The Truth of the Christian Religion with Jean Le Clerc's Notes and Additions. Hugo Grotius

An Answer to those who require more and stronger Arguments.

      If there be any one who is not satisfied with the Arguments hitherto alledged for the Truth of the Christian Religion, but desires more powerful ones; he ought to know, (b) that different things <139> must have

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      different kinds of Proof; one sort in Mathematicks, another in the Properties of Bodies, another in doubtful Matters, and another in Matters of Fact. And we are to abide by that, whose Testimonies are void of all Suspicion: Which if it be not admitted, not only all History is of no further Use, and a great Part of Physick; but all that natural Affection, which is betwixt Parents and Children, is lost, (a) who can be known no other way. (b) And it is the Will of God, that those things which he would have us believe, so that that Faith should be accepted from us as Obedience, should not so evidently appear, as those things we perceive by our Senses, and by Demon-<140>stration; but only so far as is sufficient to procure the Belief, and persuade a Man of the thing, who is not obstinately bent against it: So that the Gospel is, as it were, a Touch-stone, to try Mens honest Dispositions by. For since those Arguments, which we have brought, have gained the Assent of so many good and wise Men; it is very manifest, that the Cause of Infidelity in others, is not from the

      [print edition page 137]

      want of Proof, but from hence, (a) that they would not have that seem true, which contradicts their Passions and Affections. It is a hard thing for them lightly to esteem of Honours and other Advantages; which they must do, if they would receive what is related concerning Christ, and for that Reason think themselves bound to obey the Precepts of Christ. And this is to be discovered by this one thing, that they receive many other historical Relations as true, the Truth of which is established only upon Authorities, of which there are no Marks remaining at this time: As there is in the History of Christ, partly by the Confession of the Jews, which are now left; partly by the Congregation of Christians, every where to be found; for which there must of Necessity have been some Cause. And since the long Continuance of the Christian Religion, and the Propagation of it so far, cannot be attributed to any human Power, it follows, that it must be attributed to Miracles: Or if any one should deny it to have been done by Miracles; this very thing, <141> that (b) it should without a Miracle gather so much Strength and Power, ought to be looked upon as greater than any Miracle. <142>