not too mean an Employment for them to bring this Message to the Shepherds Luk. 2.8 9 10. Fear not for behold I bring you good tydings of great joy which shall be to all people for unto you is born this day in the City of David a Saviour which is Christ the Lord verse 13.14 And suddenly there was with the Angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace good will towards men And that good old Man Simeon verse 28 29. When he had seen the Child Jesus he took him up in is Arms and blessed God saying Now lettest thou thy Servant depart in peace according to thy word for mine eyes have seen thy Salvation a light to lighten the Gentiles and the glory of they people Israel Christ himself being come they might now know that God was a great Lover of Mankind now they had an ample proof of his faithfulness in making good what he had long before promised Now they might be sure that Shadows would flee away the Substance being come Now they might be assured of the downfal of the Devil's Kingdom witness the silencing the Oracles of Jupiter Apollo and Hecate as also the locking up the Temple of Janus 3. God's goodness to the primitive Church was in furnishing them with Pastors according to his own Heart the greatness of which Mercy may appear from the Consideration of these Circumstances 1. The number of primitive Church-Officers was perfect and compleat for species and kind there was none wanting which her Condition did then call for Of extraordinary Officers there were Twelve Apostles Acts 1.1 Seventy Evangelists particular Churches had their ordinary Officers to wit Bishops i. e. Pastors and Teachers to whom the Administration of Ordinances and Oversight of the Flock was committed Presbyters or Elders who were to look to the Peoples Manners and Government of the Church 1 Tim. 5. And Deacons who were to take care of the Poor Acts 6. begin 2. There was then a parity and equality of all Officers in their kinds Amongst the Apostles none claimed a Superiority over the rest Peter's Supremacy was then unknown as the Keys of the Kingdom of Heaven were given to him Matth. 16.19 so also to the rest Joh. 20.23 The very affectation of pre-eminence was in those days distastful to Christ Matth. 18.1 2 3 4. and 20.25 26 Jesus called them unto him and said Ye know that the Princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them but it shall not be so among you but whosoever will be great among you let him be your Minister and whosoever will be chief among you let him be you Servant even as the Son of man came not to be ministred unto but to minister And as it was distastful to Christ so also to themselves Matth. 20.21 22 23 24. When the ten heard what the Mother of Zebedee's Children had asked for her two Sons they were moved with indignation against them And as one Apostle was not over the rest of the Apostles so there was a parity between Bishops and Presbyters i. e. ordinary Preaching and Ruling Officers or Elders they were not two distinct Offices nor Officers as may appear from Act. 20.17 with 28. whom he had called Presbyters v. 17. he calls Bishops v. 28. 2. From Philip. 1.1 he directs the Epistle to the Bishops and Deacons Philippi being but a City it cannot be imagin'd that there were Metropolitan of Diocesan Bishops in the plural number in it therefore the Bishops there spoken of were only ordinary Church Officers This is the observation of Chrysostome on the Text. 3. From Tit. 1.5 with 7. For this cause left I thee in Crete to ordain Presbyters for a Bishop must be blameless This for must either be a reason of what is in the preceding verse or it signifies nothing the qualifications required in both are the same therefore they are not distinct Officers 4. From 1 Pet. 5.1 2. The Apostle exhorts the Presbyters to watch over their Flocks v. 5. taking the oversight of them 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Bishoping it over them The Work of both is the same and therefore the Office is the same 5. From Ephes 4.11 12. where all sorts of Officers both extraordinary and ordinary are reckon'd and if Lord Prelates be neither Apostles Evangelists Prophets Pastors nor Techers They are none of Christ's Creatures but of Humane Institution 6. From 1 Tim. 3.1 to v. 8 begin where the Apostle gives Rules for the Examination and Ordination of a Bishop and then immediately he passes to the Office of a Deacon without so much as mentioning any thing of a Presbyter as taking it for granted that Bishop and Presbyter were one and the same the Rules for Examination and Ordination of both are the same And thus you see God was good to the Primitive Church in giving her such Officers as did neither Lord it over one another nor over the Lord's Heritage A Third circumstance of this Mercy was the extent of the Apostolical Commission Matth. 