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Let him have recourse to the universality of the evidence, the different classes of proof, the concurring and unexpected marks of divine agency and interference.

I. But in order to the full effect of these demonstrations, A RIGHt state of miND is indispensable. Nothing can satisfy the proud, the obdurate, the captious. But why do I thus speak ?-I see the doubting mind impressed. I behold the mighty force of truth. I hear the confession of the fickle and conceited youth now awakened to consideration. The new and combined demonstration of the divine origin of the Christian religion, from the rapidity and extent of its propagation, fills him with astonishment. He falls down and worships the God of salvation. He acknowledges his former ignorance and folly. He takes up the New Testament with other feelings than he ever did before. He falls prostrate in penitence at the foot of that Saviour whom he had neglected or despised. He breaks off those sins and habits which made unbelief or hesitation unavoidable; and he admits the purifying doctrine of the Son of God.

Go on, then, young inquirer, in the course of sincere penitence and humiliation on which you have begun. Listen not again to the objections and sophistry of the wicked. Õpen your heart to the full dominion of Christianity. "Bring into captivity every thought unto the obedience of Christ." Be honest to your convictions. Act upon what you know. Implore the grace of that Holy Spirit in his ordinary operations, whose extraordinary power accompanied the first apostles. The conversion of nations is only the multiplication of the conversion of individuals. You cannot indeed witness the miracles of the gospel, but you receive them by authentic testimony; and you behold before your eyes the accomplishment of the prophecies in their effects, The heart of man is the same, the de

mands of Christianity are the same. The foundations of penitence the same. The method of pardon and reconciliation, in the meritorious cross of the Son of God, the same. The renovation of the human heart the same. The resistance of our natural passions the same. The obstacles from the world around you of the same kind. The operations of grace vary not essentially from what they were in the apostolic age.

You may attain a similar conviction of the truth of Christianity now, with the first converts. The evidence may somewhat differ in its form and vividness and immediate impression; but it is the same in authority, truth, and obligation.

II. And the more you thus enter practically into the great question of this lecture, the more will your CONVICTION BE STRENGTHENED. If the torrent which rolls by you, once relieves your own thirst, you will understand better its virtue and excellency, and the living source from which it springs. We cannot put men into the possession of the full evidence of any branch of our subject, except as they practically obey the gospel. We state indeed the argument, and if there be any candour of mind, any feeling of morals and religion, any knowledge of human character, any fairness in weighing evidence, we carry conviction into their inmost soul. However slight their acquaintance with the nature of real Christianity, we have proof enough to show that such a religion could never have been propagated by such instruments, in the face of idolatry, vice, sensuality, authority, habit, persecution; and have subdued the world, without a divine hand.

But how much more forcible and satisfactory is the proof to that man who has understood all the awful doctrines, and experienced and known all the transforming influence of Christianity? He has then in his own case a demonstration of the power from which

He per

the establishment of Christianity sprung. fectly well knows that to effect the conversion of one individual from carelessness, ignorance, prejudice, and vice, to the love and obedience of the gospel, is a work beyond the power of man—a work which in his own case has been difficult, slow, surrounded with obstacles; and which requires, not only for its commencement, but its progress, the continual aids of the Holy Spirit. The conversion, then, of the world from Heathen idolatry and licentiousness, or Jewish formality and pride, to the religion of Christ, could have proceeded from no other hand but that of God. As well might feeble man have attempted to dry up the ocean with his word, as the apostles to stop, by human wisdom, the inundation and torrent and ocean of vice and misery. The same power which created the world, could alone reform it. The same voice which said "to the deep, Be dry, and I will dry up thy rivers;" alone could say to "the wilderness and the solitary place, Be glad for them, and to the desert, Rejoice and blossom as the rose."

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LECTURE XI.

BENEFICIAL EFFECTS OF CHRISTIANITY.

1 TIMOTHY IV. 8.

Godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is

to come.

We have reviewed the arguments for the truth of Christianity which are derived from the miracles performed, the prophecies accomplished and now accomplishing in the world, and from its rapid and extensive propagation.

These establish beyond all reasonable question the divine authority of our religion: and we might now pass on to the subject of the inspiration of the scrip

tures.

But there is another external argument of great moment which I am desirous first to notice, that derived from THE MORE OBVIOUS EFFECTS WHICH CHRISTIANITY HAS PRODUCED AND IS PRODUCING UPON THE WELFARE OF MANKIND.

This is generally classed with the Internal Evidences. And undoubtedly most of the causes from whence it springs, and many of its details, are best reserved for that part of our course. Still I cannot but think that

VOL. I.

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the beneficial effects of Christianity are so obvious to every candid observer, that we may properly arrange them with the external proofs. It is surely a powerful argument in favour of revelation, that it advances the solid happiness of man, that it has the “ promise of the life that now is;" that, whilst its great object is to remedy the fallen state of our nature by the spiritual blessings of redemption, it uniformly dispenses also temporal benefits, and raises the condition, and promotes the present well-being of the human race. Christianity doth this in various ways-it implants those PRINCIPLES on which the welfare of individuals and states depends-it has BANISHED an immense mass of frightful evils from Christian countries-it has MITIGATED many other evils which are not entirely removed and it has CONFERRED and is conferring the most numerous, and substantial positive benefits on mankind..

I. Christianity IMPLANTS THOSE PRINCIPLES upon which the welfare of individuals and states depends.

1. It begins in the proper province of religion, the silent course of private and domestic life. It makes good fathers and mothers of families, good children, honest men-servants and maid-servants, faithful tradesmen, quiet villagers, peaceful manufacturers and husbandmen. These are the materials of public prosperity. The welfare of states is only the consequence of individual happiness.

2. In the next place, Christianity arouses the powers of conscience and directs aright its determi nations. It gives solemnity and sanctity to oathson which the security of persons and property, and, indeed, of society in all its relations, so much depends. Thus it lays the foundations and forms the sanction of human laws. Wherever it spreads, it sets, up a judge and avenger within the breast, and governs man by the fear of an invisible tribunal.

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