Recapitulation of Evidence on the Canon of the New Testament
KJAPJTCli “‘ON OP EVIDENCE ON THE CANON OF THE fEW “tEBTAMlirr
The suhiect of the canon of the New Testament may properly be conchidcd by a few general remarks.
1. The constitution of the canon of the New Testament did not require the judgment or sanction of any council, synod, or church, except as they might be witnesses that the books were written by nisn who were known to be inspired. Every book written by an apostle had a right to a place in the canon as soon as published. The sacred books were therefore canonical before they were collected together into a volume. One of Paul’s epistles, as soon as received by the Church to which it was sent, had as much authority as it ever could have, and possessed this authority, if that Church were not at the time in possession of any other book. The canon was constituted, or compiled, when the last inspired volume was published. And as the apostle John undoubtedly survived the other apostles, and wrote last, when he produced his last writing, whichever it might be, the canon was closed. And as this must have been prior to his death, so it may be said with certainty, that the canon of the New Testament was completed before the death of John. And as all the books were in circulation while he was living, the Church could enjoy the unspeakable privilege of having his infallible opinion respecting any and all of these books. This will sufficiently account for the universal consent with which these books were received ji every part of the Church. As he gave his sanction to the cKher three gospels, so doubtless he would do to the whole sacred canon. Accordingly, we find no controversy in the early ages of the Church, lespecting the callOl D( ubt was entertained by some respecting a few rf those books now in the ca. jn, -.vhitl resulted in a general acquiescence in their C-aims after the subject was impartially examined; but respecting all other books there was a unanimous consent. This leads to the remark.
2. That the writings of the apostles were from the beginning carefully distinguished from all other books. They were denominated, “Scripture,” divine Scripture — inspired writings — the gospels THE APOSTLES ORACLES OF THE LoRD DI-VINE FOUNTAINS, &c., &c. The fathers were not too credulous in regard to this matter, but used all care to search mfo the claims of such books as professed to be from the apostles.
3. These books, when written, did not lie in obscurity, but were publicly read in the churches; and were sought with avidity by the people, and read with veneration, not only by the learned but by common Christians; for the idea of locking up the holy Scriptures from the people seems to have occurred to no one. That these canonical books were thus read in the churches may be proved by the testimony of Justin Martyr, Tertullian, Eusebius, Cyprian, and Augustine; and no other books received the same veneration and attention — none others were spoken of as Scripture — as inspired. When any other pieces were read in public for instruction, the fathers were pointedly careful to distinguish these from the canonical books.
4. In all the controversies which arose in the Church, these books were appealed to by all parties, as decisive authority, unless we except some of the very worst heretics, who, to maintain their opinions, mutilated the Scriptures, and rejected such as plamly condenmed their impious tenets. But most of the neretics endeavoured to maintain their opinions by the writings of the New Testament. This was the case in regard to the Valentinians, the Montanists, the Sabellians, he Artemonites, the Arians, the Peagians, and the Priscillianists. None of these called n question the iivhority o*’the sacred books.
5. It is an argument of great force, that Bven the avowed enemies of Christianity, who wrote against the truth, refer to the books now in the canon, as .hose received as sacred by Christians. These enemies of the gospel refer to matters contained in these books, and some of them mention several of them by nair.e.
(/clsus, who lived and wrote less than a hundred years after the age of the apostles, says, as his words are quoted by Origen, who answered him, “I could say many things concerning the affairs of Jesus, and those, too, different from what has been written by the disciples of Jesus, but I purposely omit them.” In another place he says, ‘- These things, then, wo have alleged to you of your own writings.”
Porphyry also, from the fragments of his writings whijL-.h remain, appears to have been well acquainted with the four gospels; for the objections which he brings against Christianity are directed against things still found in these gospels.
