spiritual blessings That he might present it to himself a glorious Church not having spot nor wrinkle or any such thing but that it should be holy and without blemish Eph. 5.27 Now when I passed by thee and looked upon thee behold thy time was the time of love and I spread my skirt over thee and covered thy nakedness yea I sware unto thee and entred into a covenant with thee saith the Lord God and thou becamest mine then washed I thee with water yea I throughly washed away thy blood from thee and I anointed thee with Oyl I clothed thee also with broidered work and shod thee with badgers skin and I girded thee about with fine linnen and I covered thee with silk I decked thee also with ornaments and I put bracelets upon thine hands and a chain on thy neck And I put a Jewel on thy forehead and ear-rings in thine ears and a beautiful Crown on thy head Thus wast thou decked with Gold and Silver and thy rayment was of fine Linnen and Silk and broidered work thou didst eat fine Flour and Honey and Oyl and thou wast exceeding beautiful and thou didst prosper into a Kingdom and thy renown went forth among the heathen for thy beauty for it was perfect through my comeliness which I had put upon thee saith the Lord God Ezek. 16.8 to 14. 3. The security of this Church the decrees the covenant the word Oath Writings Seals of the Omnipotent and Wise God that cannot Lie that by two immutable things in which it was impossible for God to Lie we might have a strong consolation who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us Heb. 6.18 the Church of God is sometimes as a besieged City Isa 1.8 the Devil and the World besiege it round and the Enemies Joyn together to devour Gods Israel with open mouth There are three ways that an Enemy usually makes use of to take a City that is besieg'd 1. By starving of them that they may have no supplies 2. By undermining them and blowing them up 3. By scaling their Walls that they may come at them to kill them But this City the Church of God the Enemies cannot destroy it by any of these ways 1. They cannot starve the Church He shall dwell on high his place of defence shall be the munitions of Rocks bread shall be given him his water shall be sure Isa 33.16 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus Phil. 4.19 God hath set before his people an open door which no man can shut and this door is continually open night and day Rev. 3.8 all the Devils in Hell and wicked Men on Earth cannot shut it and at this door come in the supplies of Gods Spirit to every Child of God here comes in that Joy that is unspeakable and full of glory Phil. 1.19 that peace which passeth all understanding that love that many waters cannot quench nor floods drown it that light and knowledg that Gold cannot purchase that spiritual strength that makes them conquerers at this door comes in that Kingdom of God which is not meat and drink but righteousness and peace and Joy in the holy Ghost Rom. 14.17 Ho! every one that thirsteth come ye to the Waters and he that hath no Money come ye buy and eat yea come buy Wine and Milk without Money and without Price Isa 55.1 And the Spirit and the Bride say Come and let him that heareth say Come and let him that is athirst come and whosoever will let him take of the water of Life freely Rev. 22.17 By this you may see the Church of God cannot be starv'd so as to be destroyed that way 2. The Enemies cannot destroy the Church of God by undermining it and blowing it up by all their Plots for there have been Plots upon Plots and Conspiracies one after another against the Church of Christ but all in vain because the Church of God is builded upon a Rock And I say also unto thee That thou art Peter and upon this Rock I will build my Church and the Gates of Hell shall not prevail against it Matth. 16.18 It s defence shall be the Munitions of Rocks Isa 33.16 If the Church had not been built upon a Rock Pharaoh had destroyed it long ago And he said Come on let us deal wisely with them and they did set over them Task-masters to afflict them with burthens and made them to serve with rigour and they made their lives bitter with hard bondage in Mortar and in Brick and in all manner of service in the field all the service wherein they made them serve was with rigour and the King of Egypt spake to the Hebrew women which were Midwives of which the name of one was Shiphrah and the name of the other Puah And he said When ye do the office of a Midwife to the Hebrew women and see them upon the stools if it be a Son then ye shall kill him but if it be a Daughter then she shall live Exod. 1. See another like unto this in the New Testament And when ye have found him bring me word again that I may come and worship him also And he sent forth and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem and in all the Coasts thereof from two years old and under according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men Matth. 2.8 16. Notwithstanding Pharaoh was so long before Herod yet they were both of one mind and in one spirit and served one Master the Devil against God and his People but what became of them both God's wrath and vengeance took hold on them they perish'd but God's Church was preserv'd because it was built upon a Rock and the Gates of Hell could not prevail against it This Kingdom shall never be destroyed by undermining and blowing it up When thou passest through the waters I will be with thee and through the rivers they shall not overflow thee when thou walkest through the fire thou shalt not be burnt neither shall the flame kindle upon thee Isa 43.2 God invades his Enemies on every side and passeth through them and causeth his Arrows to pass through their hearts and they stick so fast that their Physicians will not be able to pluck them out but that Arm and Bow that shoots at the People of God the Lord God will break that Arm and Bow. No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper and every tongue that shall rise against thee in Judgment thou shalt condemn this is the heritage of the Servants of the Lord and their righteousness is of me saith the Lord Isa 54.17 3. The Enemies of God's Church and People shall never be able to destroy it by getting over the Wall that is about it Every wicked man is a fighter against God an Enemy of Christ Jesus and on the Dragon's side that makes war against the Church but God hath given
to pass hereafter First That there would be a great Apostacy a falling away from the truth v. 3. Secondly Out of that Apostacy one would rise up to be the head of it whom he calls the Man of sin the Son of Perdition that wicked One ver 3 8. Thirdly ' That he should be revealed in his time ver 6. And made manifest that all might know him Fourthly That his coming would be after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders and with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish v. 9 10. Fifthly He shews what he would do when he was come oppose and exalt himself above all that is called God or that is worshipped and as God sit in the temple of God and shew himself that he is God v. 4. Sixthly How the Lord would punish them and plague them for their Apostacy And for this cause God shall send them strong delusions that they should believe a lie that they all might be damned who believed not the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness v. 11 12. Seventhly This he calls the mystery of iniquity For the mystery of iniquity doth already work only he who now letteth will let until he be taken out of the way v. 7. Eighthly That the Lord shall consume that wicked one with the Spirit of his mouth and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming v. 8. God hath in all ages rais'd up faithful witnesses and filled them with his Spirit and they have preach'd the everlasting Gospel peace and good Will to Men on Earth and have declared that message which was from the beginning that God is love and light and they have vindicated that truth which others preach'd before them that was condemned by the World for Heresie and this work the Lord hath been carrâ—ing on in the Earth these many years past and this is the work that the Lord is carrying on in this our day pouring out of his Spirit upon his Sons and Daughters shining into the Hearts and Minds of Men turning them from darkness unto light and from the power of Satan unto God that all men may come to the knowledge of the truth that they may be saved and this is the Spirit of his Mouth the Rod of his Mouth that shall destroy that man of sin and all the wâ—rks of darkness and all that which exalts its self aga â—st Gods will and authority his love and grace The word of truth doth prevail and it will prevail This is that brightness that shall destroâ— tâ—e works of the flesh wherever it comes and â—l nes into any Hearts and this is that which shall â—reak in pieces and consume all these Kingdoms Namelâ— The Lord shall consume with the Spirit â—f his Mouth shall desâ—roy with the brightness of his comiâ—g Before she travelled she brought fortâ— before her pain came she was delivered of a man child who hath heard such a thing Who hath seen such things Shall the Earth be maâ—e to bring for him one day Or shall a Nation be born at one For as soon as Zion travelled she brought sâ—ith her Children Isa 66.7 8. This shews the great success of the Gospel how it shall prevail and overcome And he shall reign over the House of Jacob for ever and of his Kingdom there shall be no end Luke 1.33 I am now to shew you in the last plaâ—â— tâ—aâ— tâ—e true Church shall stand for ever aâ—d this I shall evince from these following considerations 1. From the Word of od 2. From the Provi eâ—ces of God. 3. From the Pâ—ople of â—â—d 4. From