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.
Mackeda Queen of Sheba coming from a far Country Mat. 12. 42. falls into an Extasie of admiration 1 Kin. 10. 5. and coming to her self she blesses the Lord God that had loved Israel so as to set Solomon on the Throne saying the reality of Israels glory in him far exceeded all the Reports she had received v. 7. 9. yea and not only those two Forreigners but even all the Earth sought to Solomon c. v. 24. both Princes and People Ch. 4. 31. 34. The Devil put Israel upon casting off God and desiring a King 1 Sam. 8. 7. Now God uses a King to raise his Church to her highest glory Thus God over-shoots Satan in his own Bow The Fifteenth Plot against the CHURCH in Canaan Defeated by GOD. CHAP. XV. HAving shown how the Pillar of Providence hath usher'd and over-shadow'd the Church of this lower World from Adam to Solomon in whose Reign she arrived at her greatest Splendour and Beauty notwithstanding all the Devils Fore-games he plaid to prevent it Now come we to speak of his After-games whereby he brought an abatement of her glory and a declension of her lustre in this her Militant state upon Earth As it is the course of Nature in Coelestial and Terrestrial things there is a time of their rising and growth to their perfection gradually carried on for Nature makes no leaps and there is a time of setting and gradual declining also Thus 't is in Coelestial Bodies the Sun riseth and runs its course till it come to its Zenith at High-noon or Mid-Summer and then it descends and goes lower to the Earth observing its Apogaeum and Perigaeum The Moon hath not only her Ortum occasum Rising and Setting but also her Plenilunium Novi lunium Increase and Decrease and therefore is the Embleme of the Church in sacred Writ as having her filling and weaning times and Terrestrial things both Animate and Inanimate have their seasons of attaining their perfection both of parts and degrees and then follows their declining time yea the Kingdoms of the World have their times and their turns their points and their periods beyond which they cannot pass Even so it is with the Kingdom of Christ his Church there is nothing here below that can always say I am but the unchangeable God Go tell Pharaoh that I am hath sent me unto thee Exod. 3. 14. The Creator only can say I am that I am but the Creature is to day and is not to morrow being a changeable thing and so the Church here upon Earth is changeable as the Moon which hath her Eclipses her Obumbrations under a black Cloud and when silled round with light borrowed from the Sun hath her time of a gradual losing that lustre again Thus the Old Testament Church came to her Full-Moon of light and glory borrowed from the Sun of Righteousness Mal. 4.2 Vxor fulget Radiis Mariti the Spouse shines with the Beams and Bracelets such as Isaac sent Rebekah Gen. 24. of her Bridegroom Ezek. 16. 14. in the days of Solomon for about thirty years together In his last ten years the Devil begins his first after-game to bring a decrease of her glory upon her It is observable that Gods promise of establishing the Throne of Israel for ever 2 Sam. 7. 13 16. as it was Typical and so temporary relating to Christ the Son of David who should build a Mystical Temple the Church called the House of God 1 Tim. 3. 15. whose essential and natural Kingdom shall never have an end though his Mediatory hath 1 Cor. 15. 24. yet not till he hath put down all contrary Powers and made all his Foes his footstool so it was 2. Conditional relating to Solomon who built the Material Temple which should flourish for ever upon condition of his perseverance in Piety If he commit iniquity v. 14. which Solomon did but Christ could not in the latter end of his Reign by falling into Idolatry 1 Kin. 11. 9 14 23 26. therefore the Lord corrected him with the Rod of men by stirring up Adversaries against him which would not have been had he been constant as at that day when another promise was propounded upon that condition in the good ways of God 1 Chron. 28. 7. Solomon had been well educated both by his Father Prov. 4. 4. and by his Mother Prov. 31. 1. and at that day while young kept the Commandments of the Lord and brought both Church and State to the highest point of sublunary happiness So that as Davids Reign represented the Church Militant upon Earth so Solomons Reign resembled the Church Triumphant in Heaven yet as man that is in honour abideth not Psal 49. 12. so Solomon according to the manner of all temporal things and by the means of mans corruption abode not in this Honourable and happy estate but when he was old 1 Kin. 11. 4. and then should he have been best Job 32. 7. Having had so long Communion with God and so much experience of his goodness in his appearing to him twice after an extraordinary manner which was a great Evidence of Divine favour and laid a great ingagement upon him to cleave close to God who twice appeared 1 Kin. 3. 5. and 9. 2. and 11. 9. Some make Solomon's old age the extenuation of his sin inasmuch as it brings along with it many weaknesses which exposed him to be over-witted by Outlandish Women upon which he so fondly doted But surely his Age was an aggravation of his sin his last days should have been his best days and his Graces like good liquor should have run fresh to the bottom Some do give the Flower of their Youth to the Devil and reserve the Dregs of their Old Age for God This is bad enough but Solomon did far worse in doing quite contrary as if he expected to find the Devil a better Master to serve in his old age than he had sound God to be in his youth ☞ Oh what need we have to stand upon our watch little do we know what the Devil may tempt us to before we die if God leave us Satan may sift us worse in his Sieve of Temptation when we are old than ever he could do while we were young The Innocentest man Adam the Strongest man Sampson and the Wisest man Solomon were all undone by Satan and all by Women especially Solomon who had hitherto the character of a None-such from 1 Kin. 3. 1. to the end of Ch. 10. then Ch. 11. begins with a But like that of Naaman 2 Kin. 5. 1. he was Captain of the Syrian Host a great man with his Master and Honourable he was also a mighty man of Valour But he was a Leper So here after all Solomons glory is graphically described in the foregoing Chapters it follows Ch. 11. 1. But King Solomon loved many strange Women hereby he who should have been the man for establishing the Church in its perfection of beauty and for perpetuating the power and
be his Free-will offering Phil 1. 23. in Rome and all over the Empire yea he cut off also many of his richest Citizens meerly to make up his own Wants out of their Wealth when he had wasted his own Treasure but this made him unsufferable the Senate Condemns him for a Traitor he stole out of the City at Midnight having seen a Blazing-Star preaching from Heaven his fall and being Affrighted with an Earth-quake and with most gastly Apparitions of those he had Murthered crying out Have I neither Friend nor Foe left to Dispatch me so Drinks a Glass of Poyson and as if that had not been enough he falls upon his own Sword Dying Miserably as he Lived Wickedly ☞ How escaped Peter at Rome if he sat Bishop at Rome when Nero Burnt it as the Romanists Affirm 't is more probable he Dyed by the Mad Jews in Babylon literal where he was at the Writing of his 1st Epistle 1 Pet. 5. 13. and which he fore-tells in his 2d 2 Pet. 1. 14. Suppose this was Babylon Mystical or Rome as some Romanists say thereby to prove Peter Romes Pope then this far-fetch'd-Notion grants Rome to be the Babylon that has so many Woes against it in the Revelation 'T is not unlikely that the Jews must Murder Peter for the Devil made them exceeding Mad with Malice against the Gospel immediately before their final Down-fall now knowing their time was so short and that in the Caldean Babylon from whence many being conveniently seated return'd not at Cyrus Proclamation as above in Chap. 20. and there became a great people yea and that Babylon was the Metropolis of that Dispersion to whom Peter Writes to wit Pontus Galatia c. 1 Pet. 1. 1. The 2d Red Horse Domitian follows the fore-Horse of the Team in his Bloody Plowing Psal 129. 3. in whom there was onely this one good that he punish'd Informers saying That not to Punish such were to Encourage them he Banish'd John c. The 3d. was Trajan the Spaniard who Murder'd many Ministers as Magicians because of their Miracles The 4th was Antoninus Verus or rather Severus Polycarps shining Piety Justin Martyrs Apology and the Prayers of his Thundring Legion of Christians stop'd his Career The 5th was Severus whose Name answer'd his Nature this Hellish Horse was Dyed Red with the Blood of Christians he poyson'd himself at York to end the Dolor of his Gout The 5th Maximinus who Eat Fifty pound of Flesh at a Supper and for his Drink he must have the Blood of Saints especially of Ministers saying Kill the Captains and their followers fall too The 7th Decius who Murder'd Millions yet being beaten by the Goths leaps into a Whirlpit where his Body was never found The 8th Valerian whom an Aegyptian Conjurer made Cruel because he could not Conjure in the presence of Christians Sapores takes him Captive and justly made a Foot-stool of him The 9th Aurelian who was frighted from it by a Thunder-bolt falling hard by him The 10th Diocletian the Devils last Bite was the worst yet God Preserv'd and Increas'd His Church by all having all along Lucid Intervals and Testimonies from Heaven against all those Tygers none of them Dying a Dry Death but like the Devils Red Post-Horses all Posted away to Death and Hell their proper place the Pale and the Black Horse must follow the Red the Lord said it Revel 6. 5 7. The Twenty-Eighth Plot against the Church by Arrianisine Defeated by God CHAP. XXVIII NOw when after the 2d 3d and 4th Seal bringing War Famine Death and Hell the 6th Seal had brought an Earth-quake upon the Pagan-Roman Empire for bringing so many Souls Under the Altar in the 5th even such Horrible Commotions and Confusions for the Ten Persecutions Insomuch as the Persecutors Killed one another Rev. 6. 4 9 12. The Reward they all got was onely ut Citiùs Interficerentur to be Cut off the sooner Then the 7th Seal brings in Silence in Heaven for half an Hour Rev. 8. 1. that is some little Breathing time of Rest and Peace which the Church call'd oft The Kingdom of Heaven had when Constantine came to the Crown Imperial This was 1. as a Dooms-Day to the Dung-hill Dâ—ities and to the Chemarims or Chimney-Chaplains of Rome-Heathen as Describ'd Rev. 6. 12 13 to the end but 2. 't was a Day of Refreshing 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Refrigerationis a Cooling time to the Church after Hot Persecutions Act. 3. 19. 't was a Time of Restitution of all things ver 21. Now the Church Militant on Earth became as it were Triumphant in Heaven This Constantine was the Man-Child which the Church brought forth by her Prayers and which the great Red Dragon would have Devoured Rev. 12. 1 to 5. 1 He was the Answer and Fruit of her prayrs She had been a Garden Enclosed a Spring shut up and a Fountain Sealed to wit under Restraint and even in Fetters as the Word signifies all the time of the Ten Persecutions Cant. 4. 12. Hereupon she prays for an Inlargement by the Blowing of the North-wind upon her that her Spices not still Destroy'd by all her Sufferings might slow forth v. 16. It may be read Awake O Northwind and come Southwind to cool my hot persecutions God Answers the Northward arises even Constantine Born at York in the North comes into the South breaths upon her with a Blessed Gale Eats and Drinks abundantly of her fruits and thereupon the Devil began his 28th game when the Church is lull'd asleep upon the Lap of Ease and Honour Cant. 5. 1 2. The Lamb Christ opening the 7th Seal brings forth the Seven Trumpeis Rev. 8. 1 2. Those sounded such a Dreadful Alarum with their Thundrings against the Roman-Pagan-Empire now ready to be Ruin'd at the earnest suit of the Martyrs Rev. 6. 10. by the Christian Emperours This Awaken'd the Church whose heart was awake even while she Slumber'd or Slept Cant. 5. 2. yet for her thorow-Awakening the same Angel of the Covenant that had Perfumed her Prayers Rev. 6. 10. with his own sweet Odours Rev. 8. 3 4. lets out again the Angel of the Bottomless Pit upon Her in the Arrian Heresie for out of the same Cenâ—er he scarters the Fire of the Altar abroad upon the Earth ver 5. Insomuch that the Arrian Bishops persecuted the Orthodox with most monstrous Malice and Malignity especially in the times of Constans Constantius and Valens the Arrian-Emperours this might be the Hail and Fire mingled with blood after the 1st Trumpet v. 7. and till that Woe was over one part of the Answer to the Martyrs Prayer was that they should Rest yet for a little season until their Fellow-Servants were Killed by those Cursed Arrians Rev. 6. 11. and under this 2d Period of Events it may be said at least by way of Exemplification as in the 2d and 3d. Trumpet Revel 8. 8 13. that a great Star fell from Heaven to wit Arrius a great Mountain fell
