of the Nations to Jesus Christ viz. Jews and Gentiles We read in the History of the Waldenses when these good people denyed Christ's humane Body to be in the Sacrament the Priests would report they denyed God So not allowing the Virgin Mary to be prayed to that they had blasphemed her Just so are we slandred at this day Because we are against an unlawful Ministery and Magistracy Ergo saith the Accuser of the Brethren we deny all and will have none Thirdly the Lord being Found of his People 3. Because of Love many ways will have the more love from them many wayes First 1. Love to the Lord himself A TIME OF FINDING is an heart-enlarger of dear affections to Iesus Christ. e Psa 116.1 I love the Lord saith David because he hath heard my voice and my suplications So in f Psa 18.26 another place Did not David love the Lord before he had these deliverances yes doubtless and very much Notwithstanding by this means he lov'd him a great deal more As a man by stretching out a Bag or Purse it holds more then it did before So every Finding Time is a reaching and stretching out the heart our love riseth and growes by it exceedingly Secondly more Love to his Truth and holy Wayes 2. To his Truth and ways Thou puttest away all the wicked of the earth like dross Therefore I love thy Testimonies Is not this harsh that David should be encouraged to love the Laws of God of the dreadful Judgements he had seen executed upon Hypocrites Apostates and Tyrants If it be a thing very rich and pretious yet so long as it is wrapt up and foulded together few regard it neither know we what it is God's wrath powred out upon the Workers of Iniquity is as it were the opening of himself of his Kingdom and Laws and until he doth so he is not known nor his appointments But g Isa 26 9. When his â—udgements are in the earth the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness h Psa 6.16 He is known by the judgement which be executeth and i Rev. 15.4 glorified by it So â—ong as HYPOCRITES REIGN â—nd the LAST APOSTACIE stands the Lords Testimonies will not be loved but k Mic. 6.16 the Statutes of Omri kept not the Lords Messengers hearkned unto but the deceitful workers of Antichrist But when all Murtherers of souls and bodies shall be put away like dross then will People every where love the Testimonies and Laws of JEHOVAH Thirdly 3. Provoking others to love If we have a TIME OF FINDING we will provoke others to love the Lord l Psa 31.23 24. Thou heardest the voice of my supplications when I cried unto thee And what followes O love the Lord all ye his Saints For the Lord preserveth the faithful and plentifully rewardeth the PROVD DOER If we have a friend that doth very much for us we would have others besides our selves to love him likewise Of all men those who do most experience the love of God towards themselves do especially provoke and stir up others to love him and trust in him So David in another place m Pas 34.5 8. I sought the Lord and he heard me and delivered me from all my fears O taste and see that the Lord is good Blessed is the maâ— that trusteth in him The Prophet here is like one that hath experienced â— thing and found it very good perswades others to make use also of it 4. Others will be provoked by it Fourthly This TIME OF FINDING will cause many hearing of it to love fear and honour the Lord. n Exo. 18.7 8 9. When Jethro heard what the Lord had done unto Pharaoh and unto the Egyptians for Israels sake he rejoyced saying Blessed be the Lord who hath delivered you c. Now I know the Lord is greater then all gods For in the things wherein he dealt proudly he was above theâ— We read in Esther that o Est 8.17 many of the people of the Land became Iews but when was it after the Time of Finding when Haman and his sons were hanged Then they cried p 2 Kin. 18.39 The Lord he is God the Lord he is God but whilst Haman stood in power and greatness who more honoured then he So when the good news of the q Rev. 11.13 Great Earth-quake shalâ— be spread thorow the Nations and the perishing of the Last Apostacie under the first Vial Oh what rejoycing will this be to the Churches and Saints every where how will they bless the Lord for it r Rev. 15.3 Iust and true are thy wayes thou King of Saints Å¿ ver 4. for thy judgements are made manifest Now they will clearly understand that all the pretences and protestations which some made against the Pope for THE PROTESTANT CHRISTIAN RELIGION were meer delusions and falsehoods Neither was Babylon in her idolatry and cruelty supported by any Power or State more then by them And that they were the chief obstructers of the Lord's work against the GREAT WHORE If irons be taken off from hand or foot this sets the whole body free The last Apostacie is as a great chain upon the Lords work howsoever it be broken but in one Countrey nevertheless the whole Body all the members of Christ will have Spiritual Liberty by it And therefore doubtless when they shall hear of this Earth-quake they will like Iethro bless the Lord for it 4. Of glorifying God by trusting in him Fourthly Times of Finding give incouragement unto Saints t Psa 63.8 to trust in the Lord at all times and to pour out their hearts before him And this is u Rom. 4.20 to give glory to God x Psa 9.10 They that know thy Name will put their trust in thee But how is the Name of God known truly not in any thing more fruitfully and teachingly then by Times of Finding here his glory passeth before us we behold him with open face here we have his power goodness faithfulness c. made known to us y Psa 116.2 Because he hath enclined his ear to me THEREFORE will I call upon him as long as I live A man knowing where the Fountain is and being at it a thousand times and alwayes satisfied knows where to go when he wants water a Psa 65.2 O thou that hearest prayer unto thee shall all flesh come Had we not a gracious answer of our cries and tears against the King and Prelates He bowed the Heavens and came down then the earth shooke He also thundred in the Heavens And what more He gave us the neck of our Enemies we beat them small as the dust before the winde and did cast them out as the dirt in the streets Quest But what hath the Lord gotten by granting such A TIME OF FINDING Answ The honor of trusting in him b Psa 63.7 Because thou hast been my
According to the Scriptures men must pray m Mar. 11.24 in faith n Jam. 5.16 with fervency and earnestness o Eph. 6.18 watching thereunto with all perseverance p Luk. 18.1 and not faint If thousands had thrown stones at Goliah and bigger then David's was and hit him too yet I question whether he had fallen but that STONE which went out of Davids sling sunk q 1 Sam. 17.49 into his forehead and he fell down dead upon the earth The Lord hath some I hope many in the Nation who are going as so many DAVIDS against the Philistine Babylon and all her Brats and Props And howsoever he is cursing them by his gods and laughs to see nothing in their hands but a sling and stone onely sighs and groanings yet let this HEAVEN-DARING GIANT know that the Little Stone which he derides faith and prayer shall within a little while sink into his forehead and the MONSTER shall fall and his flesh be given to the fowls of the ayr and to the beasts of the field r Verse 47. That all the Earth may know that there is a God in Israel I well remember in the time of the Bishops when there rose up any cruel Persecutor the good old Puritants would say one to another Come let us pray this enemy of our Lord Iesus Christ and his people to death And I could give some memorable instances what a wonderful Return of prayer they had i. e. how the revenging hand of God smote the Enemies sometimes dead immediately upon the sighings and groanings of his people against them a warning to all new Persecutors to look about them Sions children are crying day and night unto God against them and they have learnt now the Art of praying never to be silent till they have prayed them to death that is prevail'd with the Lord to execute upon them the judgment written CHAP. V. That there will be a Time of Finding because of the good Things prayed for A time of finding because of the good things prayed for WHatsoever the Lord in his word promiseth to give that we may ask and shall surely have it so saith the Apostle Å¿ 1 John 5.14 15. If we ask any thing according to his will he heareth us No child could better love a mother then Solomon loved Bathsheba and there was no reasonable thing but she might have had it of him Nevertheless when she came to speak unto him t 1 King 2.21 22. for Adonijah who had usurpt the Kingdom he not only denyed her but gave her a close reproof Though they are the Lords own people yet when they will take that boldness as to pray for Traytors and Covenant-breakers and that Hypocrites may reign and that the Lord will bless their Councels Armies Navies I tell you the Lord doth not take it well at their hands neither shall they have a time of finding * Psa 80.4 But will be angry against the prayer of his people t 1 Cor. 14.15 I will pray saith Paul with the Spirit and I will pray with understanding also So in another place u Psa 14.2 If there are any that understand and seek God Intimating these must be joyn'd together viz. an understanding-seeking of God A man out of his way the faster he goes the farther off he is from the place where he should be So for men to ask things altogether contrary to the express word of God to wit for Babylon the Little Horn and bottomless Beast and that Satan may not be bound up but reign and prevayl still in his wicked and murtherous instruments surely this must needs be out of Gods way and not the way to find him but rather a great provocation Quest But do any pray for Babylon and that Satan may prevayl still in his destroying instruments I answer Most do so but under another name the Zion they pray for is indeed Babylon the Ministry and Magistracy which they cry up and call Lawful is Antichristian and sinful thus x Mal. 3.15 They call the proud happy and they that work wickedness are set up But how set up The Priests plead for them and pray for them and so make their Building strong as the Hebr. reads by y Isa 66.3 blessing an Idol If dung or trash should be presented to a Prince yet so as under the name of rich Pearls and jewels would he accept of it knowing what it is because it is brought to him not as dung but pearls of great Price a Mal. 1.14 I am a great King saith the Lord of Hosts and cursed be the deceiver b Isa 5.20 Wo to them that call evil good and good evil that put darkness for light c. But indeed these deceitful workers cannot deceive God men they do and their own souls likewise as they will see ere long to their bitterness and shame The good things prayed for Quest But what are the good things which the Lords people are asking according to the will of God and wait for a time of finding Answ 1. That the Lord will remember his Great Name and suffer it not any longer to lie under reproach and blasphemie but arise and shew forth his Power Faithfulness Mercy and Judgment in reviving his work in the midst of us Mat. 6.9 1 Cor. 10.31 Exod. 32.12 Num. 14.13 14. Josh 7.9 Psalm 83.17 18. Hab. 3.2 2. That Jesus Christ Heir of all things may have his right and possession That is that all corrupt powers on earth may be broken to pieces His Enemies made his Foot-stool and he alone exalted and the onely Potentate Psal 2.8 72.8 15. Dan. 2.34 35. 7.14 Luk. 19.12 Obad. 21. Rev. 11.15 17. Isa 2.11 12. c. Heb. 10.13 1 Tim. 6.14 15. 3. That Jehovah the Judge of all the earth would lift up himself and in some way or other make it publickly appear who are faithful to him and who are the Apostates which have betrayed the interest of Christ and his people Psal 94.2 1 King 18.36 37 c. 1 Sam. 14.12 Mal. 3.18 Psal 99.6.8 Num. 16.16 17. 17.5 8 9. Gen. 18.25 4. That the Lord will speedily avenge the blood of his servants shed upon Babylon and take vengeance on all Civil Powers for their oppression cruelty against the Lords servants and bring in the great day of Deliverance and Restauration to the whole Creation Psal 74.2 18 22. Jer. 51.35 Deut. 32.35 41 43. Psal 94.1 Jer. 50.15 Isa 34.4 5. 47 34. Luk. 18.7 8. Rev. 18.5 Act. 3.21 Rom. 8.19 20 21. 5. That the Lord c Haâ— 3.2 in wrath will remember mercie 1. In finding out and punishing ACHANS and TROVBLERS that none innocent may suffer for the rebellion and Apostacie of others Num. 16.22 Josh 7.24 25. Gen. 18.23 24. Psal 125.4 5. Isa 3.10 11. 33.14 15. c. Psal 32.6 7. 2. That the Lord will be merciful to his people in BABYLON as
