Selected quad for the lemma: nation_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
nation_n	lord_n	people_n	zion_n	1,583	5	9.6197	5	true

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ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A89274	Mercies for man. Prepared in, and by Christ, even for such as neither know them, nor him. Discovered, that they might know, and enjoy them. Or a discourse of the interest there is for all men in, and by Christ in the end, and usefulmesse of the beleevers peculiar priviledges and service. In which is also some information about that service to which the grace of God, that bringeth salvation to all men, instructeth, and obligeth the beleever for the good of them all, according to capacity, and opportunity given him. Likewise some directions for, and concerning Christian magistrates. In the opening some instructions arising from the Apostles exhortation to Timothy, 1 Tim. 2.1, 2. Delivered in November 1653. at the Munday meetings at Black-Friers: and because what then was spoken, met with some publick opposition, this is now published for further satisfaction. Written by Thomas Moor, Junior.	Moore, Thomas, Junior.	1654 (1654)	Wing M2605; Thomason E744_1; ESTC R207022	135,708	156

To remember the law of Moses his servant so we are further counselled as in the prophesie Hab. 2. 2 4. That we may be strengthened to run with patience the race set before us to read the vision where it 's now more plainly written looking unto Jesus c. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself lest ye be wearied and faint in your mindes ye have not yet resisted unto blood striving against sin Heb. 12. 1 4. Be but patient a while the coming of the Lord draws nigh then you shall not need to run back to Moses nor to be under a Law so suitable to servitude bondage and misery But the Law shall go forth out of Sion and the Word of the Lord from Jerusalem to judge the Nations for he shall judge among many people and rebuke strong Nations afar off and they shall beat their Swords into Plow-shares and their Spears into Pruning-hookes and the Nations shall learn war no more then shall the Earth be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the Waters cover the Sea Isa 2. 1 4. Mic. 4. 1 4. Isa 11. Then for all your shame you shall have double glory in your own land you shall rejoyce in your portion c. Isa 61. We may not further enlarge to this onely this word Notwithstanding the day of the Lord draws nigh and there is such full demonstration of it in the Gospel and of the blessed hope then that were it minded were enough to stablish the hearts of believers in their patient waiting for the coming of the Lord even as the husbandman waiteth hath long patience for the precious fruit of the earth yet still we finde it needful and now as much as ever to press the Apostles exhortation 2 Thess 2. 1 2. The Apostle having instructed them chap. 1 6 7 c. That it is a righteous thing with God to recompence tribulation to them that trouble you and to you that are troubled rest with us not without us or before us those of us or of our body that survive must not prevent them of us that sleep nor shall any one prevent another 1 Thess 4. 14 16 c. But they shall come together to the installing and sitting down in that rest which yet remaineth for all the people of God Heb. 4. 9. though the high-spirited Corinthians would have been fancying and concluding a raigning as as Kings without the Apostles and the residue of their brethren but the Apostle saith He was sure if the time were come that any of them should raign as Saints then they also should raign with them But when will this righteousness of God come forth in recompencing tribulation to them that trouble us and to all that are and have been troubled for him rest together it follows When the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from Heaven with his mighty Angels in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God and that obey not the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence● of the Lord and from the glory of his power when he shall come to be glorified in his Saints c. till then they shall none of them in these bodies sit down nor shall their Righteousness shine forth till he that shall come do come nor indeed will there be any long setling of the Kingdom or Glory upon any sort of men which may be a comfort to you nothing but overturn overturn overturn till he whose right it is do come and God will give it him Ezek. 21. 26 27. nor till then is it your time as Saints to wish for or execute vengeance on them that as such and for his names sake do trouble you Rejoyce not now when thy enemy falleth neither let thine heart be glad when he stumbleth lest the Lord see it and it displease him c. Prov. 24. 17 18. but take the counsel following in the 19 20 and 21. verses compared with Rom. 12. 18 19 20 21. and chap. 13. 