Wonders and answer them by terrible things or in the secret place of Thunder Psal 81.7 65.5 Rev. 8.5 Then let their Enemies prevail But observe further whence he got an Ear vers 6. out of his Temple that was the Sanctuary he fled to his last Anchora sacra tho yet no Temple was and thence he got help and the end of all was as Moses to draw him out of many Waters ver 16. 8. One more fulminating Effort of Vengeance is reported on the Assyrian-siege of City and Sanctuary Isa 29.6 Thou shalt be visited of the Lord of Hosts with Thunder Earthquake Flame and Tempest c. i.e. God will defend his Altar from Asher by his Angels causing a Blast Tempest Clouds and all Elements to joyn Battel and salley out on the Besiegers and so send them home with a vengeance By all these it 's plain God did miraculously defend his Altar of Old and New Testament is not without some Instances of Thunder in witness to his Name and Service One is that glorious Voice answering Christ's Prayer in John Joh. 12.28 29. a little ere Christ's Passion when God gave so loud an Instance of his Love and Audience to Christ regard to his own Name and the Evincement of our Lord 's Mission and so loud and audible that it 's call'd Thunder or an Angel that spake God will give loud Answers to his at times that shall convince Nor is the last Prophesy void of Evidence to so great a Truth for the Gospel-times have found greatest Opposition to its Truths and Worship so that Prudence has not in a successive way been wanting thus to exemplify the Promise Apoc. 4.5 6.1 5.8 11.19 14.2 19.6 six times in the Revelations is Thunder foretold all which is not yet totally fulfill'd and tho Thunder in that Prophesy may intend a mystical or metaphorical Expression of God's terrible Judgments yet Experience in after-Ages shows it was verified in the letter also As Fr. Mirand said Non ignota cano In Marcus Aurelius's days Anno 181. a Battel was fought with the Quads and Northern Nations and at last Victory gain'd at the Prayers of Christians desired by him thus recorded Dio in vitâ M. Anto. Philos. Christiani flexis genibus Deum obsecrantes audivit c. subitò contra omnium spem largissimis imbribus profusis exercitus sitim orando fedatam Hostes fulminibus crebris caelitus prolapsis ignibus effugatos obtinent i.e. As the Ancients say Apollinar Tertul. Apol. Iren. the Christians by Prayer obtain'd great Showers to allay their Thirst and Fire with Thunder that so scorcht the Enemy that they were glad to let out Blood to quench it Euseb pag. 110. cap. 5. So the Romans by Prayer were both fed and sav'd What a two-edg'd Sword is Prayer and hence it was as after we may read that the Emperour to the Senate wrote for the Christians Liberty The like is recorded of two brave Romans duo fulmina Belli as the Poet Lucan So Ecclesiastical History tells us of Theodosius against Eugenius Euseb p. 261. that thus pray'd Tu nosti Omnipotens c. Lord thou knowest that in Christ's Name I took up this War in revenging thee of thine Enemies if not revenge it on me so reach out thy hand lest they say where is your God on which they fell to the Slaughter Agmina Hostium perrumpunt kill'd heaps of the Enemy incredible 't is that after that Prayer Ventus ita vehemens exortus est ut tela hostium retorqueret so vehement a Wind rose that it repell'd the Darts of the Enemies back on themselves they from Heaven Divinitus repulsis being beat and defeated Eugenius is took so ends his Life and Fight Other Examples of this with other kinds of Judgments in a miraculous way might be given to show the miraculous Defence that God has made for the Lovers of his Name but being so large in this I will not further add So this suffices to show the way and manner of God's wise and wonderful Defence of his Worshippers and therein of his Truth Name and Cause the Reasons briefly are as follow Now that it is so and how is plain why so is the thing next to be proved by five Arguments 1. From the glorious Dispensation of the Law which tho in Glory inferiour to the Gospel yet had its Defence then from that I argue from the less to the greater It was then so it must be now much more God is the same changes not in care and defence of his own Appointments of Matter or Forms some Change 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Heb. 7.12 12.27 may be Rei non Dei mutatio not of God's nature and that Change he makes is ever for better to a greater Glory 2 Cor. 3.9 10. but in his Essence Attributes moral Precepts Promises Protection of his People he 's immutable Mal. 3.6 and hence are we not consumed and yet live as a burning Bush not spent after thousands of Years in Men's Furnace see the wonder and this is the reason form it briefly so If the legal and less glorious Dispensation had a typical Defence so much more has the Evangelical in the truth of it but true is the former so then is the latter The Assumption is argued from Experience of all Ages the Consequence bears on God's Unchangeableness The Proposition I prove by the Types of the Law which was to them Gospel vail'd as it is to us now revealed For after the Church grew from Domestick to National and God had adopted Israel in Egypt and by 's Arm brought them out to dwell alone Num. 23.9 under his Wing and had delivered Laws of three sorts to them 1. Moral in ten words perpetually to rule Life 2. Judicial to order the State 3. Ceremonial to direct in Worship that Church while it was National he did in each especially the last sort put certain Rites and Forms of his own Will upon the moving Tent and after on the fixt Temple by which this Truth was typed out and resembled I instance in that over the Tent a glorious Type of our Safety now during our long wandring with the Woman in the Wilderness yet under God's Care and Conduct mixt with much Darkness to which Isa 4 5 6. and other places allude Also in the Doors of the Temple after to be of Brass so strong and massy that twenty four Men could but open them and again in those Cherubs and Palms on the Door Curtains and Vails and also in the two Cherubims with Wings over the Ark and Mercy-seat Types of God's Protection by Angels over all true Ministry and holy Mysteries of the Gospel But I confine the Proof to that of the Horns of the Altars both that of Incense at the Vail that of Brass for the Sacrifice and that Ezek. 43.15 all had their Horns and about them a Crown so had the Shew-bread-Table denoting in all the divine Authority put on God's Service that
