many others, to discharge my duty as a tutor in the University; and by fome very imperfect, but certainly well intended, and, as you thought, useful publications fince. In an age by no means wanting in examples of honourable patronage, although this deferve not to be mentioned, in respect of the object of your Lordship's choice, it is inferior to none, in the purity and difinterestedness of the motives which suggested it. may How the following work may be received, I pretend not to foretell. My first prayer concerning it is, that it do good to any my fecond hope, that it may affift, what it hath always been my earnest wish to promote, the religious part of an academical education. If in this latter view it might feem, in any degree, to excufe your Lordship's judgment judgment of its author, I fhall be gratified by the reflection, that, to a kindnefs flowing from public principles, I have made the beft public return in my power. In the mean time, and in every event, I rejoice in the opportunity here afforded me, of testifying the fenfe 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 fentiments of gratitude and respect, Your Lordship's faithful, And moft obliged fervant, W. PALEY. CONTENTS OF THE FIRST VOLUME. That there is fatisfactory evidence, that many profeff- ing to be original witneffes of the Christian miracles, paffed their lives in labours, dangers and sufferings, voluntarily undergone in atteftation of the accounts which they delivered, and folely in confequence of their belief of thofe accounts; and that they alfo |