s but saving Let Heaven and Earth be shaken and it shall be shaken as once he said Let there be an Heaven and an earth and it was so Whose voice then shook the earth The word voice is applyed to things Natural as Rev. 6. 1. The voice of Thunder 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Artificial Mat 124. 31. The voice of a Trumpet 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Rational 2 Pet. 2 16. The voice of a Man 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Supernatural as here His voice 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 His voice That is the voice of Jesus the Mediator of the new Covenant whose blood speaks better things then that of Abel His voyce who speaks from Heaven His voyce shook Will shake 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Jun. translates it Ego commoturus sum I am about to shake Shaking signifies a violent Motion a Motion differing from the common Motion 1. As when the wind is in the bowels of the earth and in its breaking forth makes the earth for to tremble Terrae motus that is called shaking Isa 13. 13. The earth shal move out of his place 2. Or as the wind shakes the corn to and fro or the fruit upon the trees somtimes this way then the contrary way which is not the natural motion of the corne or fruit but as it s forced by the wind Psalme 72. 16. His fruit shall shake like Libanus 3. Or as the motion of an Army Isa 30. 32. In battels of shaking will he fight with it This shaking in Heb. 12. is expressed by two words The first 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 proprie de sale vi ventorum agitato it signifies properly to shake as the Sea is shaken with a mighty wind when the wind gets into the bowels of the Sea The other word is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 such a kind of shaking as tears and rends in pieces and so this phrase expresseth tearing turns and rending changes which shall befall the Nations So then shaking contains 1. A change and alteration 2 Such as is accompanied with annihilation or bringing of things to nothing 3. Annihilation in a way to execute justice 4. It denotes sometime also alteration from bad to good from good to better Shaking in a way of mercy or at least bringing good out of evil So here its shaking by way of a promise Take hence these five Observations 1. The nature of things here are liable to change God only is immutable 2. That the changes below are and may be Suddain Violent Strange 3. That yet they are righteous and shall be gracious to Gods people 4. That Jesus Christ himselfe hath the highest hand in these changes 5. That in these changes he shewes himselfe the Lord of Hosts The Heaven and Earth These four words Heaven Earth Sea and Dry Land are taken two wayes Grammatically Rhethorically 1. Grammatically for such things in Nature as the letters of the words do import as the Earth for that part of the world which we tread on and so the like of the rest 2. They are taken Rhetorically when by a fine manner of speaking an elegancy of expression they set forth some thing beside what they expresse in their Grammatical sense both wayes agree to the text we are upon Now observe in the Rhetorical way there is a double acceptation 1. By a Metonymie of the subject for the adjunct Continentis pro contento when the thing containing is put for the thing contained Heaven is put fo the inhabitants of heaven and so Earth Sea and Dry Land put for those that dwell on the Earth Sea or Dry Land 2. By a Metaphor or borrowed speech because heaven is the highest and in comparison of that earth is the lowest body they are put to declare high and low things a little more to open these words observe Heaven 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies that part of the world which is opposite to the earth from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 an adverbe of place as some think shewing the distance of heaven as being most remote from the earth We read of the first second and third heaven The first is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or an expance that which is nearest the Earth and turned round about it thus we read of the windows of this heaven to be opened when the raine fell Gen. 8. of birds flying in this Heaven Deut. 4. The second Heaven is the place where the Stars are fixed and so called the starry heaven The third is the Seat of the blessed Sedes Beatorum into which the Apostle Paul was wrapped 2 Cor. 12. 2. And the Earth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that part of the world which is distinguished from heaven some derive it from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a word signifying to run because beasts run upon it It 's the place where men dwell Gen. 18. 18. sometime it signifies one Country more then another Gen. 41. 