Terrible is the rage of fire, but much more terrible is the violence and rage of water, for that no power can resist. Now, saith David, like as huge and mighty floods of water carried with great power and violence, do suddenly overthrow and bear down whatsoever they meet withal: even such is the rage of the enemies of Gods Church, which no power of man is able to withstand. Therefore let us learn to trust to the Lords defence and succour. For what else is the Church, but as a little boat tied by a River fide, and by violence of the water soon carried away? Or as a Reed which by force of the stream is easily plucked up and carried away? Such was the people of Israel in Davids time, being compared to the Gentiles round about them. Such is the Church likewise at this day, compared to the adversaries. Such is every one of us in respect of the force and power of the malignant spirit. We are like a Reed which is easily plucked up: and he like a raging flood which with great might and violence overthroweth and carrieth away all things. We are like a withered leaf, soon blown from the tree; and he like a mighty wind or tempest, not only blowing down leaves, but plucking up and overthrowing trees and all. What are we then poor wretches able to do of our own power and strength for our defence? We must learn therefore by faith wholly to rest upon the word. For what is our victory but even our faith? Albeit that armour and munitions have their place, yet can they nothing help at all, unless we have a trust and affiance in the Lord, who hath promised to be our God, our strength, and our defence: whose power is such, whose mighty arm also is stretched out for the defence of his, that albeit never so great a tempest or violent rage of water should invade the poorest and simplest cottage that can be, it forceth not. Let this be then our assured trust, let this be the rock of our safety, help and succour, that God will be our defender and keeper, that the great floods and mighty waters carry us not away. This sure defence and mighty protection ⟨p. 7⟩of our God, the wicked neither know nor believe; for they attribute all their success and welfare to their own strength, wisdom, and riches. But Solomon, albeit he was a King abundantly endued with all these things, yet saith he: Except the Lord build the house, the builders labour in vain:
Terrible is the rage of fire, but much more terrible is the violence and rage of water, for that no power can resist. Now, saith David, like as huge and mighty floods of water carried with great power and violence, do suddenly overthrow and bear down whatsoever they meet withall: even such is the rage of the enemies of Gods Church, which no power of man is able to withstand. Therefore let us learn to trust to the Lords defence and succour. For what else is the Church, but as a little boat tyed by a River fide, and by violence of the water soon carried away? Or as a Reed which by force of the stream is easily plucked up and carried away? Such was the people of Israel in Davids time, being compared to the Gentiles round about them. Such is the Church likewise at this day, compared to the adversaries. Such is every one of us in respect of the force and power of the malignant spirit. We are like a Reed which is easily plucked up: and he like a raging flood which with great might and violence overthroweth and carrieth away all things. We are like a withered leaf, soon blown from the tree; and he like a mighty wind or tempest, not onely blowing down leaves, but plucking up and overthrowing trees and all. What are we then poor wretches able to do of our own power and strength for our defence? We must learn therefore by faith wholly to rest upon the word. For what is our victory but even our faith? Albeit that armour and munitions have their place, yet can they nothing help at all, unless we have a trust and affiance in the Lord, who hath promised to be our God, our strength, and our defence: whose power is such, whose mighty arm also is stretched out for the defence of his, that albeit never so great a tempest or violent rage of water should invade the poorest and simplest cottage that can be, it forceth not. Let this be then our assured trust, let this be the rock of our safety, help and succour, that God will be our defender and keeper, that the great floods and mighty waters carry us not away. This sure defence and mighty protection ⟨p. 7⟩of our God, the wicked neither know nor believe; for they attribute all their success and welfare to their own strength, wisdom, and riches. But Solomon, albeit he was a King abundantly endued with all these things, yet saith he: Except the Lord build the house, the builders labour in vain:
