and Self-denial: And they faid, He is mad, and hath a Devil. 19. On the contrary, Chrift comes to them without this Austerity, in a freer way of Conversation: And they call him a loose Perfon, a Glutton and a Winedrinker, and a Companion of the worst of Men. But when the perverseness of Men has faid and done all that it can, Wisdom will ftill vindicate it self and appear to be Wisdom,in whomfoever it be found, and in what manner foever it be exercised. 20. ¶ Then began Jefus to upbraid the Cities wherein he had wrought most of his Miracles, for their invincible Obftinacy and Malice; that though he had taught them fuch excellent Doctrine, and proved his Authority by fuch undeniable Miracles, yet they could not be persuaded to repent. 21. And he said, Wo unto you the Inhabitants of Chorazin and Bethfaida: For if God had vouchfafed to Tyre and Sidon the fame demonstrations of his Power, and the fame offers of his Mercy, that he has gracioufly been pleased to make unto you; they might long fince have repented in all Humility. 22. Therefore I tell you, the punishment of the Inhabitants of Tyre and Sidon, fhall be more tolerable than that which fhall be inflicted upon you in the Day of Vengeance: Because ye have withstood greater Convictions, and rejected the offers of greater Mercy. 23. And thou Capernaum, which art now fo great, and flourishing, and proud a City; fhalt be utterly deftroyed and brought to nothing. For if Ged had done the fame wonder ful things in Sodom, that he has done in thee, it might have repented and have escaped that dreadful 24 But I fay unto you, that it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom, in the day of judgment, then for thee. 25 At that time Jefus anfwered and faid, I thank thee,O Father, Lord of hea ven and earth, becaufe thou haft hid these things from the wife and prudent, and haft revealed them unto babes. 26 Even fo Fa ther,for fo it feemed good in thy fight. Vengeance which fell up on it. 24. Therefore the overthrow of Sodom fhall appear to have been more tolerable, than that dreadful deftruction which fhall be inflicted on the Inhabitants of Capernaum in the Day of Vengeance. 25. After these things, Jefus prayed, and said: I return thee Thanks and Praise, O Father, the Almighty Creator and All-wife Governor of the World; for that in the infinite Wisdom of thy Divine Providence thou haft fo ordered the Difpenfations of thy Mercy, that the Mysteries of the Gospel and the Means of attaining eternal Happiness, are not so much understood and embraced by the cunning, politick and proud Men of this World, as by the modeft and humble and meek. 26. Moft juftly, O Father, haft thou fo difpofed things: For thus it became infinite Goodness Goodness and Justice to do; and thus it seemed good to the eternal Wisdom of thy All-feeing Providence. 27 All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son but the Father: neither knoweth any man the Father,save the Son, and he to whomsoever the 27. Jefus added more. over, and faid: The whole difpofal of all things relating to the Salvation of Men, is now committed to me by God the Father: And as no one understandeth the nature of this Oeconomy, but Son will reveal bim. God the Father who has fent the Son into the World; fo no Man can understand in what manner God the Father will be worshipped and obeyed, but the Son to whom he has committed the discovery of his Will, and they to whom the Son fhall reveal that discovery. 28. Come therefore unto me ye that are weary of the flavery of Sin, and defirous to know how to be reconciled to God. Come unto me ye that are weary of tedious Rites and burdenfom Ceremonies and I will teach you the most eafie and acceptable way of ferving God. 28 Come unto me all ye that la bour, and are heavy laden, and I will give you reft. 29 Take 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn and lowly in heart: and ye shall find reft unto your fouls. of me, for I am meek 30 For my yoke 29. Take upon you my Religion, and become my Difciples. I will teach and inftruct you, not in the ways of Pride, Haughtiness, and Cruelty; but in Meekness, Gentleness, and Mercy. And I will change a heavy and burdenfom Service, to such a reasonable Obedience as every good Man must approve and rejoyce in. 30. For my Religion is is eafie, and my bur- eafie and good; and the den is light. Commandments of the Go fpel are by no means grie vous. CHAP. |