The certainty of the Christian revelation, and the necessity of believing it, established in opposition to all the cavils and insinuations of such as pretend to allow natural religion, and reject the Gospel / by Francis Gastrell ...

HAving in a former Discourse proved that there is a God; That this God has appointed us a cer∣tain Rule and Order of Life; That he has obliged us to Conform to his Will and Appointments, by annexing Happiness to our Obedience, and Mise∣ry to our Disobedience; That the Rule he has given us to go by, is whatever we can, upon our own Enquiry, or the Information of others, discover to be a∣greeable to our purest and most unpreju∣diced Reason; all which is comprehended

under the Name of Religion: Having like∣wise shewn that a general and exact Obser∣vance of all the Duties of such Religion, would advance the Happiness of Man∣kind to the highest degree, they are in this their Mortal Condition capable of; and from these Principles, together with the present Irregularity of things in the World, having made it appear that there must be a Future State, of Rewards and Punishments proportion'd to the different behaviour of Men in this: I have now farther undertaken to prove that, be∣sides those Tokens and Indications God has given of himself, his Will and De∣signs in the Nature and Constitution of things, which are discoverable by right well-exercised Reason; he has in a more extraordinary manner, viz. by Immedi∣ate Revelation from himself made known his Mind to us; by which means he has given us a clear and intire view of the fore∣mentioned rational Truths, render'd our knowledge of them more certain, plain, and particular, discovered a great many new Truths which the unassisted force of Human Faculties could not have found out, and established new Rules and Measures of Duty, over and above

those our Reason was before, by its ut∣most efforts, able to inform us of.

All which extraordinary Discoveries I affirm to be contained in the Books which go under the Name of the Old and New Testament: from whence I inferr that all the Doctrines, Precepts and Directi∣ons delivered in the Old and New Testa∣ment, are obligatory to us so far as they are there declared to be so; that is, they are to be believed and observed in the Way and Manner, and upon the Rea∣sons and Motives there proposed; and consequently, that at present, the true and adequate Rule of Human Life, is what we call the Christian Religion.

But because, as 'tis plain from the na∣ture of all Revelation, the truth of what is pretended to be revealed must depend upon the proof of Matters of Fact; I shall take this Method of establishing the Certainty of the Christian Revelation.

1. Having premised some things con∣cerning those particular Facts I design to insist upon; I shall give a short Ab∣stract or Summary of the Christian Scheme, as we find it delivered in the New Testament.

2. I shall prove by such direct Argu∣ments as Matters of Fact are proveable by, that all the principal Matters of Fact related in the New Testament, are true.

3. I shall endeavour to make good the same Proposition indirectly, by shewing the Absurdity of a contrary Supposition, and the weakness of all the Difficulties and Objections raised against the truth of those Facts, or of Revelation in ge∣neral.

4. I shall shew the sufficiency of such a proof as shall be given under the for∣mer Heads to induce us to believe the Chri∣stian Religion, and to render us inexcusa∣ble if we do not.

As to what concerns those particular Facts I design to insist upon for the proof of the Christian Religion, there are these three things necessary to be observed.

First, I take all this for granted, viz. That there are such Books as those I call the Old and New Testament, that they are in the hands of a great number of

People of different Countries in the World, and are with a very little varia∣tion the same every where: That the greatest part of those in whose hands they are, who are called Christians, pro∣fess to believe that the Matters of Fact there Recorded are true, and that the Doctrines came from God, and are ap∣pointed by him as the Rule and Mea∣sure of their Actions; but more especial∣ly those delivered in the New Testament, which they look upon to contain a full Scheme of their Duty: That a large Sect of Men, called Jews, profess to believe the same of the Old Testament as the Chri∣stians do, but reject the New, and make the former only the Rule and Measure of their Duty; and that a great many of these, both Jews and Christians, do really and sincerely believe what they profess, and endeavour to order their Lives accordingly. All which Matters of Fact are such as I have no manner of rea∣son to suspect any body will deny me.

Secondly, I insist wholly upon the proof of those Matters of Fact which are recorded in the New Testament; not only because the Christian Religion, the Certain∣ty

of which I have undertaken to esta∣blish, is fully confirmed by the truth of those Facts: But because the Old Testa∣ment is supposed, and every where ap∣pealed to in the New as true and authen∣tick, upon which account, a thorough effectual proof of the latter, will be of it self a sufficient establishment of the former. Besides, many of the same Ar∣guments that I shall make use of to sup∣port the Christian Revelation, are in like manner applicable to the Jewish: And therefore I shall only consider the Old Testament as a Book that was extant long before the Christian Religion appeared in the World; and which was then, and had been long before esteemed by the whole People of the Jews, as a Book that contained the Revelations of God; and I shall concern my self no farther in the proof of these ancient Writings, than to defend them from the little Cavils and Objections raised against them by Modern Unbelievers, with a design to weaken the Certainty of Divine Revelation in ge∣neral, and consequently to invalidate the proofs of the Christian Religion.

Thirdly, I distinguish all the Matters of Fact observable by us in the New Testament, into Common and Extraordi∣nary; such as are conformable to those Facts we have often taken notice of be∣fore, or to those Notions we have of the Natures and Powers of the Agents, which appear to be the immediate Au∣thors of them; and such as exceed all our Knowledge and Observation of what we call Nature and natural Powers: which Extraordinary Facts mentioned in the New Testament, I distinguish further into two kinds; such as were immedi∣ately perceivable by some of the Senses, of those before whom they were done, and such as were knowable only by rea∣soning from the Natures of Things, and other concurrent or consequent Facts. Of the first kind, are Prophesies and Mira∣cles; of the second, are Divine Assistance and Revelation. And thus I shall endea∣vour to establish the Certainty of the Chri∣stian Religion, by proving the truth of all the principal Matters of Fact contained in the New Testament, according to the Or∣der and Distinction of them before men∣tioned, viz. Common Historical Facts;

Prophecies and Miracles; Divine Assistance and Revelation.

I. But, for a better and clearer prose∣cution of my Design, I shall in the first place, before I enter upon this proof, give a short Abstract or Summary of the Chri∣stian Scheme, as we find it delivered in the Books of the New Testament: Wherein I shall consider the Matter and Subject of these Books, and the Manner in which they are writ; with all the important Circumstances belonging to them, that offer themselves upon a careful and im∣partial reading. Which general view of of all the Christian Facts, the truth of which I have undertaken to maintain, will not only prevent a great many in∣convenient Repetitions, and shew the force of the subsequent Proofs in a stronger light, but give us such an Idea of the Christian Religion, as if carefully weighed and attended to, would render any fur∣ther attempts to prove it unnecessary.

It is plain to any one that reads over the New Testament, that it contains in short, a History of the Publication and

Propagation of certain Doctrines and Rules of living proposed to the Belief and Practice of Mankind; together with an Account of the several Discourses, A∣ctions, Writings, Sufferings, and other remarkable Circumstances in the Lives of the first Publishers, and some of the prin∣cipal Propagators of those Doctrines and Principles which make up the New Scheme of Religion here delivered.

But to take a more particular Survey of the New Testament, according to the several Parts or Volumes into which it is divided: In the first Four Books of it, call'd the Gospels, we find a very large and particular Account of the Birth of Jesus Christ, the first Author, as is there affirm'd, of that Religion which is now term'd Christian; and his Birth is related to have been after an extraordinary man∣ner in all the Circumstances of it; viz. That he was conceiv'd by the Spirit of God, and the over-shadowing of his Power; That he was born of a Virgin; That his Conception was foretold, and his Birth proclaim'd by Angels; That his Coming into the World was signified by a Star, which brought Wise Men from the East to worship him; That mighty Things were immediately before and after his Birth

said of him by Angels, and Just Persons, moved by the Spirit of God. From the Birth of Christ, 'till he was thirty years of Age, very little is mentioned of him besides some Discourse he held with the Doctors in the Temple at Twelve; but when he began to be about thirty, he was baptized by John, who is stil'd his Fore∣runner that prepared the way for him; and at his Baptism the Heavens were opened, and the Spirit of God descended upon him like a Dove; and a Voice was heard from Hea∣ven, saying, This is my Beloved Son in whom I am well pleas'd. The principal Things that are afterwards recorded of him, are his calling of Disciples and Apostles, his Ser∣mons and Instructions to the People, his Miracles and Prophecies, and his Sufferings, Death and Burial, with some other remar∣kable Passages that happened after his Death.

