them concerning whom the Lord had charged them that they should not do like them and they left all the commandments of the Lord their God and made them molten images even two calves and made a grove and worshiped all the host of Heaven and served Baal and they caused their Sons and their Daughters to pass through the Fire and used Divination and Inchantments and sold themselves to do evil in the sight of the Lord to provoke him to anger 2 Kings 17.9 to 17. O learn from hence these four things First When men leave God God leaves them when men leave truth truth leaves them when men leave the true Church the Church leaves them I said indeed that thy house and the house of thy father should walk before me for ever but now the Lord saith Be it far from me for them that honour me I will honour and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed 1 Sam. 2.30 Secondly You may see and understand by this what that is that blinds and darkens nations and people the Devil darkens Sin darkens and the inventions of men darken And he opened the bottomless Pit and there arose smoke out of the Pit as the smoke of a great furnace and the Sun and the Air were darkened by reason of the smoke of the Pit and there came out of the smoke Locusts upon the Earth and unto them was given power as the Scorpions of the Earth have power Rev. 9.2 3. Thirdly Marvel not then that men are ignorant and blind superstitious and inventers of evil things Idolaters and Blasphemers What wonder then is it to see these things when men change the Truth of God into a Lie and hold the Truth of God in unrighteousness And for this cause God shall send them strong delusions that they should believe a Lie that they all might be damned who believed not the Truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness 2 Thes 2.11 12. They feared the Lord and served their own Gods after the manner of the Nations whom they carried away from thence 2 Kings 17.33 Fourthly Learn from hence the cause of the sufferings of the People of God in all times This hath been the flaming Sword of persecution that hath turn d every way against them in all places namely the dark World by their inventions and by their cruel Decrees And it was given unto him to make war with the Saints and to overcome them and power was given him over all kindreds and tongues and nations And all that dwell upon the Earth shall worship him whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the World Rev. 13.7 8. Here was a War and this War was with the Saints whose names were written in the book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the World. The cause of this War was for their not worshipping the image of the beast this the Saints of God could not do and therefore they were slain And cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed and that no man might buy or sell save he that had the mark or the name of the beast or the number of his name ver 15.17 The Saints did not make the image therefore they would not worship the image they did not set up this worship neither will they be worshipers of it with the World. God gives life to his worship but the Beast gave life to this by forcing and compelling saying to them that dwell on the Earth that they should make an image to the beast and he had power to give life unto the image of the beast that the image of the beast should both speak c. ver 14 15. This indeed is a mystery but if my reader be a Child of Light he will understand it by that little light I have here given him in this mystery Thirdly It is an evil World what evil is there out of Hell that may not be seen in this World What do you see in this World but evil What is there done by this World but evil And what do you expect from this World but evil Who gave himself for our sins that he might deliver us from this present evil World Gal. 1.4 When our Lord Jesus was upon the Earth he then prayed for them that did believe and he prayed for them which should believe on him hereafter he prayed long and he prayed fervently that all they whom the Father had given him might be kept from the evil of the World Joh. 17.15 Pure Religion and undefiled before God and the father is this to visit the fatherless and widdows in their affliction and to keep himself unspotted from the evil world Jam. 1.27 First then What have the Saints of God seen in this World but evil and do still see it men wallowing in the mire and filth of sin and all wickedness praying for their own damnation and treasuring up of wrath against their own Souls marching in troops to Hell and Damnation They are wise to do evil but to do good they have no knowledge the thoughts of their hearts are evil and that continually the words of their mouths are evil full of cursing and bitterness the works of their lives are evil being abominable Love not the World neither the things that are in the World if any man love the World the love of the Father is not in him For all that is in the World the lust of the Flesh the lust of the Eyes and the pride of life is not of the Father but is of the World 1 John 2.15 16. you see here what is in the World it is lust nothing but lust the lust of the Flesh and the lust of the Eyes and the pride of Life the lust of drunkenness the lust of Swearing the lust of Uncleanness the lust of Adultery the lust of Idolatry the lust of Covetousness the lust of Ambition and of Pleasures and Idleness a fulfilling the desires of the Flesh and of the Mind this is that the World is covered with as with a Garment Then when lust hath conceived it bringeth forth sin and sin when it is finished bringeth forth death James 1.15 Secondly what is done by the World but evil Evil to themselves and Evil to the Saints And moreover I saw under the Sun the place of Judgment that wickedness was there and the place of Righteousness that iniquity was there Eccl. 3.16 so I returned and considered all the oppressions that are done under the Sun and behold the tears of such as were oppressed and they had no comforter and on the side of the oppressors there was power but they had no comforter Wherefore I praised the dead which are already dead more than the living which are yet alive yea better is he than both they which hath not yet been who hath not seen the evil work that is done under the Sun Eccl. 4.1 2 3. This is that which
