Day But suppose they had been of that Moyety of Mankind that lye dead in the Grave as Psal 88. 5. and that Death had not onely seiz'd but also fed upon them and had Gnawed them to the very bones leaving nothing but bare bones yea suppose those bones had been dryed yea so very much dryed ex Vetustate Carie both so old and so rotten as ready to moulder into Dust at the least Touch yet the great God who comes to stand over these Opened Graves as Christ did over Lazarus's Joh. 11. 38 41. and who by his Almighty Power can quicken the Dead and call things that are not as if they were Rom. 5. 17. Joh. 5. 28. Isa 26. 19. Hos 13. 14. he cryeth with some Groanings over the Grave Lazarus Judah Oh my People Oh my Church come forth Joh. 11. 43. Ezek. 37. 12. Yea he Roareth mightily from on high Ier. 25. 30. like the lusty Lyon finding his Whelps dead in his Den at their birth he falls a Roaring so fiercely that as Pliny Reports they presently revive and rise up So the Lyon of the Tribe of Iudah Roareth here to the like purpose and much more at the last Day 1 Thess 4. 16. 1 Cor. 15. 52. together with Gods Word there goeth out a Power Luk. 5. 17. as when he said Lazarus come forth So it is in the first Resurrection and so it shall be in the last Joh. 5. 25 28 29. If God do but Speak to the dry bones saying Ye shall Live c. accordingly it is done as in the Creation of the World Gen. 1. 3 6 9 14 c. The Admirable Work of this great World was all made by a bare Word out of the Mouth of the Almighty God and He who could give a being out of nothing at the first can more easily restore a Being out of something again as out of dry Bones here This great Truth Ezekiel Gods Interpreter excellently Evidenceth in his Parabolical and Typical Vision of the dry Bones most aptly Applyed and Accomodated to the Jewish-Church in the Graves of Babylon which yet was Reviv'd Ezek. 37. v. 7. 1. By a Noise or Rattle to wit some Roaring Thunderclap 2. By a Shakeing as that of the Earthquake at Christs Resurrection Matth. 28. 2. the Earth did shake then to let Christ out of his Grave and now to let the Church out and when God delivers his Church from mystical Babylon he will shake Heaven as well as Earth Hebr. 12. 26 27. he will shake the old Heaven and the old Earth to settle the New Heaven and the New Earth 2 Pet. 3. 12 13. Gods Shakeing concludes with Settling 't is not to Ruine but to Refine his Church Oh what a Noise and what a Shakeing was made here by Ordinary Means as well as by Extraordinary in the Thunderelap above and in the Earthquake below to wit 1. by the Power of Prayer 2. by a prevalent Proclamation 1. Prayer hath a shakeing Power Act. 4. 31. Yea and a ratling Noise or Sound with it Act. 2. 2. as Ezekiels Vision of the dry bones had both those Two extraordinary and sensible Signs of Gods powerful presence so the Spirit of God came upon those Praying Ones as a Spirit of Power 2 ' Tim. 1. 7. and shakes the place of Prayr with a mighty rushing Wind and shakes the Persons too at that first planting of the Gospel as Planters do to young Plants that they may settle the better Now this Powerful Prayr for the Jewish-Churches Restoration out of Babylon was Threefold 1. That of Solomon 1 Kin. 8. from 46 to 54. this very Prayr though made about 468 Y. before shakes the Heart of the Persian Prince Cyrus so as to shew Compassion to Gods poor people in Babylon and at length gives them leave to Return thus Jacobs Prayr God Almighty give you Mercy or Hebr. Bowels Gen. 43. 14. was particularly Answer'd when Josephs Bowels yerned over Benjamin v. 30. 2. That of Daniel when he Vnderstood by Books how the 70 Y. were expired then he puts Gods Promise in Suit and speaks nothing in his Prayers but what God had spoke in his Promises and so was Answer'd by God in his Providences Dan. 9. 2 4 20. This Prayr shakes Heaven brings from thence Gabriel who tells him for the 70 Y. Captivity they shall enjoy their own Countrey Seven Seventies or 490 Y. v. 24. 3. That of the People who Prayed Fasted and Wept by the Waters of Babylon Psal 137. 1 2 3. 1 Kin. 8. 47 48. Zech. 7. 5. Those Three Actions in those 70 Y. shows the Church was no more Dead in Babylon than Daniel was in his Den for they are all Actions of the Living not of the Dead They Sow in Tears the precious Seed of Prayr Wing'd with Fasting so Reaps at last in joy Their Desolate Countrey made them Disconsolate Souls yet their Sighs unutterable brought Joy Vnspeakable Psal 126. 1 2 5 6. Then comes the 2d Shake Cyrus prevalent Proclamation the Lord stirring up his Spirit to it Ezra 1. 1 c. This turn'd the Churches Tears into Triumphs her Sighing into Singing her Sadness into Gladness And the Devil for all his Plots hath the Contrary to all these is Sad at his Defeat and goes learing away Now when God in whose Hand are the Hearts of all Kings Prov. 21.1 had most Happily stirr'd up the Spirit of Cyrus to Issue out his most Gracious Proclamation of a Jubilee to the Distressed Church wherein he was a Type of Christ Proclaiming Liberty to the Captives and the Opening of the Prison to them that are bound Isa 61. 1. and to give her so fair and full a Patent this Mighty Marvellous and Immediate Work of Divine Mercy in her so deplorable misery did so surprize her that she could hardly believe her own Eyes but was for a while as those that Dream Psal 126. 1. This was the Lords own Doing and most Marvellous in the Churches Eyes Psal 118. 23. especially upon those Respects 1. That their Graves should be opened 2. That their dry Bones should live again stand upon their Feet walk home into their own Countrey build a Temple c. 3. That Cyrus an Heathen King who did not know the Lord Sc. savingly Isa 45. 4 5. should not onely be called by Name above 170 Y. before he was Born to become the Lords Shepherd to Feed his distressed Church Isa 44. 28. but also 4. in the very Entrance into his Monarchy before his Affairs were fully settled to Dismiss so great and so United a People in their Religion and Custom and so given to Insurrection as their Character was Ezra 4. 12 19. and to Return them into their own Land with all manner of Accomodations both for State and Strength 5. 'T was most marvellous That this Decree or Proclamation should be Signed not onely 1. Precisely at the End of Daniels Prayer Dan. 9. 21 23. and 10. 12 14. No sooner was Daniels Prayer out of his
all 1 Kin. 11. 11 12 13. 1. For Davids sake which is five times repeated there for his honour and 2. For Jerusalems sake both which had peculiar promises as 1. David 2 Sam. 7. 9 10 11 12 16. all performed by the promiser either in the Types ' or Antitypes 2. Jerusalem that holy City Neh. 11. 1. 18. Isa 52. 1. wherein Zion and the Temple stood and was the special Type of the Church Psal 51. 18. Isa 62. 1 7. and 66. 20. Revel 21. 2. and therein God promis'd to David his servant that he should have a light or Lamp always 1 Kin. 11. v. 36. to wit a Royal Successor that should shine before his people which was most properly accomplish'd in Christ Luke 2. 32. The Scepter could not be taken either by men or Devils from Judah until Shilo came Gen. 49. 10. and then was he a light to the Gentiles as he had been and still was a glory to Israel Now though the Devil that Grand Make-bate of the World had a great hand in this Rent or Division together with his Impious Instrument Jeroboam yet the Lord had a greater hand in it to ordain order and over-rule all For thus saith the Lord This thing is from me and the cause was from the Lord as well as from the Devil 1 Kin. 12. 15.24 As it was a sin call'd Rebellion Ch. 12. 19. so it was from the Devil but as it was a punishment of sin both of Solomons Idolatry Ch. 11. v. 11. and of Rehoboams insolency so it was from God as an Act of Justice from the Supreme Judge Am. 3. 6. God here withdraws the Spirit of Wisdom from Rehoboam and leaves him to his own egregious folly as Chap. 22. 23. 2 Chron. 25. 20. and 32. 31. God knows how to order the disorders of the World to his own glory as having an over-ruling Providence beyond mans purpose and an over-pouring power still to preserve his poor Church though Solomon had been sharing himself betwixt God and Idols and therefore his servant Jeroboam shall share the Kingdome with his Son Rehoboam yea and bear away the better half from him yet Judah still rules with God and God with them and is faithful with the Saints When Ephraim the ten Tribes compassed God about with lyes Hos 11. v. 12. that is while back-sliding Israel went after their Leaden Priests made by Jeroboam of the basest of the people and their Golden Calves Judah kept tite to the Temple-worship and firm in the true Religion Thus the most gracious God even in the midst of wrath remembers mercy and leaves this blessing soon repenting of the evil behind him that a Lamp should be lighted in Jerusalem which the most boistrous blasts of the Devil and his Instruments should not blow out The Sixteenth Plot against the CHURCH in Canaan Defeated by GOD. CHAP. XVI NOw when the Devil had divided so great a share of Davids Kingdome to himself by Divine Permission the Lord of the Soyl Hos 9. 3. Isa 8. 8. giving way for his own glory to such sad Incroachments he falls upon sowing the cursed seed of his Tares upon the Lords Land among those Tribes who disdain'd to live any longer by the Lords Law Oh wonderful there was no visible Church upon Earth at this time but in the Land of Promise and yet the only wise God gives up to Satan when all the World lay in wickedness 1 Joh. 5. 19. and so in the possession of that wicked one even the largest share of his own Land also though it was but a little spot of Land no bigger than our Wales in all Thus the Lords Land Levit. 25. 23. became the Devils Land too in the greatest part with all the rest of the Habitable World Oh how unsearchable are the ways of the Lord and his works past find-out Rom. 11. 33 34 35. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Oh the bottomless depth of Divine Wisdome the Devil having got this leave against Israel as once against Job when Gods Hedge was gone begins to lay waste Gods Vineyard Isa 5. 5 6. He now falls to work for debauching Israel he first makes them cast off their true Soveraign and chuse a false one Jeroboam the Son of Nebat must be the man one that wanted neither Craft nor Courage to back this Horse which had cast his Rider Next to Achitophel the Devil had not a craftier Head to plot against the Church than this Leader of the Faction and Fraction As the subtil Serpent infused into him his subtilty for stealing a Scepter so for securing it to him when he had stoln it His Plotting Head had this considering Cap upon it 't was but a pang of discontent that made me King violent things are not permanent sudden Paroxysmes or Fits of passion have as sudden Relaxations and recoveries the Revolters cannot return thrice a year to the Temple in Jerusalem as God commands them Exod. 34. 23. but 't will make them revolt from me and return to Rehoboam I must either keep them off from God or I shall never keep them off from Loyalty and Piety Therefore to give them a pleasant Diversion when he durst not offer a direct Restraint and Prohibition he changes and adulterates that Religion which he dare neither inhibit nor abolish Hereupon this new King plots to make Israel a new God and for their ease nearer home too that they might not be toiled with going so far as the Temple pretending to be more merciful to the people than the most merciful God yea and more prudent than he in his more compendious and plausible way of worship altogether accommodated to the ease and humour of the people Aaron had humour'd Israel with one Golden Calf such as they had seen long in Egypt Exod. 32. 4. Now Jeroboam who had lately lived there 1 Kin. 11. 40. judges it proper after Aarons example to humour them with two which he sets up at Dan and Bethel at both the ends of the Land North and South 1 Kin. 12. 27 28 29. Thus took he crafty counsel of his cursed Courtiers and so he might secure his Realm and Region he matter'd not though Religion were run down to ruine And this thing became a sin to Israel v. 30. a most heinous sin though it was but a base thing this Image was one of the basest Psal 106. 20. The Image of a Calf eating Hay Oh what Brutish Creatures were Israel made by an Intoxicating Devil Psal 115. 8. so as to fall down and worship such a Brutish Creature as a Calf as soon as it was set up yea that service which was only due to God was performed to Devils in this base thing 2 Chron. 11. 15. all Idolatry is Devil-worship all Devotion that is not done to God nor by a Divine Warrant is done to the Devil there is no Medium or Mean betwixt them 1 Cor. 10. 20 21. Revel 9. 20. Now the Devil that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or Idol-lover had
Christopher Nesse Minnister of the Gospel in fleet street London atutis suoe 56 1678 A Compleat and Compendious Church-History SHEWING HOW it hath been from the Beginning of the World to this present Day Being an Historical-Narrative How the Power and Providence of GOD According to His Promise Hath hitherto Confounded all the Damnable PLOTS of the DEVIL To which is ANNEXED A Scripture-Prophecy FORE-SHEWING HOW it shall be Hence to the End of the WORLD The Whole Containing the Quintessence of Sacred Civil and Ecclesiastick-Writers And serving as a short Comment upon all the Books in the BIBLE both Historical and Prophetical Published for Publick Good By Christopher Ness Minister of the Gospel in Fleet-Street LONDON Printed by T. H. and are to be Sold by Jacob Sampson next Door to the Wonder in Ludgate-Street And by Jonathan Wilkins at the Star next Mercers-Chappel in Cheap-side 1680. TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE Sir Robert Clayton Lord Mayor of London My LORD I Beseech You Pardon my Boldness that Poor I do take upon me to Interrupt your Lordship in your so Great Affairs and so Emergent Occasions as the Saving of a Sinking City and Nation most justly Challengeth Were I as Worthy as Jonathan 't is no less a Law writ in my Heart to do for your Lordship what he did for David In going to him into the Wood to Strengthen His Hands in God I do here Present to your Noble Hands as Noble and Necessary a Prospect as this lower World can Afford to wit GOD wageing War against the DEVIL from the Beginning of the World to the End thereof and God all along as is most meet Obtaining the VICTORY 'T is a pleasant Spectacle to behold Christ and Antichrist contending for Mastery To be an Universal HISTORIAN as I presume your Lordship to be is the most Effectual Means to make Wise for both Worlds Hence Plato Derives Historia 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 from Stopping the Flux of Humane Extravagancy History being the Witness of Time the Light of Truth the Life of Memory and the Doctress of the Life of Man As it is a continued Kalendar of most Remarkable Actions in former Ages so it holds forth Caution Counsel and Comfort to following Generations Quid Divinius Nôsse omnia To be a good Historian is a good way to be both Wise and Good as Contracting a Blest Composition of all those Perfections perused in every Age and leaving a Transforming Influence behind them History makes Wise 1 to Secular Affairs as it is a Knowledge of Things past whereby we may Judge of Things present and make Probable Conjectures at Things to come seeing there is no New thing under the Sun The self-same Scenes are Acted over and over again upon the Stage of the World 'T is onely the Persons that Act them which are changed therefore the Representing in an Historical-Glass what hath been before is a plain Praemonition of what shall be Hereafter 2. Wise to Salvation The Great God hath been making a Large Comment even in Capital Characters upon his own Text Gen. 4. 7. If thou dost Well shalt thou not be Accepted and If Ill Sin lies at thy Door and upon that Text Isa 3.10 11. Say to the Righteous It is well c. and Woe to the wicked and tell them so from me saith the Lord. As the most Wise God made Two Great Luminaries the Sun and Moon to give Light to the World so hath he Ordained Two Great Lights the Word of His Promise and the Work of his Providence to Enlighten his Church as the Moon borrows Light from the Sun wherewith she looks upon the World with greater Splendour so the Work of Providence as to us Receives Light from the Word of Promise whereby the Church is more Illuminated What is the Work of Providence upon all Ages Places Families Persons c. but the Accomplishment of the Words of Prophecy and Promise All the Actings and Emanations of Providence are a standing Comment and a clear Interpretation of Abstruse Prophecies and of Vnfulfill'd Promises All Occurrences whether Great or Small in the World are but the Accomplishment of what God hath Prophecy'd and Promis'd in His Word Solomon Saith The thing that hath been it is that which shall be Eccles 1. 9 10 'T is True there hath been some Extraordinary Actings of God in the World such as Noah's Deluge the promulgation of the Law the Suns standing still and going back a Virgin bearing a Son c. shall never be again Yet all Ordinary Occurencies are alike in all Ages from a Two-fold Ground 1. All Natural Causes and Effects continue as they were at the Beginning Natura nihil Molitur Novi Nature Produces no New Species of Creatures though there may be some Accidental Defect or Superfluity in the Matter 2. All Humane and Voluntary Actions Counsels and Contrivances having the same Principles to Produce them and the same Objects to Draw them forth are the same in Substance as Heretofore and therefore must have the same Tendency As Face Answers to Face in a Glass so doth the Heart of Man to Man Prov. 27. 19. that is The Counsels of the Hearts and Courses of the Lives of Men in one Age do exactly Answer unto those of another As it was in the Days of Noah even so shall it be c. Matth. 24. 31 39. A Man may as in a Mirror take a Shrewd Prospect of Future Events by former Instances It must therefore be acknowledg'd a mighty Loss to Mankind to Bury the Knowledge of former things in the Grave of Unmindful Heads or Unthankful Hearts My Lord You are WISE I would say as an Angel of God to Discern Dexterously and Improve Practically what is here Quale quale est Presented to your Lord-ship 't is a CHURCH-HISTORY being an Orderly Commemoration of Things past with the Circumstances of Time and Place in Distinct Descents and Distances for the better Help of Remembrance Affection and Application wherein your HONOUR may turn aside with Moses to Behold the Bush ever Burning in the Flames of Her Adversaries Fury yet never Consumed Exod. 3. 3. because the Good will of him that dwelt in the Bush did preserve it Deut. 33. 16. That Excellent Emblem of the Church had a Complication of Wonders as 1. There was a Flame of Fire else how could the Bush be Burning 2. There was Light else how could Moses behold it 3. Yet no Heat else the Bush had been Consumed It was the Angel of the Covenant that either Qualify'd the Fire to have Light without Heat or Consolidated the Bush so as not to become Combustible 'T was the presence of Christ that made the Fiery Furnace a Gallery of Pleasure to the Three Nobles of Babylon The Church is the onely Salamander that can Live in the Fire by Vertue of that Promise Isa 43. 2. No Flame can Consume her And to Behold a Lilly in the midst of Thorns Cant. 2. 3. Though one Churlish Thorn can Scratch in
