Arguments that the work is no Embrio but curiously wrought and coming forth out of the womb of Providence at the h Rom. 12.5 Man-child to rule the Nations with a rod of Iron Ans As this is a great Question so I shall modestly speak to it from that light â— have received Indeed I cannot decline my former opinion But do think the work as an unformed substance begun about June And that it is now covered with skin and flesh full wrought and coming forth It seems so to me for these reasons 1. I do observe that the Spirit of the Lord is so full and mighty with some of his hidden ones as they cannot cease fâ—om crying to him day and night i Rev. 14.15 Thrust in the sickle and reap for the time is come for thee to reap for the harvest of the earth is ripe Not now for a discovery of the Apostacy for that is apparent enough Nor so much now for Separation as to have the judgement written speedily executed It is doubtless a truth when the Lord shall spirit a people though very few and bring them forth as his Jobs Samuels and Daniels to stand before him and withall gives them k Mat. 17.20 a grain of that faith of which Christ speaks Whatsoever they ask in that FAITH shall be given them A little time will shew by whose LEADING and MOTION I write thus Namely That the Lords work is reviving and will suddenly appear in the destroying of the last Apostacy and this done by that Faith which some poor wormes have received to which all things are possible 2. I think Providence is opening the womb Because some men like Jehu drive too furiously to hold out long Blood-suckers when they are ready to burst draw strongest Thus it was with Pharoah Absolom Haman when they begun to pull hard they streightway perished No otherwise than like Rats and Mise and other Vermin whilst they are pulling hard at the bait down falls the Trap and so are taken So Geese many times break their own neck with biting and pulling hard the root which they hold in their Bill What the Bait is and the Root which some men are pulling at most do know But what is the Trap Verily Providence And you shall see when they come to their strongest Pulls to pull with BOTH HANDS down falls the Snare and the Vermins crusht to pieces 3. Because the Controversie riseth high between the Lords Witnesses the Lords Enemies When we see a woman big with Child we conclude she hath not long to go Can the controversie be higher Is it not about the Title of the Crown Kingdome Government yea and who shall Reign and be King Whether Jesus Christ in his Lawes or proud flesh in his Lusts Methinks by the greatnesse and swelling of the womb there is hope of a speedy birth It was so in the Case between Moses and the Magicians Elias and the Priests of Baal So the Scots and the Prelates When the difference and controversie grew high on all sides What immediatly followed Breaking work m Ps 11.6 Upon the wicked he rained snares fire and brimstone and an horrible Tempest This was the portion of their Cup. When we shall see the contest at that height either men must move for their Lives Lawes and Liberties or be absolute Slaves Suffer their witnesses to be put in graves or stand up for their Rising Then will the Lords worke come forth in quickening and spiriting a dead people and n Zach. 2.7 Zion shall deliver her self that dwelt with the daughter of Babylon 4. o Ecc. 3.11 The Lord hath made every thing beautifull in his season That is the worke of divine providence is the more comely and excellent in respect of the Season in which it comes forth Thus it is in natural things The Spring Summer Autumne VVinter every thing in his season oh how lovely and faire it is So in all the works of God about his Children VVhither p Ps 111.3 it be the punishing of the wicked for their sakes or their own deliverance He will make the worke honourable and glorious in respect of q Act. 1.7 That Season and Time he brings it forth Hence I am perswaded the Good old Cause is reviving Because methinks it is now such a Season as will put upon it the Beautie of holiness 5. VVhen I consider r Gen. 1.16 the wheele in the midst of a wheele Å¿ Ezek. 10.12 and the wheeles full of eyes And withall observe many late providences this likwise much confirmes me You may easily know which way a man means to shoot by his holding of his musket or Bow Against whom of late hath the Lord held the mouth of his Canon The Head of the Arrow of his VVrath and the point of his great and strong Sword Truely he must be very ignorant in publick affaires that cannot point at them And what may we gather hence That he will discharge his whole Cannons among them make his Arrows drunk in their Blood and they shall not escape his drawn sword and this suddenly too In warr usually there are some light skirmishes before the main Bodies do Engage So before a great rain and storme little dropping The Lord hath been skirmishing with them both by land and sea and shamefully beaten them everywhere and terrible drops have fallen upon them like haile-stones So that now he is comming against them with the Bodie of his Armie And t Ps 83.15 to persecute them with his Tempest u Ps 50.22 Now consider this ye that forget God x 2 Pet. 2.15 VVhich have forsaken the right way and are gone astray following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor who loved the wages of unrighteousnesse y Deut. 32.41 42. If I whet my glittering word and mine hand take hold on judgement I will render vengeance to mine enemies and will reward them that hate me I will make mine arrows drunk with bloud and my sword shall devour flesh that with the bloud of the slaine and of the Captaines from the beginning of the revenges upon the enemie 6. Judgement is at the birth against a professing people when the Counsel of the Lord in all his Servants is rejected and they are hearkning to flatterers lyers Wizards who will humour them in their lusts and encourage them in every sinfull Action This is plain in the Cause of Joash a 2 Chr. 24. from 16. to 26. After the death of Jehoiada came the Princes of Judah and made obeysance to the King then the King hearkned unto them These Princes were the old malignant Courtiers in the reigne of Jehoram Ahaziah Athaliah The thing that he hearkned to was to destroy that good Reformation which himself had made a little before that is to set up again the Idolatry and Tyrany which he had throwne down and to cast out the just and righteous things which he himselfe lately
