The Evidence and Authority of Divine Revelation

CONTENTS OF VOL. II.

CHAP. I.

Expected by Jews and Heathens. Celsus-Sibylline Books—
Cicero Sallust-Julius Marathus -Virgil- Testimonies
of Tacitus and Suetonius-This expectation proves the clear-
ness of the recorded predictions respecting the Messiah

CHAP. II.

APPEARANCE OF THE MESSIAH.

The name of the Messiah-Precise period of his appearance

recorded John the Baptist-Message of Jesus Christ to

John-Public ministry of Jesus Christ-His conduct when

arraigned as a criminal-Reasons of appearing only to his

Disciples after his Resurrection-The Miracles of Jesus

Christ-Character of Jesus Christ

CHAP. III.

TESTIMONY OF THE APOSTLES TO THE MESSIAH.

They have

Consistency and candour of the Apostles
drawn a perfect character-The testimony they bore-They

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The testimony of the first Christians of the same kind as that

of the Apostles-They possessed miraculous gifts-The

Scriptures of the New Testament received by them--The

persecutions they suffered Persecutions of the Church at

Smyrna, and of the Churches at Lyons and Vienne-Value

of the Testimony of the First Christians

THE TESTIMONY OF THE APOSTLES AND FIRST CHRIS-

TIANS IS NOT OPPOSED BY ANY CONTRADICTORY TES-

TIMONY.

The Four Gospels acknowledged to be authentic by Friends

and Foes-Mr Hume's reference to Alexander the impos

tor-Situation in which the Jewish Rulers were placed by

the testimony of the Apostles-Credit of distinguished cha-

racters and of the Roman Government deeply implicated

The facts testified by the Apostles and first Christians were

never contradicted

CHAP. VI. di lod afde jove

TESTIMONY TO THE FACTS OF THE GOSPEL HISTORY,

FROM THE ADMISSIONS OF THOSE WHO PROFESSEDLY

OPPOSED OR WROTE AGAINST CHRISTIANITY.

Admissions of Trypho, a Jew-Testimony of Lucian-Ad-

missions of Celsus, Porphyry, Hierocles, and Julian-Differ-

ence between the opposition of the ancient and the modern

infidels - The divinity of Jesus Christ a stumblingblock to the

heathen opposers

TESTIMONY TO FACTS RECORDED IN THE GOSPEL HIS-

TORY, AND TO THE PROGRESS OF THE GOSPEL, BY

JEWISH AND HEATHEN HISTORIANS, AND BY THE

PUBLIC EDICTS OF THE ROMAN GOVERNMENT.

Testimony of Josephus to John the Baptist-Facts noticed

in the apologies of Justin Martyr and Tertullian-Testi-

mony of Tacitus and Suetonius respecting the Christians

Ample admission by Gibbon of the value of their testimony

Domitian's enquiry after the posterity of David-Pliny's

letter to Trajan, and the Emperor's rescript-Apologies pre-

sented to Adrian and rescript-Letter of Adrian to Ser-

vianus-Apology of Justin Martyr presented to Titus An-

toninus-Extract from the Meditations of Marcus Anto-

ninus

103

CHAP. VIII.

FACTS RECORDED IN THE EARLIER PARTS OF THE SCRIP-

TURE HISTORY, CANNOT BE DISPROVED, AND ARE

CORROBORATED BY TRADITION.

-The

The age of the world, the varieties of the human species,

and the original circumstances of mankind, are urged against

the veracity of the Books of Moses-Cuvier's Theory of the

Earth-Age of the world-Relative position of the sun to

the earth at the creation-Unity of the human race-'

savage state not the original condition of man; Kaimes's

Sketches and Doeg's Letters-No tradition contradictory to

the Scriptures Various confirmations of their truth—The

truth
ruth of the Scriptures corroborated by histories and tradi-

tions from all parts of the world

7 CHAP. IX.

TESTIMONY To the messiaAH FROM THE SUCCESS

OF THE GOSPEL.

The time of the appearance of Christianity-Polytheism long
established-Opposition by heathens-Opposition by Jews-

120

The instruments and means employed for the propagation of

the Gospel-Extent of the triumph of Christianity-Causes

of this assigned by Gibbon-Reflections on the success of the

TESTIMONY TO THE TRUTH OF THE CHRISTIAN RELI-

GION FROM THE OPPOSITION IT HAS ENCOUNTERED.

Opposition which the Gospel has in every age encountered-

Character of that opposition in ancient and modern times→

Enmity of Tacitus and Suetonius, of Gibbon and Hume, and

other infidel writers-Causes of this enmity-Testimony to

the truth of the Gospel arising from this opposition

CHAP. XI.

TESTIMONY TO THE MESSIAH FROM THE PROPHECIES

THAT ARE AT PRESENT FULFILLING IN THE WORLD.

Noah's prophecy

Ishmael Nineveh-

Babylon - Tyre—

Egypt-The Jews—Julian's attempt to rebuild the Temple

-Predicted restoration of the Jews-General state of the

world till the consummation of all things

CHAP. XII.

EVIDENCE DERIVED FROM CHRONOLOGICAL HARMONIES,

AND REMARKABLE COINCIDENCES FOUND IN SCRIP

TURE.

Various examples of these harmonies and coincidences from

both the Old Testament and the New

The perfections of God-Ruined condition of man-Perfect

obedience required by the law-The justice and mercy of

God-Righteousness provided by God-Coming of the
Redeemer The Holy Spirit - Renewal of the image of
God-Covenants established by God-The Person of the
Messiah-Election of the people of God; Jacob and Esau
-Union with Jesus Christ-Appointment of the Redeemer
-Jesus Christ made to his people Wisdom-Righteousness
-Sanctification - Redemption Nature and duration of
heavenly glory-Jesus Christ a Prophet, a Priest, and a
King-Suitableness of the Gospel to the ruined state of man
-Necessity and source of Holiness-All good works proceed
from faith-No discrepancy in the doctrines of the apostles
Paul and James-Justification and sanctification inseparable
-Judgment of the last day-Salvation altogether of grace
Power of divine grace exemplified in the conversion of a

French pastor

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279

CHAP. XIV.

THE VARIOUS EFFECTS PRODUCED BY THE GOSPEL.

} ། ༄་། །

Some persons pervert some abuse-some neglect-some op-

pose others receive the Gospel

CHAP. XV.

372

THE STATE OF THE HEATHEN WORLD DESTITUTE OF

THE GOSPEL.