unto his servant John 'T is a slight cavil that some have made against it The place which it holds amongst the other Books of Canonical Scripture because forsooth it stands the last and was written some time after the other and therefore say they was added and foisted in after the whole body of the Canon was perfected Where there are many several Books must not some one be the last And if this had not been added added but not foisted for God and not Man put it in would they have made the same exception against the Epistle of S. Jude which was the last before this or against any other which instead of this Themselves call the last They cannot for they own it Or would they have God Date all his Letters Epistles Writings to Man at the same time what man does so But as for the Order of it that it stands last in place it is so far from diminishing the Authority of it that indeed it addes unto it and does exceedingly commend it to us for it is intruth as the Signet of God with which the Holy Spirit would seal up and conclude the whole Canon both Old and New of Divine Scripture in regard whereof we have it more extraordinarily approv'd unto us both in the begining of it with a Blessing upon him that readeth and upon them that hear the words of this Prophecy and keep those things that are written therein vers 3. And in the end of it with the same Blessing upon him that keeps the sayings of the Prophecy of this Book 22.7 and with a dreadfull curse upon him who shall either adde unto these things God shall adde unto him the Plagues that are written in this Book or shall take away from the words of the book of this Prophecy God shall take away his part out of the book of life c. 22. v. 18 19. he shall have no part nor lot in it Beloved What could be spoken more throughly to ratifie the authority of it If we may adde nothing to it 't is already every way absolute and perfect the word of God without question the onely word to which we may not adde our own inventions without great offence If we may take nothing from it again 't is a forcible Argument of the sacred in violablenesse of it for what bold foisting man would ever dare to speak so arrogantly of the most Holy his own Endeavours He that could write all the rest so holily could never be guilty of such a pride nor ever able to counterfeit so exact a Holinesse and that it is indeed the Holy Scripture for it is the Scripture of which Christ sayes John 10. that It cannot be broken v. 35. This is a main point observable in which this Book stands equall'd to the sacred unquestion'd Writings of Moses himselfe the first and chiefe of all the Prophets and Penmen of Gods Book For as those Books of his because they usher in and are as it were the Fore-door the entrance into the rest of the whole Scripture are therefore in several places strengthned and fenc'd with such a seal as this Deut. 4.2 Ye shall not add unto the Word which I command you neither shall ye diminish ought from it And again c. 12. v. 32. Thou shalt not add thereto nor diminish from it So this Book standing in the rear and as it were shutting up the back-Gate of the same Canonical Scripture is likewise furnisht and stampt with the same Authentick Seale of Gods Holy Spirit to signifie how perfect how inviolable it is that nothing must be put to no Postscript or taken from it no Deleatur no Index expurgatorius neither that as Moses was a main Coryphaeus to lead on the Van-guard in Gods Spiritual Warfare so was S. John another Coryphaeus of special Note to bring up the Rear in the same Battel Why it was order'd by the Church which took care to gather together the Writings of the Apostles Evangelists to be plac'd the last of all the Books there is a manifest reason not that it is behinde the rest in worth and excellence but in regard of the Time wherein it was written In vita Johannis S. Jerome reports that in the time of the second great Persecution of the Christians under Domitian the Roman Emperor the first Tyranny they tasted of was under Nero in the 14. year of his Reign did S. Lib. 3. cap. 25. Vid. Euseb Hist Ecclesias L. 3. c. 18. John write this Book in the Island Pathmos And Irenaeus a Father in the Church far more ancient than St. Jerome affirms as much that it was not then long since St. John wrote his Revelation Sed pene sub nostro saeculo sayes he almost about our time toward the end of Domitians Reign so that An. Dom. 96. it was written after all both Gospels and Epistles of the New Testament for he outliv'd all the Apostles even to the third year of Traian the 14th Roman Emperor sayes Sophronius and that was 102 after the birth of Christ and the 68. from his passion by St. Jerom's computation and 25 years after the Destruction of Jerusalem Therefore 't is plac'd last because written last not because least in Dignity and Divine Authority no 't is truth which Beza speaks of it in his Preface to it that the Holy Ghost did set down in this precious Book whatsoever Predictions of the former Prophets did remain to be fulfill'd after Christs comming and therefore Ocolampadius in his Preface to Daniel's Prophecy calls this Book the best Paraphrase upon all the other Prophets The Argument of this whole Book is Argum. Libri principally Propheticall though there be Doctrinal Exhortative and Instructive passages sprinkled here and there among the Prophecies but Propheticall for the most part it is whence St. John in the beginning calls it the words of this Prophecy a Prophecy of things that should