of all Nations for 4000 years most importunately sought after by the men of that generation where in he came yet doing great and unexpected things at his comming who who was able to abide it This sayes Simeon will be the Issue of it Luk. 2. 34 35. He shall be for the fall and rise of many and the thoughts of many hearts shall be revealed Hence is that exclamation Mal. 3. 2. Who may abide the day of his comming and who shall stand when he appeareth his comming is desired indeed but few can beare it his day will burne as an oven as a furnace ch. 4. 1. some are over heated by it some consume in it blessed are they that abide this is one cause of the perplexing of the spirits of men The consideration of the things themselves that are done being above and beyond their expectations and this even many of the Saints of God are born down under at this day They little looked for the blood and banishment of Kings change of Government Alteration of Nations such shakings of Heaven and Earth as have insued not considering that he who doth these things weighs all the nations in a ballance and the Rulers of them are as the dust thereof before him 2. From the manner whereby God will doe these things many perplexing killing circumstances attend his dispensations I shall instance only in one and that is darknesse and obscurity whereby he holds the minds of men in uncertainty and suspence for his own glorious ends such he tels us shall his day the workes thereof be Zech. 14. 6 7. And it shall come to passe in that day that the light shall not be cleare nor dark But it shall be one day which shall be known to the Lord not day nor night but it shall come to passe that at evening-time it shall be light Men shall not know what to make of it nor what to judge he brings not forth his work all at once but by degrees and sometimes sets it backward and leads it up and down as he did his people of old in the wildernesse that none might know where they should fall or settle and he that beleeveth will not make hast When God is doing great things he delights to wrap them up in the clouds to keep the minds of men in uncertainties that he may set on work all that is in them and try them to the utmost whether they can live upon his care and wisdome when they see their own care and wisdome will doe no good Men would faine come to some certainty and commonly by the thoughts and wayes whereby they presse unto it they put all things into more uncertainty then ever and so promote the designe of God which they so studiously endeavour to decline Hence is that description of the presence of the Lord in his mighty works Psal 18. 9 11. darknesse was under his feet men could not see his pathes c. He hath Ends of surprisall hardning and destruction towards some for which they must be left unto their owne spirits and led into many snares and by-pathes for their Triall and the Exercise of others which could not be accomplished did he not come in the clouds and were not darknesse his Pavilion and his secret place on this Account is that cry of men of prophane and hardned spirits Isai 5. 19. Let him make speed and hasten his work that we may see it and let the counsell of the holy one of Israel draw nigh that we may know it They know not what to make of what they see of all that as is yet done or accomplished they would have the whole work out that they might once see the end of it and so know what to judge they would be at a point with him and not alwayes kept at those perplexing uncertainties and this is another cause of the trouble of mens spirits in consideration of the dispensations of God God still keeps a cloud hanging over and they know not when it will fall nor what will be done in the issue of things this makes some weary of waiting on him and with the profane King of Israel to cry this evill is of the Lord there is no end confusion will be the issue of all why should I abide any longer 3. The Lusts of men doe commonly under such dispensations fearfully and desperately tumultuate to the disturbance of the most setled and weighed spirits Satan takes advantage to draw them out in such a season to the utmost both in spiritualls and Civills What will be the constant deportment of men of corrupt minds in such a time our Saviour sets forth Math. 24. 8. They shall come in the name of Christ to deceive and shall deceive many and cause iniquity to abound In such a day Edom will appeare an enemy and Ephraim with the sonne of Remeliah will joyne with Syriah for the vexing of Iudah hence are perplexities and swords piercing through the very soules of men Take an instance in the daies wherein we live From the beginning of the contests in this Nation when God had caused your spirits to resolve that the Liberties Priviledges and Rights of this Nation wherewith you were intrusted should not by his assistance be wrested out of your hands by violence oppression and injustice this he also put upon your hearts to vindicate and assert the Gospell of Jesus Christ his waies and his Ordinances against all opposition though you were but inquiring the way to Syon with your faces thitherward God secretly entwining the Interest of Christ with yours wrapt up with you the whole Generation of thē that seek his face prospered your affairs on that accoūt so that whereas causes of as clear a righteousnes among the sonnes of men as yours have come to nothing yet your undertaking hath bin like the sheaf of Ioseph in the midst of the Nations which hath stood up when all the others have bowed to the ground being then convinced that your affaires have fallen under his promises and have come up to an acceptance before him solely upon the account of their subserviency to the Interest of Christ God hath put it into your hearts to seek the propagation of his Gospel What now by the lusts of men is the state of things Say some there is no Gospell at all say others if there be you have nothing to doe with it some say loe here is Christ others loe there some make Religion a colour for one thing some for another say some the Magistrate must not support the Gospell say others the Gospell must subvert the Magistrate say some your rule is only for men as men you have nothing to doe with the interest of Christ and the Church say others you have nothing to doe to rule men but upon the account of being Saints If you will have the Gospell say some down with the Ministers of it Chemarims Locusts c. and if you will have light take