His Disciples and Apostles, but more especially Twelve of them, were favoured with a nearer and more intimate Con∣versation than any of the rest he directed his Instructions to. These were the constant Companions of his Labours, and Wit∣nesses of his most private Behaviour; These he instructed in a more plain and open manner than he did others, and

communicated several things to Them, which he kept secret from his common Auditors and Followers: To these he gave a Commission to teach and instruct the Jews, and to do mighty things among them while he lived, and to preach to all Nations after his Death, and propagate his Doctrine with Signs and Wonders.

He himself is represented as preaching and teaching throughout all Judea, and several of his Publick Sermons and Di∣scourses, as also many things which he said in private to his Disciples, are every where throughout the several Gospels re∣peated; sometimes in short, and only the Substance of them, sometimes more at large, in the same Form and Manner in which they were delivered.

The Miracles, or wonderful Things, mentioned to be done by Christ, exceed∣ing all the Observation and Power of Mankind, are these: Fasting Forty Days and Forty Nights together; turning Wa∣ter into Wine; Stilling Tempests, walk∣ing upon the Sea; telling the secret Thoughts of Men's hearts; curing the Blind, Lame, and Maimed; healing all manner of Diseases with a word, or touch of his Garment; casting out Devils and

unclean Spirits, and restoring Men posses∣sed with 'em to their former state of health and sense; feeding vast multitudes of People with a few small Loaves and Fi∣shes; by his bare Word causing a Fig-Tree immediately to wither, great num∣bers of Fish to be taken in a Net, and a single Fish to come to the Hook with Money in its mouth to pay his Tribute with; transfiguring himself before some of his Disciples, so that they saw the fashion of his Face alter'd, and his Rai∣ment chang'd; raising the Dead, and ri∣sing himself after his Burial; appearing to his Disciples after he was risen, and conversing with them Forty Days, some∣times being known by them, and some∣times not, according as he pleased; and at last in their Presence ascending up into Heaven.

The Matters we find in the Gospels foretold by Jesus Christ, were his own Passion, Death, Resurrection, Ascension, and Mission of the Holy Spirit or Com∣forter, with several particular Circum∣stances of them; the Persecutions and Sufferings of his Disciples; the Death of some of them, and the manner in which they were to dye; as also their future

Glory and Office at the end of the World; the Rejection of the Jews; Vocation of the Gentiles; Success and Continuance of the Gospel, or Christian Religion; the Appearance of False Prophets and Tea∣chers, and False Christs; the springing up of Heresies, and falling away of Pro∣fessors; the Destruction of the Jewish Temple, and Constitution, and Dispersi∣on of that whole People, with many strange and terrible Signs foregoing; and lastly, the second Appearance of himself in Glory to judge the World, which is set forth in a very large and pompous De∣scription of the whole Scene.

As to his Sufferings, Death, and Burial, and what followed afterwards, which are the next things that challenge our Consi∣deration, we read that he was betrayed by one of his Disciples, denied by another, and deserted by all the rest; that he was taken, and carried first before the High Priest of the Jews, and afterwards before Pilate and Herod; that he was scourged, mocked, spit upon, reviled, and, at last, upon false and frivolous Accusations, condemn'd by Pilate, contrary to his Conscience, only to please the Jews; and then crucified between Two common

Malefactors, one of which reproached him, the other believed in him; while he was upon the Cross, the Sun was dark'ned, the Veil of the Temple was rent in twain, and the Earth quaked, and the Rocks rent, and the Graves were open'd, and many Bodies that slept arose, and came out of their Graves after his Resurrection, and appear'd unto many; his Body being taken down from the Cross unbroken, was laid in a Sepulchre hewn out of a Rock, with a Stone roll'd to the door of it; and the Sepulchre was made sure, by sealing the Stone, and set∣ting a Watch; notwithstanding which he rose again the Third day after he was buried, and appear'd to his Disciples, and many others: But the Soldiers that were appointed to watch the Sepulchre, being affrighted by the appearance of an Angel, who descended from Heaven, and roll'd back the Stone from the door, came into the City, and shew'd the Chief Priests all the things that were done, and had Money given them to say his Disciples came by Night and stole him away; after this, the Disciple that betray'd him repented of the Fact, brought back the Money he had received for betraying him, and hang'd himself.

This is the summ of what is contained in the Four Gospels. In the next Book, call'd The Acts of the Apostles, we find the Eleven, who are peculiarly stiled Apo∣stles, after their return from beholding the Ascension of their Master, assembled to∣gether at Jerusalem with the rest of those who were more particularly distinguish∣ed by the Name of Disciples; where they make choice of another Apostle to supply the room of Judas that had hang'd him∣self. After which choice, the twelve be∣ing all with one accord in one place, they were filled with the Holy Ghost, and spake with o∣ther Tongues as the Spirit gave them utte∣rance; which wonderful Gift of divers Languages was conferred upon them with very strange amazing Signs and Appea∣rances, viz. a sound from Heaven as of a rushing mighty Wind, cloven Tongues like as of Fire, &c.

Having received this extraordinary As∣sistance, we find them wholly employ'd in preaching the things concerning Jesus; interpreting the Scriptures of the Old Testament with relation to him; bapti∣zing in his Name; converting People to the Belief of those Facts recorded in the Gospels, and the Doctrines built upon

them; exhorting Men to the Practice of the several Duties enjoin'd them by God, and delivered to them by the Ministers of the Gospel of Christ, and bidding them expect Salvation by Christ only; ordain∣ing several Persons under different Cha∣racters to assist in the Ministry; healing all manner of Diseases; raising the Dead; and doing many other Signs and Won∣ders where-ever they come; and convey∣ing the same Powers and Gifts to others they had received themselves: By which means we read that the Gospel was spread, and the number of Believers encreased, many Churches or Congregations were every where established, and the Mem∣bers of them kept so united by those that were set over them; first in Judea, and Sa∣maria, then in remoter Parts abroad where the Jews were scattered, after∣wards in several Cities, Islands and Na∣tions of Asia and Europe.

With the Progress of the Gospel or Chri∣stian Religion, we have an Account like∣wise of several Attempts made in many Places to hinder and oppose the Establish∣ment of it, together with the Sufferings and Persecutions of the first Apostles, and others chosen afterwards to be Assistants

to them in carrying on the same Work; many of which were beaten, imprison'd, and many other ways afflicted and di∣stressed, and some were put to death.

But a more particular relation is given of the Conversion, Travels, and Suffe∣rings of Paul; all which appear to be ve∣ry extraordinary. Several Discourses of Paul, and other Apostles and Disciples of Christ are set down at large. Some Pro∣phecies also are mentioned of Holy Men, who are represented as being filled with the Holy Ghost, and speaking by the Spirit of God; and some remarkable Judgments of God upon wicked Persons are there re∣corded.

These are the principal Matters which compose the History of the Acts of the Apostles.

All the following Tracts or Volumes of the New Testament, are written in the form of Letters or Epistles, sent from such of the Apostles and Disciples of Christ, as we find mention'd in the Gospels and Acts, and directed, some of them to particular Persons, some to large Societies of Men, of several different Countries, who had embraced the Christian Faith.

In which Epistles are contained most of the same Rules and Precepts that are laid down in the Gospels and Acts, many large and particular Explications of several Do∣ctrines there delivered; and several new Doctrines which we do not meet with in those Books, the Truth and Obligation of all which are frequently enforced by Arguments.

Most of the principal Matters of Fact recorded in the Gospels and Acts, are re∣serr'd to in the Epistles, and alledged as Proofs of the Truth of the Doctrines there taught, and of the Authority of the Teachers. Here are likewise several new Matters of Fact incidentally mentioned which we do not find in those former Books; and some of the Facts there rela∣ted are repeated here with new Circum∣stances.

All the Epistles do abound throughout with Exhortations to a steady Belief of those wonderful things said and done by Christ and his Apostles, and to a constant Practice of the Duties enjoin'd by them. In several of them there are some Prophe∣cies too intermixed with these other Mat∣ters before taken notice of: And the last Epi∣stle directed to the seven Churches in Asia,

which is by a peculiar Title stiled The Re∣velation, is almost wholly prophetical. Some of them also conclude with Saluta∣tions to, and from several particular Per∣sons therein named.

These are the most remarkable things that occurr to a Man upon reading the E∣pistles.

Thus have I run through all the Varie∣ty of Particulars treated of in the New Te∣stament. But in order to form a juster and fuller Idea of the Subject of this Book, 'tis necessary to add some farther Conside∣rations not formally express'd in any one particular Volume or Chapter, but fairly and evidently collected from the whole Composure, or from several plain Passa∣ges here and there dispersed through the several parts of it: Such as are the Chara∣cters of Jesus Christ and his Doctrine; of those that believed in him, and that assisted him in the publishing and propagating his Gospel; and of those that persecuted him, and all that bore Testimony to him, and oppo∣sed the Establishment of his Religion.

