ß+Iß roeDaritionp of tf lr.tb ttu ZttriblittO Chap. 2 r, their Wifdom and Vertue; and they were received with- t.,rV1J out contradition. For being correfpondent to the cor- rupt inclinations of Men, it was notftrange that the Princes had either capacity to invent them, or power to plant them. And in later times Mahomet opened a way for his Religion by his fword, and advanced it by his Conqueft. Now 'tis no wonder that a Religion fo plea- ting to the lower appetites, thatgives licence to all cor- ruptaffec`iions inthe prefent Life, and promifes a fen- fual Paradife fuitable to beafts in the future, fhould be embraced by thofe who were fubjed to his arms. But the 4pofiles were meanly bornand educated, without credit and reputation, deftituteofall humane ftrength, andhad only a CrucifiedPerlon for their leader. Chri- flianity was expofed naked in the dayof its birth,with- out any fhelter from fecular Powers. 2 .They had not theadvantage of Art and Eloquence to commend their Religion. There is a kindofcharms in Rhetorick that makes things appear otherwife than they are : the belt caufe it ruins, theworft it confirms. Truth,though in it felfinvincible,yet by it feems to be overcome; andErrour obtains a falfe triumph. Wehave a vifible proof ofthis in theWritings ofCelfus,Symma_ chits, Cecilius and others for Paganifm againft Chrifti_ anity. What a vaft difference is there between the lyes and filthinefs of the one, and the Trothand Sanlity of the other? Yet with what admirable addrefs did they manage that infamous Subjeó? Although it Teemed incapable ofanydefence, yet they gave fuck- colours to it, by the beauty oftheir exprefi'ions,and their apparent reafons,that it feemed plaufible; and Chriftianity not- withftanding its brightnefs andpurity was made odious to the people.But the Apoftles were rift of them wholly unlearned. Sty ;Paul himfelfacknowledges that he laws ..0°r. z, 4. wea/inprefepce, and his Speechw&i net with the entice- ing
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