never have an ending until the World endeth Yea it may be call'd an Eternal Enmity a parte post though not a parte ante for as the Angels and the Souls of Men had a beginning but shall never have an end So this Cursed Enmity which had its beginning at the Fall will continue beyond this World even in the World to come As long as evil Angels and damned Souls continue in Hell which shall be for ever so long will this Enmity continue in them against the Glorious Angels and Glorify'd Saints Thus 't is a Bottomless boundless and endless Enmity The 2d Cause is Causa 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or The Outward Cause why the Wicked Plot c. is the Malignant Adversary of Mankind the Devil so called Quasi Do Evil. 1st He is their Father and they are his Children and the Lusts of their Father they will and must do Joh. 8. 44. 2dly He is their Lord and they are his Vassals and they will and must run his Errands Yea 3dly He is their God 2 Cor. 4. 4. and they are his Creatures And as God at the Creation of the World did but Speak the Word and it was done So if the Devil in the Conversation of the wicked do but speak the word hold up his singer his will is done He leads them Captive at his will 2 Tim. 2. 26. He leads them like a Dog in a string whether he pleases yet hangs them up at last like Dogs upon everlasting Gibbits in Hell where they hang and howl as Dogs yet never dye to which if Tertullian's Character Sessorem habent Diabolum be added Then 4ly He is the Rider and they are his Asses which he Rides upon whipping and spurring them as Balaam did his Ass as if Riding Post to meet their own Destruction And as saith the Proverb They must needs go yea gallop whom the Devil drives especially such as with the Man in the Gospel have a whole legion of Devils in them such wicked ones with the Gadaren's Hoggs do Run Violently down most steep places and most desperate praecipices until at last They be choaked in the deep Pit of Hell Matth. 8. 32. Now as long as there be the same Original Corruption in wicked Men while this present evil World lasts to be drawn forth and the same Devil who whosoever become Converts can never become one to draw forth that depraved Disposition so long there will be a wicked Plotting and practising against the Church of God in the World Solomon saith There is no new thing under the Sun the thing that hath been it is that which shall be Eccles 1. 9 10. And the Apostle telleth us As it was then he that was Born after the Flesh persecuted him that was Born after the Spirit as Ishmael did Isaac even so it is now Gal. 4. 29. Paul saith It is so now in my days And we may say It is even so now in our days It was so then it is so now and it will be so for ever so long as there be any wicked in the World and the old Man-slayer to set them on who is that Evil Spirit which worketh as the Artificer doth in his Shop in the Children of Disobedience Ephe. 2. 3. We Read of the Dragons War but as a sad Cordolium with the Woman the Church and her Seed Rev. 12. And if this War were in Heaven v. 7. how much more on Earth v. 17. This War is manag'd and maintain'd with great Wrath v. 12. having the Assistance of an Inveterate Implacable and Everlasting Enmity in all incarnate Devils his Auxiliaries all acted and agitated by the Devil who lends them his Seven Heads to Plot with and his Ten Horns to push with against the Church And we Read of the Lambs War with this Dragon as a sweet and Soveraign Cordial even our Blessed Michael and his Angels in the behalf of the Woman and her Seed Rev. 12. 7 8. And though the Beast to whom the Dragon gave his power Rev. 13. 2. make War with the Saints and overcome them during his Lease of 1260 y. allotted him Rev. 13. 7. yet the Lamb shall overcome the Dragon and all his Auxiliaries Rev. 17. 14. and 19. 19 20. and 20. 10. And in the mean time though the Beast seem to overcome the Saints so it seemed but so it was not Rev. 13. 7. For the Saints overcome the Beast by the Blood of the Lamb when they seem to be most overcome by him to the shedding of their own Blood Rev. 12. 11. This Lamb Laughs all the Plots of the Beast to nothing and all as Vain Things whereof no good Reason can be given nor any good Issue can be expected Christ sits in Heaven seeth and Smileth is no more concern'd save only to ask the Many and the Mighty that Club their Craft and Cruelty against Christ if they be all Mad to Attempt that which shall assuredly come to nothing Psal 2. 1 2 3 4. The little Stone dashes all in pieces Dan. 2. 34. So that it may be said of the Church as it was said of the old Romans She hath lost now and then a Battel but never a War And as 't is said of Gad A Troop may overcome Gad but Gad overcomes at last Gen. 49. 19. So the Church Concutitur non Excutitur may sometimes be Shaken but never Shiver'd into Nothing She always gets and gains by her Losses and though she may be trampled under Foot all the Night of her Asfliction yet is she sure to have Dominion in the Morning Psal 49. 14. And that Morning ushers in the Dismal Dooms-Day of all her Enemies Niteris Incassum Christi Submergere Navem Fluctuat at nunquam Mergitur illa Ratis Dipt may the Churches Ship be but not Drown'd Christ will not fail her Enemies to Confound No Weapon that is formed against her shall prosper Isa 54. 17. Nor ever did prosper That Precious Promise hath blunted the Point and turned the Edge of many Thousand Weapons that have been formed against her The Gates of Hell though in a Combination of all its power and pollicy shall not prevail against it Matth. 16. 18. All the Plots both of the Wicked One and of all Wicked Men from Adam to our Day have been Velut Unda Supervenit Undae as the waves of the Sea succeeding one another yet all have dashed themselves to pieces upon this Rock of Ages whereon the Lord hath founded Sion Isai 14. 32. and 26. 1 4. and 54. 10. The Church is Invincible and can never be Demolished either by Angry Men or Enraged Devils Magna est Veritas Valebit Truth is great and will prevail AN Historical Narrative OF THE Devils Plotts AGAINST THE CHURCH All Defeated by GOD. The First Plot against the Church c. CHAP. I. THis I shall Demonstrate by an Induction of Particular Instances as the Lord shall help me both out of Sacred and Civil History to make manifest the marvellous Conduct which
with God in Knowledge and Wisdom Thus the Devil abused the very name of the Tree of Knowledge to her making it far better than indeed it was as if it would make them as Omniscient as God Thus he mused as he used and would have made God as envious as himself who envyed that either God should be honoured or obeyed by Man or that Man should be Gifted and Graced by God Hereupon he tells her Your Eyes shall be Opened pretending to Divine Contemplation but intending to Horrible Confusion as it proved afterwards when ashamed of their Nakedness So that in v. 5. this Lyar from the beginning was not so much Mendax a Lyar as Fallax a Deceiver according to that Antient saying Et si semel videatur Verax Millies Mendax semper Fallax Though he sometimes seem to speak truly yet will he lye a thousand times for it and be always Fallacious and Deceitful 8thly He promises to her Ye shall be as Gods which was more likely to make them Devils like himself or at least Beasts that Perisheth Psal 49. 12 â—0 What God said Ironically and by a sad Sarcasm Gen 3. 22. The Man is become as one of us The Beasts might say most truly and without any figure The Man is become as one of us Thus while Satan makes her Free from Fear it was only designed by him to make her Free to Sin hereupon She took of the Fruit and gave it also to her Husband v. 6. to whom she Related all Satans Promises concerning the force of the Fruit c. whereby she seduced him v. 17. in hearkening to her Voice hoping that according to her suggestion from Satan he might become a God and his Wife a Goddess Thus the plurality of Gods was first taught by the Devil whose Grammer Deum pluraliter declinare Docuit first learnt to Decline God in the Plural Number and thus he transforms his own sin upon them Ero sicut Altissimus I shall be like the most High Isai 14. 12. saith he of himself and Eritis sicut Dij Ye shall be as Gods saith he of them The 9th and last part of his Plot is the Timeing of his Temptation herein this subtile Serpent hath a singular sagacity no sooner was he cast out of Heaven but he Resolves to be Reveng'd of his Maker for this expulsion and because he could not come at his Creator God with his Revenge he Falls immediately upon his Creature Man the Master-piece of the Creation upon the same Day wherein he was Created he loses no time but about high-Noon the same Day which was Dinner or Eating-time he Attempts his Ruine by tempting him to Eat Forbidden-Fruit and so flatters them out of the True Paradise into a Fools Paradise of their own Dreams and Dotage Thus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by the cogging of a Dye Eph. 4. 14. like a cheating Gamester he gives them an Apple for Happiness and Sin Misery for a state of Innocency not suffering them to Rest so much as one Night upon the Bed of Honour and Happiness This the Psalmist according to some Interpreters doth Insinuate Psal 49. 12. Adam being in Honour Bal Jalin non pernoctavit abode not or lodged not one Night in Paradise 'T is the saying of a Greek-Father That Adam 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 was made and marr'd all in one Day Thus he who thought to become a God became a Beast that perisheth Yea Carrion saith Junius Here the prime Plot of the principal Plotter the Prince of Darkness hath a shrewd seeming success yet the Lord laughs at it and Ridendo irritum Reddidit he Defeats the Devils Design and that with Disgrace for there was a Covenant transacted betwixt God the Father and God the Son ab Aeterno from all Eternity 1 Pet. 1. 20. Joh. 17. 6. Tit. 1. 2. and 2 Tim 1. 9. This Covenant the Devil knew nothing of and it was this that spoiled all his Plot Indeed our first Parents were under this dedolent and disconsolate Condition from Noon to Night or at least to the cool of the Day having now most woful Experimental Knowledge both of the Good which they had lost and of the Evil wherein they lay Then commeth Jehovah to Judge them V. 8. Satan assuredly expected that the Greatly Offended Creator God would have met his Greatly Offending Creature Man in as much Fury as he did afterwards Moses in the Inn when he had much ado as it were to forbear Killing him Exod. 4. 24. Or that he would have come to Adam as the Angel came to Balaam with a drawn Sword in his hand wherewith to destroy him Numb 22. 32. or that he would have rushed upon this Rebel as David ran upon Goliah and cut off his head 1 Sam. 17. 51. No such Fury is in God against faln Man Isai 27. 4. The Devil is disappointed for God comes to Man indeed but not so much a Judge as a Father and as a Physitian 1st As a Father saying as it were Though Man be faln by the Devils malevolence yet he shall be raised up again by my Benevolence by my Good will to Man Luk. 2. 14. 2dly As a Physitian God hath prepared a Soveraign Plaister to Apply to the wound that Man had receiv'd from the Devil God promiseth Christ to be a Redeemer to Man and withal to be a Destroyer of the Devil Hebr. 2. 14. and of all his Works 1 Joh. 3. 8. This Plaister was prepared by the good pleasuro of God the Father Covenanting with God the Son long before Man was in being much more before he was wounded No such Plaister was provided to Cure the Fall of Angels for they sinned upon their own accord and without a Tempter Therefore Gods 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 did out-shine his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 His love to Men was greater than his love to Angels for in coming to Judge Man such was his Graciousness towards him that in Wrath he Remembred Mercy Habb 3. 2. And giving the Promise of Christ in the Seed of the Woman Adam takes hold of the Promise and in Faith therein he calls his Wife Eve which signifies Life He instead of Dying the same Day of his Eating Forbidden-Fruit Lives 930 Y. after and she became the Mother of all Living and though they brought in Death by their Disobedience yet God Taught them the Ordinance of Sacrificing so the first thing that Dyed in the World was a Sacrifice or Christ in a Figure the Lamb slain from the Foundation of the World Rev. 13. 8. And who opens a passage into a better Paradise than that which they had Forfeited Luk. â—3 43. 2 Cor. 12. 4. Rev. 2. 7. And if that Rabbinical Notion no way dissentaneous to Truth be Received to wit That the Tree of Knowledge stood upon Mount Calvary Paradise being placed in Canaan the Glory of all Lands Ezek. 20. 6. where Christ was after Crucified on a Tree then it follows that in the same place and by
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Gre. Dealing Subtilly his Setting Severe Task-Masters over them as making them to make Brick Yea such a Tale and no Straw given All this would not do for God Catches this Fox in his own Net of Craft and Cruelty 1 Cor. 3 19. and the more the Church was Molested the more they Multiplyed 'T is true This Rigour and Fierceness from Pherec the Hebr. Word in Imposing Intollerable hard Labour upon them was a probable Plot in the Ordinary Course of Nature to Prohibit Procreation of Children yet this King was as every Oppressor is a Fool Prov. 28. 16. For besides 't is usually seen That Labouring Men have the most and the Lustiest Children Here was an Extraordinary Path of Providence to over-rule this Project which David Celebrates God Increased his People greatly and made them stronger than their Enemies Psa 105.24 This Camomile the more it is troden the faster it groweth This Walnut-Tree the more it is beaten the more it bears This Grieved their Grievers Exod. 1. 12. So the Egyptians grieving at Israels Growth it became both their Crime and their Curse When this Design was Defeated this Dragon lying in the midst of the Waters Ezek. 29. 3. falls upon his 2d Plot to Destroy all the Males of Israel as soon as Born not unlike the great Red Dragon who stood ready to Devour the Man-Child as soon as the Woman the Church had brought it forth Rev. 12. 3. 4. This Pharaoh Treads in that Fiends steps and Commands the Mid-Wives to Strangle with a privy Pinch All the Born Males Hoping that the Lyons or Dragons Skin might Patch up the Fox that had fail'd in worrying up Isruel But God Baffll'd this Plot too for Shiphrah and Puah the 2 Principal Mid-Wives Feared God and durst not Obey the Kings Inhumane and Unnatural Command v. 17. That which is Inferior and Subordinate may not Controul and Contradict that which is Superior Thus Peter Explains his two Sociable Duties Fear God Honour the King 1 Pet. 2. 17. Compar'd with Act. 5. 29. and 4. 19. Here the Mid-Wives stick they cannot do the Devils Drudgery and here the Plot sticks Pharaoh Frowns upon them for this but God Smiles on them and Blesses them v. 18. 19 20 21. They would not pull down Gods House his Church and God Builds up theirs Pharaoh thus disappointed falls on â—is 4th Plot in Publishing a Bloody Edict to all his People among whom some Savage Slaughter-Men he might probably not miss and possibly not without a Penalty to Neglecters To Drown those Males openly which the Mid-Wives would not Strangle Privately v. 22. Notwithstanding this Edict and the strict Execution of it Exod. 2. 3. Moses is Preserved by Pharaohs Daughter who becomes the Ruine of Pharaohs Kingdom Thus no Counsel nor Might nor Wisdom neither Craft nor Cruelty can prevail against the Lord Prov. 21.30 This Miraculously Preserved Moses brings 10 Plagues on Egypt The 1st whereof was The Waters wherein the Childrens Blood had been shed were turned into Blood And in the last were Slain all Egypts first-Born for their slaying Israel Gods first-Born Exod. 4 22. Then did Israel go out of the Furnace being loaded with Spoils and Egypt was glad that they were gone though gone with their Jewels Psal 105. 36 37 38. Exod. 12. 33 35 36. Hath the Devil now done and his Instrument Pharaoh Oh no! he hath yet another his 5th and last Plot which endeth as all other Plots against the Church do in his own Destruction Israel Marches 3 Days directly to Horeb as they had Requested Exod. 3. 18. and 5.3 then turning towards the Red-Sea Pharaoh's Spys gave Intelligence That they were Run away and would not Return and that they were Intangl'd in the Mountains Exod. 14. 3. This hardens his Heart at which Gods Mighty Hammer had given 10 Mighty Stroaks in the 10 Plagues yet could find no Entrance and Resolves to pursue them Yea and his People also who Repented of their Well-doing but not of their Ill saying Why have we let them go v. 5. all pursues and overtakes to Recover their Jewels and to bring them back to Bondage thinking they had caught them in a Pound they had no way to escape unless they could Climb up to Heaven which because they could not do Heaven comes down to them Divides the Sea Israel walks 'twixt Two Mountains of Waters which made a fair Lane for them Exod. 14. 22. Psal 105. 8. 9. Isai 63. 12 14. The Aegyptians follow them into the Sea the Angel of Gods Presence who had led them thither remov'd from the Van to the Rear to be betwixt them and their Enemies they who had drowned Israels first-Born were all drown'd but Israel the Church passes over dry-shod and when safely Landed Sang that Song of Praise to the God of Israel Exod. 15. Psal 77. 18. and 18. 11. for this great Deliverance The Fifth Plot against the Church in the Wilderness Defeated by GOD. CHAP. V. NO sooner was Israel got safe out of the Red-Sea and into the Barren Wilderness but presently the Devil Projects a 5th Plot and plays a New-Game against the Church in the Wilderness so called Act. 7. 38. In not onely making the Multitude to murmur against Moses no less than four times about their Meat in the Cause and Quarrel of the Belly as the Wilderness wanted provision so they wanted patience to keep peace with their governors But also in stirring up Amalek Esau's Grand-Child Gen. 36. 15 16. and the Heir of his Hatred against Israel for beguiling him of his Blessing as well as Birth-right to War against him Exod. 17.8 These Amalekites being a Warlike People and now fearing that the Blessing conferr'd upon Jacob by Isaac would be confirm'd and not having the fear of God before their Eyes Deut. 25. 18. This Seed of the Serpent Way-lays the Seed of the Woman in their passage to the Land of Promise which was the Blessing promised Amalek meets them by the way not with Broad and Water as he should have done to his afflicted Kindred Obad. v. 10. 11 12 13. but with Fire and Sword and cuts off the hindmost of them Deut. 25. 18. Yea and he exercis'd the Devils Craft as well as his Cruelty in smiting all that were faint and feeble that came behind the Host not unlike the Serpent that Acted him in his bruising the Heel of Israel This Josephus saith was done by common consent and Council of all the Nations adjacent in their Embassadours pitching Unanimously upon this People of Amalek as being of the most Martial and Military Spirit and Courage to cut off Israel whose Renown now had so exceedingly Alarum'd them Israel or the Church in the Wilderness was at this time under great Disadvantages neither expecting any Acts of Hostility nor being provided of due Arms and Ammunition was much dismayed at the danger of being Assaulted by a puissant and well-armed Adversary Now the grand Plotter Satan had a fair
Prospect of his 5th Plot as to its success but still the mischief of it was he Reckon'd without his Host even the Lord of Hosts that Man of War Exod. 15. 3. who giveth Victory not as the Devil but as himself pleaseth For though the Lord permitteth Amalek to oppose Israel for the Chastizement of their Murmurings yet had he other Designs then onely to Chastize his Church whom he had allur'd into the Wilderness He must also Speak Comfortably to her Heart Hos 2. 14. Amalek must Fall and therein the Devils Project before the People of his Promise and they must not onely be Encouraged by their Victory over the Amalekites as they had been with that over the Aegyptians but also Enriched with their Spoils and Furnished with their Arms and Ammunition God hath in his Design not onely the want of Innocency in his People to Chastize with Rods but also the Guilt of Insolency in his Enemies to Scourge with Scorpions Amalek indeed comes forth to meet Israel but it was to meet his own ruine and to fetch in his own destruction which Moses Precando by Praying and Joshua Praeliando by Fighting brought upon him Moses in the Mount lifts up the Rod to God as a Standard against Amalek and Joshua in the Valley Engages them and Moses Prayers gave most-effectual Pushes as well as Joshua's Pikes against the Enemy Moses Orat Vincit Cessat Vincitur v. 12. While Moses Devotion goes down Amaleks Courage gets up and prevaileth but when it goes up and keeps up being sustained upon Christ the Stone of Israel then Amalek is discomfitted v. 13. And being the first Nation that Warr'd against the Church after her deliverance from Aegypt Gods Hand is upon his Throne Swearing That he will have a perpetual War with Amalek and wipe out the Remembrance of them from under Heaven v. 14 16. Amaleks Hand had been lifted up against Gods Throne his Church so call'd Jerem. 14. 21. Now Gods Hand is lifted up upon his own Throne in taking this Solemn Oath That he would wage War against Amalek for ever This present Discomsiture was but a praelibamen or Pledge of this perpetual War As a lasting Monument of Gods great Mercy to Israel in this first Victory Moses Builds an Altar and calls it Jehovah Nissi that is The Lord is my Banner under whose Standard he had got the Victory And as a lasting Memorial of Gods great Wrath against Amalek in this first Opposition Moses must Record this of them either in the Book of the Wars of the Lord Numb 21. 14. which is latent or in the Pentatuch which he was then Writing and now Extant That they should utterly be destroyed This Saul should have done 1 Sam. 15.7 c. destroying onely some David destroyed more 2 Sam. 8. 12. Such as escaped those Destructions were destroyed by the Simeonites in Hezekiah's time 1 Chron. 4. 41 42 43. Lastly Haman and his Ten Sons were slips of this cursed Stock and Hanging was their end and the end of that Race of Rebels being the last that we read of to be Rooted out Oh how dangerous it is to Anger the Antient of Days his Forbearance for many Hundred Years is no Forgiveness 'T was 400 Y. after when God gave Command to destroy them utterly 1 Sam. 15. 2. and long after that God made a War against them and at last did Root them out Root and Branch thus Amalek Hebrew signifying Populus Lingâ—us a Licking People that had licked up the Hindmost of Israel the Wrath of God licked them all up as Fire doth Stubble who can stand before Everlasting burnings Isa 33. 14. The Church's Protestaâ—â—â— is Consuming fire to them Hebr. 12. last who not onely Laughs but Burns not onely their Plots but their Persons to nothing A Man had better Anger all the Witches in the World Yea all the Devils in Hell as Anger this One Jealous God the Heat of whose Wrath lasts longer and Burns deeper than the Coals of Juniper Psal 120. 4. His Judgements are severe and durable never Rots in the Sky 'T was this Divine Wrath that waged War against Amalek from one Generation to another until it came at last to an utter Extirpation Haman the Agagite of the Blood-Royal of Amalek descending from Agag their King whom Saul spared is Hanged no more of that Rebellious Race that Warr'd against Israel without Cause or Provocation do we Read of the Wicked are forgotten Eccles 8. 10. Yea the Devil that set them on work is Chain'd and Defeated The Church by her Champions help abides for ever The Sixth Plot against the Church in the Wilderness Defeated by GOD. CHAP. VI. 'T Is said Luk. 4. 13. That Satan Departed from Christ onely for a Season no more doth he depart from his Church he will have his Returns to do her all the ill turns he can Thus doth he here to the Church in the Wilderness that almost as close did he Dogg her behind as the Pillar of Glory did Conduct her before and though Christ whom she Tempted there 1 Cor. 10. 9. suffered her thus to be Proved and Tryed yet it was always to do her Good at the latter end Deut. 8. 16. The 6th Plot against the Church which was the 2d in her Wilderness-State was the Tempter tempting Israel to Set up the Golden-Calf Exod. 32. 1. which the Devil knew well would make God disown Discard and Discovenant his People This is one of Satans Grand Wiles that when he cannot play his Game upon the open Stage of the World by an Extrinsick Adversary as by Amalek then he trys his Skill by an Imrinsick-Engine Screwing himself into the Minds of Israel this piece of Ingenuity he taught the Jesuits and being 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a Lover of Idol-Worship as being Devil-Worship 1 Cor. 10. 20 21. he puts them upon making an Idol to make God cast them off and destroy them for such a God-provoking Sin v. 22. as provoked God to Jealousie The Advantage Satan took for promoting this his Project was Moses Absence Non-Residents do little consider this though Moses had Warrant for his Absence both from God and his People for 1st God call'd him up into the Mount Exod. 24. 12. and 2d The People consented that he should be as an Ambassadour and Mediator 'twixt them and God Exod. 20. 19. Moses the 40 Days faster staid longer with God in the Mount than the People expected though all the while he was Negotiating their Weal in bringing the Two Tables of the Decalogue both of Gods Writing and Workman-ship Exod. 31. 18. and 32. 16. The Heavenly Pattern of the Tabernacle with all the Ordinances concerning Legal Worship to them They grew Impatient of Moses delay The Devil no doubt did suggest to the Worser sort That he was torn of Wild Beasts and to the Better sort That as Enoch was he was Translated into Heaven as Josephus saith Or That he had deserted his Charge and mocked them as some
