once so I leave them now One Psalm more Psal 137.1 I cite a Prophesy of that Litteral and our Mistical Babilon Edom joyning in too See the Marginal Note to v. 1. Tho the Place was pleasant it could not stop tears Pareus Adv. p. 396. calls it Risus Sardinius Impius i.e. of an Herb that bit on kills one laughing Or as Aurum Tholossanum or wain from the true Service of God and tho in Exile mocks at their Songs were hard to bear that mirth was at Religion that is but Sardonian Laughter as one calls it and tho it be part of our Cross it will not lie on long The Sardi used to smile on him in quem malum intendebant that they envied so God's smiles serve the Wicked that make Jokes of Saints Losses To rob God's House as the Gold of Tholous one will not long be rich or merry by it One Complaint more to wave the Lamentation see in the Prophet Isaiah Isa 63.18 and 64.10.11 that almost 200 years afore laments by a Spirit of Prophesy the Miseries of that People when the Sanctuary lies desolate they have trodden down the Lords Sanctuary laid Zion and the Temple waste where the Fathers praised him Now tho these Complains were verified on the Temple by the Chaldeans and once more by the Romans and Pompey trod in the Holy Place not without sore terrour to him yet it extends to any times of After-violences on the Gospel-Worshippers and in the next Chapter v. 1. it had an Answer But on the whole to summe up this Argument what signifies Complaint if wholly fruitless or why made to God if he forget them or never means to afford Relief to them Why is he stiled Elshaddai El-elohim Jehovah Nissi Jehovah Jireh and the like but to signifie his Power to help and Will to hear are any empty Titles attributed to him as airy ones are oft unto men Job says Job 21.4 Is my Complaint to man If it was it had been lawfull but fruitless No q. d. 't is directed to God of good use and brings relief at present and after release as no greater yoak than that on the Conscience so no surer defence than is by him that is Lord thereof and over Worship I conclude with that of Daniel one that sensed the Ruines of Gods Matters deeply Dan. 9.17 and who doth more speaking of the Roman Force on that House He shall plant the Tabernacle of his Pallace between the Seas in the Mountain of Delights Oh sad where his Peoples delights were and God did delight once to dwell One concludes thus on 't Ch. 11.45 Huit in Loc. applies it to Turks p. 343. And it reaches to all Mahometans the Turk now the terrour of the World tho many run to him for a Refuge shall with all his Janisaries and Troops be but broken Reeds while he bears Arms against the People of God for he shall find one to encounter him to his smart for all his Rage who will make Jerusalem a Cup of trembling Zac. 12.3 and a burthensome Stone to all that come against her And this I add what he says of him is alike proper to all the Mounsiers hunting for the like Rapine The Crys and Tears of the Oppressed Jam. 5.4 ascends in the Ears of the Lord of Tsaboath and will in a while obtain a Michael Dan. 12.1 to defend them A fifth ground of Gods Defence rises out of the respect he shows to true Worshippers 'T is a singular favour when we seek God often to find him once but in him a far greater Condiscention to seek for us Joh. 4.24 And the Father seeks such to worship him saith Christ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. e. summo studio querere mirifice cupere He asks for desires cares to keep and highly esteems such nay challanges them Who will bring me such see if I keep them not What respect had God to Abel and his Gift too How tender was he of Enoch a Prophet So of Noah putting him in and filling the Ark with all Necessaries not for Food only but Sacrifice of which he offered when he came out a sweet Savour to God and God preserved him above a year to that end Thus Abraham is called out of Vrr where they worshipt Fire as God and after that first Call re-invites him to Moria to offer his Isaac and found his heart what he sought and made him faithfull calling him after his Friend Thus Jacob is called in a voluntary Exile to Bethel the Place of his first Affliction and Bethel was then Gen. 28. without doors I doubt is so still too much to it more than once was he as Seeker and Oh when will his now Race be called sought out God enquires after such in all Ages all Nations and finds them nay makes them Mal. 3.17 his Segulah Jewels or the peculiar Treasure communes Gen. 18. ult with them as with Intimates seeks out for Moses in Pharaoh's Court and Joseph in the Dungeon Psal 78.70 David in the Sheep-Penns accepts a Suckling of Samuel the heart being sincere yet rejects thousands of Sheep and Rams of Saul because reserv'd in a Rebellion to God Spies Joh. 1.47.48 Nathaniel perhaps praying under the Fig-Tree and commends his Integrity All he did in bounding Israels Lot for Habitation is said Deut. 32.8 that they might seek the Lord Act. 17.26 27. the whole Use and Service of the glorious Gospel is but Gods seeking out a People for his Name as James spake Act. 15.14 i.e. for invocating of it and Service to it I haste to summe up what more I might add God's Name i.e. his Worship is so dear to him that it is the first petition prescribed in the Lord's Prayer Hallowed be thy Name Mat. 6.9 i.e. says Bishop Vsher His Body p. 357. That his Word and Worship be duly Reverenc't and Sanctified And that he will be by or on all Liv. 10.3 that come nigh to him and it follows that thy Throne may be set up for pure Worship helps up Christs Kingdom and by it his Name is born up as Servants hold their Masters Train or Badges Now doth God seek for Glory in and reward all them that fear and adore his reverend Name and will he call them to his Worship and not defend them in and for it It would much degrade him below the Mighty Ones on Earth that scorn to set a man to do and not defend him in their Service or at least revenge the Prophanation of it It was an Insolency in Beltshazzar that became a Prophaner of Holy Vessels to carouse his Healths in Gods Sacred Cups Dan. 5.23 but it ended in an ill terrible Huzza A MENE TEKEL being then writ afore him on his Wall O sad that when men nay Kings have most need to prepare for their Exit and God is reading them an unseen doom on their unfortunate Walls then they should be inebriated and emasculated most in all Voluptuousness like a Drunken Knight to
