m:fmm /I. .3 ^THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY, | ^ Princeton, N. J. ^ CV/«<^, Civ;:ion A.... Sfielf, Section .f.... Book, No,_... f.- :E>S480 ."KB I THE CONGREGATIONAL LECTURE. FIFTH SERIES. HOLY SCRIPTURE VERIFIED. BY G. REDFORD, D.D., LL.D. LONDON : J. DENNF.IT, XJNION BUILDINGS, LEATHER LANE. HOLY SCRIPTURE VERIFIED OR, THE DIVINE AUTHORITY THE BIBLE, CONFIRMED BY AN APPEAL TO FACTS OF SCIENCE, HISTORY, AND HUMAN CONSCIOUSNESS. GEORGE REDFORD, D.D., LLD. 'Ow Svvarai Xvyrivai 'H TPA^H'. Jesus Christ. L (3 N D O N : JACKSON AND WALFORD, 18, ST. Paul's church-yard. 1837. PREFACE. The subject of the following Lectures, all will admit to be of supreme importance. Whether the Bible is true, and worthy of all acceptation, or whether it is a wicked fabrication, and a clumsy imposture, is a question not merely nor mainly speculative, but strictly and highly practical, in- volving the interests, the happiness, and the obligations of all. As we believe and feel upon this question, so will our conduct be affected for good or evil; and in so far as the generations coming after us, in succession and dependence, must take their education, their institutions, their habits, and their religion, from us; so far their condition, also, to an extent scarcely appreciable, will depend upon the opinions we may form upon this momentous subject. In an age when the inroads of Infidelity are feared by some, and the growth of Popery by others, it cannot be deemed unseasonable to at- tempt an illustration, under a somewhat new form, of the eternal and blessed verity of Holy VI PREFACE. Scripture. It is highly desirable that the young", and especially the educated young, of all our Protestant communities, should be fortified against errors, which will inevitably be urged upon them by the controversial spirit of the times. The bulwark of their faith will henceforth be found in the Bible — " the Bible only." If that cannot stand before the scrutinizing temper which is now rife among us, then their faith must be soon and utterly subverted: but if that divine foundation cannot be invalidated, then the faith that rests exclusively upon it, will be safe. Infidelity and Popery may rouse themselves to gigantic efforts, but all will be unavailing ; the former Avill neither persuade us that the Bible is a lie ; nor the latter, that, thougli inspired, we cannot understand it. He who, like Timothy, has known the Holy Scriptures from his childhood, and by them been made " wise unto salvation," will identify both these parties in the results at which they aim ; he will perceive that they endeavour to remove his heart and conscience from under the imme- diate influence of the divine authority; that the infidel does it by affirming, that there is no such authority in the Bible; and the Roman Catholic does it by interposing a human authority, a medium which distorts and defiles the whole reve- lation; but a medium which he insists is abso- lutely necessary, to prevent the heavenly light from l)ecoming downright darkness, leading those wln) confide in it to destruction. PREFACE. Vll The best, because the only efficient, defence, against these fatal extremes of credulity and dis- belief, is obviously to be found in that reverence for the Holy Scriptures, that assured belief of their inspiration, which is the result of modest and careful inquiry. Let this be universally encouraged. We fear nothing in the cause of the Bible, but lukewarmness and apathy ; we ask nothing of its adversaries, but candour and justice. Let all search the Scriptures, and the issue can scarcely be doubtful. Those who had believed at the dictation of others, would then say with the Samaritans, (John iv. 42,) " Now we be- lieve, not because of thy saying, for we have seen him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world;" while objectors, by such a course, would be convinced, or, at least, staggered and silenced. The Bible is a universal boon to mankind ; and we who believe in its inspiration should do our utmost to give it extension and effect. It is not written for any particular nation or age. It does not depend for its authority or its vouchers upon any church or all churches. It stands upon its own peculiar evidences; and no more requires the endorsement of the church to make it current, than the sun requires the authority of the astro- nomers to warrant our belief in its existence, or our perception of its Hght and heat. The Bible belongs to the world, like the air, the ocean, the rivers, and the fountains of water. It is a com- Vlll PREFACE. mon liglit, a common blessing, the imperishable heir-loom of humanity: our whole inheritance lies there. No party can claim any special property in it; none has any right to monopolize it, or dogmatize upon its contents. It adequately vin- dicates its own claims, by the liglit, and truth, and love which never forsake it. Happily it has long since achieved for itself an emancipation from the priestcraft which had restricted its cir- culation, and dictated its import to the world. It has since been gradually diffusing its light, and advancing towards that universal dissemina- tion which its own prophecies foreshow as certain, and the auo:uries of these times indicate as near. Great and auspicious events to mankind seem to be travailing for their birth-hour. But whatever character they may give to the eras which have yet to revolve, our own times have received their appropriate stamp ; they can hardly miss the designation of the Bible Age. Happy will it prove for ourselves, if we are found as diligent in studying the contents