A compendious introduction to the study of the Bible: being an analysis of "An introduction to the critical study and knowledge of Holy Scriptures, in four volumes

Front matter

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Preface

The little Manual, now offered to the Public, has been undertaken in consequence of requests long since communicated to the Author, and frequently repeated, that he would prepare an Analysis, or Abridgment of the four octavo volumes of his larger " Introduction to the Critical Study and Knowledge of the Holy Scriptures f as an assistant to the studies of Gentlemen, at the Universities and other Seminaries of Theological Literature, as also of those individuals who may respectively possess that work, and to whom such an auxiliary would be acceptable. At the same time, the present volume has been so arranged, as to form a Comprehensive Guide to the Study of the Bible, adapted to the use of general readers : it will be found to contain,

I. A Summary of the Evidences of the Genuineness, Inspiration, &c. of the Holy Scriptures, refuting the most modern objections of Infidels ;

II. An Outline of the Literary History and Interpretation of the Bible ;

III. A Compendium of Biblical Geography and Antiquities ; and

IV. Introductory Prefaces to the several Books of Scripture.

In preparing this Manual for the press, the order of the larger Introduction has generally been followed ; the Parts and Books, into which it is divided, corres-

PREFACE.

ponding with the volumes, and parts of volumes in that work. Those bibliographical, critical, and other details only have been omitted, which either would not admit of abridgment, or which would be uninteresting to the generality of English readers.

The Author has subjoined, in an Appendix, a List of Select Chapters of the Bible, forming an Epitome of the Old and New Testaments, adapted to perusal in the family, or in private, together with chronological and other tables ; which he trusts, with the Divine blessing on his labours, will contribute to facilitate the devout and attentive reading of " the Holy Scriptures, which alone are able to make us wise unto salvation, through faith which is in Christ Jesus."

TABLE OF CONTENTS,

Part I

ON THE GENUINENESS, AUTHENTICITY, INSPIRATION, ETC., OF THE HOLY SCRIPTURES.

Tage.

Chapter II. On the Genuineness find Authenticity of the Books of

the Old and New Testament 4

Sect. I. Genuineness and Authenticity of the Old Testament - ibid. Sect. II. Genuineness and Authenticity cf the New Testament •... 6

Sect. III. On the uncorrupted Preservation of the Books of the

Old and New Testament ; 8

Chapter HI. On the Credibility of the Old and New Testaments • 10 Sect. I. Direct Evidences of the Credibility of the Old and New

Testaments ibid.

Sect. II. Testimonies to the Credibility of the Old and New Teataments, from Natural and Civil History - - - • 14 § 1. Testimonies from Natural and Civil History to the Credibility of the Old Testament ibid.

§ 2. Testimonies of Profane Writers to the Credibility of the

New Testament 19

§ 3. Collateral Testimonies to the Truth of the Facts record ed in the Scriptures, from ancient Coins, Medals, and Marbles 2i

Chapter IV. All the Books of the Old and New Testaments are of Divine Authority, and their Authors are divinely inspired • 24

Sect. I. Preliminary Considerations ibid.

Sect. II. The Miracles related in the Old and New Testaments are Proofs that the Scriptures were given by Inspiration of

God 25

Sect. III. On Prophecy 37

Class I. Prophecies relating to the Jewish Nation in particular 39

Class II. Prophecies relating to the Nations or Empires that

—were neighbouring to the Jews 41

Class III. Prophecies directly announcing the Messiah - • 42 Class IV. Prophecies by Jesus Christ and his Apostles - - 43 Refutation of various Objections against Prophecy • - 45

Chapter V. Internal Evidences of the Inspiration of the Scriptures 47 Sect. I. The System of Doctrine and the Moral Precepts, which are delivered in the Scriptures, are so excellent and so perfectly holy, that the persons who published them to the World, must have derived them from a purer and more exalted Source than their own Meditations .... ibid. a 1. A Concise View of the Religion of the Patriarchal Times 48 § 2. A Summary View of the Doctrines and Precepts of the

Mosaic Dispensation 49

§ 3. A Summary View o<" the Doctrines and Precepts of the

Gospel Dispensation • • • 63

I*

VJ CONTENTS.

