thing, and with a full knowledge of the consequence, enmity, danger, and death*?" "No," replied Harry; "it would be much more difficult to believe that, than any thing which is related in the New Testament."

• Paley, p. 168.

77

CHAPTER III.

ON THE EVIDENCE OF MIRACLES.

The sincerity of the Martyrs also proves the truth of facts asserted by them-Various motives induce men to suffer pain-Motives of GuatimozinChristianity does not depend on one kind of proof -Economy observable in the dispensations of Providence-Evidence of Miracles-Prediction of Columbus-Uniformity of the laws of natureThey can be violated by God only-Miracles the signs of a prophet-Magicians of Egypt-The Magi-Roger Bacon-Jewish tradition-Chinese jugglers-Why the Jews were not convinced by miracles-Prejudices of the Greeks and Romans -The spirit of inquiry brought magic into con. tempt, and established the authority of Miracles.

WHEN Harry perceived the justness of any new principle, he was apt to confuse himself by applying it to dissimilar cases; and beginning now to think that suffering was the test of truth, he was strangely

puzzled by reading, in Robertson's History, an account of the severe privations and trials endured by every young American who aspires to the dignity of a chief. He shuddered at the horrid recital of cruelties inflicted by the Indians on prisoners taken in war; and was, beyond measure, astonished at the contempt of pain and death displayed on such occasions by the captives. The noble fortitude of that Mexican prince, who revived the sinking courage of his fellow-sufferer, by asking: "Am I now reposing on a bed of flowers *?" appeared to Harry's dazzled imagination to equal any thing that could be related of Christian martyrs. It was a happy thing for him that he was in the habit of talking to his mother about the books he was reading, as well as every other subject that interested him.

"Do you know, mamma," said he, one morning, "that I begin to think the hero

* Robertson's America, vol. iii. p. 75.

ism of those Christian martyrs was nothing so very extraordinary, and that it was far from proving the truth of their religion."

"I did not, my dear Harry, mention their voluntary endurance of suffering as proving the truth of Christianity, but as an evidence of the sincerity of the martyrs. Still it must, in one point of view, be admitted as an indirect proof of the fact asserted by those courageous men, because that fact being one which, from its nature, could not be mistaken by the witnesses, whatever proved them to be sincere, also proved that the thing asserted had really happened. If you are satisfied with this explanation, I hope you will tell me what has changed your opinion respecting the heroism of the Christians?"

"Because, mamma, other motives enable men to suffer all that can be inflicted. For instance, what Christian could have shown greater fortitude than Guatimozin?

and yet he merely desired to conceal his treasures from the knowledge of the Spaniards."

"It cannot be denied that some men naturally possess what we call a heroic temper; and that others, by long habits of self-command, may acquire the highest degree of fortitude. It is also true, that a false notion of honour, or even the influence of very odious passions, such as hatred or revenge, may enable men to defy the malice of their enemies, and to endure the severest sufferings; but this does not alter the question, or lessen the power of those motives which sustained the courage of the early Christians: on the contrary, it increases our opinion of their influence. If Guatimozin would suffer such things rather than surrender his gold and jewels to the Spaniards, we need not wonder that a Christian martyr would endure equal torments for the sake of securing a crown of everlasting glory. If the