THE
TRUTHFULNESS
OF
CHRISTIANITY
DEMONSTRATED AND ILLUSTRATED
IN A SERIES OF
BRIEF    ESSAYS.
DEDICATED TO GENV. S. F. CAREY,
The eloquent and successful Advocate of Temperance; and the
Friends of Temperance generally,
BY REV. Wk ALLINGTON.
CHICAGO:
ADAMS, BLACKMER & LYON,
1866.




Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1866, by
REV. WILLIAM ALLINGTON,
In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States
for the District of Indiana.




NOTE.
-0B HE following Essays were commenced previous to
the war, and have been completed since the writer
was relieved from duty as Chaplain in the army, a few
months since. Many professed Christianshave alleged,
as a reason for not identifying themselves with the Temperance cause, the presence of avowed Infidels at the
head of Temperance organizations. I have never found
their allegations satisfactory, though too much unfaithfulness to Christianity is manifest among many praise
worthy friends of abstinence; and too much indifference
to Temperance is equally prevalent among many estimable members of the Christian Church. Between Temperance and true religion there can be no antagonism, as
the latter includes the former.  The author is both a
minister of the Gospel and a Temperance advocate, and
hopes soon to witness the Church and her handmaid
more harmoniously and efficiently engaged in securing
the extermination of the greatest obstacle to the honor
of God and the happiness of man.
WM. ALLINGTON.
TOLEDO, OeHI, March 24, 1866.




CONTENTS.
PAGB.
Note..........................................  3
Introduction................................... 6
Foes and Friends of Christianity............. 7
In What Christians and Infidels Agree............ 11
Principal Questions.......................... 12
Infidels Answer................................ 13
Our Reply............................14
Seek Truth Calmly.......................    15
Rejection-What it Involves...................    16
Human  Society............................  19
When and Why Should Men Believe?............ 20
How to Know the Truthfulness of a Book.......... 20
Amount of Evidence Needed................... 22
An Objection.................................. 23
IMiracles and Miraculous Facts.................. 24
Truthfulness of Miraculous Events................ 25
Human Testimony.............................. 29
Our Scriptures and Religion same as the Apostles.. 30
The Opponents of Religion....................... 33
Appeal to Readers............................ 34
Truthfulness of the New Testament.............. 39
First Ground of Suspicion....................... 40
On Human Applause as Compensatory............ 45
Second Ground of Suspicion..................... 48
Proofs of the Truthfulness of Scripture........... 54
Scriptures not of Human Origin................. 55
Third Ground of Suspicion.....................  57




CONTENNT.                    5
PAOB.
Old Testament Predictions 1Joncerning Christ...... 59
Writings of Ancient Heathens Confirm Scripture... 60
An  Objection..................................  62
Fourth Ground of Suspicion.................... 66
Fifth Ground of Suspicion................... 68
An Objection................................. 70
Are Mysteries Compatible with Divine Revelation?. 71
Ignorance an Enemy to Human l/appiness........72
Testimony of Sincerity by-Apostles............. 74
Christ's Resurrection..........................  78
How Men should Testify...................... 79
The Apostles not Mistaken.....................  9
Men should Testify soon after the Events Occur.... 80
Should Testify Plainly..................... 81
Witnesses should be Many................... 83
Religion Prevailed among all Classes............. 84
Witnesses should be Willing to Suffer............ 87
Circumstances accompanying Truth............ 88
The Contrary Impossible........................ 90
Apostles Presented Divine Testimony..............93
Temperament and Imagination................. 94
Miraculous Operations of the Apostles........... 96
Objections and Enquiries........................ 97
Why Miracles are not Continued................. 100
Apostles not Deceived.......................... 102
To Ascertain the Truth of Miracles............ 104
An  Objection..................................105
The Bible Obscure......................... 106
Contradictions..............................107
All Parts of Scripture Equally True.............. 109
Close.....................




"THEY make the salve a sore, the plaster a plague;
they wrist the Scripture to make a wreathe to wrinch
their own soule. As they play with the backe of Scripture, so I have turned the edge against them; as they
would draw a cloude over the lighte, so I by the beames
thereof have chaste away the mist; where they sucke
poyson, we finde pearles; wherewith they would wounde
even with error, we wind ourselves out of their snares.
If any man thinke this labour superfluous,, and that our
faithe ought not to be drawne to questions, and that
controversies breede rather contention than contentment, and tend rather to division than tender edefying;
and that consent in faithe is better than contention
about faith, and unitie to be preferred before varietie;
I answere, healthe is better than wounds, and soundness
than sickness; yet the bodie, when it is wounded must
be healed; so error when it is spread must be dispersed, and heresie set on foote must be confuted, and
poyson infecting must be kept from festering. Peace
is to be embraced, but where the truth is not defaced;
unitie is to be desired, but where the veritie is not defeated; and love to be maintained, where religion is
not impugned."




BRIEF ESSAYS
ON THE
TRUTH OF CHRISTIANITY.
INTRODUCTION.
aN consequence of the prevalence of skepticism in some of its multifarious forms
and manifestations among many of our
members of Temperance institutions, and
the consequent repudiation of membership
therein by numbers of professing Christians,
I have been influenced to write a series
of brief essays illustrative and confirmatory
of the Christian religion.  In approaching
you, reader, as the advocate of a pure and
simple faith, I shall not attempt to captivate
your imagination by the charms of novelty,
nor tax your patience by elaborate explana



8      CHRISTIANITY DEMONSTRATED.
tions. The reasons I shall adduce in support
of piety are already hoary with antiquity.
More modern evidence, if available, is neither essential nor expedient. Profound logic,
an extensive literature, and deep skill in
metaphysics are not so necessary to constitute us capable of accurately judging in
matters of spiritual experience, as an honest
heart and humble disposition; not the arrogant, but modest enquirer, makes real progress in the discovery and practice of divine
truth. We realize no timidity in confronting
our opponents on the fair field of disputation.
We approach fearlessly the test of both history and criticism, ethics, and metaphysics,
declining the use of no honorable weapon,
and desiring no triumph which may be attributed "to the pointed shafts. of ridicule,
or to the poisonous arts of insinuation."




CHRISTIANITY DEMONSTRATED.     9
FOES AND FRIENDS OF CHRISTIANITY.
Christianity fiom its original establishment
has never lacked opponents, among whom are
enumerated, Voltaire, Herbert, Hume, Bolingbroke, Diderot, Toland, Tindal, Chubb,
Hobbes, Shaftesbury, Gibbon, Paine, Woolstone, Wharton, Rousseau and a multitude of
subordinates, who having vainly attempted
the subversion of the Christian religion, died
disappointed men, Christianity has also been
blessed with advocates and defenders, as
Clemens Romans, Ignatius, Polycarp, Justin
Martyr, Irenseus, Tatian, Athenagoras, Theophilus, Antiochenus, and others living in the
early portion of the Christian era, and Locke,
Malbrauche, Berkeley, Taylor, Cudworth,
Boyle, Wilkins, Barrow, Clarke, Newton and
others of more modern times, but of equally
deserved celebrity.
Infidelity, we concede, has had its zealots,
and errors of the most malignant tendency have
been warmly espoused and zealously propa



10     CHRISTIANITY DEMONSTATRATED.
gated, while their advocates have reproached
piety as a priestly invention, and have
boasted of the freedom and openness with
which they oppose the peculiar and distinguishing doctrines of revelation. A caviling
mind objeets to the plainest truths. Some
reprobate certain truths because others approbate them. They are devotees to singularity and rail at truth as the youthful
Athenians did against Alcibiades, because
the worthy applauded him. Whatever flatters their vanity or pampers their inclination
is pronounced honorable; whatever frowns
on their passions and abridges their deleterious freedom is calumniated as false. Truths
flashing conviction and captivating reason,
when understood, they oppose, and stigmatize
with fallacy, though too self-evident to necessitate. proof. A proposition more transparent and convincing than " The same thing
cannot both be and not be at the same time"
cannot be framed; yet according to Aristotle,




CHRISTIANITY DEMONSTRA TED.    11
some philosophers denied it. Zeno would
not admit motion, and Berkeley denied the
existence of the material world except to the
mind that perceived it.  A man can be a
Christian when not a commentator, or an
adept at ancient Jewish and Gentile customs.
There may be difficulty in comparing and
computing customs, times, &c., because the
Hebrew idioms vary so manifestly from ours.
But these difficulties should never be deemed
sufficient to overthrow the faith, because a
knowledge of them is not essential to salvation. All pretence to certainty is not to be
abandoned even if Christians are not capable
of replying satisfactorily to the enquiries of
the infidel. A fool may question a philosopher to silence.
IN WHAT CHRISTIANS AND INFIDELS AGREE.
There are grounds which we and skeptics
(seem to) occupy in common. We believe
1. In one self-existent, independent God.




12      CHRISTIANITY DEMONSTRATED.
2. That he created and still governs the
world.
3. That he is impeccable though suffering
the existence of evil, both natural and moral.
4. That he is worthy of, and should receive, rational worship.
5. That he desires and promotes human
happiness.
6. That he commands and accepts human
repentance.
7. That hereafter are rewards and punishments for mall.
8. That the New Testament is the purest
and most moral of books.
In amplifying these propositions, unbelievers differ among themselves, and, in detail, more still from Christian writers.
THE PRINCIPAL QUESTIONS
For which we contend in behalf of Revelation are
1. That the Statements of the Scriptures,




ChRISTIANITY DEMONSTRATED.     13
[Commands, Promises and Threatenings,]
are matters of fact and consequently true.
2. That these facts demonstrate the divinity of their author, whom we call God.
THE INFIDEL'S ANSWER.
In reply to the above two propositions,
they say
1. The antiquity of the Scriptures prevents
our ascertaining with correctness, the fact of
their truth.
2. That when they were originally promulgated, probably no one lived capable of
detecting their falsehood.
3. That previous to the invention of printing, deception was easily and frequently
practiced on the unwary.
4. That we are ignorant of many of the
false religions which have been imposed pompously upon mankind.
5. That the testimony of the Apostles is
disallowed because of their manifest partiality.




14      CHRISTIAN ITY DMO^NSTi TERD.
6. That the non-fulfillment of promises
and prophecies in Scripture, the obscurity
and contradiction of its statements, warrant
us to suspect its truth.
7. That there is, therefore, good and valid
reason to doubt the sincerity and accuracy of
Bible writers.
These are the principal objections of Infidels to the Bible.
OUR REPLY
Will be embodied in three general propositions, discussed and elaborated in short and
distinct chapters, containing the following
thoughts:
First, That matters of fact, though long
since occurring, may have sufficient evidence
to render man culpable, should he refuse to
believe.
Second, That the teachings of the New
Testament are in themselves beyond all suspicion.




CHRISTIANITY DEMONSTRATED.     15
Third, That the testimony given by the
Apostles of their sincerity is satisfactory, and
that therefore'they should be believed.
SEEK TRUTH CALMLY
This controversy must not be considered a
trial of wit, my reader, as that might influence us to deem it less honorable to acknowledge an error, than to defend it contrary to evidence, and thus the question would
be, not who exhibits the most reason, but the
most passion.  Truth, like pearls, is found
only in a calm. When a disputant is defeated, and yet refuses to surrender, with
evidence weak and obstinacy strong, bluster
and vehemence are called to his assistance,
the miserable supports of a sinking cause.
Men, when lacking arguments to relieve a
drooping proposition, frequently supply the
necessity with noise and clamor.  As a gentle rain enters the earth, so truth the ears,
and is received by the intellect and the heart.