Acts on so slippery a Precipice and no sins like Sanctuary Abuses are so bulky to fill up no Vengeance heavier than that of the Temple Jer. 50.28 But seeing I have objected 3 or 4 Instances I 'll touch them in particular before I proceed 1. For that of Eli's Time I yield it the Ark was took no outward Symbole of a Presence gives security from Violence if any Male Administration in Worship doth perturb the holy Gods abode among us all Titles Offices Church-Priviledges do make our guilt heavier rather than exempt us from Punishment and make our doom more heavy and hot to sink us as one drowned or burn in Armour which is the more terrible the Sin of Eli was both as a Judge and Father great to let the young Lads play the Tyrants and that for God's sake over the Men defile the Women at God's Doors 1 Sam. 2.22 23 27 29. ch 3.13 feed Luxury with the fat of the Lords Offerings insult with their three forked hook and by their Servants too i. e. Lust Ambition and Tyranny over the People kick at the Lords Offerings and despise Admonition too so causing the Lords People to transgress for they abhorred his Offerings and to be by the Old Man so gently chid with Nay my Sons and not frowned on v. 13. it was guilt with God unexpiable and by the punishment now threatned appears and some hundreds of years after by Solomon fulfilled So that when Rulers neglect their Duty are indulgent to near Sinners and Priests pervert sacred things to feed private Rapine and Lust No wonder if God abandons that Shiloh abhor the Altar and visit that Tent no more Psal 78.60 2. For that first Captivity in 2 Chron. 36. that Place it self pleads the Justice of that Punishment for the sinful Provocations of the People and Obstinacy against the Lords Forewarnings by his Prophets the reason of which is given 2 Chron. 36.15 and in that lies the Emphasis and force of all for he had compassion on his People and Dwelling Place that Place on which they had no pity but fill'd and defil'd it with Strangers and Babylonians came into the Bed of Love with them being all lovely and gay as Ezekiel says Ezek. 23.14 15. to 17. Nay they polluted it with the blood of the best Prophets Isaiah is sawn in sunder Zachariah stoned Jeremiah imprisoned c. Jer. 37.15 the Kings and High Priests consenting and so drove God out of his own House by setting up their Posts by his Ezek. 43.7 8 9. so they were drove all as Eli's Sons before from the Altar it cast off the House and City dismantled and and burnt up So Wrath without healing comes by the Caldees in three or four gradual Captivities to fulfil Jeremiah's Word that so the Land might enjoy her Sabbaths Liv. 26.34 which while they lived in it they never did Jer. 25.9.29.10 11. They gave God no rest nor his Prophets so the Land should rest without them who were a Curse and Burthen to it and to God a Provocation and why should he defend them or it being offended by them and the name of a Bethel only put on a Bethaven for that titular Sanctimony without real Sanctity is odious to God looses its end is simulata Sanctitas that is duplex Iniquitas 3. For that distress that befell them by that Little Horn of Antiochus and his Armies often toucht in the Prophesies of Daniel Dan. 7.19.25 ch 9.27 ch 8.9 10 12 23 24 25. so ch 11.31 four or five times at least I only say though the Prophesies are dark yet by the Characters decyphered in them this may be answered God for a few years 6 years three monthes 18 days gave him power for wise and holy ends newly hinted to forrage Judaea and scatter the holy People to prophane the Temple of Zerubbabel and prohibit the Sacrifices tread the Truth to the ground and prosper a while till Gods Decrees were fulfilled the Punishment of Iniquities mentioned in the latter three Prophets especially Malachi was fill'd up and his own time of Tyranny expired and then as the Histories Josephus Dr. Willet Dr. Mayer and Huit of those times tell us the Lord raised the Asmonians to give him many defeats in Fight and at last smote him by a Fall of his Chariot in the Persian Wars returning with torturing pains for which no help could be got so he came to his end Dan. 11. ult And if any incline to the parralleling of that with other Antichristian Tyrants I no way dislike that for a Quatenus ad omne valet consequentia since Dr. Mayer resembles that vile Person to others as Dan. 11.21 in 12 or 13 Heads at least and then concludes of him Mayor on Dan. 11. ult p. 582. That if Kings do as the Pope contrary to their Office and change Gods Laws prophane his Temple abuse their Power to Rapine and Cruelty against the Servants and House of God let them take themselves with Antiochus threatned with the same miserable end 4. I yield the like of the Roman Papal force This and all the Violences of Antiochus and ten more such will nor reach the measures