sui ordinis Every Apostate hates the party from which they declined and become of all Persecutors the most cruel and barbarous Thorns that are nighest by education produce the sharpest tryals as the Psalmist Prophecied in the Person of Christ Ps 41.9 My familiar friend hath lift up his heel against me Zac. 13.6 with which the Prophet accords These are the wounds received in the house of my friends Song 1.6 My Mothers Children are angry with me The sweetest wine makes the sharpest Vinegar The nearest Relations the most bitter conflicts who ought to yield the most tender embraces Bernard observes they had not God to Bern ib. their Father but the Devil though they boasted of their formal Mother A cruel Mother that milks out poyson and spits venome in the face of her Children pretends the hony of peace and discipline and mixes the gall of pride and flings out firebrands 4. This Song presents but one Lilly among many thorns my dove says Christ my undefiled is but one ther 's but one Spouse one Bride of Christ 1. One to shew the paucity of true Believers as to the multitude of ungodly persons hypocrites and sormal Professors Briars multiply vastly the vory tops of Brambles will shoot down and take root in the neighbouring mould The heads and hearts of the wicked run in the earth to a vast extent but a Lilly never Feracious and fruitful is the nature of sin and sinners How many Families fill'd with unholy persons scarce a Lilly to be sound How few true Saints in City or Country As the Prophet speaks of the Berries of an Olive-tree one of a City or two of a Tribe to come to Zion Is 17.6 Jer. 3.14 2. One to shew their unity one root though many flowors The Church delights in oneness of heart and society Unity and verity cling together falsity and division are very numerous The wicked seldome agree but in tearing and defacing the Church Pilat and Herod joyn hands against Christ and mark what a crew of enemies unite and consederate against the Church Ps 83.5 6. else there 's little union among the wicked because pride the principle of division compass them like a chain Ps 73.6 and therefore violence as a garment Their enmity to the Church drags them into some temporary union as with an iron Chain The Popish Synagogue brags of their general union 'T is but a Spanish brag For one of their Cardinals numbers above three hundred differences of opinion in the Romish Church Bp. Hall peace of Rome Lond. 1603. and one of their Casuists confesses near threescore differences in the point of Confession and many more might be added of Popes and Counsels and Frieries one against another But the true Church hath an admirable union one Lord one saith one baptism Jerusalem is a City compact together and at unity within her self Though outward Professors have some variance yet in the grand sundamental of sree grace and salvation by faith alone the confessions of the Reformed Churches rejoyce in a sweet harmony as to lesser points Oh that it were as it ought to be and shall be in the glorious times that are a coming 3. One to shew what concerns the Church in general is applicable to every member Each promise and priviledge is universal and yet peculiar to teach Believers that are in Covenant to lay hold on every promise as if made to them alone Rom. 23 24. Abraham's promise is thine for it was not written for his sake alone but for us also if we believe What was said to Joshua was said to thee he will never leave thee nor forsake thee Heb. 13.5 Tit. 1.4 Jude 3. Heb. 11.40 It s common faith and common salvation that they without us should not be made perfect The Church is a Dove that brings an Olive-branch to every Noah within the Ark of Christ the love of Christ is general to all and singular to each individual member Each Saint hath an equal title to his love and all spiritual joys as the whole The Lilly is not only encumbred with thorns but grows amongst them 'T is not a dead flower cropt and flung there but thrives and flourishes though hedg'd and hem'd with thorns It sends forth a gracious smell among noisome briars when planted there by Christ Oh learn to adorn Religion in a barren soil amidst troublous enemies that 's the glory of a Saint to be a Joseph a Moses in the midst of Aegypt an Obadiah at Samaria a Nehemiah in Shushan Luke 8.3 a Joanna in Herod's Court In a thorny family among sharp relations in a prickly Land to scent like Heaven To retaine growing innocency and tender-hearted-lenity in a crooked and perverse Nation To beautifie and sweeten the dunghil World Phil. 21.15 To lustrate a wild Common full of briars by the purity of holiness To pray for such as prick their sides to do good to such as hate and spitefully scratch them a spirit of God and a spirit of glory rests upon them to be filled with the good will of him that dwelt and shined in the briar of Horeb This is to be like our heavenly Father 'T is no great praise to be quiet in a Hermitage and to fly like a Dove