Chapter XIX: Conclusion

=1.= Recapitulation of the preceding ten observations.

=2.= Add the fact that there are obvious appearances in the
world, aside from the Jews, which correspond to prophetic history.

=3.= These appearances, compared with Bible history, and with
each other, in _a joint view_, will appear to be of great weight,
and would impress one who regarded them for the first time, more
than they do us who have been familiar with them.

=4.= The preceding discussion, though not thorough, amounts to
proof of something more than human in this matter.

1.) The sufficiency of these proofs may be denied, but the
_existence_ of them cannot be.

2.) The conformity of prophecies to events may be said to be
accidental, but the _conformity itself_ cannot be denied.

3.) These collateral proofs may be pronounced fanciful, but it
cannot be said they are _nothing_. Probabilities may not amount
to demonstration, but they remain probabilities.

=5.= Those who will set down all seeming completions of prophecy,
and judge of them by the common rules of evidence, will find that
_together_ they amount to strong proof. Because probable proofs,
added together, not only increase evidence, but multiply it.

=6.= It is very well to observe objections; but it should be
remembered that a mistake on one side is far more dangerous than
a mistake on the other; and the safest conclusion is the best.

=7.= Religion, like other things, is to be judged by all the
evidence taken together. Unless _all_ its proofs be overthrown,
it remains proved. If no proof singly were sufficient, the whole
taken together might be.

=8.= It is much easier to start an objection, than to comprehend
the united force of a whole argument.

=9.= Thus it appears that the positive evidence of revelation
cannot be destroyed, though it should be lessened.