not be so plain as to prevent its own fulfilment, and yet, when explained by the event, might be clearly seen to have been given by divine prescience. Quotations taken from such a book require, therefore, to be distinguished from other parts of Scripture, and cannot fairly be brought into this discussion.

Mr. Taylor. Then I wave those texts which were taken from the Apocalypse. If the devil does not deceive men, it is clear from the Scriptures that God does, for is it not said that "He shall send them strong delusions that they shall believe a lie”?

Answer. Assuming then that there is a God who governs the world, may I not appeal to the conviction of all, that, in the course of his government, this does occur which is here declared. For it must be remembered that the apostle says, "because men receive not the love of the truth, God shall send them strong delusions that they might believe a lie.” And is it not manifest that, when men turn away their attention from the evidences of the truth, things do occur which inflame their passions, and bind them fast in their delusions. The enemies of divine revelation are often suffered to meet with that which increases their enmity.

Here Mr. Taylor said, I am an infidel, but I am no enemy to divine revelation, and I solemnly declare that I know no man in existence an enemy to divine revelation. If I am an enemy to what is called divine revelation, it is because I do not believe it to be divine.

Answer. If I use the term enemy to divine revelation, it is because I speak according to my own

sentiments, as every man must do; for I know not the exact sentiments of others. I speak therefore of enemies to that revelation which I believe to be divine. If there are no enemies to this, I am glad of it, for I know not why any man should be an enemy to it. Why should any one be an enemy to light? If any man should be opposed to the lamps in this building, and be disposed to put them out, I should ask, Why? what harm can they do? We have not so much light, as to create inconvenience; and if we have not too much light with them, we should have too little without them. Even with divine revelation, we have not too much light on all that which it most concerns us to know. And why should we wish to extinguish that light which gives us information on those important questions on which man has so much reason to be inquisitive?

Mr. Taylor. But I suppose the Lecturer will admit what was asserted by Dr. Whitby: that man is not accountable for his belief: our belief is the necessary result of what appears to us to be evidence of truth.

Answer. This is a metaphysical question that does not enter into the plain matter of fact concerning the truth or falsehood of the miracles which confirm divine revelation, which are the proper subjects of this evening's discussion. But though I might, I will not decline this question. I utterly deny then that man is not accountable for his belief. If he is not accountable for his belief, he is accountable for nothing, for all his actions spring from his belief. Is it not notorious that a man's belief is influenced by his moral character?

According as he likes or dislikes a thing, he turns his attention towards it, or away from it. When a sentiment which we dislike presents its evidence to the mind; if the heart is averse to it, we look askew at its evidence, and turn instantly towards those things which seem to contradict it; till at length we acquire that distorted position which makes us lose sight of an unwelcome truth, and keep nothing in view but that which suits our taste.

Mr. Taylor. I have but one more question to put to the Lecturer: Can an honest, upright, moral heathen, Jew, or infidel, be saved?

Answer. This is a question which I am not bound to answer, for it does not belong to the subject. But I have no objection to say, that I feel it my happiness that I am not called to sit in judgment upon my fellow creatures, or to intrude into the judgment-seat, which is my Maker's place, or to usurp his prerogative, of deciding upon the fate of men. I have enough to do with my own state, and to prepare for my own appearance before the Divine tribunal. From that Book, which is my only source of information, I learn, that "They who have sinned without law, shall be judged without law, and they who have sinned under the law, shall be judged by the law;" that it shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment, and for heathen who have not heard the Gospel, than for those who have had the advantage of its light, and have rejected it. The Lord grant that you and I may find mercy in that day.

London:-S. Bagster, Jun. Printer, 14, Bartholomew Close.

THE

JEWS LIVING WITNESSES

TO THE

TRUTH OF DIVINE REVELATION.

ISAIAH xliii. 12.

"Ye are my witnesses, saith the Lord, that I am God."

If I were to say, "Did you ever see a Jew?” you would reply, "Yes, certainly; I have not lived to these years, without seeing one of that singular na ion; if a nation they can be called, who are scattered among all nations, and have no country of their own. I have marked or rather studied their countenance, for they have so singular a physiognomy, that I think I should know one of them at first sight, and could hardly ever be deceived. I havé taxed my discernment, to discover wherein lies their peculiar characteristic feature. Is it the quick bright eye? Is it the aquiline nose? Is it the lip, especially the upper lip? Or is it what the French call the tout ensemble, the combined effect of the whole? Whatever it is, it is most expressive for no one would say, it is the look of a fool; though infidels, who have no good liking to them,

E

have said it is that of a rogue.

But amiable and

honourable men are to be found among them, as

well as among others.

Then there is their speech,

which is scarcely less their looks; for though they may have been born in England, they have the accent of a foreigner, yet not that of a Frenchman or of an Italian, or of any other country with which we are acquainted. Whether their peculiar speech arises from their being early trained to utter the strange sounds of Hebrew, and to join in the singing of that language in their Synagogues, or from whatever other cause it may spring, they do not speak English like an Englishman, nor, I should suppose, French like a Frenchman."

marked and striking than

I am glad you have taken so much notice of them; for I wish to talk with you about this unique people, and, in fact to ask, what you, as an infidel, make of the Jews? Nay, do not look shy at them, and do not put me off with merely saying, "I do not know what to make of them;" for you who talk so boldly upon other subjects, where a little more modesty and reserve would be more becoming, should not be struck dumb, by the simple question, what do you make of the Jews? I want nothing but a fair answer, and those who deny that the Jewish and Christian Scriptures are a revelation from God, should be able to solve the difficulty which arises from the existence of the Jews.

If you say, "I do not know what to make of them, and in fact, neither think nor care at all about them;" you cannot expect that we should be satis