16      CfHRISTIANITY DEM'IONSTRATED.
REJECTION-WHAT IT INVOLVES.
Skeptics professedly refuse subscription to
the statements of Revelation by reason of
difficulties therein contained, both irreconcilable and insurmountable to reason, whose
removal would pave the way to their conversion; though they obstinately object to
sacrifice their crude notions and precarious
opinions respecting truth, to the peace of the
world, established by the reception of the
religion of Christ. It is too evident for controversy, that infidel errors, if successfully
advocated, would annihilate all hope pointing
to immortality, loosen the best cement of
society, and overturn the foundations of all
religion both natural and revealed. In consequence of pious frauds practiced by some
religious instructors, they contend it is impossible to ascertain satisfactorily whether
the New Testament revelations are authentic
or fictitious. Atheists have advanced against
all religions objections of kindred character;




CHRISTIANITY DEMONSTRATED.     17
they are without force respecting the Divine
existence, and equally vulnerable against the
Christian faith; the common consent of mankind overcomes the one, the testimony of
mankind destroys the other. No testimony
guaranteeing the authenticity of any book
equals the evidence demonstrating the truthfulness of revelation. The writings of Greek
and Latin historians are but seldom questioned,
though one of the greatest proofs adduced to
substantiate their correctness, is the writer's
testimony.  The objections of Infidels are
against those histories. How know we the
magnitude and splendor of the Roman Empire, delivered by her own interested children? Can we disprove that Catiline was of
unimpeachable integrity? that Carthage demolished Rome? that Hannibal overthrew
the Roman Empire? May not histories have
been written, though now in oblivion, disproving all we believe of these things? How
know we that the Macedonians destroyed the




18     CHRISTIANITY DEMONSTRATED.
Persians?  The accounts of Alexander's
celebrated expedition were penned by Gre
cians.  Not one thousandth portion of the
fidelity evinced by the Apostles was manifest
in these writers. What estimate would be
formed of him, questioning the veracity of
our histories because writtenr by our own
countrymen?  Infidels must repudiate all
testimony. We should never countenance
unreasoning credulity, nor sanction excessive
distrust and suspicion. The prudent character will weigh arguments, consider objections,
and decide in harmony with evidence. Deception is possible, but not necessary. The
marrow of the skeptic's argument is, because
my companion is sufficiently base to take ad
vantage of my credulous and confiding heart,
I should withhold confidence from all. Because frauds have been, it is contended that
Christianity may be another.




CHRISTIANITY DEMONSTRATED.    19
HUMAN SOCIETY.
Society among men is established on the
supposition of mutual confidence, but in controversy with Infidels we find every.principle
of this nature is doubted, if not absolutely
destroyed.  The integrity of some individuals is so manifest and meritorious, that
on them others venture their lives. Characters of the greatest prudence and sagacity
have reposed in confidence on the moral honesty of others. What affairs of importance
could be transacted apart from this?  Men
unceasingly confide in each other in the discharge and performance of their various
mutual obligations. Why live in perpetual
alarm because of the possibility of deception?
If this be considered unreasonable, then the
very legitimate and justifiable inference is,
that in some men we may confide, notwithstanding the possibility of deception.




20    CffHIRSTLANITY DEbONSTRA TED.
WHEN AND WHY SHOULD MEN BELIEVE.
We now enquire respecting that assurance
rwhich influences man to trust. Never should
one be induced to believe simply because
urged or advised. Either the reputation of
a man's purity among individuals of prudence and discernment, or protracted observation and experience of him ourselves, may
justify our reposing confidence in him. Now
a man's testimony can be transmitted to us
by persons of acknowledged probity and intelligence, through a series of centuries, as
accurately and as satisfactorily, as a distance
of a hundred miles in writing. The principal
object to be ascertained would be, whether
the matters received were by their reputed
authors, and if so, are they deserving of
credit. We might illustrate our meaning by
showing how to ascertain the truthfulness of
a secular work.  Josephus is reported to
have written a book on the Antiquity and
Wars of the Jews.  We hear he possessed




CHRISTIANITY DEIONSTTRATED.   21
an inquisitive mind, existed in the age of
those occurrences he relates, was intimately
acquainted with their origin, progress, and
termination. Satisfied thus far, we enquire
further-Does he merit our confidence? We
then receive information respecting the admiration of his history by the learned of the
day. But multitudes of fictitious histories
are extant-how demonstrate Josephus the
author of this? Then we hear the decisions
of those competent to judge, examine the
history, its style-the character of the historian-compare his narrations with the acknowledged histories of that date, and
eventually conclude Josephus the writer.
That unauthenticated histories are in circulation is indisputable, but does this evince
the impossibility of others being genuine?
Because a counterfeit Berosus, Manetho and
Philo are read, have we no genuine Strabo or
Herodotus?  Should the acknowledged fact
of the Alexandrian war connected with




22      CHRISTIANITY DEMONSTRA TED.
Caesar's commentaries having been written
by an individual unknown, invalidate the authenticity of Caesar's work? Why should
we suspect the entire works of Cicero because some one wrote a book assuming the
orator's name? Notwithstanding, then, the
distance of time since certain events are said
to have occurred, and the circulation of spurious publications relative thereto, we may
be certain from the testimony offered by adequate authority of which we are judges, both
of the fidelity of the men, and the genuineness of their work.
THE AMOUNT OF EVIDENCE NEEDED.
We concede unceasingly, in multiplied instances, that there is sufficient reason for acknowledging the truthfulness of statements
made thousands of years since, and conveyed
to us as are the matters of fact reported in
Scripture.  It is but reasonable we should
give an assent, as intelligent and strong to




CHRRISTIANITY DEMONSTRA TED.   23
the history of the Gospel that we would to
"Livy," Thales, Pythagoras or any other
ancient writer.  The obligation to believe
depends on the character and amount of evidence.
AN OBJECTION
Is often urged thus-The facts of Scripture pretend to be of such a miraculous nature, having never fallen beneath our personal inspection, and urging such unprecedented demands on the confidence and affection of humanity, that they are not to be
credited, though urged by evidence the most
unexceptionable the understanding  could
appreciate. The strength of this objection
is here,-nothing should be the object of
belief which is contrary to our uniforni experienee. Upon this principle, events plainly
deducible fiom the constitution of nature,
and easily accounted for upon mechanical
principles, will be excluded from credit as




24      CHRISTIAN TY DEMIONSTRA TED.
much as Christianity. Acting in harmony
with this idea, the inhabitants of the Torrid
Zone will refuse to believe that water frequently becomes as solid as stone itself. It
is to fundamentally destroy all use of human
testimony, to refuse confidence to multitudes.
of witnesses; except by arguments other than
theirs, we had been previously convinced of
the truth of their allegations. We are always permitted to demand such a degree of
evidence as is fully proportionate to the natural incredibility of the event to be attested;
and, having received it, to refuse subsequently our acknowledgment of the existence of
the fact in whose support it is urged, is obviously repugnant to the sentiments and
practices of mankind.
MIRACLES AND MIRACULOUS FACTS.
The facts of Scripture, designated miraculous, are capable of being demonstrated by
testimony, though having never been sub.




CIJRISTIANITY DEMONSTRATED.     25
jected to our individual investigation.  "If
miracles may be the objects of sight and
evidence, as well as the other more usual
facts, no sufficient reason can be assigned,
why they should not be the objects of credibility. It is not necessary, therefore, that
every individual, who is contemporary with
the prophet, and supposed to be interested in
the matter of a Divine revelation, should
have ocular proof of the prophet's inspiration, because they may be satisfactorily convinced of the truth of this essential point by
the united testimony of a sufficient number
of living witnesses, into whose competency
for judgment, veracity and sincerity, they
have abundant opportunity to make the proper inquiry."
TRUTHFULNESS OF MIRACULOUS EVENTS.
An enumeration of those circumstances
rendering miraculous facts credible to posterity may more comurehensively elucidate




2T     CHRIStIANITY DEMONSTRATED.
my meaning.    A  miraculous occurrence
should
1. Not be self-contradictory, but in unison
with itself.
2. A miracle should be publicly performed.
3. Miracles should be numerous and frequent.
4. They should interest, produce strong
impressions, and be examined at the time
when wrought.
5. Preserved in history by persons of acknowledged integrity, eye-witnesses of the
events they relate, be incapable of being deceived, exhibiting no disposition to deal
treacherously with others.
6. No authenticated evidence should be
passable that the testimony of the reporters
of those events was contradicted, though
originally published among enemies invited
to an examination of their merit.
7. If their existence were acknowledged
by those most interested in demonstrating




CHRISTJANITY DEMONSTRATED.      27
them fabulous-and only disputed to what
cause they were to be attributed.
8. If the witnesses of those events were
numerous; unanimous, of ordinary intelligence, unquestioned veracity, evidencing
their sincerity by their works,-by renouncing former antagonistic opinions, foregoing
every prospect of earthly honor, and anticipating, as probable, ignominy and persecution, and as a consequence of perseverance,
death itself.  a
9. If those testifiers were enabled to
evince the indisputable interposition of superhuman authority in favor of their testimony by the performance of works transcending the unaided capabilities of humanity; and after enduring sufferings the most
diabolic and indescribable, cheerfully ascended the martyr's scaffold, and approached
the martyr's stake, to attest their unabated
attachment to the principles they had espoused.




28     CHRISTIANITY DEMONSTRA TED.
10. If multitudes of those addressed, of
varied countries, professions and dispositions,
believed their instructors, and manifested
proof of their conversion by an instant dissolution of ancient attachments, and contradicting their former life by proceeding in
harmony with the newly received instructions.
11 If the changes since accomplished,
both moraly and religiously, can with Christian propriety be attributeOn"Ty to those miraculous facts, and are such as would probably have been upon the supposition of their
truthfulness.
12. And, finally, if the seerest criticism
finds the proof it requires, justifying the
opinion that no material article of the evidence of those writings handed us by those
witnesses, has experienced alterations, but
are as pure and genuine as when originally
promulged. If these twelve conditions are
complied with in the New Testament, and




CHRISTIANITY DEMONSTRATED.      29
we fearlessly allege they are,-then indeed
we should more justly merit being accused
of indulging  unreasonable incredulity, if
withholding our assent from  them. "In
short, where there is the strongest assurance
of the existence of any particular series of
past facts, which wve are capable of acquiring,
according to the present frame of our nature,
and the state of things in the world, to reject
these facts after all, and to pretend to excuse
ourselves from not believing them, upon the
bare suspicion of a possibility that they may
be false, is a most manifest contradiction to
the principles of common sense, and to the
universal practice of mankind."
HUMAN TESTIMONY.
Human testimony has been alleged as a
proper medium of belief and practice-that
is, human testimony by universal consent,
may be so circumstanced as to originate in
our minds an assurance or evidence so con



80     CHRISTIANITY DEMONSTRA TED.
vincing, that no person of ordinary intelligence would doubt it. Frequently with others' eyes we see, and with their ears we hear,
and the testimony of their senses is credited
almost as extensively as our own. And who
can accuse us of acting unreasonably? That
every object demanding the assent of the understanding should be accompanied by the
best possible proof, under the circumstances,
is all that can be required.  To demand
more would be rash; to be content with less
would be absurd.
OUR SCRIPTURES AND RELIGION SAME AS
THE APOSTLES.
But are the Scriptures and Christianity of
the nineteenth century the same as were established by Christ, written and propagated
by the Apostles? Yes, and a few reasons
for our belief may be presented.
1. We prove it from the Scriptures extant
in the original languages, and various manu



