Lords hand h Jam. 5.16 The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much A mother sometimes refuseth to give her breast to the childe though he ask it but if he beg it with tears cries shrieches she cannot but grant it such was Iacobs seeking the blessing i Gen. 32.26 I will not let thee go except thou bless me But how did he hold the Angel k Hos 12.4 He wept and made supplication unto him As if he should say I am resolv'd never to cease weeping and crying here will I abide in mourning and bitterness of Soul till I am blest l Exod. 3 2.10 Deut. 9.14 Let me alone saith God to Moses In which words we have not onely a condescention of divine Grace unto the cryes and tears of the Godly as if the Lords hands were to be disposed by their prayers but Moses importunity as if he would not let go his hold except his suit were granted A man under a tree may reach some fruit but if he clime up and get to the top there he shall have more fruit and better fruit riper sweeter larger That prayer may AVAIL MVCH it must be more then common or ordinary strong crying and without ceasing It is said of Elias m Jam. 5.17 18. By his praying he did shut and open Heaven But how prayed he earnestly saith our Translation the * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Text hath He prayed a Prayer or in praying he prayed so that there is single-praying and double-praying and they have theirs accordingly n Isa 64.7 There is none that calleth upon thy name that stirreth up himself to take hold on thee These people are not blam'd so much for not praying as for not putting forth themselves in prayer they should like Iacob and Moses have taken fast hold on God and never have left off weeping and crying day and night until their supplications had been granted as an Arrow fals short of the mark when the Bow is not well bent the Arrow drawn up to the head and delivered with strength So our prayers oft-times fall short of answer because we do not o Psa 63.8 press hard after God p Mat. 11.12 take him by violence follow him from place to place and not let him go till he q Psa 10.17 cause his ear to hear This our Savior in one of his Parables notably shews r Luk. 11 â— Though he will not rise and give him because he is his friend yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth The word rendred importunity is properly * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 impudence and it hath this meaning Though among men it would be thought too much boldness and impudence for a man not to be said nay yet the Lord is so far from disliking it when it is his own case as he would have his children to force as it were a grant from him the like we have in the importunate widow Å¿ Luk. 18.7 8 Shall not God avenge his own elect which cry day and night unto him though he bear long with them I tell you he will avenge them speedily Methinks this bearing long and avenging speedily will not well accord unless we take the sence thus When the Lord shall raise up a poor destitute remnant who like the widow will never cease weeping and crying to him then he wil suddenly come forth to pour out the vials upon the Little Horn the last Apostasie Babylon though formerly he kept silence a long time I question whether that in the Prophet be yet fulfill'd t Isa 62.6 7. I have set watchmen upon thy wals O Ierusalem which shall never hold their peace day nor night ye that make mention of the Lord keep not silence and give him no rest till he establish and till he make Jerusalem a praise in the earth As things when they come neer their Centre move more swiftly and speedily then before It seems to me neer or about the breaking forth of the Great work in the last dayes there will be a people so ingag'd for Zion that they will make it their whole work to mourn and weep before the Lord never ceasing till he break the Heavens and come down u Isa 66.8 Assoon as Zion traveled she brought forth her Children I think indeed when the Lord shall put such Travels and Birth-pangs upon the hearts of his people as that they will give him no rest but mourn like Doves perpetually before him and make it their meat and drink day and night we shall suddenly see the Lord bringing the Rod of his strength out of Zion and to work terrible things in the Earth A Blessed TIME OF FINDING x Rev. 22.20 Amen even so come Lord Iesus CHAP. II. When there is no Time of Finding though the Lord be sought with tears FIrst When men like Esau for light things and vanities When the Lord will not be found 1. When men give up great Priviledges for vain things most prophanely give up great Priviledges Of Esau it is said a Heb. 12.16 17. for one morsel of meat he sold his birth-right But what follows Afterward when he would have inherited the blessing he was rejected for he found no place of repentance though he sought it carefully with tears There are three things in the History which aggravate Esau's prophaneness as to be sinful above measure 1. The great thing which he lightly parted with it was no less then his Birth-right now the dignity of the first-born was very great and many eminent priviledges it had The first-born b Exod. 22.29 were peculiarly consecrated and given to God c Gen. â—9 3 Next in honor to their prents d Deut. 21.17 Had a double portion of the Fathers goods e 2 Chron. 21.3 Succeeded them in the Government of the Family or Kingdom f Numb 8.14 17. And likewise in the Administration of the Priesthood and service of God Yea more g Rom. 8.29 It figured Christ and h Heb. 12.35 all true Christians heirs of the New Ierusalem All this as if it had been nothing he carelesly parted with But Secondly Not for the worth of it The Text saith i Gen. 25.34 Iacob gave Esau bread and pottage of Lentils which was a kind of pulse much like to fetches or small pease very course food nevertheless so vile an exchange made he of his Heavenly dignity Naboth upon k 1 King 21.2 3. no terms would deliver up the inheritance of his father to Ahab But this man for one morsel of meat sels that which was far better 3. When he had done all this l Gen. 25.34 He rose up and went his way and despised his Birth-right that is he shewed no remorse sorrow or repentance for selling so precious a thing for so poor a price he esteemed his Birth-right very little before but now he sets it
the sin x Hebr. 10.26 for which there is no sacrifice But of all Hypocrites beware of the WEEPING HYPOCRITE as the most dangerous Such a one was Ishmael y Jer. 41.5 6 7. who by his Religious weeping deceived fourscore men and murdred them all as they were going with their offerings to the house of the Lord. This Weeping Hypocrite is like the strumpet Phryne for this cause named 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as if you would say Weep-laugh because commonly she did both together havin◠in the midst of laughter tears at command As the silly fish swallows the hook because of the bait that hides it so many ignorant people are catch'd snared by the Tears of Hypocrites but howsoever by their weeping they may deceive men yet God they cannot neither cares he for their Tears We read often in the Prophets the reason why the Lord would not be found of the Jewes when distresses and troubles were upon them a Jer. 7.16 Isa 1.11 12 it was they had dissembled with him been old Hypocrites sought to hide their falshood lying Covenant-breaking Oppression c. b Mal. 2.13 By covering the Altar of the Lord with tears with weeping and crying out I cannot better resemble men accustomed to Hypocrisie then to that old Traytor Tyrone his manner was to send pictures to Queen Elizabeth in which he would lie weeping at her foot but still in rebellion against her the Queen hereat was