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
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
The Name of the Lord And I looked and lo a Lamb stood on the Mount Sion and with him an Hundred forty and four thousand having his Fathers name written in their foreheads Rev. 14.1 Him that overcometh will I make a Pillar in the Temple of my God and he shall go no more out and I will write upon him the name of my God and the name of the City which is New Jerusalem which cometh down out of Heaven from my God and I will write upon him a new name Rev. 3.12 The Name of God is upon his People and this shews to whom they do belong and whose they are 3. The comliness and glory of the Lord And thy renown went forth among the Heathen for thy beauty for it was perfect through my comliness which I had put upon thee saith the Lord Ezek. 16.14 And the Lord will create upon every dwelling place of Mount Zion and upon her Assemblies a cloud and smoke by day and the shining of a flaming fire by night for upon all the glory shall be a defence Isa 4.5 If ye be reproached for the Name of Christ happy are ye for the Spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you 1 Pet. 4.14 These are the things that are upon the righteous And there are three things that God hath given to his People 1. Himself But this shall be the Covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days saith the Lord I will put my Law in their inward parts and write it in their hearts and will be their God and they shall be my People Jer. 31.33 They shall call on my Name and I will hear them I will say It is my People and they shall say The Lord is my God Zech. 13.9 For what agreement hath the Temple of God with Idols for ye are the Temple of the living God as God hath said I will dwell in them and walk in them and I will be their God and they shall be my People 2 Cor. 6.16 2. A Kingdom Fear not little flock for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the Kingdom Luke 12.32 And I appoint unto you a Kingdom as my Father hath appointed unto me Luke 22.29 Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven Matth. 5.3 3. Grace and Glory For the Lord God is a Sun and Shield the Lord will give grace and glory no good thing will he with hold from them that walk uprightly Psal 84.11 And he said unto me My grace is sufficient for thee 2 Cor. 12.9 Whether Paul or Apollo or Cephas or the World or Life or Death or things present or things to come all is yours 1 Cor. 3.22 O Christian how canst thou say thou hast nothing or that thou hast but little Here is thy Inventory see here what thy heavenly Father hath given thee count it and cast it up Thou hast all things God hath given thee himself and a Kingdom grace and glory things present and things to come the world life and death are all thine how great is thy happiness O! wait but a little and thou wilt be in the possession of all There be three things that God will never take from his people whiles they are in this life 1. His love and loving kindness I have loved thee with an everlasting love therefore with loving kindness have I drawn thee Jer. 31.3 He that hath my commandments and keepeth them he it is that loveth me and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father and I will love him and manifest my self to him John 14.21 Having loved his own which were in the World he loved them unto the end John 13.1 This the righteous are crown'd with in this life He crowneth them with loving kindness and tender mercies Psalm 103.4 2. His Spirit And I will pray the Father and he shall give you another comforter that he may abide with you for ever even the spirit of truth John 14.16 17. but the fruit of the Spirit is love joy peace long-suffering gentleness goodness saith meekness temperance Gal. 5.22 23. Know ye not that ye are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you 1 Cor. 3.16 God will not leave his Children comfortless he will not leave them orphans the Spirit of God dwells in them and abides with them and resteth upon them and leads them into all truth it convinceth sinners and it comforteth Saints For the Spirit it self maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered 3. His Presence which is the glory of his People and the glory in the midst of them God is in the midst of her she shall not be moved God shall help her and â—hat right early Psalm 46.5 Take counsel â—ogether and it shall come to nought speak â—he word and it shall not stand for God is with us Isa 8.10 Jesus answered and â—aid unto him If a man love me he will keep my words and my Father will love him and â—e will come unto him and make our abode with him John 14.23 The presence of God is the Saints Heaven on Earth They do sometimes in a duty enjoy so much of God's presence that it fills their eyes with tears and their hearts with joy they â—eel that they cannot express and enâ—oy that which cannot be fully uttered and tast that which they cannot declare to others I did know a young man in the City of Exon about thirty five years ago who lay under many temptations and fears because he wanted God's comforting presence but in a certain night when all the people in the family were in their beds and as he thought fast asleep except himself he rose up from his bed and went up into the Garret and there wrestl'd with God by prayer with fervency and many tears but was then so terrified by temptations and fears that he thought the Devil waâ— present with him in the room sometimeâ— before him and sometimes behind him which did so distract and interrupt him that he was forc'd often to break off foâ— a little time and this he continued to do for three nights together but on the third night as he was pouring out hiâ— Soul before the Lord in prayer his voicâ— was taken from him that he could noâ— utter a word but his understanding remained with him for about the space oâ— a quarter of an hour and in that time he thought himself to be in Heaven or the Joys of Heaven to be in him he then tasted and enjoyed so much of God that it was not possible for a man to utter nor to declare to others but when his speech returned to him that he could speak he then found that this extraordinary presence of God withdrew it selâ— from him then he blest and prais'd the God of Heaven that had seal'd his Love to him and given him the earnest of his Spirit and victory over the Devil God knows that what I have here
the Church is the Kingdom of his dear Son Col. 1.13 The World is as a Field of Blood but the Church is a righteous Nation The World is a Den of Thieves but the Church is God's Family and houshâ—ld Ephes 2.19 The World lies in wickedness 1 John 5.19 but the Church is glorious without spot or wrinkle Ephes 5.27 The World is as a heap of rubbish but the Church is God's peculiar Treasure Psal 135.4 The World is a lump of vanity but the Church is the City of God Psal 87.3 The World is as a common Harlot but the Church is the Spouse of Christ Cant. 5.1 The World is the habitation of Devils Rev. 18.2 The Devil is the God of this World the Prince of the power of the Air the Spirit that now worketh in the Children of disobedience Eph. 2.2 But the Church is the habitation of God a choseâ— Generation a royal Priesthood an holy Nâ—tion a peâ—uliar People 1 Pet. 2.9 By this you may see what the World is and what the Church of God is how vastly they differ the one from the other and how unlike they are the one to the other and have been ever separated the one from the other Be not unequally yoked together with unbelievers for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness and what communion hath light with darkness And what concord hath Christ with belial or what part hath he that believeth with an Infidel and what agreement hath the Temple of God with Idols For ye are the Temple of the living God as God hath said I will dwell in them and walk in them and I will be their God and they shall be my People 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. 6.14 to 18. The Kingdom shall not be left to another People but this People shall dwell alone and shall not be reckoned among the Nations Thirdly It shall not be left to another People to follow their examples Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil Exod. 23.2 you must not follow bad men for company nor good men for applause When the Children of Israel were to enter into the land of Canaan they were not then to enquire after their Gods Take heed to thy self that thou be not snared by following them after that they be destroyed from before thee and that thou enquire not after their Gods saying How did these nations serve their Gods Even so will I do likewise Deut. 12.30 And ye shall destroy all their â—ictures and destroy all their molten Images and quite pluck down all their high places Numb 33.52 Thou shalt not bow down to their Gods nor serve them nor do after their works but thou shalt utterly overthrow them and quite break down their Images Exod. 23.24 But ye shall destroy their altars break their Images and cut down their Groves Exod. 34.13 But thus ye shall deal with them ye shall destroy their altars and break down their images and cut down their groves and burn their graven images with fire Deut. 7.5 Let the reader then well consider these Scriptures and dwell a little on them God will not be worship'd by imitation that is to worship ye know not what God is the author and object of true worship the Jews were not to enquire after other G ds and the Lord commanded them to destroy all their Pictures and to pull down their Images and burn them with fire they were not to keep them in their Houses nor to worship them in any place How vain and silly a thing is it for people to worship Idols and Images the works of mens hands they may make them eyes but they cannot make them see they may make them ears but they cannot make them hear they may make them feet but they cannot make them walk they have been often snares but never helpers they have brought Judgments upon People but never turned away any Men have provoked the Lord with their inventions and never pleased him with their Idols this prov'd a snare to Israel of old and brought upon them Gods heavy Judgments The Lord God is very Jealous of his worship and will not have his glory given to graven Images The Lord hath had a People in all ages and in all times that hath worshiped him according to his own will and commands For all people will walk every one in the name of his God and we will walk in the name of our God for ever and ever Mic. 4.5 The true worshippers shall woâ—ship the Father in Spirit and in truth for the Father seeketh such to worship him John 4.23 For we are the circumcision whâ—ch worship â—od in the Spirit and rejoyce in Christ Jesus and have no confidence in the flesh Phil. 3.3 Fear God and give glory to him for the hour of his Judgment is come and worship him that made Heaven and Earth and the Sea and the fountains of Waters Rev. 14.7 Little Children keep your selves from Idols 1 John 5.21 Thus I have shewed you that the Kingdom shall not be left to another people the Church of God. Thirdly It shall break in pieces and consume all these Kingdoms This destruction is not of mens lives but of mens lusts this destruction is not of mens bodies but of that sin that reigns in their mortal bodies this destruction is not of mens Rights and Properties but of that vanity and enmity that is in their hands and in their minds For if ye live â—fter the flesh ye shall die but if ye through the spirit do mortifie the deeds of the body ye â—hall live Rom. 8.13 Mortifie therefore your members which are upon Earth fornication uncleanness inordinate affection evil concupiscence and covetousness which is Idolatry Col. 3.5 I have already shewed you a draught of the True Church and now I will shew you a Map of the World The whole World lies in wickedness 1 Joh. 5.19 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 and the World passeth away and the Lust thereof but he that doth the will of God abideth for ever 1 John 2.15 16 17. First It is a dead World dead in Sins dead in trespasses When the Assyrian Army came up against Jerusalem to destroy the Church of God the Lord sent an Angel that did destroy that great Army one hundred fourscore and five thousand this was done in one night Isa 37.36 and when the inhabitants of Jerusalem arose early in the morning they were all dead Corps what a sight was this to behold Should we see great
numbers of dead Corps lie upon the Earth this would not be desireable to us the sight would offend us and the smell would offend us and the thoughts of it would trouble us O! what is it then to behold and see a dead world a world that lies in wickedness a world that is spiritually dead this is the sad fate and condition of every man and woman of the World they live and yet they are dead they are without spiri ual life But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth 1 Tim. 5.6 They live in the pleasures of sin but the Spirit of Truth liveth not in them they live but without God in the World. At that time ye were without Christ being aliens from the common-wealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise having no bope and without God in the World Eph. 2.12 Oh! how can they expect to live with God in another World that live without God in this this is next to living in Hell with Devils and Damned Spirits wicked men are but as so many walking Ghosts And you hath he quickened who were dead in trespasses and sins wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world according to the Prince of the Power of the Air the Spirit that now worketh in the Children of disobedience among whom also we had all our conversations in times past in the lusts of our flesh fulfilling the desires of our flesh and of the mind and were by nature the Children of wrath Eph. 2.1 2 3. You see here these Gentiles walked though they were dead dead in trespasses and sins yet they walked but how did they walk they walked as the most of men and women walk now 1. They did walk according to the course of this World. 2. According to the Prince of the power of the Air the Spirit that now worketh in them 3. The Children of disobedience 4. Fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind 5. They were by nature the Children of wrath For this my Son was dead and is alive again he was lost and is â—ound Luk. 15.24 How loud need a man to speak that the dead may hear their bodies are but as so many living Coffins to carry about their dead Souls in the Worlds faith is a dead faith the worlds worship is a dead worship the worlds ministry is a dead ministry how can a dead world have a living faith how can a dead ministry speak forth the words of spirit and life how can a dead worship be profitable to men and acceptable to the living God There was a great cry in Egypt for there was not a house where there was not one dead Exod. 12.30 There was then a great cry in Egypt and the cause of this cry was because the Lord had passed through his Enemies to smite them for there was not a house where there was not one dead where is that family to be found amongst us that there is not one or more dead in it dead in their sins dead Godward and Christward and Heaven-ward Are there not in most houses all dead Parents dead and Children dead Masters dead and Servants dead and yet no crying heard for this The fear of God is not in their houses nor his name is not there call'd upon the Peace of God is not there nor the love of God they live but Christ Jesus liveth not in them they are without all spiritual life and grace and the wrath of God abideth on them Joh. 3.36 Men will believe the words of a Prince they will believe the words of a Man but they will not believe the word that God hath spoken â—o them God hath said If ye live after the flesh ye shall die Rom. 8.13 but who believes it God hath said Ye shall die in your sins if ye believe not John 8.24 but who minds it They will be venturers and run the risque and hazzard of losing all this is a dead world that will not hear Verily verily I say unto you the hour is coming and now is when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God and they that hear shall live Joh. 5.25 Secondly It is a dark world it lies in darkness under thick darkness and how great is that darkness But if thine Eye be evil thy whole body shall be full of darkness if therefore the light that is in thee be darkness how great is that darkness Mat. 6.33 To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shaddow of death Luk. 1.79 Then spake Jesus again unto them saying I am the light of the World he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness but shall have the light of life Joh. 8.12 I am come a light into the world that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness Joh. 12.46 The night is far spent the day is at hand let us therefore cast off the works of darkness and let us put on the armour of light Rom. 13.12 Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness but rather reprove them Eph 5.11 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood but against principalities against powers against the rulers of the darkness of this world against spiritual wickedness in high places Eph. 6.12 But he that hateth his brother is in darkness and walketh in darkness and knoweth not whither he goeth because that darkness hath blinded their eyes 1 John 2.11 There be three things that have darkened the world 1. The Devil 2. Sin. 3. The inventions of Men. First the Devil He is the ruler of the darkness of this world He is a ruler but it is of darkness and this darkness is of this world The Devil is Darkness His nature is Darkness Jude 6. His prison is Darkness 1 Pet. 3.19 His power is Darkness Col. 1 13. His Kingdom is Darkness Rev. 16.10 His work is Darkness Mat. 12.26 1 Joh. 3.8 If our Gospel be hid it is hid to them that â—e lost in whom the God of this World hath blinded the minds of them which believe not lest the light of the glorious Gospel of Christ who is the Image of God should shine in them 1 Cor. 4.3 4. The Devil as he is the god of this world so he blinds the minds of men and puts out their eyes the eyes of their understandings that the light of the glorious Gospel may not shine into them 2 Cor. 4.4 As he is the Prince of the Air he worketh in the Children of disobedience Eph. 2.2 But what doth he work in them No good be sure The Devil works in them his own â—ature his will and property he works in them darkness blindness and ignorance that they may be like him and do his works Ye are of your Father the Devil and the lusts of your Father ye will do he was a murtherer from the beginning and abode not in the truth becâ—use there is no truth in him when he speaketh a lie
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
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
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
people in these days should it also be marvellous in my eyes saith the Lord of Hosts Thus saith the Lord of Hosts Behold I will save my people from the East-Countrey and from the West-Countrey And I will bring them and they shall dwell in the midst of Jerusalem and they shall be my people and I will be their God in truth and righteousness Zech. 8.4 to 8. Nine Prophets have declared this great truth the Restauration of Israel and their testimony is true God that scattered the Children of Israel will gather them and bring them again into their own Land. How much more shall these which be the natural branches be graffed into their own Olive-tree Rom. 11.24 For God is able to graff them in again verse 23. But what shall the receiving of these Jews be but life from the dead they are dead in trespasses and sins and are under hardness of heart and blindness of mind full of envy and unbelief haters of Christ Jesus and despisers of that grace and truth that came by him Now when it shall please Almighty God to gather the dispersed Jews and bring them to their own Land as he hath spoken by the mouth of his holy Prophets Then they will be converted and give glory to God by repentance There shall ye remember your ways and all your doings wherein ye have been defiled and ye shall loath your selves in your own sight for all your evils that ye have committed Ezek. 20.43 Now when shall they do this see verse 42. And ye shall know that I am the Lord when I shall bring you into the Land of Israel into the Countrey for which I lifted up mine head to give it to your Fathers See a farther proof of this Ezek. 36. For I will take you from among the Heathen and gather you out of all Countreys and will bring you into your own Land. Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you and ye shall be clean From all your filthiness and from all your Idols will I cleanse you A new heart will I give you and a new spirit will I put within you and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh and I will give you an heart of flesh And I will put my spirit within you and cause you to walk in my Statutes and ye shall keep my Judgments and do them And ye shall dwell in the Land that I gave to your Fathers and ye shall be my people and I will be your God. I will also save you from all your uncleannesses and I will call for Corn and will increase it and lay no famine upon you And I will multiply the fruit of the tree and the increase of the fâ—eld that ye shall receive no more râ—proach of famine among the Heathen Then shall ye remember your own evil ways and your doings that were not good and shall loath your selves in your own sight for your iniquities and for your abominations verse 24. to 31. The Seed of Abraham became the Enemies of the Faith of Abraham that the blessings of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles Gal. 3.14 The many miseries of the Jews under the Gentiles have been long and great but the great troubles that will be upon the Nations of the Gentiles will bring the Jews forth from under that yoke Dan. 12.1 Zeph. 3.8 9. When the tongue of the Egyptian Sea is destroyed Isa 11.15 And the water of the River Euphrates dried up Rev. 16.12 Then the way of the Kings of the East will be prepared When great Babylon shâ—ll come in remembrance before God to give unto her the Cup of the Wine of the fierceness of his wrath Rev. 16.19 Then the Earth also shall disclose her blood and shall no more cover her slain Then will this Song be sung in the Land of Judah We have a strong City salvation will God appoint for Walls and Bulwarks Isa 26.1 When the face of the covering is destroyed that is cast over all people and the vail that is spread over all Nations then the glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all flesh shall see it together Isa 40.5 When the fulness of the Gentiles shall be come in the Jews that are afar off are made nigh by the Blood of Christ Rom. 11.25 then the way of Gods truth will be fully known upon Earth and his saving health among all Nations Psalm 67.2 Then there will be but one Sheep and one Sheepfold And I will set up one Shepherd over them and he shall feed them even my Servant David he shall feed them and he shall be their Shepherd And David my Servant shall be King over them and they shall have one Shepherd They shall also walk in my Judgments and observe my Statutes and do them my Tabernacle also shall be with them Yea I will be their God and they shall be my people I shall come now to the Chapter out of which my Text is taken and I have taken these Prophets in my way that by them I might light you along and open a way to this great Prophecy that I have here set before you Dan. 2.1 Nebuchadnezzar in the second year of his Reign dreamed Dreams wherewith his Spirit was troubled and his sleep brake from him God Almighty can trouble Great Persons by very little and small things as Dreams and Visions by thoughts that arise in their Hearts and by their own Consciences King Saul when he saw a form of something ascending out of the Earth like Samuel he was sore troubled 1 Sam. 28.20 A Hand-writing made Great Belshazzer change his countenance and his thoughts troubled him so that the joints of his loins were loosed and his knees smote one against another Dan. 5.6 A Dream so troubled Nebuchadnezzar's Spirit that his sleep brake from him Dan. 2.2 Then the King commanded to call the Magicians and Astrologers and the Sorcerers and the Chaldeans for to shew the King his Dreams so they came and stood before the King verse 3. And the King said unto them I have dreamed a Dream and my Spirit was troubled to know the Dream but this was without success for they answered not the Kings desires because they could not The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him and he will shew them his Covenant Psalm 25.14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God for they are foolishness unto him neither can he know them because they are spiritually discerned 1 Cor. 2.14 Then spake the Chaldeans to the King in Syriack O King live for ever Tell thy servants the Dream and we will shew the Interpretation verse 4. Here they promised to do more than the King asked that which was required of them was to shew to the King his Dream but they promised to shew him the Dream and the Interpretation also but could do neither the King remembred that he had dreamed a Dream but the matter he had forgot The King answered and
written is true and I appeal to Saints experience whether they have not found this at the Throne of Grace when they have been lying at God's feet they have been then â—aken up into his bosom Oh tast and see â—hat the Lord is good blessed is the man that â—rusteth in him Psal 34.8 There is a Riâ—er the streams whereof shall make glad the City of God the holy place of the Taberâ—acles of the most High Psal 46.4 This is not a little Spring but a River not a few drops but streams that makes glad â—he hearts of God's People Come and â—ear all ye that fear God and I will declare that he hath done for my Soul Psal 66.16 By this you may see God the Father will not leave his Children 2. The Son will not leave them And Jesus came and spake unto them saying All â—ower is given unto me in Heaven and in Earth Go ye therefore and teach all Naâ—ions baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost â—eaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you and lo I am with you alway even to the end of the World. Amen Matth. 