The four pillars, or, The truth of Christianity demonstrated, in four distinct and independent series of proofs : together with an explanation of the types and prophecies concerning the Messiah

Preface

The question may, with great propriety, be asked j «« Why publish another book on a subject which has been ably and thoroughly discussed by so many authors, as the Evidences of Christianity 1^^ Perhaps the author will not be able to give a satisfactory answer to this question. An eminent divine says, *'The multitude of old books affords no argument against the publication of new ones; since new ones will be read when old ones are neglected, and almost all mankind are in this respect Athenians. ^^ To this it may be added, that, though there are a great many good books, there are more bad ones than good; therefore, as bad ones are constantly multiplying, so should the good ones. And though this book may not be so good as others heretofore published, yet I have reason to think it will be read, because the Christian public have always heretofore favored me with their attention when I have asked it. But I have one reason iv PREFACE.

more to give: — Some lessons on the subjects embraced in this book, prefixed to my Scripture Questions, Vol. III., have excited considerable interest where they have been studied, and there has seemed to be a call for something from me to accompany them.

On a subject which has been so often discussed as the Evidences of Christianity, it could not be expected that there would be much original thought in such a work as this; and considering that there are so many works, prepared with great labor and care, already on the shelves of the bookseller, the propriety of sending forth one possessing so little thoroughness as this, may be questioned; but the very thoroughness of most of the works which have been written on this subject, renders them in a measure unsuitable for the common reader. They are all important to the student ; but the author does not write for students. Most of these works present such a mass of matter, that the common mind cannot grasp it, and see at one view the force of the evidence presented; or else they are so much epitomized as to be unreadable. The object of the writer has been, in the following pages, so to classify and condense the evidence, that the whole force of each particular kind might be seen at one view. He is aware that the number o^ his pillars might have been multiplied; for there are several of the points noticed under some of these divisions, which might each constitute an independent series of

PREFACE. V

proofs; but it might be doubted whether the edifice would be strengthened by it. The author has endeavored, also, to render the work practical, so as to have it a book to be read as well as studied.

As to the Types and Prophecies concerning the Messiah, — works on these subjects are not so common as those on Evidences ; and yet, they furnish an important species of evidence. They are likewise rich in instruction upon the way of salvation; and there is great need of their being better understood, preparatory to the study of the New Testament.

Those who study my " Scripture Questions, Vol. III., will find this volume better adapted to the " Introductory Lessons," as a help, than any other one that I have seen. But I hope the schools will not confine themselves to this, but will obtain other books also. I have learned with pleasure that those *' Introductory Lessons" have been the occasion of calling forth a series of lectures on the subjects contained in them from many pastors. I hope the publication of this volume will not prevent other pastors from doing the same. I have by no means exhausted the subject; but have left vast treasures untouched.

In collecting materials, I have not thought it necessary, in general, to quote the author specifically from whom facts have been gathered. I have had before me the following works, gleaning from one and another such parts as suited my purpose: — Home's

A* vi PREFACE.

Introduction; Paley^s, Wilson^ s, Mexander^s, Mcllvaine^Sy and Chalmerses Evidences ; Beccher on Skepticism; Keith and Kett on the Prophecies ; Keith^s Demonstration of Truth; Reinhard^s Plan; McEwen on Types; the JVotes of the most approved Commentators on the Bible; and several smaller works.

CONTENTS,

Page

Preface, iii

Introduction, I

Chapter I. First Pillar

Necessity of Religion, Christianity the only true, . 5

Atheism — iruits of, ()

Paganism — defined, 9

Furnishes no suitable object of affection and worship, 9

No pure code of morals, ...... 10

Gives no rational account of the origin and future

destiny of man, ....... 10

Transcendentalism, 10

Makes no satisfactory and certain provision for the

pardon of sin, 11

Islamism — its doctrines, 13

A caricature of Christianity, 15

Its defects — doctrine of rewards and punishments, . 15

Does not satisfy the wants of the human soul, . 16 Makes no provision for the expiation and pardon of

sin, \Q

Presents unworthy views of the world to come, . 16

No provision for the renovation of human character, 17

No piu'e code of morals, 17

Deism or JVatural Religion, . . . . , 18 Includes all who deny the grand essentials of Christianity, 19

Mr. Parker's ordination sermon, . , . . 19

Deficient in making no provision for the pardon of sin, 20

No provision for the reformation of sinners, . . 21

Nothing to inspire devotion, 21

No pure code of morals .... 23 viii CONTENTS.

