By the space of so many thousand years, the word of God passed by so many dangers of tyrants, of Pharisees, of heretics, of fire, and of sword, and yet continueth and standeth until this day, without altering or changing one letter. This was a wonderful work of God, that having so many so great enemies, and passing through so many so great dangers, it yet continueth still, without adding or altering of any one sentence, or word, or letter. No creature was able to do this, it was God's work. He preserved it, that no tyrant should consume it, no tradition choke it, no heretic maliciously should corrupt it. For His Name's sake, and for the elect's sake, He would not suffer it to perish. For in it God hath ordained a blessing for His people, and by it He maketh covenant with them for life everlasting. Tyrants, and Pharisees, and heretics, and the enemies of the Cross of Christ, have an end, but the word of God hath no end. No force shall be able to decay it. The gates of hell shall not prevail against it. Cities shall fall; kingdoms shall come to nothing; empires shall fade away as the smoke; but the truth of the Lord shall continue

for ever. Burn it, it will rise again; kill it, it will live again; cut it down by the root, it will spring again; "there is no wisdom, neither understanding, nor counsel against the Lord'."

Let us behold the nations and kingdoms which sometimes professed Christ, and are now heathenish; Illyricum, Epyrus, Peloponnesus, Macedonia, and others. Again, let us behold such kingdoms and countries, which were in times past heathenish and knew not God; as England, Ireland, Rome, Scotland, and divers other. They were all without the Gospel, without Christ, without God, and without hope of life. They worshipped idols, even the work of their own hands. To them they appointed Priests for their service, days and places for the people to resort together to worship them. Here in England, St. Paul's Church in London was the Temple of Diana; St. Peter's Church in Westminster was the Temple of Apollo. In Rome they had the Temple of the great God Jupiter, and in Florence the Temple of Mars; and in other places they had Temples dedicated to other idols.

t Prov. xxi. 29.

Jupiter, Mars, Apollo, and Diana, were unclean spirits, and filthy devils; yet gave they thanks to them for their peace and prosperity, prayed to them in war and in misery, and commended unto them, their wives, their children, themselves, the safe keeping and custody of their souls. They built gorgeous churches and chapels; set up images of silver and gold to them; prayed, lifted up their hands, did sacrifice, and offered up their children to them. A horrible thing to say, yet true it is; the darkness of those times was such, that men slew their own children, and offered them up to idols. They said, Great is Jupiter; Great is Apollo; and Great is Diana of the Ephesians. These are the gods of our fathers; our fathers trusted in them, they made us, and have defended us, and have given us victory against our enemies. Whosoever denied them, were thought worthy to die.

Thus were the kings, and the princes, and the people persuaded. And so continued they by the space of some thousand years, without controlment or contradiction. They had great props of antiquity, universality, and consent.

Antiquity of all times, universality of all places, consent of all the people. So strongly and so mightily were they founded. Who would think such a religion, so ancient, and so universal, and so defended by common consent, could ever possibly be removed?

But when the fulness of time came, God sent forth His word, and all was changed. Error fell down, and truth stood up: men forsook their idols, and went to God. The kings and priests and people were changed. The temples and sacrifices and prayers were changed: men's eyes and hearts were changed. They forsook their gods, their kings, their priests; they forsook their antiquity, customs, consent, their fathers, and themselves. What power was able to work these things? What emperor by force ever prevailed so much? What strength could ever shake down so mighty idols from their seat? What hand of man could subdue and conquer the whole world, and make such mighty nations confess they had done amiss? This did the Lord bring to pass by the power of His word, and the breath of His mouth. This was it that led captivity captive, and threw down every high thing that

lifted itself up against the Lord; and brought all powers under subjection unto the Lord. It is the image, the power, the arm, the sword, and the glory of God. It is mighty, of great force and virtue, of authority and majesty, because it is the word of God; therefore the glory thereof is great.

THE PROFIT WHICH CHRISTIANS REAP BY THE SCRIPTURES.

Now let us stand afar off, and humble ourselves, and in reverence and fear learn to take the fruit and comfort of the same: for so is the will of God, that we may be partakers of His glory. But where shall we find entrance into this matter? And how shall we be able to come to land? For this is the sea, and the depth of all the works, of the judgments, and mercies, and of the kingdom of God. This is a sea that hath no shore, a pit that hath no bottom. The holy Scriptures are the mercyseat, the registry of the mysteries of God, our charter for the life to come, the holy place in which God sheweth himself to the people, the Mount Sion, where God hath appointed to dwell for ever. The more comfort in them,