As to the Character of Jesus Christ, so far as it can be collected from the several Writings of the New Testament, it is in

short this: His Birth, Life, and Death, were attended with extraordinary Cir∣cumstances of different kinds: Those who are called in Scripture his Parents, are said to be descended from the Family of David, the greatest King that ever reigned over Judah and Israel; but their present Con∣dition when this Child was born, is set forth as very low, and the Employment that maintained them then, and after∣wards, very mean; but they were Per∣sons that feared God, and lived very con∣formably to the Law of Moses.

The first Appearance of Christ in the World, was prepared, accompanied, and followed by Prophecies, Visions, Signs, and Wonders, Ministry of Angels, Ado∣ration of Wise Men, Jealousies and Fears of a Great King; together with the Doubts, Ignorance, Amazement, Ne∣cessities, and Flight of his Father and Mother.

His Education was fuitable to the mean∣ness of his Birth. Thirty years were spent at home in Obscurity and Retirement, where he was subject and obedient to his Parents; but at the same time he waxed strong in Spirit, and encreased in Wisdom, and the Grace of God was upon him, to the Asto∣nishment

of all his Kindred and Coun∣treymen, who could not imagine whence he had that Wisdom.

His whole Life afterwards was taken up in preaching, and instructing, and confirming his Doctrine and Authority by Signs and mighty Works, and by Ar∣guments drawn chiefly from the Prophe∣cies and other Passages of the Old Testa∣ment. He went about every where teach∣ing and doing Good: He taught in the Temple, and other publick Places of Je∣rusalem; he passed through all the Cities and Villages of Judah and Samaria, and the Neighbouring Coasts, preaching and expounding the Scriptures to the People in their Synagogues: In the Fields, the Desarts, and upon the Sea-shore, we find him attended with great multitudes who heard him gladly.

Thus was he constantly employed, from the first discovery of himself and his Gospel to the World, 'till by Treachery and Malice he was apprehended and put to Death: In all which time that he pub∣lickly convers'd with Men, we have a great many surprizing things related of him, which do very much distinguish

his Character from that of any other Per∣son.

He is represented as sensible of Human Passions, Appetites, and Infirmities; and yet free from all Sin, and endued with a Pow∣er of not feeling and relieving those very wants he suffered.

He loved, grieved, and was angry; but these Affections were occasion'd in him by a just Concern for the Glory of God, and the Success of that great Work he came about, the Salvation of Mankind; and they never exceeded their due bounds.

He felt Hunger and Weariness, yet fasted Forty days and Forty nights together, fed vast multitudes, and heal'd all manner of Infirmities by his miraculous Power; and, when his Disciples brought him Meat, he refused it, saying, he had Meat to eat which they knew not of, and that his Meat was to do the Will of him that sent him.

He lived in extream Poverty and Want: He had not where to lay his Head; and was destitute not only of the good things of this World, but of all the lesser Conveni∣ences of this Life: And yet we see when he sent for an Ass and Fole to ride into Jerusalem with, the Owners let them go;

and when he ordered to have such a room prepared for him to eat his last Supper in, 'twas presently got ready for him; and both upon the bare Saying of his Disciples that the Master had need of them.

His Meekness, Lowliness, and Humility, are very conspicuous throughout his whole Conduct and Behaviour; and in several particular Instances; as his conversing freely with Persons of the meanest Rank, chusing such to be his constant Compa∣nions, and most intimate Friends, decla∣ring that he came to minister to others, and not to be ministred to, ordering those he cu∣red not to publish what he had done for them, refusing to be King when the Peo∣ple would have made him so, washing his Apostles Feet, &c. Notwithstanding which, in many other Instances, he disco∣vers himself in very signal Characters of Greatness, Majesty, and Power: For, not to mention what we have before rank'd under the Stile of Miracles and Prophecies, he taught as one having Authority; so that not only the People, but their Rulers and Teachers were astonished at his Doctrine; he reproved the Scribes and Pharisees with Boldness; he enter'd into Jerusalem with all the highest Solemnities of Triumph,

and drove out of the Temple all those that prophaned that Holy House, by applying it to common Uses; he spake the Word, and whoever he call'd immediately left all they had, and followed him; he took upon him to forgive Sins; and he gave his Di∣sciples the same Power, as likewise a Power against unclean Spirits to cast them out, and to heal all manner of Sickness, and all manner of Diseases, to tread on Serpents and Scorpions, and over all the Power of the Enemy, so that nothing should by any means hurt them.

Besides all which, and many other Marks of Greatness, Power, and Authority, that appeared in the Actions of Christ, the things which he declares of himself, and which are attributed to him by his Disci∣ples, give us a much higher Idea of him.

He says of himself, that he is greater than the Prophet Jonah and Solomon; he proves that David call'd him his Lord; he affirms that before Abraham was he is; that Abraham rejoiced to see his day, that he is the Christ, the Messiah expected and pro∣phesied of, the Son of God, the Way, the Truth, and the Life; that all things are deli∣vered to him of the Father, who was Lord of

Heaven and Earth, and that all things which the Father hath are his; that he and the Father are one, that he is in the Father, and the Fa∣ther in him; that he came forth from his Fa∣ther when he came into the World; that he is the Bread of Life that came down from Heaven; that this Bread is his Flesh, which he will give for the Life of the World; that he has overcome the World; that no Man took his Life from him, but that he laid it down of himself, and had Power to take it again; and that when he leaves the World, he goes to his Father: He owns that he is a King, but that his Kingdom was not of this World; He tells us that all Power is given to him both in Heaven and in Earth; that hereafter he should be seen sitting at the Right Hand of the Power of God, and that he will come in his Glory, and all the Holy Angels with him to judge the World; that then he shall sit upon the Throne of his Glory, and before him shall be gathered all Nations, and receive their Sentence from him according to their Works. He assures his Twelve Apostles that he will send the Comforter to them, who shall teach them all things, and guide them into all truth, and show them things to come; that he himself will be with them always un∣to the end of the World; that whatsoever

they shall ask the Father in his Name, that he will do; that he will prepare a place for them in his Fathers House; and that, when he comes to judge the World, they shall sit up∣on twelve Thrones judging the twelve Tribes of Israel. To all those that labour and are hea∣vy laden he promises that they shall find rest; to those that sell what they have and follow him, that they shall have Treasure in Heaven; to those that love him, that they shall be loved of his Father, and that his Father and he will come and make their abode with them. Whosoever drinketh of the water that he shall give him, he says, shall never thirst, but that water shall be in him a well of water springing up in∣to everlasting life; and whoso eateth his flesh, and drinketh his blood, hath eternal life, and he will raise him up at the last day. He tells one of the Thieves upon the Cross, That he should be with him that day in Paradise; and in general to all those that believe in him, and obey his Word and Commandments, he gives assu∣rance of Salvation and Eternal Happi∣ness in another World, besides many o∣ther occasional Blessings and Assistances in this; and those that will not believe in him, and obey his Gospel, he threatens

with Eternal Punishment in another life, and with many Troubles and Cala∣mities while they continue here.

Agreeable to which Declarations made by himself, are the Language and Practice of his Disciples to him, and of him in his Life time and after his Death. They call him Lord, and God; Preach, Baptize, and Bless in his Name; and attribute a great many glorious things to him, which are in other places, in the same Manner and Ex∣pression attributed to the One Only Supream God. They Worship him when alive, with all the external signs of Divine Adoration, and Pray to him after his Death, and ex∣pect all manner of Grace, Assistance, and Spi∣ritual strength from him here, and an Eternal Reward of their Labours, Sufferings and Obedience from him hereafter.

And as these are all Evident Marks and Tokens of an amazing Greatness and Power in Jesus Christ, so are all his Sermons and Discourses, his manner of Preaching and Conversing, and the whole Scheme both of his Life and Doctrine; manifest proofs of an extraordinary kind of Wis∣dom.

It does not appear from the History of the Gospel, or any other parts of the New

Testament, that Christ had read any other Book but the Old Testament, or that he had had the advantage of being in∣structed in the meaning and sense of that by any Master or Teacher whatsoever: yet we find him Teaching, Reasoning, An∣swering Questions that were put to him, and Expounding the Scriptures of the Old Testament in such a manner, that all that heard him were astonished at his Vnder∣standing, his Doctrine and Answers.

His usual way of Teaching the People that believed on him, and reproving the Scribes and Pharisees, and others that were unbelievers, and sought occasion to find fault with what he said, was by Parables, which were such familiar Re∣semblances of, or Allusions to the com∣mon and most observ'd accidents of Life, as were more easily apprehended by or∣dinary Capacities, better attended to and remembred, and not so liable to Censure and Misinterpretation as plain and pro∣per expressions of the same Truths that were delivered this way, would have been: But sometimes he both taught and reproved openly without any disguise or reserve, and some of his Parables were such as were not understood even by his

Disciples, till he was pleased in private to shew them the meaning of them, and acquaint them with the reason of this part of his Conduct.

