Evidences of Christianity

PART I. Of the direct historical evidence of Christianity, and wherein it is distinguished from the evidence alleged for other miracles. Proposition I. Evidence of the suffering of the first propagators of Christianity, from the nature of the case

Evidence of the sufferings of the first propagators of Christianity, from profane testimony

Indirect evidence of the sufferings of the first propagators of Christianity, from the Scriptures and other ancient Christian writings

Direct evidence of the same

Observations upon the preceding evidence

That the story for which the first propagators of Christianity suffered was miraculous

That it was, in the main, the story which we have now proved by indirect considerations

The same proved from the authority of our historical scriptures

Of the authenticity of the historical Scriptures, in eleven sections

Recapitulation

Proposition II. That there is not satisfactory evidence, that persons pretending to be original witnesses of any other similar miracles have acted in the same manner, in attestation of the accounts which they delivered, and solely in consequence of their belief of the truth of those accounts

Consideration of some specific instances

PART II. Of the auxiliary evidences of Christianity, Prophecy

The morality of the Gospel

The candour of the writers of the New Testament

Identity of Christ's character

Originality of our Saviour's character

Conformity of the facts occasionally mentioned or referred to in Scripture with the state of things in these times, as represented by foreign and independent accounts

Undesigned coincidences

Of the history of the resurrection

Of the propagation of Christianity

PART III. A brief consideration of some popular objections. The discrepancies between the several Gospels

Erroneous opinions imputed to the apostles

The connection of Christianity with the Jewish history

Rejection of Christianity

That the Christian miracles are not recited, or appealed to, by early Christian writers themselves, so fully or frequently as might have been expected

Want of universality in the knowledge and reception of Christianity, and of greater clearness in the evidence

Supposed effects of Christianity

Conclusion