his family unto his children a master as a master to his servants if you will justifie your selves as Fathers or Rulers of your Country you 'll find in your account this to be incumbent on you 2 Take heed of thē that would temper clay iron things that will not mingle that would compound carnall and fleshly things with heavenly things and spirituall that they may not intangle your Spirits the great disigne of grasping temporall power upon a spirituall account will prove at last to be the greatest badge of Antichrist hitherto God hath appeared against it and will no doubt to the end if either you by the Authority God hath given you in the world shall take upon you to rule the house of God as formally such as his house though you rule the persons whereof is it made up or those who are or pretend to be of that house to rule the world on that account your day theirs will be nigh at hand 4. Now because you wait on God for direction in reference to the propagation of the Gospell and the preventing that which is contrary to sound doctrine and godlynesse I shall very briefly give you to this end some Principles whereon you may rest in your actings and some rules for your diectiron and so draw to a close 1. Take in the first place what God hath promised concerning Magistrates Kings Rulers Judges and Nations and their subserviency to the Church what God hath promised they shall doe that is their duty to doe he hath not measured out an Inheritance for his people out of the sins of other men let us a little view some of these promises and then consider their application to the truth we have in hand and what is cleared out unto us by them they are many I shall instance in some of the most obvious and eminent Esai 1. 26. I will restore their Judges and Priests and Councellours as at the beginning it is to Syon redeemed purged washed in the blood of Christ that this promise is made Esai 49. 7. Kings shall see and arise and Princes shall bow down themselves The Jewes being for the greatest part of them rejected upon the comming of Christ this promise is made unto him upon his powring out of the spirit for the bringing in of the Gentiles as it is farther enlarged v. 22 23. Kings shall be thy nursing Fathers and their Queenes thy nursing Mothers Isai 60. looks wholy this way taste of the nature and intendment of the whole And the Gentiles shall come to thy light and kings to the brightnesse of thy rising Therefore thy gates shall be open continually they shall not be shut day nor night that mē may bring unto thee the forces of the Gentiles and that their kings may be brought Thou shalt also suck the milke of the Gentiles and shalt suck the brest of kings and thou shalt know that I the Lord am thy saviour thy redeemer the mighone of Jacob For brasse I will bring gold and for iron I will bring silver and for wood brasse and for stones iron I will also make thy officers peace and thine exactours righteousnesse v. 3. and the 11. and the 16. 17. to which adde the accomplishment of all those promises mentioned Revel. 11 15. and 21. 24. You see here are glorious promises in the literall Expression looking directly to what we assert concerning the subserviency of Rulers to the Gospell and the duty of Magistrates in supporting the interest of the Church let us concerning them observe these three things as 1. to whom they are made 2. on what occasion they are given 3. what is the subject or matter of them in generall 1. Then they are all given and made to the Church of Christ after his comming in the flesh and his putting an end to all ceremoniall typicall carnall Institutions for 1 They are every where attended with the circumstances of calling the Gentiles and their flowing in to the Church which were not accomplished till after the destruction of the Iewish Church c. So is the case in that which you have Isai 49 v 20. The children which thou shalt have after thou hast lost the other shall say againe in thine eares The place is too straight for me give place to me that I may dwell It shall be when the Church shall have received the new Children of the Gentiles having lost the other of the Iewes which he expresseth mgre at larg v 22. Thus saith the Lord God Behold I will lift up mine hand to the Gentiles and set up my standard to the people and they shall bring thy sonnes in their armes and thy daughters shall be carried upon their shoulders So also are the rest When God gives the Nations to be the inheritance of Christ the Holy Ghost cautions Rulers and Judges to kisse the son pay the homage due to him in his Kingdome Psal 2 10 11 2 Because these promises are pointed unto as accomplished to the Christian Church in that place in the Revelation before mentioned And the seaventh angell sounded and there were great voices in heaven saying The Kingdomes of this world are become the Kingdomes of our Lord and of his Christ and he shall reigne for ever and ever Chap 11 15 And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it and the Kings of the earth doe bring their glory and honour into it Chap 21 24 So that there are plainly