They reveal truths above the conception of finite beings, 84 They contain a rational account of the origin of all They account, in a rational and satisfactory manner, The Bible proved a revelation from God by the agree- The writers of the Bible profess to speak by inspiration, Perfection of its code of morals, The account it gives of Christ, and his plan of salvation, Preservation of the Scriptures, evidence of their divinity, The Bible speaks to the heart and conscience, Conclusion and summary of the argument, John, concerning apostacies, Folly of those who think God too merciful to pun- Certainty of the promises and threatenings of the Bible, 184 Intimation given immediately after the fall, Job's prediction of the Redeemer, The fulfilment of these prophecies proves the divine inspiration of both the Old and New Testaments, These predictions show that the great design of the The whole gospel, as understood by evangelical Chris- INTRODUCTION. 1 PETER, III. 15. Be ready always to give an answer to every one that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear. the THE Christian religion is not a blind superstition, depending on the implicit faith of its adherents in certain dogmas proposed by its teachers to be received on their authority; but every article of its faith is substantiated by the most unquestionable evidence. A good and substantial reason may be given for every truth which challenges the belief of men. Hence, apostle exhorts the Christians of his day to be ready always to give a reason of the hope that was in them, that the religion théy professed might commend itself to the reason and conscience, both of opposers and revilers, and also, of sincere inquirers after the truth. With them, this was an easy matter. They could say, "Our hope is founded on the fact that Jesus Christ died on the cross to save us from our sins, and rose again for our justification; and that he hath as |