in London of Note one for Piety the other for Trade They see it a Work not easy to crush those that have grown by Opposition as Camomel And that the lower Officers of Peace some of them decline Rigor and rather run the hazard of Fines Imprisonments or what Fury imposes on them than to impose Exactions of Law on those that love the Gospel or starve the Poor to feed their Raven that hate both for ruine the rich Fanaticks and you pine the Poor that you cannot feed your sevles alone and help us all into the Nooze of Popery And all may see the Matter is impracticable The People study honest Shifts and cleave the Hair not ruffling with the Constables to provoke on one hand nor deserting their Duty to God and Souls on the other but change their Times the Day for the Night as Caligula's Decree once forced Rome to do inverting the Works of Day and Night across and one Hour Place or Preacher for another that so Disturbance and Informers are much prevented and God's Worship is preserv'd In Places publick also Avenues are fix'd for go-by's to carry off Ministers out from the rude Rabble and evite the Rage of Tygers not to be blam'd to do as the Disciples that sav'd Paul ready to expose himself in the Theatre for better future Use Acts 19.30 2 Cor. 11.21 they also being set to defend the Gospel hi Phil. 1.17 to receive all the Shot against it and are Twenty Pound deep for each Offence that costs Hearers but five Shillings a-piece Also the Opinion of many jumps with the Votes of the late Commons as to this and obtains vast Merit and Veneration that House in some Passages and in that Vote being deeply prophetick and very plain in the event namely That to prosecute the Penal Laws now is noxious to the King publick Peace the Protestant Religion and promotes the Plot for Popery This all that will not see may feel What ill Work had followed since what woful and lawless Spoils and Expilations what Executions like Bonner what ragged Coats empty Purses abhorr'd Names hard Prisons their Dilapidations on others has well awarded them in this Life And what is like to follow in the other Life if Repentance be abhorr'd let Judas tell them in what he said ere he went to his place Mat. 27.3 Acts 1.16 25. And were not Prayer abhorr'd well may the Informers wish that Religion up again that credits Purgatory and a buying out of it but that the Paper Wall 'twixt it and Hell is long since burnt by the Heat of that Fire and God's Fury out of which there is no Redemption O then take advice from that wise Gamaliel Acts 5.38 for your Peace and the City's Good and let Counsels of Lenity obtain But on the other hand where Moderation is branded and Men are both warranted and willing to act lo what Work they do What tearing of carv'd Work scattering of pious Assemblies what Breaking of Doors and Dwellings what Distress on Goods what vast Fines on Estates by which some are quite crush'd What snapping Men up by one Law and punishing them by another to perpetuate their Prisons What harsh Taunts and hard Speeches are given to make the Afflicted more loaden If a Smith Bayliff Buck come but to the Arrest or a Sir John what Door Wall or Shelter stands against the Hammer and Staff of the one or the Horns of the other It was the Lord Bacon's Maxim The worst Tyranny is Law on the Rack Advancement lib. 6. p. 212. Alas Things not to be justified by Law are acted ro abetted and a Mouth found to defend and the Priests bear Rule by their means and what will you do in the end thereof Jer. 5.31 But since we find Rigor is limited not executed on all to Extremity and in all places Some Showers have fallen by Planets here and not there some not all catch'd and confin'd Places that had but one or two Meetings earst have three or four now the more numerous Lectures scatter'd out of one Ward into another And so you have a Go-by no Victory and we a Retreat no Rout and for one Assembly of many hundreds routed you make them four or five in Houses by Scores and so multiply them you disperse and that argues the Work impracticable But after all if Rigor proceed to the extremity and Power fall in the hands successively that favour Papists and fall on Dissenters I deny not but far more Execution is possible as Men are spirited and vested with power to proseute Penal Laws But then O London read the Issue Learn by the sad Example of other Cities in time to fear the like Wickedness and Wo. Out of many let three Instances be recited Dr. Beard p. 408. Carthage Lady of Africa was Paragon of Rome that stood it out with her till its intestine Jars betray'd it to her now delenda est Carthago Ruine comes on She not able to defend was at last forc'd to yield to Mercy and first 25000 Women next 30000 Men came all out and were sold Slaves the City fired in seventeen days to Urns and tho re-edified after yet ere long it was again ruin'd and so lies as Troy extinct Jam seges est ubi Troja fuit Lo now grows Corn and Grass Where famous Troy once was Dr. Beard cites Sabell Theatre pag. 369. In the Emperor Otho's Time Pet. Caudan Duke of Venice usurping on that Segniory and making himself by Threats terrible rather than by Love acceptable in 's Age increast his Insolence fortifies his Palace strong against them and so at last appearing in 's Colours the People tendering their lost Liberties rise to beat down his hign Mind and drove him out of his Fortress by firing his House he shifting for Flight they seize him with his Son kill them both and gave their Corps to Dogs One more I cite out of Reeves on Jonah p. 166. he from Atheneus of one Telegoras who being a Man fam'd well for Vertue and good Repute and so envied by his Equals in