from Kedar but in the midst of business relations and troubles then shines the grace of a Saint 6. The Churches Lilly often receives protection from the thorns about them The same hand planted both thorns and lillies The lilly within and the thorns for protection about it The Briars often twist and twine themselves into an arbor to desend the Church Saul and the Philistines encountring together gave escape to David Julian and the Persians delivered the primitive Christians The Sadduces and Pharisees conflict rescued Paul into the hands of Lysias Acts 23.7 The Church often grows safely under the intangled counsels of infatuated Achitophels and subtile Hamans While they perplex and involve each other Ps 2.16 they become insnared by the works of their own hands and the Church sings Higgaion Selah The state of Geneva is compared to a bone that 3 sturdy Mastiffs stand by and snarl one at another but dare not touch it The Motto upon the Churches briars may well be that of Scotland's thistles ne impune lacessant God fences his lillies about by the thorns of carnal Professors as well as the tall Brambles of Bashan the open and violent Pagan enemies The multitudes of Formalists in and about the Church a wise God turns both to shadow and shelter to shadow from the scorching Sun that would wither it and to shelter it from the foot of Beasts the foot of pride and violence that might tread it down They are always good subjects useful and painful and faithful in their stations Joseph's srugal prudence gat him favour in the eye of Pharaoh Mordecai's trustiness to the life of Ahasuerus raised him to honour and Daniel's sagacity and
linnen Dan. 12.6 How long shall it be to the end of these wonders Or as that Saint enquired of the Palmoni or the wonderful Numberer How long shall it be that the Sanctuary and the Host shall be trodden under foot And he said unto him 8.14 2300 days then shall the Sanctuary be cleansed Let 's count then from the burning of the City and Temple of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar in the 19th 2 K. 25.8 Jer. 52.12 Usser 2300 588 1712. year of his Reign which was concurrent with the 588th vulgar year before the Nativity of our blessed Lord From which time if we reckon 2300 years it leads us by the hand to the common year of our Lord 1712. About which time the pure Worship which hath been opposed and confused ever since the ruin of Solomon's Temple it 's very likely may be restored to an Evangelical Glory and the abominations of desolation removed out of the way I know what is said about the literal fulfilling of this Text under Antiochus and the mystical in the days of Julian but I take it to be a more comprehensive Oracle not to be here amply discussed As for Julians time when the Jews attempted to rebuild the Temple by his Edict in scorn to our Saviours Prophecy in the year 363 when Julian was 4th time Consul with Salustius Promotus We find no account of any Sacrifice then offered for they were but cleering the Rubbish How then can this be an Epoche from the taking away that Sacrifice which was not then offered no nor since the days of Titus Besides Julian did this in a mock-savour to the Jews and stood not with an Army in the Holy Place or City for he came no nearer than about Antioch in his march to Persia and therefore this can be no root of numeration in this case Another gracious manifestation of the time is in the 12th Chapter which must be understood of the taking away Evangelical Worship for the time Dan. 12.7 times and a half mentioned v. 7. are disertly and distinctly applyed to the duration of the ten-horned beast 7.25 Rev. 11.2.3 in the 7th Chapter and is coincident with 1260 days in John 〈◊〉 13.5 or the 42 months of their trampling down the Holy City detaining the Woman in the Wilderness and the Witnesses in sack-cloth But in asmuch that Daniel adds 30 days to the 1260 it may be suggested that he reflects upon the Restitution of Israel and their conversion to offer up spiritual Sacrifice which may be performed some short time after the resurrection of the Estate of the Church in the West So then if the Ten-horned Beast rose in the Ruines of the Roman Empire It 's but considering when that City was taken and the Imperial State demolisht and finisht 1290 410 1700 and connex the 1260 or 1293 and the blessed times will appear to the comfort and joy of the Church Rome was first taken by Alaricus A. 410. A second time by Gensericus A. 455. The third by Odoacer A. 476. When having taken Rome deposed Augustulus Paul Diacon in add ad Eutrop l. 16. p. 155. Paulus Diaconus subjoynes Ita Romanorum apud Romam Imperium toto terrarum orbe venerabile Augustalis illa sublimitas quae ab Augusto quondam Octaviano erecta est cum hoc Augustulo periit Thus the Empire of the Romans at Rome venerable through the whole World and that imperial dignity which rose in Augustus perisht in Augustulus Blessed is he that readeth and they that