out of the horns of Antichrist How the Stone has been at work among us whereby that whole Church and State with the pomp power and greatness of it was overturned What Parties and Instruments were laid aside as being short of spirit for the business of that day and what Laws Constitutions and Customs were cast off as Antichristian and opposite to the work then in hand Add to all these what a mighty Witness of God unto all these proceedings in a continued series of Salvations and Victories over all that rose up against us and then may we not conclude That the things that were then on foot among us were the first fruits and earnests of those precious Promises and not as too much cause has of late been given to say the productions of policy headiness or delusion to say nothing what most deep and sweet impressions were upon our hearts from the word of promise concerning the Kingdom of Christ and downfal of Babylon we have had two observable signs that the time or the Promise wherein the Lord will do great things is at hand the one is a most peculiar and distinguishing presence of the Lord by inward Refreshings of Spirit and outward Dispensations of Mercy which was with us whilst our hearts went after the Lord and our Principles and Proceedings were in a subserviency to his Cause and Kingdom when others whose aims and ends were more National and mixt with worldly interest were laid aside left in the dark and under visible rebukes So great a difference has the Lord made between these who sat down in a meer civil and worldly Reformation and others who pressed after better hopes viz the fulfilling of Promises and a full subjection of all things to the Word and Spirit must needs be taken for a singular Evidence to give light unto us which way the work and design of the Lord lies at this day The other sign is the sad clouds of displeasure that are now upon us that gracious and lively presence that brought us out from our former Egyptian darkness and slavery and by a strong hand led us through many dark and difficult paths in the beginning of the day is much departed from off our Councils Camp solemn Assemblies Laws are given unto us that are not good and Statutes whereby we cannot live our Rulers are many of them such as know not Joseph the faithful Servants of Christ such as had no heart unto or communion with that great Affair and Interest of Christ once on foot the Military Power which was as a new sharp threshing Instrument against us Babylon is now become a prey to the Heathen or as Hirelings under a forreign Prince the cause and truth once so dear and highly owned now as to any visible progress of it under a sentence of death so that we may say we have sown much and bring in little we looked for much and lo it comes to little the Lord hath blown upon it because his House lies wast Haggai proved to Israel That the visible discountenance that was upon all their publick and private concernments from the Lord was a sign That the time was come that the Lords House should be built even so clouds of displeasure from God returning again after such a morning of successes and blessings as has been upon us ought to be a sign unto us that the Lord hath great things yet to do among us and that it is time for us to awake and go on with the Work that has been begun among us Now let us enquire what Works the Lord is about and wherein his Saints should be found waiting upon him at this day there are some Rules which in this Point have given light unto the Church of God in former Ages and lately in our time and may be further useful to us in this day for our satisfaction herein First Rule The Word upon which we were made to hope in the day of our greatest difficulties and straits and in the strength and comfort wherein we suffered so many things when God sets it upon the heart of his People to wait for some word some spiritual Promise to be made good and to undergo many things for the obtaining thereof that is the Work of that day God made a Promise to Abraham four hundred and fifty years afore it came to passe when the time of the Promise drew nigh God put it upon Moses heart after him upon Joshuah to go up and possess the good Land David had a Word that he should be King he bore up himself upon this word through a long series of conflicts and troubles till the things was done In the late Warrs those who bare the burden and heat of that day had a Word whereupon they leaned which consisted of many Promises shewing a more full and glorious Reformation to be set up in the World wherein Jesus Christ in all his Offices Laws and Commands should be more visibly owned and exalted and Babylon in all her interests thrown down This was that Word that was a Guide and a Strength to many among us in the troubles and perplexities of that day and not the Policy and Power of this World Second Rule Observe of what nature were these breathings of the Spirit and the impressions that were wrought thereby upon the most enlightened faithful and praying part of the People while we were following God in the way of his Judgements among us the Work God is about begins in the heart of his People for if the Secret of the Lord is with them that fear him when a People are in the Work of God following Jesus Christ through many sore Tryals and hardships then observe what things in that day lay with most weight upon their hearts and what the stirrings and movings of the Spirit with the Word were then amongst them and there the Work of God her Psalm 102.13 14. Thou shalt arise and have mercy upon Sion for the time to favour her yea the set time is come for thy Servants take pleasure in her stones and favour the dust thereof When God begins to awake the spirit of his People to call them out of their darkness security and carnal interests and puts upon them a gracious sense of the condition of Sion and to look and long and cry to the Lord for her building up then is the time at hand 1 Chron. 