where now pray pray pray you are come to the Finding time and the mount where God will be seen Thirdly It is a Time of Finding 3. When the Enemies of Zion are at the highest When the enemies of Zion are at the highest that is Tryumph and insult as if all were theirs and that they shall see sorrow no more x Psa 10.3 the wicked boasteth of his hearts desire that is perceiving his designs and actions to prosper by hypocrisie apostacy falshood c. he glories in it and thinks now that neither God nor man can reach him y Psa 119.119 Thou puttest away saith David all the wicked of the earth like dross the scum or dross when it is upmost and covers the liquor then it is taken off and thrown away so when tyrants and persecutors have Saints under them make account to wear them out by cruel usage and cry victory victory then coms the revenging hand of God upon them treads them as dung under his feet Thus was the Lord found of good Hezekiah note a Isa 36.13 14 15. chap. 37.10 the message which Rabshakeh brought to him from his master and what was in the letter which Sennacherib sent him Let not thy God in whom thou trustest deceive thee hath any of the gods of the Nations delivered his land out of the hand of the King of Assyria Oh the height of this filthy scum but how did the Lord meet with him not onely in giving a wonderful deliverance to his people but by destroying his Army and the blasphemer also Thus likewise it was with b Exod. 15.9 10. Pharaoh c Esth 5.6 Haman d Act. 12. Herod c. and in our time with the King and Bishops when they were highest in pride pomp and insolent practises against the Lord his cause and people he cut them off with a witness and the like may we expect upon those who domineer hold up their heads and look big e Exo. 5.2 Who is the Lord that I should obey his voyce f Isa 51.23 Bow down that we may go over g Dan. 3. Whoso falleth not down and worshippeth the golden Image shall the same hour be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace But whereunto may I liken such men and others following their steps to nothing fitter then to a boil or botch when it is swoln big and risen high then it breaks and what follows rottenness and stink Are they swoln big and risen high in power titles places c. it is a sign they will break the sooner and as the waves of the sea after their lifting up and roaring a while leave behind them nothing but mire and dirt so when the Lord shall cut them off what then will remain but the infamous memory of their former Apostacy hypocrisie and lies It is truly my opinion were Gods people as fit for mercy as their enemies are for judgment were they as lowâ— humiliation and Reformation as the other are high in pride blasphemy atheism we should soon see a vial powâ—ed out upon them That place h Jer. 12.1 2 3. in the Prophet me thinks notably agrees with our time They are all happy that deal very treacherously But how doth he describâ— them Thou art neer in their mouth buâ— far from their reins As the water-maâ— in his boat rows one way and looks another so these profess great things and talk much of God and his ways but in their practises and actions are most vile and wicked what follows Prepare them for the day of slaughter When the beast is fat and ful flesht then the butcher knocks him down We know now well enough why the Lord hath suffered the Apostates to enjoy such faâ— pasture viz. the very pastures or places which fatted other beasts before them it was as i Hos 13.6 the Prophet saith that they might be filled and their heart exalted and so made fat and fit for slaughter k Psal 119.126 It is time for thee O Lord to work for they have made voyd thy Law He doth not say It is time c. because they speak against thy â—aw slight it and regard it not but â—ave made it voyd signifying when â—en are grown to such a height of wicâ—edness as the Laws of Christ are deâ—troyed by them his cause and interest â—hrown down to raise themselves righeousness and truth made voyd to set up oppression and falshood then indeed it is high time for the Lord to work yea and then is the TIME in which he wil be FOVND of his faithful ones hungring and thirsting after righteousness Fourthly It is a Time of finding 4. When Saints make Jesus Christ their all When SEEKERS make Iesus Christ their ALL all their hope stay and trust and can truly say with the prophet l Ps 73.25 Whom have I in Heaven but thee and there is none upon Earth that I desire besides thee If we discern such as will not trust in us but love to stand upon their own ground we leave them to themselves to shift as they can as on the contrary the more we see our selves trusted to the more we take care for them When the Lord sees a poor soul gives up ALL to him leaves hiâ— case wholy with him depends altogetheâ— upon his power goodness faithfulness as he delights to see his children in such a frame so they may be sure he will take care for them and it shall go well with them m Psa 18.6 In my distress saith David I called upon the Lord and cryed unto my God he heard my voyce out of his temple and my cry came before him even into his ear But when did David cry and found the Lord thus good to him n ver 2. after he had made him his rock and his fortress his strength his buckler the horn of his salvation and his high tower A man that stands upon a rock when he hears the sea roar and the waves violently beating against the rock all this puts him not into any fear for he knows where he is to wit out of danger so it is with every gracious Saint he is beyond the reach of men and Devils no adversary power can hurt him I do remember what I was once told by a good old man a * Mr. Pateman dwelling at Mosley neer Brimmingham Nonconformist-Minister dwelling nigh me a neighbor of his being in prison for witch-craft he went to visit him this wretched man confest to him that he had hated him a long time and fought to do him mischief and for this end there was a compact between the Devil and him to destroy him the witch spoke often to the devil for to hasten their design now the devil told him he had several times attempted it but could not effect any thing and gave this for the reason because he found him still either in prayer and communion with God or had
help saith David Therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoyce That the Lord heard us in the late wars and was found c Gen. 22.14 JEHOVAH-JIREH a God seen in the mount We can pray now against all the Hypocritical enemies of his Cause and Kingdom more earnestly d Jam. 1.6 In faith nothing wavering which is greatly to his Glory The bramble would have e Judg. 9.15 all the trees put their trust in his shadow Indeed Tyrants would be trusted though there be neither trust nor Truth in them I have read the story how Dominique dreamt the Church of Rome was falling and that he upheld it with his shoulders Have we never heard the like fable In what sore distress the Church and State were both ready to split had not a Minion Idol been devis'd like Dominique's shoulders to keep them up The Tryers probably will apply this because it is like that Shameful thing for all the world But to proceed Did not David very much honor the Lord by trusting in him when he went forth against Goliah But what caused David by beleeving to doe so he tels you f 1 Sam. 17.37 The Lord that delivered me out of the Paw of the Lyon and out of the paw of the Bear he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine I know there were many complaints and heart-groans poured out against the King and Bishops for their Tyranny and Idolatry but this I can truly say For twenty years and more in which I suffered under them the Lord did not draw out my heart to so much mourning and sighings as I have done within these three or four years against the GREAT BETRAYERS of the interest of Christ and his people And this I finde as a burning fire shut up in my bones that I cannot hold my peace day nor night Besides Howsoever I am a poor worm and the least in my Father's house yet herein I can give glory to God I do beleeve the Lord that delivered his afflicted people out of the paw of the Lyon and out of the paw of the Bear King and Bishops he will deliver them from all PROVD PHILISTIMS that defie the Israel of God yea and that speedily Fifthly 5. Do him more work and better service Times of finding ingage the Lords people to do him more work and better service afterwards If Beasts the larger allowance they have will doe their master the more service Surely then the better Christ is to his children the more they will strive to doe his will in every thing g Psa 116.8 9. Thou hast delivered my Soul from death mine eyes from tears and my feet from falling I will walk on before the Lord in the land of the living That is Seeing I have had a Time of finding I will so improve this great mercy as the Lord shall have much glory and honor by it Methinks it is at this day with some honest hearts as it was with the h Mat. 20.3 4. Laborers which stood idle in the market-place Should they be askt why they are not at work What would they say We are calling upon the Lord for imployment we would willingly be at work for it grieves our very Souls to stand thus idle Now hath not a master more profit that his servants are at work then standing still When the Great TIME OF FINDING comes then will Zions children be at work indeed for now they may be said to be idle comparatively to their work THEN Then some shall be the i Rev. 14.6 Angel To preach the Everlasting Gospel Others the k Rev. 15.1 Angels to pour out the seven last plagues Some l Psa 149.8 to bind their Kings in chains and their Nobles with fetters of iron Others m Rev. 18.5 to execute vengeance upon Babylon Come Lord Jesus When the Lord made use of Moses and Aaron to pour out vials full of wrath upon Pharaoh and Egypt and of Elias to destroy the Prophets of Baal and of Ioshua to cast out the Canaanites Was he not in those things very much glorified If so then much more when he shall answer the prayers of his people concerning his Son and Zion and the destruction of Babylon and all Tyrants Which is better and more for the honor of a King that Theeves Murderers and Rebels do spoyl and destroy the good people or to be taken and punished What is it that Saints pray for and desire a Time of finding Truly this That Hypocrites and Apostates n Psa 104 35. be consum'd out of the earth and bloody Tyrants be no more That o Rev. 11.15 all the Kingdoms of the world may be Christs p Eze. 21 27 whose right it is And in order hereunto they are to ready to follow the Lamb in his work wheresoever he shall lead them But howsoever some men by Times of finding are the better yet many are the worse Here Jesus Christ may say r Psa 109.4 For my Love they are my Adversaries That is for the Deliverances Victories Preferments which I gave them I am the more wrong'd by them in my Great Name Cause and Kingdom And truly I think never a generation of men more sinn'd against kindness then some of this generation * Isa 1.2 Hear ye Heavens and give ear O Earth for the Lord speaketh I have nourished and brought up or made great and exalted children but they have revolted from me It is a pitiful fight to see a poor Bird kill'd with the feathers pluckt from her They are not only contented to feather their nest with the interest of Christ and his people but with those feathers i. e. power places Offices and preferment which they have pluckt from it shoot at her and murder her most unworthily * Deut. 32.6 Doe ye thus requite the Lord O foolish people and unwise Is all forgotten What shall I render unto the Lord for all his benefits towards me Psal 116.12 CHAP. IIII. Reasons Why there will be a Time of Finding in respect of Gods people Reasons in respect of mourners 1. Of the revilings of the proud First BEcause of the scornings and revilings of the proud as reproaching the Godly for their mourning and tears Had not the Lord been found of Hezekiah he had not been able in a little while to have born Rabshakehs and Sennacheribs blasphemies That which caused Hannah to be in bitterness of Soul before the Lord and no doubt moved the Lord to take pity on her it was the extream Å¿ 1 Sam. 1.6 provoking of her adversary for to make her fret because the Lord had shut up her womb Our Adversaries are fallen upon Rabshakehs work and seek to provoke us by the like scornful reproaches Where is the fruit say they of your tears and cries You may see the Lord cares not for your weeping fasting and praying did he regard them he would have helpt you ere now
