have been made from the doctrines which had been originally and uniformly delivered without affording an immediate and full opportunity of detection. Every Jew and every Christian could determine whether what he read in the writings did or did not correspond with the things which he had heard from the preaching of the Apostles. The very time and manner of the publication of the Gospels are, therefore, sufficient to persuade us that they contain a faithful outline of those actions and doctrines which were universally, and from the first, delivered to mankind as the doctrines and

actions of Jesus Christ. There may be circumstantial variations, but they must have been substantially the same.

"Now the whole of this advantage would, in a great measure, have been lost to the world, had there existed, from the earliest period of the preaching of the Apostles, one single document to which they had all referred as the authentic record of the life of Christ, and the only authoritative repository of his doctrines. In that case we should have lost the evidence which is now afforded by the uniformity of the creeds of different Churches, and the writings of different individuals. It would have been insinuated that the scheme of Christianity had been deliberately planned and steadily executed, and the original record would have been regarded as the product of art and imposture, adapting their means to a premeditated and preconceived end. But what says St. Paul? Though I, or an angel from heaven, preach any other Gospel unto you than that which I have preached unto you, let him be accursed.' Of all the testimonies which man can give of his sincerity and confidence in the truth of what he teaches, this is the strongest and most unequivocal; and it is the very language held out to us by the history of the successive composition of the books of the New Testament, at periods considerably subsequent to the death of Christ. Whilst we acknowledge, therefore, the difficulties arising from this fact, and perceive the additional complexity which it introduces into the details of the evidences of Christianity, let us, at the same time, be thankful for the additional strength which it gives to the fabric, and the broad and marked line of distinction which it draws between the presumptuous impos

ture of the deceiver of Arabia and the holy religion of the anointed Jesus."P. 151..

The words and works of Christ demonstrate him to have been a

prophet, but it remains to be proved, that he was that Prophet, who is described and represented in the prophetic writings of the Jews. To these writings our Lord and his Apostles appealed with confidence, and without scruple or reserve. The characters of these prophecies are: 1. That they are numerous and various; 2. That they appear to be inconsistent and incapable of fulfilment in one person; 3. That the character predicted is gradually sketched out; and, lastly, that the whole is visibly represented and fulfilled, in the person and history of Jesus Christ:

"Seeing, then, that the prophecies concerning the Messiah were in number so multiplied, in their promulgation so gradual, in their nature so varied and minute, and combining into the delineation of one single character circumstances so distinct and almost opposite to each other, we undeniably conclude that he who fairly and fully accomplished them all was, doubtless, that particular personage whom they were intended to prefigure and represent. Such a man was Jesus of Nazareth, that man of wonders whom we have already beheld as a man approved of God. He was born of a virgin; born in Bethlehem; born at the appointed time, when all men were looking for the consolation of Israel. His messenger went before him; and he came suddenly to his temple in the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and of might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord. He lived, he died, he was buried, he rose again, and ascended up on high, according to the Scriptures. As his miracles and doctrines prove him to be a prophet, so from the Scriptures, therefore, he may be shown to be the prophet Christ. 'The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy;' and here, at length, we may close the direct and positive evidences of Christianity with satisfaction to our minds." P. 172.

At the conclusion of this part of the evidence, it is proper to notice certain objections. It is alleged, that miracles do not of themselves prove the veracity or authority of him that performs them; but however under certain circumstances the objection may be true, it is not

with the power of deciding with impartiality upon the evidences of revelation, or by teaching us most sincerely to obey, or to intend, at least, that we may obey the will, that we may the more readily

receive the word of God."

This doctrine should operate in exciting the Christian believer to an energetic improvement of spiritual gifts, to practical obedience, and frequency and fervency of prayer.

The hortatory character of the thirteenth Discourse, appropriately connects the argument upon the Evidences of Divine Revelation, with the seven practical Discourses which conclude the volume, and of which

Discourse XIV. relates to the work of Salvation, the manner and the reason of that work.

Discourse xv. treats of the positive and negative Duties of Morality:

"The necessity of ceasing to do evil, in

order that we may learn to do well; the influence which ceasing to do evil has in the preparation and encouragement of the mind to do well; and the absolute and unalterable necessity of both, in order to secure the end of hope, the salvation of our souls."

Discourse XVI. explains the Duties of the Sabbath.

In Discourses XVII. XVIII. the former and the latter parts of the Lord's Prayer are illustrated.

Discourse XIX. is an exposition of the language of the Parables of the Wedding Supper and the Wedding Garment.

