A compleat history of the most remarkable providences both of judgment and mercy, which have hapned in this present age extracted from the best writers, the author's own observations, and the numerous relations sent him from divers parts of the three kingdoms : to which is added, whatever is curious in the works of nature and art / the whole digested into one volume, under proper heads, being a work set on foot thirty years ago, by the Reverend Mr. Pool, author of the Synopsis criticorum ; and since undertaken and finish'd, by William Turner...

CHAP. LXVI. Remarkable Love of the Holy Scripture.

THE Sacred Scriptures were written for our Learning, and contain in them such Doctrines, Pre∣cepts, Prophecies, Promises, Threatnings, and Judgments, as concern us all; and therefore we are commanded to study the Law, to search the Scriptures, to meditate on the Word of God, to make it our delight, to talk of it to our Children, and acquaint our selves with the Will of God. And 'tis good Advice which a worthy Divine gives us in this case: In Reading Holy Scripture, (saith he) take heed, that an holy and humble Mind always bear thee company; be humble, and not proud; sober, and not curious; study to obey, not to dispute; turn not Conscience into Questions and Controver∣sies; draw not all to Reason, leave something for Faith; where thou canst not sound the Bottom, ad∣mire the Depth; kiss the Book, and lay it down; weep over thine Ignorance, and send one hearty Wish to Heaven, Oh! when shall I come to know, as I am known! Go not without, nor before thy Guide: but let thine Eye be always toward the Lamb, who only can open this Book, and thy Un∣derstanding; and then, blessed is he that reads, &c.

1. Theodosius Sen. wrote out the whole New Testament with his own Hand, accounting it a great Jewel, and read a part of it every Day. Clark in his Life.

2. Theodosius Jun. learned much of the Holy Scriptures without Book; and so reasoned of them with the Bishops, as if himself had been an experienced Minister. Clark in his Life.

3. Origen, when a Child, was very inquisitive into the recondite meaning of the Scriptures. D. Cave's Prim. Christianity.

4. King Alphonsus read over the Bible Fourteen times, with Commentaries.

5. John Picus Mirandula, addicted himself seriously to the study of Sacred Scripture, and at Eight and twenty Years of Age, wrote a learned Tractate of the Six Days Work of God, and another of the Sabbath, for the Publick Benefit of the Church: he was mightily affected with the Elegancy of the Scriptures in their Original, especially of Paul's Epistles, which he preferred before all humane Eloquence whatsoever; professing, that the Writings of Tully, Demosthenes, &c. were not to be com∣pared with them: he wrote much also for interpreting the Old Testament, and reconciling seeming Differences: he justified the Translation of Hierome against the Calumnies of the Jews: He also defended the Septuagint Translation, principally with respect to the Psalms. Clark in his Life.

6. Tho. Cromwel, Earl of Essex, in a Journey to, and from Rome, learned the whole Testament, translated by Erasmus, without Book. Clark in his Life.

7. Beza, when about Eighteen Years old, could say by Heart, perfectly, any Greek Chapter in St. Paul's Epistles.

8. Cranmer and Ridley learnt the New Testament by Heart; the former in his Journey to Rome, the other in Pembroke-Hall Walks, in Cambridge. Fox's Martyrol.

9. The Council of Trent (because Bishops must be blameless) exhorts, that above all things, every one keep Sobriety at his Table, &c. And because oftentimes idle Discourses are wont to arise, that at the Tables of Bishops themselves, the Holy Scriptures be read, Decret. 1. Sess.

10. One of Bishop Latimer's Injunctions to the Prior and Convent of St. Mary's House, in Worcester, was thus: —Item, That the Prior have at his Dinner or Supper, every Day a Chapter read, and to have edifying Communication of the same. Hist. of the Reformation, by Dr. Burnet.

11. Cardinal Pool, in the Platform of his Reformation, requires Bishops to have at their Tables, the Scriptures, or other good Books read, mixt with pious Discourses, Ibid.

12. We had the same Exercise in my time, appointed by Dr. Tully, then Principal of St. Edmond-Hall, in Oxford, viz. a Part, or Paragraph of the Latin Testament, read by some Servitor, when we were at Dinner.