in them Isa 8.20 But there were false Prophets also among the People even as there shall be false teachers among you who privily shall bring in damnable heresies even denying the Lord that bought them and bring upon themselves swift destruction 2 Pet. 2.1 The World is filled with prejudice against the naked truth a naked world cannot endure the naked truth Men add to the worship of God and their fear towards God is taught by the precepts of men they dress truth with modes and fashions and mix it with their inventions and darken it with their coverings but when truth is naked it shines and it is beautiful and glorious it arms a man and makes him as bold as a Lion when he is girt about with truth 3. The whole truth For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God Acts 20.27 some part of truth a man may believe and own and profess in any part of Europe and this he may do without giving offence to any man but the whole truth men will not hear nor bear nor receive for they are filled with prejudice against it and condemn it and cry it down and oppose it with all their might This did the Pharisees And some of the Pharisees which were with him heard these words and said unto him Are we blind also Jesus said unto them If ye were blind ye should have no sin but now ye say We see therefore your sin remaineth John 9.40 41. Men may hold some truths and yet be the Enemies of truth They may profess some truths and yet destroy their neighbours for the truths sake They may have a knowledge of some truths and yet be cruel persecutors of them that keep the whole truth men may think that they are in the truth and yet the truth may not be in them Now I beseech you brethren mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned and avoid them for they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ but their own Belly and by good words and fair speeches deceive the Hearts of the simple Rom. 16.17 18. Truth is a Crown O let no man take this Crown from you It is an honour to be overcome by truth Buy the truth and sell it not He that sells the truth to gain honour and pleasures and riches and the pomp and glory of this World will make a miserable bargain When a man is in trouble truth will comfort him when a man is in distress truth will support him when a man is in the midst of Enemies truth will defend him when a man is cast off and forsaken truth will be his companion and will provide for him Because thou hast kept the word of my patience I will also keep thee from the hour of temptation which shall come upon all the world to try them that dwell upon the earth Rev. 3.10 4. The Love of Truth Because they received not the love of the truth that they might be saved And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion that they should believe a lie That they all might be damned who believed not the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness 2 Thes 2.10 11 12. A man may be under the sound of truth and yet not under the power of truth a man may receive truth into his house and yet not receive it into his heart a mans judgment may be convinced by truth and yet his conscience not awakened a man may follow truth for a while and yet never know the truth as it is in Jesus a man may delight to hear the truth and yet never receive it in the love of it From that time many of his Disciples went back and walked no more with him then said Jesus unto the twelve Will ye also go away Joh. 6.66 67. For Herod feared John knowing that he was a just man and an holy and observed him and when he heard him he did many things and heard him gladly Mark 6.20 And as he reasoned of righteousness temperance and judgment to come Felix trembled and answered Go thy way for this time when I have a convenient season I will call for thee Acts 24.25 Behold a sower went forth to sow and when he had sowed some seeds fell by the ways side and the fowls came and devoured them up Some fell upon stony places where they had not much earth and forthwith they sprung up because they had no deepness of earth And when the Sun was up they were scorched and because they had not root they withered away And some fell among thorns and the thorns sprung up and choaked them But other fell into good ground and brought forth fruit some an hundred fold some sixty fold and some thirty fold Mat. 13.3 to 8. These four sorts of ground were four sorts of hearers and but one of these four received truth in the love of it No man but a living man can receive truth in the love of it 1. To receive the truth in the love of it is to know the truth as it is in Jesus Eph. 4.21 2. To receive the truth in the love of it is to keep the truth John 17.6 3. To receive the truth in the love of it is to delight in the truth Psal 119.24 4. To receive the truth in the love of it is to value and prize the truth Psal 19.10 5. To receive the truth in the love of it is to long and thirst after the truth Psal 42.1 2. 6. To receive the truth in the love of it is to obey the truth 2 Cor. 7.15 7. To receive the truth in the love of it is to love the whole truth Psal 119.97 8. To receive the truth in the love of it is to hide it in the heart and to bring forth the fruits of it in the life Psal 119.11 9. To receive the truth in the love of it is to part with all for truth Mat. 13.45 46. 10. To receive the truth in the love of it is to desire that others may come to the knowledge of the truth that they may be saved John 4.29 11. To receive the truth in the love of it is to be under the power of truth 1 Thes 1.5 12. To receive the truth in the love of it is to have the Word of God dwell richly in you Col. 3.16 Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom But this World is filled with prejudice against the truth If a man walking in the spirit and falshood do lie saying I will prophesie unto thee of wine and of strong drink he shall even be the prophet of this people Mic. 2.11 For as concerning this sect we know that every where it is spoken against Acts 28.22 Thus I have shew'd you the Map of the World. 1. A dead World. 2. A dark World. 3. An evil World. 4. A carnal World. 5. A vain World. 6. A prejudiced World. This is that World the
