eare let him heare what the Spirit saith vnto the Churches Thus much for the state of the Primitiue Church vnto the dayes of Constantine the Great liuely set out in this Church of Ephesus CONSIDERATIONS FOR INSTRVCTION AND VSE WHerein wee may obserue these things First Where God so weth the Seed of his Word by his Apostles there Sathan would thirst in his false Apostle to sow Tares Secondly That in those Primitiue Times there were excellent Angels full of good workes patient and laborious Thirdly That the faithfull Angels could not endure or beare with those which were euill so zealous were they for the Lord and his Truth Fourthly That Sathans instruments will assume to themselues faire Names and Titles Fiftly That therefore the Church will try and examine them and so either admit them or reiect them as shee shall finde cause Sixtly That excellent men may decay in their first Loue. Seuenthly that euen the decay of loue may cause God to remooue his Candlesticke except men repent THE SECOND GOLDEN CANDLESTICK THE SECOND CHVRCH In the Type In the Antitype The Church of Smyrna The Smyrnean state of Christs Church 1. THIS was the next to Ephesus Northward and so in degree worse in respect of the wicked in it For Sathan in Ephesus had but his seeds-men false Apostles but heere the Deuill hath a Synagogue 1. THIS was the next to the Primitiue Church from Constantine the Great to Gratian the Emperour Anno 383. The Primitiue Church was troubled with Seeds-men of Sathan but here within this space were Assemblies and Synods of Deuillish Heretickes Socrat. Scholast l. 2. c 5. Histor Tripart l. 2. cap. 10. Funct Chronol Sozem. l. 3. c. 11. 2. The LORD setteth out himself first in his Diuinitie in more hidden termes and then in his humanity plainly 2. For that at this time his Diuinitie was questioned denyed of many but no doubt made of his Humanitie though one Apollinaris held the Humanitie and Diuinitie one Nature both distinctly Socrat. Schol. l. 1. Hist Trip. l. 9. c. 3. Basil Epist 74. Aug. l. de Haeres 3. The Angell of this Church was laborious greatly afflicted and poore 3. There were at this time painfull Pastors but much afflicted by the fury of the Arians as may bee seene in that one renowned Athanasius withstanding Arius his Associates also in Macarius Marcellus Paulus and other Bishops companions with them in the Truth and in affliction Eustathius with many Priests and Deacons sent into banishment Ruff. l. 1. Ruff. l. 2. c. 7. Hieron in Catal. Ammianus l. 15. Basil de Trinit Socrat. li. 1. c. 20. 21. l. 2. c. 7. 8. 10. 12. 4. 13. 14 17. Athan. Apol. 2. Athan. Epist. ad vitam solitariam agentes 4. But this Angell was rich towards God 4. So these men were endued with great graces as appeared by their Learning Zeale and holy Constancie so as taking Athanasius the Standard-bearer for an instance they became honorable and were highly esteemed  of wanted not entertainment Socrat. Scho. l. 2. 18. Hieron in Chronol 5. This Angell was blasphemed by counterfeit Professors calling thēselues Iewes and were not but the Synagogue of Sathan 5. So these Angels were not abused by Heathen Tyrants as formerly but by hereticall Christians Arian Bishops counterfeiting sometime to bee of the Orthodox Verity but were damnable instruments of Sathan of whose blasphemies and slanders against the true Pastors and especially against Athanasius Eustathius Bishop of Antioch Macarius and others wee may reade in diuers Authors Socrat. Scho. l. 1. c. 10. 18. 25. Hist. Magd. cent 4. c. 9. Socrat. l. 1. c. 20. 21. 23. Atha Apol. 2. Theod. l. 1. c. 26. l. 2. c. 8. 9. 10. Sozom. l. 2. c. 25. Hieron in Catal. Atha in Epist ad vitam solitariam agentes 6. This Angel is encouraged and willed net to feare 6. So the Lord encouraged and raysed vp godly men of an vndaunted Spirit not fearing troubles to maintayne the truth as Atha Alexander of Constan.  Osius Bishop of Corduba Paphnutius Spiridion Basil and many others cited by Lu. Osiand in those troublesome times vnder Arian Emperours and among furiously raging Heretickes Socrat l. 1. c. 5. 18. 25. l. 4. 21. Niceph. Atha in Epist ad solitariam vitam agentes Histor Magd. cent 4. Ruffi l. 1. c. 4. Theod. l. 1. c. 7. in Epit. cent l. 1. c. 3. cent 4. 7. This Angel was foretold of imprisonment and persecution by the Deuill but yet the persecution should not continue long 7. This came to passe vnder Constance and Valens the Arian Emperours led by Satan to practise and to permit to bee practised all crueltie against the Orthodoxe Fathers and true Christian Beleeuers of which wee may reade at large in diuers Authors But the Lord suffered not long this cruell persecution nor the Persecutors to reign long for this cruel Valens reigned but 13. years An. 381. Atha in Ep. advit solit agentes in Apol. ad Constan Sozom. l. 3. 4. 6. Theo. l. 2. 4. Socrat. l. 2. 38. 4. 2. 6. 13. 14. 16.  17. 19. Greg. Nazi Orat. ad Episcop ad Arian in laudem Basil Hieron Socrat. l. 4. c. 13. 