2. How do you prove from the light of nature that there is a God?

The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handy work. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge. There is no speech nor language where their voice is not heard. Because that which may be known of GoD is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse, Ps. 19. 1-3. Rom. 1. 19, 20. || Ps. 8. 3, 4. and 33. 5-9, and 104. 24-31. || Is. 40. 26. Jer. 10. 10-13.

3. By whom, and for what purpose were the Scriptures given ?

All scripture is given by inspiration of GoD, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly farnished unto all good works. Knowing this first that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man; but holy men of GoD spake as they were moved by the HOLY GHOST. But these are written, that ye might believe that JESUS is the CHRIST, the SON OF GOD; and that believing ye might have life through his name. 2 Tim. 3. 16, 17. 2 Pet. 1. 20, 21. John 20. 31. || Ps. 119. 105. Heb. 1. 1, 2. Acts 20. 32.

4. What are the INTERNAL evidences that the ·Scriptures are the word of God?

The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul, the testimony of the Lord is sure, making

wise the simple. The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: Sweeter also than honey, and the honey-comb. Thy testimonies are wonderful: therefore doth my soul keep them. The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple. This is my comfort in my affliction; for thy word hath quickened me. Ps. 19. 7-10. and 119. 129, 130, 50. and 119. 103-105. Evidences may be drawn from the effects produced by Divine truth. Heb. 4. 12. Jer. 5. 14. and 23. 29. Ps. 119. 98, 99. The unrivalled sublimity of their language, harmony of their doctrines, and purity of their precepts, prove them of Divine origin. Deut. 4. 8.

5. Have we EXTERNAL evidence that the Scriptures were given by inspiration of God?

1. WE HAVE PROPHECY AND ITS FULFILMENT.

The prophet which prophesieth of peace, when the word of the prophet cometh to pass, then shall the prophet be known that the Lord hath truly sent him. When a prophet speaketh in the name of the Lord, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the Lord hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously; thou shalt not be afraid of him. Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people, and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconcilation for iniquity, and to bring in ever

B

lasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the MOST HOLY. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet, he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth. He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living for the transgression of my people was he stricken. And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no viorence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.

COMPARED WITH GAL. 4. 4, 5. &c.

But when the fulness of the time was come, GOD sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law. To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. And the chief priests accused him of many things but he answered nothing. And when they had mocked him, they took off the purple robe from him, and put his own clothes on him, and lead him out to crucify him.

And with

the

him they crucify two thieves; the one on right hand, and the other on the left. And now when the even was come, Joseph of Arimathea, an honorable counsellor, which also waited for the kingdom of GOD, came,and went in boldly unto Pilate, and craved the body of JESUS. And he bought fine linen, and took him down, and wrapped him in the linen, and laid him in a sepulchre which was hewn out of a rock, and rolled a stone unto the door of the sepulchre. Jer. 28. 9. Deut. 18. 22. Dan. 9. 24. Is. 53. 7-9. Compared with Gal. 4. 4, 5. Mark 15. 3, 20, 27, 42, 43, 46. Deut. 18. 15. Is. 40. 3, and 7. 14. and 61. 1,

2. and 35.5, 6. Zech. 9. 9. Ps. 2. 2. and 22. 7, 8, 18, and 16. 10. Compared with John 6. 14. Mat. 3. 3. and 1. 22. 23. Luke 4. 18, 19, 21. and 7. 20-22. John 12. 14-16. Acts 4 25-28. Mat. 27. 35, 39–43. Acts 2. 25-32. || Deut. 28. 45. 49-57. Luke 21: 5-24. Compared with Josephus' wars of the Jews. John 5. 36. Acts 2.22.32.

2ndly. WE HAVE THE MIRACLES OF CHRIST. To notice a few of them. CHRIST healed the sick, Mat. 4. 23, 24 cured blindness, Mark 10. 52. deafness, Mark 7. 32, lameness, John 5. 7-9. leprosy, Luke 17. 14. and palsy. Luke 5. 18-25. He cast out evil spirits, Mark 1. 34. calmed the tempest, Luke 8. 23, 24. and raised the dead to life. John 11. 43, 44.

3dly. WE HAVE THE MIRACLES OF CHRIST'S

SERVANTS.

Moses, Joshua, and other prophets, wrought an astonishing series of miracles in the presence of thousands of competent witnesses. The same may be said of the apostles. Heb. 2. 4. Acts 5. 12-16. The truth of Scripture history is confirmed by commemorative institutions. Ex. 13. 8-10.1 Cor. 11. 26. Existing facts corroborate the Scripture history. Marine productions on the tops of mountains corroborate the history of the flood: variety of languages,-the confusion of tongues, the putrid waters of the Dead Sea,the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, &c.

6. What is God, and what is the duration of his existence ?

God is a Spirit,and they that worship him, must worship him in spirit and in truth. How great are his signs! and how mighty are his wonders! his kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and his do

minion is from generation to generation. Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen. John 4.24. Dan. 4, 3, 1 Tim. 1, 17. || Ps. 90. 2. Mal. 3. 2. 1 Kings 8. 27, Rom. 16. 27. Ex. 34. 6, 7. 1 John 1. 5. and 4. 16.

7. How is divine knowledge described in the Scriptures ?

Such

O Lord thou hast searched me, and known me. Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising! thou understandest my thought afar off. Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O Lord, thou knowest it altogether. Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me, knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it. Whither shall I go from thy Spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me. If I say surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me. Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee. Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world. Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to Do. Ps. 139. 1-12. Acts 15. 18. Heb. 4. 13. || Ps. 17. 3. and 44.21. Job 34. 21, 22. Prov. 15. 3. Jer. 23. 24.