7 Aug 1815 * A  +

Jug True

Ch. Imperfection

§. Marks of Verity

1. From Individualization

(1)

To the trustworthiness of any narrative a determinate and correct indication given of time at which in each instance the alledged events or state of things in question is represented as having place, is an essential requisite. Why? Because if this is not required of a man, his narrative or statement may from beginning to end be a topic of falsehood, and yet no means of proving it so be furnished by it.

On the other hand, let the time be fixt in this case, if there be more or less of falshood in the narrative if not a source of detection at any rate a ground of suspicion will naturally be furnished by it. The existence of the falsity reported (in question) will naturally be incompatible and so seems to be with the existence of some other event or state of things: which has been rendered either practically certain or more or less probable by other evidence more or less trustworthy.

In some cases the effect of the disproof will amount practically speaking to be conclusive: as where the event or state of things is incompatible with the relative state of the earth and the other celestial bodies of the known world as established by astronomical observation and calculations.

In this case is the story of the star by which the wise men of the East were conducted from their own country to the stable at Bethlehem where Jesus for a few days after his birth is represented as having been kept.

1

Requisites to trustworthiness in a narrative:

1. Indication of the [...?] time.

Individualization in respect of time. Reason: But for this falshood may be universal, yet no manner of detecting it.

2

[...?] contra, if the time be compleatly individualized, then if not a source of detection, a ground of suspicion will naturally be furnished by it. Of the falsely reported event or state of things the existence will be and be seen to be incompatible with d o, if some others provable by more trustworthy evidence.

3

In some cases the disproof will be conclusive: viz where the falsified fact is incompatible with the state of the heavens at that time.

4

[...?] [...?] Star [...?] [...?][...?] [...?].