RESURRECTION OF JESUS. ≤ Sherlock, Thomas, bp.J N. B. Not only Mr. WOOLSTON's Objections in his Sixch "We are his witnesses of these things, and fo is also the Ho "If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is PHILADELPHIA: PRINTED BY H. TUCKNISS, FOR EZEKIEL COOPER, NO. 118, NORTH FOURTH ........ 5551 1800 TRIAL, &c. WE E were, not long fince, fome Gentlemen of the inns of court together, each to other fo well known, that no man's prefence was a confinement to any other, from speaking his mind on any fubje& that happened to arife in converfation. The meeting was without defign, and the difcourfe, as in like cafes, various. Among other things we fell upon the subject of Woolflon's trial and conviction, which had happened fome days before. That led to a debate, How the law ftands in fuch cafes? what pupifhment it inflicts? and, in general, whether the law ought at all to interpofe in controverfies of this kind? We were not agreed in these points. One, who maintained the favourable fide to Woolton, difcovered a great liking and approbation of his difcourfes against the miracles of Chrift, and feemed to think his arguments unanfwerable. To which another replied, I wonder that one of your a bilities, and bred to the profeffion of the law, which teaches us to confider the nature 538 (4) of evidence, and its proper weight, can be of that opinion: I am fure you would be unwilling to determine a property of five fhillings upon fuch evidence, as you now think material enough to overthrow the miracles. of Chrift. It may easily be imagined, that this opened a door to much difpute, and determined the converfation for the remainder of the evening to this fubject. The difpute ran through almost all the particulars mentioned in Woolfton's pieces; but the thread of it was broken by feveral digreffions, and the pursuit of things which were brought accidentally into the difcourfe. At length one of the company faid pleafantly, Gentlemen, you don't argue like lawyers; if I were judge in this cause, I would hold you better to the point. The company took the hint, and cried, they fhould be glad to have the caufe reheared, and him to be the judge. The Gentlemen who had engaged with mettle and spirit in a difpute which arofe accidentally, feemed very unwilling to be drawn into a formal controverfy; and efpecially the Gentleman who argued against Woolfion, thought the matter grew too ferious for him, and excufed himself from undertaking a controverfy in religion, of all others the most momentous. But he was told, that the argument should be confined merely to the nature of the evidence; and that might be confidered, without entering into any fuch controverfy as he would avoid; and, to bring the matter within bounds, and under one view, the evidence of Chrift's refurrection, and the exceptions taken to it, should be the only fubject of the conference. With much entreaty he fuffered himself to be perfuaded, and promised to give the company, and their new-made judge, a meeting that day fortnight. The judge and the reft of the company were for bringing on the caufe a week fooner; but the counsel for Woolfton took the matter up, and faid, Confider, Sir, the Gentleman is not to argue out of Littleton, Plowden, or Coke, authors to him well known; but he must have his authorities from Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John; and a fortnight is time little enough of all confcience to gain a familiarity with a new acquaintance: and, turning to the Gentleman, he said, I'll call upon you before the fortnight is out, to fee how reverend an appearance you make behind Hammond on the New Teftament, a concordance on one hand, and a folio Bible with references on the other. You fhall be welcome, Sir, replied the Gentleman; and perhaps you may find fome company more to your own taste. He is but a poor counsel who ftudies on one fide of the question only; and therefore I will have your friend Woolfton, |