the Spirit *;-piercing, and irrefiftible, by found argument, folid reasoning and redoubled force, to destroy errour; and to open the mind to the conviction of truth. And He has indeed a Vefure dipped in blood-witnefs the maffacres, the bitter torments and fufferings of thofe who contended for the benefit of the uncorrupt truths, and for the light revealed in the HOLY SCRIPTURES, in Germany, Bohemia, Italy, France and Spain; -and witness the cruel deaths of Cranmer, Ridley, and Latimer, in this country; and of many, many others, The whole noble army of Martyrs, praifing God, who laid down their lives to maintain the truth of HIS HOLY WORD; and to whose dreadful fufferings may well be applied thofe fublime words of the Prophet Ifaiah, Isaiah, chap. ix. Ver. 5. For every battle of the warrior is with confufed noise, and garments rolled in blood, but this fhall be with burning and fuel of fire. * See Ephefians, chap. vi. ver. 17. Hebrews, chap. iv. ver. 12. † Revelations, chap. xix. ver. 13. We read that this Triumphant Horfeman, is to be fomewhat refifted for a time *, but in vain ;—and that his mighty fword proceeding out of his mouth, fhall prevail effectually, to destroy all delufion, and errour † :-and then fhall the Evil One be fhut up in the pit ‡,and the thrones of Judgement § be fet,-and the glorious firft Refurrection commence. How-by what procefs ;-and in what manner;-must be waited for until the appointed time, with holy fear and hope.-For with regard to events fill to come; whilft the wifdom of God hath concealed them under emblematical defcriptions, no eye can pierce the vail, till by the fame Almighty Power it be, at the due feafon undrawn; and the very near approach of the events themselves, awakening the mind, manifefts that HIS HOLY WILL IS DONE. * Revelations, chap. xix. ver. 19. Ibid. chap. xx. ver. 3. Ibid. chap. xx. ver. 4, 5• |