Resigns his Throne and Power to the Beast which did his Masters work throughly Ch. 13. till the Lamb conquer'd and cast him into the Lake Chap. 19. Till then the Dragon was not onely a Spectator but also an Instigator Hissing on the Beast to his Beastly Work till he got his Beastly Wages Slaughter at last Now after the Judgement of the Beast comes that of the Dragon the Master of his Misrule 3 As the 5th Vial is Reassumed to declare the Ruine of Rome more fully after Ch. 17. 18. and the 6th Vial that of the Beast after that Ch. 19. So this 7th that of the Dragon who set them on work Ch. 20. for it would be Improper to relate so largely the Ruine of the Instruments and to say nothing of the Principal Agent Our Michael hath something to say to and do with the Devil as well as to and with Antichrist to wit 1 Something before the 1000 Y. when a gradual Doom is Executed upon him as 1st Christ in fury Arrests the same Dragon whom he had cast into the Earth before Rev. 12. 9. 2ly He Chains him up as Men do mad Mastives for a long time 3ly He claps him close Prisoner in the Abyss which before he feared Luk. 8. 31. and 4ly He set a Seal upon him as Dan. 6. 17. and Matth. 27. last that his Range abroad might not Molest Christs Reign for a 1000 Y. Rev. 20. 1 2 3. ☞ Where the Church hath as good Security for a long-lasting Tranquillity as Christ who keeps the Ensureing Office can possibly give her 2 Something after the 1000 Y. when he was loosed for a little season v. 3.7 to Engage Gog and Magog or all covert and overt Enemies in a War against the Church v. 8 9. then Fire from Heaven falls upon the Devils Army and consumes them in the very Attempt and the Devil himself is Arrested the 2d time and then cast into the Lake of Fire and Brimstone whither the Beast and False Prophet were cast before there to be Tormented for ever whence he shall never any more be loosed to Torment the Church after this Thus as the Plots against the Church did begin in the Devil Ch. the 1st of this Church-History so they all End in and with the Devil in this The Gates of Hell cannot prevail against Her When Pope Turk and Devil are all gone and in Torments The Church that New Jerusalem consisting of the Converted Jews and Fullness of the Gentiles remains after All in a Flourishing State and is Marry'd as a Bride to the Lamb Rev. 21.7 22. where the Triumphant Estate of the Church after her Militant Estate at the Destruction of all her Enemies is ended is most Graphically Described 1st Generally 1. by things seen as a New 1 Heaven 2 New Earth Ch. 21. 1. 3 New Jerusalem Descending from Heaven v. 2. and 10. 2. By things Heard as 1 of Gods Presence with Men v. 3. 2d of removing all fears and tears v. 4. 3d. of making all things new v. 5. 2ly More particularly the Transcendent Glory of the Church hath a most Exact and Special Delineation as 1st her Advancement above all Hills ver 9. 10 11. Isa 2. 2 2ly her Dimensions of Longitude and Latitude c. v. 12 to 17. 3ly her rich Materials of Gold and Jewels v. 9 to 22. 4ly The Confluence of the Gentiles to this New Jerusalem v. 24 26. Isa 60. 3 c. 5ly The Affluence and plenty of all things that may make the Church-State Happy Typify'd 1 by the River of living Water Ch. 22. 1. 2 by the Tree of Life a Type of Christ that beareth Fruit every Month v. 2. 6ly The Perpetuity of this Happy Estate which is Illustrated 1st by a freedom from all Evil not only from Sorrow Death c. Ch. 21.4 but also 1. from Danger v. 25. 2. from Sin v. 27. and 3. from the Curse Ch. 22. 3. and 2ly by a Fruition of all Good as 1. an Immediate Communion with God and Christ who will be 1. a Temple 2. a Light Ch. 21.22 23. 3. A Throne Ch. 22. 1 3. to this Holy City 2. A Beatifical Vision of both They shall see the face c. v. 4. As the former Evils had disturb'd so those Good Priviledges will Preserve the Churches peace to perpetuity 3. yea Reign for Ever ver 5. Finally Those few Remarks shall shut up the Whole ☞ The 1st is The marvelous Manifestation of Christs love to his Church in Revealing to her the Fata Ecelesiae all that should befall her in all Ages to the end of the World this he doth as her Prophet and Mediator Ch. 22. 16. 2ly That what Christ Revealed herein should be Written Litera Scripta Manet for the Churches Comfort at Christs command Chap. 21. 5. and 14. 13. and 19.9 The Spouse hath the Heart-love of Christ with her better then Dalilah had Samsons Judg. 16. 15. and therefore she shall know even out of his Fathers Bosom Joh. 1. 18. all that is in his Heart and have it also Under his Hand upon Record as Her Cordial alway 3ly That this Writing must not be Shut up or Sealed as Daniels was Dan. 8. 26. and 12. 4 9. till 300 Y. after for Sealing is concealing but here John is bid Not to Seal this Prophecy as he had the Seven Thunders Revel 10. 4. Chap 22. 10. because the Time was at Hand and All this he must not Monopolize to himself but Shew them to Christ's Servants Rev. 1. 1. 4ly This Prophecy is Faithful and True in all its parts Ch. 22. 6. as much as the History from Genesis to this Revelation is and as sure as the former part of this Prophecy in the Seals and Trumpets is performed already so sure shall the latter part of the Vials and of the Brides Marriage be Accomplish'd also The Scripture-Testimony of it self is true 5ly This Prophecy Symbolizeth with that of Ezekiel who in his latter End hath a Resurrection Ezek. 37. a Gog and Magog Chap. 38 and 39. and a New Jerusalem Ch. 40 and forward So in the latter end of the Revelation There is a Resurrection Ch. 20. 5. a Gog and Magog v. 8. and a New Ierusalem Ch. 21 and 22. And as sure as that was fulfill'd in part by Ezra c. so shall this be 6ly This Book as it was last Writ so it contains a Revelation of the whole will of God concerning the Riches of the Church as well as the Ruine of all her Enemies as 't is said of the latter It is Done Rev. 16.17 All the Churches Foes are Vndone by the 7th Vial So of the former It is Done Ch. 21.6 As to the Riches and Reward of the Righteous Christ Swore that Time should be no longer Ch. 10.6 7. to wit of Delaying beyond the 7th Trumpet the Execution of those Divine Mysteries 1 the Call of the Iews Rom. 11.25 2 the Fullness of the Gentiles Eph. 3.3 4 6. 3 the Kingdom of the Saints Dan. 7.18 Rev. 20.4 22.5 4 All Kingdoms of the World become Christs Ch. 11.15 7ly As we are not to expect any New Revelation no more than any New Gospel so we ought onely to believe and pray for the Accomplishment of all that is revealed being assured from Truth it self Rev. 1.5 that 1 â—he who was the Alpha to confound the 1st Plot Gen. 3. will be the Omega to conquer the last Rev. 22.13 2 the Kings of the Earth that gave their power to the Beast shall bring their Glory to the Church Rev. 17.13 and 21.24 3 The Brides Feast and Felicity shall be either in Heaven as Piscator or on Earth as Alsted or in both as Perkins say 't is good in either place Refer that to God making a Common and Constant Cry Come Lord Jesus come quickly to Accomplish all that is Vnaccomplished 1 Thes 1.10 Rev. 22.20 21. FINIS BOOKS Published BY THE AVTHOR 1. THe Crown and Glory of a Christian 2. A Christian's Walk and Work on Earth till he come to Heaven 3. A Protestant-Antidote against the Poyson of Popery 4. A Chrystal Mirrour or Christian-Looking-Glass discovering the Treason and Treachery of the Heart 5. A Distinct Discourse and Discovery of the Person and Period of Antichrist 6. This Compleat and Compendious Church-History
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-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
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-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-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
never have an ending until the World endeth Yea it may be call'd an Eternal Enmity a parte post though not a parte ante for as the Angels and the Souls of Men had a beginning but shall never have an end So this Cursed Enmity which had its beginning at the Fall will continue beyond this World even in the World to come As long as evil Angels and damned Souls continue in Hell which shall be for ever so long will this Enmity continue in them against the Glorious Angels and Glorify'd Saints Thus 't is a Bottomless boundless and endless Enmity The 2d Cause is Causa 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or The Outward Cause why the Wicked Plot c. is the Malignant Adversary of Mankind the Devil so called Quasi Do Evil. 1st He is their Father and they are his Children and the Lusts of their Father they will and must do Joh. 8. 44. 2dly He is their Lord and they are his Vassals and they will and must run his Errands Yea 3dly He is their God 2 Cor. 4. 4. and they are his Creatures And as God at the Creation of the World did but Speak the Word and it was done So if the Devil in the Conversation of the wicked do but speak the word hold up his singer his will is done He leads them Captive at his will 2 Tim. 2. 26. He leads them like a Dog in a string whether he pleases yet hangs them up at last like Dogs upon everlasting Gibbits in Hell where they hang and howl as Dogs yet never dye to which if Tertullian's Character Sessorem habent Diabolum be added Then 4ly He is the Rider and they are his Asses which he Rides upon whipping and spurring them as Balaam did his Ass as if Riding Post to meet their own Destruction And as saith the Proverb They must needs go yea gallop whom the Devil drives especially such as with the Man in the Gospel have a whole legion of Devils in them such wicked ones with the Gadaren's Hoggs do Run Violently down most steep places and most desperate praecipices until at last They be choaked in the deep Pit of Hell Matth. 8. 32. Now as long as there be the same Original Corruption in wicked Men while this present evil World lasts to be drawn forth and the same Devil who whosoever become Converts can never become one to draw forth that depraved Disposition so long there will be a wicked Plotting and practising against the Church of God in the World Solomon saith There is no new thing under the Sun the thing that hath been it is that which shall be Eccles 1. 9 10. And the Apostle telleth us As it was then he that was Born after the Flesh persecuted him that was Born after the Spirit as Ishmael did Isaac even so it is now Gal. 4. 29. Paul saith It is so now in my days And we may say It is even so now in our days It was so then it is so now and it will be so for ever so long as there be any wicked in the World and the old Man-slayer to set them on who is that Evil Spirit which worketh as the Artificer doth in his Shop in the Children of Disobedience Ephe. 2. 3. We Read of the Dragons War but as a sad Cordolium with the Woman the Church and her Seed Rev. 12. And if this War were in Heaven v. 7. how much more on Earth v. 17. This War is manag'd and maintain'd with great Wrath v. 12. having the Assistance of an Inveterate Implacable and Everlasting Enmity in all incarnate Devils his Auxiliaries all acted and agitated by the Devil who lends them his Seven Heads to Plot with and his Ten Horns to push with against the Church And we Read of the Lambs War with this Dragon as a sweet and Soveraign Cordial even our Blessed Michael and his Angels in the behalf of the Woman and her Seed Rev. 12. 7 8. And though the Beast to whom the Dragon gave his power Rev. 13. 2. make War with the Saints and overcome them during his Lease of 1260 y. allotted him Rev. 13. 7. yet the Lamb shall overcome the Dragon and all his Auxiliaries Rev. 17. 14. and 19. 19 20. and 20. 10. And in the mean time though the Beast seem to overcome the Saints so it seemed but so it was not Rev. 13. 7. For the Saints overcome the Beast by the Blood of the Lamb when they seem to be most overcome by him to the shedding of their own Blood Rev. 12. 11. This Lamb Laughs all the Plots of the Beast to nothing and all as Vain Things whereof no good Reason can be given nor any good Issue can be expected Christ sits in Heaven seeth and Smileth is no more concern'd save only to ask the Many and the Mighty that Club their Craft and Cruelty against Christ if they be all Mad to Attempt that which shall assuredly come to nothing Psal 2. 1 2 3 4. The little Stone dashes all in pieces Dan. 2. 34. So that it may be said of the Church as it was said of the old Romans She hath lost now and then a Battel but never a War And as 't is said of Gad A Troop may overcome Gad but Gad overcomes at last Gen. 49. 19. So the Church Concutitur non Excutitur may sometimes be Shaken but never Shiver'd into Nothing She always gets and gains by her Losses and though she may be trampled under Foot all the Night of her Asfliction yet is she sure to have Dominion in the Morning Psal 49. 14. And that Morning ushers in the Dismal Dooms-Day of all her Enemies Niteris Incassum Christi Submergere Navem Fluctuat at nunquam Mergitur illa Ratis Dipt may the Churches Ship be but not Drown'd Christ will not fail her Enemies to Confound No Weapon that is formed against her shall prosper Isa 54. 17. Nor ever did prosper That Precious Promise hath blunted the Point and turned the Edge of many Thousand Weapons that have been formed against her The Gates of Hell though in a Combination of all its power and pollicy shall not prevail against it Matth. 16. 18. All the Plots both of the Wicked One and of all Wicked Men from Adam to our Day have been Velut Unda Supervenit Undae as the waves of the Sea succeeding one another yet all have dashed themselves to pieces upon this Rock of Ages whereon the Lord hath founded Sion Isai 14. 32. and 26. 1 4. and 54. 10. The Church is Invincible and can never be Demolished either by Angry Men or Enraged Devils Magna est Veritas Valebit Truth is great and will prevail AN Historical Narrative OF THE Devils Plotts AGAINST THE CHURCH All Defeated by GOD. The First Plot against the Church c. CHAP. I. THis I shall Demonstrate by an Induction of Particular Instances as the Lord shall help me both out of Sacred and Civil History to make manifest the marvellous Conduct which