.CfRIS7TIAN1TY DEMONSTRATED.    8].
scripts and translations of considerable antiquity, some more than sixteen  hundred
years old.
2. From  the acknowledged writings of
divines, councils and historians affirming the
Scriptures to have been derived from the
Apostles, and embodying citations from them.
3.. From the fact that the persecution of
primitive Christians in. their literary productions acknowledge them, though ineffectually
attempting their overthrow.
4. From the fact that the histories of numerous nations, the Ethiopic, Persian, Syriac,
Sclavonic, and others, assure us that the
Scriptures have not only circulated in these
countries, but have been translated into their
languages.
5. The legislative enactments of persecuting emperors previous to Constantine, and
those of the Roman Empire subsequent to his
day, testify the same.
6. The universal scattering of the Jews,




32      CHRISTIANITY DEMONSTRATED.
who unceasingly acknowledge our Scriptures
to have descended from Christ, and the
Apostles argue it also.
7. Mahometan nations subscribe sufficiently
to our Scriptures to demonstrate the truth of
our statements.
8. We prove it from   the controversial
writings of the friends and foes of the Christian religion. We refer to the names and
works of Origen, Athanasius, Eusebius, Cyril,
Augustine and others, together with the
apologists, Lactantius,  Clemens, Alexandrinus, Arnobius, &c.
9. Proof of the existence of Platonists, Peripatetics, &c., is evidence  also of  their
doctrine.  Now the records of the Church
demonstrate its existence since Apostolic
days; its doctrine then, and Scriptures, inevitably follow.
It were easy to enlarge, showing it in
perfect harmony with just conceptions of
God, that he should commission fallible men




CHRISTIANITY DEMONSTRATED.      33
to declare his will, and that those to whom
such revelations were made, should allege,
most positively, their knowledge and approval of the cause they had espoused. Nor is
it necessary to enquire whether, on the supposition such persons were employed, if our
duty is to believe, for if not, then God must
either daily reveal afresh his mind to mankind or make no revelation at all; if so, then
are we under as strong an obligation to
receive the Apostles' testimony, as were
those contemporaneous with the disciples
themselves.
WHO ARE    THE OPPONENTS OF RELIGION?
Christianity, we concede, has been maligned, but by whom?     Its opponents, in a
majority of instances, have been characters
of manifest incompetency, and have most
woefully betrayed their cause by the imbecility  of their arguments.   A   voluptuary
devoted  to his   appetite,  a debauchee




34     CHRISTIANITY DEMONSTRA TED.
drowned in sensuality, an ambitious mortal
abandoned to schemes of personal aggrandizement, a frivolous, dissipated, empty mind,
addicted to the most puerile pursuits buried
in his contaminating enjoyments.  These
have vainly attempted to secure the final
overthrow of a superstructure planned in
heaven and immovably established on earth.
They will no more succeed than will Satan
annihilate God's moral government, or pluck
the universal scepter from his hand.  Such
parties are not in a condition maturely to
weigh theories requiring depth of thought,
have not the capabilities to realize the force
of an argument on religion, to compass the
Christian system, and embrace the various
ramifications of its doctrine.
APPEAL TO THE READER.
When communicating instruction of a religious nature we have frequently to appeal
to appetites destitute of ears, to prejudice al



CHRISTIANITY DEMOISTRA TED.     35
most hopelessly blind, to perverseness incapable of attention, to pride invulnerable to
entreaty.  We become the scoff of the infidel, the butt of the libertine, and are designated enemies to liberty and virtue. But
the religion we urge you to embrace, though
represented as injurious, far from being destructive of human happiness, if impartially
examined, will be seen to have principles
conservative, and promotive of joys the most
unsullied. Its object is to erect an altar
whose foundation shall be consolidated by
virtue and justice.  From that sacred fane
shall truth shed forth its radiance on delighted mortals, whose homage to the Great
Parent of the Universe flowing consecutively, shall open to the world increased
beauty by rendering universal the belief; that
happiness, the true end of human existence, is
attainable only by obeying the will, and promoting the honor of God. Is my reader an
unbeliever in Revelation, in the Godhead of




86      CHRISTIANITY DEMONSTRA TED.
the Redeemer, in the immortality of the soul,
in human responsibility, in an eternity of rewards and punishments?   Oh, dismiss your
pride, cast off your prejudice; this refuses
to perceive the truth, that prevents you from
embracing it.  Search not for truth as one
fearing to find it. Examine in God's name,
Revelation for yourselves. Dissect the whole,
weigh the principles, measure the inferences.
Criticise most freely; not to find fault but
truth, not to quarrel with its purity but cordially to embrace it. Bring it to the touchstone before maligning it as counterfeit.
Remember the important difference between
words and arguments. To answer a proposition is not invariably to enervate truth.
We hesitate not to say that cold skepticism
never benefits its victims whether in the form
of Socialism, or Philanterianism by Fourier,
and Considerant or Rationalism by Owen, or
Individualism by Maccall, or Secularism by
Hollyoak, or Decertrationalism by Smith, or




CHRISTIANITY DEMONSTRA TED.    37
Pantheism by Emerson. You may be inundated by isms and only be the further conducted from truth. Abandon all books, society and associations whose obscenity and
contamination, whose fiction and suaviloquy
bewitch and endanger but can never sanctify
nor save. Do they not unite the siren with
the fiend, blunt the moral and intellectual
sensibilities, and render hearts increasingly
insusceptible to celestial impressions?  Implore beyond all things the forgiveness of
that dread and Holy Being whose truth is so
calumniated.  Despair not if unconverted,
we reiterate, despair not of regeneration.
Remember Newton the enslaved, who became the emancipated, and who celebrated
in sweetest strains Jehovah's name in Olney
Hymns. Remember Scott, the Socinian, who
became the devout Christian and learned instructor, and who cherished towards his once
repudiated Redeemer, sentiments of utmost
reverence, and gave evidences of diligence




38     CHRISTIANITY DEMONSTRA TED.
the most untiring in the promotion of true
religion, and reposed with immovable confidence on his atonement for the world. Remember Wilberforce, the fashionable and
gay, "joy and crown of Doncaster races,"
who from supposing Christian ministers exhibited over zeal in the promulgation of
Christian principles and obligation, became
the eloquent advocate of a higher toned
piety among the aristocracy of his nation.
Remember Littleton and West, who, having
deliberately and impartially investigated the
evidences of Revelation, became converted
from Infidelity to Christianity, and who produced two volumes of unanswerable proof
vindicatory of those holy truths they had
previously reproached. Desire your Maker,
through his Son, to dispel those mists which
darken the understanding.  Oh, that you
may so perceive the truth as to embrace it.
But if you are an unbeliever and will hear
your principles questioned with a resolution




CHRISTIANITY DEM'OI1STRA TED.   39
not to yield, or dispute purposely to overcome, you will live an Infidel and die a reprobate.  Arguments will but harden your
heart, evidence inflame your guilt, and defeat highten your obstinacy.
THE TRUTHFULNESS OF TIHE NEW TESTAMENT.
Unless possessed of   some   substantial
ground for suspicion, human testimony is
universally alleged as a sufficient reason for
assent. Now if the general grounds of suspicion are applicable to the testimony delivered by the Apostles, the inevitable, and
therefore justifiable conclusion is, that they
are destitute of claims upon our confidence
and affection, and have invalidated their pretensions to integrity. But let us enumerate
the legitimate grounds on which suspicion
may be based. They are
1. If the advocates of any principles or
propositions have in other matters been characterized by cunning or treachery, and are




40      CHRISTIANITY DEJONSTRA TED.
known as willing to compromise rectitude to
secure any terrestrial advantage; or,
2. If the subject advocated be deliberately
and dexterously adapted to the vitiated desires of those addressed; or,
3. If the occurrence of the events promulged be attributed to a time and place and
circumstances, preventing the possibility of
investigating or disproving; or,
4. If the genuine histories of those times
demonstrate the story advocated contrary to
fact; or,
5. If it, though professedly Divine, be,proved contradictory, or unbecoming and unworthy the Divine Majesty-all or any of
these grounds renders it obligatory on us to
reject it.
FIRST GROUND OF SUSPICION
-If the men acdvocating any event or principle or theory, d&c., are knovwn as crafty,
treacherous, &c.
Now, dexterously to practice deception, it




CHRISTIAVNITY DEMIONSTRA TED.   41
is essential to the actor to beextensively and
accurately stratagemical, conversant with the
subterfuges of impostors, and versed in both
business and men. Politicians and priests
are generally regarded as possessed of more
than common intelligence, which they are accused of employing superstitiously to arouse
the fears and apprehensions of the multitude,.and transform religion into a state and political empire by which to control mankind.
Now supposing this allegation in substance
correct, we enquire-By whom, intending if
possible to influence the world to embrace a
spurious r ligion, would fishermen of undisputed indigence, and manifestly destitute of
a majority of those qualifications by which
the aristocracy as well as the plebeian population are influenced?-By whom, we enquire,
would such characters be selected to accomplish their purposes?  In consequence of
being illiterate they were absolutely incapable of dealing in a manner of polished artifice, even with people of ordinary powers.




42      CHRISTIANITY DEMrSOSTRATED.
Never were men acknowledged to have experienced such progress against hostility of
the most deadly description and yet were
pronounced simple and unlettered.  Their
opposers were possessed of both cunning
and malice. The Jew was obstinate and the
Greek a philosopher, yet both succumbed.
To contend the Apostles were impostors is
to ignore every day occurrences comprehensible to infantile capacity, is to contend for
the superiority of imbecility over power, and
ignorance over intelligence.  They were
either ignorant or the contrary. Wisdom
would have prevented them from attempting
such a manifest impossibility, the want of it
would have eternally rendered their attempts
inefficient to secure a conquest over mankind.
A man studiously deceptive is obliged to employ art and insinuation; to act the sycophant, to countenance wrong. The Apostles
proceeded diametrically opposite to that.
They imputed the death of Christ to the




CIHRIS TTAITY DEJIMONSTRA TED.  43
murderous disposition of their congregations,
refused submission to magisterial authority
when forbidden to preach. Deceivers defend
deception.  The Papists argue for the propriety of rehearsing in the presence of their
people the manufactured exploits of their
manufactured saints.  But where is equivocation or mental reservation among- those
primitive preachers?  They persuaded the
people by relating most artlessly plain unvarnished matters of fact.  The first thing
to be sought in every public functionary is a
love for truth. Fraud is incessantly frowned
on in the Christian system. If the Apostles
acted as do others the purity of whose motives is pronounced unquestionable, they are
beyond suspicion.
And what must have been the anticipations
of the preachers of Christianity when advocating a system  excluding every article of
heathen mythology, denying the existence of
its gods, and aiming at the absolute destruc



44      CHRISTIANITY DEMONSTRA TED.
tion of every religious system excepting their
own? Can you suppose a design so bold
could be attempted and executed with any
reasonable expectation of escaping persecution and death? They were exposed to violent bursts of,indignation fiom the unrestrained and encouraged populace-legislation sanctioning the most cruel outrages upon
their unprotected persons; the fulminations
of enraged magistrates;  from  interested
priests, both among Jews and Gentiles, instigated to intensity at the predicted annihilation and proclaimed inferiority of their respective religious systems. Would men desiring of acting fraudulently mention so artlessly and repeatedly those circumstances,
which amongst prejudiced and inconsiderate
men, might have rendered both themselves
and founder highly obnoxious?  What say
they of their Master? that his country was
despicable, John i. 45, 46; his birth and
education mean, Luke ii. 4-7; his life poor,