57. And all Countries came to Egypt because the famine was sore in all Lands Sometime it signifies a feild but here I take it to denote a Continent that part of the world that is distingusht from Seas and Islands the Maine-land The Sea 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 you have a plaine description of that given by Moses Gen. 1. 10. its the gathering together of the waters The dry Land 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Arida the dry Land as distinct from Heaven Earth and Seas which I here take to be Islands Lands in the midst of Sea dry Land yet compassed about with water From the words thus opened observe Jesus Christ will make great changes in the natural bodyes of Heaven Earth Sea and dry Land This ariseth from the words taken Grammatically Jesus Christ will turne and change the inhabitants of Heaven and Earth and Sea and dry Land Even Angels and men Men that dwell on the Continent Islands and Seas and this ariseth from the Rhetorical Metonymie whereby the thing containing is put for the thing contained Jesus Christ will make great changes in the heavens and earth in the high and low things of Kingdomes and Peoples and Nations Having thus taken the words asunder and given you the meaning of them and the observations from them we will now put them together again in this short form following Hag. 2. 6 7 8. contains a prophetical promise wherein observe The promise is propounded wherein consider 4 things 1. The person promising The Lord of Hosts 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 2. The things promised which are three 1. The shaking twice repeated set out by its object The heavens The earth The seas The dry land The nations All nations 2. The comming of Christ called the desire of Nations All. 3. Of filling set out by 1. What. This house 2 With what with Glory 3. The persons to whom this promise is made Zorobabel Joshua All the people This is taken from v. 4. 4. The time of performance and that is a Set time once Short time
Kingdome is spiritual Rom. 14. 17 Not in meat and drinke but righteousnesse and peace and joy in the holy Ghost Princes may beare rule over mens persons and estates but Jesus Christ over mens consciences He imprints his Law upon them and gives them power to reflect both on that Law and their own wayes by it he accuseth or excuseth lets terrour or peace into the conscience as seemeth good to him His Commands and Promises carry a blessed spiritualnesse with them and so do his Rewards When you serve him it must be in spirit and truth when you pray it must be in the spirit Jude v. 20. and when you heare it must be what the spirit sayeth to the Churches Rev. 3. 6. If you take on you to preach it must not be with the entising words of mans wisdome but in demonstration of the spirit and with power Col. 2. 4. and if you sing it must be spiritual Songs making melody with grace in the heart to the Lord Col. 3 16. In a word you are as lively stones built up a spiritual house an holy priesthood to offer up spiritual Sacrifices acceptable to God by Jesus Christ 1 Pet. 2. 5. and verse 9. Ye are a chosen generation a royal priesthood an holy nation a peculiar people that ye should shew forth the praises of him that hath called you out of darknesse into his marvellous light I beseech you therefore Brethren by the mercyes of God that ye present your bodies a lively Sacrifice holy acceptable unto God which is your reasonable service Rom. 12. 1. 2. His Kingdome is Vniversal over all Saints in all places and ages He is yesterday and to day and the same for ever he ruled Israel of old and he rules his people now his administration was unto them outward and visible and shall it not be so again in the latter dayes Amos 2. 9 10 11. I destroyed the Amorite before them I brought them up from the land of Egypt and led them forty years through the Wildernesse to possesse the land of the Amorits and I raised up of your sons for Prophets and of your young men for Nazarites saith the Lord. He brought up he led he destroyed he raised he did all then and will do all hereafter Rev. 11. 15. The Kingdomes of the world are become the Kingdomes of our Lord and his Christ not now one Kingdome or Nation as then not this or that Kingdome and no more but the Kingdomes of the world are become his he shall not alwayes be crouded into a corner of the world but as it is v. 1. 7. He shall take unto himselfe his great power and reigne and reward his servants the Prophets and the Saints that feare his Name both small and great here and there and everywhere 3. Thy Throne oh God is for ever and ever Heb. 1. 8. the heavens perish and waxe old as a garment and as a vesture shalt thou fold them up and they shall be changed but thou art the same and thy years shall not faile His Kingdome then is Eternal Dan. 2. 