8. This Angell was exhorted to bee faithfull to the death and was promised to bee rewarded with a Crowne of Life 8. So there were many most valiant and faithfully constant to the death as is before shewed in Athanasius and others and heere I cannot but mention Basil and his most vndaunted Spirit before the Arian President of Antioch Valens the Emperour beeing there present by which holy and faithful resolution they haue gotten heere the Crowne of Prayse and in Heauen the Crowne of Glory Socrat. li. 4. c. 21. Sozom. l. 6. 16. Theod. l. 4. c. 19. Hee that hath an eare let him heare what the Spirit faith to the Churches He that ouercommeth shall not be hurt of the second death Thus much of the state of Christs Church from Constantine to Gratian set out in this Church of Smyrna CONSIDERATIONS FOR INSTRVCTION AND VSE FIrst that when the Church decayeth Sathans Kingdome increaseth In the former Church were onely Seeds-men of Sathan but the Church decaying in loue here Sathan hath his Synagogue Secondly the troublesome estate of his Church is well knowne to Christ Thirdly That such as be vnder affliction and poore in outward estate may yet bee inwardly rich before God Fourthly that very Enemies and Blasphemers of God and his people the very Synagogue of Sathan would yet bee held and taken for true Worshippers of God Fiftly that God permits sometime the Deuill and his Instruments to vexe his people but yet both the manner and time is set downe by the LORD And therefore no cause to feare THE THIRD GOLDEN CANDLESTICK THE THIRD CHVRCH In the Type In the Antitype The Church of Pergamus The Pergamine state of Christs Church 1. THIS was next Smyrna and the most
were put to death for the Gospell of Christ out of Bohemia were banished aboue two hundred Ministers of the Gospell and in France was a  grieuous Persecution raised against those which were called Waldenses But for all this they shrunke not from the Truth therefore the Lord will cloath them with the white garmēt he will not blot out their names out of the Booke of Life but will confesse them before his Father and his holy Angels Sleid. Com. Lu. Osiand Epit. l. 2. cent 16. c. 70. 71. 72. 73. Lu. Osian l. 3. cent 16. c. 20. Hee that hath an eare let him eare what the Spirit saith to the Churches And thus much for the state of the Church from the yeare 1516. to 1558. set out in the Church of Sardis CONSIDERATIONS FOR INSTRVCTION AND VSE FIrst that such as bee come from vnder Antichrist may yet bee in a dying condition Secondly that there may bee a name of life by profession when such parties may bee dead in practice Thirdly that where there is no care to strengthen that which is good it will dye and euill grow vp in the roome thereof Fourthly That God alloweth not of the workes which are not perfect before him Fiftly that to amend and to be reformed is to call our selues backe to the Truthes receiued Sixtly that God will surely punish his if they will not otherwise be reformed Seuenthly that some are kept pure and vndefiled when others be stayned with vncleannesse Eighthly that the better part are euer the fewest Ninthly that God in mercy holds them worthy of reward which will not pollute themselues with others in sin Tenthly that the better men be though neuer so few the more accepted be they with God THE SIXT GOLDEN CANDLESTICK THE SIXT CHVRCH In the Type In the Antitype The Church of Philadelphia The Philadelphian state of Christs Church being the second of the Reformed Churches beginning from the Reigne of Elizabeth our late Queene of happy memory in the yeare 1558. at which time we may begin this sixt state of Christs Church for that the Popes power began now more to bee diminished then euer before and to be cast into such a consumption that hitherto he languisheth thereof in all these parts of Christendome God adding the Wisdome and Zeale of our learned Souereigne by his Pen to pierce thorow the heart of his vsurped Supremacie The period of this not yet come the yeare as in all the former states of the Church cannot bee set downe 1. To this Christ setteth out himself to be holy and true to haue the Key of Dauid to open and 1. BEcause now Christ at this time would chiefly exalt Piety exalt his Truth and shew that as he is King and as power belongeth to him so would hee none to shut and to shut and none to open now exercise the same that the Church might know that hee hath taken to him his great power and hath reigned And indeed in what age since the Apostles time hath true Pietie and the Truth beene more liuely set forth I say true Pietie and holinesse not that fained and counterfeit Sanctitie so much extolled when that Romane Beast did beare rule ouer all How hath the Gospell shined foorth to vs the wayes of darkenesse most powerfully hath the Lord shewed himselfe by his faithfull Seruants and great fruit haue they reaped of their labours Blessed be his Name cap. 11. 17. 