many Waters or Waves of the Sea Psal 93.4 3. Goodness is the strong inner Spring of all thy Congregation dwelt therein thou of thy goodness preparedst for the Poor Psal 68.10 'T is Christ's triumphant Psalm Goodness then is active to provide for the Poor Assemblies Nahum witnesses to this after his report of God's terrour Nahum 1.4 He concludes The Lord is good and it follows a strong Hold in the day of trouble and knows them that trust in him v. 7. i.e. Vejodeang chosei bo 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 acknowleging them that hope in him as the Chicken under the Wing that word is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 speravit recipere se ut in loco tuto ibi secure conquiescere And oft joyned with a Wing as two or three Texts show Psal 18.31 and 57.1 2. So 91.4 Vnder the Shadow of thy Wings I trust till these Calamitice be past This was in the Cave and some read as if a Webb was woven ore the Caves hole that hid David and so once was a Martyr If God own any of his Servants those that run to his Protection are most likely they This is joyned with a Threat to Nineveh some 40 years after destroyed about the 15th year of Hezekiah's Lease given him of the Lord. vide Dr. Mayer Which I note to shew that he survived to see that Prince and City destroyed that besieged Zion the City of God and so it became a quiet Habitation as was promis't Isai 33.20 And Nahum's Prophesie in ch 1. ult was about 4 or 5 years after verified in their solemn Feasts after this Son of Belial was cut off Now this is the Buckler and these are the Bullwarks that did do and will defend all the Sons of Zion that run to them Having spoke to God's Attributes before I add no more to this A word to Promises Now 2dly for Promises they are Springs that empty themselves by golden Pipes in our dry Cisterns dayly to quench our Thirst and cool our Heat in Persecution and these allay our Fears before Troubles come which oft are worse than the Troubles and this do they in two Rivolets the one is the nature the second is their various matter a little to both especially the first the latter less being toucht before that I may avoid all prolixity and not bis cocta apponere 1. The nature and proper adjuncts of Gods Promises are food and fence to the pious Two Ingredients make them very cordial the Properties of God are the In-works of our Fort. The Promises as one says are the Out-works Jer. Dyke Righteous Man 's Tower P. 34. if we get into them that is our Safety and the Tower is the Safety of the Out-works and all that flee to them These are the Clefts of the Rock So he Oh my Dove thou art in the Clefts of the Rock let me see and hear thee there says Christ to his Spouse Cant. 2.14 15. And now take the Foxes to note our Safety in the Clefts of Promises from all Foxes and wild Beasts of Prey that should no more hinder them as Mayer observes in Duties of Piety and holy Feasts God's Doves being as Coneys feeble and fearful the Hawks pursue the one and ferrets the other are glad to nest and burrow in the Rock Now it is not the lot of the Spouse ever to be visible sometimes in Deserts and Dens as one says Hylay Non tect is exteriori pompâ but in plain Russet as when her Lord first espoused her Now the good of a Promise lyes in two things 1st It is suitale to our Case 2dly Sure and durable and in both great like the Author and pretious in their use to us For the first no Case can befall but some Promise or somewhat in the Promise obviates it Doth Zion mourn He will restore again Comfort both to Her and her Mourners Isai 57.18 Are her Assemblies scattered A Promise is of gathering Zeph. 3.18 Are Teachers in Corners They Eyes shall see thy Teachers c. Isai 30.20 Are they exiled to the Ends of the Earth Yet he will hiss for them and they shall come Zech. 10.1 And bring their Offering Zeph. 3.10 As one abroad at Queen Mary's death said in a Sermon and soon after the News of her death came and they were recalled home Promises are adapted to all the sad Cases of Zion's Sons 2. They are sure firm and perpetual Promises fail not far less for evermore 2 Cor. 1.20 A delay or suspense may be for the Sin of declining that may look as a Breach of Promise or turn to a Threat Numb 14.34 But 't is fulfilled with use to the next Age. As Justice stands bound for the Threat and Goodness for the Promises So is Gods Truth and Veracity for both Oh Zion beloved of God fear not look up thy King lives that was dead and he dyed not Intestate but now he lives to make good that Legacy of Peace here to his Followers Joh. 14.27 Besides the Inheritance at last Who will approve his Fidelity to his Word Promise and Oath and also to his Spouse So that I say to Zion as a faithful Witness once said to his Wife on his death bed before the Rebellion in Ireland 37 Thou that hast suffered so many things Mr. Jos Welch Script fulfill pag. 465. wherewith shall I comfort thee A Father of the Fatherless a Judge of the Widdow is God in his holy Habitation as God is God thou shalt never want nor thine but in all the sad days a coming you shall be Wonders of Mercy in all Places and not a hair of your head fall to the Earth And the Reporter survived to see it 2dly The matter of the Promises as 't is various so divers have wrote well on it and somewhat being done before less may now suffice save only to touch this point of Worship or what material Promises are in order to it or the defence of it or what Prophesies do incourage to hope for better things Truly there is nothing we are bid or bound to pray for but some prophesy backs and bottoms our hope in it As 1. a Promise is made of a divine Presence Ezek. 34 13. in the worst Times of the greatest dispersion and to that is subjoyned also a Prophesy of its Continuation ch 43.7.8 Nor is any thing of greater Import to the being and beauty of Worship and Church-state Power of the Keys Ministry in both the breeding feeding of Converts and to all holy Matters then a Shechina as the Jews calls it or a Divine Majesty or Glory attending If this be its self alone keeps up a sure defence over us puts a glory upon all lays a terrour on the Assailants or claps a Talent of Lead a fulminating bolt of Judgment on the head of that hairy Goat that dares God in his own ground and here lyes our defence If this be a wanting far more if it by our Provocation after long stay do make a
