Finally, no evidence exists that the text of the gospel narratives has been essentially corrupted.  Of Marcion’s abortive attempt we have abundant notices in the writings of the early fathers.  Their silence in respect to other like attempts is conclusive proof that they were never made.  Had we the autographs of the evangelists, we should, with reason, attach to them a high value; but there is no ground for supposing that their text would differ in any essential particular from that which we now possess.  They would present to our view the same Saviour and the same gospel.

5.  What has been said respecting the uncorrupt preservation of the gospel narratives applies essentially to the other books of the New Testament; so that in the consideration of them the above arguments will not need to be repeated.

CHAPTER IV.

AUTHENTICITY AND CREDIBILITY OF THE GOSPEL NARRATIVES.

1.  The genuineness and uncorrupt preservation of our four canonical gospels having been established, the presumption in favor of their authenticity and credibility is exceedingly strong.  In truth, few can be found who, admitting their apostolic origin in essentially their present form, will venture to deny that they contain an authentic and reliable record of facts.  We may dismiss at once the modern theory which converts the gospels into myths—­pure ideas embodied in allegorical narratives which have no historic foundation.  Myths do not turn the world upside down, as did the preaching of Christ and his apostles.  Myths do not inspire the souls of men and women by thousands and tens of thousands with heroic zeal and courage, enabling them steadfastly to endure persecution and death for the truth’s sake.  It was love towards a crucified and risen Saviour in deed and in truth, not towards the mythical idea of such a Saviour, that made the primitive Christians victorious alike over inward sinful affection and outward persecution.  To every one who reads the gospel narratives in the exercise of his sober judgment, it is manifest that they are intended to be plain unvarnished statements of facts.  The question is, Are these statements reliable?  Here new arguments can hardly be expected; the old are abundantly sufficient.  Reserving for another place those general arguments which apply to the gospel system as a whole, let us here briefly consider the character of the authors and their records; of the events which they record with the surrounding circumstances; and especially of Jesus, their great theme.

2.  It is natural to ask, in the first place, Were these men sincere and truthful?  Here we need not long delay.  Their sincerity, with that of their contemporaries who received their narratives as true, shines forth like the sun in the firmament.  With reference to them, the Saviour’s argument applies in all its force:  “How can Satan cast out Satan?” “If Satan rise up against