express subjects of its prophecies ages back. Their moral features are so exactly drawn, their dispositions so completely unfolded, and their contempt of sacred things so clearly asserted; that we observe their persons, mark their deportment, and listen to their sophistry, as substantiating the very facts which they appear determined to invalidate. Folly prompts them to march forth in open opposition to the inspired volume, when wisdom would induce them to halt, and think; and, even for the accomplishment of their own designs, retire from the field of rancorous warfare. The Bible tells me, scoffers shall arise, and their presence proves the declaration true: the event corresponds with the prediction; and in beholding the one, I have ocular proof of the certainty of the other. Were sceptics prudently silent in their hatred to the word of life, the good man himself might feel a doubt of its authenticity; because it foretells a character which he would not be able to recognise. But as it is, the evidence is as plain as the clear shining of the noon-day sun, and the objector establishes the point which he intended to confute. When, looking at the word of divine inspiration, we see all the lines, principles, bearings, and consequences of infidelity, as they exist in the bosom of a sceptic, the conclusion is obvious;→ the ancient prophecy is established; and the holy records of heaven are proved infallible in their communications.

A rake once went into a church, and tried to corrupt the mind of a girl with his own opinions; he asked her, why she attended to such stuff as the scriptures? her answer was pertinent and decisive ;-she replied, "Because they tell me that in the last days there shall come such scoffers as you."

"For vain applause transgress not scripture rules:
"A witty sinner is the worst of fools."

The doctrine of revelation is founded upon the natural hostility of the human heart to its authority; and as long as man continues an impure being, the theology of the bible will be an object of his greatest detesta

tion. If it were a system which flattered his vanity, indulged his licentious appetite, put no restraint upon his passions, and palliated his crimes as venial, or promised him immunity for all his doings, it would be received with acclamation by its present opponents; and scepticism itself be converted into credence; and embrace its sentiments as strictly rational.

If all accountable creatures were actually innocent, prompt to listen to the will of their Creator, and obey his statutes, the bible would certainly be incorrect in its assertions, and unworthy of regard: but as matters now stand, history, observation, and experience, coincide with the statements of HOLY WRIT, to prove the native unbelief and complete degeneracy of the human race; and consequently, the scriptures are confirmed by the incredulity of their most virulent adversaries.

Yes, sirs! they have told us to expect your appearance; they have unfolded the secret of your avowed antipathy to their injunctions; they have exposed your fallacious pretensions to virtuous feelings; and proved themselves equally as secure from your impotent rage as they are established in their facts, by the operation of your inveterate hatred. While your system subverts the whole foundation of morals, the scriptures prepare our minds to examine the cause of your dereliction of sacred things; and in that cause we observe the baneful root of the most deadly fruit; the pernicious fountain of every poisonous stream; the thickest darkness of a midnight atmosphere; the seeds of a withered harvest; and all the effects of a traitorous revolt from a dutiful allegiance to the greatest, wisest, and best of Sovereigns. We trace your infidelity to your original state of alienation from God, as the bible expresses your condition;—and your condition proves the bible true. How can you deny the predictions which your own conduct verifies? or, question the very facts that your principles confirm.

"Is it in words to paint you? O ye fall'n!

"Fall'n from the wings of reason and of hope!
"Erect in stature, prone in appetite!

Patrons of pleasure, posting into pain!
"Lovers of argument, averse to sense!
"Boasters of liberty, fast bound in chains!

"Lords of the wide creation, and the shame!
"More senseless, than th' irrationals you scorn!
"More base, than those you rule! than those you pity,
"Far more undone!"

Let us hope that infidelity is a mere ephemera, as contrasted with the principles of Christianity. Let us hope that, "It is in no shape formed for perpetuity. Sudden in its rise, and impetuous in its progress, it resembles a mountain torrent, which is loud, filthy and desolating; but being fed by no perennial spring, is soon drained off, and disappears."

