dayly complaint Oh that the Lord would take the plaister off remove the yoke from our necks spoyl the spoyers and them that have dealt treacherously call forth his sanctified ones to execute the judgment written But what saith the Lord My dear children be patient quiet contented I am wiser then you and know best what is to be done there is some corrupt matter some rottenness which must be purged before I can grant your desire I must first bring away your covetousness spiritual-pride censoriousness passion c. then will I arise for Zion and restore comfort to her mourners The sins of the Amorites were full at the end of the 430. years then came in d Gen. 15.16 the fourth generation yet it was forty years after before they came into the Promised Land For howsoever the time as I said was expired as to the Iniquity of the Enemies that is they were * Numb 14.9 ripe for judgment yet the Lords people not being prepared for the promised blessing fell short of it many yeers The like may be said of things now the time and times and dividing of time which according to e Dan. 7.25 Daniel the Little Horn is to have may be already expired and his iniquity full and so ripe for cutting down nevertheless the Saints of the Most High not being prepared to take away his Dominion and possess the Kingdom there may be some yeers after the three years and an half are expired before he be destroy'd and his body given to the burning flames not but that * Namely in June laâ— the time may be ended viz. the three years half the little Horn ripe for judgment but the Saints are not PREPARED for such a dispensation We read that in all Iehoshaphats reign f 2 Chron. 20.33 the high places were not taken away and the reason is given for as yet the people had not prepared their hearts unto the God of their fathers as if he should say As other abuses and corruptions were removed so had these high places been also but that the people were not enough humble holy sincere to receive such a mercy the like may be said of the high places remaining with us as the carnal-ministry Tythes Tryers the corrupt Law c. these Gillulim filthy things would soon be taken away were Saints prepared to meet their God in his judgments See Psal 81.13 14 15 16. It is with Christ and a soul seeking him as between the load-stone and iron if there be any dust or filth that sticks to the iron the stone refuseth to close with it she will not be touch'd nor touch where there is foulness but take off the filth and let the iron be clean then they sweetly close together so is the Lords heart open and his arms abroad to take into his bosome such as are pure and clean in heart have no defilements upon them are pure vessels g 2 Tim. 2.21 meet for the Masters use and prepared unto every good work here the Lord will command the blessing even the blessed TIME OF FINDING 2. When the Saints have nothing left them for help but God Secondly It is a Time of Finding When the Faithful have nothing left them for help but the Lord only MANS EXTREMITY IS GODS OPPORTVNITY The Tide you know turns when the water is lowest would yee know the time of the Lords turning and returning to his Church and people It is at low water h Deut. 32.36 when he seeth that their power is gon and there is none shut up or left i Psal 107.27 28. see also v. 3 â— 5 12 13. when their soul is melted because of trouble and are at their wits end Then crying unto the Lord he bringeth them out of their distresses he maketh the storm a calm and bringeth them to their desired haven Among men to plead poverty and want experience shews it signifies very little should a poor man goe to a merchant and tell him nothing but of his nakedness and misery this would not prevail with him for clothing and other relief but with the Lord no better argument to speed then to spread miseries and wants before him Hence the Saints usually in their prayers have mentioned their DISTRESS as a great reason to move the Lord unto pity thus did Iehoshaphat k 2 Chron. 20.12 O our God wilt thou not judge them FOR we have no might neither know we what to do So David l Psa 6.2 Have mercy upon me O God FOR I am weak O Lord heal me FOR my bones are vexed Again m Psa 8â— 2 109.22 23. Bow down thine ear O Lord hear me for I am poor and needy And for our encouragement herein the Lord hath promised that it shall be A TIME OF FINDING when n Psa 50.15 in trouble we call upon him o Psa 9.9 He will be a refuge for the oppressed a refuge in times of trouble p Psa 102.17 he will regard the prayer of the destitute or naked shrub and will not despise their prayer Isa 41.7 When the poor and needy seek water and there is none and their tongue faileth for thirst I the Lord will hear them I the God of Israel will not forsake them The poor woman that had the issue of blood twelve yeers and in that time r Mark 5.26 27 had spent all that she had on physicians when she came to Christ in that extremity was it not a time of finding the Text saith Straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague And indeed her case is much like Ours she came not to Christ till all was spent As long as we had a Parliament a Councel of State an Army a General c. we too much rested on them as our Saviors and Deliverers it is therefore well for us that Iehovah hath broken these Egyptian reeds and that we have at present none in Heaven nor in Earth but Jesus Christ to trust in for now we may confidently expect A TIME OF FINDING When Christ saw that those who had continued three days with him in the wilderness f Mat. 15.32 had nothing left he took compassion on them and fed them by a miracle Again when he was at Nazareth preaching in the Synagogue he needed not to have been led from thence t Luk. 4.29 unto the brow or edg of the hill he might have escaped long before but he would suffer the enemy to go so far to shew that it is his time to work deliverance for his people when they seem to be in the greatest danger Is there nothing left no Parliament Councel Army Navy General Have u Lam. 1.2 all Zions friends dealt treacherously with her and become her Enemies Is the GOOD OLD CAVSE brought to the brow of the hill Then lift up your heads ye naked shrubs every
altogether at nought as being glad he had met with such a BARGAIN and sped so well Verily I think that blood is not more like blood then Esau and the Revolters of this age are like one another Neither since Esau's time till now have any generation of men so MATCHT HIM in prophaness and this I shall plainly demonstrate by the Parallel First Let it be considered what they have sold such a Glorious Cause as never was I think in the hands of men before Not Civil-Rights and Liberties alone but the GREAT CAVSE of God the Interest of Christ and of his Kingdom Laws People m Psal 84.10 David thought it was honor enough if a man might sit at the threshold of Gods house that is be in the lowest placeâ— and meanest service In the late wars he that was but a common-soldier to fight against Tyranny and Idolatry truly his place and service was very honorable then how much more a General Colonel Capt. c. besides the Lord was pleased to honor them with the Birth-right they were the first-born I say the first to have brought the King home and to set the Crown upon his Head What could have been done more to men But Secondly What have they sold their Birth-right for Oh It grieves my soul to think of it that ever such a thing should be told in Gath and published in the streets of Askelon that it should be said among the Heathen EMINENT PROFESSORS OF RELIGION AND MEN PRETENDING GREAT THINGS FOR CHRIST AND ZION HAVE SOLD THE GOOD OLD CAUSE FOR A MORSEL OF BREAD n Jer. 2.10 11. Consider diligently and see if there be such a thing Hath any Nation changed their gods which are yet no gods But my people have changed their glory for that which doth not profit We think those foolish in their trades that should lose many peeces of gold to have a little bad coyn Let them look over their Bargain what have they sold and what they have for it Alas their Courts Titles Parks Pleasures c. are all bad coyn Lentils meer vanity and lies o Pro. 11.4 things that will not profit in the day of wrath But the Cause and work of God which they unworthily have given up had they been faithful to it would have been better to them then gold yea then fine gold all the things that men desire not to be compared to it It is reported that those wicked Spirits commonly called Fairies having stolen the true child out of the cradle do secretly convey and place in the stead thereof somâ— changeling of their own what truth iâ— in it I know not but this I know tâ— be true the Devil hath dealt so witâ— Apostates by a cunning sleight hâ— hath taken the true Child from them that is THE GOOD OLD CAVSE and hath left in the room of it a poâ—starv'd changeling here the buyer mâ—â— wel say It is naught it is naught 3. Are they sorry for what they have done do they repent of it p Jer. 6.15 Nay they are not at all ashamed neither can they blush but rejoyce feast and sing having made such a Bargain Iudas after he had betrayed Christ took little pleasure in the money which he had for the Treason q Mat. 27.3 45. He brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the Chief Priests and Elders saying I have sinned in that I have betrayed innocent blood And he cast down the peeces of silver into the Temple and departed c. But these men have not yet so much remorse on their conscience for what they have done but the Courts Castles Titles Power c. the Money they had for the Innocent Cause are the things they glory in and brag of I might have mentioned the greediness of Esau's appetite to the dish that red that red there Gen. 25.20 The doubling of the word is to shew his hast and gluttonous desire the color and tast seem'd so pleasing and entising unto him Whether they have not been â—ike a Lyon greedy of his prey Psal 17.12 Like greedy dogs which cannot have enough Isa 56.11 let their own practise be witness But there is one thing wherein Esau is more to be excus'd if there may be any excuse made for him then some now he lay under some necessity r Gen. 25.32 I am saith he at the point of death and what profit shall this Birth-right doe to me But these men could not plead Esau's necessity they were not ready to starve but had enough and therefore their sin was the more prophaneness it may be call'd to sell such a Blessed Cause not only for so LITTLE but having no need so to do The Conclusion is If Esau for his prophaneness were denyed a Time of Finding others then following his steps and being as prophane or more may not expect to find it better in their own case 2. No time of finding for old Hypocrites whose bones are full of the sins of their youth Secondly There will be no Time of Finding for old Hypocrites whose Å¿ Job 20.11 bones are full of the sins of their youth and do continually seek to hide and cover them under religious pretences as fasting praying weeping c. A old Hypocrite is like a child born crooked no earthly medicines can make him right and straight or like to old cloth which being rotten will not bear the needle and thred and therefore not to be mended Some men through their long hypocrisie are become as rotten as dirt no hope of mending for they have so accustomed themselves to play the hypocrites by weeping praying c. as t Jer. 13.23 the Blackmore may sooner change his skin and the Leopard his spots then they cease from dissembling and mocking God in religious duties They who from their infancy are accustomed to take poyson in small quantities do inable their stomacks to digest more till by long custome and increasing the quantity it becometh so familiar to their stomacks that instead of poysoning of them they are nourished by it Thus it is with such men who from their youth have used themselves to hypocrisie and falshood and risen by degrees at length specially when they come to be old their hearts are so hardned and conâ—ciences seared as their hypocrisie is no poyson no trouble to them but it turns to their nourishment it feeds them like meat and drink and they cannot live without it It was a great sin in Iudas to deliver his Master up into the hands of his enemies the Scribes and Pharisees but the sin of Iudas had not been half so bad if he had not so hypocritically betrayd Christ u Mat. 26.49 He came to Iesus and said Hail Master and kissed him So for any man to deliver up Christ in his truth and Cause into the hands of his bloody enemies viz. Priests Lawyers Papists c. under a pretence of Religion and the honor of God this comes neer
