the_o fall_v star_n or_o the_o dragon_n bring_v down_o and_o trample_v upon_o heavenly_a glory_n by_o john_n eston_n sometime_o fellow_n of_o oriel_n coll._n oxon._n 1_o joh._n 2.19_o they_o go_v out_o from_o we_o but_o they_o be_v not_o of_o we_o for_o if_o they_o have_v be_v of_o we_o they_o will_v no_o doubt_n have_v continue_v with_o we_o but_o they_o go_v out_o that_o they_o may_v be_v make_v manifest_a that_o they_o be_v not_o all_o of_o we_o london_n print_v by_o francis_n leach_n 1653._o to_o all_o that_o love_v the_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n in_o martin_n vintry_n this_o little_a piece_n be_v never_o intend_v for_o public_a view_n only_o to_o discharge_v my_o duty_n at_o the_o late_a erect_a exercise_n at_o thomas_n apostles_n where_o i_o not_o long_o since_o by_o the_o providence_n of_o god_n in_o the_o desire_n of_o my_o fellow_n laborer_n in_o the_o vineyard_n be_v call_v to_o work_v i_o do_v not_o in_o my_o preparatory_a meditation_n consult_v with_o flesh_n and_o blood_n 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as_o a_o stand_a pledge_n and_o token_n of_o that_o love_n and_o service_n i_o now_o do_v and_o hope_v ever_o shall_v bear_v unto_o you_o in_o the_o gospel_n out_o of_o inward_a bowel_n i_o pray_v that_o may_v never_o happen_v to_o you_o which_o do_v to_o these_o star_n be_v indeed_o nothing_o but_o transitory_a impression_n in_o the_o air_n for_o this_o cause_n i_o bow_v my_o knee_n to_o the_o father_n of_o our_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n that_o your_o light_n may_v always_o shine_v before_o man_n that_o no_o wile_n of_o the_o dragon_n may_v so_o far_o prevail_v as_o to_o cast_v you_o down_o from_o your_o good_a beginning_n i_o know_v not_o what_o better_a to_o wish_v you_o which_o be_v my_o heart_n desire_v that_o you_o may_v be_v save_v and_o because_o holiness_n be_v the_o way_n to_o happiness_n i_o pray_v god_n keep_v you_o pure_a and_o unspotted_a that_o so_o when_o christ_n who_o be_v your_o life_n shall_v appear_v you_o may_v then_o appear_v with_o he_o in_o glory_n now_o to_o 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church_n her_o persecution_n by_o enemy_n the_o mutation_n of_o the_o visible_a state_n thereof_o defection_n of_o apostate_n &_o fearful_a clouding_n and_o darken_n of_o the_o light_n of_o the_o gospel_n in_o brief_a we_o have_v here_o a_o general_a view_n and_o project_n of_o all_o the_o condition_n of_o god_n people_n until_o the_o second_o come_v of_o christ_n some_o have_v think_v this_o chapter_n to_o be_v the_o whole_a apocalypse_v in_o a_o lesser_a volume_n in_o it_o we_o have_v the_o preparation_n and_o skirmish_n between_o the_o old_a serpent_n and_o michael_n the_o two_o general_n of_o the_o army_n and_o the_o mutual_a success_n of_o both_o party_n this_o be_v bring_v to_o john_n in_o two_o vision_n both_o which_o he_o give_v a_o exact_a account_n of_o the_o first_o vision_n he_o describe_v 1._o from_o the_o quantity_n it_o be_v a_o great_a wonder_n 2._o from_o the_o place_n in_o heaven_n 3._o from_o the_o form_n a_o woman_n i._n e._n the_o church_n militant_a because_o she_o be_v chase_v and_o put_v to_o flight_n which_o can_v be_v say_v of_o the_o estate_n triumphant_a than_o the_o saint_n be_v at_o rest_n she_o be_v call_v a_o woman_n because_o of_o self-impotency_n and_o insufficiency_n not_o be_v able_a to_o do_v any_o thing_n without_o christ_n no_o more_o than_o the_o woman_n without_o her_o husband_n this_o woman_n have_v three_o externall_n adjunct_n 1._o clothe_v with_o the_o sun_n that_o be_v christ_n so_o call_v in_o scripture_n mal._n 4.2_o second_o the_o moon_n under_o her_o foot_n etc._n etc._n that_o be_v in_o her_o affection_n which_o be_v the_o foot_n to_o carry_v the_o soul_n she_o trample_v upon_o terrene_a thing_n as_o inconstant_a as_o the_o moon_n three_o a_o starry_a crown_n and_o three_o internal_a ver_fw-la 2._o she_o be_v