But now comes the important point. Fortunately it can be stated in a few words. If the Pentateuch is a contemporary document, probably written by Moses, can we reject the miracles which it records? Can we imagine, for instance, a _contemporary_ writer describing the Ten Plagues, or the Passage of the Red Sea, if nothing of the kind had occurred? The events, if true, must have been well known at the time; and if untrue, no contemporary would have thought of inventing them. We therefore conclude, on reviewing the whole chapter, that the _origin_ of the Jewish religion _was confirmed by miracles_. CHAPTER X. THAT ITS HISTORY WAS CONFIRMED BY MIRACLES. (_A._) THE LATER OLD TESTAMENT BOOKS. (1.) Undesigned agreements; the rebellion of Korah. (2.) Alleged mistakes; unimportant. (3.) Modern discoveries; these support their accuracy. (_B._) THE OLD TESTAMENT MIRACLES. (1.) Their credibility; this can scarcely be disputed, if miracles at all are credible; the silence of the sun and moon, two other difficulties. (2.) Their truthfulness; list of eight public miracles, two examples, Elijah's sacrifice on Mount Carmel, and the destruction of the Assyrian army, considered in detail; conclusion. Having now examined the origin of the Jewish Religion, we have next to consider its _history_; which also claims to have been confirmed by miracles. So we will first notice (very briefly) the Old Testament _Books_, from Joshua onwards; and then consider some of the _Miracles_ which they record. (_A._) THE LATER OLD TESTAMENT BOOKS. Now, the arguments for, and against the genuineness of these Books need not be discussed at length, since we have already decided in favour of that of the Pentateuch, and most critics who admit the one, admit the other. But a few remarks may be made on three subjects, those of _undesigned agreements_, the importance of which is not obvious at first sight; the _alleged mistakes_ in the Old Testament; and the effect of _modern discoveries_. (1.) _Undesigned agreements._