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15 Jux^ft^xJi-
CAUSE AND CURE
0?
INFIDELITY :
INCLUDING A NOTICE OF
THE AUTHOR'S UNBELIEF, AND THE MEANS
OF HIS RESCUE.
BY REV. DAVID NELSON.
PUBLISHED B7 TH£
AMERICAN TRACT SOCIETY,
150 NASSAU-STREET, NEW-YORK.' D. Fuitbnw, Printer.
THE NEW YORK
PUBUC UBRARY
« *\
ASTOd, LENOX *t^0
TILDEN FOUNDATIONS.
R 1910 t
Entered, accordnig to Act of Congress, in the year IS41, \rf DAvd Nelsow, in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the Saitheri, District of New- York.
I
The President of Centre College, Kentucky, has well said in reference to this work, that " after all the learned, eloquent, and argumentative treatises which have been published, on different branches of the Christian Eviden- ces, something was still needed — something adapted to the peculiar tastes and condition of our community," (especially to many vigourous minds of the West, where the author's life has been chiefly spent) " to excite curi- osity, awaken attention, and stimulate inquiry — something which should bring down abstruse argument to the appre- hension of men in general ; and present striking facts to arrest the attention of the indifferent and the sceptical. Facts drawn from history, science and observation, are here placed in a strong and often startling light, and there is an earnestness — a personality — a warm life's blood of reality running through the whole, which gives to the written argument much of the interest and power of aa oral address."
CONTENTS.
Cbap. Pago.
1 Caitse of Infi€lcliit/, .... 13
2 Man a fallen being — hatred of God — examples —
loving darkness, ...... 14
3 A trifling falsehood influences human belief
against the Bible, more than gigantic truth in favor of it — Etna and Vesuvius — Strata of lava — Chinese records of antiquity, .... 18 41 Facts, such as unbelievers do not learn, ... 24 S Men receive truth slowly, but error promptly — con- versation with a statesman, .... 26
C '^ Scoffers shall come," .28
•y Scoflfers are unacquainted with the facts of tlie Bible — predictions in the epistles to the seven
churches in Asia, 31
S The subject continued — Conversation with a sena- tor— predictions of Babylon, . , , .35 O The subject continued — Tyre, .... 42
10 The subject continued — Damascus — important in-
quiries— the ploughman, ..... 44
11 The great and the learned do not acquaint them-
selves with Bible facts — prophecies of Egypt, . 49
12 The subject continued — prediction of the destruc-
tion of Jerusalem, . .... .52
1 3 Scoffers of the last days are wilfully ignorant of
Bible language — an aged Kentuckian, . . 60
14 The subject continued — rprediction of Nineveh, . 62
15 The subject continued — the volcano, . . .64
16 The subject continued — ^the lodge, .... 65
17 Men have loved darkness rather than light — eo)i-
versation between a member of congress and a physician, 67
18 The subject continued — the resurrection, . . 70
19 The subject continued — testimony of Pagan
writers, 7^
6 CONTENTS.
Chap. Page.
20 Inconsistency of unbelievers — testimony overlook-
ed—" Acts of Pilate/' 80
21 Unceasing cause of Infidelity in its various forms —
testimony of Celsus, 82
22 The subject continued, 86
23 Inconsistency and credulity of the rejecters of the
Gospel — the aged school teacher — Pagan tes- timony to the character and number of the early christians — their patience under suffering — were they either deceived, or deceivers ? • . .88
24 Men who cast away the Bible are credulous in the
extreme — the skeptical moralist — influence of Christianity upon morals, 98
25 Men adopt false opinions without inquiry — a citizen
of New-York, . 104
26 Cttre of InfideliiUf 106
27 A remedy proposed — honest and thorough investi-
gation, 108
28 An example — a young man in Kentucky, . .110
29 A second example — a gentleman of the bar, . .116
30 Aversion to commentaries — we may avail ourselves
of the facts they record — predictions of Rome, . 119
31 Case of an infidel who began to read — a merchant
of Tennessee, -*; 131
32 Use of commentaries — prophecy of the locusts, . 136
33 Value of historical knowledge — a merchant of Ken-
tucky— the image in Nebuchadnezzar's dream —
a history of the world, 138
34 The subject continued — the stone cut out without
hands, 147
35 An example — an educated young gentleman, . .153
36 Works on the Evidences of Christianity recommended, 155
37 Testimony resisted — concluding remarks on the re-
medy proposed — a wealthy agriculturist of the West, 159
38 A further remedy — the all-powerful— evidence of
experience, . 164
171 173 176 179 186
CONTENT?. 7
Chap. Page.
39 Illustrations — a man of middle age, . . . .167 410 Illustrations — a professor of religion, , . ■
41 Illustrations — Family worship,
42 Illustrations — Divine influence — power of prayer,
43 This remedy denied to none,
44 Atheism,
45 The subject continued — the doctrine of chance —
the atmosphere — eflfects of electricity — heat and cold — evaporation — density of the soil, water, air, &c. — iron — proofs of desi^— the Andes — itie Nile — Greenland^-the Solar System — the ^Nloon — Questions — Inquiries answered — farewell , ,188
46 The ^luthor^s Unbelief, and the
means of his rescue — mode of descent . 220
47 False statements — glass, 223
48 False statements — eunuchs, 22o
49 The subject continued, .,,,,, 228
50 The subject continued, « . * * , .231
51 Sneers of infidels, , - « « . . . . 233 $2 Examples of apparent truth but actual falsehood in
infidels — Yolney's Ruins, . . . • " . . 237
53 Further examples — claims of various religion?, , 244
54 The subject continued — counterfeits, . • . . 249
55 Further discoveries — A New Engiinder in Illinois —
a few signs in religion, •'•^ . ' k •■ . . . 253
56 Further inquiry — the Age of Reason — Scott's com-
- mentarj^ — further investigation, . ■.•■.•. 257
57 The influence df religious belief at the time of
death — observations on mah's departure, ■ .• . 264
58 The dying compared with those who but think them-
selves dying, '."'.: . . .• . . 270
59 The subject continued — a revolutionary' officer, . 272
60 The subject continued — dying fancies, . . . 275
61 Disposition of unbelievers to credit accusations
against christians — prejudices against the Jews — character of the Mosaic Law, .... 277
8 CONTENTS.
Chap. T*g6.
6S Influence of an early acquaintance "with the Bible — ■what induced the people to receive the law of Moses — fidelity and humility of the writers, . 289
63 Commemorative institutions — Fourth of July, . 300
64 Evidence of prophecy — fifty-third of Isaiah, . . 304
65 Evidence of prophecy — Daniel's seventy weeks, . 309
66 Evidence of prophecy — Daniel's four beasts — an
outline of history, 316
67 Prevalent ignorance of the Bible — examples — ^pre-
dictions of Egypt and Syria, . . . . 335
68 The last resort — appeal to -reason — the goodness of
Grod— doctrines inquired after, . . » . 342
69 The last resort — testimony of enemies, . . . 347 to Concluding summary, • 349
at
PREFACE.
The following work is not a compilation of the Evi- dences of Christianity. It was written with the hope of excitii^ tlxjse who need such research, to read many Authors on that subject. A book which does not con- tain a sumnaary of arguments against Infidelity, may provoke an appetite i<b read volumes where those argu- ments are found. The Evidences of Christianity are not fullv contained in any half-scere of volumes now existing.
The most of these who have writiec, have aimed at nothing more than an abridgement of this subject ; bo- ■cause of its unusual extent. We may present reasons for investigation, and we may persuade others to read, in a shorter space tlian that which is required to con- tain a full array of facts in support of revelation. The following pages were written with the design of urging the multitude to become informed concernino; the Book of Books, the Bible, The call for such an attempt, — the necessity for it at the present time, — w^e think fair \y inferible from the following facts,
1*
10 PREFACE.
FiKST FACT. — It is true, that in almost every con- gregation, there are some, more or less imbued with In- fidelity, who do not avow it. They are not confirmed skeptics ; but Satan's grand effort to prevent their commencing the work of repentance, or seeking the pardon of sin, is made by suggesting unbelieving doubts. The minister who has been long hoping and looking with unceasing anxiety for their conversion to God, never was thus harrassed himself, and does not dream of their real condition. Again there are count- less thousands of the youthful and the uninformed, who are thus kept inactive. Temptations of unbelief crip- ple or prevent their exertions. Books on this subject are found, for the most part, only in ministers' libra- ries, and they are scarce there ; and, moreover, those found there are not calculated, altogether, to fit the cases we are now noticing. Those authors aim at cavils the most plausible only, and strike at infidel objections most worthy of answer : whereas the youth thus in- jured, are very often influenced by arguments, puerile in the extreme, and so feeble, that the better informed would never believe they could be used.
Second fact. — The adversary of souls would not have young professors, and possessors, of religion, to grow in grace. To prevent it, he injects into their minds, cold, unbelieving cavils, which embarrass and retard their march. They read on the subject authors that are powerful and unanswerable in the truths they
PBEFACE. 11
present ; but they have no effect on the young inquirers, for they are not sufficiently simplified and extended They are invincible in the view of those who are fu- miliar with chronology and history ; but they suit the educated alone. It has been long true with the author of the following pages, that, after trying to speak on the subject, he has been addressed by young persons, who have told him that they rejoiced he had noticed a cer- tain infidel quibble ; that it had long harrassed them ; that they knew it was weak and puerile, but had still been annoyed without having lieard the proper answer given.
Third fact. — Infidelity is now growing and spread- in": to an extent the blindness of the Church does not suspect : pocket volumes of false statements ; infidel manuals ; painted perversions of history, &;c. are spreading profusely : whilst opposite publications are growing more rare.
There are many thousands more in our land, now growing up in the darkest unbelief, than is known or suspected by any, except those, who once themselves fought in that division of Satan's army.
Fourth fact. — Those who read on this subject in the Church, are few ; and christians are, to a great exl tent, but pciorly qualified to instruct, or to answer the objections of skeptics against their holy religion.
It has a bad influence on the youthful spectator who notices a leader in society, "a gray-headed professor/*
i^ PREFACE.
unable to answer the cavil of an uninformed mocker. It has a bad influence on a youthful inquirer, who ap- plies for assistance against some sophism of Infidelity, to one of God's people, and does not receive it.
And more. — ^Is not the age of Infidelity approach- ing, along with the time of terrible judgments ?
In a great part of Catholic Europe, are not lai^e masses of the population almost total atheists 7
In Great Britian, do not multitudes of the people openly renounce God's Holy Volume 1
Is not our own Nation walking down the same track ?
THE
CAUSE AND CURE OF INFIDELITY.
CHAPTER I.
Cause of Inndelity.
Infidelity is produced by two causes, acting con- jointly. The primary, or more remote cause, is man's depravity ; the second, or proximate cause, is man's want of knowledge. As it regards the 'first, or origi- nal cause, man^s wicked nature, we can readily see how it would bend his belief towards the side of falsehood. It must incline him to reject the sacred volume, which enjoins every thing that is righteous, self-denying, pure and holy. Again, we can easily understand how this first cause of unbelief, (man's sinfulness,) must tend toward the production of the second cause, his lack of information. It retards his labours in search- ing after truth ; it aids in continuing his want of knowledge; it prevents his activity in search after facts which sustain the truth. As it regards the se- condary, or proximate cause, want of knowledge ; it sounds strange to speak of the ignorance of the learned. This seeming contradiction will be fully explained after a time. For the present, we must begin with the origi- nal cause ; Man's depravity.
14< CAUSE AND CURE
CHAPTER II.
MAN A FALLEN BEING.
The Bible is not true, if man is not prone to evil The holy page has two modes of expression in holding up the fact of man's depravity. The first is his hatred towards God ; the second is his love for falsehood. Let us look at each of these assertions.
1. The carnal mind is enmity against God.
This seems to the unconverted man as though it must be false. He is not conscious of any enmity against God. He thinks, usually, that he loves his Creator. Of course, if we talk of his hatred, we can- not gain his assent. The reason it seems to him that he loves, where he really hates, is simply this, — he does not hate that which he calls God. He well approves the character which he himself has given to the Crea- tor; but this character always differs in one or more traits from that which is drawn of God in the Bible. It always resembles, more or less, the character of the individual who has drawn it. A part of the character accords with the sacred page ; but a portion of it, more or less, belongs to the man who draws it ; of course he does not hate it. This has been true in every age ; and is now a fact, wherever men are living.
Examples. — Could you have asked the ancient Scandinavian, as he stood before you, with a pui-se in one hand, and a spear in the other, — " Do you love God ?" he would have answered you in the affirmative. Then, had you enquired, — « Who is God ?" he Would
OF INFIDELITY. 15*
have replied, TJior — the God of battles and of plunder. The wprrior loved such a Deity, — a part of the charac- ter belonged to the barbarian. Omnipotence and other traits were correct, and were received from true tradi . tion ; but holiness and purity the man did not love, and therefore did not receive into his creed as belonging to heaven. Could you have asked the Greek, at Athens, two thousand years ago, if he loved God, he would have replied, Yes, " Who is God ?" Answer — Bacchus, Venus, or Mars. A Deity of wine, or revelry, or sen- suality, or war, he did not hate ; but if you had placed before him the full character of the God of the Bible, as the Apostles did, he would have turned away in anger. Go, now, and converse with the enfeebled Asiatic con- cerning his enmity to God, and he will look astonished at your assertion. He is willing to give up his life in the service of his God. But ask after this Deity, and he will name one of lust, cruelty, and pollution ; one re- sembling, to a great extent, the man who stands before you. If you claim his notice to the God who loves jus- tice and humility, purity and peace, he cannot bear to hear you. Just so it is in the land of Bibles and of light , so it is in England or America. Go to that Universalist, and ask him if he hates God. He is indignant at the question. He thinks he loves his kind Creator ardent- ly ; he thinks he never did hate God. And it is true that he does love a God whose character resembles that of the man before you, in some prominent traits. But place before him the God of the Bible, — one who will say. Depart, to the wicked ; one who will hot take pol- lution, and the rejecters of mercy into heaven ; one who will see the smoke of their torment ascend up for ever and ever : and the Universalist will tell you earnestly,
16 CAUSE AND CURB
he hates such a God as that. Just so it is with the Deist. He gives to God a character which he thinks rational ; he loves that character ; it resembles, in some main points, the man who frames it. He cannot think that the carnal mind is enmity against God ; for he esteems God a Being who has done, and will do, very much in accordance with a plan which he himself esteems rational and proper. It is true, we cannot ex- hibit the case of Deists, as to what they love or hate, as plainly as the case of others, because there is such an unending variety in their creed. Go to one hundred Deists, and you will rarely find tv.'O of them believing alike. They all agree in rejecting the Bible ; but on many very important considerations, — whether God will or will not punish the wicked, — whether the soul goes out, or certainly lives on after death, — whether the world is to meet ruin, or continue for ever, — if the wicked are to be chastised, what sins are most danger- ous, &;c. &c. &;c., — they have no sameness in their plans. Many Deists on questions of breathless interest, will refuse to give you any answer, they will tell you they do not know ; they have no belief on the point, however interesting. At other times, you will find them maintaining that man's reason was given him as a lamp to enlighten, and a^ a guide to direct him in these matters. But ask them what kind of conduct here will most add to, or diminish from, happiness hereafter ; or what kind of life we may certainly look for in the next existence, and no two of them will give you the same instructions as to these inquiries. The reason of a thousand of them seems to have led in different directions. That Christian denominations should dif- fer, appears to them exceedingly absurd and reproach-
OF INFIDELITY. 17
ful ; but that Reason, which they say God has given as our only teacher, should give either no opinion, or a very different opinion amongst their own number, does not call forth a bitter remark. If the Bible is disclaim- ed, thus far they all agree ; farther than this they do not ask after agreement, or regret it, should there be a thousand different creeds. A God according to the Bible, they do not love : one conformed to their own vag'ue ideas, they do not hate.
2. Marias Love of Falsehood.
" Men have loved darlaiess rather than light J'^ — In this assertion, light stands for truth ; and the word darkness means falsehood. It does not seem to any one that he prefers falsehood to truth. The most prejudiced man thinks himself impartial. It is so on any subject. The most vehement politician thinks himself unbiassed in his judgment ; the most deadly enemy, in speaking of the one he hates, will tell you that his views are not the offspring of passion ; yet he certainly would believe evil of his neighbour more readily than good, even when this good is true. We might then very certainly expect, that the man who wishes to live forever ; to whom annihilation has no pleasing look, and who even wishes strongly to be- lieve the Bible, would be far from feeling, or believing, that on this subject he would cherish darkness rather than light, Nevetheless it is true. Although not in a situation as deplorable as the man who gnashes his teeth on religion, — still it is true, that one small cun- ningly devised falsehood will influence him further than one hundred plain and forcible arguments in fa- vour of Revelation. A man may stand on the side
18 CAUSE AND CURE
of a precipitous mountain, and long for the top ; yet the impetus of an ounce will push him farther down, than many times that force will cast him up. One who desires the valley below, can go there without a struggle. The man who has sinned, may desire the summit of truth ; but he stands on the declivity of a sinful nature. Every transgression, or sensual indul- gence, has added to the darkness of his soul, without his knowing it. Some examples of this must be given in the following chapter, to make the fact easily understood.
CHAPTER III.
A TRIFLING FALSEHOOD INFLUENCES HUMAN BELIEF AGAINST THE BIBLE MORE THAN GIGANTIC TRUTH IN FAVOUR OF IT.
Example i. — An English traveller (Brydone) wrote and published a description of Mount Etna. He describes her craters and her extended slope, covered occasionally for twenty miles or more, along the side of the mountain, with vines, vil- lages, arid luxuriance. These are sometimes de- stroyed by the river of melted lava, which issues from the mountain above, many feet deep, and a mile (perhaps more, sometimes less) in width, bear- ing all before it, until it reaches the sea and drives back its boiling waves. After this burning stream has cooled, there is seen, instead of blooming gar- dens, a naked, dreary, metallic rock. Sometimes many eruptions occur in the course of a year, breaking out at different parts of the mountain, and sometimes none for half a century. The traveller
OF INFIDELITY. 19
found a stream of lava congealed on the side of tlie mountain, which attracted his notice more than others. He thought it must have been thrown out by an erup. tion, which was mentioned by (perhaps) Polybius, as occurring nearly seventeen hundred years since. There was no soil on it. It was as naked as when first arrested there. The particles of dust floating through the air had not fallen there, so as to furnish hold for vegetation, and these vegetables had not grown and decayed again and again, thus adding to the depth of the soil. Such a work had not even commenced. He tells us that on some part of that mountain, near the foot, if you will sink a pit, you must pass through seven different strata of lava, with two feet of soil, between them. Upon the supposition that two thou- sand years are requisite for the increase of earth just named, he asks how seven different layers could be formed in less than fourteen thousand years. The chronology of Moses makes the world not half as old. The Englishman was jocular at this discovery ; and his admirers were delighted at what seemed to them a con- futation of the book of heaven. How many thousands through Europe renounced their beUef of Revelation with this discovery for their prop, the author of this treatise is unable even to conjecture. It seems that many parts of Europe almost rang at the news of the analogical theory. True, the traveller only conjectur- ed that he had found the lava mentioned by the ancient writer ; but no matter, supposition only was strong enough to rivet their unbelief. The author has con- versed with those in America, aud on her western plains, who would declare they believed not a word of the Bible, because there was no soil on a stratum of
20 CAUSE AND CURE
lava, which, in all probability, had been there long. Another learned Englishman, an admirer of the books of Moses, wrote to those who seemed to joy so greatly in their new system. He told them that, inasmuch as they seemed fond of arguing from analogies, he would give them an additional one. He reminded them that the cities of Herculaneum and Pompeii were buried by the eruption, in which the elder PUny lost his life, near seventeen hundred years since. Those cities have lately been discovered ; and in digging down to search their streets, six different strata of lava are passed through, with two feet of earth between them. And the famous Watson tells them, that if six different soils near Vesuvius could be formed in seventeen hun- dred years, perhaps seven might be made elsewhere in five thousand years. Might we not suppose, that those who had renounced their belief of Christianity, after reading some conjectures concerning Etna, would have resumed their faith as soon as these Vesuvian facts were placed before them ? No, it was not so. It was easy to descend, but they never re-ascended. Men love darkness rather than light. Thousands who snatched at the objection with joyful avidity, never read the confutation. They never inquired for an answer. Those who read, were afterwards silent, but remained unaltered. A lawyer who stood so high with his fellow-citizens, for worth and intelligence, that he filled many offices of trust, had his credence of the sacred page shaken by reading the imaginary system, built on the surface of Etna's lava streams. He took the book to a friend, to show him what reason we have for casting off our reverence for the Bible. This friend turned over a few pages of the book, where this same
OF INPIDELIXr. 21
traveller, after telling how may eruptions sometimes happen in the course of a month, goes on to nar- rate the following history :
" Our landlord at Nicolasi," he says, " gave us an account of the singular fate of the beautiful country near Hybla, at no great distance from hence. It was so celebrated for its fertility, and particukrly for its honey, that it was called Mel Passi, (the Honey Land,) till it was overwhelmed by the lava of Etna j and having then become to- tally barren, by a kind of pun its name was chan- ged to Mai Passi, (the Mean Land,) In a second eruption, by a shower of ashes from the mountain, it soon re-assumed its ancient beauty and fertility, and for many years was called Bel Passi, (the Beautiful Land.) Last of all, the unfortunate era of 1669, it was again laid under an ocean of fire, and reduced to the most wretched sterility, since which time it is known again by its second appellation of Mai Passi. ^^
The lawyer was asked if his difficulties were in any way obviated by this rapidity of change from soil to nakedness, and from nudity to soil again, narrated by the same original discoverer of the whole theory. He answered in the negative, and continued obstinately to cast away the book of God ! Thousands of cases happen continually, where the individual is as readily and as speedily turned into the path of infidelity, and when once there, con- tinues to trace it with invincible pertinacity. Men (without knowing it) love darkness rather ihan light.
