21. The sixth scripture which your Lordship has undertaken to shew, “relates only to the apostolical times,” is _1 Corinthians ii. 4, 5._ And “this interpretation also, (it is said) is confirmed by the authority of _Chrysostom_, _Origen_, and other ancient writers.” (page 33) With those other “antient writers” I have no concern yet. St. _Chrysostom_ so far confirms this interpretation, as to explain that whole phrase _the demonstration of the spirit and of power_, of “the power of the Spirit shewn by miracles.” But he says not one word, of any “proof of the Christian religion, arising from the types and prophecies of the old Testament.” _Origen_ has these words (Volume I. page 321.) “Our word has a certain peculiar demonstration, more divine than the Grecian, logical demonstration. This the apostle terms, _The demonstration of the Spirit and of power_: of the Spirit because of the prophecies, sufficient to convince any one, especially of the things that relate to Christ; of power, because of the miraculous powers, some footsteps of which still remain.” Hence we may doubtless infer, ♦that _Origen_ judged this text to relate, in its _primary_ sense to the apostles: but can we thence infer, that he did not judge it to belong, _in a lower sense_, to all true ministers of Christ? ♦ “thas” replaced with “that” Let us hear him speaking for himself in the same treatise (page 377.) “_And my speech and my preaching were not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: that your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of |God|._ *Those who hear the word preached _with power_, are themselves filled _with power_,” (_N. B._ Not the power of working miracles) which they _demonstrate_ both in their disposition, and in their life, and in their striving for the truth unto death. But some although they profess to believe, have not this _power_ of God in them, but are empty thereof.” (Did _Origen_ then believe, that _the power_ mentioned in this text, belonged _only_ to the apostolical age?) “See the force of the word, conquering believers by a persuasiveness attended with the power of God! I speak this to shew the meaning of him that said, _And my speech and my preaching were not with the enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power; that your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of |God|._ This divine saying means, that what is spoken is not sufficient of itself (although it be true and most worthy to be believed) to pierce a man’s soul, if there be not also a certain _power from_ God given to the speaker, and grace bloom upon what is spoken, and this grace cannot be but from God.”