4. And for a fourth Reason, consider another Branch of the power of this Doctrine, the Apostles that declared it were for the most part poor and simple men, and unlearned men, the Doctrine taught was but of a Crucified Saviour, harsh to carnal ears, 1 Cor. 1.23. the times were such, wherein it was not only every where spoken against, Acts 28.22. but also grievously persecuted throughout the Roman Empire, and that with exquisite Torments, and yet it did so powerfully work,1 that in Tertullians time (which was the next Age after Christ) there were more Christians every where, than of all other Professions besides. Cyrus indeed allured many to be his followers; but he sent out great men to make another kind of Proclamation, Whosoever will come and follow after me, if he be a Foot-man, I will make him a Horse-man; if he be a Horse-man, I will make him a Rider in a Coach; if a Farmer, a Gentleman; if he possess a Cottage, I will give him a Village; if he have a Village, I will give him a City; and if he be Lord of a City, I will make him Prince of a Region, or Country; and as for Gold, I will pour it out to him by weight and heaps, and not by number: But Christs Proclamation is contrary, Luke 9.23. & 14.26. and yet had he infinitely more followers.
4. And for a fourth Reason, consider another Branch of the power of this Doctrine, the Apostles that declared it were for the most part poor and simple men, and unlearned men, the Doctrine taught was but of a Crucified Saviour, harsh to carnall ears, 1 Cor. 1.23. the times were such, wherein it was not onely every where spoken against, Acts 28.22. but also grievously persecuted throughout the Roman Empire, and that with exquisite Torments, and yet it did so powerfully work,1 that in Tertullians time (which was the next Age after Christ) there were more Christians every where, than of all other Professions besides. Cyrus indeed allured many to be his followers; but he sent out great men to make another kinde of Proclamation, Whosoever will come and follow after me, if he be a Foot-man, I will make him a Hors-man; if he be a Hors-man, I will make him a Rider in a Coach; if a Farmer, a Gentleman; if he posesse a Cottage, I will give him a Village; if he have a Village, I will give him a City; and if he be Lord of a City, I will make him Prince of a Region, or Country; and as for Gold, I will pour it out to him by weight and heaps, and not by number: But Christs Proclamation is contrary, Luke 9.23. & 14.26. and yet had he infinitely more followers.
- 1Plut in Apop. Pris. Regum.
