all 1 Kin. 11. 11 12 13. 1. For Davids sake which is five times repeated there for his honour and 2. For Jerusalems sake both which had peculiar promises as 1. David 2 Sam. 7. 9 10 11 12 16. all performed by the promiser either in the Types ' or Antitypes 2. Jerusalem that holy City Neh. 11. 1. 18. Isa 52. 1. wherein Zion and the Temple stood and was the special Type of the Church Psal 51. 18. Isa 62. 1 7. and 66. 20. Revel 21. 2. and therein God promis'd to David his servant that he should have a light or Lamp always 1 Kin. 11. v. 36. to wit a Royal Successor that should shine before his people which was most properly accomplish'd in Christ Luke 2. 32. The Scepter could not be taken either by men or Devils from Judah until Shilo came Gen. 49. 10. and then was he a light to the Gentiles as he had been and still was a glory to Israel Now though the Devil that Grand Make-bate of the World had a great hand in this Rent or Division together with his Impious Instrument Jeroboam yet the Lord had a greater hand in it to ordain order and over-rule all For thus saith the Lord This thing is from me and the cause was from the Lord as well as from the Devil 1 Kin. 12. 15.24 As it was a sin call'd Rebellion Ch. 12. 19. so it was from the Devil but as it was a punishment of sin both of Solomons Idolatry Ch. 11. v. 11. and of Rehoboams insolency so it was from God as an Act of Justice from the Supreme Judge Am. 3. 6. God here withdraws the Spirit of Wisdom from Rehoboam and leaves him to his own egregious folly as Chap. 22. 23. 2 Chron. 25. 20. and 32. 31. God knows how to order the disorders of the World to his own glory as having an over-ruling Providence beyond mans purpose and an over-pouring power still to preserve his poor Church though Solomon had been sharing himself betwixt God and Idols and therefore his servant Jeroboam shall share the Kingdome with his Son Rehoboam yea and bear away the better half from him yet Judah still rules with God and God with them and is faithful with the Saints When Ephraim the ten Tribes compassed God about with lyes Hos 11. v. 12. that is while back-sliding Israel went after their Leaden Priests made by Jeroboam of the basest of the people and their Golden Calves Judah kept tite to the Temple-worship and firm in the true Religion Thus the most gracious God even in the midst of wrath remembers mercy and leaves this blessing soon repenting of the evil behind him that a Lamp should be lighted in Jerusalem which the most boistrous blasts of the Devil and his Instruments should not blow out The Sixteenth Plot against the CHURCH in Canaan Defeated by GOD. CHAP. XVI NOw when the Devil had divided so great a share of Davids Kingdome to himself by Divine Permission the Lord of the Soyl Hos 9. 3. Isa 8. 8. giving way for his own glory to such sad Incroachments he falls upon sowing the cursed seed of his Tares upon the Lords Land among those Tribes who disdain'd to live any longer by the Lords Law Oh wonderful there was no visible Church upon Earth at this time but in the Land of Promise and yet the only wise God gives up to Satan when all the World lay in wickedness 1 Joh. 5. 19. and so in the possession of that wicked one even the largest share of his own Land also though it was but a little spot of Land no bigger than our Wales in all Thus the Lords Land Levit. 25. 23. became the Devils Land too in the greatest part with all the rest of the Habitable World Oh how unsearchable are the ways of the Lord and his works past find-out Rom. 11. 33 34 35. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Oh the bottomless depth of Divine Wisdome the Devil having got this leave against Israel as once against Job when Gods Hedge was gone begins to lay waste Gods Vineyard Isa 5. 5 6. He now falls to work for debauching Israel he first makes them cast off their true Soveraign and chuse a false one Jeroboam the Son of Nebat must be the man one that wanted neither Craft nor Courage to back this Horse which had cast his Rider Next to Achitophel the Devil had not a craftier Head to plot against the Church than this Leader of the Faction and Fraction As the subtil Serpent infused into him his subtilty for stealing a Scepter so for securing it to him when he had stoln it His Plotting Head had this considering Cap upon it 't was but a pang of discontent that made me King violent things are not permanent sudden Paroxysmes or Fits of passion have as sudden Relaxations and recoveries the Revolters cannot return thrice a year to the Temple in Jerusalem as God commands them Exod. 34. 