of The Book, as we have been zealous in promoting its circulation. Worcester, Novemhir, 1837. ADVERTISEMENT. (by the committee of the congregational LIBRAR*y.) The "Congregational Library" was established with a view to the promotion of Ecclesiastical, Theological, and Bib- lical Literature, in that religious connexion with whose friends and supporters it originated. It was also designed to secure a convenient locality for such associations as had previously existed, or might hereafter exist, for the purpose of advancing the literary, civil, and religious interests of that section of the Christian Church to which it was appropriated. Without undervaluing the advantages of union, either with Evangelical Protestants, or Protestant Nonconformists, on such grounds as ndmit of liberal co-operation, it was nevertheless deemed expe- dient to adopt measures for facilitating the concentration and efficiency of their own denomination. In connexion with these important objects, it was thought desirable to institute a Lecture, partaking rather of the character oi Academic pre- lections than of popular addresses, and embracing a Series of Annual Courses of Lectures, to be delivered at the Library, or, if necessary, in some contiguous place of worship. In the selection of Lecturers, it was judged proper to appoint such as, by their literary attainments and ministerial reputation, had rendered service to the cause of divine truth in the consecra- tion of their talents to the " defence and confirmation of the gospel." It was also supposed, that some might be found pos- sessing a high order of intellectual competency and moral worth, imbued with an ardent love of biblical science, or eminently conversant with theological and ecclesiastical litera- ture, who, from various causes, might never have attracted X ADVERTISEMENT, that degree of public attention to which they are entitled, and yet nii^ht he both qualified and disposed to undertake courses of lectures on subjects of interesting importance, not included within the ordinary range of pulpit instruction. To illustrate the evidence and importance of the great doctrines of Revela- tion ; to exhibit the true principles of philology in their appli- cation to such doctrines ; to prove the accordance and identity of genuine philosophy with the records and discoveries of Scripture ; and to trace the errors and corruptions which have existed in the Christian Church to their proper sources, and, by the connexion of sound reasoning with the honest interpreta- tion of God's holy Word, to point out the methods of refutation and counteraction, are amongst the objects for which " the Cono-reo-ational Lecture" has been established. The arrange- ments made with the Lecturers are designed to secure the publication of each separate course, without risk to the Authors ; and, after remunerating them as liberally as the resources of the Institution will allow, to apply the profits of the respective publications in aid of the Library. Tt is hoped that the liberal, and especially the opulent friends of Evange- lical and Congregational Nonconformity will evince, by their generous support, the sincerity of their attachment to the great principles of their Christian profession ; and that some may be found to emulate the zeal which established the " Boyle," the " Warburton," and the " Bampton" Lectures in the National Church. These are legitimate operations of the " voluntary princi))le" in the support of religion, and in perfect harmony with the independency of our Churches, and the spirituality of the kingdom of Christ. The Committee deem it proper to state, that whatever responsibility may attach to the reasonings or opinions ad- vanced in any course of lectures, belongs exclusively to the Lecturer. CONOREGATIONAL LlBRARY, Bloiiijield Street, Finsburt/, Nov. 1837. CONTENTS. LECTURE I. THE MOSAIC STATEMENT OF NATURAL AND PHYSICAL FACTS RELATING TO THE CREATION AND THE HUMAN RACE, COMPARED WITH THE DISCOVERIES OF SCIENCE, THE RECORDS OF HISTORY, &C. General Introduction — Date of the world — Extinct races — Geological epochs — Order of creation — Theory of light — Origin of the human race in a single pair — Man's dominion over the mundane creation — The social propensity of mankind — The sentence denounced on the man and woman respectively after the fall p. 1 — 106 LECTURE II. THE SAME SUBJECT COMTINUED. Traces of a universal deluge — The covenant with Noah — The Rainbow, &c.^Tower of Babel — Confusion of languages — Origin of Nations — Tripartite division of mankind — Traditions of the place whence the human tribes originally diverged — Principal divisions of the human family — Prophecy of Noah respecting the national character and condi- tion of the races derived from his three sons, &c. . . , 107 — 195 LECTURE III. ON THE MENTAL AND MORAL CONDITION OF HUMAN NATURE, AS •CORROBORATIVE OF THE BIBLICAL DOCTRINE OF THE FALL, AND ITS EFFECTS. Adaptation of the mental and moral economy to the social relations and personal interests — The doctrine of a moral apostasy — How it may be expected to affect our nature — Evidenced by suffering, both mental and bodily — Traces of social and individual degradation, combined with vestiges of primitive excellence — Man's pi-actical aversion from moral goodness — Yet sentimental approbation — Objections and speculative theories considered — Contrarieties and contradictions in human nature — Xii CONTENTS. Notion of perfectibility— Passion for immortality— Loss of the true knowledge of fiod— And, thereby, of the Supreme Good— General review of his condition— And the arguments thence