on the rest If a father be spoken unto concerning a rebellious child and counselled to cast him off what saith he Ah! I am his father I cannot do it I must yet try some other means and exercise longer patience towards him Indeed we have not as the Lord hath Fatherly bowels towards Christs sheep going astray our passion is such we would sometimes have them cast off and lookt no more after but what saith the Lord I cannot doe so I am their Father I must wait yet that I may be gracious to them If there be but a little corn among a great deal of chaff the husbandman will have that forth before he burns the chaff For conclusion Let us earnestly seek the Lord that he will pluck all Zions sons out of Babylon and plant their feet in the pleasant paths of Christ this being done I say the wheat being separated the tares straightwayes will be cast into the lake of fire where will be no Time of finding CHAP. III. Certain grounds and reasons wherefore there will be A TIME OF FINDING 1. In respect of God himself 2. In respect of his people 3. In respect of the Cause or Things they seek him for Reasons why there will be a time of finding both in respect of God his people and Cause 1. In respect 〈◊〉 himself Because he is good and his tender mercies are fâ—â—ever THe Lord will be found in respecâ— of himself First Because he iâ— good and his mercy endureth for ever p Psa 25.6 Remember O Lord saith David thy tender mercies and thy loving kindnesses for they have been ever of old You cannot touch a man so soft and easie upon the apple of his eye but he will feel it What are the tears groanings and sighings of Saints but as the touch of a finger upon the apple of Gods eyes there is nothing we can doe whereof the Lord is more sensible and hath more feeling then of Soul-travelling sobs and pangs It is usual in the Prophets when they are exhorting people to seek the Lord by fasting and prayer for their encouragement to mention how pitiful and full of bowels the Lord is q Joel 2.12 13. Turn ye unto me saith the Lord with all your hearts with fasting and with weeping with mourning rent your hearts not your garments and turn unto the Lord your God Now observe the reason or motive to it For he is gracious and merciful slow to anger and of great kindness and repenteth him of the evil As if he should say r 2 Sam. 24 14. You fall not into the hand of man but into the hands of the Lord whose mercies are exceeding great and will Å¿ Psal 103.13 pity you as a father pitieth his children So in another Prophet * Mic. 7.18 19. Who is a God like unto thee that pardoneth iniquity and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage he retaineth not his anger for ever because he delighteth in mercy he will turn again and have compassion upon us c. Note one passage here He delighteth in mercy If it be a thing a man well likes and takes great pleasure in it you need not press him very much to it he will be free and forward enough of himself to doe it for you It is true when the Lord is to afflict his people here he seems to be t Lam. 3.33 VNWILLING it is not from his heart as the Hebrew reads he delights not in it but it causeth him to fetch a groan or sigh u Isa 1.24 Ah! woe is me x Hos 6.4 11.8 How shall I give thee up my heart is turned within me c. But to be found of his children and to heap blessings upon them here is his delight in this his Soul is well pleased y Psa 12.5 For the oppression of the poor for the sighing of the needy now will I arise saith the Lord. If you mark the word NOW it makes the sence thus As if the Lord should say I cannot see my oppressed ones in tears any longer before me my bowels so yearn at their groanings that I must forthwith arise against their proud and cruel enemies If men who are evil having pity and compassion in them cannot but regard the sighs and cries of poor distressed creatures and their hearts will be drawn out to relieve them a Luk. 18.7 8. And shall not God avenge his own elect which cry day and night unto him I tell you that he will avenge them speedily It was a proverb among those of Genoa when any was injured to say unto him that had done the wrong If you will not right me my Lord Marshal will with more certainty may Christs persecuted members say to Tyrants and proud Hypocrites Whereas we are imprisoned by you and spoyled of our goods our God will right us though you do not to your confusion If Benhadab had ground of hope that Ahab would shew him favor because b 1 King 20.31 The Kings of the house of Israel were merciful Kings with what full assurance then may the present mourners in Zion expect a Time of finding he being the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort unto whom they make supplications and prayers Secondly The Lord will be found because of his word and promise sake Reas 2. He wil be found for his promise sake Among men there are some who will not break their promise for any thing Ruth having told her mother in law what Boaz had promised to do for her what saith Naomi to it c Rut. 3.18 Sit still my daughter until thou know how the matter will fall for the man will not be in rest until he have finished the thing this day Is there so much heed and conscience in man a poor worm to be faithful to his ingagement what may we think of God d Tit. 1.2 That cannot lie e Jam. 1.17 with whom is no variableness neither shadow of turning but alwayes speaketh in faithfulness and truth Now we read in Holy Scripture that the Lord promiseth there shall be a TIME OF FINDING f Psa 50.15 Call upon me in the time of trouble and I will deliver thee Observe how he speaks here like himself like a God as one that hath all power in his hands and can doe whatsoever he pleaseth I WILL DELIVER THEE If a poor man come to us for relief such may his case be as we cannot promise to help him but tell him we will do our best and help him if we can But the Lord speaks not by iffs and may be but promiseth certain deliverance g Mat. 8.3 I will be thou clean The like in Isaiah h Isa 45.19 I said not to the seed of Iacob Seek ye me in vain I the Lord speak righteousness I declare things that are right Suppose a beggar should have an ingagement under the hand of
of the Nations to Jesus Christ viz. Jews and Gentiles We read in the History of the Waldenses when these good people denyed Christ's humane Body to be in the Sacrament the Priests would report they denyed God So not allowing the Virgin Mary to be prayed to that they had blasphemed her Just so are we slandred at this day Because we are against an unlawful Ministery and Magistracy Ergo saith the Accuser of the Brethren we deny all and will have none Thirdly the Lord being Found of his People 3. Because of Love many ways will have the more love from them many wayes First 1. Love to the Lord himself A TIME OF FINDING is an heart-enlarger of dear affections to Iesus Christ. e Psa 116.1 I love the Lord saith David because he hath heard my voice and my suplications So in f Psa 18.26 another place Did not David love the Lord before he had these deliverances yes doubtless and very much Notwithstanding by this means he lov'd him a great deal more As a man by stretching out a Bag or Purse it holds more then it did before So every Finding Time is a reaching and stretching out the heart our love riseth and growes by it exceedingly Secondly more Love to his Truth and holy Wayes 2. To his Truth and ways Thou puttest away all the wicked of the earth like dross Therefore I love thy Testimonies Is not this harsh that David should be encouraged to love the Laws of God of the dreadful Judgements he had seen executed upon Hypocrites Apostates and Tyrants If it be a thing very rich and pretious yet so long as it is wrapt up and foulded together few regard it neither know we what it is God's wrath powred out upon the Workers of Iniquity is as it were the opening of himself of his Kingdom and Laws and until he doth so he is not known nor his appointments But g Isa 26 9. When his â—udgements are in the earth the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness h Psa 6.16 He is known by the judgement which be executeth and i Rev. 15.4 glorified by it So â—ong as HYPOCRITES REIGN â—nd the LAST APOSTACIE stands the Lords Testimonies will not be loved but k Mic. 6.16 the Statutes of Omri kept not the Lords Messengers hearkned unto but the deceitful workers of Antichrist But when all Murtherers of souls and bodies shall be put away like dross then will People every where love the Testimonies and Laws of JEHOVAH Thirdly 3. Provoking others to love If we have a TIME OF FINDING we will provoke others to love the Lord l Psa 31.23 24. Thou heardest the voice of my supplications when I cried unto thee And what followes O love the Lord all ye his Saints For the Lord preserveth the faithful and plentifully rewardeth the PROVD DOER If we have a friend that doth very much for us we would have others besides our selves to love him likewise Of all men those who do most experience the love of God towards themselves do especially provoke and stir up others to love him and trust in him So David in another place m Pas 34.5 8. I sought the Lord and he heard me and delivered me from all my fears O taste and see that the Lord is good Blessed is the maâ— that trusteth in him The Prophet here is like one that hath experienced â— thing and found it very good perswades others to make use also of it 4. Others will be provoked by it Fourthly This TIME OF FINDING will cause many hearing of it to love fear and honour the Lord. n Exo. 18.7 8 9. When Jethro heard what the Lord had done unto Pharaoh and unto the Egyptians for Israels sake he rejoyced saying Blessed be the Lord who hath delivered you c. Now I know the Lord is greater then all gods For in the things wherein he dealt proudly he was above theâ— We read in Esther that o Est 8.17 many of the people of the Land became Iews but when was it after the Time of Finding when Haman and his sons were hanged Then they cried p 2 Kin. 18.39 The Lord he is God the Lord he is God but whilst Haman stood in power and greatness who more honoured then he So when the good news of the q Rev. 11.13 Great Earth-quake shalâ— be spread thorow the Nations and the perishing of the Last Apostacie under the first Vial Oh what rejoycing will this be to the Churches and Saints every where how will they bless the Lord for it r Rev. 15.3 Iust and true are thy wayes thou King of Saints Å¿ ver 4. for thy judgements are made manifest Now they will clearly understand that all the pretences and protestations which some made against the Pope for THE PROTESTANT CHRISTIAN RELIGION were meer delusions and falsehoods Neither was Babylon in her idolatry and cruelty supported by any Power or State more then by them And that they were the chief obstructers of the Lord's work against the GREAT WHORE If irons be taken off from hand or foot this sets the whole body free The last Apostacie is as a great chain upon the Lords work howsoever it be broken but in one Countrey nevertheless the whole Body all the members of Christ will have Spiritual Liberty by it And therefore doubtless when they shall hear of this Earth-quake they will like Iethro bless the Lord for it 4. Of glorifying God by trusting in him Fourthly Times of Finding give incouragement unto Saints t Psa 63.8 to trust in the Lord at all times and to pour out their hearts before him And this is u Rom. 4.20 to give glory to God x Psa 9.10 They that know thy Name will put their trust in thee But how is the Name of God known truly not in any thing more fruitfully and teachingly then by Times of Finding here his glory passeth before us we behold him with open face here we have his power goodness faithfulness c. made known to us y Psa 116.2 Because he hath enclined his ear to me THEREFORE will I call upon him as long as I live A man knowing where the Fountain is and being at it a thousand times and alwayes satisfied knows where to go when he wants water a Psa 65.2 O thou that hearest prayer unto thee shall all flesh come Had we not a gracious answer of our cries and tears against the King and Prelates He bowed the Heavens and came down then the earth shooke He also thundred in the Heavens And what more He gave us the neck of our Enemies we beat them small as the dust before the winde and did cast them out as the dirt in the streets Quest But what hath the Lord gotten by granting such A TIME OF FINDING Answ The honor of trusting in him b Psa 63.7 Because thou hast been my