The Point is true tho not universal and to it I say one way or other first or last most certain soon or late God stands up for his Service and Worshippers the Point is liable to Objection but not Contradiction the Exceptions are to be weighed the thing is 1. To be proved true in general 2. To be explained how in particular 3. Why God is so and the Use of all For the general proof I observe God having took knowledge of Jacob at Bethel in flight from Esau Gen. 28. does after at the same Place make a more than ordinary show of his care to defend a devot Bethelite in his way to perform his Vow not only by that double Host or Apparition of Angels at Mahanaim Gen. 32.1.2 but by the terrour that God put on the People all about him that they pursued him not Gen. 35.5.7 For as they had too just a Provocation at Shechem before so he and his little Family being some Females few and also some weak and dying v. 8. lay all exposed to fury at least to such Upbraidings as what doth this King-killing Race with us These Boutfews of the Age that by Promise hope to possess others Property in Canaan that by Worship are Dissenters from all the Gods and establisht Service of the Land that are Vagrants low and poor all true yet Gods terrour on them defended him so that no pursuit is made after his Sons Exod. 34.23 A Precept in the Law is given for all Males if they could but go up to Zion in their Fathers hand say the Jews thrice a year to appear before the Lord and not empty Quia Pater cupit filios videre as one says the Father loves to see his Sons about him to perform duty this was at the Pasche at Pentecost and at In-gathering If the last it was pritty hard to leave Harvest and not to leave a Male of 12 or 7 years at home to defend the Borders and to go 7 or 8 days Journy the Promise prevents fear A Stranger shall not destroy does it say Nay not desire thy Land * Dr. Willet citing Tostat Animae damna plusquam corporis vitanda sunt Soul-perils are most to be shunned And for the Land God preoccupates the doubt saying He should not desire or covet it God would restrain the Enemies very appetite to secure our Attendance from Distraction One says this Peace never was had but that is to call Truth it self in doubt yes he did so many years together and yet the Moral of it extends to our latter days for if legal Rites and Festivities were grac't by such Promises then Gospel Worship obtains far greater and better Promises and though they often had ill and envious Neighbours yet I doubt not one way or other God secured the Worshippers and at least defended it and all the means of it from violence or shortly plagued the violation of it But a fuller proof yet is in Isai 29.7 v. 1. predicts a Wo a distress threatned to Ariel and yet v. 7. is a Promise to it 1st distress by an Enemy Viz. the Assyrian that besieged the City and Mount of God as the Hebrew word is by some Or the Lion so Arr properly notes of God Oh but how is the Deliverance of Ariel The distress Vatablus says by the Assyrian or rather the Babylonian is predicted to be doleful Plurima cadavera circum Altare jacent Ar. Mon. Vat. note The City all full of Carcases and Quarters as the Altar in time of Offering both Altar and City share alike one part flaming the other all in gore full of parts mutilated as Psal 74.7.79.2 all so low and base as they should petition the Assyrian 2 King 18.14.26 Yet after all v. 6. a sudden Visit is promised upon the Assyrian for the City amplified by a Simile he threatens the Foes that a sudden storm should scatter them and God would fight for Mount Zion and become a Munition to defend them and his Altar Other Proofs occur in the sequel One more I cite Act. 18.9.10 Paul by Vision is incouraged by promised success in his duty 1. His Fears are allayed next is a promise of restraint that none should set on him to hurt him 3. The Presence of God is exprest a sweet advantage and a terrour to his Foes 4. God pleads title to his People not yet called the Gentiles Though he is thrust out of the publick Synagogue he gets Justus's private House Worships there and teaches and gathers a People to God So that by this it is clear God left that Church as National to a malicious persecuting of the Gospel and Paul does so too to enjoy Gods Presence for a defence in Gods Work and by the whole 't is manifest God is a Munition to his own Worship 2. To explain it more particularly both when how or by what means he doth it and why Now the Lord that best sees his own times methods and mediums by which to make good his promise protects his servants either First Before by way of Prevention or Secondly In the Act by powerful Protection Or. Thirdly After by punishing the Opposition on the Adversary and so restoring the Worship The subsequent Instances to be remarkt are reducible to one of these Besides he has sometimes ordinary ways to do it in common Providence and they not obtaining often he has superordinary or miraculous ways to effect it Yet once God may preserve the pure Worshippers in person as in Elijah's time in Caves when the Altars are all furiously dug up And so may he preserve his House Tent and Altar and yet expose the Ark and Priesthood as in Eli's sons day to Captivity Or may stop one Zachary's mouth not all or cast Altar and all off a while But usually he measures Altar Worship and Worshippers Rev. 11.1 2. for preservation and repair Now the first Defence is by Prevention of Evil intended God sits in Council among the Gods foresees detects and diverts them sometimes restrains the men or reproves them for his Prophets sakes So Gen. 20. he did Abimelech for Abrahams sake a righteous man and a Prophet as he 's called and Gods Friend So they that bordered Israel of old were kept from desiring their Land in times of solemn Worship or Feasts of the Lord. So Saul is diverted by a timous Providence Tydings comes of an Invasion of the Philistines 1 Sam. 23.26 27. else had he been caught But God gave a Selah or Rock of Diremption So Julian by the Parthian War And Charles the Fifth by the Turks Inrode to Hungary Mr. Fox tells that one Justice Gilford going up stairs force Mrs. Roberts to Mass was then took by a fit of the Gout and so tortured he swore he would trouble her no more The Prophet is sent for by two Captains and their fifties but yet they miss their morsel Elisha at Dothan to be seized by a Band of Horsemen as 2 King 6.18 but is by Angels saved
yet further occur from History to prove ex abundanti the truth of it And so far is the 2d head in the Act of Duty how Gods defends his Worship 3dly Now let 's explain how God defends his Worshippers afterwards Tho it may be the Lot of the best to be exposed and God in his Wisdom for good and holy ends suffers the worst of Men to prevail over the best and to trample on the most sacred things and Persons most for his own times and ways he must take to perform his Word not ours yet after men have prospered a long time and Saints suffered with and for the Sanctuary a little while he comes a tergo unawares after the one with Vengeance and unto the Godly rides fast for their help and deliverance There is none like the God of Jeshurun said Moses Deut. 33.26 that is of Upright Ones that rides on the Heavens for thy help and in his Excellency on the Skies Note 1. God is titled by the stile of a General his Excellency for he excells in Might in Wisdom in Command ore all in chief 2. Though he delays and is long and far behind our hasty desires yet 't is but as a Captain that steps to the Rere to bring them safe off and he is not dismounted he rides still and on swift Steeds the Skies the Heavens which Spheres do naturally move wondrous quick so that he can soon overtake the foot of his Host and also the Horse of his Enenemies 'T is a Note of * Burr Lord of Hosts one that the old Wars of Israel were on their part still on foot though Pharaoh pursued with Chariots and Horses yet I am sure God rides with celerity has a running Army and all for onr help To be a little more particular in this third head How God defends his Worshipers after tho in the act of duty he may delay