1.  The external evidences of revealed religion are, in their proper place and sphere, of the highest importance.  Christianity rests not upon theory, but upon historical facts sustained by an overwhelming mass of testimony.  It is desirable that every Christian, so far as he has opportunity, should make himself acquainted with this testimony for the strengthening of his own faith and the refutation of gainsayers.  Nevertheless, many thousands of Christians are fully established in the faith of the gospel who have but a very limited knowledge of the historical proofs by which its divine origin is supported.  To them the Bible commends itself as the word of God by its internal character, and the gospel as God’s plan of salvation by their inward experience of its divine power, and their outward observation of its power over the hearts and lives of all who truly receive it.  This is in accordance with the general analogy of God’s works.  We might be assured beforehand that a system of religion having God for its author, would shine by its own light, and thus commend itself at once to the human understanding and conscience, irrespective of all outward testimony to its truth.  Although the internal evidences of Christianity have already been considered to some extent in connection with those that are outward and historical, it is desirable in the present closing chapter to offer some suggestions pertaining to the internal character of the Bible as a whole, and also to the testimony of Christian experience, individual and general.

2.  To every unperverted mind the Bible commends itself at once as the word of God by the wonderful view which it gives of his character and providence.  It exhibits one personal God who made and governs the world, without the least trace of polytheism on the one hand, or pantheism on the other—­the two rocks of error upon which every other system of religion in the world has made shipwreck.  And this great Spirit, “infinite, eternal, and unchangeable in his being, wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness, and truth,” is not removed to a distance from us, but is ever nigh to each one of his creatures.  He is our Father in heaven, who cares for us and can hear and answer our prayers.  His providence extends to all things, great and small.  He directs alike the sparrow’s flight, and the rise and fall of empires.  To the perfect view of God’s character and government which the pages of the Bible unfold, no man can add anything, and whoever takes any thing away only mars and mutilates it.  How now shall we explain the great fact that the Hebrew people, some thousands of years ago, had this true knowledge of God and his providence, while it was hidden from all other nations?  The Bible gives the only reasonable answer:  God himself revealed it to them.