himself, and be divided, he cannot stand, but hath an end.”  The life-long work of the evangelists and their associates was to cast out of the world all fraud and falsehood.  If now they attempted to do this by the perpetration of a most astounding fraud, we have the case of Satan casting out Satan.  But we need not argue the matter at length.  By what they did and suffered in behalf of their doctrines, as well as by the artless simplicity of their narratives, they give full proof of their sincerity and truthfulness.

3.  We next inquire:  Were they competent as men? that is, were they men of sober judgment, able correctly to see and record the facts that came under their observation, and not visionary enthusiasts who mistook dreams for realities?  This question admits of a short and satisfactory answer.  No proof whatever exists that they were visionary men, but abundant proof to the contrary.  Their narratives are calm, unimpassioned, and straightforward, without expatiation on the greatness of Christ’s character and works and the wickedness of his enemies, as is the way of all excited enthusiasts.  What Paul said to Festus applies in its full force to them and their writings:  “I am not mad, most noble Festus, but speak forth the words of truth and soberness.”  If any one will condemn them as visionary, it must be on the sole ground that all belief in the supernatural is visionary—­a position that will be noticed hereafter.

4.  A further inquiry is, Were these men competent as witnesses? that is, had they the requisite means of knowing the facts which they record?  With regard to the apostles Matthew and John, this matter need not be argued.  With regard to the other two, Luke states very fairly the position which they occupied:  “It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things,” ("having accurately traced out all things,” as the original signifies,) “from the very beginning, to write to thee, in order,” etc.  Luke had in abundance the means of accurately tracing out all things relating to our Lord’s life and works, for he was the companion of apostles and others who “from the beginning were eye-witnesses and ministers of the word;” and from them, according to his own statement, he drew his information.  The same is true of Mark also.

5.  We come now to consider the character of the works which they record, and the circumstances in which they were performed.  Here it may be remarked in the outset that it is not necessary to examine in detail all the miracles recorded in the gospel history.  Though they all proceeded alike from the direct agency of God, they are not all alike open to human inspection.  If upon examination we find the supernatural origin of many of them raised above all possibility of doubt, it is a legitimate inference that the rest of them had the same divine origin.  Not to insist then upon the miracles ascribed to our Lord within the sphere of inanimate