Gives no satisfactory information as to the origin of all things, the obj(3Ct of man's existence, and his

future destiny, .,•.,.. 25

Jt gives a rational account of the origin of all things, of the object of man's existence, and of his relations and duties to God, 27

Furnishes a perfect code of morals, .... 28

Accounts for tlie fact of man's present state, . . 29

Makes provision for the pardon of sin, ... 29

Makes provision for thorough reformation of character, 30

Takes hold of the heart, and inspires devotion, 30

CHAPTER II. SECOND PILL All

External Evidence, . . . . . • . 40

Inspiration defined, 40

Unitarian views of inspiration, ..... 41

Views of Transcendentalists similar, ... 42

Orthodox views defended, 44

Truth of the Scriptures inseparable from their plenary inspiration, 48

The New Testament testifies to the inspiration of

the Old, 49

Quakers and Transcendentalists, .... 49

Authenticity of the books of the New Testament, . 51

Genuineness of existing copies, .... 60

Their inspiration, 63

Bible to be received with submission, ... 73

Obligation of all To believe and obey it, . .^ . 74

Unbelief will not diminish obligation to obey, . 75

A dreadfid doom awaits those who read or hear, and

obey not, 76

Obligation of gratitude for evidence of the truth of

the Bible, 77

Chapter III. Third Pillar

Internal Evidence, 78

General evidence apparent to the student of the Bible, showing it to be the production of a Supreme Intelligence, 78

Contents

IX

What the Bible teaches concerning God, essential to

the Supreme Being, 82

Chapter IV. Fourth Pillar

Evidence from the fulfilment of Prophecy ^ Preliminary remarks, ....

Authenticity of the Penteteuch, Curses, after the fall, compared with facts, Predictions of Noah concerning his sons,

Ishmael,

Of Isaac concerning his sons.

Concerning the children of Israel, Practical Remarks, Awful warning against apostacy.

CHAPTER IV.

Fourth Pillar — continued, 128

Comparison of prophecies with accounts of travellers, 128

Respecting Palestine, 129

Concerning the Philistines, 133

The Ammonites, 134

The Edomites, . - 135

Nineveh, 148

Tyre, 149

X CONTENTS.

Babylon, 150^

Peter's prophecy concerning scoffers and false teachers, 171^ Paul, concerning the judicial blindness of those who

receive not the truth, . . ..... 179

John, concerning apostacjes, 180

Instability and emptiness of human greatness, . 182 Solemn warning to nations that forget God, . . 183 Folly of those who think God too merciful to punish sinners forever in hell, 183

Certainty of the promises and threatenings of the Bible, 184

CHAPTER V. Predictions concerning the Messiah

Introductory remarks,

Intimation given immediately after the full, Promises to the patriarchs, ....

Job's prediction of the RedeeiTier, Prophecies concerning the birth of Christ, Concerning the nation, tribe, or family, of whom

Christ should come,

Concerning the time of his coming, . Prediction of Moses to the children of Israel, » Concerning the Spirit of God resting on Christ, Correspondence of Christ's works with those predicted of the Messiah, . . . . .

Prophecies concerning the ministry of Christ, . Concerning his conduct in regard to the applalise of

men,

Concerning his character as a sufferer. Concerning the character of his enemies. Concerning the treatment of him by the people. Concerning his trial and condenmation, Concerning his being delivered up to his enemies. Concerning the conduct of his disciples when he was arrested, ......

Concerning his conduct before Pilate, Concerning his treatinent on the cross. Concerning his resurrection and ascension. Concerning the object of his death, .

186 188 191 192 193

195 196 204 204

207 207

209 210 212 212 213 214

215 215 215 217 219

CONTEFTS.

XI

Practical Remarks.