derived in corroboration of the facts and doctrines of Revelation 196—248 LECTURE IV. rOINCIDENCES BETWEEN THE DOCTRINES OF REVELATION AND THE GENERAL PRINCIPLES OF THE DIVINE MORAL GOVERNMENT, AS DEDUCIBLE FROM THE FACTS WHICH APPEAR IN THE CONSTITUTION AND HISTORY OF MIMAN NATURE. General explanation and limitation of the argument — Moral government explained — Efficiency and universality of its laws — Recognition of the being and perfections of a Supreme Governor — Vice distinguished — attended with suffering— Tendency of virtue to well-being— Doctrine of Providence — Power and universality of Conscience — Instinctiw propen- sity to Prayer — Indelible sense of future Accountableness — Doctrine of Substitution 249—310 LECTURE V. THE SCRIPTURAL SCHEME FOR THE UNIVERSAL RECOVERY OF MANKIND TO VIRTUE AND HAPPINESS, TRIED BY ITS ADAPTATION AND ACTUAL SUCCESS. The Bible proposes the redemption and i-ecovery of mankind — Exhibits the means — Assures the result — The only religion that ever proposed to effect such an object — This purpose grand and worthy of God — The scheme, as exhibited, displays a universal character and i'daptation — Perfection of its standard of morals and piety universally admitted — Obje(;tions against its divinity — Representations of the Neologists — Divinity of the gospel proved from its character — Corroborated bv its practical application and advancing triumphs . . . 311 — 369 LECTURE VI. THE ORIGIN, PERPETUITY", AND HISTORY OF A SPECIAL SOCIETY, DIS- TINCT FROM THE WORLD, UNIFORMLY CHARACTERIZED BY CERTAIN PECULIARITIES OF PRINCIPLE AND PRACTICE, AND DENOMINATED THE PEOPLE, OR CHURCH OF GOD. A church now exists — Traceable to the times of the Caesars— The succession of Christian believers unbroken — Origin of the Christian profession in Judea— Tliis country long the seat of the Jewish Church— Credibility of their Church History- Origin of this section of the church — Connexion with the Patriarchal- Their religious and moral principles identical— What these were— Their transmission from Noah— Embodied and enlarged in the law— Identity of revelation tlnou-h all its pcriods-A distinct socictv CONTENTS. Xlll commenced in Abraham's family — Predictions respecting it — Jewisli his- tory indisputable — No conflicting evidence — Continuity of the church through all its periods — General observations on this succession — Identity of faith — Great events connected with this history — Preservation of the church a continued miracle — An objection considered — Transition from Judaism to Christianity — 'Evidence of inspiration in this — Vicissitudes of the chm-ch enhance the proof — Its adversities and corruptions — Often near extinction — Christian church-history— Infidel explanations — Their failure — Combinations of worldly powers — Tlie church still invincible — Severe discipline appointed — Opposition foretold and over-ruled — Internal causes of decay counteracted — Its whole history implies supernatural in- fluence— Trimiiph of divine principles in the heart — The case of infidels contrasted — IJoth classes of facts foreseen — Summary of the argument — Its connexion with next Lecture 370 — 423 LECTURE VII. THE TESTIMONY OF THE SCRIPTURES CONCERNING THE REJECTION OF THE JEWS FROM THEIR HIGH AND HONOURABLE STATION AS THE CHURCH OF GOD, COMPARED WITH THEIR SUBSEQUENT HISTORY AND PRESENT STATE. Revelation refers to the excision of the Jews and their subsequent state — Tlie Founder of Christianity predicted the fall of his nation — The pre- dictions specified — Certainty that these were known before the event — General view of their accomplishment — Specific facts — Preservation of the race, notwithstanding their calamities — Attempts to preserve the temple frustrated — Total expulsion — Attempts at restoration — Ever since a fallen people — Judgment always following them — Marvellously preserved — Singular retention of their nationality — Arch of Titus — Protraction of the exile — Discontinuance of sacrifice — Isolation from other nations, though mixed with them — Fulfilment of prophecies by Jeremiah and Amos — Their numbers appear undiminished — Great vicissitudes of the nations whei'e they have dwelt — No pai'allel case — Complete separation from Gentiles — Argument for the inspiration of prophecy — Excision of the Jews coincident with the origin of the Christian Church — Foresight of the transition, and its peculiar circumstances, implies inspiration — The fact of the transition very singular — The history and prophecy viewed together — Conclusion ........ 424 — 464 LECTURE VIII. ON THE KINGDOM OF THE MESSIAH, AS REPRESENTED IN THE ANCIENT SCRIPTURES, COMPARED WITH ITS HISTORY AND PRESENT PROSPECTS. The Kingdom of the Messiah — Exhibited in a typical form, in the sacred books and religion of the Jews — Prevalent opinions founded on them — Proved from various sources — These predictions and expectations verified in the character of Jesus Christ — The improbability of such a character XIV CONTENTS. being fabulous — Credibility of the account given by the Evangelists — Probable effects of such a real character — Facts correspond — And thereby attest its reality — Opposite suppositions as to Christ's character — All proved untenable — The establishment and success of the Christian cause — Representations of contemporai-y enemies — Weakness of Christianity at its rise — What it effected — Testimonies to its progress — Jewish and heathen — Character of its triumphs — Indubitable proofs of its reality — Means by which they were wrought — Explanations of infidels wholly untenable — Means of detecting imposture then possessed — Inspiration and miracle obvious — As clear after as during Christ's life — Facts other- wise inexplicable — Supposition of pretended miracles — Disproved— Magic alleged to explain the facts — Never proved — The miracles never rivalled — Confirmation of Apostolic claims — Coincidence of the document and the facts — Bearing of the argument on the inspiration of the Scriptures — Conclusion. . ....... 