records that Jonathan climbed up upon his hands and his feet and his Armour Bearer after him 3. That there were but these two Men that invaded their Camp who at first slew about Twenty of them within as it were about half an Acre of Land which filled their whole Army with terrour and amazedness who as Josephus writes casting away their Weapons fled amain some other being ignorant which were either their Friends or Foes invaded one another as Enemies for imagining with themselves that only two Hebrews durst never ascend and enter their Camp they addressed themselves to their mutual Murder and Slaughter so that some of them were slain others fled to escape the Sword and fell head-long down the Rocks 4. In this exploit of Jonathan God did miraculously work in causing the tremblings that fell out that day expressed 1 Sam. 14. 15. And there was trembling in the Host in the Field and among all the People the Garrison and the Spoilers they also trembled and the Earth quaked so it was a very great trembling Who made all the Philistines Host to tremble the Garrison and the Spoilers to tremble only Jonathan and his Armour Bearer was it not God and was it not the same power of God that then made the Earth to quake that made the other tremble To put all out of doubt the last words declare the true cause of all 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and it was a trembling of God The reason why the Translators rendred it a very great trembling is because the word God is added oftentimes to set forth the greatness of things as great Mountains great Ceders great Fire in Hebrew are said to be Mountains of God Cedars of God a Fire of God But this is but the secundary and consequent signification of it the Name of God added to any thing primarily and properly denotes that God is the efficient Cause of that to which it is added It was a trembling of God that is a trembling sent and caused by God the trembling of the Philistines and the trembling of the Earth was from God So the Heathens were wont to attribute that fear and trembling of which no Cause did appear nor could be alledged to some of their Gods as to Pan whence came the expression of a Panick fear This trembling then of the Philistines and this trembling and quaking of the Earth was from the immediate hand and mighty power of God 5. From the immediate hand of God was that terrible Earthquake that was in the days of Vzziah Amos 1. 1. The words of Amoz which he saw concerning Israel in the days of Uzziah King of Judah two years before the Earthquake This is mentioned Zach. 14 The Earthquake in the days of Uzziah King of Judah Concerning this amazing Providence I will take in these Particulars 1. That Uzziah greatly provoked God by going into the Temple to burn Incense upon the Altar of Incense 2. Azariah the Priest and Fourscore Priests of the Lord valiant men went in after him and withstood him saying It appertains not unto thee Uzziah to burn Incense to the Lord but to the Priests the Sons of Aaron that are consecrated to burn Incense 3. Uzziah's wrath against the Priests was greatly incensed 4. While he shewed his anger against the Priests the Lord by his own immediate hand smote him with a Leprosie which appeared in his Forehead 5. Upon this all the Priests thrust him out from thence yea he himself hasted also to go out because the Lord had smitten him 2 Chron. 26. 16. to 22. 6. At the same time and for the same sin was this Earthquake in the days of Uzziah And why may not the Earthquakebe attributed to the immediate hand of God as well as his being smitten with Leprosie That this was at the same time and for the same sin and so from the same hand of God Iosephus in his History doth make plain who writeth thus Uzziah upon a certain solemn Feast-day wherein all the People were assembled together he attired himself in the High Priests Vestments and entred into the Temple to offer Sacrifice unto God upon the golden Altar which notwithstanding the High Priest Azariah accompanied with fourscore Priests inhibited him the same telling him that it was not lawful for him to Sacrifice in that it was only allowed in those that were of the Posterity of the High PriestAaron Whilst after this manner Azariah expostulated with him commanding him to go out of the Temple and not to contradict the Ordinances of God the King waxed wroth and threatned to take his Life from him except he kept himself quiet Whereupon there fell a great trembling and Earthquake and the Temple cleft in twain and a great Light of the Sun entred thereunto and reflected on the King's face in such manner that all his Body was instantly covered with a Leprosie and before the City in a place called Eroge the half of a Mountain that stood to the Eastward brake and fell and rowled and removed for the space of four Stadia or Furlongs towards the Oriental Mountain where it rested so that the publick ways were shut up and choked and the King's Gardens of Pleasure were wholly ruinated and disfigured When the Priests beheld the King's face covered with a Leprosie they told him what inconvenience