extreamly displeased saying We will have no more of his Pictures but the head of the Traytor What may these men think of themselves when they lie weeping at the feet of God If they continue rebels against him do they expect a Time of finding How can that be Doth he not see their Hypocrisie surely yes and will speedily take vengeance on them for it Thirdly 3. When men are so obstinate in their sins as nothing will reclaim them There will be no Time of Finding For such persons who are so obstinate in their sins as no admonition or reproof can reclaim them As clay under the shining Sun growes harder and stiffer so the more they are told of their hypocrisie pride falshood oppression c. the worse they are Theeves whilst they have liberty none are bolder nor will they regard any thing that is spoken against their wicked course of life all good counsel is rejected and scorn'd but when trouble comes when they are brought to the bar then down upon their knees Good my Lord pardon pardon but then no pardon is to be had And as it is thus with little Theeves so it will be one day with the Great Theeves and Great Murderers c Pro. 1.24 25 c. Because I have called and ye refused I have stretched out my hand and no man regarded But ye have set at nought my Counsel and would none of my reproof I also will laugh at your calamity I will mock when your fear cometh Then shall they call upon me but I will not answer they shall seek me early but they shall not FIND ME. Again d Zech. 7.11 12 13. They refused to hearken and pulled away their shoulder and stopped their ears that they should not hear yea they made their hearts as an Adamant-stone lest they should hear the Law and the words which the Lord of Hosts hath sent in his Spirit by the former Prophets Therefore came a great wrath from the Lord of Hosts therefore it is come to pass that as he cryed and they would not hear so they cryed and I would not hear saith the Lord of Hosts but I scattered them with a whirl-wind among all the Nations whom they knew not It may not be thought that all those of whom the Prophet here speaks were Reprobates for without doubt as to life and glory many of them were saved nevertheless he will not hear them as to spare them from the common judgment In this respect though Gods chosen ones they shall have no more Time of finding then others partakers in sin partakers in punishment A father though he do not disinherit his childe and quite cast him off yet he may and justly too severely chastise him for some gross miscarriages e Pro. 19.18 And not let his soul spare for his crying as the wise-man hath it What means the Lord in saying f Rev. 18.4 Come out of her my people that ye be not partakers of her sins and that ye receive not of her plagues the words are plain enough those that abide in Babylon notwithstanding again and again call'd upon to come out may suffer Babylons plagues that is fall and perish with the wicked as to their bodies and estates howsoever saved in the day of Christ g 1 Pet. 4.17 Iudgment must begin at the house of God and h Eze. 9.6 at his Sanctuary The i Jer. 25.18 29. wine-cup of fury is to be given first to Jerusalem and the Cities of Judah afterwards all the Nations of the earth must have it k Hag. 2.6 The Lord of hosts will shake the Heavens and the Earth First Heaven then Earth therefore let Churches and Church-Officers now look about them l Mic. 6.2 The Lord hath a controversie with HIS people and he will plead with Israel and what follows m ver 9. Hear YE the rod and who hath appointed it That the Lord will begin with Churches and with a professing people there are many reasons for it 1. Because the Hypocrisie Pride Self-seeking deceit unfaithfulness c. of a Professing people more dishonors God and scandals the Gospel then the evils and sins of any other people n Rom. 2.24 The Name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through YOU As a servant in the family by his ill carriage more disgraceth the house then hundreds or thousands who are not of it But to speak home No people I think upon the face of the earth have brought more dishonor to God and reproach to the truth then the back sliding-Churches and professors of our time For 1. Who had a hand in the late REBELLION more then they o Neh. 9.17 To appoint a CAPTAIN to return to Bondage whereby not onely to build again the things which they had destroyed but to bring the sin and guilt of all the blood shed in the three Nations upon the interest of Christ and his people and so to justifie and acquit the Cavaleers 2. Who manageth and maintains the oppressions and heavy burdens which lie upon the Souls and Bodies of good people every where No King or Bishop but a Professing people yea Saints as they would be thought 3. The gross Hypocrisie and Falshood of some PROFESSORS hath of late so clearly broken forth as it hath caused many to become Atheists at least to think in their heart there is no God Neither may this be thought strange for what can lead men sooner unto Atheism then to see Professors often weep fast and
of the Nations to Jesus Christ viz. Jews and Gentiles We read in the History of the Waldenses when these good people denyed Christ's humane Body to be in the Sacrament the Priests would report they denyed God So not allowing the Virgin Mary to be prayed to that they had blasphemed her Just so are we slandred at this day Because we are against an unlawful Ministery and Magistracy Ergo saith the Accuser of the Brethren we deny all and will have none Thirdly the Lord being Found of his People 3. Because of Love many ways will have the more love from them many wayes First 1. Love to the Lord himself A TIME OF FINDING is an heart-enlarger of dear affections to Iesus Christ. e Psa 116.1 I love the Lord saith David because he hath heard my voice and my suplications So in f Psa 18.26 another place Did not David love the Lord before he had these deliverances yes doubtless and very much Notwithstanding by this means he lov'd him a great deal more As a man by stretching out a Bag or Purse it holds more then it did before So every Finding Time is a reaching and stretching out the heart our love riseth and growes by it exceedingly Secondly more Love to his Truth and holy Wayes 2. To his Truth and ways Thou puttest away all the wicked of the earth like dross Therefore I love thy Testimonies Is not this harsh that David should be encouraged to love the Laws of God of the dreadful Judgements he had seen executed upon Hypocrites Apostates and Tyrants If it be a thing very rich and pretious yet so long as it is wrapt up and foulded together few regard it neither know we what it is God's wrath powred out upon the Workers of Iniquity is as it were the opening of himself of his Kingdom and Laws and until he doth so he is not known nor his appointments But g Isa 26 9. When his â—udgements are in the earth the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness h Psa 6.16 He is known by the judgement which be executeth and i Rev. 15.4 glorified by it So â—ong as HYPOCRITES REIGN â—nd the LAST APOSTACIE stands the Lords Testimonies will not be loved but k Mic. 6.16 the Statutes of Omri kept not the Lords Messengers hearkned unto but the deceitful workers of Antichrist But when all Murtherers of souls and bodies shall be put away like dross then will People every where love the Testimonies and Laws of JEHOVAH Thirdly 3. Provoking others to love If we have a TIME OF FINDING we will provoke others to love the Lord l Psa 31.23 24. Thou heardest the voice of my supplications when I cried unto thee And what followes O love the Lord all ye his Saints For the Lord preserveth the faithful and plentifully rewardeth the PROVD