must know it is not without infinite wisdome in God which dispenseth his Truths in such an order to the Sons of men And though I would not hold you long in the Preface yet I would speak a little further to this because I see many in this day at a great loss for want of observing the order of truth that God hath layed down in his Word some are very much troubled about Baptisme before they are really setled upon Jesus Christ and some are very much busying themselves about the matters of Worship before they close with Christ the foundation and so having not closed with Jesus Christ they build as men without a foundation Others againe when they come to be instructed in matters of Faith are apt to minde other Ordinances that are further off as Breaking of Bread whereas the order of Jesus Christ in the Gospel is that the very next thing after beleeving is to be Baptized in the Name of the Lord Jesus which persons not observing but missing the true way of God they are tossed to and fro and know not where to fix not taking notice of the due order wherein the Lord lays down truth in his blessed Word And possibly some also may be under the temptation of neglecting those truthes which concerne the foundation in matters of Faith and Order nay it is frequently so seen of many of whom I desire to speak tenderly supposing they do it weakly that they are busying themselves in the understanding of the highest discoveries of God in this Book of the Revelations and yet are not setled upon the foundation of the Gospel nor brought into the order of it and therefore as to many that are soaring high in these things I desire they would consider whether they have not unadvisedly leaped over those foundation truthes which they should have minded in their going on to those glorious Truths revealed in the Revelation I will not say God is tied up to this order but yet I say this is the way God would have his people waite upon him in and God bringing his people out of Babylon will I doubt not lead them to observe truth in that order wherein it was laid down in the first dispensation of the Gospel And therefore I being now to speak unto a Church of Christ already planted in the Faith and order of the Gospel I hope none will bee offended at my making choyce of a portion of Scripture in this Book of the Revelations if any be I may make my Apology from the eleventh verse of the first Chapter which holds forth unto us that this Book with the things therein revealed is sent unto the Churches I Jesus have sent mine Angel to testifie these things in the Churches and hee that hath an ear let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the Churches which you have severall times repeated in the second and third Chapters of this Book so that you see the things held forth in this Book are such as the Churches of Christ are specially to hearken unto because Christ hath in a special manner commended these things to the Churches And let me adde that this Book hath a glorious blessing annexed to the reading and hearing of it and the keeping those things which are written therein you have not such a Blessing annexed to every Book as to this and oh that it were not the Sin of many Churches that they are so backward in looking into the things written in this Book of the Revelations when as God sends it especially and particularly unto them And indeed I judge it is a matter of duty especially for the Angels Messengers and Pastors of Churches to be diligently searching into in order to the finding out of those Truths that are written therein and according to the measure of the gift of Christ to hold them forth to the Churches for truly I grieve to think how much Church-members are unacquainted with many things written therein as what the Beast is what is his Mark and the Number of his Name when as such dreadful Judgements are pronounced against such as worship the Beast or his Image or receive his Mark in their fore-heads or in their hands yet alas how few Members in Churches are there that labour to bee informed in these things surely hee that knows not of a danger where it is and how it lies is in danger of falling into it unawares But to come to my Text in this fifteenth Chapter you read of a Victory obtained over the Beast and not only so but over his Image Mark and the number of his Name by a Party standing on the Sea of Glass having the Harps of God vers 2. their Song follows and they sang the Song of Moses the Servant of God and the Song of the Lamb saying Great and marvellous are thy Works Lord God Almighty just and true are thy ways thou King of Saints who shall not fear thee O Lord and glorifie thy name Before I come to the words themselves I would in a general way lay down something for your information from the Context that which I suppose will bee the great inquiry upon the view of this Scripture is what the Beast is and who they are that get the victory over him his Mark and Image and therefore I shall briefly hint something concerning this Beast and the conquering Party that shall prevail over him That which to me is the best help to discover the Beast his Mark and Image especially the Beast what he is are the several qualifications of those which get the victory