say they are bad casuits and have litle respect to the Churches edification who make it their work not so much to keep men from sin as to shew them quam prope ad peccatum sine peccato accedere liceat O what a becoming fear is that not to lay a stumbling block in the way of others to grieve the weake or confirm such who use to found their prejudice against the truth and way of God upon the miscariage of such as professe the same 2. This excellent study of Christian prudence hath a respect to mens taking offence as well as their giving it to our being sober in judging in personal reflexions to cover and hide the infirmities of others rather then spread them even for the Gospels sake yea to shut as it were our eyes and cast a mantle on their nakednes who overtaken with the violence of some temptations may yet be serviceable to the Church but especially this should presse us to a watchful regard of any breach and rent in the Church and to study a healing spirit so far as is possible without prejudice to truth 3. It is also a concerning piece of Christian prudence hovv to vvalk vvisely tovvards these vvho are vvithout vvhen prejudice against the vvay of God is now in such a grouth to study hovv vve may convince gain ground and by Christianly prudent and tender carriage conciliat respect to the truth and thus commend holines and these vvho professe it to the conscience of men to study that rule of expediency much in things of themselves vvarrantable vvhat fitnes and advantage present circumstances may offer or deny for edification and promoting that great interest of the Gospel in our converse vvith men I shall novv cease to trouble yovv further onely vvould premit some fevv things vvith a respect to the subject of this follovving essay 1. Should vve not vvith vvonder and astonishment look on this great record of the Scripture by vvhich the glorious Majesty of God doth speak to men yea doth as certainly communicat his Counsel and minde vve may say more certainly then if vve had an immediat audible voice from Heaven O could vve have such ordinary thoughts of this if vve consider hovv near God cometh therein to us I think if there vvere but one corner of the earth though in the remotest parts vvhere men might go and get a look of so vvonderful and important a thing as Gods expresse vvill vvritten and sent from Heaven to the earth anent our duety here and blessednes for ever should vve not think it vvorth our crossing the sea and of the greatest expence of time or labour it is truely a vvonder hovv vve can read and consider the Scripture vvithout vvondring 2. It is a great concernment to knovv that the Scripture hath such a vvitnes as experience and that there is such a trade correspondence as this betvvixt the Saints and the Word vvhich lieth not in the common road of the World O vvhat an empty thing should Religion be if it had not this vvord experience in its grammar that secret sure mark vvhereby the Christian knovveth the Scripture is of God hovv thus the Lord hath oft sealed their instruction in a dark plunge hovv life and povver inlivening influences to the melting of their heart hath oft trysted them there in a very dead frame and novv they knovv that verily God heareth prayer novv they are persvvaded and have learned by the crosse that he is indeed a comforter yea many can shevv hovv by the Word their first acquaintance vvith the Lord did begin hovv some particular truth like a pickle of corn throvvn in at their heart by the blessing of the great husbandman vvas made to take life and grovv 3. It much concerneth us to knovv vvhat an excellent key the Scripture is to unlock that sealed book of providence and that no other key can fit the same many have tried another vvay but lost themselves on the search and the more they prest by humane vvisdome they became the more dark I truely think there is not a more satisfying discovery vvithin time then this to trace divine truth back until vve see its first breaking forth out of his eternal decree and council who is the author thereof hovv thence it taketh hold of the vvord vvhich is the adequate sign and declaration of his purpose and then hovv the vvord taketh hold of his vvork and providence vvhere vve may see the face and condition of the Church clearly vvritten out through all the changes of time hovv providence keepeth a certain and steady course even amidst the most perplexed motions and reelings of of the earth yea hovv all things even these vvhich vvould seem most contradictory run vvithin that straight channel of the vvord and cannot go vvithout tâ—ese bounds 4. It is the priâ—cipal and most concerning Scripture-promises that are onely touched in this follovving discourse these vvhich carry along vvith them a clear continued series of the Churches condition through time and shevves the most remarkable changes of her lot for it is clear that in diverse prophecies and in a different manner the Spirit doth point at one and the same thing and truely it should cause no mistake or prejudice thar vve finde several of the Scripture prophecies exprest in such dark termes since the vvisdome of God saw it fit that for a time these truths should be locked up and sealed but novv light hath so far broken up vvith the event as vve may see hovv very significant and suitable to the matter these most dark aenigmatick termes are 5. We vvould upon no accompt shut our eares vvhere the Scripture is clear and giveth us ground to vvait that the outgoings of the Lord for his people in their deliverance and for the destruction of his enemyes novv in these last times shall be very glorious yea by some stately and stupendious acts of providence that he shall accomplish his judgement on Antichrist neither must vve take a prejudice at truth because of the vvilde fancyes of many vvho vvould extend it beyond its bounds or that near resâ—mblance vvhich the errour of some in this time may seem to have thereto for that hath been an old stratagem of the Devil to prejudge the World at some of the truths of God by setting up a counterfut thereto I shall adde no more onely vvhat accompt is given upon the close of the last argument of some remarkable passages of providence in the late times as herein the author hath some confidence to professe he did endeavour vvhat could be attained for certainty of the same and if any circumstance of these relations should be found a mistake he dare say before Him vvho is greater then our conscience it vvas not the neglect of a serious inquiry so he must also premit the inserting of them vvas upon no further intent then to be a vvitnes to that truth of the Lords eminent appearance for his Church in the
of duty that its surely good to draw near to him and in the close of their life can from many remarkable and convincing providences declare the truth and faithfulnes of God and truely whilst I speak here of the Christians experience I think its sad and a great short coming that there is not a more serious improvement of it for this end which is a very concerning duty on such who have tasted that the Lord is gracious O what an excellent addition would this be to their testament when they are to leave the World to leave a testimony behinde them to the faithfulnes of God in his Word and promise and thus put their seale to the same from what they have oft proven by sure experience for this should prove a singular help to strengthen others and spread abroad the fame and good report of religion yea thus one generation should declare the works of the Lord to another and transmit the memory of his goodnes to succeding ages 7. This is something which not only the Christians experience doth witnes and in every time take place but hath also a peculiar reference to these ages and periods of times wherein such particular truths should have their accomplishment for its true that the Prophets of old did not onely in their predictions hold forth in general the truth and certainty of these things which should fall out but they also inquired and searched diligently anent the time to what or what manner of time the Spirit by them did point at 1 Pet. 1 11. For it s truely clear that a piece of the Word was under the Law to have its peculiar accomplishment that part of it also under the Messias Kingdome in the dayes of the gospel should be fulfilled and we find a very concerning part thereof belongs to thir latter times and there is betwixt such periods of time and revolution of the Churches case and the bringing forth of such a piece of the Scripture to a performance a very certain and undoubted connection It s true we do not yet well understand which will be one of the last manifestations the Church shall have at the end of time when the mystery of God is finished how to sort the event exactly to the Word but it is sure and were worthy of our study and observation how every age hath something of the Scripture peculiar thereto yea carrieth forward the Lords work and design a further step may we not see how one age fulfilleth such a piece of the Churches sufferings appointed for her and puts some great tryal and sad persecution over her head which she was to meet with whilst an other age carrieth her thorow an other change and giveth her a time of rest and breathing how such a time bringeth Antichrist fordward to his hight and such a following age begins the turn of the Churches case yea every several period and revolution of time still addeth something to that excellent history of the Word and providence which we have since the beginning and bringeth forth something further into the world of the Lords counsel and design about his Church 8. The accomplishing of the Scripture is such a thing we are to look after in a special way here which concerns this militant and traveling condition of the Church for if the Scriptures were once fully accomplished and the great mystery of God therein finished there were then nothing more to doe his work of providence were at an end and time should be no more this is something that is not here perfected at once but is still gradually carrying on and then shall be compleat at the resurrection of the just and second coming of the Lord which is the last part of Canonick Scripture to be made out when both his work and his word and time shall be all finished together but whill the sainets are yet by the way they have the written word and all these pretious promises therein for present use and encouragement for that is its proper work to take them safe thorow this labyrinth of the world and when it hath brought them to land it hath no more to doe there will be then no more need for a Christian to goe to a promise and adventure upon it we shall then no more watch with the watchmen in a dark and stormy night and hope for the breaking of the day faith then shall not be at a stand how such a word shall be made out because of invincible difficulties in its way no then it hath done its worke and that which is written shall be swallowed up in that which is seen and enjoyed all the streames of our encouragement will then lose themselves in a greater depth O then it s finished and done what all the promises prophecies and threatnings of the Word was bringing forth and then no more need of something as a pledge and earnest in hand to them who have the full possession of the inheritance under whose feet the God of peace hath trod Satan and all their enemies 9. I shall adde this the accomplishment of the Scripture is something which is not onely demonstrat to a Christian by sensible influences and Gods Secret working with his Spirit but is made out to the observation of men in the way of providence and not onely witnessed by that internal evidence of the Spirit but by an external testimony which both rationally holdeth this out to the judgement and sensibly to the sight and experience and this is the strongest and most full of all outward evidences since the world must shut their eyes if they do not see it and a Christian must deny what he both seeth and feeleth if he deny a witnes to this II. We would consider the accomplishment of the Scripture as that which is the Lords peculiar work and design in the World and that great bussines which is upon the wheels of providence amidst the various changes and revolutions which are here within time for bringing about whereof the blessed thoughts of his heart are fixed and unalterable This is indeed a grave and serious truth worthy to be more noticed and laid to heart by men that the glorious providence of God which goeth throughout the earth and doth particularly reach all things which come to passe the smallest as well as the greatest intrests of men in all these doth move certainly and infallibly for the accomplishing of the Scripture which is that great thing God hath before his eyes for it is no personal intrests of men how great so ever they be that can answer this end it is something beyond the Setting up of Kings or overturning Kingdomes and nations that he doth minde amidst these varions changes which are in the World it s some greater thing then that which we most notice the Lord thereby designes how such a party is advanced and others brought low for these things come within the reach of his care and providence in so far as the
doth commend it self to mens consciences as a safe ground whereon they may repose their soul It is also clear how wonderfully the Scripture hath been preserved and the original copyes thereof keept through all ages that what ever small variation there may appear as to some Apiculi which in some places hath caused divers readings yet in any necessary or saving truth the greatest Criticks will confesse they do not in the least vary and it is knowen wherein we are to adore that special providence of God that the Jewish Church to whom this sacred depositum was delivered did with such exact and singular care look to the same even in the least tittle or letter thereof this being the great work and study of the Mazarites from one age to another to see to the preserving of that great record from being in the least vitiat or corrupt and the greatest adversaries of the truth cannot possibly deny that aggreement betwixt these many original copyes in the whole substance which may be very convincing to the World And doth not men see how marvellous the whole frame of the Scripture is What a correspondency betwixt all the parts thereof that nothing in it doth in the least vitiat the proportion and beauty of the work but all alongst an evident tendency to advance holinesse and conform the soul to God With a wonderful consent and harmony in answering to this great end we see the simplicity and plaines of its style yet backt with a convincing Majesty and authority upon the conscience yea besids it hath been attested by miracles that were great in themselves famous in their time transmitted to the Church in after ages with unanswerable evidences of their truth that not only from the witnes of the Word but other pressing and rational grounds may let us see there could be no deceit or imposture therein These are a great testimony to the truth but I may say on very sure ground that next to that great witnes of the Spirit there is no argument more convincing to reach Atheisme a stroke and throughly satisfy an exercised Spirit who may be plunged anent this great thing the authority of the Scripture then a clear discovery of its performance whilst under the assault of such a temptation if this be the very word of God they may but retire within and then turn their eyes abroad in the World to see what a visible impresse of the Word is stamped on every piece of the work and providence of God Now for further clearing I would offer these few things 1. First the accomplishment of the Scripture is a very publick testimony from Heaven to its divinity whilst the Lord by his works through the Earth which are done in the view of Angels and Men doth solemnly avow that this is his Word for we must say his work within on the hearts of his People without about the Church is such whereat men yea all the magicians of the earth may stand amazed and confesse that nothing lesse then a divine almighty power can accomplish the same 2. This gives in the witnes of all the generation of the righteous who from the beginning have proven the truth thereof yea sealed by the blood of many excellent Christians some of whom though they could not well disput for it yet had so strong a demonstration of the power of the truth within as made it an easy work to dy for the same 3. This doth clearly shew the Scripture is an unchangeable rule of righteousnes that alters not but takes place in all ages whence such as are wise to bring providence in to the Word and compare the experience and remarks of one time with another may have a great reach and be thus led in a sure path as to the for seeing of events 4. This also doth demonstrat that it is his Word who doth rule and guide the World and hath a soveraign dominion over the fame whilst we may here see such remarkable events which both in the present and in former times have fallen out as may shevv a povver that can reach the greatest vvith a stroke shake the most established Kingdomes and even over the belly of insuperable difficulties accomplish the Word yea that surely the Spirit of the vvheels vvhich moves them is from him vvhose Word this is for it is not more clear that these courtaines of the Heavens are stretcht forth over the Earrh then that the Scripture is stretcht out over the vvhole vvork and frame of providence so as all the motious and steps thereof even of the most casual things that fall out hath a visible tendenâ—y to accomplish these ends vvhich the Scripture hath held forth 5. This clearly sheweth it must be his Word who hath forseen all things that were to beâ—all the Church and the various changes and adventures of every Christians life through time whilst it is so wonderfully shaped and suited to every new tryal of the Church as if intended only for that time and to every case of a godly man as though it had been alone writ for them 6. This also sheweth that he who is the author of the Scripture and hath framed that admirable piece must have some immediat correspondence with the Spirit of Man knoweth our sitting down and riseing up yea doth search the heart and the reines for experience can tell how the Word is directed to the heart doth reach the most inward contrivances thereof doth so clearly reveall and open up a Christian to himselfe that we may say of a truth he is the God of the Spirits of all flesh and one greater then our heart whose it is 7. I shall further adde the fulfilling of the Scripture in the experience of the saints doth shew it is not a dead letter but hath power and life and there must be an enlightning quickning spirit that surely goeth along with the same this clearly demonstrates something above words yea above nature in the written Word that can make such a change upon the soul give life to the dead open the eyes of the blind yea can turn a lump of earth that formerly tended downward now without any violence to move from a principle of life towards God as the sparks flee upward VI. The aceomplishment of the Scripture is a most pleasant and truely delectable subject worthy of our Serious thoughts and study for here is held out the highest truth for the judgement to contemplat the truth and faithfulnes of God in the Word and here is also the greatest good for the affections to embrace and delight in as that wherein our whole happines is certainly wrapt up it is undenyable that it is the godly man who knoweth best what true and solide pleasure is which he doth not losse by turning his heart from the creature to God but maketh a blessed exchange O how far doth the joy and delights of the soul exceed these of the senses and the delight of a Christian how far
is written in the providences and judgments of every time to mens observation how judgments from the Lord which point as with the finger at the abounding sins of that time do reach a land and particular Churches according to the threatnings of the word this is indeed manifest that the greatest promises made to a people we find backed with saddest threatnings and accordingly we find the greatest monuments of wrath have usually been set up where sometimes the largest offers of the Gospel were yea that the anger of the Lord may draw so deep against a people professing his name as to make their land desolate and the high wayes thereof mourn for in this precinct of the Church doth both judgement and mercy most eminently shine forth and the Lords way there doth differ from that he hath with any other people Now to clear this grave truth a litle how these threatnings of the word against a nation and people because of sin are also verifyed in their judgements I shall touch a few instances that are most known and obvious where we may lay the word and observation of the Church together and see how they answer one the other First we find the Threatnings of the word do point at the time of a peoples judgement 1 Thes 2 ver 16. Rev. 14 ver 15 18. That when they fill up the measure of their sin and their cup is full the Lord will not then defer the execution until the cup of the Amorites was full he did let them alone and we find an answer deferred to the cry of the souls under the altar for avenging their blood on Antichrist because that accursed party had yet more to do against the Church and the Saints more to suffer under their hand Now to witness the accomplishment of this let us but consider what in all times may be observed First that there is an ordinary grouth and height of sin which a land cometh to before destruction some national and universal spreading thereof prodigious outbreakings the utter rejecting of reproof which shew that a peoples case must then be on some turn yea that strange and unusuall sinning useth to go before some strange stroke 2. Before judgement come is it not seen how the sin of a people hath become so daring that it hath had a loud cry yea their case hath been such as did justify the Lords procedure against them even in the conscience of all lookers that he did it not without much cause 3. Is it not easy for such as are wise to know the times to see night coming on a land when sin is at some dreadful height by considering the word and the Lords usual way with a people in such a case Yea hath there not then been some special forwarnings a more then ordinary impression of judgement upon the spirits of the godly the hiding of many of them in the grave which as threatning presages hath shewed the near approache of a stroke 4. There doth not usually want even some Noah or Jonas the Ministers of God sent forth to threaten who as watchmen upon the wall are discerning hazard at distance yea with an observable pressure then upon their spirit and a more then ordinary aggreement amongst themselves to cry out and give the people warning when the time of judgement hath been drawing near 2. It is clear there are some special evils and sins of a time which we find the word most dreadfully doth threaten yea in a peculiar way it doth put a mark upon them that though the Lord should passe by many infirmities in a Church and people professing his name yet for such and such sins as we find in Amos 1 ver 2. he will not turn away the punishment thereof but hath solemnly declared by his truth and faithfulnes that these shall not passe without some visible mark even before the world of his anger now in this the Scripture is clear and lets us see there are some sins more particularly threatned some land destroying sins that have as it were the marke set on them which doe especially provoke the holy indignation and jealousie of God such as idolatry corrupting the Worship of God Perjury and Covenant-breaking shall they break my Covenant and escape saith the Lord Ezek. 17 ver 15. also departing from God and his way for this the land shall be desolat as in Ierem. 9 ver 12 13. yea blood guiltines which the earth shall not cover and for which the sword shall not depart even from the house family of David 2 Sam. 12 10. Now to evidence the accomplishment hereof I shall point at somethings most obvious to the observation of every time how terribly the Lord useth to plead for such things and by some exemplary stroke and judgement point them out as we find them particularly set by themselves in the word and threatnings thereof First how in these sins thus marked men may see how their judgements use not wholly to be deferred to another world but though much is oft passed here and laid over to that last and great judgement yet upon such sins the Lord hath put some mark of his displeasure even in this life 2. That for these he useth to contend before the sun and in the view of men his judgements are indeed oft secret and doe consume as a moth but upon such sins we may frequently see some publick and visible stroke is made to follow that the world cannot passe without a remark 3. That the Lord also useth to be a very swift witness against such evils for as we find the oppression of the Church hath a lowd cry and the blood of the saints a how long it is also seen these forementioned sins do much hasten judgement so as seldome that generation passeth away without some witness thereto it is rarely found that some great revolt of a people from God and breaking Covenant with him doth ly long over unpunished nor doth the hoary head of the violent and bloody man go oft to the grave in peace 4. That these sins use to be followed with some very dreadful and eminent stroke they have made the land desolat their cityes sometime wast and a ruinous heap yea houses great and fair to be without inhabitans so as men have with astonishment enquired why is all this comed to passe and it was easy to answer even for such and such evils hath the Lord done this according to his word 5. That a divine hand useth to be most discernable in the punishments of such sins because of a very clear resemblance betwixt them and the stroke which hath forced their own conscience as well as of onlookers to confesse the Righteousnes of God therein 6. That the Lord will put some mark of his anger on the choisest of his servants for any accession to such sins these to whom he hath given their soul for a prey have yet got a sore outward stroke upon such an account which hath
witness of the conscience and authority thereof in every man which they cannot possibly decline O doe not these vvitness that from some great height poor man hath fallen 2. Doth not the present appearance of mans nature clearly shevv he his fallen into some dreadful disease that it is surely overspread with some horrid leprosie and contagion the symptomes whereof now are most discernable O what an exorbitancy doth appear in his desires with what contrary tydes is he hurried still at jar with his present lot his reason and will once in a sweet league are now at warr betwixt which he is oft rent in pieces as one betwixt wilde horses how is he now restless in an unreasonable pursuit he laboureth in the fire and for a shadow yea what doe these tumults and commotions of the earth mean men upon the smallest account sheathing their swords in others bowels homo homini Lupus ruptures in familyes unsatiable in revenge and the earth so oft in an uproar as a raging sea O doe not these too visibly witness what a dreadful disorder and perturbation there must be within impetuous boyling of mans lusts so that here we may see a very manifest rupture and breath of building once well knitt and framed 3. I would ask wherein mans true advantage and excellency above others of the creatures can be seen if not with some respect to that he once was and that blessed restauration by grace for his knowledge doth oft serve but to increase his sorrow to shew the good he wanteth and the evil he is subject to is there any of the creatures subject to such outward misery and pain to so many diseases as poor man now is Yea as to a sensual life may we not say the beasts have even some preference or are these so unruely do they so much go out of their bounds and station which the many lawes made for man in the world with the convincing necessity thereof can wittness we see also that fore travel is appointed to man at hovv much toile he is for an outvvard subsistance hovv he doth oft sovv and not reap the beasts vvithdravv from the yoke these over vvhom he had dominion ready to assault him hovv vvomen bring forth their children in sorrovv the men are attended vvith fear their life oft made bitter vvith care and labour yea as men increase in the vvorld their care and discontent increasing therevvith but besides all is he not in the greatest slavery of all the creatures through the violence of his lusts that make him pursue the baite though he knovveth it vvill undoe him vvhile his corruption doth oft like a strong man bind him in fetters and his flesh imperiously drag him at its heels O may vve not say vvas poor man thus formed at the beginning or raised so far above the rest of the creatures only to make him the more miserable for truely if a vive portraicture could be dravvn of sinful depraved nature there is none so grosse but should-abhorr yea be affrighted to see that in the third person vvith vvhich alace they so friendly comply in themselves SECOND That so great a change is truely wrought upon men in conversion as the scripture doth promise and hold forth Ioh. 3 ver 3 6. Eph. 2 ver 1 5. Coloss 3 ver 1 2. vvherein some thing above nature even the marvellous povver of the grace of God may be seen is a trnth Iam sure knovvn and undenyable to the vvorld yea the greatest mockers at religion must confesse can be no delusion but is indeed real and certain upon these follovving grounds 1. That the most grosse vvho in their practice have been notourly profane in the place vvherein they lived it hath been seen that grace hath reached them and thus the Leopard hath been made to change his spots and such vvho vvere accustomed to do evil have learned to doe vvell O! Doe not many famous instances vvitnes this in every age 2. That also men most principled in their judgement against the vvay of God who were wont to deride holines as fancie even on such so great a change hath been wrought as hath made the world to wonder but then they were forced to lay doun their prejudice yea to wonder at themselves how they could stand before the truth so long whereof they have got such an impression sure Atheists must grant there have been as profest Atheists as themselves who have been made eminent examples of grace 3. That such even in the height of their wickednes like Paul breathing out cruelty and of late Vergerius while he was writing against the truth grace hath sometimes reached them it hath been found that of Christs greatest enemyes some have thus fallen upon their high places before the power of the word some such trophees of the gospels conquest have been conspicuous in every age yea it is oft seen that some remarkable height in sin hath proved an evident Crisis and turn in mens condition either to judgement or mercy 4. That some of the most eminent adversaries of the truth have through grace been made eminently useful instruments in the Church the world cannot deny that there have not been choiser vessels of honour more zealous for the Lord in their time then such who were once most violent in their opposition 5. That such whom the world did reckon most wise and discerning yea that did want no judgement to know the value of outward things as well as others grace hath reached can the Atheists object do any of the rulers or Rabbies believe in Christ or follow that way when it is so clear that not more wise learned and judicious even themselves being judges have been in their time then some vvho are most serious in the matter of Religion 6. Hath not this change been made discernable upon the simple the most stupid and dull yea upon some such as a natural incapacity might have obstructed the worke if something above nature had not carried it on vvhich may be also manifest by some change even on their understanding to shew that this can make the simple wise and in the way of holines the way-faring man though fool shall not err 7. That by a very improbable mean the word and that sometimes by weakest instruments we see this great change hath been wrought and it is remarkable how litle of the work of conversion did follow the putting forth of miracles in the primitive times but by the simplicity of the preached gospel much more for indeed the conversion of a soul and such a change is it selfe some way a miracle 8. That they are not a few on whom this change hath been wrought is undenyable and truely besides these ordinary proofs I think it is a great want there should not be some more special record by the Church of these illustrious and eminent instances of the grace of God which have been in such an age as well as remarkable instances of judgment 9. Men
and at a time when it is expected grossest of men would speak truth yea that this doth appear while men cannot in the least charge the dying Christian with any distemper in his judgement but while they have been most composed stayed and present in minde and as to other things of their concernment most deliberat and sober even then they have born this witnes THE FOURTH ARGUMENT I shall here offer to prove the Scriptures accomplishment is this That whereof the most part as to these special predictions and promises that concern the Church is fulfilled and hath now taken place in their appointed times which we may at this day clearly tead in the event and but a litle part thereof now remaineth to be made out must be a sure truth But the Scripture is thus fulfilled and the prophecyes thereof now made legible in the history of providence and in the works of God about his Church Therefore c. I would premit here some few things ere I speak particularly to this argument 1. Though the Scripture is thus wonderfully suited by the Lord and taketh place in every generation as if it were alone directed to that time yet it is also clear that a special part thereof hath its proper accomplishment in these ages and periods of time to which it doth in a peculiar way relate some part of it which did concern the times of the Old Testament some that doth also answer to the times of the Gospel and a part of it which hath a peculiar respect to these latter dayes which the Lord is now bringing forth and we wait for a more full accomplishment that it is on a near approach 2. It is also sure that the whole work of God and his providence about his Church here in the World which was perfect from the beginning and before him from eternity is comprehended under the written word where the Lord hath fully revealed his minde and counsel anent every event and concernment of the Church though we oft be in the dark in finding out the same but the event will in due time speak for it selfe which should cause us until then with much sobriety passe our judgement on some of these truths that are not yet fulfilled 3. It is clear that the Prophets of old did not onely foretell such great changes and revolutions as were to go over the Churches head and declare the certainty thereof but we find these prophecyes oft point at the times and periods of time whereto they did relate and though sometimes in dark tearmes yet did clearly shew that there was a certain prefixed time not at every time they could have their performance 4. We would consider how the full accomplishing of the Scripture and the perfecting the Lords work about his Church will be at once and doth keep foot together and then shall a full and satisfying discovery of Gods way and providence and all that he hath been doing in the World clearly break up when the great mystery of God in his written word is finished and the Church so near to land That I may speak a little to so grave a subject I would lay down these two things to be considered 1. How much of the Scripture and predictions thereof may be now seen clearly verifyed in the event 2. What doth yet remain to have an accomplishment in these last times by which we may certainly judge hovv near the Lords vvork about his Church is to a close anent the first I shall point at some of these most concerning events changes vvhich the Church hath met vvith vvherein vve may see vvhat of the Scripture may at this day be read in the history of providence and is certainly fulfilled I. WHAT IS ALREADY ACCOMPLISHED I. Let us go back to these first times after the fall and see that dreadful stroke which came upon the old World by the flood after an universal defection from God and we shall there find the fulfilling of that which Noah that great preacher of righteousnes had oft foretold and of these threatnings which by Moses were there recorded wherein it may be very manifest 1. That this truth besides Divine authority no records of auncient times no antiquity could ever contradict yea some of the eldest writers doe clearly witnes something of an universal deluge over the earth with the strange preservation of some from it however they were in the dark as to many circumstances thereanent Josephus doth cite Berosus the Ciâ—aldean about this who without doubt had theÌ„ some of these oldest records true uncorrupt Eusebius also doth mention some fragments of Abidenus and Appollidorus which in his time were extant clearly pointing at the flood and at Noah under the name of Zisuthrus with his sending out of birds to see if the waters were asswaged 2. There is nothing here doth contradict reason how this might be brought about even in the way of ordinary natural causes which the Lord did make use of for that end for we find the windowes of Heaven were opened the air being condensed into clouds and their retentive power loused these great floodgates were thus set louse which falling not in drops but all in a full body like the spouts and cataracts of the West-Indies might soon overwhelm the earth with aboundance of water while these fountaines also of the great deep beneath were broken up which was not only the Ocean let forth to go over its banks but an universal vent to all the veines of the earth and that great masse of waters which is in the bowels thereof which from beneath meeting these that were from above may give men a clear and rational account how such a thing might be 3. This piece of the Scripture is most congruous and aggreable to the whole and the great scope and drift of the same for it points out an height of sin and of wrath an universall defection and an universal stroke meeting together it leads us forward to Christ of whom the ark was an excellent shadow and of that salvation which in and by him the Church hath from eternal wrath and is a very manifest pledge and sign of that last destruction of the World which though not in that manner yet shall once surely be and find men in such a condition as this flood found them into in the dayes of Noah II. What we have expresly promised in the word of the Churches delivery from Egypt and vvas foretold by Joseph at his death that God should surely bring back his People out of that land for vvhich he left his bones to ly unburied as a pledge thereof hath novv many ages past been fulfilled It is long since that remarkable day vvhen God made a vvay for his People through the red sea and his povver knovvn upon Pharaoh and the Egyptians since Moses vvith the Church did sing that triumphant song the horse and his rider he hath cast in the sea vvherein these things are most clear 1.