4G5 — 548 LECTURE IX. ON THE DOCTRINE OF A DIVINE AND SPIRITUAL INFLUENCE, AS RE- VEALED IN THE SCRIPTURES, AND AS REALIZED IN THE HISTORY OF CHRISTIANITY AND THE EXPERIENCE OF CHRISTIANS. All effects traceable to spiritual or immaterial causes — Mental power the source of voluntary action in ourselves — How we are led to ascribe the invisible and mighty agency, operating through all material causes and effects, to a Divine and Infinite Spirit — Probability of the same influence exercised over human minds — Analogies whicli render such agency probable — The direct testimony of revelation as to its reality — Facts verifying the testimony — In the first propagation of the gospel — In its continuance and success in the world — In the formation of the christian character, considered individually — Abuses to which the doctrine is liable — Connexion with an appointed instrumentality — General Conclusion of the course 549—608 " These are but the conclusions and fallible discourses of man upon the Word of God, for such I do believe the Holy Scriptures ; yet, were it of man, I could not choose but say, it was the singularest and superlative piece that hath been extant since the creation. Were I a pagan, I should not refrain the lecture of it; and cannot but commend the judgment of Ptolemy, that thought not his library complete without it. The Alcoran, of the Turks, (I speak without prejudice,) is an ill-composed piece, containing in it vain and ridi- culous errors in philosophy, impossibilities, fictions, and vanities beyond laughter, maintained by evident and open sophisms, the policy of ignorance, deposition of universities, and banishment of learning: that hath gotten foot by arms and violence: this, without a blow, hath disseminated itself through the whole earth. It is not unremarkable, what Philo first observed, that the law of Moses continued two thousand years without the least alteration ; whereas, we see the laws of other commonweals do alter with occasions; and even those, that pretend their original from some divinity, to have vanished without trace or memory Mens works have an age like themselves, and, though they outlive their authors, yet have they a stint and a period to their duration. This only is a work too hard for the teeth of time, and cannot perish but in the general flames, when all things shall confess their ashes." Sir Thomas Browne. '* If these Scriptures, impregnable in their strength, sustained in their pretensions by innumerable prophecies and miracles; and by the Experience of the Inner Man, in all ages, as well as by a con- catenation of arguments all bearing upon one point, and extending with miraculous consistency through a series of fifteen hundred years ; if all this combined proof does not establish their validity, nothing can be proved under the sun, but the world and man must be aban- doned, with all its consequences, to one universal scepticism." Coleridge. LECTURE I. THE MOSAIC STATEMENT OF NATURAL AND PHYSICAL FACTS RELATING TO THE CREATION AND THE HUMAN RACE, COMPARED WITH THE DISCOVERIES OF SCIENCE, THE RECORDS OF HISTORY, &C. General Introduction. Upon the admission that there exists a Supreme lect. t. IntelHgence, the Creator of all things, it seems a i''"-o(iuctioi. perfectly just and reasonable expectation, that every work of his power and wisdom should con- tain indubitable marks of its high origin. We q^"'"''* "' accordingly find, that though the productions of the Divine Power may be finite and frail, for the most part brief in their duration, and insignificant when viewed in their individuality, they never- theless exhibit, both in their creation and con- servation, from the most minute to the most stupendous, the inimitable signature of supreme skill and power. Hereby they seem to become designedly legible to human reason, as inscrip- B I MOSAIC STATEMENT OF FACTS LECT. I. tions recordins: the name of their Divine Author, 'to and proclaiming their origin by those bright and peerless characteristics which effectually distin- guish them from all the productions of human and finite power. seai"if clfd ^^ ^* ^^^^ proper business of reason to recognise discoverable, ^j^.^ imprcss of thc divine hand upon all those works of the Almighty, which come within the range of our observation; and, moreover, it is highly gratifying to perceive how sober and dili- gent inquiry is rewarded, as we proceed, by the development, at every step, of a wisdom more profoundly wise, and a skill more admirably skilful. The first inspection neither discloses all, nor, indeed, the most impressive and commanding- proofs of the exhaustless wisdom and power of the Creator. This fact seems to be fully recognised by our men of philosophy, for they never appear to tire of their investigations, or to think that they have ascertained all that can be known of any given object. The reason manifestly is, because no part of nature can be fairly said to be ex- hausted, to have unfolded all its involutions, or revealed all its secrets to the most inquisitive and sagacious of the philosophers. The horizon is never approached; it does but recede and widen as we advance. After the most consummate genius has spent its energies