7. 11 24. and 8. 3 4. so those Locusts here do prevail just the same Term of Time and then it shall be said The Waters are abated or Abating 3. As Noah and his Family the Church onely were Deliver'd from that Deluge so Gods Sealed Ones onely are Saved from this Antichristian Deluge in the Ark or Church 3ly They were limited in their Torment which they put others to their Commission reach'd not to Torment any to Death to them it was given this is oft repeated in the Revelation to shew that Antichrist and his Auxiliaries though Bandying and Bending all their fraud and force for Destroying Souls are so Butted and Bounded by the great God that they all can do no more than is given them from above The Popish Locusts are so Confined in their Commission that as they must not Hurt whom they will save onely those that are not Sealed as in the first Limitation so they must not Hurt as much as they please they have power onely to Hurt but not to Kill ver 5. 10. This was all in the 1st Commission onely to Torture and Torment the Consciences of Men by their Penances Pilgrimages Purgatory c. And though larger power was given after of Killing the Witnesses Chap. 11. 7. and the Saints Chap. 13. 7. Yet while they Killed their Bodies they could never Kill the Souls of any of Gods Sealed Ones as they did of the Vnsealed The Devils 1st Design against the Waldenses Defeated by God CHAP. XXXI THis Ushers in the Devils first Design the first part of this last Plot was against the Waldenses in which God also disappointed him giving still a New Remedy for this New Malady No sooner did the Lord stirr up his Faithful Witnesses Bereng arius the Waldenses and the Albingenses in the 11th Century to give their Testimony against the Kingdom of the Beast which had now overspread the whole Christian World like another Deluge by the help of those Swarms of Innumerable Locusts but then began the Devil in his first Persecution under Papacy to Support by force what he had hitherto Advanc'd by fraud Here the Beast began 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to make his Bloody War against the Seed of the Church Revel 12. 17. as the Red Dragon had done 1st against the Man-Child Constantine whom the Church brought forth after her Ten Sharp Throws in the Ten Primitive Persecutions v. 4. and 2ly against the Woman or Church it self in his Flood of Arrianism v. 5 9 13. Then did the Dragon give Power to the Beast that came out of the Bottomless pit to make War with the Saints to overcome them and to Slay them Rev. 13. 2 7 15. The Occasion of the Beasts first War was this A Knot of Jovial and Jolly Rich Romanists being at their mad Merriments and Pastimes one of them suddenly falls down Dead at which sad Spectacle Peter Waldus a Rich and Learned Citizen of Lions in France and then a boon-Companion with them was much startl'd This Providence God made an Ordinance for his Conversion He Returns Home falls upon Instructing his Family and Familiar-Friends in the Doctrine and Practice of Faith and Repentance as also upon Inveighing against the Ignorance Superstition and Debauchery of the Romish Religion which Indulg'd such Mad-Merry-Meetings as God from Heaven had Testify'd against This Coal being Kindled Kindleth many more Coals which eagerly Hearkened to this 1st Angel Rev. 14. 6 who layd the first Foundation of Romes Ruine from this Waldus Sprang those Good Christians the Waldenses All Kindled with a Coal from Heaven by this Mans Ministery This was Matter enough to make the Devil stir and to Kindle the Beast with a Coal from Hell to wit Alexander the 3d. the same that Betray'd the Emperor into the Turks Hand and that set his Foot upon the Emperors Neck c. as before This Pope first Curses them with Bell Book and Candle 2ly Persecutes them with the Inquisition Fire and Sword c. yet neither this first Game will Satan Win as the Sequel shows for 1 Sanguis Martyrum est Semen Ecclesiae The more they were Molested the more they Multiplyed Insomuch that G. Morrel in his Memorials saith there were above Eight Hundred Thousand who made profession of the Waldensian Faith in the Y. 1260. or 12th Century notwithstanding all the Bloody Cruelty of the Beast against them 2ly Their Scattering by persecution did Spread the Gospel almost into all Lands as France Picardy Lower and Upper Germany Bohemia Savoy and Lombardy yea into England Poland Italy Spain Flanders and many more in all which the Light of Truth hath ever since Shone more or less to the Dispersing of that thick Fogg of Antichristian Darkness 3 Though the Waldenses when they were forced to take up Arms in their Just and Necessary Defence both as Men and as Christians did then Confess to the Beasts Champions We know ye must overcome us for God hath said The Beast shall make War against the Saints and overcome them Rev. 13. 