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moral evidence * Secondly , those which should determine whether or not we ought to engage in the discussion of the question proposed * Thirdly , such as must be observed m the ^ Xiscussion of questions . And , lastly , the principles on which the weight of any probable argument ^ or the probability of any event , ought to be determined *" Perhaps some of these directions may appear rather obvious ^ but we are persuaded that they will be found just and important * Selection is difficulty and our limits are moderate . Chapter the fourth gives " special directions relating to eacll
kind of moral evidence /' In the preceding chapter , the directions related to moral rea > soning in general ; the chapter before us , - as its title indicates ^ gtves particular directions respecting the different kinds of moral evidence mentioned before . Under this head the rules for judging of testimony are very fully and clearly stated * Chapter the fifth is On the kinds of evidence of which different subjects admif , and on which they are actually believed . * In this chapter ,-amongst a variety of other topics , the author introduces the authenticity of books , and the evidence of
miracles . He shews by what means the former may be established , and on what testimony the latter are entitled to credit . Under the last head he combats an objection of Hume ; but in order to refute the argument of that writer , he supposes his reader
to be previously convinced " that God governs the world / ^ yith such a pers on he thinks the only inquiry would be , " whether any occasion may arise which ,. it may be reasonably concluded , would induce God to alter or suspend any of the constant operations of nature / ' Irf order to determine this question , " it should be inquired whether it can be presumed , that any occasion should occur , in which it may be important that God should reveal his will to men to correct their mistakes , to reform their vices , or to give them any new instruction * The view which will be entertained of the existence of such an occasion , and of its importance , will depend on the judgment which has been formed of the moral state of mankind , and of
the happiness or misery which may await men in the next world . ' % This is certainly requiring a great deal preliminary to the discussion of the question respecting the truth of the Christian religion . The views which may be entertained of the moral state of mankind , and of their prospects beyond th £ . orave , are so various , that if a conviction of the truth of Chris *
tianity depend on any one of them in particular , ihere will be little chance of its being effected . Some writers , among whom are Paley and Priestley , have endeavoured to shew that Christianity maybe satisfactorily proved ^ independently of all prior
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60 O Gambier * s Moral Evidence .
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Nov. 2, 1806, page 600, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1730/page/40/
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