doth commend it self to mens consciences as a safe ground whereon they may repose their soul It is also clear how wonderfully the Scripture hath been preserved and the original copyes thereof keept through all ages that what ever small variation there may appear as to some Apiculi which in some places hath caused divers readings yet in any necessary or saving truth the greatest Criticks will confesse they do not in the least vary and it is knowen wherein we are to adore that special providence of God that the Jewish Church to whom this sacred depositum was delivered did with such exact and singular care look to the same even in the least tittle or letter thereof this being the great work and study of the Mazarites from one age to another to see to the preserving of that great record from being in the least vitiat or corrupt and the greatest adversaries of the truth cannot possibly deny that aggreement betwixt these many original copyes in the whole substance which may be very convincing to the World And doth not men see how marvellous the whole frame of the Scripture is What a correspondency betwixt all the parts thereof that nothing in it doth in the least vitiat the proportion and beauty of the work but all alongst an evident tendency to advance holinesse and conform the soul to God With a wonderful consent and harmony in answering to this great end we see the simplicity and plaines of its style yet backt with a convincing Majesty and authority upon the conscience yea besids it hath been attested by miracles that were great in themselves famous in their time transmitted to the Church in after ages with unanswerable evidences of their truth that not only from the witnes of the Word but other pressing and rational grounds may let us see there could be no deceit or imposture therein These are a great testimony to the truth but I may say on very sure ground that next to that great witnes of the Spirit there is no argument more convincing to reach Atheisme a stroke and throughly satisfy an exercised Spirit who may be plunged anent this great thing the authority of the Scripture then a clear discovery of its performance whilst under the assault of such a temptation if this be the very word of God they may but retire within and then turn their eyes abroad in the World to see what a visible impresse of the Word is stamped on every piece of the work and providence of God Now for further clearing I would offer these few things 1. First the accomplishment of the Scripture is a very publick testimony from Heaven to its divinity whilst the Lord by his works through the Earth which are done in the view of Angels and Men doth solemnly avow that this is his Word for we must say his work within on the hearts of his People without about the Church is such whereat men yea all the magicians of the earth may stand amazed and confesse that nothing lesse then a divine almighty power can accomplish the same 2. This gives in the witnes of all the generation of the righteous who from the beginning have proven the truth thereof yea sealed by the blood of many excellent Christians some of whom though they could not well disput for it yet had so strong a demonstration of the power of the truth within as made it an easy work to dy for the same 3. This doth clearly shew the Scripture is an unchangeable rule of righteousnes that alters not but takes place in all ages whence such as are wise to bring providence in to the Word and compare the experience and remarks of one time with another may have a great reach and be thus led in a sure path as to the for seeing of events 4. This also doth demonstrat that it is his Word who doth rule and guide the World and hath a soveraign dominion over the fame whilst we may here see such remarkable events which both in the present and in former times have fallen out as may shevv a povver that can reach the greatest vvith a stroke shake the most established Kingdomes and even over the belly of insuperable difficulties accomplish the Word yea that surely the Spirit of the vvheels vvhich moves them is from him vvhose Word this is for it is not more clear that these courtaines of the Heavens are stretcht forth over the Earrh then that the Scripture is stretcht out over the vvhole vvork and frame of providence so as all the motious and steps thereof even of the most casual things that fall out hath a visible tendenâ—y to accomplish these ends vvhich the Scripture hath held forth 5. This clearly sheweth it must be his Word who hath forseen all things that were to beâ—all the Church and the various changes and adventures of every Christians life through time whilst it is so wonderfully shaped and suited to every new tryal of the Church as if intended only for that time and to every case of a godly man as though it had been alone writ for them 6. This also sheweth that he who is the author of the Scripture and hath framed that admirable piece must have some immediat correspondence with the Spirit of Man knoweth our sitting down and riseing up yea doth search the heart and the reines for experience can tell how the Word is directed to the heart doth reach the most inward contrivances thereof doth so clearly reveall and open up a Christian to himselfe that we may say of a truth he is the God of the Spirits of all flesh and one greater then our heart whose it is 7. I shall further adde the fulfilling of the Scripture in the experience of the saints doth shew it is not a dead letter but hath power and life and there must be an enlightning quickning spirit that surely goeth along with the same this clearly demonstrates something above words yea above nature in the written Word that can make such a change upon the soul give life to the dead open the eyes of the blind yea can turn a lump of earth that formerly tended downward now without any violence to move from a principle of life towards God as the sparks flee upward VI. The aceomplishment of the Scripture is a most pleasant and truely delectable subject worthy of our Serious thoughts and study for here is held out the highest truth for the judgement to contemplat the truth and faithfulnes of God in the Word and here is also the greatest good for the affections to embrace and delight in as that wherein our whole happines is certainly wrapt up it is undenyable that it is the godly man who knoweth best what true and solide pleasure is which he doth not losse by turning his heart from the creature to God but maketh a blessed exchange O how far doth the joy and delights of the soul exceed these of the senses and the delight of a Christian how far
the Gospel It is true the Christians inward experience can best witnes this for these have an argument from within they know and they are sure they have received the spirit by the word whereby they understand these things which are spiritually discerned but that which here is intended it is to shew that the spirit is truely let forth to the church according to the promise that it doth accompany the truth and doctrine of Christ and purity of the ordinances as a thing which from clear undenyable evidences may be demonstrat to the conviction of the greatest Atheist for I must think even bystanders such who never knew any saving work of the spirit but live in these parts where the ordinances are dispensed with purity and power if they shut not their eyes may oft clearly see something going forth with the word that is beyond words a divine spirit and power which sendeth forth its savour in the dayly administration of the gospel yea by its effects and some convincing discovery thereof doth force this truth in upon mens consciences who are otherwayes strangers thereto Now to hold forth the accomplishment of so great a promise that God is faithful and true therein I would give in these clear and convinceing witnesses to the same 1. These excellent gifts and enduments given to the Church are they not a visible proof of this truth For it is undenyable where once the gospel cometh that instruments are raised with another spirit reapers sent forth while there is a harvest to be gathered and shaped for their work yea these who were of mean and ordinary parts when called forth to the service of the Church will have another lustre that it may be oft seen with astonishment how far not only they exceed themselves but these who were of more eminent natural enduments I would but seriously ask men who never laid this truth to heart whence is that variety of Gifts so sutably dispensed to the various employments and different pieces of service the Church doth call for how are they thus suted to the several times yea to the very genius and temper of such a time Whence is it that every gift and qualification is so fitted and disposed for its proper use some most peculiarly shaped out to awake and threaten these Boanerges while others are set forth with a spirit eminently fitted to comfort some mighty in perswasion yet not so fit to expound others most dexterous to instruct yet not so powerfull to apply some the gift of tongues and others the tongue of the learned to speak a word in season to the weary to some the face of a lyon is given when a heroick spirit of courage and resolution is called for to others the face of a calf for patient enduring in sufferings times surely it were a choice meditation to think how with as great wonder we may say of this excellent body of the Church as of the natural body of man how curious yea marvellously is it framed where every part doth answer another and to the use of the whole each hath its peculiar excellency and something proper to every ones gift may be then seen as well as in the face of man by which in somethings they differ from all other 2. These more eminent extraordinary outlettings of the spirit do also witnes this truth which at some special times when the churches necessity requireth it hath been most discernable when the Lord sendeth forth his servants about a more then ordinary piece of work either to doe or suffer when he is to plant the church in some place where the gospel will meet with much opposition is it not then manifest how some more then ordinary power and irresistible efficacy doth accompany the truth before which there is no standing the disputer is then in his reasoning confounded by something above reason the untoward and rude are forced to stoop before the word and to confesse they have to doe with power and not with words yea these whom the Lord maketh use of who were feeble and weak as others in that day are made as a brazen wall defenced city 3. Is it not also undenyable that now under the New Testament there are Ministers of the spirit and not of a dead letter and empty sound That with the word there goe along a ministration of power and life whence a Majesty and authority attending the publick ordinances is oft so discernable that even these vvho know not what the Spirit is are made to see something therein vvhich doth dazle them vvith astonishment vvhence is it that at sometimes such a beauty and povver shineth forth vvith ordinances like a glance of the glory of God even going before mens eyes vvhich for the present hath made a vvonderful change upon some very grosse men and put them in an other temper yea forced them vvith fear to acknovvledge that surely God is near in the assemblyes of his peopleâ— and I would ask whence is it the word giveth law to mens consciences should speak with such an authority as maketh them all to shiver that even the worst of men are sometime made to stand before the ministry of the word like men standing at the barr upon life and death before a judge whose authority they durst not decline 4. It is very discernable what a great difference an other appearance there is both on Ministers and Christians at one time from what they are at an other in the discharge of duty as if these were not the same persons vvhich appeareth not onely in the enlargement and streatning of their gift but also in povver and life is it not seen vvith vvhat liberty these doe sometimes pray are as a ship with a full gale before the vvind that it is then easy to preach vvhen at other times there is like a shut door that even onlookers may perceive a sensible languishing and them hampered in their very expressions yea as men rovving against a contrary wind the vvord vvanting that savour rellish it hath had at other times and this not through a natural indisposition or vvant of preparation but that vvhich all vvho ever served God in the spirit must confesse hath most sensibly trysted them vvhen they have thought themselves at the greatest advantage for going about duety O vvho can deny this evidence of the spirit a thing in all ages so sensibly felt yea even obvious to the vvorst of men 5. It is also clear that vvhere ever the Lord hath had a church at some special turnes of her condition there have usually been some more solemn times of the spirit high spring-tydes of the gospell there was indeed marvellous flowing forth of the spirit of God after Christs ascension vvhich like a mighty current did carry all before it at which time more successe did follow one sermon then hath been by the ministry of many others in an age this made the vvorld vvonder as if some universal
determined upon thy people and city Jerusalem 3. Have not the Saints under a long trouble been almost the length of blasphemy in their complaints Isa 40 ver 27. My way is had from the Lord and my judgement past over from my God Daniel how pressing with the Lord was he that he would hearken and do and not defer and yet the return cometh not until the first year of Cyrus yea that cry of the fouls under the Altar How long doth it not even get a dilatory answer for thus the Lord doth oft interpose his long suffering for some time betwixt his hearing of his people and avenging of them 4. It is also clear that there are many prayers before the throne the return whereof is suspended and an answer to Christians in their particular until that time when God shall build up Zion and then the prayer of the destitute shall be remembred even as to Christians privat enlargement when the Church shall be raised up 5. We know the Churches enemyes must have time to ripen and it is not a storm of a few dayes that will purge away the filth of the Daughter of Zion too soon letting out of a sore may cause it undercot and gather new matter and truely the word can resolve us in this that one minut sooner then Gods time would not be his peoples mercy 8. It is oft seen when there is some remarkable work of God on foott in a land and some great outpowring of the spirit how Sathan setteth up some usual counterfeit thereof and bringeth forth something of his work in such a time with a very strange resemblance of the same thus with the preaching of the freedome of grace and a clear discovery of that truth did Libertinisme under a very specious pretext spring up Thus we find the Anabaptist and Antinomian party set up in Germany to run down a Church-reformation under the shew of a more pure and spiritual way and of late did not Familisme in England and new England under pretext of a more spiritual dispensation cast off the very letter of the Scripture turning it over in an Allegory and in behalf of the liberty of prophesying cry down a standing ministry but though this may seem strange yet the Scripture is very clear concerning it 1. That even Sathan himself is transformed into an Angel of light and in no shape proveth more dangerous to the Church 2. That the most dreadful errours and a false way will oft come near to the choisest exercises of the saints and have such a resemblance to the same that if it were possible the very elect should be deceived 3. Was there not a Simon Magus with false miracles set up over against the Apostles and when the time of the Messias drew near did not then a Theudas and Judas of Galilee break forth to amuse the people We find also an altar from Damascus set up beside that which was shewed to Moses the Servant of the Lord in the mount yea when Moses and Aaron was giving Pharaoh a sign did shew forth the marvellous power of God then did the Magicians cast doun their rod also to counterfeit the same by which the heart of Pharaoh was hardned 9. The abounding so much of errour and heresie now in the times of the gospel with that swift grouth thereof which is oft seen where the light most clearly shineth would seem strange yea is a thing whereat many are ready to stumble and thus to challenge the way of God But is not the Scripture in this clearly verifyed so that this piece of providence which is so shaking to many if we take the word along with it might be a very convincing confirmation to us of the same for 1. We find the Apostles yea Christ himself hath given expresse vvarning thereof that this should be one of the special and greatest tryals of the Christian Church vvhereof the Old Testament vve find doth litle mention that tryal not concerning the Church then so much as these after-times under the Messias Kingdome wherein the event may be clearly seen to ansvver these predictions vvhich are so frequent thereof in the Nevv Testament 2. Doth not the event also ansvver the vvord as to that particular vvay and method hovv errour should be propagated which is there clearly foretold by subtil undermining under the pretext of liberty with plausible insinuations so that we must say not only the matter but with all these discernable tokens even upon the manner the word is made out 3. Doe we not find this should be judgement on men who receive not the love of the truth and that after flourishing times of the Church when he who rideth on the white horse is gone forth the black horse and his rider doth quickly follow and truely it is seen that in the time of hottest persecution the Church hath not been so much troubled with this adversary as when she did begin to get rest and most of outward liberty nor yet so at the first breaking up of the Gospel as after some time of its continuance 4. Doth not the event likewise thus answer the word that in the breaking out of heresy in the Church a spirit of errour the dephts and mighty working of Satan should be seen which I am sure is undenyable how manifest the interposing of these powers of darknes is therein if we consider 1. It s marvellous dispatch and grouth like a plague and the arrow that flieth by day 2. With what a discernable fury and violence men are thus driven as with an impetuous current yea oft a change on their very natural temper is seen most evidently 3. These monstrous and horrid things which are oft brought forth may shew whose hand is in such a birth 4. That usual tendency that at last errour hath to loosness in practice which as it poisoneth the spring and corrupteth the leading faculty the judgement so we see it moveth towards the vital spirits and doth influence the conversation and thus the leprosy in the head breaketh forth in blaines through the whole body 5. And doe we not see how many grosse and profane have been carried with this spate how few get leave to stand but are still carryed from one step to another and it is clear the world did never put out its rage so much against that way as it hath done against the truth except when some outward interest maketh it a quarrel 10. These great shakings and commotions that use to attend the Gospel when it cometh in power to a land may also seem strange yea is ready to make many stumble But is not the word verified herein what great stirs and trouble did tryst the the Church after great light in powring out of the spirit Ioell 2 ver 29. we may there likewayes see how this giveth the World an Alarum maketh the Kings and great men of the earth run together to hinder the rising of Christs Kingdome Psal 2 ver 3. let us
that large measure of the Spirit and outletting thereof which did convincingly follow the Gospel and ministry of the word in these last times a truth which we must say hath been manifest and by many solemn proofes thereof demonstrat no lesse then in the first planting of the christian Church It is undenyable how great a witnes to the truth the Spirit down-powring thereof is for this is Gods own seal which is not put to a lye or falsehood thus he beares witnes to his work in the hearts of his people and by this also the Lord doth seal and attest the doctrine of the Church and commission of his servants who publisheth the same yea at some special seasons when the truth hath least countenance or encouragement from without times of contradiction when men will not receive its testimony and a great speate of opposition is to the Gospel then hath this in a more full and large measure been discernable thus did the Lord eminently own and confirm the Christian Religion in the dayes of the Apostles and for some following ages by so great a downpowring of the Spirit such visible and extraordinary effects thereof as did then astonish the World and force men to confesse something above nature that this was surely the great work and power of God and have we not also cause to say that thus the Lord hath born a very solemn testimony to his truth the work of reformation and doctrine of the reformed Churches in these late times anent which I dare appeal by standers yea the adversaryes to their conscience if without shutting their eyes they could shift the conviction of a convincing appearance of God in the power and efficacy of the Spirit even in a more then ordinary way accompanying the word and ordinances a power which carried kingdomes and cityes before it yea in a very short time over the belly of greatest violence and opposition to clear this a little I shall point at some few remarkable evidences which might stare the grossest of men in the face and in some measure convince them of this truth 1. It is evident that marvellous conquest which the Gospel had in Germany by the ministry of Luther Melanchton Bucer Martyr Musculus and a few others of these excellent instruments whom the Lord then sent forth O was not this a day of the Spirit and powring forth thereof in a large measure a day of the gospels triumph not by might or by power yet such as before it the World could not stand cityes and countryes might then be said to be born at once the arme of the Lord revealed with the same that men were either scorched or truely warmed and gained thereby Did not that marvellous power and efficacy of the spirit also attend the ministry of Zuinglius and Oecolampadius in Zurick and Basile when so through a reformation followed to the throwing down of Images abolishing of the Masse by publick authority notwitstanding of its long continuance and this in a short time the spirit and power of God did very eminently appear also in these famons plantations of the Gospel by the Ministry of Calvine Farel and Vires in Geneva Lausanna and other adjacent Provinces It is written in the life of Vires that at Lyons which was a great populous city he preached in an open place where divers thousands were converted to the truth yea some who came by with no purpose to hear only out of curiosity stepped in were so wrought on and overcome with the power of the word as for that time made them neglect their other businesse 2. That great successe which did attend the ministry of Mr Wishart in Scotland can also witnes this truth whence so marvellous a change did quickly follow in these places where he preached through Angus Lothian and the western parts yea how much the spirits of the people were then raised and affected with the word but this being a thing so known from the historyes of that time I only name 3. Besides these which are more known and upon publick record I must here instance a very solemn and extraordinary outletting of the spirit which about the year 1625. and thereafter was in the West of Scotland whilest the persecution of the Church there was not from the prelatick party this by the prophane rabble of that time was called the Stewarton Sicknes for in that parish first but after through much of that countrey particularly at Irwine under the ministry of famous Mr Dickson it was most remarkable where it can be said which divers Ministers and Christians yet alive can witnes that for considerable time few Sabbaths did passe without some evidently converted and some convincing proofes of the power of God accompanying his word yea that many were so choaked and taken by the heart that through terrour the spirit in such a measure convincing them of sin in hearing of the word they have been made to fall over and thus carried out of the Church who after proved most solid and lively Christians and as it was knowen some 〈◊〉 the most grosse who used to mock at religion being engadged upon the same that went abroad of such things â—o go to some of these parts where the Gospel was then most lively have been effectually reached before their return with a visible change following the same and truely this great spring tide which I may so call of the Gospel was not of a short time but for some yeares continuancâ— yea thus like a spreading moor burn the power of Godlines did advance from one place to another which put a marvellous lustre on these parts of the countrey the savour whereof brought many from other parts of the land to see the truth of the same 4. I must also mention that solemn Communion at the Kirk of the Shots 20 June 1630. at which time there was so convincing an appearance of God and downpowring of the Spirit even in an extraordinary way that did follow the ordinances especially that sermon on the Munday 21 June with a strange unusual motion on the hearers who in a great multitude were there conveened of divers ranks that it was known which I can speak on sure ground near 500 had at that time a discernable change wrought on them of whom most proved lively Christians afterward it was the sowing of a seed through Clidesdeal so as many of most eminent Christians in that countrey could date either their conversion or some remarkable confirmation in their case from that day and truely this was the more remarkable that one after much reluctance by a special and unexpected providence was called to preach that sermon on the Munday which then was not usually practised and that â—ight before by most of the Christians there was spent in prayer so that the Mundays work as a convincing return of prayer might be discerned 5. I shall heâ—â—â—lso instance that solemn and great work of God which was in the Church of Ireland some
years before the fall of Prelacy about the yeare 1628. some yeares thereafter which as many grave and solid Christians yet alive can witnes who were there present was a bright and hot sun-blink of the Gospel yea may with sobriety be said to have been one of the largest manifestations of the Spirit and of the most solemn times of the downpowring thereof that almost since the dayes of the Apostles hath been seen where the power of God did sensibly accompany the word with an unusual motion upon the hearers and a very great tack as to the conversion of souls to Christ the goings of the Lord then full of Majesty and the shout of a King was heard in the solemn meetings of his people that as a judicious old Christian who was there present did expresse it he thought it was like a dazeling beam and ray of the glory of God with such an unusual brightnes as even forced by standers to an astonishment a very â—ffectual door opened with more then ordinary enlargement which the Ministers of Christ there did find in preaching the word whilest the people might be seen hearing the same in a melting frame with much tendernes of spirit surely this was the very power of God a convincing seal to the truth and ministry of his Servants who were then persecuted by the Prelats yea â— thing which as it was known had an awfull impression and was a terrour to their adveâ—saryes I remember amongst other passages what a worthy Christian told me how sometimes in hearing the word such a power and evidence of the Lords presence was with it that he hath been forced to rise and look through the Church and see what the people were doing thinking from what he felt on his own spirit it was a wonder how any could go away without some change upon them And then it was sweet and easy for Christians to come 30 40 miles to these solemn Communions which they had and there continue from the time they came until they returned without wearying or making use of steep yea but little of either meat or drink and as some of them professed did not feel the need thereof but went away most fresh and vigorous their souls so filled with the sense of God 6. That was also a remarkable time wherein the Lord did let forth much of the Spirit on his people in the year 1638 when this Nation did solemnly enter in Convenant vvhich many yet alive at this day do knovv hovv the spirits of men vvere raised and vvrought on by the vvord the ordinances lively and longed after for then did the Nation ovvn the Lord and vvas visibly ovvned by him much zeal and an enlarged heart did appear for the publick cause personal reformation seriously set about and then also vvas there a remarkable gale of providence that did attend the actings of his people vvhich did astonish their adversaryes and forced many of them to feign subjection Alace hovv is our night comed on for the Lord hath in anger covered the face of the Daughter of Zion vvith a dark cloud 7. Must not vve also say since the land vvas engadged by Covenant to the Lord in these late times vvhat a solemn outletting of the spirit hath been seen a large harvest with much of the fruit of the Gospel discernable which we may say with a warrant hath been proven in the inbringing of thousands to Christ a part whereof now are in glory and many yet live who are a visible seal to this truth of whom I am sure some will not lose the remembrance of these sweet refreshing times which the land for several yeares did enjoy of the Gospel and of many solemn Communions where a large blessing with much of the Spirit and power of God was felt acâ—ompanying the ordinances if it were expedient to set down circumstances I could here point at many such remarkable times and places which should clearly demonstrat this Now besids these more publick and obvious proofes it is knowen what a great testimony the experience of the godly in these late times could give to this truth what they have in a large measure felt of the power and refreshing outlettings of the spirit within their â—oul yea how oft after sorest downcasting have been wonderfully raised above themselves and filled with the consolation of God and joy unspeakable this would indeed make a great volum to reckon over all these instances even these whose experience in these last ages could in a large measure witnes this truth only to sâ—ut this up I shall name these two 1. Mr Welsh and Mr Forhes two great witnesses of Christ in this land when they were prisoners give this accompt of their case in a letter to Mr Iames Melvin and his Uncle then at London which under the said Mr Melvins hand is set down in a manuscript of his their wotds are these Dear Brethren we dare say by experience and our God is witnes we lye not that unspeakaâ—le is the joy that is in a free and full testimony of Christs royall authority unspeakable is the joy of suffering for his Kingdomeâ— for on that truth was their suffering stated we had never such joy and peace in preaching of it as we have found in suffering for the same we spake before in knowledge we now speak by experience that the Kingdome of God consists in peace and joy and in an other letter thus they say our joy hath greatly abounded since the last day which was after passing sentence of death on them by an assize at Linlithgow so that we cannot enough wonder at the riches of his free grace that should have vouchafed such a gift upon us to suffer for his Kingdome in which there is joy unspeakable and glorious and we are rather in fear that they to wit the sufferings be not conâ—â—nâ—â—ed and so we be robbed of further consolatioâ— then that they â—hould encrease surely there is great consolation in suffering for Christ we dow not expresse unto you the joy which our God hath caused abound in â—â— 2. I shall also mention that great Servant of Christ Mr Rutherfoard whose Letters now published can witnes what solemn dayes of the Spirit and sensible outlettings thereof he oft had in his experience Though books can tell but little what he really felt and enjoyed I shall onely set down some of his last and dying expressions which I had from these who were then present and caused write down the same from his mouth that may shew how lovely he also was in his death and how well that did correspond with his former life some of his words are these I shall shine I shall see him as he is and all the fair company with him and shall have my large share it is no easy thing to be a Christian but as for me I have got the victory and Christ is holding forth his armes to embrace mee I have had my feares and faintings as an
last dayes it vvould be of great use and profit to the Church that some more fitly qualified vvould study a more large collection of this kinde O that this might go forth vvith a blessing from him vvho by the meanest things can serve himself promote the ediâ—icaaion of his Church and that the Lord vvould raise some up vvith much of his Spirit to make a further search and enquiry in this great and vveiguty truth ERRATA PAge 12 Line 1 for very read every pag. 45 lin 2 for ate r. are p. 77 lin 10 for securitly r. sccurity p. 90 lin 18. for were r. where pag. 94 lin 13 for plaines r. plainness p. 105 liu 26 for most r. must p. 167 lin 9 for hash r. harsh p. 185 len 3 for therefore r. thereof p. 108 lin 1. for Alba r. Alva pag. 214 lin 25. for cruches r crutches pag. 217 lin 11 for III r. 2. p. 220 lin 1 for IV r. III. p. 255 l. 31 for petioned r. petitioned p. 285 lin 11 for observation r. observable Other such fmaller escapes as one letter for another or wrong pointing will not hinder an intelligent Reader The fulfilling of the SCRIPTURE THere are two meanes by which the blessed Majesty of God hath chosen to reveal himself to the sons of men his Word and his Works which may be called these two great Luminaries for giving light to the Church though the one be greater I mean doth more clearly shine forth yea doth communicate light to the other these men must not divide which by so strait a tye the Lord hath joyned and by a mervellous correspondence hath set the one over against the other that it may be easy to see his faithfulnes and the accomplishment of the Scripture therein and indeed this is a great concerning truth that calleth for a serious study the solid persuasion of which should affoord a svveet ground of repose and rest for the soul though the earth were all in a combustion ronnd about and give a satisfying answer to our most sollicitous thoughts and feares Now this being the intended subject of the following discourse I shall first touch it a little in the general and then hold forth some more particular grounds whence it may be clearly demonstrated I. That the Scripture of God hath a certain accomplishment here in the World and what is to be understood by the same I shall endeavour to clear in these things which would be considered 1. This is the very unfolding of the Lords decree and secret purpose the bringing forth of his work now within time to the view of Angels and Men which was before him in the deep of his thoughts and counsel from eternity it is an opening up of the sealed book which we must not understand to be that secret roll of election and the book of life wherein the names of the elect are writ but Liber fatidicus the sealed book of Gods dispensations in the World shewing out his counsels and designes which should be brought forth in the after ages of time for as the Lord did fully comprehend what he was to do and all that was to befal his Church and People from the beginning to the end long long before there was a beginning before the mountaines were formed so hath he copyed and written out his heart in the Word hereanent wherein he hath most plainly shewed forth what were his blessed purposes and counsel of old and thus the thoughts of his heart his Word and his works do sweetly aggree and each one wonderfully answers to another for his work doth bring forth and accomplish his Word that his decree and counsel from all eternity may take place 2. The Scriptures accomplishment is the transcript and writing of it over in providence where we may see and admire how the Word doth shine upon all the pathes and footsteps of the Lord toward his Church in every age and gives light to the same and what an evident reflection his work hath again upon the Word so that through the whole series and course of providence in the earth we have a most exact portraicture and image of the Scripture answering one to another as face answers to face in the glasse where it may be easy to discern the copy by the principale and that resemblance which is betwixt the building and that excellent pattern and model which is held forth thereof in the Word 3. The accomplishment of the Scripture is the very turning that which was the object of our faith and contemplation to be the object of our sense and feeling it is the real birth and bringing forth these truths unto the World in their appointed time and season concerning the Church and particular Christians which were hid in that womb of the promise and many dark predictions of the Word it is such a thing as giveth the promises and Prophecyes a visible being yea bringeth truth so near within the reach of our senses that we may even touch as it were and handle the Words of life O what an excellent interpreter is experience Tast and see for thus the serious Christian getteth a view of the Scripture and spiritual things which the most subtil and piercing eye of unsanctified Schoolmen cannot reach yea by the practice of truth nearnes to God ahd retiring of the soul to him hath oft got more light in ane houre then others by many dayes putting their judgement and invention upon the rack 4. This is Gods own seale which he pntteth to the Word to confirm and ratify the same I do not only mean that secret seale of the Spirit within but something more external that solemn testimony of his workes whereby he doth every day appeal mens consciences anent his truth for his works are very manifest whereon there is so clear an ingravening of his truth and faithfulness that as the impresse and image of the seal is upon the wax men may also see whose superscription and image that is which doth appear on such and such passages of providences 5. This is something we are not to seek onely in the extraordinary acts of providence or in any singular and eminent path of a christian experience nay it doth shine forth in the smallest and most casual things that falls out yea in every Page of that great Volumn of providence may be clearly read 6. The Scriptures accomplishment is such a thing as concerns every Christian in his personal case to which his ordinary experience doth relate whereof these have a large register what of the Word hath been certainly proven in the several steps and changes of their life whose practice doth much ly betwixt improvement of the Word and observation how it is fulfilled such can witnes how under a spiritual decay to be carnally minded is death and when it s well that great peace they have who love Gods Law they have oft found that in a strait he is a very present help and in the way
the enemyes of his Church if the dust of the ground should arise down they must come how many great designs of men hath this blessed design that the counsel of the Lord may stand crusht and broken so that their work and counsel hath been as the Spiders web when it stood crosse to this end the godly need not fear that he be not a present help in time of trouble for he will keep his word herein though the Earth should be overturned and the Mountaines cast into the midst of the Sea O who hath resisted his counsel What are all these vicissitudes and changes here in the World But making way for the Scriptures accomplishment with what desire doth he move towards this end So that as in Zachary 6 v. 8. the instruments by him appointed for executing his judgement and the threatnings of the Word it s said they have quieted his Spirit his decrees are mountaines of brasse which are unchangeable the thoughts of his heart take place in all generations therefore the Word Which is gone forth out of his mouth shall not return in vain but the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand III. The accomplishment of the Scripture is a truth very clear and manifest whereof none can pretend ignorance if they doe not shut their eyes and force their own light from the fear of such a discovery for the obstruction doth notâ—ly in the darknes of the obiect or that men cannot see this since we have it so clearly held forth in great and legible charecters nay we must say the cause is culpable there is much of the will in it which renders such ane ignorance without excuse O that this should be so little lookt after a matter of such near and weighty concernment when there needs not an other demonstration but come and see the works of the Lord through the earth for he hath here so far condiscended to his People to bring the truth near that they even feel and grip the same yea doth in a manner say to every one as to Thomas put in your bands touch the Word and truth thereof and be no longer faithles tast but and see that the Lord is good and that he is true in what he hath spoken We are indeed to look after a more clear and full discovery of this truth the nearer the Church is to the end of time there is a labyrinth as it were of turnings and windings through which we may see the Word oft brought so as we lose sight thereof and are ready to stagger anent its performance but it s as true that the most eminent confirmations the saints ever had of this truth hath been after greatest shakings thereanent yea the Lord hath in all ages so visibly sealed his Word by its performance that we may say can he be a Christian and a stranger to this in his experience and a serious on-looker on providence and the dispensations of the time wherein he lives and a stranger to it in his observation yea can any be so wholly brutish not to discern a thing so clear that oftimes these who run may read But to speak a little more to this I shall here point at some things that may shew how manifest this truth is 1. Is it not very clear which we see very day brings to light A truth so conspicuous both in Gods ordinary way with his Church and in the several steps and passages of a Christians life For these mercies which bring the Word and promise to passe are new every morning and cry aloud if we could hear great is his faithfulnesâ— this is indeed tryed and needs there more to convince a blind man that his sight is restored to him but that he certainly seeth sure they never wanted confirmations here who do but serviously seek to be confirmed 2. Is it not a clear truth which not onely is found upon the exactest tryal but is witnessed by such who ever tryed it in their most pressing straits and extremity for it s in the darkest night this truth hath most brightly shined and these more remarkable ventorious acts of faith have they not still brought forth most convincing experiments thereanent We may say there is none can give a better account of the performance of the Word then these who against hope have beleeved in hope that this never made them ashamed 3. Is it not also clear whereof there are such solemn extraordinary comfirmations in all ages For that his name is near his wondrous works declare I am sure no time could ever deny its witnes how by great convincing providences both of judgement and mercy it hath been so sealed as hath forced Atheists to keep Silence no time wherein the Church had not cause to erect a pillar and engrave thereon We have seen with our eyes the great and wondrous works of the Lord by which he hath witnessed the truth of his Word 4. Is it not a manifest truth which even in the most strange and dark footsteps of providence so clearly shineth forth these which at the first look are an astonishment and hard to be understood yet after most clearly verify the Scripture that whilst the Lords way goeth out of our sight yea out of the ordinary road of his working through a labyrinth of turnings and crosse dispensations yet at length it doth evidently clear and dissintangle it selfe which men may oft see break forth as the sun out of a dark cloud that shiueth the more brightly the more it was obscured 5. Is it not very clear which can be demonstrated by such visible effects in these great changes of the World For the fulfilling of the Scripture is not a thing hid in a corner but oft published in the house tops that men may see legibly written upon Kingdomes and nations the desolate ruines and devaâ—â—ation of cities houses great and fair which are made to be without inhabitants so as these who go by may clearly read the cause and bear that witnes Lothereis sin visibly punished according to the Word 6. How clear is this which we have so evidently drawen out and acted over in a Christian walk For what else is the spiritual conversation of such these visible effects and evidences of the grace of God all along a Christians way but a visible convincing witnes to the performance of the word Hath not such a very audible Echo and resound to that which is the great drift and Scope of the Scripture where men may see the bible turnd over into a practical history written forth and acted on the heart and conversation of the saints as on a stage or theatre the Word living speaking moving and clearly diffusing it selfe through all the veines as it were and conduits of a Christians life so that if the truth and reality of the grace of God be a thing manifest and unquestionable we must also see therein the reall performance of the Scripture 7. I shall adde we may
doth it surpasse that of a natural man even in his best estate and I am sure this pretious study of the dayly performance of the Word is one of these pathes of pleasure which would bring in more solide joy to the spirit in some few houres then some years wallowing in the carnal delights of the flesh which is but as pleasure in sport but quickly turneth to grief in earnest it is one of the great mistakes of the World that religion tends so much to sadden and disquyet the soul nay it is certainly the want of this because we are so little truely religious when we scruffe over our duety and take but a passing look of the wayes and work of God in the World then it is indeed very affrighting and unpleasant but when in a more Christian way we doe seriously look thereupon and get our heart near God taking the Word alongst with us O how delightful and ravishing a sight will this beâ— I truely think though there were not a command though it were no duety nor such advantage in the study of this grave truth yet that joy and refreshment which the soul would find in such a diligent search in going down into this blessed deep should invite us thereto But when I speak of this what a sweet and delightful subject the performance and outmaking of the Scripture is it must be understood that it is so only to the saints and it is no wonder the World keep at such a distance with it for this is a truth they cannot bear they hate it which as Micajah doth Prophesy alwayes bad things and carrieth a message of death to them a serious look of this truth to ungodly men is as the hand witing upon the wall before them which doth foretel their approaching ruin and should cause them all tremble the knowledge whereof must encrease their sorrow and disquyetness yea cause them cry out O doe not torment us before the time for they are surely undone and ruined if the Scripture of God be true and hath a performance But O what pleasant and refreshful tydings doth this carry to a Christian What a sweet view doth he here get of the inheritance and blessed estate of the saints which may cause such ane exclamation how great is that goodnes which is laid up for these that fear thee To demonstrate this I shall hold out somethings from which we may see how delightful a subject the accomplishment of the Scripture is for a Christian to study 1. Serious converse with this grave truth leadeth forward to practice and thus helpeth to bring down theory to experience which is the most sweet and desireable of all other demonstrations that we can have of the truth of the Scripture and maketh our light clear and pleasant to the taste turning the exercise of our judgement and reason thereanent into sense and feeling we are then made to see what a difference there is betwixt that discovery which a spiritual man whose religion is his practice hath of this and the cold winter-light of a natural understanding that hath no heat or warmenes therewith which is as great a difference as betwixt hearing of such a thing by report and seeing it with our eyes 2. This blessed study hovv the Scripture hath certain accomplishment vvould help to read the Word vvith an other kinde of pleasure O vvhat representation should then the truths and promises thereof have to the godly man it vvould be as one going in to look over his charters and the great things therein contained vvhich he doth not in the least debat or question since they are past the seals and fully ratifyed and novv considereth all vvhich is promised as his own vvhich he lookt in former times upon but as a common thing vvhilst he made not earnest of the certainty thereof and vvhat an intrest he had in the same O when he readeth that promise of a new heaven and earth that glorious estate which abideth the Saints He cannot turn his eyes thoughts so easily off it but is made to stand vvonder that so great a thing that vvill make such a mervellous change in his condition is even shortly to come to passe hovv svveet and pleasant is it for such to turn over these promises vvho can set to his seal and bear this vvitnes that he hath as really proven the truth thereof by sure experience as he knovveth he hath a real being surely the Bible is an other thing to these then it is to the great part of men vvho only make it the subject of their contemplation 3. In this blessed study vve should have much laid to our hand to observe and our observation made svveet and pleasant to us for there vve might see hovv all the paths of the Lord tovvards his People are mercy and truth this vvould give us a refreshful diary of providence hovv in such a plunging strait we found the Word sensibly sealed vvhat observable confirmations vve have had therevvith at such a time and in such a condition the after-recounting of vvhich in ane houre of tryal or in the evening of our life vvould exceed these greatest pleasures the Men of this World can have in looking over their gold and greatest treasures which for many yeares they have been laying up 4. In the serious study of the dayly accomplishing of the Scripture we should have a most satisfying vievv and prospect of vvhat God is doing up and down the Earth vvhat purposes and designes he hath on foot and hovv things here beneath do vvork together for carrying on of the same vve should see vvhat an excellent and curious piece of vvork this frame of providence is vvhich the more it is considered it vvill be the more a vvonder hovv perfect in all its parts hovv compact and vvell set in all its various collours what an observable concurrence there is there hovv these several discords vvhich vve see here do yet aggree vvith one consent for the compleeting of Gods design vvhich is still going on and vvhilst vve think there must be some disorder amongst the vvheells vve are made after to see that this confusion vvas an excellent step of providence confounding the vvisdome of men every piece of his vvav being so knit to another as discovers to such who make this blessed truth their serious study a most rare contexture beyond the reach and uptaking of the greatest Artists that ever was Here also we might go up to that watch-tower of Christian observation and from thence take a grave look of Gods way and lay his work in the World to the Scripture as the measuring lyne where we should see and find the sight thereof very pleasant how the Word every day takes place doth ishue through all the veines and arteries of providence each line whereof is so exactly drawen as by a pincel in some skillfull hand to that great exemplar of the Scripture here we might discern these eminent examples
greatest Atheists and mockers of Religion in every age must surely be a clear truth But c Therefore IV. Argument That which was to take place in such and such periods of time and hath accordingly come to passe the event exactly answering to the prediction yea that whereof the great part is now fulfilled and but a litle at this day remaineth to be made out must be a certain truth But the great part of the Scripture is thus already fulfilled and but a litle thereof now remaineth Therefore V. Argument That which not only is for the most part already accomplished but is a thing whereof we have such sure confirmations yea so great a pledge in our hand from the Lord that what yet remaines shall be certainly fulfilled must it not be an undoubted truth But the Scripture as to these special predictions that are not yet made out is such as concerning which the Lord hath given his People a very largâ— pledge and strong confirmations now in these latter times to believe their certain accomplishment Therefore ARGUMENT FIRST THat the Scripture of God contained in the Old and New Testament wherein our great hope and comfort doth ly is certainly true and hath a real accomplishment may be thus demonstrat That it is tryed and Proved in the godly mans experience to which in all ages yea from innumerable proofs the saints have put to their seal that this is a sure and faithful testimory Experience is indeed a strong demonstration and it is such a witnes as leaveth no room for debate for here the truth is felt proven and acted on the heart which the Christian knoweth well and is as sure of as he is perswaded that he liveth or that the sun when it shineth hath light and warmnes therewith it is true the World liveth at a great distance with this they only converse with the sound of such a thing and we know the naked theory of Scripture truth hath but a short reach that it differeth as far from that which a serious practicall Christian hath as the sight of a countrey in a map is from a real discovery of the same where the difference is not in the degree but in the kinde yet though this grave testimony of experience is a thing whereto many alace too many are strangers yet we must say so much thereof is obvious as may force its authority on mens consciences and shew that there can be no fallacy or delusion in this witnes if they but allow the use and exercise of reason seing it is not the record of a few at one time or in one corner of the earth but a solemne witnes from the saints and followers of God whose judgement and integrity their adversaries must often confesse yea of all the saints in every age through the whole universal Church in parts of the earth most remote from other and this by most frequent renued prooffs hath found and experienced the truth and real accomplishment of the Word and now if this be not sufficiently convincing I would but adde O â— will yow then come and see be but Christians indeed and then ye will no more debate that testimony and truly it is a very poore shift for men who have the Scripture before them which of it self doth witnes its authority and this backed with so solemn a seal from the Lord by his works and providence to debate the Christians witnes from their experience because they do not see this themselves vvhat is the cause thereof their choise that they do not follovv on to knovv the same the truth of God seeketh credit from no man upon trust yea craveth no more but that by a practical converse they would put it to a trial and then it shall not decline their judgement Now to prosecute this argument a litle I shall point at some special Scripture-truths with which Christians have most usual trade and converse in their own case and give in therewith their testimony how these are clearly proved and verifyed by most sure experieuce it is not to be here understood the giving a particular account with respect to persons time or other circumstances how the Word doth thus take place I think it may be sufficiently convincing to instance in the general such clear uncontroverted experiences which are well known to the godly and have by them been oft proved amidst the various changes of their life though not by all in the same measure but in some suitable proportion to their different syzes tryalls and wrestlings which can witness that real correspondence which the Word hath with the experience of the saints and truely concerning these I may with some confidence assert they are not naked or airy notions but such as can witnes their truth to the serious experienced Christian whom on this account I dare attest I shall here instance 5. special truths of the Word which are much tryed and proved in Christians experience 1. That there is such a contrariety betwixt the flesh and the spirit as the Scripture holdeth forth 2. The deceitfulnes of mans heart 3. That there is a spiritual and invisible adversary with whom we have war 4. That the promises of the Word have undoubted accomplishment 5. The truth also of the threatnings I mean such under whose reach the godly may fall I. That there is a contrariety betwixt the flesh and the spirit a Law in our members rebelling against the Law of our mind is a truth very clearly proved to the Christian whose experience though sad doth undenyably verify and confirm the Scripture Gal. 5 v. 17. Rom. 7 v. 19 21 23. this is a piece of the Word which holds forth mans nature in its true shape and form whither their byasse and inclination most easily turneth yea so marvellously answereth their experience that to question the same were to put it far beyond question that they know nothing of a new nature or a principle of grace within For who ever made earnest of Religion but their first acquaintance with the peace of God was the beginning of this war it is then that the house divideth and corruption setteth up a standard yea no sooner can any begin to be a Christian but he must be a souldier also and â—e may say none ever attained such a measure of mortification or was so old in the grace of God as could priviledge them from the stirrings of the old man and necessity of that complaint who shall deliver us from a body of death but what ever advantage some of the saints have above others yet in this their experience can witnes 1. They now know two different parties within themselves that until once grace came they could not understand which at the same time in the same action do act oppositly one to the other yea that there is no spiritual duty wherein the flesh though not alwayes in such a prevalent degree doth not shew some active resistance 2. That all the stirrings and
experience of every Christian it would be some way as easy to number the drops of rain and dew since the creation as to reckon all these pretious drops and emanations of love these sensible returns and outmakings of the promise which they have had in their experience I truely think it could hardly be believed though it were told what some of the godly here have found in the way of the Word but it is sufficient to answer the design of this work to shew that there is a sensible demonstration and performance of Scripture promises concerning which the experience of the Saints in all ages doth aggree that by many confirmations the Lord hath oft sealed the truth thereof to their soules There are 10. special promises held forth to the godly in the Word which I shall here instance and therewith hold forth what a clear testimony their experience can give of the undoubted truth and aecomplishment of the same FIRST Instance is that promise given to believing to such who credit the naked word when there is no probable appearance of its outmaking and thus give God the glory of his faithfulnes which we have expresly held out 1 Chron. 20 20. Ps 112. 7 8. Ich. 1 50. To clear the accomplishment of this promise I shall but appeal to that testimony the saints in all ages have leâ—â— thereof yea to the present experience of the godly at this day if they have not certainly found it so 1. That when in a particular they have trusted God therewith and got their spirit quiet in a recumbency on him if he hath not dealt with them according to his word yea if then from cleer convincing returns of the promise they have not been made to say it did never repent them that they gave more credit to the testimony of God then of their own hearts 2. That they have found a more sweet and observable issue then when their help lay most immediatly on the word alone never a more sensible outgate then when least of sense and most of faith was in carrying them through when little of the creature and much of God appeared in their mercy and where they were at the lowest no way of escape but to throw themselves on the promise they have then had the best retreat yea their supply as sensibly felt as their need and burden had formerly been felt 5. That their greatest difficulties and shakings anent the promise have helped to their further confirming and establishment and so as they can say the Lords way by brangling them first yea to their sense loosing their grip hath helped to fasten it better and that which for the time did speak their case most helpelesse hath made way for his more eminent appearance and manifesting of him selfe 4. That their greatest venture and giving most out hath usually had the richest income the most eminent experiences of their life have followed the most adventurous acts of their faith yea upon an after reckoning they have oft found that their adventuring of life estate and credit on the promise of God even in these things hath very observably been their upmaking 5. That where they have most been a friend to their faith there hath faith also been most a friend to them in their standing to the credit of the promise over the belly of greatest objections and false reports raised thereof they have found a very evident mark of Gods respect to the same causing them to see that he will honour such who thus honour him And it is indeed worthy of a remark what we have of Caleb upon record that he took part with the promise of God against that discouraging report which then was raised of the Anakims and their walled cities and therefore the inheritance of the Children of Anak was given to Caleb and his sonnes in their lot from the Lord. 6. That believing doth alwayes make way for sense and in their closing with the naked Word of promise they have not wanted the seal of the spirit of promise but have found a sweet calm their burden sensibly eased when once they got it laid over on the word which they can say hath been their first resting place like the very fixing of the motion of the needle towards its right point when their spirit had been restlesse and in greatest agitation 7. That these greatest disappointments which their hope in the Word seemed to have they have found afterwards most to their advantage when their returns have not only been according to their faith but have often exceeded their adventure and been far beyond what they believed yea that from frequent experience they may say the issue of trusting the Word how long so ever they thought it deferred yet came alwayes in season was never too late and out of time 8. That this did never occasion bitter reflexions or was their upcast before the World that they trusted God in a day of strait and were not helped but this testimony have all such left who have most credited it in a dismall houre that none should scarr after them to hazard upon such a hand and venture on the promise for their faith hath oft taken them well and comfortably through where both sense and reason have been ready to sink SECOND Instance Whereby we may see the performance of the promise in Christian experience is this that God truely heareth prayer is near unto his People in what they call upon him aggreable to his Word and will answer their desires we have this promise most expresse Phil. 4 ver 6. Ps 32 6. Ps 65 2. Ps 91 15. Now the accomplishing of this piece of Scripture is so very clear that I can attest the experience of all the generation of the righteous since the beginning what frequent unanswerable comfirmations they have got of this truth in their Christian walk fo that I am sure no man ever was in earnest in the matter of Religion and a stranger to this yea that he was never more certainly perswaded of any thing then of this that God doth hear prayer O if mens souls were but in their souls stead whose evening wrestlings and teares the Lord hath oft turned into a morning song they should know this is no delusion I shall here touch something of that experience which by many proofs the saints can give as a witness to this promise 1. That when they have oft with Hanna gone in before the Lord in the bitternes of their spirit they have been made to return with a sensible and marvellous change in their case yea when in going about prayer they have been put to wrestle with much distemper and deadnes they have oft seen the wind discernably change and therewith their spirits lightned from under that burden an observable calme and serenity after much invvard perturbation yea they can say that they have found their hearts thavved and put in a flush of tendernes upon the back of a most sensible restraint 2.
taken lyfe and need â—re with a Word yea hath been powred out within them so as their beloveds voice hath had an other sound O then they think not the time long the Word is as the â—oney from the comb so as they have oft wiâ—ht a pâ—â—peâ—ual arrest upon their spirit in such a condition that none may stirr up their beloved until he please can that be any delusion 6 That which bringeth in promises seasonably into their minde in the day oâ— their strait and causeth the Word tryst so suitably to heir present case with such a satisfying impression of the same as doth give most sensible and present ease 6. That which so clearly by the Word discoverth to men then own heart and doth search them out in their most closse and retired thoughts that they have been oft made to wonder how the Word is upon all their secrets is not this the candle of the Lord 8 That which doth demonstrat their state and being in Christ by an argument which is beyond all words and doth by power in an irresistible way answer all objectious and turn the most fâ—oward case into a blessed calme and hath made a simple word more effectual in a moment then most perswasive aâ—guments could be 9 That which maketh such abundant joy spring up in the heart when there is no visible grounds for the same like the dry bone gushing out water must surely be some supernatural and excellent power that can not only bring it out of nothing but out of contraries 10. That which giveth them so sensible a taste of the powers of the World to come such a ravishing glance of the inheritance that they could hardly sometime sorbear to rise at midnight and sing for joy in the hope thereof and hath given them such a discovery of God at some special times as hath made them judge that all they ever knew of him before was but by the hearing of the ear 11. That which is so discernable and sensibly felt in the present time that Christs return to the soul and the outletting of the spirit hath been as evident oft to the saints as to that Martyr who was forced to cry out at the stake He is come he is come and hath been so sweet when enjoyed that the remembrance of some of these times hath been very pleasant and refreshing yea this is such a thing as most observably trysts the godly man in the way of his duety according to the Word 12. That is no delusion the withdrawing whereof is so sensible to them as it maketh their duety wherein they have had delight become their burden when they are put to row with oares the wind being gone and maketh it like night to the soul when the sun is gone down and sad experience hath oft shewed them how the overclouding of their soul the with drawiug of the spirit comforter doth observably follow a sitting up of their duety and yeilding to any known sin by which it is grieved FOVRTH Instance is that Promise for direstion which God hath given his People in the Word that he will guide them with his Counsel will order and direct their steps who doe commit their way to him and teach them the way that they shall choofe Ps 37 5 Ps 25 9 14. Ps 73 ver 24. The fulfilling of which hath been so manifest to these who ever made earnest of acknowledging God in their wayes and committing the conduct thereof to him that I shall but attest their experience if they have not this testimony to give 1. That to trust God with their case and give him the guiding of their way hath taken them much more easily through a plunging case them overcareing anxiety yea the Lords directing their steps and making things successful when they have committed the same to him hath been often as sensible to them as their strait and difficulty was 2. That the way of the word hath been the best expedient for taking them safe and comfortably through that they never repented that they did more consult their duty then inclination when they were at a stand about a particular and did not debate the command even while there seemed a lyon in the way 3. That they were never left without counsel and direction when their eye was single and serious about it and it was not so much want of light as of an heart to close therewith that made their way oft so dark but when they subjected themselves to Gods minde they found that such who follow him shall not walk in darknes 4. That light and counsel doth tryst men in following the command and the practice of known duety hath helped them to know more theâ— duety and that light did most abound when it was their serious study to follow the same 5. They found it was never in vain to enquire after Gods mind by prayer and also in the temple to make a reference of a particular to him when it was too hard for them but have often seen the Word evidently directed to such and such a case as if they had gotten a return from Heaven by an audible voice 6. They also know that Gods following in light with a powerful impression his teaching the reines and instructing with a strong hand is no delusion but the sure and well grounded experience of most solid Christians in all ages yea most discernable from any false impulse and that some special piece of work and service which God hath layed in their way wants not usually some special call backed wiâ—â— such light and authority as in an irresistable way can answer all objections to make them go bound in the spirit about such a duety 7. How Gods special directing hand hath been oft very observable not only in preventing and crossing their way to withdraw them by some sharp dispensation from their purpose but sensibly overpowering them so that they have been plucked as it were back from unavoidable hazard that they could not finde their pathes 8. I shall adde they have oft observably found how easy their way was made to them when the Lord doth countenance and prosper the same what sweet concurrence of providences how then difficulties have most sensibly been taken out of the way yea wind and tyde going along with them in such a manner that they have been forced to see and confesse a divine hand therein FIFH Instance is the promise of Pardon and forgivenes which God hath given his People in the Word that for his names sake he will blot out their iniquity and remember their sin no more yea is ready to pardon which is expresly held forth to these who are truely humbled Mic. 7 18. Ier. 31 34. Is 43 25. Now that there is a real accomplishment of this I am sure the experience of the saints can in all ages clearly witnes what joy and peace this hath occasioned what a sensible demonstration and solemn confirmations they have had of this promise
so as their very bones might sing Who is like unto the o Lord It is true real pardon of sin doth not allwayes inferre the sensible feeling thereof and when it is remitted in Heaven there is not alwayes a declaration of it in the conscience but it is also sure that this is sensibly felt and that it is tryed by all even all the generation of the righteous to have had as powerful an operation on a disquiet troubled soul as ever wine or the choisest cordial could have on the sick or faint O! if these who question this were in their case to whom God speaketh peace after a storm they should know how real and certain that is I would offer the Christians witnes to this promise from many many experiments by vvhich the Lord hath sealed it to their soul whereby they know assuredly it is no fancy or delusion 1. How this hath as sensible a connexion with the serious exercise of contrition and repentance in their experience as it certainly hath in the word and promise while they find that in silence and keeping up their case from God their bones have been troubled their spirit in a restles and disquiet condition untill once they made an addresse and got their soul vented by confessing to â—he Lord which was then like a kindly turn and cool of a fever 2. They know it is no delusion that is found so certain a cure to a wounded spirit under the sense of sin a wound which the world and all its diversions could never heal whose pain and grief no musick can allay a drop of divine displeasure being enough to turn all their pleasures in wormwood and gall but O! a taste of this unspeakable cordial one warming look of a reconciled God they know by experience can give present ease 3. It is no delusion which they can command no more then the sun to shine when overclouded or the wind to blow but when it listeth which the most perswading moral arguments can no wayes effectuat nor all their former experience yea the letter of most refreshing promises which sometimes are to them but as the white of an egge without taste until once the spirit breath which not only discovereth the ground of their joy in the word but doth also cause them to rejoyce therein when it shineth upon the same 4. It must be no delusion which causeth so marvellous a change that after greatest disquieting fears they have found most sensible manifestations of love the greatest flood on the back of the lowest ebb in their spiritual condition which oft hath forced them to retreat what their feares and jealousies did utter yea have made them enquire with wonder whence they are so chearful to day who yesternight were so broken and crusht whence their spirit should be in so sweet a calm that so lately was like the raging and troubled sea 5. That this hath oft met them as a blest surprizal and unexpected welcom when they have in a backsliding case come in to God they certainly know that when they knew not how to adventure and at what end of their raveled condition to begin counts having run long over yet on their very first addresse have got a sweet disappointment to their feares been helped to their feet yea some times have had as it were the fatted calfe killed to make merry with their friends 6. That which hath an audible voice within so strong an Impression upon the soul which carryeth with it such a clear satisfying discovery of Gods heart and love is surely no delusion while the intimation of that one truth Your sins are forgiven or any other word of promise for that end they have found to be an argument beyond words which they could not resist but for the time have been as sure they see and feel this as that they live yea can no more now call it in question then formerly they could get it believed 7. That is no delusion which causeth them with another kinde of freedome approach to God maketh them know there is a Spirit of adoption which sets the soul at liberty from the sore bondage and thraldome under which their former backsliding had put them yea a thing not only sensibly felt by themselves but may be discerned by others while they cannot smoother the joy of their heart or hide in their couutenance such a change of their condition that truely God hath dealt comfortably with them 8. Hath not this the Saints in all ages witnessed even a joy unspeakable and full of glory which though but of short continuance yet for the present so strong as hath ravished their soul with the hope of the inheritance above and clear view of their interest in it yea sometimes made them sing for joy in expectation of that blessed day but O! this is better felt then expressed 9. And in a word can that be a delusion that hath oft turned the poor mans hell into a Heaven which trysts the Christian in the way of his duty and the work doth so exactly answer the promise most sensibly felt after greatest shakings of the conscience by the law and can make a sad outward lot so very sweet and pleasant cause them triumph over the wrath of men to sing in a dungeon to abound and have all things under greatest wants look grim death chearfully in the face in its most dreadful aspect yea doth make so great and visible a difference betwixt the Christian and himself SIXTH Instance Is that promise of encouragement and support under the crosse which is expresly held forth in the Word that the Lord will own his People bear their charges and be with them in trouble in the day of their suffering for his truth yea will bind up the broken in heart heal their wounds Psal 91 ver 15. Isai 43 ver 2. Cap. 41 ver 17. Cap. 49 ver 14. Psal 9 ver 9. Isai 51 ver 12. Now that this promise is a truth and hath a certain accomplishment the experience of the Saints in all ages will witnes and we know their testimony is true what at solemn times of Gods presence they have had in a barren wildernes how great a cloud of witnesse doth seal this and give their testimony to the crosse of Christ of which we may say the fame and sweet savour hath gone forth and spread abroad through the Church the Fathers have told it to the Children and one generation to another but hovv litle a part thereof can be expressed I think it would be a marvellous record if the suffering and prison experiments of the Saints vvere particularly set dovvn vvhat they have sound under the crosse but it is vvell vve knovv this promise hath been and this day is evidently sealed concerning which I dare attest the experience of as many as did ever drink of this blessed cup and were counted worthy to suffer for the testimony of Christ if this be not a faithful true witnes
favour and respect even from the worst then when they studied most to please them in a sinful way 12. That they never savv more clearly the gain and real advantage of Godlines and vvhat a difference there is betvvixt these that serve God and these that serve him not as in a time of trouble and strait hovv then tendernes in their former vvalk and that vvhich they entertained in the morning doth novv meet them at night and pay them home vvith advantage in ane houre of temptation 13. They vvere forced to observe that there vvas an invisible guard about his People in their duty that the ministry of the Angels tovvards such is no delusion and thar they have oft been made to vvonder hoâ— hazard vvithin an hairbreadth hath been prevented relief and help come as betvvixt the bridge and the vvater hovv they have been sensibly preserved amidst greatest dangers while as it were an inhibition hath been served upon these that they should come near but not hurt and only mett with them that they might read their preservation from them 14. That an enlarged heart doth meet with an enlarged allowance and bearing burthen with others of the People of God hath helped to make their own privat burthen the lighter 15. That real godlines and religion hath as much in hand as it may be a reward to its self which beautifieth the soul and maketh the face and conversation to shine with an observable lustre that guardeth and preserveth the heart from many vexing crosses preventeth sad stroakes and sorrowes that others are pierced with who will follow their idols and the wayes of sin which are bitter in the close In a word this is surely found that God is the best friend and when there is peace with him things without doe not offend but they shall then understand what it is to be in league with the beasts of the field and stones of the ground having a sweet aggreement with all the providences and dispensations that come in their way V. That the scripture threatnings have also a certain aceomplishment are found to be sad earnest do not fall to the ground the Christian can also seal from his experience It is not here to be understood the threatnings of wrath from which beleevers are freed in Christ but of a fatherly displeasure which because of sin may draw deep yea bring forth very dreadful effects to witnes rhat it is an evil bitter thing to depart from God that their own doings shall chastise them these threatnings of the Covenant if thy children for sake my law I will punish their transgressions with rods c. Ps 89 ver 30. are sure truths which want not in every time a performance To clear this ere I speak any thing particularly I would premit somethings to be considered 1. That the word is a perpetual rule which in every time must take place and though affliction is a peece of the common misery of man yet doth it not arise out of the dust neither fall out at an adventure but doth oft visibly follow the tract of sin as a slouth-hound pointing at such evils as the cause by the stroak at the truth and fulfilling of the threatnings written upon both 2. We should adore his soveraignty whose way both in the measure and manner of his peoples chastisement is so various as that none can infallibly conclude what he is to do in such a case I mean we are not to limit the Lord to such a way and method in his working yet this we may assert and firmly conclude that not only the threatnings of the word have a performance but men may also have even before hand some more then probable conjecture yea a clear discovery what such a case doth threaten what will be the issue of a sinful course by considering the Lords ordinary procedure both with themselves and others how sin hath very â—â—d effects and his way in all ages is still uniforme agreeing with its selfe with the word 3. Though a gracious state doth surely priviledge from wrath and condemnation yet not from affliction sad stroaks of divine anger because of sin for he taketh vengeance on mens inventions even when he will spare the inventors 4. The Lord doth oft contend with his people for their folly and miscarriages more severely then with others will not let passe in them that which he passeth by in the world without being a reprover but when light and love and the law â—â—ll not hedge in their way he will set briars and thornes before them yea speak by chastisement upon their bones to withdraw men from their purpose 5. It is known how very deep the holy anger of God may draw against his children even sometimes to pursue them out of the land of the living and follow them to the grave with some remarkable stroak yea it hath made them dreadful examples of judgment in this life for whom he hath accepted an eternal sacrifice in Christ 6. I shall adde this is the Lords blessed end in making out his threatnings against his people that they should not perish with the worâ—â— O what a blest exchange is it that the flaming sword which once stood to guard the tree of life doth now stand as it were in the way of the saincts to keep them from running into the pathes of death Having premitted these things I shall now instance some particular evils wherewith the godly are ready to be overtaken which the word doth expresly threaten and hold forth the hazard of both as to outward and spiritual stroakes and give in here the Christians witnes from their experience in all ages of the truth of these threatnings FIRST Securitly carnal confidence which we finde the word doth threaten is an evil wherewith Christians are ready to be overtaken but they do also know by sad experience what bitter fruit this doth bring forth and that therein the word falleth not to the ground whilest from frequent tryal they finde First that a secure condition is the usual forerunner of some sad change that when they are most at ease in a dul and dead temper of spirit some sharp rousing dispensation is upon the back of it either a grosse sin or a searching crosse as a thorn in the bed of their security to put them to their feeâ— Hos 7 9 12. Hos 2 8 9. 2 That seldom reckoning with the conscience the running on of counts for sometime upon their hand doth ravel their case unto a sad confusion maketh it a bitter and heartlesse work to retire alone or within themselves yeâ— hath a most direct tendency to a further hardening real upgiving with their dnty 3. That when security deadnes groweth within it qnickly maketh them dry up wither without in the external performance of duty in that vigorous lively appearance which did formetly lustre their walk carriage before others so as very by
standers may read the languishing of grace in the dead exercise of their gifts 4 That going about duty with most confidence in themselves doth usually give them the most clear discovery of their weakness yea when they have least lookt for any crosse they have then been sure to meet with it with that sad addition of being a surprizal in a secure condition where as on the other hand they may tell what refreshing disappointments they have got where some tryalls have been most feared and lookt for 5. That secure sporting with a temptation may soon turn to sad earnest and they have found it very hard to dance about the fire and not be burnt and the temptation which at a distance seemed small upon a neerer approach they have found had moe bands on their heart and was another thing then they could have beleeved 6. That the meanes whereon they have laid most weight they have also found have given them the saddest disappointment the putting of them in Gods room and out of their own place hath been the way to cause them miscarry yea to turn their crosse whereas they have oft seen something unexpected made the mean of their help that they might know meanes are ordered of the Lord and are useful because he maketh them so 7. Their experience can also witness that carnal confidence despising the tryal at a distance usually punished with carnal diffidence and despondency of spirit under the same the one extremity made the punishment of the other like the hote and cold fits of an ague which doe mutually make one the other more intense yea that their immoderat confidence and expectation of a thing hath after resolved in as immoderat discouragement as their stroke SECOND The Christians unwatchfulnes and intermitting in the exercise of that so necessary and commanded duty we finde the Word threateneth and holdeth forth the hazard thereof Lest ye enter into temptation the outmaking whereof their experience can also witnes Luk. 21 v. 34 36. Math 26 ver 41. 1. That it is not easy to guid their walk and conversation when their guard over the heart doth slacken but the giving loose rains for a little may make such a sad and large breach that many many dayes will not easily make up yea they doe also know how a sensible withdrawing of the Spirit and drying up of their life and liberty is the usual fruit which unwatchfulnes brings forth 9 That this helpeth to make their sun-blincks short causeth a low ebbe after the greatest enlargement whilest they doe not guard against their peculiar evils and that usually there doth haunt such a condition the swelling of the flesh when the spirit is most enlarged which will soon put them as far behind as they formerly thought themselves at an advantage 3. That vvhen once the heart lyeth open it is quickly seised on and made a prey with what a bitter sting doth it return after it hath taken liberty to wander yea doth find there is a swift progresse that sin hath from the thoughts to the rolling of it to the imagination and thence to the affection wherewith it is more easy to engadge then to shake this off 4. That unwatchfulnes hath oft turned the most special times and opportunities for advantage to the greatest losse which through their neglect of these hath put them further behind then they were it hath turned their retirement and solitude to be their snare made the desert worse and more dangerous then the city and made them finde that vain thoughts the following whereof seemeth pleasant to the mouth will prove gall and vvormvvood in the belly there being no sadder company then a mans spirit let loose upon it selfe whilest they cannot stop that current whereto they had given a vent 5. Their experience of this can vvitnes that unvvatchfulnes hath an undoubted tendency to cast of prayer hovv hard is it in the evening to retire to God vvhilest the heart is abroad all the day To be Religions in Worship when men are not so in their vvalk Yea they doe find that this vvill bring their distemper vvithin out at doors to some disorder impertinency or passion in their words or outward communication a thing which experience may tell doth wound the soul make a sad breach in their peace and doth quickly overcloud the Spirit and unfit them for communion with God and going about of spiritual duties THIRD To restrain prayer and neglect calling on God is ane evil also which the Word doth threaten and hold forth the same hazard thereof as of unwatchfulnes lest ye enter into temptation yea that this is even a step to the casting off fear the Christians experience from frequent tryal can witnes that this Scripture threatning is true Math. cap. 26 vor 41. Heb. 15 ver 4. 1. That they have found this the rise which giveth life and increase to their prevailing evils that corruption then is upon a sensible grouth as the lively exercise of prayer begins to be intermitted 2. That this weareth out their spiritual life and bringeth a consumption upon the vital spirits of Christianity so that these who sometime flowrished and kept green as by the sent of water that correspondence which they had with the fountain of their life while his dew did ly all night on their branches hath through neglect of prayer been brought to a poor shadow so although sometimes the greatnes of their lose and distemper hath been hid from themselves yet might be easyly discerned by onlookers 3. That wearing out of prayer and of delight therein will quickly make them disrelish any other piece of Religion put them out of frame to meditat or to give thanks or entertain fellovvship vvith the Saints yea the more lively and spiritual these are it maketh them the more a burden and tormâ—nt to them 4. That vvearing out of this is a strong temptation to a further forbearance and vvill sensibly vvear them out of any sense of their need hereof and make them strangers to themselves and to their ovvn case so that they shall sinde the lesse they are in this exercise the further they shall be indisposed and the fewer errands they have the lesse felt necessity of the same 5. Their experience can also witnes that litle prayer maketh a heavy burden doth multiply their straits and cause their care grow as this is abaited they must then bear their burden alone and with heavines take counsel within themselves while they ply not this blest tryed remedy to make their requests in all things known to God FOVRTH We find the Word doth threaten defection from the truth and turning from the way of God in a time of tryal as an evil into which these that are kept by grace from final apostasie may yet through the violence of a temptation fall Ierem. 9 ver 13 15. Psal 89 ver 30 32. Ios 8 v. 11. and their sad experience can witnes the truth of the Scripture threatnings concerning
This truth may be demonstrat not only from the reall conquest of the Gospel and these excellent trophees of her victory over many noted enemyes who have after been vessels of honour but also from the feigned subjection that so many have been made to render is it not strange what a multitude doth in these times professe the truth and yet hate it and were never drawn with the cords of love How very many have courted the name of a Christian and wooed the shadow of religion who never knew the truth thereof which certainly is a convincing evidence of the Gospels conquest that so many knees should bow to the name of Jesus whose hearts were never bowed or really subdued to him 4. It is an unanswerable proof of this truth that we see the churches increase enlargement hath come to passe most punctually after that manner yea with all the circumstances as was fortold and promised so that the event doth in every thing answer the word for First it is there held out that from a day of small things vvhich men would be ready to despise it should grow up as a tender plant and spread forth its branches over the nations that the children of the desolat should be moe then of the married Wife and the glory of the second temple exceed that of the first O! hath it not accordingly come to passe 2. This great increase and enlargement of the church was to fall out in the dayes of the new testament when Christ should be lifted up that then he should draw all men after him for these promises we have thereof in the old testament doe clearly point at the times of the gospel doth not the event here accordingly answer 3. The scripture holdeth out that the falling away of the Jewes should be the riches of the gentils and that their rejection should make way for the fulfilling of this promise even the ingathering of the nations and doe not men see the event with this very circumstance 4. We find the isles and outmost parts of the earth are given to Christ for his inheritance and foretold as a special part of the Churches increase and do we not clearly see there is no place of the world where Christ's Kingdome is more visible where moe children have been begot to him by the gospel we may say then in these northern places even in these Isles of Britain Ireland which are almost the uttermost parts of the earth there being but litle from that airth and nearer the pole which is inhabited yea we may judge hath been that Thule whereof the Ancients did so much speak 5. Was it not also foretold that the church should possesse the gates of her enemyes at whose great increase the world should wonder the princes thereof see and be troubled while God is known in her palaces for a refuge and doth not the event witnes this that over all these counsels and essayes which the world hath had to hinder the churches grouth her rising hath alwayes been upon the ruines of her greatest enemyes yea these who have been a terrour in the land of the living did oft fall and break themselves in that attempt can men deny the marvellous progresse of the church how from a small beginning shee at last possessed the gates of both the east and western empire her old enemyes and do we not this day see her conquest advancing on the ruines of Antichrist her last and greatest adversary 5. As the fulfilling of this promise anent the churches increase is undenyable since men cannot contradict their sense therein we must also say this is a thing great and marvellous which no lesse then some divine and extraordinary power could bring about if we consider these things first that quick dispatch which the churches grouth under the dayes of the new Testament hath made O might not the pagan world wonder how in the space of two or three hundred years it was almost become wholly christian O strange a Dioclesian Maximus so grievously persecuting and trampling on the very name of christianity yet near that same age this great Roman empire and Emperour submitting to the gospel which was fulfilled in the dayes of Constantine 2. How astonishing was it for the churches rise and increase to be brought about upon the ruine and dounfal of the idols of the nations who had their temples and were worshipped as God that the world should be made to renounce its Bible and that religion which for so many ages was deeply rooted by tradition from their fathers these altars which were had in such reverence demolished and their temples made a ruinous heap yea the very name of their Gods should be thus obliterat was not this indeed very wonderful But Dagon hath no strength to stand before the ark of the God of Israel 3. That it should be thus advanced by such a mean as the preaching of the word even of that which to the Jewes was a stumbling-block and to the Greeks foolishnes how this voice should put to perpetual silence these Oracles that for so many ages had given a response to the world might be indeed astonishing yea that the churches increase should thus be brought about at no lesse rate then the overturning of greatest Kingdomes the conversion of so many nations should tame and civilize the most savage and barbarous cause the lion to ly doun with the lamb and even make so great and universal a change in the face of the universe 4. Doth it not speak forth some divine power the carrying on of the churches grouth and increase not only over the violence of men but over all these dreadful errours and inventions these thick mists which both in former and late times have ascended out of the pit to choke her that we may say the church hath not onely been helpt to tread upon the lion and dragon but ou the adder and cockatrice also and doth carry the trophees of her conquest over all these at this day 5. I would adde is it not marvellous how the churches increase hath been advanced in a way most contrare to all the rules of ordinary policy by which states and empires have risen not by dissimulation but greatest plaines and free dealing for Christ and his Ministers did never flatter the world to embrace the truth not by open violence but a more excellent spirit power before which men could not stand where foolishnes was made to confound and outwit humane wisdome and weaknes to overcome strength that we may say O how litle of man and much of God was to be seen therein THIRD Promise which the Lord hath given to his church in the word is the giving of the Spirit powring out of the same which is there expresly held forth promised Zach. 12 10. Ioh. 14 17. Ps 59 21. And doth concern all the times of the church though in a more full measure to be let out in the dayes of
enchantment had fallen on men vvhat that could bee vvhich the more they sought to bear dovvn the more it increased that made the rich choose poverty and these vvho dwelt in palaces take themselves vvith chearfulnes to the dens and caves of the earth but besides this it is very manifest that in a large measure the spirit hath been let forth to the church in after ages yea there is no particular church vvhere the light hath shined but hath had it's special times some solemn day of the powring out of the spirit before the sun vvent down vvhich may be observed either at the first breaking up of the gospel or at some other remarkable time and change of her condition vvhence a great tack of souls to Christ hath follovved in a day vvherein an effectual doore vvas opened besides the reaching of the conscience and stirring the affection of many others under a common vvork of the spirit which usually goeth along vvith such solemn times 6 The going back of the tide and visible withdravving of the spirit from particular churches vvhere it hath sometime in a large measure been let forth is a very convincing vvitnes to the truth of this promise for it is clearly seen at vvhat a stand the gospel is in these places vvhere it most eminently shined that the land vvhich blossomed and vvas like a vvatered garden hath been made as the heath in the vvildernes and the ground from vvhence rain is vvithdravven and then that the ministers of Christ vvhose lot hath fallen in such a time are put to very sore vvork to vvorke as it vvere vvith oares for vvant of vvind to cast out the net all night and catch nothing a shut doore is upon them in the exercise of their Ministry duty is made Lurthensome because the Lord is against them there is an evident restraint upon the word and its intercourse is more with the ear then with the consciences of men yea any liberty they find is to execut a commission of judgement and to denounce the woe of the Gospel O doth not so manifest withdrawing of the spirit witnes the outletting thereof and that it is a certain and real thing 7. Doe not the stirrings and strange convictions which even the worst of men have sometimes under the word witnes a divine spirit and power going along therewith that which forceth an assent from their conscience to the truth which otherwayes they hate yea maketh them for the time wonder they should not have been more serious in the wayes of God yea it doth often put a thorn in the bed of their security for indeed the word and the light thereof doth torment these who dwell in the earth And truely this is a marvellous thing which winneth in uponm mens secret designes and councels doth reveal to them the most closs thoughts of their heart which they are sure mens eye could not reach taketh them down through themselves and yet that the world knoweth not whence it is yea are they not forced to confesse what a great difference they find betwixt the word from the mouth of some who are holy and serious though held out in greatest simplicity then from others even of greater gifts and accompanyed with more shew of eloquence that surely the one hath an other sound and relish speaketh more feelingly home to their heart then the most polished discourse of greatest oratours 8. One witnes moe I shall here give to the truth of this promise even these eminent examples of the grace of God which in every age have shined in the firmament of the Church some in love and zeal some in patience and humility some in the strong acts of faith and â—elf-denyal which doe certainly demonstrat a more excellent spirit then that which is in the world whence they appear with another lustre in their walk and carriage and have a sweet and fragant savour of the spirit to the very discerning of bystanders which truely sheweth that his wind doth blow on his garden when the spices send forth so pleasant a sent FOVRTH We find an expresse Promise in the word of Deliverance to the Church â—n a low and oppressed condition that surely the Lord will plead her cause will deliver his People when he seeth their strenght is gone and save them from the hands of their enemyes Ps 18 47 48 50. Ps 22 4 5. Is 54 17. Is 51 23. It is true this promise hath its bounds limits and provisions which should be taken along in the application thereof we know the Covenant of God with particular Churches is conditional only he promiseth that he will be with them while they are with him yea it is oft seen and there is no jarr here with this promise that a People professing the Gospel confederat with God following duty have even turned their back before the enemy and in the holy providence of God have for a time been given up to their fierce rage and violence but it is also sure that this promise hath an accomplishment and in the day of the Churches strait the Lord hath oft appeared by a strong outstretched hand for her help his own arm brought salvation to his People when they sought to him for God is known in her palaces for a refuge yea surely the Church might oft sing that song on such clear grounds as though with Israel shee had been standing at the red sea thy right hand O Lord is full of power thy right hand hath dashed in pieces thy enemyes for what nation or People is like this to whom he hath shewed such marvellous things Now to shew forth the faithfulnes of God in this his promise I would offer some few things that are a most clear and undenyable witnes thereto 1. There are fevv ages but vvee have some record of the churches condition vvhich hold forth such signal convincing providences of God in behalf of his oppressed church and people as may be a manifest seal to this truth it is true some times have been more remarkable for suffering times of judgement of a growing tryal wherein this truth hath not so clearly shined forth yea that long night vvhich the church had under Antichrist might seem to call it in question but never the lesse if men take a serious look of the Lords vvay and series of providence in ages past comparing one time vvith another what the straits and most extream case of the church hath at last resolved in they will find cause to cry with astonishment great deliverances giveth he to his people yea the Lord hath done gteat things for them I am sure were a full record with that true account which might be given of these more remarkable delivrances that particular churches have met with since the first planting of the Gospel among them wherein Gods very immediat hand for their help hath been discernable it should non-plus the World and greatest Atheists anent the real outmaking of this promise 2. The confession even
is written in the providences and judgments of every time to mens observation how judgments from the Lord which point as with the finger at the abounding sins of that time do reach a land and particular Churches according to the threatnings of the word this is indeed manifest that the greatest promises made to a people we find backed with saddest threatnings and accordingly we find the greatest monuments of wrath have usually been set up where sometimes the largest offers of the Gospel were yea that the anger of the Lord may draw so deep against a people professing his name as to make their land desolate and the high wayes thereof mourn for in this precinct of the Church doth both judgement and mercy most eminently shine forth and the Lords way there doth differ from that he hath with any other people Now to clear this grave truth a litle how these threatnings of the word against a nation and people because of sin are also verifyed in their judgements I shall touch a few instances that are most known and obvious where we may lay the word and observation of the Church together and see how they answer one the other First we find the Threatnings of the word do point at the time of a peoples judgement 1 Thes 2 ver 16. Rev. 14 ver 15 18. That when they fill up the measure of their sin and their cup is full the Lord will not then defer the execution until the cup of the Amorites was full he did let them alone and we find an answer deferred to the cry of the souls under the altar for avenging their blood on Antichrist because that accursed party had yet more to do against the Church and the Saints more to suffer under their hand Now to witness the accomplishment of this let us but consider what in all times may be observed First that there is an ordinary grouth and height of sin which a land cometh to before destruction some national and universal spreading thereof prodigious outbreakings the utter rejecting of reproof which shew that a peoples case must then be on some turn yea that strange and unusuall sinning useth to go before some strange stroke 2. Before judgement come is it not seen how the sin of a people hath become so daring that it hath had a loud cry yea their case hath been such as did justify the Lords procedure against them even in the conscience of all lookers that he did it not without much cause 3. Is it not easy for such as are wise to know the times to see night coming on a land when sin is at some dreadful height by considering the word and the Lords usual way with a people in such a case Yea hath there not then been some special forwarnings a more then ordinary impression of judgement upon the spirits of the godly the hiding of many of them in the grave which as threatning presages hath shewed the near approache of a stroke 4. There doth not usually want even some Noah or Jonas the Ministers of God sent forth to threaten who as watchmen upon the wall are discerning hazard at distance yea with an observable pressure then upon their spirit and a more then ordinary aggreement amongst themselves to cry out and give the people warning when the time of judgement hath been drawing near 2. It is clear there are some special evils and sins of a time which we find the word most dreadfully doth threaten yea in a peculiar way it doth put a mark upon them that though the Lord should passe by many infirmities in a Church and people professing his name yet for such and such sins as we find in Amos 1 ver 2. he will not turn away the punishment thereof but hath solemnly declared by his truth and faithfulnes that these shall not passe without some visible mark even before the world of his anger now in this the Scripture is clear and lets us see there are some sins more particularly threatned some land destroying sins that have as it were the marke set on them which doe especially provoke the holy indignation and jealousie of God such as idolatry corrupting the Worship of God Perjury and Covenant-breaking shall they break my Covenant and escape saith the Lord Ezek. 17 ver 15. also departing from God and his way for this the land shall be desolat as in Ierem. 9 ver 12 13. yea blood guiltines which the earth shall not cover and for which the sword shall not depart even from the house family of David 2 Sam. 12 10. Now to evidence the accomplishment hereof I shall point at somethings most obvious to the observation of every time how terribly the Lord useth to plead for such things and by some exemplary stroke and judgement point them out as we find them particularly set by themselves in the word and threatnings thereof First how in these sins thus marked men may see how their judgements use not wholly to be deferred to another world but though much is oft passed here and laid over to that last and great judgement yet upon such sins the Lord hath put some mark of his displeasure even in this life 2. That for these he useth to contend before the sun and in the view of men his judgements are indeed oft secret and doe consume as a moth but upon such sins we may frequently see some publick and visible stroke is made to follow that the world cannot passe without a remark 3. That the Lord also useth to be a very swift witness against such evils for as we find the oppression of the Church hath a lowd cry and the blood of the saints a how long it is also seen these forementioned sins do much hasten judgement so as seldome that generation passeth away without some witness thereto it is rarely found that some great revolt of a people from God and breaking Covenant with him doth ly long over unpunished nor doth the hoary head of the violent and bloody man go oft to the grave in peace 4. That these sins use to be followed with some very dreadful and eminent stroke they have made the land desolat their cityes sometime wast and a ruinous heap yea houses great and fair to be without inhabitans so as men have with astonishment enquired why is all this comed to passe and it was easy to answer even for such and such evils hath the Lord done this according to his word 5. That a divine hand useth to be most discernable in the punishments of such sins because of a very clear resemblance betwixt them and the stroke which hath forced their own conscience as well as of onlookers to confesse the Righteousnes of God therein 6. That the Lord will put some mark of his anger on the choisest of his servants for any accession to such sins these to whom he hath given their soul for a prey have yet got a sore outward stroke upon such an account which hath
followed them to the grave for this the sword shall not depart from Davids house Idolatry rent the Kingdome from the posterity of Salomon Jonas shall not escape for his rebellion yea God was wroth with Moses and no intreaty shall hinder his dying in the wildernes I may adde hath not the Lords controversy on this ground even reached their posterity which may shew that these threatnings are sad earnest and such sins are not more particularly pointed at in the word then they have been in after ages made exemplary in judgement 3. A peoples lukwarmenesse their slighting of the gospel and not receiving the love of the truth we find sadly threatned in the word Rev. 3 ver 15 16. 2 Thess 2 ver 10 11. and truely we must say they have not fallen to the ground in any age without an accomplishment as frequent observation can witness First how a peoples entring upon a Religious way their pursuing a form of reformation and not through for God therein but on carnal grounds hath thus put them in a worse condition then before for truely mens hypocrisy in going about a good work doth threaten more then the performance thereof doth promise Jehu got a temporal reward but his posterity must at length reckon for all the blood of Jezreel 2. That no people use to be furder from getting good of the gospel then such who have been under most clear and greatest convictions so as it is found there is oft more accesse to gain amongst the savages then these who have sit their day while the tide did flow yea ministers have found most discouragement to labour in these parts where the word hath been long preached with power 3. It is seen how light not improved will turn a People more grosse and is usually followed with some remarkable grouth in sin that the more the word doth put a restraint on mens corruption the more it rageth so as it may be observed what a very black dy and collour the powerful preaching of the Gospel hath put upon a People as a visible mark of judgement on such who profit not thereby 4. Is it notseen how mens formality in the matters of God hath been oft punished even with the taking away of the forme Yea that seldome errour and delusion doth want a harvest amongst a People who receive not the truth in love 5. Hath not slighting of the Gospel been at last followed with some visible restraint and inhibition both upon the ordinances and dispensers thereof a judicial withdrawing of the Spirit as to the work of conversion and conviction whereby the Lord doth plainly cease to be a reprover to such yea even saith bind up the Law and seal the Testimony 4. The Word doth also threaten carnal Security a disease whereof the Church is oft in great hazard yea we find it holds forth a certain connexion betwixt spiritual judgements upon a People and some outward strokes to follow thereon that these who are under that first woe and plague upon their spirits are then near to some judgement upon their persons and may expect a sharp wakening in hearing they shall not understand c. but the close is until the cities be consumd without inhabitants and there be an utter desolation yea we find judgement doth begin as a moth in that 5. of Hos. but in the 14. ver it doth turn at last to be a lyon We may truely say the fulfilling of this hath in all ages of the Church been obvious 1. That as the first part of the Churches deliverance is usually spiritual so it is found the first step of judgement and the execution thereof against a People hath been upon their spirits that serious discerners of the time might know that the night was fast coming on and some sad outward stroke on a land by the abounding of spiritual judgements 2. It is clear themost dreadful strokes that ever come on a particular Church doe usually find it in such a case judicially hardned and under many warnings plagued with security thus did the floud finde the old World and before that desolating stroke on Jerusalem by the Romans were not the Jewes in such a case Salvain can tell how it was with the African Churches before that dreadful inundation of the Gothes and Vandals yea the Churches records in all ages doe witness that before any sad stroke or persecution came upon a People a deep sleep and lethargie hath been previous thereto gray haires might have been seen upon them and the Word doth even shew that this will be the last disease whereof the Church shall be sick before the great day of the Lord. 3. It is also seen how spiritual judgements when they grow upon a people make great dispatch and do quickly ripen for some further stroke that when men have run down their conscience and are past reproof of the word going on from evil to worse the case cometh then to be clear and ready for the finall discussion of the processe 5. The word doth denounce woe against the troublers of the Church and these who are her persecutors that the Lord shall recompence tribulation to such and plead with her oppressours the accomplishment whereof hath been truely manifest yea to the observation even of the world Is 10 5. 2 Thess 1 ver 6. 1. That eminent oppressours of the Church have seldome gone out of the World without some remark of divine anger upon them surely if there were a record of such instances that in every age hath been conspicuous men should be forced to see and say that the most noted enemyes and persecutors of the saints have been also the most convincing and noted examples of judgement in the time 2. That the Churches suffering useth to go before a day of vengeance on the instruments thereof we find Jehu got an outward reward for executâ—ng the judgement of God on his enemyes but as for these men who have been the rod of the Church it hath been seen that they have not long wanted some scourge as sore upon themselves as they have been to his People and that at last these have payed dear-for their service 3. We may see how this also doth help to finish the contraversy of God with men and their houses that for this he hath taken many away in the midst of their dayes and made them cease to be who would not cease to trouble the Church while they had a being yea that He hath taken them in his own hand whom men could not reach and made their down-casting in the midst of themselves 6. Doth not the Scripture threaten carnal confidence in a People the putting of their trust in man or in any outward instruments Ier. 17 ver 5 6. Is 30 ver 16 17. to clear the accomplishment whereof let us but compare the word and the Churches observation together and we will find 1. That outward meanes have never more miscaried then when most promising and when there was greatest
must see this falleth not out at an adventure which is wrought upon one and not an other while both are a like discerning yea some who seem furthest from the grace of God very grosse and rude have been taken when the more civil and refined and of a more promising natural disposition have been past by O doth not this witness the grace of God and soveraignity thereof 10. Is not this change oft discernable upon men in a time while no advantage from without doth appeare even times of persecution and hazard from which many have dated their first acquaintance with God when they could expect nothing but a suffering lot sure there must be something above nature in it 11. It is also known how great a cloud of witnesses have sealed this truth O! can there be such an universal enchantment that in every age in several yea in most remote places of the earth hath fallen upon so many who have witnessed the povver of the Gospel or can all these be void of understanding What gain or outward advantage could they designe in that which is so usually attended with outward hazard and losse or what credit from men while it maketh them the very butt of the worlds hatred and reproach Yea can it be thought that all these could have combined to conspire into so great a cheat I must appeale Atheists to their serious thoughts of this matter 12. The marvellous effect of this change doth it not witness this is no fancy or delusion when men are reached with such a stroke and by one word as hath made the stout hearted and most daring to tremble and to shew by their very countenance that there is an other tribunal then mans before which they are arraigned Must it not be sad earnest and a marvellous povver that can make so willing a divorce betvvixt men and their idols vvhich vvere once as their right eye to them and beat them off that ground of self-righteousnes vvhich they had been so long establishing to themselves that should cause them also choose the reproach of Christ and his crosse before any outvvard advantage and abandon that society without which sometimes they could not live Must not this speak forth something above nature and natural reason O! may not the world oft wonder what is become of their old friends though I confesse this should rather put them with wonder and astonishment to some serious enquiry whence so great a change can be THIRD Thus communion and fellowship with God whereto the Saints are in this life admitted and brought near to him in the spirit is a most real thing and no delusion is a truth which may be very convincingly demonstrat even to the view of the world and to such who are but onlookers on the same 1 Iob. 1 ver 3. Phil 3 ver 20. I confesse this is a truth that must be spiritually discerned and therefore the world cannot know it or reach that unspeakable joy and delight which is found by the Saints in that sweet path yet we must say there are somethings and some such and so convincing evidences as may witness to men and rationally demonstrat the same the conviction whereof they cannot possibly shun if they but come near and in their serious thoughts consider 1. Hovv great and excellent a company doe bear this testimony even as many as in every time did ever serve God in the Spirit is not this transmitted by the fathers to the children as their experience And as certainly tryed by succeeding ages a truth vvhich is not once or tvvice proved in the Christians life for the proofs thereof are innumerable and past reckoning vvhich they have had yea amongst all the Saints since the dayes of Abel to this present time there was never one contradictory witness could be produced 2. Are not these who do thus testify what they have oft found in secret retirements to God such whose testimony in any other matter the worst of men could not refuse or deny to be famous I am sure the World is convinced that the followers of Christ dare not yea use not to deal falsely in other things with these they have to do with how ever their malice carry them to reproach them yea that they are more to be credited then such who make a scorn of Religion 3. Have they not had as great an interest and share of the World as others and been of as discerning spirits to know the true value of things who from their experience doe not only declare there is an undoubted reality in converse with God but that the joy and delight herein which they have found is above all the plâ—â—sures of the flesh O! what must that be which could make such who wanted no outward allurements who had not lost their taste and were flesh and blood as well as others to turn their back on all for Christ and by their walk testify they have found some more satisfying enjoyment in fellowship with God 4. Must not this be very obvious and convincing that when men once become serious in the way of God they have got some new acquaintance that sure is another world and some other society then that of men with which they have intercouse Whence are their frequent retirements from which they have been seen so oft to come forth with greatest satisfaction and with some remarkable change in their case doth it not thus appear They are not alone when they are alone yea in such a solitude must find something very desireable 5. Is not this also testifyed in such times when men could not well dissemble or be suspected of deceit in times of great outward affliction when the World also hath been most tempting with its offers yea at death when they are stepping over that threshold a time wherein the words of dying men are of greatest weight and credit the spirits of such being then more unbyassed and free of these ordinary temptations wherewith others are swayed How oft have they at such times declared that surely God is familiar with men which they have found and though they were going to change their place yet were not to change their company 6. Can that be a delusion which is so sensible in the present time whereof the Saints are not more sure that they live then they are sure of this truth what near approaches what refreshing viewes they have got while God hath come near to their soul what a discernable elevation of their spirits doth go along with this yea on the other hand as the withdrawing hereof is very sensible to themselves so is there not something of this obvious to by-standers how great a change and difference this will make in their case from other times which they cannot get hid 7. Doth not something of this truth appear on the very countenance and outward carriage of Christians with what a lustre and resemblance of Heaven a holy stayednes and composure of spirit when they have been
forth a vive resemblance of the Devil and some violent pressure and incitement from that airth 7. Is it not sure that there is such a party by this that he is an adversary to God and holines for which he doth so impetuously tempt and presse men to the outward acts of sin yea that there is a Spirit of blasphemy which so visibly rageth in the world and acts men to war against Heaven with their tongues by cursing and blasphemous oathes which hath no carnal pleasure or gain but yet cannot forbear from a violent incitement which may be seen swaying them to the same 8. Whence is it which is so very known and notour that these horrid wretches who give themselves to the Divill cannot enter in any formal engadgement without renouncing Christ and their baptisme doth it not shew that direct opposition he stands in to Christ yea to the very name and shadow of Christianity 9. Whence is it that even the grossest Atheists upon any appearance of the Devil or apprehension from that airth will not then make scorn of prayer but turns in earnest to that which at other times they mocked O doth it not shew mens Atheism is their choice but not their judgement that not onely there is a dreadful horrour and fear which by nature men have of these evil Spirits but some inbred sense also and impression of a Deity which doth bewray it selfe whither they will or not in a pressing strait and extremity TENTH That there is such an enmity betwixt the seed of the woman and the Serpent as the Scripture hath held forth is very manifest a truth wherein the world may see the Scripture clearly verifyed Gal. 4 ver 29. It is truely strange that this putteth not men to more serious thoughts to pursue such a thing to its true rise what should cause such a violent and unreasonable contrariety against the way and followers of God for here upon grave reflections they must needs see what a convincing witnes their way is to the truth of the Scripture which might put them in some other humor yea help to turn this poison into an antidot against it selfe but this is sure and undenyable the discovery where of cannot but stair the greatest Atheist in the face from these convincing evidences 1. That it is seen no privat quarrel which ever was among men hath been with such vigour and malice persued as this upon the account of religion which hath still put the World more in a flame then any privat interest yea it is very manifest how men are carried with the spaite of their own natural inclination to oppose the Church and People of God 2. That this feed and enmity could never be taken up through all the successions of time a strife which is not late begun or to be seen only in one age betwixt the children of the bond woman and of the free no the most sage and wise amongst men the greatest Peace-makers could yet never fall on a way to reconcile these two parties but the children have still served themselves heirs to the quarrell and hatred of their fathers against the Church 3. Is it not seen that these who are more civil and can hold a little up with the form of religion yet will break forth in greatest rage against the power thereof when once it begins to appear it is indeed here that imbred contrariety which is in men against holines doth bewray it selfe even in these who are other wayes noted for a calm and peaceable disposition while once they begin to be scorcht with its heat 4. What a strong natural antipathy is this which causeth men pnrsue with so much bitternes these from whom they never had any personal injury sure their conscience must oft tell that they have no reason or any other provocation then what is from the appearance of the image of God in such but this is their nature and indisposition an enmity which they can no more help then they can change their nature or the Leopard can change its spots 5. From what a strong inclination and inward principle doth the World thus act in its opposition to the Church and followers of God whilest it is clear that though these were never so quiet and peaceable yet their enemyes are still restlesse and cannot sleep beside them 6. It is seen how this doth separat betwixt nearest friends and relations and alienat such who have sometimes been most dear to other no bond in nature so strait which it will not break it doth oft set the husband against the wife and the parents against the children yea when religion once breaks up in a corner of a land or a family doth it not then make a visible jarr and put all in a flame 7. It is clear that when once grace appeareth in men they are as a sign and wonder to a profane generation the World doth then sensibly change her countenance and looketh like a step-mother while on the other hand it is clear that professours turning loose and running to that excesse of riot with others will cause their old adversaries warm towards them and alace proveth the surest way to gain mens frienship while the World thinks they are their own when once they turn profane ELEVENTH That the Creature is made subject to vanity because of sin which not only the wisest of men but the Spirit of God doth witnes that things here beneath the sun are indeed vanity and vexation of spirit Rom. 8 vor 20. Eccles 2 ver 11. is a piece of the Scripture in such great letters written forth to the view of men that none can be strangers thereto It is true the cause and solid remedy of this so general a complaint is only reached by the Godly man who knoweth how to read the vanity of the creature as a piece of the fulfilling of the word and doth seriously consider things as they are not as they appear but it is also sure that in every age through the various changes of mans life this is so cleirly witnessed that the most grosse and brutish cannot shift the conviction thereof but in one of these two times have been forced to a publick acknowledging of the same at death when they are leaving the World or in a day of strait when the World is leaving them now to demonstrat this I shall here but offer these few queries 1. Have not the greatest instances of the glory of the World been usually the greatest examples of its vanity and change how few hath ambition raised but it hath also ruined yea given the sorest fall to these it had lifted most high What sudden changes do attend great men and high places which these who sit lâ—â— do escape sure if the tragedies of Princes and such who in their condition have been raised above others were put by themselves in record it should make a great volumn and shew how their glory and prosperous estate did only make their
extraordinary providence that all onlookers must with fear and astonishment confesse that this is Gods own work yet it is also clear that he will therein make use of instruments fitted and chosen for that end who shall be raised and acted forth with a more then ordinary Spirit to execute the vengeance of the Lord even the judgement written amongst whom the feeble shall then be strong yea we have ground to expect that of the Kings of rhâ—â—arth and the race and successours of these who in former times had given their power to the Beast shall the Lord raise up to hate the whoore and make her desolate O blessed are they who shall have a hand in so noble a work to sack and destroy that accursed City built up with the blood of the Saints and martyres of Iesus Christ 4. We are not to bound the Lord as to any particular time for accomplishing this piece of his word yet we have clear ground to believe that Babylons ruin maketh hast and the day of the Lord upon her is near whose sword is bathed in Heaven and that the instruments of his vengeance are making ready one stroke upon that party is already past Antichrist hath begun to fall before the word and must fall further until that great â—â—roke which shall destroy his seat and lay wast that land be accomplished some promising evidences of its near approach I vvould here point at 1. The many prayers of the saints vvhich are novv before the throne and cannot want a return many who wrestled oft with the Lord on this accompt though they are away yet are their prayers to the fore and waits for this solemn manifestation of the judgement of God and the blood of the Saints doth not cease to cry yea hath as loud a cry as ever 2. It is clear that the preached Gospel now since the light began to break forth doth ripen and help to make the harvest more white then many ages formerly and truely if we consider how long the word hath been sounding a retreat to that party to come out of Babylon and that for these 150 Years they have been still acting in opposition to so clear a light to such a solemn call so many warnings yea to such convincing discovery of the Lords being against them in very remarkable providences doth it not shew at what an height their sin this day is and an obstinat rejecting of cure 3. We cannot but see how that judgement which should be poured forth on Antichrist under the vials is in a great measure now verifyed in the event 4. It is clear and consonant to the Scripture that the Lords work is now hastening in the latter dayes providence in aâ—â—ist motion and maketh great advance more quick changes in the case of the Church both as to stormes and calmes and her tryals now must not be so long as in former times Rom. 9 ver 28. he will cut short his work in righteousnes for a short work will the Lord make in the earth 5. That Antichrist and his followers do this day seem to be at such an advantage the Lords work as it were at a stand yea rather going back this late reviving of Antichristian Prelacy in Brittain and Ireland with so visible a grouth of popery there and so dark an houre upon the reformed Churches abroad I think on very solid grounds is a promising evidence of the near approach of a furder stroak on that party for it is clear both from the word and Gods ordinary way of â—â—ocedure how a sharp storm is usually previous to some remarkable enlargement of the Church a very low ebb before the turning of the tide yea that every step of her advance whereby she hath gained ground on Antichrist hath still had some conflict and wrestling going before and thus the Lord by suffering doth ripen his People for such times of mercy for which time O let us pray and wait when the smoke of that accursed City shall ascend up to Heaven and his People be made to triumph in his praise and sing that song Halelujah salvation glory and honour to the Lord God who hath judged the great whoore rejoyce over her thou Heaven and ye holy Apostles and Prophets for God hath avenged you upon her II. We have a clear ptophecy anent the incalling of the Iewes and their conversion to Christ in the latter dayes held forth by the Prophets and in the New Testament very expresly mentioned for the fulfilling whereof the Church must yâ—t wait and long after when God shall being again the captâ—vity of his auncient People and say to that valley of dry bones live anent which we would consider Isas 11 ver 15. Rom. 11 ver 24. Rev. 16 ver 12. 1. That this promise doth not onely concern particular persons or a few but the body and generality of that people is most clear from the Scripture if men would compare Isai 11 ver 11. Zach. 12 ver 10. with Rom. 11 ver 25. where it is undenyable that their gathering must be as full and remarkable as their scattering and as there is no nation so remote whither some of them are not this day that shal not hinder the fulfilling of the promise but as Esai sheweth the Lord shall then assemble the dispersed and outcasts and bring them back from the four corners of the earth and furdest places thereof yea doth not the Apostle expresly shew that it is all Israel whereat this promise pointeth for though they are enemyes concerning the Gospel yet are they beloved for the fathers sakes because of the Covenant which was made with Abraham and his seed and truely we have in this ground also to expect something further then their conversion that in this day the Lord shall raise the tabernacle of David which is fallen and plant them upon their own land Amos 9 ver 11 15. not only bring them to a visible Church state but even therewith some temporal restitution and recollection of them as a Nation yea may expect a return of the old blessing of that lands fruitfulnes which I think is clearly held forth in that of Ames 9 ver 13. that the plewman shall overtake the reaper the very hils drop down sweet vvine and melt as it vvere in outvvard blessings on them 2. That this promise hath not yet had an accomplishment is also clear from the Word for it must follovv the rejection of that People and should not take place untill the fulnes of the gentiles be brought in vvhich harvest for many ages after vvas not to be reaped yea did not the Apostle hold this forth as a mystery a piece of the Scripture vvhich the auncient Ievvish Church could not vvell comprehend vvhen it vvas pointed at by the Prophets and even at that time vvas not understood vvhich surely could have been no mystery if their conversion had reached no further then the Apostles time and it is known how small a number since of
Catholick league vvhich did quickly follovv upon the back thereof a very strong and formidable combination to root out the Protestant interest 8. The taking away of Edward the sixth of England establishing of a cruel persecutor Queen Mary did indeed look like a stroke that should root out the Church in that part and destroy that famous plantation of the Gospel in its tender grouth 9. I must adde that vvhich vvas as sore an assault to the Church as any so grievous a difference vvhich vvith the first breaking up of the vvork of Reformation did begin betvvixt Luther and Zvvinglius about Christs presence in the Sacrament yea came to such an height and vvith so great heat and animosity vvas follovved as in appearance vvould have vvholly frustrat the vvork they vvere about THIRD Witnes to this truth is that wonderful patience and resolution of the Saints yea with much chearfulnes in their greatest sufferings which in these late times did appear Wherein the World must confesse that same immediat support from Heaven yea the Lords owning his People in a very extraordinary way was no lesse manifest then in these primitive sufferings of the Church from heathens Sure no by past times even in these bloody dayes of Nero Domitian c. can shew more horrid more strange engines of torment and cruelty then what in these last ages the Church did endure from the Popish party whose savage and barbarous usage of the poor flock of Christ where ever they had accesse may witnes a cruelty more then humane and as to the number are they not almost without reckoning who in France Germany Brittain and the Low Countries beside other parts were slain within this 150. Yeares for the word of God and the testimony of his truth Now as this is most manifest it is also known what a divine and an invincible spirit vvith an astonishing courage and resolution did appear in the carriage of the People of God under this sore persecution hovv they triumphed over their oppressours and did chearfully meet death in its most terrible shape a thing vvhich the Schooles of Socrates and Plato vvith all their rules could never reach yea should be reckoned amongst the miracles of these later dayes anent vvhich vve vvould consider these things 1. That something more then nature a spirit and resolution above the ordinary rate of men yea something much above themselves their natural temper and disposition did in their most extream sufferings oft appear and this without the least shadow of affectation and deceit I am sure the World in these last ages yea the conscience of their persecutors and of the greatest Atheists must witnes this 2. That many of the most soft tender disposition many women whose complexion would declare more weaknes yet in this late Antichristian persecution did en dure greatest torments and by suffering triumphed over the fury and rage of their adversaryes whereof we have many instances in record 3. The World hath been also a witnes how serious and deliberat the Saints were in this that they made suffering their choise which they could easily have shunned at the rate of yeelding something in the truth but ere they would doe this or give the adversary such a bribe they choised to embrace death and goe to a stake for Christ even when they wanted not most perswading offers to turn them aside for instance I would here mention that excellent man in Queen Maryes time Julius Palmer who not only had life but preferment offered if he would recant to which his answer was that he had quit his living in two places for Christ and now was ready to yeeld his life also on that accompt likewise one William Hunter whom Bishop Bonar did urge with many offers to recant told him it must be Scripture arguments and not perfwasions of that kinde for he reckoned all earthly things but drosse and dung in respect of Christ and at the stake when a pardon by the Sheriffe was offered upon such an accompt did peremptorly reject the same Antonius Riceto a Venetian when condemned for the truth had a large offer to have his patrimony restored which was much morgadged with debt and made free beside his life if he would but a little yeeld and likevvise had his son vveeping on him for that cause gave this ansvver he vvas resolved to lose both Children and estate for Christ I shall adde vvhat vve have related of one Hervvin vvho suffered in the lovv countryes to vvhom the Magistrates made great intreaties vvith large promises to recant which he vvholly slighted many more instances of this kinde here might be set dovvn 4. It is knowen that such who were of great repute in the World and had a large share of outward things to tempt them did in these last times most chearfully part with the same and choise rather suffering for the truth we may instance these 2. great witnesses Iohn Frederick of Saxony and the Lantsgrave of Hesse who under that long imprisonment by Charles the 5. bare out many sharp assaults both by threatnings and offers without yeelding in the least to the prejudice of the truth yea on this accompt did the Duke of Sanony forgoe with his estate and dignity Annas Du Burg counsellour of the Parliament at Paris of great parts and repute who before Henry the II. had an excellent speech in Parliament for the Protestant party for which by him being imprisoned did forgoe all his honours and interests in the World which otherwayes he might have brooked and embraced death for Christ The Prince of Condee at the massacre of Paris when the King expresly shewed him he should within 3 dayes dye if he did not renounce his Religion told him his estate and life were in his hand but ere he renounced the truth he would quite both Charles de Zeroton a Moravian Barron of great interest and authority in that countrey in the late Bohemian persecution did quite all his estate and possessions for the Gospel not withstanding of many large offers and perswasions we find also in England the Dutches of Suffolk a lady who lived in the fulnes of the World and pleasures thereof yet in Queen Maries time did quite both estate and countrey for the truth and on that accompt did choise a very hard lot in other parts 5. Is it not also known how these who had been ready to faint and be overcharged with discouragement yet at death in the extremity of their suffering did shew a marvellous resolution and chearfulnes a thing which no Atheist can possibly answer and sheweth Gods very immediat support Mr Glover how sore was he cast down and could feel no joy or comfort after much wrestling but no sooner did come in sight of the stake but his soul was filled with the joy of the Lord and with his strength which forced him to clap his hands and cry forth to a friend who knew his former damp and discouragement Oh Ausline he is
come he is come and thus chearfully went to death Thomas Hudson a choise Christian vvho suffered in Queen Maryes time vvhen at the stake did slip suddenly from under the chain to the astonishment of the People but not from fear of death but from the vvant of feeling of Christ vvhich made him full of heavines but after his turning aside that he had got his soul poured out to God he returned as one raised from death to life crying out Now I am strong and do not care what man can do and thus with much joy did yeeld up his spirit Likewise Annas Du Burg whom we before mentioned being through fear and discouragement drawen to recant had no rest in his spirit until he retracted the same and after did chearfully undergoe death with what marvellous resolution did that excellent man Doctor Cranmer put his right hand to the fire when he came to the stake and suffered to burn vvithout shrinking vvhich as he said he vvould punish for subscribing a recantation vvhich vvas so much thereafter his grief Last I must adde that marvellous joy and resolution vvhich the Saints in these late times did in their greatest sufferings shevv is very notoure and knovven to the World for their sufferinge vvas not in a corner and vve may say hath not come short of the primitive martyrs but did vvitnes the same spirit and povver accompanying them I cannot passe this in a general vvithout giving some touch amidst such a multitude of convincing instances let us hear blessed Bradfoord at the stake thus speak to his fellovv sufferer be of good comfort for we shall have this night a merry supper with the Lord. Latimer to Ridley â—â— shall this day light such a candle in England as I trust shall never be put out Mr Sanders I was in prisâ—n until I got â—â—â— prison and at the stake embracing cryes welcome the 〈◊〉 of Christ welcome everlasting life Doctor Ferrer to a gentleman vvho bemoaned his death and the painfulnes of it if â—ow see mee once stirr in the fire beleeve not my doctrine as did after appear for he stood vvithout moving in the midst of the flame Iohn Ardley if every haâ—r of my head â—ere a man it should suffer death in the faith I â—â— stand â—â— Elisabeth Folks embraceing the stake cryed fare well World fare well faith and hope and welcome love Robert aguires son vvhen at Lile in the Lovv countries he suffered vvith his father for the truth in the year 1556. did cry forth at the stake behold millions of Angels about us and the heaven opened to receive us after he had sometime fixed his eyes on heaven and vvhen the fire vvas kindled sayes to his father yet a very little and we shall enter into the heavenly mansion Mr. Tims an English minister in Queen Maryes dayes thus vvrits to his friends I am going to the Bishops colehouse but shall not be long there before I be carried up to my brethren vvho are gone to heaven before mee in a fiery chariot follovv yovv after mee vvhere yovv shall find mee singing merily at my jurneyes end holy holy holy Lord God of Sabaoth Algerius an Italian martyr thus vvrits from his prison a little before his death vvho vvould believe that in this dungeon I should finde a paradise so pleasant in a place of sorrow and death tranquillity and hope of life vvhere others vveep I rejoyce O hovv easy and svveet is his yoke and this he subscribs from that delectable orchard of the Leonine prison Guy de Bres the ringing of my chain hath been sweet â—â—sick in my eares all my former discourses were but as a blind wans of collours in respect of my present feeling O what a â—â—ious comforter is a good conscience The Lord Henry Otto a Bohemian vvho suffered in the late persecution said to the minister I vvas troubled but novv I feel a vvonfull refreshment O now I fear death no longer I will dye with joy and on the scaffold cryed out behold I see the heavens opened pointing with his hands at the place where others observed a certain brightnes that did dazel their eyes and thus dyed with great chearfulnes I shall but adde the last vvords of that holy and great Mr Wishart vvho thus spake amidst the fire this flame doth torment my body but no whit abate my spirits FOVRTH Witnes is these great and remarkable judgements of God which in these last times have befallon the adversaryes and persecutus of the Church who have been most notour for their opposition to the truth wherein we must say a divine hand hath been so discernable that ordinary observers could not passe the same without a remark but must acknowledge the righteous judgement of God that it cometh not by guesse and at an adventure but doth convincingly seal the word This is indeed a grave subject wherein we should be very serious and sober for the judgements of God are a great depth nor can we determine from events but in so far as they answer to the word it may sometime happen to wicked men according to the work of the righteous but on the other hand it is a sure truth that God is knowen by the judgement he executs and in every age doth point out sin to the World by remarkable strokes some great examples of judgement which as a beacon are set forth for men to observe and truely we may say these remarkable instances of the judgement of God since he begun to sound a retreat to his Church from Babylon are fan beyond other preceeding ages I would be spareing to repeat what of this kinde is published by others bâ—t that in speaking to this truth I cannot passe it in a generalâ— whilest there are so many instances wherein the Lord hath made himself knowen and these such a convincing seal and confimation of the truth and Protestant cause in these last times anent which and the following relations I dare with confidence say there is not any passage or matter of fact here set down without some clear and satisfying grounds as to the certainty thereof I shall first instance Charles the V. whose undertakings for many yeares were followed with successe untill once he set himselfe to persecute and oppresse the Church and bathed his sword in the blood of the Protestants with his cruel and unjust usage of the Duke of Saxony from which time his affaires begun visibly to decline he is forced to fly before Mauritius and seek a retreat in the furthest confines of the Empire and after broken with melancholy and discontent like another Dioclesian doth resign his empire and turn to a privat life Philip the II. of Spain one of the greatest persecutors of the Church in these last ages whose work was to root out the Protestant Religion in his dominions and therefore set on foot that horrid engine of the Inquisition yet at last finds all his essayes frustrat and after the losse of many millions
other sinful man to be carried through creditably but as sure as ever he spake to me in his word his spirit witnessed to my heart saying fear not he had accepted my suffering and the outgate should not be matter of prayer but of praise he said also thy word was found and I did eat it and it was to me the joy and rejoycing of my heart and a little before his death after some fainting he sayeth now I feell I beleeve I enjoy I rejoyce and turning to Mr Blair then present he said I feed on Manna I have Angels food my eyes shall see my Redeemer I know that he shall stand at the latter day on the earth and I shall be caught up in the clouds to meet him in the air and afterwards hath these words I sleep in Christ and when I awake I shall be satisfyed with his likenes O for armes to embrace him and to one speaking anent his painfulnes in the ministry he cryeth out Iâ—disclaim all the port I would be in at is redemption and forgivenes if sins through his blood And thus full of the spirit yea as it were overcome with sensible enjoyment he breaths out his soul His last words being Glory Glory dwelleth in Emâ—â—nuels land SIXTH Witnes is that convincing appearance of an extraordinary and Apostolick spirit on some of these instruments whom the Lord raised up in these last times and these great enduements wherewith they were sent for the fervice of the Church and overthrow of the Kingdome of Antichrist a truth which we must say if not in such a measure yet hath been no lesse evident then in these primitive times when the Christian Church was planted It is clear that extraordinary gifts and enduements have been let forrh to the Church under the New Testament for with the first dawning of the Gospel there was both Apostles and Prophets raised up it cannot be also denyed that since the Cannon of the Scripture was closed yea in these late ages there hath been very extraordinary men given to the Church who had special revelations from the Lord of his minde anent things to come which though we should not now look after yet herein did the Lord remarkably condescend when some great piece of service and necessity of the Church did more call for it and truely these were led in no other path then that of the word though they had a more special discovery and immediat inbreathing of Gods minde as to the application thereof in particular cases neither did they presse upon mens conscience to credit the same but were most cautious witnessing much humble sobriety on that account It is knowen what extraordinary instruments how wonderfully called and qualified Luther Zuingliuâ— Calvine Mr Wishart and Mr Knox were whom God sent in these latter dayes to grapple with Antichrist and sound a retreat to his Church from Babylon likewise 〈◊〉 Beza Bacere and Martyr with divers in England such as Latimer Ridley Bradfoord c. Who indeed were burning and shining lights in their time mighty in the Scripture fervent in spirit were cloathed with the power and authority of God before which the World could not stand But besides these famous witnesses of whose life vve have something this day on publick record I must here craveliberty to set dovvn a fevv moe more late instances of our ovvn Church in Scotland to confirm this truth such as are but little knovvn to the World nor any thing of their lives published vvhich I think a great losse to after generations vvhom vve may say and this vvith a vvarrant and in sobriety were men truely extraordinary eminently serviceable in the work of the Lord yea of a Prophetick and Apostolick Spirit and such vvho through grace did not even come short of the first three I mean not only these before mentioned but also some of these great lights vvho vvere in the first age of the Church after the ascension of Christ 1. I shall instance Mr Iohn Welsh whom the Lord called forth to the ministry at Kirck cubright in Galloway and afterwards was transported to the Church of An whom Mr Rutherfoord in one of his bookes calleth that heavenly Prophetical and Apostolick Man of God and sheweth that from the witnesses of his life he had this accompt that of every 24 houres he gave usually eight to prayer if other necessary and urgent dueties did not hinder yea spent many dayes and nights which he set apart in fasting and prayer for the condition of the Church and the sufferings of the reformed Churches abroad I can also adde this from very sure information and truely anent any of those particulars I seriously studie to have satisfying grounds anent the certainty thereof that it was his use even in the coldest winter nights to rise for prayer and oft times his wife who was an excellent woman hath risen to seek after him where he hath been found lying on the ground weeping and wrestling with the Lord yea sometimes would have been much of the night alone in the Church of Aire on that accompt One time especially his wife finding him overcharged with grief he told her he had that to presse him which she had not the soules of 3000 to answer for whilest he knew not how it was with many of them And an other time whilest she found him alone his spirit almost overcharged with anguish and grier upon her serious enquiry said that the times which were to come on Scotland were heavy and sad though she should not see them and this for the contempt of the Gospel Whilest he was prisoner in the Blacknesse in a letter to a Christian lady he giveth this accompt what large joy he had to suffer for such a truth that Iesus Christ was a King and had a visible Kingdome in the World even his Church which was as free to keep its Courts and exerce discipline by vertue of an intrinsick power from Christ as any Kingdome on the earth for which he was ready to lay down his life yea would rejoyce to be offered up a sacrifice on so glorious a truth in the close of that letter he doth also forewarn that judgement was coming to Scotland which should be blood first by an intestine sword and then by the sword of a stranger and that a great sacrifice should be there both of great men and mean the fulfilling whereof hath since been very sensible and is known by many alive who had that letter long before the late troubles begun whilest he was thus prisoner two of â—â—mankable passages I have had confirmed by divers worthy of credit some of whom shewed me they had them from these who were most familiar with the persones themselves they are indeed strange but we must also consider he was an extraordinary man The first was this that one night whilest he did expound the Scripture after his supper in the prison at his custome was whilest he with much power and authority was pressing
Prelacy was further established was by him penned and out of his own hand given to the Earle of Dumbar subscribed by many Ministers of the Church who were then there on that account His life was most examplary for piety and faithfulnes in serving his Master which did preach no lesse to that part of the countrey wherein he lived then his doctrine one very remarkable passage of his life I do here adventure to set down having very satisfying grounds as to the certainty of it from these who knew the same and had a particular relation of all its circumstances from a grave Christian who had it out of his own mouth and likewise hath it written under old Mr Row of Carâ—ocks hand who was his familiar intimat friend it is this His Wife Martha Barron a gracious woman the wife of his youth with whom he had lived in great love fell sick which proved her last sicknes where she was first sore assaulted by the Devil who pressed in upon her that she should be given over to his hand and after it did resolve in a visible distraction which for a time grew upon her so that most unlike to her former way she would have broke forth with dreadfull and horrid expressions it did most appear on a Sabbath morning whilest Mr Simpsâ—n was going to preach and whâ—â—gst for a time he was forced with a heavy countenance to stand silent he at last kneeled down and prayed which she did no wayes regard but a little after he turning to the company that were present told them he was sure that these who now were witnesses of that sad houre should yet see a gracious work of God on this his Servant and that the Devils malice against that poor woman should have a shameful â—oil her distraction did still continue until the Tuesday which was the 9 of August which morning at the very dawning of it he gooth to his garden and shut the doore behinde him where for many houres he was alone but a godly woman who that night was with his wise Helâ—â— Garner wiâ—e to one of the Bailyes of Stirling being apprehensive of his hazard through his grief and fasting could have no rest till she knew his cafe and by some help climbed up and wan in to the garden but on a near approach to that place where Mr Sâ—mpsâ—â— then was she was terrified with an extraordinary noise which through fear made her fall to the ground it seemed as she related after to others it was like the noise of a great rushing of multitudes together and therewith such a melodious sound as did make her know it was something more then humane and turned to player entreating the Lord would pardon her rashnes which affection to his Servant who had been the instrument of her good had carried her to and after going forward finds him lying upon the ground it was with much entreaty that he did then reveal himselfe in that particular until she promised clossenes not to speak it to others so long as he lived but had his allowance if she should â—urvive him which promise she keept but after his death did relate it to these from whom I have had this he said O what am I being dust and ashes that the holy Ministring spirits should be sent by the Lord to deliver a message to me and shewed he had a vilion of Angels who did with an audible voice give him an answer from the Lord of his wifes condition and coming over to his house he said to all who were present be of good comfort for ere 10 houres of this day I am sure that brand shall be plucked out of the fire after which he went to prayer at his wifes bedside where for a time she laâ— quiet but whilest he mentioned Iacobs wrestling in prayer she â—its straight up in the bed casting aside the courtain and sayeth Thou art this day Iacob who hast wrestled and also prevailed and nou God hath made good his words which he spake this morning to you for I am plucked out of the hands of Satan and he shall have no power over me Which interruption made him for a space silent but after with great melting of heart proceeded in prayer and magnified the riches of Gods love towards him and after prayer there was sweet and Christian embracements betwixt them yea from that houre she did speak most Christianly and comfortably even to her death which was on the Friday following August 13. 1601 whose last words in the moment of her departure was with a loud voice Come Lord in thy hands I commend my spirit After this Mr Sâ—mpson lived several yeares fervent and faithful in the work of the Lord and one who in privat walk witnessed such mortification that all who knew him might clearly see his converse was little in the World in March 1618. he sayd now shall this moneth put an end to all these things and accordingly towards the close of it was removed by death at which time he expressed much joy blessing the Lord for his kindnes that he had not been perverted by the sinful courses of these times and might say as the Lord fed Elijah in the wildernes so in some respect he had dealt with him all his life time and having these words upon some of his bookes written Rememmember O my soul and never forget the 9 of August what consolation the Lord gave thee and how he performed â—hat â—â— spoke according to Zaâ—h 3 ver 2. it not thâ—â— a brand pluâ—kâ—â— out of the fire upon which some of his friends speaking â—â— him anent the same his answer was Absit miht 〈◊〉 â—â— aliquo nisi in Domino Deo meo Now besides these great men many others who at that time did shine as lights in the Church may be here also mentioned who were indeed stars of the first magnitude eminently zealous and faithful and their Ministry followed with much of the power and authority of God such as Mr Andrew Melâ—â—ne of whom it might be said he had the face of a lyon in his masters cause and feared not to speak before Princes and great men when the truth called for it likewise his nevoy Mr Iames Melvine that holy grave and prudent Servant of Christ Mr. Andrew Dunkan Mr Iohn Scringer Mr Chartes Fereâ—â—â— Mr. Iames Balfure c. One passage I shall here â—et down worthy of a remark of Mr Andrew Melvine who being prisoner in the Tower a Gentleman of his acquaintance got accesse to visit him but found him in a sad and deep muse anent the defection of many Ministers in Scotland and did deplore the state of the Church there having lately got an account of their way at that assembly at Glasgow 1610. where the Earle of Dumbar had been active to corrupt divers with money this Gentleman desiring to know what word he had for his own countrey got no answer but upon a second enquiry he said I have no word to send
preacher of the Gospel to his death Galeacaeus Garracceolus an Italian Marquesse of great place and estate in the World was so taken by the hearâ— with one word in hearing Peter Martyr as made him quite not only all his hopes of preferment a most pleasant place as was in the earth and a great inheritance but to go over the belly of the most pressing intreaties and insinuations of his friends the weeping cryes of his Lady and Children and go to a strange place quiting all that he might preserve his conscience and enjoy fellowship with the Church O what a solemn witnes was this to the truth and of the conquering power of Christ And in a word what a marvellous thing was it that poor Luther against whom so much of the World was aloft with greatest rage and violence should yet live to an old age and go to the grave in peace And truely the Spirit and appearance of this great and fâ—â—st witnes to the truth might be a convincing evidence that the Lord was then to raise up a People to himselfe in whom he would be glorified by an active testimony as well as by suffering Besides these instances I would here mention some remarkable providences worthy indeed to be observed though they are little knowen to the World which we may say doth not only witnes the power of God but are a convincing seal to his truth and the Churches Reformation in these last times It is a remarkable passage which worthy Mr Forbes sets down under his hand whilest he was banished for the truth whose words are these In the year 1607. being at Ruan in France and meeting with Monsieur 〈◊〉 that auncient and famous divine and then Pastor of the Reformed Church in that city he had from him this following relation After the close of the Councel of Trent in the time of Pius the V. there was a consultation in Italy by the Pope and Cardinals for an utter extirpation of the Reformed Churches in Europe and to this end every Prince of the Romish Religion had a certain part designed where this great project should be put in practice The death of Pius the V. hindred a present prosecuting of this design And his successor Gregorius XIII did suffer it to ly dead having no heart that way and so until that time of Clemens VIII it was not revived but then this bloody resolution was of new ratified by him and his Cardinals under their hands and seals the onely difficulty was in this to find a fit and trusty person whom they should make use of to the Princes of the Romish Religion for engadgeing them to subscrive the said ordinance and set about the execution thereof At length a Gentleman of good parts near in blood to the Cardinal Baronius is choised which to him was a matter of much grief and sorrow for unknown to them he was of the Reformed Religion but this grief in his countenance and carriage put his friends who observed the same to strange thoughts and so much the more that he did expresly declare to some of these who asked thereanent that what to them seemed a cause of rejoycing was to him a just occasion of grief yet at last finding his haâ—ard upon a bitter challenge from the foresaid Cardinal who had heard thereof he judged it his wisdome to dissemble shewing him his unsuitablenes to so great an employment could not but be ground of trouble and fear and so was someway forced to engadge getting his commissions the decree of the Conclave with letters to the foresaid Princes sealed and subscribed But lo whilest this poor Gentleman is on his journey having found wayes to free himself of his servants and other company his spirit was in great perplexity betwixt these two grievous temptations either to be instrument of utter ruin to the truth and Churches of Christ or forsake his countrey inheritance and all he had in the World upon which he resolved to retire himself out of the high way to an obscure village where for three dayes he gave himself to fasting and prayer for direction and resolution from the Lord and after this had his heart so strengthned against the care of his wordly estate that he resolved to forsake all and to reveal this bloody conspiracy to the Churches of Christ and cast himself on Gods hand for his future estate so that he turned his face from Spain and took journey to France and to Paris where at that time remained the sister of Henry the IIII. a Religions Princesse afterwards Dutchesse of Lorraine to whom the foresaid Monsieur Figureus was her preacher and unto him made his addresse though after divers refusals of admission upon suspicion shewing him the whole bussines and delivered the sealed decree with his letters of coâ—â—mission for that effect and did likewise shew him who was then astonished at such a wonderful providence of God in fostering some of his own Children in the midst of Babylon and that to so comfortable an use for his Churches safety that there were many others in Italy yea in Rome it self of the Reformed Religion who had their secret meetings and even Gregory the XIII before his advancement to the Papacy was throughly clear thereanent in his judgement whereof he gave him divers evidences This foresaid relation did so affect Mr Forbes that he shewed his marvellous desire to see that man who had done so worthy and gracious a work for the glory of God and good of his Church and by a recommendation from Mousieur Figureus he did afterwards go of set â—â—â—pose to that place taking the first opportunity for Heâ—delberg where this Gentleman was then retired for his further security and honourably entertaind by that Prince where he sheweth that he saw him and from his own mouth received the assurance of this former narration to his great satisfaction and comfort This is the very suâ—me which I have here set down and truely â—â—â—scribed off the principale which I had beside me both written and subscribed by Mr Forbes his own hand A remarkable providence I shall also here set down which did tryst with some very convincing circumstances at the Parliament 1621. at their bringing in of Popish Geremonies upon the Church which was then a sad step of the lands defection from the truth contraire to their engadgements whilest the faithful Ministers of Jesus Christ at that time did with greatest seriousnes and freedome obtest and warn these who were in power alace that now there is litle of such a Spirit appearing that they would not to please men corrupt the Worship of God but the speat being violent it did at last resolve in a Law at which very time whilest the Kings Commissioner did rise from the throne to ratify this woeful act by the touch of the Scepter was even in this moment of that ratification trysted by the God of Heaven with an extraordinary lightning and very unusual great claps of thunder and these
woefull trade did one day rencounter a poor man travelling with 2 horses which he according to his custome takes away the poor countryman falling down on his knees did earnestly beg that for Jesus Christs sake he would give the one again for he had no more to maintain his poor family but what he could gain by them but it was in vain he carryeth them home with him leaving the poor man in that desolate condition but a little after he turns dumpish and melancholy could get no rest or quiet not knowing the cause but as he professed that these words the poor man had spoke to him though he was so great an Atheist that he understood not what he meant when he spake of Christ were lying like a heavy weight upon his spirit and whilest he was sought after for his robberies he desired his sonnes to shift for themselves for he could not go out of the vvay there being a restraint upon him and something vvithin him that in a kinde bound him from going out of the way and thus stayed at his house until he was apprehended brought in to Edinburgh and there put up in prison upon which a godly Minister Mr Henry Blyth with a Christian Gentleman William Cunir ghame Tutor of Bonitoun who had sometimes known him make a visit holding forth to him his miserable estate and the heâ—â—â—rd of his soul for he vvas judged by the Law to dye and amongst other vvords shewing him the necessity to flee to Jesus Christ he doth suddenly break out vvith a cry O what word is that for it hath been my death that is the word that hath lyen upon my heart since the poor man spake it to me so that I had no power from that time to go out of the way and after being told what an one Christ vvas vvithout whom he could not be saved he cryeth O will he ever look to me and shew mercy that for his sake would not shew mercy to that poor man and give him back his horse but after further instruction a most real and gracious change did appear upon him he gave most convincing evidences of the reality thereof attained to great assurance before his death and upon the scaffold in the publick streets vvhere he vvas executed did speak so vvonderfully of the Lords dealing vvith him and vvith such knovvledge and judgement as left a conviction on all present and forced them to see a truth and reality in the grace of God An other notable instance of grace vvith a very remarkable passage in his condition I shall here mention one Patrick Mackelwrath vvho lived in the vvest parts of Scotland vvhose heart the Lord in a remarkable vvay touched and after his conversion as he shevved to many of his Christian friends vvas in such a frame so affected vvith that nevv World vvherein he vvas entred the discoveries of God and of a life to come that for some moneths together he did scarce ever sleep but vvas still taken up in vvondring his life vvas very remarkable for tendernesse and near converse vvith God in his vvalk and vvhich vvas vvorthy to be noticed one day after a sharp tryal having his only son suddenly taken avvay by death he retired alone for several houres and vvhen he came forth did look so chearfully that to those who asked him the reason thereof vvondered at the same in such a time he told them he had got that in his retirement vvith the Lord that to have it afterwards renewed he would be content to losse a son every day This one remarkable passage I would set down it had been long his burden the want of memory that he could retain almost nothing of what he heard from the word and bitterly complaining thereof to worthy Master James English Minister of Daly his counsel to him was when he heard any truth which he desired to remember to hold it up to the Lord and desire him to keep it for him and give him it back according to his need which accordingly this blessed man did with much seriousnes practice and on his death bed to his Minister and divers Christians that were present he did solemnly declare how wonderfully the Lord had ansvvered and condescended to him in that particular for as they knew how much formerly it had been his burden the want of memory now the Lord had given him back all these truths that he had put in his keeping so that what for many yeares before he had heard was now most clearly brought to his remembrance which he witnessed by repeating many particular truths and notes of Sermons which at such and such times he had heard Now to shut up this we have truely cause to say even from late experience since this dark night came upon the Church in these Nations with so sharp a storm of persecution there hath not wanted some very signal and convincing providences witnessing the Lords appearance for his People and against their enemyes which are worthy of a remark and may let men see that there is one higher then the highest who ruleth in the Kingdomes of the Children of men for it is manifest 1. How eminently the Lord did appear in breaking that party vvho had been the great instruments both in Counsel and Action to break the governement of the Church of Christ in this land and lay so much of his vineyeard waste and desolate and this in the height of their povver and greatnes vvhilest they seemed most firmly rooted O hovv evident vvas a divine hand there that this Cabbal vvho made it their great work to raise up Prelacy and oppresse the poor Church and like a violent tempest did carry all before them in a moment vvhen they could have least expected should be made to fall yea in so short a time be turned out of their places and offices who but a little before had turned out so many of the faithfull Ministers of Christ and that great man who put forth his power and authority so much to turn many of the godly of the Land both Ministers and others out of their houses and familyes tossing them from place to place should thus be dealt with from the Lord and recompenced vvith that measure being forced to quite his lodging once and again yea even to banish himself out of the countrey vvho had been the chief instrument to banish some of the most choise servants of Christ and this stroke also made to tryst them from that hand whence they could have least exepected whose interest they studied to promote in opposition to Gods truely I should desire to study sobriety and fear in application of the judgements of God but vvhen the Lord doth so clearly reveal himself and shevv forth such an evident resemblance betvvixt mens sins and their stroke it cryeth aloud for a serious observing thereof 2. Should vve passe without a remark so solemn 2 vvitnes from the Lord of his respect to his Peoples sufferings in this late