CHRISTIANITY DEMONSTRA TED.         45
Matt. xiii. 20; rejected by the rulers, John
viii. 48; accused of Sabbath breaking, John
v. 16; blasphemy, Matt. ix. 3; reviled as a
demoniac, John vii. 28. They exhibit equal
candor in acknowledging their own original
employments, the scandals of their former
lives, their faults and follies after being called
by Christ, their unbelief, cowardice, and intemperate zeal. Is this no evidence that in
no respect are they solicitous to obtain a reputation meritirng the approvai of foes, purchased with the loss of their integrity of
heart? Their Master was poor and despised,
persecuted and murdered, could they rationally hope for affluence and ease and long life,
and a friendly pillow on which to die?
hIumaCn c2aplaGuse not the motive influOecing the Ap2ostlesIt is objected that the Apostles were in
circumstances exceedingly low, and therefore the applause of the world seemed a
sufficient reward and satisfaction for their
sacrifices and sufferings. This to a1ll reflect



46     CIRISTIAN~ITY DEMONSTRA TED.
ive minds is extremely improbable, if not
impossible.
1. All believers were not teachers, nor all
applauded who suffered. Women as well as
men, the aged as well as the young were the
early converts to Christianity.
2. Those who taught concealed themselves
behind their Master; and when honor was
presented them, titles given, and sacrifices
about to be offered, they denied themselves
for His glory and honor.
3. If applause had been their aim they
were excluded from obtaining other possessions, as their labor was abundant, terrestrial
pleasures none, their journeys numerous and
protracted, and whole communities their deliberate and persistent enemies.
4. The governors of countries wherever
they were, avowedly were unbelievers, the
shame and reproach from whom more than
counterbalanced the applause received from
every friendly source. They were scourged,




CHRISTIANITY DEMONSTRATED.     47
imprisoned, persecuted, and pronounced the
offscouring of the world.
5. One of the vices against which they
most vehemently and incessantly inveighed
was that the objection supposes them pursuing.  With what depth of sincerity and
sadness they reprobated the following of
Paul by some, of others Apollos and Cephas?
And how unhesitatingly they placed the seal
of condemnation on those who ambitiously
elevated themselves as leaders of the people,
leading them from simplicity and truth.
6. Supposing them to have acted as the
objection declares, they must have taught
truths as falsehoods, against both knowledge
and conscience. We confess it difficult to
believe that men will seek human panegyric
in preaching known falsehoods, though they
are numerous who seek followers and honors
in recommending what the multitude believe.
The fraud alleged against the Apostles
would, we imagine, be detected and exposed
by the remorse and repentance of at least




48      CHRISTIANITY DEIMONSTRA TED.
one among the multitudes, whose susceptible
conscience would  revolt and remonstrate,
thus leading to exposure and defeat..
7. They certainly must have been cogllzant of the danger into which they were
precipitating their souls, thus to violate conscience, and forfeit liberty and life.
8. And that such ambition was the rule of
their conduct the holiness of their writings
demonstrates impossible.  Would they not
have united their endeavors to the object they
pursuedl? But the Scriptures, which by inspiration they produce, sanctify and humble,
instead of rendering their subjects ambitious
and depraved.
SECOND GROUND OF SUSPICION
-If the doctrine advocated be purposely
adapted to the corrupt tastes and desires of
those addressed.
A tyro in history knows that the conditions
of both Jews and Gentiles when Christ and




CHRISTIANITY DEMONSTRATED.    49
his Apostles established  Christianity was
such that the religious opinions of the nations
harmonized but little with the doctrines of
the cross. What principles do you imagine
would be asserted and maintained in a religion professedly divine? Might we not most
rationally expect the divine existence, the
perfections, providence and unity of God,
the immutable demarkation existing between
good and evil, our obligation to live virtuously, the immortality of the human soul, future
rewards and punishments, a power to regenerate the human mind, and the whole calculated to beget in us the profoundest humility,
and the most exalted admiration of Jehovah?
Do you not, as it were, involuntarily apply
those properties to the Christian revelation?
From whom then could such a system have
proceeded but God? Had the doctrine been
cf human framing it certainly would have
been more philosophically adjusted to the
genius and gust of the people. But nothing
is more manifest than the contrary.  Re



50      CHRISTIANITY DEMONSTRATED.
straints are placed on man's most prevalent
passions. The ambitious, covetous, voluptuous, aye, all descriptions of sinners, are
called to the ungrateful practices of mortification, penitence and self-denial.
Their own countrymen demanded a Messiah of pomp and triumph; they represented
him under the ignominious character of-the
crucified. Their nation boasted of their celebrated ritual; they insisted on its perpetual
abrogation.  Universal conquest was the
anticipation of the Jewish heart, the consummation of Jewish ambition.  Jerusalem was
desired to be the metropolis of universal
empire; the Apostles proclaimed the empire
of religion the human affections, and legal
distinctions separating Jew and Gentile eternally destroyed.  False Messiahs were certain of followers, because they assumed a
character to which the most rooted hopes and
the warmest impressions of the Jews universally inclined. They courted popularity and
grasped at dominion, succumbed to the pride




CHRISTIANITY DEMONSTRATED.     51
of the prince, and fed the superstition of the
people, approved the indulgence of the most
unhallowed passions, and the most perjured
conduct of those whose suffrages they desired
to possess. Had the Apostles countenanced
the continuance of even the Mosaic laws they
would have more probably succeeded. But
even this they proscribed.  So again, if instead of attempting to convert the heathen
nations by advocating spiritual truth, they
had begun by indulging them in practices
repugnant to the precepts of the Gospel, by
compromising the differences between the
two religions. But they absolutely forbade
them to retain the least communication with
those favorite idols whom they had previously
revered as the founders or benefactors of
their respective nations.  And yet, notwithstanding this unbending sternness of the
Apostles, the obstructions and impediments
discouraging the propagation of the Gospel,
the incessant opposition from  the learning




52      CHRISTIANITY DEMONSTMt TED.
and subtleties of the philosophers, the artifice
and influence of the priests, the bigotry and
superstition of the illiterate, and without a
solitary worldly advantage to recommend it,
within thirty years of the pentecostal sermon, vast multitudes of all ranks and conditions were formed into extensive congregations
of the faithful and established in almost every
flourishing city of the Roman Empire. The
despised doctrine therefore of a crucified lawgiver, which prevailed so universally against
earthly allurements, the writings of the
learned, the persecution of the powerful and
the determined hostility of the multitude at
large, will be regarded by the unprejudiced
and reflecting of mankind, who only are competent judges, as an irrefragable argument
"that its original was divine and its protector almighty." Had the Apostles sanctioned
the superstition of the Gentiles, their ultimate
success would have appeared more probable,
but these they charged with idolatry.  Had




CHRISTIANITY DEMONSTRATED.       53
religion been the product of the human intellect, the things most repulsive to carnal reason would have been omitted, but a crucified
Christ was the theme on which they most insisted. Our foes can with difficulty imagine
it possible that the Christians, if sincere, consistent characters, would have been so
ignominiously treated as represented  by
religious historians.  Not only believers but
honest and superior heathens were commonly
the most reproached and persecuted. Socrates was murdered by perfidious hypocrites, and
Plato, in consequence, gave utterance to his
thoughts tremblingly. Solon suffered for his
beneficence.  Demosthenes, Seneca, Cicero,
Cato and others were unable by both honesty
and learning to save their lives. Have we
forgotten Galileo and Raleigh and Jenner
and Hervey and the Protestant martyrs of
France, Ireland and England itself, Ridley,
Cranmer and Latimer?




64     CHRISTIANITY DEMONSTRATEDPROOFS OF THE TRUTHFULNESS OF SCRIPTURE.
Were it necessary I might refer you to
both the internal and external evidences of
Christianity. It is evident that theprecepts
of morality cross more on sense, than the
credenda appear to clash with reason. The
sallies of corrupt nature are bridled, and not
only actions but desires restrained. Every
motion is regulated, mortification inculcated,
persecution expected, and self-abnegation
taught as obligatory. Pleasures are reserved
for the future world. A new system of morality is introduced. Vices deified by sensuality
are condemned, and virtues proscribed are
canonized.  Favor must be returned for
injuries, kindness for hatred, and affronts
avenged with pardon. Wealth is to be placed
in honest poverty, glory in ignominy, ambition in the conquest of heaven. Christianity
attacks no man on the weak side, has no
maxims fawning on nature and flattering
sensuality, permits no crimes, promises no




CHRISTIANITY DEMONSTRATED.     55
impunity, was propagated by no sword,
pressed on the reception of mankind by no
fire and devastation, its increase attributed
to neither armies nor battles, but has overcome hitherto by suffering, humility and persecution. Was this religion the invention or
discovery of man, or the offspring of God?
SCRIPTURES NOT OF HUMAN ORIGIN.
I will briefly submit to your consideration
a few reasons for believing the Scriptures
not to be the consequences of human cogitation.
1. Because of the integrity of the inspired
men as exhibited in their writings.
2. Because of the numerous and weighty
obligations they were under to utter truth.
3. Because of the want of motive to such
an undertaking.
4. Because of the numbers engaged, of
varied countries, ranks and professions, both
Pagans and Jews.




56     C'HRISTIANITY DEMONSTRATED.
5. Because they manifest a complete want
of art to successfully conduct an imposture.
6. Because the fact related, if untrue,
could not have cheated- mankind, as it has,
into a belief.
7. Because if an imposture, it is impossible
it would have maintained in a day of extensive enlightenment and erudition, such a protracted and increasing credit.
8. Because the writers of Scripture professed inspiration, and confirmed it by a train
of facts astounding to its foes.
9. Because of the majesty of Scripture
style.
10. Because of the harmony of its multitudinous parts.
11. And the power and efficacy of the
doctrines of the Bible on the consciences of
men.
This number might be greatly augmented,
but enough.




CHRISTIANITY DEMONSTRA TED.     7
THIRD GROUND OF SUSPICION
-If a refutation of the doctrines advocated
be rendered impossible by reason of their
beingplaced at a time and locality unfavorable
to search.
There are Christians in the world, and history corroborates the statements of Scripture
that Jesus Christ was their founder.  This is
unquestionable to all who act as men and submit to evidence. This Christ was born in a
stable, and passed thirty years in indigenoe
and obscurity. He then commenced the advocacy of a doctrine, which he confirmed with
prodigies both unparalleled and unprecedented. Health was imparted to the sick, sight to
the blind, life to the dead. Eventually, malice
effected his death; his own omnipotence, his
resurrection.  Twelve men were commissioned to subdue the world to the precepts of
the gospel. They obeyed. Success attended
their labor, and crowned their endeavors.
Religion spread. Libertinism, prejudice and




58     CHRISTIANITY DEAONSTRATED.
atheism conspired its ruin. Arguments were
opposed by philosophers, torments by emperors, and by others the all but omnipotent
attractions of sensuality.  Christianity multiplied its conquests by disputes, increased by
proscription  and  persecution, and  broke
through the violence of every opposition.
Millions died in the combat, who by the constancy and invincibility of their fortitude
demonstrated the truth of their religion, overcome in triumph, though enduring tortures
most excessive and of most fiendish ingenuity;
and frequently by the disposition they manifested toward their executioners, their calm
confidence in Almighty God, and anxious
desire that their believing survivors should, if
required, follow them to the flames, their
murderers became confessors, and their
tyrants martyrs
Could reports of these facts, imagine you,
be produced upon the world if purely fictitious?