the Pillar of Providence hath secured the Church withal in all her passages through the World as the Pillar of Glory did the Church in the Wilderness The 1st Instance of the wicked Plotting against the Church and the Lords laughing it to Nothing is that first Plot of the Grand Plotter 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that wicked One 1 Joh. 5. 18. the Devil against our first Parents As of Jacob's Ladder which consisted of so many rounds or steps as would reach from Earth to Heaven 't is said The Lord was upon the top of it Gen. 28. 12 13. So of this Scale of Conspiracies against the Church which contains so many Distinct Designs as do Reach from Adam to our present time it may as truly be affirmed That the Devil must be at the top of it We Read of a Book of the Wars of the Lord a Book not extant but if not lost latent Numb 21. 14. However this is extant in the Book of God that here began the War of the Devil or Dragon against the Church No sooner was Lucifer faln from Heaven Isa 14. 12. and of a Glorious Angel was become a damned Devil Jude v. 6. 2 Pet. 2. 4. partly for his pride against God in aspiring to be like the most High and partly for his Envy at Man when he first beheld the Honour and Happiness wherein Man was Created and first heard the charge which God gave the Angels to keep Man in all his ways Psal 91. 11. This Command proud Lucifer disdaining that a superior should wait like a servant upon an inferior Creature Psal 8. 5. He kept not his first Estate but left his first Habitation Jude v. 6. Thus he sinned from the beginning 1 Joh. 3. 8. and abode not in the Truth Joh. 8. 44. And now being come down by his Sin or rather cast down for his sin from Heaven and having great Wrath Rev. 12. 12. for being hurl'd out of Heaven into Hell he had no comfort left him save onely this miserable and mischievous one to make Man as miserable as himself and to bring him into the same Condemnation 1 Tim. 3. 6. For this purpose he lays a dangerous and Diabolical Plot consisting of many parts As 1st He assumes a fit Engine that Creature which was more subtile than all the Beasts of the Field Gen. 3. 1. The sharper a Weapon is it makes a deeper wound and gives a more deadly blow the sharpest and subtilest Wits are of all others the most mischievous Instruments in the Devils hands against Gods truth This grand evil Angel made use of this Serpent which as some say was very specious and delightful to the Eye by his comely mixture of lovely Colours to deceive the first Woman as the good Angel made use of the Ass to rebuke the mad Prophet 2 Pet. 2. 16. Numb 22. 28. 2dly The 2d part of his proposed and pursued Plot is in Assaulting not the Man but the Woman the weaker Vessel which is soonest and easiest overcome where the Hedg is lowest there the Beast leaps over with the least difficulty A besieging Enemy raises his Batteries against the weakest part of a besieged City the weaker Sex is most likely to truckle to his temptations hence he Essays to break the Mans head with his own Rib and to make use of this Rib as of the Round of a Ladder whereon to climb up so high as to Reach a blow to her Head and Husband 3dly He sets upon the Woman when alone 'T is supposed As Adam and Eve walk'd together in Paradise Eve stood still gazing with her fancy upon some Delectable Object which Adam passed by with less looking on he got so far before her as to leave her behind whereby she was overtaken by the Tempter the absence of her Head with its counsel and comfort gives Satan a fair opportunity which he improves to the utmost Solomon saith Where Two are there is Help Eccle. 4. 10. 4thly While Eve is alone the Tempter falls a disputing with her in asking her a Concise and an Abrupt Question Yea hath God said c. That he might Enervate the Authority of the Divine Menace or Commination Hereupon the weaker Vessel Eve gives but a weak Answer for she might in her state of Innocency have that Ignorance which the Schools call a pure Negation not a depraved Disposition which is found in Children c. She might not know whether Serpents could naturally speak or whether there was now any Devil existing not hearing of the fall of Angels she did know her protection of Angels as before so might mistake the Devil in the Serpent for a good Angel and therefore disputes with him and was deceived by him as she confesses Gen. 3. 13. So dangerous it is to dispute with the Devil who is better believ'd away than argu'd away They do but shoot with Satan in his own Bow that think by parlying with this 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or subtile Sophister to put him off by this means he draws Eve out of her Trenches of the Divine Praecept and wrings the Sword of the Spirit the Word of God out of her hand then doth he what he will with her yea wins the Day when he had disarm'd her 5thly No sooner had the Woman put in her weak Answer in this Disputation to the Devils Question mincing the matter of the Divine Menace in her Least ye Dye instead of Gods Word Ye shall surely Dye Whereby she made that Danger doubtful only which God had made Certain peremptory and without a peradventure Hereupon this subtile Serpent watching for her halting and when to have her upon the hip doth as confidently deny that sentence of Death v. 4. as God had seriously and severely Threatned it before Gen. 2. 7. Hereby her belief of Gods Word is batter'd down and not opposing the certainty of Gods Threatning which she but seem'd to doubt of in the Disputation against Satans Insinuation in his plain and positive Denyal of it she yieldeth If the Word of God had abode in her she had overcome the Devil 1 Joh. 2. 14. 6thly The Tempter tempts her with an Apple from the Forbidden-Fruit-Tree telling her as some say that there was no death in the Apple according to the Divine Threatning from a proof of his own Experience For saith the subtile Serpent I do climb the Tree and eat of the Fruit thereof and yet am not Dead for so doing This was probably done while Eve looked on and therefore she said at least in her mind That she saw it was good for Food v. 6. Hereupon she concluded that Death was not in the Fruit of the forbidden-Tree and hereupon inclines to take and Eat 7thly The Devil to promote his Plot the more accuses God of Envy to Eve which is truly call'd Morbus Satanicus the Devils own Disease as if God had forbid them the Fruit of this Tree of Knowledge onely out of Envy least their Eating thereof should make them Equal
against the Superstructure thereof He wants not his Cham even in the Ark a Type of the Church a fit Instrument for him to Work with 'T is thought this Cham had concealed his wickedness from Men which he could not from God and soon after Degenerated However this bad Son had a Temporal Favour for the sake of his good Father which he badly Requited afterwards This Cursed Cham or Ham the Devil makes Use of 1st In his Person 2dly In his Posterity against the Church of God 1st In his Person The Occasion was this As Satan had made Adam Transgress in Eating so he made Noah to Transgress in Drinking Gen. 9. 21. He that had Escaped the Drowning of the World by Water because Just and Vpright was now perhaps not knowing the strength of the Grape himself Drown'd in Wine and was Shamefully Vncovered Though this Act was but once he was Ebrius not Ebriosus Drunk not a Drunkard Denominatio non sit a particulari yet this wicked Cham saw it both with Delight to himself and with Derision to his Father and therefore Noah for whose sake he had been Saved in the Ark did Doom him accursed and his other Two Sons he Blessed 2dly In his Posterity The Aegyptians from whom the Church suffered hard things in their House of Bondage are frequently call'd the Children of Ham and Aegypt the Land of Ham Psal 78. 51. and 105. 23 27. and 106. 22. 'T is True there be some Hundreds of Years betwixt those Two Actions of Hams Person and of his Posterity against the Church which some may judge over-large a Leap as if the Devil had been Idle all that Interspace of Time No doubt but it may be safely said There is some time wherein God Chains up the Devil as Rev. 20. 2. And wherein the Church hath her lucid Intervals as Act. 9. 31. Yea and this may be said also That all those Games the Devil play'd and all the Plots he Plotted betwixt these Two were the lower Games the lesser Plots of a Daring Devil compared with this of the Church and of Israels being in Aegypts Bondage No doubt but the Devil was gratifi'd in the Building of the Tower of Babel whereby the Holy Tongue was lost to all the World save to One Family and so the Doctrine of Salvation which was Preached in that Tongue onely This began Satans Kingdom in Heathenism through the Confusion of Tongues at Babel which was Blessedly Recover'd by the Gift of Tongues at Sion Act. 2. 4. 13. The Devil was also well-pleased to have Lots Righteous Soul vexed with the Wicked Sodomites To have Isaac that Heir of the Promise Scoffed at by Ishmael Yea Persecuted also by him Gal. 4. 29. To have likewise Prophane Esau so Bloodily bent against plain Jacob To have Godly Joseph Abused both by his own Brethren and by his Wanton Mistris Psal 105. 18. Oh how would Satan have Rejoyced to see Lot and his Family Burn'd in Sodom Isaac Sacrific'd by his own Father Abraham Jacob Murdered by his own Brother Esau as Abel had been by Cain at his Instigation Yea and Joseph Perished in the Pit his Brethren cast him into or in the Prison where his wicked Mistris Lodged him Yet God baffled the Devil who will Play at small Games rather than sit Idle in all these Plots But now when the 70 Souls that went down into Aegypt that Land of Ham were Increased to a great People so as to fill the Countrey of Goshen Exod. 1. 7. this Enraged him so that he puts out his utmost Power and Policy to Suppress them In the first Age before the Flood the Church of God was Shut up some time in One Person as in Adam Abel Seth Enoch c. And though Adam Falls Abel is Slain Seth Dyes and Enoch is Translated c. Yea and the Devil doth his worst to Extirpate it out of the World as above yet the Great God hath so Secur'd his Church both by Promise and Providence that his Mount Sion can never be Removed Insomuch that in the 2d Age after the Flood the Devil Loses and the Church Wins Ground and Spreads her self from the Narrow Compass of Persons to Families as in Noahs Abrahams Lots and the Patriarchs Families and yet more when the Time of the Promise drew nigh Act. 7. 17. Through the Special Blessing of God the Church Spreads forth her Tents as she is bidden Isa 54. 2 3. from the Narrow Compass of Families and became a Nation Great Mighty and Populous Deut. 26. 5. and all this out of One as Good as Dead Hebr. 11. 12. Satan meddles not with his Match when he Meddles with God who of very Stones can Raise up Children unto Abraham Matth. 3. 9. To behold the Church Increase as Stars in the Heaven and as Sands on the Sea-shore This makes the Devil more mad then ever So he falls upon his 4th grand Plot to Cutt her short by the Children of Ham the Father of Mitzraim which is the Hebrew Word for Aegypt Gen. 10. 6. The 1st part of his Plot was to make God their Enemy by their Sinning fowly against him In Order hereunto he Tempts them to Commit Idolatry a God-provoking Sin Josh 24. 14. Ezek. 20. 8. and 23. 3 8. 2. To forego Circumcision the Covenant of their God which was the Reproach of Aegypt Josh 5. 9. 3. To joyn in Marriage with the Egyptians Levit. 24. 20. and Exod. 12. 38. Hereby the Sun of Religion goes down upon them as God told Abraham Gen. 15. 12. Then God was Angry and he Turn'd the Hearts of the Children of Ham to hate his own God-provoking People Psal 105. 25. as after the Death of Methusalem which in Hebrew signifies He Dyeth and the Dart commeth The Deluge came so after the death of the Godly Patriarks their Bondage began They were cast into a Furnace of Iron Deut. 4. 20. to see them there must needs be the Devils Delight whose Design Undoubtedly was to Burn up the Church as Dross therein but Gods Design which is always to countermine his Mines and to counterplot his Plots was when he had Tryed them to bring them out as Gold Job 23. 10. as he did his Servant Job from Satans Furnace of Affliction The 2d part of his Plot was To stir up a new King that knew not Joseph Exod. 1. 8. Well knowing that such Kings as know not Joseph or Jesus our Brother are his sittest Tools for Oppressing the Church This King the 8th from Ham and Supposed to be Busiris a Savage Tyrant in Heathen History was the first that Oppressed Israel whom his Predecessors had Entertained as Guests and Enjoyed as Friends and Benefactors He I say deals both Craftily and Cruelly with them and both to Prevent their further Increase which he saw v. 7. Exod. 1. 10 11. Ach. 7. 19. Psa 105. 25. and all this was to prove God a Lyar in his Promise to Jacob Gen. 46. 3. 4. Yet his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Sept.