over the Skull when nothing else is left not repenting of his Deed but because on that bone there remains no flesh to eat The Hieroglyphick is applyed to 〈◊〉 and WEEPING-HYPOCRITES who will shed tears when they have murthered the people yet so as not repenting for what they have done but fearing lest they should not have enough of MANS BLOOD to drink and swallow down Quest But if men acknowledge their sins before the Lord with fasting and weeping shall they have a time of finding doing no more I answer No q Jon 3.8 10. Except they turn from their evil way and from the violence that is in their hands When Joshua and the rest of the congregation knew who was the TROUBLER had they onely acknowledged that great wickedness and mourned for it I say done no more there had been no time of finding and so much the Lord tels them r Josh 7.12 except you destroy the accursed thing from among you I will not be with you any more So when it was told David that Å¿ 2 Sam. 21 1 2. c. The three years famine was for Saul and his bloody house because he slew the Gibeonites Had there been no more 〈◊〉 â—â—nfessing the sin and asking forgiveness the Lord would not have been intreated for the Land So it may be said of all others in the like case should they confess their Apostacy Falshood Oppression c. I say publickly acknowledge the same before God Angels and men appoint solemn days of fasts to weep and mourn for their sins Nevertheless except THE ACCURSED THING BE DESTROY'D the TROUBLER ston'd and judgment executed upon the BLOODY HOUSE OF SAUL there is no time of finding neither will the Lord regard such things and this the Scripture makes good t Pro. 28.13 He that covereth his sins shall not prosper whose confesseth and FORSAKETH them shall have mercy If it be so in what case then are such men who are so far from forsaking their sins as they will not confess them but call evil good c. yea more make account by keeping the Accursed thing to prosper and to carry all before them in spight as it were of God and of his Son and Zion But the perversness of transgressors shall destroy them Prov. 11.3 CHAP. VII How Saints may know it is a Time of Finding First WHen a man findes How a time of finding may be known 1. When all fears are removed and the spirit quiet that all distractions and unquietnesses are removed from him and a sweet calm breathes upon his Spirit u Psal 34.4 6. I sought the Lord saith David and he heard me and delivered me from all my fears Again This poor man cried and the Lord heard him and saved him out of all his troubles What his fears and troubles were the title of the Psalm shews David for fear of Saul goes to Achish King of Gath and being there he is in more fear then before Insomuch to save his life he useth x 1 Sam. 21.10 11 12. c. strange gestures indeed not beseeming a man much less the Lords anoynted But what doth he else Inwardly his soul is calling upon God and finding that all terrors and amazements were over and his spirit quiet he concludes it was a time of finding You shall see in time of much rain as the waters run down the hils they make a great noise by reason of the rubs in their way but no sooner are they fallen in and closed with the river but the hissing is ceased and all is quiet and still Oh! the unquietness sometimes of a poor soul by reason of the multitude of RVBS what through troubles without and fears within there is a strange noise confus'd like the noise of many waters y Psa 6.6 I am weary with my groaning a Psa 69.3 My throat is dryed all the night make I my bed to swim I water my couch with tears mine eyes fayl while I wait for my God Notwithstanding all this no sooner is this poor trembling shrub fallen into the stream of love and sweetly closeth with it but all casting down and disquietness is over b Psa 27.1 Iehovah is my light and my salvation for whom should I fear Jehovah is the strength of my life for whom should I dread VVe have the like example in David another time when Absalom made that unnatural rebellion against him at first he was c Psa 3.1 much troubled for d 2 Sam. 15 12. the conspiracy was great and the people multiplyed still with Absalom but when he poured out his Soul before the Lord he had that given in to him as he neither feared the number which the Traytor had with him nor the hellish counsel which Ahitophel might give him If a man should see a Lyon or Bear coming fiercely against him this could not but at first amaze him notwithstanding if he should perceive a place of safety by him and run to it and see himself in it now he would fear no more The malice and wrath of Persecutors their threatnings banishment imprisonment ruine of families and killing the body doth at first startle and affright a good man but having been with the Lord and graciously found him he fears not what any Tyrant can do cares not for his big words and stout looks for he sees the Tyrant bound and knows the Lord will not unchaine him neither suffer him to stir otherwise then it shall make for the glory of his great name in e Phil. 1.28 the salvation of the one and perdition of the other It was an evident sign that the Lord answered not Saul seeing his terror and trembling continued upon his heart Is not that Scripture in part fulfill'd at this day f Isa 33.14 The sinners in Zion are afrayd fearfulness hath surprized the Hypocrites Is not Cains case the condition of many g Gen. 4.15 they think every one that meets them will kill them h Pro. 14.13 In the midst of laughter their hearts are full of sorrow i Jer. 20.3 4. Magor-Missabib fear is round about them k Job 15.21 A dreadful sound is in their ear They dream of danger when they sleep and where ever they come l Deut. 28.66 Have no assurance of their lives Oh! what fantastick and pannick fears and Satanical delusions an unquiet guilty conscience causeth He that hath a minde to hurt others fears it is in the minde of every one to hurt him But what may we think of such people Truly I think if the Lord had any regard to their prayers he would not leave them under such continual terror and dreadful amazement m Psa 112.7 A good man shall not be afraid of any evil tidings But these people when n Jer. 49.23 they have heard any evil tidings they are faint-hearted And though it be but a Hear-say and a Noise and nothing in it yet they tremble
no King but Caesar Take notice Reader this is an old stratagem of the Devil and a lesson which he hath taught his children in all ages that is to be like a cunning thief who in the croud cryes Stop the thief stop the thief not caring who is taken so himself may escape that hath done the robbery When Balak would have Balaam come to him to curse the Lord's people he conceals the truth of Israels case and carriage makes no mention how the Lord had of old a Gen. 15.18 promised them the land of Canaan nor how the Canaanites wickedness was grown so great that b Lev. 18.24 25. the land should spue them out neither speaketh he of their sore oppression bondage in Egypt miraculous deliverance from thence nor how Israel being come out had not harmed either Edom or Moab but c Deut. 2.4.8 9 13. passed by them in peace and warred only with the cursed Canaanites devoted to destruction all these things Moab knew as well as d Num. 20.14 15. Edom but here he is silent and what he doth report is most false e Num. 22.5 Behold there is a people come out from Egypt behold they cover the face of the Earth and they abide over against me As if he should say there is an uncivil and barbarous people come up from Egypt who they are I know not but they plunder and destroy the Countryes where they come and they are now waiting an opportunity to invade us and turn us out of our lawful possessions Are not our enemies and Moab here alike Doe they not altogether conceal the case and carriage of Christs faithful witnesses where doe they fairly and honestly report their principles and judgment But f Psa 35.11 lay to their charge things they never knew I have in part shewed what they hold and what they desire to have This I shall add as g Prov. 15.34 Righteousness exalteth a Nation not craft policy power or making an other house so they would have all oppressions and grievances taken away no man to be committed or detayn'd in prison at the will and pleasure of any man they would not have the blood and treasure of the Nation spilt and spent to serve any mans lust they would have the theevish Lawyers supprest they would have those righteous things done which the Army promised And if Charls Stewart justly suffered and his family too for exercising an arbitrary and unlimited power they know no reason why any man if he govern worse then the King did should be suffered 4. Another help is a Mercenary Army But of these men I need not say much for the Nation knows them too well A hedge-hog seems to be a poor silly creature yet being full of bristles and prickles a man may be shrewdly hurt by it I cannot for the present think of a comparison fitter or truer It 's become a HEDG-HOG indeed a poor silly thing it hath no beauty comliness credit honor c. only bristles and prickles to wound the interest of Christ and his people 5. But who think'st thou Reader brings up the Rear Even Wizards and South-sayers another of Satans tricks to deceive poor people There is to be in our days a certain Conqueror an Emperour he must be saith another parasite descended from the Princely race of North-Wales who shall destroy the Pope and the Turk and most part of the world bear the Imperial rule at Sea reform the Church settle peace and nothing shall stand in his way and that this is true many Magicians Sorcerers and British Bards are reckoned up who above 1000. years agoe spake of it and several Honorable Titles he is to have saith a later Wizard about July next It grieves my Soul to see our profession Religion and the Holy Name of God thus abus'd and prophan'd by the vilest instruments the Devil hath But the Scripture must be fulfill'd h 2 Thes 11 12. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusions that they should beleeve a lie that they all might be damned who beleeve not the truth but have pleasure in unrighteousness i Psa 1.17 As he loved cursing so let it come upon him as he delighted not in the blessing so let it be far from him It was a righteous thing with God to give up Ahab to his false Prophets and by their lies to destroy him having refused to hearken to the Lords Servants so when men wil not follow the Counsel of God but cast his Word and Law behind their back what more just then to leave them to Wizards and Star-gazers to be blinded harnded by them and prepared for slaughter I have read somewhere of one Athol a Scots man being told by a Sorceress that he should be crowned in a great concourse of people believing the witch to make way for the crown he kil'd James 1. Now there was some truth in what the Witch had told him for being brought upon a Scaffold for this treason and Murder a crown of red hot Iron was set upon his head and so he miserably perished many thousands looking on So may they be crown'd that seek it in such a way Much more might be said concerning the Lords answering the cries and sighing of his people in the discovery of these men viz. their devouring skin bones and all by NEW TRICKS so the Thief hath the true mans purse he cares not how he gets it k Pro. 28.15 As a roaring Lion and a ranging Bear so is a wicked Ruler over the poor people that is the right which he pleadeth is nothing but might the mercy he shews is onely where he cannot shew more cruelty and whatsoever he takes away most unjustly from poor people he saith It is his right and he must and will have it Again the Lawyers never tormented poor men more then now the old Superstitious Priests how are they thumming over the English Mass again so in many parts of the Land their Malignant Justices persecuting honest men under the name of conventicles putting in execution the bloody Laws of the Beast enacted for the suppression of the truth other things are too FOUL to be named Herod feared John for his piety and strict walking so did Saul fear David But no man needs to fear this Generation of men for holiness justice righteousness Indeed for the contrary there is cause enough but howsoever in this Gods people may take comfort for thus it is promised k Mic. 4.10 Thou shalt go even to Babylon THERE shalt thou be delivered THERE the Lord shall redeem thee from the hand of thine enemies I hope we shall never be brought neerer Babylon then we are Secondly They have prayed that the Lord would not bless or prosper the designs of the froward and crafty who to set up their own interest have betrayed the cause of Christ but that k Psa 83.13 He would make them as a rolling thing
Arguments that the work is no Embrio but curiously wrought and coming forth out of the womb of Providence at the h Rom. 12.5 Man-child to rule the Nations with a rod of Iron Ans As this is a great Question so I shall modestly speak to it from that light â— have received Indeed I cannot decline my former opinion But do think the work as an unformed substance begun about June And that it is now covered with skin and flesh full wrought and coming forth It seems so to me for these reasons 1. I do observe that the Spirit of the Lord is so full and mighty with some of his hidden ones as they cannot cease fâ—om crying to him day and night i Rev. 14.15 Thrust in the sickle and reap for the time is come for thee to reap for the harvest of the earth is ripe Not now for a discovery of the Apostacy for that is apparent enough Nor so much now for Separation as to have the judgement written speedily executed It is doubtless a truth when the Lord shall spirit a people though very few and bring them forth as his Jobs Samuels and Daniels to stand before him and withall gives them k Mat. 17.20 a grain of that faith of which Christ speaks Whatsoever they ask in that FAITH shall be given them A little time will shew by whose LEADING and MOTION I write thus Namely That the Lords work is reviving and will suddenly appear in the destroying of the last Apostacy and this done by that Faith which some poor wormes have received to which all things are possible 2. I think Providence is opening the womb Because some men like Jehu drive too furiously to hold out long Blood-suckers when they are ready to burst draw strongest Thus it was with Pharoah Absolom Haman when they begun to pull hard they streightway perished No otherwise than like Rats and Mise and other Vermin whilst they are pulling hard at the bait down falls the Trap and so are taken So Geese many times break their own neck with biting and pulling hard the root which they hold in their Bill What the Bait is and the Root which some men are pulling at most do know But what is the Trap Verily Providence And you shall see when they come to their strongest Pulls to pull with BOTH HANDS down falls the Snare and the Vermins crusht to pieces 3. Because the Controversie riseth high between the Lords Witnesses the Lords Enemies When we see a woman big with Child we conclude she hath not long to go Can the controversie be higher Is it not about the Title of the Crown Kingdome Government yea and who shall Reign and be King Whether Jesus Christ in his Lawes or proud flesh in his Lusts Methinks by the greatnesse and swelling of the womb there is hope of a speedy birth It was so in the Case between Moses and the Magicians Elias and the Priests of Baal So the Scots and the Prelates When