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
The third step Read much and often the Scriptures of truth if thou art willing they will direct thee if weak they will strengthen thee if troubled they will comfort thee if tempted they will assist thee if assaulted they will defend thee if distressed they will relieve thee if wavering they will confirm thee The Law of the Lord is perfect converting the soul The Testimony of the Lord is sure making wise the simple The Statutes of the Lord are right rejoycing the heart The Commandment of the Lord is pure enlightning the eyes Moreover by them is thy servant warned and in keeping of them there is great reward Psal 19.7 8 11. And that from a child thou hast known the holy Scriptures which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus 2 Tim. 3.15 And this voice which came from Heaven we heard when we were with him in the holy Mount. We have also a more sure word of prophesie whereunto ye do well that ye take heed as unto a light that shineth in a dark place until the day dawn and the day-star arise in your hearts 2 Pet. 1.18 19. Consider well these six things 1. The Authority of the Scriptures 2. The Power of the Scriptures 3. The Excellency of the Scriptures 4. The Truth of the Scriptures 5. The Comfort of the Scriptures 6. The Benefit of the Scriptures O dwell much upon this The fourth step Keep thy self from lewd and wicked people bad company is infectious it hath poysoned and destroyed many it maketh men bold to commit the greatest wickedness The sad effects of this is too often seen and heard at the place of execution of Malefactors who do there lament their miserable ends and desire that all others may take warning by them and not to keep lewd and wicked company as they had done which had led them into all wickedness and had brought them to that shameful end which shews it self in the sad looks they then put on and the sorrowful words they then speak and doleful crys they then make O! refrain from lewd men and women and from every evil way The keeping of bad company hath brought many men to shame and poverty to disgrace and to everlasting misery O! flie from this as from a Lion as from people that have plague-sores upon them as from poison that is set before thee in a dish And with many other words did he testifie and exhort saying Keep your selves from this untoward generation Acts 2.40 Wherefore come out from among them and be ye separate saith the Lord and touch not the unclean thing and I will receive you and will be a Father unto you and ye shall be my Sons and Daughters saith the Lord Almighty 2 Cor. 6.17 18. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness but rather reprove them Ephes 5.11 Let them be thy companions that fear the Lord and keep his Commandments and walk in the way of truth and righteousness For the path of the just shines as the perfect day and he that walketh with the wise shall be wise The fifth step Hear and hearken carefully to the voice of God that speaketh to thee and in thee This voice is from Heaven and it speaketh peace and good will to men on Earth Every man hath in him a Teacher and this Teacher is from God. The spirit of man is the Candle of the Lord searching all the inward parts of the belly Prov. 20.27 Say not in thine heart Who shall ascend into Heaven that is to bring Christ down from above or who shall descend into the deep that is to bring up Christ again from the dead But what saith it The word is nigh thee even in thy mouth and in thy heart that is the word of faith which we preach Rom. 10.6 7 8. Which shew the work of the Law written in their hearts their conscience also bearing witness and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another Rom. 2.15 God hath shewed thee O man what is good and what doth the Lord require of thee but to do justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with thy God Micah 6.8 And if a man continueth in well-doing he hath peace and joy in the Holy Ghost but if he do that which is evil then his Conscience accuseth him and reproacheth him And if he continue in it then Conscience condemns him and lays him under condemnation and will be a witness against him For if our heart condemn us God is greater than our heart and knoweth all things Beloved if our heart condemn us not then have we confidence towards God 1 John 3.20 21. If men cannot stand under the guilt of their Consciences here in this life there is little hopes that such men will be able to stand before God in the next life upon which the happiness or miseries of another state do depend The sixth step Imploy thy thoughts strength and time to make thy Calling and Election sure Wherefore the rather brethren give diligence to make your Calling and Election sure For if ye do these things ye shall never fall 2 Pet. 1.10 Therefore my beloved brethren be ye stedfast unmoveable always abounding in the work of the Lord forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord 1 Cor. 15.58 Heaven is won or lost on Earth There are treasures of grace in Christ Jesus and this grace hath appeared to all men and this grace is sufficient it is the grace of God O strive to gain this grace that it may give thee a title to the heavenly glory This grace is so excellent that it teacheth men that denying all ungodliness and worldly lusts they should live soberly righteously and godly in this present world Tit. 2.11 12. Now if thou wilt but take these steps towards Heaven then thou wilt be blessed in life and happy at death and glorious after death The principal design of this small Treatise is to comfort the people of God the