indicated on the title page.
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A
Philosophical Enquiry
CONCERNING THE
CONNEXION
BETWEEN THE
MIRACLES and DOCTRINES
OF
JESUS CHRIST.
IN WHICH
MIRACLES are considered in a new Light; and it
is proved that the Works JESUS CHRIST performed
to evince the Truth of his Doctrines, are a natural,
proper, and full Proof of them, in the strictest and
most philosophical Sense of Proof or Evidence.
By GEORGE TURNBULL, LL.D.
The THIRD EDITION.
To which is added, An APPENDIX.
LONDON:
Printed for R. WILLOCK, at Sir Isaac Newton’s-Head
in Cornhill. MDCCXXXIX.
[Price One Shilling and Six-pence.]
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ADVERTISEMENT
UPON reviewing the first Edition of this ENQUIRY, I thought it proper to make some few changes and additions in order to render it a full and compleat demonstration of the Connexion between the Doctrines and Works of JESUS CHRIST: And I have now no more to say upon that subject. As for the other part promised, I only want some short time to put in order for the press, what I have long had by me upon that argument, so the Publick may expect to have it very soon.1 <iii>
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THE PREFACE
If a Preface or Apology be necessary in any case, it is certainly when a Letter to a Friend assumes a more publick character; and instead of a private missive, becomes an epistle to the world.
By way of apology may it therefore suffice, That tho’ the Author was advised, nay pressed, to send this private letter to the press; yet what only prevailed with him to do it, was, that he seriously thought it might chance to convince some one doubter or other, of the truth of Christianity: And if it does, he is sure of thanks for publishing it from such; if it does not, some body will probably take the trouble to point out the lameness of the reasoning; and so may perhaps give him new light, shew him his mistake, or help him to a better argument; and in that case too he will have his reward; for truth is his search and delight. <iv>
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ADVERTISEMENT TO THIS EDITION
This ENQUIRY, with the APPENDIX, is offered by the Author to the consideration of some late writers against Christianity, to the Moral Philosopher in particular; for he thinks it contains a satisfying answer to all that Author has said about miracles, after many others.2 He begs leave only to ask them one question, and it is, Whether they think it probable that virtue would be more prevalent and universal in a state where the genuine doctrines of Christianity concerning our duties to GOD, ourselves and our neighbours, and a future life, are believed; or in a state where a future life is not believed, and moral duties are not inculcated or inforced from that belief? If this should be said to be a Query that does not belong to the question about the truth or falshood of the Christian Religion, yet sure it cannot be said to be a Query that does not relate to the happiness of mankind and human society. As for the truth of Christianity, it must come to the plain simple question stated and answered in the following Essay, Whether the doctrine of JESUS CHRIST concerning a future state, which is obviously a strong motive to virtue, be not proved true by the Miracles which CHRIST wrought to prove it, in a way that is strictly philosophical and unexceptionable,
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at the same time that it is obvious to the meanest capacity; and that it is, must be admitted by all who allow experimental proof to be a good proof, or, in other words, samples to be samples of what they are samples; for the works of CHRIST are proper and adequate samples of his doctrine. The way in which Miracles are considered in this Essay is quite new, tho’ very simple and obvious, and indeed demonstrative; I have not met with it in any defence of Christianity; and I am sure it hath never been adverted to by any writer against Christianity.
I think myself obliged to take notice, that the abridger of this Essay, in the Bibliotheque Raisonneè, has no where mistaken my meaning but in one place, p. 22. But says a noble author, &c.3 I don’t say that Lord Shaftsbury intended to make an objection against Christianity; I only give his words, and thence I take occasion to expatiate at greater length upon the evidence which CHRIST gave of the truth of his doctrines, and to prove that as power can only be proved by samples, so honesty can only be proved by samples, and therefore that CHRIST gave full proof of his doctrine by giving proper samples of his honest and good intention, as well as of all the power and knowledge he claimed. <1>
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April 10. 1726
An Enquiry, &c.
Introduction
Christianity, my Friend, has been attacked with so much zeal of late; that a meer stranger would certainly imagine, the happiness of mankind depended upon being delivered from it. That it was a belief of the most fatal, pernicious influence; a dismal enslaving doctrine, which rendered its disciples incapable of living agreeably. For who could think that any one, who had the least regard to his own private interest, or that of society in general, would take pains to ruin the credit of a prevailing faith, which evidently tends to encourage virtue and to curb every vitious affection? Yet these who have so keenly disputed the evidence of the Christian Religion, never dared to find fault with the morals <2> it teaches. And hardly will any one adventure to say, “That the perswasion of a future state, is not a most powerful motive to the practice of virtue and a good life: or that mankind would be more virtuous without such an incitement.”
To correct the false doctrines and tenets of certain professing Christians, is indeed a good office. And the corruptions and abuses that prevail in Churches, most undeservedly called Christian, ought to be exposed in their proper colours. Or, in one word, if any Christian teachers represent the doctrines of CHRIST in a false light; and put the stress of Religion and our salvation upon any thing, besides the sincere love and practice of every moral virtue, their error ought to be discovered and refuted. And our SAVIOUR himself has shewn us the way, by his manner of reasoning with the Jewish Doctors.4 But this is the sum of Christianity: “That there is a future
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state of happiness for the good: and of punishments, for the vitious. The sincere and steady practice of virtue is every where inculcated
