was found in any age of the world, either philosopher, or sect, or law, or discipline, which did so highly exalt the public good as the Christian Faith;" of SELDEN, who pronounced, that "there is no book upon which we can rest in a dying moment, but the Bible;" of Sir MATTHEW HALE, who pronounced, that "there is no book like the Bible, for excellent wisdom, learning, and use;" of MILTON, who asserted, that "there are no songs comparable to the Songs of Zion, no orations equal to those of the Prophets, and no politics like those which the Scriptures teach; " of The Hon. ROBERT BOYLE, who declared, that the Bible is a "matchless volume, which it is impossible we can study too much, or esteem too highly;" of LOCKE, who proclaimed, that "it hath God for its Author, salvation for its end, and truth, without any mixture of error, for its matter; or of Sir WILLIAM JONES, who stated, that "he had carefully, and regularly perused the Holy Scriptures; and was of opinion that the volume (independently of its Di vine origin), contains more sublimity, pure morality, more important history, and finer strains of eloquence, than can be collected from all the books, in whatever language they may have been written." Let these, the intrepid conclusions of our most illustrious English laymen, (to say nothing of Newton, who spent much time in illustrating its contents), be contrasted with the frivolous or blasphemous levities of vulgar scepticism; and the reader will find no difficulty in choosing between the blackness of darkness, which the latter offers to his acceptance, and the life and immortality brought to light by the Gospel. F. WRANGHAM. HUNMANBY, FEBRUARY 1828. |