23. but 't will make them revolt from me and return to Rehoboam I must either keep them off from God or I shall never keep them off from Loyalty and Piety Therefore to give them a pleasant Diversion when he durst not offer a direct Restraint and Prohibition he changes and adulterates that Religion which he dare neither inhibit nor abolish Hereupon this new King plots to make Israel a new God and for their ease nearer home too that they might not be toiled with going so far as the Temple pretending to be more merciful to the people than the most merciful God yea and more prudent than he in his more compendious and plausible way of worship altogether accommodated to the ease and humour of the people Aaron had humour'd Israel with one Golden Calf such as they had seen long in Egypt Exod. 32. 4. Now Jeroboam who had lately lived there 1 Kin. 11. 40. judges it proper after Aarons example to humour them with two which he sets up at Dan and Bethel at both the ends of the Land North and South 1 Kin. 12. 27 28 29. Thus took he crafty counsel of his cursed Courtiers and so he might secure his Realm and Region he matter'd not though Religion were run down to ruine And this thing became a sin to Israel v. 30. a most heinous sin though it was but a base thing this Image was one of the basest Psal 106. 20. The Image of a Calf eating Hay Oh what Brutish Creatures were Israel made by an Intoxicating Devil Psal 115. 8. so as to fall down and worship such a Brutish Creature as a Calf as soon as it was set up yea that service which was only due to God was performed to Devils in this base thing 2 Chron. 11. 15. all Idolatry is Devil-worship all Devotion that is not done to God nor by a Divine Warrant is done to the Devil there is no Medium or Mean betwixt them 1 Cor. 10. 20 21. Revel 9. 20. Now the Devil that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or Idol-lover had
a stronger Hale without breaking to wit 2 Internal Cords or 2 Murmurings within the Camp and 2 External Cords or 2 Assaults and Onsetts upon the Camp by King Arad and by King Sihon yet God broke this 4-fold Cord more easily than Samson did his when Philistims were upon him Judg. 15. 14. and 16.12 As 1st Internally And 1st A Murmuring within the Camp for Water at Meribah Numb 20. 2. They wanted Water the first Year of their comming into the Wilderness and now the like want befalls them in this 40th Year of their Wilderness-Wandring In the 1st Year-want God Tryed the Fathers Exod. 17. 1 2. c. and God gave them Water out of the Rock Horeb v. 6. which followed them all along till they came near Canaan 1 Cor. 10. 4. In this last Year-want God tryed the Children and they Murmur like their Fathers and Patrizando do want Patience as well as Water The former at Rephidim Exod. 17. and this at Kadesh do Harmonize in many Particulars save that Satan was more successful in this Plot than in that for here he Transports meek Moses 1. to an Immoderate Anger to Speak unadvisedly with his Lips Psal 106. 32. 2. To a Speaking passionately to the People when he should have spoken believingly to the Rock v. 8. 3. To his Smiting it and that Twice as in a pang of Passion when he should have onely Spoken to it with the Rod in his Hand stretched towards it v. 10. 'T is true while Moses Spoke to those Rebels he spoke to a Rock even to their rocky hearts Here Moses is at a stand and his Faith staggers as knowing a Flinty rock was more likely to have Fire fetch'd out of it than Water by striking He is not bidden Here to smite the Rock as Elsewhere Exod. 17. 6. And because he did it Unbidden not believing in the Lord nor Sanctifying him before the People v. 12. both he and Aaron his Brother for the same fault were Excluded Canaan but Satan could not get either of them Excluded Heaven However God pardons their Murmurings the Belly hath no Ears and satisfies their Thirst by a Miracle Waters came out abundantly by a Work of Omnipotency v. 11. and so the Church is Preserved 2dly A Murmuring within the Camp at the Tediousness of the way in compassing the Land of Edom when that Unkind Cousin would not suffer Israel to pass thorough his Land Numb 20. 14 17 18. and 21. 4. which had been the far nearest way This turning about Mount-Seir turns them again into their Old Paroxysms or Fits of Murmuring against God that forbad them the way thorough Seir or Edom Deut. 2. 5. and of Loathing Manna as their Fathers had done Numb 11. 5 6. as if it were not so Solid and Substantial as that Food they had in Aegypt Though it maintain'd the Body in an equal Temperature of Strength and Vigorous Health without offending the Organs or oppressing with Fullness for many Years as it did Moses Deut. 34. 7. and Caleb Josh 14. 11. For this Contempt God sent Seraphim Nehashim Fiery Serpents to Sting them that those Ungrateful ones who had causelesly Cryed might now have some Cause to cry 'T is a Wonder that seeing the Wilderness through which they went did Abound with those and other Serpents Deut. 8. 15. That the Old Serpent the Devil had not before this Molested the Church with these Biteing and killing-Serpents but the Great God who was their Conduct and Covering over-rul'd the Devil or Serpent and kept all those Serpents from hurting his People till now by their Sin he gave them a Commission as Amos 9. 