Lectures in divinity

Preface

BY THE EDITOR.

The author of the following Lectures was appointed Professor of Divinity in 1 788, and completed the plan which he had formed for himself, in about four years. In every succeeding year, he revised with unwearied care that part of his course which he intended to read to his students ; and not a few of the Lectures appear to have been recently transcribed. He took no steps himself for publishing them as a whole ; but he is known to have had this in contemplation ; and at his death he consigned them to the Editor, in such terms as implied that the publication of them would not be in opposition to his wishes.

It will be agreeable, the Editor believes, to the wishes of that large proportion of the ministers of the church of Scotland, who went from the hall of St. Mary's College with unfeigned respect for the character and talents of the Author, to peruse those prelections which commanded the attention of their earlier years. And he is well persuaded, that there are many, who, from personal attachment to the Author, or from a knowledge of his high reputation, are anxious to become acquainted with his sentiments, on points so important as those which his Lectures embrace.

These considerations alone, however, would not have induced the Editor tb disclose liis father's manuscripts to the public eye. In the conclusion of his opening address, as Professor of DilU

IV PREFACE.

vinity, the Author pledged himself by making this solemn declaration : " Under the blessing and direction of the Almighty in whose hands I am, and to whom I must give account, no industry or research, no expense of time or of thought, shall be wanting on my part, to render my labours truly useful to the students of divinity in this college." It was under a strong impression that this pledge has been fully redeemed : — in the firm belief that the publication of his theological lectures, one of the principal fruits of the Author's active and laborious life, will do honour to his memory ; — and in the anxious hope that the object for which the Lectures were written, to teach and to defend "the truth as it is in Jesus," may be thus more largely attained, that the Editor resolved to present them to the world.

He cannot withdraw from the charge, which he has felt it both a duty and a pleasure to fulfil, without expressing the increased veneration, which an attentive perusal of the Lectures has excited in his bosom for the Author; and without ofiering a fervent prayer to God, that the church, of which he formed so distinguished a member, may never want men, on whom the example of his diligence and success may freely operate, who may be equally eminent in biblical and theological learning, and may cherish his liberal, enlightened, and truly Christian views.

The Author himself divided his course into Books, and Chapters, and Sections, first when he printed the heads of his Lectures for the use of his students, and afterwards in a larger work, entitled " Theological Institutes." In the present publication, the same arrangement has been adopted. This has necessarily led to some inconsiderable changes on the Lectures, as they were read from the chair. But the Editor has been scrupulous in making as few other alterations on the manuscript as possible. The introductory discourse to the students, which related to the sentiments and character essential for them to maintain, has been much abridged, as it bore in some measure

PREFACE.

upon local circumstances in tlie University of St. Andrews. And towards the end of this work, it will be found, by a reference to the notes, that those parts of the course have been omitted, which the Author himself had previously given to the

public.

It was the wish of the Editor to subjoin a note of reference to every quotation made by the Author. But in the manuscript it frequently happened that there was nothing to lead him particularly to the passage or authority cited. In his remote situation he had not access to all the books which it was necessary to consult ; and even with the assistance of his friends, he has not been uniformly successful in comparing the quotations with the works from which they are extracted.

He has annexed to different chapters the names of the books which the Author was accustomed to recommend to his students, with some of the comments which he made on them. His remarks, however, were usually delivered without having been written ; and hence, comparatively few are preserved.

It may be thought, that the printed lists of books recommended are far from being complete. But it is to be considered, that, at the commencement of the Author's labours, the library of St. Andrews was deficient in modern theological works ; that those which were more immediately useful were only gradually procured ; that it was far from being his object to load the memory, or to distract the attention of his students by multifarious reading ; and that, as the business of his profession occupied his mind to the end of his days, it is probable that there was no publication of moment, which he had an opportunity of perusing, of which he did not in his class-room deliver an opinion.

PREFACE

TO THE SECOND EDITION.

