utility. We have inserted in their proper places the notes of Schlichtingius and Ruarus, already mentioned, which were loosely scattered at the end of the book: more of the annotations of these persons, which hitherto have been allowed to remain any where, we have not been able to discover. To these we have now added the notes of Andrew Wissowatius, and also some by F. C. which we found at the end of the book, together with some others by B. W. here inserted for the first time. We do not by any means hold forth these notes as comprising the common opinion of these Churches, but freely submit them to the judgment as well of the persons who belong to these churches, as of those who belong to other communions. And we beseech all, that, laying aside for a little while their prejudices and preconceived opinions, and especially the carnal reasons which becloud the mind, they would, before they condemn any thing, weigh all by the sound understanding which God has himself bestowed; and prove them by the word of God, as hy a touchstone ;-looking back in all things and asking, according to the word of the Lord spoken by the prophet (Jer. vi. 16), in the "old paths." For as, the nearer the fountain, the more clear the water is, so also we observe that the Church is the less polluted, the nearer it is to those who received the divine wisdom with their own ears. But now we have to lament that many things are introduced into it which were not so in the beginning; and on the contrary, that many things which formerly pertained to it, have been wholly taken away. We justly complain, therefore, with that ancient historian Egesippus (quoted by Eusebius, lib. iii. c. 32) that after the departure of the apostles and of apostolic men, the standard of sound doctrine was corrupted; and therefore desire that that pure and undefiled virgin may be restored to Nor do we think that we ought altogether to

despair but that that golden age may be brought back, provided only that every one would for this purpose contribute the ability which God has given him. We beseech, therefore, and exhort all men, that, moved by the love of truth, and having their loins girded about with it, they may lay for their foundation ardent love both towards God and their neighbour and at the same time, that, abstaining from things which are unlawful, they may endure adversity with constancy, bearing always fixed in their mind those unequalled words (which are quoted by the ancients simply under the title of SCRIPTURE; see Irenæus, lib. iii. c. 37. Origen on Rom. xvi. and Periarch. lib. i. c. 3) spoken by Hermas, the earliest writer after the apostles, (lib. ii. mand. 1.) "First of all," says he, "believe that there is one God who created and completed all things: and, as there was nothing before, he caused all things to be himself containing all things, but alone contained by no one who cannot be described by words, nor conceived by the mind. Believe therefore in him, and fear him; and in his fear live abstemiously and virtuously; and if thou keepest this commandment thou shalt live to God."

:

It behoves us to be at all times endowed with this disposition; that thus having passed through this evil world soberly, righteously and piously, and having an immoveable hope, we may pass into that future better world; and that every one of us, when the time of his departure is at hand, may be able to exclaim with that faithful servant of the Lord,-"I have fought a good fight, &c." May the God of Gods, whose honour and glory we are seeking with our whole might, prosper our undertakings, and grant that we may all at length come to an unity of faith; to which He lead us by his word, and spirit, through Jesus Christ, his only begotten Son, through whom, and with whom, to Him be blessing and honour, glory and dominion, for ever and ever. Amen.

may

RACOVIAN

THE

RACOVIAN CATECHISM.

SECTION I.

OF THE HOLY SCRIPTURES.

I WISH to be informed by you what the Christian Religion is ?

The Christian Religion is the way of attaining eternal life, which God has pointed out by Jesus Christ: or, in other words, It is the method of serving God, which he has himself delivered by Jesus Christ.

Where may it be learnt?

In the Holy Scriptures; especially those of the New Testament.

Are there, then, other Holy Scriptures, besides those of the New Testament?

There are: namely, the Scriptures of the Old Tes

tament.

CHAPTER I.

OF THE AUTHENTICITY OF THE HOLY SCRIPTURES.

How may it be proved that the Scriptures, including those of the Old and of the New Testament, are authentic?

I will reply to this question, first, as it relates to

the Scriptures of the New Testament; and, afterwards, as it respects those of the Old Testament. How do you prove the authenticity of the Scriptures of the New Testament?

By two considerations: the first, addressed to persons who believe the Christian Religion to be true;the second, addressed to those who deny its truth. What is the first of these considerations?

It is this:that there is no just cause why their authenticity should be called in question.

How does this appear?

There seem to be four causes from which the truth of a book may justly be doubted, but not one of these is in this instance to be discovered.

What are those causes?

They are first, that the author is wholly unknown: -secondly, that he is suspected :-thirdly, that it appears, from some other source, that the book is corrupted:-and fourthly, that there is sufficient evidence to weaken its credibility.

Inform me how it appears that the first of these causes has in this case no existence?

Because, from the very first rise of the Christian Religion, all its professors, though widely differing from each other in their opinions on other points, have with one consent agreed, that the books of the New Testament were written by the persons whose names they severally bear-whoever, therefore, would invalidate the unanimous testimony of so many individuals, and of so many centuries, ought to be able to account for this fact by the most decisive reasons.

But

But were no doubts entertained by the ancients respecting some of these authors?

There certainly were respecting some of them: but as the writings of these authors, which are but few in number, contain nothing that is at variance with the works of those concerning whom no doubt has at any time been entertained, the credibility and authority of both must be regarded as equal.

How does it appear that the second cause of doubting the truth of a work,-namely, the author being suspected,-has in this instance no existence?

An author is deemed open to suspicion-first, when he is not thoroughly acquainted with his subject:secondly, when his statements are at variance with his knowledge of facts :-and thirdly, when his writings exhibit any indications of doubtful veracity. But nothing of this kind is discoverable in the authors of the New Testament.

How do you prove this with respect to the first

case?

It is impossible the mind can admit any suspicion that these authors had not a perfect knowledge of the subjects upon which they wrote; because some of them were eye and ear witnesses of what they describe and relate; whilst the rest received from these persons fullest information respecting the same matters, and by this means became thoroughly acquainted with them.

the

How do you prove the same respecting the second case?