3. I will command the Serpent and he shall bite thee 'T is the Church's Mercy that the Serpent cannot Hurt nor Destroy upon Gods Holy Mountain but when God permits Isa 65. 25. And though God here for their Sin doth permit this grievous Malady yet Provides he a most gracious Remedy at the Pray'rs of his people v. 7 8. to wit The Brazen-Serpent upon a Pole a Figure of Christ Joh. 3. 14 15. to which whoever looks tho' with a weak Eye are healed Isa 17. 7. and 45. 23. and Joh. 12. 32. So 2dly Externally 1. Satan stirred up the Canaanites to Oppose this Wilderness-Church in her Passage to Canaan now when they were come so nigh to it even to the South-point of the Land Numb 21. 1. and 33. 40. These under King Arad fought against Israel and took some of them Prisoners Undoubtedly those Canaanites had heard of the over-throw which was given to Israel 38 Y. before this when they presumptiously went up against an Express Prohibition Numb 14.41 44 45. and of the Hand of God against them in Detaining them so long in the Wilderness Hereby the Devil hardned and encouraged them to Encounter Israel comming so neer them again which was done accordingly with some Success yet from differing Thoughts of God and the Devil for 1st the Devil did this to discourage Israel that as their Fathers through Unbelief entred not into the Promised Land but their Carcasses fell in the Wilderness Deut. 1. 27 32 35. Hebr. 3. 11 18. So their Children also might be deprived 2. but God Suffer'd this Success for a Chastizement of their Sins and for a Tryal of their Faith and that his People might know that they should not Conquer the Land by their own Strength or for their own Merit Psal 44. 3. Deut. 9.4 This Success of the Canaanites prevailing and taking some Prisoners gave Satan a fair Prospect of his Plot and Project yet behold how the Lord baffles him and Laughs it to Nothing for it was onely some Prisoners not all the Church as the Old Romans may lose a Battel but never a War This Loss was so Sanctify'd as made them take the right way to prevail with God as Jacob the Father of Vows had found it Gen. 28. 20. Upon this Occasion Israel Jacob's Off-spring Vowed a Vow Numb 21. 2. Invocating Gods Assistance and promising a Devotement of their Conquest to God The Lord accepts of this Religious Vow or Promise performs his Part of Helping them to a Victory v. 3. King Arad Satans Instrument being Drunk with his former Success comes again into the Field like Thunder and Lightning but goes out like Smoak and a Snuff as 't is said of the French Prior Impetus est plus quà m Virorum posterior minùs quám Foeminarum More than a Man at first less than a Woman at last God Delivered him into Israels hands and his Cities they Destroyed which they Devoted to God as the first Fruits of the Land of Promise And that they might keep their Vow the better to the end of their Conquests the place of this first Victory was call'd Hormah to wit Devotement for a Standing Memorial both of Gods Mercy and Israels Duty in after Ages v. 3. And when the Devil saw that he had lost this Game and that Israels Sighing for their first Defeat was Turned into
this Captain as the 1st Fruits so shall all the Cursed Foes of the Church be by his Wisdom and Power Hebr. 2. 10. Rom. 8. 31. All that the Devil could do in this 11th Plot further against the Church under the Conduct of her Captain-General who was present with her Josh 5. 13. and 6. 2. not wrapped up in a Cloud as in the Wilderness but as a Man of War Exo. 15. 3. Mighty in Battel Psal 24. 8. in Canaan as a praelude to his Incarnation save onely Two poor Spirts or small Skirmages the one in the beginning and the other in the end of the Conquest The 1st petty-Plot was that of Achan who Interrupted their Progress and Troubled their Host for a time Josh 7. 25. The Occasion was this The Man Christ Jesus who appeared to Joshua Ordains and Orders the means of the Downfall of Jericho even such as the World would judge Despicable and Ridiculous not the Silver Trumpets of the Sanctuary which might have both Graced the Enterprize and given Confidence of Success but Contemptible Rams-Horns fitter to be Laugh'd at by a Carnal Eye God loves to go a way by himself Josh 6. 3 4. Joshua passes on before the Lord v. 8. Uses the means Appointed The Ark of Christ's Presence compasses Jericho and Down it falls so sure shall Mystical Jericho or Babylon Fall by the powerful presence of Christ though the means be Despised The whole City as the 1st Fruits is Devoted to Destruction v. 17. and the People are Commanded to Keep from the Accursed thing v. 18. This was fair Warning to that foul Sinner Achan who Sacrilegiously seiz'd on a Wedg of Gold and a Babylonish-Garment Josh 7.21 The Devil knew his covetous Temper by feeling his Pulse so fitted him with an Object a fit Penny-worth or Prize he sets before him Achan Covets them as he confesses Robs God of his Right God is Displeased with all the Body for the Contagion of this One Sinner Who Destroy'd much Good Josh 7. 