2 Heere the LORD openeth a doore and none shutteth 2. For now the Gospell hath gotten free passage which the Enemies by their Tridentine Councell by their Iesuiticall or rather Iebusiticall Sect by their Seminarie Priests by their Conspiracies Trecheries Treason raysing of Rebellion in England  and Ireland by their murthering of Princes by their bloudy Persecutions in France and most cruell Massacre by their Spanish Inuasion by their Hellish Gunpowder-plot haue not beene able to hinder so wide hath the Lord opened the hearts of men to receiue the Truth as no plot nor police of that man of sinne hitherto hath beene able to shut them against the Truth as it is well knowne to vs all at this day William of Nass Prince of Orenge Hen. 4. K. of France his Predecessors before 3. This is commended for keeping Christs Word and for not denying his Name hauing but a little strength 3. Little was the strength of the Reformed Churches in this state for not a few yeares in respect of the power of Princes true vnion of hearts Diuision being great betweene Lutherans and others and Wisedome of policie in comparison of the Papists who were strongly vnited Pope Kings and Princes combining in league together and vsing  all subtile wayes and forcible meanes to ouerthrow the Professours of the Gospell who yet keepe the Word of God and did not deny the Doctrine and Worship of Iesus Christ to bee brought backe againe to Popery French Histor Mer. Gallobelg Lu. Osiand cent 16. 4. Christ to make his Lona knowne promiseth to this that the counterfeit Iewes and Synagogue of Satan shall come worship at his Angels feet so much is now the differēce of this from the Pergamine Angell who did dwell where Satans thron was 4. This Philadelphian state of the Church through the loue of Christ euen of mercie and not of any merit shall become most honourable The Lord will subdue all her Enemies those counterfeite Catholiques who did reigne in the Pergamine state who as Iewes bragge that they are the only people of God and will cause them to submit themselues humbly vnto the true Ministery of his Seruants which wee are to expect how contrarie soeuer it seemeth to mans reason and earnestly let vs pray for the same 5. To this is 5. There remayneth for made a promise of deliuerance in the time of temptation which is fore-told to come ouer all the World Christ his Church in this Philadelphian state a time of tryall yet to came our sinnes deserue it this so vniuersall a peace so abused by carnal security may make vs looke for troubles what this temptation is and when it shall be is not so certainly to be defined except it bee that in cap. 16. 18. but be it what it may bee let it come whensoeuer God shall sent it the Church hath a promise of deliuerance and shall escape the perill of it 6. To this Christ promiseth to come quickly and exhorteth it to hold fast that no man take away the Crown of reward 6. Because as may seeme by these words the Church in this her last time of tryall shall bee greatly assaulted and in danger to perish through the power and force of that temptation therefore as the Lord promiseth deliuerance so hee promiseth not to deferre it off but will quickly set her free 7. The Conquerer here is promised to bee made a 7. All this fore-sheweth after the deliuerance from this Temptation sore-spoken of that faithfull Pillar in the Temple so as hee shall goe no
more out and there shall be written vpon him the Name of God and of the Citie new Ierusalem Christ his Name Christians and true Church of Christ shall be in a stable and vnmoueable state Pope Turke the Beast and Dragon open and secret Enemies being destroyed these heauenly Conquerours shall bee accounted the true Church of God that new Ierusalem such as God the Father Iesus Christ will claime for his owne as if his name were writvpon them C. 19. 20. C. 21. 2 He that hath an eare let him heare what the Spirit saith to the Churches And thus much for this beautifull and louely Philadelphian state of the Church from Anno 1558. to the time determined set out in this Church of Philadelphia In this estate are we in these dayes CONSIDERATIONS FOR INSTRVCTION AND VSE FIrst that this is the time of opening the doore that men may come into the true Church Secondly That none now shall euer bee able to shut againe this doore Protestance shall prosper Thirdly that a little strength with obedience to the Word shall bee sufficient for the Churches safety Fourthly that the false Church by the power of Christ though this to man seeme incredible shall be made subiect to the true Church Fiftly that shortly Christ will make the Enemies know his loue to his owne people Sixtly that great tryals and temptations shall come vpon the World of which it may bee wee haue now the beginnings but the Lord will keepe his Church God Almighty prepare and strengthen vs in his mercie to subdue our enemies O Lord saue thy people shew thy power in the confusion of thine our malicious Aduersaries that we may for euer sing prayses to thy Name euen so be it O Lord of thy goodnesse euen so be it Amen THE