Ah ah Doe ye think that sobs and groans will doe it Of such Libertines and profane scoffers David speaks t Psa 14.6 The Counsel of the poor afflicted ye would make abaâ—hed because Iehovah is his hope that is Ye have derided the Godly when yee heard them in affliction to call upon the Lord and would discourage them from making God their Hope by faith and prayer Indeed this strikes deep when the Enemy reproacheth our prayers Iob found it so u Job 12.4 I am as one mocked of his neighbor calling upon God And David sadly complains of it x Psa 42.3 My tears have been my meat day and night while they continually say Where is thy God Again y vers 16. As with a sword in my bones mine enemies reproach me while they dayly say unto me Where is thy God A man that hath a weapon thrust to the bone cannot bear it long he must have it forth or dyes Though it be a grievous thing to have our prayers reproach'd yet this help we have by it namely it will force us to be the more fervent and earnest with God and not to rest day nor night till there be A TIME OF FINDING We finde in Scripture that the tryumphing of the wicked hath layn very much upon the Spirits of Saints and therefore have desired a Time of finding that the Enemy might not insult z Psa 13.34 Consider and hear me O Lord lest mine enemy say I have prevayled against him and those that trouble me rejoyce Again a Psa 140.8 Grant not O Lord the desire of the wicked further not his wicked device lest they exalt themselves What is it that Apostates and other wicked men would have That Mourners in Zion might have no Time of finding And what would they do should they have their desire It is not to be uttered the wickedness they would commit The Jewes report of one presuming to enter into the Holy of Holiest and abusing the Treasure there was by the hand of God immediately smitten The prayers and groanings of Saints are no other then Choyce things in the most Holy place And therefore when men begin to deride and reproach these Holy things surely judgment is not far off I remember Hezekiahs words b Isa 37.3 This is a day of trouble and of rebuke and of blasphemy for the children are come to birth and there is not strength to bring forth What he speaketh there is our present case when the child is at the birth the woman hath her sorest travel then either death or a speedy deliverance That our Tears Prayers and Sighings are reproach'd it hath brought the Work to the Birth Ah! how Zion now travels as having her last and sharpest pangs and throws upon her Methinks I hear her cry c Luk. 8.24 Master Master we perish But fear not Zion hear what thy God speaketh d Isa 66.9 Shall I bring to birth and not cause to bring forth As the Lord by the blasphemous reproaches and scornings of the Enemy viz. Priests Lawyers and Soldiers hath brought the work to the Birth and put the sharpest pangs now upon thee so he will speedily work out thy salvation e Isa 9.7 The zeal of the Lord will perform this 2. Because the Lord knowes we are weaklings Secondly Mourners shall have a Time of finding Because the Lord f Psa 103.14 knows their frame and remembreth they are dust Things that are brittle and tender should they be roughly handled would soon break to pieces As the Lord knows we are weaklings Babes Bruised reeds and smoaking flax so g Heb. 4.15 He is touched with a feeling of our infirmities and h Isa 57.17 will not contend for ever lest our spirits should fayl before him If a father should see his child at his foot gasping for life would he not pity him and preserve him if he could from perishing i Jon. 2.7 When my Soul fainted within me said Jonah I remembred the Lord and my prayers came unto thee into thine Holy Temple And this also makes me think a time of finding is nigh Because the Name of God and the Cause of Christ lies with such weight upon the Spirits of Mourners as they are even fainting under it Poor Hagar could not indure to hear the death-groans of her child for though she had heard him awhile weep and cry for water yet when she thought he was fainting away k Gen. 21.15 16. She leaves him and goes a good way off and lifts up her voyce and wept As DEATH-GROANS are now upon travelling Zion so the Lord sees it and he will not do as Hagar did go off from her there is no need for the water is not spent in his bottle but out of his fulness he will speedily supply her by granting her a blessed time of finding If a man should hear lamentable groanings and screeches at his gate and looking out at his window should behold poor people ready to starve through cold and hunger he could not having enough by him suffer them to perish It is thus with many of Gods people at this day they lie ready to starve before the Throne of Grace either FINDING or FAINTING And will he suffer such to famish Surely he will not he cannot for his promise l Pro. 10.3 Psal 107.5 6 7. is to do otherwise Suppose a Beast carry a burden so long as through weakness it begins to sink what man would not pitie it though it be a Beast and ease him of it The BURDEN hath been so long on the Lords Little ones and the m Dan. 7.25 Horn so weared them out as poor hearts they seem almost tyr'd One cries n Psa 94.14 My foot slippeth another o Eccles 7.7 Oppression makes him mad others p Ezek. 37.11 Our bones are dried up and our hope is lost c. others q Psa 125.3 The rod of the wicked hath been so long upon them as they are ready to put forth their hands to iniquity All this God knowes to be true and he knowes r Mat. 26.41 the flesh is weak and * Ephes 6.4 Col. 3.21 Parents must not provoke ther Children lest they be discouraged But what may we gather from it Our God will suddenly come and not keep silence to save all the meek of the earth Better one man should die then the whole Nation perish Methinkes things are come to that STRAIGHT that if Christs Enemies live his faithful Friends die if their spirits fail not the others will If God do not suddenly arise for his great Name some Sobbing-hearts wil break at his foot But fear not thou Worm-Iacob Å¿ Isa 43.3 I will give men for thee saith the Lord and people for thy life He will give the Little Horn to the burning flame The Last Apostacie shall perish THE HYPOCRITE SHALL REIGN NO MORE rather then thy Spirit shall fail for
