there with the oversight of a special Providence is still of the same Extent 4. It is a Dilemma of undeniable Evidence as to the publick State and Interest of those Nations that we must either have God for us in the Efficacy and Out-goings of his Providence or against us That God who in the supreme Administration of his Government over the World stands not as Nouter or as a Witness only to the Actings of Men but if he be not on our side and interested in our Cause we must then know him as an Adversary For there can be no possible midst herein that God whose Room all the World cannot supply if he should be shut out of our Counsels yea such a God we have both to fear and rely on who is not one like to our selves to be put off with Words or a complemental Address in a stated Form only or can expect in Faith that this will bring Assistance to turn the Scale of Providence on our side if he be not according to his revealed Counsel with an intire Reliance on him alone adored and feared as God Yea it 's sure in no humane Affairs he does more immediately appear and by an extraordinary Ministery of the Angels than in the decision of War and of Battels For which cause he does in so special a respect take that Style unto himself to be the Lord of Hosts It should seem a strange and astonishing thing how Men can live in the Earth without God without whom they cannot live for one Moment and in whose Hand their Breâ—â—…h is yet if we look to the publick state of Religion this day nothing may be more applicable to the most numerous part of the Reformed Churches than this and that the Sense of a Deity hath more Power and Influence amongst Heathens who walk in the Name of their God than it hath amongst Millions of professed Christians for except we shut out Reason such must be surlie said to live without God in the Earth and not to walk in his Name who live without any resolute dependance and trust upon him in the course and conduct of their affairs whose great business in the World lies only with Men and are much more influenced by such a fear than of his srownings and terror who made Heaven and Earth when it seem's now easie with most to lose God if they may gain Men and make an intrest that way tho the purchase will never bear the expence yea can go the farthest length of external Worship in Church Assemblies and yet be without God then as to any internal converse or injoyment of him by inward acts of adoration and what account can such possibly make of an invisible God who know no other measure of their confidence but as visible things do either smile or frown upon them but there is one respect further wherein we may see how most who profess the name of God do this day live without him in the Earth which is in the way of observation of what passeth betwixt him and them whether by providences or influences on their Soul but take all things at an adventure without any higher looke than what is from Secondary causes though it was in this way that an Enoch an Noah and the whole race of the Saints who have gon before knew what it was to walk with God in the Earth no less in discerning his appearances and work towards them than their way and services towards him But oh what will he do with us when it may be feared that the most prevailing suffrage and vote of the generation we are now in should be this if their Soul might speak for them in such a case let God depart from us for we desire not the Knowledge of the Most High since this lght tends only to be tormenting and does afford no comfort to such or can it be expected that he will allow in this age a Restoring Miracle to bring men again to the faith and sense of the Deity as he did in the days of Elia when we have a much greater Talent to be accountable for than these had or any former Ages past having the whole income of their Confirmations and improvements added to our Stocks 5 Tho the great intrest of that mysterie of a Christians Faith which is the special Subject of this Discourse does in the first place respect our Reconciled State and justification before God yet is it too evident that the most usually trying and difficult part thereof is with respect to the Tryals and conflicts of time and sucha day when they must live immediately on God and give him the Glory of his Godhead when no visible means can support which is that wonderful experiment of Faith in the power thereof that is here expresly pointed at when it is by the Spirit of God as his immediate work alone proportioned to the most extraordinary hight of a Christians Tryal but as to the filling up of this great work of Faith in the appointed measure thereof it does principally 1. respect the whole State and times of the elect Church and on this account there is still a growing increase as to the measure of the work of Faith since Abel the righteous and is not yet come in many degrees to that full hight of perfection which it must have before the close of time yea herein hath each of the Saints their proper share and interest for bringing forth the Glory of this excellent Grace to it's greatest display before Angels and Men which is an end worthy of all the Tryals and suffering times which have ever gone over the Church because this way of giving glory to God is only within time 2. But it must be understood also that in each age of the Church there are some more illustrous examples that the Lord does afford to the World this way in whom his Grace in the power thereof hath a greater triumph in the way of passive valour than in these who have been most admired upon their Heroick