13. Bishop Jewel had usually a Chapter read at Meals, after which he would recreate himself with Scholastical Wars between young Scholars, whom he maintained at his Table. See his Life.

14. King Edward the Sixth, when very young, and one of his Play-fellows, or Servants, being about to take something down that was above his reach, took a great Bible to stand upon, with a holy indig∣nation, reproved him for it (some say, he took it up, and kissed it) saying, That it was unfit, that he should trample that under his Feet, which he ought to treasure up in his Head and Heart. Fuller's Ch. Hist, p. 424.

15. Hierom calls the Books of Kings, his own; because by frequent use and reading, he had got them by Heart, and, as it were, made them his own. He testifies likewise of Paula, that she had most of the Bible by Heart; and of Nepotian, that with daily reading and meditating, he had made his Heart Bibliothecani Christi, The Library of Christ. Clark's Examp.

16. Constantine the Great used to shew so much Reverence and Attention to the Word of God preached, that many times he would stand up all the Sermon-time; and when some of his Courtiers told him, That it would tend to his Disparagement: he answered, That it was in the Service of the Great God, who is no Respecter of Persons. Clark in his Life.

17. Charles the Great used to set his Crown upon the Bible, as our Canutus sometime put his Crown upon the Rood, both of them to intimate their Reverence, &c. Clark's Exam. Vol. 1. C. 119.

18. King Edward the Sixth was a diligent Attender upon Sermons, heard them with great Reve∣rence, and penned them with his own Hand, and studied them diligently afterwards. Ibid.

19. The greatest delight of Queen Elizabeth, was often to read the Bible, and hear Sermons. Ibid.

20. The young Lord Harrington was mighty attentive in hearing the Word of God, preach'd, or read. Ibid.

21. Bugenhagius, a Dutch Divine, was so joyful, when Luther and he, and some others, had finished the Translation of the Bible into Dutch, that on that Day whereon they finished their Work, he ever after invited his Friends to a Feast, which he called, A Feast of the Translation of the Bible. Ibid.

22. Chrysostome preaching to his People, used this Expression, Get you Bibles by all means, whatever they cost you: you may better want Bread, Light, & than the Knowledge of the Scriptures. Ibid. ex Trapp.

23. I can speak it by Experience (saith Erasmus) that there is little good to be got by the Scripture, if a Man read it cursorily, and carelesly; but if he exercise himself therein constantly, and consciona∣bly, he shall find such an efficacy in it, as is not to be found in any other Book whatsoever. Ibid.

24. Robert, King of Sicily, was so wonderfully affected with the Scriptures, that speaking to Franc. Petrarcha, he thus said of them, I swear to you, Petrarch, that my Learning is more dear to me than my Kingdom; and if I must want the one, or the other, I had much rather want my Diadem than my Learn∣ing. Idem ex Cornel. de Lapide.

25. I know, saith Peter Martyr, there are many, that will never believe what we say of the Power of God's Word hidden in the Heart; and not a few that will jeer us, and think that we are mad for saying so: But oh! that they would be pleased but to make Trial: Malè mihi sit (ita enim in tan∣tâ causâ juvare ausim) nisi tandem capiantur: Let it never go well with me (for I am bold to swear in so weighty a Business) if they find not themselves strangely taken and transformed into the same Image, if they pass not into the Likeness of this Heavenly Pattern. So Ephes. 1.13. 1 Thes. 1.5, 8. Ibid.

26. In all the Bible, (says the Reverend Mr. Burgesse, in his Sermon in the Coll. Morn. Exercise) though it be an History of more than 4000 Years, we read of but of One that was converted just before his Death. And we do believe that he also did convert at his first Convincing Call. Rarely do any savingly convert, who do not upon their first Convictions convert. St. Austin's stifled Convictions cost him dear. You that will make so bold with Conscience as Spira did, should expect to roar for it here as he did; or hereafter to fare worse than many hope him to do. They are considerable Divines, who are not hopeless of his Salvation. Thus far Mr. Burgesse.

27. John, an Egyptian Confessor, whom Eusebius saw and heard, tho' his Eyes were out, and his Body mangled, could repeat any passages out of the Old or New Testament; whom I supposed (saith he) to be reading in a Book, 'till coming near, I was struck with great admiration. Dr. Cave's Primitive Christian.