It was in contemplation to present the following course of Lectures complete, by subjoining to this edition the View of the Constitution of the Church of Scotland, and the Counsels respecting the Duties of the Pastoral Office, which were published during the Author's lifetime. But being unwilling to make alterations on a work which has been so favourably received, the Editor sends it forth in the state in which it originally appeared, only freed, he trusts, from many of the errata which had crept into the first edition. Such readers as may wish to peruse those parts of the course which are not contained in this work, will find a note referring to them at the end of the volume.

Vll

Book I. Evidences Of The Christian Religion

Belief of a Deity founded on the constitution of the Human Mind — Almost universal — Moral government of God traced in the constitution of Human Nature, and the state of the world — Brought to light by the Gospel.

Chap. I. Collateral Evidence Of Christianity From History, , . 10

CHAP. H.

AUTHENTICITY AND GENUINENESS OF THE BOOKS OF THE NEW TESTAMENT, 12

Sect. 1. External Evidence of their authenticity full and various — Internal marks. 2. Various readings — Sources of correction.

CHAP. m.

Manner in which the claim of containing a divine revelation is advanced in the New Testament — Contents of the Books — System of religion and morality — Condition of the sacred writers — Character of Jesus Christ and of the Apostles.

CHAP. IV.

DIRECT OR EXTERNAL EVIDENCE OF CHRISTIANITY MIRACLES, . . 27

Sect. 1. Argument from the miracles of Jesus — Uniformity of the course of nature — Power of the Almighty to interpose — Communication of this power a striking mark of a divine commission — Harmony between the internal and external evidence of Christianity — Miracles of the Gospel illustrate its peculiar doctrines.

2. Mr. Hume's argument against miracles — Circumstances which render

the testimony of the Apostles credible — Confirmation of their testimony— Faith of the first Christians — Manner in which the miracles of Jesus are narrated — No opposite testimony.

3. How far the argument from miracles is affected by the prodigies and

miracles mentioned in history — Duration of miraculous gifts in the Christian church.

CHAP. V.

ILLUSTRATION OF THE EVIDENCES OF CHRISTIANITY, .... 53

John xi. Exhibition of character — The historian — The other Apostles — The family of Lazarus — Our Lord — Resurrection of Lazarus — Effects produced by the miracle. /

CHAP. VI.

EXTERNAL EVIDENCES OF CHRISTIANITY PROPHECY, .... 70

Si:cT. 1. Antiquity and integrity of the books of the Old Testament — Hope of the Messiah founded on the received interpretation of the prophecies. 2. Correspondence between the circumstances of Jesus, and the predictions of the Old Testament. 2* C ix

CONTENTS.

Pase

3. Direct prophecies of the Messiah — Double sense of prophecy — Not

inconsistent with the nature of prophecy — Supported by the general use of language.

4. Quotations in the New Testament from the Old Testament.

5. Amount of the argument from prophecy.

CHAP. VII.

Magnificence and extent of the system of prophecy — Jesus the object of the old prophecies, and the author of new ones — Advantages of attending to the prophecies of our Lord and his Apostles — Clearness and importance of his predictions— Specimens.

CHAP. VIII.

Resurrection of Christ an essential fact in the history of his religion — Evidence upon which it rests — Evidence of it in these later ages — Universal belief of the fact— Clear testimony of the Apostles — Their extraordinary powers.

CHAP. IX.

PROPAGATIC^ OF CHRISTIANITV, 132

Sect. 1. When the success of a religious system forms a legitimate argument for its divine original — Progress of Mahometanism and Christianity compared.

2. Secondary causes of the progress of Christianity assigned by Mr.

Gibbon considered.

3. Rank and character of some of the early converts to Christianity.

4. Measure of the effect produced by the means employed in propagating

the Gospel — Objections drawn from it — Answers.

Book II. General View Of The Scripture System

CHAP. I.