adversaryes we may also on clear Scripture grounds conclude that the Lord is now awaked as a mighty man and upon the fields yea that the war is surely begun against Antichrist and all the adversaryes of his Church which shall not cease until the full victory be obtained for indeed these providences which in these last times should be very affrighting and terrible when we go in to the word we shall find they have a comfortable aspect on the Church and do presage her greater enlargement which as the tender buds and leaves of the fig tree are put forth to shew the sommers approach Luc. 21 ver 28. it is true the Church is now low and the work of God meets with very sad interruptions which are needful both for tryal and rebuke but this also is sure which none can deny that the Lord hath eminently appeared and done great things for his Church yea we must say he hath by a confluence of very remarkable providences thus condescended to strengthen his peoples hands to confirm such who are ready to stagger even as it were by cruches anent the greatnes of these things which are yet promised Now to clear this truth a little we would consider First How it is very consonant to the Scripture and expresly held forth in the same that in the last times and turn of the Churches case from Antichrist the Lord will thus appear in his great strength and set up his standard against his adversaryes yea will then in a special way call forth his people to glorify him by an active testimony 2. That the Lord hath thus begun to appear according to his word is a truth that is also undenyable should much help to confirm our faith anent the performance of that which further remains of the Scripture 1. That this is manifest from the word may be thus clear First Though the Church militant must not want an adversary and some persecution from the World even in her best estate yet we have a safe warrant to expect that the Lord will glorify himselfe in a peculiar way in his people now in these latter dayes by doing and acting for the truth as in former ages his glory did most appear dnreing Antichrists Reign in his Churches suffering for then the faith and patience of his Saints was to be witnessed in its season Rev. 13 ver 10. and thus he would serve himselfe of his people and bring forth his glory until that time of retribution when these who had killed with the sword should be killed by the sword and these who led unto captivity be so dealt with which doth also clearly promise some special outletting of the Spirit for acting with these gifts of courage and resolution sutable to the service of the Church in the latter dayes and truely I think it is a great want we study not more the accomplishing of the promises and how to improve the same for gifts as well as grace in order to the several times and necessities of the Church 2. It is very clear from the Scripture that in the last dayes when Christ is to raise his Church from under the power and tyranny of Antichrist he shall then appear in a warlike posture which John had shewed to him Rev. 19 v. 13 14. as one upon the head of his forces with his vesture dipped in blood to shew that vvhen once the vvar is begun against his adversary and this Lyon of the tribe of Juda begins to rouze himselfe up vvhat a terrible appearance he vvil have in that undertaking and it is clear that the Lord hath declared in this his counsel and vvill that his Son Christ should in the latter times take unto himselfe his great povver and reign Rev. 11 ver 17. yea cause the World knovv him to be Head of principalityes and povvers as vvell as of the Church for his glory in this truth as a King which former ages seemed in so great a measure to darken must then clearly shine forth I truely think mens appearing with such violence and rage against so concerning a truth now in these dayes doth promise some eminent appearance of the Lord therein and that he shall yet more solemnly assert the same before the World 3. Doth not the Scripture point at the last times as that special time of recompence for the controversy of Sion to which the Lord hath reserved a solemn triumph of his justice over all his Churches enemyes when he shall enquire for the blood of his Saints shed upon the earth since the dayes of Abel at Babylons hand Revelat. 18 ver 24. that great adversary who stands in law guilty and hath served her selfe heire to all the violence cruelty done in former ages for in her hand must that cup be found full which the enemyes of the Church from the beginning hath been filling up and as so many rivers and fountaines hath run unto this great sea 4. It is also clear that in the last times when the Lord shall bind up the breach of his people and heal the stroke of their wound who for so long a time had been trampled under by Antichrist he shall by some signal providences roll away this reproach and scandal of meannes contempt and persecution shall put some glory on his Church proportionable to its former abasement yea thus comfort her according to the dayes wherein he had afflicted her and cause his peoples uprising in measure and kind to answer their low and suffering state from Antichrist even in the last times when the Lord shall make them appear with the face of a Lion when the feeble shall be as David and as the Angel of the Lord Zach. 12 ver 8. which promise doth clearly point at the Churches raising and delivery from Antichrist upon the back whereof we find the Prophet doth foretel the last conversion and incomming of Israel 5. I shall only adde what the Scripture doth most expresly shew that the Lord shall so gloriously appear in bringing his Church out of Babylon and executing his judgement on that adversary as in the day when he brought his people out of Egypt and therefore shall they sing the song of Moses and the lamb Rev. 15 ver 3. his great power and outstretched hand being no lesse discernable therein then if they had been standing with Israel at the red Sea when they saw their enemyes lying dead upon the shore yea have we not ground to believe that the Lord shall make himself very evidently knowen in raising instruments and acting them forth which hath been already seen and I am sure the World must confesse what great things have been done by these of whom little was expected III. That the Lord hath thus begun to appear and make himself known to the World in these last ages according to his word is a thing very easy to demonstrat for 1. Is it not clear how in these last times he hath met his enemyes upon their high places
last dayes it vvould be of great use and profit to the Church that some more fitly qualified vvould study a more large collection of this kinde O that this might go forth vvith a blessing from him vvho by the meanest things can serve himself promote the ediâ—icaaion of his Church and that the Lord vvould raise some up vvith much of his Spirit to make a further search and enquiry in this great and vveiguty truth ERRATA PAge 12 Line 1 for very read every pag. 45 lin 2 for ate r. are p. 77 lin 10 for securitly r. sccurity p. 90 lin 18. for were r. where pag. 94 lin 13 for plaines r. plainness p. 105 liu 26 for most r. must p. 167 lin 9 for hash r. harsh p. 185 len 3 for therefore r. thereof p. 108 lin 1. for Alba r. Alva pag. 214 lin 25. for cruches r crutches pag. 217 lin 11 for III r. 2. p. 220 lin 1 for IV r. III. p. 255 l. 31 for petioned r. petitioned p. 285 lin 11 for observation r. observable Other such fmaller escapes as one letter for another or wrong pointing will not hinder an intelligent Reader The fulfilling of the SCRIPTURE THere are two meanes by which the blessed Majesty of God hath chosen to reveal himself to the sons of men his Word and his Works which may be called these two great Luminaries for giving light to the Church though the one be greater I mean doth more clearly shine forth yea doth communicate light to the other these men must not divide which by so strait a tye the Lord hath joyned and by a mervellous correspondence hath set the one over against the other that it may be easy to see his faithfulnes and the accomplishment of the Scripture therein and indeed this is a great concerning truth that calleth for a serious study the solid persuasion of which should affoord a svveet ground of repose and rest for the soul though the earth were all in a combustion ronnd about and give a satisfying answer to our most sollicitous thoughts and feares Now this being the intended subject of the following discourse I shall first touch it a little in the general and then hold forth some more particular grounds whence it may be clearly demonstrated I. That the Scripture of God hath a certain accomplishment here in the World and what is to be understood by the same I shall endeavour to clear in these things which would be considered 1. This is the very unfolding of the Lords decree and secret purpose the bringing forth of his work now within time to the view of Angels and Men which was before him in the deep of his thoughts and counsel from eternity it is an opening up of the sealed book which we must not understand to be that secret roll of election and the book of life wherein the names of the elect are writ but Liber fatidicus the sealed book of Gods dispensations in the World shewing out his counsels and designes which should be brought forth in the after ages of time for as the Lord did fully comprehend what he was to do and all that was to befal his Church and People from the beginning to the end long long before there was a beginning before the mountaines were formed so hath he copyed and written out his heart in the Word hereanent wherein he hath most plainly shewed forth what were his blessed purposes and counsel of old and thus the thoughts of his heart his Word and his works do sweetly aggree and each one wonderfully answers to another for his work doth bring forth and accomplish his Word that his decree and counsel from all eternity may take place 2. The Scriptures accomplishment is the transcript and writing of it over in providence where we may see and admire how the Word doth shine upon all the pathes and footsteps of the Lord toward his Church in every age and gives light to the same and what an evident reflection his work hath again upon the Word so that through the whole series and course of providence in the earth we have a most exact portraicture and image of the Scripture answering one to another as face answers to face in the glasse where it may be easy to discern the copy by the principale and that resemblance which is betwixt the building and that excellent pattern and model which is held forth thereof in the Word 3. The accomplishment of the Scripture is the very turning that which was the object of our faith and contemplation to be the object of our sense and feeling it is the real birth and bringing forth these truths unto the World in their appointed time and season concerning the Church and particular Christians which were hid in that womb of the promise and many dark predictions of the Word it is such a thing as giveth the promises and Prophecyes a visible being yea bringeth truth so near within the reach of our senses that we may even touch as it were and handle the Words of life O what an excellent interpreter is experience Tast and see for thus the serious Christian getteth a view of the Scripture and spiritual things which the most subtil and piercing eye of unsanctified Schoolmen cannot reach yea by the practice of truth nearnes to God ahd retiring of the soul to him hath oft got more light in ane houre then others by many dayes putting their judgement and invention upon the rack 4. This is Gods own seale which he pntteth to the Word to confirm and ratify the same I do not only mean that secret seale of the Spirit within but something more external that solemn testimony of his workes whereby he doth every day appeal mens consciences anent his truth for his works are very manifest whereon there is so clear an ingravening of his truth and faithfulness that as the impresse and image of the seal is upon the wax men may also see whose superscription and image that is which doth appear on such and such passages of providences 5. This is something we are not to seek onely in the extraordinary acts of providence or in any singular and eminent path of a christian experience nay it doth shine forth in the smallest and most casual things that falls out yea in every Page of that great Volumn of providence may be clearly read 6. The Scriptures accomplishment is such a thing as concerns every Christian in his personal case to which his ordinary experience doth relate whereof these have a large register what of the Word hath been certainly proven in the several steps and changes of their life whose practice doth much ly betwixt improvement of the Word and observation how it is fulfilled such can witnes how under a spiritual decay to be carnally minded is death and when it s well that great peace they have who love Gods Law they have oft found that in a strait he is a very present help and in the way
fulfilling of the Scripture is therein concerned the outmaking of the promises and threatnings one syllabe whereof he doth more value then all the crounes and Kingdomes of the earth yea will not let it fall to the ground though it should be at the rate of laying cities and countries desolate for it s in this the Lord taketh pleasure and exerciseth his blessed thoughts even the bringing about what he hath spoken in his Word â— Now to clear this furder I shall hold forth these following grounds whence it may appear First the fulfilling of the Scripture and written Word is so great a thing and of such concernment that the blessed Majesty of God thought it worthy of a place in his heart from all eternity this was before him in his thoughts and counsels of old even that mervalous work which should be the after-product and outmaking of his Word to his Church here within time and surely was such a plott and contrivance that as no lesse then infinit love wisedome and power was required to bring it about so it was well becoming the Majesty of God and worthy to be the work of all the three blessed persons of the trinity O if we could go doun a little to this deep and see the wonders that are there we would find that knowledge which usually lesseneth our admiration of other things would highten it here it would be new to us every day to think how great and mervelous a thing that is which the Word is bringing forth 2. It is upon this even the performance of the Word that the present encouragement and after blessednes of the saints dothly for the great interest of the Church is adventured upon the Word and embarked with it which should be lost yea their stock and treasure which is laid up in heaven and all that a Christian is worth which is layd up in the promise were then perished if the Scripture should want an accomplishment the Godly man hath then run labourned in vain these who are fallen asleep in Christ have dyed in a sad delusion providence would be like the work of the foolish builder who begun and knew not how to finish O how heighly then is the Lord concerned in fulfilling of his Word That he may perfect what concerns his People and having surely payed the price put them also in possession 3. There is yet more then the interests of Angels and men yea then heaven and earth is worth that depends upon the outmaking of the Scripture the glory of God and especially the praise of that great attribute his faithfulnes which he will have no lesse shine forth in the performance of his Word then his power and wisdome in this great fabrick of the universe and these mervelous productions of nature for he hath magnified his Word above all his works therefore is his heart greatly set upon this even the bringing to passe what he hath spoken which if in the least should faill were no lesse then to make God a lyer and falsify his Word who is through all the Church known by this blessed name The God of truth 4. We would consider this as that great trust which is put in his hand who onely in heaven and earth was found worthy to open the book of Gods decrees and counsels and loose the seals thereof a trust which the Lord did not adventure upon the Angels the smallest promise being such as requires no lesse then an omnipotent power and the arme of Ithovah to bring it about for which end he whom the father hath anointed is gone forth as a mighty man who rejoyceth to run his race that he may perform his Word and through this great design in the administration of providence about his Church and People which he will not cease or give over until the mystery of God in the Scripture and all that was spoken by the Prophets be put to a close when Heaven and Earth at the pouring out of the last vial shal give that solemn shout and exclamation It is finished it is finished O if this were once fully perfect there would be no more to do then the Winter were past and the Summer come the song of Moses and the lamb should be heard because the bride hath made herselfe ready then let al the trees of the wood rejoyce the hills break forth into singing and all that is therein be glade because the Scripture and great design thereof is fully finished and the day of the perfect liberty of the Sonnes of God is come 5. The accomplishment of the Scripture is of such concernment that nothing can be done until it be once finished for this time must wait the Sun must keep its course and the ordinances of the Heaven continue as they are the World is but a scaffold until this building be perfected for this the grave doth still retain her prisoners and the dust of the Saints must yet rest in hope the creation still groaneth and the marriage supper of the lamb is deferred the cry of the souls under the altar get not a full return until all that is written in the Word be fulfilled 6. We would consider this is the great thing which the Lord this day is carrying on even the accomplishment of his Word for this is most brought upon debate of any thing besides the World challengeth it and the hearts of the godly do oft call it in question the Atheist scoffs at it and sayeth where is the promise of his coming there are often to appearance insuperable difficulties in the way of its performance therefore doth the Majesty of God so much concern himself in this for bringing about of which he is in a holy way restles and providence in an uucessant motion until he hath done that which he hath spoken in his Word It was for this cause that the Scripture might be accomplished that the Word was made flesh and he who counted it no robbery to be equal unto God did take upon himself the forme of a Servant this is of such account in his eyes that what time he speaks concerning a Nation or People ere it come not to passc he will rather put forth omnipotency for the working of miracles and change the very course of nature for this he wil make the deep dry make a way through the red Sea and cause I ordan stand as in heapes that he may keep promise to his People if there be no way for bringing about his Word but through a Sea of blood and over the bones and carcasses of his enemyes he will do it and bring it to passe though Walled Cities and the Sonnes of Anack mighty and strong should stand in the way thereof Abrahams old age and Sarahs dead womb must not frustrat this if the promise of the Churches restauration cannot be made out without a wonder shewed upon dry bones scattered at the graves mouth this shall not be wanting when God sayeth he 'll bring down
the enemyes of his Church if the dust of the ground should arise down they must come how many great designs of men hath this blessed design that the counsel of the Lord may stand crusht and broken so that their work and counsel hath been as the Spiders web when it stood crosse to this end the godly need not fear that he be not a present help in time of trouble for he will keep his word herein though the Earth should be overturned and the Mountaines cast into the midst of the Sea O who hath resisted his counsel What are all these vicissitudes and changes here in the World But making way for the Scriptures accomplishment with what desire doth he move towards this end So that as in Zachary 6 v. 8. the instruments by him appointed for executing his judgement and the threatnings of the Word it s said they have quieted his Spirit his decrees are mountaines of brasse which are unchangeable the thoughts of his heart take place in all generations therefore the Word Which is gone forth out of his mouth shall not return in vain but the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand III. The accomplishment of the Scripture is a truth very clear and manifest whereof none can pretend ignorance if they doe not shut their eyes and force their own light from the fear of such a discovery for the obstruction doth notâ—ly in the darknes of the obiect or that men cannot see this since we have it so clearly held forth in great and legible charecters nay we must say the cause is culpable there is much of the will in it which renders such ane ignorance without excuse O that this should be so little lookt after a matter of such near and weighty concernment when there needs not an other demonstration but come and see the works of the Lord through the earth for he hath here so far condiscended to his People to bring the truth near that they even feel and grip the same yea doth in a manner say to every one as to Thomas put in your bands touch the Word and truth thereof and be no longer faithles tast but and see that the Lord is good and that he is true in what he hath spoken We are indeed to look after a more clear and full discovery of this truth the nearer the Church is to the end of time there is a labyrinth as it were of turnings and windings through which we may see the Word oft brought so as we lose sight thereof and are ready to stagger anent its performance but it s as true that the most eminent confirmations the saints ever had of this truth hath been after greatest shakings thereanent yea the Lord hath in all ages so visibly sealed his Word by its performance that we may say can he be a Christian and a stranger to this in his experience and a serious on-looker on providence and the dispensations of the time wherein he lives and a stranger to it in his observation yea can any be so wholly brutish not to discern a thing so clear that oftimes these who run may read But to speak a little more to this I shall here point at some things that may shew how manifest this truth is 1. Is it not very clear which we see very day brings to light A truth so conspicuous both in Gods ordinary way with his Church and in the several steps and passages of a Christians life For these mercies which bring the Word and promise to passe are new every morning and cry aloud if we could hear great is his faithfulnesâ— this is indeed tryed and needs there more to convince a blind man that his sight is restored to him but that he certainly seeth sure they never wanted confirmations here who do but serviously seek to be confirmed 2. Is it not a clear truth which not onely is found upon the exactest tryal but is witnessed by such who ever tryed it in their most pressing straits and extremity for it s in the darkest night this truth hath most brightly shined and these more remarkable ventorious acts of faith have they not still brought forth most convincing experiments thereanent We may say there is none can give a better account of the performance of the Word then these who against hope have beleeved in hope that this never made them ashamed 3. Is it not also clear whereof there are such solemn extraordinary comfirmations in all ages For that his name is near his wondrous works declare I am sure no time could ever deny its witnes how by great convincing providences both of judgement and mercy it hath been so sealed as hath forced Atheists to keep Silence no time wherein the Church had not cause to erect a pillar and engrave thereon We have seen with our eyes the great and wondrous works of the Lord by which he hath witnessed the truth of his Word 4. Is it not a manifest truth which even in the most strange and dark footsteps of providence so clearly shineth forth these which at the first look are an astonishment and hard to be understood yet after most clearly verify the Scripture that whilst the Lords way goeth out of our sight yea out of the ordinary road of his working through a labyrinth of turnings and crosse dispensations yet at length it doth evidently clear and dissintangle it selfe which men may oft see break forth as the sun out of a dark cloud that shiueth the more brightly the more it was obscured 5. Is it not very clear which can be demonstrated by such visible effects in these great changes of the World For the fulfilling of the Scripture is not a thing hid in a corner but oft published in the house tops that men may see legibly written upon Kingdomes and nations the desolate ruines and devaâ—â—ation of cities houses great and fair which are made to be without inhabitants so as these who go by may clearly read the cause and bear that witnes Lothereis sin visibly punished according to the Word 6. How clear is this which we have so evidently drawen out and acted over in a Christian walk For what else is the spiritual conversation of such these visible effects and evidences of the grace of God all along a Christians way but a visible convincing witnes to the performance of the word Hath not such a very audible Echo and resound to that which is the great drift and Scope of the Scripture where men may see the bible turnd over into a practical history written forth and acted on the heart and conversation of the saints as on a stage or theatre the Word living speaking moving and clearly diffusing it selfe through all the veines as it were and conduits of a Christians life so that if the truth and reality of the grace of God be a thing manifest and unquestionable we must also see therein the reall performance of the Scripture 7. I shall adde we may
of judgement and mercy that in every age are set before us how wicked men prosper for a time yet have a dreadful ishue and are suddenly cast into destruction they spread as a green bay tree and within a little their place cannot be found how the godly are oft sore afflicted yet flowrishing as the palme tree and the more they are depressed the more they grow how the enemies of the Church are oft lifted up for a sorer fall and the Church brought low in order to her greater enlargement how judgement findeth out sinners is oft exactly proportioned in measure and kinde to the sin and on the other hand how integrity is sore tossed oft yet still falleth upon its feet overclouded that it may shine more brightly after how the threatnings of the Word do visibly overtake Kingdomes nations bring down great houses causeth the scarlet embrace the dunghil letteth not the hoary head of cruel wicked men goe oft into the grave in peace again to consider how the Lord forsaketh not his People but sheweth respect to their way the good man walketh in his integrity and his seed after him is blessed O how sweet an exercise were this for a Christian even to losse himself in 5. From thence we might in a great measure discern what of the night it is with the Church if there be any evidences that it is neer day and what such a sinful case doth threaten we would be skilful to feell the Churches pulse and thereby find what symptomes there are of life or death and perceave a dark cloud of judgement casting up when it is but like an handbreadth surely this study should make us wise to know the tymes and what we ought to do therein for amongst these various events which fall out in every age the Lords way is constant with itselfe and vvith his truth if we be right on lookers 6. Here we should have a most pleasant and clear view how the Seripture of God comprehendeth the whole state of the Church from the beginning to the end of time that it is a most full and perfect register of all the vicissitudes and alterations which are to go over her head whilst in a militant condition and doth also most exactly point out these occurrences and remarkable events which fall out in the ordinary way and course of providence that we may read them as evidently in the Word as we see them with our eyes fall out in the World for in following this study vve should clearly see hovv the Scripture bringeth the Church to light out of the vvomb of an eternal decree and doth trace it from the first promulgation of the Gospel after the fall throvv these dark times before the stood vvhilst it vvas but in families and through that long tryal in Egypt and all its ill journey in the vvildernes untill it bring it to it s seâ—led and flovvrishing condition in Canaan and carryeth her sordward through all the several changes of her case under her following decay and in the times of the captivity even to the manifestation of Christ and dawning of the gospel and as it thus taketh in within its reach the whole estate and the special events which did befall the Church under the Law so we may see how the Scripture also followeth the Church through the wholl time of the gospel and bringeth her as a grain of mustard seed from a day of small things until it bring her to perfection taketh her as it were by the hand from her infancy and goeth with her through all the turnings of her condition through that long and dark night of Antichrists reign pointeth clearly out her condition and various assaults that shee should endure in that time and that blessed victory which shee should after have though not all at once but gradually over her enemyes and that the Word and the Church do never part but one walketh step for step with the other until it bring her safe to land and as it were put her of its hand and guard at the comming of Christ 7. This would also help us to sweet thoughts and give us matter of a song in the saddest night of the Churches condition when we see how Gods great design in the World is the accomplishing of the Scripture and know that his ends which he hath held forth therein cannot be frustrat it would serve to silence all our complaints with wondering at Gods vvay and triumphing in the vvorks of his hands vve should not then be affrayd of evill tydings a stormy time vvould not outvvit us being persvvaded that though the earth should be overturned it shall be surely vvell vvith the righteous the Church must flovvrish and all her enemyes be found lyars because he is faithful that hath promised vvhose Word vvill as surely come to passe as the sun doth return after a dark night VII It doth now more especially concern the godly in these latter times to study this great truth of the accomplishment of the Scripture and set about a serious inquiry and search therein as a truth that shall yet be in a further measure discovered and opened up the nearer the Church is to the end of tyme vvhich may thus appear 1. Herein is the Word express that one piece of the Scripture vvhich from former ages vvas sealed up should in the latter dayes be clear and easy to understand Dan lastch 4 9. ver the seal is there put on but go thy vvay Daniel for these Words are closed and sealed to the time of the end but Rev. last Ch. and ver 9. We have that bar taken of seal not the sayings of the Prophecy of this book for the time is at hand because then the time did dravv near to vvhich a more full discovery and opening up of the Scripture vvas reserved a more large manifestation of the spirit beyond former ages Novv by the last dayes vve are not only to understand the vvhole time of the gospel though it is thus tearmed in the Scripture but the latter part of these last times vvhich is more especially pointed at even the close and evening of time that last Epocha and period of prophetick chronology to vvhich a greateâ— accomplishment of Scripture Prophecies is reserved 2. This also is expresly promised that in the latter dayes the Chnrch shall have a more full discovery of this truth hovv the Scripture is verified Dan. last Ch. v. 4. many shall run to and fro and knovvledge shali be increased vvhich increase as it clearly pointeth at the last times and that bright day the Church shall have when Israel shall be brought in to Christ it doth also point at and promise some greater light and a more full opening up of the mysteries of the Word and fulfilling thereof for the former part of the Chapter sheweth that increase of knowledge doth relate to these things which were before sealed we wait and believe the further accomplishment
