tainly do quote the scriptures as divine. One of them has said expressly, that all scripture is given by inspiration of God; (2 Tim. iii. 16.) and another, that holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. (2 Pet. i. 21.)

But are we sure, that we have the same scriptures to which these writers referred, and which they assisted to furnish? Every thing else changes, and books are not unfrequently lost or corrupted. How do we know that we have the true scriptures? I answer : Most of the proofs, on which we have insisted, will apply to the volume we now have, for we have rested principally on internal evidences. But we are not wanting in historical proof. It is certain, from Josephus, that the same number of books, as now constitute the Old Testament, were in existence in our Saviour's time; and these are they to which he and his apostles so often referred. It is certain too, that all the books which now constitute the New Testament, were collected before the close of the third century; for catalogues were then made of them, and have come down to us.

And now, that these books have not been corrupted and made to speak a different language, or teach different doctrines from those

originally left us, we have this evidence, that all the various readings, in all the ancient manuscripts, both Greek and Hebrew, have been repeatedly collected and compared, by learned men; and the result has been," that although these various readings amount to more than 30,000, they do not, in any instance, materially alter the sense."*

After this, we ought to rest pretty well assured, that the Bible we now possess, is that very Bible, which was made up by apostles and prophets; and that all the preceding proofs stand fair in favour of its inspiration.

*See the ultimate decision of Kennicutt, after 20 years study of the manuscript copies of the Old Testament; and a similar decision upon those of the New Testament, by Mill, Wetstein and Horne.

LECTURE II.

THE BEING AND ATTRIBUTES OF GOD.

HEBREWS xi. 6.

He that cometh unto God, must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek

him.

It is taught in this text, that some intelligent belief of the existence and attributes of God is necessary, in order to our worshipping him, or enjoying his favour. It is this truth that operates as a principal argument for calling your attention again to our course of doctrinal lectures. It is certainly true, that without some right knowledge of God, no man can acceptably worship him. This great subject, the being and attributes of God, stands next in order, therefore, to what has been already considered.

We know nothing, clearly, concerning God, except from what he has revealed in his word. We have much reason to rejoice, therefore, in that light of revelation, the truth and inspiration of which have already been

established. Without this light of revelation, we might feel, my brethren, as a certain heathen did on this subject. On being asked what he thought of the nature of God, he desired a day to consider it, before he gave his answer. At the end of the day, allowed for making up his mind, he desired another; and at the end of that, another; and finally, at the close of the third day, confessed, that the more he thought of the subject, the more inscrutible it appeared to him, and the more unwilling he felt to give an answer!

But even with the light of revelation, we are in difficulty; not but that we can understand well enough, what it says on this subject; but because the nature of the subject is so far beyond our comprehension. We know not the essence of material things. Much less can we conceive of the essence of spiritual beings; and least of all, of an Infinite Spirit, such as is God. I assure you, brethren, I approach the subject with awful reverence. I do feel my incompetency, even to collect and arrange the scriptures upon it ; and I sincerely request your mutual prayers and assistance.

Who then is that mysterious being that we call God? What are his nature and attri

butes, so far as he has revealed them unto us in his word? The Bible answers :

1. That he is a Spirit. God is a Spirit, and they that worship him, must worship him in spirit and in truth. (John iv. 24.) But when we have repeated this text, we have said all we can profitably say concerning the essence of Deity. Have you any correct notion, my brethren, what a spirit is? Can you conceive of a being, that has neither shape nor likeness to any shape you have ever seen? Of a substance, that is not a substance in the usual sense of substance? A being, that could extend through all substances, with which we are acquainted, and not be impeded by them? A being, that might lie in your eye and not be seen? be held in your hand and not be felt? cast in a balance and not be weighed? Can you conceive of such a being, as possessing the most distinct and perfect idendity? Of having all the properties of a person—of understanding—of willing—of the most energetic action? Can you conceive of such a being? I confess I cannot; but such a being is that mysterious existence we call God; for saith the scripture, he is a Spirit? 2. The proper name of this existence, is JE

HOVAH.

I am Jehovah, that is my name; and my glory I will not give to another. (Isai. xlii.