the Enâ—mie of God. First from the W rd of God thâ—â—â—s The Word of Prophecy The Word of Promise The Word of Threatning 1. The Word of Prophesie The Lord God hath spoken by the mouth of his Prophets which have been since the World began that his people should be saved from their enemies and from the hands of all that hate them That in blessing I will bless thee and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the Stars of the Heaven and as the sand which is upon the Sea-shore and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies Gen. 22.17 They that trust in the Lord shall be as mount Zion which cannot be removed but abideth for ever Psalm 125.1 And it shall come to pass in the last days that the Mountain of the Lords House shall be established in the top of the Mountains and shall be exalted above the hills and all nations shall flow unto it Isa 2.2 The Lord hath founded Zion and the poor of his people shall trust in it Isa 14.32 behold the voice of the cry of the daughter of my people because of them that dwell in a far countrey Is not the Lord in Zion is not her King in her Why have they provoked me to anger with their graven Images and with strange vanities Jer. 8.19 And the Kingdom and Dominion and the greatness of the Kingdom under the whole Heaven shall be given to the people of the Saints of the most high whose Kingdom is an everlasting Kingdom and all Dominions shall serve and obey him Dan. 7.27 And it shall come to pass that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be delivered for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance as the Lord hath said and in the remnant whom the Lord shall call Joel 2.32 And saviours shall come up on mount Zion to Judg the mount of Esau and the Kingdom shall be the Lords Obad. 21. 2. The Word of Promise God is in the midst of her she shall not be moved God shall help her and that right early Psal 46.5 when thou passest through the Waters I will be with thee and through the rivers they shall not overflow thee when thou walkest through the fire thou shalt not be burnt neither shall the flame kindle upon thee for I am the Lord thy God the holy one of Israel thy saviour Isa 43.2 3. And I say also unto thee that thou art Peter and upon this Rock I will build my Church and the gates of Hell shall not prevail against it Mat. 16.18 let your conversation be without covetousness and be content with such things as ye have for he hath said I will never leave thee nor forsake thee Heb. 13.5 The question is put by God himself in that great and known place Isa 49.15 Can a Woman forget her sucking Child that she should not have compassion on the Son of her Womb yea she may forget yet will I not forget thee Behold I have graven thee upon the Palms of my Hands thy Walls are continually before me Thy Children shall make haste thy destroyers and they that made thee waste shall go forth of thee God did never forsake his people God cannot forsake his people God will never forsake his people And our Lord Jesus Christ hath promised that there shall not an Hair of their
under Christ Jesus the Captain of our Salvation fighting under him against the Devil and the World against Sin and Lust against Principalities and Powers against the Rulers of the darkness of this World Eph. 6.12 Every Saint is a petitioner and a wrestler with God by prayer and supplication for the peace and happiness of the Church Every Saint is a labourer and a worker together with God that Gods glory may be advanced and his holy name lifted up in the Earth that his ways may be made known to all Nations and his saving health to all people that the work of God may go on and prosper in these Nations which the Lord hath begun and hath been carrying on these many years that Babylon may become a desolation and the hissing and loathing of all Nations and the Zion of God may become the joy and praise of the whole Earth and this is the Faith and Hope and Desires of all Gods people Fourthly From the Enemies of God Surely there is no enchantment against Jacob neither is there any divination against Israel according to this time it shall be said of Jacob and of Israel what hath God wrought Numb 23.23 The Pharisees therefore said among themselves Perceive ye how ye prevail nothing behold the world is gone after him John 12.19 And now I say unto you Refrain from these men and let them alone for if this counsel or this work be of men it will come to nought but if it be of God ye cannot overthrow it lest haply ye be found even to fight against God Acts 5.38 39. We have here a Cloud of Witnesses the Testimonies of good men that the True Church shall stand for ever and here are also the sayings of bad men and it is agreed on all hands That the Church of Christ cannot be destroyed but it shall stand for ever Can men pull out the Rocks that are in the Sea with their Teeth Can men blow away the Mountains of the Earth with their Breath Can men reach up to Heaven with their Hands Can men dry up the great and wide Sea where Ships go from Nation to Nation Can men draw a Curtain before the Sun that it shall not shine on the Earth Can men Seal up the Wind that it shall not blow where it listeth Alas this will be soon granted by all that men the greatest of men cannot do any of these things surely then men cannot â—estroy the Church of God for the Lord God is a Wall of Fire round about it For I sâ—ith the Lord will be unto her a wall of fire round about anâ— will be the glory in the midst of her Zech. 2.5 One of the seven Angels shewed St John two things which made him wonder with great admiration And he carried me away in the Spirit into the Wildernâ—ss And I saw a Woman sit uâ—on a Scâ—rlet coloured Beast full of Names and Blasphemy having sâ—ven Heads and ten Horns And the Woman was arayed in Purple and Scarlet colour and decked with Gold and precious Stones and Pearls having a Golden Cup in her Hand full of Abominations and filtâ—iness of her Fornication And upon her Forehead was a Name written Mystery Babylon the Great the Mother of Harlots and Abominations of the Earth And I saw the Woman drunken with the Blood of the Saints and with the Blood of the Martyrs of Jesus And when I saw her I wondered with great admiration Rev. 17.3 to 6. But where did John see this sight In the Wilderness And have not many Thousands of Gods faithful Servants seen the same sight in the Wilderness which John saw since that time and are still liâ—e to see until the Mystery of God be finished and the Mystery of Iniquity be removed In the Second place There came one of the sâ—vâ—n Angels which had the seven Vials full of the seven last Plagues and talked with me saying Come hither I will shâ—w thee the Bride the Lambs Wife And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high Mountain and shewed me that great City the Holy Jerusalem descending out of Heavâ—n from God having the glory of God And her light was like unto a Stone most precious even like a Jasper Stone clear as Crystal and had a Wall great and high and had twelve Gates and at the Gates twelve Angels and names writtâ—n thereon which are the Names of the twelve Tribes of the Children of Israel On the East three Gates on the North three Gates on the South thrâ—e Gates on the West three Gates And the Wall of the City had twelve Foundations and in them the Names of the twelve Apostles of the Lamb. And he that talkeâ— with me had a Golden Reed to mâ—asure the Ci y and the Gates thereof and the Walls thereof And the City lyeth four-square and tâ—e length is as large as the br dth And he measured the City with the Reed twelve Thousand Furlongs The length the br dâ—h and the heighth of it are equal And he measured the Wâ—ll thereof an hundred and forty and four Cubits accordiâ—g to the measure of a man that is of the Angel. And the building of the Wall of it was of Jasper and the City was pure Gold like unto clear Glass And the Foundations of the Wall of the City were garnished with all manner of precious Stones The first Foundation was Jasper the second Saphir the third a Chalcedony the fourth an Emâ—rald the fifth a Sardonix the sixth Sardius the seventh Chrysolite the eighth Beryl the ninth a Topaz the tenth a Chrisoprasus the eleventh a Jacâ—nct the twelfth an Amethyst And the twelve Gates were twelve Pearls every several Gate was of one Pearl and the Street of the City was pure Gold as it were transparent Glass And I saw no Temple therein for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the Temple of it Rev. 21.9 to 22. As the first sight which St. Joâ—n saw here was dreadful and terrible that made him wonder with great admiration to see a Woman drunk with Blood the Blood of Saints and Martyrs of Jesus And after this he saw another sight the Bride the Lambs Wife that great City the Hâ—l Jerusalem descending out of Heaven from God! having the glory of God! and the City lyeth four square Now 〈◊〉 was a glorious and a delightful thing to behold â—â—ere is want of words and want in words to express the glory of it There is a vast difference between good and evil light and darkness the works of the Flesh and the fruits of the Spirit the table of the Lord and the table of Devils the Temple of the Holy Ghost and the Synagogue of Satan between the Mystery of God and the Mystery of Iniquity Babylon and Zion the True Church and the Mother of Harlots The True Church may be known by its Purity by its Poverty by its Sufferings by it s not Conforming to this World by its Patience under sore and great Tryals by its keeping the Commandments of God and having the Testimony of Jesus Christ and his Fathers Name written in their Foreheads by the Victory it obtaineth over all Enemies And they overcame him by the Blood of the Lamb and by the Word of their Testimony and they loved not their lives unto the death Rev. 12.11 And upon this Rock I will build my Church and the Gates of Hell shall not prevail against it Mat. 16.18 Every Son and Daughter of this Church is a living Member and a fruitful Member and a holy Member and an enlightned Member a growing Member a sympathizing Member a praying Membâ—r a useful Member and a sanctified Member But we are bound to give thanks to God alway for you Brethren beloved of the Lord because God hath from the beginning chosen you to Salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the Truth 2 Thes 2.13 There is one Body and one Spirit even as ye are called in one hope of your Calling One Lord one Faith one Baptism one God and Father of all who is above all and through all and in you all But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ Eph. 4.4 5 6 7. Now he that hath an Ear let him hear FINIS