Faith Fear Love c. And External Sacrifice Prayer Hearing and its due and done by Angels in all Praises and shall it be denyed by Men that pray perhaps five or six times a day Hallowed be thy Name thy Kingdom come thy Will be done And in the mean while prophane that Name not sanctifying it nor suffering them that would nay as Paul Acts 26.11 compelling others to blaspheme it or to offer what is robbed that God hates Isa 61.8 or at best torn and blind curst as Mal. 1.13 14. seeking to extinguish Celestial Fires better than the Vestals which was fatal once to Heliogabilus the Emperour to exttinguish That say Thy Kingdom come And propugne all the Ministry and means by which its power is propagated And say Thy Will be done and hinder them that preach or practise it that consult Gods will in their Worship and do their own This is against all the being of a Deity against Gods Immense boundles Supremacy and Soveraignty that wills not a confinement of our worship since his Temple's ruin but calls for it in Spirit and Truth every where as John 4.23 24. so 1 Tim. 2.8 House Ship Hill Grass or any place as the practice of Christ and the Apostles show 'T is against Majesty and Greatness to tye him to Stone-walls that men do consecrate as Hylard says Male Ecclesiam Dei tectis aedificijsque veneramini and yet exclude him from other places whereto Promise is given graciously and equally Matth. 18.19.20 the Church first was Domistick So in the beginning of the Gospel and may be so still as true and good as National though fewer 'T is against justice to deny what God and Nature allow Conscience and Culture are jura humanae naturae more than Food c. 'T is against Mercy that God desires above Lambs to pull the Orphants of God from the two Breasts of Scripture the nutriment of Gods Babes The greater the Object the grosser the Offence 'T is crimen Lusae majestatis to alienate Heavens Subjects far more to usurp or invade the jura regalia the Crown Throne and Scepter of God as Amaleck laid his Hand once on it but God proclamed perpetual War with his Off-spring for it Exod. 17. ult Of whose Spirit and Race some survive yet and are heirs of that Dukedom 2dly 'T is against the Gospel of the Lord Jesus and the whole design of it that is Salvation Of it Christ was first Preacher and then opposed it was and Histories are full of the fatal Fruits of that Enmity and to be wondered at it is that glad tydings fore-told Hundreds of Years before and by some of them waited for too should being brought and bought by his Blood find so ill Wellcome and that with Christs own the only Church then in being a Type I doubt of after Ages the Church in form still persecutes the Truth and its power and purity so 't was in all the Acts of the Apostles where ever came the Gospel into any City or Place but the Jews in that place if any bandied most against the Purity and Liberty of it and the devout most as we see Acts 13.50.14.2 Most sad to say worse to see the strictest Pharisee most zealous conscientious persecutors thus successively to our dayes Luther calls Persecution Evangelij genius So far the Gospel and it are concerned that if Persecution falls the Gospel rises and flourishes oft in the Root under it after in the Fruit. Now the Gospel and pure Worship are alway equal in their growth rise and fall together yea Friends or Foes of one are so to them both observe That as touching the Gospel they that is the Jews are Enemies for your sakes Rom 11.28 i.e. The glad news of the Gospel to you Gentiles makes you Enemies among the Jews themselves to whom it first was sent Or as Trap notes makes them accounted as common Foes 1 Thes 2.15 the Dutch they envy your being ingrafted and abhor that you confess the Gospel Rather as Parr on it Enemies Whose Gods and the Gospel and that deadly crucifying Christ also persecuting the Apostles and after chief causers of the Christians Persecutions Judaeorum Synagogae persecutionum fontes Tertul. of his times and he cites Polycarp for an Instance Also in Hierome's dayes then they stiled them Nazarens In Philip the long of France they hired Lepers to Poyson all the Springs In our Brittain they on Good-friday crucified Infants They are for their enmity to the Christian Name expelled Spain and occasioned that bloody Inquisition after turned against Christians As the Laws of Queen Elizabeth are against Protestants now so that it is foul guilt and consequently fatal thus to oppose pure Worship in that so doing men resist God Christ and the glorious Gospel of the blessed God that is called Eternal 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of Ages i. to last Apoc. 14.6 that no force of Hell or Earth can abolish 3dly 'T is against the liberty of Prophecy and free exercise of those gracious Talents and Gifts God has endued a sort of good men with in all Ages and most Nations the measure and character of which I take not by number and bulk far less by the Prelated Grandeur Wealth Pluralities and Oppulencies in this Life least of all by the rough or long Robe or the thin Crape-Gown-Doctrine taught by them that yet hangs in the Peoples lights but by the authority of their teaching Purity of Heart Simplicity of Truth Chastity of Life and not by a Lesson or Curse read Nor do I account all Non-conformists right but of and for them I say it that love Christ as he said to Peter that derive not of man to declare the will of God that hew not with a borrowed Ax or steal the Word out of others Books that fish not with strong Lines for Lucre and popular Applause that of all Persawsions simply seek to promote Christ and the good of Souls and weal publick Of such I say they are the Lights of those places God sets them in to shine the glory of a Land the Charriots and Horse-men of a peoples Government and few as they be simple as they seem void of all Crafts or Adulations all Rents or Court-favours all Moneys or Moyen the dealing well or ill with them is the rule and measure to compute and divine what will the fate of Persons or Prelates of Powers or People be God has had Prophets and Seers both of old and of late in all Ages though less noted in Call Spirit and Use than the first in Israel now by these Councils have been detected and defeated Dangers prevised and prevented Enemies devict War turned into Peace and many Blessings have been obtained But now these disobliged deposed exiled and ejected silenc't and sought hated and hunted cited and spited Bands of men sent to seize them Captains and their Fifties to pull them down Officers to guard them out Doegs to slay burn and ruine their Nobs is an Usage
all down to Quakers To that I say were I of none or all Religions it were to be abhorred but to plead for all to have the Rights of Justice allowed the Body and of Religion allowed the Conscience is far from Scepticisme I am not one in Faith and Worship with all that I yet dare plead for to give them the freedom of the Consciences till God opens their eyes to see and do better I am far from them that will deny their Christian Name to any that desire to deport suitably 'T is better to pray for them that are out of the way than persecute any in for that makes them but Hypocrites in God's Service Persecution is but Antichrists Broom and it will never clean or fill up Christ's House Do any alledge Peril or Charge in publishing such displeasing Subjests I say For the 1st 't is an honourable Choice to hazard Purse or Person Life and all for the Truth-sake and in this the Author is loath to expose any with him and he has not launc't out I hope past the Lines of Modesty and Truth This is not a Witness Saleable so much as a free Dedication to the now dispersed as for the Charge if Brethren be ingrateful for it it is but the loss of what is laboured hard for and the loss of others in like publick Service and very like the Age we live in If I am ask't who called to this Apology I answer God and the Truth and a wise King