Glass mingled with Fire and there she will continue till the fourth Kingdom that of Iron mixt with Clay be broken to pieces and become like Chaff of the Summer threshing-floors and the wind carry them away that no place be found for them Dan. 2.35 Notwithstanding the Spouse of Christ stands on a Sea of Glass mingled with Fire she is not destroyed And I saw as it were a Sea of Glass mingled with Fire and them that had gotten the victory over the Beast and over his Image and over his mark and over the number of his name stand on the Sea of Glass having the Harps of God and they sung the song of Moses the Servant of God and the song of the Lamb saying Great and marvellous are thy works Lord God Almighty just and true are thy ways thou King of Saints Who shall not fear thee O Lord and glorifie thy Name for thou only art holy for all Nations shall come and worship before thee for thy Judgments are made manifest Rev. 15.2 3 4. John the Divine that out-lived all the Apostles he being the last of them as is believed wrote this Book of the Revelations in an excellent stile the matter of it being excellent it was sent to him from Heaven Write the things which thou hast seen and the things which are and the things which shall be hereafter Rev. 1.19 That is from that time to this and from this time to the end of the World of all the things concerning the Church of God in the latter days and in the last days Here we have a sight of the Church often in the fifth chapter of this Book And they sung a new song saying Thou art worthy to take the Book and to open the Seals thereof for thou wast slain and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every Kindred and Tongue and People and Nation v. 9. This is a thanksgiving for their Redemption being redeem'd by the blood of Christ and delivered from wrath to come In the twelfth chapter you have another sight of the Church A Woman clothed with the Sun and the Moon under her feet and upon her head a Crown of twelve Stars v. 1. But against this Woman came the Red Dragon with the power of Hell to devour her Child as soon as it was born The Devil and the World cannot endure the pure Worship of God and the true Religion that is profess'd by God s Children This Woman the true Church of God fled into the Wilderness where she had a place prepared of God but the Dragon followed her and made war with the remnant of her seed which keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ v. 17. that in the generation of the Just in all times the Church is the Mother and the Womb that brings forth Gods faithful people in all ages and though the Dragon in persecuters hath made war against them yet they could never destroy them In the fourteenth Chapter you may see this Church following the lamb wheresoever he goes and were redeem'd from among men and from the Earth and having his fathers name written in their foreheads and in their mouths was found no guile these were Virgin Saints that had not drank of the Whores cup nor been defiled with her abominations You have a sight again of this Church in the fifteenth chapter which I mentioned before And I saw as it were a sea of Glass mingled with fire and them that had gotten the victory over the beast and over his image and over his mark and over the number of his name stand on the sea of Glass having the Harps of God. See then these following things Their place Their posture Their Victory Their thanks-giving 1. Their place as it were on a sea of Glass that is the World and the People that are in it Psal 46.2 3. And four great beasts came out from the Sea divers one from another Dan. 7.3 And I stood upon the sand of the Sea and saw a beast rise up out of the Sea having seven Heads and ten Horns and upon his Horns ten Crowns and upon his Heads the name of Blasphemy Rev. 13.1 This Sea then is the World and in this World you shall have trouble 2. Their posture They stand on the Sea of Glass Glass is that which lets light into a room wherever the Church of God is there is light light springing up light breaking forth light shining out Believers are Children of the day and of the light God hath shin'd into their hearts in the face of Christ Jesus Now the World and the Devil cannot endure this light but blow up the coals and kindle the fire of persecution that they may put out and destroy this light of saving knowledg Beloved think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you as though some strange thing happened unto you 1 Pet. 4.12 This is the sea of Glass mingled with Fire the fire of contention the fire of persecution and the fire of tribulation yet however Gods people stand they stand fast and having done all they stand having their loins girt about with truth and having on the breast-plate of righteousness and their feet shod with the preparation of the Gospel of peace Eph. 6.13 14 15. 