Selected quad for the lemma: mercy_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
mercy_n	eye_n	lord_n	wait_v	2,901	5	9.3473	5	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A96886	The churches thank-offering to God her King, and the Parliament, for rich and ancient mercies; her yeares of captivity; her first yeare of iubile; that is, for the marvelous deliverances wrought with God the first wonderfull yeare (since the yeare 88) beginning at September 1640. and ending the ninth of the same moneth following: in all which time, the Lord appeared for his church, as in the dayes of old, out of the middest of the bush, so the church burn'd with fire, and was not consumed. In the preface, the thank-offering is vindicated, and set free, from all the cavills and charges against it; where also it is cleared to be, as every mans duty, so every mans purpose, to offer willingly now, who doth not make full proofe, that he falls short of pagan, papist or atheist; and is wilfully resolved to walk crosse to the most supreme law, the highest reason, and the unquestionable will of God.	Woodward, Ezekias, 1590-1675.	1642 (1642)	Wing W3484; Thomason E122_1; ESTC R18182	151,993	158

World She could stand still waiting the salvation of her God though indeed she s●w plainly That she was in a wildernesse where she saw no path Then the Church remembred the Lord and was comforted He is wonderfull in all His Administrations but especially in these which He worketh in a wildernesse Now the Church could leane on her Beloved O how willingly did she reach forth her hand to Him who is given a Leader and Commander to the people a Isa 55. 4. Marke that He is a sure Leader to His Church Who The Lord Christ for He commands her The Church heares no other voice obeyes no other but as commanding from His mouth and leading unto Him This in passage But I say how willingly and confidently did the Church reach forth her hand to this Leader and Commander she did assure her heart a 1 Iohn 3. 13. He would leade her because He doth command her He could and is able to leade her because He maketh a way in the Sea and a path in the mighty waters He bringeth forth the Charet and the Horse the Army and the Power b Isa 43. 15 16. c. The Lord did the same thing now He made a way in the Wildernesse and Rivers in the Desart So He lead His people even those Ver. 19. that are commanded by Him The manner how commands our Marke He brought the blinde by a way He lead them in paths that they have not knowne He made darknesse light before them and crooked things straight These things He hath done unto them and not forsaken them c Isa 42. 16. Truly This Scripture is this day fulfilled in our eyes The Church commands us to observe it in these particulars wherein it will appeare That the Lords Thoughts Thoughts of Mercy and of Peace were as high above mine or yours nay above the Churches Thoughts as the Heavens are above the Earth It appeareth d Isa 55. 8. ● thus SECT III. What our Thoughts were how high the Lords thoughts were above the Churches thoughts ¶ 1. OUr eyes were in the Heavens as in such times it is our manner a Sol nisi cum de sicit spe●tatorem non ha● ● c. Sen. ●nd behold they were very darke and covered with thick clouds Our thoughts were and strait-way thus we said there will be a great storme So it was a Starme indeed haile-stones and coles of fire beating sore ●gainst all expectation upon the hairy scalpe of the wicked Man but a sweet shower to the City of God sweetely and seasonably refreshing them as the after-raine the parched ground We looked up againe to Heaven whether else should we looke for peace seem'd to be taken from the Earth but behold it was very red I purposely speake in the Almanack-M●kers Dialect strait way we said for such our Thoughts were it will be wind and so it was against all expectation and that which was threatned b Ier. 4. 11. a wind indeed but not a dry wind for it did fan and cleanse even a f●ll wind ●gainst high places scattering the wicked as with the breath of Gods mouth and so they did flee as the chaffe before the vvind or as they fled from before the Earth-quake c Zach. 14. 5. So they did flee but hearken what the Lord such He that fleeth of them shall not flee away and he that escapeth o● them shall not be delivered d Am. 9. 1 2 3. Thus the Lord h●th said for after-time and thus He hath done now ever blessed be His Name ¶ 2. VVE heard of warres and nothing but rumors of warres preparation thereto on every side strait way we said for our thoughts were The Sword will be bathed in Heaven e Esa 34. 5. it will be made drunke vvith the bloud of the slaine And so it was in part but it was in the bloud of the Men of blouds that were to call forth to battle and to be leaders thereunto A wonder this also and wrought by Him Who spake of old and made it good now Behold they shall surely gather together but not by Me whosoever shall gather together against Thee shall fall for thy sake f ●sa 44. 15 16 17. c. ¶ 3. VVE beheld here a Troope and there a Troope straight-way we ●aid Lord these are called forth to destroy Thy Iudah and to curse Thy Israel And it was so in the intention of the Adversary and a ●●kely choyce he had made for they were of that number and choyce ones for that purpose to vvhom their spirituall Fathers so they will be called because they savour so much of the Spirit gave an Advousion of liberty and choyce of sports cryed downe by the Heathen g Aug. de civ Dei cap. 31 32 33. vvhich they might take on the Lords-day Certainly said Dion h 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Dion Orat. 79. speaking of Liberty Hee made bad Lawes indeed he gave a wicked Liberty and writ grievousnesse who prescribed such Decrees and gave such a Liberty which could please none but the bad Such a Liberty was this on the Lords-day which the Bishops gave to the people And see the luck of it the Bishops grant was too large it gave the people more scope then in manners they would take on the Lords-day and so thus they requited their great Dons vvhen it vvas expected that these people vvho had such an Advousion of Liberty as this from the hands of their good Lords should now gratifie the said Lords in fulfilling the whole pleasure of their will they did cleane contrary for vvheras they were called out to curse even these in their manner blessed altogether i Num. 23. 