Prov. 31.8.9 That twice bids Open the mouth for the Dumb the Sons of destruction Poor Needy This Plea becomes Kings to make for the Opprest as Theodoric in Caffiod that ought Non tam armis quam judiciis sieri clariores That they should not be more famous by Arms than Judgments Truth has as one says of the Rubie two rare Properties it is found not in the day but by its lustre in the Night and that is such that whatever aray covers it it shines through all Truth shines best in the dark and under the blackest Garb or Odium men can cloath it with It is to be bought and valued above Rubies and if none call to or accept a Witness to it yet 't is reward and comfort sufficient to appeal to Christ that owns it and will all its Lovers If any say But all 's about a Controversy I yield true but it is a just Cause a long depending Plea and 't is the Controversy of Zion and for purity of Worship and to get keep out Roman Rites and humane Ornature that do alter its nature by Additions and Traditious Admit the Serpents Head the Body easily winds in after the Difference is but gradual not specific 'twixt Romes Rites and Home-Rites the Plea of the Church-Authority and Headship the same 't is Treason to steal or alienate a Gemm or so rich a Rubie as Christ's Supremacy is Not to plead this is to desert Christ's Cause and Truth and lay our own Profession Assemblies and Countreys open to a gaping Dragon Now if any say this Plea is too late the People you plead for are gone all the Flocks scatter'd I answer to any so insulting and say as Paul to us all Are they broken off Boast not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Ne cervicem jactare instar equi Strut not with Necks up as proud Horses Rom. 11.18.21 Be not high minded against the Branches lopt with terrour you have the same Rod in steep for you and may come to taste what you have gathered for us the Out-works took your Fort next is beat down you send us in a Storm away you 'll feel the brunt or else be beat back to Rome and yet all are not gone God still reserves a Remnant and some Flocks are fed still in the Woods But for you Mourners I add two words 1. A Concession possibly by God's Sufferance you poor of the Flock may prove a Flock of slaughter and your Possessors may slay you and hold themselves guiltless nay be inrich't by it Zach 11.4 5 9 11. But will God hold them so The Jews sold Christ for Barrabas and chose Caesar and that Roman Caesar they gloried in God gave them up to their Curse should give us Caution besides for this how were they after that unchurch't Scatterings are finishing filling up and compleating Dispensations as Dan. 12.7 in them men fill up their Sin and God fills up the measure of their Enemies Fury and his own after that he seals up the Vision There is a Ne plus ultra Thus far no further that God ever sets to boundless willful Rage once God is said to fear as in this Book I note Deut. 32.26 and it is of this 〈…〉 vent it punish the Doers and collect us again 2. A comfortable Gathering follows for little Ones as Zac. 13.7 Little in Number Estate Esteem or Stature the Vision being sealed up now follows the anointing of the most Holy to his Kingdom Dan. 9.24 This gathering is from all four Winds Mark 13.37 as that Voice was from the four horns of the Golden Altar of Incense before God typing the Incense of Prayer ascending by Christs Intercession pulling on the second Woe in the Turks Inrode which though terrible at first pulls Wrath down in answer to Prayer which some deem now acting over again or to be acted under the sixth Vial Compare Rev. 9.13 with ch 16.12 which if we are so far on of the Vials makes Dr. Th. G's notion on the Rev. p. 190. 1st Part more comfortable and wellcome to all the Godly For the Jews Call with the Rise of the Witnesses as they need not so they 'l have no ordinary means or preparations to them no previous appearances of them but be as a Nation born on a day so that Faith needs not be put off the things may come long ere we are aware to expect them For the Heads of the Book the Form and Method the Authors cited the close Passages and Rebukes hinted the Scope and Aim with the modest reserve of the Authors Name are all left to the Readers Candor in judging of the whole I conclude with a word of Advice to the poor of the Flock scattered 1. Lament the Sins that procure it and that provoke the great Shepherd not only to set on dogs to lugg but Wolves to tear the Flocks nay Bears to grub up the Vine-Roots 2. If days of Prayer together be denyed you for Places grow scarce and Houses are shye let two or three apart joyn hands lift up to God one Jacob Elijah one Bazil Saba Luther Larmouth may by right wrestling obtain and that 's a famous Congregation where God is a Bethel and as fearful to the Adversaries 3. As you may not scatter without a Force so being forc't submit not to the Wickedness of Men so much as to the wise Will of God so David did 2 Sam. 15.25 Carry back the Ark if so and so If not here I am If Absalom's ambition for
flesh't with blood and what Injury and Fury doth God suffer for a time and his People must for his sake 2. By way of conclusion or limitation to set bounds of restraint as he did on the holy Mount Exod. 19.23 for God's Worship is still his holy Hill and he is as tender of Zion as he was of Sinai the touching her is as criminal tho it be an improper saying for us to use of the Almighty yet in two places he owns in a sort that he was afraid Gen. 11.6 ut Vatabl. hi firmâ conspiratione conglutinati sunt At Babel's Building now is no restraint to what they imagined to do but a Sarcasme q. d. O now they 'l scale my Throne surely yea quickly I am afraid if I go not down to them they 'l be up at me Well he confounds and divides their tongues If that be not so plain this next is express I said I will scatter them that is a sad threat God can do it easily what hinders why he feared Deut. 32.26 27. the Enemies Wrath and behaving strangely and saying Our hand is high God has not done it A strange behaviour may be in men but that God fears it is stranger what a behaviour is that ne extraneê se gerant ne superbirent proudly and strangely that is imputing all to their Nets Power and Policy not owning God in it at all God foresees what proud Insultings and Insolencies the Enemy swells to over his scattered ones what his Name also will sustain by their deeds the one by blasphemies and the other by Cruelties He fears the issue and wisely prevents both Now the Meditation is as sweet of this as of the other tremendous to see the bounds and limits the strong hooks and invincible lines that the unruly Leviathans are held by when the Lord lets them play in this World's Sea and toss his Ark as if under no restraint or Legibus soluti and these are his holy rails to speak al-a-mode set to defend his Altar and sacred Misteries from impure hands Now though it is granted God in wisdom doth allow Line enough to the wicked to a great length of time to do what they will as as with J. Bp. Mat. 17.12 and sometimes bids what he never commands as when he bad Shimei curse David 2 Sam. 16.11 and Judas what he meant do quickly Joh. 13.27 Yet still we may hold the fore-hinted Assertions