1 c. The Apostle I say having thus instructed them in the first chapter makes use of these two things there discoursed of namely The glorious appearing or coming of our Lord and Our being gathered together unto him as the ground of his Argument or as motives for the pressing such an exhorcation by way of usefulness Now we beseech you brethren by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and by our gathering together unto him that ye be not soon shaken in minde or be troubled neither by spirit pretence of revelation nor by word or letter as from the Apostles by any doctrine though pretended to be drawn from their writings as there will be enough in these latter dayes pretending to be seers of the visions of the times that will pervert things hard to be understood to make them speak out their apprehensions the Vision of all as plainly declared being to them and so rendered by them to others as a sealed Book But we are to know That the Apostles have not intended in any of their writings telling us that the day is nigh and the like to signifie any such thing to us as that the day of the Lord is otherwise at hand then according to the instructions in the first chapter That day of rendering vegeance on them that trouble us and rest to the troubled is not so at hand as to be made in this day as some said of the Resurrection or to come unto any before the Lord be revealed from Heaven with his mighty Angels and we be all gathered together unto him which two things to be accomplished together the Apostle sets before us here by way of Argument or Motive for the pressing his exhortation signifying to us that there is so much sweetness and consolation to us in them there being such glory and excellency in the things themselves the glorious appearance of the Lord in that personal body glorified in our nature in which he suffered for us and hath through sufferings obtained eternal Redemption the faith of which though yet we see him not with bodily eyes nor do enjoy such personal fellowship with him leads even now to rejoyce with joy unspeakable and full of glory what will it be then to enjoy his personal presence and immediate fellowship with him and the Father and the holy Spirit and so with him in his glory not in his weakness or abasement as sometimes some did but in that glory which he now actually possesseth in our nature in his own personal body for us even in the glory of his Father and with his holy Angels and we by that appearance to be changed even in our vile bodies into the likeness of his glorious body and so made capable of such sight of him as he is and fellowship with him and to be all gathered together not onely Moses and Elias but all that sleep in Jesus will God bring with him surely we

speak no more in this name and these consultations and threatnings against them in which they endeavoured to break their bonds and cast away their cords from them are mentioned as their standing up and gathering together against the Lord and his Christ as well as their injuries done to his person when he was among them and so in both a verifying those complaints against them Psal 2. See that Acts 4. 25 29. and so both are joyned together 1 Thess 2. 15 16. Their crucifying the Lord and persecuting his servants forbiding them to preach the Gospel to the Gentiles that they may be saved and for this wrath shall come upon them to the uttermost when the measure of their sin is full they shall perish from the way as Psal 2. 12. Therefore they are now in time admonished that such judgement may be prevented before the decree come forth and they be as chaff that passeth suddenly Not to touch his Anointed or do his Prophets any harm Psal 105. 15. but to afford them liberty and protection that they may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty to acknowledge do homage to and serve the Son in succouring defending and helping his people for him they have not alwayes but his poor they have alwayes with them compare this Psal 2. with Gods counsel to Moab Isa 16. 1. Send ye the Lamb to the Ruler of the Land kiss acknowledge send presents to the Son and then as a direction how or wherein they may do that see vers 3 4. Take counsel execute judgement make thy shadow as the night in the midst of the noon day hide mine out-casts bewray not him that wandereth let them dwell with thee be a covert to them from the face of the spoiler Yea expressly concerning the Kings of the Gentiles in these last dayes since the rejection of the Jews and the free coming forth of the Gospel to the Gentiles It 's said either by way of prophesie or as counsel to them or both They shall be nourishers or nursing Fathers to his people and their Queens nursing Mothers to them Isa 49. 