A discourse of the Resurrection shewing the import and certainty of it / by William Wilson.

SECT. I. Of Christ's Resurrection.

I. In speaking of Christ's Resurrection, I shall, 1. Consider the Certainty of it, That he did rise. 2. By what Power he rose.

1. That he did rise again; i.e. That the Body in which he suffer'd, which was dead, and buried, and which lay three days in the Grave, was raised again out of the Grave, and is ascended into Heaven. That the same Je∣sus, who was Born of the Virgin Mary, and lived a true and proper Life, as we do, among the Jews, for above Thirty years, and whom they took and put to Death as truly, as they did the two Malefactors that were Crucified with him; That Jesus, I say, who under-went as real a dissolution of Soul and Body, as any other Man, that is born into the World, does, did rise again the same Man both in Body and Soul, as before he was Crucified.

This is the Doctrine, that the Apostles were appointed to publish to the World, that by being convinced, that a Man, who died, as we do, was raised again, we might believe, that there is forgiveness with God; i.e. That the Punishment that is inflicted on us for Sin, will not be Eternal: Ye Men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a Man appro∣ved of God among you by miracles, and wonders, and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye your selves also know: Him, being

delivered by the determinate counsel and fore∣knowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain, whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of Death, Act. 2.22, 23, 24. The sum of which is this; That as it was the same Jesus, who was approved of God among them by Miracles, and Won∣ders, and Signs, that the Jews crucified; so it was the same Jesus, that they had crucified and slain, that God raised up.

This is an Article, in which, upon the ac∣count of the Curse, we are fall'n under, we are so nearly concern'd, that the Apostles did mainly inculcate it, as if the Preaching the Resurrection of Christ was to preach the whole of Christianity. And God took care, we should have as full an Evidence of the Truth of it, as any Matter of Fact can possibly be proved by. The Apostles, I say, were mainly concern'd in persuading the World to the belief of this Doctrine; not that this is all, that Christia∣nity requires us to believe, but because the o∣ther Articles of our Faith do either terminate in this, and by consequence must be believed, when we believe this; or else are not of that moment to us as this is. This is an Article that sets before us the Mercy we stood in need of; the Mercy of being deliver'd out of the Hands of our Enemies, and of having Life and Immortality, the Blessings, we lost in Adam, brought to light. And therefore the Resur∣rection of our Lord was accounted of that

moment in our Religion, that the Office they consider'd themselves Ordain'd to, was this of being Witnesses of his Resurrection, Act. 1.22. And accordingly this Doctrine St. Paul did in a peculiar manner recommend to the thoughts and care of Timothy: Remember this, that Je∣sus Christ, of the seed of David, was raised from the dead according to my Gospel, 2. Tim. 2.8.

This then being so considerable an Article of our Faith, I am to consider what Evidence we have of the Truth of it: For, as the Apo∣stle speaks, if Christ be not risen, then is our Preaching vain, and our Faith is also vain, 1 Cor. 15.14. i.e. The Christian Religion is of no use to the World. The Evidence then, that we have to prove this, though it be not such as does carry an infallible Certainty in it, yet is such as is sufficient to satisfie any unprejudiced person: Because it is all the proof, that a Matter of Fact, as this is, is capable of: For we have the Testimony of several Hun∣dreds, that saw, and convers'd with him, after he was risen; and that for forty days had both opportunity and liberty to examine the Truth of it throughly, and to satisfie all the Doubts, that rose in their Minds concerning it. And besides, we have good reason to believe, that his greatest Enemies were convinced of the Truth of it. And they, who will not admit of this as a sufficient proof, may as well que∣stion the Truth of every thing we see; whe∣ther those be Men or no, that we live among:

nay, whether we our selves be not Spectres and Walking-Ghosts. But,

1. We have the Testimony of several Hun∣dreds, that saw, and convers'd with him after he was risen, and that for forty days had both opportunity and liberty to examine the Truth of it throughly. The first Reporters of his Resurrection, were Mary Magdalen, and Ma∣ry the Mother of James, Joanna, and the other Women that were with them, who came in the dawn of the first day of the Week to the Sepulchre with Spices to Embalm his Body. God hereby in his wise Providence provided a Confutation of the Calumny of the Scribes concerning his Disciples stealing his Body out of the Sepulchre. Now it will hardly be sup∣posed, that they should come with a design to take away his Body, who were sollicitous how they should rowl away the Stone: Neither is it probable, that they should feign the story, that he was risen, who thought of nothing but Anointing and Embalming his, Dead Bo∣dy.

