all the circumstances by which a revelation is asserted to be established, before he draws the cheerless conclusion, that no revelation exists.

The question is not to be met with affected indifference, nor with superficial cavils. It is to be discussed with the care which an interest higher than the highest human concerns demands; and with the seriousness and reverence which the nature of the investigation requires.

In the Scriptures we think we have the words of eternal life. And the testimony which they bear to Christ, and Christ to them, the consistency of so many complicated parts, the unity of so extensive a design, from the foundation of the world to that period when the mystery of God shall be finished, is one powerful argument, by which their pretensions to a divine original are established.

II. The necessity, then, of consulting the evidence afforded by the historical types of the Old Testament, fulfilled in the person of Christ, being assumed, let us consider the degree of assurance, which a proof of this nature may reasonably be expected to possess; and the collateral benefits which may be derived from our research.

1. Now a type mentioned in Scripture may

not afford intrinsic irresistible evidence of in

spiration.

If the connection of the events in question be only slightly mentioned, the objector will be ready to reply, that the application is fallacious and, if the connection be expressly declared, he will still demand by what authority we believe the infallibility of those Scriptures, on the divine inspiration of which the certainty of the alleged connection entirely depends.

Upon those, who have learned to give a reason of the hope which is in them, objections such as these will have little influence. The pure and holy doctrines of their religion, the miracles wrought, and the prophecies fulfilled and fulfilling, have long since taught them the divine authority of their Bible. And, knowing this, they are confident, that whatever is therein contained is truth. With us, therefore, the assertion of Scripture is sufficient.

But, without referring any doubtful enquirer to the other extensive sources, by which the inspiration of the Scriptures is proved, we may find, in the very consideration of the historical types contained in them, intrinsic evidence of their heavenly origin.

The mere assertion of any writer, that two events, evidently similar in many remarkable

respects, and occurring in different ages, are connected in the relation of type and antitype, affords no proof that the document which contains the assertion is inspired; because the necessary connection can be established only by assuming that fact.

But all the types of Scripture are not thus founded upon a simple affirmation.

Some of them, as we shall hereafter see, are so intimately connected with prophecy, that the same historical evidence, which establishes the existence of the alleged type and its antitype, establishes also the prediction of an event and its completion.

In such instances, the fulfilment of the prophecy cannot be separated from the fulfilment of the type. The accomplishment of the predicted event proves the Scripture, in which it is contained, to be given, as it purports to be given, by inspiration of God: and we therefore rely with perfect assurance upon the connection of the type and antitype, which that Scripture pronounces to exist.

The correspondence is sometimes also itself the subject of prophecy; and, therefore, is necessarily preconcerted, and furnishes immediate proof of the inspiration of Scripture.

2. The historical types of Scripture tend also to vindicate the ways of God to man, by

shewing the importance of events, apparently trifling, when taken in connection with other events, and forming a part of one grand design.

The arrogance or the presumption of men has often represented some of the histories of Holy Writ as unworthy of that dignity, which their judgement would establish as the characteristic of a revelation from above.

But "shall mortal man be more just than God?" Those things which pass man's understanding, and such are all questions respecting the agreement of that which is clearly revealed, with the incomprehensible nature of God, it becomes not man to affect to judge. The objection, however, is as futile as it is presumptuous.

For the confirmation of our faith, it has pleased God to shew, that many of these events, minute and insignificant as they may appear to the inconsiderate mind, are in reality the connecting links of that golden chain which unites heaven and earth. In the place where they are related, they may stand as solitary facts, which might be detached without apparently affecting the immediate coherence of the narrative. But in the appointed time the Divine counsels are perfected. The event is

k Job iv. 17.

declared and proved to have had some precon certed reference to a future important event; to have prefigured, to have typified it: to have served in some measure to prepare the minds of men for the revelation of the purposes and will of God; and to afford proof to all succeeding ages, that His will has been revealed.

3. Another beneficial result, which may be expected from a careful study of the types contained in the Scriptures, is the conviction, which they afford, of the continued Providence. of God overruling the affairs of the whole world.

Particular stress is laid upon the types, as establishing this fact, because in them more especially the fierceness of man is seen to turn to the praise of God. If one person is, in many respects, the designed representative of another who shall afterwards appear, the events of his life are necessarily so directed as to complete the design of the Almighty counsels.

It may be difficult to conceive how this effect can be produced consistently with that free agency, which alone appears to render man an accountable creature. But such a difficulty, which is not peculiar to these actions, alters not the fact.

In the accomplishment of many of his pro