resenting the passion of its Lord. The sun was eclipsed, in a time and place against all possibility of nature. For the moon was then in opposition to it, and in its full, and in an instant passed a half circle of the heavens to interpose between the body of the sun and the earth, that the air at noon-day was darkened as at midnight. This compelled the Roman Centurion to acknowledge, that he "that suffered was the Son of God." And his resurrection from the grave, was a visible argument to confirm his doctrine; for that God would not exert his extraordinary power to confirm a false doctrine, in a matter of infinite moment, that so nearly concerns his own glory, and the salvation of men, there is sufficient assurance from his wisdom, truth, and goodness. Was there ever any prince that would permit a usurper, in his own presence, to make use of his royal seal, to authorise, by commission, his subjects to rebel against him? And would God have suffered a deceiver to work miracles, and thereby obtain divine honour from men, the incommunicable right of the Deity? Nay, it had not been a bare permission, but a positive act, of God himself, it being impossible that any other should do them. would God, who is the prime verity, work miracles to give credit to a lie, and violate the honour of his eternal, most perfect veracity? Or, is it consistent with his infinite goodness, to make a delusion so strong, that the most sincere would be in great danger to be overcome by it? Therefore, the Apostle urges it as an uncontrollable argument of our Saviour's divine mission: "Ye men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among

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also know."

you by miracles, and wonders, and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves These were proofs of the greatest vigour, to induce the world to believe that he came from God, to make known his counsel for the recovery of lost undone mankind.

It is said by libertines, that the Heathens tell miraculous stories to confirm their religion. But this objection is easily refuted; for if Paganism had a miraculous power attending it, why did it not make use of it to discredit that power that authorised Christianity at the time it made fierce war against it? If equal to it in divine power, and incomparably superior in human aids, how came it to pass that the weaker proved victorious, and the stronger was put to flight? It is evident, therefore, the pretended miracles of Paganism were works of the devil, not to be compared with what was done by an Almighty hand.

If it be again objected, that the relation of the miracles, as performed by Jesus Christ, is from his disciples, who favoured his person and cause, and therefore may be justly suspected. I answer; the vanity of the pretence is apparent: for, if they had artificially framed a narrative of extraordinary things as done by him in that time wherein they wrote, and in the view of many, how easy had it been to expose them to the just scorn and hatred of all for their notorious falsehood, and infatuated impudence? But they were never accused of this. Nay, such was the number, clearness, and greatness of his miracles, that the uncontrolled fame of them forced his enemies, in after ages, to acknowledge their truth.

And his apostles, with their successors, in preaching the Gospel, wrought miracles so frequently, in the face of many nations, that those who were most obstinately averse from submitting to it, could not deny what was visible to thousands, and that miraculous power they always ascribed to the name of Christ. So that there is no colour for jealousy, as if his miracles, recorded in the Gospel, were not true.

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But because the resurrection of Christ is the great principle upon which all Christian hopes depend, I will show, that we have all the rational assurance of it that it is capable of. This being a matter of fact done many ages past, is to be proved by testimony. And first, it is worthy of observation, that the providence of God is concerned to authorise this manner of proof, that is absolutely necessary the preserving of human societies. It is of little importance, whether the truth of things be discovered in speculative sciences, or the appearance of it deceive the inquirer. It is no wrong to the commonwealth, that an astronomer mistakes in his dimensions of the magnitude of the sun; for his error does not lessen its benign influences; still it shines, and causes the spring and autumn. It is of little importance that a philosopher is deceived in his search after the principles of mixed bodies; for, notwithstanding his mistake, animals still live, and move, and perform all the functions suitable to their nature. But, in judgments that respect matters of fact, if the truth cannot be known by testimonies, the civil felicity cannot long subsist. For the unjust distribution of rewards and punishments is necessarily ruinous to the being of the state. And, is it credible the

divine Providence, that reaches to the smallest parts of the world in such an admirable manner, should leave the conduct of human affairs, even of the greatest moment, to a deceitful light? And that, after the most diligent search and caution has been used, the result should be only wavering conjectures? This imagination is extremely injurious to his wisdom and goodness.

In particular, if we consider the number and the quality of the witnesses of Christ's resurrection, and the circumstances of their testimony, we shall have so clear conviction of its truth, as may induce us most firmly to believe it. I do not now speak of a divine faith, that supernatural light that makes us acquiesce in things because God has revealed them, but of a rational human faith, grounded on just and powerful motives, which is preparatory for the divine.

1. The law admits two witnesses as a competent number in causes of greatest moment. Of this, there were many. The approved integrity of a witness gives weight to his testimony: as, on the contrary, a known liar forfeits his credit so entirely, that he is not believed when he speaks true. Now, we have strong proof of the integrity of the apostles. If an inflexible fidelity and constant truth were qualities so remarkable in the community of the primitive Christians, that the Pagan judges themselves were constrained to acknowledge it, certainly they were found more eminently in those by whose doctrine and example they formed themselves. And as it is impossible to possess this virtue (so strictly united to justice,) in an excellent degree, without having

all the others; so it is with all moral virtues. the least reproach and charge of their implacable enemies: so that they were fain to make express laws against their profession, to render them guilty in appearance. Besides, the circumstances of their testimony make it very valuable.

evident they were adorned For their lives were above

1. It was not built on the report of others. Mere hearsay is very deceitful, and often, like a contagion, passes from ear to ear, and blasts the reputation of the innocent with easy and credulous persons. But a testimony from sight, makes impression on the belief of wise considering men. Now, we have undoubted assurance of Christ's resurrection, from the clear and concurrent deposition of their senses: "What we heard, and what we have seen with our eyes, and what we have handled of the Word of life," saith the Apostle John.

2. The uniformity of their testimony renders it convincing. If any material contradiction be between witnesses, it is an infallible mark of their forgery. But the apostles agreed, not only in the substance, but in the particularity of the fact. In vain Porphyry and Julian racked their wits to find some contrariety in their relations. An impartial inquirer must acknowledge all their objections to be mere cavils, and effects of malice.

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3. There were no motives to corrupt them. For the human will is naturally moved either by attraction of some good, or aversion from some evil. fiction is not maintained for pure love of itself, but with respect to either of those objects, whether real or in appearance. But it is very evident, that no