The fulfilment of these prophecies proves the^divine

inspiration of both the Old and New Testaments, These predictions show that the great design of the

Bible is to reveal Christ,

The whole gospel, as understood by evangelical Christians, revealed in the prophecy of Daniel, Stupidity of those who reject the gospel, No salvation for those who reject Christ, The kingdom of Christ will triumph over all opposition,

Piety of Christ to be imitated,

Christ an object of love,

CHAPTER VI. On the Types, ........ 2S2

Introductory remarks, ...... 232

Definition of a type, . 233

Adam, a type of Christ, . . . - . . 235

Bloody sacrifices, ....... 237

Great principle on which the scheme of the gospel

is founded, 243

True idea of Atonement, ...... 245

No acceptable worship except through ChrivSt, . 246 Forsaking all for Christ, illustrated by Abraham's

example, 247

Exhortation to sinners, 249

CHAPTER VII. Types — continued

Melchizedek,

Isaac and Ishmael,

Moses a type of Christ,

Moses' vail.

Redemption of the children of Israel from

David a type of Christ,

Burial and resin-rection of Christ,

The leprosy and ceremony of cleansing,

Practical Remarks, ....

Why so many Christians live in slavish fear,

Egypt,

No salvation by Moses, 260

Necessity of a Mediator, 261

Why it is so difficult for tJie impenitent to understand tlie Gospel, 262

The condition of sinners, 263

Illustration of Christian experience, . . . . 266

Nature and necessity of faith illustrated, . . . 269

Dreadful nature of unbelief, 271

Conclusion of the whole, 273

Appendix

A.

Facts showing the antiquity and authenticity of the

Bible, 277

Antiquity of the Old Testament, .... 277 Genuineness of the Old Testament, . . . 278 Facts corroborative of the Scripture narratives, . 279 Agreement of profane history with the New Testament, 291

Testimonies of the adversaries of Christianity. . 294

B

Inspiration, . Ill ^97

Introduction

1 Peter, hi. 15.

Be ready always to give an answer to every one that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear.

The Christian religion is not a blind superstition, depending on the implicit faith of its adherents in certain dogmas proposed by its teachers to be received on their authority; but every article of its faith is substantiated by the most unquestionable evidence. A good and substantial reason may be given for every truth which challenges the belief of men. Hence, the apostle exhorts the Christians of his day to be ready always to give a reason of the hope that was in them, that the religion they professed might commend itself to the reason and conscience, both of opposers and revilers, and also, of sincere inquirers after the truth. With them, this was an easy matter. They could say, *'Our hope is founded on the fact that Jesus Christ died on the cross to save us from our sins, and 50se again for our justification; and that he hath as- 1

2 INTRODUCTION.

cended up on high, and now sitteth on the right hand of God, to make intercession for us. These facts we have received from his apostles, who were eye-witnesses to these things; and they have attested the truth of what they say, by the miracles which they have wrought before our eyes. We have also experienced, in our own souls, the saving power of the religion of Jesus."

The obligation to be always ready to give a reason of the hope that is in us, is no less binding on us at the present day; though the evidence to establish the facts and doctrines on which we rely is more remote, and requires more effort on our part to understand it, so as to give a reason for our hope that will convince the inquirer and confound the gainsayer.

It is proper, also, in this connection, to remark on the manner in which this reason of our hope is to be given. We are not to treat all inquiries and objections superciliously, or with contempt; nor to settle the matter simply by saying ive know; but we are to render a good reason for our hope, and that in a good spirit — ** with meekness and fear." If we treat opposers with harshness or contempt, they will be confirmed in their unbelief, and say that we are conscious of the want of evidence, and therefore refuse to reason the matter. But, if we treat them kindly and answer them judiciously, we may lead them to investigate, and perhaps, by the spirit we manifest, prove the superiority of our faith.

The truth of Christianity is substantiated by at least four distinct and independent series of proofs; either of which is, by itself, sufficient to establish its authenticity and divine authority, in the view of any unprejudiced mind. These are contained in the fol-

INTRODUCTION. 3

lowing propositions, each of which I propose to prove by itself:

I. Man needs, and must have, some sort of religion: Christianity is the only system that is adapted to the necessities of man's moral nature: therefore, Christianity must be the only true religion.