S 4. On the Objections of Unbelievers to the Doctrine and Morality of the Bible 53

Sect II. The wonderful Harmony and intimate Connexion subsisting between all the Parts of Scripture are a further Proof of its Authority and Divine Original 58

Sect. III. The Preservation of the Scriptures is a Proof of their Truth and Divine Origin ibid.

Sect. IV. The Tendency of the Scriptures to promote the present and eternal Happiness of Mankind constitutes another unanswerable Proof of their Divine Inspiration .... ibid.

Sect. V. The peculiar Advantages possessed by the Christian Religion over all other Religions, a Demonstrative Evidence of its Divine Origin and Authority 60

Sect. VI. Inability to answer all objections, no just cause for rejecting the Scriptures.— Unbelievers in Divine Revelation more credulous than Christians ... - • 63

Chapter VI. Recapitulation. — Moral Qualifications for the Study of

the Scriptures 64

Part II

ON THE LITERARY HISTORY, CRITICISM, AND INTERPRETATION OF THE SCRIPTURES.

Book I.— on the literary history and criticism of the scriptures.

Chapter I. On the Original Languages of Scripture 67 Sect. I. On the Hebrew Language, and the Samaritan Pentateuch ibid.

Sect. II. On the Greek Language 69

Chapter II. On the Manuscripts of the Bible 71

Sect. I. On the Hebrew Manuscripts of the Old Testament • ibid. Sect. II. Account of Greek Manuscripts containing the Old and

New Testaments 74

Chapter III. On the Divisions and Marks of Distinction occurring in

Sect. I. Divisions and Marks of Distinction occurring in the Old

Testament ibid.

Sect. II. Divisions and Marks of Distinction occurring in the

New Testament 81

Chapter IV. On the Ancient Versions of the Scriptures 82 Sect. I. Of the Targums or Chaldee Paraphrases - - - ibid. Sect. II. Ancient Greek Versions of the Old Testament - . 83 Sect. III. Ancient Oriental Versions of the New Testament - 86 Sect. IV. Ancient Western Versions of the Scriptures - . 88 Sect. V. Use and Application of Ancient Versions 89 Chapter V. On the Modern Versions of the Scriptures 90 Sect. I. On the Modern Latin Versions of the Old and New Testaments ibid.

Sect. II. Versions in the Modern Languages of Europe, Asia,

Africa, and America 92

Chapter VI. On the Various Readings occurring in the Old and

New Testaments 100

Chapter vn. On the Quotations from the Old Testament in the

CONTENTS. v Jj

Page.

Chapter VHL On the Poetry oi the Hebrews « • ■ -108

Chapter IX. On Harmonies of Scripture • 11

Book U. — on the interpretation op scripture.

Chapter I. Of the Literal, Grammatical, or Historical Sense of Scripture 113

Sect. I. Rules for Investigating the Meaning of Words generally 114

Sect. JI. Aids for Investigating the Meaning of Words in combination 115

§ 1. Of the Scope and Context ibid.

§ 2. Analogy of Scripture or Parallel Passages * - -118

§ 3. Of the Analogy of Faith 121

§ 4. Historical Circumstances 123

§ 5. Ancient Versions -127

§ 6. On Commentators ibid.

Chapter II. On the Interpretation of the Figurative Language of Scripture 129

Sect. I. General Observations on the Interpretation of Tropes and Figures ibid.

Sect. II. On the Interpretation of the Metonymies occurring in Scripture 131

Sect. III. On the Interpretation of Scripture Metaphors and Allegories • 134

Sect. IV. On the Interpretation of Scripture Parables • » 136

Sect. V. On Scripture Proverbs - -138

Sect VI. Concluding Observations on the Figurative Language

of Scripture 139

Chapter III. On the Spiritual Interpretation of Scripture • • 140

Sect. I. General Observations on the Spiritual or Mystical Sense of Scripture ibid.

