and that in such a form as none could counterfeit. 17. If the enemies that lived near or in those times when the things were done, do 1. write nothing against them of any moment, 2. but oppose them with fire and sword in stead of Argument, 3. nay if they acknowledge the fact, but deny the cause *only. 18. And if all the enemies were incompetent witnesses, 1. witnessing to the Negative, of which they could have no certainty, 2. and carried on with apparent malice and prejudice, 3. and having all worldly advantages attending their cause, 4▪ and being generally men unconscionable and impious. 19. If all these enemies having all these worldly advantages, could neither by Arguments nor Violence, hinder people from believing these famous and palpable matters of fact, in the very age wherein they were done, when the truth or falsehood might most easily be discovered, but that the generality of beholders were forced to assent. 20. If multitudes of the most ingenuous and violent enemies, have in every age from the very acting of these things to this day, been forced to yield, and turned as zealous defenders of these records and their doctrine, as ever they were opposers of them before. 21. If all these Converts do confess upon their coming in, that it was ignorance, or prejudice, or worldly respects that made them oppose so much before. 22. If all the powers of the world, that can burn the bodies of the witnesses, that can overthrow Kingdoms, and change their Laws, could never yet reverse or abolish these Records. 23. Nay if some notable judgement in all ages, have befallen the most eminent opposers thereof. 24. And Lastly, if successions of wonders (though not Miracles as the first,) have in all ages accompanied the attestation of these records. I say, if all these twenty four particulars do concur, or most of these, I leave it to the judgement of any man of understanding, ⟨p. 197⟩Whether there be not an infallible way of transmitting matter of Fact to posterity? And consequently, whether there be not more then a probability, even a fall certainty in such a humane Testimony?
and that in such a form as none could counterfeit. 17. If the enemies that lived neer or in those times when the things were done, do 1. write nothing against them of any moment, 2. but oppose them with fire and sword in stead of Argument, 3. nay if they acknowledge the fact, but deny the cause *only. 18. And if all the enemies were incompetent witnesses, 1. witnessing to the Negative, of which they could have no certainty, 2. and carryed on with apparent malice and prejudice, 3. and having all worldly advantages attending their cause, 4▪ and being generally men unconscionable and impious. 19. If all these enemies having all these worldly advantages, could neither by Arguments nor Violence, hinder people from believing these famous and palpable matters of fact, in the very age wherein they were done, when the truth or falshood might most easily be discovered, but that the generality of beholders were forced to assent. 20. If multitudes of the most ingenuous and violent enemies, have in every age from the very acting of these things to this day, been forced to yield, and turned as zealous defenders of these records and their doctrine, as ever they were opposers of them before. 21. If all these Converts do confesse upon their coming in, that it was ignorance, or prejudice, or worldly respects that made them oppose so much before. 22. If all the powers of the world, that can burn the bodies of the witnesses, that can overthrow Kingdoms, and change their Laws, could never yet reverse or abolish these Records. 23. Nay if some notable judgement in all ages, have befallen the most eminent opposers thereof. 24. And Lastly, if successions of wonders (though not Miracles as the first,) have in all ages accompanied the attestation of these records. I say, if all these twenty four particulars do concurre, or most of these, I leave it to the judgement of any man of understanding, ⟨p. 197⟩Whether there be not an infallible way of transmitting matter of Fact to posterity? And consequently, whether there be not more then a probability, even a fall certainty in such a humane Testimony?
- *Justin Martyr telleth Tryphon in his Dialogue, of the wickedness of the Jews, that they sent out into all parts of the world their choicest man to persuade the people against the Christians, they were Atheists and would abolish the Deity, and that they were convict of gross impiety. And yet this mischievous industry of the Jews did not prevail.Justin Martyr telleth Tryphon in his Dialogue, of the wickedness of the Jewes, that they sent out into all parts of the world their choicest man to perswade the people against the Christians, they were Atheists and would abolish the Deity, and that they were convict of gross impi•ty. And yet this mischievous industry of the Jews did not prevail.