subject whereof is exceeding weighty and of great use to all that desire to know the truth as it is in Jesus None can say of this as the man said of the Axe-head that fell into water And he cryed and said alas Master for it was borrowed 2 Kings 6.5 I have not entered into other mens labours neither have I built upon their foundations but upon the Prophets and the Apostles Christ Jesus himself being the chief Corner-stone Eph 2.20 If any shall say of this when they have read it that this man or that man could have done it much better I wish then they had done it Every one cannot be excellent who yet may be useful However it is not yet the twelfth hour there is yet time and room in the Lords Vineyard for others to come iâ— and labour also So far have I been led into these things I will detain thee no longer but intreat thee to accept this
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
Church of God shall break in pieces and consume And it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms Life shall consume deadness light shall consume darkness good shall consume evil love shall consume enmity truth shall consume error power shall consume prejudice For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalteth it self against the knowledge of God and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ 2 Cor. 10.4 5. This breaking in pieces is not by outward of the Dragons in the waters thou brakest the heads of Leviathan in pieces and gavest him to be meat to the people inhabiting the wilderness Psal 74.12 13 14. Where Faith is lively and vigorous there is nothing can stand before it it carries a man over all dangers it carries him through all difficulties it conquers all Enemies and it gives him a sight of that glory which is invisible by it he lives in Heaven while he is on Earth 2. By Prayer The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much Jam. 5.16 Moses Prayer availed much And the Lord said unto Moses Wherefore criest thou unto me speak unto the children of Israel that they go forward Exod. 14.15 Jehoshaphat's Prayer availed much O our God! wilt thou not judge them for we have no might against this great company that cometh against us neither know we what to do but our eyes are upon thee 2 Chron. 20.12 Asa's Prayer availed much And Asa cried unto the Lord his God and said Lord it is nothing with thee to help whether with many or with them that have no power help us O Lord our God! for we rest on thee and in thy name we go against this great multitude O Lord thou art our God let not man prevail against thee 2 Chron. 14.11 Hezekiah's Prayer availed much For this cause Hezekiah the King and the Prophet Isaiah the Son of Amos prayed and cried to heaven 2 Chron. 22.20 Elias Prayer availed much Wot ye not what the Scripture saith of Elias how he maketh intercession unto God against Israel saying Lord they have killed thy Prophets and digged down thine Altars and I am left alone and they seek my life 1 King. 19.10 Prayer hath obtained great Victories Prayer hath remov'd great Evils Prayer hath broken and consum'd great Enemies Fear not thou Worm Jacob and ye men of Israel I will help thee saith the Lord and thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel Behold I will make thee a new sharp threshing instrument having teeth Thou shalt thresh the mountains and beat them small and shalt make the hills as chaff Thou shalt fan them and the wind shall carry them away and the whirlwind shall scatter them And thou shalt rejoice in the Lord and glory in the Holy One of Israel When the poor and needy seek water and there is none and their tongue faileth for thirst I the Lord will hear them I the God of Israel will not forsake them Isa 41.14 15 16 17. These have power to shut heaven that it rain not in the days of their prophecy and have power over waters to turn them to blood and to smite the earth with all plagues as often as they will Rev. 11.6 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the spirit and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints Eph. 6.18 That is Mental Prayer Exod. 14.15 Vocal Prayer Acts 4.24 Secret Prayer Mat. 6.6 Accidental Prayer Judg. 16.28 That which makes Prayer so powerful and prevailing is these three things 1. God the Object 2. The Spirit the Advocate 3. The Saint the Seeker 1. God is the Object that all his people look unto Their eyes are unto him and the desire of their Souls is unto his name and to the remembrance of him Look unto me and be ye saved all the ends of the earth for I am God and there is none else Isa 45.22 When we come to the Throne of his Grace and cast our selves down at his Feet by Prayer and Supplication God is that glorious Object we pray unto and by Faith behold him and take hold of his strength and wrestle with him for the obtaining of all Spiritual Blessings in Christ Jesus This is that the Saints of God have always done and this is that the Scriptures of truth teach us to do that when we pray the Lord God should be the Object of our Prayers Prayer is a great part of Gods worship and of all parts this is the most Spiritual Now they that have other Objects when they pray do but deceive themselves and rob God of his honour in giving that glory to graven Images which is only due to God Almighty But in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God Phil. 4.6 2. The Spirit is the Advocate Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities For we know not what we should pray for as we ought but the spirit it self maketh intercession for us with greanings which cannot be uttered And be that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the