CHAPTER V. 471 We may draw two remarkable observations from this section. Observ. I. Mow certain is the truth of the Christian reli- gion, and particularly of the resurrection of Christ, which is a matter of fact on which Christianity is built ! We have almost all the concurrent evidences that can be derived from human tes- timony joining to confirm this glorious truth. The fact is not impossible ; concurrent circumstances cast a favourable aspect on it ; it was foretold by one Who wrought miracles; and therefore not unlikely, nor unexpected : The apostles and first disciples were eye and ear-witnesses, for they conversed with their risen Lord ; they were the most plain, honest men in themselves ; the temptations of worldly interests did rather discourage their be lief and report of it : they all agree in this matter, though they were men of different characters; Pharisees and Fishermen, and Publicans, men of Judea and Galilee, and perhaps some Heathens, who were early converted : the thing might easily have been disproved if it were false ; it hatlt been conveyed by constant tradition and writing down to our times ; those who at first doubted, were afterwards convinced by certain proofs ; nor have any pretended to give any proof of the contrary, but merely denied the fact with impudence, in opposition to all these evidences. II. How weak is the faith which is due to a multitude of things in ancient human history ! For though many of these criteria, or marks of credibility, are found plainly in the more general and public facts, yet as to a multitude of particular facts and circumstances, how deficient are they in such evidence as should demand our assent ! Perhaps there is nothing that ever was done in all past ages, and which was not a public fact, so well attested as the resurrection of Christ. SECT. VI. :Principles and Rules of Judgment in Matters of divine Testimony. AS human testimony acquaints us with matters of fact, both past and present, which lie beyond the reach of our own personal notice; so divine testimony is suited to inform us both of the nature of things, as well as matters of fact, and of things future, as well as present or past. Whatsoever is dictated to us by God himself, or by men who are divinely inspired, must be believed with full assurance. Reason demands us to believe whatsoever divine revelation dic- tates : for God is perfectly wise, and cannot be deceived ; he is faithful and good, and will not deceive his creatures : and when reason has found out the certain marks or credentials of divine testimony to belong to any proposition, there remains then no farther enquiry to be made, but only to find out the true sense i
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