over him you may partly know the Beast by his opposites those which rejoyce at the overcoming of him now who they are that have had and maintained a controversie with this Beast you may see described in the second third and fourth verses of this Chapter and their frames and qualifications may be judged by several Characters given to them 1 They are a People attained to some measure of purity therefore set forth standing upon a Sea of Glass 2 They are a People bent to praise God for his great Works they have the Harps of God and they sing c. They are a people that dare not slight Gods great Works if God bring them out of Egypt they have it much upon their hearts and they sing the Song of Moses and the Song of the Lamb like those in Exod. 15. and you know upon what account it was that Moses sang that Song it was when Gods Israel was brought out of Egypts bondage and the Egyptians destroyed whence it appears 3 That these are a people seriously minding of and much affected with Gods wonderful Works in their deliverance from Spiritual Egyptian bondage and therefore they cry out Great and marvellous are thy Works Lord God Almighty 4 They are a People that ascribe all to God and give him the praise of all his Works I suppose all will grant that the great Works God is to doe in the
World will be done by Instruments yet this people doe not extoll man in this work but cry out Great and marvellous are THY Works Lord God Almighty 5 They are a People that justifie God in all his Works and ways both of deliverance to his People and judgement upon his enemies which shews that they are such as compare Gods Word and his Works together and have also been seriously exercised in the observation of the sins of the Enemy that they thus justifie God in his Judgements towards them it being what they had deserved and hee had spoken and therefore they cry out Just and true are thy ways But 6 They acknowledge Christ to bee King of Saints Thou King of Saints 7 They are a People truly fearing God and standing up for the glory of his Name and this you have in the Text Who shall not fear thee O Lord and glorifie thy name they are a people of serious spirits truly fearing God and such as stand for the glory of God and not their own advantages in the world but that God may have glory this is that which they have most in their eye and upon their hearts that God may have a great Name in the world Who shall not fear thee O Lord and glorifie thy name So that you see those which shall get the victory over the Beast are not a People of a loose and wanton conversation I take Antichrist his Power and false Ministery which have stood up in Christendome so called for many Generations to be the Off-spring of those which Peter and Jude spake of in their Epistles which you have there described but those that shall get the victory over them are persons of a contrary spirit But againe 8 It appears they are a People of great Light and much Faith in the Prophesies concerning the coming in of the Nations to Worship God and own Jesus Christ for this is a part of their Song All Nations shall come and worship before thee for thy Judgements are made manifest they are not a narrow spirited People which contest with the Beast such as only desire that Christ should bee exalted in the Nations Cities or places wherein they live or in their own Church but throughout all the earth so zealous are they for the honour of Christ above their own private and personal interests These are their qualifications And therefore if you consider where these qualifications are most to be found and who they are that oppose them it may help you to finde out the Beast in his most Refined Habit. But to return to that part of the Song that I propounded to speak unto in these words Who shall not fear thee O Lord and glorifie thy name Two things there are which are very much upon the heart of this People that get victory over the Beast the First is to Fear the Lord. Secondly To exalt the greatness of his name and this upon the account of his Judgements being made manifest so that the observation I shall give you from the words is this Obs That the two great Lessons that God calls upon men to learn by his great Dispensations in the last days when hee brings his Judgements upon the wicked is to fear God and give glory to his name This may be concluded from this holy Expostulation of theirs in their Spiritual rejoycing this they had learned themselves and this they rejoyce in that others should learn to fear God and give glory to his name so that I say these are the two Lessons God would learn the Sons of men when he is bringing Judgements upon his enemies namely to fear him and glorifie his name That this is so you may see clearly in Revel 14.6 7. And I saw another Angel fly in the midst of Heaven having the everlasting Gospel to preach to them that dwell upon the earth and to every Nation and Kindred and Tongue and People saying Fear God and give glory to him Why so for the hour of his Judgement is come so that you see these are the two great Lessons that God calls upon men to learn when his Judgements are going forth in the earth as if indeed in these two things were summed up the whole duty of man in the last days