promises of Kings and Princes Iudges and Rulers to be given to the Church and to be made usefull thereunto and Kingdomes and Nations people in their Rules and Governments to be instrumentall to the good thereof so that these promises belong directly to us and our Rulers if under any notion we belong to the Church of Christ 2. Fot the Occasion of these promises it is well knowne what a trust by Gods own appointment there was invested in the Rulers Judges Kings and Magistrates of the judaicall State and Church under the old Testament in reference unto the wayes and worship of God the prosecution and execution of the Laws of God concerning his house and service being committed to them further when they faithfully discharg'd their trust promoting the worship of God according to his Institutions incouraging supporting directing reproving others to whom the immediate and peculiar administration of things sacred were committed destroying removing what ever was an abomination unto the Lord it was well with the whole people and Church they florished in Peace and the Lord delighted in them and rejoyced over them to doe them good and on the other side their neglect in the discharg of their duty was then commonly attended with the Apostacy of the Church and great breakings forth of the Indignation of the Lord this the Church found in those dayes and bewailed To hold out therefore the happy state of his people that he would bring in he promises them such Rulers and Judges as
that they shall have Judges as at the first Isa 1. 26. Such as in justice and judgement shall beare rule over them and among them as the first Judges whom he stirred up and gave to his ancient people Their Officers shall be Peace and their Exactors righteousnesse Isai. 60. 17. even the very Gospell which they doe receive is only able to instruct them to be just ruling in the feare of the Lord for that only effectually teacheth the sonnes of men to live righteously soberly and Godly in this present World Tit 2. 12. 2. And for the second innumerable are the promises that are given to such a people whence the Psalmist concludes upon the consideration of the mercies they doe and shall enjoy happy is the People whose God is the Lord Psal 144. 15. The glorious God will be to them a place of rivers and broad waters in which no Gally with oares nor gallant Ship shall passe by the Lord will be their redeemer Law-giver King and Saviour Isai 33. 21. It will interest any people in all the promises that are made for the using of the Church to thresh break destroy burthen fire consume and slay the enemies thereof so farre shall a people be from suffering under the hands of oppressors that the Lord will use them for the breaking and destruction of the Nimrods of the Earth and this blessing of the Nations doe they receive by the faith of Abraham 3. The rejection of the Gospell by any people or Nation to whom it is tendred is alwaies attended with the certain and inevitable destruction of that people or Nation which sooner or later shall without any help or deliverance be brought upon them by the revenging hand of Christ When the word of Grace was rejected and despised by the Jewes the messengers of it professedly turning to the Gentiles Act 13. 46. and chap. 28. v. 28. God removing it from them unto a Nation that would bring forth fruit Math. 21. 43. As it did in all the World or among all Nations for a season Col 1. 6 With what a fearfull and tremendous desolation he quickly wasted that people is known to all he quickly slew and destroyed those Husbandmen that spoyled his vineyard and let it forth unto others that might bring him his fruit in due season Hence when Christ is tendred in the Gospell the Judges and Rulers of the Nations are exhorted to obedience to him upon paine of being destroyed upon the refusall thereof Psal 2. 12. And we have the experience of all Ages ever since the day that the Gospell began to be propagated in the World The quarrell of it was revenged on the Jewes by the Romans upon the Romans by the Goths Vandalls and innumerable barbarous Nations and the vengeance due to the Antichristian World is at hand even at the doore The Lord will certainly make good his promise to the utmost that the Kingdoms and Nations which will not serve the Church even that Kingdome and those Nations shall utterly perish Isai. 60. 12. 4. That it is the duty of Magistrates to seeke the good peace and prosperity of the people committed to their charge and to prevent obviate remove take away every thing that will bring confusion destruction desolation upon them as Mordecai procured good things for his people and prosperity to his kindred Esther 10. 4. And David describes himselfe with all earnestnesse pursuing the same designe Ps 101. Magistrates are the Ministers of God for the good universall good of them to whom they are given Rom. 13. 14. and they are to watch and apply themselves to this very thing v. 6. And the reason the Apostle gives to stirre up the Saints of God to pray amongst all sorts of men in speciall for Kings and those that are in Authority to wit that they may in generall come to the knowledge of the faith and be saved and in particular discharge the duty and trust committed to them for on that account are they to pray for them as Kings and men in Authority is that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all Godlinesse honesty 1 Tim: 2. 