with_o child_n she_o travel_v in_o birth_n and_o in_o pain_n to_o be_v deliver_v not_o of_o christ_n as_o some_o think_v for_o he_o be_v not_o the_o seed_n but_o the_o father_n of_o the_o church_n but_o of_o some_o magistrate_n or_o ruler_n who_o be_v to_o be_v instrumental_a for_o her_o preservation_n and_o deliverance_n the_o second_o vision_n be_v describe_v 1._o from_o the_o place_n in_o heaven_n 2._o from_o the_o quantity_n great_a 3._o from_o the_o form_n a_o dragon_n 4._o from_o the_o colour_n red_a 5._o from_o his_o monstrous_a shape_n and_o figure_n have_v seven_o head_n and_o ten_o horn_n and_o seven_o crown_n on_o his_o head_n all_o which_o note_v the_o subtlety_n cruelty_n strength_n and_o dominion_n of_o the_o dragon_n be_v the_o prince_n of_o the_o power_n of_o the_o air_n 6._o from_o a_o double_a cruelty_n the_o first_o in_o execution_n the_o word_n of_o my_o text_n and_o his_o tail_n draw_v etc._n etc._n the_o second_o in_o intention_n he_o
such_o as_o the_o devil_n may_v have_v when_o they_o be_v sanctify_v and_o jesus_n christ_n have_v shine_v in_o they_o prove_v good_a help_n and_o furtherance_n therefore_o minister_n must_v look_v to_o christ_n from_o who_o fullness_n all_o be_v impart_v and_o communicate_v not_o their_o own_o part_n and_o industry_n without_o christ_n and_o the_o spirit_n they_o can_v do_v nothing_o see_v 1_o cor._n 3.5_o 6._o what_o gospel_n preacher_n declare_v be_v nothing_o else_o but_o that_o which_o christ_n bring_v from_o the_o bosom_n of_o the_o father_n 1_o joh._n 1.3_o 3._o star_n be_v wonderful_o communicative_a they_o affect_v these_o inferior_a body_n with_o influence_n motion_n and_o light_n they_o keep_v not_o their_o light_n to_o themselves_o but_o carry_v and_o transmit_v it_o to_o the_o world_n so_o minister_n convey_v spiritual_a light_n to_o man_n on_o earth_n live_v in_o the_o dark_a night_n of_o ignorance_n error_n and_o superstition_n how_o shall_v they_o pity_v poor_a soul_n who_o sit_v in_o the_o very_a shadow_n of_o death_n who_o eye_n be_v so_o fast_o close_a that_o they_o never_o see_v sun_n moon_n or_o star_n who_o never_o have_v any_o light_n rise_v upon_o they_o as_o be_v upon_o we_o in_o the_o preach_a of_o the_o word_n we_o be_v bless_v that_o hear_v the_o joyful_a sound_n the_o gospel_n trumpet_n blow_v proclaim_v liberty_n to_o the_o captive_n etc._n etc._n but_o it_o be_v sad_a to_o think_v the_o light_n of_o divers_a place_n in_o this_o nation_n be_v very_a darkness_n many_o thousand_o of_o people_n be_v under_o a_o dark_a ministry_n who_o be_v communicative_a of_o nothing_o but_o their_o corrupt_a opinion_n and_o misunderstanding_n of_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n to_o sinner_n of_o a_o loose_a gospel_n unbecoming_a life_n bless_a be_v god_n the_o church_n hereabout_o be_v better_o provide_v have_v minister_n like_o fix_a star_n who_o by_o the_o sweet_a distillation_n of_o their_o lip_n teach_v by_o the_o orderly_a &_o regular_a motion_n of_o their_o life_n confirm_v and_o by_o both_o enlighten_v many_o with_o such_o orient_a heavenly_a pearl_n the_o church_n in_o some_o place_n like_o a_o bright_a sky_n in_o a_o clear_a evening_n sparkle_n and_o be_v bespangle_v 3._o q._n what_o pastor_n be_v these_o here_o signify_v by_o the_o star_n of_o heaven_n who_o be_v pluck_v from_o their_o orb_n and_o station_n and_o draw_v to_o the_o earth_n a._n neg._n not_o fix_v star_n the_o dragon_n can_v move_v any_o one_o faithful_a minister_n of_o jesus_n christ_n he_o may_v as_o soon_o bring_v heaven_n and_o earth_n together_o and_o turn_v all_o thing_n into_o a_o confusion_n as_o pluck_v they_o from_o christ_n in_o who_o they_o be_v embody_v the_o reason_n be_v because_o christ_n hold_v all_o those_o who_o aim_v at_o the_o glory_n and_o advancement_n of_o himself_o in_o the_o nothingness_n of_o themselves_o in_o his_o right_a hand_n rev._n 2.1_o christ_n hold_v they_o first_o ratione_fw-la