These Women, to whom he first appeared after his Resurrection, brought the glad Ti∣dings to his Disciples, to whom he afterwards shewed himself alive by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God, Act. 1.3. The two first that saw him were Peter and Cleophas, as they were Travelling to Em∣maus. After that he appeared to the Eleven

the same Evening, as Peter and Cleophas were giving an account what had happen'd to them in the way, and how he was known of them in breaking of Bread. And to convince them he was no Spirit, as they supposed, but the same Jesus, that was Crucified, he show'd them his Hands and his Side, and offer'd them the same sensible proof, that it was he himself, as satisfies every Man, that he, whom he sees, speaks to, and eats with, is a Man and no Spirit. His next Appearance was to the Ele∣ven, when Thomas was with them; to remove whose incredulity, he offer'd all the satisfacti∣on; without which he had declared, he would not believe. After this he, by Appointment, appear'd in a Mountain of Galilee to the Twelve, where he was seen, as St. Paul saith, of above five hundred Brethren at once. After which he was seen of James, then of all the A∣postles: And last of all he was seen of me also, saith the Apostle, as of one born out of due time, 1 Cor. 15.6, 7, 8.

Now that, which I mention all this for, is to prove the certain Truth of this Matter of Fact from these three Things:

• 1. That it is well attested.
• 2. That they, who were the first Reporters of it, could not be deceived.
• 3. That it could be no contrivance.

1. It is well attested. The Testimony of two or three Witnesses has always been ac∣counted sufficient to establish every Truth. This is enough not only to determine those Controversies, that happen among Men, but to dispose of the dearest Interests Men have in this life. For though the Testimony of a sin∣gle Witness may be doubted, because, though he speaks Truth, there is much difficulty to know, that he does so: Yet the concurrence of many in delivering the same thing is al∣low'd for a certain Evidence of the Truth of it, untill it can be made to appear, that all those many speak only by report. For in that case they bear no Testimony at all to the thing in Question, but only to the Report. Or that it appear there is a Combination a∣mong them; for then, though they be many, yet they are but one Witness, though the Matter be true. 'Tis thus likewise that we come to the Knowledge of Persons and Acti∣ons of past Ages. And no Man makes any question whether there were such Persons as Pompey and Julius Caesar, or whether they did such things as are reported of them; be∣cause they have been deliver'd down to us by Persons, that either knew them, or had sufficient means inform themselves of the Truth of what was reported concerning them.

Now thus it is, that the Truth of Christ's Resurrection is deliver'd down to us: I mean,

〈1 page duplicate〉〈1 page duplicate〉

〈1 page duplicate〉〈1 page duplicate〉

we depend upon the Testimony of such a Nuber of Witnesses, who saw and convers'd with him for forty days, and received in∣structions from him, and afterwards beheld him ascend into Heaven, as seldom any Mat∣ter of Fact is Establish'd by. And since we have the same Evidence for this Matter, as we have for the Truth of all History, no Man ought to call the Truth of it into question, untill he has made it appear, that the Persons, that were the first Reporters of it, were of no credit, or that they contrived the story. This is expected from all, that except to the Testi∣mony of any person: For no Man's Testimo∣ny ought to be laid aside, till it is some way or other sufficiently invalidated; because it ought not to be taken for granted concerning any person, that he is a Knave, till it be pro∣ved, that he is so.

2. That they who were the first Reporters of it were not deceived. Their Testimony is this; That they divuiged nothing, but what they were Eye-witnesses of; i.e. They preach∣ed, That Christ was risen, because they had seen him alive again. It is possible indeed, that our Eyes may be deceived in what they see; and that which we judge to be a Man, may prove an Apparition. But though at sometimes our Senses may impose upon us, yet they seldom do, but we know of it; and espe∣cially if we have time to examine any Ob∣ject, we can hardly be deceived in our Judg∣ment

of it, or at least we seldom live long under the Cheat. And indeed it would argue a Man extremely inclined to Scepticism to que∣stion, whether these be real Bodies, we our selves have, or those be real Men, that we live with, because it is possible our Eyes may be deceived; and that be no-body, which we take to be one; and those no Men, which we believe are so. For though we may be thus mistaken, yet no-body doubts, but there are ways, whereby we do know, we are not mistaken, when we judge him to be a Man, whom we see and speak withall. Now what∣ever it is, that satisfies us, that the Men we converse with are not Apparitions; the same certain Proofs had the Apostles, that That Jesus, who was crucified, was alive again. For if our Senses do not always deceive us, what should hinder, but that they should tell, as well as other Men, that they were not decei∣ved in this matter.

And indeed, if we consider the whole ac∣count we have of their Evidence, it will ap∣pear, they could not be deceived, any more than we our selves are in the view of a plain sensible Object. For he was seen of them forty days; so that they had time to recollect them∣selves, and throughly to examine the Truth of what they saw. And besides, a mistake of this nature does not use to lie on this side; I mean, Men do not use to mistake a Spirit for a Man. It may sometimes fall out, that

a Man may be mistaken for a Spirit; but the Appearance of a Spirit is generally with that surprize, as frights us into an Apprehension of something unusual. And thus it happen'd in this case. For the Disciples, when first Jesus appear'd to them, were so terrified and af∣frighted, supposing they had seen a Spirit, that to convince them he was no Spirit, he show'd them his Hands and his Feet: And it was with much difficulty, that he brought them to a belief, that it was the very Body, that hung upon the Cross, that he appear'd to them in.

