=3.= In other books, internal improbabilities weaken external proof; but in regard to revelation, we scarcely know what are improbabilities. 1.) Those who judge the Scripture by preconceived expectations, will imagine they find improbabilities. 2.) And so they would by thus judging in natural things. --It would seem very improbable, prior to experience, that man should be better able to determine the magnitudes and motions of heavenly bodies, than he is to determine the causes and cures of disease, which much more nearly concerns him. --Or that we should sometimes hit upon a thing in an instant, even when thinking of something else, which we had been vainly trying to discover for years. --Or that language should be so liable to abuse, that every man may be a deceiver. --Or that brute instinct should ever be superior to reason. V. _Such observations apply to almost all objections to Christianity, as distinguished from objections against its evidence._ For instance, the disorderly manner in which some, in the apostolic age used their miraculous gifts. =1.= This does not prove the acts _not_ miraculous. =2.= The person having any such gift, would have the same power over it which he would have over any other ability, and might pervert it. =3.= To say why was he not also endued with prudence, to restrain its use, is but saying why did not God give a _higher degree_ of miraculous endowment? As to which we are not competent judges. =4.= God does not confer his _natural_ gifts, (memory, eloquence, knowledge, &c.) only on those who are prudent and make the best use of them. =5.= Nor is worldly instruction, by educators, commonly given in the happiest manner. VI. _There is a resemblance between religion and nature in several other respects._ =1.= In both, common and necessary things, are plain; but to “go on to perfection” in either, requires exact and laborious study. =2.= The hinderances to both religious and physical knowledge, are the same in kind. A more perfect knowledge may be brought about, 1.) By the progress of learning and liberty. 2.) By students attending to intimations overlooked by the generality. =3.= It is not wonderful that our knowledge of Bible truth should be small; for the natural world has laid open to inspection, for thousands of years, and yet only lately are any great discoveries made. =4.= Perhaps these scientific discoveries, are to be the means of opening and ascertaining Bible truth. _Objec._ The cases are not parallel; for natural knowledge is of no consequence, compared to spiritual. _Ans._ 1. The cases _are_ parallel; for natural knowledge is as important to our natural well-being, as spiritual knowledge is to our spiritual well-being.