us. It was to be expected, from the magnitude and novelty of the occasion, that such accounts would swarm. When better accounts came forth, these died away. Our present histories superseded others. They soon acquired a character and established a reputation which does not appear to have belonged to any other: that, at least, can be proved concerning them, which cannot be proved concerning any other. But to return to the point which led to these reflections. By considering our records in either of the two views in which we have represented them, we shall perceive that we possess a collection of proofs, and not a naked or solitary testimony; and that the written evidence is of such a kind, and comes to us in such a state, as the natural order and progress of things, in the infancy of the institution, might be expected to produce.

Gospels purports to have been written by the person who wrote the Acts of the Apostles; in which latter history, or rather, latter part of the same history, the author, by using, in va rious places, the first person plural, declares himself to have been a contemporary of all, and a companion of one, of the original preachers of the religion.

nothing in this circumstance that can surprise tion, is made out by some ancient testimonies which do not happen to specify the names of the writers: add to which, what hath been already hinted, that two out of the four Gospels contain averments in the body of the history, which, though they do not disclose the names, fix the time and situation of the authors, viz. that one was written by an eye-witness of the sufferings of Christ, the other by a contemporary of the apostles. In the Gospel of Saint John, (xix. 35.) after describing the crucifixion, with the particular circumstance of piercing Christ's side with a spear, the historian adds, as for himself, "and he that saw it bare record, and his record is true, and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye might believe." Again, (xxi. 24.) after relating a conversation which passed between Peter and "the disciple," as it is there expressed, "whom Jesus loved," it is added, "this is the disciple which testifieth Thirdly: The genuineness of the historical of these things, and wrote these things." This books of the New Testament is undoubtedly a testimony, let it be remarked, is not the less worpoint of importance, because the strength of thy of regard, because it is, in one view, impertheir evidence is augmented by our knowledge fect. The name is not mentioned; which, if of the situation of their authors, their relation a fraudulent purpose had been intended, would to the subject, and the part which they sustain-have been done. The third of our present ed in the transaction; and the testimonies which we are able to produce, compose a firm ground of persuasion, that the Gospels were written by the persons whose names they bear. Nevertheless, I must be allowed to state, that to the argument which I am endeavouring to maintain, this point is not essential; I mean, so essential as that the fate of the argument depends upon it. The question before us is, whether the Gospels exhibit the story which the apostles and first emissaries of the religion published, and for which they acted and suffered in the manner in which, for some miraculous story or other, they did act and suffer. Now let us suppose that we possessed no other information concerning these books than that they were written by early disciples of Christianity; that they were known and read during the time, or near the time, of the original apostles of the religion; that by Christians) whom the apostles instructed, by societies of Christians which the apostles founded, these books were received, (by which term "receiv- THE AUTHENTICITY OF THE SCRIPTURES. ed," I mean that they were believed to con- NOT forgetting, therefore, what credit is due tain authentic accounts of the transactions up-to the evangelical history, supposing even any on which the religion rested, and accounts one of the four Gospels to be genuine; what which were accordingly used, repeated, and re-credit is due to the Gospels, even supposing lied upon,) this reception would be a valid proof that these books, whoever were the authors of them, must have accorded with what the apostles taught. A reception by the first race of Christians, is evidence that they agreed with what the first teachers of the religion delivered. In particular, if they had not agreed with what the apostles themselves preached, how could they have gained credit in churches and societies which the apostles established? Now the fact of their early existence, and not only of their existence but their reputa

CHAPTER IX.

There is satisfactory evidence that many, professing to be original witnesses of the Christian miracles, passed their lives in labours, dangers, and sufferings, voluntarily undergone in attestation of the accounts which they delivered, and solely in consequence of their belief of those accounts; and that they also submitted, from the same motives, to new rules of conduct.

nothing to be known concerning them but that they were written by early disciples of the religion, and received with deference by early Christian churches: more especially not forgetting what credit is due to the New Testament in its capacity of cumulative evidence; we now proceed to state the proper and distinct proofs, which show not only the general value of these records, but their specifie authority, and the high probability there is that they actually came from the persons whose names they bear.

