I the Weakness of God is Ytronger than Men,* 1 Cor. 1. mong Fifth and laft General Head, briefly inquire into the Time when, and the Manner how this Miracle ceas'd,and make fuitable Reflections upon it, with regard both to those who liv'd then, when this Check was given to the Gospel, and to Us, who live now in the Latter Ages of the World. The ( The plain Answer to the Enquiry propos'd, is, That the Miracle ceas'd, when the Civil Power began to declare openly in Behalf of Christianity; that is, foon after Con stantine came to the Throne. For it was no longer a Wonder, that our Religion fhould thrive and flourish; when, instead of bitter Perfecutions, in met with all manner of Encouragements. For a Century after Conftantine, and upwards, the Number of Chriftians multiplied exceedingly inall the Parts of the World in which it had already been planted, and to which the Empire of the Romans,or their Influence, did extend. For above a Century after that, Chriftianity feems to have been at a ftand, neither gaining much ground, nor lofing much, unlefs only in the Lives of its lukewarm Profeffors. But then it declin'd apace every day; Dissentions among Chriftians grew hot, and their Zeal for Religion waxed cold. The great Honours and Endowments, which Religious Princes had bestow'd on the Church, did too often occafion Ambition and Luxury in those who contended for them, or poffefs'd them. In a word, all the Vices of Profperity abounded, together with the Advantages of it: So that the Name of Christianity was no longer Venerable A T in the Eyes of Men; and its holy Doctrine not producing an answerable Sanctity of Life, made no farther Impreffions upon them. This unhappy Opportunity Mahomet laid hold of, to fet up his Religion; which being (as I have faid) fuited to the Voluptuous Manners of the East, and feconded by the Power of the Sword, made large Inroads into Chriftendom, and tore away entire Provinces at once from the Profeffion of the Gofpel. Since that time, Chriftianity feems to have been almoft in a continual Decay : The Hedges of this Vineyard of God being broken down, all they that went by plucked off her Grapes; the Wild-Boar of the Wood did root it up, and the wild Beast out of the Field did devour it; till a Difcovery of fome un- * Pf. lxxx, known Parts of the World open'd a new 12, 13. Way for enlarging the Bounds of Christ's Kingdom. The Zeal of fome Devout Men, tho' mix'd often with Private Interefts and Designs) ftir'd them up to make use of this Advantage, and to Publifh the Gospel of Chrift in the remotest Corners of the Eaft, whither, it is probable, none of the Apostles ever came. There alfo Chriftianity (a corrupt and fuperftitious Chriftianity) hath gotten footing. How long it may continue, and how how far it may advance, is known to Him alone, who hath determin'd the Times before appointed, (to Religions, as well as Na† Act.xvii. tions) and the Bounds of their Habitation. 16. r I fhall not prefume to inquire into it; but fhall raife an Ufeful Reflection or two, from what hath been observ'd on this Head, and with a fhort Application of it to our Selves, fhall conclude this Dif course. , The Imperfect Propagation of the Go fpel, and the Prevalence of Mahometim over it, are some of the darkest Secrets of Divine Providence. But the Causes, that contributed to produce this great Revolution, are manifeft: they were plainly the Vices and Discords of the Chriftians of those Times, that gave the Enemies of our Faith Courage to attack it, put Weapons into their Hands and furnish'd them with all manner of Advantages against it. Chrift came into the World on purpose to fubdue the Power, and deftroy the Kingdom of Satan. He difplay'd the Banner of his Crofs, and fummon'd all Nations to repair to it; who accordingly obey'd the Signal. But, while the Extremeft Parts of the Earth were meditating a Submiffion, while his greatest Enemies were hastening to put their Necks under his Feet, a ftop was put to their Intentions, and his Triumphs, by the Mutinies and Defertions of his own Soldiers. Who can fufficiently deplore the Guilt, and deteft the Ill Influence of thofe Vices which cut off fo many Kingdoms at once from the Empire of Chrift? not only arrested his Doctrine in its full Courfe, and faid to it, Hitherto fbalt thou come, and no further; but made the Sun of Righteousness go backward, as it were, ten Degrees, and leave many Countries under grofs Darknefs, which had once been enlighten'd with the faving Truths of the Gospel? Certainly, Spiritual Faction and Pride, and Uncharitable Breaches of Chriftian Unity and Peace, are not fuch flight Offences as fome Men are willing to think them; fince it was owing in great measure to Thefe, that the Univerfal Reign of Christ upon Earth was then hinder'd, and the Accomplishment of the Prophecies in that refpect deferr'd to diftant Ages. Many Princes fince, indifcreetly Pious, have made Attempts to regain the Ground Christianity loft, by the Force of their Arms, and to plant the Faith anew in those Places, where it once had * L Pof |