Actings and conquest over Men. 3. It is undeniable also what eminent experiments have been thus afforded upon these adventures of a Christians Faith which did not then answer the ordinary Standard of the Tryals which others have had and though we may confidently hope that the highest measure of the suffering times of the Church is now accomplished and past and of the tryal of the passive Graces of the Spirit yet it may be matter of fear that the Faith of Christians in this day may have some more extraordinary Essay in the way of Judgment as to the publick State of the Church and of these Nations now in these last times of the Gentiles than what hath been in ages past and may need more than ordinary ballast to bear up against the darkness thereof when such a midnight hour seems immediately to preceed the dawning of that bright Sun-shine which may be truly reckoned the brightness of Christ's second coming
Vapours should have so immediate a Conjunction with Places so vastly remote and separate from other by so great an Extent of the Sea I find some famous Searchers into natural Causes writ that an Earthquake is simply impossible in Nature to be of any universal Extent 4. And though we read in the English Histories some strange extraordinary Instances that did occur of such a kind in Queen Elizabeths Reign at London in the Year 1580 at Marcly Hill in Herefordshire in the Year 1571 where it removed it self from the place where it stood and travelled to another place as also a Prodigy of the same kind which was in Dorsetshire 1582 yet was none of these in the least of such a Nature as this or in any respect parallel thereto but were restricted only to particular Bounds tho' they were then matter of great Observation in their day But I humbly judge if the most exact Search were made into History both Modern and Ancient under such Circumstances no Instance so strange and unaccountable as to any natural Causes herein will be found 5. And what a State should we have been in if it had continued but Three Minutes more Or was there any Humane Counsel or Power that could either prevent or restrain the same in the least of its going so far and no further but we might see at once our Hazard and Deliverance set in our sight from an invisible Power But as all the Works of God even such as fall under the Observation of each day should be matter of special regard such wherein his Appearance is more extraordinary calls for some greater Advertence and enquiry about the same I must therefore offer a few Reflections further on this late astonishing Providence 1. That as it was now Ten Years ago since the Lord gave a Sign in an unusual manner from the Heavens above by that great and remarkable Comet in the Year 80 so now after such an Interval of Patience to this Generation he hath given a Sign of another kind which is from the Deep beneath that comes more near to us answerable to that of Isa 7. where we may see how it is most eminently in these two ways the Lord does appear when he is to give some great and significative Sign to the World of unusual Events and as nothing can bring more Terror therewith than an Appearance of such a kind so needs it not be strange that this day when the Earth hath so near a Resemblance to the Infernal State why this should be from beneath and have so dreadful an Aspect 2. Though there might be cause why such a Concussion of the Earth should cause just Fears and Tremblings of Heart yet does it exceed all Humane Comprehension such a Circumstance herewith which was so universally noticed of its affecting the Head with a sensible Giddiness even before they did apprehend and understood any thing of an Earthquake which was so obvious to the most judicious Observers that it seemed as if an Apoplectick Distemper had seized upon them without any known Cause for the same This I have found so general a Remark as I could not pass it over though without any Application else but that no natural Cause can be supposable herein 3. And if we regard the manner of this Sign as it is directed to such a time we are in and in so strange an Extent thereof may it not also as with clear and articulate Voice be understood that what is signified thereby will prove matter of Trembling and Astonishment and may cause a Trepidation in these western parts of Europe answerable thereto so as to shake the most setled Constitutions of Nations if so solemn a Call be not regarded 4. And though it might seem a strange Criticism yet I hope not unsuitable to be noticed that this last Warning was given in the 2d Week of September as directed to revive the Sense and Remembrance of what had been so highly remarkable to this great City in the first Week thereof and with a new Call tho in a most tender premotory way but with that Evidence as we are sure was immediately from Heaven only let me add herewith that 's sure Divine Threatnings and the most tremendous Warnings to Kingdoms and Nations are in their primary Intention design'd to keep off Men from the Judgments threatned and not to be gazed at for a matter of Talk and Report But oh if the furthest Measures of this kind can have no weight to answer the Intent hereof It is sure that God will be known to be God this day unto Britain and before this Generation by such an Evidence and Demonstration as will at last work effectually But having now so far touched these two extraordinary Signs that have so lately occurred I must for the same end point at a Third as so nearly contemporating with the former though it may be feared is gone out of sight and forgot when the