His Answers to those that accused him of any crime, as of eating with Sinners, break∣ing of the Sabbath, Blasphemy, and the like; or that sought to entrap him in his Discourse, and to find matter of Accusation a∣gainst him, were very surprizing and unexpected; and such as always silenced and disappointed his Enemies.

His Exposition of some parts of the Scriptures of the Old Testament, and the Inferences he draws from them, seem'd wholly new to all the Jewish Teachers and Expositors that heard him, and yet we do not read that they confuted, or so much as opposed either his Comments or his Arguments.

And in fine, his whole Behavior and Conversation were so carefully and wisely ordered, that, though he was constantly watch'd and observ'd by cunning and malicious Men, of different Opinions, Designs, and Interests, yet no Man was ever able to convince him either of Sin or Ignorance, as is manifest from the An∣swers he gave to those who Censured,

or Despised him, or thought to puzzle him by difficult Questions, and from the whole Process against him when he was condemn'd to die.

Thus lived Jesus Christ a perfect Pat∣tern and Example of the Religion he esta∣blished, in all Holiness, and unblamea∣bleness of Conversation, shewing in all the Actions of his Life recorded of him an entire Submission and Resignation to the Will of God, and exceeding great Cha∣rity and Compassion towards Men.

And the same reason for which he came into the World, and was obedient to the Law of Moses; for which he pub∣lished his Gospel, and upon that account endured the Contradiction and Persecu∣tion of Sinners, was that also which made him lay down his Life, and submit to all the Indignities and Torments that accompanied it; the only Cause, Motive, and End of all these Actions and Sufferings of Christ was the love of Mankind. As he came into the World to save Sinners, so he gave his Life a ransom for many. To free Men from Eternal Misery, render them capable of Eternal Happi∣ness, and to direct and assist them in the way of Salvation, was his sole Work and Design.

These are the largest and most remarka∣ble lines in the Character of Jesus Christ, the first Author of that Religion we pro∣fess and defend.

In the next place I shall endeavour to give a short draught or representation of his Doctrine or Gospel; or, as we now call it, The Christian Religion, so far as it is plainly delivered in the Writings of the New Testa∣ment: But all Religion, as every one know, consisting of Faith and Practice, things to be believed, and things to be done in con∣sequence of such Belief, I shall first consi∣der the Christian Faith, and afterwards what concerns the Practice of a Christian.

The sum of the Christian Faith is to be∣lieve in One God, such as he is in the New Testament set forth to us, and in Jesus Christ his only begotten Son our Lord, ac∣cording to the History and Character be∣fore given, or whatever else the Scrip∣tures say of him: and by Faith in him, ac∣company'd with a Sincere, Ʋniversal, and Persevering endeavour of Obedience to the Rules and Laws prescribed by him; and a hearty Repentance for the Sins and Frail∣ties we do at any time fall into, to expect eternal, inexpressible Happiness; or, in case

of Infidelity or Disobedience attended with Impenitency, to be assured of suffering Eter∣nal, inexpressible Misery in another Life.

The particular Doctrines which give us an account of these things more at large, may be considered under these three Heads, God, Christ, and Man.

The God proposed in the New Testament to be believed in, is represented as a Spi∣rit, Invisible, Incorruptible, Eternal, that is, that was, and is to come, Almighty, that knoweth all things, and yet whose Judg∣ments are unsearchable, and his ways past find∣ing out; Creator of the World and all things therein, who upholdeth all things by his Power; in whom we live and move, and have our being; of whom, and through whom, and to whom are all things: Most Holy, Just, Righteous and Perfect; who is to be wor∣shiped in Spirit and in Truth, and with purity of Heart; no respecter of Persons, of great goodness and forbearance, and yet who will render to every Man according to his deeds, to them who by patient continuance in well-doing, seek for Glory and Immortali∣ty, Eternal Life; but to them that do not o∣bey the Truth, but obey unrighteousness, in∣dignation and wrath: of whom it is further said, That he is the Father, the Father of

our Lord Jesus Christ, and our Father; a Title he is frequently and peculiarly distinguish∣ed by, all over the New Testament: That he sent his Son into the World to die for us, and by him reconciled us to himself; That the Sins of Ignorance he winked at; but that now at the appointed time, when Christ came into the World, he calleth all Men every where to repent: That at sundry times, and in divers manners, he spake in times past by the Prophets, but in these last days hath spo∣ken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appoin∣ted Heir, of all things, by whom also he hath made the World; that he foreknew, prede∣stinated and Elected some in Christ, and adop∣ted them for Sons, to be Heirs of Salva∣tion, and to obtain a Heavenly Inheritance: all which are said to be Sanctified by the Spirit of God, who is often called the Ho∣ly Ghost, or Spirit, and the Spirit of Christ and of the Son, in several places of Scrip∣ture is joined together with the Father and the Son; and frequently talk'd of as a Person acting after such and such a man∣ner, as God is in other places represented to do; and many of the same Titles, Characters, and Attributes, are ascribed to him as are ascribed to the One Only Su∣preme God.

The principal things that are taught us in the writings of the New Testament, con∣cerning Christ, besides what we have al∣ready mentioned in his History and Cha∣racter, are, That he came into the World, took upon him the nature of Man, was obedi∣ent to the Law, offered himself a Sacrifice upon the Cross, was made a Curse, died, was buried, rose again, and is sat down at the right hand of God, that thereby he might redeem us from our Iniquities, and from the Curse of the Law, be a propitiation for our Sins, and reconcile us to his Father through his Blood, that our Trespasses might not be imputed to us, but that by his Obedi∣ence we should be made righteous: That he might become the Mediator of a new and bet∣ter Covenant between God and Man, than that which God made with the People of Israel when he brought them out of the Land of Egypt, and that he might abolish the Law of Commandments contained in Or∣dinances, and break down the middle Wall of Partition between Jew and Gentile, that so both might be united in one Building, of which Christ was the chief Corner Stone, and all of us be Members of one Body or Church, of which Christ is the Head: That he might be an Advocate with the Father when

we sin, and make continual Intercession for us, that so upon our Confession and Repen∣tance, God might forgive us our sins, and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. And lastly, That he might obtain a Kingdom, and by that means spoil Principalities and Powers, tri∣umphing over them; destroy the works of the Devil, and put all Enemies under his feet; and, that when Death, the last Enemy, is destroyed, he might raise the Dead, and judge the World: Part of which he has already performed, and the rest he does, and will hereafter fulfil.

The most remarkable matters that oc∣cur in the New Testament concerning the Nature, Condition, and Circumstances of Mankind, are these; Adam was the first Man, Adam was first form'd, then Eve; the first Man Adam was made a living Soul, the last Adam, by which is meant Christ, was made a quickening Spirit, which two different Expressions are distinguish'd as Natural and Spiritual, Earthly and Heaven∣ly; by one Man Sin entered into the World, and Death by Sin; and so Death passed upon all Men, for that all have sinned: Adam was not deceived, but the Woman being deceived, was in the Trangression; notwithstanding she shall be saved in Child-bearing if they continue

in Faith, and Charity, and Holiness with So∣briety: Death reigned from Adam unto Mo∣ses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's Transgression, who is the Figure of him that was to come: A Man is the Image and Glory of God, but the Woman is the Glory of the Man; not∣withstanding which, all that are of the race of Mankind, are stiled and accoun∣ted in the Scriptures sinners, ungodly, ene∣mies of God, dead in trespasses and sins, ser∣vants of sin and corruption, Children of the Devil, by nature Children of Wrath; of whom it is said further, That Sin dwelleth in us, and reigneth in our Mortal Bodies, that when we would do good, evil is present with us, and we find the Flesh lusting against the Spirit, and a Law in our Members warring against the Law of our Mind, and bringing it into Captivity to the Law of Sin: The Jews are represented as subject to Ordinances, and a Law which had only a shadow of good things to come; and as in bondage to weak and beggarly Elements; and all other Nations are reckoned as Aliens and Strangers from the Covenants of Promise, having no hope, and without God in the World.

This is the state of Mankind considered without relation to Christ; but by Christ

we are cleansed from our sins, we are made free, we are justified by Faith in him, and by his righteousness we are saved.

But the advantages which accrue to Mankind by the means of Christ, and the change that is made in our Con∣dition by him, will be more fully under∣stood from these following passages. As by one Mans disobedience, many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous, as sin hath reigned unto death, so shall Grace reign through righte∣ousness unto Eternal Life by Jesus Christ.