11. and threw-out vvhat the Bishops had brought-in the Rails and Mock-gods there What this people did more needeth not my Relation ●t is vvell known every vvhere all the Land over and vvell observed it vvas even as a vvonder in the eyes and ears of all ¶ 4. VVE saw some of these Troopes hasting towards the North gathered into a mighty body there Instruments of cruelty prepared and sent downe All meanes used vvhich Achi●ophel could suggest vve remember vvhat his councell vv●s even to make an irreconcileable difference betweene Father and Sonne all to set Ephraim against Manasses and Man●sses against Ephraim both against THY IVDAH And so it vvas in the intention of the Adversary But to say so now as one hath done vvhen he praid too vvere a bold arrogant and impious speech if not blasphemous for behold to the admiration of the vvorld Angels and Men the Breach made up a peace concluded and so concluded That it is a Statute now and an Ordinance in Israel That Iudah must rejoyce and Israel must be right glad So they vvill and they vvill tell it to their children and so down-ward and not barely so and no more but they vvill speake thereof vvith rejoycing vvhat the Adversary intended how the Lord disappointed

dost Thou take pleasure in those that hope in THY MERCIE f Ps 1●7 11. for after times Good Lord what a good word is that Thou takest pleasure in those that HOPE in Thy Mercies This word is to Thy people sweeter then the Hony-combe They keepe it as a sweet Morsell under the tongue Sith it pleaseth Thee so well They will hope in thy Mercie that they vvill It is the manner of the Church I will looke unto the Lord I will wait for the God of my Salvation my God will heare me * Mic. 7. 7. It is the Churches confidence Thou wilt heare But if thou seemest to slumber she will waken Thee with Importunity she will give Thee no rest her Sonnes and Daughters vvill be Thy Remembrancers for they remember all that Thou hast done HITHERTO is That they might set their hope in Thee for after times g Ps 78. 7. They doe Lord they doe and they will give Thee no rest touching this thing even that Thou wouldst goe with thy Church yet farther even till the enemy be subdued and come no more into the coast of Israel to destroy there And they will trouble with their importunity those thou hast sent to heale us when we thought 2 Chro. 10. there was no remedy they shall have no rest neither Thou lovest an humble violence till they bring this people yet farther if but to that place where though there will be weeds many yet they shall not keepe downe the good Corne though Bryars there be yet they shall not choake it nay though Scorpions be there yet they shall not sting in Thy holy Mountaine Why Lord God as if this which Thou hast done were but a small thing Thou hast promised to goe with Thy people yet a great way farther for thou hast spoken good and comfortable words touching Thy Servants for a great while to come Thou art beginning we hope and Thou wilt not goe backe with us till thou hast finished we dare not make haste for some faith we have concerning this That Thou wilt hold the sanne in Thy Servants hand till the floore be throughly purged as becommeth a floore on Earth that Thou wilt root out them whom Thy right Hand never planted set Thy face against them who turned Their backes upon Thee walking so contrary That Thou wilt thrust out that which thou never commandedst nor ever came it into Thy heart ô Thy Servants thinke they have very strong arguments when they can plead the case before thee with Thy owne Thou hast said Every plant which my heavenly Father hath not planted shall be rooted Mat. 15. 13. up we know they have taken root but not by Thee and h●ld possession but not in right from Heaven Wilt not Thou judge them O Lord God and remove them from being Over-seers unto Thee Thou hast broken downe what Thou didst build and pluckt up vvhat thou didst plant k how much more those who h Ier. 45. have built themselves up with their owne hands and planted themselves upon their owne bottome Thou hast said Thou wilt be served in spirit for that service onely reacheth unto Thy bosome and that hath been the manner of all Thy Servants true worshippers Whom I serve in spirit saith Thy Servant i Rom. 1. 9. What hast thou to doe with a feare taught by the precepts of men Thou hast rejected them who did reject the commands of God that they might keepe their owne traditions k Mark 7. 