over the Skull when nothing else is left not repenting of his Deed but because on that bone there remains no flesh to eat The Hieroglyphick is applyed to 〈◊〉 and WEEPING-HYPOCRITES who will shed tears when they have murthered the people yet so as not repenting for what they have done but fearing lest they should not have enough of MANS BLOOD to drink and swallow down Quest But if men acknowledge their sins before the Lord with fasting and weeping shall they have a time of finding doing no more I answer No q Jon 3.8 10. Except they turn from their evil way and from the violence that is in their hands When Joshua and the rest of the congregation knew who was the TROUBLER had they onely acknowledged that great wickedness and mourned for it I say done no more there had been no time of finding and so much the Lord tels them r Josh 7.12 except you destroy the accursed thing from among you I will not be with you any more So when it was told David that Å¿ 2 Sam. 21 1 2. c. The three years famine was for Saul and his bloody house because he slew the Gibeonites Had there been no more 〈◊〉 â—â—nfessing the sin and asking forgiveness the Lord would not have been intreated for the Land So it may be said of all others in the like case should they confess their Apostacy Falshood Oppression c. I say publickly acknowledge the same before God Angels and men appoint solemn days of fasts to weep and mourn for their sins Nevertheless except THE ACCURSED THING BE DESTROY'D the TROUBLER ston'd and judgment executed upon the BLOODY HOUSE OF SAUL there is no time of finding neither will the Lord regard such things and this the Scripture makes good t Pro. 28.13 He that covereth his sins shall not prosper whose confesseth and FORSAKETH them shall have mercy If it be so in what case then are such men who are so far from forsaking their sins as they will not confess them but call evil good c. yea more make account by keeping the Accursed thing to prosper and to carry all before them in spight as it were of God and of his Son and Zion But the perversness of transgressors shall destroy them Prov. 11.3 CHAP. VII How Saints may know it is a Time of Finding First WHen a man findes How a time of finding may be known 1. When all fears are removed and the spirit quiet that all distractions and unquietnesses are removed from him and a sweet calm breathes upon his Spirit u Psal 34.4 6. I sought the Lord saith David and he heard me and delivered me from all my fears Again This poor man cried and the Lord heard him and saved him out of all his troubles What his fears and troubles were the title of the Psalm shews David for fear of Saul goes to Achish King of Gath and being there he is in more fear then before Insomuch to save his life he useth x 1 Sam. 21.10 11 12. c. strange gestures indeed not beseeming a man much less the Lords anoynted But what doth he else Inwardly his soul is calling upon God and finding that all terrors and amazements were over and his spirit quiet he concludes it was a time of finding You shall see in time of much rain as the waters run down the hils they make a great noise by reason of the rubs in their way but no sooner are they fallen in and closed with the river but the hissing is ceased and all is quiet and still Oh! the unquietness sometimes of a poor soul by reason of the multitude of RVBS what through troubles without and fears within there is a strange noise confus'd like the noise of many waters y Psa 6.6 I am weary with my groaning a Psa 69.3 My throat is dryed all the night make I my bed to swim I water my couch with tears mine eyes fayl while I wait for my God Notwithstanding all this no sooner is this poor trembling shrub fallen into the stream of love and sweetly closeth with it but all casting down and disquietness is over b Psa 27.1 Iehovah is my light and my salvation for whom should I fear Jehovah is the strength of my life for whom should I dread VVe have the like example in David another time when Absalom made that unnatural rebellion against him at first he was c Psa 3.1 much troubled for d 2 Sam. 15 12. the conspiracy was great and the people multiplyed still with Absalom but when he poured out his Soul before the Lord he had that given in to him as he neither feared the number which the Traytor had with him nor the hellish counsel which Ahitophel might give him If a man should see a Lyon or Bear coming fiercely against him this could not but at first amaze him notwithstanding if he should perceive a place of safety by him and run to it and see himself in it now he would fear no more The malice and wrath of Persecutors their threatnings banishment imprisonment ruine of families and killing the body doth at first startle and affright a good man but having been with the Lord and graciously found him he fears not what any Tyrant can do cares not for his big words and stout looks for he sees the Tyrant bound and knows the Lord will not unchaine him neither suffer him to stir otherwise then it shall make for the glory of his great name in e Phil. 1.28 the salvation of the one and perdition of the other It was an evident sign that the Lord answered not Saul seeing his terror and trembling continued upon his heart Is not that Scripture in part fulfill'd at this day f Isa 33.14 The sinners in Zion are afrayd fearfulness hath surprized the Hypocrites Is not Cains case the condition of many g Gen. 4.15 they think every one that meets them will kill them h Pro. 14.13 In the midst of laughter their hearts are full of sorrow i Jer. 20.3 4. Magor-Missabib fear is round about them k Job 15.21 A dreadful sound is in their ear They dream of danger when they sleep and where ever they come l Deut. 28.66 Have no assurance of their lives Oh! what fantastick and pannick fears and Satanical delusions an unquiet guilty conscience causeth He that hath a minde to hurt others fears it is in the minde of every one to hurt him But what may we think of such people Truly I think if the Lord had any regard to their prayers he would not leave them under such continual terror and dreadful amazement m Psa 112.7 A good man shall not be afraid of any evil tidings But these people when n Jer. 49.23 they have heard any evil tidings they are faint-hearted And though it be but a Hear-say and a Noise and nothing in it yet they tremble
Arguments that the work is no Embrio but curiously wrought and coming forth out of the womb of Providence at the h Rom. 12.5 Man-child to rule the Nations with a rod of Iron Ans As this is a great Question so I shall modestly speak to it from that light â— have received Indeed I cannot decline my former opinion But do think the work as an unformed substance begun about June And that it is now covered with skin and flesh full wrought and coming forth It seems so to me for these reasons 1. I do observe that the Spirit of the Lord is so full and mighty with some of his hidden ones as they cannot cease fâ—om crying to him day and night i Rev. 14.15 Thrust in the sickle and reap for the time is come for thee to reap for the harvest of the earth is ripe Not now for a discovery of the Apostacy for that is apparent enough Nor so much now for Separation as to have the judgement written speedily executed It is doubtless a truth when the Lord shall spirit a people though very few and bring them forth as his Jobs Samuels and Daniels to stand before him and withall gives them k Mat. 17.20 a grain of that faith of which Christ speaks Whatsoever they ask in that FAITH shall be given them A little time will shew by whose LEADING and MOTION I write thus Namely That the Lords work is reviving and will suddenly appear in the destroying of the last Apostacy and this done by that Faith which some poor wormes have received to which all things are possible 2. I think Providence is opening the womb Because some men like Jehu drive too furiously to hold out long Blood-suckers when they are ready to burst draw strongest Thus it was with Pharoah Absolom Haman when they begun to pull hard they streightway perished No otherwise than like Rats and Mise and other Vermin whilst they are pulling hard at the bait down falls the Trap and so are taken So Geese many times break their own neck with biting and pulling hard the root which they hold in their Bill What the Bait is and the Root which some men are pulling at most do know But what is the Trap Verily Providence And you shall see when they come to their strongest Pulls to pull with BOTH HANDS down falls the Snare and the Vermins crusht to pieces 3. Because the Controversie riseth high between the Lords Witnesses the Lords Enemies When we see a woman big with Child we conclude she hath not long to go Can the controversie be higher Is it not about the Title of the Crown Kingdome Government yea and who shall Reign and be King Whether Jesus Christ in his Lawes or proud flesh in his Lusts Methinks by the greatnesse and swelling of the womb there is hope of a speedy birth It was so in the Case between Moses and the Magicians Elias and the Priests of Baal So the Scots and the Prelates When the difference and controversie grew high on all sides What immediatly followed Breaking work m Ps 11.6 Upon the wicked he rained snares fire and brimstone and an horrible Tempest This was the portion of their Cup. When we shall see the contest at that height either men must move for their Lives Lawes and Liberties or be absolute Slaves Suffer their witnesses to be put in graves or stand up for their Rising Then will the Lords worke come forth in quickening and spiriting a dead people and n Zach. 2.7 Zion shall deliver her self that dwelt with the daughter of Babylon 4. o Ecc. 3.11 The Lord hath made every thing beautifull in his season That is the worke of divine providence is the more comely and excellent in respect of the Season in which it comes forth Thus it is in natural things The Spring Summer Autumne VVinter every thing in his season oh how lovely and faire it is So in all the works of God about his Children VVhither p Ps 111.3 it be the punishing of the wicked for their sakes or their own deliverance He will make the worke honourable and glorious in respect of q Act. 1.7 That Season and Time he brings it forth Hence I am perswaded the Good old Cause is reviving Because methinks it is now such a Season as will put upon it the Beautie of holiness 5. VVhen I consider r Gen. 1.16 the wheele in the midst of a wheele Å¿ Ezek. 10.12 and the wheeles full of eyes And withall observe many late providences this likwise much confirmes me You may easily know which way a man means to shoot by his holding of his musket or Bow Against whom of late hath the Lord held the mouth of his Canon The Head of the Arrow of his VVrath and the point of his great and strong Sword Truely he must be very ignorant in publick affaires that cannot point at them And what may we gather hence That he will discharge his whole Cannons among them make his Arrows drunk in their Blood and they shall not escape his drawn sword and this suddenly too In warr usually there are some light skirmishes before the main Bodies do Engage So before a great rain and storme little dropping The Lord hath been skirmishing with them both by land and sea and shamefully beaten them everywhere and terrible drops have fallen upon them like haile-stones So that now he is comming against them with the Bodie of his Armie And t Ps 83.15 to persecute them with his Tempest u Ps 50.22 Now consider this ye that forget God x 2 Pet. 2.15 VVhich have forsaken the right way and are gone astray following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor who loved the wages of unrighteousnesse y Deut. 32.41 42. If I whet my glittering word and mine hand take hold on judgement I will render vengeance to mine enemies and will reward them that hate me I will make mine arrows drunk with bloud and my sword shall devour flesh that with the bloud of the slaine and of the Captaines from the beginning of the revenges upon the enemie 6. Judgement is at the birth against a professing people when the Counsel of the Lord in all his Servants is rejected and they are hearkning to flatterers lyers Wizards who will humour them in their lusts and encourage them in every sinfull Action This is plain in the Cause of Joash a 2 Chr. 24. from 16. to 26. After the death of Jehoiada came the Princes of Judah and made obeysance to the King then the King hearkned unto them These Princes were the old malignant Courtiers in the reigne of Jehoram Ahaziah Athaliah The thing that he hearkned to was to destroy that good Reformation which himself had made a little before that is to set up again the Idolatry and Tyrany which he had throwne down and to cast out the just and righteous things which he himselfe lately