23. which if it be understood as a prophesie of the glorious return and bringing back of the Jews or of somthing to be then more clearly and fully accomplished yet it evidently declares that to be the good pleasure of God concerning them at all times and that which he especially now requires of them by his Gospel sent to them That the Rulers among the Gentiles should be nourishers to his people his Israel among them even the called whether of Jews or Gentiles and to that therefore they are now timely admonished while they have opportunity to do it willingly and it may tend so much to their advantage with this motive of instruction for their warning that if now they will not nourish and favour them while they are as Servants among them the time will come when they shall raign and then those their enemies shall lick the dust at their feet c. compare with this Isa 49. 23. Psal 72. 8 9. and Micah 7. 10 16 17. and so it agrees with that Psal 2. Be wise now therefore O ye Kings be instructed ye Judges of the Earth serve the Lord with fear rejoyce before him with trembling kiss the Son lest he be angry and ye perish from the way c. Take heed that ye offend not or do harm ●o any of these little ones that will be reputed as your touching his anointed for he that toucheth them toucheth the apple of his eye Jerusalem even the holy City the Congregation of the first-born though now trod under foot even by those Gentiles in the outward Court of the Church yet shall be exalted above the top of all Mountains in that day when God shall send us Jesus his Servant the Branch that is now preached to us whom the Heavens must retain till the time come for the restitution of all things Isa 2. 1 4. Micah 4. 1 4. with Isa 11. 1 11. Acts 3. 20. 21. Then will he contend with them that contend with her and will feed them that now oppress her with their own flesh Isa 49. 25 26. Yea there may be beginnings of these judgements to them before by one clashing and battering against another but when he comes he will utterly cut off the horns of the wicked but the horns of the righteous shall be exalted Psal 75. 10. Jerusalem will prove a Cup of trembling a but then some Stone to all that meddle with her to vex and abuse her but they shall prosper that love her Zech. 12. 2 3. Psal 1 22. 6. The way therefore for you to be hid in the day of the Lords anger when he comes to plead the controversies of Sion is not to lift up the horn or magnifie your selves against the people of the Lord of Hosts but to judge righteously defend and succour the poor of his people seek righteousness seek meekness c. compare Zeph. 2. 2 3 8 10. with Isa 10 1 2 3. Righteousness exalts a Nation and so a Power or Government but sin is a shame to any people Further therefore for instruction and direction to a right observance of this counsel consider 3. What those things are in general that will tend to this and which are therefore required of Governours that believers may lead such a life 1. They are to afford them liberty and potection in their quiet and peaceable worshipping of God and endeavouring the good of others according as the grace of God that brings salvation to all men instructeth them in matters of their faith and worship they are not to touch them so as to limit appoint or regulate them by or according to the precepts of men for therein they will surely hinder and do harm to them they are to know that believers as private Christians though they are to be subject to every Ordinance of man for the Lords sake in either doing or suffering quietly yet they are not to have their fear towards God taught by the Precepts or Ordinances of men if men will go about so to regulate them and Authority allow it they must rather suffer when it falls upon them for conscience sake towards God then resist the power but they must not so become the Servants of men as to call any man on Earth their Rabbi in that respect for one is their Master even Christ and all they from the highest to the lowest are Brethren to receive each of them and together the Law from his mouth Such therefore as would be greatest or chief among or over their brethren if they would demean themselves as Christian Magistrates or Rulers are not in the matters things of Christ as before to exercise Lorship over their Brethren as the Princes among the Gentiles ever since the outward Court came into the hands of the Gentiles have used to do but rather to become Servants to all in those things earnestly seeking

in and according to godliness and honesty And there after some several significations of quietnesse and peaceablenesse briefly hinted p. 88 Its especially applied in such a sense as opposed to war strife or contention p. 90 And so the beleever in and according to godlinesse and honesty is to lead his life quitly and peaceably 1 With reference to those in authority over him p. 91 2 Towards all men p. 95 3 Especially one with another p. 98 2 How the Beleevers leading a quiet and peaceable life in all godlinesse and honesty tends so much to the good of all men That shewed in two things 1 It tends much to the beleevers own advantage profit and furniture for the good of others p. 102 2 It tends to the adorning the Name and Doctrine of God our Saviour amongst and before them And that shewed in divers particulars