Section 19: Further of the Propagation of Christianity.

Book 1 Section 19 (p. 25):
Further of the Propagation of Christianity.

Let us now consider the Effects of that Doctrine whereof Christ was Author: Which if we mark well, are of such a Nature, that if God have any care of Humane Affairs, the Doctrine can be believed to be no less than Divine. It was a thing becoming the Divine Providence, to take care that the best things mist be most common, and of largest extent: So is Christian Religion, which we see it taught through all Europe, yet in the utmost Recesses of the North; and through all Asia, the Islands of the Ocean not excepted; through Egypt also, and Ethiopia, and some other parts of Africk; lastly, through America too. Not is it so only in our Time, but in former Ages (and probably with far greater purity) as appears by all Histories, by the Books of Ancient Christians; by the Acts of Synods; by the Ancient Tradition still preserved, even among the Barbarians, of the Journeys and Miracles of St. Thomas, Andrew, and other Apostles. How far the Name of Christ was spread in their Times among the Britains, Germans, and other remote Nations, is noted by Clemens, Tertullian, and others; What Religion is there that can equal the Christian in so large a Posession. If you name Paganism, you alledg the name, not Religion, for they adored not the same Deity, but some the Stars, some the Elements, some the Beasts, some things of no Substance; neither had they one Rule or Law, nor any common Master of their Religion. The Jews indeed are dispersed, but all one Nation; and since the Time of Christ, their Religion hath received no notable encrease. Yes, their Law hath been made known more by Christians than themselves. Mahumetianism hath enlarged it self into Countries more than enough; but not alone, there is a mixture of the Christian Religion; and in some places the Christians are the greater number, when yet Mahometans are not found in many of them, where Christians are. And suppose those Christians, many of them, be much degenerated from the purity of Christianity, and so perhaps do as much disserve, as service to the Christian Cause: Yet sith by this means the Divine Law of Christ (the Scriptures) have been translated into most Languages, God hath his Witness in those Nations, setting forth as well the Way to fear and serve him in sincerity, according to his Will, as rebuking those that falsly pretend to that worthy Title of Christian.