Wealth not in Worth they on a provocation assaulted his House abused his Daughters and his person and laid so great a Feud in the City by the two Parties that gave Lygdamis the Opportunity to make both Parties his Slaves May this Naxian Fate never be yours O Londoners Discord is the Wit-foundering of a City The Salamander appearing a Storm is nigh When Men that love to live in the Fire and contend to have the preheminence are made the Seed-sowers of all Dissention no doubt Sparks will flie that insensibly will scorch the Hopes of Union and a City divided cannot stand long Were it not then better to sue to God for Peace then cannot Men hurt you rather than as Demades told the Athenians to sue for 't in your Mourning-Gowns for if once your Grandeur suffer Eclipse you will be as the Sporades little Asterisms rarely seen O then ye Londoners had you need to shut out Prayer
2dly When Persons are prohibited stopt in going to or passing from Worship Prophets and men of God prescribed and interdicted from such and such Places Cities and Towns corporate not to be live or come to stay there on Peril c. Or Assemblies terrified secluded and scattered or limited to four or five only that so no Seals or Censures may be The first sort of Injury is instanced in that Trencher-Chaplain Amaziah the Priest of Bethel his first accusing the Prophet Amos for Words Amos 7.8 9. Amos has said when the Lord said it he only reported the words I will arise against the House not Person of Jeroboam with the Sword making it Amos's not God's rising up this was the Conspiracy pretended Vers 10. Court-Pride and Priests Envy for Idols had swelled them so big that the Land could not because they would not bear a poor Herdsman words perhaps the King was wiser than to act on so slight a Pickthank's accusation we read not that he persecuted him yet thus his Ears are abused if Malice in a Priest may be heard a Prophet is soon made guilty and then who is innocent But the design is Ejectment his exile Amos must flee go into Judah Vers 12. Yes that is fittest for Noncon's Bethel's the King's Chapel there I am Chaplin in Ordinary there come no such poor rude illiterate Rusticks under-graduates you drain our Hearers but refuse to conform to Royal Placits So Elijahs called Troubler Jeremiah is Seditious Christ against Caesar Paul Factious A Trumpt of Rebellion Luther Tuba Rebellions Calvin a Devil Protestants and Contra-remonstrates and Anabaptists Antimagistratical c. All prohibited the places once possest As Rolock said Go to this or any place but not to Edenburough then Wo said he to Edenburough The fruit of such Inhibitions to the Amaziah's of our days may easily be fore-seen in Amos 7. Vers 16 17. True Prophecy says one Dum devitatur Impletur It s insolent in solem meire to Piss at the Sun More was added by Jeremiah of those threats burnt not detracted Jer. 36. ult Amos some say by Amaziah first was scourged but after wounded by Vzziah yet in the ishue as 't is Folly in any to extinguish that light that shews how to eviâ—e the Pit so 't is fatal to abuse Embassadours especially if of Peace and from God as is seen by Hanun's hard usage of David's Messengers of Love and what it did cost see 2 Sam. 10.14.19 what yet it has cost see Mat. 23.7 Jerusalem or London what is yet behind the Curtain of a Plot may be Lamentation Mourning and Wo Ezek. 2.10 or that flying Roul Zach. 5.2 How fully and aptly the Scripture instances the Injuries of this sort and what a malignant Influence it has to the debasement of the true advancement of false Worship and also what a connexion and influx it often obtains in Seccular Affairs half an Eye may see In Micah 2.6 A prohibition of Prophecy is given out by them that had power Vers 1. in their Hands to prevent taking shame and Light will shame Guilt Vers 7. The Query is asked Is the Spirit of the Lord straightned i.e. Shall man dare or is it possible to streighten God's Spirit Can the blow of a Hammer the heat of Fire the force of the Wind the course of the Tide or the light of the Sun be prevented And can the Spirit of the Lord that blows where it lists be shut up Are these God's doings No they are mens To cause Vision fail is to make People perish Prov. 29.18 In old Ely's day the Word was precious Why no open Vision as 1 Sam. 3.1 or rare seldom heard Ely too old could not see Samuel too young as yet Ely's two Sons scandalous and would not So what follows Ark and Shilo both lost That prohibition in Isa 30.10 11. do but see what a breach it brought in the Wall of their outward safty and civil defence This see fully 2 Chron. 15.3 when long without true God Priest or Law Now they have what some desire What 's next Why now there is no Peace in the State Vers 5. God vexes them with all Adversity if Priests neglect duty By Prophets God used of Old to repair his Altar and revive his Work so did Elijah a Restorer so Samuel here so Haggai and Zachariah did set up an Altar though without sub dio so 't is Ezra 3.3 though fear was upon them at that time and the Temple Vers 6. was not yet founded Now Worship suffers when Preachers suffer are cited and spited abused and abandoned exauctorate and exiled prescribed and prohibited deprived of Office and divested of Bread Jeroboam sent going all the Priests and Levites save Compliers in all the ten Tribes as 2 Chron. 11.14 15. Thus Rehoboam is strengthened by it things in Judah now went well Jeroboam is weakened now Judgment was towards Isarel Hos 5.1 Because they were Snares on Mispeh Nets on Tabor to them that kept to God's pure Worship at Jerusalem His Rites were as Snares and Nets says one Ritibus suis sicut retibus laqueis Some say the Priests turned Robbers as High-way-men went Snips for the Spoils as Chron. 