Mount Sion Or A Draught of That CHURCH WHICH Shall never be destroyed Together With a Map of That WORLD WHICH Shall be broken to pieces and consumed By William Dyer Author of Christs Famous Titles Believers Golden Chain Out of the eater came forth meat and out of the strong came forth sweetness Judges 14.14 The wise mans eyes are in his head but the fool walketh in darkness Eccles 2.14 Licensed and Entred LONDON Printed for Nath. Crouch at the 〈◊〉 in the Poultry near Cheapside 1689. THE EPISTLE TO THE READER Kind Reader THough there is nothing more common with men than to desire happiness as Balaam did Let me die the death of the righteous and let my last end be like his Numb 23.10 Yet there is nothing that men mind less and endeavour less after and labour less for than true happiness When our Saviour was on the earth some then asked him these two questions The first is in Luke 13.23 Then said one unto him Lord Are there few that be saved This was the first question Now mark well the answer And he said unto them Strive to enter in at the strait gate for many I say unto you will seek to enter in but shall not be able The second is in Luke 18.18 And a certain Ruler asked him saying Good Master What shall I do to inherit eternal life Now to this question our Lord Jesus gave this answer And Jesus said unto him Why callest thou me good none is good save one that is God. Thou knowest the Commandments Do not commit adultery Do not kill Do not steal Do not bear false witness Honour thy Father and thy Mother And he said All these have I kept from my youth up Now when Jesus heard these things he said unto him Yet lackest thou one thing Sell all that thou hast and distribute to the poor and thou shalt have treasure in Heaven and come follow me And when he heard this he was very sorrowful for he was very rich These Answers proceeded out of the mouth of Wisdom He that spake as never man spake said to the first Strive to enter in at the strait gate And to the second he said Keep the Commandments of God do not break them but duly observe them And what he said unto one he saith unto all Mark 13.37 For many I say unto you will seek to enter in but shall not be able This word should strike terrour into the hearts of men and awaken their sleepy Consciences First They that seek when it is too late None shall be able to enter in at the strait gate and narrow way which leadeth unto life without striving and this striving must be before the Master of the house be risen up When once the Master of the house is risen up and hath shut to the door and ye begin to stand without and to knock at the door saying Lord Lord open unto us and he shall answer and say unto you I know you not whence you are then shall ye begin to say We have eaten and drank in thy presence and thou hast taught in our streets But he shall say I tell you I know you not whence ye are depart from me all ye workers of iniquity The reason of this is here very plain they were workers of iniquity and these workers of iniquity did not seek to enter in till it was too late When men live without God in the world without the fear and knowledge of God and have no sence of his love and mercy to them When men wallow in the filth and mire of sin being abominable and disobedient and make light of Christ Jesus and of all the means of grace till sickness overtakes them and the terrours of death takes hold on them And when they find that all hopes of life and recovery is taken from them that they must die then they will seek and cry unto the Lord and desire others to pray for them But what hath the Lord spoken concerning this sort of seekers these late seekers see Prov. 1.24 Because I have called and ye refused I have stretched out my hand and no man regarded it but ye have set at nought all my counsel and would none of my reproof I also will laugh at your calamity I will mock when your fear cometh when your fear cometh as desolation and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind when distress and anguish cometh upon you then shall they call upon me but I will not answer they shall seek me early but they shall not find me Seeking without striving will not do and this striving must be with the whole heart before that midnight cry comes And at midnight there was a cry made Behold the Bridegroom cometh go ye out to meet him Mat. 25.6 O Reader Seek the Lord while he may be found call ye upon him while he is near He now waits that he may be gracious and stands at the door of thy heart and knocks for entrance Rev. 3.20 O hear his voice and let him into thy soul that it may become an habitation of God through the Spirit Eph. 2.22 Secondly They that seek in a wrong way Esaias also crieth câ—ncerning Israel Though the number of the Children of Israel be as the sand of the Sea a remnant shall be saved Rom. 9 27. See the reason of this in chap. 11.7 What then Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for but the election hath obtained it and the rest were blinded When men walk not in the way of truth and righteousness but in a wrong way that will lead them into the boggs of error and falshood and strong delusions to believe lies till they be swallowed up Thus saith the Lord Stand ye in the ways and see and ask for the old paths Where is the good way and walk therein and ye shall find rest for your souls but they said We will not walk therein Jer. 6.16 When men shall leave the Faith of the Gospel and believe as others would have them believe when men shall give up their Consciences to the government and conduct of others when men shall leave the Scriptures of truth and follow the Inventions of men when men shall leave the pure Worship of God and worship they know not what when men shall leave the good way and walk in crooked ways and in by-paths that turn them aside and 〈◊〉 them into everlasting destruction no wondâ—â— then that this sort of Seekers shall not be â—â—â—e to enter in at the strait gate and narroâ— way which leadeth unto life Some men will not allow themselves so â—â—ch time as to examine matters carefully to â—â—â—k on God and his works and providences his truth and ways or to think of another state or the way that leads to it He that came and preached peace to us hath opened a new and a living way for us for so an entrance shall be ministred unto you abundantly into the everlasting Kingdom of our Lord and
Saviour Jesus Christ 2 Pet. 1.11 Keep therefore in the way of truth Reader and truth will keep thee in the hour of temptation and in the day of tryal Let no man take the Crown of truth from thee Thirdly They that seek in hypocrisie And they come unto thee as the people cometh and they sit before thee as my people and they hear thy words but they will not do them for with their mouths they shew much love but their heart goeth after their covetousness Ezek. 33.31 Here were a people that might have past very well for Saints if God had known no more of them than man for they came together and sat before thee as my people for they heard thy word 〈◊〉 and shewed much love with their mouths and yet for all this they were a company of hypocrites for their hearts were not sinâ—ere nor upright with God but their hearts mâ—nâ— after their covetousness The five foolish Virgins were also Seekers and great Professors but they wanted that one thing which is needful that good part true and saving grace which no hypocrite hath and because they wanted this they were all shut out and were not able to enter in Then came also these Virgins saying Lord Lord open to us but he answered and said Verily I say unto you I know you not Mat. 25.11 12. And what shall a man say of the Professors in this our day they do indeed pass for Saints with men but will God accept of them and own them for his Sons and Daughters hereafter Do they look like a people redeemed from the earth and from amongst men being the first fruits unto God and to the Lamb Rev. 14.3 4. Having their Fathers name written in their foreheads Do they look like a people that walk with God and have sweet communion with him and have fellowship with the Father and with his Son Christ Jesus 1 John 1.3 and are past from death to life Do they look like a people that have set their affections on things that are above and have laid up for themselves treasures in Heaven and do labour for that bread which perisheth not that they may be rich towards God in faith in hope in experience in knowledge and in assurance and in all grace Do they adorn the Gospel and their Profession by their good examples and heavenly conversations Is there to be found in them an excellent spirit a spirit of meekness and patience a spirit of faith and prayer a spirit of love and charity a spirit of wisdom and understanding a spirit of holiness and purity And are they filled with the fruits of the