal spirit safe to the throne of the invisible God, is a purpose far more sublime, and an exertion of still greater utility. To shed lustre over a few years, or to live in remembrance a century or two, and then to be forgotten, is com- paratively of small importance: yet for this the scholar labours, and the hero endures hardship — this is the summit of human ambition, and the boundary of its most sanguine expectations. To shine on the roll of science, to pluck honours which fade like the flower of the field while you gather them, or to sparkle among the favourites of fortune, is of little avail to man who must soon resign to the merciless grasp of death even the sceptre of the world, were it committed to his possession. Yet these things are sought amid re- peated disappointments; and the golden bait is received with ift- VoL. I. 5 30 INTRODUCTORY LECTURE; creased avidity, although barbed with anguish and sorrow. But who regards the silent finger of religion pointing to an inheritance above the stars, promising splendours which shall never expire and, waiting to crown the man, who obeys her gracious admonitions, with honour, glory, and immortality? When I remember the occasion on which I stand before this large assembly, and the awful engagement which at the solicitation of many among you, I have undertaken — I shrink from my subject, and enter upon the discussion of it with '' fear and trembling." To throw down the gauntlet, and to enter the list against winning and attractive fashion, is a bold and daring effort. It will be admitted that this is a day of prevailing infidelity; and surely it will also be allowed, that it is the dut}^ of every man, who sustains the sacred office of a Christian minister, to " contend earnestly for the faith once delivered to the saints," and to " give a reason for the hope that is in him." On this principle the lecturer presumes to offer his mite to the Lord of the Treasury towards the support of this great and common cause. It may be asked, why hoary age should not rather enter upon this arduous work? Would to God that more efforts were made on the part of able and faithful ministers, equally venerable for years and for literature, against the common enemy! Those, however, who imagine that age should exclusively wield the " two-edged sword " against scepticism, will do well to remem- ber, that the opposite cause is not supported altogether, or for the most part, by years, experience, and learning. No, these are far from being exclusively our opponents. The young, the inexpe- rienced, and the illiterate, have united with the sage and the philo- sopher, against the claims and the obligations of revelation. While even school-boys daringly renounce a system which they have not examined, which they cannot, alas! appreciate, and embrace one which they do not understand, may it not be permitted to a young man to say something in favour of a volume, which, if he should not succeed in defending it, he can truly say he admires and loves? Let the wise and the learned rouse to action, and produce their " strong reasons." — I shall be among the first to sit at their feet: but upon persons of my own age, I feel that I have a peculiar claim; I trust that they will hear me with candour and respect; and for them principally I have suffered this engagement to be announced to the public. Let youth be opposed to youth, age to age, talent to ta- lent. Let the enemies of revelation know, that we can ascend to their eminence, or sink to their level. Let it be seen, that some are growing up to support the Redeemer's kingdom, while others finish their course, and are gathered to their fathers. NECESSITY OP A DIVINE REVELATION. 31 It may be said, that so many have undertaken this cause, and acquitted themselves so ably, that neither any thing new can be ad- vanced, nor is it indeed necessary. It is readily granted, that I am to tread in a beaten track; but while scepticism continues to press upon us old objections in new forms, we must follow their example in refuting those objections: and it is as necessary as it ever was to oppose the standard of truth to that of error, so long as our adver- saries determine to keep the field, and to maintain the combat. So far from flattering myself that I am striking out a new path, I shall professedly set before you, from time to time, such arguments and testimonies as I am able to collect from others; and shall freely use every author that may be serviceable to the cause which I attempt to defend. And if I shall be able to set an old argument in a new light, or even to bring one to remembrance only, I shall be satis- fied to be regarded a compiler of evidences, rather than a creator of them; I shall be amply rewarded for my labour, nor will you re- gret your attendance. When, however, I recollect, that we all gather our stores of knowledge from the writings or conversation of others; that the experience and observation of the wisest of men could furnish him with comparatively little intelligence, were it never permitted to advance beyond its own immediate sphere; and when, in addition to these considerations, I remember that every man has his own train of thinking, and a mode of expression pecu- liar to himself, I flatter myself that all which shall be said, will not be borrowed, if all is not exclusively my own; and that something may be advanced in the course of these lectures, which, if it should not surprise by its novelty, may be candidly received for its just- ness, and attract by its simplicity and sincerity. It will be proper, in a few words, to state the immediate purpose of these lectures, and the object of the plan which I am about to suggest: it is simply to meet scepticism on its own ground in rela- tion to first principles. Is it asserted that the facts recorded in this volume have no evidence? We shall endeavour to prove that they are furnished with all the evidence which events so remote can have, and which Reason ought to require of Time. Is it said that Christianity is a modern invention? On the contrary, if our pur- pose be established, it will appear as old as the creation. Is the authority of the scriptures questioned? We will produce other testimonies. Is its history condemned as absurd? We shall at- tempt to show that it is perfectly rational; and that all evidences weighed, and all circumstances considered, it is clear that events could not have taken place otherwise than as they are recorded. Is it objected, that it claims support from miracles? It will follow 32 INTRODUCTORY LECTURE; from our representations, if they are made with the strength and clearness which we desire, that such a book, so written, and so supported, could it be proved to be false, would be of itself a great- er miracle than any which appears upon its pages. The facts which it records, are the immediate subjects of examination in the present course of lectures; and these will be considered in connex- ion with their history, and confirmed by foreign and ancient tes- timony, under the following arrangement: — 1. The present Lecture, which is merely introductory, will be an attempt to prove the necessity of a divine Revelation: 2. The Creation: that the Mosaic account of it is the only rational one which we have received: * 3. The Deluge: 4. The destruction of Babel, the confusion of language, the dis- persion of the people, and the origin of nations: 5. The destruction of Sodom and Gomorrha: 6. The history of Joseph; which will bring us to the close of Genesis: 7. Intermediate Lecture: a scriptural representation of the nature and destination of man: 8. The slavery and deliverance of Israel in Egypt: 9. The journey of the Israelites in the wilderness; their establish- ment in Canaan; and the circumstances attending these events: 10. The government of the Jews: including the theocracy and monarchy, to the building of Solomon's Temple; with a confirma- tion of some subordinate facts recorded in the scriptures: 11. The captivities of Israel and Judah: 12. The life, death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ, proved as matters of fact: 13. The character of the writers of the Old and New Testament: 14. Concluding Lecture — the unsearchable God; or, an attempt to prove an analogy between the religion of nature and that of the Bible, by showing that the same obscurity which overshadows reve- lation, equally overspreads nature and providence. The present subject of discussion is, THE NECESSITY OP A DIVINE REVELATION. A fair trial of the powers of human reason was made during that long and dreary period in which the scriptures were confined with- in the walls of Jerusalem, and the world at large was left in the un- NECESSITY OF A DIVINE REVELATION. 33 molested exercise of all the means furnished by nature and philo- sophy, to conduct the mind to God. To that period we shall, therefore, recur; and shall endeavour to ascertain what were the discoveries made by the most enlightened among the heathens, re- specting the nature of Deity, the relation which he bears to us, the obligations under which we are laid to him, the consequences of death, the secrets of futurity, and all those things which are so in- teresting to man, as an immortal being. It is fair to judge of the powers of nature and of reason, from the effects produced by their agency, when they were left altogether to themselves. It is unfair in the advocates of scepticism to avail themselves of the superior intelligence afforded by revelation, and to use this knowledge against the volume from which they derived it. It is not possible to determine with any degree of precision, what discoveries the unassisted light of reason is capable of making, while it is aided, and indeed absorbed, by the superior illumination of revealed reli- gion; it must therefore be admitted, that a fair and accurate inves- tigation of its powers, can only be made by looking at it as it really appeared when it was seen alone. We ask with confidence, whe- ther at that period of the world, when science unveiled all her splendours, and irradiated the discovered globe from pole to pole; when Philosophy sat upon her throne enjoying the zenith of her power; and when Reason had attained the meridian of her glory; a system more honourable to God, more adapted to the wants and the felicity of man, and more productive of moral excellence, than that which is suggested in the scriptures, was produced? We defy scepticism to answer in the affirmative. Did the mild philosophy of Socrates and of Plato; did the elegant mind of Cicero; did all the heathen philosophers in their combined exertions, ever produce such affecting elucidations of divine goodness, such consoling de- monstrations of divine mercy, such delightful discoveries of life and immortality? They never did. And we shall attempt to prove to you the necessity of a divine revelation from the state of the world, at that very period when these eminent persons flourished. We shall not cause to pass before you, rude and barbarous nations; but we shall bring to the test, scientific Greece, learned and polite Athens, polished, proud, imperial Rome. We solicit your attention to— I. Their superstitions and rites of worship: II. Their civil institutions and their defective morals: III. Their uncertain conjectures in relation to futurity. •34 INTRODUCTORY LECTURE; I. Their superstitions and rites of worship. And in con- templating the state of religion during the boasted reign of Reason and Philosophy, we cannot but be struck with their ignorance of — 1. The nature and the attributes of God. When man was left to wander over this wide globe without one cheering ray to guide his feet, the light of nature excepted, the progression of erro- neous conclusions founded upon one false principle was rapid and extensive. He beheld this fair world covered with every thing necessary to his existence, and to his enjoyments. Spring enchant- ed all his senses: a summer's sun poured his glories around him: autumn furnished his table; and experience taught him to secure her bounty in his rude habitation, while the blasts of winter howled round his dwelling, and spread desolation over the plains. He perceived that these seasons regularly returned, and that they de- parted in their order. He concluded that they had their appoint- ed periods; and this suggested to him the conviction of a supreme overruling Intelligence. In every nation, and in every age, the conception of the being of a God, presented itself to the human mind; and an atheist was a monster even in the days of heathenism. He had no clear conception, however, of spirit distinct from mat- ter; and therefore conjectured that this God might be visible. Here COMMENCED HIS ERRORS. He lookcd around fn search of this great first cause. He beheld the sun as he performed his apparent jour- ney round the globe. When his beams were tempered with gen- tleness, it was spring: when they poured their most fervid radiance upon the earth, it was summer: their continued vivification pro- duced the maturity of autumn; and their total absence, or partial influence, the storms and the gloom of winter. But, when he re- appeared, the snow dissolved, rivers flowed afresh, and the face of nature was renewed. Of all the objects around him, which could be so likely to be the God of nature? or, in the eye of philosophy itself, what presented so perfect a resemblance of the Deity? The Persian raised him an altar, and bowed with fervour before his shrine. But the sun was not the only benefactor of man. Night spread her mantle over him, and he sought repose. The moon lighted him from his labour, and diffused a silvery, partial illumination upon the face of creation, which before her rising was enveloped in perfect obscurity. In her appearance she resembled the ruler of the day; and the conclusion was irresistible, that she ought to divide with him the honours of worship. Thus, while the sun scorched the head of the adoring Persian, the worshippers of the moon rent the air with shouting, « Great is Diana of the Ephe- NECESSITY OP A DIVINE REVELATION. 53 sians." Still but two of the hosts of heaven were considered. The smaller appearances of light, kindled in the skies, during the absence of the sun, were deemed of the same nature and supposed to an- swer the same purposes, with the larger; and it was at length in- ferred that they also should be remembered as objects of adoration; although possibly subordinately to the others, as they were inferior in glory. Hence sprang polytheism. The arts and sciences in the mean time advanced; and while they were erecting for themselves splendid habitations, they thought that their deities ought to derive some honour from the enlargement of useful knowledge. Temples arose, and altars were elevated. There the worshipper adored his supposed deity with greater con- venience. A resemblance of his God occurred to his mind, as de- sirable. The idea was eagerly adopted. On some altars the fire flamed, as the purest emblem of the sun. Others copied the figure of the waxing moon, and described a crescent. Others adored the resemblance of a star.* But the Egyptian, ever ready in symbols, considered the qualities of his deities; and whether they were energy or fervour as in the sun, or gentleness and softness as in the moon, he represented them by the unbending strength of manhood, or the mild, dignified chastity of the woman. When the mind had once seized the couAerpart of its imaginary god in nature, there quickly sprang up an Apollo, and a Hercules, and a Diana. Here AROSE image worship. Nor did human infatuation end here. Every object around them was deified. The heavens, the air, the sea, the very earth, were adored under the names of Jupiter, Juno, Neptune, and Cybele. The catalogue was swelled to infinity ! Their fellow men whom they either feared or loved, were exalted to heavenly dominion. A conqueror deluged the world in blood. Desolation attended his footsteps. The wreath with which he bound his forehead was nur- tured in the field of slaughter, and washed in the tears of widows and orphans. Sighs filled the floatings of his banner; and he drove his chariot with frozen insensibility over the slain in the midst of the battle. He was a curse to the earth, and execrated by the na- tions. He enlarged indeed the limits of his empire; but every inch of ground added to his own dominions, was an encroachment upon those of his neighbours, and was purchased at the expense of the heart's blood of his contemporaries. After his death, dazzled by his exploits, his infatuated subjects paid him divine honours, and placed him among their worthless deities. One man taught his • Acts vii. 43. 36 INTRODTJCTOHY lecture; countrymen to cast seed into the ground, after it had been broken up, and thus to cause "the little one to become a thousand:" and he was worshipped as presiding over the fruits of the earth. Another availed himself of the cloudless atmosphere of Babylon, and ascend- ing a lofty tower, made early observations on the heavenly bodies: he was adored as the king of heaven. A third, by dint of attention, foretold the return of periodical winds; and he was worshipped as having charge of the storms, under the name of ^olus. A fourth crossed the ocean, and in a frail bark committed himself to the mercy of the winds and waves. Both the hero and his ship were instantly translated to the skies; and at this hour a constellation in the heavens bears their name, and keeps the daring enterprise in remembrance. While a fifth, discovering medicinal virtues in plants, and applying them with success in certain cases, became the god of medicine, was said to unpeople the grave, and was adored under the name of Esculapius.* To pursue the subject, would be useless and wearisome: every part of the heavens, the earth, the air, the sea, and the supposed infernal world, was crowded with deities; and every succeeding tyrant, as the first act of his reign, gave his merciless predecessor a place among the gods. While they all professedly admitted that there was one supreme being who presided over their multiplied divinities, and held them all in subjection, they perpetually disagreed on the point to whom this honour belonged; and the supreme deity of one country, held only a subordinate place in another. Respecting the attributes of the objects of their worship, they discovered unequalled ignorance and impiety. We are compelled to draw a veil over the principles and operations of these pretended deities; for the tale is too gross to recite in the ear of modesty; and the picture could not meet the eye without calling up a blush of shame, sorrow, and indignation, on the cheek of innocence. Who must not shudder with horror when he reads, that these sons of reason and philosophy, ascribed to the holy and invisible God, un- cleanness, and every detestable vicePt We will pass on from the nature and number of their deities, to consider, — 2. Their worship of God. Their religious adoration, so called, was such as would have been better suited to the house of a har- lot, than to the temple of God. Lasciviousness was sanctioned, en- couraged, and practised, under the holy and venerable name of * See note 1, at the end of this Lecture. f The gross impurity to which this paragraph alludes, was principally ascribed in the mythology of the heathens to Jupiter, tlieir supreme deity. NECESSITY OF A DIVINE REVEJ.ATION. 