Cursed is every Man that continueth not in all things that are written in the Book of the Law to do them; the Man that doth them shall live in them; but this being impossi∣ble, 'tis evident that no Man is justified by the Law in the sight of God; if there had been a Law given which could have given life, righteousness should have been by the Law, but the Scripture hath concluded all un∣der sin, that the promise of Faith by Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe; In many things we offend all, but if we repent, and are baptized and believe, and shew our Faith by our Works, and persevere unto the end we shall be saved; but if we believe not the Truth, and have pleasure in unrighteous∣ness, and repent not of the evils we have

committed, we shall be damned. Those that have embraced and obeyed the Gospel of Christ, are said to have put off the Old Man with his Deeds, and put on the New Man, which is renewed in Knowledge after the Image of him that created him; Thus through Christ only we are to expect Salvation, there being no other Name given under Heaven whereby we might be saved; which Salva∣tion if we neglect, we shall be condemned by God at the last day, when he comes to judge the World in Righteousness by his Son, whom he has appointed Judge of the quick and dead. Then shall we be raised from the dead by Christ, and receive every Man according to his Works. As in Adam all died, so in Christ shall all be made alive; and since by Man came Death, by Man came also the Resurrection of the dead. The dead shall be raised incorruptible, their mortal corrup∣tible Bodies shall put on immortality and incorruption, and those which are alive at the coming of Christ, shall be changed in a moment, at the last Trump. As we have born the Image of the earthly Man Adam, so we shall also bear the Image of the heavenly Man Christ. Then shall they which have done evil be condemn'd to everlasting tor∣ment and misery, and they which have done

good, shall be rewarded with everlasting joy and happiness in the presence of God, and his holy Angels.

This is the substance of what is taught, and proposed to the Faith of Mankind in the New Testament; which I have express'd, as near as ever I could, in the very language of Scripture, as my design plainly obliged me to do.

The other Branch of the Gospel, or Doctrine of Christ which concerns the Practice of a Christian, and may properly be stiled Christian Morality, consists of such rules and measure of Action, as every one that believes in Christ, is obli∣ged to conform his life to, and without which his Faith is dead and vain, he is still in his sins, and he must expect the Wages of them, Eternal Death.

The principal Heads of Christian Du∣ty are these.

To love God, and the Lord Jesus, Christ with all our heart, and with all our power; to honour, praise, and worship God in Spirit and in Truth, with purity of heart and intention, to submit our Wills to his, and to aquiesce in all the dispensations of his Providence, with the

utmost resignation of Mind and Judg∣ment possible.

To love our Neighbours as our selves; to do unto all Men as we would they should do unto us; to forgive, and love our Ene∣mies; to bless, and pray for those that de∣spightfully use us and persecute us; to do good against evil; and to endeavour as much as in us lies to live peaceably with, to do good unto, and to promote the Salvation of all Men.

To deny our selves, and to mortifie all our Lusts and Affections, to take off our Affections from things on the Earth, and set them upon things above, and to have our conversation in Heaven; to live chastly and soberly in this present World, avoiding all manner of excess and intemperance; to bridle our Tongues, to take care that we offend not in word; and to bring every thought into Captivity to the Law of Christ; to think lowly of our selves, with all humi∣lity preferring each other; to humble our selves in the presence of God, and when we have done all that we can, to say we are unprofitable Servants; to take up the Cross of Christ, and not only to bear Afflictions patiently, but to glory in them, and re∣joyce that we are thought worthy to suffer.

These, and all other the particular Du∣ties derived from them, we are requi∣red constantly and sincerely to endeavour to perform, without a willful allowance of our selves, to offend in one point, or to do evil that good may come of it; and, whenever we have transgress'd any of these Rules of Life prescribed us to act by, we are immediately to break off our sins by repentance.

All which we are obliged to do for the Glory of God, in pure obedience to his Word and Command, in love and grati∣tude for all the Mercies we receive from him, and in hope and expectation of en∣joying Eternal Happiness, and escaping Eternal Misery in another life, and upon no other account or prospect whatsoever; these being the only true Ends and Mo∣tives of Human Action, and the only Grounds of Duty and Obligation.

We have considered the Character of Jesus Christ, and taken a short view of the Gospel or Religion he taught and re∣commended to Mankind: In the next place, let us see who, and what sort of Men they were that first believed in him, who assisted in the publishing and pro∣pagating

his Gospel; and who they were that opposed the Establishment of it, and persecuted Christ and all that bore Testi∣mony to him.

Those that were any ways concern'd in the receiving, publishing, and propa∣gating the Gospel of Christ, were John his Forerunner, his Twelve Apostles, other A∣postles and Disciples, and such as were par∣ticularly set apart for the Ministry, and Common Believers.

John, who is stil'd The Forerunner of Christ, and one that was to prepare the way before him, was born of Parents who were righteous before God, and walked in all the Commandments of the Lord blameless; his Conception and Birth were attended with many extraordinary Signs and Wonders; then it is said of him, That he grew and waxed strong in Spirit, and was in the De∣sarts till the day of his shewing unto Israel, and his Rayment was of Camels hair, and his Meat was Locusts and wild Honey; after∣wards he came Preaching in the Wilder∣ness of Judea, saying, Repent ye, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand, and many were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins: all he Preached to and baptized, he acquainted with the Character and near

approach of Jesus Christ, whom in a parti∣cular manner he preferr'd to himself, and and by that means satisfied them that he was not the Christ, which before they doubted of: Little more is record∣ed of his Preaching or Discourses, but only some particular advice to some Per∣sons that enquired of him what they should do, and his reproof of the Mul∣titude that came to him, and of Herod; for which last he was put in Prison by him, and afterward beheaded. He did no Miracles, but the Austerity of his Life, the Authority of his Preaching and Baptizing, and the Holiness of his Con∣versation, made him lookt upon by all People as a Prophet. Jesus Christ says of him, that he was more than a Prophet, and even Herod himself that beheaded him fear'd him while alive, and observ'd him, and when he heard him he did many things, and heard him gladly, knowing him to be a just Man and a holy.

The Twelve Apostles were all of them Persons of a low Rank and mean Occu∣pations; all the time they followed Christ, they seem'd not to be fully acquainted who he was, or what he design'd; seve∣ral of his Discourses they understood not,

but wondered what the meaning of them should be; they were several times by their Master reproach'd for want of ap∣prehension, and knowledge in the Scrip∣tures, after the plain Discourses he had made of himself to them, and for want of Faith and Courage, notwithstanding the many Miracles and mighty Works he had done before them, and they themselves had done by his Com∣mission; they lookt upon him as a Tem∣poral Messiah or Deliverer, who was to re∣store the Kingdom again to Israel, and they had several little Contests among themselves who should be greatest in the Kingdom they fancied their Master came to establish; they acknowledg'd him to be the Christ the Son of God, but they seem'd not to have rightly understood what they said; when he was apprehen∣ded to be put to death, one of them betrayed him, all the rest were offended be∣cause of him, and fled; but one of them that return'd after him, solemnly deny'd him, and immediately repented; and he that betrayed him repented, and hang'd himself: After his death we find some of them bewailing themselves as disappoin∣ted in all the hopes and expectations

they had conceived of him; and, when it was reported that he was risen again, none of them would believe it till they saw him themselves, and one of them was more remarkably incredulous in this point than the rest, till he had received the satisfaction he desired.

But after the Ascension of Christ, and the choice of another Apostle in the room of him that had hang'd himself, we find the Twelve Apostles maintaining a different Character from what they had in their Master's life-time: Now they appear per∣fectly instructed in all things concerning Christ; whatsoever before seem'd strange to them either in his Actions or Discourse is all unriddled, and the Scriptures which before were difficult to be understood, are now made plain and manifest: And, as their Knowledge is enlarg'd, their Faith is strengthened; no doubts or distrusts are now entertain'd, but they Preach the Gospel of Christ with Authority and full Assurance, insomuch that we find many more converted at their Preaching, than at Christ's; they are endued with new Powers, which they had not whilst their Master lived, and which did not shew forth themselves in Christ; their whole

lives are taken up in Travelling and Preaching, and labouring with their hands to maintain themselves; their whole Business and Design is to persuade People to embrace the Gospel of Christ; many are their Troubles and Sufferings upon this account, all which they un∣dergo very chearfully, and never shew the least sign of fear or regret for any thing that happens to them; they ne∣ver decline an opportunity of Preaching the Gospel, or converting People to the Belief of it upon any prospect of dan∣ger whatsoever, and no Power or Au∣thority of Rulers and Governors, no se∣verity of Persecutors can discourage them in their Work.

