A vindication of the truth of Christian religion against the objections of all modern opposers written in French by James Abbadie ... ; render'd into English by H.L.

Chap. IX. 1.

And he entred into a Ship, &c. In this Chapter Jesus Christ calleth Matthew from the receit of custom, healeth a Woman that was disea∣sed with an Issue of Blood twelve Years, restoreth sight to two blind Men, raiseth a young Girl to Life again, and healeth one that was possessed with a Devil. Now Matthew who compiled the History of all these matters of fact, and whom no interest whatsoever could have obliged to follow Jesus Christ to the prejudice of his own repose, could not but know certainly what force or secret Power had com∣pelled him to follow Christ. And Jairus knew very well whether or no his Daughter had been raised to Li••e again, his Friends and Relations had been in∣formed of it, the Neighbours and Minstrels who were already come to solemnize her funerals, could not be ignorant of it. In a word, the Blind, the Lame, and the Sick of that Town, could not but tell whether they really experienced that healing virtue

which proceeded from his very garments. But who can suppose that so many Persons should have known the certain Truth of that matter of fact, and yet that the Disciples themselves should not have known it? And supposing they knew it, how is it possible they could have so unanimously agreed to impose up∣on all the World at the expence of their lives, and against their own temporal interest?

Vers. 5.

For whether is it easier to say, thy Sins are forgiven thee; or to say arise and walk? There is no suspecting a Man's proceedings that proves by seve∣ral sensible and healing Miracles the Authority he assumes and ascribes to himself.

Vers. 13.

But go and learn what that meaneth; I will have mercy and not sacrifice. A Spiritual worship is the only worship that God delights in. The ce∣remonies of Moses's Law were only agreeable to him as they were founded upon the Obedience that is due to God. This Obedience derives its whole perfecti∣on from a willing compliance out of love and Cha∣rity. For a forced and constrained obedience can never be acceptable to God. That which is most excellent in Charity, is Mercy, which consists in for∣giving injuries, and doing good to others without expecting any return from them. For a man may do good to another through a principle of vain Glo∣ry. But the works of mercy proceed from another motive, and are a product of a noble disinteressed na∣ture. Mercy then is the only thing that is acceptable to God in Religion: and both Scripture and Reason tell us so. But the World was so ignorant of this truth, when Jesus Christ first took it for a funda∣mental maxim of his Religion, that nothing could be more surprizing to Men than his expressing him∣self after this manner.

Vers. 13.

For I am not come to call the righteous but Sinners to repentance. An expression that thunders

out against Hypocrisie, roots out of our Hearts that false Pride and vain Confidence we have of our selves, humbles mankind, glorifies the mercy of God, and makes us sensible of the use and necessity of repentance, and in a more especial manner evi∣dently shews the self-denial of our Lord.