37 religion. The more infamous the rites, the more acceptable were they supposed to be to the Deity. The apostle Paul has delineated in strong colours, the affecting depravity of that dreary and com- fortless period. " Because when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations; and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools; and changed the glory of the uncorrupti- ble God, into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and four-footed beasts, and creeping things. Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness. — Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Crea- tor, who is blessed for ever. Amen. For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections " The whole of this awful and well-founded accusation, which con- tains in it things not to be so much as named among us, is given in the first chapter of the Epistle to the Romans, from the twentj'-first verse to the end. And he who has read the Satires of Juvenal, or is at all acquainted with the history of those times, cannot dispute for a moment the fidelity of the apostle's testimony. It is the first principle of our nature to believe the existence of a God; and the first dictates of our reason, that, admitting this ex- istence, we are bound to serve him, to obey him, and to sacrifice whatever we hold most dear to his demand. This is the dictate of reason, assisted or unassisted by the light of revelation. The Bible has directed this conviction to a proper object, and has specified the sacrifice which we should make, and the offering which duty requires us to present, when it says, " I beseech you, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service." When "darkness covered the earth, and gross darkness the people," the self-same principles were held: but alas! they were not directed to a right object! It is affecting to see the wretched and ignorant sons of men obeying the dictates of reason on this point, and, con- vinced that sacrifices ought to be presented to the Deity, concluding that he was " altogether such a one as themselves," and form- ing a false estimate of his character and perfections, offering all that was most precious to them, to the extinction of parental feeling, and in contempt of the voice of humanity. See yonder Druid, with fierceness glaring in his eyes, and the consecrated branch in his hand, polluting thy soil, 0 Britain! with the ashes of hundreds of victims consumed in an enormous image! But soft — we pro- mised to produce examples onlv from polished nations, and from Vol. I. 6 38 INTRODUCTORY LECTURE; empires at the zenith of their glory. And we shall not have read far in the pages which record the brightest splendours of antiquity, before we find the "pitiful women" offering her first-born for her '•'transgression, the fruit of the body for the sin of the soul," the mother "forgetting her sucking child," and "ceasing to have com- passion upon the son of her womb." My heart fails me, and the blood curdles in my veins with horror, when I recollect that it was a custom common among the Carthaginians to sacrifice children to Saturn. The statue of that idol was of brass, and formed with ex- tended arms; but so constructed, as to suffer whatever was placed upon them, to fall into a fierce fire, flaming in a furnace at the foot of the image. The trembling parent j^pproached with a countenance of ease which ill concealed the anguish of the heart, and presented his child. The distracted mother imprinted, with a parched lip, a last kiss upon the blooming cheek of her smiling infant. The fe- rocious priest, clothed in scarlet, received the unconscious babe from the maternal embrace; and placing it on the arms of this in- fernal image, it fell into the fire. At that instant the drums were beat, and the air rang with acclamations from the surrounding mul- titude, to cover the agony of the bereaved parents, and to drown the shrieks of the consuming victim! On one occasion,* two hundred children of the first families in Carthage, were thus im- molated ! and on their annual sacrifices those who had no children were accustomed to purchase those of the poor for this horrible purpose. t These are thy boasted triumphs, 0 reason! May God gracious- ly preserve to us the teachings of the scriptures! At this mourn- ful review of the blood-stained trophies of cruel and inexorable superstition, surely every parent must feel the necessity, and value the blessing of a divine revelation! Hail, Christianity! It was thine to teach us "a more excellent way:" it was thine to over- throw the altars erected to an " unknown God," and defiled with human blood: it was thine to do away the impure rites which can- not be named without a blush, for the weakness and the wickedness of human nature: it was thine to roll the dark portentous cloud from the understanding: it was thine to demand the peaceful, noble sacri- fice of the body by the crucifixion of its lusts and passions! And it is a reasonable service; for it is consonant with the purest dic- tates of reason: it is not a grievous service: it violates no principle of nature: it tortures no feeling of humanity. It is the only reasona- * When Agathocles was about to besiege Carthage. •j- Plutarch de Superstitione. See also note 2, at the end of this Lecture. NECESSITY OP A DIVINE REVELATION. 39 ble service which man can offer, and which is worthy the accept- ance of Deity: yet which, but for the light of revelation, had never been discovered. Thy peace-speaking voice requires no blood to be shed; for the "sacrifice for sin" has already been presented in the death of Jesus Christ: it requires no mortification of our feelings but such as are depraved, and which were introduced into the mind by sin; but which are not the genuine feelings of humanity, because they were not implanted in the day when God made man "in his own image." The only slaughter demanded on thy altar, is that of vice and immorality, of a bitter, unforgiving spirit, of a proud, imperious, untractable disposition, of a useless ungodly life! But we pass on to another review of the state of the heathen world; and argue the necessity of a divine revelation, from — II. Their civil institutions; and their defective morals. 1. Their civil institutions. Vice was tolerated: the principles of humanity were violated; and parental feelings tortured. Suicide was esteemed the strongest mark of heroism; and the perpetrators of it, who ought to have been branded with everlasting infamy, were celebrated by their historians and poets, as men of superior minds. Implacable hatred to enemies was deemed a virtue; and an unforgiving spirit was cherished, and esteemed manly fortitude. Hamilcar, the father of Hannibal, caused his child, at the age of nine years, to swear, that he Avould never be reconciled to the Ro- mans. The infamous traffic with human blood was permitted in its utmost extent; and, alas! is continued to this day among nations pro- fessedly Christian; although the mild and gentle precepts of the gospel plead against it; and religion and humanity unite their voices to demand of the oppressor, " What hast thou done? The voice of thy brother's blood crieth from the ground!" Permission Avas given to the citizens, on certain occasions, to kill their slaves. One of the wisest legislators of the heathen world, commanded that all children should be exposed, who appeared in any respect maimed or defective: and thus was the horrible practice of destroying infants who did not seem likely to be of service to the state, not merely openly tolerated, but expressly instituted. The result of these pre- vailing opinions and pernicious institutions, was as might be ex- pected, 2. A MOST defective system of morals. Depravity was the inevitable consequence of so barbarous a system. The world was an aceldama — a perpetual scene of violence on some occasions, when it was agitated by ambition; and on others, in seasons of peace, was polluted by every abominable and nameless vice. Vir- 40 INTRODUCTORY LECTURE; tue was a mere shadow — a name. It was serviceable as a subject of eulogy in the schools; but was little reduced to practice; and for the most part, their very virtues leaned to the side of unnatural severity. In the fragments of antiquity, we meet with some beau- tiful pieces of morality: but, unfortunately, the history of those times proves, that the deportment even of the persons who wrote these admirable precepts, contradicted all their recommendations; and that they broke, one by one, every rule which they prescribed to others. We are moved with pity in reviewing ages, when men thought and wrote so well; and lived so immorally. So many vices were called by the name of virtue, that it is difficult to ima- gine, what they would call vice, save cowardice. Their most emi- nent and enlightened characters wei^ guilty of crimes not to be recited; and the general character of the whole heathen world was, that they were " given over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which were not convenient." The palaces of the Caesars raised their imperial turrets to the skies, crowned with matchless magni- ficence: but within, they were stained with every species of impu- rity. It is not possible to read the account given of these monarchs who held the sceptre of the world, without pity and indignation. The narration of Suetonius, alternately elevates and depresses, in- forms and pollutes the mind of the reader: and if one moment we follow the warrior through his victories, and participate his tri- umph, the next discovers him to us in his retirement, an object of horror and disgust, " committing all manner of uncleanness with greediness." The general contamination may well be imagined, when Horace obscures his genius with shameless indecency, and the elegant pen of Virgil sullied his pages with impurity. I dare not refer to my authority for this mortifying statement; but it is a subject, which, alas, admits of no dispute. We observe, in general, respecting the heathen world, 3. That their systems were too refined for the common PEOPLE. And here Christianity triumphs. Its morality is pure, simple, intelligible, adapted to the meanest capacity. All other religions on the face of the earth were formed, for the most part, for the rich, and for the wise. This was a grand defect in their system. Their theology was so complex, that the philosopher alone could comprehend its refinements, while the vulgar were abused with the grossest fables, as a substitute for religion. Its mysteries were professedly held back from the scrutiny of the crowd. But the gospel is the consolation of the poor. It has no mysteries which are dark to a plain understanding, and fathomable by the wise: no mysteries but such as are necessarily beyond the NECESSITY OF A DIVINE REVELATION. 41 limited comprehension of reason; therefore equally obscure to the peasant and to the philosopher. Of its fundamental principles, " a way-faring man" is a competent judge: and they descend to the level of his uncultured intellect. Other religions required splendid sacrifices, such as a poor man could not present; priestly demands were made, beyond his ability of performance: and the temple was barred against him, because he could not pay the fee of entrance. But the religion of Jesus addresses itself to every description of men; and hides the poor under the shadow of its wings, from the ills and the injuries of life. Its adaptation to human infirmity, is universal. Other religions were the religions of' the city, of the empire, of the century: and varied with the changes of custom. But Christianity is equally suited to the east, the west, the north, or the south; it is adapted to the European, the African, the Asiatic, and the American: all are implicated in the charges it brings against human nature, all are drawn in the characters it delineates, and all are interested in the discoveries which it makes of life and immor- tality. But we forbear — we are not desirous to pronounce a eulo- gium on revelation, but to prove its necessity from the state of the heathen world before its introduction; in order to which, we re- quest your attention farther, to III. — Their uncertain conjectures in relation to futurity. To the mind even of the philosopher, futurity was, like the chaos of Moses, fathomless, empty, without shape or order, and " darkness was upon the face of the deep." The poets sang of Elysian fields and Tartarean punishments; but these were regarded as the flights of an ardent imagination; and the fictions under which their theories were buried, were openly rejected by the wisest among them. Who does not pity the genius of the immortal Ho- mer, labouring under the pressure of this mournful ignorance? In vain he stretches the wing of his imagination to penetrate the secrets of futurity — not an object could be seen through the gloom. In vain he would carry the torch of reason in the world of spirits — the shadows of death extinguish it. When he draws the picture of eternity with the pencil of fancy, he makes his greatest hero prefer a miserable life, laden with all the woes of this valley of tears, to the highest honours which can be be- stowed after death.* Some of the most enlightened among them, agitated the question respecting the immortality of the soul; yet their reasoning led them no higher than conjecture, and they • See note 3, at the end of this Lecture. 42 INTRODUCTORY LECTURE; could not attain the firmness of persuasion. Nor had it ever en- tered into their most sanguine expectations respecting the body, that HE who first constructed the machine, and took it in pieces, should again put it together, and frame it for immortality. This was an idea so totally novel to them, that when Paul preached at the Areopagus, before the polished and enlightened Athenians, "Jesus and the resurrection of the dead, some mocked:" others said, " He seemeth to be a setter forth of strange gods;" while a few concluded that they would " hear him again of this matter." Revelation has done that for man, which neither reason nor phi- losophy could effect. In the exercise of the powers of our mind, upon the scenery by which we are surrounded, we rise to the great Parent of all; and deduce sorfle conclusions respecting his nature, from the operations of his hand: yet have we seen that these conclusions were frequently erroneous. The religion of na- ture cannot go farther than to teach us, that there is a God, all- powerful, all-wise, all-good; and this is more than it taught the heathen world perfectly. But it leaves us ignorant of our relation to him: it is unable to unravel the more interesting parts of his character; it cannot develope the harmony of his attributes. A thousand inquiries are suggested, to which we receive no answer. We are placed in circumstances, for which, on principles of reason, we cannot account; and perceive the existence of evil, unable to discover its source. We labour under a curse, from which, by the light of nature, we see no deliverance; and are in possession of an existence, for which we perceive no adequate end. Those things which are the most interesting, are also the most uncertain; and that which we know naturally, only serves to kindle a thirst to learn more, which, on the principles of nature and reason merely, cannot be satiated. For what has the light of philosophy done, but rendered darkness visible? It has strained the powers of reason and imagination, till they could be stretched no farther; yet with- out bringing one hidden truth to light. It has perplexed and be- wildered the mind by contradictory hypotheses. It has exhausted the charms of eloquence, and enervated the force of argument, in establishing favourite systems upon the ruins of those which pre- ceded them, only to be pulled down in their turns, to make way for others equally absurd, and equally false. After dragging us through mazes of intricate reasoning, it leaves us precisely at the poiht at which it found us, all uncertainty, obscurity, and suspense. " The world by wisdom know not God." We appeal to facts — they are before you — and we confidently expect your decision upon their testimony. NECESSITY OV A DIVINE REVELATION. 