applying them the right way Again if Satan foretells any thing it is only gathered from the observation of the affairs of the world and his long experienced conversing in them and this at best can be but conjectural and therefore keeps himself to those dark ways of delivery Lastly To ascribe to Satan truth in foretelling of events it would rob God of his glory and one of his great prerogatives which he alone by his Spirit hath often manifested to his servants the Prophets for the good and comfort of his church and people Object But did not Satan tell Saul in that apparition of Samuel in 1 Sam. 28.19 That he should be delivered with all his host into the hands of the Philistines and that he and his sons on the morrow should be all with Samuel that is dead And was not that prediction truly fulfilled I answer first Amongst Expositors there is a great difference of opinions about the meaning of this place They that hold it was Samuel himself who was at rest have but small store of reason for it for these reasons First Because God will not send one from the dead to exhort the living They have Moses and the Prophets Secondly It is improbable that God would send Samuel who would not let him to answer Saul in his life time because God had forsaken him would now send him from the dead to advise him and then too when he was advising with Wizards and Witches which was utterly forbidden by God in his Law But the current of most Expositors hold That it was the divel in the appearance or likeness of Samuel But herein submitting to the judicious and more discerning judgements I here lay down some considerations to the contrary If this were Satan in the shape of Samuel it is strange he would leave such an excellent lesson to all posterity to the destruction and prejudice of his own kingdom as this is Saul had departed from God and disobeyed his voice therefore God was departed from him and given his kingdom unto another even unto David ver 16 17 18 19. and at last for this his disobedience would destroy him and his family by the hands of their enemies Now this is against that former saying of our Saviour's A Kingdom divided cannot stand is Satan divided against himself Collate unto this the reasons a little before mentioned and judge whether ever that spirit of lies and enmity to mankind would leave such a good and fruitful lesson for the children of men upon record to his prejudice for ever For this reason I am hardly induced to believe that this was Satan in Samuel's apparition but rather a cozening confederate of the Pythonist of Endor set up by her in a secret corner described by her or set up in the shape and garments of the old and famous Prophet Samuel who was but lately dead and therefore his postures garments and also his prophesies of rending the Kingdom from Saul and giving it unto David was very well known unto all Israel and therefore this witch of Endor could not be ignorant of it being but a little way distant from the Court of Saul where Samuel was often conversant in his life time as appears from vers 7 and 8. campared with 25 And also it appears unto me that Saul here in the whole transaction did not see the counterfeit Samuel by that his question in vers 14. What form is he of And she said an old man cometh up and he is covered with a mantle And Saul perceiving by this description of hers that it was Samuel he bows himself and so proceeds to his business with this Samuel or counterfeit which might lie hid behind some shrine hanging or grate where the whole cozenage is transacted and how easily Saul was to be caught and deceived in this kind appears from his distraction consternation and fear he was in being serrounded of his enemies forsaken of God and seeking unto witches in this time of trouble This wise woman or witch of Endor with her confederate knew well enough that this was Saul being higher by the head then all Israel though disguised and by his attendants and servants with him from the beginning of this whole art of cozenage though she counterfeited the contrary verse 12. This appears from her neighbourhood with the Court he coming to her and after all these cozening transactions returning the same night again verse 25. whereas this counterfeit is here often called Samuel and Saul took him indeed to be Samuel yet this makes it no more to be true and real Samuel then if it had been granted that it was the divel in Samuel's shape so that under correction of better judgements I am of opinion this was not Satan in Samuel's likeness that left this useful lesson and prediction for the reasons abovesaid but rather proceeded from the cozening Pythonist of Endor and her well-informed confederate who well knew of the prediction of the Prophet Samuel that God would take off the kingdom from Saul and give it unto his servant David because Saul had disobeyed God's voice in the business of Agag and this she could foresee was the time in that the Philistines the enemies of Israel were come up against him and he knew not which way to turn for God had forsaken him and had denied to answer him either by Prophet Urim or Thummim I have been somwhat the longer herein to stave the divel off that he may not have any hand in God's prerogative in foretelling the truth of events If it were granted that this were the Divel in Samuel's likeness yet I answer the Divel might well gather the truth of this prediction concerning the destruction of Saul and his sons from that of Samuel's prophesie against him when in his life time at Gilgal he came and told him