Example it. — When some travellers in Asia wrote
22 CAUSE AND CFBE
back that the Chinese record made the world many thousand years older than the Mosaic history does, how it rejoiced a host of listeners ! Oh, how they clap- ped their hands ! We thought, said they, that the Bible was a fabrication, unworthy of belief. If any wrote, or said to those who were thus becoming scoffers at Re- velation,— " Do not be too hasty in your conclusions : how can you tell but that national vanity may have had some share in exciting those who speak of their Celes- tial Empirey to claim a spurious antiquity ?" they turn- ed away, or closed their ears with satisfied confidence. They seemed to wish for no farther information. Af- ter a time, some additional items were published from Chinese history, such as the following : They tell the name of their first king, which would sound in the ear of some as a corruption of the word Noah. The time they assign for his reign corresponds with the age of Noah. They speak of this king as being without fa- ther ; of his mother being encircled with the rainbow ; of his preserving seven clean animals to sacrifice to the Great Spirit ; that, in his day, the sky fell on the earth, and destroyed the race of men, &c. &:c. When we remember that the waters of the sky did this in the days of Noah ; that Noah was the first of the post diluvi- an race, and thus without father ; that the rainbow is in- terestingly connected with his history ; that he did take into the ark clean animals by sevens, part of which were offered in sacrifice : we begin to discover, that the Chi- nese account is nothing, more nor less, than a blotted copy of the truth. See Stackhouse's History of the Bible,
We gather from Moses that, between the creation and the deluge, there were ten generations of men, surpass- ing us greatly in longevity. It would be no tortured in=.
OF INFIDELITY"* fSS
ferencc to suppose them vastly our superiors, both in strength and stature, Tliis kind of men, the heathen, in ages past, were in the habit of calUng gods, after their death. The Chinese account speaks of ten dynasties of superior beings, who ruled in their country a thousand years each, before the sky fell on the earth. It is not hard to see that this is only a different, and a singular manner of relating the same facts. But why did (and do now) many of the seemingly learned, choose to sup- pose that each father ended his race before the son be- gan to live ? It was for the purpose of stretching out the time, between the deluge and the creation, to ten thousand years. Moses informs us that each of these ten generations did extend near a thousand years ; but he lets us know that a son and his father, walked much of their earthly race together. The journey of each was long ; but it was a simultaneous travel. For the pur- pose (if possible) of extending the earth's chronology be- yond the dates of Revelation, multitudes have taken par- tial extracts from hearsay records ; and then, to prevent these fragments from agreeing with, or upholding the history they hate, have twisted them with labour and in- genuity ;. failing even then, to construct a, passable cavil against the truth ! What is the reason of this strange hungering and thirsting after mean falsehood, rather than the wonders of glorious truth ? It is because men love darkness rather than light. Those who had cast away all reverence for Holy writ, as soon as some one said in their hearing that the Chinese Record contradict- ed Moses, never seemed to inquire further. They asked not after any additional account ; or if they were shown that all these heathen traditions were simply the truth, preserved in a dress more or less awkward, they were
24 CAUSE AND CURE
silent ; but they did not return to the place where they once stood. They continued scoffers at Christianity, t The author has been in the habit of conversing with unbelievers whenever he could obtain the privilege, during the last eighteen years. Having once been of their number, he has since felt for them a kindly soli- citude (as he hopes,) moving him, at a prudent oppor- tunity, to speak of heavenly things, although, at times, even at the risk of their displeasure. He has found that certain items of history or tradition, such as might seem to militate against Holy Writ, they receive readily, and remember long. Out of the ten thousand facts of a dif- ferent description, they treasure none. They seem either not to hear, or they understand slowly, or for- get very soon. We have been naming some of the kind which secure their attention and their recollec- tion. We will now notice a few out of the mass of items, such as they either do not learn, or do not hold.
CHAPTER IV.
PACTS, SUCH AS UNBELIEVERS DO NOT LEARN.
Under this head it matters not where we begin : — There is no necessity that we should quit the Record already before us. If you will go to that opposer of Christianity, who appeals loudly to the part of Chinese chronology already discussed, and ask him a few ques- tions, you will find that part of Asiatic history with which he is utterly unacquainted. Ask him what he thinks, when the Chinese history speaks of Yao, their king, declaring, that in his reign, the sun stood so long
OF INFIDELITY. 25
above the horizon that it was feared the world would have been set on fire ; and fixes the reign of Yao at a given date, which corresponds with the age of Joshua, the son of Nunl(»S'ee Stackhouse) You will find, in nine cases out often, the objector knows nothing of that part of the Chinese Record. Out of the countless items of this character, which, if compiled, would fill so many cumbrous volumes, he has treasured scarcely one : his taste has not craved them with avidity, or he remembers not. We are not now speaking merely of the unlettered and the feeble-minded. This is true of the senator in legis- lative halls ; of the minister plenipotentiary to foreign courts ; of the man whose information seems to extend almost every where. Of the Bible, and of ancient litera- ture connected with the Bible, he is uninformed ; the cause is his appetite for darkness rather than light. The Latin Poet (Ovid) amuses the school-boy greatly, in his fanciful narrative of Phaeton's Chariot. This heathen author tells us, that a day was once lost, and that the earth was in great danger from the intense heat of an unusual sun. It is true, that in attempting to account for this incident of peril and of wonder, the writer, as was his custom at all times, consulted only his imagina- tion, and clothed it all with an active fancy. But our notice is somewhat attracted, when we find him mention Phseton, (who was a Canaanitish prince,) and learn that the fable originated with the Phoenicians, the same pj^o- pie whom Joshua fought. If you ask an unbeliever of these incidents, or of the common tradition with early nations, that a day was lost about the time when the volume of truth informs us that the sun hasted not to go down for the space of a whole day, you will find that 1,4
2
26 CAUSE AND CUKE
had never thought on these points : — they are not of the character which he is inchned to notice.
Let not the young reader suppose for one moment, that if the many octavo volumes which might be made, were really filled by the compilation of such items, and placed in his hands, this would constitute the evi- dences of Christianity. Far from it. These books would scarcely form an introduction to that entire subject. Such corroborative history or traditional fragments are mentioned here, because they serve to exhibit the fact, that man is inclined to the side of error, (without know- ing it,) in matters of religion. The way in which things have been and are received, exhibits our disposi- tion unequivocally ; and it is so important that we know plainly, whether men, by nature, do or do not turn away from holy light, that we will pursue this branch of the subject a little farther. The cases to be cited are merely referred to as examples, out of a mul- titude, almost endless, which any one may notice who is much in the habit of exchanging sentiments with his fellow-men.
CHAPTER V.
MEN RECEIVE TRUTH SLOWLY : BUT ERROR PROMPTLV,
The author once conversed with an able statesman^ and in the confidence of a private and social interview, inquired after the main prop of his unbelief. He an- swered that he had read a statement in a respectable^ print, which seemed to him strong indeed, against the
OF IN'FIDELITT. 27
common faith. It was, that at a given spot in Europe, bones had been found under a rock six hundred feet in depth. He said the Mosaic account allowed the world a youthful date : but that to him it was utterly incred- ible that a sheet of rock could be formed and grow above these bones, six hundred feet thick, within the space of five thousand years ! After a class of facts con- nected with such subterranean discoveries, he did not seem to have enquired. It is a fact, that God's record speaks of the fountains of the great deep having been broken up. It is a fact, that if those waters were ever called to the surface, so as to cover our highest moun- tains, they retired again, for they are not there now. It is a fact, that the billows of a sinking ocean would be strong enough to carry bones, or more massy bodies, under the largest rocks, and into the deepest caverns of the earth ; and the turmoil of the mighty deep could Bweep hills of clay or sand upon that which was once ex- posed. It is as hard to believe that bones remained un- decayed during the growth of six hundred feet of rock above them, as it is to suppose that a rushing stream car- ried them far along into a rocky cave. If this learned man were asked to account for the forests which were found with an hundred feet of earth heaped over them ; or how it is, that all really learned chemists and geolo- gists agree, that the present surface of the earth is a young surface, he did not seem to have thought on such facts. If asked concerning extracts from Berosus the Chaldean ; Nicolaus of Damascus ; Manetho the Egyp- tian, or others : what they may have said of the ruins of a great ship, in their day remaining in the moun- tains of Armenia, he did not appear to have read, or to have noticed points of this nature. Whether any an^^
2^ CAUSE AND CURE
cient author mentioned the remains of this vessel as covered with pitch, which the natives used as a charm against disease, stating that a man once landed there when the world was covered with water — why a vil- lage at the foot of mount Ararat, should always have borne a name which signifies the city of the descent, or of a thousand incidents of this nature, he seemed never to have enquired. He knew nothing of historic frag- ments of this kind ; but that bones had been found deep under a rock, and that therefore the Bible was not to be obeyed, he seemed to conclude readily, and to re- main confident.
That men love darkness rather than light, will be exhibited in another form, and by a different process, in the following chapters.
CHAPTER VL
SCOFFERS SHALL COME.
** Knowing this, that there shall come ia the last days scoffers', saying, where is the promise of his coming '?" 2 Pet. 3 : 3-&,
In the preceding chapters, some objections often urged against Revelation, have been noticed. They are certainly characterized by imbecility. It is more than probable that the youthful reader is ready to exclaim, — " These are not my objec- tions: my difficulties are of another kindj and remain unanswered in all the productions I have ever read in favour of Christianity." And they are likely to remain unanswered, unless some author should be able to wT-ite a book as extensive as all the volumes contained in a well-filled library. There
OF INFIDELITY. 29
are many faces belonging to the inhabitants of earth, now alive, but no two of them are just the same. So it is with the unending difficulties and objections in the minds of those who lean towards error, rather than the light of the sacred volume. We might remind any one reader, that we do not know what his particular objections are, therefore cannot answer, unless we could take up the mil- lions of cavils on the surface of the ocean of darkness. If your difficulties could be known, they would resemble &uch as have been noticed and met by many authors. Some additional examples will be given, as we attempt fairly to hold up to view the general principle, or the cause of unbelief, viz — wilful ig7ioranc€* But before we proceed, it will be necessary to guard by preliminaries against mistake.
Many are ready to suppose, that the wiltully ignorant have no desire for knowledge. This is a misunderstand- ing, against which we should be well guarded. The boy at college, who has passed off his weeks of study in idle- ness and frivolous amusement, as the day of public ex- amination approaches, has a very strong desire to know as much as his classmates. He is still censured as itiL fully ignorant. The careless, loitering, and work-hating apprentice may have a desire for knowledge and skill in the business of his employer jj^et his deficiencies are pun- ifehed as wilful ignorance. Many unbelievers desii^ knowledge on the great subject, but they never undergo the labour of research. We suppose that of all the scoffers who were to come in the last days, and who were to be wilfully ignorant, there is scarcely one but would be willing to receive historic knowledge at least, piovi- ded an angel could just grasp it in his hand, and throw it into his brain, without any exertion on his part. But the
30 CAUSE AND CURE
toil of research he never encounters. He may snatch at some plausible objection to truth, as he hears it repeated ; but to impartial investigation he is an utter stranger. As for those who think they have investigated very labo- riously, but who have not investigated at all, we will notice them in considering another part of this subject. The millions of scoffers who have come, and who now live, are ignorant of Bible facts and Bible language. The profound and the unlettered ; the wealthy and the indigent ; the talented and the stupid, are ignorant of Bible facts and Bible language! To some, this may sound strange, but it is not hard to prove. The matter may be easily tested. The scoffers live now ; and you may approach and converse with them. During a ten year's search, you are not likely to find one exception to the general statement. There was one who tried this for eighteen years, to see if he could meet with any one who cast away the Bible, and who was at the same time ac- quainted with its contents, and with the ancient litera- ture connected with the Bible. He found some who at first declared themselves acquainted with the subject, but really were not. After asking them, in an affection- ate manner, a few questions, they generally confessed that their knowledge did not extend far. But this fact can be seen more clearly whilst looking at examples of wilful ignorance.
OF INFIDELITY. 9|
CHAPTER YII.
fiCOFFEIiS ARE UNACQUAINTED WITH THE FACTS OF
THE BIBLE.
Examples. — Those who have "come scoffing" in the present age, are utterly unacquainted with Bible facts and Bible language. We first notice 'Qihla facts. In exhibiting such cases, we are like the man who stands by an immense magazine of wheat. He may take a handful and hold it out to view ; but he cannot exhibit each grain in the mass to the eye of any purchaser. It woidd be a task endless and painful.
Item I. — In the second and third chapters of Revela- tion may be found the letters written by St. John, at the direction of Jesus Christ, to seven Churches, situa- ted in that part of the world which we call Asia Minor. To each Church was sent a different message, a differ- ent threatening, or a difTerent promise. These pro- phetic declarations were long in fulfilling, but have all come to pass. It is common with the totally uninform- ed in chronology to say, when prophecy is named, " Perhaps this was written after the event came to pass." For the sake of such, it is here remarked, that the event about to be noticed, occurred more than nine centuries after the book of Revelation was much written against by haters of the Gospel, and defended by lovers of the truth. Inasmuch as a book is written before its contents are greatly controverted, even the most unlettered will be able to understand dates in this case ; and will be satisfied, after nine hundred years of discussion, that the book was in existence. For the
821 CAUSE AND CURE
sake of those who may fear Christian partiality, when we come to speak of the fulfilment of these seven mes- sages, we will quote mostly from infidel authority. They will scarcely suspect an undue favour toward the sacred volume, in those who have hated its name, writ- ten against its authority, and mocked at its doctrines. To the Church of Ephesus, the Redeemer ordered John to write : " Remember, therefore, from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy Candle- stick out of its place, except thoa repent."
The author of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, (Gibbon,) one of the most accomplished, un- relenting haters of the Bible, that ever spent half a life- time in writing against it, says : " In the loss of Ephesus, the Christians deplored the fall of the first Angel, and the extinction of the first Candle-stick of the Revela- tion." He tells us this was accomplished by the Ot- tomans, A. D. 1312. In Ephesus, at the present day, there are none who even bear the Christian name ; so completely is the Candle-stick removed.
To the Angel of the Church, in Philadelphia, John was commanded to write: " Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth." It was, indeed, an hour of trial to all the Churches, when the Mahome- tan, with his naked sword, gave the member choice to receive the Koran for his Bible, and Mahomet for his Prophet, or to see his sons and daughters go into servi- tude, his dwelling blaze, and to suflTer his blood to stain his own hearth. From this temptation, it was especial- ly improbable that Philadelphia would be saved. This
or INFIDELITY. 33
wc may learn fixjm the '?nguage of the same unbcliov- inc^ author, who seemed ahnost startled himself at what tie was compelled to record. Hear him speak, " Phila- delphia alone has been saved, by prophecy^-or cour- age. At a distance from the sea, forgotten by the Em- perors, encompassed on ail sides by the Turks, her val- liant sons defended their religion and freedom, above fourscore years, and at length capitulated with the proud- est of the Ottomans* Philadelphia is still erect ; a co- lumn in a scene of ruins*" We have reason to hope that God has had new-born souls there in every age. **
To the Laodicean Church the Saviour wrote : " Because Ihou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew thee out of my moulh.^^ It seems to us, that words could not be placed on paper expressing a more deep and decisive abhorrence. What are the words the Infidel Historian, has chosen ? He says, ** The Circus and three stately Theatres, at Laodicea, are now peo- pled by wohes and foxes.'''
The Church at Smyrna, next claims oyr notice. In the sacred volume we find the Lord repeatedly telling his servants, that a dav should stand fbr a vear, in the oc- currence then foretold. Tliis may be more fully con- sidered, when we come to mention the subject of pro- phecy. That the ten years persecution, during which the Church at Smyrna suffered, under the reign of Do- mitian, \vas a cruel and a bloody one, perhaps no one has ever questioned, and we need not pause here to quote history for its proof. The Lord had, long before- hand, commanded an Apostle to tell them, by letter : " Behold, the Devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried, and ye shall have tribulation icn
days : be thou faithfal unto death, and I will give thee
2*
34 CAUSE AND CURE
a crown of life," &;c. &c. A minister of the Gospel once felt a desire, and sought an opportunity to con- verse with a number of rejecters of Christianity, who possessed talents and literature. Between him and Bome of these, a friendly intimacy existed ; some of them were admired by their countrymen, and known to the nation by their political eminence. He felt pres- eingly solicitous to make inquiries, such as the follow- ing : " Do you never find your curiosity at least, some- what awakened, whilst reading the letters to the seven churches of Asia ? Suppose it had been of Philadel- phia, that the historian had said, with truth, ' it is in- habited by wolves and foxes V or suppose it had been concerning Sardis, that the Redeemer's promise of sal- vation from the hour of trial, was penned ? How tri- umphantly would the event have been noticed by the opposers of Holy Writ ! Suppose the Saviour had said of Philadelphia, ' I will spue thee out of my mouth /' Suppose that Gospel light had still shone at Ephesus, even faintly, showing that the candle-stick had not been removed ? Suppose no marked distress, of ten years con- tinuance, had ever prevailed at Smyrna ? Or, suppose some comforting promise had been recorded concerning Laodicea ? Vary either the history as it transpired, or the message which was sent, in any one out of a hun- dred ways, and what would have been the result ?"
The inquirer found that they did not know particular- ly what the Lord had written to any one of those Church- es. They had either not noticed, or they had certainly not remembered what had been the precise fate of Ephe- sus, Sardis, or Laodicea. With the long drawn train of Bible facts, as numerous as the pages of that singular book, they were entirely unacquainted. Let no one sup-
OF INFIDELITY. 35
pose that these items are here presented as the evidences of Christianity : by no means. They do, we believe, possess much interest, but the foundation is broader than these can make it. A few, out of the wide multi- tude, are here called to view, merely to show the wilful ignorance so strangely belonging to those who speak
against light.
CHAPTER VIII.
THE SIJEJECT CONTIxrEC.