SEVFNTH GOLDEN CANDLESTICK THE SEVENTH CHVRCH In the Type In the Antitype The Church of LAODICEA the last of the seuen The Laodicean state of Christ his Church and the last till Christ come to iudgment which state followeth vpon that height of excellencie and glory which in the Philadelphian state it attayneth vnto 1. HEERE Christ calleth himselfe the Amen the faithfull and true Witnesse the beginning of the Creation of God 1. BEcause now the LORD bringeth his Church to the last state euen to the Amen therof hereupon Earth in which when all things are fulfilled which Christ Iesus as a true and faithfull Witnesse of his Fathers will hath foretold by himselfe and by his Spirit in the Prophets and Apostles then shall he fully declare himselfe the Authour of the heauenly Creation and of that glory of his Saints which they shall enioy with him in  appearing at the last Day Reuelat 21. 2. This became luke-warme being neyther hote nor cold 2. After the great peace which the Church shall haue vpon her so high aduancement in her former state all her Enemies being brought downe and vtterly destroyed she shall decay in zeale become luke-warme not hot as seruently bent vnto Godlinesse neither cold as without any affection of Religion at all but too carelesly remisse in the duties of Pietie contenting herselfe with a peaceable enioying of the Lords ordinances after an outward forme of Godlinesse in abundance and plentie of all things by which it will come to passe in time that Charitie shall wax cold and Faith that is the sincere studie of godlinesse shall scarcely bee found vpon Earth when Christ shall shew himselfe at his second Comming Reuel 19 20. Luke 18. 8. 3. The LORD 3. So will the Lord loath and threateneth to spew this out of his mouth abhorre the luke-warme state of this Church and cast out the same for euer in his appointed time 4. This is taxed for glorying and for too high a conceit of her happinesse being in a very wretched and miserable case 4. THIS giueth vs to know that such shall bee the outward and flourishing estate and plentifull blessings euery way in that respect of this Church as through the delight and full contentment thereof they shall bee too ignorant of their spirituall estate with God and not know how far they shall be from the power of godlinesse 5. This is rebuked and chaslened and is graciously aduised to vse the meanes for reformation 5. Which sheweth that the Lord in his mercy will not bee wanting in all good meanes offered to seeke their reformation by word and deed if so bee they will turne from luke-warmenes and become zealous and so amend and if they will heare him and receiue him such shall taste of his spirituall comforts and bee made most ioyfull in the  heauenly taste thereof 6. To him that here ouercommeth is granted a Kingly seat with Christ in Heauen 6. There must bee in some a spirituall conflict who shall striue happily against the common current of luke-warmnes and against the death of drowsie security from which by striuing they shall acquit themselues so graciously preuayling at Christ his comming to reward euery one according to his works shall these Conquerours receiue glory and honour with him in the highest Heauens for euer Hee that hath an eare let him heare what the Spirit saith to the Churches And thus much for this luke-warme state of the Church the last and fearefull condition thereof before the comming of Christ vnto Iudgement which is not yet come vpon vs though wee bee luke-warme enough CONSIDERATIONS FOR INSTRVCTION AND VSE FIrst that as now men doe so hereafter they will abuse the great peace and prosperity of the Church to grow thereby secure Secondly that to bee luke-warme is the worst disease of the Church and that estate which will make the Lord to spew them out of his mouth Thirdly that full contentment of earthly things maketh men highly conceited of themselues and to bee ignorant of their spirituall estate before God Fourthly that men may be wretched miserable poore blinde and naked and yet bee highly conceited of their well being and that they bee in a very happy condition Of such conceited persons I wish this age were not full The Conclusion THus wee see apparently how the seuen Churches of Asia are liuely representations of the seuen fold estate of the Church of Christ vnto the end of the World not Types of this or that one particular Church as some doe dreame but are Types of the estate of the whole Church yet so as there will bee a mixture some thus and some so in particular Churches as we see a difference in these seuen Churches themselues The times of the Ephesine Smyrnean Pergamine Thyatirean and Sardine are past this is now the Philadelphian state in which the Gospell hath gotten free passage and must get for Christ hath opened and none can shut howsoeuer the Aduersary may attempt to hinder and endeuour to ouerthrow the Professours of the Gospell yet shall these our Enemies be ouercome and bee made at last to submit vnto vs sure it is that great