28. Go Preach the Gospel to all the World whereas formerly it was confin'd within the compass of the Land of Judea such is the goodness of God to the Sons of Men now that he is not willing any should perish but all should come to the knowledge of the Truth See Act. 10.28 34 35. Mark 16.15 Luke 24.47 Act. 1.8 and 20.21 Rom. 1.4 5. 4. He did furnish the Apostles with variety of eminent Gifts and Graces suitable to their Work they had such a Gift of Preaching that they needed not Read or Study but they spake by immediate Inspiration from the Holy Ghost Gal. 1.11 12. Eph. 3.3 At one of their Sermons three Thousand were Converted Act. 2.41 At another five Thousand Act. 4.4 They had a Spirit of Prayer they needed not a Book to read a Prayer by a set form They had the Gist of working Miracles Matth. 10.8 By laying on of hands they could confer the gift of the Holy Ghost upon others Act. 8.17 and 10.44 and 19.6 In matters of Faith that concerned the Salvation of Sinners and the Church's Edification they were acted by a Spirit of infallibility Joh. 16.13 They could inflict corporal Punishments upon notorious Hypocrites and Blasphemers Act. 5.9 10. and 13.11 2 Cor. 10.6 They were endued with a prophetical Spirit whereby they could foretel things to come Rom. 11.5 26. 2 Thess 2.2 1 Tim. 4.1 2 Tim. 3.1 Joh. 16.13 The whole Book of the Revelation is prophetical 4. Consider the Church it self and God's goodness was great to them in these respects 1. Of Ordinances 2. Order and Government 3. Of the Purity and Simplicity of the Truth in those days 4. Of their Gifts 5. Their Graces 6. Perseverance 7. Sufferings 1st They had no Ordinances but what were of Divine Institution these also were divinely Administred and a glorious Presence of God was that that did highly beautifie all their Administrations Act. 4.31
those times before you as Patterns for imitation 1. As I would not have you decline Sufferings for the Gospel and Righteousness sake when indeed called of God thereunto so be careful not to suffer as Busie bodies or Evil-doers Mattyrdom for Christ was accounted so honourable amongst them that the Names of all that were Martyrs indeed were register'd and kept upon Record and such as did Suffer either not for Truth or without a Call out of an itching appetite for Honour were not Enroll'd 2. In all your Sufferings own Magistracy and honour the Authority of Magistrates I am sure this was the Doctrine and Practice of Christ the Apostles and the purer primitive Churches 3. Shew all Meekness towards your Persecutors that they may be convinced it is not through a peevish humoursomness or Pride but really for Conscience sake because you dare not sin against God that you do and suffer what you do condescend to them in all things civil unless they impose upon your Consciences something contrary to God's Word 4. Shew Love to the Souls of those that hate you with a most cruel hatred in praying sincerely heartily and constantly for them Matth. 5. end 5. Do not use any sinful or unlawful means to deliver your self from sufferings Heb. 11.25 26. 6. As I would have none to venture upon sufferings in their own Strength a Fleshly confidence will fail you in an Hour of Temptation so let not the sense of thy own weakness cause discouragement and a despondence of Spirit but rather act dependance upon this good God that when ever he gives the Call he will proportion thy Strength in some measure to thy Sufferings 1 Cor. 10.13 7. These primitive Martyrs were not only patient but of a chearful Spirit in all their Sufferings they Sung Psalms to one Jesus Let this be the Gospel-Frame of Spirit you are of in every thing give thanks for this is the will of God your Heavenly Father 1 Thess 5.18 8. Be much in Prayer in the exercise of Repentance and of Faith in applying particular Promises to your own Souls and in realizing the Glorious things of Eternity 9. In all your Sufferings be public Spirited i. e. Let Gods Glory the honour of the Gospel the Edification of Churches and Christians and thy own Souls Advantage be aimed at Do not think how thou mayest get Honour and a Name to thy self but rather 1 Cor. 10.31 whatsoever thou dost do or suffer let all be for the Glory of God 10. Think it not enough to begin well but resolve in the Lord's Strength to continue faithful to the Death and thou shalt be sure of the Crown of Life 7. God was good to his People from Constantine's time and the first beginning of Antichrists Rise to his full height and to put the two last in one he has been good to them ever since he began to decay and will continue his Goodness to them more and more to the