6.) Men are suspicious as well as credulous, and slow to believe _against their interests_, as these did. =4.= It lies upon unbelievers to show why all this array of proof is to be rejected; but in such an important concern we shall proceed to notice some possible objections. _Objec._ 1. Enthusiasts make similar sacrifices for idle follies. _Ans._ 1. This objection ignores the distinction between opinions and facts. Suffering for an opinion is no proof of its truth; but in attestation of observed facts, it is proof. 2. Enthusiasm _weakens_ testimony, it is true, even as to facts; and so does disease, _in particular instances_. But when great numbers, not weak, nor negligent, affirm that _they_ saw and heard certain things, it is the fullest evidence. 3. To reject testimony on the ground of enthusiasm, requires that the things testified be _incredible_; which has not been shown, as to religion, but the contrary. 4. Religion is not the only thing in regard to which witnesses are liable to enthusiasm. In common matters, we _get at the truth_ through witnesses, though influenced by party spirit, custom, humor, romance, &c. &c. _Objec._ 2. Enthusiasm and knavery may have been combined in the apostles and first Christians. _Ans._ Such a mixture is often seen, and is often reproved in Scripture; but not more in religious than in common affairs. Men in all matters deceive themselves and others, in every degree, yet human testimony is good ground of belief. _Objec._ 3. Men have been deluded by false miracles. _Ans._ Not oftener than by other pretences. _Objec._ 4. Fabulous miracles have historical evidence. _Ans._ 1. If this were equal to that for Scripture miracles, the evidence for the latter would not be _impaired_. The objection really amounts to this, that evidence proved not to be good, destroys evidence which is good and unconfuted! Or to this, that if two men, of equal reputation, testify, in _cases not related_ to each other, and one is proved false, the other must not be believed! 2. Nothing can rebut testimony, but proof that the witness is incompetent, or misled. 3. Against all such objections must be set the fact that Christianity was too serious a matter to allow the first converts to be careless as to its evidence; and also that their religion forbid them to deceive others. II. _As to the evidence from prophecy._ =1.= Obscurity as to _part_ of a prophecy does not invalidate it, but is, as to us, as if that part were not written, or were lost. We may not see the whole prophecy fulfilled, and yet see enough fulfilled to perceive in it more than human foresight.