Gospel, and who fully admit the authority of the Pentateuch, feem to fancy, that there is very little connection between them. From this mistaken idea, their whole attention is directed to the New Teftament; while the venerable code of the Law is neglected, and almost despised. They appear to imagine, that, as Judaifm is now abrogated, they, as Chriftians, have very little concern with its inftitutes; and that it is useless to pay any great degree of attention to a volume of obfolete precepts. Thus they virtually, though perhaps not verbally, deny the connection between the .Law and the Gospel; and pronounce one half of Scripture to be nearly devoid of utility.

Impreffed with a fenfe of the danger which refults from fuch opinions, I have endeavoured in the following pages to take a view of the Mofaical documents, both with regard to their credibility, and with regard to their connection with 'Chriftianity.

Their credibility refults, partly from external, and partly from internal evidence. A remarkable hiftorical coincidence with profane antiquity conftitutes the one; and various arguments, derived from an attentive furvey of the documents themselves, ferve to establish the other.

The confideration of this first part of my fubject requires, no doubt, fome degree of caution, in order that the imputation of fancifulness may be avoided. Should the enfuing difquifitions fometimes appear culpable in this refpect; let it be always remembered, that, as every coinci dence forms a complete and independent argument, fo any fingle one may be fafely expunged, without in the least affecting the evidence derived from another. Nevertheless, it is trufted, that, amidst all the obfcurity of remote ages, and amidst all the intricacies of Pagan mythology, fuch veftiges of the truth may still be discovered, as could never have arifen from mere accident. When the whole world,

from

from China to America, and from the northern feats of our Gothic ancestors to the remote shores of Hindoftan, concur in maintaining the very fame facts with thofe detailed in the Books of Mofes; it is impoffible to avoid believing their reality. The univerfal agreement of unconnected hiftorians has always been deemed one of the strongest marks of truth; and perhaps no book whatsoever, certainly none even of much inferior antiquity, poffeffes this fingular atteftation to its authenticity, in fo high a degree as the Pentateuch.

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In ftating the connection between Judaism and Christianity, I have confidered the two difpenfations, as forming jointly one grand scheme of divine wisdom to fave mankind from everlasting destruction. Under the Law, no lefs than under the Gofpel, falvation through the fole merits of a vicarious facrifice is uniformly declared; and, from the firft fatal tranfgreffion of Adam, to the last folemn day of general retribution, none can be faved from ruin,

except through the efficacy of the fufferings of Chrift. Upon this fure foundation refted all the hopes of the Jewish, no less than of the Chriftian church; for, as our Reformers well express it, "The Old Tef"tament is not contrary to the New; for "both in the Old and New Teftament,

everlasting life is offered to mankind by "Chrift, who is the only Mediator be"tween God and man, being both God " and man. Wherefore they are not to "be heard, which feign, that the old fa"thers did look only for transitory pro"mifesa."

Infidelity may indeed fcoff at a religion replete with tenets fo mortifying to the fancied dignity of human nature: but the Chriftian has learned, from a more intimate knowledge of his own heart, to entertain a more humble opinion of its purity. Whatever may be the confidence, with which the Deift and the Pelagian at present build upon their proud moral inte

a Article vii.

grity, and their imaginary rectitude of con duct; in the great and terrible day of the Lord we shall practically learn the need, which all men have of a Saviour. Every high thought, every prefumptuous imagination, will then be caft down; the pride of man will be abafed to the very duft; and the meritorious facrifice of Chrift will alone be exalted.

At the end of each volume, particularly that of the first, I have given the authorities, on which I have depended; and I may venture to say, that I have rarely advanced a fuppofition, without having the fanction of fome ancient writer.

Jan, 17, 1800.

P. S. Since it may perhaps be neceffary to offer an apology for publishing this work, rather in the form of Chapters than in that

of