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

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.

Add further, If a strong Imagination had deceiv'd 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 temper'd 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 perswaded by them to embrace Christianity; neither had their Enemies so furiously persecuted them: For 'tis beyond belief that they had so far extinguish'd 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.

But if it be objected, that it might be a Phantasm, or solid Body formed according to the Likeness of Christ, that abused the Apostles, and after some time withdrew itself. The vanity of the Objection is very apparent: For such an effect could not be without the operation of a Spiritual Cause. Now the good Angels cannot be guilty of falsehood, of which they had been in that representation: for He that appeared, declared himself to be Jesus that suffered: neither would the evil use such an Artifice: The old Serpent was too wise to promote the belief of Christ's Resurrection, which is the Foundation of Christianity. An Institution most holy, that would destroy his Altars, discredit his Oracles, bring Glory to God,