CHRISTIANITY DEMONSTRA TED.     59
OLD TESTAMENT PREDICTIONS CONCERNING
CHRIST.
There are numerous prophecies contained
in Old Testament Scriptures relating to important events in the New, sufficient to
engage the belief of all seeing their accomplishment. For instance, the particular timo
when Christ should appear in the world, Gen.
xlix. 10, Dan. xix. 26; his being born of a
Virgin, Isa. vii. 14; the place of his birth,
Micah v. 2; the murder of the infants, Jer. li.
15; the adoration of Christ, Ps. lxxii. 10; his
presentation in the Temple, Mal. iii. 1; his
flight into Egypt and return, Hos. xi. 2; his
way been prepared, Isa. xl. 3; his gentleness,
&c., Isa. xlii. 2; his miracles and cures, Isa.
xli. 1; his dying for man, Isa. liii.; his betrayel, Ps. cix.; his price, Zech. xi. 12; his
entry into Jerusalem, Zech. ix. 9; his being
buffeted, &c., Isa. 1. 6; his scourging, Isa. lii.
12; vinegar given him, his garments divided,
lots cast, Ps. lxix. 21, 22, 18; his resurrec



60      CHRISTIANITY DEMONSTRA TED.
tion, Ps. xvi. 10; his ascent to heaven, Ps.
Ixviii.  Multitudes of particulars might be
given relating to the Messiah revealed in
Scripture, some four, some two, some one
thousand years previous to the birth of Christ
and his Apostles.
WRITINGS OF ANCIENT HEATHENS CONFIRM
SCRIPTURE.
In the writings of Zoroaster and Hermes,
Trismegistus, his disciple, we find notions
expressed of Jesus Christ, styled, "The first
begotten Son of God, his dear, immutable,
uncorruptible Son, whose name is ineffable."
The Greek poets, Orpheus and Hesiod, express themselves to the some purport concerning Christ.  These men were before the
Apostles.
Again, the prophecies of the sybils collected by Lactantius, wherein the life, death, &c.,
of Jesus Christ are largely described and
alleged by Justin Martyn, Origen, Arnobius,




CHRISTIANITY DEMONSTRATED.    61
St. Augustine and others, assure us that the
doctrines and story of the cross can be no
invention of the Apostles.  Persons existed
at the time and place when these events are
declared to have occurred.  No religion has
been put to a similar trial.
AN OBJECTION NOTICED THAT CHRIST
APPEARED AMONG FRIENDS.
It is objected to the truth of Christianity
that the Savior appeared among his friends.
Supposing it, they evinced their sincerity by
demanding and adducing an essential proof
of his claims, appealing to time and place and
persons and circumstances, declaring their
utmost readiness to die rather than deny the
truth. If this were fiction why was not some
recusant or apostate Jew induced to demonstrate it? Jew or Gentile would have triumphed at the event, and immortalized his
name. The objections of our opposers tend
to our confirmation.




62     CHRISTIANITY DEXONSTRA TED.
AN OBJECTION ANSWERED CONCERNING THE
DATE OF CHRISTIANITY.
It is objected that Christianity was invented and reduced to a system previous to the
existence of Christ, and the unbelieving Volney appears to question the existence of Christ
at all. We have precisely the same reasons
for expressing ourselves thus concerning those
historic personages, Julius Caesar, Romulus,
Augustus, and all history whatsoever.
If it be objected that the opponents of
Christianity might have disproved and repudiated its claims at the time it is reported
they were presented, though now we are not
in possession of the account of it, we reply,
1. Had such a confutation taken place we
have neither records nor proof remaining.
2. The facts anciently reported the enemies of religion never pretended to confute,
Acts iv. 16.
3. We wrong the Jews, the most virulent
antagonists of the primitive Christians, by




CHRISTIANITY DEMONSTRA TED.    63
supposing such a confutation, and their being
incapable of presenting the testimony of'those opposers. Heretics of most extraordinary capabilities have pleaded these same
Scriptures-Julian, Celsus, Porphyry and
others, and never denied their being genuine.
The ancient writers of the Church cite the
same,-Tertullian, Cyprian, Ignatius, Iren11us, Epiphanius,  Hieron  and   others.
They.certainly were interested in the truths
of Christianity, and were most capable of
detecting fraudulent attempts on mankind.
"A little before the coming of our Savior
there was a general expectation spread all
over the Eastern nations, that out of Judea
should arise a person who should be governor
of the whole world, is expressly affirmed by
the Roman historians, Luetonius and Tacitus.
That there lived in Judea at the time which
the Gospel relates, such a person as Jesus of
Nazareth, is acknowledged by all authors
both Jewish and Pagan, who have written




64     CHIRISTIANITY DEMONSTRA TED.
since then.  The star that appeared at his
birth is mentioned by Chalcidius the Platonist, as is also the journey of the Chaldean Magi. Herod's causing all the children
in Bethlehem, under two years old, to be
slain, and a reflection made thereupon by the
Emperor Augustus, that it was better to be
Herod's swine than his son, is related by
Macrobius.  Many of the miracles which
Jesus did, as his healing the lame, the blind,
casting out devils, are acknowledged by
some of the most implacable enemies of
Christianity, by Celsus and Julian, and the
authors of the Jewish Talmud. That the
power of the heathen gods ceased after the
coming of Christ is acknowledged by Porphyry. Many particulars of the collateral
history concerning John the Baptist, Herod
and Pilate are largely recorded by Josephus;
the crucifixion  of Christ under Pontius
Pilate, is related by Tacitus, and numbers of
the most remarkable circumstances attending




CHRISTIANITY DEMONSTRATED.      65
it, such as the earthquake and miraculous
darkness were recorded in the Roman registers, and are in a very particular manner
attested by Phlegon."
FOURTH GROUND OF SUSPICION
— If the Chriistian story be repugnant to
the genuine histories of those times when it
was promutied.
It is a fiact that both friends and foes acknowledged those books extant which we
now possess, near two thousand years agoand that the authentic histories of that
period, instead of being hostile to Scripture
facts, are corroborative of them.   I will
however dwell briefly on this point.  The
most considerable Roman historians who
flourished at thle period when Christianity
vwas reproached, and its advocates persecuted, and whose writings are nearly as
ancient as our religion itself, are Tacitus and
Luetonius.  They are justly confessed as




66      CHRISTIA NITY DEiONVSTRA TED.
competent testimonies to the point under
debate. Tacitus says that in Nero's days
(whose reign commenced about twenty years
subsequent to the crucifixion) multitudes of
Christians resided not only in Judea but also
in Rome, against whom   persecutions were
instituted of such a fiendish character as
actually to excite compassion in the very
bosom of foes.  Luetonius substantiates the
assertions of Tacitus. Pliny, the officer of
Trajan, ill the  execution of  Christians,
writing to that Emperor, says, " that many
of both sexes and of every age and rank
were infected with this superstition, that it
was got into the villages as well as the cities,
and that till he had begun to put the laws in
execution against them, the temples of the
heathen deities were almost deserted, and
hardly any one could be found who would
buy victims for them." Marcus Antonius, a
few years following, says the Christians
"were examples of a resolute and obstinate




CHRISTIA ITY DEMONSTRA TED.     67
contempt of death."  Tacitus, speaking of
Christ, says, " He was put to death under
Pontius Pilate, who was procurator of Judea
in the time of Tiberius."  The Jews in some
early writings derided Christ as " the man
who was hanged." Lucian reproaches Christians for worshiping " a crucified impostor."
Porphyry allowed Christ to have been "a
wise and pious man, approved by the gods,
and taken up into heaven for his distinguished
virtues, and yet this Porphyry was a foe.
Could our adversaries show that Augustus
did not tax the Jews; that Herod never
existed; that the Romans were never governors of Judea;   that there were neither
Iigh Priests nor Pharisees at the period contended for in the New Testament, and those
Listoric quotations above mentioned a forgery, then would they probably succeed in.
influencing many to believe Christianity fabulous. We conclu(e then, thus,
1. The greatest opposers of our religion
confe ss Christ to have lived upon thle earth.




68      GiHRISTIANITY DEMJONSTRA TE'D.
2. Therefore the whole of Scripture cannot be false.
3. If a portion is acknowledged truthful,
of a whole    claiming  equal truth, then
none is   untruthful.  If any portion is
fictitious it must be from either the Apostles
or their successors.  Not the latter for the
reasons presented recently in those quotations,
&e., as it is contended by Tacitus that in the
days of the Apostles it was established at
Rome.    Nor by the Apostles for reasons
already given.
FIFTH GROUND FOR SUSPICION
-If the doctrine cadvocated be self contradictory or be provecd umnbeconiing the majesty
of God.
We boldly assert the Scriptures to contain
or enjoin nothing unworthy the perfections of
Jehovah.  Study its doctrines; what do you
find here? Tllat we are fallen, and are universally corri upt; that repentance and conformity




CHRISTIA NITY DEMONS TRATED.    69
to God's laws are obligatory on us; that our
Creator is infinitely compassionate and perfect; that we are redeemed by Christ, and
that salvation is consequently possible.  The
Bible is a distinct and full revelation of all
that concerns our duty and happiness.  It
contains three great branches of religion,
referring to God, our neighbor and ourselves.
It exceeds infinitely in purity and adaption
to man, all the institutes and maxims and
aphorisms of ancient and modern philosophers. Study its precepts, they are acknowledged the purest on earth,even by men Satanically attempting to render nugatory their
influence. Study its promises of grace and
glory. What repugnant to the impeccability
of the Almighty is here?  Human ornament
and oratorical flourishes you will seek in vain.
You cannot improve tile product of the divine
intellect. Plainness is preferred to subtlety.
Simplicity is grander than art. How varied
the mind by which this hallowed volume was




70     CHRISTIANITY DEMONSTRA TED.
penned, and yet what holy harmony pervades
the whole.
AN OBJECTION ANSWERED THAT THE APOS
TLES WERE IMPERFECT MEN.
We reply-1. Supposing the objection
true, yet how evident and unconcealed
their sincerity, how lightly they esteemed
human honors, how unwilling to conceal their
imperfections, and therefore what confidence
and affection their frankness merits, and when
they speak favorably of themselves it is ever
in self-vindication, and unquestioned.
2. But yielding their infirmities, where are
their equals? What magnanimity and selfsacrifice and holy diligence they exhibit.
What undaunted firmness, what unquenchable love, what protracted forbearance, what
a disposition to forgive, what weeping over
sinners, tenderness to the weak. Compare
them for virtue with the purest, for loyalty
with patriots of most renown, and for disin



CHRISTIAVITY DE,3IONSTRA TED.   71
terestedness of spirit with the most justly
celebrated of earth's favorite sons-who so
worthy of apostolic honors?
ARE NOT MYSTERIES INCOMPATIBLE WITH A
DIVINE RELIGION?
If they are nLature is no less faulty than
revelation, for the unbeliever " cannot survey
any field of universal nature, above, beneath,
around him, anything animate or inanimate,
from the lowly floweret on the heath, to the
plants of paracise-fiom the scantiest insect
on the wing, to the cherubim and seraphim
that worship before the Excellent Glory;-he
cannot contemplate his own complete fiame"
-a spirit immortal dwelling in a tabernacle of
clay-without a profound sense of mystery.
Can he explain the hidden cause of vegetation, growth and reproduction?  Can he explain the agency of the sun, moon and stars;
the law of gravitation, binding worlds to
worlds by its stupendous power?   Can he




72      CHRISTIAINITY DEZO NSTRA TED.
unfold the various mental phenomena of
man's estate; the origin, purpose and prevalence of moral evil; the nature, extent aind
modifications of' creature responsibility? Do
not these things, and many others which we
cannot enumerate, present to the infidel difficulties, whicll, on2 his own2 principles, ought
to ensure their rejection fiom his creed?"
Thus we have examnined the grounds of suspicion and found them totally inapplicable to
the testimony of the Apostles concerning
Christianity.
IGNORANCE AN ENEMY TO HUMAN HAPPINESS.
One grand source of man's infidelity and
consequent uinhappiness is his ignorance.'rle pertinacity with which he clings to blind
opinions imbibed in infancy, which interweave themselves with his existence, the consequent partiality which warps his mind,
prevents its expansion, renders him the slave
of fiction and dooms him to perpetual error.