he are the words of this Prophecy Rev. 1.3 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and that keep the things written therein for the time is at hand The word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 sometimes signifies Astronomical Observations We ought to be more curious and diligent in calculating the motions of Scripture-times than the most accurate Observer of Eclipses and other Heavenly Configurations which are of great use in Scripture Chronology Ps 89.36 37. The Throne of this 2d David is more establisht than the Sun or the Moon before him and as a faithful Witness in Heaven Behold he cometh quickly Rev. 22 7. blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the Prophecy of this Book Obj. But some may say What comfort is this to us who it may be are never like to see these glorious times let us make our calling and election sure that we may enter into the Eternal Joy of our Lord. A I answer Of all things in the World let 's first make sure of our own Salvation and clear our evidences to eternal life 2 Pet. 1.11 that we may have abundant entrance into the Kingdom of our Lord and Saviour And then let the prosperity of Sion lye warm at our hearts All the Holy men of old took great delight in beholding the Churches Glory though but in the Glass of Vision Ps 102.14 Nay they took pleasure in her stones and favoured the dust thereof For when the Lord shall build up Zion he shall appear in his glory 16. This shall be written for the Generation to come and the people that shall be created 18. shall praise the Lord. The times of refreshing shall come and the restitution of all things whereof God hath spoken by the mouth of all his Holy Prophets since the world began Acts 3.21 2 Pet. 3.2 and we ought to be mindful of the words spoken before by the holy Prophets and Apostles concerning the promise of his coming looking for and hastning to the coming of the day of God 13. when there shall be a new Heaven and a new Earth wherein dwelleth righteousness 15. testifying that Holy Paul hath spoken of these things in his Epistles Rom. 8.21 When the Creature it self distinct from Saints v. 23. shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the Sons of God Shall the great God think it meet in his heavenly wisdom and goodness to the Church to foretell by all his Holy Prophets and Apostles these glorious times Shall the Son of God receive this discovery from the Father and signifie it to his Angel and send it by his Angel to his Servant John his beloved Disciple What a magnificent apparatus is here from God the Father to the Son from his Son to the Angel and from the Angel to John Such as is before no Book of Holy Scripture besides and this upon the Lords Day to an Apostle in the Spirits extasie v. 10. and to a bosom Apostle in tribulation and in the Kingdom and Patience of Jesus Christ Nay what a Majestical Scene is laid down in the 4th Chapter which is wholy spent in preparation for these Visions of things to come A door opened in Heaven and a voice like a Trumpet and a glorious Throne appearing and a Person upon it in visage like the various-coloured Jasper and the incarnate Sardine and the Rainbow of the Covenant like the
ECCLESIA GEMENS OR Two Discourses On the mournful State of the Church with a Prospect of her Dawning Glory Exhibited in a View of two Scriptures representing her as a Myrtle-Grove in a deep Bottom and as a knot of Lillies among Thorns Psal 68.13 Though ye have lien among the Pots yet shall ye be as the Wings of a Dove covered with Silver and her Feathers with yellow Gold LONDON Printed for John Hancock at the three Bibles in Popes-head Alley in Cornhill 1677. To the Holy Church of Christ lately walking in Communion with Mr. J.C. and now with D. J.O. before whom these exercises were handled and to whom they are now humbly presented by Theirs in the Fellowship of the Gospel S. L. 1673. April 6. THE VISION OF THE MYRTLEGROVE Zach. 1.8 I saw by night and behold a man riding upon a red Horse and he stood among the Myrtle-trees that were in the bottom and behind him there were red Horses speckled and white THIS is a Comfortable Vision to the Church in a low and dark condition For upon her Humiliation by the Prophets Sermon of Repentance v. 6. The Captain of the Lords Hosts appears in order to deliverance The Captivity was in part returned but the Temple whose Foundation though laid yet the Progress of its building interrupted lay still in a ruinous state and the City it self unwalled and in a mournful plight Ps 137.2 and many of the people not hitherto come forth of Babylon Their Harps hung yet upon the willows but now they are to be taken down to be imployed in Songs of Zion with Myrtle Crowns of Festival Joy upon their Heads It suites with our estate since the return of our Fathers from Spiritual Babylon For as yet the pure Temple-worship mourns in the dust and the City of New Jerusalem lies in rubbish In this