date

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

Jug. True

Ch. Beginning

2

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.
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    § Circumstances probabilizing and disprobabilizing criterions and marks of verity, internal and external—Internal are individualizing circumstances: external are indicative of trustworthiness.

    By the words probabilzing

    circumstances what then ought we to understand?

    In regard to all such facts as it happens to any man to have perception, the nature of the things has furnished certain circumstances which with reference to any statement or report that have been made in relation to them may be termed criterions or marks of verity. Criterionas of verity at any rate: and in case of actual verity, marks. Internal and external—These criterions and eventual marks of verity be they what they may will be found capable of being without improperity referred to one or other of the two classes thus denominated.

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    To the head of facts indicative of trustworthiness on the part of the witness or witnesses of all description will it is believed be found referable all criterions or marks of verity other than those for the description of which the appellation of internal has been employed.

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    Although the fact should by supposition really have taken place, yet to produce in proof of it evidence of this best character, evidence from unimpeachably trustworthy sources in sufficient number and in the most trustworthy stamp is not always in the power of man and thence it is that of several sorts of facts there are in proof of which evidence inferior in its degree of trustworthiness is received, and produces its effect. But, to produce such best evidence never can without self-contradiction in terms be said to be [...?] of the power of omnipotence.

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  • Title: [9 Jan y 1816 Jug True Ch. Beginning]
    Description: 9 Jan y 1816

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    Ch.1.

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    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.

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    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