of this promise to the Church beyond all we have yet seen that many Scripture-truths now dark and abstruse shall be made so clear as shall even cause us to wonder at the grosse mistakes we once had thereof yea that after generations shall have a discovery and uptaking of some Prophecies now obscure which shall as far exceed us as this time doth go beyond former ages which comparatively we must say were very dark O! when that promise of the incalling of the Jewes shall once take place what a wonder will they be to themselves that their understanding shonld have been under such a vail when the truth shall be clear and evident to them in that day Will it not be a sweet and easy work for the godly to sort together the predictions of the Word and the events And truely there is much now wrapt up in Scripture Prophecyes not yet fulfilled which we may say in after times when the event shall unvail their meaning wil exceed yea confound all these comments many have had upon them 3. Is it not also clear that these Prophecies which of all the Scripture were most obscure and overclouded with dark figures and allegories concerning which there had been such mistake and hesitation by the Church so many perplexing queries have a peculiar respect to the last times And that then they shall be made plain and easy vvhen so notable a key as the event doth open them up such as these of the vvitnesses taking lyse and rising again Babylons fall and ruine Christs Reigning vvith his Saints a thousand Yeares vvhich novv are in some measure already cleared from their begun accomplishment beyond former times but vve vvait for a more full eommentary that tyme shall give upon the same 4. It is in the latter times that the glory of God in his truth and faithfulnes shall most eminently shine forth that is a part of the solemn congratulation of the Church upon Babylons fall Revelat. 15 ver 3. not only great and marvellous are thy works but just and true are thy wayes for truely in this stroke of the judgement of God and these remarkable providences concurring therevvith the fulfilling of the Scripture vvill be so plain and undenyable that we may say it vvill then dazel the eyes of men even greatest Atheists alarme the World yea very effectually contribute we have ground so to judge to that promised encrease of the Church and incoming of the Jewes when in Antichrists fall and ruine they shall see so convincing a seal put to one of the most considerable Prophecies of the Word in the accomplishment whereof much of the Prophetick part of the New Testament relating to the Churches state and her long tryal under Antichrists reign may be seen clearly verified 5. The Lord hath reserved his greatcst Works to the latter dayes wherein his judgments shall be manifest and the Word confirmed by such solemn convincing providences that men will not get them passed without a remark we are this day witnesses to many such and are looking what these times shall yet bring forth that the great and remarkable acts of the Lord must force the World to see a divine power and say lo there is an undoubted accomplishment of the Scripture 6. The Church in these last tymes hath peculiar advantagcs for understanding this truth of the Scriptures accomplishment which former ages had not First a great part thereof is now fulfilled that men may see with their eyes if they but know how to lay the Word and work of God together the Christian Church had in former times but dark glances at these great things which we have this day visibly transcribed in providence the promises were then travelling in birth of that which is now brought forth 2. Are we not mounted as it were on the shoulders of that experience and observation of former times which hath been transmitted to us and we must say upon that account the Church hath now a greater seal and confirmation of the truth then what it had in the dayes of the Prophets and the Apostles even when Christ was in the flesh 3. The Temple of God and Ark of his Testament is now opened in Heaven light more fully abounding and the meanes of knowledge And O! should not this be much our study who have a greater talent then former ages certainly this will be a sin of a deeper dye then in times of ignorance since we can be no strangers to this truth without shutting our eyes blinding the conscience doing violence to our light when the Lord doth give his People such solemn confirmations 7. I shall add is it not clearly soretold in that Dan. 12â— ver 4. that in the last times this will be one of the speciall exercises of the saints to enquire and make a diligent search concerning the Scripturs accomplishment For it s there said many shall run to and fro and knowledge shall be increased importing that this shall be much their study and cause a diligent fearch whereunto the great works of God in these times shall invite them and what should be the posture of the Godly in these dayes on whom the end of the World is come should it not be lyke the watchman in the last watch of the night who looketh oft what appearance there is from the east of the day breaking a serious enquery what of the Scripture is fulfilled whereby we may know on very clear grounds if the night be far spent the day at hand and that the coming of the Lord to judgement draweth near VIII This is a great and concerning duety for Christians to study this truth that they may have something more then repore how the Scripture hath a sure accomplishment and doth take place in the providences of the time wherein we live I must think strange that there is such a great help as this so near and yet we see it not nor do seriously ponder the same when the command is so express to observe the works of the Lord which for that end are shewed forth that men may enquire and read the faithfulnes of God therein yea that so great a truth which would bide the search of all the criticks of the World a truth wherein our blessednes through time and eternity lyeth should offer it self to our tryall and yet is so little known O who can dispense with the neglect of this duty by which we answer that solemn call and invitation of the works of God do honour him serve our generation are helpers to our own faith and are thereby helped to strengthen others yea are brought to see with our eyes and from experience what before was as a strange thing unto us Now to clear how much this is Christians duty to study a practical converse with the Word and to be serious observers of its accomplishment let us consider 1. We are thus helped to declare the works of the Lord and to give him the glory of his faithfulness
and is not that agrave duty Which at all times in every station and condition of life should engadge men to this study thus every Christian may become a witnes to the truth and put his seal thereto for which he should think his life truely desireable and he doth in no small measure attain the true end thereof though he had no other opportunity for his masters service and we may say this truth of the Scriptures accomplishment like a great roll hath been transmitted from hand to hand from one age to another attested and as it were subscrybed by so many witnesses it doth thus come to our time and to every mans doore and require their personal witnessing and sealing of the same 2. This should make it an easy work to trust the Word and to adventure thereon in the ordinary occurrences of their life they may well trust God in strait who have so strong an argument to make use of that oft they have tryed him and the truth of his Word by many many experiences will not these that know his name trust in him Which was a notable testimony from a serious Christian in a very sharp triall oft have I tryed God and shall I not learn to trust him once 3. This doth lay the Christian in the way of that promise Psal 107. last ver a promise truely large and comprehensive but little considered that such as are wise to observe the works of God they shall see the loving kindnes of the Lord even in their own particular case made out to them yea whilst they are serious to observe his works abroad in the World and his way to others they shall be no losers thereby at home but find this promise meet them and to turn their general observation unto personal experience of the loving kindnes of the Lord. 4. Thus the saints by experiencing the truth of the Word get a conyincing seal thereby to their intrest in the promise for begun possession is indeed a strong witnes to this right when they can say they have got as certain returns of the Word when they have put it to an essay in some particulars of their life as they are sure of any thing they did ever see so from unquestionable experience they set up a pillar and write thereon Hither to hath the Lord helpt us 5. Thus should Christians with much advantage be helped to convince gainsayers for its sure Atheisme could not make so bold and publick an appearance if men did not so much take their religion on trust O the serious experienced man can with an other confidence own the truth whose experience and observation of the works of God give him an argument that none can answer while not only he can assert but conduct and lead men to the things themselves that they may see if in such and such particulars the Scripture be not truely fulfilled 6. Thus the providenee of God should have a more sweet refreshing countenance when from this great height that watchtower of Christiau observation we take a look thereof and truely otherwayes men will stumble at the most ordinary dispensations and think Gods Work is a masse of confusion but here we are taught to see how the written Word and his way are linked in a most sweet aggreement 7. We may thus trace Divine truth even by our sense and feeling and joyn the Word and experience in a regular correspondence yea thus we should have a clear transscript of the Lords way with his Church taken out of that great authentick original of the Scripture and there see on what a solid basis and foundation that magnificent structure of providence is raised up what a notable key should we thus have for opening the Scripture by a serious humble inquiry after the works of God Where not only the impression and signals of the power but of the truth and faithfulness of the Lord are so very legible 8. This is a piece of our talent wherewith we are entrusted of which every Christian should study a serious improvement knowing they must render an account what their observation of this great truth hath gained and what furder establishment and confirmation they have thus attained 9. I would adde the concernment and weight of this duty may presse it much on us for if the Scriptures accomplishment be an undoubted truth O! then this is sure the Saints have a great inheritance they are Princes though now under a disguise and though yet minors they are heirs of more then the World can shadow forth the Christian is then more happy on a dunghil scraping his sore then such who are cloathed in purple and fare delicately every day if this be sure we should look with compassion rather then envy on these whom the World doth account happy we need not question the gain of Godlines then it is sure that such who sow in teares shall reap in joy and the righteous though now trampled under in the morning shall have dominion yea in a vvord we may then on sure ground solace our selves with the thoughts of that great change which will be within a little when the grave must render back her prisoners and may with as much assurance of a blessed resnrrection ly doun in the dust as we are sure there will be a morning when we ly down at night O! then there is a Heaven and a hell that is certain eternity is not a night dream and one moment shall shortly put an end to all our services yea the shutting of our eye lids at death shall but open them in the Pardise of God HAving touched this truth a litle in the general I shall now hold forth some arguments whence the accomplâ—shment of the Scripture may be demonstrat they are these five which I intend to prosecute in the following discourse FIRST Argument To prove the Scripture is certainly fulfilled and hath an accomplishment is this that which hath been in all ages the testimony of the Saints what every particular Christian doth seal from their frequent and sure experience what is found and proved by them in there dayly walk upon exactest tryal yea what as many as ever were serious in Religion do witness must be certain and true But the accomplishment of the Scripture is such Therefore c. II. Argument That which is manifest and legible in the whole course and tenor of providence about the Church and by clear convincing instances both of judgement and mercy is made out to the observation of every age must be a certain truth but the Scriptures accomplishment is such Therefore III. Argnment Thar which hath not only the Christians testimony from experienee and of the Church from constant observation but is obvious even to the view of the World which from the conscience of the worst of men doth force a testimony that they can neither shift nor deny which also may be demonstrat to the conviction of ordinary observers hath a publick acknowledgement from
cause within our selves we sow sparingly and venture little out therefore we have so small an increase their is a price for wisdome but it is in the hands of fools who have no heart thereto but this not concerning us here I only aime to hold out this that the promises which God hath given his People in the Scripture are of unquestionable verity and have as real and sure performance in the saints experience as they are sure of that which cometh most necessarly to passe by the worke and concurrence of natural causes as that the fire doth burn when combustible matter is added or the sun rise after its going down for indeed this truth is so manifest proved by such innumerable experiments amidst the various changes of a Christians condition that we might sommond as many witnesses as have been followers of God in the World which are not a few who in all ages have put the promises to an essay and put their seal thereto that God is true yea to ask at such if they know whither there be a truth in Scripture promises that cometh not to passe I think were to enquire at a living man whither he seeth and feeleth or if there be such a thing as motion since they have as sure and sensible a demonstration of the one as he hath of the other But ere I speak any thing particularly to this I would first premit some things to clear what we understand here by the saints experience of the truth of the promises in these following considerations 1. We would consider though the Scripture hath here it's accomplishment and is intended for the use of the Church and every particular Christian while on the way in his militant condition yet there are some promises of the Word yea the greatest which belong to the saints that will not be fulfilled until they have cast off their armour and are called to divide the spoyl their experience of which will be the high prize of the calling of God in Christ whereof all which they now enjoy is but an earnest 2. We would consider that the great intent of the Scripture and promises thereof is not for contemplation but that we may know them by experience and drive a blessed trade and commerce therewith the merchandize of which is better nor that of gold for herelyeth the Christians life in the World yea it is a great part of their talent the promises which are not to be laid up in their heart and memory as in a napkiâ— but they must give an account what experience they have gained thereby and thus the diligent hand should make rich 3. What ever be the different syzes and degrees of experience among the saints according to their grouth and age in Christ yet it is certain that the meanest who have intrest in the promises and did ever grip them in earnest and put them to tryal must know something of the performance of the samein their own case for the Lord doth not suffer his work in his People to want a seal 4. The godlyes experience hereof is then much made out when they are much in observation and we know little of the truth and performance of the promises because we are not more habitually in a frame to observe thus he goeth by and we perceive not but they never wanted confirmations who were seriously seeking to be confirmed in the truth of the Word 5. The special mercyes and providences of a Christian lyfe are a certain return of the promise and in that way do meet them as the proper channel of their conveyance for they are the sure mercies of the Covenant and how refreshful is it that all the several cases of the Saints and their outgate theteof their meanest as well as their greatest necessities are comprehended in the Word and under some promise and were all forseen in his everlasting view who hath so marvellously suited the same to all that his People stand in need of as if it had been directed to such and such a Christian only 6. This helpeth to make the mercies of the godly man to have a peculiar and sweet relish and to be someway twice his mercy when he gets them in so immediat a way reached to him as it were out of the hand of the promise and as an observable return from Heaven when thus the Lord sealeth his Word to him by his work the way of the Word he findeth hath been the way of his comfortable outgate that when he hath had no other escape but to tuâ—n in to the promise and to cast himself upon it he gained this experience he trusted in God and was helped and can give in this testimony of him that he hath both spoken it and himself also hath done it according to his Word 7 It is not any extraordinary thing we here understand by the Christian mans experience of the truth of the promises it is not a rapture or revelation or such as some of the Saints havâ— upon some singular and special account had for we have not any promise for these things but it is something well grounded upon the Word which constantly holdeth in the Lords ordinary way of procedure with his People according to the tenor of the Covenant for his Word doth good to them that walk uprightly and doth certainly take place in the experience of every serious and diligent Christian 8. This is not the testimony of a few but the record of all the Saints since the beginning whose experience doth all most harmoniously agree and bear one witnes that he is faithful who hath promised and it is not that which a Christian hath found once or twice in his life but the dayly food of such as live by faith 9. This doth put a strong obligation on the godly man to the Word for the time to come for these who have tryed it often may with much confidence trust it in the day of their strait 10. The experience which the godly hath of the real performance of the promises is a most convincing evidence of his state in Christ it is the earnest and pledge of the inheritance and full accomplishment of that which remaineth that the Lord will make perfect what concerneth him who hath been his help hitherto and will be his exceeding great reward in the end who hath made him find so much of the gain of godlines here by the way Now having premitted these things I shall here instance some particular promises where in the Christâ—â—â—s most usual trade and commerce dothly and to which they give in their seal and witnes I confesse if all these proofs which the Saints have had of the fulfilling of the promises could be gathered together we might make use of that Divine hyperbole The World could not containe the bookes that should be written thereof O what an admirable volume what an excellent commentary and copy should this be of the Scripture to see it thus turned over into the
experience of every Christian it would be some way as easy to number the drops of rain and dew since the creation as to reckon all these pretious drops and emanations of love these sensible returns and outmakings of the promise which they have had in their experience I truely think it could hardly be believed though it were told what some of the godly here have found in the way of the Word but it is sufficient to answer the design of this work to shew that there is a sensible demonstration and performance of Scripture promises concerning which the experience of the Saints in all ages doth aggree that by many confirmations the Lord hath oft sealed the truth thereof to their soules There are 10. special promises held forth to the godly in the Word which I shall here instance and therewith hold forth what a clear testimony their experience can give of the undoubted truth and aecomplishment of the same FIRST Instance is that promise given to believing to such who credit the naked word when there is no probable appearance of its outmaking and thus give God the glory of his faithfulnes which we have expresly held out 1 Chron. 20 20. Ps 112. 7 8. Ich. 1 50. To clear the accomplishment of this promise I shall but appeal to that testimony the saints in all ages have leâ—â— thereof yea to the present experience of the godly at this day if they have not certainly found it so 1. That when in a particular they have trusted God therewith and got their spirit quiet in a recumbency on him if he hath not dealt with them according to his word yea if then from cleer convincing returns of the promise they have not been made to say it did never repent them that they gave more credit to the testimony of God then of their own hearts 2. That they have found a more sweet and observable issue then when their help lay most immediatly on the word alone never a more sensible outgate then when least of sense and most of faith was in carrying them through when little of the creature and much of God appeared in their mercy and where they were at the lowest no way of escape but to throw themselves on the promise they have then had the best retreat yea their supply as sensibly felt as their need and burden had formerly been felt 5. That their greatest difficulties and shakings anent the promise have helped to their further confirming and establishment and so as they can say the Lords way by brangling them first yea to their sense loosing their grip hath helped to fasten it better and that which for the time did speak their case most helpelesse hath made way for his more eminent appearance and manifesting of him selfe 4. That their greatest venture and giving most out hath usually had the richest income the most eminent experiences of their life have followed the most adventurous acts of their faith yea upon an after reckoning they have oft found that their adventuring of life estate and credit on the promise of God even in these things hath very observably been their upmaking 5. That where they have most been a friend to their faith there hath faith also been most a friend to them in their standing to the credit of the promise over the belly of greatest objections and false reports raised thereof they have found a very evident mark of Gods respect to the same causing them to see that he will honour such who thus honour him And it is indeed worthy of a remark what we have of Caleb upon record that he took part with the promise of God against that discouraging report which then was raised of the Anakims and their walled cities and therefore the inheritance of the Children of Anak was given to Caleb and his sonnes in their lot from the Lord. 6. That believing doth alwayes make way for sense and in their closing with the naked Word of promise they have not wanted the seal of the spirit of promise but have found a sweet calm their burden sensibly eased when once they got it laid over on the word which they can say hath been their first resting place like the very fixing of the motion of the needle towards its right point when their spirit had been restlesse and in greatest agitation 7. That these greatest disappointments which their hope in the Word seemed to have they have found afterwards most to their advantage when their returns have not only been according to their faith but have often exceeded their adventure and been far beyond what they believed yea that from frequent experience they may say the issue of trusting the Word how long so ever they thought it deferred yet came alwayes in season was never too late and out of time 8. That this did never occasion bitter reflexions or was their upcast before the World that they trusted God in a day of strait and were not helped but this testimony have all such left who have most credited it in a dismall houre that none should scarr after them to hazard upon such a hand and venture on the promise for their faith hath oft taken them well and comfortably through where both sense and reason have been ready to sink SECOND Instance Whereby we may see the performance of the promise in Christian experience is this that God truely heareth prayer is near unto his People in what they call upon him aggreable to his Word and will answer their desires we have this promise most expresse Phil. 4 ver 6. Ps 32 6. Ps 65 2. Ps 91 15. Now the accomplishing of this piece of Scripture is so very clear that I can attest the experience of all the generation of the righteous since the beginning what frequent unanswerable comfirmations they have got of this truth in their Christian walk fo that I am sure no man ever was in earnest in the matter of Religion and a stranger to this yea that he was never more certainly perswaded of any thing then of this that God doth hear prayer O if mens souls were but in their souls stead whose evening wrestlings and teares the Lord hath oft turned into a morning song they should know this is no delusion I shall here touch something of that experience which by many proofs the saints can give as a witness to this promise 1. That when they have oft with Hanna gone in before the Lord in the bitternes of their spirit they have been made to return with a sensible and marvellous change in their case yea when in going about prayer they have been put to wrestle with much distemper and deadnes they have oft seen the wind discernably change and therewith their spirits lightned from under that burden an observable calme and serenity after much invvard perturbation yea they can say that they have found their hearts thavved and put in a flush of tendernes upon the back of a most sensible restraint 2.