Bitterness of Death seems to be past but did cause such Fears in the present time and Consternation of Mind It is that unusual and astonishing Rain which in these parts through most of the Summer continued when thus these sweet Influences from Heaven by moistning Showers to restore and ripen were in that manner changed to be destructive when we might see the Heavens with fo extraordinary an Aspect as it were mourning from above over the Earth if hereby Men would be awakened to the Fear and Dread of that God in whose hand both our Breath and Bread is yea when it was come to that Extremity in its continued Course as threatned to make void the Harvest and when but one Week almost seemed to stand betwixt us and such an unavoidable Stroak when no Humane Counsel or Power could save the Nation from perishing in such a case It was then the Sovereign God did stay his hand and with an eminent Testimony of his Tenderness not only shut up the Clouds but gave such a Compensation by a most serene desirable Season as might recover in a short time what the former Months had spoiled and seemed in an ordinary way to Mens Thoughts irrecoverable But I shall shut up any further insisting on this Subject with a short Touch only at some Improvement hereof for these ends First to a solid fixing of our Judgment and Light about the same there is nothing more amazing and dreadful to the Spirit of many in this day than any supernatural Appearance in the Events of Providence as renders the Sense and Impression of an invisible God and his Dominion over second causes to be unavoidable and on this Account as these seem to be in such a Fear upon the Truth and Existence of Devils since their Faith hereof must needs bring them to the same with the Devils to believe and tremble So is it in this case Men are so much on the Rack how to solve all by natural Demonstration that may darken any immediate Appearance of God as Jannes
Discovery upon future things by humane Wisdom and the prudent Man sees and foresees the evil day to provide for the same as Solomon speaks Yea what a thing should Mans Life be without foresight and sagacious decerning of what may be the Issue of things in a due Application of proper means for such ends and of those successive Removes that in the setled course and way of natural Causes seem most unavoidable for on this must all true humant Policy found But on the other hand they see not how the Designs of a supreme Providence may be taking place above the reach of humane Thoughts which does controul their Measures and Hopes and how it was above the Sphere of ordinary Reason or their Foresight that Events have oft occurred betwixt the entry and close of a Year as they could neither see or prevent But there is a Divine Foresight which is of another Nature by the Evidence of Faith of things not seen and future without extraordinary Revelation as can render the Enjoyments of Hope on the Certainty of a Divine Promise to be matter of unexpressible Joy and Support when it would in an ordinary way seem to be against Hope There is a Third Proposal of great weight also on this Head to know what may have the most near and immediate Influence on such a Raisedness and Security of a Christians Soul in an extraordinary Hour of Tryal and does then give the greatest Advantage to such an Appearance when it can have no visible Cause for the same for Answer thereto it is indeed a Secret betwixt God and the Soul of Men and a matter of Power rather than of Words what can raise such a Confidence as hath no possible rise from Nature herein and in this respect those who look at a distance can never know where a Christians Support and his great Strength lyes Yet since this seems so strange and dark a thing to most who may give some Assent to the Doctrin of our Faith I must speak a little further so far as may tend to clear their Judgment who would know what manner of Persons these are who both in a judicious and experimental way move in so high a Sphere and are thus skilled in the way of Trust and secure Reliance on an invisible Refuge But to render it the more clear I shall touch this in the way of Example by some peculiar View of such of whom I hope there be many this day on the Earth to shew that none goes upon higher Principles of true and enlightned Reason And though the Measures of a Christians Faith and Establishment be not alike but of a very different Size yet may this clearly appear and be understood by some special Characters to illustrate the same 1. That he is one who in a serious Recess and Retirement of his Soul hath made a just Reckoning of such surprizing Tryals as lyable to a Christians State here on the Earth where the alone way of believing against Sense must either be his Support and Security or else perish And that no present Condition he is in can be so prosperous or promising but dark and black Clouds may fall down when least expected as all humane Comfort and Assistance may fail and have no visible Refuges to rest on which hath thus brought the serious Thoughts of Religion and his Soul more close together to know such an infallible way as can never fail and will bear the whole Expence of the most extraordinary and dismal Trouble and that there is indeed such a temporal Interest lying thereto as an immediate Communion with Heaven when the lower Springs of Comfort and Supply from the Earth may be shut up yea such a Reality as supernatural Comforts in the Peace and Joy of the Holy Ghost which are best known in the saddest Hour to be undoubted and sure 2. But when he hath thus judiciously