Prospect of his 5th Plot as to its success but still the mischief of it was he Reckon'd without his Host even the Lord of Hosts that Man of War Exod. 15. 3. who giveth Victory not as the Devil but as himself pleaseth For though the Lord permitteth Amalek to oppose Israel for the Chastizement of their Murmurings yet had he other Designs then onely to Chastize his Church whom he had allur'd into the Wilderness He must also Speak Comfortably to her Heart Hos 2. 14. Amalek must Fall and therein the Devils Project before the People of his Promise and they must not onely be Encouraged by their Victory over the Amalekites as they had been with that over the Aegyptians but also Enriched with their Spoils and Furnished with their Arms and Ammunition God hath in his Design not onely the want of Innocency in his People to Chastize with Rods but also the Guilt of Insolency in his Enemies to Scourge with Scorpions Amalek indeed comes forth to meet Israel but it was to meet his own ruine and to fetch in his own destruction which Moses Precando by Praying and Joshua Praeliando by Fighting brought upon him Moses in the Mount lifts up the Rod to God as a Standard against Amalek and Joshua in the Valley Engages them and Moses Prayers gave most-effectual Pushes as well as Joshua's Pikes against the Enemy Moses Orat Vincit Cessat Vincitur v. 12. While Moses Devotion goes down Amaleks Courage gets up and prevaileth but when it goes up and keeps up being sustained upon Christ the Stone of Israel then Amalek is discomfitted v. 13. And being the first Nation that Warr'd against the Church after her deliverance from Aegypt Gods Hand is upon his Throne Swearing That he will have a perpetual War with Amalek and wipe out the Remembrance of them from under Heaven v. 14 16. Amaleks Hand had been lifted up against Gods Throne his Church so call'd Jerem. 14. 21. Now Gods Hand is lifted up upon his own Throne in taking this Solemn Oath That he would wage War against Amalek for ever This present Discomsiture was but a praelibamen or Pledge of this perpetual War As a lasting Monument of Gods great Mercy to Israel in this first Victory Moses Builds an Altar and calls it Jehovah Nissi that is The Lord is my Banner under whose Standard he had got the Victory And as a lasting Memorial of Gods great Wrath against Amalek in this first Opposition Moses must Record this of them either in the Book of the Wars of the Lord Numb 21. 14. which is latent or in the Pentatuch which he was then Writing and now Extant That they should utterly be destroyed This Saul should have done 1 Sam. 15.7 c. destroying onely some David destroyed more 2 Sam. 8. 12. Such as escaped those Destructions were destroyed by the Simeonites in Hezekiah's time 1 Chron. 4. 41 42 43. Lastly Haman and his Ten Sons were slips of this cursed Stock and Hanging was their end and the end of that Race of Rebels being the last that we read of to be Rooted out Oh how dangerous it is to Anger the Antient of Days his Forbearance for many Hundred Years is no Forgiveness 'T was 400 Y. after when God gave Command to destroy them utterly 1 Sam. 15. 2. and long after that God made a War against them and at last did Root them out Root and Branch thus Amalek Hebrew signifying Populus Lingâ—us a Licking People that had licked up the Hindmost of Israel the Wrath of God licked them all up as Fire doth Stubble who can stand before Everlasting burnings Isa 33. 14. The Church's Protestaâ—â—â— is Consuming fire to them Hebr. 12. last who not onely Laughs but Burns not onely their Plots but their Persons to nothing A Man had better Anger all the Witches in the World Yea all the Devils in Hell as Anger this One Jealous God the Heat of whose Wrath lasts longer and Burns deeper than the Coals of Juniper Psal 120. 4. His Judgements are severe and durable never Rots in the Sky 'T was this Divine Wrath that waged War against Amalek from one Generation to another until it came at last to an utter Extirpation Haman the Agagite of the Blood-Royal of Amalek descending from Agag their King whom Saul spared is Hanged no more of that Rebellious Race that Warr'd against Israel without Cause or Provocation do we Read of the Wicked are forgotten Eccles 8. 10. Yea the Devil that set them on work is Chain'd and Defeated The Church by her Champions help abides for ever The Sixth Plot against the Church in the Wilderness Defeated by GOD. CHAP. VI. 'T Is said Luk. 4. 13. That Satan Departed from Christ onely for a Season no more doth he depart from his Church he will have his Returns to do her all the ill turns he can Thus doth he here to the Church in the Wilderness that almost as close did he Dogg her behind as the Pillar of Glory did Conduct her before and though Christ whom she Tempted there 1 Cor. 10. 9. suffered her thus to be Proved and Tryed yet it was always to do her Good at the latter end Deut. 8. 16. The 6th Plot against the Church which was the 2d in her Wilderness-State was the Tempter tempting Israel to Set up the Golden-Calf Exod. 32. 1. which the Devil knew well would make God disown Discard and Discovenant his People This is one of Satans Grand Wiles that when he cannot play his Game upon the open Stage of the World by an Extrinsick Adversary as by Amalek then he trys his Skill by an Imrinsick-Engine Screwing himself into the Minds of Israel this piece of Ingenuity he taught the Jesuits and being 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a Lover of Idol-Worship as being Devil-Worship 1 Cor. 10. 20 21. he puts them upon making an Idol to make God cast them off and destroy them for such a God-provoking Sin v. 22. as provoked God to Jealousie The Advantage Satan took for promoting this his Project was Moses Absence Non-Residents do little consider this though Moses had Warrant for his Absence both from God and his People for 1st God call'd him up into the Mount Exod. 24. 12. and 2d The People consented that he should be as an Ambassadour and Mediator 'twixt them and God Exod. 20. 19. Moses the 40 Days faster staid longer with God in the Mount than the People expected though all the while he was Negotiating their Weal in bringing the Two Tables of the Decalogue both of Gods Writing and Workman-ship Exod. 31. 18. and 32. 16. The Heavenly Pattern of the Tabernacle with all the Ordinances concerning Legal Worship to them They grew Impatient of Moses delay The Devil no doubt did suggest to the Worser sort That he was torn of Wild Beasts and to the Better sort That as Enoch was he was Translated into Heaven as Josephus saith Or That he had deserted his Charge and mocked them as some
The Father was good but the Son was better inasmuch as he Repented when he was Reprooved which his Father did not but Raged Ch. 19. 2 4. where the Son Jehu succeeded better than his Father Hanani Ch. 16. 7. Now for this his great Goodness the Devil envyed him sinding him more forward and forth-putting in religion and reformation than his Father Hereupon Satan sets upon his over good Nature and over-facile Disposition seduces him into an Assinity with Wicked Ahah 1 Kin. 22. 44. to a Match 'twixt Jehoram his Son and Athaliah Ahab's wicked Daughter 2 Kin. 8. 18. and to a Courtly Complyance in Ahabs Warring against Syria which had like to have cost him his life 1 Kin. 22. 2 4 31. Here the Devil had Entangled good Jehosaphat into most desperate Danger but God Disappoints the Devils Design Jehosaphat Cryed out that is to the Lord 1 Kin. 22. 32. and the Lord Helped him 2 Chron. 18. 31. So he returned to his House in Peace Ch. 19. 1. which his Ally Ahab did not as Micaiah fore-told him 1 Kin. 22. 28. finding it True but too late that a whole Council of false Prophets especially may Err in telling him the contrary Jehosaphat now is a Brand pluck'd out of the Fire so dare not do as he had done 2 Chron. 19. 4. and 1 Kin. 22. 49. he now stays at Jerusalem making no more any courtly goings on Progress to Samaria 2 Chron. 19. 4. This good Man made Peace with bad Ahab the Father 2 Chron. 19. 3. and with bad Ahaziah the Son Ch. 20. 35. but better he had not done so for God was deeply Displeased with it therefore was Wrath upon him 2 Chron. 10. 2. A Man had better be at Variance with all the World than with God and his own Conscience He that parts with his inward peace to purchase the outward pays too dear a rate for it one may buy Gold too dear as Jehosaphat did for his Desired and Designed Gold While his Conversation was Godly God blest him with a most Signal Victory over Moah Ammon and Mount-Seir 2 Chro. 19. 20. then God was highly pleased with him but when his Confederacy was once wicked then God was highly Displeased with him and broke his Ships even in the very Harbour before setting out with a Tempest 2 Chron. 20. 36. as the Lords Prophet foretold him v. 37. and upon this fore-warning though Ahaziah did sollicit him to a 2d Attempt as looking upon the miscarriage of the 1st to be onely a Casualty not Eying the Hand of God against it yet Jehosaphat would not for upon the Prophets Reproof he Repented and Refused 1 Kin. 22. 49. he dare not Venture upon a 2d Expedition when God had Blasted the first and though Wicked Ahaziah would not behold the Hand of God in his Judgements yet good Jehosophat heard the Voice of the Rod Mic. 6. 9. and knew that this Breaking Blast came from God who holdeth the Winds in his Fists Prov. 30. 4. and that it came from Gods Faithfulness Psal 119.75 who will not prosper the evil Enterprizes of his own Children Thus the Devil lost his Design against Jehosaphat as Jehosaphat lost his about Gold and though he Contrived New Plots against the Church by the following Kings of Judah finding them fitter Instruments for him than their fore-Fathers yet did the Lord Laugh them to Nothing in those better Kings whom God Rais'd up to destroy the Devils Designs 'T is true Jehoram the 5th King of a pious Father was an impious Son than whom a worse could hardly be found who being an Idolater like all such laid the Foundation of his Kingdom in the Blood of his Brethren because as Rabbins say they Walked in the good ways of Jehosaphat and would not yield to his Idolatries Athaliah his Wife who was now the Jezabel of Jerusalem stirred him up to all Villany 2 Chron. 21. 4 5 6 13. yet all this moved not God to gratifie the Devil in casting off his people Oh the yerning of Divine Bowels in that Howbeit the Lord would not do it but preserv'd a Lamp or Light for the Church v. 7. out of which there came at length that Sun of Righteousness the Lord Jesus that light of the World and the Devil in Jehoram shall not carry it without a Controul from Heaven both 1 by that Letter brought to him from one that was then in Heaven v. 12. to Convince him of and to Confound him for his Abominable Impiety which Writing some say an Angel handed to him out of Paradise to his greater Confusion not unlike the hand-writing upon the Wall in Belshazzar's Palace Dan. 5. and 2 by the stroke wherewith the Lord from Heaven smote him in his Bowels v. 18. which incurable Disease and torturing Malady lasted Two full Years v. 19. a long time to lye under intollerable Torment and yet all this was but a typical Hell and a fore-tast of Eternal Misery prepared for him who was all that while an incorrigible Wretch he lived wickedly and dyed wishedly There was no Healing for his Body and as little for his Soul he dyed under the Displeasure both of God and Men for he Departed without being Desired v. 20. his Subjects had no Bowels for him who had no Bowels for them much less for his own Brethren whom he flew and who dyed loath somely of a Disease in his Bowels therefore they afford him neither Subjects Tears nor a Royal Tomb Be Wise now therefore Oh ye Kings c. Psal 2. 11 12. Fugite ergò Reges ejusmodi exitum fugienâ—o hujusmodi flagitium saith Ambrose Overthrow not your selves and your Houses by lifting up your Horns on high against God Neither did Ahaziah Azariah Jehoahaz that Man of Three names the 6th King of Judah fare better because he prooved so bad though by a marvellous Providence he was preserved as a Lamp promised to David from the Rigid Murders of the Ragged Arabians 2 Chron. 21. 17. with Ch. 22. 1 6. he was made King by the chief City of the Kingdom the Inhabitants of Jerusalem while Jehoram lay miserably under the Gripes and not minding the matters of Succession Notwithstanding the Kindness both of God in his Preservation and of Men in his Preferment he also walked in Wicked ways wicked Athaliah his Mother and other wicked ones being his Counsellers to do wickedly to his own Destruction 2 Chron. 22. 3 4 5. He confederates with his wicked Cozen Jehoram of Israel in the War against the Syrians wherein his Cozen being wounded went to be Cured of his wounds This cursed Sprig of Athaliah goes to Complement him and to Condole with him which cost him his life by the hands of furious Jehu whom God raised up to Ruine and Root out Ahabs cursed Family 2 Kin. 9. 14 15 16 27. and 2 Chron. 22. 7 8 9. Thus as he had joyn'd with Jehoram in Sin he was joyned with him in Slaughter and that by the Appointment of God even at
