men, who are portrayed according to truth, with such imperfections as experience teaches us, belong to the best men ;-which delineates the character of Jesus Christ, the founder of Christianity, with such a perfection of moral excellencies, by simply relating his words, actions, and sufferings, that nothing can be taken from it or added to it, without detracting from its worth ;--and finally, which contains the true sources of consolation for every species of human suffering, and comfort in death itself. I say, is it reasonable to believe that such a book is the production of vile impostors ; and especially of uneducated fishermen of Galilee ?

Would such men have fallen into no palpable blunders in theology or morality ? Could they have preserved so beautiful a harmony and consistency between all the parts ? Could they have exhibited such a character as that of Jesus Christ, and while they introduce him acting and speaking so often, and in circumstances so peculiar and difficult, never ascribe to him any error or weakness, in word or deed ? Would impostors have denounced all manner of falsehood and deceit, as is done in the New Testament ? Would they have insisted so much on holiness, even in the thoughts and purposes of the heart ? Could they have so perfectly adapted their forgery to the constitution of the human mind, and to the circumstances of men ? Is it probable that they would have possessed the wisdom to avoid all the prejudices of their nation, and all connexion with existing sects and civil institutions ? And finally, could they have provided so effectually for the consolation of the afflicted ? What man now upon earth could compose even the discourses, said by the Evangelists to have been spoken by Christ ?

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If any man can bring himself, after an impartial examination of the Scriptures, to believe that they were written by unprincipled impostors, then he may believe that an untutored savage might construct a ship of the line; that a child might have written the Iliad, or PARADISE Lost, or even that the starry firmament was the work of mere creatures. No; it cannot be that this is a forgery. No man or set of men ever had sufficient talents and knowledge, to forge such a book as the Bible. It evidently transcends all human effort. It has upon its face the impress of divinity. It shines with a light, which, from its clearness and its splendour shows itself to be celestial. It possesses the energy and penetra, ting influence, which bespeak the omnipotence and omniscience of its Author. It has the effect of enlightening, elevating, purifying, directing, and comforting all those who cordially receive it. Surely then, it is THE WORD OF GOD, and we will hold it fast, as the best blessing which God has vouchsafed to man.

O PRECIOUS GOSPEL! Will any merciless hand endeavour to tear away from our hearts this best, this last, this sweetest consolation ? darken the only avenue through which one ray of hope can enter? Would your tear from the aged and infirm poor, the only prop on which their souls can repose in peace? Would you deprive the dying of their only source of consolation ? Would you rob the world of its richest treasure ? Would you let loose the flood.gates of every vice, and bring back upon the earth the horrors of superstition, or the atrocities of atheism ? Then endeavour to subvert the Gospel-throw around you the firebrands of infidelity laugh at religion, and make a moek of

Would you

futurity; but be assured that for all these things God will bring you into judgment. But no; I will not believe that any who reflect on what has been said in these pages, will ever cherish a thought so diabolical. I will persuale myself, that a regard for the welfare of their country, if no higher motive, will induce them to respect the Christian Religion. And every pious heart will say, RATHER LET THE SUN BE DARKENED IN THE HEAVENS, THAN THE PRE

CIOUS LIGHT OF THE GOSPEL BE EXTINGUISHED

MOHAMMED asserted, that while he was in his bed one night, the Angel Gabriel knocked at his door, and that when he went out, he saw him with seventy pair of expanded wings, whiter than snow, and clearer than crystal. The angel informed him that he had come to conduct him to heaven ; and directed him to mount an animal, which stood ready at the door, and which was between the nature of an ass and a mule. The name of this beast was Alborak, in colour whiter than milk, and swist as lightning. But when the prophet went to mount, the animal proved refractory, and he could not seat himself upon its back, until he promised it a place in Paradise.

The journey from Mecca to Jerusalem was performed in the twinkling of an eye.

When he arrived at the latter place, the departed prophets and saints came forth to meet him, and saluted him. Here, he found a ladder of light, and tying Alborak to a rock, he followed Gabriel on the ladder, until they arrived at the first heaven, where admittance was readily granted by the porter, when he was told by Gabriel, that the person, who accompanied him was Mohammed, the prophet of God. Here, he met an old decrepit man, who it seems was no other than our father Adam ; and who greatly rejoiced at having so distinguished a son. He saw also innumerable angels, in the shapes of birds, beasts, and men. This