aration from the other nations of the world. It is chiefly in this connexion that we assert the ceremonial law to have been worthy of God. When infidels overlook or deny this connexion, this reference to another and a better dispensation, it may be easy for them to select precepts, in appearance puerile and frivolous ; but might not the wisest ordinances and laws, by similar misrepresentation, be exhibited in a ridiculous light? It is manifest injustice to judge of the ceremonial law according to our own arbitrary ideas of it, and not according to its own declared end and intention.

To the general charge, that some passages of scripture are mean, some are impure, some breathe a spirit of inhumanity, some imply an approbation of base and criminal actions, I may return a general answer. Things may seem mean and trifling to us, which men in past ages were interested in knowing. What is mean in itself, may become relatively important, by being subservient to some moral end, or introductory to some great transaction. Our ideas of meanness may be the effect of a false delicacy, the consequence of our having fixed our attention and admiration on scenes of pomp and magnificence. The life of the patriarchs will be mean in the eyes of the man, who, accustomed to the ceremonial of a court, or the artificial manners of civilized society, hath lost all relish for nature and simplicity. When impure actions are recorded, they are set down, not as examples to be imitated, but as facts, which, on account of their connexion with other facts, or of their consequences, could not be omitted; and they are related in such a manner, as has no tendency to corrupt the imagination and inflame the passions.

If modern refinement would throw a veil over some scenes exhibited in the scriptures, it is a veil through which the objects might be seen, and would make a more dangerous impression than is now made, when they are displayed without disguise. Let any impartial person consult his own feelings, and he will acknowledge this peculiarity, as resulting from the chaste, and artless manner of relation used in the scriptures, that the same actions, which in the page of a novelist, and sometimes even of a historian or philosopher, would have awaked a train of sensual ideas, in the narrative of the sacred writers do not excite the slightest irregular emotion. Nothing but downright stupidity can lead any man to imagine, either that every thing mentioned in the 'scriptures is approved, if it be not expressly condemned; or that all the incidents should be dignified and sublime. A considerable portion of scripture history is the history of common men, and common events; and differs from ordinary history only in this respect, that it was recorded by the express appointment and direction of Heaven. It is a fair representation of things as they happened; and we ought not to be surprised, therefore, that we meet with frequent displays of lust, avarice, ambition, and cruelty. These are recorded to vindicate the divine conduct in the punishment of individuals and societies, and to administer an useful lesson to us on the depravity of human nature, and the odiousness and folly of vice. The passages in which they occur, could not justly be considered as unworthy of God, unless he were represented as giving his sanction to the immoralities related in them; or unless it were prov

ed to be inconsistent with some of his perfections, to order the history of mankind in one age to be written for the moral improvement of following generations, and for the glory of his justice, good. ness, wisdom, and patience, manifested in the dispensations of his providence.

VII. The last objection respects the style of the scriptures. It is not so dignified, so elegant, so conformable to rule, as we might expect the style of a divine writing to be. We do not perceive in it the accuracy, the politeness, the energy, which characterize some human compositions; and how then can the scriptures, which in these respects are so much inferior to the works of man, be a revelation from God? Who can believe that they were dictated by the divine Spirit, or composed by his direction and assistance?

It is not necessary that I should spend much time in answering this objection. Few are able to judge of the style of the scriptures in the original languages, especially in the Hebrew, which hath long since ceased to be spoken; and those who judge of it merely by translations, as many infidels do, are too unlearned, and on this question too ignorant, to be entitled to any regard. Yet even in translations, the scriptures are so far from appearing devoid of eloquence, that innumerable passages may be pointed out, which excel in beauty and sublimity every thing of the same kind, in the writings of profane authors. On this subject, every person who has ability and leisure may decide for himself. Were it proper to appeal to authorities, we could produce, in favour of the style and composition of the scrip

If modern refinement would throw a veil over some scenes exhibited in the scriptures, it is a veil through which the objects might be seen, and would make a more dangerous impression than is now made, when they are displayed without disguise Let any impartial person consult his own feelings, and he will acknowledge this peculiarity, as resulting from the chaste, and artless manner of relation used in the scriptures, that the same actions, which in the page of a novelist, and sometimes even of a historian or philosopher, would have awaked a train of sensual ideas, in the narrative of the sacred writers do not excite the slightest irregular emotion. Nothing but downright stupidity can lead any man to imagine, either that every thing mentioned in the 'scriptures is approved, if it be not expressly condemned; or that all the incidents should be dignified and sublime. A considerable portion of scripture history is the history of common men, and common events; and differs from ordinary history only in this respect, that it was recorded by the express appointment and direction of Heaven. It is a fair representation of things as they happened; and we ought not to be surprised, therefore, that we meet with frequent displays of lust, avarice, ambition, and cruelty. These are recorded to vindicate the divine conduct in the punishment of individuals and societies, and to administer an useful lesson to us on the depravity of human nature, and the odiousness and folly of vice. The passages in which they occur, could not justly be considered as unworthy of God, unless he were represented as giving his sanction to the immoralities related in them; or unless it were prov

ed to be inconsistent with some of his perfections, to order the history of mankind in one age to be written for the moral improvement of following generations, and for the glory of his justice, good. ness, wisdom, and patience, manifested in the dispensations of his providence.

VII. The last objection respects the style of the scriptures. It is not so dignified, so elegant, so conformable to rule, as we might expect the style of a divine writing to be. We do not perceive in it the accuracy, the politeness, the energy, which characterize some human compositions; and how then can the scriptures, which in these respects are so much inferior to the works of man, be a revelation from God? Who can believe that they were dictated by the divine Spirit, or composed by his direction and assistance?

It is not necessary that I should spend much time in answering this objection. Few are able to judge of the style of the scriptures in the original languages, especially in the Hebrew, which hath long since ceased to be spoken; and those who judge of it merely by translations, as many infidels do, are too unlearned, and on this question too ignorant, to be entitled to any regard. Yet even in translations, the scriptures are so far from appearing devoid of eloquence, that innumerable passages may be pointed out, which excel in beauty and sublimity every thing of the same kind, in the writings of profane authors. On this subject, every person who has ability and leisure may decide for himself. Were it proper to appeal to authorities, we could produce, in favour of the style and composition of the scrip