had now scarcely wiped their Mouths of the late Transgression assuredly there had never been so much Idolatry Infidelity and Mutiny amongst them What could make them Wicked if all these would Denominate them Holy No doubt but the Devil had a fair prospect of his Plot and Design when he had raised up a Grand Ring-leader of Rebellion and not onely so but when this One Man v. 22. the Great Wheel the Primus Motor or Primum Mobile thereof had by his Instigation Twisted to himself such Two considerable Interests of 250 Princes and of so many People yet the Great God who is higher then the Highest Eccles 5. 8. Laughs all this to Nothing for Moses well tells them v. 11. That this their Rising was against the Lord as the Lord told Saul after Saul Saul why Persecutest thou me Act. 9. 4. Who ever hardened himself aegainst God and prospered Job 9. 4. Nor they then for 1st Moses Retorts upon those Rebels the same they had falsly reflected upon him and Aaron v. 7. Ye take too much upon you ye Sons of Levi as doth Elias upon Ahab 1 Kin. 18. 17 18. and to Hide pride from them Job 33. 17. he minds them not to look up at those few Priests that were above them so much as look down at the many Myriads of People that were below them Their Thankful-Contentedness with their Advancement as Levites above all the People should have kept them from all Repining Discontentedness at the few Priests that were above them But those sturdy Rebels were Uncounsellable Incorrigible and their Envy and Ambition are restless and Unsatisfiable Hence they say We will not come up v. 12. Preferring the Land of Aegypt their House of Bondage and their Iron Furnace Deut. 4.20 most Ungratefully and Maliciously before that of Gods most Gracious Promise v. 13.14 Hereupon 2d Moses referrs this Controversie betwixt the Church Malignant and the True Church Militant to a Divine Decision 1st in Praying that God would not respect their Offering v. 15. and thereby maintain his Honest Cause and Holy Calling against those Invaders thereof they had forgot Gods Judgements upon Nadab and Abihu Levit. 10. 1. which should have made their Hands Tremble insomuch as Handling strange Incense and Censors which they had ready provided when first they Combined to Usurp the Priests Office and now stood stouting it out in the very Face of God but he had no Respect to their Offering when he came to make known who were his as v. 5. Though he Answer'd by Fire from Heaven it was to Burn themselves but not their Sacrifice 2dly In Predicting Gods Miraculous Judgement upon those Rebels v. 28. 29 30. wherein Moses Engageth the Truth and Honour of his Cause upon a Miracle Immediately comming to pass At last 3dly both the Plot and all the Plotters Perished Jude v. 11. Some one way and some another as the Word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies none of them dying a common Death God Created Two New Destructions for them Some were Swallowed up of the Earth so Buryed Quick the worst of Deaths because their Mouths had been open Sepulchres to swallow up Gods Servants and Others were Burnt to Death with Fire from Heaven having sinned by Fire in their Censors and Incense As for Korah the Captain of the Conspiracy and the Ring-leader of the Rebellion the main Wheel of this Malicious Mutiny the Scripture seems to doom him to a double Death as his Sin was 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a Twice-dip'd Scarlet Sin and of a double dye As if he were not onely Buryed Quick in that Dismal and Universal Grave but also Burned with those that Offer'd strange Incense as if the Mouth of the Earth below him and Fire from Heaven above him had both Conspir'd together to Stigmatize and Brand that Arch-Rebel who had been the Original of all For 1st That he was Swallowed up of the Earth Appears 1. Inasmuch as the People were bidden to Seperate from the Tents of Korah as well as of Dathan and Abiram Numb 16. 24. and accordingly they did so v. 27. 2. The Words v. 30. If the Lord Create a New Thing and the Earth open her mouth and Swallow Them up seems to referr unto all the Three 3. The Earth did Swallow up all the Men that appertaineth unto Korah v. 32. And 4. 't is Expresly said That the Earth did Devour Korah himself Numb 26. 10. 2dly That he was burned by Fire from Heaven Inasmuch as Korah being a Levite 1. was one of those that offered such Incense as God Respected not 2. Korah joyning with them in the same Sin was also joyn'd with them in the same Punishment They all sinn'd together by Fire and they were all Punish'd together by Fire and that Immediately after their burning Incense 3. Those that were thus burnt are call'd Korah and his Company ver 40. 4. Korah's Censer was among those Censers which were to be Plates for the Altar as a Caveat to succeeding Ages That none should Invade the Priest-hood as Korah and his Company had done Numb 16. 6 17 38 39 40. However he was Burned in Hell both he and his whole Tribe of Traitors Thus the Sheol v. 30. taken either strictly or largely for Hell or Grave Swallow'd up both this Plot and all the Plotters Yea and the Wise God here beats Satan and batters his Kingdom with his own Weapon and strikes him thorough with Arrows out of his own Quiver in his Reserving Korah's Children alive The Sons of Korah Dyed not Numb 26. 11. who some say were born up Pendulous in the Air by Divine Power while the Earth had Swallowed up their Wicked Father being either Innocent of their Fathers Sin or Penitent at Moses Admonition Numb 16.5 And those became as eminently Serviceable as their Father had been notoriously Destructive to the Church Of them descended Samuel 1 Chro. 6. 33 34. with 1 Sam. 1. 20. They were singers in the House of the Lord v. 31. and many Psalms have them in their Titles as Psal 42 44 45 c. Thus God can gather Grapes from Thorns and Figgs from Thistles And as one saith can make White Paper even of Dung-Hill Raggs An Holy Off-Spring Extracted out of an Vnholy Root Thus Satan loses Ground by this Plot and the Church winns Aaron's Priest-Hood so opposed is Confirm'd by a Miracle Aaron's Rod alone Budded Numb 17. And the Church marches on towards Canaan The Eighth Plot against the CHURCH Defeated by GOD. CHAP. VIII THe 8th Plot is as a Rope of the Devils making wherewith he Designs to draw back the Church not onely from Canaan when they were come to the very South-point of it Numb 21. 1. but also farther off into the Wilderness yea if possible into Aegypt again And in Order hereunto whereas the Scripture saith A 3-fold Cord is not easily broken Eccl. 4. 12. To make it stronger Satan Twists his Rope here of 4 Cords to make it a 4-fold one that it might make
his own Duty towards them and that in his Threefold Capacity 1. As a Father 2. As the High-Priest 3. As the Chief Magistrate or Judge 1st As a Father So the Devil made use of his Candid Constitution and his sweet Natural Disposition even to a Cockering of his Sons and to a too much Tenderness towards them as he did David's afterwards towards His 1 Kin. 1. 6. c. both in their Younger and Elder years over-much Mercy marrs many a Child Pro. 13. 24. and 23. 13 14. 'T is likely Eli had always been a Fond Father to his Sons and brought them up in his Doting Indulgency till he brings down his House by their Diabolical Impiety 2ly As High-Priest which added more Authority to him over his Wicked Sons yet doth he so gently Reproove them for their Sins so exceeding sinful even to Black Sins under a White Ephod as if he had been Afraid to Hurt them 1 Sam. 2. 22 23. A Gentle Reproof can never be a Salve broad and sharp enough for such a Sore as is Notorious and Abominable Wickedous He did it as Hierom saith Lenitate patris non Authoritate pontisicis by the Gentle Lenity of a Father not by the grave and Severe Authority of an High-Priest who should have expell'd them out of their Sacred Function for their sinful Practices and Excommunicated them out of the Church of God 3. As the Judge or Chief Magistrate which gave him power most of all to punish those prosligate Varlets yet he onely Shaves the Head which Deserved Cutting off he should have punish'd them for their Adultery they having Wives of their own 1 Sam. 4. 19. according to the Law yet comes off onely with Why do ye such things and Nay my Sons c. whereas he should have Instanc'd and Aggravated their evil Doings for their Shame and Horror and Executed Justice upon them as Degenerate Sons of Belial rather than of Eli 1 Sam. 2.23 24. 25 c. Hereupon he is blamed for Gratifying his Sons more then Glorifying God v. 29 chusing rather to please them than him and not punishing those prophane Priests either by Ecclesiastick Censures or by Civil Penalties Fearing possibly least by this means the High-Priesthood should go from his Family of Ithamar as it had from Eleazar's for the like Misdemeanour which also did befall him afterwards 1 Kin. 1. 26. 1 Chron. 29. 22. Thus Eli by seeking to prevent that Evil in an evil manner and by evil means did the sooner procure it For God became highly Displeased and the Devil took this Advantage and powr'd in three Grand Mischiefs and Maladies upon the Church of God all which had most Blessed Remedies in Samuel Successor to Eli to wit 1. The Abhorring of the Lord's Sacrifice 2. The Failure of all Prophetick Visions 3. The Captivity of the Ark by the Philistines 1st Of the 1st Those Prosligate Priests made the People to abhorr the Offerings of the Lord 1 Sam. 2. 17. and to Transgress v. 24. where the Prophane Clergy so called laid a Stumbling-Block before the Sober Laity not onely in their sinning so presumptuously and scaping Scot-free in so Doing against God himself and Dishonouring the Lord in prophaning his Worship and Abusing his Ordinances but also in giving such an evil Example to God's People by their wicked Practices whom they should have Instructed in the good ways of God according to their Office so as to make them withdraw from God's Worship when they saw it so much prophaned by their Impieties This God Complains of as a Spiritual loss to his Peoples Souls more than of the Honour of his own Name dishonoured thereby Hence 't is said the People Transgressed in Neglecting to come to God's Worship in Shilo The Men would not come while those prophane Priests Theevishly and Sacrilegiously Abused God's Sacrifice 1 Sam. 2. 13 to 16. And the Women durst not come for Fear of a Rape v. 22. for those lewd losels though they had Wives of their own were sick of a Plurisie for knowing more Women And like the Devil their Master lov'd to Sow their Seed upon other Mens Ground Matth. 13. 25. The 2d Malady was The Failure of Prophecy in those licentious times of Eli 1 Sam. 3. 2. The Word of the Lord was Precious in those Days though there was some secret Vision as to Manoah and his Wife Judg. 13. yet there was no open Vision the Spirit of Prophecy was Rare and Scarce and therefore Pretious Rara Praeclara in those Days of Detestable Debauchery and both Neglect and Contempt of God's Worship for which God Inflicted this fore Judgement upon them that they should have a Famine of the Word Amos 8. 12. and that there should not be a Prophet among them nor any that could tell them how long Psal 74. 9. 'T is very sad with the Church when there is a Sealing up of Prophecy Dan. 12. 4. and she is plainly benighted in this way-less Wilderness This Darkness upon Israel who were Children of light and of the Day 1 Thess 5. 5. could not but please the Prince of Darkness and give him both light and fight of the Success of his Plot to make them both stumble and fall Joh. 3. 20. 1 Joh. 2. 11. The 3d. Malady is the Captivity of the Ark which was first Touched for which Vzzah perished 2 Sam. 6 6. 7. and also taken by the Hands of the Uncircumcised 1 Sam. 4. 11. which made the Wife of Phinehas to cry out Ichabod that Glory was departed from Israel the greatness of her Grief made her Repeat it Twice v. 21 22. seeing the Sign of God's presence and Protection which was therefore call'd their Glory Psal 78. 61. the Face of God Psal 105. 4. Yea God himself Psal 122. 5. was carried Captive as if the Devil had been too strong for God and as if God could keep the Ark no longer but was Constrained to let it go out of Canaan into the Countrey of the Philistines who verily Thought they had taken the God of Israel Prisoner v. 8. Indeed Israel ascrib'd that Honour to the Ark of God which was Due onely to God himself for upon their Defeat knowing no other Cause though there was enough Psa 78. 58 61 62 63. but the want of the Ark. They send for it to Shilo that it might save them v. 3 4. 1 without Consulting with God 2 they brought it into the Camp without due Reverence 3 and that by the Hands of Two prossligate Priests All which was more likely to bring a Curse upon them and not a Blessing When this Ark of Wood was made an Idol by the Israelites they fare worse and not better v. 2 10. Notwithstanding its presence external priviledges rested and Trusted in are more Destructive than Saving Rom. 2. 9. and God justly suffers it to be taken from them by the Philistines Now the Devil having got the Ark of God into his own Temple to wit the Temple of Dagon which they had
base and bloody Wretch and his Master thought of nothing but Revenge and satiating both their barbarous and brutish yea Devilish Blood-thirstiness they are Unwittingly made the Executioners of Gods Determined Counsel and justly declared sentence of God against Eli's Family Chap. 3. 31 to 37. 2dly As they served Gods Glory so they sent David Comfort Abiathar God marvelously hid from their bloody hands he escapes them according to Gods promise of preserving some of Eli's House Chap. 2. 33. and comes to David with the Ephod in his hand Chap. 22. 20. and 23. 6. This Ephod had the Breast plate with the Urim and Thummim in it Exod 28. 30. The comming of this must needs be very comfortable to Distressed David Now he hath an High-Priest Abiathar with him as well as the Prophet Gad Chap. 22. 5. in his Army by whom he might consult with God in all his Dangers and difficulties Chap. 23. 2 4. and often Saul strengthened David more by sending this Ephod than if he had sent him as one saith many thousand men And as he strengthened David so he weakened himself as he complains God answered him not by Vrim and Thummim 1 Sam. 28. 6. He had bereaved himself of it by putting Abiathar to the Run who brings it to David which was a plain Evidence of Sauls Falling and Davids Rising Saul had neither Priest nor Prophet to consult with when David had both Hereupon he consults with a Witch Flectere Cum Nequeat Superos Acheronta Movebit If God will not answer him the Devil shall Satan comes up in Samuels Resemblance Preaches Sauls Funeral-Sermon he flies in Battel falls upon his own Sword so like the Candle in the Socket goes out in a Stink and notwithstanding all his Plots he leaves himself to the Uncircumcised yea his Body to a cold Grave and his Soul to an hot Hell as an Hypocrite Matt. 24. 51. and leaves his Kingdom to David The 2d Branch of this 14th Plot was in the Reign of David whose entrance to the Kingdom was strongly opposed not onely all the time Saul lived being Hunted like a Patridge upon the Mountains to be taken and destroyed but also after his Death by Abner under the Hereditary Title of Ishbosheth a man of Shame as his Name signifies a weak and Unworthy man passing by Mephibosheth the Right Heir because Young and Lame as hoping to Rule all under his Empty Title Hereupon 't is said 2 Sam. 3. 6. that Abner not Ishbosheth made himself strong for the house of Saul to bring about his own Design and to fix himself fast in the Saddle Yet God did Laugh this Project to Nothing The Issue was though there was long War betwixt them as there is 'twixt Christ and Antichrist The House of Saul waxed weaker and weaker and the House of David Stronger and stronger 2 Sam. 3. 1. So the Stone Dan. 2. Weakens the Beasts Kingdom gradually 'T is Wonderful to consider How the Lord Baffled the Devil here in sending an Evil Spirit 'twixt Abner and Ish-bosheth as he had done 'twixt Abimelech and Shechem Judg. 9. 23 24 25. which Evil Spirit was the Devil that sower of Sedition that great Coal-kindler and Make-bate of the World 2 Sam. 3.8 10. God Over-rules the Devil so as to make him destroy his own Designs by his Working upon those Mens Corruptions whom God had justly given over to a Reprobate mind and filling them with Envy Murther Debate Deceit Malignity c. Rom. 1. 28 29. Here Abner the Devil makes first an Athiest in acting all along contrary to his Conscience v. 9 18. He knew that God had designed David to be King over Israel whom Samuel Anointed to be Saul's Successor yet against the Light of his own knowledge as well as against Gods express command he endeavours to set up Ishbosheth 2dly The Devil makes him an Ambitionist not onely in advancing this weak Prince of small parts and of no Martial Spirit he not fighting in that fatal Battel wherein his Father did fall that he might be the Dominus fac totum Lord Paramount of doing All but also in aspiring to the Crown and Kingdom it self by his Lying with Saul's Concubine who had two Sons which might give some Colour to his Claim When Ishbosheth was taken out of the way whom he had hitherto used only as a Stalking-Horse Upon this occasion the Devil divides the two Grand Plotters against David Chap. 3.7 8. and so Defeats his own Design Vnlawful Leagues never last long when Thieves fall out True men come to their own Abner will now be Godly who never had been so in helping the Lord to fulfill his Promise to David which he had hitherto hindred He pretends all he now acts was in Obedience to God and for the Good of his Church but intends both Revenge to Ishbosheth and Respect to himself that he might thereby secure his present Power and Dignity of Generalship But because he would have done David right with an Evil mind it all turns to his own ruin and God will Right David by a fairer way than by Abners Persidiousness So vain a thing it is to strive against God Psal 2. 1 2. David in despite of the Devil doth come to his Kingdom though by Steps and gradually Ish-bosheth is removed out of the way as well as Abner He dies in his Sloth as he had lived Slothfully all his days Chap. 4. 5. Qualis Vita Finis Itá As a man lives so he dyes All Israel then owns and Crowns David Cha. 5. Who as soon as settled on the Throne express'd his first care for the Church and Religion Chap. 6. So brings the Ark as they had brought him from Hebron to Jerusalem from Kiriath Jearim where in Saul's days it had been slighted to Obed-Edoms and thence to Sion a more publick place than those private Houses wherein it had been before verse 17. This was a joyful day to David and Israel v. 14 16 19. And not being satisfied that himself should dwell in an house of Cedar while the Ark of God's presence dwelt in a Tabernacle he both designs and vows to Build it a Temple Chap. 7. 2. Psal 132. 2. Nathan hinders this purpose and promise yet left he vast Provisions for his Son to perform it his Psalms for the Church and the Church in a flourishing Condition notwithstanding all disturbances which Solomon brings to Her Greatest Glory and after Advanced to Her Hight The 3d. Branch of this 14th Plot was in the Reign of solomon before which Satan had his fore-Games to Oppose as his after-Games to Depose the Church's Glory The 1st His fore-Games were in causing Absolom and Adonijah to Exalt themselves both saying I will be King that Solomon might be put by and never have an opportunity to raise the Church into a more Glorious State then it had ever been in which Satan Designed to Ruine by insolent and arrogant Absalom 2 Sam. 15. 10. and by haughty ambitious Adonijah 1
