These writings were early, probably within forty or fifty years after Christ's ascension, collected into a volume, and treated by Christians with peculiar marks of faith and

reverence.

Now if these books had not been genuine, it is impossible that they should have gained such universal credit among Christians. If there had been no such men known as their reputed authors, they never could have obtained any credit at all. The authors appear under appropriate names and characters, call themselves apostles and disciples of Jesus; relate many remarkable facts as then recent and notorious; mention many miraculous works performed, and supernatural gifts exercised by them, in such places, and in the presence of such persons and churches; appeal to the public for the truth of many of the facts related; represent themselves and other apostles as having been present in these and those places, and there preached, wrought miracles, made converts, formed churches, and imparted supernatural gifts. Now it is impossible that any persons, especially societies, should have received these books, if they had never seen such men, known such facts, or heard of such churches. Every one who saw the writings would naturally inquire, Where are the churches. which are here addressed? Who are the men that speak of themselves as so generally known? Who has ever been acquainted with the matters which they relate with so much assurance? Ask yourselves: Would the history of the late American war, and the revolution which followed, be received with any regard among the people of America in the present age, if no such events had taken place? Or would such a fictitious history go down with credit to succeeding ages? The reception of a history relating to facts of recent existence and public notoriety, is an evidence of its truth.

If any man doubts the genuineness of these books, let him say, when they were forged. It was not while the apostles were living; for they would have detected and suppressed the fraud. It was not after their death; for then the cheat would not have succeeded. The books pretend to have been sent abroad by the authors themselves. Paul's epistles, for example, profess to have been written by him, at such a time, and in such a place; to have been sent to such churches, by such messengers; and to have been signed by his own hand. Now if these churches had never received such letters, or seen such messengers, or if Christians in general had never heard of such writings, until some years after they pretend to have been sent abroad and publicly read, this would have been a sufficient reason never to have admitted them.

Most of Paul's epistles were written to noted churches in populous cities; and, consequently, if they were genuine, they must have been known before his death. If they had not appeared until after his death, the churches to which they pretend to have been sent, would have declared, they never received them, and thus have exposed the deception.

In short, if we suppose the books of the New Testament to be spurious, we must suppose, that the Christians, in the Apostolic and succeeding ages, among whom were many learned, and doubtless many honest men, did all, in the several different countries of Christendom, without any conceivable motive, confederate in a fraud, and agree to impose on the world. A supposition this, which, if admitted, puts an end to all historical credit.

Besides; as one well observes, "It is easy to discover the writings of the New Testament, particularly Paul's epistles, to be original. His very soul speaks in all his writings. There is that undissembled zeal for the glory

of God and the salvation of mankind, that courage, that disregard to his own interest, when it interfered with higher views, that boldness of expression, that life and spirit, which are hard to be counterfeited. The same force and energy, which animated all his actions, and empowered him to spread the gospel from east to west, ennobles all his compositions; and it would be almost as impossible for an impostor to write as Paul did, as it would be to act as he did. It is very difficult to personate such a warm, affectionate and interesting writer. There is an exact resemblance in his speeches and in his epistles. In both there is the same greatness of spirit, the same glowing language, the same elevated thoughts, warm from the heart. In both, he speaks and writes with too animated a zeal, to be a cold deceiver; with too much sense, solidity and consistence, to be an enthusiast."

Of our preceding reasonings this is the result:

THE RELIGION OF THE GOSPEL IS DIVINE.

This religion, if it be divine, must be supremely important. Do you believe, that God has sent into the world a Saviour from heaven, has borne witness to him by miracles and wonders, has subjected him to death for our redemption, and raised him from the dead by his mighty power, has given support to the religion which this Saviour taught, and by a wonderful providence, has conveyed it down to our day with full evidence of its heavenly original? Do you believe all this? Surely you must believe, that this is a religion in which mankind are infinitely concerned. Come forward then; make an open profession of it, and tell the world, you are not ashamed of it.

Faithfully attend on the instituted worship of God. This is a great security against irreligion and infidelity.

That Christians may hold fast the profession of their faith, the Apostle enjoins them to keep up their religious assemblies.

Be solicitous to obtain a share in the great blessings, which this religion offers to you. Seek pardon and glory, in the way which it prescribes, by repentance of sin and faith in the Redeemer. There is no other name by which you can be saved.

Endeavour to extend the knowledge, advance the honour and promote the success of the gospel; put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: confirm them who waver; strengthen such as are weak; encourage the young and tender, and guard them against the instructions which cause to err. If you ask, how this shall be done? Take the Apostle's advice, "Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ."

SERMON II.

EPHESIANS I. 1-3.-Paul, an Apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are in Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus: Grace be to you and peace, from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ.

EPHESUS, the city in which the church here addressed was collected, was the metropolis of Lesser Asia; and lying on the sea coast, it was a place of considerable trade. The Greeks inhabiting this city were zealous idolaters. They are said, in the 19th chapter of the Acts, to be

worshippers of the great goddess Diana, and of the image that fell down from Jupiter." In this city stood the temple of Diana, which, for its grandeur and magnificence, was considered as one of the wonders of the world. The Ephesians were also celebrated for their skill in the arts of magic and divination, as we find in the chapter before cited. And from this epistle of Paul, we learn that they were also infamous for luxury, lasciviousness and all uncleanness. In this city dwelt great numbers of Jews, who had a synagogue here for divine worship, in which Paul preached for several months. This is the first account, which we have, of the publication of the gospel in this city. After his departure, Apollos, who was an eloquent man and mighty in the Scriptures, came to Ephesus. He had been educated in the Jewish religion; but having