44. The God of heaven hath set up a Kingdome which shall never be destroyed and the Kingdome shall not be left to other people but it shall break in pieces and consume all these Kingdomes and it shall stand for ever It shall not be destroyed by any adverse power nor shall it decay of it selfe but it shall break all adverse power and it shall stand for ever and as it is an eternal Kingdome so it determineth men to an eternal state Rev. 1. 18. I live for evermore Amen and have the keyes of Hell and Death wherefore Feare not them which kill the body but are not able to kill the soul but rather feare him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell Math. 10. 28. 4. Lastly his Kingdome brings in perfect peace and liberty Isa 9. 6. He is the everlasting father and Prince of peace Isa 24. 23. The Lord shall reigne in mount Sion and in Jerusalem before the Ancients gloriously not onely reigne in heaven but in Sion and that gloriously Isa 25. 8. He shall swallow up Death in Victory and the Lord will wipe away teares from all faces and the rebuke of the people shall he take away from all the earth for the Lord hath spoken it Death teares rebuke shall be taken away what safety and hapinesse must then follow Isa 52. 13. Behold my servant shall dwell confidently he shall be exalted and extolled and be very high Isa 60. 19. 20. The Sun shall be no more thy light by day neither for brightnesse shall the Moon give light unto thee but the Lord shall be unto thee an everlasting light and thy God thy glory and the dayes of thy mourning shall be ended Rev. 21. 4. There shall be no more death neither sorrow nor crying neiiher shall there be any more paine for the former things are passed away 3. The third and last thing that we learne from hence that Christ is King of Saints is the excellency of his Subjects and the glory of his holy ones 1. Christ is King and the holy One of God and his Saints shall be more Saints shall appear to be his holy ones Sanctity shall be more exalted in them then ever yet our eyes have seen Joel 3. 17. Then shall Jerusalem be holy and there shall no strangers passe thorow her any more Zach. 14. 20. In that day shall there be upon the bels of the horses Holinesse to the Lord yea every pot in Jerusalem and Judah shall be holinesse to the Lord of Hosts and there shall be no more the Canaanite in the house of the Lord of Hosts 2. They shall live in safety Isa 60. 18. Violence shall no more be heard in thy Land wasting nor destruction within thy borders but thou shalt call thy walls salvation and thy gates praise Joel 2. 18. In that day will I make a covenant for them with the beasts of the feild and with the fowles of heaven and I will breake the Bow and the Battel ouâ— of the earth and will make them to lie down safely 3. Saints enemies shall be brought to ruine Zach. 10. 11. The pride of Assyria shall be brought down and the Scepter of Egypt shall depart away It is usual to expresse the enemies of the Church by the names of the old grand enemies Assyria and Egypt and you see what shall become of them they shall be brought down and depart away Isa 14. 2. The house of Israel shall possesse strangers in the land of the Lord for servants and for handmaids and they shall take them captive whose captives they were and they shall rule over their oppressors Rev. 20. 7 8 9. Satan shall goe out to deceive the Nations which are in the four quarters of the Earth Gog and Magog to gather them together to battel But fire shall come down from God out of heaven and
wickednesse 4. though Christ be no cause of their badnesse yet he permits it 5. In permitting them he puts forth a righteous judgement 6. He orders their badnesse for good Vse of Instruction 1. that their being Creatures of Christs making stamps Authority on them 2. When we rise against Government we rise against Christ 3. Ascribe the good of Government to Christ 4. Hence take a ground of patience under evil Governours 5. Christ must needs be glorious Vse of Exhortation in sixe passages out of Psal 2. 1. To be wise 2. To be instructed 3. to be in feare 4. To serve him 5. to rejoyce with trembling 6. To kisse the Son CHAP. X. OPens that setting up of Government is for the worlds good as appears 1. In that it is set to keep the world in order 2. Persons so set and kept enjoy propriety 3. Government promotes the increase of good things in our propriety 4. Government protects your Peace 5. Setting up of Government is when God makes some men able and willing to manage Publicke Affairs and draws others to consent and subject 6. This is notably for the good of not some but all ranks of men 7. It s extensive to the whole life of all those men 8. There is honour due to them who are thus set up for Government Vse of Instruction to shew 1. That God is a faithful Creator 2. Rulers had need be of much wisdom and publicknesse of spirit Vse 2 of Exhortation 1. To esteem them highly 2. To make honourable mention of them 3. To speak to God for them 4. To submit to every Ordinance 5. To testifie our thankfulnesse by service in person and in purse