Word 1 Pet. 3.1 4. If Saints are the Salt of the Earth and Interest of Nations it shews the Folly of those wicked Men that strive to root them up and turn them out of the World 5. Lastly It may caution all that profess the Gospel against Apostacy Remember Lot 's Wife She for not being savoury or for looking back Luk. 17 32 Gen. 19.26 was turned into a Pillar of Salt nay and into a standing Pillar c. May not one Reason of it be this viz. To shew that that very Example of God's Severity upon her might serve or be sufficient to season all Christians to the end of the World against Apostacy or looking back Saints compared to Merchants Mat. 13.45 46. Again the Kingdom of Heaven is like unto a Merchant-Man seeking goodly Pearls who when he had found one Pearl of great Price c. Simile Parallel A Merchant is a great Dealer in the Things of the World A True Christian is a great Dealer in the Things of Heaven his Affections are set upon those Things that are above Col. 3 1. where Christ fitteth at the Right-hand of God II. The best and greatest Merchants trade and deal in the richest and choicest Things on Earth viz. Jewels Pearls c. II. The true Christian desireth and seeketh after the Riches of Grace and Riches of Glory called Pearls which are of the greatest Value and Worth in which he may be most happy He seeketh for Pearls but he fixeth most upon the Pearl of greatest Price Jesus Christ Mat. 13.46 III. Merchants in their first Trading are not so skilful in their Merchandize as they are afterwards when by commercing with other Merchants they have found out the true Worth of their Merchandize and the manner of their Dealings III. So the true Christian when he is first concerned in the Matters of Christianity is not so skilful as afterward when he hath by Christian Converse found out the Worth of spiritual Things and the Deceitfulness of Satan the World and his own Heart together with the Faithfulness of God IV. Merchants are most careful of their Concerns when they have met with some Loss then they begin to fear they shall be undone if such Losses encrease upon them IV. Christians are most careful in their spiritual and eternal Concernments when they have met with some spiritual Losses and are attended with a holy Fear lest eternal Ruine should follow V. Merchants that deal in precious Stones are very careful lest they should be deceived with counterfeit Stones which are very like the true Ones V. The true Christian is very careful lest he should he deceived in his Spiritualities viz. have a false Faith a false Repentance and a false Obedience and counterfeit Grace which may be very like the true VI. Merchants trade to Foreign Parts or Countries their chief Concerns come from thence whereby they grow rich VI. True Christians have their chief Concerns from Heaven whereby they grow spiritually rich Heaven is called a far Country Luke 19. VII Merchants have Correspondents in those Countries to which they trade who receive their Merchandize which they send and make Returns of more gainful Things VII The true Christian hath his Correspondent in Heaven who manageth all his Concerns viz. Jesus Christ the Righteous He is their Advocate and Intercessor he appears in Heaven for them Heb. 9.24 He receives their Duties and makes Returns of Mercy He will receive their Tears of Godly Sorrow and return the Oil of Joy Thou puttest my Tears into thy Bottle c. VIII Merchants are strongly engaged by the Profitableness of their Trade to follow it very close O how diligent are Merchants when they find Riches come in apace upon them VIII So should it be with true Christians the Gainfulness of Godliness should engage them to follow the heavenly Trade more closely because it hath the Promise of the Life that now is 1 Tim. 4.8 and that which is to come for Time and Eternity is little enough to make up the Revenues of a godly Life what Time cannot do Eternity shall IX Merchants are diligent in attending the Exchange where they have an account of their Foreign Affairs and also an Opportunity to trade further either in selling or buying and they that are negligent in this Matter do give just cause of Suspicion that they will soon fail and cease to be Merchants IX True Christians do make Conscience and exercise a godly Care in attending the Meetings of the Saints in their solemn Worshipping of God whereby they get Understanding and Knowledge of their Affairs in Heaven as managed by Jesus Christ And there they have the Opportunity to put off spiritual Duties Heb. 10.25 and receive heavenly Blessings And such as do neglect this Practice may justly be suspected that in a little time they will cease to be Christians X. Merchants are very careful in keeping their Accompts they are often in their Compting-Houses They who are wise will be sure their Books are well kept and that their Accompts are in good Order that so they may see a good End of their Affairs and enjoy Comfort in the Management thereof X. True Christians are and ought to be very careful in keeping up their Closet and secret Communion with God by private Prayer and Self-Examination that so they may give their Account up to God with Joy and not with Grief and may also enjoy divine Consolation in the faithful Performance of the Duties of Christianity Saints compared to Pilgrims Heb. 11.13 They confessed that they were Strangers and Pilgrims on the Earth 1 Pet. 2.11 I beseech you as Strangers and Pilgrims to abstain from fleshly Lusts that war against the Spirit Note The Saints of God are in these Scriptures compared to Strangers and Pilgrims Simile Parallel A Pilgrim is one that travelleth from one Place to another and is far from home THe Saints of God are spiritual Travellers they are far from their Father's House Heaven is their everlasting Home and thither they are going All the holy Patriarchs and Prophets confessed they were Pilgrims on the Earth Jacob said The Days of the Years of my Pilgrimage rather than the Days of my Life Gen. 47 9. because of the Uncertainty of his Abode here and in respect of his removing from Place to Place II. A Pilgrim that sets out in a long Journey takes care to free himself of all manner of Weights and unnecessary Burthens and whatsoever else may tend to weary or unfit him for his Journey II. So the spiritual Pilgrim when he first sets out in the Ways of God lays aside every Weight Heb. 12.1 and the Sin that doth so easily beset him It greatly behoves him so to do for one Sin carried in the Bosom or the inordinate Love to any Thing or Person of this World will prove of dreadful consequence to him The young Man in the Gospel had gone a great way seemed to be a very zealous
another Angel saying Babylon is fallen is fallen that Great City because she made all Nations drink of the Wine of the Wrath of her Fornication REV. 16.19 And great Babylon came in remembrance before God to give unto her the Cup of the Wine of the Fierceness of his Wrath. REV. 17.5 And upon her Forehead was a Name written MYSTERY BABYLON THE GREAT THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS or Fornications AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH REV. 18.1 2. And after these things I saw another Angel come down from Heaven And he cry'd mightily with a strong Voice saying Babylon the Great is fallen is fallen and is become the Habitation of Devils and the Hold of every unclean Spirit and a Cage of every unclean and hateful Bird c. IN the handling of this great Subject it seems needful to give an Account of the various Opinions that have more or less prâ—sented themselves to the World about it which may be reduced to these four following Heads I. That it is Jerusalem and that for two Reasons 1. Because the Man of Sin or last Beast that is to head this Babylon is set forth by St. Paul to sit in the Temple of God shewing himself to be a God 2 Thess 2.4 Rev. 11.8 2. Because this City where the Beast reigns and shall slay the Witnesses is spiritually called Sodom and Egypt where our Lord was crucified II. That it is the Turkish Empire or Power of the Saracens which Mr. Mede somewhat touches and in a brief way most learnedly argues against in his third Book pag. 644 645. III. That it is indeed Rome the Seat of the fourth or last Empire but Rome in its Heathen State under the idolatrous and persecuting Emperors So the Rhemists would have it if there be a Necessity to fix upon Rome to be this Apocalyptical or Mystery Babylon For this Opinion the present Romanists have no better Advocate than Dr. Hammond who hath done very worthily at other Turns See his Annotations upon the 17th Chapter of the Apocalypse IV. That it is the present Power and Church of Rome who under pretence of the most high and Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction doth influence and govern the Secular Power and State of Kingdoms Of this last Opinion were the ancient Waldenses who felt the bloody Power of Rome venting it self in most horrid and barbarous Cruelties against them and that for a long Series of Time as appears by our most Authentick Ancient and Modern Writers who give a very ample Account of the great Persecution of Christians for many hundred Years last past in all Parts of the Christian World where they have had Power To which Opinion of the Waldenses most of our modern Protestant Divines agree of which we shall mention only Cartwright Fulk the worthily admired and Learned Mede not forgetting famous Du Moulin of France as may be seen in their Works at large But because we will not take Things upon Trust nor refer the Reader to many Quotations which he may want Books and Time to satisfy himself about it appears needful that we remove the Objections with as much Brevity as possible before we state the Metaphor and run the Parallel Now that Babylon in all these New-Testament Texts cannot be fairly applied to Jerusalem the Turks and Saracens nor terminate in the Heathenish State of Rome we offer these following Considerations or Arguments I. It cannot be meant the City Jerusalem 1. Because Jerusalem did not reign over the Kings of the Earth in St. John's time when he saw this Vision and wrote the Revelation which this City Babylon is expresly said to do Rev. 17.18 And the Woman which thou sawest is that great City which reigneth over the Kings of the Earth Jerusalem having been not only under Captivity divers times before but were then entirely under the Power of the Roman Yoke as the whole History of the Gospel doth confirm and themselves did most plainly confess We have no King but Caesar John 19.15 2. Jerusalem was never in so high esteem with the Beast as to be capable to ride as Queen-Regent upon him as this Woman Whore or City is said to do And the Angel said unto me Wherefore didst thou marvel I will tell thee the Mystery of the Woman and the Beast that carrieth her which hath the seven Heads and ten Horns Rev. 17.7 Rev. 17.7 compared with Vers 3. So he carried me away in the Spirit into the Wilderness and I saw a Woman sit upon a Scarlet-coloured Beast full of Names of Blasphemy having seven Heads and ten Horns For by the Woman sitting and Beast carrying is undoubtedly signified Influence Power and Dominion which Jerusalem was far remote from not only under the Roman Monarchy but also under the three Kingdoms that went before it viz. the Babylonian Grecian and Persian as might be largely illustrated both out of Sacred and Humane History 3. Jerusalem did not sit upon many Waters which is interpreted to be People Nations and Tongues that is had not Command or Dominion over them as this Woman Rev. 17.15 Whore or City is said to have And he saith The Waters which thou sawest where the Whore sitteth are Peoples and Multitudes and Nations and Tongues The whole Land of Judea being under Tribute to the Roman Government at that time And it came to pass in those Days Luke 2.1 that there went out a Decree from Caesar Augustus that all the World should be taxed Verse 4. and particularly Galilee Nazareth Judea and the City of David called Bethlehem 4. Jerusalem was not capable to enchant and bewitch all the Nations round about her either by her Religion and Doctrine or by great Gifts and Rewards 1. Because the Roman Power kept her under and much in awe on the one hand not owning nor subscribing to her Religion 2. The Christian Doctrine and Religion block'd up her Way on the other hand that she could not extend her Influence to either neighbouring or remote Nations as this Woman Whore or City is said to do For thy Merchants were the great Men of the Earth for by thy Sorceries were all Nations deceived Rev. 18.23 5. Jerusalem tho she were guilty of much Blood from the beginning of her Excellency and Glory in Solomon's Time killing Prophets even all that were sent unto her murthered John Baptist and our Lord and Saviour as also the blessed Martyr St. Stephen yet in her could not be found that great Mass of Blood that was shed and Myriads of Christian Saints that have been barbarously murthered by Massacre and publick Martyrdom since they were ruined and destroyed by Titus Vespasian which we find positively charged upon this City Babylon Rev. 17.6 And I saw the Woman drunk with the Blood of Saints and with the Blood of the Martyrs of Jesus and I wondered with great Admiration as indeed well he might as shall be shewn Rev. 19 24. And in her was found the Blood of Prophets and of
learned Works makes out took their rise with Rome Papal upon the division or ruine of the Roman Empire in its Civil State the body of which Kingdoms may well be called many Waters viz. Peoples and Multitudes and Nations and Tongues or People of several Languages which were as well known to have been under the Usurpation and Jurisdiction of Rome Papal as their being so which doth fully answer to the very Letter of the Text The Waters which thou sawest whereon the Whore sitteth are Peoples Multitudes Nations Tongues 2. Her making all the European Merchants Rich that traffick by Sea Rev. 18.11 by the great expence of all Commodities which are swallowed up within her Territories and Dominions Which could never be effected unless she had Nations and Multitudes to contribute to her great Pride and Luxury 3. A third Instance is the numberless number of good Christians which she hath drawn in and murdered for no other cause than their fearing God and obeying his Laws by loving Jesus Christ and following his Example of which we have a large account in Fox's Acts and Monuments and other Histories Upon which we form this Argument Arg. If there be no Body of People professed Church or State in the Christian World under any single Denomination that sits upon commands or bears rule over Peoples Multitudes Nations and Tongues as Rome Papal or Church of Rome doth Then Rome Papal or the Church of Rome is this Babylon treated of But there is no Body of People professed Church or State under any single Denomination that sits upon commands or bears rule over Peoples Multitudes Nations and Tongues as Rome Papal or Church of Rome doth Ergo c. To the establishing this Argument let it be considered that the whole State of the Christian World consists of but these two parts as we shewed before viz. the Church of Rome considered as Head and Body and those that dissent from her and those are so inconsiderable whether the Waldenses Albigenses Hugonots or other parties of Protestants that no one party of them nay if we put them all together can be said to fit upon command or bear rule over Peoples Multitudes Nations and Tongues to answer the Text the Waldenses and Hugonots have been and still are a persecuted People the Lutherans never got up so high as to command many States or Kingdoms or places of many Languages Great Britain tho a Protestant State or Kingdom comes not near to fulfil the Text much less the seven Provinces that of late revolted from Spain So that if Rome Papal hath done so and no other People that dissent from her could ever yet do the like then this proves Rome Papal the Whore that sits upon many Waters c. VII Mystery Babylon or the great Whore is such a Woman such a City such a Whore that the Kings and great Men of the Earth have committed Fornication with See the Text Rev. 17.2 With whom the Kings of the Earth have committed Fornication i. e. Spiritual Fornication or Fornication in a Mystery after a mysterious manner 2 Chron. 21.11 Isa 16.26 29. Rev. 18.9 and 19.2 such as Jerusalem of old was charged with which was a following the same Idolatry that this Woman Babylon had set up and was devoted unto and so great was her Fornication Isa 19.2 that 't is said she did corrupt the Earth with it VII Rome Papal or Church of Rome is such a Woman such a City of Confusion such a Whore that the Kings of the Earth have committed Fornication with and that hath corrupted the Earth with her Fornications Fornications after a mysterious manner by following abominable Superstition and Idolatry 1. Hath she adored the Pope as her Lord God Universal Head and Bishop infallible acknowledged above all Laws so have the Kings and their misled People done 2. Hath she worshipped the Virgin Mary divers Angels and many departed Saints so have the Kings and their misguided People done 3. Hath she adored Images the Crucifix and Pictures of pretended Saints so have the Kings and their misguided People 4. Hath she foolishly debased her self with the Adoration of the Relicts of known and unknown Saints so have the Kings and their misguided People 5. Hath she grosly and superstitiously worshipped the true God in a false manner by crowding in an innumerous Train of Fopperies into his Worship and Service which he never ordained as Candlesticks Altars Vestments Spits Oyl Holy Water Beads and a World of such like Trumpery so have the Kings and their misguided People not only the Emperour of Germany Kings of France Spain Poland Portugal that are still under her Influence but the Kings of England and Scotland too before the Reformation got Ground Upon which we form this Argument Arg. If there be no Body of People in the Christian World pretending a Church-State that hath set up Idolatry to that Degree and with whom the Kings of the Earth have complied as Rome Papal or Church of Rome hath done Then Rome Papal or Church of Rome is the Mysterious Whore of Babylon treated of But there is no Body of People in the Christian World pretending to a Church-State that hath set up Idolatry to that Degree and with whom the Kings of the Earth have complyed as Rome Papal c. hath done Ergo c. To reinforce this Argument let any Man that will become an Advocate for the Church of Rome shew that any People called the Reformed who dissent from the Church of Rome are guilty of like Idolatry and that the Kings of the Earth have complyed with them in it as afore-mentioned and we will acquit this Argument but if this Character doth more fitly ageee to Rome than to the Reformed c. our Argument is good VIII Babylon is such a Woman City and Whore that hath not only had Kings committing Fornication with her but hath intoxicated the Minds of Multitudes and corrupted a great part of the World or common sort of People by wicked and false Doctrine And the Inhabitants of the Earth have been made drunk with the Wine of her Fornication Rev. 17.2 VIII Rome Papal or Church of Rome is such a Woman City and Whore that hath not only had the Kings of the Earth to commit Fornication with her in dancing after her Pipes in all her mysterious Allurements but hath intoxicated the Minds of the Multitude and corrupted a great part of the World or common sort of People by wicked and false Doctrine As first that a wicked Man should be appointed of God to be the Vicar of Christ as if God had no more regard to his own Name and the Good of his Church and Honour of his Son than to institute a Child of the Devil as every wicked Man is to be Vice-gerent to the most holy Jesus in the highest Transactions that relate to Heaven and the Souls of Men. Surely if God shut Judas out from his Bishoprick because of his
seven Mountains that professeth her self the Mother of all Spiritual Power and Jurisdiction but such a Woman and such a City that in the Eye of the Vision had did or was to Reign over the Kings of the Earth Rev. 17.18 And the Woman which thou sawest is that great City which reigneth over the Kings of the Earth XV. Rome Papal or Church of Rome is not only a Beastly Woman that has made her self Drunk with the Blood of the Saints and Martyrs of Jesus that sits upon a Beast or the Remains of that Power which had seven sorts of Soveraign Governments and is seated upon seven Mountains that professes her self the Mother of all Spiritual Power and Jurisdiction but is such a Woman and such a City that since the Vision and Prophecy of St. John hath for several hundreds of Years reigned over the Kings of the Earth she hath governed a great part of Italy if we will believe her self ever since Constantine who gave it as a Patrimony to St. Peter she hath had her Kingdom over Germany so long upon France Spain Portugal Poland England Scotland and Ireland so that their Kings have been governed by her whom she would they killed whom she willed they worshâ—pped and so became guilty of drinking the Wine of her Fornication whom she willed they set up whom she willed they plucked down What she required they paid themselves and made their People pay also When she willed they raised Arms and when she willed they laid them down again What shall we say the Church of Rome hath had such a Power over the Kingdoms of Europe that the Power and Wills of Princes have bâ—en controuled and over-ruled when in any considerable Case they have gone contrary to the Sense and Interest of the Church and that to such a Degree as they have sometimes made them do Penance resign up thâ—ir Crowns and then receive them again as an Act of Kindness from the Chair of St. Peter Which affords us ground for such an Argument as this Arg. If there be no great and considerable Body of People in the Christian World that hath so evidently and apparently reigned over the Kings of the Earth as Rome Papal or Church of Rome hath done Then Rome Papal or Church of Rome is this Babylon City or People that St. John sets forth But there is no such great and considerable Body c. Ergo Rome Papal c. must be this Babylon c. The Major is undeniable The Minor is so notoriously known to the whole World that the Papists can never avoid the Force of it unless they can produce some Protestant Kingdom or State that domineer'd over the Kings of the Earth in a more eminent way and manner than Rome is here charged with But that is impossible The Conclusion is therefore true And now having thus in fifteen Particulars run the Metaphor by way of Parallel betwixt Mystery Babylon and Rome Papal as the same is set forth in the Apocalypse other Histories and known Experiences we shall before we quit this Task briefly consider how the Acts and Progress of the Church of Rome do most fully comport with other Types and Prophecies of Holy Scripture namely with Literal Babylon that was hâ—r Type and from whence she derives her Name from the Prophecy of Daniel concerning the little Horn vile Person or Man of Sin which is her Head the Prophecy of the Apostle Paul in two remarkable Epistles the First to Timothy and the Second to the Thessalonians and conclude The Sum we shall cast into one general Argument and so proceed to the various Branches of it The concluding Argument is this Argument That People whose Acts and Progress do most fitly and fully comport with Literal Babylon which was a Type with the Prophecy of Daniel about the little Horn and Revelations of the New Testament about the last Scene of Things is undoubtedly the wicked and bloody Whore of Babylon But Rome Papal or Church of Rome is that People whose Acts and Progress do most fitly and fully comport with Literal Babylon the Prophecy of Daniel and Revelation of the New-Testament about the last Scene of Things Ergo Rome Papal or Church of Rome is undoubtedly the wicked and bloody Whore of Babylon The Truth of this Argument we will endeavour to illustrate by this Induction of Particulars following Metaphor Parallel AS Literal Babylon was the Head-City of the First or Caldean Kingdom called the Glory of the Caldean Kingdom Isa 13.19 and great Babylon c. SO Rome Papal is the Head-City of the last Kingdom called Great Babylon or the great and Mother-City Rev. 17.18 II. Literal Babylon had a great Head or King over her called Lucifer or Son of the Morning II. So Rome Papal hath a great Head or King over her called the Angel of the Bottomless-Pit Son of the Evening Darkness or Perdition III. Literal Babylon had Dominion over many Countries or Provinces III. Rome or Mystery Babylon hath Dominion over many Countries or Kingdoms no less than the Territories or Jurisdictions of ten considerable Kings called ten Horns IV. Caldea or Literal Babylon fell under a fourfold Circumstance in respect of her Supreme Lord or chief Head As 1. That He was when in great Pride he did insultingly say Is not this great Babylon that I have built by the Might of my Power for the Honour of my Majesty 2. He was not when by the Watchers and the holy Ones he was toss'd from his Throne and made to eat Grass with Oxen till seven Times or Years past over him 3. Yet was when his Reason and the Hearts of his Nobles return'd to him and gave him a Re-advancement 4. Went off finally when God brought the Medes and Persians against his Successor into whose Hands the Kingdom was translated IV. Rome or Mystery Babylon is foretold by the Angel to fall under a fourfold Circumstance in respect to her Supreme Lord or chief Head the last Beast by her called Our Lord God the Pope 1. When he carries the Whore in State makes War with the Saints and overcomes them when his Adherents say Who is like unto the Beast who is able to make War with him Then He was 2. He is not when the Horns shall hate the Whore make her desolate eat her Flesh and burn her with Fire And good Men join issue with them to take away the little Horn's Dominion and lead him into Captivity whose Life shall be prolonged for a Season and Time even unto the time of the End 3. He yet is when by virtue of a false Prophet and all the Helps Satan the Dragon can afford him he shall make a Rally of the careless Nations to bring up against the Jews after the Restauration to compleat the Battel of Armageddon foretold by divers Prophecies 4. He shall go off the Stage for ever as the Man of Sin great Opposer of Christ and Son of Perdition when God shall send his Son from Heaven
and by when he is come from the Field Go and sit down and will not rather say Gird thy self and serve me c. From hence we may see Girding is preparatory to Serving or Waiting It also denotes Preparation for our Labour or Work VIII Truth and Sincerity prepares and fits the Mind for Christ's Work and Service Let your Loins be girt about Luk. 12.35 and your Lights burning and ye your selves like unto Men that wait for their Lord. He is always well girt with Truth and Uprightness that is ready to wait upon or do Work for the Lord Jesus Careless slothful and unsound Persons are ungirt and so unbless'd A Saint in doing of his Work whether it be Heart-Work or Hand-Work ought to be well-girt viz. perform all in Truth and Uprightness Ministers must preach nothing but Truth and as they must preach nothing but Truth so they must preach in Truth or in Sincerity of Heart Some preach Christ saith the Apostle but not sincerely Phil. 1.16 Their Minds were not girt with Truth All our Prayers ought to be put up in Truth God is near to all that call upon him in Truth Psal 145.18 All Works of Charity ought to flow from a pure Heart viz. to be done in Uprightness and Simplicity according to the Direction given by the Lord in his Word both for matter and manner IX A Girdle is a great Ornament used to be put on uppermost to cover the Joints of the Armor which if seen would cause some uncomeliness for tho the Armor was closely knit and clasped together yet some gaping was subject to be betwixt piece and piece and therefore they used to put over these parts a broad Belt or Girdle which did serve not only to fasten the other Armor together but it made the Souldier appear more comely in his Harness and Accoutrements IX Sincerity is a glorious Ornament A Christian hereby appears very comely in the sight of God and it greatly tends to hide and cover all the Infirmities of his Life for the Saints Graces are not so close nor their Lives so exact but in the best are found Defects and Weaknesses which are as so many Gaps or Clifts in his Armor but Sincerity covers all so that he is not put to shame by them 1. Sincerity covers all outward Blemishes or want of outward Beauty that great Idol of the World Sincere Persons if they be not so fair and comely as some others yet being holy and upright sincere and vertuous Ones how amiable are they rendred hereby in the sight of all good Men It covers all things that seems to render a Saint dishonourable or uncomely 2. Mean Parentage or a low Descent is much despised in the World but how base soever the Stock and ignoble the Birth be when true Grace and Sincerity comes it makes the House and Person illustrious and very glorious Since thou wert precious in mine eyes thou hast been honourable Isa 43.4 Sincerity sets a Mark of Honour upon a Person or a People If you see this flourishing tho in a mean Cottage it tells you a great Prince nay an Heir of Heaven dwells there Sincerity brings the Creature into Alliance with the most high and glorious King of Heaven and Earth Who dares say a Child of God the Spouse of Christ and Heir of Heaven is of an ignoble Birth and Pedigree 3. It covers Poverty which exposeth to great Contempt There 's none so rich as a godly sincere Person he is daily let into God's Treasury Christ's Storehouse is always open unto him All is yours 1 Cor. 3.22 4. To want Parts and to be a Person of no Name and of small Endowments exposeth to disdain none are more contemptible in the eye of the wise and vain-glorious World than such But alas an honest Heart one that is sincere excells beyond all comparison the proudest most renowned and applauded for human Wisdom Parts and Elegancy in the World 5. It covers all sinful Uncomeliness and all the Godly Man's Failings whether they be Sins of Omission or Commission for Sincerity is that excellent quality to which pardoning Mercy is annexed 'T is Christ in a proper sence that covers all Sin but he will cover the Sins and Failings of none but such as are sincere Psal 32.2 Blessed is the Man whose Sins are covered c. The upright Man's Righteousness is accepted through Christ tho he be never so infirm or attended with Miscarriages Tho God doth not like his Sin for his Sincerity yet God will not un-saint him because of his Sin Ainsworth X. The Priest under the Law wore a Girdle which was made of fine Linnen and of Blew Purple and Scarlet the Hebrew Doctors say it was about three fingers broad it was curiously woven as Josephus observes Josephus Antiquit. Book 8. cap. 2. with Pictures of Flowers This Girdle saith Ainsworth signified the girding up the Loins of our Minds with Strength Justice and Vertue Eph. 6.15 Also we read of Christ's being girt with a Golden Girdle Rev. 1.13 X. Truth and Sincerity is not only an Ornament but a most glorious Ornament being that which was figured out by the Priest's Girdle rarely made with curious Flowers This is as a choice Golden Girdle curiously wrought by the Spirit of God 1 Pet. 2.5 which all the Priesthood of Christ have on It is made of a Complication of every Grace Sincerity is not alone many choice Divine Flowers are interwoven together in making of the Girdle of Truth Metaphor Disparity BEsides other great Disparities betweeen other Girdles and the Girdle of Truth this is one viz. Other Girdles may be lost or be corrupted they may rot and pass away like that which Jeremiah had Jer. 13.1 2 c. which was marred and profitable for nothing BUt the Girdle of Truth can never be lost Sincerity in the Heart of a Believer is so fast tied to him or twisted about him that he can never lose it I never yet read of a Man that was perfect and upright in Heart and Life in the sight of God that ever lost his Sincerity so as to die an Hypocrite tho he may in some things be guilty of Hypocrisy yet he cannot absolutely become an Hypocrite This Girdle cannot rot or be corrupted II. Other Girdles are only made for the Body II. But Truth and Sincerity is a Girdle for the Soul by which the Mind is stayed and strengthned Inferences THis should teach every Professor to labour after if they have not yet got the Girdle of Truth 1. Because the Design of Satan is to corrupt Men in their Judgments and make them zealous for false Ways Paul's Jealousy of the Corinthians was 2 Cor. 11.1 2 3. lest the Old Serpent should beguile them through his Subtilty and corrupt their Minds from the Simplicity of the Truth 2. Because of the damning Nature of Heresy and Hypocrisy which our Saviour 2 Joh. 9 10 2 Thess 2.10 2
