The scriptures constrain men to be learned. So that while on the one hand, literature has nothing to lose, but much to gain from the Bible, the Bible has much to gain, and nothing to loose from a solid literature. "A little learning," says Lord Bacon, "tendeth to atheism; but more bringeth us back to religion." It is for the interests of religion to encourage the pursuit of science and literature in every form and department. The more the Bible is brought to the test of intellectual research, the more abundant will be the evidence of its superiority. From the comparative study of languages, from the natural history of the human race, from the whole circle of natural sciences, from early history, from oriental literature, from the most rigid scrutiny of its most acute and learned enemies, it has nothing to fear. The ignorance of its friends may give its enemies a short lived triumph; but it shall be as ignoble, as it is momentary; and the weapons by which it has been accomplished shall be broken and thrown back, recoiling on the heads of those who wield them. Should some future Julian arise, who should debar the friends of the Bible the lights of science, the unbelieving world, and the powers of darkness, might be emboldened to assail it with new confidence. But I trust in God that time is past. And were it possible that the world could again be subjected to the caprice of a single man, and receive its laws from a despot, Jesus Christ is, as he ever has been, “head over all things to the church," and

will make all things subservient to her interests. The power of despots shall be extended or diminished, as it shall ultimately extend or diminish the power of the gospel. Wise men of the East shall again offer incense to the child of Mary. The Scribe and the Rabbi shall yet wreathe garlands for the ark of the covenant. The science of France and the learning of Germany shall become as truly tributary to the cause of truth and holiness, as was the gold of Ophir. And the most illustrious classics of antiquity shall gather their freshest bays to adorn the temples once crowned with thorns.

If it were for nothing but their literary merit therefore, these Scriptures claim the earnest attention of the young. I know of no standard by which the character of literary and scientific men may be so safely and successfully formed. The more he reads, the more, I am confident an accomplished scholar will study the Bible. There are no finer English scholars than the men educated north of the Tweed. And there are none who, from their childhood are so well acquainted with the Bible. I have heard it said that the characteristic wit of Scotchmen is attributable to their early familiarity with the Proverbs of Solomon. No well informed man, no well educated family is ignorant of the Bible. We can better afford to part with every other book from our family libraries, our schools, and colleges, than this finished production of the Infinite mind.

LECTURE III.

THE OBLIGATIONS OF LEGISLATIVE SCIENCE TO THE BIBLE.

Our last lecture expatiated upon the literary merit of the sacred writings. We purpose at the present opportunity, to contemplate the influence this remarkable book has exerted upon human laws-upon the science of legislation, and the great principles of jurisprudence. From the nature of the subject, it will be seen that it will more tax the sober thought of my audience, than the previous lecture, if it does not even tresspass somewhat upon their patience.

As a general remark, it is no doubt true, that, like every other science, law has advanced gradually to its present state of improvement. But this remark is to be received with some qualification. That the Mosaic code was the first written law ever delivered to any nation no man will deny. And yet it was delivered in a state of high perfection.

Theoretical philosophers who have set aside, or forgotten the inspiration of the Scriptures, have taught that the earlier codes of law,-codes designed for men in their wildest state, and at a period of the world when their wants were few and simple, their rights acknowledged, and their crimes had scarcely begun to be flagitious,-were necessarily very limited and very imperfect. They tell us that the first regulations of human society were those domestic rules which the father of a family would have occasion to observe in the control of his household. When men began to unite in villages and cities, these more private regulations would be found inadequate to restrain a more numerous society; and a body of rules, as well as an authority accompanied by greater power than the paternal, became necessary. They tell us, that afterwards, when towns and cities united for their common convenience and defence, the judicial regulations necessarily became multiplied; and the supreme authority from which they emanated, and by which they were to be enforced, issued sooner or later in different forms of magistracy. And as the conduct of the wisest and most just men would naturally suggest a rule of conduct to others, so their counsels and advice would gradually acquire force, and be adopted as a general regulation. And hence they tell us, that sages and philosophers were the first authors of laws.

Now, all this proceeds upon an entirely gratuitous assumption; an assumption as contrary to

sober, uninspired history, as it is to the word of God. That assumption is "that the original state of man was exceedingly degraded; that he occupied a rank at first, little, if any, above the beasts of the field; and that having by his own exertions gradually escaped from the state of brutality in which he was originally found, he is in a constant course of improvement." How far this hypothesis is at variance with facts, I leave believers, and indeed I might say, unbelievers, in Divine Revelation to determine. Since the fall of man from that state of primeval integrity and blessedness in which he was created, unaided by wisdom and laws revealed from heaven, the invariable tendency of his nature has been to sink deeper and deeper into darkness and lawless corruption. Hence God gave him law at his first creation; and by oral communications from heaven, guided and instructed him for the first twenty-five hundred years, until he gave the Hebrew nation their memorable code from Mount Sinai.

"If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?" The enactment of wise laws, and the due administration of justice in any commu nity, are so intimately inwoven with its best interests, and of such acknowledged importance, that they need not become the topics of remark. Law is the measure of right. It gives every man a rule of action, and prescribes a course of conduct which entitles him to the support and protection of society. It teaches men to know when