DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.9552#0216
i86
SECOND APPEAL
Review, to establish the truth of the miraculous state-
ments of the New Testament. But as this discussion
applies to the evidence of miracles generally, it may be
worth considering. Arguments adduced by the Editor
amount to this : " If all social, political , mercantile, and
judicial transactions be allowed to rest upon testimony ;
why should not the validity of Christian miracles be con-
cluded from the testimony of the Apostles and others,
and be relied upon by all the nations of the world" The
Editor must be well aware, that the enemies to revela-
tion draw a line of distinction on the subject of proofs by
testimony, between the current events of nature faimliar
to the senses of mankind, and within the scope of human
exertions ; and extraordinary facts beyond the limits of
common experience, and ascribed to a direct interposi-
tion of divine power suspending the usual course of
nature. If all assertions were to be indiscriminately
admitted as facts, merely because they are testified by
numbers, how can we dispute the truth of those miracles
which are said to have been performed by persons
esteemed holy amongst natives of this country? The
Compiler has never placed the miracles related in the New
Testament on a footing with the extravagant tales of his
countrymen, but distinctly expressed his persuasion that
they (Christian miracles) would be apt at best to carry
little weigrft with those whose imaginations had been
accustomed to dwell on narrations much more wonder-
ful, and supported by testimony which they have been
taught to regard with a reverence that they cannot be
expected all at once to bestow on the Apostles. See
Introduction to the Precepts, p. 5, and Appeal, p. 88.
The very same line of argument, indeed, pursued by the
SECOND APPEAL
Review, to establish the truth of the miraculous state-
ments of the New Testament. But as this discussion
applies to the evidence of miracles generally, it may be
worth considering. Arguments adduced by the Editor
amount to this : " If all social, political , mercantile, and
judicial transactions be allowed to rest upon testimony ;
why should not the validity of Christian miracles be con-
cluded from the testimony of the Apostles and others,
and be relied upon by all the nations of the world" The
Editor must be well aware, that the enemies to revela-
tion draw a line of distinction on the subject of proofs by
testimony, between the current events of nature faimliar
to the senses of mankind, and within the scope of human
exertions ; and extraordinary facts beyond the limits of
common experience, and ascribed to a direct interposi-
tion of divine power suspending the usual course of
nature. If all assertions were to be indiscriminately
admitted as facts, merely because they are testified by
numbers, how can we dispute the truth of those miracles
which are said to have been performed by persons
esteemed holy amongst natives of this country? The
Compiler has never placed the miracles related in the New
Testament on a footing with the extravagant tales of his
countrymen, but distinctly expressed his persuasion that
they (Christian miracles) would be apt at best to carry
little weigrft with those whose imaginations had been
accustomed to dwell on narrations much more wonder-
ful, and supported by testimony which they have been
taught to regard with a reverence that they cannot be
expected all at once to bestow on the Apostles. See
Introduction to the Precepts, p. 5, and Appeal, p. 88.
The very same line of argument, indeed, pursued by the