to pass hereafter First That there would be a great Apostacy a falling away from the truth v. 3. Secondly Out of that Apostacy one would rise up to be the head of it whom he calls the Man of sin the Son of Perdition that wicked One ver 3 8. Thirdly ' That he should be revealed in his time ver 6. And made manifest that all might know him Fourthly That his coming would be after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders and with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish v. 9 10. Fifthly He shews what he would do when he was come oppose and exalt himself above all that is called God or that is worshipped and as God sit in the temple of God and shew himself that he is God v. 4. Sixthly How the Lord would punish them and plague them for their Apostacy And for this cause God shall send them strong delusions that they should believe a lie that they all might be damned who believed not the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness v. 11 12. Seventhly This he calls the mystery of iniquity For the mystery of iniquity doth already work only he who now letteth will let until he be taken out of the way v. 7. Eighthly That the Lord shall consume that wicked one with the Spirit of his mouth and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming v. 8. God hath in all ages rais'd up faithful witnesses and filled them with his Spirit and they have preach'd the everlasting Gospel peace and good Will to Men on Earth and have declared that message which was from the beginning that God is love and light and they have vindicated that truth which others preach'd before them that was condemned by the World for Heresie and this work the Lord hath been carrâ—ing on in the Earth these many years past and this is the work that the Lord is carrying on in this our day pouring out of his Spirit upon his Sons and Daughters shining into the Hearts and Minds of Men turning them from darkness unto light and from the power of Satan unto God that all men may come to the knowledge of the truth that they may be saved and this is the Spirit of his Mouth the Rod of his Mouth that shall destroy that man of sin and all the wâ—rks of darkness and all that which exalts its self aga â—st Gods will and authority his love and grace The word of truth doth prevail and it will prevail This is that brightness that shall destroâ— tâ—e works of the flesh wherever it comes and â—l nes into any Hearts and this is that which shall â—reak in pieces and consume all these Kingdoms Namelâ— The Lord shall consume with the Spirit â—f his Mouth shall desâ—roy with the brightness of his comiâ—g Before she travelled she brought fortâ— before her pain came she was delivered of a man child who hath heard such a thing Who hath seen such things Shall the Earth be maâ—e to bring for him one day Or shall a Nation be born at one For as soon as Zion travelled she brought sâ—ith her Children Isa 66.7 8. This shews the great success of the Gospel how it shall prevail and overcome And he shall reign over the House of Jacob for ever and of his Kingdom there shall be no end Luke 1.33 I am now to shew you in the last plaâ—â— tâ—aâ— tâ—e true Church shall stand for ever aâ—d this I shall evince from these following considerations 1. From the Word of od 2. From the Provi eâ—ces of God. 3. From the Pâ—ople of â—â—d 4. From the Enâ—mie of God. First from the W rd of God thâ—â—â—s The Word of Prophecy The Word of Promise The Word of Threatning 1. The Word of Prophesie The Lord God hath spoken by the mouth of his Prophets which have been since the World began that his people should be saved from their enemies and from the hands of all that hate them That in blessing I will bless thee and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the Stars of the Heaven and as the sand which is upon the Sea-shore and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies Gen. 22.17 They that trust in the Lord shall be as mount Zion which cannot be removed but abideth for ever Psalm 125.1 And it shall come to pass in the last days that the Mountain of the Lords House shall be established in the top of the Mountains and shall be exalted above the hills and all nations shall flow unto it Isa 2.2 The Lord hath founded Zion and the poor of his people shall trust in it Isa 14.32 behold the voice of the cry of the daughter of my people because of them that dwell in a far countrey Is not the Lord in Zion is not her King in her Why have they provoked me to anger with their graven Images and with strange vanities Jer. 8.19 And the Kingdom and Dominion and the greatness of the Kingdom under the whole Heaven shall be given to the people of the Saints of the most high whose Kingdom is an everlasting Kingdom and all Dominions shall serve and obey him Dan. 7.27 And it shall come to pass that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be delivered for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance as the Lord hath said and in the remnant whom the Lord shall call Joel 2.32 And saviours shall come up on mount Zion to Judg the mount of Esau and the Kingdom shall be the Lords Obad. 21. 2. The Word of Promise God is in the midst of her she shall not be moved God shall help her and that right early Psal 46.5 when thou passest through the Waters I will be with thee and through the rivers they shall not overflow thee when thou walkest through the fire thou shalt not be burnt neither shall the flame kindle upon thee for I am the Lord thy God the holy one of Israel thy saviour Isa 43.2 3. And I say also unto thee that thou art Peter and upon this Rock I will build my Church and the gates of Hell shall not prevail against it Mat. 16.18 let your conversation be without covetousness and be content with such things as ye have for he hath said I will never leave thee nor forsake thee Heb. 13.5 The question is put by God himself in that great and known place Isa 49.15 Can a Woman forget her sucking Child that she should not have compassion on the Son of her Womb yea she may forget yet will I not forget thee Behold I have graven thee upon the Palms of my Hands thy Walls are continually before me Thy Children shall make haste thy destroyers and they that made thee waste shall go forth of thee God did never forsake his people God cannot forsake his people God will never forsake his people And our Lord Jesus Christ hath promised that there shall not an Hair of their