The other Persons concern'd in the Ministry and Propagation of the Gospel of Christ, by whatever Names and Offi∣ces distinguished, whether Apostles, Dis∣ciples, Deacons, Pastors, Teachers, Prophets, Evangelists and Presbyters, Bishops, or Ru∣lers, so far as we know any thing of them by the Scriptures, were, all of them, very near of the same Character with the Twelve, for meanness of Birth and Education, simplicity of Manners,

Steadiness of Faith, and adherence to the Doctrines they taught, Piety and De∣votion, Self-denial and Disinterestedness, Constancy and Resolution under con∣tinual Sufferings, and a chearful pre∣ference of a future expectation in another Life, to all considerations whatsoever which this World could afford.

But one of them, named Paul, is repre∣sented to us under some particular Cir∣cumstances, which make his Character very different from that of the rest. He was Educated in all the Learning of the Jews at the feet of one of their greatest Doctors; and by some passages we find in the Epistles ascribed to him, we col∣lect that he was acquainted with the Heathen Greek Authors; he was at first a zealous Enemy of the Christian Do∣ctrine, and a fierce Persecutor of all that called upon the Name of Christ; but be∣ing in an extraordinary manner call'd by God, and by several wonderful Signs and Appearances converted to the Faith of Christ, he became a zealous Preacher of the Gospel, had a larger and fuller Commission of Apostleship granted to him than any of the Twelve, was exercised with a greater variety of Afflictions for

the sake of the Gospel, laboured more a∣bundantly in the establishment of the Chri∣stian Religion in the World, and writ more for the Confirmation of those in the Faith, whom he had converted.

The generality of the first Common Be∣lievers, who were not call'd to the Mi∣nistry, were of the lowest sort of the Peo∣ple, and several of them scandalous and notorious Sinners before their Conversion; but some there were of the better and richer sort, and some Rulers and Priests that believed in Christ, though but a ve∣ry few that we read of. The Character of which Believers after the Ascension of Christ, and first Sermons of the Apostles, was this; That the Multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul, nei∣ther said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own, but they had all things common; neither was there any a∣mong them that lack'd, for as many as were Possessors of Lands or Houses, sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, and laid them at the Apostles feet, and distribution was made to every Man, ac∣cording as he had need. In other places it is said of them that believed, That be∣fore

they were Servants of Sin, but after they had obeyed from the heart that Form of Doctrine that was delivered them, they were made free from sin, and became the Servants of Righteousness; that in times past, they walked according to the course of this World, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and mind, but now being created in Christ Jesus un∣to good Works, did walk in them; that some of them, who were before Forni∣cators, Idolators, Adulterers, Abusers of themselves with Mankind, Thieves, Cove∣tous, Drunkards, Revilers, and Extortioners, were washed and sanctified by the Name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of God; many of them that believed, came and con∣fess'd, and shewed their Deeds; many also of them which used curious Arts, brought their Books together, and burnt them before all Men. But, in process of time, when the number of Believers encreased, tho' the greatest part of them manifested their Faith by their Works, turn'd from the Vanity of Idols to the Living God, renoun∣ced all the hidden Works of Sin and Darkness, and were ashamed of those things in which before they took pleasure; yet Offences and Heresies did spring up among Christians, notwithstanding all the care of those that

first planted the Churches, and those that afterwards presided over them; and some there were that walked disorder∣ly, that Preached Christ out of Envy, that taught other Doctrines than what they had received, that turn'd after Satan, that loved this present World, that put away Faith, and made Shipwrack of a good Con∣science; but these bore no proportion to the numbers of the Faithful, whose Faith and good Works were spoken of throughout the World.

Such were the first Publishers and Be∣lievers of the Gospel of Christ. And the Persons who endeavoured to discourage the Belief, and oppose the Establishment of it, by all the means they could, but especially by Contemning, Disgracing, Reviling, and Persecuting those who were any ways concern'd in maintaining or propagating this new Religion, were among the Jews, their Kings, Governors, Chief Priests, Elders, and Chief of the Jews; as also the Scribes, Pharisees, and Saducees, who were the Men of greatest Learning and Authority in the Jewish Nation, some of which are represented as very wicked Men, and notorious Hy∣pocrites,

and others as disbelievers of a Future State: And among the Gentiles, the Magistrates, Rulers, and Chief of the Cities, Philosophers, Sorcerers, Craftsmen for Idolatrous Shrines, and certain lewd Fel∣lows of the baser sort; most of which were stirred up, and moved to what they did by the Jews that lived among them.

This is the shortest and plainest ac∣count I could give of the Subject of the New Testament, or the Matters contained in that Book; which are such as every Body that reads it will find there, and consequently must subscribe to the truth of the Representation, however he may doubt of the reality of the Original.

The next thing to be considered in the New Testament, is the Way and Man∣ner in which the several Matters before mention'd, are there related, with such other circumstances as referr to the Form or Composition of the whole Book, and the several parts of which it consists.

Now 'tis plain to any Man that reads over the New Testament with the same care, attention, and impartiality, as he does another Book, that it was not all writ by the same Person at one continued

time, but by several Persons at different times, and upon different occasions; and that in general, 'tis writ with great plain∣ness and simplicity of Stile, without Art or Affection, and with many extraor∣dinary Marks of Sincerity and Truth.

But to be more particular; the four first Books, called Gospels, seem to have been Pen'd by so many different Authors, as appears, not only from several Ways and Manners of Expression observable in each of them, but also from the Subject; which being the same in all, and most of the same Matters of Fact being repeated in each Gospel, some of which are told with such a diversity of circumstances as occasions some difficulty to reconcile to∣gether, it cannot be imagined that any one Man would write so many accounts of the same Story, so little different from one another in the main Branches, and so much, in some lesser particulars.

The Narration in all the Historical parts of the New Testament is very short, naked, and simple, nothing but bare Matters of Fact being related just as they happen'd, without any interposition of the Author: There is no Preparation of Events; no artful Transitions or Connexions; no set

Characters of Persons to be introduced, or Reflections upon past Actions, and the Authors of them; no Excuses or A∣pologies for such things as a Writer might probably foresee would shock or disturb his Readers; no Colours, Arti∣fices, or Arguments, to set off a doubt∣ful Action, and reconcile it to some o∣ther, or to the Character of the Per∣son that did it: The Faults and Infir∣mities of those Persons, the Authors would seem to recommend, are fairly recorded without any mitigation or abatement, and the Crimes of their Enemies barely told without any aggravation.

The Epistles appear to be written with a great Air of Piety and Devotion; and the Authors of them seem to be acted by as warm and steady Zeal for the Glory of God, and the Good of Mankind; and to speak with mighty Assurance from a full Conviction of the truth of those things they so earnestly press and recom∣mend. Whether any of them were writ∣ten by the Authors of the Historical Books, and which of them were, and which not, we have nothing in the Writings themselves to judge by, but the difference of Style, which seems ve∣ry

distinguishable in some of them; but I shall not lay much stress upon that, because it may be disputed by Pre∣tenders to Criticism.

The last Epistle which goes under the Name of the Revelation, is plainly of a different Character from all the other Books of the New Testament, though said to be written by one who was Author of a Gospel and some other Epistles; which difference arising wholly from the Matters contained in it, and the manner of their Conveyance into the Mind of the Wri∣ter, upon this supposion, it may easily be allowed to belong to the same Au∣thor that writ some other parts of the New Testament in a different Style from that of the Revelation, which is altogether Figurative and Mysterious.

All the several Books in the New Testament, excepting the Epistle to the He∣brews, have Names of Persons prefixed to them as the reputed Authors of them; who are all the same that are mention'd in the Gospels and Acts, either as immedi∣ate Apostles of Christ, or such as were chosen and directed by those that were so: But neither by the Titles, nor by any thing said in the Books themselves, does

it appear, that any part of the New Testament was written by Christ himself, or that he writ any thing at all.

I have these things further to observe of the Books of the New Testament in ge∣neral; that there are in divers places of them, a great many particular remarka∣ble Notes of Time, to distinguish when the several Actions therein related hap∣pened; all which are within the space contained betwixt the Death of Julius Cae∣sar, and the Destruction of Jerusalem: That there are a great many Names of Persons and Places concern'd in these Actions, the greatest part of which are Jewish, Greek, and Roman: And that most of the chief Matters of Fact and Doctrines men∣tion'd in any of the Books of the New Testament, are supposed by the several Writers of them, to be known and believed before those Books were writ.

The two former of these Observations are very evident upon the first, and most transient reading of the New Testament; and a very small degree of attention will serve to satisfie us of the latter.

