The harmony of the divine attributes in the contrivance and accomplishment of man's redemption…

2. The Agreement of so many proves it was no Illusion. If He had only appeared to some persons separately, carnal Reason, which is ingenious to deceive itself, might object that it was only the effect of a distempered fancy, and no real object of Sense. But after He had shown Himself to some of the Disciples apart, and that holy Company was met together, uniting the several sparks, to encourage their hopes of his Resurrection, He came to them altogether; and for many days conversed with them. Now who can believe that so many should be obstructed with Melancholy for so long time, so as constantly to remain under the power of a Delusion? Besides, He afterwards appeared to five hundred at once: Now how could such a number of ⟨p. 474⟩different Ages, Sexes, Temperaments be at the same time struck with the same Imagination?

2. The Agreement of so many proves it was no Illusion. If He had only appear'd to some persons separately, carnal Reason, which is ingenious to deceive itself, might object that it was only the effect of a distemper'd fancy, and no real object of Sence. But after He had shewn Himself to some of the Disciples apart, and that holy Company was met together, uniting the several sparks, to encourage their hopes of his Resurrection, He came to them altogether; and for many daies conversed with them. Now who can believe that so many should be obstructed with Melancholy for so long time, so as constantly to remain under the power of a Delusion? Besides, He afterwards appear'd to five hundred at once: Now how could such a number of ⟨p. 474⟩different Ages, Sexes, Temperaments be at the same time struck with the same Imagination?

Add further, If a strong Imagination had deceived them by Melancholy, there would have been some discoveries of that Humour in their Actions. For 'tis impossible that the Mind so indisposed, should for a long time act regularly. But in the whole course of their Lives not the least extravagancy appears. Their Zeal was tempered with Prudence, their Innocence was without Folly, their Conversation was becoming their great Office. And of this we have unquestionable Evidence: For otherwise so many Persons of excellent Wisdom had never been persuaded by them to embrace Christianity; neither had their Enemies so furiously persecuted them: For 'tis beyond belief that they had so far extinguished the Sentiments of Humanity, as to treat the Apostles as the most guilty Criminals, whom they knew to be distracted, and therefore worthy of Compassion rather than Hatred.