Christ in his kingdome and rights m Psal 9.16 The Lord is known by the judgments which he executeth and till then his Name is not feared his truth and cause denyed and his honour is laid in the dust But when the Lord by destroying the enemies of his Glory shall put a Crown upon his GOOD OLD CAUSE then it shall be said n Psa 58.11 Verily he is a God that judgeth in the earth And o Isa 46.9 there is none else And p Deut. 33.29 the enemies as Lawyers Priests Souldiers and Apostate-professors shall be found lyars q Eze. 6.14 I will stretch out my hand upon them and make the Land desolate yea more desolate then the wilderness toward Diblath in all their habitations But what will the Lord get by this And they shall know that I am the Lord. As if he should say Their loss shall be my gaine their fall my rising for whereas by their Covenant-breaking and horrible Apostacie they have brought my Name and Glory under reproach I will recover all again upon their mine Was not the Lord eminently known in this Nation when he executed judgment upon the King and Prelates and that party To my knowledge r Esth 8.17 the fear of Gods people fell upon the Nations about us and they confest the Lord had done great things for us and began to enquire after our good cause and had honourable thoughts of it But true it is since this unblessed Apostacie came up occasioned by professours they judge otherwise both of us and it As for the English professours they call them A pack of dissemblers their profession falshood and craft and the good old Cause so signally own'd by the Lord they spurn at it nay more and truly I mourn as I wite it by reason of the gross miscarriages of some Professours the very Name of Religion is become so odious that they have made Ballads and Songs against it and they are sung by base fellows up and down the Nation and what is the Burden of their Song No Cheater like the Professour But though this be so yet when the Lord shall execute judgment upon those men who have brought such dishonour and reproach to him and so build the old wast places and be called The repairer of the breach and restorer of paths to dwell in Then he will recover the glory of his great Name and be more admired of the Nations then before When the Scribes and Pharisees had put Christ to death what ado they made to have kept him in the grave and that he might not rise again â— but Å¿ Psa 2.1 they imagined a vain thing It was not the great stone which they rolled before the door of the Sepulchre nor their sealing it nor setting Souldiers to watch that could do it but he rose in the spight of them all t Rom. 1.4 and declared himself to be the Son of God Since they crucified the Lords Cause what hath been their work but how to keep it from rising Truly little else hath been thought of or lookt after the help that is called for from this party and the other it is onely to strengthen the hands of the wicked Now as the Lord will not easily part with his glory so I think it will not be recovered without executing judgement upon the enemies of it and reviving his glorious work and cause again but in what case then are Revolters for if God in this way be glorified they must needs be asham'd If the Lord do magnifie his great Name by lifting up the interest of Christ and his people it must be to the shame and confusion of their faces who have brought it under foot As those that have been whores to great men being cast off or their masters dead every body points at them and scorns them there goes one that was such a mans whore fie upon her no less detested will they be who have served the unclean interest of men The time I am perswaded is nigh that they shall not shew their heads abroad but men women and children will point at them saying LOE THERE WALKS ONE A PROFESSOR A CHURCH-MEMBER WHO FOR A SALARY A PLACE AN OFFICE A MONOPOLY PROSTITUTED HIS HONESTY FAITH CONSCIENCE COUNTRY TO THE LUST AND WILL OF MEN. 3. By being glorifyed of some because others are punished Thirdly The Lord not granting a time of finding unto some but leaving them to perish under wrath is glorified of many by it I have been thinking sometimes what might be the cause that in pouring out the seven last plagues we finde nor any u Rev. 11.13 to give glory to the God of Heaven but when the seven thousand were slain in the Earth-quake Now my opinion is in the destruction of the Last Apostacy under the first vial Gods Justice Holiness wisdome c. will occasion some extraordinary glory to be given to him For whereas he begins with a professing people and spares them not this will be more to the prayse of his Justice then when his wrath afterwards fals upon Idolaters and such as know not God And hence it is that the Mourners in Zion cry day and night with a loud voyce to him that sits on the Cloud x Rev. 14.15 Thrust in thy sickle and reap for the time is come for thee to reap for the harvest of the Earth-Apostacy is ripe Not that they fret at the prosperity of evil doers or are impatient under their oppressions or delight in blood but because of the exceeding great glory they know Jesus Christ will have by it When weeds overtop the corn bryars and thorns are grown great and thick high above the vine unless they are cut down there will be no harvest no vintage y Isa 26.9 When thy judgments are in the earth the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness When the thorns and bryars which are grown great and high among us are pluckt up by the roots then will this Nation learn righteousness then shall the Lord have a glorious harvest and vintage even sweet and blessed fruit then there will be a generation of Professors sincere single hearted faithful to God and faithful with men whereas now too many are a 2 Tim. 3.2 3 4. Lovers of themselves Covetous Boasters Proud Blasphemers Vnthank-ful Vnholy Truce-breakers Traytors c. Having a form of Godliness but denying the power thereof Howsoever it be true b Job 21.30 That the wicked is reserved to the day of destruction yet this day and destruction is c Pro. 16.4 For God's own glory but when they shall be brought forth to the day of wrath how is he then glorified Truly in nothing more then when others seeing the vengeance not only justifie it but are instructed and kiss the Son and stand in awe and sin not d Psa 97.8 Zion heareth and rejoyceth and glad are the daughters of Iudah because of thy judgments Jehovah Those
of honesty and liberty but you shall hear them bitterly exclaim against some persons for their falshood Covenant-breaking seeking themselves and opposing the work of God yea now and then a discontented houshold-servant will be twitting his Master publickly at his nose for casting off the interest of Christ and his people and complying with the Malignant party What said Nabals servants of him to their Mistress e 1 Sam. 25 17. He is such a son of Belial that a man cannot speak to him Belial signifies one without yoak or lawless as if they should say There is not a man alive worse then our Master he cares not what he says nor what he does nor who he wrongs his will is a Law and ordinarily they who have done him most good as David for example he is most spightful and malicious against and if any man do but speak to him of his covetousness cruelty unthankfulness or seem to cross him in his pride and wilfulness he will stamp and stare and curse like a mad-man or devil and do him what mischief he can Therefore certainly evil is determined against our Master and against all his houshold Reader take notice when thou hearest some SERVANTS to call their Master a son of Belial that is one that will be under no yoke no Law or Government one that is an enemy to good people and cares for none but such as wil be servants to his lusts and will this is a great return of prayer for howsoever some servants have not the grace nor honesty to leave such a Nabal nevertheless speaking so openly against his wickedness as they condemn their own sinful standing so they justifie all other servants which have cast off such a SON OF BELIAL Lastly There is another sort who like their places as ill as their Masters and have not a good word for either onely the old Serpent hath taught them a trick to cozen their own souls which is to keep their places in hope to serve their Country the better if a turn or change should come Mock on we know well enough did not these men love themselves a great deal better then they do their Country they would not support oppression as they do for their base pay hire But an ill-favoured face needs painting Fourthly the Lord hath been earnestly cal'd upon that howsoever the Witnesses should be slain f Rev. 11.9 Rev. 12.17 yet not suffered to be burnt but that a remnant of the womans seed might be preserved to keep up the memory of the work and cause of Christ Now truly I think the Father of Mercies hath not in any one thing more clearly answered the Soul-Groanings of his people then in this For 1. Consider how grievously Gods people have been tried and tempted these three or four years not onely by great poverty and outward wants but by the entisements baits of worldly advantages as riches honor promotion pleasure h Mat. 4.9 all these things will I give thee IF THOU WILT c. A man that should stand before the mouth of a Cannon going off or walk upon the ridge or pinacle of a Tower or sail among most dangerous rocks and sands it would be thought very strange if he should escape all danger Some of Gods people lately have had a more wonderful deliverance if the snares be minded which the Lord hath broken for them i Psa 107.8 O let them confess to Jehovah his mercy and his marvelous works 2. Howsoever the love of many is grown cold and they are turn'd with Demas and with the Dog to the world and their vomit again yet hath the Lord preserv'd a litte flock Rev. 3.4 a few names which have not defiled their garments by partaking with the last Apostacy but through grace l Jam. 1.27 have kept themselves unspotted from the world When Gideons Army of 32000 came to be 300. then indeed it was excellent and glorious Judg. 7.7 and meet for the Lord to work Israels deliverance by it Though the followers of Christ are very few in number to the worshippers of the Beast yet this I may say as the prophet saith of the Figs they are n Jer. 24.2 very good the Lord having by their many temptations trials purified them unto himself a peculiar people zealous of good works CHAP. VIII FIftly It is A Time of Finding when there is no staggering at the Promise But the things asked are by Faith obtained A Time of Finding when the things asked are seen and received by Faith So certain as if they were already in our own hands Thus o Sam. 1.18 Hannah was sure of the Child as if he had been in her armes So p Exod. 14 13 14. Moses at the Red Sea saw Pharoah and his hoste drown'd before ever they went into the water In dividing the Land of Canaan not onely did Joshua and the people by lot lay out the Inheritance of every Tribe in the Countreys which they had conquered But likewise all other parts of the Land which at present they possessed not And this they did believing what was not yet in their hands it should be theirs so sure as the parts and places already taken No lesse confident and certain are Saints now i. e. as some of the Canaanites are cast out Moncks Fryers Arch-Bishops Bishops So q Lev. 18.28 the Land ere long shall spue out the rest of r Dan. 7.27 them And it shall be given to the Saints of the most high Though the Israelites after they came out of Egypt had a stop for forty years in the wilderness yet God gave them the peaceable possession of Canaan according to his promise So Jerusalem and the Temple were built Howsoever thorough the malice of the Enemy there was some stop put to the worke awhile True it is the worke of God THE GOOD OLD CAVSE hath met with A TROVBLER an ACHAN for through the falshood and hypocrisie of some men it hath been killed and layen in the street like the dead bodies of the Witnesses howsoever not suffered to be put in graves But what of all this so mercifully hath the Lord answered the Cries and Tears of this people as by faith they see it risen and like a Conquerour standing on its feet to the Terror Shame and Ruin of the Adversaries Quest But wherefore hath the Lord suffered his work to be stopped and to lie as it were under a death Ans Howsoever neither men nor Devils could have stopped it had he pleased not to have had it so Yet he would have it stopp'd a while for these Reasons 1. To dismisse from the worke some Regiments of prophane Esau's and worldly Demasses who followed it not for love but loaves Such Hypocrites and rotten hearts the Lord could not endure to see in his work and therefore brought his Army out of the Field to disband them and to Å¿ Ps 125.5 lead them forth with the
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
