Conuersion Verse 11. also which is in time to bring them backe againe vnto the Lord by prouoking them to iealousie of which Moses fore-told Deutronomie 32. 21. III. From the great good which Verse 12. shall come to vs by their recalling euen to enrich vs the more in grace This the Apostle doth proue by an Argument à Minori ad Maius For saith he if their fall and dimishing brought to vs saluation how much more then shall their returne in fulnesse bring vs riches and glorie So then it is thus betweene vs and them Their fall was to bring vs to God our Conuersion is appointed in time to prouoke them to returne and this their returne will increase our happinesse IV. From the Apostles magnifying Verse 13. 14. his office and from his endeuour in his Ministerie among the Gentile seeking to winne these to prouoke them and to saue at the least some of them though as yet in his time hee could not recouer the Nation yet hee aymed at that which hee knew should be Which endeuour he presseth himselfe Verse 15. vnto from the consideration of the good to vs Gentiles called the reconciling of the World and from the wonderfull worke of God in them whose recouery shall be as the raysing vp people from the dead of which Ezechiel the Prophet speaketh in chap. 37. V. From the hereditarie right to Verse 16. be Gods people holy to the Lord as the ancient Israelites were Ier. 2. 3. by couenant made with their first Fathers Abraham Isaac and Iacob which hee setteth out by a double similitude the one from the first fruits which sanctified the rest and the other from the roote the sap whereof is carryed into the branches VI. From the humble carriage Verse 17. to 23 which the Apostle requireth vs to shew towards them as not being abiects and flat cast-awayes but as to those of whose ingrasting in againe there is good hope This is the mayne scope of the Verses 17. to the midsts of 23. and the particular of the words are to draw the Gentiles on to a humble behauior towards the Iewes without any proud insulting ouer them VII From the possibilitie of their Verse 23. ingrafting in againe from the power of God for God is able to doe it though this their conuersion seeme neuer so impossible to man VIII From the easinesse of effecting Verse 24. it à comparatione minoris The Lord against nature grafted vs Gentiles cut out of the wild Oliue tree into the good Oliue which was a hard thing then more easily shall they bee grafted againe into their owne Oliue tree If wee that were none of the Church without the couenant Aliens from the common weale of Israel could be made Gods people then much more they which were Israelites hauing the adoption were once in the Couenant to whom The prerogatiues of the Iewes the Law was giuen to whom the seruice did appertaine to whom the promises were made they also descending from the holy Patriarchs and of whom Christ after the flesh came may bee recalled home and made againe the people of God IX From the hidden secrecie of Verse 25. this point concerning the length of time how long they the Israelites shall continue in this their obstinacie It was not for euer but onely till the fulnesse of the Gentiles should come in which thing here the Apostle calleth a Mystery whereof hee would not haue vs Gentiles ignorant X. From the Apostles owne conclusion Verse 26. which hee maketh vpon this Discourse and large Dispute which is this very confidently set downe that so all Isreal shall bee saued of the meaning of which words before is spoken XI From the Propheticall authoritie Verse 26. 27. out of the Old Testament foretelling vs of this their Couuersion as also is prooued before XII From Gods loue vnto the Verse 28. 29. Fathers for whose sake the Lord is constant towards you as he that calleth and bestoweth his gifts without repentance being stable as the Psalmist saith in his Couenant Psal 103. 17. 18. XIII The example of Gods mercifull dealing with vs Gentiles hee plainly concludeth the like vnto the Iewes The Lords mercie in times past vnto vs Gentiles when we were vnbeleeuers should mooue vs to be well perswaded of the Iewes Conuersion though as yet they bee not beleeuers For in this vnbeliefe as the Apostle saith God hath shut vp all first wee Gentiles and then they the Iewes that both might bee saued by Gods meere mercie Our vnbeliefe hindred not our calling no more shall their vnbeliefe hinder their recalling so will God in mercy bee glorified in both To this testimonie of the Apostle to the Romanes I will here adde other Witnesses of Scripture out of the mouth of Christ and from others also for more confirmation of this truth The Testimonies of the Olde Testament are amply produced by one very lately come forth who hath also cited Mat. 23. 24. 2. Thess 8. 8. Reuel 1. 7. 16. 12. 19. 5. 20. 21. 22. which I therefore omit referring the Reader to the Booke called The Worlds great restauration Other places I will heere speake of to further this light that the eyes of such as see not may behold how cleere this point is Luke 21. 