Mount Sion Or A Draught of That CHURCH WHICH Shall never be destroyed Together With a Map of That WORLD WHICH Shall be broken to pieces and consumed By William Dyer Author of Christs Famous Titles Believers Golden Chain Out of the eater came forth meat and out of the strong came forth sweetness Judges 14.14 The wise mans eyes are in his head but the fool walketh in darkness Eccles 2.14 Licensed and Entred LONDON Printed for Nath. Crouch at the 〈◊〉 in the Poultry near Cheapside 1689. THE EPISTLE TO THE READER Kind Reader THough there is nothing more common with men than to desire happiness as Balaam did Let me die the death of the righteous and let my last end be like his Numb 23.10 Yet there is nothing that men mind less and endeavour less after and labour less for than true happiness When our Saviour was on the earth some then asked him these two questions The first is in Luke 13.23 Then said one unto him Lord Are there few that be saved This was the first question Now mark well the answer And he said unto them Strive to enter in at the strait gate for many I say unto you will seek to enter in but shall not be able The second is in Luke 18.18 And a certain Ruler asked him saying Good Master What shall I do to inherit eternal life Now to this question our Lord Jesus gave this answer And Jesus said unto him Why callest thou me good none is good save one that is God. Thou knowest the Commandments Do not commit adultery Do not kill Do not steal Do not bear false witness Honour thy Father and thy Mother And he said All these have I kept from my youth up Now when Jesus heard these things he said unto him Yet lackest thou one thing Sell all that thou hast and distribute to the poor and thou shalt have treasure in Heaven and come follow me And when he heard this he was very sorrowful for he was very rich These Answers proceeded out of the mouth of Wisdom He that spake as never man spake said to the first Strive to enter in at the strait gate And to the second he said Keep the Commandments of God do not break them but duly observe them And what he said unto one he saith unto all Mark 13.37 For many I say unto you will seek to enter in but shall not be able This word should strike terrour into the hearts of men and awaken their sleepy Consciences First They that seek when it is too late None shall be able to enter in at the strait gate and narrow way which leadeth unto life without striving and this striving must be before the Master of the house be risen up When once the Master of the house is risen up and hath shut to the door and ye begin to stand without and to knock at the door saying Lord Lord open unto us and he shall answer and say unto you I know you not whence you are then shall ye begin to say We have eaten and drank in thy presence and thou hast taught in our streets But he shall say I tell you I know you not whence ye are depart from me all ye workers of iniquity The reason of this is here very plain they were workers of iniquity and these workers of iniquity did not seek to enter in till it was too late When men live without God in the world without the fear and knowledge of God and have no sence of his love and mercy to them When men wallow in the filth and mire of sin being abominable and disobedient and make light of Christ Jesus and of all the means of grace till sickness overtakes them and the terrours of death takes hold on them And when they find that all hopes of life and recovery is taken from them that they must die then they will seek and cry unto the Lord and desire others to pray for them But what hath the Lord spoken concerning this sort of seekers these late seekers see Prov. 1.24 Because I have called and ye refused I have stretched out my hand and no man regarded it but ye have set at nought all my counsel and would none of my reproof I also will laugh at your calamity I will mock when your fear cometh when your fear cometh as desolation and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind when distress and anguish cometh upon you then shall they call upon me but I will not answer they shall seek me early but they shall not find me Seeking without striving will not do and this striving must be with the whole heart before that midnight cry comes And at midnight there was a cry made Behold the Bridegroom cometh go ye out to meet him Mat. 25.6 O Reader Seek the Lord while he may be found call ye upon him while he is near He now waits that he may be gracious and stands at the door of thy heart and knocks for entrance Rev. 3.20 O hear his voice and let him into thy soul that it may become an habitation of God through the Spirit Eph. 2.22 Secondly They that seek in a wrong way Esaias also crieth câ—ncerning Israel Though the number of the Children of Israel be as the sand of the Sea a remnant shall be saved Rom. 9 27. See the reason of this in chap. 11.7 What then Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for but the election hath obtained it and the rest were blinded When men walk not in the way of truth and righteousness but in a wrong way that will lead them into the boggs of error and falshood and strong delusions to believe lies till they be swallowed up Thus saith the Lord Stand ye in the ways and see and ask for the old paths Where is the good way and walk therein and ye shall find rest for your souls but they said We will not walk therein Jer. 6.16 When men shall leave the Faith of the Gospel and believe as others would have them believe when men shall give up their Consciences to the government and conduct of others when men shall leave the Scriptures of truth and follow the Inventions of men when men shall leave the pure Worship of God and worship they know not what when men shall leave the good way and walk in crooked ways and in by-paths that turn them aside and 〈◊〉 them into everlasting destruction no wondâ—â— then that this sort of Seekers shall not be â—â—â—e to enter in at the strait gate and narroâ— way which leadeth unto life Some men will not allow themselves so â—â—ch time as to examine matters carefully to â—â—â—k on God and his works and providences his truth and ways or to think of another state or the way that leads to it He that came and preached peace to us hath opened a new and a living way for us for so an entrance shall be ministred unto you abundantly into the everlasting Kingdom of our Lord and