But I shall briefly lay before you some things further to clear this truth that these are the two Lessons God calls men to learn from the Dispensation of his great Works in the last days and it may further appear upon this ground Reas 1. Because these are the two Lessons which being learned doe very much serve to fit and prepare men for those great designes which God hath to bring to pass in the last days now those qualifications God especially looks after and requires of the Sons of men at any time and season which may best fit them for the Work God hath to doe at such a season Now what qualifications are there that more fitly serve for the carrying on of Gods great Works than to fear God and have respect unto his name 1 For the fear of God you shall finde when God had any Work to doe of old this was one chief qualification that God looked at if it were but to a Civil Office between men and men God requires this that they should be men fearing God consider that counsel that was given by Jethro the Prophet of the Lord to Moses Exod. 18 21. Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men such as fear God men of truth hating covetousness and place such over them Rulers of hundreds of fifties and tens and let them judge the people to wit Israel at all seasons and oh that men would walk after the Laws of this blessed people whose Laws were extolled by God above all Laws given to any Nation under heaven Deut. 4.8 What Nation is there saith God so great that hath Statutes and Judgements so righteous as all this Law which I set before you this day and the truth is men of great abilities that have not the fear of God in their hearts they are but the greater enemies to the great Designes and Works of the God of heaven And therefore this is a sweet and blessed qualification that God would have in every one that shall bee set up for him see 2 Sam. 23.2 3. which are the words of the Spirit of the Lord by his servant David and this is often inculcated The Spirit of the Lord spake by mee and his word was in my tongue The God of Israel said the Rock of Israel spake to mee hee that ruleth over men must be just ruling in the fear of God And this hath been formerly much set upon the hearts of many that have been great instruments in the work of God in this Nation that if they put any in place or office in the Nation they should bee men fearing God And hath not God made way for such to Rule having converted so many in the Nation But again
consider That this glorious qualification of the fear of God fitted Christ for the great work of his Mediatorship Mal. 2.5 My Covenant was with him of life and peace for the fear wherewith he feared mee and was afraid before my Name And in Isaiah 11.2 3. which is a Prophesie of Christ it is said The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him the Spirit of wisdome and understanding the Spirit of counsel and might the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord And doubtless this is a most blessed qualification to fit a man for any work for God hee that hath the fear of God in his heart dares not take the gain of oppression nor do any thing that is evill and unrighteous See it in good Nehemiah Chap. 5. vers 15. speaking of the former Governors how they oppressed and tyrannized over the people but saith he So did not I because of the Fear of God That man that truly fears God trembles before him and stands in awe of the Great God continually And thus you see how this Fear of God fits men to serve Gods designs in their generation and therefore this is one lesson that God would have men to learn by his great works in these last dayes But Secondly The other is like to this viZ. To have respect to the glory of Gods Name God hath alwayes laid aside a people that were selfish and did not minde the advancement of his Name See Mal. 1.10 11. saith God Who is there even among you that would shut the door for nought neither do you kindle a fire on my Altar for nought What follows I have no pleasure in you saith the Lord of Hoasts neither will I accept an offering at your hand Why so For from the rising of the Sun to the going down of the same my NAME shall bee great among the Gentiles c. as if God should say These are not a people which will bee seeking my Name and my glory and will do nothing in my service without a present reward therefore I will shake them off and will not accept an offering from their hand A narrow hearted self-seeking man is unfit to follow God in his great works for those which will honour God and give glory to his Name they must trust God for their daily bread and above all things minde the hallowing and advancing of Gods Name and if they will make it good in earnest that they are followers of Christ they must be ready to follow the Lord to the loss of ALL. For saith Christ He that hates not father and mother wife and children brethren and sisters yea and his own life also he cannot be my disciple Luke 14.26 And this is made by God the distinguishing difference between those that fear God and those that fear him not Mal. 3.14 15 16. you may there read of a people that though they gave God some outward service yet they looked not at the glory of God but their own advantage