11. When the Lord would turn the Kingdom from the House of Saul unto David then he stirred up all Israel to come and make David King It may be observed whilst the Spirit of the Lord remained in the lively and fresh gales and actings of it upon our publick Instruments and Camp Council and Assemblies there was such a sense upon their hearts that the Kingdom of Christ might be promoted both in Civils and Spirituals and the remaining posts and pillars all the limbs and branches of Antichristianisme might be broke to pieces and carried them with a lively zeal and
their own duty and as would be led out through that confusion at this day among us of contrary principles affections and interests unto a right Judgement therein it being to be rationally concluded that if all things are to continue as they were and no new thing to be done that then those high Interests lately contended for and all wayes and means put in practise for the obtaining thereof are to be condemned as which had a tendencie to introduce a new state of things and the present course into which things are since put is rather to be justified as tending to reduce us unto the old as on the other hand if the Lord has not yet brought forth that which he intended in his mighty Works among us and has further things to do this may be a foundation of encouragement unto all the Friends and Followers of Christ to proceed in their former Faith Fervency Prayer and in all suitable wayes and means for the help and furtherance thereof notwithstanding the unbelief opposition and advantage of present visible proceedings contrary thereunto The grounds we have to hold out for our belief and hope in this thing that God hath been and is in these dayes doing some new and extraordinary things are First A freshness of spirit that hath been among us Zech. 4.6 Not by might nor by power but by my Spirit saith the Lord of Hosts The experience of former and latter Ages may tell us that God has had his times of going away and returning to his Place leaving his People and the World without any visible tokens or eminent appearances of his Power in such seasons the Spirit has run low and faint only in such a measure as might preserve his People in a life of conflict and warfare and his times of coming forth again out of his Place when he has had some new work to do and then has he alwayes given a new and fresh Spirit suitable to the work he had in hand It is said 1 Sam. 16.13 14. The Spirit of the Lord came upon David from that day forward but the Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul and an evil spirit from the Lord troubled him The like was seen in our dayes While the Lord took away his Spirit from many Wise Mighty and Noble among us and sent darkness famine and withering into their hearts and confusion upon their counsels at the same time he put a Spirit of Faith and Power upon a despised sort of men which was as marrow and fatness to their bones There is a word in Isaiah 10.27 The yoak shall be destroyed because of the anointing The principal end and effect of the divers and sundry Dispensations of Spirit which God has renewed to former Generations at least in later times has been to regain unto Christ and his Church out of the hands of Antichrist some of those rights and concernments which during the long time of darkness and tyranny have been concealed or forcibly detained from them The like effect had that Spirit that was put upon a People among us Many pretious Truths and Priviledges the light and comfort whereof was denyed to our fore-fathers were discovered and many heavy yokes of spiritual and civil bondage long continued upon their necks were broken and destroyed by that Spirit that remained among us Oh what blessedness did this Spirit bring with it if it be but remembred what light and certainty it gave of the presence of God with us what discerning of the time what a strong savour and rellish of spiritual things and what earnest longings and pressings after a better state of things built upon the foundations of Righteousness and Truth The clear shining forth of new Covenant light out of the former mists of Antichristian obscurity was that which begot this Spirit in the hearts of many the setting up of Christ in the more full and unlimited exercise of his Kingly Power and Authority over all things both in Church and Nation was that end it pressed after the taking out of the way all Parties and Interests that had or might hinder the obtaining of this end was that work it was with much zeal and success exercised about Such a freshness of spirit was never nor can it be conceived was of late given forth but in order to the ushering in some new and further work into the World Secondly The works of Providence drawn out in a continued line and series of deliverances unto a praying People next unto those inward impressions of the quickening Spirit are a signal testimony unto us that God is doing some new and better thing in the World