Illustrations of the Truth of the Christian Religion (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1802 edition. Excerpt: ... themselves bound to revere. If he cannot be persuaded to acknowledge the sublime and impressive virtues of Jesus, let him learn at least to regulate his conduct by those maxims of prudence and decorum, which an heathen poet both inculcated and adopted toward heathen Divinities;--airo fioi Xoyov T3t0v, gCfJLoLy pl/ov' erre TO TE AOIAOPHZAI 0EOTZ, EX0PA ZOIA. Koit To xau%oKT0; waou Kottpov, uaviouffiv vnoicpitut . Pindar. Olytnp. uc. Strophe T CHAPTER VIII. VIEW. OF THE DEFECTS OF THE EVIDENCE IN FAVOUR OF THE MAHOMETAN RELIGION. Connection of the proposed inquiry with the design of this work.--Situation of the Roman and Persian Empires.--Genius and temper of the Arabs.--Illustrious descent os the Impostor.--Protected by his uncle the Prince of Mecca.--Advantageous marriage.--Qualifications of mind and body.--Conceives the design of establishing a new religion.--Slow progress of this design.--Danger.--Flight to Medina.--Assumption of temporal power.--Inducements to his followers.--Plunder.--Paradise.--Predestination.--Success in his wars.--Fanaticism of his followers accounted for.--Objects of worship changed, but modes of worship retained.--Doctrine of one Supreme God not new in Arabia.--No change in moral habits.--Sensual pleasures allowed Koran.--Extravagant claims in favour of it refuted.--Deficiency of internal and external evidence.--Death of the Impostor.--Appeal to insidels on behalf of our holy Religion. AMONG other objects, proposed by this work, I have endeavoured, vvhereever it has been practicable, to bring the substantial substantial support of facts to the aid of argument. In the execution of my design, I have been occasionally led to consider, in what way persons, aBually influenced by the motives which have...