which this distinguished writer explains the first truths of religion, would, I hoped, have pleased my hearers, and produced some favourable impression. I had, on a different occasion, found them productive of much utility to two persons of excellent understanding and of great candour; but on the present occasion I was disappointed. Whilst speaking, I was listened to with attention; but I had not proceeded far in reading, before I observed signs of impatience in some of them, especially in N. and his lordship. I endeavoured to obviate this, by saying that I should soon finish ; but I had proceeded a short way further, when I was interrupted by his lordship asking me, “If these sentiments accorded with mine?" I said

they did, and with those of all sound Christians, except in one or two minor things, which I would point out as I went along." He now said, "that they did not wish to hear the opinions of others, whose writings they themselves could read at any time, but my own." I replied, "that my opinions were not peculiar; that, in the fundamental doctrines, all Christians agreed; and that I had selected from Newton an account of these essentials, as I could not convey them in words more distinct and precise; but that I would, if they

wished it, give an account of them in my own language." I continued to read, however, a few sentences more, in hope that, after this, they would have patience to hear the whole abstract; but coming to the expression "grace of God," his lordship asked me, "What do you mean by grace?" "The primary and fundamental meaning of the word," I replied, somewhat surprised at his ignorance, "is favour; though it varies, according to the context, to express that disposition of God, which leads him to grant a favour, the action of doing so, or the favour itself, or its effects on those who receive it." I now the more readily closed the book, as I perceived that they had no distinct conception of many of the words which were used; and listened to some desultory observations made by N., M., and his lordship. I then said, that for the present I would leave the explanation of the Christian doctrines, as their patience was exhausted, and as they seemed unable to understand some of the terms in which these had been expressed. "What we want,” said his lordship, "is to be convinced that the Bible is true; because, if we can believe this, it will follow, as a matter of course, that we must believe all the doctrines it contains." I said,

that his observations were partly just, though I doubted if any one of them could act on the principle he mentioned; for though the strongest evidence were produced of the Scriptures being the revealed will of God, they would still remain unbelievers, unless they knew and comprehended the doctrines which these Scriptures contained. However, I said, "I am willing to take any course you please, provided you point it out to me, and allow me to adhere to it ;"-though I still believed that the plan which I had chalked out to myself, was the simplest and the best, and calculated to be the most useful. Some conversation again ensued, the result of which was, that they wished me to prove that the Scriptures were the word of God. I said that this was my object; but that if my own plan, formed according to the best of my judgment, was set aside, I should like to know from them what they deemed the simplest and clearest course to follow in pursuit of the end we had in view: for otherwise I could not, on the spot, form a plan which might meet their various views and tastes; for I might be enlarging on some subjects which they deemed unnecessary, and omitting others which they might consider of the first importance. "I was ready," I said, "if

they wished it, to attempt to prove the subject negatively, by refuting any objection, or attempting to remove any difficulty, which they should propose; though, in my opinion, this would lead to no useful result, as, in their present state of knowledge, a discussion of individual points and difficulties, unless conducted in a way which we could not reasonably expect, would probably terminate in a scene of mere strife and confusion."

After some further conversation, no other plan was proposed by them, and I was informed that they wished to be convinced upon the subject, and, keeping this in view, I might go on my own way, and attempt to accomplish the object as speedily as possible. This was what might be expected from them. They were, in a great degree, ignorant, as I was aware, of the nature and the extensive range of the external evidence, and they were still more ignorant of the true nature of the doctrines, except the few vague and general notions, which all born in Christian countries possess. They had violated their engagement to hear me for twelve hours, for which I had stipulated, entirely with the view of giving them, as far as the time permitted, useful and necessary instruction; and yet, under these circumstances,

they desired, and seemed to expect, that I should convince, or attempt to convince, them in a short period. Desirous, however, to be as useful to them as possible, though foreseeing, as I had done from the beginning, that no other good was likely to be effected, than that of giving them some instruction, I said, that as our present sitting would soon terminate, I should beg of them to allow me to read a summary of the reasons for believing in Christianity, which Scott had inserted in the Preface to his "Commentary on the Bible." I said, that as we must soon separate for the present, it would be useless for me to renew a discourse on the subject; and as Scott had, in brief terms, included the principal topics, both of the internal and external evidence, as reasons for believing, I would read them, as it would not take up much time, and as they would thus have a general idea of the ground over which I would attempt to go, vivá voce, at our subsequent meetings. They assented to this, and I began to read; but I had not finished one paragraph, which alluded to Moses, and the miracles he performed, when his lordship asked me if I believed in miracles, and if I thought them capable of proof by human testimony? I immediately shut the book, conceiving that it was