because of the Bridegroom's voice this my Joy therefore is fulfilled John 3.29 And the Spirit and the Bride say Come and let him that heareth say come and let him that is athirst come and whosoever will let him take of the waters of life freely Rev. 22.17 And there came unto me one of the seven Angels which had the seven Vials full of the seven last Plagues and talked with me saying Come hither I will shew thee the Bride the Lamb's wife Rev. 21.9 This glorious Bride is the Church and this Church is the Kingdom that shall not be left to another people 6. The Church of Christ is a purchased Possession In whom also after that ye believ'd ye were seal'd with that holy Spirit of Promise which is the earnest of our Inheritance until the redemption of the purchased Possession unto the praise of his glory Eph. 1.13 14. Remember thy Congregation which thou hast purchased of old the Rod of thine inheritance which thou hast redeemed this Mount Sion wherein thou hast dwelt Psal 74.2 Take heed therefore unto your selves and to all the flock over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you Overseers to feed the Church of God which he hath purchased with his own blood Acts 20.28 Will men cast away that which they have dearly bought Ye are bought with a price therefore glorifie God in your body and in your spirit â—hich are Gods 1 Cor. 6 20. You are not your own you were bought by Christ Jesus And the price he gave for you was not Gold Silver which men take out of the Earth For as much as ye know ye were not redeemed with corruptible things as Gold and silver from your vain conversation received by the tradition from your fathers but with the precious blood of Christ as of a lamb without blemish and without spot 1 Pet. 1.18 19. Will men leave that which they have purchas'd to their worst and greatest Enemies Hath not Christ Jesus purchased his Church with his own blood For thou wast slain and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred and tongue and people and nation Rev. 5.9 Now if this be so who can believe who can think that the Church of God shall be left to another People Thirdly The holy Spirit will not leave them the spirit of truth that dwelleth with you and shall be in you I will not leave you comfortless John 14.17 18. know ye not that your body is the Temple of the holy Ghost which is in you which ye hâ—ve of God and ye are not your own 1 Cor. 6.19 Howbeit when the spirit of truth is come he shall guide you into all truth for he shall not speak of himself but whatsoever he shall hear that shall he speak and he shall shew you things to come John 16.13 This holy Spirit of God is given it is given to them that ask it If ye then being evil know how to give good gifts unto your Children how much more shall your heavenly father give the holy spirit to them that ask him Luk. 11.13 Every true believer hath this spirit of Christ in him But if the spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you he that raised up Jesus from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his spirit that dwelleth in you Rom. 8.11 This Spirit of God is to be found no where but in the Church of God and in every member of that body Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ he is none of his v. 9. As a tree is known by the fruit it bears so is the spirit known to be in a man by the fruits he brings forth The fruit of the Spirit is love joy peace long-suffering gentleness goodness faith meekness temperance against such there is no law Gal 5.22 23. First then the Spirit of God convinceth Secondly it quickeneth Thirdly it leadeth Fourthly it strengtheneth Fifthly it comforteth Sixthly it maketh intercession Seventhly it witnesseth Eighthly it sealeth Ninthly it revealeth Tenthly it resteth on you That good work that is begun in any man or woman and carried on from first to last is attributed to the Spirit of God. The father he ordains calleth and chuseth and hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ Eph. 1.3 The Son he hath redeemed us and delivered us from wrath from sin and from the world and from the curse of the law Luke 1.68 The Spirit he applies all that to us that God hath given and Christ purchas'd and from hence it ariseth that there is so much contention and disagreement amongst men this is that which brings a Sword that brings a War and makes divisions and one man to hate and persecute another namely from the seed that is in them and from the Spirit that is in them For he that is born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit even so it is now Gal. 4.29 For the flesh lusteth against the spirit and the spirit against the flesh and these are contrary one to the other Gal. 5.17 It is so contrary that you may find this in the nearest relations as husband and wife parents and children brothers and sisters if any of them be in the Spirit of God and enlightened and renewed in their minds and the others be not but are in the spirit of the evil one in the spirit of the world under darkness and blindness there can be then no agreement but discord and division and they are contrary one to the other as to spiritual things For the world knows not the Spirit of God neither can it receive it Take two men that were great strangers one to the other the one living in the East Indies and the other in the West and after some time they both return home to this land and by a special providencae they here meet together and after a little discourse one with the other they so well agree being knit together in love that they could even live and the together because they were of one spirit the Spirit of God being in them both and that unites them and makes them to be one in hope and faith in love and affection The members of Christs body are many but one spirit in them all endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace There is one body and one spirit even as you are called in one hope of your calling one Lord one faith one baptism one God and Father of all who is above all and through all and in you all Eph. 4.3 4 5 6. This blessed Spirit did never leave the Church of God nor never will so long as God hath a Church here on Earth this Spirit of God leads every true believer into all truth and from strength to strength and from glory to glory from one degree of grace to another till they are taken up into the heavenly glory and to be