Father This Son alone shall have both Tears and a Tomb for his goodness his other Sons shall have no sorrow but for their lives and at their deaths no Graves but the Belleys of Dogs and Fowls v. 6. 11 12 13. Israel had cause to mourn when they had lost such an hopeful Heir of the Kingdom The fourth Divine Testimony against Jeroboams Idolatry was as 1. Against his Altar 2. Against his Arm. 3. Against his Heir so 4. Against his Army Jeroboam in the eighteenth year of his Reign raises a vast Army no less than eight hundred thousand to vanquish Abijah while young and newly steâ—t into his Father Rehoboams Throne which was then empty by his Fathers death young Abijah raises an Army to resist him which was but half as big as Jeroboams yet was it an huge Army too considering that fifty thousand is now counted a Royal Army whereas his was four hundred thousand which is eight times as many as is fifty Those two great Armies the 800000 of Jeroboams for Idolatry and the 400000 of Abijahs against Idolatry faces each other in the Field Abijah by his Heralds sounds a Parley stands upon Mount Zemeraim as Jotham likewise had done upon Mount Gerizim Judg. 9. 6. makes a pious pithy elegant and artificial Oration not unlike Solomons Grand-child to the Heads of Jeroboams Army wherein he shews them the honour God had from Judah and the dishonour he had from Israel and many mighty Motives he presses upon them to desist their irrational and irreligious enterprize whereof they could never render any good reason nor ever hope for any good success While Abijah was thus Haranguing in his Religious as well as Rhetorical Disswasives by a fair and friendly Treaty Jeroboam basely useth most foul and filthy treachery in causing an Ambushment behind him while his main Battalia was before him to surprize him at unawares 2 Chron. 13. 3 4 5 13. Judah espying his treachery and their own danger cryed unto the Lord v. 14. having strong fervency in praying to God for succour in that dangerous case prayers were their Souldiers surest great Ordinance and together with their holy prayers they joyn an honest policy the whole Army together gave one great unanimous shout v. 15. This loud Acclamation They run they run affrights Israel especially God striking them at the same time with a panick fear and with frightful Furies in their own Consciences they all fly and fall in a monstrous and matchless slaughter v. 16. 17. to wit five hundred thousand men of Israel were slain by the men of Judah who were but four hundred thousand so that they slew more than every one his man and this Slaughter is well called a Great Slaughter it being the greatest slaughter of men in any one Battel in all the World that we read of either in Sacred or Civil History And had those two Armies been united as Brethren against a Common Enemy they had made up the greatest Host that ever we heard or read of assembled together in the Field yet Judah the lesser number prevails against Israel twice as many because they relied upon the Lord. v. 18. Deo Confisi nunquam Confusi Judah confided in God therefore were they not confounded by Israel True trusting in God can never miscarry God is faithful and never fails the Faith of his people He that believes in him shall not be confounded 1 Pet. 2. 6. The fifth and last Divine Testimony was against Jeroboam himself God had let him blood as it were in the Arm to cure him of his Idolatry and struck the Vital Spirit out of it when 't was dry'd up but now God comes to strike the Soul out of his Body when neither Ministry nor Misery nor Miracle nor Mercy could mollisie and heal his impenitent heart neither the Wind nor the Sun to wit neither the blasts of Divine Judgments nor the Beams of Divine Mercy could make him cast his cumbersome Coat of Idolatrous worship but he will not though his hand was both withered and healed c. see Gods Hand against him but will live and die in his Idolatry Therefore the Lord smote Jeroboam v. 15. and the Lord struck him v. 20. that he died God gave him two deadly blows upon his Cheek-bone as Psal 3. 7. with his heavy hand so that he died not an ordinary but a sudden and violent death and that by a special hand of God The Lord smote him as with a Thunder-bolt as he smote Nabal that he died 1 Sam. 25. 38. Deadly Diseases are Divine stroaks as the Pestilence is call'd 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Morbus Sacer or the Divine Disease though it is not expressed in Scripture of what Disease neither Nabal nor Jeroboam died and had his Idolatry died with him it had been better for Israel This Jeroboam the Son of Nebat who made Israel to sin 2 Kin. 10. 31. c. which is oft added as Jeroboams infamous stile 1 Kin. 12. 30. and 13. 34. and 14. 16. c. so oft it sounds in our ears made all the Kings of Israel sin his sin of Idolatry after him there being not one good Successor in his Throne of Apostacy until the Captivity though God raised up sundry famous Prophets as Elijah Elisha c. to reclaim them and though God did witness from Heaven against them in his most severe Judgments yet the perdition of one was not any availing caution to another for 2. Nadab took no warning at Gods Judgments upon his Father Jeroboam and he was rooted out and all his house 1 Kin. 15. 27. by Baasha 3. And the same Judgments in the same words are threatned against Baasha which had been against Jeroboam because he persisted in the same sin 1 Kin. 16. 3 4. And 4. Ela Baasha's Son was a Sot in his drunkenness and was slain in his sin by his servant Zimri v. 9. who 5. succeeded him but God soon cast that Rod into the fire wherewith he had chastised the house of Baasha v. 10 11 12. for Omri the 6. forced him to burn himself with his Palace v. 18 19. This Omri made wicked Statutes Mich. 6. 16. and made undoubtedly as wicked an end Qualis vita Finis ita he lived wickedly v. 25. seeking to out-sin all his predecessors so died wretchedly though not that we read of by any violent death His Son Ahab the seventh that None-such sinner succeeded whom being an uxorious man Jezabel his Wife stirred up even to unparallel'd wickedness v. 31 32 33. God sets this black brand upon this Virago Jezabel 1 Kin. 21. 25 26. who held her Husband in such slavery by a mischievous 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or Woman wearing the Britches that for a quiet life with her he did not dare to deny her any thing that she would have done Hereby he proves worse than his Ancestors extorts Naboths Vineyard and life from him where the Dogs licked his blood afterwards yea and the Dogs did eat up Jezabel also 1
Kin. 21. 19 22 23. with Ch. 22. 38. and 2 Kin. 9. 35 36 37. So they who sold themselves to work evil and might have been sure they should in time rue the bargain at length as they had made a Match with mischief so God gave them both their Belly-fulls of it and fill'd them with the evil of their own ways Prov. 14. 14. Gods Arrow found out wicked Ahab under his disguise which he did to evade Micaiah's Prophecy of him a certain man drew a Bow at a venture and smote Ahab 'twixt the joynts of his Harness 1 Kin. 22. 30 34. This casual and contingent shot was guided by God to hit the mark to an hairs-breadth whereas the cast of Sauls Javelin was three times guided by the same hand of God to miss the mark of holy Davids body Micaiah was imprisoned for foretelling this fate v. 26 28. Who would not rather be a Micaiah in the Goal than an Ahab in the Chariot God preserved the one in the former but wounded to death the other in the latter Then was God even with him for all his Idolatry and impieties in persecuting the Prophets murdering of Naboth who doubtless had hope in his death as righteous and so in a far better condition now than Ahab was who had no hope but was driven away in his wickedness Prov. 14. 32. Wicked men may have some advantage of the way but godly men have their advance at the end as Ahab had sold himself to sin so God sold him to destruction and Ahaziah the eighth succeeds him who was a soft-pated Prince and low-spirited in losing no mean part of his Kingdome in the beginning of his Reign by the Rebellion of Moab 2 Kin. 1. 1. with Ch. 3. 4 5. and 2 Chro. 20. 1. but above all he was a wicked King like Bird like Egg he had as black a Soul as his Father Ahab to live in his white Ivory Palace that Ahab had built 1 Kin. 22. 39 52. His sin finds him out Num. 32. 23. as he was walking upon the Leads of this stately Palace he falls through a Grate and catches his death which Baalzebub of Ekron could not prevent or rather the Devil of Acheron as Hell is call'd by the Poet Virgil as above Flectere si nequeo superos Acheronta Movebo This Beelzebub or Baalzebub is call'd the God of Flies or Jupiter Stercorarius a Dunghill Deity for out of the Dunghill have the Flies their Natural Generation This Devil could not take off that sickness which the God of Israel had laid on him and whereby he was disinabled to attempt any thing against rebelling Moab This pusillanimous Prince Jehoram the ninth succeeded who was more active than his Brother Ahaziah and not all out so bad as his Parents Ahab and Jezabel for he destroyed Baal out of Samaria yet not very much better than they for he continued Jeroboams Calves 2 Kin. 3. 2 3. God likes not that men should make a straight furrow here and a balk there partial Reformation discovers Hypocrisie wherefore Gods Arrow finds him at Ramoth-Gilead as it had done Ahab his Father at the same place and coming to be healed of his wounds at Jezreel is there slain by furious Jehu the tenth whom God raised up extraordinarily to destroy Ahabs Posterity 2 Kin. 9. 1 to 30. 37. and 10 to 15. He had a zeal indeed for the Lord as Jehoram had against Baal v. 16 to 28. yet proves he but an half Reformer putting down Baal yet keeping up the Calves v. 29. lest it should cost him his Kingdome by Israels repairing to Temple-worship notwithstanding this his Dispensatory Conscience because he had done well for the matter God gives him the favour of his fourth Generation v. 30. which was not granted to any other King of Israel after the Revolt to wit Jehoaaz the eleventh who doth wickedly and Joash the twelfth who rides in the same rode 2 Kin. 13. 2 6 11. and Jeroboam the thirteenth who did Patrizare also and walkt in his forefathers steps Ch. 14. 24. for which cause Amos prophecied against him and was banished from Bethel for it Amos 7. 10 11 12. fore-telling a dreadful Earthquake Amos 1. 1. and Jeroboams death by the Sword Ch. 7. 9. him succeeded Zecharias the fourteenth and the fourth from Jehu to whom God would not be indebted for his good actings but gave him this reward yet this his last Branch being wicked he was slain for his wickedness by Shallum the fifteenth Ch. 15. 9 10. who was paid home in his own Coyn by Menahem the sixteenth whose cruelty ending with himself Pekaiah the seventeenth comes on the Throne but he not degenerating from his evil Ancestors was soon put off by Pekah the eighteenth who being no better than the rest was trayterously slain by Hoshea the nineteenth who being wicked also was carried Captive by Salmanezer of Assyria 2 Kin. Ch. 15. and 16. and 17. Thus Israel provoked the Lord to anger as if they had done all this for that very purpose of causing God to cast them off and to write Lo-Ammi upon them by the forementioned Earthquake the Lord did plainly foreshew that God would shake terribly the Heaven of that Church and the Earth of that State And as God forewarned them by his works both ordinary and extraordinary so all along by his Word in the mouths of all his both the greater and lesser Prophets saying to them that if they would not live by Gods good Laws they should not live in Gods good Land c. Hos 9. 3. This Hosed who forewarns Israel that their Land would spue them out as God had threatned Levit. 18. 26 28. was the first of the Race of those Prophets before Isaiah in the days of Jeroboam Hos 1. 1 2. And thus as under an Hosea Israel was possessed of Canaan Numb 13. 16. and under an Hosea they were dispossessed of it 2 Kin. 17. 1 6. so the Lord sent an Hosea to blame their unthankfulness for the former and to declare the dreadfulness of the latter No doubt but the Devil was much delighted with this sad Catastrophe of Israels Ejection out of Canaan he always makes mirth and merriment out of Israels mourning he makes Comedies of their Tragedies he had indeed so rooted and riveted Idolatry in Israel that it could not be rooted out but by rooting up the corrupted Stock yet all along the Reign of those twenty Kings of Israel for so many Tibni Corrival to Omri 1 Kin. 16. 21 22. doth exactly make and often several Stocks yet all agreeing in Jeroboams sin God raised up a Race of Prophets to give warning even from the Man of God that cryed against Jeroboams Altar 1 Kin. 13. and from Elijah and Elisha down to the last-of those Kings very few whereof died a dry or natural death 2 Kin. 17. 13 23. God wanted not his Witnesses though in Sackcloth all that time His Eye to Israel even under great provocations was good while
the Devils Eye was evil Oh the admirable workings of Divine Compassion in 2 Kin. 14. 26 27. The Lord saw the affliction as well as the transgression of Israel that it was very bitter when they had neither safety nor a Saviour Oh the yernings of Gods Bowels in that Word The Lord said not that he would blot out the Name of Israel from under Heaven God had not then said it yet though afterwards he both said it Hos 1. 6 9. and did it 2 Kin. 17. 18. 'T was a long time and upon great provocation as is related from v. 7 to the 18. before he removed them out of his sight that is out of the Land of Promise upon which the eyes of the Lord were continually after an especial manner Notwithstanding all this the Devil got not all nor did the Lord lose all he divided the spoil with the strong Devil Esa 53. 12. As God had his Witnesses 1. At the beginning of the Apostacy so 2. All along afterwards he had both Witnesses and people too that had a blessed tenderness towards their two hundred thousand Captives at the powerful preaching of the Prophet Oded whom God had as a Witness in the worst of times 2 Chron. 28. 9 to 16. so mightily did the Word of God work upon this armed Army that they shewed a great work of mercy to their distressed Brethren c. though they had but one Prophet to press them to it in so great an Host And as God had his seven thousand of people in Ahabs time 1 Kin. 19. 18. so he had great multitudes in Hosea's time their last King out of Ephraim Manasseh Issachar Zebulon and Asher who humbled themselves under the sight and sense of their sins and came to Jerusalem at Hezekiahs Proclamation to keep the Passover according to the Word of the Lord 2 Chron. 30. 1 6 11 13 18. though some jeered showing themselves ready ripe for ruine in their last Kings time yet many others feared v. 10 11. And though those which came out of the ten Tribes out of the fear of God were ignorant of due preparation having been long without God Law and Teaching Priest 2 Chro. 19. 3. came rudely and irreverently to the Passover and probably smarted for it as 1 Cor. 11. 30. Matth. 22. 12 13. yet at Hezekiahs godly Prayer for them God Healed them and accepted their Service v. 18 19 20. Yea and Gods Pitty was such to his Covenanted people that the Old Stile and Title The Lord God of Israel is kept up even by Abijam 2 Chron. 13. 5. and such was Gods Respect to Israel under the Revolt that he sent sometimes Saviours to them as 2 Kin. 13. 5. Obad. 21. Neh. 9. 27. All which doth plainly Demonstrate Gods Care of his Church even in the worst of times let the Devil and his Imps do all they can And though there hath been such a Revolt from the Ture Christian-Religion by the Papacy as this of the Ten Tribes from the Temple-Worship the Foundation whereof was laid in Blood to wit the Blood of Adoram 1 Kin. 12. 18. as that of the Romish-Revolt much more Yet the Lord secureth his own Interest Rev. 12. 6 14. Maugre the Malice of Men and Devils both in Witnesses and People as I have shown at large in my Discovery of Antichrist Moreover 3ly at the End of this Revolting Kingdom when God had cast the Ten Tribes out of Canaan because they had cast him off and his good Laws yet God had respect 1 to the very Land out of which they were cast for when the King of Assyria had Conquered Samaria and the Cities of the Ten Tribes which he carried Captive into his own Countrey and had Planted his Colonies of mixt People in their place The Lord sent Lyons among them which Slew some of them 2 Kin. 17. 25. because those New-Planters as themselves say knew not the manner of the God of the Land v. 26. foolishly thinking that each Land had its proper God Indeed the Land of Israel had another God than the Gods or Idols of those Lands from whence they came it was a Land which Jehovah had Chosen as an Habitation for himself and saith The Land is mine Levit. 25. 25. Hence it is called the Lords Land Hos 9. 3. and Immanuels Land Isa 8. 8. and by their Seventh-Year Sabbath they Acknowledged that their Land belonged to God and that they were onely Gods Tenants and Tythe-men now seeing those Assyrians that came into Canaan in Israels Room made no such Acknowledgment nor Own'd him in a Land which the True God was pleased to Own therefore he sent this Judgement of the Lyons upon them to let them know that the God of this Land had all Creatures even the most Ravenous at His Command wherewith to be Avenged for their not-Fearing him Thus it appears God did not Hate the Ground as some say that Israel trode upon though they were Revolters 2ly God had Respect to themselves much more if so much to their Land so that they were in a sort Ammi while they were Lo-Ammi and Ruhamah while they were Lo-Ruhamah Hos 1. 6. Yea when the name Israel was too good and too Honourable a name for them but they must be called Jezreel that is a People devoted to Dispersion v. 4. and such as God would scatter into the four Winds of Heaven Zerang as the Seeds-man scatters his Seed so that the Ten Tribes never return'd out of Captivity yet sure I am neither the Devil got all nor God lost all for God did not lose Israel but onely laid them up in an Unknown Sepulchre with his own Hands as he had done their Mediator Moses in sure and certain Hope of a Resurrection God did not cast off his People for ever 1 Kin. 11. 39. Though the dry Bones of Israel lye in Babylon c. as in a Sepulchre and were as it were Buryed Alive at their final Abdication yet the Lord Promises These Graves shall be opened This is spoken over and over again Ezek. 37. 11 12 13 14. to the whole House of Israel the Lord saith Behold Oh my People God owneth them still though they little deserv'd it This is Alledged as an Allay to those Dreadful Desolations so loath is the Sun of Righteousness to sett under a Cloud that in the midst of Judgement he remembers Mercy Hab. 3. 2. Thus while the Lord wrote Jezreel Lo-Ruhamah and Lo-Ammi upon Israel In the Invasion made by Tiglath-Pilneser upon the Tribes beyond Jordan 2 Kin. 15. 29. 1 Chro. 5. 6. and by Salmaneser upon the rest of the Ten Tribes on this side Jordan Yet behold how graciously God comes off in that Direful Sentence Yet the Number of the Children of Israel shall be as the Sand of the Sea that cannot be Numbred and where it was said Ye are not my People there it shall be said Ye are the Sons of the Living God Hos 1. 4 6 9 10. to shew Gods great