28. Nazianzen professeth, that he had willingly relinquished all other things for the sake of this Book. Ibid.

29. Luther said, He would not live in Paradise without the Word, but with it he could live well enough in Hell. Mr. Calamy's Godly Man's Ark.

30. Gildas hath scarce one Paragraph in his Epistle unstored with Scripture, and one of his chief Lamentations in Dioclesian's Persecution is, for their Bibles being burnt in the Publick Markets. Tho. Jones Sovereign of the Heart.

31. Mr. Bradford to Willerton, Bishop Bonner's Chaplain, when he told him, The People must learn all at the Priests, not meddling with the Scriptures; answered: Then I see you would bring the People to hang up Christ, and let Barabbas go, as the Priests perswaded the People to do. At which words Wil∣lerton was so offended, that he had no lust to talk with him any more. Fox Martyr.

32. The Christians at the beginning of the Reformation were so in love with the Bible, and studied it so diligently, and used it in their Discourses and Disputations so frequently and boldly, that Darbyshire, Principal of Broadgates, told Mr. Hawkes, in Bishop Bonner's House, You will have nothing but your little pretty God's Book. Ibid.

33. Blesilla, a devout Widow, weak and sickly, was never found without a Bible in her Hands. S. Hierom.

34. Olympia Fulvia Morata, born at Ferrara, in a Letter to the young Princess of that place (after getting out of the Idolatry of that Country) saith, It may seem incredible to you, what a change the Lord then made upon my Spirit; that former aversion I had to read the Scripture, was then turned to have it as the greatest delight and pleasure in the World. Anonym.

35. One Captain Knox, being a Prisoner in Ceilon, in the East-Indies, for near Twenty Years, was extreamly pleased when he found there an English Bible, which he purchased at a Rate, and pro∣fesseth, That he never found Prayer so sweet to him, as it was then. See his Description of Ceilon.

36. The Lady Jane Grey, the Night before her Execution, sent her Sister, the Lady Catherine, the Greek Testament, in the end of which she wrote thus:

I Have here sent you, Good Sister Catherine, a Book, which altho' it be not outwardly Printed with Gold, yet inwardly it is more worth than precious Stones: It is the Book, dear Sister, of the Law of the Lord; it is his Testament and Last Will, which he bequeathed to us Wretches, which shall lead you to the Path of Eternal Joy; and if you with a good Mind read it, and with an earnest Heart purpose to follow it, it shall bring you to an immortal and everlasting Life; it shall teach you to live, and learn you to die; it shall win you more than you would have gained by the possession of your woful Father's Lands, which if God had prospered you, you should have inherited: so that if you apply diligently this Book, seeking to direct your Life after it, you shall be an Inheritour of such Riches, as neither the Covetous shall take from you, neither shall Thieves steal, nor Moth cor∣rupt. Desire with David, dear Sister, to understand the Law of the Lord God; live still to die,

that by Death you may purchase Eternal Life: and trust not, that the tenderness of your Age shall lengthen your Life; for as soon, if God calls, goes the Young as the Old. Labour therefore always to learn to die. Defie the World, deny the Devil, despise the Flesh, and delight your self wholly in the Lord; be penitent for your Sins, and yet despair not; be strong in Faith, and yet presume not, and desire, with St. Paul, to be dissolved, and to be with Christ: with whom even in Death there is Life. Be like the good Servant, and even at Midnight he waking, lest when Death comes and steals upon you, you be with the evil Servant found sleeping; and lest for lack of Oyl, you be found like the foolish Virgins, and like him that had not on the Wedding-Garment, and so you be shut out from the Marriage. Rejoyce in Christ, as I do; follow the Steps of your Master Christ, and take up his Cross; lay your Sins upon him, and always embrace him. And as touching my Death, rejoyce as I do, Good Sister, that I shall be delivered of this Corruption, and put on Incorruption: for I am assured, that I shall for losing a Mortal Life, win an Immortal Life; the which I pray God to grant you, and send you of his Grace to live in his Fear, and die in the True Faith of Christ: from which, in the Name of God, I exhort you, that you never swerve, neither for Hope of Life, nor Fear of Death: for if you deny his Truth, to lengthen your Life, God will deny you, and shorten your Days; and if you cleave unto him, he will prolong your Days to his Glory, and your Com∣fort. To which Glory God bring me now, and you hereafter, when it shall please him to call you. Fare you well, Good Sister, and put your only Trust in God, who only must help you.