p. 104 2 That therefore God likes it wel in and requires it of those whom he sets in place of Authority that they should all of them have a special eye at this That his people that worship him and would live quietly in the Land may lead a quiet and peaceable life under their protection and government p. 110 c. 3. What those things are in generall that will tend to this and which are therefore required of Governours that Beleevers may lead such a life 1 They are to afford them liberty and protection in such liberty for quiet and peaceable worshipping of God and endeavouring the good of others as the grace of God by Christ their Great Law-giver instructeth them p. 113 And by way of removing some scruple in this 't is shewed That they are to let the Tares and Wheat grow together till the end of the world and so to afford that liberty and protection in that liberty to all that pretend to desire to seek and worship God in Christ according to his Word or Scriptures if under such pretence they do not grosly blaspheme or cast off the outward acknowledgement of that name or do that which directly tends to the injury or damage of others in name estate or life or move sedition and so they shal afford such liberty and protection to all that are quiet in the Land p. 115 2 They are to give unto them those things that are just and equal by an equal distribution of Justice and thorowly executing judgement between a man and his neighbour p. 121 3 They are to seek peace and pursue it among those under their Government and with other Nations As much as is possible live peaceably with all men p. 122 Some scruples against this raised from some mis-apprehensions of Prophecies answered in which is shewed That in the Wars and Commotions of the latter days towards and yet before the end Saints as Saints and for their Kingdome are not to be actors in them but after that consideration only spectators of them though after other considerations as Members of the Nation where they live they may in some cases act with the rest that they are part of the sorrows evils or judgements of the latter dayes and that though God occasionally brings forth much good by them to the restraint and hinderance of bodily Persecution yet they are accompanied with more abounding of Spiritual iniquity And that though these Judgements and Battels be of the Lords permission and gracious ordering and such as in which he begins to stain the pride of the glory of such as have lifted up the Horn against him yet the instruments for the stirring up the Nations to them are unclean spirits p. 124 c. And that those Prophesies of the totall destruction of all enemies and bringing down their power and giving the Kingdomes under the whole Heavens to the Saints is not to bee accomplished till the Resurrection of the just and so not till the Lord himself come and bring all that sleep in Jesus with him and then it shall be accomplished together by a wonderfull and more immediate putting forth of the Arm of the Lord yea all his Saints from first to last shall then have that honour with him and no other p. 128. Some use of these considerations p. 132 4 What that is that will especially furnish Governours to the doing those things required of them and so is especially to be desired for them And that is showed to be wisdome in the knowledge of Christ and the glory of God as appearing in the face of him as to us declared in the Gospel p. 138 The Reader is desired to correct these faults escaped in the Printing as follow PAge 5. line 25. adde of p. 6. l 7. r. have p. 10. l. 11. r father p. 18. l. 22. blot out may p. 20. l. 38. r. provision p. 28. l. 10 r. them p. 31. l. 32. r. the view p. 37. l. 5. r. yea p. 43. l. 18. r according p. 50. l. 32. r. that it is p. 51. l. 9. r. come p. 56. l. 39. r. hating p. 57. l. 18. r distraction p. 58. l. 11. r. raising l. 27. r. enjoyed p. 59. l. 1. blot out the first in p. 61. l. 20. r. his l. 30. adde of p. 62. l. 33. blot out to p. 63. l. 4. r. given r. become l. 15. r. while l. 33. r. Mediator p. 64. l. 11. r. every p. 67. l. 36. r. taken me out of p. 68. l. 28. r. distraction p. 75. l. 13. r. propounds p. 82. l. 32. r. as p. 85 l. 35. r. children p. 90. l. 25. r. fruit p 93. l. 10. r. an l. 30. r. Kings l. 32. r. 2 King p. 96. l. 15. to 2 Tim adde 2. p. 97. l. 19. blot out not p. 116. l. 15. r. persons p. 130 l. 3. to desire adde and pray p. 140. l. 6. r. hereby on the top of p. 33. for 35. r. 33. All mens Interest by Christ in the end and usefulnesse of Beleevers peculiar privileges and service Shewed in the opening some Instructions arising from 1 Tim. 2. 1 2. I exhort therefore that first of all Supplications Prayers Intercessions and giving of Thanks be made for all men for Kings and for all that are in Authority that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godlinesse and honesty THe Apostle Paul having committed the faithfull Word of the glorious Gospel of Christ that great Commandement Even the word which was preached from the beginning but now more fully come forth and declared 1 Tim. 6. 14. with 1 Joh. 1. 1 2. and 2. 7 8. which was more immediately revealed to him and committed to his trust for more peculiar service therein from the Lord Jesus as 1 Tim. 1. 1. 11. with Gal. 1. 11 12. and Eph. 3. 1 9. He having committed this Word or Commandement unto Timothy and with it this charge To hold it fast and keep it by the Holy Ghost which was given unto him 2 Tim. 1. 14 15. Faithfully to preach it in season out of season to doe the work of an Evangelist