of Religion to stink among the Nations It pleased the Lord through his Grace to inable me to hold forth a publick Testimony against the Prelats but never was the great Name of God his Gospel and Kingdom so much concern'd in that Controversie I mean between the Non-conformists and Conformists as it is at this day between the Lords VVitnesses and the Second Apostacy The higher a thing is lifted up and then hurled down the more it is wrong'd and hurt thereby The Bishops never lifted â—p the work of REFORMATION in Church or State they were Professors that did it and to shew their spight to it and that they might wound it and wrong it the more when they had raised up the Good Cause of God and the interest of the Nation as high as they thought would serve their OWN TVRN down they threw it with both hands hoping it should never rise again It is but a little which I have said to that I beleeve will be said for indeed the bottome of the Apostacy will not be touch'd till things be put more home as Nathan did to David THOU ART THE MAN that is particularly to name them and to set down their falshood and treachery and what wages and hire some have had for serving the lusts of men It was a crime laid to Silicius Victoria per avaritiam faedata he discredited his victory by his Covetousness this needs little application Alas what credit have they now by opposing the Prelates doe not the people generally say and not without cause it was to have the Bishops power in their own hands and having gotten it are as insolent and proud and for covetousness a thousand times worse then they The sordid covetousness of these men caused one to deride them thus Whitlock Observ p. 358 359. Our Protestant Jesuites care not for converting the Indians that have no gold they know how to interweave the pretence of Gods interest with their own and therewith to advance all their designes Indeed these Jesuites carry not the Gospel into any beggerly Region spring a mine and then if you will set up a pulpit and shew them gold there they will barter salvation otherwise no penny no pater-noster Again Our Fishers angle for no fish but such as have money in their mouths they will only fish for such as contribute to their superfluities Bad times saith he when he that will not be a knave must be a fool Fourthly When I consider what famous testimonies the LORDS-WORTHIES have left behind them of their faithfulness and great zeal unto the glorious cause of Christ not only speaking against the corruptions and abuses of their times For had they done no more what had we known now of the Hypocrisie and Apostacy of Professors then but have left behinde them in white and black as we say Living Monuments of their Love to God and his people Truly this takes very much with me and exceedingly condemns the neglect and backwardness of this age I am thinking many times when an AFTER-GENERATION shall hear of this Second Apostacy and how far it exceeds the former in breaking Oaths Vows and Ingagements and the name of God and Religion more dishonored by Church-members and Church-Officers and other Professors then ever before in any age how strange it would be to them and admir'd if nothing should come to their hands from us as there doth to our hands from the Witnesses before us Besides I am now an old man and expect every day to lay down this earthly Tabernable it will be therefore some comfort to me whensoever my changeing coms that I have left a PUBLICK TESTIMONY against this present Apostacy as formerly I did against the other and howsoever I bless the Lord that hath kept my feet out of the SNARE of both yet this I shall leave behind me under my hand i. e. The Free Grace and Goodness of God hath more abundantly appeared towards me in preserving me a poor worm from this Last Apostacy then from the former not onely because of the two I take the Last to be the worst but because the later hath in it much more of the depths of Satan then the former had As for their jeerings and reproachful speeches I pass them by such things are not new with me the Bishops and their Creatures used them yet thus much I must say for the Bishops which I cannot say for them so far they shewed us FAIR PLAY not to imprison us nor banish us till they had told us the cause and heard what we could say for our selves yea and would seem to be very pious and charitable in taking great paines with some of us to bring us out of our errours as they cal'd it but I have found no such piety or charity with these men for I have been banished now almost two years but never to this day knew the cause of it neither hath there been any thing laid to my charge I shall not speak of the sad calamity which they have brought since upon my Family by the death of my dear wife and daughter Again for the Bishops this I may say further for many of them I think the most part when they banished any of us or cast us into prison for Non-conformity they thought they did well and did God good service in it Thus they were like Saul before his conversion they did things ignorantly in unbelief But for men to persecute the people of God for no other cause but because they reprove them for their hypocrisie and falshood and they know in their own consciences what is spoken is very true of such men we cannot have the charity which we had of the Bishops Indeed they are like Saul too but it is another Saul i. e. that Saul which persecuted David ONE who knew he did not well in it but acted against his light and conscience Fiftly But one word more to you Mourners in Zion I am very sensible that many of the Lords people have other thoughts of the TIME then I have and do think I am mistaken concerning the period of the one thousand two hundred and sixty years Indeed to know what I do in respect of so many good men dissenting from me would very much discourage me from ingaging again in the same thing but that I have more encouragement TO HOLD FAST then I think meet to express I know whom I have believed in him I trust and will trust and do know I shall not be ashamed of my hope What David prayed for is a great strengthning to me Be surety for thy Servant for good let not the proud oppress me Humbly be it spoken I do believe he will answer for me and defend me Psa 91.14 Because he hath set his love upon therefore will I deliver him Lastly I desire in the Spirit of meekness to commend these few things to all the faithful of the Land 1. Howsoever I shall discourage none but rather encourage them