1 2 3 4. It being incumbent on them to act even as Kings and men in Authority that we may so doe they are to feed the people committed to their charge with all their might unto universall peace and welfare now the things that are opposite to the good of any Nation or people are of two sorts First such as are really directly and immediatly opposed to that state and condition wherein they close together and find prosperity In generall seditions tumults disorders In particular violent or fraudulent breakings in upon the respective designed bounds priviledges and enjoyments of singular persons without any consideration of him who ruleth all things are of this kind If Nations and rulers might be supposed to be Atheists yet such evills as these tending to their dissolution and not being they would with all their strength labour to prevent either by watching against their commission or inflicting vengeance on them that commit them that others may heare and feare and doe so no more 2. Such as are morally and meritoriously opposed to their good and wellfare in that they will certainly pluck down the judgements and wrath of God upon that Nation or people where they are practised and allowed there are sinnes for which the wrath of God will be assuredly revealed from heaven against the children of disobedience Sodom and Gomorrah are set forth as examples of his righteous judgement in this kind And shall he be thought a Magistrate to beare out the name authority and presence of God to men that so he and his people have present peace like a heard of Swine cares not though such things as will certainly first eat and devoure their strength and then utterly consume them doe passe for currant seeing that they that rule over men must be just ruling in the feare of the Lord the sole reason why they sheath the sword of justice in the bowells of Theeves Murtherers Adulterers is not because their outward peace is actually disturbed by them and therefore they must give example of terrour to others who being like minded yet are not yet actually given up to the practice of the like abomination but also yea principally because he in whose stead they stand and minister to the World is provoked by such wickednesse to destroy both the one and the other And if there be the same reason to be evidenced concerning other things they also call for the same procedure To gather up now what hath been spoken considering the Gospells right and title to be propagated with all its concernments in every Nation under heaven the blessing peace prosperity and protection wherewith it is attended when and where received and the certain destruction and desolation which accompanies the rejection and contempt thereof considering the duty that by Gods appoyntment is incumbent on them that rule over men
the mighty waves of the Sea Now from these tossed with the windes of Commotions Seditions Oppressions Passions doe flow the Governments of the World the spirit of God moving upon the face of those Waters to bring forth those formes and frames of Rule which he will make use of 2. Unto v. 9. he describes them in order as to their nature and kind one of them being then ready to be destroyed and the other to succeed untill the utter desolation of them all and all power rising in their spirit and principle I shall not passe through their particular description nor stay to prove that the fourth Beast without name or speciall forme is the Roman Empire which I have elsewhere demonstrated and it is something else which at this time I aime at This is that which troubles and grieves the spirit of Daniel in the midst of his body He saw what worldly powers should arise by what horrible tumults shakings confusions and violence they should spring up with what fiercenesse cruelty and persecution they should rule in the World and stamp all under their feet 3. Their end and destruction is revealed unto him from v. 10. unto 12 13. And this by the appearance of the Antient of daies the eternall God in judgement against them which he sets out with that solemnity and glory as if it were the great judgement of the last day God indeed thereby giving a pledge unto the World of that universall judgement he will one day exercise towards all by the man whom he hath ordained Act. 17. 31. And this encreaseth the terror of the vision to have such a representation of the glory of God as no creature is able to beare God also manifests hereby his immediate actings in the setting up and pulling down the powers of this World which he doth as fully and effectually as if he sate upon a Throne of judgement calling them all by name to appeare in his presence and upon the evidence of their waies cruelties and oppression pronouncing sentence against them Be wise therefore O yee Kings be instructed yee Iudges of the earth serve the Lord with feare and rejoyce with trembling He changeth the times and seasons Dan. 2. 21. He ruleth in the Kingdome of men and setteth over it whom he pleaseth cap. 5. 21. And this is the first thing in this vision at which the Prophet was perplexed 2. There is the approach of the Lord Christ unto the Father with his entrance into his Kingdome and Dominion which is everlasting and passeth not away v. 14. This being the end of the vision I must a little insist upon it not that I intend purposely to handle the Kingdome of Christ as Mediator but only a little to consider it as it lies here in the vision and is needfull for the right bottoming of the Truth in our intendment Various have been the thoughts of men about the Kingdome of Christ in all Ages That the Messiah was to be a King a Prince a Ruler that he was to have a Kingdome and that the Government was to be on his shoulders is evident from the Old Testament That all this was and is accomplished in Iesus of Nazareth whom God exalted made a Prince and a Saviour is no lesse evident in the New But about the nature of this Kingdome its Rise and manner of Government have been and are the contests of men The Iewes to this very day expect it as a thing carnall and temporall visible outwardly glorious wherein in all manner of pleasure they shall beare rule over the nations at their will such another thing of all the world as the Popedome which the Gentile or Idolatrous worshippers of Christ set up for his Kingdome And of some such thing it may be supposed the Apostles themselves were not without thoughts untill they had conversed with the Lord after the resurrection Luk. 9. 