An exposition with practical observations continued upon the thirty-eighth, thirty-ninth, fortieth, forty-first, and forty-second,…

Fourthly, That all was done in so short a time. We say, Rome was not built in a day. Solomon was seven years in building the Temple (1 Kings 6.38.) And he was thirteen years in building his own house (1 Kings 7.1.) And doubtless, Solomon laid out all the power and skill he had for the setting up of those buildings: But behold a greater building than either the Temple which Solomon built for God, or the house which he built for himself, set up (as we say) in a trice. The Lord finished all his work in six days, and that part of it, the earth, in one: Nor did the Lord take either six days to finish the whole work, or one to finish any one part of it, because he needed so much time to do it in; but because he would not do it in less.

Fourthly, That all was done in so short a time. We say, Rome was not built in a day. Solomon was seven years in building the Temple (1 Kings 6.38.) And he was thirteen years in building his own house (1 Kings 7.1.) And doubtlesse, Solomon laid out all the power and skill he had for the setting up of those buildings: But behold a greater building than either the Temple which Solomon built for God, or the house which he built for himself, set up (as we say) in a trice. The Lord finished all his work in six dayes, and that part of it, the earth, in one: Nor did the Lord take either six dayes to finish the whole work, or one to finish any one part of it, because he needed so much time to do it in; but because he would not do it in less.

Fifthly, The Lord did all this without the use of any instrument, rule or compass, axe or hammer; though here is mention ⟨p. 66⟩made of a measure and of a line. The skilfullest Architect cannot raise up any considerable building without these; though he hath the platform and idea of it in his head, yet take away his line and his rule, and he can do nothing. But such is the glorious skill and power of God, that though he is pleased to speak of a measure and of a line; yet we must not be so gross, as to think that he made use of any. The whole work was natural to God, and therefore he needed no artificial helps; nor was any instrument employed in it, but only his own creating word and will. Some faithless Atheists of old (and possibly there are such at this day) asked in scorn with what tools and instruments, with what ladders and scaffolds, this building was set up: But let us at once pity such in their unbelief and horrible profaneness, and labour to edify or build up our selves in grace and holiness, in the faith and fear of his great Name, who built this world without tools or instruments, without ladders or scaffolds.