to build them better Jer. 24.5 6. if he delights in the prosperity of servants and will not afflict more then he needs must how chearfully then may we take up that of the Ppophet Lam. 3.32 Though he cause griefe yet will he have compassion according to the multitude of his mercies Reason 4 4. The Insolency of the enemy upon their successes is exceeding provoking Esa 10.5 c. God makes the wicked his rod his agents and executioners in chastising his children and withall he sets them their limits these forget who imloyes them and presently over-act their Commission they cannot indeed go a haires breadth beyond Gods secret permission yet they can leape over the bounds of his revealled will and moderation they can enlarge their boastings and joyn their utmost spite with their indeavours and prosecute their own ends instead of Gods If God send the Assyrian against an hypocriticall Nation presently his design and thoughts go beyond the work which God will doe by him Esa 10.7 Howbeit he meaneth not so but it is in his heart to destroy and cut off Nations not a few God takes notice of this and truly it falls out well for the Church that their enemies are so excessive in their rage and insolency for this interests God in the quarrel of his people They speak wickedly concerning oppression they speak loftily against the Church and in so doing they set their mouth against the heavens Psal 73.8 9. Deut. 32.27 God tells us that he is not so severe against his own as he otherwise would be upon this ground I would scatter them into corners were it not that I fear the wrath of the enemy lest they should behave themselves strangely c. Again the adversaries by their outragious cruelty do but treasure up a greater vengeance for themselves Obad. v. 10.12 For thy violence against thy brother Jacob shame shall cover thee thou shouldest not have looked on the day of thy Brother c. Likewise Zach 1.15 I am very sore displeased with the heathen that are at ease for I was but a little displeased with Sion and they helped forward the affliction this made losse of children and widowhood to come upon Babilon in their perfection in a moment in one day Esa 47.6 8. Because I was wrath with my people and thou did shew them no mercy can God endure to hear the shoutings of Edom when they cry Psal 137.7 rase it rase it even to the ground can he see them clap the hand and wag the head over Sion in misery can he think you suffer the brags of the wicked when they say our hand is high By the strength of my hand have I done it Deut. 32 27. Esa 10.13.15 shall the axe boast it selfe against him that heweth therewith or shall the sawe magnifie it selfe against him that shaketh it the Husband may some time be displeased with his wife but if any other shall upon this ground beat or revile her this will make the husband and the wife agree again and set them both with joynt indignation against the forwardness of the other partie the greatest opposers the Church hath shall do this kindness for her in dispite of their hearts even when they think to do most against her Reason 5 5. Nothing can hinder deliverance when God will work indeed it may be in this as it is with the heart of a man in the work of coversion he may resist struglingly but not conqueringly the Divell and men may oppose Gods design but overturn it they cannot 1. Power cannot prevaile though they unite all their strength and utmost forces yet shall they be ashamed assemble your selves and you shall be broken hath man an arme like God Esa 27.4 who then will set bryars and thorns against him in battell will he not go through them and burn them together the attempts of men against God will as little prevaile as the shoutings of shepherds upon a Lion roaring upon his prey You have the Comparison Esa 31.4 5. When a multitude of shepherds is called forth against him he will not be afraid of their voice nor abase himselfe for the noise of them so shall the Lord of Hosts come down to fight for Mount Sion and for the hill thereof 2. Though Policy should be joyned to power yet all would not serve that this will do more then strength sometimes is testified by multitudes of instances Katherine de Medices of France used to say She could do more against the Protestants with a sheet of paper then with an Army but God can look through their plots and make their own counsells cast them down while they be folded together as thorns they shall be devoured as stubble fully dry Nahum 1.10 3. Neither will pitty prevail with God if the lives and safety of a whole Nation stand in the way of his peoples good he thinks it nothing to throw them all away for his Church he will reprove Kings for their sakes what is it to him to ransom his servants with the destruction of Kingdomes Esa 43.3 I gave Egypt for thy ransome Ethiopia and Seba for thee Reas 6 6. The reestablishment and flourishing state of his Church is a necessary consequence of the promises which God the Father made to Christ as Mediatour these are reckoned up under severall heads by * Rutherford Cov. of grace Part. 2. cap. 11. some I shall not need to insist upon them largely not only was a seed promised he shall see his seed and that a numerous off-spring by profession Nations which knew not thee shall run unto thee Esa 55.5 Many Nations shall be joyned unto the Lord Zach. 2.11 Blessed be Egypt my people shall God say and Assyria the work of my hands Esa 19.24 but also victory over the