Item ii. — A man who was an able Senator, in Con- gress, from a State where talents was not scarce, once said to a Christian friend, " I have heard the prophecy concerning the destruction of Babylon^ mentioned as evidence that the v»'ritersaw^ into futurity. Vv^ith me it weighs nothing. Any one might guess that a proud city would come to ruin ; and the common tendency of things to revolution, might bring it to pass. It requires no inspiration to fbretel the decay of perishing tilings." His friend discovered that some things he did know and remember with readiness, but that of other very ma- ny and very obvious facts, he was totally uninformed. He understood w^th alacrity, and he was correct in his doctrine, that if the overthrow of Babylon had been all that the Prophet foretold, that alone would have been no certain evidence that his pen was guided by a supe- rior hand. But on the difference between a prediction, with specifications, and one without them, he appeared never to have meditated. The difference between a pro- phecy, (like the heathen oracles,) where one naked event is declared, without any of the particulars, and a circumstantial prediction, where the items of time, or
36 CAUSE AND CURE
manner are all related, must be attentively noticed by us, or our judgment, in such cases, will be vague and in- fantile. If you foretel the death of an individual, time will accomplish it, though you have no prophetic gift ; but if you venture to add as many as three uncertain particulars, your reputation as a secr^ is instantly in jeo- pardy. Name the death of the man, and say, that it will take place by apoplexy, on Thursday of the next week, and you are likely to fail in all the particulars ; whilst you are an impostor, should you mistake only in one. Take a thousand men, and it is not to be ex- pected that any one of them will die just at that day, at a given hour, and with that disease. How much more difficult to sustain your pretensions to prophetic gifts, if three more specifications are added. Suppose these to be improbable particulars, and how much is the difficulty increased !
That which distinguishes the prophecies of the Bible from all heathen, or all pretended predictions, of every age, is simply that the former have not merely three specifications, or six particulars, but often very many, and many of these too altogether unlikely ever to come to pass, in the view and judgment of human wis- dom. The prophecy, named by the eminent statesman, mentioned above, has connected with it more than twice six of these items or particulars, many of them totally improbable, according to man's common expectation of things. Before we notice these, or look carefully at the prophecy, we must mention an evasion, which does not belong to the learned unbeliever of the present day; but it is common with those who do not read. The better informed will excuse us for explaining to the youthful and the unlettered, that which is already known
OF INFIDELITY. ^
to others. It is concerning the old and common refuo-e from truth, we now write. " The prophecies (say those who are afraid to beheve) may have been written after the events mentioned, transpired." This shall be no difficulty between us, at the present time, for we will present no prediction which did not have all, or a great- er part of its fulfilment, many generations after the time, when unbelievers say it was in existence. If we go according to infidel authority, the young skeptic will have no unwillingness to receive the account from his own party, and from leaders on his side of the question. There are many ways in which the date of a prophecy may be fairly proved and established ; but we at pres- ent will take the shorter course of quoting no prediction, which did not come to pass many years and centuries after the time fixed for its origin, by the most noted and learned opposers. For example, the great hater ot Christianity, Porphyry, was perhaps the first who ever used this objection. Some prophecies of the Old Tes- tament were so plain, and seemed to give him so much distress, that he gave it as his opinion, that the book of prophecy must have been written subsequently to their fulfilment. He quoted from the Greek translation, so well known under the name of the Septuagint ; the same translation used by the Saviour and his Apostles ; the same which was made for, and formed a part of the Alexandrian Library. If you allow this no greater age than the time when the learned unbeliever wrote against it, this will suffice for the present. Porphyry has been dead fifteen hundred years. And the prophetic events we are about to state, came to pass from three to seven, nine, and eleven, hundred years after his death. Or again ; concerning the common Greek version of the
58 CAUSE AND CURB
Old Testament, the famous Gibbon says, scoffingly and deridinglV) that the Egyptian king gathered it from the villages of Jiidca. But the king of Egypt, of whom he speaks, lived three hundred years before the Saviour was crucified. Then, if you do not fear to receive the account from this champion in unbelief; if you do not fear he was too partial to the Bible, the events we are now about to call to view, occurred from three to seven, nine, eleven, or twenty-one hundred years after the Old Testament was translated into Greek. We can only say to the young reader, with an immortal soul, that if no more could be said on this point than even the little we have now told you, we think you might doubt the se- curity of 5^our refuge. But if you are determined to seek a flimsy hiding place, where even the infidel arrows will pierce you, then you must go there, and there remain.
The first prophecy noticed shall be that which was cited by the able politician, to show that little was prov- ed by its alleged fulfilment, viz : the fall of ancient Babylon. Here the reader is invited to turn to differ- ent books of the Old Testament, and there note how the event was mentioned by different prophets. The name of the General who should lead the army, (150 years be- fore his birth,) the manner of the assault, the condition and conduct of the besieged, where the victors were to find the treasures, &c. are all declared. But at pres- ent, it is our plan to hold up to view, only that part of these predictions which has come to pass since the Old Testament was translated into the Greek language.
Isaiah, Chapter xiii. — " It shall never be inhabited, neither shall it be dwelt in from generation to generation, neither shall the Arabian pitch tent there, neither shall the shepherds make their fold there ; but wild beasts of
OF INFIDELITY. 39
the desert shall lie there, and their houses shall be full of doleful creatures ; and owls shall dwell there, satyrs shall dance there, and the wild beasts of the islands shall cr)^ in their desolate houses, and dragons in their pleas- ant palaces," &;c.
1. Let it be noted that it was very unlikely that this particular kind of desolation should have happened to any city. We should never conjecture concerning London or Paris, (should these cities come to ruin,) that they would be deserted by man, whilst lofty palaces or stately dwellings were there, inviting the houseless wan- derer at least under their friendly shelter. Centuries rolled by after these threatenings were written. Baby- lon received another and another overthrow. Still these did not unpeople her streets. After a time, history in- forms us, Seleucia and Ctesiphon were built : the luxu- rious and sensual nobles of Babylon must follow their monarch and his court : they left their palaces, and their splendid abodes were deserted in a singular and unex- ampled manner. The servants and the dependants of these wealthy sons of revelry and authority, followed their lords to gaze at or participate in their feasting. Those who lived by selling their merchandise to the opulent, followed ; and the streets were in fact abandoned to un- broken silence.
2. Must it follow of course that the ferocious beasts of the islands shall inhabit dwellings, more splendid in some rcpects than any we have ever seen ? By no means. This was not the natural result ; for still enough of the indigent remained to rule the brutal creation that have not reason for their guide. But continue to watch the progress of events. The Lord has spoken, and shall he fail to make it good ? After a time a despotic potentate
40 CAUSE AND CUHE
craves a more splendid hunting-ground : he repairs the wall of the ancient city and makes it the area of his chase. Their houses are then full of doleful creatures ; owls dwell there, and dragons in their pleasant palaces. 8. But it was not to be expected that these houses could stand always, and they did not. It was not to be ex- pected that Babylon could continue always the hunting- ground of a king, and it did not. Babylon had stood on a fertile and extensive plain. Will not the shepherd drive his flock wherever vegetation springs to sustain them, if man's dominion does not forbid him ? Assuredly he will, if God has not said nay. But when the tower- inff edifices of brick had fallen in, the under cellars and vaults afforded such dens and lairs for tigers, wolves, lions, and hyenas, that travellers inform us it was too hazardous for the approach of a shepherd and his flock.
4. But the Arabians move in bands ; they delight to wield the javelin ; they tremble not at the lion's growl. The Arab will surely pitch his tent there, as he tra- verses all the deserts of the eastern continent. And he would have done so in defiance of the most ferocious of the forest tribes ; but under the extended and unparallel- ed rubbish of that spot, denounced of heaven, were con- cealed scorpions, serpents, and reptiles, so numerous, and of fangs so envenomed and deadly, that no one could close his eyes in safety under the shelter of his friendly tent.
5. But time will obliterate these dens and hiding places ; these heaps will dissolve and this rubbish will decay. Babylon was in the midst of a rich plain that could not be washed like the hills of Palestine into nudity and barrenness. Will it not be repeopled ? Who shall '
OF INFIDELITY. 41
venture to say "it shall never be inhabited from genera- tion to generation ?" Answer — God. He said so, and so it has been,
6. But the Bible goes on to say that it should be in- habited by the bittern, a water- fowl ; nay, the book de- clares that it should become pools of water. When did this happen ? Answer — In comparatively modern days. Some singularly spontaneous obstruction of the Eu- phrates caused its overflowing, and travellers tell us that two-thirds or more of Babylon is now " pools of water for the bittern to cry in." ^
We have not exhibited half the items of history fore- told concerning Babylon ; but we have noticed enough to remind us of the difference between a vague predic- tion and a prophecy whose particulars are minutely mentioned. The man of great mind, and in other re- spects extensive information, who spake against this prophecy, had acquainted himself with none of these particulars, nor with any of a similar character abound, ing in the book of God ; he only knew enough to make him doubt, to raise difficulties in his mind. Thus far his religious information extended, and no further. This IS unquestionably the fact with many of the ora- tors, statesmen, and leading characters of the present day. They have been pressingly engaged in their worldly pursuits. It seemed to them as though they had no time for such research. They indeed had but httle love for this kind of labour ; but of this last truth, per- haps they are unconscious. Yet many, it is to be feared, are influenced by them, as was a female of the state of Tennessee. Her husband kept a public house of much resort. Her friends were much surprisd to hear her avow that she had cast away the Bible. When asked
42 CAUSE AND CURB
her reasons, she said that those of the brightest minds and highest attainments the land contained, spoke even deridingly of it as they sat at her table. She considered them much abler to judge in su'jh cases than she was, and refused all further love or reverence for the Man of Gethsemane ! We quit for a time the history of Baby- Ion, but v/e have not done with it. We must proceed to notice other cities and their fate, and then to call these different cases up severally, as so many steps by which we ascend to the summit of an interesting consideration.
CHAPTER IX.
THE SUBJECT CONTINUED.
Ite3I III. — The city of Tyre. — If the reader will con- sult the prophets of the Old Testament, he will find the overthrow of this city foretold, the manner of the siege, the name of the conqueror, the number of years before it should resume its former splendor, and its second fall. But these things we will not dwell upon ; we attend to those particulars which belong to more modern times, or which took place as it were but yesterday.
1. When a city subsisting by commerce is overthrown, if the many streams of her lucrative trade shall cause a speedy elevation to more than ancient magnificence, the mind of calculating shrewdness might conjecture that if spoiled again, the winds of traffic might blow wealth and power once more into her ports. The ships of Tyre floated over the seas, and her second growth almost re- (sembled magic. The Lord said she should be destroyed
OF 1>TIDELITY. 43
and never built again. Two thousand years are passed, but the riches and splendor of Tyre are no more.
2. The Lord ordered Ezekiel to say, " I will scrape her dust from off her, and make her like the top of a rock." In the siege of Tyre by Alexander the Great — it having been rebuilt on an island a half mile from the shore, and surrounded by a wall one hundred and fifty feet in height — " a mound was formed from the continent to the island, and the ruins of old Tyre afforded ready materials for the purpose. The soil and rubbish were gathered and heaped ; and the mighty conqueror, who afterwards failed in raising again any of the ruins of Babylon, cast those of Tyre into the sea, and scraped her very dust from off her."
3. It was declared by the prophet, more than twenty-three centuries since, " It shall be a place for the spreading of nets in the midst of the sea." Should the desolation be as complete as that of Babylon, who shall carry their nets there to dry them 1 " The whole village of Tyre," said Volney in his Ruins, " contains only fifty or sixty poor fa- milies, who live obscurely on the produce of their little ground, and a trifling fishery f and Bruce describes Tyre as " a rock whereon fishers dry their nets."
We ask the reader once more to treasure up these facts until we shall have mentioned others, so as at last to bring them all into one view.
44* CAUSE AND CURE
CHAPTER X.
THE SUBJECT CONTINUED.
Item iv. — Damascus — " It shall be a ruinous heap." Damascus has not been blotted out, so that no one dwells there ; it is not a naked rock j it is not pools of water ; it is not peopled by wolves and foxes. This is not the way in which Damascus is men- tioned in the Book of books. But it has been ra- vaofed and desolated ao^ain and aorain. It was reduc- ed by Alexander; by the Romans; and especially by the Saracens in the year 713, who "miserably devastated it ;" and by Tamerlane in 1396, who *' put its inhabitants to the sword without mercy.'* It has been made " a ruinous heap ;" and still exists — " the external appearance of most of the build- ings being very mean — of some exceedingly so — while many of them are very elegant within."
For several chapters we have been preparing to ex- hibit the truth that scoffers of the later days are unac- quainted with Bible facts. We are now almost ready to make the application.
If you will go to any number of judges, legislators, physicians, counsellors, &;c. &;c., who speak against the saci*ed book, and ask them some such questions as we are about to specify, you *^vill be able at once to under- stand the strange assertion, that the learned are included in the class of the wilfully ignorant.
Wo will here ask the reader some questions, such as he may ask any who now live, and who now deride the Bible.
Questions. — The Hebrew prophets were ordered to utter their denunciations against all the nations round
OF I^^IDELITY. 45
about for their wickedness. They spake of their hills, rivers, villages, cities and governments. If these pro- phets only conjectured or guessed that the events they foretold might or would come to pass, then may we not ask, with some degree of wonder at least, Suppose it had been said of some other city beside Babylon, that it shoidd become pools of water and never more inhabited ? May not our curiosity be somewhat excited when we notice, that of the thousand proud and wicked cities around, the prophet did not happen to write these things of any, Babylon excepted ? And had they been written of any other one city, town or village, that was or has been upon the face of the earth, we know of none where their truth could be seen. These, and the other particu- lars we have noticed, came to pass many centuries after these books of prophecy were written, according to infi- del authority, or after unbelievers wrote against them. May we not inquire, with some degree of wonder, Suppose sorne writer of the Old Testatnent had happened to conjecture and tvrite concerning Damascus, Sidon, Jerusalem, Jericho, Nineveh, or any city, town or village^ except Tyre, that the soil on which it stood should be scraped away, and fishermen's nets rest upon its naked- ness, who could point to its accomplishment ? On the broad surface of the earth, or along the protracted shores of the ocean, the prophet was surely fortunate, to hit upon the only spot where these things did happen. Long and dreadful calamities were threatened to Jerusa- lem ; but suppose it had been said that owls and tigers should inhabit pleasant palaces there, how many thou- sands now would clap their hands, rejoicing that such a conjecture was ever made. Suppose some one, two thou- sand years ago, had ventured to guess that the time
46 CAUSE AND CURE
would come when a shepherd would be afraid to drive his flock where Palmyra of the desert then stood, or through Athens, Ephesus, or Rome ; name any spot you please but one, and where would his reputation stand ? An admirer of the Bible, who once sought, during many years, an opportunity to converse on this subject with those of cultivated minds ; asked questions re- sembling those above, oftener than he can name or re- member. He found that the reason they had not thought with some degree of interest on some such Bible facts, was, they did not hiow that such facts existed. They could not think what God had said of Persia, Egypt, or Syria — for, indeed,they did not know what he had said, or that any thing was written about almost any nation or city, that could be mentioned to them. Those of them, who had read the Bible through, did not know that the things we have named were in the Bible ! A thou- sand similar facts were equally unknown to them. If the learned unbeliever of the present day, is thus want- ing in the ancient literature connected with the Bible, it will not be hard to fancy the condition of the unedu- cated scoffer. Thousands who range the streets of our large cities, seem to be beyond remedy. Their fu- rious hatred towards all that is meek or holy, prevents their Hstening to expostulation ; and their ignorance renders them incapable of weighing argument, on almost any subject. Their confidence in their edifice, however, would no doubt be much shaken, were it not that they fancy that they have substantial support in their same- ness of belief with the learned and the great. We were to show that scoffers are wilfully ignorant of Bible language ; but we must first devote a few more chapters to facts. It is important that we should have a fair view
OF INFIDELITY. 47
of the fact that men have some fondness for darkness, but none for Horht. This can be seen, if we show that men will not inform themselves, even where they con- demn. It is possible that some reader may be in the state of mind in which was an old and wealthy mer. chant, who fancied that he had fullv investigated the matter. " I have (said he) heard these things spoken of all my life ; I have looked through the Bible ; I have thought on these things as I rode on my horse, as I lay on my bed, as I stood behind my counter, and I cannot believe, because I am unable to understand the subject. !Many things in religion seem to contradict my plainest reason."
Mark this case. The preceptive doctrines of Christi- anity are plain enough for a child to understand, and lovely enough to captivate all that is not enmity against God. The old man was not attempting to obey any of these ; he only had his eye directed toward that which might appear difficult to him. So far as he could see, he was not trying to perform ; but on more mysterious points, spoke of an investigation, which was no inves- tigation. We must illustrate this : Suppose there was a ploughman, who had some strange dislike towards the science of chemistry ; he professes to disbelieve the whole of its facts and theories. Suppose he declares that many doctrines of chemistry contradict his plain- est common sense. He takes up a receipt for making ink, and avers, that to speak of mingling several clear white fluids together, and expecting black as the result, contradicts his plainest reason.
Again, he says, that chemists speak of mingling two cold substances until each shall become hot, without the addition of a third ; but declares that this contradicts aU
4Q CAUSE AND CUKE
that is rational. He finally adds, that he can never attempt to practice that which he cannot understand ; that he has read of alkalis, caloric, affinities, &;c. until all appears to him a mass of confusion, and a jargon of nonsense. That he has thought on these things as he rode on his horse, as he lay on his bed, and as he ploughed in the field. And to crown all, chemists differ amongst themselves !
At all this the philosopher would smile, and tell him, that in order to practice the most useful part of chemis- try, (making salt, washing clothes, or baking bread, &c. &c.) it was not necessary he should understand all that the Creator knows about it. He would tell this doubt- er that he might easily try the matter, take different substances, and do as directed, and he would soon know the truth of thesS things experimentally. Finally, he would tell him, that if he must search into deeper matters, he must investigate in reality, that his much talked of research, had left him ignorant still ; that this ig- norance could be removed ; and that he certainly shoulc not condemn, with a confident air, until it was removed I. The doctrines of the Bible may be known, and their usefulness tested practically. Experimental knowledge is the safest and the best in the world. But if any are resolved that they will have a different kind of evidence, or none, let them see that their wilful ignorance is re- moved, before they venture to decide for eternity.
OF INFIDELITV. 49
CHAPTER XL
THE GREAT AND THE LEARNED DO NOT ACQUAINT THEMSELVES WITH BIBLE FACTS.
Item v. — Egypt — AH the early history of Egypt, so impressively foretold by the prophets, we pass over, and come at once down to the particulars that are accomplishing a/f^rese/iz' — to those things which have been fulfilling in all recent years, as well as in ancient days. We may notice those predictions concerning Egypt, which the reader, whether young or old, has lived to see fulfilled.
The words of Ezekiel : " And I will bring again the captivity of Egypt, and I will cause them to return in- to the land of Pathros, and they shall be there a bast (Heb. low) kingdom. And it shall be the basest of the kingdoms ; neither shall it exalt itseK any more above the nations, for I will diminish them that they shall no more rule over the nations. And I will make the rivers dry, and sell the land into the hand of the wicked, and I will make the land waste and all that is therein, by the hand of strangers, I the Lord have spoken it, I will also de- stroy their idols, and I will cause their images to cease out of Noph, and there shall be no more a prince of the land of Egypt:' Chapp. 29, 30.