1. Eccles 9. 18. This one Sin of one Member of their Body betrays them into the Hands of Divine Justice for looking no better not onely to the Observing but to the Preserving of God's Law on which Account every Man should be His Brothers Keeper Israel Fled before the Men of Ai Josh 7.4 Joshua Fasts and Prays to find out the Sin and Sinner God Directs to both both are Remov'd and God's Favour Recovered than the Church goes on with Christ Conquering and to Conquer for Seven Years till the Land Lett to her by God's Sealed Lease was Subdued before Her The Devil being soon Baffled of this 1st Plot in Canaan was Chained up to the End of its Conquest 'T is True he put a Cheat upon the Church by the Gibeonites pleading Antiquity to Her as the Romanists would do with Us now with their Old Sacks and Moulded Bread See my Antidote against Popery in the Chapter of Novelty But he had like to have made them Sheath their Conquering Swords in one anothers sides which was his 2d Plot when Reuben Gad and the half Tribe of Manasseth were Dismissed and Built an Altar of Remembrance on the other side of Jordan Josh 22. 11 12 16 18. No Doubt but the Devil made the Smoak while an Holy Fire so Blessedly Blows up Israel into so Inconsiderate Zeal and Uncharitable Censures but Phinehas their Ambassadour being rightly Informed by the Reubenites takes up the Controversie v. 22. 30 31. So Satan lost this Design also and this might rebuke the Reubenites that choose to Live so far from the Tabernacle as they were on the other side Jordan so far off from the place of God's Worship The Twelfth Plot against the CHURCH in Canaan Defeated by GOD. CHAP. XII IN the Devils 12th Design and Plot against the Church which continued 450 Y. in its Vps and Downs Act. 13. 20 Take a Distinct View 1. of the Churches Danger 2ly of the Churches Deliverance 1st of her Danger 'T was Twofold 1st by her Sin the Devil seduced her into and 2ly By her Punishment the Devil procured upon her for her Sin 1st Her Sin was Twofold 1st She sinned against the 1st Table of the Law in her Worship 2ly against the 2d Table thereof in her Manners Thus the Devil Debauch'd the Church both in her Holiness to God and in her Righteousness to Man and he made her Degenerate into a most dangerous Apostacy Vntil this be done the Devil well knows none of his Plots can ever be prosperous Numb 23. 21 23. The Churches 1st Sin against God in her Worship was Idolatry that God-provoking and Land-destroying Sin Idolatry after the Death of Joshua and of the Elders who had seen the Wonderous Works of God and Upheld the purity of Divine Worship in her Judg. 2. 7. was begun in Israel by a Woman to wit Micah's Mother Judg. 17. 1 2 3. c. which Story must Undonbtedly follow after Judg. 2. 10. in order of time and place and that in Ephraim also where afterwards Jeroboam Establish'd it by a Law The Devil began his Kingdom of Sin in the World by a Woman to wit Eve 1 Tim. 2. 16. And he carries it on here by a Woman to wit Micah's Mother of the weaker Sex yea an Old Woman who had not onely a Son in a Marryed Estate but also a Grand-Son grown up and Consecrated to the Priests Office Judg. 17. 5. The Tempter knew well that weak and old Wood was most Apt to take Fire even the Fire of Hell yea she was not onely a Woman an Old Woman but also a very Superstitious Woman possibly she might though then very young Learn her Superstition from the mix'd Multitude Exod. 12. 38. Numb 11. 4. And though God had been Ayring Israel full 40 Y. in the Wilderness where many sweet Gales of Grace did blow upon them yet Micah's Mother did Smell of Aegypt in her Devoting Eleven Hundred Shekels of Silver to the making of an Idol for the loss of which she most grievously Cursed Cursing Persons are mostly Cursed Persons a wicked Heart wants not a wicked Mouth that is full of Cursing and Bitterness Rom. 3. 14. Yea and out of the same Mouth proceedeth Blessing of the Thief her Son without reprooving him for his Sin as well as Cursing Jam. 3. 10. Judg. 17. 2. And partus Sequitur Ventrem The Birth follows the Belly Morrally as well as Civilly so did Micah his Mother 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of an Evil Bird comes an Evil Egg like Mother like Son they Two consent together to lay out Nine Hundred of the Shekels for Materials and the other two Hundred for Workman-ship of the Idol Micah sets it up in his own House for his own use and the use of the Neighbourhood round about him Now he who had been hitherto called in the Hebrew Text Micaiahu with a part of Johovah affixed to his Name is from v. 5. Cut shorter in his Name and ever after is called Micah as