spirit because he maketh intercession for the Saints according to the will of God Rom. 8.26 27. But God hath revealed them unto us by his spirit for the spirit searcheth all things yea the deep things of God 1 Cor. 2.10 For through him we both have an â—ccess by one spirit unto the Father Eph. 2.18 The holy Spirit maketh intercession and is an Advocate for man with God and this makes a Saint a Conqueror for the Spirit of God that is in him so prevaileth with God for him that whatsoever he asketh in Faith according to the will of God it is given to him For ye have received the spirit of Adoption whereby we cry Abba Father Rom. 8.15 Now the Spirit is a double Advocate it is an Advocate for men with God and it is an Advocate for God with men The first of these I have already shewed you and this will lead me to the second And all things are of God who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation to wit that God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself not imputing their trespasses unto them and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation Now then we are Ambassadors for Christ as though God did beseech you by us we pray you in Christs stead be ye reconciled unto God 2 Cor. 5.18 19 20. By this you may see how God beseecheth men to be reconciled unto him and this he doth by the Spirit in the Ministry of the Word The holy Spirit strives with men but they resist the strivings of it And the Lord said My spirit shall not always strive with man Gen. 6.3 Ye stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears ye do always resist the holy Ghost as
110.1 Christ Jesus the Son of God expects this From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool Heb. 10.18 All the Saints of God live in the faith of this that all enemies will be made Christ Jesus's footstool let one then speak for all the rest the Apostle Paul For he must reign till he hath put all enemies under his feet 1 Cor. 15.25 The Prophet Isaiah hath spoken of good and great things to come And it shall come to pass in the last days that the Mountain of the Lord's house shall be established in the top of the Mountains and shall be exalted above the Hills and all Nations shall flow â—nto it Isa 2.2 See here five things 1. The true Church is the House of God 1 Tim. 3.15 Heb. 3.6 2. This House is a Mountain Jer. 31. v. 23. Isa 2.3 3. This Mountain of the Lord's House shall be established in the top of the Mountains and exalted above the Hills Micah 4.1 4. All Nations shall flow unto it They shall ask the way to Zion with their faces thitherward saying Come let us joyn our selves to the Lord in a perpetual Covenant that shall not be forgotten Isa 50.5 5. Of the time when It shall be in the last days Isa 2.2 The Prophet Daniel that was after Isaiah spake of this glory And the Stone that smote the Image became a great Mountain and filled the whole Earth Dan. 2.35 And there was given unto him dominion and glory and a Kingdom that all People Nations and Languages should serve him his dominion is an everlasting dominion which shall not pass away and his Kingdom that which shall not be destroyed Dan. 7.14 The holy Saint John that was long after Daniel saw this glory more clearly and hath shew'd it more fully And the seventh Angel sounded and there wâ—re great voices in Heaven saying The Kingdoms of this world are become the Kingdoms of our Lord and of his Christ and he shall reign for ever and ever Rev. 11.15 For all Nations shall come and worship before thee Rev. 5.4 1. Here is then all Nations not a part but all not some out of all Nations but 〈◊〉 Nations 2. They shall come to him that is the desire of all Nations Hag. 2.7 That which Gods mouth hath spoken his hanâ— will fulfil Behold the Nations are as a droâ— of the Bucket and are accounted as the smaâ— dust of the Ballance Isa 40.15 A droâ— that the Lord can dry up and dust that hâ— can blow away 3. The end of their coming To worship before the Lord. For all Nation shall come and worship before thee and manâ— Nations shall come and say Come and let uâ— go up to the Mountain of the Lord and tâ— the House of the God of Jacob Mic. 4.2 And many Nations shall be joined to thâ— Lord in that day and shall be my people Zach. 2.11 O who will not wait for thiâ— with the greatest patience and pray foâ— this with the greatest fervency that God ways may be known upon earth and his saviâ—â— health among all Nations Psal 67.2 The Prophet Jeremiah hath spoken 〈◊〉 glorious things to come But this is 〈◊〉 Covenant that I will make with the House Israel after those days saith the Lord will put my Law in their inward parts aâ— write it in their hearts and will be their Gâ—â— and they shall be my people And they shâ—â—â— teach no more every man his Neighbour 〈◊〉 every man his Brother saying Know â— Lord for they shall all know me from the least of them to the greatest of them saith the Lord Jer. 31.33 34. 