jest at his judgments as things that never shall come to pass and be effected As Agag when he saw he was not cut off with the rest of the Amalekites concludes o 1 Sam. 15.32 Surely the bitterness of death is past So because they were not swept away in such a month or such a yeer what say they now p Eze. 12.22 The dayes are prolonged and every vision faileth Because they do not immediately see the whole Prophesies accomplished concerning the Little Horn the Last Apostacy and the Beast which ascendeth out of the bottomless pit they contemn them and laugh at them as though they should never be fulfill'd and say q Jer. 7.10 We are delivered to do all these abominations Though we have done such things sworn falsely and betrayed the interest of Christ and his people and have been grievously threatned for the same yet we are delivered from their THREATNING TESTIMONY and are well safe and without fear or danger and shall go on and prosper still yea and which is more they r Amos 5.18 Desire the day of the Lord In a profane boldness provoke and dare the Lord to bring that once to pass which he hath so long threatned Where are his Å¿ Jer. 51.20 Battle-axes the t Rev 15.1 vial-Angels u Isa 27.1 his sore great and strong sword x Isa 8.19 Let him make speed and hasten his work that we may see it and let the Counsel of the Holy One of Israel draw nigh and come that we may know it 2. Iudgment not being speedily executed What is the evil that their heart is full of y Luk. 14.14 We will not have this man to reign over us The war now is like that of the Old Gyants against Heaven against God and Christ how to a Psal 2.3 Break their bonds asunder and cast their cords from them As Herod no sooner heard b Mat. 2.2 13. of one born King of the Jewes but immediately he sought the young Child's life to destroy him The very rumor of Christs coming forth to reign and to break all corrupt powers makes Tyrants mad and it is their greatest care and study how to prevent him But 3. And let it be heeded when men are emboldned and made worse because judgment is delayed this shews not only that c Jer. 5.14 15. Divine wrath is very nigh at hand but it shall rest and abide upon them d Isa 5.25 till they are consum'd to ashes as fire doth wood No time of finding e Amos 5.21 Jer. 7.16 for their prayers cries and tears the Lord hates and despiseth Sixthly 6. God is many ways glorified when corrupt men have not a time of finding It is much to the prayse and Glory of God when Apostates Hypocrites and other corrupt people have not a time of finding Quest. Wherein is the Lord honored not being found of his people Answ 1. In vindicating his Justice Providence and Great Name 1. In vindicating his providence and great Name When God is silent and spares Hypocrites f Psa 50.2 i. They thinke him like themselves altogether as they are As the Tyrant having a safe passage homeward thought the gods well pleased with his robbery Thus do wicked men if they prosper in unrighteous ways or see others prosper therein g Psa 119.70 Their heart is as fat as grease and are ready to say h Zeph. 1.12 The Lord will not do good neither will he do evil nay they begin to call in question his Justice and Providence i Mat. 2.17 Every one that doth evil is good in the sight of the Lord and he delighteth in them that is accepteth and approveth of the wicked justifies them yea more takes pleasure in them How many in these late years by their Atheistical conceits and blasphemous speeches have wearied and vexed the Lord and whence hath it risen k Ibid. Where is the God of Judgment As if there were no Providence no God that did judge and govern things upon earth because he doth not presently punish the workers of iniquity As one not long since most blasphemously sayd If he be a God why doth he not shew his judgment upon such a one I could name both Now howsoever many reasons might be given for the prosperity of the wicked and their impunity yet doubtless the glory of God is exceedingly manifested in his Government and Administration when he breaks the power of the proud and makes them like ashes under the soles of his feet l Rev. 15.4 Who shall not fear thee O Lord and glorifie thy name c. for thy judgments are made manifest By that revenging stroke from Heaven which reach'd Iulian the Apostate many who formerly had spoken wickedly of Christ repented and acknowledged their blasphemie and gave glory to him In some such way I am perswaded will the Lord vindicate his Providence and Justice namely by making SOME MEN publick Examples of his wrath such I mean who by their false-swearing and horrible hypocrisie and prospering a while therein have occasioned many to have had hard thoughts of God WHERE IS THE GOD OF JVDGMENT Memorable is that story of Amurath at the battle of Varna when he saw the slaughter of his men and all things brought into extreame danger he pluckt out of his bosom the writing wherein the late League was comprised and holding it up in his hand with his eyes lift up to heaven said Behold thou crucified Christ this is the League thy Christians in thy name made with me and they have without cause violated Now if thou be God as they say thou art and as we dream revenge the wrong now done unto thy Name and me and shew thy power upon thy perjurious people who in their deeds deny thee their God VVas a Turk heard against Idolaters for Covenant-breaking And will not the Lord much more bow his ear to the strong cries of his children holding up in their hands the Protestations Vows and solemn Ingagements not of Papists but of great professors which they publickly have broken with God and men when they shall say as still they do Behold Lord see here these are the Oaths Attestations and promises which thy great professors have made with thee and for the interest of thy Son and Zion and without any cause but to satisfie their own lusts they have violated Now therefore as thou art a jealous God and tender of thy great Name Glory Providence so shew thy great Power upon these false and dissembling people who in their works deny thee their God 2. By making himself known in his truth cause Secondly By making himself gloriously known in his truth and cause That Saul had no time of finding but was left of God in the day of distress this made way for Davids kingdome So when Tyrants are broken in their power and Government it is in order to the exalting of Jesus