The emperor Julian, called the Apostate, mentions by name Matthew and Luke, and cites various things out of the gospels. He also mentions John, and says, “none of Christ’s disciples besides has ascribed to him the creation of the world;” “and that neither Matthew, nor Luke, nor Mark, had dared to call Jesus, God;” “that John wrote later than the other evangelists, and at a time when a great number of men in the countries of Greece and Italy were converted.” Now if these books had not been genuine, would not these learned and powerful opponents have known the fact, and would they not have exposed the fraud? But they silently acquiesce in the ge’^uineness of the gospels, and speak of them as the writings of the disciples of Christ, with as little hesitation as Christians themselves.
6. The testimony which we have adduced is not only sufficient to demonstrate that these books were originally written by the men to whom they have always been ascribed, but a so, that the books which were in the hands of early “Christians contai” ed the same things which are now found written in them Excepting about half a dozen texts, the gei uinenes% of which is disputed, because the manusciipts and versions vary; as far as can be judged fronri numerous quotations, from all the early versions, and from the ancient manuscripts which have come down to us, no material change has taken place in these wn tings. It is true, the fathers in some instances appear to have quoted from memory, and in others to nave interpreted the words of the sacred writers differently from what we do, but all evidence goes to show that the Scriptures of the New Testament have come down to us in their original integrity, save those errors which arose from the carelessness or ignorance of transcribers; but even in regard to these, by means of the multitude of copies of the Greek text, and of early versions, with the help of numerous quotations made in Africa, Asia, and Europe, the correct reading can usually be ascertained with very considerable certainty. It is probable that almost every sentence in some books of the New Testament has been cited or referred to by one or other of the fathers. Let any one only cast his eye over a table of texts quoted by Cyprian, Origen, Tertullian, or any other extensive writer among them, and he will be convinced that a large part of the New Testament could be collected from their writings.
As the apocryphal books of the New Testament, though very numerous, are never connected with the sacred volume, and as none now plead for the canonical authority of any of these books, there is no necessity, in treating of the evidences of Christianity, to enter into any discussion respecting them. And I would beg leave to refer any who may feel a curiosity to inquire into their character, and to have some specimens of their style and spirit, to Jones’ “New method of settling the canon of the New Testament;” or the volume M^hich the present writer compiled op rtie subject of the canon.
Having brought this” View of the Eviaencw
Christianity” to a close, I would entreat the reader who has accompanied me thus far, not to sufler his mind to be disturbed, or his faith unsettled, by objections which ingenious men may raise, which he may not be able to answer. Objections may be made to the most certain principles of science, and even to what we know by consciousness, and the evidence of our senses; but though we cannot remove all diflBculties, yet we do not distrust our intuitive J’Jidgments, our senses, and the clear deductions of reason. Many of the objections of infidels, however, are easily answered, and have been fully answered again and again; but they still throw back the blunted weapons, fio often repelled, as though they had never been used before. There is no room in this brief outline, to enter on a consideration of the popular objection? of deists. Such a work would itself require a volume, and he who executes sucn a work skillfully, will deserve well of the Christian community.
One word more to tho candid reader. Rest not, r entreat you, in a mere rational conviction of the truth of the gospel, but speedily reduce your faith to practice. Embrace the gospel, as well as assent to its truth. If Christianity is true, it is the most important concern in the world. Avail yourselves of its precious invitations; obey its salutary precepts, and escape from the dangers of which it gives you warning.
If the Bible is written by the inspiration of Govi, how highly should we prize this sacred volume, and how devoutly and diligently should we study its contents! “Search the Scriptures.” Pray for divine illumination, that you may understand them. That man who is pronounced ■■’ blessed,” meditates in the law day and night. “The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul; the testimonies of the Lord are sure, making wise the simple.” What is said at the beginning and at the close of the last book in the canon, may be well applied to the whole Bible: *’ Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which ,Mie written therein.
“For I testify unto every one that hearcth the woi’ds of the prophecy of this book, if any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book. And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of ihis prophecy, God shall take away his part out ol the book of life, and out of the Holy City, and from the things which are written in this book.”
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