cussed, whether Jesus aimed to establish his doctrine, by miracles; and, whether miracles can be made to prove any doctrine whatever. Among all miracles, that of the resurrection of Jesus, has been most dwelt upon, 'and vindicated against the objections of opposers.-The proof from the prophecies of the Old Testament, was treated as holding a high rank, till the time that Anthony Collins assailed it. Notwithstanding various answers to him were published, this argument has been more and more laid aside; especially, in consequence of the estimation, which the new theology puts on the predictions concerning the Messiah. In general, it has become more common, since the time of J. S. Semler, to rest the truth of Christianity, upon the internal, rather than the external evidences;-yet J. Fr. Kleuker and others, have declared against this.

Notices. Bernard Connor, Evangelium medici; Lond. 1697.—Thomas Woolston, Six discourses on the miracles of our Saviour; Lond. 1727-29.-Conyers Middleton, Free enquiry into the miraculous powers; Lond. 1749. (in German,) with critical remarks, by C. E. von Windheim; Hanov. 1751.-A vindication of the Free enquiry; Lond. 1751.-Dav. Hume, Essay on miracles; Lond. 1764. (Dissertation concerning miracles; by George Campbell ;--also in French, by J. de Castillon; 1765.-J. J. Rousseau, Lettre de la montagne, &c. Amst. 1764.-(Remarks on the miracles of the Gospel, in answer to the objections which J. J. Rousseau has raised against them; German, from the French, of M. Claparede; Francf. 1774.)-Free remarks on the doctrines of miracles and a revelation, in Letters to a friend; (German,) 1792.-Review of the decision respecting miracles and a revelation; (in German,) by Sam. Ritter; in Henke's New Magazine, vol. I. p. 206.--Apology for faith in miracles and revelation; (in German,) by Hünerwadel; in Flatt's Magazine for christian dogmatics and morals, Pt. VIII. p. 140 &c.--Jo. Ch. Eck, An attempt to explain the history of the N. Test. miracles, from natural causes; (in German,) Berlin 1795.-Geo. Laur, Bauer, Hebrew mythology of the Old and New Test. (in

Germ.) Lips. 1802-03. II vol. 8vo.-Would Jesus have miracles and signs, to be considered as proofs of his divine mission; (German,) in Eckermann's theol. Contributions, vol. V. P. II.-Did Jesus declare his miracles, to be a proof of his divine mission; (German,) by Storr; in Flatt's magazine. Pt. IV.

J. F. C. Gräffe, Philosophical defence of the miracles of Christ and his Apostles; (Germ.) Gott. 1812. 8vo.

Muzel, On belief in the miracles stated in the N. Test. (German,) Elberf. 1815. 8vo.

Reinhold: in Schuderof's new Journal &c. (German,) vol. II. P. 2.

Humphrey Ditton, The truth of the christian religion demonstrated, from the resurrection of Jesus Christ; German from the English. Brunsw. 1749.-Gilbert West, Remarks on the resurrection of Jesus; German from the Engl. Berlin, 1748.-William Sherlock, Trial of the witnesses of Christ's resurrection: German from the English. Lips. 1751.-G. Less, History of the resurrection of Jesus; (German,) Gott. 1779.-J. D. Michaelis, Explanation of the history of Christ's burial and resurrection; (in German,) Halle 1783.-The fifth fragment, from G. E. Lessing's fourth Contribution to history and literature; with notes by J. D. Michaelis; (Germ.) Halle 1785. (J. C. Doederlein's) Fragments and antifragments; (German,) new ed. Nurnb. 1788. II vol.-J. Fred. Plessing's History of the resurrection of Christ, reconsidered; (German,) Halle 1788.

Anthony Collins, Discourse on the grounds and reasons of the christian religion; Lond. 1724.-Defence of christianity from the prophecies of the O. Test. by Edward Chandler; Lond. 1725. 8vo.-An essay on the truth of the christian religion, wherein its real foundation upon the O. Test. is shown; by Arthur Ashley Sykes; Lond. 1725. The use and intent of prophecy, in the several ages of the church by Tho. Sherlock; Lond. 1725. 8vo. and German; by Fr. Eberh. Rambach, Lemgo 1749, 8vo. Eckermann's Theolog. Contributions; (Germ.) vol. I and II.-G. Fr. Seiler, Prophecy and its fulfilment; (German,) 1794. 8vo.

W. C. L. Ziegler's Conclusion, that the evidence of the truth and divinity of the christian religion, is to be derived rather from the internal excellence of its instructions, than from miracles and prophecies; (German,) in Henke's Magazine, vol. I. P. I.

SEC, 175. Views concerning the Holy Scriptures.