enemies of the Church Esa 53.12 I will devide him a portion with the great and he shall divide the spoil with the strong his Dominion shall be from sea to sea Zach. 9 10. Yea further there are promises of assistance given to Christ particularly respecting the building of his Church Esay 49.8 In a day of salvation have I helped thee I will preserve thee not so much in reference to his Person as to his Church and Kingdom so Diodate and others expound to establish the earth and to cause to inherit the desolate heritages also Esa 42.6 and many places more Why then are our hearts troubled Zach. 9.11 what though we be prisoners in a pit where is not water what if we be as dryed bones scattered upon the earth shall we not live let us cast the business upon Christ with a holy carelessnes pardon the expression let him see to it his Church cannot fall si ruimus nos ruit Christus c. Luther but he must fall first yea the Father must then be unfaithfull to Christ for how can that be fulfilled which God hath promised to him if the Church be still covered with a cloud
this he straightway tells us I have not spoken in secret in a dark place of the Earth my Promises were not made in a corner but openly 6. By the scorus taunts and bitter reflections which the adversaries would poure upon him if he should suffer the hedge of his Vineyard to be still trodden down 1. They would asperse him with cruelty tyranny and carelessenesse they would say for mischiefe did he bring them out to slay them in the mountains Exod. 32.12 or 2. With impotency as if he could not deliver because the Lord was not able to bring this people into the land which he spake unto them therefore hath he slain them in the wildernesse Numb 14.16 Though these seem to be the objections of professed Athiests and Heathens onely yet even people that professe to know God have two much of this in their hearts we are naturally prone to have hard thoughts of God when we see or feele those dispensations that seem to be rugged or harsh Sion her selfe is apt to say the Lord hath forsaken me and my Lord hath forgotten me Esa 49.14 3. There is yet another conclusion which with more plausibility and yet with as much distast to God is raised from these premises they that dare not call Gods power or faithfulness into question yet will they question the truth of the Church if God seem to forsake it can this be Gods Church say they thats thus afflicted and tossed God lookes upon himselfe as much concerned in all these he cannot suffer his Name to be thus abused and therefore he often resolves the deliverance of his servants that thereby he might take an occasion to vindicate both himselfe and them how often hear we this Esa 49.23 60.16 62.11 12. I will arise and they shall know that I am the Lord and they shall know that you are my people Jer. 30.17 I will restore health unto thee and I will heal thee of thy wounds saith the Lord because they called thee an outcast saying This is Zion whom no man seeketh after Reason 2 2. As the Church was the great thing which God in the Creation of the Word had an eye upon as a meanes of glorifying himselfe so is it likewise the main object of providence had it not been for this he would not have created the World Eph. 3.9 10. Wee have two things asserted by the Apostle 1. That all things were created by Jesus Christ who is the Mediator and Saviour of his Church and consequently all this was done in reference to the great design of his Church I understand the place to speak of the Creation of the World as Joh. 1.3 And not of the work of redemption though I know many expound it so 2. That he appointed his Church to be the great means of displaying to Men and Angels that wonderfull variety of wisdome which is more to be seen in it then in all the Creation besides 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 And were it not for his Church he would not uphold the world the righteous are the pillars of the earth he extends indeed his providence to all even the least and most despicable things but he hath a speciall care of his Church Zach. 1.8 We find Christ mounted with his attendants on red horses speckled and white that is ready to execute judgement or mercy or a mixture of both the place where he keeps his guards is said to be among the Mirtle trees in the bottom the Mirtle trees figure out unto us the Church they are low but precious plants the bottom where these trees grow shewes us the Churches hazards she is subject to storms and inundations but yet Christ incamps in the midst of her in a place most commodious for the succour and help of every corner yea and he is on horseback and riding as being in a posture of service and watchfulness for their good To the same purpose in Zach. 3.9 we have mention made of seven eyes which in cap. 4.10 are expresly called the seven eyes of God which run to and fro through the earth not to trouble you with the number seven in a word these eyes are Gods Providence now observe they are said to be fixed upon one stone that is Jesus Christ the Corner stone and the Church which is built upon it it seems they are very intent upon the Church and yet cap. 4. they are said but to run to and fro not so fixedly dwelling upon all the earth beside 1 King 18.27 If God had been like the blinde carelesse sleepy vanities of the heathens or if his Providence had onely kept it selfe within the circuit of Heaven as some Epecurei quae opinio