in the way of Obedience But a strong Faith in all it doth is kept up by Christ's doing by Christ's Obedience he sees his Acceptation comes in through the Lord Jesus's Undertaking for him 5. A weak Faith is subject to rest too much upon the Means and outward Ordinances He performs Duty and is found in the Appointments of Christ because of the Fat and Sweet of them or some present Comforts of the Spirit in the performance of them rather than because commanded of God and to manifest his Obedience and Subjection unto him and if he meets not with his expectation he is ready presently to faint and be discouraged and concludes the Ordinances do not belong to him or he is not a converted Person c. or else thinks wholly to neglect them for time to come 6. A weak Believer is ready to judg of his Justification by his inward Sanctification When he finds eminent Power over Sin then he begins to conclude he may be in a saved State tho I do not say that a Man is actually justified before he is in some measure or degree made holy where the one is the other will follow as the Effect the Cause Quest How may a weak Faith or Hand be strengthned and feeble Knees confirmed Answ 1. Consider a weak Faith is precious a little Gold is Gold a little Water is Water Thou art a Believer though thou art but a weak Believer 2. A weak Faith being true may in time prove strong and grow to be a great Faith 3. Tho thou hast but a weak Faith it will save doubtless some weak Eyes beheld the Brazen Serpent and were healed 4. Weak Faith if it be true shall never fail totally nor be taken away He that is the Author of it will likewise be the Finisher Phil. 1.6 Being confident of this very thing that he which hath begun a good Work in you will perform it to the Day of Jesus Christ Hope compared to an Helmet Ephes 6.17 And take the Helmet of Salvation c. 1 Thess 5.8 And for an Helmet the Hope of Salvation AN Helmet is a Piece of Armor for the Head commonly called a Head-Piece Hope the Word is derived from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Havah which signifieth to expect or wait and it notes a very vehement Intention both of Body and Mind in waiting expecting or hoping when a Man waits as it were stretching forth his Spirit or his Mind putting himself out exceedingly to hope or wait for a thing Hope is a Divine and Super-natural Grace or Fruit of the holy Spirit and may be thus described First 'T is a patient and well-grounded Expectation of whatsoever God hath promised God is the Author of it called the Hope of Israel and the God of Hope The Believer is the Subject of this Hope The Object in a strict sence is God who comprehends all the Good that Saints dwell in the Faith and expectation of Psal 39.7 What wait I for my Hope is in thee In a large sence it is the Good of the Promise not in hand Rom. 8.24 or already accomplish'd but to be performed hereafter Hope that is seen is not Hope for what a Man seeth why doth he yet hope for it Futurity is intrinsecal to Hope's Object and distinguisheth it from Faith which gives a present Being to the Promise Heb. 11 1. and is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Substance of things hoped for The Good of the Promise hath a kind of Substance by Faith in the Soul it is in Heaven as it were in an Interview it brings the Christian and Heaven together as if he were there already Why Hope is compared to an Helmet will appear in the following Parallel Metaphor Parallel THe Helmet defends the Head that eminent part of the Body from the Dint of Bullet or Sword HOpe of Heaven defends the principal Parts and Faculties of the Soul from the dangerous Assaults of Sin and Satan particularly the Judgment which most Expositors understand is intended by the Head What avails that Faith which Men have without a well-grounded Hope of future Life Devils have a kind of Faith they believe but have no Hope Faith eyes the Promises and Hope preserves the Soul from Satan's Wounds keeping it in a faithful and stedfast expectation of the fulfilling of them By which means a Saint is help'd chearfully to suffer the Loss of all other things and that in Judgment hoping it will be made up again to him in another World Like as Hope causeth the Husband-man to cast his choice and precious Seed into the Earth He that ploweth ploweth in Hope 1 Cor. 9.10 he hopes for a greater Increase at Harvest So a Merchant ventures much Treasure to Sea as far as the Indies in Hope for had he not good Hopes of advantagious Returns all would account him a Fool so to do II. The Helmet maketh a Souldier fearless and very couragious in the Day of Battel for if his Head and Heart be well defended he is in no great danger of his Life II. In like manner Hope of Heaven makes a Saint very couragious for Christ and his blessed Interest Rom. 5.5 Hope maketh not ashamed 'T is the Hope of Heaven that causeth Saints to endure Afflictions and Persecutions with Patience and not to fear the Faces of their Enemies for if the Judgment Will Affection and Conscience of a Believer be preserved from the mortal Wounds of the Adversary he is safe and out of Danger which is all done by this part of the Christian's Armor How confidently and daringly did Goliah come forth against Israel with his Helmet of Brass and other Furniture as if he had been so enclosed in his Armor that it was impossible any one should prevail against him This made him carry his Crest so high and to defy a whole Host Tho he was mistaken in his Armor Isa 49.23 yet here is an Helmet c. that whosoever wears it shall never be put to shame for his holy Boasting God himself allows him so to do and will bear him out in the rejoycing of his Hope Psal 27.3 They shall not be ashamed that wait for me Therefore saith David Tho an Host should encamp against me my Heart shall not fear c. My Head shall be lifted above mine Enemies Two things make the Head hang down Fear and Shame now Hope easeth the Christian's Heart of both these and so forbids him to give any sign of a desponding Mind by a dejected Countenance in the worst of Times Luk. 21.28 When these things come to pass then lift up your Heads for your Redemption draweth nigh III. An Helmet tends to the compleat harnessing and setting out of a Souldier to meet his Enemy by which means he is terrible to behold as Experience shews for how fierce doth an Army of Souldiers look when armed Cap-a-pe And especially the Head-piece tends to do it Many have been struck with great trembling by
beholding an Army of Souldiers with Helmets on III. A well-grounded Hope of Salvation and of Victory against the Enemy tends to the compleat harnessing or fitting out of every true Christian to meet and encounter with the Adversary by which means also they are said to be as terrible as an Army with Banners which Mr. Ainsworth applies to this Armor 2 Cor. 10.4 The Weapons of our Warfare are not carnal but mighty through God to the pulling down of Strong-Holds c. Israel being compleatly furnished with Armor of Proof who were a People saved by the Lord the Shield of their Hope and who was the Sword of their Excellency God hereby put the Fear and Dread of them upon all the Nations under the whole Heavens who heard of the Fame of them and trembled not Deut. 2.2 The People heard and were afraid Exod. 15.14 15 16. Psal 48 5 6. Sorrow took hold on the Inhabitants of Palestina The Dukes of Edom were amazed the mighty Men of Moab Trembling took hold upon them All the Inhabitants of Canaan melted away and Dread fell upon them And thus will it be again when God brings forth the Sons of Zion against the Sons of Greece every way compleatly armed with Shield and Helmet as an Army with Banners Zech. 9 13 IV. An Helmet as well as other Pieces of Armor must not be put off or laid aside until the Battel be over There are some Instruments and Engines used in War that are made use of but now and then but the Shield Breast-plate and Helmet c. are necessary continually when Arms are employed IV. So Hope the Helmet of Salvation must be taken by every true Christian and never laid aside until the Field is won and all the Enemies subdued Hence saith the Apostle 1 Pet. 1.13 Gird up the Loins of your Minds be sober and hope to the End for the Grace that shall be brought unto you at the Revelation of Jesus Christ 1 Cor. 13. ult Heb. 6.11 12. Now abideth Faith Hope and Charity We desire every one of you to shew the same diligence to the full assurance of Hope unto the end V. A Souldier that hath his compleat Armor on as the having on the Helmet doth import because it is usually the last Piece of Armor defensive that is put on is ready for Service when his Captain commands him forth and from hence he is animated and becomes very diligent and doth great Execution oftentimes upon the Enemy yea and more is expected from him than from one that is unarmed V. So a Souldier of Jesus Christ having the whole Christian Armor on is ready for any Service or Suffering for his Captain and waits but for the Word of Command and he adventures forth as Abraham did not knowing whither he went Hope of Salvation particularly maketh a Man very active it is called a lively Hope more is expected from him than from one that is hopeless Alas he goes on without any Heart that hath no grounded Hope of Heaven and the blessed Enjoiment of God and Christ for ever Metaphor Disparity AN Helmet which Men use in War hath been may be pierced through to the loss of the Life of the Souldier that hath it on BUt this spiritual Helmet called the Hope of Salvation which hath God and all Good both here and hereafter for its Object against this there can be no Assault made nor Force of Weapon used to the endangering of the Life of the Soul II. An Helmet used in War amongst Men tho it may preserve the Head from Danger yet it cannot preserve the Breast but that may be wounded by Sword or Dart. II. But a well-grounded Hope the Helmet of Salvation doth wonderfully preserve the Conscience as well as the Judgment from being corrupted by the Wounds of Error and rotten Principles carried on by the cunning Craftiness of Men whereby they lie in wait to deceive III. Men may have Helmets on and yet notwithstanding lose the Day be overcome and flie before their Enemies with Shame and Disgrace III. But he that engageth in this spiritual Armor of which the Helmet is a part Ephes 6. having on the whole Armor of God doth not only make a Christian to withstand the Enemy but also to stand against any Assault Rom. 5.5 Hope of Salvation maketh not ashamed Inferences FRom hence you may perceive how exceeding useful Hope is to all true Christians in their spiritual Warfare with the Enemies of the Soul 2. It shews that a Christian's Life is a Life of Hope or Expectation The Promises of God are not presently accomplished he seems to stay long ere he makes good what he hath engaged to give to them 3. And tho he stays long before he performs his Promise to us yet they shall be accomplished at last in the best time to the eternal Joy of their Hearts Hope deferred makes the Heart sick but when it comes it is a Tree of Life The Vision is for an appointed Time but at the end it shall speak and not lie c. 4. That tho God stays long before he performs his Word and Promise yet it is our Duty to wait patiently till it is fulfilled Wait for it because it shall surely come c. 5. That Hope pacifies and quiets the Soul of a Believer till the Promises are accomplished and fulfilled It may also serve to caution every Christian to take heed he does not take a counterfeit Helmet There is a Hope that will prove like a Spider's Web. Tho a true and lively Hope maketh not ashamed yet some Men will one day be ashamed of their Hope c. See Hope the Anchor of the Soul Hope compared to an Anchor Heb. 6.19 Which Hope we have as the Anchor of the Soul both sure and stedfast c. HOpe is not only compared to an Helmet but also to an Anchor as the Soul is compared to a Ship which Metaphor is opened under its proper Head Quest What is this Hope that is called the Anchor of the Soul Answ 1. Negatively It is not a Hope of being rich great and mighty in the World They esteem not of things below at such a rate as to make them their Hope If I have made Gold my Hope or have said to the fine Gold Job 31.24 thou art my Confidence c. Gold is put here by a Synechdoche of the Part for the Whole for all earthly things so that whereas Job saith If I have made Gold my Hope his meaning is if I have made any good things on Earth my Hope There is great difference saith Mr. Caryl between hoping for Gold and making Gold our Hope we may hope for worldly good things but we must not make any thing of this Life our Hope And further he saith 'To make Gold either gotten or to be gotten our Hope implieth these four things 1. An high Estimation of it as that which can do great things for us or stand us in
it is impossible for him who is a Man to be a Vine or a Door c. See Mr. Pool p. 107. Answ It is no less impossible for the Bread to be Christ's real Body Why might not the Vine as well as the Wine be by Transubstantiation converted into Christ's real Substance I think saith Mr. Pool the Mother as good as the Daughter And especially since Christ saith I am the Vine might not they have devised another Transubstantiation to make Christ's Words good But to proceed to shew how irrational and absurd their Notion is and what they hold as you heard that Christ's whole Body is present in every Crumb of the Bread c. and yet do affirm Christ's Body is entire and undivided and also believe it is really in Heaven in such a proportion or bigness as he had upon Earth Now then saith Mr. Pool according to their Doctrine the same Body of Christ is bigger than it self and longer than it self and which is worse Christ is divided from himself I know not what can be more impossible than to say That all Christ is at Rome and all at London and all in Heaven and yet not all in the Places between Object All this the Papists say may be done by God's Almighty Power Answ Then by the same Almighty Power it is possible for any other Man to be in so many places for it matters not that Christ should be invisible in so many places and another should be there visibly or that Christ is there in so little a Bulk and another must be in a greater And if this be so what Monsters follow from hence Can any devise greater Absurdities than they believe if in very deed they believe what they say and daily affirm Suppose now John to be by Divine Power at the same time at Rome at Paris and at London where ever John is alive it follows he must have power to move himself or else no living Creature Then John at Rome may walk towards London and the same John at London may walk towards Rome and so they may meet shall I say the one the other and you may be sure it will be a merry Meeting it were worth enquiring how long they will be ere they come together Then again at Rome all the Parts of John may be excessively hot and at London excessively cold and at Paris neither hot nor cold This is beyond all Romances that ever were devised Besides John may be sorely wounded at Rome and yet at London may sleep in a whole Skin John may be feasting at Rome and fasting at London in the same moment Object You talk at this rate because you measure God by your selves whereas He can do more than you or I can do Answ There are some things which it is no dishonour to God to say he cannot do them because they are either sinful so God cannot lie or absolutely impossible God himself cannot make a Man to be alive and dead at the same time God cannot make the Whole to be less than a Part of it He cannot make Three to be more than Threescore He cannot make a Son to beget his Father He cannot make the same Man to be born at several times as Papist Authors confess and therefore in like manner he cannot make the same Body to be in two several places for this is not one jot less impossible than the other But they must believe Christ may have Ten Thousand Bodies at one time or so many as there are Priests to consecrate the Bread and distinct Congregations to celebrate the Holy Supper Object These indeed are great Difficulties to humane Reason but Reason is not to be believed against Scripture Answ True but this is their hard Hap this Doctrine of theirs is against Scripture as well as Reason in as much as it is highly dishonourable to Christ whose Honour is the great Design of Scripture What a foul dishonour is it to him to subject him to the Will of every Mass-Priest who when he pleaseth can command him down into Bread And what a Dishonour is it That the very Body of Christ may be eaten by Rats â—um quest â— Art 3. or Worms and may be cast up by Vomit and the like as Aquinas affirms and that their Church in her Missals hath put this amongst other Directions That if Worms or Rats have eaten Christ's Body they must be burned and if any Man vomit it up it must be eaten again or burned or made a Relique And yet this is no more than their Doctrine will force them to own for if they will believe Christ's own Words in one place as well as in another he assureth us That whatsover without exception entreth into the Mouth Mat. 15.17 goeth into the Belly and is cast forth into the Draught Object What dishonour is this more to Christ than to have Fleas suck his Blood when he was upon Earth Answ Very great Dishonour For tho in the Days of his Flesh it was no dishonour to him as it was necessary for us that he suffered so many Indignities and died yet now being risen from the Dead he dieth no more And it must needs be a great Wrong Injury and Dishonour to him to be crucified again and to be brought back to those Reproaches which he long since left and all this to no purpose and without any Profit to us Again the Scripture approveth and useth this Argument that his Body cannot be in two places at one and the same time It is the Angels Argument He is not here Mat. 28.6 he is risen plainly implying that he could not be here and there too Or must we say the Argument used by the Angels of God is weak or deceitful that theirs may be strong and true Object Have we not many Examples in Holy Scripture See a Popish Book called The Fortraiture of the true Church p. 152. which shew that Christ may be in divers Places at one time Was he not in Heaven when he appeared to St. Paul Acts 9.23 Paul saith he was seen last of all of him and yet was he not then in Heaven Answ What Sight it was that Paul had of Christ is not declared however it is evident it was a Vision that he had of him for so he calleth it but that this proves the Body of Christ to be in two places at once doth not in the least appear Stephen also saw Christ and if it should be granted as some affirm that he saw his real glorified Body doth it follow the Body of Christ was then in two Places The Heavens might be opened and his Sight so strengthned that he might have a sight of the blessed Jesus whom Stephen said he saw standing on the right-hand of God Acts 7.56 Object The Papists say Christ's real Body is in the Eucharist invisibly and so the Angels might mean he was not there visibly when they said He is not here he is risen Answ To
Iron 1 Tim. 4.2 VII A great and faithful Witness who hath perfect Knowledg of things and will not be bribed who can and will as it is believed and found by experience speak fully to a Cause tho it be to the utter Shame and Ruin of all guilty Persons is many times grievously abused by malicious Men who hate that their abominable Deeds should be brought to Light or laid at their Doors nay not only so but some have been stifled strangled and traiterously murdered as the ever renowned Sir Edmond-Bury Godfrey was by bloody Papists the 12th of October 1678. whom they knew could witness many things against them to detect their cursed and never to be forgotten Hellish Plot. VIII It is a very great Wickedness to lay violent hands or treacherously to abuse and stifle the King 's faithful Witnesses especially when called to give in their Evidence in Matters of great Moment wherein the Honour and Sovereignty of the King is greatly concerned VIII So it is a great and horrible Wickedness for any Soul or Sinner to go about to stop the Mouth of or treacherously to abuse poor Conscience who is the great Witness of the King of Heaven and Earth in this lower Court and that in Matters wherein his Honour and glorious Right and Sovereignty is much concerned nay not only his Witness but Judg to sit upon the Bench to hear and determine all Causes if rightly informed according to the great Law-Book of the Gospel and to pass Sentence of Life and Death or to acquit and discharge IX A Witness is required to speak the Truth when he comes before a Court of Judicature the whole Truth and nothing but the Truth and he that is a true Witness will do it And hereby many times most horrid Evils are brought to light and publickly detected yea secret things are discovered that the guilty Person thought would never have been known which makes him ashamed and confounded for ever IX So Conscience in the Day of Judgment will speak the Truth the whole Truth and nothing but the Truth Tho now oft-times he is blinded and at a great Loss for want of Light or by being mis-guided he gives in false Testimony and quits the guilty and condemns the innocent but in that day it will recover such perfect Light and Knowledg that it will decide the Cause clearly the right way and will by this means bring to light all the hidden things of Darkness 1 Cor. 4 5. even all those cursed Abominations of the Heart all secret things that it and God Almighty were only privy to and will lay open all the horrid Evils that have been done in the dark Then Men shall be forced to confess their secret Adulteries Murthers Treacheries Theft Self-Revenge together with all their bloody and black Combinations ConspiracieS and Hellish Plots carried on in secret Cabals managed by ungodly Papists or others notwithstanding all their Oaths of Secrecy Conscience if it comes not to light before will in that day lay all open before the Eyes of Men and Angels to the Shame and eternal Confusion of all ungodly Ones X. A just and impartial Witness that clearly and very fully giveth in Testimony against a Person in a fair Trial finally stops his own Mouth and the Mouths of all others and leaves the Cause clear for the Judg to pass Sentence against him X. So the Consciences of wicked Men in the great Day will give in such clear and full Evidence against them touching all the Evils they shall then be charged with by the just Judg of Heaven and Earth that all Flesh shall for ever be silenced and God shall be clear when he judgeth Rom. 2.15 16. Which shew the Works of the Law written in their Hearts their Consciences also bearing Witness and their Thoughts in the mean while accusing or else excusing one another in that Day when God shall judg the Secrets of all Men by Jesus Christ according to my Gospel And hereby all the Mouths of Unbelievers will be stopp'd and they all be found guilty before Christ Inferences THese things being considered it may stir up all Persons to take heed how they carry it at home and abroad when they go out and when they come in when they lie down or rise up because Conscience observes all that is said or done nay is privy to all the thoughts of our Hearts and one day will witness for us or against us II. Let Christians whatever they do labour to keep a good Conscience A good Conscience is better than a good Name it is better than a good Trade 't is better than a good Estate And for further Motives to this needful Duty 1 Consider Conscience keeps a Register of all thy Thoughts Words and Actions what you forget and is quite gone out of your Memories is set down in the Book of Conscience 2. Consider Conscience is a Witness an impartial Witness an Accuser of Evil and tho he lies still a great while he will rouse up at last and with his cruel Charges and Accusations accuse the Soul as in the Case of Joseph's Brethren And they said one to another Gen. 42.21 Verily we are guilty concerning our Brother in that we saw the Anguish of his Soul when he besought us and we would not hear therefore is this Distress come upon us 3. Conscience is not only a Witness but a Judg and hath power to condemn the wicked and the guilty Soul it sits upon the Throne as God's Attorney-General to award Life or Death as the States and Conditons of Men are If thy Heart condemn the 1 Joh 3.20 21. God is greater c. 4. Conscience doth often the Work and Office of a Tormentor wo to them that fall into his enraged hands here but much more sad will it be with them whom he shall torment in Hell 'T is he that is the gnawing Worm that never dies Mark 9.44 where the Fire shall never be quenched But 5. There is no bearing in this World the Pain and Torment of an accusing Conscience Tiberius the Emperor was so followed with Grief and Horror by his own Conscience that he confessed in the Senate-House he suffered Death daily and Charles the Ninth of France that Monster of Mortals after the dreadful Massacre could never endure to be awaked in the Night without Musick such was the dreadful Anguish and Horror he found in his own Conscience Francis Spira also may be here recited among the rest whose Conscience terrified him at that rate that the Account of his fearful Case is left to Posterity It was Conscience that put Judas into such an Amaze and forced him to hang himself after he had betrayed our Blessed Saviour And many other Examples both ancient and modern we meet with both of Men and Women that have destroyed themselves as not being able to bear the cruel Torments of an accusing Conscience and others from hence have confessed their Guilt and so
more safe and secure to dwell in and some Cities have two or three Walls to make them more impregnable II. The Church of God hath strong Walls about it We have a strong City Isa 26.1 Salvation will God appoint for Walls and Bulwarks The Church hath a threefold Wall about it First The Wall of God's Providence Hast not thou made a Hedg or Wall about him As the Mountains are round about Jerusalem Job 1. Psal 125.2 so the Lord is round about them that fear him c. Secondly The Protection of the holy Angels Psal 34.7 The Angels of the Lord encamp round about them that fear him c. Thirdly God in an extraordinary manner is as a Wall of Fire round about her Zech. 2.5 every one of his Attributes is a gracious Defence to the Church III. Some Cities are bravely scituated they are built upon a Hill III. The Church of God is famous upon this account Beautiful for Scituation Psal 48.2 the Joy of the whole Earth is Mount Zion on the sides of the North the City of the great King Mat. 16.18 Ye are as a City set upon a Hill IV. A City is built of many Materials and in it are many Buildings or Houses set in rare Uniformity curiously joined and compacted together IV. The Church of God is built up of many living Stones consisting of divers particular Societies or spiritual Houses Now therefore ye are no more Strangers and Foreigners Eph. 2.19 20 21 22. but Fellow-Citizens with the Saints and of the Houshold of God And are built upon the Foundation of the Apostles and Prophets Jesus Christ himself being the chief Corner-stone In whom all the Building fitly framed together groweth to an holy Temple in the Lord c. In whom ye also are builded together for an Habitation of God through the Spirit Jerusalem is builded as a City that is compact together Psal 122.3 V. A City hath its particular Laws Institutions and Customs by which it is governed V. The Church of God also hath special Laws Institutions and Customs belonging to it by which it is in all things governed which are contained in the holy Scripture the great Charter and Statute-Book of the Church VI. A City hath a supreme Governor in it who rectifies all Disorders and Confusions that otherwise would be therein considering the Multitude of its Inhabitants VI. The Church of God is not without a good Government and a Supreme Magistrate viz. the Lord Jâ—sus Christ who is the chief Judg and Law-giver or Head of this spiritual Corporation VII A City hath besides the chief Governor and principal Magistrate divers inferior Officers for Administration of Justice and well governing thereof VII So the Church of God hath inferior Officers under Jesus Christ which the Citizens by the appointment of Christ are required to substitute and ordain to govern and keep all things in good Order And he gave some Apostles Ephes 4.8 9 10 11 12. and some Prophets and some Evangelists and some Pastors and Teachers c. VIII A City hath some special Trade belonging to it by which its Inhabitants are enriched VIII The Church or City of God hath a spiritual Trade belonging to it which all the Citizens do and ought always to follow by which they are also greatly enriched IX Many Cities have Merchants in them who trade into remote parts of the World and fetch their Merchandize from afar IX The Saints or Citizens of Zion are all Merchants who trade daily to Heaven they fetch their blessed Merchandize from thence Phil. 3.20 Prov. 41. Our Conversation is in Heaven Hence the Church is by Solomon compared to Merchants Ships See Merchants Ships Saints have like other Merchants their Correspondent Jesus Christ who makes glorious Returns of all they venture or send to Heaven For every Duty rightly performed he makes Returns of Mercy for Tears of godly Sorrow he returns them the Oil of Joy Thou wilt saith holy David put my Tears into thy Bottle By which means the spiritual Citizens grow rich in Faith Hope Experience c. See the Parable of the Merchant-man Now touching the Trade Traffick or Merchandize of this City upon which its Wealth and Prosperity doth wholly depend take what follows First Their Trade is heavenly Wherefore holy Brethren Heb. 3.1 2 Partakers of the heavenly Calling consider the Apostle and High-Priest of our Profession Jesus Christ And as they are all Merchants and use one Trade so they all deal with one and the same Benefactor from whom they have quick Returns they fetch their Goods from afar Something touching the Excellency of the Trade of the City of God I shall hint in a few Particulâ—rs Secondly As touching her Commodities or the Merchandize which her Citizens deal in First Negatively 1. They are not prohibited Goods 2. They are not counterfeit Goods 3. They are not temporal and corruptible Goods Secondly Affirmatively and more directly they are 1. Soul enriching Commodities things that are of very great worth and value The Merchandize of Wisdom is better than the Merchandize of Silver Prov. 3.14 and the Gain thereof than fine Gold 2. They are needful things such things as we cannot be without Some things that Merchants of a City deal in and fetch from afar tho they are of great value yet we may very well subsist and live comfortably without them as Pearl and precious Stones c. But there is an absolute Necessity of all those things the Citizens of this City trade in and for 3. They are such Commodities as will make the Nations and Persons that buy them happy for ever and indeed there is no true Happiness without them Quest What is the Traffick of this City of God Answ The first thing that I shall mention is the Truth this she offers to Sale Buy the Truth and sell it not Prov. 23.23 The Church is called the Pillar and Ground of Truth 1 Tim. 3.15 Truth is only to be found in this City or in the Ware-Houses of the Citizens of Zion viz. the Word of God and the Hearts of Believers The second thing is a Soul-converting Gospel and blessed Ordinances The Law goeth forth of Zion and the Word of the Lord from Jerusalem Mic. 2.4 The third thing they deal in are the Gifts and Soul-enriching Graces of the Spirit Hope Love Humility c. things of very great worth The fourth is Justification every true Sinner makes it his Business to get this precious Treasure The fifth thing is the Peace of God which passeth all Understanding one of the rarest Commodities in the World The sixth thing is Union and Communion with God 1 Joh. 1.3 That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you that ye also may have fellowship with us and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ The seventh thing is Peace of Conscience Herein do I exercise my self Acts 24.16