that God defends his own Matters soon or late oft speedily ever after a while perhaps in the act against all Assailants whatever More particularly consider it thus 1. Tho God's Name may be blasphemed at a high rate for a time which brings both rebuke and distress on all that love him Isaiah 37.3 yet he that made that Law to stone the Blasphemer will see it executed either by some hand as on Goliah with a sling-stone Dan. 2.45 or without hand as Rabshekah and his Master Ch. 8.25 2. Though Christ may suffer by his own and Judas for gain may sell his Master Luk. 23.25 yet that age sees his blood revenged in the speedy death of Judas and the sale of the Jews by 30 a penny that bought his precious life at a Traytors hand for 30 pence 3. Though the Truth may be trust out and fail and fall in the Streets Isai 59.4 14 15. and so be liable to be trampled on yet God whence it derives will raise it up and ere long tread on them that opposed it Dan. 8.12 lift up a Banner for it in that same age Psal 60.3 and chase them away with a blast that rejected it Isai 59.19 for magna est veritas prevalebit 4. Tho his Spirit may be vext despited and tempted resisted and grieved Isai 63.10 yet that sin as it is of a deeper dye so it calls for quicker doom as by that double example of Ananias and his Wife may be seen Acts 5.3 and sure our Age has too sad signs of that guilt 5. Though Gods pure Worship may be called Heresy as Paul's was Acts 24.14 his Service Sedition preaching schism to edifie or build up his House Rebellion Ezek. 3.12 his Witnesses Bablers busie medlers Acts 17.18 A Pest 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Acts 24.5 the Sanctuary shut up or polluted Synagogues burnt yet has not God been too hard for all that ever yet invaded his proper Freehold as the Instances before evince 6. If the Lords Flocks have been scattered by Wolves from abroad or pushing-Goats among themselves Ezek. 34.16 has not God made often strong Toyls and Snares for the Wolves v. 17-19 and promised to judge betwixt Cattle and Cattle v. 20-22 and within a while fulfilled that Word v. 34. 7. Though men prey on God's Offering as Eli's Sons did 1 Sam. 2.29 v. 34. making themselves fat thereon robbing God of the best and make gains of Oppression out of others Godliness will not the Lord revenge the wrongs of his Altar and as Bernard said to his Brother a Souldier open a way by a Sphear through those thick sides to the heart which he did in fight 1 Sam. 4.17 on them and him as the Eagles Nest was burnt by a Coal cleaving to his Prey stole off the Altar if gain of Oppression be fatal what is that of Sacriledge cannot it long be enjoyed no de mali quaesitis vix gaudet tertius haeres Of Goods that ill are got The third Heir boasteth not 8. Though his Patience as to the time delay and his own Wisdom must judge what time is fittest to punish Offenders in this case yet Perjury Blood Oppression and Persecution are crimes flagitious and so crying in God's ears that they frequently bring down Revenges from God the defender of the Upright when none else can do it and for the way though oft it be done in a convincing or converting way as on Paul in the Career and heat of his fury Acts 9.31 which gave a blessed breathing to Religion yet sometimes in the act of our Worship as Bazil at Prayer and Christ at apprehension JOhn 18.6 some time after God appears at the best time to stop Persecution or judicially to take off the Persecutors themselves or unhinge divide prevent or else plague them and so defends his People In a word though some as Bonner did may linger it out and by Gods longanimity be forborn to a lingring death yet he lived to see better times so many may that hate Purity and Preciseness but Hell and the ultimate doom waits and groans for them for God distresses them that distress his Ariel Isai 29.7 and prepares a Tophet for the stout Assyrian Ch. 30.33 and it is a righteous thing with God to recompence Tribulation to them that trouble us 2 Thes 1.6 and so to fulfill that of our Lords Promise Luk. 18.7.8 He will do it and that speedily though he bears long with them So ends the Answer to that Objection and also the Explication of this Defence Follows in order the brief Use of all
Rampart and Wall lament ch 2.8 Such a Wo was incredible to all Kings about her ch 4.12 2. The poor low state of Jacob not only in Estate but Esteem and which is worse in Spirit We are brought very low says psal 79.8 And the Glory of Jacob thin Isai 17.4 And says the Prophet by whom shall he rise Amo. 7.3 It is said in Ahaz his days the Lord made Judah low because of him 2 Chron. 28.19 Why if the Sin was his must the Subjects suffer Yes because by both God suffered especially in his House and Worship and the People let him as Isai 7.20 shave the Virility and Glory off their civil and sacred Rights by the Assyrian And they like Women durst not gainsay that is a low state when Power and Courage is gone It is a sad Complaint the Prophet has The Lord has delivered me into their hands from whom I am not able to rise up Lam. 1.14 No less forrowful was that Predicton of the Jews as ill deserved but just I will give every one of them into the hands of his Neighbour Zach 11. 6. but the King will surely relieve them Nay into the hands of his King if some rightly apply it unto the times of Christ's Passion it denotes the Justice of the Roman Lash upon them for rejecting Christ to have Caesar and crying Not this Man bt Barrabas a Murderer and it follows too Out of their hands I will not deliver them And so it proved for they that sold their Saviour for thirty pence were after sold 30 for a penny by the Romans 3. The provoking Cause of all is the Root of the Lamentation Lam. 1.14 No Yoak like that of the Transgression and twisted by our Selves bound and wreathed by his hand This can never sit easie and the provoking of Children is the saddest Deut. 32.12 That is Gods Complaint and that will be ours at last else it will cut deep How oft it made the doleful Ditty of the Song The Crown is fallen Now Wo to us that we have sinned Lam. 5.16 If Sin struck off Josias's and all his Successors Crowns and Lines that no twig of that Race remained to hold Scepter Ezek. 19.14 and yet he the best and tenderest of Kings what may they expect who are hardened If God hide his face he may soon see our end Deut. 32.20 And if they that hate Godliness rule over the Godly Lev. 26.17 we may and ought to see the Cause that makes the pleasant Land desolate Fourthly and chiefly doleful is the effect of God's Recess and withdrawing the Cloud of his Presence and our Protection from not ours but his own Tabernacle This is the great thing to be bewailed The Jews knit the last of Jeremiah and Lamentations together so the Septuagint and read them on the 9th of June call'd Ab. the City then being taken by the Caldees Jer. 52.7 After when the Romans took it in the time of Pasca then Austin says three Millions were in it and Josephus says more than 1100000 perish't by Sword and Famine 100 thousand led to Rome in Triumph On Jeremiah's Lamentation one says that he could not read without Tears Two things may suffice here The 1st effect of God's Recess bears on Civil