The pillars of hell
Now it was that the pillars of hell were shaken, and the kingdom of God spread more and more. Sinners were everywhere turned from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God. He gave his children such a mouth, and such wisdom, as all their adversaries could not resist.
And their lives were of equal force with their words. But above all, their sufferings spoke to all the world. They approved themselves the servants of God in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in perils in the sea, in perils in the wilderness, in weariness and painfulness, in hunger and thirst, in cold and nakedness. And when, having fought the good fight, they were led as sheep to the slaughter, and offered up on the sacrifice and service of their faith, then the blood of each found a voice, and the heathen owned: He, being dead, yet speaks.
1771 text
8. Now it was that the pillars of hell were shaken, and the kingdom of God spread more and more. Sinners were every where turned from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God. He gave his children such a mouth, and such wisdom, as all their adversaries could not resist. And their lives were of equal force with their words. But, above all, their sufferings spake to all the world. They approved themselves the servants of God, in afflictions, in necessities; in distresses; in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours; in perils in the sea, in perils in the wilderness; in weariness and painfulness, in hunger and thirst, in cold and nakedness. And when having fought the good fight, they were led as sheep to the slaughter, and offered up on the sacrifice and service of their faith, then the blood of each found a voice, and the Heathen owned, He being dead, yet speaketh.
About this text
Rendered in modern English, to be read and heard. Open the 1771 text under each part to check the claims and the scripture.
Rendered in modern English. The 1771 panel is his own Pine printing of the Works. It is public domain.
Catalogue & scope
Sermon 4 in the 1771 Works. Saint Mary's, Oxford, 24 August 1744. Acts 4:31.
This is an AI-assisted study translation. Source fidelity and completeness have not been independently certified. It is not a complete critical edition.