one great design of holy writ. And it is worthy of him to awaken sinners, who are asleep in sin; to comfort mourning penitents; to encourage obedient believers; and to alarm hardened sinners by awful threatenings. All these benevolent plans are carried into effect in the holy Scriptures; and they are recorded for our instruction and edification in knowledge and virtue. Whether, therefore, we consider the matter contained in the oracles of God, the style in which they are written, or the great ends to be accomplished by them, we are constrained to say, they are worthy of God. They are a mirror, through which all the divine perfections appear to man; and through which his glory shines with transcendent lustre.

V. The writers of the holy Scriptures professed to be messengers of the Lord; they spake in his name, and wrote by his authority.

When Moses visited the children of Israel in Egypt, he said, "I AM hath sent me unto you." Exod. iii. 14. When Joshua addressed them afterwards, he announced the Word of the Lord. Josh. xxiv. 2. Jonah received the following commission:-"Arise, go unto Nineveh, that great city, and preach unto it the preaching that I bid thee." Jonah iii. 2. The Lord said to Jeremiah, “Thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak." Jer. i. 7. And "the word of the Lord came expressly unto Ezekiel the priest,

the son of Buzi, in the land of the Chaldeans, by the river Chebar." Ezek. i. 3. The Evangelists and all the holy Apostles professed to write by the direction, and under the influence, of the Holy Ghost; and the Apostle Paul distinctly states, that he received the Gospel which he preached and wrote, by the revelation of Jesus Christ. Gal. i. 11, 12. And our Lord said to John the Divine, when he was about to make a special revelation to him, “What thou seest write in a book." Rev. i. 11. In short, they all with one consent address the children of men as persons sent of God, and commissioned by him to teach the way of salvation; and many of their addresses are introduced by these awful words, "Thus saith the Lord."

VI. The Prophets and Apostles proved their divine mission by mighty miracles, which were wrought in the sight of the people; and by many wonderful prophecies, which had their accomplishment in succeeding ages.

A true miracle surpasses the power of nature; and cannot be wrought by any being but God himself. Such were the miracles of Moses in Egypt; the miracles of Jesus in the land of Judea; and all the miracles wrought by the Prophets and the Apostles of our Lord. Who could divide the Red Sea, but the maker both of the sea and the dry land? Who could raise the dead by his own word, but the author of life? And, who could still the raging sea with a word,

but the Lord of all worlds? The miracles of Moses, of Jesus, and of the Apostles, were wrought openly. Had they been done in a corner, we might have suspected the sleight and cunning of artful and designing men; for such have been the pretended miracles of heathenish and Popish deceivers. But a whole nation witnessed the miracles of Moses; vast multitudes, both of friends and foes, witnessed the miracles of Jesus; and those of the Apostles, wrought in the name of their Lord and Master, were equally open and decided in their character.

The prophecies of the inspired writers are of God. By the strength of reason, and by observations on past events, men may conjecture what will be hereafter; but no created being, either in heave nor earth, knows what a day or an hour may bring forth, unless it be revealed by the Lord, who knows all things. Carefully examine the predictions of Moses and the Jewish Prophets, in reference to the coming of the Messiah, and the glory which should follow; and it will appear, by their exact accomplishment, that they had God for their author. The prophecies of Jesus, in reference to the Jews, were literally fulfilled, after he ascended to the Father; and those of the Apostles will be accomplished in their times. We could name many other predictions of high importance; but we refer to the valuable work of Bishop Newton on this interesting subject.

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But will any man who calmly reflects on the subject venture to say that the Prophets, who foretold future and distant events, which could not have been discovered by human sagacity, were not sent and commissioned by the Lord? or that they could, without such a commission, work miracles which were confessedly above the power of nature? It will follow, that the prophecies were inspired by divine wisdom; that the miracles were wrought by divine power; and that both are indubitable proofs that the Prophets had a divine commission. Well-informed men,

when under a good influence, cannot deny the inspiration of the holy Prophets. We are aware of the malignant influence of unbelief; but whence does it arise? It has two causes: first, a want of careful investigation; and, secondly, a want of good principle. The first keeps men in a state of ignorance; and the second feeds their vices. But let a man examine for himself with impartiality, and let him be willing to part with all his sins: then his infidelity will be subdued, and the truth, as it is in Jesus, will shine on his soul in all its beauty and splendour.

VII. The style of the holy Scriptures, which is always appropriate, frequently elegant, and sometimes truly sublime, is a proof that the writers were under the influence of a superior Being.

It will be allowed, by all correct judges, that the style of good writers varies with their sub

jects. When the mind is to be informed by historical narrations, the style should be plain, simple, and perspicuous. When the passions are to be moved and aroused, strong figures and lofty expressions are necessary. When commands are given, a style of authority and dignity must be used. When threatenings are made, the style should be firm and alarming. When promises are made, the style should be sweet, affectionate, and alluring. But when God is the subject, the style should be lofty and sublime. Try the sacred writers by these rules, and you will find them, even in our own translation, drawn up with the greatest exactness; but the learned will find these rules clearly exemplified, with but few exceptions, in the original.

Thus when we read historical facts in the Scriptures, they are so plainly expressed that events seem to pass before us as if we were present. When truth is revealed, which in itself is mysterious, it is delivered as from God, with simplicity, and without any artificial reasoning. And when duty is enjoined, it is expressed in the authoritative style of a divine Legislator. When prophecies are given, there is mystery and symbol, exactly suited to the subject; and expressions used, which announce to the reader, that time only can develope the meaning of the Prophet. But when God is introduced, the writer soars as on the wings of an eagle, and uses those lofty expressions which raise the soul