There are, however, a few preliminary re- who had a knowledge of the Hebrew, as Justin flections, by which we may draw up with more Martyr, Origen, and Epiphanius, wrote in a regularity to the propositions upon which the language which bears no resemblance to that close and particular discussion of the subject of the New Testament. The Nazarenes, who depends. Of which nature are the following: understood Hebrew, used chiefly, perhaps alI. We are able to produce a great number most entirely, the Gospel of Saint Matthew, of ancient manuscripts, found in many different and therefore cannot be suspected of forging countries, and in countries widely distant from the rest of the sacred writings. The argument, each other, all of them anterior to the art of at any rate, proves the antiquity of these books; printing, some certainly seven or eight hundred that they belonged to the age of the apostles; years old, and some which have been preserved that they could be composed indeed in no probably above a thousand years. We have other." also many ancient versions of these books, and III. Why should we question the genuinesome of them into languages which are not at ness of these books? Is it for that they contain present, nor for many ages have been, spoken accounts of supernatural events? I apprehend in any part of the world. The existence of that this, at the bottom, is the real, though sethese manuscripts and versions proves that the cret, cause of our hesitation about them: for, Scriptures were not the production of any mo- had the writings inscribed with the names of dern contrivance. It does away also the un- Matthew and John, related nothing but ordicertainty which hangs over such publications nary history, there would have been no more as the works, real or pretended, of Ossian and doubt whether these writings were theirs, than Rowley, in which the editors are challenged there is concerning the acknowledged works to produce their manuscripts, and to show of Josephus or Philo; that is, there would where they obtained their copies. The num- have been no doubt at all. Now it ought to ber of manuscripts, far exceeding those of any be considered that this reason, however it may other book, and their wide dispersion, afford apply to the credit which is given to a writer's an argument, in some measure to the senses, judgment or veracity, affects the question of that the Scriptures anciently, in like manner genuineness very indirectly. The works of as at this day, were more read and sought Bede exhibit many wonderful relations: but after than any other books, and that also in many different countries. The greatest part of spurious Christian writings are utterly lost, the rest preserved by some single manuscript. There is weight also in Dr. Bentley's observation, that the New Testament has suffered less injury by the errors of transcribers, than the works of any profane author of the same size and antiquity; that is, there never was any writing, in the preservation and purity of which the world was so interested or so careful.

who, for that reason, doubts that they were written by Bede? The same of a multitude of other authors. To which may be added, that we ask no more for our books than what we allow to other books in some sort similar to ours: we do not deny the genuineness of the Koran; we admit that the history of Apollonius Tyanæus, purporting to be written by Philostratus, was really written by Philostratus.

IV. If it had been an easy thing in the early times of the institution to have forged ChrisII. An argument of great weight with those tian writings, and to have obtained currency 'who are judges of the proofs upon which it is and reception to the forgeries, we should have founded, and capable, through their testimony, had many appearing in the name of Christ of being addressed to every understanding, is himself. No writings would have been receivthat which arises from the style and language ed with so much avidity and respect as these: of the New Testament. It is just such a lan- consequently none afforded so great temptaguage as might be expected from the apostles, tion to forgery. Yet have we heard but of one from persons of their age and in their situation, attempt of this sort, deserving of the smallest and from no other persons. It is the style nei- notice, that in a piece of a very few lines, and her of classic authors, nor of the ancient Chris- so far from succeeding, I mean, from obtaintian Fathers, but Greek coming from men of ing acceptance and reputation, or an acceptHebrew origin; abounding, that is, with He-ance and reputation in any wise similar to braic and Syriac idioms, such as would natur- that which can be proved to have attended ally be found in the writings of men who used the books of the New Testament, that it is a language spoken indeed when they lived, not so much as mentioned by any writer of but not the common dialect of the country. the first three centuries. The learned readThis happy peculiarity is a strong proof of the er need not be informed that I mean the episgenuineness of these writings: for who should forge them? The Christian fathers were for the most part totally ignorant of Hebrew, and therefore were not likely to insert Hebraisms and Syriasms into their writings. The few

tle of Christ to Abgarus, king of Edessa, found at present in the work of Eusebius,† as a piece acknowledged by him, though not without considerable doubt whether the whole passage be

See this argument stated more at large in Michaelis's Introduction (Marsh's translation), vol.i. c, ii. sect. 10, from which these observations are taken. + Hist. Eccl. lib. i. c. 15.

not an interpolation, as it is most certain, that, after the publication of Eusebius's work, this epistle was universally rejected."