We remark 1st. — It was very unlikely to human ap- prehension that Egypt should be the lowest of kingdoms always. Of all other nations, it was most unlikely that Egypt should be depressed very long ; because her un- paralleled fertility and consequent populousness,- pro- mised a speedy recovery after a downfall. Shall that
3
60 CAUSE AND CURE
country, which was so long, so universally, and so just- ly called the granary of the world, have any other than a dense population ? And, if numerous, shall strength be wanting to recover her freedom ? It was more im- probable of Egypt, than of any other spot of earth, that strangers should always rule and waste it, because of its situation. The Mediterranean on one side, the Red Sea on another, impassable deserts on another, promise great defence. But the total inundation of the whole country by the Nile, during a part of every year, (which the in- habitants are prepared to meet, whilst an invading ar- my never can be,) would surely aid even a weak people to defend themselves. But the Lord said her exaltation was ended, and that her future recovery was prohibited. The Babylonians, then the Persians, next the Macedo- nians, the Romans, the Saracens, the Mamelukes, and finally the Turks, have protracted her subjugation and her servitude down to the present day ! She has often made the attempt, but never succeeded to free herself. She has been under and always under, low and always low. She has been kept the basest of kingdoms ; servile, stupid, treacherous, cruel and base in character ! We know of no part of the earth which has not governed it- self, or been free some part of the last twenty. four hun- dred years, except that part, which, from its location, fertility, and internal resources, seemed most likely to continue independent all the time ! We do not know the otherwise considerable nation, which has been thus debased for half that time, but tlie one seemingly of all others most capable of self-defence.
2dly. — When Ezekiel lived, had we been there, and about to invent a highly political or historic improbabili- ty, could we have thought of a greater one, than to sup-
Of infidelity. 51
pose that the idols and images should cease out of Egypt ? What ? Shall we conjecture this of those who were so strangely prone to worship any thing but God ? Serpents, unicorns, cattle, reptiles, no matter what it was, they kneeled before it.
It was a strange prediction to speak of causing images or idols to cease in a land where continued baseness is to prevail ; because we spontaneously couple together in our minds ignorance, images, filth, idols, and sen- suality, t
0^ Images have long ceased there. Their idols hav(, long since been destroyed. The Christian, (in name only,) who lives there, and the Turk who rules there, equally disdain to kneel before wood or stone, living ani- mals, or painted statues !
3dly. — It was strikingly probable, from all former history, and from all historic analogy, that Egypt would, at some time, have a native ruler, even should that ruler hold a borrowed or deputed authority. May not one of her own sons sit a prince upon that throne, although he may be a tributary prince ? May not her native lords govern there, no matter how exorbitant the tribute ?
C^ There has never been a prince of the land of Egypt. Their rulers have been sent to them. Strangers have sent their slaves to be governors of the land of Egypt !
It has not been her own sons, who in the pride of self-exaltation, have drained the treasures of Egypt. It has always been by the hands of strangers that she has been wasted.
Application. — If we inquire of the unbelievers who live now, (not merely of the uncultivated, but of the most
52 CAUSE AND CURE ■
noted for talents and professional eminence,) whether they have not been surprised on reflecting that these things were said of one, nation only ; and that out of all the nations of the earth, of one onhj they have hap- pened to be true, and that for so many generations, we find that they have never meditated on such points ! Of these, and of similar facts, almost countless in extent, they know nothing, and they do not inquire. Yet either openly or in heart, they are scoffers ! Men are slow and backward to inform themselves of any thing on the side of truth, (in matters of religion,) but slight and superficial objections : weak but plausible theories against the Bible, they learn speedily, they understand instantly, and they remember always. It is supposed, on good evidence, that no son of Adam ever was known to forget an ingenious, and seemingly coiTCct argument against Christianity, (once heard,) so long as he re- tained his mind.
The conclusion is, that men love darkness rather than light.
CHAPTER XII.
THE SUBJECT CONTINUED.
We might here cease to point at Bible facts, hoping that even the few we have noticed might serve as sam- ples from the mass ; but we feel inclined to give ano- ther instance, to show that these facts abound all through the New Testament, as well as the Old.
The Saviour^ s Prediction. — "And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh. Then let them which .are in Judea flee to the mountains, and let them which are
OF INFIDELITY. 53
m the midst of it, depart out ; and let not them that are in the countries enter thereinto ; for these be the davs of venfreance. ***•«=** And Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles shall be fulJUled.'' Luke, 21 : 20-24.
Observe, first — The time the Redeemer fixed and left on record for his followers and children to depart from that devoted city, was the time when it must seem to them they could not get out of her. How were they to escape after the invaders had surrounded them ? The church in Jerusalem had increased sometimes as fast as several thousand in a day. How were these families to depart, when Jerusalem was compassed with armies ? The sign named by the Saviour as the token of their flight was of itself an impassable barrier in the way of their travel. The incident which dictated their hasty journey must necessarily hedge up their way. If the reader wishes a particular recital of many striking in- cidents let him turn to the cotemporary historian, (Jo- sephus,) who was himself an actor in the military occur- rences of the time. This much admired and much re- spected writer does not seem to have known or to havo remembered that the Saviour had said any thing of the Roman eagle standinsj where ii ousjht not, or of Jerusa- lem being compassed with armies. When this siege did occur, he relates the circumstances truthfully, al- though it is evident he did not know that they were ap- pointed of heaven. The banner which the soldiers wor- shipped, and which the prophet called the abomination which maketh desolate, waved before the temple gates. Josephus relates accurately the movements of the Ro- man general (Cestius) on that occasion. He informs us, that when he might have taken the city speedily, and
64 CAUSE AND CURE
with comparative ease, thus terminating the war at onee, he led his army away. He retired " without Oiny just oc- casion in the world.^^ Josephus seems to want words to express his surprise at the conduct of this commander. Perhaps Cestius scarcely knew himself why he thus act- ed so much to the astonishment of beholders ; but had we been there, knowing what we now know, we could have told all spectators and historians, the reason why he withdrew. God's people were in that city. His little flock (little in comparison with the multitude of the un- godly,) never noticed by the haughty of this world un- less to deride or calumniate, are never forgotten by him. They were to seek safety in the mountains ; they were to have an opportunity to retire. To afford this, the Ro- man legions must be taken to a proper distance. They were thus conducted, and the followers of the Saviour with their families did retire. The young reader is here again reminded that we are not giving merely the Christian account of these things. He may gather these facts from the pens of ancient and modern unbelievers, if he prefers their testimony. When those who had vocife- rated " Crucify him, crucify him, his blood be upon us and our children," were crucified themselves, with their children, around the walls of their blazing city, nailed many on the same cross, until there was no more space on which to plant a cross, and no more wood of which to make one ; when famine, gnawing unparalled famine, ivas doing a work along those crowded streets, the bare recital of which would cause the stupid, the callous, or the cruel, to faint with sickening horror, there were no Christians there ! They had gone to Pella. They had watched for the Redeemer's token, and obeyed the sig- nal. Those words spoken by the Man of Calvary, i^u
OP INFIDELITY. 65
heeded by the world then, unnoticed by after genera- tions, and that scoffers of the present age scarcely know are in the Bible, were the means of their salvation. Let the reader bear these incidents in mind, until we come to the application.
Observation second. — " And Jerusalem shall be trod- den down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles shall be fulfilled."
An inspired apostle, (Paul,) at the command of the Holy Ghost, had given the church to understand (shall we say fortunately or unfortunately) that i]\\s fulness of the Gentiles was to synchronise with the conversion of the Jews at a glorious period in the latter days. The prophet Daniel, in the prediction quoted by our Lord, lets us know that the desolations of Jerusalem were to continue until the end of the struggle between Christ and antichrist. The Saviour himself, in other discourses, lets us know that these long desolations would not termi- nate until the latter days. What an opportunity to de- feat the declarations of the Messiah, and to show that Jerusalem should not be trodden down of the Gentiles through after ages. The Israelites have been rich enough to build a score of temples, during any period of their widest dispersion, or of their deepest, heaviest op- pression. Notwithstanding the reiterated massacres, the constant apostacies or lapses into heathenism, the iminterrupted commingling with their oppressors, &c. &c., there has been no portion from any one of the eighteen centuries now gone by, during which there might not have been counted two millions or three, (a number sufficient to populate the hills and vales of Ca. naan,) and zealous enough to venture almost any thing, or to endure almost every thing, for the Zion of their
56 CAUSE AND CURE
songs. If some king of the earth, some sceptred poten- tate, would only sanction or countenance their return, what would they not perform ? The Lord allowed them just such a man ; nay, a more powerful leader. One who sat on Cesar's throne, who nodded and the nations trembled. The emperor Julian was an accomplished warrior. He ruled over the land shown to Abraham, and ten times as much. He hated the Saviour as bitterly as those who crucified him. He had been educated under the sound of the gospel, and knew the words of Christ, He was familiar with the writings of the evangelists. He resolved that Jerusalem should be trodden under foot of the Israelites,) instead of the Gentiles. The reader is invited to examine the account of this as given by one whose hatred of the gospel equalled that of Julian him- self. The author of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire was under the necessity of stating some facts concerning this effort to defeat the words of Christ,made by the mighty and the wise. At the invitation of the emperor, the children of Judah assembled to rebuild their temple and to claim the inheritance of their fathers. Their enthusiasm was wonderful. Even their delicate females were seen carrvina; off rubbish in their silver veils. Their joyful companies laboured, cheered on by the sound of instruments of music and animating voices. But the emperor did not trust this undertaking to the Israelites alone. Wealthy as they were, devoted as they were, he resolved to make this matter more certain still. He "could aid by his proclamations, his royal decrees, or his treasures, but it was not a trifle he had at heart ; to show the gazing earth that the Jewish worship should be restored, where the Lord had said the Gentiles should continue to tread, was no ordinary achievement. He
OF INFIDELITY. 57
went himseif to their aid with those cohorts and those legions that had crossed rivers, hills, and deserts, that had elevated or dethroned monarchs, and before whom it was hard indeed to stand. Here then was to be a trial of the strength of heaven and the strength of earth, in determined contest and fairly balanced opposition. Jews and Romans, Christians and heathens, gazed to see whether the emperor could or could not go contrary to the declaration uttered by the Man of sorrows, who had not where to lay his head. The earthly potentate was defeated. He abandoned the undertaking. This fact, recorded by Christians and by infidels, would be enough for our present purpose, were we to say nothing concerning the means of his defeat. To show that Je- rusalem has been still trodden down of the Gentiles is mainly the point we have in view ; and it is all we shall notice when we come to the application. But for the purpose of exhibiting the way in which opposers uni- formly narrate that which they dislike to pen, (we must notice the strange want of fairness and of truth belong- ing to unbelieving historians, leading them sometimes to conceal, and sometimes to pervert,) we look for a time at Gibbon's history of this event. He grants that it was said the workmen were driven from their work by a supernatural visitation ; that they were scorched by fire again and again ; that an account of this public and marvellous defeat was published the same year by two individuals — but these individuals were Christians. That their statement was neither denied by the empe- ror or his friends, nor contradicted in any way, does not seem to have weished much in his estimate of the sinoju- lar occurrence. It is true that Gibbon speaks well of a certain heathen writer, (AmmianusMarcellinus,) who
3*
58 CAUSE AND CURE
was the emperor's private secretary, and who became his biographer. It is true he does not omit the fact that Ammianus records this incident^ he even gives the words of this author (who knew as much of the defeat and the cause of it as did the emperor himself,) but they are placed below in a note, which many may overlook, and in Latin, so that many others may not understand, if the sentence is seen. The import of the words is that horrible balls of jire, breaking out from the ground^ drove the scorched and blasted workmen to a distance, and the persevering element continued to maintain its ground until they were compelled to desists If the his- torian had translated the words of Marcellinus, or placed them on the page along with his other quotations or assertions, telling us, that although this reputable hea- then author was a spectator of these things, and was re- cording his own failure along with that of his master, still he (Gibbon) did not credit the recital, there would have been nothing unfair in the transaction. We should say, in all love and candour, let each one judge for him- self; but partial information afforded, or facts half hid, in these cases, certainly evince a repugnance to the unob- structed ray of light. It is not our object here to inquire how much credulity they must possess who can believe that no one was found to contradict these statements of pagans and Christians, out of all the Jewish nation, and out of all the Roman army, or from the ranks of the ad- mirers or flatterers of royalty. A sermon which was preached within that generation is still extant, addressed to the Israelites as a persuasive, leading them to obey the gospel ; they were reminded of this noted overthrow, and invited to go and look again at the materials and other tokens of their rebuke from heaven whilst endeav.
OF INFIDELITY. 69
curing to go contrary to the purpose of the Maker of worlds. We might pause and inquire how strange that any one wishing them to embrace Christianity, should remind them of that which they had never known, and speak to them of wonders which they had never wit- nessed, as though these marvels were fresh in their re- collection ; but these are not the points before us. The certainties alone are enough for our purpose. We know that Jerusalem has been trodden down of the Gentiles seventeen hundred years. We know that the Jewish worship was not restored, and that if a wealthy and enthusiastic people, aided by an emperor and his army, were not enough to build another temple, then nothing ever could accomplish it. ' Applicatio?i. — Should the reader desire to ascertain whether those who scoff at Holy Writ, do not occasion, ally have their curiosity at least awakened by such incidents as those above named, so far as to lead them on toward further inquiry ; he may soon bring the mat- ter to a fair trial by asking such questions as the author has often asked. Inquire the reason why the Christians left the city, and were not involved in ruin and misery, such as the world had never seen before ? Had they more political sagacity than their countrymen ? Or why did not some fifty or a hundred thousand of the more prudent Jev/s retire to Pella, and share the safety which the Christian there enjoyed ? Or, if the Church had been watching for the token, and obeyed the signal of the Redeemer, did he only conjecture the sign, or was he Lord of armies ? How did he know that the dispersion would continue, and that Jerusalem would never recover her Mosaic forms of worship! &c. Those who make such inquiries of such as reject the
60 CAUSE AND CURE
gospel, at the present day, find with striking uniformity, that they do not remember, or they never knew accu- rately, what Christ had said of that people and that place. They are not informed as it regards Julian's ability, or his wish to disprove the prophecy j what un- believing historians have acknowledgd on these points ; what were the suffering, of those who killed the pro- phets and stoned the apostles, or indeed of any other fact or facts of this kind. It is only some hearsay dif- ficulty, some seeming contradiction, or some objection of their own against the Book of inspiration, which seizes and retains their thoughts when the subject of inspiration is mentioned.
There is another branch of wilful ignorance, which must not be passed by without notice, but at present we are otherwise employed.
Scoffers of the present day, are unacquainted with all those facts of historic authority, which have a secondary connection with the holy page ; but for the present, we must show what we mean by saying they are ignorant of Bible language.
CHAPTER XIII.
SCOFFERS OF THE LAST DAYS ARE WILFULLY IGNORANT OF BIBLE LANGUAGE.
An old man of Kentucky became rich, and mocked at God. He became more and more bitter, just as fast and in proportion as his kind Saviour heaped the blessings, comforts, and luxuries of life around him. He took up the Bible and read the following passage, or one like it :
OF INFIDELITY. 61
Isaiah, xlvi. 1, 2, — " Bel boweth down, Nebo stoopeth ; their idols were upon the beasts, and upon the cattle : your carriages were heavy loaden ; they are a burden to the weary beast ; they stoop ; they bow down together ; they could not deliver the burden, but themselves are gone into captivity-"
" Here, (exclaimed the old man, with more than anger depicted in his face,) here is the jargon which no one can understand ; wliicli I am required to believe ; an unmeaning jargon."
Reader, notice what that old man might have known, if he had read one fiftieth part as much Bible history, as he had read of political disputes in his newspapers. Notice what he might have felt, whilst reading those verses, had he been humble enough to seek after knowledge ; had he even patiently conversed with such of the pious as wished to speak with him on the great concern. He might have noticed that in the Sacred book, God, by the mouth of his prophets, spake in the past tense of future events, — that which he determined should take place, was as certain as that which had already transpired. The old man might have reflected, that when Isaiah spoke thus of Bel and Nebo, the kneeling millions prostrate before those idols pained the hearts of God's people. The desolations of Zion, the subjugation and dispersion of the worshippers of the true God, made his prophets mourn. How his servants would watch and wait to see the salvation of Israel, as connected with the fall of Bel and Nebo. That old man might have learned from common history, that those gold and silver images were broken down under the hammer, placed on mules and oxen, and whilst driving
62 CAUSE AND CtJRE
to distant Media, the cattle were oppressed with ilie zceariso?ne load.
The friends of God then, and the Church ever since, whilst reading that passage, are cheered with the re- collection that the Lord of glory performs invariably his promises of succour and deliverance. Their souls are fed with the glorious fact, that as he did not forget to fulfil his words of promise then, so he never will in future. The enemies of God might be reminded, (if they would receive instruction,) of the awful truth that his holy denunciations will also be verified. The passage is of course unmeaning to those who know nothing ; but shall God be answerable for the wilful ignorance of man ] Those verses are full of comfort, sublimity, and heavenly glory to the pious, who have sought after knowledge. The boasting worm, who chooses to keep himself in utter ignorance, cannot of course understand this or any other passage, which pictures ancient oc- currences ; but the blindness is in his own dark mind.
It is in this way that the educated and the brilliant in other things, have neglected every thing connected with God's book ; they have inquired after knowledge any where, or every where else, and much of the sacred volume has no meaning to them.
CHAPTER XIV.
THE SUBJECT CONTINUED.
A MOCKER who was admired for his strength of intel- lect, exclaimed, " What unmeaning nonsense," after reading either the following passage, or one like it ;
or INFIDELITY. 68
Nahum, Chapter ii. " They shall justle one against ano. ther, in the broad ways : he shall recount his worthies : they stumble in their walks ; they shall make haste to the wall thereof, and the defence shall be prepared ; the gates of the rivers shall he opened, and the palace shall he dissolved.^^
Suppose this scoffer had condescended to inquire. He might have read this chapter with tears of wonder and of joy.
Before the invention of cannon, the walls of Nineveh, so famous for their height and their width, were trusted in as impregnable by those proud enemies of Jehovah's people. Perhaps to many of them, the opening of the gates of the rivers, was as unintelligible as it is now to modern mockers ; but the Lord taught them its import with fearful accuracy. Ancient history informs us that during the siege, in after days, there arose one inunda- tion of the Tigris ; unparallelled, as far as we can learn, in previous ages, or in succeeding centuries. It swept down that boasted wall, on the top of which three char- iots used to drive abreast, by furlongs. Through these awful gates the river entered and melted down their pal- aces, and their piles of bricks, showing to them and to us, that God's word, however strange and unlikely, will always be fulfilled ! If man keeps himself in such igno- rance, that he cannot understand, or be profited by these glorious flashes of heavenly light who will finally bear the shame ? The Book of Light, or the uninformed mocker ? You may spread a table of pure and whole- some food, which the perverted appetite of the sated epicure will not receive, but his feelings of disgust do not change the existing nature of those really desirable viands. There is no passage, no fraction of a passaga
64 CAUSE AND CURE
within the covers of that blessed book, which is not rich with treasures of instructive truth, or full of music and of light ; but it is an old fact, that men may close their eyes and stop their ears until they ciinnot judge of, or even perceive sight or sound.
CHAPTER XV.
THE SUBJECT CONTINUED.
In how many instances every day does it happen, that the Bible is cast av/ay with indignant scorn, after soma one, wise in his own estimation, has read a sentence resembling that which follows : Isaiah^ Ixiv. " Oh, that thou wouldest rend the heavens, that thou wouldest come down, that the mountains might flow down at thy presence ; as when the melting fire burneth, the fire causeth the waters to boil ; to make thy name known to thine adversaries, that the nations may tremble at thy presence."
If we were to address a scofier who says, " I cannot understand this book," after reading such a page, we might make to him two several statements :
1. Fellow-worm, if you will place yourself at the foot of that volcanic precipice, at the time wnen the broad, deep and dreadful torrent of melted ore flows down its side, whilst the boiling ocean retires before this red tri- butary ; if you will gaze at the electric flash, and hear the subterranean thunder, you will confess, unless you have stupified your soul with sin until you cannot feel, that no spectacle toward which mortal eye could be di- rected, is more calculated to awaken in us a recollection
OF INFIDELITY. 65
of the grandeur, the power, and the dreadfulness of the awful One.
2. If you never have, like the prophet, felt so pained by the wickedness, the blasphemy, ingratitude, and daring insults of rebellious man, that you longed to see them overawed and stilled into obedience, by some strik- ing manifestation of Jehovah's power, it is because you have no piety, and never felt any genuine filial gratitude toward the Giver of all the mercies which sustain you ; but you should not scorn those who have.