When the Works of God in a Nation grow up to that height and eminency as like a tide to bear down all before them then they are to be observed and heeded as signes and tokens as the Voice of God unto that people signifying what are his present Counsels and Works he is determined to do It is said in the Psalm 105.26 27 28. He sent Moses his servant and Aaron whom he had chosen they shewed his signes among them and wonders in the Land of Ham He sent darkness and made it dark and they rebelled not against his Word The Signs God wrought for Israel upon Egypt and his Appearances for them in the Wilderness did shew that the time of their Redemption was come that he would bring them to the promised Rest Once it was that the Lord kept us under a low condition of spirit faith and courage and as to the outward Man under a state of subjection and suffering under the heavy yoaks of the Antichristian Task-masters and for a long time held his peace leaving us without any signes and tokens in a visible way then was a time for us to sit still things being dark while the Lord was silent but having been since raised up into hopes and expectations that a day and time of great things was at hand and this not the work of fancies but of the Spirit of Faith and Prayer upon the foundation of glorious Promises and God also having gone before us in many eminent appearances one upon another all tending to make way for the bringing in some better thing then yet is seen This is unto us one among other the sober and good grounds we have to proceed in prayer and waitings for that Excellent State of things to break forth whereof some former tastes and glimpses we have had already the present interruption and stop put upon the work to the contrary notwithstanding Isaiah saith Chap. 43.3 I gave Egypt for thee Ethiopia and Sheba for thee May it not be said that the Lord gave whole Nations into our hands and all those parties that rose up one after another upon this account because they set themselves against a Cause and People that God had among us Let us but observe who all those that have appeared in evill will and designs against this Cause have been sadly left of God unto
When a deep sleep of security in present things has taken hold upon many then to have the eyes open and heart awake pressing forward towards things before is a sign of a people of another spirit 4. A people that follow the Lord fully which way soever he goes that whilst others are taken off by fear of difficulty worldly advantage or some cunning pretences will not be prevailed with to decline or cast off the Lord and the Work he is about such are a people of another spirit whilst Rulers Army and Churches were all as one for the Work of the Lord Jesus among us and many outward successes and incouragements were cast in and the owning thereof was the way to advancement in the World an ordinary and common spirit might follow the Lord in such a day but when all these props and foundations are shaken and the streams of interests affairs is turned into another channel against the Work and Promise of God then to be lovers and followers of the Lord Jesus his glorious Cause and Interest when it lies under such contempt and death as this is the work of a very choice and excellent spirit when the Spies returned Numb 13.27 They told Moses and said we came unto the Land whither thou sentest us and surely it floweth with Milk and Honey and this is the fruit of it neverthelesse the people be strong that dwell in the Land and the Cities are walled and very great and moreover we saw the children of Anak there and all Israel cryed and wept that night and said let us make a Captain and let us return into Egypt but Caleb and Joshua were of another spirit By the tastes we have had of Gospel light and Reformation of the Government of Christ Kingdom of late very many are ready to say that the Land is good and pleasant for Gods People to be under a Government of Gods making under Rulers of Gods annointing is blessed as it is but a reasonable thing but this Kingdom say they being not of this World will not be received nor subjected to by the World nor can it be set up but by a shaking and pulling to pieces the Kingdomes of the World as to the foundation they now stand upon wherefore it being a business of so great trouble difficulty and danger before it can be attained let us make say many among us a Captain and let us return into Egypt or let us sit down on this side Iordan with the enjoyment of our ease and quiet rather then seek or make out after such a Kingdom with the losse of all This is a low unworthy Spirit having little love to the Glory and Excellency of Christ and his Kingdom the Lord will prepare a People of another Spirit that will strengthen one another to go on until all the Enemies of Christ and his People be put under our feet 2. As the Lord will choose among his People such as are of another Spirit so he will have a People of more refined and excellent Principles then are commonly found among us Principles are the springs of Actions no man can act above his Principles a man of gracious noble and refined Principles is appointed for some excellent service and finer work then other men now the excellency of a mans Principles lies in their spirituality in how much they have of Christ and Grace above other men A man that has more communion with God with free-grace in Christ then others is a man of more excellent Principles Mens Principles