a quibusdam Aristoteli tribuitur Si quid in terris curant dii non nisi maxima curant Philosophers and others thought Job 22.13 14. or if he had onely minded the greatest and highest matters among the sons of men as many have dreamed then possibly the Church might have been neglected but if his eye * Job 28.24 seeth under the whole heaven if he keep and water his Vineyard every moment Esa 27.3 We may confidently add the Conclusion of the Prophet v. 6. He shall cause them that come of Jacob to take root Israel shall blossome and bud Reason 3 3. In the Administration of Providence as the constant aim of God is the good of his people so the meanes which he would rather use for bringing it about are loving kindnesse and mercies 1. We are sure of this that God intends his Church no hurt true indeed take a single affliction abstracted from the tendency of Gods designe and the concurrent meanes which must bring it about and it will seem to hurt the thunder and lightnings may affright them the iron may enter into their soules but view the whole frame and you will see how one wheele turnes about another like the wheeles of a watch which though they have crosse and contrary motions all conspire and (a) 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 work together for good Rom. 8.28 2. We are as sure of this also that he rather delights to lead his people with the cords of love and with the bands of a man he assures us he afflicts not willingly Lam. 3.33 Judgement is his strange worke believe it God delights not to be still beating his Children he will not take up the rod but when he is forced to it and when nothing else will prevail with what reluctancy and striving doth God chastise his servants to the very turning of his heart and the kindling of his repentings Hos 11.8 How shall I give thee up Ephraim c. If then it be the unalterable purpose of God to do good to his Church if by afflictions he doth not break down his Sanctuary but rather take it down as a workman doth with a frame which he intends to set up again in better order thus he took down Israel by the Chaldeans with an intent
pits brink and then delivers them so far he carries them that they might see the worth of their deliverance and the seasonableness of their escape and no further because he intends not to destroy them How seasonable is meat to the fainting Soul Even unsavory and bitter things are precious and sweet to the hungry how seasonable and glorious is deliverance to a Church wasted and desolate When his servant are ready to say The Lord hath forgotten to be gracious or as Lam. 3.17 18. Thou hast removed my Soul far off from peace I forgat prosperity and I said My strength and my hope is perished from the Lord Then for God to step in betwixt them and dispair and so seasonably to recover them when they give all for lost how glorious a mercy is it 5. God will do his work in a glorious way the manner and means will be miraculous and wonderful thus he brought Israel out of the house of bondage with signs and wonder and in after times though the Church cannot expect the very same miracles of killing the first born of their enemies dividing the red Sea c. yet God hath promised he will set those before him as his pattern and that there shall be some resemblance and correspondency betwixt their deliverances that out of Egypt Mich. 7.15 According to the dayes of thy coming out of the land of Egypt will I shew unto him marvellous things David when he returns thanks to God for delivering him out of the hand of all his enemies 2 Sam. 22.8 9 Vide Dickson on Psal 18. c. he alludes to the most glorious manifestations of God in the behalf of his people as if they were the same miracles acted over again which God shewed 1. At Sinai in giving the Law The earth shook and trembled c. v. 8. 2. At the battel against the five Kings Josh 10.11 whom God overthrew with hail-stones The Lord thundred ut of Heaven he sent forth his arrows and scattered them v. 14. And 3. at the red sea The channels of water were seen c. v. 15. If David being but one single person finds in his deliverances something resembling those noble act of God much more may the Church and if Gods waies were seriously studied we should find wonders and miracles in every deliverance 6. God will raise the Glory of his enterprize upon the confusion and astonishment of his adversaries it was the custome of the Romanes and others to reserve many of their Captives to augment the glory of their triumphs Thus will God do when he will redeem Zion he will give the stout adversaries as dust to their sword and as driven stubble to their bow He will make them arise and thresh the mountains Esa 41.2 15. and beat the hills as chaff where will then be the glory of their proud looks This is excellently set forth in Mich 7.10 16. When God brings his servants to the light Then she that is mine enemy shall see it and shame shall cover her which said Where is the Lord thy God The Nations shall see and be confounded at all their might they shall lay their hand upon their mouth their ears shall be deaf they shall lick the dust like a Serpent they shall move out of their holes like wormes of the earth they shall be afraid of the Lord our God and shall fear because of thee 7. There is one thing more which will beautify the Church when God comes to plead her cause she shall beside what is inherent have a derivative glory a ray of the beauty and