All the Epistles are very absurd and unintelligible without this Supposition; for first, the Arguments and Exhorta∣tions

there made use of, with which they abound, are for the most part in∣ferences from Matters of Fact taken for granted, and not newly told, as appears from the Way and Manner in which they are mention'd, the Facts being al∣luded to only, and imperfectly hinted at, not related with all the Circumstances necessary to inform those that had ne∣ver heard of them before: Then the Forms of Blessing and Salutation we find there, and the Titles the Writers give themselves, and those they write to, all necessarily imply the same thing: Besides there are several direct Expressions in ma∣ny places of them, which do formally, and in plain terms, assert that the Per∣sons these Epistles were writ to, had been before instructed in all the principal Truths of the Gospel.

'Tis plain also from the Acts of the Apostles, as well as the Epistles, that Churches and Congregations of Believers, are supposed to be established in several parts of the World, before any of these Books were writ; the manner and way of their establishment being the chief Subject of that Book called the Acts, as the fixing and confirming them in the

Faith, is the chief Design of the Epistles.

Nor is it less manifest from the Gospels, that they all suppose the princi∣pal Matters of Fact related of Christ, and most of the Doctrines delivered by him, to have been known and believed by a great many, at the the time when these Gos∣pels were writ, and in the places where they were published. The manner of beginning each Gospel, is a very good proof of this Truth: St. Luke plainly, in express Words, affirms, That the Person for whom he more particularly writ his Gospel, had been before instructed in those things he was about to give him an account of in order, and that those things which others had before him set forth a Declaration of, were such as were most surely believed among them, even as they delivered them unto them which from the beginning were Eye-witnesses, and Ministers of the Word: And the Writers of the other Gospels begin so abruptly, and fall so im∣mediately into the Story of Christ, with∣out any Introduction or Preface con∣cerning the Character of the Person whose History they writ, or the time or design of their writing, that it cannot be imagined they would address themselves in such a

manner to Persons who were perfect Strangers to the Name and History of Christ. But, besides this way of begin∣ning, we have several accounts in the Body of each Gospel, of multitudes of People that followed Christ, that heard his Sermons, and were Witnesses of his Miracles; of great numbers of Believers who were converted by his Discourses; and of a great many that opposed and prosecuted Christ, and objected several things to his Doctrine and Miracles; all which being told as happening in the life-time of Christ, most of the things concerning him must be supposed by those who pretend to have written pre∣sently after his Death (as 'tis plain all the Evangelists do) to be generally known and freshly remembred at the time of their Writing; which Supposition further ap∣pears from the short and disorderly Re∣lation of several Matters of Fact in each Gospel; which, in such cases where we are not assisted with a fuller Account from the other Gospels or following Books of the New Testament, seem very obscure to us now, who are not acquainted with the rest of the Circumstances omitted.

This is what I thought fit to remark concerning the Subject and Form of that Book which we call the New Testament. And now that this Book does really con∣tain such things as are before mention'd, and is writ in such a way and manner as I have here represented, I think, may be taken for granted, since whatever has been observed under this head, must necessarily appear too true to any one that will read over the New Testament, and is capable of making any Judgment of a Book.

II. Supposing then that I have given a just Account and Character of the New Testament, and the several Books or Vo∣lumes it consists of, I shall from hence advance to the main Design proposed; which was to prove, That all the principal Matters of Fact related in the New Testa∣ment, are really true; that is, did really happen out at the Times and Places, and in the Manner they are there recorded to have happen'd. This I shall endeavour, in the second place, to make good by a direct Proof, according to the distinction

of the several Facts to be enquired into before laid down, viz. common Historical Facts, Prophesies and Miracles, Divine As∣sistance and Revelation.

I. The first Step then I am to make in the proof of what I have before asserted, is, to shew that the common Historical Facts mention'd in the New Testament are true. The principal of which are these following, viz. That there was such a Person as Jesus Christ, of such a Cha∣racter, who taught such Doctrines, pretended to such mighty Works, and was executed in such a manner as is re∣presented in the New Testament; That there were likewise certain Persons who were Followers and Adherents of Christ, who after his Death, profess'd to believe the Miracles we find now recorded of him, and to do as great themselves, who taught the same Doctrines he did in his life-time, and many other things which they pretended to have received from him while he was alive, and from the Spirit of God afterwards, and who made is their business to propagate the Belief and Practice of what they taught through∣out

the World, whose Characters and Sufferings were such as are before de∣scribed: That the Doctrine or Religion of Christ was accordingly propagated through all Judea, and most Parts of the Roman Empire; so that great Numbers of People every where own'd and pro∣fess'd it: And that all this happen'd within that compass of Time included be∣tween the Death of Julius Caesar, and the Destruction of Jerusalem.

Now these are such remarkable, no∣torious Facts, have been so well proved by multiplicity of Evidence, and so little contested by the several Enemies of Chri∣stianity, That I shall content my self by giving a summary Proof of them, with∣out entring upon that great Variety of particular Arguments every general Branch of Evidence contains in it: Which Proof I shall cast into this Method.

First, I shall take an Account of the Original of Christianity; and shew, That this Religion must have came first into the World at the time assign'd for this Event in the New Testament.

Afterwards, I shall consider the state of Christianity at another Period of Time,

when it will certainly be allowed, that all the principal Matters of Fact that stand now recorded in the New Testament were generally believed.

And then I shall prove, That the same Matters of Fact were likewise believed at, and immediately after, the Times in which they are said to happen, and so continually down to that particular Pe∣riod fixed upon.

Which last Proposition I shall endea∣vour to make out.

From the constant Tradition of such a Belief, together with many sensible, infal∣lible Effects of it.

And from many other extrinsick Signs and Monuments remaining at that Time.

From which constant and universal Be∣lief among Christians, of all the principal Facts in the New Testament, both common and extraordinary, continued down to such a Period, from the very first Times in which they severally happen'd: I con∣conclude, That at least the common Mat∣ters of Fact, such as I have just before in∣stanced in, must be true.

First then, as to the Original of Chri∣stianity; it is to be observ'd, That there is no Age of the World, no Portion of Time, since the beginning of Things at any great Distance from us, that we have a clearer, fuller, and more particular Ac∣count of, than we have of that which past under the Twelve first Cesars, or Empe∣rors of Rome; both Learning and Empire being then at the highest Pitch, and fur∣nishing abundance of Matter for the Pens of that and the succeeding Ages.

And as the History of that time is the truest and best known of any, so no Mat∣ter of Fact could happen within that Time which was more remarkable, or could more easily and certainly be conveyed down to Posterity, than the first Rise and Propagation of the Christian Religion. There's nothing so easy to be known of any Countrey, where we have the least Re∣mains of History left us, as what Reli∣gion was profess'd there, and what con∣siderable Alterations were made in it: All the Laws, Customs, and Policy of a Nation, are intermixt with their Reli∣gion; most of the Actions, Opinions, and Characters of particular Men, bear the Marks of it; and if we examin Things

more narrowly, and trace them up to their Original, we shall find that Religion puts a greater Distinction betwixt one Nation and another, than any difference of Climate can do.

But, not to pursue that Speculation any further, 'tis very plain from all Hi∣story what the Religion of the Jews was, and what Religion they had at Rome, and in other Parts of the Roman Empire, under the Reign of Augustus. There were no such Persons then to he heard of as bore the Name of Christians; no such Religion any where professed as that which is now call'd Christian, the Plan and Model of which we find in the Books of the New Testament.

But in the Time of Nero we find a great many Persons at Rome, * 1.1 call'd Christians, put to Death, and several other ways persecuted and tormented, for be∣ing so, by that Emperor; which Deno∣mination, and whatever they thought themselves obliged to believe or do, up∣on that Account, was then generally ac∣knowledged by themselves, and others, to be derived to them from one Christ, who was sometime before crucified at Jerusalem.

Now the Time when this Christ, the first Author of this Sect of Men call'd Christians, began to publish his Doctrine to the World, is very particularly and circumstantially set down by St. Luke, in the Third Chapter of his Gospel, to be the Fifteenth Year of the Reign of Tiberius Cesar, Pontius Pilate being Governor of Judea, and Herod being Tetrarch of Galilee, and his Brother Philip Tetrarch of Iturea, and of the Region of Trachonitis, and Lysanias the Tetrarch of Abilene, Annas and Caiaphas being the High Priests of the Jews.

And in the Book call'd the Acts of the Apostles, said to be writ by the same St. Luke, it is affirm'd, That the Disciples, by which Word is there meant all those that believed in Christ, and embraced the Doctrines taught by him, were called Christians first at Antioch: Which Matter of Fact is, by the Consent of all Christian Historians, recorded to have happen'd at the latter end of the Reign of Caligula, who was the next that succeeded Tiberius in the Empire of Rome.

