in tonttíbíng an'031inentption. 4f9 its fide, was intirely abolifht. The falfe Deities were Chal?: z z caft out ofthe Temple ; and the Crofs of thrift was planted in the Hearts of Men. The pure beams ofthe Sun of Righteoufnefs quickly extinguifht the fires of the Devils Altars,and the real Miracles performed by theDivinePower expos'd his lying wonders tocontempt. ^ifacG a. Accordingly the Apoflle tells the Thefalonians ; For they themfèlves Phew ofrid, what manner of entring in we had unto you, andhowye turned to Godfrom Idols, toferve the Livingand true God, and to waitfor his SonfromHea- ven, whom herailedfrom the Dead, even 9efus which de- livered itsfrom the wrath to come. Innumerable from fecret Atheifm and publick Gentilifmwere converted to acknowledg and accept of the Redeemer for their Lord. What could produce fuch a marvelouschange in the World but an Almighty Power ? How feem:ngly im- poffible was ittobring fo many,whowere proud in their natures, perverfe in their cuftoms, and indubitably af- fenting to their falfe Religions, from fuch a diftance as the Worfhipof innumerableDeities, to adorea Cru- cified God c' 'Twas admirable that Alexander broke the Perfian Empirewithan Armyof Thirty Thoufand: but what is there comparable in that Conqueft, to the Ads ofthe Apoftles t How much lefs difficult is it for fome Nations to change theirKings, than for all to change their Gods t' How far more eafie is it to overcome the Bodies of Men, than fubdue their Souls ' Upon the mot exact inquiry, there will never be found inhumane nature any caufe capable to produce fuch an effect, nor in the Records of all Ages any example like it. Add to this the excellent Reformation in the hearts and lives of Men. As their underftandings, fo their wills and affeéions, the fources ofaátion,were miracu- loufly alter'd. What the Sages ofthe World could not H hh s effec`f
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