celebrated Christians in a later period. Now, with all their zeal for useless or pernicious institutions, their absurd attachment to relics of saints, to the celibacy of the clergy, and a variety of other things, which are wholly indefensible, on the ground of reason or common sense, why should they suffer the Scriptures to continue the most pointed condemnation of follies like these, if they were in the habit of corrupting them? When, in the course of time, the corruptions of Christianity were grown to such a height that they were no longer tolerable, it was by reference to these very Scriptures, that those corruptions were detected and exposed by the Reformers. The invention of printing soon after put it out of the power of any set of men to suppress the knowledge of these most important documents. Edward. If corruptions of the sacred text had taken place in the dark ages, we certainly might reasonably expect that there would have been some trace of it; but might not important alterations have been made at an earlier period? Mr. B. Before the establishment of Christianity as the religion of the state, the persecutions must, to a great degree, have absorbed the attention of the Christians, and it is not likely that any alterations would, in times of such severe suffering, take place; but, supposing they had, of what nature may it be conjectured they would be? Maria. Either to soften the religion, so as to make the persecutors relax, or to inspire a greater zeal for martyrdom, so as to make the followers of Christ ready to meet the worst. Mr. B. But, on examination of the works of the Christians of these ages, we find their own language by no means accordant with that of the New Testament on these 27 What extraordinary fact appears, from the history of Christianity, prior, illustrative of the integrity of the New Testament?-28 In the time of the reformation, how were the corruptions of Christianity exposed?29 How did the invention of printing effect the subject?-30 What question does Edward ask, touching the period when alterations might have been made?-31 How does Mr. B.. reply to it?-32 If altered, of what nature does Maria suppose it to have been?-33 What is found to be the fact, on examining the works of the Christians of these ages? points; and the further it is removed from the apostolical times, the more violent it becomes. The New Testtament contains a calm and dignified assertion of the nature of the religion it teaches, and its claims to universal reception, but never goes further; and, though it stoops to no artifice to increase the number of its disciples, never needlessly uses the language of contempt or abhorrence, which became not uncommon in later times. Of the idolatry and corrupt practices of the world at large, it expresses the most decided condemnation, but never goes beyond that to inveigh against those who, before the coming of Christ, had been unable to find out God to perfection. It was not till after Christianity had gained the victory, that there was a disposition to accommodate it to the heathen world, and then parties ran too high among themselves to permit any one to effect the corrupting of the Scriptures, or the union of all for this purpose. With regard to martyrdom, it is well known how far the Christians receded from the language of the New Testament. From a readiness to meet death, should it be necessary, they proceeded to court it needlessly, notwithstanding the adverse language of the New Testament. But, if any thing could have been inserted in the sacred books, surely sentiments in accordance with popular prejudice would be the most likely; and, if any thing could safely be obliterated, certainly those texts which are contrary to them would have had the least chance for preservation. Edward. But, is it not supposed, by some, that there are texts which have been interpolated, to favour peculiar doctrines, where we cannot bring the matter to a decisive issue? Mr. B. There is one very celebrated text of this nature, viz. the seventh verse of the fifth chapter of St. 34 How does the New Testament stand, in contrast with those works? -35 What took place when Christianity had gained what is called a victory?-36 How is the preceding view illustrated, by reference to the early martyrdoms?-37 What alterations would have been most probable?-38 What question does Edward ask respecting interpolations?-39 In what manner is an argument from the celebrated text in St. John's First Epis tle drawn, in favour of the integrity of Christianity? John's First Epistle; but, from this very passage, a strong argument may be derived for the integrity of the sacred text; for it is not found in any of the more ancient manuscripts which can be relied upon, nor in any version except the Latin: there are no such quotations of it, where we might have expected to meet with it, as would put the matter out of doubt; and in Bishop Marsh's Divinity Lectures, there is an account given of it, which seems almost to preclude the chance of its being genuine. Yet, surely all those Trinitarians, who long had the manuscripts of the Greek Testament in their possession, would never have transmitted them to us destitute of a text so decisive of this great controversy, if any thing like interpolation could have been allowed. The text may possibly have been omitted in some manuscripts by mistake, and the error perpetuated by successive transcription; and, as some very learned and upright men have regarded it as genuine, I would not presume to say it was not: but the evidence hitherto brought forward in its behalf, appears to