told them o Num. 14.9 Their defence is departed from them That is the Lord would protect them no longer But why is their shaddow Covert now gone doubtlesse he hath respect to the time of the end As if he should say the 430 years given to â—he Amorites being expired and so their iniquity full the Lord will deliver them into our hands if we are fitted for the work From which place this I would gather That the reign of the Beast may expire in 1657. and the enemies of God THEN ripe for judgement yet the instruments not being prepared for execution In this respect little or nothing for the present may be done Quest When the 430. years were expired the Israelites came out of Egypt p Exo. 12.40.42 the same day So from Babyâ—on assoon as the 70. years ended Why then should not the Witnesses rise and the little-horn and beast be slain immediatly at the ending of the 1260 dayes Answ 1. Howsoever it be so concerning their comming out of Egypt and Babylon yet there was sometime before they came to Canaan and Jerusalem So in order to the rising of Witnesses No sooner are the three years and a half ended but the work begins q Rev. 11.11 The spirit of life from God enters into it The wheeles of Providence are set running But there must be some time to have it perfected as it was in the case of the Israelites But 2 Israels case and this here are not alike For as they were people i. e. Men women children So nothing could be done to their enlargement but it must needs be obvious and visible But this about the Witnesses c hath much in it which is spiritual and mysticall And therefore a work as to the rising and growing of it not so plainly to be observed and discerned as was the other especially at first Neither 3. doe I find the promises alike for it seems to me by promise they were to be in Egypt but 430 years And in Babylon 70. and no longer But it is not said the witnesses shall stand upon their feet assoon as the three years and half are ended Indeed the Text saith r Rev. 11.11 And after three dayes and an half the spirit of life from God entred into them and they stood upon their feet That is such a time being expired the Lord will revive his work and good old cause again But how long after it is not said only this is in the promise From that very time it shall not lie dead as before but the Lord will be forming it for its birth in the womb of providence 4. The businesse of Egypt and Babylon was such that untill the people came out the first part of the promise was not performed But here it is not so for the work may be begun go forward and much done according the Scripture and yet not seen or â—â—lieved scarse by any As water â—ns a great while under ground beâ—â—re it comes out at the Spring head â—o after the 1260. years are expired â—efore the work will openly appear 〈◊〉 setting the Witnesses upon their feet 〈◊〉 taking the little horns Dominion from â—im it will be as water under ground Å¿ Psal 139.15 wrought in the lowest parts of the â—arth Quest But how can the 1260 years â—e ended seeing it is the opinion of many â—ood men that the VVitnesses are not â—â—ain neither hath the little-horn yet â—een nor the second Beast risen out of the earth besides many other things not â—et fulfill'd which must be before the 42. months do expire Answ Because there are many men and some whom I know and honour of this judgement I do intend by the good hand of God assisting me to publish very shortly a particular Answer to this Objection And to give my Reasons grounds why I think there is nothing foretold in Scripture which should come to pass in the 1260 years but hath had its due accomplishment Question If the Work be so nigh râ—viving How and in what manner wiâ—â— the Lord by Providence bring it forth Answer I hope the God of truth bâ— his word and good spirit will so graciously guide me here That I shalâ— not intrude into those things whicâ— I have not seen But give my judgâ—ment as one that hath obtained mercy of the Lord to be faithfull Thaâ— I may be in this great point the better understood howsoever I thinke wheâ— the Lord shall bring this work on again in the Vials it will be t Mat. 24.27 as the lightning which commeth out of the east and shineth even unto the west Namely with great swiftness and brightnesse the whole world over Nevertheless at first it will break forth as the dawning of the day but in one part or Country And I think some what to this purpose 1. Neere or about the visible reviving of the worke u Rev. 14.2 A voyce will be heard from heaven as the voyce of many waters and as the voice of a great Thunder Waters are from beneath Thunder from above So then by the Voyce of these Waters I understand a terrible Appearance and standing up of much â—eople or Common-wealths men for â—ivil Rights Crying JVSTICE â—VSTICE against oppressours and â—rong doers Neither will they be fiâ—enced or quieted no more then waâ—ers till they have recovered their â—reedom and Liberties 2. Thunder as I said is from above â—nd here may be meant Fift Monarchy â—en speaking very high for the â—ights of Jesus Christ his kingdome â—rown and dignity And howsoever â—t is but one Thunder and the Waters many yet it will not onely make a â—ouder sound and be Farther heard â—ut likewise be more dreadfull and â—errible wheresoever it comes x Jer. 50.14 Put â—our selves in aray against Babilon round â—bout all ye that bend the bow shoot at her spare no arrowes down with her down with her in all her Abominations In her Tythes and Triers as the rest of her whordomes and Fornications 3. That the Waters are set before the Thunder It may import that the worke will begin at least by most ownd upon a Civil Account As the lesser wedge makes way for the greater So in CLEAVING the kingdomâ— of the Beast The controversie will bâ— first about lesser things as the Poweâ— Freedome and Priviledges of thâ— people and so rise higher and higheâ—â— untill the OLD BLOCK Babylon bâ— made Chips for the Fire 4. There is y Rev. 14.2 a Voice of Harperâ— Harping with their Harpes This may signifie how lively chearfull resolved they are to ingage for the GOOD OLD CAVSE z 2 King 3.15 And it came tâ— passe when the Minstrel played the hanâ— of the Lord came upon him Formerly there was a death upon them a basâ— fear and Cowardliness But now thâ— spirit of life from God is entred into them and they stand upon their feet Now they look with Lion like faces and quit themselves like men
Lord will not hear prayer no not the prayer of a Moses and Samuel standing together before him but what is the reason x ver 4. Because of Manasseh the son of Hezekiah King of Iudah for that which he did in Ierusalem now that which aggravated Manassehs sin and most provoked the Lord to such wrath it is expressed thus y 2 Kin. 21.3 For he built again the high places which Hezekiah his father had destroyed intimating had there not been such a great Reformation a little before his wickedness had not been so foul and great but after so z Read 2 Chro. 29 30 31. Chap. much time and labor and treasure spent in rooting up Idolatry and Tyranny and to have the true worship of God with other good things setled in the Common-wealth that he should be so graceless and impudent presently to make things as bad or rather worse then they were before here the Lord will not hearken to prayer but his fury must break forth and there is no remedy In one respect and it is a great one too some men have done far worse then Manasseh for Manasseh built not again the things which he himself had destroyed neither in doing what he did was he a Covenant-breaker with the people that we read of whereas they have built the high places which themselves destroyed and against vowes and Oathes also And here we may understand what the Holy-Ghost means by saying a 2 Pet. 2.21 It had been better for them not to have known the way of Righteousness then after they have known it to turn from the holy Commandment that is in the day of Gods wrath when he is powring out the Vials upon the Nations it shall be better with them who have not known the Truth nor made profession of righteous things then with enlightned professors being led aside with the error of the wicked and fallen from their own stedfastness When prisoners are taken in war if any RVN-AWAYES are found among them such seldome are spared though the rest have quarter b Jer. 11.10 11. They are turned back to the iniquities of their fathers which refused to hear my words and they went after other gods to serve them the house of Israel and the house of Iudah have broken the Covenant which I made with their fathers Therefore thus saith the Lord Behold I will bring evil upon them which they shall not be able to escape and though they shall cry unto me I will not hearken unto them Again c ver 14. Therefore pray not thou for this people neither lift up a cry or a prayer for them for I will not hear them in the time that they cry unto me for their trouble So that now it is neither their own praying nor the Prophets praying will avail Object But what if with prayer they had joyned fasting as the present Back-sliders doe Answ For all this there had been no Time of finding d Jer. 14.12 When they fast I will not hear their cry c. But I will consume them by the sword and by famine and by pestilence Neither is it strange that the Lord should be so severe against Covenant-breakers and Back-sliders for none more wound him in his honor cause then they Formerly in wars they used Elephants which did much service but if they gave back did more hurt then the enemy so long as some men stood fast and faithful in the Lord's Battels they did the Lord and his people singular service but by GIVING BACK they have more dishonored God and trampled the Good old Cause under foot then the Common-Enemy ever did it may be said of a truth that the Common-Enemy never gave so deep a wound to the interest of Christ and his people as some have done by GIVING BACK Object But it will be said the Prophet speaks of a Covenant made with God which to break is dangerous but with men not so Answ Oathes and Engagements made with men are Divine things called in Scripture e Eccl. 8.2 1 Sam. 21.7 The Oaths of God Therefore thus saith the Lord God As I live surely mine Oath that he hath despised and my Covenant which he hath broken even it will I recompense upon his own head Though it was made with Nebuchad-nezzar an Heathen King an Idolater yet the Lord owns it as made with himself because his sacred and dreadful Name was taken therein and counts the violation and breach thereof as if it had been formally made with himself so when Ioshua had made a league with the Gibeonites and the Princes had sworn unto them though they were deceitfully brought thereunto by the Gibeonites craft yet they durst not violate the League made and sworn and so put them to the sword as they did others but said f Josh 9.15 20. We will let them live lest wrath be upon us because of the Oath For such therefore as slight the Promises and Covenants which they have made with men they shall one day know as they have taken the great name of God in vain so he will not hold them guiltless but will remember their great wickedness and not spare them nor pity them in the day of his anger 7. No finding time for the vile when the Lord hath separated the pretious from them Seventhly When the Lord hath separated the precious from the vile there will be no finding time for the rest No sooner are the Israelites on dry land f Exod. 14. but Pharaoh and his host are covered with waters if g Gen. 7.16 17. Noah be in the Ark then presently comes the Flood no sooner is i Gen. 19. righteous Lot pluckt out of Sodome but fire and brimstone burnes the place when k Eze. 9.5 6 the mourners are marked then immediately the Angel is bid to smite and spare none so when l Isa 26.20 21. the Lords people are in their chambers Behold the Lord cometh out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity And this I take to be one reason of the Lords great patience at this time though Sodome be ripe for judgment yet the Angel will have Lot out before he execute it m Gen. 19.22 Haste thee escape thither for I cannot do any thing till thou be come thither Why is not the vial poured out upon this Apostacy surely n Isa 30.18 the Lord waits to be gracious unto his elect among the Apostates o 2 Pet. 3.9 He is not slack concerning his promise as some men count slackness but is long suffring TO VS-WARD not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance whereas therefore he defers his wrath it is to have his people out of Babylon and from the tents of Korah Dathan and Abiram he would have them remember from whence they are fallen and repent and doe their first works and were this done he would soon take vengeance