46. Act. 2. 6. Neither are all amongst us free from them at this day Those who with any simplicity professe the name of Christ doe generally agree that there are three parts of it First and Principally in that which is internall and spirituall in and over the soules of men over spirits both good and bad in reference unto the ends which he hath to accomplish upon them of that which is direct and immediate upon the hearts and soules of men there are two parts 1. That which he exerciseth towards his Elect who are given unto him of his Father converting ruling preserving them under and through great variety of dispensations internall and externall untill he brings them unto himself he stands and feeds them in the strength of the Lord in the Majesty of the name of the Lord his God Mich. 5. 4. Even he who is the ruler of Israel v. 2. He is exalted and made a Prince and a Saviour to give repentance to Israel for the forgivenesse of sinnes Act. 5. 31. He makes his people a willing people in the day of his power Psal. 110. 3. Sending out his holy spirit to lead them into all truth and making his word and Ordinances mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds in their hearts casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalts it selfe against the knowledge of God and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of himselfe 2 Cor. 10. 4 5. He takes possession of their hearts by his power dwelling in them by his spirit making them Kings in his Kingdome and bringing them infallibly into glory Oh that this Rule this Kingdome of his might be carried on in our hearts we busy our selves about many things we shall find at length this one thing necessary this is that part of the Kingdome of Christ which we are principally to aime at in the Preaching of the Gospell We Preach Christ Iesus the Lord 1 Cor. 4. 5. Him to be Lord and King though others have had Dominion over us They are the graines of Israel which the Lord seeks for in his sifting the Nations by his word as well as by his providence and we are in the work of the Gospell to endure all things for the Elects sake 2 Cor. 2. 10. 2. In the power which he exerciseth towards others to whom the word of the Gospell doth come calling convincing enlightning hardning many who yet being not his sheepe nor of his fold he will never take to him selfe but leaves to themselves under aggravations of condemnation which they pull upon themselves by the contempt of the Gospell 2 Cor. 2. 16. Heb. 10. 29. He sends his spirit to convince even the perishing world of sinne righteousnesse and judgement Ioh. 16. 8. He sendeth sharp Arrowes into the very hearts of his enemies Psal. 45. 5. making them stoop bow and fall under him so bounding their rage overbearing their lusts leaving them without excuse in themselves and his people oftentimes not without profit from them with some dealing even in this life more severely causing the witnesses of
the Gospell to torment them by the Preaching of the word Revel. 11. 10. Yet giving them up to strong delusions rhat they may believe lyes and be damned 2 Thess. 2. 11 12. c. 3. In carrying on of this work towards the one and the other he puts forth the Power Rule and Dominion which he hath of his Father over Spirits both good and bad being made head of Principalities and Powers and exalted farre above every name in Heaven or Earth being made the first borne of every creature and all the Angells of God being commanded to worship him Heb. 1. 6. and put in subjection under his feet he sends them forth and uses them as ministring spirits for them who shall be heires of salvation v. 14. appoynting them to behold the face of his Father ready for his command on their behalfe Math. 18. 10. Attending in their Assemblies 1 Cor. 11. 10. And to give them their assistance in the time of danger and trouble Act. 12. 9. Destroying their adversaries v. 23. With innumerable other advantagious Administrations which he hath not thought good to acquaint us withall in particular that our dependance might be on our King himselfe and not on any of our fellow servants though never so glorious and excellent Rev. 22. 9. 2. For Satan as he came to bind the strong man armed and to spoyle his goods Mat. 12. 29. To destroy him that had the power of death Heb. 2. 14. And being made manifest to this end that he might destroy his works 1 Ioh. 3. 8. In the soules of men in this World 2 Cor. 10. 4 5. So having in his own person conquered these Principalities and Powers of darknesse making an open shew of them in his crosse and triumphing over them Col. 2. 15. He continues overruleing and judging him and them in their opposition to his Church and will doe so untill he bring them to a full conquest and subjection that they shall be judged and sentenced by the poore creatures whom in this world they continually pursue with all manner of enmity 1 Cor. 6. 