Prophetical Vision observe 1. The Time v. 7. The second year of Darius Hystaspes 519 years before the Birth of our Lord on the 24th Day of the 11th Moneth Sebat answering to part of January and more particularly the Prophet saw this Vision in the Night By Night 1. To shew the darkness and difficulty of the Vision 2. That it was a time of affliction to the Church 3. That Christ the Captain of the Church appeared but darkly to the Fathers of old 2. The Place of the Vision in a Bottom Bamezulah in profundo which the Chald. Paraphrase turns 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Babylon Jer. 51.13 which lay in a low Champion plain by the great River Euphrates in the Land of Chaldea and was noted if I remember right for fertility in this fragrant Shrub of Myrtle Com. in Plin. l. 15. c. 29. Edessa in Mesopotamia had its name from Myrtles and however Parthia was famous for it which was a neighbouring Province 3dly The Objects presented in the Vision which are three A Captain upon a red Horse 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Equitans or ascendens about to get up as the LXX expresse it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ready to ascend upon his Horse who is no other than that same Captain which appeared to Joshuah when entring upon his Wars against the Canaanites Jos 5.14 I shall not determine with Alapide that the Sus Adam the red horse notes his Humanity I dare not be so bold but rather as a Captain getting up on his horse of bloud in order to the slaughter of his Enemies A Grove of Myrtle Trees in the midst whereof stood this valiant Captain of the Lords Hosts ready to get up or being ascended makes a stand till the time of his going forth against Babylon For though Babylon were taken by Cyrus before this Vision yet there passed 4 years after this Exhibition to the Prophet even just at the finishing of the Temple in the 6th Herodot l. 3. p. 323. Usser annal of Darius when that Golden City was wofully sackt the Walls pull'd down and the Gates demolish'd and 3000 of her most noble Citizens staked or crucified and after a while Babel was totally laid in ruines by Xerxes Behind this glorious Captain were placed in Martial Array 3 sorts of horses or 3 Troops or Regiments of various coloured horses Red Speckled and White By the Myrtle Grove is meant the Church of God by the bottom Babylon By the Captain Jesus Christ the Son of God By the Red Horse his design of War against Babylon The 3 sorts of Horses behind him first Red noting bloudy wars against the Churches Enemies 2d The speckled signifying various Providences sometimes the Church victorious and othertimes in an afflicted state under the Antiochian Princes 3d. White Horses representing the Church in the end compleatly victorious and triumphant All the Churches troubles shall end in victory and these Horses that attend upon Christ go forth from among the Myrtle Trees that is the Angels who encamp about tho Church are sometimes sent abroad upon expeditions against her Enemies arming and influencing of Nations one against another to subdue those who have impugned the Church Is 51.11 and to execute the vengeance of the Temple This Vision is given by God to the Prophet on purpose to encourage his People in going on with Temple-work having formed the heart of Darius to give forth another Edict besides that of Cyrus to finish the stately structure of his Temple Having thus touch'd upon the Scope of the Prophecy let 's descend to some Instructions from it There be 3 Spring-heads from whence the streams of the observations may flow full pleasantly 1. From the Time and Place 2. The Myrtle Trees 3. The Captain and his Forces 1. The Time It was by Night an obscure and dark Season The Place was a deep Valley or Bottom and both are fit Emblems of the troubles and afflictions of the Church The Church of God after begun deliverances Obs 1. may continue for a season under dark doubtful and afflictive Providences Israel after they were come out of Egypt wandred 40 years in a howling Wilderness and were exercised with 7 years Wars in Canaan before they were settled under Vines and Fig-trees in that Land flowing with Milk and Honey Again When Judah came out of Babylon from the first of Cyrus till Nehemiahs coming from Shusham to build Jerusalems Walls in the 20th 536. 454. 82. year of Artaxerxes Longimanus Usser annals there intervened fourscore and two years And in the later days after the 1290 years are fully expired there must be a flux of 45 years from the first deliverance till the compleat state of the blessed times of the Church Dan. 12.11 12. I need not insert any other particular instances 't is the wise method of Divine Providence To hew down and cut off those stubborn Spirits which hanker after Egypt and long for the Fleshpots the Garlick and Onions of their old state of bondage They smell rank and unsavoury before God that like the old murmuring Israelites dare to call Egypt