I. Abstract of the prophecy. p. 86.

II. View of the accomplishment of the prophecy. p. 88.

1. Its accomplishment has taken place in all the numerous par-

ticulars of which it is composed. p. 88.

(1.) The first particular. p. 89.

(2.) The second particular p. 90.

(3.) The third particular. p. 90.

(4.) The fourth particular. p. 91.

(5.) The fifth particular. p 91.

(6.) The sixth particular. p. 92.

(7.) The seventh particular. p. 92.

(8.) The eighth particular. p. 93.

(9.) The ninth particular. p. 93.

2. The estimate of their own situation by the Jews themselves,

p. 94.

III. The train of reasoning, which springs from the prophecy and

its accomplishment. p 98.

1. Insufficiency of the first possible deistical solution: the politi-

cal foresight and sagacity of Moses. p. 100.

2. Insufficiency of the second possible deistical solution: a lucky

accident. p. 102.

(1.) Essential difference between the leading characteristic of

the real prophecy of Moses, namely complexity; and the

leading characteristic of the pretended prophecy of Seneca,

namely indefinite simplicity. p. 103.

(2.) Dissimilarity in the grounds and reasons, on which each

prophecy is supported. p. 106

(3.) A tradition of the discovery of America by the Pheni-

cians was not unknown to Seneca: whence his prophecy

becomes a mere poetical ornament. p. 108.

IV. Summary of the argument. p. 112.

SECTION V.

The difficulties attendant upon deistical Infidelity in regard to the facts

and circumstances and character of the Christian Dispensation.

p. 113.

No small difficulties also attend upon Infidelity in regard to the

facts and circumstances and character of the Christian Dis-

pensation. p. 113.

1. The present existence of Christianity is a naked fact: hence the

only question between the believer and the unbeliever is,

how it first started into existence. p. 113.

1. The account of its rise and progress is contained in the his-

torical books of the New Testament. p. 114.

2. Suppressing for the present the question of miraculous interfe

rence, we may say, that to deny the praise of general vera-

city to the narrative is to unhinge all historical evidence.

p. 114.

3. Speculations of Mr. Volney as to the personal existence of

Christ. p. 117.

4. Conclusion as to the character of the evangelical histories.

p. 119.

II. The infidel, on his principles, must maintain, that Christ was

either an impostor or an enthusiast. p. 120.

1. The difficulties attendant upon the hypothesis, that Christ was

an impostor. p. 121.

(1.) Statement and practical demonstration of the necessary

conduct of an impostor, as an impostor, in the times

during which Christ appeared. p. 122.

(2.) Statement of the actual directly opposite conduct of Christ.

p. 125.

2. The difficulties attendant upon the hypothesis, that Christ was

an enthusiast. p. 139.

(1.) The sobriety of Christ's conduct, as exemplified in his

words. p. 139.

(2.) The sobriety of Christ's conduct, as exemplified in his

actions. p. 143.

3. Numerous contingencies were associated with his claim of the

Messiahship, which were quite out of the controul either of

an impostor or of an enthusiast. p. 146.

III. The conduct of the apostles and first preachers of Christianity.

p. 152.

1. The common notion entertained by infidels respecting the

apostles. p. 153.

2. The difficulties attendant upon this notion. p. 155.

(1.) The first stage of the proceedings of the apostles. p. 155.

(2.) The second stage of the proceedings of the apostles. p. 158.

3. The effects produced by the alleged resurrection of Christ.

Grounds for believing the truth of the alleged fact. Diffi-

culties attendant upon the denial of it.

p. 167.

4. Evidence specially afforded by the conduct of two of the apos-

tles. p. 175.

(1.) Conduct of Judas the traitor. p. 175.

(2) Conduct of Paul, first a persecutor, then a convert, p. 179.

SECTION VI.

The difficulties attendant upon deistical Infidelity in regard to the

rapid propagation of Christianity and the evidence by which the

performance of miracles is supported. p. 189.

The necessity of accounting for the fact of the rapid propagation of

Christianity is felt and acknowledged by all. p. 189.

I. A consideration of the five natural reasons or causes proposed by

Mr. Gibbon as sufficient to account for the fact. p. 189.

1. The first reason: the inflexible and intolerant zeal of the

early Christians. p. 190.

2. The second reason: the doctrine of a future life. p. 192.

3. The third reason: the miraculous powers ascribed to the

primitive Church. p. 194.

4. The fourth reason: the pure and austere morals of the primi-

tive Christians. p. 196.

5. The fifth reason: the union and discipline of the Church. p. 198.

II. Concerning the aspect, which Christianity must have presented

to the Gentiles at its first promulgation among them: and

whether Mr. Gibbon's five reasons are sufficient to account for

its success. p. 198.

III. A consideration of the two supernatural reasons proposed in

Scripture, p. 207.

1. The first reason: the operation of the Holy Spirit to incline

the heart. p. 207.

2. The second reason: the performance of miracles to convince

the head. p. 210.

(1.) The testimony, by which the performance of works pur-

porting to be miraculous, is established. p. 215.

(2.) The evidence, by which these works are proved to have

been real, not simulated, miracles. p. 226,

SECTION VII.

The difficulties attendant upon deistical Infidelity in regard to the in-

ternal evidence of Christianity. p. 234.

In discussing the internal evidence of Christianity, two particulars

only shall be selected, as a specimen of the mode of reasoning

from it. p. 234.

I. The character of Christ. p. 234.

1. The favourite ideal character of a hero variously exempli-

fied. p. 235.

2. The opposite character of Christ. p. 238.

3. Conclusion drawn from the contrast. p. 240.

II. The spirit of Christianity. p. 242.

1. The spirit of confessedly false religions. p. 242.

(1.) The Scandinavian theology of Odin. p. 243.

(2.) The Arabic theology of Mohammed. p. 244.

(3.) The imposture of Alexander of Pontus. p. 246.

(4.) The theologico-political system of Hindostan. p. 248.

2. The directly opposite spirit of Christianity. p. 250.

3. Conclusion drawn from the contrast. p. 253.

SECTION VIII.

Recapitulation and Conclusion. p. 255.

Previous to the general conclusion, the several difficulties which en-

cumber the march of Infidelity, shall be briefly recapitulated.

p. 255.

I. The difficulties in question are as follows. p. 255.

1. The insufficient grounds and reasons of Infidelity itself. p. 255.

2. The impossibility, on infidel principles, of either proving the

unity of God or of developing his moral attributes. p. 256.

3. The difficulties of Infidelity in regard to historical matters

of fact. p. 256.

4. The difficulties of Infidelity in regard to accomplished pro.

phecy p. 257.

5. The difficulties of Infidelity in regard to the facts and cir-

cumstances and character of the Christian Dispensation.

p. 257.

6. The difficulties of Infidelity in regard to the rapid propaga-

tion of Christianity. p. 257.

7. The difficulties of Infidelity in regard to the internal evi-

dence of Christianity. p 258.

II. General conclusion from the whole discussion, that the rejection

of Christianity involves a higher degree of credulity than the

acceptance of it, and that we find it more difficult to pro-

nounce the Gospel an imposture than to admit it as a reve-

lation from heaven. p. 258.