3. And this looketh to the inward substance of the Kingdome of Christ which is given him of his Father and is not of this world though he exercise it in the World to the last day a Kingdome which can never be shaken nor removed the Government of it is upon his shoulders and of the increase of it there shall be no end 2. That Rule or Government which in his word he hath appoynted and ordained for all his Saints and chosen ones to walk in to testify their inward subjection to him and to be fitted for usefulnesse one to another Now of this part the Administration is wrapt up in the Lawes Ordinances Institutions and appoyntments of the Gospell and it is frequently called the Kingdome of God That Jesus Christ doth not rule in these things and is not to be obeyed as a King in them is but a late darknesse which though it should spread as a cloud over the face of the heavens and powre forth some showres and tempests yet it would be as a cloud still which will speedily scatter and vanish into nothing And this is that whose propagation as the means of carrying on the former spirituall ends of Christ which you desire strength and direction for this day c. Men may gather together unto Christ and say with heads full of hopes poore soule and eyes fixed on right hand and left Lord wilt thou at this time restore the Kingdome to Israel Take you his answer and be contented with it It is not for you to know the times and seasons which the Father hath put in his own power but doe you ask work faithfully I know in this thing it is farre easier to complaine of you for not doing then to direct you what to doe the Lord be your guide and give you straw where ever Bricks are required of you 3. In the universall judgement which the Father hath committed to him over all which he will most eminently exercise at the last day rewarding crowning receiving some to himselfe judging condemning casting others into utter-darknesse Ioh. 5. 22 27. Act. 2. 36. Rom. 14. 9. Act. 17. 31. And of this universall righteous judgement he giveth many warnings unto the world by powring forth sundry vialls of his wrath upon great Nimrods and oppressors Psal. 110. 6. Mich. 4. 3. Rev. 19. 11 12 13. And in the holding forth these three parts of the Kingdome of the Lord Jesus doth the Scripture abound But now whether over and beyond all these the Lord Christ shall not beare an outward visible glorious rule Setting up a Kingdome like those of the World to be ruled by strength and power and if so When or how it shall be brought in into whose hands the Administration of it shall be comitted upon what account whether he will personally walk therein or no whether it shall be clearely distinct from the Rule he now bears in the world or only differenced by more glorious degrees and manifestations of his power Endlesse and irreconcileable are the contests of those that professe his name This we find by wofull experience that all who from the spirituality of the Rule of Christ and delight therein have degenerated into carnall apprehensions of the beauty and glory of it have for the most part been given up to carnall actings suited to such apprehensions and have been so dazeled with gazing after temporall glory that the Kingdome which comes not by observation hath been vile in their eyes Now because it is here fallen in my way and is part of the vision at which the Prophet was so much troubled I shall give you some briefe observations of what is cleare and certain from Scripture relating hereunto and so passe on It is then certain 1. That the Interest of particular men as to this Kingdome of Christ is to look where the universall concernment of all Saints in all ages doth lye This undoubtedly they may attaine and it doth belong to them now certainly this is in that part of it which comes not by observation Luk. 17. 20. But is within us which is Righteousnesse Peace and joy in the Holy Ghost Rom. 14. 17. This may be possessed in a dungeon as well as on a Throne What outward glory soever may be brought in it is but a shadow of this this is the Kingdome that cannot be moved which requires grace in us to serve God acceptably with reverence and Godly feare Heb. 12. 28. Many have failed in gasping after outward appearances never any failed of blessednesse who made this their portion Oh that this were more pursued and followed after Let not any think to set up the Kingdome of Christ in the World while they pull it down in their own hearts by sinne and folly in this let the lines fall to me and let my Inheritance be among those that are sanctified yet 2. This is certain that all
Gospell then to suppose that Jesus Christ will take to himselfe a kingdome by the carnall sword and bow of the sonnes of men The raising of the Tabernacle of David which is fallen down and the setting up the decayed places of it Act 15. 16. is done by his visiting the people with his spirit and word v. 14. It is by the powring out of his Spirit in a covenant of mercy Isai 59. 21. Thus the Lord sets up one Shepheard of his people and he shall feed them even saith he my servant David he shall feed them and he shall be their shepheard and the Lord will be their God and my servant David a Prince among them Ezek 34. 24 25. he brings in the kingdome of his son by making the children of Israel seek the Lord their God and David their King and to feare the Lord and his goodnesse Hos 3. 5. Who now can fathome the counsails of the Almighty who hath searched his bosome and can by computation tell us when he shall power out his spirit for the accomplishment of these things This then is the last thing in this vision whose consideration brought the Prophet into so great perplexity and distresse of spirit 3. There is the means that Daniel used for redresse in that sad condition where unto he was brought by the consideration of this vision He drew neere to one of them that stood by and asked him the truth of all this This also was done in vision There is no mention of his waking before his making this addresse but the vision continuing he drawes nigh in the same manner to one of them that stood by one of those Angels or holy ones that stood ministring before the throne of God who was commissionated to acquaint him with the mind and will of God in the things represented to him This then is the remedy he applies himselfe unto He labours to