The uncontroverted Books contain all things neceffary to Salvation, p. 78. The Dispute concerning the Apochry2 pha, falls not here under Confideration, p. 8o. No Suppreffion or Alteration of the Books of the Old Teftainent, by Idolatrous Kings, &c. ibid. The Book of the Lam, in the Hand-Writing of Mofes, found in the Reign of Jofiah, p. 82. No Books but those which were written by Infpiration, received by the Jews into their Canon, p. 83. What Opinion the Ten Tribes had of the Books of the Prophets, &c. p. 87. Neither the Samaritans, nor the Sadduces reje ted any of the Books of the Old Teftament, p. 88. Of the Books, whereof mention is made in the O. Telts ibid. Why the Books of the Prophets have the Names of the Authors exprefs'd, and that there was not the Same Reason, that the Names of the Authors of the Hia ftorical Books fhould be express'd, p. 90. A wonders ful Providence manifeft in the prefervation of the Books of the Old Teft. for fo many Ages, ibid. The New Teft. confirms the Old, p. 91. The Caution of the Chriftian Church in admitting Books into the Canon, p. y2. The Primitive Chriftians had fufficient means to examines and diftinguish the Genuine and infpired Writings from the Apochryphal or Spurious, p. 93. The Gospel of St. Matthew in Hebrew, how long preserved, p. 9ối The Greek Verfion of it, ibid. The Canon of Scripturé finished by St. John, and the Books of the other Evange lifts, &c. reviewed by him, p. 97. The Teftimony of the Adverfaries of our Religion, p. 98. Copies of great Ans tiquity still extant, ibid. How it came to pass, that the Authority of fome Books was at first doubted of, p. 99% The Canon had been fix'd and confirmed in Councils in Tertullian's time, p. 104. The Canon of Scripture ges nerally received by Chriftians of all Sects and Parties

p. 197.

CHAP

A

CHA P. V.

Of the various Readings in the Old and New Teftament. N extradinary Providence manifeft in the prefer vation of the Scriptures from fuch Cafualties, as have befallen other Books, p. 118. The Defect in the Hebrew Vowels, and the late invention of the Points no prejudice to the Authority of the Bible, p. 119. The change of the old Hebrew Characters into that now in use, is no prejudice to the Authority of the Hebrew Text p. 122. The Keri, and the Ketib, no prejudice to it, ib. The Difference between the Hebrew Text and the Septuagint, and other Verfions, or between the Verfions themfelves, no way prejudicial to the Authority of the Scriptures, p. 124. It is confeffed by the greatest Criticks, both Proteftants and Papists, that no difference is to be. found in the feveral Copies of the Bible, which can prejudice the Fundamental Points of Religion, or weaken the Authority of the Scriptures, p. 127. No tefs may be faid in behalf of the New Teftament than of the Old. The great Care and Reverence which the Primitive Chriftians had for the Books of it. Hereticks could not corrupt the Text, and pafs undiscovered to the Orthodox, or even by other Hereticks, p. 130.

CHAP. VI.

Of the Difficulties in Chronology, in the Holy Scriptures. He uncertainty of Chronology in general, p. 135.

T Differences in Chronology, do not infer uncertainty

in the Matters of Fait themselves, ibid. They do not infer, that there was any Chronological Miftake made by the Pen-men of the Holy Scriptures, p. 138. The total term of Years is not always exactly diftinguifhed from all the Particulars, of which it is compofed; and this has been the occafion of Mistakes in Chronology, ibid. Another occafion of Mistakes has been, that fometimes the Principal Number is fet down, and the odd or leffer Number is omitted, which is added to the principal Number in other places, p. 139. Sometimes an Epocha is mitaken

ftaken by Chronologers, p. 141. The likeness of two Words may occafion Variations in Chronology, p. 142. The Numeral Letters were easily mistaken by Tranfcribers, ibid. Some Alterations of the Septuagint from the Hebrew feem to have been made with defign, p. 143. The Terms of Time fometimes taken inclufively, and at other times exclusively, p. 146.

CHAP. VII.

Of the Obfcurity of fome places in the Scriptures, particu larly of the Types and Prophecies.