6.8 9. And Gilead the good Levites being cast out was as a Pin-fold or a common Slaughter-house as once London was to Bonner that common Cut-throat to Gods Sheep there is no escaping them and so Teachers turned Tyrants Pastors Impostors and that over their Brethren yea in Gilead that was as now London is a City of refuge to all and to the Priests Jeroboam askt the Jewish Doctors the meaning of it who answered that at Pascha and Penticost the People were way-laid going to the Temple by the Priests spoiled or slain usually them two as Twins are conate imposing impious Priesthood with coercive Superstition and a deposed suffering Ministry and all by Princes default and so are born two Twins more Idolatry and Slavery the rupture of all Bounds Hos 5.10 11. all Banks of Defence Law or Cash so in comes a Tide of beggary and misery from God and men King John said Postquam me ac mea regna proh dolor Romae subjeci Ecclesiae nulla mihi prospera omnia adversa venerunt After I subjected to the Roman Church all went ill c. Now was the Barons Wars loose Gospel Law goes too God knows which ever goes first pulls the other after it the City of God lost that is Zion now Jerusalem soon follows bounds being removed by Princes Religionis Regionis simul officij beneficij If Gods Promises fail to be preached a straw for mans Priviledge the Glory being gone our strength falls into the Enemies hands If Worship is injured the Crown and best Jewel in it is fallen now Wo Lamen 5.16 that we have sinned Thirdly Worship may be injured by practises oppuguant to or distructive thereof that is either by forgoing of Laws or Precepts or forming Plots and Projects against it and the
days in Belzebubs name congratulate the Priests for the droves of Souls sent to the Pit by their means Deliver us from unreasonable and wicked men 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 men of no Topicks absurd out of place and then the word runs and is glorified and 2 Thes 3 2 3. is said the old Legal Service was performed still with the sound of Trumpets Shouts and Aaron's Bells to note that glad News of Glory to God and Peace to Men's Souls ever consociate so Levit. 9. ult Numb 10.10 hence are they called blessed that know the joyful sound that is of God's Trumpets calling the Assembly to Worship and Aarons Bells proclaiming Pardon and Peace Psal 89.15 Oh then on the contrary what a Curse is it how peccant and perillous to prohibit the proper means to that blessed End I urge only 1 Thes 2.15 16. Prohibiting us to speak says he to the People and the Gentiles that they might be saved c. Observe only two or three Notes here in that full Text. 1st Vers 14. For Neighbours to persecute Natives of our Stock and own Countrey not for Vice or Heresy or disowning the true God but only for the purity of the Gospel is Jewish and Barbarous 2dly Vers 15. Christs Prophets and Followers must share as he did for the Word-sake be thrust out 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 persecuted out i. e. out of Place House Being Countrey and Office 3dly Note here to persecute for the Words-sake is displeasing to God ever oft to Men also All Men do or will abhor Jewish Cruelty 4thly Vers 16. To prohibit preaching the Gospel to Souls is to let or hinder Saving-Works 5thly And lastly to our purpose 'T is fatal work and filling-up-Guilt to persecute the Gospel 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and will surely pull on us utmost Wrath. Or as Dr. Hammond has come hastily on them to the end and he well notes on Act. 17.6 7 13 c. That these Jews were now disperst Dr. Hammond in loc and wrath in part was on them yet still the unbelieving did pursue them that believed abroad as those of the same Tribes had done at home Hence says the Dr. he writes to confirm and comfort them by Christs approach both against their Sufferings and their Persecutors and also the Falls of them that cowardly fell off So far he In truth no hatred like that for the Truth no bounds of Nature Nation Nativity keep in a Persecutors fury says * Dr. Slater one on the Text. No fury so deadly as that for Religion and sad it is the nearer the Parties are in Profession the more Jealousie if envy spies a difference But says Ds. Slater on the place the greatest of Spiritual Plagues are reserved for Persecutors for them are the Arrows Psal 7.11 and they be the hostes humani generis the capital enemies of Mankind that persecute the Gospel for others kill but the Body these destroy Souls Now as 't is with a Person so with a People City or Church This enmity is weighty that sin sets on the brow of Capernaum brings its Wo Mat. 11.23 Or on a Precipice beyond Sodoms Corazin in Hierom's time was a Desert Bethsaida a Bethaven whence yet three of our Saviours Disciples were called but could do no good on them Prophets at home are slighted Oh! Lon Lond view the Apples of Sodom but take heed of its Sulphur-lake some as Joseph Tacit. Salinus tell of footsteps of that Lake yet remaining and Herodotus says the Coals and Ashes of Troy burnt by the Greeks were set before men to exemplifie that rule that national notorious sins pull down such like Plagues from a sin-revenging God London was Troy l'novant is Troy l'grand but wo is that day should it be called Troy l'extinct If the Glory go from the Temple it shortly bids adieu to the City then but one step more from the top of the Mount and he is quite gone And observe that man Ezek. 10.6 Having first markt some to be spared after scatters the Coals of sacred Fire over the City to revenge without