3. Their victory over the beast and over his image and over his mark and over the number of his name you see here who they are that get the victory and this victory was got on the Sea of Glass mingled with fire that is in prisons and in dungeons and in great tribulations and in times of great calamities under sore trials Who shall separate us from the love of Christ shall tribulation or distress or persecution or famine or nakedness or peril or sword as it is written for thy sake we are killed all the day long we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter nay in all these things we are more than conquerers through him that loved us Rom. 8.35 36 37. who through faith subdued Kingdoms â—rought righteousness obtained promises stopped the mouths of Lions Heb. 11.33 for whatsoever is born of God overcometh the World and this is the victory that overcometh the World even our faith 1 John 5.4 the victory then the Saints get is over the Devil over his temptations over his devices and over all his assaults and wiles For we wrestle not against flesh and blood but against principalities against powers against the rulers of the darkness of this World against spiritual wickedness in high places Eph. 6.12 this victory is over the World the pleasures of the World and the profits of the World and over the frowns of the World. Who is he that overcometh the World but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God 1 John 5.5 this victory is over the beast his ordinances and laws over his image his worship and doctrines over his mark his profession and perswasion over the number of his name
glorious Gospel of Christ Jesus which Paul Preached unto them that a Church was here gathered and set up That their â—aith was spoken of throughout the whole world Rom. 1.8 Oh the depth of the riches both of â—he Wisdom and knowledge of God how unâ—earchable are his Judgments and his ways â—ast finding out Rom. 11.33 Next let us â—ee what God wrought by Pauls ministry â—n the City of Corinth The Apostle Paul having past through â—everal parts in Asia he came to the City â—f Corinth and finding there a poor man â—nd his wife Aquila and Priscilla that â—ad been banished from Italy by Claudius â—or their Religion they came and dwelt â—n the City of Corinth and the Apostle â—aul became their guest being of the same â—ccupation Tent-makers and he conâ—â—nued there a year and six months in which time he did so batter down the Devils Kingdom of Darkness and Blindâ—ess Superstition and Idolatry and â—otwithstanding the great oppositions he â—here met with both from the Jews and â—he Heathens God Almighty did so â—less his labours and crown his Miâ—â—stry with that success that many of the Corinthians believed and were baptized and here also was a glorious Church gathered and set up That in every thing ye are enriched by him in all utterance and in all knowledge even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you so that ye come behind in no gift waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ 1 Cor. 1.5 6 7. and see Acts 18. As God did of old set up a Kingdom in the days of the Pharaohs Kings of Egypt when the Children of Israel went down into Egypt they were but few in number a very small number being but threescore and ten Gen. 46.27 but when they went out of Egypt they were many hundred thousands they went into Egypt weak and feeble but they went out strong and mighty they were poor and needy when they went in but they went out with great substance So in the days of the Gospel the Goâ— of Heaven did then set up a Kingdom iâ— the days of the Herods in the days of thâ— Caesars and this he did in the sight of hiâ— Enemies and in the face of all oppositions The very Enemies themselves did confess in that day that they were not ablâ— to hinder it nor to overthrow it Thâ— Pharisees therefore said among themselveâ— Perceive ye how ye prevail nothing Behold the World is gone after him John 12.19 At the beginning of the Gospel-days this Church of Christ or Kingdom that the God of Heaven did then set up was very little and small And the number of their names together were about an hundred and twenty Acts 1.15 But the Lord did soon increase them And there was added unto them about three thousand Souls Acts 2.41 Next you find they were multitudes And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own but they had all things common Acts 4.32 And the believers were the more added to the Lord multitudes both of men and women Acts 5.14 And thus you see from an hundred and twenty they became thousands and from thousands to multitudes so great a multitude as no man could number of all Nations and Kindreds and People and Tongues By this you may plainly see and understand the way and manner how the God of Heaven â—in the days of these Kings did set up a Kingdom and this he will do to the end of the World. I shall in the next place shew you the Power Strength and Glory of this Kingdom FIrst In that it shall never be destroyâ—â— The Church of God is excellently divided into two parts Militant and Triumphant Militant on the Earth Triumphant in Heaven The Inhabitants of Heaven are of three sorts The blessed Trinity The blessed Angels The blessed Saints First The blessed Trinity For there are three that bear record in Heaven the Father the Word and the Holy Ghost and these three are one 1 John 5.7 This makes our Salvation to be sure our Inheritance to be certain our Gospel to be true our Security to be immortal this is that our Lord Jesus declared to the Jews and testified to them but they understood him not Jesus answered and said unto them Though I bear record of my self yet my record is true for I know whence I came and whither I go but ye cannot tell whence I come and whither I go John 8.14 He thaâ— believeth on the Son of God hath the witnesâ— in himself he that believeth not God hatâ— made him a Liar