that would go beyond his purposes-" will he restrain.” In each case, what might have been thought destruction proved to be only correction: it was pruning and not excision; and promoted, not prevented, the production of good fruit, to the glory of God and the benefit of mankind. And such, we are assured, shall always be the event, both to the individual Christian and to the church at large. To God therefore let his suffering people at all times turn, and to him "commit their cause "in well doing -even to Him "which doeth great things and unsearchable, marvellous things without number:" and, though his interposition be delayed, "let them wait for it, because it will surely come, it will not tarry" beyond the prescribed and most appropriate period.

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CHAPTER VII.

Epistles of Zwingle and Ecolampadius-Works of Zwingle.

BEFORE taking a final leave of Zwingle and Eco. lampadius, two illustrious friends, who, as they had been united in their lives, in their death were not divided, we propose to lay before the reader some further specimens of their epistolary correspondence: and also a notice of some select works of the former of them. This will make the impression of their character and principles still more complete.

I. We begin with the letters of Zwingle.

The following was addressed by him, in 1520, to his friend Oswald Myconius, then struggling with difficulties in his native town of Lucerne, and in some danger of growing "weary, and fainting in his mind." The opening sentences may be thought strikingly applicable to our own times, which are characterized by great good and great evil in conflict one with the other.

"Your mind is harassed, my dear Myconius, with thinking what is to be the issue of these times, which are full of agitation and confusion, so that it is difficult to say what is their true character. Things are so mingled, that nothing can present itself from one quarter, which does not find its opposite, to counter

1 See above, p. 38, 39.

balance it, in another. Thus our hopes and fears are strangely raised together. We have been led to promise ourselves that times were returning when learning should be generally encouraged and cultivated: but the expectation is quashed by the obstinate ignorance or impudence of those, who are determined to endure all extremities rather than suffer their own deformity to be exposed. No feeble anticipations have been excited of the knowledge of Christ and the gospel being gloriously revived again, when so many good and learned and able men are ready to use every exertion to bring the harvest to perfection; but the sight of the tares, which an enemy hath sown, and which have struck their roots so deep that we cannot with safety attempt to eradicate them from among the wheat, damps the expec tations we had formed. We must however listen to Christ's words: Let both grow together until the harvest; and in the time of harvest' they shall be separated. Thus, my friend, must the gold be refined by the fire, the silver purified from the dross. So Christ warned his apostles: In the world ye shall have tribulation: Ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: The time cometh when he that killeth you shall think that he doeth God service.' The children of Israel, though they inhabited the promised land, never found the Philistines wanting to harass them, or to tempt them to idolatry, and to draw them into the transgression of God's commandments; to convert them into heathens instead of the people of God: and we shall never find those wanting, who will persecute Christ in us, though they ostentatiously boast themselves of his name. But

he only is a Christian, who bears the mark of Christ: By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye do whatsoever I command you.' They therefore that obey the commandments of men, rather than those of God, lack the mark of Christ. These are the enemies of God, and a crown awaits those

who hold out against them. The life of man upon earth is a warfare: he who would be partaker of future glory must fight manfully, putting on the armour to which Paul has directed us.-But, when you ask, in a tone of objection, 'What avails it to teach those committed to us, when our labour is but lost or derided, and few or none obey the gospel?' I answer, You must labour the more unremittingly to exhibit this goodly pearl, neglected or despised as it may be, in its native beauty, that there may be found those who shall be so captivated with it, as to sell all that they may purchase it. Does not Christ divide the seed into four parts, of which only one fell into good ground? Did he not say that he was come 'to send fire upon earth?' and even anticipate its being kindled? And what can this be but those sufferings in the midst of which the Christian is to endure to the end, and in which we seem even 'to hate' our own parents when they would draw us to unfaithfulness? and in which we bear with a brother even delivering us to death? Are we to descend into the battle for the glory of this world, or for that honour which cometh from Christ? If we seek the former, it shall but resemble stubble, which as soon as the fire of the appointed trial touches it shall vanish in smoke, and its memory perish: but, if the latter, then we shall resemble the wise man who built upon the rock, (and that rock is Christ,') and our work shall never perish. Then neither death, nor life, nor sword, nor any other of those things which the apostle enumerates, shall separate us from the love of Christ. He thus exhorts his soldiers to emulate his triumphs: Be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.' What is the meaning of this? HE has overcome the world: have we then overcome it too? Yes, we have overcome it IN HIM: for' we are not sufficient of ourselves, to reckon upon any thing as from ourselves.' Whence he justly says, 'Be of good cheer:' as if he should say, If you place all

your dependence on me, as I have overcome ye shall overcome also.-These things are said to excite those who are already engaged, and are labouring to enlist soldiers for Jesus Christ, who may manfully carry on his warfare; to animate such, that the more fiercely persecution presses them the less may they be disposed to turn their backs.-To tell you the truth without reserve, I am of opinion that, as the church was first raised in blood, so it will be restored in no other way. Teach Christ therefore constantly to those under your instruction; and, the more you see his church overspread with rubbish, the more earnestly do you labour to train those who may cleanse it, as Hercules did the Augean stable-men who will neither loiter nor take disgust at their work, looking beyond this world for their reward; and who, if they draw upon themselves the displeasure of men, will not be stumbled at the fact, but will say to themselves, 'If I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ: and, to sum up all in one sentence, Blessed are they that are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for their's is the kingdom of heaven.'-The world can never be at concord with Christ; and his reward his linked with persecutions.'

"You see, brother, in what way you may hope that you are one of Christ's sheep: namely, if, while you do every thing, and are willing to suffer every thing, for the glory of Christ, the cruel wolves tear you with their claws, whet their teeth at you, and strive to destroy you...

......

"Be of good courage: there will not be wanting in these times men who will purely teach Christ, and be willing to lay down their lives for his sake, however their names may be cast out as evil' among men. This has been the case from the times of old.For my own part, I devote myself; and expect all kinds of evil both from laity and churchmen. This only I implore of Christ, that he will enable me to endure with a determined mind, and either break or