rusted, and whether he possessed
sufficient intelligence, to render it probable that he would arrive at a
right conclusion. A man of known truthfulness and intelligence would
justly meet with more ready credence, than a person of an opposite
character.

The revelation itself, too, would be closely scrutinized. In some cases
it is conceivable that the revelation would go far to prove itself. It
might make known things which, though not perhaps discoverable by man's
reason, were nevertheless so agreeable to it, as to carry with them an
almost irresistible conviction. As, too, a revelation would be given for
the practical guidance of man, it would probably be attended with
threatenings and promises, or other predictions; and when the things
which had been foretold actually took place, the reality of the
revelation would be, to a great extent, established. If, for instance,
the remarkable occurrences which Moses, on various occasions, foretold,
as about to take place in the land of Egypt, really occurred, it would,
we think, be very difficult to avoid the conclusion that he had received
a revelation from God, and that what he said, or wrote, was to be
depended upon. A candid inquirer would also examine, in a reverent
spirit, whether the professed revelation was likely to promote a pure
morality, and to further the best interests of mankind. He would not,
indeed, enter upon such an examination, with the feeling that he was
competent to decide, in _every_ respect, as to the justice and excellence
of the statements which professed to be revealed; for his reason, if
consulted, would tell him that many circumstances might be hidden from
him, without which a correct judgment could not be formed, and that,
possibly, his capacity might not be able to grasp them in all their
relations, even if they were put before him. Still, such an examination
as that which we have just referred to, would properly form an element in
leading to a conclusion, and, when combined with others, would give as
reasonable grounds for arriving at a decision with respect to a professed
revelation, as we should be willing to act on in the usual business of
life, and would, therefore, be suited to the conditions of our being.
The decision arrived at would commonly be the result, not of a single
proof, but of many concurrent circumstances.

What has been said in reference to an examination, instituted by persons
living at the time when a professed reve