Fumigabunt Touch the Mountains and they will smoak Psal 104. 32. Touch a great Man upon the Sore as the Baptist here did Herod and he fumes casts the Toucher into Prison without Bail or Mainprize and there he lies for half a Year without ever coming to a fair Tryal or Hearing John Baptist knew well Gods Truth must be told however it be taken and not to be Betrayed as too oft it is by a Cowardly and Sinful Silence Here John lies in Fetters while the Fear of Man more than of God Restraineth Herod from Murdering him Mark 6. 17 20. Matth. 14. 4 5. he feared Johns Innocency which shone in his Face and he feared the People who Hated him already for his many Crimes and Cruelty least they should move a Mutiny at the Death of so Innocent and so much Honoured a Person Hereupon the Plot was layd 'twixt Herod and his Harlot Herodias to cut him off when their convenient Day Herods Birth-day did come Mark 6. 21. that day had been appointed long before for craftily Acting this cruel Tragedy a great Feast must then be made the Nobles Invited the Damosel-Daughter must Dance the King must Swear and must gratifie the Queen with the Baptists Head All this was done as if God had not been concern'd at all but God did so far concern himself that Herod was struck with Horror upon it with Terrour and Torment Luk. 9. 7. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 he stuck fast in the Mud and could find no way out yet God made him find a way out of his Kingdom the half whereof he had promis'd to the Damosel for Tripping Wantonly upon the Toe as Josephus Relateth and probably out of Gods Kingdom too So Father and Son be both alike in their Sin and Punishment The 2d By-Blow the Devil gave Christ was to cut off his Followers the Disciples as he had done his Forerunner John Baptist And this he endeavoured to effect when he had got the Disciples to Sea apart from Christ Matth. 14. 23 c. Mark 6. 45 c. Joh. 6. 16. Very loth were the Disciples to Lanch out to Sea alone and to leave his Sweet and Safe Company but Christ constrains them to do so 1 that he might the sooner dismiss the Multitude 2 he dismisseth his Disciples to Sea least they also should strike in with that Rash-many-Headed Multitude who would have made him King 3 Though they were loth to leave their best Friend behind them so neer Night in a Desart and all alone too yet this was Christs Choice that He might have an Opportunity of Solitary Prayer for their Safety and of his Miraculous Walking upon the waves to their Relief by the Want of Christ for a few Hours of Danger onely they learnt the Worth of Christ no sooner had the Devil caught the Disciples at Distance from Christ but to Work he falls then down comes the Storm and up goes the Sea another 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or mighty Storm which is a Wind saith Aristotle that Rouls in a Circle with such Violence insomuch as it swallows up whole Towns in Italy c. and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a great Tempest a very Sea-Quake of the same Nature with an Earth-Quake which hath the Formidable force of removing Mountains and of casting down Strong Castles that stand upon them Descends from the Stinking Breath of the Prince of the Ayr the Devil upon now the poor and Christless Apostles with a malicious Intention to Drown them all that they might never trouble his Kingdom any more as with an Horrible Wind Satan had Brain'd all Jobs Children so by the like means he would have Drown'd all Christs Disciples Christ being absent in this latter as Job himself was in the former Instance Behold with me a little 1. The Churches Calamity 2. Her Comfort in the 1st See the sad Circumstances of this History of the Church * as 1 in this little Ship was embarqued all the Hopes of a Church that now God had in the whole World as in Noahs Ark couped up in a little compass 2 The Winds were contrary Matth. 14. 24. as Act. 27. 4. So 't is mostly with the Church that is so often blown back from the Cape of Good Hope and from the Haven of Heaven in her Militant-State she is ever and anon as in the Straits of Magellan wherein which way soever a Man Bends his Course he is sure to have the Wind sit cross to him 3 Those Contrary Winds were not so much Ordinary as Extraordinary so that those Apostles who were Fishermen and thereby experienced in ordinary Sea-Storms cryed out We Perish for 4 they were 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Mark 6. 48 49. which signifies not onely that they were Tossed with the Tempest but also Tormented with it so the Word is used Luk. 16. 23. The Rich Glutton was 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Torments Thus the Afflicted Church was here not onely tossed with Tempests and not Comforted as Isa 54. 11. but also Tormented as those miserable Men are by the Tormentors in the Spanish Inquisition tossing them too and fro up and down till they be Ready to loose one Limb from another So this Wind was far unlike the sweet Gales of the Spirit of God which always blows Good to the Church out of every Quarter North and South Cant. 4. 16. but more like that Ruach Gedolah strong and mighty Wind 1 Kin. 19. 11. which had not the Lord in it for his Voice is a Voice of Mercy and Clemency and Natural to him Micah 7. 18. and his Voice of Justice against Jezebel which was not to be yet is called his strange Act Isai 28. 21. yea more then so for this Tempestuous Wind had the Devil in it and therefore it tossed the Church up and down hither and thither so it Toiled and Tormented them as if it had been Extorting as upon a Rack a Denyal of Christ and of all Christianity from them 5 They were in the Deep the Ship was now in the midst of the Sea Matth. 14.24 Mark 6.47 the Syriack Adds They were many Furlongs from each Shore agreeable to Joh. 6. 19. where 't is said they Rowed about Thirty Furlongs so deep was the Sea here that they could not Fathom or Feel the Bottom and here the Devil Hoped to carry it by carrying them down into this Deep and not onely so but to carry them also down still lower into his own Deep even to the Deep and Bottomless Pit of Hell 6 It was very Dark as well as very Deep Joh. 6. 17. which is a time very Terrible to Marriners to whom the Water affords them mostly a little Light now Darkness of it self was their Danger not knowing how to Steer their Course safely from Rocks and Quick-Sands Sailing was then Dangerous as Act. 27.9 when no Stars appeared v. 20. but this was more Dangerous in it self it being a Darkness from the Prince of Darkness the Devil who Hoped to Drown them
and wearing Arms against God and so Exposing themselves to his Wrath Matth. 28. 4. and 't was the Trembling of the Earth that now had Possession of Christ who proved too Hot a Mouthful for it to swallow Act. 2. 24. together with the Apparition of a Glorious Angel Rouling away the great Stone from the Mouth of the Sepulchre and sitting down upon it in Despight of the Guard as a Conquerour which made the Watch Tremble the stoutest of the Devils Champions shrink and shrivel away when Christ begins to Display his Glory Neither the Weight of the great Stone nor the Watch of the Stout Souldiers nor yet the Bands of Death stronger than all so strong as to hold fast many Millions of Men from Adam to this Day under the power of Death could Hold the Dead Body of Christ from Rising beyond his own time To all those Three Impeding Maladies God found out and Applyed as many even Three most Effectual Remedies for 1. The great Stone that was laid upon the Tomb by Man was Roul'd away by an Angel 2. The Earth-quake makes an Heart-quake in the Watch insomuch that they though Sixty of them according to Theophylact are all Affrighted away And 3 the Deity of Christ Losed or Broke the Bands of Death Act 2. 24. for Chist being Life Essential it was not possible he should be Holden of them therefore he Swallowed up Death in Victory 1 Cor. 15. 54. His Resurrection was to be the Demonstration of His Divine Nature Rom. 1. 4. and the Foundation of our Faith and Perseverance 1 Cor. 15. 14. notwithstanding their malicious Wresting of Christs words Destroy this Temple of my Body yet I will Raise it again the Third Day Joh 2. 19. the meaning of which they Invert and made it a matter of Accusation against him at his Arraignment Matth. 26. 61. but after his Interrment they take up his Right meaning and made Advantage of it for Secureing him fast in his Sepulchre calling the Faithful and True Witness Revel 1. 5. and 3. 7. this Cheat or Deceiver Matth. 27. 63. yet the Lord turns all their Wicked Counsel into Folly 2 Sam. 15. 31. 1 Cor. 1. 19 25. c. and in the sight and Despight of Sixty Weaponed Witnesses After the Sun of Righteousness had been sett in the Grave Six and Thirty Hours just so long as the Sun in the Firmament had his Course stop'd on Joshuahs long Day Josh 10. 13. Then did Christ Break the Bonds of Death as easily as Samson did his Green Wit hs Judg. 16.7 and Rose up on the first Day to bring Life and Immortality to light by the Gospel 2 Tim. 1. 10. upon the same Day that God had drawn out of that Abhorred Estate of Nothing and brought the first Light out of Original Darkness by his Almighty Word Gen. 1. 2 5. The Twenty-Fifth Plot in the New-Testament against the Church in Apostles Defeated by God CHAP. XXV AFter a few Days that Christ was Risen out of his Grave he Rode up to Heaven as a Conquerour in his Triumphant Chariot over Sin Death Hell and Devil leading Captivity Captive that is Captivating all those Four who had held us in Captivity 2 Tim. 2. 26. Just as in the Roman-Triumphs the Great Conquerour Rode up to the Capitol in a Chariot of State and all their Prisoners following behind with their Hands bound behind them He Throwing certain pieces of Coin abroad all along as he Ascended to be pick'd up by the People Even so our Lord Christ that Mighty Conquerour in the Day of his Solemn Coronation or Inauguration into his Heavenly Kingdom Triumphed over all those Spiritual Adversaries of his Church making a shew of them openly Col. 2. 15. as Tamberlain did the Great Turk Bajazet whom he carried about all Asia shut up in an Iron-Cage to be seen of all Spectators on every side for Scorn and Derision And Christ likewise that the Grandeur of his Glorious Conquest might be more magnificently Celebrated gave great Gifts to Men 'T is said he Received those Gifts before in the Old Testament Psal 68. 18. and he Gave them now in the New Ephes 4. 8. He Received them that he might Give them he therefore Receives them with one Hand and Gives them with the other Accounting it more Honourable to give than to receive Act. 20. 35. Now the Gifts Christ gave to his Church were both Ordinary and Extraordinary to wit Apostles Prophets Evangelists Pastours Teachers All Gifted by God for the Perfecting of the Saints for the Work of the Ministry and for the Edifying of the Body of Christ Ephes 4. 8 11 12. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is for the right Joynting of what ever the Devil may Disjoynt even to the End of the World v. 13. before which a compleat comming up into an Vnity of the Faith and unto that full Measure of the Stature of Christ even a Perfection of Grace cannot be expected Hence Christ Insists upon this point that his going from his Disciples was as Expedient as his comming to them Joh. 16. 7. He came to them that he might Converse with them in the Flesh but he must Depart from them that he might Conferr upon them his Spirit Christ had often promis'd to send the Spirit or Comforter to them in his Life time John 14. 16 26. and 15. 26. and 16. 7. that they might once observe it as an unparallel Priviledge to have the Spirit which is the best of all things powred down upon all Flesh the worst of all things Hos 8. 13. Joel 2. 28. Christ tells them that this Spirit whom he calls Another Comforter whereof they would stand in need during his Departure in an Evil World should be as his Vicar-General with whom he would leave them in a dark forlorn World and by whom he would be with them and with their Successors even to the End of the World Mat. 28. 20. Now after his Resurrection He Breath'd on them saying Receive ye the Holy Ghost Joh. 20. 22. as Adam received Life by Gods Breathing upon him so the Disciples received a power of Life and Death of Remission of Sin and Execution of Judgment as Act. 5. 5. 10. by Christs Breathing upon them or at least this Breathing was a prefiguring-preparation for their further and fuller Reception of the Spirit upon the Day of Pentecost which Christ had Promised Luk. 24. 49. and did perform over and over again Act. 2. 2 3 4. and 4. 31 33. whereby they were Enabled as Christ had told them to do greater Works than he did Joh. 14. 12. not for the Manner they doing all in Christs Name not in their own nor as Equal with God but for matter greater as 1 Converting Three Thousand Souls at one Sermon alas now not one Soul scarce is Converted by Three Thousand Sermons Act. 2. 41. 2 Curcing the Diseased not onely by a Word speaking or an Hand touching but also by the shaddow of Peter passing by Act. 5.
