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rection of CHRIST; and the most unreafonable Thing in the World to believe the contrary. Especially, if he confiders in the laft Place, that they lay down their Lives, in confirmation of what they related, and by fo doing, feal'd their Teftimony with their Blood. For can it with: any Sente be imagin'd, that Men who a little before their Mafter's Death, had fhow'd themselves fo much afraid of Luffering, that none of them had Courage enough to adhere firmly to him, at his Apprehenfion; can it, I fay, with any Senfe be imagined that thefe Men fhould be fo much in Love with fuffering after his Death, as to die in Confirmation of their Reports, concerning his rifing from the Dead, if fo be they had not full Proof that he arose from the Dead? The Man' must be very foolishly credulous, that can entertain fuch a Thought as this.

And thus I have done with the third and laft Thing propos'd, which was to fhew, that those who related the Refur rection of CHRIST, were Perfons of unquestionable Fidelity. I might indeed. prove it by feveral other Arguments: Such is the amazing Defcent of the Holy Ghost upon them, after CHRIST'S ALconfon: The aftonishing Miracles which

they

they every where wrought, to convince Men of the Truth of their Doctrine: And the wonderful Progrefs is prefently made, notwithstanding its Oppofition to the Re ligions already in the World, to the Humours and Prujudices of Men, who endeavoured to furprefs it, and the Prepoffeffions, and all the fecular Interefts of those who would receive it. Thefe I fay might be brought in upon this Head, with great clearness and ftrength of Reafon; but that I think, thofe already alledg'd will upon a fuitable Reflection, be found fo very Cogent, as to fuperfede the Neceflity of doing it.

Well then, fince 'tis paft Difpute, that the Refurrection of CHRIST is clearly related in the Scriptures: Since 'tis evident, that those who related this were Perfons of unquestionable Knowledge, or were throughly informed of, and perfectly knew the matter of Fact which they related: And fince 'tis more-over evident, that they were honest and faithful in the Relation of it; the Truth of my Text is therefore fully made out, to wit, that God hath raised up JESUS from the Dead, whereof the Apostles were fufficient · Witnesses.

I fhall now briefly confider what good

Ufe

we may add, that he was feen twice af ter his Afcenfion, cloathed with the high eft Glory and Happiness in Heaven; to wit, once by St. Stephen, and once by St. Paul.

And if we farther confider the manner of his Converfation with them, while he was on Earth, we cannot but allow that they were fully certified of his Refurrection. For he continued with them for a long time together; difcourfing upon the moft Noble and fublime Subjects; giving them the most admirable Lectures in Divinity and expounding the Scriptures with fuch a furprizing Strength and Exactness, that that their Hearts burn'd within 'em, even before they knew who he was. After which, at another Time of his Appearance, leaft they might fuppose that they had feen a Spirit, he eat in their Prefence a Piece of a broil'd Fish, and of an Honey-Comb; and moreover bid them handle him, that they might know that be bad Flesh and Bones, whicha Spirit bath not. And at another Time, he commandca Thomas to put bis Finger into the Print of the Nails, and to thrust his Hand into the Side which was pierc'd. So that nothing. can be more manifeft, than that the Apofles were allur'd of the Refurrection of bas.

CHRIST,

CHRIST, by the Evidence of their Senses: And this is the highest kind of Evidence of which human Nature is capable. For when the Senses are employ'd about their proper Objects; if their Organs are in right Order or Difpofition; and there are a due Distance, Medium, and Light, they can not poffibly be deceiv'd. Since therefore none of thefe Things can be queftioned, with regard to the Apostles; fince they not only faw CHRIST alive after his Death, but also heard him Difcourfe, and Bandled his Body; it unavoidably follows, that they had unquestionable Knowledge of his Refurrection; and if fo, then fince they were the Perfons, by whom the Refurrection of CHRIST was related in the Scriptures; it must likewise be concluded, that those who related the Refurrection of CHRIST, Were Persons of unquestionable Knowledge, with regard to the Matter of Fact related by them; which was the fecond Propofition we undertook to prove. I come now in the

Third and laft Place, To fhew that they were Perfons of unquestionable Fidelity: By which I mean, that they faithfully related the Truth, and nothing but the Truth. And what confidering Man can believe otherwife: They being very Poor D 2 and

and Ignorant, 'tis not likely they should be vers'd in the fubtile Artifices of Deceit and Impolture. Besides, what End could they propofe to themselves, by propagating a Falliood: Not to gain Honour, for they very well knew, as their Experience foon taught them, that Infamy, Scorn,and Reproach, would be their Treatment. Not to gain Riches, for they were often depriv'd of what few Goods they already had upon this Accont; and if they were not, yet they could not conveniently inftruct Men the Doctrines which they deliver'd, without a great, perhaps total Neglect of their worldly Concerns. Nor in fhort, could they be induced to it, upon any other, temporal Views, for it al ways expos'd them to, and generally drew upon them Hunger and Thirst, Perfecution, and Imprisonment.

Again, how could they expect, that their Teftimony fhould be embraced, which was fo much againft the rooted Prepoffeffions of Jews and Gentiles, in reference to their own ancient Religions; except they were certified both of the Truth of that which they related; and also of Divine Affiftance to encourage and support them?

Accordingly we find, that they did not

make

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