of Rage and Fury though they are types that for 1200 years the Papal Tyrannies have long exercised on Christians and their Assemblies for how many in all Ages since he sat in that Chair of Pestilence has he murdered at it were for God's sake in Italy Bohemia Spain France Piedmont in Ireland Low-Countries and England too by Inquisitions Interims Impositions Laws Cannons c. It is both impossible and incredible to recount and what wrongs his armed Butchers have done to Assemblies and Places of holy Worship Histories report and tender eyes weep to read Lactantius 1300 years ago has a sad Prophesy of this cruelty says he Lactant. li. ult ch 11. p. 753. An Enemy to God and all Mankind Is justos Deo deditos 42 mensibus persequetur se coli jubebit qui non adoraverit exquisitis cruciatibus morietur Tunc Christus descender in Judicium condet sanctam Civitatem erit justrorum regnum 1000 Annis Rex Impius surget sct ultimis diebus Dec generi hominum Inimicus c. An impious King will arise and all that adore him not he 'l cruciate with exquisite torments to death two parts he will cut off a 3d. fled into Deserts he will pursue with an Host and beset the Mount fled to so they shall auxilium implorare Dei i. e. implore divine help and he will hear them and sent them a Saviour c. In Calabria an Assembly being of the thousands met an Army being sent beset the Place set Fire to it and slew all that sought to escape others were fetcht out as Sheep by the Butchers with the muffler and knife all gore in the Teeth and made to kneel down to cut their Throats so left weltring c. By which taste we see the cruelty of that Mother-Church
yet further occur from History to prove ex abundanti the truth of it And so far is the 2d head in the Act of Duty how Gods defends his Worship 3dly Now let 's explain how God defends his Worshippers afterwards Tho it may be the Lot of the best to be exposed and God in his Wisdom for good and holy ends suffers the worst of Men to prevail over the best and to trample on the most sacred things and Persons most for his own times and ways he must take to perform his Word not ours yet after men have prospered a long time and Saints suffered with and for the Sanctuary a little while he comes a tergo unawares after the one with Vengeance and unto the Godly rides fast for their help and deliverance There is none like the God of Jeshurun said Moses Deut. 33.26 that is of Upright Ones that rides on the Heavens for thy help and in his Excellency on the Skies Note 1. God is titled by the stile of a General his Excellency for he excells in Might in Wisdom in Command ore all in chief 2. Though he delays and is long and far behind our hasty desires yet 't is but as a Captain that steps to the Rere to bring them safe off and he is not dismounted he rides still and on swift Steeds the Skies the Heavens which Spheres do naturally move wondrous quick so that he can soon overtake the foot of his Host and also the Horse of his Enenemies 'T is a Note of * Burr Lord of Hosts one that the old Wars of Israel were on their part still on foot though Pharaoh pursued with Chariots and Horses yet I am sure God rides with celerity has a running Army and all for onr help To be a little more particular in this third head How God defends his Worshipers after tho in the act of duty he may delay a little space of time to try both their courage and patience and perseverance in well doing and herein he helps them also not a little and that is also a token of their Salvation But now as the after-clap Thunder is loudest and that which brings the Bolt of Execution on the highest things So Does Gods fulminating Stroaks On Bashans highest sturdy Oaks And lofty Hills as Psal 81.7 feriunt summos fulmina montes That Psalm says of Israels Deliverance out of Pharaoh's Slavery He answered in the secret place of Thunder i.e. by sore and heavy Judgments on Aegypt Exod. 9.23 And this not the least for as the Thunder terrified them and the Hail and Fire mixt smote Grass Herbs and Trees so that v. 28. the King melts and thaws a while and at Moses's Prayer it was removed again but the Heart freezes as hard as before to inslave God's Children till the Red-Sea soakt it once for all Nor are extraordinary Examples of this wanting here when no ordinary obtain sometimes God's Cannons go off and the Report and Execution is done at some distance and heard of afterwards sometimes it is immediately and so here on that day v. 10. he discomfited them possibly sentence is not speedily as Eccl. 8.11 It may be at Night as in the Siege of Jerusalem prophesied Isai 17.14 performed ch 37.36 and that Night too as to the Host and v. 38. as to the King verified and even in the act of his own Worship it seems in the House of his false God his Sons perhaps in a Jealousie of being prevented in the Succession slew him and so he that did invade and besiege Gods City and Sanctuary is cut off in his own to read us his Crime in his own condemnation Polibius said of Antiochus he came to that ill end for attempting to spoil Apollo's Temple it was indeed for this assaulting of Gods For v. 34. is a Promise to defend that City as a Shield so the Word notes Herodotus says of this defeat * Tho misapplied to Setho Priest of Vulcan and death soon after that on his Tomb was found that Epitaph Look on me and beware By this it is plain God is in some Cases severe in expediting vengeance tho he is slow to anger yet if once angry he rides swiftly and though he forbears some other Sinners long as that Question implies 1 Kings 14.14 I will rise against the House of Jeroboam but what even now That