say We have eaten and drunken in thy presence and thou hast taught in our streets but he shall say I tell you I know you not whence ye are depart from me all ye workers of Iniquity Luk. 13.25 26 27. See here a carnal worlds profession it is words all words and nothing but words Let us go a little farther and see the worlds worship O! 't is a brave worship fine and gawdy to behold if you will believe carnal men But let us see what the Scriptures of truth say of it Bring no more vain oblations incense is an abomination unto me the new moons and sabbaths the calof assemblies I cannot away with it is iniquity even the solemn meetings your new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hateth they are a trouble unto me I am weary to bear thâ—m And when ye spread forth your hands I will hide mine eyes from you yea when ye make many prayers I will not hear your hands are full of blood Isa 13.14 15. He that killeth an Ox is as if he slew a man he that sacrificeth a lamb as if he cut off a Dogs neck he that offereth an oblation as if he â—ffered swines blood he that burneth incense as if he blessed an Idol yea they have chosen their own ways and their Soul delighteth â—n their abominations Isa 66.3 The God of Israel did not condemn the worship but the worshipers he reproved them and thundered from Heaven against them by his Prophets for their uncleanness and â—ilthiness for their sins and abominaâ—ions for their cruelties and oppressions â—heir hands were full of blood these were â—he worshipers in that day that the Lord did hate and abhor In the New Testament you may find a worship spoken of and worshipers both â—ondemn'd by God himself and disalâ—ow'd of Ye worship ye know not what but â—he hour cometh and now is when the true â—orshipers shall worship the Father in Spirit and â— Truth for the father seeketh such to worâ—â—ip him Joh. 4.22 23. Let no man beguile â—â—u of your reward in a voluntary humility â—nd worshiping of Angels intruding into those â—â—ings which he hath not seen vainly puft up 〈◊〉 his fleshly mind touch not tast not hanâ—e not Which all are to perish with the using â—â—ter the Commandments and Doctrines of men Col. 2.18 21 22. But also that the Temple of the great Goddess Diana should be despised and her magnificence should be destroyed whom all Asia and the World worshipeth Acts 19.27 And the rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues yet repented not of the works of their hands that they should not worship Devils and Idols of Gold and Silver and Brass and Stone and of Wood which neither can see nor hear nor walk Rev. 9.20 And all the world wondered after the Beast and they worshiped the Dragon which gave power unto the Beast and they worshiped the Beast saying Whâ— is like unto the beast Who is able to makâ— War with him Rev. 13.3 4. Here is a worship and worshipers but what saith the Lord of these worshipers If any maâ— worship the Beast and the Image and receivâ— his mark in his forehead or in his hand thâ— same shall drink of the Wine of the wrath oâ— God which is poured out without mixture intâ— the Cup of his indignation and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presencâ— of the Holy Angels and in the presence of thâ— Lamb and the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever and they have no resâ— day nor night who worship the beast and hiâ— Image and whosoever receiveth the mark oâ— his name Rev. 14.9 10 11. A carnaâ— man may have the words of prayers the form of prayers but he hath not the grace of prayer the Spirit of prayer He may make a profession but still holds fast his corruptions and will not let them go He may have a form of Godliness and â—et be an Enemy to the power of Godliâ—ess He may have a seeming Religion â—nd yet allow himself to live in all open wickedness Having a form of Godliness â—â—t denying the power thereof from such turn way 2 Tim. 3.5 Bad men deny the power of Godliness â—nd look most upon the form Good â—en desire the power of Godliness and â—ook least to the form Saints must turn â—way from evil men that they be not parâ—â—kers with them and sinners must turn â—way from the evil of their ways that God may have mercy upon them 3. They hate the people of God and â—ave enmity against them but they shall â—e and be ashamed for their envy at the â—eople yea The fire of thine Enemies shall â—vour them Isa 26.11 This enmity was â—st in the Devil against our first Parents â—hen they were in Paradice And ye shall â— as Gods knowing good and evil Gen. 3.5 â—ut how Ye shall know the good by â—lling from it and ye shall know the evil by undergoing it This enmity was in the mind of Cain against Abel And iâ— came to pass when they were in the field thaâ— Cain arose up against Abel his brother and slew him Gen. 4.8 Abel was the first sufferer for truth the first witness that waâ— kill'd the first righteous blood that waâ— shed upon the Earth This enmity waâ— in Esau against Jacob and Esau said iâ— his Heart The days of mourning for my Father are at hand then will I slay my brotheâ— Jacob Gen. 27.41 This enmity was iâ— the Hearts and Minds of the Egyptian against the Children of Israel The Enemâ— said I will pursue I will overtake I wiâ—â— divide the spoil my lust shall be satisfied upoâ— them I will draw my Sword my hand shaâ—â— destroy them Exod. 15.9 This enmitâ— was in wicked Ahab and Jezabel againâ— the Prophets of the Lord. And Ahab toâ— Jezabel all that Elijah had done and witâ— all how he had slain all the Prophets with tâ—â— Sword then Jezebel sent a messenger unâ—â— Elijah saying So let the Godâ— do to me alsâ— and more if I make not thy life as the life oâ— one of them by to morrow about this timâ— 1 Kings 19.1 2. This enmity was in the Scribes and Phâ—risees against our Saviour If we let this maâ— alone all men will believe on him Joh. 11 4â— This enmity was in the people of the Jews against the holy Apostles They took counsel to slay them Acts 5.33 This enmity was in the Heathens against the Christians in the time of the â—en persecutions This enmity was in the Beast and in â—he Woman that sits upon many Waters â—gainst the Saints and Martyrs of Christ Jesus And I saw the Woman drunken with â—he blood of the Saints and with the blood â—f the Martyrs of Jesus Rev. 17.6 And â—his enmity is now in the Hearts and Minds of all carnal people against Gods faithful servants that are redeem'd from â—he Earth and from amongst men Fifthly It is a vain World. Vanity of