truth thereof they were to baptize them with water also in his name even the Nations whosoever of them would them and theirs every one of them even as the Jaylor was baptized he and all his streight-way on his first owning and listening to the report of the Gospel and being willing to be instructed therein and therein also as well as by their word they preached the word of the Lord to him and to all that were in his house Act. 16. 32 33. which also is according to Peters Doctrine opening the Commission Act. 2. 38 39. comparing the 39. verse with a place speaking of a like businesse in our Types to which the Apostle there seems to have apt and evident Allusion Deut. 29. 10. 14. And then also to teach these Nations as they had outwardly baptized them in the name and unto the acknowledgement of Jesus Christ as come in the flesh to observe whatever Jesus Christ did command his Disciples And all this they were to do for the discipling the Nations the gathering or drawing them to Christ from their former state of darknesse and shadow of Death in which they were without any true acknowledgement and worship of God to acknowledge him and come to him as their Lord and Gods salvation for and to them and in professed subjection to him and thankful acknowledgement of his grace to bring all that by Gods providence are theirs given them to bring up for him even their little ones with them So the Jaylor beleevingly rejoycing he did it with all his house Act. 16. 34. as Joshua would engage himselfe and his house with him that were under his tuition to the acknowledgement and service of the Lord Josh 24. 15. And as in considering Israel after the flesh to which for Instruction in such cases we have our warrantize 1 Cor. 10. 18. we are directed in those evident Types of this discipling Nations Exod. 10. 9 10 11. Deut. 31. 11 12 13. And as our Saviour also instructs That such should be permitted to come to him being brought in their armes to whom by Gods providence they are given to bring up for him for of such is the Kingdome And having so done That they may all of them not onely be instructed themselves but taught to learn their children as they are capable and bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord Jesus To the end that all the ends of the earth might look to him and be saved who is Gods salvation to the ends of the earth That they might come in to the acknowledgement of him and so into his house where they might be trained up and educated for him being therein especially made partakers of his promise in Christ by the Gospel for sending forth his Spirit to reprove the world of Sinne Righteousnesse and of Judgement according to the distinct Revelation of Christ in the Gospel as now come forth and as men are turning at his reproofes To teach and lead them into all truth by the same Spirit still opening and making knowne the same word Eph. 3. 6. Act. 2. 39. Joh. 16. 8 9 10 13 14. Prov. 1. 20 23. In pursuance of this great Designe of God for the good of All Paul was furnished and appointed the great Apostle of the Gentiles Act. 26. 16 17 18. For this purpose the Lord Jesus appeared unto him to make him a witnesse c. delivering him from the people and from the Gentiles to whom then he sent him To turn them even his persecuters from whom yet he should be delivered and amongst whom preserved for this end To turne them from darkness to light c. That so they may receive forgivenesse and inheritance among them that are sanctified And that to this end he should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable Riches of Christ and to make All men see What is the fellowship of the mystery c. as aforesaid Eph 3. 8 9. And therefore also hath God preserved a succeeding Generation of such as through the tastes of his graciousness in the appearance of his love in Christ to man-ward having been drawn to him built upon him and so reconciled to God by Jesus Christ and received the word of Reconciliation God hath preserved them in the world and from the evil of it to this end and therefore also furnished them with gifts from his right hand though more mediately in their beleeving and exercising faith through and according the Apostles word yet still to this as the first and great part of the work of their Ministry in the world to carry on that great work amongst and for the good of all men as secondary Instruments and Ministers building upon and according to the foundation laid by the Apostles to the intent that now by the Church by the whole body of them joyntly and by each according to their capacity and opportunity in the place where God hath set them might be made knowne to Principalities and Powers and so to all Nations and people under them The manifold wisdome of God Eph. 3. 