pity the extinction of the Coals of Gods Altar This is all the use I make of this second point save what may occur in the third to follow 3dly Divine Protection is the Blessing he affords his in the acts of pure Devotion That God call his at all times nay in the greatest difficulties to the solemn and sacred exhibition of his Service That his People notwithstanding fear and hazard do and ought to give their attendance to the Lord in solemn devout Worship that perils notwithstanding God gives if not always frequent Protection to them is the point now to be demonstrated which waving the other two I propound and prove hence The Philistines heard Samuel and Israel met the end could not be unknown of that Meeting it was mixt partly to reform Grievances in state partly to sacrifice repent pray Samuel being both Judge and Prophet some Pick-thank or other for ends carries tales and lordly Oppressors still have long ears to hear and make the worst of all devout ends having nothing of just blame to pretend the pretence is Religion and Piety is the Iniquity Nor were Samuel and they ignorant of their rendezvous of their number force and fury nor yet of their own nakedness for Battle nor alter they the time or place or flee nor does Samuel escape to by holes shifts and subterfuges he and they go on to their Duties and leavs the issue to God afraid they were yet not so as to decline Worship as Ezra 3.3 They set up the Altar tho without doors for the Temples Foundation was not laid as yet v. 6. for fear was on them of the People of those Countreys Why least they were letted in their Duty to God and surprised ere it was finisht as 1 Sam. 13.12 Saul did and well but mist in time and way they feared but piously not servilely like his fear in 2 Chron. 20.3 and that was Jehoshaphats Sentinel he set himself to seek the Lord and ask help of him Both fears are alike and drove them to not from their Duty to flee not from Men but to their God and that is a wise no sinful fear Now what was the issue good success to both God who saw their Works knew their naked forlorn case that they had no Host or Arms no Councel Courage or Conduct no Army or Artillery all the Militia cum malitiâ and the trained Bands were against them no help nor hope of it humane visible Nil nisi vota supersint Now God is a present help in Trouble Psal 46.1 Quando desinit humanum Concilium ibi incipit divinum auxilium And now the Fight commences so to speak not of two Hosts but of Armed Men and Martyrs of Warriers and Worshippers of Lions and Sheep an Impar congressus God that for his own Glory and Worship-sake loves to take the weaker side not the worse now puts in for them
Warfare See O you Females and follow the Patern of your Mother Sarah 1 Pet. 3.6 14. that was not afraid of any Amazement So after Fear not their Fear nor be afraid What Hurries are some of that Sex in now and how dishonourable to our Duty our God Gospel Hope and Christianity yea before the Adversary will it not reproach us The Coward had better stay away 4. Ministers are peculiarly forbid to fear for they work the Work of the Lord and Paul gives it in charge to Corinth 1 Cor. 16.10 as they being first concern'd that Timothy be with them without fear since without danger and opposition he could not be It means either 1. That he must be as in them lay secur'd by a prudent Care to prevent his Peril if that were possible yet that 's the least that is in it 2. That none ought among them to put him in fear by provoking the Lord to departure Or 3. and chiefly that his Faith and Courage was to rise as his Opposition did being at God's Work no Opposition was to dash him out of face The same Vigor was to be in him that Christ put in Paul Acts 18.9 by a Vision at the first planting of the Gospel there and having Christ's presence with him he was to admit no Argument Sign or Degree of sinful Fear since it was God's Work he had in hand Nil terribile nisi ipse timor Now here arises the honest Jealousy of my Soul as fearing our Policy outvies our Piety and Zeal for God and Truth And tho I grudg no Mans Escape from Treachery yet I commend the most noble and bold Witness in any tho I attain not to it my self O that I could Not to escape my self if the Master be in Jeopardy is to me pleasing Life and Livelihood are sweet and the Flesh is soon sensible of what gratifies it with ease but I cannot attain that not to accept a Deliverance Heb. 11.35 Had I but the clear view of Mr. Abr. Chear's better Resurrection then what Joy would a Prison or Death be for the Word and Soul's sake Says he p. 4. If Deliverance may not be had but on Terms dishonourable to the Lord now 't is a Snare to accept it is a Sin and a Blemish to Faith And after in a Letter for assembling in time of hazard he says p. 250. Where is the Lord God of Elijah I was refresh'd with Burroughs urging that of Luther I desire to be faithful If I cannot be a prudent Minister standing in the Gap is more dangerous than being behind the Hedg one may be more secure under the Wind But it 's best to be where God looks to find us and there may we hope to see him 5. Eye some Persons more set by Christ in the Front of this Battel than others While some of greatest note are laid in a Corner by Infirmities of Body Age or Spirit or some seeming Steps of Decay in wonted Zeal or ' cause their Parts might cloud his Glory or else the Brunt of the Battel or the Heat of the Sun has beat hardest as on Jonah's Head and caused them to flie to some empty withering Gourd for a Shelter Or whatever 't is these at present retire In the mean while Christ prudently culls out it may be some mean little-notic'd poor and