in that last state of time 6. May it not be matter of unavoidable evidence also as to the present State of the Church that there is surely some eminent period of providence to which so swift and extraordinary a courses of remarkable changes as hath in a successive way still attended these Nations have aproper tendency these being so unusual and astonishing and out of the way of the Lords ordinary working as the most judicious and deep discerners of things could not to this day have reasoned their falling out on principles of humane reason yea such as I must humbly judge will not cease until the Spirit of God be quieted in that great Design which he is to accomplish hereby answerable to that Zach. 6 8. on which he hath set his heart who leaves not his work unperfected which hath also the same sense and intent Isa 66. 9. Shall I bring to the birth and not cause to bring sorth c. nor I am perswaded will any humane counsel make civil establishments to be effectual until that great design of Providence be more understood and concurred with 7. It is now a day of great expectation how the next scene of Providence may open for a farther clearing of this design of the Lord about which I judge these who have nearest converse with God this day by his Word and Spirit see cause to give their fears the first place before their hopes as to some very extrordinary work of judgment that from all signs seems to lie nearest now to the reformed Churches in the frame of providence tho we are like to have little either of Faith or fear when it comes until it be made an object of Sense but I am sure a few of these evident prognosticks that now are in our sight would have deeply affected the Spirits of ous Fathers when we may see no Providences are so extraordinary as to have any sanctifying influence on Mens Souls for the most part or to advance the publick state of Religion as formerly when an outward Calm and a dead Lethargy herewith does so visibly still go together which hath a more mortal aspect on the present state of Britain than might be judged from the highest Paroxism of personal sufferings when the Christian interest this day for accomplishing the great designs of Grace under a reformed profession thereof is as a low thing in Mens eyes in respect of what is more extrinsick and foreign thereto when also the long decrease of that tide of power and influences of Religion on Mens Souls hath at last come to such an ebb by these judicial removes of the Spirit of God that without some very immediate appearance from Heaven we might fear lest Truth should quickly perish from the Earth yea when it 's so evident that God is yet calling for some to stand in the gap and make up the hedge before Judgment go forth butt almost none sound to answer it's voice so intently are Mens Spirits now even of such who outgo others in a profession set upon designs about their own things and it hath surely ever been a dismal sign to a Nation when it becomes rare to find any suitable Instruments and Tools to answer a restoring work therein or to see that raisedness of Spirit for such an end as hath been formerly which may be feared speaks the long shadows of the Evening before some horror of great Darkness are too visibly stretched out But if Men do count these things small and remote from their eyes and will raise a confidence that it shall be Peace until there be another Appearance for God and the Interest of his Kingdom than hath yet been It may make the Disappointment Sad and Dreadful in the Issue One thing I have thought strange how there can be a National Love and Respect to its Interest in another way than to have God Interested both in their Case and Cause in the first Room or how Solemn and Publick Thaksgivings in a stated external Form for the most eminent Appearances of God whether as to a Nation or to a City or to Persons is so visibly divided from such an essential part thereof which is by Thankofferings and some Returns to him in a promissory way by Deeds and Performances as well as by Words suitable to the Weight of such Engagements But this is a rare Practice now to be found on the Earth to design some special Consecration of the Gain of any eminent National Mercies unto God this way 8. Yet whatever may be too evident in the matter of our Fear it 's sure that the just Grounds of our Hopes in behalf of the Church does far exceed the same And though there be many extraordinary Signs to cause Terror and Consternation of Spirit there is one Sign of another kind that will compense all which is that Sign of the Son of Man Mat. 24. 30. as it is to be understood in a promissory Sense and how that great Mourning of the Tribes of the Earth which is there spoke to attend such a Sign hath the same Sense with that Zach. 12. 10. and is clearly expository of the same They shall look on me whom they have Pierced and Mourn c. as also that evident Parallel Rev. 1. 6. since these do so jointly bear evidence to the Nature and Intent of such a Sign as will then have an eminent Appearance with the first entry and returning of the Jews unto him whom their Fathers did pierce I know some of the greatest Writers of this Age such as Vsher Twiss and Mead and of late that Worthy Man Mr. Mather of New-England take this in the same Sense only seem to reckon this Sign to be the thing signified of Christ himself in a visible Appearance then to the World But this will be e're long in another manner understood in the Event Yet I have found it so sweet a Subject of Thoughts in these dismal and sad Times when other Signs are so tremendous that in some things which are most clear herein and suitable to humble Sobriety I must speak a few things 1. How it is unquestionable this is that one Sign by way of Singularity which our Blessed Head and Redeemer does appropriate to himself as his and to be the Sign 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of the Son of Man such as hath never been given to the World like thereto nor will ever be until he come himself to Judgment 2. It is surely a Sign which must be Publick and Conspicuous to the World in some extraordinary Vision to humane Sense for therein is the Intent of that Prediction made express and clear But as to the Nature hereof or its Duration I judge it suitable not to enquire where the Holy Ghost hath not more particularly cleared the same and reserved a further Discovery thereof to the Event 3. It is sure also when this great Appearance shall be to the World it will be with that demonstrative and undubitable Evidence as
and Jambres in Egypt until at last they were constrained to see and acknowledge it was a Divine Power alone they opposed themselves to but such as will peruse what the most judicious of modern Philosophers speak on this Head may see how dark and perplexed their Inquisition is hereon and how strait Bounds they are penned up in whilst they jointly confess that an Earthquake is by no natural motion of the Earth but is impetuous and violent that moves contrary to the setled course of Nature and fixedness of the Earth but that some extraordinary Stop and Obstruction is herein and when they come to fix on the particular Cause hereof think it most probable to be either ab aqua à flammis subterraneis vel ab halitu But if they will rise higher upon another Principle to give a true Idea of Nature they must then see also how it is acted by God as his Instrument to do whatever he will and that the Motions of all inferior Causes must be ultimately resolved both on an immediate Divine Concurrence to their working and on his directing Counsel to answer his Intent since as the Eye of God is still on the whole Circle of the Creation in its Motions so is his Dominion over the deep and darkest Caverns of the Earth to move upon his Call which can never be subjected to the Rule of natural Causes It is true that in the ordinary course and procedure of Providence the only wise God hath a special Respect to the order of inferior Causes and his own Ordination herein and does thus exercise his Dominion over the World and the Motion of things there according to their particular nature wherein he hath fixed them but when sublunary things step out of their natural Course and do either move against or above their own Nature it is surely then upon a supreme Determination for a great end and some notable Step of Providence is to be understood herein yea it is most conspicuous in the way of God when great Events of what 's foretold in the Scripture are in bringing forth as to any piece of his Work wherein he designs some higher discovery of himself to Men that it is when Secondary Causes and the whole concourse of Nature would seem most to controul the same and in this present case if with a serious and prepared Mind Men do consider these two late Earthquakes under their proper Circumstances then it is not possible but they must see them to be such Events as cannot possibly be ascribed to another Cause than an immediate Divine Power exerted in the same There is a Second Improvement which on this Head is now called for to have our eyes thus carried up towards God by serious Observation I know this is not easily attained to be in a due capacity and posture to converse with him this way wherein lyes one of the nearest Intercourses betwixt Heaven and our Soul within time but it is of great use to know aright where the intent of judicious Observation on such an account should be most fixed as 1. On the immediateness of such Acts of Providence to be from God alone as can be ascribed to no created Power which is a discovery that comes not with more Terror to a profane World whose Study is to live without God therein than with unspeakable Joy it meets these of a serious Spirit for a more full establishment of Faith and to see it with that Evidence as makes it unavoidable to terminate their eyes otherwise than on God alone herein Deut. 32. See now I even I am he and there is no God else I kill and make alive I wound and I heal c. 2. It is then our Observation is suitably fixed when it respects the clear Impress of Divine Truth on any extraordinary Step of his way no less than of his Power since as his Work is ever answerable to his Being and the Perfections of his Nature so is the outgoings of his Truth and Faithfulness herein to be intensly observed who does rule and govern the World according to these established Laws and Constitutions of his revealed Truth 3. It is essentially requisite also to consider and see such Providences as are more extraordinary under these Circumstances which most remarkably attend the same It being sure how great a weight one Circumstance may have to render a Providence in some singular way to be both instructing and comforting which otherwise would not work in that manner Thus did the Ruler so exactly inquire and observe at what Hour it was when his Son recovered and found it answer to that very time when Christ had given him the assurance thereof It is herein one of the great Duties of our day lyes and I am perswaded that great things for Observation do yet wait upon this time Providence hath been a long Teacher to Britain and it useth to be the last Teacher that is made use of and the last way that the Spirit of God does strive with a People or Nation before approaching Judgment We have seen it go by on the right hand in most singular dispensations of Grace and Mercy to these Nations as also upon the left hand in extraordinary Acts of Justice yet have we little seen or perceived to this day the most special Intent of the Lord herein But since I have spoken more expresly thereto elsewhere I forbear to touch it further only this Improvement further might be suitable on such a Subject to impress Mens Spirits with the Fear and Dread of walking contrary to Providence especially in any more extraordinary Discoveries of God this way since this is the highest Contempt and Opposition upon the Earth to his Providential Government and does in an unusual manner hasten and prepare such for the last Stroak This seems to be one of the Signs of our time that hath a sad Resemblance to these in the Primitive times 2. Pet. 2. who turned divine Patience to be a matter of Scoff and said Where is the Promise of his coming since we see things continue yet as they were and have yet outlived many threatning Tokens and Presages of Judgment But it is usually seen that such who have looked on premonitory Signs with the greatest Confidence and have counted any serious regard thereto to be a superstitious Weakness have been beyond all others seized with the greatest Terror and Amazement upon a surprizing Stroak A reverential Fear and Dread of Divine Warnings and of the evil day is most highly becoming such who may have the greatest Security of Mind as to their own personal Lot therein such as Habac. 3. 16. When I heard this my Belly trembled my Lips quivered c. that I might rest in the day of Trouble A Second Proposition that hath the same clear Evidence with the former from this Scripture is this That such an Assurance of Faith is attainable here on the Earth as can bear out and secure the Soul of a Christian
prevalent as to attain the Work of an Age formerly in a very short time and verify that Scripture to the Amazement of the World Isa 66. 10. how a Nation and People should be Born and formed to the Lord in a day But I must herewith speak to a sad Mistake that I humbly judge many are upon as to the measure of that Prophetick Millennium and highest Glory of Christs visible Reign herein as if that definite time of a Thousand Years should be understood extensively of such a precise number of Years and of so long a Duration when the Intent of the Holy Ghost herein seems so clear and evident that it 's rather intensively to be taken in the Value and Splendor thereof when the Light of one day will be as of seven in one and the Work of God in a short measure of time then will virtually amount to a Thousand Years I know it 's accknowledged by all and clearly understood as David speaks Psal 90. and the Apostle 2 Pet. 2. how a Thousand years with the Lord is but as a day yet seems the Sense of this to be little apprehended by most how a day before the Lord may be as a Thousand years And how it 's intended there to shew his ing such a Value and Glory thereon as it may amount to the Product of a Thousand years formerly in the ordinary course of Providence 2. It is in this respect also that the Lords making a short work in the Earth in the last times of the Church may be understood by a more swift course than usual in order to the perfecting of the Saints who then are on the Earth and ripening of them for Heaven so that answerable to their Attainments of Grace in a more extraordinary growth herein their Translation to Glory will be the more hastned and the Measure of the Work and Services of their time more quickly perfected This with humble Sobriety I have sometimes and do still judge that the Lords cutting short his work then may be no less remarkable in the short Period and Duration which the Saints shall have on the Earth after their Calling than that long Measure which was allotted to Men in the first entry of time as congruous to this design of Grace to make a short work then and hasten the full Translation of the Church to its Triumphant State 3. It is to be judged in this respect also will appear that cuting short of the Work of God in the last times by bringing forth the great designs of Providence which are then to have their full Accomplishment with so extraordinary a gale of Divine Power and swift course thereof as will admit no Halting or Delay but shall attain that in a very short time which to our Thoughts would seem great for an Age to bring forth We can see now with full evidence for what great ends the Service and Vse of time hath been from the first entry thereof and what designs the Blessed Author of the same hath had on the Ages past But when we look forward to the last Intent and Work thereof there seems to be very dark and strange Thoughts hereof by many though the Spirit of God by Divine Revelation is clear and express about the same as to what must be yet filled up of the Work and Administration of Providence before the end The Testimony of Christ which is the Spirit of Prophesie was most specially directed under the Old Testament upon his Priestly Office but now is the Glory of this Testimony as to the Prophesies under the New Testament in a peculiar way settled on his Kingly Office in the whole Progress and Gradations of his visible Kingdom until the close of Time and it 's in a Twofold respect that the Spirit of Prophesie does reveal the great designs of Providence which are yet to be perfected before the end of time The first is as to a breaking down and final Overthrow of the Kingdom of Antichrist under the last Vials yea as to the Methods of Providence and the manner hereof is also express and clear that when the time is once come for this great and magnificent Act of Judgment on that City and Seat of the Beast by the Fifth Vial it will then make a strange and unusual dispatch and be an amazing Surprizal as the Scripture speaks Rev. 18. 7 8. when she says I sit as a Queen and shall see no Sorrow then in one day shall her Plagues come for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her Nor can this be more marvelous in our Eyes when it comes than what we have seen of the degrees of Wrath and Judgment that are already fulfilled on this Adversary so as I must judge by Scripture Evidence this will be a work of short time as it will bear an extraordinary and immediate Appearance of God therewith But there is one great design further in that way of breaking down and overturning which must yet take place in the final Judgment of the Mahumetan Empire both as to Turks and Persians which as it may be clearly understood by the Sixth Vial and does with great evidence relate to what is foretold of this Adversary Rev. 9. 14. under the Sixth Trumpet so as to the manner hereof in that Allusion of drying up the River of Euphrates when formerly we see how these Angels were let loose for Destruction who were bound thereat We may see how the same Allusion does speak such a work of Judgment as will be strange sudden and surprizing as the drying up of Euphrates by Diversion of that River did in one Night make way to finish the Babylonish Empire in the time of Cyrus and now some prelude and remarkable Steps of Judgment as to the fall of that Empire have been of late very obvious But yet in a Concurrence herewith there is one great design of Providence to be accomplished before the end which is for building up and a restoring work on that great and long Ruin of the scattered Jews and thus for gathering together in one in the Dispensation of the fulness of time all things in Christ even in him Eph. 1. 10. which Scripture I must humbly judge speaks peculiarly to that last uniting work about the Church Vniversal both of the Jews and Gentiles When the times of the Gentiles are once Accomplished which as I have a little touched before then will it be understood in the Event how the Value and Interest of a day may be by the Lord in that manner heightned as to sum up and abridge therein what had not been attained in a Thousand years before It was in the first times of the Gospel that the Effusion of the Spirit of God and Out-goings of his Power was so wonderful and strong as in Forty years the extent of the Christian Church after the Ascention of Christ was then greater in the World than it seems to be at this day which I do not question shall yet once
A DISCOURSE OF Earthquakes AS THEY ARE Supernatural and Premonitory Signs to a Nation with a respect to what hath occurred in this Year 1692. And some special Reflections thereon AS ALSO On that Security and Assurance of Mind which is attainable in the Light and Power of Religion under the greatest Surprizals and Terrors of Sense WITH SOME Enquiry upon the Grounds both of our Fears and Hopes as to the publick State of the Church of Christ in this day By the Author of the Fulfilling of the Scriptures LONDON Printed for Thomas Parkhust at the Three Bibles and Crown in Cheapside and Jonathan Robinson at the Golden Lyon in St. Paul's Church-Yard 1693. THE PREFACE IT is sure that the great Intent of Religion is to bring Men unto a near Communion and Intimacy with God whilst they are here on the Earth both by his Word and Providences and where this End is not designed it is a very low Interest that can be made by the Profession thereof For it may be evident how the Intellectual Part of Man when it is in a serious and true Exercise must tend either to their greatest Torment or to an unexpressible Joy when they cannot but see that their Good is not in their own Hand but must every Moment be dependent on an invisible Refuge and Support since Men are no Statues but in the solid use of Reason must have deep Impressions both as to fears and hopes of future Events and how sad and surprizing Changes may be near in the Publick State of Nations and Cities as well as of Persons when all Humane Refuges and Assistances will fail yea when then the great Lawgiver's Right and Authority to a Passive Obedience will be found indisputable in the way of Judgment over such who would not acknowledge the same by Active Obedience under a Treaty of Grace But yet such is the tender Regard of the Majesty of God to Humane Race and to the Work of his own Hand that in the most severe judicial Procedure with a People and Nation he does not surprize without previous Warnings before the Decree go forth and hath a time of Patience herein if so be the Voice of threatned Judgment might be regarded and whereby such Stroaks as have at last made desolate might have been prevented Tho I find not either in Divine or Humane Record that any Kingdom or People did truly meet God in the way of his Wrath to put a Stop thereto upon extraordinary premonitory Signs except that one Instance of Nineve I know it is no easie thing to understand Warnings from Heaven aright and to have a clear Interpretation of such Providences or to discern the Approaches of Divine Vengeance when such tender Intervals of Forbearance as are usual betwixt one Step and another thereof takes off all Fear of a greater Woe that may be to come There are Two things which may occasion some deep and serious Thought about the same with respect to this Juncture of Time we are now in The First is as to that Difference which is betwixt extraordinary Warnings in the way of a Treaty and such astonishing Providences as are of a predicting Nature as presaging Signs and as a Signal of Judgment in its near Approach to particular Places which speaks the Certainty of what is signified thereby This is a Subject that may surely cause matter of great Reflection upon what hath been both of late and for some considerable time past made visible by strange and unusual Discoveries of God this way both from the Heavens and the Earth beneath Nor can it be in the Dark how such are become then portentous Signs and Prognostications of future Events when they cease to affect and warn or to work in a monitory way upon Mens Spirits when the saddest of moral Signs does not awaken nor tend to reclaim when the Dread and Reverence of God does not accompany the most extraordinary Occurences of Providence but Men thus become rather more hardned yea when such unusual Signs meet in an extraordinary Season of Sin and point as with the Finger thereat which is a Conjunction of another kind that hath a more dismal Aspect than all that was ever pretended or feared from the Planets But oh who shall live when God does this and does cease to warn any more after renewed and unusual Methods he hath taken with this Generation for this end But there is a Second thing to be matter also of serious Thoughts herewith for what ends such extraordinary Signs may be directed since they never be in vain when now there seems no promising Efficacy or Influence therewith on the Spirits of most and are so easily past as if they had no Commission from Heaven to discharge But sure then is it that the Majesty of God will make known he hath not forsaken the Earth so that when his Word hath no Regard or Intercourse with Mens Souls he will not yet leave them without some sensible Demonstration of himself and of a Divine and Invisible Power above them as this way he will also awake and put his People more on their Watch and to be on a preparatory Work whatever Storm may be to blow This Scripture on which the following Discourse is founded does give a most singular Account how far a Christian may be raised above his ordinary reach by a special Faith in the Power and Evidence thereof when it can have no possible Rise from any natural Cause yea as there is a Supposal here made of such a prodigious Concussion of the Earth as if the Frame of Nature should be dissolved by some Earthquake and is there literally to be understood it did give a special Call to speak thereon in the first part of this Discourse when such a concurrent Call was also in the way of Providence thereto and to offer some special Reflections on what hath in this last Year 1692 occurred I know the Publishing thereof might seem now too late tho I hope it may be the more seasonable to revive the Sense and Remembrance thereof after some others have I doubt not with much Advantage discours'd on the same Providence tho I knew not thereof when this was writ And I had not the least Thought to have touched any thing of that Additional Discourse which is in the Close if in the Blessed Disposal of the Lord there had not then been some remarkable concurring Providence which thus put me to some deep and serious Thoughts on such a Subject and to have my Soul more nearly join'd in therewith for keeping Sight of the way of the Lord in such Steps thereof as needed his special Conduct and Teaching in a more than ordinary way A DISCOURSE OF Earthquakes Psal 46. 1 2 3. God is our refuge and strength a very present help in trouble Therefore will not we fear though the Earth be removed And though the Mountains be carried into the midst of the Sea Though the Waters thereof roar and be
manner did he bear Testimony to the Divinity of Christ in his Sufferings by such a tremendous Earthquake as an immediate and supernatural Sign in which sense through the Scripture as it is ever given as an extraordinary appearance of God for some special end so it 's unquestionable the greatest Commenter we have on the Scripture is that which is writ by the Finger of God himself in his Work 3. It is with an undeniable Evidence we see a supernatural Influence and Causality in such a Providence hath in all Ages been matter of solemn Observation upon these remarkable Events have followed such a Sign so as in the most judicious Records of History we do rarely find the one mentioned without respect to the other Thus Josephus does most punctually relate these Earthquakes that did so nearly preside the Destruction of Jerusalem and the Expiration of the judaical State as they were predicted by our Lord himself Matth. 24. 7. 4. Yea it 's beyond question how sometimes such Earthquakes fall out with these tremendous Circumstances and clear Evidence of an immediate divine Appearance as serves a Constraint herewith on a natural Conscience to see and acknowledge a supernatural Cause and that they have some extraordinary Commission so as it 's not possible then for the worst of Men to keep off the Terror and Impression of an invisible God And we see little what Interest the Ministry of the Angels hath herein who have surely a more peculiar Delegation and Service in such extraordinary Acts of Providence 5. As it 's needful to understand the Rule of Providence e're we can discern aright the Seals appended thereto so is it evident that a great and stupendous Earthquake is foretold to be one of the strange Events of the last Trumpet which must assuredly take place in these last times and have a literal Accomplishment And though its Appearance then will be something we may judge of an extraordinary kind with some astonishing Marks of Judgment yet is the intent of that Prediction clear herein that when there is any appearance of God this way it calls the World to a very solemn and awful regard of the same and for some Correspondent acts of Reverence and Homage as is suitable to a Providence whereon he does put so signal an Impress of his Terror and Greatness But it were well if Mens Spirits were more prepared and inclinable not only to entertain any such Intimation with Reverence and Fear of the Divine Majesty but to improve the same for a greater strengthning of their own Faith of his glorious Being and of the Divinity of his Word when it is also directed for such an end A Second Enquiry upon this Subject and of great Use is what may be more specially judged as the Grounds of any such extraordinary Warnings and Signs to a Nation where God hath clearly revealed his Counsels and Judgments by his Word and of his making use thereof Though here the Soveraignty of his Will should both silence and subject our Spirits in such a case yet there can be no Darkness therein to any of a serious and judicious Spirit when they see 1. Such a suitable Congruity therewith to that Tenderness which the Son of God hath to Mankind and to Kingdoms and Nations in his Government of the World that he will not only speak by his Word but go to the utmost by more extraordinary Warnings of some great and unusual Stroak of Judgment e're it come so as nothing may be wanting either to reclaim or render such a People unexcusable And it hath a most sad and fatal Aspect if this hath no suitable Impression in the present day 2. This can be no dark or strange thing when the times we are in are such that the Honour and Glory of the Godhead is interested to appear in some unusual manner before Men when no Application of Light to the Judgment either from his Words or Works in an ordinary way does prevail when his Name is in so visible a way blasphemed and all wherein he has placed his Name of so low a regard with this Generation 3. Yea may not yet some more strange and immediate Appearance to this Generation be expected when such a visible Tendency now is to sacrifice to natural Causes whatever hath the greatest Evidence to bring near an affecting Sense of the Deity unto Mens Conscience and to account it a small thing to arraign and subject the greatest of his Works to the Comprehension of their dark and limited Reason and that their Wisdom hath such a Dominion and Influence on future Events as they can give Law to Providence and lay Wagers on what the next day is to bring forth Oh! may not some unusual Application be yet more than expected to let Men know they are under the Dominion of that God who can in a Moment break the most promising Means and Measures taken by Human Counsel by one touch of his Hand and what hath been thought most infallible in the course of Humane Affairs 4. And may it not be feared that when these are so rare who tremble at the Word and Threatnings of an invisible God they should meet with such awakening Signs as cause the Earth to tremble beneath which in the very Nature thereof is suited to beget an awful and trembling posture of Spirit and let us see how every Moment it is dependant on Heaven and in the Reverence thereof that the Earth does not rent and swallow Men up But it is clear also that extraordinary Appearances of God not only in Judgment but in the way of Grace have been most discernable when things have come to an Extremity in the Tryals of Christians and when their Faith and Patience have been ready to be overset by Disappointments and contrary Appearances answerable to that of Isa Now will I arise now will I be exalted now will I lift up my self saith the Lord. A Third Enquiry That I humbly judge is of Concern here is what suitable and safe Application may be made of such extraordinary Providences to the present Day and Place we are in since it is requisite that any Impression of Fear on such an account be fixed on solid and rational Grounds and we be not affrighted with Shadows but according to that Evidence they bear of being supernatural Signs and Forewarnings to have an answerable Sense thereof on which account as to a clear and applicatory Judgment in such a case I shall yet further offer a few things to be considered for this end 1. That when something astonishing and unusal above any Influence of natural Causes is given to be a premonitory Sign to a Nation or People and hath an extraordinary Call with it it does surely speak there is some more than ordinary Piece of the Work of God than in bringing forth there and on a near Approach yea that it is on some great and important Ground when the Lord does this way appear 2. It is of
undoubted earnest in their hand though they may not have the same inward Sense and Evidence therewith on their Heart as formerly Yea the singular Comfort and Advantage which is in a judicious Observation of these more extraordinary Acts of Providence that have met them formerly will be then understood when they come to a serious recollecting of the same It 's true the measure of such a Talent with some may much exceed that of others whose Life hath been filled up with more singular Experiments of this kind what God hath been to them in some unusual way and in the more immediate Interpositions of Providence yet where something is in any measure of such an Assistance for a clear and sweet review on the same it 's not expressible how this will work in a new exigence when the Comforter indeed brings it to their Remembrance it is a strong Argumentation that the Spirit of God affords this way to raise the Confidence of his People in the most extraordinary câ—â—â—… Job 5. He will deliver in Six Trouble yea in Seven by which in Scripture Style is to be understood a note of Perfection when it comes to the highest and most extream part of Trouble that then these Experiences were assured Pledges that his Power will not fail in the Seventh or come short for bringing forth so great a Deliverance It 's true one day may come in a Christians way to heighten the Tryal of their Faith more than all the preceeding part of their Life But it is no less remarkable in the way of Grace how these also have been in some singular manner then trained and ripened for such an Assault e're it came and as the greatest Paroxism of a Disease is usual upon the height of a Crisis and when it 's on a turn so is it experienced how astonishing a darkness does oft fall down when some eminent Appearance of God in the way of Comfort and Light to a Christian hath been most immediately near It is not conceivable also until it be tryed what Satans greatest Design and effort means which each of the Saints does once prove in some time of their Life though not in a like measure yea how singular a time this is found to be for some higher Tryal of God beyond their former Experience But it may be a strengthening Remark to our Faith how the design of those Powers of darkness are most deeply laid against the Followers of Christ according to their room in the Body and any more special Services for him that may be alotted to such I remember a Passage of Luthers in his common places with respect to himself very remarkable videtur mihi Satanas a pueritia mea aliquid providisse in me eorum quae nunc patitur ideo ad perdendum ad impediendumque me incredibilibus machinis insanivit ut saepius fuerim admiratus egone Solus essem inter mortales quem ita peteret 5. There is one singular Assistance also that such who have attained fome near Entercourse with God in the way of his Truth have beyond others in the darkest Hour by a review on these peculiar Promises that have been with the most full Evidence and Seal of the Spirit of Promise sometimes enjoyed in a sensible Application of the same It was this gave David so strong an Argument to plead and prevail with God Psal 119. 49. Remember the word unto thy Servant whereon thou causest me to hope and it 's clearly in that Sense it must be understood Heb. 11. Of these who by Faith obtained Promises from God being made theirs by such an immediate Seal and Application that gave them as clear an Interest therein as if they were in the Performance And surely where the Testimony of the renewed Conscience is kept clear herewith as to the Truth of the Condition to which these Promises relate the very Life and Comfort of a Christians Trust lyes in such a Support above what 's expressible than in an Hour of Temptation 6. But there is one Improvement further in order to a Christians Faith and Support in the most extreme case to consider that in a short time he is to make a Tryal of Faith that will be of another Nature than he hath ever known before and no Tryal within time can be like this which is at Death when the whole visible part of Man must be shut up in a dark and narrow Grave which had once the spacious Earth to move in and did enjoy the Light of the same where in one Moment there is a parting with all Interest and Comforts in this lower World and an immediate entry on the Decision of their eternal State which is then irrevocably cast where they can have no Intelligence from all who have gone before what it is to die or what manner of Sight that will be which is at the first opening of those Gates of the Second World either as to Blessedness or Torment yea where there can be no possible Assistance from Nature in the shutting of this dark Gulf nor is conceivable by Humane Light the Way and Manner of that Passage so that any Exigence which may seem most trying to a Christians Faith here on the Earth is but as a Prelude and preparatory part to this last step of their Warfare And as Death was in its first Constitution purely penal and is no natural Accident which meets us not as we are Men but as we are Sinners there is no true Support possibly attainable then but in the Vertue and Power of Religion But it is now in a more applicatory way I must yet speak further with respect to so great a Subject and what in order to Light hath been held forth thereon 1. That if Men do not design a resolute Opposition to God in those late premonitory Signs of this present Year it 's not morally possible then to withstand such a Concatenation of Evidences of a supernatural Discovery thereby and that they were surely directed with a special Commission from him and Forewarnings of such a kind as are suited to the Design of Providence in this day and when there is so little Faith now on the Earth with respect to any Threatnings of the Word is it strange though there be some unusual Demonstrations of God in the way of sense to speak to the World by a monitory Voice It is true the Lord did never give forth Miracles to attest before Men the Truth of his Deity which hath a Witness thereto in every Object of Sense and from the whole Constitutions of Nature yet have these been most specially directed to awake a more deep and tremendous Impression of the Majesty of God on Mens Souls when the Voice of his revealed Truth is not regarded And there is just cause to believe that the Design of Providence this day is in another manner now than in times past taking place to let this Generation know That surely there is a God who judgeth in the
Discovery upon future things by humane Wisdom and the prudent Man sees and foresees the evil day to provide for the same as Solomon speaks Yea what a thing should Mans Life be without foresight and sagacious decerning of what may be the Issue of things in a due Application of proper means for such ends and of those successive Removes that in the setled course and way of natural Causes seem most unavoidable for on this must all true humant Policy found But on the other hand they see not how the Designs of a supreme Providence may be taking place above the reach of humane Thoughts which does controul their Measures and Hopes and how it was above the Sphere of ordinary Reason or their Foresight that Events have oft occurred betwixt the entry and close of a Year as they could neither see or prevent But there is a Divine Foresight which is of another Nature by the Evidence of Faith of things not seen and future without extraordinary Revelation as can render the Enjoyments of Hope on the Certainty of a Divine Promise to be matter of unexpressible Joy and Support when it would in an ordinary way seem to be against Hope There is a Third Proposal of great weight also on this Head to know what may have the most near and immediate Influence on such a Raisedness and Security of a Christians Soul in an extraordinary Hour of Tryal and does then give the greatest Advantage to such an Appearance when it can have no visible Cause for the same for Answer thereto it is indeed a Secret betwixt God and the Soul of Men and a matter of Power rather than of Words what can raise such a Confidence as hath no possible rise from Nature herein and in this respect those who look at a distance can never know where a Christians Support and his great Strength lyes Yet since this seems so strange and dark a thing to most who may give some Assent to the Doctrin of our Faith I must speak a little further so far as may tend to clear their Judgment who would know what manner of Persons these are who both in a judicious and experimental way move in so high a Sphere and are thus skilled in the way of Trust and secure Reliance on an invisible Refuge But to render it the more clear I shall touch this in the way of Example by some peculiar View of such of whom I hope there be many this day on the Earth to shew that none goes upon higher Principles of true and enlightned Reason And though the Measures of a Christians Faith and Establishment be not alike but of a very different Size yet may this clearly appear and be understood by some special Characters to illustrate the same 1. That he is one who in a serious Recess and Retirement of his Soul hath made a just Reckoning of such surprizing Tryals as lyable to a Christians State here on the Earth where the alone way of believing against Sense must either be his Support and Security or else perish And that no present Condition he is in can be so prosperous or promising but dark and black Clouds may fall down when least expected as all humane Comfort and Assistance may fail and have no visible Refuges to rest on which hath thus brought the serious Thoughts of Religion and his Soul more close together to know such an infallible way as can never fail and will bear the whole Expence of the most extraordinary and dismal Trouble and that there is indeed such a temporal Interest lying thereto as an immediate Communion with Heaven when the lower Springs of Comfort and Supply from the Earth may be shut up yea such a Reality as supernatural Comforts in the Peace and Joy of the Holy Ghost which are best known in the saddest Hour to be undoubted and sure 2. But when he hath thus judiciously reasoned himself to such a Supposal he is one who is no less deeply awakened to provide for the same not only with respect to that last and great Adventure of Faith upon an eternal State but to know where his Strength lyes when such a case may occurr for then it must in a special way lye near to have a Stedfastness of his own in the Truth and to know the strong and firm Conveyances of the Security of our Faith on Divine Promise in such a manner as should not need the Seal of a Miracle or the Testimony of an Angel to support the same since as such a Settlement on the Testimony of God is surely attainable so he cannot conceive how Men can possibly walk in the Light of any true Joy and Comfort on the Earth until they once be at Rest here 3. He knows also that the greatest Tryals wherein he is sisted within time is upon the Work and Actings of Faith in an Hour of Temptation both in the Truth and in the Strength thereof yea how one day in his Life may have some special Commission for this end more than many Years formerly have had but does consider herewith how great the Recompences are even within time that wait on the Issue when the set Measure shall be perfected of such unusual Tryals that it shall be the same as in Job 23. to bring them forth as Gold And as he considers how high a value the Lord does put hereon since the great Dispensation whereby he deals with his Church in this militant State is in the way of Trust and upon the Credit of his Truth when there is no sensible Evidence so it is the most important Study of his Life how he may acquit himself and stand to the Proof hereof for the Honour of his God and Master who hath counted him worthy to put him on some hotter Service and more remarkable Conflicts this way than others and that he may hold fast the beginning of his Confidence unto the end 4. He must be reckoned one who hath attained to a special Communion with God in the ways of Providence by frequent and deep Observation of the same and who thus can discern the great ends and designs which he hath upon his People in such Methods of his dealing with them that may seem more strange and astonishing to others and in what dark Paths he does usually lead such to whom he hath reserved the greatest Testimonies of his Love and Respect so that what proves most staggering to others as to the way of the Lords training of his choicest Followers in this State of Warfare is made a special Assistance to his further Establishment 5. But more especially wherein his great Strength lyes is on that acquaintance he hath attained with the Communion of the Spirit of God which was once so dark and not conceivable by Report but now knows that it 's an acquaintance of such a kind as is not remote or at a distance but by near and sensible Approaches to his Soul and is not by Words but by things of the
greatest Substance and Reality with the sanctifying Vertue of the Spirit made so evident as can make his Work and Services for God to be matter of the highest Delight and Enjoyment yea he now knows what a spiritual Faculty and Life is for corresponding with those Divine Communications so as with a judicious and discerning Ear he can know the voice of his beloved Master from the voice of a Stranger both in its Sweetness to allure and in its Power and Efficacy to draw and conform their Soul into a nearer Resemblance to himself with that Tenderness and Fear which is the native Result of such an Intimacy of Converse 6. But as to this marvelous Acquaintance with the Spirit of God in order to a higher Encrease of Faith He is one who can give an Account hereof also that in no singular way it was attained but as it does respect the whole Community of the Saints by an unchangeable Rule as attainable not only in the retired Duties of Communion with God but by an invisible Trade and Commerce with external Ordinances and the Out-lettings of Sanctury Strength this way answerable to that Psal 20. 2. in both which Respects his Faith hath oft gained a higher Interest and Establishment than by external Providences as being more immediately dependent on the Spirit of God and as all Causes must work answerably to the Nature thereof so can he put his Seal and Testimony to that hid Vertue and vital Influence which those Divine Institutions of the Gospel hath on Mens Soul and is only peculiar thereto yea when others who stay only in the outward Court are bounded this way with an audible Voice to their Ears and literal Discovery of sacred Truth to the Judgment such can witness what unexpressible Support hath been then enjoyed for a more full Settlement of their Faith by immediate Conveyances of Power and Life to their Spirits as hath made it sweet matter of Admiration what invisible Strength hath in a moral way been thus imparted and what remarkable Returns of Light they have had upon such a Tryal of enquiring in the Temple from the Fountain of Divine Light in the way of his Word under their darkest Hours which sometimes have been like Elijahs Meal in the Strength whereof he was enabled to go Forty days without Faint and Weariness 7. But for a further illustrating of such an Example whatever in a preparatory way he hath thus attained for a special acting of Faith in the most extreme Case Yet when this is not at a distance but becomes a present visible Object of Sense and comes so near as cannot but in some extraordinary way affect his Spirit then does it yet more appear where his Strength and immediate Relief does lye in making that great Tryal of turning his Eyes wholly to God by a present Address for such a special Allowance from Heaven that his Strength may be according to his day and then it is in his improvement of that way which God hath consecrated for the most extreme Exigences of a Christians Life he knows the high Value and Use of such great Experiments he hath formerly made of sensible Acceptance and Audience in the most astonishing Straits with such Testimony from Heaven herein and inward Evidence on his Soul as if Fire had come from thence to consume the Sacrifice so as he could then speak in that manner Psal 20. 6. Now know I that the Lord saves his Anointed and Psal 40. 11. I know I shall yet praise him yea as he knows the way of humble Wrestling in Prayer is not bounded in its Warrant by the greatest Extremity so it hath been in such a case that when God does take some unusal Tryal of his People and of their Faith he then designs to give them some great and singular Tryal of himself 8. It may be further applicable to such an Example that though the workings of a special Faith in some great Exigence and Distress be such that he cannot speak to others as it 's then felt in the Light and Power thereof yet does he then know the Security hereof and present Settlement of his Spirit with such Evidence as he sees as well as believes when he cannot possibly demonstrate this to the Conviction of others but as he knows with Assurance his Trust in such an Hour to be one of the most highly rational Acts of his Life so is this no less evident and sure how the whole supernatural part of Christianity whereby a Christian is raised above himself and the Workings of natural Light and Reason hath its alone Dependence on a near and immediate Converse with Heaven wherein his great Strength then lies that when a Tide from without may be such as should quickly overwhelm his Soul he is thus put on a higher Tryal than at other times of the Certainty of Divine Support by a present gale of the Spirit to stemm the same such as riseth higher than the Work or Assistance of Angels Yea how it is not habitual Grace only that could make the practical use of the Shield of Faith to be clear and comforting in an Extremity if there were not some very immediate Supplies But if it be inquired what is the Ground whereon they must adventure and rest their Soul in such an Hour and should specially fix their Anchor on it is not conceivable without respect to two special actings of Faith by which Abraham and Sarah did enter on the Enjoyment of the Promise when nothing seem'd in an ordinary way more impossible than this that he was perswaded God was able to perform what he had promised Rom. 4. And she judged him faithful who had promised Heb. 11. 9. But yet now let me add this more with respect to such an Example that he is one who in a Season of greatest Tryal knows the greatness of that Witness he is then sisted under to be of another kind than any humane Observation that may be upon him when he hath so difficult and hazardous a part to act on the Theatre of his Life and that he hath herein not only the Witness of the elect Angels the watching and considering Eye of the Powers of Darkness who are against him but above all that he is in a more singular way than at other times stated under the immediate Witness of the Glorious Trinity to see how he acts suitably to the greatness of a divine Refuge and these Assurances which the God of Truth hath given him to adventure on then is it also that he knows the Tryal of his Faith does not alone lie when he is now at so eminent a Step thereof for the quiet and support of his own Spirit but for such an Appearance before Men as may tend to sanctify God before the World and for a putting his Seal hereto that he is faithful and true to whom these have concredited themselves and that they durst follow him with a resolute Reliance when both Sense and natural Reason
there with the oversight of a special Providence is still of the same Extent 4. It is a Dilemma of undeniable Evidence as to the publick State and Interest of those Nations that we must either have God for us in the Efficacy and Out-goings of his Providence or against us That God who in the supreme Administration of his Government over the World stands not as Nouter or as a Witness only to the Actings of Men but if he be not on our side and interested in our Cause we must then know him as an Adversary For there can be no possible midst herein that God whose Room all the World cannot supply if he should be shut out of our Counsels yea such a God we have both to fear and rely on who is not one like to our selves to be put off with Words or a complemental Address in a stated Form only or can expect in Faith that this will bring Assistance to turn the Scale of Providence on our side if he be not according to his revealed Counsel with an intire Reliance on him alone adored and feared as God Yea it 's sure in no humane Affairs he does more immediately appear and by an extraordinary Ministery of the Angels than in the decision of War and of Battels For which cause he does in so special a respect take that Style unto himself to be the Lord of Hosts It should seem a strange and astonishing thing how Men can live in the Earth without God without whom they cannot live for one Moment and in whose Hand their Breâ—â—…h is yet if we look to the publick state of Religion this day nothing may be more applicable to the most numerous part of the Reformed Churches than this and that the Sense of a Deity hath more Power and Influence amongst Heathens who walk in the Name of their God than it hath amongst Millions of professed Christians for except we shut out Reason such must be surlie said to live without God in the Earth and not to walk in his Name who live without any resolute dependance and trust upon him in the course and conduct of their affairs whose great business in the World lies only with Men and are much more influenced by such a fear than of his srownings and terror who made Heaven and Earth when it seem's now easie with most to lose God if they may gain Men and make an intrest that way tho the purchase will never bear the expence yea can go the farthest length of external Worship in Church Assemblies and yet be without God then as to any internal converse or injoyment of him by inward acts of adoration and what account can such possibly make of an invisible God who know no other measure of their confidence but as visible things do either smile or frown upon them but there is one respect further wherein we may see how most who profess the name of God do this day live without him in the Earth which is in the way of observation of what passeth betwixt him and them whether by providences or influences on their Soul but take all things at an adventure without any higher looke than what is from Secondary causes though it was in this way that an Enoch an Noah and the whole race of the Saints who have gon before knew what it was to walk with God in the Earth no less in discerning his appearances and work towards them than their way and services towards him But oh what will he do with us when it may be feared that the most prevailing suffrage and vote of the generation we are now in should be this if their Soul might speak for them in such a case let God depart from us for we desire not the Knowledge of the Most High since this lght tends only to be tormenting and does afford no comfort to such or can it be expected that he will allow in this age a Restoring Miracle to bring men again to the faith and sense of the Deity as he did in the days of Elia when we have a much greater Talent to be accountable for than these had or any former Ages past having the whole income of their Confirmations and improvements added to our Stocks 5 Tho the great intrest of that mysterie of a Christians Faith which is the special Subject of this Discourse does in the first place respect our Reconciled State and justification before God yet is it too evident that the most usually trying and difficult part thereof is with respect to the Tryals and conflicts of time and sucha day when they must live immediately on God and give him the Glory of his Godhead when no visible means can support which is that wonderful experiment of Faith in the power thereof that is here expresly pointed at when it is by the Spirit of God as his immediate work alone proportioned to the most extraordinary hight of a Christians Tryal but as to the filling up of this great work of Faith in the appointed measure thereof it does principally 1. respect the whole State and times of the elect Church and on this account there is still a growing increase as to the measure of the work of Faith since Abel the righteous and is not yet come in many degrees to that full hight of perfection which it must have before the close of time yea herein hath each of the Saints their proper share and interest for bringing forth the Glory of this excellent Grace to it's greatest display before Angels and Men which is an end worthy of all the Tryals and suffering times which have ever gone over the Church because this way of giving glory to God is only within time 2. But it must be understood also that in each age of the Church there are some more illustrous examples that the Lord does afford to the World this way in whom his Grace in the power thereof hath a greater triumph in the way of passive valour than in these who have been most admired upon their Heroick Actings and conquest over Men. 3. It is undeniable also what eminent experiments have been thus afforded upon these adventures of a Christians Faith which did not then answer the ordinary Standard of the Tryals which others have had and though we may confidently hope that the highest measure of the suffering times of the Church is now accomplished and past and of the tryal of the passive Graces of the Spirit yet it may be matter of fear that the Faith of Christians in this day may have some more extraordinary Essay in the way of Judgment as to the publick State of the Church and of these Nations now in these last times of the Gentiles than what hath been in ages past and may need more than ordinary ballast to bear up against the darkness thereof when such a midnight hour seems immediately to preceed the dawning of that bright Sun-shine which may be truly reckoned the brightness of Christ's second coming
more before the close of time be no less wonderful in the swift Course and Conquest of Grace both as to Jews and Gentiles than it was at that time But as no great Excellencies or extraordinary Splendor in any Appearances of God have been of a long Duration whilst the Church here is Militant so the nearer all things are to the Center in the final close of time we should expect as God hath expresly spoke that it will be with a remarkable cutting short of his Work then and that the World will be in a strange manner surprized with his last coming Yea that the greatness of such a Harvest of Israels Conversion will bring in more in a short time than many Ages hath done formerly 4. It is also in this respect that the making a short work in the close of time may be judged that after such extraordinary Discoveries of God and Methods of Grace the final Opposition then made thereto by the World will to the furthest make way for the last decision of Judgment when the Harvest of the Earth is thus ripened and made White under such prodigious measures of Guilt more than in all Ages past as the Righteous God will then be Interested in Vindication of his Glory to shut up for ever that long Period of his Patience and Long-sufferings 5. Let me but add upon this Head that I account it a peculiar Demonstration of God which he hath reserved to the last times of the Church to shew before Angels and Men what use he can make of a short time for the greatest ends and how far he can cause it to amount in perfecting of his Work to bring forth such wonderful things in a few days or years that would seem as incomprehensible to Reason as for the Earth to bring forth in a day or for a Nation to be created therein Isa 66. 10. It hath been the Glory of God that some should live more in a few years and act a greater part on the Stage than others in a long Age the first Service of time was beyond all that ever followed upon this Account made wonderful and glorious when one day brought at once forth the Sun Moon and Stars and set them in their proper Orbs and another day brought forth that Intellectual Being of Man made after the Image of God and can it be strange that the same God give such a Demonstration of himself and of the glory of his Power in the last shutting up of his Work as the World may see it 's not in the Reverence of Time nor of Ages when his Design and Counsel herein is to take place But if Men will raise and build their Hopes on the long Duration of this horrid and sad World now in its Old Age and think their Houses shall be continued for many Generations it will be a sad Surprizal in the Close when they are found in the same Posture at the coming of the Son of Man as it was in the days of Noah And I doubt not the swift motions of Providence for making a short Work in the Earth will be yet rendred more astonishing than all we have hitherto seen Blessed are they that watch and wait with Joy for the drawing near of this great day of their Redemption though the precise day and time hereof be alone known to the Lord. 10. It is true that the way of the Lord may seem to controul any swift Motion and Course of Providence in his Procedure this day when the Wheels do to our Sense stand still and things yet kept in a Suspence as to any great or remarkable Decision in the publick State of Affairs yea when after such Expectations now for a considerable time there is so strange an Interval of Silence as to the Work of God in this Part of the World and the Ballance kept in an unusual manner equal betwixt the French and the whole Confederates which are against him It is unquestionably matter of great Thoughts of Heart what the Event may be e're long of such an astonishing Calm and Stop But in order to this let me humbly speak a few things to be considered 1. How in all times of the Church it hath been made observable That when the Lord is to bring forth some great Work of Judgment on the World and on particular Nations he does not only