end of the World And here it will be necessary for your better understanding of this Subject to premise a few things 1. No sooner was the Church delivered from a Persecuted State but immediately upon the back of that a new Storm did arise 2. The Churches Tryals now are of a different Nature from what they were formerly as then they Suffered from professed Pagans so now they are exercised with Spiritual Judgments they were pestered with Heresies and Errors from within and such as by Profession were Christians 3. This is not so to be understood as if they shall not now suffer Persecution but the Denomination of the Churches State is from that which is Chief and Principal of the two Evils Heresies were the greatest 4. The Instruments by whom they suffered were Antichrist and his Adherents 5. In treating of these things I shall take it for granted that the Churches sufferings in this Age is contained under the Trumpets 8. and 9. Chap. of the Revel 6. I understand the 7th Chap. of the Revel to be only a preparative to the sounding of the Trumpets and intervenes between the opening of the 6th and 7th Seals as also that the 10th Chap. and beginning of the 11th is no new Prophesy distinct from the Prophesy of the Trumpets but only intervenes between the 6th and 7th 7. I must speak particularly and more largely than I intended of the evils of this Age that so the Goodness of God in preserving them from the same may appear to be the greater and so for methods sake I shall summarily give you the substance of the 7th 8th 9th 10th 11th Chap. of the Revel as they lie in order Revelations Chap. Seven 1. Take notice that the Nature of the Evil to ensue is hinted at v. 1 2. There were Four Angels standing on the four Corners of the Earth holding the four Winds that they should not blow upon the Earth nor on the Sea nor on the Trees This was the Judgment that was to come upon earthy unstable and self-conceited Professors of the visible Church even a suspension of the influences of the North and South-Wind of the Spirit throughout all the Corners of the Earth 2. It is observable that this nor any other kind of evil can befal Creatures by chance but by the Hand of an over-Ruling Divine providence Four Angels are Empowered and Commissioned from above before the thing be put in Execution 3. From verse 2.3 Observe Such is God's Goodness and Christ's tender Care towards his poor People that he suffers not these Commissioned Executioners of Divine Justice to go on hastily with their Work till they were sufficiently prepared and guarded against it 4. The Great Lord Chancellor the Keeper of the Great Seal of Heaven is pleased to set his own Mark upon his chosen Ones whereby they may be ensafed and secured against this ensuing Evil Hurt not till we have Sealed the Servants of our God in their Foreheads He gives them that excellent Unction 1 John 2. and anointing of the Spirit that though Antichristian Calamities may reach their Bodies yet they shall never be able to do their Souls any considerable hurt 5. herein is the Goodness of God yet further that during Antichrists Rage the Sealed Ones are exactly Numbred to a Man in the Court-Rolls of Heaven One Hundred Forty Four Thousand out of all the Tribes of Israel i. e. as the Twelve Tribes of Israel were but few in respect of other Nations and the Elect of God among themselves were but few in respect of those that were called Israelites so the Number of those that are preserved from Antichristian Pollutiones shall be few in respect of a world of carnal Professors that shall wonder after the Beast 6. From verse 9. to the end you have an excellent prophetical hint of their deliverance from Antichristianism and then their Condition shall be glorious comparatively i. e. in respect of her Wilderness condition and prophesying in Sackcloath then shall there be a multitude which no Man can
our treating of this Subject we are not to restrict it to them only 2. That we may the better know who those of a clean heart are this distinction is necessary 1. There is a Legal cleanness of heart which is a perfect and compleat purity according to what the Law requires 2. There is an Evangelical or Gospel cleanness of heart which is 1. A godly sorrow and humiliation from heart-uncleanness 2. A holy detestation hatred and abhorrence of every sin 3. A constant endeavour every day more and more to be rid of sin 4. A sincere cordial love to holiness and heart purity 5. A fervent and earnest praying with David Psal 51. Create in me a clean heart and renue a right spirit within me 6. An unfeigned faith whereby a humbled soul does notwithstanding of the guilt and filth of sin lay hold on Christ for Justification and Sanctification It 's of