15 16. or by an Handkerchief onely touching Paul though at a Distance Act. 19. 12. both these had a Soveraign Miraculous yet neither of them any Inhaerent power to Cure Diseases and to Cast out Devils 3 Conversing with all Nations in all their several Languages Act. 2. 4 8 to 11. which they never Studied to learn them at Home nor ever Travel'd Abroad to gain them 4 Conferring Corporal Plagues Act. 13. 11. and Spiritual 1 Cor. 5. 5. Yea Death it self Act. 5. 5 9 10. upon Opposers and Disgracers of the Gospel Christ never Hurt any by his Miracles but Healed all 5 Conquering a great part of the World Reduceing it to the Obedience of Christ they being the White Horses on which the Gospel Rode abroad and about the World Conquering and to Conquer Revel 6. 2. 6 Contracting no Harm by Drinking Deadly Poyson Mark 16. 17 18. as John the Apostle Barsabas and others did according to Eusebius and other Ecclesiastick-Histories Yea and Sacred Scripture doth better Confirm that the Viper about Pauls Hand did not Hurt him Act. 28. 3 4 5. no Doubt but the Devils design here was to have Destroyed him by that Viper but he was as in all his other Plots deceived and Defeated by Vertue of that Promise of Christ Mark 16. 18. Isa 11. 8. The same God that shut the Mouths of the Lyons for Daniels safety Dan. 6. 22. did also shut the mouth of thâ—s Venomous Beast for Pauls Preservation and so shut it as the Devil could not remove the Muzzle for his Destruction see Psa 91. 13. and Luk. 10. 19. Now the Devil beholding the Gospel carry'd throughout the World upon those Stupendious Miracles as upon so many Eagles or rather Angels Wings the Apostles Working greater Works by the power of Christs Spirit Poured out upon them Joh. 7. 39. now in his state of Exaltation than ever Christ personally wrought in his state of Humiliation This made the Devil and with malice to see the Gospel Dart it self as Eusebius saith like a Sun-Beam through the World rejoycing like a Gyant to run its Race Psal 19. 5. and to feel himself fall like lightening from Heaven down to Hell thereby Luk. 10. 18. Upon this High Provocation Satan begins to bestir himself and to make many Assaults upon the New Test Church in the Apostles c. both while they kept together and when they parted asunder the Issue of all was this That Satan the Strong Man was basely Baffl'd by Christ the Stronger Man at every Turn Luk. 11. 21 22. and was constrained to cast down his Arms. The Devils 1st Assault and Opposition against the Gospel was when Peter and John had Cured a Cripple at the Temple-Gate and thereby their 3000 Converted by the first Sermon were by a second made 5000 Act. 2. 4. and 4. 4. Satan Incenses the Sadducees who Deny'd the Resurrection Luk. 20. 27. Matth. 22. 23. Act. 23. 8. that Two Unknown and Illiterate Men haveing no Call from the Consistory of the Priests should preach in the Temple the Resurrection of Jesus to the seduceing of so many Thousand Souls this was Insufferable especially to those Sadducees for then their Cause and Controversie with the Pharisees about the Resurrection would quite be lost Hereupon they Incense the Priests who were all also grieved or Sick of the Devils Disease that the Innocent Blood of Christ should be layd at their Doors they complain to the Captain of the Temple-Garrison part whereof was the Watch at Christs Sepulchre Matth. 27. 65. They all conspire to lay those very Hands which had been lately Gored with the Blood of Christ upon his Two Apostles and put them in Hold Act. 4. 1 2 3. * Here mark how marvelously the now Exalted Messiah Master'd the Malice of the Devil and the Malignity of his Instruments This was the first Cross Christs Followers took up as Christ had told them Luk. 9. 23. and he orders it to be but a light one they were put 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Custodiam into the Serjeants Ward not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Carcerâ—m into the Goal or Dungeon Christ will not have those Tyrones or Fresh-Men young Pupils Tempted above what they are able â— Cor. 10. 13. but Inures them Gradually to the bearing of the Cross Crux est Evangelij Genius the Cross is the Ghost that continually Haunts the Gospel Act. 14. 22. and 2 Tim. 3. 12. the first Ghost must not therefore be over Affrightful The restless malice of the Adversary calls a Council which had the prescription of 1500 Y. Authority as Aarons Successors and which was countenanc'd by all their Kindred the more to confirm their Conspiracy against the Gospel together with Annas the same Old-Man no Changeling from his Condemning Christ This Convention summons the Two Apostles to appear before them in the next Morning they laying but one Night in their Sergeants-House calls them to Confess whether by God's or the Devil's Power whether in Christs Name or by the Black-Art they had Healed the Cripple that was Born Lame Act. 4. 3 to 7. The Apostles Apology by the Help of the Holy-Ghost was so Convinceing v. 8 c. that the Council had nothing to say in Contradiction v. 14. This Conviction brought them to a Conference v. 15. and that to a Confession that all the Countrey Rang of that notable Miracle v. 16. Now they have no power to Punish them yet to maintain their own Credit against the light of their own Consciences they Consult to keep the People in Ignorance command the Apostles to Preach no more of Christ they could not find a face to do any thing though their Fingers Itch'd to do something against them for Fear of the People save onely to Dismiss them with a few formal Threatnings which the Apostles returning to their own Company spread before the Lord that Great Master Controuler whom they praised for Disappointing the Devil and his Agents in their Plotting and Plowing Mischief to the Church Job 4. 8. and for Advancing the Gospel by this Opposition Augmenting the number of Believers v. 4. and Dropping down great Grace upon them all as it were out of Heaven v. 33. and the shakeing v. 31. shewed they were Christs young Trees whom he had as the Planter doth shaken them a little to settle them the more The 2d Assault Satan made was after he had filled the Hearts of Ananias and Sapphirah Two forward Professours having an Holy motion at first to sell their possession for Relief of the Needy Brethren but Beelzebub soon Fly-blow'd it in makeing them Vilifie and Belye the Holy-Ghost which the Apostles had receiv'd by purloyning part of the Price as if Gods Spirit in the Apostles could not have discern'd the Affront Act. 5. 1 2 3. ☞ The Devils Design herein was to Blast the Credit of this new Profession by the Lyes of those Two Rotten Professours but was Defeated herein by the dreadful and sudden Death of those Two
a downright Pharisee and published that pestilent Prayer call'd the Prayer against Christians which he commanded to be constantly said in their Synagogues wherein they Curse the Gospel and the Professors of it No doubt but the Tutors Prayer prick'd on the Pupils Principles to Persecution Yea and 3 This Pupil became a notable Proficient in this proud Pharisees School as we have an Account both from Gods Mouth and his own 1. From Gods Mouth Act. 8. 3. Saul made Havock of the Church being as some think that Ravening Wolf of the Tribe of Benjamin Prophecyed of by the Patriarch Jacob Gen. 49. 27. never any Benjamite Ravened more in Wolfish Worrying Cruelty than this Saul of the Tribe of Benjamin Phil. 3. 5. did who brake into Christians Houses Dragg'd out Men and Women sparing no Sex to Prison 2. out of his own Mouth Act. 22. 3 4 19 20. I was saith he of himself Metubak or Disciple to Gamaliel and aptly learnt from his form of Prayer Maledic Domine Nazaraeis to Curse Christians Nazarites Hereticks Bastard-Gentiles in my Dayly Devotion and I was Zealous to practice as well as to Pray against them yea my blind Zeal which was no better than Mettal in a Blind Horse than Fire on the Chimney-top than the Devil in the Demoniack that threw him sometimes into the Fire and sometimes into the Water so Transported me into Malice and Madness that I was as Violent against Christians as the worst of you are and Act. 2◠9 11. I being saith he exceedingly mad persecuted them to Death and which was worse I compelled them by Cruelties to Blaspheme Thus Saul was fit enough to be Satans prime and principal Agent in his Persecuting-Work and thus far the Devil had a fair Game before him when the Church the first Gospel-Church was Dispersed by his Devilish Instruments yet behold the Lord looks on and laughs yea laughs all to nothing God overshoots the Devil in his own Bow here also and makes Satan himself break his own Design * God would never suffer Evil to be or the Devil to do evil unless he knew how to extract Good out of that Evil * Mark the marvellous Miracle of Gods mercy to Consound the Devils Device in those particulars 1. Satan with all his Savage Sanhedrims could not yet Scratch Christs Apostles out of their Mansions 't is said expresly the Twelve stayed by it at Jerusalem as in the Furnace to Cherish and Comfort the Church there in so sad a time while Saul was makeing such Havock of it Act. 8. 1 3. Christ had commanded them first to Preach the Gospel at Jerusalem Luk. 24. 47. there the Church must succeed the Synagogue as the Gospel follow'd the Law and there God marvelously maintain'd the Twelve Apostles in Safety even among the midst of their most pestilential Enemies 2. The 120 Ministers mention'd Act. 1. 15. more noble than those 120 Princes set over 120 Provinces Dan. 6. 1. being of a more Noble Extract as Heaven-Born and of a more Noble Employ as all Designed to the Ministry and so became Princes of the Provinces of that Universal Kingdom of the Gospel were indeed all Dispersed saving their Lives which Steven had lost by Flight yet they Preach all along in all places where they were scattered the Dispersed Disperseth the Light of the Gospel every where and whereas before they were like Candles tyed up in a Pound and gave no light now they are scatter'd one from another and one is lighted up in one place and another in another so gave they saving Light to a Dark World in Despight yea and by the Spight of the Prince of Darkness for that Scattering Persecution which the Devil contriv'd on purpose to smother the Gospel God over-rules and makes Use of that very Means to spread it the more 3. Hereby also the partition-Wall was broken down betwixt Jew and Gentile Eph. 2. 14. Christ had forbid them before of going into the way of the Gentiles Matth. 10. 5 6. and he bid them flee to other Cities when Persecuted v. 23. This they do now Act. 8. 4. being driven from Jerusalem they carry the Gospel to the Gentiles which redounded to the Churches great Advantage Ecclesia Augetur quant◠Magis Premitur The Church like Israel in Egypt the more they were Molested the more they Multiplyed Exod. 1. 12. The Church is like the Sea what Ground it loseth in one place it getteth and gaineth in another and thus hath oft God order'd it Vnius Ecclesia Destructio ceu potiùs Dispersio Multarum fuit Aedificatio The Destruction or rather Dispersion of one Church hath been the Aedification of many as this at Jerusalem was 4. Hereby likewise Satan maketh the Jews to convey the Gospel among the Samaritans who of all People under Heaven were most Odious to them Ioh. 4. 9. and 8. 48. The Iews Hated them because Sanballat saith Iosephus had open'd a Sanctuary in Samaria for all Renegado-Jews c. Hence they call'd Christ the worst word in their minds and mouths a Samaritan yet could they not have sent to this People whom they so much Abhorred a better Blessing than the Gospel thither they Drove Phillip the Deacon and one of the 120 who Industriously Preach'd Christ unto them Act. 8. 5. This Corrupt City and long bewitched by the Sorceries of Simon Magus yet having never blown upon the Gospel as the Iews had done Unanimously Attend and readily Receive it And there was great Joy in that City Samaria v. 8. while nothing but Rage against the Gospel was found among the High-Priests and great Councils at Ierusalem Herein the Despised Samaria exceeded and excell'd that once Holy City Ierusalem 5. By this means lastly Satans chief Engineer Simon Magus was quite Cashier'd for though this Conjurer had a long time bewitched the People carrying them out of themselves as 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signisies making them Adore him as a God Act. 8. 9 10 11. Yet such was the power of God in Phillips Ministry that it breaks through all those Difficulties and both the Seduced and the Seducer are gained over to it v. 12 14. yea and this Magus or Master of the Magicians Simon so far submitted unto Peters reproof that he begs Peters Prayers for the pardon of his Sin least he should be smitten with Death as Ananias was by him The Devils 5th Assault against the Church was in this Ravening Wolf Saul aforesaid not below his Name-sake King Saul in Rage and Malice though he was in Honour who like a tyred Wolf well-weary'd with Worrying Christs Flock in their Golden-Fleeces lies down panting for Breath Saul yet Breathing Act. 9. 1. but in as much as he Breathed out Threatnings and Slaughter c. it shews the Vehemently Flameing Heat of his Hellishly Enraged Heart who like a Bruitish Blood-Hound being Blooded in the Butcher'd Body of Steven c. he pursueth after others with utmost Out-rage and when he cannot Glut himself with Blood enough at
