trine ; for on the one hand they predict the sufferings and death of the Messiah, and on the other his universal and per- petual dominion. It is only on the assumption that he was to rise from the dead that these two classes of prediction can be reconciled.
5. And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve :
As the resurrection of Christ is an historical fact, it is to be proved by historical evidence. The apostle therefore ap- peals to the testimony of competent witnesses. All human laws assume that the testimony of two witnesses, when uncon- tradicted, and especially when confirmed by collateral evidence, produces such conviction of the truth of the fact asserted as to justify even taking the life of a fellow-creature. Confidence in such testimony is not founded on experience, but on the constitution of our nature. We are so constituted that we cannot refuse assent to the testimony of good men to a fact fairly within their knowledge. To render such testimony irre- sistible it is necessary, 1. That the fact to be proved should be of a nature to admit of being certainly known. 2. That ade- quate opportunity be afforded to the witnesses to ascertain its nature, and to be satisfied of its verity. 3. That the witnesses be of sound mind and discretion, 4. That they be men of in- tegrity. If these conditions be fulfilled, human testimony establishes the truth of a fact beyond reasonable doubt. If, however, in addition to these grounds of confidence, the wit- nesses give their testimony at the expense of great personal sacrifice, or confirm it with their blood ; if, moreover, the oc- currence of the fact in question had been predicted centuries before it came to pass ; if it had produced effects not otherwise to be accounted for, effects extending to all ages and nations ; if the system of doctrine with which that fact is connected so as to be impUed in it, commends itself as true to the reason and conscience of men ; and if God confirms not only the testi- mony of the original witnesses to the fact, but also the truth of the doctrines of which that fact is the necessary basis, by the demonstration of his Spirit, then it is insanity and wicked- ness to doubt it. All these considerations concur in proof of the resurrection of Christ, and render it the best authenticated event in the history of the world.
The apostle does not refer to all the manifestations of our