taken lyfe and need â—re with a Word yea hath been powred out within them so as their beloveds voice hath had an other sound O then they think not the time long the Word is as the â—oney from the comb so as they have oft wiâ—ht a pâ—â—peâ—ual arrest upon their spirit in such a condition that none may stirr up their beloved until he please can that be any delusion 6 That which bringeth in promises seasonably into their minde in the day oâ— their strait and causeth the Word tryst so suitably to heir present case with such a satisfying impression of the same as doth give most sensible and present ease 6. That which so clearly by the Word discoverth to men then own heart and doth search them out in their most closse and retired thoughts that they have been oft made to wonder how the Word is upon all their secrets is not this the candle of the Lord 8 That which doth demonstrat their state and being in Christ by an argument which is beyond all words and doth by power in an irresistible way answer all objectious and turn the most fâ—oward case into a blessed calme and hath made a simple word more effectual in a moment then most perswasive aâ—guments could be 9 That which maketh such abundant joy spring up in the heart when there is no visible grounds for the same like the dry bone gushing out water must surely be some supernatural and excellent power that can not only bring it out of nothing but out of contraries 10. That which giveth them so sensible a taste of the powers of the World to come such a ravishing glance of the inheritance that they could hardly sometime sorbear to rise at midnight and sing for joy in the hope thereof and hath given them such a discovery of God at some special times as hath made them judge that all they ever knew of him before was but by the hearing of the ear 11. That which is so discernable and sensibly felt in the present time that Christs return to the soul and the outletting of the spirit hath been as evident oft to the saints as to that Martyr who was forced to cry out at the stake He is come he is come and hath been so sweet when enjoyed that the remembrance of some of these times hath been very pleasant and refreshing yea this is such a thing as most observably trysts the godly man in the way of his duety according to the Word 12. That is no delusion the withdrawing whereof is so sensible to them as it maketh their duety wherein they have had delight become their burden when they are put to row with oares the wind being gone and maketh it like night to the soul when the sun is gone down and sad experience hath oft shewed them how the overclouding of their soul the with drawiug of the spirit comforter doth observably follow a sitting up of their duety and yeilding to any known sin by which it is grieved FOVRTH Instance is that Promise for direstion which God hath given his People in the Word that he will guide them with his Counsel will order and direct their steps who doe commit their way to him and teach them the way that they shall choofe Ps 37 5 Ps 25 9 14. Ps 73 ver 24. The fulfilling of which hath been so manifest to these who ever made earnest of acknowledging God in their wayes and committing the conduct thereof to him that I shall but attest their experience if they have not this testimony to give 1. That to trust God with their case and give him the guiding of their way hath taken them much more easily through a plunging case them overcareing anxiety yea the Lords directing their steps and making things successful when they have committed the same to him hath been often as sensible to them as their strait and difficulty was 2. That the way of the word hath been the best expedient for taking them safe and comfortably through that they never repented that they did more consult their duty then inclination when they were at a stand about a particular and did not debate the command even while there seemed a lyon in the way 3. That they were never left without counsel and direction when their eye was single and serious about it and it was not so much want of light as of an heart to close therewith that made their way oft so dark but when they subjected themselves to Gods minde they found that such who follow him shall not walk in darknes 4. That light and counsel doth tryst men in following the command and the practice of known duety hath helped them to know more theâ— duety and that light did most abound when it was their serious study to follow the same 5. They found it was never in vain to enquire after Gods mind by prayer and also in the temple to make a reference of a particular to him when it was too hard for them but have often seen the Word evidently directed to such and such a case as if they had gotten a return from Heaven by an audible voice 6. They also know that Gods following in light with a powerful impression his teaching the reines and instructing with a strong hand is no delusion but the sure and well grounded experience of most solid Christians in all ages yea most discernable from any false impulse and that some special piece of work and service which God hath layed in their way wants not usually some special call backed wiâ—â— such light and authority as in an irresistable way can answer all objections to make them go bound in the spirit about such a duety 7. How Gods special directing hand hath been oft very observable not only in preventing and crossing their way to withdraw them by some sharp dispensation from their purpose but sensibly overpowering them so that they have been plucked as it were back from unavoidable hazard that they could not finde their pathes 8. I shall adde they have oft observably found how easy their way was made to them when the Lord doth countenance and prosper the same what sweet concurrence of providences how then difficulties have most sensibly been taken out of the way yea wind and tyde going along with them in such a manner that they have been forced to see and confesse a divine hand therein FIFH Instance is the promise of Pardon and forgivenes which God hath given his People in the Word that for his names sake he will blot out their iniquity and remember their sin no more yea is ready to pardon which is expresly held forth to these who are truely humbled Mic. 7 18. Ier. 31 34. Is 43 25. Now that there is a real accomplishment of this I am sure the experience of the saints can in all ages clearly witnes what joy and peace this hath occasioned what a sensible demonstration and solemn confirmations they have had of this promise
so as their very bones might sing Who is like unto the o Lord It is true real pardon of sin doth not allwayes inferre the sensible feeling thereof and when it is remitted in Heaven there is not alwayes a declaration of it in the conscience but it is also sure that this is sensibly felt and that it is tryed by all even all the generation of the righteous to have had as powerful an operation on a disquiet troubled soul as ever wine or the choisest cordial could have on the sick or faint O! if these who question this were in their case to whom God speaketh peace after a storm they should know how real and certain that is I would offer the Christians witnes to this promise from many many experiments by vvhich the Lord hath sealed it to their soul whereby they know assuredly it is no fancy or delusion 1. How this hath as sensible a connexion with the serious exercise of contrition and repentance in their experience as it certainly hath in the word and promise while they find that in silence and keeping up their case from God their bones have been troubled their spirit in a restles and disquiet condition untill once they made an addresse and got their soul vented by confessing to â—he Lord which was then like a kindly turn and cool of a fever 2. They know it is no delusion that is found so certain a cure to a wounded spirit under the sense of sin a wound which the world and all its diversions could never heal whose pain and grief no musick can allay a drop of divine displeasure being enough to turn all their pleasures in wormwood and gall but O! a taste of this unspeakable cordial one warming look of a reconciled God they know by experience can give present ease 3. It is no delusion which they can command no more then the sun to shine when overclouded or the wind to blow but when it listeth which the most perswading moral arguments can no wayes effectuat nor all their former experience yea the letter of most refreshing promises which sometimes are to them but as the white of an egge without taste until once the spirit breath which not only discovereth the ground of their joy in the word but doth also cause them to rejoyce therein when it shineth upon the same 4. It must be no delusion which causeth so marvellous a change that after greatest disquieting fears they have found most sensible manifestations of love the greatest flood on the back of the lowest ebb in their spiritual condition which oft hath forced them to retreat what their feares and jealousies did utter yea have made them enquire with wonder whence they are so chearful to day who yesternight were so broken and crusht whence their spirit should be in so sweet a calm that so lately was like the raging and troubled sea 5. That this hath oft met them as a blest surprizal and unexpected welcom when they have in a backsliding case come in to God they certainly know that when they knew not how to adventure and at what end of their raveled condition to begin counts having run long over yet on their very first addresse have got a sweet disappointment to their feares been helped to their feet yea some times have had as it were the fatted calfe killed to make merry with their friends 6. That which hath an audible voice within so strong an Impression upon the soul which carryeth with it such a clear satisfying discovery of Gods heart and love is surely no delusion while the intimation of that one truth Your sins are forgiven or any other word of promise for that end they have found to be an argument beyond words which they could not resist but for the time have been as sure they see and feel this as that they live yea can no more now call it in question then formerly they could get it believed 7. That is no delusion which causeth them with another kinde of freedome approach to God maketh them know there is a Spirit of adoption which sets the soul at liberty from the sore bondage and thraldome under which their former backsliding had put them yea a thing not only sensibly felt by themselves but may be discerned by others while they cannot smoother the joy of their heart or hide in their couutenance such a change of their condition that truely God hath dealt comfortably with them 8. Hath not this the Saints in all ages witnessed even a joy unspeakable and full of glory which though but of short continuance yet for the present so strong as hath ravished their soul with the hope of the inheritance above and clear view of their interest in it yea sometimes made them sing for joy in expectation of that blessed day but O! this is better felt then expressed 9. And in a word can that be a delusion that hath oft turned the poor mans hell into a Heaven which trysts the Christian in the way of his duty and the work doth so exactly answer the promise most sensibly felt after greatest shakings of the conscience by the law and can make a sad outward lot so very sweet and pleasant cause them triumph over the wrath of men to sing in a dungeon to abound and have all things under greatest wants look grim death chearfully in the face in its most dreadful aspect yea doth make so great and visible a difference betwixt the Christian and himself SIXTH Instance Is that promise of encouragement and support under the crosse which is expresly held forth in the Word that the Lord will own his People bear their charges and be with them in trouble in the day of their suffering for his truth yea will bind up the broken in heart heal their wounds Psal 91 ver 15. Isai 43 ver 2. Cap. 41 ver 17. Cap. 49 ver 14. Psal 9 ver 9. Isai 51 ver 12. Now that this promise is a truth and hath a certain accomplishment the experience of the Saints in all ages will witnes and we know their testimony is true what at solemn times of Gods presence they have had in a barren wildernes how great a cloud of witnesse doth seal this and give their testimony to the crosse of Christ of which we may say the fame and sweet savour hath gone forth and spread abroad through the Church the Fathers have told it to the Children and one generation to another but hovv litle a part thereof can be expressed I think it would be a marvellous record if the suffering and prison experiments of the Saints vvere particularly set dovvn vvhat they have sound under the crosse but it is vvell vve knovv this promise hath been and this day is evidently sealed concerning which I dare attest the experience of as many as did ever drink of this blessed cup and were counted worthy to suffer for the testimony of Christ if this be not a faithful true witnes
never their ruine but an outgate was oft brought about in a way they could not have expected yea the Lords shutting all other doores upon them hath been that he might open one himselfe like Hagars wel springing up in the wildernes 9. That in making this their aime when they had a large heart for God they have not then wanted an opportunity for evidencing the same their encouragement hath abounded with their duty and they have got much in in giving much out for Christ that there was no such feast in the world as they have sensibly found in the testimony of a good conscience EIGHT Instance is that promise which is held forth to the Christian in the word of strength and assistance to go about duties Is 40 29 30 31. Ps 18 6 14. Ps 84 5. Ps 68 28. To clear this that it hath an unquestionable performance I attest the experience of the generation of the righteous who ever knew what it was to serve the Lord in the spirit who by many sensible confirmations have not proven the certainty of these things First that when they have gone about duty under much deadnes and straitnes of spirit they have found a very sensible enlargement and got their bonds loused which surely they could no moe command without the concurrence of divine help something above nature then these who spread out the â—ail can command a fair wind when it is crosse 2. That Gods help and concurrence was never more discernable carrying them through and making them strong then in the day that to their own sense they were most weak when they have gone about duty under greatest feares and fainting in spirit 3. That when they had most confidence in themselves and judged they were at greatest advantage in their going about some duty they have usually had the saddest retreat and found that a sure truth the race is not to the swift nor the battle to the strong 4. They knew well what an influence divine concurrencâ— hath not only upon their inward frame but also upon the exercise of their gifts yea upon the commonest abilites of judgement and memory and that there is a most remarkable difference betwixt themselves at one time and an other according to the blowing of this wind 5. They must also witness this as their experience they found duty never more easy to them then when they have had most to doe and were keeped throngest therein yea when much work was laid to their hand they then wanted not an enlarged allowance for the same 6. That their fpirits have been fitted for duty and carried through difficulties where at some other time and in an other frame they would have fainted and thereby seen that none needs to scarr at piece of duty when God calleth them to it for while difficulties have appeared greatest at first the lesse they have found them afterward yea the hardest piece of service oft made most easy 7. They finde God doth raise the spirit of his followers with a suitable elevation for their work and can fit them for the service of that time and other tryals thereof even beyond their ordinary reach 8. That there is an open doore and sensible assistance when there hath been work for the Gospel in such a place while on the other hand they have found an inhibition sensibly served on them the doore as it were shut when the tide was going back and the work of the Gospel at a stand in such a part 9. That it is not greatest abilities which make undertakings succesful it being in vain to rise up early without the Lord. 10. It hath oft been their experience that in following the way of God his candle did then shine upon their paths the Spirit of the Lord was with them and sensibly let out the withdrawing wheteof hath been no lesse discernable while they turned aside from him that they have then been put to bear the burthen alone and found difficulty and despondency of spirit at once growing upon their hand 11. I may adde what these who are serious in Religion have oft tryed that there is no such help and furniture for going about duties as a spiritual frame and nearnes with God for then light and counsel inward freedome and sweet composure of spirit have brought most sensible advantage to them in their greatest yea and in their most common undertakings this hath been very evident NINTH Instance Is that great promise we have Rom. 8 ver 28. that all things shall work together for good to them who love God and Psal 25 ver 10. all the pathes of the Lord are mercy and truth to such as keep his Covenant I confesse it is not easy sometimes to reconcile Gods way and this piece of his Word together these who take only an ordinary passing look of providence cannot well judge how such things wherewith oft the godly in their life are trysted should contribute to their good and advantage while nothing would seem more directly crosse to the same But the Christian and wise observer can give another account they know what a sure truth this is that there is no real jarr betwixt the promise and providence of God in this matter and what ever be the present thoughts patient on waiting hath had cause to say this 1. When his way and their thoughts have most differed in the accomplishment of his Word and bringing about their mercy they have found it was to their advantage that his choice was alway better then theirs yea they have been oft made to confesse that their saddest disappointments therein have tended to their further upmaking 2. That the Lords denying them some outward thing which they have most desired they have found as afterwards hath appeared was to grant them more then their desire he hath refused them as it were in an Ishmael that he might give them ane Isaack 3. They can oft say they had been undone if they had not been undone that it was their mercy the Lord took such a way to cast them in a fever to prevent a lethargy and by some sharp crosse gave them a wound in the flesh to cure and let out some grosse impostume in their soul which should have made their case worse 4. How greatest shakings have helped their further establishment so as they were never more confirmed then in that about which they have been most brangled yea they have also found this the Lords way to cure their frowardnes and misbeleef by some further addition to their crosse that when they would not beleeve he hath caused them come in upon a greater disadvantage whileas a small affliction hath made them impatient a more heavy and pressing trouble hath been their cure and helped them to keep silence under Gods hand 5. That the growing of difficulties in their way and some further pressure in the tryal they have found it was from the Lord in order to its removal and to the bringing forth of some greater
favour and respect even from the worst then when they studied most to please them in a sinful way 12. That they never savv more clearly the gain and real advantage of Godlines and vvhat a difference there is betvvixt these that serve God and these that serve him not as in a time of trouble and strait hovv then tendernes in their former vvalk and that vvhich they entertained in the morning doth novv meet them at night and pay them home vvith advantage in ane houre of temptation 13. They vvere forced to observe that there vvas an invisible guard about his People in their duty that the ministry of the Angels tovvards such is no delusion and thar they have oft been made to vvonder hoâ— hazard vvithin an hairbreadth hath been prevented relief and help come as betvvixt the bridge and the vvater hovv they have been sensibly preserved amidst greatest dangers while as it were an inhibition hath been served upon these that they should come near but not hurt and only mett with them that they might read their preservation from them 14. That an enlarged heart doth meet with an enlarged allowance and bearing burthen with others of the People of God hath helped to make their own privat burthen the lighter 15. That real godlines and religion hath as much in hand as it may be a reward to its self which beautifieth the soul and maketh the face and conversation to shine with an observable lustre that guardeth and preserveth the heart from many vexing crosses preventeth sad stroakes and sorrowes that others are pierced with who will follow their idols and the wayes of sin which are bitter in the close In a word this is surely found that God is the best friend and when there is peace with him things without doe not offend but they shall then understand what it is to be in league with the beasts of the field and stones of the ground having a sweet aggreement with all the providences and dispensations that come in their way V. That the scripture threatnings have also a certain aceomplishment are found to be sad earnest do not fall to the ground the Christian can also seal from his experience It is not here to be understood the threatnings of wrath from which beleevers are freed in Christ but of a fatherly displeasure which because of sin may draw deep yea bring forth very dreadful effects to witnes rhat it is an evil bitter thing to depart from God that their own doings shall chastise them these threatnings of the Covenant if thy children for sake my law I will punish their transgressions with rods c. Ps 89 ver 30. are sure truths which want not in every time a performance To clear this ere I speak any thing particularly I would premit somethings to be considered 1. That the word is a perpetual rule which in every time must take place and though affliction is a peece of the common misery of man yet doth it not arise out of the dust neither fall out at an adventure but doth oft visibly follow the tract of sin as a slouth-hound pointing at such evils as the cause by the stroak at the truth and fulfilling of the threatnings written upon both 2. We should adore his soveraignty whose way both in the measure and manner of his peoples chastisement is so various as that none can infallibly conclude what he is to do in such a case I mean we are not to limit the Lord to such a way and method in his working yet this we may assert and firmly conclude that not only the threatnings of the word have a performance but men may also have even before hand some more then probable conjecture yea a clear discovery what such a case doth threaten what will be the issue of a sinful course by considering the Lords ordinary procedure both with themselves and others how sin hath very â—â—d effects and his way in all ages is still uniforme agreeing with its selfe with the word 3. Though a gracious state doth surely priviledge from wrath and condemnation yet not from affliction sad stroaks of divine anger because of sin for he taketh vengeance on mens inventions even when he will spare the inventors 4. The Lord doth oft contend with his people for their folly and miscarriages more severely then with others will not let passe in them that which he passeth by in the world without being a reprover but when light and love and the law â—â—ll not hedge in their way he will set briars and thornes before them yea speak by chastisement upon their bones to withdraw men from their purpose 5. It is known how very deep the holy anger of God may draw against his children even sometimes to pursue them out of the land of the living and follow them to the grave with some remarkable stroak yea it hath made them dreadful examples of judgment in this life for whom he hath accepted an eternal sacrifice in Christ 6. I shall adde this is the Lords blessed end in making out his threatnings against his people that they should not perish with the worâ—â— O what a blest exchange is it that the flaming sword which once stood to guard the tree of life doth now stand as it were in the way of the saincts to keep them from running into the pathes of death Having premitted these things I shall now instance some particular evils wherewith the godly are ready to be overtaken which the word doth expresly threaten and hold forth the hazard of both as to outward and spiritual stroakes and give in here the Christians witnes from their experience in all ages of the truth of these threatnings FIRST Securitly carnal confidence which we finde the word doth threaten is an evil wherewith Christians are ready to be overtaken but they do also know by sad experience what bitter fruit this doth bring forth and that therein the word falleth not to the ground whilest from frequent tryal they finde First that a secure condition is the usual forerunner of some sad change that when they are most at ease in a dul and dead temper of spirit some sharp rousing dispensation is upon the back of it either a grosse sin or a searching crosse as a thorn in the bed of their security to put them to their feeâ— Hos 7 9 12. Hos 2 8 9. 2 That seldom reckoning with the conscience the running on of counts for sometime upon their hand doth ravel their case unto a sad confusion maketh it a bitter and heartlesse work to retire alone or within themselves yeâ— hath a most direct tendency to a further hardening real upgiving with their dnty 3. That when security deadnes groweth within it qnickly maketh them dry up wither without in the external performance of duty in that vigorous lively appearance which did formetly lustre their walk carriage before others so as very by
this also while they have found 1. That in one day they may t adventure on that which through most of their life they have not win above but hath made them go with their back bowed down to the grave that their giving the Lords work a wrong touch is one of these things which doth scarcely leave them all their time but beyond other sins they have found this still come up with a bitter and heavy reflexion yea in the evening of their life they have found this so sore on their spirit that it could not ly hid or silent but they were forced to witnes their sense of it before the World ere they could win to any ease 2. That this the Lord doth usually meet with some sharp and publick reproof even before men that though he pardon his People yea give some sensible intimation thereof to their souls yet he hath not past them as to some visible mark of his displeasure because of such a thing 3. They see that a crooked and uncleanly way proves not the mean of extricating them out of trouble but their straits have been made to grow therewith yea they have found that which they eshewed in Gods way hath more sadly trysted them in another rod and that there is a thick dreg in the bottom of the cup which maketh it worse to drink thereof at the close then at the beginning 4. That it is not easy to make a stand in turning aside from the way of God when once they are engadged and that a retrograd motion is very violent and yeelding in a little will bring with it some necessity of going further as a judicial stroke 5. That sitting of some clear opportunity to give a testimony for the truth when called thereto hath turned to be their judgement that they should not have further accesse or be made usefull that vvay a thing truely obvious to such as are vvise to observe the judgements of God in their time yea likevvise that publick backsliding doth oft visibly vvear men out of personal tendernes FIFTH Unsubduednesse of spirit and want of mortification to outward things the Word doth clearly threaten and hold out its hazard the accomplishment vvhereof Christians experience can vvitness Rom. 8 ver 6 7. 1. That God hath oft turned their idoll to be their crosse put a mark of his jealousy on their dearest things vvhen once they put them in his room yea frequent observation of the Lords vvay both vvith themselves and others doth shevv if they vvould be quite of a thing they may set their heart immoderatly on it such eagernes and exorbitancy of affection being a sure presage it shall either be their judgment or sorrow or cease to be 2. That outward things did never yeeld lesse then whilest they prest them most that when they are eager in pursuit of the World and satisfaction there spirits are sensibly hurried with many perturbations so that they must say that which keepeth them from enjoying of God doth also hinder the comfortable enjoying of themselves 3. They have founded that slow advance in the work of mortification hath at last doubled their smart and been the procuring cause of some very sharp cure when the discase did come to that height that a small and ordinary potion could not do the turn 4. That immoderat desire and pressing after an outward thing they have sometime got answered but therevvith a sharp reproof from the Lord yea usually have found small satisfaction in their enjoying that about vvhich they vvere so unsober in their enjoying that about vvhich they vvere so unsober in their pursuit give children or else I dye said Rachel she got children and she dyed in bringing one of them forth 5. Their experience can also vvitnes hovv overcaring anxiety hath oft caused things thrive worse under their hand vvhilest they found never a more satisfying issue in a particular then by a quiet submissive dependence on the Lord for the same SIXTH The doing violence to light and sinning vvith a vvitnes against the conscience as it is clearly threatned in the Word so likevvayes the sad effects thereof hath been clearly vvitnessed in all ages 1. What a direct tendency this hath to the further darkning of their light and to a judicial hardning and that reproofs not entertained do usually become lesse frequent yea lesse pungent and searching their heart then doth not so easily smite them and put the tear in their eye as sometimes a word or secret rebuke of the conscience would have done so as they can now digest greater things who would sometiumes have stood at that which comparatively was very small 2. That when they would not read their bosom distemper which both by the word adn conscience was pointed out others have got leave to read the same written on their fore head and the shifting of discovered guilt and of all serious endeavour to get the quarrel taken up in secret betwixt God and them hath brought the matter at last to some publick hearing even before the generation 3. That their darkening of their light upon some privat interest while they would again and again enquire if such a thing be warrantable concerning which the Lord had once cleared their minde is a most perillous thing yea hath got an answer according to the idol of their heart and their choice made to be their judgement I shall but adde what bitter and sad experience can tell how dreadful it is to give the conscieuce a wramp which is more easily hurt then healed that deliberat adventuring on the occasion of a temptation when they would goe to the high priests hall without warrant or a calling hath cost them dear and they have found that bold sinning doth afterward make faint beleeving SECOND ARGUMENT SECOND Argument to demonstrat the accomplishment of the scripture is this that not only Christian experience but the observation of the Church and people of God doth in all ages bear witnes thereto how the Lords way in these providences both of mercy and judgement about the Church amidst the various changes of her condition yea in the most strange things which fall out in the world doth convincingly answer the word and verify the same It is indeed undenyable that the scripture of God as it is written to the personal case of his people and doth in their experience take place so is there a part of it in a peculiar way directed to the Church the fulfilling whereof in the providences and events of the time should be the subject of our observation and would singularly help to confirm our faith of the truth thereof For prosecuting this argument I would touch it a litle in these three branches 1. How these General promises which belong to the chureh universal and concern her in all ages have an accomplishment 2. How these threatnings also of the word which doe not only concern the church but have a respect to her adversaryes are certainly fulfilled take