tryalls shall be and whether this present distraction of all the face of Christendome be the houre of temptation to try them that dwell vpon the Earth it is to me vncertayne but certaine it is that the Church God will preserue and make her renowned and this will he doe shortly for the Enemie is vnder the Vials of Gods wrath as it is apparant in Chap. 16. and what did this Messenger from Heauen the mighty Comet foreshew but these Warres and good successe thereby to the Church For the Comets now for the yeares since Luthers time haue euer with troubles yet foretold good prosperity to the Gospell The date of the increase of Romes glory was out long since and now is the time of the Churches increase daily till the ruine of Rome which as it is fore-told in this Prophesie of Saint Iohn so shall it come to passe in all probable coniectures is very neere at hand This may we vndoubtedly look for The deuises of that man of sin the Machauilian policy of the Viperous generatiō of Iesuits nor all the power of Papists shall preuent it for the Word of the LORD hath spoken it and Heauen and Earth shall perish before one Iota of the Truth shall fayle Herein let vs incourage our selues against the crowing of our Aduersaries who see not destruction before them as in this Prophesie of S. Iohn is plainly foreshewed THE HONOVR OF ENGLAND OF this Church Spouse of Christ thus set out in the seuen-fold estate thereof the Lord of his mercie hath made vs of this Nation a most liuely member and aboue other Countries hath maruellously ennobled this Iland and famous Kingdome of great Brittaine First though wee liue farre off in these Northerne parts from Iudea yet very shortly after our Sauiours Ascension the Gospell of God was brought vnto vs and by whom was it not by Ioseph of Aramathea the onely rich and noble Counsellor that did the first honour to our Lord Iesus after his death in begging of his body and burying it in his own Sepulchre where before neuer any was laid This man was the Ambassadour as Stories witnesse from Christ to vs here hee also vouchsafed to liue and here among vs peaceably to end his dayes Greatly did the Lord honour vs in giuing to vs the first King that euer was Christian named Lucius who submitted his Crowne and Scepter vnto Christ Was not Constantine called the Great the first Christian Emperour and did not he arise from hence was he not here borne and here proclaymed Emperour who slew the Heathen Tyrants and destroyed the greatest Enemies of the Gospell The first famous Scholler publick Professour of Diuinity opposing Antichrist was it not our learned and famous Iohn Wickliffe By whose Writings spred into Bohemia by occasion of a Marriage betweene one of our Kings here and that Kings Daughter sprung vp the renowned Martyrs Iohn Husse and Ierome of Prage The first King like valiant Iehu marching as it were against the Iesabel of Rome that absolutely shooke off the Popes Supremacie that vsurped Power and Luciferian Pride of that man of sin and trod it vtterly vnder his feete was Henry the Eighth and yet for all that dyed he in peace The first King that was but a child and yet set vp the true Worship of God and banished Popery out of his Kingdome was our King Edward the Sixt that noble Prince a very Iosiah full of the loue and zeale of his God The first Princesse at whose rising the power of the Popedome began to abate which suffered Persecution for the Gospell which so constantly defended it as being to death semper eadem at home and abroad was it not the euerlastingly renowned the late Queene our Dread Souereigne Elizabeth Was not She a Succour to the Saints and a Terror to all her Enemies round about The first King and so Learned as hath not the like beene in the Christian World publishing by his learned Pen vnto all the Princes in Christendome that the Pope is Antichrist is now our Dread Souereigne LORD and King who hath helped to poure out the fourth Viall of Gods wrath vpon the Sunne that is vpon the Supremacie of that Antichristian state The Throne of that Beast shaketh and Romes ruine is not farre too maugre the rage and furie of all her Supporters Shall I heere speake of our wonderfull preseruations Strangely did God saue his poore flocke heere from the bloudy Wolues in the time of the ten Persecutions vnto the dayes of Dioclesian But then lest it should want this honour also this Nation was renowned with Martyrs What shall I speake of our late Deliuerances so admirable and vnheard off The Attempts were many and sundry against our late Queene and Souereigne How did Pope and Papal power seeke to inuade her Kingdome How did Rebels arise to molest her How did Traytors seeke her bloud and many wayes sought her death yet behold the protecting hand of God Shee dyed in peace neither did the Enemies hand preuayle against her And can the Gunpowder Treason that matchlesse villanie and more then Hellish intended cruelty be euer of vs forgotten At one blast they