Sect. II. Rules for the Spiritual or Mystical Interpretation of Scripture 141

Sect. III. On the Interpretation of Types - - - • • 142 Chapter IV. On the Interpretation of Scripture Prophecies • • 144 Chapter V. On the Doctrinal, Moral, and Practical Interpretation

of Scripture • 149

Sect. I. On the Doctrinal Interpretation of the Scriptures - ibid.

Sect. II. On the Interpretation of the Moral Parts of Scripture • 151

Sect. III. On the Interpretation of the Promises and Threatenings of Scripture 152

Sect. IV. On the Practical Reading of Scripture • • .154

Part III

A COMPENDIUM OP BIBLICAL GEOGRAPHY AND ANTiaUITIES. Book I. — a sketch op the geography op the holy land

Chapter I. Historical Geography of the Holy Land .... 158 Chapter II. Physical Geography of the Holy Land • • 169

Book II. — political antiquities op the jews.

Chapter I. Different Forms of Government, from the Patriarchal Times to the Babylonish Captivity 182

VJI1

Contents

Page Chapter II. Political State of the Jews, after their Return from the Babylonish Captivity, to the Subversion of their Civil and

Ecclesiastical Polity 186

Chapter III. Courts of Judicature, Legal Proceedings, Criminal Law, and Punishments of the Jews 191

Sect. I. Jewish Courts of Judicature and Legal Proceedings - ibid. Sect. II. Roman Judicature, Manner of Trial, and Treatment <3>f

Prisoners • 193

Sect. III. On the Criminal Law of the Jews - • - -195 Sect. IV. On the Punishments mentioned in the Scriptures - 200 Chapter IV. Jewish and Roman Modes of computing Time, mentioned in the Scriptures 204

Chapter III. Sacred Things.— On the Sacrifices and other Offerings of the Jews - 231

Chapter IV. Sacred Times and Seasons observed by the Jews • • 236 Chapter V. Sacred Obligations and Duties. — Of Oaths. — Nature and

Different Sorts of Vows 242

Chapter VI. On the Corruptions of Religion by the Jews . - 245 Book IV. — domestic antiquities of the jews and other nations

INCIDENTALLY MENTIONED IN THE SCRIPTURES.

Chapter II. On the Dress of the Jews 253

Chapter HI. Marriage Customs of the Jews 254

Chapter IV. Birth, Education, &c. of Children * - 256 Chapter V. Condition of Slaves, and the Customs relating to them,

nentioned or alluded to in the New Testament • . 257

Chapter VI. Domestic Customs and Usages of the Jews - . • 259

Chapter VII. On the Occupations, Arts, and Sciences of the Jews • 262

Sect. I. Agriculture and Horticulture of the Jews - - . ibid.

Sect. II. On the Arts and Sciences of the Jews .... 265 Chapter VIII. Allusions to the Theatres, Theatrical Performances,

and to the Grecian Games in the New Testament - - - 271

Chapter IX T ewish Mode of treating the Dead.*— Funeral Rites • 272

CONTENTS.

Part IV. On The Analysis Of Scripture

Book I. — analysis of the old testament.

Chapter I. On the Pentateuch •

Sect. I. On the Book of Genesis • Sect. IT. On the Book of Exodus - Sect. III. On the Book of Leviticus Sect. IV. On the Book of Numbers Sect. V. On the Book of Deutoronomy

Chapter II. On the Historical Books - Sect. I. On the Book of Joshua • Sect. II. On the Book of Judges - Sect. Ill On the Book of Ruth Sect. IV. On the Two Books of Samuel Sect. V. On the Two Books of Kings - Sect. VI. On the Two Books of Chronicles Sect. VII. On the Book of Ezra - Sect. VIII. On the Book of Nehemlah • Sect. IX. On the Book of Esther

Chaptfr III. On the Poetical Books • Sect. I. On the Book of Job - Sect. II. On the Book of Psalms - Sect. III. On the Book of Proverbs Sect. IV. On the Book of Ecclesiastes - Sect. V. On the Song of Solomon and

Chapter rv. General Observations on the Prophets

Writings

Chapter V. On the Prophets who nourished before the Babylonian Captivity

Sect. I. On the Book of the Prophet Jonah

Sect. II. On the Book of the Prophet Amos

Sect. III. On the Book of the Prophet Hosea

Sect. IV. On the Book of the Prophet Isaiah

Sect. V. On the Book of the Prophet Joel -

Sect. VI. On the Book of the Prophet Micah

Sect. VII. On the Book of the Prophet Nahum .