CHJRISI'IANITY DEAONSTRATED.   73
He, too fiequently, takes the tone of his ideas
on the authority of others, themselves in
error, and having an interest in his delusion.
This Cilnmerian darkness must be removed.
It is essential to his happiness. But it exacts
more than common exertion. It requires undaunte'd courage and persevering resolution.
Man must think, and examine for himself,
and with impartiality, the opinions presented
for his acceptance. Prejudice, too, blessed
be God, will meet its downfall. The diffusion of ideas among mankind is no longer
superstitiously dreaded. Truths will of necessity be useful. The blustering of Infidels
is appearing ridiculous. The smallest reflection makes us to feel the falsity of unbelief.
Ignorance and prejudice are both pernicious,
but the destiny of both is annihilation. Frequently wickedness has been established by
violence, and been made to pass as substantive virtue, but the spread and reception of
our holy religion is destroying these incon



74     CHRISTIANITY DEMONSTRATED.
sistent pretensions, is enabling mankind to
judge impartially, to yield conviction, and
establish truth upon- its own imperishable
basis. Because Christianity only can render
you happy; embrace it-it is equity-the support of human society-goodness connecting
all hearts in indissoluble ties; and gratitude
feeding benevolence and nourishing generosity. Diffuseq'appiness among your circles;
with sincerity  serve your God, and be
assured that the sphere of your actions,
enlivened by kindness, illumined by benevolence, will react upon yourselves and render
irresistible the conviction that the man securing the honor of God and the happiness of
his neighbor, cannot himself be miserable.
We will now endeavor to demonstrate and
il lustrate that
The testimony qf sincerity, truthftlness,
&dc.,presented by the Apostles was the most
satisfactory which  could  be given, and
amply sufficient to render it the duty of mane
to believe.  Condutct of i.fidels described.




CtHRISTIANITY DEMIOXNSTRA TED.  75
The conclusion though truthful, is nevertheless saddening, that there are but comparatively few persons capable of profound connected meditation. This probably, in some
measure, accounts for the swarms of skeptics
of comparatively juvenile years. The exercise of intense thought is for the greater
number a species of labor as painful as it is
seldom.  We do not assert that people
obliged to labor in order to obtain subsistence, for that reason are incapable of reflection. Then others occupied with gratifying
their passions, and employed in procuring
themselves pleasures, as rarely think deeply
as the positively uninformed.  We seldom
find unbelievers competent to give a rational
opinion of their unbelief.  Throughout the
world they are more speculative than profound..In the wanderings of their imaginations they with great fatuity believe they
have discovered something connected and
decisive; and, in consequence, they endeavor




76      CHRISTIAXITY DEMONSTRA TED.
to form their theories into a system, which
though purely chimerical, they have accustomed themselves to consider as demonstrated and true. They fulminate most unceremoniously, and utter in most indignant
language their abhorrence of Christians, and
persuade most energetically by pen and
tongue their heterodox contemporaries to
hastern the overthrow of revealed religion, by
widening the existing breach between themselves and it.  The idea of dying disappointed and baffled men, in their endeavor
to secure the annihil ation of what they reproach as priestc'raft, andl conducting it to a
most ilgnominiious death, constantly presents
itself to their m:nAdldened vision, communicates
to lteir hearts liate and despairing energy,
renldering them desperate and daring. They
appear determined to obtain possession of
the public confidence; and to complete their
fiendish pln'r)oses assume, most designingly,
ingratiating manners, enquire sympathizingly
b   InV1III




CHRISTIANITY DE ON'STRATED.       77
respecting their liberties, urge the propriety
of resisting what they pronounce ecclesiastical tyranny, profess to furnish them with a
religion, more rational, liberal and pure; undertake, but fail, to expose the alleged arrogance and ignorance of religious instructors,
represent the ministers of Christ a multitude
of whimsical pretenders;    describe themselves as individuals of intelligence; urge the
adoption of their system as inevitably productive of happiness, and    then violently
abuse the'admiriers of Clristian consistency
as the dupes of deliberate duplicity.
Infidel publications abound with the most
unwarrantable and reproachful epithets respectimng both prophets and apostles. " The
formler are " strlling gentry," and tlhe latter,
if possible, ine'fieculal)ly worse.  Our purpose
is to represent thelse caricatures in their genuine light, by discussing as consecutively as
possible a few propositions.
The subject on whiclh thle Apostles most




78     CHRISTIANITY DEJONSTRATED.
emphatically insisted was Christ's resurrection. More weight was attached to this than
to any other miracle, and for many and
obvious reasons. Supposing the entire truth
of the Christian religion reduced to this
questionDID CHRIST ARISE FROM THE DEAD?
We now ask —ow do men present the highest possible assurance of their sincerity? We
reply
I. By offering the utmost testimony man
can give how to ascertain if the Apostles
delivered their message with that sincerity
and fidelity we are permitted  to expect,
consider those circumstances allowed and
expected to accompany truth. If you have
these, then your demands on the Apostles are
met, and they are true men. These circumstances are many, a few of which we will
enumerate.




CARISTIANITY DEMIONSTRATED.      79
1. MEN SHOULD TESTIFY THAT WHICH THEY
SEE.
Already have we shown the impossibility
that the Apostles should have attempted deception, and it is equally manifest that they
were not deluded themselves.    Hundreds
were witnesses of Christ's resurrection, and
no proof was necessary to constitute them
such save their senses.  He instructed them
concerning the kingdom of God for forty days,
Acts i.; gave them their commission, Mark
xvi.; expostulated with Peter, John xxi.; was
seen of more than five hundred at once, I.
Cor. 15, and lastly by Paul.   They were
witnesses of Him at Jerusalem, &c., Acts i.
8; see also Acts ii. 32; iii. 14, 15; v. 30-32;
x. 38-41;  iii. 30-31; John xx. 29.   Eye
witnesses are  confessedly more competent
than others, and here after trial, doubt and.
enquiry Christ is acknowledged to have risen.
_Did the Apostles mistake the person  of
Christ?
1. The witnesses were men of competent




80      CHRISTIANITY DEMONSTRA TED.
understanding and not likely to be cheated
by palpable deceits, and probably their good
sense equaled that of their calumniators. 2.
They were numerous. If even a few therefore were likely to be imposed upon, it is less
probable that many would. 3. The matters
of fact were done in the very neighborhood
where at that period they were dwelling. 4.
It was not a secret occurrence. 5. The nature of the event was such as could not pass
ftr a juggling deception. 6. The witnesses
were fiequently with Christ, thus rendering a
delusion still less probable.  7. They were
surrounded by subtle and vigilant foes, who
were ever ready to assist in detecting deceits
in Christ's claims.
2. MEN SHOULD TESTIFY OF THE EVENT SOON
AFTER THE OCCURRENCE.
Supposing this not to have been done it is
surprisingly strange that the Jews neglected
to charge them with setting forth these doc



C(HRISTIANXTY DEMONSTRATED.    81
trines when no one lived capable of investigating their merit. The impression was fresh
on Jewish minds that Christ had been crucified. Scarcely had the rabble descended the
sides of the mount, or the weeping church
retired to their saddened and solitary dwellings, or the current grown cold which incarnadined CalvaTy's summit, when on the
appointed mount in Galilee Jesus met his
worshipers, and with the authority of divinity
inspired holy fortitude in their bosoms by saying, " All power is given unto me in heaven
and in earth." On the most solemn occasions
and in the most public thoroughfares, and to
immensely large multitudes of people is uttered the same thrilling sentiment.  " Him hath
God raised from the dead." Could they have
intended to deceive?
S. WITNESSES SHOULD DELIVER THEIR TESTIMONY PLAINLY.
Addresses more pungent, pointed, plain and
unmistakable in their application we question




82      CBRISTTANITY DEMONSTRA TED.
if there could be made than that on the day
of Pentecost-Acts ii. 32-36. This must have
been purposely to prevent mistakes. Parties
purposing deception would have embodied
their opinions in expressions more equivocal.
But if, notwithstanding, the perspicuity prevailing in all their writings and oral instructions, it be contended there are evidences
of mental reservation, equivocation, obscurity,
&c.,we enquire, is it not extremely unaccountable that some, amid the many of those
who once were Christians of good repute, but
who subsequently embraced varied heresies,
and identified themselves with the Judaizers.
Gnostics, Basilidians, Simonians, Ebionites,
Corinthians, &c., should not have denied
the truth of religion, and exposed apostolic
craft. Some apostatized and embraced open
infidelity; their interest and motive we might
suppose would have influenced them to promulge the fraud. We find nothing of the
kind, nor do we find in the sacred writings
a refutation of charges of such a character.




CHR1ITIANITY DEMONSTRATED.     88
4. THE NUMBER OF WITNESSES SHOULD BE
LARGE.
A solitary few would more probably have
excited suspicion. The history of the Christian Church is a history of conquests. In
the face of the most formidable difficulties,
it experienced the most amazing success. Its
like was never before known, nor since. It
was unprecedented, and without a subsequent. Of the rapidity and multiplicity of
its early triumphs we possess abundant evidence in "The history of the Acts of the
Apostles." In Judea where the Gospel was
first preached, the new mission was most
successful. On one day almost instantly following the crucifixion, three thousand persons were converted by a single sermon. A
few weeks after, five thousand tirue believers
were present in Jerusalem. Within less than
ten years sequent upon Christ's death, the disciples and followers had so multiplied, particularly in and around Jerusalem, as to become




84      CHRISTIANITY DEMONSTRATED.
objects of jealousy and alarm to ruling
powers themselves. About twenty-two years
after the crucifixion their number had so augmented that their name was legion. These
facts may be selected from the "Acts" alone.
Nor was it among the indigent exclusively
that these doctrines prevailed. They penetrated all ranks of the population. They
were ardently espoused by men of exalted
stations and responsible offices, whose countenancing of such a system at such a period
was a most perilous adventure. Amongst
those early proselytes we find Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus, both members of the
Jewish Sanhedrim, Jairus, a ruler of the Synagogue, Zaccheus, one of the chief publicans,
Apollos, a'distinguished orator, Sergius, a
Roman Governor of the island of Cyprus,
Cornelius, a Roman Centurion, Dionysius, a
judge and senator of the Athenian Areopagus, Erastus, treasurer at Corinth, Tyrannus,
another Corinthian and professor of rhetoric,




CHRISTIANITY DEIMONSTRATED.      85
Paul, learned in the Jewish law, Publius,
governor of Melita, Philemon, a man of rank
and influence at Colosse; Simon, a sophist of
considerable note in Samaria, and Zenas, a
lawyer, and even some of the Emperor's
household.
Nor was the success. of those principles
limited to Judea. They triumphed and spread
with almost incredible celerity and success
through Asia Minor, Greece, Africa, and the
islands of the Archipelago, and everywhere
in the countries bordering on the Mediterranean. Scarcely a province of the Roman,Emnpire but was explored by the Christian
missionaries even before the demise of the
Apostles. Some of its earliest and most distinguished triumphs were witnessed in the
heart of Greece itself, reputed, notwithstanding the most polished nation on earth, and to
whose schools and academies the aristocracy
of Rome and elsewhere carried their sons to
be educated for public employment. Long




86      CHRISTIANITY DEMONSTRATED.
previous to the disappearance of the last of
the twelve, churches were founded at Ephesus, Corinth, Thessalonica, Berea, Philippi
and other Grecian cities. Rome, herself, the
mistress of the world, and the metropolis of
empire was not proof against the holy influence brought to bear. Before the close of
the second century, Christians were found in
almost every department of the imperial service, in the palace, the senate, the camp, and
the public offices; in short everywhere, history declares, except in the temples and theaters, from which they were debarred by
their holy religion.
About one hundred years following the
crucifixion, lived Justin Martyr, who, speaking of the number testifying to the truth of
the Gospel, says, "that there was no nation
of men, whether Greeks or barbarians, not
excepting those savages which wandered in
clans from one region to another, and had no
fixed habitation, who had not learned to offer




