and the Jews, concerning the true nature of the Messiah's Character. Viewing it in this light; discoveries have gradually been made by him, of which he had no conception, particularly with respect to St. Paul's Man of Sin, and the Antichrist of St. John. And he is firmly persuaded, that if the same plan is faithfully pursued; it will be followed by discoveries, still more important and satisfactory!

ASH, 7th August, 1802.

THE

TABLE OF CONTENTS.

Pages

FREE enquiry encouraged by Christianity 1, 2. The opposition of Infidels favorable to Christi

anity - - - - - - - - - - 2, 3. Christianity, notwithstanding, on the decline 3, 4. Artifices of the French Philosophers to destroy

it, well stated by Bishop Horsley - - 4, 5. The charge of the decline of Christianity charged,

by Dr. Edwards, to the weakness of its Advo

cates . - - - - - - - - - - - 5. Mr. Gibbon charges Christ and his Apostles with

having predicted the end of the world, in their

own time - - - - - - - -. - - 6. Grotius says, it was for wise purposes the pious de

ception was permitted to take place - - 7. Christians called upon, by Dr. Edwards, to con

cede the Objection to the Adversary - - ibid. The Bishop of Landaff charged by Dr. Edwards

with not having been extremely solicitous to relieve the Apostles from the accusation of Error. The Bishop takes no notice of the

Objection, as it relates to Christ - - 7, to 9. Passages of Scripture, on which Mr. Gibbon's

objection is founded, as it relates to Christ, stated a - - - - - - - 8.

ba

Necessity

Necessity and advantages of re-examining the

subject - - - - - - - - pages 9, 10. Present imperfect state of Scripture Criticism,

strongly stated, by Bishop Newton - - 11 The Study of the Gospels as Histories, and parti

cularly as Histories of the Controversy concern· ing the true nature of the Messiah's Character,

neglected - - - - - - - - 11, 12. The coming of Christ the subject of Prophecy

from the earliest Ages - - - - - - 13. Prophecy of Daniel concerning the coming of - the Messiah - - - - - - - - 13, 14. Excellent remarks, by Mr. Richards, on Moses's :' prediction concerning the coming of the Mes

siah. Note - - - - - - - - 14, 15, The language of our Lord, that the Kingdom of

Heaven was at hand, founded on the Prophecy

of Daniel - - - - - - - . 15, 16. The-attention this language excited . . 16. This language scrupulously adhered to, through

out the Ministry of Jesus - - - - - ibid. The expectation of the coming of the Messiah, · very general, when Jesus appeared-proved by . Dr. Sykes Bishop Chandler-Dr. White, and · Mr. Richards--and among Antient Writers, by · Josephus Tacitus, and Suetonius. Acknowi ledged, likewise, by the Atheistical Volney 17--20, Nature of the expectations of the Jews concern

ing the coming of the Messiah, different from

his real Character-proved by Dr. White and . Dr. Lardner - - - - - - 22 to 25. The manner in which Jesus conducted himself to

give the Jews just ideas of the nature of his · Character - - - - - - - 25 to 28.

Importance

Anti Dr. w

and

Importance of considering the Gospels as Histories

of these facts - - - - - pages 25 to 28. The Beatitudes intended to correct the prejudices

of the Jews concerning the nature of the Mes

siah's Character addressed to the Jews at · large - - - - - - - - - - - 29. View of the Beatitudes - - - - - 30 to 34. The expressions the Salt of the Earth and the Light of the World applied to the Jews, at large

not excusively to the Disciples. Dr. Camp• bell's judicious remarks on it - - 34 to 38. The importance of the situation of the Jews as a

Nation strikingly displayed by Dr. John Leland and Dr. Ellis, in his knowledge of divine things from Revelation—not from Reason and na

ture. - - - - - - - - - - 34, &c. Christianity designed to purify the Morality of the

Jewish Nation - - - - - - - 39, 40. Excellence of the Gospel Morality stated by Mr. :: Graves, in his vindication of Christ and his · Apostles from the charge of Enthusiasm - 40. Beatitudes applicable to none, with so much pro

priety, as to the Jews - - - - - - *41. The Disciples invested with a Commission to an

nounce the approach of the Messiah's Kingdom - - - - - - - - - - - 43. The language of Jesus, upon that occasion con

sidered a proof of the genuine authenticity

of the History - - - - - 43 to 53. Firmness and Integrity of Jesus in representing

the great difficulties the Disciples were to meet i with in the execution of their Commission ibid. John the Baptist's Message and our Lord's Answer considered - - -. . -.. 55 to, 58.

Jesus's