43 It is here that Revelation takes up the process, and disperses the mist of uncertainty. It professes not indeed to reason upon sub- jects beyond the comprehension of the human mind; but it reveals the fact and requires our assent to it: which we may safely give, although we do not comprehend the whole of that which is re- vealed. Those parts which we do comprehend, we conceive to be true and wise: may we not reasonably conclude that those which we do fjot completely understand are equally so; and that the de- ficiency is in our natural powers, and not in the subject investi- gated? Those who call upon you to relinquish your Bibles, have not attempted to fathom the depths of futurity. They rather wish you to consider the scanty period of " three-score years and ten," the boundary of the hopes, the joys, and the expectations of man. They place beyond death — annihilation! The thought is in- sufferable! Say, you who have dropped the parting tear into the grave of those whom you loved, — is this a consoling system? Are the most tender connexions dissolved to be renewed no more? Must I resign my brother, my parent, my friend, my child FOR EVER? What an awful import these words bear! Standing upon the grave of my family, must I say to its departed members, — "Farewell! ye who were once the partners of my joys and sor- rows! I leaned upon you for support; I poured my tears into your bosom; I received from your hands the balm of sympathy — But it is no more! No more shall I receive your kindness; no more shall I behold you! The cold embrace of death clasps your mouldering bodies; and the shadows of an impenetrable midnight brood FOR EVER upon your sepulchres!" — No! We cannot relin- quish Christianity for a system which conducts us to this fearful close! When scepticism shall have provided a substitute for our present hopes, we will listen with more confidence to its pro- posals. And yet the cry of modern philosophy is against the only pledge of immortality afibrded the human race. Where is the gratitude of such conduct? Are we not indebted to it for all the illumination which we enjoy? Did paganism disappear, till Christianity exerted her benign influence? Did not man, in a state of nature, demand and offer human victims? And did not Revelation stay the effusion of blood, and abolish these infamous rites? Is it not friendly to science and civilization? Is it not inimical to whatever is injurious to the interests of man? Where is the wisdom of such an opposi- tion? Before you banish this, produce a better system: show us "a more excellent way:" teach us morality more sublime? What is its crime? Sedition? Impossible! It "puts us in mind to be 44 INTRODUCTORY LECTURE; subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work." Want of philanthropy? Surely not! Some may bear its name who do not breathe its spirit: but their bigotry and illiberality are not chargeable upon Christianity — Christianity, which teaches " to speak evil of n^o man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, showing all meekness unto all men." It sub- stitutes faith for good works; and its professed teachers set up opinion against morality! It is a gross calumny ! It blends these nominally jarring principles: it assigns to each its proper place: it requires the influence, and commands the agency, both of the one and the other: it joins together those things which men frequently separate; and with equal consistency and plainness, traces the causes and effects of salvation: it has prescribed — " these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God, be careful to maintain good works." Extinguish the li^it afforded by this despised volume, and you are precisely in the situation of the heathen world. I close the Bible; and there remains to you a hope without a foundation, as- saulted by a thousand dismal apprehensions. The planets which roll over your head, declare matchless wisdom, and incalculable immensity. They write in the heavens, the name of Deity; and the attributes of power, majesty, and iinmutability. But where is the record of pardon? It is neither written by the sun-beam; nor wafted on the breeze. Where is the record of immortality? It is not inscribed on the face of the heavens; nor revealed by the ope- rations of nature. "The depth saith, It is not in me! and the sea saith, It is not in me!" Look abroad into creation. "Canst thou, by searching, find out God? Canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection? It is high as heaven, what canst thou do? deeper than hell, what canst thou know? The measure thereof is longer than the earth; it is broader than the sea!" From what has been advanced, we conclude, that the state of man, considered as destitute of a revelation of the mind and will of God, is truly deplorable. So convinced was Socrates of this, that, from the uncertain decisions of reason on the most important sub- jects, he not only concluded that such a divine revelation was ne- cessary; but expressed his persuasion, that such a communication would be made."* If you admit the existence of a God, you must grant, that it is possible for him to give such a revelation. When it is so essential to the happiness of man, can we believe that a Being so infinite- * See note 4, at the end of this Lecture. NOTES. 45 ly gracious as the Deity, would suffer us to remain without this source of consolation? If a revelation be necessary, it is probable: and if it be probable, where are we to expect it? In the mythology of the heathens? In the Koran? In the "Age of Reason?" or in the Bible? Has there ever been a book produced, that has any pre- tensions to inspiration, this volume excepted? And are not its claims arising from external and internal evidences, irresistible? " We speak as to wise men, judge ye what we say!" NOTES. Note 1. — It would not be difficult to enlarge the catalogue of idols, enumerated in page 14 and 15, of the preceding Lecture, and to assign the different causes of their deification : but to unfold their character, which in that case it would be necessary to do, would be an ungracious task to the writer, and would afford no pleasure to the reader. Our immortal poet has given an ample list of the objects of heathen adoration, under their scriptural names; which will be more familiar to the Bible reader; and while he has veiled their actions in modest language, he has adorned the sad catalogue, so far as it is possible to ornament a barren list, with the nervous eloquence of his majestic versification. An abbreviation of his recital is extracted. " Say, Muse, their names then known, who first, who last, Rous'd from the slumber, on that fiery couch. At their great emperor's call, as next in worth Came singly where he stood on the bare strand, While the promiscuous crowd stood yet aloof First Moloch,* horrid king, besmear'd with blood Of human sacrifice, and parents' tears; Though for the noise of drums and timbrels loud. Their children's cries unheard, that pass'd through fire To this grim idol. Him the Ammonite Worshipp'd in Rabba and her watery plain. In Argob and in Basan, to the stream Of utmost Arnon. Next Chemos, th' obscence dread of Moab's sons From Aroar to Nabo, and the wild Ofeouthmost Abarim; in Hesebon And Horonaim, Seon's realm, beyond The flowery dale of Sibma, clad with vines, And Eleale to th' Asphaltic pool. ' Peor, his other name, when he entic'd Israel in Sittim. With these came they who from the bordering flood Of old Euphrates to the brook that parts Egypt from Syrian ground, had general names Of Baalim and Ashtaroth ; those male. These feminine. * Itig not easy to determine to which of the heathen deities these Hebrew names apply. Saturn, probably : for his rites are nearly the same. Vol. I. 7 46 NOTES. -With these in troop Came Asthtaroth ; whom the Phenicians call'd AsTARTE,* queen of heaven, with crescent horns , To whose bright image nightly, by the moon, Sidonian virgins paid their vows and songs. -THAMMUzf came next behind, Whose annual wound in Lebanon allur'd The Syrian damsels to lament his fate In amorous ditties all a summer's day. Next came one Who mourn'd in earnest, when the captive ark Maim'd his brute image DagonI his name, sea-monster, upward man And downward fish: dreaded throusfh the coast Of Palestine. Him follow'd Rimmon, whose delightful seat Was fair Damascus. -After these, appear'd A crew, who, under names of old renown, Osiris, Isis, Orus, and their train. With monstrous shapes and sorceries abus'd Fanatic Eg3*pt and her priests, to seek Their wandering gods, disguis'd in brutish forms Rather than human. Nor did Israel 'scape Th' infection, when their borrow'd gold compos'd The calf in Oreb; and the rebel king Doubled that sin in Bethel and in Dan. The rest were long to tell, though far renown'd ; Th' Ionian gods, of Javan's issue held Gods, yet confess'd later than heav'n and earth. Their boasted parents: Titan, heav'n's first-born, With his enormous brood, and birth-right, seiz'd By younger Saturn; he from mightier Jove, His own and Rhea's son, like measure found ; So Jove usurping reign'd : these first in Crete And Ida known, thence on the snowy top Of cold Olympus rul'd the middle air, Their highest heaven : or on the Delphian^ cliff, Or in Dodona,|| and through all the bounds Of Doric land ; or who with Saturn old Fled over Adria to th' Hesperian fields, And o'er the Celtic roam'd the utmost Isles." Milton's Paradise Lost, Book 1. L. 376 — 521. Note 2. — The custom of the Carthaginians of consuming children in honour of Saturn. Diodorus Siculus had been saying, that as the enemy approached the city, the Carthaginians imagined that they had offended Saturn by restraining their human sacrifices: he adds, ^lo^Sucrxc-S-cci ^e ra,i uyvoixi o-Treva'ovTei, hotx-ea-tm f^ev rut i7riiv yjjVj a7-]e tov eTTtreS-evrx r^v Tfxtoidv u7roKvXie(rB-cii, ycxi 'xiTrletv en rt ;^^«a•ytt« TTXii^eg Trv^oi ' For there was with them a brazen statue of Saturn, which held its extended arms so inclined towards the earth, that the child, when placed upon it, rolled off", and plunged into a furnace full of fire. DiOD. Sic. Lib. xx. Justin speaks of tlie same cruel superstition, thus: "Homines ut victimas ini- molabant; et impuberes (quaj setas etiam hostium misericordiam provocat) aria admovebant, pacem deorum sanguine eorum exposcentes, pro quorum vitA dii rogari maxime solent." They immolated men as victims ; and children, whose tender years excited the pity even of enemies, they placed upon their altars, pur- chasing peace of the gods by the blood of those for whose life the gods were ac- customed principally to be implored. Just. Hist. Lib. xviii. cap. 6. This horrible custom is mentioned also by Herodotus, Lib. vii. The English reader may consult Rollin's Ancient History, Vol. L p. 273. Note 3. — These are the melancholy sentiments which Homer puts into the mouth of the shade of Achilles: Mjj S'i) f^ot 'B-uvxrov yt ttx^xuox, (pxi'aif^' OovrircZ' BaP^oi'f^TIv y? tTtx^a^oii icov .%r£V£f^sv aXXo) H 7raCeity. The meridian sun is an image of his uncreated glory, who is the centre of every system. Whether I gaze upon the heavens, and trace the revolutions of orbs which move there: or follow the eccentric comet through its protracted sphere, so far as it is visible: or examine the insect that flits by me, or the blade of grass upon which I trample: I perceive the opera- tions, and adore the wisdom of the Divinity. His voice speaks in the thunder-storm; and when his lightning bursts from the bosom of the dark cloud, "my flesh trembleth for fear of his judgments." Fanned with the breath of the morning, or the gale of the evening: standing in this plain, or on that mountain: dwelling on the dry land, or floating on the surface of the deep — I am still with God. Reason takes up the process where sense fails. It deduces in- ferences respecting invisible things from those "which do appear." Nature wafts the mind to the Creator. From its majesty. Reason argues his greatness: from its endless variety, his bounty, from its uses, his wisdom. The foundation of the Temple of Knowledge is laid deep, wide, and lasting on the face of the universe. Reason seizes such materials as sense can furnish, and carries on the build- ing. But, alas, the edifice remains incomplete! The architect is skilful; but the materials are scanty. Those which are most essen- tial to crown the work, lie far from this country beyond the grave. In vain imagination lends her assistance, and attempts to explore the land of spirits, where only they are to be found. Bewildered, exhausted, and powerless, the artist sits down in silent despair. Here Faith takes up the tools which fell from the hand of Rea- THE CREATION. 49 son. Revelation ascertains all that futurity had concealed; and Faith draws her materials from Revelation. The building rises, and shall continue to rise, till " the top-stone is brought forth with shouting." For "faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evi- dence of things not seen." Sense cannot introduce us to the invisible Majesty of heaven. It can only present us with his image. The pure, ethereal light — the blaze of a noontide sun — the azure heavens and revolving orbs — the mysterious, eccentric comet — the insect curiously wrought, and the grass simply elegant — the thunder-storm — the lightning vivid and irresistible — the morning and evening breeze — the ver- dant plain and the elevated mountain — the solid earth, and the roll- ing seas — these all reflect the glory of Deity, all bear the impress of his hand, all develope his wonderful agency — but they are not God himself. Reason ascends a little higher; and from the volume of nature, through the medium of sense, unfolds a little of the Divine nature, and a few of his perfections. His immensity, his wisdom, his libe- rality, may be inferred from every thing which I behold: but, alas, I am still at a distance from God! What is he to me? What does he require? Have I disobeyed the dictates of reason at any time? or neglected to serve him? If so, will he pardon sin? and how am I to receive forgiveness? Neither reason nor sense can answer these inquiries, nor silence the clamours of conscience. It is faith rising on the wing of Revelation that introduces me into the heaven of heavens, unlocks the m3'stery, and unfolds the seven-sealed book. Here I read the covenant of mercy. Here I receive the promise of pardon. Here I learn all that I would know, and anticipate all that I shall hereafter enjoy. The pressure of the ills of life is lightened; and I "endure as seeing Him who is invi- sible." Who can behold the fair structure of the heavens and the earth without feeling a powerful desire to understand their origin, and to be acquainted, in some measure at least, with the Architect who reared them? Cold is the heart which kindles not into devotion, when the skies blaze with a thousand lamps; and grovelling the mind, which rises not through the system of the Universe to the Great First Cause! Blind is that understanding which cannot see, amidst the vicissitudes of seasons, and the changing blessings of the Spring, the Summer, the Autumn, and the Winter, the superinten- dence of a faithful Friend, and the bounty of an unwearied Benefac- tor! Insensible is that man who can look upon this grand machine- ry, and live in the bosom of creation, yet perceive no harmony, no order, no loveliness, no design; or upon whom they make no im- 50 THE CREATION. pression! Let the friend of 7ny choice be one who can relish the majesty of nature: who, on the close of the day, from the summit of some lofty mountain, will watch the rising cloud, and observe the evening spread her gray and dusky mantle over the features of the landscape, till they are lost and extinguished: whose eye is fixed with delight on the stars as they break one by one through the in- creasing obscurity; and who, withdrawing from the world, can re- lish retirement, nor envy the dissipation of life, as he hears its noise swelling on the gale of the evening. The " Friend of God," and the admirer of nature, is the man whom I would choose as my companion, and love as my own soul. It is not possible for the spirit of man to be encircled with the present Deity, without inquiring after the Fountain of existence. Every thing above us, around us, beneath us, — lives. Every clod of earth teems with animation. Every drop of water swarms with animalcules; imperceptible, indeed, to the naked eye, but plainly visible when the organ of vision receives assistance from art. Pro- bably myriads floating in the air which we breathe, are drawn into the lungs in the act of respiration. Curiosity must stimulate our researches, even if we had no other, and no better motive: nor can we examine, without emotions of gratitude, a system in which every thing ministers either to our necessities or to our conveni- ence. In truth, men of all ages, and at every period of time, have been solicitous to understand their own origin and that of things around them. Every power of the mind has been exerted, and no pains have been spared, in attempting to unravel this mystery. The spirit has been overwhelmed with extravagant and clashing hypo- theses: or the man has sat down contented with uncertain rumours, and mutilated traditions. The stream of his knowledge rose from the pure and undefiled fountain of Revelation; but it gathered pollu- tion from the channels through which it passed, before he stooped to drink its defiled wave. The systems formed by Reason, and that suggested by Revelation, are each to pass in review; and when they are contrasted, we hope to prove, that the Mosaic account OP the creation is the only rational one which we have RECEIVED. The different hypotheses of men, who either had not received Revelation, or who have refused its testimony and denied its pre- tensions, may be reduced to one of these two divisions: either that the world was the production of chance, or that it is eternal. The several opinions of ancient and modern times, appear to be neither more nor less, than ramifications or modifications of the one or the other of these systems. We shall examine them separately. THE CREATION. 51 I. That the world was produced by chance. When we behold a complicated, yet harmonious and well-con- structed machine, we may be ignorant of the hand that formed it, but we find no difficulty in assigning it a maker. No rational man would ever imagine that it was the production of chance: and if the idea were suggested to him, he would reject it with disdain as an insult to his reason. I gaze with delight upon a beautiful landscape- painting; colour melts into colour, and shade softens into shade. By the artful intermixture of light and of shadow, in some parts it dwindles into perspective; in others, it appears raised from the sur- face. Here, the figures seem to project from the canvass; and there the distant mountain, bounding the horizon, just shows its diminished elevation, scarcely distinguishable from the azure of the surround- ing heavens. So exquisite is the combination of the various tints, that the instant I see it, I discover in it the hand of a master. Who in this assembly gazing upon a transparent orrery, to have a cor- rect idea of the motions of the earth, and of the heavenly bodies, would suffer his imagination to rest for a moment on the supposi- tion, that the machinery so admirably adapted to a certain defini- tive purpose, was constructed merely by accident, without design, without skill, and without a maker? And shall any man attempt to persuade you, that the solar system, of which it is but an imper- fect resemblance, was formed, arranged, and regulated by chance? Let me see it produce the orrery, before I give it credit for the construction of the system! It is strange that men should so easily agree in assigning to inferior productions some adequate cause, yet deny it to superior operations: that they should with such facility discover the agency of man in all his works, and yet not discern the hand of God in the visible creation. Plain sense, independent of laborious investigation, or superior intelligence, uncontaminated by corrupt principles, and unbiassed by inveterate prejudice, is sufficient to overthrow this absurd sys- tem. Let but the man of a common understanding look abroad into the economy of nature, and give in his evidence. Ask him, whe- ther chance placed a boundary to the restless waves, and said, " Hi- therto shall ye come, but no further?" or commanded the mountain to rise decked with verdure, and break the clouds as they passed? or clothed the valley with corn, and turned the course of the rivulet through it, to water the young plantation? or drew an atmosphere round this globe? or bade yonder worlds preserve invariably the same orbit, during six thousand years, around the same luminary? 