Controversy of his Church and undo all that afflict her The Stone cut out of the Mountain without hands zech 12.2 Dan. 2.34 shall smite the Image upon his Feet that were of Iron and Clay and break them to pieces Then the Iron and the Clay the Brass the Silver and the Gold shall be broken together and become as the Chaff of the Summer Threshing-floor 2. God will utterly destroy all Idolatry and all false Worship and by this means will restore his own Appointments in the purity of them Rev. 14.8 Rev. 18.1 2 3 21. Isa 60.1 2. 25.6 7. 58.12 3. God to make her glorious will unite all her Children together in Love They shall serve the Lord with one Consent and no more Divisions shall be amongst them Isa 11.13 Ezek. 37.16 17 19. Zeph. 3.8 9. Zech. 14.9 There shall be one Lord and his Name one 4. God will enlarge her Borders The Children of the Barren shall say again in my Ears The Place is too strait for me give me Room that I may dwell Isa 59.20 The Fulness of the Gentiles shall be brought in they shall come like Doves to the Windows Isa 60.3.4 5. 5. The Jews shall be called and both Jews and Gentiles shall make but one Sheep-fold And there shall be one Sheep-fold and one Shepherd Ezek. 37.22 John 10.16 Isa 19.19 20 to the end 6. The Glory of the Church will be great in respect of Knowledg All the Earth shall be filled with the Knowledg of the Glory of the Lord as the Waters cover the Sea Numb 14.21 Isa 11.9 Hab. 2.14 7. Her Glory shall be great in respect of the Abundance of Peace which shall be in the World in that Day God will make Wars to cease to the ends of the Earth such a Day never was in the World yet Psal 46.8 9. 72.7 Isa 2.4 Mich. 4.3 4. 8. The Mountain of the Lord's House shall be exalted above the Mountains Mich. 4.2 Isa 2.12 and lifted up above the Hills and all Nations shall flow unto it The Saints in that Day shall possess the Gates of their Enemies Jer. 30.20 9. The Glory of the Church will be great in respect of Holiness God will bring his People into the Fire and make his Church very pure Isa 1.25 26 27. Mal. 3.2 Psal 110.2 3. Zech. 13.8 9. There shall be no Canaanite in the House of the Lord no unclean Person shall dwell therein 10. Her Glory shall be great by Christ's coming to her Psal 2.6 Thine Eyes shall see the King in his Beauty Isa 33.17 He shall be King over all the Earth I have set my King upon my holy Hill of Sion God will dwell with Men in a more glorious manner than he ever yet dwelt with them 11. In that her Glory shall abide and the Kingdom shall not be left to another People Dan. 2.44 Dan. 7.27 Inferences LEt us pray for the Day of Sion's Glory and never give God rest until he hath made Jerusalem a Praise in the whole Earth Thy Kingdom come c. 2. Let not the Godly be discouraged whatever Troubles they are now attended with Clouds of Darkness shall soon flie away At Even-tide there shall be Light Zech. 14.7 The Church compared to an Olive-Tree Hosea 14.7 His Branches shall spread and his Beauty shall be as the Olive-Tree The Church of God is compared in this place to an Olive-Tree Simile Parallel PArt or the Beauty of the Olive-Tree consists in its Greenness it is always green few Trees that bear Fruit are like the Olive in this respect SO the Church of God and every sincere Soul is green and flourishing Greenness notes Life and Sap to be in the Branches the Branches of the Divine Olive viz. the Saints are never without spiritual Moisture or the Sap of Grace in their Hearts and Lives Psal 1.3 His Leaves shall not fail Hence David said He was like a green Olive-Tree in the House of the Lord. Psal 52.8 II. The Olive-Tree is renowned for Fruitfulness it abounds mightily with Fruit. Pliny saith If care be not taken its Fruit so loads it that it even breaks it down II. The Church is fruitful now but shall be much more fruitful unto God hereafter her Beauty shall be as the Olive-Tree in this respect She shall abound in Children and abound in Grace and true Holiness III. The Olive-Tree beareth not only much Fruit but also profitable Fruit. Olives are rare things What Tree brings forth better Fruit than the Olive-Tree It s Fruit is mollifying feeding strengthning healing its Oil makes your Lamps to burn III. So the Church brings forth good Fruit not only a great quantity but Fruit that excells in its Nature or Quality viz. Faith Love Meekness Patience Charity Gal. 5.22 c. even all the Fruits of the Spirit or as they are in another place called the Fruits of Righteousness Jam. 3.17 Grace is of a mollifying feeding strengthening and healing Nature Grace makes the Lamp of Profession to burn clear whereby others see or have much Light See Oil. IV. The Branches of an Olive-Tree were formerly used to signify Peace IV. A Saint is for Peace They are Peace-makers they desire nothing more than Peace with God and Peace with Men I am for Peace saith David Psal 120.7 He that hath the Fruit of the Olive viz. Grace shall soon see the Dove viz. the Spirit bringing the Olive-Branch but as Noah's Dove did not bring the Olive-Branch till the Waters were abated so the Flood of Iniquity must be abated the Waters of Wickedness sink and be dried up before a Man can receive a sure Sign or Token of Peace and Reconciliation with God Inferences HEnce let Saints who are planted in the House of the Lord labour to be like the Olive-Tree not only to bring forth much Fruit as to quantity but good and right Fruit in respect to its quality The Church compared to an Inn. Luke 10.34 And brought him to an Inn. BY the Inn most Expositors that I have met with understand that Christ means the Church which may be fitly compared to an Inne Metaphor Parallel AN Inn is a Place to entertain Travellers whilst they pass from one Country or City to another SO the Church is a Place to entertain Christians whilst they pass through the Wilderness of this World to the Land of Promise or through the Valley of Tears to the Mount of Joy In an Inn is a Host who is to take care of Strangers or Travellers that come thither and to help them to whatsoever they need II. In the Church are Pastors or faithful Ministers who wait to receive all poor Sinners who come to take up their Lodging there and make them very welcom III. An Inn is a Place of Refreshment for Travellers where they meet with convenient Food and sweet Repose in their Journey A Man may have in some Inns what Food he pleaseth either Milk or strong Meat choice of
tender and dear Wife is greatly troubled when her Husband seems to be offended and angry with her and strives to pacify him again and is never at Rest or Peace until she finds his Love towards her as formerly and all things right between them IX So a gracious Soul if Christ be offended and withdrawn from him is greatly cast down and grieved Cant. 5.6 Thou hiddest thy Face and I was troubled I opened to my Beloved but my Beloved had withdrawn himself and was gone My Soul failed when he spake I sought him but I could not find him I called him but he gave me no Answer Isa 63.15 64.9 Where is the sounding of thy Bowels and thy Mercy towards me are they restrained Be not wroth very sore O Lord neither remember our Iniquity for ever behold we beseech thee we are thy People X. The Wife by her Marriage with her Husband is delivered from Arrests for Debts no sooner is she married but her Husband is liable to that Danger it falls upon him he must see to satisfy and pay what she owed X. So in like manner no sooner is a Soul espoused or married to Christ but all his Debts to Law and Justice fall upon Christ and he pays all He stands between Wrath and us Justice and us He keeps off all Danger of Arrests and Fear of Imprisonment He hath Riches enough All is cleared the day the Soul closes in with him tho whole Mountains of Guilt were upon us before XI The Wife that is married to a Prince or mighty Potentate is thereby greatly exalted or raised to Honour becomes a Queen the same day the Marriage is consummated and hath the Attendance of his Servants XI So the Church being married to Christ the Lord Jesus the Prince of Heaven and Earth is raised to the greatest Honour imaginable she is made hereby a Princess and hence called a Queen On thy right-hand did stand the Queen Psal 45 9. in Gold of Ophir The Saints also have the Attendance of Christ's Servants the holy Angels They are sent forth to minister to them that are Heirs of eternal Life Heb. 1.14 XII The Wife that is married to a rich and godly Husband is thereby freed from much Care and Trouble for he provideth for her and manageth all her Concerns It is true altho every Husband is bound by the Law of that Relation to provide for his Wife and free her from Care as much as he can yet some are poor and unable to do it and hence the Wife is involved in as much Care and Trouble as he XII Christ frees his People from all inordinate and unnecessary Care 1 Pet. 5.7 Cast all your Care upon him for he careth for you He manageth all our Concerns in Heaven always appearing before God for us 1 Joh. 2.1 We have an Advocate with the Father Jesus Christ the Righteous And he manageth all our Affairs on Earth in a way of Grace and Divine Providence Isa 27 12. works all our Works in us and for us He gives and loves saves and feeds us and will never leave us till he hath brought us to Heaven He became poor 2 Cor. 8.9 but we were no Losers thereby for by his Poverty we are made rich XIII A Wife brings forth Children and is many times very fruitful to her Husband and when she hath brought them forth takes care of them feeds and nurseth them XIII So the Church is fruitful to Christ bringing forth many Sons and Daughters to him whom she takes care of feeds and nurseth as the Mother does her Children For thus saith the Lord Behold Isa 66.12 13. I will extend Peace to her like a River and the Glory of the Gentiles like a flowing Stream Then shall ye suck ye shall be born upon her sides and dandled upon her Knees as one whom his Mother comforteth c. See Mother XIV A Wife hath the Privilege to know her Husbands Mind for many things which are kept secret from others are made known to the Wife XIV Psal 25.14 So the Secrets of the Lord are with them that fear him and he will shew them his Covenant Eye hath not seen 1 Cor. 2.9 10. nor Ear heard nor hath it entred into the Heart of Man to conceive the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him But God hath revealed them to us by his Spirit Metaphor Disparity A Wife may soon lose her Husband Death we see many times takes him away and she is thereby made a Widow and her Children fatherless BUt the Church cannot lose her Husband Christ dieth no more Rev. 1.18 he is immortal and therefore she can never be a Widow nor her Children fatherless I will not leave you comfortless Joh. 14.18 the word is Orphans He is an everlasting Husband Inferences STand and wonder Doth Christ espouse and take to Wife such a poor and contemptible Creature as Mankind What disproportion is there between a King and a Beggar between an Ant and an Angel a far greater disproportion there is between Jesus Christ and Sinners He is high and great but we are base and vile He is blessed and glorious we are wretched and miserable He is a mighty King King of Kings and we poor Slaves and Vassals yea the worst of Slaves Vassals and Slaves to Sin and Satan 2. From hence you may perceive the unspeakable Nearness there is between Christ and his People can there be a sweeter and more glorious Union than this If we consider the Properties of it it is a spiritual a real an operative an enriching an intimate an indissoluble Union to be Bone of his Bone and Flesh of his Flesh What can any Soul desire more What greater Happiness what more glorious saith one of the Ancients than this Union 3. What Doctrine can yield greater Comfort to Believers who are thus happily espoused and married to Jesus Christ We say such and such are well disposed of happily married O Soul how well art thou disposed of What! married to Christ to the Son of God to the King of Heaven and Earth 4. This may shew the Saints their Duty and put them in mind of their Covenant Soul thou hast vowed and canst not go back 5. And may he of use especially to all that stand related as Husband and Wife in the Church for Husbands to make Christ their Pattern in their Carriage and Deportment towards their Wives and likewise Wives to make the Church their Example in their Behaviour towards their Husbands as the Apostle giveth direction Eph. 5.21 ult 6. Lastly What Terror doth this speak to the Enemies of the Church If the Church be the Wife of Christ what will they do that so much abuse her and continually seek her Life Let them know He will appear in Wrath and Vengeance to save and deliver her and will tear them in pieces in a short time The Church compared to a Bush on
Places might be known by the Church the manifold Wisdom of God Hence God is said to love the Gates of Zion Psal 87.2 viz. the Place of his visible Worship more than all the Dwellings of Jacob. Can there be a greater Reproach to a Church or any thing more provoking to God than to have Prayer and other Branches of Publick Worship and Devotion wholly neglected among them X. All the Family yea every particular Person thereof ought to be called together and they diligently to obey that Call and come together at the Time of Devotion or when Prayer is solemnly performed therein X. So the whole Church I mean each Community of Christians yea every particular Member thereof ought to be called together and they diligently to obey that Call at all Times when Prayer or any other part of Church-Service Devotion and Worship is to be performed Heb 10.25 Not forsaking the assembling of your selves together as the manner of some is c. Acts 2.1 They were all with one accord in one Place XI Some Families are exceeding great consisting of many Persons especially if it be the Family of a Prince or noble Person XI The whole Family of Christ the great Prince of Heaven and Earth I mean the whole universal Church both Militant and Triumphant is exceeding great the one part of which is in Heaven and the other on Earth Eph. 3.15 16. For this Cause I bow my Knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ of whom the whole Family in Heaven and Earth is named c. Ephes 3.15 16. XII It is exceeding commendable and honourable for all that belong unto a Family to be truly and cordially affectionate one to another to be ready and willing to do all Offices of Love and Kindness so far as the Law of such a Relation doth require of each in their respective Places and Callings XII So the Lord Jesus the Head and Governor of his Church hath strictly commanded and doth exceedingly commend the Grace of Love in and among all his Family The Church is never more desirable or comely in this World than when the Love of each Member doth abound one towards another when Ministers love the People and the People heartily love them and when every one in the Station wherein God hath set him is ready and willing to do any Office of Love How amiable upon this account is the Church of God! Inferences THis shews that the Church of God are a choice and peculiar People such who have given up themselves in the Order and Fellowship of the Gospel walking together in Love as a holy religious and united Family according to the Order and Discipline Christ hath left in his Word having sweet Acquaintance and Intimacy one with another And now to conclude with this Head from the Whole we may infer I. That God's Church is most dear and precious in his Sight or a People that he hath most choice Love and Affections to and takes great Care of II. That the Church of God under the Gospel-Dispensation is not National Parochial c. III. That the Church of God are a People separated from the World in respect of the Worship Traditions and sinful Customs thereof c. Non-conformity to the World in these respects is an indispensible Duty Be not conformed to this World Rom. 12.2 Come out from amongst them and be ye separated saith the Lord and touch not the unclean thing c. 2 Cor. 6.17 IV. That the true Church of God is a Number of sincere and godly Christians who have solemnly covenanted and given up themselves to walk in the true Order and Fellowship of the Gospel according to the exact Rule of God's Word amongst whom the Word of God is truly preached and the Sacraments are duely and in a right manner administred V. That God's Church hath many Enemies and yet in despite of them all shall abide and the Gates of Hell shall never prevail against her And tho for a time she may be low and under great Sufferings yet she shall arise to a great Degree of Glory in the latter Day THE Eighth HEAD OF Metaphors Allegories and Similes WITH Other Borrowed TERMS That respect MEN. I. Of Men in general II. Of the Godly or good Men. III. Of Sinners or wicked Men. Men compared to Earth Jer. 22.9 Hear O Earth Earth Earth Psal 33.5 Let all the Earth fear the Lord. Let all the Earth keep Silence Rev. 12. But the Earth helped the Woman BY Earth in these Scriptures we are to understand Men dwelling upon the Earth Earth Parallel THe Earth is far from Heaven there is a vast Difference between them ALl Men whilst they remain unconverted or abide in a State of Nature are said to be far from God tho not in respect of Place yet in respect of Condition Men being by reason of Sin in a State of Enmity Eph. 2.13 Ye that sometimes were afar off are now made nigh by the Blood of Christ II. The Earth is a heavy lumpish and gross Body II. So Man naturally is Earth-like a heavy and lumpish Piece being taken out of the Earth and the Off-spring of red Earth As is the earthy 1 Cor. 15.48 such are they that are earthy III. The Earth hath its great Dependency upon the Heavens did not the Rain from above water it and the Sun shine upon it how hard and barren would it soon be II. So Man hath all his Dependency upon God neither the spiritual Man nor the natural Man can subsist unless the Heavens send down Blessings upon them All humane as well as divine Growth and Fruitfulness comes from above IV. Earth turns and cleaves to Earth as its proper Center Tho a Piece of it may by force be lifted up or thrown upward yet by an innate Propensity to descend it naturally falls down again IV. So Man naturally cleaves to and takes delight in earthly Things He that is after the Flesh Rom. 8.5 minds the Things of the Flesh He that is not born anew born of the Spirit but is wholly an earthly Man the Earth is his proper Center tho sometimes his Heart may in an artificial way as it were be lifted upwards yet down he falls again to his own Center V. What a dark Dungeon would the Earthly Globe be did not the Heavens shine upon it V. So what a dark Dungeon is Man's Heart and in what Egyptian Darkness would all Men and Women be involved were it not for the Light of the God of Heaven his Word and blessed Spirit VI. Those Things that are fed and nourished by the Earth are Earth and we see go or return to Earth again VI. So the Body of Man which is fed from the Earth which was taken out of the Earth we daily see goeth to the Earth again and therefore Man may be called Earth Earth Earth Jer. 22.29 that was his Original Earth he was and Earth he is and to Earth he
Judgment make haste their Consciences being thereby awakened by the Lord to get into that Place of Security God hath provided for them viz. the Rock Christ who is called an Hiding-Place Isa 32.2 IX There are many Sorts of Worms IX So there are many Sorts of Men Worms 1. Some great and some small Ones and yet all are but Worms 1. So there are some great Men mighty Ones of the Earth as Kings c. and some small or poor Men but yet all are but Worms weak and contemptible Creatures in God's sight David called himself a Worm I am a Worm and no Man c. Psal 22 6. 2. There are some Dunghil-Worms who love to abide or live in Dung and Muck of the Earth 2. So there are some Men whom we commonly call Muck-worms who delight in nothing more than in the Dung or Filth of the Earth or Muck of this World their Hearts and Hands are always in the Earth Take them out of this Filth and they are as dead Men and let them alone and you shall presently see them craul to their old Delights Nothing but the World is in their Mouths they wallow in their filthy Lusts and Earthly-mindedness as the Swine tumbles in the Mire III. There are some Worms very loathsom such as breed in rotten putrified Flesh which are called Carrion-Worms 3. Such a Worm is a wicked Man a Vermine a Worm that breeds in Corruption as it were a loathsom Creature in God's Sight See the Head of the Metaphor 4. There are some Worms that deceive the Eye seeming to be what they are not Many have thought they had seen Fire in the Night when they have cast their Eye upon them in the place where they have lain These are called Glow-worms R. W. tells us a Story of a Parson that in the Night being drunk casting his Eye upon one of these Worms having his Pipe of Tobacco filled went bodily towards it crying out Fire I hope Fire I hope When the Light comes these appear to all to be but Worms 4. There are some Men who deceive their Neighbours They take them to be holy and good Men precious Saints of God and yet are greatly mistaken in them they being no better than painted Sepulchers meer Hypocrites and notwithstanding their outward Shew of Holinesss and Sanctity are but Earth-Worms having the World viz. external Advantage or vain Glory in their Eye as the great Thing they aim at in their Profession and in the Day of Christ they will appear to be what in truth they are 5. There are some very hurtful Worms who spoil Trees Flowers and the Fruits of the Earth See Joel 1.4 Amos 4.9 Such are the Palmer-Worm the Caterpillar and the Canker-Worm Which Sort of hurtful Vermin God hath often brought upon a People and Nation as a Punishment of their Sins 5. So there are some Men who like to these Worms are of a very hurtful Nature and endeavour to spoil Christ's spiritual Trees Flowers and precious Fruit c. They are called Locusts or Caterpillars by the Holy-Ghost Rev. 9.3 they are said to come out of the Bottomless Pit And to them was given Power as the Scorpions of the Earth have Power c. By these Locusts are meant as Franciscus Claudius a Carmelite Fryar and others expound the Place as is noted by Mr. Wilson ' those great Swarms of Popish Priests Friars Monks Cardinals even the whole Popish Hierarchy and Pontificial Clergy These are fitly likened unto Locusts which are a little vile Vermine springing as some say out of Smoke c. And truly this is made too evident of that Sort of Men this day in England and other Nations of Europe Never were a more destructive Generation of vile Vermine in the World none make or threaten to make greater Spoil of Christ's Vineyard and precious Fruit-Trees than they And in that they are let in upon us we may plainly read God's Displeasure against us thereby and nothing but unfeigned Repentance and Reformation will doubtless free this poor Nation from them for at this very time we are sadly plagued and pestered with them See God an Husbandman 6. There are also some profitable Worms who are very laborious and cloath the World with Silk and they are called Silk-Worms 6. This Sort of Worms resemble the laborious and faithful Ministers of Christ who spend themselves in Preaching and in divine Prayer and Meditation that so they may enrich Mens Souls with Grace and true Vertue These as Instruments in God's Hand may be said to cloath Men and Women with Silk or gloriously adorn their better Part tho hereby through Zeal and faithful Industry for God's Glory they waste and consume their own Carcases spending and being spent as the Apostle speaks X. The House or Place of divers Worms is the Earth they lie hid in the Ground X. So Man who is a Worm must take up his Place for a short time in the Earth The Grave is my House saith Job Job 17.13 the Place appointed for all Living This Worm must go to his Fellows to the Worms Inferences BY this we may see what a poor thing Man is The mighty Ones of the Earth who boast of great Matters are but Worms And if Man be but a Worm why doth he swell above the Clouds as if he would make his Nest among the Stars when as he must shortly fall among the Clods and be eaten of Worms 2. Take heed of having Mens Persons in Admiration it is a vain thing to give flattering Titles to others As it becomes us not to reproach or vilify any Man tho all Men are but as Worms so it is a God provoking Evil to flatter Men thereby creating high thoughts in them of themselves as some once served Herod crying out It is the Voice of a God and not of a Man But the Almighty Acts 12.22 to shew how much he abhorred such as gave not him the Glory made them know he was but a Worm and therefore the Angel of the Lord smote him and he was eaten up of Worms 3. Be not envious at others tho more rich and honourable than thee The greatest of Men are but Worms and tho some sparkle and shine in outward Glory and Splendor and seem to excell every way yet they may be but like Glow-worms 't is but for a Night they seem like Stars in the Morning they will appear like others 4. Let us learn from hence not to overvalue our selves nor our Lives What is the Life of a Worm 5. What Fools are the Wicked of the Earth to muster up their Force against God's People Whom do they come out against It is but against a Worm Could they prevail what Honour would they gain by it Is it so great a matter to destroy a Worm for so Jacob in his low Estate is called Fear not thou Worm Jacob. But let them know this Worm hath a mighty God to take its part I will help
Men she had more cause than an Army of Ten Hundred Thousand 'T is said of the Witnesses that They have Power to shut Heaven Rev. 11 5. that it rain not in the Days of their Prophecy and have Power over Waters to turn them into Blood and to smite the Earth with Plagues as often as they will How do they this but by Prayer 3. That Prayer is a great Ordinance will appear if we consider the Promises made to it 2 Cor. 7.14 Psal 50.15 Mat. 21.22 Job 15.7 4. That it is a great Ordinance will appear if we consider how it co-works with all other Ordinances and Duties to make them effectual whether Moral or Evangelical Every thing is sanctified by the Word of God and Prayer 5. That Prayer is a great Ordinance doth appear by the Influences it hath over all our Graces 1. 'T is the Means for getting Grace hereby a Souldier of Christ obtains his Armor 2. And for the Increase of Grace in order to the acting of it 3. For the evidencing of Grace It is that which brings the Soul into God's Presence and fills it with Divine Joy and Peace in believing 6. It is the Divine Breath of the Soul can a Man live longer than he breaths A Saint dies when he quite ceaseth Praying Quest What hinders or obstructs the Answer of the Saint's Prayer Answ 1. When we pray not according to God's Will God's Will must be the Rule of our Prayers And this is the Confidence that we have in him 1 Joh. 5.14 Jam. 4.3 that if we ask any thing according to his Will he heareth us 2. When the End or Aim of a Man is not right Ye ask and receive not because ye ask amiss that ye may consume it on your Lusts 3. When we pray not in Faith Unbelief hinders the Answer of Prayer Jam. 1.6 But let him ask in Faith nothing wavering c. 4. When Endeavours after the things we want are not joined with our Prayers Psal 27.4 As we have a Mouth to beg we must have a Hand to work 5. When any one Sin resteth in the Bosom unrepented of Psal 66.18 If I regard Iniquity in my Heart the Lord will not hear me c. 6. When we are not fervent Prayer must be with Affection unto God 7. When we pray not in Spirit Our Spirits must pray and not only so but if the Spirit of God doth not act and assist our Spirits our Prayers will not prevail 8. When we are not constant in the Duty We must be importunate and constant Luk 18.1 pray always and not faint if we would have our Prayers heard 9. When we come not to God in the Name of Christ the Door is shut We must ask in Christ's Name and come to God by him if we would be heard and accepted by him The Celestial Race Or the Saints compared to Runners 1 Cor. 9.4 Know ye not that they which run in a Race run all but one receiveth the Prize So run that ye may obtain Heb. 12.1 Let us lay aside every Weight and the Sin which doth so easily beset us and let us run with Patience the Race that is set before us CHristianity or the Life of a Christian is in these Scriptures compared to a Race So run that ye may obtain A Christian is compared to a Man that runs a Race What sort of Race the Apostle principally alludes to is not as we conceive so material besides many worthy Men do not agree about it some being subject to think the Apostle alludes to the Olympick Games We shall therefore run the Parallel with respect to such Things concerning a Race which all generally agree in To run is variously taken in Scripture 1. To break through Psal 18.29 2. To strive with the greatest Speed and Celerity or to make haste Prov. 1.26 2 Kings 4.22 3. Eagerly in Affection to be carried after 1 Pet. 4.4 4. To pass without Let Psal 147.15 5. To labour with Earnestness 6. To go forward Gal. 5.7 Metaphor Parallel A Man that runs in a Race takes great care to begin well It behoves him to be exact in his setting out 1. In respect of Time 2. In respect of Place he observes the Place from whence he must begin to run A little Time lost at the beginning of a Race is dangerous SO a Christian ought to take great care how he begins or sets out in the Race towards eternal Life 1. In respect of Time it behoveth him to set out early enough he must not defer the great Concernment of his Soul Delays are dangerous Isa 55.6 Seek the Lord whilst he may be found call upon him whilst he is near I love them that love me Prov. 8. and they that seek me early shall find me Behold now is the accepted Time behold 2 Cor. 6.1 now is the Day of Salvation Some Men begin too late they mind not the Call of God To day if ye will hear his Voice harden not your Hearts Because I have called Prov. 1.24 28. and ye have refused c. I also will laugh at your Calamity Then they shall call upon me but I will not answer 2. They ought to observe the Place from which they must depart He that would go to Zion must leave Babylon as he would go to Zoar so he must depart out of Sodom He must leave the Way of Sin yea all the evil Courses Customs Traditions and Inventions of Men Ye did run well c. II. A Man that runs in a Race ought to know the Way well which he is to run if the Path be not plain before him he is not like to win the Prize II. So a Christian ought to know the Way to Salvation to be well-instructed in the Path of eternal Life Christ is the Way Joh. 14.6 No Man saith he cometh unto the Father but by me There is no other Name under Heaven given Acts 4.12 whereby we must be saved 1. Christ is the Way as a Priest who offered himself up as as a Sacrifice to God for us to atone and make Peace between the Father and us 2. Christ is the Way as a King who hath appointed us Laws and Ordinances which we must obey and follow to manifest our Subjection unto him Psal 119. I will run the Way of thy Commandments 3. As a Prophet who hath laid down all Rules and heavenly Directions necessary for us in Matters of Faith and Practice whom we must hear in all things Acts 3 23. 1 Pet. 2.21 4. Christ is the Way in that holy Example he hath left that we should follow his Steps A Saint observes the very Footsteps of Christ and of the Primitive Church he sees the good old Way plain before him as it is recorded in the holy Scripture and thereby knoweth which way to steer his Course III. A Man that runs in a Race must see to put himself in a fit Equipage He