know the mind and will of God in the things that were to be done this it seems he pitched on as the only way for quieting his greived and troubled spirit and hereupon 4. He is told and made to know the interpretation of the things so farre at least as might quiet his spirit in the will of God not that he is clearly instructed in every particular for he tels them in the close of the chapter that he had troublesome thoughts about the whole his cogitations troubled him and his countenance changed v. 28. but having received what light God was willing to communicate to him he enquires no farther but addresses himselfe to his own duty Take then from the words thus opened these propositions some whereof I shall doe little more then name unto you Observe 1. In the consideration of Gods marvellous actings in the world in order to the carrying on of the Gospell and interest of the Lord Jesus Christ the hearts of his Saints are oftentimes filled with perplexity and trouhle They know not what will be the Issue nor some times what well to doe Daniel receives a vision of the things which in part we live under and if they fill his heart with Astonishment is it any wonder if they come close to us and fill us with anxious perplexing thoughts upon whom the things themselves are fallen 2. Observe the only way to deliver and extricate our spirits from under such perplexities and entanglements is to draw nigh to God in Christ for discovery of his will so did Daniel here he went to one of them that ministred before the Lord to be acquainted with his will otherwise thoughts contrivances will but farther perplex you like men in the mire whilest they pluck one legge out the other sticketh faster in whilest you relieve your selves in one thing you will be more hampered in another Yea he that increaseth wisdome increaseth sorrow the larger the visions are the greater will be their troubles untill being consumed in your own feares cares and contrivances you grow uselesse in your Generation those who see only the outside of your affaires sleep securely those who come neigher to look into the spirits of men Rest is taken from them and many are not quiet because they will not the great healing of all is in God Observe 3. When God makes known the interpretations of things it will quiet your spirits in your walking before him and actings with him This was that which brought the spirit of Daniel into a settlement How God reveales his mind in these things by what means how it may be known by individuall persons for their quiet and settlement how all Gods Revelations are quieting and tend to the calming of mens spirits not making them foame like the waves of the Sea should be handled on this observation but I begin with the first When John received his book of visions in reference to the great things that were to be done the alterations that were to be brought about though it were sweet in his mouth and he rejoyced in his imployment yet it made his belly bitter Rev. 10. 9 10. it filled him with perplexity as our Prophet speaks in the middest of his body he saw blood and confusion strife and violence it made his very belly bitter Poore Jeremiah upon the same account is so oppressed that it makes him break out of all bounds of faith and patience to curse the day of his birth to waxe quite weary of his imployment chap. 15. Our Saviour describing such a season Luk. 21. 26. tels us that mens hearts shall faile them for feare and for looking after those things that are comming upon the earth they will be thinking what will become of them and what will be the Issue of Gods dispensations fearing that the whole frame of things will be wrapt up in darknesse and confusion Hence our Saviour bids his Disciples not be troubled when they heare of these things Math. 24. 6. intimating that they will be very apt so to be Now the Causes and occasions which are the Reasons of the point arise First from the greatnesse and astonishablenesse of the things themselves which God will doe even great and terrible things which men looked not for Isai. 64. 2 3. when he coms to make his name knowne to the nations that his Aduersaries may tremble at his presence doth terrible things quite above beyond the expectatiō of mē which they never once looked for no wonder if their hearts be surprized with amazement It hath of late been so with this Nation all professors at the beginning of these dayes joyned earnestly in that prayer Isai. 63. 17 18 19. Chap. 64. 1. God in answere hereunto comes down and rents the heaven and the mountaines flow downe at his presence according to the desire of their soules yet withall he doth terrible things things that we looked not for How mapoor creatures are turned back with Astonishment and know not how to abide with him When our Saviour Christ came in the flesh who had been the desire
care that you may have ignorance and darknesse things being carried on as if it were the care of men that there might be no trouble in the World but what the name of Religion might lye in the bottome of Now those that ponder these things their spirits are grieved in the midst of their bodies the visions of their heads trouble them they looked for other things from them that professed Christ but the summer is ended and the harvest is past and we are not refreshed Again God had so stated your affaires that you were the mark of the Antichristian World to shoot at in the beginning and their terror in the close and when you thought only to have pursued Sheba the sonne of Bichri the man of your first warfare behold one Abel after another undertakes the quarrell against you yea such Abels as Scotland and Holland of whom we said in old times we will enquire of them and so ended the matter and there is not a wise man or woman among them