reasoned himself to such a Supposal he is one who is no less deeply awakened to provide for the same not only with respect to that last and great Adventure of Faith upon an eternal State but to know where his Strength lyes when such a case may occurr for then it must in a special way lye near to have a Stedfastness of his own in the Truth and to know the strong and firm Conveyances of the Security of our Faith on Divine Promise in such a manner as should not need the Seal of a Miracle or the Testimony of an Angel to support the same since as such a Settlement on the Testimony of God is surely attainable so he cannot conceive how Men can possibly walk in the Light of any true Joy and Comfort on the Earth until they once be at Rest here 3. He knows also that the greatest Tryals wherein he is sisted within time is upon the Work and Actings of Faith in an Hour of Temptation both in the Truth and in the Strength thereof yea how one day in his Life may have some special Commission for this end more than many Years formerly have had but does consider herewith how great the Recompences are even within time that wait on the Issue when the set Measure shall be perfected of such unusual Tryals that it shall be the same as in Job 23. to bring them forth as Gold And as he considers how high a value the Lord does put hereon since the great Dispensation whereby he deals with his Church in this militant State is in the way of Trust and upon the Credit of his Truth when there is no sensible Evidence so it is the most important Study of his Life how he may acquit himself and stand to the Proof hereof for the Honour of his God and Master who hath counted him worthy to put him on some hotter Service and more remarkable Conflicts this way than others and that he may hold fast the beginning of his Confidence unto the end 4. He must be reckoned one who hath attained to a special Communion with God in the ways of Providence by frequent and deep Observation of the same and who thus can discern the great ends and designs which he hath upon his People in such Methods of his dealing with them that may seem more strange and astonishing to others and in what dark Paths he does usually lead such to whom he hath reserved the greatest Testimonies of his Love and Respect so that what proves most staggering to others as to the way of the Lords training of his choicest Followers in this State of Warfare is made a special Assistance to his further Establishment 5. But more especially wherein his great Strength lyes is on that acquaintance he hath attained with the Communion of the Spirit of God which was once so dark and not conceivable by Report but now knows that it 's an acquaintance of such a kind as is not remote or at a distance but by near and sensible Approaches to his Soul and is not by Words but by things of the
the Sign of the Son of Man as will beyond any Contradiction expound it self and verify such a Prediction of our Blessed Lord before Angels and Men. 4. It must be understood as a Sign that will be deeply affecting and work in an extraordinary way on Mens Spirits to cause so great and universal a Mourning which will not be as som have understood a Mourning from Horror but what will be a Result not only of the Greatness and Certainty of the Sign but of an extraordinary Concurrence of the Spirit of God herewith to answer that eminent Design of Grace with a peculiar respect to the Jewish race as may be clearly seen Zach. 12. 12. And herein I humbly judge as in the first times of the Gospel the Jews did require a Sign from Heaven to engage them to the Christian Faith as the Apostle speaks 1 Cor. 1. 22. so that this way now in the last times both with an eminent Rebuke to their Infidelity and marvelous Condescendence of Grace he will yet in such a manner appear 5. But it must still be according to what the Scripture expresses a Sign and not the thing signified or personal Appearance of our Blessed Lord in his humane Nature whom the Heavens must contain until the full Restitution of all things wherein I must differ from the Judgment of such great Interpreters who take it in the other Sense though this will assuredly be such a Sign as is then to have some extraordinary Impress and Signature upon it to be demonstrative to the World and the Jews more peculiarly of the Humanity of our Blessed Redeemer 6. But whatever may be the Glory and Splendor of so extraordinary an Appearance it must be still reckoned such as the state of Mortality can bear since that Vision that he gave to his beloved Disciple John of himself in his glorified State Rev. 1. was so overpowering as he who had sometimes leaned on his Bosom whilst he was on the Earth did then fall as dead at his Feet and except it were supposed that he should put a Veil on his Glory in such a visible and immediate Appearance of his humane Nature it is not conceivable how even the Saints on the Earth much more the residue of the World could bear a sign of that Nature And herein my Soul doth rest with Assurance as to the Sense and Intent of the Scripture about that much desired Sign after serious and humble enquiry about the same Though I must crave leave to add this further with a special Confidence that this Sign which is to be the greatest is to be given in a Monitory way gof his Second coming is now surely on a near Approach as being both that great Signal of Grace to the poor Jewish World and of its being very near to a perfecting of the Work of time and his coming to judge the World yea since the finishing of the times of the Gentiles and that great Tide