young David some from the Flocks or so to confound the wise learned Doctors and mighty And these weak Worms lie at the Root of the old Oak of Bashan and gnaw out its Life as once the Mice raised the Persian Siege by cating of their Bow-strings And all to teach us that are of note and were in Christ before Rom. 16.7 to stir up our Gift and Grace that it die not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 2 Tim. 1.6 as the Priests did the holy Fire that was on God's Altar O ye Fathers and Brethren how should you cry as Aphraates for the scatter'd Flock that bleat in the Desert for Solitude while you silence your Gifts and offend Christ's little Ones by your turnings to an Harlot's House and consulting Flesh and Self in your Latitudes 6. To cure Fear in our Duty see the Example of the Lord's People here at Mizpeh Had the Prophet been like us he had neither pray'd for them nor atoned by the Sucking-Lamb but left them to a Flight or Captivity to the rude Army of the Philistines but now doing his Duty God honours it him and them with both a Defence and Defeat of the Enemy The like is in Ezra Ezra 3.3 They set up the Altar for Fear was on them for the People of those Countries that is lest they should surprize them ere they had done their Duty to God first So Jackson in loc And it was without doors the House not yet founded only they had the old Basis to set it on Sight of Danger edg'd their Sense of Duty As Caius Fabius that brake through an Host to offer an Yearly Sacrifice satis sperans propitios fore Deos quorum cultum c. hoping the Gods would be propitious whose Worship the Fear of even Death could not prohibit or intermit And shall a Heathens Zeal exceed the Christians to a true God and his pure Worship 7. Consider of what or whom are you afraid What a Prison That 's not so bad as the Fear is And why The Comforts preponderate the Cross David and you should join to one Petition Psal 142.7 i.e. Bring my Soul out of Prison That 's a far worse Prison To be under fear to a Worm that 's sad I knew a good Woman in fear of Spiders that shut her Eyes Years together Art afraid of a venemous Spider set the Foot of Faith on it and crush it Who art thou said God to fear a Man that shall die Isa 51.12 Who indeed Sure not a Saint what shall I call thee My Righteous are as bold as a Lion Prov. 28. 1. Dost ' call me a God Is not Man a Worm and shortly to die and then where is he And for thee to fear him how unreasonable is it Alas he 's but a smoaking Brand Isa 7.2 4. Are there two of them what of that Both shortly shall be extinct tho confederate together See how God allays the needless Fear of his in a like time The Atheist says Primus in orbe Deos fecit timor Fear first made Gods in the Earth But the true God was before them and thy Fear makes more Gods and so adorest them of thy own creating Let me predicate In a little while none shall cause Terror the terrible one comes to nought the Scorner ceases and God will cause his Terror on them Ezek. 32. ult Isa 16.4 Then no Feller Isa 14.8 nor Treader nor Milker as the Hebrew stiles Oppressors shall be on Earth no Name or Place Son or Nephew left Psal 37.8 I Confess some Men make themselves sore Terrors to others yet see the Case as 't is and put it at worst Why should Christians fear
nor crushes them under foot Psal 69.33 Lam. 3.34 2 King 25.27 Psal 105.20 Eccl. 4.14 loves to lift up their heads above others to Glory as Joseph Jehojachin c. after many years So Solomon says out of Prison that poor wise Child comes to reign him he prefers to an old foolish King past Admonition This a Dr. coments on Dr. Jermin in locum p. 120. One foolish deserves nor Honour nor Authority he is the Devils Vassal this he calls The height of Folly the shame of Honour the poor wise child is afore such And he cites a Queen of Italy that joyned her Brother to her in Council so writes to the Senate of Rome Omnia cum concilio nos diligimus ordinare We love to do all with Council nothing worthy of Reproof A Caution for inadvertent Kings But there he notes that as Joseph was some may be set on the Throne they Thrown from their wicked Command the lowest part of the Wheel may soon rowl it self upmost 6. Mourners are under the Wing of God's defence and blessed for Comfort follows Mat. 6.4 Especially mixt with Prayer This moist Seed-time foretells a blessed Harvest and promotes it Psal 126.5.6 O ye Mourners see three Scriptures and lay them up and hear for time to come He will restore Comfort to him and his Mourners Isai 57.18 The second in Job They that mourn shall be exalted to Safety Job 5.11.16 The third that of the Prophet the best sort of mourning i.e. for the Solemn Assembly for its dispersion and reproach Zeph. 3.18 To them is a Promise of gathering again and so as none shall be lacking any more Jer. 23.4 and none to make them afraid Ezek. 34.28 all the evil Beasts gone It was a strange passage after Prayer of one Saba in Julian's closing Tyranny who surprised with a sudden joy was ask't the Cause of it and answered Euseb p. 169. Suem aggrestem vastatorem vineae domini paenas exoluisse erga dominum injuriarum nunc jacere mortuum nec amplius ob ejus Insidiis metuendum esse c. 24. That Wild Boar the Waster of God's Vineyard now withered and lay dead and none of all his Crafts were now to be feared Upon which they were glad and sung a Song of Thanksgiving and so it fell out by the message of his death told after that very hour the old Man prayed he dyed though his Host was a great distance thence so glad Julian's Fall made the Christians 7th God's Defence is peculiar to Witnesses that stand in defence for him and his Gospel or