E-text prepared by Michael Madden

EVIDENCES OF CHRISTIANITY

WILLIAM PALEY, D.D.

A New Edition

London: Printed by W. Clowes and Sons, Stamford Street

1851

THE HONOURABLE AND RIGHT REVEREND

JAMES YORK, D.D., LORD BISHOP OF ELY

My LORD,

When, five years ago, an important station in the University ofCambridge awaited your Lordship's disposal, you were pleased to offer itto me. The circumstances under which this offer was made demand a publicacknowledgment. I had never seen your Lordship; I possessed noconnection which could possibly recommend me to your favour; I was knownto you only by my endeavour, in common with many others, to discharge myduty as a tutor in the University; and by some very imperfect, butcertainly well-intended, and, as you thought, useful publications since.In an age by no means wanting in examples of honourable patronage,although this deserve not to be mentioned in respect of the object ofyour Lordship's choice, it is inferior to none in the purity anddisinterestedness of the motives which suggested it.

How the following work may be received, I pretend not to foretell. Myfirst prayer concerning it is, that it may do good to any: my secondhope, that it may assist, what it hath always been my earnest wish topromote, the religious part of an academical education. If in thislatter view it might seem, in any degree, to excuse your Lordship'sjudgment of its author, I shall be gratified by the reflection that, toa kindness flowing from public principles, I have made the best publicreturn in my power.

In the mean time, and in every event, I rejoice in the opportunity hereafforded me of testifying the sense I entertain of your Lordship'sconduct, and of a notice which I regard as the most flatteringdistinction of my life.

                I am, MY LORD,
        With sentiments of gratitude and respect,
            Your Lordship's faithful
                And most obliged servant,

WILLIAM PALEY.

Preparatory Considerations—Of the antecedent Credibility of Miracles.

PART 1. OF THE DIRECT HISTORICAL EVIDENCE OF CHRISTIANITY, AND WHEREIN IT ISDISTINGUISHED FROM THE EVIDENCE ALLEGED FOR OTHER MIRACLES.

Proposition stated

PROPOSITION I.

That there is satisfactory Evidence, that many professing to be originalWitnesses of the Christian Miracles passed their Lives in Labours,Dangers, and Sufferings, voluntarily undergone in Attestation of theAccounts which they delivered, and solely in consequence of their Beliefof those Accounts; and that they submitted, from the same Motives, tonew Rules of Conduct.

CHAPTER I

Evidence of the Suffering of the first Propagators of Christianity, fromthe Nature of the Case.

CHAPTER II

Evidence of the Sufferings of the first Propagators of Christianity,from Profane Testimony.

CHAPTER III

Indirect Evidence of the Sufferings of the first Propagators of
Christianity, from the Scriptures and other ancient Christian Writings.

CHAPTER IV

Direct Evidence of the same.

CHAPTER V

Observations upon the preceding Evidence.

CHAPTER VI

That the

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