of Death I will fear no Evil for thou art with me c. VI. The Myrtle-Tree never sheds its Leaves VI. The Righteous are said to be like a Tree whose Leaves wither not Psal 1.3 they hold fast the Profession of their Faith VII The Myrtle-Tree is said to yield a sweet and fragrant Scent VII The Saints yield a sweet Savour to God and Man Now thanks be to God 2 Cor. 2.14 15. which always causeth us to triumph in Christ and maketh manifest the Savour of his Knowledg by us in every Place For we are of God a sweet Savour of Christ in them that are saved and in them that perish Saints compared to Willow-Trees Isa 44.4 And they shall spring up as among the Grass as Willows by the Water-Courses THey shall spring up c. That is the Off-spring of Jacob the true Seed or Covenant-People of God As among the Grass as Willows by the Water-Courses As Willows grow and spring up by the Water-Courses so the Saints of God are said to flourish or spring up Simile Parallel VVIllows are so called because they mostly grow near to Brooks and always prosper best near Rivers and Water-Courses contrary to some other Trees as the Cypress and Chesnut-Trees which love not watery Places THe Trees of Righteousness viz. the Saints grow best near the River of God i. e. where the Springs of living Water flow forth It is the Influence of the holy Spirit which is compared to a River Joh. 7.37 38. that causes Believers to spring up and grow so sweetly II. Remove a Willow that grows by the Water side and plant it upon a Heath and you will soon see it decay and wither II. So if a Christian be removed from Christ or hindred of the sweet Influences of the Spirit and divine Ordinances of the Gospel which the Faithful enjoy in God's Church he will soon decay and wither in Grace and Holiness like a Willow upon a dry Heath Jer. 17.6 III. The Willow by the Water-Courses is green and flourishes in a Time of Drought when many other Trees and Plants fade and wither away III. So the Saints and People of God are in this respect like Willows or Trees planted by the Water side for so the Prophet plainly affirms Blessed is the Man that trusteth in the Lord Jer. 17.8 whose Hope the Lord is For he shall be as a Tree planted by the Waters and that spreadeth forth her Roots by the River and shall not see when Drought cometh but her Leaf shall be green and shall not he careful in the Year of Drought neither cease from yielding Fruit. Compared with Psal 1.3 Inferences HEnce we may learn that the Holy Spirit in his blessed Springs of Graces Promises and Ordinances is every way as needful to the Growth of God's People as Springs of Water are to the Willow-Tree 2. Let us bless the Almighty who hath planted us by the side of the River of God and let us pray that he would never transplant us nor remove us into a barren and heathy Wilderness Saints compared to Vessels 2 Cor. 4.7 But we have this Treasure in earthly Vessels c. But in a great House are not only Vessels of Gold and Silver but of Earth and Wood c. Some understand by this great House the World others the Church Metaphor Parallel A Vessel is made by a skilful Artizan or Workman he forms and fashions it as he sees good GOD hath formed or made all the Children of Men they are all the Work of his Hands formed and fashioned by him alone And as he hath made and formed us in the first Creation so also he hath made or fashioned his Saints in the second Creation This People have I formed for my self c. We are his Workmanship Isa 43.21 Eph. 2.10 created in Christ Jesus to good Works II. There is a great difference between some Vessels There are some Vessels of Gold Silver c. and also some of Earth Wood c. II. So there is a great difference between some Men. The Saints are Golden Vessels tho of little esteem in the Eyes of the World The precious Sons of Zion Lam. 4 3. comparable to fine Gold how are they esteemed as earthen Pitchers c. But the Wicked are likened to Vessels of Earth and Wood. III. Vessels are made for some proper and peculiar Use III. God made all Men whosoever they are for special Use and Service viz. to honour worship and bring Glory to his sacred Majesty IV. Vessels are subject to contract Filth and Pollution and therefore need often to be washed c. IV. So Christ's spiritual Vessels viz. his Saints as well as others are subject to contract the inward Filth of Sin such Uncleanness as nothing but Christ's Blood through Faith can wash away V. Vessels of divers sorts some very rich are usually in a great House in the House of a Prince or the like some of Honour and some of Dishonour V. So in the House of God there are divers Vessels 2 Tim. 2.20 some of Gold and Silver as it were viz. choice and precious Saints who are Vessels of Honour and some who are like Vessels of Earth and Wood viz. hypocritical and unprofitable Ones who without Repentance are like to be Vessels of Dishonour VI. Some Vessels are made use of to hold precious Treasure We read of Golden Pipes that empty the Golden Oil out of themselves VI. Some of the Saints of God are made use of for Ministers to bear the precious Treasure of the Gospel Zech. 4.12 also to empty it out of themselves for the Use and Profit of others VII Sometimes precious Treasure is put into earthen Vessels but whether it be Gold Silver or precious Stones that are put therein yet they are never the worse because of the Vessel into which they are put nor will wise Men refuse or slight such Treasure for the Vessel 's sake VII Ministers of the Gospel tho inwardly very rich and precious yet they are but Men as others are poor earthen Vessels and some of them very mean and contemptible in the Eye of the World You see your Calling Brethren c. 1 Cor. 1.26 But the Treasure of Wisdom is not the worse tho it be in such earthen Vessels nor will wise Men refuse good Doctrine and wholesom Counsel because communicated by such Servants of Christ But we have this Treasure in earthen Vessels 2 Cor. 4.7 that the Excellency of the Power might be of God and not of us See the Gospel compared to Treasure in the third Book of the First Volume VIII An earthen Vessel sometimes proves defective and le ts out choice Liquor that is put therein nay and sometimes the Liquor tastes of the Vessel or loses much of its precious Relish by reason an evil Person puts some unsavoury Matter into the Vessel and by reason of this Mixture the pure Savour is somewhat gone VIII So some
't is Sincerity that imboldens a Christian and makes him valiant Saints compared to Gold Job 23.10 When he hath tried me I shall come forth as Gold Isa 13.12 I will make a Man more precious than fine Gold c. Simile Parallel GOld is a precious Metal it is esteemed as one of the rarest Things on Earth hence Things of great Value are in the holy Scriptures set forth by Gold THe Saints are a choice and precious People the excellent Ones in all the Earth Psal 16.2 Prov. 12.26 Isa 44.4 Lam. 4.2 Deut. 32.9 Since thou hast been precious in my Sight thou hast been honourable and I have loved thee They are called precious Sons of Zion comparable to fine Gold God esteems them as his Portion The Lord's Portion is his People Jacob is the Lot of his Inheritance II. Gold tho it is a pure Sort of Metal yet there is some Dross in it tho as Naturalists observe there is not any Metal that is more free from Dross and Rust than Gold is II. The Saints of God tho holy very precious and gracious Ones yet are they not without Sin there is some Dross of Corruption in the very best Eccl. 7.20 1 Joh. 1.8 There is not a just Man upon the Earth that doth good and sinneth not If we say we have no Sin we deceive our selves and the Truth is not in us III. Gold is refined in the Fire and thereby is made more pure than it was before III. So the Saints are put into the Fire I mean into the Furnace of Affliction to purge and refine them from all the Dross of their Corruption Job 23.10 When he hath tried me I shall come forth as Gold I will make a Man more precious than fine Gold I will bring the third Part through the Fire and will refine them as Silver is refined Zech. 13.9 and will try them as Gold is tried They shall call upon my Name and I will hear them I will say It is my People and they shall say The Lord is my God IV. Gold is very pliant you may bow and work it as you please and the Fire makes it more pliable and yielding c. IV. So the Saints are of a soft and pliable Nature God having infused his precious Grace into their Hearts they are of a yielding Temper they have Hearts of Flesh and God by putting them into the Fire makes them more pliant and flexible they presently yield to the Will of God when others will not cannot be brought to it V. Gold will endure the Fire tho it be often put into the Furnace yet it loseth nothing but the drossy Part. The Fire doth it much Good it cannot destroy the precious Nature of it Gold retains its Excellency in despite of the envious Rage of fiery Flames V. So the Saints of God or all sincere Ones endure the fiery Trial they are not burned up not consumed in the Furnace of Affliction tho heated seven-fold tho it burn their Bodies into Ashes and reduce their Flesh as one observes into the first Atoms yet the Saint the Gold is not hurt nor doth he receive the least Damage thereby Sincere Christians are compared to Gold and Hypocrites to Wood Hay and Stubble which the Fire will burn up VI. Gold is often formed into Vessels rarely wrought for the Pleasure Honour and Use of Princes and great Men. VI. See Vessel God frames some of his Saints for most excellent Use he makes of them Vessels of Honour to hold the glorious Treasure of the Gospel and to let it out to others These are fitly compared to fine Gold Lam. 4.2 altho accounted as earthen Pitchers VII Gold is carefully kept Men set highly by it and often hide it lest Thieves should steal it away VII So God sets highly by his Saints He keeps them carefully Day and Night They are called his hidden Ones He covers them under his Wings from the Pride of Men. VIII Men suffer great Pains for Gold run great Losses and Hazards to obtain it and make it sure to themselves VIII So Jesus Christ suffered great Pain and Loss for his poor Saints he laid down his Life for them We were not redeemed with Silver and Gold 1 Pet. 1.18 19. from our vain Conversations but with the precious Blood of Christ as of a Lamb without blemish Simile Disparity GOld is earthly and of a perishing Nature it weareth away by little and little the more it is put to use the more it wasteth THe Saints tho their Bodies are earthly and die yet they shall never perish and their better Part is spiritual and shall never see Corruption The more Service they do the more glorious they shall be Saints are not the worse for wearing II. Gold hath its Glory from Art were it not moulded shaped and furbished by the Wit of Man it would not be so glorious nor of that esteem as now it is II. But the Saints have all their Glory from Grace it is not the Work of Mens Hands but the Work of God's Hands that makes them to shine they are curiously wrought and fashioned by the Spirit from whence they become glorious III. Gold is Gold naturally as it is dug out of the Earth tho not so pure as it is made afterwards by the Art and Industry of Man III. But the Saints were meer Lumps of Filth Earth and not Gold naturally 'T is Grace that makes them excellent as Gold 't is Grace that makes them differ from others Inferences THis shews forth the great Worth of God's peculiar Ones they are esteemed by him far more excellent than Gold is by Men. 2. It speaks forth much Comfort to the Godly God so prizeth them that he keeps them as carefully as we do the choicest and rarest Gold 3. It shews the Excellency of Grace Grace is of a transforming Nature it is like the Philosopher's Stone it turns every Man and Woman be they never so vile and base Metal into Gold i. e. it makes them holy precious and gracious Ones in God's Sight Saints compared to Doves Mat. 10.16 Be ye harmless as Doves DOves are 1. Meek 2. Harmless 3. Chast 4. They make their Nests in a Rock 5. They feed upon pure Grain not on Cartion as Fowls of Prey do 6. Have a lovely Eye and always fixed upon their Mates 7. They love to keep Company together 8. Mourn when they have lost the Sight of their Mates 9. They are often molested by Fowls of Prey 10. They are very fruitful 11. They love to be by sweet Springs and Rivers of Water 12. They were appointed under the Law for Sacrifices 13. They have no Defence but by Flight Upon all these Considerations Saints may be compared to Doves which is largely opened under the Eighth Head of Metaphors concerning the Church to which we refer you Saints compared to Lambs in a large Place Hosea 4.16 Now the Lord will feed them as a Lamb in a large
setting forth the Worth and Fxcellency of them IV. So God in the Day to come when he hath made up all the Jewels he intends to make will reveal shew or make known his Saints to Angels and Men. Hence the Day of Christ's coming is called the Day of the Manifestation of the Sons of God They shall be mine saith God He will say in that Day These are mine these that you ungodly Ones abused hated and persecuted and thought not worthy to live but accounted the Off-scouring of all things behold now what rare and lovely Ones they are these are the Delight and Joy of my Heart whom I value as my choicest Treasure and I will spare them whilst you shall bear the Fierceness of my Wrath and Indignation for ever Then shall ye return and discern between the Righteous and the Wicked Mal. 3. ult between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not Disparity I. Other Jewels may be lost But God will lose none of his Jewels II. He that makes other Jewels may not be the proper Owner of them nor wear them for an Ornament himself But God who makes all his spiritual Jewels is the proper Owner of them This People have I formed for my self They are also made for his own Glory III. Other Jewels may be quite spoiled broke to pieces and become good for nothing the best and richest Jewels shall at last pass away and perish for ever But God's Jewels shall never be utterly spoiled for tho they may receive some Damage by Satan's Temptations and the Pollution of Sin yet God will perfect that which is wanting concerning them and make them at last so glorious that they shall be out of Danger and shall abide and shine in Beauty and Glory to Eternity Inferences FRom hence we may infer what horrid Iniquity the Enemies of God and his Church are guilty of and what a dreadful Account they have to give for endeavouring and with the greatest Rage and Malice and unwearied Attempts contriving all ways imaginable to spoil break in pieces and utterly destroy all God's choice and precious Jewels which he is as tender of as the Apple of his Eye what will they do in the Day of Vengeance 2. It speaks forth much Comfort to the Godly O how are they esteemed prized and valued by the Almighty they are his Jewels his special and peculiar Treasure 3. This may inform all Men what the Reason is God is so much concerned for the Good and Well-being of his own People and so often appears to vindicate their Innocency and defend them from the Rage and Cruelty of wicked Men. 5. Let us enquire whether we are God's Jewels or not 1. Are we regenerated Ones have we the Pearl of Faith Love Humility c. 2. Are we holy sincere and faithful in all things to God 3. Do we excell others Is there a real or only a seeming Worth and Excellency in us What do we more than others 4. Do we grow in Grace doth the Work of God go on upon our Hearts Are we more sit for Heaven to day than we were yesterday A Jewel in the hand of a Jeweller is every day nearer finishing The Righteous shall hold on his Way and he that hath clean hands shall grow stronger and stronger Saints compared to Kings Rev. 5.10 And hast made us unto God Kings and Priests c. THe Saints are in this Place and some others called Kings which is one of the highest Titles among Men. Parallels I. KIngs are usually highly descended or are Sons of Nobles So the Saints are all highly descended they are born from above born of God and so may be said to be the Off-spring of Heaven Behold what manner of Love the Father hath bestowed upon us that we should be called the Sons of God! Behold 1 Joh. 3.1 2. now are we Sons of God c. II. Kings have great Attendants belonging to them So the Saints have most great and glorious Attendants belonging to them viz. the holy Angels No Kings or Monarchs on Earth are honoured like the Saints and Children of God in respect of the Excellency of their Retinue See Angels under the Sixth Head III. Kings have their Crowns and do reign or else expect to reign So the Saints have a Crown laid up for them 2 Tim. 4.18 Henceforth there is laid up for me a Crown of Righteousness which God the Righteous Judg shall give unto me at that day and not to me only but to all them also that love his Appearance Be thou faithful unto Death Rev. 2.10 Rev. 5.10 and I will give thee a Crown of Life And as they shall have a Crown so they shall reign upon the Earth as Kings IV. Kings are the principal Men on Earth far exceeding in Honour and Excellency all common People So the Saints are the chief and principal Ones or the most excellent in all the Earth it may be said of them as of Jabesh 1 Chron. 4.9 10. they are more honourable than their Brethren What base and ignoble Persons are the Wicked to those noble Souls The Ungodly be they never so high and great in Power and Sovereignty are compared to Things very base vile and contemptible as will hereafter be shewn The Righteous is more excellent than his Neighbour Prov. 12.26 V. Kings sometimes meet with great Trouble and Sorrow after they are anointed before they come to the quiet Enjoyment of their Crowns they have been severely persecuted and chased from one Place to another as King David particularly was So the Saints of God tho they are anointed with the Oil of Gladness and have an Assurance given them of the Crown of Glory meet with very great Trouble in this World being persecuted tormented afflicted and sometimes having no certain Dwelling-Place as is said of some of the ancient Worthies Heb. 11. Heb. 11.37 VI. Some Kings have possessed and reigned over many Kingdoms their Dominions have been very great The Saints are the Heirs of a Kingdom nayâ— all the Kingdoms under the whole Heavens shall be given to them Rev. 11.15 Dan. 9.27 The Kingdoms of this World shall become the Kingdoms of our Lord and of his Christ c. And the Kingdoms and Dominions and the Greatness of the Kingdom under the whole Heaven shall be given to the People of the Saints of the Most High c. VII Kings have great and noble Minds they busy not themselves about mean Matters So the Saints have great and noble Spirits they converse about Things above being risen with Christ their Affections are not set upon Things below Col. 3 1 2 Phil 3.20 but seek those Things that are above where Christ is at the right-hand of God Our Conversation is in Heaven c. VIII Kings have many great and glorious Privileges and Prerogatives appertaining to them how are they honoured and congratulated by the People So have the Saints They shall sit down with Christ
that the Saints are so subject to be overtaken with spiritual Drouziness Answ 1. From the Weakness and Dulness of the Flesh The Spirit indeed is willing but the Flesh is weak 2. By being slothful negligent and out of Employment when we grow indifferent and careless and neglect our Work neglect Prayer Reading and Hearing God's Word Prov. 19.15 no marvel if we soon fall asleep Slothfulness casteth into a deep Sleep 3. By being amongst sleepy Folks This is apt to make a wakeful Person in a little time drowsy and subject to nod too a sleepy Family a sleepy Church a sleepy Ministry usually hath bad effects upon this account upon a Spiritual Christian therefore prize a Soul-awakening Ministry 4. By means of long watching Whilst the Bridegroom tarried they all slumbered and slept 5. A black dark and gloomy Day is subject to cause one to grow drowsy as most men can experience 6. By an Apprehension 't is a long while to day time enough saith the Sluggard to arise Men think of living long and that it will be a great while before the Lord comes c. Wicked Men Fools Psal 14.1 The Fool hath said in his Heart There is no God Eccles 10.3 Yea also when he that is a Fool walketh by the way his Wisdom faileth him and he saith to every one that he is a Fool. Job 5.2 3. For Wrath killeth the foolish Man and Envy slayeth the silly One Job 30.8 They were Children of Fools yea Children of base Men they were viler than the Earth Luke 12. Thou Fool this Night thy Soul shall be required of thee SIN is Folly great Folly and Sinners are Fools how often in the Proverbs are ungodly Men tho accounted very worldly-wise called Fools simple Ones Men of no Vnderstanding Simile Parallel A Fool is one that knows not what is good what is best for him he is a Man of no Understanding SO wicked Men know not what is good and right in it self they know not what is good for themselves they are Men of no Understanding they cry Who will shew us any Good That is Psal 4.6 saith Mr. Caryl any good Cheer Plenty of Corn and Wine They esteem Gold and Silver and other outward good Things before Pardon Peace of Conscience and the Favour of God and are therefore Fools II. A Fool or Idiot will hurt wrong or abuse himself Perhaps you have heard of the Gentleman's Fool who happened to be in Company with a Carpenter and the Carpenter making himself merry with him hid his Hat But it so fell out as the Matter is related the Carpenter some time after chanced to fall asleep with his Head upon a Block which the Fool observing he took an Ax and chopp'd off his Head and hid it amongst the Chips and then went laughing away but being asked wherefore he laughed O saith he I have cut off the Carpenter's Head and have hid it amongst the Chips and I wonder how he will do to find it when he awakes But for this he was committed to Prison and when he was brought to his Trial the Judg was informed that he was a natural Fool but that he might be convinced it was true he ordered a Knife to be given to him and accordingly it was then said the Judg to the poor Idiot Cut your self with that Knife and he poor Soul did so immediately by which the Judg knew he was indeed a Fool and so acquitted him II. Wicked Men hurt themselves Nothing wrongs or wounds a Man more than Sin hence called a Dart Sting c. Yet so void are all ungodly Men of Understanding that they consent to Sin yield to Sin run as it were this Spear into their own Bowels wound themselves to the very Heart and yet say Are not we in Sport Can there be any greater Folly or a more palpable Sign of a Fool than for a Man to whip lash scourge and do thus unto himself When Satan tempts Men to sin he doth as it were put a Knife into their hands and then bids them cut and slash themselves with it and yet no sooner doth Satan thus tempt and entice them but they presently consent to him until they have wounded themselves from the Crown of their Heads to the Soles of their Feet What Man but a Fool would run into the Hornets Nests or after this lamentable manner wound himself Sinners are such Fools that they play with the Asp and delight to be at the Mouth of the Cockatrice-Den Sin in the holy Scriptures is compared to both these cruel Serpents and hence the Poyson of Asps is said to be under their Tongues Who but Fools or mad Men Psal 140.3 Rom. 3.13 will sport and play with such venemous Serpents or drink down deadly Poyson when told again and again what it is and what the Effects of it will be and yet they will do it Prov. 23.31 32. Look not upon the Wine when it is red when it giveth its Colour in the Cup when it moveth it self aright That is whatever Allurements there are to Sin take heed of it At last it biteth like a Serpent and stingeth like an Adder III. Is not that Man a Fool who will harbor a Thief in his House and tho he be told of it and that he is in danger of losing all his Goods and having his Throat cut by him he being a bloody Murtherer yet laughs at it and loves his Enemy and hugs him in his Bosom and resolves to eat and drink with him and lodg him in his chiefest Room and yet is informed this Thief never spared any Man that shewed him Favour III. Wicked Men harbor Sin and deceitful Lusts in their Souls which is the bloodiest Thief and Murtherer that ever was that spares none nor ever did who entertained it or took delight therein It hath slain and utterly undone Thousands and Ten Thousands yea many Millions yet they hug this cursed Traitor and let him lodg in their Hearts and lie in their Bosoms and shew him all the Favour and Kindness imaginable and do they not from hence appear to be the greatest Fools in Nature IV. Is not that Man a Fool that striveth with one that is infinitely stronger than himself or thinks a Thorn Hedg can stand before a consuming Fire or supposes a Potsheard can prevail against the Potter IV. Wicked Men strive with the great God and do they not in this shew themselves to be Fools Have they an Arm like God Job 40.9 can they thunder with a Voice like him yet they continually resist him and fight against him They that go on in their evil Ways make War with the Almighty and Dread-Sovereign of Heaven and Earth Wo unto him that striveth with his Maker Let the Potsheard strive with the Potshards of the Earth Isa 45.9 Do you not see this day how Man sorry Man sets himself against God! they are resolved to see what they can do they will not yet lay
c. Zech. 4.7 Who art thou O great Mountain c. Parallels MOuntains are high and lifted up and seem to have the Preheminence So the wicked Princes and Potentates of the Earth are high in Power and seem to be lifted up in Pride and Arrogancy and to have Preheminence over the Righteous II. Mountains are hard to be removed out of their Places So the Wicked having taken such Root in Sin c. 't is very hard and difficult to remove them and make them become plain Luk. 3 4. This was 't is true one great Design of the Ministry of John Baptist Every Valley shall be filled and every Mountain and Hill shall be brought low c. But this Work is not done upon the Spirits of wicked Men but by the mighty Power of God III. Mountains and Hills are commonly barren and unprofitable Ground So the Wicked who are lifted up in Pride and Arrogancy c. are spiritually a barren useless and unprofitable Sort of Men. IV. Mountains were accounted Places of Defence whither Men used to flie in time of Danger tho many times they failed them So Men oftentimes flie to the lofty Enemies of God the oppressing tyrannical Powers of the Earth to secure themselves from approaching Dangers but in vain alas is Salvation looked for from these Mountains and Hills in the Day of God's Anger Inferences IN this Saints have cause to rejoice God hath promised to throw down all the Hills and Mountains of the Earth that are lifted up Who art thou O great Mountain Zech. 4 7. Before Zerubbabel thou shalt become a Plain Wicked Men compared to the Troubled Sea Isa 57.20 But the Wicked are like the troubled Sea c. Jer. 51.4 The Sea is come up upon Babylon with the Multitude of the Waves thereof Caldee the King with his numerous Hosts in Plenty like the Sea is come up against Babylon c. Note The Wicked are compared to the Troubled Sea and to many Waters c. Parallels THe Sea is a great Convention as one words it or a Multitude of Waters The gathering together of the Waters called he Seas Gen. 1. So the Wicked are a Multitude of People II. The Sea sometimes swells roars and rises very high threatning the Earth as if it would swallow it up immediatly So the mighty Concourse of the wicked and tyrannical Powers of the Earth many times swell in Pride and Arrogancy and make a fearful Noise as if they would in a moment swallow up the Lord's People III. The Sea hath its Bounds set by the Almighty He hath shut up the Sea with Doors Job 38.8 11. c. and hath said Hitherto shalt thou come and no further and here shall thy proud Waves be stayed So the Lord sets Bounds to the Wrath and Rage of the Ungodly no Creatures can go further than God permits them As he that made the Sea can master it so he can soon put a Stop and Curb to the proudest Oppressor and Persecutor in the World Let Men be as angry as they will let them be as stormy as the boisterous Seas yet the Lord hath said Hitherto shall ye come and no further Psal 65.7 He stilleth the Noise of the Seas the Noise of the Waves and the Tumult of the People Nay the Devil himself is like a Sea shut up he cannot do what he would he hath Bounds set him c. IV. The Sea at God's command is still The Wind and Seas oby him So with one Word speaking as it were he can quiet the Wicked and make them silent in Darkness Psal 107.29 He can make this Sea and frightful Storm a Calm and cause the proud Waves to be still V. The Sea produces or brings forth many strange Monsters So the Multitude of the Wicked this metaphorical Sea hath brought forth many a vile and strange Monster See Dan. 7.3 And four great Beasts came up from the Sea diverse one from the other the first was like a Lion and had Eagles Wings c. These four Beasts signified the four Monarchies of the Earth what a Monster the fourth hath been all the World hath had full Experience of that had great Iron Teeth c. What Devils incarnate were many of the Roman Emperors particularly Nero who ripp'd up the Belly of his own Mother c. And what a Monster hath the little Horn been I mean the Papal Power what a mighty Mass of innocent Blood hath the Beast and Whore devoured c. VI. The Sea is very restless it ebbs and flows and seems to be continually troubled So the Ungodly are always restless in their Spirtis like wicked Haman they never cease Plotting against the Just Tho they have very great Power Riches and Honour yet because God's Mordecai's will not bow down their Souls for them to go over all seems as nothing to them they have Riches much Gold and Silver but not satisfied they enjoy all the Delights and Pleasures the World can afford them but yet are like the troubled Sea Many times also their Consciences sorely disquiet them What Rest soever they may have yet certainly they are continually void of the true Peace of God and in this Sence there is no Peace to the Wicked c. Isa 57.21 VII The Sea continually casteth forth Mire and Dirt So the Ungodly never cease casting forth their abominable Wickedness Inferences LEt not the Saints fear the Ungodly What tho they swell and roar God hath set Bounds to them The Wrath of Man shall praise thee Psal 76.10 and the Remainder of Wrath shalt thou restrain No more Wrath of Man shall be let out no higher shall these Seas swell than shall tend to the Glory of God the Over-plus that Wrath that would indeed prove hurtful to the Godly and to the dishonour of the Almighty the Lord will restrain II. Pray hard that God would keep the Doors and Bars of these troublesom Seas fast and prevent the Danger I will yet for this be enquired of by the House of Israel Ezek. 36.37 to do it for them 1. Pray that God will keep the Sea of Man's Wrath within its limited Bounds 2. Pray that God would not suffer Satan to break forth too furiously upon us If God did not set Bounds to him no Man could live quiet one hour 3. Pray that God would set Bounds to the Sea of Prophaneness 4. And also that he would set Bounds and drive back the Sea of Error and false Doctrine c. III. This shews the woful Condition of ungodly Men They have no Peace true Peace whilst they live and be sure shall have none at Death Peace is the Portion only of the Lord's People Great Peace have all they that love thy Law c. My Peace I give unto you Wicked Men dead in Sin John 5.25 The Hour is coming and now is when the Dead shall hear the Voice of the Son of God and they that hear shall live Eph.