majesty of Christ her Lord and husband shall be upon her as Moses his face became shining by Converesing with God It is true the Church hath no beauty which is not borrowed she is comely by the comeliness which Christ puts upon her but this is a radiancy occasional and for the time begetting a greater reverance and awe from her adversaries this seems to be spoken of Psal 90.17 Let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us and Esa 4.5 I will create upon every dwelling place in mount Sion and upon her assemblies a cloud and smoak by day and the shining of a flaming fire by night and upon all the glory shall be a defence Where God alludes to the pillar of fire and his glory coming down upon the Tabernacle that as in those glorious appearances the Tabernacle did shine with the glory of God So should his Church when he appears gloriously in it and this shall highten the admiration of the spirits of men towards his people 3. The third thing comes now to be spoken to The third Branch of the Doctrine viz. That whoever be the instrument yet the chief honour of the work is Christs this will be easily cleared 1. The Father committed this work and all power to manage it into Christs hand Matth 28.18 All power is given to me in Heaven and in earth to Christ as Mediator belongs sole supreme and absolute authority for the gathering upholding and governing his Church and hence he gives encouragement and commission to the Apostles to go and preach Go ye therefore and teach all Nations v. 19. I need not here trouble that Question about the twofold Kingdome of Christ as God and as Mediator or whether Magistracy be from Christ as head of the Church Gillespy Aarons Rod. lib. 2. cap. 6. Iranes it is enough to our present purpose to take what is already granted by all that the Mediator is God equal with the Father and so Rules over all and as God-man he hath a least all Ecclesiastical power 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Kingly Government Yea and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a power and over-ruling Providence by which he can dispose of all things for his glory and his Churches good this will prove the building of the Temple to be his work and then it is easy to infer that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the glory of it is his also Men indeed are instruments in this employment and they are stiled fellow-workers but they can do nothing alone no more then the tool can work without the workman and if they could yet seeing they are but servants Christ hath the honour of all that is done by them 2 Sam. 21.22 and that upon a more unquestionable account then the victories of David servants are ascribed to David himself not unto us let his servants say but to thy name be the praise 2. The glorious perfection which he brings his work unto shews it to be beyond the power or skill of men and Angels We may perceive the traces of infinite power wisdom and love in every parcel and piece of it much more then when we see the whole frame together Church reparation is the creating of new Heavens new Earth and who will ascribe such a thing to man In Esa 54.11 he declares the state of his restored Church thus I will lay thy stones with fair
colours and thy foundations with Saphirs I will make thy windows of Agates and thy gates of Carbuncles c. These expressions resemble the Church to a building made up all of precious stones with curious art and contrivement We do not use to father exact pieces upon ignorance and impotence and we may as well attribute the building of our Castles and Palaces to birds and flies as the establishment and beauty of the Church to men 3. He doth this quickly as in a moment you may know by his pace that it is not the goings of a man Cant. 2.8 but of him that rides upon the wings of the wind Who comes leaping upon the mountains and scipping upon the hills He can quickly blast the greatness of men and as quickly lift up from the earth him that was fallen if ye doubt of this consider how quickly and easily the Heaven and Earth were created and how suddenly it shall be destroyed at last though God seems to delay deliverance for a time as the sence of the burthen makes it seem a longer time to the afflicted then it is yet when he ariseth he will make a quick dispatch peace is a work of Creation Behold I create peace c. and Creation takes not up much time it is done in an instant the Lord calls us out to wonder at this Esa 66.8 Who hath heard such a thing Who bath seen such a thing Shall the earth be made to bring forth in one day Or shall a Nation be born at once For as soon as Sion travelled she brought forth her children Veni Vidi Vici He makes more hast then if corn should come to maturity the same day it was sown c. Julius Caesars swift conquests are nothing to the conquests of him that doth but speak and it is done it must then be stupendous ignorance or arrogancy that gives not Christ the honour of such actions 4. He brings his work through visible contradictions and unlikelyhoods Esa 43.19 I will make a way in the Wilderness and rivers in the Desart and in Hos 2.15 He promiseth to give her vine yards from the Wilderness I will bring her into the Wilderness and will give her her vine-yards from thence Surely the barren heath of the Wilderness is an unlikely place to make a vine-yard of so we read Deut. 32.13 He made them to suck honey out of the rock and oyl out of the