CGRISTIANITY DEMONS TRATED.    87
prayers and thanksgivings to the Father and
Maker of all in the name of Jesus who was
crucified.
Following him, Tertullian says, " that all
places but those temples (heathen) were
filled with Christians, so that were they to
withdraw, cities and provinces would become
depopulated."  So successfully was the truth
propagated that Pliny declares that "he
found the heathen temples in Achai almost
deserted." If an individual refuses to believe this a sufficient number to testify of an
event, and directly succeeding the period of
its occurrence, he has sufficient obstinacy and
ignorance to be an infidel.
6. WITNESSES SHOULD BE     WILLING TO
SUFFER FOR THEIR TESTIMONY.
The Apostles. and their successors were
imprisoned, racked, tortured, ridiculed, and
consigned to the most torturing death, for
affirming Christ's resurrection. And which




88     CHRISTIANITY DEMONSTRA TED.
of them expressed his doubt of its truth?
How pertinaciously they contended they had
seen him. What motive inspired them but
the love of truth? What wealth did they
obtain, or honor, or pleasure, or friends?
What unparalleled sufferings they endured in
consequence, crossing seas, traversing deserts, visiting barbarians, bearing the inclemency of almost every clime. And for what?
To preach a risen Savior. Supposing them
impostors how account for their remarkable
conduct? How deep!v in love with untruth
to die for it!
ADDITIONAL   CIRCUMSTANCES   ACCOMPANYING TRUTH.
We might augment the number of those
circumstances acknowledged universally to
accompany truth. 1. If the testifier cannot
anticipate any personal terrestrial advantage.
2. If his testimony tend to overthrow his
worldly ease, aggrandizement, &e. 3. If the




CHRISTIANITY DEMONSTRA TED.     89
testimony of the witnesses agree. 4. If their
opposers deny not that alleged, but simply
attribute it to other causes.  5. If no witness
either in life or death, acknowledged it a
deceit. 6. If they consider and allege their
salvation depending on the truth of their
report. -7. If the reporters are men of various
tempers, countries and civil interests. 8.
If they sometimes differ, even to separation,
and yet confess no falsehood in that they promulge. 9. If their testimony convince multitudes in that place and time who would have
held them in contempt and abhorrence if
untrue. 10. And, lastly, if they bear their testimony in such a time and place as to invite
scrutiny and investigation, among enemies
the most malicious, and disposed to contradict; then we consider such characters (and
such were the Apostles and their immediate
followers) to. be most worthy of our confidence
and regard.




90      CHRISTIANITY DEMONSTRATED.
IMPOSSIBILITY OF THE CONTRARY OF THIS.
To assert the contrary of this in the teeth
of these proofs is to make the Apostles-1. To
affirm a man to be God, and a deceiver the
Savior of the world.   2. To frame upon
untruth a new law to mankind. 3. To abuse
the intellect of thousands of people with the
master-piece of Satan's productions.  4. To
induce telns of thousands of men and women
to die martyrs for Christ, the veriest of impostors. 5. To spend their lives nmost unprofitably and even diabolically.
Are these things so? If the affirmative be
granted, what traitors and murderers were
the Apostles; of what villainy were they not
guilty; what crimes d:d they not perpetrate.
But read their lives, study their writings, and
how forcibly the impossibility appears, that
such numbers should so proceed, expecting
no terrestrial benefit through such labors, suffering and reproach, and not a solitary man
among them be constrained by conscience to




CHRISTIANITY DEMONSTRATED.     91
detect the fraud, undeceive the world, nor
even to acquaint his dearest friend on earth
that the religion of Christ was the invention
of man. Notwithstanding that intellectual
culture of a philosophical character, of which
infidels so vauntingly boast, it is obvious that
their disposition is at enmity with God. A
community of skeptics could not possibly exist for any considerable time. They would
form  society, but it would be destitute of
morality, religion, a wholesome government,
or a virtuous education, whilst its own principles would inevitably tend to its own disorganization. In proportion to the universality of the reception of infidelity are men
disposed to injure each other, and their children disposed to follow the most demoralizing impulses. Those infernal powers incessantly on the alert to mischief mankind, are
not capable of inflicting greater evils on the
human race, than an infidel aristocracy of
wealth, unremittingly flattering the vanity of




92     CHRISTIANITY DEMONSTRATE-D.
a monarch, who, unbridling his passions, saturated with the most pernicious vices, guided
by the most extravagant systems, savagely
destroys his subjects without reason, and
makes a merit of extermination. France and
Prussia in the past are evidences of this.
What morals have infidels? By what diabolical laws would they be governed? See
them hurried onward in crime, sensuality and
degradation, because disbelieving their accountability, because entangled in illusive
theories, because sophisticated by falsehood,
destitute of virtue, intoxicated in mind, and
corrupt in heart.  The tyrannies, the persecutions, the numberless outrages committed
under the countenance of infidelity, the slavery into which it plunges the people, the
reciprocal hatred and sanguinary disputes to
which it has given birth, the multitudes of
unhappy beings with which its demoralizing
influence has filled the world, are abundantly
sufficient to determine all sensible men to




aRBISTIAYITY DEMONSSTRATEgD.  93
reject it because of its inutility, its want of
consolation, its repugnance to truth. It has
deluged the earth with blood, and converted
the image of God into the veriest resemblance
of hell.
THE APOSTLES ALSO PRESENTED     DIVINE
TESTIMONY.
2. But there was a testimony superhuman
given by the Apostles. We now refer to
the operations and miraculous endowments
of the Holy Ghost. A higher testimony no
one can present, and if Jehovah employed
his power, was it to bewilder and deceive?
Would impostors be proffered and made the
receptacles of Divine influences? To reply
in the affirmative is to declare that God not
only permitted the deception of man in his
holy name, but that he deviated from the
general course of his providence purposely to
secure that end. But Jew and Gentile acknowledged the reality of the miracles




94     CHRISTIANITY DEMONSTRA TED.
wrought by the Apostles, but being repugnant to Christianity, they denied their being
divinely commissioned, and asserted the influences assisting them to have originated in
hell. Now, even supposing Satan capable of
performing deeds (as raising the dead, &c.)
transcending the unaided powers of the disciples, it is impossible to believe he would
communicate his energies to a multitude of
men professedly and actually counteracting
his designs, impeding his Satanic progress,
and seeking the overthrow of his power.
It is objected they might have surprised
the people by virtue of a peculiar tempera.
ment of body. But would not the perpetual
communication of their virtues to others,
leave them eventually destitute themselves?
Would not their poverty and privation, their
sufferings,. &c., destroy those virtues and render the Apostles.useless?
They were Jews. Why were they exclusively possessed of this temperament? Why




CHRISTIANITY DEMONSTRATED.    95
did none precede them? Why do none follow them?
It is further objected that a powerful imagination  was of essential service.  But
whose imagination? What impression could
the imagination of the Apostles produce on
diseased persons many miles distant at fhe moment of healing? Was it the imagination of
those on whom the miracle was wrought?
But what imagination had the widow's son,
the ruler's daughter, Lazarus and others? If
imagination will raise the dead, it will preserve the living, and if it heal the most obstinate diseases, it is only necessary to imagine, and freedom from physical debility, and
" all the ills flesh is heir to," is the instant
effect.
Every truth has its proper criterion, and
miracles are the evidences of the Divine
commission of the Apostles. The working
of miracles in support of any cause is most
obviously the seal of Divinity to the truth of




96    JCHRISTIA NITY DEXONSTRA TED.
that cause. Those wrought by the twelve
carried with them  distinctive marks, distinguishing them alike from the delusions of
enthusiasm and the artifices of imposture,
and were appealed to with the fullest confidence of their reality and truth.
THE MIRACULOUS OPERATIONS OF THE
APOSTLES.
They were many, a few of which we mention.
1. They were suddenly illumined on the
descent of the Holy Spirit, and became accurately acquainted with that of which previously they were ignorant.
2. They instructed the multitudes in languages never learnt.
3.. They dispossessed demoniacs of their
legions, and in the name of the Crucified,
tranquilized their tortured minds.
4. They raised the dead.
5. By the imposition of hands the Spirit
was given to others.




CHRISTIANITY DEMONSTRA TED.     97
6. Judgments were inflicted on delinquents
by a power no less than miraculous. Annanias, Sapphira, Elymas, &c.
OBJECTIONS AND ENQUIRIES.
1. As all doctrine, Paul declares, is not
from God, what do miracles attest? We
reply they attest the fidelity, the veracity
of him who speaks, and therefore the truthfulness of the doctrine advocated. If Paul
drew a distinction between doctrines to be
received and rejected, how manifestly evident
his anxiety that fraud should be detected
and exposed. We consider the conservation
of Christianity amidst the most unparalleled
sufferings, one of the most astounding and
satisfactory miraculous operations ever witnessed or reported. I will not trouble you
with a description of the Ten Persecutions,
but in the annals of Tacitus we perceive the
Christians were held in utter detestation.
He describes them as believers in a " deploD




98      CHRISTIANITY DEMONSTRATED.
rable and destructive superstition," and then
as if wanting a name to give them, addsvulgus Christianos appellabat-the vulgar
people call them. Christians. This historian
writes of them with an air of contempt.
But, however, their exterior towards them
soon became changed. From a handful of
obscure and unnoticeable men they grew into
a gigantic community, having their missionaries and organizations throughout every corner of the Roman Empire.    It was then
their persecutions began to assume those
shapes and proportions necessary to attract
history. Then the Pagan priests, Pagan
magistrates and aristocracy, commenced
earnestly to check the tendencies of the
"sect every where spoken against," and to
rouse and infuriate the superstitious prejudices and passions of the populace against
the innovators. And this was speedily done,
for one reason probably among others, that
Christianity increasingly proselytizing was
singularly exclusive.




CHRISTTANITY -DEMONSTRA TED.    99
It denied and rejected every alleged fact
and article of heathen mythology. It heard
no compromise, no amalgamation, and was
content to prevail only by the subversion of
every altar, statueand temple consecrated to
pagan uses. All other gods were pronounced
false, and all other worship an abomination. It was then impossible to escape persecution from the pagan rabble or superstitious
priesthood.  The priests trembled for their
revenues, the rulers for their power, the rich
for their wealth and station, a spiritual equality among ail ranks was proclaimed.  Persecutions multiplied but were unsuccessful.
The most public Christians were accused of
crimes the most atrocious and revolting.
They were condemned to a variety of deaths,
and perished amidst all manners of insults and
execrations. Some were sewed up in the
skins of wild beasts and then thrown to be
devoured by dogs. Some, like their divine
Master, were nailed to crosses, others were




100     CHRISTIANITY DMONYSTRA TED.
wrapped in pitched clothing; these were set
on fire, and being lighted up at night served
as torches to illumine Nero's gardens. These
barbarities were followed by edicts enjoining
upon the authorities to repress the new religion by every means placed at their disposal by the law. Many martyrs were in
consequence.  But in despite of injustice,
intolerance and abhorrence Christianity, upheld by omnipotence and directed by infinite
intelligence, mightily prevailed.
QUESTION-WHY ARE NOT MIRACLES
CONTINUED?
I. We have the full use and benefit of the
Holy Ghost so abundantly then bestowed,
when miracles prevailed. The seal originally placed to the Scriptures has never been
removed.   Mlust God work miracles before
every man and in every age, or be rejected?
What if' all Christ's works have been done in
Washington, and all had seen them but one




CBRISRTIANITY DEMONSTRA TED.   101
man, must none believe but those that saw.
Should no man believe that there have been
wars in America but those who saw the battles? or what if those things had been done
in our forefathers' days, should we not have
believed them, except they had been done in
ours? We have as full testimony of Christ's
and his Apostles' works, as we can have of
any of these.
2. The Holy Spirit is still continued to
every member of the Church, though not precisely to the same use.
3. The promise is fulfilled if it can be
shown that these signs (Mark xvi. 17) followed in the case of any that believed, and it is
not necessary to suppose they would follow in
the case of all. The infidel cannot say that
the promise has not been fulfilled, unless he
can show that these events never occurred.
Miracles were necessary for the establishment
of religion in the world; they are not necessary now.




