stead, than would all the moonshine of philosophy which has ever dimly illumined the land of modern speculation and transcendentalism. The cause of this fact is, that although the infinite truths of the Bible may not be analyzed by finite minds, they may be felt by them; and the conviction of truth produced upon the mind by feeling, may be as powerful and lasting as that produced by mere reason and conviction. It is in this way that the Sacred Volume is intended to operate; and it expects men to believe that they may understand, or, as Augustine has it, credo ut intelligo.

Those who practice this principle are led to the possession of the sublime and saving system contained in the Bible-a system which is harmonious and consistent, and confers the noblest blessings on mankind. Is it reasonable that we should be expected to believe as true what is taught by the most reckless and unprincipled of our race, (as the preceding discussion shows,) and regard as absurd that which has been loved and venerated by the most illustrious men, whose every principle was based on the careful study of evidence, and whose every act was performed with constant reference to honor and duty? For the truths which they and we believe, have sainted martyrs long since died in Roman amphitheatres, at the burning stake, and in the desert solitude. For these truths they have endured, with heroic fortitude and unbending constancy, the keenest tortures of persecution-in the silent, chilly depths of dungeons, or amid the violence of infuriated crowds; in the opulent cities of the East, and among the ruder inhabitants of the North. And while these divine truths have been maintained as sacred treasures, by men who were the ornaments of society, and the bulwarks of their country; the opposite opinions have ever been held by those who

were respected not the least, either by their own generation, or by a juster posterity.

How injurious and fatal is this spirit of unbelief to the highest and noblest of human interests! How many inestimable blessings do infidels of every grade destroy! how few blessings do they confer upon the world! Infatuated men! The only torch of truth which throws its rays upon the gloom which broods over this fallen creation, revealing and guarding the yawning gulfs which threaten us on every hand, they would quench in night. The only arm which can firmly guide the helm of the soul through the billows of this tumultuous ocean of life, they would remove; and they would let our unfriended spirits drive adrift, in a starless night, on tempestuous seas, amid dark and dangerous shores, without guide, or chart, or compass, or even the glimmering light of the distant watch-tower. Such are the services Infidelity has rendered to our dying race, and such the consolations it bestows. Though it speaks with a thousand jarring voices, and allures with a thousand deceitful plausibilities, they are all designed to destroy the same hopes, and inflict the same ruin. And this is the only unity of Modern Infidelity,

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CHAPTER VIII.

THE EXCELLENCE AND HARMONY OF THE DOCTRINAL SYSTEM OF THE BIBLE DEFENDED.*

In opposition to all this contradiction we open the Bible and find it harmonious. A superficial student of the Sacred Volume would suppose, that because its doctrinal truths are not arranged in any connected or logical order, but are interspersed throughout its whole extent, therefore no connection and inter-dependence exist between them. But no conception could be more erroneous than this. The more these doctrines are examined, especially in relation to each other, the more the individual importance of each one appears, as well as the indispensable necessity of every one of them, to complete the consistent and harmonious whole. Like some stupendous arch,-if you remove one stone from its appropriate place, the whole mass will descend in ruins to the ground. Herein we see the merit of this doctrinal system; for its logical connection far surpasses that of any other form either of religion

* We insert this chapter here on the principle, that often a simple exposition of Christian doctrine is the best defence of it; or, in the words of Dr. Carson, "to state axioms is to establish them." One frequent cause of the prevalence of Infidelity is the fact, that no effort is made to become acquainted with the beauty and internal connec tion of all the truths of Scripture. A condensed, yet systematic defence of them will therefore be of service, as aiding in giving such an ac quaintance, and hence in furnishing such a proof.

THE DOCTRINAL SYSTEM OF THE BIBLE.

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or philosophy, which uninspired men have ever propagated. Mohammed gave his responses as circumstances and dangers and interests suggested; and as often contradicted himself as otherwise.

But besides the inward coherence of the doctrines which the Bible contains, their unrivaled originality and excellence deserve special regard. These doctrinal portions are the most wonderful and valuable which the Book contains. Whatever may be the superior interest of other portions of it, those which present its scheme of credenda are the most inestimable. When we glance over them, either as set forth on the sacred pages, as the wants of men and the providences of God dictated, or as arranged in our own minds in their logical order and dependence, we are struck with their amazing originality, their superior beauty and harmony, as well as their vast importance in reference to human redemption. We propose in this chapter to enter into an examination of the merits of this doctrinal system; to present each dogma in its proper light and appropriate place; to endeavor to exhibit its value, and show its harmony with all the other sublime truths with which it is associated.

I. The first great doctrine which the Bible proclaims has reference to itself, as the source from which all other doctrines must emanate, (Bibliologia.) It discusses the nature and value of Revelation. It makes known the various inherent attributes of the Sacred Volume itself; and presents in clear light, the great truth, that this volume possesses every merit which the idea and the fact of a divine Revelation imply and demand. It was necessary that the Bible should discuss this point, inasmuch as before it proclaimed doctrines and duties as obligatory upon men, it should also promulgate the authority upon which these

were based. And here this volume justly claims for itself a great superiority over every other religious instructor. For it demands a perfect and plenary sufficiency, and declares that it contains all the instructions which are necessary to guide mankind to heaven. It declares itself to be "profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness; that the man of God (thereby) may be perfect, thoroughly furnished in every good work." It represents itself as inspired: "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God.* Holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost." It thus claims the highest authority for its teachings which could possibly be demanded, and thereby challenges the examination of men to ascertain whether it fulfils such high pretensions. It professes to be intelligible. Its valuable instructions are not hidden under an impenetrable veil of mystery; but "wayfaring men, though fools, need not err therein." So clear are its teachings, that they are as lamp to our feet and a light to our path." It regards itself as having plenary authority to proclaim doctrines and enjoin duties; and that none others possess the right of adding to, or substracting from, its declarations. "If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues which are written in the book. If any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life."

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a

Now on the important doctrine of Revelation, three things deserve to be noticed. (1.) The possibility of a

* Paul declares that he had proclaimed the whole counsel of God (nãsav Bouλùv toũ Deo) to the Christians at Miletus, Acts xx. 27; and what was complete in the preached word, would be so, also, in the written.