where now pray pray pray you are come to the Finding time and the mount where God will be seen Thirdly It is a Time of Finding 3. When the Enemies of Zion are at the highest When the enemies of Zion are at the highest that is Tryumph and insult as if all were theirs and that they shall see sorrow no more x Psa 10.3 the wicked boasteth of his hearts desire that is perceiving his designs and actions to prosper by hypocrisie apostacy falshood c. he glories in it and thinks now that neither God nor man can reach him y Psa 119.119 Thou puttest away saith David all the wicked of the earth like dross the scum or dross when it is upmost and covers the liquor then it is taken off and thrown away so when tyrants and persecutors have Saints under them make account to wear them out by cruel usage and cry victory victory then coms the revenging hand of God upon them treads them as dung under his feet Thus was the Lord found of good Hezekiah note a Isa 36.13 14 15. chap. 37.10 the message which Rabshakeh brought to him from his master and what was in the letter which Sennacherib sent him Let not thy God in whom thou trustest deceive thee hath any of the gods of the Nations delivered his land out of the hand of the King of Assyria Oh the height of this filthy scum but how did the Lord meet with him not onely in giving a wonderful deliverance to his people but by destroying his Army and the blasphemer also Thus likewise it was with b Exod. 15.9 10. Pharaoh c Esth 5.6 Haman d Act. 12. Herod c. and in our time with the King and Bishops when they were highest in pride pomp and insolent practises against the Lord his cause and people he cut them off with a witness and the like may we expect upon those who domineer hold up their heads and look big e Exo. 5.2 Who is the Lord that I should obey his voyce f Isa 51.23 Bow down that we may go over g Dan. 3. Whoso falleth not down and worshippeth the golden Image shall the same hour be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace But whereunto may I liken such men and others following their steps to nothing fitter then to a boil or botch when it is swoln big and risen high then it breaks and what follows rottenness and stink Are they swoln big and risen high in power titles places c. it is a sign they will break the sooner and as the waves of the sea after their lifting up and roaring a while leave behind them nothing but mire and dirt so when the Lord shall cut them off what then will remain but the infamous memory of their former Apostacy hypocrisie and lies It is truly my opinion were Gods people as fit for mercy as their enemies are for judgment were they as lowâ— humiliation and Reformation as the other are high in pride blasphemy atheism we should soon see a vial powâ—ed out upon them That place h Jer. 12.1 2 3. in the Prophet me thinks notably agrees with our time They are all happy that deal very treacherously But how doth he describâ— them Thou art neer in their mouth buâ— far from their reins As the water-maâ— in his boat rows one way and looks another so these profess great things and talk much of God and his ways but in their practises and actions are most vile and wicked what follows Prepare them for the day of slaughter When the beast is fat and ful flesht then the butcher knocks him down We know now well enough why the Lord hath suffered the Apostates to enjoy such faâ— pasture viz. the very pastures or places which fatted other beasts before them it was as i Hos 13.6 the Prophet saith that they might be filled and their heart exalted and so made fat and fit for slaughter k Psal 119.126 It is time for thee O Lord to work for they have made voyd thy Law He doth not say It is time c. because they speak against thy â—aw slight it and regard it not but â—ave made it voyd signifying when â—en are grown to such a height of wicâ—edness as the Laws of Christ are deâ—troyed by them his cause and interest â—hrown down to raise themselves righeousness and truth made voyd to set up oppression and falshood then indeed it is high time for the Lord to work yea and then is the TIME in which he wil be FOVND of his faithful ones hungring and thirsting after righteousness Fourthly It is a Time of finding 4. When Saints make Jesus Christ their all When SEEKERS make Iesus Christ their ALL all their hope stay and trust and can truly say with the prophet l Ps 73.25 Whom have I in Heaven but thee and there is none upon Earth that I desire besides thee If we discern such as will not trust in us but love to stand upon their own ground we leave them to themselves to shift as they can as on the contrary the more we see our selves trusted to the more we take care for them When the Lord sees a poor soul gives up ALL to him leaves hiâ— case wholy with him depends altogetheâ— upon his power goodness faithfulness as he delights to see his children in such a frame so they may be sure he will take care for them and it shall go well with them m Psa 18.6 In my distress saith David I called upon the Lord and cryed unto my God he heard my voyce out of his temple and my cry came before him even into his ear But when did David cry and found the Lord thus good to him n ver 2. after he had made him his rock and his fortress his strength his buckler the horn of his salvation and his high tower A man that stands upon a rock when he hears the sea roar and the waves violently beating against the rock all this puts him not into any fear for he knows where he is to wit out of danger so it is with every gracious Saint he is beyond the reach of men and Devils no adversary power can hurt him I do remember what I was once told by a good old man a * Mr. Pateman dwelling at Mosley neer Brimmingham Nonconformist-Minister dwelling nigh me a neighbor of his being in prison for witch-craft he went to visit him this wretched man confest to him that he had hated him a long time and fought to do him mischief and for this end there was a compact between the Devil and him to destroy him the witch spoke often to the devil for to hasten their design now the devil told him he had several times attempted it but could not effect any thing and gave this for the reason because he found him still either in prayer and communion with God or had
commited himself into the Lords hand This I mention because I had it from the mans own mouth and what may we learn from it how safe and happy they are who make Christ their ALL It is not Satan nor any of his cursed imps and instruments that can harm them o Rom. 8.31 If God be with us who can be against us That people trusting in God shall have A TIME OF FINDING appears in the example of the p 1 Chron. 5.20 Reubenites q 2 Chron. 14.11 12. Asa r 2 Chron. 20.12 17. Iehoshaphat Å¿ Jer. 39.17 Ebed-melech so t Psa 17.7 91.2 3 12 13 14 David asserts it often But what was the reason that the Lord would not be found of Saul u 1 Sam. 28.6 neither by Dreams nor by Vrim nor by Prophets He had rejected the Lord and would not depend upon him but would do what seemed right in his own eyes hence being left of God he runs to a witch to the Devil to any thing How comes it to pass that some men make Soldiers their Saviors their dependence is on the arm of flesh viz. Ahitophels Machiavels Cardinals Atheists doubtless they see the Lord God hath forsaken them for their abominable hypocrisie and therefore being left of God they are necessitated to make the best shift they can In a sore famine when wholsome meat cannot be had people will eat dogs and cats rats and mice yea and worse things too rather then starve many at this time are under a great famine the Lord they cannot finde and therefore to keep themselves from starving they will make use of any unclean thing steal murder swear falsly and make lies of all sorts and sizes their refuge David saith x Psal 73.28 It is good for me to draw neer to God and he gives the reason I have put my trust in the Lord God that is I may be assured by seeking to find him having made him my hope and confidence alone but saith he y ver 27. Thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from thee What is it to go a whoring from God I answer To cast off his work and cause turn with the dog to the vomit and trust in lying vanities I have read of a Tyrant by his cruelties had so displeased the people as he would not trust himself with men but committed the guard of his body to dogs some men by their SPIRITVAL WICKEDNES IN HIGH PLACES do bring themselves into such a Case God nor good men they dare not trust having so highly displeased both but rather confide in dogs swine foxes wolves as the Scripture terms wicked men 5. When the enemies of God are plotting mischief against Christ his interest and people Fifthly It is a Time of Finding When the enemies of God are plotting mischief against Iesus Christ his interest and people Thus the Israelites found him when Pharaoh sayd a Exod. 1.10 2 23 24. Come let us deal wisely with them So afterwards when Haman took crafty counsel against them you know how the proud tyrant was taken in the pit he had dig'd for others so again when b Act. 12.1 2 3. Herod had design'd the taking away of Peters life the Lord so graciously answered the prayers of the Church as Peter is not only inlarged but the bloody wretch a little after miserably perisheth under Divine wrath According to that saying c Prov. 11.8 The righteous is delivered out of trouble and the wicked cometh in his stead As some fishes are taken whilst they are making snares and in the very traps and gins which they lay for others so persecutors very oft as they are plotting mischief and at work are trapt in their own wickedness Iulian the Apostate had a design at his return from the Persian wars to have sacrificed the blood of Christians to his Idol gods The like plot had the Constable of France after the taking of St. Quintin he vowed to destroy Geneva now howsoever their designs took no effect yet the Lord 's did against them for he gave them their own blood to drink and so sav'd his people He that moves the week of candle with his finger mends the light but burns and blacks his fingers certain it is the crafty plots of Gods enemies have very much profited the Saints though it have been to their own ruine And many of Christs little flock can speak it by experience since the Last plotters came up the Lord hath been very good to them and they have found him more sweetly and heart-feelingly then ever in their lives before It was the speech of an honest man being pitied that he had so bad a wife Oh said he she is a good wife for me she brings me often upon my knees and to sighings and mourning before the Lord. In such a sence may many of the Lords people say Whereas hypocrites reign truly it is good for us we should not be so often with our God and pour out tears day and night nor have such times of finding did not these d Psal 129.3 plowers plow upon our back and make long their furrows In great mens kitchins there are certain scullions to rub spits and make clean the dishes and howsoever they are black and foul themselves yet they are of necessary use to have the vessels meet for service what a great deal of filth and dirt hath the Lord lately remov'd from his little remnant by his kitchin-drudges of a truth they were not half so fair pure and lovely some few years past as they are now e Psa 52.1 Why boastest thou thy self in mischief O mighty man This may serve to take down the pride of Tyrants and insulting hypocrites for what are they though Emperors Kings Princes Protectors c. if they persecute the witnesses of Iesus for speaking against their wicked ways but as Christs SKVLLIONS and DISH-CLOVTS to wipe off the dust and filth from the Saints that they may be meet for the Masters use When it was told David that Ahitophel was amongst the Conspirators with Absalom he knew then there would be deep and devilish plotting against him and therefore presently cries out f 2 Sam. 15.31 O Lord I pray thee turn the counsel of Ahitophel into foolishness and here David had a time of finding g 2 Sam. 17 14 32. For Ahitophels design is not only frustrated but the traytor himself as a just reward for his villany for very shame hangs himself from hence this may be gathered when we understand there are any wicked designs set on foot against the Kingdome of Christ whereof Davids Kingdom was a type we must pray earnestly to God for the confusion thereof it being then a TIME OF FINDING Sixtly It is a time of Finding 6. When Saints are importunate beggars and will take no nay at Gods hand When Saints are BOLD-BEGGARS and will take no nay or denyal at the
pray before the Lord and yet in their actions not make conscience of any thing 4. There hath been such unheard-of impietie committed under a shew of Religion that it is now a common saying among Cavileers when they hear of any base thing done I warrant you say they it is some Professor hath done it As informer time when any Libel came from Rome presently Parsons was thought to be the Author and the more vile the more Parson-like I mourn because I cannot mourn enough wherefore came I out of the womb to such a day Ah! That the enemies of the Gospel should have so much cause given them as to think the worse the action is the more likely to to be done by Professing people 5. Such an Apostacy is seised on Churches especially in the Officers as none do more obstruct and hinder the Lords work of the day then some of them In the time of the Prelates if a good man out of Conscience opposed the Priests and held forth a publick testimony against their corrupt wayes he was presently rayl'd at counted factious and cast out of their Synagogue And is it not so now I could give many instances that the old Priests hardly shewed more bitterness against the Lords-witnesses then some Church-Officers do at this day against honest men for being faithful in the work of their Generation But to proceed 2. A Professing people causing scandal by their evil walking the Lord will soon take a course with when we see children rebellious and disobedient we are ready to say It is a shame to their parents to suffer them so to do what say profane men now Looking upon the actions of Professors Oh say they these call God Father and they would have us think none are his children but they if he be rheir Father how is it that he suffers such horrible lying falshood oath-breaking and self-seeking in them p Ezek. 36.23 I will sanctifie my Name which was prophaned among the Heathen which YE have prophaned in the midst of them and the Heathen shall know that I am the Lord saith the Lord God They were Professors of whom the Lord complains q Amos 2.13 Behold I am pressed under you as a cart is pressed that is full of sheaves The sins of Non-Professors are a burden but Professors sins are more then a burden and therefore not so long to be born They were a backsliding people as ours are of whom the Lord speaks r Isa 1.13 14. That their Oblations Solemn meetings and their appointed feasts were a trouble to him and he was weary to bear them How can a man that is weary of a burden have ease if he cast it