CHRIS'FIANITY, the religion of Chris tians, who derive their name from the founder, Christ, so denominated from the Greek word zinc'', I anoint, from the cus torn of anointing persons in the sacerdo tal or regal character, as a public signal of their separation to important.offices. After the death of Jesus, his disciples were for some years called Nazarenes, from Nazareth, where he was brought up. This name afterwards became the designation of a particular sect ; and we learn from a passage in the Acts of the Apostles, that about the year 42, they who adopted the principles and professed the religion which Jesus had taught, and for the sake of which he cheerfully laid down his life, were distinguished by the name of Christians at Antioch. Hence the system itself is called Christianity. The foundation of a Christian's faith and practice, his ultimate, and, in truth, his only appeal, must be to the facts, the doctrines, and the precepts of the Scrip tures, particualrly those of the New Tes tament. Other formularies, other con fessions of faith, from whatever motives dictated, and from whatever reasons re commended, should ever be regarded with a suspicious eye ; lest, by laying stress upon what is human, we .should overlook that which comes recommended upon divine authority. The careful read er of the New Testament will find a detail of instructions given, of wonders performed, and of future events reveal ed. He will also be struck with a very particular account of the sufferings,death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus, the founder. The history containing these things appears to be fairly written, and to carry with it as substantial proofs of its authenticity, as any history that has gained credit in the world. Is the Chris tian called upon for the reason why he believes in the antiquity of the writings of the New Testament ? he may reply, "For the same reason that I believe the antiquity of Virgil's poems, Cxsar's Com mentaries, or Sallust's narrations : and that is, the concurring testimony of all intervening ages. Do any ask, Why I believe that the several books were writ ten by the persons whose names they bear ? I answer, for the same reason that I believe the Georgics to be the produc tion of Virgil ; Jerusalem Delivered, that of Tasso ; Paradise Lost, that of Milton ; an Essay upon the Subject of Miracles, to be the work of Hume ; and a Refuta tion of that Essay, the performance of Campbell. Do any inquire, Whether the sacred pages have not been greatly cor rupted? I answer, They have not been greatly corrupted : as appears by a colla tion of the earliest manuscripts, and an appeal to the earliest versions and ancient fathers. So many corroborating circum
stances plead in favour of the Gospel, that I must either disturb all records, or continueto admit the authenticity of those which display the duty and hopes of a Christian.
In reasoning upon the truth of Christi anity we may appeal to its internal evi dence, and, combining the doctrine and precepts of the system, infer from them the validity of the system itself. The early triumphs of this religion furnish another powerful argument in its support : espe ciallyif it be remembered, that in the es timation of the world it was neither ho nourable, profitable, nor popular. Under every disadvantage, and struggling under the most terrible persecution, it flourish ed, and has maintained its ground for nearly two thousand years. Another argu ment for the truth of the Christian reli gion arises from the completion of pro phecies, of which some preceded Jesus, and were accomplished in him,and others were uttered by him, and came to pass during his life ; such were the treachery of Judas, and the cowardice and meanness of Peter ; or within a few years after his crucifixion; of this kind was the memora ble destruction of Jerusalem. The cha racter of Christ, and the miracles which he wrought, are evidences of the divinity of his mission. On these grounds, if the question be put "Why are you a Chris tian?" the answer has been given good writer, from whom we shall transcribe it. "Not because I was born in a Christian country, and educated in Christian princi ples; not because I find the illustrious Ba con, Boyle, Locke, Clarke, and Newton, among the professors and defenders of Christianity ; nor merely because the sys tem itself is so admirably calculated to mend and exalt human nature ; but be cause the evidence accompanying the Gospel hasconvincedme of its truth. The secondary causes assigned by unbelievers do not, in my judgment, account for the rise, progress, and early triumphs of the Christian religion. Upon the principles of scepticism, I perceive an effect without an adequate cause. I therefore stand ac quitted to my own reason, though I con tinue to believe and profess the religion of Jesus Christ. Arguing from effects to causes, I think I have philosophy on my side. And reduced to a choice of difficul ties, I encounter not so many, in admitting the miracles ascribed to the Saviour, as in the arbitrary supposition and conjec tures of his enemies.