A practical commentary, or an exposition with observations, reasons, and uses upon the first…A practicall commentary, or an exposition with observations, reasons, and vses upon the first…

2. To take away and prevent a slander, which otherwise might have been raised upon the Doctrine of the Gospel, that it had been the device of a mans brain, an human policy devised by great men, to keep the rest in awe, 1 Cor. 2.8. & 6. Many profane Atheists are ready now so to deem, and speak of it as it is, how much more if these had seen great men and Princes embracing it, and setting it forward at first? At the first Satan hindered Religion, by persuading the World that the Professors thereof were enemies to the State, Acts 16.20, 21. but when long experience proved none more faithful, now he goeth about to persuade, that Princes devised it for their own turn.

2. To take away and prevent a slander, which otherwise might have been raised upon the Doctrin of the Gospel, that it had been the device of a mans brain, an human policy devised by great men, to keep the rest in awe, 1 Cor. 2.8. & 6. Many prophane Atheists are ready now so to deem, and speak of it as it is, how much more if these had seen great men and Princes embracing it, and setting it forward at first? At the first Satan hindered Religion, by perswading the World that the Professors thereof were enemies to the State, Acts 16.20, 21. but when long experience proved none more faithfull, now he goeth about to perswade, that Princes devised it for their own turn.

3. To teach all Ministers, both how to become most able, and sufficient Preachers of the Gospel, and also to deliver the Gospel so as may be most for Gods glory. If Learning, and skill in all Human knowledge would have made us most able Ministers of his Gospel, he would either have chosen ⟨p. 15⟩