not having A Time of Finding Thirdly 3. Because they are his friends and servants Because they are the Lords People his Iewels Servants Children and Friends t Psa 119.125 I am thy Servant saith holy David give ME understanding If another mans Childe or Servant should ask something of you you might in all reason especially if Enemies bid them go to their own Father and Master why do they come to you It is very true such as as are the servants of Antichrist and do serve the base lusts of Tyrants yea and are Tyrants themselves The Lord may justly say unto them when they Call upon him as the Prophet did to the King of Israel u 2 Kin. 3.13 What have I to do with thee Get thee to the Prophets of thy Father and to the Prophets of thy Mother So may the Lord say to REVOLTERS Why come ye now to me have ye not rejected me and cast me off in my Son Zion Cause and Kingdom broken your Vowes and Covenants with me Therefore get ye unto the Head of the Last Apostacie and the Great Whore the Head of the First Apostacie whom ye have honored more then me And it seems to me David in the Spirit foretels this very thing x Psa 18.41 They cry'd out but there was none to save unto IEHOVAH but he answered them not A Prophesie to be fulfil'd in the Last Dayes as I take it upon APOSTATE PROFESSORS But howsoever the Lord will thus deal with his enemies for their Crooked ways yet with his Friends and faithful Servants who y Luk. 22.28 continued with him in his temptations Suffered banishment imprisonment spoyling of their goods c. rather then to forsake THE GOOD OLD CAVSE These a Isa 58.9 shall call and the Lord shall answer They shall cry and he shall say Here I am b Isa 49.15 Can a Mother forget her sucking child c. If a child be crying in the streets and multitudes of people should passe by without taking notice of the child yet no sooner doth the mother hear it cry but runs to it kisseth it and carrieth him home in her bosome What though prophane people and proud carnal professors that are at ease regard not the Mourners in Zion but reproach their very sighings and groanings laugh and deride their prayers yet they have a father that hears them and c Psa 57.18 puts all their tears into his bottle and in due time d Psal 30.11 will put off their sackcloth and gird them with gladness Fourthly Because in seeking him 4. Because in seeking him they seek onely his glory they seek only his Glory As a shooter hath one eye close and with the other sees nothing save the mark at which he shoots thus it is now with the Little Remnant their eyes are shut from all Self-respects they look not upon any worldly advantage neither ask any thing of God but what may be to the glory of his Great Name If they ask health Liberty food c. it is that God may be glorified in the right improvement of them if they pray against Apostates and Covenant-breakers it is that e Isa 2.17 the Lord alone may be exalted f Phil. 1.21 To me to live is Christ and to die is gain that is so Christ may be glorified I am willing to live and if glorified I am willing to dy it is all one to me whether I live or dy so Jesus Christ by it may have glory Could a father see a child at his foot crying to him with tears that he might know his will and upon no other account then to honor him in the doing of it I say could a father see all this and not be found g 1 Cor. 4.3 For mens judgment we pass it by as a very small thing the Lord knows it is true viz. That there is a Seed of God at this day in bitterness of Soul to know what is that good that acceptable and perfect will of God and for no other end then to serve the Lord and not as Turn-coats and Revolters do to serve themselves upon him The Lord was well pleased with Solomon h 1 Kin. 3.10 11. Because he asked not for himself long life nor riches nor the life of his Enemies but understanding to discern judgment that is he asked that thing whereby he might most honor God and the Lord gave him his request and more too Never had Saints more cause then now to beleeve a time of finding is nigh and that all their tears and sighings will be speedily answered seeing they go not unto the Lord as Hypocrites do i. Hos 7.14 For corn and wine and rebel against him but for this end that k Mat. 6.9 the Lords name may be hallowed But this corrupt men cannot do It is not Gods Counsel they desire to know nor his good Cause to carry on but that their own wicked devises might prosper that the Lord would give his glory to them As the rainbow never appears but is in opposition to the Sun so some men if they appear publickly or privately in fasting and prayer they are never in that side of the world where Gods Glory is but quite in opposition to it I have read of a certain Soldier having done great service for the State was bid to ask some reward for himself to which he answered For himself he would ask nothing but had a Petition for the Church and People of God I hope there is such a frame of Spirit among the Mourners every where they have layd aside their own concernments and are seeking the things of Christ and Zion if so then hold up your heads The time of finding is come Fifthly 5. Because Jesus Christ moves and intercedes for them Because the prayers of Saints are not only l Rev. 8.3 4. by Jesus Christ presented to the Father and by him made a sweet sacrifice but likewise he himself moves and intercedes in their behalf Thus Christ in Heaven is as a Favorite at Court takes our Petitions and speaks to them So saith Paul m Rom. 8.34 He is at the right hand of God making intercession for us The Text carries it that he is in Heaven with his stripes wounds blood death setting them before the eyes of his Father and all for Zion Some men after their exaltation and preferment forget their poor Brethren and old friends as Pharaohs Butler forgot Joseph but Christ doth not so we are n Son 8.6 as a seal set upon his heart there he wears us and keeps us not only for an ornament and to shew how pretious he accounts us but that we might be always in his sight and remembrance The incouragement given us to come boldly to the Throne of Grace is o Heb. 4.5 For we have not an High-Priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities but was in all points tempted yet
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
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
Presbyterian very little The Common wealths men and Fift Kingdom men al under hatches Their crown is fallen they must go for a company of ideots giddie heads sillie fellowes In a word all without name that beare a faithfull Testimony to the good old cause Hence I am perswaded and in the fear of God I speak it by the 7000. Names of men is meant such members and officers of Congregationall churches and other Professors of Religion as have greivously revolted from the Lords work and the Interest of Christ and his people The judgement followes Were slain As the Witnesses were not corporally slain So may this be understood of a spirituall death upon the Churches Officers Worship Government Which is worse more grievous than the other Neither is this without some appearance already For 1. Is there not an earth-quake in their Churches From whence else are all those Rents Divisions Distractions 2. Is it not evident that the Lord of late hath very much withdrawn his presence from them so that they have not the power comfort and sweetness of his ordinances as formerly 3. Do not the gifts and parts of their Officers sensibly abate and wither 4. For the Characters of the last Apostacy viz. Self-seeking Coveteousnes Pride c. do they not spread and appear like a Gangreen every day more and more But 5. What means this bitter complaining of late among the new raised Masters and Doctors That the sons of Zerviah are too hard for them not onely get away their places but jeer and deride them If half be true which themselves report the Lord hath met with them already for their unfaithfulness Now howsoever these things are but a beginning and little to what probably will follow yet enough to shew if the earth-quake be not come there is a Type of it at least 11. The other nine parts of the City which I take to be the Civill power these are left to the stokels e Deu. 32.32 33. For their vine is worse than the Vine of Sodom and of the fields of Gomorrah their grapes are of gall their clusters are bitter their wine is the poyson of dragons and the cruell venome of Aspes A reason why they are f Rev. 14.19 20. cast into the great wine-presse of the wrath of God Observe Reader Reaping is mans work but to cause earth-quakes is proper to God This makes me think that the judgment on Churches and professors will be by some immediate hand of God but the other which is to be executed upon the Civil state will be by the hands of men g Dan. 7.26 They shall take away his Dominion to consume and destroy it unto the end So then though the latter Apostacy be the subject of the first vial yet it must be understood as Church and State and the judgements distinct 12. No sooner are the effects seen of the first viall but h Rev. 11.18 the Nations are angry i Ps 99.1 Iehovah reigneth the people are stirred As k Rev. 16.2 men that have noisome and grievous sores upon them are extreamly impatient so prophane men and Idolaters when they shall see the kingdomes of this world are become the kingdomes of our Lord and his Christ as they will soon do in the effects of the first vial oh how will they storm and ragel no torment like it But the children of the kingdome will do otherwise l Ps 97.1 The Lord raigneth let the earth rejoyce let the multitudes of Isles be glad thereof I shall conclude with a short word Though these things should come to passe yet they may be so mixt as not easily observed when the Lord shall bring them forth without marvellous and serious Watchfullness If to a little wine as much water be put Though the wine remaine in the vessel yet not so well to be known wine as if no water had been mixt with it It is my Opinion with much Confidence when the witnesses shall stand on their feet and ascend up to heaven and the first Angelis pouring out his vial and the earth-quake come Here the works wayes judgments and appearances of God will be so manifold various and strong That in this regard very few even of Gods own people at first will discern or understand how the JVDGMENT WRITTEN is executed upon the little Horne Bottomless Beast and last Apostacy m Luk 21.38 Watch therefore and pray alwayes that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things which shall come to pass and to stand before the sonne of man FINIS
THE TIME OF FINDING Shewing When the Lord will be FOUND and by whom and when there will be NO TIME of Finding also the Persons are describ'd who shall not finde the Lord though they seek him with tears Likewise Some Reasons why the Lord hath suffered his work and GOOD OLD CAUSE to be stopt and how it shall certainly be REVIV'D again Also Something is here shewed about the manner how it shall be reviv'd and the Time when By JOHN CANNE Numb 23.21 23. Jehovah his God is with him and the shout of a King is among them According to this time it shall be said of Jacob and of Israel What hath God wrought London Printed for Livewel Chapman at the Crown in Popes head-Alley 1658. To the Faithful of the Land every where Mourning and waiting for the APPOINTED TIME OF FINDING under the name of FIFTH-MONARCHY-MEN and COMMON-VVEALTHS-MEN PRECIOUS WITNESSES for your God and Country THe neerer I am still the Throne of Grace the more is your present condition upon my heart and truly this I can say it hath been very seldome since I began this WORK but poor Zion a Jer. 30.17 Whom no man seeketh after hath been all along in my eye It is b Isa 62.1 for Zions sake I cannot hold my peace c Isa 60.1 untill the glory of the Lord be risen upon her Now is the time that d Mal. 3.16 they who fear the Lord should speak often one to another and strengthen the hands which hang down and feeble knees I shall not say any thing of the THING it self what is of God shall stand only a few words what hath mov'd me to send THIS as a LOVE-TOKEN to all the Friends of the Bridegroom First I have observ'd of late that the Interest of Christ and his People the GOOD OLD CAUSE is not methinks so lively and HEARTY upon some mens spirits as formerly it was but either some disappointment of time Mat. 25.5 or the Bridegroom 's tarrying long hath occasioned a little deadness and faintness in some Choyce Ones Now that I may speak to the heart of these Wherefore should there be any CASTING DOWN Isa 40.2 Is not your warfare accomplished and the day of the Lamb come Therefore O ye worthies g Psal 27.14 Wait on the Lord be of good courage and he shall strengthen your hearts wait I say on the Lord. If a traveller by reason of a long journey be almost tyr'd yet when he coms neer the place where he would be and sees it hard by this will put new strength into him again I have in this Treatise not only exprest my opinion that the Lord is REVIVING HIS WORK but have given some reasons for it what incouragement and refreshing the Lords people shall have by it a little time will shew For I am very confident as the Lord will suddenly check and blast all ways of falshood and deceitful pretenders to his Holy Secrets so he will shew a TOKEN OF GOOD to what is his own and is given forth by his Spirit concerning the Kingdom and Time Secondly As I know h Prou. 14.34 Righteousness exalteth a Nation and i Prov. 29.2 When the Righteous are in Authority the People rejoyce so my desire and prayer to God is that every yoke may be broken the oppressed go free and violence be heard no more in our Land Indeed we did expect before now to have seen better days and were in a hopeful way to have had England k Isa 1.26 call'd the City of Righteousness the faithful City by having Judges as at the first and Counsellors as at the beginning Now I do not doubt but we shall have our Civil Rights Liberties and Priviledges more full and free and better then ever any men had since England was a Nation Is any thing too hard for God to do cannot he raise up a Generation of faithful men and l Pro. 31.8 open their mouths for the dumb and in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction that is for him that hath not ability to speak for himself by reason of his simplicity unfitness or impediment in his speech or dare not speak for fear of his Potent Adversary I finde in our Chronicles how a Cardinal told the Pope * Speed Hen. 3. p. 624. That England was to the Pope as BALAAMS ASS which being so often wrong'd and cudgel'd it was no marvel if at length she open'd her mouth to complain What though * Here Gods judgment is a great deep that England should be the Beast or Asse on which must ride the Balaams or Heads of both Apostasies England have been an ASS and dumb a long while yet who can tell but after so often wrong'd and cudgeld she may speak and complain at last But more seriously that England hath been a while dumb I do not take the cause to be at least principally of any power or policy in men or fearfulness which hath surpriz'd the Nation but in order to the fulfilling of some Decree and Counsel of God and Scripture-Prophesies which were to be accomplished at this time the which time being expired such multitudes will stand up for their freedom and Civil-Rights that were the Enemies ten times more and stronger then they are they would signifie nothing Hence take notice of the blindness and folly of some men for if the time of Englands deliverance be not come there needs not such gathering of horse and foot together For I am confident the Lovers of ENGLANDS-LIBERTIE will be no secret plotters they scorn it neither will they move till the Lord by some signal Providence plainly shews that the time is come and when that is vain will be the help of man to frustrate the good purpose and work of God That Doctrine then which the Army us'd to preach to the Long Parliament will be often repeated by the people To punish only instruments St. Albans Declarat No. 16. 