Christ's certain and sudden appearance to judgment

5. The power of the Gospel in the first preaching appears, in that it met with so much opposition; the Devil stirred up instruments against it, the powers of the Earth were against it, as well as the powers of Hell! great men did oppose it, Philosophers were against it, Learned men did oppose it; the Jews were against it, and raised up persecution against the Apostles, and the hearts of all men naturally were against it; and when there was such an opposition against it, surely it was none but the power of God which could cause it to prevail and conquer, and cause so many Nations to bow and yield obedience hereunto.

5. The power of the Gospel in the first preaching appears, in that it met with so much opposition; the Devil stirred up instruments against it, the powers of the Earth were against it, as well as the powers of Hell! great men did oppose it, Philosophers were against it, Learned men did oppose it; the Iews were against it, and raised up persecution against the Apostles, and the hearts of all men naturally were against it; and when there was such an opposition against it, surely it was none but the power of God which could cause it to prevaile and conquer, and cause so many Nations to bow and yield obedience hereunto.

2. The wonderful power and efficacy of the word, where it is preached unto this day, is a strong argument that it is the Word of God.

1. The power of the Word to search the heart, and convince of sin. Heb. 4. 12. The Word of God is quick and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged Sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of the soul and spirit, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart; there is a light in the Word, which discovereth the dark filthy corners of the heart, and convinceth of secret sins; and there is a sharp edge in the word to cut and wound; no word in the world searcheth