CHAP. XI UNfolds that Governours and Governments are apt to change which these six things will further informe you in 1. Governours change by death and in their manners while they live 2. Manners and forms of Government as well as Persons are liable to change 3. People change in their mindes and conditions 4. Change of Governments Governours and People causeth change of Laws 5. they change in their league and trade with Neighbour Nations 6. Jesus Christ King of Kings makes a change on Governours and Governments by sending Plague Sword or Famine on them Vse of Instruction 1. Lesser bodies will change 2. See the creatures vanity Vse of Exhortation to Princes 2. To exalt righteousnesse 2. To be little in their own eyes To All. 1. to raise up your hearts to minde things above 2. to be content in these turnes 3. to contend to have the change for better CHAP. XII SHews that Kings abuse their power for 1. they serve themselves more then others 2. they turn the power which should be for good to the hurt of others 3. Power was set against Christ in his person when he was on Earth 4. It is against Christ and his interest Now. 5. the power of Kings is given up to Christs enemies Vse of Instruction to see 1. the foundation of turns on Kingdoms viz. Departing from the right ends 2. How little Kings deserve the name of Sacred 3. Judge not of men or causes to be good by the greatnesse of them that follow them 4. Vndeceive your selves about the true value of earthly powers 5. that those in power be circumspect CHAP. XIII SHews that abuse of power tends to the breaking of power which is apparent 1. When those in power indulge their own lazinesse 2. When they take no account of under-officers 3. When they rule by will 4. When they look not after the execution of good Laws 5. When they are unjust 6. When they sinfully conform to neighbour Princes 7. When they persecute those who are good 8. When they interpose unduely in the things of God Vse 1. of Instruction to see the cause of great turns among us Vse 2. of Admonition to Princes 1. Take heed of your hearts in lawful things 2. Take heed of coveteous self-love 3. Exalt not your selves unduely 4. Anger and malice misbecome a Prince 5. Forget not the kindnesse of others to you 6. Look that your Courtiers prove not flatterers CHAP. XIV PRinces being wicked people grow wicked too because 1. Wickednesse in men of high place is misrepresented to the people 2. Wicked Princes leave good Laws unexecuted and sin unpunished 3. Then wickednesse comes to be established as by a Law 4. Because of the Priests of the Nation 5. People are migtily led by example Vse 1. To shew how much Rulers have to answer for 2. To shew that examples move much 3. To take notice of the wickedness in us 4. See how just it is to suffer from Princes when we grow sinful by them CHAP. XV. THat abuse of power and wickednesse of people adapt to Civil war How abuse of power works on good mens spirits How wickedness adapts See it thus 1. Pride in Princes produceth pride in people 2. Pride introduceth luxury 3. Luxury introduceth poverty 4. Poverty makes people discontented 5. Discontented people meditate their pressures 6. Pressed people hardly pay for any publick uses 7. People grow weary of their Trades 8. They feare more then they feel 9. There be Incendiaries that augment their fears 10. These incendiaries have many followers Vse 1. To Princes to consider their abuse of power 2. To people who complain of Wars yet are the cause of them 3. To admire Gods goodness that we have no more Civil Wars CHAP. XVI SHews that Civil Wars produce fatal Changes for 1. Then Government is destroyed 2. Equity and Laws are not then to be heard 3. Then Religion and devotion are stifled 4. Learning and Trading fall down dead 5. A rich people is made poor and a strong people weake 6. No safety to any then 7. Plantations are nipt in the bud 8. The victory of Civil Wars is much to be lamented Vse 1. Admire Gods goodnesse that we are a Nation 2. Consider how much we are engaged to those in power by whose care it comes to passe that Wars break not forth 3. Look on some inconveniences as eligible when they prevent what is fatal 4. It should be far from us to promote a Civil War CHAP. XVII NEighbour Princes fall off from us or come forth against us when we are in Civil War which is opened thus 1. God hath bounded and limited all Nations in their Territories 2. Confederacy is as needful for a Nation as a Person 3. It s of great concernment what and with whom confederacy is concluded 4. Islands have more liberty of choice as to their confederates then those that live in a Continent 5. We may have cause to break with those with whom we have been confederate 6. It s possible some may break unjustly from us 7. Those with whom we are in League may be devoured by their adversaries 8. It s possible notwithstanding confederacies abroad we may be disjoynt at home 9. This distraction tempts your friends to shake you off 10. It