no King but Caesar Take notice Reader this is an old stratagem of the Devil and a lesson which he hath taught his children in all ages that is to be like a cunning thief who in the croud cryes Stop the thief stop the thief not caring who is taken so himself may escape that hath done the robbery When Balak would have Balaam come to him to curse the Lord's people he conceals the truth of Israels case and carriage makes no mention how the Lord had of old a Gen. 15.18 promised them the land of Canaan nor how the Canaanites wickedness was grown so great that b Lev. 18.24 25. the land should spue them out neither speaketh he of their sore oppression bondage in Egypt miraculous deliverance from thence nor how Israel being come out had not harmed either Edom or Moab but c Deut. 2.4.8 9 13. passed by them in peace and warred only with the cursed Canaanites devoted to destruction all these things Moab knew as well as d Num. 20.14 15. Edom but here he is silent and what he doth report is most false e Num. 22.5 Behold there is a people come out from Egypt behold they cover the face of the Earth and they abide over against me As if he should say there is an uncivil and barbarous people come up from Egypt who they are I know not but they plunder and destroy the Countryes where they come and they are now waiting an opportunity to invade us and turn us out of our lawful possessions Are not our enemies and Moab here alike Doe they not altogether conceal the case and carriage of Christs faithful witnesses where doe they fairly and honestly report their principles and judgment But f Psa 35.11 lay to their charge things they never knew I have in part shewed what they hold and what they desire to have This I shall add as g Prov. 15.34 Righteousness exalteth a Nation not craft policy power or making an other house so they would have all oppressions and grievances taken away no man to be committed or detayn'd in prison at the will and pleasure of any man they would not have the blood and treasure of the Nation spilt and spent to serve any mans lust they would have the theevish Lawyers supprest they would have those righteous things done which the Army promised And if Charls Stewart justly suffered and his family too for exercising an arbitrary and unlimited power they know no reason why any man if he govern worse then the King did should be suffered 4. Another help is a Mercenary Army But of these men I need not say much for the Nation knows them too well A hedge-hog seems to be a poor silly creature yet being full of bristles and prickles a man may be shrewdly hurt by it I cannot for the present think of a comparison fitter or truer It 's become a HEDG-HOG indeed a poor silly thing it hath no beauty comliness credit honor c. only bristles and prickles to wound the interest of Christ and his people 5. But who think'st thou Reader brings up the Rear Even Wizards and South-sayers another of Satans tricks to deceive poor people There is to be in our days a certain Conqueror an Emperour he must be saith another parasite descended from the Princely race of North-Wales who shall destroy the Pope and the Turk and most part of the world bear the Imperial rule at Sea reform the Church settle peace and nothing shall stand in his way and that this is true many Magicians Sorcerers and British Bards are reckoned up who above 1000. years agoe spake of it and several Honorable Titles he is to have saith a later Wizard about July next It grieves my Soul to see our profession Religion and the Holy Name of God thus abus'd and prophan'd by the vilest instruments the Devil hath But the Scripture must be fulfill'd h 2 Thes 11 12. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusions that they should beleeve a lie that they all might be damned who beleeve not the truth but have pleasure in unrighteousness i Psa 1.17 As he loved cursing so let it come upon him as he delighted not in the blessing so let it be far from him It was a righteous thing with God to give up Ahab to his false Prophets and by their lies to destroy him having refused to hearken to the Lords Servants so when men wil not follow the Counsel of God but cast his Word and Law behind their back what more just then to leave them to Wizards and Star-gazers to be blinded harnded by them and prepared for slaughter I have read somewhere of one Athol a Scots man being told by a Sorceress that he should be crowned in a great concourse of people believing the witch to make way for the crown he kil'd James 1. Now there was some truth in what the Witch had told him for being brought upon a Scaffold for this treason and Murder a crown of red hot Iron was set upon his head and so he miserably perished many thousands looking on So may they be crown'd that seek it in such a way Much more might be said concerning the Lords answering the cries and sighing of his people in the discovery of these men viz. their devouring skin bones and all by NEW TRICKS so the Thief hath the true mans purse he cares not how he gets it k Pro. 28.15 As a roaring Lion and a ranging Bear so is a wicked Ruler over the poor people that is the right which he pleadeth is nothing but might the mercy he shews is onely where he cannot shew more cruelty and whatsoever he takes away most unjustly from poor people he saith It is his right and he must and will have it Again the Lawyers never tormented poor men more then now the old Superstitious Priests how are they thumming over the English Mass again so in many parts of the Land their Malignant Justices persecuting honest men under the name of conventicles putting in execution the bloody Laws of the Beast enacted for the suppression of the truth other things are too FOUL to be named Herod feared John for his piety and strict walking so did Saul fear David But no man needs to fear this Generation of men for holiness justice righteousness Indeed for the contrary there is cause enough but howsoever in this Gods people may take comfort for thus it is promised k Mic. 4.10 Thou shalt go even to Babylon THERE shalt thou be delivered THERE the Lord shall redeem thee from the hand of thine enemies I hope we shall never be brought neerer Babylon then we are Secondly They have prayed that the Lord would not bless or prosper the designs of the froward and crafty who to set up their own interest have betrayed the cause of Christ but that k Psa 83.13 He would make them as a rolling thing