Hearts from God and his Ways Hence as Satan is called a Deceiver and a Serpent so are some of his Children VII The Devil 's great design is to encourage Vice and all Prophaneness and by one means or another to suppress real Godliness So this is the great Design and Endeavour of some wicked Men. VIII The Devil is so vile that God seeth it necessary to lay a restraint upon him and put him into Chains or else the World would not have a Moment's time of Peace and Quiet So ungodly Men are so much like the Devil in this that God also sees the like need to restrain them for as the Devil is boundless in his Wrath Rage and Malice against Mankind so are his cursed Emissaries against their Fellow-Creatures Hence God puts a Hook into their Jaws and sets Bars to these swelling Seas IX The Devil trembles at the thoughts of God's Wrath and dreads the Day that is coming So do wicked Men fear him not because they love him but because they are his Enemies and as such they fear he will one day reckon with them X. The Devil tempts to Sin he is not contented to be vile himself but he would fain have others be vile and ungodly as well as he So wicked Men tempt entice and draw others to Sin they are not content to be ungodly themselves but strive to defile and corrupt others also XI The Devil is a Murtherer a great Murtherer and takes delight in shedding of Blood 1 Pet. 5.8 and making Desolation in the Earth hence called a Lion and a Dragon So wicked Persecutors are in this the very Picture of the Devil viz. great Murtherers their Feet run swift to shed Blood How many thousands of innocent Souls have the bloody Roman Devils destroyed within these twelve hundred Years They delight in spoiling and making desolate the Inhabitants of the Earth who oppose their Pride Psal 37.4 Psal 44.19 or stand in the way of their Exaltation and thence they are called Lions and Dragons likewise XII The Devil would fain make those who fear God miserable in this World he envies their Happiness and if he was but let loose upon them he would utterly deprive them of their Goods of their Children of their Health c. and bring them into a forlorn and miserable Condition as he dealt with holy Job So some wicked Men in this are like the Devil they envy the Peace and Prosperity of God's People and if God did not restrain them were it in their Power they would rob them of all their Goods as some have attempted of late nay and destroy their Off-spring How many innocent Babes did the Papists destroy in the Massacre in Ireland crying out Spare them not Nits will become Lice They grutch them their Liberty and therefore saith God The Devil shall cast some of you into Prison c. Rev. 2 10. Is the Devil come to be a Pursevant or an Officer or to give Warrants to cast into Prison No but it is spoken of wicked Persecutors that the Devil sets on work XIII The Devil is an Accuser one that vilifies and reproaches all sincere Christians he is called the Accuser of the Brethren Wicked Men are in this also like the Devil they love to accuse and vilify the Godly in the Land as Tertullus served Paul Acts 24.3 5. We have found this Man a pestilent Fellow a Mover of Sedition c. They continually labour to render them odious that so they might be hated and exposed to the Severity of the Law and merciless Rage of the rude Rabble XIV The Devil is utterly cast off and forsaken of God and shall have his Portion in the Lake there is no hope left him for an Escape he knows it will for ever be his Portion So some wicked Men are utterly rejected of God and given up to a reprobate Mind and there is no Hope left for them of escaping the Damnation of Hell they shall as surely be damned and tormented for ever and ever as 't is certain the Devils shall So that in these and many other things that I shall pass by it appears wicked Men bear a resemblance of the Devil they are like unto him they have the Image of the Devil upon them Sin turns a Man into a Devil Joh. 6.70 Have not I chosen you twelve and one of you is a Devil Disparity THe Devil is a Spirit a created Spirit wicked Men are Flesh as well as Spirit Now the Nature of a Spirit in very many things differs from an humane Body so that in divers respects there is a great Difference between the Devil and the Ungodly Inferences NO marvel wicked Men and the Saints agree no better II. O what a fearful thing is it to be left and forsaken of God! III. No marvel wicked Men strive so much to set up and establish the Devil's Kingdom seeing they are acted by like Principles and are alike Enemies of God IV. The Godly may wonder they are not long ago destroyed considering the cursed and devillish Disposition of wicked Men amongst whom they live 't is God only that hath restrained them THE Ninth HEAD OF Metaphors Allegories and Similes WITH Other Borrowed TERMS That respect I. The true Ministers of the Gospel II. False Ministers III. False Churches Ministers compared to Angels Rev. 1.2 The seven Stars are the Angels of the seven Churches c. Rev. 2.1 Vnto the Angel of the Church of Ephesus c. MInisters are called Angels Angels Parallel ANgels are endued with most eminent Power and Dignity they excel in Strength SO hath God endued his Ministers with great Power and Dignity they are his Substitutes on Earth they represent Christ himself and Paul saith Phil. 4.13 He could do all things through Christ that strengthned him II. Angels are God's Messengers and are often sent to bring good News to Men the Angels brought the first tidings of Christ's Nativity II. So the Ministers of the Gospel are Christ's Messengers they are called the Messengers of the Churches and the Glory of Christ 2 Cor. 8.23 they bring the glad Tidings of Peace and Salvation by Christ III. Angels are very wise David was said to be wise according to the Wisdom of an Angel of God 2 Sam. 14.22 III. Ministers of Christ are or ought to be wise Men they understand the Misteries of Christ and open them to others The Secrets of the Lord are with them Eph. 3 10. the Angels themselves understand the manifold Wisdom of God by his Saints and Ministers of the Gospel IV. Angels desire to pry into the Mysteries of Grace and Mercy by Jesus Christ 1 Pet. 1.12 IV. Christ's true Ministers make it their great Business to study Christ to dig and dive into the hidden Mysteries 1 Cor. 2.1 2. I determined to know nothing among you but Christ and him crucified V. Angels are lively beautiful and shining When Angels appeared to divers Persons of whom
the Fulness thereof And Christ saith he is appointed Heir of all Things Joh. 16.15 Joh. 13.3 All Things that the Father hath are mine He knew that the Father had given all Things into his Hands 3. They set forth not only the Greatness and Riches of Christ but also his admirable Beauty He is fairer than the Children of Men. Psal 45. 4. They set forth the Greatness of his Love so far as they can conceive of it or make it known for the Breadth Length Depth and Heighth of it is wonderful Eph. 3 18 19. Mat. 28. as Paul shews and passeth Knowledg 5. They set forth his Power and Sovereignty He has all Power in Heaven and Farth He is the Prince of the Kings of the Earth nothing is too hard for him to do Men and Devils Wind and Seas are at his Command 6. They set forth his great Wisdom He is the Power of God and the Wisdom of God saith the Apostle In him are hid all the Treasures of Wisdom and Knowledg 1 Cor. 1.24 Col. 2.3 7. They set forth his great and glorious End in coming into the World which was that we might have Life and to betroth us to himself for ever 8. They set forth the Greatness of his Sufferings his wonderful Abasement the Nature of his bloody Agony and Anguish he suffered upon the Tree What! doth not this Jesus saith the Servant of God that comes to you through a Sea of Blood deserve your Affection c. 9. They use Arguments of another nature such as are taken from the Consideration of the Sinners dead cursed and miserable State without him the Blessedness of such as do embrace him and espouse themselves to him and divers others too many here for me to reckon up IV. A faithful Spokesman is not satisfied to see the Person to whom he is in the behalf of his Master a Suiter to be only ready to hear and seem to approve of the Motion he makes unless she at last be brought to a ready and willing Compliance and say with Rebekah Gen. 24.58 I will go along with this Man that is I am resolved to become Isaac's Wife IV. So Christ's faithful Ministers are not satisfied to see Sinners hearken to the Word and seem pleased with the Doctrine of the Gospel which they daily preach unless they leave their Sins and become new Creatures and close in in good earnest with Christ giving themselves to him 'T is said of the Saints They gave themselves to the Lord. If a Man be a Suiter to a Damsel and she seem to like him and be pleased with the Motion he makes and yet never consent to become his Wife will this please him surely no Neither doth it please Christ nor his Ministers to see Sinners go from place to place to hear Sermons and write Sermons and commend this and that Preacher if they do not make a real Contract and become espoused to the Lord Jesus 'T is nothing less than a thorow Work of Grace Regeneration or a true Conversion that will satisfy one of Christ's faithful Spokesmen V. It grieves a faithful Spokesman when he finds his Master is slighted and his dear and noble Lord that sent him rejected and a base and poor Fellow entertained and delighted in instead of him who is so worthy V. So it grieves a faithful Minister when Sinners slight the Message and Tenders of Grace in the Gospel when Christ is not embraced nor closed in with when they only take him into their Lips but keep him out of their Hearts O this wounds their Souls Shall Sin saith the Servant of God that base and filthy Enemy of my Master be entertained and delighted in Shall the Devil have the Rule and Preheminence in you and the Love of the World be so sweet which is Enmity to God And shall Christ who died for you on the Cross he who is so excellent who is able to make you happy for ever be slighted and rejected by you What! will you prefer your base Lusts above all that unconceivable Good there is in God the Father in Christ his only begotten Son in the holy Spirit and in the Way of Holiness VI. A Spokesman when he sees he cannot prevail returns and gives his Master or Friend that sent him an account how Matters go VI. So Christ's faithful Ministers in the Day of Judgment shall doubtless be brought in as Witnesses against stubborn and impenitent Sinners to whom they preached the Gospel Gen. 24.49 And now said Abraham's Servant if you will deal kindly and truly with my Master tell me if not tell me that I may turn to the right hand or to the left That is that I may give my Master an account of my Errand what shall I say to him that sent me So saith Christ's Servant If you will deal kindly and truly with my Master tell me if not tell me that I may turn c. I must declare to the Lord Jesus in the great and dreadful Day how you have slighted or not regarded the Message I am sent about how you are resolved to keep to your other Lovers and remain in your Sins being carnal loose ungodly and that Christ is not precious in your Eye nor will you be persuaded to forsake all and follow him nor be made sensible of that Glory and Beauty that is in Holiness And what a sad thing will this be when a Minister must appear against this Man and that Man and say Lord I spoke to them again and again I preach'd an hundred Sermons to them to engage their Hearts to thee but none of them would take place as thou seest upon their Hearts c. Ministers compared to Clouds Deut. 32.2 My Doctrine shall drop as the Rain c. Isa 5.6 I also will command the Clouds that they rain no more Rain upon it CLouds have divers Metaphorical Notations in the holy Scriptures 1. For Calamities or great Afflictions How hath God covered the Daughters of Zion with a Cloud Lam. 2.1 2. Because of the Number and Multitude of Clouds for in tempestuous Weather a great Plenty of thick Clouds appear so an innumerous Company of Witnesses are compared to Clouds Heb. 12.1 3. They are also used in Comparison Behold he shall come as Clouds that is his Army will I make a vast Appearance the Targum says as a Cloud which comes up and covers the Earth Ezek. 38.9 4. For Vanity and Inconstancy or Emptiness hence false Teachers are compared to Clouds without Rain 5. And upon divers accounts true Ministers of the Gospel may be compared to Clouds for as false Teachers are like Clouds without Rain so true Ministers are as Clouds full or filled with Rain c. How fitly Christ's Ministers may be compared to Clouds will appear by what follows Ministers Parallel CLouds are fit Receptacles for the Water they receive their Water as it is drawn up out of the Fountain of the great Deep For God hath
made the Clouds as useful as so many Buckets to draw up Water out of the Sea and the Wind is made use of as an Hand to carry these Buckets or Clouds whithersoever the great Creator pleaseth to distill it down upon the Earth that the Earth might be replenished and made fruitful by it SO Ministers receive all their spiritual Rain out of the great Fountain of all Fulness Of his Fulness have we all received c. and that by the Spirit that so their Doctrine might drop as the Rain upon the tender Herbs Deuâ— 32. â— and as Showers upon the Grass 'T is according to the Gifts and Operations of the Spirit be it more or less that these spiritual Clouds are filled and as God is pleased to distil and bless the Word it becomes profitable and makes this or that Man fruitful in Grace and Holiness What abundance of Fruit have the Saints brought forth under the dropping of these Clouds II. Clouds are prepared by the wise God as fit Mediums to let Rain down that so it might fall gradually as the Earth is able to take it in to the benefit of all things that grow thereon and not to its detriment as possibly it would were it not that God made use of the Clouds II. Ministers are appointed by the Lord as Instruments to communicate of his Grace and Divine Goodness to the Children of Men. If he should make use of other Mediums it might be to our hurt should he speak to us himself we could not 't is possible be able to bear the hearing of his Words The poor Israelites desired Moses to speak to them would not that God should speak to them any more lest they died III. Clouds let down their Water more freely at one Time than at another now and then it falls down wonderfully III. So the spiritual Clouds sometimes pour down or rather out the Divine Rain in a plentiful manner at other times they seem much straitned in their own Spirits IV. Clouds let down their Water at God's Command and they obey his Voice IV. So Ministers preach at God's Command 't is He that openeth their Mouths 't is as the Spirit gives them utterance V. 'T is a great Judgment upon a People when God commands or restrains the Clouds from raining upon the Earth or upon this or that particular Nation Field or Vineyard V. So 't is a severe and sore Judgment upon a People or Congregation when God suffers his Ministers to preach no more unto them or makes their Ministry of no advantage or profit to them I will command the Clouds Isa 5.6 that they rain no Rain upon it c. VI. Clouds are of great profit to those who have weak Eye-sight in that they are as a Vail between the bright shining of the Sun and them for the Light must be proportionable to the Sight or else the Eyes are confounded VI. So the Ministers of the Word of God are of infinite use and advantage to poor Mortals For we have all but weak spiritual Sight and cannot behold the Glory of God nor take in Divine Mysteries without these blessed Mediums God is pleased to make use of in his gracious Condescension to us and therefore God speaks to us by Men like our selves and opens heavenly Things by earthly Similitudes c. Inferences LEt us pray that these spiritual Clouds may be full of Divine Rain 2. It shews us the great Wisdom and Condescension of God to Mankind and what great Profit we receive by the Preachers of the Gospel 3. It shews the great Folly of all those that go about to stop these Clouds from raining when God hath given them a Command Will they attempt to hinder the Light from shining or the Clouds from raining at their pleasure Even thus they attempt spiritually when they strive to hinder Christ's Ministers from preaching the Word or obstruct the Showers of Gospel-Grace from falling upon the Souls of Men. Ministers compared to Fathers 1 Cor. 4.15 For tho you have ten thousand Instructors in Christ yet have ye not many Fathers for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the Gospel MInisters are Fathers spiritual Fathers to Believers Metaphor Parallel FAther is a Name of Dignity Headship and Authority hence the Rulers of Israel were called Fathers MInisters are Men of Name Power and Dignity they are Christ's Substitutes hence called Rulers II. Some are called Fathers because they beget Children this is the common Appellation and Notion of the Word II. Ministers by the preaching of the Gospel in a spiritual way beget Christians to Jesus Christ 1 Cor. 4.15 I have begotten you through the Gospel III. Fathers train up and nourish their Children shewing much Tenderness and Compassion towards them they are said to pity their Children III. Faithful Ministers also train up those Christians they have begotten to Christ in the further Knowledg of the Truth being very tender of them As you know how we exhorted and comforted 1 Thess 2.11 and charged every one of you as a Father doth his Children IV. Fathers have Power to command their Children I know him that is Abraham that he will command his Children c. IV. So Ministers of Christ have Power in his Name to command those Christians who are under their special Care and Charge to do their respective Duties These things teach and command 1 Tim. 4.11 2 Thess 4.6 Now we command you Brethren in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ that you withdraw from every Brother that walketh disorderly c. V. Fathers ought to be reverenced and honoured by their Children Honour thy Father and thy Mother c. and their just Commands to be observed and obeyed V. So faithful and worthy Ministers ought to be highly esteemed and honoured by the Saints Mal. 1.16 1 Tim. 5.17 Let the Elders that rule well be accounted worthy of double Honour especially they who labour in the Word and Doctrine VI. A Father ought not to be rebuked by his Children it becomes them not so to do tho he may be in a Fault and blame-worthy but entreated VI. So the Minister of Christ ought not to be rebuked by any particular Members of the Church to whom he belongs tho in some things he may be blame-worthy Rebuke not an Elder 1 Tim. 5. but entreat him as a Father Tho I doubt not but that the Church after a due and orderly Proceeding with an Elder if he be under Evil and obstinate may be rebuked nay not only so but further proceeded against also VII 'T is the Honour of a Father to rule and govern his Children and whole Family with Wisdom and Discretion VII So 't is a great Honour to a Minister or Pastor of a Church to rule and govern the Congregation where he is placed wisely behaving himself in all things not to be soon angry peevish nor self-conceited but to study the Rule and impartially to carry it with an equal
Severity and Mildness to all studying the Nature and Disposition of every Member VIII Fathers ought to walk wisely before their Children in all Holiness and Sobriety setting themselves as Patterns to all that are in the Family of Grace and Vertue VIII So 't is the Duty of Pastors and Ministers of Churches to lead an holy and godly Life and be as Examples of true Vertue and Piety to all they converse with Be thou an Example of the Believers 1 Tim. 4.12 in Word in Conversation in Charity in Spirit in Faith in Purity IX It is a great Sorrow and Grief to a good and godly Father to see his Children froward and fall out one with another violating the Bonds of Nature IX So 't is an Heart-breaking Sorrow to a godly and faithful Minister to see the Saints and Members of the Church walk loosely and live in Strife and Vain-Glory wronging and abusing each other and thereby violate the sacred Bonds of brotherly Love Tenderness and Forbearance For many walk of whom I have told you often and now tell you even weeping that they are Enemies of the Cross of Christ Phil. 3.18 X. It is the Property of a godly Father to pray for his Children and also for the whole Family committed to his Charge X. So Christ's faithful Ministers do not cease to pray for those whom they have been instrumental to beget by the Word of Truth unto Christ nay not only for them but for all committed to their Charge nay for all the Children of God Eph. 3.17 That Christ might dwell in their Hearts by Faith and that they may be rooted and grounded in Love c. Inferences WE may infer from hence that the Office of a Minister is an honourable Employment 2. It may in many things teach Pastors their Duties to their Members and Members their respective Duties towards their Pastors 3. It also serves to inform us who are faithful wise and discreet Ministers of Christ 4. We may further learn what a great Concern it is for a Church to chuse wise and sober Persons to be their Pastors Ministers compared to Stewards Luke 12.42 Who is a faithful Steward c. 1 Cor. 4.1 Let Men so account of us as the Ministers of Christ and Stewards of the Mysteries of God Verse 2. Moreover it is required in Stewards that a Man be found faithful Liegh's Crit. Sacr. STeward Stewardship the Original 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 rendred in 1 Cor. 9.17 Dispensation properly signifieth the Administration of Houshold-Business whereof one taketh such and such Care and doth so dispose thereof as that he appointeth every one what they are to do Note True Gospel-Ministers are Stewards spiritual Stewards Stewards of God Metaphor Parallel A Steward is an Officer that principally belongs to great Men few besides rich and noble Persons have Stewards of their Houses SO true Gospel-Ministers or Pastors are Officers that belong to Christ's House who is a great Prince nay King of Heaven and Earth II. A Steward is a Person that hath a great Trust and Charge reposed in him many rich and excellent Things are committed to his Care and Oversight sometimes all the Goods of the House and Charge of the Family II. So faithful Ministers have a mighty Trust reposed in them the Lord Jesus hath committed to their Care and Charge Things of very great worth and value even all the Goods of his House 1. They are entrusted with the Truth and every Branch and Part of it called the Mysteries of God which is of inestimable Value 2. The whole Church they have the Care and Charge of the whole Family or Houshold of God 3. They have the Care and Charge of Mens Souls committed to them See Watchmen III. It behoveth a Steward to be faithful in all things seeking the Honour of his Lord They ought to be much in their Business not leaving it to others that are not experienced in it nor careful to look after it nor leave their Master's Business to mind and look after their own III. So ought every Minister of Christ to be faithful in all things wholly studying the Profit Honour and Interest of the Lord Jesus They ought continually to be about his Affairs not leave the Management of the Church and Concerns of the Ministry like some self-seeking Priests of our Days to others who are unexperienced negligent and worse to follow their own Concerns and living in Ease and Pleasure pursuing after the Riches and Vanities of the World mattering not whether Christ be honoured or no or whether his Interest sink or swim so that things go well with them and they thrive in the World There are too many such in this Day so that we may well say with the Apostle All seek their own and none the Things that are Jesus Christ's IV. Stewards give direction to all inferior Officers and others in the Family about their respective Work and Business IV. So Ministers give directions to the Deacons and other Members of Christ's Church how to discharge their Duties in their respective places c. V. Stewards must expect to be called to an account and if unfaithful are frequently put out of their Stewardship Luk. 16.2 Give an account of thy Stewardship for thou mayest be no longer Steward V. So all the Ministers of Christ must expect to be called to an Account The Time is coming when Christ will reckon with them and happy will they be that have their Accounts to give up with Joy to whom the Lord Jesus will say Well done good and faithful Servant c. Ministers compared to Planters 1 Cor. 3.6 I have planted and Apollo watered c. Verse 8. Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one GOD is the chief spiritual Planter Isa 5.7 60.21 61.3 Mat. 15.13 None but he can implant a Principle of Grace in the Sinner's Heart 't is his proper Work to take us out of the old Stock and Root and plant us into the new But forasmuch as these Things are asserted by the Preaching of the Word Ministers are called Planters I have planted c. 1 Cor. 3.6 They are but under or subordinate Planters and Waterers to 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 him that gives the Increase viz. Jehovah Metaphor Parallel A Skilful Planter is a curious Artist one that knows the Nature of Trees Plants and Seeds He is skilled in Setting Ingrafting Innoculation or Grafting with the Scucheon as they call it c. SO an experienced and able Minister of the Gospel is a very skilful Person one that hath knowledg of great Mysteries both of Nature and Grace He knows the State of Man in the first Adam that old Stock and also the Nature of Planting or Grafting into Jesus Christ how and which way it is and must be done II. A Planter hath fit Tools or Instruments to do his Work withal viz. a Spade a Knife c. without which he can do nothing II. So Ministers of Christ
are they feed who will reward them in due Time II. It may also caution them to be very careful that they feed Christ's Flock with no other Food than what is of Christ's providing III. It may inform all the Flocks and Sheep of Christ over whom the Holy-Ghost hath appointed Shepherds or Overseers 1. To prize their faithful Ministers observe their Doctrine and eye their holy and heavenly Conversation 2. To walk as Sheep 3. To keep close to their Fold Ministers compared to Ambassadors 2 Cor. 5.20 We are Ambassadors for Christ c. Eph. 6.20 For which I am an Ambassador in Bonds c. THe Words Ambassador Legate or Messenger are synonimous Terms properly such as are commissionated or deputed betwixt distant Parties to transact Affairs of Moment The Term is applied to the Ministers of the Gospel and it sets forth 1. The Dignity 2. The Duty of Ministers Note Faithful Ministers are Christ's Ambassadors c. Ambassador Parallel AMbassadors are authorized and sent abroad by Princes about the great Affairs of their Kingdoms MInisters are authorized empowered and sent by the Lord Jesus the Prince of the Kings of the Earth on the great Affairs of his Glory and Man's Good II. Ambassadors usually are Persons of Eminency 't is an Office that a Prince will not confer upon any of his Subjects but on such as are of great Esteem in his Court such as are fitly qualified for that great Trust confided in them in a word great Honour and Dignity is conferred upon them II. Faithful Ministers of Christ such as are Ministers indeed are eminent Persons such as are great Favourites to the Court of Heaven What higher Dignity doth Christ confer upon any of his Saints here below They also are Men fitly qualified for this great Employment and what their Qualifications are and must be you may see in 1 Tim. 3. Tit. 1. viz. Blameless as the Stewards of God 1 Tim. 3. 1 to 7. Tit. 1.7 8 9. not self-willed not soon angry not given to Wine no Striker not given to filthy Lucre a Lover of Hospitality a Lover of good Men sober just holy temperate holding forth the faithful Word able by sound Doctrine to stop the Mouths of Gainsayers c. not a Brawler not Covetous one that rules well his own House III. The Dignity of Ambassadors appears in the Greatness of their Prince from whom they come they have usually respect according to the Rank and Quality of their Master III. Now true faithful Ministers are sent as Ambassadors from the great God who is King of Heaven and Earth By whom Kings reign and Princes decree Judgment With him is terrible Majesty he rules and reigns over all and who can say unto them What doest thou IV. An Ambassador appears according to the Dignity of the Person whom he represents and whose place he supplies IV. True and faithful Ministers represent the Person of Jesus Christ O! and what Honour is this They are employed in his stead they are his Deputies He is the chief Ambassador called therefore the Messenger of the Covenant Mal. 3.1 from him they receive their Authority V. The Excellency of the Message Ambassadors are sent about shews further the Dignity of the Officers Now there are three sorts of Ambassies in the World Gurnal 1. Ambassies of Peace 2. Ambassies of Marriage 3. State-Ambassies which respect Trade and Commerce c. V. Ministers come with a threefold Ambassy 1. Of Peace 2. Of Marriage 3. Of heavenly Commerce and Trade c. 1. An Ambassador is welcom when he comes from a Prince about Peace and that especially 1. Christ's Ministers are welcom when they come with an Ambassy of Peace and needs they must be so if we consider these Things following 1. When he comes from one that is formidable mighty in Power and whose Armies are irresistible now to a poor weak and naked People how welcom is his Approach 1. These Ambassadors come from that great God that is dreadful in Power that if he speak but in his Wrath the Earth trembles whose Armies are also ready who offers not Peace because he cannot make War or stands in need of our Friendship but meerly from his great Love wherewith he hath loved us c. What can Sinners do to withstand his Power Doth he fear their Hostility Can they shoot their Arrows as high as Heaven If they strike at him he makes their Swords turn into their own Bowels O how gladly should these Ambassadors be received Who would not tremble to think of this God! 2. An Ambassador is welcom when he is sent to a People that have felt already the Impression of his Power and are pining under the bleeding Miseries of his Anger 2. So a Minister of Christ is welcom to poor Sinners who find the Arrows of divine Vengeance sticking in their very Hearts and the Curse of God cleaveth to every Faculty of their Souls who lie bleeding under his heavy Anger 3. An Ambassador is welcom when the Terms he offers are honourable and easy not like the Peace that Nahash offered to the Men of Jabesh-Gilead viz. That they should have every one his right Eye thrust out and lay it as a Reproach to Israel 3. Now the Ministers of the Gospel offer honourable and easy Terms God might require the perfect keeping of the whole Law he might demand Satisfaction for all the Wrongs and Injuries we have done to his Justice but they offer Terms of Peace and Pardon upon the Acknowledgment of Sin and laying down our Arms and to hold no League or secret Friendship with Sin or Satan any longer to take hold of Christ and plead the Atonement of his Blood Believe on the Lord Jesus and thou shalt be saved 4. An Ambassador is welcom when he offers Peace from a Prince that is real to his Word and gives good security for the performance of what he promises 4. Now God doth by his faithful Ministers give the greatest assurance imaginable of the performance of whatsoever he offers to poor Sinners He hath past his Word nay more 't is upon Oaâ—h Heb. 6. 2. Ambassadors sometimes offer an Alliance by Marriage between one State and another 2. And this is one great part of a Minister's Ambassy he is sent to let Sinners know what good Will the God of Heaven and Earth bears to them and that he is desirous to bestow his own dear Son the Heir of all Things in Marriage upon them what Favour and Grace is this Can Sinners be so sottish foolish and ungrateful as not readily to receive and embrace this Offer 3. Sometimes as we minded before Ambassadors come with an Ambassy for Trade that there may be an open Trade and Commerce between such and such Princes and States c. 3. The Ministers of the Gospel come with Ambassies for Commerce God is willing in Christ's Name to trade with Man again For no sooner had Adam sinned but a War was commenced and all Trade