notes either not yet or in a very few years and it was now in hand to be done by Baasha and partly begun in the death of Abijah his Son and fulfilled thereafter in two years or little more as Mayer observes But revenges for wrongs and ruines of the Lords Altar and Service may be observed to overtake some times Persons in particular and sometimes Cities and People in bulk For the former the Judgments of God have oft surprised none of the meanest men and that for the cause of Zion that is Liberty and Purity of Worship and its lovers see what followed Cain for guilt of Abel's blood that bloody Cut-throat as that word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 denotes 1 John 3.12 not brooking a preciser Devotion than his Crit. Sacr. proprie est ferro fratrem jugulo adacto occidere butchers a poor Brother for Conscience but God setts a mark of visible terrour and secret horrour on him that followed him as a Blood-hound to the end the first quarrel was as one says circa media sacrificii A Curse followed it Gen. 4.11 and still does all that go in Cain's way of Persecution Judg. v. 11. and Balaam's the way of cursing 2 Peter 2.15 Like John Diazius that having killed his own Brother fled to Rome as Cain to Nod and there is cannonized but so dogged in his Soul that for want of a Gibbet he hanged himself at the neck of his Mule Sin it self is turned to a Plague As Tacitus flagitia tandem in supplicia vertuntur Pavor Palor are fit Gods for some that do as Tullus Hostilius did by Numas Zeal deride the Devotion of Predecessors It pulls on the Successors the Predecessors Curse to scorn and renounce the Progenitors Religion Pharaoh detains Gods Israel from Sacrifice yea brands them and it as Idle Exod. 5.17 drives Moses the Court now no Petitions to relax Grievances are allowed nay they are threatned with death if they see his face what follows Why now things ripen he for ruine they for redemption and the People fear them Moses is famous the Council divide and Courtiers plead for Israel to go As since Luthers Confessions sent to all the Electoral Princes obtaind respect To go on what came of Balaam's Curse that Balak will needs have to pass on God's Israel ' cause they dwelt alone Numb 23.8 9. and obey'd Laws distinct from all People even the Law of their God was their Crime as Dan. 6.5 a little after their Wiles had vex'd Israel they and he the Arch-Inchanter perish in war Chap. 25.17 31.2 8. For tho Balaam went to his place
Riders and left the way of Salvation And pag. 193. out of Gildas says All the Councellors with the proud Tyrant blinded in Judgment devised a way of Protection that prov'd the Countries Destruction i.e. to let in the Saxons A People hated of God and Man so he These break the Covenant waste the Land East and West like the Assyrian fire the Holy Places the dwellings of God's Name laid their Turrets Priests Altars all on the Ground gored with bloody quarters as in a Wine-Press that had no Sepulchres save Ruins of Buildings wild Beasts and Birds Maws Pag. 194. Others going over Sea sang mournfully that sad Psalm 44.11 Thou hast given us as Sheep to be slain and scattered us among the Heathen some liv'd in Woods Thickets and Rocks at Sea all about the Year of Christ 473. Fuller of these days observes of Vortigern that in him all the Dreggs of his wicked Ancestors were setled that then one Germane and Lupus preach'd in the Fields and twice subdued the Pelagians 1. By Battle and that Hallelujah-Victory got blowless 2. By a Disputation yet they by the Example of their vicious King forsaken of God and Man and so left to himself ran to all manner of Sin Fuller's Ecclesiastical History of Gildas pag. 32. Cent. 5. S. 14. That Gildas duely styles him aetatis atramentum the very Ink blot of that Age and tho God beat 'em they as restiff Horses went worse for 't had they as carefully bemoan'd their Sins to God as their Sorrow to Romans their Requests in Heaven had been as graciously received as their Petitions on Earth were carelesly rejected By all which Examples we see how God by Punishments on Persons and People even to our own plagues contempt of his Worship And for Cities and Towns corporate or not no less Jealousy does he conceive and in time vent against the Abusers of Holy Things a little will sufficiently Instance it For as Cities are great Bodies and numerous in concourse so have they advantages for Good or Evil and move as they 're reigned by them that precide especially towards Evil by the dead weight tho not so strongly to Good thence 't is Lot was so furiously treated in Sodom for preaching so gravely Sobriety and Shechem rid by Abimelech posted on through the Blood of nigh 70 Men besides the War till God mingled a perverse Spirit 'twixt him and them and so they came even with one the other for the Blood and Usurpation they usher'd him in with Judg. 9.2 5 22. ult But without Digression If Meroz sustain'd the Curse of an Angel for not helping the Lord against the Mighty Judg. 5.23 what Curse is incurr'd for helping the Mighty against the Angels of Christ the Messengers and Assemblies of God If Jericho's Repair whose Fall was by the Arm of Faith intail'd a Curse on him and his that should rebuild it what deserves it to build up not Zion but Babel on her Ruins If Niniveh was spared that heard Jonah and repented for that Preacher in the Streets the King obeying the word of a Pilgrim what does that City demerit that banishes silences and starves more than hundreds of such what shall I say of Chorazin Bethsaida of Jerusalem the Nest of Devotion that not a Prophet must perish out no't Luk. 