a shaken leaf should chase them."* The same things are continually predicted through all the following prophets: "That God would disperse them through the countries of the heathen; that he would sift them among all nations, like as corn is sifted in a sieve ; that in all the kingdoms of the earth, whither they should be driven, they should be a reproach, and a proverb, a taunt, and a curse, and an astonishment, and a hissing; and that they should abide many days without a king, and without a prince, and without a sacrifice, and without an image, and without an ephod, and without teraphim."+

Had any thing like this, in the time of Moses or of the prophets, ever happened to any nation, in the world? Or

*Deut. xxviii. 25; Lev. xxvi. 33; Deut. iv. 27; Deut. xxviii. 64; Deut. xxviii. 37; Deut, xxviii. 65; Lev. xxxi. ვ6.

+ Ezek. xx. 13; xi. 15; Amos, ix. 9; Jer. xxiv. 9; xxix, 18; Hofea, iii. 4.

was there in nature any probability that any such thing should ever happen to any people? That when they were conquered by their enemies, and led into captivity, they should neither continue in the place of their captivity, nor be swallowed up and lost among their conquerors, but be scattered among all the nations of the world, and hated and persecuted by all nations for many ages, and yet continue a distinct people? Or could any description of the Jews, written at this day, be a more exact and lively picture of the state they have now been in for many ages, than these prophetic descriptions, especially that of Moses, given more than three thousand years ago.*

* Clarke's Evidences, p. 176, 277.

PROPOSITION V.

The character of Christ, as represented in the gospels, affords very strong ground for believing that he was a divine person.

WHOEVER considers with

attention the character of our blessed Lord, as it may be collected from the various incidents and actions of his life, (for there are no labored descriptions of it, no encomiums upon it, by his own disciples) will soon discover that it was, in every respect, the most perfect that ever was made known to mankind. If we only say of him what even Pilate said of him, and what his bitterest enemies cannot and do not deny, that we can find no fault in him, and that the whole tenor of his life was entirely blameless throughout, this is more than can be said

E

of any

other person that ever came into the world. But this is going a very little way indeed in the excellence of his character. He was not only free from every failing, but possessed and practised every imaginable virtue. Towards his heavenly Father he expressed the most ardent love, the most fervent yet rational devotion, and displayed in his whole conduct the most absolute resignation to his will, and obedience to his commands. His manners were gentle, mild, condescending, and gracious: His heart overflowed with kindness, compassion, and tenderness to the whole human race. The great employment of his life was to do good to the bodies and souls of men. In this all his thoughts and all his time were constantly and almost incessantly occupied. He went about dispensing his blessings to all around him in a thousand different ways; healing diseases, relieving

infirmities, correcting errors, removing prejudices, promoting piety, justice, charity, peace, harmony, among men, and crowding into the narrow compass of his ministry more acts of mercy and compassion than the longest life of the most benevolent man upon earth ever yet produced. Over his own passions · he had obtained the most complete command; and though his patience was continually put to the severest tri. als, yet he was never once overcome, never once betrayed into any intemperance or excess in word or deed, "never once spake unadvisedly with his lips." He endured the cruellest insults from his enemies with the utmost composure, meekness, patience, and resignation; displayed the most astonishing fortitude under a most painful and ignominious death; and, to crown all, in the very midst of his torments on the cross, implored forgiveness for his murderers, in