cannot alwayes be judged by their Profession but their Profession may be judged off by their Principles a man of low and servile Principles may make a great shew and high profession before the World as Israel when brought out of Egypt having received the Oracles having seen great Wonders no Nation like to Israel yet had in them a strong sence and savour of Egypt still in their hearts they went back to Egypt so we of this Nation have been a People of great deliverances under astonishing Dispensations so that it was said of us what Nation like to ours what Mercies like to Englands Mercies Yet we are generally of low servile slavish and fearful Principles savouring much of that state whereunto we were first in Bondage how and who in our Principles are below the Dispensations that have been upon us and the work of God has further to do in the World may appear by considering what Principles they are that do prevail most at this day among us 1. They may be known what they are by our sitting down in an outward state of peace quiet and safety well contented and at ease therein while a full and thorow Reformation and the Mercies promised to the Church in the latter dayes are not sought after David was of far other Principles of a choicer Spirit 2 Sam 7.1 2. And it came to passe when the King sat in his house and the Lord had given him rest round about from all his enemies yet the King said unto Nathan the Prophet See now I dwell in an house of Cedar but the Ark of God dwelleth within Curtains This Principle is wanting where an outward deliverance and peace is so used and sat down in as yet the Work of the Lord is not carried on Though thou hast lain among the pets I will make thee as the wings of a Dove I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh henceforth there shall no more come into thee the uncircumcised and the unclean Great goodness is promised to the Church in the latter dayes the Spirit of grace deliverance enlargement dominion and exaltation these things were sought after by the People of God among us of late and in pursuance thereof they went some dayes journeys following the Lord through dark and dangerous paths but are now sat down by the way in a low wearied unbelieving and slavish Spirit having little or no spirit to the things formerly pressed after Gen. 49.14 15. Issachar is a strong Asse couching down between two burthens and he saw that rest was good and the Land that it was pleasant and bowed his shoulder to bear and he became a seavant unto tribute But Dan shall judge his people as one of the Tribes of Israel In like manner after a little breathing space has been given us from our former troubles finding that rest was good and a condition of quiet and peace was sought so that we might enjoy our ceiled houses lands offices merchandizing c. how are many among us willing to put their necks again under the yoaks and to deliver up and let go the opportunity and power that was in their hands to have redeemed themselves and to have raised up that Work and Building the foundation whereof was laid with the price of so much precious bloud But you will say What is that Work that is to be carried on It is said the Iron was mixt without Clay it should signifie the heathenish worldly Civil
courage through all oppositions difficulties and temptations in that day to the contrary Third Rule Consider which way the Works of Providence looked that were formerly done amongst us and whither they tended though Providence when it is alone is not any certain Rule to go by yet when the Works of God and his Word and Spirit go altogether when a People have his Word and Spirit stirring them up unto a Work and Providences coming in one upon another to carry them out in it then are Providences to be heeded as signs of the times and of the Work God is about Psalm 105.26 He sent Moses his Servant and Aaron whom he had chosen they shewed his signs among them and wonders in the Land of Ham. The Works God wrought for Israel in Egypt and the Wildernesse was as Gods manifestation to the Nations who were his People and what he was about when a People are engaged in a cause upon holy and righteous Principles the Promises Prophecies and Truths of the latter dayes and God is seen going forth before them working glorious Deliverances for them this is a lowd Testimony What is the Work God is determined to do in such a day Psalm 105.14 15. He suffered no man to do them wrong yea he reproved Kings for their sakes saying touch not mine Annointed and do my Prophets no harm How like to this the dealing of God with England of late have been may appear whosoever shall remember what an eye of peculiar respect and favour the Lord had upon a People among us what a choice and blessed Spirit a despised People had whereby many wise and honourable among us were confounded What power to bind Kings in chains and Nobles in fetters of iron How no weapon that was formed against them could prosper Moreover how the Lord stretched the line of confusion and the stones of emptinesse over all such constitutions and interests as had been props and pillars for the upholding the old Antichristian and worldly pomp pride and greatnesse if the aim and tendencie of these Providences be considered it is easie to ghesse what the Work of God is at this day Fourth Rule Take notice what things have fallen out upon a People among us since they left the Work of the Lord they were first about to build their own