10. That by them the world may know That God hath sent Christ the Saviour of the world And that he hath loved them that have received this Testimony with the heart even with the same love wherewith he hath loved his Son Joh. 17. 15 20 21 23. And that in being Instruments of saving them that hear or listen to the word as held forth by them Their profiting may appear to All 1 Tim. 4. 15 16. Gods Saints generally even those that have made a Covenant with him by sacrifice Psal 50. 5. namely that are reconciled to God by Jesus Christ and have received that word of Reconciliation in their hearts 2 Cor. 5. each to exercise according to fitnesse and furniture of Gifts Rom. 12. 3 4 c. all the Gifts for continuance being given among these Eph. 4. 7 11 12. They are appointed and called to this great service even now To call the earth from the rising of the Sunne to the going downe of the same as well as also afterward to reign Judge and execute Judgement with him Psal 50. 1. 5. As his Ambassadors whose first personal coming and his present coming by his Spirit in the Gospel and other means is not to judge or condemne the world but that through him they might be saved even such as doe heare his words and reject them his gracious end and desire is that they should heare and beleeve and therefore he continues his mediation for them and mercies to them Joh. 12. 47 48. and 3. 17. though he shall appear personally the second time then to judge and execute judgement according to the Gospel so these his servants and Ambassadors in this world are now to make it their great work to perswade all men and every man as they have capacity and opportunity to be reconciled to God telling them All things are ready 2 Cor. 15. 17 18 19 20. Luke 14. 17 21 23. with

before in the whore they shall establish and give into the hands of the beast the wordly power and magistracy which is a power ordained of God until the words of God shall be fulfilled which will not be by and by There is some time for the spirit of Antichrist to be revealed and lifted up and that may be promoted by those powers that destroyed his flesh or grosser part which yet if it should be so yet we know we have cause to acknowledge and thank God for his great goodness wisdom and power manifested and exercised towards his people and for the good of all in occasioning such enlargement and freedom from under bodily persecution and restraint by means of these wars and commotions though they in themselves be evil and not to be desired by us on any people being indeed at least the beginning of his judgements and plagues for contempt of his Gospel and despising his people yet out of these evils they being but the beginnings of his judgements God that is infinite in wisdom and wonderful in working hath brought forth much good and that for the good benefit of these Nations we may say Gods people have had more enlargement outwardly in divers considerations to lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty then is probable they could have enjoyed without these wars and commotions God having begun here to make use of them for burning the flesh of the whore We may say God hath made them and yet doth as the Earth opening her mouth and drinking up the floud that the Dragon sent out of his mouth to destroy the woman the despised Church of God here on Earth Rev. 12. 16. Even as when Saul was at the heels of David the Philistines invading the Land occasioned his sudden taking off from his pursuit 1 Sam. 23. 26 28. so we have seen when in one generation of men that assumed the titles of Lords over Gods heritage the Dragon had sent out a great floud of persecutions and Laws to compel to commit fornication with the Whore The beginning of these wars and commotions in our Nations tended to the drinking up the floud and so helped the woman And likewise when in another generation of men that laid aside the titles but would have had and exercised the same power and more binding over the consciences of men the Dragon had prepared to send out a floud of like and more dangerous consequence then the former the continuance and oft renewing of the same wars hath been opening the mouth of the earth to the drinking up or obstructing the issuing out of that hitherto and what they would yet do if they could be setled by Authority in the power desired by them or what may issue forth by a third sort or generation of men whose eyes are lofty and their eye-lids are lifted up when ever things come to a settlement and as they get leisure and opportunity we yet know not or do not determine though cause enough to suspect that Satan being angry with the Woman because