Page images
PDF
EPUB

is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body: there is a natural body and there is a spiritual body. Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption."* Here we rest our belief in this "mystery," without desiring to pry into it beyond what is revealed to us; remembering that "secret things belong unto the Lord our God; but those things which are revealed, belong unto us and to our children”||

Many are the arguments and evidences which might be brought forward in favour of the Christian religion; but none appear to be more forcible, than the purity of that morality which is inculcated by it; and which is most effectually adapted to the promotion of the happiness of mankind in this world, as well as in that which is to come. A just test of principles, as well as of men, was laid down by our Saviour in these words: "By their fruits ye shall know them."+ It is the conduct to which principles lead, by which we are to judge of their rectitude; rather than by the actions of men, who may profess these principles, but whose weakness may often cause a violation of them. Now,

* 1 Cor. xv. 40, 42, 44, 50. || Deut. xxix. 29. + Matt, vii. 20.

to apply this test to Christ and his religion, let us first attend to that angelic song, with which his birth was introduced into the world: "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will towards men."+ Next, let us consider how his precepts and his example corresponded with it. Read that most excellent sermon on the mount; look at the example He has left us, under all the temptations and trials which, for our sakes, were permitted to assail Him! With what firmness did He reprove the vices and hypocrisy of the Jews! With what meekness did He bear their insults and persecutions! Truly, indeed, was it foretold of Him: " He is brought as a lamb to the slaughter; and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so He openeth not his mouth." And when this people had executed upon Him all that their malice could devise, He, consistently with the precepts which He had inculcated, in return for all their injuries, put up this most affecting prayer: "Father! forgive them; they know not what they do."+

*

But this example and these precepts were not confined to our holy Head and High Priest. In that part of conduct which is the most diffi

Luke ii. 14. ** Isaiah liii. 7.-This whole chapter is a remarkable prediction of the coming and sufferings of Christ, + Luke xxiii. 34.

cult for human nature, the forgiveness of injuries, we find the proto-martyr, Stephen, followed his Lord's example; and when expiring under the cruelties of the same people, thus poured out his soul unto God: "Lord! lay not this sin to their charge."+ What other religion is there, that inculcates a conduct like this! that teaches not only to forgive injuries, but even to pray for those that are the cause of them!-Precepts which alone give a decided preference to Christianity, above all other religions in the world!

Let us next look into those epistles, which the apostles addressed to the Christian converts, both among the Jews and Gentiles; and there we shall again find, in addition to the doctrinal part of Christianity, such a spirit of pure morality and true love, so uniformly inculcated, and the duties of every station in life taught with so much simplicity and energy, as to render the reading of them pleasing and instructive; and at the same time gaining the assent of our judgment, however remote from them our practice may frequently be. The following extract from the Epistle to the Romans is brought forward, not because it contains matter superiour to many other parts of the epistles; but because

+ Acts vii. 60.

of the conciseness, the simplicity, and the energy with which the important precepts are conveyed: "Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality. Bless them that persecute you: bless and curse not. Rejoice with them that do rejoice: and weep with them that weep. Be of the same mind one towards another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits. Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men."*. "Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good."+

It may not be necessary to enter much into those arguments, which the miracles performed by Christ and his apostles afford for the truth of the Christian religion. If what is advanced in favour of the truth and credibility of the Holy Scriptures, be admitted, these arguments must

* Rom. xii. 9-18.

+ Rom. xii. 21.

D

unavoidably strike every considerate and impartial mind, with irresistible force. It may, however, be proper to observe, that the credibility of these accounts, so far at least as they relate to our blessed Saviour, receives great additional force, from being confirmed, in many parts, by four different testimonies, whose distinct concurring evidence affords no small confirmation of the truth of their relations. This confirmation is rather increased than lessened, by the slight variations which sometimes appear; for, with these variations, no suspicion can reasonably be fixed of a preconcerted design to impose upon the world. Two of the evangelists, at least, were witnesses of what they wrote; a third tells us, that he was one of those who received information from such as, from the beginning, were eye-witnesses and ministers of the word; and the fourth is supposed to have written when in company with the apostle Peter, and to have received his information and instruction from him. To these relations of the evangelists the following declaration and testimony of Peter afford additional confirmation: "We have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ; but were eye-witnesses of his Majesty; for He received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such

« ՆախորդըՇարունակել »