These considerations are not to be neglected: but of an argument concerning the genuineness of ancient writings, the substance, unV. If the ascription of the Gospels to their doubtedly, and strength, is ancient testimony. respective authors had been arbitrary or con- This testimony it is necessary to exhibit jectural, they would have been ascribed to more somewhat in detail; for when Christian advoeminent men. This observation holds con-cates merely tell us, that we have the same cerning the first three Gospels, the reputed reason for believing the Gospels to be written authors of which were enabled by their situa-by the evangelists whose names they bear, as tion, to obtain true intelligence, and were like- we have for believing the Commentaries to be ly to deliver an honest account of what they Cæsar's, the Eneid Virgil's, or the Orations knew, but were persons not distinguished in Cicero's, they content themselves with an imthe history by extraordinary marks of notice perfect representation. They state nothing or commendation. Of the apostles, I hardly more than what is true, but they do not state know any one of whom less is said than of the truth correctly. In the number, variety, Matthew, or of whom the little that is said, is and early date of our testimonies, we far exless calculated to magnify his character. Of ceed all other ancient books. For one, which Mark, nothing is said in the Gospels; and the most celebrated work of the most celebratwhat is said of any person of that name in the ed Greek or Roman writer can allege, we proActs, and in the Epistles, in no part bestows duce many. But then it is more requisite in praise or eminence upon him. The name of our books, than in theirs, to separate and disLuke is mentioned only in Saint Paul's Epis- tinguish them from spurious competitors. The tles, and that very transiently. The judg- result, I am convinced, will be satisfactory to ment, therefore, which assigned these writings every fair inquirer: but this circumstance rento these authors proceeded, it may be presum-ders an inquiry necessary. ed, upon proper knowledge and evidence, and not upon a voluntary choice of names.

In a work, however, like the present, there is a difficulty in finding a place for evidence of VI. Christian writers and Christian churches this kind. To pursue the details of proofs appear to have soon arrived at a very general throughout, would be to transcribe a great part agreement upon the subject, and that without of Dr. Lardner's eleven octavo volumes: to the interposition of any public authority. leave the argument without proofs, is to leave When the diversity of opinion, which prevail-it without effect; for the persuasion produced ed, and prevails among Christians in other by this species of evidence depends upon a view points, is considered, their concurrence in the and induction of the particulars which comcanon of Scripture is remarkable, and of great pose it.

weight, especially as it seems to have been the The method which I propose to myself is, result of private and free inquiry. We have first, to place before the reader, in one view, no knowledge of any interference of authority the propositions which comprise the several in the question, before the council of Laodicea heads of our testimony, and afterwards to rein the year 363. Probably the decree of this peat the same propositions in so many distinct council rather declared than regulated the pub-sections, with the necessary authorities sublic judgment, or, more properly speaking, the joined to each.

judgment of some neighbouring churches; the The following, then, are the allegations upcouncil itself consisting of no more than thirty on the subject, which are capable of being esor forty bishops of Lydia and the adjoining tablished by proof :

countries. Nor does its authority seem to I. That the historical books of the New have extended further; for we find numerous Testament, meaning thereby the four Gospels Christian writers, after this time, discussing and the Acts of the Apostles, are quoted, or the question, "What books were entitled to be received as Scripture," with great freedom, upon proper grounds of evidence, and without any reference to the decision at Laodicea.

Augustin, A. D. 895, (De Consens. Evang. c. 34.) had heard that the Pagans pretended to be possessed of an epistle from Christ to Peter and Paul; but he had never seen it, and appears to doubt of the existence of any such piece, either genuine or spurious. No other ancient writer mentions it. He also, and he alone, notices, and that in order to condemn it, an epistle ascribed to Christ by the Manichees, A. D. 270, and a short hymn attributed to him by the Priscillianists, A. D. 378. (cont. Faust. Man. lib. xxviii. c. 4.) The lateness of the writer who notices these things, the manner in which he notices them, and, above all, the silence of every preceding writer, render them unworthy of consideration. Col. iv. 14. 2 Tim. iv. 11. Philem. 24. Lardner, Cred. vol. viii. p. 291, et seq.

alluded to, by a series of Christian writers, beginning with those who were contemporary with the apostles, or who immediately followed them, and proceeding in close and regular succession from their time to the present.

II. That when they are quoted, or alluded to, they are quoted or alluded to with peculiar respect, as books sui generis; as possessing an authority which belonged to no other books, and as conclusive in all questions and controversies amongst Christians.

III. That they were, in very early times, collected into a distinct volume.

IV. That they were distinguished by appropriate names and titles of respect.

The reader, when he has the propositions before him, will observe that the argument, if he should omit the sections, proceeds connectedly from this point.