DOER If we have a friend that doth very much for us we would have others besides our selves to love him likewise Of all men those who do most experience the love of God towards themselves do especially provoke and stir up others to love him and trust in him So David in another place m Pas 34.5 8. I sought the Lord and he heard me and delivered me from all my fears O taste and see that the Lord is good Blessed is the maâ— that trusteth in him The Prophet here is like one that hath experienced â— thing and found it very good perswades others to make use also of it 4. Others will be provoked by it Fourthly This TIME OF FINDING will cause many hearing of it to love fear and honour the Lord. n Exo. 18.7 8 9. When Jethro heard what the Lord had done unto Pharaoh and unto the Egyptians for Israels sake he rejoyced saying Blessed be the Lord who hath delivered you c. Now I know the Lord is greater then all gods For in the things wherein he dealt proudly he was above theâ— We read in Esther that o Est 8.17 many of the people of the Land became Iews but when was it after the Time of Finding when Haman and his sons were hanged Then they cried p 2 Kin. 18.39 The Lord he is God the Lord he is God but whilst Haman stood in power and greatness who more honoured then he So when the good news of the q Rev. 11.13 Great Earth-quake shalâ— be spread thorow the Nations and the perishing of the Last Apostacie under the first Vial Oh what rejoycing will this be to the Churches and Saints every where how will they bless the Lord for it r Rev. 15.3 Iust and true are thy wayes thou King of Saints Å¿ ver 4. for thy judgements are made manifest Now they will clearly understand that all the pretences and protestations which some made against the Pope for THE PROTESTANT CHRISTIAN RELIGION were meer delusions and falsehoods Neither was Babylon in her idolatry and cruelty supported by any Power or State more then by them And that they were the chief obstructers of the Lord's work against the GREAT WHORE If irons be taken off from hand or foot this sets the whole body free The last Apostacie is as a great chain upon the Lords work howsoever it be broken but in one Countrey nevertheless the whole Body all the members of Christ will have Spiritual Liberty by it And therefore doubtless when they shall hear of this Earth-quake they will like Iethro bless the Lord for it 4. Of glorifying God by trusting in him Fourthly Times of Finding give incouragement unto Saints t Psa 63.8 to trust in the Lord at all times and to pour out their hearts before him And this is u Rom. 4.20 to give glory to God x Psa 9.10 They that know thy Name will put their trust in thee But how is the Name of God known truly not in any thing more fruitfully and teachingly then by Times of Finding here his glory passeth before us we behold him with open face here we have his power goodness faithfulness c. made known to us y Psa 116.2 Because he hath enclined his ear to me THEREFORE will I call upon him as long as I live A man knowing where the Fountain is and being at it a thousand times and alwayes satisfied knows where to go when he wants water a Psa 65.2 O thou that hearest prayer unto thee shall all flesh come Had we not a gracious answer of our cries and tears against the King and Prelates He bowed the Heavens and came down then the earth shooke He also thundred in the Heavens And what more He gave us the neck of our Enemies we beat them small as the dust before the winde and did cast them out as the dirt in the streets Quest But what hath the Lord gotten by granting such A TIME OF FINDING Answ The honor of trusting in him b Psa 63.7 Because thou hast been my
he was to Lot in SODOM and bring them forth that they be not partakers of her plagues Gen. 19.16 Rev. 18.4 Zach. 3.2 2 Tim. 3.2 3 5. 2 Cor. 6.17 18. 6. That the fulness of the Gentiles may come in and all Israel be saved Psal 67.2 Gen. 49.10 Hab. 2.14 Isa 25.7 32.6 35.6 43.19 Hos 1.10 11. 3.5 Rom. 11.25 26. 7. Whereas mens rebellion against the Lord and their opposing HIS WORK WAYS KINGDOM and PEOPLE is carried on under fair pretences whereby many in their simplicity are led aside into great transgression against Jesus Christ Their prayer is that all such lyars and dissembling Hypocrites may daily be more discovered and their designes broken by some signal appearing of the Lord against them Num. 16.15 Psal 55.12 15. Hos 11.12 Ps 140.8 11. Isa 27.3 1 Sam. 15.17 18. with Chap. 18.14 8. As they cannot hold their peace for ZIONS SAKE so the Lord is earnestly call'd upon 1. that he will REMEMBER HER TREACHEROVS AND FALSE FRIENDS viz. Church-members Professors Souldiers Lawyers all such as have basely betrayed her to the ENEMIE Lam. 1.2 Psal 41.9 55.12 15. 2 Sam. 15.31 Jer. 18.20 2. Not to forget the reproach and scandal which she suffers by reason of their abominable hypocrisie and falshood having rendred the very NAME OF RELIGION odious to them that are without Lam. 2.15 Rom. 2.14 Isa 52.5 Ezek. 36.20 26. Gen. 32.30 Eccl. 10.1 Amos 4.10 3. That the temptations and afflictions now upon her may thorowly cleanse her and make her meet for the masters use Isa 1.25 Mal. 3.5 Dan. 11 35. 2 Tim. 2.21 4. That the Lord will turn unto her a pure language heal all breaches and diviâ—ions that so her Children may serve him with one consent Zech. 3.9 1 Cor. 1.10 Isa 11.13 Psal 134.1 Act. 2.1 5. That the Spirit from on High may be poured out upon all her Sons and daughters whereby their understanding may be opened to know all things Joel 2.28 29. Act. 1.4 Luk. 24.49 Dan. 12.10 Amos 3.7 Rev. 22.10 Ioh. 14.16 26. 1 Ioh. 2.20 6. That she may have her Judges restored as at the first and Pastors after GODS OWN HEART Hence the Lord is daily cal'd upon to pluck up by the roots all false Offices Ministries Callings Administrations and Maintenance both new and old Isa 1.26 Ier. 3.15 23.4 Ezek. 34.25 Mat. 15.13 Hos 2.16 17. Zech. 13.2 14.20 21. Rev. 18.21 c. Lastly seeing it will be a great and dreadful day when the Lord shall answer the prayers of his people Even burn like an Oven and who shall stand when God doth this therefore is the Lord entreated to be so gratious unto his LITTLE ONES as they may not be offended in what way or manner soever his great work comes forth but may be prepared to meet the Lord and counted worthy to follow him Mal. 4.1 Num. 24.23 Isa 22.18 19. 25.9 1 John 2.18 Luk. 21.36 Amos 4.12 These are the things which the faithful of the Land are praying for and the Apostates scoffing at But it is not their derision can make the promise of God of no effect d Luk. 21.33 Heaven and Earth saith Christ shall pass away but my words shall not pass away CHAP. VI. Reasons Wherefore the Lord will not be found of some People though they call upon him in the Time of trouble Reasons why no time of finding 1. Because in their prosperity they will not know the Lord. First BEcause in their prosperous condition when they e Deut. 32.15 are grown thick and covered with fatness they will not know the Lord. But f Psa 75.5 speak with a stiff-neck g Job 21.14 15. What is the Almighty that we should serve him and what profit should we have if we pray unto him we desire not the knowledge of his wayes c. Some people in seeking God are like a sort of Beggers who standing at your door will tell you they make not a trade of begging neither doe they come often and had it not been for necessity they would not have troubled you at this time Are there not many should they speak truth must confess this is their very case they make no trade of begging unless they are in some want h Psal 10. â— God is not in all their thoughts neither would they seek him in their troubles at all if they knew how to be