the difference and controversie grew high on all sides What immediatly followed Breaking work m Ps 11.6 Upon the wicked he rained snares fire and brimstone and an horrible Tempest This was the portion of their Cup. When we shall see the contest at that height either men must move for their Lives Lawes and Liberties or be absolute Slaves Suffer their witnesses to be put in graves or stand up for their Rising Then will the Lords worke come forth in quickening and spiriting a dead people and n Zach. 2.7 Zion shall deliver her self that dwelt with the daughter of Babylon 4. o Ecc. 3.11 The Lord hath made every thing beautifull in his season That is the worke of divine providence is the more comely and excellent in respect of the Season in which it comes forth Thus it is in natural things The Spring Summer Autumne VVinter every thing in his season oh how lovely and faire it is So in all the works of God about his Children VVhither p Ps 111.3 it be the punishing of the wicked for their sakes or their own deliverance He will make the worke honourable and glorious in respect of q Act. 1.7 That Season and Time he brings it forth Hence I am perswaded the Good old Cause is reviving Because methinks it is now such a Season as will put upon it the Beautie of holiness 5. VVhen I consider r Gen. 1.16 the wheele in the midst of a wheele Å¿ Ezek. 10.12 and the wheeles full of eyes And withall observe many late providences this likwise much confirmes me You may easily know which way a man means to shoot by his holding of his musket or Bow Against whom of late hath the Lord held the mouth of his Canon The Head of the Arrow of his VVrath and the point of his great and strong Sword Truely he must be very ignorant in publick affaires that cannot point at them And what may we gather hence That he will discharge his whole Cannons among them make his Arrows drunk in their Blood and they shall not escape his drawn sword and this suddenly too In warr usually there are some light skirmishes before the main Bodies do Engage So before a great rain and storme little dropping The Lord hath been skirmishing with them both by land and sea and shamefully beaten them everywhere and terrible drops have fallen upon them like haile-stones So that now he is comming against them with the Bodie of his Armie And t Ps 83.15 to persecute them with his Tempest u Ps 50.22 Now consider this ye that forget God x 2 Pet. 2.15 VVhich have forsaken the right way and are gone astray following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor who loved the wages of unrighteousnesse y Deut. 32.41 42. If I whet my glittering word and mine hand take hold on judgement I will render vengeance to mine enemies and will reward them that hate me I will make mine arrows drunk with bloud and my sword shall devour flesh that with the bloud of the slaine and of the Captaines from the beginning of the revenges upon the enemie 6. Judgement is at the birth against a professing people when the Counsel of the Lord in all his Servants is rejected and they are hearkning to flatterers lyers Wizards who will humour them in their lusts and encourage them in every sinfull Action This is plain in the Cause of Joash a 2 Chr. 24. from 16. to 26. After the death of Jehoiada came the Princes of Judah and made obeysance to the King then the King hearkned unto them These Princes were the old malignant Courtiers in the reigne of Jehoram Ahaziah Athaliah The thing that he hearkned to was to destroy that good Reformation which himself had made a little before that is to set up again the Idolatry and Tyrany which he had throwne down and to cast out the just and righteous things which he himselfe lately
altogether at nought as being glad he had met with such a BARGAIN and sped so well Verily I think that blood is not more like blood then Esau and the Revolters of this age are like one another Neither since Esau's time till now have any generation of men so MATCHT HIM in prophaness and this I shall plainly demonstrate by the Parallel First Let it be considered what they have sold such a Glorious Cause as never was I think in the hands of men before Not Civil-Rights and Liberties alone but the GREAT CAVSE of God the Interest of Christ and of his Kingdom Laws People m Psal 84.10 David thought it was honor enough if a man might sit at the threshold of Gods house that is be in the lowest placeâ— and meanest service In the late wars he that was but a common-soldier to fight against Tyranny and Idolatry truly his place and service was very honorable then how much more a General Colonel Capt. c. besides the Lord was pleased to honor them with the Birth-right they were the first-born I say the first to have brought the King home and to set the Crown upon his Head What could have been done more to men But Secondly What have they sold their Birth-right for Oh It grieves my soul to think of it that ever such a thing should be told in Gath and published in the streets of Askelon that it should be said among the Heathen EMINENT PROFESSORS OF RELIGION AND MEN PRETENDING GREAT THINGS FOR CHRIST AND ZION HAVE SOLD THE GOOD OLD CAUSE FOR A MORSEL OF BREAD n Jer. 2.10 11. Consider diligently and see if there be such a thing Hath any Nation changed their gods which are yet no gods But my people have changed their glory for that which doth not profit We think those foolish in their trades that should lose many peeces of gold to have a little bad coyn Let them look over their Bargain what have they sold and what they have for it Alas their Courts Titles Parks Pleasures c. are all bad coyn Lentils meer vanity and lies o Pro. 11.4 things that will not profit in the day of wrath But the Cause and work of God which they unworthily have given up had they been faithful to it would have been better to them then gold yea then fine gold all the things that men desire not to be compared to it It is reported that those wicked Spirits commonly called Fairies having stolen the true child out of the cradle do secretly convey and place in the stead thereof somâ— changeling of their own what truth iâ— in it I know not but this I know tâ— be true the Devil hath dealt so witâ— Apostates by a cunning sleight hâ— hath taken the true Child from them that is THE GOOD OLD CAVSE and hath left in the room of it a poâ—starv'd changeling here the buyer mâ—â— wel say It is naught it is naught 3. Are they sorry for what they have done do they repent of it p Jer. 6.15 Nay they are not at all ashamed neither can they blush but rejoyce feast and sing having made such a Bargain Iudas after he had betrayed Christ took little pleasure in the money which he had for the Treason q Mat. 27.3 45. He brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the Chief Priests and Elders saying I have sinned in that I have betrayed innocent blood And he cast down the peeces of silver into the Temple and departed c. But these men have not yet so much remorse on their conscience for what they have done but the Courts Castles Titles Power c. the Money they had for the Innocent Cause are the things they glory in and brag of I might have mentioned the greediness of Esau's appetite to the dish that red that red there Gen. 25.20 The doubling of the word is to shew his hast and gluttonous desire the color and tast seem'd so pleasing and entising unto him Whether they have not been â—ike a Lyon greedy of his prey Psal 17.12 Like greedy dogs which cannot have enough Isa 56.11 let their own practise be witness But there is one thing wherein Esau is more to be excus'd if there may be any excuse made for him then some now he lay under some necessity r Gen. 25.32 I am saith he at the point of death and what profit shall this Birth-right doe to me But these men could not plead Esau's necessity they were not ready to starve but had enough and therefore their sin was the more prophaneness it may be call'd to sell such a Blessed Cause not only for so LITTLE but having no need so to do The Conclusion is If Esau for his prophaneness were denyed a Time of Finding others then following his steps and being as prophane or more may not expect to find it better in their own case 2. No time of finding for old Hypocrites whose bones are full of the sins of their youth Secondly There will be no Time of Finding for old Hypocrites whose Å¿ Job 20.11 bones are full of the sins of their youth and do continually seek to hide and cover them under religious pretences as fasting praying weeping c. A old Hypocrite is like a child born crooked no earthly medicines can make him right and straight or like to old cloth which being rotten will not bear the needle and thred and therefore not to be mended Some men through their long hypocrisie are become as rotten as dirt no hope of mending for they have so accustomed themselves to play the hypocrites by weeping praying c. as t Jer. 13.23 the Blackmore may sooner change his skin and the Leopard his spots then they cease from dissembling and mocking God in religious duties They who from their infancy are accustomed to take poyson in small quantities do inable their stomacks to digest more till by long custome and increasing the quantity it becometh so familiar to their stomacks that instead of poysoning of them they are nourished by it Thus it is with such men who from their youth have used themselves to hypocrisie and falshood and risen by degrees at length specially when they come to be old their hearts are so hardned and conâ—ciences seared as their hypocrisie is no poyson no trouble to them but it turns to their nourishment it feeds them like meat and drink and they cannot live without it It was a great sin in Iudas to deliver his Master up into the hands of his enemies the Scribes and Pharisees but the sin of Iudas had not been half so bad if he had not so hypocritically betrayd Christ u Mat. 26.49 He came to Iesus and said Hail Master and kissed him So for any man to deliver up Christ in his truth and Cause into the hands of his bloody enemies viz. Priests Lawyers Papists c. under a pretence of Religion and the honor of God this comes neer
Lord will not hear prayer no not the prayer of a Moses and Samuel standing together before him but what is the reason x ver 4. Because of Manasseh the son of Hezekiah King of Iudah for that which he did in Ierusalem now that which aggravated Manassehs sin and most provoked the Lord to such wrath it is expressed thus y 2 Kin. 21.3 For he built again the high places which Hezekiah his father had destroyed intimating had there not been such a great Reformation a little before his wickedness had not been so foul and great but after so z Read 2 Chro. 29 30 31. Chap. much time and labor and treasure spent in rooting up Idolatry and Tyranny and to have the true worship of God with other good things setled in the Common-wealth that he should be so graceless and impudent presently to make things as bad or rather worse then they were before here the Lord will not hearken to prayer but his fury must break forth and there is no remedy In one respect and it is a great one too some men have done far worse then Manasseh for Manasseh built not again the things which he himself had destroyed neither in doing what he did was he a Covenant-breaker with the people that we read of whereas they have built the high places which themselves destroyed and against vowes and Oathes also And here we may understand what the Holy-Ghost means by saying a 2 Pet. 2.21 It had been better for them not to have known the way of Righteousness then after they have known it to turn from the holy Commandment that is in the day of Gods wrath when he is powring out the Vials upon the Nations it shall be better with them who have not known the Truth nor made profession of righteous things then with enlightned professors being led aside with the error of the wicked and fallen from their own stedfastness When prisoners are taken in war if any RVN-AWAYES are found among them such seldome are spared though the rest have quarter b Jer. 11.10 11. They are turned back to the iniquities of their fathers which refused to hear my words and they went after other gods to serve them the house of Israel and the house of Iudah have broken the Covenant which I made with their fathers Therefore thus saith the Lord Behold I will bring evil upon them which they shall not be able to escape and though they shall cry unto me I will not hearken unto them Again c ver 14. Therefore pray not thou for this people neither lift up a cry or a prayer for them for I will not hear them in the time that they cry unto me for their trouble So that now it is neither their own praying nor the Prophets praying will avail Object But what if with prayer they had joyned fasting as the present Back-sliders doe Answ For all this there had been no Time of finding d Jer. 14.12 When they fast I will not hear their cry c. But I will consume them by the sword and by famine and by pestilence Neither is it strange that the Lord should be so severe against Covenant-breakers and Back-sliders for none more wound him in his honor cause then they Formerly in wars they used Elephants which did much service but if they gave back did more hurt then the enemy so long as some men stood fast and faithful in the Lord's Battels they did the Lord and his people singular service but by GIVING BACK they have more dishonored God and trampled the Good old Cause under foot then the Common-Enemy ever did it may be said of a truth that the Common-Enemy never gave so deep a