he cannot have his will otherwise over her will by them be making such war as he can and finde out new engines not so discernable to be for that purpose and therefore more dangerous for the wearing out the poor remnant of her Seed that keep the Commandments of God and have the Testimony of Jesus as some hinderance to which we see God makes use of the remaining wars and commotions and not onely of them but of the changes of his providences with us pouring us from vessel to vessel and from these considerations we cannot but see Gods great wisdom and goodness to admire it even in his terrible and strange works towards the children of men and may further learn with thankfulness and without murmuring to submit to his Government and wil. Yet for all this the grace of God and the instructions of the Gospel do lead us not to desire the continuance of war and blood to our own or other Nations or people any more then the same grace would have directed David to have desired the continuance of or the renewing the Philistines war upon Israel because God made it an occasion of good to him but on the other hand to desire the welfare of all and not the woful day to any though sometimes we are to pray for Gods ashaming confounding and blasting them in their enterprizes yet that so as may tend to their good to the good of every of them until any be wholly given up of God as before we have noted in our discourse about prayers and as may be seen in Jer. 17. 16 18. compared with Psal 83. 15 16 17. And so we may and are to desire with submission to his will for peace in our dayes and in our land and more especially where his name is and with other Nations also though happily when we have it that which is for our welfare may become a snare through mens abuse of it as before yet seeing the thing is good in it self and a mercy to good ends given it 's therefore to be desired and pursued by us though with submission to his Appointment and Government and Christian Magistrates or Rulers not to be provoked or stirred up to war with any other Nation or People when they may have peace with them on any honest and just terms but rather counselled by the wisdom of God In the multitude of people is the Kings honor but the want of people is the destruction of the Prince he that is slow to anger is of great understanding he is an imitator of God and like to him to which his grace that brings salvation to all men now especially obligeth since the appearance or coming forth of it by Jesus Christ For the Son of man came not to destroy m●ns lives but to save them Luke 9. 56. but he that is hasty of Spirit exalteth folly Prov. 14. 28 29. The Scriptures written aforetime are written for our instruction on whom the ends of the World are come and so these general Gospel-instructions proper to our time and so proper that though these battels and wars of the latter dayes be of the Lords permission and accomplishments of his word and he brings much good out of them and gives gracious warning to all people in them intending much good to the survivers by them yet seeing they are in themselves evil things he hath not appointed his people to be desirers and hastners of them or delighters in them but it may be and is truly said by himself of the battels of the latter days Rev. 16. 13 14. John saw three unclean spirits like frogges come out of the mouth of the Dragon and out of the mouth of the Beast and out of the mouth of the false Prophet there are evil instruments enow to be imployed in such services good Angels need not 1 Kings 22. 19 20 22. For they are the Spirits of Devils working miracles which

go forth unto the Kings of the Earth and of the whole World to gather them to the battel of that great day of God Almighty Yet for further answer to the apprehensions forementioned we might here adde That we do also read of a consumption determined upon the whole earth in which as the conclusion and putting an end to all battels of the Warriour Gods anger shall cease in the perfect destruction and conquest of all the Enemies of Christ and his people that they shall never rise or get head again to their disturbance and therefore compared to that of Midian Judges 8. 28. and to that of Egypt at the Red-Sea Isa 10. 23 25 26 27. And that in this all the Saints as children of the Resurrection coming with the Lord at his second appearing shall have share and be as his Army Isa 24. 1 19 23. with Rev. 19. 11 12 to the end Zech. 9. 9 10 11 12 17. and 14. 5. This honour have all his Saints not onely some in one age To bind their Kings in chains and their Nobles in fetters of iron to execute on them the judgement written Psal 149. 5 9. and so that Jer. 51. may be applied either to him the Lord Captain and Leader the portion of Jacob the Former of all things the rod of his inheritance the Lord of Hosts that he is Gods Battel-Axe with which he will break in peices the Nations c. and so he is in these beginnings of breakings in which he makes use of them as instruments one against another or it may be applied to them that are his Israel though that word Israel is not in the text but put in by the Translators because found in another place in a like expression concerning them Jer. 10. 