helpt without him No doubt in the dayes of Noah when the waters came and took away the wicked people out of their houses and beds yea fetcht them off from the high hils and mountains where they fled for safety there was bitter mourning and crying to the Lord but all in vain as they would not know him in their prosperity so now he will not deliver them when i Job 27.9 Fear and the pit and the snare are upon them Job saith God will not hear the hypocrite when trouble cometh upon him that is seeing he cals not upon God unless it be deceitfully and mockingly but when great distress is upon him therefore he shall be left to the destroyer and no eye shall pity him Hence it is that the Scriptures speak of k Isa 55.6 Seeking the Lord while he may be found and while he is neer and l 2 Cor. 6.2 of the time accepted and m Heb. 3.15 while it is called to day denoting that men may forfeit their time and come after the Gate of Grace is shut And if so then no time of finding Besides the Lord takes it as not sought unto nor call'd upon when men only cry to him in time of trouble It is said of Saul n 1 Chr. 10.14 He enquired not of the Lord therefore he slew him yet in another place it is o 1 Sam. 28.6 When Saul enquired of the Lord the Lord answered him not neither by dreams nor Vrim nor by Prophets the meaning is when Saul knew not what to do but saw the wrathful hand of God ready to cut him off by the Philistims then like a malefactor going to execution He enquires of the Lord but this the Holy-Ghost cals not enquiring because it was only for his own end and till great distress came upon him he regarded not the Lord but had cast him off sought himself in every thing The fox in a snare looks wishly hangs the head will sigh extreamly and you may see tears fall from his eyes but all this will not serve his turn nor save him from being knockt on the head Reader shouldst thou live to see an OLD HYPOCRITE under Divine wrath thou wouldst see him just like a fox in a trap his countenance altered groan and sigh as if his heart would break and tears at command I have sinned I have sinned will the OLD FOX say in betraying that INNOCENT CAVSE But the Lord will neither trust him nor beleeve him any more his day is now come in which
Arguments that the work is no Embrio but curiously wrought and coming forth out of the womb of Providence at the h Rom. 12.5 Man-child to rule the Nations with a rod of Iron Ans As this is a great Question so I shall modestly speak to it from that light â— have received Indeed I cannot decline my former opinion But do think the work as an unformed substance begun about June And that it is now covered with skin and flesh full wrought and coming forth It seems so to me for these reasons 1. I do observe that the Spirit of the Lord is so full and mighty with some of his hidden ones as they cannot cease fâ—om crying to him day and night i Rev. 14.15 Thrust in the sickle and reap for the time is come for thee to reap for the harvest of the earth is ripe Not now for a discovery of the Apostacy for that is apparent enough Nor so much now for Separation as to have the judgement written speedily executed It is doubtless a truth when the Lord shall spirit a people though very few and bring them forth as his Jobs Samuels and Daniels to stand before him and withall gives them k Mat. 17.20 a grain of that faith of which Christ speaks Whatsoever they ask in that FAITH shall be given them A little time will shew by whose LEADING and MOTION I write thus Namely That the Lords work is reviving and will suddenly appear in the destroying of the last Apostacy and this done by that Faith which some poor wormes have received to which all things are possible 2. I think Providence is opening the womb Because some men like Jehu drive too furiously to hold out long Blood-suckers when they are ready to burst draw strongest Thus it was with Pharoah Absolom Haman when they begun to pull hard they streightway perished No otherwise than like Rats and Mise and other Vermin whilst they are pulling hard at the bait down falls the Trap and so are taken So Geese many times break their own neck with biting and pulling hard the root which they hold in their Bill What the Bait is and the Root which some men are pulling at most do know But what is the Trap Verily Providence And you shall see when they come to their strongest Pulls to pull with BOTH HANDS down falls the Snare and the Vermins crusht to pieces 3. Because the Controversie riseth high between the Lords Witnesses the Lords Enemies When we see a woman big with Child we conclude she hath not long to go Can the controversie be higher Is it not about the Title of the Crown Kingdome Government yea and who shall Reign and be King Whether Jesus Christ in his Lawes or proud flesh in his Lusts Methinks by the greatnesse and swelling of the womb there is hope of a speedy birth It was so in the Case between Moses and the Magicians Elias and the Priests of Baal So the Scots and the Prelates When the difference and controversie grew high on all sides What immediatly followed Breaking work m Ps 11.6 Upon the wicked he rained snares fire and brimstone and an horrible Tempest This was the portion of their Cup. When we shall see the contest at that height either men must move for their Lives Lawes and Liberties or be absolute Slaves Suffer their witnesses to be put in graves or stand up for their Rising Then will the Lords worke come forth in quickening and spiriting a dead people and n Zach. 2.7 Zion shall deliver her self that dwelt with the daughter of Babylon 4. o Ecc. 3.11 The Lord hath made every thing beautifull in his season That is the worke of divine providence is the more comely and excellent in respect of the Season in which it comes forth Thus it is in natural things The Spring Summer Autumne VVinter every thing in his season oh how lovely and faire it is So in all the works of God about his Children VVhither p Ps 111.3 it be the punishing of the wicked for their sakes or their own deliverance He will make the worke honourable and glorious in respect of q Act. 1.7 That Season and Time he brings it forth Hence I am perswaded the Good old Cause is reviving Because methinks it is now such a Season as will put upon it the Beautie of holiness 5. VVhen I consider r Gen. 1.16 the wheele in the midst of a wheele Å¿ Ezek. 10.12 and the wheeles full of eyes And withall observe many late providences this likwise much confirmes me You may easily know which way a man means to shoot by his holding of his musket or Bow Against whom of late hath the Lord held the mouth of his Canon The Head of the Arrow of his VVrath and the point of his great and strong Sword Truely he must be very ignorant in publick affaires that cannot point at them And what may we gather hence That he will discharge his whole Cannons among them make his Arrows drunk in their Blood and they shall not escape his drawn sword and this suddenly too In warr usually there are some light skirmishes before the main Bodies do Engage So before a great rain and storme little dropping The Lord hath been skirmishing with them both by land and sea and shamefully beaten them everywhere and terrible drops have fallen upon them like haile-stones So that now he is comming against them with the Bodie of his Armie And t Ps 83.15 to persecute them with his Tempest u Ps 50.22 Now consider this ye that forget God x 2 Pet. 2.15 VVhich have forsaken the right way and are gone astray following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor who loved the wages of unrighteousnesse y Deut. 32.41 42. If I whet my glittering word and mine hand take hold on judgement I will render vengeance to mine enemies and will reward them that hate me I will make mine arrows drunk with bloud and my sword shall devour flesh that with the bloud of the slaine and of the Captaines from the beginning of the revenges upon the enemie 6. Judgement is at the birth against a professing people when the Counsel of the Lord in all his Servants is rejected and they are hearkning to flatterers lyers Wizards who will humour them in their lusts and encourage them in every sinfull Action This is plain in the Cause of Joash a 2 Chr. 24. from 16. to 26. After the death of Jehoiada came the Princes of Judah and made obeysance to the King then the King hearkned unto them These Princes were the old malignant Courtiers in the reigne of Jehoram Ahaziah Athaliah The thing that he hearkned to was to destroy that good Reformation which himself had made a little before that is to set up again the Idolatry and Tyrany which he had throwne down and to cast out the just and righteous things which he himselfe lately