workers of iniquity A good Riddance A Dogg that followeth two men is not known to which of them he belongeth till the way part Then indeed you shall see Howsoever we knew not plain and honest hearts from dissemblers so long as the Interest of Christ and worldly profit kept together Yet the Lord by this STOP hath made a marvellous discovery of both A good separation 2. That the Scriptures might 〈◊〉 fulfilled For by this STOP came in the perillous Times of which Paul gave warning t 2 Tim. 10.3.1 in Timothy meaning the second Apostacy How the Characters set down there by the Apostle paralell with the Backsliders of this age I have largely * A Book entituled Truth with Time elsewhere shewed In some Fenny Countries where people are troubled with GNATS they use to hang dung in the midst of a room as a bait for the Gnats to fly to and so catch them as a snare provided for that purpose Why would the Lord have a STOP to the work and by that STOP bring up the Apostacy It is plain enough that it might be a Pit and a Snare dung indeed to catch all the GNATS of the three Nations For I verily believe there is not a worldly minded Professor whether Church-member or Church-Officer or otherwise but he is fallen into this Trap. u Job 18.5.8 9 10 The light of the wicked shall be put out and the sparke of his fire shall not shine For be is cast into a net by his own feet and his own counsel shall cast him down The gin shall take him by the heel and the robâ—â—â— shall prevail against him The snare is laid for him in the ground and a trap for him in the way x Rev. 15.3 Great and marvellous are thy works Lord God Almighty 3. As the Lord made a Proof or Tryall of Abrahams faith love and obedience by his willingnesse to offer his sonne Isaac So this STOP hath been viz. y Cor. 11.19 that they which are approved may be made manifest If a Maid that she might be such a mans Wise should refuse a great Estate and live very poorly with him would not this argue she married him for Love and nothing else There are many since this Apostasie came up for the love and affection which they bear to the GOOD OLD CAVSE have refused great places high promotion and honour and sufferd Banishment Imprisonment cruel mockings and spoyling of their goods And what doth this signifie a Gen. 22.12 Now I know said the Angell to Abraham that thou fearest God seeing thou hast not withheld thy sonne thine onely son from me Surely a man sheweth great affection and faithfulnesse unto Jesus Christ when riches preferments and great mens favours are rejected and his poor despised betrayed and crucified Cause is boldly owned of him 4. That b Rom. 11.28 the Lord may make a short work upon the earth when his work shall be revived again As a man intending to shew his skill by leaping farre goes backward first a little So the Lord intending more than an ordinary speed quick dispatch of the seven last plagues seemeth first to go backwards c Rev. 11. â—4 Behold the third woe cometh quickly Thus it was with Israel in Egypt After Moses and Aaron had been with Pharoah they had d Exod. 5.9 more work laid upon them and their bondage greater than before But when the Lord revived that work How fast went it forward then In less than thirty days all the ten plagues were poured out upon Egypt So after the forty years when the Lords work came on again the Land of Canaan is presently conquered e Josh 12.24 one and thirty Kings put to death How soon was the Lords House built when the work was revived in four years at most And so I take it here the Lord means by this Stop HAST HAST afterward 5. To strike the greater dread and horrour upon wicked men f Rev. 11. at the rising of the work Herod thinking Christ to be John Baptist he thought likewise John being risen he came with more strength and power than he had before and this tormented him That the Cause and Interest of Christ thought to be dead and buried should be raised again No marvel the sinners in Zion will be afraid and fearfulness surprize the hypocrites they know it comes forth in Power Glory and Majesty to take vengeance on them for their falshood and unrighteousnesse 6. There is a STOP that ungodly men in this Time may fill up the measure of their sinnes so be fatted for the slaughter g Jer. 51.13 Thine end is come and the measure of thy Covetousness that is when Babilons Covetousnesse is full and ripe then come the vials of wrath to be poured out upon her Among the Egyptians it was a custome when any man was condemned for some notorious crime to feast him and fat him that he might undergo the greater Torment I think no man will deny but some men of late are fatted to purpose h Ps 119.70 Their heart is as fat as grease But it was not thus before the STOP For their Coveteousness Pride Lightnesse Luxury was nothing in measure and height to what it is now A sad stop wofull places offices promotion maintenance c. that prepares men like Sheep for the day of slaughter 7. For the praise of his great power Christ was able to have kept Lazarus from death and the grave but he would not and why i Joh. 11.4 That the son of man might be gloried And indeed I think there was no miracle which our Saviour wrought more to his glory than this Not onely is Lazarus dead and buried but supposed to stink having been three days buried And for all this to raise him up what a wonderfull work is this Though it be true as was said the Lord could have prevented all STOPS yet he would not But he will have his Cause slain and buried and in the opinion of the Enemy to rot and stink no fear of rising again And then will he k Ps 78.65 awake as one out of sleep break the heavens and come down shake the mountains and raise up his friend Lazarus to the glory of his power the joy of his people and the confusion of his Enemies Amen Amen Quest But what reasons have you to believe that the good old Cause will be revived again Answer 1. Because the honour of God is much concerned in it since the STOP What say the Scoffers l Luk. 14.30 This man began to build but was not able to finish it As if some by their craft and policy had over-reached Jesus Christ As long as Pompey stood and flourished Cato stoutly maintained a Providence But when he fled into Egypt and was slaine of a base fellow and lay upon the shoare without any honour of Burial when Cato also was beset with Caesars army He fell from