28.18 19 20. Will the Head leave the Body Will the Vine leave the Branches Will the Shepherd leave the Flock Will the Fountain leave the Stream Will the Bridegroom leave the Bride Will the Purchaser leave the Purchase First then the Church is his body the body cannot live without the head this is a living body and the head gives life to every member of this body A life of Grace A life of Comfort A life of Glory Because I live ye shall live also John 14.19 as the living Father hath sent me and I live by the Father so he that eateth me even he shall live by me John 6.57 Now if we be dead with Christ we believe we shall also live with him Rom. 6.8 For whether we live we live unto the Lord or whether we die we die unto the Lord whether we live therefore or die we are the Lords Rom. 14.8 When Christ who is our life shall appear then shall ye also appear with him in glory Col. 3.4 For this my Son was dead and is alive again he was lost and is found and they began to be merry Luke 15.24 And you hath he quickned who were dead in trespasses and sins Ephes 2.1 Every Member of the true Church is a living Member and this life they all receive from Christ Jesus the Head and this glorious Head cannot leave his own Body the Church Let no man say he is a Member of Christ's Church unless he be born again Except a man be born again he cannot see the Kingdom of God John 3.3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again 1 Pet. 1.3 Every Member of Christ hath in him a vigorous Faith a lively Hope a saving Knowledge a measure of the Spirit and a sufficiency of Grace 2. Christs Church is a fruitful Church I am the Vine ye are the branches he that abideth in me and I in him the same bringeth forth much fruit for without me ye can do nothing John 15.5 you see here Christ Jesus is the Vine and Believers are the Branches the blessed Jesus will never leave these branches for without him they can do nothing but in him they are more than Conquerors and do bring forth the fruits of Righteousness love and Charity love towards God and charity towards men they do bring forth out of that treasure of grace that is in them good lives and conversations living righteously and godly in this present world all the Children of God that are in this world they are but as so many branches of this Vine they are but as so many limbs of this Tree they are but so many little partys and bodys that make up this body of Christ the Church of God that shall not be left to another people 3. They are his flock I am the good shepherd of the sheep and know my sheep and am known of mine John 10.14 Our Lord Jesus is that good shepherd and pastor that feeds all the members of his body he will not leave them nor fly from them that is the part of an hireling the hireling fleeth because he is an hireling and careth not for the sheep v. 13. when he was on Earth he did not leave them but watcht over them and preacht peace to them and nourished and cherished them and fed them with that truth which he had received from the Father and often prayed for them and when he left the Earth and went to Heaven there he ever liveth to make intercession for them But this man because he continueth ever hath an unchangeable Priest-hood wherefore he is able to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them Heb. 7.24 25. For there is one God and one Mediator between God and Men the Man Christ Jesus 1 Tim. 2.5 My little Children these things write I unto you that ye sin not and if any man sin we have an advocate with the Father Jesus Christ the righteous 1 John 2.1 Every believer feeds on Christ Jesus by Faith he sups with them and they with him and when they leave this life then they live and reign with Christ in the Heavenly glory 4. The Church of God hath a fountain and this fountain is the Lord the fountain of life and from this fountain come the streams that make glad the City of God this fountain is always flowing and over-flowing with love and kindness mercy and grace righteousness and truth They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of thy house and thou shalt make them drink of the River of thy pleasures for with thee is the fountain of life in thy light we shall see light Psalm 36.8 9. But whosoever drinketh of the Water that I shall give him shall never thirst but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of Water springing up into everlasting life John 4.14 He that beleiveth on me as the scripture hath said out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water John 7.38 These rivers of living water will never be dried up because it is water of life and it flows from a fountain of life that doth always refresh strengthen and comfort the people of God. For they drank of that spiritual rock that followed them and that rock was Christ 1 Cor. 10.4 5. The Church of Christ is a Bride the Lambs wife And Jesus said unto them Can the Children of the Bride-chamber mourn as long as the Bridegroom is with them But the days will come when the Bridegroom shall be taken from them and then shall they fast Matth. 9.15 He that hath the Bride is the Bridegroom but the friend of the Bridegroom which standeth and heareth him rejoyceth greatly
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
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
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
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