Though Peter shrunke and drew back a Mat. 26.69 at the speech of a poor wench yet when he had received power from on high He feard no coulers he could then b Act. 4.13 look with Boldnes any Tyrant in the face So howsoever before they had not life and courage yet when the Harpers Harpe such will be the hand of God upon them that they will not regard what their Enemies can doe either by fraud or force c Zech. 12.4 He that is feeble among them at that day shall be as David and the house of David shall be as God as the Angel of the Lord before them 5. d Rev. 11.11 And great fear fel upon them that saw them Though there be nothing yet done but a more lively owning of the Lords cause than before and declaring publickly for it yet this strikes a terrible astonishment and trembling among the Adversaries e Act. 5.24 As doubting whereunto this will grow And their amazement is the more to heare how the number daily increaseth in all parts Saying f Jer. 31.23 The Lord blesse theâ— habitation of Justice and mountain of holiness We will have g Isa 26.2 the gates open that the righteous Nation which keepeth the truth may enter in Besides they see no meanes or way how to keep the peoples Liberties and rights any longer from them h Psa 76.5 The stout hearted are spoiled and none of the men of might have found their hands that is they are as if they had no hands they are not able to make the least resistance or defence 6. Whiles the adversaries are thus in confusion and fear a happy union and accord will be made between the Waters and Thunder So much I think is meant by the VVitnesses ascending up to heaven in a cloud It is but one cloud that hath them both Hence about this time I do exspect a great uniting of the Common-wealth men fifth Monarchy men upon good righteous Principles Unanimously agreeing to cary on the Lords work i Zep. 39. With one consent or Soulder k Isa 11.13 Ephraim shall not envy Judah and Judah shall not vex Ephraim But the Lord will l Eze. 37.17 joyne them one by another into one stick they shall become one in his hand This blessed agreement of the People instrumentally will be made by some eminent and choise Christians men that m 1 Chr. 12.32 Have understanding of the times to know what Israel ought to do And this I take to be the n Rev. 11.12 great voyce from Heaven saying unto them come up higher 7. Union being made and all in Heaven here o Isa 13.4 the Lord of Hostes mustereth the host of the battel and p Rev. 19.14 the armies of heaven here he cloathes the Vial Angels q Rev. 15.6 in pure and white linnen having their breasts girded with a golden girdle This is Zion * Psa 110.2 out of which the Lord will send the rod of his strength the Mount Zion where r Rev. 14.1 the hundred forty and four thousand stand with the Lamb. Here he fits his people for the work and appoints them their work So that my opinion is for any people to go forth with the material Sword against Babylon or the Kings of the earth or to set up the visible Kingdome of Christ before the Lord hath brought them to this Heaven into the Temple to Zion and Mount Zion yea and to some good accord among themselves They will not be upon the Lords work as to the pouring out of any vial 8. Howsoever the Lords Sanctified ones in heaven are not smiting the Image yet it s said Å¿ Rev. 11 12 Their enemies behold them As how Terrible as an army with Banners Lifting up an ensign to the Nations and publishing warr against Babylon t Isa 52.12 Ye shall not go out in hast nor go by flight For the Lord will go before you and the God of Israel will be your rereward i. e. Seeing God hath taken away all their Feares and given them great faith made them one in the work and fitted them for it and withall experiencing the powerfull presence of God among them and how he hath left the enemy to feares darknesse division destruction c. The Dragon and the Beast shall behold what they do They need not fear these men for secret plots and treason they scorn it they need no such shifts What they do shall be in the sight of the Sun u Isa 47.12 Stand now with thy inchantments and with the multitude of thy sorceries wherein thouhast laboured from thy youth if so be thou shalt be able to profit if so be thou mayest prevaile So will these say to their Enemies bring forth the falsehood and lies ye trusted in Now see if your hypocrisie and craft will help you any more Now run to your Souldiers Lawyers Priests c. trie what they can do for you 9. The Lord having x Isa 13.3 called his mighty ones for his anger Next he brings them forth y Ps 149.8 9 10. With the high praises of God in their mouthes and a two edged sword in their hands to execute the judgement written z Rev. 11.13 And the same hour was there a great earthquake Here I understand begins the Vial work And the earth-quake to be the a Rev. 16.2 pouring out of the first Vial upon the earth The same with b Rev. 14.16.17 18. the reaping of the harvest of the earth and Clusters Only with this distinction The first Vial hath two parts or two effects which you will The first in the earth-quake The other in the sickle And the tenth part of the City fell The earth-quake reacheth but a tenth part the other nine are reserved for the Sickle As there are two Apostacies and they have each a distinct Head So they are set forth in this book by two Cities the one is called the Great Citie And alwayes so when the first Apostacy is meant The other hath not the word Great given to it because the Latter City or Apostacy shall not be so large big strong and populous neither of that antiquity and continuance as the former Understanding what this City is i. e. The last Apostacy It wil be easier to know the rest And in the earthquake were slaine of men seven thousand The Greek hath 7000 Names of men In Scripture persons that are famous renowned for Power Wealth Wisdome c. are called c Gen. 6.4 Num. 18.2 Men of Name On the contrary men without credit and respect in the d Job 30.8 world Children without name In this last Apostacy who are Men of name yea would be thought and counted the onely men of name If not Church-members and Church-officers those that are in the Congregational way as they call it As for the Cavileer Church that hath no name and the