had happened to him and enjoyned him to depart out of the Town according to the custom of Men that were polluted Whereupon he wholly confused at so grievous an accident and having no more audacity to speak obeyed the Commandment that was given him enduring a pitiful and lamentable punishment for being elate and proud more than became humanity and for that he committed such impiety against God Finally he died through grief and discontent and was only buried in his Garden This Earthquake came and this Leprosie was inflicted on him for that sin the Leprosie is expresly said in Scripture to be from the Lord why not also then the Earthquake By the way let this be observed by many that in our days without the way appointed by God in his Word in the pride of their hearts and self-conceit thrust themselves into Sacred Functions which is not lawful but for those that are competently qualified and duly called thereunto lest for such doings by so many God make the Earth to quake under us as he did for one Uzziah's intrusion in former time 6. Amongst the many Miracles at the Death of Christ an Earthquake must be acknowledged to be one all of which were Testimonies not only of his Innocency but also Demonstrations of his Deity The whole Creation groaned and travailed in pain when the God of Nature he that was God as well as Man tho' not as God died a shameful cursed and painful Death Miracles wrought in Heaven above in Earth beneath all Creatures sympathizing with a suffering Christ except Man for whom alone he suffered The Sun was darkened the Vail of the Temple was rent in twain from
command of God doth change the Earths station into motion and the Suns motion into standing still Josh 10. 12. Than spake Joshua to the Lord in the day when the Lord delivered up the Amorites before the Children of Israel and he said in the sight of Israel Sun stand thou still upon Gibeon and thou Moon in the valley of Ajelon Verse 13. And the Sun stood still and the Moon stayed until the People had avenged themselves upon their Enemies So the Sun stood still in the midst of Heaven and hasted not to go down about a whole day Verse 14. And there was no day like that before it or after that the Lord harkened unto the voice of a man for the Lord fought for Israel Where is observable 1. That Joshua spake first to the Lord and then to the Sun for it was not Joshua's voice but God's power that put a check to the motion of the Sun 2. God hearkened to the voice of Joshua praying that the Sun might stop its motion 3. Then the Sun hearkened to the voice of Joshua so that by God's commanding voice in answer to Joshua's praying voice the Sun stood still If all the men on Earth with one concurrent voice should say to it Sun stand thou still it would still go forwards in its motion so that its cessation from motion demonstrated the mighty amazing work of God 2. The Retrograde motion of the Sun or its going backward is no less a wonderful work of God in the Heaven than its standing still The motion of the Sun is naturally progressive or going forward and if it should make more haste by many degrees in its diurnal Motion it must be by power Divine and not Humane yet in the apprehension of men it is a greater thing that it should go backward and would cause more their observation of its motion and admiration of God's power Isai 38. 7. This shall be a sign unto thee from the Lord that the Lord will do this that he hath spoken Verse 8. Behold I will bring again the shadow of the degrees which is gone down in the Sun-dial of Ahaz ten degrees backward So the Sun returned ten degrees by which degrees it was gone down Hezekiah prayed God promised gives him a sign for his assurance of the performance and the sign tho' miraculous was effected and â—â—ne mercy asked was bestowed God caused the Sun to go backwards to confirm the faith of his People in his Promise that his work for their deliverance should go forwards 3. That at and from high noon-day till three in the afternoon the Sun should give no light but darkness should be at the usual time of its inlightening the Earth was the hand and power of God Ordinary Eclipses are not miraculous yet there was one that was not according to the course of Nature When the Lord of Glory the Sun of Righeousness was crucified the Sun hid its face and the Heavens put themselves into mourning at his death Matth. 27. 45. Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the Land until the ninth hour This was an extraordinary and miraculous work of God upon the Reasons usually alleadged 1. Because it was the full of the Moon which caused a great Philosopher to cry out Either the God of Nature suffers or the Frame of Nature dissolves 2. Because as some affirm it was universal over all the World Or 3. according to others because it was only over the Land of Judea all other parts of the World having the benefit and enjoying the light of the Sun at that time which some judge to be the more strange that as when Israel had light in Goshen the Egyptians were under the Plague of Darkness so at the crucifying of Christ Israel which dwelt in Judea should be under darkness when the World besides enjoyed light Thus it is manifest that God doth great things in Heaven above the Sun moves or standeth still goes backwards or forwards shines not to give light at noon day and for some hours together unto the Earth at all or else makes light in one part when it doth not in another and all this at the pleasure of the great God But our present Task is to observe one extraordinary work of God on and in the Earth Secondly There is the amazing mighty work of God on and within the Earth which in the Text that suits the occasion is God's shaking of and making it to tremble before him and under men that dwell upon it This moving of the Earth is far different from that constant motion that some Philosophers ascribe unto it for amongst the several Systems of the World which Astronomers have invented three are more famous one by Ptolomy the other by Copernicus and the third by Tycho Brache Copernicus following the Pythagoreans asserts the motion of the Earth and the Sun to be in the Center of the World without motion that the Earth hath two motions one Diurnal which is performed about its own Axis in the space of 24 hours and from this motion do arise our days and nights the other Annual whereby it is carried about the Sun from the West towards the East according to the succession of Signs of the Zodiack Where then is the miracle of the Sun 's standing still in Joshua's days if it stand still in all Ages where is the wonder of the Earths moving if it whirl about every 24 hours with so swift a motion why cannot all People discern this constant motion of the Earth that do perceive its shaking for a few minutes and are so much affrighted at it Are the Pillars of the Earth turned into Wheels Some have denied all motion some affirm too much but as when all motion was denied a Philosopher to prove it rose up and walked so when the constant daily and yearly motion of the Earth is asserted we may know by our Senses that it stands still but these great men of reason so they are will give you this presently for an Axiome Sensibus non est fidendum you must not believe nor trust your Senses which yet for the sake of the Doctrine of Transubstantiation I should not readily receive but knowing that my Senses cannot err about their proper object when it is presented at a due distance through a right disposed a Papist shall not perswade me that the Bread after Consecration is not Bread and that the Wine is not Wine nor a Copernican that the Earth doth naturally move when in the one by my Senses I discern it to be Bread and Wine and not real Flesh and Blood carnally and corporally taken and in the other that the Earth stands fast and still so much confidence I will put in my Senses a drunken man that by excess hath disturbed his head might conceit the Earth turns round and the room where he is doth move when the motion and turning is in his Brains and when he hath slept himself sober will perceive what he
gracious Lord strike the hearts of Tyrants with the terrour of this thy Work that they may know that they are but Men and that thoâ— art that Sampson that for their mocking and spighting of thee and thy Word canst shake the Pillars of their Palaces and throw them upon the furious Philistines heads Turn thy Wrath O Lord froâ— thy Children that call upon thy Name to the Conversion or Confusion of thine Enemies that defie and abâ—or thy Name and deface thy Glory Thou hast knocked long at their Doors but they will not open to let thee in burst open therefore the brazen Gates of their stony hearts thou that art able of stones to raise up Children to Abraham and finally sâ— touch our hearts with the finger of thy Grace that we may deeply muse upon our sinful Lives to amend theâ— and call for thy Mercy to forgive and pardon them through Christ our Lord who liveth with thee and the Holy Ghost three Persons and one Eternal God to whom be all Dominion and Glory with Praise and Thanksgiving for ever and ever Amen Do not you see old Mercies to England in time of Judgment by that Earthâ—uake then as fresh Mercy in the like Judgment mixt in this so lately nay this more mild then that when by that two were killed and not one by this that yet I hear of And should not the terrour of the Lord awaken us as you see it did others in the like case heretofore Should not every House that hath been shaken be fill'd with Crys Calls and fervent Prayers unto God to turn away his Wrath from us that else after this Earthquake might come upon us Might not we â—ear as they then did and pray every night before we go to Bed as they were appointed and commanded by Authority to do should not the Judgment and the Mercy in it kindly work upon us or shall we be more secure because God in Judgment is so merciful Shall we despise the Riches of his goodness and forbearance and long-suffering not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth us to repentance or shall we after our hardness and impenitent hearts treasure up unto our selves wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God will not he render to every man according to his deeds read and answer Rom. 2. 