Inspiration not impossible — Three degrees of it — Necessary to the Apostles for the purposes of their mission — Promised by our Lord — Claimed by themselves— Admitted by their disciples — Not contradicted by any thing in their writings.

Chap. V

ACTIONS ASCRIBED TO JESUS IN HIS PRE-EXISTENT STATE — ADMINISTRATION OF

PROVIDENCE, 282

Sect. 1. All the divine appearances recorded in the Old Testament, referred to one Person, called Angel and God.

2. Christ the Jehovah, who appeared to the Patriarchs, was worshipped

in the Temple, and announced as the author of a new Dispensation.

3. Objections to the preceding proposition — Different opinions as to the

amount of it.

Chap. VI. Doctrine Concerning The Person Of Christ Taught During His Life, 309

Reserve with which he revealed his dignity — Circumstances attending his Birth — Voice at his Baptism — Manner in which he spoke of the connexion between the Father and him — Omniscience — Miracles.

Chap. VII. Direct Proof That Christ Is God, 319

Sect. 1. Jesus called God — Circumstances which intimate that the name is applied to Jesus in the highest sense.

2. Essential attributes of Deity ascribed to Jesus.

3. Worship represented as due to Jesus — Supreme and inferior wor'^hip

of the Arians — Socinian explanatiLin of passages in which wor.-siiip is given to Jesus.

Xll CONTENTS.

Chap. VIII. '''"'

Passages which present the divine and human nature of Christ together — Opinions as to the manner of their union — Gnostics — ApoUinaris — Nestorius— Eutyches — Monophy sites — Monothelites — Miraculous conception — Hypostatical union the key to a great part of the phraseology of Scripture — That which qualifies Jesus Christ to be the Saviour of the world.

Chap. IX

Form of Baptism — Instruction connected with the administration of Baptism — Catechumens — First Christians worshipped the Holy Ghost — Gnostics — Macedonius — Socinus — Personality of the Holy Ghost — His divinity.

Chap. X

Sect. 1. Unity of God, the doctrine of the Old and New Testament.

2. Three systems of the Trinity — Sabellian — Arian, and Semi-Arian —

Catholic.

3. Principles by which the Catholic System repels the charge of Tritheism.

4. Dr. Clarke's system — Amount of our knowledge respecting the

Trinity — Inferences.

Book IV

OPINIONS CONCERNING THE NATURE, THE EXTENT, AND THE APPLI- CATION OF THE REMEDY BROUGHT BY THE GOSPEL.

Chap. I. Disease For Which The Remedy Is Provided, .... 391

Sect. 1. Genesis iii. — History of a real transaction, related after the symbolical manner. 2. Effects of Adam's fall upon his posterity — Four systems — Pelagius — Arminius — Human nature corrupted — Sin of Adam imputed — Calvinistic view embraces both corruption and imputation — Adam the representative of the human race — Difficulties.

CHAP. II. OPINIONS concerning THE NATURE OF THE REMEDY, .... 413

Sect. 1. Socinians — The Gospel the most effectual lesson of righteousness — Defects of this System.

2. Right acquired by Jesus of saving men from their sins, and giving

them immortality — Merits and defects of this system.

3. Catholic system, or that which has been generally held in the Chris-

tian church — Atonement or satisfaction of Christ.

CHAP. HI. /

doctrine of THE ATONEMENT, 4jiO— ?^

Sect. 1. Not irrational — God the righteous Governor of the universe — Honour of his laws to be maintained — Sin the transgression of law — Mean-' ing of Satisfaction — Acceptance of the Lawgiver, and concurrence of tlie Substitute in the substitution of Christ — Vicarious punishment— Why not practised in human judgments — Power of Christ over his own life — Deep malignity of sin, and exceeding kindnesfe and love of God. 2. Whethfr there was understood to be a substitution in the heathen sacrifices.

CONTENTS. Xlll

P«J8

3. Substitution implied in certain sin-ofFerintrs in the law of Moses — Day

of atonement — Efficacy of tlie substitution — Nature of the sinotTerinjTs.