a little space of time to try both their courage and patience and perseverance in well doing and herein he helps them also not a little and that is also a token of their Salvation But now as the after-clap Thunder is loudest and that which brings the Bolt of Execution on the highest things So Does Gods fulminating Stroaks On Bashans highest sturdy Oaks And lofty Hills as Psal 81.7 feriunt summos fulmina montes That Psalm says of Israels Deliverance out of Pharaoh's Slavery He answered in the secret place of Thunder i.e. by sore and heavy Judgments on Aegypt Exod. 9.23 And this not the least for as the Thunder terrified them and the Hail and Fire mixt smote Grass Herbs and Trees so that v. 28. the King melts and thaws a while and at Moses's Prayer it was removed again but the Heart freezes as hard as before to inslave God's Children till the Red-Sea soakt it once for all Nor are extraordinary Examples of this wanting here when no ordinary obtain sometimes God's Cannons go off and the Report and Execution is done at some distance and heard of afterwards sometimes it is immediately and so here on that day v. 10. he discomfited them possibly sentence is not speedily as Eccl. 8.11 It may be at Night as in the Siege of Jerusalem prophesied Isai 17.14 performed ch 37.36 and that Night too as to the Host and v. 38. as to the King verified and even in the act of his own Worship it seems in the House of his false God his Sons perhaps in a Jealousie of being prevented in the Succession slew him and so he that did invade and besiege Gods City and Sanctuary is cut off in his own to read us his Crime in his own condemnation Polibius said of Antiochus he came to that ill end for attempting to spoil Apollo's Temple it was indeed for this assaulting of Gods For v. 34. is a Promise to defend that City as a Shield so the Word notes Herodotus says of this defeat * Tho misapplied to Setho Priest of Vulcan and death soon after that on his Tomb was found that Epitaph Look on me and beware By this it is plain God is in some Cases severe in expediting vengeance tho he is slow to anger yet if once angry he rides swiftly and though he forbears some other Sinners long as that Question implies 1 Kings 14.14 I will rise against the House of Jeroboam but what even now That notes either not yet or in a very few years and it was now in hand to be done by Baasha and partly begun in the death of Abijah his Son and fulfilled thereafter in two years or little more as Mayer observes But revenges for wrongs and ruines of the Lords Altar and Service may be observed to overtake some times Persons in particular and sometimes Cities and People in bulk For the former the Judgments of God have oft surprised none of the meanest men and that for the cause of Zion that is Liberty and Purity of Worship and its lovers see what followed Cain for guilt of Abel's blood that bloody Cut-throat as that word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 denotes 1 John 3.12 not brooking a preciser Devotion than his Crit. Sacr. proprie est ferro fratrem jugulo adacto occidere butchers a poor Brother for Conscience but God setts a mark of visible terrour and secret horrour on him that followed him as a Blood-hound to the end the first quarrel was as one says circa media sacrificii A Curse followed it Gen. 4.11 and still does all that go in Cain's way of Persecution Judg. v. 11. and Balaam's the way of cursing 2 Peter 2.15 Like John Diazius that having killed his own Brother fled to Rome as Cain to Nod and there is cannonized but so dogged in his Soul that for want of a Gibbet he hanged himself at the neck of his Mule Sin it self is turned to a Plague As Tacitus flagitia tandem in supplicia vertuntur Pavor Palor are fit Gods for some that do as Tullus Hostilius did by Numas Zeal deride the Devotion of Predecessors It pulls on the Successors the Predecessors Curse to scorn and renounce the Progenitors Religion Pharaoh detains Gods Israel from Sacrifice yea brands them and it as Idle Exod. 5.17 drives Moses the Court now no Petitions to relax Grievances are allowed nay they are threatned with death if they see his face what follows Why now things ripen he for ruine they for redemption and the People fear them Moses is famous the Council divide and Courtiers plead for Israel to go As since Luthers Confessions sent to all the Electoral Princes obtaind respect To go on what came of Balaam's Curse that Balak will needs have to pass on God's Israel ' cause they dwelt alone Numb 23.8 9. and obey'd Laws distinct from all People even the Law of their God was their Crime as Dan. 6.5 a little after their Wiles had vex'd Israel they and he the Arch-Inchanter perish in war Chap. 25.17 31.2 8. For tho Balaam went to his place
to buy above 12 d. purchase or to keep a Book that touches too near on Time-truths and Duties also no small hinderance it had by those that deal in Books and Eye-profit in the World more than propagating the Word Printers being also under hazard at home if found to impress unentred or nameless Pieces and such are still suspected and soon supprest the Tyde running back powerfully against all Books that look to our shore with light Then our Domestick Civil Hurreys and strong Hurricanoes give little time sedately to read and mind Differences and some do so strain and tenter Accusations that Schisme is Heresy Separation Sedition if not Truth Treason Religion Rebellion So that if we decline a little longer it may come to ervive in our Age three new Sects or Hereticks 1. The Nicodemites that did all by Night or stealth in Christ's Service 2. The Libellatici that purchased their Peace of the Heathens as some at Dr. Co. for money And at last the Traditores that in Dioclesian's days gave up by fear what parts of Scripture they had in their hands to be burnt by Persecutors all which God forbid to be in our day Now against these and more the like sad Difficulties preponderated by the former Motives I resolved to throw Pen and Paper after the Personal Wrack in Christ's Storm and rather than live idle and useless cast my Lines after John Frith's in hopes that Leviathan or the Panther's maw shall as the Codfish in Cambridge did his Book bring it up to Light Post Naufragium Tabula Niteris incassum Christi submergere Navem Fluctuat at nunquam mergitur illa ratis So Pius II. wrote to the Turk Angl. Thou seeks but all in vain to sink Christ's Ship 'T may toss but is not lost under the Deep And assured I am by him that has the Keys of Hell and Death that Christ's Witnesses shall live again and that to the terrour of all that see them far more of those that slew them and though in their Grave Cloaths they seem a terrour to their best Friends yet the Earth quake is an adjunct and sign of their Resurrection that will affright their worst Enemies For the Book it self I call it an Apology calculated for all Protestants in general that do pretend to be right Worshippers in Spirit and Truth but if any slight it or need not to it this fits your Meridian best till others come to feel that heat you do wherein the Suns Elevation is to that degree that you are scorcht and look't on as black for you is this Apology made I direct it not to the High and Great that would be