Brightman - BS2823 B85 1644

114 evelationof the Apocalypfe. Godly canenter in Luk. r3. 25. Neither is the power of the Miniflers only Philadel- a doore, but the readinefle allôofthe hearers, as it is in that ofPaul; phia. For agreat andefcefluall doore is opened unto mee, and there be many adverfaries. As if he should fay, Though there bee many that re- Gft and fight againft the truth, yet are there many, whole del-ire of it and care to obey it is ready and forward, i Cor.16.9. And againe, When I came to Trotas topreach the Gofpell, and adooremu openedun- to mein the Lord, 2 Cor. 2. r 2. This doore is opened when mens hearts are oponed by the Spirit to receive the truth, as was theheart of Lydia, which the Lordopened, fo that fbee attended to thofe thing which Werefaidof Paul,.4E1.16.14. But though the name ofa doore be feverally attributed to thefe things,yet then moil ofall is the doore opened, when all thefe things goe joyntly together, the Word, dif- cipline, the zeale of the Magiiirate and people. Then is there free powerto pierce into mens confciences, the wayof entrance where- into is after a fort Phut up, where any of thefe is wanting. This is then that open doore , wherewith this Church is here fet forth. The which yet no force of mans wit did unlocke, confifting ei- ther in the eloquence of fpeech, or in the fharpneffeof mans con- ceit and prudence, but onely that Key-bearer who gave that free- ly, which no man could attaine, by any power of man. How wickedly then deale they, whodoe reproach and revile that which CH It r s r hath bellowed on his Church, as the greateft benefit of all other that he could give them ? They whet their blafphe- mous tongtvs againfl heaven, yea, againft God himfelfì, but they (hall not carry it away fcot -free, let them clatteras much as they will. Neither can any man flint it. Theendevour of adverfarieswas notwanting, ofwhom, force by flandering, rayling,and by punning thisChurch with all kind of defpitefbll wrongs, did labour to bolt up this doore, others did with force and armes ftrive to lop it up, as if they would brake it and theChurch in pieces, but he performed his word fàithfully,which hehad tîrmely.ratified,that noman fhould be able toprevaile fo faragainft ir, the enemies loll their toyle and tallow, neither got they any thing elfbut fhamefull reproach in the world, for their malicious hearts a;,ainft the truth, and puni(hment at Gods hands anfwerable to their deferts. Let the experience of the times pall, bee a ftrengthning to the minds of this Church sgainft all futilrefeare, 'eríìal .thouhaft=a littleßrength.The vulgar bath rightly expreffed the

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