544 7he E'vidences of the Truth; Vol. lI. what it was that the Soldiers were to teftifie, that whilft they were afeep, tho Difciples came and fiole away his Body. Very credible Perlons, that were to give Teilimony of what they faw done, whilst.they were afleep ! A Man had need be hired with a great fum to give fuch a Teftsmony, fo ridiculous and it Teems the Pharifees look'd upon the Governour as very Pimple, that would be fo cafily perfwaded of fo unlikely a thing. 2. It should feem it was not believed by themfelves ; for yofephus a [mowing and Learned Man of that Nation and Religion, who lived immediately after that time, fpeaks pofitively in the 18th Book of his Antiquities, that (brig_ was Cru- cified, and appeared to his Difciples the third day, rffg from the Dead 5 and he fpeaks not a word of the Forgery, which had been much for the credit of his Na- tion and Religion. 3. If we compare the fidelity of the Perlin on both fides ; the Witneffes of Chrift's Refurre&ion cannot be fufpefted of any worldly Intereft or Deftgn ; but the Priefls and Pharifees were concerned, both in Reputation and Interest, to blaft this Miracle as much as they could 5 becaufe if it fhould be entertained, both their Religion would be endanger'd, and they would be looked upon as Murderers of him, whofe Holinefs and Innocency was attefted by fuch a Mira- cle. 4. If this exception had been true, it had been eafie to have difcover'd the Im= poflure, and undeceived the People 5 the Gofpel would have fall'n and funk in a lhort time. Nothing but Truth could have born up and prevailed againft fomuch oppofition. If this had beenthe work of Men, and an Impoflure, it would have come to nought 5 but it was Truth, and of God, and therefore it could not be over- thrown. Secondly, That he was not Dead when he wasput into the Grave ; that he was but in a Swoon or Deliquium, and fo might rife again without a Miracle. Anfw.. t. We may reafonably fuppofe, that the Malice of the Yews took care to kill him. Befides, the Circumftances pf the flory do fuflïciently evidence it. Upon the piercing of his fide, Water and Bloodcame out 5 which was an Evidence that his Heart was pierced. And after his Body was exhaulled of its Blood, there could be no return to Life again. But it feems the Soldiers were fatisfied in the thing, who when they came to break his Bones, fpared him, lecaufe they fau he was already dead. 2. If he was not Dead,yet how fhould he rife again ? It was a pitiful fecuringof the Grave, and a little great Stone that was rolled upon it, if a weak, and wounded, and fpent Man, after fo much pain, and the expence of fo much Blood could roll it away. 3. Suppofe he did Rife, what became of him afterwards ? How came we to have noParticulars of what became of him ? If thofe which the ftory gives us be true, that after forty days he was taken up into Heaven, we need not doubt of Ids Refurreftion, for this is as Miraculous as that. Thirdly, The third and lag Exception is as unreafonable as any, which grants that he did feem to appear to the Difciples, but they were impofed upon by the illufion of Evil Spirits. Anfw. t. That which may be an Evafion in any Cafe, is to be admitted in no Cafe. This Exception fuppofeth as much Evidence for his Refurre&ion, as this or any other thing is capable of ; and yet would make it an Illufion : but this de- nies all certainty 5 for if we may be deceived when we have the greateft affurance of a thing that our Senfes can give us : then we may not only queftion the Re- furreâion of Chrift, but every thing elfe. z. If we believe the Providence cf God, we cannot think it to be fo little vi- gilant, as that honett and well meaning Perfons fhould be continually expofd to the Infolence and Cheats of Evil Spirits, and in a matter of the greatcft Concern- ment fhould beever liable to be deceived, and cannot help it. Having thus confider'd our Saviour's Refurre&ion, and anfwer'd the Obje&ions againft it, I proceed to thofe Two Miracles which followed his Refurre&ion ; namely,
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=