this later and not the former the assertion in the Text is verified Psal 32.1 2. Blessed is the man whose sins is forgiven and whose transgression is covered blessed is the man unto whom the Lord imputeth not iniquity and in whose spirit there is no guil By this time you may perceive that my Text points at these three things 1. The goodness of God here mentioned it not that common providential bounty whereof the whole Creation are made partakers but the specialties of Gods love and favour 2. Though there are many titular Christians that go under the name of Church-members Saints and Professors yet the specialty of Love is the peculiar priviledge and portion of upright-hearted ones only 3. It is a most infallible certain and undoubted truth that God is good to his Church and people especially such as are sincere souls amongst them O how sweet is it to speak of this goodness of God but how much more sweet to taste of it O its sweet to know it but much more sweet to feel it experimentally and to have a lively sense of his goodness to my own soul in particular For the opening of this more fully I shall propose this method 1. Give some few Scripture-proofs of this truth God is good to his people 2. Some demonstrations thereof from what has been common to his people in all ages 3. From some particular blessings bestowed upon the Jews under the Old Testament 4. What the goodness of God was to the Gospel-Church as in contradistinction to the Jews 5. What were the peculiar blessings of God to the Primitive Church in Christ and the Apostles days 6. Wherein the goodness of God appeared to the Church for the first Three hundred years after the death of Christ and his Apostles 7. What from the first rise of Antichrist till he came to his full height and during his reign 8. What the good providence of God is like to be from the first remarkable beginning of Antichrists ruin to the time and period of his utter destruction from the beginning of the work of Reformation to the end of the World Here 's Work enough carved out for me to speak and you to hear of we may well say Who is sufficient for these things We might be greatly discouraged even at our first entrance upon it were it not for this one thing That God with whom we have to do and whose work we are about is of infinite goodness grace mercy love and bounty abundant in goodness and truth he giveth liberally and upbraideth no man Jam. 1.5 First For Scripture proofs take these few instead of many Psal 31.19 O how great is thy goodness which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee which â—hou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men Zech. 3. last ver Psal 103.11 12 13 15 16 17 c. Psal 107. this is four or five â—imes reiterated O that men would praise the Lord for his goodness and for his wonderful works to the sons of men and Psal 136. this is 26 times repeated The mercy of the Lord endureth for ever and 145.7 â— 9. They shall abundantly utter the memory of thy â—reat goodness and shall sing of thy righteousness the Lord is gracious and full of compassion slow to anger â—nd of great mercy the Lord is good to all and his tenâ—er mercies are ever all his works Secondly The consideration of such blessings as â—re common to the upright hearted ones in all ages 〈◊〉 a farther demonstration of this truth and they â—re these 1. There 's none of them but it was upâ—n the heart of God to do them good before the â—oundation of the world Eph. 1.4 5 6. 2 Tim. 1. â—0 2. That unspeakable and unparallell d mercy 〈◊〉 God in promising and sending his dear Son to work redemption for his people is a confirmation â—f this Joh. 3 16. God so loved the world 3. There 's one of Gods peculiar ones but in due time have â—een effectually called from darkness to light he â—…kes the heirs of hell wrath and damnation and â—dopts them for his own children 1 Joh. 3.1 Beâ—old what manner of love and goodness this is 〈◊〉 Pardon of sin is that that all the people of God have been partakers of Micah 7.18 O who is a God like unto our God that pardoneth iniquity and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage Isa 43.25 Ezek. 36.22 5. All such have had the soul-saving and sanctifying graces of the spirit bestowed upon them 2 Pet 1.4 6. They have had Ordinances and means whereby grace and all spiritual blessings may be communicated to them Psal 147.19 20. He sheweth his word to Jacob his statutes and his judgments to Israel he hath not dealt so with any Nation 7. Whatever blessings they have all is by the tenure of a Covenant of Grace 2 Cor. 1.20 .. All promises are Yea and Amen in Christ to them that believe O the never-enough-admired goodness of this God that has condiscended so far as by a