4. Tliree great divisions of the law of INloses — The politic.il and ceremo-

nial law temporary — Ceremonial law emblematical of the Gospel dispensation — Intimated by the prophets — Implied in many passages of the New Testament — Epistle to the Hebrews — Confirmation of the Catholic system from the views of the Apostle Paul — Reasonings of the Socinians.

5. Direct support of the doctrine of the atonement from Scripture — Value

annexed to the sufferings of Christ — His sufferings represented as a punishment of sin — Effects ascribed to them — Reconciliation — Redemption — Forgiveness of sins — Justification.

Chap. IV

Completeness of the Catholic system — Foundation of the hope of eternal life — Merits of Christ — Right to eternal life acquired for us by the death of Christ, confirmed by his life.

Chap. V

Sect. 1. First preliminary point — The Gospel designed to be an universal religion — Law of Moses a local dispensation — True character of the Gospel opened by incidental expressions — Unlimited commission given to the Apostles. 2. Second preliminary point — Remedy of the Gospel only for those who repent and believe — Speculations respecting the final condition of the wicked — Subject, beyond the limits of our faculties.

BOOK IV.

OPINIONS CONCERNING THE NATURE, THE EXTENT, AND THE APPLI- CATION OF THE REMEDY BROUGHT BY THE GOSPEL.

Chap. VI

Arguments for Universal and Particular Redemption stated and compared.

CHAP. vn.

PREDESTINATION, 513

Sect. 1. Socinians — Contingent events not subjects of infallible foreknowledge — No predestination of individuals.

2. Arminians — Predestination of individuals dependent on the foreknow-

ledge of their faith and good works, or of their unbelief and impenitence.

3. Calvinists — Entire dependence of the creature on the Creator — Extent

of the Divine knowledge — One decree embracing all that is to be, means and end — Supralapsarians — Sublapsarians — Decree of Election absolute — Good pleasure of God — Covenant of Redemption — Merits of Christ a part of the Decree of Election — Decree of Reprobation— Extent of the Remedy determined by the Divine decree.

Chap. VIII. Application Of The Remedv, 533

Production of the character required for enjoying the blessings of the Gospel — Opinions of the Socinians, Arminians, and Calvinists — Grace — Its nature and efficacy.

XIV - CONTENTS.

F«ge

CHAP, IX.

ARMINIAN AND CALVINISTIC SYSTEMS COMPARED, .... 541

Sect. 1. Arminian system satisfying upon a general view — Three difficulties, under which it labours, stated.

2. Objections to the Calvinistic System reducible to two.

3. Calvinistic System not inconsistent with the nature of man as a free

moral agent — Definition of liberty — Efficient and final causes — Both embraced by the plan of Providence — Whence the uncertainty in the operation of motives arise — How removed — Gratia Congrua — Renovation of the mind — Exhibition of such moral inducements as are fitted to call forth its powers.

4. Calvinistic System not inconsistent with the attributes of God — The

ultima ratio of the inequality in the dispensation of the gifts, both of Nature and of Grace — Decree of reprobation exerts no influence upon men leading them to sin — Objection resolvable into the question concerning the Origin of Evil — Philosophical Answer — Arminians recur to the same Answer — The Glory of God — Moral Evil the obj ect of his abhorrence.

Chap. X. Support Which Scripture Gives To The Calvinistic System, . . 571

Sect. 1. All the actions of men represented as comprehended in the great plan of Divine Providence.

2. Predestination ascribed in Scripture to the good pleasure of God —

System of those who consider the expressions employed, as respecting only the calling of large societies to the knowledge of the Gospel.

3. Representations given in Scripture of the change of character produced

by Divine Grace.

4. Objections arising from the commands, the counsels, and the exhorta-

tions of Scripture.