Christ and the Things of Religion of which Justice and Charity Holiness and Compassion are not the least Part and yet under this Vizard and in the very time of these Pretensions perpetrate the greatest and most unparallel'd Villanies in the World 1. In being the Top of Pride 2. In committing palpable Idolatry 3. Fill themselves with Excess and Drunkenness 4. To curse swear and blaspheme the very Name they profess to be sacred 5. To cast down the Truth burn the Bible deface the holy Books and Laws of God 6. To assume not only a Power to dispense with Violations of the highest Nature but to pardon and forgive them at pleasure 7. To commit Adultery and account it a venial Crime 8. To break Covenants drive a Trade in Perjury forswear every thing they are justly charged with and is fully proved against them 9. To foment Wars and Broils in every Kingdom and Country where they have Power contrive the Ruine of Towns and Places Cities Countries and Kingdoms by Fire Sword and most cruel Devastations 10. To slaughter kill and barbarously murther both Men Women and Children even all that dare make a shew of Conscience and Religion so far as to abhor and dissent from these Villanies This is such a Scheme of Religion and Systeme of Divinity to come from an Apostle a Shepherd a Vicar and Successor of Christ from a Church Sheep Saints and the pretended Followers of the meek peaceable and innocent Jesus who taught altogether otherwise by his Doctrine and Example that it might well be wondred at and is the strangest Mystery that ever appeared of which we challenge the whole World to shew the like in the Turks and Saracens For Men to swear lie and forswear themselves and yet be true Men to contrive Rebellion Murther and Treason and yet be as innocent as the Child unborn to be elevated to the highest Pinacle of Pride even above Emperors and Kings above Jesus Christ and God his Father and yet be humble and lowly To commit gross Idolatry and yet be the Servants of the Living God To be filled with and make a Trade of Excess and Drunkenness and yet be the Paterns and Standards of Sobriety and Temperance To cast down the Truth to the Ground deface the Laws of God and burn the Scriptures and yet be the true Witnesses to it To forgive Sins and yet be the greatest of Sinners themselves To commit Fornication and Adultery and yet be spotless and pure in Heart To foment Wars and Broils in every Kingdom and Country where they have Power to contrive the Ruine of Towns and Places Cities Countries and Kingdoms by Fire Sword and cruel Devastations and yet be as harmless as Doves to all Mankind the only Sons of Peace and Quietness To slaughter kill and barbarously murther Men Women and Children that dare not be so wicked as themselves and yet to be full of Mercy tender Pity and Compassion an Apostle Shepherd Vicar and Successor of the meek and Lamb-like Saviour And for the dear Consort of this impious Head or Man of Sin to be not only confederate with him but a Principal in all these unparallel'd Villanies and most butcherly and rapacious Murthers and yet be the Holy Catholick Church of God the pure and spotless Spouse of Jesus Christ the true Sheep the harmless Lambs the best of Saints and close Followers of the Lord Jesus who always taught the contrary by his holy Doctrine and meek Example We say these Things not being found by secret Search but are written in Capital Letters upon her Forehead appear in open view to be read by every one that is not wilfully blind Let any one shew us a greater Mystery in the World than this and we will subscribe to it 4. It cannot be the Turks because they are not the Mother of Harlots and Abominations of the Earth which this Babylon is said to be Rev. 17.5 And upon her Forehead was a Name written MYSTERY BABYLON THE GREAT THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH And here we demand in excuse to the Turks this one Thing From whence did proceed the Murthers Massacres and Martyrdoms of all the Religious Professors of Christianity that have died by violence in the Christian World for the space of twelve hundred Years last past And from what People did proceed those horrid Oaths Blasphemies and Execrations that the World hath wofully been acquainted with most horrid and strangely astonishing to repeat Came these unparallel'd Degrees of Impiety from the Turks from the Waldensians Lutherans Calvinists or any Non-conforming Protestants No no. Why whose Language then is it Whose Why 't is the Language of the Beast of the bottomless Pit and bloody Whore who bare these blasphemous Sons of her own Body daily nourishes them at her Breast and strengthens them in their sinful Courses by accounting them the Sons the precious Sons of Sion the true Sons of the Catholick Church the Darlings of Heaven the beloved Ones of the Virgin Mary and giving them Pardons for these bold and Heaven-daring Sins as often as they do commit them and come to ask Pardon for them so that Sin and Pardon is as constant and common with them as Breathing and Eating And these Things are done to seal and confirm Lies which is the more heavy heinous and prodigious For if Men may lie by allowance may kill and shed innocent Blood without Controul of Conscience and Church-Censures may swear and blaspheme and challenge God himself to damn them may burn Men for Religion consume Cities to Ashes conspire the Death of Kings the Ruine and Overthrow of Kingdoms whore and murther Infants and yet be accounted a Church the Members and Parts of it called Saints holy Children and Sons of the Most High God Then may we claim a Patent and take a License to change the Name of all Things and alter all the Idea's of the Minds of Men call and account Beelzebub a good God and all his black Tribe the pure Saints of the Most High call the lower Regions of Blackness and Darkness to which he is confin'd the Heaven of Glory and eternal Light Of which Things we ought in Justice to clear the Turks until Witnesses of undoubted Credit shall come forth and evidence that the Turkish State is the Mother of as great Abominations as these are 5. And lastly The Turks cannot be Mystery Babylon because they never were made drunk with the Blood of the Saints and with the Blood of the Martyrs of Jesus which this Woman Mystery Babylon is expresly said to be Rev. 17.6 And I saw the Woman drunk with the Blood of the Saints and with the Blood of the Martyrs of Jesus and I wondred with great admiration Now let any Man shew such Bloodshed Saints Bloodshed by Massacres and Martyrdom for the professing of Christianity which must be if the Text be answered in that Clause Blood of the Martyrs of Jesus by the Turks either within their Dominions or
without as hath been shed by a Generation nearer home and we shall become like the Man without a Wedding-Garment wholly speechless and say not a Word more about Babylon III. Now that Babylon in the Apocalypse is Great Rome that in former Times reigned and in future Times shall be destroyed is owned by some of the Papists themselves and is asserted by all Protestants the Difference betwixt them is brought to this narrow Point The one wholly confines Babylon to Rome Heathen and there totally to terminate the other brings Babylon down lower to Rome Antichristian or Papal Rome Now that this Work may be to Edification and more full Satisfaction in this great Case we shall advance to the last and chief Secret that is to be opened and considered namely Whether all Things in John's Vision or Prophecy that are applied to Mystery Babylon did compleatly terminate in Rome Heathen and come no further In Answer to this great Enquiry we do with the Body of Protestants in opposition to the Papists conclude the Negative viz. That all Things in the Apocalypse applied to Mystery Babylon did not terminate in Rome Heathen The Reasons of which Negative are as followeth 1. Because the Beast that Mystery Babylon rides on is the eighth Head or last Ruling-Power of that City that is seated upon seven Hills which must be Rome Papal because the whole Race of Rome Heathen was gone off before the eighth Head came up The sixth Head was in John's Time the seventh was to come and continue but a short Space The Beast that carrier the Woman viz. Babylon is of the seventh but is the eighth and shall be the last for he goeth into Perdition This being so evident from the Letter of the Text needs nothing more to confirm it Now that Rome Heathen was not the last Part of the Romish Power is not only the full and joint Consent of all Writers upon this Subject but is so evident to all the Christian World that it would be Vanity it self to make a Show of Proof The Conclusion then is this If the very last Part of the Roman Power carries the Woman Babylon and that the Heathen State of Rome went off before and was not the last then Babylon could not terminate in Rome Heathen but must come down to Rome Papal See Rev. 17.3 7 9 11. 2. If Babylon be totally terminated in Rome Heathen then the Book of the Apocalypse is of little use to the latter Ages of the Christian World For if the whole Transactions relating to the Persecution of the Church and the Slaughter and Destruction of God's Enemies did end in Rome Heathen then it served only to give a characteristical Account of a Beast and Whore that was grown old and ready to go off the Stage but hath wholly left us in the dark and given us no notice at all of that horrible Confusion and bloody Persecutions which have reigned in the Christian World for more than a thousand Years last past which for Length of Time Numbers of Murthers and Manner of Cruelties hath out-done all the Wickedness of Rome in its Heathen State Which is not at all likely that a Vision should be given and a Revelation made and call'd so about a State that was almost expired and the most great and principal Part wholly left out and said nothing to Who can imagine that a careful Saviour should be so full in his Discoveries to the Jewish Church concerning their Sufferings and the Time under Egypt and Babylon Literal and be so short and lean to his Gospel-Church to leave them altogether without any written Profpect or extraordinary Prophet to inform them what should come to pass in the World from the going off of the Power of Rome Heathen to the end of all the Churches Troubles which have already lasted above a thousand Years The Conceit of which is fit but for two Ranks of Men to receive viz. the Roman-Catholicks and such Protestants as look for Antichrist to come at the end of the World after the Restauration of the Jews to their own Land and building a material Temple at Jerusalem where Antichrist shall sit three Days and an half or Years to kill two Men called the two Witnesses 3. If this last Babylon was wholly to terminate in Rome Heathen then there was no Cause of Wonderment and great Admiration for a wise Man to see in a Vision an Heathenish State under a Diabolical Influence to perform Actions sutable to their State and not contrary to their Professions For what matter of Wonderment can it be to feel the Wind blow to see the Sea foam and hear the Waves rage and roar when the Winds oppose its Effluxion And what Cause of great Wonderment and Admiration for a wise Man to see wicked Heathens oppose and persecute Christianity when it is so sutable to their Spirit and agreeable to their Profession so to do we cannot yet understand and we will diligently listen to them who will undertake to inform us For the thing is true that a wise Man did wonder at the Sight he saw with great Admiration Rev. 17.6 I saw the Woman drunk with the Blood of the Martyrs of Jesus and I wondred with great admiration Wonder'd O strange At what To see that which was common to all Ages the Seed of the Serpent that profest Heathenism the Wicked even the worst of the Wicked by Principle and Profession to plot against the Righteous and to gnash upon him with their Teeth Idolaters profest Idolaters to persecute the Servants and Worshippers of the true God those that were born after the Flesh and lived after the Flesh to persecute them that were born of the Spirit and lived after the Spirit Surely if our Adversaries Opinion was true in this Case that Babylon is only Rome Heathen St. John had forgot that Cain killed Abel and Ishmael persecuted Isaac and took not so much notice of the Course of the World common to every Age as Paul did who said But as he that was born after the Flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit as it was then so it is now And what strange Wonder is in all this 4. Rome Heathen never was espoused married or united to the Lord Jesus in a spiritual way visibly owning his Laws and submitting to his Government as a Wife submits to and obeys her Husband and afterwards casts him off and chuses another Head and Husband and therefore cannot be Mystical Babylon or the great Whore For tho these Heathens were great Idolaters yet were they never charged with spiritual Adultery nor could they unless they had once by visible Profession made a Covenant with or espoused themselves to the Lord Jesus which Rome Papal before its Apostacy did Therefore Rome Heathen could not be the great Whore or Mystical Babylon 5. Rome Heathen cannot be the Babylon set forth by St. John unless she be guilty of all the Christian Blood shed upon the Earth since the
Destruction oâ— Jerusalem For as the Guilt of all the Blood shed from righteous Abel to the Death of Zacharias is by our Saviour fix'd upon Jerusalem and cannot be removed to another People so the Blood of all the Martyrs and Followers of Jesus is by this Revelation â—â—x'd upon the last Babylon Râ—v 17.6 And I saw the Woman drunk with the Blood of the Saints and of the Martyrs of Jesus Chap. 18. v. 24. And in her was found the Blood of the Prophets and of Saints and of ALL that were slain upon the Earth But Rome Heathen was not guilty of all the Christian Blood that was shed upon Earth by Murthers Massacres and Martyrdom since the Destruction of Jerusalem For to look back but for six hundred Years last past in which Time we shall find Hundreds of Thousands of profest Christians most butcherly and barbarously put to Death for their Zeal and Love to the Christian Religion in the respective Nations of Europe before which the Heathenish State of Rome was gone off about the space of six hundred Years So that if we will regard the full satisfying of this Prediction about Myâ—â—ery Babylon we must of necessity bring her down lower than the Heathenish State of Rome 6. Rome Heathen cannot be this Babylon under Consideration because the Discoveries of other Prophecies relating to the same State no way agrees to the Power of Rome Heathen 1. This State of Babylon is called the Mystery of Iniquity This no way agrees to Rome Heathen but fully agrees to Rome Papal Compare 2 Thess 2.7 with Rev. 17.7 viz. For the Mystery of Iniquity doth already work The Angel said unto me Wherefore didst thou marvel I will tell thee the Mystery of the Woman and of the Beast that carrieth her 2. The Head of this State of Mystery Babylon is called the Man of Sin by way of Eminency 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 not only beyond the common Rank of Men but beyond the highest Sons of Wickedness that went before him And there is a great Truth in this for if we consider the Pope in respect of Pride Hypocrisy Idolatry and Blood he is the most unparallel'd Man of Sin 3. This State or Mystery of Iniquity began to work in the Apostle's Days which is no ways applicable to the Power of Rome Heathen for that did not then begin it being at that time in the very Meridian of its Greatness and universal Sovereignty Luke 2.1 And it came to pass in those Days that there came out a Decree from Caesar Augustus that all the World should be taxed 4. This Man of Sin Mystery of Iniquity or Head of this Babylonish State is saie to be let or hindred in his Designs He that now letteth will let until he be taken out of the Way 2 Thess 2.7 But now Rome Heathen had no Lett or Hindrance either from the Word of God for that declared it as it was a Civil Magistracy to be God's Ordinance nor from any opposite Power either Civil or Military they giving Laws to the greatest Part of the World and enjoying the Supreme Government of the best Kingdoms in the Universe none being able to cope with them at that Time 5. This Head of the Babylonish State is said to sit in the Temple of God which the Power of Rome Heathen did not do neither in the Temple of Jerusalem nor in the Church whâ—ch is more properly the Temple of God For the Jews kept the Possession of the Literal Temple till it was destroyed and for the Church of God the Heathen Emperors never loved it so well at to make their Residence in it But the Bishop of Rome before he shewed himself to be that wicked One viz. the Man of Sin dâ—d evidently sit in the Church or Temple of God and so fulfilled this Prophecy in the very Letter of it 6. He that is the Man of Sin or Head of this Babylonish State was to rise by Apostacy or falling away from the Christian Religion 2 Thess 2.3 There shall come a falling away first exactly agreeing with another Prophecy to the same purpose 1 Tim. 4.1 Now the Spirit speaketh expresly that in the latter Times some shall depart from the Faith c. But Rome Heathen did not rise by Apostacy from the Christian Religion or a departing from the Faith which they never profess'd as is evident to the whole World Ergo Rome Heathen cannot be this Babylonish State 7. This Man of Sin or Head of Mystery Babylon lay hid in the Apostle's Time and was not revealed 2 Thess 2.3 Rev. 17.9 but the Power of Rome Heathen did not then lie hid or wanted to be revealed for it stood visible and high upon a Hill even upon seven Hills according to the Roman Poet Ovid who lived about the very Time of Christ's being on Earth in Lib. de Tristibus Sed quae de septem totum circumspicit Orbem Montibus Imperii Roma Deûmque Locus That is But Rome which from her seven Hills the whole Earth views around the Place of Gods and Rule c. Ergo Rome Heathen cannot be this Babylonish State 8. This Mystery of Iniquity is said to oppose and exalt himself above all that is called God or that is worshipped 2 Thess 2.4 But this the Power of Rome in its Heathen State did not do for they worshipped offered Sacrifices and bore a Reverence to their Gods which by Nature indeed were no Gods and 't is only the Head of Rome Pâ—pal that runs down all Gods but those of his own making Ergo Rome Papal and not Rome Heathen must of necessity be this Mystery of Iniquity 9. The Rise or Coming of this Mystery of Iniquity is after the working of Satan 2 Thess 2.9 But the Rise of the Romish Greatness and Power when Heathen was not after the working of Satan Dan 7.2 3 but was said by Daniel to be produced by the Providence of God or the four Winds of Heaven and by the Apostle to be Powers ordained of God Rom. 13.1 Therefore Rome Heathen cannot be the Mystery of Iniquity c. here meant 10. This Mystery of Iniquity is not only said to come after the working of Satan 2 Thess 2.9 but also with All Power c. But the Rise of Rome Heathen was not after that manner Ergo c. To illustrate the first Proposition note That the Term All Power marks out the Romish Pope so notoriously that whosoever runs may read it for if we do but impartially consider his impudent Usurpations upon Crowned Heads and his Pretences of Supremacy over the whole Christian World his proud imperious Decrees Bulls c. his Disposal of the Kingdoms of Princes and the Inheritances yea the very Lives of private Persons of any Rank that dare disobey him his Pretences to shut and open Heaven Hell and his feigned Purgatory his carrying a Symbol of that vast and God-like Power viz. a Brace of Keys hanging at his Girdle All these will appear
as clear Demonstrations that the Head of Rome Papal is the Head of Babylon and the Grand Impostor or the Capital Manager of this Mystery of Iniquity he having most sacrilegiously assumed to himself all Heavenly Power of damning or saving and all Earthly Power both Temporal or Civil and Ecclesiastical or Sacred 11. This wicked Babylonish State comes forth with a great Pretence of Miracles which are but false Signs and lying Wonders to deceive and cheat the People and by this means they conquer Nations and carry away their Kings to their wicked Interest This Rome Heathen did not do For tho the Heathenish Power of Rome did conquer Nations and Countries with their Kings yet it was by State-Policy and Force of Arms not by pretended Miracles false Signs and lying Wonders Therefore Rome Heathen cannot be this Mystery of Iniquity or Babylonish State 12. This wicked State under consideration is declared not only to depart from the Faith by a palpable Apostacy but to forbid Marriage and command a long Lent and many other Fast-Days whereon some Sorts of Meats are prohibited to be eaten which doth so fully agree to the Papal State of Rome that nothing can be more plain unless the Spirit had expresly told us This will be fulfilled by Rome Papal For these two things we have their Canons upon Record the which if none can shew the like of the Heathen State of Rome then Rome Papal shall carry the Title of this Mystery of Iniquity and Babylonish State 7. If the Babylon under consideration be only confined to the Power of Heathen Rome then there is a more evident and apparent Mystery upon the State or Power of Rome Heathen than upon any Power or State that went before it or should come after it for so the Text imports Rev. 17.5 And upon her Forehead was a Name written MYSTERY BABYLON THE GREAT c. But there did no such Mystery appear upon the Power or State of Rome Heathen therefore this Babylon cannot terminate there What great Mystery appeared upon the Power and State of Rome Heathen more than appeared upon the Power and State of the three foregoing Monarchies 8. This Babylon cannot be confined to the Power of Rome only in its Heathen State because Babylon is to continue till the good People shall with the Horns that did support her which is the last Part of the wicked and persecuting Power answerable to the ten Toes in Daniel's great Image reward and destroy her for the Injury that she did unto them according to these three Texts of Scripture Rev. 18.4 Dan. 7.22 26 27. Rev. 17.16 And I heard another Voice from Heaven saying Come out of her my People that ye be not Partakâ—rs of her Sins c. Verse 6. Reward her even as she hath rewarded you and deal unto her double according to her Works In the Cup that she hath filled fill to her double How much she hath glorified her self and lived deliciously so much Torment and Sorrow give her And the ten Horns which thou sawest upon the Beast these shall hate the Whore and shall make her desolate and naked and shall eat her Flesh and burn her with Fire Which the Power of Rome in its Heathen State felt not but ended its Course without being destroyed by good People and the ten Horns which is the last Part of the Image-Government And in the Days of these Kings Dan. 2.44 viz. ten Toes ten Horns ten Kings shall the God of Heaven set up a Kingdom which shall never be destroyed And the Kingdom shall not be left to another People but it shall break in pieces and consume all these Kingdoms and it shall stand for ever Which could not be fulfilled in what Constantine did in the Time of Maxentius as Dr. Hammond would have us believe for these three Reasons 1. Because the ten Horns that afterwards the Roman Power fell into were not come up and so could not destroy the Power of Rome in its Heathen State 2. Because Babylon's Persecution Misery and Confusion did not utterly cease which it must have done so as to rise no more for ever if the Power of Rome Heathen destroyed by Constantine had been this Mystery Babylon 3. Because tho there might be a Body of good People with Constantine when he overthrew Maxentius yet the Power of the Kingdom was not so established in the hand of good People as not afterward to be left to others as the Text affirms And the Kingdom shall not be left to another People For as we shall anon shew the Kingdom or Power that ceased to be in the hands of Heathens and by a mighty and divine Providence came to be in the hands of a worthy and renowned Christian Emperor came afterwards into the hands of very Devils incarnate who acted all the Violence of the Heathen Power over again and indeed out-did them 9. Those that are for confining this Babylon to the Power of Rome in its Heathen State are not well aware what they do for if they do demand it their Opposites who hold it to be Rome Papal may grant it for Argument's sake But then the Remedy is worse than the Disease for they slip into such a Precipice as neither Baronius Bellarmine Dr. Hammond or the Rhemists can save or deliver them from The true State of the Case is this Rome Heathen is Mystery Babylon this say the Papists And the more willing they are to say so because it is a good Argument to prove that Peter was at Rome he subscribing his first Epistle from Babylon 1 Pet. 5.13 The Church that is at Babylon elected together with you saluteth you c. But this being allowed the worst is to come This Babylon is destroyed when the Power of Rome Heathen is taken away so as to be no more for ever but then what Condition doth the State of Babylon fall into Doth it become the Throne of the Lamb the City of the Living God the Habitation of Holiness and Dwelling-place of Zion the true Church the Place of the holy Ones and Saints of the Most High O no! What then Hearken and an Angel from Heaven shall tell you Rev. 18.1 2. And after these Things of the Horns hating the Whore making of her naked and burning her Flesh with Fire I saw another Angel come down from Heaven having great Power and the Earth was lightned with his Glory and he cried mightily with a strong Voice saying Babylon the Great is fallen is fallen and is become the Habitation of Devils and the Hold of every foul Spirit and a Cage of every unclean and hateful Bird. Now you Papists if you will needs have Babylon to be Rome Heathen take it and much Good do you with it but then make Rome Papal better than an Habitation of Devils if you can If it be not Rome Heathen then adieu to Dr. Hammond and the Rhemists we have what we desire If it be then Rome Papal is a far worse Place