any sacred Matters relating to Worship If they dye in their duty as Zachariah did Vengeance defends in a post facto way both their Witness and wrong but usually their Safety is the work of Divine Wisdom and Power Moses is hid not when Infant only but grown 40 years together in Madian yet at last God calls him out to litigate with Pharaoh and lead Israel out Acts 7.23 24 25. So Jeremiah and Baruch the Lord hid them Jer. 26.36 A dear Mother from her death bed sent me many years ago this Legacy out of Jeremiah ch 1.18.19 c. 15.20 21. prized above the Gold of Ophir and not only for the truth of it made good in many perils since but for the nature of it being a Scripture Prophesy and in the sense of a Promise pertinent to all true Gospel-Levites in the same Faith and Faithfulness with those two last named I cite this to support all the truly separated Gospel Levites as being by Prophesy Isai 66.21 took from among the Gentiles not so much for Office as for use and do here bequeath a Donative sweeter and richer than a Diadem to them and preferrable to that of Peter to Rodolphus Petra dedit Petro Petrus Diadema Rodolpho What Moses gave to Levi of old that I wish to all the Lords sincere Witnesses DEUT. 33.11 Bless Lord his Substance Poor and Low His handy work accept and prize Smite through their Loyns that hate him so As they no more may ' gainst him rise Such are the Subjects of Gods Defence 2dly The Springs whence cool Refreshings flow out are various the deeper you search and dig for them the sweeter are they Now all that God is says and does are for us especially his Properties and Titles his Promises and Word his Providential Works 1. His Properties glorious Titles are attributed to him none of all which are empty all subserve the good and safety of his Zion As a Preface to this in one Psalm Psal 48.12.13 Zion is called to joy and all are bid to rejoyce marking her Bullwarks her Towers and her Pallaces three terms illustrating her Dignity and Defence The 1st is Pallaces the Receptacles for great Princes Courts and their Reteiners The 2d Towers made to give annoyance to any that assault or besiege 3dly Bulwarks to receive all the Shot and violent Batteries that her Fort is stormed with by them without All invite us to walk the rounds view her Strength and Defence to tell it to all future Ages that though Zion mount topically considered is dismantled left and delete yet tropically and typically view'd 't is found again Heb. 12.22 And we come to it and on it Christ will ere long stand in head of a Palm-bearing number Rev. 14.1 ch 7.9 He and they both invincible i.e. Victorious for crescit sub pondere palma For as his Fort is there so his Pallaces are too and in them he dwells and will for ever Now all the devout Worshippers and Visiters of this Court may know their strength lies in her Defence and that others may see the Folly of all Assaults and so forbear let it be a little surveyed in her Impregnable Fortifications As now it is said The Name of the Lord i.e. The Lord himself is a strong Tower the Righteous fly or run to it and are safe or set on high Prov. 18.10 His Wisdom Goodness Power Providence are all for our defence in all our perils for God as one notes on that place His Wisdom contrives ways defensive Jer. Dyke in Locum p. 2. 3. or offensive Goodness moves him to take on Relation and be concerned in our Hazard his Power steps betwixt us and the Danger to oppose the Injury designed against us and Providence is a quick Executor of the whole and oft a retorter of the Mischiefs on our Foes 1. Wisdom contrives ways and apt means applyes them in the fittest time lyes ambush against his Enemies foresees the design as Haman's Plot let 's all run to a day and then surprizes them with some Frustration 2. Power is all sufficient to corroborate the Mind to arm Faith with Courage and takes hold of Shield Spear and Buckler Psal 35.2 3. and stops in the full Cariere or causes the Ass to dash the Masters foot to the Wall as Balaam that madds the Rider more Now in rushing times when the Waves are swelling yet the Lord is more mighty than
in their Duty but the opener that Gospel-worship is the better though in Perils To cure Ministers Fears the Story of one Mr. James Faber of Piccardy is very pregnant who being fled for the Gospel at a Dinner with some of note Scripture fulfilled p. 460. weeping suddenly gives this reason That his sin was great that being 100 years old and had so long preacht the Gospel to others who had suffered for it he as an unconstant Doctor should now flee and shed many tears a little after said the Master called for him made his Will instantly and shortly laid him asleep and died Now to end this head let us only note the care that in particular God shows of his Worship partly securing his Witnesses partly the Assemblies For the 1st as Scriptures give Instances in Jeremy so in Paul Acts 19. 30. Here Paul devoted a Martyr is by Disciples preserved from the Theatre I note they using Gods means did well for Paul's safety 't is laudable in the Godly to be cary of the Lifes and Uses of God's Witnesses and so he escap't also Aretas his fury in Damascus by a Basket they letting him down over the Wall as 2 Cor. 11.33 There his Conversion and Ministry began there Acts. 9.20 23. the Jews lay wait to kill him to escape the Assassinates and Souldiers he flees All flight is not sinful and God had work for him abroad they were his Rescuers A Senator of Hala gave Brentius advice that some conspired his death and bids Fuge fuge Brenti cito c. O Brent flee go quickly So an Angel in an Old Man's Form came to an Inn where several were in Company and gave notice of the Emperours Order at hand to secure one Gryneus he is no sooner gone but in comes the Officer but found him not So Mr. T. H. of N. E. coming down as the Officer came up askt him if Mr. H. be above said H. yes he was but now in that Room so God blinds Malice often and hides his own in the hollow of his hand as 't is Isai 51.16 and so will it ever be with us as with our Lord till our hour appointed of God as Christ was still preserved so are his Witnesses till as Lambs they be fit for the Altar 2dly Nor less care shows the Lord in a Covert spread on Assemblies 'T is next to a wonder in nature that Lions Wolves Foxes are so few and yet bring forth Cubbs by 4 or 5 at once but Sheep that breed only at Spring and seldom above one or two are increast dayly by Flocks though cut off for Sacrifices often and Food dayly quartered fleeced flayed on every Shambles And yet 't is a far greater wonder that Wolvish Men and their Puppets more ten to one especially on persecuting days than be the Saints should not long ago have utterly extirpated all the Seed of God but still to increase the wonder the Race of Gods Seekers the Affections and Assemblies both are dayly increased even in Times and Places of the greatest Rage and Voracity What higher reason is to be rendred than the sure Promise of God made to Assemblies Isaiah 4.4 5. on Mount Zion Read it and note 1. The subject of the Promise to whom made 2. The Circumstances how it is performed 1. I confess it is not made to all as some need not to Gods covert so others as little care for it having Law and Force on their Part all Power Civil Military Ministerial backing and beating in all their Placits tam verbis quam verberibus with Temples railed Altars and Ornatures in grandeur and state alamode but those to whom this is promised JADIACH 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i.e. cum abluerit sordes are the Purged when v. 4. The Filth of the Daughter of Zion is purged eth zoath the Ordure in the Hebr. i.e. when the Excrements of man's wanton brain is washt out of her holy Garments and her Dung is swept out of God's House and when Fire has burnt out the spots that all the waters of Affliction could not rinse or rubb out then it follows he will defend every dwelling-Place that very House of Obed-Edom shall be blest and preserved as his was that when the City was sadly ruined by Earthquake that part where a poor man was praying was preserved and every calling together or Meeting as the word Miqraejah from a root that signifies 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 1 to call 2 to meet together 3 to Preach 4 or to read This is the end or design of the two first On the holy Meetings erit Protectio a Covert or Defence shall be Kabod-Chuppah such a Covert or Canopy as the Jews had by which two that were espoused were covered in Honour Quo Sponsus cum Sponsu abdebat and then came out to view to note Assemblies are the Lords espousing Times 2. The Manner or Circumstances how this is done Bara he 'll create it i. e ex nihilo without any assistance humane or perexsisting matter yea maugre all resistance he 'll create a defence and it is done by Judgment and a Spirit of burning the Nature of fire being to sever dross from and so make pure metal this is of a word that Taberah comes from it is a Spirit that is spiritual burning or of God's Spirit kindling the fire of true zeal to consume all Dross and Tinn in holy Duties the mode of this Shelter is exprest by allusion to that Pillar of Cloud that from Aegypt to Canaan bespread bedewed and guided yea guarded them through the Desert to that Rest which was 1. A Blind to Aegypt that pursued them close 2. A Flame for Light and leading in the Dark 3. A terrour to Lions and Beasts that fear Fire 4. A Baptisme or cool misty Cloud by day to cover from heat as v. 6. of the Sun 5. A sheltering Cloud to secure in Perils and I presume not without Mannah and Water too One illustrates it by that in Zach. 2.5 called a Wall of Fire and I add ch 9.8 wher 's it is stiled a Camp about God's House of which in the Use In Deut. 33.12 note of Benjamin this was his Blessing The Beloved of the Lord shall dwell in safety by him i.e. Judah and Benjamin shall divide the Glory and Temple by a Righ-line betwixt them Weemes H. Ainsworth and others as some note the Line divided the Temple Sanctum Sanctorum and the very two Cherubs where the Shechina or Divine Majesty and Oracle sate and spake and he shall dwell betwixt his Shoulders col hajom all the day Now all I urge hence is to prove that God is the Safety of Assemblies in worship of his Name and though Objections may be made and answered in the Sequel yet if God be as good as his word as oft he is better and if yet any remain of Zions Daughters he is the same defence yesterday to day and for ever as Heb. 13.8 Modern Instances will
yet further occur from History to prove ex abundanti the truth of it And so far is the 2d head in the Act of Duty how Gods defends his Worship 3dly Now let 's explain how God defends his Worshippers afterwards Tho it may be the Lot of the best to be exposed and God in his Wisdom for good and holy ends suffers the worst of Men to prevail over the best and to trample on the most sacred things and Persons most for his own times and ways he must take to perform his Word not ours yet after men have prospered a long time and Saints suffered with and for the Sanctuary a little while he comes a tergo unawares after the one with Vengeance and unto the Godly rides fast for their help and deliverance There is none like the God of Jeshurun said Moses Deut. 33.26 that is of Upright Ones that rides on the Heavens for thy help and in his Excellency on the Skies Note 1. God is titled by the stile of a General his Excellency for he excells in Might in Wisdom in Command ore all in chief 2. Though he delays and is long and far behind our hasty desires yet 't is but as a Captain that steps to the Rere to bring them safe off and he is not dismounted he rides still and on swift Steeds the Skies the Heavens which Spheres do naturally move wondrous quick so that he can soon overtake the foot of his Host and also the Horse of his Enenemies 'T is a Note of * Burr Lord of Hosts one that the old Wars of Israel were on their part still on foot though Pharaoh pursued with Chariots and Horses yet I am sure God rides with celerity has a running Army and all for onr help To be a little more particular in this third head How God defends his Worshipers after tho in the act of duty he may delay a little space of time to try both their courage and patience and perseverance in well doing and herein he helps them also not a little and that is also a token of their Salvation But now as the after-clap Thunder is loudest and that which brings the Bolt of Execution on the highest things So Does Gods fulminating Stroaks On Bashans highest sturdy Oaks And lofty Hills as Psal 81.7 feriunt summos fulmina montes That Psalm says of Israels Deliverance out of Pharaoh's Slavery He answered in the secret place of Thunder i.e. by sore and heavy Judgments on Aegypt Exod. 9.23 And this not the least for as the Thunder terrified them and the Hail and Fire mixt smote Grass Herbs and Trees so that v. 28. the King melts and thaws a while and at Moses's Prayer it was removed again but the Heart freezes as hard as before to inslave God's Children till the Red-Sea soakt it once for all Nor are extraordinary Examples of this wanting here when no ordinary obtain sometimes God's Cannons go off and the Report and Execution is done at some distance and heard of afterwards sometimes it is immediately and so here on that day v. 10. he discomfited them possibly sentence is not speedily as Eccl. 8.11 It may be at Night as in the Siege of Jerusalem prophesied Isai 17.14 performed ch 37.36 and that Night too as to the Host and v. 38. as to the King verified and even in the act of his own Worship it seems in the House of his false God his Sons perhaps in a Jealousie of being prevented in the Succession slew him and so he that did invade and besiege Gods City and Sanctuary is cut off in his own to read us his Crime in his own condemnation Polibius said of Antiochus he came to that ill end for attempting to spoil Apollo's Temple it was indeed for this assaulting of Gods For v. 34. is a Promise to defend that City as a Shield so the Word notes Herodotus says of this defeat * Tho misapplied to Setho Priest of Vulcan and death soon after that on his Tomb was found that Epitaph Look on me and beware By this it is plain God is in some Cases severe in expediting vengeance tho he is slow to anger yet if once angry he rides swiftly and though he forbears some other Sinners long as that Question implies 1 Kings 14.14 I will rise against the House of Jeroboam but what even now That notes either not yet or in a very few years and it was now in hand to be done by Baasha and partly begun in the death of Abijah his Son and fulfilled thereafter in two years or little more as Mayer observes But revenges for wrongs and ruines of the Lords Altar and Service may be observed to overtake some times Persons in particular and sometimes Cities and People in bulk For the former the Judgments of God have oft surprised none of the meanest men and that for the cause of Zion that is Liberty and Purity of Worship and its lovers see what followed Cain for guilt of Abel's blood that bloody Cut-throat as that word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 denotes 1 John 3.12 not brooking a preciser Devotion than his Crit. Sacr. proprie est ferro fratrem jugulo adacto occidere butchers a poor Brother for Conscience but God setts a mark of visible terrour and secret horrour on him that followed him as a Blood-hound to the end the first quarrel was as one says circa media sacrificii A Curse followed it Gen. 4.11 and still does all that go in Cain's way of Persecution Judg. v. 11. and Balaam's the way of cursing 2 Peter 2.15 Like John Diazius that having killed his own Brother fled to Rome as Cain to Nod and there is cannonized but so dogged in his Soul that for want of a Gibbet he hanged himself at the neck of his Mule Sin it self is turned to a Plague As Tacitus flagitia tandem in supplicia vertuntur Pavor Palor are fit Gods for some that do as Tullus Hostilius did by Numas Zeal deride the Devotion of Predecessors It pulls on the Successors the Predecessors Curse to scorn and renounce the Progenitors Religion Pharaoh detains Gods Israel from Sacrifice yea brands them and it as Idle Exod. 5.17 drives Moses the Court now no Petitions to relax Grievances are allowed nay they are threatned with death if they see his face what follows Why now things ripen he for ruine they for redemption and the People fear them Moses is famous the Council divide and Courtiers plead for Israel to go As since Luthers Confessions sent to all the Electoral Princes obtaind respect To go on what came of Balaam's Curse that Balak will needs have to pass on God's Israel ' cause they dwelt alone Numb 23.8 9. and obey'd Laws distinct from all People even the Law of their God was their Crime as Dan. 6.5 a little after their Wiles had vex'd Israel they and he the Arch-Inchanter perish in war Chap. 25.17 31.2 8. For tho Balaam went to his place