ces that cannot be heard, that they were
created, and are held together, and preserved, and ever watched over by
the providence of the uncreate, unturning and unchanging God. Else how
could diverse elements have met, for the consummation of a single
world, one with another, and remained inseparable, unless some almighty
power had knit them together, and still were keeping them from
dissolution? 'For how could anything have endured, if it had not been
his will? or been preserved, if not called by him?' as saith the
Scripture.

"A ship holdeth not together without a steersman, but easily
foundereth; and a small house shall not stand without a protector. How
then could the world have subsisted for long ages, a work so great, and
so fair and wondrous,--without some glorious mighty and marvellous
steersmanship and all-wise providence? Behold the heavens, how long
they have stood, and have not been darkened: and the earth hath not
been exhausted, though she hath been bearing offspring so long. The
water-springs have not failed to gush out since they were made. The
sea, that receiveth so many rivers, hath not exceeded her measure. The
courses of Sun and Moon have not varied: the order of day and night
hath not changed. From all these objects is declared unto us the
unspeakable power and magnificence of God, witnessed by Prophets and
Apostles. But no man can fitly conceive or sound forth his glory. For
the holy Apostle, that had Christ speaking within him, after perceiving
all objects of thought and sense, still said, 'We know in part, and we
prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that
which is in part shall be done away.' Wherefore also, astonied at the
infinite riches of his wisdom and knowledge, he cried for all to
understand, 'O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge
of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding
out!'

"Now, if he, that attained unto the third heaven and heard such
unspeakable words, uttered such sentences, what man of my sort shall
have strength to look eye to eye upon the abysses of such mysteries, or
speak rightly thereof, or think meetly of the things whereof we speak,
unless the very giver of wisdom, and the amender of the unwise,
vouchsafe that power? For in his hand are we and our words, and all
prudence and knowledge of wisdom is with him. And he himself hath
given us the true understanding of the things that are; to