THE

LECTURE X.

PAGE 392--427.—NOTES, 428--432.

GOVERNMENT

OF THE JEWS

INCLUDING THE

THEOCRACY AND MONARCHY, ΤΟ THE BUILDING OF

SOLOMON'S TEMPLE: WITH A CONFIRMATION OF SOME

SUBORDINATE FACTS.

1. SAM. VIII. 6--10, & 19, 20. ACTS VII. 44-48. Heb. XI. 32--34.

Revelation to be examined with reverence, with caution, and with can-

dour-Retrospection-The subject stated-An enquiry into the rise

of government-The parental and the patriarchal-Nimrod--

Origin of monarchy-Selection of Israel-Theocracy-derivation of

the term-Threefold relation of God to the Hebrews-Distinction of

the terms, statutes, commandments, judgments, and testimonies-

Scripture epithets expressive of God's choice of the Jews-Ap-

pointment of their rulers-Samuel and his sons-Expiration of the

Theocracy; and in what sense?-Monarchy of the Jews-The change

of government displeasing to God—and why ?-Saul anointed-his

alienation from God-David brought to court-his friendship with

Jonathan-Saul and his sons slain-David's lamentation-His suc-

cession, his character, and his trials-His design to build a tempie

-The monarchy traced to its close-absorbed in the spiritual

reign of Jesus-Solomon's temple-Evidences respecting it-God's

presence unconfined-Subordinate Scripture facts confirmed-

Gideon's actions by Sanchoniathon-Jepthae's vow, by the story

of Iphigenia-Sampson's foxes, in Ovid's Roman feasts-Delilah's

treachery, in the story of the daughter of Nisus-The strength

and valour of Sampson, in the labours of Hercules-The victory

of David over the Syrians, by Nicholaus Damascenus-The taking

of Jerusalem, and the destruction of Senacharib's army, by Hero-

dotus-The translation of Elijah, in the story of Phaeton-Jonah's

preservation by the whale, is related of Hercules by Lycophron,

and by Eneus Gazeus-The dearth in the days of Ahab, by

Menander-and the fire from Heaven which consumed Elijah's sa-

crifice, by Cyprian, and by Julian--Conclusion--Christ compared

with Solomon.

LECTURE XI.

PAGE 433--470.-NOTES, 471--476.

THE CAPTIVITIES OF ISRAEL AND OF JUDAH.

2. KINGS XVII. 1-6. 2. CHRON. XXXVI. 14-21.-The history
of empires is the record of the human heart-The Bible makes us
acquainted with MEN-Cautions arising from Solomon's fall--Suc-
cession of Rehoboam, and division of the kingdom-The captivity of
Israel, when? and by whom?-Samaritans-Cause of the captivity
-Menander's testimony-Man's abuses of power-Contrasted with
the benevolence of the Deity-Loss of the ten tribes-Inferences→→
The Messiah was the great object of the Old Testament dispensation
-The very existence of the Jews depended upon their connection

with the Saviour-The captivity of Judah, when? and by whom?
Intermediate events-The reading of the roll-Nebuchadnezzar's
first vision explained by Daniel-Total ruin of Jerusalem-Descrip
tion of Babylon-It's walls-The bridge and banks of the river—
Canals-Palace, hanging gardens, and temple-Nebuchadnezzar's
pride and fall; related in his decree-Obscurely hinted in Abydenus
Confirmed by Herodotus-Asserted by Josephus-Gathered from
Ptolemy's Canon-His reign and works mentioned by Berosus, Mer
gasthenes, Diocles, and Philostratus--Evil Merodach, succeeds him
Then Neriglasser-Then Belshazzar-Babylon taken by Cyrus→→→

The Jews restored-Improvement-The facility with which God can

punish nations-Elevation sometimes bestowed upon the worst of

characters-The power of the wicked limited-War a dreadful curse

-Let us seek a better world!

LECTURE XII.

PAGE 477--515.—ÑOTES, 516--522.

THE LIFE, DEATH, RESURRECTION, AND ASCENSION OF JESUS

CHRIST, PROVED AS MATTERS OF FACT.

LUKE II. 1-7. 1. COR. xv. 3-8. 2. PET. I. 16.--Sublimity

allied to terror-God alike great in every point of view-The former

dispensation has yielded to one more simple and more spiritual-

The obscurity of antiquity left behind--The subject stated-It relates

to facts transpiring in the zenith of the glory of Rome-Expectations

of the world at this period-Extract from Virgil's Pollio-compared

with Isaiah's predictions-Tranquillity of all nations-The decree of

Augustus-Conjectures respecting this tax, and it's extent-Inns of

the East-Poverty of the Saviour's birth-It is announced to the

shepherds Journey of the Magi-who they were the star which

conducted them-their country-Testimonies of Pliny and Chal-

cidius to this circumstance-Cruelty of Herod-Evidence that Christ

had been in Egypt-Testimony of Josephus respecting him—Julian,

Porphyry, and Celsus allow his works-His death--Acts of Pilate

-asserted by Justin Martyr and Tertullian-Manner of it mentioned

by Tacitus and by Lucian-Miracles attending his death-Darkness

supernatural-Testimony of Phlegon-of Suidas-aud the remark

of Dionysius the Areopagite-Burial of the Saviour-Evidences of

the resurrection-Plea of the guards answered in seven different

ways-Ascension-Testimony of Pliny to the early worship of

Christ-General evidences of Quadratus-Tertullian, and Arnobius

-Improvement-Revelation resembles the guiding Star-in it's

nature-in it's source-in it's object--and in it's issue.