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 11.9 For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the Sea Hab 2.14 Many shall run to and fro and knowledge shall be increased Dan. 12.4 This running will be from error to truth from the traditions of men to the holy Word of God from superstition to the power of godliness and from idolatry to worship the living God in spirit and truth This running will be from prophecies to providences and from precepts to promises from one part of God's Word to another and from lesser light to greater light till all men come to know and enjoy the true light of God the light of his countenance the light of his spirit the light of his providences and the light of his Word Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path Psa 119.105 This liâ—ht shines out of darkness and shines into the hearts of men to give them the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus â—hrist and in his light they shall see light To know God is mens greatest wisdom and to enjoy him for ever will be their greatest happiness Ezekiel the Prophet hath spoken of blessings of great blessings and of showers of blessings to come And I will make them and the places round about my Hill a blessing and I will cause the shower to come down in his season There shall be showers of blessings Ezek. 34.26 This Propheâ— hath spoken much concerning the Jew restauration and of the glory that shal follow and let the Reader consider theâ— these four things First how they went into the land oâ— Canaan and possest it in the days of Joshua they were as terrible as an Armâ— with Banners Cant. 6.4 The dread anâ— fear of them fell upon their enemie And she said unto the men I know that tâ— Lord hath given you the Land and that yoâ— terror is fallen upon us and that all the Iâ—habitants of the Land faint because of yoâ— For we have heard how the Lord dried up tâ— waters of the Red Sea for you when you caâ— out of Egypt and what you did to the tâ—â— Kings of the Amorites that were on the othâ— side Jordan Sihon and Og whom ye â—â—terly destroyed And as soon as we had heaâ—â— these things our hearts did melt neither iâ— there remain any more courage in any man because of you For the Lord your God he is God in Heaven above and in the Earth beneath Josh 2.9 10 11. They saw the glory of Gods miracles in their passing over Jordan the waters fled from them they stood up in heaps and were cut off Josh 3.13 They then had Gods glorious presence with them and he made his glorious Arm bare for them and the Angel of his presence went before them And it came to pass when Joshua was by Jericho that he lift up his eyes and looked and behold there stood a man over against him with his Sword drawn in his hand And Joshua went unto him and said unto him Art thou for us or for our adversaries And he said Nay but as Captain of the Host of the Lord am I now come And Joshua
with Christ Jesus and with the Spirits of Just men made perfect Fourthly The blessed Angels will not leave them 1. The Angels did proclaim the birth of our Saviour And suddenly there was with the Angel a multitude of the Heavenly Host praising God and saying Glory to God in the highest and on Earth peace good will towards men Luke 2.13 14. 2. They do rejoyce at the conversion of sinners I say unto you that likewise Joy shall be in Heaven over one sinner that repenteth more than over ninety and nine Just persons which need no repentance Luke 15.7 3 The Angels of the Lord encamp round about them that fear him and deliver them Psal 34.7 For we are made a spectacle unto the world and to Angels and to men 1 Cor. 4.9 For this cause ought the Woman to have power on her Head because of the Angels 1 Cor. 11.10 4. They are all ministring Spirits Spirits sent forth to minister for them who shall be Heirs of Salvation Heb. 1.14 5. Lazarus died and was carried by the Angels into Abrahams bosom Luke 16.22 The mystery of Angels we shall better understand in the next world than we do in this but this is certain the Church of God receives great benefits by them as I have prov'd before They are Spirits that are invisible They enter into our Houses as the light doth They take up no room nor justle any body aside They see and behold us though we see not them and do us good though we know it not and oftentimes keep evil from us though we do not understand it Heaven is their countrey yet they are often upon the Earth and do know the state and condition of the Church better than we do Then the Angel of the Lord answered and said O Lord of Hosts how long wilt thou not have meâ—cy on Jerusalem and on the Cities of Judah against which thou hast had indignation these threescore and ten years and the Lord answered the Angel that talked with me with good words and comfortable words Zech. 12 13. By this you may see God the Father will not leave his Children Christ Jesus the Son of God will not leave the Members of his Body the Spirit of God will not leave its temple that he dwells in the Angels of God will not leave the charge that is committed to them The Kingdom shall not be left to anâ—â—her â—eople First It shall not be left to another People as the Canâ—anites were left to the Sword of Joshua and to the Sword of the Hebrews that he might destroy them utterly and that they might have no favour but that he might destroy them as the Lord commanded Mâ—ses So Joshua took the whâ—le Land according to all that the Lord had said unto Moses and Joshua gave it for an Inheritance unto Israel according to their divisions by their Tribes and the land did rest from war Joshua 11.20 23. the Church of God shall never be left to another People as the Amalekites were left to the Spears and Swords of Saul and his Army Now go and smite Amalek and utterly destroy all that they have and spare them not but slay both Man and Woman Infant and Suckling Ox and Sheep Camel and Ass 1 Sam. 15.4 The Enemies may fall upon some small parties here and there and rout and destroy some of them as they have done all along but they will never be able to rout and destroy the main body of the Church This they could never do with all their power force and multitudes that they have brought together against the Church of God This they could never do and this they shall never be able to do as I have shewed before