left in the history of the four Gospels; trace them from the obscure chamber in which they met, as far as the authentic scriptures will lead us; rigidly examine every probability, and endeavour to ascertain, whether it is possible that they should have been themselves deceived, or whether they were capable of deceiving others; whether the faith of Christ could have been established without the direct agency of God; whether without a sober and rational conviction of their divine mission, the apostles would have attempted the conversion of the world, or could have succeeded in the attempt?

I enter upon the subject with less diffidence in my own argumentative powers, because, even if this outwork of Christianity, through the incompetency of its defender, shall appear less impregnable than it is, I leave the rest of the citadel in its commanding dignity, and maintained by its recognised guardians. The other evidences of Christianity are not in the least committed by my temerity. The miracles of our Lord, the prophecies, the character of the Redeemer, remain, to convince, to awe, to con

ciliate. Jesus and his apostles will still speak to the reason and the heart. At the same time all subjects connected with Christian evidence appear peculiarly appropriate to my present auditory. At that period of early manhood, when the flesh and the spirit hold their desperate, possibly decisive struggle; when on the determination the whole character of the future life, and consequently the immeasurable eternity, may depend; when the reason, unless effectually strengthened, too often gives way to the more acceptable doctrines preached by the passions; any argument which may, I will not I will not say enforce conviction, but induce to sober and diligent investigation, may be of incalculable importance; incalculable as the terrors of hell, in its precipitate course to which the soul by God's grace may be arrested; incalculable as the joys of heaven, to which by the same gracious influence it may be excited and encouraged to press forward.

Even to those far more mature in Christian knowledge than the preacher himself, though such an investigation may not be wanting to instruct, or even to confirm, it

may nevertheless conduce to invigorate the Christian feeling, and expand the Christian affections. For as the true philosopher, while unfolding the mysteries of the material world, will perpetually bear in mind and suggest to his readers, the superintending providence of the one great Cause, so he that presumes to enlarge on the plan of the Almighty for the propagation of Christianity, will of necessity develope the wisdom of the Deity in the adaptation of its appointed means to the end proposed. And as the powers of divine grace will not merely be displayed in the external signs of miracles wrought, and enemies confounded, and multitudes converted, but in the actions also and language of the apostles, in their zeal and prudence, their devotion to their Redeemer, and their love to mankind; since we cannot believe the reality without feeling the excellence of such virtues, the more effectual eloquence of religious example will melt, as it were, insensibly into the character. So that even if the faith be neither enlightened nor confirmed, it may be won to shew forth more

abundantly its fruits, and taught, by the study of apostolic models, in what manner it is to work by love.

May the God of truth and love make it equally operative on our understandings and our hearts-that God to whom be ascribed all majesty, power, worship, and dominion, henceforth and for ever

LECTURE II.

1 COR. i. 27, 28.

But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;

And base things of the world, and things which

are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that

are.

I HAVE adduced evidence, I trust, sufficiently conclusive, that the apostles were the first teachers of Christianity, and that the Acts is a real and credible history, as far as its main outline and leading facts. I proceed to the more important question, how it came to pass, that these eleven men, with their followers, set themselves up as authors of a new religion, and persuaded so many converts to acquiesce in their claims, and submit to their authority? I would rigidly examine their character and conduct,