spirit which is love joy peace long-suffering gentleness goodness faith meekness temperance against such there is no law Gal. 5.22 23. Are these the Marks and Characters of the Professors now-a-day No no it is not thus with them their sins testifie against them multitudes of them are Christians without a Cross and Saints without Sanctification they are Virgins without Oyl in their Lamps they are guests at the Table of the Lord without wedding garments they are Church-members without fellowship with the Father and his Son Christ Jesus they are Professors of godliness but without the power they have separated from things but not from sin Ah! the World saith this of Professors they are as proud and as vain as others they are as covetous and as earthly-minded as others they are as hard-hearted and as unmerciful to one another as others they are as false and as deceitful as others they are as loose and lukewarm as others let it be then considered whether the World hath not just cause to reproach Professors and if the World condemn them and their own hearts too will not God condemn them after they have lain under the Rack of their own Consciences here and to all those miseries hereafter which will be the portion of hypocrites For many I say unto you will seek to enter in but shall not be able O Reader strive thou to enter in at the strait gate and into the narrow way which leadeth unto life If thou seekest her as for silver and searchest for her as for hid treasures then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God Prov. 2.4 5. Men will dig deep for hidden treasures men will go far to seek for silver they will break their peace and their rest too to gain riches they will labour day and night to lay up goods for a few years if they can treasure up wealth they will do it though they treasure up wrath with it if they can make themselves great in this World they will do it though they make themselves miserable for it in the next World for ever if they can climb up high they will though they fall into the bottomless Pit if they can gain the World they will though they lose their own souls As they strive to be great do thou strive to be good and as they strive to be rich in worldly wealth do thou strive to be rich towards God in all heavenly graces and if thou hast taken many steps towards hell and damnation let me now prevail with thee to take a few steps towards heaven The first is Consideration Consider well what thou hast been doing and whither thou art going whose thou art and to whom thou dost belong and what will become of thee to all eternity O Reader no Cross no Crown no grace no glory no holiness no happiness no regeneration no salvation and without holiness no man shall see the Lord Heb. 12.14 The second step is Examination Examine thy self turn into thy self that thou maist throughly understand thy own state and when thou hast examined matters carefully if thou findest thy state to be bad then flie unto the Lord God by prayer and supplication by faith and repentance and thou wilt find that the arms of his mercy are open to receive thee The Lord invites thee to come to him in the softest and most melting language that can be imagined Come now and let us reason together saith the Lord though your sins be as Scarlet they shall be as white as Snow though they be red like Crimson they shall be as Wooll Isa 1.18 And if thou findest thy state to be good that thou art a new creature and born again and hast tasted how good the Lord is that he hath given thee a new heart and a new understanding and a new will and a new nature and that this hath changed thy life Now I say upon examination of thy self if thou findest that Christ Jesus is in thee then thou hast cause to rejoyce and if Christ Jesus be in thee then these four things will be in thee 1. Light. 2. Life 3. Holiness 4. The Spirit of Truth Examine your selves whether ye be in the faith prove your own selves know ye not your own selves how that Jesus Christ is in you except ye be reprobates 2 Cor. 13.5
110.1 Christ Jesus the Son of God expects this From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool Heb. 10.18 All the Saints of God live in the faith of this that all enemies will be made Christ Jesus's footstool let one then speak for all the rest the Apostle Paul For he must reign till he hath put all enemies under his feet 1 Cor. 15.25 The Prophet Isaiah hath spoken of good and great things to come And it shall come to pass in the last days that the Mountain of the Lord's house shall be established in the top of the Mountains and shall be exalted above the Hills and all Nations shall flow â—nto it Isa 2.2 See here five things 1. The true Church is the House of God 1 Tim. 3.15 Heb. 3.6 2. This House is a Mountain Jer. 31. v. 23. Isa 2.3 3. This Mountain of the Lord's House shall be established in the top of the Mountains and exalted above the Hills Micah 4.1 4. All Nations shall flow unto it They shall ask the way to Zion with their faces thitherward saying Come let us joyn our selves to the Lord in a perpetual Covenant that shall not be forgotten Isa 50.5 5. Of the time when It shall be in the last days Isa 2.2 The Prophet Daniel that was after Isaiah spake of this glory And the Stone that smote the Image became a great Mountain and filled the whole Earth Dan. 2.35 And there was given unto him dominion and glory and a Kingdom that all People Nations and Languages should serve him his dominion is an everlasting dominion which shall not pass away and his Kingdom that which shall not be destroyed Dan. 7.14 The holy Saint John that was long after Daniel saw this glory more clearly and hath shew'd it more fully And the seventh Angel sounded and there wâ—re great voices in Heaven saying The Kingdoms of this world are become the Kingdoms of our Lord and of his Christ and he shall reign for ever and ever Rev. 11.15 For all Nations shall come and worship before thee Rev. 5.4 1. Here is then all Nations not a part but all not some out of all Nations but 〈◊〉 Nations 2. They shall come to him that is the desire of all Nations Hag. 2.7 That which Gods mouth hath spoken his hanâ— will fulfil Behold the Nations are as a droâ— of the Bucket and are accounted as the smaâ— dust of the Ballance Isa 40.15 A droâ— that the Lord can dry up and dust that hâ— can blow away 3. The end of their coming To worship before the Lord. For all Nation shall come and worship before thee and manâ— Nations shall come and say Come and let uâ— go up to the Mountain of the Lord and tâ— the House of the God of Jacob Mic. 4.2 And many Nations shall be joined to thâ— Lord in that day and shall be my people Zach. 2.11 O who will not wait for thiâ— with the greatest patience and pray foâ— this with the greatest fervency that God ways may be known upon earth and his saviâ—â— health among all Nations Psal 67.2 The Prophet Jeremiah hath spoken 〈◊〉 glorious things to come But this is 〈◊〉 Covenant that I will make with the House Israel after those days saith the Lord will put my Law in their inward parts aâ— write it in their hearts and will be their Gâ—â— and they shall be my people And they shâ—â—â— teach no more every man his Neighbour 〈◊〉 every man his Brother saying Know â— Lord for they shall all know me from the least of them to the greatest of them saith the Lord Jer. 31.33 34. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy Mountain for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the Sea Isa 11.9 For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the Sea Hab 2.14 Many shall run to and fro and knowledge shall be increased Dan. 12.4 This running will be from error to truth from the traditions of men to the holy Word of God from superstition to the power of godliness and from idolatry to worship the living God in spirit and truth This running will be from prophecies to providences and from precepts to promises from one part of God's Word to another and from lesser light to greater light till all men come to know and enjoy the true light of God the light of his countenance the light of his spirit the light of his providences and the light of his Word Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path Psa 119.105 This liâ—ht shines out of darkness and shines into the hearts of men to give them the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus â—hrist and in his light they shall see light To know God is mens greatest wisdom and to enjoy him for ever will be their greatest happiness Ezekiel the Prophet hath spoken of blessings of great blessings and of showers of blessings to come And I will make them and the places round about my Hill a blessing and I will cause the shower to come down in his season There shall be showers of blessings Ezek. 34.26 This Propheâ— hath spoken much concerning the Jew restauration and of the glory that shal follow and let the Reader consider theâ— these four things First how they went into the land oâ— Canaan and possest it in the days of Joshua they were as terrible as an Armâ— with Banners Cant. 6.4 The dread anâ— fear of them fell upon their enemie And she said unto the men I know that tâ— Lord hath given you the Land and that yoâ— terror is fallen upon us and that all the Iâ—habitants of the Land faint because of yoâ— For we have heard how the Lord dried up tâ— waters of the Red Sea for you when you caâ— out of Egypt and what you did to the tâ—â— Kings of the Amorites that were on the othâ— side Jordan Sihon and Og whom ye â—â—terly destroyed And as soon as we had heaâ—â— these things our hearts did melt neither iâ— there remain any more courage in any man because of you For the Lord your God he is God in Heaven above and in the Earth beneath Josh 2.9 10 11. They saw the glory of Gods miracles in their passing over Jordan the waters fled from them they stood up in heaps and were cut off Josh 3.13 They then had Gods glorious presence with them and he made his glorious Arm bare for them and the Angel of his presence went before them And it came to pass when Joshua was by Jericho that he lift up his eyes and looked and behold there stood a man over against him with his Sword drawn in his hand And Joshua went unto him and said unto him Art thou for us or for our adversaries And he said Nay but as Captain of the Host of the Lord am I now come And Joshua