wound to the interest of Christ and his people as some have done by GIVING BACK Object But it will be said the Prophet speaks of a Covenant made with God which to break is dangerous but with men not so Answ Oathes and Engagements made with men are Divine things called in Scripture e Eccl. 8.2 1 Sam. 21.7 The Oaths of God Therefore thus saith the Lord God As I live surely mine Oath that he hath despised and my Covenant which he hath broken even it will I recompense upon his own head Though it was made with Nebuchad-nezzar an Heathen King an Idolater yet the Lord owns it as made with himself because his sacred and dreadful Name was taken therein and counts the violation and breach thereof as if it had been formally made with himself so when Ioshua had made a league with the Gibeonites and the Princes had sworn unto them though they were deceitfully brought thereunto by the Gibeonites craft yet they durst not violate the League made and sworn and so put them to the sword as they did others but said f Josh 9.15 20. We will let them live lest wrath be upon us because of the Oath For such therefore as slight the Promises and Covenants which they have made with men they shall one day know as they have taken the great name of God in vain so he will not hold them guiltless but will remember their great wickedness and not spare them nor pity them in the day of his anger 7. No finding time for the vile when the Lord hath separated the pretious from them Seventhly When the Lord hath separated the precious from the vile there will be no finding time for the rest No sooner are the Israelites on dry land f Exod. 14. but Pharaoh and his host are covered with waters if g Gen. 7.16 17. Noah be in the Ark then presently comes the Flood no sooner is i Gen. 19. righteous Lot pluckt out of Sodome but fire and brimstone burnes the place when k Eze. 9.5 6 the mourners are marked then immediately the Angel is bid to smite and spare none so when l Isa 26.20 21. the Lords people are in their chambers Behold the Lord cometh out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity And this I take to be one reason of the Lords great patience at this time though Sodome be ripe for judgment yet the Angel will have Lot out before he execute it m Gen. 19.22 Haste thee escape thither for I cannot do any thing till thou be come thither Why is not the vial poured out upon this Apostacy surely n Isa 30.18 the Lord waits to be gracious unto his elect among the Apostates o 2 Pet. 3.9 He is not slack concerning his promise as some men count slackness but is long suffring TO VS-WARD not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance whereas therefore he defers his wrath it is to have his people out of Babylon and from the tents of Korah Dathan and Abiram he would have them remember from whence they are fallen and repent and doe their first works and were this done he would soon take vengeance
not having A Time of Finding Thirdly 3. Because they are his friends and servants Because they are the Lords People his Iewels Servants Children and Friends t Psa 119.125 I am thy Servant saith holy David give ME understanding If another mans Childe or Servant should ask something of you you might in all reason especially if Enemies bid them go to their own Father and Master why do they come to you It is very true such as as are the servants of Antichrist and do serve the base lusts of Tyrants yea and are Tyrants themselves The Lord may justly say unto them when they Call upon him as the Prophet did to the King of Israel u 2 Kin. 3.13 What have I to do with thee Get thee to the Prophets of thy Father and to the Prophets of thy Mother So may the Lord say to REVOLTERS Why come ye now to me have ye not rejected me and cast me off in my Son Zion Cause and Kingdom broken your Vowes and Covenants with me Therefore get ye unto the Head of the Last Apostacie and the Great Whore the Head of the First Apostacie whom ye have honored more then me And it seems to me David in the Spirit foretels this very thing x Psa 18.41 They cry'd out but there was none to save unto IEHOVAH but he answered them not A Prophesie to be fulfil'd in the Last Dayes as I take it upon APOSTATE PROFESSORS But howsoever the Lord will thus deal with his enemies for their Crooked ways yet with his Friends and faithful Servants who y Luk. 22.28 continued with him in his temptations Suffered banishment imprisonment spoyling of their goods c. rather then to forsake THE GOOD OLD CAVSE These a Isa 58.9 shall call and the Lord shall answer They shall cry and he shall say Here I am b Isa 49.15 Can a Mother forget her sucking child c. If a child be crying in the streets and multitudes of people should passe by without taking notice of the child yet no sooner doth the mother hear it cry but runs to it kisseth it and carrieth him home in her bosome What though prophane people and proud carnal professors that are at ease regard not the Mourners in Zion but reproach their very sighings and groanings laugh and deride their prayers yet they have a father that hears them and c Psa 57.18 puts all their tears into his bottle and in due time d Psal 30.11 will put off their sackcloth and gird them with gladness Fourthly Because in seeking him 4. Because in seeking him they seek onely his glory they seek only his Glory As a shooter hath one eye close and with the other sees nothing save the mark at which he shoots thus it is now with the Little Remnant their eyes are shut from all Self-respects they look not upon any worldly advantage neither ask any thing of God but what may be to the glory of his Great Name If they ask health Liberty food c. it is that God may be glorified in the right improvement of them if they pray against Apostates and Covenant-breakers it is that e Isa 2.17 the Lord alone may be exalted f Phil. 1.21 To me to live is Christ and to die is gain that is so Christ may be glorified I am willing to live and if glorified I am willing to dy it is all one to me whether I live or dy so Jesus Christ by it may have glory Could a father see a child at his foot crying to him with tears that he might know his will and upon no other account then to honor him in the doing of it I say could a father see all this and not be found g 1 Cor. 4.3 For mens judgment we pass it by as a very small thing the Lord knows it is true viz. That there is a Seed of God at this day in bitterness of Soul to know what is that good that acceptable and perfect will of God and for no other end then to serve the Lord and not as Turn-coats and Revolters do to serve themselves upon him The Lord was well pleased with Solomon h 1 Kin. 3.10 11. Because he asked not for himself long life nor riches nor the life of his Enemies but understanding to discern judgment that is he asked that thing whereby he might most honor God and the Lord gave him his request and more too Never had Saints more cause then now to beleeve a time of finding is nigh and that all their tears and sighings will be speedily answered seeing they go not unto the Lord as Hypocrites do i. Hos 7.14 For corn and wine and rebel against him but for this end that k Mat. 6.9 the Lords name may be hallowed But this corrupt men cannot do It is not Gods Counsel they desire to know nor his good Cause to carry on but that their own wicked devises might prosper that the Lord would give his glory to them As the rainbow never appears but is in opposition to the Sun so some men if they appear publickly or privately in fasting and prayer they are never in that side of the world where Gods Glory is but quite in opposition to it I have read of a certain Soldier having done great service for the State was bid to ask some reward for himself to which he answered For himself he would ask nothing but had a Petition for the Church and People of God I hope there is such a frame of Spirit among the Mourners every where they have layd aside their own concernments and are seeking the things of Christ and Zion if so then hold up your heads The time of finding is come Fifthly 5. Because Jesus Christ moves and intercedes for them Because the prayers of Saints are not only l Rev. 8.3 4. by Jesus Christ presented to the Father and by him made a sweet sacrifice but likewise he himself moves and intercedes in their behalf Thus Christ in Heaven is as a Favorite at Court takes our Petitions and speaks to them So saith Paul m Rom. 8.34 He is at the right hand of God making intercession for us The Text carries it that he is in Heaven with his stripes wounds blood death setting them before the eyes of his Father and all for Zion Some men after their exaltation and preferment forget their poor Brethren and old friends as Pharaohs Butler forgot Joseph but Christ doth not so we are n Son 8.6 as a seal set upon his heart there he wears us and keeps us not only for an ornament and to shew how pretious he accounts us but that we might be always in his sight and remembrance The incouragement given us to come boldly to the Throne of Grace is o Heb. 4.5 For we have not an High-Priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities but was in all points tempted yet
jest at his judgments as things that never shall come to pass and be effected As Agag when he saw he was not cut off with the rest of the Amalekites concludes o 1 Sam. 15.32 Surely the bitterness of death is past So because they were not swept away in such a month or such a yeer what say they now p Eze. 12.22 The dayes are prolonged and every vision faileth Because they do not immediately see the whole Prophesies accomplished concerning the Little Horn the Last Apostacy and the Beast which ascendeth out of the bottomless pit they contemn them and laugh at them as though they should never be fulfill'd and say q Jer. 7.10 We are delivered to do all these abominations Though we have done such things sworn falsely and betrayed the interest of Christ and his people and have been grievously threatned for the same yet we are delivered from their THREATNING TESTIMONY and are well safe and without fear or danger and shall go on and prosper still yea and which is more they r Amos 5.18 Desire the day of the Lord In a profane boldness provoke and dare the Lord to bring that once to pass which he hath so long threatned Where are his Å¿ Jer. 51.20 Battle-axes the t Rev 15.1 vial-Angels u Isa 27.1 his sore great and strong sword x Isa 8.19 Let him make speed and hasten his work that we may see it and let the Counsel of the Holy One of Israel draw nigh and come that we may know it 2. Iudgment not being speedily executed What is the evil that their heart is full of y Luk. 14.14 We will not have this man to reign over us The war now is like that of the Old Gyants against Heaven against God and Christ how to a Psal 2.3 Break their bonds asunder and cast their cords from them As Herod no sooner heard b Mat. 2.2 13. of one born King of the Jewes but immediately he sought the young Child's life to destroy him The very rumor of Christs coming forth to reign and to break all corrupt powers makes Tyrants mad and it is their greatest care and study how to prevent him But 3. And let it be heeded when men are emboldned and made worse because judgment is delayed this shews not only that c Jer. 5.14 15. Divine wrath is very nigh at hand but it shall rest and abide upon them d Isa 5.25 till they are consum'd to ashes as fire doth wood No time of finding e Amos 5.21 Jer. 7.16 for their prayers cries and tears the Lord hates and despiseth Sixthly 6. God is many ways glorified when corrupt men have not a time of finding It is much to the prayse and Glory of God when Apostates Hypocrites and other corrupt people have not a time of finding Quest. Wherein is the Lord honored not being found of his people Answ 1. In vindicating his Justice Providence and Great Name 1. In vindicating his providence and great Name When God is silent and spares Hypocrites f Psa 50.2 i. They thinke him like themselves altogether as they are As the Tyrant having a safe passage homeward thought the gods well pleased with his robbery Thus do wicked men if they prosper in unrighteous ways or see others prosper therein g Psa 119.70 Their heart is as fat as grease and are ready to say h Zeph. 1.12 The Lord will not do good neither will he do evil nay they begin to call in question his Justice and Providence i Mat. 2.17 Every one that doth evil is good in the sight of the Lord and he delighteth in them that is accepteth and approveth of the wicked justifies them yea more takes pleasure in them How many in these late years by their Atheistical conceits and blasphemous speeches have wearied and vexed the Lord and whence hath it risen k Ibid. Where is the God of Judgment As if there were no Providence no God that did judge and govern things upon earth because he doth not presently punish the workers of iniquity As one not long since most blasphemously sayd If he be a God why doth he not shew his judgment upon such a one I could name both Now howsoever many reasons might be given for the prosperity of the wicked and their impunity yet doubtless the glory of God is exceedingly manifested in his Government and Administration when he breaks the power of the proud and makes them like ashes under the soles of his feet l Rev. 15.4 Who shall not fear thee O Lord and glorifie thy name c. for thy judgments are made manifest By that revenging stroke from Heaven which reach'd Iulian the Apostate many who formerly had spoken wickedly of Christ repented and acknowledged their blasphemie and gave glory to him In some such way I am perswaded will the Lord vindicate his Providence and Justice namely by making SOME MEN publick Examples of his wrath such I mean who by their false-swearing and horrible hypocrisie and prospering a while therein have occasioned many to have had hard thoughts of God WHERE IS THE GOD OF JVDGMENT Memorable is that story of Amurath at the battle of Varna when he saw the slaughter of his men and all things brought into extreame danger he pluckt out of his bosom the writing wherein the late League was comprised and holding it up in his hand with his eyes lift up to heaven said Behold thou crucified Christ this is the League thy Christians in thy name made with me and they have without cause violated Now if thou be God as they say thou art and as we dream revenge the wrong now done unto thy Name and me and shew thy power upon thy perjurious people who in their deeds deny thee their God VVas a Turk heard against Idolaters for Covenant-breaking And will not the Lord much more bow his ear to the strong cries of his children holding up in their hands the Protestations Vows and solemn Ingagements not of Papists but of great professors which they publickly have broken with God and men when they shall say as still they do Behold Lord see here these are the Oaths Attestations and promises which thy great professors have made with thee and for the interest of thy Son and Zion and without any cause but to satisfie their own lusts they have violated Now therefore as thou art a jealous God and tender of thy great Name Glory Providence so shew thy great Power upon these false and dissembling people who in their works deny thee their God 2. By making himself known in his truth cause Secondly By making himself gloriously known in his truth and cause That Saul had no time of finding but was left of God in the day of distress this made way for Davids kingdome So when Tyrants are broken in their power and Government it is in order to the exalting of Jesus