7. Yet by the Help of Earl Reymund and Peter K. of Arragon Christ the Captain of their Salvation gave them many Signal Victories over the Popelings which came against those Christians with their Croysadoes or Crosses the same they carry'd to their Holy War as if they had been as bad as Turks 4. God did marvelously send them Saviours in their saddest times as 1. Lewis the 11th of France who upon a Just Information of the Waldenses Innocency and of their Enemies Malicious Slanders stop'd all proceedings of Persecution by his Royal Decree 2 King Francis was call'd off from persecuting them just as Saul was from pursuing David by a Messenger that told him The Philistims have Invaded the Land 1 Sam. 23. 27. even when he had got David as it were in a Pound and had no way to Escape him v. 26. just so a War arose 'twixt the Prince of Piedmont and this K. Francis the 1st which gave to him a Diversion from his persecuting Work and to the poor persecuted Waldenses a sweet Relaxation from Hot Persecution as his Death did much more when another Persecution was Designed 3 K. Lewis the 12th whose Chancelour together with the Popes own Commissioner examining the Witnesses against the Waldenses and finding them Innocent of the Matters they were Charged with they were Immediately Discharged the Kings Commissioner publickly professing that he wish'd himself as Good a Christian as the worst of them yea the King himself Swore an Oath that they were Honester than himself and any of his Catholique-Subjects Upon this he stay'd the Persecution 5ly The last Divine Testimony for those Christians was Gods Black brand he set most Signally upon their Persecutors as 1 on that Arch-Bishop who was the Devil's and the Pope's Arch-Engine in persecuting Waldus for Translating the Bible into the French Tongue and for Converting so many precious Souls from the Cacolique rather than Catholique Church of Rome God left not his Cruelty
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Gre. Dealing Subtilly his Setting Severe Task-Masters over them as making them to make Brick Yea such a Tale and no Straw given All this would not do for God Catches this Fox in his own Net of Craft and Cruelty 1 Cor. 3 19. and the more the Church was Molested the more they Multiplyed 'T is true This Rigour and Fierceness from Pherec the Hebr. Word in Imposing Intollerable hard Labour upon them was a probable Plot in the Ordinary Course of Nature to Prohibit Procreation of Children yet this King was as every Oppressor is a Fool Prov. 28. 16. For besides 't is usually seen That Labouring Men have the most and the Lustiest Children Here was an Extraordinary Path of Providence to over-rule this Project which David Celebrates God Increased his People greatly and made them stronger than their Enemies Psa 105.24 This Camomile the more it is troden the faster it groweth This Walnut-Tree the more it is beaten the more it bears This Grieved their Grievers Exod. 1. 12. So the Egyptians grieving at Israels Growth it became both their Crime and their Curse When this Design was Defeated this Dragon lying in the midst of the Waters Ezek. 29. 3. falls upon his 2d Plot to Destroy all the Males of Israel as soon as Born not unlike the great Red Dragon who stood ready to Devour the Man-Child as soon as the Woman the Church had brought it forth Rev. 12. 3. 4. This Pharaoh Treads in that Fiends steps and Commands the Mid-Wives to Strangle with a privy Pinch All the Born Males Hoping that the Lyons or Dragons Skin might Patch up the Fox that had fail'd in worrying up Isruel But God Baffll'd this Plot too for Shiphrah and Puah the 2 Principal Mid-Wives Feared God and durst not Obey the Kings Inhumane and Unnatural Command v. 17. That which is Inferior and Subordinate may not Controul and Contradict that which is Superior Thus Peter Explains his two Sociable Duties Fear God Honour the King 1 Pet. 2. 17. Compar'd with Act. 5. 29. and 4. 19. Here the Mid-Wives stick they cannot do the Devils Drudgery and here the Plot sticks Pharaoh Frowns upon them for this but God Smiles on them and Blesses them v. 18. 19 20 21. They would not pull down Gods House his Church and God Builds up theirs Pharaoh thus disappointed falls on â—is 4th Plot in Publishing a Bloody Edict to all his People among whom some Savage Slaughter-Men he might probably not miss and possibly not without a Penalty to Neglecters To Drown those Males openly which the Mid-Wives would not Strangle Privately v. 22. Notwithstanding this Edict and the strict Execution of it Exod. 2. 3. Moses is Preserved by Pharaohs Daughter who becomes the Ruine of Pharaohs Kingdom Thus no Counsel nor Might nor Wisdom neither Craft nor Cruelty can prevail against the Lord Prov. 21.30 This Miraculously Preserved Moses brings 10 Plagues on Egypt The 1st whereof was The Waters wherein the Childrens Blood had been shed were turned into Blood And in the last were Slain all Egypts first-Born for their slaying Israel Gods first-Born Exod. 4 22. Then did Israel go out of the Furnace being loaded with Spoils and Egypt was glad that they were gone though gone with their Jewels Psal 105. 