The reasons of the Christian religion the first part, of godliness, proving by natural…

§. 7. And it is congruous to Reason, that this Mediator be one, in whom God doth condescend to Man, and one in whom man may be encouraged to ascend to God, as to one that will forgive and save him: And one that hath made himself known to man, and also hath free access to God.

§. 8. It is congruous to Reason, that lapsed, guilty, darkened sinners, that know so little of God, and of his Will, and of their own Concernments, and of the other World, should have a Teacher sent from Heaven, of greater Authority and Credit than an Angel, to acquaint us with God and his will, and the Life that we are going to, more certainly and fully than would be done by Nature only.

¹That this is very desirable no man can doubt: How gladly would men receive a Letter or Book that dropped from Heaven? Or an Angel that were sent thence to tell them what is there, and what they must for ever trust to? Yea, if it were but one of their old acquaintance from the dead? But all this would leave them in uncertainty still, and they would be doubtful of the credit and truth of any such a Messenger: And therefore to have one of fuller Authority, that shall confirm his Word by unquestionable attestations, would very much satisfy men. I have proved, that Nature it self revealeth to us, a Life of Retribution after this; and that Immortality of Souls may be proved without Scripture: But yet there is still a darkness and unacquaintedness, and consequently a doubting and questioning the certainty of it, upon a carnal mind: And it would greatly satisfy such, if besides mere Reason, they had some proof which is more agreeable to a mind in flesh; and might either speak with some credible Messenger who hath been in Heaven, and fully knoweth all these matters; or at least might be certainly informed of his Reports. And indeed, to men that are fallen into such a dark depravedness of Reason, and such Strangers to God