mercilesly intended to destroy and that suddenly King Prince and State Church and Common-wealth yet see the mercie of our God wee are preserued and in the snare which they made for others was their owne feet taken Let vs looke about see whether other Princes and States haue obtayned the like protection or rather haue they not suffered violence at the hands of these Miscreants and beene murthered of them It was an honour to our Nation that wee stood out so long at first against the Iurisdiction of the See of Rome for it was no small time ere shee could obtrude her vaine Ceremonies vpon vs when other Countries were infected and had begun to drinke of her cup. And it is to vs no lesse honour that wee haue so shaken off her yoke as we are become an Assaile and place of safegard to such as daily forsake her so opposite vnto her and so vexing her as she through the paine thereof sticks not to blaspheme the holy Doctrine and Worship of our God euen God and his Tabernacle as Iohn speaketh which also maketh her to striue by all meanes possible aboue all the Nations to regaine vs to her which neuer shall be or by more then Machiauilian policies to vndermine vs and to bring vs to destruction Because God hath made vs in powring out the Vials of his wrath vpon the Earth Sea Riuers and Sunne of that State not the least Instruments and it may bee will also giue vs or those that belong vnto vs that high honour to bring her to confusion and to burne that Whorish Citie with fire great likelihoods there is of this but the certaintie I leaue to God who knoweth all things And may we not hold it an honour to our Nation that wee should bring forth men so Renowned as among our
Conuersion Verse 11. also which is in time to bring them backe againe vnto the Lord by prouoking them to iealousie of which Moses fore-told Deutronomie 32. 21. III. From the great good which Verse 12. shall come to vs by their recalling euen to enrich vs the more in grace This the Apostle doth proue by an Argument à Minori ad Maius For saith he if their fall and dimishing brought to vs saluation how much more then shall their returne in fulnesse bring vs riches and glorie So then it is thus betweene vs and them Their fall was to bring vs to God our Conuersion is appointed in time to prouoke them to returne and this their returne will increase our happinesse IV. From the Apostles magnifying Verse 13. 14. his office and from his endeuour in his Ministerie among the Gentile seeking to winne these to prouoke them and to saue at the least some of them though as yet in his time hee could not recouer the Nation yet hee aymed at that which hee knew should be Which endeuour he presseth himselfe Verse 15. vnto from the consideration of the good to vs Gentiles called the reconciling of the World and from the wonderfull worke of God in them whose recouery shall be as the raysing vp people from the dead of which Ezechiel the Prophet speaketh in chap. 37. V. From the hereditarie right to Verse 16. be Gods people holy to the Lord as the ancient Israelites were Ier. 2. 3. by couenant made with their first Fathers Abraham Isaac and Iacob which hee setteth out by a double similitude the one from the first fruits which sanctified the rest and the other from the roote the sap whereof is carryed into the branches VI. From the humble carriage Verse 17. to 23 which the Apostle requireth vs to shew towards them as not being abiects and flat cast-awayes but as to those of whose ingrasting in againe there is good hope This is the mayne scope of the Verses 17. to the midsts of 23. and the particular of the words are to draw the Gentiles on to a humble behauior towards the Iewes without any proud insulting ouer them VII From the possibilitie of their Verse 23. ingrafting in againe from the power of God for God is able to doe it though this their conuersion seeme neuer so impossible to man VIII From the easinesse of effecting Verse 24. it à comparatione minoris The Lord against nature grafted vs Gentiles cut out of the wild Oliue tree into the good Oliue which was a hard thing then more easily shall they bee grafted againe into their owne Oliue tree If wee that were none of the Church without the couenant Aliens from the common weale of Israel could be made Gods people then much more they which were Israelites hauing the adoption were once in the Couenant to whom The prerogatiues of the Iewes the Law was giuen to whom the seruice did appertaine to whom the promises were made they also descending from the holy Patriarchs and of whom Christ after the flesh came may bee recalled home and made againe the people of God IX From the hidden secrecie of Verse 25. this point concerning the length of time how long they the Israelites shall continue in this their obstinacie It was not for euer but onely till the fulnesse of the Gentiles should come in which thing here the Apostle calleth a Mystery whereof hee would not haue vs Gentiles ignorant X. From the Apostles owne conclusion Verse 26. which hee maketh vpon this Discourse and large Dispute which is this very confidently set downe that so all Isreal shall bee saued of the meaning of which words before is spoken XI From the Propheticall authoritie Verse 26. 