riches and honour Say not your enemies are many mighty crafty and malicious and you are few and weake and how shall your tranquillity be Remember Christ hath this power to change their strength into weaknesse and your weaknesse into strength Lastly let it exhort you to these four things 1. Consider Christ in all changes on the creatures and this will make natural Philosophy to become spiritual Are there Ecclipses of the Sun blazing Stars Meteors unusual Winds and Stormes Haile Snow Thunder and Lightning Then let your souls mount up in thoughts and feare of Christ while Astrologers are vexing their mindes with strained applications of these things here you are taught whether to refer them Remember Christ in the dry years we have had in the unusual high Tydes and such like Occurences 2. Feare before Christ more then men when they are angry you are troubled when they frowne you feare and is there not more cause to feare him that over-rules the constellations turnes about the winds Jer. 5. 22. Fear you not me saith the Lord and will ye not tremble at my person who have placed the sand for the bound of the Sea 3. Advance your faith to a great expectation and the expectation of great things A little faith will not suffice when God speaks and workes we must be strong in faith if we will give glory to God not considering the carnal reasons examples customes and experiences which may be produced and pressed but to goe on in our perswasion that God which hath made Heaven and Earth will compleat his work for his own and his Sons glory 4. Surely Christ is to be exalted in praise that can worke about turnes in natural things to be subservient unto spiritual Signes in heaven and earth have an aspect to the performance of promises and fulfilling of prophesies and we should be heavenly and spiritual Mathematicians and Astrologers to take the true motion and dimension of these things to the elevation of his Name and our hearts to his praise CHAP. VI. Shewes the change and the ministration of Angels in these Turnes Thus First Christ is head of Angels 2. They must serve his Saints 3. They serve in destruction of their enemies 4. They must have apparent honour for this service 5. They are in the visions and so in the execution 6. They have Kingdome-worke 7. They and Saints are joyned together 8. They are used in the last which are the best dispensations 9. Christ must have his Angels as well as the Dragon Use of Instruction and Exhortation Concerning Heaven and Earth taken properly you heard in the former Chapter Look on heaven and earth now as spoken by a figure setting down the thing containing for the thing contained and so heaven containing the Angels is put for the Angels contained in heaven but then the question will be How are these Heavens shaken or plainly thus How are these Angels in Heaven said to be changed Angels are called Heavens because they dwell there Caeli quia caelicolâ— Heavens because the inhabitants of heaven thus Job 15. 15. The Heavens are not cleane in his sight that is the Angels of heaven are not cleane Not that they have any sin to pollute them but weighing them with him who is the holy holy holy One they can beare no weight Ne ipsi quidem caeli mundi sunt cum ipso collati quantumvis a terrenis istis faecibus immunes Beza The heavens although free from earthly dregs are not cleare compared with him His eyes are more pure then to behold any iniquity his holinesse is himselfe and so unmeasurable The Angels though holy yet is their holinesse by measure their holinesse is limited they are but creatures though holy and heavenly creatures and compared with that infinite One they are said not to be cleane Job 4. 18. Behold he put no trust in his servants and his Angels he charged with folly Nullo modo conferenda est illorum justitia cum justitia Dei quae modis omnibus infinita est Their righteousnesse is no way to be compared with his which is altogether infinite and this it may be is hinted in those latter words In his sight They are cleane indeed in our sight and we can finde no impurity in them but not so in his sight Mat. 6. 20. Thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven that is by the Angels in heaven Now how these heavens these Angels may be said to be shaken is the great Question We speake here of good Angels whom we look on as confirmed in their state by Christ and how then are they shaken Philip Melanchthon who was called Germaniae Luscinia Germanies Nightingale referring this prophesie of Haggai to Christ his comming in the flesh saith Movit coelos quia Deus assumpsit humanam Naturam He shooke the heavens because God assumed humane nature and there is a certain truth in that although the wordes carry more in them It was a great shake of Heaven when Christ who was higher then the heavens took our nature on him Carthusian referrs it to the appearance of Angels at the birth of Christ Movet coelos quando cives coelestes apparuerunt hominibus concinnentes Whâ—n the Multitude of the heavenly hosts appeared pâ—aysing God and saying Glory to God in 〈◊〉 highest Luke 2. 13 14. Others refer it to the great admiration that even the Angels were in at the preaching of the Gospel 1 Pet. 1. 12. which things namely the things o thâ— Gâ—â—pel the Angels desire to look into 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 from a word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 incurvo me ut 〈◊〉 which signifies I bow down my selfe that I may see arguing an aâ—dency of affection and the undergoing as it were some difficulty to obtain a Vision They admired and looked and â—he more they looked the more they admired like those that could not satisfie themselves in what they liked and looked after Now when God reveales New things to Angels then in some regard they receive a change for they then know that which they knew not before and in that reception of new Revelations may truly be said to be under some mutation or change And who knowes but God may reveale new things to them concerning the great workes which he is about to doe in the World Angels know some things and much more then we but not all they know not so much but they may know more Angels may grow in knowledge as well as men and all growth is a change a change from a lâ—sse quantity to a greater Angels are Gods servants and his speaking to them is his illighâ—ning of them to know his will and knowing to do it Christ is said to shake the Angels in regard of that new employment he puts them to It is true Angels have a perfection et quod perfâ—ctum est non recipit mutationem in pâ—jus saith Drusius
shaking of these tall Cedars is one of the greatest works in the world that which notably holds forth Jesus Christ I shall therefore indeavour to open the shaking of these earthly powers both from the consideration 〈…〉 Jesus Christ and that both 1. As King of the World 2. As King os Saints Secondly of these great persons and that both in regard of 1. Themselves 2. Their Relations All which we shall cast into several positions to be handled in the chapters following The consideration of Christ as King of the World gives you a very faire account of the turnes in these latter Ages which that you may the better understand we shall lead you on by twelve several Positions all of them contributing some thing to the right and religious understanding of these turnes Now the first Position is this All power is given to Christ in Heaven and Earth Math. 28. 18. Dan. 2. 44. The God of Heaven sets up Christs Kingdom and the Kingdome shall not be left to other people but it shall break in pieces and consume all those Kingdomes and it shall stand for ever Christs power it so resides in him that it cannot be translated It s a conquering power for it breakes in peices and it enjoyes the fruit of such conquests for it stands for ever This we shall open in five passages 1. That all power is in Christ it is in him as in the proper seat of it He is the first fountaine of all power and all the power in all the creatures flowes from him their power is but a drop of his Ocean the highest and best kinde of power dwells in him He is the first borne of every creature His power is extensive to all creatures and times all creatures are either in heaven or in earth and his power reacheth both Col. 1. 16. By him were all things created that were in Heaven and Earth visible and invisible whether they be Thrones or Dominions or Principalities or Powers And Jer. 10. 7. Who would not feare thee Oh King of Nations Psal 22. 28. The kingdome is the Lords and he is Governour among the Nations All earthly powers have their periods their rise and fall their beginning and ending but it s not so with Christs power for Heb. 1. 8. It s spoken to him Thy throne oh God is for ever and ever 2. All power was Christ his due upon the taking of our nature So much is wrapped up upon the assumption of our flesh that thereupon all created power was to be under him Suppose man had not fallen nor Christ suffered yet if he take our nature to himselfe upon this all power in all creatures must be under him Heb. 2. 6. When he bringeth in the First begotten into the world he saith and let all the Angels of God worship him Observe he is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the First borne Christ as taking our nature had a being in the counsel of God and was before any creature was and by that priority and firstnesse of being he hath a preeminence above all creatures whatsoever Col. 1. 