because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son and this is the record that God hath given to us eternal life and this life is in his Son 1 Joh. 5.10 11. The Gospel is called the everlasting Gospel Rev. 14.6 because it proceeded from God the everlasting Father The Apostles did not receive the Gospel they preached from men but from God it was published and preach'd by Christ Jesus the everlasting Son of God it was applied by the everlasting Spirit of God and the effects of the Gospel will be everlasting The blessed Trinity fills Heaven with light and glory the glory of vision the glory of a full enjoyment of all happiness For as it is written Eye hath not seen nor ear heard neither have entred into the heart of man the things which God hath prepared for them that love him 1 Cor. 2.9 Secondly The blessed Angels of Heaven And I beheld and I heard the voice of many Angels round about the Throne and the number of thâ—m was ten thousand times ten thousand and thousands of thousands saying with a loud voice Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honour glory and blessing Rev. 5.11 12. But ye are come unto Mount Sion and unto the City of the living God the heavenly Jerusalem and to an innumerable company of Angels Heb. 12.22 As these Angels are great in number being innumerable so they are excellent in their natures For verily he took not on him the nature of Angels but he took on him the seed of Abraham Heb. 2.16 They are invisible spirits cloth'd with holiness covered with glory enriched with knowledge arm'd with power fill'd with love adorned with heavenly beauty and shine in heavenly glory Are they not all ministring spirits sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation Heb. 1.14 The Scripture speaks of a threefold Ministry 1. Of the Ministry of the Prophets I have also spoken by the Prophets and I have multiplied Visions and used similitudes by the Ministry of the Prâ—phets Hos 12.10 This Ministry the Children of Israel were under Moses and the Prophets but they did not understand them 2. The Ministry of Angels And they are ministring Spirits sent forth by God Almighty to minister for them who shall be
and to an innumerable company of Angels to the general assembly and Church of the first born which are written in Heaven and to God the Judge of all and to the Spirits of Just men made perfect and to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant and to the blood of sprinkling that speaketh better things than that of Abel Heb. 12.22 23 24. And after this I beheld and lo a great multitude which no man could number of all Nations and kindreds and people and tongues stood before the throne and before the lamb clothed with white robes and palms in their hands and cried with a loud voice saying Salvation to our God which sits upon the throne and unto the lamb And all the Angels stood round about the throne And one of the elders answered saying unto me What are these which are arayed in white robes and whence came they and I said unto him Sir thou knowest and he said unto me These are they which came out of great tribulation and have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the lamb therefore are they before the throne of God and serve him day and night in his temple and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell amongst them they shall hunger no more neither thirst any more neither shall the sun light on them nor any heat for the lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them and lead them unto living fountains of water and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes Rev. 7.9 10 13. to the end I have here shew'd you what the Inhabitants of Heaven are that part of the Church that is triumphant and surely that can never be destroyed this will be easily granted by all men And now I am to shew you that part of Christs Church that is militant on the Earth and this is that Kingdom which shall never be destroyed The Church is called a Kingdom because Christ Jesus is the King of it Revel 15.3 he rules in it and over it he is the head of this body Ephesians 4.15 the husband of this wife Rev. 19.7 the shepherd and pastor of this flock John 10.11 he is the law-giver to this righteous nation James 4.12 He is the chief corner stone of this building And are built upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner-stone iâ— whom all the building fitly framed togetheâ— groweth unto an holy Temple in the Lord in whom you also are builded together for â—n habitation of God through the Spirit Ephes 2.20 21 22. Here is a building a building fitly fram'd together and a holy Temple in the Lord an habitation of God through the Spirit Behold and see a draught of the true Church here on Earth in these following things The Materials The Glory The Security 1. The Materials The Church of God is made up of People but what People are they The Apostle Peter will tell you But ye are a chosen Generation a royal Priesthood an holy Nation a peculiar People that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light which in time past were not a people but are now the people of God which had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy 1 Pet. 2.9 10. Hear the Apostle Paul also Who gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all inâ—quity and purifie unto himself a peculiar people zealous of good