52 THE CREATION. Propose these questions to a mind of a common standard, accus- tomed to the exertion of its own powers, and unacquainted with the dispute between Revelation and Scepticism: and it is impossible that they should be answered in the affirmative. It would be less insane to conclude that the machine were self-constructed, and that chance disposed the several parts of the painting. Those who demand the voice of reason on this subject shall be gratified by the testimony of a great man, to whom the light of Re- velation never appeared. The mind of Cicero was too exalted to stoop to so degrading an hypothesis. He asks, " Can I forbear to wonder that there should ever be a man who could persuade him- self, that this beautiful and well-finished world was produced by the fortuitous floating together of certain solid and indivisible bodies, necessarily moved by the force of their own gravity? I can- not imagine why he, who can thus conclude should not also think, that if innumerable types, (formed of gold or of any other substance, and representing the letters of the alphabet,) were cast carelessly upon the ground, they would form the annals of Ennius, so as to be perfectly intelligible: but I much doubt whether chance would be able to produce a single verse. How then can these men assert, that atoms without colour,* without any of that quality which the Greeks call ^oioTiflet,^ and without intelligence, floating together at random, should by accident form a perfect world; or rather, an in- finity of worlds, some of which are at every point of time produced, as others perish? But if this accidental concourse of atoms can make a world, why does it never form a portico, a house, a tem- ple, a city, which might certainly be efiected with much greater ease?"t Let us for a few moments select a part of the creation of God as a full answer to the absurd system under consideration, and as an indisputable evidence of infinite skill and of omnipotent agency. We are about to turn your reflections upon yourselves. Contem- plate your own body: observe the union of its several parts, and their adaptation to the particular purposes for which they were designed. Mark the composition and configuration of the whole. What grace in movements! what beauty of countenance! what end- less diversity of feature! what incomparable workmanship is per- ceptible in the whole frame! You discover bones marvellously * The Epicureans imagined that colour, heat, and similar qualities, belonged only to compound bodies; and that size and weight were the only properties of atoms : or roughness and smoothness, resulting from their configuration. t vetoTijg, qualitas, a quality. \ See note 1, at the end of this Lecture. THE CREATION. 53 united, presenting a skeleton of the human form: fibres and nerves, fine and delicate in the extreme! muscles, possessing incredible strength, and singularly disposed : vessels, through which the stream of life flows, complicated, and branched into every part of the body: a spirit, at an unknown moment, and in an unsearchable manner, superadded to give impulse to the whole machine. In consequence of every volition of the mind, this and the other muscle is in mo- tion: but no one can define the union between matter and spirit: and philosophy in vain attempts to lay her finger upon the spring which agitates the vibrations of ten thousand invisible fibres. The whole mass of blood is perpetually circulating through every chan- nel, and returning to the heart black and improper for the purposes of life, till it has undergone an instantaneous chemical change, which is effected in the lungs by the air, and it flows on purified to pursue its unwearied course. If the air inhaled be unsuitable to perform this process, and unable to effect this change, immediate death is the inevitable consequence. Air, which has lost its elasti- city in mines and similar places, or which is impregnated with mortal particles, has this sudden and awful influence upon the hu- man frame. Who, with the smallest pretensions to reason, can af- firm or believe, that such complex machinery is the production of chance? Galen, a celebrated heathen, was converted from atheism by contemplating a human skeleton, persuaded that workmanship so exquisite, and design so manifest, demonstrated the existence of a Creator. Yet is this human frame but a very small part of the divine agency. The same skill is visible in every, the meanest, insect, submitted to our inspection. The Egyptians maintained the irrational system under considera- tion; and one should imagine that a more complete refutation could not be made, than their own statement of it. Diodorus Siculus has preserved it, and we submit it to your examination. " At the commencement of all things, the elements of the hea- vens and the earth Vv^ere blended, and they wore a uniform appear- ance. But afterwards these parts separated from each other, the world assumed the shape which we now behold, and the air received its perpetual motion. The fire ascended highest, because the light- ness of its nature impelled it upwards; and for the same reason the sun and the stars move in an invariable circle. But that part which was gross and muddy, as also the fluid, sank down into one place, by the force of gravity. These elements perpetually floating and rolling together, from their moisture produced the sea, while from their more solid particles sprang the earth, as yet extremely soft and miry. But in proportion as the light of the sun began to shine Vol. L S 54 THE CREATION. upon it, it became solid; and the surface of it, fermented by the warmth extracting its moisture, swelled, and exuded putrescences, covered over with a kind of thin skins, such as may still be ob- served in marshy or boggy places, when, the earth having been cool, the air is heated suddenly, and not by a gradual change. These putrescences, formed after this manner from the moisture of the earth extracted by the warmth, by night were nourished from the clouds spread all around, and in the day were consolidated by the heat. At length, when these embryos were arrived at their per- fect growth, and the membranes by which they were enclosed were broken by the warmth, all sorts of living creatures instantly ap- peared. Those that had a larger proportion of heat in their natures, became birds and soared on high. Those that were of a gross and terrestrial kind, became reptiles and animals confined to the ground. While those who drew the most of their qualities from moisture, were gathered into an element corresponding with their natures, and became fish."* It is scarcely possible to conceive of any thing more confused, in- explicable, and unphilosophical, than this hypothesis. Yet even in this account, deformed as it is by alterations, disguised by absurdi- ty, and clouded with obscurity, something of the Mosaic system may be traced, which renders it probable that it might originally have sprung from his representation of chaos. There is this essen- tial difference: he makes order and beauty to arise out of confusion and deformity under the forming, superintending hand of Deity: they ascribe it all to the agency of chance. When I speak of the Mosaic hypothesis, I would be understood to prefix his name to the scriptural system, only because he committed to writing the tradition of the generations which preceded him up to the birth of time, and not to insinuate that he was the inventor of the account contained in the first chapter of Genesis. On the present occasion, and in the discussion of the present sub- ject, I trust that it will be deemed sufficient if I merely mention a more modem hypothesis. It remained for the philosophers of the eighteenth century to discover that the earth and the other planets were originally parts of the sun, struck off from that immense body by the concussion of comets, and whirled into infinite space, by the rapidity of their motion acquiring their spherical form, and as- suming their present appearance. It may be thought that this ac- count of the creation evinces the fertility of their imaginations; but it may also be questioned whether it will place the laurel upon their heads, as accurate reasoners, or as illumined and sound phi- * See note 2, at the end of this Lecture. THE CREATION. 55 losophers. Yet these are the men who arrogate to themselves the sole claim to reason, and who condemn as superstitious and irra- tional, all, who, rejecting their crude and extravagant systems, ad- here to the plain, concise, and luminous account, transmitted to us by Moses. But it is time that we should pass on to the consideration of the remaining hypothesis, viz. II. THAT THE WORLD IS ETERNAL. Many celebrated names among the ancients supported this opi- nion; of whom were Ocellus Lucanus, Aristotle, the later Plato- nists, and Xenophanes, the founder of a sect called the Eleatic. Plato himself acknowledged that the world was created by the •hand of God. It was, moreover, supported by many modern phi- losophers; among whom we may number Spinoza, Amalric, and Abelard; not to name those of our own day, some of whom hold the eternity of the world in its full sense; and others assign to it an antiquity much more remote than the scriptural account will allow. The heathen poets at large countenanced the former opinion, which proves that the popular sentiment of the Pagan world was, that what we deem creation, sprang from a chaos of which they ap- pear to have no correct notion, under the influence of mere chance.* There are several modifications of the hypothesis of the world's eternity: but we feel it our duty to assign the reasons which ap- pear to us to overthrow it, rather than to state the several senses in which it was held. 1. A valuable writer! has laid it down as an axiom, that if any thing be eternal, it is also self-existent and immutable. For a be- ing is the same with all its properties taken together. We can have "no conception of any substance distinct from all the properties in which they inhere." On this principle, if any property be re- moved or destroyed, depart of that being would necessarily perish; which is inconsistent with its being necessary, and subverts its eternity as a whole. It cannot be said, that it is impossible for al- terations to be made on the face of this globe, when its several parts are incessantly changing; and the inference, allowing this fact, is against its eternity. 2. The same ingenious author has collected and enumerated at length,J several philosophical and astronomical objections against • See note 3, at the end of this Lecture. t Doddridge's Lectures, xxiv. Part II. page 47. Demonstration — connected with the preceding chain of propositions. X See Doddridge's Lectures, Part II. page 47—50. Quarto edition. 56 THE CREATION. this system. These have been urged by various writers; and we shall be satisfied with simply naming them. They are founded upon those immutable laws of nature by which the several parts of this grand system act in unison, so far as they have been discovered, and are comprehensible to us, and which are acknowledged by the world at large. They are to this effect: That the projectile force of the planets is continually diminishing; therefore, had the present system of things been eternally the same, they would long since have fallen into the sun. That the sun itself is continually losing some of its light, however small the proportion may be; and of course must have been utterly extinguished. That as the sun and the fixed stars are supposed to attract each other, they must, ere this, have met in the centre of gravity common to the whole universe. That as many substances are constantly petrifying and ossifying, the whole earth must have undergone the same change. And that as hills are continually subsiding, the surface of the whole globe must, ages ago, have been reduced to a level: for if it be urged that the numbers of those" so subsiding are counterbalanced by others which we may suppose to have been raised by earthquakes and other violent convulsions, we answer — that the numbers so raised must be small compared with those reduced: not to say, that moun- tains raised by earthquakes are for the most part hollow, and are therefore naturally more disposed to subside and fall in. This hy- pothesis supposes that all mountains with which we are now ac- quainted, are the effects of earthquakes, (admitting that the ori- ginal ones, through the effects of time, had been levelled, which would doubtless have been the case, had the world been eternal:) a supposition so absurd, that we need only appeal to such mountains as the Alps, the Peak of Teneriffe, and others, to overthrow it. Many others have been proposed, but we cheerfully leave these hypothetical speculations to the learned and the curious, the philo- sopher and the naturalist, and pass on to other considerations which we deem more important and more satisfactory. 3. We have no credible history of transactions more remote than six thousand years from the present time. The Chinese, the Egyp- tians, the Chaldeans, and the Phenicians, have all laid claim to much higher antiquity; but in bringing these pretensions to the test, it is clearly manifest that they do not deserve the credit which they de- mand. Their chronology is so absurdly extended, as to exceed the bounds of probability, and to excite suspicion in respect of the facts themselves, which arc the subjects of their calculations. It has been. stated, and rendered probable by the learned writers of the Universal History, in their account of the Tartars and the Chinese, THE CREATION. 57 that a great part of China was very thinly peopled, so late as the year before Christ six hundred and thirty-seven, when the Scy- thians, under the conduct of Madyes, made an irruption into Upper Asia. We have a singular fact to state, which will prove that their boasted antiquity really falls within the limits of the Mosaic chro- nology. For the evidence which we are about to produce, we are indebted to the discoveries of modern astronomy. The Chinese have ever made a point of inserting in their calendars remarkable eclipses, or conjunctions of the planets, together with the name of that emperor in whose reign they were observed. To these events they have also affixed their own dates. There is a very singular conjunction of the sun, moon, and several planets, recorded in their annals as having taken place almost at the very commencement of their remote history. The far-famed Cassini, to. ascertain the fact, calculated back, and decisively proves that such an extraordinary conjunction actually did take place at China, on February the twenty-sixth, two thousand and twelve years before Christ. This falls four hundred years after the flood, and a little after the birth of Abraham.* Here are two important facts ascertained. The one is, that the Chinese are an ancient nation, although perhaps not at that time a very large one; and the other, that their pretensions to antiquity beyond that of Moses are unfounded: because this event, which they themselves represent as happening near the beginning of their immense calculations, falls far within the history and chro- nology of the scriptures. The Egyptians pretended, in like manner, to possess an exact nar- ration for some myriads of years. Their inaccuracy is demonstra- ble from a plain matter of fact. They professed to preserve the re- cords of other ancient nations as well as of their own ; and their evident fallacy in relation to other empires, marks the dependance which we ought to place in their history respecting themselves; and proves that we should receive their calculations with great cau- tion, and under considerable limitations. When Alexander entered with his victorious army into Egypt, the priests professed to show him, out of their sacred annals, an account of the Macedonian and Persian empires through a period of eight thousand years: while it appears, from the best historical accounts, that the Persian empire * May I be permitted to recommend a small and well composed treatise, called " T/^e Christian Officer's Panoply,"" written by an excellent officer in the ma- rines now living, and personally known to me] It is published by Matthews. This singular fact is recorded in this little volume, which is the best compendium of evidences in favour of the Bible, and the most familiar I have ever seen# The style of writing adopted is at once entertaining and instructive ; and I never re- ceived more of pleasure and of satisfaction, from any book which I ever perused. 58 THE CREATION. was not then three hundred years old: nor had the Macedonian been founded quite five centuries. In order to establish their chronology, they make their first kings, on their own calculations, reign above twelve hundred years each; and for the same reason the Assyrians make their monarchs reign above forty thousand years. We might adduce a variety of similar instances of un- bounded license in the pretensions of the Chaldeans, Phenicians, and some other nations. But it is unnecessary to pursue the inqui- ry farther. Such extravagance defeats its own purposes; since no dependance can be placed upon calculations so chimerical.* 4. We are able to ascertain the periods when the most useful arts and sciences were invented; which could not be done with certain- ty, had the world been eternal, because many of them would have been involved and buried in the mist of extreme antiquity. Mark the progress of science! Observe how soon it arrives at the perfec- tion of which it is capable! What elucidation the revolution of a few ages throws upon theories previously obscure! In the lapse of comparatively a very^few years, the hand of time uncovers a fund of knowledge, which was veiled in perplexity and uncertainty. How many useful arts are invented, and how many interesting dis- coveries are made in the course of a single century! Calculate upon the most tardy progress of the arts imaginable, and determine whether those of which we are now in possession are at all equal to that which we might reasonably expect, if the world had been eter- nal, and if human genius and industry had been gradually, however slowly, penetrating the darkness, and dispersing the cloud of igno- rance? If it be urged that floods and fires, and wars, with ten thou- sand nameless hypothetical desolations, may have destroyed a mul- titude of useful inventions; we answer, that the number of these must have been prodigious, indeed, and absolutely inconceivable, to produce a devastation of the arts which should be able to coun- terbalance the inventions of science, which, on the supposition of the world's eternity, might be expected. Nor could we with such facility determine the periods when these useful arts were disco- vered, if the chronology of the world really extended far beyond the Mosaic history. Admit that the world were twenty thousand years old: we should necessarily be in uncertainty with regard to the rise of the most simple and useful inventions, because of their extreme antiquity. The fact, on the contrary, is simply this: that the necessaries and conveniences of life, civilization and commerce, See Pearson on the Creed: page 58—60. Folio edition of 1669. Consult, also, Stillingfleet's Origines Sacree. THE CREATION. 