3 April 1815

Jug. True

Ch.3. Natural Evidence

8

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.

In the minds of persons who in relation to a multitude of alledged miracles supposing them performed must have been percipient witnesses, the perceptions thus obtained are in the histories in question stated as not having produced a persuasion in assurance of the declaration by which Jesus so repeatedly stated himself as acting by commission from the Almighty. In the minds of persons stated as having been, and that over and over again been percipient witnesses in relation to facts of the character in question to those supernatural and divine commission proving facts: and yet with this counter-proof before us, are we this time of day called upon to give credence to the mere reports of those same facts, reports destitute of all those securities for correctness and compleatness which in proof of facts of this most ordinary character and continual recurrence are regarded and held as necessary to afford a just ground for credence.