36 37 38. Exod. 12. 33 35 36. Hath the Devil now done and his Instrument Pharaoh Oh no! he hath yet another his 5th and last Plot which endeth as all other Plots against the Church do in his own Destruction Israel Marches 3 Days directly to Horeb as they had Requested Exod. 3. 18. and 5.3 then turning towards the Red-Sea Pharaoh's Spys gave Intelligence That they were Run away and would not Return and that they were Intangl'd in the Mountains Exod. 14. 3. This hardens his Heart at which Gods Mighty Hammer had given 10 Mighty Stroaks in the 10 Plagues yet could find no Entrance and Resolves to pursue them Yea and his People also who Repented of their Well-doing but not of their Ill saying Why have we let them go v. 5. all pursues and overtakes to Recover their Jewels and to bring them back to Bondage thinking they had caught them in a Pound they had no way to escape unless they could Climb up to Heaven which because they could not do Heaven comes down to them Divides the Sea Israel walks 'twixt Two Mountains of Waters which made a fair Lane for them Exod. 14. 22. Psal 105. 8. 9. Isai 63. 12 14. The Aegyptians follow them into the Sea the Angel of Gods Presence who had led them thither remov'd from the Van to the Rear to be betwixt them and their Enemies they who had drowned Israels first-Born were all drown'd but Israel the Church passes over dry-shod and when safely Landed Sang that Song of Praise to the God of Israel Exod. 15. Psal 77. 18. and 18. 11. for this great Deliverance The Fifth Plot against the Church in the Wilderness Defeated by GOD. CHAP. V. NO sooner was Israel got safe out of the Red-Sea and into the Barren Wilderness but presently the Devil Projects a 5th Plot and plays a New-Game against the Church in the Wilderness so called Act. 7. 38. In not onely making the Multitude to murmur against Moses no less than four times about their Meat in the Cause and Quarrel of the Belly as the Wilderness wanted provision so they wanted patience to keep peace with their governors But also in stirring up Amalek Esau's Grand-Child Gen. 36. 15 16. and the Heir of his Hatred against Israel for beguiling him of his Blessing as well as Birth-right to War against him Exod. 17.8 These Amalekites being a Warlike People and now fearing that the Blessing conferr'd upon Jacob by Isaac would be confirm'd and not having the fear of God before their Eyes Deut. 25. 18. This Seed of the Serpent Way-lays the Seed of the Woman in their passage to the Land of Promise which was the Blessing promised Amalek meets them by the way not with Broad and Water as he should have done to his afflicted Kindred Obad. v. 10. 11 12 13. but with Fire and Sword and cuts off the hindmost of them Deut. 25. 18. Yea and he exercis'd the Devils Craft as well as his Cruelty in smiting all that were faint and feeble that came behind the Host not unlike the Serpent that Acted him in his bruising the Heel of Israel This Josephus saith was done by common consent and Council of all the Nations adjacent in their Embassadours pitching Unanimously upon this People of Amalek as being of the most Martial and Military Spirit and Courage to cut off Israel whose Renown now had so exceedingly Alarum'd them Israel or the Church in the Wilderness was at this time under great Disadvantages neither expecting any Acts of Hostility nor being provided of due Arms and Ammunition was much dismayed at the danger of being Assaulted by a puissant and well-armed Adversary Now the grand Plotter Satan had a fair
Kin. 1. 5. Those two Sons were David's Darlings whom he had honoured above the Lord as Eli had done his two wicked Sons 1 Sam. 2. 29. and therefore they proved sad Cordoliums and singular crosses to him Such as love over-much shall be sure to grieve over-much strong affections bring strong afflictions The Devil manages the first part of his fore-game by Absalom and the latter part of it by Adonijah both of them goodly men of a comely countenance both personable and of a Princely presence 2 Sam. 14. 25. 1 Kin. 1.6 upon whom Nature had spent all her strength in beautifying their bodies saith one but she had left their Souls altogether unbeautified they had both of them foul fouls in fair bodies so were both the fitter Tools for Satan to work with to prevent Solomon from the Throne and thereby the glory of the Church David had always cockered them when he should have corrected them and because they were both personable and Prince-like as the Children of a King Judg. 8. 18. therefore were they made to think better of themselves and their ever too-fond Father to think too well of them their Father had not displeased them at any time in their Childhood and therefore they displeased their Father in his Old Age and made no bones of breaking his heart when now decay'd and even Bed-ridden as in the last by their Disloyalty and Usurpation yet all was that it might be fulfilled what was fore-threatned 2 Sam. 12. 11. 