that God would rend his kingdom from him for not obeying his word and give it unto his servant David 1 Sam. 13.14 And therefore the Divel here might well predict the same unto Saul coming to him to know the event and success of his undertaking against the Philistines But in the time and some other circumstances of this prediction whether it proceeded from Satan or the cozening Pythonist yet there is a palpable failure therein to show that God's Spirit alone is the spirit of prophesie and the sure foretelling of all events in the full truths thereof for this pretended Samuel tells Saul that to morrow he and his sons should be with him that is in the state of death But observe if this were the Divel how this father of lies keeps on his old trade of lying for indeed Saul and his sons were not overthrown nor slain by the Philistines on the morrow but some days after as appeareth by considering the several transactions done by David in the 29 and 30 chapters against the Amalekites after he was dismissed from the Army of the Philistines before they fell upon Saul and his Army to their
were Ezekiel Daniel and others of Gods precious children in Babylon amongst the Caldeans It is the common lot of the godly to be amongst Briars and Thorns that will nothing but scratch and tear them and therefore it should be no strange thing nor too great a vexing burden unto us that God and providence hath disposed of our habitations amongst the ungodly For hereby 1. God hath the greater glory from us 2. We are kept closer to him 3. Our Graces shine more eminently as Stars in a frosty night shine clearest and Fishes in the saltest Seas are sweetest so we keep our savor the better for it and our Graces are more enlivened 4. Our Conversations it sutable to Gods word may be a means of their conversion amongst whom we live Obs 3. To a Godly soul to have its habitation amongst the wicked is a Soul vexing grief Righteous Lot was vexed with the filthy conversation of the Sodomites 2 Pet. 2.7 Though God hath disposed this in his providence yet it is an affliction and for the present grievous Wo is me saith David that I sojourn in Mesech and that I dwell in the Tents of Kedar with a barbarous profane people that were like to the posterity of Mesech and Kedar O what a burden it was to Moses and to all true Israelites to dwell amongst the Egyptians How did the poor captive Israelites weep when they were in Caldea by the River of Chebar And what a burden it is still for honest believing Souls to dwell amongst a profane and wicked multitude Where they cannot stir out of doores or converse but with very few but that they shall hear God profaned his Name blasphemed his Truths and Scriptures slighted vilified derided and jested at his Saints and Faithful ones either spitefully treated openly persecuted or at least closely undermined to bring the rod of affliction upon them Therefore among the truly godly the society and cohabitation of the Saints is most desirable but of the wicked most grievous and loathed Obs 4. God hath the more special eye of care and providence over his people that have their habitations amongst the wicked and ungodly Though they dwell where Satan's Seat and Throne is yet God holdeth them as the seven Stars in his right hand verse 1. and he knoweth their works of tribulation and where they dwell and therefore is present with sutable grace and strength from himself for their support and comfort Thou remembrest us said David in our low estate Where Christ's Church hath the greatest enemies God will shew himself their greatest friend where his Saints are most afflicted and straitned there he will supply with a greater measure of grace and enlargement In Babylon of old among the inveterate enemies of God and his Israel God sent an Ezekiel Daniel Ezra c. choice men and Prophets of God for their comfort and consolation So we often see in the most barbarous and wicked places of the World that God sends there the greatest soundest and clearest light to his servants that dwels amongst them Ephesus Smyrna Pergamus c. places of Idolatry and cruelty and where Satan's seat was had their Angels and Martyrs that shined in true faith and godliness The Churches of Christ of late years have shined more eminent in faith and holiness in Switzerland in Saxony in Savoy and the barbarous corners of the Pyrenean mountains and Alpes then other places of the World and so in England and Scotland under the Antichristian and persecuting Bishops of late the Saints then living under them did shine more eminent in their graces then now they do in this their day of prosperity and many then were more faithful Martyrs unto the truth of Christ then now they are for the more high Satan and his instruments are against the Saints God's care over them is the more intense and the measure of his graces the more enlarged towards them Obs 5. That it is the Saints great duty and their highest glory to hold fast their faith and profession of the truth in the worst times and amongst the worst of people The Church at Pergamus is approved for holding fast Christ's Name and Faith amongst them in whom Satan did bear sway and in such a time when Antipas was Martyred and suffered death for the same profession It is an easy matter to carry a full sail of profession when the soft gale of prosperity bloweth neither is it any difficult matter for an hypocritical heart to seem godly with the godly to be sober with the sober or to be righteous amongst the righteous But the spirit of a man is then tried when his