toContríbíng ilr ,an's3 .ebernptfott: ¢01 lied with him. But his Refurre&ion is the Caufe, Pa- Chap. I tern and Argument of ours : he did not only raite hiss Body from the Grave, but his Church with him. Now the effecting this is attributed to the Divine Power with a note of eminency : Chri,Ft was raifed by the GloryRoi,,, e. ofhis Father, that is, by his Power, which in that AEA was manifefted in itsfull fplendour for what is strong- er thanDeath ' and more inexorable than the Grave Omnipotency alone can break its Gates and loofe its Bands. C H A P. XXI. The Divine Power wasglorified in the Converfion of the World to Chriftianity. Rotroith] anding the imaginary Infirmity in Chrift Crucified, yet to the Called He was the Power ofGod. The numerous andgreat difficulties that obfirucled the receiving the Goipel. What the fiateofthe World was at thefirS1 Preaching it, Igno- rance was univerfal. Idolatry, and the depravation of Manners, were the confequents of it. Idolatry was fortified by Cullom, Antiquity and external Pomp. Thedepravation ofManners was extreme. The prin- cipal account ofit from their disbelieving a Future ftate, and their attributing to their gods Mofe Pafons and Vices that were pleafing to the Flefh. The averfion of the vulgar Heathenswasftrengthenedby thofe in vene- ration among them. . The Philofophers, Prieits and Princes vehemently oppofed the Goipel ; An account of their enmity againfi it. The confideration of the Means by which the G_.fpel was conveyed, difcovers that Omnipotency alone made itfuccefsful. The pet-fans employedwere afewFz aermen without Authority and Power toforce Men to Obedience, and without Art or F ff Elo-
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