Day But suppose they had been of that Moyety of Mankind that lye dead in the Grave as Psal 88. 5. and that Death had not onely seiz'd but also fed upon them and had Gnawed them to the very bones leaving nothing but bare bones yea suppose those bones had been dryed yea so very much dryed ex Vetustate Carie both so old and so rotten as ready to moulder into Dust at the least Touch yet the great God who comes to stand over these Opened Graves as Christ did over Lazarus's Joh. 11. 38 41. and who by his Almighty Power can quicken the Dead and call things that are not as if they were Rom. 5. 17. Joh. 5. 28. Isa 26. 19. Hos 13. 14. he cryeth with some Groanings over the Grave Lazarus Judah Oh my People Oh my Church come forth Joh. 11. 43. Ezek. 37. 12. Yea he Roareth mightily from on high Ier. 25. 30. like the lusty Lyon finding his Whelps dead in his Den at their birth he falls a Roaring so fiercely that as Pliny Reports they presently revive and rise up So the Lyon of the Tribe of Iudah Roareth here to the like purpose and much more at the last Day 1 Thess 4. 16. 1 Cor. 15. 52. together with Gods Word there goeth out a Power Luk. 5. 17. as when he said Lazarus come forth So it is in the first Resurrection and so it shall be in the last Joh. 5. 25 28 29. If God do but Speak to the dry bones saying Ye shall Live c. accordingly it is done as in the Creation of the World Gen. 1. 3 6 9 14 c. The Admirable Work of this great World was all made by a bare Word out of the Mouth of the Almighty God and He who could give a being out of nothing at the first can more easily restore a Being out of something again as out of dry Bones here This great Truth Ezekiel Gods Interpreter excellently Evidenceth in his Parabolical and Typical Vision of the dry Bones most aptly Applyed and Accomodated to the Jewish-Church in the Graves of Babylon which yet was Reviv'd Ezek. 37. v. 7. 1. By a Noise or Rattle to wit some Roaring Thunderclap 2. By a Shakeing as that of the Earthquake at Christs Resurrection Matth. 28. 2. the Earth did shake then to let Christ out of his Grave and now to let the Church out and when God delivers his Church from mystical Babylon he will shake Heaven as well as Earth Hebr. 12. 26 27. he will shake the old Heaven and the old Earth to settle the New Heaven and the New Earth 2 Pet. 3. 12 13. Gods Shakeing concludes with Settling 't is not to Ruine but to Refine his Church Oh what a Noise and what a Shakeing was made here by Ordinary Means as well as by Extraordinary in the Thunderelap above and in the Earthquake below to wit 1. by the Power of Prayer 2. by a prevalent Proclamation 1. Prayer hath a shakeing Power Act. 4. 31. Yea and a ratling Noise or Sound with it Act. 2. 2. as Ezekiels Vision of the dry bones had both those Two extraordinary and sensible Signs of Gods powerful presence so the Spirit of God came upon those Praying Ones as a Spirit of Power 2 ' Tim. 1. 7. and shakes the place of Prayr with a mighty rushing Wind and shakes the Persons too at that first planting of the Gospel as Planters do to young Plants that they may settle the better Now this Powerful Prayr for the Jewish-Churches Restoration out of Babylon was Threefold 1. That of Solomon 1 Kin. 8. from 46 to 54. this very Prayr though made about 468 Y. before shakes the Heart of the Persian Prince Cyrus so as to shew Compassion to Gods poor people in Babylon and at length gives them leave to Return thus Jacobs Prayr God Almighty give you Mercy or Hebr. Bowels Gen. 43. 14. was particularly Answer'd when Josephs Bowels yerned over Benjamin v. 30. 2. That of Daniel when he Vnderstood by Books how the 70 Y. were expired then he puts Gods Promise in Suit and speaks nothing in his Prayers but what God had spoke in his Promises and so was Answer'd by God in his Providences Dan. 9. 2 4 20. This Prayr shakes Heaven brings from thence Gabriel who tells him for the 70 Y. Captivity they shall enjoy their own Countrey Seven Seventies or 490 Y. v. 24. 3. That of the People who Prayed Fasted and Wept by the Waters of Babylon Psal 137. 1 2 3. 1 Kin. 8. 47 48. Zech. 7. 5. Those Three Actions in those 70 Y. shows the Church was no more Dead in Babylon than Daniel was in his Den for they are all Actions of the Living not of the Dead They Sow in Tears the precious Seed of Prayr Wing'd with Fasting so Reaps at last in joy Their Desolate Countrey made them Disconsolate Souls yet their Sighs unutterable brought Joy Vnspeakable Psal 126. 1 2 5 6. Then comes the 2d Shake Cyrus prevalent Proclamation the Lord stirring up his Spirit to it Ezra 1. 1 c. This turn'd the Churches Tears into Triumphs her Sighing into Singing her Sadness into Gladness And the Devil for all his Plots hath the Contrary to all these is Sad at his Defeat and goes learing away Now when God in whose Hand are the Hearts of all Kings Prov. 21.1 had most Happily stirr'd up the Spirit of Cyrus to Issue out his most Gracious Proclamation of a Jubilee to the Distressed Church wherein he was a Type of Christ Proclaiming Liberty to the Captives and the Opening of the Prison to them that are bound Isa 61. 