23. 24. THere shall be great distresse in the Land and wrath vpon this people and they shall fall by the edge of the Sword and shall bee led away captiue into all Nations and Ierusalem shall be trodden downe of the Gentiles vntill the time of the Gentiles be fulfilled Heere our Sauiour fore-telleth First the great misery of that Nation in their owne Land Secondly that the Sword shall come vpon them and by Warre they shall bee ouercome and slaine Thirdly that such as remaine of them shall become Captiues Fourthly that they shall not bee lead into any one Countrey but bee dispersed in all Nations Fiftly that this treading downe of Ierusalem shall bee by the Gentiles all these things are prooued infallibly true to the eyes of all the World Sixtly that this treading downe thereof by them is not foreuer but for a time vntill the times that is the fulnesse Rom. 11. 25. of the Gentiles be fulfilled that is bee come in Therefore there is a time that the Nations shall bee brought backe againe and bee made a people vnto God in the time and season Luke 1. 69. 75. ZAcharie in this his prayses foretelleth of Christs Birth as if then borne and then what hee shall bee to them euen to that people to wit a horne of saluation He that shall saue them from their Enemies and from the hands of all that hate them and shall so set them free as that they shall all their dayes serue him without feare in holinesse and righteousnesse Which Propheticall speech as it may bee spiritually vnderstood of the whole Israel of God so nothing hindereth but that this may be litterally
hath an eare let him heare what the Spirit saith to the Churches And thus much for the state of the Church from yeares aboue 1100. vnto Luthers beginning to preach 1516. set out in the Church of Thyatira CONSIDERATIONS FOR INSTRVCTION AND VSE FIrst that now in this time the depth of Sathans policies began to bee vsed Secondly that maugre his malice and mischiefe the true Church getteth strength Thirdly that when God purposeth to better the estate of his Church hee will qualifie his Seruants with better gifts to further his purpose Fourthly that in a sound Reformation the Church is not the best at the first but groweth better and better so as the last workes thereof are more then the first Fiftly that the tolleration of a Iesabel false Doctrine and false worship is a foule fault in the true Church Sixtly that the end of Sathans Instruments is to seduce the godly and to bring them to commit wickednesse Seuenthly that though God giue the wicked space to repent yet will they be nothing the better for it Eighthly that not only the chiefe Authours of euill but such as consent to them are lyable to the same iudgement except they repent Ninthly that neither Iesabel with her Abettors nor yet the depths of Satan can hinder the Churches increase in wel-doing when God wil aide her with his Grace Tenthly that there may be many where the false Church is which may bee ignorant of the depth of that sinfull state Eleuenthly that the Truth which we receiue must be held fast vnto the end THE FIFT GOLDEN CANDLESTICK THE FIFT CHVRCH In the Type In the Antitype The Church of Sardis The Sardine state of Christs Church the first of the Reformed Churches 1. THis was next after Thyatyra still East ward farther from the North. 1. THis was the next after the Thyatirian state at the end whereof this beganne more cleerely to breake out by the light of Truth about the yeare 1516. when Luther began to preach and continued to the yeare 1558. 2. In this is no mention as in the former of Balaam Nicolaitans thron of Sathan or Iesabel 2. Because now the Church was come out of Romish Babylon for neither Balaam that false Prophet of Rome nor the filthy Nicolaitans of that Seate nor that Iesabel the Church of Rome had any thing to doe with this Church of Christ which the Lord by Luther and other famous  men brought out from that Spirituall bondage as before hee did the Children of Israel out of Egypt by Moses and Aaron with a strong hand and out-stretched arme Sleid. Comment Fox his Acts Mon. p. 767 768. c. 3. In this Christ setteth out himselfe by the seuen Stars and seuen Spirits of God 3. For that now hee would rayse vp many learned Ministers of the Gospell who as Starres should shine and giue light to such as should sit in darknesse and to whome hee would giue plentifully the Graces of his Spirit to set forth his Truth as he did to Luther Zuinglius Melancthon Oecolampadius Bucer and to many bright Starres of his Truth in Wittenberge in Heluetia and other places Sleid. Comment Lu. Osiand Cent. 16. Fox his Acts Monuments p. 773. 