of Christianity did not run to a distance to put off the story. Jerusalem and Judea were the scenes of the miracles-in Jerusalem and Judea were the first Christian churches established; the church at Jerusalem was the central and mother-church of all the rest, whither the converts in all parts of the world sent their contributions, referred their doubts and difficulties, and with which they carried on a constant correspondence. We have the testimony of Tacitus, as observed before, a heathen and an enemy, that the Christian religion began to be published in Judea. It appeared again, says he, not only throughout Judea, the origin of it, but in the city of Rome.

And Irenæus, an ancient father, who was himself a disciple of one of Saint John's disciples, and therefore not far removed from the fountain-head, tells us that the gospel of Saint Matthew was written for the Jews: and it is plain indeed, from the gospel itself, that it was so, being calculated by quoting the prophecies to convince the Jews, and taking it for granted that the reader is acquainted with the Jewish rites, customs, and cere

monies.

Saint James directs his epistle to the Jews, Saint Paul to the Hebrews, and in all the epistles argues with the Jews, and appeals to them: the churches in Palestine acknowledged and allowed all the books of the New Testament the same as other churches; therefore the proofs and writings of Christianity were set forth upon the spot where the history and miracles are related to have passed, and are addressed to the people among whom they passed.

But what comes the closest to the circumstances of time and place is some of Saint Paul's epistles-Paul

writing to Corinth, a populous, learned, and flourishing city, called the light, pride, and glory of Greece, finds fault with them for the misapplication of spiritual and miraculous gifts, in one epistle; in another he tells them that the signs of apostles were wrought among them in signs and wonders and mighty deeds. Here, therefore, he publishes his epistles upon the very spot, addressed to the very people, where and amongst whom that epistle pretends that miracles had just been wrought. Now the most enthusiastic sort would forsake their founder, if he was to write these long and grave letters, full of facts which they knew to be false, appealing to miracles amongst them, which he never wrought, and directing them to a discreet use of powers which they never had. The same thing may be said of his epistles to the Galatians, in which he appeals to their receiving of the Holy Ghost, and his own working of miracles among them.

The third great article to be looked to in the history is, whether the subject of the narrative be of importance to the persons to whom it is related. If a thing be of little or no signification whether it be true or false, if no concern to the persons that see it, there is an indolence and credulity in mankind which acquiesces in most stories upon the slenderest testimony: or, perhaps also, there is a love of the marvellous which inclines people to receive them. I assert it may be as a matter of course-it is not worth while to inquire, think, or dispute about it. But let the intelligence any how affect a man's circumstances, or prospects, or conduct, or profession, and it becomes quite a different case; you will see him bestir himself about it in good earnest, be as wary, inquisitive, and suspicious, as you please-searching into the bottom of the story, bringing things to the

fountain-head, and fully satisfying himself of the grounds before he take any measure, or make up his mind about it. Curious articles of intelligence from time to time may be given to the public, and they again may publish accounts of monstrous animals, or strange adventures ; and other marvellous stories may pass current without a syllable of truth in them: they may continue uncontradicted, and being uncontradicted, will in some degree be credited and all for this reason-that they concern nobody-no one is interested to inquire into them; but if an event be publicly asserted, which affects individuals or the public, or trade, or taxes, or occupations, or professions as that a law has been passed, or peace concluded, a victory obtained, a defeat suffered, or war broken out betwixt neighbouring nations-or a plague or infection, distemper or epidemic, rages in countries carrying on intercourse with our own; such events, and such narratives, if they be asserted and believed for any length of time, you may be almost certain they were true: and the foundation of them certainly is, that having others concerned in the truth or falsehood of these articles, they would be investigated, and if false, detected; and also, that those who were from their interest able to inform themselves of the truth would do so before they proceeded upon them as truths; men not being accustomed to act upon slight or slender evidence, and without inquiry.

Now let us see how it stands in this respect with the gospel history. What were the miracles of Christianity? they were of infinitely more importance to all to whom they were preached and related than any thing which affects a man's property and business can be; for upon these facts and accounts being true depended all their hopes of everlasting happiness.

Nor was this all-a convert to Christianity would and must reason with himself in this manner: "If these accounts be true, what then?-why, if they be true, I must give up the opinions and principles I have been born and brought up in. I must quit the religion in which my forefathers lived and died, and which I have all along believed and practised—I must take up with a new course of life, part with my old pleasures and gratifications, and begin a new set of rules and system of behaviour:" this is never easily done, and it is not conceivable that the first believers in Christianity should do it upon any idle, blind report, or frivolous story; or indeed without fully satisfying themselves of the truth and credibility of the history which was related to them, and upon the sole strength and credit of which they took the steps, and underwent the difficulties they did.

There are further considerations of a similar nature to those already proposed, together with some objections to the argument which we must defer to another opportunity.

XLVI.

PROPAGATION OF CHRISTIANITY.

(PART III.)

ACTS v. 38, 39.

If this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought; but if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it.

HAVING observed three principal marks and tokens, by which a true history is known and distinguished from a false one, namely, that the history be published near the time in which the facts related are said to have happened, near the place which was the scene of the transactions, and that they be of a nature to interest and concern those to whom the history is addressed; and how or in what manner these circumstances apply to the case of the Gospel history; I now proceed to describe a fourth particular, of as much weight and moment in the scale of credibility as any of the others; and that is, whether the story coincided with the prevailing opinions and prejudices, or was supported by the authority of the time and place where it was delivered. We are all sensible that a story, which falls in with our own previous sentiments and passions, gains an easy admission. When parties run high, on the contrary, the most incredible things told against one side will go down with the other; rumours and reports will be received and repeated upon the slightest founda