O sceptic! that book which your conduct proves authentic; that book which you professedly despise; that book which has been as the polar star to myriads across the ocean of life, their staff of support in death, and conducted them to the haven of eternal repose beyond the grave; that book, which is stamped with the attributes of Divinity in its origin, purity in its maxims, grace in its influence, and glory in its end;-yes! that very book which all heaven approves, and all hell believes, invites your impartial attention to its claims; calls upon you to repent; shews you the way to happiness; and promises everlasting honours to those who know the Almighty according to its instructions. Term not religion enthusiastic madness; nor deride the doctrine of your apostacy from your God. Scorn not the atonement of Jesus Christ, without which, sin can never be remitted, nor transgressors saved from wrath. Think not the operation of the Holy Spirit of the Lord upon the human heart, to form the soul for celestial bliss, is the dream of fanatics; but the sound principle of real intelligence. Bend the suppliant knee at the footstool of Divine mercy, and ask for knowledge; for grace; for pardon; for holiness; and all the blessings of the gospel, through the mediation of Jesus Christ; and be assured that your darkness shall be turned into day, and your disquietudes into satisfaction:-you shall behold the glory of the Lord;-and,

"The soul that sees him, or receives, sublim'd,
"New faculties, or learns at least t' employ
"More worthily the pow'rs she own'd before,
"Discerns in all things what, with stupid gaze
"Of ignorance, till then she overlook'd,
"A ray of heav'nly light, gilding all forms
"Terrestrial in the vast and the minute;
"Th' unambiguous footsteps of the God,
"Who gives its lustre to an insect's wing,
"And wheels his throne upon the rolling worlds.

*

*

"So reads he nature, whom the lamp of truth
"Illuminates. Thy lamp, mysterious word!
"Which, whoso sees, no longer wanders lost,
"With intellects bemazed in endless doubt,
"But runs the road of wisdom."

The christian is the man whose path is ordered by Jehovah, and leads his soul through the varied scenes of his mortal state, to an incorruptible inheritance at the right hand of God.

He walks on the earth with his heart directed to heaven;-he rests upon immutable promises; expects the enjoyment of untold blessings; feels the supports and consolations of truth; and only waits the appointed season, to wear a crown of ineffable glory. That very record, which the sceptic confirms, is the volume of the good man's charters, and to him, a sacred voice is addressed in all the majesty of regal grandeur, and all the condescending kindness of unbounded grace; saying,

"Thou whose heart,

* is moor'd within a nook
"Of this obscure terrestrial, anchor weigh.
"Another ocean calls, a nobler port:

I am thy pilot; I thy prosp'rous gale.

"Gainful thy voyage through yon azure main;
"Main, without tempest, pirate, rock, or shore;

"And whence thou may'st import eternal wealth;

"And leave to beggar'd minds the pearl and gold."

When infidelity is involved in all the horrors of an everlasting darkness, the righteous shall shine as the sun in the firmament; therefore, let me live his life, and share in the blessings of his death.

London, Oct. 1st, 1823.

T. W.

WITNESSES TO THE TRUTH OF CHRISTIANITY.

No.7.

"The Bible contains matter for the understanding of an angel, yet brought so low as to suit the capacities of men. Revelation is suited to man as an intelligent being; under its influence the understanding is enlightened, and the affections softened. It contains all that is delightful, with all that is magnanimous:-infinite in wisdom, affording materials for thinking, models for composition, calculated to promote a true literary taste. Its morals are sublime; and it promotes every thing dear and valuable to man, as an intelligent and immortal being."

DR. ROMEYN.

REVIEWS OF THE LAST MONTH.

THE MONTHLY REVIEW of the last month does not notice any theological work.

THE BRITISH CRITIC opens with FABER, on the Three Dispensations; that is, the Patriarchal, the Levitical, and the Christian. The Reviewer says,

To present even an abridgment of his reasonings would exceed our limits, to criticise where so little is open to censure is useless, and to praise with minute particularity, where so much is to be admired, would be endless and fatiguing. Upon the whole, we consider the volumes before us as a valuable addition to our theological stores. Full of learning and ability, and abounding in acuteness of remark, they exhibit many luminous views of the divine economy, expressed in a style, with the exception of some instances of negligence, generally elegant, and accompanied with a persuading fervour of piety. They illustrate, with great propriety and force, the nature and object of the