1. and to give her so fair and full a Patent this Mighty Marvellous and Immediate Work of Divine Mercy in her so deplorable misery did so surprize her that she could hardly believe her own Eyes but was for a while as those that Dream Psal 126. 1. This was the Lords own Doing and most Marvellous in the Churches Eyes Psal 118. 23. especially upon those Respects 1. That their Graves should be opened 2. That their dry Bones should live again stand upon their Feet walk home into their own Countrey build a Temple c. 3. That Cyrus an Heathen King who did not know the Lord Sc. savingly Isa 45. 4 5. should not onely be called by Name above 170 Y. before he was Born to become the Lords Shepherd to Feed his distressed Church Isa 44. 28. but also 4. in the very Entrance into his Monarchy before his Affairs were fully settled to Dismiss so great and so United a People in their Religion and Custom and so given to Insurrection as their Character was Ezra 4. 12 19. and to Return them into their own Land with all manner of Accomodations both for State and Strength 5. 'T was most marvellous That this Decree or Proclamation should be Signed not onely 1. Precisely at the End of Daniels Prayer Dan. 9. 21 23. and 10. 12 14. No sooner was Daniels Prayer out of his
'T was a marvellous Providence that God should preserve the High-Priest-hood all the Captivity to this time as Neh. 12. 11. but more to have this Pledge of Gods Grace in Jaddus time The 4th Allay was though Antiochus who sprung out of Alexanders Successors became a fierce Fiend to the Iews yet God told them by Daniel that his standing up against the Prince of Princes to wit God Almighty in Destroying the Dayly Sacrifice and in setting up Idolatry in the Temple would quickly bring Gods Vengeance upon him He shall be broken without Hand Dan. 8. 25. and though for a few Y. as above he shall do according to his wicked Will in the Holy Land Dan. 11. 36. not Regarding any God v. 37. yet shall he come to his end v. 45. a loathsome and lamentable end a Visible Hand of God laid upon him a loathsome Disease and wrapt him up in the Sheet of Shame 1 Macc. 6. 8. and 2 Macc. 9. 5. not so much because he would have spoiled the Temple of Diana but because he did Spoil the Temple at Jerusalem The 5th Allay was that Spirit of God and of Glory which Rested upon the Godly Jews both for Doing Gods Work and for Suffering Gods Will 1. In Doing Oh what a Blessed Zeal did blow up Matthias the Father and Judas Maccabeus his Son who with the Help of his Brethren and other Iews drove the Enemy out of the Countrey and cleansed the Land of all the Uncleanness which had been brought into it Yea and with a very small Handful of Men did mighty Exploits against this Vile Antiochus's great Armies so that the Church was in those Worst of Times most Graciously Holpen with a little Help Dan. 11. 34. in which Weaker Means God Manifested to them his Greater Strength In whose name and by whose Conduct the People that knew their God were strong to do Exploits and to out-doe those Exploits of Antiochus Dan. 11. 28 32. The Apostle seemeth to speak of these Maccabees who wrought Righteousness both Civil and Military Obtained Promises of Glorious Victories and Escaped the edge of the Sword of their Cursed Enemies which sometimes Conquerours do not but purchase their Conquests with the loss of their own Lives as it happened to those brave Brethren at last Hebr. 11. 32 33. and 2ly in Suffering and no less Glorious Spirit did Act the Godly Jews in their Undergoing Cruel Mockings and most exquisite Torments they were Tempted and they were Tortured too yet being got above both the Allurements and Affrightments of the World they would not Accept of Deliverance upon Sordid and sinful terms but as willing to Dye as to Dine they commit themselves to their God in their Martyrdom That they might obtain a better Resurrection Hebr. 11. 35 37. Where that time seems to be Related to God had even then an Holy Remnant whereof the World was not Worthy They were fitter to shine as Stars in Heaven than to be torn in pieces by those Dogs and Hogs on Earth as Josephus the Book of Maccabees and of Martyrs tell us The 6th Sweet Allay the Church had in this Doleful Day was that miracle of the Pool of Bethesda graciously granted by God to corroborate Her in the True Worship of God under the sad persecutions of Antiochus and other Tyrants until the days of John Baptist and of the Lord Christ Joh. 5. 