in causing those Sealed Servants to Triumph before the Throne with their Palms in their Hands over all their Persecutors v. 9 10. unto which Songs of Praise the Angels say Amen v. 11 12. See more of Gods Care and Kindness in the close of Ch. 29th The Twenty-Ninth Plot against the Church by Mahometism Defeated by God CHAP. XXIX THE Devils Twenty-Ninth Plot against the Church was Mahometanism in the Eastern part as Antichristanism was his Thirtieth in the Western Those Two Sister-Sins and Born from Hell beneath quite contrary to Christianism which is Born from Heaven above Ioh. 3. 3 5. were indeed Two Twins and Contemporaries having their Birth and Beginning much what at the same time in the 6th Century for Mahomet that grand Arch-Impostor and Boniface that proud purchaser of Supremacy by Symony of the Parracide Phocas the Emperour brake forth almost both together being both of them appointed by God to be a Scourge the former to the Eastern-Church and the latter to the Western Now because Arrianism had prevailed in the Eastern part and the Cessation thereof brought Pride Luxury Superstition and Idolatry into that Church insomuch that then John of Constantinople claimed the Title of Vniversal Bishop which Gregory of Rome Boniface's Immediate Predecessor earnestly withstood Then it was that the Spouses Beloved had withdrawn himself as ashamed to own her who was ashamed to own him in the Naked Simplicity of the Gospel and not to be Cloathed with the goodly Coat of Humane Ceremonies Cant. 5. 3. 6. and then it was that Christ thus Offended looseth the four Angels to wit the Mahometan Tetrarchy the four Sultans of Asia Aleppo Antioch and Damascus or those four fierce and potent people the Arabians the Saracens the Tartars and the Turks called all Angels as they are Messengers of Gods Wrath and Instruments of Christs Justice who hath power to bind and loose them at his pleasure even from the four Horns of the Altar or from any of the four Quarters of the World Revel 9. 13 14 15. those were all at an Hours Warning at any time for an Hour and a Day whensoever Christ would Command those fierce and fell Creatures out of their Caves wherein he had hitherto shut them close up like Tygers or Band-Dogs out they go to their Spoil and Rapine and do Drive Christianity out of the East and Destroy the 3d. part of Men to wit of such as were not Sealed Rev. 7. 3. with his Vast Armies and great Guns such as were those Two monstrous Spet-fires call'd the Earth-quake and Grand-Diabolo or Great-Devil such were planted against Rhodes and Constantinople c. This is the 2d Woe of the 6th Trumpet following the 1st Woe of Arrianism yet Differing from the 3d. Woe of Antichristianisme which wages War against the Sealed Ones against the Saints is the Beasts War Rev. 13. 7. This Woe is the great Land-Leviathan as the Whale is at Sea that Devours all before it Considerable 1 in its Author Mahomet whom some Historians call the Sworn fore-runner of Antichrist Sure I am he is his Fellow-runner running in parallel Lines the one ruining all the East and South and the other all the West and North and 't is as sure that this Dirty Dog or Hell-Hound lick'd up the very Excrements of Arrius which carry'd out his Soul in the Jakes from Sergius the Monk who because he was an Arrian had been Banish'd from Constantinople into Arabia where he taught Mahomet to Deride Christs Deity and to make a Laughing-stock of the Mystery of the Trinity and where also they Club'd both their Wits with the Devil in Composing the Alcoran which signifies in the Arabick The Glory that Shameful Cento and Non-sensical Poisonful Gallimafry out of Christian Jewish and Heathenish Writers that something might be in it to Tempt the Gust of all those Three especially it being wholly accomodated to gratifie all Carnal Affections And this Mock-Messiah that he might make many Proselytes crys himself up as a greater Prophet than either Moses or the Messias and the better to Impose this Belief upon the Credulous People he plays Three Legerdemain Tricks the 1. was when his Debauchery had brought him into an Epilopsy His Fits of the Falling-Sickness he said were his Divine Raptures wherein he Convers'd with the Angel Gabriel the 2 was his Training up a Dove to pick Wheat out of his Eare This he Blasphemously profess'd to be the Holy-Ghost which Dictated his Alcoran to him and the 3. was his breeding up a tame Bull to that Familiarity with him that no sooner heard he his Masters Voice but he would Run to him and lay his Head upon his Masters Lap after a most familiar manner At a sett time upon a Fryday He promiseth a Miracle from Heaven to a great Assembly His Bull hath the Alcoran fasten'd between his Horns and set in a convenient by-place when the Scene was Ripe Mahomet lifts up his Voice his Bull Immediately runs makes his Way through the Throng lays both his Head and the Book upon his Masters Lap whereby 't was cry'd up as comming from Heaven 2ly The Extent of it is considerable both as to Place and Time 1. as to Place Mahometanism is extensive having spread its self over the Sea-Coasts of Africa almost all saving some small places but much more in Asia Running down the Golden-Candlesticks and removing them as Christ had threatned Rev. 2. 5. Yea and in Europe also from some part of Hungary to Constantinople in Greece c. In all those places thrusting out Christianity and changing the Cross into the Half-Moon 2. as to Time 't is Extensive This Plot of the Devil hath lasted longer to the Churches Disquiet than ever any of his other Designs aforesaid for this hath lasted above a 1000 Y. not only to the Grievous Vexation of the Church but also to the great Dishonour of Christian-Princes who had they spent the 10th part of that Blood and Treasure which they have shamefully and sinfully spent upon one another in their private Animosities might have by their Vnanimity and United Armies given a Stop long ago to the Growing Grandeur of this severe Scourge of Christendom 'T is True some Expeditions were made herein but all were soon Blasted and no better could be Hoped upon a Twofold Accompt 1 from the Original 2. from the Instrument of the Holy War 1. The chief Original was the Pope's Successively though not Successfully Hopeful Promoters all to wit such as 1st Pope Adrian who was Choak'd with a Fly at last perhaps it was Beelzebub the King of Flyes that flew into his Mouth and could not be got out with Medicines gave both his Commission and his Benediction to Frederick the 1st Emperor for Undertaking this Holy War so called yet could be so Incensed against him onely because the Emperour being not as he said for himself Us'd to that Kind of Drudgery Held not the Popes Stirrop Hostler-like upon the Right side besides many other
a Year Revel 9. 15. from which Words Mr. Brightman gathereth that the Turkish Empire shall last no longer than about 1696. See my Discovery of Antichrist Pag. 115. line 12. for that Y. and Pag. 21. However it holds out that there is a Divine Determination in particular even to a Year a Month a Day and an Hour when this Plot and Plague shall be Determined And if Gog and Magog mentioned Ezek. 38. and 39. and Rev. 20. 8. have Relation to the Great Turk as is supposed then we have an Account of his End Ezekiel is bid to set his Face against Gog and say to him again and again for the better Support and Comfort of the Church All thy Possession in the Lords Land shall be a Grave onely Ezek. 38. 2 14. and 39. 11. One of the last Enemies of the Church before Christs first Comming was that Heathen Antiochus and God brought him down to his Grave So one of the last Enemies of the Church before the 2d Comming of Christ is this Mahometan Adversary and as sure as God Dispatch'd the former he will the latter also 2 God would have his Church to know also that the Great Turk is not Absolute to do all what he will but onely what God will he cannot Conquer beyond his Commission nor Kill beyond it his Commission was Limited not onely 1. as to Time as before but 2. as to Persons he must not Kill all before him as he would do no 't is onely a 3d. part of Men to wit onely such as were not Scaled Revel 7. 3. God would Hide his Sighing ones from him Ezek. 9.4 and 6. Come not near any upon whom is the Mark what ever is Sealed is excellent in its kind as Hordeum Signatum is Excellent Barley Isa 28. 25. These Sealed and Sighing Ones that Sighed both out of Pitty and out of Piety for the Abomination of the Times were the Precious Sons of Sion and the Excellent Ones of the Earth Lam. 4. 2. and Psal 16. 3. they are Gods Darlings and Heavens Favourites therefore the Turk must not Touch those Anointed Ones Psal 105. 15. they are Sacred Persons to Touch these is to Touch the Apple of Gods Eye Zech. 2. 8. and that is a tender part God will not suffer it ☞ 'T is very Observable that as yet the Turk hath not done much Harm to the Reformed Churches those Sealed Ones all the Hurt he hath done is mostly upon the Supercilious Greeks and the Superstitious Romists They both Providentially lying betwixt the Protestants and the Turk and 't is Italy Italy from whence Principally the Popes Holy War was Promoted against him is the main Mark he Shoots at 3 This Eastern Antichrist is Limited as to Place also for though he be that Land-Leviathan who hath Swallow'd up many Countries as the Whale doth Fishes to wit 1 the Name and Empire of the Saracens 2 the most Glorious Empire of Greece 3 the Renowned Kingdoms of Macedonia Peloponesus Epirus Bulgaria Servia Boznia Armenia Cyprus Syria Aegypt Judea Tunis Argiers Media Mesopotamia with a great part of Hungary as also some part of Persia all Chaldea c. in a Word a great part of Asia Africa and Europe as before Yea Keckerman saith Mahometanism is more and larger spread than Christianity yet never could he yet set his Foot upon any part of America God puts an Hook into this Leviathan's Nose Job 41. 1 2. so that he cannot Conquer the Gold Mines of the Indies nor the Golden Gospel of Christendom The Great Power of God hath set Barrs and Bounds to him saying Thus far shalt thou go and no further and here shall thy proud Waves be stayed Job 38. 10 11. and in Due time God will break the Head of this proud Leviathan in pieces and give him to be Meat to his People Inhabiting the Wilderness Psal 74. 14. 4 God would have his Church to know that the Grand Seignior is Limited also as to things he cannot do every wicked thing he would do he would Undoubtedly Blow out the Light of the Gospel and lessen the Limits of the Church of God but this God will not permit him saying to those Churches of Asia Repent or I will Remove thy Candlestick Revel 2. 5. 'T is Christs Work not the Turks to do and though this be done now by the Turk not onely to them Seaven but to all the other mentioned in Scripture except the Roman which He Dayly Threatneth yet all this is done by Commission from Christ as a Punishment for their Apostacy which Paul both told and foretold 2 Tim. 1. 15. Act. 20. 29 30. yet was it onely a Blowing away the Gospel and not a Blowing it out The Candle was not put out onely the Candlestick was Removed The Kingdom of Heaven was taken from them Matth. 21. 43. It was not Lost or Destroyed but Given to another place Thus the Church is still like the Sea what it loses on one side it gains upon the other what ever it lost in Asia then it hath Gained in America since It goes with the Sun from East to West 5. And to know that though the Western Church were not wasted by the Turk as the Eastern was for Idolatry yet would she not be Warn'd thereby nor Repent of her Idolatry Revel 9. 20. that must be meant of Romanists for neither Jews nor Turks much less Protestants make Images for Worship and therefore Reserved for the Seventh Trumpet Revel 11. 15. that brings in the Seven Vials upon it and while the Pope Stands the Turk cannot Fall as more Tolerable of the Two in these Respects 1. He Hates Images 2. He Forces none in Matters of Religion Hence our Martyrologies mentions no Persecutions by him 3. He is a Bridle to the Pope as to Protestants in general but when he falls upon the True Church then Fire from Heaven falls upon him Rev. 20. 8 c. The Thirtieth and last Plot against the Church by Popery Defeated by God CHAP. XXX THE Devils Thirtieth and last Plot consisting of many parts call'd Vltimus Diaboli Crepitus is Antichristianism or Popery in the Western Antichrist which is the worst of all inasmuch as Corruptio optimi est Pessima The Golden Church of Rome-Christian is Degenerated not onely into Brass and Iron but into Clay yea into the Dung and Dirt of Rome-Antichristian as I have largely Demonstrated 1 in my Christian-Walk p. 9. 2 in my Hearts Treachery pag. 85. 3 in my Antidote against Popery all along and 4 in my Discovery of Antichrist quite thorough to all which Four Books I shall Referr the Reader and therefore I shall say the less of this Subject which indeed would make up a Distinct Volum of it self in this place As the Turk is that great Sea-Monster Leviathan so the Pope is that great Land-Monster Behemoth Hebr. Faemin plural that is Beasts for his prodigious Hugeness as if he were made up of many Beasts and so he is cal'd the Great