The next Morning, with a Book in her Hand, she made a pathetical Speech upon the Scaffold, kneeled down to Prayers, repeated over the 51st Psalm, prayed for the Executioner, laid her Head upon the Block, and ended her Life with these words, Lord into thy Hands I commend my Spirit. Aged Sixteen. Fox Martyrol.

Concerning the Respect of the Jews to the Law, the Mahometans to their Alchoran, &c. see my Hi∣story of all Religions.

37. I had almost forgot to make mention of the Practice of my dear Friend and Correspondent Mr. Henry, spoken of in the last Chapter, (which I am very unwilling to omit, because I would pro∣voke myself, and others, to some degree of Emulation in the Case): besides his Exercise on the Lord's Days, mentioned before, every Day of the week his Custom was, every Morning and Night to Read a Chapter to his Family, and Expound it distinctly and clearly, and after Singing a Psalm, and Pray∣ers, to appoint his Children to retire by themselves, and write over a Copy of his Exposition; by which means, as himself once told me, every one of his Children, Five in Number, (One Son, and Four Daughters) had the Exposition of the whole Bible by them, written with their own Hands. This Custom he kept up constantly in his own House for above Twenty, if not above Thirty Years together, without any intermission, except in Cases of Absence from Home; which happened but seldom.

38. Dr. Harris, in all his Wills, always renewed this Legacy; —Item, I bequeath to all my Chil∣dren, and to my Childrens Children, to each of them a Bible, with this Inscription, None but Christ. See his Life.

39. Philip Melancthon always used to carry his Bible along with him, wherein he read often. Clark's Exampl Vol. II. p. 336.

40. Mr. William Garaway hath told me of a certain English Gentleman, a Member of the House of Commons, that never came into the Parliament-House, without a Bible in his Pocket, which he used to consult upon occasions.

41. Mrs. Catherine Stubbs was seldom seen without a Bible, or a good Book in her Hands. See her Life.

42. John Prince of Saxony had Six Pages attending on him in his Chambers, that every day read to him Six Hours out of the Bible. Luther Coll. Mens. p. 462.

43. Mr. Fox tells a Story of one Crow a Sea-man, who being Shipwreck'd, lost all his Money and Goods, but put his Bible about his Neck, and swam with it to Shoar. Mr. Barker's Flores.

44. After Ptolomy had furnish'd his Library with so many Thousand Books, Aristaeus told him. It was but a poor Library, being without the Sacred Volume of God, the Book of Books, the Holy Scripture. So is all Knowledge but poor Knowledge, without the Right Knowledge of God revealed in his Word, Mr. Barker's Flores.

45. I have read of one Cramerus, a School-Master, who had a Scholar, who had in a Writing, in his own Blood, promised to give his Soul on certain Conditions to the Devil: which Writing Crame∣rus got from him: and the Devil in the Night knock'd at his Chamber-door, and demanded the Pa∣per of him; but he answered, I have laid the Paper in my Bible, and in that Page where it is writ∣ten, The Seed of the Woman shall bruise the Head of the Serpent; and take it thence Satan if thou canst. And thereupon the Devil departed, and left the Paper behind him, and came no more. Mr. Barker's Flores.

46. Mr. Cotton Mather tell us in the Life of Mr. Nathaniel Mather—That this young Man had a principle regard unto the Scriptures for the Subjects of his Meditations, and he was very expensive of his Thoughts on the Book of God. He was daily digging in the sacred Mines, and with deligh he fetched thence Riches, better then those of both the India's; and he could say, O how I love thy Law! it is my Meditation every day!

Even in the time of his mortal Sickness, he was very angry at himself if he had not heard a Portion of the Bible read unto him from day to day.