II. The authenticity of the Holy Scriptures, contained in the Old and New Testament, as a revelation from God, is clearly established by external evidence.

III. The Bible contains, within itself, the most conclusive evidence of its divine origin.

IV. The Bible contains prophecies which have been fulfilled, and which are fulfilling; and the fulfilment of these prophecies demonstrates the fact of the divine inspiration of the Bible.

These constitute so many Pillars, either of which would alone support the sacred edifice. And here is one of those sublime wonders which cluster around the Christian religion. Here is a building supported by four pillars, each independent of the other, and yet all standing so exactly in the centre, that, if either one, or all but one were taken away, the balance would still be so exactly preserved, that there would be no shaking of the edifice nor sinking of the foundations.

THE

FOUR PILLARS, &c

Chapter I

The First Pillar.— Jlfan needs and must have some sort of Religion : Christianity is the only System of Religion that is adapted to the JSTecessities of Man'^s Moral J^ature : therefore^ Christianity must be the only true Religion.

There is, inherent in the nature of man^ a sense of moral obligation and accountability, which instinctively calls for a knowledge of his origin, present relations and duties, and future destiny. The proof of this is found both in his own consciousness, and in the fact that there never was known to exist a nation or tribe that was wholly destitute of some form of religion. It has, indeed, been said, that some barbarous tribes have been discovered, that had no ideas of religion whatever ; but, a closer exaiiiination has proved the contrary; and that this opinion should have gained

6 FRUITS OF

credence with travellers is accounted for, by the fact that most barbarous tribes are very reserved and pri* vate about their sacred things. The existence of this principle in man is also proved from the fact that professed atheists have never been able to drive all ideas of religion from the minds of the common people, nor even from their own minds in the hour of peril. Such men have been known to fall on their knees, in a storm at sea, and cry out to the God whose existence they had denied, to save them ; and the death-bed of Voltaire, as well as other distinguished men of this class, is said to have been a scene of remorse, despair, and indescribable horror. If we could conceive it possible to banish all religion from the earth, we could hardly form any conception of what would be the sate of things. There would be an entire removal of all restraint ; and universal an* archy, confusion, and bloodshed, would prevail, till the whole race of man would be extinct. The ex* periment was tried a short time in France ; and if it had been pursued much longer, it would have depopulated the nation. And this experiment was tried under every advantage of learning, philosophy, and refinement. Says a distinguished writer, '^The National Assembly of France, in the commencement of the revolution, appointed a committee to inquire and report whether there were or ought to be a God ; and the committee reported that there could be no liberty on earth, while there was believed to be a God in heaven ; and that there is no God ; and that death is an eternal sleep. The assembly adopted the report, abolished the Sabbath, burnt the Bible, instituted the

ATHEISM. 7

'decade^ or week of ten days, and ordained the worship of the goddess of Liberty, in the person of a vile woman. But, the consequences were too terrible to be endured : it converted the most polished nation of Europe into a nation of fiends and furies, and the theatre of voluptuous refinement into a stall of blood." "What is it to kill a man?" said one of these atheistic philosophers, while the work of death was going on, and the blood was flowing from the guillotine as from an inexhaustible fountain. "Only to change the direction of a few ounces of blood ; and so in the progress of the revolution which they contrived and let out upon the world, they changed in about five millions of instances, a few ounces of blood. "=^ "Atheism," says another, "has no bond of union for its professors ; no basis of mutual confidence. It breeds suspicion, and consequently hatred, in every breast ; and it is actuated by a selfishness which utterly disregards all the bonds of nature, of gratitude, and of friendship. To an atheist, fear becomes the ruling passion. Conscious of his own want of virtue, honor^, and humanity, he naturally views his fellows in the same light, and is ready to put them out of the w^ay as soon as they appear, in any degree, to become obstacles to the accomplishcnent of his plans. Hence, tho bloody actors in this tragedy, after glutting their revenge by shedding the 'blood of innocent Christians, turned their murderous weapons against each other." "Between atheism and superstition there is this great difference, that

* Dr. Beecher's Lectures on Skepticism, pp, 80, 83.