9. Thou art the same jealous God st●ll Thou dost looke into Thy Temple still with the same eye and beholdest the abominations there both persons and services and we hope Thou wilt arise now and avenge Thy-selfe of Thy Adversaries who have made voyd Thy Law and the offering vile who have given Thy children stones for bread and fo● a fish a Serpe●t Surely Thou wilt be avenged of such murderers Thou hast given Thy Servants a sure and gracious word of Promise Aske what you will and i● shall be done l Thy s●●vants 〈…〉 aske nothing but according to Thy m will and it is th●● confidence that Thou hearest them It is Thy will that we 〈◊〉 pray for the peace of Ierusalem Thy will that they should prosper that love it Thy will that the zeale of Thy House should consume Thy Servants and that the abominations there should vex their righteous soules for such are as smoake in Thy nose and a fire which burneth all the Day It is Thy w●ll Lord Thy Servants should pray Ease Thy selfe of Thine A●versaries Thy Servants are assured they doe not aske amisse they aske according to Thy owne will Thy own command for Thine own glory that Thou mayest have a pure and cleane Sacrifice offered unto Thee that Thou mayest be the King in Thy Church and rule by Thine owne Lawes there they aske nothing in or for behalfe of their lusts but against them altogether that Thou wouldest be King in their hearts as well as in their Churches That Thou wouldest take all Thine and our enemies which would not have Thee for their King and sl●y them before their eyes We doe not aske wickedly therefore we will never leave asking we will trouble Thee day and night with importunity and give Thee no rest 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Iam. 4. 3. till Thou shalt hearken and heare us and grant our request till Thou shalt perfect what Thou hast begun performe the word to Thy Servants wherein Thou hast caused them to trust till Thou shalt bring Thy Church THITHERTO to a safe place where Iacobs face shall waxe pale no more shall be troubled and tossed and vexed no more shall heare Thy Name blasphemed no more see Thy worship defiled no more Thy Day prophaned no more Anti christian Rights base beggarly Rudiments prevailing no more Thy Ministers villanously used no more Thy Servants thrust into corners no more and because of Aegyptian burdens and illegall pressures Thy people howling no more nor any breach betwixt Iudah and Israel any more where Ierusalem shall be a QVIET HABITATION where she shall looke from the top of AMANA from th● top of SHINAR Isa 29. 2● ●o 33. 20. and HERMON from the LYONS DEN from the MOVNTAINS of the LEOPARDS then we shall ●●ng the high praises Cant 4. 8. of our God Then Jacob shall rejoyce and Israel shall be right glad saying HALLELV-IAH Salvation and Glory and Honour and Power unto the Lord our God Amen HALLELV-IAH FINIS

great wrath The Enemy comes in like a flood with open mouth to devoure all REMEMBER the Lord Who is GREAT His Spirit will set up a Standard against them r Esa 59. 19. When the sonnes of Belial do as their Name imports breake bands and cast away coards then the Lord will laugh ſ Psal 2. And then said Luther well he would not cry like a child he would be merry as a Man and sing for joy of heart the 46. Psalm For he remembred the Lord WHO IS GREAT It follows and TERRIBLE To his Adversaries fury to them t Isa 59. 18. and He has them under His feete already like unto fine brasse u Rev. 2. 15. and He can stampe them to pouder but He is patient He will endure a little while their wrigling sooner then you can a worme under yours Nay you have had assurance ever since the dayes of Joshua x Josh 10. 25. That you shall set your feete upon them too It seemes the Lord is fulfilling this good word to you now nay doubtlesse He hath fulfilled it even now He hath done as He promised to His worme Jacob He hath taken you a company of wormes yee are no better worme-like men He hath given you armes of steele and feete like brasse and you have threshed the Mountaines like straw and have come upon the Princes as upon Morter and as the Potter treadeth clay y Isa 41. 15 25. Thus the Lord hath done Who is GREAT and TERRIBLE even now in all the peoples sight Remember Him you cannot be afraid And remember where you are And yet as one saith a Nihil interest ubi sitis in saeculo qui extra saeculum estis Tert. ad Martyres chap. ● no matter where you are in the world who have your thoughts above the world and managing the great things of Christ there But yet to tell you what you know and what your security is you are in Gods hand b Deut 33 3. Now put all together and consider on it God He is GREAT and TERRIBLE He is your God you are His by covenant you are in His hand your enemies under His feete nay under your foote The Result from hence is A Glorious Dependance upon this Lord Who is Great yea a TRUST FOR EVER in Him Who is EVERLASTING STRENGTH c Isa 26. 4. and that is a sure ground for EVERLASTING CONFIDENCE That though the earth should shatter to peeces and the mountaines be taken off from their everlasting foundations yet God is good to Israel you shall not be greatly moved your head may ake but you may repose it in the Lap of your EVERLASTING FATHER certainly He will sustaine you you may lay your selves downe in peace He will make you dwell in safety The enemy shall not be able to come neare you to doe you hurt no nor to sad your spirits who in all this time have not spoken one word whereby to sad the heart of the Righteous Yee must the promise is so d Isa 65. 13 14. reioyce when the Adversary shall be ashamed yee must sing for ioy of heart when your enemies must howle for vexation of spirit your Name must be a blessing theirs a curse This is glorious matter for faith to worke upon it will make you pray in the Holy Ghost You need not be entreated to take leisure for that it is the very breath of faith and it hinders nothing at all but sets forward businesses exceedingly it makes them glide-on I give my selfe to prayer said David e Ps 109. 4. when he was in the very case you are in f ver 2 3. He made prayer his worke what ever he was doing and so his worke slided-on he had an easie passe through all hee could leape over this wall and that mountaine was a plaine before him and his enemies were given into his hands for he gave himselfe to prayer What ever we omit we must not omit prayer It commands your Marke that betwixt the Kings Question to Nehemiah and his Answer there is a prayer his Answer was as ready as the Question was but he would pray first q Neh. 2. 