Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB

Mr. B. If it be not altogether the original text, it is unquestionably the only authorised text. It is, indeed, asserted, by all those best able to know, that St. Matthew wrote in Hebrew, i. e. in the mixed dialect at that time made use of in Judea; and it is not improbable that St. Paul's Epistle to the Hebrews was originally written in Hebrew; but there is no question that, in both cases, the Greek text we now have was extant from the earliest time; and there can be hardly any doubt, that if not, in both cases, from the apostles' own hands, they were written under their direction. The original Gospel of St. Matthew, at an early period, must have become useless, on account of the state of Judea and the neighbouring countries; and it is not at all surprising, that it should be forgotten in the superior usefulness of the Greek for general purposes, even if it be not the case (as is supposed by many learned men), that having various additions made to it, by those who possessed copies, it became afterwards known under various names, as, "the Gospel according to the Twelve Apostles," "the Gospel according to the Hebrews;" till at length it lost its original character, and ceased to have authority as the original record.

Edward. Has there not been some difference of opinion as to the genuineness of the two first chapters of St. Matthew's Gospel?

Mr. B. Objections have been made to them, but on very insufficient grounds, and I believe the question is now set at rest; none denying their genuineness, but from an unwillingness to acknowledge their contents, than which a more absurd mode of proceeding cannot be easily conceived: for if any part of the New Testament be such that it cannot be believed, the natural inference is against the whole, of which it forms an integral part; but if the principle once be admitted, that such parts are to be cut out, because they are contrary to our wishes,

50 In what language did Matthew write?-51 Which epistle was written in Hebrew?-52 What is said of their having been early translated into Greek, as now possessed by us?-53 Under what names has Matthew's Gospel been known?-54 What is said of the objections that have been made to the two first chapters of this gospel?

there is no end of reasoning upon the subject. Similar objections have been made to the first chapters of St. Luke; and various passages in other parts of the New Testament have been marked out in like manner, where 'the authority of manuscripts, versions, and quotations, is quite decisive. There is something in this mode of accommodating Christianity to the wishes of individuals, that is to me peculiarly disgusting. It is unworthy the cause of truth, and gives no great idea of the talents of him who makes use of it. Questions of this kind should ever be met fairly, as they really are. The canon of the New Testament, its integrity, its genuineness, and its credibility, should be investigated with as much acuteness, and with as little reserve, as in any other case, and the truth be held, at whatever cost. I am under no fear that our religion will ever lose by the full investigation of the really learned; but the proof of the truth of Christianity would cease to be a proof to me, if, in order to attain it, I was under the necessity of rejecting that from the canon, which had ever been admitted into it; of violating all the laws of criticism, to retain or to get rid of a particular text, or every fair rule of interpretation, in order to make the Scriptures speak a language in agreement with opinions derived from other sources

Edward. Since we shall now have to refer to the New Testament itself, will it not become a matter of importance what text we make use of, and what interpretation of that text we adopt, in case of various readings, or a difference of opinion in the commentators?

Mr. B. For the text, there is not that great difference which is likely to affect our statements, nor yet as to the interpretation of that text; in matters of historical fact, with which we have principally to do, there being a pretty general agreement.

Maria. If you refer to the Greek text, and to inter

55 To what other portions of the New Testament have similar objections been made?-56 What is said of this mode of objecting to scripture? -57 How should the canon of the New Testament be investigated?-58 Under what circumstances would the proof of the truth of Christianity cease to be proof?-59 What is the last question of Edward in this conVersation? 60 How does Mr. B. reply to it?

pretations of it, and to arguments drawn from thence, it' will be impossible for me to understand you, my dear father.

Mr. B. There must be reference occasionally to it but you will not have any great difficulty, I trust, in comprehending the nature of the arguments thence adduced, even if you do not see their whole force.

CONVERSATION IX.

Maria. WHAT is the precise meaning of the word genuine, as applied to the subject before us?