27. out of the Old Testament foretelling vs of this their Couuersion as also is prooued before XII From Gods loue vnto the Verse 28. 29. Fathers for whose sake the Lord is constant towards you as he that calleth and bestoweth his gifts without repentance being stable as the Psalmist saith in his Couenant Psal 103. 17. 18. XIII The example of Gods mercifull dealing with vs Gentiles hee plainly concludeth the like vnto the Iewes The Lords mercie in times past vnto vs Gentiles when we were vnbeleeuers should mooue vs to be well perswaded of the Iewes Conuersion though as yet they bee not beleeuers For in this vnbeliefe as the Apostle saith God hath shut vp all first wee Gentiles and then they the Iewes that both might bee saued by Gods meere mercie Our vnbeliefe hindred not our calling no more shall their vnbeliefe hinder their recalling so will God in mercy bee glorified in both To this testimonie of the Apostle to the Romanes I will here adde other Witnesses of Scripture out of the mouth of Christ and from others also for more confirmation of this truth The Testimonies of the Olde Testament are amply produced by one very lately come forth who hath also cited Mat. 23. 24. 2. Thess 8. 8. Reuel 1. 7. 16. 12. 19. 5. 20. 21. 22. which I therefore omit referring the Reader to the Booke called The Worlds great restauration Other places I will heere speake of to further this light that the eyes of such as see not may behold how cleere this point is Luke 21. 23. 24. THere shall be great distresse in the Land and wrath vpon this people and they shall fall by the edge of the Sword and shall bee led away captiue into all Nations and Ierusalem shall be trodden downe of the Gentiles vntill the time of the Gentiles be fulfilled Heere our Sauiour fore-telleth First the great misery of that Nation in their owne Land Secondly that the Sword shall come vpon them and by Warre they shall bee ouercome and slaine Thirdly that such as remaine of them shall become Captiues Fourthly that they shall not bee lead into any one Countrey but bee dispersed in all Nations Fiftly that this treading downe of Ierusalem shall bee by the Gentiles all these things are prooued infallibly true to the eyes of all the World Sixtly that this treading downe thereof by them is not foreuer but for a time vntill the times that is the fulnesse Rom. 11. 25. of the Gentiles be fulfilled that is bee come in Therefore there is a time that the Nations shall bee brought backe againe and bee made a people vnto God in the time and season Luke 1. 69. 75. ZAcharie in this his prayses foretelleth of Christs Birth as if then borne and then what hee shall bee to them euen to that people to wit a horne of saluation He that shall saue them from their Enemies and from the hands of all that hate them and shall so set them free as that they shall all their dayes serue him without feare in holinesse and righteousnesse Which Propheticall speech as it may bee spiritually vnderstood of the whole Israel of God so nothing hindereth but that this may be litterally
ment of the Conuersion of that people and of their happy condition vnder Christ seeing the Prophets foretell it the Apostle prooueth it and Christ himselfe beareth witnesse herevnto Luke 2. 32. 34. OLde Father Simeon in his praysing God telleth how Christ was prepared to bee saluation before the face of all people in Verse 30. 31. then this generall speech of all people hee diuides into two heads first to bee a light to lighten the Gentiles and then to be the glorie of his people Israel In thus placing one before the other hee fore-shewed how Christ should shine as light to the Gentiles whose eyes should bee opened by his spirit to take him for their Sauiour and then the fulnesse of them being come in hee should bee a glory to Israel make them renowned glorious Which glory as yet they haue not attayned vnto for hitherto hee hath bin to them a stumbling block a stone of offence and not glory And it is further obseruable that this holy man telleth the blessed Virgin that Christ shall bee set for the fall that is the reiection of that Nation as it is taken in Rom. 11. 15. and rising againe that is the receiuing to grace of many in Israel The fall we see the rising of them againe wee must see in time for God is true in the one as well as in the other Acts 1. 6. HEre the Apostles vpon the very day of Christs Ascension asked our Sauiour whither hee would then restore the Kingdome of Israel They did exspect an outward restoring of state and glory to their Nation Our Sauiour doth not finde fault with the opinion as an error neyther denyeth hee the thing but implyeth rather that such a thing should be only the times and seasons saith hee was not for them to know which his Father had put in his owne power 2. Cor. 3. 