the Enemies have done their utmost oftentimes to cut off and destroy the Church of God by wicked ways by cruel laws and by bloody hands For lo thine Enemies make a tumult and they that hate thee have lift up the head they have taken crafty counsel against thy People â—nd consulted against thy hidden ones They have said Come and let us cut them off from being a nation that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance for they have consulted together with one consent they are confederate against thee Psal 83.2 3 4 5. This they have done often and this they will do by tumults by crafty counsel and by a confederacy Why do the Heathen rage and the People imagine a vain thing the Kings of the Earth set themselves and the rulers take counsel together against the Lord and against his anointed saying Let us break their bands asunder and cast away their cords from us He that sitteth in the Heavens shall laugh the Lord shall have them in derision then shall he speak unto thâ—m in his wrath and vex them in his sore displeasure Yet have I set my King upon my holy hill of Sion Psal 2.1 to 6. When men have done all they can and done their worst yet God will set his Son upon his holy hill of Sion and all the Enemies that are in the world will not be able to hinder it men speak great words and it comes to nothing God speaks and his word stands the Church of God is like a rock by the Sea side the Waves beat violently against the rock but they break not the rock but themselves The Enemies of Gods Church have made many assaults and like the Waves of the Sea have beat violently against it and upon it but they break not the Church but themselves to pieces The Church of God is like the Sea what it loseth in one place it gains in another When the Enemies are destroying God's faithfull Servants in one place then the God of Heaven is increasing and gathering of theâ— in another place by calling and conveâ—ting of hundreds and thousands turning them from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to himself convincing their consciences enlightning their minds opening their understandings purifying their hearts by Faith and blessing them with spiritual blessings causing them to stand up to be faithful Witnesses and to bear faithful Testimonies in their day as others had done before them for God and his Truth By this it appears very plain that the Kingdom shall not be left to another People Secondly It shall not be left to another People The people shall dwell alone and shall not be reckoned among the Nations This people shall not mingle themselves with other people Numb 23.9 They shall not cleave one to another the World is one thing but the Church of God is another thing the World is a common Field but the Church is a well watered Garden Isa 51.3 The Garden of the Lord Isa 58.11 The World is as a Wilderness a barren Desart but the Church is a Vineyard which the Lord hath planted Psal 80.15 The World is a destroying Mountain Jer. 51.25 but the Church is God's Holy Hill Psal 2.6 The World is a Kingdom of darkness Eph. 5.11 but
he speaketh of his own for he is a liar and the Father of it Joh. 8.44 and as he is the Ruler of the darkness of this World so he rules in dark hearts in dark Souls in dark understandings fills them with so much darkness that they love darkness and hate the light And this is the condemnation that light is come into the World and men loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil Joh. 3.19 the Devil is called the power of darkness Col. 1.13 for he fills thousands of People with darkness Nations and Kingdoms he fills with darkness And he opened the bottomless Pit and there arose a smoke out of the Pit as the smoke of a great furnace and the Sun and the Air were darkned by reason of the smoke of the Pit Rev. 9.2 And his Kingdom was full of darkness Rev. 16.10 But as the Devil is the strong man arm'd that keeps this house When a strong man armed keepeth his Palace his goods are in peace but when a stronger than he shall come upon him and overcome him he taketh from him all his armour wherein he trusted and divideth the spoil Luke 11.21 22. Every wicked and dark heart is the Devils house and all the Children of disobedience are his goods his slaves and vassals and captives And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the Devil who are taken captive by him at his will 2 Tim. 2.26 Secondly Sin darkens Having their understandings darkened being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them because of the blindness of their hearts who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness to work all uncleanness with greediness Eph 4.18 19. Who leave the paths of uprightness to walâ— in the ways of darkness who rejoyce to do evil and delight in the frowardness of the wicked Prov. 2.13 14. The path of the just is as the shining light that shineth more and more unto the perfect day but the way of the wicked is as darkness they know not at what they stumble Prov. 4.18 19. The Apostle Paul shews the dark state of the Gentiles and of the Jews in that day They became vain iâ— their imaginations and their foolish heart was darkened professing themselves to be wise they became foolish and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an Image made like to corruptible man and to Birds and to four-footed beasts and to creeping things wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts to dishonor their own bodies between themselves who changed the truth of God into a lie and worshiped and served the creature more than the Creator who is blessed for ever Amen