A27004:1501
The reasons of the Christian religion the first part, of godliness, proving by natural…
The reasons of the Christian religion the first part, of godliness, proving by natural evidence the being of God ... : the second part, of Christianity, proving by evidence supernatural and natural, the certain truth of the Christian belief ... / by Richard Baxter ... ; also an appendix defending the soul's immortality against the Somatists or Epicureans and other pseudo-philosophers.
London: printed by R. White for Fran. Titon, 1667
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
§. 44. (1.) It is naturally impossible that all Reporters could be themselves deceived: For 1. They were many thousands, in several Countries through the World: And therefore could not be all either mad or senseless: 2. They were men that took their salvation to be most nearly concerned in the thing, and were to forsake the pleasures of the World, and suffer from men for their Religion: and therefore could not be utterly careless in examining the thing: 3. They were present upon the place, and eye-witnesses, and ear-witnesses of all. 4. The Languages were said to be spoken, in their assemblies, and the miracles done among them, for many years, even an age together: And it is impossible all Countries could be cheated by juggling, in matters which their eyes and ears were such competent witnesses of, for so many years together. 5. They were said to be the objects of many of these miracles themselves; viz. That the cures were wrought on many of them; that the same Spirit was given to them all. 6. And they were said to be the Agents themselves in the several works of that Spirit, according to their several gifts. So that their common deceit must be impossible.
§. 44. (1.) It is naturally impossible that all Reporters could be themselves deceived: For 1. They were many thousands, in several Countreys through the World: And therefore could not be all either mad or sensless: 2. They were men that took their salvation to be most neerly concerned in the thing, and were to forsake the pleasures of the World, and suffer from men for their Religion: and therefore could not be utterly careless in examining the thing: 3. They were present upon the place, and eye-witnesses, and ear-witnesses of all. 4. The Languages were said to be spoken, in their assemblies, and the miracles done among them, for many years, even an age together: And it is impossible all Countreys could be cheated by juggling, in matters which their eyes and ears were such competent witnesses of, for so many years together. 5. They were said to be the objects of many of these miracles themselves; viz. That the cures were wrought on many of them; that the same Spirit was given to them all. 6. And they were said to be the Agents themselves in the several works of that Spirit, according to their several gifts. So that their common deceit must be impossible.