Sect. VIII. On the Book of the Prophet Zephaniah

Chapter VI. Of the Prophets who nourished near to and during the

Babylonian Captivity

Sect. I. On the book of the Prophet Jeremiah - Sect. II. On the Lamentations of Jeremiah Sect. III. On the Eook of the Prophet Habakkuk Sect. IV. On the Book of the Prophet Daniel Sect. V. On the Book of the Prophet Obadiah Sect. VI. On the Book of the Prophet Ezekiel

Chapter VII. On the Prophets who flourished after the return

Jews from Babylon

Sect. I. On the Book of the Prophet Haggai Sect. II. On the Book of the Prophet Zechariah Sect. III. On the Book of the Prophet Malachi •

Chapter VIII. On the Apocrypha their of the x CONTENTS.

Book II.*— analysis op the new testament

tarn.

Chapter I. On the Historical Books of the New Testament . - 316

Sect. I. On the Name and Number of the Canonical Gospels • ibid.

Sect. II. On the Gospel by Saint Matthew 316

Sect III. On the Gospel by Saint Mark • • • • 317

Sect. IV. On the Gospel by Saint Luke 318

Sect. V. On the Gospel by Saint John 319

Sect. VI. On the Acts of the Apostles 321

Chapter IT. On the Epistolary or Doctrinal Writings of the New

Testament, particularly those of Saint Paul .... 323 Sect. I. A Brief Account of the Apostle Paul. — Nature of the

Epistolary Writings of the New Testament .... ibid.

Sect. II. On the Epistle to the Romans 326

Sect. III. On the First Epistle to the Corinthians • • 328

Sect. IV. On the Second Epistle to the Corinthians ... 329

Sect. V. On the Epistle to the Galatians 330

Sect. VI. On the Epistle to the Ephesians ... ■ ibid.

Sect. VII. On the Epistle to the Philippians .... 331

Sect. VIII. On the Epistles to the Colossians .... ibid. Sect. IX. On the First Epistle to the Thessalonians • • -332

Sect. V. On the Second Epistle to the Thessalonians • • 333

Sect. XI. On the First Epistle to Timothy 334

Sect. XII. On the Second Epistle to Timothy .... 335

Sect. XIII. On the Epistle to Titus 336

Sect. Xrv. On the Epistle to Philemon 337

Sect. XV. On the Epistle to the Hebrews 338

Chapter III. On the Catholic Epistles 339

Sect. I. On the Genuineness and Authenticity of the Catholic

Epistles ibid.

Sect. II. On the General Epistle of James 340

Sect. III. On the first General Epistle of Peter • • • 341

Sect. IV. On the second General Epistle of Peter • • • 343

Sect V. On the first General Epistle of Saint John - • • ibid.

Sect. VI. On the Second and third Epistles of Saint John • • 345

Sect. VII. On the General Epistle of Saint Jude .... 346

Appendix

No. I. Tables of Weights, Measures, and Money, mentioned In the

Bible 351

H. A Table of the Order and Dates of the Books of the New Testament 353

III. A Table of the Psalms, classed according to their several sub-

jects, and adapted to the Purposes of Private Devotion - 354

IV. A Table or List of Select Chapters of the Holy Scriptures,

forming an Epitome of the Bible, and adapted to Family or

Private Reading 355

V. A List comprising the most necessary works upon the Holy

Scriptures 363

VI. A concise Chronological Table of the Principal Epochs mentioned in the Old and New Testaments .... 364 VII. A Table of the principal Prophecies relative to the Messiah,

with their accomplishment as related in the New Testament 369 INDEXES.