13.33 a sad Character for such a City of God! where 's the old Cities Adam Meroz Laish or No Nay Shiloe Bethlem Antioch Laodicea and many more some sack'd by War some burnt to Ashes some sunk by Inundations of subdu'd by Forreigners some betray'd to Fury by intestine Broils some shiver'd to pieces by Earthquakes and all lost by base Security So that where the Gospel and pure Devotion has ever obtain'd as earst at Rome and of late in London many Years If after all Calls it be rejected may it not prove the Motto of such Cities and Towns as of that ruin'd Town where this was found Here lies the City that perish'd with Silence So for that Head But Scripture yet adduces more matter to amplify this by some apt Metaphors that do open this how God defends us i.e. As a Bird a Shadow a Shepherd a Wall of Fire or a Camp c. of which a little to each 1. As Birds Isa 31.5 flying so will the Lord of Hosts defend Jerusalem defending he will deliver and passing over preserve it The scope is to hearten the Faithful ' gainst all Fear by various Arguments two especially 1. The promise of Defence vers 5. 2. The Presence of God and the Fire of his Altar burning in Zion as Dr. Mayer observes the former among others is illustrate by a Simile of Birds flying that denotes either 1. That Birds on the Wing were not so much in danger as on the Earth where Snares lye So they by a flight to God on the Wing of Faith might get above all Adversaries without the Snare that trust in Egypt or human help brings So the Net was in vain spread for ' em 2. Birds in flying defend their Nests and Young by giering and veering in the Air as the Plover or Lapwing that keeps a flutter at a distance to elude the danger So God would lead the Assyrian into a gross mistake by putting him in hope of his now finding the Nest of that People Chap. 10.14 and none moved the Wing at him yet it was vain hope Or 3. As Birds of Prey the Eagle and such do soar to a high Mount in the Air yet have an Eye to their Nest and Young and finding them in danger douse down for their safety on the backs of all that rob the Nest or seize on the Young So the Lord as an Eagle would flutter o're Zion Deut. 32.11 and save his Children secure and watch the Meetings on Zion and shortly douse on the backs of the Assyrians so he did three ways as 1. On the Army that was slain 2. The young Captains they fled 3. The King he by his Successors was kill'd and all as Hezekiah pray'd 2 Kings 19.15 O God that dwellest among the Cherubims c. that was God's Nest and thence God emitted fire from 's Altar that made 'em afraid as vers 9. and at last that being the best City of all civil and sacred Treasure God that was present among them would be their Defence a Jehova Nisci and as once in Egypt make a new Passover in both their rescue from the Assyrian Tallons that vivitur ex rapto and in a Revenge on him for both these are in the sense Now hence may all the Monsters on Earth the rampant Lions at Arms the voracious Eagles of Prey take warning that the Prayer stolen off God's Altar hath a live Coal cleaving to 't Isa 10.16 that under all their Glory shall kindle a burning as a Fire not blown Job 20.26 which shortly will consume the Forrest of their Carmel the Nests of their Covents and all the places to which they have brought their Rapine 2. This Defence is like that
of a Shadow as of a Curtain a Grove Bough or a Tent and a Rock These two last are apt to our purpose and promiss'd in Isa 4. ult the other in Chap. 32.2 for in the former Chapter vers 5. it 's call'd a Cloud a sweet Shelter in ther heat and of use to quench the inner heat of Thirst as well as cool or cure the scorchings of the Sun-Beams and here v. 6. a Shadow made by a Tabernacle Booth or Tent like to Israel's in the Desert 40 Years or that spread over the Ark where God communed with Moses nay he oft fill'd the Tent with a Cloud as Numb 12.5 a token of Favour to him but Wrath to Miriam that quarrell'd at his Office and the use of this is against stormy Persecution and the ruine of Afflictions publick or personal Trials Chap. 18.4 it 's called a Cloud of Dew in the heat of Harvest and this was wont to be a time Gen. 18.1 and place of rest at noon Cant. 1.7 all which notes that when the hot scorching Sun of Persecution is over us and yet the heat of Zeal and Love flame within now God draws the Cloud of Presence and Defence over his in his Pavilion are we both warm and safe 3. God's Defence is like that of a Shepherd that that wards by day and watches by night for the safety of his Flock it 's true if God do fall on the Prey a multitude of them will never stop his pursuit by their fear or noise to prevent his Prey nor rescue it seiz'd as Isa 31.4 Yet if God will defend his own Oh all ye Pastors and save his Lambs in their Folds from your Paws and Jaws he 'll not abase himself for your noise so will the Lord fight for mount Zion and the Hill thereof so is the sense Annotat. in loc and consonant to other Scriptures as Mic. 5.7 8. and so observe that of Ezek. 34.7 8 12 c. where the Lord complains of the false Pastors of both sorts that rul'd with Force and Cruelty to the scattering of God's Flock and of the hard Measures and Pastures given them how they ate but fed not the Flock whence Dr. Mayor In loc p. 451. A Lapid cites an old Canon Beneficium datur propter Officium i.e. Prosit requires Duty and so finds just fault with our Church-men that took of the Fall and did not the Duty Lords Bishops Deans Deacons Prebends c. Pluralists but all their gain proves but as that Aurum Tholosanum to wast their Wealth against such Harpies two things are promised 1. God would judge the pushing Rams c. and discern 'twixt Cattel and Cattel and feed the strong with Judgment i.e. spiritual or typical Rulers that thrust and push'd with the Horn by Extortions on the best by their Ruine to get Riches and thus will God defend his Flock 2. By raising a Plant of Renown for them partly in the return from Babylon fulfill'd in Zerubbabel Joshua Ezra c. Vers 23 24. and after in Christ's time when prohibited imprisoned and proscrib'd by the Councel yet they still came off in peace and safety Acts 4. and 5. 