1st Arrogant Absalom was hammering and hatching his part of the Plot two full years 2 Sam. 14. 28. with 15. 1. after David had kissed him being perswaded by Joab that he was a true Penitent when he should rather have kicked him and not have harden'd him for further Villany by his fond credulity 1. He gains a guard that he might be put into the Port of a Prince being the Kings Eldest Son that so the people might look upon him as Heir of the Kingdom and by counterfeit courtesie wherein he slander'd David he soon stole away their hearts from his Father the Right Owner slily and secretly 2. He makes Religion a Cloak for his Rebellion as is usual in the Papaey Ch. 15. 6 7 8. Let me go and pay my Vows c. well knowing that his Pious Father would promote rather than prevent any act of Piety in his Son and Hebron was the sittest place for his purpose because antient and famous the place of his Fathers first Crowning of his own Birth and where he had many Friends to assist him 3. He calls Achitophel to be his Counsellour that old Fox laid close till the Plot was ripe yet probably he paved the way from the first by his perswading to take two hundred Principal Citizens along with him the better to conceal the Plot and that other Cities might make Jerusalem their pattern to follow Absalom those are said to follow Absalom in their simplicity to wit to his Gratulatory Oblation knowing nothing of his villanous and rebellious intention Even so it may be said of our Forefathers they followed Antichrist in their simplicity for they being kept by him in gross ignorance had this happiness not to know the depths of Satan in the most principal and most pernicious points of Popery Gods Providence so over-ruling the matter that the people of Christ might not perish under the Priests of Antichrist 4. The Conspiracy was strong by a mighty confluence of the common people who were but over-ready to worship this Rising Sun and to be weary of David the Setting Sun whose Credit the Conspirators had blacked and blasted to them Neutrum modò mas modò Vulgus The many-headed multitude cry even to Christ himself of whom David was both Father and Figure Hosanna one day and Crucisie the next day This put holy David to such a fright that he was forced to take his slight to save himself from slaying according to Achitophels counsel 2 Sam. 17. 3. and his chief City from sacking Now was the Devil undoubtedly most highly pleased not doubting here but having got the Ball upon his foot he should carry it cut and dry'd and prevent Solomon from the Crown and the Church from her Glory But behold God over-matches the Devil here David pours out his Prayer made in Psal 3. on the top of Mount Olivet where he prays himself into a particular Faith of his own deliverance and of his Enemies destruction And when Davids case seem'd so desperate as if Salvation it self could not save him v. 2. yet even then did God arise at his pray'r v. 7. and gives David a Prophetick prospect not only of the death but also of the manner of the death of his two grand Adversaries Achitophel and Absalom Thou hast smitten them upon the Cheek-bones as if he had seen Achitophel knock'd with the Knot of the Rope and Absalom with the Bough of the Oak wherein they were hanged by the heavy Hand of God 'T is very observable that no sooner had David prayed Lord turn the counsel of Achitophel into foolishness 2 Sam. 15. 31. but presently God sends him in Hushai as a return of his prayer a Man who could match Achitophel in any of his deepest reaches and who did defeat his counsel which might very probably have destroyed David by starching an Oration every way accommodated to Absaloms ambitious humour Ch. 17. 7. to 15. and when Davids deliverance depends all upon the faithfulness of a Wench v. 17. God delights to work by weak means to confound the Mighty 1 Cor. 1. 27. and to help his servants with a little help Dan. 11. 34. Though the Devil at that time had a Lad he never wants tools to work mischief by in such cases v. 18. yet the issue of this first part of Satans fore-game was this the Grand Counsellor of the Conspiracy Achitophel seeing his counsel basled sadled his Ass when he should have bridl'd his anger got him home to his house and as Josephus saith told his houshold that Absalom would be undone and himself should be hanged wherefore he thought it better to save Davids Hangman the labour and to prevent him with dying manfully by his own hands He set his house but not his heart in order he took care of his Family after his death but no care of his Soul for Eternity he hanged himself as Judas did after him for the like Crime so strangl'd he those very Chaps wherewith he had given wicked counsel against David as Judas did against Christ both despairing of mercy 2 Sam. 17. 23. Mat. 27. 3 4. The like fatal end to the like froward Counsellors the good Lord send in our day saith Dr. Willet In all this Achitophel did but answer the signification of his own name for Achi Hebr. signifies Brother or Cousin-German and Tophel Hebr. a Fool. Thus this Arch-Artist in Hellish Policy c. whose counsel was as the Oracle of God the Event usually answering his Advice with suitable
