How do infidels account for the preaching of the Resurrection within fifty days after the crucifixion? _Some_ have claimed that his death was not real, and that he recovered from a swoon. This is disproved by the evidence to which we have referred[4], and, although once held by Paulus and others, has by later skeptical writers been “treated with contempt.”[5] “The whole country-side,” says Strauss,[6] “knew that he was dead.” Roman executioners made sure work. Pilate refused his consent to any removal until he had instituted an inquiry, and knew that Jesus was dead; nor is it possible to accept the hypothesis of a return from mere lethargy or trance, without destroying his moral character. This hypothesis may be put aside. _Others_ have claimed that the Apostles did not believe what they preached. To accept this view we must conclude that, without motive and against every motive, and “amidst sufferings the most grievous to flesh and blood, they persevered in a conspiracy to cheat the world into piety, honesty and benevolence.” Conscience and common sense revolt against such a theory, and it shares the fate of the other. It has, says Professor Milligan,[7] “been abandoned by every inquirer to whom a moment’s attention is due.” The _final_ refuge of most infidel writers, is the theory of visions. By this they mean that the appearances of our Lord were either optical illusions, or mere hallucinations. Some, like Dr. Hooykaas[8] in Holland, and Judge Waite[8] in this country, claim that the doctrine preached was _not_ that Christ’s _body_ was raised up, but that his _spirit_ came back from Hades, or the place of departed spirits. We have before[9] shown that such a conception is an entire perversion of the language of Paul, as well as of the Evangelists. And Mr. Hooykaas’ argument that we are never told that Jesus rose “from death,” far less “from the grave,” but always “from the dead,” does not agree with the record; and if it did, the inference would be unwarrantable. When the angel said to the woman, “Why seek ye the living among the dead? he is not here but is risen,” they were not looking for him in Hades! Peter, in the passage from which we have quoted, distinguishes between Hades and the grave, for he says, that David, “foreseeing, spoke of the resurrection of Christ, that neither was his soul left in Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption. This Jesus did God raise up.” Now, by what evidence is the theory of visions or optical illusions to be tested? By the _whole_ evidence? By suppressing a part, and changing the rest? Judicial fairness requires that the whole be considered, just as it comes to us, reconciling such parts as may be reconciled, and adopting the more probable view in case of any seeming contradictions, if there _are_ any. Yet those who deny the resurrection adopt a course that could not be tolerated in any judge or jury, or secular historian. They _suppress_, or _supply_, as best suits their theory.