and therefore they cry out It is in vain to serve God and what profit is it that wee have kept his Ordinances c. And this is that which a hypocrite looks at in his serving God even his own profit and advantage And here I would a little note to you the practise of this Nation especially their Ministry that Ordinances which brings no profit to the Ministers as namely the great Ordinance of Excommunication which tends to vindicate the Name of God in the earth and to distinguish the precious from the vile yet because this Ordinance of casting out brings them no profit how have they cast it out from among them whiles other things that bring them in profit they appear zealous for And are there not many that seem ready to serve God and his cause but if wee look thoroughly upon them is not their Eye rather upon their own profit than Gods glory But to return to Malachy you have also mention there made of a people that Feared the Lord and what they did in that day verse 17. of which one thing is That they thought upon Gods Name And you may see what notice God takes of it and how hee will reward them for it and this is the distinguishing difference between the righteous and the wicked between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not vers last And thus you may see how these blessed qualifications of the Fear of God and Respect to his Name will fit persons to bee used in the great works God hath to do in the last dayes and therefore they are the two great Lessons he requireth of them I might for further demonstration of the truth of the point adde a 2 Reason Grounded upon Gods severity against persons for the neglect of these things Gods great controversie with men all along hath been upon this score for not fearing him and giving glory to his Name because they did not fear God before all and honour God above all See Jeremiah 5.24 c. Neither say they in their heart Let us now fear the Lord our God c. And at the 29. verse see what God saith Shall I not visit for these things saith the Lord and shall not my soul bee avenged on such a Nation as this So Mal. 3.5 I will be a swift witness against Sorcerers and Adulterers and false swearers and those that turn aside the stranger from their right and Fear not mee saith the LORD of Hosts And that the judgements of God in the latter dayes shall come upon men for this see that forecited text Rev. 14.7 Fear God and give glory to him for the Hour of his Judgement is come and therefore the way to escape the just Judgements of God that are coming forth Is to fear God and give glory to his Name Quest But some may ask as to the first thing God requires What this fear of God is which is so often spoken of in the Scriptures as that which God doth so much delight in Answ I shall at present tender you with some description of it according to that light and experience which I hope I may truly say the Lord hath communicated to me and you may take it as followeth Description It is a precious effect of the Spirit of Christ in the heart of a Beleever whereby through the discovery of the glory of God in his word and works by Christ and in consideration of the vast disproportion between God and the creature he is made to think highly of God in all his Attributes and to have respect unto all his Commandements The definition is something long but I shall prove the particulars to you and 1 I say It is a precious effect of the Spirit of Christ in the heart of a Beleever hee is the subject of it and there is none else that hath this fear of God in him the Apostle speaking of the wicked Rom. 3.18 saith There is no fear of God before their eyes And
not sleight it that you are not like those that in Prov. 1.29 hated knowledge and did not chuse the fear of the Lord. But if you do really desire to fear God to help you forward in it I shall give you somewhat by way of Direction which if you observe and practise may bee useful by Gods blessing to work this fear in your hearts Direct 1. Then bee much in the consideration of Gods Sovereignty and power over thee and his great Works of Creation and Redemption and Preservation what a God hee is with whom you have to do and the vast disproportion that is between you and him consider his absolute Power and Authority over you how you are in his hands who can do with you what he pleases and as soon as thou hast had any vain thought or spoke any vain word or done any sinfull action hee can if he pleases send thee immediately to Hell without giving thee leave for one moment longer to breathe in the world and therefore consider this and this may cause you to stand in awe of him and to fear to offend him But again Direct 2. That which will further conduce to the working of this fear is the serious consideration of Gods goodness For there is mercy with him that he may be feared Psal 130.4 And indeed the soul cannot have a true filial fear without this but when the soul seeth the great God in whose hands he is to invite him to be reconciled to him and tendring grace to his soul promising him forgiveness if hee will but fear him this melts the heart Oh! to consider that the great God of Heaven and Earth should offer to give himself to poor souls with all his fulness for a supply of their