CHAP. XI.

OTHER DOUBTS. FONDNESS FOR THE MARVELLOUS. FALSE MIRACLES.-MARTYRS OF ERROR OR OPINION.-REFLECTIONS.

IN

N the process of this investigation, doubts seem spontaneously to arise, and to crowd upon each other. The subject in which I am engaged is as complicated as it is important.

I

It may be viewed in various lights; and I cannot undertake to consider them all ; have therefore selected those only which are of most immediate consequence.

The religious annals of almost every nation are full of apparitions, miracles, prodigies, &c. There is hardly a religious opinion, but what can exhibit miracles, and even martyrs, to support it. The human mind delights in what is marvellous ; it has

an innate fondness for what is new and extraordinary. It is captivated with every prodigy. It lends a willing ear to them, and frequently believes them without examination. The mind does not even seem framed for doubting, it is. rather addicted to believing; philosophical doubts imply efforts, which, in general, are painful and laborious.

These natural dispositions of the human mind are well calculated to increase philosophical diffidence, respecting every thing that has the appearance of miracles; and must tend to render the philosopher very cautious in admitting the proofs adduced in support of them.

But shall the dreams of the alchymist induce the philosopher to reject the truths of chymistry? Because multitudes of physical and historical works are full of mistaken observations and doubtful facts, shall the attentive philosopher reject all books of physics and history? Or, will he conclude, indiscriminately, against observation and fact? If many religious opinions have rested their

support on miracles, that alone would convince me, that men, in all places and in all ages, have considered miracles as the most expressive language of divinity, and the characteristic seal by which its messengers* are to be known.

* Hence Christ frequently appeals to this proof, as the most. convincing-The works that I do in my father's name, they bear witness of me.-If I had not done among them works that never man did.-Though ye believe not me, believe the works.—If the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon, which-have been done in you, they had a great while ago repented.

Miracles were, in fact, one of the chief characteristics by which the Jews thought the Messiah would be made known.-When the Messiah cometh, will be do greater miracles than this man?

Should any one pretend, that Christ himself meant to weaken this strong proof, when he said, in express words, There shall arise false christs: should he pretend that Christ meant to intimate, by these words, the little credit that ought to be given to miracles; he would manifestly go contrary to all the rules of sound criticism: for, if it can be proved by history, that the nation alluded to in this passage was then much addicted to magic and enchantments; if it can be proved by the history of that nation, that, a short time after the coming of Christ, there arose false prophets, who had recourse to magical arts to seduce the people; if that seduction was so much the easier, because the whole nation then professed to expect and wait for the coming of Christ the Messiah; it would then appear most evident, that Christ, by these words, meant only to forewarn his disciples against the impostures of those false Christs, who would have imposed on the credulity of the people, by persuading them that

I afterwards enter into a more minute detail; I compare facts with facts, miracles with miracles; I place testimony in opposition to testimony; and I am struck with amazement, when I discover the enormous difference between the miracles attested to me by the witnesses of whom I have spoken, and the facts alleged in support of certain religious opinions.

The first appear to me so superior, both as to their nature, their number, variety, connexion, duration, publicity, usefulness†; and, above all, in the importance of the general design, the greatness of its consequences, the strength of the evidence‡; that I

they were that Christ, whose appearance the ancient oracles foretold.

Would a discreet physician incur the imputation of discrediting medicine, because he warned the unwary public against the seductions of empirics? But, true physicians are not to be seduced by empirics: and therefore Christ adds, If it were possible, they would deceive the very elect.

+ There is no vain ostentation of power, no parade, in these miracles; most of them are works of mercy and acts of benevolence.

I earnestly request the reader, who can entertain a doubt on this head, to weigh in the scale of reason, one by one, the differ

cannot reasonably refuse to admit them as very probable, at least; whilst, on the other hand, I cannot reasonably admit, but must reject the others, as inventions equally ridiculous in themselves and repugnant to the wisdom and majesty of the Lord of nature.

Shall I then hesitate to decide between the prestiges and tricks of an Alexander

ent characteristics which I have pointed out; and which (in my opinion) all meet in the miracles of the gospel. I further request of him, to apply, one after the other, all these characteristics to those facts, either ancient or modern, which are produced as miraculous, and seriously to question himself, in the silent moment of retirement, whether these facts can bear a comparison. He will observe the enumeration of these characteristics, which I might have carried much further, and have developed much more at large, if the nature of this work had allowed me. 1st, the nature-2d, the number-3d, the diversity-4th, the connexion5th, the duration-6th, the publicity—7th, the direct or particular usefulness-8th, the importance of the general design—9th, the greatness of its consequences-10th, the force of the evidence. It were easy to find, in ancient and modern history, facts, even juridically attested, as miraculous, which however were mere inventions, tricks of art, or effects of nature, but striking in their various circumstances, either physical or moral. Our times have exhibited, and still exhibit, many examples. The truly logical and critical reader will apply, therefore, to these facts, the different characteristics which the miracles of the gospel exhibit. He will not be satisfied with general comparisons; he will enter into the minutest and deepest discussion: he will not stop at the greatest and most striking proofs; he will analyze even the smallest, and carry the analysis to its very last elements.