Let us say at once, that it appears to us absolutely chimerical to pretend to distinguish, with any degree of certainty, the primitive elements of our Gospels from those subsequently added. The most eminent critics, if guided only by their individual appreciation of texts, and unbiassed by any tradition, come to the most various conclusions upon the same passages.
Read MoreThe evidence they had before was enough, amply enough, to convince them; but they were resolved not to be convinced: And to those, who are resolved not to be convinced, all motives, all arguments are equal. He that shuts his eyes against a small light, on purpose to avoid the sight of somewhat that displeases him, would (for the same reason) shut them also against the sun itself; …
Read MoreYou may observe, how warm this controversy, concerning the Gentile converts, was, in the primitive church; the Jews, obstinate in their prejudices; and the Apostle Paul, and such as joined with him, inflexible in defending the cause of truth and liberty. It seems the debate was carried, in some places, so high, as to become the cause of a breach in Christian communion. Now, considering the heats, which this matter occasioned, and the length, to which the dissension was carried, it is by no means probable, that the dissenting parties were in a plot to impose upon the world; or that a scheme, which, at the bottom, was mere imposture, could subsist and bear up against such animosities.
Read MoreYou present what you acknowledge to be spurious to discredit what is claimed to be genuine. In respect to the alleged miracles, account of which we have outside the Bible, we have no dispute. So far as any superhuman power is concerned, we both count them spurious. What you have to do is to answer the arguments presented going to show that those of the New Testament are genuine.
Read More[T]he “argument from silence” is always a most untrustworthy way of attempting to throw doubts on facts for which there is positive evidence. Are we to doubt the existence of Milton or of Jeremy Taylor—of Bacon or of Shakspeare—because these contemporaries make no allusion to each other in their voluminous writings?
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