That the holy Scriptures were divine, and contained divine instruction, was admitted unanimously, by all christians. In respect to the Canon, the Protestants differed from the Catholics, by discarding as Apocryphal the books of the Old Testainent found only in Greek and Latin, which the Council of Trent again adjudged to be canonical. In regard to the Canon of the New Testament, the Protestants followed, for the most part, the old views; yet some, among whom was Luther, allowed themselves in very free remarks respecting several books accounted canonical. The divine inspiration of the Bible, was admitted as certain; and yet the nature of inspiration was never determined by the church. Hence the Protestant and Catholic theologians fluctuated between more strict and more lax views, between an inspiration of both the words and the matter, and an inspiration of the matter only. Yet the former idea was the prevailing one, among the Protestants; and especially, as it seemed to promise them some advantages in their contests with the Catholics;-but George Calixtus and others departed from it. On the contrary the Socinians, and likewise the Arminians, limited inspiration to a much narrower compass. Richard Simon, on account of his critical investigations, was considered by most theologians, as hostile to the holy Scriptures; and yet he did not advance ideas so uncommon, respecting inspiration, as Benedict Spinoza, and one of Simon's opposers, John le Clere, brought forward. In Holland it was debated, whether the divinity of the holy Scriptures, could be proved from reason alone.

Notices. Acgidii Hunnii, Tractatus de sacrosancta majestate, fide et certitudine Sacr. Script. Francf. 1694. 8vo.

-Henr. Bullingeri, de Script. sacrae auctoritate, certitudine, firmitate, et absoluta perfectione, Libri II; Tiguri 1538.-Sam. Bocharti, Epistola ad Tapinum, qua Scr. sacr. divinitas demontratur;-in his Opp. T. I. p. 923.Ben. Spinozae, Tractatus theologicus; Hamb. (Amst.) 1670. 4to.-Histoire critique du vieux Testament; par R. Simon; à Roterod. 1685. Sentimens de quelques theologiens de Hollande sur l' Histoire critique du vieux Testam. (par J. le Clerc); Amst. 1685. 12mo. in German; Zurich 1779, II vol. 8vo.-Reponse au livre intitulé: Sentimens &c. par le Prieur de Bolleville (R. Simon); Roterod. 1686. 4to.-Defense des sentimens de quelques theologiens; Amst. 1686. 12mo.-De l' inspiration des livres sacrés; par le Prieur de Bolleville; Roterod. 1699. 4to.--Jo. Hen. Maii, Dissertt. IV. de Scriptura sacra; Francf. 1708. 4to.

SEC. 176. Recent views in Germany.

In Germany, about the middle of the eighteenth century, the criticism of the Bible had made considerable advances, when investigations were renewed, respecting its Canon. John Sol. Semler commenced them, and also assailed the common ideas of inspiration; by which he would understand, the practical effect of the biblical doctrines. With more calmness and distinctness, John Gottlieb Toellner endeavored to explain the nature of inspiration, and to establish the different gradations of it. The consequences of these investigations were, that the more recent theologians distinguished, more accurately, the christian doctrine (the word of God) from the Bible; that they considered the latter, not so much as one entire revealed record, as a collection of writings, in which every man must perceive the peculiar characteristics and modes of thinking of the respective writers; that they endeavored, by means of the higher criticism, to ascertain the origin and compilation of the scriptures; and that they considered them, as containing (uous) fictions or allegories. The most recent theology, on the part of Semler and Steinbart, seems visibly inclined, to undervalue the Old Testament; and likewise to feel,

that the application of the higher criticism, unless guided by fixed principles, will easily degenerate into a capricious play with mere possibilities.

Notices. Jo. Sol. Semler, Treatise on a freer investigation of the Canon; (in German,) Halle 1771-75. IV vol. 8vo. Chr. Fred. Schmidii, Historia antiqua et vindicatio canonis Vet. et Nov. Test. Lips. 1775. 8vo.—Account of the latest controversies respecting the Canon ;in the most recent history of religion; (in German,) published by Ch. Fr. W. Walch; vol. VII. p. 241-344.The divine inspiration of the holy Scripture; (in German,) by Jo. Gottl. Toellner; Mietau and Lips. 1772.Jo. Kiddel's Treatise on the inspiration of the holy Scr. with many free remarks added by Jo. S. Semler; Halle 1783.-The Wolfenbuttle Fragments, and the controversy respecting them, between Lessing and J. M. Goetze; (in German).-J. Jac. Griesbach,) Stricturarum in locum de theopneustia libror. sacrorum, Partes I–V ; Jenae 1784-88. Henr. Gottl. Paulus, An primitivi christiani inspirationem quam vocant et infallibilitatem pro synonymis habere soliti sint; Jenae 1802. rec. in J. D. Pott, Sylloge commentatt. theol. vol. III.-G. F. N. Sonntag, Doctrina inspirationis, ejusque ratio, historia, et usus popularis; Heidelb. 1810. 8vo.

CHAPTER II.

DIVERSE VIEWS AND EXPLANATIONS OF THE CHRISTIAN DOCTRINES.

SEC. 177. Various first principles of Christianity. The representation given of the christian doctrine, must necessarily be very different, according to the sources from which men derive it, and the manner in which they deduce it. The protestant churches set up the rule, that the substance of christianity must be learned, directly from the holy scripture. In opposition to