a

foregoing, withoyt examining into the original and bottom of them. Which these our modern men of sense (as they desire to be esteemed,) say that they only do; that they only have their judgments freed from the slavish authority of precedents and laws, in matters of truth, which, they say, ought only to be decided by reason; though, by a prudent compliance with popularity and laws, they preserve themselves from outrage, and legal penalties; for none of their complexion are addicted to sufferings or martyrdom. Now, Sir, that which you desire from me, is some

, short topic of reason, if such can be found, whereby, without ruoning to authorities, and the intricate mazes, of learning, which produce long disputes, and which these men of reason deny by wholesale, though they can give no reason for it, only suppose that authors have been trumped upon us, interpolated and corrupted, so that no stress can be laid upon them, though it cannot be shown wherein they are so corrupted; which, in reason, ought to lie upon them to prove who allege it; otherwise it is not only a precarious, but a guilty plea : and the more, that they refrain not to quote books on their side, for whose authority there are no better, or not so good grounds. However, you say, it makes your disputes endless, and they go away with noise and clamour, and a boast, that there is nothing, at least nothing certain, to be said on the Christian side. Therefore

you

are desirous to find some one topic of reason, which should demonstrate the truth of the Christian religion, and at the same time distinguish it from the impostures of Mahomet, and the old Pagan world; that our Deists may be brought

។

a

a

to this test, and be obliged either 'to renounce their reason, and the common reason of mankind, or to submit to the clear proof, from reason, of the Christian religion; which must be such a proof, as no imposture can pretend to, otherwise it cannot prove the Christian religion not to be an imposture. And, whether such a proof, one single proof, (to avoid confusion,) is not to be found out, you desire to know from me.

And you say, that you cannot imagine but there must be such a proof, because every truth is in itself clear, and one; and therefore that one reason for it, if it be the true reason, must be sufficient; and if sufficient, it is better than many; for multiplicity con

iu founds, especially to 'weak judgments.

Sir, you have imposed a hard task upon me: I wish I could perform it. :-(For though every truth is one, yet our sight is so feeble, that we cannot always come to it directly, but by many inferences, and laying of things together. "

Dr.'' But I think, that, in the case before us, there is such a proof us you require, and I will set it down as short and plain as I can. Jean

II. First, then, I suppose, that the truth of the doctrine of Christ will be sufficiently, evinced, if the matters of fact, which are recorded of him in the gospels, be true; for his miracles, if true, do vouch the truth of what he delivered.

The same is to be said as to Moses. If he brought the children of Israel through the Red Sea in that miraculous manner which is related in Exodus, and did such other wonderful things 'as are there told of him, it must necessarily follow that he was sent

CHAP. III. On the Evidence of Miracles,

CHAP. IV. On the Evidence from Prophecy,

374 CHAP. V. Proofs of Christianity from the New Testa

ment. The Gospel so proved, deserves our firmest assent and adherence to its Doctrines,

392

BY JOHN OWEN, D.D.

ON THE DIVINE ORIGINAL, AUTHORITY, AND
SELF-EVIDENCING LIGHT AND POWER OF
THE HOLY SCRIPTURES,

423

.

CHAP. I. The divine original of the Scripture the sole foundation of its authority,

425 CHAP. II. How we may know assuredly the Scripture to be the word of God,

435

.

CHAP. III. Of Miracles, their efficacy to beget Faith, compared with the Word,

444 CHAP. IV. The Self-Evidencing efficacy of the Scriptures, 453 CHAP. V. Of the Testimony of the Spirit. Traditions. Miracles,

463

CHAP. VI. Consequential considerations for the confirmation of the divine authority of the Scripture,

481

BY RICHARD BAXTER.

ON THE FOLLY AND DANGER OF MAKING
LIGHT OF CHRIST,

491