care of his Church and of his Promise to Abraham even when he seems to have Utterly Abandon'd them The same Graciousness that had sent Prophets to them all along their Revolt and a Promise of the Messiah at the same time their Rejection was foretold Isa 7. 8. within 65 Y. of its comming to pass That the Lord would not quite cast off the House of David till a Virgin have born a Son and he to be God in our Nature v. 14. and this Son to be Born in Bethelem One that should tread down all the Churches Enemies and be her Peace c. Micah 5. 1 2 3 4 5. yet would be War to the Assyrians in sending Lyons among them as before all which doth show That this Antient People of the Ten Tribes are not altogether Abandon'd and Abolish'd but God reserves this Honour for them to Vouchsafe them a Call to the Participation of Christ but more of that in New-Testament-times Ezek. 37. 16 19. Jer. 3. 12 13. c. Isa 11. 12 13. Obad. 20. Rom. 11. 15 26. The Seventeenth Plot against the CHURCH in Judah Defeated by GOD. CHAP. XVII WHen the Devil saw how successful he had been in Debauching and Destroying the Ten Tribes of Israel He falls upon his 17th Plot against the Kingdom of Judah which yet Ruled with God and was Faithful with the Saints Hos 11. 12. God was sincerely served amongst them and they Held fast their first integrity the True Religion was Publickly Professed and the True Worship of God was Purely Preserved in the Temple at Jerusalem This made Abijah the next to Rehoboam though none of the best to boast so boldly and therefore prevailed 2 Chro. 13. 10 17. Israels Apostacy was not onely Aggravated but also Vanquished by Judahs Integrity yea and Judah was Kind Courteous and Communicative to those good Souls that left the Ten Tribes and came thither to Injoy the Pure and Publick Worship of God This the Envious One espying and Envying Endeavours to Corrupt Jerusalem as he had done Samaria that so Aholah and Aholibah might be both Alike nay the latter to be worse than the former as afterwards Ezek. 16. 2 45 48. and 23. 4 11. Yea that Prince of the Ayr the Devil never gave over his stormy Blasts with his stinking Breath until he had Blown out that Lamp which God had promis'd to give David in Jerusalem 1 Kin. 15. 4. at the last which did fall out about the 3420 Y. of the World in the 11th Y. of Zedekiah when Ezekiels 390 Y. mentioned Ezek. 4. 5. were exactly accomplish'd in that fatal Fall of Jerusalem for which Jeremy Writt his Book of Lamentations to Condole the sad Condition of the Church because the Crown was faln from her Head Lam. 5. 15 16. and her Light or Lamp was Extinct by the Devils Extinguisher then was she brought into darkness and not into light Lam. 3. 2. and removed into dark places as they that be dead v. 6. so put into the Dark Graves of Babylon until the Time of their Opening came Ezek. 37. 12. c. Now to Reduce the Church to this faln and Extinct Estate The Devil Designs against her many Maladies and 't is remarkable God sent her as many Remedies in Raising up a good King for a bad a good King for a bad almost all-along whereas those of Israel were all bad Universally until they had sinned themselves beyond the Reach of all Remedies Prov. 22. 1. 2 Chro. 36. 16. Oh Dreadful and Direful Divine Sentence Satans first Blast against the Lamp of the Church in this 17th Plot was in Rehoboam who at 41 Y. old was Childish and Simple 2 Chro. 12. 13. with 13. 7. but of an Haughty and Hard-oppressing Spirit so prooved himself a very Fool Eccles 2. 19. though he were the Son of so Wise a Father a very fit Tool for the Devil and though for 3 Y. he did Well 2 Chron. 11. 17. yet after he did Evil and Judah with him which brought up Shishak K. of Aegypt to Plunder Jerusalem 1 Kin. 14. 22 23 24. Upon this the Devil got the Golden Shields of Solomon changed into Brazen ones v. 27. as he had made the faithful City now to become an Harlot No Wonder therefore that her Silver was become Dross and her Gold turned into Brass Isa 1. 21 22. Shishak prompted to this Enterprize by Jeroboam who had lived in the Court of Aegypt and as some say Married a Wife of the Blood-Royal easily prevaileth through the Pusillanimity and Effeminacy of Rehoboam but especially because Judah had Transgressed against the Lord 2 Chron. 12. 2. His Prevalency could not have happened without the Church's Prevarication Notwithstanding at the Preaching of the Prophet Shemaiah which was a great Divine favour both Princes and People Humbled themselves v. 5 6. which was a greater Divine favour but the greatest of all was that God did not then pour out his whole Wrath but granted them some Deliverance v. 7 8. So that things went well in Judah v. 12. The Devils 2d Blast against Davids promised Lamp was in the Reign of Rehoboams Son call'd Abijah 2 Chron. 12. 16. so his Father named him signifying The Lord is my Father with Respect to that Promise made to David 2 Sam. 7. 14. but because he Walked not in the ways of David therefore is Abijah called Abijam 1 Kin. 15. 1. which signifies My Father is a Sea Indeed his Father was as Inconstant in good as the Fluctuating Sea because he Prepared not his Heart to seek the Lord 2 Chro. 12. 24. he had only some slashy and fleeting Resolutions in his aforesaid Humblings but he did not draw them out into Execution because they Sprang not from his Heart that right Spring of all True goodness so they were soon off again and he wavering like a wave of the Sea Jam. 1.6 was driven by the Wind of Temptation to do Evil and so Dyes leaving a Diminish'd and Impoverish'd Kingdom to his Son Abijah or Abijam who did Evil like his Father Though the Book of Chronicles layeth no Wickedness to his Charge so joyns Jah the Name of God to his name Abijah yet the Book of Kings Chargeth him with the Wickedness of his Fathers ways and therefore calls him Abijam as above 1 Kin. 15. 3. Though at first when he went out to War against Jeroboams vast Army he seemed to be good pretending to and pleading hard for Religion 2 Chron. 13. 5 10 12. and praying to God in his Distress v. 14. and believing in God v. 18. but being puffed up with this great Victory he falls away and shew'd himself in his Colours treading in the same Dirty steps of his Idolatrous Father who when he Recover'd Bethel from Jeroboam 2 Chron. 13. 19. did not Destroy the Calf and Idolatry there for which cause 't is probable God shorten'd both his Reign and his Life Oh what a sad Aspect had the Church in that Day when not onely Israel Worship'd Jeroboams
Calves but also Judah Built them high places and Images and Groves on every High Hill and under every Green-Tree 1 Kin. 14. 22 23. Yea and Tolerated Sodomy in the Land v. 24. This sad Face of the Church and that continuing two Kings Reigns must needs sadden the Hearts of those Faithful Ones who among the 12 Tribes were Gods Remnant and Instantly served him Day and Night Act. 26. 7. There was no Visible Church in the whole World but in this little part of it And how was the Church here most Deplorably Depraved God sometimes suffers his Church as he doth the Moon to Wane out of sight and to be Ecclipsed yet such Gloomy times shall not last always God causeth Light to Spring up by Asa the 3d. King after the Revolt who Revives the Church and Refreshes the Children of God by a Right Reformation of Religion 1 Kin. 15. 11. both in the Privative and in the Positive part 1. The Privative He finding Sodom in Jerusalem Roots out the Sodomites v. 12. Demolishes the Idols those Dirty Dung-hill Deities call'd Deos stercoreos because of the Stench wherewith they offend Almighty God yea removes Maachah from being Queen-Regent for setting up a most filthy Idol in honour of Venus supposed the Picture of Pan or Priapus v. 13. 2ly The Positive part He doth not onely put down Idolatry c. but he sets up and Restores the Splendour of Temple-Worship 'T was his Grand-Father Rehoboam that turn'd Solomons Gold into Brass now Asa turns Rehoboams Brass into Gold 1 Kin. 15. 15. 'T is said of Augustus Coesar Romam Invenit lateritiam Reliquit Marmoream He sound Rome all of Brick he left it all of Marble So it may be said as Rehoboam had turn'd Jerusalems Marble into Brick so Asa turns it back from Brick to Marble as Solomon had left it 'T is a Wonder that both Sodomy and the Worst sort of Idolatry to wit Priapism should be found amongst Mankind being so contrary to the Light of Nature Rom. 1. 19 to 28. but much more amongst the onely professors of Religion that were then upon Earth Here the Devils Design had notable Success yet behold as great a Wonder in the Churches Remedy as was in her Malady the Lord raises up a good Son Asa from the Seed of an evil Father Abijam and from the Soil of an Idolatrous Mother Maachah and makes him to be such an Impartial Reformer as he would not grant a Dispensation to his own Mother or Grand-Mother 1 Kin. 15. 13. and 2 Chron. 15. 16. He finds her Unreclaimable from her Idols in her self and very Influential upon the People Hereupon the Law of God in Command 1. 2. Preponderates the Law of Nature Command 5th Down goes her Idols from their Station and her self from her Regency because his Heart was perfect with the Lord 1 Kin. 15. 14. And as a Reward of his Covenant-Reformation God gave him a glorious Victory over the greatest Army that ever we read of in any History to wit a Thousand Thousand Aethiopians who likely were call'd in by the Ten Tribes at the Devils Instigation in Revenge of their Five Hundred Thousand which Abijam had overthrown 2 Chron. 14. 9 to 12. God at good Asa's Prayer Smote his Enemies and as the Word signifies Tumbl'd them down Headlong Asa Reign'd long to do great and good things for the Church Therefore the Devil who did owe him an ill turn and had been hitherto under a Divine Restriction which to him is a grievous Vexation at last gets leave to Touch him with his Churlish Touches as Job 1. 11 12. to wit in causing him 1 to Connive at the Will-Worship in the High-places mis-devoted for the Worship of God who had Confined it to the Temple though he Demolished those set up in honour of Idols 1 Kin. 15. 13 14. this God graciously overlooks beholding Truth in his Heart God tenderly covers Asa's Frailty with the Mantle of Sincerity which he would not do for Unfound Jehu though Excellent things were done by him 2 Kin. 10.31 and inasmuch as the Indulgency of Asa's God did draw a Cross-line over all Asa's Weaknesses Satan lost his Design in Tempting him to this Sin and to the following also 2 To a Relyance on the King of Syria more than upon the Lord 2 Chron. 16. 7 8 9. Considence on Man an Arm of Flesh draws off his Confidence on God who gave him Victory over the Million of Aethiopians Isa 31. 1 2. He trusteth not God at all who trusteth not God above and over all Asa Hires Benhadad with Sacrilegious Treasure unfaithfully to break his League with Baasha and brings a Wicked Enemy into Gods Inheritance 3 To that which was worse even to the Imprisoning of Hanani the Prophet for reprooving him for his sin v. 10. Asa instead of comming to Repentance and calling for Mercy in a great rage against his Faithful reproover commands Revenge 4 To be as Harsh to the People as he was to the Prophet Tyrannically trampling upon those that protested against his Tyranny to the Lords Prophet for this God did not onely send upon his Kingdom continual War v. 11. but upon himself the sharp Dolorous Gout v. 12. whereby God clapp'd him up a closer Prisoner by the Heels in his Bed and with more Torturing Fetters than he had done Gods Prophet in Prison Then 5 to seek to the Physitians for Cure of his Gout and not to God v. 12. Thus falls he into his former sin of Creature-Confidence He that in his outward straits sought to Benhadad and not to God now in his Inward Sore seeks not to God but to Physitians not depending upon the Lord for his Blessing upon Men and Means No Wonder therefore that his Disease struck upward to his Head and Heart and that his Hot Feet carried him to his Cold Grave v. 13. Notwithstanding all those Failings the Devil lost his Design for 't is more than probable that Asa repented before he Dyed Seeing 1 God gave him this commendable Character That his Heart was Perfect with the Lord all his Days 1 Kin. 15. 14. 2 Chron. 15. 17. and 20. 32. and 2 his People gave him a most Honourable Funeral 2 Chron. 16. 14. which was Denyed to Wicked Jehoram Ch. 21. 19. and which they would not have done in that costly Solemnity for Asa had he not Repented and Reformed to be thus Honoured at his Burial Yea and God blest him with a long Reign of 41 Y. v. 13. wherein he saw many Successions and Changes upon the Throne of the Ten Tribes who were all speedily rooted out by their Idolatry whereas good Asa was long Establish'd upon his Throne by his True Piety in Despight of the Devil leaving his godly Son Jehosophat the 4th King to succeed him who prooved one of the best of the Princes of Judah whom God Stirred up for a Farther Reformation of Religion and for a fuller Preservation of his Church c. 2 Chro. 17 c.
a time of great Joy and Jollity for the recovery of Ramoth-Gilcad Wicked Men are taken in an evil Net at the worst and when they never dream of Destruction Sâ—c Deus quos Destruit Dementat So God Infatuates them before their fatal Foil and Fall come upon them and 't is Remarkable no place must serve wherein Ahaziah shall be slain but Gur by Iblaim where 't is supposed his Father Jehoram had slain his Brethren as Ahab had done Naboth at Jezreel thither did he slye and there Divine Vengeance which pursued overtakes him yet receiveth he Courtesie from Jehosaphats Dust Holiness hath its Honour even in Vnholy Hearts he for his good Grand-Fathers fake had a Royal Sepulchre and Funeral Upon which his Wicked Mother Athaliah in the 7th place Usurps the Kingdom by whom the Devils first Design was to Root out that Race whereof Christ was to be Born 2 Chron. 22. 10. but the Great God did Counterwork him who had his Compassionate and Pious Princess Jehosheba the godly Priests Wife ☞ even in this bad Age such were insomuch and so good estimation as Kings Marryed their Daughters to them 2 Kin. 11. 2. As the Devil had his Jezabels and Athaliahs to cut off all Competitors that stood in their way That Old promise Gen. 49. 10. The Scepter shall not depart foom Judah c. and the late promise of Preserving David a Lamp c. 1 Kin. 11. 36. Spoil'd all Satans Engines and Endeavours by Vertue hereof Jehosheba Sacredly as well as Secretly stole young Joash out of the Royal Nursery nourish'd him up in the Temple Six Years so long lay he hid not onely in the House but also in the Hand of the Lord from Athaliahs bloody Hands All this time that wicked Woman being Devoted to Destruction as one of Ahabs Family not onely escapes Jehu's Hand but was spared Seven Y. long to Revel in more mischief for the punishment of the peoples sin but by the pious and prudent Contrivance of good Jehohiada in Subordination to Gods ' providence she was brought to condign Punishment and the right Heir Joash at Seven Y. old Inthron'd to be the 8th King ☞ Behold how low Davids promised Lamp was Reduced even to one Suckling Child yet the promise is made good in Despight of the Devil and this Devilsh Woman who sought his life also as Herod did the Holy Child Jesus's ☞ so foolish it is to Fight against God and his Promise This 8th King Joash Jehoiada had no sooner brought to the Crown but he brought his people into the Covenant 2 Kin. 11. 12 17. Joash repairs the Temple his Sauctuary for Six Y. as well as Gods and Rules well under the Tutorage of his good Unckle and reforms all that were deformed no sooner was Jehoiada Dead but his cringing Courtiers Debauch him 2 Chron. 24. 17. he forgets God forsakes his Temple and falls into open Idolatry v. 18. yea and out of monstrous Ingratitude falls foul upon Zechariah the Son of Jehoiada to whom he did owe both his life and his Kingdom and stones him to Death for no other fault but for his Dealing faithfully with him v. 20 21 22. In his Reign Observe God was at the beginning the Devil in the middle and God again at the end thus the Devil is hedg'd in both before and behind by the Almighty God so that he cannot carry it as he would for though he play'd his pranks after Jehoiada's Death in the latter end of Joash Reign yet God will bring up the Rear looks upon him and requites him according to Dying Zachary's Prayer for 1. the Syrians are the Executioners of Gods Vengeance and Destroyed all his flattering Sycophants that had Seduced him v. 17 23 24. though the Syrian Army was but a small Company 2. God plagued him with fore Diseases contracted possibly by the wounds he had received 3. God gave him up to be Treacherously slain by his Servants because he had Conspir'd the Death of his faithful Servant Zechariah v. 25. Thus though the Beginning should be Satans as in Iob's Case yet the End will be the Lords Iam. 5. 11. Neither did it fall out better with his Son Amaziah the 9th King who though in his beginning did works that were materially good yet prooved not so formally and eventually no sooner departed he from God but his Subjects hearts departed from him 2 Chron. 25. 14 16. God gave him up to Worship those very Idols of Edom which could not deliver them out of his hands v. 15. as a just Punishment of his Pride and Hypocrisie and prooving Unreclaimable at the reproof of Gods Prophet he was told by him I know that God hath Determined to Destroy thee v. 16. ☞ An Uncounsellable person hath Gods Brand for Destruction put upon Him No sooner had he abused his Victory God gave him over Edom to gross Idolatry with their Idols but God rais'd him up a Scourge even the Cedar of Israel to Tread down this proud Thistle of Iudah v. 18. 22. and to plunder Ierusalem After this he spent his time sordidly serving false Gods without remorse Hereupon he falls under the Universal Hatred of his People whom he had subjected to so much misery by his fond Challenging of Ioash they Unanimously Conspire against him v. 27. forces him to slee from Ierusalem to Luchish for his safety they pursue him and slay him Thus ended the Devils Instrument for Corrupting the Church who had indeed a fair Beginning but in his latter end did notoriously Apostatize Neither did Vzziah or Azariah his Son whom all the People of Iudah made the 10th King in his stead 2 Chron. 26. 1. make a better End 'T is no good Commendation that is given him That he did according to all that his Father Amaziah had done 2 Kin. 15. 3. they both began fairly but ended foully This Desinit in piscem or bad Ending marrs many a Mans better Beginning ☞ Oh how many Young seeming Saints become no better than Old Incarnate Devils at the last Thus Vzziah at the first was wholly taken up in Consulting with God while Zachariah the Prophet was his Houshold-Chaplain and as long as he sought the Lord God made him to Prosper 2 Chron. 26. 4 5 6. God Helped him against all his Enemies v. 7. God usually deals with Men as they deal with him those that Honour him he doth Honour them 1 Sam. 2. 30. and God strengthened him exeeedingly v. 8 15. This swell'd him up into Arrogancy and Impudency v. 16. his Victories and magnificence made him proud then was he become a sit Instrument for the Devil to Debauch Gods Worship in the Church out of Curiosity and Insolency he invades the Priests Office embolden'd hereunto because he had Marryed Ierusha the Daughter of Zadok the High-Priest 2 Kin. 15. 33. Therefore the Lord spat in his Face that he might be ashamed and others warned God smote him with Leprosie 2 Chron. 26. 18 19. and at that time saith Iosephus
was that Terrible Earth-quake Amos 1. 1. Zech. 14. 5. even while his Wrath was hot against the Holy Priests who withstood him Gods Wrath waxed Hot against him and takeing their part as he did their Office he makes a Leprosie immediately to rise up in his Forehead and so by presuming to go into the Temple farther than he should did lose that liberty which before he had This Arrogant Act did not onely cast him out of the House of God but also out the Holy City for Lepers by the Law were to live by themselves Levit. 13. 46. Yea and at last cast him out of the World who was then Buryed in some By-corner of the Kings Burying-place for they said He was a Leper 2 Chro. 26. 20 to 23. leaving his Son Iotham to Succeed him as the 11th King who did learn to beware from his Fathers Harm He entered not into the Temple to Usurp the Priests Office 2 Chron. 27. 2. though Son of the Priests Seed of the Daughter of Zadok 2 Kin. 15. 33. Then did Davids Lamp God promis'd him burn brighter than before notwithstanding all the Devils blasts against it for Jotham was a good Prince and did that which was right in the sight of the Lord v. 34. both for Matter Manner Motive and End yet had this very Lamp one filthy Snuff in it to darken its splendour and glory to wit The High-Places were not Removed v. 35. And the People did yet Corruptly 2 Chro. 27. 2. had Jotham removed those High-places he had prevented the peoples corruption ☞ Oh how hardly comes off a thorough Reformation It was with the good Kings in respect of those High-places as it was with Jonathans Signal Arrows Two whereof fell short and but one beyond the Mark 1 Sam. 20. 36. so where one of them shot home to the Mark of the Divine Institution as Hezekiah and Josiah did many fell short as 1 Kin. 14. 14. and 2 Kin. 12. 3. and 15. 4 5. and Here whereas they should have removed not onely those for Idol-Worship as they did but also those for Gods Worship too according to Gods Institution Deut. 12. 5 6 11. Those High-places unremoved was as the Nest-Egg to make the Hen of Will-Worship and Idolatry to return again when his Son Ahaz the 12 King succeeded who brought in all the Idolatry of the Kings of Israel 2 Chron. 28. 2. and went beyond the worst of them all in Wickedness for 1. he burnt his Children in the Fire v. 3. in Honour of Moloch which was the Devil Psa 106. 37. Some he caused to pass onely through the fire to purge them from evil as the Papists send their Friends to their supposed Fire of Purgatory which they conceit their Masses make them pass thorough to Heaven 2. He set up the Altar of Damascus in the place of Gods Altar which he thrust into a by-corner out of the way by the help of Vrijah that Temporizing Parasitical Priest a fit Helve for such an Hatchet and Ahaz approached his New Altar and burnt his Offering upon it c. Vrijah suffering him so to do whereas Azariah a far better Priest would not permit his Grand-Father Vzziah a far better King to do so 2 Chron. 26. 18. 2 Kin. 16. 10 to 16. 3. He did wickedly as he could with both Hands earnestly Mic. 7. 3. as if afraid to be out-done by others and as if he had been delivered to Work all Abomination Jer. 7. 10. He took long strides toward Hell which did gape for him and was but a little before him Vzziah his Grand-Father was smitten with bodily Leprosie for the like Sin of Invading the Priests Office but Ahaz was smitten with a worse Judgement to wit with such an hardness of Heart that he became so stubborn and stiff-necked even in the time of his distress as he would rather Break than Bend 2 Chron. 28.22 Adding Rebellion to his Sin Job 34.37 and Jer. 48. 4. Hereupon the Lord set a black Brand upon him as upon Cain Gen. 4. 15. upon Dathan Numb 26. 9. and here upon him This is that King Ahaz and all for his Stubborness this is that stigmatiz'd Beast and stinking Belialist with his Mark of Ignominy 2 Chron. 28. v. 22 to 25. provoking the Lord to Anger c. and as he provoked the Lord so his own Subjects to Anger insomuch as they vouchsafed not his Dead Body a Royal Sepulchre v. 27. Notwithstanding all this The Devil cannot Run down the Church in Iudah by such a Dangerous Instrument still for God raises up Hezekiah the 13th King to Undoe all that his Father Ahaz had done by the Help of his godly Mother Abiah whose Piety could not prevail upon her Husbands Pertinacy yet had her good Instructions a most Blessed Influence upon her Tender Son 2 Kin. 18. 2. and 2 Chro. 29. 1 2. Here the Rule Partus sequitur ventrem The Birth follows the Belly holds good as Ahaz had stood like a Pricking Thistle betwixt Two Fragrant Roses his good Father Jotham and his godly Son Hezekiah so Hezekiah stands up like a Fresh Spring after a sharp Winter and by the good Hand of God upon him brought the Ship of the Church in Iudah from a Troublesome stormy and Tempestuous Sea into a Safe and Quiet Harbour according to the signification of his Name Hezekiah The Lord was his strength insomuch that he obtained sundry Famous Remarques better than the Brand by a black Coal on Ahaz upon him as 1. his neglecting no time in his Generation-Work but falls upon Reforming Religion in the first place in the first Year in the First Month in the first Day of the Month and on the First Day of his Reign even immediately upon his Corronation-Day 2 Chron. 29. 3 4 5 17. This he doth effect by Convocating an Assembly or Synod or Council of godly Priests and Levites whom his Idolatrous Father had forced from their Temple-Service to which Convocation this pious Prince made a prudent pithy and pious Oration hereby he removes those High-places that Nest-Egg of Idolatry which the best of his Predecessors could never remove and the brazen Serpent which Moses had made not for an object of Worship but for means of a Cure he brake in pieces when Abused to Idolatry calling it when so broken Nehushtan a little poor paltry piece of Brass for the shameing of such as had so doted upon it 2 Kin. 18. 4 5. His Confidence in God was the Cause of his Courage in so doing who could not but expect Opposition at such an Antient Reliques Deposition it being now about 730 Y. old Fiat justitia etsi Coelum Ruat Duty must be done whatever be its Consequences 2. his Rising early the next Morning after his Godly Speech to his Synod of Divines to call a Parliament the Representatives of the Kingdom with whom after seeking Reconciliation with God by his Attonement-Offering for the late Apostacy he Consults 2 Chro. 30. 2. the better to effect his