Oh, every line of that inspired page is sweet, or re- proving, or grand, or instructive, or cheering ; but men love darkness rather then light, and the learned are too ignorant to understand the plainest words that ever were written, provided tliose words come from heaven !
CHAPTER XVI.
THE SUBJECT CONTINUED.
« And the daughter of Zion is left as a lodge in a gar- den of cucumbers."
There was a man who had read Xenophon and Lon- ginus, Cicero, and the Latin poets. He was applauded by his friends for what they called his mind. The pas- sage quoted above, (and hundreds like it,) he said, ap- peared to him not only unmeaning, but weak, puerile, and inelegant. In process of time he was led by the notes of modern travellers, (seemingly by accident,) to remember that these little lodges are built for the habitation of one watcher, to preserve from the ravages of birds, &;c., those oriental gardens. We are told that if we sail on
66 CAUSE AND CURE
the bosom of that gentle river, and look to the slope where the quiet sunshine rests on those lonely and solitary dwellings during the stillness of evening, nothing on earth is more calculated to bring into the bosom a feeling of desertion and desolation, than this image from the prophet's pen, picturing the decay of Jerusalem.
This self-important man afterwards confessed that the deficiencies were in his own stupid soul, and that the language of the Bible was indeed the style of heaven.*
* Perhaps one confession ought to be made to the infidel world. It is, that Christians should not be too loud in their voice of condemnation, so long as they practise the same sin which they reprove.
Christians believe that their heavenly Father has sent them a long kind letter from heaven ; that they owe it to him to read every line of it to their children, and make them acquaint- ed with all interesting concomitant facts. For want of this knowledge, many of the youth of our nation have grown up scoffers. Rather than risk this, encounter any trouble and ex- pense ; better have a professor at college for every book in the Bible ; better recite a morning lesson on every line in the book ; better endartger the loss of all other knowledge. How is the ac- tual praxjtice of the church in these things 1 When the Chris- tian parent places his son in the academy or college, does he say to the teacher, " Whatever else you may omit, see that you teach him the ancient literature connected with the Bible V No, this is not his charge, this is not his expectation. He knows that his son will be taught daily, laboriously, and inva- riably, Virgil, Horace, and other heathen authors, containing many most exceptionable passages. But if a college has a rule that the Bible is to be part of the course, it is an unpopu- lar rule, and often the teachers are themselves ignorant of JBJble facts and Bible language. The haters of God have
OF INFIDELITY. 07
CHAPTER XVII.
MEN HAVE LOVED DARKNESS RATHER THAN LIGHT.
"We have endeavoured to hold up to view that strange tendency and natural leaning towards falsehood (in matters of religion) which we possess without being aware of it. We will endeavour to illustrate this same truth by another process. It should be presented in another attitude. We think the weakness of props on which opposers rest gives a full exhibition of this truth. If men base a fabric of their eternal expectations on de- caved weeds, whilst an endurino; rock is close at hand there is some strange reason for such a choice. There is something defective in his heart or in his head, who is content to cast awav the Book of God, and venture all the terrors of the judgment day upon some one feeble ca- vil, which is annihilated as soon as a few facts are pre- sented.
Out of many we must select a few, and such as we have heard urged most frequently.
Case 1. — An amiable lawyer, after urging his toil- some but successful coursefor many years, at last won a seat in Congress. On his way to the meeting of that
exclaimed, " the college is no place to learn religion ;" and this weak dogma Christians have obeyed scrupulously, and Bible facts and Bible language form no part of the nation's study. Books on these points, (Lardner, Grotius, Shuck- ford, Prideaux, &c. &c.) are almost out of print; they may be found in a preacher's library, but even there will, in many caseSj be soug^bt in vain.
68 CAUSE a:sb cure
assembly he was taken with a disease which at first did not seem alarming. A physician, with whom he was on terms of intimacy, went to see him. This physician was one who thoiio;ht the soul of great value. He belie v- ed the disease one of those which flatter but destroy. He felt impelled to tell his friend so, and to ask as to his preparation for crossing the river of death. The lawyer answered him that he could not believe in Christianity. The doctor asked if he had ever investigated the matter ? He replied that he had read such and such books on the subject, (naming over some five or six infidel authors,) and that he deemed this a sufficient research. Being asked if he had never read any thing on the other side, lie confessed he never had. His friend told him that he deemed this a strange investigation, but would wish to hear the argument of his strongest confidence, that on which his hope leaned with the most quiet security. His answer was substantially as follows : " I can never believe in the darkness said to prevail over the land at the crucifixion of Christ. The strange silence of all writers, except the evangelists, disproves the statement: the elder Pliny particularly, who devoted a whole chap- ter to the enumeration of eclipses and strange things, would surely have told us of this occurrence had it been true." His friend the physician answered him with the following facts : —
" My dear friend, permit me to tell you where you obtained that statement concerning the silence of cotem- porary authors, and the chapter of Pliny devoted to eclipses. You read it in the second volume of Gibbon's Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire. There would be some degree offeree in the statement, were it not &r one individual circumstance ; that is, it is not true!
OF INFlDELrTY. 69
A tree painted on paper may resemble an oak, but it ig not an oak. There is not a word of truth in Mr. Gib- bon's account, although the falsehood is polished. That which he calls a distinct chapter of Pliny devoted to eclipses seems to have taken your full credence. Plmy has no such chapter ! It is only a sentence, an inciden- tal remark as it were. It consists of eighteen words, I will repeat them to you, if you wish to hear them. The import of the remark is, that eclipses are some- times very long, lile that after Ccesar^s death, when the sim was pale almost a year. A man hears of many things which he does not write. Pliny does not mention the darkness, but Celsus does, and so do Thallus and Phlegon, Origen, Eusebius, Tertullian, and others, some of them Christians and some of them pagans." (The reader can see Home's introduction, 1 vol., chap, ii.) " I am sorry you took the word of that author, splendid as were his talents, for he sometimes penned falsehood without scruple, if religion was his topic."
The sick man was silent — fell into a long deep reve- ry — after a few days he said to a relative, " If what I read in youth gave my mind a wrong bias, I suppose I must abide the consequences, for I cannot investigate now." He fell into convulsions and died, • Refections, — Poor man ! The truths of the Gospel and the evidences of Christianity were presented to him, and he turned away. He read a statement against the Bible, made by a modern historian who hated Christian- ity, and he received it at once, without asking further ! He took hold on a falsehood without one moment's delay or hesitation, relied upon it, and continued to believe it for twenty years, never asking after further testimony ! Surely men love darkness rather than light. Ten thou.
70 CAt'SE AND CURE
sand fruitful facts were before him and around him, on
the page of history — they favoured Christianity, and he
did not observe or remember them. The first historic
He he met, satisfied him. It seemed opposed to revela- tion.
CHAPTER XVIII.
MEN HAVE LOVED DARKNESS RATHER THAN LIGHT.
Case 2. — Several physicians of Virginia declared to each other that the Bible could not be true, because the doctrine of the resurrection was taught there, and this they deemed impossible. They mentioned the case of a man whose body was carried in fragments to different parts of the earth, and asked, with exulting laughter, how he was to recover his body after it had been dis- solved, mingled with earth, grown again into vegetables, then again forming a part of other animals and other bodies, age after age ? Hundreds and thousands make this the strongest prop of their system of unbelief, but physicians are mentioned here because they are familiar with facts which would utterly forbid any one being in- fluenced a moment by such reasoning, unless he had a strong appetite for falsehood, and a full disrelish for the truth. That men of science have trusted in the hope that the resurrection could not take place, because part of the same body may have belonged to different men and different animals, exhibits so ^Zcrriw^Zy and undeni- ably the love for darkness, that we must take some time and some space to review the fabric of their confidence. We must encounter some toil, and exercise some pa- tience, to make that perfectly plain to the youthful, or
OF IXFIDELITY. 71
the unlettered, which is so readily understood by the anatomist. We must and will expose, if we can, that which has led the scientific to propK)sea difficulty in the doctrine of the resurrection. Let enlightened readers then bear with us, whilst we explain things well known to them, for the sake of the uncultivated. The inferences will be of equal importance to all. The application is profitable to each one of us.
Let the following facts be noted and impressed on the memory :
First fact, — God tells the righteous that their bodies^ although made out of the materials belonging to their present frames of earth, will shine and be very splendid I (See XV. Chapter 1 Cor.) God can make very durable, and very glorious things out of materials the very oppo- site of firmness, or of brilliancy. He has done this. Of all the substances with which we are acquainted^ we esteem diamond the hardest, and the most glittering. Charcoal is as black and as crumbling, £is any other body known to us ; yet, these two bodies are the same I The learned know, the ploughboy does not, that the difference between charcoal and diamond is, that the Creator has ordered a different arrangement of particles ! The same materials are differently placed, that is all. If any are wishing for a body more beautiful than they now have, they may be assured that God can, if he chooses, take a part of our present fragile, corruptible forms of clay, and make out of it something exceedingly glorious. " It is sown in dishonour, it is raised in glory." Out of a certain spot of earth a flower arose, which waved in splendour ; the soil from which it grew was very black.
Second fact, — God has not told us how much of our
72 CAUSE AND CURE
present body goes into the composition of the new, on the morning of the resurrection.
The figure used as an illustration by the inspired ■writer, to make his instructions plain on this subject, is the grain which is sown in the earth, decays, and out of which springs the new grain. It is perhaps a twentieth, or thirtieth part of a grain of wheat, which springs up and forms a part of the new grain ; the rest rots and stays in the ground. It is not needed in the new body which God gives the wheat, and is not called forth again. Whether it will be a tenth, a twentieth, or an hundredth part of our present body, which is to enter into the formation of the new, God has not chosen to tell us, and we need not care, for the work will be well done, and we shall know enough after a time.
Third fact, — The man who has lived here seventy years, has had very many bodies : perhaps less, perhaps more than seventy. God has not condescended to tell us out of which of these bodies he will take the new, or whether a portion of each will be used.
Here let the young reader be very careful to note and remember, the body he has now is not the same body he had last year. Our bodies change continually. The man who is kept from food, in any way, no longer than one week, finds, at the end of that time, he has not as much body by many pounds, as he had seven days be- fore. In this way, how fast the body wastes, is not yet accurately agreed on. Our food is only supplying this continued waste. The bones change also, but not so fast as the softer parts of our frames. How the body can waste, and be again renewed, is singular and interestinoj : but not easily understood without close thinliing. It will be worth while to take some pains, and
OF INFIDELITY. 78
drop anatomical style, or physiological style, and speak in a way to be understood by all. The young reader may be led to admire the wonderful works of God, whilst preparing to comprehend a fact connected with his own resurrection. Every little boy knows what a vein is. He is also capable of understanding what is meant by a vein forking, or branching again and again, until it be- comes exceedingly small, like those he has seen run- ning over the eye when it is inflamed. Then again, he can fancy that if one of these small veins shall divide into a thousand branches, in running a short distance, they must become so small that they cannot be seen by the eye alone. And if thousands of these branch a thou- sand times, they will lay over each other finer and more plentifully than the hair of the head. These small veins physicians call, vessels, blood vessels. Running through, and along with these, are other vessels, as small and as numerous, that are not called blood vessels. If we place a small pebble in a leathern tube, and contract our fin- gers behind the pebble, we may push it from one end of the tube to the other. In this way, and through these countless millions of vessels, our food is conducted to ev- ery part of the body where it is needed. We call that which is so much smaller than a dust of flour that we cannot see it, a particle. When any of the body, whick we now have, shall have remained long enough where it is, so as to become too old, and need changing, it is taken up by particles into these hair-like vessels ; the vessel contracts behind the particle and pushes it on to the skin, and much of the body is lost in one day by what is call- ed insensible 'perspiration. Others of these vessels lead in a diflferent direction, and taking up particle after par- ticle of the old body, it is thrown upon the bowels, and
4
74 CAUSE AND CUKB
SO passes off. But where these particles are taken fi-oiu there is left a vacancy of course, and if not suppHed^^the man is said to be falling away, or decUning in flesh. Our food, day after day, is taken into the stomach, there prepared, taken up in particles by these small vessels, conducted to every part of the body and deposited in diGse vacancies ! Thus we think that any one can understand the necessity of daily food, and the w^onder- llil process by which our sinking flesh is constantly sus- tained. But the inquiring mind sometimes demands, " If my body is thus totally changed, and so often, how is it that I look as I foraierly did, or retain my shape in any way ?" Answer. — This you shall understand if you are willing to think industriously. Take a plate and cover it over with apples. On the top of this first layer of apples place a second, and on these a third, and sa continue ; after a time you will have a pyramid, and one to crown the top alone. Then suppose one man approaches the plate, takes up an apple and throws it to a distance. Another man by, immediately drops an- other apple as large into its place, your pyramid is still tliere and retains its shape. The first man takes up apple after apple in swift succession, casting them to a distance, whilst the second man drops an apple into each vacuum as fast as they are made ; your plate ef apples rnay be changed a thousand times, and the pyramid is still there in full shape. Thus your body is changed and renewed by particles. The shape remains, although there' is nothing about you (soul excepted) which was there in former years. It is a man's immortal part which constitutes his real identity. Blessed be God, the soul does not waste, and glory to his name, the body
OP INFIDELITY. 75
docs ; thus leading us to remember our dependance on our heavenly Father.
Fourth fact. — We never had a body, a part of which did not come from every corner in the world. The rice of which that man is partaking grew in Georgia or the East Indies. That waterfowl once swam on the surface of a northern lake. That sugar came from Jamaica, and that fish once floated on the Newfoundland surges. Young reader, do you expect to live a few months lon- ger ? If you do, you must have a new body, and where is it to come from ? It is probable that you will eat bread ; but the wheat from which this is to be made is now growing in your father's field, or in that of a neighbour. How is the growth of this wheat to be con- tinued ? Plants are sustained and nourished much from the air that floats past them ; it enters into the pores, the leaves drink it up, and it forms a part of their sub- stance. But the air of the earth is always changing an* streaming in torrents from one part of the eartt to .^e other. This incessant motion is necessary toPrese^G its purity. The air which is to help tr-^ustar* that grain on which you are to feed is no*^'^^^^ ^* ^^^ ' ^^ is on the other side of the earth ! vegetation U fed by the showers of heaven. Water ^^"^^ ^ P^^* o^^^ wheat, an indispensable portion. ^"* *^^^ ^^'^^^^ ^^ °^t ^^^^ *^® field now. The clou-* <^^"^^ ^^^"^ ^ distance. The process of evaporation will proceed on the surface of distant oceanc^, if ^^^e atmosphere is made heavy with the showers that nourish that which is to nourish you. You never partook of any food part of which had not been collected from distant lands and oceans all over the
earth !
Application,— Here is a man who is acquainted
76 CAtrsi: and cvke
with all these facts. lie knows that the body he is io have, if he lives, is now difTused and commingled through all the elements of earth, air, and water ; but his belief is, that when he dies, if his body should ga back into these elements,^ and be scattered abroad once more, God cannot collect it again !
Well might heaven mourn, earth be astonished, and hell rejoice. I never could have believed this if I had not seen and heard it. That scienti^ man is fully awar& that for the twentieth time he has had a body gathered from the corners of the world ;. but his prop for eternity is, that God cannot do this once more on the morning of the resurrection I The fabric of his everlasting ex- peetations rests on the ereedy or the hope, that the Crea- tor, v.ho has given this other man fifty new bodies, will \ fail in the fifty-first effort, should he endeavour out of all these bodies to gather one new frame J
If this system, or religious creed, is not the result of ^^*'s 'lisrelidh f^r truth,, and his love for darkness, then; IS I'Mjro BO such thino; as cause and result. My dear Irieno^ do.^^^ envy you your tower of refuge. Be not angry vith me-r j pj.^fgj. t^g Rock of ages for my secu- rity whoi the woixi ,.gg]g^
CHAPTER Xiv
MEN HAVE LOVED DARKNESS RATHER th 4N LIGHT.
Case 3. — ^.V noted teacher of Latin, who had rea^i the Bible, and who had read many volumes of history, averred that he could not receive the New Testament : *"For," said he, « the enemies of Christianity, pagaii
■OF IKFIDELITY. 7T
writers, would surely have noticed Christ and his apos- tles, or their writings, or their miracles if they had been |ierformed."
This objection was the ground of his creed, the pil- lar of his confidence. It has been sach to thousands, and continues so to be,
«
To show the strength of these objections, we will look at similar cavils in mattci's of common history. Sup- pose you were to meet an impetuous and loud-talking young man, who had taken up some strange dislike to the occurrences of the American revolution. With 'Sashing eye and indignant action, he declares that he <3oes not believe one half of the statements of our histo- rians. One of his most prominent difficulties and strongest objections he presents in the following way : •*' I never can believe that Lord Cornwallis marched his forces through Virginia. This Is Washington's native state, and he would certainly have opposed them had the enemy crossed its border. The British .troops never could have been in Virginia ; common sense tells me «o ; because, had they appeared there, we are certain, from v/hat we know of the character of Washington, he would have interfered, he would have encountered them." Now, observe, the secret of this marvellous difficulty is «imply this : Washington was a man disposed to meet the enemy speedily and unfailingly. Nothing prevents this objection against American history from possessing great strength, but one solitary circumstance, that is Shis, 0^ he did encounter, surround, and csfiure them.
If a class of men should keep themselves in obstinate ignorance of the transactions at Little York, this cavil would to their minds, possess great force ; but when the whole truth is told, we think an half idiot would turn
78 CAUSE AND CURE
away from the objector with contempt. T}iiii», when the scofTor says he cannot believe the Gospel, because he deems it altoij^elher probable and to be expected, thai other trriters besides the evangelists irould have mention^ ed or alluded to the oeeurrenees of those times : it is indeeil true that these attestations, records, or allusions "were to be looked lor, and all that prevents the argu- ment having some weight is simply that these records and heathen testimonies were {x^nned in the greatest abundance. The objector is not only ignorant ot'what "was written in that age, but he continues iK'rseveringly isrnorant, as we are now about to show. Volnev, Hume, Voltaire, and other able intldel authors, make state- ments on these points utterly untrue. These the scoffers read, believe instantly, and never forget ; but answers written by friends of the gospel, they never read ; or if they do, it is cursorily, and languidly, and almost every statement is forgotten before a month. All this t]ie reader may observe for himself if ho be inclined. He may as- certain these facts from actual inquiry. He may test the matter whenever he chooses, by pursuing a course ■which in any degree resembles the following. Suppose he gcx's to that unbeliever, (or to as many of them as ho chooses, in any part of the earth,) and after reminding him that the emperor Julian lived so near the apostles that his grandfather must have been cotem[X)rary with those who heard them pn\ich ; that this monarch was not only a splendid warrior, but an able writer, of extensive information ; that in either writing or fighting against Christianity, such was his bitterness, that he put forth all his energies, and then proposes questions like the following : *' What doi'S this learned emperor state in his writin£:s concerning Peter and Paul, whom
OF INFIDLLITV. 7^
ho hated so bitterly ?" " Hud he any o|)jjortunity to learn whether or not the Saviour walked on the Hurface of the deep ?" He confesses Jk; did. " What does /uhan record concerning the blind in the villages of Judca Ix^ing re. «tored to sight?" A:c. Header, you will find that th<r man who is asking after heathen testimony either never knew facts of this kind, or liLs recollection is so dirn, that out of volumes of them he cannot relate accuraU-lv three circumscrilx^d items ! Ask after the Greek philos- opher at Athens^ Aristides, who renounced heathenism,* who wrote a letter to tlie emperor, Ace. &.c. Ask what this man said concerning those who had been healed or restored by the apostles in his day ? Ask the oI>jector if this philosopher's testimony is weakened iK^caus^i the evidences of Christianity were so strong as to cause hira to renounce the religion of his fathers and be bapti/^-xi? Ask the objector, what Celsu^ wrote concerning the companions of Jesus, (who lived, he states, a diW years hf-Sorft his time.) Ask what this writer states of the Sa- viour's incarnation — of his being born of a virgin — of hi.s flight into f^gypt — of his baptism ? A^e. 6cc., awl you will find that the man who turiLS away from the testi- mony of early ChrUtian writers because they were friends of Christ, keeps hinxself in ignorance of the re- marks, or confessions, or quotations, written by hU enemies. Such a man of course must be destitute of evidence.
