that weakness which could not be detected in its evidences. But if in these branches also we find additional probability that it is from God, no excuse will remain for him, who upon less chances would deem it the height of folly to pursue a different line of conduct to what prudence dictated.

BEATRICE.

How will you then consider the remaining portions of this subject?

MR. B.

If the New Testament be inspired, as is generally believed, any fault inconsistent with that inspiration overthrows its claims. If the religion therein inculcated profess to be of universal obligation, when from the nature of things this cannot be the case, it also falls to the ground. If it be founded upon the Old Testament, and be connected with it, as forming one system of religion, any objection which will overthrow the foundation will destroy the superstructure also.

EDWARD.

These points then we have to consider; viz. the inspiration of the New Testament, the doctrines and precepts of the religion, and its connexion with a previous dispensation in the Old Testa

ment.

MR. B.

And this we shall do in a reverse order to that mentioned; that first we may understand the true nature of this religion, as to its general place in the dispensations of God towards mankind; then that the extent of its influence upon the mind may properly be manifest; and, lastly, that we may be fully aware how far the Holy Scriptures afford us an unerring rule, by which to regulate our opinions and our conduct.

EDWARD.

In the course of this also we must consider how far objections lie against Christianity, as arising from historical difficulties, philosophical truth, or as connected with morals. In all this it will be necessary to be careful that we do not assign more to the Holy Scriptures than what properly belongs to them, lest we make them fail through weak additions attached to them; and at the same time that we do not attribute more to our knowledge, derived from other sources, than it really is entitled to.

MR. B.

We must, however, at the same time not fear to expose Christianity, as thus revealed, to the strictest scrutiny; for the simple and entire truth is our great object; and if, through partiality for

either side, we evade the real question, we both expose ourselves to deception, and, even if by chance we are right in our determination, we lose all just grounds of confidence.

CONVERSATION XIII.

MR. B.

CHRISTIANITY professes not only to be a divine revelation, it claims also to be founded on previous revelations made from the earliest time to the ancestors of the Jews; to Moses, their great lawgiver, and to various prophets in succession, till about 400 years before the Christian era.

EDWARD.

If these claims be well founded, the objection brought by sceptics, as being partial with respect to time, is made void.

MR. B.

We thus make a very important advance towards establishing the certainty of the Christian revelation itself; for the books to which appeal is made have been in the care and keeping of the bitterest enemies of Christianity: so that if they bear witness to it, we not only enlarge the foundation on which Christianity is placed, but also bind the whole together, each part strengthening the other.

EDWARD.

But have not doubts been entertained with regard to the Old Testament, by those who have

been fully persuaded of the divine origin of Christianity?

MR. B.

So it would appear, if we may give credit to the statements of some writers; but how it is possible to sever the two appears to me inconceivable. Addressing the Jews, our Lord says,

"Search the Scriptures, for in them ye think ye have eternal life; and they are they which testify of me.-John, v. 39.

In an interview with two of his disciples after his resurrection, we are told,

"Beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself."Luke, xxiv. 27.

And shortly after, when in the presence of the apostles,

"He said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the Psalms, concerning me. Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the Scriptures, and said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day," &c.-Luke, xxiv. 44.

BEATRICE.

This is decisive as to the alleged connexion between the Old and New Testaments.

MR. B.

And of the great importance of this connexion we are fully assured by the references of our Lord