longer than they appear to walk strictly and holily according to the Principles upon which they first received them and as for their Officers they are soon summed up being no more than Bishops or Elders and Deacons But the Roman Church may be called Babylon or the City of Confusion very reasonably because she so fitly answers literal Babylon of old that was her Type and from whence she derives her Name 1. In setting up another way for Men to go to Heaven by than what God hath ordained and appointed viz. a Tower of their own making 2. In having so many Languages amongst them which is like the Confusion of Babel 3. In bearing the Glory and Sway over the Kingdoms and Countries of the chiefest part of the World therefore called the Lady of Kingdoms which is no way applicable to the poor Dissenters 4. In plucking up or razing out the true Worship of God which was setled at Jerusalem and setting up Idolatry in the room of it 5. In Captivating God's People who were carried away into literal Babylon 6. In their Doctrines Principles and Modes of Worship which is such a jumble mixture and heap of Things that may go for Confusion it self 7. In their Orders Diversity and long Muster-Roll of Officers that are so numerous as well as unscriptural that if Mixture and Confusion may be thought to be any where 't is to be found in this Church where you have Popes Cardinals Arch-Bishops Abbots Provincials Heads of Fraternities Priests Monks Fryers Followers of Dominick St. Francis Jansenius Augustine Caphucins c. and what not All which is many times more like to be Babylon Mixture or Confusion than the Dissenters from the Romish Church Thirdly For Mystery which is in the Description it no where agrees to them whom they call Hereticks but agrees very well to the Church of Rome in four Things 1. In calling themselves the Church of God and yet are the Synagogue of Satan that 's a Mystery 2. In calling themselves the pure Spouse of Christ and yet an abominable Whore that 's a Mystery 3. In pretending to be the Mother of Peace Purity and Charity and yet the Breeder Bringer forth and Cherisher of Division Falshood most bloody Butcheries and barbarous Cruelties this is a Mystery 4. In being Queen Regent riding upon the Beast in State and yet being that good Woman that fled into the Wilderness and abides there in a suffering Condition all the time of the Beast's Reign this is a Mystery See our fourth Argument One Proof of their Church is visibility yet it is evident the true Church for the space of 260 Years was to be in the Wilderness or in an obscure Condition c. Fourthly Mother of Harlots and Abominations better agrees to the Church of Rome than to Protestants 'T is against the Principles of Protestants to allow Fornication or Adultery in Persons of any Rank whatsoever maintaining constantly that Marriage is honourable but Whoremongers and Adulterers God will judg whereas Rome gives publick toleration to notorious Whoredoms and the most shameless and unnatural Beastialities as the whole World knows Fifthly For Mother of Harlots in a Spiritual Sense she is owned by all her Children to be the Mother-Church And 1. Therefore Protestants are exhorted to return into the Bosom of their Mother 2. All polluted and National Churches in the European Kingdoms sprang from her as the Churches of France Spain Portugal c. 3. All Corruption in Doctrine and Discipline may call her Mother that is to say the false Titles and Errours following viz. Universal Supream Infallible Head Holy Father the Pope His Holiness in the Abstract Our Lord God the Pope unerring Church Priestly Absolution Selling of Pardons Indulgences Dispensations adoring the Crucifix worshipping of Images foolish Crossings Anointings and Sprinkling with Holy Water the adoration of the Mass and many such things which from the beginning was not so 4. For Personal Vices from whence come horrid Oaths and Blasphemies most astonishing Perjury and subtile Equivocations and Hypocrisies all manner of Uncleannesses Lying and Adulteries Covenant-breaking and Bloody-mindedness is this allowed and practised by the Protestants No No they are the Brats and Off-spring of this lewd and filthy Mother who indulgeth those abominable pernicious Practices for which she is rightly called Mystery Babylon the Great the Mother of Harlots and Abominations of the Earth Which we conclude with this Argument Arg. If this Name Mystery Babylon the Great the Mother of Harlots and Abominations of the Earth doth not so fully and fitly agree to the Protestants nor any other People as it doth to Rome Papal or Church of Rome Then Rome Papal or Church of Rome and not the Protestants c. is Mystery Babylon the Mother of Harlots But this Name Mystery Babylon the Great the Mother of Harlots and Abominations of the Earth doth not so fully and fitly agree to the Protestants c. as it doth to Rome Papal or Church of Rome Ergo Rome Papal and not the Protestants is Mystery Babylon the Mother of Harlots XIII This Mystery Babylon Mother of Harlots and Abominations of the Earth is very drunken Company for she not only makes others drunk with the Wine of her Fornication and commits Adultery her self but she is a Beastly drunken Whore that makes her self drunk after the worst manner of Drunkenness which is to be drunk with Blood the best Blood the Blood of the Saints and Martyrs of Jesus Christ Rev. 17.6 And I saw a Woman drunk with the Blood of the Saints and the Blood of the Martyrs of Jesus and I wondred with great Admiration XIII Rome Papal or Church of Rome if she be guilty here it is enough to make not only good Men but even Angels wonder to see a Woman pretending to be nobly descended the Daughter to the great King of Heaven the Spouse of the Lamb the Mother of all Peace Purity Holiness Innocency Charity and Chastity I say to see a Woman by Profession such a drunken beastly Strumpet in Works and Actions and if Rome Papal or Church of Rome be guilty in this point she is the unhappiest Church in the World for she then gives cause to every good Man in the World to abhor her and indeed she hath very good luck if she scape this Charge for if she be Mystery Babylon the Mother of false Churches and Abominations of the Earth there is no avoiding but she must be this drunken Strumpet But because it is never safe judging a Cause before Trial and Examination of Witnesses we will 1. Consider what it is to be drunk 2. What things do necessarily contribute to it 3. The true and proper Signs of it 4. Whether such things can be fixed upon Rome Papal or Church of Rome And then conclude this Head 1. To be Drunk is an excessive taking in of such Things as disorder Nature in its Course and Operations This we take to be a general Definition of it including the
God waits upon them and strives with them to bring them over to the Knowledg of the Truth is the Time of Light and when God takes away the Means of Grace and the Gospel from a Kingdom Nation or particular Soul that is a Time of Darkness and then it may be said the Day is gone and Night is come upon them III. 'T is Day when the Sun rises and Night when the Sun sets So 't is the Sinner's Day whilst the Gospel-Sun shines and the Means of Grace are continued to them but Night then when the Ministration of the Gospel is taken away and no more Means of Grace afforded to them IV. The Day is Man's working Time Labourers in the Field when the Day is ended go home they can work no longer So whilst God affords the Gospel and Means of Grace Sinners should like faithful Labourers work hard work out their own Salvation labour for the Meat that perisheth not for when that is gone no Man can work then the Things of their Peace will be hid from their Eyes like as it fell out with Jerusalem V. The Day brings great Light with it which makes great Discoveries of Persons and Things whilst the Night lasts Men cannot see what is near them neither the Good they may receive nor the Evil they should refuse and escape from but the Day discovers all and makes every thing manifest So the Gospel-Day brings Light and the Light thereof discovers the Evil that is in the Hearts Works and Lives of Men by this Light they see their Sins and the Danger they are in thereby and also the Way to be delivered from them Christ is the Way which the Day-Light makes manifest In the Night of Popery Men lost the blessed Path to Peace and Way of Life and ran to the Merits of their own Ways and to Popish Pardons and what not but the Day of the Gospel in England hath discovered their Mistake and shewed them the plain Way to Heaven c. Ecclâ—s 11.7 VI. The Day is comfortable 't is a pleasant thing for the Eyes to see the Sun So are the Means of Grace and the Day of Gospel-Light O how sweet and pleasant a thing it is to see this Day wherein the Word of God is powerfully and plainly preached amongst us VII The Day sometimes is over-cast and the Light darkned So the Gospel-Day is sometimes as a Judgment upon a People or particular Soul darkned and Clouds seem to cover the glorious Heavens even as at this Time O what thick and black Clouds seem to arise VIII Some Days prove stormy and high Winds arise So sometimes the Day of Gospel-Grace proves stormy and high Winds of Persecution arise upon a People nay not only Winds of Persecution but also strange Whirl-winds of Delusions abound in it which make it very perilous IX A Day hath its Morning its Noon and its Evening So hath the Day of Gospel-Grace in a Nation and to a particular Soul who improves it not God threatned his People of old Mich. 3.6 That the Sun should go down over the Prophets and the Day should he dark over them X. The Day suits not with some Men they are for the Night they are said to rebel against the Light they hate the Light the Night is for them such are the Thief and Adulterer Pov. 7.9 The Whorish Woman waits for the Twilight even for the black and dark Night So many Sinners love not the Day of Gospel-Light they are for the Night of Ignorance and Error They had rather have Popery come or any Thing come than to have the Gospel or the powerful Preaching thereof it suits best with their carnal Hearts they love that Religion that indulges them in their brutish Lusts XI There are many ways to know when the Day draws towards an end and Night approaches As 1. When the Heat of the Sun abates 2. When the Shadows grow long or are stretched forth 3. When the Harvest-Men begin to go home apace 4. When the Evening-Wolves begin to lurk out of their Holes Now when these Signs are upon a People in a spiritual sence their State is bad they may fear Night approaches upon them 1. When the Gospel in its powerful Preaching abates in its Heat and blessed Influences upon Mens Hearts so that but a few are warmed and effectually wrought upon by it 2. When Religion is more in Shew than in Substance when the Shadow is long and the Substance little Men being more zealous for the Form than concerned for the Power of it 3. When many powerful or painful Ministers and Labourers are called home 4. When the Romish Wolves who have lain long in their Holes and dark Caverns or lurking Places begin to come boldly abroad and impudently shew themselves 't is a Sign of Evening-Tide and that the Day is near expiring Is not this thy State O England The Means of Grace compared to the Summer Jer. 8.20 The Summer is ended c. By Summer is doubtless meant that Time that God allows Men to gather in and lay up spiritual Good for their precious Souls The Time of Gospel-Light or Means of Grace is compared to the Summer Parallels THe Summer is the chief Time of the Year that Season which generally all Men prize long for and rejoyce in So the Time of Gospel-Grace and Gospel-Light is the chiefest and choicest Season in the World The Time of the Gospel the Dispensation of the Gospel was the Time which the Prophets and many good and righteous Men of old longed for and which all sincere godly Persons do prize and rejoyce in II. Summer is the Season that ripens the Fruits of the Earth were it not for the Heat and Influence of Summer what would become of the Husband-man's Labour So the Means of Grace or Ministration of the Gospel ripens the good Seed which is sown in the godly Man's Heart nay it maketh all fit and ready for the Harvest and for cutting down It ripens the godly Man for Heaven and the ungodly Man for Hell The Word is either a Savour of Life unto Life or else the Savour of Death unto Death it either softens or hardens It hath the same Effects upon Mens Hearts that the Sun hath in the hottest Time of Summer upon that which it sends forth its Influence upon III. The Summer is the poor Man's working Time 't is the Season in which he is to provide himself for Winter with such things he wants The Day of Gospel-Grace is the Saints Summer 't is the Time in which he works hard gathers in and lays up for his immortal Soul He learns of the Ant who provides her Meat in Summer c. Prov. 6. IV. In Summer every thing looks green the Herbs Grass Plants Trees and all the Fruits of the Earth are in their Beauty and greatest Glory So in the Day of Gospel-Grace whilst God affords Means of much Light and Knowledg when Seasons Sabbaths Sermons and Ordinances in a
long they are but for a season a Thaw will come So the afflicted State of a godly Man tho it be unpleasant yet 't is not lasting to be sure not everlasting Tho some Frosts hold longer than others yet none hold always Summer will come And usually where Winter is fiercest Summer for a Recompence is pleasantest Our Modern Geographer having described the Sharpness of Winter in Muscovia Heylin 's Geography concludes thus Such is their Winter c. Neither is their Summer less miraculous for the huge Seas of Ice which in a manner covered the whole Surface of the Country are at first approach of the Sun suddenly dissolved the Waters dried up and the Earth dressed in her Holy-day Apparel such a mature Growth of Fruits such flourishing of Herbs such chirping of Birds as if it were a perpetual Spring Even thus after a cold Winter of Affliction shall the Church or a particular Soul be relieved by a sweet and comfortable Summer of Prosperity Inferences THis may help the Godly to bear up under Afflictions and Sufferings in this World What tho they be pinching and troublesom whilst they last yet they have a very good Effect Like as Frost mellows the Earth and after it the Clods crumble easily whereas if there was no Winter no Frost they would be more stiff and not fit for the Husbandman So thy Heart is hereby made mellow and more meet and fit to receive the good Seed Frost dries up the ill Humors of the Earth so do Afflictions those of the Soul c. The Winter-Frosts kill the Weeds and Worms which eat the Roots and hinder the Growth of Herbs and Corn So Afflictions tend to kill our Lusts those Weeds and Worms that breed and grow in our Hearts always hindering our Fruitfulness in Grace and true Godliness II. You know Fire does well in Winter to warm the Blood c. So the Fire of the Spirit will warm and heat thy Soul in and under Afflictions and Temptations get therefore near it and labour to experience its powerful Operations See The Word and Spirit compared to Fire in the First Volume III. It may reprove such who are discontented under Afflictions they would not be in such and such a troubled Condition c. Alas Soul will a wise Man be angry and offended with the Winter Wouldest thou have all Summer and no Winter all Peace and Prosperity and no Adversity Consider how necessary Winter is Affliction compared to Darkness Isa 8.22 Behold Trouble and Darkness c. Lam. 3.2 And brought me into Darkness c. Joel 2.2 A Day of Darkness c. DArkness is taken properly or metaphorically 1. Properly Darkness is nothing else but a Privation of Light Caryl 't is no positive Creature it hath no Cause in Nature but is the Consequent of the Sun's Absence 2. Metaphorically or improperly it signifies divers Things 1. The State of Nature or Unregeneracy or deep Alienation from the Life of God Ye that were sometimes Darkness c. 2. Several Sins wherein wicked Men live 3. Desertion 4. The Grave Eph. 5.8 Eph. 5.11 5. Hell 6. Afflictions Note Afflictions Calamities and spiritual Desertions may be compared to Darkness Parallels DArkness is a Judgment thick Darkness was one of the Plagues of Egypt So some Calamities and severe Afflictions are brought upon a People or Nation as a just and dreadful Judgment of God II. Natural Darkness is occasioned by the Absence of the Sun and Obscurity of the other Luminaries of Heaven So some Afflictions and Calamities are occasioned by the absence of the Light of God's Word and hiding of his Face When the Gospel is taken away from a People that People are presently involved in thick Darkness which is a most sore and fearful Judgment III. Darkness is very uncomfortable 't is a dolesom thing to have no Light So to be under some Afflictions especially Desertion is the most uncomfortable State in the World IV. Darkness causeth a Man to lose his Way and wander about and exposeth him to many Dangers So spiritual Darkness causes a Man to stumble Walk whilst you have the Light lest Darkness come upon you for he that walketh in Darkness John 12.35 knoweth not whither he goeth Give Glory to the Lord your God Jer. 13.16 before he cause your Feet to stumble upon the dark Mountains and whilst you look for Light he turn it into the Shadow of Death V. There are Degrees of Darkness Darkness and thick Darkness and the Blackness of Darkness c. One degree of Darkness may attend the Day a Day may be dark but not like the Darkness of the Night and some Nights are darker than others as Experience shews And hence we read of Darkness and of the Shadow of Death Psal 23.4 Tho I walk through the Valley of the Shadow of Death I will fear no Evil c. That is the greatest Darkness and Evil that can befall a godly Man The Shadow of a Thing in Scripture saith Mr. Caryl denotes the Power of a Thing and to be under the Shadow of a Thing is to be under the Power of it To be under the Shadow of the Almighty is to be under the Power of the Almighty c. To be under the shadow of Death is to be under the power and reach of it Tho I may be so near Death that it may seem to others to be really Death and that it is impossible to escape Death yet I will fear no Evil. Some Afflictions threaten Death upon God's People and upon his Concerns and Interest in the World and Christians may seem to be under the Influence of Death The Influences of Death are those Fears and Doubtings Divisions Distractions and Vexations of Heart and Mind Cries and Confusions which usually accompany or prepare the Way for Death Job 3.5 Let Darkness and the Shadow of Death stain it c. That is such Darkness as dwells with Death such Darkness as fills the House of Death the Grave Such Darkness as this Heman complained of I am accounted with them that go down into the Pit c free among the Dead Psal 88.4 5 6 7. like the slain in the Grave whâ—m thou remembrest no more and they are cut off by thy Hand Thou hast layed me in the lowest Pit in Darkness in the Deep Thy Wrath lieth hard upon me and thou hast afflicted me with all thy Waves Selah He seemed to be under the greatest Darkness so sorely deserted that he saw no Light he sate in the very Shadow of Death Caryl viz deadly Darkness thick Darkness stifling Darkness such as is in deep Pits and Mines under the Earth where Vapors and noisom Damps do many times strike Men with Death in the most deplorable State and Condition imaginable 'T is one thing to have some Afflictions and some Doubtings of Mind and Spirit and another thing to be in these great Deeps of Affliction and Desertion VI. No natural
Darkness is so thick and dismal but God can make it worse he hath Power over the Darkness Isa 45 7. as well as over the Light I form the Light and create Darkness I make Peace and create Evil I the Lord do all this So no Affliction or Sorrow is so grievous but God can makâ— it much greater Tho we may be in Darkness nay in Night-Darkness yet this Darkness may increase more and more to a perfect Night of Darkness I will punish you yet seven times more for your Sins VII Darkness is more grievous to such as have enjoyed much Light than to a Man that was born blind for one that hath had his perfect Eye-sight and hath known how sweet a thing Light is how sad and lamentable is it for him to lose his Sight or to dwell in Darkness So it is more grievous to a Christian who hath lived in a Land of Light and hath long enjoyed the sweet Favour and Light of God's Countenance to be deprived of all spiritual Light and Comfort than 't is to a Person who never knew how sweet Divine Light Communion with God and the Blessings of the Gospel are VIII Let Darkness be never so great yet God can soon expell it and bring forth Light in the room of it So 't is easy with God to turn our Night of Sorrow and Affliction into Light Joy and a good Day IX Darkness is many times mix'd with Light so that 't is hard to say which is most the Light or the Darkness So sometimes 't is with a People or particular Soul But it shall be one Day Zech. 14.7 which shall be known to the Lord not Day nor Night but it shall come to pass at Evening-time it shall be Light It shall be dark but at Even Tide that is when thicker Darkness is look'd for and suddenly expected instead of that there shall be Light God grant it may be thus with his poor Church in England Inferences BLess God for Light O what a sad thing is it to be in Darkness either to be deprived of the happy Fruition of the Light of God's Countenance or of the Light of God's Word and Ordinances II. Work whilst you have the Light lest Darkness come upon you Is not England threatned at this time with a Night of Popish Darkness III. But however there is Comfort to the Godly Tho their Day may be clouded and Darkness may invade them yet it will be Light again Light is sown for the Righteous and Gladness for the Vpright in Heaâ—t Psal 97 1â— Light is like Seed hid under the Clods but it shall sprout and spring up gloriously in a little time 1. 'T is sown in the Purposes and Decrees of God He hath purposed and decreed to give Light to the Righteous and Joy and Gladness to the Upright in Heart 2. 'T is sown in the glorious Attributes of God 3. 'T is sown in the faithful Promises of God 4. 'T is sown in the Faiâ—h and Prayers of the People of God There is a plentiful Stock of Seed sown in this respect and it shall in due time spring up the Prayers of the Saints fallen asleep are not lost 5. Light and a good Day is sown in all the Sufferings of the Saints if we suffer with him we shall also reign with him 6. Light and Gladness is sown as it were in the horrid Wickedness of the Ungodly Was not Light and Gladness sown for the Israelites in the Sins of the Amorites 1. In the Sin of Self confidence the Seed may be said to be already sown Behold I sit a Queen and shall see no Sorrow Rev. 18. 2. In the Sin of Blasphemy 3. In their Treachery and Deceit 4. In their bloody Cruelty Affliction compared to a Storm or Tempest Psal 83.14 15. As Fire burneth the Wood and as Flame setteth the Mountains on Fire so persecute them with thy Tempest and make them afraid with thy Storm Job 27.21 The East-Wind carrieth him away and he departeth and a Storm hurleth him out of his Place Isa 4.6 A Covert from the Storm Isa 25.4 When the Blast of the terrible Ones is as a Storm against the Wall Mat. 7.27 And the Winds blew and beat upon that House and it fâ—ll and great was the Fall of it BY Storms and Tempests are meant two things 1. The terrible Wrath and Vengeance of God against the Wicked 2. The fierce Wrath of the Ungodly against the Righteous Note Wrath whether it respects the Wrath of God or Man is compared to a Storm or terrible Tempest We shall speak to this Metaphor Storm and Tempest principally in reference to the Wrath and Judgment of God Parallels A Storm or Tempest sometimes is look'd for and expected by certain Signs which some observe a considerable while before it comes by the gathering of the Clouds they see a Storm threatned So the Wrath and Displeasure of God against a People or Nation is by some observing Men expected and looked for before it comes There are certain Signs which are like the gathering of the Clouds 1. When Sin grievously abounds 2. When the Hand of God hath been lifted up and yet Sinners are not humbled 3. When many faithful and eminent Servants of God are taken away by Death 4. When there are strange and wonderful Signs or Prodigies seen in the Heavens or upon the Earth or Waters c. 5. When the People of God generally as one Man do look for it for God usually goes first upon the Hearts of his own People in this respect 6. When former Afflictions do not humble nor work Reformation in Professors and others II. A Storm comes now and then very suddenly before Men are aware So doth the Storm of God's Wrath come oftentimes very suddenly upon a sinful Nation and People It may be the Plague this night breaks forth or a Fire or a War which Men dreamed not of When they cry Peace and Safety sudden Destruction c. I only allude to that Text. III. A Storm is sometimes very tempestuous mix'd with Thunder Lightning and great Hail so that it is very terrible causing Horror and Amazement in most Men and Women So the Wrath of God sometimes breaks forth upon a People in a most sore and dismal sort so that the Mountains the great Ones of the Earth quake at him and all are afraid of his Judgments and cry out to the Rocks and Hills to cover them 1 Sam. 7.10 The Lord thundred with a great Thunder on that day upon the Philistines and discomfited them c. The Lord also thundred in the Heavens and the Highest gave his Voice Hail stones Psal 18.12 13 14. and Coals of Fire Yea he sent out his Arrows and scattered them and he shot out Lightning and discomfited thâ—m IV. A Storm and cruel Tempest is irresistible Man cannot withstand it when it comes So the Wrath and Judgments of God when they come in fury upon a People there is
no resisting of them Who can stand before his Indignation V. A dreadful Storm many times makes sad Desolation blowing down Houses and tearing up Trees by the Roots So the Wrath of God many times makes great Desolation it sweeps away Thousands and Ten Thousands leaving Towns and Cities almost without Inhabitants Come see what Desolation the Lord hath made in the Earth VI. God sometimes suffers the Devil to raise the Wind who thereby does great Mischief as in Job's Case So the Devil and his Instruments Job 1.19 are many times suffered to raise a great Storm of Persecution upon the Lord's People Affliction compared to a Flood Psal 29.10 The Lord sitteth upon the Flood c. Psal 42.7 All thy Floods and Waves are gone over me c. Isa 59.19 For the Enemy shall come in like a Flood c. Psal 93.3 The Floods have lifted up their Heads O Lord c. Mat. 7.27 And the Floods came c. BY Floods some understand ungodly Men others Afflictions and those principally which wicked Men bring upon the Saints Thus Ainsworth and divers others expound it Caryl on Job 27.20 Afflictions and Troubles saith Caryl are often compared to Waters in the Scriptures c. Parallels A Flood is the gathering together of many Waters So the Ungodly oft-times gather themselves together against the Righteous For lo thine Enemies make a Tumult and they that hate thee Psal 83.2 have lifted up the Head The Tabernacles of Edom and the Ishmaelites of Moab and the Hagarens Gebal and Ammon and Amalek the Philistines with the Inhabitants of Tyre c. And as many Enemies combine together against the Saints so oftentimes many Afflictions of divers kinds do beset them Many are the Afflictions of the Righteous II. A Flood or many Waters meeting together roar and make a great Noise So the Wicked combining together against the Interest of Christ roar as it were in belching out cruel Threatnings against the Saints Thus Pharaoh and the Egyptians made a great Noise as if they would in a moment have swallowed up poor Israel The Enemy said I will pursue Exod. 15.9 I will overtake I will divide the Spoil My Lust shall be satisfied upon them I will draw my Sword my Hand shall destroy them III. A Flood comes many times suddenly So do Afflictions and Troubles come upon God's People IV. A Flood many times rises very high overflowing all Banks and Bounds So the Ungodly rise high in Rage and Malice against the Saints breaking down all Bounds of Law and Justice and Banks of Humanity making fearful Incursions upon the just Rights and Privileges of God's People both Civil and Ecclesiastical V. Floods come violently there is no stopping them So Afflictions come in like manner oftentimes upon the Saints there is no escaping or stopping the dismal Providence of God VI. Floods of Water come successively one Wave following another So do Troubles and Afflictions frequently upon a Believer like Job's Messengers one at the heels of another VII Floods many times drive down Trees and Houses c. So Afflictions and grievous Calamities drive down Mat. 7. and carry away the House and Hope of a foolish Builder or unsound Professor Inferences WHat a Mercy is if God's People have not been drowned in these Floods long before this time 'T is the Lord only that hath set up a Standard against them As the Waters have rose higher and higher so he hath graciously raised the Banks of his Divine Providence and thereby prevented the Danger II. Let not God's People be afraid for the Lord sits upon the Floods c. 1. He sits upon the Floods as an Observer his Eye is upon the Wicked he sees what they are doing in secret their Counsels are not hid from him 2. The Lord sits upon the Floods to direct and order their Course Afflictions are ordered by him both in respect of kind and duration 3. The Lord sits upon the Floods as a Restrainer He can asswage these mighty Waters at his pleasure Surely the Wrath of Man shall praise thee and the Remainder of Wrath shalt thou restrain 4. The Lord sits upon the Floods as a Preserver He it is that keeps his Saints from drowning Isa 43.2 When thou passest through the Waters I will be with thee c. 5. The Lord sits upon the Floods as a glorious Deliverer Many are the Afflictions of the Righteous but the Lord delivereth him out of them all Affliction compared to Heat Cant. 1.7 Where thou makest thy Flock to rest at Noon Isa 25.4 A Shadow from the Heat c. Mat. 13.6 And when the Sun was up they were scorched THe Afflictions and Sorrows of the Godly are set forth by Extremes by extreme Cold Frosts c. and then again by extreme Heat Both are grievous to be born and endured Their Effects are such that they aptly illustrate the Miseries of the Lord's People in this World By the Heat or hot and scorching Beams of the Sun in Mat. 13.6 our Saviour himself sheweth is meant Persecution v. 21. Parallels NAtural Heat is from Heaven 't is occasioned by the scorching Beams of the Sun the Earth naturally being cold So Afflictions come not out of the Dust Job 5.6 7. neither doth Trouble spring out of the Ground Tho the meritorious Cause of all our Sufferings is our Sin and so materially they are from our selves yet the Lord is the efficient Cause of them Is there any Evil in the City and I have not done it II. Great Heat or the continual scorching Beams of the Sun are grievous to be born So sore Afflictions and fiery Trials are grievous to God's People I mean their fleshy Part No Affliction for the present seems joyous but grievous c. Heb. 12. III. In a Time of great Heat or in the hottest Time of the Day in very hot Countries great Labour is unpleasant and very hard to be undergone So 't is hard to labour and bear heavy Burthens in God's Vineyard viz. to stand up for and maintain the Truth in a Time of hot Persecution as many faithful Servants of God found by experience in the Marian Days c. IV. Great Heat or the continual scorching Beams of the Sun quickly fade consume and spoil the Beauty of the Body So cruel Sufferings and Persecutions spoil the outward Beauty of the Church making her look very black and deformed in the Eyes of the World which made the Spouse to cry out I am black c. Cant. 1.5 6. Which she attributed to the vehement and scorching Sun-Beams of Persecution The Sun hath looked upon me And as Persecution seems to mar the external Beauty of the Church and People of God rendring them the most miserable People in the World to a carnal Eye So likewise other Afflictions have the like effect upon the Body My Skin saith Job is black upon me Job 30.30 and my Bones are burnt with Heat The Skin and external
