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thofe very parts; by which they were fatisfied it was their Mafter. This, however, was not fatisfactory to Thomas, but he required stronger and clearer evidence; upon which the difciples asked him, what evidence would fatisfy him? To which he replied, [Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my fingers into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his fide, I will not believe.] Good God! is fuch ridiculoufnefs as this poffible? Could Thomas be such a simpleton to difallow the weight of the evidence, upon which his fellow-difciples had been convinced, and then inftantly infift upon the very fame kind of evidence for himself? Surely, it could not be. I here prefume, that the disciples did fhew to Thomas what were the grounds of affent to them, befides barely telling him they had seen the Lord; because otherwise it is paft all belief, that Thomas fhould make the declaration he did. The fupplements I have added, are not forced, but quite natural, and are in part taken from the general history of Christ's refurrection; and therefore, I further obferve, that the difciples, who talked with Thomas, fhewed him that they grounded their belief of the refurrection of their Mafter, either on the circumflances mentioned in the

firft, or else on the circumftances mentioned in the fecond view I have taken of the cafe. If on the first, then Thomas's declaration was most juft and proper; if on the fecond, then it is not to be conceived, that Thomas could make that declaration; the ridiculousness of the supposition oversets it; not but the authority of the relation itself feems to be doubtful, upon the grounds before mentioned.

Thus much I thought proper to observe, by way of introduction to the following Reflections.

1

SEC

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SECTION II.

CONCERNING A

DEITY:

WHEREIN

Those Doctrines, viz. Of the divine Unity; of a treble or compounded Deity; of the Jewish Theocracy; and of the Divine partiality, are particularly con

fidered.

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