2 3 4. This held up the fainting Spirits of the good people in those bad Times when Prophecy failed and Prosperity too Yea and in the general all true Piety Prophaneness comming in its stead as Malachi their last Prophet declares at large The Rabbins indeed tell us of a Bath-Kol or Eccho that was heard in the Temple which serv'd them for an Oracle c. but waving Jewish Fancies and Fables the Scripture of Truth tells us how an Angel went at certain times to give Healing Vertue to that Water wherein their Sacrifices were washed Here many Impotent Folk lay Languishing at Hopes Hospital and looking after all other means had been ineffectual for God to say to them In the House of Mercy as the Word Bethesda signifies I am thy God that Healeth thee Exod. 15. 26. Jehova Ropheka a Gyant-like Healer Omnipotenti Medico nullus Insanabilis Occurit Morbus No Disease is but God can Cure it This Beneficial Pool was supplyed with Water from the Fountain of Siloam which Represented the Kingdom of Christ Isa 8. 6. The 7th and last Allay was the Promise of the Messiah that Mercy of Mercies who was to be a more Soveraign Bath than this of Bethesda or House of Bounty Christ is the Royal Fountain or Kings Bath Zech. 13. 1. ever-flowing and over-flowing such as Wash herein Believingly shall be both Clean and Whole not Healing at the times of the Iewish Feasts onely as that Pool did but all times of the Year and not one at once as if one only had Suck'd up all the Healing Vertue from all others there but here 3000 persons were Healed together at one Sermon Act. 2. 41. when the Angel of the Covenant Descended to move the Waters that were drawn out of the Wells of Salvation Isa 12. 3. for no other moving but that of an Angel who are Ministring Spirits to heirs of Salvation Hebr. 1. 14. could Dispence to the Diseased any such powerful and immediate Cure the Waters were at all times of a cleansing Property as to their Sacrifices but onely at that time had they a Cureing Power as to themselves When this Beneficial Vertue began in this Pool is uncertain 't is supposed to begin when Eliashib Joshua's Grand-Child with the godly Priests Built the Sheep-gate and Beautify'd it then Consecrated it with their godly Prayr Neh. 3. 1. Hereupon as Tremellius saith probably followed that Miracle of an Angels Descending into the Pool there at their several Solemn Feasts and Healing all Diseases how old great or Desperate soever and that immediately and in a moment 't is as Uncertain likewise when this Miracle of Healing Ceased 't is supposed not till the Destruction of Ierusalem which did fall out about Forty Y. after Christs Healing this Cripple at Bethesda it being so many Y. 'twixt this Passeover Ioh. 5. and that Passeover when Titus Vespasian laid Siege to the City yet this is more than probable that this Miraculous Gift of Healing was given to this Pool before the Comming of Christ as a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or famous fore-Runner of him who was to be the Opened Fountain Zech. 13. 1. for Healing all Diseases and Cureing all Sins Matth. 1. 21. even Jesus the Greek Word comes of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Sano to Heal as the Hebr. Word of Jashang to Save and this is most certain that the time when this Famous Fountain was opened is well known though concerning the Pool aforesaid the Beginning of its Miracle be unknown to wit to be about the four Thousand Y. of the World according to the Latitude of Time and latest
furious Blasts yet could they never be able to Blow out the Light for the Lord hath ever held his own Hand betwixt it and them that Blessed Doctrine did take such Deep Root in the Hearts of the Elect then and doth so now that as Men and Devils never could so they never shall suppress it in England The 5 was by Wickliff's means the Pope lost his long Usurped Power of Imposing what Bishops he pleas'd upon England his great Gain of Peter-Pence and of Tenths out of every Spiritual Promotion our K. Edward the 3d. was too Wise to admit of any such Intrusion and Encroachments The 6 was As Wickliff's Ministry was so exceeding Successful in this Land bringing so many to the Obedience of the Truth that some thought that Day to be the first Resurrection so it was a means of Reformation in other Lands for our Rich. the 2d then Marrying Ann of Bohemia as this Queen Taught our Women Modesty in Riding on Side-Saddles so in Exchange they Taught Bohemia Religion out of Wickliff's Works for there John Hus and Jerom of Prague Lighted their Candles at our Torch The 7th was Though the Devil and all his Black Bands did their Utmost to blow out this Candle thus Lighted and to Run down the followers of it yet God sent them Valiant John Zisca to comfort them by Working mighty Deliverances for them and when after Zisca's Death Pope Martin the 5th sent a great Army to suppress them then did God strike this Popish-Army with such a panick Fear at the Approach of those poor Orphans as they stiled themselves at Zisca's Death that they all fled from the Siege of Misna before they saw the Faces of â—hose Godly Orphans leaving all their Engines of War and a great Booty behind them and when the Emperor Sigismund the Popes Creature to Retrieve the Popes Credit lost by the shameful flight of his Army Raises a vast Army of 40000 Horse besides Foot against them Then was that Word made good In thee the Fatherless findeth Mercy Hos 14. 