And that this is the lowest Point of Time it can be fix'd at, appears from the same Place of St. Luke, where immediate∣ly after the Words before cited, it fol∣lows,

And in these Days came Prophets from Jerusalem unto Antioch, and there stood up one of them named Agabus, and signified by the Spirit, that there should be great Dearth throughout all the World; which came to pass in the Days of Claudius Cesar. From whence I infer, That this Relation of Agabus, con∣curring in Time with that other Account of the Disciples being first call'd Christians; and it being plain, from what is said con∣cerning the Completion of Agabus's Pro∣phecy in the Days of Claudius Cesar, That he first utter'd his Prophecy some time be∣fore the Days of Claudius Cesar, the Time when the Disciples were first called Chri∣stians must likewise be, sooner or later, before the Reign of Claudius; which Clau∣dius being the immediate Successor of Ca∣ligula in the Empire, the Matter of Fact in question must happen in the latter end of the Reign of Caligula, or at some time before.

Now from the Fifteenth Year of Tibe∣rius, when Christ first published his Doctrine at Jerusalem, to the last of Caligula, when his Disciples were first call'd Christians at Antioch, is about Twelve Years; from whence to the Tenth Year of Nero, when the Christians were first persecuted at Rome,

is a little above Twenty Years; within Five Years after which Jerusalem was de∣stroyed, and an End was put to the Jewish Government and Policy. So that from the Fifteenth of Tiberius, when it is pre∣tended that Christ first published his Go∣spel at Jerusalem, to the first of Vespatian when Jerusalem was destroy'd, is about Forty Years, and no more.

If therefore these Matters of Fact con∣cerning the Neronian Persecution, and the Destruction of Jerusalem, are true, as is constantly attested, by Heathen and Jewish, as well as Christian, Writers; 'tis more than probable, that those mention'd by St. Luke are so too. For before the Fif∣teenth of Tiberius, no Signs or Footsteps of Christianity are to be found in the World, neither is it pretended by any of the Adversaries of this Religion that it was earlier; and the Destruction of Jerusalem falling in the First Year of Ves∣patian, the Propagation of the Christian Religion from thence to other Parts of the World, must needs have had as early a Date of that. And therefore, if we find great Numbers of Christians at Rome in Nero's Time, both the Propagation, as well as Original, of the Christian Religion,

must have happen'd not only before the Destruction of Jerusalem, but some time between the Fifteenth Year of Tiberius and the Tenth of Nero, and consequent∣ly the Account before given by St. Luke, of these great Events, cannot well be imagin'd to be false; but 'tis certain the Mistake in Time, if there should be any supposed, cannot be considerable. From all which, I think I have reason to conclude, That the Christian Religion was profess'd at Rome in the Time of Nero, and was derived from one Christ, who was the first Author of it, and suf∣fered Death at Jerusalem upon that Ac∣count, toward the latter end of Tiberius's Reign, as I find it recorded by St. Luke, and the other Writers of the New Testa∣ment.

The next view I shall take of the Chri∣stian Religion shall be under Constantine, ano∣ther Emperor of Rome, who upon some occasion or other was disposed to em∣brace this Religion about 300 Years af∣ter the first Publication of it by Christ, at which time it is very notorious that Christianity was the prevailing Religion in all the parts of the Roman Empire,

the extent of which was then very great,

This manifestly appears from all the accounts we have of the History of this famous Emperor, and the State of the World under his Reign; in the Twen∣tieth Year of which, was held a General Council, which was a Meeting or Assem∣bly of a great number of Bishops, who came from all the different Provinces and Cities both of the Eastern and Western Empire, and were Persons that in their several Districts, govern'd and directed in Religions Affairs; the chief design of that Meeting was by Constantine, who called them together, declared to be for the decision of a Controversie, that had happen'd between certain Christian Pro∣fessors concerning a particular Article or Doctrine of their Religion, which some affirm'd ought to be believed in one Sense, and some in another: These Bishops did meet accordingly to the number of about 300, decided the Matter they were call∣ed about, by appointing a Form of Words for all Christians to express their Belief of that, and several other parti∣culars in, which was unanimously ap∣proved and subscribed by all but two:

Besides which Form of Faith they made several Canons or Rules, with Relation to Discipline, which concern'd the Qua∣lifications of such Persons as were to per∣form Religious Offices, or to partake of the Effects of them; their manner of Acting upon such occasions, and their Behaviour to one another upon the ac∣count of any Religious distinction.

But, in order to take a more particu∣lar survey of the State of the Christian Religion under Constantine, from the ac∣count that is given us of this Council by Eusebius and Athanasius, who were present at it, and other credible Writers who lived at, or near the same time, I shall draw these following Observations and Reflections.

I. Constantine was the first Roman Em∣peror that profest the Christian Religion. There was no King, Consul, Dictator, Emperor, or any other, the chief Gover∣nour of the Roman State before him, that ever departed from the ancient Institu∣tion made upon the first Settlement of that Commonwealth, or publickly em∣braced a new Religion, of a different Character from that established by the Laws of Numa.

2. There never was before this Council, any such General Meeting of Emi∣nent and Learned Persons, who were Assembled together from so many diffe∣rent quarters of the World, purely to settle some Controversies in Religion.

Which two surprising Circumstances must make this Council of Nice, one of the most remarkable Events that ever happen'd in the World.

3. The calling of this Council does plainly inferr, that Constantine look'd up∣on the whole Roman Empire to have been at that time generally Christian: The Persons summon'd, the Places from whence they came, the occasion of their Meeting, do all prove this; For the Per∣sons of which the Council was compos'd, were most of them Governors and Tea∣chers of large Churches and Congrega∣tions, they came out of all the greater and lesser Provinces, and from the most Populous and Considerable Towns under the Roman Government; and the reason of their coming, was to give their Opi∣nion concerning a particular Doctrine which did suppose an antecedent Belief of the whole Christian Scheme.

4. The whole behaviour of this Coun∣cil of Bishops while they sat together, and the business they did there, is a cer∣tain proof, not only that they were Chri∣stians, and that the Christian Religion was publickly and generally profest in the Places from whence they came; but that they all agreed in some common Faith, and that the Christian Religion profess'd in the several Places from whence they came, was every where the same, without a∣ny other variation than what was groun∣ded upon the different Conception of some Articles by particular Persons which were allowed by all alike in some general Terms, or different application of some ge∣neral Rules about such Matters as Chri∣stians were, by the whole tenour of their Religion left at liberty so to apply.

5. The reason of this general Agree∣ment of all Christians, separated so far from one another in place, and never before this time united under one common Head or Governor, was, as we find by what pass'd in this Council, a firm and constant Belief that such and such Books, which they all had amongst them, were

written by the immediate Followers and Disciples of Christ, and contained a true Account of his Life and Doctrine, and a full Scheme of their Religion. What ever was in any of these Books they lookt upon as Obligatory, and such they esteem∣ed the Authority of these Writings, That they were not, upon any Account, in the least Passage of them, to receive any Addition, Diminution, or Alteration whatsoever. In the Decision of the pre∣sent Controversy before them, these were appeal'd to on both Sides, and the Au∣thority of them allowed by all; and the particular Canons they made, were found∣ed upon the general Rules and Orders of Discipline laid down in these Scrip∣tures.

6. As we find by what was done in this Council, concerning the Matter of Faith they came to settle, That all the Bishops there assembled were acquainted with several of the same Books of Scrip∣ture, which we now have under the Name of the New Testament; and that they were perswaded they were delivered down to them from the Apostles, as a Rule of their Faith: So, by several of the

Canons they made, we are assur'd, That, in all the several Places from whence they were assembled, the Customs of Baptism and the Communion were univer∣sally and constantly used; That the First Day of the Week was observed as a Day set a-part for Religious Services, which were chiefly Prayers, and Reading the Scriptures; That there were a great many Men, in a particular Way and Manner appointed for the Performance of Religious Offices, in the Name and Presence of the People; And that some of these did, in a more emi∣nent Degree, preside over all other, both Religious Officers and common Chri∣stians, in such a District, under the Title and Style of Bishops.

Now the Truth of this Relation con∣cerning the Council of Nice, and the State of the Christian Religion at that Time being supposed; in the next Place I shall undertake to prove, That the Christians we find in Nero's Time, were of the same Faith and Religion with those that lived under the Reign of Constantine; and, con∣sequently, That all the principal Matters of Fact now recorded in the New Testament, were generally believed at, and imme∣diately

after, the Times in which they are said to happen, and so continually down to the Council of Nice.

Notes

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