4. A hint only is enough to wise men Your prayer shall be short you may lengthen it in your closset pray as Nehemiah did he beleeved as you doe and you have done as he did and you have as many enemies as he had and so envious against you They would make you afraid too they would weaken your hand from the work that it be not done pray now THEREFORE O GOD STRENG THEN OUR Ne. 6. 9. HAND AND REMEMBER US O OUR GOD FOR GOOD Now there is a voice gon up that never returnes in vaine and cryes aloud in the eares of the Lord like the sound of many waters saying AMEN Mercy and Truth be with you AMEN And the God 2 Sam. 15. 20. of both these give you favour in the eyes of the Man Amen wipe not out the good deeds that you have done for the Ne. 13. 14 22. house of your God and for the Offices thereof AND SPARE YOU ACCORDING TO THE GREATNESSE OF HIS MERCY AMEN AMEN The PREFACE clearing the way through this Treatise and the READERs understanding touching the proceedings in Parliament the clearnesse of the Lawes and Iustice therein his Knowledge also of the times and cleare WILL of GOD and what Israel ought to do notwithstanding the contradictions of sinners and crosse wils of Malignant Men. Reader IVnderstand well the use and Law of a Preface it should containe no more but what could not be put into the booke that is observed here And yet it will be very large and that I could not helpe I have an hundred sheets tending much the same way this Treatise goes If a Providence should call forth all or any part of it I might trouble thee with an Epistle but never more with a Preface How willingly I would have forborne it here I know and God knows but then I strongly conceived I had left thee in the darke but now I shall shew thee the way in much clearenesse if thou wilt not blind-fold thy selfe and render thee in the close a Thankefull man This is the tendency and purpose of all this And so that thou mayest reade with profit understanding what thou readest and then shew thy selfe an understanding man I shall endeavour to cleare the way before thee and give thee cleare resolution to the matters in debate some more easie and quickly resolved other some more hard and admitting more contention 1. Touching the Person who offers Thankes that is easily cleared 2. Then the Thank-offering there will be the knots for Collegiate men the Eyes of the Land these are set against it and some say the Law also we must examine their reasons and cleare the proceedings against these men and that will take up some time 3. In the last place the Method the clearing of that is very

standing at the foot of the Mountaine of Straits and before a Sea of dangers and difficulties yet standing still notwithstanding calme and quiet in her spirit I say it is necessary we should note this for Though by the good hand of God upon our Worthies We have the great worke of Reformation as it were within ken and in sight yet this Mount of God is before us as a great Hill in the Travellers eye The Hill may be afarre off and he must take many a weary step before he comes at it so before the Church be thus exalt●d and set up as it were upon a Hill She may passe as through vallies low and dangerous bottomes so as She may be much obscured and almost hid there Before She be refined and purified in her worship and Ordinances She may passe through the fire But how perilous soever her passage be to her promised Land though through fire and water both over the Lyons den hole of the Aspe and Mountaines of Leopards how perilous soever her way is how strait foule thorney soever Though many changes in her and in her way yet no change in God His power wisedome love the same from everlasting to everlasting no change there Her Lord will bring her into a wealthy place that is certaine no doubt of that For the meanes and manner how and the time when The Church is not carefull about that She commits all this into the hands of ●er good God and faithfull Redeeme● She doth beleeve that her wealthy L●●d lyeth beyond as howling Wildernesse and the Red Sea And yet She is not carefull nor doth She say there is a Lyon in the way and he will devoure no her Lord hath commanded her saying be still Be still what can still her spirit then when a bloudy enemy is behinde her a devouring Sea before her Mountaines on each hand what can still her spirit now This and know that I am God a Ps 46. 10. A God That can stop the Lyons mouth He that made the Leviathan can make His sword approach unto Him even through his scales though they are his pride and to his heart though as firme as a stone yea as hard as a peece of the nether Milstone b Iob 41. And for the strong tyde of opposition against her passage She is not carefull about that neither She knowes God can divide the waters for the Adversary he thinks so wise were his thoughts once The Red Sea opened a way for him Yes that he may march on feircely and hopefully a little way and then in the midst of his way sinke into the bottome like a stone The Sea is divided for the ransomed to passe-over and so He made a path in the Seas so can He also through the fire the Church knovves it full well for she knowes whom she trusteth Ancient and present experiences hath assured her that wherein the enemie deales proudly therein the Lord ever hath been is and will be above them c Exo. 18. 