works Titus 2.14 The Church of God is made up of men and women but what men and women are they See Acts 5.14 And Believers were the more added unto the Lord multitudes both of mâ—n and women They were all Believers The Church of Christ is made up of Children Young men and Fathers but what Children Fathers and Young men are they the Apostle John will tell you I write unto you little children because your sins are forgiven you for his Names sake I write unto you fathers because ye have known him that is from the beginning I write unto you young men because you have overcome the wicked one I write unto you little children because ye have known the father I have written unto you fathers because ye have known him that is from the beginning I have written unto you young men because ye are strong and the Word of God abideth in you and ye have overcome the wicked one 1 John 2.12 13 14. Do but see here what these children were their sins were forgiven and they had known the Father See also what these young men were they had overcome the wicked one and they were strong and the Word of God did abide in them See also what these Fathers were they had known him from the beginning The true Church is the House of God a house not made with hands neither can hands destroy it a house not made of stones and mortar of brick timber and such materials but of lively stones are built up a spiritual house an holy Priesthood to offer up spiritual Sacrifices acceptable to God by Jesus Christ 1 Pet. 2.5 By this you may see of what materials God's House is built 2. The glory of this Church which is both within and without the glory of truth the glory of holiness the glory of purity the glory of spiritual worship the glory of saving knowledge the glory of the power of godliness the glory of Gospel innocency and the glory of heavenly walking the glory of fellowship and communion with God this excellent glory is to be found and seen no where on Earth but in the Church of God. The King's Daughter is all glorious within her clothing is of wrought gold Psal 45.13 The Church hath God's glorious presence with her and in that glory she shines For I saith the Lord will be the glory in the midst of her Zech. 2.5 This is the woman that is clothed with the Sun. And there appeared a great wonder in Heaven a woman clothed with the Sun and the Moon under her feet and upon her head a Crown of twelve Stars Rev. 12.1 This glory can no man stain nor destroy the glory of this World passeth away let a man but shut his eyes and the glory of this World will be darkned every Saint in Heaven shines forth as the Sun in the Kingdom of their Father Matth. 13.43 and every Saint now on the Earth is more excellent than his Neighbour Prov. 12.26 Men have bestowed great charge and cost on their high places that they might set them off and make them appear glorious to the beholders and the poor and ignorant people have been greatly deceived by them as if there were more holiness in these places than in others Now this is not their glory but their shame The Spouse of Christ Jesus is glorious the Lamb's wife but what is it that makes her so glorious Christ's righteousness that covers her and his graces that enrich her and fill her with all
written is true and I appeal to Saints experience whether they have not found this at the Throne of Grace when they have been lying at God's feet they have been then â—aken up into his bosom Oh tast and see â—hat the Lord is good blessed is the man that â—rusteth in him Psal 34.8 There is a Riâ—er the streams whereof shall make glad the City of God the holy place of the Taberâ—acles of the most High Psal 46.4 This is not a little Spring but a River not a few drops but streams that makes glad â—he hearts of God's People Come and â—ear all ye that fear God and I will declare that he hath done for my Soul Psal 66.16 By this you may see God the Father will not leave his Children 2. The Son will not leave them And Jesus came and spake unto them saying All â—ower is given unto me in Heaven and in Earth Go ye therefore and teach all Naâ—ions baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost â—eaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you and lo I am with you alway even to the end of the World. Amen Matth. 28.18 19 20. Will the Head leave the Body Will the Vine leave the Branches Will the Shepherd leave the Flock Will the Fountain leave the Stream Will the Bridegroom leave the Bride Will the Purchaser leave the Purchase First then the Church is his body the body cannot live without the head this is a living body and the head gives life to every member of this body A life of Grace A life of Comfort A life of Glory Because I live ye shall live also John 14.19 as the living Father hath sent me and I live by the Father so he that eateth me even he shall live by me John 6.57 Now if we be dead with Christ we believe we shall also live with him Rom. 6.8 For whether we live we live unto the Lord or whether we die we die unto the Lord whether we live therefore or die we are the Lords Rom. 14.8 When Christ who is our life shall appear then shall ye also appear with him in glory Col. 3.4 For this my Son was dead and is alive again he was lost and is found and they began to be merry Luke 15.24 And you hath he quickned who were dead in trespasses and sins Ephes 2.1 Every Member of the true Church is a living