96 ESSAYS PHILOSOPHICAL, MORAL, 8:12.

rical accounts of Cmfar or Alexander, becaufe
the hiliorians of thofe celebrated conquerors
were not infpi-red with the knowledge of the faEts
which they relate. I nfpiration then adds nothing.
to the certainty of facts, and is wholly unneeef-
fary in order to eflablilh the credibility of them.
Nay, it may juPtly be apprehended, that to refort
to infpiration forthat purpofe may operate with
fome as a motive to rejeEt them, from a fufpiciom
that the plea of infpiration is fubliituted merely
to fupply the deficiency of other evidence. To
fuppofe infpiration without utility, is to admit.
miracles without purpofe or propriety-and thus-
to multiply difficulties and furniih objections t0
unbelievers, who are fuiiiciently inclined to re-

jeEt fuch miracles as are of real ufe and neceility. ‘

The Prophets were doubtlelis infpired, becaufe
they could have no knowledge of future events
but by infpiration. The doEirine of the Gofpel
wasallo infpired, becaule the Apoiiles received
it from Chrilt, who received it from God him-
felf. But St. john, without having recourfe to
infpiration, founds the truth of the fa€ts which
he records merely upon his own teIiimony.--
“ That which we have Teen and heard,” fays he,
“ declare we unto you.” And St. Luke ad-
vances no higher pretenlions to credit than fuch
as arife from his intimate intercourfe with thofe

xvho had been xvitnefies from the beginning; and
who