on a single object, or class of objects, and has brought to light the hidden and beautiful laws, the mysterious proper- Naiiire ines hanstibk. cause approached. RELATING TO THE CREATION, &C. t: ties, the nice relations and extended dependencies, Ji^^': and a temporary pause seems to be given to curiosity, because the world is engaged in admir- ing and verifying these researches, yet at length science is again seen pluming her wings for a new flight, and aspiring to a higher summit. It is found that the discoveries already made, only prepared the way to more brilliant ones; only supplied a vantage ground for a wider and more glorious prospect ; fresh inquiries all through nature still leading to fresh discoveries ; and so on interminably. Hence there arises, in all the departments ofTi'^myMer ' 1 ons cause ii natural philosophy, a perpetual stimulus to re- search. The most acute and lofty minds, through all civilized nations, are thus constantly occupied in prying into nature's plans and laws, seeking a deeper and yet a deeper depth ; as if they would fathom the whole mystery, which yet they seem conscious is practically, if not really, unfathom- able. For most certain it is, that, after all, the grand secret is still impenetrable. The myste- rious cause is hidden behind the veil of its own effects. For " who by searching can find out God?" The mass of our knowledge may be augmented by the discoveries of science, but our substantial ignorance remains. We remove for- ward the boundaries of our own proper territory from time to time, but we move always within the limits of the creation, which every where imparts its hidden treasures, and displays its b2 [ MOSAIC STATEMENT OF FACTS '-E<^T. I. beautiful unity, but uniformly prohibits, as by an impenetrable frontier, the ulterior step. The Creator, in his infinity, is still unapproached and unapproachable by these processes. In all our inquiries, we ultimately arrive at that which is too subtile, or too dark, or too minute for further analysis. We trace grandeur of design, and ex- quisite adaptation, but inexplicable mystery, in all the systems of nature; yet, as Paley has justly and beautifully noticed, "We never get among " such original or totally different modes of exist- " ence, as to indicate that we are come into the " province of a different creator, or under the ** direction of a different will."* Thus a homage is rendered to the sacred seal, which the Almighty has set upon each of his works. The unrivalled productions of his creative wisdom and power, every where, constrain the reason of man, inten- tionally or unintentionally, to confess the peculi- arity, to admire the perfection, and to adore the inexhaustible opulence of his works. These inimitable characteristics, visibly impressed upon his various productions, not only create a line, broad and clear, between them and the works of human skill, but they seem, though silently, yet triumphantly, to set at defiance all the resources of human art and ability ; I need not say, to rival or imitate, but even thoroughl}^ to explore the divine workmanship. If that transcends our com- * Nat. Theology, p. 650. RELATING TO THE CREATION, kc. 5 prehension, wliat wonder that the Infinite Author lect. i. himself should be cognizable only by his own light, and only so far as he may condescend to explain himself. Let us supiDose, surely no unreasonable suppo- Reveiati.,., sition in the abstract, that he has made some sort l^ctu'stl: of revelation. We will not yet assume what ; but, supposing it to exist, it will be fair and just to expect, that evidences somewhat similar to those which avouch his works, should accompany his word. We may presume that, like nature, it will possess characteristics all its own; that its facts and principles will be in harmony with the uni- verse, with human history, and consciousness ; and that it will not simply sustain its authority by the a priori argument of miracles and prophecy. And, farther, that as the a posteriori argument for the being of a God is found the most satisfactory, and, perhaps, the only efficient one, so a similar argument, in behalf of revelation, may be found correspondingly powerful and convincing. It is true, in such a case, we must first assume that we possess a divine revelation, and then proceed to show how facts accord with its statements; but, in so doing, we merely proceed according to the rational method, by which the verity of any written document is ascertained. Whether it be a professed narrative of events, a theory on some scientific subject, or a mere seriatim catalogue of things, yet, if it give a true detail, facts will tally 6 MOSAIC STATEMENT OF FACTS T.ECT. I. ^vith its statements, and it will be pronounced faithful. To be tried Now, if tliei'e does exist such a thing as a real by facts, &c. revelation, it will doubtless bear a similar exami- nation. The application of the test may be de- licate, but it must, in the main, be clear and decisive ; and it is quite certain that, in no case, can the document and the real fact contradict each other. A true revelation cannot stand opposed to nature, history, or the facts of human con- sciousness. The words of Scripture may be mis- interpreted— its facts may be mistaken — it may leave many things involved in mystery, and quite unapproachable by our present powers of dis- crimination ; but if it professes to give information upon events that have transpired, or things that exist, there must be, and be discoverable, a har- mony in the main, and without any positive discord. This correspondence, if it can be traced to any