11. And there the Church resteth her heart is fixed trusting in the Lord. A cold Winter makes the Spring more delightfull the yeare more fruitfull and the man more healthfull The Church is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Dion de Reg. Orat. 3. not displeased with the daies because evill daies These make her the better now and when good come they will be the more pleasant and comfortable In this quietnesse and confidence is her strength she beholdeth what God hath done and gets assurance for after times and she is staied up with promises too as with strong consolation for these she sees even now fulfilling And so the Church addresseth her selfe to make her acknowledgment unto man for present deliverances which she takes as pledges to assure and ascertaine her the future what her Lord will doe in after time For though she boasteth of God all the day long and will praise His Name for ever yet she forgetteth not to return all that is due to man in full weight and measure through whose hands her God hath conveyed loving-kindnesse and mercy unto her CHAP. IV. The Church wisely considereth her two Sister-Churches The people amongst whom she dwels for the most part enemies to peace The straits that now are The Church lookes through all unto God SECT I. The Church remembers how it is with her Sister-Churches and Gods gracious dealing towards her which raiseth her spirit to prayse and Thankesgiving THe Church being now to give in a Catalogue of wonders cannot but remember her two Sister-Churches the Palatinat which hath been under wrath now these 24. yeares so long the anger of the Lord hath burnt against that people so long he hath stretched forth His hand against them and smitten them The Hills did tremble and their carcases were throwne in the midst of the Streets d Esa 5. 25. See Psal 77. For all this his anger is not turned away but His hand is stretched-out still This Church seemes to stand with her Records in her hand written within and without Lamentation and Mourning and Wo● But the summe and abridgement of her sorrowes is contained in these two words her Sabbaths and her God both gone Time was when she hid her eyes from her God and from H●s Sabbaths turning her backe upon both Now God turnes to them the backe and not the face and His Sabbaths are now hid from their eyes Her other sister the Church of Ireland speaks forth bitter complaints and supplications that her land is dunged with her carcases and watered with her bloud That whatsoever was pleasant in her eyes the enemy hath put into his hand and taken it away All this time the day of Iacobs trouble the Church of England stands still beholding and accounting the salvations of her God comming in unto her like the Rivers mercies over-taking mercies and loving kindenesses over-taking loving kindenesses Deliverance upon Deliverance and discoveries upon discoveries The Church is straitned in her selfe heere shee wants expressions but what engagements are there in all these How doth she stand bound to Record and Thanke and Praise her good God Who hath done all these things for her What a mercy is this How unspeakable That at such a time as this when the Lord hath beene to these sister-Churches as a Beare lying in wait as a Lyon in secret places He hath pulled them in peeces hath made them desolate hath bent his Bew upon them hath set them as a marke for the Arrow hath filled them with bitternesse and made them drunken with worme-wood so as now they are recording their afflictions and their misery the worm-wood and the Gall their soule hath them still in Remembrance and is humbled in them I was speaking that at such a time as this a time of treading downe and perplexity the day of Iacobs troubles yet now this Church should stand up with Records in her hand written within and without mentioning the mircies and loving kindnesses of her

Deut. 33. 17. She is well underlaid then her enemies themselves being judges Ob. But it is said here is more need of Prayers then of praise● Things that seemed to be in so forward a way are now set back God now seems to stand still or if he goes forward it is in carrying His Church to the Mountaine of straits An. I might answer things are never in so good and setled an estate but there is matter for prayer nor never in so bad and low an estate but there is matter for praise as in the case of Iehosaphat d But this would not be to the mind and sense of the Obiection which is this That the Church should be so much taken up now with her streights that s●e might very well forget prosperity all the good that God hath shewn her these former yeares Now God forbid There be some indeed upon whom you loose all your formet courtesies unlesse you still follow them with new and fresh favours every day e Nonnulli ita comparati sunt ut antiqutora benefici● subvertas nisi nova posterioribus cumules quamlibe● sape obligati si quid unum tamen neges hoc unum meminerunt quod negatū est Plin. epist. 2 King 20. 19. Some there be who have an hundred blessings and with them but one Crosse but that one Crosse sowres all their sweets clouds and hides all their blessings from their eyes The Church not so Good is the word of the Lord said the good King which thou hast spoken What did he speake Heavy tydings yet saith the good King Good is the word of the Lord which thou hast spoken Is it not good if peace and truth be in my dayes The good King was not carelesse what would befall the Church and His House when he must be taken thence and gathered to his Fathers O no doubtlesse those tydings went to his very heart touching those things which should befall to the House of God his house and his sonnes after him O it was bitternesse bitternesse but yet the Word of the Lord is good It was matter of Admiration and everlasting praise That God had shewen him so much good had