Jews were enemies to the progress of christianity, it is not likely, if it were possible, they would work any prodigy to make the disciples believe Jesus was alive when he was not. They would rather work a thousand to convince them he had not arose.

We find no evidence to suppose the disciples were more inclined to believe in the resurrection of Jesus, than we should of any one that should now rise from the dead. They could not, therefore be easily imposed upon. They supposed all was lost when Jesus gave up his spirit, though they had trusted, it should have been he who should have redeemed Israel.

Thomas, we learn, withstood to the last. Refusing the testimony of his beloved companions, he declared he must have more than ocular demonstration. He must put his finger in the print of the nails that tore his hands, and by a thrust of the hand the wounded side must examine. But Thomas asked too much. An address to the senses of seeing and hearing were sufficient for him, though he would not trust to these faculties of his brethren's. This circumstance occasioned the words of our text. "Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me thou hast believed blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed."

This part of our subject that the disciples could not be deceived, appears as clear as any reasonable person could wish. They must

know as well as men can judge of any thing by their senses, whether Jesus arose from the dead, and showed himself by many infallible proofs. Now as we are dependent on the original witnesses for the truth of Christ's resurrection, we shall have our faith strengthened by finding a competent number. This introduces our third statement, that there was a sufficient number to authenticate the relation.

Should unbelief require thousands, reason teaches us that such a number is not needed. For the same methods that would invalidate the evidence of forty, would destroy the evidence of as many hundreds or thousands. There could no advantage arise from the testimony of a multitude over that of a few in a case like the subject we are considering, unless the multitude were divided into separate companies, and it was known, that each company had no knowledge of what the others had seen and testified. It is generally the case that there is less individual and independent examination where there is a multitude, than where there are few; for the separate individual in such large society is inclined to yield something to the voice of many, without the care in examination to which he would be inclined, if sensible the whole subject depended on the testimony of a few or his own individual asseveration. The account of Christ's resurrection represents the witnesses as having excellent advantages in this respect. One or two women first saw him alive, and

proclaimed it to the apostles. These must be unbiassed judges of what they saw. One of the disciples alone was the next witness of this surprising but joyful event. Soon were the eleven favored with the sight of their risen Lord, which in most cases would be considered a sufficient number to authenticate any fact whatever. St. Paul's account is, "that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve. After that he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. After that, he was seen of James, then of all the apostles. And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time." In this account we find he was seen of above five hundred at once, and by a number of others besides, which to every reason. able man is a sufficient number to authenticate any fact, that can be relied on by human tes

mony.

Finding evidence in favor of the candor and honesty of the historians, that relate the resurrection of Jesus, finding that beyond a doubt his resurrection was of such a nature, that men by their senses could judge whether it was true; and finding a satisfactory number of witnesses, we will attend to the fourth and last statement of our subject, that in relating the resurrection they either exercised the part of enthusiasts or impostors ; or else, they were true and honest men.

Perhaps the most plausible objection, that

infidelity can suggest against the christian system, is that its first promulgators were enthusiasts; and on this undoubtedly rest the minds of most, who discredit the resurrection of Jesus. Enthusiasm truly divests a person of reason, and will work the mind into almost any shape that can be imagined. There is hardly any thing of the marvellous so repugnant to reason, but what an enthusiast may believe it, nor any thing so crossing to the common feelings of humanity, but what they can voluntarily consent to suffer it.

'The good zeal of Abraham, the father of the faithful, never consented to a more crossing privation, than was actually suffered by the enthusiasm of those who sacrificed their living children to a Moloch of heated brass. No zeal of the present or past ages to prosecute any civil or religious purpose seems to exceed the zeal of the ancient Scribes and Pharisees, who compassed sea and land to make one proselyte, which was said to be made two fold more the child of hell than themselves. By reason of enthusiasm many undoubtedly have suffered martyrdom in a cause which they did not understand. And there have been many mar. tyrs besides those who have suffered for the christian faith, Enthusiasm seldom discards the name of reason, but is always as far from it as it is from the truth, and the faith that is founded on good evidence.

On the subject of the apostles' testimony, we trust we shall be able to show many marks

of true faith that enthusiasm never in any cause embraced. At a time when men expect to be strenuously opposed and persecuted to death for propagating a system contrary to the common faith, they do not become enthusiasts, unless instigated by subtle and designing men, who calculate to act the part of impostors. No one can suppose that a person would work himself up into a faith of that which is not true, to which his knowledge never was propagated, and become an enthusiast by the bare suggestions of his own mind. We now go on the supposition, that he is honestly deceived, whenever he is wrong. Now should it be stated that the apostles were ignorant men, and of course suitable characters to be worked into an enthusiastic zeal for their master by his constant instructions, and easy to believe any thing marvellous concerning him ; it is replied that however true this may be, when they followed him, there was enough to cure them of this mental derangement, before an opportunity called them to witness his resurrection.

It is worthy of observation that the fire of enthusiasm, once checked and destroyed by complete frustration, seldom or never arises with the same persons in the same cause, unless by the force of new testimony and strength, from an unthought of quarter. When Jesus was crucified, instead of its being according to the expectation of his disciples, they were completely disconcerted and frustrated in every