But I humbly hope, vile as we are, a gracious, long-suffering and merciful GOD, will not suffer us to fall into their blood-thirsty and cruel hands. He hath formerly most remarkably interposed in _England_’s favour; and why should we in the least doubt, but that he will again reveal his omnipotent arm, and make our extremity to be his opportunity, to help and defend us, against such threatening and unjust invaders? Invincible as the _Spanish_ armada was supposed to be, and all-powerful as the Pope, under whose broad seal they acted, might boast he was in heaven or hell, it is plain he had no power over the water. “For thou didst blow, O LORD, with thy wind, and the enemy was scattered.” And is not this GOD the same now as he was yesterday? And will he not continue the same for ever? Of whom then should the inhabitants of _Great Britain_ be afraid? Blessed be GOD, if we look to second causes, we have a glorious fleet, brave admirals, a well-disciplined army, experienced officers, and, if occasion should require, thousands and thousands of hearty voluntiers, with a _Royal Hero_, who hath once been made happily instrumental to save his country from impending ruin, if not Majesty itself prepared to head them. And if by fasting from as well as for sin, and by flying, through a living faith, to the merits of a dying, risen, ascended and interceding Mediator, we can but make GOD our friend, we need not fear what _France_ and _Rome_, and _Hell_, with all their united force, can do unto, or plot against us. The way of duty is the way of safety, And if we are but found in the due use of proper means, we may confidently leave the issue and event of things with GOD. Be that event what it will (and I trust it will be a prosperous one) we have a divine authority to say unto the righteous, it shall be well with them. GOD’s own people, amidst all the wars and rumours of wars, may rest secure; for they not only dwell under the shadow of the most High, but have his own royal word for it, that all things shall work together for their good. And not only so, but they may be fully assured, that all the malicious efforts and designs of men and devils shall be so far from obstructing, that, on the contrary, through the sure, though secret hand of an ever-watchful, over-ruling, and omnipotent providence, they shall at present, (howbeit they think not so) be made not only to subserve the present further enlargement of his interests, who, in spight of all the strivings of the potsherds of the earth, will hold the balance of UNIVERSAL MONARCHY in his own hands; but at last shall terminate in the full and compleat establishment and perfection of that blessed kingdom, whose law is truth, whose king is love, and whose duration is eternity. _Fiat! Fiat!_ Amen and Amen.
A PREFACE TO THE SERIOUS READER, On Behalf of The Rev. SAMUEL CLARKE’s Edition of the BIBLE.
A PREFACE, &c.
WHEN _Philip_ the Evangelist was commanded by the Holy Spirit, to go near and join himself to the chariot of a _man of Ethiopia_, and found him reading _Esaias_ the prophet, we are told, _Acts_ viii. verse 30. that he introduced himself with this question, “Understandest thou what thou readest?” The _Ethiopian_, though an eunuch, a person of great authority under Queen _Candace_, instead of being offended at this seeming impertinence, mildly answered, verse 31. “How can I, except some man guide me?” And as a proof of his willingness to be guided, he desires _Philip_ that he would come up and sit with him. Upon which, as we are further informed, verse 35. “_Philip_ opened his mouth and began at the same scripture,” which the eunuch was then providentially reading, “and preached unto him JESUS.” An instructive passage this! Not merely as it shews us, that the greatest personages ought not to think themselves above perusing GOD’s lively oracles; but also as it points out to us that teachable and child-like disposition, with which all ought to come to the reading of them; as well as the care which the Holy Spirit of GOD takes, to furnish such as have a mind to do his will, with proper instructors, that they may know it. “The meek will he guide in his way.”