1648. p. 50. and let the head by whose power and in whose interest all hath been done not only go free but stand in perpetual priviledge and impunity to head such instruments again as oft as he can find opportunity and get any to serve him is a way so far far from security as it leads indeed to endless trouble and hazard or to perfect loss of all Again in point of Justice with what Conscience inferior ministers can be punished and the principal set free FOR OUR PARTS VVE UNDERSTAND NOT NEITHER DOE VVE KNOVV ANY GROUND OR REASON TO EXEMPT KINGS FROM HUMANE JUSTICE It is a maxime in the Civil Law Si quis ff quod quisque Juris c. That of right every man should be judg'd by such Laws as himself hath practised against others Thirdly What I have spoken about Professors I have plain enough exprest my meaning I only intend Backsliders who by their Covenant-breaking Hypocrisie and Falshood have made the Profession
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
where now pray pray pray you are come to the Finding time and the mount where God will be seen Thirdly It is a Time of Finding 3. When the Enemies of Zion are at the highest When the enemies of Zion are at the highest that is Tryumph and insult as if all were theirs and that they shall see sorrow no more x Psa 10.3 the wicked boasteth of his hearts desire that is perceiving his designs and actions to prosper by hypocrisie apostacy falshood c. he glories in it and thinks now that neither God nor man can reach him y Psa 119.119 Thou puttest away saith David all the wicked of the earth like dross the scum or dross when it is upmost and covers the liquor then it is taken off and thrown away so when tyrants and persecutors have Saints under them make account to wear them out by cruel usage and cry victory victory then coms the revenging hand of God upon them treads them as dung under his feet Thus was the Lord found of good Hezekiah note a Isa 36.13 14 15. chap. 37.10 the message which Rabshakeh brought to him from his master and what was in the letter which Sennacherib sent him Let not thy God in whom thou trustest deceive thee hath any of the gods of the Nations delivered his land out of the hand of the King of Assyria Oh the height of this filthy scum but how did the Lord meet with him not onely in giving a wonderful deliverance to his people but by destroying his Army and the blasphemer also Thus likewise it was with b Exod. 15.9 10. Pharaoh c Esth 5.6 Haman d Act. 12. Herod c. and in our time with the King and Bishops when they were highest in pride pomp and insolent practises against the Lord his cause and people he cut them off with a witness and the like may we expect upon those who domineer hold up their heads and look big e Exo. 5.2 Who is the Lord that I should obey his voyce f Isa 51.23 Bow down that we may go over g Dan. 3. Whoso falleth not down and worshippeth the golden Image shall the same hour be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace But whereunto may I liken such men and others following their steps to nothing fitter then to a boil or botch when it is swoln big and risen high then it breaks and what follows rottenness and stink Are they swoln big and risen high in power titles places c. it is a sign they will break the sooner and as the waves of the sea after their lifting up and roaring a while leave behind them nothing but mire and dirt so when the Lord shall cut them off what then will remain but the infamous memory of their former Apostacy hypocrisie and lies It is truly my opinion were Gods people as fit for mercy as their enemies are for judgment were they as lowâ— humiliation and Reformation as the other are high in pride blasphemy atheism we should soon see a vial powâ—ed out upon them That place h Jer. 12.1 2 3. in the Prophet me thinks notably agrees with our time They are all happy that deal very treacherously But how doth he describâ— them Thou art neer in their mouth buâ— far from their reins As the water-maâ— in his boat rows one way and looks another so these profess great things and talk much of God and his ways but in their practises and actions are most vile and wicked what follows Prepare them for the day of slaughter When the beast is fat and ful flesht then the butcher knocks him down We know now well enough why the Lord hath suffered the Apostates to enjoy such faâ— pasture viz. the very pastures or places which fatted other beasts before them it was as i Hos 13.6 the Prophet saith that they might be filled and their heart exalted and so made fat and fit for slaughter k Psal 119.126 It is time for thee O Lord to work for they have made voyd thy Law He doth not say It is time c. because they speak against thy â—aw slight it and regard it not but â—ave made it voyd signifying when â—en are grown to such a height of wicâ—edness as the Laws of Christ are deâ—troyed by them his cause and interest â—hrown down to raise themselves righeousness and truth made voyd to set up oppression and falshood then indeed it is high time for the Lord to work yea and then is the TIME in which he wil be FOVND of his faithful ones hungring and thirsting after righteousness Fourthly It is a Time of finding 4. When Saints make Jesus Christ their all When SEEKERS make Iesus Christ their ALL all their hope stay and trust and can truly say with the prophet l Ps 73.25 Whom have I in Heaven but thee and there is none upon Earth that I desire besides thee If we discern such as will not trust in us but love to stand upon their own ground we leave them to themselves to shift as they can as on the contrary the more we see our selves trusted to the more we take care for them When the Lord sees a poor soul gives up ALL to him leaves hiâ— case wholy with him depends altogetheâ— upon his power goodness faithfulness as he delights to see his children in such a frame so they may be sure he will take care for them and it shall go well with them m Psa 18.6 In my distress saith David I called upon the Lord and cryed unto my God he heard my voyce out of his temple and my cry came before him even into his ear But when did David cry and found the Lord thus good to him n ver 2. after he had made him his rock and his fortress his strength his buckler the horn of his salvation and his high tower A man that stands upon a rock when he hears the sea roar and the waves violently beating against the rock all this puts him not into any fear for he knows where he is to wit out of danger so it is with every gracious Saint he is beyond the reach of men and Devils no adversary power can hurt him I do remember what I was once told by a good old man a * Mr. Pateman dwelling at Mosley neer Brimmingham Nonconformist-Minister dwelling nigh me a neighbor of his being in prison for witch-craft he went to visit him this wretched man confest to him that he had hated him a long time and fought to do him mischief and for this end there was a compact between the Devil and him to destroy him the witch spoke often to the devil for to hasten their design now the devil told him he had several times attempted it but could not effect any thing and gave this for the reason because he found him still either in prayer and communion with God or had
commited himself into the Lords hand This I mention because I had it from the mans own mouth and what may we learn from it how safe and happy they are who make Christ their ALL It is not Satan nor any of his cursed imps and instruments that can harm them o Rom. 8.31 If God be with us who can be against us That people trusting in God shall have A TIME OF FINDING appears in the example of the p 1 Chron. 5.20 Reubenites q 2 Chron. 14.11 12. Asa r 2 Chron. 20.12 17. Iehoshaphat Å¿ Jer. 39.17 Ebed-melech so t Psa 17.7 91.2 3 12 13 14 David asserts it often But what was the reason that the Lord would not be found of Saul u 1 Sam. 28.6 neither by Dreams nor by Vrim nor by Prophets He had rejected the Lord and would not depend upon him but would do what seemed right in his own eyes hence being left of God he runs to a witch to the Devil to any thing How comes it to pass that some men make Soldiers their Saviors their dependence is on the arm of flesh viz. Ahitophels Machiavels Cardinals Atheists doubtless they see the Lord God hath forsaken them for their abominable hypocrisie and therefore being left of God they are necessitated to make the best shift they can In a sore famine when wholsome meat cannot be had people will eat dogs and cats rats and mice yea and worse things too rather then starve many at this time are under a great famine the Lord they cannot finde and therefore to keep themselves from starving they will make use of any unclean thing steal murder swear falsly and make lies of all sorts and sizes their refuge David saith x Psal 73.28 It is good for me to draw neer to God and he gives the reason I have put my trust in the Lord God that is I may be assured by seeking to find him having made him my hope and confidence alone but saith he y ver 27. Thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from thee What is it to go a whoring from God I answer To cast off his work and cause turn with the dog to the vomit and trust in lying vanities I have read of a Tyrant by his cruelties had so displeased the people as he would not trust himself with men but committed the guard of his body to dogs some men by their SPIRITVAL WICKEDNES IN HIGH PLACES do bring themselves into such a Case God nor good men they dare not trust having so highly displeased both but rather confide in dogs swine foxes wolves as the Scripture terms wicked men 5. When the enemies of God are plotting mischief against Christ his interest and people Fifthly It is a Time of Finding When the enemies of God are plotting mischief against Iesus Christ his interest and people Thus the Israelites found him when Pharaoh sayd a Exod. 1.10 2 23 24. Come let us deal wisely with them So afterwards when Haman took crafty counsel against them you know how the proud tyrant was taken in the pit he had dig'd for others so again when b Act. 12.1 2 3. Herod had design'd the taking away of Peters life the Lord so graciously answered the prayers of the Church as Peter is not only inlarged but the bloody wretch a little after miserably perisheth under Divine wrath According to that saying c Prov. 11.8 The righteous is delivered out of trouble and the wicked cometh in his stead As some fishes are taken whilst they are making snares and in the very traps and gins which they lay for others so persecutors very oft as they are plotting mischief and at work are trapt in their own wickedness Iulian the Apostate had a design at his return from the Persian wars to have sacrificed the blood of Christians to his Idol gods The like plot had the Constable of France after the taking of St. Quintin he vowed to destroy Geneva now howsoever their designs took no effect yet the Lord 's did against them for he gave them their own blood to drink and so sav'd his people He that moves the week of candle with his finger mends the light but burns and blacks his fingers certain it is the crafty plots of Gods enemies have very much profited the Saints though it have been to their own ruine And many of Christs little flock can speak it by experience since the Last plotters came up the Lord hath been very good to them and they have found him more sweetly and heart-feelingly then ever in their lives before It was the speech of an honest man being pitied that he had so bad a wife Oh said he she is a good wife for me she brings me often upon my knees and to sighings and mourning before the Lord. In such a sence may many of the Lords people say Whereas hypocrites reign truly it is good for us we should not be so often with our God and pour out tears day and night nor have such times of finding did not these d Psal 129.3 plowers plow upon our back and make long their furrows In great mens kitchins there are certain scullions to rub spits and make clean the dishes and howsoever they are black and foul themselves yet they are of necessary use to have the vessels meet for service what a great deal of filth and dirt hath the Lord lately remov'd from his little remnant by his kitchin-drudges of a truth they were not half so fair pure and lovely some few years past as they are now e Psa 52.1 Why boastest thou thy self in mischief O mighty man This may serve to take down the pride of Tyrants and insulting hypocrites for what are they though Emperors Kings Princes Protectors c. if they persecute the witnesses of Iesus for speaking against their wicked ways but as Christs SKVLLIONS and DISH-CLOVTS to wipe off the dust and filth from the Saints that they may be meet for the Masters use When it was told David that Ahitophel was amongst the Conspirators with Absalom he knew then there would be deep and devilish plotting against him and therefore presently cries out f 2 Sam. 15.31 O Lord I pray thee turn the counsel of Ahitophel into foolishness and here David had a time of finding g 2 Sam. 17 14 32. For Ahitophels design is not only frustrated but the traytor himself as a just reward for his villany for very shame hangs himself from hence this may be gathered when we understand there are any wicked designs set on foot against the Kingdome of Christ whereof Davids Kingdom was a type we must pray earnestly to God for the confusion thereof it being then a TIME OF FINDING Sixtly It is a time of Finding 6. When Saints are importunate beggars and will take no nay at Gods hand When Saints are BOLD-BEGGARS and will take no nay or denyal at the