all sculking away Their Plot being laid open and timely prevented laid them open to the scorn of the people and to the anguish and horrour of their own guilty Consciences Thus doth the most wise and righteous God befool insolent men in their never so secretly projected and promoted Plots wherein they do hope to supplant the Son of David our Lord Jesus that Prince of Peace as those did Solomon here and the Church in him But what became of the Plotters Adonijah himself flies to the Horns of the Altar which probably so prophane a Prince had hitherto despised and was pardon'd by this peaceable Prince but upon his good behaviour v. 52. which when he broke in seeking the Kingdome with Abishai Ch. 2. 22. being no small Petition as Bathsheba call'd it v. 20. for Solomons sagacity saw the depths of the Devil in it which his Mother could not dive into for this he lost his life v. 24. as Joab did after him v. 30. where the very Altar could not secure him from Just Vengeance and as for Abiathar he was thrust out from the High-Priesthood v. 37. his Linnen Ephod or sacred Function did not exempt him from Civil Censures as the Romanists plead and so was fulfill'd the Word of the Lord upon Ely's House 1 Sam. 2. 31 35 and had he not been afflicted in all wherein David had been afflicted which was for above forty year he had been also a dead man with Adonijah and Joab for this Conspiracy David dies full of days riches and honour 1 Chron. 29. 28. and leaves the state of the Church honourable Solomon succeeds and brings the Churches State to its 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or highest pitch of Glory while Militant which is a Figure of the Kingdome of Christ one greater than Solomon here on Earth David had advanced the splendour of the Church in his Religious provision for the portable Temple to wit the Tabernacle erected in the City of David and also in his Religious preparations for the Fix'd Temple 1. Knowing the place where it should stand to wit on Mount Moriah where Abraham offer'd Isaac Gen. 22. 2 9. and 2 Chro. 3. 1. 2. Receiving the pattern of it by Divine Inspiration 1 Chron. 28. 19. he gave it to Solomon Ch. 29. 11. who by the help of Davids prepar'd materials to wit 1. Spoils of Enemies Ch. 18. 11. 2. An hundred thousand Talents of Gold 3. A thousand thousand Talents of Silver 4. Hewn stone and Timber 5. Iron and Brass without measure Ch. 22.14 6. Precious Stones Ch. 29. 2. 7. His own offerings and those of the Princes and people Ch. 29.4 c. though Solomon added much more of his own store built the most stately and costly Structure the most sumptuous and glorious Edifice that ever was in the World therefore justly called the Worlds Wonder the House of the most High God 2 Chron. 2. 5. and a Type of the Church Triumphant in Heaven as the Tabernacle had been of the Church Militant upon Earth This Temple was twice so long and large every way as was the Tabernacle Exod. 26. as the Temple in Ezek. Ch. 40. 41 42 c. setting forth Gospel-times is described as much bigger than all the old Jerusalem and a new Jerusalem bigger than all the Land of Canaan Solomon finish'd his Temple in the year of the World 3000. Hence some gather that the Spiritual Temple shall be compleated in 3000 more and then the Sabbatical year shall take place as the Sabbath succeeds the six days of the Week In the building of this Magnifical House of the Lord all the materials were made ready before they were brought thither so that there was neither Hammer nor Axe nor any Tool of Iron heard in the House while it was in building 1 King 6. 7. to teach us three things 1. That all true Members of Churches must be sanctified and called to be Saints 1 Cor. 1. 1 2. hewn by the Word and Spirit and made living Stones before Admission 2. That in the Church Militant upon Earth all noise of jars and contentions which are as the knocking of Iron Instruments must be declined 3. That in the Church Triumphant in Heaven there shall be no sorrows nor sufferings all noise of fears and tears shall be done away the State then shall be peaceable and joyful for which the Saints are fitted by the Hammer of Gods Word and the Hand of his Spirit upon the Mountains of this lower World there to enjoy rest and glory The Sanctum Sanctorum of the Temple or Oracle so called because there God used to deliver Divine Answers or Oracles Exod. 30. 5. and Levit. 16. 2. was the place prepared for the Ark of the Covenant to rest in after its many removes and wandrings 1. From the Desart to Gilgal 2. From Gilgal to Shilo 3. From Shilo to the Philistims 4. From thence to Bethshemesh 5. From thence to Kiriath Jearim 6. From thence to the House of Obed-Edom And 7. From thence to Sion the City of David Now Solomon provides a resting place to wit the best part of the Temple the Holy of Holies for this best and most precious piece which had the Law within it and the Mercy-Seat upon it far more precious than the Palladium at Troy the Pessinuntium at Rome or the Image at Athens made by Canetias the Artificer yet said by the covetous Priests to be dropt down from Jupiter Act. 19. 