better half in short for Gods protecting her for her protecting the Netherlands for procureing a Settlement to Henry the 4th of France in his Kingdom until he turn'd Romanist and then was soon turn'd out of his Life by the Romanists for quelling the Irish Rebells for Conquering this supposed Vnconquerable Armado c. She was highly Honoured both by Turk and Pope the proud Turk Desired her Amity by his Embassadors and the proud Pope Sixtus the 5th whom Bellarmin sagely Censures thus at his Death Quantum Sapio quantum Capio Dominus noster Papa Descendit in Infernum Oh strange how can Holiness of his Holiness go to Hell Yet this same Pope as bad as he was could Commend Q. Elizabeth for an Excellent Governess yea she became Renowned throughout the World as the Glory of her Sex and the Lustre of her Land and a Poet stiles her on Earth the first Virgin or Chief as she was a Queen and in Heaven the second next to the Virgin Mary yea at Venice she was tearmed St. Elizabeth whereupon the Lord Carleton English-Embassador there said Although he were a Papist he would never pray to any other Saint but to that St. Elizabeth Assuredly her Zeal for the Reformed Religion Sainted and Renown'd Her most of all No sooner was K. James come to the Crown but the Roman-Conclave Consult against him Pope Clement the 8th out of his Clemency had success against Henry the 4th of France and Hopes for the same against King James by Interdicting him from the Crown without his License but it proved not to be at the Popes Disposal his Gowty Golls or Toes which Arch-Duke Maximilian could not Cure by Kissing them serv'd to carry him off the Stage after Watson and Clark Two Priests the former Design'd to be Lord Chancelour c. just as our present Plotters had Distributed Honours and Offices with others some of good Rank seduced by them had Complotted against this King knowing his Ability to Maintain the Truth of the Gospel against Popery but this 1st Plot being Blasted by the Execution of the Two Priests and their Complices The Conclave Projects that most prodigious Plot of the Gun-Powder Villany Pope Paul the 5th Employ'd Garnet the Jesuit Catesby Piercy Faux and many other Cronies to Blow up the King and whole State in the Parliament but this 2d Plot was Blown up it self by a blind Letter which marvelously brought all to light and though afterwards this same Pope by his Breves forbad that Allegiance which the King justly requir'd of his Subjects yet his own Learned Pen did so Vindicate his own Vndoubted Right that his Holiness soon Declin'd the Encounter yea and God made Use of this Kings Pen and Power to Baffle those Two lesser Games of Socinus and Arminius How God hath likewise Confounded hitherto all the Popish Plots both in the Reign of Charles the 1st and of the 2d as yet may be better Remembred it being yet fresh in the Minds and Memories of many still Living than can be fully Related In the Reign of King Charles the 1st the Conclave of Rampant Jesuits those Cup-bearers of Romes Wine of Fornication and Froggs going out to the Kings of the Earth Revel 16. 12. had their Consult to bring Brittany to Babylon or those Three Kingdoms into Confusion as they had done the Palatinate Bohemia and Germany c. Hereupon Card. Barbarino dispatches Cunaeus the Popes Legat to London and joyns with him an Assistant one not onely bred up in the Romish Church but preferr'd in it and promis'd greater preferment upon his Diligence in the Design to Reduce those Three Realms to Rome In Order hereto It was Resolv'd that the King and Arch-Bishop should both be Cut off for Standing then in the way of that Work This Cunaeus showing to His Assistant an Indian Nut stuffed full of the strongest Poyson and Boasting they would with that Dispatch the King as they had done his Father The Horrible Nature of this Bloody Plot God set so Home upon this Assistants Conscience that he had no Rest from his Remorse until he had reveal'd this Damnable Design to the Q. of Bohemia's Physitian Andreas ab Habernfield that he might Disclose it to the English-Embassador at the Hague Sir William Boswel who Informs the Arch-Bishop of it and He the King this was a most Admirable Act of Divine Providence that this Assistant sent from Rome to be a Principal Promoter of this Hellish Plot should be Over-ruled by Almighty God through his own Remorse to become the Prime Discoverer not onely of the Plot it self but also of the Persons Places Time Method and Manner thereof as Dr. Habernfield's Latine Letter doth fully Demonstrate Jacula praevisa minùs feriunt Darts foreseen if warily shun'd are Dintless 'T is true Prevision here not Rightly Improved was not Prevention neither of the Kingdoms Misery in those late Civil Uncivil Wars nor of the Kings Death at which a Grand Jesuit Triumph'd saying Now is the Enemy of God and of his Church faln yet the Lord preserv'd his Church in Despight of the Devil Now in the Reign of K. Charles the 2d that the like Damnable Design hath been Hatched by the same Heads Hearts and Hands 't is supersluous to Declare seeing there be about Ten several Narratives hereof even by such as should have been Actors in it and this so confirmed by the Kings many Proclamations by the Testimony of Two several Parliaments by the Sentence of so many Judges and by the Execution of so many Plotters c. The like Miracle of Mercy that made Remorse to Discover the former hath done no less in this latter and to Disappoint hitherto the Popes Design though He hath Depos'd the King as an Heretick sent Card. Howard to possess for him his Consiscate Kingdoms c. yet still the Church is Marvelously preserved yea Undoubtedly shall be so though this Discovery through Male-Administration may cause the Church to have many Sharp Throws in her Travel as in the former before She can bring forth the Man-Child of Reformation Alas the Child is come to the Birth and there is not Strength to bring forth 2 Kin. 19. 3. Heavens Hand will Help at a Dead Lift Where Man ends there God begins Psal 21. 13. Much more might be Added were there not a Noli m◠Tangere in the Case Controversal Truth seldom goes without a Scratch'd Face I shall Conclude the Historical part with some Memorable Remarks 1 The Pope who is the Devils By-blow was Worthily Thrust out of England as he was also out of France and Arragon it being said of him That He was like a Mouse in the Sachel or like a Snake in the Bosom Speed pag. 622. England had been long his Asse Otto the Popes Mouse-catcher so Drained this Land of Money that he left not so much behind him as he carry'd hence to Rome with him or sent thither before him but at length this Asse cast her Rider and would no
Suspition of Heresie Hereupon the 5th Vial is reassumed and further and fullier explained in Revel Chap. 17. and Ch. 18. in both which the Great Damnation of the Damnable Whore is Angelically and Evangelically Described shewing with much perspicuity for the Earth was Lightned with that Angels Glory Revel 18. 2. how Christ will crush the Crown of that Proud Prelat of Rome with a Woe as Isa 28. 1. So that Ribera the Jesuit Confesseth Romes Ruine shall be Manifest to all Men whereof there was a fair Omen in Y. 1619. when Peter's Image in Peter's Church at Rome had a Massy Stone fell down upon it and not onely knock'd the Keys out of the Image's Hands but so Shatter'd the Image and its Inscription that not a Letter of that Sentence whereon Rome Grounds her Claim was left Legible save onely Aedisicabo Ecclesiam I will Build my Church which might teach those Popelings it shall be done on the Ruines of their Rotten Title How much more shall the Romish Religion which is but an Image a meer Shaddow and Ceremony be Broken all to pieces when the little Stone cut out of the Mountain of Heaven without Hands doth fall foul upon it Dan. 2. 35. 44 45. If Christ once fall upon Rome with his whole Weight he will Crush it to pieces yea Grind it to Powder Matth. 21. 44. The Elder Rome is the baser as one of her own Sons Theodoric Vrias said Y. 1414. sadly of her That of Gold she was become Silver of Silver Iron of Iron Earth Superesse ut in Stercus abiret She would turn next into Dung to be cast out to the Dunghill She is now come to her Toes of Clay which while part of Iron did no less than Stagger When Phillip the Fair K. of France not many Ages since broke ope the Gates of Rome Demolish'd the Walls Dispers'd the Cardinals and Citizens yea and Doomed the Pope to a Dark Dungeon and Loading him there with many Scoffs and Curses This was Boniface the 8th in the 12th Century And the Realm of France not many Years since was ready to Shake off the Papal Yoke and to erect the Arch-Bishop of Burges as their proper Patriark because Gregory the 14th would not be Reconciled to Henry the 4th of France no not when he turn'd to the Romish Religion And had not the Pope hasten'd his Benediction the Parliament of Paris which Burnt the Popes Bull by the Hands of the Hangman had utterly withdrawn from the Vassalage of Rome Yea our King Henry the 8th and the French-King a little before their Deaths were at a point to change the Mass into a Communion and to have Rooted out the Prelat of Rome out of both their Realms and they were so throughly resolv'd herein that they meant to require the Emperors Concurrence or otherwise to break off from his Alliance Act. and Monum Fol. 11 35. If Rome Stagger'd thus at that time surely a cold Sweat stands upon all the Limbs of the Beast at this time when his Toes of Clay cannot long Support him and how far God may Honour this Realm toward Romes Ruine we know not seeing it was the first that Shook off the Romish Yoke However as sure as Rome Heathen is Destroyed so shall Rome Antichristian surely be Christ the true Jehoiada will cast this Whore Athaliah out of the Temple and Burn her for an Old Bawd because she hath burnt the Seed-Royal put down Kings at her pleasure Usurp'd the Government of the Church set up Altars and Images to Baalim and Ashtaroth to He and She-Saints and call'd them Traitors who would set the Crown on Christs Head then all Saints will rejoyce 2 Chron. 23. 21. Revel 18. 20. The 6th Notable Remark is The 6th Vial brings in Conversion to the Jews as soon as the 5th Vial doth bring on Confusion to the Popelings The first of those Four few Works aforesaid to wit The Call of the Jews which cannot be till Antichrists Seat be Destroyed for nothing doth Stumble that poor People at Christianity more than the Idolatry of those Mock-Christians the Romanists whom the very Turks for their Image-Worship call Idolaters and therefore Abhorrs them for their Breach of the 2d Commandment Hereupon Antichrist must be removed from his Throne before the People of the God of Abraham be Converted No sooner is the Euphrates of Mystical Babylon Dryed up the Markets of Romish Merchandize must Fall Kings will not be such Babies as H. 8. said as to let about Nine Tun of Gold go Yearly hence to Rome by Peter-Pence c. and to loose their Points to be Lashed by the Pope as they had been Revel 18. 11. No Doubt but the 5th Vial Drys up and Diverts the Euphrates of Rome Tyber Romes River being so named as Rome is Babylon both Mystically in throwing down not onely Rome it self but also its Riches and Revenues ☞ Hence may we Comfortably Hope that the 5th Vial is begun inasmuch as the Heat of that Plague hath already Dryed up many Golden Streams that ran to Rome out of all Popish Kingdoms the Ten Horns of the Beast but now praised be the Lord none of those Ten Kingdoms except Spain and Italy but they have all more or less Diverted the Euphrates of Rome and turned the Vast Riches and Revenues that ran Yearly thither towards the Maintenance of Godly Schools and Gospel-preaching when Literal Babylon had a Drought upon her Waters Jerem. 50. 38. and her Passages were stop'd Jerem. 51. 32. She was taken soon after accordingly Rome that Mystical Babylon shall shortly be Sack'd and Ransack'd this being a fore-runner of it But still Christ hath the Eastern Antichrist the Turk to Tread down Under the 6th Vial which produceth Three Grand Effects 1. The Drying up of Euphrates 2. The Warlike Preparation by the Influence of the Jesuits those Frogs comming out of the Mouths of the Dragon Beast and False Prophet Revel 16. 12 13. 3. The Destruction of the Churches Enemies by Christ v. 16. 'T is True all the Vials do Concern the Beasts Kingdom yet not onely so some think that the Western Antichrist upon the Ruine of Rome by the 5th Vial shall run to the Eastern Antichrist the Turk for Succour and Gog the Pope or Covert Enemy of Christ shall joyn with Magog the Turk or the Overt and open Enemy as the Two Names do signifie Therefore the 6th Vial is powred out upon Euphrates or Turkish Empire to Dry it up so far that another Army of New Christians the Converted Jews may make War against the Beast also Their Conversion is Hindred by a Double Barr. 1. The Popes Idolatry 2. The Turks Insolency Now as the 5th Trumpet brought on the former bar so the 5th Vial takes it off and as the 6th Trumpet set on the latter bar by loosing the Turk from Euphrates Revel 9. 14. so the 6th Vial carries it off by drying up his Euphrates or Empire that the way of the Jews may be