considerable extent, will very materially subserve the cause of revelation. The one will be to the other as the key that passes the wards of the lock, or as the clue by which we thread a labyrinth. We can conceive it possible for God to have made a revelation upon matters concerning which neither our experience, nor science, nor the course of history might have supplied any corroborative evidence. Such a revelation might have rested solely on the direct ])roof of divine authority in the RELATING TO THE CREATION, kc. 7 method of communication. Its subject matter t>ECT. i. might have been placed far beyond the reach of any test we could employ; but if we possess a revelation which, besides the direct and primary proofs of divine intervention, affords us the op- portunity of verifying its statements, by matters coming within the sphere of our own experience and observation, it must then, I think, be ad- mitted, that such a revelation possesses all the evidence we could reasonably desire, perhaps all of which any revelation is susceptible. It is not, however, pretended that this view of the christian evidence possesses any novelty; or that this mode of testing it has not often been adopted, both by friends and enemies. Yet, I think, it must be admitted that the subject has generally been treated in a partial and desultory manner; very rarely in a distinct and separate form ; usually it has constituted only a section or an item of a general argument; or has been merged in questions of prophecy and history. It has certainly been made, by the enemies of reve- lation, a most prolific source of objection. It has presented a field where they have gallingly paraded their forces, and harassingly hung upon the rear of the christian argument. Now we have ima^^ined, whether wisely or This argn- ment snccpi)- otherwise, you must judge, that this argument, pan!ioi)!hi from the verification of Scripture, is susceptible of staVof"^'" science. considerable expansion and confirmation, in the 8 MOSIAC STATEMENT OF FACTS LECT. I. present advanced state of human knowledge, and that something should be attempted by way of making the contributions, both of science, history, and human experience, serviceable to the cause of revelation. Science tri. Mucli has bccu effccted of late to elucidate and bntary to na^tnrai theo- ^Qj^f^j.j^ ^j^^ doctrlucs of uatural theology, by bringing to their aid the valuable and important discoveries of modern phj^sical science through its various departments. So that the argument for the being, perfections, and providence of God, may be said to be wrought up to the improved state of natural knowledge. It has been, if not strengthened in the nature and construction of the argument, yet carried out by new illustrations, and reinforced by being pursued up to the ulti- mate discoveries of philosophy. Moreover, several able writers, as well philoso- phical as theological, have shown that the discove- ries which have of late years been going forward in one particular and popular branch of science, hitherto suspected of a hostile aspect towards re- velation, has brought to light no facts subversive of the Mosaic cosmogony. So far scientific dis- coveries are found, on the one hand, to subserve the defence and elucidation of natural theology, while, on the other, they are shown to be at least inoffensive, or neutral towards revelation. Every thing beyond this, such as the effort to make science, history, and human experience corrobo- RELATING TO THE CREATION, &C. 9 rate the testimony, and contribute to tlie evidence lect. i. of revelation, falls properly within the province of the theologian. I can, of course, have no reason to depreciate Danger of , . , . resting in the important inquiries of natural theology, but I Df"""' "'«*•■ may be permitted to say there is considerable danger of reposing in them, complacent in the fundamental truths they establish, and satisfied with the important and interesting results to which they lead. The theism which is so often attempted to be grounded upon them, apart from the dis- coveries of revelation, proves in the issue a system of delusion and mischief. It is built up of crude and incongruous materials, which do but deceive and baulk the hope of their admirers, and which at last crumble into dust in the rough hand of time, and before the test of experience.* * I trust, however, when 1 speak thus of the danger lest natural theology should be consulted as an oracle, in the formation of religious belief, or itself be mistaken for a complete system of religion, I shall not be understood as reflecting, or intending to reflect, in the slightest degree, upon the eminent and accomplished individuals who have lately made such valuable additions to our stock of argu- ments for the being and government of God. It is abun- dantly evident, from most of the Bridgewater Treatises, that their authors had found no satisfaction in a scheme of mere theism ; and many admirable passages might be adduced, to show that they are devout believers in the inspiration of the Scriptures 5 and further, though this was not their object, it is evident, that they would be rejoiced to find their writings tributarv, in any degree, to a similar faith ill their readers. They have opeiil}^ professed their 10 MOSAIC STATEMENT OF FACTS LECT. 1. It is not improbable that a sentimental kind of io"'"uni "*'°" religion, scarcely a shade brighter than the gloomy uBlftu?'