himself from the daily accidents of human life may not live to renew them, it is proper, before we separate, to make some general observations, not only on the Criticism of the Greek Testament, which has been left unfinished, but also on some other branches of Divinity on which, though the description of them is still to come, the theological student should have some decided opinion before he departs.

With respect to the labours of the learned, which belong to the second period in the critical history of the Greek text, it has been their object to obtain a copy of the Greek Testament, which shall come as nearly, as possible, to the original records. Now, if it is thought desirable to obtain an accurate text for the Plays of Terence or the Odes of Horace, and the prosecution of this purpose be deemed an object for the talents of a Bentley, surely the smallest emendation must be deemed important in that work, which is the source of religious faith. And be it observed, that no emendation from conjecture, no emendation unfounded on documents, or not warranted by preponderating authority is admissible in the Greek Testament. It is true, that the various readings, which affect the sense, bear but a small proportion to the whole number: but who would not choose to read a Gospel or an Epistle rather in original, than in synonymous expressions,

On the other hand, care must be taken not to magnify this subject beyond the limits of its real importance. To the Theologian, who undertakes to establish the authenticity of the Greek Testament, it is of consequence to ascertain its very words, its very

in a single

syllables. But, for the common purposes of religious instruction, the text in daily use is amply sufficient. For, whatever difference in other respects may exist between this text and the Greek manuscripts, or whatever difference may exist among the manuscripts themselves, they all agree in the important articles of Christian faith; they all declare, with one accord, the doctrine of the Trinity, and the doctrine of the atone. ment by Jesus Christ.

On three other branches of Divinity, the Authen- . ticity of the Bible, the Divine Origin of our Religion, and the Doctrines of the Church of England, I must likewise make some general observations.

As it is the object of these Lectures, to exhibit a system of Divinity, which beginning with first principles shall establish propositions in regular progression, it would be a violation of their plan to anticipate subjects of future demonstration, because such anticipation would involve our arguments in a circle. Nor is it my intention to anticipate any truth, for the purpose of employing it in proof of another. But the plan will not be violated, if to those, who will lose the opportunity, either of hearing the arguments themselves, or of learning what authors have best conducted them, I should briefly state the result.

I may venture therefore to assert, that the evidence, by which we establish the fact, that the books of the New Testament were written by the authors to whom they are ascribed, is, to say the least of it, as strong, as the evidence for the facts, that the Orations against Catiline were written by Cicero, or that the Life of Agricola was written by Tacitus. That Mo..

ses was the author of the Pentateuch, I have already shewn in a separate publication: nor is it less certain, that the prophetical books of the Old Testament were written by the persons, whose names they bear. Some books indeed there are, such as the Kings and the Chronicles, of which we know not the authors. But, if they had not been entitled to credit, they would not have been received in the Hebrew Canon: nor would that Canon have been confirmed by the authority of Christ.

That the writers of the New Testament, considered merely as human evidence, as they must be considered in the first instance, are entitled to full credit for all that they have recorded of Christ and his Apostles, appears from the records themselves. The simplicity of the writers, their manifest honesty, their own conviction, where they could not be deceived, and their sufferings, even unto death, in support of that conviction, guarantee the veracity of their accounts. And if the miracles and doctrines recorded in the New Testament be true, the divine origin of Christianity requires no further confirmation.

With respect to that system of doctrines, which is adopted by the Church of England, I must here again appeal to the proofs hereafter to be given, and again state the result. On the strength of this appeal then I can venture to assert, that when the doctrines of the Church of England, as taught in the Liturgy, the Articles, and the Homilies, are duly examined, they will be found in all respects conformable with the Sacred Writings. To dissent therefore, in this country, from the doctrines of the Established Church, is to

Indeed there are many,

dissent without a real cause. who dissent without knowing the difference between our doctrines and their own, nay without knowing whether the doctrines be different, or the same. But this dissent is dangerous in every view. It is dangerous to the person, who adopts false notions in re. ligion, it is dangerous to his neighbour, it is dangerous to the State. The religious dissensions in the Greek Empire, by diminishing its strength, prepared its downfall by the Turks: and God grant, that thẹ religious dissensions among ourselves, which unavoidably produce dissensions in the State, may not ultimately effect the downfall of Britain.

Lastly, as knowledge is of no value, unless it be applied to some useful purpose, let us apply our knowledge of religion to the amendment of our thoughts and actions. May those who are placed in authority be careful to set a good example; and may the younger members be as careful to follow it. In this place especially, two of our principal duties are, attention to study, and regularity of deportment. Let us all then resolve, both young and old, to observe particularly the duties, which immediately belong to us, that our faith, and our preaching may not be vain. So shall we all become one fold under one Shepherd, Jesus Christ, the righteous, to whom with the Father and the Holy Ghost be ascribed all power, might, majesty, and dominion, now and forevermore.

A

COURSE OF LECTURES,

CONTAINING A

DESCRIPTION AND SYSTEMATIC ARRANGEMENT

OF THE SEVERAL

BRANCHES OF DIVINITY:

ACCOMPANIED WITH

AN ACCOUNT, BOTH OF THE PRINCIPAL AUTHORS, AND OF THE PPOGRESS, WHICH HAS BEEN MADE AT

DIFFERENT PERIODS

IN

Theological Learning.

BY HERBERT MARSH, D. D. F. R. S.

MARGARET PROFESSOR OF DIVINITY.

PART II.

CAMBRIDGE:

PUBLISHED BY WILLIAM HILLIARD.

Hilliard & Metcalf.... printers.