the sin x Hebr. 10.26 for which there is no sacrifice But of all Hypocrites beware of the WEEPING HYPOCRITE as the most dangerous Such a one was Ishmael y Jer. 41.5 6 7. who by his Religious weeping deceived fourscore men and murdred them all as they were going with their offerings to the house of the Lord. This Weeping Hypocrite is like the strumpet Phryne for this cause named 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as if you would say Weep-laugh because commonly she did both together havin◠in the midst of laughter tears at command As the silly fish swallows the hook because of the bait that hides it so many ignorant people are catch'd snared by the Tears of Hypocrites but howsoever by their weeping they may deceive men yet God they cannot neither cares he for their Tears We read often in the Prophets the reason why the Lord would not be found of the Jewes when distresses and troubles were upon them a Jer. 7.16 Isa 1.11 12 it was they had dissembled with him been old Hypocrites sought to hide their falshood lying Covenant-breaking Oppression c. b Mal. 2.13 By covering the Altar of the Lord with tears with weeping and crying out I cannot better resemble men accustomed to Hypocrisie then to that old Traytor Tyrone his manner was to send pictures to Queen Elizabeth in which he would lie weeping at her foot but still in rebellion against her the Queen hereat was extreamly displeased saying We will have no more of his Pictures but the head of the Traytor What may these men think of themselves when they lie weeping at the feet of God If they continue rebels against him do they expect a Time of finding How can that be Doth he not see their Hypocrisie surely yes and will speedily take vengeance on them for it Thirdly 3. When men are so obstinate in their sins as nothing will reclaim them There will be no Time of Finding For such persons who are so obstinate in their sins as no admonition or reproof can reclaim them As clay under the shining Sun growes harder and stiffer so the more they are told of their hypocrisie pride falshood oppression c. the worse they are Theeves whilst they have liberty none are bolder nor will they regard any thing that is spoken against their wicked course of life all good counsel is rejected and scorn'd but when trouble comes when they are brought to the bar then down upon their knees Good my Lord pardon pardon but then no pardon is to be had And as it is thus with little Theeves so it will be one day with the Great Theeves and Great Murderers c Pro. 1.24 25 c. Because I have called and ye refused I have stretched out my hand and no man regarded But ye have set at nought my Counsel and would none of my reproof I also will laugh at your calamity I will mock when your fear cometh Then shall they call upon me but I will not answer they shall seek me early but they shall not FIND ME. Again d Zech. 7.11 12 13. They refused to hearken and pulled away their shoulder and stopped their ears that they should not hear yea they made their hearts as an Adamant-stone lest they should hear the Law and the words which the Lord of Hosts hath sent in his Spirit by the former Prophets Therefore came a great wrath from the Lord of Hosts therefore it is come to pass that as he cryed and they would not hear so they cryed and I would not hear saith the Lord of Hosts but I scattered them with a whirl-wind among all the Nations whom they knew not It may not be thought that all those of whom the Prophet here speaks were Reprobates for without doubt as to life and glory many of them were saved nevertheless he will not hear them as to spare them from the common judgment In this respect though Gods chosen ones they shall have no more Time of finding then others partakers in sin partakers in punishment A father though he do not disinherit his childe and quite cast him off yet he may and justly too severely chastise him for some gross miscarriages e Pro. 19.18 And not let his soul spare for his crying as the wise-man hath it What means the Lord in saying f Rev. 18.4 Come out of her my people that ye be not partakers of her sins and that ye receive not of her plagues the words are plain enough those that abide in Babylon notwithstanding again and again call'd upon to come out may suffer Babylons plagues that is fall and perish with the wicked as to their bodies and estates howsoever saved in the day of Christ g 1 Pet. 4.17 Iudgment must begin at the house of God and h Eze. 9.6 at his Sanctuary The i Jer. 25.18 29. wine-cup of fury is to be given first to Jerusalem and the Cities of Judah afterwards all the Nations of the earth must have it k Hag. 2.6 The Lord of hosts will shake the Heavens and the Earth First Heaven then Earth therefore let Churches and Church-Officers now look about them l Mic. 6.2 The Lord hath a controversie with HIS people and he will plead with Israel and what follows m ver 9. Hear YE the rod and who hath appointed it That the Lord will begin with Churches and with a professing people there are many reasons for it 1. Because the Hypocrisie Pride Self-seeking deceit unfaithfulness c. of a Professing people more dishonors God and scandals the Gospel then the evils and sins of any other people n Rom. 2.24 The Name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through YOU As a servant in the family by his ill carriage more disgraceth the house then hundreds or thousands who are not of it But to speak home No people I think upon the face of the earth have brought more dishonor to God and reproach to the truth then the back sliding-Churches and professors of our time For 1. Who had a hand in the late REBELLION more then they o Neh. 9.17 To appoint a CAPTAIN to return to Bondage whereby not onely to build again the things which they had destroyed but to bring the sin and guilt of all the blood shed in the three Nations upon the interest of Christ and his people and so to justifie and acquit the Cavaleers 2. Who manageth and maintains the oppressions and heavy burdens which lie upon the Souls and Bodies of good people every where No King or Bishop but a Professing people yea Saints as they would be thought 3. The gross Hypocrisie and Falshood of some PROFESSORS hath of late so clearly broken forth as it hath caused many to become Atheists at least to think in their heart there is no God Neither may this be thought strange for what can lead men sooner unto Atheism then to see Professors often weep fast and
on the rest If a father be spoken unto concerning a rebellious child and counselled to cast him off what saith he Ah! I am his father I cannot do it I must yet try some other means and exercise longer patience towards him Indeed we have not as the Lord hath Fatherly bowels towards Christs sheep going astray our passion is such we would sometimes have them cast off and lookt no more after but what saith the Lord I cannot doe so I am their Father I must wait yet that I may be gracious to them If there be but a little corn among a great deal of chaff the husbandman will have that forth before he burns the chaff For conclusion Let us earnestly seek the Lord that he will pluck all Zions sons out of Babylon and plant their feet in the pleasant paths of Christ this being done I say the wheat being separated the tares straightwayes will be cast into the lake of fire where will be no Time of finding CHAP. III. Certain grounds and reasons wherefore there will be A TIME OF FINDING 1. In respect of God himself 2. In respect of his people 3. In respect of the Cause or Things they seek him for Reasons why there will be a time of finding both in respect of God his people and Cause 1. In respect 〈◊〉 himself Because he is good and his tender mercies are fâ—â—ever THe Lord will be found in respecâ— of himself First Because he iâ— good and his mercy endureth for ever p Psa 25.6 Remember O Lord saith David thy tender mercies and thy loving kindnesses for they have been ever of old You cannot touch a man so soft and easie upon the apple of his eye but he will feel it What are the tears groanings and sighings of Saints but as the touch of a finger upon the apple of Gods eyes there is nothing we can doe whereof the Lord is more sensible and hath more feeling then of Soul-travelling sobs and pangs It is usual in the Prophets when they are exhorting people to seek the Lord by fasting and prayer for their encouragement to mention how pitiful and full of bowels the Lord is q Joel 2.12 13. Turn ye unto me saith the Lord with all your hearts with fasting and with weeping with mourning rent your hearts not your garments and turn unto the Lord your God Now observe the reason or motive to it For he is gracious and merciful slow to anger and of great kindness and repenteth him of the evil As if he should say r 2 Sam. 24 14. You fall not into the hand of man but into the hands of the Lord whose mercies are exceeding great and will Å¿ Psal 103.13 pity you as a father pitieth his children So in another Prophet * Mic. 7.18 19. Who is a God like unto thee that pardoneth iniquity and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage he retaineth not his anger for ever because he delighteth in mercy he will turn again and have compassion upon us c. Note one passage here He delighteth in mercy If it be a thing a man well likes and takes great pleasure in it you need not press him very much to it he will be free and forward enough of himself to doe it for you It is true when the Lord is to afflict his people here he seems to be t Lam. 3.33 VNWILLING it is not from his heart as the Hebrew reads he delights not in it but it causeth him to fetch a groan or sigh u Isa 1.24 Ah! woe is me x Hos 6.4 11.8 How shall I give thee up my heart is turned within me c. But to be found of his children and to heap blessings upon them here is his delight in this his Soul is well pleased y Psa 12.5 For the oppression of the poor for the sighing of the needy now will I arise saith the Lord. If you mark the word NOW it makes the sence thus As if the Lord should say I cannot see my oppressed ones in tears any longer before me my bowels so yearn at their groanings that I must forthwith arise against their proud and cruel enemies If men who are evil having pity and compassion in them cannot but regard the sighs and cries of poor distressed creatures and their hearts will be drawn out to relieve them a Luk. 18.7 8. And shall not God avenge his own elect which cry day and night unto him I tell you that he will avenge them speedily It was a proverb among those of Genoa when any was injured to say unto him that had done the wrong If you will not right me my Lord Marshal will with more certainty may Christs persecuted members say to Tyrants and proud Hypocrites Whereas we are imprisoned by you and spoyled of our goods our God will right us though you do not to your confusion If Benhadab had ground of hope that Ahab would shew him favor because b 1 King 20.31 The Kings of the house of Israel were merciful Kings with what full assurance then may the present mourners in Zion expect a Time of finding he being the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort unto whom they make supplications and prayers Secondly The Lord will be found because of his word and promise sake Reas 2. He wil be found for his promise sake Among men there are some who will not break their promise for any thing Ruth having told her mother in law what Boaz had promised to do for her what saith Naomi to it c Rut. 3.18 Sit still my daughter until thou know how the matter will fall for the man will not be in rest until he have finished the thing this day Is there so much heed and conscience in man a poor worm to be faithful to his ingagement what may we think of God d Tit. 1.2 That cannot lie e Jam. 1.17 with whom is no variableness neither shadow of turning but alwayes speaketh in faithfulness and truth Now we read in Holy Scripture that the Lord promiseth there shall be a TIME OF FINDING f Psa 50.15 Call upon me in the time of trouble and I will deliver thee Observe how he speaks here like himself like a God as one that hath all power in his hands and can doe whatsoever he pleaseth I WILL DELIVER THEE If a poor man come to us for relief such may his case be as we cannot promise to help him but tell him we will do our best and help him if we can But the Lord speaks not by iffs and may be but promiseth certain deliverance g Mat. 8.3 I will be thou clean The like in Isaiah h Isa 45.19 I said not to the seed of Iacob Seek ye me in vain I the Lord speak righteousness I declare things that are right Suppose a beggar should have an ingagement under the hand of