^ deism of the last century, may be fostered in the minds of some men of science, by the eloquent and elaborate writings on natural theology which have recently been given to the world. If young inquirers should unhappily repose in these arguments, they may be preserved from embracing the absurdities of atheism, but it is equally certain they cannot be accounted Christians. I derogate nothing from the importance and value of the arguments such works present, when I say, that tlieir utility is chiefly relative. They constitute but a link in a chain. Apart they are of little worth. They form but one of the steps to the Temple of Truth ; a step far enough from being the last, and if it should unhappily be made our resting place, in- stead of one of the stages of our ascent, we shall adherence to the sacred records, and rendered becoming liomage to revelation, as tlie only adequate and final autho- rity in religion. Hereby they liave done honour to tlicir own enlightened understandings, to their own great genius and learning. This is highly satisfactory as to the indi- vidual authors of those works. We are, moreover, quite sure they would deprecate any use of their writings that might either seem direcftly to militate against the dictates of revelation, or to supersede it by the substitution of natural religion. But we cannot suppress the fear, that such a misuse, as we have alluded to, may be made, and has, probably, already been made, by those wjio have paid little attention to the whole subject of religion, and possibly none whatever to the evidences of revelation. RELATING TO THE CREATION, &:C. 1 1 find it but a comfortless and unsatisfactory position, lect^i^ scarcely out of sight of tlie dark abyss of atheism, and far below the light and security of that high abode which true religion has prepared for us. Natural theology, at best, can only lead us to the exterior of the magnificent and universal temple of nature ; show us its vast extent and its deep foundations ; demonstrate its exact arrangements and its graceful ornaments; and thus, from the complicateness, the perfection, and the exactness of the whole work, instruct us to infer, that this temple had an architect, and that this architect must be infinitely wise, powerful, and beneficent. But the nobler province, the higher office of moral and religious instruction, pertains to revelation ; that leads us into the interior of the temple ; un- veils to us the shrine of the indwelling Deity ; permits us to hear the voice of the living oracle, and instructs us to pay our homage at his footstool. On all accounts, then, it is infinitely desirable compitu.i ■^ by levtla- that revealed religion should appear to be true. ''""• To resist fair and substantial evidence on its be- half, or to thrust its divine, its unrivalled bene- dictions from us, is to turn recreant to humanity, and act the assassin upon the purest and noblest aspirations of our nature. If what we hear within this temple is indeed a true and divine oracle, proceeding from that same wisdom which designed the vast fabric of the visible universe, then we may expect, that there will be discoverable indu- bitable evidence of Iiarmony with all the other 12 MOSAIC STATEMENT OF FACTS '-i^cT. 1. parts of the system ; and as, in natural theology, we can perceive a convergence of proof, arising from the physical and moral systems, to one and the same point, namely, the identity of the author of both, so we may hope to trace in revelation a still more marked, refined, and mysterious cor- respondence with the physical system, with our universal history, and our entire nature ; and thus will be made certain the momentous, the deeply interesting proposition, that the Creator of the heavens and the earth, the Founder of the moral system of man's nature, and the Author of the sacred volume, is one and the same Supreme and Eternal Being. General evi- Tlicre ai'c cliieflv two classes of arguments, or delicts (if J c> ' rtvtut.on. j^jQjpg ^f reasoning, by which the sacred Scriptures are proved to be of divine inspiration ; they are usually denominated the external and the internal evidences. The arrangement has been objected to, and it may not be strictly and critically exact, l)ut it is sufficiently so for all ordinary purposes. These evidences it is not our intention to discuss, further than as some portions of them will be necessarily involved in our design. fntendt'""?' ^^ pToposc to takc the Bible upon its own ih^vr^ltW pretensions, that we may have the opportunity of comparing it with facts, and thereby of showing, in case the argument shall be found satisfactory, that a strong additional evidence thus arises to its truth, and, consequently, to the identity of its authorship with that of the material system of the RELATING TO THE CREATION, &C. 13 universe, and the mental and moral constitution lect. i. of man. This is the great proposition, the esta- blishment of which, even after the admission of the direct aj-guments for the inspiration of holy Scripture, seems essential to the triumph of the christian faith. If the other evidences are neces- sary to prove the divine inspiration of the written M'ord, this is necessary to establish its truth practi- cally. For although its veracity would legiti- mately follow as a necessary inference, drawn by our reason from the already proved fact of divine inspiration, yet it will be an additional confirmation to our faith, of incalculable value, to perceive how its statements are experimentally and historically verified. In the one method we should infer its truth from its divine orifrin or inspiration; in the other, we shall ascend from its accomplishment to its veracity, and its divinity will then follow as an undeniable consequence. The direct evidences, as