35. as it was the principal Evidence of Gods gracious presence and the lively Type of Christ in whom are hid as in an Ark or Coffer all the Treasures of Gods goodness Col. 2. 3. So that when Solomon dedicates his glorious Fabrick which as Josephus saith dazled the eyes of all its beholders by Sacrifice and Supplication he concludes his Prayer saying Arise now therefore O Lord God into thy resting place thou and the Ark of thy strength 2 Chron. 6. 41. whereby he invites the Lord to take possession of his Temple where his Ark should be no more transportative but setled for a long season Psal 1 â—2 8 9 10. And the Lord testifies his acceptation of all both by Fire from Heaven which was kept alive till the Captivity of Babylon and by filling the House with his Glory 2 Chro. 7. 1. Now was the Church of God by his good hand upon her brought up to such a beauty of Holiness and to such a perfection of dazling splendour like that of the Temple that Religion was had in great Veneration both by Domesticks and Forreigners 1. His own Israel went home so refreshed with the Prayer and the Blessing that they adored the Lord for his goodness to them 1 Kin. 8. 66. and both Hiram King of Yyre praised God for the Blessing that the Church had in Solomon 1 Kin. 5. 7. saying Because the Lord hath loved his people he hath set a Solomon over them 2 Chro. 2. 11. Hence some verily think this Hiram was a Proselited Prince and 2.
care of his Church and of his Promise to Abraham even when he seems to have Utterly Abandon'd them The same Graciousness that had sent Prophets to them all along their Revolt and a Promise of the Messiah at the same time their Rejection was foretold Isa 7. 8. within 65 Y. of its comming to pass That the Lord would not quite cast off the House of David till a Virgin have born a Son and he to be God in our Nature v. 14. and this Son to be Born in Bethelem One that should tread down all the Churches Enemies and be her Peace c. Micah 5. 1 2 3 4 5. yet would be War to the Assyrians in sending Lyons among them as before all which doth show That this Antient People of the Ten Tribes are not altogether Abandon'd and Abolish'd but God reserves this Honour for them to Vouchsafe them a Call to the Participation of Christ but more of that in New-Testament-times Ezek. 37. 16 19. Jer. 3. 12 13. c. Isa 11. 12 13. Obad. 20. Rom. 11. 15 26. The Seventeenth Plot against the CHURCH in Judah Defeated by GOD. CHAP. XVII WHen the Devil saw how successful he had been in Debauching and Destroying the Ten Tribes of Israel He falls upon his 17th Plot against the Kingdom of Judah which yet Ruled with God and was Faithful with the Saints Hos 11. 12. God was sincerely served amongst them and they Held fast their first integrity the True Religion was Publickly Professed and the True Worship of God was Purely Preserved in the Temple at Jerusalem This made Abijah the next to Rehoboam though none of the best to boast so boldly and therefore prevailed 2 Chro. 13. 10 17. Israels Apostacy was not onely Aggravated but also Vanquished by Judahs Integrity yea and Judah was Kind Courteous and Communicative to those good Souls that left the Ten Tribes and came thither to Injoy the Pure and Publick Worship of God This the Envious One espying and Envying Endeavours to Corrupt Jerusalem as he had done Samaria that so Aholah and Aholibah might be both Alike nay the latter to be worse than the former as afterwards Ezek. 16. 2 45 48. and 23. 4 11. Yea that Prince of the Ayr the Devil never gave over his stormy Blasts with his stinking Breath until he had Blown out that Lamp which God had promis'd to give David in Jerusalem 1 Kin. 15. 4. at the last which did fall out about the 3420 Y. of the World in the 11th Y. of Zedekiah when Ezekiels 390 Y. mentioned Ezek. 4. 5. were exactly accomplish'd in that fatal Fall of Jerusalem for which Jeremy Writt his Book of Lamentations to Condole the sad Condition of the Church because the Crown was faln from her Head Lam. 5. 15 16. and her Light or Lamp was Extinct by the Devils Extinguisher then was she brought into darkness and not into light Lam. 3. 2. and removed into dark places as they that be dead v. 6. so put into the Dark Graves of Babylon until the Time of their Opening came Ezek. 37. 12. c. Now to Reduce the Church to this faln and Extinct Estate The Devil Designs against her many Maladies and 't is remarkable God sent her as many Remedies in Raising up a good King for a bad a good King for a bad almost all-along whereas those of Israel were all bad Universally until they had sinned themselves beyond the Reach of all Remedies Prov. 22. 1. 