wrought such Deliverances for him That his eye had seene such salvations That when his Father Abaz had wrought such abominations in Iudah yet his sonne should see such salvations in Israel and which is the vision indeed peace and truth all his dayes This was matter of wonder yea of praise and thanke both It is so with the Church they consider well of their straits now and that these may be yet greater and yet a signe for good They can consider that the Church is not cast so farre-backe yet but she may be cast yet farther even to the place of Dragons she hath not seene nor heard the worst yet so it may be nor is she carelesse of what she sees or heares No she feeles them and ponders things in her heart but so as she holds fast her confidence and she must shew her selfe exceeding thankfull for all the Good her Lord hath done for her the last year That when her people were ripe for judgement as the corne for the sickle yet there was not a cutting downe Truly when she doth but thinke of it she is as one in a dreame her spirits faile her But this she would say if Desolations should follow such salvations as these which she cannot believe if the Lord should send unto her sad tydings such as would make the hearers eares tingle Why yet The word of the Lord is good and He is good to Israel Blessed be His Name for His salvations notwithstanding for what He hath done for ever blessed be His name And because we have Peace and Truth ●n these dayes these fierce d 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Mat. 8. 28. dayes these perillous e 2 Tim. 3. 1. dayes yet Peace an● Truth in these dayes But yesterday almost not a yeare agoe we thought that Truth was perished and Peace was taken from the earth We should never heare of that any more no more peace no more Truth in our dayes * 1 Sam. 4. 21. I-CABOD was in every mans mouth The Glory is departed yet not so Behold Peace and Truth even in these dayes You will say no Warres ●nd rumours of warres in these dayes True and yet Peace and Truth in these dayes The Church contends for Truth she maintaines it and will hold it fast till she dyes and not let it goe Why then Though the mountaines be removed and hu●led into the Sea yet her peace cannot be shaken Though the Kingdoms be moved she stands still Reader you and I may learne from thence Maintaine we Truth contend we for that and Truth will maintaine us Hold fast Truth and we keep Peace God hath joyned these together Man shall not be able no nor the Gates of Hell nor power nor policy to separate these they are still together they kisse each other And that is the Reason That when we are full of stirres a tumultuous people The Righteous at such a time stand still and are a quiet habitation But I recall my selfe Thus the Church concludes Though the Lord should make Desolations now in the earth Though He should stretch over us The line of Germany and the plummet of Ireland yet the Righteous stand bound to Record the Salvations He hath wrought The Righteous are not a sullen froward people as we are All the mercies we have are nothing in our eyes because there is something wanting as still there will be in the most accomplished the most completed condition here below But I say because it is so some want there is still therefore all our mercies so great so many lye buried in us under that clod of discontent As I said before so now The Church not so Though she should walke in the shadow of death Though she were stricken into the place of Dragons yet would they Record the yeare of the Right hand of the Lord when He wrought so wonderfully such salvations in Israel And this is the taske she is addressing her selfe unto but she cannot hastily recollect her spirits as she would doe for she would call upon all within and without to praise his Holy Name SECT III. The Church opens the Records begins to reade but must pause a little being taken off with Admiration THe Church is taken w●th the works of her God as the Queene of Sheba was with the wisedome of Salomon and the magnificence of his Court When she had seen all that There was no more spirit in her a 2 Chron 9. 4. Fame which creates somthing of nothing hath made whose Kin●doms and peopled them with her owne inventions reported not the halfe of Salomons wisedome It exceeded the Fame that was heard * 1 King 10. 7. Fame fals as short in these Transcendents which we are upon Therfore there is the same reason and greater That the Church should be so

of their hands neither of their murders nor of their Sorceries nor of their fornication nor of their thefts e Rev. 9. 20 2● When men have ascended to that pinnacle and height of wickednesse seldome do we reade that they have repented But then we reade as vve now see they have beene tumbled downe thence even then and great must their fall be when the time comes that God must ease Himself of His Adversaries † 2. God hath a time to raise up His People When Then when Iacob is very l●w very small little in all mens eyes and lesse in his owne Then when the Worme Jacob lying at the mercy of the foot of pride trampled upon insulted over Then vvhen the Gyants and proud men of the Earth said to Iacobs soule Bow downe that we may goe over and he laid his body as the ground and as the street to them that went over f Isa 51. 23. Then God raised Iacob up then He makes them Israel for then His people vvill ascribe Salvations to their God to His right-hand all the glory The Earth mourneth and languisheth Sharon is like a Wildernesse now will I rise saith the Lord now will I be exalted now will I l●ft up My Selfe g Isa 33. 9 10. For the oppression of the poore for the sighing of the needy now will I rise I will set him in safety from him that puffeth at him h Ps 12. 