59 the inventions of the arts and sciences, the letters which we use, the language which we speak, have all known originals, may all be traced back to the first authors, and these all fall far within the. circle of six thousand years, while none are found to exceed it — no, not one. 5. In the same manner we are able to trace the origin of different nations; which we could not do with certainty had the world been eternal. We can look back to the beginning of the greatest empires of the present daj^; and we can also mark the rise, the meridian splendour, and the decline of those which preceded them, till we arrive at a certain point beyond which we know nothing; and this point extends to about the standard assigned in the Mosaic account of the creation. Should earthquakes and floods be again pleaded, as having destroyed nations as well as sciences, and thus reduced the world to a second infancy — if any had remained, we might na- turally conclude that the most useful arts had been preserved, and that some wrecks of mighty nations would have survived the de- solation, at least, to tell the tale of wo to succeeding generations. But a system begins to be in danger, when those who maintain it are reduced to the necessity of supposing things which might, or might not, happen — where probabilities are against them — and when, if their arguments are admitted, the slender causes they as- sign, are in themselves inadequate to the production of effects so extensive as they wish to establish. 6. It may be necessary to notice a modern objection which has been urged against the Mosaic chronology; and which is designed to prove, that if the world be not eternal, it may still claim a much higher antiquity than is allowed in the Bible. It is in substance as follows:* "In pits or openings of the ground in the neighbourhood of Vesuvius and ^tna, beds of lava have been discovered at conside- rable depths below each other; and these, in some places, are co- vered with successive strata of vegetable mould." These different strata have proceeded, it is said, from an equal number of irruptions from the mountain. Ten or twelve successive strata, overlaid with soil, have been discovered in the bowels of the earth; and it is strongly asserted, that, by digging deeper, many more might be found. It is ASSUMED that a thousand years, at least, are necessa- ry to the production of a soil sufficient for the nourishment and * These objections to the Mosaic chronology are stated and refuted very much at large in the Encyclopaedia Britannica, article Earth. To the writer of this article I am indebted for the statement given above ; and, for the most part, I have adhered to his language as best conveying his thoughts upon the subject. 60 THE CREATION. growth of vegetables upon these volcanic lavas. If this be granted, and tioelve such strata have been discovered, the antiquity of the .earth is immediately swelled to, at least, twelve thousand years: which is more than double the Mosaic chronology. This, then, is the point upon which the whole controversy turns; and the answers that have been given to this objection may be laid down in the following order: 1. It is granted, by those who have written upon this subject, that some lavas are very solid, and others much less so. The one, of course, resists the operations of time much longer than the other. This, also, is admitted. 2. They have not determined of which sort the lavas in question are, which is a material inquiry: since, if a thousand years were re- quired for the more solid, a much less time would be necessary for the farinaceous. 3. Soil gradually increases by decayed vegetables, and the sedi- ments of snows and rain: the thickness or thinness of the soil must, therefore, determine "Whether a greater or less time has been em- ployed in the accumulation; but these writers have not informed us of the dimensions of these subterraneous vegetable strata — another material circumstance in the calculation. 4. Volcanic ashes and muddy water are sometimes thrown out, designed, as it should seem, by nature, to repair the sterility occa- sioned by the lava; and these ought to be taken into the account, as materially assisting quickness of vegetative soil. 5. They have, however, furnished us with the following fact. The town of Herculaneum was destroyed by an irruption in the ninety-seventh year of the Christian era. 'There are evident marks, that the matter of six irruptions,' say they, 'has taken its course over Herculaneum; for each of the six strata of lava is co- vered with a vein of good soil.' Here, then, we have their own au- thority for six strata of good soil accumulated in less than seven- teen hundred years: which, supposing them of equal thickness, instead of a thousand years, leaves us not three hundred for the production of each." At best, then, this objection is hypothetical merely; and upon the testimony of the objectors, a thousand years are not only unne- cessary to the production of such strata, but six of them have actu- ally been formed in less than seventeen hundred years; or less than three hundred for each: and we, therefore, see no solid reason to induce us to sacrifice the chronology of Moses, to the uncertain doctrine of vegetable strata. We produce only one other consideration against the opinion of THE CREATION. 61 the world's eternity; and that appears to us of very great impor- tance. 6. If the world is eternal, how has the tradition of its beginning every where prevailed, although under different forms, among na- tions both barbarous and civilized? We leave the skeptic who dis- putes the Mosaic history, and the philosopher who asserts the eter- nity of the world, to answer this inquiry — it is not our business. The fact cannot be denied. Not only is it to be found among the refined nations of antiquity, but barbarians who then chased, and savages who still pursue, the wild and brute inhabitants of their own inaccessible forests, had, and yet have, some tradition of the creation of all things. It is not merely in England's metropolis that infidelity is encountered with the history of the beginning of the world; traditions of it are to be met with on the plains of In- dostan, on the banks of the Ganges, and among every tribe and every nation, from the line of the equator to the circles of both the poles. It forms a part of every religion in the known world. Every country, although, perhaps, claiming an antiquity higher than we allow, and supposing the world to have been produced by chance, does, nevertheless, admit that it had a beginning. This was the universal doctrine of the heathen world; excepting that some of their philosophers, from the love of novelty, or the pride of dis- tinction, disavowed the public sentiment. It was the common faith of all nations, and remains so. We appeal to the Phenician histories, to the Indians, and to the Egyptians. We read it in Linus, in Hesiod, in Orpheus, in Aratus, in Thales, and in a vari- ety of Greek writers, too large to lay before you; all of whom em- braced the idea that the world was created, and not eternal. From these, the Romans borrowed the same doctrines. Ovid, who close- J^ transcribed these opinions from the Greeks, has given a long and eloquent description of the formation of the heavens, and the earth, and its several inhabitants.* We repeat our question, How was it possible for the tradition of a beginning to the world, to be so universally prevalent, and so universally received, through every age, if it were indeed eternal? From these representations we now wish to deduce a most inte- resting and important inference; and to establish a truth which lies at the foundation of all religion, natural and revealed — * Metam. Lib. 1. See the quotation, note 4, at the end of this Lecture. Vol. I. 9 62 THE CREATION. THE BEING OF A GOD. If we have in any respect succeeded in overturning the two hy- potheses which have now passed under review: if the world he not the production of chance, and if it be not eternal; it follows, that it must have been created — in order to which there must have been an infinite Architect. We have seen human reason led into la- byrinths, from which it could not be extricated but by the friendly assistance of Revelation. To the eye of nature, all is obscurity. We have received decisive evidences from notorious facts, that when an investigation of these subjects has been attempted by men of the first talents, independently of this infallible guide, the mor- tifying and inevitable result has been, bewildered systems, trem- bling uncertainty, clashing, contradictory theories. " There is a path which no fowl knoweth, and which the vulture's eye hath not seen: the lion's whelps have not trodden it, nor hath the fierce lion passed by it." This secret path is the operation of God, sought out by those who love him, and discovered only by the direction of his word, and the agency of his Spirit. Admit the being of a God, and all is clear and luminous. Every difficulty vanishes: for what cannot Omnipotence perform? " The fool hath said in his heart. There is no God." Can he deserve a milder name who holds his irrational creed? All nature proclaims His existence; and every feeling of the heart is responsive to its voice. The instant we be- gin to breathe, our connexion with God is commenced, and it is a connexion which cannot be dissolved for ever. All other unions are formed for a season only; time will waste them; death will de- stroy them: but this connexion looks death in the face, defies the injuries of time, and .is commensurate with the ages of eternity. The moment we are capable of distinguishing between good and evil, our responsibility to God is begun — it commences with the dawn of reason, it looks forward to the judgment seat as its issue. At every period, and under every circumstance of human life, man still draws his existence from the " Fountain of life: " he may be cut off from society, but cannot be separated from God: he may re- nounce his fellow men, but never can burst the bonds of obligation by which he is held to his Maker, till he shall have acquired the power to extinguish that immaterial principle within him, which can never be subjected to decay or to dissolution. The last sigh which rends the bursting heart, terminates the correspondence between man and man; but strengthens the union between God and man. All the springs of enjoyment and of existence, are hid- den in the Deity, and the fates of the human race are suspended in THE CREATION. 63 the balances sustained by his unshaken arm. It is an object of the first magnitude to learn something of the Being, with whom we stand thus intimately and inseparably connected: who is light and warmth in the sun, softness in the breeze, power in the tempest, and the principle which pervades and animates, which regulates and sustains universal nature: but to deny his existence, is the mad- ness of desperation, and the temerity of presumption: of all insani- ty, it is the worst; and of all ingratitude, it is the deepest. I see him rolling the planets in their orbits, controlling the furious ele- ments, and stretching an irresistible sceptre over all things cre- ated. I see the globe suspended, and trembling in his presence; and the kingdoms of this world, absorbed in his empire, rising to distinction, or falling into irrecoverable desolation, according to the counsel of his will. My heart is not at ease. I am instructed, but not tranquilized. The infinity of God overwhelms me: his majes- ty humbles me: his inflexible justice and purity fill me with dis- may: his power makes me afraid. It is this volume which first brings me acquainted with him as God, and afterwards as a friend: which represents him at once the Creator and the Redeemer of the human race; and while his attributes command my admiration, his mercy forbids my terror. THE MOSAIC ACCOUNT OF THE CREATION Remains to be briefly examined. He conducts us at once to this great Architect: " In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth." He represents the earth, after its creation, as a dark fluid, and an unformed chaos, or mass of matter, which, in six days, God reduced to order, and disposed in its present form. "And the earth was without form, and void, and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters." A modern critic"^ has translated this passage, " a ve- hement wind oversweeping the surface of the waters." He founds his criticism upon the circumstance that the Hebrew language calls "thunder the voice of God; a great wind, his breath; the clouds his habitation, his chariot; the lightnings and the winds his mi- nisters and messengers, &c.," and the possibility of rendering the words cnSN nn either the spirit of God, or the wind of God, which he translates, a mighty wind. He produces various quota- tions from the scriptures, in which nn must be rendered wind, and accumulates much criticism to prove that this is the primary sense of the original word, and of the terms usually employed in * Dr. Geddes. 64 THE CREATION. translating it. An equal number of passages might easily be ex-- tracted from the sacred writers, in which nn would bear no other translation than spirit. Neither is it quite clear that nn signifies spirit only in a secondary and metaphorical sense: since, by their arrangement of explanatory terms, lexicographers seem divided upon the subject* Respecting LDTiSx there can be but one opinion; and while our translators have preserved the literal ren- dering of the words, the translation proposed is confessedly justi- fied only on its resemblance to some Hebrew phrases, the corre- spondence of which may or may not be admitted. This premised, I object farther to the rendering " a vehement wind," because a very beautiful idea suggested by the literal reading of the words is lost in that, adopted by this critic: an idea which is so well ex- pressed by our inimitable poet,t who was himself well versed in the original language of the sacred scriptures; and who, in his beauti- ful address to the Holy Spirit, says, Thou from the first Wast present, and with miglity wings outspread, Dove-like, satst brooding on the vast abyss, And madst it pregnant^ But it was impossible to maintain the simple translation, without admitting a doctrine, which this critic could not reconcile with the religious principles which he had adopted, the personality of the Holy Spirit: J and he therefore substituted one which did not clash with his sentiments; and on the same principle I prefer the common reading of our Bibles, because it accords with a system which ap- pears to me both rational and scriptural, and which does include the personality of this Divine Agent; and because the words are by our translators literally rendered. The first thing which appeared was light; the separation of which from darkness, was the work of the first day. " And God said. Let there be light; and there was light." A more simple and more literal translation is, " Be light; and light was." This very passage, in its connexion, has been marked by the elegant Longinus as a specimen of the true sublime.^ Nor did it escape the observation ■* Parkhurst gives, as its primary sense, air in motion; which corresponds with Dr. Geddes' opinion : yet in his translation of Gen. i. 2, Parkhurst renders the words " the spirit of the Aleim ;" Stockius gives, as the primary sense, spiritus, then ventus, &.c. How little can be inferred from verbal criticism ! •j- Milton. j Dr. Geddes has said, " those who have found in this passage the person of the Holy Ghost, have been very little versed in the language of the East; and paid very little attention to the construction of the text." So easy is it to deal in bold and unqualified assertions, and call them critical remarks. Surely he forgot that Milton was a Hebrew scholar of no common standard. § See note 5, at the end of this Lecture. THE CREATION. 65 of the psalmist, who has well expressed it — " He spake, and it was done: he commanded, and it stood fast" On the second day, God made an expansion: for so the Hebrew word ;;"'pi which our translators have rendered " firmament," im- plies. It is derived from a root which signifies "out-stretching," and corresponds with that beautiful passage in Isaiah xl. 22. " It is he that stretcheth out the heavens as a curtain, and spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in." It is the atmosphere which sur- rounds our globe, and which possesses density sufficient to sustain the waters above it. Its design, said Moses, is, "to divide the waters that arc above this firmament" — or atmosphere, "from the waters that are under this expansion." This atmosphere is per- petually drawing up particles of water, till they accumulate, and become too heavy for the air to sustain them, and fall in showers of rain. On the third day, the earth was drained, and the waters which before triumphed over its surface, were gathered into one grand receptacle. The land appeared, dry and fit for vegetation — re- ceived the name " Earth " — and produced, at the divine cpmmand, herbs, plants, trees, and all the endless varieties of the vegetable world, bearing their several seeds and fruits, according to their different kinds. The congregated waters he called "seas;" and drawing boundaries around them, he said, " Hitherto shall ye come, but no farther; and here shall your proud waves be stayed." On the fourth day, the sun and moon were formed, and placed in the heavens to illuminate the earth, to distinguish between day and night, to divide, and to rule the revolving seasons of the year. " He made the stars also." On the fifth day, were created fishes, and the swarming, multi- form inhabitants of the hoary deep, the fowls of heaven, and what- soever flieth in the expansion above us: these all, were produced from the waters. On the sixth day, were formed all terrestrial animals. Then also MAN, his last, best work, was " fashioned " from the " dust of the earth," and animated with " a living soul." Of man he formed the WOMAN, " to be a help meet for him." " Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them." And " God rested from his work, and blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it," as a sabbath to the man and to his posterity. Such is the Mosaic account of the creation, leading us up to God as the Creator and Disposer of all things; afibrding, beyond con- troversy, the most rational of the hypotheses presented to you; 66 TH£ CREATION. and while it has left the way open for philosophic inquiries, it has not said any thing to gratify vain curiosity. We will attend to some few questions which have been often suggested from this re- presentation of the beginning of all things, and conclude this Lec- ture, which has already been drawn out to a great length. 