16. THe Apostle as he taught the Romanes so heere hee speaketh of their miserable estate blindnesse of mind and how as yet the vaile was ouer their heart thus he speakes of the Nation and whole people of the Iewes whom he calleth the Children of Israel of the blindnesse of their minde and of the vaile ouer their heart his wordes are to bee vnderstood And hauing thus spoken of their miserable condition he turneth his speech to the hope of their Conuersion and saith Neuerthelesse when it shall turne to the Lord that is that Nation or the heart of that people the veile shall be taken away This shewes that the Apostle did looke for their Conuersion though hee could not set downe the time which is as Christ said kept secret with the Father Acts 1. 6. Being by these Scriptures and former Reasons perswaded of the Conuersion of these Ancient people of God so much for the honour of Christ and our good let vs vse such meanes as may further the same euen also in compassion to their poore soules and our mutuall solace together Meanes to be vsed for their Conuersion First To pray with all earnest affection of spirit that God would in his mercy take away the veile that lyeth ouer their hearts to open their eyes to behold and see with vs their true Messiah and Dauid their King our Lord Iesus Christ that so their might bee one Shepheard and one Sheepfold euen so Amen Secondly To send able instruments among them to reason with them to write vnto them that so if it were possible wee might saue their soules some of them in our time at the least as the Apostle endeuoured in his time as we haue heard Rom. 11. 14. Thirdly To labour to remoue the mayne let which hindereth chiefly their Conuersion that Beast false Prophet that Romane Antichrist with his vsurped Dominion For the Iewes detest Idolatry and are very cunning in the Law and Prophets where they see it forbidden and spoken against and knew that their Fore-fathers were grieuously punished for it and therefore they cannot imagine that such Christians can bee Gods people that liue in such grosse Idolatry which is a continuall stumbling block before their eyes to keepe them from Christ Let vs therefore seeke the ouerthrow of that Romish Religion as for our owne soules safetie the peace of Christendome so also for the blessed Conuersion of this miserable people who can neuer bee regayned to the Truth and brought to the profession of Christ till Papistry be destroyed Fourthly Let vs frame our liues aright to all holinesse and righteousnesse that so they may see our good workes and glorifie God in the day of Visitation which shall not onely prouoke them but shall redound to the amplification and improuement of our owne both temporall and eternall happinesse which the Lord grant so bee it Amen PEACE TO THE PVRE IN HEART OR Good aduice to walke wisely to preserue VNITIE among our selues that our vnited Forces may be stronger against the common Enemie REceiue wholsome instruction thou that readest If thou bee desirous to walke in a straite way yet let it not be framed after thine own wil but look it be the right way chalked out by Gods Word The Golden Meane is a sweet measure when a man will bee neither foolishly superstitious nor lewdly presumptuous the two rockes of offence the one on the right hand the other on the left menacing destruction It is good to walke with an euen foot and it is grace to endeuour to be what wee ought to bee though wee cannot attaine to bee what wee should be Bee no Atheisticall Securitan acknowledge God in all thy wayes nor yet a Wil-worshipper mans corrupt will is at oddes with God if it prescribe any thing in Religion as matter of worship the same turneth to wickednesse Be no fantasticall Anabaptist the true Spirit informeth the minde out of the Word nor an Arminian the new coyned Opinionist nor a Palagian an olde Hereticall Dogmatist No blasphemous Arian nor Lullianisticall Rosacrucian Be no Schismaticall Brownist nor the fond and foolish Allegorizing Familist nor any new Nouelist to arrogate any thing to thy selfe aboue others to be an author of new Deuices thereby to draw Diciples after thee Beware of Heresie and Schisme hate also hypocrisie and prophanenesse Heresie razeth the foundation Schisme cuts off Communion Hypocrisie is a painted shew without substance neuer affording inward comfort and prophanenesse stayneth the glory of Christian profession Bee no Pseudo-catholike doting vpon the deedes and doings of that man of sinne Allow antiquity but bee not deceiued with the pretence thereof The old way is the good way when it can be shewed by the Word Traditions of men besides the Truth often make Traytours to God Custome not against conscience is good but it may not bee a Law to any in an ill path Examples of men worthy imitation are not to be neglected but their Errours and crooked treadings are not to bee opposed to diuine Precepts God must in matters of Religion beare sway man is only to further