And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledg God gave them over to a reprobate mind to do those things which are not convenient being filled with all unrighteousness fornication wickedness covetousness maliciousness full of envy murther debate deceit malignity whisperers back-biters haters of God despiteful proud boasters inventers of evil things disobedient to parents without understanding covenant-breakers without natural affection implacable unmerciful who knowing the Judgment of God that they which commit such things are worthy of death not only do the same but have pleasure in them that do them Rom. 1.21 to the end This was the sad and dark state of the Gentiles then Let us see next that of the Jews what was their state then they were the National Church and unto them were committed the Oracles of God they had Moses and the Prophets the Law and the Testimony the Covenant and the Promise What advantage then hath the Jew or what profit is there of circumcision Much every way Rom. 3.1 2. Notwithstanding their priviledges and the many advantages they then had above the Gentiles yet their state was a dark state a cursed state sin had so darkened their Hearts and minds and understandings that they had forsaken and gone out of the way of truth as you may see at large in Romans 3. What then are we better than they No in no wise for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles that they are all under sin as it is written There is none righteous no not one there is none that understandeth there is none that seeketh after God they are all gone out of the way they are together become unprofitable there is none that doth good no not one their throat is an open Sepulchre with their Tongues they have used deceit the Poison of Asps is under their Lips whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness their feet are swift to shed blood destruction and misery are in their ways and the way of peace have they not known there is no fear of God before their Eyes ver 9 to 18. Thirdly the inventions of men darken When men leave the precepts of God and follow the precepts of men when men leave the scriptures of truth and follow the traditions of men when men leave the pure worship of God and follow Idolatry when men leave the path of the Just that shineth more and more unto the perfect day and walk in the way of Baal then their Hearts are darkned and their minds are blinded and their understandings are clouded that they see not whither they go then they submit to any thing then they bow down to any thing and worship any thing thus did the Gentiles they changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man and to birds and to four-footed beasts and to creeping things and worshiped and served the Creature more than the Creator Rom 1.23 25. Thus did the Jews do of old And the Children of Israel did secretly those things that were not right against the Lord their God and they built them high places in all their Cities from the Tower of the Watchmen to their fenced City And they set them up images and groves in every high hill and under every green Tree and they burnt incense in all the high places as did the Heathen whom the Lord carried away before them and wrought wicked things to provoke the Lord to anger for they served Idols whereof the Lord had said unto them Ye shall not do this thing yet the Lord testified against Israel and against Judah by all the Prophets and by all the Seers saying Turn ye from your evil ways and keep my commandments and my statutes according to all the Law which I have commanded your Fathers and which I sent to you by my Servants the Prophets notwithstanding they would not hear but hardened their Necks like to the Necks of their Fathers that did not believe in the Lord their God and they rejected his statutes and his covenants that he had made with their Fathers and his testimonies which he had testified against them and they followed vanity and became vain and went after the Heathen that were round about
and a Crown was given unto him and he went forth Conquering and to Conquer This was the Preaching of the Everlasting Gospel Christ Jesus in the Ministry of the Word conquering and overcoming rebellious Sinners working in them by his Word and Spirit Life and Light Love and Grace Holiness and Truth and filling them with all Spiritual Blessings and being changed into the same Image from Glory to Glory even as by the Spirit of the Lord The Preaching of this Gospel did then raise a great Tumult and made the World to Arm and put them into a great Rage and men were filled with Enmity and Prejudice against the Truth then they consulted and took counsel together how they might destroy Gods Faithful Servants which keep the Commandments of God and the Testimony of Jesus Christ and the Persecutors in that day did slay and destroy many thousands of Gods dear Children And when he had opened the fifth Seal I saw under the Altar the Souls of them that were slain for the Word of God and for the Testimony which they held And they cryed with a loud voice saying How long O Lord holy and true dost thou not judge and avenge our Blood on them that dwell on the Earth verse 9 10. Then the Lord punish'd the Inhabitants of the Earth by many heavy and sore Judgments War and Pestilence and Famine and Death as appears by the opening of the other Seals Thus it was then and so it hath been ever since Now all the things that Providence hath brought forth at any time hath not overthrown the Faith of the Gospel nor swallowed up the true Church neither hath it destroyed Gods truth from amongst men neither hath it thrown down that