4. Like a Wall when the Church bewails her Misery 't is exprest by destroying the Wall of the Daughter of Zion Lam. 8.2 which being broke or trod down lays the Vineyard open to Boars and little Foxes When that Church Isa 5.2 5. is built up it s call'd a Wall Cant. 8.9 10. and the faithful Prophets are stil'd Brazen Walls Jer. 15.20 Nor can this fenced Wall be skaill'd but by Sin or hindred long in rearing tho in troublesome times Dan. 2.25 No trouble in the times may stay God's Workmen nor ought nor indeed can for when our Walls are to be built it 's promiss'd the Decree Mic. 7.11 shall be remov'd far i.e. the Decree of God's Displeasure as Zep. 2.2 or the Decree of Man's prohibition Ezra 4. 19 21. Now a Wall if strong as this is being God's receives all the Balls and Bullets all Blasts and Batterys that are beat upon 't and causes them all to recoyl sometimes to the hurt of him that sent 'em ever to the fafety of those imur'd What hurt gets Israel if hous'd when Egypt is all in a Tempest What does the Rain to the Wall it dashes a Dew on 't and that drops off so 's gone What suffers the Rock by the dash of a Wave alas stand a little as the Eagers in Ouse Trent or Humber spurt and flash o're the Wall by and by all 's past For this see yet where your strength lies Isa 25.4 and Chap. 32. 2. Thou hast been a Stoength to the poor in Distress a Strength a Shaddow a Refuge from Storm and Heat when the Blast of the terrible one is as a Storm against the Wall So is Christ's Kingdom a Shaddow of a great Rock in a weary Land and surely a Wall of Mud or Wood of Stone or Brass may be strong but of Fire far stronger and more formidable and such is promiss'd to Zion nay one of Pearl Isa 54.11 16. with Apoc. 21.14 18. and who can or dare to dig at it surely then we 'll call them Walls Salvation and Gates Praise Isa 60.11 For the Gates of Hell shall not and how can the Gates of Earth prevail against it Mat. 16.18 Were the Canons of Rome and Curses of our Doctors Commons as big as the Duke of Ferrara's call'd the one the Earthquake the other Grandiabolo this Wall shall not only repel but retort all the Ord'nance of these Hellish Gammadims of Tyre 5. God's defence is as broad Rivers as in Isa 33.21 or as Brooks of Defence Isa 19.6 strong broad deep and not fordable nor yet navigable by any Assailant the Sense is tho the literal Jerusalem had no navigable River a little Rivelet of Siloe it had but just sufficient for Water to Moat and inviron it and so lay exposed to any Assaults yet the mystical Jerusalem the Spouse of Christ shall be defended with a River Psal 46.4 her God the Streams strong and deep as unpassable as that in Ezek. 47.5 to prevent all Assaulters and yet as Rivers do to bring in all the Wealth and Glory of the Nations which looks to Hezekiah in part but fully to Christ in his Kingdom his own Beauty and Glory yet to be As Mesopotamia or Egypt surrounded with Euphrates or Nylus Annotat. in loc Nay as Eden with four Rivers And Dr. Mayer says that New Jerusalem Apoc. 21. is pointed at too that should need no Provisions Gallies or Oars to supply it for God should be all and this is Zion so guarded of God the City of all our Solemnities our solemn Prayers and Praises our Feasts and our Fasts our Altars and Oblations our Services and our solemn Meetings at Zion we had them to that Hill we brought them with Joy The Assyrian stopt us through the Siege but now from all parts our Freedom being restor'd the Force call'd off
many Waters or Waves of the Sea Psal 93.4 3. Goodness is the strong inner Spring of all thy Congregation dwelt therein thou of thy goodness preparedst for the Poor Psal 68.10 'T is Christ's triumphant Psalm Goodness then is active to provide for the Poor Assemblies Nahum witnesses to this after his report of God's terrour Nahum 1.4 He concludes The Lord is good and it follows a strong Hold in the day of trouble and knows them that trust in him v. 7. i.e. Vejodeang chosei bo 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 acknowleging them that hope in him as the Chicken under the Wing that word is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 speravit recipere se ut in loco tuto ibi secure conquiescere And oft joyned with a Wing as two or three Texts show Psal 18.31 and 57.1 2. So 91.4 Vnder the Shadow of thy Wings I trust till these Calamitice be past This was in the Cave and some read as if a Webb was woven ore the Caves hole that hid David and so once was a Martyr If God own any of his Servants those that run to his Protection are most likely they This is joyned with a Threat to Nineveh some 40 years after destroyed about the 15th year of Hezekiah's Lease given him of the Lord. vide Dr. Mayer Which I note to shew that he survived to see that Prince and City destroyed that besieged Zion the City of God and so it became a quiet Habitation as was promis't Isai 33.20 And Nahum's Prophesie in ch 1. ult was about 4 or 5 years after verified in their solemn Feasts after this Son of Belial was cut off Now this is the Buckler and these are the