• See A<idi*on*« Evidcnoe*.
80 CAUSE AND CURE
CHAPTER XX.
INCONSISTENCY OF UNBELIEVERS.
Unbelievers demand heathen testimony concerning the book of the New Testament and the things con- tained therein, but the testimony of pagans and Jews on all such points they have forgotten, or they never knew.
Let those who can scarcely think this is so con- cerning the learned scoffer, go to hifti, (or to as many as a thousand, severally, if so inclined,) and ask, *' What does Lucian say concerning the crucifixion of Christ 1 concerning tHe doctrine of love which he inculcated to his followers 1 concerning the honesty and fair dealing of his disciples, their hopes of im- mortality," &c. &c. You will find that concerning the contents of the Talmuds, or Lucian, or Porphyry, Celsus, Tacitus, Pliny, Josephus, or any writer living near that age, they are almost entirely ignorant, or their recollections are only a mass of confusion.
We will notice another case, selecting it out of many, to show that those who ask for pagan testi- mony, wish indeed for no testimony on the subject. For the sake of the youthful or the unlettered, we preface the case with a few remarks relating to ancient history. The Romans were in the habit of writing and preserving, amongst their senate*s re- cords, striking events, and strange occurrences. Their governors used to send to the emperors a written account of noted and remarkable transac- tions, which were preserved under the name of these several governors ; such as the ads of the princi- pal men who ruled. Pilate sent on an account
t)F INFIDELITY. 81
to the emperor Tiberius of the Saviour's life, miracles, crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension. These papers were called Ada PilaiU the acts of Pilate. Justin (who was a boy when St. John died) grew up in the Greek and heathen phifosophy, was converted to Christianity about the 44th year of his age, and wrote to Rome asking from Antoninus imperial favour and lenity for the Chris- tians. Having written to the emperor and his senate, of the life and death of our Lord, of the dead that were raised, of the diseases that were healed, &c. *Scc., he adds, " and that these tilings iccre done by him, you may ^nowfrom the Acts wMde in the time of Pontius Pilaic'''' Tertullian v/rote to the emperor, and refers to the Acts of Pilate. The early Christians, in their disputes with the Gentiles, referred to the Acts of Pilit^ as authority which no one disputed. These writers, or these disciples, were almost unifornriy either Jews or pagans before their conversion, and once hated the name of Christ.
Reader, go and ask the objectors of whom we have been writing, questions such as these : " Was the account of the acts of Pilate mentioned in the letters of Justin (Martyr) less clear and credible, because he renounced his former faith and embraced Christianity ? Woulrt Justin or Tertullian, or any other, WTiting to the em^ peror and senate, asking for their lives and the lives of brethren, and for kindness, favour, and toleration to all the Churcli, refer them to papers which they did not possess, "or to senatorial documents that did notcxist ? You will find that they do not know who Justin, Ter- tullian, IrenscuSjClement, and Eusebius were ; where, or wlien they lived ; whether any of their writings are^ of are not extant, or what they wrote about.
82 • CAUSE AND CUKE
CHAPTER XXI.
UNCEASING CAUSE OF INFIDELITY.
Suppose there burns a light of uncommon splendour, not far from a man who hates its radiance ? Suppose it is his duty to gaze upon its glory, but he refuses ; this aversion may discover itself in a variety of attitudes, all tending to the one result. In the first place, he will not approach. Then, suppose an angel should descend, take him by the arm, and with the mastery of superior strength, lead him near ; will the object be accomplisli. ed ? No,— one of his expedients is taken from him, but he can employ another. He turns away his head. He is next compelled to face the light, but he holds his hand before his face; this forcibly is withdrawn, and he then shuts his eyes. Just so it has been with fallen man, in different ages, regarding the truth.
" If I had been near to Sinai," said a young man, " in the days of Moses and of Joshua ; if I had stood at the foot of that thunder-rocked mountain, and heard the voice of God speaking to that nation, I never should have doubted the power of Jehovah ; if I had marched through the bosom of that retiring sea, and had been fed with manna, year after year, I never should have questioned the Deity of my leader for a single moment."
Neither did the Israelites ; this was not the form of their unbelief. Amidst all their rebellions they never questioned* the strength of Jehovah, or the facts record- ed during their journey, a single hour. Their disrel- ish for the truth showed itself in the following way ;
or INFIDELITY. 63
•♦ May not different Deities have the empire of the earth divided between them ? We know that our God is pow- crful ; but our neighbours say, that their God is also powerful. May it not be well to seek the favour of both ? Miojht it not be wise to propitiate the favour of all ? Their worship is easily rendered ; it is very a<p*eeable^ r.nd allows of the dance and songs and joyous festivity ?" The unbelief of this age was the infidelity of iddatni. It is true that the Lord sent them teacher after teacher ; he chastised them, and warned them ; he continued his marvels, mukiplying their opportunities, adding to their prophets and instructors, until idolatry l>ecame as im- practicable in that nation, as it would be now in the streets of Philadelphia.
If some great man was to set up a gold or silver im- nge in the street of one of our laroje cities, what is the reason he could not jjet the multitude to kneel before it ? Is it because of any love they have for the Bible, or any reverence for the name of Christ, or the precepts of his will ? No ! There are thousands there, as wicked, as .sen- sijal, and as filthy, almost, as the imagination can paint. There is no dano-er that the wicked of our land will fall into this kind of idolatry. They cannot. That road has been blocked up. Books; education, truth, science, and heavenly light have been brought too near. So it was when the Redeemer stood in the streets of Jerusa- lem. There was no fear tliat men would erect wood and stone and kneel before it, as their fathers did. God had removed such hiding places. Will they then receive the truth ? Shall we now see them listen and obey ? No ! They then say " he casteth out devils, through Beelzebub, prince of devils." This was the form of in. fidelity then assumed. The heathen cauglit the same
84 CAUSE AND CURE
excuse and used it. They all quieted their fears in this way. The writers of the Talmuds knew well enough the events of their day. They were sufficiently acquainted with what the Saviour did and suffered. How is it, then, that they did not become his disciples ? How could they avoid submitting to the truth? They say he had learned the correct pronunciation of the in- effable name of God. They say he stole this out of the temple. Again they say, he was in Egypt, where he learnec} the magic art, and practised it with greater suc- cess than any one ever did before him. [See Hornets Introduction, vol. !•) They agree that he was the son of Mary, the daughter of Eli, — was crucified on the even- ing of the passover, that the witnesses who swore against him were suborned, &c. &c. &;c.
" Celsus, one of the bitterest antagonists of Christi- anity, who wrote in the latter part of the second cen- tury, speaks of the founder of the christian religion as having lived but a very few years before his time, and mentions the principal facts of the gospel history, rel- ative to Jesus Christ, — declaring that he had copied the account from the writings of the evangelists. He quotes these books, as we have already remarked, and makes extracts from them as being composed by the disciples and companions of Jesus, and under the names which they now bear. He takes notice particularly of his in- carnation ; his being born of a virgin ; his being wor- shipped by the magi ; his flight into Egypt, and the slaughter of the infants. He speaks of Christ's baptism by John, of the descent of the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove, and of the voice from heaven declaring him to be the Son of God ; of his being accounted a prophet by his disciples ; of his foretelling who should betray him,
OF INFIDELITY. 86
as well as the circumstances of his death and resurrec- tion. He allows that Christ was considered a divine person by his disciples, who worshipped him, and no- tices all the circumstances attending the crucifixion of Christ, and his appearing to his disciples afterwards. He frequently alludes to the Holy Spirit, mentions God under the title of the Most High, and speaks collectively of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. He acknowledges the miracles wrought by Jesus Christ, by which he en- gaged great multitudes to adhere to him as the Messiah. That these miracles were really performed he never dis- putes, or denies, but ascribes them to the magic art, which, he says, Christ learned in Egypt." (Hornets Intro, vol. 1.)
Reader, the Jewish and the Pagan writers, who knew what was done by Christ and his apostles for the space of forty years, were not under the necessity of becoming Christians. Men do not thus love the truth. The Jews and heathens who lived afterwards, with those who were raised from the dead, and with the children of those who were raised from the dead, declared, that although these things were done, they would not believe. Rather than submit to the truth they would attribute all to the agency of evil spirits. We know where our pa- rents and our grand parents lived. We know many things about them which we never saw. Tliousands who heard their parents and their grand parents speak of those who had been restored to sight, or of the chil dren of those who were thus restored, of their intimacy with them, &c. had as clear a knowledge of these facts, as we have that our fathers landed on the rock at Ply- mouth, or were victorious at Bunker Hill ; yet they would not obey the gospel. The magic art was their
86 CAUSE AND CUKE ^
refuge. They did not, and they could not destroy them- selves in that age by the unbelief of idolatry. This ave- nue to ruin was barred ; but to ascribe the works of God to demoniac influence, the genius of the age per- mitted, and this was their resort.
CHAPTER XXII.
THE SUBJECT COTINUED.
Shall men continue, age after age, to destroy them- selves by the persuasion, or by the hope, that the Lord and his apostles acted through the agency of evil spirits ? No : that kind of infidelity cannot last always. As sure as the copies of that New Testament are multiplied, or much read in the churches, men will cease to attribute works of love and mercy to Satan. Preach that gospel extensively, and men will not believe in this creed of magic more readily than they now do. You cannot prevail on the most wicked, or the most ignorant bias- phemer in any of our streets, to believe that Christ heal- ed those who touched his garments, with the aid of fallen spirits. What is the reason that his enemies of the pres- cnt day never think of accusing him of any connec- tion with Beelzebub ? It is not because of any affection they have for him ; it is not because of their love, or their reverence, that they do not believe, and cannot believe he learned the magic art in Egypt, where he certainly was in early life. No ; the lamp of knowledge has been held too near to them. No thanks to the wicked now^ that the Lord has made that kind of infideUty inconsis-
OF INFIDELITY. 87
tent with the genius of the age ; there is enough of hatred to Christ and his precepts ; enough of wickedness, ig- norance and pollution, to insure the rejection of offered mercy. His grace will be scorned, and his Messiahship denied ; but not under the old pretext. New expedients will be devised, and other channels sought. Any thing rather than look at the light. Centuries have rolled away. The original witnesses have fallen asleep, and their children, and their children's children, for many generations. During the first three hundred years and more, after our Saviour's ascension, had any one at- tempted to deny facts of the gospel history, some would have looked him in the face with the remark, " my fa- ther, or my grandfather saw it, or conversed with a man who saw it." Ages have passed away. The latter days are here. An inspired apostle was directed to announce, that in after days there should come scoffers, mocking at the promise of his coming, and casting away the whole record. We have noticed three of the most prominent and conspicuous kinds of infidelity, or of the forms in which unbelief has exhibited itself. It is true, that other intervening kinds have existed, such as the infidelity of superstition, priest-craft, &;c. but we have not time and space to write minutely of its every shape. The infidelity of the last day is here. The scoffing un- belief, as foretold, is come ; and it was to be accompanied with wilful ignorance, the offspring of a secret love for darkness. We must continue to observe other indica- tions of this strange disrelish for truth, and we seaVch after it more faithfully, because those who possess it, are unconscious of its existence. This preference for dark- ness may be detected from the fact, that men in support
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of their own systems of infidelity, are more credulous than ordinary, and believe that which is much harder to believe than simply to receive the truth.
CHAPTER XXIIL
INCONSISTENCY AND CREDULITY OF THE REJECTERS
OF THE GOSPEL.
Rejecters of tlie gospel are exceedingly credulous^ and in support of a false system, receive that which is harder to believe than the truth.
Case of a Schoolmaster. — An aged man, who had spent much of his life in teaching a Latin school, had read at times fractions of history, until he had become somewhat acquainted with a few of the facts we have named. This knowledge seemed to detract somewhat from that quietude which he had once possessed in scorning holy things. His restlessness evinced itself occasionally by his impatience and fretfulness under preaching ; but he thought himself entirely tranquil, and hated the word Christianity. It so happened that from his intercourse with his books, and with his acquaint- ances, he learned something of the moral character of the early Christians. — ^\Ve will pause here long enough to inform the young reader how he may get the same knowledge if he wishes it. As to what kind of persons they were who were baptized in the apostolic age, it is not hard to get an idea, because he may gather the ac- count from friends and enemies. If we hear the character of a noted individual from those who love him, and are not entirely satisfied, we may ask further. Should we
or INFIDELITY. 89
receive the same account from a number of those who cordially hate him, we feel that this is all the testimony we could have on such a point. It is now (for the point before us) necessary that we should have some correct estimate of what kind of men and women those were who have been called primitive Christians. It may be that if I should refer the reader to the acts of the Apostles, to the writings (or to extracts from the writings) of Clement, Irenaeus, Justin, Barnabas, Poly carp, or others, there are some who might enquire after other evidence, say- ing, that although these had been either Jews or Pagans, yet they were Christians at the time they wrote, and who knows hut their partialities blinded them, or induced them to say things of their brethren more favourable than were deserved. If so, then the reader can seek elsewhere for testimony. Let him take the word of those who hated them and put them to the torture. "VVe may gather from the brief remarks of Pagan adversa- ries, the same facts, more circumstantially related by friends to Christ. For example : If we consult the cele- brated letter of the younger Pliny to the emperor Tra- jan, we shall find his statement sufficiently decisive. This Pliny became governor of Pontus and Bithynia, not far from the time of St. John's death, but he had been in public life elsewhere long before. Pliny informs the emperor that he sometimes made the Christians confess under the torture. (Two young females thus tried, he mentions particularly.) He speaks of threaten, ing with death, and ordering away to punishment for their inflexible obstinacy, until we begin to wish for the confession of those who were tortured. We begin to desire an account of their characters and their actions thus obtained. Reader, if you will consult the narra-
^ CAUSE AND CURE
live given by Pliny, j-ou will find that the Christians were brouijlit to confess :
1. That they were wont to meet together, on a stated day, before it was light, and sing among themselves, al- ternately, a hymn to Christ, as God ;
2. And bind themselves by an oath (the word sacra- ment meant oath in the Roman tongue) not to the com mission of any tcickedness ;
3. — And not to be guilty of theft ;
4. — Not to be guilty of robbery ;
5. — Not to be guilty of adultery ;
6. — Never to falsify their word,
7, — Nor to deny a pledge committed to them when called upon to return it.
The dullest reader, we suppose, has mind enough to see that if it is an enemy s testimony, collected from tortures and laborious research, that the aggregate of their criminal practices amounted to the following, viz, related and solemn engagements never to speak false- ly, to act disho7\estly, or to commit any manner of loicked- ness, <^c.f it is certainly praise as loud as though a friend had written, that they were honest and tiprigJU in their ways.
Once more, we may gather from tlie writings of a hearty adversary just the same. Lucian was born a few years after the death of the oldest apostle.
" Lucian, the cotemporary of Celsus, was a bitter enemy of the Christians. In his account of the death of the philosopher Peregrinus, he bears authentic testimo- ny to the principal facts and principles of Christianity ; that its founder was crucified in Palestine, and wor- shipped by the Christians, who entertained peculiarly istT<mg hopes of immortal life, and great contempt for
OF INFIDELITY. 91
tilis world and its enjoyments ; and that they courage- ously endured many afflictions on account of their prin- ciples, and sometimes surrendered themselves to suffer- ings.
" Honesty and probity prevailed so much among them that they trusted each other without security. Their Master had earnestly recommended to all his followers mutual love, by which also they were much distinguish- ed. In his piece entitled Alexander or Pseudomantis, he says, that they were well known in the world by the name of Christians ; that they were at that time numer- ous in Pontus, Paphlagonia, and the neighbouring countries ; and finally, that they were formidable to cheats and impostors." Home's Introduction. 1 vol*
Reader, these statements, from the haters of the gos- pel, would be amply sufficient (if no one else had written) to furnish us with all the information we desire concern- ing the meekness and integrity of the early disciples. Go and collect and condense that which has been writ- ten by friends and enemies until you are satisfied ; then come and follow on with us to notice what they must believe who cast away the Bible.
Before we proceed, however, we have still another pre- paratory remark or two to make. As it regards the number of the early Christians, any one who wishes, or who chooses, may inform himself in the same way we have mentioned. For instance, if I read the pagan his- torian, Tacitus, concerning the persecution at Rome, during which St. Paul was put to death, and find him calling those who were burned ingens multitudo, (a vast crowd,) I have testimony concerning the church in that city. For if those martyred were ingens muUitudo, then it is no tortured inference to suppose the congregationa
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from which Ihcy were taken, considerably numerous. Again, if we read from PUny that the heathen tem|)Ies had been almost deserted, that this superstition (he calls it) had seized, not cities only, but the lesser towns and open country, we may make some inference regarding the number and strength of Christian congregations there and iken. The same information may be had from other authors, either friends or foes, or both ; but at present we must proceed with our narrative —
We have said that the aged school teacher had picked up some information concerning the Augustan age and the times which followed it. He had a particular friend with whom he was willing at times to converse on tlie subject of religion, without growing angry, (but not long at once.) This friend made to the old man a certain statement, and asked his belief on several diiTerent points. The following is as near the substance of that statement, and of those inquiries, as recollection will restore.
" My friend, I am about to ask you to draw a picture, tlien to look at it, and to meditate on it calmly, for a few luinutes. I am not about to ask you to describe, and then observe, all the churches and congregations of the Roman empire in the time of Nero or of Trajan. I will only ask you to notice closely for a time one or two hun- dred churches, or Christian assemblies ; these you may select wherever you choose ; from Greece, Asia Minor, or from x\frica, or collect some from every por- tion of the mass. No matter, only fix your eye on one or two hundred of these congregations. Let them be neither the larger nor the smaller, but churches of the medium size. You know that as it is now, so it was ihen, these congregations were not composed of any one
OF i?friDELITY. 9a
class of society alone, but some were seen of every des- cription in each assembly. Some were poor, some were not ; some ignorant, some learned. Variety has been found in every Christian assembly throughout the earthy in every age. I do not ask you to observe these congre- gations through all the time that Christ and his apostles were on earth, or as long as miracles continued to be performed in the churches ; but fix your eye upon them during just thirty years of that time. Enter now with me into one of them, (we may say the church at Corinth,) — liere is a congregation of, say one or two hundred mem- bers ; some of them ignorant, others well-informed ; male and female, young and old. They were once all Jews or pagans, and very zealous for the religion of their ancestors. Now they are professed Christians, although it is dangerous to wear that name, both to property and to life. These Christians say that some of their num- ber were once blind ; but that they received their sight by virtue of the name of Jesus Christ, which was called over them. These Christians are altered in their con- duct very much. They were, whilst pagans, very fond of theatres, feasts, and revels ; they were very sensual. Now, whether sincere or not, according to the statement of friends and enemies, their external conduct at least is very different. They are very careful to exhort each other every Sabbath, and to pledge themselves to each other continually, to abstain from all that is false or wicked. Now they seem to believe that Sabbath after Sabbath these wonders are performed by themselves and brethren in the name of Christ.
" They think that they understand and speak the lan- guages of the nations and people around them. The apostles are writing to them month after month, and
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year after year, not to be lifted up or exalted because they have these or the gift of healing &c., because pride is unlovely in the view of heaven. The members of this congregation seem to think that they converse contin- ually about the wonderful works of God with their neigh- bours, in all their different tongues — Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and dwellers in Mesopotamia, Judea, Cappadocia, in Pontus and Asia, Phrygia, and Pamphylia, Lybia, and Cyrene ; Cretes, and Arabians, Jews and Proselytes.