16. and so they shall all as Saints and children of the Resurrection have share with him when he comes himself to make a full end but this here may seem more peculiarly applied to his person as may appear by comparing vers 18 19. with Isa 41. 1 28 29. and chap. 42. 1 c. and 49. 3 7. Yet as before all his Saints even them that have made a Covenant with him by sacrifice that are reconciled to God by Jesus Christ shall be gathered together to the conclusion of all in that last and great day of battel when our God shall come and shall not keep silence a fire shall devour before him and it shall be very tempestuous round about him when he shall call to the Heavens from above and to the Earth that he may judge his people Psal 50. 3 4 5. This shall be different from every Battel of the Warriour it shall be a perfect conquest and breaking off the yoke a consumption and destruction of the Enemy of all the persons of the maliciously wicked and ungodly and of all their power by a wonderful mighty hand of God in the glorious appearance of Jesus Christ and the children of the Resurrection with him by a two-edged Sword proceeding out of their mouth the quarrel of his covenant the vengeance of his Gospel poured out in fury on the head of the wicked in all strange wonderful judgements meeting together with burning and fewel of fire to make an utter consumption and yet all this without the use of material Weapons on their part or any loss or detriment to them whereas every battel of the warriour is with confused noise a cry on both sides whoever gets the Victory and with garments rolled in blood but this shall be with burning and fewel of fire for behold the Lord will come with fire and his Charets like a Whirl-wind to render his anger with fury and his rebukes with flames of fire for by fire and by his sword will the Lord plead with all flesh and the slain of the Lord shall be many Isa 66. 15 16. For now the Government shall be laid upon his shoulders that Son born to us Isa 9. 4 5 6 7. This could not be done before while the Government was on any of the servants He looked and behold there was no man Then his own arm brought him salvation c. Isa 59. 16 21. and 63. 4 5. 6 7. compare also Isa 34. 1 6 c. to the end and Isa 35. total with 2 Pet. 3. 10 12. 'T is that day of the Lord when he shall be revealed from Heaven with his mighty Angels when he shall apear the second time without sin to the salvation of all that look for him that shall burn as an oven and that shall be herein also different from all the battels of the warriour● then all the proud and all that do wickedly shall be as stubble they shall none of them be left for instruments in accomplishing these last sweeping desolations as now they are in the beginnings neither shall any of the Saints or Righteous perish in them or be as fewel to that full coming forth of the fire of his jealousie as they may and do many of them partake of these lesser judgements and fall among the rest in them but then even they shall return again with songs of deliverance and this shall then be the portion of their cup to the participation of which there shall be none wanting They shall tread down the wicked for they shall be ashes under the soles of their feet in that day when I shall do this saith the Lord of Hosts We may say here Let us stablish our hearts and in patience possess our souls in the hope of that day for he that shall come will come and will not tarry longer then the appointed time yea for the Elects sake the Lord will shorten the evil days In the remainder of which that we may stand as God counselled his people in that Mal. 3. To remember the law of Moses his servant with the Statutes and Judgements assuring them they had yet a time to wait for the accomplishment of these promises and that before the coming of this great and notable day of the Lord he would send them Elijah c. which had a first fruits of fulfilling in John Baptist sent in the Spirit and Power of Elijah but must be yet more clearly and fully accomplished to that people at least according to the expressions a little before that second and glorious appearing of Christ To turn the hearts of the children to the fathers so our Saviour as well saith Elias verily cometh first yea must first come as that he was then already come and that was he if they would receive him namely John Baptist which indeed had they and been turned to the Lord by him there had not been that need for another accomplishment of that Prophesie for that work but they rejected him and the Lord too Therefore still to do that work Elias must verily first come Now I say As the Lord counselled them in the mean time and till that first appearance of Christ before which that promise had its first fulfilling