men, and the weakness of God was stronger than menk : and " this stone, cut out without hands, shall break in pieces all the powers of the universe" that shall attempt to withstand it1.
And as the Gospel is thus powerful for us through Christ, so shall it also be powerful in us, through the influences of the Holy Spirit. Look at every soul of man : that wicked adversary, the devil, " takes us all in his snare, and leads us captive at his willm." And how are any delivered from his chains ? Is it by human eloquence, or by the powers of moral suasion ? No : in no instance have they been ever able to prevail. Nothing but the Gospel has ever truly emancipated one single soul, or brought one to the enjoyment of solid peace. But this has been " quick and powerful, and sharper than any two- edged sword, piercing to the dividing asunder of joints and marrow, and been a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart"." See, on the day of Pentecost, what a change it wrought on thousands of the most blood-thirsty murderers ! See, in instances without number, how it " turned men from darkness unto light, and from the power of Satan unto God0!" Multitudes there are, at this day, that are living witnesses of its power; multitudes, who, by its enlightening, comforting, and sanctifying efficacy, are created altogether anew, and " filled with joy and peace in believing." These effects the world beholds, and wonders at, and is unable to account for : but they are seen in every place where the Gospel is faithfully administered : yes, the simple exhibition of Christ crucified is still, as truly and as effectually as ever, " a hammer to break the rock in pieces11;" and a mould, to form into Christ's likeness all that are " delivered into itq," even all that are subjected to its divine influence. If it be asked, how all this comes to pass : I answer, that the Holy Spirit of God, the Third Person of the ever-blessed Trinity,
k 1 Cor. i. 25. » Dan. ii. 34, 35. m 2 Tim. ii. 26.
n Ilcb. iv. 12. ° Actsxxvi. 18. p Jer. xxiii. 29.
i Rom. vi. 17. the Greek.