4. This had a name to bee aliue but was dead 4. This comming from vnder Antichrist had a name to be aliue and to bee a Reformed Smyrna had not so good a name as shee deserued but this a much better then she is worthy of Church in Luthers dayes but she became as dead being farre from that life of Grace which should haue beene in her and from that liuely reformation which the Lord required at her hands For howsoeuer the Lutheran Churches acquite themselues of the Pope and were no more the children of that Iesabel of Rome yet retayned they such corruptions and errors and at this day so vphold them as their state is rather dying then liuing except they returne See the Booke of Concord and the Augustane Confession 5. The workes of this were imperfect 5. So was and is this of the Lutherans reformation as may appeare by the difference betweene them and other Reformed Churches in that which is commonly called Lutheranisme the points whereof may bee gathered out of their Bookes of the body of Diuinity their Augustane Confession and Disputations  against vs by which may appeare their imperfect workes vnworthy a Church Reformed and that blessed Instrument Luther that Lucifer and bright Starre of Light who did shine well in the dawning of the day before the Sun-shine of Truth arose and spred out his beames to his after followers for them to see more cleerly if they would not haue winked and shut their eyes against the Light shining vpon them See Reneccius his Panoplia Brentius Iac. Andraeas Seluec Chemnisius Lu. Osiand Epit. Cent. l. 3. cent 16. c. 30. 6. This is threatned for the defects and the Lord saith that hee will come suddēly vpon them 6. And indeed so did the Lord come vpon these Hee sent a new and strange kind of sicknesse called the Sweating Sicknesse which in a short space with an incredible swiftnesse passed through almost all the parts of Germanie they were also greatly troubled with Warres as may bee seene in that which is called  the Smalcaldicke Warre made by the Emperour through the Popes instigation Saxonie receiued moreouer great losse by Fires and also by horrible Tempests of Thunder and Lightning and thus came the LORD vpon them Sleid. Comm. Funct Chron. Bucholc Chron. Lu. Osiand Epit. Cent. l. 2. l. 3. c. 2. 7. In this Church were some few which had not defiled their garmēts 7. In this imperfect state begun by the Lutherās there were some which acquit themselues more cleerely from the Errours and Superstitions of Antichrist who set forth a Confession more agreeing in all things to the truth then that Augustane Confession these were called by the Lutherans Sacramentaries and Zuinglians and afterwards Caluinists for opposing their Consubstantiation and other their Errours Sleid. Comment Lu. Osiand Epit. Cent. 16. 8. These in this Church were most 3 So these few then hath the Lord giuen honour vnto and approued of Christ accounting them worthy to walke with him in white approoued as worthy of his fauourable acceptance and grace for soundnesse of Truth and that by the consent of many Churches agreeing therein See the Harmonie of Confessions 9. In this is promised to them that ouercome the reward of Victory 9. Now this was very needfull for those times for that many were put vnto the tryall not a few suffered banishment and imprisonment for not consenting to the Booke of Interim set out by the Emperours Authority to whom many through feare yeelded as those of Wittemberge and Lipsia who for the meane which they sought to hold as appeareth by the forme of Religion which they published were called Adiaphorists and Intermistickes Persecution was raised here in England by Queene Mary by whom many
were put to death for the Gospell of Christ out of Bohemia were banished aboue two hundred Ministers of the Gospell and in France was a  grieuous Persecution raised against those which were called Waldenses But for all this they shrunke not from the Truth therefore the Lord will cloath them with the white garmēt he will not blot out their names out of the Booke of Life but will confesse them before his Father and his holy Angels Sleid. Com. Lu. Osiand Epit. l. 2. cent 16. c. 70. 71. 72. 73. Lu. Osian l. 3. cent 16. c. 20. Hee that hath an eare let him eare what the Spirit saith to the Churches And thus much for the state of the Church from the yeare 1516. to 1558. set out in the Church of Sardis CONSIDERATIONS FOR INSTRVCTION AND VSE FIrst that such as bee come from vnder Antichrist may yet bee in a dying condition Secondly that there may bee a name of life by profession when such parties may bee dead in practice Thirdly that where there is no care to strengthen that which is good it will dye and euill grow vp in the roome thereof Fourthly That God alloweth not of the workes which are not perfect before him Fiftly that to amend and to be reformed is to call our selues backe to the Truthes receiued Sixtly that God will surely punish his if they will not otherwise be reformed Seuenthly that some are kept pure and vndefiled when others be stayned with vncleannesse Eighthly that the better part are euer the fewest Ninthly that God in mercy holds them worthy of reward which will not pollute themselues with others in sin Tenthly that the better men be though neuer so few the more accepted be they with God THE SIXT GOLDEN