not off they are the Professors of the last Times which the Prophet mentioneth Å¿ Isa 65.5 These are a smoak in my nose Smoak continueth not long it soon vanisheth signifying that the Back-sliders of this age are short liv'd 3. That judgment doth begin at the house of God it will be for the silencing of them that are without when their day shall come t Jer. 25.29 Lo I begin to bring evil on the City which is called by my Name and should ye be utterly unpunished ye shall not be unpunished 4. It is a Professing people which have made the Last Apostacy the subject I conceive of the first vial 4. When men glory in their shame Fourthly Such will have no Time of Finding Who glory in their shame and think it their Grace that they are graceless As David said of Doeg do u Psa 52.1 boast themselves in mischief for having done as wickedly as they can they rejoyce in and bless themselves in it x Dan. 4.30 Is not this great Babylon that I have built for the house of the Kingdom by the might of my power and for the honor of my Majesty Is not this the wealth the power and greatness which I have gotten by craft deceit c. I have seen children when they have purposely made their hands and fingers black and foul have held them up and laugh'd to see what they had done Is there not a Generation of men who have made themselves foul and black within and without no Leper more foul nevertheless how do they glory in it boast of it and laugh to see so much blackness upon their fingers Among the Indians he is taken for the gallantest fellow that can make himself most ilfavored and is it not so among some Christians so call'd Is not He the None-such who by Hypocrisie and double-dealing can deform himself most and of all men is the VGLIEST to look on y Ezek. 30.2 Wo worth the day Quest But where is it proved when men take delight in their sins they shall have no Time of finding Answ In Gods Holy Book often 1. The Prophet a Ezek. 18.17 18. Ezekiel plainly tels us so Hast thou seen this O son of man is it a light thing to the house of Iudah that they commit the abominations which they commit here for they have filled the Land with violence and have RETVRNED to provoke me to anger and lo they put the Branch to their nose Therefore will I also deal in fury mine eyes shall not spare neither will I have pity and though they cry in mine ears with a loud voyce yet will I not hear them It was the manner of the Heathen and probably practised now by the Jewes to carry Branches with them to their sacrifices and to put them to the Idol and there to sprinkle them either with the blood of their Idolatrous sacrifice or to sweeten them with some Idolatrous perfume then to put them to their nostrils and kiss them shewing thereby how greatly they approved what was don so that the meaning is when men not onely do base things as break their oathes and Covenants set up Tyranny Idolatry persecute the Interest of Christ his people but likewise take pleasure therein and rejoyce in the wickedness they have done such in the day of trouble shall have no TIME OF FINDING Again as we read in b Isa 3.9 Jer. 3.3 6.15 8.15 Eze. 24.7 8. the Prophets of men that had Whores-foreheads refused to be ashamed and could not blush would discover their sins like Sodom and hide them not and set their blood meaning cruelties and oppression upon the top of a rock to be seen of all the world so we find in the same places that the Lord would not spare them but cut them off and not regard their cries in the day of trouble I have read it somewhere that in Cumena a wide mouth is in fashion and what is more in fashion now then a WIDE MOVTH He that hath the Impudence and Boldness to defend hypocrisie and falshood and to justifie oppression and Tyranny hath the Fore-head to plead for wicked persons and things he shall have Balaams wages and promotion and be c Mic. 1.11 the Prophet of
this people and hence it is that prophaneness Atheism and the great contempt of God and his wayes so woefully abounds every where namely of the impudence and Bold-face of sinners as being no whit ashamed of their doings but rather glorying and priding themselves therein As the Heathen Youngman hearing of the Adulteries and other wickedness of the gods Doe they so saith he and shall I their inferior stick at it And indeed how can it be otherwise If the Leaders of the people as Magistrates and Ministers live without Conscience and commit sin without shame But others of lower Rank and condition will be encouraged to do as bad d Mat. 18.7 But woe to that man by whom the offence cometh 5. When men are Tyrants oppressors there will be no time of finding Fifthly No Time of Finding For Tyrants Oppressors and men of blood who live by thefts and murthers as ravenous beasts by prey e Jam. 2.13 Judgment without mercy that hath shewed no mercy A man looking into a glass what his own countenance is there the like he sees in the glass if his own be friendly chearful pleasant c. so is the other if stern and froward he sees the like To know how the Lord will look upon us in time of trouble we need goe no further then to observe with what Face we look upon other men f Psal 18.25 26. With the mercifull he will shew himself merciful with the froward he will shew himself froward g Mat. 7.1 With what judgment ye judge ye shall be judged and with what measure you mete unto others it shall be measured to you again thus the h Jer. 30.16 Isa 33.1 Devourer shall be devoured and the spoyler spoyled And so it was in the case of Pharaoh Ahab Saul Haman Herod c. they took no pity on others neither would the Lord pity them when their day came Rahab had i Josh 2.1 with chap. 6.22 a Time of finding so had k Jer. 39.17 18. Ebed-melech the Ethiopian but what were they no Persecutors of Saints no Banishers and Imprisoners of the Lords people never shewing any reason for it but on the contrary were helpful to them in their afflictions l Mic. 3.1 2 3. Hear I pray you O heads of Iacob and ye Princes of the House of Israel is it not for you to know judgment who pluck their skin from off them and their flesh from off their bones Who also eat the flesh of my people and flay their skin from off them and they break their bones and chop them in pieces as for the pot and as flesh within the cauldron But some may say what is all this we see as much as this done every day what course will the Lord take with these Tyrants m ver 4. Then shall they cry unto the Lord but he will not hear them he will even hide his face from them as they have behaved themselves ill in their doings As the fish greedy of the worm swallows the hook with it and feeling the prick in her bowels draws back and seeks to get off but cannot so Tyrants thirsting after the Blood and Treasure of the people therewith swallow down the CVRSE OF GOD and perceiving afterward they are hookt and catcht Oh what strugling is there to be loose one while by n Job 20.15 vomiting all up again otherwhile by fasting and prayer if neither will do then Moses is sent for in hast o Exod. 10 17. To intreat the Lord his God that he may take away from them this death onely But p Isa 22.14 This iniquity shall not be purged from them till they dy But the Lord hath something more against the Oppressing Rulers of Iudah why he will hide his face from them in the day of trouble q v. 10.11 They build up of Zion with Bloods and Ierusalem with iniquity the Heads thereof judge for reward and the Priests thereof teach for hire and the Prophets thereof divine for mony yet will they lean upon the Lord and say Is not the Lord among us none evil can come upon us Here are several things worth the observing 1. Between the Rulers and the Priests it seems there was a wicked combination viz. whatsoever oppression and cruelty was done by the Rulers the Priests were to justifie it and for this they were to have so much per ann as their hire either in mony or some other way Thus q Isa 5.18 They drew iniquity with a cart-rope As many threds twisted together make a strong cord so the Rulers Priests and false Prophets agreeing together could easily as with a cart-rope pluck from the people what they pleased even their skin and flesh from their bones 2. That both States viz. Civil and Ecclesiastical were now built and kept up by the ruine of the people As men using their beasts think they are not bound to give them a reason of the service they put them to so these Tyrants did what they listed neither was it for the people according to the Doctrine of the Priests to be otherwise then Beasts in submitting to the will and lusts of the Heads in every thing 3. Yet they leaned upon the Lord that is howsoever they had cast off the Power of Godliness yet kept up still the the form As a man that hath gotten scabs and ulcers upon his body will not cast off his cloathes but rather put on more and better that his sores may not be seen 4. Is not the Lord among us This seems ro be the saying of the Priests and false Prophets for their hire and mony We are under the best Government that ever was Our Heads will make us a happy people we need not fear forreign enemies neither plague famine pestilence for our Rulers are good men love the Temple and give large maintenance to the Priests 6. When ingagements and Covenants are broken and the things built again which were destroyed so that no evil can come upon us Sixthly Such will have no Time of finding Who turn with the dog to the vomit by breaking vowes and ingagements and building again what they had destroyed Å¿ Pro. 14.14 The Back-slider in heart shall be filled with his own wayes But what are his wayes Lying Treachery Self-seeking Hypocrisie as the Prodigal had nothing to fill his belly with but the husks which the swine did eat such will be the portion of Revolters from God instead of peace of conscience joy in the Holy-Ghost and sweet communion with God They shall be filled with their own wayes their Apostacy Hypocrisie and Falshood shall be meat in their bowels with this as the gall of Asps within them they shall be filled thus it was with t Mat. 27.3 4 5. Iudas The Lord by his Prophet tels Iudah u Jer. 15.1 Though Moses and Samuel stood before him yet his mind could not be towards them this is much that the
a King wherein he promiseth to do so and so for him it were no presumption in this poor man having access to the Prince if he should mention it shew it to him humbly desire the performance of it neither would the other though a King be offended at it but bid him rest content for he would not be worse then his word Though the disproportion is far greater between the Creator and the Creature then between the greatest Monarch of the world and the poorest beggar on earth yet have the Lords people many times remembred him of his promise and spread it before his face and besought him earnestly to look thereon and not forget it Thus did Moses Exod. 32 13. i Remember Abraham Isaac and Israel thy servants to whom thou swarest by thine own self c. So David k Psal 119.49 Remember thy word unto thy servant upon which thou hast caused me to hope And Solomon likewise l 1 Kin. 8.25 26. Therefore now O Lord God of Israel keep with thy servant David my Father that thou promisest him Again Let thy word I pray thee be verified which thou spakest unto thy servant David my Father So Jeremie m Jer. 14.21 Remember break not thy Covenant Neither was the Lord offended with them that they did put him thus in remembrance much less did he answer them as some men use to do when they are minded of their Oaths Vows and Solemn Appeals to God that they would do such and such things for Christ and his people and the good of the Nations Ho say they Those Promises and ingagements were but pro Tempore that is as their practice shews they never meant to keep their word but as it should make for their own interest and advantage But our God n Psa 5.6 abhorreth such deceitful men and all such execrable Hypocrisie For o Mal. 3.6 He changeth not p 2 Cor. 1.20 All his promises are yea and Amen Yea so far is the Lord from breaking Covenant that he hears the cryes and prayers of his people for his promise sake q Exo. 2.24 And God heard their groaning and God remembred his Covenant with Abraham with Isaak and with Jacob. So a little after r Chap. 6.5 I have heard the groaning of the children of Israel whom the Egyptians keep in bondage and I have remembred my Covenant When Doves sigh and mourn in clifts and secret holes it doth presage say they that destruction is nigh the Birds of prey not to speak of Pharaoh Haman Herod a little before the fall of the Bishops and the King the Lord 's hidden ones were in bitterness of Soul and poured out mournful complaints day and night against their persecutors but much more have they sighed and groaned before the Lord since this sad Revolt broke forth in regard of the scandal and reproach brought to the Gospel by it And what doth this signifie That the Lord will suddenly take away this image of jealousie and revive his work in the midst of the Nations But to proceed That the Lord forgets not what he promised might be shewed in many other places Å¿ Psal 105.8 He hath remembred his Covenant for ever the word which he commanded to a thousand Generations And in the same Psalm t ver 42. He remembred his holy promise and Abraham his servant Again u Psa 106 44 45. Nevertheless he regarded their afflictions when he heard their cry and he remembred for them his Covenant See 2 Sam. 7.21 Here we may not omit how far the Lords wayes and some mens ways are unlike the Lord takes it well to be * 1 Chron. 