flinty rock Burroughs Hos p. 501. Not that honey and oyl came out of the rock as the waters did after the smiting of Moses but that they had their sweetness and comforts where and from whence They might least expect them out of rocky difficulties all ages have given testimony to this the wounds of the Church the poysonous arrows of adversaries the apostasies of the wicked dissentions martyrdoms every thing that seemed to destroy have been bended about contrary to the intendments of men to further the Churches more lasting peace and happiness We our selves have seen that the storm that threatned our ruine hath cast us upon a rock where we have a greater security from the waves a safer standing the great ship-wrack of Faith and Conscience that many have made hath discovered hypocrites manifested who are fincere puts men on unity shews the necessity of Church discipline and government with the restraint of licentious opinions and practices hath occasioned the clearing and vindicating of truths and hath quickened and cautioned both Ministers and people Moses argues from the strange and unusual death of Corah that it was not chance but Gods immediate hand that destroyed those Rebels Numb 16.29 30. And so may we in this case say God is seen in the strangeness of his workings the dullest heads the most envious hearts shall acknowledg his finger Esa 43.20 The Beasts of the field shall honour me the dragg us and the owles because I give waters in the wildernesse Deut. 32.3 Psal 68.34 much more shall his People ascribe greatnesse to God 5. He doth all this for his Church when she hath the fewest helpers when lover and friend forsakes her nay when friends wound her when they that should make up her breaches make them wider when the keepers of the wall smite her and take away her vail T is the design of God that in works of this nature little of man should be seen least he should say mine own wisdom and strength hath done it and often he lets them weary themselves in their own endeavours and then when they see they can do nothing he appears with this acknowledgment from all Lord thou hast wrought all our works in us Esa 63.5 I looked and there was none to help therefore mine own harm brought Salvation The Glory then of this deliverance is Christs I have now brought you to the fourth Branch of the Doctrine Branch 4. Of the Doctrine This work shall then be done when peace shall possesse the Church by the Power of Government and Ordinances The Peace of the Church is the accomplishment and completement of this building all the conflicts battells desolations and conquests of the Church they are but the noise of the axe and hammer fitting and squaring the matereialls but when the Temple is built the noise of them ceaseth 1. Peace is the end and aime of God in all the preparations he makes for this building 2. T is the great subject of the Promises made to the Church and sometime whatever concerns the happinesse of Sion is wrapt up in that word great shall be the peace of thy children Esa 54.13 Behold I will extend Peace to her like a River Esa 66.12 and many places more Quest But What Peace is requisite to make up Temple-reparation Ans 1. There must be outward Peace Peace from adversaries round about when God makes the destroyer to cease and gives his Churches rest for while it is Persecuted the Sanctuary is said to be trodden down this is the building of the outer wall and fence which preserves the tender plants from the violence of the wild hoare and gives opportunity and advantage for growth the Church indeed will thrive and increase under afflictions sometime and that not only in the root in strength and solidity but also in the branches in its extent and number thus we read in the Acts Acts 12.24 5.14 while the Apostles were imprisoned and forbidden to speak in the Name of Christ that the Word of the Lord grew exceedingly and many were added to the Church multitudes both of men and women but the greatest season of growing is when the storme is over for then the Word of the Lord prevails mightily and like the heat of the Sun after Winter invites those plants to appear which the frost kept und er ground those which we call growing sicknesses do not appear to be so till the sickness is over for then the parties shoot up in length so that we may better ascribe the growing to
horrid inquisitions bloody massacres unmercifull expulsions banishments and cruelties that the Church hath groaned under you cannot be ignorant of neither can we so easily forget what hath been done here in these Nations where we live farre be it from me to nourish unthankfull murmurings against the goodnesse of God who hath given us so much liberty in the enjoyment of his Gospell Though we have great cause to be thankfull yet still we have cause to take up a Lamentation that the Sanctuary is not cleansed and that the building is not yet perfected how fearfully are many drunk and mad with error did those honest hearts that so earnestly followed God with tears when reformation first was spoken of ever think to hear so many outragious blasphemies vented and pleaded for as now they do how have we been undone by an unlimited Christian-Liberty who would have thought that this would have been wrested to patronize licentiousness how unwilling are most to beare the yoke of Christs Government how hath the Devill by little and little drawn men to a carelessenesse of Religion thereby