2 Chro. 36. 16. Oh Dreadful and Direful Divine Sentence Satans first Blast against the Lamp of the Church in this 17th Plot was in Rehoboam who at 41 Y. old was Childish and Simple 2 Chro. 12. 13. with 13. 7. but of an Haughty and Hard-oppressing Spirit so prooved himself a very Fool Eccles 2. 19. though he were the Son of so Wise a Father a very fit Tool for the Devil and though for 3 Y. he did Well 2 Chron. 11. 17. yet after he did Evil and Judah with him which brought up Shishak K. of Aegypt to Plunder Jerusalem 1 Kin. 14. 22 23 24. Upon this the Devil got the Golden Shields of Solomon changed into Brazen ones v. 27. as he had made the faithful City now to become an Harlot No Wonder therefore that her Silver was become Dross and her Gold turned into Brass Isa 1. 21 22. Shishak prompted to this Enterprize by Jeroboam who had lived in the Court of Aegypt and as some say Married a Wife of the Blood-Royal easily prevaileth through the Pusillanimity and Effeminacy of Rehoboam but especially because Judah had Transgressed against the Lord 2 Chron. 12. 2. His Prevalency could not have happened without the Church's Prevarication Notwithstanding at the Preaching of the Prophet Shemaiah which was a great Divine favour both Princes and People Humbled themselves v. 5 6. which was a greater Divine favour but the greatest of all was that God did not then pour out his whole Wrath but granted them some Deliverance v. 7 8. So that things went well in Judah v. 12. The Devils 2d Blast against Davids promised Lamp was in the Reign of Rehoboams Son call'd Abijah 2 Chron. 12. 16. so his Father named him signifying The Lord is my Father with Respect to that Promise made to David 2 Sam. 7. 14. but because he Walked not in the ways of David therefore is Abijah called Abijam 1 Kin. 15. 1. which signifies My Father is a Sea Indeed his Father was as Inconstant in good as the Fluctuating Sea because he Prepared not his Heart to seek the Lord 2 Chro. 12. 24. he had only some slashy and fleeting Resolutions in his aforesaid Humblings but he did not draw them out into Execution because they Sprang not from his Heart that right Spring of all True goodness so they were soon off again and he wavering like a wave of the Sea Jam. 1.6 was driven by the Wind of Temptation to do Evil and so Dyes leaving a Diminish'd and Impoverish'd Kingdom to his Son Abijah or Abijam who did Evil like his Father Though the Book of Chronicles layeth no Wickedness to his Charge so joyns Jah the Name of God to his name Abijah yet the Book of Kings Chargeth him with the Wickedness of his Fathers ways and therefore calls him Abijam as above 1 Kin. 15. 3. Though at first when he went out to War against Jeroboams vast Army he seemed to be good pretending to and pleading hard for Religion 2 Chron. 13. 5 10 12. and praying to God in his Distress v. 14. and believing in God v. 18. but being puffed up with this great Victory he falls away and shew'd himself in his Colours treading in the same Dirty steps of his Idolatrous Father who when he Recover'd Bethel from Jeroboam 2 Chron. 13. 19. did not Destroy the Calf and Idolatry there for which cause 't is probable God shorten'd both his Reign and his Life Oh what a sad Aspect had the Church in that Day when not onely Israel Worship'd Jeroboams
Hypocrites v. 5 10. and the Church Increased by that Defection of the Two Botches from the Body and â—y many mighty Miracles of Mercy as well as this of Judgement wrought even by the shaddow of Peter Act. 5. 6 11 to 16. Hereupon Satan fills the Sadducees c. again with Indignation v. 17. the Council now casts the Apopostles into the common Prison among the worst of their Malefactors v. 18. but in the Night an Angel of the Lord opens the Prison Doors and releas'd those whom their Adversaries of themselves had released before with a Command to go Preach boldly in the Temple though the Sanedrim sat there upon which Affront they were Convented again before the Council but by the Grave Counsel of Gamaliel Pauls Tutor who Diswades them by Historical Instances from Fighting against God they were Dismissed again with their Lives yet not without Blows then they went away rejoycing that they were so Highly Graced by being thus Disgraced for Christ v. 19 20 21 23 28 34 35 38 to 4â— The Wonderful release of the Apostles not by Magick Art or by Bribeing the Keeper or by breaking the Prison but by the Power of an Angel sent as an Officer from God to let them out of Prison without the Keepers consent Startl'd those proud Priests v. 23. but Converts them not Yet afterwards so much Conviction shone upon them seeing no Counsel nor might and malice of Man can prevail against God and his Truth Prov. 21. 30. Isa 46. 10. all the Rage of both Rulers and Ruled though never so Vnruly were but Vain fruitless and frustrate Psal 2. 1 4. and as Gamaliel told them Ye cannot overthrow the Counsel of God neither you nor Kings and Tyrants to help you so one Antient Greek-Coppy readeth Act. 5. 