17.23 remembred of his Covenant and promises and would have his children to mention them before him whereas you cannot more grieve and vex certain NEW LORDS then to tell them of their ingagements should any but shew them the Oaths and Vows published under their hands what they protested in such a yeer at such a place for the interest of Christ and his people their asseverations and imprecations the curses and judgments they wish'd to light upon themselves and posterity if they did not such things add hereunto their frequent tears hands laid on their breasts and eyes lifted up to Heaven calling God to witness as to the plainness and singleness of their hearts should this I say be told them what would they say x 2 Kin. 11 14. Treason Treason y 1 Kin. 22 27. Put this fellow into prison c. In all the reign of Caligula if a man did but name a Goat it was a crime of Laesae Majestatis against the Imperial person this was of his hairy body A very strange thing that a man could not say Goat but he must mean the Emperor Can you say Covenant-breaker self-seeker deceiver of the people but the Lawyer cryes out y Luk. 11.45 Master thus saying thou reproachest us also Thirdly It must needs be That there will be A TIME OF FINDING 3. Because the Lord will be honored many wayes by it because the Lord hereby will be honored and glorified many ways There is nothing that a man will sooner regard and hearken to then when his own profit and advantage is propounded To speak soberly and no more but what the Scriptures hold forth It is good for the Lord himself That there be a time of finding Quest What Good hath the Lord by it Answ 1. By this means the Saints will bless him and the high prayses of God will be in their mouth Now a By haâ—ing the â—igh prayâ—â—s of his â—eople Psa 50.3 whoso offereth praise glorifies him Was not the Lord glorified when he answered the groanings of his people in Egypt plagued the Egyptians and destroyed Pharaoh and his host in the Red Sea b Exod. 15. â— 11. Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto Jehovah c. Who is like unto thee O Jehovah among the gods who is like thee glorious in holiness fearful in praises doing wonders When Babylon shall lie under wrath d Rev. 18. â— 1. sunk like a great milstone cast into the Sea and shall be found no more at all What immediatefollows d Rev. 19.1 I heard a great voyce of much people in Heaven saying Hallelujah Salvation and glory and honor and power unto the Lord our God e ver 3. And again they said HALLELVJAH and a little after another f ver 6. great multitude saying HALLELUJAH for the Lord God Omnipotent Reigneth As when a judge hath done some notable and eminent act of justice upon a notorious offender he is highly commended for it so will the Lord have unspeakable praise from his people every where when he hath judged the Great Whore destroyed the false Church Ministery Worship and Government pluckt her up root and branch with all her props and Lovers HALLELV-JAH and again HALLELV-IAH What doth the Lord at
help saith David Therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoyce That the Lord heard us in the late wars and was found c Gen. 22.14 JEHOVAH-JIREH a God seen in the mount We can pray now against all the Hypocritical enemies of his Cause and Kingdom more earnestly d Jam. 1.6 In faith nothing wavering which is greatly to his Glory The bramble would have e Judg. 9.15 all the trees put their trust in his shadow Indeed Tyrants would be trusted though there be neither trust nor Truth in them I have read the story how Dominique dreamt the Church of Rome was falling and that he upheld it with his shoulders Have we never heard the like fable In what sore distress the Church and State were both ready to split had not a Minion Idol been devis'd like Dominique's shoulders to keep them up The Tryers probably will apply this because it is like that Shameful thing for all the world But to proceed Did not David very much honor the Lord by trusting in him when he went forth against Goliah But what caused David by beleeving to doe so he tels you f 1 Sam. 17.37 The Lord that delivered me out of the Paw of the Lyon and out of the paw of the Bear he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine I know there were many complaints and heart-groans poured out against the King and Bishops for their Tyranny and Idolatry but this I can truly say For twenty years and more in which I suffered under them the Lord did not draw out my heart to so much mourning and sighings as I have done within these three or four years against the GREAT BETRAYERS of the interest of Christ and his people And this I finde as a burning fire shut up in my bones that I cannot hold my peace day nor night Besides Howsoever I am a poor worm and the least in my Father's house yet herein I can give glory to God I do beleeve the Lord that delivered his afflicted people out of the paw of the Lyon and out of the paw of the Bear King and Bishops he will deliver them from all PROVD PHILISTIMS that defie the Israel of God yea and that speedily Fifthly 5. Do him more work and better service Times of finding ingage the Lords people to do him more work and better service afterwards If Beasts the larger allowance they have will doe their master the more service Surely then the better Christ is to his children the more they will strive to doe his will in every thing g Psa 116.8 9. Thou hast delivered my Soul from death mine eyes from tears and my feet from falling I will walk on before the Lord in the land of the living That is Seeing I have had a Time of finding I will so improve this great mercy as the Lord shall have much glory and honor by it Methinks it is at this day with some honest hearts as it was with the h Mat. 20.3 4. Laborers which stood idle in the market-place Should they be askt why they are not at work What would they say We are calling upon the Lord for imployment we would willingly be at work for it grieves our very Souls to stand thus idle Now hath not a master more profit that his servants are at work then standing still When the Great TIME OF FINDING comes then will Zions children be at work indeed for now they may be said to be idle comparatively to their work THEN Then some shall be the i Rev. 14.6 Angel To preach the Everlasting Gospel Others the k Rev. 15.1 Angels to pour out the seven last plagues Some l Psa 149.8 to bind their Kings in chains and their Nobles with fetters of iron Others m Rev. 18.5 to execute vengeance upon Babylon Come Lord Jesus When the Lord made use of Moses and Aaron to pour out vials full of wrath upon Pharaoh and Egypt and of Elias to destroy the Prophets of Baal and of Ioshua to cast out the Canaanites Was he not in those things very much glorified If so then much more when he shall answer the prayers of his people concerning his Son and Zion and the destruction of Babylon and all Tyrants Which is better and more for the honor of a King that Theeves Murderers and Rebels do spoyl and destroy the good people or to be taken and punished What is it that Saints pray for and desire a Time of finding Truly this That Hypocrites and Apostates n Psa 104 35. be consum'd out of the earth and bloody Tyrants be no more That o Rev. 11.15 all the Kingdoms of the world may be Christs p Eze. 21 27 whose right it is And in order hereunto they are to ready to follow the Lamb in his work wheresoever he shall lead them But howsoever some men by Times of finding are the better yet many are the worse Here Jesus Christ may say r Psa 109.4 For my Love they are my Adversaries That is for the Deliverances Victories Preferments which I gave them I am the more wrong'd by them in my Great Name Cause and Kingdom And truly I think never a generation of men more sinn'd against kindness then some of this generation * Isa 1.2 Hear ye Heavens and give ear O Earth for the Lord speaketh I have nourished and brought up or made great and exalted children but they have revolted from me It is a pitiful fight to see a poor Bird kill'd with the feathers pluckt from her They are not only contented to feather their nest with the interest of Christ and his people but with those feathers i. e. power places Offices and preferment which they have pluckt from it shoot at her and murder her most unworthily * Deut. 32.6 Doe ye thus requite the Lord O foolish people and unwise Is all forgotten What shall I render unto the Lord for all his benefits towards me Psal 116.12 CHAP. IIII. Reasons Why there will be a Time of Finding in respect of Gods people Reasons in respect of mourners 1. Of the revilings of the proud First BEcause of the scornings and revilings of the proud as reproaching the Godly for their mourning and tears Had not the Lord been found of Hezekiah he had not been able in a little while to have born Rabshakehs and Sennacheribs blasphemies That which caused Hannah to be in bitterness of Soul before the Lord and no doubt moved the Lord to take pity on her it was the extream Å¿ 1 Sam. 1.6 provoking of her adversary for to make her fret because the Lord had shut up her womb Our Adversaries are fallen upon Rabshakehs work and seek to provoke us by the like scornful reproaches Where is the fruit say they of your tears and cries You may see the Lord cares not for your weeping fasting and praying did he regard them he would have helpt you ere now
not having A Time of Finding Thirdly 3. Because they are his friends and servants Because they are the Lords People his Iewels Servants Children and Friends t Psa 119.125 I am thy Servant saith holy David give ME understanding If another mans Childe or Servant should ask something of you you might in all reason especially if Enemies bid them go to their own Father and Master why do they come to you It is very true such as as are the servants of Antichrist and do serve the base lusts of Tyrants yea and are Tyrants themselves The Lord may justly say unto them when they Call upon him as the Prophet did to the King of Israel u 2 Kin. 3.13 What have I to do with thee Get thee to the Prophets of thy Father and to the Prophets of thy Mother So may the Lord say to REVOLTERS Why come ye now to me have ye not rejected me and cast me off in my Son Zion Cause and Kingdom broken your Vowes and Covenants with me Therefore get ye unto the Head of the Last Apostacie and the Great Whore the Head of the First Apostacie whom ye have honored more then me And it seems to me David in the Spirit foretels this very thing x Psa 18.41 They cry'd out but there was none to save unto IEHOVAH but he answered them not A Prophesie to be fulfil'd in the Last Dayes as I take it upon APOSTATE PROFESSORS But howsoever the Lord will thus deal with his enemies for their Crooked ways yet with his Friends and faithful Servants who y Luk. 22.28 continued with him in his temptations Suffered banishment imprisonment spoyling of their goods c. rather then to forsake THE GOOD OLD CAVSE These a Isa 58.9 shall call and the Lord shall answer They shall cry and he shall say Here I am b Isa 49.15 Can a Mother forget her sucking child c. If a child be crying in the streets and multitudes of people should passe by without taking notice of the child yet no sooner doth the mother hear it cry but runs to it kisseth it and carrieth him home in her bosome What though prophane people and proud carnal professors that are at ease regard not the Mourners in Zion but reproach their very sighings and groanings laugh and deride their prayers yet they have a father that hears them and c Psa 57.18 puts all their tears into his bottle and in due time d Psal 30.11 will put off their sackcloth and gird them with gladness Fourthly Because in seeking him 4. Because in seeking him they seek onely his glory they seek only his Glory As a shooter hath one eye close and with the other sees nothing save the mark at which he shoots thus it is now with the Little Remnant their eyes are shut from all Self-respects they look not upon any worldly advantage neither ask any thing of God but what may be to the glory of his Great Name If they ask health Liberty food c. it is that God may be glorified in the right improvement of them if they pray against Apostates and Covenant-breakers it is that e Isa 2.17 the Lord alone may be exalted f Phil. 1.21 To me to live is Christ and to die is gain that is so Christ may be glorified I am willing to live and if glorified I am willing to dy it is all one to me whether I live or dy so Jesus Christ by it may have glory Could a father see a child at his foot crying to him with tears that he might know his will and upon no other account then to honor him in the doing of it I say could a father see all this and not be found g 1 Cor. 4.3 For mens judgment we pass it by as a very small thing the Lord knows it is true viz. That there is a Seed of God at this day in bitterness of Soul to know what is that good that acceptable and perfect will of God and for no other end then to serve the Lord and not as Turn-coats and Revolters do to serve themselves upon him The Lord was well pleased with Solomon h 1 Kin. 3.10 11. Because he asked not for himself long life nor riches nor the life of his Enemies but understanding to discern judgment that is he asked that thing whereby he might most honor God and the Lord gave him his request and more too Never had Saints more cause then now to beleeve a time of finding is nigh and that all their tears and