trary truths could have dispelled and removed them. We learn also from the two forementioned heathen writers that Christians not only underwent an ill fame, but were severely handled; that as early as Nero's reign they suffered a most bitter persecution. Tacitus informs us that a great multitude of them were apprehended by that emperor's order, and exposed to the most cruel tortures, the most painful and lingering deaths. Now that persons should vanquish the deep-rooted prejudices they had sucked in with their milk, abandon the religion they were educated in, and, notwithstanding the utter aversion they might some time have felt in themselves to the doing it, become the disciples, adorers, and worshippers of one whom far the most about them looked upon as no other than a criminal justly condemned and deservedly executed, and thereby lay themselves open to the scorn, contempt, ridicule, hatred, and ill treatment of their kindred, acquaintance, and neighbours; renounce all their hopes and interests in this world; run the risk of every thing that was dear and valuable to them here; hazard life itself, and dare venture upon death under its most ghastly form, dying piece-meal and by inches; I say, that a great multitude should do this upon less grounds than those related in the four Gospels and the Acts of the Apostles, seems to me wholly incredible. I know not that any who have yet written on the infidel side of the question have attempted to give us a reasonable account of this matter. Till they are pleased therefore to lay before us at least a plausible method in which so great and sudden a change might be brought to pass, we may, I think, safely continue in the persuasion that it was by the wonders related in our holy books; and may take leave also to say, that although they cannot, as they pretend, bring themselves to believe the historical facts contained in the four Gospels and the Acts of the Apostles, yet they can easily give credit to that which it is far more difficult to conceive; that is, that the Christian religion could be spread through so many widely distant nations, as we find it was in the course of a very few years, notwithstanding the aversion and inveterate prejudices of those who were to embrace it; notwithstanding the violent opposition that was made to it by the powers of the world; notwithstanding the contempt, ridicule, and sufferings the professors of it underwent from their friends and neighbours, without any of the miraculous means mentioned in our sacred writings, and by the ordinary course of human affairs. It has been often observed, that although infidels accuse Christians of an easy credulity, the accusation, when retorted, is just; that they themselves, in truth, are the easy and credulous, and embrace the most monstrous absurdities in maintenance of their infidelity. What I have just now laid before you is manifestly one instance: they will not believe the wonderful facts related in the Gospels and the history of the Acts; and yet they believe what is far more incredible, that is, that the Christian religion was propagated without them. When once they attempt to shew us how this could be, I think it is very evident that they will expose the nakedness of their cause, and their absurdity must appear to all. If the matters of fact contained in these historical relations be admitted as true, it can be longer doubted whether the Christian religion be a divine revelation. If there were so many miraculous appearances at the birth of Jesus; if during his life he performed such amazing works; if after his death he arose from the grave, ascended visibly into heaven, sent down the gifts of the Holy Spirit on his disciples; according to his promise, endued them with such wonderful power, and enabled them to testify the truth of his resurrection with all boldness, notwithstanding the hazard they ran, and the ill treatment they met with for so doing, as is particularly related therein; no one, that allows himself at all to think, can make the least doubt that he is the Messiah, the Son of God, as he declared himself to be, and that the doctrine he taught he received from his Father. For as it is certain that such things could not be brought to pass without the divine permission, so no one can conceive it reconcileable with the attributes of an infinitely holy, just, true, and good Being to have suffered such things to be done, in order to impose on and deceive the best of men in an affair of the highest consequence to them possible. For Jesus openly appealed to his miraculous works, and particularly his resurrection from the dead, as the proof of his being sent from heaven. Was it consistent with the holiness, justice, truth, and goodness of God, to allow these proofs to follow his appeal, if he had not sent him? If we admit a Providence ruling over all, we must be persuaded, that, in a case of such importance, it would have interposed, and prevented the imposture. For who were the persons the most likely to be deceived? were they not those who were the best disposed, who entertained the highest regard for the Deity; were the most desirous of knowing his will, and the most willing to obey it? and could there be any thing concern them more nearly, or of greater consequence to them, than the things which relate to the worship and favour of God, and a future life? Unless therefore we can suppose that the infinitely perfect Being could act an unkind and unfriendly part by those who were most devoted to his service, we can never grant that he would suffer the dead to be raised to life, in proof that certain doctrines regarding his worship and a future life were revealed by him, which were not so. This being a consequence generally seen, and readily assented to, the authority of our sacred books, and the truth of the facts contained in them, have of late been disputed. I shall endeavour therefore to lay before you the plain proofs we have of their being true and genuine histories, and answer all the arguments which I can learn have been made use of to weaken their authority, and render the facts related therein doubtful. I shall begin with the Acts of the Apostles, and (if the time will give me leave) proceed afterwards to the four Gospels. With regard to the Acts of the Apostles, I shall first give you a short view of the facts contained therein; secondly, shew you how far these facts are confirmed to us by other historians; thirdly, lay before you the plain and direct proofs there are that this book was written by St. Luke, and was owned and received by the Christians as a sacred book, and the arguments thence arising of the truth of the facts therein related; fourthly, the incontestable evi |