have wrought and not receive a full reward I have thought sometimes of Ioabs case after he had fought many Battels yea the Lords Battels ah that his gray hairs should go to the grave under so much scandal and dishonour But more sad is their case who having opposed the Prelates and fought valiantly for the truth yea some of them left their Country for the Gospels sake should now for looking back k Eze. 13.9 Not be in the Assembly of Gods people neither written in the writing of the House of Israel neither enter into the Land of Israel nor be mourned for as the prophets were Oh my Father my Father l Jer. 22.18 19. ah his Glory But 2. And this I wish that they would seriously lay to heart viz. how the dishonour of Gods great Name occasioned by this late Apostacie lies principally at their door Our holy profession had never been rendred so odious as it is if Professours and Church-Members had not been Hence it is when some have been told of breaking their promises and eâ—gagements and casting off the Lords work and setting up their own interest to name such and such professours and Church-Officers who went along with them as if they did nothing without their counsel and encouragement The old Non-conformists were wont to say of the Conformable Ministers that The best were the worst meaning those who subscribed to the Prelates and used the Service and Ceremonies of the Church though otherwise good men did more hinder the work of Reformation and harden ignorant people in Errour and Superstition then then all the ignorant and scandalous Priests of the Nation And questionless it was so And what may we say of the present Conformists The best are the worst For howsoever in many things they walk better then the rest and we hope better things of them as to their Soul-state Yet considering how they have left the Lords work and are fallen in with a worldly interest and what evil Instruments they have been in obstructing the good old cause in these respects and such like it may be fairly asserted The best are the worst I say the professor worse then the prophane and Church-Officers worse then the ignorant and scandalous parish-Priest especially if it be minded how many Simple hearts in City and Country have been deceiv'd by these men and hindred from being faithful to Jesus Christ in their Generation-work I shall conclude in Pauls words m 1 Cor. 3.13 15. Every mans work shall be made manifest for the day shall declare it Because it shall be revealed by fire and the fire shall try every mans work of what sort it is c. If any mans work shall be burnt he shall suffer loss but he himself shall be saved yet so as by fire What this fire means is worthy of Consideration Thirdly No time of finding because n Isa 1.15 59.2 their hands are full of Blood 3. Because their hands are full of blood The Hebrew hath Bloods signifying how the Priests and False-prophets by their flatteries and lies destroyed the Souls of the people and the Rulers their bodies and estates by oppression and cruelty But the Allusion which the prophet here useth notably sets forth the impudent boldness of these men It is taken from a Murtherer who having wash'd his hands in innocent Blood comes and shews them to the Judge as taking delight to have them seen in that Bloody colour Much blood precious blood was spilt in the late wars the which some men by their falshood and breach of promise have not onely contracted to themselves but bring their bloody hands to the Altar lifting them up before the Lord Angels and men as glorying it seems there lies the guilt of so much blood upon them I cannot forget Davids example when they brought unto him the water of the well of Bethlem o 2 Sam. 23.16 17. He would not drink thereof but poured it out unto the Lord saying Be it far from me O Lord that I should do this is not this the blood of the men that went in jeopardie of their lives therefore he would not drink of it It were well if some mens hearts would smite them as Davids did Davids worthies only jeoparded their lives no blood was spilt but many of the Lords worthies in the late wars did more then jeopard their lives for they lost them in the high-places of the field But hath their Blood been poured out to the Lord as David did the water I ask againe Hath it or rather have not some men drunk it themselves And with this blood purchase Courts Titles Superiority with this blood clothe themselves and families like the Glutton p Lu. 16.19 in purple and fine linen and fare sumptuously every day Do they not with this BLOOD persecute the very cause and interest of Christ for which it was spilt yea more do they not with this BLOOD build again that cursed Ierico by which it was overthrown q Hab. 2.12 Wo to him that buildeth a Town wâ—th blood and stablisheth a Citie by iniquity r Nah. 3.1 Wo to the bloody City it is full of lies and robberie and the prey departeth not As such men are unlike David so like Nero and Iulian the Apostate for all the world The first having kil'd his own mother perswaded the people publica fortuna extinctam that she was put to death for the publick good of the State The other when he opened the temples of the Pagan gods and repaired their Altar it was securitas reipublicae for the safety of the Commonwealth have there been none since having murther'd the Common-wealth in her Laws Liberties Priviledges c. and re-established old Popish Idols would make the Simple believe all is done for the publick good and safety of the people r Psal 120.3 What shall be done unto thee thou false tongue But to return to our Prophet howsoever both Priests and Princes have their hands full of blood yet they Å¿ Isa 1.18 make many prayers multiply prayer saith the margin Hence observe 1. No people are t Mica 6.6 7. more forward in outward services then Hypocrites and Apostates for when they have cast off the power of Godliness they will be the more busie about the form 2. Whilst mens hands are full of blood there is no Time of finding though they multiply prayer This later is plain in Davids case u Psal 32.2 3. c. All the while he kept silence and acknowledged not his sin which doubtless was blood his x Psal 51.8 Bones were broken and waxed old and his moisture was turned into the drought of summer that is he could hear of no joy and gladness but lay roaring under pangs of conscience having the strength of body and soul consum'd through grief and mourning if it were thus with David for one mans blood what may we think of their case who by power and policy shall
wrap themselves in the guilt and blood of many thousands yea more y Heb. 6.6 Shall crucifie to themselves the Son of God afresh and put him to open shame that is shall treacherously murther Jesus Christ in his righteous cause and which is more shall deride and mock the Lords people and persecute them if they speak against them for such things Fourthly Because of mens allowing themselves in some known wickedness 4 Because of mens allowing themselves in some know a wickedness a Psal 66.18 If I regard wickedness in my heart saith David the Lord will not hear me Observe 1. He doth not say If there be iniquity in my heart but if I regard it that is delight in it and allow it and would have it abide there as a friend and beloved Hence we may see a difference between a sincere Christian and a corrupt heart A sheep by occasion may fal into mire and dirt but he likes not to be there he likes not the place whereas a swine in dirt is where he would be it is true the choysest Christians are sometimes overtaken yet through Grace they can say We know nothing by our selves that is no evil which knowingly they approve of but what God loves they love and what he hates they hate whatsoever they know to be a duty and truth they will do and what is evil and sinful forsake If you cast stones or gravel into a fountain the water becomes thick and muddie but within a little while it purgeth it self again and is clear and sweet as before So a good man by reason of temptations is sometimes troubled and passions rise in him but through the power of Grace he is soon restored to his former sweet and holy walking But with the wicked it is not so his heart b Isa 56.20 is like the troubled sea when it cannot rest always casting up mire and dirt c Job 20.12 13. Wickedness is sweet to him he keeps it within his mouth As men to keep their goods have strong walls and doors about their houses so have Reigning Hypocrites about them some to write for them others to preach for them some to fight for them and all is that the Hypocrites GOODS may not be lost to wit his pomp pride oppression c. Quest But how may it be known when a man regards iniquity in his heart Answ 1. VVhen he corrupts men d Mat. 28.12 13 14. by gifts and preferment to defend his unrighteous doings 2. e Esth 3.8 9. c. VVhen he fears not to commit the greatest sin so he may satisfie his will and lust 3. VVhen he will f 1 Kin. 21.9 Jer. 41.6 fast and pray and weep that he may the sooner effect his wicked designes 4. VVhen g 1 Kin. 22.8 he counts such his greatest enemies who deal plainest with him about his foul miscarriages 5. h Isa 3.9 VVhen no thing will make him blush or asham'd But secondly This regarding iniquity is in the heart The Scibes and Pharisees outwardly seem'd to be good men religious and devout like the Hypocrites of our time but Christ who knew their heart shewed what they were A brood of Vipers painted sepulchres their inward parts very rottenness The Wood-picker a little Bird when she is seeking a place to breed in lights on the side of a Tree and with her Bill gives a knock if she perceive the same to be hollow then to work she goes and with her Bill makes a little hole in the Tree thorow which she creeps into the hollow part and there builds her Nest lays her eggs and hatcheth her young ones The Devil is like this Bird when he comes to a professor and by knocking him with preferment and profit finds he is hollow-hearted there he falls to work and in he goes here he hath his Nest eggs and young ones And in truth never had he entred into so many professors as of late he hath done but that after a little KNOCKING all this will I give thee he perceiv'd they were hollow I say HOLLOW-HEARTED notwithstanding their oaths vows and engagements neither was he deceived as we see by sad experience for he hath found room enough in that hollow and rotten part to build his Nest and hatch his young ones But what saith Christ of such people i Mat. 12.43 44 45. The last state of them is worse then the first There is little hope for men to have a time of finding so long as Satan hath his Nest eggs and birds in them Fiftly Should some men be spared it would encourage them to go on in their sinful ways they would presume 5. Because if spared they would presume gâ—ow more confident and vile grow more confident and vile if possible Had not Pharaoh and his host perished in the Red-sea they would have been more inhumane and cruel then ever before k Eccl. 8.11 Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil that is because the judgment of God is so long put off wicked men plead as it were a prescription of impunity perswading themselves that the execution of the sentence which is so long delayed will never be laid on them hence are hardned and made worse in their sinful courses In the Hebrew Text their heart is full to do evil that is full of evil purposes full of wicked imaginations cursed plots and devises for the bringing forth the works of darkness so full that there is no room for the fear of Gods wrath no room for the consideration of their own danger no room for the apprehension of their falshood hypocrisie backsliding whereby to restrain them in any measure but they run with a full stream into the practise of all kind of wickedness It is true l Psa 7.11 God is angry or angerly threatneth with the wicked every day the sentence against every evil work is already given but because the execution is deferred because wickedness is not foâ—thwith checked blamed punished men think they shall be longer licensed in sinning As the Stars though in themselves very great yet being seen a far off seem to be little So Apostates and other ungodly people perswading themselves the day of vengeance is a long time to come they are little or nothing moved by it if we bring this home to the sinners of our time we shall have ground to believe that their judgment is nigh For 1. The Lord having through infinite clemencie forborn them a while and not fallen presently upon them they are become m 2 Pet. 3.3 4. the Scoffers in Peter and n Jer. 5.12 13. have belied the Lord and said It is not he neither shall evil come upon us neither shall we see sword or famine And the Prophets shall become wind and the word is not in them that is mock at Gods menaces and
