ways infallible: none ever applied who were not cured. 11. Miracles,-—concerning which, there could be no doubt that no human power could accomplish: such as raising the dead, &c. 12. The bearing testimony to them exposed the witnesses to the loss of life. of thousands, and tens of thousands, who applied for relief, one, two, or three cures were made: these were recorded; but the failures passed without comment! 11. Most generally nervous diseases-sore eyes, &c., all which could be cured by natural means. 12. Bearing testimony to them, procured the friendship, and confidence of the public. Finally: it may be observed that if miracles were as general, as some think they ought to be, they would then cease to be miracles! For the growth of an oak from the acorn, and of a spider from its egg, are as great miracles, as raising the dead! But we do not call these phenomena, miracles, because they are of every day's Occurrence. See Experience. Nature, laws of. MOHAMMEDANISM and CHRISTIANITY, contrasted. 1. Mohammed never appealed to his being able to perform miracles, in proof of his having any supernatural commission, but acknowledged he had no such power. 1. The Lord Jesus Christ invariably did. "If I do not," said Christ, "the works of my Father, believe me not." "But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works, that ye may know, and believe, 2. The progress of Mohammedanism was, that he made in seven years, only 101 proselytes; eighty-three men, and eighteen women! 3. Mohammed, for the first seven years, had recourse only to persuasion to make converts; but ever afterwards, made them by the sword of steel! 4. Mohammed, by his birth, and family connections, had every possible human advantage to facilitate his views. He was the grandson of the most powerful family in Mecca, where he that the Father is in me, and I in him." John x. 37, 38. 2. The Apostles of Christ in the same length of time, in one and the same city, (Jerusalem,) converted multitudes, both of men and women. In one day 3,000. (Acts, ii. 41.) In a few days afterwards 2,000 more. (Acts, iii. 4.) Still daily increasing; (Acts, v. 14vi. 7.) And in a few years, myriads tens of thousands. (Acts, xxxi. 20.) See Pliny to Trajan. 3. Christ, and his Apostles, had recourse only to simple proclamation of facts: proving their authenticity from Heaven, by doing the works of God. See Miracles. 4. Christ had, as a man, every possible disadvantage. He was born in a stable! His father was a poor carpenter. He was supposed to be a Nazarene; and so called by way of ignominy: such commenced his career. His being synonymous with wife's uncle was one of the most considerable persons in that place; his cousin was the celebrated Caliph, and the Abu Beer, the first of the Koreish, in wealth and influence; besides five other principal persons in Mecca. 5. Mohammed took good care, to enlist early in his favour those great persons alluded to in the preceding section; that is, the most influential personages those best calculated to promote and advance his views. a poor contemptible despised person! Lastly, "He had not where to lay his head!" He was thus totally destitute of any pretensions to those circumstances most valued and esteemed by mankind! 5. Christ,on the contrary, was remarkably severe in his remarks against the rich, the great and the influential of his day. Of Herod he said "Go tell that fox." To the rich, he said, "Wo unto you." To the scribes and Pharisees, he said, "ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do." (John viii. 44; Matt. xxiii.) Moreover, instead of making choice for his Apostles, of the learned &c, he chose a few poor ignorant fishermen; for the purpose, evidently, of showing that human ability was not that, by which the Gospel was to be advanced: as well as to confound by the base, foolish, and ignorant, the wise, and the great men of this world, and thus to bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent; that no flesh should glory in his presence! 1 Cor. i. 27. 28. 29. 6. Mohammed made his religion a combination of Judaism, Paganism, and Christianity, in order more effectually to promote his ambitious views: somewhat like the abortive attempt made lately in the west, by one Campbell,to promulgate under the name of Gospel, doctrines the most derogatory to the honour of Christ, and subversive of real Christianity. See Appendix. H. Mohammed was incessantly describing his voluptuous paradise; his robes of silk, &c; and his seventytwo virgins, assigned to each of his followers! 6. Christ admitted no combination or union with any other system whatever. Had he, Christianity would not have met with the dreadful opposition it did at its commencement; and which genuine Christianity never escapes, except when it begins to become amalgamated with the world. 7. Christ was remarkably concise in his remarks respecting the state of happiness hereafter: and totally silent as to the nature thereof. |