Spiritual worship which God hath set up but all the things that Providence hath brought forth at any time have all workt together for the good of Gods people Whatever things have happened have â—â—ln out to the furtherance of the Gospel and to the increase of the Faithful The Mouth of the Lord hath spoken it Say ye to the righteâ—us 〈◊〉 it shall be well with them for they shall eat tâ—e fruit of their doings Wo to the wicked it shâ—ll be ill with them for the reward of his hands shâ—ll be given him Isa 3.10.11 Let the Reader consider well these three things 1. That Providence is a seal'd Book 2. That the Lord Jesus opens the Seals of this Book 3. That whatever things Providence shall bring forth in the World shall not hurt the Church but help it shall not destroy the Church but pâ—eâ—erve it shall not lay the Church waste but shall increase it and exalt it above the â—ills The thinâ—s that Providence brings forth may be known and understood by two things First The Voice of Providence Secondly The Signs of Providence First By the Voice of Providence There are it may be so many â—inâ—s of Voices in the World and â—ore of tâ—em are w thouâ— signifi ation 2 Cor. 14.10 Whose Voice tâ—en 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 signifyeth the removing of those things that are shâ—â—en as of things that are made that those things which cannot be shaken may remain Hebrews 12.26 27. Secondly By the signs of Providence O ye Hypocrites ye can discern the Face of the Sky but ye cannot discern the Signs of the Times A Wicked and Adulterous Generation seeketh after a Sign and there shall no Sign be given unto it but the Sign of the Prophet Jonas And he left them and departed Mat. 16.3 4. By this you see Providence hath a Voice and a Sign the Voice of the Times and the Signs of the Times And both these shew Knowledge and give Understanding to Men that duly mind and observe them Every Providence is not a Trumpet but the mighty Things which Providence sometimes brings forth are as a Trumpet the sound thereof goes unto the ends of the Earth Whatsoever things Providence brings forth they shall work together for the good of the Church For the Eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole Earth to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose Heart is perfect towards him 2 Chron. 16.9 Thirdly From the people of God. They are all labourers together with God and workers together with him for the good of the Church 1 Cor. 3.9 By Faith by Prayer by Hope by Holy Desires and by all Good Endeavours that they may further the Churches Peace and Happiness and enlarge her Borders and for this end God hath given Gifts unto Men. But unto every one of us is given Grace according to the measure of the Gift of Christ Wherefore he saith when he ascended up on high he led Captivity Captive and gave Gifts unto Men. Now that he ascended what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the Earth He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all Heavens that he might fill all things And he gave some Apostles and some Prophets and some Evangelists and some Pastors and Teachers for the perfecting of the Saints for the work of the Ministry for the edifying of the Body of Christ till we all come in the unity of the Faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God unto a perfect Man unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ Eph. 4.7 to 13. Whether Paul or Apollo or Cephas or the World or Life or Death or things Present or things to Come all are yours and ye are Christs and Christ is Gods 1 Cor. 3.22 23. By this it appears that the Gifts and Parts and Abilities that Ministers have are given to them of God! not to gain filthy Lucre but to gain Souls that they might gather them unto Christ Jesus They are Builders but not to Build up themselves in worldly Wealth but to Build up the Church of God to perfect the Saints they have Talents given them but for what end For the work of the Ministry for the edifying the Body of Christ and for this end God gives grace unto men Unto me who am less than the least of all Saints is this grace given that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ Eph. 3.8 Christs Ministers have heavenly Treasures in them that they may make many rich Preaching to others the unsearchable riches of Christ and in this way will Christ Jesus be with his Church to the end of the World raising up faithful Witnesses in all Ages and filling them with his holy Spirit that rich Anointing which is from above that they may be able Ministers not only of the Letter but of the Spirit and this supply the Church will always have to the end of the World every Saint that is on the Earth is in Arms upon Duty and Exercise for the good of the Church every Saint is a Soldier