1. Geographical Index of the principal Places mentioned In the

Scriptures, especially the New Testament .... 375

COMPENDIOUS INTRODUCTION

TO

THE STUDY OF THE BIBLE,

ETC., ETC

Part I

ON THE GENUINENESS, AUTHENTICITY, INSPIRATION, ETC., OF THE HOLY SCRIPTURES.

Chapter I. On The Necessity, Etc., Op A Divine Revelation

I. Revelation defined.

Revelation is a discovery by God to man of Himself or of his will, over and above what He has made known by the light of nature, or reason.

II. A Divine Revelation possible.

No one, who believes that there is a God of infinite wisdom, power, and knowledge, can reasonably deny the possibility of His making a revelation of Himself, and of his will to men, in an extraordinary way, different from the discoveries made by men themselves, in the mere natural and ordinary use of their own powers. To admit the existence of a God, and to deny him such a power, is a glaring contradiction. Though we cannot explain in what manner ideas originate, or are impressed upon the human mind ; yet, since we know that this is effected in various ways, it is reasonable to suppose that God can act upon the mind, in order to impart to us the knowledge of his will. And, if so, he can do it in such a manner as to give those, to whom such revelation is made, an assurance that it proceeds from himself.

2 NECESSITY OF A

III. The Probability of such Revelation appears from the two following arguments :

1. From the general sense of mankind in every age, who believed that divine revelations were probable : and from the credit given to pretended revelations, thus evincing a consciousness of their own ignorance, and the need of a supernatural illumination.

2. From the confession of some of the wisest philoso phers, that they stood in need of such a revelation, and the hope they expressed that God would at some future time vouchsafe to make one.

IV. Divine revelation is not only possible and probable, but NECESSARY I

1. From the utter inability of mere human reason to attain any certain knowledge of the will or law of God, of the true happiness of man, or of a future state, as is evident from the endless differences and inconsistencies, which prevailed among the most celebrated ancient philosophers, some of whom taught immoral doctrines, while the influence of all was very inconsiderable, both in rectifying the notions, and in reforming the lives of mankind. Thus

(1.) Their ideas respecting the Nature and Worship of God were dark, confused, and imperfect.

(2.) They were ignorant of the true account of the Creation of the World. Also,

(3.) Of the origin of Evil, and the cause of the depravity and misery which actually exist among mankind.

(4.) Of any Method by which a Reconciliation could be effected between God and man.

(5.) Of Divine Grace and Assistance towards our attainment of Virtue and perseverance in it.

(6.) They had only dark and confused notions of the Summum Bonum or Supreme Felicity of man :

(7.) They had weak and imperfect notions concerning the Immortality of the Soul ; and also concerning

(8.) The Certainty of the Eternal Rewards and Punishments of a Future State, and the Resurrection of the Body.

2. From the defective instructions of the best of the philosophers, which, moreover, were unsuited to the common people, and which they wanted authority to enforce in practice.

3. From the gross ignorance and idolatry universally prevalent among unenlightened heathen nations.

DIVINE REVELATION. 3

V. Refutation of the Objection that Philosophy and Right Reason are sufficient to instruct men in their duty.

Answer 1. It is a fact, that the doctrines of Christ have had a more powerful influence upon men, than all the reasonings of philosophers: and though modern opposers of Revelation ascribe the ignorance and corruption of the heathen, not to the insufficiency of the light of reason, but to their non- improvement of that light ; yet, if this were true, it would not prove that there is no need of a revelation, because it is certain that the philosophers wanted some higher assistance than that of reason.

2. Notwithstanding the pretences of modern deists to superior wisdom, it is a fact that they have borrowed almost all their wise and true observations from divine revelation. It is one thing to perceive that the rules of life, which are laid before us, are agreeable to reason, and another thing to discover them by the mere light of reason.

3. Besides, the speculations of modern deists, concerning religion, are so glaringly contradictory, and their ethical precepts are so utterly subversive of every principle of morality, as to demonstrate the necessity of a divine revelation now, in order to lead mankind to the knowledge of God, and of their duty to one. another.