habitation is amongst the ungodly that can keep himself sound amongst their corruptions upright and perfect amongst the unrighteous and untainted with their follies and sweet as Fishes in the Brackish Ocean The three faithful children would not bow in Babylon to Nebuchadnezzar's Image though death it self attended them Be thou faithful unto the death and thou shalt have a Crown of life Many will follow Christ in smiling times or when the State does countenance Christ and godliness this is to follow Christ for the loaves sake But when Christ is hurried to Pilat's Hall of Judgment his formal followers will forsake him yea Peter himself may deny him weak Christians may stumble and draw back when Pillars of the Church as Peter fall so fouly He is the only approved Christian that will hold his profession fast before the face of Nero and Dioclesian as the virum victoriae which St. Austin mentions and at the Stake can freely with Stephen forgive his enemies and commend his spirit unto his God Jo Hus Hierom of Prague the poor Waldenses and our later Christian Martyrs as Bradford Philpot Glover c. in our English Marian days hath with Antipas for their constant witnessing unto the truth and faith of Christ attained the ever-living and honorable names of faithful Martyrs of Christ and that most justly in that they suffered in the worst of times when Antipas was slain that is in a persecuting bloody age when many godly persons burnt at the Stake and amongst the worst sort of people the wicked Antichristian Tyranizing and bloody Prelates for holding fast the profession of the truth and faith in such ungodly times and amongst such a divelish crew amongst whom Satan had his Throne sway and full Dominion they justly shall ever live in the memory and hearts of all the faithful as Reverend Martyrs unto Christ and his truth Thus for a man to be a Lot in Sodom never touched with Sodom's wickedness to keep himself pure and sincere and undefiled in the midst of a crooked generation to shine as a light in the midst of darkness this brings honor both to God and man Obs 6. The graces of well approved and faithful Christians departed are to be set forth as patterns and examples to the living both for encouragement and imitation Antipas is here set as an example of
go undiscovered that deserve such Titles better themselves or at least wise so to raise a Scar-crow to drive away the fearful and dis-ingenious from a full enquiring into the Truths of God that would discover the vanity and folly of their opposers But no more of this And here by the way I shall not be ashamed to acquaint you with one mistake of mine who once thought as most men do that God in his Providential disposing the Kingdoms oâ— this world and in exalting men of low degreâ— into the Throne of Princes and throwing down great Princes and their Progenies into the state of slaves it was only to manifest his Soveraignty over the Kingdoms of this world to give them to whom he pleaseth but more maturely considering the All-wise ordering hand of God in such great Transactions I have found the issue in all Ages to be very advantagious to the Church of God and the result of all such State-shakings and Revolutions to be in mercy towards his Church and People When God broke the great Caldeo-Assyrian Monarchy and transferred it to the Medio-Persian how vvonderfully and by vvhat strange providence did God raise Cyrus his servant or instrument for that work Who was exposed to be destroyed by the command of his Grandsire Astyages whiles an Infant upon pretence of some fatal Prophesie yet preserved and brought up amongst Shepherds as his Story goes that afterwards he became most providentially the great deliverer of God's people the Jews from their Assyrian bondage Moses the great Captain of Israel we are sure trod almost the same path under a strange providence of Preservation that at last he became the deliverer of Israel from their Aegyptian thraldome When Saul was set by who was of a Kingly Presence and by the Head and Shoulders above his brethren David was called from the Sheep-cot to the Throne the issue whereof was the exaltation of Israel and the downfal of their enemies If we shall but reflect since Christ's coming in the flesh on the example of Constantine the Great Son unto Helena a Brittish Lady who through many glorious and eminent Victories and Services was at last advanced to the Imperial Seat and how he at last became as a Temporal Saviour to the Church of Christ and Destroyer to the Kingdom of the Dragon is most marvellous to consider It is worth further the taking notice of how wonderfully God in late ages raised the Spirits of some obscure persons as Martin Luther and his Associates of the first Reformation with some other Reformed Ministers since that they have made the great Hierarchy of Rome to shake with their Power so that many Christian Princes then and since began to hate the Whore with the Wine of whose Fornications they were made drunken and now begin not only to hate her but to make her desolate and naked and to eat her flesh But yet that age was but the first fruits or Prodromus not the consummation of the work for she having since lifted up her head and endeavoured to cover her nakedness and to cure her self of her great Wound received but all in vain for her period drawing nigh God exasperates her sore more and more and makes those Horns those Princes that were once her strong Supporters to fall off from her and to hate her Indeed the first Reformers took off her outward garments and