Sermons preached

4. That he might magnify his Grace and Faithfulness, not only in the Matter of the Gospel, but even in the first Offer of it. He doth magnify his Faithfulness herein, for it is said, Christ is the Minister of the Circumcision to confirm the Truth to their Fathers, Rom. 15. 8. God had promised their Fathers, that he would raise up a Saviour, therefore he must be first discovered here; and he magnifies his Grace, for there was Christ preached, where he was crucified. They had the first Handsel of this good News, and Wrath came not upon them to the uttermost, till they had despised the Gospel, as well as killed the Lord of Glory, 1 Thess. 2. 14, 15.

5. This was necessary too for the Confirmation of the Gospel, To you first. Christ did not sneak nor steal into the World clancularly and privately; but he would have his Law set up where it was likely to be most questioned: ⟨p. 46⟩they were most concerned to enquire into the Truth of Matters of Fact, upon which the Credit of the Gospel had depended. If he had first gone to the Gentiles, the Jews might have objected their condemning Christ as a Malefactor, and that his Messengers and Apostles durst not set on foot the Report of his Miracles, Life, and Death in their Confines. But Christ would have the Gospel preached there, where if there were any Falsehood in it, it might easily be disproved: and because the Main of the Jewish Doctrine was adopted into the Christian, and was confirmed by the Prophecies of the Old Testament, they were the only competent Judges to whose Cognizance these things should be first offered. Therefore he saith, Unto you first, God having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you.

5. This was necessary too for the Confirmation of the Gospel, To you first. Christ did not sneak nor steal into the World clancularly and privately; but he would have his Law set up where it was likely to be most questioned: