person and a Parliament We in our dayes have seen much in this therefore I shall adde n o more 3. People change in their Mindes Manners and Conditions In all government there must be some to be ruled as well as some to rule and if either change it hath a great influence in the government The people are the body to be governed and you know its mobile vulgus an unsetled changeable body How oft do they commend and cry up some for government and by and by deny them now none so worthy so desirable anon none so unfit as they Now they fall down and adore their wisdome valour and successe and afterward rise up against them and would if they could trample on them 1 Kings 12. 1. All Israel come to Sechem to make Rehoboam King but a little after v. 16. they say What portion have we in David neither have we inheritance in the son of Iesse To your tents oh Israel now see to thine own house David And as they change in their minds so in their manners and condition they grow worse and worse in gluttony drunkennesse in pride malice uncleannesse and revenge yea they may grow poorer more idle and so more needy 4. Change of Governour Governments and People produceth the change of Laws Governours look on the â—egislative power as their highest and therefore to hold out their place they make Acts and repeale them they vote and unvote again ratifie and null Ordinances and that sometime upon grounds of reason The safety of the people is and ought to be the Supreame Law Now when people do thus change it may be necessary to change the Laws that so their safety may be provided for 5. Nations change in their Leagues and Trade They are in with one Nation and out with another and sometime in and out with the same Nation David he was friends with Nahash the King of the children of Ammon but when Nahash was dead 2 Sam. 10. Hanun the son of Nahash and David fall out Rev. 18. 3. There was a time when the Merchants waxed rich but v. 11. the Merchants of thâ— earth shall weepe and mourne over her for no man buyeth their merchandise any more Trading is sometime sick yea dead and men complaine they have nothing to do another time it grows quick and they have great returns 6. Jesus Christ the King of Nations he by his great judgements of Sword Famine Plague of Pestilence makes great changes Governments are apt enough to change of themselves but how much more when Christ comes to deale with them Ezek. 14. 13. God breakes the staffe of bread and so cuts off man and beast from it or else v. 17. He brings a Sword upon the Land or sends the Pestilence v. 19. and pours out fury upon the Land in blood to cut off from it man and beast What woful alterations are there and have there been in Germany by these means Cities laid waste and become ruinous heaps by a prevailing enemy how many Families swept away with the plague and the living scarce able to bury the dead 1. If Governments surely lesse bodies such as are Towns Villages Families are not freed from such changes how many Families have we seen up and down rise and fall yea many great houses desolate and contemptible ones exalted Oh that we were wise to make our Families little Churches our dwellings habitations of righteousnesse and receptacles of poor distressed ones it may be the Lord might lengthen out our tranquillity build us up and not destroy us 2. Learne hence the vanity of the creature and of all conditions here beneath why should we set our hearts on that that is not or may soon prove otherwise then now it is Isa 2. 22. Cease oh cease from man whâ—se breath is in his nostrils for wherein is he to be accounted of It is better to trust in the Lord then to put any confidence in man It is better to trust in the Lord then to put any confidence in Princes Let me now adde a word of Exhortation 1. To those who have the Government upon their shoulders to look after true wisdome and righteousnesse as their establishment that which goes to make up pride and lust will surely moulder that which is wicked and oppressive will downe with a vengeance Equity and sincerity are the best poyze and ballast for your tumbling frames your mountains are but weake and your foundations unsetled Psal 73. 18. Surely thou didst set them in slippery places thou castest them down to destruction Is it not best for you to draw nigh to God the unchangeable One to cry to him to lift up your souls in secret to draw down that stability from heaven which cannot be found upon earth 2. How little and low should you be in your own eyes think not your mountaine so strong that you can never be moved when as your government carryes that in the frame and make of it that is apt to change you or your people their condition or your condition may soon alter your confederates may prove enemies and your trading passe to others you stand now but how soon may you fall others may fall and rise but if you fall how hardly will your rising be Men of low condition cannot fall much but dangerous is their state that are in high place Facilis descensus descent is easie but its hard to get up again 3. It may exhort us all To have our treasures and hearts in Heaven Sursum Corda Arise arise for this is not your rest How readily should you take leave of that that is going from you and you cannot stay it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Col. 3. 2. Set your affections on things that are above and not on things on the earth is the Apostles counsel and if you will be following and seeking he tells us what it should be 1 Cor. 14. 1. follow after Charity and desire spirtual gifts that ye may edifie one another 4. Cast off those thoughts and passions as unreasonable that storme and quarrel at these alterations It s your wisdome contentedly to submit to that which your bustling cannot remedy We read of one who when it was told him that his childe was dead answered Scio me genuisse â—ortalem I know I begat a mortal When suddain and great alterations present cease to wonder what is rivetted in the nature and composition of things will not out sparks will up and stones will down and so will Kingdomes 5. Lastly let us all in the feare of God contend that since governments are apt to change and alterations will be Oh! contend that they may be for the better How desirable are the conversions of a State and Nation from Pride to Humility from Vanity to Gravity from Ungodlinesse to Holinesse from Oppression to Releiving the poor I those would be happy Changes indeed and such as would conduce to our prosperity
sold him but God meant it unto good to save much people alive and when Joseph made known himselfe to his Brethren Gen. 45. 5. he saith Be not greived nor angry with your selves that ye sold me hither for God did send me before you to preserve life 4. That Christ shewes himselfe to be righteous when Kings and Princes are wicked He doth righteously punish sin with sin Ephraim is given to Idols let him alone and I will not punish your daughters when they commit whoredome nor your spouses when they commit Adultery God may give places and power to wicked men and not grace and then they will become more wicked and fill up their measure suddainly God may be angry with a people for their sin and so give them a King in his wrath Hos 13. 11. I gave them a King in mine anger Gods anger is his justice whereby he burnes against sin and what he gives in justice is with respect to their sin Now he gave them a King in his wrath let that King be never so vile yet God that gave him is righteous I and righteous in that giving of him 5. That Jesus Christ is gracious as well as rightcous and orders all the badnesse of Kings for good Acts 4. 27 28. Herod and Pontïus Pilate with the Gentiles and people of Israel are gathered together against Christ but it s to doe what Gods hand and câ—unsel had determined before to be done Cyrus is a Heathen King and knows not Gâ—d Isa 45. 4. Yet for Jacob my servants sake and Israel mine elect I have even called thee by thy name and Isa 44. ult Cyrus he is my shepherd and shall performe all my pleasure saying to Jerusalem thou shalt be built and to the Temple thy foundation shall be laid 6. Though all Kings reigne by Christ yet Christ reignes much more in those who are good then in those who are bad He puts his spirit into them that are good to make them good he gives them the spirit of wisdome counsel and the feare of the Lord. He layes his Law upon them and draws them forth in obedience to it He stirres them up to what is good and holds them on in that goodnesse He gave Solomon wisdome to goe in and out before that great people and he wiseth Princes for their places and makes their actings acceptable both to God and men 1. Kings reigne by Christ It is not then so much their rich apparrel their sumptuous Pallaces their Royal attendance that instamps their Majesty on them as this that they are Christs creatures for this World they beare his Image of power and government on them and that is their great Majesty They are his ordinance Rom. 13. reigne by him and this subjects and keeps mens spirits under Oh! thanke Jesus Christ that you have no more insurrections against those in place and power mens minds are it may be ready enough to breake out but there is something of Christ stops them 2. We cannot rise against government but we rise against Christ Alas who are they that be in power but men like our selves that we rise against them Nay but they have a Commission which we have not a resistance is not so much to them as God Rom. 13. 2. is and alwayes was good Scripture Whosoever resisteth the power resisteth the Ordinance of God and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation or judgement wherefore you must be subject not onely for wrath but also for conscience sake v. 5. 3. Ascribe the good of government to Jesus Christ All their wisdome justice mercy and goodnesse is extracted from him when you eat of the fat and drink of the sweet when you enjoy your houses and lands your shops and ships your pâ—ace and plenty exalt him for it That you can lie down and rise up and walke abroad it s of his goodnesse and ingrave his Name on it and returne his praise to him 4. Do bad as well as good reigne by him learne hence a ground of patience and contentation Nothing calmes the heart so much as to revolve things on God regularly David says Psal 39. 9. I was dumb and opened not my mouth because thou didst it When Aaron lost both his sonnes that which made him hold his peace was that God would be sanctified and glorified God had done it Lev. 10. 3. That which made Job not to charge God foolishly and kept him from the sin of impatience it was that the Lord had given and taken away and the like was that in old Eli 1 Sam. 3. 18. when heavy things were denounced against him and his house he said It is the Lord let him do whatever he please 5. How glorious is that Christ by whom Kings reigne how poorely doth all their splendor resemble his glory while they rule others he rules them Oh! that we could see him he is not onely their governour but their Maker fall down and adore before him They must bring in an account of their government and you may appeale from them to him as you heard before He is most absolute and by his Decree things are and shall be to eternity How doth it greive Princes to feele old age come upon them to be subjected to aches paines and diseases and that they and their honour must part and lie in the dust Oh! then admire and for ever praise him whose Kingdome is an everlasting Kingdome and of whose government there is no end I shall conclude this Position with a word of exhortation to Princes taken out of Psal 2. 10. 1. To be wise and understand by whom you reigne away with your contesting against Christ and fall in with his ends and interests that will be your wisdome indeed a single portion of wisdome should not content you you are to study and to rule and a great deale of wisdome is required to a little rule you have many snares and temptations in your places and you need abundance of wisdome to guard you from those snares you are to govern others yea many others as well as your selves Be wise now therefore O ye Kings 2. Be instructed ye Judges of the Earth God hath his word and his rod for you as well as others and its wisdome to learn by both Deut. 17. 19. you must read to keep you humble that your hearts be not lifted up above your brethren and if you heare not that voyce of the word behold a speaking rod and him that appointed it Heare heare and learn yea learn righteousnesse 3. Feare feare before him It s not below you O Kings it will not argue a pusillanimous spirit to feare God Exod. 18. 21. Jethro's Justices were able men men able for government yet fearing God The lesse you are under the feare of men the more should you walke in the feare of God This feare would be a sweet bound to your power and will and trust God
walke after the flesh in the lust of uncleannesse that despise government 2 Pet. 2. 10. 2. Make honourable mention of them in the same place they are reckoned presumptuous and self-willed who feare not to speake evil of dignities Exod. 22. 28. Thou shalt not revile the gods nor curse the Ruler of thy people I could heartily wish that men would not think their tongues their own but cease from this cursing and reviling When Joseph was Governour of Egypt his brethren call him Lord and surely we should not speak slightly of those from whence we expect our publick good and protection How unreasonable is such railing it onely foames out your own discontent and tends to boile up an undue rage in them that hear you it profits not them that be over you but rather exasperats them against you and turns those thoughts that should be for you against you 3. Let me exhort you to speak to God for them 1 Tim. 2. 1 2. It s the Apostles exhortation there he well knew how backward we would be unto it and th erefore he saith I exhort and that with a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a first of all and marke his variety of expressions Supplications Prayers Intercessions and giving of thanks must be for all in authority and all little enough did you know their duties and their difficulties you would not cease praying for them v. 2. It s for your good that you may lead a quiet life pray you more and they will rule better It may be they had not miscarried so much nor so often if you had helped them by your prayers v. 3. This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour and no marvel since they are those that he sets up for the good of the World Happly they are not so good as they should be neither are you but be good in this to pray to make them better They were bound to pray in Pauls time when you might reckon so many Magistrates as there were so many were their enemies and are we not more bound now when our Magistrates are our friends God hath not dealt so with other Nations nor with us in this Nation heretofore Never was there a Magistracy that did openly and professedly engage for the good of all that truely feare God as now there is Oh! cover their infirmities in love and pray for them for they beg your prayers Cyrus inserts it into his Decree Ezra 6. 10. that they might pray for the life of the King and I am confident that nothing would be more acceptable then your fervent prayers and let them never want them 4. Submit your selves to everâ— ordinance of man for the Lords sake All men desire to rule but few know how to submit God sets them to order and our duty is to be under their ordering It is possible some of their ordinances may crosse our particular interests and our spirits shall we therefore not submit it may be for a publick good that they decree and if they order so they doe their duty and our duty is to submit though it be our particular losse If we would look up and consider for whose sake we are to submit it would much releive us It s for the Lords sake the Lord requires our submission to them for his sake submit it may be your spirits rise when you think of the men you are to submit too and that the time was that there was not so much difference between them and you and you little thought to be so at their commands I but know it s to God more then to them and I hope it will be no hard thing to submit to him to God 5. Lastly testifie your thankfulnesse for the good you enjoy by your service both in pâ—rson and purse as occasion may call you boggle not at the word service they serve you more then you serve them The greek Proverbe is true 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 there is one servant of the house and that is the Master their government is but an honourable service and will you not serve them that serve you Grumble not too much at publick Taxes and Impositions governments cannot be carried on without them they contribute what is more precious for your safety then you doe for their government Rom. 13. 7. Render to all their dues Tribute to whom Tribute is due Custome to whom Custome CHAP. XI Vnfolds the fourth Position That Governments are apt to change wherein is set down 1. Governours change by death or other wayes 2. Forms of Government change 3. People change 4. Lawes change 5. Leagues and Trade change 6. Christ makes change by his judgements and providences Vses WE should be too bad if we did not acknowledge the good of Government but withal we should be too foolish if we ranke not that good in its due place Governments are good but still they are creatures and all the goodnesse of creatures is mutable Hence this fourth Position Governments and Governours being creatures of this world are apt to change Governments are Gods Ordinance and so shall stand but stand as creatures and creatures of this world and so as the World changeable It s the transcendent property of Christ to be unchangeably good creatures not so and this will be manifest many wayes 1. Governours change by death or in their manners They are men as well as others and so come under that Statute law wherein all mon are appointed once to die Their breath is in their nostrils and if God cast it out all their power on earth cannot retaine it Nay sometime by their luxury riot and intemperance they dig their own graves and shorten their lives nay sometime they die while they live either deposing themselves or else being deposed by others from their government and so they out-live their pompe and power Now the change of Governours makes great change in governments what troubles have been in the vacancies of Princes and what turmoile about Successors but suppose they live yet they may change their manners How good are many at first and how bad at latter end 2 Chron. 24. 2. Joash did what was right in the sight of the Lord all the dayes of Jehojadah but vers 17. and 18. when he was dead he hearkened to the Princes of Judah and left the house of the Lord. 2. Manners and Forms of government as well as persons are liable to changes Israel was first ruled by Judges then Kings then by Strangers Rome Roma septicollis seven-hilled Rome more various in her government then hills witnesse their Kings Consuls Dictators Emperours c. How oft doth Soveraigne power change from One to more and from more to One again and the change happily not from what is unlawful to that which is lawful but from what is lesse convenient to what is more I think not government by a King to be unlawful nor yet the government by a single
CHAP. XII Opens the fifth Pos That Kings abuse their power for 1. They serve themselves more then others 2. They turne their power that should be for the good to the hurt of others 3. It was against Christ in his person 4. It is against Christ in his interest 5. It s given up to Christs enemie Vses WE have heard that Kings reign by Christ and that Government is set up for the good of men But now we come to shew the unhappy inversion of power againg Christ and of government against those for whose good it was intended Hence your fifth Position Kings and Princes have in all Ages grossly abused their power The first King we read of is Nimrod Gen. 10. 10. His Kingdome began at Babel but what was he v. 8. He was a mighty one that 's true Kings are mighty ones but where in the earth and for the earth for earthly and sensual things v. 9. He was a mighty one but a mighty Hunter not so much of beasts as of men Saul was the first King of Israel and what he was we all know Now that they have thus abused their power I shall shew these five wayes 1. They serve themselves more then others Government and Governours you heard was set up for others and their good and to turne it to one person or family is a palpable abuse How sad is it when their double portion of these outward things which should enâ—ble them to be more useful and beneficial to others is imploy'd and laid out mainly to gain friends and servants to their own lusts and interrsts Those who have been most popular pretending love to their Country how wickedly have they interwoven their self-interests when they have good successe in publick enterprises how do they sacrifice to their own nets applauding their own wisdome and power You shall finde them sometimes affable and courteous but is it not to inhaunce love and power to themselves by the repute of their wisdome birth and eloquence Iâ—geniosi sed nequam facundi sed malo publico witty but wicked eloquent but to publick damage and thus they abuse their power by their corrupt selfe-seeking 1 Sam. 8. 11. It s said He will appoint for himselfe He that is Saul and such as he was will appoint for themselves But David who was after Gods own heart in government as well as otheâ—wayes and those who be like David they they I say will not seek themselves but the good of others and now methinks I finde my hope enlarged for those who sit at the sterne of this Common-wealth that they being eminently and remarkably raised up by God will seeke the honour of him who thus raised them 2. They turn their power that should be for the good to the hurt of others God never intended power to oppresse power to crush the weake and innocent but to help and releive them But I would daily observation and experience both in this and former ages did not proclame the miserable abuse of power Read over your Chronicles and there you will finde that made good which was spoken by Cato Censâ—rius Reges omnes esse de genere bestiarum rapacium All Kings are akin to ravenous beasts who prey and devour they are great in power and powerful in oppression 1 Sam. 8. 13 14 15 16 17. They shall take your Daughters your Feilds your Seed your Servants your Sheep and what is this taking but unjust taking and unjust taking is oppression and oppression an abuse of power 3. The greatest powers were against Christ in his person while he was upon earth Acts 4. 26. The Kings of the earth stand up and the Rulers are gathered togegether against the Lord and against his Christ No sooner was Christ born but Herod seekes his life and he is faine to be carried into Egypt when he comes forth to preach and work miracles the Scribes and the Pharisees and the Rulers of the people set against him call him Bel zebub the Prince of Devils and though he professed his Kingdom not to be of this world but came in a low emptied condition yet he is held forth as an enemy to Caesar Joh. 19. 12. If thou let this man goe thou art not Caesars friend and so you know how he was condemned and abused by Herod and Pontius Pilate Thus was government turn'd against him who set it up 4. Kings and Princes have been bitter enemies against Christs interest and people When Gods Israel was in Egypt there arose a new King Exod. 1. 11. that set Task-masters to afflict them with heavy burdens that their souls served with rigour Burdens Taxes Masters Hardship Servitude is the best that Kings can afford the Israel of God When they come into Canaan Sihon King of the Amorites will not suffer them to passe thorow his border but gathers all his people to fight them The Kings of Jerusalem Hebron Jarmuth Lachish and Eglon made war with the Gibeonits because they made peace with Israel Josh 10. 3. It was Jeroboam the King the son of Nebat that sinned and made Israel to sin 1 Kings 14. 