Member and this life they all receive from Christ Jesus the Head and this glorious Head cannot leave his own Body the Church Let no man say he is a Member of Christ's Church unless he be born again Except a man be born again he cannot see the Kingdom of God John 3.3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again 1 Pet. 1.3 Every Member of Christ hath in him a vigorous Faith a lively Hope a saving Knowledge a measure of the Spirit and a sufficiency of Grace 2. Christs Church is a fruitful Church I am the Vine ye are the branches he that abideth in me and I in him the same bringeth forth much fruit for without me ye can do nothing John 15.5 you see here Christ Jesus is the Vine and Believers are the Branches the blessed Jesus will never leave these branches for without him they can do nothing but in him they are more than Conquerors and do bring forth the fruits of Righteousness love and Charity love towards God and charity towards men they do bring forth out of that treasure of grace that is in them good lives and conversations living righteously and godly in this present world all the Children of God that are in this world they are but as so many branches of this Vine they are but as so many limbs of this Tree they are but so many little partys and bodys that make up this body of Christ the Church of God that shall not be left to another people 3. They are his flock I am the good shepherd of the sheep and know my sheep and am known of mine John 10.14 Our Lord Jesus is that good shepherd and pastor that feeds all the members of his body he will not leave them nor fly from them that is the part of an hireling the hireling fleeth because he is an hireling and careth not for the sheep v. 13. when he was on Earth he did not leave them but watcht over them and preacht peace to them and nourished and cherished them and fed them with that truth which he had received from the Father and often prayed for them and when he left the Earth and went to Heaven there he ever liveth to make intercession for them But this man because he continueth ever hath an unchangeable Priest-hood wherefore he is able to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them Heb. 7.24 25. For there is one God and one Mediator between God and Men the Man Christ Jesus 1 Tim. 2.5 My little Children these things write I unto you that ye sin not and if any man sin we have an advocate with the Father Jesus Christ the righteous 1 John 2.1 Every believer feeds on Christ Jesus by Faith he sups with them and they with him and when they leave this life then they live and reign with Christ in the Heavenly glory 4. The Church of God hath a fountain and this fountain is the Lord the fountain of life and from this fountain come the streams that make glad the City of God this fountain is always flowing and over-flowing with love and kindness mercy and grace righteousness and truth They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of thy house and thou shalt make them drink of the River of thy pleasures for with thee is the fountain of life in thy light we shall see light Psalm 36.8 9. But whosoever drinketh of the Water that I shall give him shall never thirst but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of Water springing up into everlasting life John 4.14 He that beleiveth on me as the scripture hath said out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water John 7.38 These rivers of living water will never be dried up because it is water of life and it flows from a fountain of life that doth always refresh strengthen and comfort the people of God. For they drank of that spiritual rock that followed them and that rock was Christ 1 Cor. 10.4 5. The Church of Christ is a Bride the Lambs wife And Jesus said unto them Can the Children of the Bride-chamber mourn as long as the Bridegroom is with them But the days will come when the Bridegroom shall be taken from them and then shall they fast Matth. 9.15 He that hath the Bride is the Bridegroom but the friend of the Bridegroom which standeth and heareth him rejoyceth greatly
lay And when they had seen it they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this Child Luke 2 16 17. This brought the good tydings of great Joy which shall be to all people verse 10. This Providence fulfill'd many Prophecies As God had spoken by the mouth of his holy Prophets which have been since the World began Luke 1.70 Then was fulfilled that Prophecy Behold I lay in Zion for a foundation a slone a tryed stone a precious corner stone a sure foundation When the Holy Ghost came upon the Apostles that they were filled with it when this was noised abroad the multiâ—ude came together and were confounded because that every man heard them speak in his â—wn Language Act. 2.4 As the Providence of God brought up Joseph and Mary to Bethlehem so by a special Providence oâ— God was this great multitude brought to that meeting where the Apostles and others were assembled together and no sooner were they come within the sound of the Apostles words and under the power of God's holy Spirit but three thousand of them were converted Oh what a blessed Providence was this they came with a stone in their hearts buâ— went away broken hearted they came spiritually dead dead in their sins anâ— trespasses but they went away quickned and full of spiritual life they came fuâ—â— of