8 ATHEISM.

while the latter sanctions some crimes, the former opens the flood-gates to all. The one restrains partiality, the other removes all restraint from vice. — - Every kind of religion presents some terrors to evil doers ; atheism promises complete impunity, and stamps virtue itself with the character of folly. "^

During the reign of terror in France, when no one was secure of his head for a single hour, it is said that a company of the nobility were sitting together in trembling and breathless anxiety, not knowing the moment when they might be summoned to the guillotine ; — an accomplished lady, who had been drawn into the prevailing atheism by a gentleman present, approached him, and broke the sombre silence that pervaded the assembly, with these emphatic words, Monsieur,— GIVE ME BACK MY GOD !"

All the various forms of religion existing now, or that have existed in the world, are comprised under four denominations, namely. Paganism^ JMohamme^ danism^ Deism^ and Christianity, I do not reckon Judaism among these, because in its original form it is a part of the true religion, and identified with Christianity. And so, if we enter into a minttte examination of all minor sects, we shall see that they will all find their place, in classification among these four.

We will now enter upon a brief examination of these systems, in order to see how far they severally furnish what is required by the necessities of man's moral nature. And,

I. As to Paganism, It may seem strange that a

♦ Alexander's Evidences, pp. 24 j 26.

PAGANISM. 9

snoment should be spent upon the inquiry, whether this is such a reh'gion as we need ; yet, there are those among us, who maintain that it is good enough for the heathen, and that there is no need of sending them the gospel ; but, if it is good enough for them, It is good enough for us.

Paganism comprises all the forms of idolatry which prevail, or which have prevailed among the heathen. It would be impossible, in this place, to enter into an extended description of what is included under this term. Perhaps, however, we cannot form a better idea of Paganism, than by considering its objects of worship. These are innumerable, including good and evil spirits; the sun, moon, and stars; the earth, the air, the ocean ; thunder and lightning ; meteors ; minerals ; stones ; iron ; silver ; gold ; plants ; leeks; onions; trees and forests; wheat and corn; fishes; insects; reptiles; birds; four-footed beasts, as the bull-dog, cat, w^olf, baboon, lion, crocodile, hog, rats, mice, porcupine ; departed heroes ; as well as all the faculties and passions of men ; and ijniversal nature. In the modern Paganism of the East, the number of gods adored amounts to many millions.

It will be seen at once that the religious principle, of which wje have spoken as being inherent in the soul of man, can find no scc^e for its exercise, when «uch are the objects of adoration. There is nothing in them worthy of love or devout admiration — nothing to excite pious feeling — nothing to inspire confidence. On the contrary, many of them are objects of contempi ; and where any moral character has been attri-

10 PAGANISM.

buted to their gods, it has been of the most hateful and disgusting description. There is, therefore, in Paganism no one supreme object on which the soul of man can fix, as an object of delightful contemplation, complacent desire, and devout affection.

Another grand defect of heathenism is, that it furnishes no pure code of morals. It cannot be expected that their code of morals will be any better than that of their gods ; and hence we find that the practical fruits of Paganism have always corresponded to the description given in the first chapter of Romans.

Still another defect, and which shows most conclusively, its failure to meet the moral necessities of man, is, that it gives no rational account of the origin of his being, or his future destiny. The great majority of Pagan nations believe in the transmigration of souls ; or the passage of souls at death from one body to another. Hence, all is dark concerning the past, and a painful uncertainty hangs over the future. The Pagan has no idea of his origin immediately from the hand of a beneficent Creator ; and for aught he know^s, his soul may have inhabited the body of a swine or a reptile ; and then, as to the rewards of the righteous, and the hopes of heaven, in comparison with the prospects of the wricked, it is only the privilege, perhaps, of entering the body of a horse or some other noble animal, in preference to a mouse or a reptile. Others are left by their rehgion entirely in doubt as to the immortality of the soul ; and others still, have no prospect set before them, but that of annihilation, or of absorption into the essence of the Deity ; an idea, however, which seems to be reviv-

TRANSCENDENTALISM. 1 1

ing among us, under the form of transcendentalism ; though I do not presume to speak with confidence on this subject, for I confess that I am unable to understand the views of this school. They are too subtile, aerial, and mystical for my apprehension, and therefore it would not be strange if I should misapprehend them. But if, as I understand them to say, the soul of man is essentially a part of God, w^hen it leaves the body it must return again to the divine essence, lose its separate existence, and be precisely what it was before it existed in the human body; so that we are likely, for aught I see, to have a sect of Hindoos among ourselves.

