"
The very name of Jesus is the very tower of the Christian church,
and that by which she frights the world, not designedly, but through
their misunderstanding; for neither she nor her Jesus is for doing
them any hurt. However, this is that which renders her yet, in their
eye, terrible as an army with banners.
Always when antichrist made his inroads upon the church in the
wilderness, to slay, to cut off, and to kill, yet some of the
pillars stood; they were not all burnt in the fire, nor cut down.
They said indeed, "Come, let us cut them off from being a nation,
that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance." But what
then? There is a difference betwixt saying and doing; the bush was
not therefore consumed because it was set on fire; the church shall
not be consumed, although she be afflicted.
And the reason is, because God has his reserve: therefore if Abel
falls by the hand of Cain, Seth is put in his place; if Moses is
taken away, Joshua shall succeed him; and if the devil break the
neck of Judas, Matthias is at hand to take his office. God has a
succession of pillars in his house; he has to himself a reserve.
They therefore brought out Faithful, to do with him according to
their law; and first they scourged him, then they buffeted him, then
they lanced his flesh with knives; after they had stoned him with
stones, they pricked him with their swords; and last of all, they
burned him to ashes at the stake.
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