18. In all things he must have the pereeminence The first begotten under the Law had a priviledge above all his brethren he had the rule and the double portion So hath Christ he hath the rule of all creatures he guides them to their end and indeed they are all his portion given unto him as the First begotten Againe observe the text mentions God the Fathers bringing Christ into the world which was when at his exhibition in the flesh he manifested it to the world that he was his onely begotten Son And observe lastly that upon this taking of our flesh the Angels which are the highest ranke of creatures are subject to him nay with the highest subjection namely that of adoration now if Angels the highest of creatures surely all other creatures much more 3. That though this power were his due yet it is rightly said to be given to him in that its a power falls on him as in our nature not considered onely as second person Now being thus in our nature the Father is greater then he Joh. 14. 28. I goe unto my Father for my Father is greater then I and he is in that regard lesse then the Father The Father gives all to Christ and Christ returnes all to the Father Dare est dominium transferre John 3. 35. The Father loveth the Sonne and hath given all things into his hand giving is a transferring out of love and the Fathers love is so great he cannot give him lesse then all v. 34. He give the spirit to him but not by measure Joh. 10. 39. God the Father gives all his elect chosen ones to Christ and he gives him worke to do for them Joh. 17. 4. I have finished the worke which thou gavest me to doe Joh. 5. 26 27. He hath given to the Sonne to have life in himselfe v. 27. and he hath given him authority to execute judgement also because he is the Son of Man In regard of all creatures He hath power given him over all flesh Joh. 17. 2. The Government is laid upon his shoulders and he rules among the Nations Dan. 4. 21. 4. Jesus Christ hath had but little glory of all his power Joh. 1. 11. He came to his own and his own received him not How many are there in the world that never heard of Jesus Christ how many that are professed enemies against him and among all that beare his Name how few live indeed by him How many thousands are there in the Synagogue of Antichrist that although they beare his Name being called Christians and make profession of him yet in workes deny him Look upon the great ones of the Earth who have that power of his derived unto them that others have not yet how great strangers are they unto him Nay looke among those who pretend to Reformation and to be adversaries to all superstitions yet how little do they take notice of his power put forth in the World or give him the praise of it 5. Christ will exalt himself in such great various turnes on Kings as shall extort acknowledgement from their consciences that he is above them and make them confesse This is the hand of Christ upon us whose Vassals we are Our Crownes and Scepters are more his then ours He He is the Lords Annointed All powers of earth are immediately and fully given to him and not to us We poor worms struggle for this earth but heaven and earth and all power are his and we are but his underlings Isa 10. 12. I will punish the fruit of the stout heart of the King of Assyria and the glory of his high looks Let us conclude this with the confession of Nebuchadnezzer Dan. 4. I Nebuchadnezzar extol the King of heaven all whose words are truth and his wayes judgement and those that walke in pride he is able to abase
a spiritual instinct and inward inclination so as not to be satisfied without you taste the sweetnesse of it desire it in the sincerity of it and with the sincerity of desire that ye may grow thereby Accretio est mutatio minoris quantitatis in majorem usque ad terminum praefinitum a naturâ Growth is the change of a lesse quantity and degree of grace into a greater when you passe from your little knowledge faith and love to a greater measure then you grow God hath given his word for to strengthen as well as to beget us and the sincere word is the word that makes you grow and that word for that end should have our strong first born desires The noble Bereans Acts 17. 11. received the word with all readinesse of minde and searched the Scriptures daily whether those things were so And it will be no lesse noblenesse in you to receive and search to receive with readinesse and retaine with gladnesse the word of truth This will argue the honesty and goodnesse of your hearts Luk. 8. 15. thus to heare and keep and bring â—orth fruit with patience You must like Mary ponder Christs sayings in your hearts giving more earnest heed to the things which you have heard lest at any time you should let them slip Heb. 2. 1. Coming to the Lords Table you must examine your selves and so eate of that bread and drink of that cup which is no lesse th en the Communion of the body and blood of the Lord and thus judging your selves you are discerning the Lords body and are not condemned with the world you being thus entertained in Christs bosome as guests at his Table you must not forget your poor Brethren that be in want This communicating is doing good and a Gospel Sacrifice wherewith God is well pleased it is extensive to all but especially to those who are of the houshold of faith The blessed Gospel teacheth us not onely to do but suffer This is a special gift Phil. 1. 