enmity and prejudice against Chrisâ— Jesus and his holy ways but they wenâ— away full of Faith Love and Joy in believing in that Jesus whom they had crucified they came Subjects of the Princâ— of the power of the Air but they wenâ— away called and chosen Children of thâ— free Woman they came covered with â— vail of ignorance blindness and darkness but they went away Children of the light and of the day The vail was rent thaâ— was over their hearts and the gloriouâ— light of the Gospel shined into them bâ— the power of God's Word and Spirit then were their Consciences awakened and they were pricked in their hearts and â—heir minds were enlightned their affeâ—tions raised then they humbled themâ—elves before the Lord and said unto Peâ—er and to the rest of the Apostles Men â—nd Brethren what shall we do Then they â—ad a sight and sense of their sins the Word of Truth having taken hold on â—hem and the Spirit having made its own way into their hearts this brought them â—rom the Law to the Gospel and from Moses to Christ Jesus that was full of â—race and truth this brought them from â—he Temple-worship of the Jews to worâ—hip God in spirit and in truth this â—rought them from the National Church â—f the Jews to the Church of Christ And â—he same day there was added unto them â—bout three thousand souls and they conâ—â—nued stedfastly in the Apostles Doctrine â—nd fellowship and in breaking of bread and 〈◊〉 prayers Acts 2.42 O! what a wonderful work of God was â—his these were Jews and Proselytes some â—f all Nations under Heaven that were â—urn'd from Darkness to Light and from â—he power of Satan unto God. And there â—ere dwelling at Jerusalem Jews devout â—en out of every nation under Heaven Now â—hen this was noised abroad the multitude came together and were confounded because that every man heard them speak in his own language And they were all amazed and marvelled saying one to another Behold are not all these which speak Galileans And how hear we every man in our own tongue wherein we were born Acts. 2.5 6 7 8. By this you may see how the Kingdom was set up in that day But let us see what was then done in other places the People of Samaria were then under great darkness having been of a long time deceived and bewitched by Simons Sorcery But there was a certain man called Simon which before time iâ— the same City used Sorcery and bewitched the People of Samaria giving out that himself was some great one to whom they all gatâ— heed from the least to the greatest saying that this man is the great power of God anâ— to him they had regard because that of a lonâ— time he had bewitched them with Sorcerieâ— Acts 8.9 10 11. What a sad and miserable condition were these People then in 〈◊〉 They were in the Devils snare and iâ— the bonds of iniquity and in the gall oâ— bitterness but Philip went down to the City of Samaria and preached Christ unto them ver 5. Philip being armed witâ— power from above and under the ricâ— anointing of the holy Spirit and in the fulness of the blessing of the Gospel and being enriched with all spiritual blessings having the Sword of the Spirit and that precious faith which overcomes the evil one That blessed servant of God comâ—ng amongst these Poor blind People did so convince them and inlighten them by â—he everlasting Gospel that he then Preach'd to them and by the miracles â—hat he did in their sight that many of â—hem believed both men and women and were baptized and Simon himself believed â—lso Wherever the Gospel comes in Power it â—reaks confounds the Devils Kingdom Sorcerers and False Teachers cannot stand â—efore it it swallows up Darkness it â—estroys Superstition and Idolatry It â—onfounds the Wisdom of this World â—t cuts asunder the bonds of Iniquity and â—t opens the eyes of the blind It causeth â—oy in Heaven amongst the Angels and â—t brings peace and good will to men on Earth For I am not ashamed of the Gospel 〈◊〉 Christ for it is the power of God unto Salâ—ation to every one that believeth Rom. â— 16 When the Gospel is let loose it â—ill run and it will conquer and overâ—ome Sorcerers Idolaters Persecutors and Blasphemers the very Devils cannot stand before it it makes them tremble and fly the Gospel is the arm of God the power of God the Spirit of his mouth which consumes and destroys and pulls down strong holds casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalteth it self against the knowledge of God and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ 2 Cor. 10.5 When the Apostle Paul fled from the Cruelties of the Jews to the Justice of the Romans from the rage and malice of the Jews to the equity and charity of the Romans Acts 28.16 he was brought â— Prisoner to Rome that was then a Synagogue of Satan a Temple of darkness a City too superstitious a place of abominable Idolatry they were Heathens anâ— yet were more kind to the Apostle Paul than his Country-men the Jews for theâ— gave him leave to dwell two whole years iâ— his own hired house and received all thâ—â— came unto him preaching the Kingdom oâ— God and teaching those things which concerâ— the Lord Jesus Christ with all confidence 〈◊〉 man forbidding him Acts 28.30 31. Here by the sound of his words and by thâ— sound of his chain many were awakened by his Sermons and by his Sufferings manâ— were converted of these Romans light sprung up and light broke forth by the