LECTURE XIII,

PAGE 523--562.-NOTES, 563, 564.

THE CHARACTER OF THE WRITERS OF THE OLD AND NEW

TESTAMENTS.

1. JOHN I. 1--3. HEB. XI. 36-38.-Sensations excited in heaven
and upon earth, by the Ascension-The subject stated-The books

of the Old and New Testaments were really written by those whose
names they bear, proved by the testimony of their countrymen, and
the consent of all nations--They were for the most part eye-wit-
nesses of the facts which they recorded-What they did not see
they derived from the most certain evidences-Their integrity-
Their impartiality--Their candour-Their wisdom-Their holiness
Their lives contrasted with those of their opponents-Their mo-
tives disinterested-proved by their actions-and by their preach-
ing Their testimony respecting themselves-They believed what
they taught-proved by their sufferings-They were guided by that
which they preached-proved by the correspondence of their lives-
They could not be deceived in the facts which they relate―They
would not deceive-proved from their acknowledged characters-and
from their criminality, supposing it possible-Their views stated, and
their prejudices-Their appeals considered-The concession of their
enemies-Improvement-The allowances to be made in reading the
scriptures and the spirit in which they should be consulted.

LECTURE XIV.

PAGE 565--593.-NOTE, 594.

THE UNSEARCHABLE GOD: OR, AN ATTEMPT TO PROVE AN
ANALOGY BETWEEN THE RELIGION OF NATURE AND THAT OF
THE BIBLE, BY SHEWING THAT THE SAME OBSCURITY WHICH
OVERSHADOWS REVELATION, EQUALLY OVERSPREADS NATURE

AND PROVIDENCE.

JOB. XXXVI. 14.-Man, a needy dependent creature-in his in-
fancy-his childhood-his youth-his manhood-his death-Reve-
lation meets him on the terms of his nature-Magnitude, beauty,
and wisdom, comparative terms-Limitation of human powers-
Created minds swallowed up in the Deity-The subject stated—
God unsearchable in the works of creation-Ignorance of man in
early ages-Progress of Philosophy-Our present ignorance of the
planetary system-Attempts to reach the poles frustrated-Our ig-
norance of the minutiae of nature, and of the structure of the human
frame-God unsearchable in providence-It's mysteries relative to
empires-The assistance of Revelation-It's perplexities relative to
individuals-Partial illumination from the Bible-Our ignorance of
the invisible worlds-These were once unknown altogether-Their
existence is now clearly proved in the Scriptures-Their nature in
general is ascertained-But few particulars respecting them have
transpired-God unsearchable in the word of Revelation-It's ge-
neral truths exhibited-It's promises-Concession respecting it's dif-.
ficulties: but in this very point consists it's analogy with nature and
providence-These all are but partial views of the Deity-The thunder
of his power is inconceivable-Illustrations-Conclusion.

Canst thou by searching find out God? Canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection? It is high as heaven, what canst thou do? deeper than hell, what canst thou know? The measure thereof is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea!

To enlarge the sphere of knowledge, and to increase the sum of happiness in the present world, is an object worthy the attention of every friend of human nature; and the effort, even should it fail, deserves the approbation and the applause of wise and good men but to provide consolation against the severest moments of trial, to disperse the cloud which hangs over "the valley of the shadow of death," and to conduct the immortal spirit safe to the throne

B

of the invisible God, is a purpose far more sublime, and an exertion of still greater utility. To shed lustre over a few years, or to live in remembrance a century or two, and then to be forgotten, is comparatively of small importance: yet for this the scholar labours, and the hero endures hardship-this is the summit of human ambition, and the boundary of it's most sanguine expectations. To shine on the roll of science, to pluck honours which fade like the flower of the field while you gather them, or to sparkle among the favourites of fortune, is of little avail to man who must soon resign to the merciless grasp of death even the sceptre of the world, were it committed to his possession. Yet these things are sought amid repeated disappointments; and the golden bait is received with increased avidity, although barbed with anguish and sorrow. But who regards the silent finger of religion pointing to an inheritance above the stars, promising splendours which shall never expire, and waiting to crown the man, who obeys her gracious admonitions, with honour, glory, and immortality?

When I remember the occasion on which I stand before this large assembly, and the awful engagement which at the solicitation of many among you, I have undertaken-I shrink from my subject, and enter upon the discussion of it