voluntary Contract and Covenant to make himself a Debtor to such undeserving wretches Psal 34.3 O come let us magnifie the goodness of the Lord together 8. God is so good that he has in all ages furnished his people with what he knew to be most convenient for them if the light of his countenance was best for them than they had if the joys and consolations of the Holy Ghost if the hidings of his face if poverties iâ— aches if Ordinances or if sometimes the want of Ordinances was good for them if persecution or deliverance from it He has sanctified every state and condition making all things work for their good Rom. 8.28 in one word Psal 84.11 The Lord is a Sun and a Shield he giveth grace and glory no good thing will he with-hold from them that walk uprightly and 37.37 Mark the perfect man and behold the upright behold the end of that man is peace Isa 64.4 Psal 40.12 Many O Lord my God are thy wonderful works which thou hast
When they had prayed the place was shaken where they were assembled and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost Rev. 1.12 14. In the midst of the seven golden candlesticks was one like unto the Son of man cloathed with a Garment down to the foot and girt about the paps with a golden girdle i. e. Jesus Christ who in respect of his Priestly Office had a tender Heart and was both willing and ready to do them good His head and his hair were white like wool as white as snow and his eyes were as a flame of fire i. e. In respect of his Prophetical Office he did shew himself in all their Church-Administrations to be full of Wisdom Gravity Prudence and Understanding And his feet like unto fine brass as if they burned in a furnace and his voice was as the voice of many waters i e. He did triumphantly conquer many stout-hearted and rebellious Sinners by virtue of his Kingly Power and Regal Authority in his Ordinances Ps 110.3 4. and 45. 2dly God was good in respect of that good Order Discipline and Government that was amongst them Christ himself was their Soveraign and Supreme Law-giver in all Church-matters according to what was Prophesied Is. 9.6 7. The government shall be upon his shoulders Zech. 6.13 Even he shall build the temple of the Lord and he shall bear the glory and he shall sit and rule upon his throne The Keys of the Kingdom of Heaven were put in the hands of those that were faithful Of Peter Matth. 16.19 Of all the Apostles Joh. 20. Of the whole Church Matth. 18.17 18. Herein was their Order and Polity that Church-Officers medled only with what was proper for them to wit the Authoritative exercise of Church Power and the Church medled with nothing but what was proper for them In the Primitive Church during the first Century nothing was done sine consensu plebis without the consent of the People as Mr. Jacob proves by an hundred Testimonies out of the purest Antiquity they had the power of choosing their own Officers Act. 1. end and 6. begin Of admitting Members as in the case of Saul's seeking to adjoin himself who was hindred by the Brethren of the Church till they received satisfaction from Barnabas's Act. Of casting out offending Members 1 Cor. 5. Of re-admitting Excommunicate Penitents 2 Cor. 2. Their order was that no particular Church did arrogate Power or Jurisdiction over other particular Churches the Church of Antioch's sending to Jerusalem Act. 15. to consult with them concerning some Doctrinal Differences does argue That they had full power to determine the matter among themselves without making any appeal their order was that they did not press things indifferent upon scrupling Consciences as if they had been necessary Rom. 14. 1 Cor. 8. and 9. Chapters They well knew that to have done otherwise would have been Tyranny and destructive to Christian Liberty and so for many other things 3. The Primitive Church in respect of purity of Doctrine was called Rev. 12. 1 A Woman that had on her Head a Crown of twelve Stars however they were branded by their Enemies as Heretical yet the Doctrine they profess'd was purely Apostolical It 's true false Teachers did creep in now and then amongst them and corrupted several Truths but through the vigilance and faithfulness of the Servants of God they were quickly and convincingly confuted They did teach that we must seek Righteousness for Justification partly by Christ and partly by the Ceremonies of Moses's Law but the Epistles to Coloss Galat. and Hebrews were written against this Heresie Cerinthus denyed the Divinity of Christ for which the Gospel of John was written 2 Cor. 11 2 3. I am jealous over you with a godly jealousie for I have espoused you to one husband that I may present you as a chast virgin to Christ for I fear left as by any means