VI. Possible Means of affording a Revelation. There appears to be only two ways of doing this, viz. 1.

An immediate Revelation to each individual ; or, 2. A Commission given by God to certain persons to make known his will, accompanied with indisputable credentials of their being delegated by him. The former method would be ineffectual : for either the freedom of the will must be destroyed, or else it would fill the world with continual impostures and pretences to revelation. The latter method, therefore, is the most eligible and satisfactory ; and writing was the best means of transmitting such a revelation, on account of

1. The uncertainty and insecurity of oral tradition.

2. The greater security and permanence of writing.

3. The fairness and openness, which is the result of writing.

4. The importance of the matter, the variety of the subjects, and the design of the institutions contained in the books, which Jews and Christians receive as containing a divine revelation.

GENUINENESS AND AUTHENTICITY

Chapter II

ON THE GENUINENESS AND AUTHENTICITY OP THS BOOKS OF THE OLD AND NEW

TESTAMENT.

Section I.— Genuineness and Authenticity of the Old Testament

I. Genuineness and Authenticity denned.

A Genuine Book is one, that is written by the person whose name it bears. — An Authentic Book is one in which matters of fact are related, as they really happened.

There are two classes of proof; 1. Historical Testimony or External Evidence ; and 2. Internal Evidence arising from an examination of the Books themselves.

II. Historical Testimony, or External Evidence.

1. The persons, contemporary with any Hebrew writer whose books they transcribed, knew by whom they were written ; and, having a certain knowledge of the author and of the age in which he lived, delivered them to their descendants, and these again to their posterity.

2. The small number of books, extant at the time when the books of the Old Testament were written, would render fault impossible.

3. The Hebrews or Jews, by testifying that these books are genuine, become witnesses against themselves, and their testimony consequently is unexceptionable.

4. A particular tribe was consecrated for the express purpose of watching over the preservation of these books.

5. The testimony of the ancient Jews, of which we have an unbroken chain ; and the fact that the Greek version of the Old Testament, usually called the Septuagint, was executed at Alexandria two hundred and eighty-two years before the Christian era.

III. Internal Evidence, arising from an examination of the Books themselves.

Arg. 1. The difference in language, style, and manner of writing, proves that the Books of the Old Testament must have been written at various times and by different persons. As Hebrew ceased to be spoken as a living language soon after the Babylonish captivity, all those books must be nearly as ancient as that captivity ; and

OF THE NEW TESTAMENT g

as they could not all be written in the same age, some must be considerably more ancient.

Arg. 2. The multitude of minutely particular circumstances of time, place, persons, &c, mentioned in the books of the Old Testament, is a further argument both of their genuineness and authenticity ; because no forger of false accounts superabounds in such peculiarities, or could furnish them; and because such forgeries or falsehoods could be easily detected and exposed.

IV. Proofs of the genuineness and authenticity of the Pentateuch in particular.

This is manifest.

1. From the language in which it is written, the simplicity and archaisms of which prove it to be the earliest of all the Hebrew sacred books.

2. From the Nature of the Mosaic Law, as contained in the four last books of Moses.

These books contain a system of ceremonial and moral laws , which, unless we reject the authority of all history, were observed by the Israelites, from their departure out of Egypt until their dispersion at the taking of Jerusalem. Their civil and religious polity are so inseparably connected, and many of their institutions are so connected with historical facts, as to render forgery impossible.

3. From the United Historical Testimony of Jews and Gentiles

[i.] Jewish Testimony: — Jesus Christ, Ezra, Daniel, Solomon, David, Moses, and others ; to which is to be added the fact, that the law of Moses was received by both Jews and Samaritans before they became divided into two kingdoms.

[ii.] Gentile Testimony ;— Manetho, Eupolemus, Artapanus, Tacitus, Diodorus, Siculus, Strabo, Justin, the abbreviator of Trogus, Juvenal, and many other writers, testify that Moses was the leader of the Jews, and the founder of their laws. The great critic J^onginus, and Numenius, a Pythagorean philosopher of Apamea, in Syria, both speak highly of Moses : and Porphyry admitted the genuineness of the Pentateuch. The Egyptian, Greek, and Roman authors concur in relating the tradition respecting the creation, the fall of man, the deluge, and the dispersion of mankind.

