for, in the words of Dr Whately, if we really are convinced of the truth of Scripture, and consequently of the falsity of any theory (of the earth for instance) which is really at variance with it, we must needs believe that that theory is also at variance with observable phenomena; and we ought not, therefore, to shrink from trying the question by an appeal to these."*

With all due deference to this high authority, we maintain that, if Mr Combe's doctrines are really at variance with Scripture, and if we are really convinced of the truth of Scripture, we must conclude that Mr Combe's doctrines are false. The reasoning is so obviously fair, that we have no fear to exhibit it, either to Mr Combe or to the great logician whom he quotes. stands thus:

It

What is really at variance with Scripture cannot be true;

Mr Combe's theory of the world is really at variance with Scripture;

Therefore, Mr Combe's theory of the world

cannot be true.

If Mr Combe admit these premises, he will find it impossible to escape from this conclusion. Why, then, should the argument be inadmissible? It is obviously both admissible and legitimate. In this way, many believers in the Bible will summarily settle the whole affair. They are entitled to require from Mr Combe, that he either conform his speculations on the world, and human nature to Scripture-abandoning every doctrine that really is at variance with Scripture; or else

* Constitution of Man, People's Edition, 1836, page 89. It is the People's Edition that we quote in this tract.

come forth and demonstrate the falsity of Scripture -overthrowing all the evidence on which its claims to divinity and truth have hitherto been based. Those who implicitly adopt the views of Mr Combe, may be disposed to use the converse of the preceding argument. Believing the truth of Mr Combe's theory of the world, they will, of course, believe that what is at variance with that theory cannot be true. Such persons may argue thus:

What is at variance with Mr Combe's theory of the world cannot be true;

The Bible is at variance with that theory;
Therefore the Bible cannot be true.

Some do argue in this very manner, and arrive at this very conclusion. It is of no use to blink this undeniable fact. We do not object, for our part, either to the admissibility or to the legitimacy of the argument. We mean that there is no fault in its logical construction. If the premises were admitted, the conclusion could not be denied. We regard the conclusion as utterly false; but we do so, only because we are fully satisfied that the premises are false.

On this point, it is highly proper that there be no mistake. If, in order to his reception of Mr Combe's system, the believer in the Bible must cease to believe that book, he ought to know this, not that his mind may be blinded by prejudice, but that, if necessary, he may attentively re-examine the foundations on which his faith is built, and may give to Mr Combe's pleadings that awakened and sustained attention, which the matters at issue between him and Christians so richly deserve.

Satisfied as we abundantly are, from ample and diversified evidence carefully examined, that the Bible is true, we are also satisfied, that whatever in Mr Combe's theory of the world is at variance with the Bible-must be false. Here we are entitled to rest; for the evidence by which the truth of the Bible is supported never can be overthrown. The plain Christian who has, after a proper scrutiny, adopted the conviction that the Bible is true, and who may neither have the leisure nor the means of fairly examining the theory and the reasonings of Mr Combe, acts quite rationally in resting here. He stands on the adamantine rock of eternal truth. And it may be that he is. justified in declining to engage in the reading of Mr Combe's book. Other matters more necessary and urgent may, for the present, occupy all his time and thoughts. He may thus be perfectly justified in declining to read either this tract or Mr Combe's treatise. As for us, however, we do not confine ourselves 'to the authority of Scripture; we do not shrink from trying the question by an appeal to the phenomena on which Mr Combe's system is founded.

There may be numerous phenomena which would, if known, greatly facilitate our task. The subject is vast, and we can examine only a small portion of the admissible data. We nevertheless enter on the investigation without fear. We are convinced that our positions are strong. But even were we overthrown, our cause would not be lost through our defeat. There are still impregnable positions left behind those which we are about to occupy. Thither

the defenders of biblical truth could with ease betake themselves, and, in perfect safety, smile at all the attempts that might be made by their opponents to effect their dislodgement or their overthrow.

NATURE AND REVELATION HARMONIOUS.

CHAPTER I.

DEVELOPMENT OF INHERENT ELEMENTS OF IMPROVEMENT.

ONE of Mr Combe's fundamental principles is, that the world contains within itself the elements of improvement, which time will evolve and bring to maturity.

This position will first demand our attention. Mr Combe applies it both to the physical and the moral departments of the world. We shall first quote his data, and then examine his deductions.

Let us look at his data.

،، The constitution of this world,” says Mr Combe, "does not look like a system of optimism. It appears to be arranged in all its departments, on the principle of slow and progressive improvement. Physical nature itself has undergone many revolutions, and apparently has constantly advanced. Geology seems to show a distinct preparation of it for successive orders of living beings, rising higher and higher in the scale of intelligence, until man appeared."