that dare Disturb them be Destroyed a Dreadful Curse and such as God saith Amen to Ezr. 6. 6 7 11 12. The finding of thid Decree of Cyrus with those Contents c. was a marvellous good Providence to the Disturbed Church the Malice of her Adversaries in Writing that Malicious Letter prooved a great Furtherance to the Finishing of the Temple as Pauls Persecution at Rome prooved not an Hinderance but a Furtherance of the Gospel Phil. 1. 12. For hereupon Cambyses's Wicked Decree of Hindring Temple-Work was far Removed as Micah had foretold Mic. 7. 11. and those very Governours the Churches Adversaries do upon the Receiving of Cyrus Decree by Darius 1. Pay in the Kings Tribute to defray the Charges of Building the Temple and 2. send in all manner of Sacrifices when finished v. 12 13 8 9. Thus God still over-shoots Satan in his own Bow causes the very Dogs to lick the Sores of Lazarus and makes all things to work for good to them that love God Rom. 8. 28. Josephus and Esdras say Darius granted all this upon Zerubabels excellent Discourse how Women was stronger than Wine too strong for Kings yet Truth is strongest of all Then the Lord Removed the Decree of Hindring the Building asar off Mic. 7. 11. by Darius's Commission Ezra 5. 3. and 6. 1. So that notwithstanding all the Oppositions from Wicked Men and a Wretched Devil in the 6th Y. of Darius the Temple of God is Finished and the Dedication of it is Solemnly Observed Ezra 6. 15 16. about 15 Y. after the Foundation had been laid Yea and the Passeover also v. 19 20 21 22. Neither was this all the Lord did for his Churches Weal Romovendo Prohibentia in Removing Hinderances out of her way but also Applicando Adiutoria in Contributing Furtherances not onely in making their very Adversaries to become their Auxiliaries as before v. 13. who did lend her Sacrifices of all sorts and that Speedily according to Darius Decree because they durst do no otherwise but also in Sending her Ezra in the 7th of Darius call'd by that common Name of the Persian Kings Artaxerxes to strengthen their Hands in the Lords Work and to make a wonderful Reformation Ezra 7. 1. c. and Ch. 8. and Ch. 9. Thus the Vision of Zachary Zech. 1. 17 22. who Prophecy'd at that time was Accomplish'd in the greatest part for he saw four Horns who sought to scatter Judah to wit Rehum and Shimshai Ezra 4. 17 23. Tatnai and Shether-Boznai Ch. 5. 6. and he saw four Carpenters to break those Horns to wit Zerubabel call'd also Shesh-bazzar signifying Joy in Tribulation Joshua a Saviour Ezna an Helper and to Compleat the Number of Four God sent his Church Nehemiah signifying the Comfort of the Lord in the 20th Y. of this Darius Artaxerxes with a full Commission from the King to repair the Walls of the Holy City after that the Altar and Temple had been re-Built by other Hands Hereupon began the 2d part of the Devils 19th Plot who stirred up Pestilent opposition against the Church both from Without and from Within 1. From Without by open and profess'd Enemies to wit Sanball at Tobiah and Geshum the Arabian Neh 2. 10 19. Sanballat which signifies a pure Enemy and Tobiah that Advanced Vassal were so Sly and Subtle being the Old Serpents Disciples as to Insinuate by Allyances to the High-Priest Neh. 13. 4 28. yet were mortal Enemies to the Church and 1. It grieved them exceedingly that there was come a Man to seek the Welfare of Israel Neh. 2. 10. had they been Ingenious their very Alliance to Israel should have made them Rejoyce in Israels Prosperity but the Cursed Malice of this Moabite and Ammonite had swallowed up all the sparks of common Ingenuity This is the 1st Appearance of the Devil in them they look'd upon Nehemiah with a lowring look with an evil Eye as Cain did upon Abel and such was their Spleen and Spight that they became Sad at it 2ly The Devil in them turns their Sadness into Madness v. 19. they had onely been made Sad before but now are they made Mad with their own Malice and falls a wagging their Wicked Tongues to Scoff and Deride those Godly Wall-Builders and to laugh them to Scorn Herein Geshem Darius's Lieutenant in Arabia Confederates with them at the Devils Instigation v. 10. and Ch. 6. 2. and Ch. 4. 1 2. Now when God had Laughed this Laughing-Design of the Devil to Nothing 1 by Nehemiahs Courage Neh. 2. â—0 and â— by the Peoples Constancy and their good mind to Work Ch. 4. 6. when Scoffs and Sarcasms could not deterr them from Working then 3ly Satan Hurries them into a Secret Conspiracy to Oppose their Building-Work by an Open Hostility Neh. 4. 8. that by turning their Works into Knocks they might make them either Creep into Corners or Run away 4ly They Strengthen their Cruel Conspiracy by the Devils Crafty Counsel 1 In Raising false Rumours Reporting that Nehemiah and the Jews did Intend to Rebell Ch. 6. 6. Thus they lay no less than the Crime of High-Treason to their Charge Intending to charge Home those Children of the most High God as Dan. 6. 13. Ezr. 4. 13. Esth 3. 8. And they have a most Credible and Creditable Witness to prove it too to wit Geshmu or Geshem the Arabian their Fellow-Conspirator saith it ☞ Who knows not that Vulgar Rumour is a loud Lyar Is it true because it is Reported and that by them that say Report and we will Report it Jer. 20. 10. Psal 31. 13. as if there were no false Desaming Detracting Reports feigned only out of the Addle-Brains of the Reporters themselves Ch. 6.8 Geshmu here Broaches the Slander and Sanballat and Tobiah will Blazon it the former setts it on Foot and the latter keeps it a Float Hoping according to Machiavels Maxim Fortiter Galumniare aliquid Haerebit If they slander'd stoutly something would stick It doth not follow because 't is Reported therefore it must be true besides Geshmu's Tongue was no slander for he was known to teach his Tongue the Art of Lying as Jer. 9. 3 5. and was this Man who was a loud and lewd Lyar Yea and a Party too in the Conspiracy fit to be a Witness but any would serve Sanballats turn who for a need could have Suck'd such a Slander as this out of his own Fingers ends And they belyed good Nehemiah as after they belyed Christ himself Joh. 19. 12. that he would have made himself King of the Jews and that he had Hired Prophets to Preach him up King in Jerusalem v. 7. As if Haggai and Zachariah the True Prophets of the Lord and Preaching Vp the Kingdom of Christ Hagg. 2. 7. and Zach. 9. 9. had been Hired by him to Preach up the Kingdom of Nehemiah whereas indeed they Mused as they Vsed this was their own 2d Artifice in Hireing false Prophets to Affright the People from the Work of God to wit
1 Shemaiah the Prophet Neh. 6. 10 12 13. and 2ly Noadiah the Prophetess c. v. 14. All these had Linguam Venalem were meerly Mercenary ☞ Thus the Churches Adversaries can be at Cost and Charge to Corrupt Gods People and such Hypocritical persons may easily by Hire be Corrupted the Suffrages of a great many Bribed Prophets are not so much to be Numbred as Ponder'd their concurring Consent in an evil Matter was not so much Vnity as Conspiracy neither did the Devil Rest here in giving Disturbance from Without but 2ly the Church must have Disturbance from within also by their own People and Brethren and that 1. by Mutiny Neh. 5. 1. and there was a great Cry of the People as if it had been the outragious Uproar of a Seditious Faction which is as Dangerous and as Threatning a Deluge as the Head-strong Water when once it is out of its Banks 2. by Treachery some of the Nobles Maintain a private Correspondency with their Enemies just as it is at this Day Neh. 6. 17. Tobiah that Cursed Adversary of the Church had his Pensioners among the Jews and such as were his Sworn-Servants to be true to him and to promote his Designs because he was Son-in-Law to Shecaniah Ezra 2. 5. whose Son had Marryed the Daughter of Meshullam a Zealous Builder Neh. 3.4 This Mischief mix'd Marriages brought upon them Neh. 6. 18. and 3. 5. The Sooty Souls of those Nobles or Hebr. White Ones under their White Garments were too Stiff to Stoop to Gods Service but not to the Devils Notwithstanding all this The Lord Laughs all the Devils Design to nothing Nehemiah under all his Difficulties directs his Prayer to God Neh. 4. 4 5. This was his Sanctuary he slyes to Easing his own Grieved Heart by Breathing Heaven-ward and turning over all the Churches Adversaries into the Hands of the Captain of his Salvation he looking upon himself but as a private Souldier under him to take them all to Task ☞ Woe to those Enemies against whom Saints do Pray as he did Turn their Reproach upon their own Heads Give them for a Prey and Cover not their Iniquity If they onely be Blessed whose Sin is covered Psal 32. 1. Oh what a Curse do they lie under whose Condition is contrary Nehemiah makes Prayr all along his City of Refuge His Anchor in all Storms His Salve for all Sores Neh. 4. 9. and this brought all the Counsel of the Devil and his Imps to nought v. 15. Psal 33. 10 11. God Strengthned his Hands in his Work as he Weakened the Hands of their Enemies Neh. 6. 9. So that he Finished the Wall of Jerusalem maugre their Malice v. 15. The Feasts of Tabernacles was kept Ch. 8. and a Solemn Fast Ch. 8. and 9. a Solemn Covenant is Entred into Ch. 10. Offices are Ordered Ch. 12. The Temple Purged and Religion Reformed Ch. 13 c. See more of this further on Nehemiah in the 20th Plot next Following The Twentieth Plot against the CHURCH in Persia Defeated by GOD. CHAP. XX. THe 3d. and last Plot of the Devils in the Old Testament was against the Church that Return'd not with their Brethren out of Captivity but continued 1 in Babylon and 2 in Shushan where they had Built Houses and Planted Gardens c Jer. 29. 6. and so were unwilling to leave them and their Estates they had gathered with Gods Blessing upon their Obedience to Gods Prophet in them There were indeed a Sordid sort to wit the Posterity of Selab who preferr'd the Service of the King of Babylon above the Freedom of the Land of Promise 1 Chron. 4. 23. They could be content to drudge in making Pots in Babylon as their fore-Fathers had made Brick in Aegypt both those Works were but Mortar-Works Exod. 1. 11. There they stay'd with the King of Babylon for his Work 1 Chron 4. 23. which Scripture shows ☞ that Ezra Wrote those Two Books of the Chronicles after the Jews Return from their Captivity but there were others that might stay there upon more Noble Accounts as 1 Daniel did and his Three Noble Companions whose continuance there conduced more 1. for Gods Glory for though those Four eminent Servants of God were not Delivered from their Captivity yet God got greater Glory to himself in Delivering Daniel from the Den of Lyons and the Three Nobles from the Fiery Furnace 2. 'T was also more for the Churches Comfort to have Four such Friends and Favourites in the Court of Babylon where her Adversaries were Unweariedly Circumventing her than any Service they could do her in their own Land 3. And 't was likewise more for the Worlds Advantage seeing by this very means those same Heathenish and Idolatrous Kings and their People came to some Knowledge of the True God as appears by Nebuchadnezzar's Cyrus's and Darius's Proclamations 2ly Ezra himself and his Company came not all of them out of Babylon at the first Return upon Cyrus Proclamation Ezra 1. 3. and 2. 2 to 60. and 7. 1. and 8. 35. with Zerubabel nor 3ly did Nehemiah come up with Ezra it being 13 Y. after his Return Ezra 7. 1. and Neh. 2. 1. and 't is much he should Return at all being the Kings Cup-Bearer a place of great Trust and Credit yet a Man of Religion is marvellously trusted with it even by an Heathen King 't was a strange Work of God that Artaxerxes should shew Favour to a stranger a Prisoner and one of a strange Religion which he himself knew not and which his Subjects Hated And 't is as strange a Work of God that Nehemiah a Courtier should leave his Wealth Ease Honour and Authority that he was in and go so far from Court as many Hundred Miles to Dwell in a Tatter'd and Decay'd City among a poor People there to Drudge like a Day-Labourer and that in dayly danger of his Life Therefore is he most deservedly called and counted the 3d. Founder of that Church and Common-Wealth after Joshua and David though Zerubabel began the Temple and Ezra Restor'd the Law yet Nehemiah comes after and Compleats All so became The Comfort of the Lord to his Church according to the signication of his Name 4ly God had his Mordecai which signifies Pure Myrrhe or Bitter Contrition 1st in Babylon and then 2 in Shushan he was carried Captive to Babylon about Ten Y. Old in Jeconiahs Captivity 2 Chron. 36. 10. Jer. 24. 1. Ezra 22. 2. Esth 2. 6. according to Junius Dr. Willet and Dr. Lightfoot's Opinion living about 110 Y. This Mordecai Returns to Jerusalem when the Captivity was sent back again to their own Countrey by Cyrus Ezra 2. 2. and there had Helped forward their Settlement so long as the Temple-Work was allow'd to go forward but when that was Hindred by Cambyses all his Life time He with many others Return back again to their Old Residence into Babylonia or Persia As soon as Darius had Conquer'd Babylon Dan. 5. 34. he Models his
and wearing Arms against God and so Exposing themselves to his Wrath Matth. 28. 4. and 't was the Trembling of the Earth that now had Possession of Christ who proved too Hot a Mouthful for it to swallow Act. 2. 24. together with the Apparition of a Glorious Angel Rouling away the great Stone from the Mouth of the Sepulchre and sitting down upon it in Despight of the Guard as a Conquerour which made the Watch Tremble the stoutest of the Devils Champions shrink and shrivel away when Christ begins to Display his Glory Neither the Weight of the great Stone nor the Watch of the Stout Souldiers nor yet the Bands of Death stronger than all so strong as to hold fast many Millions of Men from Adam to this Day under the power of Death could Hold the Dead Body of Christ from Rising beyond his own time To all those Three Impeding Maladies God found out and Applyed as many even Three most Effectual Remedies for 1. The great Stone that was laid upon the Tomb by Man was Roul'd away by an Angel 2. The Earth-quake makes an Heart-quake in the Watch insomuch that they though Sixty of them according to Theophylact are all Affrighted away And 3 the Deity of Christ Losed or Broke the Bands of Death Act 2. 24. for Chist being Life Essential it was not possible he should be Holden of them therefore he Swallowed up Death in Victory 1 Cor. 15. 54. His Resurrection was to be the Demonstration of His Divine Nature Rom. 1. 4. and the Foundation of our Faith and Perseverance 1 Cor. 15. 14. notwithstanding their malicious Wresting of Christs words Destroy this Temple of my Body yet I will Raise it again the Third Day Joh 2. 19. the meaning of which they Invert and made it a matter of Accusation against him at his Arraignment Matth. 26. 61. but after his Interrment they take up his Right meaning and made Advantage of it for Secureing him fast in his Sepulchre calling the Faithful and True Witness Revel 1. 5. and 3. 7. this Cheat or Deceiver Matth. 27. 63. yet the Lord turns all their Wicked Counsel into Folly 2 Sam. 15. 31. 1 Cor. 1. 19 25. c. and in the sight and Despight of Sixty Weaponed Witnesses After the Sun of Righteousness had been sett in the Grave Six and Thirty Hours just so long as the Sun in the Firmament had his Course stop'd on Joshuahs long Day Josh 10. 13. Then did Christ Break the Bonds of Death as easily as Samson did his Green Wit hs Judg. 16.7 and Rose up on the first Day to bring Life and Immortality to light by the Gospel 2 Tim. 1. 10. upon the same Day that God had drawn out of that Abhorred Estate of Nothing and brought the first Light out of Original Darkness by his Almighty Word Gen. 1. 2 5. The Twenty-Fifth Plot in the New-Testament against the Church in Apostles Defeated by God CHAP. XXV AFter a few Days that Christ was Risen out of his Grave he Rode up to Heaven as a Conquerour in his Triumphant Chariot over Sin Death Hell and Devil leading Captivity Captive that is Captivating all those Four who had held us in Captivity 2 Tim. 2. 26. Just as in the Roman-Triumphs the Great Conquerour Rode up to the Capitol in a Chariot of State and all their Prisoners following behind with their Hands bound behind them He Throwing certain pieces of Coin abroad all along as he Ascended to be pick'd up by the People Even so our Lord Christ that Mighty Conquerour in the Day of his Solemn Coronation or Inauguration into his Heavenly Kingdom Triumphed over all those Spiritual Adversaries of his Church making a shew of them openly Col. 2. 15. as Tamberlain did the Great Turk Bajazet whom he carried about all Asia shut up in an Iron-Cage to be seen of all Spectators on every side for Scorn and Derision And Christ likewise that the Grandeur of his Glorious Conquest might be more magnificently Celebrated gave great Gifts to Men 'T is said he Received those Gifts before in the Old Testament Psal 68. 18. and he Gave them now in the New Ephes 4. 8. He Received them that he might Give them he therefore Receives them with one Hand and Gives them with the other Accounting it more Honourable to give than to receive Act. 20. 35. Now the Gifts Christ gave to his Church were both Ordinary and Extraordinary to wit Apostles Prophets Evangelists Pastours Teachers All Gifted by God for the Perfecting of the Saints for the Work of the Ministry and for the Edifying of the Body of Christ Ephes 4. 8 11 12. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is for the right Joynting of what ever the Devil may Disjoynt even to the End of the World v. 13. before which a compleat comming up into an Vnity of the Faith and unto that full Measure of the Stature of Christ even a Perfection of Grace cannot be expected Hence Christ Insists upon this point that his going from his Disciples was as Expedient as his comming to them Joh. 16. 7. He came to them that he might Converse with them in the Flesh but he must Depart from them that he might Conferr upon them his Spirit Christ had often promis'd to send the Spirit or Comforter to them in his Life time John 14. 16 26. and 15. 26. and 16. 7. that they might once observe it as an unparallel Priviledge to have the Spirit which is the best of all things powred down upon all Flesh the worst of all things Hos 8. 13. Joel 2. 28. Christ tells them that this Spirit whom he calls Another Comforter whereof they would stand in need during his Departure in an Evil World should be as his Vicar-General with whom he would leave them in a dark forlorn World and by whom he would be with them and with their Successors even to the End of the World Mat. 28. 20. Now after his Resurrection He Breath'd on them saying Receive ye the Holy Ghost Joh. 20. 22. as Adam received Life by Gods Breathing upon him so the Disciples received a power of Life and Death of Remission of Sin and Execution of Judgment as Act. 5. 5. 10. by Christs Breathing upon them or at least this Breathing was a prefiguring-preparation for their further and fuller Reception of the Spirit upon the Day of Pentecost which Christ had Promised Luk. 24. 49. and did perform over and over again Act. 2. 2 3 4. and 4. 31 33. whereby they were Enabled as Christ had told them to do greater Works than he did Joh. 14. 12. not for the Manner they doing all in Christs Name not in their own nor as Equal with God but for matter greater as 1 Converting Three Thousand Souls at one Sermon alas now not one Soul scarce is Converted by Three Thousand Sermons Act. 2. 41. 2 Curcing the Diseased not onely by a Word speaking or an Hand touching but also by the shaddow of Peter passing by Act. 5.
