Dr. Lee now comes forward, and, taking up the question of miracles, adopts a
different line of argument. In his first chapter he exposes the insufficiency of
the evidence upon which Moslems lean, and shows that the testimony of
multitudes, if interested and but partially informed, is worth nothing; he then
substitutes instead, the true laws of evidence as enforced by Locke's six
considerations. The Second chapter is devoted to the integrity of the
Scriptures. The Mirza had asserted that the Old Testament was lost during the
Babylonish captivity, and the first section answers the objection in a
satisfactory manner. The second section refers to the period between the
captivity and the time of Mohammed, during which the purity of the Bible is
maintained by convincing arguments. He then takes occasion to show the value of
Versions, which the Mirza foolishly imagines to have increased corruption. A
third section discusses Kennicott's notion of the Jews having altered their
Scriptures, which is shown to be unfounded. The whole chapter is recommended to
the particular attention of our missionaries. In his Third chapter, Dr. Lee,
foregoing the proof by miracles, shows from Scripture that a true prophet must
have the gift of prophecy; and that even then, if he opposes a previous
revelation, he is not to be credited: Mohammed is condemned by these premises.
The argument concludes with a brief description of our Scriptures, in which,
avoiding metaphysical and abstruse arguments, he dwells on their adaptation to
man, and refutes the objections of the Moslems.