showed her nakedness in her false Doctrine and partly in her false Worship and then began to eat her Flesh in taking off some of her pompous Revenues but yet the main Work was left undone to its appointed time For as this great City rose not in one day but gradually so will also her ruine be by several Measures or Vials of God's wrath poured out upon her until the consummation of her ruine come with fire both Material and Analogical the one the fire of God's Word first destroying quite her false Worship which daylie goes on in perfecting the other God's fire of War and Judgements destroying quite up her outward State and Policy that her place be no more found And to the bringing about this great end God works very variously somtimes in moving on the hearts of Princes and so makes them willing unto this work somtimes in laying aside Princes of ancient and potent Families and raising up meaner and lower Persons on their Thrones as he most wonderfully hath done of late among our selves to whom he gives Hearts Spirits and Gifts meet for this great work and lastly in over-ruling the designs of others that though they go about to seek themselves and to advance their own Dominion and Power of Ruling yet the All-wise providence of God knows how so to order them as to bring about his predesigned end For I cannot believe that they will be all pious good Princes and right in their ends that shall be employed about this work for they are the ten Horns or ten Kings that receive power one hour with the Beast and were Members of him that shall destroy the Whore and burn her with Fire Rev. 17.12.16 I am of the minde that few conclude that Hen. 8. and some other Princes were so justifiable in their ends in expelling the Authority of Antichrist as they should have been and yet God employed them as his Instruments in this Work and when they have done his business God knows how to lay them by and all such self-ended persons as useless or at least make them but as Gibeonites or Hewers of Wood in the House of the Lord. Lastly Your Worship may be pleased to take notice that some conceive those and the like Interpretations of dark Prophesies to be but the issues of distempered brains and of little certainty To whom I answer Seeing that this is a Book that hath the publique impress of the Spirit in it and left as it were as its last Legacy of this sort in the Church of Christ I profess soberly I know not what tolerable sense to set on this Book of the Revelation if it be not for an historical discovery under Types and Figures of all the Changes and Revolutions with their Periods and Issues that should befal the Church of God and their Oppressors and Enemies until the end of all I confess there may be some difference in Interpreting and in not rightly Applying some of the several Characters Periods and Visions of this Book and in other circumstantial parts thereof and wherein I fail I entreat not only your Worship but all others to remember my weakness and our common attribute Humanum est errare and especially being amongst such Prophetical deeps and difficulties which may well plead for his failings who is conscious of his insufficiencies for so high and difficult an undertaking Yet this I dare be bold to say that the substantial part of this Prophesie is here cleared and discovered And if any receive light hereby to the better understanding the dark Mysteries thereof give me leave to say with Daniel cap.
to the church visible as members thereof and are so justly reputed by others because they have submitted to the ordinances of the church which is sufficient nothing appearing to the contrary to denominate them Saints called elect and written in the book of life Now when God is said to blot out names names being put for persons out of the book of life it only signifies that God will manifestly declare and make it known both to the parties themselves and others that they never were true members of the church nor in the state of election and salvation nor never written in the book of life I will not blot his name out of the book of life Under this negative promise unto the conquering Saint is contained a strong Affirmation of the continuance of the contrary blessing Christ will not only not blot out his name out of the book of life that is confirm and continue his undoubted right and title unto eternal life but he will also manifestly declare and make known unto others his lawful Title and interest according as he hath ordained him thereunto in his book of life from all eternity and so the subsequent words do intimate I will confess his name before my Father and before his Angels often in Scripture things are then said to be done when they are only manifested to be done according to that saying Res tum demum dicuntur fieri cum incipiantur manifestari Reg. Petrum As to instance by Heb. 1.5 Thou art my Son this day have I begotten thee The Spirit in that Scripture not intending that the Son was not begotten of the Father before that day when that word was uttered but that on that day he was more eminently declared and manifested to be the only begotten Son of God then formerly So that when it is said in Scripture that God will blot their names out of the book of life it only imports That God will discover to themselves and others that their names were never written in the book of life nor had any right or interest at all in election or salvation farther then in the outward appearance From the words Note Observ That the eternal state of God's chosen ones is sealed and