sighings will be speedily answered seeing they go not unto the Lord as Hypocrites do i. Hos 7.14 For corn and wine and rebel against him but for this end that k Mat. 6.9 the Lords name may be hallowed But this corrupt men cannot do It is not Gods Counsel they desire to know nor his good Cause to carry on but that their own wicked devises might prosper that the Lord would give his glory to them As the rainbow never appears but is in opposition to the Sun so some men if they appear publickly or privately in fasting and prayer they are never in that side of the world where Gods Glory is but quite in opposition to it I have read of a certain Soldier having done great service for the State was bid to ask some reward for himself to which he answered For himself he would ask nothing but had a Petition for the Church and People of God I hope there is such a frame of Spirit among the Mourners every where they have layd aside their own concernments and are seeking the things of Christ and Zion if so then hold up your heads The time of finding is come Fifthly 5. Because Jesus Christ moves and intercedes for them Because the prayers of Saints are not only l Rev. 8.3 4. by Jesus Christ presented to the Father and by him made a sweet sacrifice but likewise he himself moves and intercedes in their behalf Thus Christ in Heaven is as a Favorite at Court takes our Petitions and speaks to them So saith Paul m Rom. 8.34 He is at the right hand of God making intercession for us The Text carries it that he is in Heaven with his stripes wounds blood death setting them before the eyes of his Father and all for Zion Some men after their exaltation and preferment forget their poor Brethren and old friends as Pharaohs Butler forgot Joseph but Christ doth not so we are n Son 8.6 as a seal set upon his heart there he wears us and keeps us not only for an ornament and to shew how pretious he accounts us but that we might be always in his sight and remembrance The incouragement given us to come boldly to the Throne of Grace is o Heb. 4.5 For we have not an High-Priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities but was in all points tempted yet
What great mourning was there some few yeers since in Churches and among professors after righteousness and judgment and to have all heavy yokes broken but now the Abby-key being found and the fish caught that is great places Offices and preferment gotten we hear no more crying out against oppression all is quiet now and well again now they can hold their peace though the time be worse then before in respect of the interest of Christ and his People and the publick good of the Nations But what may we gather hence They were not the Lords Remembrancers Their tears and groans were their own and for their own interest not the Spirit 's and for the things of Christ for had the Spirit set them on work had they been the Spirit 's sighs and sobs for Zion t Isa 62.6 7. they would not have held their peace day nor night nor given the Lord rest VNTIL he had made Jerusalem a Prayse in the Earth u 1 Joh. 2.19 If they had been of us they would no doubt have continued with us 2. If they are the Groanings of the Spirit nothing will be askt but what is x Rom. 8 27 according to the will of God y Luk. 22 42. Not my will saith Christ but thine be done So again a Act. 21.14 The will of the Lord be done As a man that is doing somthing for a friend will indeavor to doe it so as the party for whom he doth it may like it and have content thus it is with us when the Spirit helpeth us with groanings which cannot be uttered We are all for pleasing God we would not speak nor have our hearts move or think of any thing but what the Lord should take pleasure and delight in It is true Hypocrites can groan and like Esau will beg blessings with tears but observe this it is to serve themselves upon the Lâ—â—d and to have their will done whetheâ— it be Gods will or no thus they will have the Lord to bless their Counsels and designs though they are against Himself his Son and Zion so when they have b Isa 28.15 made a Covenant with death and with hell are at an agreement then must Priests and People be call'd together to fast and pray that it may prosper 3. Spirit-Groanings are like c 2 King 2.11 Elias chariot and horses of fire carry the Soul into Heaven It is the Glory of God which now is onely eyed As the Mariners needle always trembles and shakes till her point be towards the Pole so it is with right Mourners they are not satisfied in weeping and sobbing before the Lord unless they have the sight of his glory then they are quiet seeing the mark they look after When the sun is risen we see not a star in the Firmament Reader note it What is it when thou art in bitterness of Soul that vanisheth Is it SELF Seest thou no Honour Credit Preferment Relations nor any other worldly Respects Seest thou the great Name of God dearer to thee then thy soul And for afflicted d Lam. 1.16 Zion thou weepest thine eye thine eye runneth down with Tears Blâ—â—sed art thou that thus mournest e Isa 57.1 P. the Lord shall restore comfort to thee 4. A man never sees more emptiness unworthiness and poverty in himself then when he is under the strongest groanings of the Spirit neither is his heart at any time more broken then at the woful sight thereof f Isa 6.5 Wo is me I am undon c. For mine eyes have seen the King the Lord of Hosts The Spirit in our mournings is g 2 Pet. 1.19 as a light that shineth in a dark place We did not think to have found such nakedness and baseness as we do Again the Spirit-Groanings are like fire in the Soul such may the fire be as it melts down Iron breaks Rocks and Stones asunder It is a good sign a man is under the Mournings of the Spirit when findes his corruptions and lusts hard as flint to melt and break in pieces and by the power of the Spirit consum'd and brought to nothing The groaning of Hypocrites is like the drawing of a Curtain whereby things are hid and covered The more they weep fast and pray the less fight have they of their sins For what is the reason some men see not so much evil in their wayes now as they did some yeers past I answer in their fasting and praying ever since they have been drawing curtains over their filthy sores Not but that they are far worse then they were but they see it not because of their hypocritical Tears 5. The Spirits Groanings leave two things especially upon the Soul 1. Refreshment as when a man hath eaten well he findes his spirits strengthned and comforted But this is not so with unsound hearts It is reported of Witches when they have eaten and drunk of the best and to their thinking largely they find themselves presently in a condition ready to starve Should some men speak their experiences they could not but confess when they have been some hours in prayer and sighed often they have been afterward no other then like Pharaoh's lean and ill-favoured kine not had any soul-strengthning or feeling refreshing at all 2. The Soul is left in a sweet and blessed frame as Wax that is soft is fit to take any impression so is a Saint wrought up wholy for God his will affections desires run out with Paul h Act. 9.6 Lord what wilt thou have me to do That is I am ready to receive any truth and to deny my self in every thing so that I may follow thee and serve my Generation It is a common saying and I have heard it often when some men talk of fasting and prayer Now say they beware there is some Plot or other in hand And usually it is so For after the Formality of the work is over their doings are worse then ever so far from i Isa 58.3 4 5 6. loosing the bonds of wickedness and letting the oppressed go free and breaking every yoke c. as on the contrary they smite with the fist of wickedness their fellow-servants and cast out their Brethren more cruelly then before But what saith Solomon k Pro. 1.3 To do Justice and Judgment is more acceptable to the Lord then sacrifice l Hos 6.6 I will have mercy and not sacrifice Seventhly Because the Lord is teaching Zions Mourners the ART OF SEEKING Because the Lord is teaching the art of seeking You know by long practise and use a man becoms expert and skilful in a trade especially having a good master This benefit through Grace some of the Lords people have received since the Apostacy came up namely they have been learning the Art of Prayer for not onely of late yeers have they been more frequent in the practice but have gotten more experience of the thing then ever they had before
the Judge of all the earth will pay him home for all his former craft and falshood So let all thy enemies perish O God Judg. 5.31 Secondly Because they p Isa 8.12 say Because of their sinful places and standings in Babilon the last Apostacy A Conspiracy that is mix themselves with the unhallowed lump keep unsanctified places and standings in Babylon and the last Apostacy and so q 2 Tim. 3.5 not separated from the corruptions and evils of the time r 2 Cor. 6 17 18. Wherefore come out from among them and be ye separate saith the Lord and touch not the unclean thing and I will receive you and I will be a father unto you c. Plainly shewing unless we forbear to ſ Exod. 23.2 follow the multitude or Great men t Rev. 18.4 Come out of Babylon u Eph. 5.11 Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness And x Num. 16.27 depart from the tents of Corah Dathan and Abiram and all such wicked men the Lord will not be a Father to us in answering our cries when calamities and troubles are upon us What the Lord may doe in respect of his unbounded bowels and free grace y Psal 131.2 it is a thing too high for us For he is many times better then his promise and above it But this I say So long as men wrap themselves in the sin and guilt of others plead for Baal and endeavor to strengthen Tyrants in oppression and blood follow Balak as Balaam did for the wages of iniquity these cannot thus doing by any Scripture-promise expect a time of finding I speak of a temporal deliverance as to be a Zeph. 2.1 2 3. hid in the day of the Lords anger There is a twofold separation which the Lord requires of his people at this time 1. From things 2. From persons And the followers of the Lamb they do both * Rev. 14.3 They are redeemed from the earth that is from the carnal Church-Ministry worship and Government they will not communicate in any of their devised service forms customs administrations nor contribute any thing to their maintenance Numb 7.3 5. Neh. 10.23 39. Likewise †Ver. 4. They are redeemed from among men who these men are the Apostle shews viz. the Apostates in the last days MEN that shall be lovers of their own selves covetous proud c. from such turn aside 2 Tim. 1.2 5. Charls 9. having a petition brought to him from the Admiral Chastillon he refused to receive it saying If he will forsake the Rebels meaning the Protestants and come to us we will hear him but so long as he encourageth the enemy we will receive none of his Petitions I wish with my Soul that some eminent professors would lay things to heart How can they think that the Lord will receive any of their Petitions if not only they abide with his Enemies and take their part openly against him but seek to strengthen and maintain what they can the greatest revolt that ever was made against Jesus Christ It is said b Gen. 6.8 But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord Why Noah more then others why was the Lord better to him then to a whole world He was c Gen. 7.1 A SEPARATIST and a strict one too for he made conscience of his ways and wherein he saw others differed from truth and righteousness therein he differed from them Qu. But why are not many professors Separatists like Noah now so to have a time of finding when the Flood comes Answ To speak my thoughts it is because of Self-love and Covetousness These d 2 Tim. 2.2 3 c. two great leading sins like two huge Beasts open a wide Gap to the rest of the sins in the last Apostacie e 1 Tim. 6.10 For the love of money is the root of all evil which while some coveted after they have erred from the faith and pierced themselves thorow with many sorrows Howbeit in some ground there are ill VVeeds of several sorts yet commonly there are one or two rifer and ranker then others I am the more confirm'd to think the last Apostacie is come not onely because all the VVeeds appear foretold but that Self-seeking and Covetousness first named are higher and ranker then the rest The Story of the Usurer may fitly come in here when he went abroad people pointed at him and shooke their heads whereby he knew his way and trade was generally dislik'd this sorely vex'd him until he came home and saw his Bags then he would laugh and say to himself Ha ha Now let them laugh at me here is that makes a mends for all and thus his grief was over I know it doth many times extreamly trouble some professors to hear and see what they do That is how they are condemn'd by all faithful people for serving the lusts of men and for countenancing Covenant-breakers and such as have betrayed the glorious Cause of Christ This I say vexeth them at the heart and the more because their Consciences cannot but check them for building again the things which they destroyed Notwithstanding when they come home and see the BAG f Act. 19.25 what WEALTH IS GOTTEN BY THIS CRAFT so much honor and preferment at Court such a gainful place in the Army so much per ann in the Colledge such a fat living or augmentation in the Country besides the pride and gallantry of their Wives and Children all Ladies and Prince-like Ha ha say they now let them laugh what care we for the FIFTH MONARCHY-MEN or their witness against us they call us Time-servers Turn-coates Court-flatterers and such as will crouch for a morsel of bread But these High-places Offices and preferment make us amends sufficiently Besides what can their poor g 1 Sam. 22.7 son of Iesse do for us But let them take this into the BAG too As the Partridge sitteth on eggs Jer. 17.11 and hatcheth them not so he that getteth riches and not by right shall leave them in the midst of his days and at his end shal be a fool Nurses count them good Children which though they are ready to cry at every turn yet are easily quieted with some toy The Devil is little troubled that men do weep and cry now and then and are sometimes prick's at the heart for their corrupt walking so that for a little honour pleasure profit and such like toys their consciences are soon quieted Again I speak not this as taking delight to discover the nakedness of professours the Lord knows my desire is That h Jer. 15.19 the precious might be separated from the vile and that none of Gods elect among the Back-sliders might be partakers of their plagues And therefore in the Bowels of Jesus I beseech them to Consider 1. What a sad thing it is that men not i 2 John 8. looking to themselves should lose those things that they