29. To you its given on the behalfe of Christ not onely to believe but suffer Suffering makes way for patience and patience must not onely work but have a perfect worke Jam. 1. 4. You must not onely be patient but glory in tribulation knowing that our patience worketh experience and experience hope What although men should revile you and say all manner of evil against you let it be falslely and for Christs sake and then rejoyce and be exceeding glad for great is your reward in heaven who are now strengthened with all might according to his glorious power unto all patience and long-suffering with joyfullnesse So that if you suffer as Christians for Christs cause and with the spirit of Christ you should not be ashamed but glorifie God on that behalfe counting your selves happy to be reproached for the Name of Christ for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you Here followeth the Appendix mentioned in the Fifth Chapter of this Book IT was laid down in the fifth Chapter That when Christ works great changes in Kingdomes and Common-wealths he sheweth signes in the heaven above and in the earth beneath and that occasioned this Question Quest Whether those signes in heaven which Christ sheweth do not favour or countenance Astrological Predictions Ans To which I answer negatively Those Signes that Christ sheweth do not in the least favour their Predictions Now that you may more fully take in the compasse and meaning of this answer we shall first shew you what we grant concerning the Stars and then what we deny Now we grant these five things 1. That the Stars have a powerful ruling excellency by their light heat and motion They are not like the paints in a Chamber which we look on but they work not on us The seat and station of the Stars tell us that they are not placed there to disgrace the Heavens but that they have that in their being which answers so high a place and work to their ends So Job 38. 31. Canst thou binde the sweet influences of the Pleiades Stars have their influences that is their virtue and power extended to others Psal 8. 3. When I consider the Heavens the work of thy fingers the Moon and the Stars which thou hast ordained The Stars then are Gods Ordinances creatures ordained by him and by him for us to consider of Luke 21. 26. The powers of heaven shall be shaken The powers of heaven 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 are sure such as are not weake but strong in their operation therefore Psal 136. 9. The Moon and the Stars are said to rule the night 2. We grant that the Stars by their light heat and motion do work great alteration in the Aire the first heaven as being neerest to it God hath placed the creatures neer one another that they might act conjoynedly The clearnesse or cloudinesse of the Aire may relate to the Stars the Stars also are considerable in the moisture or drynesse of the Aire If the wind be Aer motus the Aire moved I know not but that motion may some what relate to the virtue of the Stars 3. We deny not but that the Stars having this power over the Aire they do by the aire diversly affect compound bodies that breath in this aire This our experience teacheth us In faire weather we are more Frollick our spirits are up we are more apt to sing to move cheerfully our phantasies are more busie and our motion more pleasant whereas in thick foggy weather our brains are clouded and we are heavy and dull of Action Heat cold moysture and drynesse are the four principal qualities of compounded bodies and surely the temperature of the Aire works much on these as is observable when we are sick 4. Scripture speakes plainly That they are for times and for seasons for days and for years Gen. 1. 14. The lights in the firmament are to divide the day from the night and to be for seasons for days and years Seasons are such times as are proper and peculiar to some actions and bodies He appointeth the Moon for seasons and the Sun knoweth his going down Psal 104. 19. Seasons are such portions of time as if a man come forth to act in he shall finde an advantage to his work from the time which advantage he will misse if he go not forth then Thus in sowing the growth and fruit depends not onely on the commiting of the seed to the ground but committing it to the ground in a certaine time which is therefore called sowing Season sow before or after that time and your labour will not thrive and this sheweth the goodnesse of that promise Gen. 8. 22. While the earth remaineth Seed-time and Harvest and Cold and Heat Summer and Winter Day and Night shall not cease Thus learned Mr. Aynsworth explaines Job 9. 9. concerning the four Seasons of the year Which maketh Arcturus Orion