making way to a growing Athiesme as appears by the scorns of some and the Apostasies of others how cowardly and sinfully shamefac'd are many when they should plead for God and truth as if their own hearts did secretly question the reality of Religion how strangely do many of the Gentry spend their time what irreligious prayerlesse families do some of them keep when they should shew better example to the meaner sort and yet how consid ently can they censure others for hypocrites sometime unjustly concluding against the strictnesse of Gods wayes from the hypocrisy of some Professors not considering what their own carriage and vanity do testifie against themselves how do we needlesly multiply our controversies and disputes and with what bitternesse do we manage them even then when the strife is meerly about words and method and generally how is the Name of God and religion abused to serve the designs of men what strange Religious People have we some must needs be religious by taking up a singular conceit and opinion though a man may easily see their hearts through their lives others have all their religion on their tongues end they can have good discourses and yet be unconscionable in their callings shops and tradings Are not these instances enough to move your compassions and yet I have not spoken all neither can I. They have hard hearts that are not affected with these things How is our silver become dross our wine mixed with water upon the fall of Saul and Jonathan David taught the children of Israel the Bow 2 Sam. 1.18 Weems Jud. Law vol. 2. cap. 44. not the art and use of shooting as some expound for they knew that before but the Lamentation which was called the Bow it was usuall to stile their Elegies and Songs by the names of Arcus Ala Securis Scutum c. Bow wing c. much more reason have we to teach our hearts to mourn when the Sanctuary of the Lord lieth desolate 1. Ps 48.2 The Church is a Glorious building beautifull for situation the Joy of the whole earth and can thy heart be strong or thine eyes forbear when thou beholdest this forsaken and made an heap walk about Sion tell the towers thereof Psal 48.12 mark well her bulwarks it may be thou hast not well considered her beauty if thou hast thou canst not but be distressed for it when it becomes solitary Lam. 1.1 Esa 1.8 and as a widow when t is brought to this to be like a cottage in a Vineyard or a lodge in a garden of Cucumbers can Jonah vex himself when his gourd withers Can the Merchants of Tyre bewail the fall of their City and shall not thy Countenance be sad with Nehemiah chap. 2.3 when the City the place of thy fathers sepulchers lieth wast and the gates thereof are consumed with fire 2. When it comes to this then be sure that God is very angry he would not give his darling to the power of the dog upon a light displeasure and if the Lion roar shall not all the beasts of the forrest tremble Amos 3.8 Will not a towardly child be more troubled at the anger of his father then at the smart of his rod Have you found his loving kindness sweet his smiles better then life and will not his frowns then cut you to the heart 3. His people also are surely guilty of more then ordinary sins at such a time if any ask Why hath the Lord done thus to his people Deut. 29.24 What meaneth the heat of his great anger Will not any one return this answer They have sinned greatly God doth not use severity but upon great provocations and doth not sin call for mourning 4. Gods honour seems to suffer deeply when the Church is troden down and laid wast and is this nothing to you 5. Gods Children have usually been overwhelmed with grief upon this occasion Jeremiah desires to weep a flood of tears for this Jer. 9.1 Oh! that my head were waters and mine eyes a fountain of tears that I might weep day and night c. And yet he wept till sorrow overcame him till his heart was ready to break Jer. 4.19 My bowels my bowels I am pained at the very heart my heart maketh a noise in me I cannot hold my peace because thou hast heard O my Soul the sound of the trumpet c. Esay is resolute in Lamentation and like Rachel weeping for her children will not be comforted Esa 22.4 Look away from me I will weep bitterly labour not to comfort me because of the spoiling of the daughter of my people Eze. 9.3 Ezra pluckt off the hair of his head and the hair of his beard and sits down astonied Daniel refuseth his comforts and refreshments Dan. 10.2 He eat not pleasant bread neither came flesh nor wine in his mouth neither did be unnoint himself till three weeks were fulfilled If thy heart then be not Adamant or Steel thou canst not chuse but weep for company 6. If thou canst not mourn for the Church thou wilt at least have cause to mourn for thy self both for thy obdurateness and for the judgements thou shalt surely feel if God should sweep us away in a common deluge yet he will provide an Ark for the mourners of Sion He would be a little sanctuary to them in the Countries where they should come Ezek. 11.16 and for that end he sets a mark upon such Ezek. 9.4 6. but for such as are at-ease not grieving for the afflictions of Joseph they shall have the first and saddest share of the Judgements Amos 6.1 4 5 6 7. They are not grieved for the affliction of Joseph Therefore now shall they go captive with the first that go captive c. It may be when you hear the words of this curse you bless your selves in your heart supposing that you