Rights and Matters the 2d upon Spiritual or Religious for it matters not which is toucht first only their Rise Prosperity and Decay do contemporate 1. If God depart from us onr Humane Civil Rights and Properties and publick Franchises are not like to stay long Two Scriptures have a sad threatning Aspect on us that way 1. That of Spiritual Judgments Isai 6.9 And what heavier than to he hardned to have a Heart fat Now it follows v. 11.12 Till your Cities be waste and Houses void of Man Some will never feel a Spiritual Loss well their Eyes must be tore open by some temporal Plague or Sword God is never without a Scourge to make them feel that will not see To that I add Zeph. 1.12 13. Some thought God like themselves secure he would not do good or evil Jer. 6.12 Lam. 5.2 their Goods shall become a Booty Houses a Desolation or else turned to others to Aliens 'T is sad our Dwellings should vomit us out The other Scripture is that of our Saviour Your House is left to you desolate Mat. 23.38 Yours not only God's q.d. you care not for my House do all you can to lay it waste I will so do to your House 'T is a Speech of one to the Nobles of Scotland If the Lord remove his Truth from you he will deprive you also of your Civil Liberties by merciless Enemies if he spare not his Glory you shall be but as Mire in the Streets To be without true God teaching Priest and Law and so content is the Road to all Misery no Peace now can be to him that goes out or comes in Nation is dasht on Nation and Countreys vext and City of City for God vext them with all Adversity 2 Chron. 15.5.6 O City read in one of thy own Prophets thy Docm thus Reeve on Jonah Preface Calcedon was called the Town of the Blind that could not suffer a wise Architect to build such a blind City are you that set half sighted Architects to build that neither see Errours nor foresee hazards Some require the Right Eye some pronounce Sentence on a Forged Accusation with Jezabel some run greedily after the Errour of Baalam for gain i.e. got by Cursing the Times are full of Fraud and Force c. See your stupendious Sin and yet how stupid you be how far from Nineveh How may your City Walls shake and your Citizens hearts be daunted for some unexemplifyed Judgment So it the Ep. Dedica to you Londoners and in the Book See what a prodigious Prophet that Man's Pen was 'T is a Turkish Proverb of the Rich This has been at the Siege of Constantinople but these are the Ruines of Estates Reeve on Jonah pag. 220. that fall in the loss of Citys when their Keys are wrested away their heaps scattered and they seek Relief He instances by Induction of Fire Plague Sword and Idolatry Pag. 221. Of the 1st If your Sins bring in God's Judgments in Rank and File O see the variety of Sorrows you must weep under your goodly City is all in Sheards you may seek a Threshold of you specious Mansions or Monuments but all gone not a Porch or Post Stair Case Terrace Belcony or Bench Garret or Gallery left nothing but the Streets or naked Fields for shelter as Sept. 2. 1666. Of the Plague 1665. he predicts thus I 'll smite them with Pestilence Num. 14.12 and dis-inherit them All 's full of Sepulehres Now rides a Pale-Horse Rev. 6.8 We read in Script of 14700 at once die 24000 at a second time 70000 a third time At Rome in Comodus's time 2000 a day After in Gallus time it brought such a Mortality that Cyprian wrote a Book on 't And for
would purchase with the greatest Fine but ' cause I wish all Men better and had more Liberty and Success than I. Nor complain I for self tho 't is sad to have as Mr. S. R. said but one Eye and that to be put out but 't is want of a publick Spirit yet am I not offended at any 'T is sad tho to have Hundreds scatter'd and none to say Come and help us All I add is Those that have present Rest use it as they did Acts 9.31 walking in the Fear of the Lord and in the Comforts of the Spirit were so multiplied Then says the Text v. 27. had they Rest i.e. when Paul was converted The remoter Context it may respect but the nearer relates to the Care and Boldness of the Brethren for Paul who were not shie or afraid of his bold Testimony then to his hazard and then had they Rest which notes God's time to give Rest to his People is when they are boldest in their Testimony and tenderest of their Care of one another Further O how thankful should you be that God has distinguish'd you from others Plac'd you in a Valley of Vision others in a Land of Darkness You have the joyful Sound other hear little but roaring in the Sanctuary Psal 74.3 You hear and see your Teachers as the Promise is Isa 30.20 others are driven into Corners and get neither You have the Word in Plenty more than ever you had the Loss many suffer is your Gain O make it not turn to your Judgment and sadder Account Your Places are open still by the over-ruling Providence of God how many are in Fields in solitary Woods in Mountains and Deserts in Dens and Caves of the Earth Heb. 11.38 O bless that God whose Eye and Wing is your safe Defence Secondly To the Friends of Worship I give a twofold Advice 1. Negative 2. Positive In the Negative four ways 1. Let none that love God's Worship and would see his glorious Defence of it to make it good in sight of all stand indifferent or halt in bivious Thoughts about it Such is the unstable Mind of many of the better sort would God shew his Power for them presently and as Bildad promis'd Job chap. 8. v. 6. now awake for them they would adhere to his Altar But let the Clouds gather thick and black the Altars of God be dug down Prophets be slain and drove into Holes and Caves Ahab threaten the rest and put the boldest Elijahs to flight and let Israel be put under Philistines Yoke now profest Israelites begin to limp and halt on one or both Hams Ambobus poplitibus claudicare This the Prophet chides Israel for 1 King 18.21 and so does Hosea by another Simile Hos 7.8 As a Cake not turn'd that neither is good Bread nor Dough wants the other Turn half-roast half-raw or as Christ told Laodicea Neither hot nor cold Rev. 3.15 much indifferent what Side is upmost make sure not of the better side which Christ takes but of the bigger and so change as Vanes under the Cross as the Wind of Providence blows Are the Arrians set in the Imperial Chair now the World as once wonders it 's turned Arrian if the Orthodox be upmost all are so now Most Christians are nominally so only and for Interest change Professions as the Camelion does Colours Such was Eccebolus four times in the Revolution of the Publick Affairs he changed till at last convict for his Levity he comes to the Assembly and falls down before them crying Calcate me salem insipidum Tread on me as insipid Salt Euseb A flexible Mind to Entreaties is very good but in Conscience and Religion now 't is bad to be as a great State-Politician once was not stiff as the Oak but a pliant Willow flexible to any thing O be as the Antiarians that admitted not a Word or a Letter in their Creed or as stout Basil that would not alter a word to the Prefect tho to escape all Torments and Death So Petrus Mungus Bishop of Alexandria turned four times to and against O how often hath England so done The very two Eyes what Dust