But the word of God grew and multiplied.
Ver. 24. But the word of God] The Church is invincible; and truth may be oppressed a while, but not utterly suppressed. The Israelites never increased so as when Pharaoh kept them under. Fish thrive best in salt waters. The ground that is most harrowed is most fruitful. Camomile, the more you tread it the more you spread it, and the palm tree's posy is, Nec premor nec perimor. Neither overwhelmed nor destroyed. All the power of the empire could not prevail against Luther.