secured by God from everlasting Their names are written in the eternal book of God's decrees of life and he will not blot them out for being once enrolled in the book of God's election and among the catalogue of his Saints in the church invisible they can never be razed out for the foundation of God continueth sure Rom. 9.11 and hath a twofold seal 2 Tim. 2.19 First God's knowledge whereby he knoweth them that are his Secondly His Spirit of Regeneration which sealeth them unto eternal life Now if any thing would blot out those that are thus enrolled or written in the book of life it must be their sins and pollutions that would do it but the sins of God's chosen ones cannot move the Lord to raze us out of his book of life for then the fore-sight and knowledge of our sins in God's eternal counsel would much more have hindred him from chusing and enrolling us in the book of his Election seeing every one knoweth that a less cause will hinder the choice of any then move them to reject the person once chosen nay rather because the Lord hath chosen us therefore he will give us his holy Spirit whereby he will preserve us though not altogether from falling into sin yet from finally lying dormant and impenitent therein and as he hath freely chosen us to eternal life without any respect to our own worthiness so also he will freely execute this decree by giving us all the good means conducing to that end Object But some may say Though the conquering Saints are secure and their names shall not be blotted out of this book yet this doth intimate that others whose names are written therein for their sinful pollutions and iniquities unrepented of may be blotted out according to that of Exod. 32.33 Whosoever hath sinned against me saith God him will I blot out of my Book And as David prayeth Psal 69.28 Let them be put out of the book of the living and not be written with the righteous Answ First This threatning is not against the true members of Christ or his church who are enrolled in the book of life but those that are the members of the visible church only and are only seemingly written in the book of life members in shew and not in truth branches in the Vine by profession but not in practise and life of the Lord's family and in the number of his servants in their own and others opinion but not really and in truth according to God's estimation Secondly Whereas God saith he will blot such out of his book we are not to understand thereby that he would blot them out of the book of his election unto life wherein they were never written or that he would reject them whom he had chosen but that he would raze them out of the other book of life the book of the execution of his decrees to wit the book and roll â—f his visible church and that it might be manifestly declared that they who in their own opinion and in respect of their outward profession in the opinion of others might seem to be written in both books or both parts of the book of life of that of God's decrees which only relates to the invisible members and church of Christ and also of that other book or roll of the visible church yet were not in truth ever enrolled in either farther then in outward profession and appearance only And lastly Whereas David prays that the obstinate enemies of God and himself might be put out of the book of the living and not be written with the righteous is no more but as if David had said Do not O Lord write them down or reckon them in the number of thy faithful ones or if they come to be numbred among thy church and people and to be accounted written in the book of the living in respect of their outward profession and external walking with the people of God yet discover such and display them that it may manifestly appear that they were never truly written in the book of the living nor are to be accounted among the righteous that so they may be put out of the company of thy church and children that all may know that they were but hypocrites For in regard that God's decree of election is unsearchable to man those are said to be elected and written in the book of life who are outwardly called and added to the visible church professing themselves members thereof which are the outward but not the infallible signs of God's election because they are common both to hypocrites and sound believers and so likewise God is said to blot persons out of this book whose sins and hypocrisies are discovered and so thrust out of the company of
the faithful and therefore David because he would have God's vengeance against these wicked ones plainly manifested desireth the Lord to discover them that they have no portion right or part in the book of the living nor worthy to be written or numbred among the righteous but that all might sensibly discern them to be but reprobates And thus far David's prayer is imitable as unto us Quest But by the way I shall put a question Whether it is lawful or consonant to the will of God for any of the Saints of God to pray to God as Moses did Exod. 32.32 I pray thee raze me out of the book which thou hast written and as Paul wished To be separated from Christ for his brethren according to the flesh Rom. 9.3 Or secondly To pray that other mens names though wicked may be blotted out of the book of the living as David in Psal 69.28 prayed against the enemies of God and himself Answ 1. It is not lawful to pray for any thing contrary to the known will of God for there are no commands or promises annexed to such a prayer but abundantly to the contrary therefore