reinforce Warnings and gives time herein to answer his Call but even when his Hand is lifted up will yet hold the same But where the most Signal Delay and Forbearance hath gone before it 's sure the more dreadful and sad is the Stroak when it comes at last 2. Though there needs a Divine Light to make a right Estimate and Judgment of things which relate to the present day yet if Men admit Reason it may be too easie to see that there is no slow motion in the visible tendency of things as they now move in these Three Nations to some fatal and sudden Period except these things which should thus awaken our Fears have a more special Influence to direct unto these Duties which might yet prevent the same For even judicious Reason may Prophecy what Aspect such Evils have as by a native and unavoidable Result have the most near and immediate Influence on a Nations Ruin when they are come to that Height as will admit no Cure And when the most numerous Part of a Protestant Profession therein are so visibly stated in Emnity to other pursuing different and contrary Interests as cannot but lay a dead lift on all publick Actings this day When also the Contagion of Example is so prevalent and mortal but the Comfort thereof so rare as to any of a truly Raised and Heroick Spirit And if we look to these who have a leading Interest in these Nations as to their Stations and Qualities how few of such may be now found whose Ancestors had an eminent Appearance for God in their day that have the Spirit of their Fathers resting on them But now in the 3d. place I must crave leave to speak a little more fully in order to a trying and inquisitive Judgment on a very great and affecting Head what it should mean that there are such threatning Appearances of Hazard to Britain from the French Power in these times we are in I know it may seem a hopeful Sign that such a Party as we have to deal with are such also against whom the Blood of Thousands of Protestants is crying to Heaven And I am perswaded that the Holy God will in due time avenge these strange measures of Cruelty exercis'd there upon the House of Bourbon and have Indignation against that Race until the Sun cease to Rise and Set But on the other hand I must speak that surely there seems something in an unusual way threatning in the present Aspect of this Adversary on which I shall offer a few serious Reflections 1. That for several Years past there hath been such remarkable evidence of
a Seal of their Commission for Judgment not only to take Peace from this part of the Earth but to be the Rod of Divine Indignation against the Refomed Churches For it hath been under this Rod that hitherto the most destructive Ddsigns have had the most visible Successes and when an Instrument of Judgment is of Gods choosing and hath an anointing for this end put upon him it proves then to be very formidable as it hath the Impress of his Terror and Greatness put thereon beyond what is at another time and is thus acted with an invisible Power and Concurrence until such a Work of Judgment be accomplished 2. We see this is an Adversary who in this late Design against the whole Protestant Interest in the Kingdom of France hath had such prevailing Successes to carry on a ruining and judicial work of that nature when in former times the Protestants there did with an Heroick and Invincible Spirit bear out against the utmost Power and Violence of Four Kings successively and could see them by an extraordinary Divine Hand broke But oh now was the day turned no less remarkably and the Attempts of this King followed with that Terror Fainting and Lowness of Spirit as to any self Defence that it might be seen as in the case of Samson their Strength this way was departed so as nothing could avail until such a Work both of Tryal and Judgment was accomplished This I confess hath oft had an affecting Sense on my own Spirit and brings a more extraordinary Call therewith to have our Reliances more absolutely fixed on God and promise less to our self from visible means yea how to prevent such a Hazard at the Fountains Head as is still threatning when there may be just matter of Fear that the date of his Commission is not yet expired But 3. Is it not known that this is such an Adversary over whom the English Nation once had so great an Ascendent in times past as they were a Terror unto that People who now does not only keep but gain Ground against the united Strength of so great Confederacy so that there may be cause for a higher Look than to what is humane in the Standing Supports and growing Strength of that Party And it 's surely one of the great Demonstrations of Providence in the World which is both in the rising and depressing of the Genius of a Nation and People answerable to the Designs which God is accomplishing hereby But this I leave to the more serious Thoughts and Judgments of others what Appearance such a Sign hath to us this day 4. It is in some singular way that it may be said the French have attained beyond others to be united within themselves and on the other hand no less skilful to divide and promote Discords amongst those who are against them and who now in this critical Juncture of Affairs know how to graft their deepest Designs on these intestine Distempers and Convulsions which are so visible in the Politick Body of these Nations yea know how to foment the same whilst intestine Conslicts even amongst the most serious part of Protestants are so uncessant as to shut out all fear of this kind and despise any moral Relief or Cure 5. Tho' it may be of small Notice or Remark upon any threatning Aspect of such a Party yet I must look otherways thereon even in this Particular that there has been such a long and resolute conforming amongst us to the way of that Nation in the most Prodigions Fashions and Attires who have delighted herein to copy after such a Patern that they may be at last in the Righteousness of God made to have as sad a Tryal of them in the way of Judgment as of that continued Instuence and Ascendent they have had over them in the way of Sin 6. But there Is one Reflection I must yet further offer upon this Head which in this day hath had a special Impression on my own Spirit that the last Effort and ultimus conatus of the Kingdom of Antichrist before its final Fall may be feared is not yet accomplished as to the ultima clades of the Reformed Churches yea that this work hath fallen under his Hand as the Instrument waited and fitted by Divine Providence for such an end which hath oft made me judge that the date of his Commission is not yet expired when the same provoking Causes of such a desolating Stroak as hath been of late on the Church of France are no less visible amongst us and may have the same Ground to fear when we see such a remarkable Beacon in their case set before us The God of the Reformed Churches is no Respecter of Persons and Nations who will not still bear with a naked Shew and an uninlivened Profession of that pure and excellent Religion we enjoy yea when the most near and immediate Signs which in former times have gone before some extraordinary Stroak of Judgment on Nations and Churches are rather in some further Degree applicable to us There may be more than ordinary cause to meditate Terror on such an account that there is a Sound of great Wrath on this Generation yea that a Sword is fourbished and sheathed in Heaven which is to have some great destroying work under its Hand before it be put up But oh nothing is like to do until something more extraordinary than we have yet seen draw aside that Veil of Security we are now under and hide these things from our Eyes But I shall add herewith as it should be a Blessed Surprizal if the God of Patience might yet spare and prolong a Season of Grace and Respite so threatning a Woe so on the other hand an experimental Knowledge of the Truth of Divine Premunitions when it 's too late and is had at so dear a Purchase will be very sad when no Conviction or Repentance can regain such a Season as we now have if it be once lost But as the Proverb speaks non licet in bello aut morte bis errare There is one thing yet further now in the shutting up of this Discourse which I must in a few words touch that as it is the alone Prerogative of the Deity to declare things to come before they spring forth and who hath bounded the Prospect and Evidence of his People as to future Events or what he is yet bringing sorth of his work in the last times according to the extent of Divine Revelation herein since this is to be the measure of our Light and Discoveries until the second coming of the Lord. So it 's no less evident and sure that any Pretence or Prospect of the Events of Providence which have no Dependance on any natural causes is beyond the possible reach of all natural Science or of that horrid Profession which is so much aloft in these times of judicial Astrology as it relates to future and contingent Events wherein Men as free Agents do act when