the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ 4. Herein was the Glory of the Primitive Church That not only the Officers but also many of their Members were Men singularly qualified with gifts 1 Cor. 1.5 7. By him ye are enriched in every thing in all utterance and in all knowledge So that ye come behind in no Gift See 1 Cor. 14. Act. 8. Mark 16.17 These signs shall follow them that believe in my name shall they cast out Devils they shall speak with new tongues they shall take up serpents and if they drink any deadly thing it shall not hurt them they shall lay hands on the sick and they shall recover 5. God was good to them in respect of Grace Rom. 15.14 And I my self am perswaded of you brethren that ye are full of goodness 1 Cor. 1.2 Eph. 1.3 4 5. Philip. 1.3 4 5 6 7. being confident of this very thing that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ even as it is meet for me to think this of you all because I have you in my heart in as much as both in my bonds and in the defence and confirmation of the Gospel ye are all partakers of my grace and this I pray that your love may yet more and more abound in all knowledge and in all judgment Col. 1.3 4. We give thanks unto God since we heard of your Faith in Christ Jesus and of the love which ye have to all the Saints 1 Thes 1.3 Remembering without ceasing your work of Faith your labour of love and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of God and of our Father knowing brethren beloved your election of God It was no small part of their Glory that they did so abound in Love which did evidence it self in two notable Acts 1. They kept the unity of the Spirit in the Bond of Peace though some were for Circumcision others against it some for observation of Days Ceremonies eating Meats and others not yet they did in a great measure live in Love and Unity Acts 4.32 The multitude of them that believed were of one Heart and of one Soul 2. There was none of them wanted necessaries so long as others had wherewithall to supply them 2 Cor. 9.12 13 14. The administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the Saints but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God whiles by the experiment of this Ministration they glorifie God for your professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ and for your liberal distribution unto them and unto all Men And by their prayer for you which long after you for the exceeding grace of God in you Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift Rom. 15.25 26 27. I go to Jerusalem to minister to the Saints for it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor Saints which are at Jerusalem it hath pleased them verily and their
debtors they are For if the Gentiles have been partakers of their spiritual things their duty is also to Minister unto them in carnal things Acts 2.44 45. All that believed were together and had all things common and sold their possessions and goods and parted them to all Men as every Man had need And 4.32 Neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own but they had all things common 6. In all Changes and Conditions they were constant still one and the same not sickle or variable some times for one thing sometimes for another Acts 2.42 And they continued steadfastly in the Apostles doctrine and in fellowship and in breaking of bread and in prayers 46.47 And they continued daily in the Temple with one accord and breaking bread from house to house did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart praising God and having favour with all people and the Lord added to the Church daily such as should be saved 2 Cor. 1.21 22. 1 Thes 3.12 13. Rev. 3.10 Thou hast kept the word of my patience And 2.13 I know thy works and where thou dwellest even where Satans seat is and holdest fast my Name and hast not denied my Faith even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful Martyr Lastly The Lord was graciously pleased to confer the Honour of Martyrdom upon them Stephen was the Proto-Martyr Acts 7. They were scattered at Jerusalem by reason of Persecution Acts. 8. Paul and Peter suffered at Rome under Nero the one Beheaded the other Crucified So also James surnamed Justus Nay there was not one of the Apostles that escaped a violent Death John only excepted Let us make some use of all this in some Three or Four things 1. Let us bless God for his goodness to them O Blessed be the Lord that ever there was such a one as the Apostle Paul O Blessed be the Lord for the Truths Ordinances Gifts and Graces that were communicated to them we are in a sense sharers in the Mercies What was then written or transacted said or done was all for our Instruction 2. Did the