you are aware, are exceedingly numerous, arising from different and unconnected sources, complicated in their cha- racter, and continually augmenting. Virtually, or relatively to us, they may be denominated boundless and inexhaustible, because always pro- gressive, thereby supplying matter to engage the dihgent inquiries, and reward the fixed attention of every successive generation ; though to each, from the very first, has been afforded an ample sufficiency to justify its cordial reception of that measure of revelation which it possessed, and to 14 MOSAIC STATEMENT OF FACTS LECT. I. render disbelief inexcusable. It is, however, par- ticularly in the department of corroborative and historical evidence that our advanced position in science proves a vantage ground for the further corroboration of Scripture. The records of history, the researches of philosophers, the discoveries of antiquarians and travellers, frequently make im- portant additions to the general fund, and clear up points only partially known, or involved previously in impenetrable mystery. All these sources are, at the present time, supplying numerous verifi- cations, which could not have been anticipated by any projected calculation of probabilities, or any cautious process of analogical argumentation. But, as yet, little has been attempted in the way of collecting these scattered materials, reducing them to an orderly arrangement, or displaying them so as to make them bear conjointly on the evidence of inspiration. The very scantiness of what has been hitherto accomplished in this de- partment, while it may justify the present attempt, will, it is hoped, form some apology for the de- ficiency and immaturity which will doubtless be but too obvious to able and accomplished judges. Some reasons for the present undertaking might be derived from the very nature of the argument we propose to pursue. It seems to possess, at least, one special recommendation. A very large proportion of the direct evidences, both internal and external, require much time, close attention, and some learning, duly to feel their force and RELATING TO THE CREATION, kc. 15 appreciate their value ; but, if I am not deceived, lect. i. the argument to be adduced from the fulfilment and verification of the Scripture, is one that ordi- nary minds may more readily feel. Mankind at large display a greater aptness for perceiving a conclusion that depends upon experiment and observation, than one which rests upon abstract reasoning. Possibly this circumstance may add some value to the present undertaking, and war- rant some hope of its utility. I shall now proceed to call your attention to the first class of revealed truths or facts, whicli seem to receive corroboration from our own proper knowledge and experience. They may be denominated THE NATURAL AND PHYSICAL FACTS RELATING TO THE CREATION AND THE HUMAN RACE. Date of the world — Extinct races — Geological epochs — Order of creation — Theory of light — Origin of the human race in a single pair — Man's dominion over the mundane creation — The social propensity of mankind — The sentence denounced on the man and woman respec- tively after the fall. Many distinct statements, brief, indeed, but Mosaic state- •^ ment. yet involving comprehensive and general prin- ciples, are laid down upon these subjects in the very first pages of revelation. From their re- l(j MOSAIC STATEMENT OF FACTS ^fc^^T- »• markublt' ag-reement with what appears in the condition of man, and of this terrestrial creation, it seems highly improbable that they should have proceeded from any source but that which com- prehended the nature, the laws, and the relations of all things. They appear to imply a knowledge which could not have been acquired by any of those means which men possess. They display an insight into the laws and facts of nature, which we find it impossible to ascribe to the individual writer, or the people among whom he had received his education. If the information imparted by this writer upon the subjects about to be examined shall be found of so peculiar a character, so accu- rate, so comprehensive, so anticipative of all that has been brought to light by science and been experienced by ourselves, as to preclude the pos- sibility of attributing it to the ordinary sources of human knowledge, we seem, then, to have no alternative left us, but to accede to his own state- ment ; a statement, be it observed, supported by various other more direct evidences, that he was a prophet sent of God. fsifbii]f>in°/ So far as general truths and universal principles ci"pTer!,n'a"' of nature can be discovered by human effort, we know perfectly well, that great labour, cautious investigation, patient research, and much time are demanded. They require a large induction of particulars, and a great accumulation of facts, before they can be securely and confidently as- serted. It is a rare case for such principles or til re RELATING TO THE CREATION, &C. 17 truths to be brought to maturity by a single ^^^'''- '• mind. The first, in general, merely suggests them. Others, frequently in a long succession, and after elaborate investigation, verify and prove them in all their bearings. When, therefore, we perceive how slowly great principles and general laws are discovered, even by the most comprehensive and accomplished minds in the present day, it must appear altogether incredible that Moses should have ascertained all the great natural truths, which he records, by his own researches, or derived them from the wisdom of the Egyptians. None, we presume, will attribute to him such j)J^;,';_°