and Effusion of the Spirit which will then bring a Resurrection therewith from the Dead to the Jews does contemporate together the promissory Evidences of the near Approach hereof are such as I hope many of this Generation now in the Earth may be made Witnesses thereto 9. I know it is reckoned usually that the accomplishing of these great Designs of Providence which are yet to take place now in the last Ages of the World and the Exhibition of this wonderful Sign of the Son of Man may be at a great distance of time as to the Event thereof upon which I have had the same Thoughts until a more deep enquiry and search about the Counsel of God herein hath brought me under a constraint of Light to see how the work of time in all its Intents is nearer to a final close than seems to be apprehended by most and that we are now surely near to an entring on the last Watch of that long Night of the Churches Militant State when her Warfare shall for ever be accomplished and there will be no more such long Stages in the Course and Procedure of Providence as hath formerly been but when the last part of Scripture Prophesie is once come to the Birth and full height of Accomplishment then i'ts to be hoped that a few Years will bring forth more than hath been formerly attained in some Ages yea to this doth the Spirit speak expresly with respect to that great and wonderful Revolution in the last times by the incalling of the Jews and final Destruction of Antichrist that then he will cut short his Work in Righteousness and finish the same because a short Work will the Lord make upon the Earth Rom. 9. 28. by which the way and manner of the course of Providence is clearly expressed as it will be in the evening of time from what it hath been formerly the Word there in the Original is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to shew that as the work of God which he hath upon the Earth is the alone Product and Accomplishment of his Word so when the Administration of Providence is drawing near to its last Period and Close then will he cut it short and hasten the same in some extraordinary way yea allot more to a Day or Year than he did to many Years before in the ordinary course of his working and as the first bringing forth of the Creation was a short Work and a swift course that Omnipotency took herein so may the last Consummation and Close of the great Work of Providence be expected to make no Delay I am sure the Holy Ghost speaks expresly for this end in that aforecited Scripture besides other Passages of Sacred Truth which give Light and Confirmation thereto but in what Sense the cutting short of the Work of God in the last times and his making a short Work in the Earth is to be understood I must humbly offer what I am in Faith persuaded hereof as agreeable to the Intent of that Scripture 1. How it is to be a short Work and a very swift Motion that shall be then in the Churches Increase and in gathering of the Elect as what will be answerable to that great extent of the Church Vniversal when it is made up both of Jews and Gentiles and in such a day of Power as the Dew of his Youth shall be as the Womb of the morning Psal 110. 3. For though it be clear that the last Triumph of Christ's visible Kingdom and the Glory of his Grace in order to Conversion must assuredly have a great Harvest therewith for in-bringing of the Saints and filling up of that large Room which is yet void in the Church Triumphant in the whole appointed measure thereof yea may be judged such as shall bear a Resemblance to that Progress of Grace and wonderful Product of its Efficacy in the first times of the Gospel so is it to be expected that this last Tide of the Effusion of the Spirit of God shall be so strong and
prevalent as to attain the Work of an Age formerly in a very short time and verify that Scripture to the Amazement of the World Isa 66. 10. how a Nation and People should be Born and formed to the Lord in a day But I must herewith speak to a sad Mistake that I humbly judge many are upon as to the measure of that Prophetick Millennium and highest Glory of Christs visible Reign herein as if that definite time of a Thousand Years should be understood extensively of such a precise number of Years and of so long a Duration when the Intent of the Holy Ghost herein seems so clear and evident that it 's rather intensively to be taken in the Value and Splendor thereof when the Light of one day will be as of seven in one and the Work of God in a short measure of time then will virtually amount to a Thousand Years I know it 's accknowledged by all and clearly understood as David speaks Psal 90. and the Apostle 2 Pet. 2. how a Thousand years with the Lord is but as a day yet seems the Sense of this to be little apprehended by most how a day before the Lord may be as a Thousand years And how it 's intended there to shew his ing such a Value and Glory thereon as it may amount to the Product of a Thousand years formerly in the ordinary course of Providence 2. It is in this respect also that the Lords making a short work in the Earth in the last times of the Church may be understood by a more swift course than usual in order to the perfecting of the Saints who then are on the Earth and ripening of them for Heaven so that answerable to their Attainments of Grace in a more extraordinary growth herein their Translation to Glory will be the more hastned and the Measure of the Work and Services of their time more quickly perfected This with humble Sobriety I have sometimes and do still judge that the Lords cutting short his work