houses since they left their first love and labour and patience and zeal in that Work and are joyned to another Interest As soon as Saul failed in the Work of the Lord 1 Sam. 16.14 The Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul and an evil spirit from the Lord troubled him That Spirit he had for the Lord and the work of Reformation left him and he was turned to hate the same Spirit when it came upon David It is a true observation where the Spirit of God is seen in the most gracious lively and warmest workings of it there are the choicest Servants of God and there is his Work carrying on What a blessed Spirit was there upon a People among us What zeal did it work what indignation what godly sorrow for miscarriages what purging of themselves from the old leaven what pressing on towards a thorow Reformation and the good things of the latter dayes how is this Spirit I would I could not say it departed from them Object But wherein does it appear that that Spirit has left them Answ It appears by their principles and designs the Spirit of God acts upon holy and gracious Principles and unto holy and noble ends a People led by the Spirit of God do act upon such Principles as are spiritual the Word of God Faith in the Promises Love to Christ to his Saints to the breathings of the Spirit in them to Righteousness and Holiness now where you see these Principles left and slighted and others took up worldly power and pollicy and conjunction with them that either left the Work formerly or were enemies to it and practises tending to pour contempt upon the blessed Cause and Interest of Christ among us and upon all those that would still be faithful to it untill the Kingdomes of this World become the Kingdome of our Lord this is not the Spirit of God you may be assured that does such things The spirits of any thing are known by the breath or savour it yeilds Thou savourest not the things that be of God but the things that be of man where we find a strong scent and savour in our own hearts or others of the flesh-pots and onyons an hankering after the treasures of Egypt the pomp preferments titles and honors the constitutions and interests of those that the Lord cast out before us to be like the Nations in Government State Designs and Manners there we may fear the Spirit of the Lord as to any further work is departed Moreover since many left off following the Lord fully we see not our signs and tokens of Gods wonder working Providence as formerly Exod. 33.16 Wherein shall it be known here that I and thy People have found grace in thy sight is it not in that thou goest with us so shall we be separated I and thy People from all the People that are upon the face of the earth Whilst there was a People among us that were faithful with the Lord and his Saints and had a heart to the glorious things God hath for his Church the Lord Jesus went forth before them as General and put the feir of them upon all that were about them but since then what frowns from Heaven what tokens of displeasure have been upon us both at Sea and Land whereby all things drive heavily at home fears and confusion abroad wasting and consuming upon their Armies now observe in what walk and way we had the Lord present among us and how since then he has withdrawn himself from us and thence we may gather where his Work lies at this day Now then if you judge these Rules to be such as may give any certain light to resolve us in the question The Work the Lord our God is about at this day is a choice Work and a great Work and beyond the ordinary wayes and Dispensations of God in times past First The Lord is forming a People for himself purifying and fitting a People to follow Christ in those special Services wherein his Glory is more eminently concerned if the Works that God has done in the midst of us be in order to some greater things he has yet to do then will he sanctifie and prepare a People that shall understand the Work of the Lord and serve him therein Psal 110.2 Rule thou in the midst of thine Enemies thy People shall be willing in the day of thy power in the beauties of holiness They that shall be of the most ready and willing spirit to serve Christ in the Work of his Kingdom shall be a People of more grace and holiness then others a People that shall have Faith and Love to Christ and Zeal for
his Kingdom and Glory burning more upon their hearts then others have The Promises shew of this thing frequently Isai 4.3 And it shall come to passe that he that is left in Sion and he that remaineth in Jerusalem shall be called holy even every one that is written among the living in Jerusalem When the Lord is about to establish his Church above all Mountains all other Kingdomes and People in the World he will first cause them to separate and come out from the sins and uncleannesses of the World and will make them a People fitted to enjoy the glory of that day to be as Saviours upon Mount Sion and to judge the Mount of Esau The Warrs and changes that have been among us call for this too they have been as fires to purifie us from our sins and Idols though many are since gone back to commit fornication with them again The desolations and troubles that do at this time threaten the Nations all about us seem to be as signes and tokens to all that are wise hearted among us to prepare to meet the Lord Jesus in his Judgements he is above when ye see these things begin to come to passe then lift up your heads and look up