Bullwarks that did do and will defend all the Sons of Zion that run to them Having spoke to God's Attributes before I add no more to this A word to Promises Now 2dly for Promises they are Springs that empty themselves by golden Pipes in our dry Cisterns dayly to quench our Thirst and cool our Heat in Persecution and these allay our Fears before Troubles come which oft are worse than the Troubles and this do they in two Rivolets the one is the nature the second is their various matter a little to both especially the first the latter less being toucht before that I may avoid all prolixity and not bis cocta apponere 1. The nature and proper adjuncts of Gods Promises are food and fence to the pious Two Ingredients make them very cordial the Properties of God are the In-works of our Fort. The Promises as one says are the Out-works Jer. Dyke Righteous Man 's Tower P. 34. if we get into them that is our Safety and the Tower is the Safety of the Out-works and all that flee to them These are the Clefts of the Rock So he Oh my Dove thou art in the Clefts of the Rock let me see and hear thee there says Christ to his Spouse Cant. 2.14 15. And now take the Foxes to note our Safety in the Clefts of Promises from all Foxes and wild Beasts of Prey that should no more hinder them as Mayer observes in Duties of Piety and holy Feasts God's Doves being as Coneys feeble and fearful the Hawks pursue the one and ferrets the other are glad to nest and burrow in the Rock Now it is not the lot of the Spouse ever to be visible sometimes in Deserts and Dens as one says Hylay Non tect is exteriori pompâ but in plain Russet as when her Lord first espoused her Now the good of a Promise lyes in two things 1st It is suitale to our Case 2dly Sure and durable and in both great like the Author and pretious in their use to us For the first no Case can befall but some Promise or somewhat in the Promise obviates it Doth Zion mourn He will restore again Comfort both to Her and her Mourners Isai 57.18 Are her Assemblies scattered A Promise is of gathering Zeph. 3.18 Are Teachers in Corners They Eyes shall see thy Teachers c. Isai 30.20 Are they exiled to the Ends of the Earth Yet he will hiss for them and they shall come Zech. 10.1 And bring their Offering Zeph. 3.10 As one abroad at Queen Mary's death said in a Sermon and soon after the News of her death came and they were recalled home Promises are adapted to all the sad Cases of Zion's Sons 2. They are sure firm and perpetual Promises fail not far less for evermore 2 Cor. 1.20 A delay or suspense may be for the Sin of declining that may look as a Breach of Promise or turn to a Threat Numb 14.34 But 't is fulfilled with use to the next Age. As Justice stands bound for the Threat and Goodness for the Promises So is Gods Truth and Veracity for both Oh Zion beloved of God fear not look up thy King lives that was dead and he dyed not Intestate but now he lives to make good that Legacy of Peace here to his Followers Joh. 14.27 Besides the Inheritance at last Who will approve his Fidelity to his Word Promise and Oath and also to his Spouse So that I say to Zion as a faithful Witness once said to his Wife on his death bed before the Rebellion in Ireland 37 Thou that hast suffered so many things Mr. Jos Welch Script fulfill pag. 465. wherewith shall I comfort thee A Father of the Fatherless a Judge of the Widdow is God in his holy Habitation as God is God thou shalt never want nor thine but in all the sad days a coming you shall be Wonders of Mercy in all Places and not a hair of your head fall to the Earth And the Reporter survived to see it 2dly The matter of the Promises as 't is various so divers have wrote well on it and somewhat being done before less may now suffice save only to touch this point of Worship or what material Promises are in order to it or the defence of it or what Prophesies do incourage to hope for better things Truly there is nothing we are bid or bound to pray for but some prophesy backs and bottoms our hope in it As 1. a Promise is made of a divine Presence Ezek. 34 13. in the worst Times of the greatest dispersion and to that is subjoyned also a Prophesy of its Continuation ch 43.7.8 Nor is any thing of greater Import to the being and beauty of Worship and Church-state Power of the Keys Ministry in both the breeding feeding of Converts and to all holy Matters then a Shechina as the Jews calls it or a Divine Majesty or Glory attending If this be its self alone keeps up a sure defence over us puts a glory upon all lays a terrour on the Assailants or claps a Talent of Lead a fulminating bolt of Judgment on the head of that hairy Goat that dares God in his own ground and here lyes our defence If this be a wanting far more if it by our Provocation after long stay do make a