have wrought and not receive a full reward I have thought sometimes of Ioabs case after he had fought many Battels yea the Lords Battels ah that his gray hairs should go to the grave under so much scandal and dishonour But more sad is their case who having opposed the Prelates and fought valiantly for the truth yea some of them left their Country for the Gospels sake should now for looking back k Eze. 13.9 Not be in the Assembly of Gods people neither written in the writing of the House of Israel neither enter into the Land of Israel nor be mourned for as the prophets were Oh my Father my Father l Jer. 22.18 19. ah his Glory But 2. And this I wish that they would seriously lay to heart viz. how the dishonour of Gods great Name occasioned by this late Apostacie lies principally at their door Our holy profession had never been rendred so odious as it is if Professours and Church-Members had not been Hence it is when some have been told of breaking their promises and eâ—gagements and casting off the Lords work and setting up their own interest to name such and such professours and Church-Officers who went along with them as if they did nothing without their counsel and encouragement The old Non-conformists were wont to say of the Conformable Ministers that The best were the worst meaning those who subscribed to the Prelates and used the Service and Ceremonies of the Church though otherwise good men did more hinder the work of Reformation and harden ignorant people in Errour and Superstition then then all the ignorant and scandalous Priests of the Nation And questionless it was so And what may we say of the present Conformists The best are the worst For howsoever in many things they walk better then the rest and we hope better things of them as to their Soul-state Yet considering how they have left the Lords work and are fallen in with a worldly interest and what evil Instruments they have been in obstructing the good old cause in these respects and such like it may be fairly asserted The best are the worst I say the professor worse then the prophane and Church-Officers worse then the ignorant and scandalous parish-Priest especially if it be minded how many Simple hearts in City and Country have been deceiv'd by these men and hindred from being faithful to Jesus Christ in their Generation-work I shall conclude in Pauls words m 1 Cor. 3.13 15. Every mans work shall be made manifest for the day shall declare it Because it shall be revealed by fire and the fire shall try every mans work of what sort it is c. If any mans work shall be burnt he shall suffer loss but he himself shall be saved yet so as by fire What this fire means is worthy of Consideration Thirdly No time of finding because n Isa 1.15 59.2 their hands are full of Blood 3. Because their hands are full of blood The Hebrew hath Bloods signifying how the Priests and False-prophets by their flatteries and lies destroyed the Souls of the people and the Rulers their bodies and estates by oppression and cruelty But the Allusion which the prophet here useth notably sets forth the impudent boldness of these men It is taken from a Murtherer who having wash'd his hands in innocent Blood comes and shews them to the Judge as taking delight to have them seen in that Bloody colour Much blood precious blood was spilt in the late wars the which some men by their falshood and breach of promise have not onely contracted to themselves but bring their bloody hands to the Altar lifting them up before the Lord Angels and men as glorying it seems there lies the guilt of so much blood upon them I cannot forget Davids example when they brought unto him the water of the well of Bethlem o 2 Sam. 23.16 17. He would not drink thereof but poured it out unto the Lord saying Be it far from me O Lord that I should do this is not this the blood of the men that went in jeopardie of their lives therefore he would not drink of it It were well if some mens hearts would smite them as Davids did Davids worthies only jeoparded their lives no blood was spilt but many of the Lords worthies in the late wars did more then jeopard their lives for they lost them in the high-places of the field But hath their Blood been poured out to the Lord as David did the water I ask againe Hath it or rather have not some men drunk it themselves And with this blood purchase Courts Titles Superiority with this blood clothe themselves and families like the Glutton p Lu. 16.19 in purple and fine linen and fare sumptuously every day Do they not with this BLOOD persecute the very cause and interest of Christ for which it was spilt yea more do they not with this BLOOD build again that cursed Ierico by which it was overthrown q Hab. 2.12 Wo to him that buildeth a Town wâ—th blood and stablisheth a Citie by iniquity r Nah. 3.1 Wo to the bloody City it is full of lies and robberie and the prey departeth not As such men are unlike David so like Nero and Iulian the Apostate for all the world The first having kil'd his own mother perswaded the people publica fortuna extinctam that she was put to death for the publick good of the State The other when he opened the temples of the Pagan gods and repaired their Altar it was securitas reipublicae for the safety of the Commonwealth have there been none since having murther'd the Common-wealth in her Laws Liberties Priviledges c. and re-established old Popish Idols would make the Simple believe all is done for the publick good and safety of the people r Psal 120.3 What shall be done unto thee thou false tongue But to return to our Prophet howsoever both Priests and Princes have their hands full of blood yet they Å¿ Isa 1.18 make many prayers multiply prayer saith the margin Hence observe 1. No people are t Mica 6.6 7. more forward in outward services then Hypocrites and Apostates for when they have cast off the power of Godliness they will be the more busie about the form 2. Whilst mens hands are full of blood there is no Time of finding though they multiply prayer This later is plain in Davids case u Psal 32.2 3. c. All the while he kept silence and acknowledged not his sin which doubtless was blood his x Psal 51.8 Bones were broken and waxed old and his moisture was turned into the drought of summer that is he could hear of no joy and gladness but lay roaring under pangs of conscience having the strength of body and soul consum'd through grief and mourning if it were thus with David for one mans blood what may we think of their case who by power and policy shall
wrap themselves in the guilt and blood of many thousands yea more y Heb. 6.6 Shall crucifie to themselves the Son of God afresh and put him to open shame that is shall treacherously murther Jesus Christ in his righteous cause and which is more shall deride and mock the Lords people and persecute them if they speak against them for such things Fourthly Because of mens allowing themselves in some known wickedness 4 Because of mens allowing themselves in some know a wickedness a Psal 66.18 If I regard wickedness in my heart saith David the Lord will not hear me Observe 1. He doth not say If there be iniquity in my heart but if I regard it that is delight in it and allow it and would have it abide there as a friend and beloved Hence we may see a difference between a sincere Christian and a corrupt heart A sheep by occasion may fal into mire and dirt but he likes not to be there he likes not the place whereas a swine in dirt is where he would be it is true the choysest Christians are sometimes overtaken yet through Grace they can say We know nothing by our selves that is no evil which knowingly they approve of but what God loves they love and what he hates they hate whatsoever they know to be a duty and truth they will do and what is evil and sinful forsake If you cast stones or gravel into a fountain the water becomes thick and muddie but within a little while it purgeth it self again and is clear and sweet as before So a good man by reason of temptations is sometimes troubled and passions rise in him but through the power of Grace he is soon restored to his former sweet and holy walking But with the wicked it is not so his heart b Isa 56.20 is like the troubled sea when it cannot rest always casting up mire and dirt c Job 20.12 13. Wickedness is sweet to him he keeps it within his mouth As men to keep their goods have strong walls and doors about their houses so have Reigning Hypocrites about them some to write for them others to preach for them some to fight for them and all is that the Hypocrites GOODS may not be lost to wit his pomp pride oppression c. Quest But how may it be known when a man regards iniquity in his heart Answ 1. VVhen he corrupts men d Mat. 28.12 13 14. by gifts and preferment to defend his unrighteous doings 2. e Esth 3.8 9. c. VVhen he fears not to commit the greatest sin so he may satisfie his will and lust 3. VVhen he will f 1 Kin. 21.9 Jer. 41.6 fast and pray and weep that he may the sooner effect his wicked designes 4. VVhen g 1 Kin. 22.8 he counts such his greatest enemies who deal plainest with him about his foul miscarriages 5. h Isa 3.9 VVhen no thing will make him blush or asham'd But secondly This regarding iniquity is in the heart The Scibes and Pharisees outwardly seem'd to be good men religious and devout like the Hypocrites of our time but Christ who knew their heart shewed what they were A brood of Vipers painted sepulchres their inward parts very rottenness The Wood-picker a little Bird when she is seeking a place to breed in lights on the side of a Tree and with her Bill gives a knock if she perceive the same to be hollow then to work she goes and with her Bill makes a little hole in the Tree thorow which she creeps into the hollow part and there builds her Nest lays her eggs and hatcheth her young ones The Devil is like this Bird when he comes to a professor and by knocking him with preferment and profit finds he is hollow-hearted there he falls to work and in he goes here he hath his Nest eggs and young ones And in truth never had he entred into so many professors as of late he hath done but that after a little KNOCKING all this will I give thee he perceiv'd they were hollow I say HOLLOW-HEARTED notwithstanding their oaths vows and engagements neither was he deceived as we see by sad experience for he hath found room enough in that hollow and rotten part to build his Nest and hatch his young ones But what saith Christ of such people i Mat. 12.43 44 45. The last state of them is worse then the first There is little hope for men to have a time of finding so long as Satan hath his Nest eggs and birds in them Fiftly Should some men be spared it would encourage them to go on in their sinful ways they would presume 5. Because if spared they would presume gâ—ow more confident and vile grow more confident and vile if possible Had not Pharaoh and his host perished in the Red-sea they would have been more inhumane and cruel then ever before k Eccl. 8.11 Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil that is because the judgment of God is so long put off wicked men plead as it were a prescription of impunity perswading themselves that the execution of the sentence which is so long delayed will never be laid on them hence are hardned and made worse in their sinful courses In the Hebrew Text their heart is full to do evil that is full of evil purposes full of wicked imaginations cursed plots and devises for the bringing forth the works of darkness so full that there is no room for the fear of Gods wrath no room for the consideration of their own danger no room for the apprehension of their falshood hypocrisie backsliding whereby to restrain them in any measure but they run with a full stream into the practise of all kind of wickedness It is true l Psa 7.11 God is angry or angerly threatneth with the wicked every day the sentence against every evil work is already given but because the execution is deferred because wickedness is not foâ—thwith checked blamed punished men think they shall be longer licensed in sinning As the Stars though in themselves very great yet being seen a far off seem to be little So Apostates and other ungodly people perswading themselves the day of vengeance is a long time to come they are little or nothing moved by it if we bring this home to the sinners of our time we shall have ground to believe that their judgment is nigh For 1. The Lord having through infinite clemencie forborn them a while and not fallen presently upon them they are become m 2 Pet. 3.3 4. the Scoffers in Peter and n Jer. 5.12 13. have belied the Lord and said It is not he neither shall evil come upon us neither shall we see sword or famine And the Prophets shall become wind and the word is not in them that is mock at Gods menaces and
