testimony they have given forth through the same grace upon them and chuse the greatest of sufferings rather then defile themselves and continue edifying of the Saints and Churches of God in a more private way as they have opportunity I humbly judge they shal be accepted with the Lord as his faithful witnesses and be just fied in the consciences of all serious people especially when the issue of this dispensation shall be made manifest And thus have we stated this case we hope according to Scripture light and leave it with the Lord to make it a blessing to any of his But what doth the Lord call for by way of duty of all his people in a time of retiremeâ—â— 1. To spâ—ak often one to another Mal. 3. It was a time when there was hardly a Priest to speak publickly to them but such as corrupted â—he worship of the Lord Then they that feared the Lord spake often oâ—e to anoâ—her anâ— the Lord bearkened and heaâ—d it and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that seâ—red the Lord and that thought upon his Name They had great thoughts of heart for the Name of their God and they spake no doubt of his dispensation and of the signs of the times and what he call'd for to strengthen settle and comfort one another this is the practice Saints should be serious and conscientious and often in in such a day and so keep up the practice of Ordinances among them 2. To bee found as the mournâ—rs of Zâ—on In the day of Zions breach and Captivity the promise of mercy runs to her mâ—urnâ—rs to the humble and contrite ones Isa 57. 15. 18. with those hee will dwell those hee will revive and heal Hee wiâ—l not câ—ntend always lest their spirit fail but will restore comfort to the mâ—uâ—ners So â—saiah Chap. 61 ver 2 3. And Chapter 60 vers 10. This was Jeremiahs spirit In that day Jeremiah 14 ver 17. let mine eyes run down with tears and let thâ—m not cease for the Virgins Daughter of my pâ—ople is broken with a great breach with a very grievous â—lâ—w Oh that the Lord would give down this Spirit upon his people as we would call for a Spirit of Bravery and Courage which in its season is honorable and hath appeared upon many of the Ministers of Christ so let us call upon one another for this Spirit also to be found mourning apart and together in our retirements for the abominations and blasphemies of the land for our former un profitableness unholiness security formality hypocrisie pride of life divisions frowardness back shdings breach of Vows and Covenants with the Lord self-seekings in the management of the precious cause of the Lord Jesus which now lieth as crucified Oh! do we mourn over it as wel as talk of it 3. Jesus Christ calls to heart-searching In such a day is every one to be retiring into their own hearts and finding out the plague of them Lam. 3. 40. In the day of their captivity then saith the Prophet let us search and try our ways c. Then is every one to be awakening his own heart every soul attending to a renewed repentance and humility to renewed mortification in the spirit that it may be as a day of a new conversion upon all our spirits 4. In such a day Jesus Christ calls his to uniting that we get all our prejudices to be removed and healed though under different measures of light as we are upon the enquiry of our way to Zion after the long night of Antichristian darkness we have many stones in our way and much remaining darkness upon our spirits and the Lord gives out light gradually to his people in the Churches restoration which calls for a mutual forbearance from all that would see the beauty of Zion and press after it and not imposing one upon another much less devouring one another by the way Ah! when our spirits are more melted by the Gospel and we are more in the spirit of the Gospel it shall be so then shall wee know one another as Saints and upon that account have Communion together and not bee bound up to any Form and make it a Law of Communion which is indeed no better then a dreg of christiaâ—ism upon our spirits Union with the Lord Jesus is the ground of fellowship with him and loâ—t shâ—uld be one with another 1. Joh. 1 3 Let us all contend together for the great interest of the â—ospel power of Godliness purity of Worshâ—p as as the great and common interest of all that fear the Lord. 5. In retiring times the Lord calls to much secret duty especially of prayer Cant. 2. 14. Oh my Dove that art in the clefts of the rock c. Jesus Christ behold his Dove in the clifts of the Rock in her retirement as hid from the wrath of her Enemies and there she mourns in a Dove â—ike spirit and the Lord delights to see her face and hear her voice Some have more fully heard what great things single Saints have â—one in prayer for the people of God how they have prevailed with God as Jâ—cob Moses Joshua Samuel David Elijah Isaiah Jeremiah Daniel c. in their several generations who were men of like passions with us Let me alone saith the Lord to one Moses Every praying soul should be so awakened and engaged in this Work at this day as if the whole lay upon his or her shoulders as if his cryes even alone were to prevail for Zion's deliverance Oh my dear Companions in the Kingdome and Patience of Jeius Christ cry mightily and sigh with â—itrerness and unutterable groans pour out your souls as water before the Lord because of the sinne and breach of the people of your God Oh cry for Healing for Zion cry for your Bread those precious Gospelfeedings of which you are bereft cry against Babylon and the Horns that are pouring ouâ— the blood of your Brethren Cry â—or the ruine of the Beasts Kingdom and the exaltation of the Throne of Jesus Christ in the world 'T is said Dan. 7. 13. One like the Son of Man came to the Ancient of Dayes and they brought him near before him Saints by Faith and Prayer do bring the Son of Man near before the Father And then there was given him Dominion Glory and a Kingdom that all People Nations and Languages should serve him ver 14. If such a Spirit be given forth in the entering into our Chambers verily the wind thereof shall put such an Earthquake into the tenth part of the City and the Foundations that are now laying that it shall be like a breach ready to fall swelling out in a high wall whose brâ—aking comeâ—h suddenly aâ— aniâ—stant Isa 30 13. 14. And the Adversaries of the Lord shall not see whence their blow cometh Certainly never did such a praying generation miscarry 6. In retiring times the People of God should walk wâ—sely at such a time when a
prohibition till the 2d year of Darius whose indulgence they might have soon had but neglected it and built their own houses and were reproved by the Prophets for their neglect therein And that word as urged by blessed Mr. Burroughs in this case and other of the Servants of Christ is not to be slighted Mal. 9. I will have mercy and not sacrifice which may wel hold forth this That the Lord hath more respect to a Work of Mercy than to a Sacrifice a lawful preservation of a man's self is a moral duty a work of mercy not only to himself but others to which end a Sacrifice of instituted Worship at certain times and in some cases may be omitted Obj. 6. But 't is objected That the case is not the same with that of our Saviour and the Apostles whose lives were in hazard but now it is not so the Liberties and Livelyhoods of the Ministers of Christ are onely endangered Ans 1. The loss of liberty livelyhood with the ruine of their Families is as a lâ—sser death the preservation of which is a moral duty But let the case well be considered what three Months Imprisoâ—ment in such nasty holes as the Lonâ—on Prisons are and it may be understood to amount to little less than life and upon what terms liberty may be had at the three Months end is not so easie to determine it cost one eminent * Mr. S. Minister his life already But if it be stated to be onely the loss of liberty it will be a tender case of Conscience whether for once or twice appearing in publike a Minister is to hazard his service of the Câ—uâ—ches aâ—d People of God to whom hâ— may be useful in a more private way Obj. 7. But such a withdrawing may be aâ— offence â—o some Sâ—ints though most otheâ—â— be satâ—fied Ans I shâ—ll here speak a little to the case oâ— offences because Satan hath formerly had great advantage upon the Spirits of the Lâ—rd's people this way 1. There are oâ—â—â—â—ces that com by the ungodly perâ—ecuting world who lay stumbling blocks in the way of the people of God by their persecuting them to such it is said Wo to the â—orld because of offences Mat. 18. Saints are not surely to pronounce those woes one upon another upon different apprehensions of duty 2. There are offences that arise among the Churches and people of God themselves such are 1 Either really given one to another Or 2dly Through misunderstanding weakâ—ess passion or temptation are unduly taken and not given 1. Concerning the former namely offences really given which will too often be while we sâ—e but in paâ—t and are holy but in part the Spirit of God calls for all forbeaâ—ance compassion and restoring one another and bearing one anothers burdens according to the Royal Law of Lâ—vâ— Gal. 6. 1 2. Eph. 4. Phâ—l 2. Col. 3. 12. 1 Pet. 3. 8. â—rom which Scripâ—ures let Saints and Members of Churches learn what Spirit and carriage is required one of another in case of offences which through miscarriages mistakes and hours of temptations will befall the poor children of God while they are in the flesh and therefore do call for such an exercise of grace one towards another and not for rigid censuring debasing treading one anothers names under their feet or worse if it may be which are fruits of the flesh and of the pride of our own hearts when we set up a Throne in our own spirits and all must bow and â—all down to it to be judged either as to matter of Judgement or Practise and wonderfully please our selves in it which will not well consist with a wel humbled heart 2. There are Offences upon the Spirits of Saints that are taken but not really given through weakness of Judgement mis-guided Zeale Rashness and Passions and not attending to a well studyed and rightly informed Judgement whereby the Tempter waits to stumble good sculs and to hinder their peace and communion with the Lord. Hence the Wisdom of God takeâ— special notice of the evils that befall the spirits of men in this case A Brother offeâ—ded is haâ—der to be non than a strong City and their conteâ—tioâ—s are liâ—e â—â—e â—â—rs of a Castle Prov. 18. 19. Yea let it be seriously attended to by all that fear the Lord whether all the Teachers that have been among the People of God have not riâ—eâ— either for want of a compassionaâ—â— bearing of offences given or by taking offences unduly when not really given and by which Satan hath been graâ—fied and the uâ—converted world hath been stumbled and all for want of thorough-heart â—umiliation Wisdom Love in the Spirit whereby they should be able to â—udge â—oberly and walk in peace as becometh Saints But oftentimes this temptation hath not rested here but as it hath been observed by holy men that all backfliding and apostacy begins in taking offence first offended at one thing or person then at another and â—o at more till they drink in prejudice against the Servants of the Lord and the Way they walk in â—â—â—l from all sound and searching Ministery and so run from Mâ—uâ—tain to Hill from one thing to another till they come to nothing unâ—ess the Lord in rich 〈◊〉 â—â—covâ—r them by a sound Wâ—rk of Humiliation upon them 〈◊〉 laid in that Parable Matthew 1â— 12. That he that hath not râ—ot in hiâ—self in â— time of persecution is offenâ—â—â— Various wayes hath Satan to offend and stumble them Our Lord Jesus warned his Disciples of this Matth. 26. 31. Then saith Jâ—sus unto them All â—e shall be offended because of me this Night c. And when the Lord promiseth to bring back the Captivity of his people he saith to his servants Cast ye up cast ye up prepare ye the way take up the stumbling block out of the way of my people Then will the Lord remove their offences and heal their spirits and they shal walk on in the way to Zioâ— and shall not stumble any more Obj. 8. But doth it not proceed from carnal fear in such as judge that retirement is the duty of this day Ans A grain more of love may cast it that the Lord's servants and such of the Churches that so judge and walk do walk after their light conviction and satisfaction of conscience which happily a little time may determine Truly most of the sons of men have an Absoloms spirit and say in our hearts What would I do if I were in such or such an ones case wherein our own hearts wonderfully deceive us Yet if any of the servants of the Lord have a more then ordinary impulse of spirit at this time as it may be some have had since this dispensation of giving in their testimony 't is bâ—st to leave them to the Lord without judging each other Concerning the Ministers of Christ I would humbly say thus much That iâ— they shal be found in their particular practice faithful to the light and
Administrations of Worship are cut off and laid dead wherein the last slaying of the Witnesses doth specially consist yet the main body and generation of the Saints preserved but so as they are in all respects either Civil or Ecclesiastical call'd off from the publike Stage to a retired condition and do lye as dead men onely they are not buryed but are as it were still kept above ground till the Spirit of Life from God enter into them So at the Text when the People of God are called into their Chambers he said in the 19th verse of the 26. chap. of Isaiah Thy dead men shall live c. while in their captivity they lay as dead men So Hosea 6. 1 2. When smitten and wounded in their captivity they shall lye as dead but after two dayes he wil revive them But more particularly when doth the Lord call them thus to retirement call them off from the publike stage and bids them enter into their Chambers 1. In the case of the text When the wrath of man is kindled against them when the Nations and people among whom they converse are in a confederacy against them and say of Zi on Let her be defiled and let our eye look upon Zion Micah the 4th and the 11th Verse Then he knoweth how to hide his people as in his Pavillion then shall they be his hidden ones Psal 83. So he hid the seven thousand in Samaria that did not bow the knee to Baal whom the text saith He reserved to himself Rom the 11th chap. ver 4. And yet that people at that day were under an obligation of Worship at the Temple at Hierusalem but God did indulge them as may further bee shewed So as hath been hinted the Lord hides the Woman in the wilderness from the Wrath of the Dragon who casts a Flood after her 2dly Jesus Christ calls his people to retirement when he reserves them for a Day of Mercy and greater Service and a more pure Reformation when hee thus layes them dead in order to a more glorious resurrection So in severall Ages have they been wonderfully kept under the variety of the Lord's Dispensations to them as in Egypt and David and the remnant of Judab that adhered to them Many instances might be given 3dly The Lamb calls to retirement when he hath been contesting with the Spirit of the Beast in any of the Nations by the called and faithful and chosen Rev. 17. 14. When he hath set on foot his controversie with any of the Horns and hath overcome them hath often carried it against him yet hee suffers his Enemies to rally again and his own followers are scattered when he seems to turn aside from the pursuit to drink of the Brook in the way as it were to refresh himselfe and then makes a short turn to the Prey again Psalm 110. Verse the last that hee may gather his Enemies as sheaues into his floor Micah 4. 12 13. and will make the Horn of the Daughter of Zion as Iron to thresh them in such a day The Lamb withdraws and retires and calls his Saints to retire with him And this is to follow the Lamb wheresoever be goeth Revel 14. to go as he goeth and to retire as he retires and not to run out without him upon any account whatsoever In such a season the Lamb doth indulge them nay call them off from their publike Administrations and Services and Prophesyings and they are to wait till the Cloud appear and goe before them in which they can see the Presence of the Lamb and heare his Voice calling them thereto 4thly The Lord as it follows from the former calls them to retirement when hereby he will fit and separate a genetation to follow him in his next appearing when hee will prepare them in the fire melt them and try rhem Jer. 9. 7. I will melt them and try them for how shall I do for the Daughter of my people Then he will cast out the treacherous dealers from among them as Verse 4. of that 9th of Jeremiah Take heed every one of his Neighbour and trust ye not in any Brother for every Brother wil supplant c. And they will deceive every one his Brother and will not speak the truth ver 5. Now God will discover and cast out such a mixture and spiriâ— from among his people in the day that he will melt them and try them v. 7. and Ezek. 22. 18 c. When the Lord is doing this work by letting out the wrath of man upon them he then calls them to retirement 2. Why doth the Lord thus call them c. 1. The Lord calls his people into their Chambers into a retired condition to express his tenderness of them as he calls them the Apple of his Eye Zach. 2. 8. He that toucheth you toucheth the Apple of mine eye c. Keep me as the Apple of thine eye Psal 17. and his peculiar Treasure Exod. 19. 5. Psal 135. 4. Such a day is a day of making up his jewels Mal. 3. 17. referring to a day of retirement when the wicked were set up v. 15. then when he makes them up he not onely purifies them and puts a lustre upon them but spares them as a Father spares his Son and doth not spend them but rarely upon the rage of men 2. The Lord thus takes them into his Chambers that the glory of his Power may be seen in restraining the wrath of man and causing it to praise him that his people should be in the waters and not be overwhelmed and in the fire not be consumed this is because the Lord is with them because he is the Lord their God the holy One of Israel their Saviour Isa 43. 2 3. That the Enemies of his People should not be able to act their own counsels nor to execute their own rage by a mighty hand of God restraining This is and should be marvellous in the eyes of his people 3dly The Lord calls to retirement when the generation of the ungodly and oppressors are ripening for wrath then doth the Lord lay up his people in the secret of his Presence so Psal 91. which is a word holding out the Lord 's hiding of his people as hath been hinted So see verse 8. 9. Onely with thine eyes shalt thoubehold and see the reward of the wicked c. Thou shalt tread upon the Lyon and Adder the young Lyon and the Dragon shalt thou trample under foot v. 13. Now the People of God will discern through the light of the Spirit in the Word the Marks and Characters of a generation of God's Wrath which in this place I shall not insist on They are such as these When a generation of men do worse then their Fathers Jer. 7. 2. and chap. 16. 12 13. Ye have done worse than your Fathers for behold ye walk every one according to the imagination of his evil heart c. therefore will I cast you out of this Land
c. And this in a Land of Vision and after the hand of God hath been eminently lifted up against them When a people return to Idolatry and Antichristian abominations when Jesus Christ hath begun to reform a Nation as in the dayes of Manasseh When such a generation do declare their sin as Sodom Isa 5. When abominable uncleanness excess and riot and all manner of villany is acted as at noon-day When they persecute the Prophets and Messengers of the Lord that they may not speak unto the people 2 Chron. 36. 16. But take away the Key of Knowledge Luke 17. with Mat. 23. forbidding the servants of Christ to speak unto the people that they may fill up their sin alwayes and wrath come upon them to the utmost 1 Thess 2. 15 16 which the Spirit of God gives as a Character of a people filling up their measure When a generation shall doingly blaspheme the Spirit of the Lord Iesus calling it an unclean Spirit Matt. 12. 24. 31. as the Pharisees at that day call'd the Spirit by which Jesus Christ did preach and pray and wrought all his works an unclean Spirit when in their ordinary language they invoke their damnation and set their mouths against the Heavens and the Spirit and Holinesse and Saints becomes their by-word and their song and entitle Satan to all the glorious works of Christ in Conversion and call it all Delusion and Fanaticism when they oppress persecute and worse the Saints and Servants of the Lord filling Prisons with them when they set themselves in the Throne of the Lord and will be Lords in the Conscience and make the Sons of Zion as the filth of the Earth and all this after the Lord hath been pleading his Controversie with them in very stupendious Dispensation and by their hour of prosperity they are but hardened in their way and say they are delivered to all their abominations that is certainly a Generation of God's wrath Now among such a generation the Lord calls his people to retirment into their Chambers till his wrath come upon the wicked to the utmost and he wil put in his sickle reap down their abominations and none shall save them 4. The Lord calls to retirement that they may deal with him by faith and prayer in their secret corners and may wait for his teachings c. as may further be opened in the close of this Discourse And thus we have endeavoured to cleare the point That Jesus Christ calls his Followers from off the publike Stage into a more retired condition when and why he doth it I shall come to some useful conclusions and so answer the objections and dis-satisfactions of any that lye against it 1. If Jesus Christ doth sometimes in his providential Dispensations call off his people to retirement puts them as into the holes of the Rock then it wil follow that one Dispensation calls for that which another doth not the Lord calls for that at one time which he doth not at another sometimes to a more open appearing in their publike services and actings for him and administrations of worship and prophesying sometimes to a more open exposing to sufferings and at another time the Word of the Lord is Enter into thy Chambers c. shut thy doors about thee So what hath been a duty for Saints in one day hath not been so expresly I mean the main generation of them a duty at another especially in the later dispensations of the Lord towards the giving up of the Kingdom of the Beast when the Lords controversion is now and of his Kingdome hath been with a high hand carrying on as hath been shewed In such a day the Lamb marcheth against his Enemies and then reâ—reats and sounds a Retreat to his called Ones sometimes he faceth the beast and then withdraws and drinks of the Brook in the way he coucheth like a Lyon and then anon riseth up to pursue the prey Here is the wisdom of the Saints here is following the Lamb this is to see his footsteps to walk after them 2. Let it be therefore for an humble enquiry at least to all that are sober to weigh what hath been hinted and to consider if this be not the Word of the Lord at this day whether Jesus Christ hath not sounded a retreat whether he doth not call off from publike Prophesying and more publike Administrations though the wickedness of men be instrumentally in it yea whether the Testimony be not slain and lyes dead and that all the Characters of it have a visible accomplishment at this day a Testimony finished Rev. 11. 7. to all the Offices of Jesus Christ and of his Kingdom in the world in all the concernments of it and against the whole Mysterie of Iniquity and of the Kingdom of the Beast and that especially in this part of the world where the Spirit is given forth And when we had been looking for the fulfilling hereof lo a Death upon the whole and the Witnesses lye as dead in all the parts of the world let the place be named where an open testimony against all the abominations of the Beast against all their National wickednesses and a testimony for the Lord Jesus in the whole of his Kingdom as King of Saints and Nations will be born though some Gospel truths will be born and are practised among them Yea what a strange healing up hath there been in all the Nations of Europe among all the ten horns a General Peace in the Kingdom of the Beast not a Horn or Nation that wars against Babylon not a hand lifted up against her in a way of War to hate her and make her desolate but all preparations from the North and the West husht up levelled and laid dead when a few years since the Nations were all in a flame as if the last distress had been upon them But lo a healing up a stilness and the proud Whore sits as a Queen glorifying her self that she shall see no sorrow which she feared before and shall not be a Widâ—w nor be made desolate Which healing Peace among the horns is implyed in their sending gifts by their Embassadors one to another Rev. 11. 10. because the People and Spirit which they most feared is laid dead the prophesying of ruine to the hastening upon the Beast and wrath upon the Nations seems to have been but a fancy and to come to nought for behold their prayers witnessings prophesyings Armies every where in the whole street of the City are come to nought Is not this the triumph of the Nations at this day and of the Beast Such as state the last slaughter of the witnesses to be already past namely about the year 1558. when that general blow was given to the Protestant Interest in Germany and other Nations and by the Marian Persecution in this Nation have sufficient confutation by what hath since fallen out in several Nations in the persecuting and slaying of the Witnesses in
a holy Seed from one generation to another and not to be exposed to the blood thirstiness and rage of their persecutors though still honoring himself by the suffering of some And as this hath been the practise of the Churches of Christ in times of persecution so of particular Ministers and Witnesses of the Lord in all ages namely as they were led by the spirit of the Lord to retire from particular persecution especially when their case was different from the rest of the saints as in som ages it hath bin the first blow was at the Ministers of Christ so Moses fled before the face of Pharoah and dwelt in the Land of Midean till the time of deliverance came to the Israelites in Aegypt Exod. 2. 15. So David from the persecution of Saul who retired into the Wilderness where the Lord hid him till the time that the promise should be fulfilled in his reign over Israel 1 Sam. 19. 18. though in his retirement he was deprived of the Institutions of the Worship of God in the temple as he complains complains in several Psalms Elijah had given an eminent Testimony against Ahab and the abominations of that day and prophesied the wrath of God to come upon Israel But when he knew the mischief that Ahab intended and he had finished his Testimony the Lord commands him to go and hiâ—â—e himself 1 Kings 17. 2. 8. and Chap 10. 10 And we know Elijah was an eminent Type of the Witnesses of Jesus Christ under the New-Testament Babylon though in the third year when it should rain again according to the word of the Lord which made way for Elijah's appearance he shewed himself to Ahab and God was with him to deliver him But when Jezebel sought after him again ch 19. he went into the Wilderness and hid himsel in a Cave v. 9. At the same time before the three years were finished and the Persecution by Jezebel continued against all the Lords Prophets 1 King 18. Obadiah hid the Prophets by 50. in a Cave who at other times were publikely prophesying So when the King had sent out a Warrant and Officers to take Jeremiah and Baruch Jer. 36. 26. 't is said The Lord HID them which implied their own retirement at that time So our Lord Jesus himself when he heard that John was cast into Prison he retired into Galilee Matth. 4. 12 And when he further heard that he was beheaded he withdrew into a desert place Mat. 14. 13. And so when the Jews sought to kill him c. till his hour was come which places are ordinarily urged by interpreters upon them for the case in hand So our Lord Jesus allows his Disciples Matth. 10. when he sent them forth as sheep among wolves ver 10. that they should then be wise as Serpents walk with such a wisdom as becomes sheep among Wolves which is not rashly to put themselves into the mouth of the Wolf And ver 17. bids them beware of men and then being persecuted into one City â—o flye unto another v. 23. the 〈◊〉 that word being to direct them that when Rulers by their Edicts will not suffer them to preach in one place they might go to another if not in publike then in private and from House to House as the providence of God should lead them When the Jews sought for Paul at Damascus the Disciples did not press him to expose himself to be delivered up into their hands in appearing openly there but on the contrary at a hard rate conveyed him away Acts 9. 23. 2 Cor. 11. 32. In Damascus the Governor under Artas the King kept the City with a Garrison desirous to apprehend me and through a Window in a basket was I let down by the wall I escaped his hands which the Apostle there sets down among his persecutions when the Governor of the City would have apprended him he thought good and the Saints with him so judged to withdraw and yet he was not judged unfaithful or fearful in so doing So Acts 14. when Paul and Barnabas had spoken holdly in the Lord for a time at Iconium when they understood that the Jews and Gentiles with them made an assault at their meeting to use them despightfully and to stone them they were ware of it they thought it ground enough that they were ware of it and so fled into the next Province into Lystra When the Jews laid wait for him Act. 20. 3. he went not into Syria but returned thorow Macedonâ—a And when the Jews had gathered a company of lewd fallows to assault the meeting at Jasâ—ns house Paul and Sylas withdrew Act. 17. 5 6. for they found them noâ— ver 6. And at Berea the Brethren sent away Paul ver 14. So when he would have hazarded himself the Disciples suffered him not Act. 19 30. And when he would go up to Jerusalem all the Saints besought him not to go judging in an ordinary way he ought not till they nnderstood that Paul was under an extraordinary impulse of Spirit to go and then they ceased The case of those famous Ministers and witnesses of Christ at the See Book of Matt beginning of Q. Maries persecution who preached not after the Queens Inhibition and Proclamation though it were not a binding Law as appears by the Declaration of their Faith they gave forth when prisoners in the Kings Bench in which they thus express themselves We are not here in prisons as Traiâ—ors or seditious persons or transgressors of any Laws of this Realm Inhibitions Proclamations or Commandments of the Queens Highness or of any of the Councils God's Name be praised therefore c. Subscribed by Dr. Taylor Philpot Bradford Hooper Rogers Saunders c. the most eminent Ministers and Martyrs of that day who it appears preached not publickly after the Proclamation and Act of Parliament but were committed as having been men famous in King Edwards days and had preached to warn the people against Popery in the interval before the Proclamation was published and were taken after and were put to death because they would not deny the Truth they had formerly preached which the servants of Christ at this day hope through grace they shal not do if called to a tryal thereof and how far several of the servants of the Lord have exposed themselves notwithstanding a former Proclamation and the latter Act of Parliament and particular charges that way lye against some of them sober Christians may judge and not passionately censure any of them and the due consideration thereof and of what hath been said in this case may be more then enough to remove their prejudice or mistaken herein So that here is both precept and multiplied examples both of the Old and New Testament of the Prophets and Apostles and the ordinary Ministers of Christ that when particular and personal persecution hath been against them a design to apprehend them and a lying in wait for them they have at such a time withdrawn and
retired themselvs from their more publick Ministry In the ordinary providence of God these Reasons of it may be instanced 1. When publick Preachers are sent to preach to the world and the people will not receive them but persecute them they after some patient waiting may withdraw for a testimony against them Mat. 10. 14. which is too often the case of the servants of Christ though it doth not fully reach the case in hand 2. When the Lord Jesus hath more woâ—k and service for his servants and will preserve them to a day of liberty as hath been shewed of the whole generation of Saints then he hath used to hide them by his gracious providence in a wonderful manner and hath called them off from the publick stage and kept them in the midst of the persecutions they have been under or snatcht them out of them as abundant instances might be given so it is prophesied Isa 30. 20 That their teachers should be removed into corneâ—s till the Captivity was over c. 3. In mercy to the Churches that the liberties and lives of the servants of Christ may be preserved to serve them more publickly when the Lord by his providence shal make way and in the mean time may be useful to the Churches in a more private way and not to spend them in a kind of passionate courage upon the implacable fury of their persecutors whence it was that the Disciples at Cesarea so passionately besought Paul not to go up to Hierusalem And when he would have entred in among the people the Disciples suffered him not This may suffice to state and clear this case â—o the consciences of such as may be differently minded herein which may at least call for a mutual forbearance in love and that Satan get not an advantage to stir up heats heighten prejudices beget a greater distance among the people of God and so in stead of closing widen the sad breaches that have been amongst us And yet when I have thus stated this case that the call of Jesus Christ may be to retire and that 't is lawful upon particular personal persecution for the Ministers of Christ to do so yet I also say with blessed Bucer as he states this case on the 4th of Matth. upon our Saviour's retirement That there can be no absolute binding unlimited Rule laid down in this case that shall be binding in all times and to all persons And 't is hard for others to determine when a servant of Christ may more honour the Lord by retirement or by a publike exposing himself Every man in such a case is to give up himself to the leading of the Spirit of the Lord which hath carried some of the servants of Christ in one way and some in another in all times of persecution accordingly as Christ will be glorified by them Though the same Bucer who also retired in the Germane persecution concludes thus Where by retirement flight thou mayest see an advantage of honoring Christ tuae te horae servans by withdrawing thou dost as Christ himself did and as Paul at Damascus Yet that the minds of Saints may be fully satisfied herein I will consider what is usually urged by some to the contrary Obj. How do the servants of the Lord give forth a full Testimony if they retire when Edicts are given forth against them seeing 't is said they overcome by the Woâ—d of their Testimony Rev. 12. That we may therefore consider how far this may reach and when Saints may be said to keep the Commandments of God and to have the Testimony of Iesus Christ ver last 1. A Testimony is given first by the Preachers Witnesses of Christ by discovering the sins and the Antichristian abominations of the age day they live in and witnessing for all the Offices Worship Kingdom of Jesus Christ according to the Scripture as the Spirit of the Lord gives light and acts them thereunto and as the Providence of God opens a door to them Blessed be the Father of Spirits that through the Grace and Power of the Lord Jesus such a Testimony hath been given sorth to the glory of God the conviction and establishment as is hoped of the people of God which testimony no doubt the Lord will make good in his best time and which they leave with God being satisfied they are called by the providence of God to a more retired way 2. All other Saints do keep the Testimony of Jesus and the Commandments of God as opposed to the Commands of men in the matters of Christ and his Worship when they are through the teaching of the Spirit in the Word and the Power of the same Spirit resting upon them kept from partaking of the sins polutions and Anti-christian abominations of false Worship which men would impose upon them Acts 2. 40. Save your selves from this untoward generation Eph. 5 7. Be not ye therefore partakers with them v. 11. Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness c. Touch not the uâ—clean thing be ye separate 2. Cor. 6 Come out of her my peâ—ple that ye be not pa takâ—rs of her sins that ye receive not of her plagues Rev. 18. 4. When the professing people shall obey the Lord in such words as these and not defile themselves nor provoke the Lord to jealousie against them this is a good Testimony and such Saints who call for extremities from others may find this to be a Testimony hard enough to be kept when they are tryed as thâ—y have in lesser matters already This Testimony the 7000. kept in Samaria that bowed not their knee to Baal and God accepted them in it And let all the Ministers of Christ who would approve themselves as such to God and his people take heed that they are faithful in this testimony as well as others of the people of God and that under pretence of having the liberty of their Ministry they are not found in compliance with Humane Inventionâ— against light to render themselves a scorn to the prophane and a grief and stumbling block to the godly especially when such eminent and severe strokes from Heaven have been upon many for so doing 3. Saints do keep the Testimony of Jesus Christ when they are found in the practice of Christ's appointments though in a more private way which is a testimony against the persecutions of the World and the abominations thereof as the primitive Christians practised 4. Saints do keep the word of Testimony when any of them are called before men for not partaking in false ways of Worship and being so called do not deny the truth but confess it before man Mâ—tâ—h 10. 32 33. Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men him will â— coâ—fess bâ—fore my Father which is in Heaven But whosoever shall deny me before men him nill I also deny â—efore my Father wâ—ich is in Heaven So â—s said Iâ—sus Christ wiâ—nessed a good â—â—nâ—â—ssion before Poâ—tius Pilate 1 Tim
man is made an offendor for a word Let us all labour to do all in the Wisdom of Jesus Christ in our walking towards the World in 〈◊〉 assembling in our particular walkings in our silence and in our speaking lest not onely themselves but their Brethren also suffer by their weakness and folly Whoso â—â—lketh wisely shall be delivered Prov. 28. 26. 7. In retiring times Jesus Christ calls for bowels towards the afflâ—ctions and necessities of Brethren this is a special duty of the day some thousands of Families are bereft of their bread while the Lord hath spared to others a full portion not onely in mâ—râ—y to themselves but to be a blessing to their distressed Brethren Blessed be the Lord for what he hath done upon the spirit of his servants in this thing already Aâ— the distress will encrease so should the hearts and bowels of such in whose hand it is be enlarged else let not them think to partake of the day of mercy if they shew no mercy to their Brethren when the present dispensation so eminently calls for it A blast from Heaven wil come forth upon the Estates Families Names Spirits of such professors who with-hold bread from the hungry and cast it not upon the waters in such a day Never was such an opportunity put into the hands of any generations to shew much kindnesse to Christ and his Saints as at this day never such a time to lay up much treasure in Heaven 8. The day calls for resignment to the will of God to suffer or to do according to his good pleasure The Lord hath triumphed in some of his suffering ones who have gloriously overcome by the Blood of the Lamb not loving their lives â—â—to the death 't is possible some others may be called forth in the same way many to prisons and much hardship Oh! let us be resigned up to the will of Jesus Christ to be contented he should glorifiâ— himself upon us which way hee pleaseth Live upon that faithful saying 2 Tim. 2. vâ—r 11 12. If we suffer with him we shall also reâ—gn wâ—th him what more can be â—esired You have the pâ—â—mise of Jesus Christ to be with you in what he calls you to and you have the rich experience of your Brethren of his faithfulness therein who triumphed over death in a spirit of glory that was upon them for the Lords Prisoners even in every Prison of England their hearts are full of the praises of the Lord crying to the amazement of their Persecutors Blessed be the Lord for a Prison let not our Brethren be discouraged for Christ wâ—ll meet them and walk with them there This may quiet the hearts of all Saints and not be troubled in case the Providence of God so dispose of them and yet they are to walk wisely in this not exposing themselvs beyond what they see the Lord clearly calling themto and their own conscience satisfied therein A good Cause a good Call a good Conscience makes a mans sufferings sweet to him A servant of Christ may be in a good Cause and in a good work in a Christian duâ—y yeâ— noâ— have a clear Call at that time and season to it 9. The Lord calls for Cruciâ—iedness to the world a weanedness from all Creature comforts Redemption from all Earthly Interests that their hearts be loosned from them The world was got into the hearts of Professors now it must be cast out and the heart crucified to it if they think to follow the Lamb at this day Let every Believer improve his fellowship with the death of Jesus Christ to this purpose and by Faith realize Christ and heaven and glory and for the heart to feed upon them that the world be not as a weight upon their spirits which hath already drowned ensnared perverted too many and is the very bane of profession if not to the falling short of the Kingdom of God yet as to their own comfort their serving the Lord in their Generation Jesus Christ never much honored a worldly Professor or if so if the world at last â—ook hold of him â— bâ—ast wâ—s upon him 1. In retiring times the Lord calls to waiting a patient waiting I charge you that you sleep not nor awake my Lovâ—till he please saith the Spouse Cant. â— 7. The Soouse was contented to wait for him That word of Esâ—y chap. 52. 12. should be pondered by all that fear the Lord For ye shall not go out in hast nor go by flight for the Lord will go before you and the God of Israel will be your Reâ—eward The word refers to the day of the Captivity they should not go out by hast but see the Lord going before them by some signal providence or other as a call to them to go forth Then the Lord faith he would be their Rereward though the Enemy pursue them they should not be able to harm them the Lord in some Cloud or Pillar of Providence or other will call â—orth his People and they shall hear his voice and follow him Precipitancy is the issue of unbelief men do not hang upon the Arm of the Lord when impatiency carries them to such precipitancy Specially let us take heed to this When the Lord is casting in such Harbingers as fore-runners of his coming by signs and wonders in the Heavenâ— and on the Earth and on the Seas yea it may be by special Visision to some of his Servants and the expectation of Saints generally raised to look for him Oh let us wait for he will bring distresse upon his Enemies that they shall walk as blind men Neither shall their silver nor their Gold be able to deliver them in the Day of the Lords Wrath upon tâ—em Zeph. 1. 17. For behold the Lord cometh out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the Earth for their iniquity and the Earth shall disclose her â—lood Isa 2â— v. last 11. As Saints are patiently to wait so also to take heed that they do not fall asleep I say the Lord delayeth c to let them be girt up as expecting their Lord calls and be ready to follow him wheresoever he goeâ—h c. let them not say in their hearts that the Lord hath forâ—aken his people that he is carrying the gospel from England that it is like to be as in the Boâ—emian day and so be consulting to make haste by flight into other Countrâ—ys unless such whose case may be peâ—uliar verily this would be for a provocation this would be the bitter fruit oâ— unbelief lo the Lord will hide you in your own land and keep you as the apple of his Eye hidâ— thy selfe as it were for a little moment freâ— not against the Lord though you are called off from your publike Assemblies and your Ministers laid as dead Verily the Lord who holdeth his Stars in his right hand will cause them to shine â—orth again and they shall give a more glorious light the Lord will be against the