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

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, ⟨p. 475⟩and Happiness to Man, to both which he is eternally opposite. By all which it appears there was no deceit in the subject nor object.

But if it be objected, that it might be a Phantasm, or solid Body form'd according to the Likeness of Christ, that abus'd 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 falshood, of which they had been in that representation: for He that appear'd, declar'd himself to be Jesus that suffer'd: 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, ⟨p. 475⟩and Happiness to Man, to both which he is eternally opposite. By all which it appears there was no deceit in the subject nor object.

4. They sealed it with their Blood. This last proof confirms all the other. If a person of clear fame assert a thing, which he is ready to maintain with the loss of his Life, there is no reason to doubt of the truth of his Deposition. 'Tis no wonder that Philostratus, a bold Grecian, to show his Art, painted Apollonius Tyanaeus as a Demi-god, exempted from death, and clothed with immortality. But if he had been drawn from his Study, where he dressed that Idol of Iniquity, to appear before the Magistrates, to give an account of the truth of his Relation, he certainly would have renounced his pretended Hero, rather than have given his Life for a Lie. Now the Apostles endured the most cruel Deaths to confirm the Truth of their Testimony. And what could possibly induce them to it, if they had not been certain of his Resurrection? Could love to their dead Master animate them to suffer for the honour of his Name? This is inconceivable For He promised that He would rise the third Day, and ascend to Heaven, and make them partakers of his Glory: So that if He had lain in the rottenness of the Grave, What charm, what stupidity was able to make them preserve so high a Veneration for a Deceiver? Nothing could remain in them but the memory and indignation of his Imposture. Now if it be the dictate of natural Reason, that the concurrent Testimony of two or three credible Persons, not weakened by any exception, is sufficient to decide any Cause of the greatest moment, that respects Life, Honour and Estate, how much more should the attestation of