Christ in his kingdome and rights m Psal 9.16 The Lord is known by the judgments which he executeth and till then his Name is not feared his truth and cause denyed and his honour is laid in the dust But when the Lord by destroying the enemies of his Glory shall put a Crown upon his GOOD OLD CAUSE then it shall be said n Psa 58.11 Verily he is a God that judgeth in the earth And o Isa 46.9 there is none else And p Deut. 33.29 the enemies as Lawyers Priests Souldiers and Apostate-professors shall be found lyars q Eze. 6.14 I will stretch out my hand upon them and make the Land desolate yea more desolate then the wilderness toward Diblath in all their habitations But what will the Lord get by this And they shall know that I am the Lord. As if he should say Their loss shall be my gaine their fall my rising for whereas by their Covenant-breaking and horrible Apostacie they have brought my Name and Glory under reproach I will recover all again upon their mine Was not the Lord eminently known in this Nation when he executed judgment upon the King and Prelates and that party To my knowledge r Esth 8.17 the fear of Gods people fell upon the Nations about us and they confest the Lord had done great things for us and began to enquire after our good cause and had honourable thoughts of it But true it is since this unblessed Apostacie came up occasioned by professours they judge otherwise both of us and it As for the English professours they call them A pack of dissemblers their profession falshood and craft and the good old Cause so signally own'd by the Lord they spurn at it nay more and truly I mourn as I wite it by reason of the gross miscarriages of some Professours the very Name of Religion is become so odious that they have made Ballads and Songs against it and they are sung by base fellows up and down the Nation and what is the Burden of their Song No Cheater like the Professour But though this be so yet when the Lord shall execute judgment upon those men who have brought such dishonour and reproach to him and so build the old wast places and be called The repairer of the breach and restorer of paths to dwell in Then he will recover the glory of his great Name and be more admired of the Nations then before When the Scribes and Pharisees had put Christ to death what ado they made to have kept him in the grave and that he might not rise again â— but Å¿ Psa 2.1 they imagined a vain thing It was not the great stone which they rolled before the door of the Sepulchre nor their sealing it nor setting Souldiers to watch that could do it but he rose in the spight of them all t Rom. 1.4 and declared himself to be the Son of God Since they crucified the Lords Cause what hath been their work but how to keep it from rising Truly little else hath been thought of or lookt after the help that is called for from this party and the other it is onely to strengthen the hands of the wicked Now as the Lord will not easily part with his glory so I think it will not be recovered without executing judgement upon the enemies of it and reviving his glorious work and cause again but in what case then are Revolters for if God in this way be glorified they must needs be asham'd If the Lord do magnifie his great Name by lifting up the interest of Christ and his people it must be to the shame and confusion of their faces who have brought it under foot As those that have been whores to great men being cast off or their masters dead every body points at them and scorns them there goes one that was such a mans whore fie upon her no less detested will they be who have served the unclean interest of men The time I am perswaded is nigh that they shall not shew their heads abroad but men women and children will point at them saying LOE THERE WALKS ONE A PROFESSOR A CHURCH-MEMBER WHO FOR A SALARY A PLACE AN OFFICE A MONOPOLY PROSTITUTED HIS HONESTY FAITH CONSCIENCE COUNTRY TO THE LUST AND WILL OF MEN. 3. By being glorifyed of some because others are punished Thirdly The Lord not granting a time of finding unto some but leaving them to perish under wrath is glorified of many by it I have been thinking sometimes what might be the cause that in pouring out the seven last plagues we finde nor any u Rev. 11.13 to give glory to the God of Heaven but when the seven thousand were slain in the Earth-quake Now my opinion is in the destruction of the Last Apostacy under the first vial Gods Justice Holiness wisdome c. will occasion some extraordinary glory to be given to him For whereas he begins with a professing people and spares them not this will be more to the prayse of his Justice then when his wrath afterwards fals upon Idolaters and such as know not God And hence it is that the Mourners in Zion cry day and night with a loud voyce to him that sits on the Cloud x Rev. 14.15 Thrust in thy sickle and reap for the time is come for thee to reap for the harvest of the Earth-Apostacy is ripe Not that they fret at the prosperity of evil doers or are impatient under their oppressions or delight in blood but because of the exceeding great glory they know Jesus Christ will have by it When weeds overtop the corn bryars and thorns are grown great and thick high above the vine unless they are cut down there will be no harvest no vintage y Isa 26.9 When thy judgments are in the earth the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness When the thorns and bryars which are grown great and high among us are pluckt up by the roots then will this Nation learn righteousness then shall the Lord have a glorious harvest and vintage even sweet and blessed fruit then there will be a generation of Professors sincere single hearted faithful to God and faithful with men whereas now too many are a 2 Tim. 3.2 3 4. Lovers of themselves Covetous Boasters Proud Blasphemers Vnthank-ful Vnholy Truce-breakers Traytors c. Having a form of Godliness but denying the power thereof Howsoever it be true b Job 21.30 That the wicked is reserved to the day of destruction yet this day and destruction is c Pro. 16.4 For God's own glory but when they shall be brought forth to the day of wrath how is he then glorified Truly in nothing more then when others seeing the vengeance not only justifie it but are instructed and kiss the Son and stand in awe and sin not d Psa 97.8 Zion heareth and rejoyceth and glad are the daughters of Iudah because of thy judgments Jehovah Those
thing is true there is no bread no STATE-DISHES in Apostate-Courts for any Seer that shall keep a good conscience and deal faithfully in the Lords Message for should they declare the whole Counsel of God and come home as John did to Herod and tel them particularly what is not lawful they would soon dismiss them and tell them it is the KINGS CHAPPEL yea and well if they can escape with their liberties and lives There are two things enough to discourage every honest man from being a Servant to a wicked Ruler 1. The suspition and jealousie which all good people will have of him if he turn Courtier as not to be the man he was before viz. for truth integrity and plain dealing but as a Candle turned the wrong way and held downward it goes out so out goes the light of simplicity and singleness of heart and up riseth the snuff and stink of flattering lips and a double-tongue 2. How basely their great Masters will cast them off As a man that rides in post takes often fresh horses and looks no more after the Beast he used before Thus do Tyrants those that will not hold out and keep pace with them in all their sinful ways away they are turned and up they get upon the back of a fresh horse Fourthly The horrible and unheard-of wickedness never the like seen or known before among a professing people not by fits and now and then committed but constantly like a gutter which always runs with foul water As low Meadows and Marshes when they come to be overflown and the waters to stand in them breed nothing but Toads and Frogs that continually creep and annoy them or as Knats and Vermine in a dead karcase by the clear sun-shine of one day are produced and multiplied in multitudes I would gladly know what the last Apostacie hath begotten and brought forth since it ascended out of the bottomless pit unless croaking Frogs and other Vermin filling every corner of the Land It is not long since Priests and Lawyers had their waters so dried up as they were almost dead and could hardly croak for drought but now they encrease again and grow fat having power given them to devour every green thing Hazael would not believe that he should ever commit the villany which the prophet told him Though some professors were suspected of many to be rotten at the kore long before their ROTTENNESS brake forth like Gehazi's Leprosie on their Fore-heads yet I think no man thought they would have been half so bad as they are for if you mark it their designe is closely and by degrees to suppress every good thing that stands in the way of their interest and so to have their will and lust alone exalted Moles cannot see but it 's the better for their working under ground That some mens eyes are blinded their hearts hardned and consciences seared it is much to the advantage of their designe for now like blind Moles their work will go on the faster wheras had they eyes to see hearts and consciences that would be smiting and checking them for their deceit falshood hypocrisie c. Oh this would be a great trouble and they could not work so fast under ground Fifthly The Instruments imployed by them to defend what they have done and how 1. p Zech. 13.4 The prophets are ashamed every one of his own vision they hold down the head and dare not speak any more things being so intolerably out of order Thus we see fulfill'd in our days that marvelous work and wonder of which the prophet speaketh q Isa 29.14 The wisdome of their wise men shall perish and the understanding of their prudent shall be hid Neither is it strange they are all silent for what can the new Doctors or Tryers or any of the money-Prophets bring forth to justifie some States-mens doings but Gardners argument against relying on the merits of Christ Allow that said he and ye open a Gap to the taking away of the priests profits It is sure enough if Christ in his Kingdom Laws Worship c. should reign open that gate to the King of Glory down goes the wantonness pride riot and gallantry of our new Princes and Prelates and their Dependants 2. For those fools which r Pro. 20.3 which will be medling and Å¿ Pro. 10.8 prating what do they but t Isa 28.15 make lies their refuge Oh the wonderful victories and prosperous successes which they have had in the West-Indies and other parts against the Spaniard and what huge credit and glory the English Nation hath gain'd of late among Turks and Jews and Heathens and where not When I hear such gross untruths and consider for what end they are devised that Beast comes into my mind called Bonosus not being able to defend himself with his hornes poysoneth the Dogs with his dung seeing they can do nothing by their power but the Lord breaks their horns every where they hope to help themselves with THEIR EXCREMENTS men that shall write for the Turk or Devil if he will hire him and therewith to poyson the ears and understanding of the people But some may say they are not believed their news is taken for lies in all places Though this be true yet their wickedness is not the less viz. when God is visibly against them and curseth their blessings for them THEN to boast of victory prosperity good success c. who unless Atheists would do so 3. Another way whereby their new Babel is under-propt it is by raising Calumniations and Slanders against the Lords people What strange and monstrous people are the Fifth Monarchy-men and Common-wealths-men reported to be And doubtless u Prov. 14.15 the simple who believe every word think it is all true which Apostates say of them When the name of Hugonite came first up in France much enquiry there was what those people were The priests ever the forewardest in such a work gave out they were MONSTERS headed like Lions footed like Bears c. and would eat Children and a great deal more to this purpose whereupon the ignorant people believing the things to be true because their Priests said so cried out Oh kill them kill them kill them Just thus do the Backsliders deal with their enemies I mean such as hold forth a publick Testimony against them if you ask them what are these Fifth Monarchy-men and Common-wealths-men that are so talk'd of they will tell you they are Monsters monstrous Monsters men that will have no Government no Magistracy no Ministery men that will have all things common allowing no propriety and whoso are not of their principles and opinion they will either eat them or make them vassals to them Now what say the poor ignorant people hearing this and not questioning the truth of it for how should they seeing Priests Lawyers and Soldiers tel them so x John 19. â—5 Away with them away with them crucifie them we have