Mr. B. A book is genuine, when written by the author whose name it bears; a book may, in some cases, be canonical, where there is some degree of uncertainty as to the author; and a book may be genuine, where it cannot be admitted as canonical. It has been a question, for instance, by whom the Epistle of St. James was written, some assigning it to the son of Zebedee and brother of St. John, and others to the bishop of Jerusalem, who is said to have been a near relation of our Lord. In either case the book would be canonical, as the production of an apostle, and a difference of opinion may safely be allowed in a matter where certainty cannot be obtained. Again, we have an Epistle to the Corinthians, by the Clement mentioned in St. Paul's Epistles, the genuineness of which appears fully established, but which, though very valuable as an ancient record, never was held canonical, not being the production of one of those immediately designated by the Founder of the religion as its authorised teachers and governors.

61 With what remarks of Maria and Mr. B. is the conversation finished?

1 With what question does Maria commence the ninth conversation?2 What is said of the terms canonical and genuine?-3 How is this illustrated by reference to the epistle of James?4 How is it illustrated by reference to that of Clement?

Edward. But with regard to the books of the New Testament, it is asserted that they are canonical, because they are genuine. The proof, however, of the former, does not to us necessarily demonstrate the latter.

Mr. B. It does not; for the first Christians might possibly have been mistaken in believing them genuine, and therefore have erred in constituting them canonical: but since they were unquestionably the best judges in every thing relative to these books, their decision ought to be sufficient proof to us, in case no positive proof can be established against the genuineness of these writings; and this we can only obtain from the internal evidence derived from an examination of the books themselves, there being no external evidence against it.

Maria. Do none of the ancient adversaries controvert the genuineness of these writings?

Mr. B. Not one; and their conduct, in this respect, proves that they could not overthrow it.

Maria. How so?

Mr. B. Because it would have afforded the readiest way of overthrowing the whole: it is evident that they were grievously embarrassed by the statements of the New Testament; and had any grounds for it existed, a sufficient length of time elapsed to have presented this method of attack to them: but Julian admits the fact of their genuineness as undeniable, and argues from thence; he speaks of the greater number. of the writers of the New Testament by name; and indeed his attack upon Christianity is to us invaluable, as from the learning, the talents, and the rancorous hatred to Christianity of this opponent, we are certain that he would never have regarded these records as genuine, had there been the least ground for opposition. Porphyry, in like manner, at an earlier period, mentions, in the few fragments which yet remain, the Gospels of St. Matthew, St. Mark, and St. John, the Acts of the Apostles, and the Epistle to the

5 What does Edward say of the books of the New Testament, touching this matter?-6 What is the reply to him of Mr. B?-7 Is the genuineness of these writings converted by none of the ancient adversaries?-8 What does Julian admit?-9 What is said of Porphyry, in relation to the same subject?

Galatians; and from his conduct we may draw a similar inference.

Maria. This is certainly very much in their favour; but did Celsus do the same?

Mr. B. Celsus does not quote by name; and therefore only establishes the existence of the words of the New Testament at the period in which he wrote. Now consider, in addition to this, the vast force of the argument derived from these books having been constituted canonical, because believed to be genuine, towards establishing the fact of their genuineness. Admitting that possibly the adversaries of Christianity had not the means of proving them spurious, had any means of so doing existed, the Christians could not have been destitute of those

means.

Maria. But they had no wish to prove them spurious, and therefore, if the means were in their hands, they would not use it, perhaps not perceive it.

Mr. B. But why should they wish to prove these records genuine, had they never existed? I know not how the Christian assertions, as to their religion and its Founder, could have been disproved; Christianity did not so necessarily depend upon these documents, that it must have fallen with them. They were, most probably, disposed to wish Christianity true; and if, indeed, they continued in the church, they must have been aware, that if it were not true, they were of all men the most miserable. They also had in their hands these records, but it does not follow that they should feel an equal zeal to prove these true; for the great stimulus in those times was the hope of a joyful resurrection, and the great 'foundation of it was the fact of the resurrection of the Founder of their religion. Now this hope, though it would have been weakened, and this fact rendered more uncertain, by the want of genuineness in these writings, yet would not have been so entirely done away, as to be put

10 And what is said of Celsus, in relation to it?-11 What, in addition to this, is to be considered?-12 Would Christians have been likely to prove the scriptures spurious, had they been able to do it?-13 Why not?-14 What is said of the influence exerted on their Christian hope, provided they doubted the genuineness of these writings?

« AnteriorContinuar »