5. I should be larger here wheras I have set but a marke for observation upon it ¶ 2. Now the poore Captives who beleeve will not hasten that they may be loosed i Isa 5● 14. They can wait now Gods time for He waits the fittest time to give Deliverance when His children are fittest to receive it and to let it sinke downe into their hearts vvhich they never doe till they are emptied of self confidence If Deliverance came not vvhen they would have it yet they did not die in the pit nor did their bread faile Rescues and Deliverances did come at such a time when they vvere most sweet and seasonable Blessed is the man that maketh the LORD his trust And respecteth not the proud not how many nor how fierce they be he respecteth the Promise and waites Gods time in confident assurance that God will Ps 40. 4. come bring Deliverance with Him in His owne time that is seasonably ever the fittest time And so I p●sse on unto other Uses and certain Conclusions here from SECT IV. We cannot partake of the Churches Priviledges but we must be free of her Corporation NOw we will be on the Churches side too for we expect such salvations We will lay hold on her and will be called by her Name and expect the s●me Almighty hand to be put out for us and against our enemies Surely this is a good resolution to come under this shadow for here is safety notwithstanding all the noyse hurry and tr●ubles that are abroad This is the sure side her Redeemer is strong He will give rest to her Land and He will disquiet the Inhabitants of Babylon * Ier. 50. 34. The Church shall stand still and behold the salvation of the Lord that is certaine notwithstanding all the shockes they shall stand notwithstanding all the contrivings and policies to bring them to the Brow of the Hill they shall escape and the nearer she is brought the more glorious vvill her Deliverance be It is our wisdome to joyne our selves to the Churches side for it is the sure side Peace Peace unto her and Peace be to her helpers for their God helpeth them But stay a little Let us not runne away with the comfort as our manner is and neglect the duty the Lord hath wrought and doth vvorke great Salvations as becommeth a great God and seasonably in the day of trouble For vvhom for His Church yea and for me and thee for His Churches sake But our comfort will be small and of small continu●nce if we doe not our Duty as the Church doth She hath beene delivered I say marvellously delivered that is true enough but see she prayed for this thing she vvas importunate she gave her Lord no rest Indeed He told her He would be enquired for that thing d Ezech. 36. 37. so they wrestled and wept too and prevailed as we see this day H● doth guide her by His Councell Whether For that she is not carefull whethet through thicke or thin as we say vvhether through rough places or plaine she is not carefull for that her Lord hath her by the hand that 's enough Hee guides her and will bring her to glory she is sure of that Glory is the end of her way what troubles so ever are in the middle of the way and in that her heart is assured Take all with it He guides Her He leades her yes and He commands her a LEADER and COMMANDER to His people that is the point and our lesson of everlasting use Would we be a protected people would we be guided by His hand He is a sure Guide would we be carried as upon Eagles wings We must then heare His voyce we must obey Him He must command us and no other but as they command from Him and lead to Him He is a LEADER and COMMANDER to His People Take we this comfort and feed upon it but remember the duty too a LEADER and COMMANDER to His people We would be as the Church is for we would be in as safe a condition and harbour as the Church is Ai but surely a VELIETY a would so will not serve the turn There is not a Balaam in the world not such a sluggard but he hath a veliety a would so he would have plenty and peace both he would have protection and safety he vvould have it now but at his end vvhen he must be taken from the Earth then he would in good earnest No matter for plenty then but for peace O but let him lay this to heart and muse upon it vvhen he turnes upon his bed like the doore upon it's hinges expecting that salvation will come unto him and drop into his mouth If he would have peace for that containes all he must up and be doing he must stirre up himselfe with all his might he must come out of himselfe and thrust out his Idoll whether one or many his ease his profit and his pleasure His excuse will not serve the turne that there is a Lyon in the way a difficulty he cannot overcome therefore he will not indeavour it If he saith so and is resolved to be lazy and sit still I pronounce against him this Day from the mouth of the Lord That Peace shall not b● his portion but the contrary When he expecteth peace behold trouble he shall have wrath with his sicknesse Tribulation Eccl. 5 17. and anguish shall come upon him like an armed man and when hee vvould solace his soule with peace vvhen he would see the