deemed Presumption in one so low nor to the Regent Imperial Clergy their Autocratorical Majesties would at best but lay it by as Caesar that Note that did so much concern his Life and not read it Nor do I send it abroad being not able had I Language and Opportunity to bear that Charge nor will my Acquaintance reach For you it is designed to you dedicated if you are as fearful of your Purse as some a late of their Pulpits the Author can but loose his Cost and Pains but it is pity you should slight your Friends Apology far more if in the Cause of God Temptations that hence flow on poor Brethren are ill considered as some are judged too daring and ventrous others dare not do what is Duty to God and their Brethren but desert them in the common Cause of God as Herds do by the Hunted In pace Leones in prelio Cervi Lord send us nobler Spirits If the Scope be askt the two Verses at the front do well import it viz. That God still defends his Worship in all Ages in a way of ordinary Providence or that failing by some efforts of extraordinary power what Proofs I give and Instances of it I leave with the whole aim and manner of pleading to the Judicious If my reason be weak and reading short or parts too shallow for the Design I own all only the End is good and worthy the best of Persons and Parts to defend I only glory in the Breast-plate or Girdle of Sincerity all dare plead the Cause of beautiful Truths few plead for biting Truths All are settled in Doctrines hundreds of years old few there be that are establisht in present Truths as in 2 Pet. 1.12 Saints scattered ought to be If any deem the Plea too tart Passages too near and close I say none are named save those whose Case requires and that not injuriously or irreverently men that make themselves notorious by their astions now must not fret that their Names are left in record as infamous hereafter Salt was required in God's old Law which is penetrant and sharp yet savoury when Honey is forbid Sweets are less profitable than Bitters If the season suit not to the Fancies of some or Fears of others I cannot help that all such may let it alone 't is obtruded on none nor can a Paper of a single Author or Book alarm any save those that are guilty and such God 's Hornets will sting anon with fear though I were silent Did Jeremy forbear to write Or Baruch to publish God's Word though in time of wrath and of his own Confinement Jerem. 33.2.33.1 Or after burning the rowle by him that was most concernd did he not publish a second edition with addition Jer. 36. last though to Baruch's hazard and God brought them both off safe in time of sin and wrath is the most need of a faithfull witness that sin being lamented wrath may be prevented and that City now was besieged Jeremiah confin'd from God's house and it nigh a taking and shutting up all fatall circumstances actjunct with ruines on City and Temple shortly by Babylon and was it or is it a time now to be dumb Truely I fear by all the bad signes boding evill on any people before us sad events lye at the door by the flagitions crimes of men the fearfull curses of God due for them By the Course of the Orbes above and the Counsels of men below by the late Comets-portents and the consent of wilful men accessory to their own ruine that they may effect others by all the predictions of God and presumptions of ill men by the Conspiracies of Hell and the Confusions of Earth by the Deaths Divisions Declensions of the best and distractions of all the rest Sacred or Civil all things concenter to a tremendous Catastrophe So that if Bp. Ush Prophesy of the In-let of Popery or Dr. Th. T. on one hand may be heeded or the dying words of a pious Reverend Dr. Dr. S.W. on the other hand we may as he thrice cry out Oh dreadful Times Yet the same Dr. a little after crys out again thrice O glorious Times to the joy of all about him And so the Scene-Tragical at the Entrance proves a Joy Comedy in the Exit If any say This Author writes sceptically in pleading for
to make the People naked and himself to put on both Obcaecation and Induration of heart this provoked God to bring Judah low vers 19. nor does any thing lore our Sails more than to deprave and injure Gods worship so God's worship is often exposed Now I conclude this kind of Injury to God's Institutions by Pellican's Allegory cited by Mayr in loc pag. 256. That by Urijahs strange Altar says Such vile Ministers to please wicked Princes that do bring on the Church strange Doctrines and Rites of Worship do act over again this base Temporizer set aside the Lord's Altar on the Nortis and place instead of it one to the Devil so God's Word is put on the left Hand so is the North and humane Inventions drawn from the Gentiles preferred to it And he after cites Theodoret. That enumerates six Heads of Ahaz guilt to caution Kings not to sin like him that was so plagued by the Edomites whose Gods he served The third way of exposing God's Service is by direct and open acts of Hostility so men proceed from ill to worse not only neglect and prophane it but resist and propugue it and the Upright observers of it with all the Mediums and Seasons of it As the Integrity of a true Worshipper is best seen so the Enmity of a Maligner both of the Act and Agent most appears in its being exposed to Violence As the Wicked are haters of God his knowledge will and wayes so of his Service and the purer the more it s maligned So are they of all that love or keep them and so God's worship is violented 1. When places and things are prophaned 2. When Persons are prohibited 3. Practices are projected against it 1st Places of Assembly being haunted is injurious exposal of sacred Worship Saul hunted David as a Patridge 1 Sam. 26.20 Doeg one of Nimrod's Curs Informer as the word is sets him but barks too soon and mist him 1 Sam. 22.9 And so oft they do but he suckt much of the Priests Blood by that Vers 19 2. and so ruined Nob a City of refuge all for giving David Goliah's Sword atchieved in the Field by him and used not against Saul but purely se defendo But the cause was Doeg was an Edomite in office Saul bids the Ziphits spye his haunt or Foot-print so Hunters of the Game do all the places or forms they sit or shelter in A Nimrod though not ever out never wants pernitious Curs and Beagles to set or start the Game no place escapes him They hunt every man his Brother in a Net said the Prophet Mica 7.2 and catch Souls Ezek. 13.20 Dig through Houses and better the place is the more battered by force and better the work more it is resisted Thus the Philistims fall on armed as Samuel is offering the sucking Lamb so did the old Cananitish Archers by Israel in the places of drawing Waters as Judges 5.11 i.e. Natural or Religious Thus the Babylonians slew the Young men in the House of their Sanctuary 2 Chron. 