3. and that Word I will not leave you 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Orphans Fatherless or Comfortless Joh. 14. 18. for God fought from Heaven for those poor Orphans striking the prodigious Host of their Enemies with a most prodigious Fright that they all run away at the very Report of the Protestants approach without staying to strike one stroak and being speedily pursued became a very great prey to the pursuers These Two Signal Testimonies from Heaven did so Astonish the Pope and Emperor that they afterwards fall upon ways of Fraud when the way of Force failed to suppress them and though by that Method and Means they were much run down yet God Raised them up again by Raising up Undaunted Luther the 3d. Angel Rev. 14.9 that Thunderbolt against the Pope who lighted his Candle at John Hus's Book sent to him by some Bohemians when he was in some strait This Candle gave light to all Germany ☞ Mark here what an Honour hath God put upon this our Land in this Blessed Pedigree of Reformation wherein Germany may be Reckon'd for the Son Bohemia for the Father but England for the Grand-Father inasmuch as Luther received light from John Hus and he from our Wickliff * May not this Encourage us that 't is a Land our God careth for Deut. 11. 11. and that He will yet have some Honourable Respect for us having more Honour from his People here than in any other Land and notwithstanding our Unworthiness may we not Hope God will look more at his own Cause and Glory than at our Folly and Iniquity otherwise the same sad Calamities may overtake us the Grand-Father that have over-taken both the Son and the Grand-Son and that by the fag-Fag-end of this 3d. Plot or Game which the Devil and the Pope began to lay and play as soon as this 3d. Angel Luther a Boanerges or Son of Thunder Sounding with so loud a Voice had Awaken'd them Rev. 14. 8 9. God gave him a mighty Heroick Spirit every way Accomplish'd with Grace Learning and Courage for a Gospel-Champion to Preach Damnation not so much to those that receive the Name or Number of the Beast for 200 of them may follow Antichrist as they did Absolom in the Simplicity of their Hearts knowing nothing of his Treason 2 Sam. 15. 11. but to all those that Receive his Mark pronouncing the Word Damn with such an Emphasis as our Mr Perkins did that it left a Doleful Eccho in his Auditours Ears a long time after insomuch that like another Sampson he pull'd down some of the Pillars of Babylon and made Babels Whore with all her Bald-Pate Panders even Roar for very Anguish gnash their Teeth and gnaw their Tongues for Intollerable Pain The Devils 3d. Design against the Church in Protestants Defeated by God CHAP. XXXIII THe Devils 3d. particular Design being the 3d. part of the last Plot was against the Protestants in and after Luther This Book having already swell'd into a greater Bulk then at first Intended almost above a portable Pocket-Book I must Referr my Reader to the Morient or Dying Period of Antichrist in my Discovery of Antichrist pag. 81. to pag. 110. and Confine my self by Constraint to point out onely the most Eminent Remarks of Divine Providence which hath Preserv'd the Church in those Two last Centuries to wit the Fifteen and the Sixteen Hundred Y. of Christ because it would require a Distinct Volum to Speak Distinctly of every Passage and Providence therein The 1st Remark was The Harvest of the Earth yea and of Heaven too was fully Ripe when God Rais'd up Luther to put in his sharp Sicle 1. that of Earth the Kingdom of the Beast was so Debauch'd in that Day as if Earth had been turned into Hell insomuch as Geffery Chaucer that learned Poet in the 14th Century doth notably Scourge the Romish-Church for Degenerating so notoriously both in Doctrine and Discipline both in Faith and Manners 2. that of Heaven the Kingdome of Christ had then a whole Harvest of Souls Chosen of God to be effectually called otherwise such a poor Fryar as Luther was could never have gone through so great a Work against so Great and General Opposition with such Great Success The 2d Famous Remark was that Luther should be sent to Rome as Messenger of his Covent for Deciding some Controversies therein about the Monks Priviledges before the Pope in the Y. 1510. where beholding the Base and Abominable Manners of the Roman Clergy of the Pope and of his Pallace he Returned from Rome with Utmost Detestation both of it and of its Religion crying out often Away with it Away with it and saying to his Friends He would not have been without that Journey to Rome for a 1000 Florens's Thus God by this Providence Unhing'd him of his Romish Religion and prepar'd him thereby for a Great Reformation The 3 Remark was Pope Leo the 10th through his Luxury wanted Money to