Education for Life. George Turnbull

      think for themselves & borrow all the helps from others they can in their enquiries. Genuine <and> uncorrupted Christianity is indeed the best of all religions & good Christians will ever be the best & worthiest members of society. But neither the nature of the Christian institution nor the design of society allows <that> it be reduced to a parliamentary standart & made an engine or tool of state. In short the only usefull publick leading in religion <is the> care of liberty & of free examination and any other medling e<ver is> & ever must be pernicious to every thing that is valuable <to> mankind or that should be protected by society as the common rig<ht> & priveledge of reasonable creatures. The way to determine the question is to bring matters by fair count & reckoning to a just ballance of loss & gain & whoever wou’d shew that this or the other scheme of beleif should have a publick leading in any state must go to political arithmetick with it and take all things into the account which it is the design of any weel model’d society to cherish & promote. What I have attempted in this short essay is to shew that it is the entrest of society to make the publick leading the Protectrix of liberty & all honest good subjects whatever their schemes of Philosophy or faith may be and tho perhaps I have not been full enough in stating all the particulars which shou’d be brought into this account yet I have said enough to shew you, my Freind, what are my real sentiments of that affair and how I think the question ought to be managed.

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       A Philosophical Enquiry concerning the Connexion between the Miracles and Doctrines of Jesus Christ

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      NOTE ON THE TEXT

      The first edition of the Philosophical Enquiry exists in two versions. The first printing was published by the London bookseller R. Willock in 1731 and cost six pence. The pamphlet was then reset and a second printing was published by Willock on 7 May 1731, which sold for one shilling.¹ The second version incorporates minor changes in punctuation, spelling, and capitalization, as well as different textual ornaments and minor variations in accidentals. In both versions Turnbull used the pseudonym “Philanthropos” to sign the preface and was not named as the author on the title page or in the text.

      The second edition of the Philosophical Enquiry was published by Willock in 1732 and sold for one shilling and six pence. Turnbull’s name appeared on the title page, and the fact that he was styled “A.M.” suggests that the pamphlet was published before he was given his honorary Doctor of Laws degree from the University of Edinburgh on 13 June 1732. The text of the second edition is reset. It is also thoroughly revised and substantially enlarged. In the preliminary matter, the preface is no longer signed “Philanthropos” and the advertisement has been reworded. In the main body of the pamphlet, Turnbull made numerous minor changes of punctuation and wording, expanded the text of some footnotes, inserted new footnotes, deleted some footnotes, and added sentences and paragraphs, as well as a new section in Part II, two new sections in Part III, and a set of six “Queries” at the end of the work.

      The third edition of the Philosophical Enquiry, again published by Willock, bears a new title page. Turnbull has reworded and expanded the

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      subtitle of the work and is now styled “LL.D.” The order of the preliminary matter has been altered, with the advertisement from the second edition now preceding the preface. Both have been reset with new ornaments and incorporate minor textual revisions. The “Advertisement to this Edition” has been added after the preface. Turnbull has not revised pages 1–86 (pp. 103–62) and they appear not to have been reset. The original page 87 (pp. 162–63) has been replaced with one and a half freshly set gatherings (pages 87–98; below pp. 162–70). Queries IV to VI have been reset, and Queries V and VI incorporate minor revisions. Turnbull has added Queries VII and VIII and reworded the concluding paragraph on page 89 (p. 163). The appendix (pages 89–98; below pp. 164–70) has also been added, as indicated on the title page.

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      A

      Philosophical Enquiry

      CONCERNING THE

      CONNEXION

      BETWEEN THE

      MIRACLES and DOCTRINES

      OF

      JESUS CHRIST.

      IN WHICH

      MIRACLES are considered in a new Light; and it

      is proved that the Works JESUS CHRIST performed

      to evince the Truth of his Doctrines, are a natural,

      proper, and full Proof of them, in the strictest and

      most philosophical Sense of Proof or Evidence.

      By GEORGE TURNBULL, LL.D.

      The THIRD EDITION.

      To which is added, An APPENDIX.

      LONDON:

      Printed for R. WILLOCK, at Sir Isaac Newton’s-Head

      in Cornhill. MDCCXXXIX.

      [Price One Shilling and Six-pence.]

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      ADVERTISEMENT

      UPON reviewing the first Edition of this ENQUIRY, I thought it proper to make some few changes and additions in order to render it a full and compleat demonstration of the Connexion between the Doctrines and Works of JESUS CHRIST: And I have now no more to say upon that subject. As for the other part promised, I only want some short time to put in order for the press, what I have long had by me upon that argument, so the Publick may expect to have it very soon.¹ <iii>

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      THE PREFACE

      If a Preface or Apology be necessary in any case, it is certainly when a Letter to a Friend assumes a more publick character; and instead of a private missive, becomes an epistle to the world.

      By way of apology may it therefore suffice, That tho’ the Author was advised, nay pressed, to send this private letter to the press; yet what only prevailed with him to do it, was, that he seriously thought it might chance to convince some one doubter or other, of the truth of Christianity: And if it does, he is sure of thanks for publishing it from such; if it does not, some body will probably take the trouble to point out the lameness of the reasoning; and so may perhaps give him new light, shew him his mistake, or help him to a better argument; and in that case too he will have his reward; for truth is his search and delight. <iv>

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      ADVERTISEMENT TO THIS EDITION

      This ENQUIRY, with the APPENDIX, is offered by the Author to the consideration of some late writers against Christianity, to the Moral Philosopher in particular; for he thinks it contains a satisfying answer to all that Author has said about miracles, after many others.² He begs leave only to ask them one question, and it is, Whether they think it probable that virtue would be more prevalent and universal in a state where the genuine doctrines of Christianity concerning our duties to GOD, ourselves and our neighbours, and a future life, are believed; or in a state where a future life is not believed, and moral duties are not inculcated or inforced from that belief? If this should be said to be a Query that does not belong to the question about the truth or falshood of the Christian Religion, yet sure it cannot be said to be a Query that does not relate to the happiness of mankind and human society. As for the truth of Christianity, it must come to the plain simple question stated