Lord give forth such an abundant measure of the Spirit at the first Plantation of the Gospel according to what the Work of that Day did require which was to bring the carnal Jews from off their Ceremonies and the heathenish Gentiles from Satan to God who must see Miracles otherwise they will not believe Let us believe and be confident that the same good God will not be wanting to proportion the Gifts and Graces of his Churches and Servants to the Work of this our Day which is the reformation of Religion from Antichristianism Blessed be the Lord for any small bedewings and besprinklings of the Spirit poured forth upon any in our times in order hereunto 3. Let us from hence bemoan our selves and others that go under the Name of Churches of Christ who have degenerated so far from them in Doctrine Discipline Worship Gifts Graces Holiness of Conversation Perseverance in Sufferings contraria mixta seposita clarius elucescunt In the primitive times Christ placed us in a kind of Paradise but we have not kept our first Habitation 4. Let 's not only remember whence we are fallen but also return to our first Estate and when we set about a Reformation whether Personal or Ecclesiastical Let 's be sure to set the primitive Pattern before us as near as may be Let 's Love as they did endeavour to keep the Unity of the Spirit in the Bond of Peace as they did continue steadfastly in the Apostles Doctrine in fellowship in breaking of Bread and Prayers as they did No sufferings frighted them from following the Lamb be followers of them in all things imitable so far as they were followers of Christ Sixthly God was good to his Gospel Israel after the Death of the Apostles till Constantine's time And here before I come to particulars it will be necessary to premise these few general considerations as introductory for the clearing of what is further intended 1. Be it known to you that immediately upon the Death of the Apostles the Church was in a persecuted state It 's true it was so in their time but not as afterwards when there were publick Laws and Edicts made against the profession and professors of the Christian Religion providence so ordering it that they should have some respite till the Gospel and Churches had some Plantation 2. The time of this persecuted Condition was Three Hundred Years or thereabouts 3. The Instruments whom the Devil made use of for this diabolical Service were the heathen Emperors of Rome Rev. 12.3 The party there combating against Michael and his Angels Christ and his People is thus described A great red Dragon having seven Heads and ten Horns and seven Crowns upon his Heads A Dragon because of his Power red because of his Cruelty having seven Heads i. e. seven several sorts of Governments in Rome heathenish as also it was built upon seven Hills having ten Heads with seven Crowns thereupon to distinguish Rome-heathen from Rome-Antichristian Rev. 13.1 That has not only seven Heads and ten Horns but also Crowns upon the Horns to intimate that Antichrist made Kingdoms of those that were but Provinces during the Dragon's Reign under the heathen Emperors 4. Having perused several writers of great Note both for Godliness and Learning upon that transcendantly high mystical Scripture of the Revelation It 's most probable as I humbly conceive that they guess right who assert that the Seals Chap. 6. hold forth this State of the Church during the first three Centuries of which Ch. 12. to verse 13. seems to be explicatory 5. In treating of this Subject I shall be necessitated to make use of History to which I require no more of you but a Historical Faith I account it a great Mercy that every Age has had some faithful Servants of God whose care it has been to transmit to posterity the memorable acts of Divine Providence to his People Psal 145.4 One generation shall praise thy works to another and shall declare thy mighty acts I will speak of the glorious honour of thy Majesty and of thy wondrous works 1. God was good to them in giving forth this incomparable rich and rare Monument of the Revelation of John the Divine the principal scope and intendment whereof was 1. To forewarn them of the near approach of suffering times that so they might not be surprized but in a readiness to encounter therewith 2. That they might know what their sufferings would be by whom and of what continuance 3. That they should be comforted and encouraged under all especially upon this two-fold consideration 1. There 's no sufferings shall befall you but according to the predetermination and fore-appointment of a wise God and loving Father 2. Let the Churches troubles be what they will they shall have a glorious and an assured issue seeing this was the good end of