Lord will not hear prayer no not the prayer of a Moses and Samuel standing together before him but what is the reason x ver 4. Because of Manasseh the son of Hezekiah King of Iudah for that which he did in Ierusalem now that which aggravated Manassehs sin and most provoked the Lord to such wrath it is expressed thus y 2 Kin. 21.3 For he built again the high places which Hezekiah his father had destroyed intimating had there not been such a great Reformation a little before his wickedness had not been so foul and great but after so z Read 2 Chro. 29 30 31. Chap. much time and labor and treasure spent in rooting up Idolatry and Tyranny and to have the true worship of God with other good things setled in the Common-wealth that he should be so graceless and impudent presently to make things as bad or rather worse then they were before here the Lord will not hearken to prayer but his fury must break forth and there is no remedy In one respect and it is a great one too some men have done far worse then Manasseh for Manasseh built not again the things which he himself had destroyed neither in doing what he did was he a Covenant-breaker with the people that we read of whereas they have built the high places which themselves destroyed and against vowes and Oathes also And here we may understand what the Holy-Ghost means by saying a 2 Pet. 2.21 It had been better for them not to have known the way of Righteousness then after they have known it to turn from the holy Commandment that is in the day of Gods wrath when he is powring out the Vials upon the Nations it shall be better with them who have not known the Truth nor made profession of righteous things then with enlightned professors being led aside with the error of the wicked and fallen from their own stedfastness When prisoners are taken in war if any RVN-AWAYES are found among them such seldome are spared though the rest have quarter b Jer. 11.10 11. They are turned back to the iniquities of their fathers which refused to hear my words and they went after other gods to serve them the house of Israel and the house of Iudah have broken the Covenant which I made with their fathers Therefore thus saith the Lord Behold I will bring evil upon them which they shall not be able to escape and though they shall cry unto me I will not hearken unto them Again c ver 14. Therefore pray not thou for this people neither lift up a cry or a prayer for them for I will not hear them in the time that they cry unto me for their trouble So that now it is neither their own praying nor the Prophets praying will avail Object But what if with prayer they had joyned fasting as the present Back-sliders doe Answ For all this there had been no Time of finding d Jer. 14.12 When they fast I will not hear their cry c. But I will consume them by the sword and by famine and by pestilence Neither is it strange that the Lord should be so severe against Covenant-breakers and Back-sliders for none more wound him in his honor cause then they Formerly in wars they used Elephants which did much service but if they gave back did more hurt then the enemy so long as some men stood fast and faithful in the Lord's Battels they did the Lord and his people singular service but by GIVING BACK they have more dishonored God and trampled the Good old Cause under foot then the Common-Enemy ever did it may be said of a truth that the Common-Enemy never gave so deep a wound to the interest of Christ and his people as some have done by GIVING BACK Object But it will be said the Prophet speaks of a Covenant made with God which to break is dangerous but with men not so Answ Oathes and Engagements made with men are Divine things called in Scripture e Eccl. 8.2 1 Sam. 21.7 The Oaths of God Therefore thus saith the Lord God As I live surely mine Oath that he hath despised and my Covenant which he hath broken even it will I recompense upon his own head Though it was made with Nebuchad-nezzar an Heathen King an Idolater yet the Lord owns it as made with himself because his sacred and dreadful Name was taken therein and counts the violation and breach thereof as if it had been formally made with himself so when Ioshua had made a league with the Gibeonites and the Princes had sworn unto them though they were deceitfully brought thereunto by the Gibeonites craft yet they durst not violate the League made and sworn and so put them to the sword as they did others but said f Josh 9.15 20. We will let them live lest wrath be upon us because of the Oath For such therefore as slight the Promises and Covenants which they have made with men they shall one day know as they have taken the great name of God in vain so he will not hold them guiltless but will remember their great wickedness and not spare them nor pity them in the day of his anger 7. No finding time for the vile when the Lord hath separated the pretious from them Seventhly When the Lord hath separated the precious from the vile there will be no finding time for the rest No sooner are the Israelites on dry land f Exod. 14. but Pharaoh and his host are covered with waters if g Gen. 7.16 17. Noah be in the Ark then presently comes the Flood no sooner is i Gen. 19. righteous Lot pluckt out of Sodome but fire and brimstone burnes the place when k Eze. 9.5 6 the mourners are marked then immediately the Angel is bid to smite and spare none so when l Isa 26.20 21. the Lords people are in their chambers Behold the Lord cometh out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity And this I take to be one reason of the Lords great patience at this time though Sodome be ripe for judgment yet the Angel will have Lot out before he execute it m Gen. 19.22 Haste thee escape thither for I cannot do any thing till thou be come thither Why is not the vial poured out upon this Apostacy surely n Isa 30.18 the Lord waits to be gracious unto his elect among the Apostates o 2 Pet. 3.9 He is not slack concerning his promise as some men count slackness but is long suffring TO VS-WARD not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance whereas therefore he defers his wrath it is to have his people out of Babylon and from the tents of Korah Dathan and Abiram he would have them remember from whence they are fallen and repent and doe their first works and were this done he would soon take vengeance
a King wherein he promiseth to do so and so for him it were no presumption in this poor man having access to the Prince if he should mention it shew it to him humbly desire the performance of it neither would the other though a King be offended at it but bid him rest content for he would not be worse then his word Though the disproportion is far greater between the Creator and the Creature then between the greatest Monarch of the world and the poorest beggar on earth yet have the Lords people many times remembred him of his promise and spread it before his face and besought him earnestly to look thereon and not forget it Thus did Moses Exod. 32 13. i Remember Abraham Isaac and Israel thy servants to whom thou swarest by thine own self c. So David k Psal 119.49 Remember thy word unto thy servant upon which thou hast caused me to hope And Solomon likewise l 1 Kin. 8.25 26. Therefore now O Lord God of Israel keep with thy servant David my Father that thou promisest him Again Let thy word I pray thee be verified which thou spakest unto thy servant David my Father So Jeremie m Jer. 14.21 Remember break not thy Covenant Neither was the Lord offended with them that they did put him thus in remembrance much less did he answer them as some men use to do when they are minded of their Oaths Vows and Solemn Appeals to God that they would do such and such things for Christ and his people and the good of the Nations Ho say they Those Promises and ingagements were but pro Tempore that is as their practice shews they never meant to keep their word but as it should make for their own interest and advantage But our God n Psa 5.6 abhorreth such deceitful men and all such execrable Hypocrisie For o Mal. 3.6 He changeth not p 2 Cor. 1.20 All his promises are yea and Amen Yea so far is the Lord from breaking Covenant that he hears