Biblical commentary on the New Testament - The Christian ...

CONCLUSION. CXXVll
in many men. On the other hand, the guilt df many persons would
have been augmented, since they now have at least plausible reasons
for their opposition to the truth, but in the other case would have
had no such extenuation, and still would have retained their hos-
tility to God's word. We may therefore declare, that the character
of Scripture, in this respect likewise, corresponds most perfectly
with the necessities of human nature, as well as with the designs of
God, notwithstanding all its apparent imperfections and defici-
encies.
The observations we have here made in conclusion are, moreover,
such as are best suited to present the correct view concerning the
peculiar character of the Old Testament in the light of criticism.
For this portion of God's word has so few historical evidences in its
favour, excepting those comprehended within its own compass, that
it is impossible to frame such an argument for the genuineness of
its books as we are able to exhibit in behalf of the New Testament.
This want of evidence proceeds in part from the very great antiquity
of the writings of the Old Testament, which were almost all composed
before there existed any hterature among the Greeks, and
and in part,
before the Eomans were so much as known by name ;
also, from the state of seclusion which the nations of the old world,
generally, and particularly the Jews, always maintained. The Per-
Bians, Syrians, Egyptians, knew scarce any thing of the literature of
the Hebrews ; and, had they even been acquainted with it, the
circumstance would have been of little advantage to us, as we have
but few writings of a date anterior to the time of Christ which
originated with these nations. In these few, moreover, we find
hardly any mention of the Jews and their productions. Hence, in
investigating the earliest writings of the Old Testament, the critic
has no other resource than a careful examination of the contents of
the books themselves, and a comparison of them wdth each other.
Were this examination and comparison invariably conducted with a
beheving and humble disposition, not the slightest objection could
be made, and we might quietly await the results of such a procedure
; but, when the minds of investigators deviate from the proper
spirit and disposition, it is very evident how easily such an inquiry,
which is in its nature somewhat uncertain and precarious, may lead
to pernicious results. Every one will, in such a case, determine the
matter according to his subjective ideas and views, without obtaining
any objective grounds of judgment from investigation. If we only
look at the actual state of the matter, entirely aside from the holy
character of the book, we shall be convinced that such a course of
investigation could hardly afford any useful result, even with the
best intentions. A book is presented to us, which contains the
relics of a nation's literature during a period of 1200 years. We