3 6 1:0t Dannotyof trieZíbíne íí íb to Chap. r 9r . 3. Fromhence we may difcover the peculiar excel- / v-e lency of the Chriftian Religion, above all other Inftitu- tions s and that in refpet ofits .defign andeffect. The whole Defign of the Gofpel is expreft in the words of Chrift fromHeaven to Paul, when he fent him to the A&. 16.13. Gentiles, To open their eyes, and to turn themfrom dark-. nefs to light, andfrom thepower ofSatan to God, that they may receiveforgivenefsofans, and inheritance among them that arefanc1ifaedby Faith in Chrifl. One great End of it is to take away all thefilthinefs andmalignity where- with Sinbath infected the world, and tocaufe inmen a real conformity to Gods Holinefs, according to their capacity. As the Rewardit promifes is not an earthly Happinefs, fuch as we enjoyhere,but Celeftial ; fo the Holinefs it requires, is not anordinary natural Perfe- c}ion, which Men honour with the titleof Vertue, but anAngelical Divine quality thatfanilfes us throughout in Spirit, Souland Body; that cleanfes the Thoughts and .Affections, and exprefíes it felf in a courfe ofuniverfal Obedience to Gods Will. Indeed there are other things that commend the Gofpel to any, that with judgment compares it with other Religions. The height of its Myfteries which are fo facred and venerable, that upon the difcovery they affect with reverence and admirati- Fit tetum Fa- bula Cælum. on: Whereas the Religionofthe Gentiles was built on Martial. Follies and Fables. Their moft folemn Myfteries to C«terum Iota which they wereadmitted after fo long a circuit of Ce- _= adytis divi_ remonies andgreat preparations,contained nothingbut uitas, tot fuf- aprodigious mixture ofVanity and Impiety, worth to ph la Epopta- y rum,totum fig_ be concealed in everlafting darknefs. Befides, thecon- "aculu.m lin- firmationof the Gofpel byMiracles doth authorize it a- gute, fimula- ota . m revela_ bove all humane Inftitutions. And theglorious eternal Cur. Tert,l coat. Va Reward ofit infinitely exceeds whatever is propounded lent. by them. But that which gives it the moft vifible pre- t "' 6.3 eminence, is, That it is a Doctrineaccording to godlinefs. The
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