THE Historiq Character OP THE PENTATEUCH VINDICATED. A REPLY ΤΟ PART I. OF BP. COLENSO'S 'CRITICAL EXAMINATION.' BY A LAYMAN OF THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND. 'Prove all things: hold fast that which is good.'-1 THESS. v.21. 'The Scripture-history, in general, is to be admitted as an authentic genuine "I commend this subject more especially to the attention of the Laity.'- LONDON: WILLIAM SKEFFINGTON, 163, PICCADILLY. 1863. 100. p 100. AUTHORITIES REFERRED TO. The Authorized Version of the Bible. De Wette's German Version (4th Edition). Dr. Benisch's Hebrew and English Pentateuch. Sir J. Gard. Wilkinson's Ancient Egyptians' (2 vols., 1854). Dr. Robinson's 'Biblical Researches' (2 vols., 1841). Rev. A. P. Stanley's 'Sinai and Palestine' (3rd Edition). M. L. de Laborde's 'Arabia, Petræa, and Sinai' (2nd Edition). Dr. A. Keith's Land of Israel' (1844). 6 Rev. J. J. Blunt's Undesigned Coincidences' (3rd Edition). Rev. G. Rawlinson's Bampton Lectures, 1859 (2nd Edition). Dr. W. M. Thomson's Land and the Book.' 6 Burckhardt's Travels in Arabia.' Encyclopædia Britannica, art. Egypt (R. Stuart Poole), Arabia, and London. 'Aids to Faith,' Essays of Bp. Ellicott and Rev. G. Rawlinson. N.B.-To avoid any, even involuntary, plagiarism from other writers, the Author has scrupulously abstained from perusing any of the replies to Bishop Colenso, which have already appeared, until the composition of his own work was completed. All the quotations from Bp. Colenso's book are made from the first edition. INTRODUCTION. THE first requisite in any controversy is to be thoroughly acquainted with the position and weapons of your opponent, the scope and tendency of his arguments, the kind of evidence on which they rest. And this is especially necessary in the controversy we are about to enter upon. It is one which narrowly concerns the foundation of our religious faith-the character and authority of Scripture, and therefore deserves our most serious consideration. We should approach it, then, with our eyes open; with a full appreciation of its true character and value, and the importance of the issues it involves. We should seek to grapple honestly with it, without shrinking or sophistry. To weigh every argument, examine every fact, test every conclusion, with candour and impartiality; omitting nothing which can in any way affect its settlement. To put away all bias and deepseated prejudice, and seek only for the Truth, on whichever side. it lies. And the necessity for such a course is still further apparent, when we consider the character of the opponent we have to cope with. Bishop Colenso comes before us, not as a captious caviller, who seeks for objections, because he hates the Truth; but as a conscientious doubter, who has been driven into the conclusions he adopts, against his will. With such an one, more especially, we should endeavour to deal fairly and honestly; not distorting or mutilating anything that he says to serve our own purpose, nor imputing aught to him which he does not say; but giving to every statement just that meaning which he himself attached to it, and no more. We believe that he is in |