APPENDIX.
749
born in Binghamton, N. Y., and (now 25 years of age) was married to
Alonzo Strong, of Ithaca, N. Y., and has issue.
Elizabeth Ridley¹ (3), a daughter of Barzilla³ (1).
Benjamin Ridley' (2), a son of Benjamin (1).
SERMON BY BISHOP RIDLEY.*
[FROM RIDLEY'S "PITEOUS LAMENTATION OF THE MISERABLE ESTATE OF THE CHURCH IN
ENGLAND."]
"Of God's gracious aid in extreme perils toward them that put their
trust in Him, all Scripture is full, both old and new. What dangers were
the patriarchs often brought into, as Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, but of
all others, Joseph; and how mercifully were they delivered again! In
what perils was Moses when he was fain to fly for the safeguard of his
life! And when was he sent again to deliver the Israelites from the servile
bondage? And when did the Lord mightily deliver his people from
Pharaoh's sword? Not before they were brought into such straits that
they were compassed on every side (the main sea on the one side, and the
main host on the other), that they could look for no other (yea, what did
they else look for, then?) but either to have been drowned in the sea, or
else to have fallen on the edge of Pharaoh his sword. Those Judges, which
wrought most wonderful things in delivery of the people, were ever given
when the people were brought to most misery before; as Othniel, Aioth
[Ehud], Sangar, Gedeon, Jepthah, and Samson. And so was Saul endued
with strength and boldness from above, against the Ammonites, Philis-
tines, and Amalechites, for the defence of the people of God. David, like-
wise, felt God's help, most sensibly ever in his extreme persecutions.
"What shall I speak of the Prophets of God, whom God suffered so oft
to be brought into extreme perils, and so mightily delivered them again;
as Helias, Heremy, Daniel, Micheas, and Jonas, and many others, whom
it were too long to rehearse and set out at large? And did the Lord use
his servants otherwise in the new law after Christ's incarnation? Read
the Acts of the Apostles and you shall see, no. Were not the Apostles
cast into prison, and brought out by the mighty hand of God? Did not
the angel deliver Peter out of the strong prison, and bring him out by the
iron gates of the city and set him free? And when, I pray you? Even the
same night before Herod appointed to have brought him in judgment for to
have slain him, as he had a little before killed James, the brother of John.
Paul and Silas, when after they had been sore scourged, and were put into
the inner prison, and there were held fast in stocks; I pray you, what ap-
pearance was there that the magistrates should be glad to come the next
day themselves to them, to desire them to be content, and to depart in
peace? Who provided for Paul, that he should be safely conducted out
of all dangers, and brought to Felix, the Emperor's deputy, when, as
both the high priests, the Pharesees, and rulers of the Jews had conspired
-
The spelling and composition of this sermon are just as in original, and show
the quaint style of the time, say 1550 A. D.
