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20 SINGULARITIES OF THE BIBLE. was completed, when profane history may be said with propriety to have been just beginning.

The antiquity of the Bible does not of itself prove that its origin was divine. Of all merely human productions, some one must be the oldest; and, because the Bible is the oldest of books, it does not follow that it has higher claims to divine authority, than books of less antiquity. But the fact that the Bible is separated from all other books by its antiquity constitutes a singularity which invites inquiry into its authorship, and at least gives room for the supposition, that it may be a book prepared by the Father of the human family for the benefit of his offspring, before they themselves were skilled to make books.

The most ancient of human writings were designed chiefly for amusement; and the profit of the readers, even for the present life, scarcely entered into the plans of the authors. Their works in this respect resemble the amusements of children, rather than the sober instructions of aged parents, intent mainly on promoting the welfare of the family. The Bible, on the other hand, was manifestly not designed for amusement, but from the very beginning it gives instructions affecting our highest interests. The character of its instructions combines with its antiquity, to claim for it our profoundest regard. Foolish children may be so intent on their youthful amusements as to contemn the lessons of parental wisdom. Of equal folly are they guilty who are filled with delight by the study of Hesiod and Homer, and other works of classic antiquity, but turn away with disgust from the sober teachings of the Bible.