wants if they will but fear him surely this if beleeved and considered will cause you to love God and serve God and fear to offend this God which is so good and gracious unto you Direct 3. Again If thou wouldest have the fear of God wrought in thy heart Go to the Word of God bee much in reading and hearing and meditating of it that will shew you your duty and the many arguments to it and possibly hereby God may work this fear Direct 4. Be also much in the observation of Gods hand of Providence abroad and at home labour to eye God in every dispensation that befalls our selves or others see God in mercies and eye God in afflictions when his chastising hand is upon us for were our hearts in such a frame as to eye God continually it would much work and increase this fear But then Direct 5. In the next place go to God for this fear cry to him and pray to him to work and increase this holy fear This was Davids prayer Psal 86.11 Unite my heart to fear thy Name And therefore all you that have any buddings of the Spirit in you in any measure make it your continual request to God to put this fear in your hearts and therefore be diligent in the use of all these means in order to the begetting and increasing of this fear and I shall conclude with that of Salomon Prov. 2.4 5. If thou seekest her as silver and searchest for her as for bid treasures then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord and finde the knowledge of God Quest But perhaps some tender hearts that have the fear of God in truth may bee apt to say I much question whither yet I have the fear of God in my heart in truth Answ Now as this question may proceed from some tender hearts and conscientious souls that have the fear of God in them I would apply that word in Nehemiah which I have found much comfort in to my own soul and would commend it unto you it is in the first of Nehem. the last verse Let now thy ear be attentive unto thy Servant that desires to fear thy name Nehemiah a good man yet when hee comes before the Lord he durst not own that he feared him but his desires was that he might fear him and therefore if thou canst not take the comfort of such Promises as are made to those that fear the Lord yet if thou hast desire in thy soul to fear him and pressest after this fear of God thou maist take comfort in the saying of this good man Nehemiah who was one that had a desire to fear Gods name But let none deceive himself with this for every common Protestant will say that hee desires to fear God but if you desire it in truth your souls will bee much in seeking to God for it and endeavouring after it and to such souls I would commend that word in Jer. 32.40 I will put my fear in their hearts and they shall not depart from mee which promise belongs not to the Jews onely but to the Gentiles also who are fellow heirs with them and partakers of the promise in Christ by the Gospel Eph. 3.6 and therefore apply this promise to thy soul It may bee thou hast a light vain spirit and art apt to forget what thou hearest and to turn aside and depart from God but God hath promised to put his fear into the hearts of his people and then saith hee They shall never depart from mee The fear of God it will keep a soul from a backsliding spirit and therefore if thou wouldest have this fear look upon this promise and pray over it as David did upon a word of God as you may see 1 Chron. 17.25 For thou Oh my God hast told thy servant that thou wilt build him an house therefore thy servant hath found in his heart to pray before thee And if wee would have our hearts brought into a praying frame wee must fasten upon the promises and see what promises God hath made that suit our condition and plead the promise with him and when you finde free promises made through Christ without any worth on merit in the creature Oh come to God by faith in those promises and plead them with God ask God what his wayes are wherein hee will make good his promises and wait upon him therein and particularly as to the matter in hand concerning the feare of God say as David did in another case Lord thou hast promised to put thy fear into my heart and therefore thy servant hath found in his heart to pray unto thee Good Lord let it bee according to thy word Wilt thou put thy fear in my heart that I may never depart from thee And now let mee beseech you to receive this Exhortation as in the fear of God and apply your hearts with all your might to learn this great Gospel Lesson of the Feare of God Consider that Promise and Prophesie in Hosea 3. last where it is said of a people They shall fear the Lord and his goodness in the latter dayes And oh that the fear of the Lord may rest upon every heart that hears before him this day Surely his judgements call upon us to fear him and his mercies call upon us to fear him 1 Sam. 12.24 Onely fear the Lord and serve him in truth and with a perfect heart for consider how great things hee hath done for you Oh that you might now go away with serious spirits weighty spirits for God weigheth the spirits that you may bee no more light and vain but may make this your first prayer to God how you may most honour God and bring glory to him in your Generation But so much for this time FINIS