36.17 in the place of shelter where Horns of the Altar were thought to be Inviolable that the Heathen blusht to invade them Yea Alaricus the Goth after two Years siege and taking Rome spared such as fled to the places of sacred Worship Titus would fain have spared the Temple in Flames Psalms and Prophets are full of this kind of Complaints Psal 74.3 4 5 7 8. to instance in two 1st Synagogues And 2dly Sabboths are obnoxious both to the force and fury of Assailants 1. Synagogues Temples and all places consecrate or no this of the Temple was so the others not being only Oratories as that Acts 16.13 of which in Jury were two or three Hundred and in Cities elsewhere more and of both the complaint is Vers 2.4.19 do name the Congregation that now was scattered Vers 7. it s called The dwelling place of God's Name Vers 1. God's Pasture Sheep He complains of three things 1. That Zion Gods dwelling wanted its first and best Inhabitant he gone or driven out and disposest And 2. Who was come in Heathen-Enemies i.e. Israelites as bad as Saul is stiled Cush the Ethiope the Benjamite Psal 7. title And what did they Tore all down Vers 5.6 the carved work with Axes and Hammers Were Tongues mute before the Oracle No! they roared in the Congregation as Bulls of Bashan as Bears or Lyons Lay hold on him as Jeroboam 1 King 13.4 or as that Captain Come down 2 King 1.9 11. in the King's Name quickly So the Ark must tumble under Dagon 3. That the Sanctuary had Fire cast in it Vers 7. and all the Synagogues of God were burnt in the Land Vers 8. not only material Fire as the Temple was burnt by Nebuchadnezzar and after by Titus but Metaphorical too Indignation from God and Divisions intestine that usually are the two fatal ominous signs of Desolations and Sanctuary Desolations are the sadest as Levit. 26.31 The effect of all which was in the 4th Verse by a Spirit of Prophecy to point out what the Roman Conquerors long after did like Antiochus set up a Swines Picture ore the Gates of the Temple Rome's Arms and Jupiter Olympius on the Altar as signs of Conquest Civil Triumphs are sad over Cities over Religion far more not to have a place for sacred use left The scattering the solemn Meeting is a reproach to the best a loss to all Mr. Trap here notes on Vers 7. That 't was the course the Guyses took against publick Meetings of the Protestants in France as at Lions called Paradise they burnt all Hoc etiam apud Ethnicos horrendum erat Destroyers of Temples usually came to some fearful end by Thunder c. The like Complaint is uttered and more Psal 79. Vers 1 2. Thy holy Temple is defiled spoiled sackt trod down and Jacob devoured Vers 7. His dwelling place his Ovil the seat of his gathering to feed and rest wasted in Psalm 83. Vers 2 4 5 12. both the Practice and the Persons grieved are pointed out the Practice was a Plot against God hid ones nay the Houses of God not one Temple alone were to be seized Possidebant Papistae possident Rapistae and for the parity of the Sin the parity of Wo is imprecated Vers 11. 4. Old Tyrants are named in the Names their Natures cyphered Orcb a Crow ever black and a Flesh eater Zeeb a Wolf ever a Sheep-biter Zebah a Cut-throat a right Bonner Zalmuna a Shadow-denyer that yields no shade but like the Bramble to pull off the Fleece Now when Places are prophaned Synagogues interdicted by Law Assemblies prevented assaulted detruded kept out by force of Arms hunted by Doeg's and Judas's scattered into Woods Fields and Holes convicted by mercinary Sychophants and Varlets branded with Riots Schisms Sedition Rebellion and what not all for and in the Law and Matters of God as Dan. 6.5 now in the worst sense is Worship divine exposed to humane Injury and Wrath.
2dly When Persons are prohibited stopt in going to or passing from Worship Prophets and men of God prescribed and interdicted from such and such Places Cities and Towns corporate not to be live or come to stay there on Peril c. Or Assemblies terrified secluded and scattered or limited to four or five only that so no Seals or Censures may be The first sort of Injury is instanced in that Trencher-Chaplain Amaziah the Priest of Bethel his first accusing the Prophet Amos for Words Amos 7.8 9. Amos has said when the Lord said it he only reported the words I will arise against the House not Person of Jeroboam with the Sword making it Amos's not God's rising up this was the Conspiracy pretended Vers 10. Court-Pride and Priests Envy for Idols had swelled them so big that the Land could not because they would not bear a poor Herdsman words perhaps the King was wiser than to act on so slight a Pickthank's accusation we read not that he persecuted him yet thus his Ears are abused if Malice in a Priest may be heard a Prophet is soon made guilty and then who is innocent But the design is Ejectment his exile Amos must flee go into Judah Vers 12. Yes that is fittest for Noncon's Bethel's the King's Chapel there I am Chaplin in Ordinary there come no such poor rude illiterate Rusticks under-graduates you drain our Hearers but refuse to conform to Royal Placits So Elijahs called Troubler Jeremiah is Seditious Christ against Caesar Paul Factious A Trumpt of Rebellion Luther Tuba Rebellions Calvin a Devil Protestants and Contra-remonstrates and Anabaptists Antimagistratical c. All prohibited the places once possest As Rolock said Go to this or any place but not to Edenburough then Wo said he to Edenburough The fruit of such Inhibitions to the Amaziah's of our days may easily be fore-seen in Amos 7. Vers 16 17. True Prophecy says one Dum devitatur Impletur It s insolent in solem meire to Piss at the Sun More was added by Jeremiah of those threats burnt not detracted Jer. 36. ult Amos some say by Amaziah first was scourged but after wounded by Vzziah yet in the ishue as 't is Folly in any to extinguish that light that shews how to eviâ—e the Pit so 't is fatal to abuse Embassadours especially if of Peace and from God as is seen by Hanun's hard usage of David's Messengers of Love and what it did cost see 2 Sam. 10.14.19 what yet it has cost see Mat. 23.7 Jerusalem or London what is yet behind the Curtain of a Plot may be Lamentation Mourning and Wo Ezek. 2.10 or that flying Roul Zach. 5.2 How fully and aptly the Scripture instances the Injuries of this sort and what a malignant Influence it has to the debasement of the true advancement of false Worship and also what a connexion and influx it often obtains in Seccular Affairs half an Eye may see In Micah 2.6 A prohibition of Prophecy is given out by them that had power Vers 1. in their Hands to prevent taking shame and Light will shame Guilt Vers 7. The Query is asked Is the Spirit of the Lord straightned i.e. Shall man dare or is it possible to streighten God's Spirit Can the blow of a Hammer the heat of Fire the force of the Wind the course of the Tide or the light of the Sun be prevented And can the Spirit of the Lord that blows where it lists be shut up Are these God's doings No they are mens To cause Vision fail is to make People perish Prov. 29.18 In old Ely's day the Word was precious Why no open Vision as 1 Sam. 3.1 or rare seldom heard Ely too old could not see Samuel too young as yet Ely's two Sons scandalous and would not So what follows Ark and Shilo both lost That prohibition in Isa 30.10 11. do but see what a breach it brought in the Wall of their outward safty and civil defence This see fully 2 Chron. 