16. And against whom were all those bloody persecutions under the Heathenish Emperours but against the Christians the servants and worshippers of Christ If any evil befel them they make the Christians the cause of it and then Christianos ad Leones carry these Christians to the Lyons let them devour them it was enough to make a man guilty if he were a Christian Bonus vir Caius sed Christianus Caius was a good man but a Christian and thus is power inverted against Christ and his interest in his people 5. Kings and Princes give up their power to Christs enemie can there be a greater abuse Rev. 17. 17. The ten hornes the ten Kings of Europe they agree and give their kingdom to the Beast to receive laws from his lust and to serve his designes Rev. 16. 14. The froggs which are the spirits of Devils goe forth to the Kings of the earth and Rev. 17. 2. The Kings of the earth commit fornication and are drunk with the wine of the great whore and thus you see power abused 1. See here the foundation of turnes and changes upon kingdomes and governments they are departed far from their right ends become corrupt and abominable so that the Lord cannot â—uffer them Are these the powers that I set up saith God did I ever intend they should be against me and mine did I set them up to pride themselves in their lusts and to oppresse those that are better then themselves Surely no. I will now arise saith the Lord and overturn overturn overturn them 2. See how little they deserve the name of Sacred Majesty who were so profane and mindelâ—sse of holy things that keep up Religion not out of conscience but custome not that God may have his homage and men Gods blessing but out of State-policy to keep men in awe how grosse
us a world of iniquity and misery is incumbent on us by our wars at home and abroad and the hand of the Rulers of the earth hath been deep in all this is there none to look after them yes sure consult with the last Position and that will tell you Jesus Christ will deale in severity with the Rulers of the Earth 1 Chron. 16. 21 22. He suffered none to doe his people wrong but reproved Kings for their sakes Psal 76. 11 12. He looseth their loynes and strickes them thorow cuts off their spirits and casts contempt on Princes Job 12. 21. He profanes their glory and spoiles all their excellency and layes their honour in the dust Isa 20. 23. He bringeth the Princes to nothing he maketh the Judges of the earth as vanity they seemed the most stable beings on earth having all that flesh and blood could contribute to maintaine them but he brings them to nothing Isa 3. 14. The Lord will enter into judgement with the Ancient of his people and the Princes thereof for ye have eaten up the Vineyard the spoile of the poor is in your houses Jer. 34. 21. Zedechiah King of Judah and the Princes will I give into the hands of their enemies and into the hand of them that shall seeke their life and into the hand of the King of Babylons Army Isa 41. 25. I have raised one from the North and he shall come upon Princes as upon Morter and as the Potter treadeth clay Rev. 19. 17 18. The fowles of Heaven are gathered unto the supper of the great God that they may eate the flesh of Kings and the flesh of Captains This his dealing manifesteth him to be King of the World and the Author of the great Turns and Changes here beneath Dan. 2. 20 21. Blessed be the Name of God for ever for Wisdome and Counsel are his and he changeth the times and the seasons He removeth Kings and setteth up Kings See the Reasons for this dealing of Christ 1. Kings are in covenant with their people and their great Trustees 2 Kings 11. 17. Jehoiadah made a Covenant with the King and the people But how little they keep their covenants experience sadly tells us They covenant to maintaine wholesome Laws and the just Rights and Liberties of the Subject but how little are either regarded by them afterward They covenant to make the safety of the people and not the fulfilling of their wills the greatest Law but how little is that minded when the least income of their interest shall indanger publick good when they are in competition Now Jesus Christ he is The Amen the true and faithful witnesse and hates all unfaithfulnesse they think they may play fast and loose they see none to put their bonds in suite I but Christ in that case will enter an action against them and cast them and make them pay all costs and charges 2. Now in this his severe dealing with earthly Rulers Christ appears no respecter of persons Job 39. 14. He accepteth not the persons of Princes nor regardeth the rich more then the poor he is as exact in government as he is in teaching Luke 20. 21. Thou teachest rightly and acceptest no mans person and 1 Pet. 1. 17. He judgeth every man according to his works 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 without respect of persons He values not those gingles and trappings of power greatnesse and honour Righteousnesse with him shall be owned in the least and lowest but wickednesse shall not be spared in the greatest 3. By this dealing Christ makes his Wisdome to out-shine their King-craft and carnal Policy Isa 11. 