8. At this time more especially will we speak, That _by grace ye are saved through faith_: because never was the maintaining this doctrine more seasonable than it is at this day. Nothing but this can effectually prevent the increase of the _Romish_ delusion among us. ’Tis endless to attack one by one, all the errors of that church. But salvation by faith strikes at the root, and all fall at once where this is established. It was this doctrine (which our church justly calls _the strong rock and foundation of the Christian religion_) that first drove Popery out of these kingdoms, and ’tis this alone can keep it out. Nothing but this can give a check to that immorality, which hath _overspread the land as a flood_. Can you empty the great deep, drop by drop? Then you may reform us, by dissuasives from particular vices. But let the _righteousness which is of God by faith_ be brought in, and so shall its proud waves be stayed. Nothing but this can stop the mouths of those who _glory in their shame, and openly deny the Lord that bought them_. They can talk as sublimely of the law, as he that hath it written by God in his heart. To hear them speak on this head, might incline one to think, they were not far from the kingdom of God. But take them out of the law into the gospel; begin with the righteousness of faith, _with Christ, the end of the law to every one that believeth_: and those who but now appeared almost, if not altogether Christians, stand confess’d the sons of perdition; as far from life and salvation (God be merciful unto them!) as the depth of hell from the height of heaven. 9. For this reason the adversary so rages, whenever _Salvation by Faith_ is declared to the world. For this reason did he stir up earth and hell, to destroy those who first preached it. And for the same reason, knowing that faith alone could overturn the foundations of his kingdom, did he call forth all his forces, and employ all his arts of lies and calumny, to affright _Martin Luther_, from reviving it. Nor can we wonder thereat; for as that man of God observes, _How would it enrage a proud, strong man armed, to be stopt and set at nought by a little child, coming against him with a reed in his hand?_ Especially, when he knew that little child would surely overthrow him, and tread him under foot. _Even so, Lord Jesus!_ Thus hath thy strength been ever _made perfect in weakness_! Go forth then, thou little child, that believest in him, and _his right-hand shall teach thee terrible things_! Tho’ thou art helpless and weak as an infant of days, the strong man shall not be able to stand before thee. Thou shalt prevail over him, and subdue him, and overthrow him, and trample him under thy feet. Thou shalt march on under the great captain of thy salvation, _conquering and to conquer_, until all thine enemies are destroyed, and _death is swallowed up in victory_.