15.3 when long without true God Priest or Law Now they have what some desire What 's next Why now there is no Peace in the State Vers 5. God vexes them with all Adversity if Priests neglect duty By Prophets God used of Old to repair his Altar and revive his Work so did Elijah a Restorer so Samuel here so Haggai and Zachariah did set up an Altar though without sub dio so 't is Ezra 3.3 though fear was upon them at that time and the Temple Vers 6. was not yet founded Now Worship suffers when Preachers suffer are cited and spited abused and abandoned exauctorate and exiled prescribed and prohibited deprived of Office and divested of Bread Jeroboam sent going all the Priests and Levites save Compliers in all the ten Tribes as 2 Chron. 11.14 15. Thus Rehoboam is strengthened by it things in Judah now went well Jeroboam is weakened now Judgment was towards Isarel Hos 5.1 Because they were Snares on Mispeh Nets on Tabor to them that kept to God's pure Worship at Jerusalem His Rites were as Snares and Nets says one Ritibus suis sicut retibus laqueis Some say the Priests turned Robbers as High-way-men went Snips for the Spoils as Chron. 6.8 9. And Gilead the good Levites being cast out was as a Pin-fold or a common Slaughter-house as once London was to Bonner that common Cut-throat to Gods Sheep there is no escaping them and so Teachers turned Tyrants Pastors Impostors and that over their Brethren yea in Gilead that was as now London is a City of refuge to all and to the Priests Jeroboam askt the Jewish Doctors the meaning of it who answered that at Pascha and Penticost the People were way-laid going to the Temple by the Priests spoiled or slain usually them two as Twins are conate imposing impious Priesthood with coercive Superstition and a deposed suffering Ministry and all by Princes default and so are born two Twins more Idolatry and Slavery the rupture of all Bounds Hos 5.10 11. all Banks of Defence Law or Cash so in comes a Tide of beggary and misery from God and men King John said Postquam me ac mea regna proh dolor Romae subjeci Ecclesiae nulla mihi prospera omnia adversa venerunt After I subjected to the Roman Church all went ill c. Now was the Barons Wars loose Gospel Law goes too God knows which ever goes first pulls the other after it the City of God lost that is Zion now Jerusalem soon follows bounds being removed by Princes Religionis Regionis simul officij beneficij If Gods Promises fail to be preached a straw for mans Priviledge the Glory being gone our strength falls into the Enemies hands If Worship is injured the Crown and best Jewel in it is fallen now Wo Lamen 5.16 that we have sinned Thirdly Worship may be injured by practises oppuguant to or distructive thereof that is either by forgoing of Laws or Precepts or forming Plots and Projects against it and the
of a Shadow as of a Curtain a Grove Bough or a Tent and a Rock These two last are apt to our purpose and promiss'd in Isa 4. ult the other in Chap. 32.2 for in the former Chapter vers 5. it 's call'd a Cloud a sweet Shelter in ther heat and of use to quench the inner heat of Thirst as well as cool or cure the scorchings of the Sun-Beams and here v. 6. a Shadow made by a Tabernacle Booth or Tent like to Israel's in the Desert 40 Years or that spread over the Ark where God communed with Moses nay he oft fill'd the Tent with a Cloud as Numb 12.5 a token of Favour to him but Wrath to Miriam that quarrell'd at his Office and the use of this is against stormy Persecution and the ruine of Afflictions publick or personal Trials Chap. 18.4 it 's called a Cloud of Dew in the heat of Harvest and this was wont to be a time Gen. 18.1 and place of rest at noon Cant. 1.7 all which notes that when the hot scorching Sun of Persecution is over us and yet the heat of Zeal and Love flame within now God draws the Cloud of Presence and Defence over his in his Pavilion are we both warm and safe 3. God's Defence is like that of a Shepherd that that wards by day and watches by night for the safety of his Flock it 's true if God do fall on the Prey a multitude of them will never stop his pursuit by their fear or noise to prevent his Prey nor rescue it seiz'd as Isa 31.4 Yet if God will defend his own Oh all ye Pastors and save his Lambs in their Folds from your Paws and Jaws he 'll not abase himself for your noise so will the Lord fight for mount Zion and the Hill thereof so is the sense Annotat. in loc and consonant to other Scriptures as Mic. 5.7 8. and so observe that of Ezek. 34.7 8 12 c. where the Lord complains of the false Pastors of both sorts that rul'd with Force and Cruelty to the scattering of God's Flock and of the hard Measures and Pastures given them how they ate but fed not the Flock whence Dr. Mayor In loc p. 451. A Lapid cites an old Canon Beneficium datur propter Officium i.e. Prosit requires Duty and so finds just fault with our Church-men that took of the Fall and did not the Duty Lords Bishops Deans Deacons Prebends c. Pluralists but all their gain proves but as that Aurum Tholosanum to wast their Wealth against such Harpies two things are promised 1. God would judge the pushing Rams c. and discern 'twixt Cattel and Cattel and feed the strong with Judgment i.e. spiritual or typical Rulers that thrust and push'd with the Horn by Extortions on the best by their Ruine to get Riches and thus will God defend his Flock 2. By raising a Plant of Renown for them partly in the return from Babylon fulfill'd in Zerubbabel Joshua Ezra c. Vers 23 24. and after in Christ's time when prohibited imprisoned and proscrib'd by the Councel yet they still came off in peace and safety Acts 4. and 5. 4. Like a Wall when the Church bewails her Misery 't is exprest by destroying the Wall of the Daughter of Zion Lam. 8.2 which being broke or trod down lays the Vineyard open to Boars and little Foxes When that Church Isa 5.2 5. is built up it s call'd a Wall Cant. 8.9 10. and the faithful Prophets are stil'd Brazen Walls Jer. 15.20 Nor can this fenced Wall be skaill'd but by Sin or hindred long in rearing tho in troublesome times Dan. 2.25 No trouble in the times may stay God's Workmen nor ought nor indeed can for when our Walls are to be built it 's promiss'd the Decree Mic. 7.11 shall be remov'd far i.e. the Decree of God's Displeasure as Zep. 2.2 or the Decree of Man's prohibition Ezra 4. 19 21. Now a Wall if strong as this is being God's receives all the Balls and Bullets all Blasts and Batterys that are beat upon 't and causes them all to recoyl sometimes to the hurt of him that sent 'em ever to the fafety of those imur'd What hurt gets Israel if hous'd when Egypt is all in a Tempest What does the Rain to the Wall it dashes a Dew on 't and that drops off so 's gone What suffers the Rock by the dash of a Wave alas stand a little as the Eagers in Ouse Trent or Humber spurt and flash o're the Wall by and by all 's past For this see yet where your strength lies Isa 25.4 and Chap. 32. 