Book V

INDEX OP PARTICULAR QUESTIONS, ARISING OUT OF OPINIONS CON- CERNING THE GOSPEL REMEDY, AND OF MANY OF THE TECHNICAL TERMS OF THEOLOGY.

Chap. I

External and Effectual Call — Synergistic System — Fanaticism — Calvinistic View of Conversion — Faith — Different Kinds — Saving Faith.

CHAP. H.

JUSTIFICATION, GIO

A Forensic act — Its nature — Church of Rome — First Reformers — Socinians and Arrninians — Calvinists — First and second Justification — Justification one act of God — Saints under the Old Testament — Other individuals not outwardly called — Perseverance of Saints — Assurance of Grace and Salvation — Reflex act of Faith — Witness of the Spirit.

Chap. III. Connexion Between Justification And Sanctification, . . . 618

Good works, fruits of Faith — Apparent contradiction between Paul and James — Solifidians — Antinomians — Fratres liberi spiritus — Practical Preaching.

CONTENTS. XV

Chap. IV. ^*"

Sect. 1. FirstpartofSanctification, Repentance — Its nature — Popish doctrine — Late Repentance — Precise time of Conversion.

2. Second part of Sanctification, a new life — Habit of Righteousness —

Immutability of the Moral Law — Christian Casuistry — Counsels of Perfection — Merit of good works — Works of Supererogation.

3. Imperfection of Sanctification — Anabaptists — Mortal and venial sins —

Distinction unwarranted — Romans vii. — Christian Morality.

Chap. V

Scriptural terms — Kingdom of Christ — Union of Christ and his disciples —

Adoption — Covenant of Grace.

Sect. 1. Meaning of 6iaen'in — Covenant of Works — Sinaitic Covenant — Abrahamic Covenant — New Covenant.

2. Mediator of the New Covenant — Offices of Christ — Mediatores Se-

cundarii of the Church of Rome.

3. Prayer — Encouragements to it in the Covenant of Grace — Nature of

Christ's intercession.

4. Sacraments — Explanation of the term — •'Signs and Seals of the Cove-

nant of Grace — Seven Sacraments of the Church of Rome.

CHAP. VL

QUESTIONS CONCERNING BAPTISM, 656

Sect. 1. Prevalence of Washings in the religious ceremonies of all nations — How Baptism is a distinguishing rite of Christianity — Opinions of the Socinians and Quakers — Immersion and sprinkling — Giving a Name.

2. Baptism more than an initiatory rite — Opinions of the Church of

Rome, and of the Reformed Churches.

3. Infant Baptism — View of arguments for it — Godfathers and God-

mothers— Confirmation — Admission for the first time to the Lord's Supper.

CHAP. vn.

QUESTIONS CONCERNING THE LORd's SUPPER, 668

Institution — Correspondence between the Passover and the Lord's Supper

Origin of different opinions respecting it — System of the Church of Rome

Transubstantiation — Of Luther — Consubstantiation — Ubiquity — Of Zuino-Uus — A Commemoration — Of Calvin — Spiritual presence of Christ — Time of observing the ordinance.

CHAP. VIIL

CONDITION OF MEN AFTER DEATH, 680

Happiness of Heaven — Intermediate state — Purgatory — Duration of hell torments.

Book VI. Opinions Concerning Church Government

CHAP. L

FOUNDATION OF CHURCH GOVERNMENT, 683

Ob]io"ation to observe Ordinances.

CHAP. H.

OPINIONS RESPECTING THE PERSONS IN WHOM CHURCH GOVERNMENT IS VESTED, 686

Sect. 1. Quakers — Deny necessity and lawfulness of a standing Ministry — Consequent disunion and disorder — Their principles repugnant to reason and Scripture.

XVI CONTENTS.

Page

2. Independents, or Congregational Brethren — Leading principle — Un-

authorized by the examples of the New Testament, and contrary to the spirit of its directions — Implies disunion of the Christian Society.