to the lame you shall cleanse the Lepers make the deafe heare nay you shall raise the dead You will sticke most at this last though the other as this are all the workes of the Almighties Arme and all is effected when the poore receive the Gospell If then you will order it so that the poore people may have the Gospell preached unto them you shall doe all the fore-mentioned workes which are so wonderfull for all these miracles are wrought by the Ministery of Man the Hand of the Lord going along with that ministery so we understand it as the Lord dealt with His Servant Ezekiell so He must deale with every man upon whom these workes are wrought eyes opened eares boared dead heart raised The word of the Lord came expressely to Ezekiel and the hand of the Lord was there upon him when the hand of the Lord comes along Chap. 1. 3. with the word for the word comes but to the eare The hand of the Lord carries it to the heart then the eyes of them that are borne blind are opened feet bound-up as with fetters of yron and brasse are enlarged the dead are raised c. The blessing of the poore and thirsty soules be upon you and upon your house and all that you have for you have and will pitty these poore people yee will thrust out the dumbe and the ignorant the light Priest and treacherous Prophet the lame and the blind that are hated of Davids 2 Sam. 5. 8. soule And you will send forth Ministers unto those places such as are indeed the Messengers of the Churches and the glory of Christ Mat. 11 5. Then behold these marvellous workes wrought The blinde receive their sight and the lame walke and the Lepers are cleansed and the deafe heare the dead are raised up and the poore have the Gospell preached to them Amen SECT IV. The PROTESTATION how wonderfully the Lord brought it about Though Yee shall doe exploits yet nothing to be wondered at now The reason But one head or charge is handled here and that is RELIGION a great Binder The Method in giving-out this abstract ¶ 7. THe Church blesseth Gods wonderfull worke in you and by you and for you That you have protested to take the Lord for your God So you have provided for the Churches security what ever times may come for you have brought her into COVENANT with her God I know that is a thing the Church doth mind every Month I may say every Day and can doe it without you but not in such a way as you have done it in a Nationall way which you and none but you can doe You could make a Covenant betweene GOD and betweene all the People that they should bee the LORDS PEOPLE a 2 Chro. 23. ●● The Church will put a Question to you now not to pose you for you are wise and she knowes the Answer before hand and would have you know it yet better She would know How you brought this worke about Your answer is Not by your strength nor by your wisdome but by the good hand of God upon you so you brought it about and so you shewed mercy to your soules and to the whole Nation And thereby the Lord would make you know That He intended by you to doe the Nation good assuredly with His whole heart and with His whole soule The Church hath heard and understands well all the exploits you have done ever since such as seeme marvellous workes and wonders in the eyes and eares of the multitude yet to her they seem great mercies indeed but no strange matters no wonders at all No no 1. The Church knowes you had a liberty granted to continue your Session as long as you will that is till you have done Gods will for Hee procured that grant unto you this Grant though shee counts it an exceeding mercy Yet she doth not count it a wonder 2. The Church knowes that you marched valiantly and trod down strength You rent a Lyon without hands as easie as a man with both his hands can rent a kid and yet this the Church accounts no strange thing neither 3. The Adversary and enemy had made a breach great like the Sea b Lam 2. 23. We asked Who can make it up Who can heale it You could and you did it and y●u shall be called the Repayrers of the breaches You stood in that Gappe and you made it up the greatest worke that ever was done by M●n since that Breach was made up betwixt God and Man since that PACIFICATION made by the MAN CHRIST IESVS And yet this worke doth not seem strange to the Church Nay should any one of you tell the Church That since the Day you entred into the Protestation the Adversary made great breaches upon your soule and the Lord made them all up Temptations came-in upon you like a flood The Spirit of the Lord set-up a Standard against them c Esa 54 19 they could doe you no hurt but good a great deale should you tell the Church so she would not thinke it strange Should your thoughts stray a little from out this yeare vvhere vve suppose we are unto the next when some say but they are much mistaken or see and will not see that God did nothing for you but against you and then should you tell the Church what she knowes well That your Soule was amongst Lyons and yet not devoured That you did lye amongst those that were set on fire and yet not consumed none of all this could the Church call wonderfull or thinke strange Nay to expresse it as fully as I am able Were all the wild-fire in England the Church heares the Land is well st●red with it now and ●he expects it shall be hurled in her face and throwne into her bosome she is the But and White against which the Malignants levell all this this she knowes but she is fearelesse were all this I say gathered up and rowled together into one Ball and then with 500. hands nay with the whole Arme of flesh hurled into your Court and the Church should be told that the fire tooke not not one sparke kindled there not one haire of any head there vvas touched the Church could not count this vvonderfull neither no such strange matter Why Because you have protested to take God for your God You are a pe●ple in Covenant vvith Him you are sworne Servants to Him He must protect His sworne Servants when you are brought to the brinke of destruction to a precipice so we must understand it some ex●gence some knotty businesse that all the fingers in the world cannot undoe such a strait as this when at one shocke three kingdomes must be cast downe if God helpes not * Nodus vindice dignus When the Gibbet is up Mordecai designed to it the next day then it 's Gods t●me to work● it is ●or His Glory t● deferre ●o long and for the ●lory of