2. The spirit of wisdome understanding and counsel rests on Christ not onely is in him but in him as the proper place of them they rest in him Rulers have all the advantage of breeding and example to make them subtile they have all that the strongest wits can present them with Their interest makes them serious their malice quick-sighted and their experience setled in their way This is their businesse they make it their â—â—rke to mind and follow it Psal 2. 2. â—he Kings of the earth set themselves 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 â—â—â—â—unt Simul faciunt stare they make it stand together Vires omnes studia conatus conferunt in Dominum saith Vatablus They employ all their forces studies and endeavours against the Lord The people they rage and imagine a vaine thing they are led by passion and phantasie which things are soon gone but your Kings and Princes proceed more sollidly The Rulers take counsel together but for all this solid working you know what follows verse 4. He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh the Lord shall have them in derision 4. Christ is to overcome Satan in his own Territories as he counts them Not onely shall Christ overcome him in spiritual regiment over the souls and consciences of men but Christ must drive him out of the World also out of his hold in the Earth Rev. 11. 15. The Kingdomes of this world are become the Kingdoms of our Lord and his Christ and he shall reigne for ever and ever Satan in 2 Cor. 4. 4. is stiled the God of this world but Christ must ungod him 1 Cor. 15. 24 25. He must put down all rule and authority and power and surely Satans rule shall not stand but he will pull it down 1. Read the sinfullnesse of Kings through Christ his severity surely they must be out of measure sinful whom Christ thus brings his wheele upon God knows I am no enemy to Governours nor Governments nor to that by way of a King yet I think Kings are and have been the worst rank of men in the World Read your own Chronicles and you will finde you may write all your good Kings in a small Ring Corruptio optimi pessima The corruption of the best is worst Kings should be best and they have the best of Power Pleasure and Revenues but how wofully is all corrupted and so much Christ his dealing with them tells you and you should learne it thence 2. See the impartial and unspotted holinesse and righteousnesse of Jesus Christ He will not spare sin where ever he finds it He hath vials full of wrath to pour out when they fill up their measures of sin When they ripen their sins to the harvest he will command his Angel to put in the sickle Christ can suffer them in their wickednesse and yet have no defilement to himselfe Laesa patientia fit furor Patience abused turns into rage he will abundantly recompence his patience and longsuffering with the amazing strictness of his just proceedings 3. See what to expect and to what to refer the providences of our present age Is it not a shaking thought to recal how the talest Cedar that grew amongst us who was greene and spread his branches far is felled to the ground The greatest Family among us
of Saints returns a full answer to The prayers of Saints are Christ his spirit breathing in siâ—hts and groanes and making a voyce of supplication Now surely he understands his own voyce in them and will heare his own spirit When God rejected Saul Samuel is commanded not to pray for him 1 Sam. 16. 10. It s a sad thing when those in authority fall out of Saints prayers or when Saints pray against them not for them 1 Tim. 2. 2. We must pray for Kings and all that be in authority and surely it is fatal and ominous when Gods people justly indite Princes and plead as Ananias against Saul Act. 9. 13. Lord I have heard by many of this man how much evil he hath done to thy Saints When the soules under the Altar cry Rev. 6. 10. then v. 12. Behold a great Earthquake little do you conceive what great Changes Saints prayers make Rev. 5. 8. The four living creatures and the four and twenty Elders which is the resemblance of a Gospel-Church the four living creatures representing the Officers and the four and twenty Elders the Brethren of the Congregation now these are said to have golden vials full of odors which are the prayers of Saints Now these viaâ—â— of prayers fill the vials of wrath Rev. 15. 1. God assumes it as his high prerogative to break the arrows that flie and wound afar off to break the sheild that should defend the sword that wounds neer at hand He breaks Arrows Sheild Sword Battle All But where It s in Salem in Sion where Judah knew God and Israel greatened his Name It s there there where his people cry to him Psal 76. 3. Sect. VII Jesus Christ shall have a willing people in the day of his power Psal 110. 