3. Church of Rome — Papists and Roman Catholics — Gallican Church —

Catholics of Great Britain — Unity of the Church — Grounds on which the primacy of the Pope is maintained — Matthew xvi. 16. — Scriptural and historical view of the Church of Rome — 2 Thess. ii. — Daniel vii. — Rev. xvii.

4. Episcopacy and Presbytery — Principles of the Episcopal form of Go-

vernment— Of the Presbyterian — Points of agreement and difference— Timothy and Titus — Bishop and Presbyter — Right of Ordination— Succession of Bishops — Presbyterian form of government not a novel invention — Imparity among Bishops, of human institution— Opinions of ancient writers upon the equality of Bishops and Presbyters — First Reformers — Presbyterian parity,

CHAP. III.

NATURE AND EXTENT OF POWER IMPLIED IN CHURCH GOVERNMENT, . 733

Not created by the State — Erastianism — A spiritual power — Conduct of our Lord and his apostles — Anabaptists — Church of Rome — Excommunication — The Lord Jesus Christ the Head of the Church — Purpose for which he gives power to his Ministers — Its limits.

CHAP. IV.

POTESTAS AoyiiaTlKT], 751

Scripture the only rule of faith — Articles of faith — Reasons for framing them — History of Confessions of Faith — Subscriptions to them.

CHAP. V.

POTESTAS AiaraKTtKVt 76i

Conditions of Salvation declared in Scripture — What enactments the Church has power to make — Liberty of Conscience — Rule of Peace and Order — Puritans.

CHAP. VL

POTESTAS AiaKpiTtKri . 777

Judicial power of the Church warranted — System of the Church of Rome — of Protestants.

LECTURES IN DIVINITY.

Book I Evidences Of The Christian Religion

INTRODUCTORY DISCOURSE.

The professed design of students in divinity is to prepare for a most honourable and important office, for being workers together with God in that great and benevolent scheme, by which he is restoring the virtue and happiness of his intelligent offspring, and for holding, with credit to themselves and with advantage to the public, that station in society, by the establishment of which the wisdom of the state lends its aid to render the labours of the servants of Christ respectable and useful. Learning, prudence, and eloquence never can be so worthily employed as when they are devoted to the improvement of mankind ; and a good man will find no exertion of his talents so pleasing as that by which he endeavours to make other men such as they onght to be. We expect the breast of every student of divinity to be possessed with these views. If any person is devoid of them, if he despises the office of a minister of the gospel, if the character of his mind is sucli as to derive no satisfaction from the employments of that office, or from the object towards which they are directed, he ought to turn his attention to some other pursuit. He cannot expect to attain eminence or to enjoy comfort in a station, for which lie carries about with him an inward disqualification ; and there is an hypocrisy most disgraceful and most hurtful to his moral character in all the external appearances of preparing for that station.

In attempting to lead you through that course of study which is immediately connected with your profession, I begin with what is called the Deistical Controversy, that is, with a view of the Evidences of Christianity, and of the various questions which have arisen in canvassing the branches of which they are composed.

I assinne, as the ground-work of every religious system, these two great doctrines, that " God is, and that He is a rewarder of them that 3 D 1 seek him." * When I say that I assume them, I do not mean that human reason unassisted by revelation was ever able to demonstrate these doctrines in a manner satisfactory to every understanding. But I mean that these doctrines are agreeable to the natural impressions of the human mind, and that any religious system which purifies them from the manifold errors with which they have been incorporated, corresponds, in that respect, to the clear deductions of enlightened reason.

It is not my province to enter into any detail upon the proofs of these two doctrines of natural religion; and I am afraid to engage in discussions which have been conducted witli much erudition and metaphysical acuteness, lest I should be enticed to employ too large a portion of your time in reviewing them. Leaving you to avail yourself of the copious sources of information which writers upon this subject afford, I will not enumerate, far less attempt to appreciate the different modes of reasoning which have been adopted in proof of the being of God, and his moral government. But, having assumed these doctrines, I think it proper to give by way of introduction to my course, a short view of the manner in which it appears to me that they may be estabhshed as the ground-work of all religion.

