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

Object. We find him accused of many crimes, as of being a gluttonous person, and a Wine-bibber; of blasphemy, and impiety, and treason.

Answ. The very accusations are such as show their falsehood, and his innocency. He is called a gluttonous person, and a Wine-bibber, because he did eat and drink as other men in temperance and sobriety, and did not tie himself to a wilderness life of austerity, in total abstinence from common meats and wine, as John Baptist did, and as they thought he that professed extraordinary sanctity should have done. They accused him of eating with publicans and sinners, because he went to them as a Physician to heal their souls, and lived a sociable charitable life, and did not observe the Laws of proud Pharisaical separation. They accused him of blasphemy and treason, for saying the truth, that he was the Son of God, and the King of Israel: And of impiety, for talking of pulling down the Temple, when he did but prophesy of his own death and resurrection. And this was all that malice had to say.

Answ. The very accusations are such as shew their falshood, and his innocency. He is called a gluttonous person, and a Wine-bibber, because he did eat and drink as other men in temperance and sobriety, and did not tie himself to a wilderness life of austerity, in total abstinence from common meats and wine, as John Baptist did, and as they thought he that professed extraordinary sanctity should have done. They accused him of eating with publicans and sinners, because he went to them as a Physician to heal their souls, and lived a sociable charitable life, and did not observe the Laws of proud Pharisaical separation. They accused him of blasphemy and treason, for saying the truth, that he was the Son of God, and the King of Israel: And of impiety, for talking of pulling down the Temple, when he did but prophesie of his own death and resurrection. And this was all that malice had to say.