3. Oh! strange what a Turne will that be oh how backward are men now and to nothing more backward then to holinesse and holy things when they come forth in their beauty I but Jesus Christ shall have the day of it and it shall be the day of his power the day wherein his power shall be gloriously manifested and subjected unto Isa 49. 19 20 21. The land shall be too narrow by reason of the inhabitants The children shall say the place is too straite for us give place to us that we may dwell yea the Church shall say in regard of the numerous addition of Members who hath begotten me these seeing I have lost my children who hath brought up these Behold I was left alone That is a remarkable Prophesie and Promise in Ezek. 36. 37 38. I will increase them with men like a flock as the holy flock as the flâ—ck of Jerusalem in her solemne Feasts So shall thy waste Cities be filled with flocks of men and they shall know that I am the Lord. Sect. VIII Some of the Kings of the Earth shall be among this willing people Oh wonderful wonderful Kings to become subjects to be among the people and the willing people whom aforetime they most hated that is strange that those who were the greatest enemies should now become friends that those who have done so much against Christ shall now be active for him God had of old his David Hezekiah Jehosaphat Asa and Josiah good and godly Kings and he will have some like them again outward pomps and pleasures shall be no let to his call and working on them and by them Isa 49. 7. Thus saith the Lord the Redeemer of Israel and his holy One Kings shall see and arise Princes also shall worship because of the Lord that is faithful and the holy One of Israel and he shall chuse thee Isa 30. 21. Their Nobles shall be of themselves and their Governours shall proceed from the midst of them He will restore their Judges as at the first and their Counsellers as at the beginning afterward thou shalt be called the City of righteousnesse the faithful City Isa 49. 23. Kings shall be thy Nursing fathers and Queens or Princesses thy Nursing mothers Those who have been the persecutors shall be the preservers the destroyers shall prove nourishers those that did minde nothing but their pride and pleasure they shall now minde the Church and her interest They that made the people of God bow down till they passed over them they shall come and bow down to the Church with their faces toward the earth Isa 60. 16. The Prophet there speaking of the state of the Jewish Church after their general conversion to Christ promiseth Thou shalt also sucke the milke of the Gentiles that now accursed people of the Jews shall become blessed they are still beloved for their father sake v. 10. They shall suck the breasts of Kings none have been and are so squeezed in all parts of the World where they are scattered as the poor Jews are who although they enjoy an Old-Testament blessing and become rich where they live yet then those who rule over them use them as we do a spunge that is full wring it dry So are they dealt withal but now those that sucked from them shall give sucke to them yea the sonnes of strangers shall build up thy walls and their Kings shall minister unto thee for in my wrath I smote thee but in my favour have I mercy on thee Sect. IX That Christ having great works to do in the last dayes he will mightily stir up the spirits of Princes and People When Temple-work was in hand when the solemne and publick worship of God was to be set up Hagg. 1. 14. God stirs up the spirit of Zorobabel Governour of Judah and the spirit of Jehoshuah the high Preist and the spirit of all the remnant of the people Marke it s particularly set down the spirit the spirit the spirit God had particular work for the Governour the high Preist and the people and therefore in particular he stirs up their spirits oh sweet and blessed work and blessed spirits Zorobabel Joshua People all are stirred and stirred in spirit and all work Zorobabel doth not disdain the work nor scorne the people The people are not crosse to Zorobabel but all sweetly agree It was a great work to establish the Kingdome in Davids hand and then 1 Chron. 12. 18. The spirit clothed Amasa and he said Thine are we David and on thy side thou son of Jesse Peace peace be to thy helpers for thy God helpeth thee Christ hath Temples now in Gospel-times as well as formerly and there is a great deale of Temple-work of Church-work to be done now as well as then and God will stirre up the spirits of Governours Pastors and People now as well as then and they shall work and the work shall prosper in their hand God the Father hath now the Kingdome of David the Kingdome of his Son Jesus Christ to set up and it must be strengthened in his hand God will now cloath many like Amasa with his spirit that shall come forth to the help of the