The harmony of the divine attributes in the contrivance and accomplishment of man's redemption…

2. If we consider the means by which the Gospel was conveyed, it will be more evident that Omnipotence alone made it successful. When Christ came from Heaven to convert the World, it had been according to the Law of reason more suitable to his purpose, to have been born at Rome the seat of the Empire, wherein the confluence of all Nations met, than in an obscure corner. So when the Apostles were first sent forth to propagate the Gospel, humane prudence would judge, that they should have been assisted either with Authority and Power, or with Learning and eloquence, to compel, or persuade to a submission to it. But if there had been any proportion between the quality of the instruments, and the effects produced, the Gospel had been esteemed a Doctrine purely Humane. The immediate Agents had been entitled to all the honour by the suffrage of the senses; and their proper sufficiency would have obscured the Virtue of Christ that wrought in them.¹ Therefore God chose the weak things of the World, to confound the mighty; and base things of the World, and things which are despised hath God chosen: Yea and things that are not, to bring to nought things that are, that his Glorious Power may be fully manifested.

2. If we consider the means by which the Gospel was conveyed, it will be more evident that Omnipotence alone made it succesful. When Christ came from Heaven to convert the World, it had been according to the Law of reason more suitable to his purpose, to have been born at Rome the seat of the Empire, wherein the confluence of all Nations met, than in an obscure corner. So when the Apostles were first sent forth to propagate the Gospel, humane prudence would judge, that they should have been assisted either with Authority and Power, or with Learning and eloquence, to compel, or perswade to a submission to it. But if there had been any proportion between the quality of the instruments, and the effects produced, the Gospel had been esteem'd a Doctrine purely Humane. The immediate Agents had been intituled to all the honour by the suffrage of the senses; and their proper sufficiency would have obscur'd the Vertue of Christ that wrought in them.¹ Therefore God chose the weak things of the World, to confound the mighty; and base things of the World, and things which are despised hath God chosen: Yea and things that are not, to bring to nought things that are, that his Glorious Power may be fully manifested.