fell on his face to the Earth and did worship and said unto him What saith my Lord to his servant And the Captain of the Lords Host said unto Joshua Loose thy shooe from off thy foot for the place whereon thou standest is holy And Joshua did so Josh 5.13 14 15. By this you may see they entered into the Land of Canaan with glory and triumph with joy and gladness Secondly Consider of the time and manner that these Jews were taken Captives and carried away out of their own Land. And there came up Shalmaneser King of Assyria and he took Samaria and carried away Israel into Assyria and placed them in Halah and in Habor by the River of Gazon and in the Cities of the Medes 2 Kings 17.6 And the Lord rejected all the Seed of Israel and afflicted them and delivered them into the hand of spoilers until he had cast them out of his sight verse 20. Until the Lord removed Israel out of his sight as he had said by all his servants the Prophets So was Israel carried away out of their own Land to Assyria unto this day verse 23. They were carried away with shame and reproach God was not with them but against them and was become their Enemy because they did secretly those things that were not right against the Lord their God and they built them high places in all their Cities from the Tower of the Watchmen to the Fenced City and they served Idols whereof the Lord had said unto them Ye shall not do this thing And they left all the Commandments of the Lord their God and made them molten Images even two Calves and made a Grove and worshipped all the Host of Heaven and served Baal And they caused their Sons and their Daughters to pass through the fire and used Divination and Inchantments and sold themselves to do evil in the sight of the Lord to provoke him to anger Therefore the Lord was very angry with Israel and removed them out of his sight that there was none left but the Tribe of Judah only By this a man may see the evil of sin It was sin that turned Angels into Devils and their Heaven into a Hell it was sin that turned Adam and Eve out of Paradise it was sin that turned the Cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into Flames and Ashes and it was sin that turned Israel out of Canaan that good Land that flowed with Milk and Honey Thirdly Consider how long these Jews have been hid and concealed from all other people on the face of the Earth that were carried away by Shalmaneser King of Assyria so long ago 2 Kings 17.6 No History can shew where they are in what Land or Nâ—tion No Travellers can tell us that go from Nation to Nation and from Kingdom to Kingdom to Countreys that are afar off even to the utmost parts of the Earth what is become of that people that are usually called the Ten Tribes I have often asked the Jews that live amongst us this question whether they have heard of them or did know in what part of the World they were their answer to me was That God Almighty had hid and concealed them in some part of the Earth or other but they did not know where but they did verily believe that God would some time or other bring them forth in the eyes of all the Nations and all the ends of the Earth shall see the Salvation of the Lord. And he said Go thy way Daniel for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end Dan. 12.9 And when the seven thunders had uttered their voices I was about to write and I heard a voice from Heaven saying unto me Seal up those things which the seven thunders uttered and write them not Rev 10.4 Fourthly Consider the restauration of Israel to their own Land they shall return to that Land which God gave them for an Inheritance The Scriptures of truth do fully and clearly shew this For the Lord will have mercy on Jacob and will yet chuse Israel and set them in their own Land Isa 14 1. But the Lord liveth which brought up and which led the Seed of the House of Israel out of the North Countrey and from all Countreys whither I had driven them and they shall dwell in their own Land Jer. 23.8 For I will take you from among the Heathen and gather you out of all Countreys and will bring you into your own Land Ezek. 36.24 Thus saith the Lord God Behold I will take the Children of Israel from among the Heathen whither they be gone and will gather them on every side and bring them into their own Land Ezek. 27.21 And at that time shall Michael stand up the great Prince which standeth for the Children of thy people and there shall be a time of trouble such as never was since there was a Nation even to that same time And at that time thy people shall be delivered Dan. 12.1 For behold in those days and in that time when I shall bring again the Captivity of Judah and Jerusalem I will gather all Nations and will bring them down into the Valley of Jehoshaphat and will plead with them there for my people and for my heritage Israel whom they have scattered among the Nations and parted their Land Joel 3.1 2. And I will bring again the Captivity of my people of Israel and they shall build the waste Cities and inhabit them and they shall plant Vineyards and drink the Wine thereof They shall also make Gardens and eat the Fruit of them And I will plant them upon their Land and they shall no more be pulled up out of their Land which I have given them saith the Lord thy God Amos 9.14 15. And in that day saith the Lord will I assemble her that halteth and I will gather her that is driven out and her that I have afflicted And I will make her that halteth a remnant and her that was cast far off a strong Nation and the Lord shall reign over them in Mount Zion from henceforth even for ever Micah 4.6 7. Behold at that time I will undo all that afflict thee and I will save her that halteth and gather her that was driven out and I will get them praise and fame in every land where they have been put to shame At that time will I bring you again even in the time that I gather you for I will make you a name and a praise among all people of the Earth when I turn back your Captivity before your eyes saith the Lord Zeph. 3.19 20. Thus saith the Lord of Hosts there shall yet old men and old women dwell in the streets of Jerusalem and every man with his staff in his hand for very Age. And the streets of the City shall be full of Boys and Girls playing in the streets thereof Thus saith the Lord of Hosts if it be marvellous in the eyes of the remnant of this
this fully and plainly that the latter days and last days are Gospel days For so are they called in the Scriptures of truth then the days of these Kings were to be no other than Gospel days in the days of these Kings that is in Gospel days Secondly Of the Kings that were to be in Gospel times for if the days of these Kings were to be Gospel days then these Kings must be in Gospel times This is so clear and plain that it cannot be denied these Kings were to arise out of the Fourth Kingdom that was to be as strong as Iron And after thee shall arise another Kingdom inferiour to thee and another third Kingdom of Brass which shall bear rule over all the Earth and the fourth Kingdom shall be as strong as Iron for as much as Iron breaketh in pieces and subdueth all things and as Iron that breaketh all these shall it break in Pieces and bruise and whereas thou sawest the Feet and Toes part of Potters Clay and part of Iron the Kingdom shall be divâ—ded but there shall be in it of the strength of the Iron for as much as thou sawest the Iron mâ—xed with miry clay and as the toes of the feet were part of Iron and part of Clay so the Kingdom shall be partly strong and partly broken Dan. 2.39 40 41 42. And four great beasts came up from the Sea divers one from another The first was like a Lion and had Eagles Wings and I beheld till the Wings thereof were pluckt and it was lifted up from the Earth and made stand upon the feet as a man and a mans heart was given to it and behold another Beast a Second like to a Bear and it raised up it self on one side and it had three ribs in the mouth of it between the teeth of it and they said thus unto it Arise devour much flesh After this I beheld and lo another like a leopard which had upon the back of it four wings of a fowl the beast had also four Heads and dominion was given to it And after this I saw in the night visions and behold a fourth beast dreadful and terrible and strong exâ—eedingly and it had great Iron teeth it devoured and brake in pieces and stampâ—d the residue of â—t with the feet and it was divers from all â—he beasts that were before it and it had ten Horns Dan. 7.3 4 5 6 7 Thus he said The fourth beast shall be the fourth Kingdom upon Earth which shall be diverse from all Kingdoms and shall devour the whole Earth and shall tread it down and break it in pieces And the ten Horns out of this Kingdom are ten Kings that shall arise and another shall arise after them and he shall be diverse from the first and he shall subdue three Kings verse 23 24. The truth of this will yet farther appear to us because these Kings are so often named and spoken of in the New Testament And ye shall be brought before Governours and Kings for my sake for a Testimony against them and the Gentiles Mat. 10.18 Take heed to