the Gospel It is true the Christians inward experience can best witnes this for these have an argument from within they know and they are sure they have received the spirit by the word whereby they understand these things which are spiritually discerned but that which here is intended it is to shew that the spirit is truely let forth to the church according to the promise that it doth accompany the truth and doctrine of Christ and purity of the ordinances as a thing which from clear undenyable evidences may be demonstrat to the conviction of the greatest Atheist for I must think even bystanders such who never knew any saving work of the spirit but live in these parts where the ordinances are dispensed with purity and power if they shut not their eyes may oft clearly see something going forth with the word that is beyond words a divine spirit and power which sendeth forth its savour in the dayly administration of the gospel yea by its effects and some convincing discovery thereof doth force this truth in upon mens consciences who are otherwayes strangers thereto Now to hold forth the accomplishment of so great a promise that God is faithful and true therein I would give in these clear and convinceing witnesses to the same 1. These excellent gifts and enduments given to the Church are they not a visible proof of this truth For it is undenyable where once the gospel cometh that instruments are raised with another spirit reapers sent forth while there is a harvest to be gathered and shaped for their work yea these who were of mean and ordinary parts when called forth to the service of the Church will have another lustre that it may be oft seen with astonishment how far not only they exceed themselves but these who were of more eminent natural enduments I would but seriously ask men who never laid this truth to heart whence is that variety of Gifts so sutably dispensed to the various employments and different pieces of service the Church doth call for how are they thus suted to the several times yea to the very genius and temper of such a time Whence is it that every gift and qualification is so fitted and disposed for its proper use some most peculiarly shaped out to awake and threaten these Boanerges while others are set forth with a spirit eminently fitted to comfort some mighty in perswasion yet not so fit to expound others most dexterous to instruct yet not so powerfull to apply some the gift of tongues and others the tongue of the learned to speak a word in season to the weary to some the face of a lyon is given when a heroick spirit of courage and resolution is called for to others the face of a calf for patient enduring in sufferings times surely it were a choice meditation to think how with as great wonder we may say of this excellent body of the Church as of the natural body of man how curious yea marvellously is it framed where every part doth answer another and to the use of the whole each hath its peculiar excellency and something proper to every ones gift may be then seen as well as in the face of man by which in somethings they differ from all other 2. These more eminent extraordinary outlettings of the spirit do also witnes this truth which at some special times when the churches necessity requireth it hath been most discernable when the Lord sendeth forth his servants about a more then ordinary piece of work either to doe or suffer when he is to plant the church in some place where the gospel will meet with much opposition is it not then manifest how some more then ordinary power and irresistible efficacy doth accompany the truth before which there is no standing the disputer is then in his reasoning confounded by something above reason the untoward and rude are forced to stoop before the word and to confesse they have to doe with power and not with words yea these whom the Lord maketh use of who were feeble and weak as others in that day are made as a brazen wall defenced city 3. Is it not also undenyable that now under the New Testament there are Ministers of the spirit and not of a dead letter and empty sound That with the word there goe along a ministration of power and life whence a Majesty and authority attending the publick ordinances is oft so discernable that even these vvho know not what the Spirit is are made to see something therein vvhich doth dazle them vvith astonishment vvhence is it that at sometimes such a beauty and povver shineth forth vvith ordinances like a glance of the glory of God even going before mens eyes vvhich for the present hath made a vvonderful change upon some very grosse men and put them in an other temper yea forced them vvith fear to acknovvledge that surely God is near in the assemblyes of his peopleâ— and I would ask whence is it the word giveth law to mens consciences should speak with such an authority as maketh them all to shiver that even the worst of men are sometime made to stand before the ministry of the word like men standing at the barr upon life and death before a judge whose authority they durst not decline 4. It is very discernable what a great difference an other appearance there is both on Ministers and Christians at one time from what they are at an other in the discharge of duty as if these were not the same persons vvhich appeareth not onely in the enlargement and streatning of their gift but also in povver and life is it not seen vvith vvhat liberty these doe sometimes pray are as a ship with a full gale before the vvind that it is then easy to preach vvhen at other times there is like a shut door that even onlookers may perceive a sensible languishing and them hampered in their very expressions yea as men rovving against a contrary wind the vvord vvanting that savour rellish it hath had at other times and this not through a natural indisposition or vvant of preparation but that vvhich all vvho ever served God in the spirit must confesse hath most sensibly trysted them vvhen they have thought themselves at the greatest advantage for going about duety O vvho can deny this evidence of the spirit a thing in all ages so sensibly felt yea even obvious to the vvorst of men 5. It is also clear that vvhere ever the Lord hath had a church at some special turnes of her condition there have usually been some more solemn times of the spirit high spring-tydes of the gospell there was indeed marvellous flowing forth of the spirit of God after Christs ascension vvhich like a mighty current did carry all before it at which time more successe did follow one sermon then hath been by the ministry of many others in an age this made the vvorld vvonder as if some universal
enchantment had fallen on men vvhat that could bee vvhich the more they sought to bear dovvn the more it increased that made the rich choose poverty and these vvho dwelt in palaces take themselves vvith chearfulnes to the dens and caves of the earth but besides this it is very manifest that in a large measure the spirit hath been let forth to the church in after ages yea there is no particular church vvhere the light hath shined but hath had it's special times some solemn day of the powring out of the spirit before the sun vvent down vvhich may be observed either at the first breaking up of the gospel or at some other remarkable time and change of her condition vvhence a great tack of souls to Christ hath follovved in a day vvherein an effectual doore vvas opened besides the reaching of the conscience and stirring the affection of many others under a common vvork of the spirit which usually goeth along vvith such solemn times 6 The going back of the tide and visible withdravving of the spirit from particular churches vvhere it hath sometime in a large measure been let forth is a very convincing vvitnes to the truth of this promise for it is clearly seen at vvhat a stand the gospel is in these places vvhere it most eminently shined that the land vvhich blossomed and vvas like a vvatered garden hath been made as the heath in the vvildernes and the ground from vvhence rain is vvithdravven and then that the ministers of Christ vvhose lot hath fallen in such a time are put to very sore vvork to vvorke as it vvere vvith oares for vvant of vvind to cast out the net all night and catch nothing a shut doore is upon them in the exercise of their Ministry duty is made Lurthensome because the Lord is against them there is an evident restraint upon the word and its intercourse is more with the ear then with the consciences of men yea any liberty they find is to execut a commission of judgement and to denounce the woe of the Gospel O doth not so manifest withdrawing of the spirit witnes the outletting thereof and that it is a certain and real thing 7. Doe not the stirrings and strange convictions which even the worst of men have sometimes under the word witnes a divine spirit and power going along therewith that which forceth an assent from their conscience to the truth which otherwayes they hate yea maketh them for the time wonder they should not have been more serious in the wayes of God yea it doth often put a thorn in the bed of their security for indeed the word and the light thereof doth torment these who dwell in the earth And truely this is a marvellous thing which winneth in uponm mens secret designes and councels doth reveal to them the most closs thoughts of their heart which they are sure mens eye could not reach taketh them down through themselves and yet that the world knoweth not whence it is yea are they not forced to confesse what a great difference they find betwixt the word from the mouth of some who are holy and serious though held out in greatest simplicity then from others even of greater gifts and accompanyed with more shew of eloquence that surely the one hath an other sound and relish speaketh more feelingly home to their heart then the most polished discourse of greatest oratours 8. One witnes moe I shall here give to the truth of this promise even these eminent examples of the grace of God which in every age have shined in the firmament of the Church some in love and zeal some in patience and humility some in the strong acts of faith and â—elf-denyal which doe certainly demonstrat a more excellent spirit then that which is in the world whence they appear with another lustre in their walk and carriage and have a sweet and fragant savour of the spirit to the very discerning of bystanders which truely sheweth that his wind doth blow on his garden when the spices send forth so pleasant a sent FOVRTH We find an expresse Promise in the word of Deliverance to the Church â—n a low and oppressed condition that surely the Lord will plead her cause will deliver his People when he seeth their strenght is gone and save them from the hands of their enemyes Ps 18 47 48 50. Ps 22 4 5. Is 54 17. Is 51 23. It is true this promise hath its bounds limits and provisions which should be taken along in the application thereof we know the Covenant of God with particular Churches is conditional only he promiseth that he will be with them while they are with him yea it is oft seen and there is no jarr here with this promise that a People professing the Gospel confederat with God following duty have even turned their back before the enemy and in the holy providence of God have for a time been given up to their fierce rage and violence but it is also sure that this promise hath an accomplishment and in the day of the Churches strait the Lord hath oft appeared by a strong outstretched hand for her help his own arm brought salvation to his People when they sought to him for God is known in her palaces for a refuge yea surely the Church might oft sing that song on such clear grounds as though with Israel shee had been standing at the red sea thy right hand O Lord is full of power thy right hand hath dashed in pieces thy enemyes for what nation or People is like this to whom he hath shewed such marvellous things Now to shew forth the faithfulnes of God in this his promise I would offer some few things that are a most clear and undenyable witnes thereto 1. There are fevv ages but vvee have some record of the churches condition vvhich hold forth such signal convincing providences of God in behalf of his oppressed church and people as may be a manifest seal to this truth it is true some times have been more remarkable for suffering times of judgement of a growing tryal wherein this truth hath not so clearly shined forth yea that long night vvhich the church had under Antichrist might seem to call it in question but never the lesse if men take a serious look of the Lords vvay and series of providence in ages past comparing one time vvith another what the straits and most extream case of the church hath at last resolved in they will find cause to cry with astonishment great deliverances giveth he to his people yea the Lord hath done gteat things for them I am sure were a full record with that true account which might be given of these more remarkable delivrances that particular churches have met with since the first planting of the Gospel among them wherein Gods very immediat hand for their help hath been discernable it should non-plus the World and greatest Atheists anent the real outmaking of this promise 2. The confession even
followed them to the grave for this the sword shall not depart from Davids house Idolatry rent the Kingdome from the posterity of Salomon Jonas shall not escape for his rebellion yea God was wroth with Moses and no intreaty shall hinder his dying in the wildernes I may adde hath not the Lords controversy on this ground even reached their posterity which may shew that these threatnings are sad earnest and such sins are not more particularly pointed at in the word then they have been in after ages made exemplary in judgement 3. A peoples lukwarmenesse their slighting of the gospel and not receiving the love of the truth we find sadly threatned in the word Rev. 3 ver 15 16. 2 Thess 2 ver 10 11. and truely we must say they have not fallen to the ground in any age without an accomplishment as frequent observation can witness First how a peoples entring upon a Religious way their pursuing a form of reformation and not through for God therein but on carnal grounds hath thus put them in a worse condition then before for truely mens hypocrisy in going about a good work doth threaten more then the performance thereof doth promise Jehu got a temporal reward but his posterity must at length reckon for all the blood of Jezreel 2. That no people use to be furder from getting good of the gospel then such who have been under most clear and greatest convictions so as it is found there is oft more accesse to gain amongst the savages then these who have sit their day while the tide did flow yea ministers have found most discouragement to labour in these parts where the word hath been long preached with power 3. It is seen how light not improved will turn a People more grosse and is usually followed with some remarkable grouth in sin that the more the word doth put a restraint on mens corruption the more it rageth so as it may be observed what a very black dy and collour the powerful preaching of the Gospel hath put upon a People as a visible mark of judgement on such who profit not thereby 4. Is it notseen how mens formality in the matters of God hath been oft punished even with the taking away of the forme Yea that seldome errour and delusion doth want a harvest amongst a People who receive not the truth in love 5. Hath not slighting of the Gospel been at last followed with some visible restraint and inhibition both upon the ordinances and dispensers thereof a judicial withdrawing of the Spirit as to the work of conversion and conviction whereby the Lord doth plainly cease to be a reprover to such yea even saith bind up the Law and seal the Testimony 4. The Word doth also threaten carnal Security a disease whereof the Church is oft in great hazard yea we find it holds forth a certain connexion betwixt spiritual judgements upon a People and some outward strokes to follow thereon that these who are under that first woe and plague upon their spirits are then near to some judgement upon their persons and may expect a sharp wakening in hearing they shall not understand c. but the close is until the cities be consumd without inhabitants and there be an utter desolation yea we find judgement doth begin as a moth in that 5. of Hos. but in the 14. ver it doth turn at last to be a lyon We may truely say the fulfilling of this hath in all ages of the Church been obvious 1. That as the first part of the Churches deliverance is usually spiritual so it is found the first step of judgement and the execution thereof against a People hath been upon their spirits that serious discerners of the time might know that the night was fast coming on and some sad outward stroke on a land by the abounding of spiritual judgements 2. It is clear themost dreadful strokes that ever come on a particular Church doe usually find it in such a case judicially hardned and under many warnings plagued with security thus did the floud finde the old World and before that desolating stroke on Jerusalem by the Romans were not the Jewes in such a case Salvain can tell how it was with the African Churches before that dreadful inundation of the Gothes and Vandals yea the Churches records in all ages doe witness that before any sad stroke or persecution came upon a People a deep sleep and lethargie hath been previous thereto gray haires might have been seen upon them and the Word doth even shew that this will be the last disease whereof the Church shall be sick before the great day of the Lord. 3. It is also seen how spiritual judgements when they grow upon a people make great dispatch and do quickly ripen for some further stroke that when men have run down their conscience and are past reproof of the word going on from evil to worse the case cometh then to be clear and ready for the finall discussion of the processe 5. The word doth denounce woe against the troublers of the Church and these who are her persecutors that the Lord shall recompence tribulation to such and plead with her oppressours the accomplishment whereof hath been truely manifest yea to the observation even of the world Is 10 5. 2 Thess 1 ver 6. 1. That eminent oppressours of the Church have seldome gone out of the World without some remark of divine anger upon them surely if there were a record of such instances that in every age hath been conspicuous men should be forced to see and say that the most noted enemyes and persecutors of the saints have been also the most convincing and noted examples of judgement in the time 2. That the Churches suffering useth to go before a day of vengeance on the instruments thereof we find Jehu got an outward reward for executâ—ng the judgement of God on his enemyes but as for these men who have been the rod of the Church it hath been seen that they have not long wanted some scourge as sore upon themselves as they have been to his People and that at last these have payed dear-for their service 3. We may see how this also doth help to finish the contraversy of God with men and their houses that for this he hath taken many away in the midst of their dayes and made them cease to be who would not cease to trouble the Church while they had a being yea that He hath taken them in his own hand whom men could not reach and made their down-casting in the midst of themselves 6. Doth not the Scripture threaten carnal confidence in a People the putting of their trust in man or in any outward instruments Ier. 17 ver 5 6. Is 30 ver 16 17. to clear the accomplishment whereof let us but compare the word and the Churches observation together and we will find 1. That outward meanes have never more miscaried then when most promising and when there was greatest
expectation from the same yea that very eminent instruments when much leaned to have been observably blasted and made to shrink under such a burden 2. That these whom the Lord had made much use of yea honoured greatly to be instruments in the service of the Church have oft had some discernable blot to reprove mens overlading of instruments with their esteem a Tertullian an Origen in auncient times yea even a Luther in these latter ages must goe with some halt to the grave 3. That many vvho have been useful in the Church for a time the Lord doth oft lay by yea maketh not use of them to the end but the last may be made first and truely that excesse in mens esteem putting a further vveight on some meanes then they could bear hath oft helped to render many useless 4. Is it not also seen hovv one extremity is thus plagued vvith an other None more ready to shrink in a day of trouble then such vvho at a distance seemed most daring yea none more ready to fall in that exâ—â—sse of undervaluing instruments then these who have most exceeded upon the other hand 7. Doe we not find the word threaten and in a special way point at corrupt ministers unfaithful watchmen who give not warning to the Church these shepheards that feed themselves but not the flock the leaders of a people that cause them to err and by their practice to stumble at the law Mal. 2 ver 3 ver 9. The accomplishment whereof hath in all ages been very discernable First how such have usually been most noted as the greatest and most violent enemyes which the Church hath at any time had yea that no course hath been so evil and gross that hath wanted some of these to help it on whose hatred and persecution of the Godly hath been found to exceed the most openly profane and profligat in that time 2. That as they are particularly threatned above others in the word so they get also some remarkable cast above others in their judgement and having once lost their savour becom vile and loathsome even to the worst of men are contemptible in the eyes of such whom they seek in a sinful way to please yea have a worse savour then the prophanest wretches that being verified in them Corruptio optimi pessima 3. that these do seldome make a good retreat from an evil way so as it is an usual observation it is rare for Church-men to repent or a fallen starr to shine again 4. Are not such oft smitten even in their gifts which we may see wither and drie up upon them while not faithfully improved yea to the very conviction of their hearers to have lost that edge which once they had in their ministry 5. I must add another remark thoug I desire to deale with fear and much tendernesse in such an application of the judgement of God how the Lord doth oft put some note of his wrath on the Children and ofspring of unfaithful Ministers that it hath been seen none more wretched and grosse whereto as their evill practice and example hath been a special help so likewise are they thus punished of the Lord who did not seek to beget Children to him by the Word but through their way did rather cause many to err and fal THE THIRD BRANCH HAving spoke something how the Scripture both as to the promises and threatnings thereof is evidently fulfilled in the Lords ordinary vvay of procedure vvith his Church I vvould a litle further follow this Argument how this also hath a manifold accomplishment even in these most strange and dark passages of providence whereas men are ready to stumble challenge the spotlesse righteousnes of God and his faithfulnes therein but if we lay them to that measure line of the word which is stretched over the whole vvork of providence vve vvill see hovv vvell these doe aggree and ansvver one to the other yea that all the paths vvherein God vvalketh tovvards his Church and people are surely mercy and truth To clear this I shall point at some footsteps of the providence of God in the vvorld and about the Church vvhich vvould seem most dark yea a contradiction to his vvord and promise but are plain and manifest if vveighed in the ballance of the sanctuary vvhere vve may have a satisfying look and resolution of these things vvhich other vvayes vvould be too hard for us to understand and may see hovv straight these paths are vvich vve thought crooked yea hovv easy and passable the greatest deeps of providence would be both as to Gods way with his Church and in our own particular case when once they are set over against the word I shall but touch this a litle in these following instances 1. It may seem strange how the Chnrcbes trouble and strait is oft seen to encrease with the first stirrings of her deliverance yea when some remarkable mercy and outgate is in the bringing forth the first step thereof would seem to put her further aback and in a worse condition then before This is indeed a piece of the Lords vvay vvith his Church vvhich in many instances may be vvitnessed but let us take the vvord along therevvith and vve vvill find 1. Hovv the Chuâ—ch is oft at the brink of the grave even vvhen her case is upon a turn and hovv it is congruous to his vvay vvhose paths are in the deep vvaters vvho cloatheth himself vvith darknes that men should not find any thing after him or lay down absolute conclusions concerning his dealing that the motions of pâ—ovidence should be oft so perplexed and various 2. Did not the case of the Church in Egypt seem much worse their burdens doubled upon them even when their deliverance was breaking up 3. Joseph to be sold as a slave and in Egypt turned in to a dungeon would seem steps of providence very unlike the thing which God was driving at thereby and yet we see how kindly these did work towards the same 4. The Church in Micah 4 ver 10. When shee was even at the door next to a deliverance her tryal was at the greatest height be in pain and labour to bring forth for ye shall goe to babylen and there be delivered but sorest pangs in the birth do usually promse the best issue 5 It was the step of the providence of God which of all seemd most dreadful to the Church in Ester the sealing of the decree and sending it forth to the out the whole seed of the Iewes while Haman still flowrished but lo this was the very step that wrought most throughly for her deliverance a wet mourning seed time is indeed one Scripture presage of a good harvest 2. The sore interruptions which a peoples endeavours for Reformation and to promote the Kingdome of Christ have met with even when set about with a clear call yea solemn and serious engadgements to God would seem strange and a shaking piece of providence and
truely this is oft seen as an usual attendant on reformation how unsuperable like difficultyes and unexpected lets do grow up in the vvay thereof thus â—hen Luther and other instruments were raised up in Germany to pursue the Churches Reformation what cruel edicts were then set forth to give it a dash division among themselves the rising up of the Boors and Anabaptists what a pure and through reformation was on foot under Edvvard the sixth in England vvhat a dreadful storm did quickly break it up for that time and I vvouldadde vvhat the present case of the Church in Brittain and Ireland may at this day vvitness vvhere once the Lord so eminently appeared in a begun Reformation vvhich novv is at so great a stand but let us go in to the scripture vvith this and vve vvill find 1. There is a vive portraicture of providence in the affaires of the Church held forth in that vision which Ezekiel had of the wheeles at the river Chebar whose misterious motions and turnings so cross one to the other without any discord therein as to the end to which they were directed doth witnes the rational and wise conduct of providence the Lords work about his Church is a most shadowed and elaborat piece which men cannotsee before their eye as they see behind upon a review while ordinary causes do oft vary in their operation yea goe out of the common road yet the Scripture will make this very plain 2. Was not Nehemiah Ezra and Zerobabel at their work and duty and had an expresse call for building of the temple yet how great and frequent interruptious did they find sometimes environed with difficulties Zach. 4 ver 7. Who are thou great mountain before Zerobahel Yea they were put to hold the sword and build to watch and work at once because of their enemies 3. What a very sore backset was the Church at Hab. 3. Revive they work ô Lord in the midst of the yeares this was both a great and long interruption yea doe we not find her almost at a non plus with a queree which no visible appearance could answer by whom shall Iacob arise for he is smell 4. We find a special reformation set on foot by Hezekiah with a solemn Covenant by the Princes Priests and body of the People with a setting up of the pure Worship and ordinances of God but lo a sharp storm is soon after by Sennacherib yeaâ— Hezekiah scarcely is in his grave when his Son doth bring in corruption and persecution both at once yea when the Christian Church in the times of the Apostles begun to flowrish successe following the Gospel did not a sad interruption and scattering follow Act 8. 5. This is promised that Zions walls shall even in troublsome times be built and her being brought to a heap of rubbish was but making way for a further advance that in the building of her again the Lord might appear in his glory and is it not clear that Christs coming in the Gospel and power thereof to purge his Church and to carry on a reformation Mal. 3. ver 2. proveth a searching and trying time which men cannot endure for the power of the Word and clear discovery of sin and other shaking dispensations which doe usually attend such times and torment them who dwell on the earth yea and put the Devil and corruption of men aloft with all rage to oppose the same 3. That a sad overclouding and darknes should come on a land after most special manifestation of the power and glory of God therein and that a time of the Gospel with much light should be so neer a forerunner of wrath and judgement would seem a strange piece of providence and cause a serious enquiry hovv such eminent appearances of God for a people such great confirmations observable success for a time vvith many signal encouragements should all seem to resolve in a desolating stroke and ruine This may be instanced in that protestant vvar in France vvhere instruments vvere remarkably raised fitted of the Lord for the service of that time had much of his presence and countenance yet to resolve thus in a bloody massacre likevvayes these confederat German Princes Saxony and Landgrave of Hesse Men eminent for piety caried forth vvith much zeal for God for defence of the truth yea in the beginning of that vvar having many promising encouragements yet remarkably deserted of the Lord vvith very sad-like consequences follovving the same Let us consider also the late Bohemian vvar stated upon necessary defence of religion and liberty and at first attended with some smiling providences should resolve into so great a desolation and ruine yea the Church of Ireland O what a dreadful massacre of the protestants there did quickly follow one of the most solemn times of the power of God and outpowring of the spirit that we ever heard of since the dayes of the Apostles I confesse this may have a strange aspect and is a part of the marvellous wayes of the Lord but when we take it in to the word we will find there is no jar or discord here for 1. It might seem as strange and astonishing what Baruch got from the Lord in answer to his compliant Ierem. 45. that he would pluck up what he had planted and cast down that which he had built for a work to be thus throwen down where the Lord had once so eminently appeared given his People many confirmations might then occasion great thoughts of heart yet the unspotted righteousnes of God and his truth was apparent therein yea after that discourse and all these large promise which Christ gave his disciples in that sixteenth of Iohn we find all is shut up with that the houre is comming and now is that ye shall be scattered 2. What strange providences did tryst the Church in the wildernes sometime brought back to the red sea tryed with hunger and nakednesse consumed with various strokes and many yeares wandring until most of that generation who came out of Egypt filled their graves in the journey and yet this was after most eminent confirmations and as clear singes of Gods presence as ever a People had 3. We find a publick reformation most zealously prosecute by Iosias which looked like the renewed espousales of that land with God by a solemn Covenant yet quickly after night came on that land with a long captivity and Josias did fall by the sword 4. Was there nor a bright sun-blink flowrishing plantation of the Gospel in Judea a little before the desolation of that land by the Romans yea we will find it clear from the word that times of much light and reformation doe much sooner ripen for a stroke then any other times 5 It is very manifest that particular Churches have their day where the Gospel hath its appointed work and their stroke at last may reach the length of removing the candlestick I truely think that sad instance of Bohemia's case may
have this observable in it that it had longer day and enjoyment of the light even from the times of Iohn Hus and Ierom of Pragus which was neer an 100 years before there was any day break on other parts so that vve vvould consider if their night did come soon on that their day vvas also much longer yea the stroke might tryst vvith the ebb of the tyde vvhen their harvest vvas much gathered in under so long a continuance of the Gospel though I dare not think the Lords work is utterly extinct there but that Bohemias dead and withered root hath life yet in it and shall once again bud forth 4. Is it not usually seen when judgement cometh on a land that the Godly get the first stroke but let us also consider this in the word where it is clear 1. That judgement must begin at the house of God and the green tree and that the Churches trouble and persecution is a forerunner of vengeance on her adversaries do we not find there is a cup of tryall which useth to go before that cup of the judgement of God And O the last is of a strong composition for the wine is red and mixed and the dreg very thick which is reserved for the troublers of the Church and for such who are at ease in a day of her grief and truely they have the advantage that drink first Blest are they whom thou chastenest c. That they may rest in the day of their adversity untill the pit be digged for the wicked yea Rev. 3 10. we find keeping of the word of patience which doth import suffering to the Church goeth before some more universal stroke and in that day proveth the safety and protection of the People of God 2. It is also clear that men may be raised up of the Lord and followed with successe when he hath them for a rod to his Church but that at last A shur the rod of my wrath will I cast in the fire saith the Lord it is truely an evidence of great wrath upon a party to be made the rod and executioners of judgement upon the People of God for they shall pay for it by some sadder stroke then any trouble or suffering whereof they have been instruments 5. That prosperity and successe should follow sometimes the worst of men in an evil course and cause yea such a concurrence and series of providence as seemeth to smile on them even to the bringing of their sinful devices to passe while the People of God have been made to fall in a just quarrel before their adversary would seem an astonishing providence but let us lay it foreagainst the Word and there we will see 1. That there is a proserity which tendeth to destruction Prov. 1 ver 32. the tabernacles of the robbers prosper Iob 12 ver 6. and they that provoke God are secure into whose hands he bringeth aboundantly but they doe not see that wickednes is its own punishment and how it is a dreadful stroke to thrive in an ill course Was not the Church shaken with such a providence Mal. 3 ver 15. yea tempted to call the proud happy but in the ver 18. they were taught from further observation to discern and to put a difference between the righteous and the wicked 2. Doe we not find that even the signes and predictions of false Prophets in favours of a sinful way may come to passe Deut. 13 ver 1 2. whereof the Church is there warned and Gods intent in the same cleared that it is for the tryal of his People whither they will love and fear the Lord and cleave to his way when providence would seem to shine on a crooked path 3. Did not successe for a time attend Absolom Israel as one man went after him yea the friends and counsellours of David a fair wind did also favour Haman in his essay to ruin the Church Jeremy is almost shaken with this yea they have taken root yea they grow and bring forth fruit but is not this at last usually found an ominous weather-gall before a storm though the bruitish man knoweth not nor fooles lay it to heart for what the wicked doth oft spring and flowrish I would add Israels falling before Benjamin it was an astonishing like providence and Habacuck was put to a stand with such a thing why the Lord lookt on while the wicked devoured the righteous Yea Joshua was to cry out in an amazement O Lord what shall I say when Israel turneth their back before their enemyes but we have also the Lords intent therein witnessed by his word that this is to humble and prove his People that he may doe them good in the latter end and thus he beateth them off from all carnal grounds of confidence he woundeth them to a cure that by bringiug them low he may raise and fit them for a further mercy 6. What great disappointments hath the Church met with when outward grounds of confidence and ordinary meanes have been most promising as it is a thing most true so it may seem strange at the first look but let us bring it to the word and the case will be there answered Deut. 32. Why should one chase a thousand but because their rock hath sold them and therefore their strength is gone with the Lords departing from them for when a time of judgement is come even the mighty then find not their hands counsel faileth to the auncient ordinary means bring not forth their wonted effects which Solomon sheweth and after ages have oft seen the race not ever to the swift nor the battel to the strong it is also clear from the word how threatning a condition that is for the People of God to be much caried out after meanes or lifted up therewith Is 30. they will ride on horses and this shall be their punishment but on the other hand the Lords way in bringing forth his greatest vvorks hath not been by might and povver but oft by meanes most improbable and unexpected 7. The long continuance of a heavy afflisting rod on the Church without the appearance of an outgate or any return to much vvrestling and prayer on that account may seem a strange step in Gods vvay vvith his People But the vvord vvill answer us in such a case where it is clear 1. That there are no bounds in the Scripture set to the continuance of a tryal it doth not tell how long a sharp storm may ly on either as to the Church or any particular Christian for it is a piece of the Lords secret counsel but not of that which is revealed it is enough that we know from it that men cannot make the Churches suffering longer then Gods time 2. It was a long terme that of Israels tryal in Egypt and after under the captivity three hundred and ninty dayes must the Church ly on her left side O how many a sad day and wearisome night was there in that word 70 weekes are