people which are a while without the Sun no sooner have a sight thereof but leap and clap their hands for joy as having now their light and life and comforts restored to them So long as men are under Tyranny and oppression which will be till the vial-plagues be gone what have they but night and darkness sorrows and vexations continually Now Christ rising in judgement removes these heavy yokes and burdens and plants peace and righteousness in the Earth Hence not only will the righteous shout for joy but the Lord every where praysed by all sorts of people even the whole Creation Fourthly 4. Iâ— being at rest and satisfied when he hath executed his judgments upon Apostates As no people by their sins do so much press and burden the Lord as back-sliders and luke-warm Professors so he is not at rest and satisfied until he have throughly executed his judgment upon them For this we have an example in the old Apostate Israel when they fell into the hands of their enemies were plundred and spoyl'd had their children ston'd and tumbled in blood their City and Temple burnt to ashes and all their power glory and greatness layd in the dust then God caused his fury to rest his jealousie to depart then was he quiet and still and angry no more The Lord seems to be troubled and unquiet before his judgment is executed but when that is once done especially upon an Hypocritical Nation then he is at rest pacified and comforted e Ezek. 5.13 Thus shall mine anger be accomplished and I will cause my fury to rest upon them and I will be COMFORTED and they shall know that I the Lord have spoken it in my zeal when I have accomplished my fury in them Again f Hos 10.10 It is my desire that I should chastise them As a man that longs for a thing is unsatisfied and restless till he have it so the Lord seeing them grown desperately wicked g IsI 1.24 Will ease himself with their just punishment Before Ionah had judgment past upon him h Jon. 1.4 15. There was a great wind and a mighty tempest in the sea the Lords displeasure and anger was up and let out but when Ionah was cast into the sea when justice was done upon him it is said the sea ceased from her raging God is quiet first then the waters So when judgment was executed upon Achan the Text saith i Josh 7.2.6 The Lord turned from the fierceness of his anger Again when judgment was executed upon the bloody house of Saul k 2 Sam. 21.14 After that God was intreated for the Land Till that was done the Lord was not at rest his jealousie and wrath ceased not The Lord threatens to bring the Assyrian upon the Iews who should take away their fair Jewels strip them and leave them naked and bare burn their houses and thrust them thorow with the sword and what then l Ezek. 16.42 So will I make my fury towards thee to rest and my jealousie shall depart from thee and I will be quiet and will be no more angry m Isa 10.25 The indignation shall cease and mine anger in their destruction as if he should say when I have destroyed them and layd all waste then I shall have ease my anger and fury will cease n Esth 7.10 They hanged Haman upon the gallows and then was the Kings wrath pacified And as the Lord is not quiet and satisfied till he have executed judgment upon Apostates neither is he at ease until he have done the like upon Luke-warm Professors o Rev. 3.16 Because thou art neither cold nor hot I will spue thee out of my mouth When a man hath something upon his stomack which he cannot brook but it is loathsome to him he hath no ease or quiet till he have cast it up They that are not hot having not the power of Godliness nor cold having yet the form they are a burden and trouble to Jesus Christ till he have by some judgment quitted himself of them For conclusion I have a few things to propound to the earth-thriving Professors of this age who are at ease in their fat places 1. Whether the Lord be not more prest and burdened with the sins of Revolters and luke-warm professors then with the sins of any other people 2. Whether any people since the rise of the Beast have made a greater revolt from God or have been more Luke-warm all things considered then the present English Revolters 3. Whether the latter Apostacie mentioned by Paul 2 Tim. 3.1 2 3. be not in every particular to the life fulfilled in them 4. Whether the Lord can be at rest satisfied and comforted till he have throughly executed his judgment upon such enemies of his Glory Cause and Kingdom 5. Seeing it is not the Dragon but his Tail that * Rev. 12.4 drew the third part of the Stars of Heaven and did cast them to the Earth I query 1. Who is meant by the Tail of the Dragon 2. Who are the fallen Stars 3. Unto which of the Apostacies do they belong for to one they must if not to both Seventhly 7. Because men weep for the punishment of their sins but not for their sins causing the punishment Because men mourn and weep for the punishment of their sins but not for their sins which caused the punishment As the Dog under the whip howls and cries for the pain but not for the fault and cause of his beating Thus did the old Jews when the Amorites came out against them and chased them as Bees do and destroyed them in Seir even unto Hormah p Deut. 1.44 45. They returned and wept before the Lord but the Lord would not hearken unto their voyce And why so because they lamented the loss of their Brethren but not their sins not their Apostacie Rebellion Vnbelief which provoked the Lord to smite them When news came that the English were kil'd like so many Flies in Hispaniola so shamefully destroyed as I think never the like dishonour and shame befel the Nation before the Lord by the judgment signally shewing his displeasure against them It is true there was fasting and mourning but why as the old Jews did Because their brethen were slain But was there any repenting of the Cause was there any sincere acknowledgment of the sins which had provoked the Lord so extreamly against them who like David spake then to the Lord * 1 Chron. 21.17 and said Is it not I that commanded the people to to be numbred even I it is that have sinned and done evil indeed But as for these sheep what have they done Let thine hand I pray thee O Lord my God be on me and on my fathers house but not on thy people that they should be plagued David had a weeping heart besides weeping eyes and was no Hypocrite But the Crocodile as some write having devoured a man weeps
him f 2 Cor. 12.9 My grace is sufficient for thee for my strength is made perfect in weakness as if he should say Though I will not remove suddenly this wicked Angel from thee yet I will so fortifie thee with my grace against all his fiery darts that thou shalt be more then a conqueror and get the victory over him and the greater thy assaults and temptations are and the weaker thou art by reason of infirmities the stronger my Grace shall be in supporting thee in all assaults of temptations As a loving mother whilst the childe cries she takes him on her lap wipes off the tears from his eyes and kisseth him often and suffers him not to goe away till he laughs again of the content and satisfaction which he hath In such a way deals our Heavenly Father with his Mourning children as their cheeks are running down with tears he takes them in his arms and kisseth them with the kisses of his mouth and speaks so comfortably to the heart as they goe away with their g Psa 126.2 mouths filled with laughter and their tongues with singing And such a time of finding David often had we find him in the Psalms to make very sad complaints by reason of the great afflictions and troubles which lay upon him nevertheless in the close h Psal 7.17 13.6 42.11 rejoyceth and giveth thanks to God signifying no doubt he had received Issachar's portion i Deut. 33.23 satisfied with favor and full with the blessing of the Lord. For howsoever he was not certain of the time of his deliverance neither how and in what manner he should be delivered yet this he knew and by the Spirit it was confirm'd to him that it should go wel with him and what was best for him he should have and every thing promis'd him should be made good That saying of Solomon may have place here k Pro. 13.25 The righteous eateth to the satisfying of his Soul but the belly of the wicked shall want these sentences are both true applyed to sincere Christians and Hypocrites in respect of Soul-satisfaction The former are brought into l Song 2. the banquetting house and have m Son 7.6 Loves for delights n Isa 25.6 fat things full of marrow and wines on the lees well refined what can a man have more at a feast then content and satisfied in whatsoever he desires such a FILLING have those at the throne of Grace it is a LOVE-FEAST where Christ and the Soul banquet and rejoyce together yea sometimes there is such an overflowing-fulness as they are constrained to say It is enough Lord it is enough I am satisfied with the fulness of joy and pleasures at thy right hand But the Hypocrites belly shall want did he finde no more satisfaction in his falshood and craft then in fasting and praying he would soon give up the trade or starve If a man being extream hungry instead of wholsome meat should take some poysonous thing his misery and pain would be greater then before That which Hypocrites and Apostates suck from duties is spider-like only poyson for their unbeleef and fears do rise and they are afterward more unquiet and restless then before and hence it is that after they have fasted and prayed they have usually in hand one pestilent design or other Quest But doe not Hypocrites and Apostates finde Soul-satisfaction in fasting praying and other Ordinances Answ 1. Imaginary they may but truly and really they doe not for here that is made good o Mal. 2.2 The Lord of Hosts curseth their blessings Besides what Soul-satisfaction can there be had in things which p Isa 1.14 Amos. 5.21 God hates and despiseth and q Pro. 15.8 are an abomination to him As a man in his sleep dreames he eats and drinks largely but when he awakes findes himself almost dead for hunger or like little children sucking a stick or finger in their mouths are satisfied with it though they draw no sweetness out So Hypocrites as r Jude 8. filthy dreamers fancy a feeding and please themselves like children with nothing it being the will of God that they should be hardned and ripened for judgment in such a way But 2. There is a satisfaction which Hypocrites and Apostates have by fasting and praying for hereby they doe deceive others and the more easily carry on their own designs As I have heard of a GREAT HYPOCRITE who having by his weeping prevailed with some honest men to think better of his actions then they did before no sooner were their backs turned but he laughed at them and cal'd them fools that they should believe any more or trust him for his tears Thus they are like the Magician which had the enchanted Egg howsoever being broken there was nothing but wind in it yet many bewitched by him thought it had a world of happiness A weeping Hypocrite knows well enough were his prayers and tears discovered there is nothing but JVGLING in them they are all wind lies and falshood nevertheless by a kind of enchantment the simple are made to believe there is a world of truth and love to the good old cause under the Egg-shell of a r Mat. 8.16 dis-figured Jesuitical face But leaving Hypocrites to the great day of discovery For those who walk uprightly times of finding must needs be satisfactory of the experience they have of Divine Love If the Bride knows she is taken up in the Heart-love of her Friend though he should say nothing to her of what he would do for her yet she is sure he will look after her and provide for her that she wants nothing So a Saint taken into the bowels of Jesus needs nothing more for here he sees all things Å¿ 1 Cor. 3.22 Whether Paul or Apollo or Cephas or the world or life or death or things present or things to come all are his And so much he sweetly experienceth 4. A time of finding when Saints have the things granted done for them which they asked to a full content of his soul Fourthly It is a time of finding when mourners in Zion have the things given them and done for them which they asked As the Fish is caught while the Fisher is angling for her so is the promise t Isa 65.23 While they are yet speaking I will hear Again u Isa 58.9 30.19 Thou shalt call and the Lord shall answer thou shalt cry and he shall say Here I am Such a time of finding had x Gen. 32.28 Jacob y Num. 14.20 Moses a 2 Chr. 20.11 12. Jehoshaphat b 2 Ki. 20.5 Hezekiah c 1 Kin. 18.37 38. Elias d Dan. 9.20 10.12 Daniel c. Neither hath the Lords hand been shortned or his ear heavy in this very thing toward his present mourners for many of the great things which they have sought with tears he hath given them in according
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
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