in cConttíbín . cameo lactemption. 415 the Gofpel, humane prirdence would judg, that they Chap. z fhould have been afïifted either with Authority and Y--- Power, or with Learning and Eloquence, to compel or perfwade to a fubmiffion to it. But if there . had been any proportion between the quality of: the inftruments and the effects produced, the Gofpel hadbeen efteemed a. Dotrine purely Humane. The immediate Agents had been intituled.to all the honourby the fuffrage ofthe Senfes;and their proper fufficiency would have obfcured the Vertue ofChrift that wrought in Flegit hunailiier natos, inhonor tos, them. . Therefore Godchofe the weak illire,atos, ut quicqui í magnum effent things ofthe ,vorld,toconfound the rnigi & £acerent, ipfe in eis effet & facecet. ty; and bate things of the J' arid, and "lug. áee,vn. 1ïe lib. 58. c. 49 things which are def¡ifed bathGod chafen Tea and things r'Cor. 17. that are not to bring to nought things that are, that his Glorious Power may befully rnarsifefled. Chriftianity (like . its Author) fprang as a root out ofa dryground, and grew into a fair ftrongTree, not by humane planting.and wa- tering but the miraculous influences of Heaven.. The perfons employed werea fewfzfa:rrnen, with a Publican and a Tent-maker, without Authority and Power to force Men to .obedience, and without the charms ofEloquence to .infnuate thebeliefof the Do-. urines they delivered. And with thefe difadvantages . they could never have conceived a thought, much lefs had Courage to attempt the great impoffibility ofCon- verting the whole World to Chrift, and fubjeting the. heads of Princes,and the learned andwife, to the foot of. acrucified Perfon, without the Divine afiiftance. r.. They were without Authority and Power. O- ther Religions were eftablifhed in feveral Nations, by perfons of the greateft Eminency&Credit among them.. That of the Perfians by ZoroaFíres,that of the Egyptians, by Hermes, that of the Grecians by Orphesra, that of the Romans by . &uma, all Kings, or of great Reputation for their.:
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