When we say that there is a God, we mean that the universe is the work of an intelligent Being; that is, from the things which we .behold, we infer the existence of what is not the object of our senses. To show that the inference is legitimate, we must be able to state the principles upon which it proceeds, or the steps of that process by which the mind advances from the contemplation of the objects with which it is conversant, to the conviction of the existence of their Creator. These principles are found in the constitution of the human mind, in sentiments and perceptions which are natural and ultimate, which are manifested by all men upon various occasions, and which are only followed to their proper conclusion when they conduct us to the knowledge of God. One of these sentiments and perceptions appears in the spirit of inquiry and investigation which universally prevails ; another is invariably excited by the contemplation of order, beauty and design.

A spirit of inquiry and investigation has larger opportunities of exertion, it is better directed, and is applied to nobler objects with some than with others. But to a certain degree, it is common to all men, and traces of it are found amongst all ranks. Now you will observe, that this spirit of inquiry is an effort to discover the cause of what we behold. And it proceeds upon this natural perception, that every new event, every thing which we see coming into existence, every alteration in any being, is an effect. Without hesitat'on wd conclude that it has been produced, and we are solicitous to discover the cause of it. We begin our inquiries with eagerness; we pursue them as far as we have light to carry us ; and we do not rest satisfied till we arrive at something which renders farther inquiries unnecessary. This persevering spirit of inquiry which is daily exerted about trifles finds the noblest subject of exertion in the continual changes which we behold upon the appearance of the heavenly bodies, upon

• Hebrews xi. 6.

INTllODUCi'ORY DISCOURSE. 8

tlie State of the attnosphore, upon the surface of the earth, and in those hidden regions whicli tin; prt)gress of art leads man to explore. To every attentive and intelligent observer these continual changes present the whole universe as an eti'ect ; and, in contemplating the succession of them, ho is led, as by the hand of natm'e, through a chain of subordinate and dependent causes to tiiat great orighial Cause from v/hom the universe dinivcd its being, upon whose operation depend all the changes of which it is susceptible, and by whose uncontrolled agency all events are directed.

Even without forming any extensive observations upon the train of natural events, we are led by the same spirit of inquiry from considering our own species to the knowledge of our Creator. Every man knows that he had a beginning, and that he derived his being from a succession of creatures like himself. However far back he supposes this succession to be carried, it does not afford a satisfying account of the cause of his existence. By the same principle which directs him in every other research, he is still led to seek for some original Being, who has been produced by none, and is himself the Father of all. As every man knows that he came into existence, so he has the strongest reason to believe that the whole race to which he belongs had a beginning. A tradition has in all ages been preserved of the origin of the human race. Many nations have boasted of antiquity. None have pretended to eternity. All that their records contain beyond a certain period is fabulous or doubtful. In looking back upon the history of mankind, we find them increasing in numbers, acquiring a taste for the ornaments of life, and improving in the liberal arts and sciences; so that unless we adopt without proof and against all probability the supposition of successive deluges which drown in oblivion all the attainments of civilized nations, and spare only a few savage inhabitants to propagate the race, we find in the state of mankind all the marks of novelty which it must have borne, had it begun to be some few thousand years ago. But if the human race had a beginning, we unavoidably regard it as an effect of which we require some original cause ; and to the same cause from which it derived existence we must also trace the qualities by which the race is distinguished. The Being who gave it existence must be capable of imparting to it these qualities, that is, must possess them in a much higher degree. " He that planted the ear, shall he not hear ? He that formed the eye, shall he not see ? He that teacheth man knowledge, shall not he know ?"* Thus, from the intelligence of men, we necessarily infer that of their Creator; while the number of intelligent beings with whom we converse cannot fail to give us the noblest idea of that original primary intelligence from which theirs is derived.