Saviour Jesus Christ 2 Pet. 1.11 Keep therefore in the way of truth Reader and truth will keep thee in the hour of temptation and in the day of tryal Let no man take the Crown of truth from thee Thirdly They that seek in hypocrisie And they come unto thee as the people cometh and they sit before thee as my people and they hear thy words but they will not do them for with their mouths they shew much love but their heart goeth after their covetousness Ezek. 33.31 Here were a people that might have past very well for Saints if God had known no more of them than man for they came together and sat before thee as my people for they heard thy word 〈◊〉 and shewed much love with their mouths and yet for all this they were a company of hypocrites for their hearts were not sinâ—ere nor upright with God but their hearts mâ—nâ— after their covetousness The five foolish Virgins were also Seekers and great Professors but they wanted that one thing which is needful that good part true and saving grace which no hypocrite hath and because they wanted this they were all shut out and were not able to enter in Then came also these Virgins saying Lord Lord open to us but he answered and said Verily I say unto you I know you not Mat. 25.11 12. And what shall a man say of the Professors in this our day they do indeed pass for Saints with men but will God accept of them and own them for his Sons and Daughters hereafter Do they look like a people redeemed from the earth and from amongst men being the first fruits unto God and to the Lamb Rev. 14.3 4. Having their Fathers name written in their foreheads Do they look like a people that walk with God and have sweet communion with him and have fellowship with the Father and with his Son Christ Jesus 1 John 1.3 and are past from death to life Do they look like a people that have set their affections on things that are above and have laid up for themselves treasures in Heaven and do labour for that bread which perisheth not that they may be rich towards God in faith in hope in experience in knowledge and in assurance and in all grace Do they adorn the Gospel and their Profession by their good examples and heavenly conversations Is there to be found in them an excellent spirit a spirit of meekness and patience a spirit of faith and prayer a spirit of love and charity a spirit of wisdom and understanding a spirit of holiness and purity And are they filled with the fruits of the spirit which is love joy peace long-suffering gentleness goodness faith meekness temperance against such there is no law Gal. 5.22 23. Are these the Marks and Characters of the Professors now-a-day No no it is not thus with them their sins testifie against them multitudes of them are Christians without a Cross and Saints without Sanctification they are Virgins without Oyl in their Lamps they are guests at the Table of the Lord without wedding garments they are Church-members without fellowship with the Father and his Son Christ Jesus they are Professors of godliness but without the power they have separated from things but not from sin Ah! the World saith this of Professors they are as proud and as vain as others they are as covetous and as earthly-minded as others they are as hard-hearted and as unmerciful to one another as others they are as false and as deceitful as others they are as loose and lukewarm as others let it be then considered whether the World hath not just cause to reproach Professors and if the World condemn them and their own hearts too will not God condemn them after they have lain under the Rack of their own Consciences here and to all those miseries hereafter which will be the portion of hypocrites For many I say unto you will seek to enter in but shall not be able O Reader strive thou to enter in at the strait gate and into the narrow way which leadeth unto life If thou seekest her as for silver and searchest for her as for hid treasures then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God Prov. 2.4 5. Men will dig deep for hidden treasures men will go far to seek for silver they will break their peace and their rest too to gain riches they will labour day and night to lay up goods for a few years if they can treasure up wealth they will do it though they treasure up wrath with it if they can make themselves great in this World they will do it though they make themselves miserable for it in the next World for ever if they can climb up high they will though they fall into the bottomless Pit if they can gain the World they will though they lose their own souls As they strive to be great do thou strive to be good and as they strive to be rich in worldly wealth do thou strive to be rich towards God in all heavenly graces and if thou hast taken many steps towards hell and damnation let me now prevail with thee to take a few steps towards heaven The first is Consideration Consider well what thou hast been doing and whither thou art going whose thou art and to whom thou dost belong and what will become of thee to all eternity O Reader no Cross no Crown no grace no glory no holiness no happiness no regeneration no salvation and without holiness no man shall see the Lord Heb. 12.14 The second step is Examination Examine thy self turn into thy self that thou maist throughly understand thy own state and when thou hast examined matters carefully if thou findest thy state to be bad then flie unto the Lord God by prayer and supplication by faith and repentance and thou wilt find that the arms of his mercy are open to receive thee The Lord invites thee to come to him in the softest and most melting language that can be imagined Come now and let us reason together saith the Lord though your sins be as Scarlet they shall be as white as Snow though they be red like Crimson they shall be as Wooll Isa 1.18 And if thou findest thy state to be good that thou art a new creature and born again and hast tasted how good the Lord is that he hath given thee a new heart and a new understanding and a new will and a new nature and that this hath changed thy life Now I say upon examination of thy self if thou findest that Christ Jesus is in thee then thou hast cause to rejoyce and if Christ Jesus be in thee then these four things will be in thee 1. Light. 2. Life 3. Holiness 4. The Spirit of Truth Examine your selves whether ye be in the faith prove your own selves know ye not your own selves how that Jesus Christ is in you except ye be reprobates 2 Cor. 13.5