date

9 Jan y 1816 Jug True Ch. Beginning
9 Jan y 1816

Jug True

Ch. Beginning

1

Ch.1.

General Results of the enquiry—General Grounds of those results

Taken in the aggregate, the facts which in the book called the New Testament in general, and, in particular in that part of it in which is contained the history of Jesus may be divided into two classes: viz. 1. facts therein represented as miraculous produced by supernatural power i.e. such as if true were supernatural violations of the established laws of nature. (a) 2. facts not therein stated as miraculous.

In relation to those several classes of facts of the inquiry of which, together with the considerations from which in the character of grounds or sources, to exhibit the results go the object and business of this work, the results are

1. that in regard to all such as were really intended by the historian or other writer to be represented as supernatural, they (i.e. assistance by which their existence was affirmed) were as to either as to every circumstance, or at the least as to every circumstance therein represented as supernatural, untrue.

2. that in regard of those facts and circumstances which were not so intended to be represented as supernatural, some were untrue, others true. And in regard to each to which class it may with greatest probability of correctness be referred, will of course be matter for inquiry, examination and inference in each individual instance.

(a) Note exhibiting an exposition of the word miracle.

1.

New Testament in particular Jesus—regarding facts are 1. meant to be represented as supernatural, 2. Not meant &c.

2.

Results of the inquiry

1. Facts meant to be represented as supernatural are (i.e. the representation) so far at least not true.

2. Facts not meant &c were some true & some false: which were which will not be terminable but by particular consideration.

1. (a)

Supernatural, what
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    Ch. Beginning

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    In relation to those which in respect of their supernaturality are here regarded as not true the consideration by which that conclusion has been dictated may be referred to [in] one or other of three heads

    1. Exhibited by any statement report or history written at a remote period and early stage in the progress of society such as was that in question, as marks of verity capable of having been exhibited by a set of facts even supposing them all true, could afford if handed down no otherwise than through the evidence of human witnesses percipient and narrating witnesses could have afforded to any person having at this time of day, a just ground for believing them supposing them to be supernatural, to have been true.

    2. In the case of the facts therein represented as supernatural, there exists a remarkable and nearly total deficiency in respect of all probabilizing circumstances.

    3. In the instance of those same facts there exists in great abundance, improbabilizing circumstances—improbabilizing circumstances, several of them of such a nature as to be capable each of them taken singly or at the least two of them taken together, to outweigh whatsover probabilizing circumstances can be seen to have place: improbabilizing circumstances of this force, and of them in a considerable abundance.

    3.

    Grounds of these conclusions.

    1. Supposing the alledged facts true, no sufficient reasons for believing at least those facts of such a nature said to have happened at that time could have been assured.

    4.

    2. To form a ground for belief in them theyafford no sufficient stock of probabilizing circumstances.

    5.

    3. Disprobabilizing circumstances they afford many: several sufficient each of itself to outweigh the probabilizing.
  • Title: [19 Jan y 1815 Jug. True 2]
    Description: 19 Jan y 1815

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    2

    Ch.1. Proofs & Disproofs

    2

    Natural and supernatural—to one or other of these two heads may be referred whatsoever either has or can be brought forward in the character of proof.

    By the natural evidence I understand of the aggregate of the several narratives which we possess relative [to] the history of Jesus—whatsoever matter which in speaking of the occurrences and states of things (appertaining to the history of Jesus any other view than) as have nothing in them that taken by itself contains any circumstance repugnant or unconformable to the known and ordinary course of nature.

    Under the head of supernatural evidence is here meant to be included whatsoever occurrences and states of things according to the view respectively given of them by the historians, purport to deviate more or less in any respect from the known and ordinary course of nature.

    Direct evidence— circumstantial evidence. Whatsoever be the subject of inquiry, nothing can be more familiar than this distinction, nothing more instructive. To the class of direct evidence may a great part, perhaps the greater part of that for the distinguishing of what the term natural has known above been employed: of the supernatural the whole will it is believed be found to be of the nature of circumstantial evidence.

    2.

    Proofs 1. Natural. 2. Supernatural.

    3.

    Natural what—such as contain nothing unconformable to the generally observed course of nature.

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    Supernatural, what—such as are represented as deviating from d o.

    5.

    Evidence 1. Direct 2. Circumstantial
  • Title: [2 Sept 1815 H  Jug True 1]
    Description: 2 Sept 1815 H 

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    1

    I. Prolegomena

    Ch. Credence due

    1

    §. Miracles Modes of accounting for

    Suppose that in any instance that the fact as reported, to be too improbable, too repugnant to the ordinary course of nature to present a just claim to credence, by what supposition shall the existence of it in that respect be accounted for?

    1. By the narrator or relator himself whether true or not true in substance and in circumstances the fact not regarded, or meant to be regarded by others as miraculous—as unconformable to the ordinary and experienced course of nature: but regarded and represented as such by the heated imagination of devotees.

    2. The occurrence or state of things related, altogether imaginary, and void of foundation in fact.

    3. The occurrence or state of things as reported, having a foundation in fact, viz. and that a natural one, but converted into a miracle by the addition madeof imaginary circumstances whether by the narrating historiographer or by the other narrators intervening between his pen and the life of the first narrating witness.

    4. The fact as reported altogether real except that instead of being produced by miraculous power on the part of the agent, it was produced by the imagination of a patient, i.e. by his imagining that MS alt. illegible. power to have been possessed and exercised in him by the agent.

    1

    Miraculous statements modes of accounting for their appearance.

    1. The now reputed miracles not meant to be presented as such.

    2.

    2. The incident fabulous in [...?] void of all foundation in fact.

    3

    3. The ground of the incident true: but the miraculizing circumstances falshoods added to it by the reporter.

    4.

    4. The reported matter of fact true: but produced not by the powers of the physicians, but by the imagination of the patient.