Nor is oratory of any use in this warfare. St. Paul was qualified beyond most to fight with this weapon, if he had judged it expedient : but he laid it aside as an incumbrance : he knew that, instead of advancing the interests of his Lord, it would "render the cross of Christ of none eflfectP;" and therefore he determined to " preach not with the enticing words of man's wisdom ^i," or "in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but in those only which the Holy Ghost leacheth^"]
That which he renders effectual, is the simple preaching of the Gospel —
[The law is usually that which first shakes the foundations of the citadel, and batters down the fortifications with which it was encompassed : yea, the Gospel itself also is at first alarming, because it proposes a remedy to persons perishing in their sins, and consequently apprises them of their danger, which they were not before aware of. But when it has con- vinced them of their guilt and misery, then it speaks peace unto their souls ; and sweetly constrains them to yield up themselves unreservedly to God, as their reconciled God and
Saviour^
Not that it has this power in itself: it is in itself as weak as was the sound of rams' horns which cast down the walls of Jericho*: but it is " mighty through God;" and, when accom- panied by the operations of his Spirit, it compels the stoutest rebel to deliver up the keys of his citadel, and surrender at discretion.]
The victories gained by this are perfect and com- plete—
[The victories obtained by carnal weapons, may be fol- lowed by the subjugation of the vanquished people : but no conqueror could expect his newly acquired subjects to become instantly his active and faithful allies. Yet this invariably fol- lows the triumphs of the Gospel : the vanquished sinner begins to fight as zealousy for God as ever he fought against him. Moreover, as his thoughts and itnaginations were the strong- holds and fortifications whereby he maintained his stand against God, so now they are employed in his service, and are instrumental in repelling all the attacks of his enemies : " they are brought, not only into captivity, but also into obedience to Christ."
Now he entertains humble thoughts, abhorring himself for ever rebelling against so gracious a God and Saviour; and
P 1 Cor. i. 17. ''1 Cor. ii.'4. r 1 Cor. ii. 13.
» 2 Cor. V. 14, 15. * Josh. vi. 20.