102     CHRISTrANITY DEMONSTRA TED.
4. That doctrine could not possibly be divine that would declare it necessary that
God should satisfy every unreasonable infidel
by miracles. Ordinary human testimony is
sufficient to inform us of the certainty of former miracles, and those miracles are sufficient
attestation on God's part of his acknowledging the doctrine so attested.  Punishment
rather than satisfaction would be the desert
of him refusing to believe until he could see,
for on such terms if all people but one were
witnesses of any miraculous act, it must be
repeated for his conviction by reason of his
obstinacy. Providential government would
then be destroyed.
5. We are to infer their non-necessity from
their non-repetition.  If rational conviction
can be attributed to the sight of miracles
exclusively, miracles would never have been
withdrawn.
6. But thousands are being unceasingly
convinced of the divinity of the Christian




CHRISTIANITY DEMONSTRATED.     108
religion without the renewing of miracles,
their presence then is not of absolute necessity.
It is alleged that persons professedly convinced are deluded frequently-We reply
1. The Apostles, to both their utmost happiness and our satisfaction, assure  us in
regard to themselves of the contrary. 2. And
they were ever ready to demonstrate the ignorance of their questioners. 3. We are
instructed not to believe all wonders which
may occur. Things hostile to natural religion
or revealed religion confirmed by miracles,
most unquestionably are to be rejected.  If
God has once convinced the understanding,
it is obligatory on man to cherish the light
thus imparted. Satan, too, attempted the imitation of Christ, but as a statue may be distinguished from the Creator, so may Satanic
fictions from divine realities.




104     CHRISTIANITY DEMFONSTRA TED.
HOW ASCERTAIN THE TRUTH OF MIRACLES.
1. You should understand miracles were
predicted hundreds of years before they were
~wrought.  2. The doctrine delivered bears
God's image, and was confirmed in the name
of Christ.  Impostors do not realize divine
assistance.  3. If deceivers attempt the accomplishment of that transcending their
abilities, they inevitably experience defeat
and mortification. A miracle was demanded
from Mahomet but when did he ever seriously attempt the gratification of his followers?
Maimon in a letter to French Jews relates of
one El David who pretended himself Christ, a
circumstance illustrative of my idea.  This
impostor was brought before an Arabian
prince, who asked him, what miracle he
showed to merit belief? He answered, " Cut
off my head and I will live again." "Thou
canst give us no greater sign," replied the
prince, "and if it so fall out that thou dost




CHRISTIANITY DEMONSTRATED.     105
rise again to life, after I have cut off thy head
I and my people, nay, all the world, sure, will
believe what thou sayest is true."  The experiment was made-you believe the result.
Discover one failure in the Apostles because
of imposition and you render them obnoxious,
to indignation and contempt. 4. There were
no symptoms of enthusiasm displayed by the
Apostles other than the most fastidious minds
might be enabled to countenance.  Their intellects were clear and calm. There appeared
no unusual preparation, and natural inclination toward the undertaking in which they
enlisted. They rather exhibited prejudice to
the main articles of their faith, the death and
resurrection of Christ, and in them hope
seems to have died, when their Master gave
up the ghost.-An objection that promises
were notfulfilled.-Mark x. 29, 30.
This is a specimen of that class of unfulfilled promises. That man who fails to perceive the meaning of this to be such an earth



106     CHRISTIANITY DEMONSTRATED.
ly recompense as is consistent with persecution is not too enlightened to be an infidel.
Besides this promise cannot refer to earthly
possessions but in a very inferior degree.
External accommodation is invariably estimated secondary to religious joy by the wise
and good.   The pardon of sin, God's favor,
quietude of conscience, consolation in death.
Parents, &c., spiritually these most fully fulfill the promise, and most agreeably to the
Apostles' anticipations and desires.
THE BIBLE OBSCURE.
It is said some portions of holy writ are too
obscure to allow any reasonable explication.
But is its obscurity an argument against its
divinity? Every science may be objected to
by the uninitiated for the same reason, if reason it be. Is all to be rejected, because some
is incomprehensible?  How perspicuous is
the plan of salvation to the spirit-taught
heart. Those portions transcending the grasp




CHRISTIANITY DEMONSTRATED.    107
of the intellect are revealed as objects of
faith more than of understanding.  Unbeliever, do you not comprehend sufficient to
condemn you?
CONTRADICTIONS.
Enemies say there are irreconcilable differences in the Scripture.
1. This may appear a fact to the unreflecting and prejudiced, for they find contradictions in every system. The revolution of- the
earth was to the pope and cardinals, and is to
thousands now.   Are those writings impugning the Scriptures without contradictions?  The Scriptures in very early days
were venerated and ardently studied and expounded by men in contrast with whom
modern skeptics are a race of dwarfs. Objections now originate in ignorance or prejudice.
2. But wherein do those contradictions appear? Do they concern the minor circumstances of religion, as time, place, &c., and




108   CCHRISTIANITY DEMONSTRATED.
allow those portions true on which my salvation depends? The very apparent want of
agreement inspires me with fresh confidence
in their authenticity.  Men deliberately deceptive would have exercised more caution to
prevent suspicion than the Bible writers appear to have displayed. 3. But consider the
manner in which objections have been repeatedly refuted.  If one portion of the inspired
writings appears less confirmed or more exposed to the charge of contradiction than
another, that is selected as having charms for
cavilers of which others are destitute. How
manifestly lacking of both judgment and candor. Have you naturally considered the difficulty now encountered in understanding
accurately the ground of chronology?
There may be errrars in chronology and
computations, but in. all such difficulties we
should make the greatest allowances. Transcribers may have unintentionally committed
blunders in dates and localities, but not in




CHRISTIANITY DEMONSTRATED.   109
doctrines is it so probable. They were not
inspired to copy as the Apostles were to
write and speak.  Allowances for interregnums, customs of genealogies, &c., present
even the Jews with puzzles, but they repudiate not the Old Testament on that account:
No improbability can be shown in the accounts transmitted to us, and no sufficient
reason therefore can be drawn to denounce as
a fiction the holiest and most useful book
extant. Protracted study disabuses the mind,
and shows that to possess the utmost transparency which was previously contemned as
ambiguous and contradictory.
SCRIPTURE BOTH GENERALLY AND PARTICULARLY TRUE.
What may be asserted concerning the
truth of Scripture generally, holds equally
valid when applied particularly.
1. If the Bible is proved true, then those
apparently contradictory passages are true




110    CHRISTIANITY DEXONSTRA TED.
also. Men are frequently ashamed of their
unprovoked rashness in censuring the inspired volume when persons of intelligence
have manifested to them their ignorance of
the plainest doctrinal truths.
2. The most improbable passages are
equally true,-as the sun standing still, the
fall of Jericho's walls-Christ walking on
the sea, &c.
3. And likewise those portions denouncing
vengeance on unbelievers.




CLOSE.
If sufficient has not been written to convert you, unbelieving reader, from the error
of your ways, it may have convinced you of
those numerous and weighty obligations
under which you exist to both God and man.
In answering enquiries and overturning objoctions, we haveaimed at presenting reasons
for our belief. Your tastes I have not contemplated, your religious interests I have.
Suppose not because you profess sincerity in
your errors, your guilt is extinguished. Good
intentions will not justify blasphemy, nor
infuse sanctity into outrage and murder.
If sincerity sanctifies immorality, in one
country Christianity may be lauded, and in
another cursed, and thus impudence and inspiration be made to utter the same language.




112     CHRISTIANITY DEMONSTRATED.
Remember, it is easier to asperse truth than
to refute or practice it. I have not assaulted
your judgment with naked fallacy, but truth,
I would hope it is too evident to be overlooked, and too strong to be overcome. Are
you determined to live in infidelity as if
future terrors were only terrific dreams, or
mere productions of a feverish and disordered brain? The practice of religion here
is necessary to happiness hereafter. Search
after truth wit, serenity and candor.  Despise not religion and sobriety. But should
Christianity be contrary to your professed anticipations and belief, then must you bid
farewell to life and pleasure together. Your
last breath extinguishes joy, and kindles a
flame to torment rather than consume.
Your music ends in tears, your pleasure in
unavailing repentance, your repentance in
despair.
How doleful the catastrophe to be dragged
from your domicile to a dungeon, and from




CHRISTIANITY DEMONSTRATED.    113
the embraces of affectionate friends to those
of everlasting flames. To my youthful read.
ers, especially, I would say dangers surround
you and perhaps unseen and disregarded.
Temptations assail you, not with the violence
of a foe but the caresses of a friend, and
eventually you may surrender to temptation
without presenting a solitary attempt at
resistance.  Oh, why are immortal spirits
tied to all the infamous imrpressions of flesh
and blood! Men appear to bind themselves
vassals to Satan for pleasure in possession
and torments in reversion.
Infidelity and Christianity, then, are before
you.  Choose which you will serve.  The
one invites you to love God and your kind,
to preserve your existence, and augment the
sum of human happiness; the other to love
only formidable evil, detest joy, renounce
the most pleasing sensations, the most legitimate pleasures of the heart.  Christianity
counsels you to consult the Bible, and adopt




114     CHRISTIANITY DEMONSTRATED.
it as your guide; infidelity portrays Revelation as a treacherous director, infallibly
conducting you astray.  Christianity urges
on you real enlightenment, the importance of
truth; infidelity enjoins a career tending to
cloud the understanding, to remain ignorant
of spiritual truth, to believe no relations so
important to your interests as those subsisting between yourselves and pursuits obviously subversive of all happiness. Christianity
instructs you to moderate your desires, to
resist them when found obstructive to moral
progress, to counteract them by motives inculcated by Revelation; infidelity enjoins
you to cherish evil, and to combat your propensities with motives which, in fact, facilitate their exercise and augment their power.
Christianity exhorts man to strengthen the
social principle it has implanted, to love his
fellows, to be peaceable, benevolent, liberal;
infidelity admonishes you to secure immoral
society, flee the associations of the pious,




CHRIS'TIANIT'Y DEMONSTRATED.  115
dissolve the most sacred bonds, torment and
injure those not conforming to your views.
Christianity would have you be courageous,
industrious, cultivate the domestic affections,
consecrate your influence to God, improve
human society, blush for your vices, repent
and believe in Christ; infidelity would have
you extol the profligate who has disturbed
public tranquillity, prefer iniquity to piety,
scatter with lavish hand the seeds of discord,
promote the carnage of your fellow creatures, haughtily despise Heaven's grace, saying, C" live and die like a philosopher." My
dear readers, take those truths into your
most secret and sacred retirement. Identify
yourselves with God's people.  Renounce
connection with the foes of truth, and be encouraged to embrace religion by the gracious
expression of our dear Redeemer —HIM
THAT COMETH UNTO ME, I WILL IN NO
WISE CAST OUT.