your selves for they shall deliver you up to Counsels and in the Synagogues ye shall be beaten and ye shall be brought before Rulers and Kings for my sake for a Testimony against them Mark 13.9 And he said unto them The Kings of the Gentiles exercise Lordship over them and they that exercise Authority upon them are called Benefactors Luke 22.25 But the Lord said unto him Go thy way for he it a chosen Vessel unto me to bear my Name before the Gentiles and Kings and the Children of Israel Acts 9.15 And the Kings of the Earth the great men and the rich men and the chief Captains and the mighty men and every bondman every freeman hid themselveâ— in the Dens and in the Rocks of the Mountains Rev. 6.15 For they are the spirits of Devils working Miracles which go forth unto the Kings of the Earth and of the whole World to gather them to the battel of that great day of God Almighty Rev. 16.14 And in the 17th chapter they are mentioned five times With whom the Kings of the Earth have committed fornication and the Inhabiters of the Earth have been drunk with the Wine of her fornication Rev. 17.2 And there are seven Kings five are fallen and one is and the other is not yet come and when he cometh he must continue a short space Verse 10. And the ten Horns which thou sawest are ten Kings which have received no Kingdom as yet but receive power as Kings one hour with the beast Verse 12. And the woman which thou sawest is that great City which reigneth over the Kings of the Earth Rev. 18.3.9 Verse 18. This is so clear and very plain that I need not say any more as to this for in the days of these Kings shall the God of Heaven set up a Kingdom Rev. 19.18 19. Thirdly Of the way and manner how this Kingdom was to be set up It was prophesied by Isaiah the Prophet For unto us a Child is born unto us a Son is given and the Government shall be upon his shoulders and his Name shall be called Wonderful Counsellor the Mighty God the Everlasting Father the Prince of Peace Isa 9.6 Therefore thus saith the Lord God Behold I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone a trye stone a precious stone a corner stone 1 Pet. 2.6 a sure foundation and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded Isa 28.16 Now what way did God take to bring this about this way he made Providences fulfil Prophecies And it came to pass in those days that there went out a Decree from Caesar Augustus that all the World should be taxed and all went to be taxed every one in his own City And Joseph also went up from Galilee out of the City os Nazareth into Judea unto the City of David which is called Bethlehem because he was of the house and lineage of David to be taxed with Mary his espoused Wife being great with child And so it was that while they were there the days were accomplished that she should be delivered and she brought forth her first born Son Luke 2.1 to 7. Little did Caesar Augustus think when he made this Decree that all the World should be taxed what this was to do what this was to accomplish and fulfil this thing brought up the holy Child Jesus from Galilee out of the City of Nazareth into Judea unto the City of David which is called Bethlehem to be brought forth and born there according to the Scriptures and they said unto him in Bethlehem of Judea For thus it is written by the Prophet Micah 5.2 Mat. 2.5 This brought the wise men from the East that came to worship him verse 2. This brought the Angel to the Shepherds as they were abiding in the field keeping watch over their slock by night This brought the Shepherds to the Manger wherein the Babe
The Name of the Lord And I looked and lo a Lamb stood on the Mount Sion and with him an Hundred forty and four thousand having his Fathers name written in their foreheads Rev. 14.1 Him that overcometh will I make a Pillar in the Temple of my God and he shall go no more out and I will write upon him the name of my God and the name of the City which is New Jerusalem which cometh down out of Heaven from my God and I will write upon him a new name Rev. 3.12 The Name of God is upon his People and this shews to whom they do belong and whose they are 3. The comliness and glory of the Lord And thy renown went forth among the Heathen for thy beauty for it was perfect through my comliness which I had put upon thee saith the Lord Ezek. 16.14 And the Lord will create upon every dwelling place of Mount Zion and upon her Assemblies a cloud and smoke by day and the shining of a flaming fire by night for upon all the glory shall be a defence Isa 4.5 If ye be reproached for the Name of Christ happy are ye for the Spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you 1 Pet. 4.14 These are the things that are upon the righteous And there are three things that God hath given to his People 1. Himself But this shall be the Covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days saith the Lord I will put my Law in their inward parts and write it in their hearts and will be their God and they shall be my People Jer. 31.33 They shall call on my Name and I will hear them I will say It is my People and they shall say The Lord is my God Zech. 13.9 For what agreement hath the Temple of God with Idols for ye are the Temple of the living God as God hath said I will dwell in them and walk in them and I will be their God and they shall be my People 2 Cor. 6.16 2. A Kingdom Fear not little flock for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the Kingdom Luke 12.32 And I appoint unto you a Kingdom as my Father hath appointed unto me Luke 22.29 Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven Matth. 5.3 3. Grace and Glory For the Lord God is a Sun and Shield the Lord will give grace and glory no good thing will he with hold from them that walk uprightly Psal 84.11 And he said unto me My grace is sufficient for thee 2 Cor. 12.9 Whether Paul or Apollo or Cephas or the World or Life or Death or things present or things to come all is yours 1 Cor. 3.22 O Christian how canst thou say thou hast nothing or that thou hast but little Here is thy Inventory see here what thy heavenly Father hath given thee count it and cast it up Thou hast all things God hath given thee himself and a Kingdom grace and glory things present and things to come the world life and death are all thine how great is thy happiness O! wait but a little and thou wilt be in the possession of all There be three things that God will never take from his people whiles they are in this life 1. His love and loving kindness I have loved thee with an everlasting love therefore with loving kindness have I drawn thee Jer. 31.3 He that hath my commandments and keepeth them he it is that loveth me and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father and I will love him and manifest my self to him John 14.21 Having loved his own which were in the World he loved them unto the end John 13.1 This the righteous are crown'd with in this life He crowneth them with loving kindness and tender mercies Psalm 103.4 2. His Spirit And I will pray the Father and he shall give you another comforter that he may abide with you for ever even the spirit of truth John 14.16 17. but the fruit of the Spirit is love joy peace long-suffering gentleness goodness saith meekness temperance Gal. 5.22 23. Know ye not that ye are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you 1 Cor. 3.16 God will not leave his Children comfortless he will not leave them orphans the Spirit of God dwells in them and abides with them and resteth upon them and leads them into all truth it convinceth sinners and it comforteth Saints For the Spirit it self maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered 3. His Presence which is the glory of his People and the glory in the midst of them God is in the midst of her she shall not be moved God shall help her and â—hat right early Psalm 46.5 Take counsel â—ogether and it shall come to nought speak â—he word and it shall not stand for God is with us Isa 8.10 Jesus answered and â—aid unto him If a man love me he will keep my words and my Father will love him and â—e will come unto him and make our abode with him John 14.23 The presence of God is the Saints Heaven on Earth They do sometimes in a duty enjoy so much of God's presence that it fills their eyes with tears and their hearts with joy they â—eel that they cannot express and enâ—oy that which cannot be fully uttered and tast that which they cannot declare to others I did know a young man in the City of Exon about thirty five years ago who lay under many temptations and fears because he wanted God's comforting presence but in a certain night when all the people in the family were in their beds and as he thought fast asleep except himself he rose up from his bed and went up into the Garret and there wrestl'd with God by prayer with fervency and many tears but was then so terrified by temptations and fears that he thought the Devil waâ— present with him in the room sometimeâ— before him and sometimes behind him which did so distract and interrupt him that he was forc'd often to break off foâ— a little time and this he continued to do for three nights together but on the third night as he was pouring out hiâ— Soul before the Lord in prayer his voicâ— was taken from him that he could noâ— utter a word but his understanding remained with him for about the space oâ— a quarter of an hour and in that time he thought himself to be in Heaven or the Joys of Heaven to be in him he then tasted and enjoyed so much of God that it was not possible for a man to utter nor to declare to others but when his speech returned to him that he could speak he then found that this extraordinary presence of God withdrew it selâ— from him then he blest and prais'd the God of Heaven that had seal'd his Love to him and given him the earnest of his Spirit and victory over the Devil God knows that what I have here