CANDLESTICK THE SIXT CHVRCH In the Type In the Antitype The Church of Philadelphia The Philadelphian state of Christs Church being the second of the Reformed Churches beginning from the Reigne of Elizabeth our late Queene of happy memory in the yeare 1558. at which time we may begin this sixt state of Christs Church for that the Popes power began now more to bee diminished then euer before and to be cast into such a consumption that hitherto he languisheth thereof in all these parts of Christendome God adding the Wisdome and Zeale of our learned Souereigne by his Pen to pierce thorow the heart of his vsurped Supremacie The period of this not yet come the yeare as in all the former states of the Church cannot bee set downe 1. To this Christ setteth out himself to be holy and true to haue the Key of Dauid to open and 1. BEcause now Christ at this time would chiefly exalt Piety exalt his Truth and shew that as he is King and as power belongeth to him so would hee none to shut and to shut and none to open now exercise the same that the Church might know that hee hath taken to him his great power and hath reigned And indeed in what age since the Apostles time hath true Pietie and the Truth beene more liuely set forth I say true Pietie and holinesse not that fained and counterfeit Sanctitie so much extolled when that Romane Beast did beare rule ouer all How hath the Gospell shined foorth to vs the wayes of darkenesse most powerfully hath the Lord shewed himselfe by his faithfull Seruants and great fruit haue they reaped of their labours Blessed be his Name cap. 11. 17. 2 Heere the LORD openeth a doore and none shutteth 2. For now the Gospell hath gotten free passage which the Enemies by their Tridentine Councell by their Iesuiticall or rather Iebusiticall Sect by their Seminarie Priests by their Conspiracies Trecheries Treason raysing of Rebellion in England  and Ireland by their murthering of Princes by their bloudy Persecutions in France and most cruell Massacre by their Spanish Inuasion by their Hellish Gunpowder-plot haue not beene able to hinder so wide hath the Lord opened the hearts of men to receiue the Truth as no plot nor police of that man of sinne hitherto hath beene able to shut them against the Truth as it is well knowne to vs all at this day William of Nass Prince of Orenge Hen. 4. K. of France his Predecessors before 3. This is commended for keeping Christs Word and for not denying his Name hauing but a little strength 3. Little was the strength of the Reformed Churches in this state for not a few yeares in respect of the power of Princes true vnion of hearts Diuision being great betweene Lutherans and others and Wisedome of policie in comparison of the Papists who were strongly vnited Pope Kings and Princes combining in league together and vsing  all subtile wayes and forcible meanes to ouerthrow the Professours of the Gospell who yet keepe the Word of God and did not deny the Doctrine and Worship of Iesus Christ to bee brought backe againe to Popery French Histor Mer. Gallobelg Lu. Osiand cent 16. 4. Christ to make his Lona knowne promiseth to this that the counterfeit Iewes and Synagogue of Satan shall come worship at his Angels feet so much is now the differēce of this from the Pergamine Angell who did dwell where Satans thron was 4. This Philadelphian state of the Church through the loue of Christ euen of mercie and not of any merit shall become most honourable The Lord will subdue all her Enemies those counterfeite Catholiques who did reigne in the Pergamine state who as Iewes bragge that they are the only people of God and will cause them to submit themselues humbly vnto the true Ministery of his Seruants which wee are to expect how contrarie soeuer it seemeth to mans reason and earnestly let vs pray for the same 5. To this is 5. There remayneth for made a promise of deliuerance in the time of temptation which is fore-told to come ouer all the World Christ his Church in this Philadelphian state a time of tryall yet to came our sinnes deserue it this so vniuersall a peace so abused by carnal security may make vs looke for troubles what this temptation is and when it shall be is not so certainly to be defined except it bee that in cap. 16. 18. but be it what it may bee let it come whensoeuer God shall sent it the Church hath a promise of deliuerance and shall escape the perill of it 6. To this Christ promiseth to come quickly and exhorteth it to hold fast that no man take away the Crown of reward 6. Because as may seeme by these words the Church in this her last time of tryall shall bee greatly assaulted and in danger to perish through the power and force of that temptation therefore as the Lord promiseth deliuerance so hee promiseth not to deferre it off but will quickly set her free 7. The Conquerer here is promised to bee made a 7. All this fore-sheweth after the deliuerance from this Temptation sore-spoken of that faithfull Pillar in the Temple so as hee shall goe no