to our holy and loving religion. Ere long, I trust, the Jews will more effectually know the use of the coming of Jesus, and of his having been "preached to the gentiles," by means of such institutions as 'the London Society,' and by the blessing of God, on our endeavours to communicate our holy religion to Israel, and being instrumental to their expected conversion and restoration. In short all the true religion, which has been for successive ages in the whole world, or which exists at this day on earth, and we trust will soon diffuse its sacred influence among all nations, is the effect of the coming of Christ. If the Jews plead that their nation, or part of it, is at least an exception; without examining the validity of the plea, it must be allowed to be a solitary exception, and comprises a very small portion indeed of the whole human species.

But the meaning of Mr. C.'s question and objection is evident: he judges nothing of use, so long as his own nation is excluded from the desired dominion over other nations. In every other view, the advantages of Christianity to mankind, even as to morals and temporal good, have been incalculable: and millions, yea, probably hundreds of millions, have through it obtained " salvation with "eternal glory." Surely, then, Mr. C.'s objection is satisfactorily answered.

P. 29. 1. 19. ‘A man arose by the name of Mo'hammed.' Leaving the discussion of several things advanced on this topic till afterwards, I will here take occasion to consider a subject of the highest importance in the controversy; namely,

VOL. IX.

THE TRIUMPHS OF JESUS AS COMPARED, AND
CONTRASTED, WITH THOSE OF MOHAMMED.

I am not competent to decide whether 'Mo'hammed has now many more followers than 'Christ.' (p. 29. 1. 21.) Mohammed has comparatively but few followers in Europe, probably none in America. We know very little of the interior of Africa; but it is probable that that continent has far more Mohammedan than Christian inhabitants. China, Japan, and many of the northern parts of Asia, contain few either Christians or Mohammedans. But, however that may be, the followers of Mohammed are doubtless very numerous; and the success of that impostor has been exceedingly extensive and permanent. But three things should be considered, in comparing his success with that of Jesus. 1. The state of those regions in which the success of each was at first obtained: 2. The nature of the religion which each propagated: and 3. The means by which the triumphs of each were acquired.

1. The state of those regions in which the success of each was at the first obtained.

When our Lord entered on his ministry in Judea and Galilee, the inhabitants though hypocritical, or immoral, to a very great degree, were not illiterate or uncivilized. Most of them could read, and were acquainted with the Old Testament, and there were many learned scribes among them. They were also extremely attached to the forms of religion, and to "the traditions of the elders," on the knowledge of which they highly valued themselves.

The gentiles also, among whom the most signal and illustrious triumphs of Christianity were obtained, constituted in many respects the most civilized and learned part of the world, as known at that time: and the gospel began its course, when learning had but little declined from its highest celebrity, immediately after the Augustan age. The Greeks and Romans, who called the rest of the world barbarians, were the very people among whom the gospel obtained a vast proportion of its success, both at first and in subsequent ages. In the Roman colonies, and in the Grecian cities, in Egypt and the northern coast of Africa, in Syria, Asia Minor, Macedonia, Greece, and even Rome itself; the first Christian churches, out of Judea, were planted. In the heart of those renowned countries, not only addicted in a most haughty manner to their own customs and superstitions, and despising others, especially the Jews; but also comprising almost all the learning which was then known in the world; Christianity, preached by converted Jews, acquired such a firm establishment, as to undermine both pagan idolatry and pagan philosophy, and erect her throne on their ruins? and the effects continue to this day. This was accomplished, amidst the persecuting rage and cruelty of the Roman emperors and other princes; and amidst the scorn and vain reasoning of the philosophers, of every sect and name!

No doubt Christianity triumphed also, in uncivilized and illiterate regions; and at an early period it was established in Britain, then the abode of rude and almost naked savages. But a veil seems purposely to have been cast over the history

of Christianity in other parts of the world; and its triumphs in the seats of civilization, learning, philosophy, and authority, are almost exclusively recorded, at least in an authentic and satisfactory manner. Christianity scorned, so to speak, to shrink from the most acute and adequate investigation, or to take any advantage of men's ignorance and incapacity: it challenged the closest examination from all those who were most competent to detect the fallacy, if there were any, and to judge of its claims. It challenged, I say, this examination: it stood the test, and it triumphed over every opponent, through succeeding generations; and it has triumphed over all to this very day!

Mohammed, on the contrary, arose among the Arabs, who, (except in a kind of astronomy, not much better than astrology,) were extremely illiterate, as he himself also was. The time of his appearing coincided, not only with the deep corruption of Christianity, in various ways, and especially by the idolatrous worship of images, of saints, and angels; but also with a term in the annals of history, marked by the decay, and almost extinction, of literature; and only to be exceeded in ignorance by the dreary ages which followed. The western empire had been subverted by the irruptions of the northern barbarians and others : and the eastern was so divided and enfeebled, that it was capable of making only a very slight resistance. Even the Persian empire was weakened almost to helplessness. The eastern church, also, was torn in pieces by fierce contests, as well as corrupted by pestilent heresies and superstitions.

It is evident that Mohammed, by the teaching of some Jews, or, as others think, of a Nestorian monk, had acquired a confused knowledge of the Old Testament, and a superficial acquaintance with Christianity: and taking advantage of the divided and corrupt state of the church, which had widely deviated from the scriptures, he professed to be the apostle of God, to rectify and perfect both the religion of Jesus, and that of the Jews, and to establish the religion of 'Abraham 'the orthodox,' THE HALTER, so the Arabic word signifies. Abraham, says he, was not a Christian, not associating any with God in worship; not a Jew, as not observing the Jewish ceremonies : but he halted between both, and so was orthodox. His plausible pretences in this respect, among those who just knew enough to see that the worship of images and of created beings was idolatrous; but were too ignorant to discriminate on other matters with any accuracy; concurring with various other circumstances, gave him at length, and after many delays, considerable success among those of his own nation, and in the countries which had formed the eastern empire and the Greek church; where the most deplorable ignorance prevailed, not only among the laity, but even among the clergy and bishops. In after times indeed his successors and followers cultivated learning; and (which was easily effected,) added superiority in science to the victorious power of their arms. Thus their triumphs were extended more and more widely; in Asia, Africa, and many parts of Europe : and the Turks, or Othmans, succeeding to the Saracens, the establishment of Mohammedism