1. What was the light that made its appearance before the crea- tion of the sun? In considering this question, which cannot be solved, and which is a matter of opinion altogether, various conjec- tures have been formed. Some have called it elemental fire. Some have supposed that it resembled the shekinah. A similar representation of it is made by our immortal bard: " liGt there be light, said God, and forthwith light Ethereal, first of things, quintessence pure, Sprung from the deep, and from her native east To journey through the airy gloom began, Spher'd in a radiant cloud, for yet the sun Was not ; she in a cloudy tabernacle Sojourn'd the while."* The critic, to whom we have before referred, supposes it to have been "an emanation of the same sun that still enlightens us; and which, although it had not yet appeared in its full glory, yet shed sufficient light through the dense atmosphere, to make the surface of the terraqueous globe visible."t But as I feel inclined to give implicit credit to the Mosaic account, in its literal signification, which affirms that the sun and moon were made on the fourth day, and that " God commanded the light to shine out of darkness " on the first, I should rather imagine it to be the same particles of light diffused, which were afterwards collected into one body — the sun. J But of these various opinions the reader will judge for himself. 2. Does the Mosaic account oppose the present system of astro- nomy? The language of the scriptures expresses simply the appearance of things, and neither sanctions nor opposes any system of philoso- phy. It has left the road of knowledge and research perfectly open; and neither forbids, nor adopts, the hypotheses of those who have explored the heavens, and with laborious and useful skill, de- * Par. Lost, Book VII. 1. 24.3—249. f Dr. Geddes' Grit. Rem. on Gen. C. I. ver. 3, vol. I. p. 14 ; quarto. j I do not profess to offer this hypothesis as clear of objection and difficulty ; but it is the best which occurs to me, and is allowable where every thing must be merely hypothetical. I am happy to find that this thought corresponds with one suggested in Mr. Fuller's commentary on Genesis; which, since the publica- tion of the first edition of these Lectures, I have had the high gratification of reading. THK CREATION. 67 veloped the laws by which the great system, of which the globe constitutes a part, seems to be regulated. When in common lan- guage we say — " The sun rises, and sets " — we do not mean to op- pose the Newtonian, or any other astronomical system, but merely to express the apparent motion of this grand luminary. It is the beauty of the scriptures, that their language is perfectly conforma- ble to our ideas, and therefore on most subjects falls within the grasp of our comprehension. And we ought to recollect that the design of this volume is not to develope the laws of nature, but to lead us along the narrow path which conducts to heaven: not to guide our feet through the orbits of planets, but to direct them to the throne of the invisible God. 3. Does the Mosaic account of the creation extend to the uni- verse at large? This is an inquiry which cannot be decided. Some have concluded that the earth, the sun, and the moon, only belong to this history. Others restrict it to the solar system. Others ex- tend it to the wide universe. The circumstances of the creation, as related by Moses, apply principally to the globe which we in- habit. The sun and the moon are mentioned as formed at the same period, and are evidently included in the account, because of their connexion with, and advantage to, the earth. But the phrase, " He rrtade the stars, also" — seems to advert to the great universe; and may lead us to presume, that the creation of all things was effected at one and the same time. 4. In what sense are we to understand the term " six days" — as literal, or as allegorical? A critic,* whom we have had occasion to mention more than once, boldly pronounces it " a beautiful my- thos, or philosophical fiction." — Some of the ancient Christian Fa- thers esteemed it allegorical. I confess, however, that my reve- rence for this volume, makes me very reluctant to resolve into al- legory, any thing which wears the appearance oiafact on its pages; much more so to venture to call it a fable. The following reasons determine me in concluding, that Moses designed it as a statement of facts, and that we ought to understand the phrase, " six days," in its literal sense: The seventh day was instituted as a sabbath, that in it the man might rest from his labour, and more immediately serve his gra- cious Creator; and the reason, the only reason, assigned for it in the promulgation of the law was, that " in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is; wherefore the Lord blessed the seventh day, and hallowed it." This is the reason always produced, when the institution of the * Dr. Geddee. 68 THE CREATION. Sabbath is at all named; and, in consequence of it, the seventh day was observed till the resurrection of Christ on the^r^^ day of the week: when, in perpetual remembrance of this great and glorious event, the first day became the Christian sabbath, and the seventh was laid aside. The apostle who wrote to the Hebrews, quotes this passage from Genesis, in the second chapter, and at the fourth verse, of hi» epis- tle:— " And God did rest the seventh day from all his works." In his reasoning upon this passage, he makes no one remark, which discovers the least approximation to an allegorical interpretation; much less did he seem to regard it as " a beautiful mythos:" on the contrary, every thing which he says throughout that chapter, ap- pears to ascertain very clearly, that he understood the phrase, " six days," used by Moses, in its literal sense. 5. Can any reason be assigned for the number of days fixed upon, and occupied in this great work? Certainly not. We dare not at- tempt to fathom the divine designs; nor is the Deity to be judged at a human tribunal. • Perhaps (for what can be offered but conjec- ture?) he carried on his work in progression, and chose six days for the performance of that, which he could have effected, had he been so disposed, in an instant, to show that he is a " God of order and not of confusion." It is thus, also, that he works in providence, and in grace. His plans are gradually developed; his wisdom gra- dually manifested; his will gradually accomplished; his designs gradually completed. And, possibly, he chose only six days, to de- monstrate his unbounded power, that could perform so immense a work, in so short a space of time. 6. How could Moses be fitted to give an account of the creation? There can be no difficulty in answering this question, if it be al- lowed that he was divinely inspired: but we may account for his ability to record the circumstances of the creation in a way which will be more satisfactory to the wavering. It is no improbable con- jecture, that in the earliest ages of the world, God communicated his will to pious individuals, and permitted them to transmit it to others by oral tradition: for in those days the longevity of man fa- voured this mode of conveyance. It will be admitted, that Adam could not be ignorant of the circumstances of the creation. With Adam, Methuselah lived two hundred and forty-three years: with Methuselah, Shem, the son of Noah, lived about ninety-seven years; with Shem, Isaac, the son of Abraham, lived fifty years; at the death of Isaac, Levi was forty years old; and Amram, at the decease of Levi, had attained his twenty-fifth year, according to the chronology of the history of Genesis. On this calculation no more NOTES. 69 than five persons, Methuselah, Shem, Isaac, Levi, and Amram, were necessary to transmit this account, together with the know- ledge and worship of God, from Adam to Moses.* When the life of man was shortened, and the nations had become corrupt through idolatry, oral tradition was no longer a safe vehicle of conveyance; and God therefore communicated a revelation of his mind and will, whicl> was committed to writing. In retracing the outline of the preceding lecture, and contrasting the scriptural relation of the beginning of all things with other hy- potheses; I trust, that the proposition, announced for elucidation this day, has been established: That the Mosaic account op THE creation, IS THE ONLY RATIONAL ONE WHICH WE HAVE RE- CEIVED. " Nevertheless, we, according to his promise, look for new hea- vens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness," NOTES. Note 1. — Hie ego non mirer esse quemquam, qui sibi persuadeat, corpora quffidam solida atque individua vi et gravitate ferri, mundumque effici ornatis- Bimum, et pulcherrimum ex eorum corporum concursione fortuita"? Hoc qui ex- istimat fieri potuisse, non intelligo, cur non idem putet, si innumerabiles unius et viginti formse literarum vel aurese, vel quales libet, aliquo conjiciantur, posse ex his in lerram excussis annales Ennii, ut deinceps legi possint, effici: quod nescio an ne in unoquidem versu possit tantum valere fortuna. Isli autem quemadmo- dum asseverant, ex corpusculis non colore, non qualitate aliquS, quam wa(0T>j7« Grseci vocant, non sensu prseditis, sed concurrentibus temere atque casu, munduni esse perfectum'! vel innumerabiles potius in omni puncto temporis alios nasci, alios interireT Quod si mundum efficere potest concursus atomorum, cur por- ticuni, cur templum, cur domum, cur urbem non potest! quae sun minus operosa, et multo quidem faciliora. Cic. de nat. dear. II. 37. Translated in page 52, of the preceding Lecture. * The hypothesis of the Egyptians. K«t« y«f t;}v e'I u^x*ii '"*'>' i'^*" }A»v, tov jitfv Kocrf^ov 7repi>iU^c7v uvoifxi rr,y c^eo/^svtjv cv xuru cuvrot^iv, rov oe ui^ot. Kivtjirsai Tv^eiv '^'vvep^iif, Kcti to /ttty w^u^ci ciuja 7r^))i THi f^sTeu^eluTiii rovm ervva^u/^s7v' uvaxpi^Hi Hf^tii r^i Toiec- uTJjj (puTiui ^)ot Tjjy yt.H(porti1x' ui):(pB-)jyxi rvj yrxryi S'lvyi' to et iXvaoei kui ^oXepov fAcIci tjjj ra* vy^uv Tvytc^icreux; ctf] rxvTo scXTXn-liivxt, d'lx to fiot^oi, £/A»jCtfvev $'i h Ixvju kxi i vuKTXi Xxfi-Quveiv uuTiKX TrjV Tfoi^qv ta t;j5 TTiTrlnryii uttc ra ve^ii^cifoi ofii^XTii, TUi i^f vy-i^oii uTTo ra K»uiA.xloco]x zr^oq rm f^elea^m roTsryg xsreXl^e'iv, yevofievx srl^x. rx c'e yedeni xv d'ex,'>H-evx Fvyx^iTetui ev rv) rav e^-srerav )t.ui rav 'a.Xhoi^ rut esrtyetaiv rx^ei )cxrx^iB-f/.>)9-7]vxi. rx h (pucreui iy^xi f^-xMc-Jx /^{letM'^cirx w^oj tov -j^o- yfnj rosrov (rvv^^xf^ei* ava/:t,x(rBe\irx zrXcorx. He goes on to illustrate this singu- larly obscure hypothesis, by the production of insects and reptiles from the mud of the Nile. Diod. Sic. Lib. I. Translated in page 53 of the preceding Lecture. Note 3. — Among the ancient philosophers, various modifications of the hypo- thesis which supposes the eternity of the world, are to be found. Ocellus Lucanus, who lived a short time before Plato, was one of the most an- cient asserters of the world's eternity. A short treatise, bearing his name, yet remains, upon this subjefit. Ocell. Liican. de Univ. p. 506. inter opusc. mythol. edit, per T. Gale, 1688. The arguments which he produces will not be considered as the most decisive and satisfactory that could be wished; for he asserts, tiiat the world must be eternal, because its figure and motion are circular; and because it is impossible for any thing to arise out of nothing, or to fall again into nothing. Aristotle maintained, that, not only the world, but mankind, and all species of animals, have existed from eternity, without any original production ; and that the earth, with all its variations, and in all its parts, has ever been what it now is. The later Platonists deduce their principal arguments in favour of the eternity of the world, from the eternity of God's decree for its creation, "and the indivi- sibility of the real duration of God." They maintain that God always existed; that his decree was eternal; and tliat there could not be a time in which it did not exist in the divine mind. Be it so: there remains still much perplexity in their reasoning; and, as it appears to me, much sophism in their deductions. There must be a difference between ideal, (if the expression be lawful,) and ac- tual creation ; and I do not see how it can be proved, that the decree was not an- terior to the accomplishment of that decree. Xenophanes and his followers supposed, that God and the world were one and the same thing; and of course held its eternity and immutability. This, again, has been denied by others: but there is so much ob.scurity in the statement which these philosophers have made of their own opinions, that if they did not mean this, itisdifficult to decide what hypothesis they did intend to convey. Of one or the other of these opinions respecting the eternity of the world, ap- pear to have been Strato of Lampsacus, and Alexander the Epicurean, tlie con- temporary of Plutarch. Others supposed the matter of the world to be eternal, but not the form of it. These, in fact, held the eternity of the chaos, to wliich they attributed a certain motion arising from the action and reaction of the first four qualities, producing the earth by mere fortuitous fluctuations; and thus, this hypothesis resolves itself into the preceding one, viz. that the world itself was produced by chance. The reader who may wish to see a large and more laborious statement of these several hypotheses, and others, not brought forward in this note, will find a full ' and satisfactory discussion of them in Anc. Univ. Hist. vol. I. p. 77 — 91; title, The Cosmogony. But in some later 8vo. editions, these statements are trans- ferred to vol. XVIII. Appendix, p. 114 — 126. This note bears reference to p. 55 x)f the preceding liecture. NOTES. Note 4. — Extracted from Ovid : "Ante mare et tell us, et quod tegit omnia, coalum, Unus erat toto nature vultus in orbe, Quem dixere chaos; rudis, indigestaque moles; Nee quicquam nisi pondus iners; congestaque eodem Non bene junctanim discordia semina rerum. Nullus adhuc mundo prajbebat lumina Titan ; Nee nova crescendo reparabat cornua Phoebe;. Nee circumfuso pendebat in aere tellus Ponderibus librata suis: nee brachialongo Margine terrarum porrexerat Amphitrite. Quaque fuit tellus, iilic et pontus et aer: Sic erat instabilis tellus, innabilis unda, Lucis egens aer. Nulli sua forma maiiebat. Obstabatque aliis aliud : quia corpore in uno Frigida pugnabant calidis, humentia siccis, Moiiia cum duris, sine pondere habentia pondus. Hone Deus, et melior litem Natura deremit* Nam ccbIo terras, et terris abscidit undas : Et liquidum spisso secrevit ab aere coilum. Ques postquam evolvit, cfecoque exemit acervo, Dissociata locis concordi pace ligavit^ Ignea convex! vis et sine pondere cceli Emicuit, summaque locum sibi legit in arce. Proximus est aer illi levitate, locoque: Densior his tellus : elementaque grandia traxit; Et pressa est gravitate sui. Circumfluus humor Ultima possedit, solidumque coercuit orbem. " Sic ubi dispositam, quisquis fuit ille Deorurn, Congeriem secuit, sectamque in membra redegit ; Principio terram, ne non aequalis ab omni Parte forit, magni speciem glomeravit in orbis. Tum freta defundi, rapidisque tumescere ventia Jussit, et ambitas circumdare littora terrse. Addidit et fontes, immensaque stagna lacusque; Fluminaque obliquis cinxit declivia ripis: Quae diversa locis partim sorbentur ab ipsa; In mare perveniunt partim, campoque recepta Liberioris aquse, pro ripis littora pulsant. Jussit et extendi campos, subsidere valles, Fronde tegi silvas, lapidosos surgere montes. Utque duse dextra ccelum, totidemque sinistra Parte secant Zonae, quinta est ardentior illis ; Sic onus inclusum numero distinxit eodem Cura Dei : totidemque plagae tellure premuntur. Quarum quae media est, non est habitabilis sestu: Nix tegit alta duas: totidem inter utramque locavit; Temperiemque dedit, mista cum frigore flamma. Imminet his aer, qui, quanto est pondere terras Pondus aquae levius, tanto est onerosior igni. Illic et nebulas, illic consistere nubes Jussit, et humanas motura tonitrua mentes, Et cum fulminibus facientes frigora ventos. His quoqne non passim mundi fabricator habendum Aera permisit. Vix nunc obsistitur illis. Cum sua quisque regat diverse flamina tractu, Quin lanient mundum: tanta est discordia fratrum. " Eurus ad Auroram, Nabathseaque regna recessit, Persidaque, et radiis juga subdita matutinis. Vesper, et occiduo quae littora sole tepescunt, Proxima sunt Zephyro: Scythiam septemque trione 73 NOTES. Horrifer invasit Boreas: contraria tellus Nubibus assiduis, pluvioque madescit ab Austro. Hsec super imposuit liquidum et gravitate carentem iEthera, nee quicquam terrenee faecis habentem. Vix ita limitibus discreverat omnia certis, Cum, quae pressa diu massa latuere sub ipsa, Sidera cojperunt toto efFervescere ccelo. Neu regie foret ulla suis animalibus orba, Astra tenent coelesle solum, formaeque Deorum: Cesserunt nitidis habitandsB piscibns undae: Terra feras cepit, volucres agitabilis aer. "Sanctius his animal mentisque capacius unum Deerat adhuc, et quod dominari in caet.era posset. Natus homo est: sive hunc divino semine fecit Ille opifex rerum, mundi melioris origo: Sive recens tellus seductaque nuper ab alto Mthere, cognati retinebat semina cceli : Quam satus Japeto, mixtam fluvialibus undis. Finxit in effigiem moderantum cuncta Deorum. Pronaque cum spectent animalia caetera tcrram, Os homini sublime dedit, coelumque videre Jussit, et erectos ad sidera toUere vultus." Ovid. Meiam. lib. 1. 1. 