Discourse xx. describes the probable circumstances, extensive inquiry, and final sentence of the Day of Judgment.

It cannot be denied, that the subjects of these practical Discourses are of high importance, and that in their style and manner, they are distinguished by peculiar force and earnestness; but it cannot be said, that they treat "of the more difficult texts or obscure facts of the Holy Scripture ;" of passages "generally useful and necessary to be

explained, and admitting of com-
ment and explanation, without pre-
suming to pry too far into the pro-
found secrets and awful mysteries
of the Almighty." They do not
correspond with this description of
the founder's will, nor can they be
conceived to form any proper part
of the Hulsean Lectures. It is no
excuse that they were preached dur-
ing the vacation, to the ordinary pa-
rishioners of St. Mary's, for they
bear the ostensible form, not of pa-
rochial, but of academical Lectures.
A similar objection may be made to
some of the moral observations,
which are annexed to the argument
on the Evidences of Christianity,
which however just in themselves,
and to a certain extent authorized
and required by the will of Mr.
Hulse, must have diverted the mind
of the hearer from the principal and
proper subject of discourse, and
will not satisfy the reader, who opens
the volume with the intention of
examining the proofs of the Chris-
tian Revelation. Such are the re-
marks on the neglect of theological
studies in the University of Cam-
bridge, remarks, seasonable, just,
and forcible, but not necessarily
connected with the office of the
Hulsean Lecturer. The Discourses
are not printed in the order in which
they were delivered, but, in the new
arrangement, sufficient attention has
not been paid to revision and com-
pression.

The first course of Hulsean Lectures leaves a strong impression on the mind, that the number of the Discourses should be reduced, and that the Lecturer should not be reeligible. He would then choose a large but limited view of the subject, to the discussion of which he would bring the whole force of his understanding and acquirements; and the reader and the hearer, who shall pay the requisite attention to one, or more than one course of Lectures, would have no occasion to complain, that any part of the argument was either attenuated or

reserved, but would receive new conviction, that in whatever point of view the Christian evidence is placed, it is supported by arguments which cannot be resisted, and

leads to virtues which cannot be condemned, and that the wisdom of Christian faith is only equalled by the loveliness of Christian practice.

MONTHLY REGISTER.

ANNIVERSARIES, 1822.

Sons of the Clergy. THE REHEARSAL of the music to be performed at the Anniversary Meet ing of this Society will be in the Cathedral Church of St. Paul, on Tuesday, the 21st, and the ANNIVERSARY on Thursday, the 23d, of May; when a Sermon will be preached before His Royal Highness the Prince of Saxe Coburg, their Graces the Lords Archbishops of Canterbury and York, and their Lordships the Bishops, the Right Hon. the Lord Mayor, Sheriffs, Aldermen, Clergy, &c. by the Venerable CHARLES JAMES BLOMFIELD, D.D. Archdeacon of Colchester.

The doors of the Cathedral will be opened on the Tuesday at eleven o'clock, and on the Thursday at half past ten.

The Dinner will be at Merchant Taylors' Hall, on Thursday at five o'clock.

National Society,

The Anniversary Meeting of the Society of Treasurers and Secretaries to the Diocesan and District Societies and Schools in union with the National Society, will meet for

ECCLESIASTICAL PREFERMENTS.
Brereton, Henry, to the rectory of Ha
slebury.
Collinson, Robert, M.A. to the living of
Holme Cultram, Cumberland; patrons,
THE UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD.
Croft, James, M.A. to a prebendal stall
at Canterbury; patron, THE ARCH-

Glubb, J. M. to the perpetual curacy of

BISHOP.

Comins, J. to the vicarage of Hockwor-
thy, Devon.

Ellis, Franeis, M.A. to the vicarage of
Long Compton, Warwickshire ; patrons,
THE PROVOST AND FELLOWS OF ETON
COLLEGE.

REMEMBRANCER, No. 41.

St. Petrox, Devon." Gorton, Wm. licensed by the Right Rev. the Lord Bishop of Bristol, to the curacy of Radipole, on the nomination of the rev. Dr. Wyndham.

Heber, Reginald, M.A. to the preacher-
ship of Lincoln's Inn.

Hooper, Thomas, M.A. to the rectory of
Yatton Keynell.

Howman, George Ernest, M.A. late of

Baliol college, Oxford, to the vicarage of Sonning, Berks; patron, THB VERY REV. DEAN OF SALISBURY,

S $