the cryes and prayers of his people for his promise sake q Exo. 2.24 And God heard their groaning and God remembred his Covenant with Abraham with Isaak and with Jacob. So a little after r Chap. 6.5 I have heard the groaning of the children of Israel whom the Egyptians keep in bondage and I have remembred my Covenant When Doves sigh and mourn in clifts and secret holes it doth presage say they that destruction is nigh the Birds of prey not to speak of Pharaoh Haman Herod a little before the fall of the Bishops and the King the Lord 's hidden ones were in bitterness of Soul and poured out mournful complaints day and night against their persecutors but much more have they sighed and groaned before the Lord since this sad Revolt broke forth in regard of the scandal and reproach brought to the Gospel by it And what doth this signifie That the Lord will suddenly take away this image of jealousie and revive his work in the midst of the Nations But to proceed That the Lord forgets not what he promised might be shewed in many other places Å¿ Psal 105.8 He hath remembred his Covenant for ever the word which he commanded to a thousand Generations And in the same Psalm t ver 42. He remembred his holy promise and Abraham his servant Again u Psa 106 44 45. Nevertheless he regarded their afflictions when he heard their cry and he remembred for them his Covenant See 2 Sam. 7.21 Here we may not omit how far the Lords wayes and some mens ways are unlike the Lord takes it well to be * 1 Chron. 17.23 remembred of his Covenant and promises and would have his children to mention them before him whereas you cannot more grieve and vex certain NEW LORDS then to tell them of their ingagements should any but shew them the Oaths and Vows published under their hands what they protested in such a yeer at such a place for the interest of Christ and his people their asseverations and imprecations the curses and judgments they wish'd to light upon themselves and posterity if they did not such things add hereunto their frequent tears hands laid on their breasts and eyes lifted up to Heaven calling God to witness as to the plainness and singleness of their hearts should this I say be told them what would they say x 2 Kin. 11 14. Treason Treason y 1 Kin. 22 27. Put this fellow into prison c. In all the reign of Caligula if a man did but name a Goat it was a crime of Laesae Majestatis against the Imperial person this was of his hairy body A very strange thing that a man could not say Goat but he must mean the Emperor Can you say Covenant-breaker self-seeker deceiver of the people but the Lawyer cryes out y Luk. 11.45 Master thus saying thou reproachest us also Thirdly It must needs be That there will be A TIME OF FINDING 3. Because the Lord will be honored many wayes by it because the Lord hereby will be honored and glorified many ways There is nothing that a man will sooner regard and hearken to then when his own profit and advantage is propounded To speak soberly and no more but what the Scriptures hold forth It is good for the Lord himself That there be a time of finding Quest What Good hath the Lord by it Answ 1. By this means the Saints will bless him and the high prayses of God will be in their mouth Now a By haâ—ing the â—igh prayâ—â—s of his â—eople Psa 50.3 whoso offereth praise glorifies him Was not the Lord glorified when he answered the groanings of his people in Egypt plagued the Egyptians and destroyed Pharaoh and his host in the Red Sea b Exod. 15. â— 11. Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto Jehovah c. Who is like unto thee O Jehovah among the gods who is like thee glorious in holiness fearful in praises doing wonders When Babylon shall lie under wrath d Rev. 18. â— 1. sunk like a great milstone cast into the Sea and shall be found no more at all What immediatefollows d Rev. 19.1 I heard a great voyce of much people in Heaven saying Hallelujah Salvation and glory and honor and power unto the Lord our God e ver 3. And again they said HALLELVJAH and a little after another f ver 6. great multitude saying HALLELUJAH for the Lord God Omnipotent Reigneth As when a judge hath done some notable and eminent act of justice upon a notorious offender he is highly commended for it so will the Lord have unspeakable praise from his people every where when he hath judged the Great Whore destroyed the false Church Ministery Worship and Government pluckt her up root and branch with all her props and Lovers HALLELV-JAH and again HALLELV-IAH What doth the Lord at
present hear and see among the Antichristians But Blasphemy rayling lying murthers sorceries c. nothing in truth but what tends to the dishonor of his Great Name but were the whole Kingdome of the Beast destroyed then would the Lord have glory and prayse for being found of his people What man would not have a filthy stink remov'd that a sweet persume might be in the place thereof so long as Hypocrites reign and Tyrants rule the Nations their sins like dung will stink in the nostrils of the Lord but when they are removed he will smell a sweet savor of praise and thanksgiving Besides the Saints do often use it in prayer as an argument for a time of finding namely the praises he shall have of them g Psa 9.13 4. Have mercy upon me O Lord consider my trouble c. That I may shew forth all thy prayse in the gates of the daughters of Zion Again h Psal 79.11 12 13. Let the sighing of the prisoner come before thee c. Preserve those that are appointed to dy and render to our neighbors seven fold into their bosome c. So we thy people and sheep of thy pasture will give thee thanks for ever we will shew forth thy praise to all Generations So then do any desire to know why the Lords little remnant at this day are so earnest in prayer against the enemies of Gods glory Why they would have the i Isa 33.14 sinners in Zion afrayd and fearfulness to surprise the Hypocrites That such as k Psa 125.5 are turned aside to their crooked ways may have their faces filled with shame and confounded in all their counsels and designs It is for this end that the Lord alone may have prayse It is reported of Nero when he had banished any good Common-wealths men or put them to death he would keep a day of thanksgiving that is thank his gods for his great deliverance It is true the faithful doe abhor such kind of thanksgiving and leave Nero's exsample to be follow'd by corrupt men and such as he was They dare not prayse God because Hypocrites reign but on the contrary when they see the Lord doth punish them for their wickedness then they will praise him with their whole heart But 2. 