5—86. TRANSLATION BY DRYDEN. " Before the seas, and this terrestrial ball, And heav'n's high canopy, that covers all, One was the face of nature; if a face, Rather a rude and indigested mass, A lifeless lump, unfashion'd, and unfram'd. Of jarring seeds j and justly Chaos nam'd. No sun was lighted up, the world to view; No moon did yet her blunted horns renew; Nor yet was earth suspended in the sky ; Nor pois'd, did on her own foundations lie ; Nor seas about the shores their arms had thrown ; But earth, and air, and water were in one. Thus, air was void of light, and earth unstable, And waters dark abyss unnavigable. No certain form on any was imprest; All were confus'd, and each disturb'd the rest. For hot and cold, were in one body fixt ; And soft with hard, and light with heavy mixt. "But God, or Nature, while they thus contend, To these intestine discords put an end ; Then earth from air, and seas from earth were driven, And grosser air sunk from ethereal heaven. Thus, disembroil'd they take their proper place ; The next of kin, contiguously embrace ; And foes are sunder'd by a larger space. The foes of fire ascended first on high. And took its dwelling in the vaulted sky: Then air succeeds, in lightness next to fire ; Whose atoms from unactive earth retire. Earth sinks beneath, and draws a num'rous throng Of pond'rous, thick, unwieldy seeds along. About her coasts, unruly waters roar; And, rising on a ridge, insult the shore. " Thus, when the God, whatever God was he, Had form'd the whole, and made the parts agree,- NOTES. 7S That 110 unequal portions might be found, He moulded earth into a spacious round : Then, with a breath, he g-ave tlie winds to blow: And bade the congregated waters flow. He adds the running springs, and standing lakes; And bounding banlis for winding rivers makes. Some part in earth are swallow'd up, the most In ample oceans disembogu'd, are lost. He shades the woods, the valleys he restrains With rocky mountains, and extends the plains- " And as five zones th' ethereal regions bind, Five, correspondent, are to earth assign'd : The sun with rays, directly darting down, Fires ail beneath, and fries tiie middle zone: The two beneath the distant poles, complain Of endless winter, and perpetual rain. Betwixt th' extremes, two happier climates hold The temper that partakes of hot, and cold. The fields of liquid air, enclosing all, Surround the compass of this earthly ball: The lighter parts lie next the fires above ; The grosser near the wal'ry surface move: Thick clouds are spread, and storms engender there, And thunder's voice, which wretched mortals fear, 'i And winds that on their wings cold winter bear. > Nor were those blust'ring brethren> left at large, ) On seas, and shores, their fury to discharge : Bound as they are, and circumscrib'd in place. They rend the world, resistless as they pass ; And mighty marks of mischief leave behind; Such is the rage of their tempestuous kind. "First, Eurus to the rising morn is sent, (The regions of the balmy continent;) And eastern realms, where early Persians run. To greet the blest appearance of the sun. Westward the wanton Zephyr wings his flight; Pleas'd with the remnants of departing light. Fierce Boreas, with his offspring, issues forth T' invade the frozen wagon of the north; While frowning Auster seeks the southern sphere. And rots in endless rain, th' unwholesome year. "High o'er the clouds, and empty realms of wind, The God a clearer space for heav'n design'd ; Where fields of light, and liquid ether flow, Purg'd from the pond'rous dregs of earth below, "Scarce had the Power distinguish'd these, when straight The stars, no longer overlaid with weight. Exert their heads, from underneath the mass ; ^ And upward shoot, and kindle as they pass, > And with diffusive light adorn their heavenly place. } Then, every void of nature to supply, With forms of gods he fills the vacant sky: New herds of beasts, he sends the plains to share : ^ New colonies of birds to people air: > And to their oozy beds, the finny fish repair. ) "A creature of a more exalted kind Was wanting yet, and then was man design'd : Conscious of thought, of more capacious breast, For empire form'd, and fit to rule the rest : Whether with particles of heavenly fire The God of nature did his soul inspire, 74 NOTES. Or earth, but new-divided from tlie sky, And, pliant, still retain'd th' ethereal energy: Which wise Prometheus* temper'd into paste. And mix'd with living streams the godlike image cast. Thus, whilethe mute creation downwards bend Their sight, and to their earthy mother tend, Man looks aloft ; and with erected eyes Beholds his own hereditary skies. From such rude principles our form began ; And earth was metamorphos'd into man." Garth's Ovid. Vol. I. p. 5—9, This extract from Ovid refers to page 62, of the preceding Lecture. Note 5. — Testimony to the majesty of the scriptures from Longinus in his treatise on the sublime. He had been saying that, "Those who speak of God, ought to be careful to represent him as great, and pure, and without alloy :" He adds, " ElTev 0 ©£95," (pyjTt' r'l; " ysvia-B^a) rf Si^xceijidL yivko-But, x'^t/j.avoi fjLW Offcttsrttxit lyj-uof^mv, tiSixi J'i A'sro'vlsc^uY. Libre, Terrestria an Aquatica Animantia plus habeant solertiee. 82 THE DELUGE. steps of tlic most ancient writers, has recorded the same facts as Moses, in relation to the deluge — the destruction of mankind by it tlie ark in which Noah, the father of our race, was preserved — and its resting upon the tops of the Armenian mountains." After the relation to which Josephus alludes, Berosus adds, " It is reported that part of the ship now remains in Armenia, on the Gordysean mountains; and that some bring thence pitch, which they use as a charm."* Lucian speaks of a very remote history of the ark, laid up in Hierapolis of Syria; and the account which, according to him, the Greeks gave of the deluge, is as follows: "That the first race of men were self-willed, perpetrating many crimes, regardless of oaths, inhospitable, uncharitable; for which cause, great calamities fell upon them. For suddenly the earth threw out much water: a deluge of rain fell from heaven: rivers overflowed exceedingly; and the sea itself overspread the globe to that degree, that all things were over- whelmed by the water, and the whole of mankind perished. Deu- calion alone remained, the source of another generation, on account of his prudence and piety. He was preserved thus: In a great ark, which he had prepared, he placed his wives and his children, and entered also himself. After them went in bears, and horses, and lions, and serpents, and all other living creatures upon the face of the earth, by pairs. He received all these animals, which had no power to injure him, but were extremely familiar, being overruled by divine influence. These all floated together, in the same ark, so long as the waters were upon the earth."t We have already remarked, that the same person was intended by a diversity of names; and Grotius says, that "Seisithrus, Ogy- ges, and Deucalion, are all names signifying, in other languages, the same as Noah does in the Hebrew, the language in which Moses wrote."! Now, it is a fact well known, that the ancient writers, in copying from any original, did not give in their translation the names used in that original: but changed them for some other that had the same meaning in the language into which they translated them, as the original names had in that, from which they tran- scribed. For instance, Alexander the historian, writing concern- ing Isaac in Greek, does not adhere to the original name, but calls * Josephus Contr. Appion, primo; et Antiq. Hist. lib. i. cap. 4. See note 4, at the end of this Lecture. The Gordyaean mountains are the same with those which Moses calls Ararath. See Grotius de Verit. Relig. Christ. \ 16, notes. t Lucian, libro de Defi Syria et de temple vetustissimo quod erat Hierapoli. \ Grotius de Verit. Relig. Clirist. \ 16— notes : where also these extracts from Lucian and others, are quoted at length, with many similar ones. For both the above quotations, see note .5, at the end of this Lecture. THE DELUGE. 83 him Telota (T£A&t««,) or "Laughter;" which is the interpretation of the Hebrew name Isaac; and was given him by Sarah in remem- brance of some circumstances relating to his birth. Thus, by the different names used in the accounts which different nations give of the deluge, the same person is intended — and that person is Noah. Diodorus says, it is the tradition of the Egyptians, that "Deuca- lion's was the universal deluge." Plato corroborates this testimony by saying, that "a certain Egyptian priest, related to Solon, out of their sacred books, the history of the universal deluge; which took place long before the partial inundations known to the Grecians." There is another remarkable coincidence and correspondence with the Mosaic account: the very day fixed by Moses as the beginning of the deluge, agrees exactly with the day in which, Plutarch tells us, Osiris went into the ark, the seventeenth of Athyr; which is the second month after the autumnal equinox, the sun then passing through Scorpio. — It is thus that the evidence of the universal de- luge, in this particular branch of it, corresponds with that of the creation: that it is equally the subject of tradition; and that tradi- tion, varying a little in circumstance, is equally prevalent over the face of the whole earth. This fact is farther proved by, 2. The existence of vast quantities or marine produc- tions UPON THE tops OF MOUNTAINS, AND UNDER THE SURFACE OF THE GROUND, TO CONSIDERABLE DEPTHS, OVER THE WHOLE EARTH, AND AT ALL DISTANCES FROM THE SEA. — The earthquake that shakes the towering palace, and the proud battlements of the city, to the ground, rends the bosom of the earth, and discloses the shells and teeth of fish — the bones of animals — entire or partial vegetables — evidently transported thither fi'om their respective elements, by some grand and universal commotion, affecting at one and the same time, the sea and the dry land, and destroying the limits of their mutual separation. This was considered as a decisive argument till the recent hypotheses of some modern philosophers have fur- nished an evasion of its force.* It has been proved that volcanoes are capable of forming mountains of very considerable magnitude: that the fire of them lies deep, and often below the waters of the ocean itself. On this account, marine substances may be found at all depths in these volcanic mountains, and yet afford no proof of a deluge. There would be some weight in this argument if these marine substances were found only in the neighbourhood of volca- noes; but with all its plausibility, it is incapable of universal appli- cation. It may be thought to account for marine substances lying + Sir William Hamilton. 84 THE DELUGE. deep in volcanic mountains, or lands stretching along the borders of the ocean, and liable to volcanic irruptions: but it will furnish no satisfactory reason for their existence in an inland country, free from volcanoes, and hundreds of miles distant from the sea. There are also appearances of desolation presented in nature, which cannot be accounted for, even on the supposition of earthquakes; or be deemed the consequence of any convulsion, less powerful than that of a universal deluge. Another hypothesis is levelled against the system which we espouse. Some philosophers have supposed, that a perfect trans- position of the order of things has taken place: that what is land was once sea; and that where the ocean rolls his proud waves, the earth presented her fair and cultivated face.* If this, indeed, was the case, as the sea is liable to the same volcanic irruptions, the ex- istence of marine productions, on every part of the globe, may be accounted for, without the admission of a universal deluge: since we may easily imagine, that when the waters retreated, they left some of their spoils, deeply implanted, behind. The observations which we have made, and are capable of making, in the contract- ed sphere of our personal knowledge — and the changes which are effected on the face of nature, in the narrow circle of the few years allotted to us — may not, perhaps, be deemed any thing: but those of ages and generations long since rolled by, and which are re- corded on the faithful page of impartial history, ought to be duly appreciated. The inroads which the sea has made upon the land, recorded by those who have measured and watched its boundaries, in the remembrance of our fathers, have been comparatively incon- siderable: nor will any authentic history of the most remote periods, furnish us with matters of fact to justify, or even to countenance, an hypothesis so extravagant. Every instance which can be pro- duced of the ground gained by the waves upon the shores of the globe, is so trifling, and the conquest was so slowly acquired, that the system proposed must suppose an antiquity of the world, very little different, as it respects the objections that lie against it, from the hypothesis which maintains its eternity; the answer to which fell under the department of the preceding Lecture. This wild opinion, moreover, seems to suppose islands only the tops of moun- tains: but over the whole face of our present continents is there no such mountain, or chain of mountains, in shape or extent, as our native country— whose hoary cliffs stretch their barriers wide and firm, frowning defiance equally upon the waves which assault her * BufTon, THE DELUGE. 85 shores, and the power of nations who insult her majesty? On the whole, we think, that only on the principle of a universal deluge can the existence of marine productions found scattered wide, and buried deep, over the whole globe, be accounted for: since the theory which supposes the retreat of the ocean from our present earth, and that which rather suggests, than asserts, that all dry land was thrown up from the bottom of the sea, by volcanic, subterra- neous fires, are equally preposterous and irrational. Now, the waters were long enough upon the earth, according to the Mosaic account, for shell-fish to breed on land, and to increase from spawn to their full size; the action of the waters upon the earth would greatly soften it; and the spoils of the deep, at, and before, the re- treat of the waters, would be deeply absorbed, and covered by the perforated and broken soil. There appears to us to be but one way of determining upon this point: the Mosaic history is so express, that either a universal deluge must be admitted, or the whole nar- ration rejected. Had the deluge been only partial, some winged animals might have made their escape from it, since it gradually and progressively extended; and time was consequently afforded them for flight from the encroaching waters: but it is said, "all flesh died, that moved upon the earth, both of fowl and of cattle." And if the waters were restricted to only a portion of the earth, a constant miraculous power must have been exerted to keep them at an elevation so immense, as to cover all the high hills of the immersed part, from running off into the sea, supposing the sea to have preserved its usual level. Nor is it easily ascertained, how far the human race had spread themselves over the face of the earth, or the degree in which man had multiplied. When, therefore, we speak of the Deluge, we mean a universal flood ; and mean to dis- tinguish it from the partial inundations which from time to time have laid waste particular countries; and which, in more remote ages, were preserved in remembrance by the heathen poets. II. We pass on to present you with a selection of a few, from the innumerable hypotheses by which ingenious writers have ATTEMPTED TO ACCOUNT FOR IT. To all who have written upon this subject, the grand difficulty appears to have been, the prodigious quantity of waters requisite to such a deluge as that described by Moses. There are two sources whence the sacred historian deduces them: "The fountains of the great deep were broken up; and the windows of heaven were opened." The proportion of water necessary to constitute a universal deluge, has been by some estimated at eight oceans; Vol. I. 12 86 THE DELUGE. while others* have computed it at not less than twenty two. The inquiry then is, What did Moses intend by " the fountains of the deep?" and are these, united with the " windows of heaven," suffi- cient to cause an inundation so immense? 1. Dr. BuRNExt supposes the world to have been perfectly round, without mountains or any irregularity of surface, incrusting a globe of waters, which he calls the central abyss. He imagines that this exterior covering of earth, was broken at the time of the deluge, and sunk down beneath the prevailing waters. This sys- tem, it is necessary to observe, opposes the narrative of Moses, which asserts, that " all the high hills were covered." 2. Mr. WhistonJ imputes the whole to the interposition and agency of a comet; descending in the plane of the ecliptic towards the sun, and passing just before the earth on the first day of the deluge. He also concludes that there is an abyss of waters under the sur- face of the earth; and supposes the influence of this body would produce a strong tide on the waters both above and under the earth, which would increase in proportion to the nearness of its approach. Those, particularly, encircled within the globe, would form an el- liptical figure so much larger than their former spherical one, that, unable to oppose a resistance equal to its pressure, the surface of the earth would burst; which he asserts is the meaning of the phrase, " The fountains of the great deep were broken up." He farther supposes, that, in its descent, the comet involved the earth in its atmosphere and tail for a considerable time; and the quantity of water left behind, when rarefied by the sun, would descend in vio- lent rain's; which he imagines is intended by the opening of "the windows of heaven." The succeeding heavy rains, recorded by Moses, enduring a hundred and fifty days, he attributes to a second similar immersion, on its return. In withdrawing these destructive waters from the face of the ruined world, he supposes a vehement wind to have arisen, which dried up a part, forced more through the clefts out of which they issued, and deposited the remainder in the bed of the ocean; which he imagines not to have existed be- fore. The uncertainty of every calculation respecting comets, and the possibility that their tails and atmospheres are streams of elec- tric fluid, and not aqueous vapours, render this ingenious theory very questionable. 3. M, DE LA Pryme,§ concludes that the antediluvian world re- sembled the present one: but that the deluge was efl'ected by vio- - • Dr. Keil. | Telluris Theoria Sacra. ^ New Theory of the Earth: also, The Cause of the Deluge demonstrated. § Sec Encyclopedia Britannica— article Deluge. THE DELUGE. 87 lent earthquakes, breaking up its whole surface — absorbing conti- nents, islands, and the whole of the then dry land, correspondent portions of earth emerging from the antediluvian sea. Three objec- tions rise against this theory: 1. The Mosaic history says nothing of earthquakes. 2. Amid commotions so terrible as those which must necessarily be caused by the sinking of the earth, the ark it- self could not have been preserved without miracle. 