Serm. LXIV. ThePrejúdice.r again/t Chri/hanity cònfider'a! 4.6>ï Fourthly, The Heathens Obje&ed, That the low and mean Condition of our Saviour was unfuirable to one that pretended to be the Son of God, and to be appointed by God to be a Teacher and Reformer of the World. This to the Heathen Philofophers didnot only appear unreafonable, but even ridiculous. So St. Paul tells us, I Cor. t. 23. We preach ChrJ crucified, to the Iewc a Humbling- block, and to the Greekr Foolifhnefs : To think that a Man who appeared in fuch mean Circumftances, fhouldbe fit to Reform the World ; and one who himfelf was put to Death, fhould be reliedupon for Life and Immortality. This Obje&ion I have heretofore confider'd at large, and therefore ihall now (peak but very briefly to it. Betides thofe excellent Reafons and End which the Scripture affigns of our Sa- viour's Humiliation ; as that he might be a Teacher and Example to us that he might make Expiation for our Sins ; that by fuffering himfelf, he might learn to commiferateus; that byDeath he might defiroy him that hadthe Power of Death, that is the Devil, and might deliver thofe who throughfear of Death were all their lives fiehje&i to Bondage ; I fay, betides thefe, it was of great ufe that he fhould live in fo mean and afflifked a Condition, to confront the Pride, and Vanity, and Fantaftry of the World ; and to convince Menof thefe two great Truths, That God may love thofe whom he'affli&s ; and That Men may be innocent, and virtuous, and con- tentedin the midft of Poverty, and Reproach, and Suffering. Had our Bleffed Saviour been a greatTemporal Prince, his .Influence and Example might poffìbly have made more Hypocrites and fervile Converts; but would not have perfwaded Men one jot more to be inwardly good and virtuous. The great Arguments which mrtftdo that, aloft be fetch'd, not ffom thePomp andProfperity of this World, but from theEternal Happinefs and Mifery of the other. Betides,hadhe appear'd ire any great Power and Splendor, the Chriftian Religion could not havebeen fo clear- lÿacquitted from theSufpicionof a worldly Intereft andDefign, which would have been a far greater Objection againft it, than this which I am now fpeaking to. Add to all this, that the wifeft of the Heathen Philofophers did reach, that Worldly Greatnefs and Power are not to be admired, but defpifed by atruly wife Man that Men may bevirtuous, andgood, and dearly beloved of God, and yet be liable togreat MiferiesandSufferings ; and that whoever fuffers unjtftly, and bears it patiently, gives the greateft Teftimony to Goodnefs, and does molt effeau- ally recommend Virtue to the World; that a good Man under the. harden( Cir- cumftances ofMifery, and Reproach, and Suffering, is the fìtteft Perfon of all other to be the Minifter, and Apoftle, "and Preacher of God toMankind : And furely they who fay fuch things (which theHeathen have done) had no reafon to obje& to our Bleffed Saviour his 'low and fuffering Condition. As to that part of the Obje&ion, that he who promis'd Immortality to others could not fave himfelf from Death and Suffering, confidering that he who was put toDeath, refen dhimfelf from the Powerof the Grave : It is fo far from being ridiculous, that nothingcan be more reafonable than to rely upon him for our hopes of Immortality, who by riling from the Grave, and conquering Death, gave a plain demonftration that he was able to make good what he pròmifed: I have done with the Exceptions which were made .agàinit our Sgvíour and his Do&rine at their firft Appearance in the World. I proceed in the II. Placeto confider the Prejudices and Objefi'ronswhich Men at this Day do more particularly Ina upon, againft our Saviour and his Religion: And they aremany.: Firfi, Sortie that relate to-the Incarnationofour Saviour. Secondly,' To theTime ofhis Appearance. Thirdly, That we havenot now fuffrcientEvidence of the Truth of Chriftiani- 0t; the main Arguments for it relying upon Matters of Fá&, of which, at this diftance, we have not nor can be expe&ed to have fufficient Affurance. Fourthly, That the Termsof it feemvery hard, and to lay too great 1t.eftraints upon Human Nature. Fifthly, That it is apt toDifpirit Men, and to break the Vigour and Courage of their Minds.. Sixthly,
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=