that can disswade them Strange that Ephraim should joyne with Syria to vexe Iudah their brother that the Netherlands whose being is founded meerely upon the Interest you have undertaken should joyne with the great Anti-Christian interest which cannot possible be set up again without their inevitable ruine Hence also are deep thoughts of heart men are perplexed disquieted and know not what to doe I could mention other lusts and tumultuatings of the spirits of men that have an influence into the disturbance of the hearts of the most pretious in this Nation but I forbeare 4. Mens own Lusts disquiet their spirits in such a season as this I could instance in many I shall name only foure 1. Vnstablenesse of mind 2. Carnall feares 3. Love of the World 4. Desire of preheminence 1. Unstablenesse of mind which makes men like the Waves of the Sea that cannot rest the scripture calls it {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} tumultuatingnesse of spirit there is something of that which Iude speaks of in better persons then those he describes raging like waves of the Sea and foaming out their own shame v. 13. If God give men up to a restlesse spirit no condition imaginable can quiet them still they think they see something beyond it that is desireable Annibal said of Marcellus that he could never be quiet Conqueror nor Conquered Some mens desires are so enlarged that nothing can satiate them Wise men that look upon sundry Godly persons in this Nation and beholding how every yoake of the oppressor is broken from off their necks that no man makes them afraid that they are looked on as the head not as the taile enjoying the Ordinances of God according to the light of their minds and desires of their hearts no man forbidding them are ready to wonder I speak of private persons what they can find to doe in their severall places and callings but to serve the Lord in righteousnesse and holinesse being without feare all the daies of their lives But alasse when poore creatures are given up to the power of an unquiet and unstable mind they think scarce any thing vile but being wise unto sobriety nothing desirable but what is without their proper bounds and what leads to that confusion which themselves in the issue are least able of many to undergoe It is impossible but that mens hearts should be pierced with disquietnesse and trouble that are given up to this frame 2. Carnall feares these even devour and eat up the hearts of men what shall we doe what shall become of us Ephraim is confederate with Syria and the hearts of men are shaken as the trees of the wood that are moved with the wind what new troubles still new unsetlements This storme will not be avoided this will be worse then all that hath befallen us from the youth of our undertakings God hath not yet wonne upon mens spirits to trust him in shakings perplexities alterations they remember not the manifestations of his wisdome power and goodnesse in former daies and how tender hitherto he hath been of the interest of Christ that their hearts might be established Could we but doe our duty and trust the Lord with the performance of his promises what quietnesse what sweetnesse might we have I shall not instance in the other particulars it is too manifest that many of our piercing and perplexing thoughts are from the tumultuating and disorder of our own lusts So that what remains of the time allotted to me I shall spend only in the use of this poynt and proceed no farther Vse 1. Of Instruction to direct you into waies and means of quietnesse in reference unto all these causes and occasions of piercing dividing thoughts in such a season as this The good Lord seale up instruction to your souls that you may know the things that belong to your Peace and what Israel ought to doe at this even at this time for my brethrens and companions sake I wish you prosperity though my own portion should be in the dust for the true spirituall not imaginary carnall Interest of the Church of God in this Nation and the Nations about I wish you prosperity 1. First then in reference to the Things that God is doing both as to their Greatnesse and their Manner of doing whose consideration fills men with thoughts that grieve their spirits in the middest of their bodies Would you have your hearts quieted in this respect Take my second observation for your direction The only way to exstricate and deliver our spirits from under such perplexities and intanglements is to draw nigh to God in Christ for the discovery of his will So did Daniel here in my Text I feare this is too much neglected You take counsell with your own hearts you advise with one another hearken unto men under a repute of wisdome and all this doth but increase your trouble you doe but more and more intangle and disquiet your own spirits God stands by and saies I am wise also and little notice is taken of him we think we are grown wise our selves and doe not remember that we never prospered but only when we went unto God and told him plainly we knew not what to doe Publique fastings are neglected despised spoken against and when appoynted practised according as mens hearts are principled to such a duty coldly deadly unacceptably Life heat warmth is gone and shall not blood and all goe after the Lord prevent it private meetings are used to shew our selves wise in the debate of things with a forme of Godly words sometimes for strife tumult division disorder and shall we think there is much closet inquiring after God when all other actings of that principle which should carry us out thereunto are opposed and slighted when we doe sometimes wait upon God Doe not many seeme to aske amisse to spend it on their lusts not waiting on him poor hungry empty to know his will to receive direction from