then may be no less remarkable in the short Period and Duration which the Saints shall have on the Earth after their Calling than that long Measure which was allotted to Men in the first entry of time as congruous to this design of Grace to make a short work then and hasten the full Translation of the Church to its Triumphant State 3. It is to be judged in this respect also will appear that cuting short of the Work of God in the last times by bringing forth the great designs of Providence which are then to have their full Accomplishment with so extraordinary a gale of Divine Power and swift course thereof as will admit no Halting or Delay but shall attain that in a very short time which to our Thoughts would seem great for an Age to bring forth We can see now with full evidence for what great ends the Service and Vse of time hath been from the first entry thereof and what designs the Blessed Author of the same hath had on the Ages past But when we look forward to the last Intent and Work thereof there seems to be very dark and strange Thoughts hereof by many though the Spirit of God by Divine Revelation is clear and express about the same as to what must be yet filled up of the Work and Administration of Providence before the end The Testimony of Christ which is the Spirit of Prophesie was most specially directed under the Old Testament upon his Priestly Office but now is the Glory of this Testimony as to the Prophesies under the New Testament in a peculiar way settled on his Kingly Office in the whole Progress and Gradations of his visible Kingdom until the close of Time and it 's in a Twofold respect that the Spirit of Prophesie does reveal the great designs of Providence which are yet to be perfected before the end of time The first is as to a breaking down and final Overthrow of the Kingdom of Antichrist under the last Vials yea as to the Methods of Providence and the manner hereof is also express and clear that when the time is once come for this great and magnificent Act of Judgment on that City and Seat of the Beast by the Fifth Vial it will then make a strange and unusual dispatch and be an amazing Surprizal as the Scripture speaks Rev. 18. 7 8. when she says I sit as a Queen and shall see no Sorrow then in one day shall her Plagues come for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her Nor can this be more marvelous in our Eyes when it comes than what we have seen of the degrees of Wrath and Judgment that are already fulfilled on this Adversary so as I must judge by Scripture Evidence this will be a work of short time as it will bear an extraordinary and immediate Appearance of God therewith But there is one great design further in that way of breaking down and overturning which must yet take place in the final Judgment of the Mahumetan Empire both as to Turks and Persians which as it may be clearly understood by the Sixth Vial and does with great evidence relate to what is foretold of this Adversary Rev. 9. 14. under the Sixth Trumpet so as to the manner hereof in that Allusion of drying up the River of Euphrates when formerly we see how these Angels were let loose for Destruction who were bound thereat We may see how the same Allusion does speak such a work of Judgment as will be strange sudden and surprizing as the drying up of Euphrates by Diversion of that River did in one Night make way to finish the Babylonish Empire in the time of Cyrus and now some prelude and remarkable Steps of Judgment as to the fall of that Empire have been of late very obvious But yet in a Concurrence herewith there is one great design of Providence to be accomplished before the end which is for building up and a restoring work on that great and long Ruin of the scattered Jews and thus for gathering together in one in the Dispensation of the fulness of time all things in Christ even in him Eph. 1. 10. which Scripture I must humbly judge speaks peculiarly to that last uniting work about the Church Vniversal both of the Jews and Gentiles When the times of the Gentiles are once Accomplished which as I have a little touched before then will it be understood in the Event how the Value and Interest of a day may be by the Lord in that manner heightned as to sum up and abridge therein what had not been attained in a Thousand years before It was in the first times of the Gospel that the Effusion of the Spirit of God and Out-goings of his Power was so wonderful and strong as in Forty years the extent of the Christian Church after the Ascention of Christ was then greater in the World than it seems to be at this day which I do not question shall yet once
a Seal of their Commission for Judgment not only to take Peace from this part of the Earth but to be the Rod of Divine Indignation against the Refomed Churches For it hath been under this Rod that hitherto the most destructive Ddsigns have had the most visible Successes and when an Instrument of Judgment is of Gods choosing and hath an anointing for this end put upon him it proves then to be very formidable as it hath the Impress of his Terror and Greatness put thereon beyond what is at another time and is thus acted with an invisible Power and Concurrence until such a Work of Judgment be accomplished 2. We see this is an Adversary who in this late Design against the whole Protestant Interest in the Kingdom of France hath had such prevailing Successes to carry on a ruining and judicial work of that nature when in former times the Protestants there did with an Heroick and Invincible Spirit bear out against the utmost Power and Violence