come to passe even from the time that he wrote to the end of the world of some Occurrents that should befall the Church of God then presently in St. John's time and of other Trials that the Church should indure continually through the whole course of her warfare here on earth first from the Roman Tyrants afterward from divers Hereticks and lastly from Antichrist himselfe of their several oppositions and insultings against her wherewith they should grievously vex her seeming in a manner to be forsaken of Christ her Head and almost utterly oppresse her But withall of those sweet consolations which the Elect of God should have under their crosse and that those Tempests of Afflictions which they underwent were not carnal blown upon them with every winde or meerly from the rage and malice of their Enemies but that God that Winde Joh. 3.8 that Spirit which bloweth where it will had the chiefe hand in them and that by his providence things were so ordered for the exercise of the faithfull and that they should not alwayes continue no
justification ther 's his resurrexit pro nobis Lastly his ascension that was all glorious when he ascended up on high he led captivity captive Eph. 4.8 having spoyled principalities and powers he made a shew of them openly triumphing over them Col. 1 Pet. 3.22 2.15 He is gone to sit on the right hand of his Father in height of majesty and glory and all this as all else for us to appeare in the presence of God for us Heb. 9.24 to make intercession for us Heb. 7.25 To prepare a place for us here in my Text here ascendit pro nobis all for us in every of his actions an expedit vobis and particularly in this it is expedient for you that I go Jo. 16.7 for I go to prepare a place for you For you who never cared to prepare a place for me when in great humility I came to visit you as he might object truely if he would enter into judgment with us a poor provision here made for him a stable his presence-chamber and a Cratch his Cradle from thence driven into Egypt and from place to place I to no place This Son of Man had not where to lay his hend Mat. 8. ver 20. Master where dwellest thou Jo. 1. ver 38. his Disciples might well ask 't was a hard question that no place prepared for him here even when he was to eat the Passeover not a place prepared for that and those few poor Disciples that would have prepared one for him could not tell where without his help prepare it I with all the heart we have but where wilt thou that we prepare for thee to eat the Passeover Mat. 26.17 Thus we rewarded him evil for good to the great discomfort of his soul and sinful shame of ours Psal 35.12 yet he we see here loves his enemies blesses them that curse him does good to them that hate him and would have us do so in imitation of him that as he is we may be the children of our Father which is in Heaven Mat. 5.44 We have but small time for the large extent of this Vobis Verbum sapienti sat who they be that are contained in it of this one word will suffice to all that are wise unto salvation Not a man here but would gladly be one of those You 's and therefore would be loth to give it so narrow a Scantling as to reach only to those few Disciples to whom Christ then spake it That other Paratum Matth. 25. extends it further to all those whom he shall at the last day place on his right hand Paravi vobis it is prepared for all you for all those who since the speaking of it have been and who to the end of the world will be his Disciples God prepares both Place and Inhabitants too Place for Inhabitants and Inhabitants for the Place Those Vessels of Mercy whom he had before prepared unto glory Rom. 9.23 In the Parable Matt. 25. Those Virgins onely quae Paratae erant who were Prepared Ready went in with him to the Marriage Now Vse though in preparing this Place for us we must leave that to Christ alone yet in preparing our selves for this Place we must joyne with him Non salvat te sine te is a true Rule Austin Intreat God first to prepare us by the working of his sanctifying Grace in our hearts but when we have received that Talent of Grace we must imploy it also and and work together with God 1 Cor. 3.9 Who shall ascend into this Hill of the Lord Psal 24. He that hath clean hands and a pure heart in one place Psal 15. He that leads an uncorrupt life and doth the thing that is right in another Here is one way of preparing our selves by purifying the heart through faith Act. 15.9 to an uncorrupt life and cleansing the hands in innocency to good workes that which St. Paul prescribes if we will be Vessels unto honour we must be prepared unto every good worke 2 Tim. 2.29 We must be prepared to do good and to suffer evil if occasion requires and it may conduce to his glory that 's one way more When Christ speaks of this Kingdome Luke 22. he thus describes those for whom it is design'd first Ye are they that have continued with me in my temptations vers 28. and then I appoint unto you a Kingdome vers 29. This was the way which Christ himselfe went Ought not Christ to have suffered these things and to enter into his glory Luke 24.26 He entred this holy place by his owne blood Hebr. 9. Be we not sparing of our paines and labour and sweat and blood if need be rather than not follow him follow the Lamb whither soever Revel 14.4 and which way soever he goeth even Agnum occisum follow the Lamb which was slain Rev. 5.12 Suffer with him that 's the way to reigne with him 2 Tim. 2.12 to have Kingdom and Glory too to reign with