Churches ruines and witnes their detestation and grief for the growing Apostacy of such times 3. It is clear that as the prophecy doth point at some more remarkable suffering and persecution which the Church was to meet with from Antichrist beyond all it had endured from that adversary in former ages yea a special permission from the Lord to that party to vent their rage and cruelty against the Saints which should fall out after the witnesses finishing their testimony who had so long in an abject low condition as in sackcloth prophecyed yea when Antichrist should be at his height and his Kingdome upon the turn that then must this remarkable killing of the witnesses be accomplished so likewise did the event convincingly verify the same for it is knowen that upon the close of Antichrists reigne whilest the truth began to break up this sorest storme of persecution beyond all that had been before did then break upon the Church even in its budding forth that we may say that adversary did not onely put forth the outmost of his power and rage against the Saints but seemed in some measure to bring his cruel designes to passe which the dreadful massacres in France Province and the Valleys of Piemont the sore and violent persecution of the Church through the Netherlands under the Duke of Alba and in England by Queen Mary in Germany after the defeat of the Duke of Saxony and Landgrave of Hesse can clearly witnes 4. Is it not also clear how this remarkable storm and cutting down of the Saints over whose dead bodyes their adversaryes did rejoyce was according to this prophecy to be previous to some eminent enlargement and reviving of the Church which did accordingly fall out in the event like a resurrection of the witnesses from the dead to the astonishment of the World that immediatly followed upon the back thereof so that when their enemyes thought they had gained their end as they did conclude by such persecutions particularly that French massacre that the Protestant interest should be quite ruined they were forced to see their labour in vain and the Church more eminently flowrishing after the same I shall but furder adde that Antichrist hath not only been revealed and his Kingdome come to its height but it is clear this day that it is on the falling hand and his ruine is now begun upon which account we may say yea have cause to sing that the winter is past the fig tree putteth forth her leaves that sheweth the sommers approach yea the singing of birds is heard in our land let us go forth and meet him who is now gone out as a mighty man for the salvation of his Church and taken the fields against this great adversary of his truth and people on whose side victory doth surely wait II. WHAT IS YET TO BE ACCOMPLISHED HAving touched a little some of the most concerning prophecyes of the Scripture both under the New Old Testament which are already fulfilled and the truth thereof so clearly written forth in the history of providence that we may say the most ordinary observers if they will not shut their eyes cannot want a conviction thereof I shall now in the next place point at that which yet remaineth of the prophetical part of the Scripture to be accomplished these prophecyes which concern the Church in these last times whereby we may have a sure demonstration how far the night is spent and of the near approach of that blessed day of the liberty of the sonnes of God for this doth finish the mystery of God and fully perfecteth his work if once that which remaineth of the prophecyes of the word were fulfilled There are these truths the accomplishment whereof we have a sure warrant to expect before the end First the full ruin and downfal of Babylon 2. The conversion and incalling of the Jewes to Jesus Christ 3. A solemn day of the Churches flowrishing both Iewes and Gentiles which shall follow the outmaking of the former promise 4. The fall and destruction of the Turkish Empire that cruel party who hath been raised up and established for judgement with whom the Lord shall yet reckon for all that Christian blood by them so unjustly shed seemeth clearly held forth Rev. 16 ver 12. 5. We are also to expect after all these that full and last stroke upon Gog and Magog and then the Lord is at hand and that great mystery of the prophecyes and promises of the Scripture shall then be finished and at a blessed close I. We have the full ruin and destruction of Antichrist and his Kingdome clearly prophecyed and in very expresse tearmes promised to the Church 2 Thess 2 ver 2 8. Rev. 16 ver 10 17. the accomplishment whereof we do yet according to the Scripture wait for that the God of truth who cannot lye or repent shall in due time assuredly bring about and that this day approacheth when that solemn cry shall be heard Babylon is fallen anent which we would consider 1. That this judgement is already begun and the first step thereof visible is now clear wherein men may see the event most exactly answer the prophecy for the Lord hath begun to consume Antichrist by the breath of his mouth and since the first breaking up of the light his Kingdome hath been mouldering down before the Word hath not Nations fallen off at the voice of the preached Gospel It is true the Church wanteth not sore conâ—licts even under the Vials and it is the Lords way to try his People with such various uncertainties that when things have been most promising another providence cometh like a crosse wave which seemeth to drive them as far back as once they seemed to be forward yet it is sure and should be beyond debate that Antichrists overthrow is upon a present advance and that work of the Lord for his Churches deliverance is going fordward for if we believe salvation by Christ upon the warrant of the word should we not also with much assurance believe that Antichrists wound is deadly and incurable which he hath got by the preaching of the Gospel which all the Physitians of the earth shall never help 2. This is one of the greatest and signal actes of the judgement of God on his Churches enemyes one of the most eminent manifestations of his glory which he hath reserved for the last times wherein the appearance of his hand and great power shall be very manifest and we are to expect by this remarkable stroak that way shall be made for that glorious house which Christ is to have for himself in the latter dayes which shall be built upon Antichrists ruines when that new bride both of Iewes and Gentiles shall be prepared for the marriage supper of the Lamb. 3. Though we are to expect on clear ground from the word the Lords eminent appearing by his immediat hand in this great work which shall be so convincing in that day and witnes an
extraordinary providence that all onlookers must with fear and astonishment confesse that this is Gods own work yet it is also clear that he will therein make use of instruments fitted and chosen for that end who shall be raised and acted forth with a more then ordinary Spirit to execute the vengeance of the Lord even the judgement written amongst whom the feeble shall then be strong yea we have ground to expect that of the Kings of rhâ—â—arth and the race and successours of these who in former times had given their power to the Beast shall the Lord raise up to hate the whoore and make her desolate O blessed are they who shall have a hand in so noble a work to sack and destroy that accursed City built up with the blood of the Saints and martyres of Iesus Christ 4. We are not to bound the Lord as to any particular time for accomplishing this piece of his word yet we have clear ground to believe that Babylons ruin maketh hast and the day of the Lord upon her is near whose sword is bathed in Heaven and that the instruments of his vengeance are making ready one stroke upon that party is already past Antichrist hath begun to fall before the word and must fall further until that great â—â—roke which shall destroy his seat and lay wast that land be accomplished some promising evidences of its near approach I vvould here point at 1. The many prayers of the saints vvhich are novv before the throne and cannot want a return many who wrestled oft with the Lord on this accompt though they are away yet are their prayers to the fore and waits for this solemn manifestation of the judgement of God and the blood of the Saints doth not cease to cry yea hath as loud a cry as ever 2. It is clear that the preached Gospel now since the light began to break forth doth ripen and help to make the harvest more white then many ages formerly and truely if we consider how long the word hath been sounding a retreat to that party to come out of Babylon and that for these 150 Years they have been still acting in opposition to so clear a light to such a solemn call so many warnings yea to such convincing discovery of the Lords being against them in very remarkable providences doth it not shew at what an height their sin this day is and an obstinat rejecting of cure 3. We cannot but see how that judgement which should be poured forth on Antichrist under the vials is in a great measure now verifyed in the event 4. It is clear and consonant to the Scripture that the Lords work is now hastening in the latter dayes providence in aâ—â—ist motion and maketh great advance more quick changes in the case of the Church both as to stormes and calmes and her tryals now must not be so long as in former times Rom. 9 ver 28. he will cut short his work in righteousnes for a short work will the Lord make in the earth 5. That Antichrist and his followers do this day seem to be at such an advantage the Lords work as it were at a stand yea rather going back this late reviving of Antichristian Prelacy in Brittain and Ireland with so visible a grouth of popery there and so dark an houre upon the reformed Churches abroad I think on very solid grounds is a promising evidence of the near approach of a furder stroak on that party for it is clear both from the word and Gods ordinary way of â—â—ocedure how a sharp storm is usually previous to some remarkable enlargement of the Church a very low ebb before the turning of the tide yea that every step of her advance whereby she hath gained ground on Antichrist hath still had some conflict and wrestling going before and thus the Lord by suffering doth ripen his People for such times of mercy for which time O let us pray and wait when the smoke of that accursed City shall ascend up to Heaven and his People be made to triumph in his praise and sing that song Halelujah salvation glory and honour to the Lord God who hath judged the great whoore rejoyce over her thou Heaven and ye holy Apostles and Prophets for God hath avenged you upon her II. We have a clear ptophecy anent the incalling of the Iewes and their conversion to Christ in the latter dayes held forth by the Prophets and in the New Testament very expresly mentioned for the fulfilling whereof the Church must yâ—t wait and long after when God shall being again the captâ—vity of his auncient People and say to that valley of dry bones live anent which we would consider Isas 11 ver 15. Rom. 11 ver 24. Rev. 16 ver 12. 1. That this promise doth not onely concern particular persons or a few but the body and generality of that people is most clear from the Scripture if men would compare Isai 11 ver 11. Zach. 12 ver 10. with Rom. 11 ver 25. where it is undenyable that their gathering must be as full and remarkable as their scattering and as there is no nation so remote whither some of them are not this day that shal not hinder the fulfilling of the promise but as Esai sheweth the Lord shall then assemble the dispersed and outcasts and bring them back from the four corners of the earth and furdest places thereof yea doth not the Apostle expresly shew that it is all Israel whereat this promise pointeth for though they are enemyes concerning the Gospel yet are they beloved for the fathers sakes because of the Covenant which was made with Abraham and his seed and truely we have in this ground also to expect something further then their conversion that in this day the Lord shall raise the tabernacle of David which is fallen and plant them upon their own land Amos 9 ver 11 15. not only bring them to a visible Church state but even therewith some temporal restitution and recollection of them as a Nation yea may expect a return of the old blessing of that lands fruitfulnes which I think is clearly held forth in that of Ames 9 ver 13. that the plewman shall overtake the reaper the very hils drop down sweet vvine and melt as it vvere in outvvard blessings on them 2. That this promise hath not yet had an accomplishment is also clear from the Word for it must follovv the rejection of that People and should not take place untill the fulnes of the gentiles be brought in vvhich harvest for many ages after vvas not to be reaped yea did not the Apostle hold this forth as a mystery a piece of the Scripture vvhich the auncient Ievvish Church could not vvell comprehend vvhen it vvas pointed at by the Prophets and even at that time vvas not understood vvhich surely could have been no mystery if their conversion had reached no further then the Apostles time and it is known how small a number since of
hope shall awake and this earth and all the glory thereof like a poor vain shew disappear O blessed and comfortable time in which the saints shall then fully know what Heaven is which they have so oft admired at a distance to behold his face in whose presence is fulnes of joy and shall need no further confirmations of the truth of the word when once this great promise of the Lords return is verifyed a promise wherein all these pretious truths which concerned the Church in her journey as so many streames shall empty themselves in this great deep then there is no more to do the work of the Gospel is finished the redeemed all brought in and the Bride made ready to go forth and meet him who shall fully satisfy and comfort his People according to the dayes of their former affliction and be for ever their exceeding great reward THE FIFTH ARGUMENT THat which not only is for the most part already accomplished but is a thing whereof we have so sure confirmations yea so great a pledge in our hand from the Lord that what yet remaineth shall be certainly fulfilled must is not be an undoubted truth But the Scripture as to these special predictions that are not yet made out is such anent which the Lord hath given his People a very large pledge and strong confirmations now in these latter times to believe their certain accomplishment Therefore c. It is sure that a part of the Scripture some special prophecyes which do concern the state of the Church in these last times hath not yet had an accomplishment which are already touched in the former argument and are indeed so great concerning truths that may cause us sit down and wonder when we think these shall shortly come to passe yet such whereof we may be fully perswaded if we consider that they are held forth and promised by him who is the God of truth and the begun performance thereof now so manifest yea what hath been the Lords way and the eminent providences of these last times which may fully satisfy our spirits that Gods work is near to a close and the accomplishing of the whole Scripture now at hand I shall here point at 3 special grounds whence the godly in these times may be throughly confirmed anent the truth and certain out making of the Scripture and these prophecyes thereof that yet are not fulfilled which we should look on as a very convincing pledge in our hand of the same I. Ground whence we may be thus confirmed in our faith is this that not only the most part of the Scripture is already proved and verifyed in the event but also These truths which of the whole Scripture are most strange and marvellous yea should have much staggered our faith if they were yet still in a promise are this day certainly accomplished I shall but only instance the comming of the Messias which the Prophets of old foretold that God should be manifest in the flesh and a virgin bring forth a son whose name should be Emmanuel that was to dye and be cut off out of the land of the living not for himself but for the transgression of his People is not this now surely accomplishedâ— Which we may say is the greatest wonder the most astonishing thing that ever was or shall be and should fully silence our thoughts anent any other Scripture truth that is yet to be made out for we now know that the great bussines of redemption is put to a close the ransome and price thereof fully told down now is the doctrine of the Gospel sealed and attested by blood even the blood of the Testator it is now sure the promised Messias hath come and this is he who in the dayes of Pilat suffered at Jerusalem in whom all things which were written by the Prophets were truly accomplished And is not this a great pledge to assure us of the real outmaking of every other promise It is sure he did dye his blessed side was pierced with a spear and upon the crosse he cryed with a loud voice and gave up the ghost O Here lyeth the greatest cause of wonder not what doth yet remain of the Scripture but that which is already fulfilled not that Christ should come again to judge the World but that once he did come to the World and become man for God to be found in the form of a servant and dye that is beyond expression wonderful for the other must necessarly as a consequent follow that he who hath redeemed the Church and did pay her ransome should see the travel of his soul and be satisfied that having made such a purchase he should also have possession and finish the building the foundation whereof was his own blood I confesse what we do yet expect according to the promise are great and astonishing truths the full overthrow of Antichrist and his Kingdome that the dead bones of the Jewish Church should again live but especially Christs return to judgement who shall be revealed from Heaven with flaming fire the sound of the trumpet and voice of the Archangel yet how great so ever they are and may seem hard for us to believe O how small comparatively are they with that which is already done and accomplished the incarnation of the Son of God a mystery hid from ages wherein the Angels with wonder doe look which we may say is unspeakably more great then to creat this World and turn it again to nothing it may be truely strange whilest we read these prophecyes anent Christ and his Kingdome in so plain an history and professe that we believe he did dye and rise again we should have such hesitation anent the performance of any other Scripture promise is it not this day much more easy to believe the Scripture and fulfilling thereof then it was of old for the Jewish Church before Christs comming And how may we not with as much assurance wait for the second coming of the Lord and a full perfecting of his word even from that which is already verifyed thereof as we are sure of the return of the sun after it is gone down and of the breaking of the day when once the night is past II. Ground whence the godly in these times should be confirmed anent the full performance of that which is yet remaining of the Scripture that it is sure yea now near at hand is this that Jesus Christ is come to action against the enemies of his Church and hath taken the fields that surely he is now gone forth in the greatnes of his strength conquering and to â—onquer This is a grave truth vvhich might give us very sweet refreshing thoughts in so shaking a time that whilest we have seen the Lords appearing by a great and outstretched hand for his people these terrible stirrs and concussions of the nations have seen him strike through Kings in the day of his wrath and fill the place with the dead bodye of his
and in their greatest strength that by a strong hand he did make room for his truth when both Law and force did withstand the same and put the marks of his wrath on such who would oppose the spreading of his Kingdome that they have been as visible as sometimes their rage and violence against the Church was yea since the Lord begun to lift up a standard for the truth and call forth his People to act hath it not been seen they have losed their ground more by underhand treaties and turning aside to carnall politick shifts then by open force and violence vvhich the French Massacre vvith other sad instances can vvitnes for indeed the Church hath still lost least by greatest opposition 2. Have vve not seen by vvhat dreadful shakings and alterations of the earth this late glorious reformation of the Church from Antichristianisme hath been ushered in vvhich hath been more strange and frequent then in many ages before hath not the Lord caused the Nations shake and the earth to reel like a drunken man to shevv men that though he suffered long in former times of the Worlds ignorance he vvill not so novv bear vvith opposing his truth 3. Have vve not also seen the Lords raising up men fit for action in these last times men of a great heroick spirit vvith some more then ordinary elevation of the same to appear for his intrest such vve may say that many former ages could not instance in vvhich the Lords helping his People to do great things his suiting them vvith enduments for the service and vvork of the time hath been most discernable Was not that excellent man the Admiral of France vvith many others in that place eminently raised up for the necessity of that time and doe we not find these Princes of Orange William and Maurice and Mauritius of Saxony whom the Lord raised against Charles the V. and caused him flee over the Alpes yea what marvellous resolution and courage did attend the actings of the confederates of the Low Countryes in latter times doe we not find Gustavus King of Sweden Bernard Duke of Weymar Lantsgrave of Hesse with many others eminently raised to avenge the Lords quarrel against that bloody house of Austria have we not also seen very great instrumemts raised up in Brittain and Ireland who were followed with wonderful successe to act for the truth against Antichristian Prelacy and truely we must say the withdrawing in such a measure of that spirit of courage and resolution which once was so visibly let forth in the first dawning of the Reformation may sadly point at a great decay of zeal selfe confidence unfaithfulnes as to the improving of opportunities for the Lord was with his People whilest they were with him and did singly follow him in his way but alace with their departing it may be said their strength hath departed from them however the quarrel is clear for an oppressed Peoples acting upon so just so necessary an account as the interest of Religion against the cruelty and violent encroachments of Antichrist wherein as the Lord hath eminently owned his People so I dare not question he will yet appear and silence the adversaryes of this truth by such an argument against vvhich they shall not debate 4. That unusual deludge of blood which for the 100 yeares past hath overflowed much of Europe can be a witnes to this that the Lord hath taken peace from men who vvould not embrace the peace of the Gospel offered in these last times and given his enemyes who had shed the blood of the saints blood to drink in great measure I am sure poor Germany can prove this which for 20 years together was a field of dead men France from the dayes of Henry the II. to the establishment of Henry the IV. hovv long vvas the Low Countryes made a stage of vvarr vvhere many a cruell Spanjard did fall under the svvord of an avenging God besids the late bloody vvarres in Brittain and Ireland and vvhat doth this declare but that Jesus Christ hath taken the fields and it vvil not be novv vvith the Kings of the earth to oppresse his Church and withstand the truth as in former times I shall but adde hovv vvonderfully hath the Lord appeared in delivering his Church at the greatest extremity hath turned his enemyes counsels and designes upon themselves brought about the great vvorks of these last times by meanes so unexpected and improbable that vve may say as to vvhat of his judgement is already execute against Antichrist hath been no lesse marvellous then that Jerichoes vvals should fall at the sound of a trumpet of ram-horn or a cake of barley bread tumbling into the host of Midian should smite and overthrow the same surely when we consider what the Lord hath done and how exactly that doth answer the Scripture we may have much to confirm us anent the further accomplishment of his word and be assured that the term of his long suffering towards Babylon is at an end war is denounced and the execution already begun which must not have a close untill judgement be accomplished into victory IV. Ground which may confirm the faith of the saints and be as a pledge in their hand of the full accomplishing of the Scripture yea that this is near is this that the day is now turned and that prophecyed victory which the Church should have over Antichrist before the end is not only begun but in a great measure advanced This is indeed a great confirmation when we see so marvellous a crisis in the Churches case her recovery from so desperat and hopelesse a disease already begun that it shall be furder perfected we are made to wonder at the greatnes of these things yet promised but why should we not also wonder at that which God hath already done for his Church in our dayes the Scripture doth shew that Antichrists ruin must begin by the word that this stroke shall be gradual and however that great work of God meet with much opposition yet it shall no more go back in the whole and must we not say in all this the word is fulfilled it hath not hitherto failed the Church but the event in every circumstance made to answer to the same Now to clear this we would consider these two First that the Churches victory over Antichrist is this day so farr advanced 2. How the Lords very immediat hand hath been most discernable therein I. The first I need but name whilest it is so manifest what the Lord hath wrought for his Church for we have seen Kingdomes and Nations subject themselves to the truth the kingdome of Antichrist grow dark with the breaking up of the light and many of his followers made to gnash their teeth being scorched with the heat and power of the gospel in how great a measure is that interest now shaken if we consider what the Lord hath wrough what a great reformation hath been in Brittain
Jreland through much of France Germany Sueden the Low Countries Pole Denemark yea even in Hungary Transilvania sure this was a great work which should be marvellous inour eyes how that Antichristian Empire contrived with such wisdome underpropt with so great strength whose commands not long since were receaved as Oracles with an avv and respect onely due to God hath in such a measure begun to fall before the power of the word O the righteous judgement of the Lord. which he hath shewed forth upon that adversary and should be a pledge to us of the further manifestation thereof an adversary we may say the greatest that ever the Church had whose little finger hath been sorer then the loins of all who went before if we consider his cruelty over mens bodyes tyrannie over their conscience with so long a continuance of that tryal in respect of whom it may be said Pharaoh was an easy taskmaster Antiochus and the Roman Emperours milde who for neer 1200 year did carry on a despeart and bloody war against the Church II. The Second which I would at some more length follow forth is this how the Lords hand and something of an extraordinary providence hath been no lesse discernable in this late raising of the Church and her begun victory over Antichrist then in the First planting of Christianity by the Apostles this is a truth which to many may seem strange but when seriously considered if prejudice do not darken mens judgement will appear from sure and solid grounds now to demonstrat this I would here offer some very convincing witnesses which may help to strengthen the faith of the Godly and give Atheisme some dash FIRST Witnes to this truth is that wonderful successe which the Gospel in these last times hath had wherein men must see the great power of God and efficacy of the Spirit in some measure as manifest as in the first rise of the Christian Church if we consider 1. From what a small spark so great a fire did break up which in a short time put Europe in a flame and made so great a change therein even Luthers appearing against Texelius upon the account of his indulgencies O but Gods time of working may be oft contraire to our time of expecting 2. What a swift progresse did the gospel have may we not say with wonder can a nation be born at once yet this we have seen how many Nations and Cityes in one and the same age yea in lesse then 40. yeares was brought in subjection to the truth and these instruments whom scarce any durst own at first made to see great Princes with armyes on the fields for the interests of Christ 3. Have we not seen Religion propagated by martyrdome no lesse then in the primitive times and mens essaies to ruin the Church helped it further to grow O what but a divine power could thus bring gold out of iron and clay bring a flowrishing Church out of their ashes and turn her poison to a preservative but alace it is sad that whilest men were burned for the truth and reading the Scripture their affection did also burn in reading the same but now with our liberty there is so great a decay 4. Must not the wise and polititians of the World confesse this late encrease of the Church is a thing above their reach most crosse to all their rules which they cannot see how in an ordinary way it could be brought about 5. Were not instruments most unlikely for so great a work if we would judge as men that such a poor handful as Luther Zuinglius Melanchton Bucere c. should go forth to confront that power which then made the earth to tremble might it not seem as improbable as the sending forth of some fisher men to subdue the Nations 6. It is knowen they were none of the Rabbies of the time whose repute and fame might have purchased easy accesse to their message nay they were loaded with all the reproach which their adversaryes could devise with novelty of doctrine deceit and falshood in their dealing represented to the World as Monsters Luther was forced to answer himselfe a printed relation of his death how he was carried away soul and body by the Devil 7. Was not the message they carried most opposit to mens carnal inclinations to these principles they had suckt in from their infancy to the religion of their Fathers yea in a word had no outward encouragements the whole World seemed to combine against them Luther at his first appearance excommunicated by the Pope proscribed by the Emperour and good Melanchton was oft made to faint when he thought on so great a speat of opposition so that without the convoy of an extraordinary power nothing could have looked more improbable SECOND Witnes that may let the World see a wonderful providence in this late raising of the Church is this these sharp assaults which the Church met with from a party no lesse cruel and powerfull then any adversary which the Church had in the primitive times for I am sure the World must confesse that no ordinary mean had wanted for an essay to crush the gospel in its first budding forth that both counsel and force the authority of law backed vvhith greatest rage and violence in its execution yea the power of the Princes of the earth was put forth to the utmost to withstand this great work of God in these last ages to clear this I shall only point at some remarkable assaults which did tryst the dauning of the gospel that may shew something above nature going alongst with it 1. We find a Spanish Emperour devoted to the popish interest more powerful then any who went before brought in on Germany with the very first breaking up of the light which might seem a dreadful let to the Gospels spreading 2. The rise of the Boores and Anabaptist party whose way being so grosse destructive to civil order to the interests and proprieties of men did look like a sad tryst and a probable mean to beget much prejudice against the truth 3. That sad overthrow of the Duke of Saxony and Landgrave of Hesse who were such great patriots to the Church did then threaten the very ruin of the Protestant interest in Germany 4. The Councel of Trent where the Popish party had all their politicks on foot in a strong combination how to ruin the Church 5. The Interim of Germany a most subtile contrivance to divide and thus break the strength of the Protestants was also a sore assault a snare to some and cause of persecution to others 6. That Spanish Inquisition established through Spain Italy and the Low Countreyes a horrid cruel engine which did reach to prevent the smallest glancings of the truth 7. The French Massacre where not only the Admiral but most of the considerable Protestants vvere through all France in a few dayes cut off O vvould not this seem an irrecoverable stroke together with that