Beauty cannot hold its own against the ill Effects of a Disease especially if lasting When thou with Rebukes dost correct a Man for his Iniquity Psal 39.11 thou makest his Beauty to consume away like a Moth c. V. The scorching Heat of the Sun is but for a short time in the heat of the Day So the Persecution lasts but for a short time Our Afflictions which are but for a moment c. Sorrow may continue for a Night but Joy shall be in the Morning c. VI. In the Time of Heat and hot scorchings of the Sun Men use to betake themselves to some shadowy Places for Refreshment So in the Day of Affliction and hot Persecution the Church of God and each sincere Christian hath a shadowy Place to retire unto God affords sweet Refreshment to his suffering Saints VII In a Time of great Heat the Fruits of the Earth and many green Things are dried up and wither away and a Famine many times follows So by the means of a hot and cruel Persecution many Christians who seemed zealous for God and to have much Greenness upon them in a Day of Liberty and Prosperity are dried up like the fruitless Fig-Tree and wither away and also sometimes a Famine of the Word follows VIII In a Time of great Heat and Drought those Trees that are planted by rhe Water-Courses flourish sweetly notwithstanding So all faithful and sincere Christians in the hottest Time of Persecution shall flourish and not cease from yielding Fruit Blessed is the Man that trusteth in the Lord. For he shall be as a Tree planted by the Water-side Jer. 17.8 and that spreadeth out her Roots by the River and shall not see when Heat cometh but her Leaf shall be green and she shall not be careful in the Year of Drought neither cease from yielding Fruit. Affliction compared to Wormwood Lam. 3.19 Remembring mine Afflictions and my Misery the Wormwood and the Gall. WOrmwood properly is an Herb well known amongst us upon the account of its exceeding Bitterness hence a common Proverb rises 'T is as bitter as Gall or Wormwood c. Parallels WOrmwood and Gall and other bitter Things are physical very good in divers Distempers So Afflictions are good spiritual Physick the diseased Soul receives much Profit by them many ways 1. They purge out the corrupt and noxious Humors of the Soul 2. They tend to abate and pull down the Tympany of Pride 3. They are good against spiritual Deadness 4. They are good against spiritual Barrenness nothing when sanctified makes a Soul more fruitful 5. They kill Worms as Wormwood naturally doth principally the Worm of an accusing Conscience that breeds out of the Corruption of the Heart and Life c. II. Wormwood Gall or Aloes are not commonly given alone but are mix'd with other Ingredients otherwise 't is hard to take them down So God mixeth Mercy with Affliction in the midst of Judgment he remembers Mercy towards his own People Babylon shall have nothing but Gall and Wormwood it shall be without any Composition of Mercy or Pity hence said to be a Cup without mixture c. III. Wormwood and Gall are exceeding bitter and make such things bitter as are given with them tho sweet in their own Nature So Afflictions especially some sorts of Afflictions are very bitter and irksom to the Flesh they also make bitter all our earthly Sweets Quest Perhaps some may say When are Afflictions so exceeding bitter c. Answ 1. When God strikes us in our best and dearest earthly Enjoyments when he takes away an only Son a Husband a Wife or by a Fire or otherwise takes away all our earthly Substance stripping us quite naked of every thing Then Afflictions may be said to be bitter like Gall and Wormwood 2. When God brings upon us one Affliction after another To day thy Cattel are taken away and then presently upon it thy Children by a severe Judgment and after all thou art struck with a sore and dismal Affliction in thine own Body Thus it was with Job When God deals thus with a Man or Woman Afflictions may be said to be bitter But then again 3. When God strips a People or particular Person not only of all their outward Mercies or earthly good Things but also of all their spiritual good Things too such Things as are dearer to them than their Lives then Afflictions may be said to be bitter Should God at once bring so severe a Stroke upon us as to deprive us of all our Civil Rights and Privileges suffering an Enemy to break in upon us who would not regard our good and wholesom Laws by which every Man's Propriety is secured to him and not only so but deprive us of the Gospel and blessed Ordinances thereof and drive our Ministers into Corners or burn them to Ashes in Smithfield and set up Popery and tyrannize it over our Consciences This Affliction would be bitter like Wormwood and Gall Which God in Mercy prevent 4. When Afflictions are very heavy and sore upon us and we cannot find out the Cause and Ground why God contends with us then they may be said to be very bitter It was this which made holy Job Job 10.2 so much distressed in his Spirit Shew me wherefore thou contendest with me He did not doubt of the Justice and Righteousness of God in them but as suspecting some Evil in himself as yet unseen or not discovered to him 5. When God afflicts his People or a gracious Soul very sorely for Sin for this or that Sin which they know they are or have been guilty of O this goes to their Hearts to think they should provoke their heavenly and dear Father against them to chastize them so severely 6. When we are under great Afflictions and God hides his Face or withdraws himself from us then Afflictions are bitter This is to be outwardly afflicted and inwardly too 7. When Afflictions are lasting or of long continuance then they are very bitter A small Burthen or Weight born long will weary a strong Man but if it be very heavy and abiding it is much more grievous 8. When God afflicts a Man in Indignation when he lets flie his tormenting Arrows against him from the fierceness of his incensed Wrath forcing him to drink off his Cup without mixture it being all bitter and no sweet Thus God deals sometimes in a way of Judgment with wicked Men tho never so with his own People and to such Afflictions are bitter indeed Inferences FRom hence we may perceive what an Evil Sin is that God will not spare his own Children when they offend him Sin is a bitter thing as appears by the Effects of it Afflictions are many times the Fruits and Effects of Sin II. It shews us also that there is a great difference betwixt the Afflictions and Miseries of the Godly and the Wicked Quest But some may say How may a Christian comfort himself or get support
Scripture Christ and his Apostles the Lie Dan. 12.2 John 5.28 Ergo. The Scripture saith that those that sleep in the Dust of the Earth shall awake Christ saith all that are in the Grave shall hear his Voice and come forth and we have shewed the Apostles do affirm that the Dead shall be raised c. 12. If that which sleepeth in the Dust shall rise then the Body shall rise again for 't is the Body that sleepeth in the Dust But that which sleeps in the Dust shall be raised Ergo. 1 Cor. 15. Obj. 'T is not the same Body Thou sowest not that Body that shall be c. Answ If the same numerical Body rise not it will not be a Resurrection but a new Creation therefore that which the Apostle there intends is the Manner of the Resurrection i. e. how the Saints shall be raised 'T is not the same in respect of Weakness and Frailty It is sown a natural Body and shall be raised a spiritual Body 't is sown in Corruption and shall be raised in Incorruption 't is sown in Weakness and shall be raised in Power Which Thing a Grain of Corn that is sown teaches Quest Why shall the same Body of the Dead be raised Answ Because the same Body of Christ was raised that suffered 2. Because the same Body that suffered for Christ shall be glorified with Christ 3. Because the same Body that sinned shall be punished if not the same Body that sinned it might reflect upon the Justice and Goodness of God to punish an innocent Body Besides those Scriptures must be fullfilled which assert the Resurrection of the Body Inferences FRom hence we may infer that here is a World to come 2. That Death is not the last end of Man 3. Prepare for the Resurrection Day think of it when thou liest down and risest up in the Morning Thy lying down to sleep is a Figure of thy lying down in the Grave and thy awaking out of Sleep in the Morning is a Figure of the Resurrection 4. Think of the Resurrection in the Spring when thou seest the Flowers of the Earth bud forth and spring up for that is a Figure also of the Resurrection Of the Iudgment-Day The Iudgment-Day compared to an Assize 2 Cor. 5.10 For we must all appear before the Judgment-Seat of Christ Rev. 20.11 And I saw a great white Throne and him that sate on it c. AFter the Resurrection comes the Judgement the eternal Judgment Note The Judgment-day may fitly be compared to an Assize or general Goal-Delivery Parallels THere is a Judge appointed by the King or supream Power of the Nation or Kingdom where an Assize is to be held who receives his Commission and acts by the Authority thereof Jesus Christ is appointed to be the Judge of Quick and Dead by the Father King of Heaven and Earth The Father judgeth no Man but hath committed all Power to the Son John 5.22 II. The Judge likely comes to the Bench or Judgment-seat with the Sound of Trumpets Christ will come to the Judgment-Seat with the Sound of a Trumpet 1 Cor. 15.52 The Trumpet shall sound and the Dead shall be raised incorruptible III. There is a known Law or Laws in a Kingdom by which the Judge heareth and determines all Causes So there is a known Law or Laws by which Jesus Christ will judg and determine all Causes in the great Day viz. the Law of Moses the Law of Nature and the Law of Christ called the Book of the Gospel The Books shall be opened Rev. 20. IV. The Judge hath many honourable Persons that sit on the Bench with him So Jesus Christ will havâ— all the Saints sit with him on the Throne of Judgment who shall assent and consent to whatsoever he shall do in thâ—t Day Hence 't is said Rev. 3. the Saints shall judge the World He that overcometh will I grant to sit with me on my Throne even as I also overcame and am sate down with my Father in his Throne V. A Judge at Assizes after he hath read his Commission and given his Charge calls for the Prisoners So Jesus Christ will orderly proceed and câ—ll before him all Nations all the ungodly that ever lived on the Earth shall be arraigned by him being brought before his Judgment-Seat VI. A Judg having arraigned the Prisoner calls in the Witnesses and then suffers every Man to speak what he hath to say for himself So Jesus Christ will call in Witnesses and indeed every Man's Conscience shall be more than ten thousand Witnesses against him Rom. 2.14 15 16. and all Mouths shall be stopt and every ungodly Man shall be found guilty before Christ VII A Judg after he hath found Men guilty and cast them for their Lives passeth the Sentance So Jesus Christ at the last day having found Sinners guilty of all the horrid Crimes they shall be charged with will pass the fearful Sentence Go ye cursed Mat. 25. VIII A Judg after the Sentence is past orders the manner time and place of Execution So Jesus Christ will at the last day after the Sentence of Condemnation order the Execution of the Wicked and appoint them the place where and the time how long they shall suffer the place will be Hell the time will be for ever and ever See more in the First Volumn Christ the Judg of all Of Heaven The Celestial Paradise Luk. 23.43 Verily I say unto thee This day thou shalt be with me in Paradise 2 Cor. 12.2 He was taken up into Paradise Rev. 2.7 To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the Tree of Life which is in the midst of the Paradise of God c. PAradise is taken in the Holy Scripture in a twofold Sense 1. For the Garden of Eden this is Earthly Paradise 2. For Heaven the Seat or Place of Glory this is Celestial Paradise Now the Earthly Paradise being a Figure of Heaven I shall in the opening of this run the Parallel principally with respect to the Garden of Eden and the State of Adam in Innocency c. Parallels PAradise or the Garden of Eden was a place of Pleasure So Heaven is a place of Pleasure II. Paradise was a place created of God and appointed for Man whilst he stood in the State of Innocency So Heaven is created of God and appointed for all those who obtain through Christ perfect Righteousness their Primitive Glory and Innocency III. Adam in Paradise had all Delight Joy and Pleasure his Heart could desire he wanted nothing to make his Life sweet and pleasant to him So the Saints in Heaven have the fullest Joy Pleasure and Satisfaction imaginable there is nothing wanting they can desire to please and delight them Thou wilt shew me the Path of Life Psal 16.11 Psal 36.8 in thy Presence is fulness of Joy and at thy right-hand Pleasures for evermore They drink of the Rivers of God's Pleasures A River abounds with Water
Frâ—edom for a Life attended with manifold Temptations Disparity OTher Crowns I mean earthly Crowns are corruptible This Crown is incorruptible II. Other Crowns are attended with many Sorrows Troubles and Perplexities c. But this Crown is attended with no such thing for the condiâ—ion of the Heirs of this never-fading Crown will be so joyful that look outwardly there is Joy in the Society Heb. 12.22 if inwardly there is Joy in their own Felicity 1 Cor 2.9 Look forward there is Joy in the Eternity of it 1 Pet. 5.10 So that on every side they shall be even swallowed up of Joy Isa 35.10 Oh! the transcendency of that Paradise of Pleasure where is Joy without Heaviness or Interruption Peace without Perturbation Blessedness without Misery Light without Darkness Health without Sickness Beauty without Blemish Abundance without Want Ease without Labour Satiety without Loathing Liberty without Restraint Security without Fear Glory without Ignominy Knowledg withâ—ut Ignorance Eyes without Tears Hearts without Sorrow Souls without Sin Where shall be no Evil heard of to affright them nor Good wanting to chear and comfort them they shall have what Good they desire and desire nothing but what is good their Promises shall end in Performances Faith in Sight and clear Vision Hope in Fruition and Possession Yea Time it self shall be swallowed up in Eternity To sum up all in a few Words there is no Joy here comparable to that in Heaven all our Mirth here to that is but Pensiveness all our Pleasures here to that is but Heaviness all our Sweetness here to that is but Bitterness Even Solomon in all his Glory and Royalty to that was but as a Spark in the Chimny to the Sun in the Firmament yea how little how nothing are the poor and temporary enjoyments of this Life to those that the Heirs of Promise shall enjoy in the Life that is to come III. Other Crowns fade away the Prince is in a moment gone from that or that is gone from him But this Crown abideth It is incorruptible and undefiled and fadeth not away reserved in Heaven for you c. 1 Pet. 1.4 IV. Other Crowns are gotten many times by Usurpation But the Saints shall have the Crown in a just and righteous way 't is a Crown of Righteousness of which Saints are true and lawful Heirs this Crown is purchased for them by Christ and given to them by the free Donation of the Father besides they are born Heirs to it by the Spirit If Children then Heirs Heirs of God and Joint-Heirs with Christ c. Rom. 8.17 Inferences WE may infer from hence that God's Children are not such Fools as they are accounted by the Ungodly World they have made a good Choice in preferring Heaven above Earth What 's the Glory of this World to the World to come Yea Paradise or the Garden of Eden was but a Wilderness compared with this Paradise And indeed if the Gates of the City be of Pearl and the Streets of Gold what then are the Inner Rooms and Lodging Chambers of the Great Monarch of Heaven and Earth at whose right Hand are Pleasures for evermore II. Let not the Saints grow weary nor faint in their Minds when Heirs of a Crown of Glory that fadeth not away methinks they may be contented to undergo some Troubles in this Life since by suffering these things for Christ's sake they shall be crowned with Glory Honour and Everlasting Life They shall receive the Crown of Life c. Jam. 1.12 Of Hell Hell a Furnace of Fire the Place of the Damned Mat. 13.42 And shall cast them into a Furnace of Fire there shall be wailing and gnashing of Teeth WE are now drawing towards a Conclusion it remains only that we speak something concerning Hell which is the Place prepared for the Damned the Torment of whom is set forth by Fire by a Furnace of Fire and by utter Darkness It hath been a long and ancient Controversy whether Fire here is to be taken Properly or Figuratively I shall not undertake to determine whether it be real Fire or not Doubtless the Torment of the Wicked will be worse than 't is to be cast into any Furnace of Elementary Fire The Schoolmen affirm that the least Torture in Hell exceeds the greatest that can be devised by all the Men on Earth even as the least Joy of Heaven surpasseth the greatest Comforts of this World c. There is scarce any Pain here on Earth but there is some hope of Ease Mitigation or Intermission but in Hell their Torments are easeless endless remediless and they themselves left hopeless helpless and pittyless However we will run a Parallel between a Furnace of Fire and the Place of the Damned for in some things there is a fit Resemblance Parallels A Furnace of Fire hath been prepared as a place of Torment the King of Babylon caused a Furnace to be heat exceeding hot and that whosoever would not bow down to his Golden Image should be cast unto it Hell is a place of Torment prepared for all Wicked and Ungodly Men Rev 21.8 who live and dye in their Sins II. A Furnace of Fire that is heated exceeding hot is very terrible and amazing to him who for his wicked Deeds is told he must be cast therein So Hell is a very terrible and an amazing thing to think upon how lamentable is the Thoughts of it to a guilty Sinner that is awakened that sees no Remedy but thither he must go III. What Torment can be greater than to be cast into a burning fiery Furnace So what Torments can be greater than the Torments of Hell Disparity A Fiery Furnace tho terrible and painful yet it puts an end to the Lives of those that that are thrown into it and the hotter it is the sooner it dispatcheth them out of their pain But the Torments of Hell put no end to the tortured neither can the Damned die but have an ever-dying Life and an everlasting Death it is a Death which hath no Death The Worm dyeth not II. The Torment of a Fiery Furnace can reach but the outward Man it cannot destroy the Soul But the Torments of Hell reach to the very Soul called the Perdition or Destruction of Ungodly Men both of Soul and Body III. The hottest Furnace in the World may abate its heat for want of Fuel and at length be wholly extinguished however its Terrors and Pains are but short and momentary But the tormenting Fire of Hell never abates its heat nor ever goeth out therefore called everlasting Fire now to add Eternity to Extremity and then you will perceive Hell to be Hell indeed IV. Other Fire may be quenched But the Fire of God's Wrath or Hell Fire shall nevâ—r be quenched Vt supra Inference THat as there is no greater cause of magnifying Christ than for Redemption-Mercy and so of Joy unspeakable and full of Glory So there is no greater cause of Sorrow and intolerable Misery than
spring hence his Sin is charged upon his whole Posterity By Adam 's Sin were many made Sinners c. Christ the secâ—nd Adam Rom. 5.12 14. is a common or publick Person representing all his true Seed or spiritual Off-spring So that as Adam's in was imputed to all his Children Verse 19. so is Christ's Righteousness imputed to all his Children through Faith The first Adam merited Death for his Seed the second Adam merited Life for his Seed Noah a Type of Christ Parallels NOah was a Saviour nay in a good sence the Saviour of the World for it was through him and by his Means and Righteousness there was a Seed preserved from the Floâ—d c. Christ is a Saviour the great Saviour the only Saviour of the World hence called Jesus II. Noah was a Preacher of Righteousness and invited Sinners to Repentance Christ was a Preacher of Righteousness and came on purpose to call Sinners to Repentance Noah's Ministry was despised by the Ungodly so was the Preaching and Ministry of Jesus Christ by the unbelieving Jews and others Those that refused and rebelled against Noah and his Ministry were destroyed by Water and those that refuse and rebell against Christ shall be destroyed by Fire III. Noah built an Ark So Christ builds his Church 2. Noah built the Ark according to the Commandment of God So Christ in building his Church did every thing according to the Commandment received from his Father 3. Noah took many Trees to build the Ark So Christ takes many Believers called Trees of Righteousness to build his Church IV. Some clean and some unclean Beasts were received into Noah's Ark So some holy and sanctified Persons and some unsanctified Ones are received into Christ's Church tho not by Christ's Appointment V. All that were not received into the Ark perished So all who get not spiritually by Faith into Jesus Christ or are not true Members of the visible or invisible Church shall be damned and perish eternally VI. Noah's Ark was toss'd upen the rough Waves and yet was preserved So the Church of Christ is toss'd upon the rough Waves of a tempestuous World and yet preserved VII Noah was the great Repairer of the World from him descended all the Inhabitants of the Earth Christ is the great and glorious Repairer of the World and from him proceed all the Inhabitants of Heaven VIII Noah sent a Dove out of the Ark to see whether or no the Waters were abated who returned with an Olive-Branch in her Mouth So Christ sends forth the Spirit called a Dove or in the likeness of a Dove who brings Tidings to believing Souls that the Wrath of God is appeased c. Melchisedeck a Type of Christ Heb. 7.3 Made like unto the Son of God c. Parallels THe Notation of his Name Melchisedeck signifieth King of Righteousness Christ Jesus is the only King of Righteousness II. In his Office he was a Type of Christ 1. He was King of Salem King of Peace Isa 9.6 So Christ was called the Prince of Peace not only a peaceable Prince but Prince of Peace one that commands Peace at his Pleasure in the World in the Church and in the Souls of Men. 2. Christ is not only Prince of the World but peculiarly Prince of Salem Prince of Jerusalem viz. the true Church of God 3. Melchisedeck was not only a King but also a Priest yea a Priest of the Most High God So Christ is both King and Priest III. Melchisedeck was a Type of Christ in his Original Without Father without Mother without Descent Heb 7.3 having neither Beginning of Days nor End of Life That is there is no mention of these things concerning him in the holy Scripture we have not his Genealogy or Story of his Life tho none doubt but he had both Father and Mother and Descent c. But God on purpose would have all these concealed that he might be a more express Type of Christ who was truly without Father in respect of his Manhood or human Nature and without Mother Isa 53. in respect of his Godhead And who can declare his Generation c. IV. Melchisedeck blessed Abraham and doubtless the lesser is blessed of the greater he was a most eminent and renowned Person Some do conclude he was the Patriarch Shem who was without beginning of days in respâ—ct of the World after the Flood and without end of days in respect of the World before the Flood but since God hath concealed who he was let us be satisfied But in this doubtless he was a Type of Christ who is greater than all that went before him great in Power Office and Sovereignty and is sent to bless his People 't is he alone that blesseth all the true Seed and Heirs of Promise V. Melchisedeck was a Priest not after the Order of Aaron he was not anointed with material Oil nor received his Priesthood from any other but only so declared by the Mouth of God His Priesthood passed not to other Men for as he received it from none so he passed it not to any other nor did any as we read of succeed him So Christ received his Priesthood from none but God himself and was not anointed with material Oil but with the Oil of Gladness only And as he received his Priesthood from none so he passeth it not to any other He hath none that can succeed him but abideth a Priest for ever in his own Person in Heaven Abraham a Type of Christ Parallels ABram and Abraham signify an high Father and a Father of a Multitude So is Christ an high and heavenly Father called the everlasting Father Father of all the Faithful c. II. To Abraham and to his Seed was the Promise made So to Christ and to his true Seed is the Promise made Guild Heb. 9.13 III. Abraham was King Priest and Prophet in his own Family So is Jesus Christ in his Church IV. Abraham put Hagar and Ishmael out of his House Gal. 4. So Jesus Christ cast out the Legal Covenant and fleshly Seed out of his Church Hagar being a Figure of the one and Ishmael of the other V. Abraham is called the Heir of the World Jesus Christ is so most properly and truly Rom. 4.13 Isaac a Type of Christ Parallels ISaac was the Son of Abraham the Father of the Faithful a promised Seed long before he was born and so strange was his Birth that tho he was born by the Stâ—ength of Nature yâ—t of Sarah's dead Womb Gen. 18.12 when it ceased to be with her as with other Child-bearing Women insomuch that when the Angel foretold it to her she thought it impossible So Jesus Christ is often called the Son of Abraham yet the only begotten Son of God by Nature who is the Father of all that are taught and can say in truth Our Father c. the only true promised Seed who was long prophesied of and expected by all Believers
not afraid ye Beasts of the Field for the Pastures of the Wilderness do spring c. See Psal 148.10 4. To things mute and altogether void of sense where by a Prosopopoeia a Person is attributed to them 2 Sam. 1.21 Ye Mountains of Gilboa let there be no Dew 2 Sam. 1.21 Ye Mouroains c. neither let there Rain be upon you nor Fields of Offerings because the Shield of Saul was cast away there upon which place Brentius says excellently This is Prosopopoeia very familiar with such as are full of Indignation For as such as are in a mad fit of Anger snatch up the next thing that comes to hand for a Weapon to annoy or assault their Adversary so to such as are oppressed with a weight of Grief whatsoever is obvious to them or in view seems to be the cause of their Misfortune yea such things as are insensible and contribute nothing to it So Job in his Affliction cursed the day of his Nativity and the night in which it was said a Man is born Wherein was the Day or Night guilty in nothing surely So the Mountains of Gilboa are cursed by David when yet they did no hurt For Saul might have tarried at home and acted righteously which would have hindered that Mischance But by this Prosopopoeia the Affection and Passion of him that grieves is denoted who would have all destroyed provided the thing he loves be safe Other Examples are 1 Kings 13.2 Psal 114.5 6. Psal 148.3 4 5 6 c. Jer. 47.6 Ezek. 13.11 in the Hebrew 21.16 36.1 4 8 c. Joel 2.21 Micah 6.2 Zech. 11.1 2. Hos 10.8 Luke 23.30 1 Cor. 15.55 c. Apostrophe to the Heavens and the Earth In Specie an Apostrophe is directed sometimes to the Heavens and the Earth Deut. 32.1 Esa 1.2 Jer. 2.12 13. 22.29 upon which Arias Montanus in libro Joseph Cap. 6. says Coeli aliquando testes adeo appellari solent c. The Heavens are wont sometimes to be appealed to as Witnesses by God because of their Integrity and Certainty For nothing transacted on Earth can be hid from the view of Heaven which by its daily Motion perlustrates all things Heaven lives feels hears and sees to God to whom all things live c. By the very Text and Parallel Phrases Deut. 30.19 Psalm 50.1 4. Rom. 8.20 22. it is evident that these Apostrophes were used for Conviction and Detestation of the Malice Stubbornness and Ingratitude of Men whose Duty it was to receive the gracious Invitations of a Merciful God and sincerely to obey him Jerome in his Commentary on Isa 1.2 says Quia per Moisen Testes vocaverat Dominus Coelum Terram c. Because the Lord by Moses called Heaven and Earth as Witnesses when he prescribed Israel his Law after their Prevarication * Deut. 32.1 he calls them again as Evidences that all the Elements may know that the Lord had just Cause to be angry and distribute Vengeance to the Infringers of his holy Commands the meaning is If Heaven and Earth were endued with Understanding and Reason they would certainly accuse this People for their Wickedness For they and all things contained in them carefully observe their appointed Station and do answer the end they were intended for But Man alone for whom all things were made becomes refractory and disobedient Prosop poeia from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a Person and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to make o◠feign V. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Prosopopoeia signifying the feigning of a Person is when an inanimate thing is introduced as speaking like a rational Person This Prosopopooeia we have treated of in the first Volumn Book 1. p. 92. among Metaphors but that differs from this Figure 1. With respect to Subject for that relates only to certain things inanimate which are not Persons whereas these concern Men also 2. With respect to the Predicate and Attributes For in that such Attributes of all kinds from animate things chiefly Men as are translated to inanimate things are treated of but in this what relates only to Speech and when mention is made in that of Speech attributed to inanimate Creatures there is regard had only to its Action or Act but in this there is respect to the formality of Speech or Words actually pronounced c. Some distinguish this Figure into Imperfect and Perfect the Imperfect they call that whereby the Speech of another is lightly and obliquely represented or when one gives a short Narrative or Exposition of what another person spoke The Perfect is when the proper Person is wholly laid aside and another Person or Thing is introduced as speaking or when the very formal words of the Person introduced are recited which from * De Repub. 3. Plato and Aristotle de Poetis is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or Imitation In the Sacred Scripture either the true Person is introduced as speaking or an inanimate thing the first is done openly or covertly Openly as when the Verb of saying is premised and a clear Intimation given that another Person speaks Covertly when the Verb of saying is omitted in an Apert Prosopopoeia the Speech is uttered of the thing it self or else feigned and framed to signify another thing the former is either good and true or false and evil Examples of these in order 1. A good and true Speech is proposed by the sacred Writers whenever the Words of God himself and our Saviour Christ or of Angels and good Men are expressed Psalm 2.7 Psal 2.7 8 9. The Lord said unto me Thou art my Son this day have I begotten thee Ask of me and I will give thee the Heathen for thine Inheritance and the utmost parts of the Earth for thy Possession Thou shalt break them with a Rod of Iron thou shalt break them in pieces like a Potters Vessel Psal 50.16 But unto the wicked God saith What hast thou to do to declare my Statutes or that thou shouldst take my Covenant in thy Mouth Verse 17. Seeing thou hatest Instruction c. Isa 66.1 Thus saith the Lord the Heaven is my Throne and the Earth is my Footstool And so very frequently the Prophets introduce God himself speaking not only that their Speech may have the greater Authority by it but chiefly because as 2 Pet. 1.21 The Prophecy came not in old time by the Will of Man but holy Men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost 'T is therefore doubtful whether speaking accurately this kind of Speech belongs to this kind of Rhetorical Prosopopoeia because God is the real Author of the Scripture and immediately both spoke and writ it by the Prophets who were his Ministers and Amanuenses Men do not introduce God as speaking but God moves them by Inspiration to represent him see Heb. 1.1 As for the Speech of Angels and good Men we need not produce Examples Note the Scriptures are full of them in