him and to be glorified with him Rom. 8.17 Let us not grudge beloved to take pains to suffer pain in this place of our Preparation for that Place we will not if we looke with faith to this Place which is set before us if we looke unto Jesus the Author and Finisher of our faith Heb. 12.2 'T was a course that himselfe tooke to strengthen himselfe in his Combate here as he was Man He for the joy that was set before him Ibid. endured the Crosse and despised the shame The sufferings of this present time in the worst of their nature are not worthy to be compared with the glory that shall be revealed Rom. 8.18 though they were lasting but they are momentary too our Affliction is light and but for a moment 2 Cor. 4.17 When the Prophet Daniel had reckoned up many sore calamities upon the people they are encourag'd to the constant undergoing of them with this certain comfort Vsque ad tempus Daniel 11.24 't is but for a time whatsoever the burden of worldly crosses be which the faithfull servants of God groan under drowne not your selves in tears faint not in your triall make not your life more bitter with pensive thoughts nor waste your spirits with impatient complaints apply the Balsome this sweet contemplation of the short continuance Vsque ad tempus 't is but for a time when ye are revil'd and persecuted Matth. 5.11 when ye have triall of cruel mockings and scourgings Heb. 11.36 37. yea of Bonds and imprisonment destitute afflicted and tormented why Vsque ad tempus all this is but for a time They are the damned in Hell Drexelius De Aeternit that are more overwhelmed with the eternity than with the extremity of their sufferings no measuring of Time there no hope of release after thousands of millions of Ages there is cause of there is place for impatience But these temporary woes these short afflictions lightned with an expectation of enlargement endure we them have we patience in them Vsque in tempus saies the Son of Syrach too Ecclesiasticus 1.23 Vsque in tempus sustinebit patiens A patient man will bear for a time and afterward joy shall spring up unto him This is the Exhortation that from hence I desire to leave with you Possesse your soules with patience Luk. 21.19 notwithstanding the miseries of this life though they were greater and comfort your selves with a hopefull looking for of this place prepared by Christ Troubles here and Crosses and discontents and perhaps great causes of them to some their whole time is a Lent and their whole Lent a Passion-Friday But there is a Place prepared To do good and to suffer evill the Christians vertue is a hard task not to plot and prosecute revenge of receiv'd wrongs not to undermine others to a fall and upon their necks step higher to curb the irregularity of our affections to wage a continuall warre with our owne rebellious thoughts ambition and covetousnesse and voluptuousnesse and all the other Divels about us exceeding difficult to flesh and blood but here is a help from the Spirit our LENT cannot last long the Feast of CHRIST's and of our Resurrection is not far There is a Place prepared a Place of Peace and Rest and joy and glory fulnesse of joy and pleasures for evermore Thither Lord in thy good time bring us who art gone before to prepare it for us To thee O Christ with the Father and the Spirit c. These Books following being worth buying are to be sold at the signe of the Lamb at the East end of St. Pauls near the School CHristian Prayers and holy Meditations as well for private as publique Exercise The True Catholique collected out of the Oracles and Psalteries of the Holy Ghost for Instruction and Devotion by Tho. Parker his Majesties Servant Godly Prayers and Meditations by John Field D. D. An Admonition to all such as shall intend hereafter to enter into the state of Marriage godlily and agreeable to Laws by A. B. Cant. Dr. Hewits Sermons the right with his Prayer before and after Sermon A New-years-gift for a Christian Angel of Peace by Causin Thorndike's Learned Discourse on the Church and Service Robinson's Birth of a Day Dr. Hewit's Funeral Sermon by Mr. Hardy ALSO Mr. Theophilus Buckworth's famous and approved Lozanges which perfectly cures all sorts of Colds Coughs Consumptions Catarrhs Asthmaes and all Infirmities of the Lungs and is a soveraigne Antidote against the Plague and other infectious and contagious Diseases Every Paper of Lozanges is sealed with his own Coat of Arms to distinguish them from counterfeit FINIS
FOUR SERMONS PREACH'D By the Right Reverend FATHER in GOD JOHN TOWERS D. D. L. Bishop of Peterburgh 1. At the Funerall of the Right Honorable William Earl of Northampton 2. At the Baptism of the Right Honorable James Earl of Northampton 3. Before King JAMES in Defence of The Material Church 4. Before K. CHARLES at White-Hall in time of Lent He that hath an ear let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the Churches Rev. 2.7 London Printed for Thomas Rooks and are to be sold at the sign of the Lamb at the East end of S. Pauls near the School 1660. TO THE RIGHT HONORABLE JAMES Earl of NORTHAMPTON And to his Excellent Lady ISABELLA The Right Honorable Countess of NORTHAMPTON Right Honorable my singular good Lord IT is now more than time that these holy Sermons should come to light into the light of this World to be themselves a Light to the World after so many years since the departure of the Reverend and Religious Author of them into the light of God When they first come abroad whom ought they earlier to greet than