3. Earth- quakes operate suddenly and violently: but the Bible affirms that the flood came on gradually, although irresistibly. 4. The eloquent and ingenious St. Pierre,* imagines that the deluge may be accounted for on the supposition, that on the year in which this great event took place, the action of the vertical sun was not confined to that portion of the globe which is contained between the tropics, but was carried over the accumulated moun- tains of ice, at the northern and southern poles: which extraordinary circumstance, he thinks, easily and naturally explained, by sup- posing that the earth, instead of preserving the parallel position of its poles, presented each of them, alternately, to the sun's verti- cal beams. It seems impossible to form any hypothesis free from difficulty: and each of those stated, bearing a greater or less degree of probabi- lity, supposes what, in fact, every theory must allow, an immediate interposition of divine power and agency. Admit only the fact, that He who made the world, destroyed it by water; and he could be at no loss for means to accomplish his awful design. The quan- tity of water required is immense: but not impossible to be raised. t Who has descended to his central storehouse? or seen the magazine of his rain and hail, treasured up against " the day of wrath?" Who can affirm that God has not a sufficient quantity of water in the earth for this grand purpose? It has been proved that no less than one thousand six hundred gallons of water have been exhaled from one acre of land, and dispersed in the air, in twelve of the hottest hours of a summer's day, and when there had been no rain for above a month, and the earth was parched by continual heat!| Besides, the sacred writer is consistent with himself. He represents the earth originally covered, in its unformed state, with waters, till the voice of God said, " Let the waters under the heaven be gathered together unto one place, and let the dry land appear: and it was so."§ If this theory be just, then is the deluge effected only by reducing the earth to its primeval state, and giving it over again to the dominion of the waters. * Etudes de la Nature. Tome 1. Etude IV. t See note 6, at the end of this Lecture. \ See note 7, at the end of this Lecture. \ Gen. i. 9. 88 THE DELUGE. Admit only, from the reasoning of the first part of this Lecture, the fact of a deluge; and from the second, the hand of Omnipotence in the production of it; and there can be no difficulty which does not melt away under his resistless operations. Had there been no deluge, it were difficult to account for the universal traditions re- specting it: still more so, to explain the appearances presented in the face of nature itself. It was impossible for Moses to impose the belief of it upon the Jews, appealing as he did to names found in the line of their immediate ancestors, and fixing a certain era for this wonderful event. Many of them were well acquainted with the contemporaries of Joseph: Joseph with the particulars of the life of Abraham: and Abraham lived in the days of the sons of Noah. Now, the Jews must have received traditionary accounts of every remarkable event, handed down through successive gene- rations, in other channels besides the writings of Moses. Had his history clashed with these traditions, they could not have failed to ob- serve it; and had he attempted to impose a fable upon them, they could not have failed to detect it. And such a detection, at the com- mencement of his history, could not have failed to weaken, in the minds of his contemporaries especially, the authority and validity of the whole. But we must notice HI. Some objections raised against this account. Objection 1, is raised against the ark itself. Many have supposed it too small for the purposes assigned to it. We might have presumed, had not Moses informed us, that a vessel so con- structed, so designed, and so employed, could not have sprung from mere human contrivance. The length of it was three hundred cubits; the breadth, fifty; the height, thirty. The difficulty is to determine what was the exact measure of this cubit. Some fearing that the ark would not be sufficiently capacious for its destination, if measured by the common cubit, have enlarged its dimensions to extravagance. It is generally agreed, however, thai, they were com- mon cubits: one of which, although formerly estimated at eighteen of our inches, is now allowed to contain twenty-two. According to this measurement, the ark must have been, in length, 547A Eng- lish feet; in breadth, 9lA; in height, 54tVo; and its solid contents amount to 2,730,781^-1"^!^: almost double what it would be by the former computation. The form of it was an oblong square, with a flat bottom, and a sloped roof, raised a cubit in the middle. It had neither sails, nor rudder; and was admirably adapted to float stea- dily on the water, without rolling, which might have endangered the lives of the animals: but it was unfit to endure a boisterous sea. THE DELUGE. 89 It consisted of three stories: each of which might be about eighteen feet high; and was partitioned into numerous apartments. It was, without doubt, so formed, as to admit a proper proportion of light, and air, on the sides; although the particular construction of the windows is not mentioned. The whole seems to have had another covering, besides the roof; probably made of skins, like that of the tabernacle. Noah is said, after the flood, to have removed the " Covering of the ark;" which cannot be supposed to be the roof, but something drawn over it, like the covering of the tabernacle; which is also expressed by the same Hebrew word; and such a covering was probably used to defend the windows.* Upon this estimate, the ark appears to be sufficiently large and commodious, for the purposes for which it was constructed. Objection 2, arises from the difficulty of accounting for THE peopling OF AMERICA; AND FROM THE SUPPOSED IMPOSSIBI- LITY OF WILD CREATURES OF ALL KINDS EXISTING IN ONE PLACE. With regard to the latter of these difficulties, it is i-emoved, if we suppose, what is at least probable, that there might be such a temperature of air before the deluge, as was suited to the constitu- tion of every animal. Respecting the difficulty of peopling Ameri- ca, it is neither im.possible, nor improbable, after the pattern affiDrd- ed them in the ark, that some sort of vessel or flotilla, should be constructed, which would be sufficiently strong to convey them, by a north-east passage, to their destination. The greater difficul- ty is, the existence of wild creatures, and mischievous animals: which men neither would, nor could, transport; unless some re- straint had been laid upon their ferocity, similar to that which ex- isted while they remained in the ark. But the modern geographi- cal discoveries have removed the weight of this objection. The straits which divide North America from Tartary, are so narrow, as to admit a very easy passage from one continent to the other; and it is not impossible that they might even have been united by an isthmus which time and the waves, in their combined influence, have demolished.t Objection 3, has been urged against the destruction of infants AMONG the inhabitants OF THE OLD WORLD. We shall Hot attempt to develope the reason why the Almighty permits devastation among children: but we will venture to affirm, that this is no objection against the Deluge itself, as a fact, any more than against the * This account and calculation is principally extracted from Anc. Univ. Hist, vol. i. c. 7 — on the Deluge. fThe reader may consult, on this subject, Dodd. Lect. pt. vi. § 8, under prop, cxix. p. 350, 351, 4to. edit. 90 THE DELUGE. existence of earthquakes, which equally bury infants in their ruins. There is an equal propriety in urging it against the one fact, as the other; and if it will not be admitted as an objection in the o^e instance, neither ought it to be pressed as a difficulty in the other. Those who oppose the fact on this ground, affirm that it is " con- trary to the justice of God." We contend, with a learned writer,* that " they have no right, in fairness of reasoning, to urge any ap- parent deviation from moral justice, as an argument against re- vealed religion; when they do not urge an equally apparent devia- tion from it as an argument against natural religion. They re- ject the former, and admit the latter, without considering, that, as to their objection, they must stand or fall together;" because the apparent deviation is the same in both cases. Objection 4, respects the rainbow. The reasoning adopted is as follows: — The same causes must always produce the same ef- fects; consequently, it is an absurdity in the Mosaic relation, to speak of the rainbow, as formed after the flood, and as the sign of a covenant then made. We grant that the rainbow is a phenomenon necessarily resulting from the nature of light, and the form and situation of falling rain; yet this objection may be answered two ways: 1, Some have supposed that the earth, like the garden of Eden, was watered, before the Deluge, not by rain, but by mist; in which case, no rainbow could exist. 2. The account of Moses does not directly assert, that the rainbow was then first formed; but merely that God appealed to it as a seal to his covenant. " I do set my bow in the clouds; and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth. "t The lan- guage may, without constraint, be understood to imply, that the rainbow did exist before; but that now, for the first time, it is ap- pealed to, and appointed, as the seal of a covenant. We shall detain your attention farther, only while we attempt, IV. To IMPROVE the subject. How can we better succeed in this great object, than by pressing upon your consideration, the solemn event which the apostle, in the words read at the commencement of this Lecture, has connected with it? " The heavens and the earth which are now, by the same word, are kept in store, reserved unto fire, against the day of judg- ment, and perdition of ungodly men." * Bishop Watson, in his excellent Apology for the Bible. tGen. ix. 13. THE DELUGE. 91 Carry forwards, therefore, your attention, and your thoughts, to this "great and terrible day of the Lord." You are interested in it; and it is inseparable from the subject which you have been con- tAiplating. Are men insensible of its approach? So were they of the threatening destruction hovering over the days of Noah; till one boundless scene of ruin opened upon their distracted sight, and swept them at once from life and hope for ever! Are those derided, who patiently wait the accomplishment of the divine promise, and expect the revelation of the Lord from heaven? It is no new thing. The world have ever been blind to their best interests; have ever sported with their own ruin. When Noah laid the first beams of his ark across each other, it is probable he did it amid the insulting shouts of a hardened multitude. The building advanced. Some admired the structure: some derided his plan: some charged him with enthusiasm, or with insanity: more were lost in sensuality; and all united in the desperate resolution, to bury his admonitions in the grave of oblivion. Still he entreated: still they spurned his instructions: still the edifice rose day after day: still the voice of gaiety was echoed on every side. With strange infatuation, they stopped their ears; and refused to " listen to the voice of the charm- er,'' who solicited them with unwearied perseverance, and rea- soned " so wisely." The roof is at length covered in. The danger becomes every hour more imminent. He presses his warnings upon them with increased energy: but, pointing to the unclouded sky, they laugh him to scorn, and load his ministration with con- tempt. It is closed ! The last exhortation has been given, and he has wiped the last tear of insulted tenderness from his cheek. Ye blind, insensible mortals! what charm has " holden your eyes," that ye cannot see? Discern ye not the cloud that gathers over yonder mountain? The brute creation see it; and hasten for shelter to the ark. The family of Noah close the procession; they have entered their refuge; and even now " the door is shut!" — Oh! it is too late! Fraught with heavy indignation, the tempest lowers fearfully. Every " face gathers blackness." Yet scarcely is it perceived, be- fore a new scene of ruin presents itself. Ah! there is no escaping the hand of God! The skies pour an unabating torrent. A hol- low groan is heard through universal nature, deploring the impend- ing destruction. The birds and beasts which remain, excluded from the ark, scream and howl in the woods, whither they had fled for shelter. The sea assaults the shore: the restriction of Heaven is removed: it passes its ancient boundaries: it triumphs already over the plains, and gains upon the hills. The ark floats upon its bosom. The despairing multitude fasten upon it an eye of distrac- 92 THE DELUGE. tion : they implore in vain the assistance of the prophet whom they had despised, and Avhose pitying eyes are again suffused with una- vailing tears. He can bear it no longer. He retires to the inner- most recesses of his vessel. In the phrensy of despair, parents clasp their children to their cold bosoms, and flee to the highest mountains. Where else could they resort for shelter? for the bound- less sea saps the foundation of the firmest edifices. What is their desperation as the waves approach the summit! It is equally im- possible to descend, to rise higher, or to escape. They have pro- longed a miserable existence, a few hours, only to sink at last! — It is all in vain! " The waters prevail exceedingly: every high hill is covered; and fifteen cubits" over their loftiest summits, the flood rises in haughty triumph! Do you turn pale at this sad relation? Ah! weep not for these, "but weep for yourselves!" Do you blame their blindness and infatuation? Behold, the finger of conscience points to you; and its voice pronounces of you individually, "Thou art the man!" Are there not " scoffers in these last days, walking after their lusts, and saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fa- thers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the begin- ning of the creation," Oh! this is wilful ignorance — this is incor- rigible obstinacy! The great event, discussed this night, stands upon firm evidence; and it is the pledge of that second desolation to which we ought to be looking forwards. Are there not triflers with the long-suffering of God; who presume upon his patience, and his mercy; and slumber in the arms of thoughtless sensuality? Let these remember, that judgment procrastinated, is not indigna- tion removed: that the storm, rising slowly, accumulates more strength and fury than a sudden, transient blast. " The day of the Lord will come" — will come " as a thief in the night!" Man, re- tiring weary from the labours of the day, and slumbering under the mantle of darkness, shall be scared from his sleep, " to sleep no more," by the roar of a thousand thunders, and the crash of dissolving woi'lds! Darkness shall reign, at intervals, for the last time; and death shall lay down his sceptre for ever! Shaking off the fetters of sleep and of mortality, the man looks around him with an inquiring, distracted eye. Great God! what scenes of de- spair, and of ruin, present themselves! What language shall de- scribe the horror of that day, in the contemplation of which, ima- gination fails? Kings, starting from their couch of down, or bursting from their tombs of marble, shall reluctantly resign the sceptres of their burning empires! With what unutterable dismay will they gaze upon the globe itself, as it rolls along infinite space, blasted, and consuming by the lightnings of heaven ! NOTES. 93 Oh! it is no fable! we urge upon you no idle imagination! Al- ready the day approaches — it is even " nigh at hand'' — "the judge standeth at the door!" The archangel is preparing to blow that blast, which shall "shake terribly" not only the earth, "but also heaven!" The glorified saints are looking forwards with "earnest expectation" to that day; and the spirits of the slaughtered re- deemed cry, from under the altar, " How long, 0 Lord, how long!" All things are hastening to be placed under the feet of the Saviour. And then, " cometh the end " — the last, great day — the day that shall disclose "A God in grandeur — and a world on fire!" NOTES. Note 1. — Enumeration of ancient testimonies, to iiuman longevity, by Josephus : Mxprvpan J'e /^a rto Xayai Truvrei «< Trct^' EAAjjs*/ x-cii ttoc^x BasScc^oii ct/y. f^ctipel/iCBVot T0C5 u^^KioXoyixi' X.OH ya^ xut M.X'/eB-a)v o Ttjv rav AiyvTrjiav Troiti- ts-»fA.eiaii u^xy^oe,oiyiy,ixci iAa< ren^^xv, x.cti 'Sno't^^oi, a K^ovo^ Tr^omif^xtvfi f^Lit ea-eo-.'^xi 7rXi!%i of^Q^av Ae(rtii 9reyi«7r7)j e,T< oikcc. yceXsuit ae TVciy o, rt y^Xf^fictTuv v)V i^of^evov h 'HP^eH ttoXsi 7yi Iv XtTTTrx^oio-iv uTOK^iil'eii. Se«V/3-fa5 ^s rctvTX t7n']iXecc TroitjO-oci, tu^eai; e^] 'A^/^cevim kvu7r?^ie, kui ■7rot,^ot,v']iKX yAV y,oileXa(A.Quit Tu Ix. S-ea. T^i7?l <^^ iif^s^''^ fTcil re vuv iKo7rc<,\.7}^(pu^/^c6x.x roto't i'^i^ai^ioti't Troc^si^ero. Euseb. lib. IX. Prceparat. cap. 12. This extract is translated in page 81, of the preceding Lecture. Note 4. — Assertion of Josephus, respecting the testimony of Berosus: Owroj r««»tiv 0 B-i]^(i)(rcroi rciii ei^)(^citoroe.TXi<; eTfXKoXiiB'Ciiv uvcty^cicputi, Tre^i re ra yeto- fueva xotlxKXva-f^a x-ai ry,v Iv avraJ (p.%^ui, rSv uvS^aTriuv, jcetSctTre^ Maucrjf aru^ ti/lo^ijKe Koit Tre^i tjj? Xci^vciKOi, ev jj 'Htu^o^ o m yevni ri/LLav u^^tjyoi ote^m^ni, TT^oTeve^B-eicTiii awr^? rZii UK^a^eiocii ruv A^f^eviaiv e^»y. Joseph. Contr. Appion. lib. I. Hudson's edit. vol. II. fol. He appeals also to the same evidence in his Antiq. Jud. vol. 1. lib. i. cap. 3. Hudson'' s edit. The testimony of Groti us respecting Ararath; " Quos Moses Ararath vocat, Kardu transtulere Chaldaei interpretes, Cordyjeos Josephus, Cordaeos Curtius, Gordyceos scribit Strabo, lib. xvi. Plinius, lib. vi. cap. 27, et Ptolennsens." Grot, de ver. Rel. Christ. § xvi. in not. These extracts refer to page 82, of the preceding Lecture, where they are translated. Note 5. — Lucian's statement of the opinions of the Grecians respecting the character of the old world, and the destruction of it by a deluge: ——txeivaiv ee ^e^i rav uv^^uTrcuV ruh ficvB-eovlxr vS^io-'^Xi y.u^']ec, eovfei, uB'efAtir']x e^ya 'eTr^do-s-ov, are y^,^ o^y.iot, e(pvXcccr\ov udM^ iK&too^i. KMi of/.Q^oi fA.eyci.X6i eyevevio, x-cii ol 7ro]xiA.o] x-xjeQriTxv fjtei^o^e^, xoii 7) ijaXcccrtra, tTri TfoXXov aveZrj, e; o Tirxyjoc vS'up iyevovro xoti Trxvrei aXovro' Aev- KccXim ^e f^avoi; uv^^aiTrav tXiTrelo Ic, yevetiv ^evle^r.v, euSisXir,i Kot.t rsjj eu