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nor after their Deaths, had ever any very confiderable Number of Followers. Indeed the generality of Mankind underftood neither the meaning of their Terms, nor the force of their Reafonings. Only Men of Parts and Learning were qualified for the Studying their Books, and benefiting by them. But Chriftianity drew over vaft multitudes of Converts of all Ranks and Conditions. Scarce a Century had pafs'd after the Death of the Apostles, when the Court, the Camp, the Senate, Town and Country, all Places but the Idol-Temples were over-run with Chriftians. The Doctrine of the Gospel was of the most important Concernment to all; wherefore the wife and good God levell'd it to the Capacities of all, that all might understand it, and receive the Benefit of it.

SOME very concerning and neceffary Doctrines of Religion the Philofophers were wholly ignorant of. Others they understood very imperfectly, and difcours'd of them very obfcurely and doubtfully. These the Chriftians of all Ranks

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well understood, and upon fure Grounds yielded an undoubting Affent to them. Even the Illiterate among the Chriftians were far fuperior in Knowledge of divine Things to the chief and most celebrated Philofophers. Husbandmen and Artificers, the Bond-men and Bond-women, were able to speak of the moft fublime and important Truths with more clearnefs and certainty than Socrates or Plato.:

OF those who apply'd themfelves to the Study of Philosophy, very few regulated their Conduct by it. It was commonly look'd upon by them as a pleasant and honourable Amusement, as an ornamental and fashionable Accomplishment, as an Exercise and Trial of Mens Abilities, as a Subject of Discourse and Disputation, rather than as a Rule of Life. So that the main End of Philofophy was hardly in any degree attain'd. The generality of those who profefs'd it, deny'd in Works what in Words they pretended to know. But the Knowledge of the first Chriftians ftopp'd not in Speculation, but carried them on to a fuitable practice.

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It had a fenfible and remarkable Effect upon their Tempers and Manners. They liv❜d as they taught; not only their Difcourfes, but their Examples were inftructive. They contented not themselves with drawing beautiful Pictures of Virtue, but fhew'd to the World Virtue it felf alive. In them Knowledge had its perfect Work; the genuine Fruits of it were vifible in their Conversation, and evidently fhew'd that it had taken deep Root in their Minds.

WHO ever so far credited Socrates, as to follow his Example in dying for the Truths which he afferted? But for the Doctrine of Jefus Chrift an innumerable Army of Martyrs laid down their Lives, rejoicing that they were thought worthy to be made like to the Captain of their Salvation. No Age, no fort nor condition of Men declin'd the glorious Combat; many even of the weaker Sex voluntarily offered themfelves to it. The Gospel was not a Light without Heat ; it not only illuminated the Understandings, but warmed the Hearts of its Pro

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feffors. The firm Affurance they had of the Truth and Divinity of it, animated them to endure all Extremities for it. For they had a clear View of that immortal Life, which till the Gospel appear'd was not perfectly brought to light. And their Knowledge was falutary; fufficient to bring them to that fupernatural State of Happiness, to which Man was originally ordain'd, and which was not to be regain'd by Philosophy.

THUS the Knowledge of the Lord filled the Earth. It was fuddenly diffus'd thro' all Countries of the known World, and communicated to great numbers of Perfons of all forts and conditions. More divine Truths were discover'd than formerly; and those which had been before discover'd were known more clearly and certainly, and the Knowledge of them effectually anfwer'd the Ends for which it was defign'd. It operated powerfully upon Mens Difpofitions and Manners, and conducted them to a State of endlefs Felicity.

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CHRISTIANITY at its firft fetting out made its way in the World without the affiftance of human Learning. The firft Publication and Reception of it were evidently owing to Miracle, that Mens Faith might not stand in human Wisdom, but in the Power of God. Yet it cannot be denied but that afterwards Learning contributed much to the Support and Increase of it.

MANY of the Fathers of the primitive Church were great Mafters of human Learning, and did excellent Service to their Religion by it. Many Hiftories related in the Bible were confirm'd by parallel Citations from the moft antient Pagan Hiftorians. Many Doctrines of Scripture objected against by the Heathens of those Times, were fhewn to have been own'd by thofe Writers whom they moft approv'd of and admir'd. The Scriptures themselves were early tranflated into all Languages, that the People of every Nation might read and hear in their native Tongue the Word of God, the unerring Rule of Faith and Manners.

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