has blown into them by our Mutations Alas Men are like Plato know much of God but dare not own it for fear of the People Or as Lactantius de Orig. Error lib. 2. cap. 3. charges Tull. Cicero He durst not undertake the Patronage of Truth for fear of Socrates's Prison Socratis carcerem times ideo veritatis patrocinium Suscipere non audes This leads to a second Caution 2. Let all that love the Lamb cast out Fear true and perfect Love does so 1 John 4.18 and 't is a fearful Snare that Fear of Man brings Prov. 29.25 These stand in the Front of the black Roll why because that lets in to any Evil of Sin Give me a timorous white-liver'd Man I 'll make a superstitious Man next an Idolatrous of him and the covetous Man is so that ever fears the Loss of his Mammon And beside such will flip wave permute and omit Duty upon danger at any how or clip halt pick and chuse or halve his Obedience as Saul in fear of the People he obeyed them not God 1 Sam. 15.24 The Prince obeys the People note that a sad Saying This he fear'd not when the eighty five Priests and Nob were put to the Sword O what a Cow-Heart what a Mouse and Snail Fear makes a Man or a Christian As one said In pace Leones in praelio Cervi In Peace as Lions they appear In War as Harts they flie for fear How boldly some talk when no danger is But let the Winds rise and now all 's mute As Frogs in the still Night how do they croak Throw in a Log or light a Torch all 's whist Does God defend and do we fear Is not one God Captain Army Weapon Shield and Fort enough for thee and I as Antigonus said to a fearful Souldier How many reckon we one God for To cure sinful Fear consider 1. God has forbid it often in some Texts four or five times Isa 41.20 14. Luke 12.47 and that makes it a Sin As Nehemiah said Nehem. 6.13 when tempted to a Sanctuary in the Temple That I should do so and sin And that weakens us and offends God that is to defend us 2. 'T is an Argument of little Faith and that Grace out of exercise is as no Faith Why did ye fear said Christ to the Disciples O ye of little Faith Mat. 8.26 But in Mark it 's express'd sharper Mark 4.40 How is it you have no Faith q.d. What! go to Sea without Tackle or heave it over board as useless when you need it most At what time you be afraid now to trust becomes us Psal 56.3 3. Fear unfits for any Warfare literally Such Israelites were sent back that fear'd to face Deut. 20.3 4 7 8. lest they should make their Brethrens Hearts faint like their own And it 's worse in the Christian
say Christ can find to your Shame some better and bolder Witnesses even in Newgate than you are at present 4. It looks in Sense as tho you said you meant to evite a Prison by being ashamed of Christ and his Words in such a vile Age Mark 8.38 or were resolv'd only to tread out the Corn Hos 10.11 or do that Service of Christ that has Meat or Maintenance annex't to it but not to break the hard Clods of Babel As if you never meant Christ should ride his Fathers Embassy on you has not your Master cause to complain of you as useless and unkind may he not lay you quite aside 5. Is Scandal of no weight with you to stop your course of Defection is' t nothing to you to grieve them Christ would not have so Ezek. 13.22 or wound a poor Brother for whom Christ died 1 Cor. 8.12 If you say 't is their weakness not to do so then you that are strong should bear with their Infirmities Rom. 15.1 and not to please or ease your self to load them with Grief that have seen you practise the contrary and would still do it if the Terror of Loss or Pain were off Who answers for the Souls that by your ill Example are tempted to do what Conscience after checks for and gives no place in to cast a Scandal 'fore God's Israel was Balaam's Sin but it ill becomes you that came with us out of Egypt Rom. 14 13. Rev. 2.14 6. How dare you venture your Souls to sit under Means that he says shall not profit Jer. 23.32 and which is worse lies under his Curse Mal. 1.14 it 's the Lord's Word-commanding his Presence and Blessing succeeding a mean that makes it tend to our Good If these be away it 's good for us to be absent the Curse of a dwindling Soul is no small Curse As he comes not in the Harlots House himself so he bids us avoid the Door Prov. 5.8 Oh where is that pure Heart that tenderness of Conscience that Abstinence from Evils even in show 1 Thess 5.22 that was wont to be the Glory of the old Apostolick Albigenses of those call'd Catharists or Puritans of them Samosetanians of the Electoral Princes that left the Emperor at Door going in to Mass and durst go in no farther The least Truth or Duty if it be Christ's is of value above all our Interests and a Call to a noble Suffering the less it is if the Cause be Christ's the more glorious is our Passion and as one says we are unthrifty Bankrupts to pawn or spend in 20 years what others in one or 200 years have purchas'd and convey'd to us at so dear an Expence both of Prayers and Tears Passions and Treasures and if we part so easily with God's Gospel aad Truth a better Inheritance cannot be from our Seed God will not spare the Civil Rights all the Charters on Earth are not of a Straws value unto it 7. And no more If a course of Defection spring from the love of Worldly Ease Safety or Honour it 's just with God to let in a Barbarian Spirit to rob you of that and Truth too As on the contrary oft to lose all is Christ's way to save all and Life Eternal too Mark 8.35 'T is a Story worthy Letters of Gold that of a holy Bishop of Nola Paulinus being very rich yet his Heart set on the true Treasure he was by the Goths with that whole City Nola spoil'd of all at once and made a Prisoner And now the pious Soul thus prays to God Sic in corde suo precabatur Domine non excrucier propter aurum argentum Vbi enim sunt omnia mea tu scis Aug. de Civ Dei lib. 1. cap. 9. Lord let me not be much troubled for Silver and Gold thou knowest where my All was stored at thy command Thou told us afore that for our Sins these Goths would spoil us and so I took warning where to lay my Wealth Others were not so wise and learn'd Wit consequente experientiâ d dicerunt by after Experience but hid their Treasure from Robbers which cost them extream Tortures to discover it and some dyed that refused losing both their Life and Treasure to show them Quanta essent sustinenda pro Christo qui tanta patiebantur pro auro Ibid. what they should have suffered for Christ's sake that would endure such things for Gold And in the Issue my Author observes Nemo Christum confitendum amisit none lost by confessing of Christ Nemo aurum nisi negando servavit and none kept his Gold but by denying it O had we that brave Self-denial what a true Glory would it put on our Profession Ludov. Vives in 's Notes cites Paulus Diaconus and Greg. Dialog and gives a full Witness to this holy Man's noble Self-denial in spending all he had to redeem Captives And after being moved at the Tears of a sad Widow for her Son crost into Africa with her to seek him gave his Person to be Captive for him and so restor'd the Son free to the Widow So growing famous with the Barbarians by that means he got also all his Citizens set free from Captivity In all this I gain a