his former doctrine turning his tale as if there were no providence at all but every thing went by hap It is too probable by some late Turnings many are turned Atheists And therefore questionlesse God will revive his work again For otherwise how can the great reproach and dishonour be taken off from his Providence and Government So 2. Is Religion the true profession of the Gospell which never will have the Credite Glory Beauty it had formerly if the interest of Christ and his People be not revived Nothing better heals the sting of Vipers than to apply their own flesh to the disease The dust of a Toad put to its venomous biting takes away the poison It is much upon my heart by some such APPLICATION the Lord will heal those fearfull wounds and bitings which are upon the truth Though men have not regarded the Credit and Honour of it yet Christ doth and will recover it and revive it again by destroying the fond glosses and covetuous practises of corrupt men and raising up faithfull ones to preach the everlasting Gospell Eusebius writes of Peregrinus the Philosopher having gotten a great estate by feigning himself a Christian that he might consume it the more freely on his lusts revolted to Gentilisme It is plain enough to see why some men have left the Lords work and this people It was that they might be at liberty to spend what they had gotten in excesse pride riot lasciviousness They well knew should they have kept close to Christ and his interest they could not have fulfilled the desires of the flesh and walked after their own lusts And therefore thought it better to turn Heathens again For so doing they knew they should have elbow-room enough might do whatsoever seemd good in their own eyes But what of all this let such know the Lord will make That Holy Profession of his Name Gospel Kingdome glorious and honourable again Though they have made it vile and contemptible in the eyes of the world m Ezek. 36.23 I will sanctifie my great Name which was prophaned among the Gentiles which ye have prophaned in the midst of them 3. Such were the wonderfull actings and appearances of God for and with this Cause as it is not possible it should come to nothing vanish away like smoak which yet will be so unlesse it be quickned and raised again n Judg. 13.23 If the Lord were pleased to kill us he would not have shewed us all these things Let no man think that he would so eminently have shewed his power justice and wrath against the late King for his Tyrany and Arbitrary Government So a-against the Bishops for their pride and humane inventions but that he means to destroy the like wickednesse in others if afterward they shall take it up o 1 Sam. 3.12 When I begin I will also make an end Though it be a judgment and to be executed upon his own people yet he will perfect the work And will he not do so and more p Lam. 3.33 willingly when it is to have mercy upon Zion 4. In reviving this work he will q Isa 57.18 Restore Comfort to his Mourners r Ps 85.6 would not thou revive us again that thy people may rejoyce in thee That is when thou shalt take that which letteth out of the way and bring us again upon thy work Our mourning will cease and thy power faithfulnes goodnes justice will be soul-refreshing unto us I know some men can take pleasure in beholding beastly and filthy things So is oppression falshood and deceit to a time-server turn-coat a most pleasant sight As Hanibal when he saw a pit full of mans blood O formosum spectaculum and the Scots Queen seeing her Subjects lie dead and stripped on the earth cryed out The goodliest Tapestry that ever she beheld The cryes and groans of the poor under their oppressions and heavy burthens what sweet musick makes this in the ears of Self-seekers Now their pay comes in their salary and their so much per annum But the joy of good men riseth otherwise Å¿ Pro. 29.2 When the wicked beareth rule they mourn t Pro. 11.10 and when wicked Rulers perish they shout for joy So that untill this work be revived Saints may expect little joy as to outward and publick Affaires 5. This Cause will surely be revived because it is not mans but the Lords For 1. Are not u Ps 110.12 Christs Enemies to be made his foot-stool and x Psal 2 6. he to sit upon the holy hill of Zion 2. Is not all oppression to cease and y Isa 60.18 Violence to be heard no more in the Land The first and second Apostasies both to be destroyed 3. Must not a Ps 85.11 Truth spring out of the earth and Righteousnesse look down from Heaven And b Dan. 7.22 the Saints possess the Kingdom But can these things be and not the work revived that is impossible When it is night and dark whence do ye expect to have light again in this visible world Is it not by the rising of the Sun So these great things which we are waiting for concerning Jesus Christ and his Kingdome the coming in and accomplishment of them will be by the Lords reviving his work and Cause again Quest But is there not something for the Lords people to do in order to the reviving of the Work Ans Yes surely For 1. Howsoever Achan was the TROVBLER and had caused the STOP yet c Jos 7.11 Israel had sinned also d Jer. 5.55 Your Iniquities saith the Prophet have turned away these things and your sins have withholden good things from you When the clouds are scattered which hide the Sun from us then we behold his shining face again So the Lord e Ps 85.1 2 he forgives the iniquity of his people f Isa 44.22 Blots out their transgressions and sins as a thick cloud and then he will be favourable to his land and bring back the Captivity of Jacob. So that it is the duty of every Saint waiting for the great Promises of the Father to be at the foot of God exceedingly bewailing his Own and his Brethrens great miscarriages And as there is hope our Deliverance is nigh so our hearts should be the more broken and in bitternesse and our tears and sighings encrease now we should rise at midnight and cry g Iâ—el 2 17. Spare thy people h Hos 14.2 Lord take away all iniquity receive us graciously so will we render the calves of our lips We must not so look upon Achans Troublers abroad without as not to see the Achans and Troublers at home in our own hearts Though some have been i Num. 3.3 55. pricks in the eyes of the Lords work and the good old Cause and k Iosh 23.13 Scourges and Thornes in the sides of his people yet must we confess the righteousnesse of