as chaff before the wind How the Lord hath answered them will appear first by some Queries 1. Had Charls Stewart sent an Army to Hispaniola and ten of the Spaniards had kill'd an hundred of them a hundred a thousand Whether people would not have said God's curse was upon that action 2. Had Charls Stewart to satisfie his pride and lust put the Nation to some millions of expence to keep a great Fleet about the Straits and after some yeers a part had return'd bringing nothing back but shame and dishonor to the nation Whether people would not have said This action likewise was l Isa 43.28 given to the curse 3. If Charls Stewart for the business at the Isle of Ree and violating some Priviledges of Parliament c. was fairly dealt with VVhether other men after him should they doe worse might not be call'd to such an account 4. If that Parliament and High Court of Justice which arraigned Charls Stewart deserved much love and prayse of the nation for it What deserve they and are worthy to have that shall betray their publick Trust by giving up to one man the Power Laws Rights and Priviledges of People and Parliament 5. If Charls Stewart in three or four yeers had unnecessarily wasted more then 4. Millions of the Treasure of the nation and in that time had destroyed more then forty thousand mens lives and only for his own pleasure and afterward should have gotten a pack of his own creatures together who in Parliament as he would call it should justifie and confirm what he had done The question is Whether in this case there had been any way or means left to the people whereby they might lawfully and justly have call'd Charls Stewart and his Juncto to an account for the same A * Pro. 28.3 poor man that oppresseth the poor is like a sweeping rain which leaveth no food Morsus macri pediculi pessimus the biting of a LEAN LOVSE is worst of all sayth Lyra on the place I have read of a great man being bitten of a weasel and understanding there was no hope of cure nothing griev'd him more at the hour of his death then to think it was a weasels biting had it been said he a LYONS BITING it would not have troubled me half so much 2. What is it that crafty men by their power and policy have lately effected I say since Gods people have prayed aginst them what have they brought forth save wind and vanity m Psa 7.14 Behold he travelleth with painful iniquity and hath conceived mischief and brought forth a lie As a woman after sore and hard travel is delivered of a dead childe so hath been the fruit of their painful travel Their affairs and transactions almost in all places and in all things have been like a sword put into the scabberd the wrong way the more force power craft the worse And no marvel seeing they are going the wrong way viz. against Christ and the cries of his people VVhat is become of that THING which was like Queen Mary's goodly Boy Did not the Priests in their Pulpits describe it and pray for it VVhat is become of the Boyes nurse A nurse many times is more fond of the child she sucks then the mother that bare it 3. It appears the Lord heard their groanings by sending n Judg. 9.23 an evil spirit among the Plotters of iniquity to divide them and that they should seek o 2 Chr. 20.23 to destroy one another VVhen Amnon had his desire upon his sister p 2 Sam. 13.15 he hated her the more So Hypocrites commonly most abhor such men as doe prostrate themselves to their sinful designs when they have served their lusts upon them 4. It shewed Saul was in great extremity having destroyed the witches that he should yet goe to one of them and make use of their devilish art Oh! how desperately straitned are those men and know not what to doe having fought against Malignants and Cavaleers against Epispopal men and Presbyterians shall afterward run to them court them and crouch to them as seeing no way else to be help'd q Judg. 11.7 Did ye not hate me and expel me out of my fathers house and why are ye come unto me now when ye are in distress Thirdly Prayer hath been made without ceasing that Gods elect every where might forsake all unsanctified places and standings and that their feet might be turned into the pleasant paths of truth and righteousness and in this likewise they have seen the travel of their souls For 1. Very many of the most conscientious people every where have given up their commissions places offices Salaries c. r Heb. 11.25 Chusing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God then to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season If a man have a thing in his mouth though he like it well for the sweetness of it yet he will not keep it there but spit it out when he knows it is naught and hurtful so will good men do specially if their hearts be very soft and tender forsake all places offices imployment maintenance c. which they see they cannot hold without scandal and offence though much worldly sweetness doth come in thereby And this is indeed that great lesson of Å¿ Mat. 16.24 Self-denial and t Mat. 18.8 9. Mortification which Christ teacheth us 2. There are some who wanting faith to trust God for a livelihood lie under sad affliction and trouble of spirit about their places and imployments u 2 Kin. 5.18 When my Master goeth into the house of Rimmon to worship there and he leaneth on my hand and I bow my self in the house of Rimmon the Lord pardon thy servant in this thing as if he should say I do not like my place that I should be so nigh the King when he is in the Temple at his idolatrous worship I question the lawfulness of my presence there but if I do it not I must lose my place and then I shall not live in that credit plenty state pomp which now I do It seems Naaman knew not the Scriptures how x Psa 57.16 a little y Eccl. 4.6 a handful a Pro. 17.1 a dry morsel b Pro. 15.17 a dinner of herbs well gotten and with quietness and peace of conscience and the fear of God is better then great revenues without right and with the trouble of a tormented conscience But Naaman knew not this if he had probably he would not as I doubt too many do c Prov. 28.21 Transgress'd for a piece of bread 3. For many which keep their places and employment though they seem satisfied as to their standing yet the query is Are they satisfied as to their Masters DOINGS d 1 Sam. 15 14. What meaneth then the bleating of the Sheep in mine ears With whom can you converse if they have not lost all former principles
workers of iniquity A good Riddance A Dogg that followeth two men is not known to which of them he belongeth till the way part Then indeed you shall see Howsoever we knew not plain and honest hearts from dissemblers so long as the Interest of Christ and worldly profit kept together Yet the Lord by this STOP hath made a marvellous discovery of both A good separation 2. That the Scriptures might 〈◊〉 fulfilled For by this STOP came in the perillous Times of which Paul gave warning t 2 Tim. 10.3.1 in Timothy meaning the second Apostacy How the Characters set down there by the Apostle paralell with the Backsliders of this age I have largely * A Book entituled Truth with Time elsewhere shewed In some Fenny Countries where people are troubled with GNATS they use to hang dung in the midst of a room as a bait for the Gnats to fly to and so catch them as a snare provided for that purpose Why would the Lord have a STOP to the work and by that STOP bring up the Apostacy It is plain enough that it might be a Pit and a Snare dung indeed to catch all the GNATS of the three Nations For I verily believe there is not a worldly minded Professor whether Church-member or Church-Officer or otherwise but he is fallen into this Trap. u Job 18.5.8 9 10 The light of the wicked shall be put out and the sparke of his fire shall not shine For be is cast into a net by his own feet and his own counsel shall cast him down The gin shall take him by the heel and the robâ—â—â— shall prevail against him The snare is laid for him in the ground and a trap for him in the way x Rev. 15.3 Great and marvellous are thy works Lord God Almighty 3. As the Lord made a Proof or Tryall of Abrahams faith love and obedience by his willingnesse to offer his sonne Isaac So this STOP hath been viz. y Cor. 11.19 that they which are approved may be made manifest If a Maid that she might be such a mans Wise should refuse a great Estate and live very poorly with him would not this argue she married him for Love and nothing else There are many since this Apostasie came up for the love and affection which they bear to the GOOD OLD CAVSE have refused great places high promotion and honour and sufferd Banishment Imprisonment cruel mockings and spoyling of their goods And what doth this signifie a Gen. 22.12 Now I know said the Angell to Abraham that thou fearest God seeing thou hast not withheld thy sonne thine onely son from me Surely a man sheweth great affection and faithfulnesse unto Jesus Christ when riches preferments and great mens favours are rejected and his poor despised betrayed and crucified Cause is boldly owned of him 4. That b Rom. 11.28 the Lord may make a short work upon the earth when his work shall be revived again As a man intending to shew his skill by leaping farre goes backward first a little So the Lord intending more than an ordinary speed quick dispatch of the seven last plagues seemeth first to go backwards c Rev. 11. â—4 Behold the third woe cometh quickly Thus it was with Israel in Egypt After Moses and Aaron had been with Pharoah they had d Exod. 5.9 more work laid upon them and their bondage greater than before But when the Lord revived that work How fast went it forward then In less than thirty days all the ten plagues were poured out upon Egypt So after the forty years when the Lords work came on again the Land of Canaan is presently conquered e Josh 12.24 one and thirty Kings put to death How soon was the Lords House built when the work was revived in four years at most And so I take it here the Lord means by this Stop HAST HAST afterward 5. To strike the greater dread and horrour upon wicked men f Rev. 11. at the rising of the work Herod thinking Christ to be John Baptist he thought likewise John being risen he came with more strength and power than he had before and this tormented him That the Cause and Interest of Christ thought to be dead and buried should be raised again No marvel the sinners in Zion will be afraid and fearfulness surprize the hypocrites they know it comes forth in Power Glory and Majesty to take vengeance on them for their falshood and unrighteousnesse 6. There is a STOP that ungodly men in this Time may fill up the measure of their sinnes so be fatted for the slaughter g Jer. 51.13 Thine end is come and the measure of thy Covetousness that is when Babilons Covetousnesse is full and ripe then come the vials of wrath to be poured out upon her Among the Egyptians it was a custome when any man was condemned for some notorious crime to feast him and fat him that he might undergo the greater Torment I think no man will deny but some men of late are fatted to purpose h Ps 119.70 Their heart is as fat as grease But it was not thus before the STOP For their Coveteousness Pride Lightnesse Luxury was nothing in measure and height to what it is now A sad stop wofull places offices promotion maintenance c. that prepares men like Sheep for the day of slaughter 7. For the praise of his great power Christ was able to have kept Lazarus from death and the grave but he would not and why i Joh. 11.4 That the son of man might be gloried And indeed I think there was no miracle which our Saviour wrought more to his glory than this Not onely is Lazarus dead and buried but supposed to stink having been three days buried And for all this to raise him up what a wonderfull work is this Though it be true as was said the Lord could have prevented all STOPS yet he would not But he will have his Cause slain and buried and in the opinion of the Enemy to rot and stink no fear of rising again And then will he k Ps 78.65 awake as one out of sleep break the heavens and come down shake the mountains and raise up his friend Lazarus to the glory of his power the joy of his people and the confusion of his Enemies Amen Amen Quest But what reasons have you to believe that the good old Cause will be revived again Answer 1. Because the honour of God is much concerned in it since the STOP What say the Scoffers l Luk. 14.30 This man began to build but was not able to finish it As if some by their craft and policy had over-reached Jesus Christ As long as Pompey stood and flourished Cato stoutly maintained a Providence But when he fled into Egypt and was slaine of a base fellow and lay upon the shoare without any honour of Burial when Cato also was beset with Caesars army He fell from