your noble Lordship that his Posthume Papers might crave protection from the same Family which gave Patronage to his living Person From the service of the Earldom he went up to wait upon the Throne and yet did never forget Your Castle-Ashby after his arrive to the Kings White-Hall though he was found to have merit enough to entitle his attendance upon the two best Peers in Chaplainry to your Grandfather who deserved to be in respect of the Earldom though there was a deserv'd and much more ancient rise of the noble name of the Comptons Ortus Domus suae a fairer commendation than which the quickest best-tongu'd Orator could not invent for himself and in Tutorage to your Father whose fall was so valiant that he chose to pay a magnanimous Death rather than to owe a bestowed Life though from thence the same merit carried him on to do yearly homage to the two choicest Kings James the wise and Charles the Religious yet he had also humble Gratitude enough to confesse aloud it was Northampton's Arm more than his own hand and Pen that rais'd him My good Lord you see already your just Title to the whole But you have still a more peculiar Interest in these selected four One of them was Preach'd at that Parish which was all your Ancestors and the Authors Nine parts yours and the Tithes his and Tither of duty it ought to return Another at your owne 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the second the Baptismall Birth of your Noble selfe A third at the third Birth of the most munificent your Fathers Father when he had pass'd over the life of Nature and the life of Grace and was receiv'd up into the life of Glory A fourth is added to expiate the delay in payment of the three former Nay my most noble Lord all this will not suffice that you should have title to these Composures from your Progenitors from your selfe from the Author unlesse I humbly acknowledge the right you have in my Transcription too from the claim which your Honour may lay to my very selfe also your interest in me your jurisdiction over me your purchase of me Your Honor had interest in me before I was so happy as to see your Lordship or so wise as to know my felf even whilst I was yet in Lumbis for sure our Birth is not so wholly wretched as to have nothing else entail'd upon us at our coming into the world besides original sin we are even born with respects and duties and devotions to originall Benefactors too Your jurisdiction over me shall never be disown'd by me whilst I have breath Dum spiritus hos regit Artus in that since I had breath your Lordship was the first Master I ever had Master and Father too by your purchase of me in that I did eat of your Lordships bread when by the common calamities of the Times and the deserv'd ones of my own I had no bread of my own to eat but went abroad to Preach the Gospel like the Gospels first Disciples without Pâ—rse or Scrip. Luk. 22.35 And now my most excellently voriuous and meek Lady is not your right the same with my Noble Lords and has not your owne goodnesse bought a like interest in me I have nothing to return to either of your Honors but my prayers that You both may enjoy the whole benefit of this which is a dedication upon design that as you are regenerate by Baptism the discourse of one of these Homilies you may so love to serve God in his own House the subject of another that when your Bodies are interr'd in the Church the matter of a third your souls may be convey'd to that place which Christ is gone up to prepare for you the subject-matter of a fourth there to enjoy honour and bliss eternall 'T is really the Prayer of My Noble Lord and my Religious Lady Your Honors most Faithfull most obliged Servant William Towers A SERMON Preached at the FVNERALS of the Right Honorable WILLIAM EARL of Northampton Rev. 14.13 Beati Mortui qui in Domino moriuntur Blessed are the Dead that die in the Lord. FOR the Authority of this Book of the Revelation of S. John Occasio Operis I should not need to plead but that for the honorable memory of the Person of Honour whose Body we now interr and because of the morenesse of Time since his death it will mis-become such an obliged Chaplain of such a bountifull Patron not to take pains somewhat more than ordinary and to exceed the hour in this last Publick Service which he performs for the most liberal of Masters to the meanest of Gods Houshold Servants Let this short Apology bear me out in my prolixnesse after since by his own example I desire to do much of good at his Death to those who are come hither to remember him and to mourn their own losse though in his blessednesse the businesse of whose Life was to do all good to all The joynt consent of the Ancient and Modern Church Authoritus Libri hath with an easie refutation of some weak objections to the contrary and with a constant and unanimous submission of their Faith and Obedience to the Contents of it by the direction of the Holy Spirit received this Book into and by the special Providence of the same Spirit preserved it in the Canon of the Scripture That the blessed Apostle and Evangelist S. John was the Author of it by writing we doubt not and that being the Apostle of Christ he wrote this as he did his Gospels and Epistles being inspir'd by the Holy Ghost to remain in the Church of Christ as Apostolical Scripture for confirmation whereof Vers 1. He cals it also in the beginning The Revelation of Jesus Christ and tels us that God gave it unto him and that he sent and signifi'd it by his Angel