to the earth crying out these vvords a fallen Starr a fallen Starr It was also knovvn hovv for divers years he had been seised upon vvith an Hypochondriack distemper apprehending he vvas all glasse vvhereupon vvorthy Mr Simson of Sterling vvho had sometimes been his familiar hearing of his Court-advancement had this line Aureus hen fragilem confregit malleus urnam A very convincing instance of the judgement of God in that time vvas one Mr Andrew Foster Minister at Dumfermling vvho being sent Commissioner to the Assembly at Glasgovv 1610 and solemnly adjured as he should ansvver to Jesus Christ by his brethren not to consent to any alteration of the governement of the Church yet notvvithstanding voted for Prelacy having got 50 Merks from the Earle of Dumbar who made use of that argument to break some of these wretches a small sum indeed to sell the cause of Christ and by him very dear bought for after his return he falleth in sicknes and upon his recovery from that was seised with horrour of conscience so that he run out of the pulpit whilest he was going to preach confessing he had sold Christ at that Assembly for money that being poor and having a numerous family he chused rather to make hast then beleeve and thus laid aside his ministry requesting Mr Iohn Murrey who then was silenced by the Bishop that for Christs sake he would take the charge of that place after which he fell in a great distraction and became in some measure madde and though he did something recover yet dyed in great infamy poor and drouned in debt a very convincing example of the judgement of God This old Mr Row of Carnock being then a minister in the same Presbitery sets down under his hand vvhich he most certainly knew I shall only adde 2 remarkable instances of the Lords judgement vvithin these few yeares that should not be past without a remark The first relats to a considerable family in this countrey who made it their vvork to trouble and persecute the Minister of that Parish an eminently holy and faithfull man yea upon the accompt of his faithfulnes the old Laird of that house out of malice doth pursue him vvith a false libel before the Sinod using all means he could to reproach his name having it as his design either to get him broken and put out of the Parish or at least to crush his spirit and vveaken him in the exercise of the ministry but doth there meet vvith a disappointment the Lord cleiring the innocence of his servant and the malice of the other so that even such who otherwayes wanted not a prejudice at him were forced to acknowledge this at which time that Gentleman whilest he went to the stable where his horses were being then at the Sinod upon that accompt is in the place stricken with sicknes forced to haste home and take bed and there seised with such horrour of conscience which made him oft cry intreating most earnestly for his Minister whom he had thus persecuted and oft had these words O to see his face yea told his friends that if he would not come to him they would cause carry him to his house but his Lady out of malice did in a most rude and violent way hinder the Ministers accesse to him and thus that poor Gentleman in great horrour and anguish dyeth after his death his Lady doth still persue the quarrel with no lesse malice until she also falleth sick and therewith had much terrour upon her conscience yea did no lesse cry out for the Minister then her husband who then was providentially absent so that she was put to cry and in that denyed which she did hinder to her poor husband though at last he came to her before her death to whom shee vvith much bitternes confessed her vvrong After this a young man their chaplain vvho had been engadged by them to appear as a vvitnes against that godly man vvas so terrified in his conscience that he could get no rest until he vvent to the next Sinod to acknovvledge that horrid sin in bearing false vvitnes against his Minister but being there keept by some from a publick appearance he vvent to another part of the countrey vvhere it is certainly reported he dyed distracted Novv last of all the young Laird vvho did succed in that estate vvould needs pursue the quarrel and finding more accesse through the change of the time did so endeavour vvith some vvho vvere in povver that an order vvas past for banishing him out of that Parish and though he vvas then othervvayes staged upon the accompt of the publick cause yet it vvas knovvn the violent pursuit of that Gentleman vvas the main cause of this sentence vvhich these vvho had hand in passing it did themselves confesse for he had solemnly svvorn that if he lived in that place that man should not be Minister there but lo a fevv dayes after having returned to his house and boasting hovv he had keept his vvord and novv got his Minister cast out of the parish he vvas suddenly struck by the Lord vvith an high fever vvhich plucked him avvay in the very strength of his yeares This I had related as it is here set down from a grave Christian the party himselfe being present which he did humbly decline to relate though he could not but assent thereto Second is one David Mackbryar who was a member of the late Parliament being one of the commissioners of the Burrowes a man most notour in the countrey where he lived for a leud and grosse practice but most remarkable and knowen beyond others for his violence and rage against the Godly as he shewed by his carriage both in the Parliament and afterwards where he could have accesse did set himselfe to trouble and persecute such under that reproachful name of fanaticks but within some time thereafter whilest he was forced to retire by reason of debt for fear of caption he was found one day walking alone by one who was then comed out of the North to that countrey and had riden forth to see if he could catch any of that party whom he judged was then lurking and supposing upon his rencounter that he was surely one of these would needs apprehend him but he upon his resistance and strugling against him was by him run through with a sword and immediatly killed on the place upon that very accompt and perswasion that he was a phanatick and rebel as he then tearmed him thus he who had declared himself an enemy to the people of God whom he was wont in reproach to call phanaticks was himself under that very notion and upon that ground cutted down by one of his own stamp and principles O was not this the finger of God and a convincing proof of his righteous judgement FIFTH Witnes which holds forth the Lords eminent appearing and something of an extraordinary power in the late raising and reformation of the Church from Antichristianisme is this
years before the fall of Prelacy about the yeare 1628. some yeares thereafter which as many grave and solid Christians yet alive can witnes who were there present was a bright and hot sun-blink of the Gospel yea may with sobriety be said to have been one of the largest manifestations of the Spirit and of the most solemn times of the downpowring thereof that almost since the dayes of the Apostles hath been seen where the power of God did sensibly accompany the word with an unusual motion upon the hearers and a very great tack as to the conversion of souls to Christ the goings of the Lord then full of Majesty and the shout of a King was heard in the solemn meetings of his people that as a judicious old Christian who was there present did expresse it he thought it was like a dazeling beam and ray of the glory of God with such an unusual brightnes as even forced by standers to an astonishment a very â—ffectual door opened with more then ordinary enlargement which the Ministers of Christ there did find in preaching the word whilest the people might be seen hearing the same in a melting frame with much tendernes of spirit surely this was the very power of God a convincing seal to the truth and ministry of his Servants who were then persecuted by the Prelats yea â— thing which as it was known had an awfull impression and was a terrour to their adveâ—saryes I remember amongst other passages what a worthy Christian told me how sometimes in hearing the word such a power and evidence of the Lords presence was with it that he hath been forced to rise and look through the Church and see what the people were doing thinking from what he felt on his own spirit it was a wonder how any could go away without some change upon them And then it was sweet and easy for Christians to come 30 40 miles to these solemn Communions which they had and there continue from the time they came until they returned without wearying or making use of steep yea but little of either meat or drink and as some of them professed did not feel the need thereof but went away most fresh and vigorous their souls so filled with the sense of God 6. That was also a remarkable time wherein the Lord did let forth much of the Spirit on his people in the year 1638 when this Nation did solemnly enter in Convenant vvhich many yet alive at this day do knovv hovv the spirits of men vvere raised and vvrought on by the vvord the ordinances lively and longed after for then did the Nation ovvn the Lord and vvas visibly ovvned by him much zeal and an enlarged heart did appear for the publick cause personal reformation seriously set about and then also vvas there a remarkable gale of providence that did attend the actings of his people vvhich did astonish their adversaryes and forced many of them to feign subjection Alace hovv is our night comed on for the Lord hath in anger covered the face of the Daughter of Zion vvith a dark cloud 7. Must not vve also say since the land vvas engadged by Covenant to the Lord in these late times vvhat a solemn outletting of the spirit hath been seen a large harvest with much of the fruit of the Gospel discernable which we may say with a warrant hath been proven in the inbringing of thousands to Christ a part whereof now are in glory and many yet live who are a visible seal to this truth of whom I am sure some will not lose the remembrance of these sweet refreshing times which the land for several yeares did enjoy of the Gospel and of many solemn Communions where a large blessing with much of the Spirit and power of God was felt acâ—ompanying the ordinances if it were expedient to set down circumstances I could here point at many such remarkable times and places which should clearly demonstrat this Now besids these more publick and obvious proofes it is knowen what a great testimony the experience of the godly in these late times could give to this truth what they have in a large measure felt of the power and refreshing outlettings of the spirit within their â—oul yea how oft after sorest downcasting have been wonderfully raised above themselves and filled with the consolation of God and joy unspeakable this would indeed make a great volum to reckon over all these instances even these whose experience in these last ages could in a large measure witnes this truth only to sâ—ut this up I shall name these two 1. Mr Welsh and Mr Forhes two great witnesses of Christ in this land when they were prisoners give this accompt of their case in a letter to Mr Iames Melvin and his Uncle then at London which under the said Mr Melvins hand is set down in a manuscript of his their wotds are these Dear Brethren we dare say by experience and our God is witnes we lye not that unspeakaâ—le is the joy that is in a free and full testimony of Christs royall authority unspeakable is the joy of suffering for his Kingdomeâ— for on that truth was their suffering stated we had never such joy and peace in preaching of it as we have found in suffering for the same we spake before in knowledge we now speak by experience that the Kingdome of God consists in peace and joy and in an other letter thus they say our joy hath greatly abounded since the last day which was after passing sentence of death on them by an assize at Linlithgow so that we cannot enough wonder at the riches of his free grace that should have vouchafed such a gift upon us to suffer for his Kingdome in which there is joy unspeakable and glorious and we are rather in fear that they to wit the sufferings be not conâ—â—nâ—â—ed and so we be robbed of further consolatioâ— then that they â—hould encrease surely there is great consolation in suffering for Christ we dow not expresse unto you the joy which our God hath caused abound in â—â— 2. I shall also mention that great Servant of Christ Mr Rutherfoard whose Letters now published can witnes what solemn dayes of the Spirit and sensible outlettings thereof he oft had in his experience Though books can tell but little what he really felt and enjoyed I shall onely set down some of his last and dying expressions which I had from these who were then present and caused write down the same from his mouth that may shew how lovely he also was in his death and how well that did correspond with his former life some of his words are these I shall shine I shall see him as he is and all the fair company with him and shall have my large share it is no easy thing to be a Christian but as for me I have got the victory and Christ is holding forth his armes to embrace mee I have had my feares and faintings as an
other sinful man to be carried through creditably but as sure as ever he spake to me in his word his spirit witnessed to my heart saying fear not he had accepted my suffering and the outgate should not be matter of prayer but of praise he said also thy word was found and I did eat it and it was to me the joy and rejoycing of my heart and a little before his death after some fainting he sayeth now I feell I beleeve I enjoy I rejoyce and turning to Mr Blair then present he said I feed on Manna I have Angels food my eyes shall see my Redeemer I know that he shall stand at the latter day on the earth and I shall be caught up in the clouds to meet him in the air and afterwards hath these words I sleep in Christ and when I awake I shall be satisfyed with his likenes O for armes to embrace him and to one speaking anent his painfulnes in the ministry he cryeth out Iâ—disclaim all the port I would be in at is redemption and forgivenes if sins through his blood And thus full of the spirit yea as it were overcome with sensible enjoyment he breaths out his soul His last words being Glory Glory dwelleth in Emâ—â—nuels land SIXTH Witnes is that convincing appearance of an extraordinary and Apostolick spirit on some of these instruments whom the Lord raised up in these last times and these great enduements wherewith they were sent for the fervice of the Church and overthrow of the Kingdome of Antichrist a truth which we must say if not in such a measure yet hath been no lesse evident then in these primitive times when the Christian Church was planted It is clear that extraordinary gifts and enduements have been let forrh to the Church under the New Testament for with the first dawning of the Gospel there was both Apostles and Prophets raised up it cannot be also denyed that since the Cannon of the Scripture was closed yea in these late ages there hath been very extraordinary men given to the Church who had special revelations from the Lord of his minde anent things to come which though we should not now look after yet herein did the Lord remarkably condescend when some great piece of service and necessity of the Church did more call for it and truely these were led in no other path then that of the word though they had a more special discovery and immediat inbreathing of Gods minde as to the application thereof in particular cases neither did they presse upon mens conscience to credit the same but were most cautious witnessing much humble sobriety on that account It is knowen what extraordinary instruments how wonderfully called and qualified Luther Zuingliuâ— Calvine Mr Wishart and Mr Knox were whom God sent in these latter dayes to grapple with Antichrist and sound a retreat to his Church from Babylon likewise 〈◊〉 Beza Bacere and Martyr with divers in England such as Latimer Ridley Bradfoord c. Who indeed were burning and shining lights in their time mighty in the Scripture fervent in spirit were cloathed with the power and authority of God before which the World could not stand But besides these famous witnesses of whose life vve have something this day on publick record I must here craveliberty to set dovvn a fevv moe more late instances of our ovvn Church in Scotland to confirm this truth such as are but little knovvn to the World nor any thing of their lives published vvhich I think a great losse to after generations vvhom vve may say and this vvith a vvarrant and in sobriety were men truely extraordinary eminently serviceable in the work of the Lord yea of a Prophetick and Apostolick Spirit and such vvho through grace did not even come short of the first three I mean not only these before mentioned but also some of these great lights vvho vvere in the first age of the Church after the ascension of Christ 1. I shall instance Mr Iohn Welsh whom the Lord called forth to the ministry at Kirck cubright in Galloway and afterwards was transported to the Church of An whom Mr Rutherfoord in one of his bookes calleth that heavenly Prophetical and Apostolick Man of God and sheweth that from the witnesses of his life he had this accompt that of every 24 houres he gave usually eight to prayer if other necessary and urgent dueties did not hinder yea spent many dayes and nights which he set apart in fasting and prayer for the condition of the Church and the sufferings of the reformed Churches abroad I can also adde this from very sure information and truely anent any of those particulars I seriously studie to have satisfying grounds anent the certainty thereof that it was his use even in the coldest winter nights to rise for prayer and oft times his wife who was an excellent woman hath risen to seek after him where he hath been found lying on the ground weeping and wrestling with the Lord yea sometimes would have been much of the night alone in the Church of Aire on that accompt One time especially his wife finding him overcharged with grief he told her he had that to presse him which she had not the soules of 3000 to answer for whilest he knew not how it was with many of them And an other time whilest she found him alone his spirit almost overcharged with anguish and grier upon her serious enquiry said that the times which were to come on Scotland were heavy and sad though she should not see them and this for the contempt of the Gospel Whilest he was prisoner in the Blacknesse in a letter to a Christian lady he giveth this accompt what large joy he had to suffer for such a truth that Iesus Christ was a King and had a visible Kingdome in the World even his Church which was as free to keep its Courts and exerce discipline by vertue of an intrinsick power from Christ as any Kingdome on the earth for which he was ready to lay down his life yea would rejoyce to be offered up a sacrifice on so glorious a truth in the close of that letter he doth also forewarn that judgement was coming to Scotland which should be blood first by an intestine sword and then by the sword of a stranger and that a great sacrifice should be there both of great men and mean the fulfilling whereof hath since been very sensible and is known by many alive who had that letter long before the late troubles begun whilest he was thus prisoner two of â—â—mankable passages I have had confirmed by divers worthy of credit some of whom shewed me they had them from these who were most familiar with the persones themselves they are indeed strange but we must also consider he was an extraordinary man The first was this that one night whilest he did expound the Scripture after his supper in the prison at his custome was whilest he with much power and authority was pressing
home the truth one of the company who had some charge in the Castell fell a jearing which Mr Welsh observing and looking earnestly to him did presently close the Bible and cease and a little after having a drink in his hand he sayeth to a friend at the table before all that were present there is one so profane and grosse as to contemn and mock at the word of the Lord but ere a little God shall smite him with a remarkable stroke of his judgement which accordingly fell out to the astonishment of the company for that man did presently drop down to the ground and dyed A lady that was then Popish being present by reason of a friend of hers that was prisoner in the castle was so moved therewith that it proved an help to her after-conversion The other passage is this one Iohn Steward an eminent Christian who lived at Aire having conted to visit Mr Welsh in prison found him in a more then ordinary way troubled and sad and upon his enquiry there anent he sayeth Iohn ye should not be here go home to Aire for the plague of God is broken up in that place and cause Hew Kennedy provest of that toun who was also a very singular Christian conveeh the people to the streets and pray together and the Lord shall hear How Kennedy and remove that stroke this at the first did something astonish the said Iohn and put him to question its truth having so lately comed out of that place but at his return found it so and accordingly in every thing it fell out as the man of God had shewed After his banishment to which the King did change the sentence of death past upon him at Linlithgo he in a very short time acquired the French tongue with such a facility therein as was thought strange by these who knew it Trochrig in his Commentar on the Ephesians sets down this passage how being called to preach at Salmur a famous University yea one of the most learned auditors in France he did with such boldnes and authority preach as though he had been before the meanest congregation whereat Trochrig being astonished could not but on his acquaintance with him question him thereanent whence he had such confidence and was so little moved whilest he preached before strangers so grave and judicious an auditory and in a strange tongue to whom in a humble way as one more dejected then lifted up he gave that answer when he considered his being before the Lord and that he was delivering his message he could not regard either great or small but all flesh did then go out of his minde Whilest he was Minister at S. Jane de Angeli a protestant town in France where his Ministry was much blessed with successe the civil warres did break up where that city was twice besieged on the Protestant interest during which time these passages fell out most remarkable One was the town being fore straited and ready to be taken the enemyes having raised a battery and by a close approach had made a great breach in the wall Mr Welsh hearing thereof who had much encouraged the People that their adversaries should not then prevail went himself with the Cannonier up the walls and desired he would charge such a piece of cannon and shoot for God should direct that shot and cause it prosper which accordingly did to the astonishment of onlookers dismount that battery and the Lord so ordered things after that the King did parley on favourable termes with the city and did only himself with his court come in without doing any violence An other marvellous passage was this the following Sabbath some of the godly in that place fearing Mr Welsh his hazard did seriously deal with him that he would forbear to go forth and preach the Court being there from which he by no intreaty would be hindred but shewed them he would adventure to preach the word to his People and trust the Lord with what concerned himselfe being more grieved at their fear and despondence and that day had a very great auditory both of friends and others who come upon the fame of such a man but in time of sermon a great man of the Court with some of the Kings own guard was sent to bring him forthwith before the King and whilest he was entring the Church which had some difficulty by reason of the multitude Mr Welsh did turn himselfe toward that entry and desired the People to give way to one of the great Piers of France that was coming in but after whilest he was coming near the pulpit to execut his commission by putting force on the servant of Christ for his desisting he did with great authority speak to him before all the People and in the name of his Master Jesus Christ charged him that he would not disturb the Worship of God wherewith that man was so affrighted that he fell a shaking yea was forced to crutch down and make no further trouble A third passage no lesse remarkable was upon the close of sermon whilest Mr Welsh with much submission went to the King who was then greatly incensed and with a threatning countenance asked what he was and how he durst preach haeresy so near his person and with such contumacy carry himself to vvhich vvith due reverence howing himself he did answer I am Sir the Servant and Minister of Jesus Christ whose truth I preached this day which if your Majesty rightly knew ye would have judged it your duety to have comed your self and heard and for my doctrine I did this day preach these 3 truths to your People 1. That man is fallen and by nature in a lost condition yea by his own power and abilityes is not able to help himselfe from that estate 2. That there is no salvation or deliverance from wrath by our ovvn merits but by Jesus Christ and his merit alone 3. I did also preach this day the just liberties of the Kingdome of France that your Majesty ovveth obedience to Christ onely vvho is Head of the Church and that the Pope as he is an enemy to Christ and his truth so also to the Kings of the earth vvhom he keepeth under slavery to his usurped povver Where at the King for a time keeping silence vvith great astonishment turned to some about him and said surely this is a man of God Yea after did commun vvith him and vvith great respect dismissed him The year follovving vvhilest the differences betvvixt the King and Protestant party did grovv that city vvas again besieged taken and in part sacked as Mr Welsh did publickly foretel at vvhich time it is knovvn hovv the King past a solemn order that none should in the least vvrong Mr Welsh or any thing that belonged to him under highest paines and did after give a safe conduct to him for transporting himself to England vvhere he died King James refusing his return to his ovvn countrey though earnestly petioned by his
vvife for her husbands health During his sicknes he vvas so filled and overcome vvith the sensible enjoyment of God that he vvas sometime overheard in prayer to have these vvords Lord hold thy hand it is eneugh thy servant is a clay vessel and can hold no more II. I shall also here instance Mr Robert Bruce vvho in a very extraordinary vvay vvas called to the Ministry having for a long time follovved the study or the Lavv both in this countrey and in France yea had some ground to expect a place amongst the Lords of the Session his father being then a considerable Barron vvho had many friends but a more pressing and irresistible call from God did othervvise determine Whilest he vvas in the Ministry at Edinburgh he shined as a great light through the vvhole land the povver and efficacy of the spirit most sensibly accompanying the vvord he preached he vvas a terrour to evil doers and the authority of God did so appear upon him and his carriage vvith such a Majesty in his countenance as forced fear and respect from the greatest in the land even these vvho vvere most avovved haters of Godlines yea it vvas knovvn vvhat an avvful impression King James had of him and did once give him that testimony before many that he judged Mr Bruce vvas vvorthy of the halfe of his Kingdome He vvas a man that had much invvard exercise about his ovvn personal case had been oft assaulted anent that great foundation of truth if there vvas a God vvhich cost him many dayes and nights wrestling and vvhen he hath comed up to the pulpit after being sometime silent vvhich vvas his usual vvay he vvould have said I think it is a great matter to believe there is a God telling the People it vvas an other thing to believe that then they judged But it vvas also knovvn by his friends vvith vvhom he vvas familiar vvhat extraordinary confirmations he had from the Lord therein vvhat near familiarity he did attain in his secret converse vvith God yea truely somethings I have had from persons worthy of credit thereanent vvould seem so strange and marvellous that I forbear to set them dovvn The great successe of his Ministry at Edenburgh Innernesse and other places whither providence called him is aboundantly known whilest he was confined at Innernesse that poor dark countrey was marvellously enlightned many brought in to Christ by his Ministry and a seed sown in these places which even to this day is not wholly worn out I shall here set down one passage of famous Mr Henderson who at his first entry to the Ministry at Leuchars was very prelatick and by the Bishop of St Andrewes brought in against the parishes consent so that the day of his admission the Church doores being shut by the People they were forced to break in by a window to get him entrance but a little after this upon the report of a Communion where Mr Bruce was to help he would needs from a longing he had to hear and see such a man go secretly there and placed himselfe in a dark part of the Church where he might not be known when Mr Bruce was come to the pulpit he did for a considerable time keep silence as his maner was which did some way astonish Mr Henderson but much more when he heard the first vvords wherewith he begun which were these He that cometh not in by the door but climbeth up another way the same is a thief and a robber Which did by the Lords blessing at the very present take him by the heart and had so great an impression on him that it was the first mean of his conversion He was one that had the spirit of discerning in a great measure did prophetically speak of many things which afterwards came to passe yea which I had attested by sober and grave Christians who were familiar with him that divers persons distracted and of these who were passed all hope of recovery in the falling sicknes were brought to Mr Bruce and after prayer by him in their behalfe were fully recovered this indeed may seem strange but it is also true Mr Bruce was a great wrestler who had more then ordinary familiarity with his Master A little before his death when he was at Edenbrugh and through weaknes keept his chamber there was a meeting of divers godly Ministers at that time there on some special ground of the Churches concernment who hearing he was in the town came together and gave him an account of the actings of these times the Prelats then designing the service book after which Mr Bruce prayed and did therein tell over again to the Lord the very substance of their discourse vvhich vvas a sad representation of the case of the Church at vvhich time there vvas such an extraordinary motion on all present so sensible a dovvnpovvring of the Spirit that they could hardly contain themselves yea vvhich vvas most strange even some unusual motion on these vvho vvere in other parts of the house not knovving the cause at that very instant one Mr Weemes of Lothaker being then occasionally present vvhen he vvent avvay said O hovv strange a man is this for he knocked dovvn the Spirit of God on us all this he said because Mr Bruce did divers times knock vvith his fingers on the table I had this from a vvorthy Christian Gentleman in vvhose mothers house this vvas He vvas deeply affected vvith the naughtines and prophanity of many Ministers then in the Church and the unsuitable carriage of others to so great a calling and did expresse much his fear that the ministry of Scotland vvould prove the greatest persecutors of the Gospel that it had If there vvere a full collection of these remarkable passages vvhich have been knovvn to others in his life it vvould further vvitnes vvhat an extraordinary man that vvas I shall only shut this up vvith learned Didoclavius his testimony in his preface to his Altera Damascus Robertus Brusius ver genere virtute nobilis majestate vultus venerabilis qui plura animarum millia Christo lucrifecit cujus anima si ullius mortalium absit verbo invidia sedet in coelestibus anima mea cum anima tua Brusi si ex aliena fide esset pendendum III. Mr Davidsone Minister of the Gospel at Salt-Prestoun may be truly here instanced as one of an extraordinary prophetick Spirit vvho vvas likevvise eminently zealous and faithful for his Master in a time of the Churches defection as Didoclavius in that forementioned preface termes him Cato Constani Cato sui temporis He did then foresee Prelacyes breaking in upon the Church vvhen King James vvas pressing the setting up of superintendents under a very specious pretext and vvas for that end himself present at the assembly in Dundee having engadged many alace too many to consent thereto but Mr Davidsone vvith great boldnes rose up and vvarned the assembly of the hazard and told them he savv the
knave Bishop vvith his mitre comming in under that mask yea did solemnly in his own name and name of the Church of Scotland enter a protestation against that step of defection and their yeelding up in so far the liberties of the Church to please men Whilest he vvas Minister at Salt-Prestoun the building of a Church vvas by him much endevoured vvhich then vvas vvanting for vvhich he did advance so much out of his ovvn privat interest my Lord Nevvbatle vvho then had a great interest in the Parish engadging to help it fordvvard from vvhich he after refiled and thereby frustrated the vvork Whereupon Mr Davidsone told him these vvalls that vvere then begun to be builded should stand as a witnes against him and that ere long God should root out him and his estate out of that Parish and should not have a piece of land in the same vvhich shorthy after had a visible accomplishment It vvas very clear from many passages of his life that the secret of the Lord vvas in an extraordinary vvay vvith him Some of these vvhich have been transmitted from these vvho particularly knevv the same are indeed most vvorthy of a remark At a certain assembly of the Church Mr Iohn Spotswood and Mr Iames Law vvho vvere then entred into the ministry vvere processed for some grosse acts of prophanity vvhere Mr Davidson finding the assembly too easy to passe the same in regard of their parts and gifts onely vvith a rebuke he did vvith much veâ—emency presse their deposition and after being crossed therein said you vvill needs spare these 2 men vvhereat I am grieved but the time is comming vvhen they shall trample upon your necks and upon the Church of Scotland And it is well knovven what an accomplishment this prediction had Being with Mr Bruce one time at dinner who vvas then in great favour vvith the King he had these vvords in giving thanks after meat Lord they servant here is novv a great favorite of the Court and in much respect but he shall be within a litle as much persecuted as he is now in favour and go down the streets when many who have him this day in esteem will not give him a salutation vvhich vvas very manifest afterwards And at an other time whilest Mr Robert Bruce and he were dyning together in the house of one of the Magistrates of the town who was then a cordial friend to godly Ministers he did also in his plain and free way break forth with these words whilest he was giving thanks Lord this good man hath respect for thy sake to thy servants but he litle knoweth that in a short time he must carry us both who are here to prison which words did much trouble that honest man though afterwards it came most exactly to passe There is one more remarkable passage which I should fear to set down it is so strange but that I had the same confirmed by some worthy of credit who shewed me that from these that were present and familiar with Mr Davidsone they had it related A Gentleman nearly related to a great family of that Parish bnt a most violent hater of piety did upon that account beat a poor honest man who lived there having not the feast shadow of a provocation and amongst other sore strokes gave one upon the back with these words take this for Mr Davidsons sake after which the honest man was for a time forced to keep his bed and complained most of that stroke which he gave him on the back as that which he felt more then all the rest but the Sabbath following Mr Davidson speaking in the close of his Sermon anent the oppression of the godly and enmity which wicked men had to such did very particularly touch that late instance saying it was a sad time whilest a prophane man would thus openly adventure to vent his rage against these who were seekers of God in the place whilest he could have no cause but the very appearance of his image and with great authority said he who hath done this were he the Laird or the Lairds brother ere a few dayes passe God shall give him a stroke that all the Monarches of the earth dare not challenge which was then publickly known how in the close of that very week standing before his dore he was struck dead with a thunder bolt and all his bones crusht A little before the death of this great Servant of Christ having an occasional rencounter with Mr Iohn 〈◊〉 a young Gentleman who was lately come from Frâ—â—â—â— and had then no thoughâ—s of the ministry but 〈◊〉 in a very couâ—â—ly dresse Mr. Davidson did in a 〈◊〉 lemn way charge him to cast off his scarlet cloak and lay aside his guilded rapper and take him to his book for you are the man sayes he who is to succeed me iâ— the ministry at this place which so very astonishing â—â— that Gentleman for the present yet accordingly fell out he did immediatly succeed him there where he was for many yeares an holy and faithfull Minister of the Gospel This last passage many yet alive who had the same from the said Mr Iohn Ker can witnes IV. Mr Patrik Simson who was once Minister of â—ramond and after transported to Stirling may be here also instanced as a very extraordinary man in the Church in his youth he attained to great knowledge in the languages did much study Greek and Lâ—tiâ—e Aâ—thors and gave this reason to such who vvondred â—â— should spend so much time in reading these vvho vverâ— but pagans that he purposed to dedicat all these â—evvels vvhich he borrovved from the Egyptians to the building of the house of the Lord it is knovven vvith vvhat zeal he did oppose himselfe to the corruptions of that time in the year 1584 whilest there was an expressâ— charge from the King for acknowledging Mr Patâ—icâ— Adamson Archbishop of S. Andrewes or else lose thâ—â— maintenance he did with great vehemency appear against the same though that man was his uncle upon the motheâ— side and some who seemed willing to subscribe there to with such a condition according to the Word of God he did gravely rebuke shewing them it could be no salve to their conscience since it was repugnantia in adjecto to subscribe to any institution according to the word when the word did expresly condemn the same It was also known he refused the offer of a Bishoprick and afâ—â—â—wards of a yearly pension from the King which he looked on as a design only to bribe his conscience which was more dear to him then all the World and when that assembly at Aberdeen was condemned by the State he did openly own and avow the same and in a very solemn manner denounced the wrath and â—â—dgement of God against these accusers and convicters of these excellent men at Linlithgow who stood for the liberty of that assembly that notable paper and protestation given in to the Parliament 1606 where