2. Thou hast been a Stoength to the poor in Distress a Strength a Shaddow a Refuge from Storm and Heat when the Blast of the terrible one is as a Storm against the Wall So is Christ's Kingdom a Shaddow of a great Rock in a weary Land and surely a Wall of Mud or Wood of Stone or Brass may be strong but of Fire far stronger and more formidable and such is promiss'd to Zion nay one of Pearl Isa 54.11 16. with Apoc. 21.14 18. and who can or dare to dig at it surely then we 'll call them Walls Salvation and Gates Praise Isa 60.11 For the Gates of Hell shall not and how can the Gates of Earth prevail against it Mat. 16.18 Were the Canons of Rome and Curses of our Doctors Commons as big as the Duke of Ferrara's call'd the one the Earthquake the other Grandiabolo this Wall shall not only repel but retort all the Ord'nance of these Hellish Gammadims of Tyre 5. God's defence is as broad Rivers as in Isa 33.21 or as Brooks of Defence Isa 19.6 strong broad deep and not fordable nor yet navigable by any Assailant the Sense is tho the literal Jerusalem had no navigable River a little Rivelet of Siloe it had but just sufficient for Water to Moat and inviron it and so lay exposed to any Assaults yet the mystical Jerusalem the Spouse of Christ shall be defended with a River Psal 46.4 her God the Streams strong and deep as unpassable as that in Ezek. 47.5 to prevent all Assaulters and yet as Rivers do to bring in all the Wealth and Glory of the Nations which looks to Hezekiah in part but fully to Christ in his Kingdom his own Beauty and Glory yet to be As Mesopotamia or Egypt surrounded with Euphrates or Nylus Annotat. in loc Nay as Eden with four Rivers And Dr. Mayer says that New Jerusalem Apoc. 21. is pointed at too that should need no Provisions Gallies or Oars to supply it for God should be all and this is Zion so guarded of God the City of all our Solemnities our solemn Prayers and Praises our Feasts and our Fasts our Altars and Oblations our Services and our solemn Meetings at Zion we had them to that Hill we brought them with Joy The Assyrian stopt us through the Siege but now from all parts our Freedom being restor'd the Force call'd off
and Execution done by the Angel we may return to Zion with Songs and keep our Solemn Feasts and pay our Vows for as Nahum 1.16 the wicked Belial is cut off and hence Dr. Mayer and Trapp out of Gwalter cites the Epitaph of this proud Assyrian set up on 's Statue in Egypt Look upon me O ye and learn Godly to be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 6. 'T is a Defence like a Military Camp the Lord of Hosts never wants a Camp nor Weapons form'd against his by the Devil and his Antichristian Bands nor wants he an holy Host to sight for him but yet this holy War is not always managed alike or by carnal Weapons tho he pleases to call for such Luke 22.36 to try what his Followers will do for him yet he lays them down and bids Peter put up again Mat. 26.52 a command that Peter's now Successors never obey but this is not to give up his Cause or the Field to the Devil but in design to fett a Compass as he bid David 1 Sam. 5.23 and so by Ambushcado to come behind them and cudgel their Backs roundly And so the Battel was Gods the sound of a going say of Angels as Dr. Willet being heard o're the Mulberry-Trees they 're smit and shatter'd from Geba to Gazer i.e. 18 Miles Now be it a Field or a Siege that he sustains If he surround Jericho Josh 6. Rams Horns blown shall Scale the Walls by Faith as well as Roman Rams or is' t the last City of his that is in Siege nigh lost 't is but one such Angel going thorow the Camp and an hundred and eighty five thousand all dye and the rest fly all brave Captains and yet to save their Faces turn their Backs as Pompey's Courtiers did to Caesar's old Souldiers whose word was Feri faciem i.e. smite at the Face But my point is on the defensive part where note as there are some offensive so has he some defensive Weapons Cant. 3.8 that he can command at Pleasure out of David's Armory Cant. 4.4 i.e. Buckler and Shield and such like not for Fight but Fence by which as by a Breast plate he repels blows from the Vitals Of these boasts David Psal 18.1 2. and many like Scriptures nine Expressions five or six of them of a defensive use Rock Fortress Buckler Tower Shield ver 35. and Prayer ver 3. of all which I may not now treat only of the Shield of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ganan Clypeus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 quod instar scuti illum protegeret scutum hence Rulers are call'd Shields meum Regum est Populum protegere it being their part to defend the poor Now when all Refuges fail and Darts fly fast at the Heart God as a Shield intervenes 'twixt the Skin and Dart or thrust to save from personal Hazard so it once was for a Boat to whast one to Shore and a Fence at Land to save from Arrows and in the late Rebellion in Ireland in 41 when a Popish Tory had thrust thrice at a Woman 's naked Breast and could not pierce he left her alive confounded at what she had told him that she could not be hurt but by God's leave But I urge it to show more publickly the Defence that God's Camp is to his House more to his Bed as Solomon's guarded by the Swords Cant. 3. 7 8. of sixty valiant Men Bed i.e. of Communion with his because of fear in the Night So is God's House set about and so that Promise runs Zech. 9.8 I will encamp about my House because of the Army q.d. tho my House newly raised off its Ruines has few Friends less Fence to sight for it or be a guard to it yet I will be carefull to secure it by that posse Commitatus from Heaven for I see many Armies pass and return as did the Seleucidae and Lagidae of Antiochus and also Alexander to Ammons Oracle and so back to Persia that same way which must ravage Judaea for Forage very much and I know it is impossible by Armies to rule my Israel without Oppressors or Sultans to spoil them therefore of this People I take care that the State of my City and House stand firm that while and so it did tho oft shaken sore tho it looks on to a yet further calling of them and he gives this reason for now I have seen that is by Experience their Purposes and Projects by their Military Practices they mean to govern by or stand on their Sword Ezek. 33.26 and so I see plainly that Weapon which was drawn for my City and Service-defence is like now to be perverted to offend the Upright therefore I 'll raise up Zion's Sons against the Sons of Greece v. 13 See Dr. Mayor in loc it was so verified by those Maccabees 14. and blow the Trumpet for them my self and my Arrows shall go forth as Lightning and so ver 15. I 'll defend them yet not in a visible Militia or outward Force for God stirr'd up Men formerly opposite to set them at liberty to return build sacrifice and it prospered too tho it prospects to a fuller Deliverance after at their next Redemption and so also it looks in the letter to the days and Exploits of the Maccabees who were very successful against the Forces of Antiochus and his Souldiers as before is said on his House Temple and Altar's behalf For as God is a Man of War so in our Defence he uses not only a Sword of Defence but Arrows that wound at a distance and tho the way and time of God's Warfare is unknown yet is he oft in the Field for Zion's cause and Sons and secretly draws a Bow or at adventure lets one do 't that sends going the proudest Ahab and if his Tools be but a Shepherd's Bag 1 Sam. 17.49 a Sling or a smoonth Stone of Prayer as ver 15. that as once on Goliah shall bring the most railing Wretch groveling to the Foot Our great Shepherd Jesus is the same as that Angel Josh 5.14 A Captain of the Lord's Host am I now come saith he One Metaphor more I 'll urge for this and so proceed that 's the Defence of a Sollicitor 7. The Lord puts on the place and title of an Advocate or Intercessor to plead and solicite the cause of his Worship and People adhering to it in its Purity In this Testimony are many now concern'd 't has been a Controversy depending ever since Abel less or more while Priesthood was in the first-born as in Cain and many hundreds of Years after it was and Worship domestick Oft the Priests were Presecutors oftner Neglecters of its divine Purity as Eli's two Sons and Abusers of the Observers When God chose Zion the more exact and express the Laws of God were more remiss were some and opposite others were in preserving its Bounds from all Violation Edom and Amaleck had a more special Enmity from the first to the Throne of the Lord
