and from the facts which occurred on its first promulgation, and during its early progress. Under this last head the question arises, whether human testimony can afford satisfactory proof of a miracle. The history of Jesus Christ is traced through the four Gospels; and an inquiry is pursued into what he required of his disciples in faith and practice to entitle them to enjoy the blessings of his religion. Then follows an examination of the history of the preaching of the gospel by the apostles, contained in the book of Acts, in which the evidence of the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead is fully investigated, and facts are produced from the Roman history in proof of the truth of Christianity. The last portion of the third part relates to the Epistles and the Revelation, and the evidence they afford of the early state and condition of the Christian church is examined. The subjects of the fourth part are, the Progress, Present State, and Future Prospects of Christianity. A sketch is given of the early history of the Christians, of their persecutions by the Jews and the Romans, till their religion was established by Constantine; the divisions among Christians, and the persecutions of the dominant party; the rapid advance of Popery, the assumption of unlimited power by the Roman Pontiff, the Reformation, and its effects in the Christian world. In considering the present state and future prospects of Christianity, the subject of The work con Church Establishments is discussed. cludes with an examination of what appear to have been the principal causes which have prevented the Christian Religion from having the full effect which its character and doctrines might have been expected to produce on human conduct and human happiness. The right and the duty of Free Inquiry are asserted throughout. A very full Table of Contents is prefixed to the first part. The object of the work being to discover the truth in its infinitely important subjects, the strictest impartiality has been aimed at in the statement of every argument. In what degree it has been attained the serious and candid reader must judge for himself. 33 Queen Anne Street, October 25, 1855. Page Account of the life and teaching of Jesus Christ 36, 37 37-65 What evidence is to be required of the truth of a re- Account by Tacitus of the origin of Christianity The question of miracles discussed on the grounds Evidence of the resurrection of Jesus. . . . . 99, 100 .... 101, 102 102-157 111-113 ...... 126-139 139-157 169-171 |