Necessity and advantages of re-examining the

subject pages 9, 10. Present imperfect. state of Scripture Criticism, strongly stated, by Bishop Newton

11

The Study of the Gospels as Histories, and particularly as Histories of the Controversy concerning the true nature of the Messiah's Character, neglected

11, 12.

13.

The coming of Christ the subject of Prophecy from the earliest Ages Prophecy of Daniel concerning the coming of the Messiah 13, 14. Excellent remarks, by Mr. Richards, on Moses's prediction concerning the coming of the Messiah. Note

14, 15. The language of our Lord, that the Kingdom of Heaven was at hand, founded on the Prophecy of Daniel

15, 16. 16.

ibid.

The attention this language excited This language scrupulously adhered to, throughout the Ministry of Jesus The expectation of the coming of the Messiah, very general, when Jesus appeared-proved by Dr. Sykes-Bishop Chandler-Dr. White, and Mr. Richards-and among Antient Writers, by Josephus-Tacitus, and Suetonius. Acknowledged, likewise, by the Atheistical Volney 17--20, Nature of the expectations of the Jews concerning the coming of the Messiah, different from his real Character-proved by Dr. White and Dr. Lardner

22 to 25.

The manner in which Jesus conducted himself to give the Jews just ideas of the nature of his Character

25 to 28.

Importance

Importance of considering the Gospels as Histories
of these facts
pages 25 to 28.
The Beatitudes intended to correct the prejudices
of the Jews concerning the nature of the Mes-
siah's Character-addressed to the Jews at
large

View of the Beatitudes

29. 30 to 34.

34 to 38.

The expressions the Salt of the Earth and the
Light of the World applied to the Jews, at large
-not excusively to the Disciples. Dr. Camp-
bell's judicious remarks on it
The importance of the situation of the Jews as a
Nation strikingly displayed by Dr. John Leland
and Dr. Ellis, in his knowledge of divine things
from Revelation-not from Reason and na-
ture
34, &c.
Christianity designed to purify the Morality of the
Jewish Nation
39, 40.
Excellence of the Gospel Morality stated by Mr.
Graves, in his vindication of Christ and his
Apostles from the charge of Enthusiasm
Beatitudes applicable to none, with so much pro-
priety, as to the Jews

40.

41.

43.

The Disciples invested with a Commission to an-
nounce the approach of the Messiah's King-
dom
The language of Jesus, upon that occasion con-
sidered a proof of the genuine authenticity
of the History
Firmness and Integrity of Jesus in representing
the great difficulties the Disciples were to meet
with in the execution of their Commission ibid.
John the Baptist's Message and our Lord's Answer
considered

43 to 53.

55 to 58.

Jesus's

Distinction between Primary and Secondary senses unwarrantable

page 117, &c. Mr. Kett the Advocate of a double meaning of this Prophecy.-Double meanings injurious to Chris

121, 122.

122.

tianity A remarkable quotation from Mr. Richards's Bampton Lectures, upon this subject Dr. Benson, the strenuous Advocate for the Unity of sense of Scripture-thinks the discourse concerning the destruction of Jerusalem ends with verse 35. His opinion erroneous 123, 124. Remarkable passage of Bishop Newton, upon the expression Of that day and hour-his inconsistency upon this head

125, 126.

Mr. Thomas's opinion, stated, and proved to be

erroneous

126, &c.

128, 129.

Mr. King's opinion, in his Morsels of Criticism, stated and considered Collateral evidence of the true meaning of the xxivth of Matthew, and particularly of the expression Of that day and hour, &c. drawn from our Lord's Answer to the Question of the Pharisees-When the Kingdom of God should

come?

131.

The Question of the Pharisees relates to the same subject with those of the Disciples, in Matthew xxiv. and the parallel chapters 132, 133. Comparison of Matthew xxiv. and Luke xvii. with Observations upon

it.

133 to 139.

New interpretations of Matthew xxv. proposed for Consideration

140, &c. The Tryal of Jesus considered, with reference to his coming in Clouds-meaning of that expression fully ascertained

146, &c.

Mr.

Mr. Mede acknowledges that his Interpretation of the phrase, coming in the clouds of Heaven, is attended with a difficulty he cannot get over. :. Note page 150. The present Bishop of London interprets the phrase of the destruction of Jerusalem. 151. The Resurrection of Jesus revives the hopes, in the minds of his Disciples, of his erecting a temporal Kingdom Jesus's Answer to their Question, considered.The Bishop of Landaff and Mr. Thomas appear to have mistaken its meaning

153.

154, 155. Change of language of the Disciples, after Jesus had ascended into Heaven

cerned

155.

Remarks upon the evidences of the Resurrection, and upon the peculiarity of the situation of the Disciples upon the removal of Jesus, and of the extreme improbability of their succeeding, if his Religion had been an Imposture 156 to 162. Quotations from Dr. Beattie and Mr. Maltby upon this subject 160, &c. Summary of the Scripture Doctrine of the coming of Christ, so far as Christ himself was con162, &c. Mr. Henry Taylor's remarkable statement concerning the Controversy between Mr. Gibbon and his Adversaries 165. Mr. Gibbon's Charge against the Apostles, as having predicted the Second coming of Christ in their own time, considered The Bishop of Landaff's Opinion, that their having taught such a Doctrine does not affect their Character, as the Apostles of Christ, stated and considered.

2

с

166

pages 167, 168.

The

The Writers, from whom it has been the Author's misfortune to differ, are many of them numbered among the Dead, and are therefore unable to defend themselves but there are Those still living whose Learning and Abilities are equally respectable, and who are equally competent to detect any Errors into which he may have inadvertently fallen. From them he neither asks, nor expects any other quarter than what a candid and ingenuous Opponent will always be ready to give: And he is confident they will not, unnecessarily, wound the feelings of one, who has been ardently solicitous to establish, on the most solid basis, the credit of the Christian Religion, from a firm conviction, if full justice is, done to it, that it is worthy of all Acceptation.

The Author begs leave to add, that his first object having been to endeavor to understand the New Testament himself; if he hath succeeded in obtaining a more accurate knowledge of it, than those who have gone before him; it is not owing to superior advantages of situation; still less, to superior learning and abilities. Indeed he cannot help considering it as one considerable argument in favor of Christianity, that it requires, not so much, a superior depth of learning, as an attentive perusal of it as an History, and particularly, as an History of the great Controversy between Jesus

and