Prelacy was further established was by him penned and out of his own hand given to the Earle of Dumbar subscribed by many Ministers of the Church who were then there on that account His life was most examplary for piety and faithfulnes in serving his Master which did preach no lesse to that part of the countrey wherein he lived then his doctrine one very remarkable passage of his life I do here adventure to set down having very satisfying grounds as to the certainty of it from these who knew the same and had a particular relation of all its circumstances from a grave Christian who had it out of his own mouth and likewise hath it written under old Mr Row of Carâ—ocks hand who was his familiar intimat friend it is this His Wife Martha Barron a gracious woman the wife of his youth with whom he had lived in great love fell sick which proved her last sicknes where she was first sore assaulted by the Devil who pressed in upon her that she should be given over to his hand and after it did resolve in a visible distraction which for a time grew upon her so that most unlike to her former way she would have broke forth with dreadfull and horrid expressions it did most appear on a Sabbath morning whilest Mr Simpsâ—n was going to preach and whâ—â—gst for a time he was forced with a heavy countenance to stand silent he at last kneeled down and prayed which she did no wayes regard but a little after he turning to the company that were present told them he was sure that these who now were witnesses of that sad houre should yet see a gracious work of God on this his Servant and that the Devils malice against that poor woman should have a shameful â—oil her distraction did still continue until the Tuesday which was the 9 of August which morning at the very dawning of it he gooth to his garden and shut the doore behinde him where for many houres he was alone but a godly woman who that night was with his wise Helâ—â— Garner wiâ—e to one of the Bailyes of Stirling being apprehensive of his hazard through his grief and fasting could have no rest till she knew his cafe and by some help climbed up and wan in to the garden but on a near approach to that place where Mr Sâ—mpsâ—â— then was she was terrified with an extraordinary noise which through fear made her fall to the ground it seemed as she related after to others it was like the noise of a great rushing of multitudes together and therewith such a melodious sound as did make her know it was something more then humane and turned to player entreating the Lord would pardon her rashnes which affection to his Servant who had been the instrument of her good had carried her to and after going forward finds him lying upon the ground it was with much entreaty that he did then reveal himselfe in that particular until she promised clossenes not to speak it to others so long as he lived but had his allowance if she should â—urvive him which promise she keept but after his death did relate it to these from whom I have had this he said O what am I being dust and ashes that the holy Ministring spirits should be sent by the Lord to deliver a message to me and shewed he had a vilion of Angels who did with an audible voice give him an answer from the Lord of his wifes condition and coming over to his house he said to all who were present be of good comfort for ere 10 houres of this day I am sure that brand shall be plucked out of the fire after which he went to prayer at his wifes bedside where for a time she laâ— quiet but whilest he mentioned Iacobs wrestling in prayer she â—its straight up in the bed casting aside the courtain and sayeth Thou art this day Iacob who hast wrestled and also prevailed and nou God hath made good his words which he spake this morning to you for I am plucked out of the hands of Satan and he shall have no power over me Which interruption made him for a space silent but after with great melting of heart proceeded in prayer and magnified the riches of Gods love towards him and after prayer there was sweet and Christian embracements betwixt them yea from that houre she did speak most Christianly and comfortably even to her death which was on the Friday following August 13. 1601 whose last words in the moment of her departure was with a loud voice Come Lord in thy hands I commend my spirit After this Mr Sâ—mpson lived several yeares fervent and faithful in the work of the Lord and one who in privat walk witnessed such mortification that all who knew him might clearly see his converse was little in the World in March 1618. he sayd now shall this moneth put an end to all these things and accordingly towards the close of it was removed by death at which time he expressed much joy blessing the Lord for his kindnes that he had not been perverted by the sinful courses of these times and might say as the Lord fed Elijah in the wildernes so in some respect he had dealt with him all his life time and having these words upon some of his bookes written Rememmember O my soul and never forget the 9 of August what consolation the Lord gave thee and how he performed â—hat â—â— spoke according to Zaâ—h 3 ver 2. it not thâ—â— a brand pluâ—kâ—â— out of the fire upon which some of his friends speaking â—â— him anent the same his answer was Absit miht 〈◊〉 â—â— aliquo nisi in Domino Deo meo Now besides these great men many others who at that time did shine as lights in the Church may be here also mentioned who were indeed stars of the first magnitude eminently zealous and faithful and their Ministry followed with much of the power and authority of God such as Mr Andrew Melâ—â—ne of whom it might be said he had the face of a lyon in his masters cause and feared not to speak before Princes and great men when the truth called for it likewise his nevoy Mr Iames Melvine that holy grave and prudent Servant of Christ Mr. Andrew Dunkan Mr Iohn Scringer Mr Chartes Fereâ—â—â— Mr. Iames Balfure c. One passage I shall here â—et down worthy of a remark of Mr Andrew Melvine who being prisoner in the Tower a Gentleman of his acquaintance got accesse to visit him but found him in a sad and deep muse anent the defection of many Ministers in Scotland and did deplore the state of the Church there having lately got an account of their way at that assembly at Glasgow 1610. where the Earle of Dumbar had been active to corrupt divers with money this Gentleman desiring to know what word he had for his own countrey got no answer but upon a second enquiry he said I have no word to send
but am heavily grieved that the glorious governement of the Church of Scotland should be so defaced and a Popish tyrannical government set up and thou Manderston for out of that house Dumbar was come and he thus stiled him Hast thou no other thing to do but carry down to Scotland such commissions whereby the poore Church there is wracked the Lord shall be avenged upon thee and thou shalt never again go down for all thy grandour which words took such impression on that Gentleman that when he went forth he desired some friends who then waited to get a bussinesse at court â—â—ped by Dumbars moyen that they would in time â—â—â— their affaires to a close for he was perswaded the words of that servant of Christ should nor fall to the ground and truely this did very quickly take place that Earle being suddenly struck by death within a few moneths after and thus thrown down from the top of his grandour whilest he was bussie perfecting that great house of his at Berwick and had appointed a sumptuous feast for his daughters marriage even then did his thoughts perish I shall here but adde one instance more of one whom we before named though not a Minister yet a great instrument for promoting the work of the Gospel in the place he lived and one we may say of an extraordinary spirit Hew Kennedy provest of Aire of vvhom I would mention these two passages from sure knowledge One was whilest the Merchant Ships of that town were at â—eâ— amongst whom his son Iohn who was also a choise Christian was at that time he did one night rise before the breaking of day and came to the house of his familiar friend Iohn Steward desiring he would rise go along with him to some room whereat the said Iohn being exceedingly astonished he sayeth to him it is no time to linger let us go pray for my son with the rest of our friends now at sea are at this houre on the very nick of perishing and after they had spent some time in prayer he arose chearfully and said now they are safe Within a little after Iohn Steward who had writ this down with the day and houre at the return of the Ships did most particularly enquire and found hovv it did answer in all the circumstances and in that very houre of that night they were to appearance past hope of safety upon a very dangerous place and by an extraordinary unexpected providence then delivered The other is this one day being for many houres alone in prayer whilest some of his Christian friends did wait long for him at last with an unusual chearfulnes he came forth and upon their enquiry anent his stay he told them it was no wonder for he had that day got mercy to him and all his and truely it was very evident that not one of his Children but there was large ground of charity that they were truely godly Whilest he was dying Mr Ferguson a godly Minister sayeth to him yow have cause Sir to be assured that the Angels of God are novv vvaiting at the stoups of this bed to convoy your soul into Abrahams bosome to vvhom his ansvver vvas I am sure thereof and if the wals of this house could speak they could tell hâ—â— many sweet dayes I have had in secret fellowship with God and how familiar he hath been with my soul I shall only adde Mr. Welshes testimony in a letter from France to this great man his words were these Happy is that city yea happy is that Nation that hath a Hew Kenneay in it I have my selfe certainly found the answers of his prayers from the Lord in my behalfe SEVENTH Witnes to this truth that the Lord hath in so solemn and extraordinary a way appeared for his Church in these last times is this these great and marvellous providences which we may call magnalia Der by which he hath witnessed his truth and confirmed the same since the breaking up of the Gospel in this late raising of the Church from Antichrist For we may truely say there hath not wanted a visible attestation from Heaven and a convincing testimony by some great workes of the Lord to his truth as well as in the primitive times of the Church We do here understand by such providences these wherein man cannot but see something above nature and naturall causes yea above the ordinary way of the Lords working which doth evidently witnes his great and immediat hand some whereof have been so wonderful which can be instanced in these late times as might truely be called miracles it is true this is not the Lords usuall way neither maketh he use of such a solemn testimony but on special and weighty grounds vvhen the necessity of the Church called for it vvhilest he is about some extraordinary piece of vvork or vvhen the Gospel cometh first to a land that hath been long overspread vvith darknes vvhen ordinary meanes of conviction are vvanting or in times of great opposition vvhen the commission of his servants needeth some extraordinary seal in such a time as that of Achabs vvhen the People are made to halt betvvixt truth and a false vvay and thus vve find the Lord did confirm the first breaking up of the Gospel and make use of such a mean to spread the Christian Church through the World and should this seem strange that in so great a change of the Churches case novv in these latter dayes vvhen he vvas to raise her up after so long a ruin and desolation vvhilest Antichristianisme so many ages had overspread the face of the World that he should thus appear and give some signal demonstration of his povver in behalfe of his People such as vve have seen vvith our eyes and our fathers did tell us It is not miracles or any extraordinary providence on vvhich men should resolve their faith nor do vve here mention these for laying stresse thereon in believing the truth no the Protestant doctrine and cause doth lean on a stronger gtound it can vvith confidence appeal the adversary to the Scripture these divine records vvhich they do not pretend to deny this even this is the reason of our hope vvhich vve offer to all that ask for the same and there let the God of truth vvho hath revealed his vvill and answers men by the written word be judge aâ—d we shall demand no greater advantage nor justice at the hand of our enemyes we know miracles cannot authorize a lye or be a seal to any thing repugnant to the Scripture and truely these lying wonders which have been so frequent in the World which the Apostle doth foretel that such an engine the Devil wil make use of to turn men aside from the truth besids other marks of their falsehood they have this one most discernable that they are the support and warrant of that which cannot stand alone by the Word and thence are the popish miracles made use of to confirm such tenets
woefull trade did one day rencounter a poor man travelling with 2 horses which he according to his custome takes away the poor countryman falling down on his knees did earnestly beg that for Jesus Christs sake he would give the one again for he had no more to maintain his poor family but what he could gain by them but it was in vain he carryeth them home with him leaving the poor man in that desolate condition but a little after he turns dumpish and melancholy could get no rest or quiet not knowing the cause but as he professed that these words the poor man had spoke to him though he was so great an Atheist that he understood not what he meant when he spake of Christ were lying like a heavy weight upon his spirit and whilest he was sought after for his robberies he desired his sonnes to shift for themselves for he could not go out of the vvay there being a restraint upon him and something vvithin him that in a kinde bound him from going out of the way and thus stayed at his house until he was apprehended brought in to Edinburgh and there put up in prison upon which a godly Minister Mr Henry Blyth with a Christian Gentleman William Cunir ghame Tutor of Bonitoun who had sometimes known him make a visit holding forth to him his miserable estate and the heâ—â—â—rd of his soul for he vvas judged by the Law to dye and amongst other vvords shewing him the necessity to flee to Jesus Christ he doth suddenly break out vvith a cry O what word is that for it hath been my death that is the word that hath lyen upon my heart since the poor man spake it to me so that I had no power from that time to go out of the way and after being told what an one Christ vvas vvithout whom he could not be saved he cryeth O will he ever look to me and shew mercy that for his sake would not shew mercy to that poor man and give him back his horse but after further instruction a most real and gracious change did appear upon him he gave most convincing evidences of the reality thereof attained to great assurance before his death and upon the scaffold in the publick streets vvhere he vvas executed did speak so vvonderfully of the Lords dealing vvith him and vvith such knovvledge and judgement as left a conviction on all present and forced them to see a truth and reality in the grace of God An other notable instance of grace vvith a very remarkable passage in his condition I shall here mention one Patrick Mackelwrath vvho lived in the vvest parts of Scotland vvhose heart the Lord in a remarkable vvay touched and after his conversion as he shevved to many of his Christian friends vvas in such a frame so affected vvith that nevv World vvherein he vvas entred the discoveries of God and of a life to come that for some moneths together he did scarce ever sleep but vvas still taken up in vvondring his life vvas very remarkable for tendernesse and near converse vvith God in his vvalk and vvhich vvas vvorthy to be noticed one day after a sharp tryal having his only son suddenly taken avvay by death he retired alone for several houres and vvhen he came forth did look so chearfully that to those who asked him the reason thereof vvondered at the same in such a time he told them he had got that in his retirement vvith the Lord that to have it afterwards renewed he would be content to losse a son every day This one remarkable passage I would set down it had been long his burden the want of memory that he could retain almost nothing of what he heard from the word and bitterly complaining thereof to worthy Master James English Minister of Daly his counsel to him was when he heard any truth which he desired to remember to hold it up to the Lord and desire him to keep it for him and give him it back according to his need which accordingly this blessed man did with much seriousnes practice and on his death bed to his Minister and divers Christians that were present he did solemnly declare how wonderfully the Lord had ansvvered and condescended to him in that particular for as they knew how much formerly it had been his burden the want of memory now the Lord had given him back all these truths that he had put in his keeping so that what for many yeares before he had heard was now most clearly brought to his remembrance which he witnessed by repeating many particular truths and notes of Sermons which at such and such times he had heard Now to shut up this we have truely cause to say even from late experience since this dark night came upon the Church in these Nations with so sharp a storm of persecution there hath not wanted some very signal and convincing providences witnessing the Lords appearance for his People and against their enemyes which are worthy of a remark and may let men see that there is one higher then the highest who ruleth in the Kingdomes of the Children of men for it is manifest 1. How eminently the Lord did appear in breaking that party vvho had been the great instruments both in Counsel and Action to break the governement of the Church of Christ in this land and lay so much of his vineyeard waste and desolate and this in the height of their povver and greatnes vvhilest they seemed most firmly rooted O hovv evident vvas a divine hand there that this Cabbal vvho made it their great work to raise up Prelacy and oppresse the poor Church and like a violent tempest did carry all before them in a moment vvhen they could have least expected should be made to fall yea in so short a time be turned out of their places and offices who but a little before had turned out so many of the faithfull Ministers of Christ and that great man who put forth his power and authority so much to turn many of the godly of the Land both Ministers and others out of their houses and familyes tossing them from place to place should thus be dealt with from the Lord and recompenced vvith that measure being forced to quite his lodging once and again yea even to banish himself out of the countrey vvho had been the chief instrument to banish some of the most choise servants of Christ and this stroke also made to tryst them from that hand whence they could have least exepected whose interest they studied to promote in opposition to Gods truely I should desire to study sobriety and fear in application of the judgements of God but vvhen the Lord doth so clearly reveal himself and shevv forth such an evident resemblance betvvixt mens sins and their stroke it cryeth aloud for a serious observing thereof 2. Should vve passe without a remark so solemn 2 vvitnes from the Lord of his respect to his Peoples sufferings in this late
undoubted â—eâ—dency to bring forth the Churches good as though they â—d intentionally act for the same there will indeed one day be a more clear and marvellous discovery of this when the Lord hath perfected his work and the mystery of God is finished the Church brought safe to the harbour then shall it be fully manifest to what end all these stormâ—s and cross winds in the counsels and designes of men wee these things which in the time could not be understood but seemed perplexed and strange did really worke foâ—the Churches good for then men will see with their eyes afull performance of the word yet we must say even here in every age amidst the various changes of the Churches case this hath so clear an outmaking that there is no serious observer of providence but may bear winess to it 1. That not only the Churches good but ever her greatest good hath most clearly had its rise and been brought forth out of the greatest mischiefs and hurts intended against her that if we search the Scripture and will turn over these after records of the Churches condition we shall there find the most remarkable attempts and plots such as Pharaohs last essay to destroy the Isiaelites Hamans great design to root out the seed of the Jewes that great Masterplot Sathan once had on â—oot to crush the Gospel and the Christian Church by crucifying her head yea in these last times Antichrists killing the witnesses have all as if really intended by the instruments as well as the first mover brought forth the Churches greatest good so as the after-mercy and outgate hath carried some visible proportion to her tryal and to the greatnes of her adversaryes design 2. It may be also clear if we but trace back these memorable changesâ— which have been up and down the earth how direct a tendency they have had to this end did not the bringing down that great image of the Monarchies witness this We finde Nebuchadnezar raised up as a rod to the Church and Cyrus for a deliverer we may see the Persian and Grecian Monarchies brought down to make way for the setting up of the Messias his Kingdome Antiochus must stand up a little for a sharp tryal and his downfal give the Church a new breathing and hold forth to after ages a remarkable monument of the judgement of God against his enemyes Peaceable Augustus most tryst with his time in whose dayes shall be aboundance of peace we finde a Titus set up to execute the judgement of God on the Jewes to make way for a further enlargement to the â—gentil Church an Nero and Domitian to help forward the Churches suffering and a Constantine to give her some rest after so long and sore an assault and at last the Roman empire mouldred down for Antichrists upsetting to accomplish what did remain of the sufferings of Christ in his Church by that adversary 3. We may oft see a very strange tryst and concurrence of things how instruments act to bring about the Lords end and advance his Churches interest even while each one doth most vigorously drive their own proper end and design which sheweth there is surely a living spirit in the wheels that ordereth these motions a supream and first mover that can thus determine them whither they will or not to serve his end and the Churches good when they most directly intend the contrary 4. We have seen how in mens plotting the ruine of the Church there is oft an unseen hand determining their judgement and inclination to fall upon that very way then which we would think nothing could have been more direct for her good and their own ruine how an Hushai hath been sent in or some have been stirred up amongst themselves upon their own interest to break the pernicious counsels and designs of others 5. We have also seen the personal quarrels of the Churches enemyes among themselves brought to such an height and to tryst so seasonably that onlookers might clearly perceive that it hath been from the Lord a judgement for their rage and violence against his poor oppressed People 6. We have seen the Churches enemies raised to a strange height all advantages favouring them until their plot and mine hath been ripe for springing and lo at that very choke something unexpected hath fallen out which did turn their former successe to their further ruine yea disappoint all this the World is ready to call some fata and malevolent conjunction which cannot be resisted and what is this in effect but the witness of mens conscience to a divine hand 7. Have we not seen some sore dash and overthrow in the Church bring forth her good and a more full victory when visible helpe and meanes have been taken out of the way that something above meanes might be seen in her condition even in that day when all hath been given for lost yea truths loseing the day upon the field bring forth her triumph on the scaffold and at the stake 8. We have seen most despicable and ordinary things made subservient for some great piece of the Lords work a very small thing made the first rise of strange revolutions that remarkable changes have been oft lying in the bosome of common providence yea truely we finde both Scripture and the observation of after ages witness that the Churches deliverance and outgate did almost never come that way by such a method and meanes as shee had most expected the same and that Gods time of working may be oft very contrary to our time of expecting I shall only add is it not oft seen which I am sure all ages can witness how mens endeavours to darken the truth by errour hath been an effectual meanes for its further clearing That the growing of a tryal a violent and sore exacting upon the Church hath kindly wrought towards her outgate and enlargement her meat hath been oft brought even out of the eater by midses most destructive thereto and a svvord must pierce the Churches heart that the thoughts of many may be discovered a time of persecution must help to cure the divisions amongst the godly and bring them together in the furnace vvhich prosperity could not doe yea it is oft seen vvhich former ages can also vvitness that the very undoing of the Church hath been Gods blest vvay to keep her from being undone THE SECOND BRANCH DOth concern these Scripture threatnings which are held forth in the word with a respect to the visible Church and against a people professing the Gospel that no priviledges they have above others shall exeem them from judgment yea and from very sad strokes he hath knowen them above the rest of the World he will contend with them most severely because of sin and such particular evils as we find the Word threatneth I touched a little some Scripture-threatnings in the preceeding argument as concerned Christians in their privat experience what I here intend is to point at this truth as it
determined upon thy people and city Jerusalem 3. Have not the Saints under a long trouble been almost the length of blasphemy in their complaints Isa 40 ver 27. My way is had from the Lord and my judgement past over from my God Daniel how pressing with the Lord was he that he would hearken and do and not defer and yet the return cometh not until the first year of Cyrus yea that cry of the fouls under the Altar How long doth it not even get a dilatory answer for thus the Lord doth oft interpose his long suffering for some time betwixt his hearing of his people and avenging of them 4. It is also clear that there are many prayers before the throne the return whereof is suspended and an answer to Christians in their particular until that time when God shall build up Zion and then the prayer of the destitute shall be remembred even as to Christians privat enlargement when the Church shall be raised up 5. We know the Churches enemyes must have time to ripen and it is not a storm of a few dayes that will purge away the filth of the Daughter of Zion too soon letting out of a sore may cause it undercot and gather new matter and truely the word can resolve us in this that one minut sooner then Gods time would not be his peoples mercy 8. It is oft seen when there is some remarkable work of God on foott in a land and some great outpowring of the spirit how Sathan setteth up some usual counterfeit thereof and bringeth forth something of his work in such a time with a very strange resemblance of the same thus with the preaching of the freedome of grace and a clear discovery of that truth did Libertinisme under a very specious pretext spring up Thus we find the Anabaptist and Antinomian party set up in Germany to run down a Church-reformation under the shew of a more pure and spiritual way and of late did not Familisme in England and new England under pretext of a more spiritual dispensation cast off the very letter of the Scripture turning it over in an Allegory and in behalf of the liberty of prophesying cry down a standing ministry but though this may seem strange yet the Scripture is very clear concerning it 1. That even Sathan himself is transformed into an Angel of light and in no shape proveth more dangerous to the Church 2. That the most dreadful errours and a false way will oft come near to the choisest exercises of the saints and have such a resemblance to the same that if it were possible the very elect should be deceived 3. Was there not a Simon Magus with false miracles set up over against the Apostles and when the time of the Messias drew near did not then a Theudas and Judas of Galilee break forth to amuse the people We find also an altar from Damascus set up beside that which was shewed to Moses the Servant of the Lord in the mount yea when Moses and Aaron was giving Pharaoh a sign did shew forth the marvellous power of God then did the Magicians cast doun their rod also to counterfeit the same by which the heart of Pharaoh was hardned 9. The abounding so much of errour and heresie now in the times of the gospel with that swift grouth thereof which is oft seen where the light most clearly shineth would seem strange yea is a thing whereat many are ready to stumble and thus to challenge the way of God But is not the Scripture in this clearly verifyed so that this piece of providence which is so shaking to many if we take the word along with it might be a very convincing confirmation to us of the same for 1. We find the Apostles yea Christ himself hath given expresse vvarning thereof that this should be one of the special and greatest tryals of the Christian Church vvhereof the Old Testament vve find doth litle mention that tryal not concerning the Church then so much as these after-times under the Messias Kingdome wherein the event may be clearly seen to ansvver these predictions vvhich are so frequent thereof in the Nevv Testament 2. Doth not the event also ansvver the vvord as to that particular vvay and method hovv errour should be propagated which is there clearly foretold by subtil undermining under the pretext of liberty with plausible insinuations so that we must say not only the matter but with all these discernable tokens even upon the manner the word is made out 3. Doe we not find this should be judgement on men who receive not the love of the truth and that after flourishing times of the Church when he who rideth on the white horse is gone forth the black horse and his rider doth quickly follow and truely it is seen that in the time of hottest persecution the Church hath not been so much troubled with this adversary as when she did begin to get rest and most of outward liberty nor yet so at the first breaking up of the Gospel as after some time of its continuance 4. Doth not the event likewise thus answer the word that in the breaking out of heresy in the Church a spirit of errour the dephts and mighty working of Satan should be seen which I am sure is undenyable how manifest the interposing of these powers of darknes is therein if we consider 1. It s marvellous dispatch and grouth like a plague and the arrow that flieth by day 2. With what a discernable fury and violence men are thus driven as with an impetuous current yea oft a change on their very natural temper is seen most evidently 3. These monstrous and horrid things which are oft brought forth may shew whose hand is in such a birth 4. That usual tendency that at last errour hath to loosness in practice which as it poisoneth the spring and corrupteth the leading faculty the judgement so we see it moveth towards the vital spirits and doth influence the conversation and thus the leprosy in the head breaketh forth in blaines through the whole body 5. And doe we not see how many grosse and profane have been carried with this spate how few get leave to stand but are still carryed from one step to another and it is clear the world did never put out its rage so much against that way as it hath done against the truth except when some outward interest maketh it a quarrel 10. These great shakings and commotions that use to attend the Gospel when it cometh in power to a land may also seem strange yea is ready to make many stumble But is not the word verified herein what great stirs and trouble did tryst the the Church after great light in powring out of the spirit Ioell 2 ver 29. we may there likewayes see how this giveth the World an Alarum maketh the Kings and great men of the earth run together to hinder the rising of Christs Kingdome Psal 2 ver 3. let us