of Four Kings successively and could see them by an extraordinary Divine Hand broke But oh now was the day turned no less remarkably and the Attempts of this King followed with that Terror Fainting and Lowness of Spirit as to any self Defence that it might be seen as in the case of Samson their Strength this way was departed so as nothing could avail until such a Work both of Tryal and Judgment was accomplished This I confess hath oft had an affecting Sense on my own Spirit and brings a more extraordinary Call therewith to have our Reliances more absolutely fixed on God and promise less to our self from visible means yea how to prevent such a Hazard at the Fountains Head as is still threatning when there may be just matter of Fear that the date of his Commission is not yet expired But 3. Is it not known that this is such an Adversary over whom the English Nation once had so great an Ascendent in times past as they were a Terror unto that People who now does not only keep but gain Ground against the united Strength of so great Confederacy so that there may be cause for a higher Look than to what is humane in the Standing Supports and growing Strength of that Party And it 's surely one of the great Demonstrations of Providence in the World which is both in the rising and depressing of the Genius of a Nation and People answerable to the Designs which God is accomplishing hereby But this I leave to the more serious Thoughts and Judgments of others what Appearance such a Sign hath to us this day 4. It is in some singular way that it may be said the French have attained beyond others to be united within themselves and on the other hand no less skilful to divide and promote Discords amongst those who are against them and who now in this critical Juncture of Affairs know how to graft their deepest Designs on these intestine Distempers and Convulsions which are so visible in the Politick Body of these Nations yea know how to foment the same whilst intestine Conslicts even amongst the most serious part of Protestants are so uncessant as to shut out all fear of this kind and despise any moral Relief or Cure 5. Tho' it may be of small Notice or Remark upon any threatning Aspect of such a Party yet I must look otherways thereon even in this Particular that there has been such a long and resolute conforming amongst us to the way of that Nation in the most Prodigions Fashions and Attires who have delighted herein to copy after such a Patern that they may be at last in the Righteousness of God made to have as sad a Tryal of them in the way of Judgment as of that continued Instuence and Ascendent they have had over them in the way of Sin 6. But there Is one Reflection I must yet further offer upon this Head which in this day hath had a special Impression on my own Spirit that the last Effort and ultimus conatus of the Kingdom of Antichrist before its final Fall may be feared is not yet accomplished as to the ultima clades of the Reformed Churches yea that this work hath fallen under his Hand as the Instrument waited and fitted by Divine Providence for such an end which hath oft made me judge that the date of his Commission is not yet expired when the same provoking Causes of such a desolating Stroak as hath been of late on the Church of France are no less visible amongst us and may have the same Ground to fear when we see such a remarkable Beacon in their case set before us The God of the Reformed Churches is no Respecter of Persons and Nations who will not still bear with a naked Shew and an uninlivened Profession of that pure and excellent Religion we enjoy yea when the most near and immediate Signs which in former times have gone before some extraordinary Stroak of Judgment on Nations and Churches are rather in some further Degree applicable to us There may be more than ordinary cause to meditate Terror on such an account that there is a Sound of great Wrath on this Generation yea that a Sword is fourbished and sheathed in Heaven which is to have some great destroying work under its Hand before it be put up But oh nothing is like to do until something more extraordinary than we have yet seen draw aside that Veil of Security we are now under and hide these things from our Eyes But I shall add herewith as it should be a Blessed Surprizal if the God of Patience might yet spare and prolong a Season of Grace and Respite so threatning a Woe so on the other hand an experimental Knowledge of the Truth of Divine Premunitions when it 's too late and is had at so dear a Purchase will be very sad when no Conviction or Repentance can regain such a Season as we now have if it be once lost But as the Proverb speaks non licet in bello aut morte bis errare There is one thing yet further now in the shutting up of this Discourse which I must in a few words touch that as it is the alone Prerogative of the Deity to declare things to come before they spring forth and who hath bounded the Prospect and Evidence of his People as to future Events or what he is yet bringing sorth of his work in the last times according to the extent of Divine Revelation herein since this is to be the measure of our Light and Discoveries until the second coming of the Lord. So it 's no less evident and sure that any Pretence or Prospect of the Events of Providence which have no Dependance on any natural causes is beyond the possible reach of all natural Science or of that horrid Profession which is so much aloft in these times of judicial Astrology as it relates to future and contingent Events wherein Men as free Agents do act when