had established The evil of this is told him again and againe But no admonition will take place For he grows so wicked that he causeth the Prophet who reprov'd him to be stond even his sonn who had set him on the Throne But what followed oh sad things and that suddenly first upon the Land that was made the seat of war spoyld and plunderd afterward a sore punishment upon himself by the hand both of God and man The like befel Amaziah his son b 2 Chr. 25.25 26 27. I know saith the Prophet to him God hath determined to destroy thee because thou hast done this and hast not hearkened to my Counsel The which thing came to pass soon after Again it is said of Eli's children c 1 Sam. 2.25 They harkned not to the voyce of their father because the Lord would slay them That is he gave them not grace to repent but did more and more forsake them gave them in his justice over to a reprobate mind to their own ruin and destruction Which also d cap. 4.11 came to pass When Ahab hearkned to his false Prophets not to Michaiah Gods Judgment soon reacht him Was there ever a Generation of men that did cast off the threatnings of God against their sinnes with more contempt and scorne than some do now For unless he be an Ahitophel a Machiavel a Subtil Serpent tush they care not for any mans Counsel a rush But is not this some notable signe of the Times Yes surely e When it is evening ye say it will be fair wether Mat. 16. For the skie is red And in the morning it will be foul weather to day For the skie is red and and lowring Such is my confidence in the Truth of the Scripture as from the Premises I can sooner beleeve that there is some great judgment very nigh the dispisers of good Counsell than conclude fair or foul weather from such signes in the face of the sky That the work 's upon reviving This also shews it neer in my apprehension did Time look so like midnight as now Night it hath been some years together But no Midnight till of late If sleep hath not seiz'd on the Virgins Wise as Foolish yet truly a great slumbering doth for there is not methinkes that activeness that life and soule to the great Cause of God as some times there was Several wayes people may fall a sleep And children very often sing themselves asleep And are there not some of the Lords sweet Babes fallen now into some slumbering as to THE DAY WORKE by their own pleasant Singing I should be a great deale more affected and dissatisfied with this late slumbring of the Virgins but that I consider the Scripture must be fulfil'd f Isa 63.5 I looked saith the Lord and there was none to help g Amos 7.2 By whom shall Jacob arise for he is smal small indeed For if the wise Virgins fall asleep who then are left Though this be so yet herein am I comforted The Midnight-time being upon us It declares that the womb of providence is opening and the Crie nigh h Mat. 25.15.16 Behold the Bridegroom cometh go ye out and meet him Yea and it is a mercie seeing the Midnight Time is upon us that there is a Voice kept up to awaken such as are asleep 7. Reader mark this Such men as by engagement ought to joyn with the Interest of Christ his people if they neglect their duty here joyn with the Lords Enemies against him and his Cause there is certainly some great judgement nigh them It was Midians duty i Deut. 23.4 to have met Israel with bread with water in the way when they came forth out of Egypt That is they should have refreshed assisted their Brethren in their travels towards Canaan but in stead of doing so Midian hired a Wizard a Witch to curse the Lords people But what is his punishment for it He shall not enter into the Congregation of the Lord for ever Israel must never seek his peace nor prosperity Many Reasons there were why Achitophel should have stood faithfull to David and his Righteous Cause But like an unthankfull wretch he went with Absalom in that unnatural Rebellion But how sped he k 2 Sam. 17.23 When he saw his counsell was not followed he went home and hanged himself Again whose part should Judas have taken in point of Reason Religion and Conscience Doutless his Masters but he falls in with the Scribes and Pharisees to take away his Masters life What his end was and how he was rewarded for it It is recorded g Ma. 27.5 He went and hanged himself h Act. 1.18 And falling headlong burst asunder in the midst and his bowels gushed out Are there any such in our Time who in respect of many Engagements should assist and help the Lords people stand up with them for Righteousnesse and Truth And do they like Midian Achitophel Judas side take part with Wizards Rebels Pharisees and marked Slaves of the Beast I say are there such If so then I question not but Providence ere long will shew some notable work uppon them l Psal 46.8 Come and behold the works of the Lord what desolations he hath made in the earth Lastly And which is not the least that perswades me the good old Cause is ready to rise I do observe that the Lords people every where are expecting it Now what means this k singing of the Birds if the spring be not nigh Is it possible that it should lye with so much weight upon the Spirits of all the little remnant that the Lord is coming sorth to take vengeance on his adversaries and to comfort Zion And nothing should be in it I cannot think so neither is there any reason for it Indeed l Pro. 4.19 The way of the wicked is darknesse they know not at what they stumble m v. 18. But the way of the just is as a shining light that shineth more and more to the perfect day Thus Reader thou seest the Reasons why I think the WORK is at the Birth I shall offer a little more to thee And no more I hope then what is according to Truth and with supplications the Lord hath led me From the Creation to the Flood according to the best account that I have seen were 1657. yeeres And so many yeeres we reckon past since Jesus Christ was born In this yeare viz 1657. doth period the 42. Months and 1260. dayes in which the Beast was to reigne and the Saints to suffer Mr. Tilling hast of Pretious memorie beginning at the Head of the account i. e. at the rise of the Beast brings down the two Numbers to the yeare 1657. I have done something by inquiring at the foot to wit the last three years and an half of the Account and here we do agree as to the Time of the End That is whereas