V. That they were publicly read and ex-there any doubt, that the oration, which opens pounded in the religious assemblies of the ear-with this address, actually came from Cicero's y Christians. pen. These instances, however simple, may serve to point out to a reader, who is little accustomed to such researches, the nature and value of the argument.

VI. That commentaries were written upon them, harmonies formed out of them, different copies carefully collated, and versions of them made into different languages.

VII. That they were received by Christians of different sects, by many heretics as well as catholics, and usually appealed to by both sides in the controversies which arose in those days. VIII. That the four Gospels, the Acts of the Apostles, thirteen Epistles of Saint Paul, the first Epistle of John, and the first of Peter, were received, without doubt, by those who doubted concerning the other books which are included in our present canon.

IX. That the Gospels were attacked by the early adversaries of Christianity, as books containing the accounts upon which the religion was founded.

The testimonies which we have to bring forward under this proposition are the following:

I. There is extant an epistle ascribed to Barnabas, the companion of Paul. It is quoted as the epistle of Barnabas, by Clement of Alexandria, A. D. cxcIv; by Origen, A. D ccxxx. It is mentioned by Eusebius, A. D. cccxv, and by Jerome, A. D. cccxcII, as an ancient work in their time, bearing the name of Barnabas, and as well known and read amongst Christians, though not accounted a part of Scripture. It purports to have been written soon after the destruction of Jerusalem, during the calamities which followed that disaster; and it bears the character of the age to which it professes to belong.

X. That formal catalogues of authentic Scriptures were published; in all which our present sacred histories were included. In this epistle appears the following remark. XI. That these propositions cannot be af-able passage:-" "Let us, therefore, beware firmed of any other books claiming to be books of Scripture; by which are meant those books which are commonly called apocryphal books of the New Testament.

SECTION 1.

The historical books of the New Testament, meaning thereby the four Gospels and the Acts of the Apostles, are quoted, or alluded to, by a series of Christian writers, beginning with those who were contemporary with the apostles, or who immediately followed them, and proceeding in close and regular succession from their time to the present.

lest it come upon us, as it is written; There are many called, few chosen." From the expression," as it is written," we infer with certainty, that at the time when the author of this epistle lived, there was a book extant, well known to Christians, and of authority amongst them, containing these words :-" Many are called, few chosen." Such a book is our present Gospel of Saint Matthew, in which this text is twice found,+ and is found in no other book now known. There is a further observation to be made upon the terms of the quo tation. The writer of the epistle was a Jew. The phrase "it is written," was the very form in which the Jews quoted their Scriptures. It is not probable, therefore, that he would have used this phrase, and without qualification, of any books but what had acquired a kind of ScripTHE medium of proof stated in this propo-tural authority. If the passage remarked in sition is, of all others, the most unquestionable, the least liable to any practices of fraud, and is not diminished by the lapse of ages. Bishop Burnet, in the History of his Own Times, inserts various extracts from Lord Clarendon's History. One such insertion is a proof, that Lord Clarendon's History was extant at the time when Bishop Burnet wrote, that it had Beside this passage, there are also in the been read by Bishop Burnet, that it was re-epistle before us several others, in which the ceived by Bishop Burnet as a work of Lord sentiment is the same with what we meet with Clarendon, and also regarded by him as an au- in Saint Matthew's Gospel, and two or three in thentic account of the transactions which it re- which we recognise the same words. In parlates; and it will be a proof of these points a ticular, the author of the epistle repeats the prethousand years hence, or as long as the books cept, "Give to overy one that asketh thee :"+ exist. Quintilian having quoted as Cicero's, and saith that Christ chose as his apostles, that well-known trait of dissembled vanity :- who were to preach the Gospel, men who were

"Si quid est in me ingenii, Judices, quod sentio quam sit exiguum;"—

the quotation would be strong evidence, were

*Quint. lib. xl. c.

this ancient writing had been found in one of Saint Paul's Epistles, it would have been esteemed by every one a high testimony to Saint Matthew's Gospel. It ought, therefore, to be remembered, that the writing in which it is found was probably by very few years posterior to those of Saint Paul.