operationis_fw-la &_o efficaciae_fw-la in_o regard_n of_o efficacy_n and_o operation_n it_o be_v he_o that_o work_v effectual_o by_o the_o outward_a administration_n of_o ordinance_n upon_o the_o heart_n of_o man_n which_o be_v natural_o shut_v &_o barricade_v against_o god_n and_o christ_n act._n 16.14_o &_o 1_o cor._n 2.5_o second_o ratione_fw-la protectionis_fw-la &_o custodiae_fw-la in_o regard_n of_o keep_v and_o defence_n the_o right_a hand_n in_o scripture_n signify_v the_o virtue_n and_o power_n of_o god_n this_o streched-out_a arm_n be_v engage_v in_o mantain_v the_o minister_n of_o his_o church_n he_o be_v indeed_o a_o powerful_a keeper_n and_o a_o faithful_a upholder_n of_o all_o the_o saint_n yet_o sometime_o he_o do_v make_v his_o glory_n more_o evident_o appear_v and_o shine_v forth_o in_o protect_v the_o minister_n this_o may_v bear_v up_o the_o spirit_n of_o they_o that_o be_v industrious_a in_o their_o calling_n let_v they_o meet_v with_o never_o so_o many_o discouragement_n and_o reproach_n what_o though_o you_o be_v scorn_v by_o the_o headlong_a multitude_n what_o though_o discountenance_v by_o ruler_n man_n in_o place_n and_o authority_n what_o though_o the_o great_a one_o of_o the_o world_n frown_v upon_o you_o yet_o let_v not_o your_o heart_n fail_v only_o be_v of_o a_o good_a courage_n you_o be_v in_o the_o right_a hand_n of_o jesus_n christ_n and_o what_o honour_n be_v this_o to_o poor_a creature_n that_o he_o shall_v have_v such_o a_o care_n of_o they_o and_o love_v to_o they_o prince_n either_o can_v or_o will_v not_o vindicate_v those_o they_o employ_v from_o injury_n and_o affront_n but_o the_o lord_n christ_n keep_v his_o safe_a and_o be_v a_o revenger_n of_o the_o wrong_n of_o those_o he_o entrust_v he_o rebuke_n even_o king_n for_o their_o sake_n say_v touch_v not_o my_o anoint_a nor_o do_v my_o prophet_n no_o harm_n a._n aff._n those_o star_n which_o consist_v of_o earthly_a matter_n call_v up_o by_o the_o heat_n of_o the_o sun_n and_o enlighten_v by_o the_o same_o which_o be_v more_o proper_o call_v meteor_n than_o star_n they_o may_v and_o do_v fall_v so_o those_o pastor_n and_o teacher_n which_o be_v earthly_a and_o sensual_a flourish_v or_o glide_v over_o only_o with_o the_o light_n of_o a_o outward_a profession_n be_v exhale_v or_o draw_v up_o by_o common_a illumination_n taste_v of_o the_o good_a word_n of_o god_n and_o power_n of_o the_o world_n to_o come_v may_v be_v cast_v down_o and_o draw_v from_o all_o that_o lustre_n and_o glory_n with_o which_o they_o do_v shine_v in_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n now_o we_o be_v not_o to_o understand_v these_o star_n any_o otherwise_o than_o in_o appearance_n &_o opinion_n of_o man_n which_o may_v be_v discern_v by_o their_o shoot_v from_o earth_n to_o heaven_n and_o go_v out_o in_o obscurity_n and_o darkness_n when_o that_o matter_n which_o shall_v feed_v they_o be_v spend_v or_o when_o shake_v with_o the_o boisterous_a wind_n of_o temptation_n and_o persecution_n as_o the_o comet_n do_v which_o by_o no_o mean_n can_v be_v say_v of_o the_o heavenly_a body_n therefore_o to_o be_v draw_v from_o heaven_n to_o earth_n be_v not_o to_o be_v understand_v literal_o but_o mystical_o it_o be_v to_o fall_v from_o a_o heavenly_a hope_n and_o comfort_n from_o a_o imaginary_a enjoyment_n of_o and_o live_v in_o god_n to_o carnal_a and_o earthly_a practice_n to_o hug_v and_o taste_v worldly_a pleasure_n it_o be_v of_o inhabitant_n of_o heaven_n to_o become_v inhabitant_n of_o the_o earth_n rev._n 13.6.8_o we_o find_v the_o distinction_n of_o these_o 2_o sort_n of_o man_n such_o be_v all_o those_o pastor_n who_o forsake_v god_n &_o the_o gospel_n &_o busy_v themselves_o only_o about_o secular_a employment_n 4._o q._n how_o may_v minister_n be_v say_v to_o fall_v an._n they_o with_o all_o visible_a saint_n may_v fall_v first_o in_o their_o own_o judgement_n when_o the_o fire_n of_o heavenly_a