and it comes not by Rapine and Violence but by Increase of Righteousness And though the time is deferred and many Concussions precede the Conclusion yet are we to wait for it nay to solace our Souls in the frightful signs Preceding it as our Lord bids us to look up in the hope of this Redemption approaching for the Lords roaring out of Zion Joel 3.16 is but as a Preface to the Hope and Strength that he gives to his and his shaking of all things Hag. 2.7 is but to establish that Kingdom that shall remain Heb. 12.28 Never was a glorious reviving of hopes without a grievous Sentence of death Ezek. 37.10 2 Cor. 1.2 The very wild Irish may teach us that on the most stormy day we may lift up our heads as they on the Hills and joy in hope the next is fair Weather by turn Polanus observes that Sesostris King of Aegypt observing one of his Kings On Ezek. 1. drawing of his Chariot ey'd the Wheel ask't the cause he answered that he saw that part that earst was up now was low vice versâ on which he made the Moral and applyed it so loosed them from that Slavery For Promotion comes not from East or West but God pulls down one and exalts another Psal 75.6 Or as in Job setteth on high them that be low Joh. 5.11 Or as Mary sung exalts them of low degree Luk. 1.52 Fear not then ye Sons of Zion your King comes meek yet mighty riding on the Ass Zach. 9.9 that subjects to any burthen Though now you are banisht from the Ark submit and say Here I am 2 Sam. 15.26 in hope he will yet bring you again For in the days of these Kings 't is by Dan. 2.44 predicted the God of Heaven shall set up a Kingdom that shall not be shaken or given to others And if any ask How that Text v. 34.45 and it was the Dream of a King shows you Eben di al Bijdian ascissus lapis qui in manibus non est sine manibus Which notes not only that 't is out of the reach of humane hands to prevent that Kingdom the time being come for its commencement but above the help of secular means or hands to advance it I conclude this as one does a Book with warning to Princes to submit to the Redeemer and prevent the shower of Vengeance impending for six Changes are past in the World already and says he a seventh will be Sabbatical giving rest from all your Pride and Ambition And this takes the last place and turn but proves of the greatest extent And I add as the Course and Conjunctions of the caelestial Bodies and also of terrestial do all configure and concenter in this kingdom so the Councels of men and Contests about publick Affairs concur and contribute to it and all contrary Wheels that seem to have a counter motion in the way shal at last center in the same blessed Ends Viz. The sound of the last Trump an Alarm to Babel-Romes Fall whose Waters are now a drying up the pouring out of the last Vial that leaves not Air for her Tyranny to breath in And as that late Dr. says Dr. T. G. in Apoc. pag. 190. The nearer this Kingdom is as a Gulf to swallow all Time the greater Changes will Christ make and to see no Preparations to it may not discourage our Faith since of things extraordinary there needs none being the Efforts of divine hands 3dly And last of all there springs up a Well of Support to devout and constant Souls from the Providence of God that like the eye scouts out to and fro and prevides Perils provides Preservatives and stands armed on Sentinel to secure the main Guard and rescue his Men and Matters assaulted Now this is the Wheel full of Eyes that Christ's Chariot of Love runs upon and is often swift seldom stands never runs idly by Rote or blind Chance and Casualty far less retrogade or to overturn them that are in it for Christ doth guide it Sirs could we take right Measures of Gods Providences in former or latter days instead of a Quarrel we should take up that admiring word Ezek. 10.13 and say Oh Wheel But 't is hard to see both sides of things at once for often Providences have a dark side at first view presenting to our terrour and after a bright side is seen as that Cloud betwixt Israel and Aegypt had of old but the Lord turned the dark side to the Aegyptian Host and the bright to Israel by Night Exod. 14.20 24 25. So they were preserved the other bemisted their Wheels took off and they troubled No Fate or Fortune rules in the smallest or most contingent accident a Sparrow or a Hair's Fall to the Ground is under the Eye and Care of the All-seeing Providence And if he inspects so small Trifles will he slight far greater and suffer his Servants to fill in his Work unregarded Now in two things Providences act powerfully 1. In punishing of Aggressors 2. In protecting and rescuing Attenders on him 〈◊〉 Providence has an horn of power to push and punish them that assail his Worship These come out of his hand and the power is there hid that acts them yet seen after Hab. 3.4 Balaam would go and curse but cannot God held him from Honour that he sought for the curst Bruits have short horns or else break them in the very Walls of Zion the Bow drawn at adventure is guided to the joynt of Ahab's Armour and fetcht that man off Angels execute the sentence of Gods wrath if he give but Commission and smite Herod with lice so he 's dispatch Acts 12. ult And now the word grows and prospers the Instances of former and later Judgments are many having noted divers before I need not save to point out two or three now Lybanius scornfully asking one What was the Son of the Carpenter doing Sandapilam concinnare Fabri Filium inquit c. Euseb p. 769. Was as readily answered He framed a Coffin for that Scorners Master Julian And so it shortly fell out that Apostate dies and this scornful Sophist's mouth is stopt In Fox many are the Examples cited of providential Revenges for the Martyrs At Chattam two were preserved by the Fall of two great Stones off the Wall that caused the Bench to rise and leave off that Work So by Q. Mary's Death many condemned to be burnt were yet saved Let me add that of Jo. Ruse Counsellor after the report of the process against the Innocents in coming from the Court was seized in his belly suddenly with a burning and in his Secrets so died wofully without remorse Nor are late days without Remarks of Providence witnessing God's Wrath on some for his Word sake and Messengers scorn'd by them One comes out that mock't at the word in publick and a tyle fell on his head and killed him So Providence did revenge for an Ordinance by him despised Examples be endless of