15 16. or by an Handkerchief onely touching Paul though at a Distance Act. 19. 12. both these had a Soveraign Miraculous yet neither of them any Inhaerent power to Cure Diseases and to Cast out Devils 3 Conversing with all Nations in all their several Languages Act. 2. 4 8 to 11. which they never Studied to learn them at Home nor ever Travel'd Abroad to gain them 4 Conferring Corporal Plagues Act. 13. 11. and Spiritual 1 Cor. 5. 5. Yea Death it self Act. 5. 5 9 10. upon Opposers and Disgracers of the Gospel Christ never Hurt any by his Miracles but Healed all 5 Conquering a great part of the World Reduceing it to the Obedience of Christ they being the White Horses on which the Gospel Rode abroad and about the World Conquering and to Conquer Revel 6. 2. 6 Contracting no Harm by Drinking Deadly Poyson Mark 16. 17 18. as John the Apostle Barsabas and others did according to Eusebius and other Ecclesiastick-Histories Yea and Sacred Scripture doth better Confirm that the Viper about Pauls Hand did not Hurt him Act. 28. 3 4 5. no Doubt but the Devils design here was to have Destroyed him by that Viper but he was as in all his other Plots deceived and Defeated by Vertue of that Promise of Christ Mark 16. 18. Isa 11. 8. The same God that shut the Mouths of the Lyons for Daniels safety Dan. 6. 22. did also shut the mouth of thâ—s Venomous Beast for Pauls Preservation and so shut it as the Devil could not remove the Muzzle for his Destruction see Psa 91. 13. and Luk. 10. 19. Now the Devil beholding the Gospel carry'd throughout the World upon those Stupendious Miracles as upon so many Eagles or rather Angels Wings the Apostles Working greater Works by the power of Christs Spirit Poured out upon them Joh. 7. 39. now in his state of Exaltation than ever Christ personally wrought in his state of Humiliation This made the Devil and with malice to see the Gospel Dart it self as Eusebius saith like a Sun-Beam through the World rejoycing like a Gyant to run its Race Psal 19. 5. and to feel himself fall like lightening from Heaven down to Hell thereby Luk. 10. 18. Upon this High Provocation Satan begins to bestir himself and to make many Assaults upon the New Test Church in the Apostles c. both while they kept together and when they parted asunder the Issue of all was this That Satan the Strong Man was basely Baffl'd by Christ the Stronger Man at every Turn Luk. 11. 21 22. and was constrained to cast down his Arms. The Devils 1st Assault and Opposition against the Gospel was when Peter and John had Cured a Cripple at the Temple-Gate and thereby their 3000 Converted by the first Sermon were by a second made 5000 Act. 2. 4. and 4. 4. Satan Incenses the Sadducees who Deny'd the Resurrection Luk. 20. 27. Matth. 22. 23. Act. 23. 8. that Two Unknown and Illiterate Men haveing no Call from the Consistory of the Priests should preach in the Temple the Resurrection of Jesus to the seduceing of so many Thousand Souls this was Insufferable especially to those Sadducees for then their Cause and Controversie with the Pharisees about the Resurrection would quite be lost Hereupon they Incense the Priests who were all also grieved or Sick of the Devils Disease that the Innocent Blood of Christ should be layd at their Doors they complain to the Captain of the Temple-Garrison part whereof was the Watch at Christs Sepulchre Matth. 27. 65. They all conspire to lay those very Hands which had been lately Gored with the Blood of Christ upon his Two Apostles and put them in Hold Act. 4. 1 2 3. * Here mark how marvelously the now Exalted Messiah Master'd the Malice of the Devil and the Malignity of his Instruments This was the first Cross Christs Followers took up as Christ had told them Luk. 9. 23. and he orders it to be but a light one they were put 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Custodiam into the Serjeants Ward not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Carcerâ—m into the Goal or Dungeon Christ will not have those Tyrones or Fresh-Men young Pupils Tempted above what they are able â— Cor. 10. 13. but Inures them Gradually to the bearing of the Cross Crux est Evangelij Genius the Cross is the Ghost that continually Haunts the Gospel Act. 14. 22. and 2 Tim. 3. 12. the first Ghost must not therefore be over Affrightful The restless malice of the Adversary calls a Council which had the prescription of 1500 Y. Authority as Aarons Successors and which was countenanc'd by all their Kindred the more to confirm their Conspiracy against the Gospel together with Annas the same Old-Man no Changeling from his Condemning Christ This Convention summons the Two Apostles to appear before them in the next Morning they laying but one Night in their Sergeants-House calls them to Confess whether by God's or the Devil's Power whether in Christs Name or by the Black-Art they had Healed the Cripple that was Born Lame Act. 4. 3 to 7. The Apostles Apology by the Help of the Holy-Ghost was so Convinceing v. 8 c. that the Council had nothing to say in Contradiction v. 14. This Conviction brought them to a Conference v. 15. and that to a Confession that all the Countrey Rang of that notable Miracle v. 16. Now they have no power to Punish them yet to maintain their own Credit against the light of their own Consciences they Consult to keep the People in Ignorance command the Apostles to Preach no more of Christ they could not find a face to do any thing though their Fingers Itch'd to do something against them for Fear of the People save onely to Dismiss them with a few formal Threatnings which the Apostles returning to their own Company spread before the Lord that Great Master Controuler whom they praised for Disappointing the Devil and his Agents in their Plotting and Plowing Mischief to the Church Job 4. 8. and for Advancing the Gospel by this Opposition Augmenting the number of Believers v. 4. and Dropping down great Grace upon them all as it were out of Heaven v. 33. and the shakeing v. 31. shewed they were Christs young Trees whom he had as the Planter doth shaken them a little to settle them the more The 2d Assault Satan made was after he had filled the Hearts of Ananias and Sapphirah Two forward Professours having an Holy motion at first to sell their possession for Relief of the Needy Brethren but Beelzebub soon Fly-blow'd it in makeing them Vilifie and Belye the Holy-Ghost which the Apostles had receiv'd by purloyning part of the Price as if Gods Spirit in the Apostles could not have discern'd the Affront Act. 5. 1 2 3. ☞ The Devils Design herein was to Blast the Credit of this new Profession by the Lyes of those Two Rotten Professours but was Defeated herein by the dreadful and sudden Death of those Two
and by an Honest shift Disappointed it Act. 9. 23 24 and 2 Cor. 11. 32. 2 God delivers him his Danger from the Graecians or Helenists Stephens great Adversaries Act. 6. 1 9. with whom then Saul was a Collegiate and Companion who now looking upon Paul as an Apostate by turning Christian sought his Death as he with them had sought Stevens and the more Zealous he was now against them the more Enraged they are against him more than against Peter James c. in Jerusalem and is forced by them to flye to Tarsus for his Life Act. 9. 29 30. 3 From those of Iconium where the Malignant Jews Incensed the Ignorant Gentiles to Stone him for cutting the City into Contrary Factions Act. 14. 1 6. 4 From those at Lystra whether he sled and where he Heal'd the born Cripple for which they first Deifi'd him a wile of the Devil tempting him to accept of Divine Honour which Device being disowned then Satan stirrs them up to Stone him so that he was Stoned unto Death as to appearance yet by a Divine Miracle he Revived for further Work Act. 14. 8 10 12 14 20. 5 God Delivers him also from the Danger he was in by those at Philippi for casting out a Divining Spirit out of a Gainful Damosel for which he was both Whipp'd and Imprison'd both by an Earthquake and by the Conversion of his Goaler Act. 16. 12 18 20 23 26 30. 34. 6 So likewise he was saved from the Uproar at Thessalonica Act. 17. 1 5. made by the Rascality of the City which pursued him to Berea where he found Nobler Auditors v. 11. and Drove him thence 7 He was also Deliver'd from Demetrius and his Silver-Smiths that made Shrines for Diana at Ephesus by the Wisdom of the Town-Clark Act. 19. 23 28 35 39. 8 From those Beasts he found and Fought with as at Ephesus 1 Cor. 15. 32. so at Jerusalem where Beastly Men laid hold of him and would have Kill'd him but the Chief Captain Rescued him from them Act. 21 27 31. Those Asian-Jews were Satans Blood-Hounds Chasing Paul from Asia Hither 9 From those Forty Bloody Butchers that would have pull'd Paul in pieces binding themselves under a Curse that they would neither Eat nor Drink till they had Kill'd him God Defeats the Plot 1. by casting a Bone of Dissention 'twixt the Pharisees and Sadducees Act. 23. 7 8. 2. by the Captains Rescuing him again v. 9 10. 3. by sending a Guard with him to Cesarea as the first was a Godly Policy in Paul to Divide his Enemies so the Two last were Effects of Gods great Power and Providence in making Heathen-Captains to become Pauls Patrons v. 13 15 23 33. 10 God saves him 1 from their Wiles Act. 25. 3 4. 2 from Shipwrack Act. 27. 44. 3 from the Viper Act. 28. 5. 4 from Nero the Lyon 2 Tim. 4. 17. at Rome he Preached Two Y. and Converted some of Nero's House and from thence Wrote Epistles to Confirm the Churches to the End of the World Satans 7th Assault was against Peter the first of the Apostles against one of the Prime Pillars of the Church which the Devil had oft been shaking to throw it down seeing the Gospel of the Circumcision was committed to him as that of the Uncircumcision was to Paul Gal. 2. 7 9. both being Equal in Office and Dignity God giving them alike Success both to Jews and Gentiles v. 8. 1 Cor. 9. 1 23. and 2 Cor. 13. 4 5. This the Romanists do Deny though more Failings be Recorded in Scripture of Peter than of any other Apostle whatsoever Matth. 16. 23. Gal. 2. 14. Matth. 26. 70 72 74. and Joh. 21. 17 c. Yet this Peter or Cephas was a great Eye-sore to Satan being always a stout Stickler and a Couragious Champion for Christ therefore doth he Desire leave to put Peter into his Sieve of Temptation and therein by tossing him too and fro to make Chaffe of him Luk. 22. 31. but the Devil was Deceived and Disappointed in all his Tossings and Temptings of Peter by the Prayer of Christ v. 32 and by the Power of God as 1 no sooner had Christ given Peter the Keys of the Church as he did also to all the other Apostles Matth. 10. 2. and 20. 24. and 18. 18. and Joh. 20. 23. making them All the Stewards of His House 1 Cor. 4. 1. Isa 22. 22. Matth. 16. 19. but immediately Satan tempts Peter to become as Satan himself to wit an Hinderer of Redemption-Work v. 22 23. no doubt but Peter had a good meaning in his taking Christ by the Hand and leading him aside as we do an Intimate Friend for imparting some Secret to him and in his saying to him Master spare thy self c. Rebuking him for his carelesness of himself being still strongly prepossessed with a fond Conceit of an Earthly Kingdom yet to Humble him under that Honour put upon Peter v. 17 18 19. he is call'd a Devil for his Rash Incogitancy and Arrogancy as well as Judas is for his Malicious Obstinacy Joh. 6. 70. He was the Devils Instrument in Diswading Christ from Dying for his Church and so became an Offence to him Notwithstanding all this Christ graciously brings Peter off out of Satans Sieve Teaching him his proper place of following his Lord as a Disciple and not to Run before him as a Teacher all along v. 23 to 26. and also taking him to his Transfiguration Mat. 17. 1. as one of his best Beloved and 26. 37. 2 When this brave Champion who out of a preposterous Zeal could cut off Malchus's Ear with his Sword that he might stand to his Master according to his Word and stout Stickler stood at the Door and by the Fire yet was Daunted by a silly Damosel Joh. 18. 16 18 25. Matth. 26. 69 70. to Deny his Lord Three times and that with Swearing and Cursing himself v. 72. 74. notwithstanding all Christ had a Look of Love to melt Peters Hardened-Heart Luk. 22. 61. he had a Plaister Prepared before the Wound was Received v. 32. and he had an Hand to save sinking Peter Mat. 14. 30. Now when he was like to Shipwrack Faith and a good Conscience and when Satan had like to have made Chaffe of him indeed in his Sieve of Temptation through Gods Helping-Hand he comes out good Corn and when Converted he Strengthens his Brethren by his Two notable Epistles 3. When Satan sought to Kill him after he had been a Marvelous Instrument in long promoting the Gospel by his Vassal Herod as Bloody as the 1st Herod that would have been a Christ-Killer and as the 2d that was John Baptists-Killer this Herod-Agrippa was a James-Killer Act. 12. 2. and according to the Old Trick of all Tyrants willing to Curry Favour with the Wicked by Shedding the Blood of the Godly he Attempts to be a Peter-Killer also v. 3. but Deferrs his Execution God over-ruling his Bloody Intention by his own fond Superstition out
open to Christianity to Canaan and to the Battel at Armageddon Here ☞ Note 1 the Jews are call'd Kings of the East 1. Christ maketh all Christians to be Kings in general Rev. 1.6 but 2. Those Converted Jews in special Isa 24. 21 22 23. Where upon their Conversion they are called Kings 3. Then shall the Kingdom of Christ be most Gloriously Erected among them Zech. 12. 8. and they Reign with Christ Zech. 14.6 7. Isa 60.20 and 62. 1 2 3. of the East because they most live there in Turky Tartary the Ten Tribes especially and China which is call'd the Land of Sinim Isa 49. 12. or Shinar Zech. 5 11. 2 That the Jews shall be Converted in the latter Age both Old and New Testam foretell it this must be under the 6th Vial for under the 7th Vial All is Done Rev 16. 17. both the Mystery of Iniquity is Abolished and the Mystery of Godliness is then Accomplished 2. Their Conversion is Describ'd with the same Phrase of Drying up the River Isa 11. 15 16. 3 The Hebrew Phrases used here and no where else as Armageddon Rev. 16. 16. and Allelujah Rev. 19. 1 3 4 6. where the 6th Vial is reassumed and further explained doth show that the Jews are come in and joyns with the Christian Gentiles in praising God for the Ruine of Rome Christ Commands to praise God for it Ch. 18. 20. the Gentile-Churches do readily Obey and cry with a great Voice Hallelujah Chap. 19. 1. This Awakens the Dull Daughters of Jerusalem especially the Voice of the Lamb ver 5. to seek their Beloved with them Cant. 5. 9. and 6. 1. Then comes the Jewish Church out of her opened Grave Ezek. 37. 12. As the Morning out of the East and after a long Night Cant. 6. 10. out of Her Wilderness She is somewhat Moved and Mollified by the Two first Hallelujahs v. 1. 3. but more by the 3d. wherein the 4 living Wights and the 24 Elders joyntly and publickly sounded their Hallelujah v. 4. yet most of all by the Lambs Voice was she roused and raised from the Dead 't was Christ that did powerfully pull the Vail from off her Heart v. 5. so that now she joyns with the Gentile-Churches in the 4th Hallelujah to Concelebrate that great Mercy of Romes Ruine whose Idolatry had long been her Stumbling-block Now all the Saints Jew and Gentile joyn with one Consent to Praise the Lord v. 6. Hence 't is call'd the Voice of a great Multitude of many Waters and of mighty Thunders Thus the Believing Gentiles do all they are able to bring Christ into their Mothers House the Jewish Church Cant. 3. 4. The Gentile Church was Conceived in the Chambers of the Jewish Joh. 4. 22. And now the Jewish Church after a long Divorce hath the Robes of a Bride bestowed on her Chap. 19.8 that in Conjunction with the Gentile Church both may be Marry'd to the Lamb and because Christ will not Marry this New Bride but as a Conquerour therefore is his Conquest Related after the Conquerour is Described v. 11 20. Christ Drew his Sword when he began his War against the Cursed Canaanites Josh 5. 13 14. and he will never put up his Drawn Sword till he hath made all his Foes his Footstool The Dragon cannot prevail against Michael our Prince Rev. 12. 8. Here the Beast that bears the Whore is Taken notwithstanding all his Fraud and Force and with him the False Prophet and both cast Alive into the Lake of Fire that burneth with Brimstone which is the most exquisite and most unquenchable burning Rev. 19. 19 20. The Beast in respect of his Civil or Temporal power and the False Prophet in respect of his Spiritual or Ecclesiastick power makes up one Antichrist whom Christ as soon as he comes into the Field Conquers Venit Vidit Vicit Catches Casts him away with Indignation yea comes upon him as out of an Engine while he is most Secure and Insulting when he saith I sit as a God and shall see no sorrow Ch. 18. 7. and hurls him Headlong into Hell where he shall have Burning for Burning as he hath burnt Alive many of Gods Martyrs with a Temporal fire so he shall be burnt alive himself with Eternal fire And the Kings that are Antichrist's Auxiliaries with their Armys shall be slain with the Sword v. 21. at Armageddon which signifies a Treacherous Army or an Vnfortunate Troop or rather a Mountain of Men cut in pieces as Sisera's Army was at the Waters of Megiddo Judg. 5.19 Revel 16.16 These are not so Deeply Damned as the Beast c. yet are they made a Prey to the Infernal Vulturs The 7th Memorable Remark is the 7th Vial which is powred out upon the Ayr that is on the Kingdom of Satan that Prince of the Ayr who had hitherto Upheld the Beasts Kingdom Now It is Done Ch. 16 17. to wit the Dragon 's or Devils Deputy Antichrist Chap. 13.2 is Vndone and utterly Destroyed Note 1. the Instruments of this Destruction Heaven and Earth Conspire together for that Work v. 18. 2 The Object of this Destruction is the whole Antichristian Church and State ver 19. the 10th part whereof is said to fall at the Rise of the Witnesses Ch. 11.13 here the Nine parts remaining do fall in a Tripartite Ruine This Earth-quake pulls it all into Three pieces and all Confederate Places and People are either Converted or Confounded whether Continent Countreys or Islands See Ezek. 5. 11 12. Zech. 14.4 5. some may Flee away v. 20. and Chap. 18.4 by true Penitency but such as remain in their Stubborn Impenitency Christ will Brain them with bigger Hailstones than those Josh 10. each of them being an 100 Weight v. 21. or those that knock'd down the Jesuits Church at Blois in France yet marvelously passed over the Protestant Church there without the least Harm as Exod. 9. 25. or bigger than those which fell here this 18th of May which knock'd so many Rooks on the Head c. That the Prophecy of the 7th Vial poured out on the Ayr is Reassumed in Revel 20. as the 5th and 6th Vials are Ch. 17.18 19. hath the common consent of the Learned though many of them do conceive 't is no more than an Historical Repetition of things formerly done yet we may with many others as probably Conclude that it is a Prophetick Relation of things to come Considering 1 the Connexion of this Vision Chap. 20. with the former Ch. 19. 19 20 21. John saith And or Afterwards I saw c. Ch. 20. 1. to wit After I had seen the Beast and the False Prophet cast into the Lake then had I this following Vision 2 'T is rational to expect the Doom of the Dragon or Devil after the Doom of the Beast who was but the Devil's Deputy Rome both Imperial and Papal Acting all by and under the Dragon Revel 13. 3. Christ indeed fought with the Dragon and Foil'd him Ch. 12. whereupon he
which he reserv'd for the last and that not like himself the Prince of Darkness a Fowl Fiend of Hell but as an Angel of Light tempting Christ in the first temptation as a faithful Friend pittying to see him Famish'd in the Wilderness and with seeming compassion counsels him to change Stones into Bread Matth. 4. ◠that is Distrust Gods Providence for Relieving thy Hunger by Working a preposterous Miracle this was Intendsd though better was Pretended In the 2d he comes not as a Friend to Advise but as a Divine to Direct v. 6. quoting Scripture most Gravely to corroborate his Directions but in this though his Words were the Smooth Voice of Jacob yet his Sense was the Rough Hands of Esau The old Lyar spake Truth here but for Divelish Ends yet in his Apish Imitation of Christs Alledging Scriptum est he fallaciously Clipps off that Clause In all thy Ways and so marrs the Masculine-Sense thereof for if a Man be out of his way appointed him by God to walk in if out of Gods Precincts he is out of Gods Protection Deut. 23. 6. Prov. 27. 1. In the 3d. he comes not like a faithful Friend to furnish him in his Famine as in the 1 nor like a Grave Divine to Direct him from Scripture how he might get Immortal Applause by his Flying in the Ayr from the top of the Temples Pinacle down to the Ground as in the 2d but like a Mighty Monarch to Seduce our Saviour with great and goodly Gifts v. 8 9. Shewing him all the Kingdoms of the World and the Glory thereof all in their Beauty and Bravery and doubtless a most Bewitching Object Hoping hereby to Dazle our Redeemers Eyes those Windows of the Soul and so to Conjure his Affections especially offering all this Rule and Riches as his Royal Bounty to him and according to the Centurists to make him Pope to wit of a Christ he would make him Antichrist but that which Spoil'd the Devils Game he backs his Prosser'd Beneficence which in its self was but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 an Opinion or Imagination and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Act. 24. 23. a meer Phancy or Shaddow or an Empty Apparition with a loud Lye saying All this is Deliliver'd unto me Luk. 4. 6. This as a Lying Spirit he Spake of his own self Joh. ◠44. 't is not to whom the Devil will the Kingdoms of the World are given but 't is to whom God Willeth Dan. 2. 44. and 4. 25. and 5. 21. the most High sets up and takes down appoints and bestows on whomsoever he will the Prince of Hell can do no more in giving to or taking from than the God of Heaven permits Revel 13. 7. Jer. 18. 4. and 27. 5. 4ly The Patient The Lord Christ our Blessed Redeemer was the Sufferer as the Devil was the Agent and Inflicter for Forty Days and Nights too our Lord was continually and uncessantly Buffeted not by the Messenger of Satan as Paul was 2 Cor. 17. 7. but by Satan himself in Person with all sorts of Temptations during that time not Recorded Luk. 4. 2. but these three which are upon Record were certainly the worst as before In quibus Diabolus omnes suos Astus Fraudis suae Sacculos Exoneravit wherein the Devil did his Utmost and turn'd up the bottom of his Bagg and Budget wherein were all manner of Hellish Weapons wherewith to Wound this Blessed Babe of Bethlehem As our Great Grand-mother Eve was tempted by Satan to the Lust of the Flesh the Lust of the Eyes and the Pride of Life 1 Joh. 2. 16. for She saw the Fruit of the Forbidden Tree was good for Food that it was Pleasant to the Eyes and to be Desired for making one Wise Gen. 3. 6. So by all these had it been possible would the same Old Serpent have Seduced the Seed of the Woman for Satan tempted our Saviour first to turn Stones into Bread for satisfying the Hunger of his Flesh 2ly to fall down and Worship him for that goodly Catch a shining Nothing or Scheme wherewith he would have bewitched his Eyes and 3ly to flye in the Firmament in a way of Pride that all Men might adore him as they did his Sorcerer Simon Magus for so doing in Samaria Act. 8. 9 10. therefore 't is probable Luke laid the three Temptations in this Order answerable to that Order 1 Joh. 2. 16. that the Parallel 'twixt the two Adams Temptations might more plainly be Observed Luk. 4. 1 to 14. Now come we from the 1st Part The Strange Act to the 2d Part the Strange End the Issue of the Act yet discoursing all along upon those mighty Means in tendency to the End The Upshot of all was our Lord Vanquished the Devil Blunting all his Weapons weelded against him Isa 54. 17. not one spark of Satans Hell-sire would take upon Christs Wet Tinder neither the 1st nor the 2d nor the 3d. no more than the many before the End of the forty Days Christ keeps his Ground maintains his Standing resists the Devil and puts him at last to the Flight by these following Means Christs Defensive Weapons against the Devils Offensives in the General 1 was not to thrust the Tempter away by his Divine Power which by Vertue of his Godhead he might have done at the first nor 2 doth he Use a Revelation against Satan nor an Inward Word as some pretend to nor 3 doth He Argue him away by Strength of Reason when he could easily Reduce the Seducer to this Undenyable Dilemma If I be the Son of God I can Live without Bread and 't is Impossible for thee a Creature to overcome Me thy Creator if I be not the Son of God why dost thou doubt of it and why dost thou propose a Miracle to be done by Me which no meer Son of Man can possibly perform by his own Power Nor 4. doth he plead Tradition as the Romanists that are more for their Traditum est than for Scriptum est to plead Scripture is according to Christ but to plead Tradition in neglect of and opposition to the Scripture is according to Antichrist but 5 his Weapon was the Word Written such as we may weeld by his Example and must do so by his Command yet 6 not by making a Charm of the bare Letter of the Word as the Superstitious and Magiquely-minded Men do thinking the naked Rehearsal of the Words in Joh. 1. 1 c. is an exorcism Strong enough to Conjure away the Devil but 't was the Sword of the Spirit drawn out of the Sheath of the Letter wherewith Christ Answer'd all the three Assaults It is Written It is Written It is Written Three times over v. 4 7 10. this was his Sore great and Strong Sword of the Spirit wherewith our Lord Punishes Leviathan that Crooked Piercing Serpent Isa 27. 1. He Draws Three Arrows out of the Divine Quiver of Sacred Scripture and chuses three Smooth Stones with David out of those Silver