But, another defect in Pagan systems of religion is, that they make no such certain provision for the pardon of sin, as to give relief to the conscience burdened with guilt. For the knowledge of human depravity, and a sense of sin, are almost universal with the heathen. They also feel the necessity of some sort of satisfaction being rendered to their gods for sin. But, their views of the kind of expiation that will be acceptable to the Deity are very vague and indefinite. They have some notion, however, that the victim sacrificed must bear some proportion in value to the person sinning ; and hence the origin of human sacrifices, which have prevailed, to a greater or less extent, perhaps, among all heathen nations. Self-inflicted tortures, also of every variety and form, are resorted to for the same purpose ; and yet there remains a painful uncertainty whether any of these will procure the pardon of their sins. An affecting illustration of the failure of all the expedients and rites of

12 A DEVOTEE.

Paganism, to satisfy the demands of a guilty conscience, is found in a fact related by the missionary Swartz: — ^'A man on the Malabar coast had inquired of various devotees and priests how he might make atonement for his sins ; and he was directed to drive iron spikes, somewhat blunted, through his sandals, and on them to place his naked feet, and walk to a certain place, a distance of nearly five hundred miles. If, through loss of blood, or weakness of body, he was unable to proceed, he was obliged to wait for heahng and strength. He undertook the jpurney ; and while he halted under a large shade tree, where the gospel was sometimes preached, one of the missionaries came and preached in his hearing from these words : '' The blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth from all sin." While he was preaching, the man rose up, threw off his torturing sandals, and cried out aloud, '' This is what I want ;^^ and he became a hving witness of the truth of that passage of scripture, and also of the insufficiency of heathenism to administer to the moral necessities of the soul that is panting after immortality.

Another case, no less affecting, occurred on the coast of Africa. An English sailor,, in conversation with one of the natives, found him troubled^ on account of his sins, and told him that he must go to the ^^Christian's God, who paid the debt." This was all, however, which the sailor could tell him. He had heard of Christ as being our surety ; and that was all which he knew. But this seemed to be the very thing of which the man felt his perishing need. It took full possessiorf of his soul. He went on board the ship, and wrought his passage to England. There^

MOHAMMEDISM. 13

in one of the large towns, I believe either in London or Liverpool, he went about the streets, inquiring of every one he met, for the '^Christian's God, who paid the debt." But the people thought him crazy. However, at length he met with a clergyman, who was struck and interested with his inquiry, and took him home, heard his story, and instructed him more perfectly in the way of life ; and no sooner did he learn the way of salvation through a crucified Redeemer, than he most heartily and cordially embraced it. Such facts as these most forcibly illustrate the great truth, that there is, in the breast of a sinner, a conscious need of some form of expiation for sin, that shall satisfy divine justice, and restore him to the favor of God. Paganism is the religion of more than five hundred millions of our race.

11. The system of religion which next claims our attention, is Mohammedism, so called from Mohammed or Mahomet, its founder. This is in some respects superior to Paganism, because it contains some proportion of truth ; but it is a strange commingling of truth with the most monstrous absurdities. It may be instructive to dwell a few moments on its doctrines ; and this indeed is necessary to our inquiry, whether it is adapted to the moral necessities of man. The Mohammedans have correct ideas of the nature and attributes of God, but reject the doctrine of the Trinity. They abhor idolatry, but place Mohammed, their prophet, next to God. Their ideas of creation, also, agree with the Scripture account, from which they were doubtless derived. They believe that there are two recording angels in heaven.