1.

SECT. XX.

The excellency of Chriftian Religion is farther proved from the dignity of the Author.

TH

HE third thing wherein we faid Chriftian Religion excelled all others that are, or can be devised, was the manner whereby it was delivered and divulged. Where first we shall fpeak of the Author.

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They that were Authors of the wisdom among the Grecians, confeffed that they could not affirm almoft any thing for certain in their dotrine, becaufe (quoth they) truth lies hid in a deep Pit; and our minds are no lefs dazled in the contemplation of divine things, than the eyes of an Owl in beholding the bright shining of the Sun: Befides, there was none among them but was notoriously guilty of fome vice or other. For fome were flatterers of Princes, others addicted to the impure love of Boys or Harlots others gloried in a dog like impudence. And that they all envied one another, their scolding about words, or matters of no moment is a great argument; as this is of their coldnefs in the worship of God, that even they who believed one God, fet him afide, and not only worshipped others, but fuch as they knew were no Gods; making that only the rule of their Religion, which was commonly received and practifed in publick. Touching the reward of godliness they determined nothing for certain, as appears by the laft (farewel) difputation of Socrates at his death.

Mabo

Mahomet, the Author of a Religion that is fpread very far, his own Followers do not deny, to have been a Man that abandoned himself to luft, throughout his whole life: But gave no affurance at all, by which Men may be fatisfied, that there fhall indeed be fuch a reward as he promised; confifting in banqueting and in venery; fince they do not fo much as pretend that his Body was raifed to life again, but it lies bu ried at Medina to this day.

And as for Mofes the Founder of the Hebrew Law, though he was an excellent Perfon, yet he cannot be freed from all blame: fince he could fcarcely be perfuaded with much reluctance to undertake the Embaffy, which God charged him withal to the King of Egypt: and expreffed alfo fome diftruft of God's promife for bringing water out of the Rock, as the Hebrews themfelves confefs. And he did scarce partake of any one of those promifes which by the Law he made unto the People, but was perplex'd with continual mutinies and feditions in the wilderness; neither was he permitted to enter into that bleffed and pleasant Land, fo much defired.

But Chrift is defcribed by his Difciples, as a Perfon without all fin; nor did others ever produce any teftimony to prove that He was guilty of the leaft: but whatfoever He prefcribed to others, He performed Himself. For there was nothing that God gave Him in charge, which he did not faithfully perform; being moft fimple and void of guile in his whole life; moft patient of injuries, nay, of cruel torments, as He fhewed in fuffering even the punishment of the Crofs; moft loving and kind to all Men, even to his Enemies; yea,thofe Enemies who put Him to death:

on whom he had fuch compaffion that he befeeched God to forgive them.

As for the reward which he promised unto his Disciples, it is both faid, and proved by undoubted arguments, that he himself is made partaker thereof after a moft eminent and excellent manner. For after he was rifen from the dead, there were many that beheld, and heard, and handled, and felt Him: He alfo afcended up into Heaven in the fight of his Twelve Difciples; where he obtained the highest power, as was evident in that according to his promife made at his departure, he endued them that were his Followers with ability to speak thofe Languages which they had never learnt, and with other wonderworking Powers; which will not let us doubt, either of his faithfulness, or of his Power to bestow upon us the reward which he hath promifed. And thus we have fhewn how that this Religion is more excellent than others, in regard that Chrift the Author of it hath himself performed what he commanded; as alfo in his own perfon obtained, and already enjoyeth the happiness that he promised.

SECT. XXI.

Alfo from the wonderful spreading of this Religion.

ET us in the next place defcend to the effects of this doctrine brought by him to the World: which, if they be well weighed, will appear to be fuch, that if God have any care of humane affairs,

affairs, this doctrine cannot but be believed to be Divine. It was very agreeable to Divine Providence, to make that which was beft, to be of the greatest and largeft extent. Now fuch was the fuccefs of the Chriftian Religion; which, we fee publifht and taught through all Europe, not excepting the moft Northern Provinces: and no less through all Afia, even the Islands of it in the Sea through Egypt alfo and Ethiopia, and fome other parts of Africa: And lastly, through America. Nor is this only done now, but was fo anciently, as is witnessed by the Hiftories of all times, by the Books of Chriftians, the acts of Synods, and by that old Tradition at this day preferved among the Barbarians concerning the Travels and Miracles of Thomas, Andrew, and other Apoftles. Clemens, Tertullian, and fome Ancients befides, have noted how far the name of Christ was known amongst the Britains, Germans, and other moft remote Nations in their times. And certainly there is no other Religion comparable hereunto for ample and large extent. Paganism indeed is one name, but cannot be faid to be one Religion; fince that it was neither agreed upon by the Profeffors thereof what one thing they fhould worship; but fome adored the Stars, others the Elements, and a third fort reverenced their Cattel, others fuch things as have no fubfiftance: Nor was this Worfhip performed by virtue of the fame Law, nor from any common Mafter.

The Jews indeed are difperfed and scattered. up and down, yet remain one people. Howbeit their Religion had never any notable growth or increase after Christ's Afcenfion; and their Law was not fo much made known by them, as by Chriftians,

F 3

Then

Then for Mahumetanifm, it is poffeffed of Land enough, but 'tis not alone: for Chriftian Religion is alfo profeffed in the fame Countries; where, in fome places there are greater numbers of Chriftians than of Turks: who, on the contrary, are not to be found at all, in moft parts where Chriftianity is planted.

SECT. XXII.

Confidering the meekness and fimplicity of them that first taught this Religion.

T follows that we confider by what means I

and increase, that therein it may be comparable, and preferred before others. We fee it commonly true of moft Men, that they will eafily follow the examples of Kings and Potentates what way foever they go; fpecially if Law and Penalties compel them to it. Hereby were the Religions of the Pagans, and of Mahomet propagated. But they that firft taught the Chriftian Religion not only wanted all civil power and authority, but were of mean condition, no better than poor Fishermen, Weavers, and the like. Yet by fuch Mens pains and industry, that doctrine, within the space of Thirty Years, or thereabouts, was published not only throughout all the parts of the Roman Empire, but alfo among the Parthians and remote Indians.

Nor was it thus only in the beginning, but for almoft three whole Ages together, this Religion was fo promoted by the endeavours of pri