" Let us now enter into another congregation, and look round for a time, and then another, and another, and so continue until we have just reached one hundred, in some five or six of the nations nearest Palestine. Now let us observe them closely for the first ^ve years only out of the thirty. Do you suppose that these congrega- tions were deceived, thinking all the time that they spoke with tongues when they really did not 1 Do you suppose that only one hundred of these churches, for the space of five years, did think that they saw Sabbath after Sabbath, and month after month, the blind cured, the dead raised, and then lived with them afterwards, whilst all the time it was mere delusion ?"
The old man allowed that to take one hundred con- gregations out of any one nation of the Roman Empire, and these congregations made up of members of every sect, temperament, class, and condition of mind and of body, set their enemies to watch, to hate, and to kill them for their faith ; and it would be hard to believe that tney all thought these things done, when they were not done, by themselves, for the space of fifteen years, in- stead of thirty. That one hundred churches should all happen at the same time to be thus deceived in matters
OF INFIDELITY. 95
of eye-sight, for fifteen years, he thought would be hard to believe; and we agree with him.
He was also reminded of a piece of information, which the reader may obtain whenever he chooses. We have at present a need for a distinct view of the fact. It is concerning the meekness Viiid paiiejice under suffer- z/7^which belonged to Christians, and which nothing could shake. The reader, who may not wish to take the account of the Church on this point, can have the tes- timony of enemies whenever he chooses, and wherever he turns. We will cite but one example, and that is from the page of the celebrated Pliny, which is already before us. Note his words : " I have put the question to them, whether they were Christians ? Upon their confessing to me that they were, I repeated the question a second, and a third time, threatening also to punish them with death ; such as still persisted, I ordered away to be punished, for it was no doubt with me, what- ever might be the nature of their opinion, that contuma- cy and injlexihle obstinacy ought to be punished.'' Others who were accused "denied that they were Christians, or had ever been so, who repeated after me an invocation of the gods, and with wine and frankin- cense, made supplication to your image, which, for that purpose, I had caused to be brought and set before them, together with the statues of the deities. Moreover, they reviled the name of Christ, none of which things, as is said, they who are really Christians can by any means be compelled to do. These, therefore, I thought proper to discharge."
From the pen of this pagan ruler, the reader may gather all the praise which has ever been bestowed by friends. It is not hard to sec to what he alludes in the
96 CAUSE AND CURE
words injlexihle ohstinacy ; and when he informs us that there were certain things which they could not, by an^ means, he compelled to do, he has told us all the fortitude and faithfulness we were asking after. Reader, become acquainted with similar declarations and other scraps, or detached passages, from different heathen writers, and you will not demand information from Christian authors.
The unbeliever had pronounced it /iar^f of belief , that many congregations, in the circumstances named, for many years at a time, should think themselves capable, by using the name of Christ, of curing lepers, tlie blind and lame, unless it were so.
To think that they lived long with tliose who had once been dead, and were in habits of intimacy with those who were born blind ; and to think that they remembered the Sabbath, and the hour when they saw
them restored, &c. he thought that these delusions
were not likely to happen in many congregations, say one hundred, at the same time, or to continue very long, week after week, say for five years, particularly if all the profit to each member was the loss of goods and worldly honour and life ! He was reminded by his friend, that his difficulty would be somewhat increased after taking into account the fact, that those who sustain insult meekly, and suffering uncomplainingly, but with a quiet fortitude, immoveable and deathless, are not the characters easily led into any vain delusion. 0^ It would be no harder to believe that a leper was cleansed, or a blind man made to see, at the command of the Creator, than to believe that ten thousand eyes, belonging to such characters as we have named, were deceived in suppos- ing that they saw incurable diseases healed every Sab.
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bath, for many months, when it was not so ! It would be to behcve in a miracle indeed, one hard of belief, to suppose that in very many different and distant na- tions at the same time, in open day and public streets, in cities, towns and villages without number, ten thou- sand eyes were deceived in thinking they saw, ten thousand ears in fancying they heard, and ten thousand hands in supposing they handled, those who had been dead, or dumb, lame or afflicted with all manner of dis- eases, healed and restored.
Again, this aged unbeliever was asked, if it were easy to believe that these Churches had all united to deceive? That they were not deluded themselves, but had enter- ed into a combination to delude others ? His friend observed, that he seemed somewhat perplexed. He re- membered that it was the testimony of their enemies, that they were formidable to cheats and impostois. He remembered, that according to Pagan authors, it was a noted part of Christian character to be often in the habit to renew their solemn pledges, never to cheat, lie, or deceive ! He confessed it was hard to believe that the pure, and meek, and firm, kind and inflexible, who would lose life at any moment, rather than deny their word, all of which peculiarities their different enemies avow of them, should be the actors in such a scene of deception. Any limb of his creed, any part of his system, when taken and followed out, he would agree was hard to believe ; but that our kind Creator should have pitied our condition, should have descended to in- struct and to die for us, should then offer us a heaven of purity, where he himself resides, was what that aged immortal never would believe.
It is true, that the willfully ignorant, who do not
5
^3 CAtJSE AND CUBE
know what either friends or enemies said of the char* acter of early Christians, are incapable of understand- ing any arguments on such points. Nevertheless, it is a fact, that the sceptical, who have partially informed themselves (we say 'partially, for we never knew one who had industriously informed himself,) will swal- low the greatest absurdities, they will take down the widest incredibilities on the side of darkness, rather than believe any one plain, simple gospel fact, as related in the New Testament. And of all men on earth, unbe- lievers have to be the most credulous. They dare not carry out their creeds into particulars. Their doctrines wound and destroy each other to such an extent, that they do not venture to state them clearly, but let it pass, saying, " I do not know how it is."
CHAPTER XXIV.
MEN, WHO CAST AWAY THE BIBLE, ARE CREDULOUS IN
THE EXTREME.
Case of a Moralist. — There was a man who scorn- ed Christianity, but was at the same time a great advo- cate for orderly behaviour. He seemed to rely much upon his honesty in dealing ; he defrauded no man. His friend said to him : " Let me ask you what do you believe ? You must believe something. You say that you believe that God has made us, and placed us here. Thus far I agree with you, for here we are. The world he has made for our abode, is one of considerable size, and well made. Our bodies are strangely made. We are curiosi- ties to ourselves. We feel at times a strong inclination
OF INflDELItY. 99
to know if our spirits are to die with our bodies, or if they are to live on. It would not have been very hard for our Maker to have given us some information on this, and on similar points, if he had chosen to communicate with us. I should love to know how lono; I am to exist. I should love to know what my Maker likes, and what he dislikes ; what he approves, and what he hates. He must be a Being of preferences. Intellectual beings always have choice. Some conduct must please, and the opposite of it displease him. I should have been glad to know some of these things, had he been able to inform me. Has he placed me here a wonder to myself, to guess at his will ; or has he told me something of my origin, how long since man was made, what he expects or wishes from him, and what is to be his future fortune ? Is my Creator amusing himself at my perplexities, or has he left some guide by which I may find out all neces- sary knowledge?" The moralist allowed that our heav- enly Father had not left us in the dark, unkindly, or neglectfully. He said that reason was to be our in- structer. He was loud and eloquent in praise of that celestial lamp, as he called it, which was to show the path of duty to every man. He said he had no use for the Bible, but reason directed him in every strait. His friend replied to him, in substance as follows : " My dear sir, all your system of rectitude, &;c., so far as it is worth any thing, you have stolen from the Bible. You are like the man who had taken up some strange hatred to the orb of day. He turned his back upon the sun and exclaimed, Iliave no use for your light. I can see with out your beams. My Creator has given me eyes for that purpose, and I use them, and do see ail around me without looking at you. He thought that because his
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eye was never directed towards the sun, that therefore he did not use his hght. But he was using Hght which had been reflected and thrown in a thousand different directions. So because you never read in the Bible, you hope you are not using its contents. All you have, and all you know, which is valuable, you obtained from thence, or from those who received it thence for you."
Reader, this position v/e will prove, and then show what the moralist has to believe who thinks differently. 0^ If you will take the map of the world, and a pencil, then sit down and draw a black line around that portion of the earth, where the Bible has been in the longest and most plentiful circulation, where every class, high and low, are able to read, and do read the volume most com- monly, and with most ease, such as England, Scotland, and the United States of America, there you will find men most enlightened, and most amiable in demeanor. There, wherever are most Bibles, men are less cruel, less polluted, and less unprincipled. There they are less in- clined to kneel before images of wood and stone, and more ready to understand, and to practice the law of forgiveness and of love. Then sit down and draw a vis- ible line around those countries, where there are no Bi- bles, where none have been for generations, and there you will find most cruelty, most pollution, most absurd notions of Deity, and most darkness. Finally, mark off those sections of earth where that book has a partial circulation, as in Catholic countries, where it is read by a portion of the people, and with a medium frequency only, and there you will find a twilight in every thing.
The moralist is either afraid to look long at, or to fol- low out such facts, or he says " it happened *o." He believes in casualty to an almost unlimited extent.
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The reader shall have an opportunity, if so inclined, to observe a portion of this credulity. It shall be exhibited in the words addressed to the moralist we have named, by his friend, or in words of similar import.
" Dear sir, you believe that human sacrifices are cruel and cannot please God. You believe that drunken revels, or lascivious rites, cannot be acceptable worship in his sight. You do not think that self-torture pleases him, and you have no doubt but that he looks with dis- approbation upon adultery, theft, lying, or murder. You think that acts of kindness, of mercy, and of love are pleasing to our Maker. This, you think, your reason tells you of his character. Now observe, if reason taught you all this, then reason has done the same for the multitudes of the most ignorant, and the most be- sotted in all Christian lands. Mark well, I deny that reason was your instructor, but it is true that something has thus instructed men wherever the Bible is. Even those who cannot read it, know more truth about God, than does the Mandarin of China. You could not in any way prevail on the most stupid creature you meet in our streets, to fall down before a block of wood, and worship, believing it to be God. You may go to one hundred thousand of the most uninformed in Protestant countries, one after another, just as you meet them, and you will not find an individual who believes, or can be made to believe, that he can please God by killing his child, or by boring through his own tongue, or by drunkenness, or obscene rites, or revels. If reason has taught these unlettered, ignorant creatures so mucli truth, then it has taught them very uniformly ; and they all know much of what is right and what is wrong, in all moral deportment. But will you just reverse tho
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picture. Just look at the other side for a moment. Come with me across the ocean. Here is a populous nation. They have some science, they cultivate astro- nomy, and there is a class which may be denominated the learned. But the Bible has not been in use there for a thousand years. Go to one hundred thousand of the first you meet, one after another, learned or unlearn- ed, and talk with them. If reason should have told them some truth about God, it has not done it. — not one out of that whole nation, who does not either believe that to strangle that infant would please God, or he believes obscene revelry to be a part of worship ; or he will talk of the intrigues of his gods, or in some way show that he looks upon them as gigantic in wickedness I The most learned there believe in human sacrifices, or sen- sual rites, or absurd enormities, such as would excite the pity and the ridicule of the poorest and the lowest in our land ! How is it that reason does not chance to teach where the Bible is not. Glance your eye entirely across heathenism. If the Maker of worlds intended reason to teach men there, some just notions concern- ing himself, it has failed in six hundred millions of in- stances in this generation, and in as many during the last generation, and as many the generation before that, and so on. If he did expect that reason would tell men there, only a few truths respecting his own character, what would please him, &;c. &c., he has been disap- pointed, or he has furnished an insufficient guide, for it has not succeeded in a single instance. If the wicked in the land of Bibles would do only what the Bible has taught them, they would need no more. That Book has succeeded in teaching until they know how they should act. The most degraded, and the most ignorant there,
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know more of the proper worship of God, and of his proper character, according to the character given of God by the deist, than does the most learned, and the most exalted in heathen lands.'*
Now we are ready to look at what the worshipper of reason has to receive in his creed. In the United States of America, or in England, there are some twenty millions of the human race — each one of whom knows much of the proper character of God ; much of what is lovely, and what is in itself hateful. Each one does know, with considerable correctness, that which would please God, and that which he must abhor. Here is a man who says, " reason has taught them thisy If so, it has not failed in a single instance ! It has happened to be uniform in many millions of cases : surely we might suppose that, if reason is so sufficient that it has not failed in one out of twenty millions of cases, then leave it to itself in twenty millions more, and it will succeed in half of them. — No J it has not in one. In Asia and Africa you may count two hundred millions of persons now alive whose reason has been at work for twenty years, and out of the whole two hundred millions, there is not one who does not either believe that the favour of the gods may be purchased by self-tor- ture, or human sacrifice ; that sensuality is pleasing to them, or that they are opposed to each other, and may be courted in different ways ; or other sen- timents equally absurd and grovelling.
So it has been in past generations. Those ancient Greeks had great statesmen, orators, and poets. Suc- ceeding ages have gazed at them : they believed that to place that only son, that promising boy on an altar,
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and whip him until his entrails could be seen through the quivering flesh, would please Diana. Are you ad- miring the wealth, or the polish and the splendour of the Carthagenians 1 They believed sincerely, (so sincere- ly that they would perform it,) that it would please God if one or two hundred of their children at a time, were cast into that red hot metallic statue. Just such things were believed by Romans, Medes, Elamites, and all people where that singular old book did not circulate. Reader, if you believe that reason always did teach to avoid these cruel enormities where the Bible was found, but never did happen to instruct better where that page was not, then we have no further argument with you at present. If you believe that the low, and unletter- ed, and most ignorant in Bible regions, (who have more correct ideas of God, and of justice, and of loveliness, than have the most scientific in pagan countries,) have been thus instructed by reason ; then will we cease all further discussion of that particular point with you.
CHAPTER XXV.
MEN ADOPT FALSE OPINIONS WITHOUT INQUIRY.
Men often have an appetite for falsehood so spontane- ous, that they receive it unquestioned.
A minister once delivered a discourse on the evidences of Christianity, in the city of New- York. After the ser- mon was ended, and the audience dismissed, he descend- ed from the pulpit, and was met by an intelhgent look- ing man, well clad, whose eye flashed, and whose voice trembled with emotion. He seemed angry at the cause
OF IMIDELITY. 105
which had been advocated, and at the man who had spoken. He avowed, with indignant emphasis, that he had no doubt the IsraeUtes had obtained their rehgion from the Greeks, and particularly from the Philosophy of Plato. The minister replied, " Your ai^ument would be worthy of some consideration, were it not for one circumstance, v.hich certainly abates its momentum. You say that what the Israelites knew of God, they learned of Plato ; but Plato says, that what he (and the Greelis in general) knew of the gods, they learned of the Israelites." The ancient Greeks, called the Jews Syrians, because they lived in the land of Syria, and because they called themselves thus. Every male of the Jews was ordered to stand, on a given day in each year, ana avow his origin by pronouncing publicly, and with a loud voice, " A Syrian ready to perish was my father." The word fables was the epithet by which the ancient Greeks designated all narratives. Plato informs us (see Stackhouse's History of the Bible,) that one of the Syrian narratives from which his country- men obtained their knowledge, was i\\eFraternity of the human family, and that man was made out of the dust. Whoever will read ancient history, and notice the Greeks during their nocturnal mysteries, whilst youth- ful virgins, having baskets full of flowers with serpents in them, calling on the name of our first mother, Eva, Eva, all night, will not be at a loss to know which of the Syrian narratives they had in mind, or what event they commemorated during these ceremonies. The minis- ter's concluding remark to the scoffer above mentioned, was satirical, but certainly not incorrect. " You re- mind me," said he, " of the boy, who whilst looking in the glass, loudly averred, that his father's face took af-
5*
106 CAUSE AND CURE
ter his." An ancient Greek philosopher beUeved that he had learned certain things of the Syrians. A citi- zen of New- York is very positive that the Syrians learned them of the philosopher. Which shall we be- lieve ? or rather, let us ask the more profitable question, Why should that man assume that position with dog- matic confidence, without inquiry and without re- search ? It was for the same reason that ten thousand others in that and other cities, assume ten thousand similar positions, with as little information^ and as much assurance. Since the fall of our race, men have had an appetite for falsehood, so spontaneous, that they often adopt it without inquiry, in matters of religion. It does not seem to man, that he prefers falsehood in points of religious faith. If he were aware of it, this know- ledge would become a part of the remedy.
CHAPTER XXVI.
Ct€re of Innilelity,
We now have offered a few thoughts on the cause of in- fidelity. We could, as it were, only pen a few hasty words ; endeavouring to oflfer some of the more simple and obvious reasons, by which we may know that it is caused by a want of knowledge, and by a want of love for the truth. Each of these items assists in promoting the growth of the other. We may resume the subject hereafter, and devote other chapters to the consideration of the cause of infidelity ; but at the present we feel dis- posed to say something of its cure. The cure of infi- delity ! What a subject. The cure of infidelity ! Cau
OF INFIDELITY. 107
it be cured ? Indeed it can. There are difficulties in the way, but all that is arduous, is not impracticable. It may be cured thoroughly. All who have ever taken the remedy, were cured, therefore it is safe to say that it may be cured with certainty. It is known to the world of physicians, that the treatment of those diseases wherein the sick deem themselves entirely v/hole, is attended with unusual difficulties, because they are not willing to use the remedy. Unbelievers usually think themselves well informed, (particularly those whose minds are well stored with other knowledge,) when the opposite fact is the truth. Whether this is or is not the cause, some- thing does cause them to be very backward, in the business of research. Their hands hang down, and their nerves are all unstrung as soon as vigorous and industrious research is proposed.
Unbelievers inquire not after a remedy for their dis- ease. If one is proposed, they turn away. If it is urged upon them, and they employ it, it is slowly, reluct- antly, and perhaps sparingly and imperfectly. There are two remedies, or two modes of cure. Men may take either. One of these remedies is infallible ; it succeeds wherever and whenever used. The other is almost uni- versally successful, but under certain circumstances has been known to fail. We will distinguish these two modes of cure by the appellation of the 'power- ful, and the all-powerful remedy. We will leave the second, viz., the all-powerful remedy for the last consideration. Men are more averse to the use of this ; they dislike it more than they do the first. The powerful is not so certainly efficacious as the all- powerful ; but men may be more readily induced to give it a trial. Therefore we will begin with it, and endeav-
108 CAUSE A>'D CURE
our to make it plain, and to guard against obscurity, or that which may cause us to be misapprehended in any particular.
CHAPTER XXVII.
A REMEDY PROPOSED,
The powerful ?'etnedy. — If one of the causes of infi- delity consists in ignorance, then it is not hard for us to understand that the opposite of ignorance must be a promising remedy. We mean ignorance of the Bible and of ancient literature connected with the Bible. In- formation almost always cures ; but it is not an easy matter to prevail on the unbeliever to labour for this knowledge. That knowledge is a powerful remedy, the author of these pages has seen tested during eighteen years of continued trial. He has watched these eighteen years of experimental process, with unusual and unin- terrupted solicitude. By presenting a history of these years of trial, the doctrines which we deem important, can be made plain, and misapprehension easily avoided. We may form theories, and believe that certain things are practicable, but our belief is not confirmed entirely, until we have tested the matter by long and faithful trial.
History of eighteen years* observation, — As soon as the author had escaped from the pit of infidelity, he felt an indescribable solicitude for those who are unbelievers. He felt a painful anxiety which impelled him to inquire them out, and to cultivate (if he could,) their acquaint- ance and friendship. The sailor who reaches shore,
OF i:S FIDELITY. 109
who looks back and sees the companions of his voyage approaching imminent peril, or cUnging to the fragments of a shivered vessel, feels more for them, because he has been the associate of their voyage. Unbelievers will converse with a friend, or even with an ordinary ac quaintance, without growing angry, provided they are alone, and provided the approach is made in a plain and affectionate manner. Those who are in danger of meeting with insult when conversing on the subject of religion, are mostly such as begin the conversation be- fore others ; and the danger is more or less prominent in proportion to the number of those who are present, and who compose the company.
