confirmation of its truth; how holy, how devoted, how agreed were its writers; how wonderfully it has been preserved, in the midst of the greatest opposition; how exactly it describes things as they are; and what astonishing effects it has produced. Now then, reader, this is the very book you should consult, in order to be wise unto salvation. "It is profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness."* This will furnish you with all necessary information, both as to your duty towards God and man. Delay no longer, then, to consult it. Were you to be informed, that an epistle from some illustrious prince were directed to you, I suppose you would scarcely sleep till you had perused it. What agitation, what concern, what expectation would be raised in your breast! Now here is a volume actually addressed to you, which contains intelligence of the utmost importance, written by the finger of him who is the King of kings, and Lord of lords. Here your character is drawn. Here your wants are stated. Here

* 2 Tim. iii. 16.

your condition is pointed out; here your remedy exhibited. Here you will find every thing essential to your happiness, for the life that now is, and that which is to come. Let a portion then be frequently read; implore light from heaven to understand, and for grace to practise it. Say with one of old, "Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law. So shall you find that in knowing and keeping it there is great reward.”*

CHRISTIANITY.

HAVING now stated the authority and excellency of the Bible in a general way, it will be necessary to examine, more particularly, the important system it contains. In the former part of this little work, we have made some enquiries as to the nature and condition of man: we considered him as frail, depraved, and subject to mortality. Now, in perusing the Bible we do not find it to be a treatise on astronomy,

* Psa. cxix. 18. Psa. xix. 11.

philosophy, politics, history, rhetoric, or any of the sciences; but here is one grand subject meets our eye. Now, then, the enquiry is, What is this; what is it that forms the prominent leading point of the sacred scriptures? It is, my reader, nothing less than the "glorious gospel of the blessed God." It is a system of mercy; a display of the divine glory in the everlasting salvation of all who believe, through the merits of his Son Jesus Christ, and the purifying operations of the divine Spirit. Hear the language of scripture," God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. Be it known unto you, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins; and by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which they could not be justified by the law of Moses. Ye are washed; ye are sanctified; ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and by the Spirit of our God. He is able to save to the

uttermost, all who come unto God by him."* From these scriptures, you may learn the nature, the cause, and the means of man's salvation. But you may be ready to ask, is this system true? Here then, my reader, let us answer the enquiry. It is well known that there were certain prophecies, delivered at sundry times and in different places, relative to the advent of a Messiah that should atone for the transgressions of men. These prophecies have been exactly fulfilled, as to the personage, birth, character, circumstances, place of residence, life, sufferings, work, death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ. Several writers were employed in composing his life, in which they all agreed, and whose testimony cannot be doubted, unless we doubt the truth of all history. Their narrations are simple, but not mean; luminous, but not dazzling; popular, but not declamatory; clear, but not systematic. There appears no design of writing for their own advantage, to perpetuate their own names,

* John iii. 16. 1 Tim. i. 15. Acts xiii. 38, 39. 1 Cor. vi. 11. Heb. vii. 25.

nor to gain applause from mankind. They record their own faults; they lavish no encomiums on themselves; they cast no reflections on others. They state the facts as they happened; they leave those facts to speak for themselves; they make no comments of their own. Considering how the Saviour was treated, with what contempt his cause was held by the world, they could not have been under any temptation to invent a story of this kind. This would have been to expose themselves to danger; it would have been studiously forging a lie, for the very purpose of condemning themselves to death. Had Christianity been an imposture, the very manner which they took to establish it would have been the most likely to have overthrown it at once. The miracles, too, which were wrought were so numerous, so open, and of so singular and extraordinary a nature, that clearly proved it could be no imposition. Now it is certain that the apostles, although opposed by some, did gain very early credit, and met with success in the world. The facts recorded in the gospel they insisted on to the last; nor could poverty nor persecution, re