4. From the contents of the Pentateuch.

The frequent genealogies prove that it was composed by a writer of very early date, and from original materials.

Q GENUINENESS AND AUTHENTICITY

The geographical details of places bespeak a writer personally present at the transactions recoided.

The frequent repetitions, which occur in the Pentateuch, and the neglect of order in delivering the precepts, are strong proofs, that it has come down to us precisely as it was written by Moses ; to which may be added coincidences, so minute, latent, indirect, and undesigned, that they could only have been produced by reality and truth influencing the mind and the pen of the legislator.

Section n. — Genuineness and Authenticity of the New Testament.

I. General Title of the N*ew Testament.

Every thing we know concerning the belief, worship, manners, and discipline of the first Christians, corresponds with the contents of the books of the New Testament now extant, and which therefore are most certainly the primitive instructions which they received. The collection of these books is known by the appellation of the New Testament or New Covenant, (because it contains the terms of the new covenant, upon which God is pleased to offer salvation through the mediation of Jesus Christ;) in opposition to the doctrines, precepts, and promises of the Mosaic dispensation, which Saint Paul terms the Old Covenant.

II. Canon of the New Testament.

The records, thus collectively termed the New Testament, consist of twenty-seven books, composed on various occasions, and at different times and places, by eight different authors contemporary with Jesus Christ, whose history they either relate, together with the first propagation of his religion, or unfold the doctrines, principles, and precepts of Christianity.

III. The Genuineness and Authenticity of the New Testament are proved, not only from arguments which demonstrate that it is not spurious, but also from positive evidence arising from the impossibility of forgery, and from direct external or historical evidence.

Of all the grounds, that either have been or may be assigned for denying a work, to be genuine, not one can justly be applied to the New Testament : for,

1. No one doubted of its genuineness and authenticity when it first appeared.

2. No ancient accounts are on record, whence we may conclude it to be spurious.

3. No considerable period of time elapsed after the death of the Apostles, in which the New Testament was unknown. On the contrary, it is mentioned not only by their contemporaries, but also by succeeding writers.

4. No arguments can be brought in its disfavour from the nature of its style, which is exactly such as might be expected from the writers of its several books.

5. No facts are recorded, which happened after the death of the apostles.

6. No doctrines or precepts are maintained, which contradict their known tenets.

IV. Positive Evidence :

1. The absolute impossibility of forgery arising from the nature of the thing itself; because it is impossible to establish forged writings as authentic where there are persons strongly inclined and qualified to detect fraud, as was the case both with Jews and Gentiles.

2. External or Historical Evidence,

[i.] The Books of the New Testament are quoted or alluded to, times innumerable, by a series of Christian writers as well as by adversaries of the Christian faith, who may be traced back in regular succession from the present time to the apostolic age.

[ii.] The Ancient Versions of the new testament are another important evidence for its genuineness and authenticity, as well as of its antiquity ; some of them (as the Syriac and several Latin versions) being made so early as the close of the first, or at the beginning of the second century.

3. Internal Evidence of the Genuineness and Authenticity of the New Testament.

[i.] The Character of the Writers of the New Testament :

They are said to have been Jews by birth, and of the Jewish

religion, and immediate witnesses of the events which they have

recorded. And every page of their writings corresponds with

their actual character.

[ii.J The Language and Style. — The Langicage is Greek, which was a kind of universal language, just as the French now is : but it is Hebrew-Greek, i. e. Greek intermixed with many peculiarities from the native dialect of the Jews of Palestine, and consequently such as we might expect from the perg GENUINENESS AND AUTHENTICITY

sons, to whom the several parts of the New Testament are ascribed.

The Style or manner of writing, too, is such as shows that its authors were born and educated in the Jewish religion.

[iii.] The Circumstantiality of the narrative, and the coincidence of the accounts delivered in the New Testament with the history of those times, are also an indisputable internal evidence of its authenticity.

Section III.— On the Uncorrupted Preservation of the Books of the Old and New Testament

I. The Uncorrupted Preservation of the Old Testament is proved from the impossibility of its being corrupted: for