Some unbelievers you may prevail upon to read. Some will even read industriously, if any one will fur- nish them with books. (They will not inquire after books, or borrow for themselves.) Others will not read, unless it is in some work of satire, ridicule, or abuse of the Bible. Others will promise a friend, who m^y re- quest it, to read, and may even commence, intending to investigate, but they soon neglect and forget it. Others again, may be prevailed on to read and inquire after knowledge, provided the friend furnishes the books, makes frequent visits, reminds them of their undertaking, and inquires minutely after their advancement. The author, from having mingled in their ranks for many years, was aware of the fact, that there are more, very many more, infidels in each town, and village of our country, than ministers of the gospel, or followers of the Saviour, are in the habit of supposing. He knew that many who were looked upon by professors of reli- gion as almost Christians, were, in reality, infidels, but from a variety of considerations, felt disinclined to avow
liO CAUSE AND CURE
it. To inquire out such, to seek the acquaintance of others, of all sceptics who might be prevailed on to read, and to induce them faithfully to investigate the subject of Christianity, has been a business, which, for the last eighteen years, he has followed with more interest than any other. He never, during that time, met with a case where an individual made anything like an honest and sincere investigation of the evidences of Christianity, that he did not conclude by saying of the Bible, " this is God's book,^^ two only excepted. We will give a history of these two exceptions, or seeming exceptions. A faithful narrative of actual occurrences, will make plain the doctrines concerning the cure of infidelity. Each case will require an entire chapter.
CHAPTER XXVni.
AN EXAMPLE.
Case i. — A young man of Kentucky received his col- legiate education at an institution where the students be- came infidels with great uniformity. He was a son of one of the governors of that state. He was wealthy, and the hospitality of his board extended with western pro- fusion. I became acquainted with him mostly at his own fireside. After our intimacy had continued some time, I ventured to speak to him privately and affectionately, of eternal existence. He told me that his sentiments were deistical, and that inasmuch as he did not rever- ence the Bible, whilst I did, he supposed our conversation with each other would be unprofitable. I told him that I only wished to speak with, him concerning the hea-
OF INFIDELITY. Ill
venly authority of that book ; that I wished to prevail on him to investigate fully the evidences of Christianity ; that havinn- once been of his sentiments, I was ac-
o
quainted with them in all their length and breadth. I told him, that without conversing with him minutely on the subject, I had no doubt he was ignorant of Bible facts and Bible language; but that, if he disputed his want of information, he might easily discover it, by conversing about the ancient literature connected with any part of the holy volume. He looked somewhat sur- prised when I spoke of his being destitute of knowledge, but after a time confessed that there was much history after which he had never inquired, and other facts he had forgotten which were connected with this subject. He inquired if I would permit him to read on both sides of this controversy, and looked surprised when I answered him in the affirmative. I told him that I would furnish him with as many infidel authors as he chose to read ; that he should have an ample assortment, provided he would give an honest perusal to books written in answer. I offered to lend him any number of the books written against the Bible, provided he would attend faithfully to the other side of the controversy. He seemed to wonder at my proposal, but at length said he was inclined to read on my side of the question: inasmuch as he had ex- amined his own, he was willing to begin with the advo- cates of Christianity.* He asked what I would consider
* The reason why I have always been willing to lend to an un- believer any number of infidel books, provided he will engage to hear honestly a full reply, will be more fully explained in another part of this work. It is not amiss, however, to give a brief state- ment of the case in passing. It is as follows : If an unbeliever discovers that his favourite or champion author, penned false-
112 CAUSE AND CURE
a full investigation of the subject. I told him that I had no doubt he would be altered in his belief before he had read half as far as a full investigation ; that I never had known one man who was not convinced of the truth of the Bible, by the time he had given the subject only a moderate research. I told him, that out of the one hundred authors who had written for and against the holy book, I would send him six or eight only of the first I could procure : that after he had read these, I wished him to read the Bible with tlie notes of some commentator, (that he might not be ignorant of the Bi- ble itself any longer,) and that if he would pursue this course of readinjx I would be satisfied. I went on to tell him what I must here pause in my narrative long enough to tell the reader. An infidel, when he begins to read on the evidences of Christianity, becomes more doubting and sceptical than ever, or more confirmed in his unbelief. This continues to increase during: the former part of the research ; but let him persevere in a thorough investigation, and he begins to have a view of the truth, and is at lasi delivered altogether from the
hood after falsehood, page after page, it Vv-ill begin to awaken Lis fears and his suspicions, so as to incline him toward more faith- ful research. True, if he reads one side only, all will be received as smooth and plausible, unless he is an historian. But if he reads the faithful answer, he cannot avoid seeing, now and then, history to which he may refer ; and if he refers to it, must also discover the want of verity belonging to his leader. That those who have hated Christianity should have written against it, is not strange ; but that they have made untrue statements con- tinually is readily discovered by all who are n(>t afraid to hear both sides. When this unmingled, and uninterrupted falsehood ie detected, it weakens the confidence the reader had in the fabricators.
OF INFIDELITY. 113
thraldom of delusion. The facts are accurately pictured by the words of the much worn expression concerning the Pierian spring ; the same waters that at first intox- icate, will sober again if drank plentifully. Many who begin to read, after glancing tlu'ough one or two volumes hastily, lay them aside, more entangled in error than they Avere, and thinking within themselves that they have read the strongest arguments that can be brought for- ward in favour of Divine inspiration. Their condition is of course more deplorable than it was. Others do hastily examine a few volumes, and are not well enough informed to be able to understand clearly, and fairly weigh the arguments of the author ; these may desist before they have mastered the subject. Others may need a second or third perusal of the same pages before they can clearly view and appropriate the contents. Such may fancy that they have examined the subject when they really have not. But of those who have read six or eight authors on that subject, calmly, at- tentively, impartially, industriously, and renewedly if necessary, I have never known one who did not cast away his infidelit5% If any one should ask why we request the unbeliever to read many authors on the same subject, the evidences of Christianity, we answer that no two minds take the same course in writing on this subject. The arguments and evidences could not be condensed or abridged into a score of large volumes. Of course each writer is expected merely to select such ideas as strike him most forcefully. True, I have never read the author on the evidences of Christianity who did not seem to me in some one way or another to establish the position This is God^s book ; but the farther we push our researches, meditations, and inquiries, the more
114 CAUSE AND CURE
readily can we proceed, and the more capable are we of comprehending additional research. The case is by no means an uncommon one, where a reader lays down an author on this subject with disappointment and dissatisfaction, finding in it, as seems to him, very little excellence of any kind. Twelve months after, upon taking up casuallj^ the same volume, he is astonish- ed at a thouo;ht there which Ikj had not noticed before. He proceeds, and many of the arguments there appear as clear and distinct as a stream of electricity over a dark cloud. The reason of this is, that his mind is in a condition better to perceive, weigh, and prize the ar- gument. His mind becomes thus better capable whilst reading other things on the same subject in other writers. Men love darkness rather than light ; hence it is that many unbelievers are not capable of under- standing and appreciating one half they read on this subject ; indeed none are, until they pursue the investi- gation to some extent.
The young man of whom I have been writing inquir- ed what authors on the evidences of Christianity I chief- ly recommended ? I told him that I had a choice, but it was not so marked as to fix on given volumes indispen- sably ; that I did not fear the result, provided he did not stop short of the given number, although he might pe- ruse those productions the most readily obtained, or the first procured. He told me that he would read six or eight of the first books I should send him, and the Bible afterwards with Scott's notes. The following are, as nearly as I can remember, the books which I obtained and sent or carried to him, one as soon as he had finished the other. Alexander's Evidences, Paley's Evidences, Watson's. Answer to PainCj Jews' Letters to Voltaire,
OF IXFIDELITV. 115
Horne'slntroduction, vol. i., and Faber's Difficulties of Infidelity. Before he was entirely through with these books, he told me, with a serious face and voice, that he had something to tell me of himself that was indeed sin- gular : " I am," said he, " in a strange condition. I will confess to you, frankly and honestly, that these authors have met, answered, and fairly overturned, every diffi- culty and every objection which I had mustered and op- posed to the Bible as being from God. Furthermore, I do acknowledge that I have found arguments in favour of its Divine authority, so plain and so momentous, that I am unable to meet or to answer them, and yet I do not believe, I canno-t, and I do not believe the Bible /" I had then a secret hope that he would still continue his course of reading. Old and long habits of infidelity have a tendency to hang upon us like settled diseases of periodical recurrence. But I did not speak to him sooth- ingly ; and I dare not say any thing beyond naked truth, even should it sound harshly. I told him that the defen- ders of Christianity had proved its truth, and that was all they had expected or attempted. I told him that God had left on record facts enough to evince that the Scrip- tures were Divinely inspired ; to prove this, and to ad- vise obedience, was, the mode of his dealing with men. " Compulsory measures," I added, " we never read of his using ; and man himself, even wicked man, would rather that his free agency should not be taken away, and would complain at the thought or expectation of its being des- troyed. These writers have proved their position, and you do not believe. Now you may and can walk the entire road to ruin, as a round rock can roll down hill ; because it is one of the truths of the Bible, and one of the first truths taught in it, that man is a fallen creature*
116 CAUSE AND CURE
if you arc not one of the fallen, the Scriptures are not true. If you are one of them, then you cannot by nature receive truth so aptly and so eagerly as falsehood. If you are ever saved, it will require an effort and a struggle. Then, for the sake of undying existence, continue the labour which you have commenced. Go on and read > many other books, an hundred of them. Notice the truth proved a thousand ways and a thousand times. But begin to pray. Ask the Spirit that made your spirit, to cause truth to have its proper work of killing falsehood in your heart and soul."
I never saw him afterwards ; he went the way of all the earth. I never heard from his state of mind after- wards, whether he continued to read or not. From his conduct during our last interview, I have some hope, which I would not sell, that he may have continued his research and his meditations on these things. I have a hope from which I would not part, w^hen I remember how candidly he confessed it, when his argument was truly prostrated, that he may, before his departure, have asked th^ Maker of suns to be his Redeemer. This is the history of one case where the powerful remedy, sober investigation, may have failed to cure, for aught I was able afterwards to learn.
CHAPTER XXIX.
A SECOND EXAMPLE.
Case 2. — I had an acquaintance, in days of boylwod, with an amiable young man, who was liberally educated. After sixteen years of separation, we met again. He had become thorough in his profession (the law) by un-
OF INFIDELITY. 117
ceasing practice. He was an unbeliever, and the society with which he had commonly mingled at the bar, was of that description. After some long and friendly inter- views, he promised me to read on the evidences of Christianity, and I engaged to provide him with books. I had stronger hopes of success in this case, from the fact, that the law was his profession. I do not know why it is so, but it is the result of eighteen years' experience, that lawyers, of all those with whom I have examined, exercise the clearest judgment, whilst investigating the evidences of Christianity. It is the business of a phy- sician's life, to icatch for evidence and indication of dis- ease, sanity, or of change ; therefore I am unable to account for the fact, yet, so it is, that the man of law excels. He has, when examining the evidences of the Bible's inspiration, shown more common sense in weigh- ing proof and appreciating argument, where argu- ment really existed, than any other class of men I have ever observed. It is no easy matter to prevail upon these men to think about eternal things. They float along on the surface of secular schemes and political turmoil, they have little time, they think, for any thing but business, and they look surprised for a moment when they are told that they are ignorant of Bible liter- ature ; but when they do read thoroughly, and examinf* faithfully, they are better than ordinary judges of what isweakness,orwhat is force in reason.
Concerning the man of whom I have been writino, I am unable to remember distinctly the authors he read, or how many were furnished him. I never saw him afterwards, but so arranged, that certain books were put into his hand. Of one volume I remember that I » heard distinctly and accurately the result of its perusal.
118 CALsfe AND CURE
The book was the first volume of Home's Introduction. A brother of the bar came upon him, just as he was finishing the conckiding page. This friend, knowing the nature of the study which had employed him, being himself a sceptic, asked as to his impression concerning its contents. Whilst shutting the book slowly and gravely, he made the following reply, and said no more : " Were I a juror, and sworn the ordinary oath, and were you, as one of the parties to establish just this amount of evidence, 7ior more, nor less, I should declare, by my verdict, that your point was proved." I never heard from him again. When he died, his mind was impaired ; but I have not been entirely without hope, that perhaps, his reading was not altogether in vain.
These cases are the only two remembered through long observation, where, after ample research and full inquiry, a total cure did not seem to be the result. Ma- ny will promise to read, but will never perform. Others will begin with considerable earnestness, but soon de- sist. Others will pass on as with a task, and under- standing the discussion with difficulty, find the labour very toilsome, and after a while, begin to shun it. But there are others, thank God, who believe that it would be well for them to know, with some degree of certainty, whether they are, or are not, to live for ever. They seem resolved to find out either the truth, or falsity of the pages of inspiration, even should it cost them some labour. When they begin, if they find much of the subject dark, they re-peruse the same treatises, or they ask after other authors on the same points, until they are capable of comprehending. Of such an eflfbrt as is
OF INFIDELITY. 119
made by these, I have ever known but one termination. That was a perfect cure. They have said uniformly, af- ter a thorough study, " this is the book of God."
CHAPTER XXX.
AVERSION TO COMMENTARIES,
Reader, our natural tendency toward falsehood, or the secret suggestions of the evil One, often cause men to object against the perusal of notes on the Bible. The sophism used as an excuse and subterfuge in this case, is often plausible. " We wish to judge for ourselves," say they; " commentators dispute between each other, but we will read and decide on our own account." Those who speak thus, obtain information, generally speaking, from no source whatever. Dear reader, there are some Bible facts concerning which men do not dispute. Again, doctrinal controversy you may neglect if you choose. Notice it not, if you are so disposed ; but neglect not certain knowledge which is within your reach, and which you must acquire at the risk of your soul. Men do not refuse to read the notes of others on chemistry, astronomy, or philosophy, because writers have dis- puted here ; but the author is willing to avail himself of the assistance of others: to use that which may seem to him valuable, and cast the rest awav. We have de- termined, dear friend, to give you plain examples of the fact, that you may avail yourself of the toil of others, and that you need their labours. Commentators can
120 CAUSE AND CURE
point you to facts most valuable, and such as you may see as soon as named, but such as you would not have noticed had they not been remarked. The first case we give by way of illustration, shall be one which happened in connection with the seventeenth chapter of Revela- tion. And furthermore, dear reader, this chapter may be one of interest to you, for it speaks of the events of eighteen centuries. It is a chapter which concerns you much, for it also describes certain political events of Europe, which are taking place at the present time, and it goes on to mention some affairs which are to happen in approaching years. Thus you may receive a double benefit by noticing the verses of this chapter. They exhibit the necessity of commentaries for the ig- norant, they also inform us what the Lord has recently done, and shortly will accomplish. Lest you should fail to read the passage named, we will transcribe verse after verse as needed, so that each section shall be on the page fairly before us.
1. " And there came one of the seven angels w^hich had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither ; I will show unto thee tlie judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters.
2. With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication.
3. So he carried me away in the spirit into the wil- derness ; and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns.
4. And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and
OF INFIDELITY. 121
pearls, having a golden cup in her hand, full of abomi- nations and filthiness of her fornication."
A man read this chapter who had been an infidel. He had read it and heard it read, (like thousands of others,) often, without attaching any meaning to the words. He did not observe, until he took up a volume of Scott's Family Bible, that this was a part of scrip- ture which explains itself, and is of course as plain as others or perhaps more so ; for when the Lord inter- prets emblematic language, he makes it as plain as any words known to us will permit. He had read history enough to have noticed the truth of the followino: re- marks without assistance, but he did not observe the de- claration o'f the last verse, until it was pointed out to him. The last verse is, " And the woman which thou samest is that great city which reigneth over the kings of the earth.^^ This reader was well enough acquainted with history to know what city reigned over the kings of the earth, when Domitian was on the imperial throne, when John was in Patmos ; for long before, and for many centuries after. There is no difference be- tween unbelievers or Christians, as it regards the city that stood on the Tiber, clothed in purple, and has been there ever since. We may here say to the reader, who may have been in the habit of glancing over pages of the Bible, and noticing nothing : " Friend, if you do not know distinctly and certainly what city did reign over the kings of the earth in St. John's time, you had bet- ter not only inquire fully, but keep it before your re- collection, together with several other particulars, for they may concern you more nearly in the present day than you suppose." The man of whom we have been writing, who was startled on reading part of a com-
6
122 CArSE AN'D CURE
mentary on this chapter, had read enough to remember something of the red cloth, and purple, and gold, and scarlet, and gaudy trappings and sumptuous externals^ of both pagan and modern Rome ; but while reading the following words from Scott's notes, he began to notice and remember historic pictures more distinctly : " The angel carried John in the spirit, (that is, under the in- fluence of the prophetic spirit he seemed to be convey- ed into the wilderness,) and he there saw a woman seat- ed on a scarlet-coloured beast. This woman was the emblem of the church of Rome ; and the beast, of the temporal power by which it has been supported ; and the latter was full of names of blasphemy, which we have had repeated occasion to mention." Ahnost any blasphemous title which we could fancy, has been as- sumed there, — His Holiness, — Infallibility, — King of kings, — Chrisfs Vice-gerent, — Vice-God, — Yea even, God on the earth, &c. " The woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, for these have always been the distinguishing colour of popes and cardinals, as well as of the Roman emperors and senators ; nay, by a kind of infatuation, the mules and horses on which they rode, have been covered with scarlet cloth ; as if they were determined to answer this description, and even literally to ride on a scarlet-coloured beast. The wo- man was also most superbly decorated with gold and jewels ; and who can sufficiently describe the pride, gran- deur, and magnificence of the church of Rome in her vestments and ornaments of every kind. Even papists have gloried in the superiority of their church in this magnificence, to ancient Rome when at the height ot her prosperity. This appears in all things relating to their public worship, and in the papal court, even beyond
OF INFIDELITY. 123
what can be conceived ; and external pomp attaches men, attaches carnal men to a rehgion which interests and gratifies them, whilst they despise the simplicity of spiritual worship." Then follows a quotation from Addison, " This as much surpassed my expectation, as other sights have fallen short of it. Silver can scarce find an admittance, and gold itself looks but poorly among such an incredible number of precious stones." These are the facts which the infidel had known, but had never applied. After reading thus far, he felt some curiosity to look at several additional verses. He read the following words, verse 6. " And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus ; and when I saw her, I u'on- dered with great admiration.^ ^ The infidel on reading this, was ready enough to ask, and to ask aloud, " Wherefore should John wonder ? What could he wonder at ? After he had actually lived through the persecution under which Paul w-as beheaded at Rome — the gardens of Nero illuminated by the Christians, who were covered with inflammable substances, and set on fire where they stood with a stake under each chin to keep them erect as a torch, until, in the language of one of the many Latin poets (Juvenal,) who then lived, *' they made a long stream of blood and sulphur on the ground."
When John had known, when he had lived to see that Rome would become drunken w4th Christian blood, as readily as a serpent would bite those within its reach, how could he marvel ; why should he wonder, when the angel was showing him for days to come, only that which he had actually seen in the months that were past ? He not only told us of his surprise, (as though it
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had been something new,) but he says, When I saw her, I wondered with great admircUion f After reading some farther, he discovered that it was not pagan Rome but Christian Rome, (so called,) which the angel was show- ing to the apostle. The bloody scenes of pagan Rome which had passed in St. John's life-time, were gone ; but when he looked forward into days then to come, and saw that which claimed to be the church and the me- tropolis of the Christian world ; and the followers of the Man of Calvary, torturing the followers of the Saviour more cruelly, (if possible,) and shedding blood more pro- fusely than heathen Rome ever did ; it is not strange that he wondered with great admiration ! By this time the unbeliever felt awakened to farther reading. 7. "And the angel said unto me, Wherefore didst thou mar- vel 1 I will tell thee the mystery of the woman, and of the beast that carrieth her, which hath the seven heads and ten horns." 8. " The beast that thou sawest was, and is not ; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition ; and they that dwell upon the earth shall wonder, (whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world,) when they be- hold the beast that was, and is not and yet is."
When the spirit of inspiration is about to place before us the picture of a bloody and cruel power, any candid mind sees at once, that a ferocious wild beast is the most brief and impressive representation. Whoever has