39. The Gospel gaining ground notwithstanding all the gain-saying of Governours amongst Grecians as well as Hebrews Act. 6. 1. 't is said expresly A great Company of the Priests were Obedient to the Faith v. 7. We read in Ezra 2. 36 to 40. that 4289 Priests c. Return'd from Babylon and that number might well be Increased in Judea now therefore 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a great Company may well enough be fixed on them and on no other and 't was a mighty Testimony from Heaven that so many of those ever most Implacable Enemies and most Active Adversaries of the Gospel should be Converted to the Faith and Truth of the Gospel ☞ I would to God he may give us this Divine Testimony in our day We should not Dispair of the Worst God hath his time to call even a Persecuting Saul and to change him into a Praying and a Preaching Paul This Increase of the Word and of the Number of Disciples v. 7. Enrages the Devil to make the 3d. Assault beholding also Steven so full of Faith and Power whereby he wrought many mighty Wonders among the People v. 8. Hereupon Satan Incenses the Libertines which in the common Notion of the Word are always most Desperate Despisers and Destroyers of Truth as it Condemns Licentiousness to Oppose Steven v. 9. and when they found themselves over-powr'd by Argument they Convent him before the Sanedrim and Suborn'd Witnesses against him a Lesson they had Learnt from their Master the Devil Joh. 8. 44. who as they had Instructed them accus'd him for Vilisying Moses the Law the Holy City and Temple v. 10 11 13. ☞ Where 't is enough to Accuse even the Hâ—ly Child Jesus Escapes not as Innocent notwithstanding their matchless malice against Steven yet 1 before his Apology he is miraculously Vindicated from Heaven by that Angelical Splendour and Majesty as that of Moses Exod. 34. 30. Seated in his Countenance v. 15. which was a most Convinceing Evidence 1. of the Goodness of His Cause 2. of the Greatness of his Courage 3. of the Clearness of his Conscience 2 After his Apology which was full of Wisdom and of the Holy Ghost in every Distinct Answer and wherein he cuts them to the Heart by telling them their Killing Christ made them Worse than their fore-Fathers who onely had Killed his Prophets and that they were Substantial about Circumstantials given only by Moses but Circumstantial about those Substantials given of God himself by the Disposition of Angels Hereupon they in a furious Out-rage Stone Steven who then had his 2d Vindication to wit 1 a clear Vision of Heaven through a great Showr of Stones and 2 of his Dear Redeemer in a Standing Posture as if Rouzed up from his Sitting on the Throne at the Right Hand of His Father and just ready to Revenge the Injury done to his Servant yea and 3 Steven Dyes Dignifi'd with a Double Honour 1 in his place as Proto-Martyr standing first in the Catalogue of all those that wore the Crown of Martyrdom He was the Prince and Bel-weather of the Flock that went to Heaven by that Bloody way in Gospel-times 2 In his Prayer the prevalency whereof might Contribute much to Pauls Conversion in as much as Sauls Sin in Consenting to Stevens Death was not laid to his Charge for his Utter Confusion However this was Honourable at his Death He stood while he pray'd for himself this shew'd the Greatness of his Piety but he Kneel'd down when he Pray'd for his Enemies no less will serve for the greatness of their Impiety he is more concern'd for their Riot than for his own Ruine The Devils 4th Assault was in the great Persecution that followed Stevens Death which the people quietly suffered and as soon as Satan and his Savage Instruments saw the Silence and Tameness of the Multitude which had Hitherto Awed them from executing all Extremities The Fear of the People so oft expressed being now evidently Allay'd they fall foul not upon the Apostles onely as before but upon the whole Church Act. 8. 1. so that they were all Scatter'd abroad and Satan had Saul a fit Tool to effect this by who 1 was Consenting to Stevens Death ☞ 't is all one to hold the Sack and to fill it to do evil or to consent to it a mind to do evil is sin in the Seed which time and warm Temptation may bring forth to Fruit Jam. 1. 14 15. there is Heart-Adultery Matth. 5. 28. and Heart-Murder Matth. 5. 22. Joh. 8. 44. Thus the Cursed Jews became Guilty of all the Bloodshed from Abel to Christ by their Allowance and Consent Matth. 23. 35. So Saul Allowing of Stevens Death made himself guilty of it by his Allowance and that which is more according to the Syriack reading he was both Desirous of it before and Delighted in it after 2 This same Saul was Schollar to Gamaliel Act. 22. 3. President of the Sanhedrim and likely the more Active in Dancing after the Devils Pipe upon that account for his Master Gamaliel notwithstanding his plausible Speech by which he dismissed both the Assembly the Accusers and the Apostles the Accused Act. 5. 34 to 41. Lived and Dyed