Chap. I.    eſſential to the Chriſtian Religion.    141

myſteries at once, by removing whatever is
difficult in religion.—The doctrine of the
croſs, as repreſented in the New Teſtament,
has ſome things in it which are ſublime and
wonderful, difficult and incomprehenſible ;
things which are contrary to the dictates of
depraved reaſon, and to our natural preju-
dices. Hence it is called, by one who was
thoroughly acquainted with it; ' A ſtum-
' bling-block to the Jews, and fooliſhneſs to
'  the Greeks.' But what is there myſterious
and incomprehenſible in the croſs of Chriſt,
it he be a mere man? Did the Jews never
ſee a man, who was acceptable to God, per-
ſecuted by the wicked ? Did the ſervants of
God never ſuffer death, to fignalize their
zeal, or to confirm the truth? It there be
any myſtery in the croſs of Chriſt, it muſt
be, either becauſe he is righteous man who
ſuffers; or a prophet; or the Son of God.
Not the firſt; for neither Jews nor Gentiles
can look upon the death of an innocent
man, under the power of his preſecutors, as
a new, or a ſtrange thing. Not the ſecond;
for many prophets had been ſeen to die for
the truth. Nor, according to our adverſa-
ries, can it be the laſt; for, if we believe
them, he is the Son of God only by a meta-
phor ; or, at moſt, as Adam was in his firſt
ſtate ; having been formed immediately by
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