with Christ Jesus and with the Spirits of Just men made perfect Fourthly The blessed Angels will not leave them 1. The Angels did proclaim the birth of our Saviour And suddenly there was with the Angel a multitude of the Heavenly Host praising God and saying Glory to God in the highest and on Earth peace good will towards men Luke 2.13 14. 2. They do rejoyce at the conversion of sinners I say unto you that likewise Joy shall be in Heaven over one sinner that repenteth more than over ninety and nine Just persons which need no repentance Luke 15.7 3 The Angels of the Lord encamp round about them that fear him and deliver them Psal 34.7 For we are made a spectacle unto the world and to Angels and to men 1 Cor. 4.9 For this cause ought the Woman to have power on her Head because of the Angels 1 Cor. 11.10 4. They are all ministring Spirits Spirits sent forth to minister for them who shall be Heirs of Salvation Heb. 1.14 5. Lazarus died and was carried by the Angels into Abrahams bosom Luke 16.22 The mystery of Angels we shall better understand in the next world than we do in this but this is certain the Church of God receives great benefits by them as I have prov'd before They are Spirits that are invisible They enter into our Houses as the light doth They take up no room nor justle any body aside They see and behold us though we see not them and do us good though we know it not and oftentimes keep evil from us though we do not understand it Heaven is their countrey yet they are often upon the Earth and do know the state and condition of the Church better than we do Then the Angel of the Lord answered and said O Lord of Hosts how long wilt thou not have meâ—cy on Jerusalem and on the Cities of Judah against which thou hast had indignation these threescore and ten years and the Lord answered the Angel that talked with me with good words and comfortable words Zech. 12 13. By this you may see God the Father will not leave his Children Christ Jesus the Son of God will not leave the Members of his Body the Spirit of God will not leave its temple that he dwells in the Angels of God will not leave the charge that is committed to them The Kingdom shall not be left to anâ—â—her â—eople First It shall not be left to another People as the Canâ—anites were left to the Sword of Joshua and to the Sword of the Hebrews that he might destroy them utterly and that they might have no favour but that he might destroy them as the Lord commanded Mâ—ses So Joshua took the whâ—le Land according to all that the Lord had said unto Moses and Joshua gave it for an Inheritance unto Israel according to their divisions by their Tribes and the land did rest from war Joshua 11.20 23. the Church of God shall never be left to another People as the Amalekites were left to the Spears and Swords of Saul and his Army Now go and smite Amalek and utterly destroy all that they have and spare them not but slay both Man and Woman Infant and Suckling Ox and Sheep Camel and Ass 1 Sam. 15.4 The Enemies may fall upon some small parties here and there and rout and destroy some of them as they have done all along but they will never be able to rout and destroy the main body of the Church This they could never do with all their power force and multitudes that they have brought together against the Church of God This they could never do and this they shall never be able to do as I have shewed before the Enemies have done their utmost oftentimes to cut off and destroy the Church of God by wicked ways by cruel laws and by bloody hands For lo thine Enemies make a tumult and they that hate thee have lift up the head they have taken crafty counsel against thy People â—nd consulted against thy hidden ones They have said Come and let us cut them off from being a nation that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance for they have consulted together with one consent they are confederate against thee Psal 83.2 3 4 5. This they have done often and this they will do by tumults by crafty counsel and by a confederacy Why do the Heathen rage and the People imagine a vain thing the Kings of the Earth set themselves and the rulers take counsel together against the Lord and against his anointed saying Let us break their bands asunder and cast away their cords from us He that sitteth in the Heavens shall laugh the Lord shall have them in derision then shall he speak unto thâ—m in his wrath and vex them in his sore displeasure Yet have I set my King upon my holy hill of Sion Psal 2.1 to 6. When men have done all they can and done their worst yet God will set his Son upon his holy hill of Sion and all the Enemies that are in the world will not be able to hinder it men speak great words and it comes to nothing God speaks and his word stands the Church of God is like a rock by the Sea side the Waves beat violently against the rock but they break not the rock but themselves The Enemies of Gods Church have made many assaults and like the Waves of the Sea have beat violently against it and upon it but they break not the Church but themselves to pieces The Church of God is like the Sea what it loseth in one place it gains in another When the Enemies are destroying God's faithfull Servants in one place then the God of Heaven is increasing and gathering of theâ— in another place by calling and conveâ—ting of hundreds and thousands turning them from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to himself convincing their consciences enlightning their minds opening their understandings purifying their hearts by Faith and blessing them with spiritual blessings causing them to stand up to be faithful Witnesses and to bear faithful Testimonies in their day as others had done before them for God and his Truth By this it appears very plain that the Kingdom shall not be left to another People Secondly It shall not be left to another People The people shall dwell alone and shall not be reckoned among the Nations This people shall not mingle themselves with other people Numb 23.9 They shall not cleave one to another the World is one thing but the Church of God is another thing the World is a common Field but the Church is a well watered Garden Isa 51.3 The Garden of the Lord Isa 58.11 The World is as a Wilderness a barren Desart but the Church is a Vineyard which the Lord hath planted Psal 80.15 The World is a destroying Mountain Jer. 51.25 but the Church is God's Holy Hill Psal 2.6 The World is a Kingdom of darkness Eph. 5.11 but
say We have eaten and drunken in thy presence and thou hast taught in our streets but he shall say I tell you I know you not whence ye are depart from me all ye workers of Iniquity Luk. 13.25 26 27. See here a carnal worlds profession it is words all words and nothing but words Let us go a little farther and see the worlds worship O! 't is a brave worship fine and gawdy to behold if you will believe carnal men But let us see what the Scriptures of truth say of it Bring no more vain oblations incense is an abomination unto me the new moons and sabbaths the calof assemblies I cannot away with it is iniquity even the solemn meetings your new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hateth they are a trouble unto me I am weary to bear thâ—m And when ye spread forth your hands I will hide mine eyes from you yea when ye make many prayers I will not hear your hands are full of blood Isa 13.14 15. He that killeth an Ox is as if he slew a man he that sacrificeth a lamb as if he cut off a Dogs neck he that offereth an oblation as if he â—ffered swines blood he that burneth incense as if he blessed an Idol yea they have chosen their own ways and their Soul delighteth â—n their abominations Isa 66.3 The God of Israel did not condemn the worship but the worshipers he reproved them and thundered from Heaven against them by his Prophets for their uncleanness and â—ilthiness for their sins and abominaâ—ions for their cruelties and oppressions â—heir hands were full of blood these were â—he worshipers in that day that the Lord did hate and abhor In the New Testament you may find a worship spoken of and worshipers both â—ondemn'd by God himself and disalâ—ow'd of Ye worship ye know not what but â—he hour cometh and now is when the true â—orshipers shall worship the Father in Spirit and â— Truth for the father seeketh such to worâ—â—ip him Joh. 4.22 23. Let no man beguile â—â—u of your reward in a voluntary humility â—nd worshiping of Angels intruding into those â—â—ings which he hath not seen vainly puft up 〈◊〉 his fleshly mind touch not tast not hanâ—e not Which all are to perish with the using â—â—ter the Commandments and Doctrines of men Col. 2.18 21 22. But also that the Temple of the great Goddess Diana should be despised and her magnificence should be destroyed whom all Asia and the World worshipeth Acts 19.27 And the rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues yet repented not of the works of their hands that they should not worship Devils and Idols of Gold and Silver and Brass and Stone and of Wood which neither can see nor hear nor walk Rev. 9.20 And all the world wondered after the Beast and they worshiped the Dragon which gave power unto the Beast and they worshiped the Beast saying Whâ— is like unto the beast Who is able to makâ— War with him Rev. 13.3 4. Here is a worship and worshipers but what saith the Lord of these worshipers If any maâ— worship the Beast and the Image and receivâ— his mark in his forehead or in his hand thâ— same shall drink of the Wine of the wrath oâ— God which is poured out without mixture intâ— the