SECT. IV. Commentaries, &c. were anciently written SECT. VII. They were received by ancient Christians 155 SECT. VIII. The four Gospels, the Acts of the Apostles, thirteen Epistles of Saint Paul, the First Epistle of John, and the First of Peter, were received without Doubt by those who doubted concerning the other Books of our present Canon . SECT. IX. Our present Gospels were considered by the Adversaries of Christianity as con- Formal Catalogues of authentic Scriptures were published, in all which our present The above Propositions cannot be predi- cated of those Books which are com- That there is NOT satisfactory Evidence, that Persons pretending to be original Witnesses of any other simi- lar Miracles, have acted in the same Manner, in At- testation of the Accounts which they delivered, and That the Christian Miracles are not recited, or appealed Want of Universality in the Knowledge and Reception PREPARATORY CONSIDERATIONS. I DEEM it unnecessary to prove that mankind stood in need of a revelation, because I have met with no serious person who thinks, that, even under the Christian revelation, we have too much light, or any degree of assurance which is superfluous. I desire moreover, that, in judging of Christianity, it may be remembered, that the question lies between this religion and none : for, if the Christian religion be not credible, no one, with whom we have to do, will support the pretensions of any other. 4 Suppose, then, the world we live in to have had a Creator; suppose it to appear, from the predominant aim and tendency of the provisions and contrivances observable in the universe, that the Deity, when he formed it, consulted for the happiness of his sensitive creation; suppose the disposition which dictated this counsel to continue; suppose a part of the creation to have received faculties from their Maker, by which they are capable of rendering a moral obedience to his will, and of voluntarily pursuing any end for VOL. III. B |