Streams wherewith he lays all along this great Goliah of Hell upon the Ground In the 1st Rancounter the Tempter tempts Christ to a Desponding Diffidence and being Foiled in that this Unwearied Assaulter endeavours to transport him into a Vain-glorious Confidence making up the matter of his 2d Temptation even out of the very matter wherein he was foiled in the first If Christ will Trust God he shall have enough and too much of Trusting If he will trust God for his Provision of Bread he shall trust Angels in his Leaping down from the Pinacle for his Protection of Body and though this 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or Piercer points his 2d Temptation with Scripture finding Christs Strength lay there yet Christ Baffles Satan in this too by proposing a Plain and parallel Text to give Light to that the Devil Urged being Darker especially as his Antagonist had mis-quoted it and had Ruffl'd by his Curtailing it the true Proper and Genuine Sense of it now when the Dragon or Beast Satan had taken the Horns of the Lamb as Revel 13. 11. to Push with even the Holy Scripture and was become a white Devil as an Angel of Light or at least some seeming Grave Divine so that Satan as well as Saul thrusts in among the Prophets among Divines among Saints 1 Sam. 10. 11. and 19. 24. and Job 1. 6. yet was Vanquished by Scripture He hath not still done but after a Double Repulse trys his 3d. Impulse which was the Sharpest and Sorest of all the three It might be unnecessary to turn Stones into Bread and Dangerous to Cast Himself down from the Pinacle but Oh how Plausible was this Proposal the Tempter came Petendo in Requesting onely the Two times before now he comes in this 3d. Et Petendo Promittendo not onely in Requesting a little a very little Work a Work soon done and without Pain or Danger 't is but to Fall down and Worship me but also in Promising a great a very great and Rich Reward for this little and easie Work Oh how sweet and luscious as well as Delicious are Rule and Riches and to have the Glories of the World without the Cares which the Devil shewed him not and Troubles thereof This Evil Spirit who had not an Inch of Earth either in himself having no Earthly Real Body nor of his own being but an Usurping God of this World Yet Offers the whole Earth to Christ who was the First Maker and now the True Owner of it this is the Devils 3d. Assault after his 1st and 2d Repulse and Rejection The Devil is not lightly Discourag'd but Muscarum ad Instar quo Magis Abiguntur eò magis Premunt like the Flyes is this Beelzebub or Master-Fly though Beaten away once and again yet Returns to the same place yet now comming to his height of Impudency and offering this High Indignity of placeing the Devil in Gods Throne Christ Endures him no longer but Commands him out of His Presence with Utmost Indignation And if Christ command him away There is no Abiding for him Then the Devil left him Matth. 4. 10 11. Basely Bassl'd and Befoiled And no sooner was this Evil Angel Vanquish'd and Vanish'd but presently the Good Angels come to Comfort this Conquerour and to Carry Him back from this Mountain where the Devil had left him Thus the Son of God whom God the Father had Owned by a Voice from Heaven and God the Holy Spirit by the Dove Descending upon him Now the Devil Owns Him as One too Strong for him by his quitting the Field Yea and His Good Angels Owns Him as Their Lord having such Power over Evil Angels The Twenty-Third Plot in the New-Testament against the Church in Christ Defeated by God CHAP. XXIII NOw come we to the Devils 3d. Plot against Christ when he carry'd on his Office as the last was at the beginning of it Though the Devil was now both Defeated and Departed yet 't is said expresly He Departed from Christ but onely for a Season Luk. 4. 13. Here Expired the Devils Commission he can now nor at any time do no more Evil than God permits Here the Devil Quasi Do Evil endeavour'd to break Christs Head by drawing him to Sin that thereby he might Overthrow both him and his Work of Redemption which he had Undertaken However Satan being Defeated in this Design waits now for a Season wherein to Bruise his Heel well knowing That was in his Commission from Gen. 3. 15. 'T is pitty we should be so Ignorant of the Holy Scriptures when the Devil hath them so at his Fingers ends as we say as readily to rehearse them as he did in sharpening his 2d Tempting Tool against Christ He well enough understood that though he could not now Corrupt Christ with those his three temptations so Spoil him as the Church's Redeemer yet he might have leave from that Gen. 3. 15. to do him much mischief yea and to Murder him at last which yet as God over-rul'd it was but the Bruising of his Heel in his Redemption-Work as will appear after Hereupon the Prince of this World commeth again to Christ after his 2d Defeat Joh. 14. 30. Non tantùm clam Tentaturus quantùm palam pugnaturus Not so much privily to Tempt him as openly to Fight him the Tempter will have his Returning Times as he had to Christ so he will have to Vs and therefore after we have foiled him in one Conslict we must expect another he will have the t'other Bout with us in a calm prepare for a Storm Satan is Restless Impudent and Importunate and will not easily be said Nay If we live out all our Days he may put us hard to it in every Article of the Creed in Respect of our Belief and Urge us to the Breach of every Branch of the Dealogue in Respect of our Obedience so may he tempt us to all kind of Sins Thus this Restless Devil though he had let Christ alone all the time of his Private Life as before never allows him any Quiet after he had Entred upon his Publick Ministry but did Disquiet him all along until he had finished his Work his Father gave him to do Joh. 17. 4. No sooner began Christ to Declare himself the King Priest and Prophet of his Church both by his many Gracious and None-such Sermons which he Publickly Preached Luk. 4. 15 22 32. Matth. 7. 28 29. Joh. 7. 15. and 1. 14. Psa 45. 2. Cant. 4. 3. Isa 50. 4. that Palmoni Hammadabbar most Excellent Speaker or Prince of Preachers Dan. 8. 13. and also had Confirmed His Doctrine Preached with Matchless Miracles as was that first of turning Water into Wine a better Miracle of the Messias than that of Moses's turning Water into Blood Exod. 7. 20. for he was a better Mediator and of better things Hebr. 3. 3 5 6. and 8. 6. and 9. 11 12 13 14 23 24. Joh. 2. 9 11. But presently the Devil begins to stirr and
God rais'd up Rodulphus the 2d in Y. 1610. a good Patriot too And after him Matthias under whom the Protestants kept a Jubilee in Y. 1617. And not to overlook our own Land in this time 't is marvelous to consider how God Used Henry the 8th as an Instrument in this Work though He had Writ against Luther and though the Reformed Religion which he scornfully call'd The New Sumpsinius he Envyed yet the Romish Religion calling it Sarcastically The Old Mumpsimus he Despised The Occasion was the Bone of Contention God cast betwixt Him and the Pope Clement the 7th about the Y. 1528. Deluded him in the Divorce from his Brothers Wife Q. Katherine his great Stomach not enduring to be cross'd Hereupon casts off the Popes Supremacy he went so far as would serve his own Turn and though he still persisted in being a Papist himself yet commanded others under great Penalties to be no Papists and while by the Six Articles that Whip with Six Lashes he on the one side of the Hedge Burn'd Protestants for Denving the Transubstantiation c. yet on the other side of the Hedge he Hanged Papists for Denying his Supremacy but God rais'd up his Son Edward the 6th to purge the Church from Popery and to settle the Reformed Religion And this Series of Divine Providence towards the English-Church is very Observable that though Henry the 7th Courted the Pope yet Henry the 8th Vnhors'd him Edward the 6th Banish'd him and though Q. Mary recall'd him and with some Hot-Waters Reviv'd him yet brave Q. Elizabeth set him packing again and K. James so Stabb'd and Branded him with his Pen that he could never since be permitted to have any publick Countenance much less any firm Settlement in this Land The 5th Remark is the Marvelous Preservation of Persons Places and People from the utmost Craft and Cruelty of their Implacable Enemies 1 Instances of Gods Hiding Holy Persons as he hid Jeremy and Baruc those Two Innocent Subjects from their Enraged Soveraign Jerem. 36. 26. from the Hands of those Blood-Hounds that Hunted for their very Lives are indeed Innumerable even in all Ages God hath provided an Hiding-place for some of his Servants in some good Mans House or other or in some safe Land or other when the Case hath been such that there hath been no Fence but Flight no Councel nor Cover but Concealment to Secure them as was that Case of Jeremy and Baruc's 2 As to Places I shall Instance onely in that of Geneva which is at this Day but a very small place yet Invironed round about with their Inveterate Adversaries as French Spanish Savoy Italy and the Pope yea 't is Barred out from all Assistance of Neighbours Cities Churches notwithstanding by the Mighty Arm of God 't is as strangely and strongly Upheld and Defended as Judea that Land of Promise was though Surrounded on the North with Syrians Assyrians and Babylonians on the East with Moab and Ammon on the South with Edom and Aegypt and on the West with the Philistines 3 As to People Christ preserv'd a Church even in the Bloody times of Q. Mary here in London Congregating sometimes 100 sometimes 200 to serve the Lord in Power and Purity and an Informer being sent as our Martyrologist saith to Espy out their Liberty Gal. 2. 4. and to take their Names as Ezra 5. 4. 10. yet He being among them to Catch was Catched and Converted yea and cry'd them all Mercy Besides in the beginning of her Reign almost all the Prisons in England were become right Christian-Churches wherein the Word was Preached and Sacraments were Administred and God had his Remnant Reserv'd in Forraign Lands for Royal Vse to return under Q. Elixabeth yea and in other Nations as well as in this God Reserved a Remnant for himself even in Spain and Italy both which are most Rammishly Romish there being no fewer than Twenty Thousand Protestants in Cevil the Chief City of Spain and in Italy the very Nest of Antichrist there be full four Thousand professed Protestants according to Sands his Relation Thus this Lilly among Thorns Cant. 2. 2. is preserved by a Miraculous Power so as that it could never be nor ever shall be cut up by the Sword of Persecution nor Burnt down by the Fire of Martyrdom Behold and Admire the Churches Picture to wit a poor Helpless Damosel sitting in a Wood or Wilderness compassed about with Hungry Wolves Lyons Leopards Bores and Bears yea with all sorts of Bloody Beasts and in the midst of many monstrous and mischievous Men all running upon Her with open Mouth every moment and minute to Worry this Maid must it not be said that this Virgin is preserv'd by a Miracle 't is the Messiah who Rescue this Maid from all those Monsters Both Time and Room fail for Inlarging upon the other following Famous Remarks to wit The 6th is the Remarkable Vengeance God hath Executed on all the Churches grand Enemies not onely Inferiours as Morgan the Judge who Dyed Raving Twiford the Executioner who Rotted above Ground Bonner the Bloody Bishop who was Buryed among common Thieves and Murtherers as one Hated of God and Man Steven Gardiner who Dying outragiously cry'd out He was Damn'd as well as his Tongue hanging out all black and swoln could express it and many more too long to Relate but also on Superiors as Falix of Wartenburg Minerius the Popes prime Champions Charles the 9th of France the Author of the Parisian Massacre who were all Choaked with their own Blood for Drinking the Blood of Saints Yea and our Q. Mary was not onely punish'd with Barrenness but also with an Vntimely Death for Sacrificeing the Lives of 800 Innocents to her Idols therefore Q. Maries Reign was one of the shortest of all the other after the Conquest Bloody ones shall not live out half their Days Psal 55. 23. The Churches Motto is Nemo me Impunè Lacessit No Man can be her Enemy and scape Scot-free They may Read their own Destiny in that Cup of Trembling Burdensome Stone and Hearth of Fire mention'd Zech. 12. 2 3 6. The 7th Notable Remark is The Churches Valour and Victory in all her Sufferings her Posie is Nec Premor nec Perimor Nothing Hurteth or Hindreth me for she Conquereth even when Conquered her Lord Christ over came as well by Patience as by Power Oh what a Spirit of Glory Rested on the holy Martyrs 1 Pet. 4. 14. which plainly Transported them beyond themselves so that their Suffering-Work was thereby made as Contenting and Delightful to them as ever their Doing Work had been or which is more their Receiving Wages would be 't is Wonderful to Observe How the Valour of the Martyrs and the Villany of their Tormentors strove together till both exceeding Nature and Belief did breed Wonder and Astonishment both in Beholders and Auditors still Sanguis Martyrum was Semen Ecclesiae the Church won Ground by every even the forest Persecution while the Lord
shortly after brought their worst and greatest Persecutors by some Signal Disease or Disaster to the Terrours of Death and to the Torments of Hell The 8th and last Remark is The marvelous Deliverances God hath given to his Church and Disappointment to her Enemies in those Two last Centuries as 1. God Hammer'd Charles the 5th to this Frame that when he had Melancton Pomeran and other Eminent Preachers in his Hand he Treated them gently Jer. 15. 11. and sent them away not so much as once forbidding them to publish their Doctrine of Reformation yea and he laid down the Empire in great Discontent as Diocletian had done before him Observing that the Church could not be Suppressed 2. The Gospel having Spread much all over Germany under those good Emperors Ferdinand Maximilian Rodulphus and Matthias until 1619. the Jesuits Stirrs up Ferdinand the 2d to change the Churches long Peace into a Violent Persecution which was the more Hightened by the Bohemians Rejecting him and Electing Frederick Palatine in his place Now when all the Protestant-Princes and People were wearyed and almost worn out in Wars God sends them Gustavus Adolphus to give them at least a sweet Breathing time and a little Rest and Respite who over-ran almost all Germany from the Baltick-Sea to Mentz with his Victorious Army in one Y. and after his Solemn Thanks to God he restores the Reformed Religion 3. Though in the Netherlands that bloody butcher Duke De Alva brought the Spanish Inquisition and the Trent-Council-Execution about Y. 1570. whereby he made Havock of the Church like another Breathing Devil exceeding all Turks and Pagans in Brutish Inhumanity boasted he had been the Death of above 18000 persons yet at Six Y end God gave him an Avocation from that Work At length they having shaken off the Spanish Yoke notwithstanding all Ambrose Spinola's Endeavours to the contrary are Declared Free-States by Albert Duke of Austria since which time God hath had a Numerous Church there unto this Day maugre the Malice of Men and Devils 4. Though the Church hath suffer'd Hard things in France ever since Y. 1524. but more especially in that Parisian Massaere upon black Bartholomew-Day in Y. 1572. which was Introduced by the most Divelish Dissimulation of Friendship Popish-like to draw the Grandee-Protestants into the Net The matter of this Hellish Plot was manag'd under a Pretence of a Marriage between the Prince of Navar and the Lady Margaret Sister to the French-King Coligni is highly Courted and Guise the Protestants Deadly Enemy is Banish'd from Court yea some few Papists were Executed for Murthering some Protestants at Roan by the Kings special Order yet while all this Specious Kindness is pretended a most Barbarous Killing and Massacre is Intended in this Bloody Charles the 9th's Heart by whose Commission above 30000 were Murther'd in Three Months some say 70000. yet God was not Silent at all this prodigious Villany but comes forth as a Swift Witness to take Vengeance upon those Horrid Murtherers as 1. upon this Bloody King Charles the 9th in the Flower of his Age at Y. 24. God struck him as before with such an Erruption of Blood out of divers parts of his Body insomuch that he who had lately Wallowed in the Blood of Protestants was made now to Wallow in his own Blood and so was Choaked 2. Upon the Bloody Duke God paid him home in his own Coin for as he had got the Admiral Coligni c. Decoy'd into a Snare by a pretended Courtship for their Destruction So Henry the 3d. who Succeeded Charles the 9th did Invite the Duke of Guise and his Brother to a Friendly Conferrence and there commands his Guard to Kill them for Curbing him in his Kingship 3. Vpon all the Chief Persons who had been Imployed in this Bloody Massacre at Paris and other Places whom Gods Providence drew forth to the Siege of Rochel where they receiv'd the Reward of all their Wickedness as the Duke D' Aumale and Cosseins the Field-Marshal who first Entred the Admiral 's Lodging Three Masters of the Camp divers great Lords and Gentlemen 60 Captains 60 Lieutenants 60 Ensigns 20000 common Souldiers all Cut off at that Siege besides Gods Judgements on the Duke of Aniou c. whereas the Besieged Rochellers were miraculously relieved by a Shoal of Shell-Fish cast upon their Shore never before or after seen in that Haven at every Tide and the Siege was as marvelously Raised by an Edict of Peace procured by the Ambassadors of Poland and to this Day God preserves his Church there in her Being though he suffer her out of his Vnsearchable Wisdom to be now much Impaired in her Well-being notwithstanding the many Edicts of most of the Kings to the contrary 5. Such Instances might be given in many other Lands where God hath been Teaching all Tyrants the Nature of Christs Church How the more they Spurn against it the more it Flourisheth the more Molested the more Multiplyed to Name no more but our own Land 'T is very Remarkable that since the Royal Laws were Enacted for Establishing the Reformed Religion here by K. Edward the 6th God hath Laughed all the Romish Plots for recovering Vs to Popery to Nothing 'T is True It met with some short Repulse and Repugnancy in Q. Maries Reign yet God made it therefore but a Short Reign he Immediately brought her Sister Q. Elizabeth to the Throne whose Reign was almost Ten times longer and wherein it Appeared that the Good Cause of Religion had lost no Credit by Q. Maries short Opposition for presently the Gospel was Springing up and Spreading it self to many Lands besides our own in her Day none of the Popes Nuncio's did she ever suffer to set Footing in England which Sped the better for it ever after she Banish'd Popish Idolatry and Restor'd the Reformed Religion for which Pope Pius the 4th Design'd to Excommunicate her but that was put by by some By-Respects yet Pope Pius the 5th did it by a Bull which Desperate Felton fixed upon the Bp. of Londons Gate where and for which he was Executed and the Popes Bull was so Baited by Bp. Jewel's Pen that his Unholy Holiness Dared not to Reply yet had he his Vnholy Hand in most of the Treasons against Her when he saw his Bull proved but a Calf However through the Popes Influence Innumerable Plots and Insurrections were promoted against her Person and State which all ended with the Ruine of the Rebells and Plotters the greatest of all was that Spanish Armado which was stiled Invincible but proved Vincible notwithstanding the Popes Blessing upon it to little purpose and his Nameing Twelve of his greatest Ships by the Names of the twelve Apostles to less purpose for God fought from Heaven against them with a Scattering Storm insomuch as they Blasphemously said God was turn'd Lutheran and the Queens Fire-Ships Fired them her great Guns Batter'd them so as they were beaten Home with both Shame and Loss of the