XVIII sermons on the second chapter of the 2d Epistle to the Thessalonians containing…

2. My next Argument is; Because Christian Religion must needs be a Tradition, partly because matter of Fact is the Foundation of it, and it is in it self matter of Faith. 1. Because it is built upon matter of Fact; That the Son of God came from God, to bring us to God; that is to say, appeared in human• Nature, instructed the World by his Doctrine and Example, and at length died for Sinners, confirming both in Life and Death the truth of his Mission, by such unquestionable Miracles as showed hi• to be the Son of God, and the Saviour of the World. Now a Testimony, Tradition, or Report, ⟨p. 325⟩is necessary in matters of Fact, which of necessity must be confined to some determinate time and place. It was not fit that Christ should be always working Miracles, always dying, always rising, and ascending in every place, and in the view of every Man; but those things were to be once done in one place of the World, in sight of some particular and competent Witnesses: But because the knowledge of them concerned all the rest of the World, they were by them to be attested to others; Matters of Fact can only be proved by credible Witnesses, and this was the great Office put upon the Apostles, Acts 1.8, 21, 22. and Acts 2.32. Acts 3.15. Acts 10.39, 40, 41. 2. As it is matter of Faith, or the Doctrine built upon this Matter of Fact: We cannot properly be said to believe a thing but upon a report and testimony: I may know a thing by sense or reason, but I cannot believe it, but as it is affirmed or brought to me by credible Testimony. As we are said to see those things, which we perceive by the Eye, or the sense of Seeing, and to know those things which we receive by Reason, or sure Demonstration; so we are said to believe those things which are brought to us by valuable Testimony, Tradition, and Report. As for Instance, if any one ask you, Do you believe the Sun shineth at noon Day? You will answer, I do not believe it, ⟨p. 326⟩