surely such prayer must be most vain and sinful for neither Moses nor Paul were bound to prefer the good of their brethren before the fruition of God and their own salvation Moses nor Paul did pray so absolute but conditionally like to that of Christ Father if it be possible let this cup pass from me so they if it would stand with God's will and be approved by him could desire and wish to be razed out and anathematized from the roll of God's church and from life itself so that they could deliver their lost brethren of Israel from the curse and damnation that hung over them for their infidelity and impenitency this they did desire under the loss of their own salvation had it been possible But whether Moses or Paul had so an eye and respect in these particular prayers to the will of God is uncertain for I think it is no sin to say that either Moses or Paul might be carried aside by an over mis-led zeal to their brethren the Jews for In many things we sin all saith the Apostle James cap. 3. 2. 3. Lastly if David did pray unto God absolutely that the names of the ungodly might be put out of the book of the living I think it not warrantable nor Imitable in us David being a Prophet and having the spirit of prophesie he well knew against whom he prayed prophesied and imprecated and so his prayers and imprecations to this effect were but as so many prophetical denunciations and predictions of God's judgements against his impenitent enemies which are no patterns or examples to us for we are commanded to pray for all men even for the conversion of the most vilest persons in the world as long as there is hope of their returning But secondly Though we may not pray absolutely yet we may conditionally with submission to God's will against all his and our antichristian enemies that God would either convert them or bring them to shame and ruine that his glory and the Saints peace and comforts may be more enlarged and multiplyed thereby But to proceed I will confess his name before my Father and before his Angels Christ having assured the overcoming Saints of Sardis that they should participate of his glory and be clothed with majesty in the other world and having undoubtedly assured them the confirmation and continuance of their blessed estate and their right thereunto in not blotting out their names out of his blessed roll and register of the book of life and having promised not only to do all this good for them but will also acknowledg them confess them to be his by name before God and his holy Angels that is as if Christ had said Those whom I present before thee O Father and thy holy ministring Spirits clothed in white rayment in innocency and majesty and which are from eternity registred in thy book I avouch and acknowledge them to be of my own name members of my own body anointed with the same unction and Spirit that I am of truly christians faithful followers of me and my doctrine thorow their whole course of regeneration and new life which they have led unto this present day Hence Note Observ That Christ will not be ashamed but will publiquely own and acknowledge his faithful ones at the last day before God his Father and all his holy Angels This he promises Mat. 10.32 to confess and own them before his Father in heaven who shall faithfully confess and own him here on earth Christ calls such here his sheep his friends his brethren his members yea himself by his own name Christ 1 Cor. 12.12 and therefore Christ tells them John 20.17 I ascend to your Father and my Father to my God and your God And seeing God and Christ are not ashamed to be called their God and their Christ in this life surely in the life to come they will not be ashamed of them but will acknowledge them to be the the godly or God-like christians that faithfully owned God and Christ in their several generations This is a great motive and encouragement unto us boldly and with constancy in the worst of times and under the greatest defections to confess and own so worthy a Lord and Master as Christ and his ways seeing we shall be no losers by it but rather great gainers for before God and his Angels he will not spare by name to confess us and to honour us as his own before so glorious a presence although of our selves we be most unworthy creatures Who ever truly honoured God and Christ in an open sincere profession and following of their ways of truth and was not honoured both by God and Christ Them that honour me I will honour saith God and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed 1 Sam. 2.30 If we only lose our honour among men for our profession and among the basest and vilest sort for all scornful ungodly ones are so to be accounted be they never otherwise in the eye of the world so great rich mighty or honourable and win honour with God if we be vilified on earth and among earthly minded men and be accepted in heaven we have no cause to be discouraged or murmure at our loss When Christ owned Stephen from heaven in the midst of his enemies it was more then a sufficient recompence for his stoning Acts 7. What loss did the three children sustain when they kept their consciences undefiled by not obeying Nebuchadnezzar's command in worshipping his golden Image but openly professing and praying with their windows open to the God of Israel Dan. 3. Did not the Lord for this their faithful honouring of him honour them with his presence with safety and deliverance and made them ever-living examples to all that truly fear God to trust in him for help in all extremities that fall on