H

Ow it comes to pass, that there are fome things in the Scriptures hard to be understood, p. 147. Some Doctrines are difficult in themselves, p. 148. The Learning and Wisdom of ancient Times confifted in Proverbs and Parables, p. 151. · Many places of Scripture, which are obfcure to us, were not obfcure in the Ages when they were written, p. 153. The main fcope and defign of Parables is to be obferved, and not every word and circumftance to be infifted upon, p. 158. The Obfcurity of Prophecies and Types confidered, p. 159. Differences in the Interpretations of Prophecies no Argument for the uncertainty of them, ibid. It is evident, and agreed by Interpreters, that Prophecies have been fulfilled, tho' they differ about the Time when they were fulfilled, ibid. Some Prophecies purpofely obfcure, and why, p. 161. Some Prophecies had never been conveyed down to Pofterity, unlefs they had been obfcurely written, p. 162. Others could never have been fulfilled, p. 163. If Prophecies had been plainer, it would have been thought that they had been fulfilled only by defign and contrivance, p. 164. Men would have committed Sin, in many cafes, to fulfil Prophecies, ibid. They may fometimes be obfcure in Mercy to Men, p. 165. And at other times for a Judgment upon the Obftinate, ibid. The obfcurity of Prophecies defigned to abate the Confidence, and exercife the diligence of Men, p. 166. Some Prophecies plainly delivered by all Prophets; those which are not fo delivered, of

e 2

great

great ufe, even before the Accomplishment. This fhewn of the Revelation of St. John, p. 168. The Nature and Certainty of Types confidered, p. 170. The obfcurities of Scriptures is not fuch, as to be any prejudice to the end and defign of them, p. 173.

CHAP. VIII.

Of the Places of Scripture, which feem to contradict each other.

No reason to expect that the Scriptures Thould be fo

penned as to afford no fufpicion of Contradiction to injudicious and rash Men, p. 176. What Method ought to be taken, to make a true Judgment of any Author, p. 178. An Objection may imply too much, as well as prove too little, to be of any force, p. 180. Contradictions in Points of Chronology, and other things of little moment, tho' they should have happened by the fault and negligence of Men, would be no Argument against the Authority of the Scriptures, p. 182.

CHAP. IX.

Of the Creation of the World, and the Preserva

OF

tion of it.

F the Time, when the World began, p. 184. There is no Reason to fuppofe the World to have been at first made by Mechanical Laws, tho' it was preferved according to fuch Laws, p. 185. Sufficient Reafons may be given for the Creation of the World in that manner, which we find related in the Book of Genefis, p. 186. with refpect to the Angels, p. 189. with respect to Men, p. 191. The Prefervation of the World is not performed according to Mechanical Principles, p.195. The Mechanical Hypothefes grounded upon Miftake, viz. that there is always the fame Quantity of Motion, p. 196. that there is a Plenum, ibid. They fuppofe it more Worthy of God to leave Matter and Motion to perform all by themselves, without his immediate Interpofition and Affiftance, p. 198 The Ordinary and Extraordinary, or Miraculous Works of God confidered, ibid. The Laws of the Material,

and

and of the Moral Part of the World, compared, p. 200. The Mechanichal Hypotheses inconfiftent with our Duty of Prayer to God, for deliverance in Sickness and Dangers, p. 201. The Mechanical Philofophy proceeds upon a miftaken Notion of God, p. 202. CHAP. X.

A

Of other Habitable Worlds befides this Earth. LL things are alike eafie to God, yet Men are most inclined to admire and glorifie Him for the vaftnefs of his Works, p. 204. Wonderful Discoveries lately made upon Earth by Microscopes, as well as by Telescopes, in the Heavens: But Angels, who have no need of artificial Helps to discern them, glorifie God for his Works, more than Men, p. 205. The use and benefit of the Stars, p. 206. The Earth to be confidered as the Seat of Mankind in all Ages, under which Notion it is no contemptible Place, p. 207. The Planets not inhabitable, ibid. For what uses they may be defigned, p. 208.

CHAP. XI.

That there is nothing in the Scriptures, which cantradicts the late Difcoveries in Natural Philofophy.

TH

He ufe of popular Expreffions implies neither the Affirmation, nor the Denial of the Philofophical Truth of them, p. 211. How the Sun is faid to stand still, Jof. x. 12. p. 212. The Firmament in the midst of the Waters, Gen. i. 6. explained, p. 213. The Sun and the Moon how faid to be Two great Lights, Gen. i. 16. p. 214. The Pillars of the Earth, 1 Sam. xi. 8. p. 215. The Sky Strong, and as a Molten Looking-glafs, Job xxxvii. 18. ibid. The Scripture Speaks ftrictly according to Philofophy, p. 216.

CHAP. XII.

Of Man's being Created capable of Sin and Damnation. THis repugnant, neither to the Justice nor Mercy of God, p. 217. The Objection rightly stated, p. 218. The Glory of God is more advanced, and the Attributes of his Wifdom and his Justice, and of his Goodness it felf,