And besides, it is plain from the whole sto∣ry, that they were not prepared before-hand with a belief, that he should rise again, for an easie reception of this Doctrine; nor did their own Credulity dispose them to it. But, on the other hand, so hard were they to be∣lieve, that they could not be persuaded, that he was risen, till by many infallible proofs be∣ing seen of them forty days, they were assu∣red, it was he, that was Crucified: Nor durst they venture upon publishing what they had seen, till by the Descent of the Holy Ghost they were animated with new Courage. And it is worth our notice by what steps they were led to the Belief of this Doctrine. The first account was from the Women, that went early on the first day of the Week to Embalm his Body; That when they came to the Se∣pulchre, they found it empty, and had seen a

Vision of Angels, that said he was alive. But this wrought so little upon them, that they looked upon it as an idle report. The next was from Peter and Cleopas, to whom he joyned himself, as they were Journeying to Emmaus; and having instructed them out of the Scriptures, that he was to rise again, he opened their Eyes, and made himself known to them in breaking of Bread. But neither this account, nor his appearing to them af∣terwards, had any other Effect upon them, than to fill them with wonder, and put them into a fright, till being called upon to handle him and see, that he had Flesh and Bones, which a Spirit has not, they were convinced. Now it is surely hard to conceive, that they, who were so hard to believe, and so cautious lest they should be imposed upon, that they would not take it upon the credit of others, and could not be convinced but by un∣doubted signs, should yet at last be decei∣ved.

3. As little Reason is there to believe, that it was a Contrivance. For how can we be∣lieve, that they, who were so much afraid of being imposed on themselves, should agree together to impose upon the World? or that they should be the forgers of a story, which they could hardly be convinced was true?

I shall not here insist upon it, That they were under no Temptation to contrive this story upon the account of Advantage. For

all the Advantage lay on the other side, be∣cause the Rulers and those in Authority a∣mong the Jews were concern'd in point of Honour and Interest to stifle it; and would without question have paid sufficiently to have bought them, as well as they did the Souldi∣ers from divulging what they had seen. The bringing the Blood of the Messiah upon them was a thing they were very jealous of. For they knew, that they should for ever lose their credit with the People, if it should once be believed, that they were the Murderers of their so long expected Messiah. And when it was the Interest of those in Authority to pre∣vent the spreading of this Doctrine, what ad∣vantage could possibly tempt to the forging of it? What End could a few poor illiterate persons drive at, that should be profitable to them in contriving a story so contrary to the humour and interest of their Rulers? Had they sought their own Advantage, they would never have framed a Lye to that purpose, when they might have compass'd this End much better by speaking the Truth. And be∣sides, they could not but be sensible, that a Contrivance of this nature, would be sure to expose them to the spight and displeasure of those, who had the Power in their hands: And is it likely that they, who were afraid to own themselves to be his Disciples, when the Jews took him to put him to Death, would be the Authors of so dangerous a Lye for his sake?

But there is one thing further that renders it improbable, that this should be forged, and that is the great Credit, that it quickly gain'd in the World. For the Jews, who Murder'd him, were so nearly concern'd to stifle this report, though it was true, that they would never have suffer'd it to have pass'd, if it had been false. They who gave Money to the Souldiers to tell a Lye for the saving their Credit, would be sure to sift into this report very narrowly, and right or wrong to object all they could against the Truth of it. So that when after the mighty Opposition, it met with, it spread and gain'd Belief among that People, who had reason to be afraid of recei∣ving it; it is an Argument that all the Wit of these great Men could object nothing, that could make it appear to be a Contrivance.

But we have not only Arguments to per∣suade us, that it is improbable the Disciples should contrive this report; but such as will satisfie any reasonable Men, that they could not. For if there had been a Confederacy, the Design must have been laid by them in a Ge∣neral Meeting of them all together. But so far from this, that the Apostles were not the first, that so much as thought of his being risen: And when they were first told it, they nei∣ther gave credit to the Report, nor were they all present, when the first tidings of it was brought to them. For the Two that Travell'd to Emmaus, had heard nothing of his appear∣ing

to Mary, when he appear'd to them: but only that certain Women, who had been at the Sepulchre, had declared, that they found not his Body, and that they had seen a Vision of Angels, which said that he was alive, Luk. 24.22, 23. And how then could this be a Con∣trivance, when they did not all come to the Knowledge of it at the same time, and in the same way? Those that stay'd at Jerusalem had their Notice of it from the Women, that had seen him; and those, that were upon their Journey, were acquainted with it by his ap∣pearing to them. So that it could not be con∣trived at Jerusalem, because the Two that Tra∣vell'd to Emmaus had not their first Notice of it there; nor could they contrive it upon the way, because they at Jerusalem knew of it be∣fore they return'd back. Neither could con∣trive it, because it was known to both in two different places, before either of them knew, that it was known to the other at all; and was believed by the one, when the other made light of it. But further.