are but a few therefore vain and carnal men do conclude thaâ— they are in the right and that the most are the best and that it is a safe and sure way to follow a multitude Secondly Because they are poor I will also leave in the midst of thee an afflicted and poor people and they shall trust in the name of the Lord Zeph. 3.12 The true followers of the Lamb in all Ages have been the poor of this world but rich in Faith and heirs of the Kingdom of Heaven and because they were so the world despised them and were filled with prejudice against them Then answered them the Pharisees Are ye also deceived Have any of the Rulers or the Pharisees believed on him but this people who knoweth not the Law are cursed Joh. 7.47 48 49. The world have always had a great prejudice against Truth where-ever it was found against Truth in the Word of God against Truth in the Worship of God against Truth in the Ways of God against Truth in the People of God against Truth in the Providences of God this is that the world knoweth not this is that it cannot receive this is that it cannot bear therefore the people of the world are filled with prejudice against Truth as they have been in all times and in all Ages past that is to say 1. Against the Morning Truth 2. Against the Naked Truth 3. Against the whole Truth 4. Against the Love of Truth 1. The Morning Truth is that love light mercy and grace which Almighty God hath been pleas'd to bring forth and make manifest to his people in the dispensations of Times and in the Ages of the World for the good of them that did love and fear him When the fulness of time was come that the Children of Israel were to be brought out of the Land of Egypt and to go in and possess that good Land of Canaan which the Lord had promis'd to give them for an inheritance this was then the Morning truth To believe the Lord their God and to follow him fully but they were filled with prejudice against it And wherefore hath the Lord brought us unto this Land to fall by the Sword that our Wives and our Children should be a prey were it not better for us to return into Egypt And they said one to another Let us make a Captain and let us return into Egypt Numb 14.3 4. But when they had possessed the Land of Canaan and had divided the Land by Lot the Morning truth was then To keep Gods Commandments and to observe his Statutes and Judgments and to keep themselves from Idols and from all Idolatry but they were filled with prejudice against it and rebelled against the Lord their God and built them high places and did set up Images and Groves on every Hill and under every green Tree 1 Kin. 14.23 And when they slew the Beasts for sacrifice that they might offer up their blood they were then to look through all the sacrifices and through the blood to the blood of Jesus For if the blood of Bulls and of Goats and the ashes of an Heifer sprinkling the unclean sanctifieth to the purifying of the Flesh how much more shall the blood of Christ Who through the eternal spirit offered himself without spot to God Heb. 9.13 14. Then the morning truth was to believe the Prophets which shewed of the coming of the Just one but they were filled with prejudice against it Which of the Prophets have not your fathers persecuted And they have slain them which shewed before of the coming of the Just one of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers Acts 7.52 And in the days of our Saviour when he was on the Earth and preached Peace to them and wrought many Miracles amongst them went up and down doing good this was then the morning truth To believe in him Neither is there salvation in any other for there is none other name under Heaven given among men whereby we must be saved Acts 4.12 But they were filled with prejudice against it Then Jesus said unto the chief Priests and Captains of the Temple and the elders which were come to him Be ye come out as against a Thief with Swords and Staves When I was daily with you in the Temple ye stretched forth no Hands against me but this is your hour and the power of darkness Luke 22.52 53. And after he was risen from the dead and had shewed himself several times to his Disciples and that all power was given to him both in Heaven and in Earth then this was the morning truth Go ye therefore and teach all Nations baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son of the Holy Ghost teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you Mat. 28.19 20. But they were filled with prejudice against it And when they had brought them and set them before the counsel the high Priest asked them saying Did not we straitly command you that you should not teach in this name And behold ye have filled Jerusalem with your Doctrine and intend to bring this mans Blood upon us Acts 5.27 28. But when believers were added unto the Lord multitudes both of Men and Women then the morning truth was the free grace of God being Justified by Faith. And by him all that believe are Justified from all things from which ye could not be Justified by the law of Moses Acts 13.39 but they were filled with prejudice against it For as much as we have heard that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words subverting your souls saying Ye must be circumcised and keep the Law to whom we gave no such commandment Acts 15.24 And this is the morning truth now to worship the ever living God in spirit and in truth and to wait for his Son Christ Jesus from Heaven and for the rich anointing of the spirit and the fulfilling of his word and the accomplishment of the prophecies and the perfecting of his work and the finiâ—hing of the mysteries of God to wait in patience in faith and in hope in a lamb-like spirit this is the morning truth in this our day and the World is filled with prejudice against it 2. The naked truth as it stands in the scriptures of truth which was delivered to the Saints of God by the Prophets and by the holy Apostles and by our Lord Jesus For whatsoever things were written afore-time were written for our learning that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope Rom. 15.4 God who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the Fathers by the Prophets hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son whom he hath appointed heir of all things by whom also he made the Worlds Heb. 1.1 2. To the law and to the Testimony if they speak not according to this word it is because there is no light