Once when he was near his End, a good part of a day having pass'd before he had enjoyed his Meal of Scripture, be said unto his Sister with some impatience, Alas! What an ungodly Life do I lead? pray come and read my Bible to me, and read me the forty ninth Psalm. Indeed he read the Scri∣pture,

not cursorily, but very deliberately and considerately; and as an effect of his doing so, he could give such an account of the Difficulties in it, as the most, not only of Christians, but of Di∣vines too, would judge an Attainment extraordinary. Not long before he died, he had read over all the large and great Annotations on the Bible, lately published by Mr. Pool, and some other Non-con∣formist Ministers; but having dispatched those two noble Folio's, he said unto one that was intimate with him, Thus have I read the Bible, but I have now learnt a better way! And that way was this; He would oblige himself in reading to fetch a Note and a Prayer out of every Verse in all the Bi∣ble; to dwell upon every Verse until it had afforded at least one Observation, and one Ejaculation to him.

He imagined that an incredible deal both the Truth and Grace, would in this way make its Im∣pression upon his Mind (besides what exercise of Wit it must have called for) and so most certainly it would have done; but before he had made much Progress in it, the Chariots of God fetcht him a∣way to that place, in which a Jesus is a Bible to the there perfect Spirits of the Righteous.

I cannot forbear adding here (what the Reverend Mr. Mead tells us)— That about fourteen Years old, Mr. Nathaniel Mather did dedicate himself wholly to God and his Service, and entred into a solemn Covenant with God to that purpose; which as he did not begin rashly, and without great deliberati∣on, so he did not transact it slightly, but with great Sense and Seriousness: The Matter and Form of which Covenant you have in this Work, signed with his own Hand, according to that Word of the Prophet (Isa. 44.5.) One shall say, I am the Lords, and another shall call himself by the name of Jacob, and another shall subscribe with his hand to the Lord. And with what Care and Conscience he per∣formed this Covenant in Fasting, in Prayer, in Watchings, in self-examination, in Meditation, in Thanksgiving, in Walking with God in all, is fully witnessed in his Life; which shews that he was a true Nathanael, and Israelite indeed, in whom was no guile: not like those Israelites which the Pro∣phet reproveth, for that they flattered God with their Mouth—lied to him with their Tongues, their Hearts not being right with him, nor stedfast in his Covenant. For having once given up himself to God, He kept the ways of the Lord, and did not wickedly depart from his God. Thus far Mr. Mead, in his pre∣fatory Epistle to Mr. Mather's Life.

Mr. John Machin kept a constant watch over his Thoughts, especially of his last Thoughts that he slept with, and his first Thoughts that he waked with; and usually they were some precious Scripture or other, which he would discourse of to his Friends with great Alacrity. He kept a Diary of his Life, wherein every day he wrote in Characters where he was, what Scriptures he found any sweet∣ness from, what was the state of his Soul towards God; and such other remarkable Passages that did occur each day, from the Year 1650, to the Year he died.

His love to the Word of God was superlative; it was his Meditation Day and Night. He did constantly in a Morning pitch upon some Verse, which he would endeavour to infuse into his Heart; ever unwilling to leave it, till he bad suck'd some Virtue from it. He was chewing by Meditation the 119th Psalm at the time of his Sickness, daily squeezing the Virtue of one Verse thereof into his Soul, as appears by his Dairy; and this he did, not formally as a Task, but with that effectual Seri∣ousness and Relish, that his Family at home, and Friends at a distance, in his Letters might perceive exactly what Dainties he had tasted; and at every vacant time, he would be looking for a Word, and would find out by the casual turning down a Leaf in his Bible (which was his usual way) such Pas∣sages as were very remarkable and not observed before. A Scripture thus met with, was as Food to him, exceeding sweet to his Tast, he would make much of it, and usually would not leave it, till he had improved it to the good of others by speaking or writing, that others might see what he saw, and feel what he felt in the Word of God.