twofold Observation That Lenity in any Episcopal Order and Self-denial is the noblest and truest way to get Repute That concerns the trapper'd Dons of our Day And secondly Shuffling and save-Skin Doctrine may hold a while but with a barbarous Tory will at last hazard both Truth and Peace Now were our Dons and Doctors and Pious Men as skill'd in the straight Rule of Scripture as in the Erastian Politicks the Light on our little Hills would soon descend to the lower Grounds of the Vulgar for alas the rigid Conformist urg'd as one told me of late R. B.'s Holiness for an Argument to conform And if that be the genus summum of their Topicks I think it will screw in Salt Spittle and Cream to conform us to Rome also But alas the poor People by this Means are left indifferent and unstable as Water Those of the like Latitude which is the most dance as these pipe and as Barnabas was by Peter Gal. 2.14 are carried away with that Dissimulation The rest being fewest grieved in Heart and weary'd by many Threats of the Sessions and Elizabeth's Laws on the one hand and by the Doctors-Commons and Episcopal Canons on the other every Pedantick Priest with his Thrasonick Threats playing the Tyrant by lawless Excommunications to vex and undo them so that it would move an Heart of Stone to see how many Families and Persons are turn'd out of Church House Trade and Shop in all Places Cities and Corporations the Number of which is not easy to compute 2. Now to support these latter and call on the former I shall here only cite that Call in John Rev. 18.4 to come out of Babylon where I observe two Notes and two Arguments in the Text. 1. God's People are apt to
yet above men we oft are to take defence and pity 't is that Faith should not be right 5. Pro hic nunc I further say should the Defender of the Faith call us to a War against Rome and that rising Mounsieur that Sword should not be sheathed unto the gates of Rome now will any Protestant scruple that the late Popish Plot now dormant may at last issue in such a War to answer the long tail of that late Comet yea that Sword is drawn already abroad in Europe that will end in Romes uter Ruine Et mundi definet esse caput Lact. Romanum nomen tolletur e terrâ Let 's her no more a Head proclaim From earth they shall root out her Name For strong is the Lord that judges her Rev. 18.8 6. God is not tyed to the carnal or steel Weapon the wooden dagger of the Cross in his hand is as victorious as Scanderbegs inchanted Sword Steel may be in patience as strong and piercing as in any tool this proves as victorious on our part as vexatious to others Rev. 12.11 that study all Provocations to this Combate that are so vext that sparks will not take that they are resolved to make their own ruine the first medium of ours and Zimri like the City being took will make the Royal Pallace a Pile as he did Tirza 1 King 16.18 to consume themselves and it 7ly As there 's a time of War so of Peace Eccl. 3.3.8 A time wherein God call out for our help and a time wherein he waves or will not accept our accession to a defence but says you need not fight stand still Exod. 14.14 Not by Bow nor Sword Hos 1.7 Not by Might or Power that he will save but by himself Zac. 4.6 A Statesman of note Sir H. V. on Isai 9.5 said it from that Text Every Battle of the Warriour is with confused noise and Garments rowled in Blood but this with burning fuel of fire not material fire tho that hath burnt sufficiently but says he God shall kindle a fire in the breasts of men that shall scorch their Consciences And in comparing our Case to the Vally of Jehosaphat he takes it for the Judgment of Jehovah 2 Chron. 20. Zac. 14.12 Joel 3.2 or his signal Judgment in deciding all the Controversies betwixt his People and their Enemies in which the tench part of the City falls and the Witnesses rise Sir H. V 's Tryall pag. 113.117 and God takes into his own hand the Case of his People no visible hand being left them and so they are to stand still believing to see the Salvation of God Or as Jonah to look for Salvation by being cast over-board Jonah 1.12 Our Sins are the cause of our Miseries till they be repented throughly every attempt increases our trouble but then what seems most mischievous shall be to our Security p. 120 121. And as that great Soul suffered as Socrates with his eyes open so may our Age see when they begin to feel where they are going Of that man's head I say as Sir Thomas Moor said of his beard the Kingdome has no more such but it lets us see our need of Prayer now so I leave that Objection Now for matter of Prayer in this we may from the word thus take direction partly for Supplication partly Deprecation and Imprecation 1. For Supplication as first that God's mighty Presence may be ever with and among his People with this the Glory or Defence doth come or go and going O the Miseries that enter at that Door for God's Throne to stand under the foot of an insulting Intruder to trample on it is and ought to be for a Lamentation One of Darius's Courtiers seeing that rich Table of his Master put as a footstool to Alexander being a little man to lift him on the Throne wept and being ask't the Cause answered He could not but weep that being the Table his Master had sate in Counsel at So Alexander caused to remove it If it affect us to see Man in pride tread on the Throne of the Lord how soon may God restore his Ark to its Glory And 2dly If he stands on tiptoe at the Door pray his Stay how oft is this urged says Jeremiah Jer. 14.9 leave us not and with this Subject Mr. T. Hooker of N. E. took leave of old at Chelmsford If God go away goes the Gospel with him Prayer if it be right is a taking hold of God to stay and has held him 3. If gone cry after him is it not time to cry if they take away our God as he said Judg. 18.24 when they askt What ayles thee One God is our all and more than a hundred else he is seldom far from his People but a Cry may reach his ears stir his heart and it may be cause his bowels to yern and move him to a return 4thly Pray for Christ's Kingdom Gospel Grace and Power say as that Martyr Yet a little longer Lord Yet if the Gospel fall Westward and Prayer doth not as Joshua's did Josh 10.12 cause its stay as we lose our Conquest so a dark Night and stormy follows that few of us will see day after and which is sadder to Posterity that want the Light we have for they may fully lose it and curse us for our Forfeitures Under the Type of Solomon it is said Prayer shall be made for him and dayly he shall be praised Psal 72.15 And to that Prophesie add Christ's Precept to Prayer Thy Kingdom come Mat. 6.10 Now hence is all our Protection this is the defence of the Truth of the Gospel and all the Professors thereof and also of pure Worship and the practisers of it On that Nail hangs our Civil and Religious All 's Truth and Right stand or fall at once if we hang our All on a man it will be a lye to us as Charles 9. was to Coligni ere that fatal Massacre All Popery gets rise by Perfidy and Treachery nulla fides is a Maxim as close follow'd as true the Kingdom of Christ still takes rise with and by the Gospel If Christ were not a King that could protect his own men and matters our Prayers would be vain Thou art my King of old said David Psal 74.12 what for working Salvation in the midst of the Land He is a King that can do it will he but resolve against all our Unworthiness and and his foes Vnwillingness to be our King as erst he did Hos 13.10 though Prayer be mock't now his coming to possess it will confute both our fears and our Enemies Blasphemies that Kingdom will tend to a 2 fold advantage both unto Religion and Right 1. To Religion great Peace and Union accrues by Christ's Kingdom Two Prophets agree in this Isai 11.6.8 The Wolf Lyon Leopard dwell with the meek Lambs Kids and Sucklings of Christ i.e. men as fierce voracious venom'd in nature shall put off and change their ferial immane bad Natures