your fathers did so do ye Acts 7.51 Now that which makes men do this be these six things 1. Worldly Interest 2. Self-conceit 3. A blind Subjection to others 4. Pride of Heart 5. Satan's Policy 6. Education These make men have an implacable hatred to all that is good When men are governed by these they imploy their rage and fury against the faithful With the greater part of Mankind these are so powerful that nothing but the mighty power of God is able to overcome them and to rescue men from their force It will require a measure of the extraordinary graces of Gods Spirit to be poured out And this is that good work which the Lord works in the Souls of men by his holy Spirit He works in them his own Image his own holy Will Power and Strength Knowledge and Understanding a love to God and a delight in him He makes them new Creatures and leads them into the paths of truth and righteousness This is a victory and this victory overcometh the world even our faith 1 Joh. 5.4 And when he is come he will reprove the world of sin of righteousness of judgment Of sin because they believe not on me Of righteousness because I go to my father and ye see me no more Of judgment because the Prince of this world is judged I have yet many things to say unto you but ye cannot bear them now Howbeit when he the spirit of truth is come he will guide you into all truth for he shall not speak of himself but whatsoever he shall hear that shall he speak and he will shew you things to come John 16.8 to 13. 3. The Saint is the Seeker Ask and it shall be given you seek and ye shall find knock and it shall be opened unto you Mat. 7.7 And shall not God avenge his own elect which cry day and night unto him though he bear long with them Luke 18.7 There is a three-fold cry that enters into the ears of the God of Sabbaoth The cry of Blood Rev. 6.10 The cry of Prayer Isa 19.20 The cry of Sin James 5.4 This is that cry which taketh peace from the Earth This is that which turns the World upside down This is that which brings the great Earthquake that makes the Cities of the Nations to fall This is that which breaks the Arm and the Bow of the wicked and turns their counsels into foolishness This is that which makes distress of Nations with perplexity the Sea and the Waves roaring mens hearts failing them for fear and for looking after those things which are coming upon the Earth for the poâ—â—rs of Heaven shall be shaken What wonderful things have been done by Prayeâ— and if tâ—â—re â—e but a Spirit of Prayer â—â—pt up in Gods people the abomination of desolation will not be able to stand before them Mat. 24.15 Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain and it rained not upon the Earth by the space of three years and six months and he prayed again and the heaven gave rain and the earth brought forth her fruit James 5.17 18. 3. The Church of God shall consume the Kingdoms of the world by the Word of truth And I saw and behold a white horse and he that sate on him had a bow and a Crown was given unto him and he went forth conquering and to conquer Rev. 6.2 This Conqueror is the Lamb the Lord Jesus Christ and this Conquest he makes by the Sword. But what Sword is it not a carnal Sword but by the Sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God Eph. 6.17 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp Sword that with it he should smite the nations Rev. 19.15 For the Word of God is quick and powerful and sharper than a two edged Sword piercing even to the dividing asunder of Soul and Spirit and of the Joynts and Marrow and is a discerner of the thoughts and the intents of the heart Heb. 4.12 When the Blessed Jesus came in the form of a Servant he spake from Heaven the Word of truth Whose voice then shook the earth but now he hath promised saying Yet once more I shake not the earth only but also heaven and this word yet once more signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken as of things that are made that those things which cannot be shaken may remain Heb. 12.26 The Word of truth is that which shakes the Devils Kingdom and Antichrist's Kingdom it shakes mens Foundations and their strong Holds their Refuges and Confidences And when the Lord lifts up his Name and makes his holy Arm bare his Power known by the Word of Truth and brings in his grace into the Souls of men and works in them by his Spirit his own Will his own Nature his Righteousness and holy Fear this is that which cannot be shaken and this is that which breaks in pieces and consumes hard and stony Hearts blind and dark minds carnal and fleshly Wisdom fierce and Lion-like Spirits This changeth mens Natures into a Lamb-like Spirit as the Prophet speaketh The Wolf also shall dwell with the Lamb and the Leopard shall lye down with the Kid and the Calf and the young Lion and the Fatling together and a little Child shall lead them And the Cow and the Bear shall feed their young ones shall lye down together and the Lion shall eat Straw like the Oxe And the suckling Child shall play on the hole of the Asp and the weaned Child shall put his hand on the Cockatrice den they shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain for the Earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the Waters cover the Sea Isa 11.6 7 8 9. When sin shall be done away and iniquity shall be finished when the Tribes of the Earth shall be rent from the power of darkness and the everlasting Gospel shall be preach'd to all nations under Heaven then none shall hurt and destroy in all thy holy mountain Let no man deceive you by any means for that day shall not come except there come a falling away first and that man of sin be revealed the son of perdition who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped so that he as God sitteth in the Temple of God shewing himself that he is God. Remember ye not that when I was yet with you I told you these things And now ye know what with-holdeth that he might be revealed in his time For the Mystery of Iniquity doth already work only he who now letteth will lett until he be taken out of the way And then shall that wicked be revealed whom the Lord shall consume with the Spirit of his Mouth and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming 2 Thes 2.3 to 8. The Apostle Paul having the Spirit of God did in that Spirit tell these Thessalonians what should come