London such a Plague was once saith Speed pag. 694. that above 50000 were in one Parish of the Cistertians or Charterhouse buried A. D. 1350 In Edward the Third's time What has been since in 65 or may be yet in 84 or 5 God knows Our green Winters are ominous moe People moe Sins Id. ibid If this shut the shop door no musick now but doleful Knels no wares but Corpses Mansions turn Pesthouses Church-yards are the Congregations Death serves Executions No Spot is seen at night to morrow God's Tokens are on us or a Carbuncle burns our Flesh The Servant goes away with thy Gold thy Life is at the mercy of a Nurse This is Horror and Terrour round about and few attend the Hearse And for the Sword says he to Lond-still Pag. 220. Julian because the Christians of Alexandria would not turn Heathen to worship Mithra wounded ston'd strangled and slew nay crucified their near Friends So did Hunricus the Goth in all places banisht 50000 in Orders So ye that have searcht out others with severity shall then be pluckt out of Corners in rigor to bend the Knee with one Leg or Arm cut off your Veins must weep as well as your Eyes your Sides be watred as well as your Cheeks your Sins shall shut up all the City Conduits and Veins save the Liver Conduit Your Polititians and Lecturers cannot help you You must meet at the Congregation of the Shambles your Breasts try the poynts of Spears your Heads the weight of Pole-Axes c. Oh what a Crimson City Crimson Sins make And for Estates your Properties are lost now is the Enemy Landlord Purchases Leases all 's lost to the Sword your blouding of Widows skining Orphans will with the Indigent poor and a suffering Gospel cry Vengeance against you and their Sins have made them Bankrupts p. 223. 4. For Papal Idolatry yet hear Jobs fourth Messenger You must Permute a God Conscience must be riffled and in fetters no conquest else You must be slave in Principles pour out Drink-offerings to other Sacrifices follow the Mistress of Witchcrafts learn Doctrines of Devils Corruption in Doctrine soon follows outward slavery Thus for outward respects men of no conscience shipwrack Faith and either with Nichodemus come to Christ by night or if with Daniel they open the Windows publickly to the Lyons Peter scarce is a Saint in the Judgement-Hall but for fear of a Damsel forswears his Master So far he Pag. 224. Thus I glide on into the second Effect of the Lords Recess from us and this City i.e. in Religious Respects Here I recur to the Threneticks of Jeremiah and without much diving we 'll there find matter de novo If God depart wo to us in five respects 1. Now is the City solitary her tone that of the Doves Lam. 1.1 Some tell of Jeremiahs Cave nigh to Acheldama Adrichom where in sight of that City he made this her Epitaph warbling out the doleful Dittay Oi na lanu chi chattanu Woe unto us that we have sinned Wo sure Lam. 5.16 For if God rests not on Zion in the Seat of his Worship he may try and visit the City Two removes he had at the House and so to the East-Gate his stay is not long tho he take the City in 's way for a third step Eze. 9.3.10.4 18 19 11.23 A fourth to the Mount top on the East side to stand and look back and drop a tear as the Lord did after Luke 19.42 43. But thence a fifth step quite away At each step off Judgement comes on says Mr. William Greenhil in loc Wo upon wo. Citys have their Achme's and Climaxes to rise to and after a many years that God numbers at the filling up of the Ephah their fatal Periods so had Jerusalem Capernaum Antioch Rome so Hippo Heydelberge c. And how long has Lo. been in the Declination Who can say Now its fatal time is come Seneca the Moralist observes it of one a second Author of another City in France Vna dies interest inter magnam nullam A City at Morn at night in Vrne As Trap in Lam. How sits this City late so Populous Thus solitary Like a Widow thus Empress of Nations Queen of Provinces She was but now she Tributary is But as the glory comes so it goes with God that lies in the power and kernel of Pyety which being lost as oft it is by divisions and formalities God has no long delight in the Shell Tent or outer Court and Shadow 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Apoc. 11.2 This is cast out so John is bid as no place fit for God but the heathen to tread in No Piety no Priviledge nor Presence 2. God leaves his own institutions and not without a sign of Wrath. If the sin of one good Woman Miriam Numb 12.9 caused the Cloud to depart and out breaks on her the Leprosie What may the provocation of all the Lords Sons and Daughters procure us Was the Temple of old or Shiloe dear or any other place ever so priviledged that God might not be provok't away Let all that now glory in our new built fair adorned Oratories a late purged by Fire fear to reincense Roman Flames for though it is pity Mass should be said in them yet if no Spirit be found in them how can we hope but that Roman Eagles Mat. 24.28 will soon prey on our Carcases that so gyres and hovers over us And it is observed Eagles use to hover about Armies joyning Battle our love to the small Fibres of Popery in Rites Shadows Festivals gives Rome hopes we begin to look that way If sacred things by us profaned cause God's Remove sure Execrations and Curses one against another for Circumstances will never invite his stay though we say Prayers in Latin If God go he is soon hid from us and then long may he be sought ere we find him again yea from Sea to Sea to seek the Word Amos 8.12 So Moab went to his Sanctuary but preveailed not Isai 16.12 So did the Priests but Vision failed no Answer from God Mic. 3.7 Nor is any covert from that Storm sacred Orders excuse not if the Persons be unsuitable to them If Men petition for Sanctuary as the Priests to Titus Vespatian his Answer is ours Viz. It is meet the Priests should suffer in and with the Temple so both were burnt Such Priviledges are no shelter but make death more terible God's Recesses are most seen afterwards 't is beter to retain him while present than as one says by the sad Rivers of Babel to mourn in remembrance of once sweet enjoy'd Zion 4. Lights go out with him and People being left in the Dark can foresee no stumbling block before them but dash uuawares on them Or as Ships at Sea in a storm dash or divide that is a sad Comnplaint the Anger of the Lord has divided them he regards them no more Lam. 4.16 No sadder sign of wrath than to be resigned up to