Another usage he had also, which shewed him to be both a good Textuary, and a good Christian; and that was usually to take leave with his Friends and Relations by leaving some Scripture with them, and those most suitable to their Condition; nay he hardly sent Commendations to a Friend, but it was accompanied with some pertinent Scripture, that he seemed to breath no other Air but Scripture. His Bible was his constant Companion in the Day, and usually his Pillow at Night; and many Scores of emphaticallively Expressions he had found therein, which the constant reading and diligence of others could never light on. And where ever he came, he was engraving some Scripture or other on the Mantle Posts, and Walls, and Trees; which was so constant and peculiar a Course with him, that his acquain∣tance oft knew he had been in such a place, by the Marks he usually left. His design therein being the advantage of all mens Souls; that the very novelty of seeing such things, might set People upon enquiring and looking those Scriptures in their Bibles, not knowing what good one Verse of the Scri∣pture (thus met with) might do upon a Soul if God set it on at least he found this Advantage to himself, that when he came to a review of them, he was put in mind of that frame of Heart he had when he was there before; and might tast over again what he had before felt, in that Passage of the Word of God. He seldom wrote a Note or Letter, but he made it up with some suitable Scripture (the Word of God dwelling plentifully in him) and in the Memorials forementioned, he inserts Scri∣ptures upon every occasion, saying in the Conclusion, The Texts of Scripture herein mentioned, are best worth thy finding and noting in thy Life as they were in mine. See his Life.

Do not for your Lives (says the Reverend Mr. Burgess in his Sermon in the last Morning Exer∣cise) ever neglect reading the Scriptures; take some portion of God's Word, as daily as you eat of his Bread: 'Tis very honourably that I do remember a poor Soul who sometimes burned the Thatch of her House to read her Bible by the Light of it.

And no less a Saint than Mr. Richard Fairclough, told me she died a glorious one. It was Luther's saying, The reading of the Scriptures is the Terror of Devils.

Mr. Adams tells us in his Sermon in the late Morning Exercise, That Gregory (called the Great) gives an account of an illiterate Man, who bought a Bible, hired one to read to him out of it, and there∣by became a great proficient in the School of Christianity. Luther by reading of it was turn'd from Popery; so was John Hus by reading of our Wickliff's Books, proving his Doctrine from it. We

know Augustine was converted by taking it up and reading. And 'tis said, Crprian by reading the Prophet Jonas: And Junius by the first Chapter of John's Gospel, tho' 'tis supposed neither of them then had much skill in the Originals, but were beholding to Translations.

Consider (says Mr. Boyl) the Holy Bible, as an harmonious System, tho' written by parts and piece-meals in several Ages. It being like a fair Fruit of Arras, of which, tho' a shred may assure us of the fineness of the Collours and the richness of the Stuff, yet the Hangings never appear to their true advantage, but when they are display'd to their full Dimensions and seen together. Be sure the Scriptures (to which we do well to take heed, as to a light shining in a dark place, 2 Pet. 1.19.) will in this prospect clearly shew their Author and Original, namely, that they came from him who is the Light of Men, and shineth in Darkness, John 1.4, 5.1 John 1.4, 5. to the good satisfaction of the Consciences of the honest Beholders themselves, whatever Objections may be made by carnal Reason∣ings to the contrary; hereby being far more effectual to convert the Soul, and rejoyce the Heart, Psalm 19.7, 8. than any appearances of prodigious Spectres giving some notice of what passes in the other World could ever do. Sith the read Resurrection of Lazarus had no other Influence on some of the Jews, than only to give them occasion of turning Informers to the Pharisees against Christ, who had just before their Eyes, wrought that most notable Miracle, John 11.46. In the dispensation of the Word, there is an Evidence of Divinity in it, commending it self to the Consciences of unprejudiced Men. The ordinary means of Crace being mighty through God, to the pulling down of the strong holds, 2 Cor. 10.4, 5. yea, every thing that exalteth is self against the knowledge of God, from whom it came, and unto whom it directs us. Even great ones have been astonish'd at the Doctrine of the Lord, Acts 13.12. Psal. 119.111. drawn from vicious Courses into virtuous and holy Practices; from Dark∣ness to Light, and from the power of Satan to God, Acts 26.18. when little good comparatively was done by Christ himself preaching at Capernaum, Matt. 11. — 23.13.58. The Magazine of his Mi∣racles, those extraordinary Discoveries of their Author; in the use of the ordinary means of Grace, even at one Sermon of Peter's, we find three Thousand converted, Acts 2.41. And afterwards up∣on hearing of the Word, we meet with about five Thousand more that believed, Acts 4.4. which may well evidence who was the Author of it, and in whose Hand it was an Instrument, Eph. 2.20. Many have been built upon this Foundation, enlightned and directed by this Light, Psal. 119.105. fed with this Meat, Heb. 5.13, 14. regenerated by this Seed, 1 Pet. 1.23. which as a grain of Mu∣stard Seed in a matter of sixty six Years space, after the sowing of it, grew into a great Tree, which Pliny †, the Proconsul in Bythinia, employed by Trajan to root up Christianity (which they accounted a Crime) did acknowledge. Tertullian and others prove the spreading of it in the second and third Centuries: So mightily grew the Word of God, and prevailed, Acts 19.20. in the Primitive times, ingenerating unconquer'd Constancy of Faith and Godliness in the minds of the Hearers; and always victoriously triumphing over the Kingdom of Satan, and false Religions. In the beginning of the Reformation, said Luther ‖, We do everywhere experience in the Church, in the Commonwealth, in the Family, certain Fruits of the Word, which as Leaven doth spread it self into all the parts of the Com∣monwealth, the Offices, and all the States. * Mr. Boyl Stile of Scripture, p. 72. † Plin, Secund. l. 10. Epist. mox ipso tractu us fieri solet, diffundente se crimine, &c. Adversus gentes ipsa multitudine pertur∣batus. ‖ Tom. 4.282. Ʋbique experimur in Templo, in Rep. &c.