4 5 6. That I may conclude I shall recommend to the Citizens of London a serious consideration of three years amongst others exceeding remarkable always to be remembred and improved by all that have seen them all and by those that have been born since the first and second of them but have been told by others of God's dealing with this City then 1. Forget not the Dying year in this City in 1665. when God did visit it with the Plague Have you forgot have you not heard how Death raged then how it rode triumphant like a mighty Conquerour that so many durst not meet it in the Streets as were sufficient to keep the Grass from growing in Cheapside did it not slay heaps upon heaps that the living were put to day-labour to bury their dead so many thousand in a week cut off cut down and changed time for eternity ready or unready must away Death was then in such haste in so short time to slay so many that if it did find unprepared persons it did not it could not be prevailed with by sighs and sobs by tears and groans to stay till some made themselves ready for another world You that lived Then and Now have cause to remember Gods Judgment to others especially if unconverted that died and his Mercy to you that live now 2. Forget not that dreadful burning year 1666. when the tops of London's highest Houses were brought down to fill their Cellars when the devouring Flames marched without controul from Street to Street drinking up the Water cast upon them and scorning all oppositions that could for some days be made against them till God that set bounds to the proud Waves of the Sea set limits to the insulting Flames saying Hitherto shall ye go and no further Let the sight of your new Buildings put you in mind your old were burnt 3. The trembling year 1692. when your Houses by an Earthquake trembled as if they would fall and you in them then trembled for fear they should fall I have heard there were tremblings of the Earth in Jamaica some years more then once before the great sit of Convulsion came by which it was destroyed Let us take warning by one In the year 65 God by one Judgment swept away the Inhabitants and left their Houses in 66 he destroyed your Houses and preserved your Persons in 92 by an Earthquake he threatned both your Dwellings and your Persons but in mercy he spared both Oh give praise unto the Lord that he spared you and your Houses in this Earthquake and pray that he would shake them so no more FINIS Books printed for John Salusbury in Cornhill THE certainty of The Worlds of Spirits fully evinced by unquestionable Histories of Apparitions and Witchcrafts Operations Voices c. Proving the Immortality of Souls the Malice and Miseries of the Devils and the Damned and the Blessedness of the Justified The End of Doctrinal Controversies which have lately troubled the Churches by reconciling Explication without much Disputing Both by Mr. Richard Baxter The Protestant Religion truly stated and justified by the late Reverend Divine Mr. Richard Baxter Whereunto is added by way of an Epistle some Account of the Learned Author never before published By Mr. Matth. Sylvester and Mr. Daniel Williams The Harmony of the Divine Attributes in the contrivance and accomplishment of Man's Redemption by the Lord Jesus Christ By William Bates D. D. The Changeabless of this World with respect to Nations Families and particular Persons with a practical Application thereof to the various conditions of this Mortal Life By Timothy Rogers M. A. The Christian Lover or a Discourse opening the Nature of Participation with and Demonstrating the Necessity of Purification by Christ By T. Cruse The Duty and Blessing of a Tender Conscience plainly stated and earnestly recommended to all that regard acceptance with God and the Prosperity of their Souls By the same Author Five Sermons on various Occasions By the same Author The Mirrour of Divine Love unvail'd in a Paraphrase on the High and Mysterious Song of Solomon By Robert Plemming V. D. M. The Mourners Memorial in two Sermons on the Death of the truly 〈◊〉 Mrs. Susannah Some With some 〈◊〉 count of her Life and Death By 〈◊〉 Wright and Robert Fleming V. D. M. A new Examination of the Accidenâ— and Grammar in English and Latin wherein all the Rules of Properiquae â—â—â—ribus Quae Genus As in presenti Siâ—t 〈◊〉 and Praesodia are made plain and 〈◊〉 that the meanest Capacity may speed 〈◊〉 learn the Latin Tongue The Christian's Converse with God 〈◊〉 the Insufficiency and Uncertainty Human Friendship and the Improvemeâ—â— of Solitude in Converse with God witâ— some of the Author's Breathings aâ—â— him By Richard Baxter Recommendâ—â— to the Readers serious Thoughts whâ— at the House of Mourning and Retiâ—â— ment By Mr. Matth Sylvester A Rational Defence of Nonconformâ—â—ty wherein the practice of Nonconfoâ—mists in vindicated from the Charge Dr. Stilling fleet Bpâ—of Worcester Also 〈◊〉 Case of the present Separation truly uâ—ted and the way to Union amongst Prâ—â—testants pointed at by Gilbert Rule D. D.