A Series of Important Facts Demonstrating the Truth of the Christian Religion; Drawn from the Writings of Its Friends and Enemies in the First and Second Centuries (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1820. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER XVI. THE FACTS ALREADY DEVELOPED RECAPITULATED, AND THEIR TENDENCY TO PROVE THE TRUTH OF CHRISTIANITY POINTED OUT. In the order of time Philo first claims our attention. From this author we have learned that the Almighty, in compassion to our race, sent his Son into the world; that the object of his mission was " to wash away from the minds of men the impurities of sin, and thus to raise them to the hope of a divine inheritance." The same writer has further described a body of people in Judea, whose character forms a singular phsenomenon in the moral world. Under the example and instruction of the Son of God, they raised themselves in an extraordinary manner above the ignorance and vices which debased the rest of makind; abolishing tyranny and slavery, as inconsistent with the dictates of reason and nature; eradicating pride, envy, and malice; banishing luxury and extravagance, as vices hostile to the happiness of society, unbecoming the worshippers of an all-wise and benevolent Being, and subversive of their hopes as candidates for immortality; parting with their goods to supply the wants of those who needed them; and submitting themselves to tortures and to death, in order to establish the great cause in which they were engaged. Guided by the wisdom of God, they regarded the wisdom of the reputed wise as folly; and became wise xinto salvation without the eloquence or the philosophy of the Greeks. They were reviled, they were calumniated, they were accused; yet their accusers could not substantiate one charge against this band of holy men. Choosing to obey God rather than men, they were persecuted, they were destroyed; they were sacrificed in whole flocks by men in power, yet their numbers were not diminished. They derived strength and increase f...