EXTRACTS from a scarce BOOK entitled · LUTHER on CHRISTIAN LIBERTY, Worthy the perusal of all Protestants. Speaking of Law-makers, he makes the following obser vation. Therefore, although we most stoutly withstand those teachers of Traditions, and sharply, inveigh against the constitutions of Bishops, wherewith they over-run the people of God, yet regard should be had of the timorous weaklings, whom those cruel blood-suckers, do cruelly detain captive with those traditions, until they be set at liberty. On this wise en counter manfully against the Wolves, but for the Sheep, and not against the Sheep also, which thou shalt the better do, if thou bend thy force earnestly against those Laws and Law-makers, and yet withal thyself observe them in the sight of the weak, lest they become offended through thee, until themselves may know that Tyranny, and understand their own liberties. And if thou wilt enjoy thine own liberty, use it to thyself in secret (as Paul teacheth thee in the fourteenth to the Romans) Keep thou the faith which thou hast unto thyself before God, but beware thou use it not be fore the weak. Again, Before tyrants and obstinate frowards, use the same in despite of them, yea, and that most manfully and constantly: that they also may understand their own wickedness, and their Laws to be nothing available to righteousness, as also that they had no authority to make such laws. Therefore it is necessary we flee to prayer, that the Lord will vouchsafe to draw us and make us instructed unto God, that is to say, apt Scholars for God, and that himself will vouchsafe to write his Law in our hearts (as he hath promised) otherwise we do all come to confusion. For except he do engraft in our souls this marvellous wisdom hidden in a mystery, Nature cannot choose but condemn it, and adjudge it for an Heretic, because she is offended in it, and appeareth foolish in her eyes. Even as we saw to have happened in times past to the prophets of God and the Apostles, and even as the wicked blind Prelates, and their false flatterers do now unto me, and others like unto me, unto whom, and to all of us, God be merciful, and shew the light of his countenance upon us, that we may know his way upon the earth, and his saving health amongst all generations. Who be blessed for ever and ever. Amen. On my Friend Philpot. Here lies Toby---free from strife, He never had that plague---a wife: The reason of it does you puzzle, Twas cause the girls ne'er lik’d his muzzle : Which being made of materials rough, Gave him an appearance rather gruff : His legs too were not of the best, However they are now at rest : His friends at last they all forsook him, And the devil out of friendship took him. To MARIA B- And your lip how iinpassioned I press'd ;. While with your fond wishes I'm bless'd. My fond words once again unto thee; For still dearer and dearer you'll be. And the love too--you always have shewn ; If in my power 'twas to call you my own. In hopes still I live, that soon it may come, The day when I boldly may say; If not in your parental one stay. Of having you, dear Maria, as my own; Who marry without e'er a home. How happy and blessed my lot ; And contentedly rest in a cot. And at morn when I parted, to bid you good bye, While your hand to my bosom I press; As I leave you-you fondly caress. Or a kiss on my lips sweetly given; Whose smiles are as lovely as heaven, I think this way is the only to have it; To be blest in a wife--a good girl of worth, In affectionnot richestbis is it. Of the Caldeiras, or Hot Fountains of the Furnas, in the Island of St. Michael, one of the Azores. The Plate is taken from “ The History of the Azores,” an interesting work. The author's account of this phenomenon states, that the columns of water are of very considerable diameter, and are thrown up to the height of about twelve feet. He did not take the degree of the heat, but from its effects, it appears to have been equal to that of boiling. Sulphur rises in vapour through the surrounding ground, and the water itself is strongly sulphurous. |