nor crushes them under foot Psal 69.33 Lam. 3.34 2 King 25.27 Psal 105.20 Eccl. 4.14 loves to lift up their heads above others to Glory as Joseph Jehojachin c. after many years So Solomon says out of Prison that poor wise Child comes to reign him he prefers to an old foolish King past Admonition This a Dr. coments on Dr. Jermin in locum p. 120. One foolish deserves nor Honour nor Authority he is the Devils Vassal this he calls The height of Folly the shame of Honour the poor wise child is afore such And he cites a Queen of Italy that joyned her Brother to her in Council so writes to the Senate of Rome Omnia cum concilio nos diligimus ordinare We love to do all with Council nothing worthy of Reproof A Caution for inadvertent Kings But there he notes that as Joseph was some may be set on the Throne they Thrown from their wicked Command the lowest part of the Wheel may soon rowl it self upmost 6. Mourners are under the Wing of God's defence and blessed for Comfort follows Mat. 6.4 Especially mixt with Prayer This moist Seed-time foretells a blessed Harvest and promotes it Psal 126.5.6 O ye Mourners see three Scriptures and lay them up and hear for time to come He will restore Comfort to him and his Mourners Isai 57.18 The second in Job They that mourn shall be exalted to Safety Job 5.11.16 The third that of the Prophet the best sort of mourning i.e. for the Solemn Assembly for its dispersion and reproach Zeph. 3.18 To them is a Promise of gathering again and so as none shall be lacking any more Jer. 23.4 and none to make them afraid Ezek. 34.28 all the evil Beasts gone It was a strange passage after Prayer of one Saba in Julian's closing Tyranny who surprised with a sudden joy was ask't the Cause of it and answered Euseb p. 169. Suem aggrestem vastatorem vineae domini paenas exoluisse erga dominum injuriarum nunc jacere mortuum nec amplius ob ejus Insidiis metuendum esse c. 24. That Wild Boar the Waster of God's Vineyard now withered and lay dead and none of all his Crafts were now to be feared Upon which they were glad and sung a Song of Thanksgiving and so it fell out by the message of his death told after that very hour the old Man prayed he dyed though his Host was a great distance thence so glad Julian's Fall made the Christians 7th God's Defence is peculiar to Witnesses that stand in defence for him and his Gospel or any sacred Matters relating to Worship If they dye in their duty as Zachariah did Vengeance defends in a post facto way both their Witness and wrong but usually their Safety is the work of Divine Wisdom and Power Moses is hid not when Infant only but grown 40 years together in Madian yet at last God calls him out to litigate with Pharaoh and lead Israel out Acts 7.23 24 25. So Jeremiah and Baruch the Lord hid them Jer. 26.36 A dear Mother from her death bed sent me many years ago this Legacy out of Jeremiah ch 1.18.19 c. 15.20 21. prized above the Gold of Ophir and not only for the truth of it made good in many perils since but for the nature of it being a Scripture Prophesy and in the sense of a Promise pertinent to all true Gospel-Levites in the same Faith and Faithfulness with those two last named I cite this to support all the truly separated Gospel Levites as being by Prophesy Isai 66.21 took from among the Gentiles not so much for Office as for use and do here bequeath a Donative sweeter and richer than a Diadem to them and preferrable to that of Peter to Rodolphus Petra dedit Petro Petrus Diadema Rodolpho What Moses gave to Levi of old that I wish to all the Lords sincere Witnesses DEUT. 33.11 Bless Lord his Substance Poor and Low His handy work accept and prize Smite through their Loyns that hate him so As they no more may ' gainst him rise Such are the Subjects of Gods Defence 2dly The Springs whence cool Refreshings flow out are various the deeper you search and dig for them the sweeter are they Now all that God is says and does are for us especially his Properties and Titles his Promises and Word his Providential Works 1. His Properties glorious Titles are attributed to him none of all which are empty all subserve the good and safety of his Zion As a Preface to this in one Psalm Psal 48.12.13 Zion is called to joy and all are bid to rejoyce marking her Bullwarks her Towers and her Pallaces three terms illustrating her Dignity and Defence The 1st is Pallaces the Receptacles for great Princes Courts and their Reteiners The 2d Towers made to give annoyance to any that assault or besiege 3dly Bulwarks to receive all the Shot and violent Batteries that her Fort is stormed with by them without All invite us to walk the rounds view her Strength and Defence to tell it to all future Ages that though Zion mount topically considered is dismantled left and delete yet tropically and typically view'd 't is found again Heb. 12.22 And we come to it and on it Christ will ere long stand in head of a Palm-bearing number Rev. 14.1 ch 7.9 He and they both invincible i.e. Victorious for crescit sub pondere palma For as his Fort is there so his Pallaces are too and in them he dwells and will for ever Now all the devout Worshippers and Visiters of this Court may know their strength lies in her Defence and that others may see the Folly of all Assaults and so forbear let it be a little surveyed in her Impregnable Fortifications As now it is said The Name of the Lord i.e. The Lord himself is a strong Tower the Righteous fly or run to it and are safe or set on high Prov. 18.10 His Wisdom Goodness Power Providence are all for our defence in all our perils for God as one notes on that place His Wisdom contrives ways defensive Jer. Dyke in Locum p. 2. 3. or offensive Goodness moves him to take on Relation and be concerned in our Hazard his Power steps betwixt us and the Danger to oppose the Injury designed against us and Providence is a quick Executor of the whole and oft a retorter of the Mischiefs on our Foes 1. Wisdom contrives ways and apt means applyes them in the fittest time lyes ambush against his Enemies foresees the design as Haman's Plot let 's all run to a day and then surprizes them with some Frustration 2. Power is all sufficient to corroborate the Mind to arm Faith with Courage and takes hold of Shield Spear and Buckler Psal 35.2 3. and stops in the full Cariere or causes the Ass to dash the Masters foot to the Wall as Balaam that madds the Rider more Now in rushing times when the Waves are swelling yet the Lord is more mighty than