Cup of his indignation and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presencâ— of the Holy Angels and in the presence of thâ— Lamb and the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever and they have no resâ— day nor night who worship the beast and hiâ— Image and whosoever receiveth the mark oâ— his name Rev. 14.9 10 11. A carnaâ— man may have the words of prayers the form of prayers but he hath not the grace of prayer the Spirit of prayer He may make a profession but still holds fast his corruptions and will not let them go He may have a form of Godliness and â—et be an Enemy to the power of Godliâ—ess He may have a seeming Religion â—nd yet allow himself to live in all open wickedness Having a form of Godliness â—â—t denying the power thereof from such turn way 2 Tim. 3.5 Bad men deny the power of Godliness â—nd look most upon the form Good â—en desire the power of Godliness and â—ook least to the form Saints must turn â—way from evil men that they be not parâ—â—kers with them and sinners must turn â—way from the evil of their ways that God may have mercy upon them 3. They hate the people of God and â—ave enmity against them but they shall â—e and be ashamed for their envy at the â—eople yea The fire of thine Enemies shall â—vour them Isa 26.11 This enmity was â—st in the Devil against our first Parents â—hen they were in Paradice And ye shall â— as Gods knowing good and evil Gen. 3.5 â—ut how Ye shall know the good by â—lling from it and ye shall know the evil by undergoing it This enmity was in the mind of Cain against Abel And iâ— came to pass when they were in the field thaâ— Cain arose up against Abel his brother and slew him Gen. 4.8 Abel was the first sufferer for truth the first witness that waâ— kill'd the first righteous blood that waâ— shed upon the Earth This enmity waâ— in Esau against Jacob and Esau said iâ— his Heart The days of mourning for my Father are at hand then will I slay my brotheâ— Jacob Gen. 27.41 This enmity was iâ— the Hearts and Minds of the Egyptian against the Children of Israel The Enemâ— said I will pursue I will overtake I wiâ—â— divide the spoil my lust shall be satisfied upoâ— them I will draw my Sword my hand shaâ—â— destroy them Exod. 15.9 This enmitâ— was in wicked Ahab and Jezabel againâ— the Prophets of the Lord. And Ahab toâ— Jezabel all that Elijah had done and witâ— all how he had slain all the Prophets with tâ—â— Sword then Jezebel sent a messenger unâ—â— Elijah saying So let the Godâ— do to me alsâ— and more if I make not thy life as the life oâ— one of them by to morrow about this timâ— 1 Kings 19.1 2. This enmity was in the Scribes and Phâ—risees against our Saviour If we let this maâ— alone all men will believe on him Joh. 11 4â— This enmity was in the people of the Jews against the holy Apostles They took counsel to slay them Acts 5.33 This enmity was in the Heathens against the Christians in the time of the â—en persecutions This enmity was in the Beast and in â—he Woman that sits upon many Waters â—gainst the Saints and Martyrs of Christ Jesus And I saw the Woman drunken with â—he blood of the Saints and with the blood â—f the Martyrs of Jesus Rev. 17.6 And â—his enmity is now in the Hearts and Minds of all carnal people against Gods faithful servants that are redeem'd from â—he Earth and from amongst men Fifthly It is a vain World. Vanity of
your fathers did so do ye Acts 7.51 Now that which makes men do this be these six things 1. Worldly Interest 2. Self-conceit 3. A blind Subjection to others 4. Pride of Heart 5. Satan's Policy 6. Education These make men have an implacable hatred to all that is good When men are governed by these they imploy their rage and fury against the faithful With the greater part of Mankind these are so powerful that nothing but the mighty power of God is able to overcome them and to rescue men from their force It will require a measure of the extraordinary graces of Gods Spirit to be poured out And this is that good work which the Lord works in the Souls of men by his holy Spirit He works in them his own Image his own holy Will Power and Strength Knowledge and Understanding a love to God and a delight in him He makes them new Creatures and leads them into the paths of truth and righteousness This is a victory and this victory overcometh the world even our faith 1 Joh. 5.4 And when he is come he will reprove the world of sin of righteousness of judgment Of sin because they believe not on me Of righteousness because I go to my father and ye see me no more Of judgment because the Prince of this world is judged I have yet many things to say unto you but ye cannot bear them now Howbeit when he the spirit of truth is come he will guide you into all truth for he shall not speak of himself but whatsoever he shall hear that shall he speak and he will shew you things to come John 16.8 to 13. 3. The Saint is the Seeker Ask and it shall be given you seek and ye shall find knock and it shall be opened unto you Mat. 7.7 And shall not God avenge his own elect which cry day and night unto him though he bear long with them Luke 18.7 There is a three-fold cry that enters into the ears of the God of Sabbaoth The cry of Blood Rev. 6.10 The cry of Prayer Isa 19.20 The cry of Sin James 5.4 This is that cry which taketh peace from the Earth This is that which turns the World upside down This is that which brings the great Earthquake that makes the Cities of the Nations to fall This is that which breaks the Arm and the Bow of the wicked and turns their counsels into foolishness This is that which makes distress of Nations with perplexity the Sea and the Waves roaring mens hearts failing them for fear and for looking after those things which are coming upon the Earth for the poâ—â—rs of Heaven shall be shaken What wonderful things have been done by Prayeâ— and if tâ—â—re â—e but a Spirit of Prayer â—â—pt up in Gods people the abomination of desolation will not be able to stand before them Mat. 24.15 Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain and it rained not upon the Earth by the space of three years and six months and he prayed again and the heaven gave rain and the earth brought forth her fruit James 5.17 18. 3. The Church of God shall consume the Kingdoms of the world by the Word of truth And I saw and behold a white horse and he that sate on him had a bow and a Crown was given unto him and he went forth conquering and to conquer Rev. 6.2 This Conqueror is the Lamb the Lord Jesus Christ and this Conquest he makes by the Sword. But what Sword is it not a carnal Sword but by the Sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God Eph. 6.17 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp Sword that with it he should smite the nations Rev. 19.15 For the Word of God is quick and powerful and sharper than a two edged Sword piercing even to the dividing asunder of Soul and Spirit and of the Joynts and Marrow and is a discerner of the thoughts and the intents of the heart Heb. 4.12 When the Blessed Jesus came in the form of a Servant he spake from Heaven the Word of truth Whose voice then shook the earth but now he hath promised saying Yet once more I shake not the earth only but also heaven and this word yet once more signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken as of things that are made that those things which cannot be shaken may remain Heb. 12.26 The Word of truth is that which shakes the Devils Kingdom and Antichrist's Kingdom it shakes mens Foundations and their strong Holds their Refuges and Confidences And when the Lord lifts up his Name and makes his holy Arm bare his Power known by the Word of Truth and brings in his grace into the Souls of men and works in them by his Spirit his own Will his own Nature his Righteousness and holy Fear this is that which cannot be shaken and this is that which breaks in pieces and consumes hard and stony Hearts blind and dark minds carnal and fleshly Wisdom fierce and Lion-like Spirits This changeth mens Natures into a Lamb-like Spirit as the Prophet speaketh The Wolf also shall dwell with the Lamb and the Leopard shall lye down with the Kid and the Calf and the young Lion and the Fatling together and a little Child shall lead them And the Cow and the Bear shall feed their young ones shall lye down together and the Lion shall eat Straw like the Oxe And the suckling Child shall play on the hole of the Asp and the weaned Child shall put his hand on the Cockatrice den they shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain for the Earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the Waters cover the Sea Isa 11.6 7 8 9. When sin shall be done away and iniquity shall be finished when the Tribes of the Earth shall be rent from the power of darkness and the everlasting Gospel shall be preach'd to all nations under Heaven then none shall hurt and destroy in all thy holy mountain Let no man deceive you by any means for that day shall not come except there come a falling away first and that man of sin be revealed the son of perdition who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped so that he as God sitteth in the Temple of God shewing himself that he is God. Remember ye not that when I was yet with you I told you these things And now ye know what with-holdeth that he might be revealed in his time For the Mystery of Iniquity doth already work only he who now letteth will lett until he be taken out of the way And then shall that wicked be revealed whom the Lord shall consume with the Spirit of his Mouth and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming 2 Thes 2.3 to 8. The Apostle Paul having the Spirit of God did in that Spirit tell these Thessalonians what should come