great sinners, that he might show that he came may always walk obediently to his holy words.' not to call the righteous, but sinners to re- We perceive also in Clement a total unconpentance."* sciousness of doubt, whether these were the II. We are in possession of an epistle writ-real words of Christ, which are read as such in ten by Clement, bishop of Rome,† whom an- the Gospels. This observation indeed belongs cient writers, without any doubt or scruple, to the whole series of testimony, and especialassert to have been the Clement whom Saint ly to the most ancient part of it. Whenever Paul mentions, Phil. iv. 3; "with Clement any thing now read in the Gospels is met with also, and other my fellow-labourers, whose in an early Christian writing, it is always obnames are in the book of life." This epistle served to stand there as acknowledged truth, is spoken of by the ancients as an epistle ac-i. to be introduced without hesitation, doubt, knowledged by all; and, as Irenæus well re- or apology. It is to be observed also, that, as presents its value, "written by Clement, who this epistle was written in the name of the had seen the blessed apostles, and conversed church of Rome, and addressed to the church with them; who had the preaching of the of Corinth, it ought to be taken as exhibiting apostles still sounding in his ears, and their the judgment not only of Clement, who drew traditions before his eyes." It is addressed to up the letter, but of these churches themselves, the church of Corinth; and what alone may at least as to the authority of the books referseem almost decisive of its authenticity, Diony-red to.

sius, bishop of Corinth, about the year 170, It may be said, that, as Clement has not i. e. about eighty or ninety years after the epistle was written, bears witness," that it had been wont to be read in that church from ancient times."

:

used words of quotation, it is not certain that he refers to any book whatever. The words of Christ, which he has put down, he might himself have heard from the apostles, or might This epistle affords, amongst others, the fol- have received through the ordinary medium lowing valuable passages:" Especially re- of oral tradition. This has been said: but membering the words of the Lord Jesus which that no such inference can be drawn from the he spake, teaching gentleness and long-suffer- absence of words of quotation, is proved by the ing for thus he said: Be ye merciful, that three following considerations :-First, that ye may obtain mercy; forgive, that it may be Clement, in the very same manner, namely, forgiven unto you; as you do, so shall it be without any mark of reference, uses a passage done unto you; as you give, so shall it be now found in the epistle to the Romans; given unto you; as ye judge, so shall ye be which passage, from the peculiarity of the judged; as ye show kindness, so shall kind-words which compose it, and from their order, ness be shown unto you; with what measure it is manifest that he must have taken from ye mete, with the same shall it be measured to the book. The same remark may be repeated you.' By this command, and by these rules, of some very singular sentiments in the Epislet us establish ourselves, that we may always tle to the Hebrews. Secondly, that there are walk obediently to his holy words." many sentences of Saint Paul's First Epistle Again; "Remember the words of the Lord to the Corinthians standing in Clement's epis. Jesus, for he said, "Wo to that man by whom tle without any sign of quotation, which yet offences come; it were better for him that he certainly are quotations; because it appears had not been born, than that he should offend that Clement had Saint Paul's epistle before one of my elect; it were better for him that a him, inasmuch as in one place he mentions it mill-stone should be tied about his neck, and in terms too express to leave us in any doubt:that he should be drowned in the sea, than" Take into your hands the epistle of the blessthat he should offend one of my little ones."" ed apostle Paul." Thirdly, that this method In both these passages, we perceive the high of adopting words of Scripture without referrespect paid to the words of Christ as recorded ence or acknowledgment, was, as will appear by the evangelists; "Remember the words of the Lord Jesus;-by this command, and by these rules, let us establish ourselves, that we

Matt. ix, 13.

+ Lardner, Cred. vol. i. p. 62, et seq. "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy." Matt. v. 7.-"Forgive, and ye shall be forgiven; give, and it shall be given unto you." Luke vi. 37, 38. "Judge not, that ye be not judged; for with what judg ment ye judge, ye shall be judged; and with what mea. sure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again." Matt. vii. 1, 2.

in the sequel, a method in general use amongst the most ancient Christian writers.-These analogies not only repel the objection, but cast the presumption on the other side, and afford a considerable degree of positive proof, that the Words in question have been borrowed from the places of Scripture in which we now find them.

But take it if you will the other way, that Clement had heard these words from the aposMatt. xviii. 6. "But whoso shall offend one of these tles or first teachers of Christianity; with res httle ones which believe in me, it were better for him pect to the precise point of our argument, vis. that a mill-stone were hanged about his neck, and that that the Scriptures contain what the apostles he were cast into the sea" The latter part of the pas sage in Clement agrees more exactly with Luke, xvii. 2: taught, this supposition may serve almost as "It were better for him that a mill-stone were hanged well.

about his neck, and he cast into the sca, than that he

should offend one of these little ones."

Romans i. 20