his former doctrine turning his tale as if there were no providence at all but every thing went by hap It is too probable by some late Turnings many are turned Atheists And therefore questionlesse God will revive his work again For otherwise how can the great reproach and dishonour be taken off from his Providence and Government So 2. Is Religion the true profession of the Gospell which never will have the Credite Glory Beauty it had formerly if the interest of Christ and his People be not revived Nothing better heals the sting of Vipers than to apply their own flesh to the disease The dust of a Toad put to its venomous biting takes away the poison It is much upon my heart by some such APPLICATION the Lord will heal those fearfull wounds and bitings which are upon the truth Though men have not regarded the Credit and Honour of it yet Christ doth and will recover it and revive it again by destroying the fond glosses and covetuous practises of corrupt men and raising up faithfull ones to preach the everlasting Gospell Eusebius writes of Peregrinus the Philosopher having gotten a great estate by feigning himself a Christian that he might consume it the more freely on his lusts revolted to Gentilisme It is plain enough to see why some men have left the Lords work and this people It was that they might be at liberty to spend what they had gotten in excesse pride riot lasciviousness They well knew should they have kept close to Christ and his interest they could not have fulfilled the desires of the flesh and walked after their own lusts And therefore thought it better to turn Heathens again For so doing they knew they should have elbow-room enough might do whatsoever seemd good in their own eyes But what of all this let such know the Lord will make That Holy Profession of his Name Gospel Kingdome glorious and honourable again Though they have made it vile and contemptible in the eyes of the world m Ezek. 36.23 I will sanctifie my great Name which was prophaned among the Gentiles which ye have prophaned in the midst of them 3. Such were the wonderfull actings and appearances of God for and with this Cause as it is not possible it should come to nothing vanish away like smoak which yet will be so unlesse it be quickned and raised again n Judg. 13.23 If the Lord were pleased to kill us he would not have shewed us all these things Let no man think that he would so eminently have shewed his power justice and wrath against the late King for his Tyrany and Arbitrary Government So a-against the Bishops for their pride and humane inventions but that he means to destroy the like wickednesse in others if afterward they shall take it up o 1 Sam. 3.12 When I begin I will also make an end Though it be a judgment and to be executed upon his own people yet he will perfect the work And will he not do so and more p Lam. 3.33 willingly when it is to have mercy upon Zion 4. In reviving this work he will q Isa 57.18 Restore Comfort to his Mourners r Ps 85.6 would not thou revive us again that thy people may rejoyce in thee That is when thou shalt take that which letteth out of the way and bring us again upon thy work Our mourning will cease and thy power faithfulnes goodnes justice will be soul-refreshing unto us I know some men can take pleasure in beholding beastly and filthy things So is oppression falshood and deceit to a time-server turn-coat a most pleasant sight As Hanibal when he saw a pit full of mans blood O formosum spectaculum and the Scots Queen seeing her Subjects lie dead and stripped on the earth cryed out The goodliest Tapestry that ever she beheld The cryes and groans of the poor under their oppressions and heavy burthens what sweet musick makes this in the ears of Self-seekers Now their pay comes in their salary and their so much per annum But the joy of good men riseth otherwise Å¿ Pro. 29.2 When the wicked beareth rule they mourn t Pro. 11.10 and when wicked Rulers perish they shout for joy So that untill this work be revived Saints may expect little joy as to outward and publick Affaires 5. This Cause will surely be revived because it is not mans but the Lords For 1. Are not u Ps 110.12 Christs Enemies to be made his foot-stool and x Psal 2 6. he to sit upon the holy hill of Zion 2. Is not all oppression to cease and y Isa 60.18 Violence to be heard no more in the Land The first and second Apostasies both to be destroyed 3. Must not a Ps 85.11 Truth spring out of the earth and Righteousnesse look down from Heaven And b Dan. 7.22 the Saints possess the Kingdom But can these things be and not the work revived that is impossible When it is night and dark whence do ye expect to have light again in this visible world Is it not by the rising of the Sun So these great things which we are waiting for concerning Jesus Christ and his Kingdome the coming in and accomplishment of them will be by the Lords reviving his work and Cause again Quest But is there not something for the Lords people to do in order to the reviving of the Work Ans Yes surely For 1. Howsoever Achan was the TROVBLER and had caused the STOP yet c Jos 7.11 Israel had sinned also d Jer. 5.55 Your Iniquities saith the Prophet have turned away these things and your sins have withholden good things from you When the clouds are scattered which hide the Sun from us then we behold his shining face again So the Lord e Ps 85.1 2 he forgives the iniquity of his people f Isa 44.22 Blots out their transgressions and sins as a thick cloud and then he will be favourable to his land and bring back the Captivity of Jacob. So that it is the duty of every Saint waiting for the great Promises of the Father to be at the foot of God exceedingly bewailing his Own and his Brethrens great miscarriages And as there is hope our Deliverance is nigh so our hearts should be the more broken and in bitternesse and our tears and sighings encrease now we should rise at midnight and cry g Iâ—el 2 17. Spare thy people h Hos 14.2 Lord take away all iniquity receive us graciously so will we render the calves of our lips We must not so look upon Achans Troublers abroad without as not to see the Achans and Troublers at home in our own hearts Though some have been i Num. 3.3 55. pricks in the eyes of the Lords work and the good old Cause and k Iosh 23.13 Scourges and Thornes in the sides of his people yet must we confess the righteousnesse of
a King wherein he promiseth to do so and so for him it were no presumption in this poor man having access to the Prince if he should mention it shew it to him humbly desire the performance of it neither would the other though a King be offended at it but bid him rest content for he would not be worse then his word Though the disproportion is far greater between the Creator and the Creature then between the greatest Monarch of the world and the poorest beggar on earth yet have the Lords people many times remembred him of his promise and spread it before his face and besought him earnestly to look thereon and not forget it Thus did Moses Exod. 32 13. i Remember Abraham Isaac and Israel thy servants to whom thou swarest by thine own self c. So David k Psal 119.49 Remember thy word unto thy servant upon which thou hast caused me to hope And Solomon likewise l 1 Kin. 8.25 26. Therefore now O Lord God of Israel keep with thy servant David my Father that thou promisest him Again Let thy word I pray thee be verified which thou spakest unto thy servant David my Father So Jeremie m Jer. 14.21 Remember break not thy Covenant Neither was the Lord offended with them that they did put him thus in remembrance much less did he answer them as some men use to do when they are minded of their Oaths Vows and Solemn Appeals to God that they would do such and such things for Christ and his people and the good of the Nations Ho say they Those Promises and ingagements were but pro Tempore that is as their practice shews they never meant to keep their word but as it should make for their own interest and advantage But our God n Psa 5.6 abhorreth such deceitful men and all such execrable Hypocrisie For o Mal. 3.6 He changeth not p 2 Cor. 1.20 All his promises are yea and Amen Yea so far is the Lord from breaking Covenant that he hears the cryes and prayers of his people for his promise sake q Exo. 2.24 And God heard their groaning and God remembred his Covenant with Abraham with Isaak and with Jacob. So a little after r Chap. 6.5 I have heard the groaning of the children of Israel whom the Egyptians keep in bondage and I have remembred my Covenant When Doves sigh and mourn in clifts and secret holes it doth presage say they that destruction is nigh the Birds of prey not to speak of Pharaoh Haman Herod a little before the fall of the Bishops and the King the Lord 's hidden ones were in bitterness of Soul and poured out mournful complaints day and night against their persecutors but much more have they sighed and groaned before the Lord since this sad Revolt broke forth in regard of the scandal and reproach brought to the Gospel by it And what doth this signifie That the Lord will suddenly take away this image of jealousie and revive his work in the midst of the Nations But to proceed That the Lord forgets not what he promised might be shewed in many other places Å¿ Psal 105.8 He hath remembred his Covenant for ever the word which he commanded to a thousand Generations And in the same Psalm t ver 42. He remembred his holy promise and Abraham his servant Again u Psa 106 44 45. Nevertheless he regarded their afflictions when he heard their cry and he remembred for them his Covenant See 2 Sam. 7.21 Here we may not omit how far the Lords wayes and some mens ways are unlike the Lord takes it well to be * 1 Chron. 17.23 remembred of his Covenant and promises and would have his children to mention them before him whereas you cannot more grieve and vex certain NEW LORDS then to tell them of their ingagements should any but shew them the Oaths and Vows published under their hands what they protested in such a yeer at such a place for the interest of Christ and his people their asseverations and imprecations the curses and judgments they wish'd to light upon themselves and posterity if they did not such things add hereunto their frequent tears hands laid on their breasts and eyes lifted up to Heaven calling God to witness as to the plainness and singleness of their hearts should this I say be told them what would they say x 2 Kin. 11 14. Treason Treason y 1 Kin. 22 27. Put this fellow into prison c. In all the reign of Caligula if a man did but name a Goat it was a crime of Laesae Majestatis against the Imperial person this was of his hairy body A very strange thing that a man could not say Goat but he must mean the Emperor Can you say Covenant-breaker self-seeker deceiver of the people but the Lawyer cryes out y Luk. 11.45 Master thus saying thou reproachest us also Thirdly It must needs be That there will be A TIME OF FINDING 3. Because the Lord will be honored many wayes by it because the Lord hereby will be honored and glorified many ways There is nothing that a man will sooner regard and hearken to then when his own profit and advantage is propounded To speak soberly and no more but what the Scriptures hold forth It is good for the Lord himself That there be a time of finding Quest What Good hath the Lord by it Answ 1. By this means the Saints will bless him and the high prayses of God will be in their mouth Now a By haâ—ing the â—igh prayâ—â—s of his â—eople Psa 50.3 whoso offereth praise glorifies him Was not the Lord glorified when he answered the groanings of his people in Egypt plagued the Egyptians and destroyed Pharaoh and his host in the Red Sea b Exod. 15. â— 11. Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto Jehovah c. Who is like unto thee O Jehovah among the gods who is like thee glorious in holiness fearful in praises doing wonders When Babylon shall lie under wrath d Rev. 18. â— 1. sunk like a great milstone cast into the Sea and shall be found no more at all What immediatefollows d Rev. 19.1 I heard a great voyce of much people in Heaven saying Hallelujah Salvation and glory and honor and power unto the Lord our God e ver 3. And again they said HALLELVJAH and a little after another f ver 6. great multitude saying HALLELUJAH for the Lord God Omnipotent Reigneth As when a judge hath done some notable and eminent act of justice upon a notorious offender he is highly commended for it so will the Lord have unspeakable praise from his people every where when he hath judged the Great Whore destroyed the false Church Ministery Worship and Government pluckt her up root and branch with all her props and Lovers HALLELV-JAH and again HALLELV-IAH What doth the Lord at