me by no means demonstrative. Maria. But, as there is a difference between manuscripts, there certainly must have been interpolation or omission in some cases; and if in some, why not in more? Mr. B. That no interpolation, to such an extent as to affect the argument of the integrity of the sacred text has taken place, is almost certain, from the general agreement of the manuscripts; and that it could not póssibly have been effected, is not less so, from the state in which the Scriptures existed during successive ages, and in which they are now come down to us; for insuperable difficulties attend the hypothesis of any interpolation having been effected. The Scriptures were in the hands of all parties; they formed, in many cases, the only common bond of union among Christians: they were not conceal 40 How is it possible, that this passage is so generally wanting in manuscripts, if genuine?-41 How does it appear that no interpolations have been made, of a nature materially to affect the character of the New Testament?-42 By whom were the Scriptures possessed, and who had access to them? ed from the Pagans, except during the persecution of Dioclesian, when it was attempted to destroy them; and none of the Pagans insinuate, that any interpolation had taken place, which it is next to impossible they would have omitted to assert, had there been the least pretext. The great reverence in which they were held, you have already seen, and this must have restrained those who were sincere in such expressions of regard: and who shall dare to say they were not sincere? Whatsoever might be interpolated to favour one tenet, would instantly excite the attention of those who were opposed to it: and it was altogether out of the power of any man, or set of men, to corrupt all the manuscripts, and all the versions, in every country in which Christianity had spread. All the power of Constantius could not overcome Athanasius, and the whole empire was witness to religious wars, when the Scriptures were the great authority from which alone there was no appeal; and could such a thing as a universal corruption of these Scriptures have taken place, without any trace of it in the history of the church? Could every other record of that period also have been so corrupted, that no vestige of such a deed remains, when, from the character of the times, we know that above all others, it would be calculated to excite attention? Lastly, if interpolation was effected at one period, why not at another? And why do not the manuscripts of different dates exhibit the varying character of the ages to which they are assigned? If the custom was once begun, why should it end? And where did it end? The progress of time certainly did not purify the Church, nor were those who possessed the manuscripts in the tenth century, more scrupulous than those in the fifth. Maria. But, if errors of this kind do not exist, may not mistakes have arisen in the course of time to such an extent as to have almost the same effect? 43 Would those, who are sincerely attached to them, be likely to alter them?-44 Why was it impossible for any man, or any set of men, to make a successful alteration?-45 What is the last reason here given against the belief of any material change in the New Testament Scriptures?-46 What question does Maria ask, as to mistakes having been made? Mr. B. That the Scriptures are not exempt from the common lot of all other writings, in this respect, is certain; but, we have some reason to believe, that they have not suffered to the same extent: and we have, at least, the consolation of knowing, that they have received more attention, with a view to ascertain the true text, than perhaps all the other books in the world put together. Edward. Will you explain this more at large? Mr. B. From being accounted sacred books, as you have already seen, the Scriptures have derived the greatest advantage. They have been more frequently and carefully transcribed than any other works, so that we possess a greater number of manuscripts than in any other case; and their singular agreement with each other, in all important particulars, is the most satisfactory proof that can be afforded, of the care which has been bestowed upon them. They have also been translated into so many languages, and under such circumstances, that we are fully secured against the errors which might have arisen from similarity of words and letters; and the numerous quotations of them, both with and without comments, give us the clearest insight into the use which was made of them, so as certainly to fix the sense. Edward. But, both translators and commentators have taken parts of the New Testament in different senses. Mr. B. Yet we do not follow either implicitly: we merely use them as a proof in what words the passage was then expressed, or in what sense they understood it. Maria. But, in what respects has such great care been displayed, to ascertain the true text of the New Testament? Mr. B. All the first critics, from the time of Erasmus to our own, have been employed upon it, and every possible means has been resorted to, in order to fix the text as originally delivered. We have now, in our hands, 47 What reply does Mr. B. make to her?-48 What advantages have the Scriptures derived, from being accounted sacred books?-49 How has. the translation of them into different languages operated on them in this respect?-50 How does Mr. B. reply to Edward, when he says that different commentators take different parts of the New Testament in different ways?-51 What does he say of the text now in our possession? འ |