truth_n which_o do_v seem_o shine_v &_o burn_v in_o they_o be_v quite_o extinguish_v and_o cover_v over_o with_o the_o ash_n and_o embers_o of_o error_n lie_v man_n fancy_n licentious_a doctrine_n which_o they_o hold_v forth_o as_o enjoin_v by_o god_n father_v their_o fond_a and_o gross_a conceit_n upon_o he_o such_o man_n be_v never_o constant_a and_o settle_a but_o like_o wander_a star_n as_o judas_n speak_v ver_fw-la 13._o move_v from_o one_o opinion_n to_o another_o like_o blaze_a exhalation_n however_o they_o may_v carry_v it_o out_o glorious_o for_o a_o time_n yet_o they_o soon_o vanish_v &_o falter_v in_o their_o motion_n whereby_o the_o people_n come_v to_o have_v false_a direction_n such_o man_n be_v in_o their_o doctrine_n as_o unstable_a as_o reed_n because_o they_o follow_v the_o guidance_n of_o carnal_a and_o degenerate_v reason_n which_o hurri_v they_o into_o destructive_a path_n and_o be_v not_o lead_v by_o the_o spirit_n into_o the_o way_n of_o truth_n second_o in_o their_o affection_n and_o practice_n when_o the_o seem_a ravish_n in_o the_o spirit_n and_o soule-extasy_n be_v metamorphose_v and_o turn_v into_o a_o worldly_a greediness_n when_o leave_v the_o desire_n of_o god_n countenance_n they_o gape_v only_o after_o such_o dignity_n advancement_n and_o preferment_n as_o the_o creature_n store-house_n will_v afford_v when_o the_o get_n of_o riches_n and_o applause_n to_o themselves_o be_v prefer_v before_o gain_v of_o soul_n to_o jesus_n christ_n instead_o of_o have_v their_o conversation_n in_o heaven_n by_o meditation_n and_o earnest_a long_n and_o breathe_n of_o heart_n they_o altogether_o mind_v earthly_a thing_n they_o set_v the_o moon_n in_o the_o wrong_a place_n above_o their_o head_n when_o it_o shall_v be_v under_o their_o foot_n so_o as_o i_o may_v speak_v glory_v in_o their_o shame_n such_o man_n be_v far_o from_o moses_n temper_n and_o disposition_n elevate_v and_o lift_v up_o above_o the_o quintessence_n of_o creature-glory_n he_o undervalue_v and_o
have_v purpose_n of_o further_a mischief_n the_o dragon_n stand_v before_o the_o woman_n which_o be_v ready_a to_o be_v deliver_v etc._n etc._n here_o we_o have_v news_n from_o the_o camp_n how_o this_o weak_a combatant_n the_o woman_n come_v off_o at_o the_o first_o onset_n with_o loss_n she_o have_v a_o seem_a rout_n we_o have_v here_o 1._o the_o party_n prevail_v express_v in_o his_o shape_n before_o mention_v with_o seven_o head_n and_o ten_o horn_n 2._o against_o who_o he_o prevail_v the_o star_n 3._o how_o with_o his_o tayl._n 4._o in_o what_o he_o prevail_v to_o draw_v they_o from_o heaven_n and_o cast_v they_o to_o the_o earth_n the_o word_n thus_o divide_v afford_v this_o observation_n obs_n the_o dragon_n tail_n cause_v the_o downfall_n of_o many_o heavenly_a light_n or_o thus_o a_o multitude_n of_o the_o star_n of_o heaven_n be_v by_o the_o dragon_n tail_n draw_v to_o the_o earth_n i_o shall_v clear_v the_o proposition_n by_o answer_v the_o follow_a query_n q._n what_o we_o 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christ_n be_v call_v the_o true_a light_n joh._n 1.8.9_o he_o only_o proper_o deserve_v the_o name_n of_o light_n be_v so_o by_o nature_n not_o by_o dimanation_n from_o another_o as_o the_o creature_n have_v it_o christ_n be_v that_o eternal_a uncreated_a ray_n which_o dart_v upon_o every_o one_o that_o be_v bear_v both_o natural_a and_o heavenly_a light_n he_o be_v the_o sun_n of_o righteousness_n the_o great_a fountain_n of_o light_n who_o send_v forth_o and_o display_v his_o beam_n for_o the_o illumination_n of_o all_o the_o elect_a it_o be_v not_o the_o study_v of_o art_n &_o science_n it_o be_v not_o skill_n in_o tongue_n and_o original_a language_n of_o scripture_n which_o can_v bring_v we_o to_o the_o knowledge_n of_o god_n if_o christ_n and_o his_o spirit_n be_v abstract_v and_o separate_v our_o apprehension_n will_v be_v but_o historical_a and_o notionall_a