iv

kindness flowing from public principles, I have made the best public return in my power.

In the mean time, and in every event, I rejoice in the opportunity here afforded me, of testifying the sense I entertain of your Lordship's conduct, and of a notice which I regard as the most flattering distinction of my life.

I am, MY LORD,

With sentiments of gratitude and respect,

Your Lordship's faithful

And most obliged servant,

WILLIAM PALEY.

CONTENT S.

PREPARATORY Considerations. Of the antecedent Credibility of
Miracles

PART I.

OF THE DIRECT HISTORICAL EVIDENCE OF CHRISTIANITY, AND WHEREIN IT

IS DISTINGUISHED FROM THE EVIDENCE ALLEGED FOR OTHER MIRACLES.

Proposition stated

PROPOSITION I.

PAGE

9

10

That there is satisfactory Evidence that many, professing to be

original Witnesses of the Christian Miracles, passed their Lives in

Labours, Dangers, and Sufferings, voluntarily undergone in Attesta-

tion of the Accounts which they delivered, and solely in Conse-

quence of their Belief of those Accounts; and that they also sub-

mitted, from the same Motives, to new Rules of Conduct.

CHAP. I. Evidence of the Sufferings of the first Propagators of

Christianity, from the Nature of the Case

CHAP. II. Evidence of the Sufferings of the first Propagators of
Christianity, from profane Testimony

-

CHAP. III. Indirect Evidence of the Sufferings of the first Propa-
gators of Christianity, from the Scriptures and other ancient
Christian Writings

CHAP. IV. Direct Evidence of the same

CHAP. V. Observations upon the preceding Evidence

22

35

-

29

50

CHAP. VI. That the Story, for which the first Propagators of Chris-

tianity suffered, was miraculous

56

CHAP. VII. That it was, in the main, the Story which we have now,

proved by indirect Considerations

60

CHAP. VIII. The same proved from the Authority of our historical

Scriptures

76

CHAP. IX. Of the Authenticity of the historical Scriptures, in eleven
Sections

PAGE

-

90

98

SECT. 1. Quotations of the historical Scriptures by ancient Chris-
tian Writers

SECT. 2. Of the peculiar Respect with which they were quoted 124

SECT. 3. The Scriptures were in very early Times collected into a

distinct volume

-

129

· 133

SECT. 4. And distinguished by appropriate Names and Titles of

Respect

SECT. 5. Were publicly read and expounded in the religious

Assemblies of the early Christians

SECT. 6. Commentaries, etc. were anciently written upon the Scrip-

-

135

- 138

SECT. 7. They were received by ancient Christians of different

Sects and Persuasions

SECT. 8. The four Gospels, the Acts of the Apostles, thirteen

Epistles of St. Paul, the first Epistle of John, and the first of

Peter, were received without Doubt by those who doubted

concerning the other Books of our present Canon

SECT. 9. Our present Gospels were considered by the Adversaries

of Christianity as containing the Accounts upon which the

Religion was founded -

SECT. 10. Formal Catalogues of Authentic Scriptures were pub-
lished, in all which our present Gospels were included

SECT. 11. The above Propositions cannot be predicated of those

Books which are commonly called Apocryphal Books of the

New Testament

CHAP. X. Recapitulation

156

162

- 165

- 170

OF THE DIRECT HISTORICAL EVIDENCE OF CHRISTIANITY, AND WHEREIN

DISTINGUISHED FROM THE EVIDENCE ALLEGED FOR OTHER

IT IS

MIRACLES.

PROPOSITION II.

CHAP. I. That there is NOT satisfactory Evidence, that Persons pre-

tending to be original Witnesses of any other similar Miracles,

have acted in the same Manner, in Attestation of the Accounts

which they delivered, and solely in Consequence of their Belief

of the Truth of those Accounts

CHAP. III. The Candour of the Writers of the New Testament

- 251

CHAP. IV. Identity of Christ's Character

- 262

CHAP. V. Originality of our Saviour's Character

- 275

CHAP. VI. Conformity of the Facts occasionally mentioned or referred

to in Scripture, with the State of Things in those Times, as repre-

sented by foreign and independent Accounts

- 276

CHAP. I. The Discrepancies between the several Gospels

CHAP. II. Erroneous Opinions imputed to the Apostles

CHAP. III. The Connexion of Christianity with the Jewish History - 368

CHAP. IV. Rejection of Christianity -

- 360

- 364

· 372

CHAP. V. That the Christian Miracles are not recited, or appealed

to, by early Christian Writers themselves, so fully or frequently

as might have been expected

·

· 388

- 397

- 406

CHAP. VI. Want of Universality in the Knowledge and Reception of

Christianity, and of greater Clearness in the Evidence

CHAP. VII. The supposed Effects of Christianity

CHAP. VIII. Conclusion

- 414