2. We have good reason to believe, that the greatest Enemies of our Lord were convinced of the Truth of this Doctrine. For having taken away his Life as an Impostour, they wisely took care, that they should not be im∣posed upon by a false report, that he was ri∣sen from the Dead: For they came to Pilate, saying, Sir, we remember, that that Deceiver said, while he was yet alive, After three days

I will rise again: Command therefore that the Sepulchre be made sure untill the third day, lest his Disciples come by night, and steal him away, and say unto the people, He is risen from the dead: so the last Error shall be worse than the first: And accordingly they made the Sepulchre sure, setting a watch, and sealing the stone, Matt. 27.63, 64, 66. Here was as much care ta∣ken to prevent a Cheat, as was possible. But that, which they design'd as a means to pre∣vent any such Report, is a strong confirmation of the Truth of it. For now we are assured, that his Disciples did not steal him away, be∣cause they could not. They might with more probability and better success have reported this story, had they been less cautious to pre∣vent the believing it to be true. So that since after all this they spread this report, That his Disciples came by Night and stole him away, which they took so much care they should not do, they have furnish'd us with a good Reason to believe, that they themselves were persua∣ded, that he was Risen.

And this I shall endeavour to make appear, by considering the several Circumstances of the story. They that were appointed to guard the Sepulchre were sensible of the Earthquake, saw the Heavenly Messenger, that rowled away the Stone; and being affrighted thereat, ha∣sted to the City, and gave an account to the Chief Priests of all that was done. Those very Persons, whom they had employ'd as Mini∣sters

of their Spight and Envy to prevent such a Report, are employ'd by God to be the first Messengers of his Resurrection. And when their own Servants and Ministers did attest this to them, they could not except against them as Interested persons. And indeed the course they took to stop the Souldiers mouths, does prove, they were convinced in their Con∣sciences, that he was Risen. For why did they give Money to them to report so improbable a story, That he was stollen away by his Dis∣ciples? Which if we suppose true, why did they hire them to report it? Every dis-inte∣rested person would conclude, they rather de∣served to be punish'd for their Negligence, than rewarded for their Service: And to have had somewhat else given them rather than Money, if they were of that bad mind, that they would not speak the Truth, unless they were bribed. And, if it was not true, this very Action of the Priests in suborning the Souldiers to sup∣press the Truth with a Lye, does prove, they were convinced, that what the Souldiers told them was true, else there would have been no need of a Bribe to suppress their Testimony. But as to the Report it self: How improbable is it, that his Disciples, who fled from him, when he was taken by the Jews, should of a suddain take so much courage to attempt such an Enterprize? What can we suppose should induce them to it? What advantage would his dead Body be to them, that they should

venture upon an Armed Band to take it away? The Reason, why they followed him, when he was alive was because they trusted, it was he, that should restore the Kingdom to Israel; but when he was dead, they had given up all these hopes.

The only Reason that a Jew can give for this bold attempt, was a design to draw the People after them, and the more easily to make themselves to be followed. And there∣fore the better to accomplish their purpose, they took the Dead time of the Night, while the Souldiers were asleep. This is a story, that sufficiently discovers how weak and indiscreet Malice is. For there are a great many things, that make it appear the Publishers of it never consider'd what they said, or how it was pos∣sible to make it good. For it will hardly gain credit, that Souldiers, Men inured to Watch∣fulness, should be negligent in so important a business. Or, if this be supposed, That all of them should be taken with Sleep just at the same time: Or, if they were, That the Disci∣ples should know it: Or, if all this be suppo∣sed, That a thing of this nature should be done with so little stir; A Sepulchre broken open, and a Body carried away with so little noise, as not to awake one of the Guard. But that, which will most pose an indifferent person to conceive is, That the Souldiers should be a∣sleep, and yet know, that his Disciples stole him away: If they were asleep, how could

they know this? And if they did know so much, who can believe they were asleep, when it was done? All this serves for nothing more than to convince us of the Truth of our Old Proverb, Lyars had need have good Memories: And that they, who set this report on foot, had somewhat else in their Eye, than to tell Truth.

The particular improvement of this I shall wave, till I come to consider, what that assu∣red Principle is, which the Resurrection of Christ does furnish us withall for the ground∣ing our Hopes of a Resurrection upon.