people which are a while without the Sun no sooner have a sight thereof but leap and clap their hands for joy as having now their light and life and comforts restored to them So long as men are under Tyranny and oppression which will be till the vial-plagues be gone what have they but night and darkness sorrows and vexations continually Now Christ rising in judgement removes these heavy yokes and burdens and plants peace and righteousness in the Earth Hence not only will the righteous shout for joy but the Lord every where praysed by all sorts of people even the whole Creation Fourthly 4. Iâ— being at rest and satisfied when he hath executed his judgments upon Apostates As no people by their sins do so much press and burden the Lord as back-sliders and luke-warm Professors so he is not at rest and satisfied until he have throughly executed his judgment upon them For this we have an example in the old Apostate Israel when they fell into the hands of their enemies were plundred and spoyl'd had their children ston'd and tumbled in blood their City and Temple burnt to ashes and all their power glory and greatness layd in the dust then God caused his fury to rest his jealousie to depart then was he quiet and still and angry no more The Lord seems to be troubled and unquiet before his judgment is executed but when that is once done especially upon an Hypocritical Nation then he is at rest pacified and comforted e Ezek. 5.13 Thus shall mine anger be accomplished and I will cause my fury to rest upon them and I will be COMFORTED and they shall know that I the Lord have spoken it in my zeal when I have accomplished my fury in them Again f Hos 10.10 It is my desire that I should chastise them As a man that longs for a thing is unsatisfied and restless till he have it so the Lord seeing them grown desperately wicked g IsI 1.24 Will ease himself with their just punishment Before Ionah had judgment past upon him h Jon. 1.4 15. There was a great wind and a mighty tempest in the sea the Lords displeasure and anger was up and let out but when Ionah was cast into the sea when justice was done upon him it is said the sea ceased from her raging God is quiet first then the waters So when judgment was executed upon Achan the Text saith i Josh 7.2.6 The Lord turned from the fierceness of his anger Again when judgment was executed upon the bloody house of Saul k 2 Sam. 21.14 After that God was intreated for the Land Till that was done the Lord was not at rest his jealousie and wrath ceased not The Lord threatens to bring the Assyrian upon the Iews who should take away their fair Jewels strip them and leave them naked and bare burn their houses and thrust them thorow with the sword and what then l Ezek. 16.42 So will I make my fury towards thee to rest and my jealousie shall depart from thee and I will be quiet and will be no more angry m Isa 10.25 The indignation shall cease and mine anger in their destruction as if he should say when I have destroyed them and layd all waste then I shall have ease my anger and fury will cease n Esth 7.10 They hanged Haman upon the gallows and then was the Kings wrath pacified And as the Lord is not quiet and satisfied till he have executed judgment upon Apostates neither is he at ease until he have done the like upon Luke-warm Professors o Rev. 3.16 Because thou art neither cold nor hot I will spue thee out of my mouth When a man hath something upon his stomack which he cannot brook but it is loathsome to him he hath no ease or quiet till he have cast it up They that are not hot having not the power of Godliness nor cold having yet the form they are a burden and trouble to Jesus Christ till he have by some judgment quitted himself of them For conclusion I have a few things to propound to the earth-thriving Professors of this age who are at ease in their fat places 1. Whether the Lord be not more prest and burdened with the sins of Revolters and luke-warm professors then with the sins of any other people 2. Whether any people since the rise of the Beast have made a greater revolt from God or have been more Luke-warm all things considered then the present English Revolters 3. Whether the latter Apostacie mentioned by Paul 2 Tim. 3.1 2 3. be not in every particular to the life fulfilled in them 4. Whether the Lord can be at rest satisfied and comforted till he have throughly executed his judgment upon such enemies of his Glory Cause and Kingdom 5. Seeing it is not the Dragon but his Tail that * Rev. 12.4 drew the third part of the Stars of Heaven and did cast them to the Earth I query 1. Who is meant by the Tail of the Dragon 2. Who are the fallen Stars 3. Unto which of the Apostacies do they belong for to one they must if not to both Seventhly 7. Because men weep for the punishment of their sins but not for their sins causing the punishment Because men mourn and weep for the punishment of their sins but not for their sins which caused the punishment As the Dog under the whip howls and cries for the pain but not for the fault and cause of his beating Thus did the old Jews when the Amorites came out against them and chased them as Bees do and destroyed them in Seir even unto Hormah p Deut. 1.44 45. They returned and wept before the Lord but the Lord would not hearken unto their voyce And why so because they lamented the loss of their Brethren but not their sins not their Apostacie Rebellion Vnbelief which provoked the Lord to smite them When news came that the English were kil'd like so many Flies in Hispaniola so shamefully destroyed as I think never the like dishonour and shame befel the Nation before the Lord by the judgment signally shewing his displeasure against them It is true there was fasting and mourning but why as the old Jews did Because their brethen were slain But was there any repenting of the Cause was there any sincere acknowledgment of the sins which had provoked the Lord so extreamly against them who like David spake then to the Lord * 1 Chron. 21.17 and said Is it not I that commanded the people to to be numbred even I it is that have sinned and done evil indeed But as for these sheep what have they done Let thine hand I pray thee O Lord my God be on me and on my fathers house but not on thy people that they should be plagued David had a weeping heart besides weeping eyes and was no Hypocrite But the Crocodile as some write having devoured a man weeps
as if they saw Death Hell and Judgment and all ready to take hold of them VVhen news was brought unto Lewis of the death of his Mother perceiving by the countenance of the messengers that they were ready to tell him something that would afflict his heart Let me pray first saith he and then speak what ye have to say A man may be sure it is a time of finding when he can experience not onely present fears remov'd but his spirit brought up into such a gracious frame as he can quietly hear any thing without dishonouring God through murmuring and sinful passions either in his thoughts speech or action Secondly It is a time of finding 2. It is a time of finding when the Spirit faints not but is kept lively up in the duty of seeking when the Lords people faint not in their SEEKING but are kept up and have life and power given them to persist and persevere to the end As fresh Oyl poured often into the Lamp preserves the light from going out so their groanings and cries cease not day nor night through fresh supplies of the Spirit o Isa 40.29 30 31. He giveth power to the faint and to them that have no might he encreaseth strength Even the youths shall faint and be weary and the young men shall utterly fall But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength they shall mount up with wings as Eagles they shall run and not be weary and they shall walk and not faint The meaning is whereas proud Hypocries p Psa 20.8 33.16 52.7 trusting to their own strength power parts gifts lose what they have and make Ship-wrack of all On the other side such as are poor and q 1 Cor. 1.27 28. despised things of the world r 2 Cor. 12.9 God makes his power to appear in their weakness For though Å¿ Joh. 15.5 of themselves they can do nothing yet he enables them t Phil. 4.13 to do any thing And when they seem u 2 Cor. 8 9 utterly spent they have a new supply of strength to enable them to bear up and hold out and thus x Phil. 1.6 he perfecteth the good work begun in them And indeed this is a gracious return of prayer when the soul is not onely strengthened and enabled to hold out but is sweetly raised and enlarged in the work Though we have not the thing we ask yet if we can sigh more and weep more for it then we did Here is a time of finding yea such a FINDING as it is much better sometimes to be kept up by fresh supplies of the Spirit in sighs and tears then to have presently what is ask'd As the Husbandman the more seed he sows the larger is his Crop at harvest Doth the Lord keep thee sowing in tears doth he supply thee with precious seed Oh it is a blessing of blessings thy reaping y Gal. 6.9.10 in due season shall be accordingly I know Satan and Hypocrites are ready to reproach us with the little profit we have by our mournings You have been say they these three or four years in tears nothing but sighing crying out against Self-seekers Oppressors Covenant-breakers but what hearing-time have ye had a Mal. 3.14 What profit is it that ye have walked mournfully before the Lord of Hosts To this we answer Whereas we have not fainted but have been kept up in the work all this time yea have had such fresh springs of encouragement and enlargement that our tears and sighing the last to be more then the first Hence we are satisfied that the ears of the Lord of Sabboth have been open to our prayers Many and great were the discouragements which b Mat. 15.21 22. c. the woman of Canaan met with when she besought Christ for her daughter 1. Christ goes away from her as if he would not hear her when she had followed him and gotten a word from him what was it truly a hard saying He is not sent unto such as she Well she faints not neither is weary but continues her cry Lord Lord have mercy upon me VVhat follows next that her request was unseemly unreasonable viz. To cast Childrens bread to Dogs A man would think whilst Christ carried himself thus towards her it was no time of finding whereas in truth she found him all the while I say all this time that these discouragements and temptations lay upon her it was A TIME OF FINDING But you will say How I answer both in keeping up her soul that she fainted not and in making way for the discovery of that great faith which he gave her So that it was better for the woman that she was defer'd a while and strengthened in the work then to have had her request sooner granted To you therefore my Brethren and Companions in Tribulation and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ this I would humbly send to you whereas the Lord hath strengthned you in mourning and crying against the Abominations of the last Apostacie it is not onely matter of comfort to assure you that there hath been a time of finding but also and note it well there is a blessing in it and much divine love Oh it is love indeed unspeakable when the Lord draws from us abundance of tears and groans and enables us to wait long before he gives the blessing A word likewise to our DISSENTING-BRETHREN whose mourning of late is turned into laughter and their heaviness to joy Josephs afflictions are no more remembred neither the oppression and cry of the poor and needy c Eccl. 7.4 Their heart is not now in the house of mourning but in the house of mirth As if they were placed in the earth as Leviathan in the Sea only to take their sport and pastime therein Here lies the difference between you and your Brethren you laugh and are more merry then you used to be because of the advantages you have by these corrupt times whereas your poor Brethren are more in tears and in bitterness of Soul these 3. or 4. yeers then they us'd to be for the great dishonor scandal and reproach which you have brought to the name of God and profession of Religion by assisting and justifying of mens INTEREST against the interest of Christ and his people hear what the Lord saith to both d Luk. 6.21 Blessed are ye that weep NOW for ye shall laugh e Ver. 25. Woe unto you that laugh NOW for ye shall mourn and weep 3. A time of finding when Saints rest fully satisfied in the things they ask Thirdly When Mourners have such a return of prayer as they rest fully satisfied therein My meaning is the Lord perswades their hearts that he will so answer the travel of their Souls as all things shall work together to his Glory and their comfort and content and thus had Paul a time of finding when the Lord told