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I. THOSE PREJUDICES AND OBJECTIONS WHICH THE WORLD HAD AGAINST THE SAVIOUR AND HIS RELIGION AT THEIR FIRST APPEARANCE; also to inquire into those which men at this day insist upon; and to show the unreasonableness of them.

1. That Christianity was a great innovation, and contrary to the received institutions of the world.

2. They objected against the plainness and simplicity of the doctrine.

3. That it wanted demonstration.

4. That the low and suffering condition of our Saviour was unsuitable to one that pretended to be the Son of God.

II. To consider THE PREJUDICES AND OBJECTIONS WHICH MEN AT THIS DAY INSIST UPON AGAINST OUR SAVIOUR AND HIS RELIGION.

1. Some that relate to the incarnation of our Saviour.

2. To the time of His appearance. Why did He not come sooner?

3. That we have not now sufficient evidence of the truth of Christianity.

4. That the terms of it seem very hard, and to lay too great restraints upon human nature.

5. That it is apt to despoil men, and to break the vigour and courage of their minds.

6. The divisions and factions that are among Christians.

7. The wicked lives of the greatest part of the professors of Christianity.

III. HOW HAPPY A THING IT IS TO ESCAPE THE COMMON PREJUDICES MEN ARE APT TO ENTERTAIN AGAINST RELIGION — "Blessed is he," etc. This will appear if we consider —

1. That prejudice does many times sway and bias men against the plainest truths.

2. Prejudice will bias men in matters of the greatest concernment, in things that concern the honour of God and the good of others and our own welfare.

3. The consequences of men's prejudices in these things prove many times fatal and destructive.

4. There are few in comparison who have the happiness to escape and overcome the. common prejudices which men are apt to entertain against religion.

(J. Tillotson, D. D.)

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KJV: And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.

WEB: Blessed is he who finds no occasion for stumbling in me."