none reach the fourth, so they are all quite destitute of the least pretence to the remaining four. So that, when you look upon the face of divine revelation, and take it altogether, it is impossible to mistake it for any of those delusions which the devil has set up in imitation of it. And they are made to confirm it, because all the resemblance they have to truth, is that wherein they are any ways like it; but when compared with it, they show, as an ill-drawn picture, half man half beast, in presence of the beautiful original.

D. It is strange, that, if the case be thus plain as you have made it, the whole world is not immediately convinced.

C. If the seed be ever so good, yet if it be sown upon stones or among thorns, it will bring forth nothing. There are hearts of stone, and others so filled with the love of riches, with the cares and pleasures of this life, that they will not see: they have not a mind to know any thing which they think would disturb them in their enjoyments, or lessen their opinion of them; for that would be taking away so much of their pleasure therefore it is no easy matter to persuade men to place their happiness in future expectations, which is the import of the Gospel. And in pressing this, and bidding the worldly-minded abandon their beloved vices, and telling the fatal consequences of them, we must expect to meet, not only with their scorn and contempt, but their utmost rage and impatience, to get rid of us, as so many enemies of their lusts and pleasures, This is the cross which our Saviour prepared all his disciples to bear, who were to fight against flesh and

blood, and all the allurements of the world; and it is a greater miracle that they have had so many followers in this, than that they have gained to themselves so many enemies. The world is a strong man, and till a stronger than he come (that is, the full persuasion of the future state) he will keep possession. And “this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith." But we are told, also,

that this faith is the gift of God; for all the evidence in the world will not reach the heart, unless it be prepared (like the good ground) to receive the doctrine that is taught. Till then, prejudice will create obstinacy, which will harden the heart like a rock, and cry, "I will not be persuaded, though I should be persuaded!"

You must consider under this head, too, the many that have not yet heard of the Gospel; and of those that have, the far greater number who have not the capacity or opportunity to examine all the evidences of Christianity, but take things upon trust, just as they are taught. And how many others are careless, and will not be at the pains, though they want not capacity, to inquire into the truth? All these classes will include the greatest part of mankind. The ignorant, the careless, the vicious, and so the obstinate, the ambitious, and the covetous, whose minds the god of this world hath blinded. But yet, in the midst of all this darkness, God had not left himself without witness, which will be apparent to every diligent and sober inquirer that is willing and prepared to receive the truth.

Good Sir, let me ask you, though you are of no religion, as you say, but what you call natural; yet

would you not think me very brutal, if I should deny that ever there was such a man as Alexander, or Cesar, or that they did such things? If I should deny all history, or that Homer, or Virgil, Demosthenes, or Cicero, ever wrote such books; would you not think me perfectly obstinate, seized with a spirit of contradiction, and not fit for human conversation? And yet these things are of no consequence to me, it is not a farthing as to my interest, whether they are true or false.

Will you then think yourself a reasonable man, if in matters of the greatest importance, even your eternal state, you will not believe those facts which have a thousand times more certain and indisputable evidence? Were there any prophecies of Cesar and Pompey? Were there any types of them, or public institutions appointed by a law, to prefigure the great things that they should do? Any persons who went before them, to bear a resemblance of these things, and bid us expect that great event? Was there a general expectation in the world of their coming, before or at the time when they came? And of what consequence was their coming to the world, or to after-ages? No more than a robbery committed a thousand years ago!

Were the Greek and Roman histories written by the persons who did the facts, or by eyewitnesses? And for the greater certainty, were those histories made the standing law of the country? Or were they any more than our Holinshed and Stow, &c.? Must we believe these, on pain of not being thought reasonable men? And are we then unreasonable and credulous, if we believe the facts

of the Holy Bible? which was the standing law of the people to whom it was given, and written or dictated by those who did the facts, with public institutions appointed by them as a perpetual law to all their generations; and which, if the facts had been false, could never have passed at the time when the facts were said to be done: nor, for the same reason, if that book had been written afterwards; because these institutions (as circumcision, the passover, baptism, &c.) were as notorious facts as any; and that book, saying they commenced from the time that the facts were done, must be found to be false, whenever it was trumped up in after-ages, by no such institutions being then known. like the feasts, games, &c. in memory of the Heathen gods, which were appointed long after those facts were said to be done; and the like institutions may be appointed to-morrow in memory of any falsehood said to be done a thousand years ago; and so is no proof at all. And though a legend, or book of stories of things said to be done many years past, may be palmed upon people, yet a book of statutes cannot, by which their causes are tried

Not

every day. Are there such prophecies extant in any profane history so long before the facts there recorded, as there are in the Holy Scriptures of the coming of the Messiah? Were there any types or forerunners of the heathen gods, or Mahomet? Is there the like evidence of the truth and sincerity of the Greek and Roman historians, as of the penmen of the Holy Scriptures? Would these historians have given their lives for the truth of all they wrote? Did they tell such facts only, wherein it was impossible

for themselves to be imposed upon, or that they should impose upon others? Nothing but what themselves had seen and heard, and they also to whom they spoke? Did they expect nothing but persecution and death for what they related? And were they bidden to bear it patiently, without resistance? Was this the case of the disciples of Mahomet, who were required to fight and conquer with the sword? Did any religion ever overcome by suffering, but the Christian only? And did any exhibit the future state, and preach the contempt of this world, like the Christian?

D. That is the reason it has prevailed so little. And yet, considering this, it is strange it has prevailed so much.

But there is one thing yet behind, wherein I would be glad to have your opinion, because I find your divines differ about it; and that is, how we shall know to distinguish betwixt true and false miracles. And this is necessary to the subject we are upon. For the force of the facts you allege ends all in this, that such miraculous facts are a sufficient attestation of such persons being sent of God; and, consequently, that we are to believe the doctrine which they taught. You know we Deists deny any such thing as miracles, but reduce all to nature; yet, I confess, if I had seen such miracles as are recorded of Moses and of Christ, it would have convinced me. for the truth of them, we must refer to the evidences you have given. But, in the meantime, if there is no rule whereby to distinguish betwixt true and false miracles, there is an end of all the pains you have

And,