This will be better understood by making a more particular enquiry what manner of Work that is wherein God will fit his People and make them ready to follow Jesus Christ in the things he is about First We may look that he will put another spirit upon his People then that is which is generally found at this day among the People of God a chosen People a picked People become those Works God has promised to do in the latter dayes If an Honorable Person had a Negotiation which concerned his Honour and Estate he would employ such Persons about it as would become such a Master and of abilities for such a Service Or if a great Prince were about to shew himself openly to be seen before his Subjects he would choose a Train of such Persons to attend upon him as should set off the glory and splendor of his Royal Person before the people The Works wherein the Lord Jesus will glorifie himself and be more eminently exalted he will choose such choice and precious Saints and Servants to be about him therein as that by the Grace and Blessedness which they shall shew forth his Glory shall shine forth the more there is so much dross and Tin mingled with our Gold so much of worldly spirit in excess pomp designs seeking and receiving honour and promotions so much of a carnal frame in debates envyings stripes backbitings whisperings swellings tumults and so much of an Antichristian spirit is found among us in joyning interests with Babylon confederacies with her Kings building up again her horned power hankering after her customes manners laws worldly splendor and greatness that whilst we are in such a condition as this God will commit no eminent or special service or trust unto us such a people are not in a condition fit to attend upon the Lord Jesus in his great Works he has to do among us Whilst the People of God among us were seeking after some better things in the Spirit of Grace with Faith Singleness and Purity the Lord was among them by a very gracious and wonderful Presence but sith they have left their first Loves and have forgot their first Works and are sat down in the middle way the Lord is seeking a People of another spirit who will follow him fully in the Works he has promised to do in these last days Now we may know such a People a People of another spirit where the following characters are found 1. In dayes of division and distemper of corruption and falling away from their first Love fervency of Spirit the simplicity savour and Spirit of Christ and Gospel-conformity unto security and rest from whence come uncleannesse lasciviousnesse strife wrath and heresies a People that in such dayes are growing in their Light love Purity and Zeal for Christ his Work and Kingdom are a People of another Spirit of such a Spirit as the Lord seeks for for such a Spirit was Paul and some few in his time 2. After a Reformation has begun in the Churches of God when the old leaven the constitutions and customes made in the time of Antichristian blindness and Idolatry are establisht and kept up among them or when a People in a Nation who were coming out of Babylon delivered from the yoaks and by a great deal of conviction through many wonders of Providence called to come out of the corruptions of the World shall return back again to bondage either by confederacies with Babylons friends mingling with their manners or taking the golden wedge if in such dayes as this there be any that continue in their love and zeal to Jesus Christ his Kingdom a thorow Reformation of things until all power be put into his hands and do shew forth the same by following all holy and righteous wayes and means for the promoting thereof in the World such are a people of another spirit such a spirit as this was in Elijah Phineas David Nehemiah and some others in their time and in the worthy Reformers of later times Zech. 12.10 I will pour upon them the spirit of grace and supplication and they shall look upon me who they have pierced and shall mourn for him The Lord will have such a people as shall be deeply affected with Christ and with a sense of the dishonor and reproach that lies upon him his cause and interest in these last times 3. When the signs of the times are not discerned nor heeded nor the Works and Mind of God pointed at thereby is not closed withall a great security and unbelief and a lazy luke-warm indifferency generally prevailing as to the things which concern the promised Kingdom and Glory of Christ and the overturning of all that which letteth whosoever shall then be found upon their watch in supplications and searchings mourning for the sins of the times refusing to bow to the Kings Image opening their window towards Jerusalem that is praying for the Redemption of the Church of Christ and enquiring out the time such are a people of another spirit such a people the Lord seeks for as a people fit to follow him wait upon him of such an excellent spirit was Daniel and the men of Issachar Noah Jeremiah and others As he is a man of a mean low base spirit that can be content Christ should have a little place in his heart and the old Man a great deal so it is a note of a people of a low and unworthy spirit not fit for any eminent service for Christ that are content with a little of Christs Righteousness and Reformation in a Nation well satisfied so they may live in peace and ease and plenty though Christ have not the swaying over-ruling Power in the publick and highest matters that are done among them