(1.) The substance of the tradition prevalent among all na- (2.) The tradition embodied in the national mythology and 2. Physiological proof, built upon the existing phenomena of (1.) No circumstance is more thoroughly established in geo- (2.) Various physical matters testify, that this great revolu- 3. Moral proof, built upon the progress of civilization, p. 60. (2.) With this view of the matter, all history, down to the (3.) The necessary inference from such facts, p. 63. II. The additional fact, of a direct intercourse between man and 1. The supposition that the deluge did not cover the tops of 2. The supposition, that a family escaped in a ship built acci- 3. The final result is, that, if the fact of the deluge be admitted, SECTION IV. The difficulties attendant upon deistical Infidelity in regard to actually The prediction, selected as a specimen of the argument from accom- I. Abstract of the prophecy, p. 70. II. View of the accomplishment of the prophecy, p. 72. 1. Its accomplishment has taken place in all 'the numerous (1.) The first particular, p. 73. 2. The estimate of their own situation by the Jews themselves III. The train of reasoning, which springs from the prophecy and 1. Insufficiency of the first possible deistical solution: the poli- 2. Insufficiency of the second possible deistical solution: a (1.) Essential difference between the leading characteristic of (2.) Dissimilarity in the grounds and reasons, on which each (3.) A tradition of the discovery of America by the Pheni- IV. Summary of the argument, p. 92. SECTION V. The difficulties attendant upon deistical Infidelity in regard to the No small difficulties also attend upon Infidelity in regard to the I. The present existence of Christianity is a naked fact: hence 1. The account of its rise and progress is contained in the his- 2. Suppressing for the present the question of miraculous in- 3. Speculations of Mr. Volney as to the personal existence of 4. Conclusion as to the character of the evangelical histories, II. The infidel, on his princíples, must maintain, that Christ was 1. The difficulties attendant upon the hypothesis, that Christ (1.) Statement and practical demonstration of the necessary (2.) Statement of the actual directly opposite conduct of 2. The difficulties attendant upon the hypothesis, that Christ (1.) The sobriety of Christ's conduct, as exemplified in his (2.) The sobriety of Christ's conduct, as exemplified in his 3. Numerous contingencies were associated with his claim of III. The conduct of the apostles and first preachers of Chris- 1. The common notion entertained by infidels respecting the 2. The difficulties attendant upon this notion, p. 129. (1.) The first stage of the proceedings of the apostles, p. 129. 3. The effects produced by the alleged resurrection of Christ. 4. Evidence specially afforded by the conduct of two of the (1.) Conduct of Judas the traitor, p. 145. (2.) Conduct of Paul, first a persecutor, then a convert, SECTION VI. The difficulties attendant upon deistical Infidelity in regard to the The necessity of accounting for the fact of the rapid propagation of I. A consideration of the five natural reasons or causes proposed 1. The first reason: the inflexible and intolerant zeal of the 2. The second reason: the doctrine of a future life, p. 160. 4. The fourth reason: the pure and austere morals of the 5. The fifth reason: the union and discipline of the Church, II. Concerning the aspect, which Christianity must have presented III. A consideration of the two supernatural reasons proposed in 1. The first reason: the operation of the Holy Spirit to incline 2. The second reason: the performance of miracles to con- (1.) The testimony, by which the performance of works pur- (2.) The evidence, by which these works are proved to have SECTION VII. The difficulties attendant upon deistical Infidelity in regard to the In discussing the internal evidence of Christianity, two particulars I. The character of Christ, p. 194. 1. The favourite ideal character of a hero variously exemplified, 2. The opposite character of Christ, p. 197. 3. Conclusion drawn from the contrast, p. 199. 1. The spirit of confessedly false religions, 201. SECTION VIII, Recapitulation and Conclusion, p. 211. Previous to the general conclusion, the several difficulties which en- 1. The difficulties in question are as follows, p. 211. 1. The insufficient grounds and reasons of Infidelity itself, 2. The impossibility, on infidel principles, of either proving 3. The difficulties of Infidelity in regard to historical matters 4. The difficulties of Infidelity in regard to accomplished pro- 5. The difficulties of Infidelity in regard to the facts and cir- 6. The difficulties of Infidelity in regard to the rapid propaga 7. The difficulties of Infidelity in regard to the internal evi- 11. General conclusion from the whole discussion, that the rejec- |