Afterwards we find hoe it did diffuse it self in England, Scotland, and Ireland, &c. * Notwith∣standing they of the Antichristian state have laboured to keep up their Superstition and Idolatry, by feigned Apparitions, as may be seen in later Collections of Popish Miracles, the History of Jetzer, Thus far Mr. Adams. & See the fulfilling of Scriptures, p. 401.

Stand fast and fix'd (says the Reverend Mr. Woodcock, in his Sermon in the Casuistical Morning Exercise) in the good Word of God, which is settled for ever in Heaven, Psal. 119.89. as the Copy of the Divine Nature and Law. Stand, having your Loins girt about with Truth, Ephes. 6.14. and ha∣ving on the Breast-plate of Righteousness. This is the grand and perfect Rule of Faith, Worship and Life, Keep within these Trenches, and you have an assurance of Protection. I remember an Ear-witness told me, he heard Dr. Hammond Preach before King Charles the First at Oxford, when his Affairs were at a low ebb, and he told him, While God-dam-me led the Van, and the Devil confound me brought up the Rear, he would be routed in all his Designs. And they are very unlikely to be good Subjects to Princes, who are open Rebels to the Laws of God and Men, and their own Reason. Thus far Mr. Woodcock.

Many useful Sayings, good Precepts and Rules, may be fetched from Heathen Authors, Plato, Se∣neca, Tully, Plutarch, &c. But we need not (says the Reverend Mr. Slater, in his Sermon in the last Morning Exercise) borrow Jewels of Egyptians, blessed be God, nor go down to the Philistines for the sharpening of our Mattocks. It is the Gospel of Christ, which is the Power of God to Salvation. There is no need of quoting a Philosopher when we have a Paul. What Examples can we produce and propound, so exact and curious as is that of Christ, who did no Sin, neither was Guile found in his Mouth! He spake so as never Man spake, and he walked so as never Man walked. What Ar∣guments can we find more convincing than those of the Scripture, which are mighty for casting down the 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Imaginations, Conceits, Reasonings of a carnal, vain, and proud Mind? What Mo∣tives more perswasive and alluring than those of the Gospel, which are indeed the Cords of a Man? What Thunder-claps can be thought of more terrible, or what Terrors more amazing and affrighting then the Terrors of the Lord? What Promises more inviting and encouraging than those he hath given us, which are exceeding great and precious? Where, if any one can, let him tell us where we shall see sin so clearly and fully in its Deformity and Ugliness, in order to a real and thorough aversa∣tion from it, or Religion, Godliness, and a Conversation ordered aright, more in its Loveliness and enamouring Beauty, in order to our setting our Hearts upon it, than we do, or at least may see it in the Gospel? When all is said and done that can be, it is the Grace of God, Tit. 2.14. The Doctrine, the Gospel of Grace, which bringeth Salvation, and hath appeareth to all men. Jews and Gentiles, Men of all sorts and ranks, it is that, yea it is that which teacheth us, and all that sit under it, to deny ungod∣liness and worldly lusts, and to live seberly, righteously and godly in this present World.