King David, agreeably to ancient prophecy, yet his family was reduced to poverty and insignificance, and both his connections and followers were of humble occupations and without worldly influence. The period chosen for its publicity was a time of peace, most favourable to investigation, and an age eminent for literature. It was assailed from every quarter. The Jews despised the humility of the Messiah, though in agreement with Scripture, as the death-blow to their expectations of temporal distinction and sovereignty: the doctrines of Jesus were, for obvious reasons, accounted foolishness with the Greeks; and the Romans loathed Christianity, being in their opinion a Jewish superstition.
Thus prejudices and obstacles insurmountable by human power, impeded the way; its utter extinction might be anticipated; yet under such circumstances it struck root and prospered. Jesus did not indulge in privacy
