The truth of Christian religion in six books / written in Latine by Hugo Grotius ; and now translated into English, with the addition of a seventh book, by Symon Patrick ...

SECT. XVII. Jesus is proved to be the Messias, by those things which were foretold concerning the Messias.

BY this which hath been spoken, it is ma∣nifest that the Messias came many Ages ago: we add further, that he is no other but Jesus. For what other persons soever either were, or would have been accounted the Mes∣sias, they have left no Sect behind them to uphold and maintain that opinion. There are not any at this day that profess themselves to be followers either of Herod, or of Judas Gaulonita, or of that great Impostor Barcho∣chebas, who living in the times of Adrian; said, that he was the Messias, and deceived some, even of the most learned. But those that profess the name of Jesus, have continued from the time that he lived upon Earth, even until this day, and are still not a few only in this or that Countrey, but very many disper∣sed, as far as the World extendeth. I could alledge many other testimonies anciently fore∣told or believed concerning the Messias, which we believe were accomplished in Jesus, since they are not so much as affirmed of any other: as namely, that he came of the poste∣rity

of David, and was born of a Virgin; which was divinely revealed to him that mar∣ried that Virgin; when he would have put her away, supposing she had been got with child by another; Also that this Messias was born at Bethlehem, and began first to publish his do∣ctrine in Galilee, healing all kinds of Diseases, giving sight to the blind, and making the lame to walk: but this one may suffice for many, the effect of which continues unto this day. It is most manifest by the Prophecies of David, Isaiah, Zachariah, and Hosea, that the Messias was to be an Instructor, not only of the Jews, but also of the Gentiles: that by him the wor∣ship of false Gods should fall to the ground, and a huge multitude of aliens and strangers should be brought to the worship of the only true God. Before Jesus his coming almost the whole World was overspread with false wor∣ships and religions: which afterward by little and little began to vanish away, and not only single persons, but both People and Kings were converted unto the worship and service of one God. This was not owing to the Jewish Rabbins; but to the Disciples of Jesus and their Successors. Thus they were made the people of God, that before were not the people of God; and the saying of old Jacob, Gen. 49. was fulfilled, That before all civil Authority should be taken from Judah, Shilo should come. Which the Chaldee, and other Inter∣preters

expound of the Messias, to whom e∣ven foreign Nations should be obedient.