2. Because of his great Name Should Saints forget their duty of thanksgiving yet would the Lord be a Gainer that there is a time of finding in respect of his great Name l Josh 7.9 What wilt thou do saith Joshua unto thy great Name So Moses m Exod. 32.12 Wherefore should the Egyptians speak and say For mischief did he bring them out That is though thou hast matter enough against this people to consume them as one man and to withdraw thy presence from them yet remember thine own Concernments to wit how deeply thy Glory Power and Faithfulness will suffer if thou appear not again for them When Hanun the son of Nahash had most unworthily n 2 Sam. 10 4. abused Davids Messengers it was David principally that was wronged neither could he in point of honor and justice put it up without taking severe revenge upon the enemy for it It is Jesus Christ who at this day is the greatest sufferer in his Cause Name and Kingdom and therefore should he not in judgment come forth against the despiteful abusers of him what would become of his Glory would not an evil and adulterous generation conclude o Eze. 8.12 9.9 Isa 29.18 The Lord sees them not neither regards he good or evil When the Israelites were in great distress at the Red-Sea p Exod 14.15 Moses cryed unto the Lord It is true they had then a time of finding but why was it q Psa 106.8 He saved them for his Name sake that he might make his mighty power to be known There is much comfort in the words if well considered Many honest hearts looking on their tears sighs and groans are discouraged to think what poor and weak things they are what is all our weeping say they and mourning before the Lord Shall we have a Time of finding for such low things Do you stick here pretious ones But consider there is more in the Lords eye why he will be found of his people then their cryes and tears he will hear them for his Name sake that his Power Justice Mercy Faithfulness c. may be known So then though you should question whether the Lord in regard of your poor prayers and groanings will arise against Evil doers yet methinks it is not possible you should doubt but he will doe it r Neh. 9.31 1 Kin. 8.41 Jer. 14.7 21. FOR HIS NAME SAKE Å¿ Psa 115.1 Not unto us Iehovah not unto us but unto thy Name give the glory for thy mercy for thy truth I cannot but think we are nigh THE TIME OF FINDING because Christs little flock have Gods glory so much upon their hearts As a servant in the field sowing seed he doth it not to have the crop but for his masters profit so the Saints up and down the Nation are t Psa 126.5 sowing in tears and crying day and night to the Lord that he will arise and have mercy upon Zion u Dan. 2.44 Breake in pieces and consume the fourth Monarchy and render double vengeance upon Babylon But for whom is this sowing Not unto us O Lord not unto us x Psa 83.17 18. Let thine enemies be confounded and troubled for ever yea let them be put to shame and perish That men may know that thou whose Name alone is JEHOVAH art the most high over all the Earth I know well enough what the faithful are charged with for witnessing against the unrighteousness of men viz. That that they would have others down to have all power and greatness themselves and that they allow of no Ministry or Magistracy For Answ 1. The Lord who seacheth the hearts knows all this to be false y Josh 22.22 If it be rebellion or if in transgression against the Lord save us not this day 2. The Accusers themselves know it to be false For would some men for worldly Advantages corrupt their consciences they have had not a little profered them of Esau's Pottage and Balaams Reward But 3. This is true we pray against the Antichristian Ministery and Magistracy that the Lord would pluck them up Root and Branch and cast them as unsavory Salt to the Dunghil And this we do not being against all Magistracy and Ministery but to have a Isa 1.26 Judges restored â—s at the first b Jer. 3.15 and Pastors according â—o the Lords own heart and so Christ â—he c 1 Tim. 6.15 ONELY POTENTATE Lastly it is our Opinion until the last Apostacie be destroyed d Psa 67.2 God's way will not be known upon earth and his saving health among all Nations for it is THIS THAT LETTETH the ruine of Babylon and the Gathering
help saith David Therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoyce That the Lord heard us in the late wars and was found c Gen. 22.14 JEHOVAH-JIREH a God seen in the mount We can pray now against all the Hypocritical enemies of his Cause and Kingdom more earnestly d Jam. 1.6 In faith nothing wavering which is greatly to his Glory The bramble would have e Judg. 9.15 all the trees put their trust in his shadow Indeed Tyrants would be trusted though there be neither trust nor Truth in them I have read the story how Dominique dreamt the Church of Rome was falling and that he upheld it with his shoulders Have we never heard the like fable In what sore distress the Church and State were both ready to split had not a Minion Idol been devis'd like Dominique's shoulders to keep them up The Tryers probably will apply this because it is like that Shameful thing for all the world But to proceed Did not David very much honor the Lord by trusting in him when he went forth against Goliah But what caused David by beleeving to doe so he tels you f 1 Sam. 17.37 The Lord that delivered me out of the Paw of the Lyon and out of the paw of the Bear he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine I know there were many complaints and heart-groans poured out against the King and Bishops for their Tyranny and Idolatry but this I can truly say For twenty years and more in which I suffered under them the Lord did not draw out my heart to so much mourning and sighings as I have done within these three or four years against the GREAT BETRAYERS of the interest of Christ and his people And this I finde as a burning fire shut up in my bones that I cannot hold my peace day nor night Besides Howsoever I am a poor worm and the least in my Father's house yet herein I can give glory to God I do beleeve the Lord that delivered his afflicted people out of the paw of the Lyon and out of the paw of the Bear King and Bishops he will deliver them from all PROVD PHILISTIMS that defie the Israel of God yea and that speedily Fifthly 5. Do him more work and better service Times of finding ingage the Lords people to do him more work and better service afterwards If Beasts the larger allowance they have will doe their master the more service Surely then the better Christ is to his children the more they will strive to doe his will in every thing g Psa 116.8 9. Thou hast delivered my Soul from death mine eyes from tears and my feet from falling I will walk on before the Lord in the land of the living That is Seeing I have had a Time of finding I will so improve this great mercy as the Lord shall have much glory and honor by it Methinks it is at this day with some honest hearts as it was with the h Mat. 20.3 4. Laborers which stood idle in the market-place Should they be askt why they are not at work What would they say We are calling upon the Lord for imployment we would willingly be at work for it grieves our very Souls to stand thus idle Now hath not a master more profit that his servants are at work then standing still When the Great TIME OF FINDING comes then will Zions children be at work indeed for now they may be said to be idle comparatively to their work THEN Then some shall be the i Rev. 14.6 Angel To preach the Everlasting Gospel Others the k Rev. 15.1 Angels to pour out the seven last plagues Some l Psa 149.8 to bind their Kings in chains and their Nobles with fetters of iron Others m Rev. 18.5 to execute vengeance upon Babylon Come Lord Jesus When the Lord made use of Moses and Aaron to pour out vials full of wrath upon Pharaoh and Egypt and of Elias to destroy the Prophets of Baal and of Ioshua to cast out the Canaanites Was he not in those things very much glorified If so then much more when he shall answer the prayers of his people concerning his Son and Zion and the destruction of Babylon and all Tyrants Which is better and more for the honor of a King that Theeves Murderers and Rebels do spoyl and destroy the good people or to be taken and punished What is it that Saints pray for and desire a Time of finding Truly this That Hypocrites and Apostates n Psa 104 35. be consum'd out of the earth and bloody Tyrants be no more That o Rev. 11.15 all the Kingdoms of the world may be Christs p Eze. 21 27 whose right it is And in order hereunto they are to ready to follow the Lamb in his work wheresoever he shall lead them But howsoever some men by Times of finding are the better yet many are the worse Here Jesus Christ may say r Psa 109.4 For my Love they are my Adversaries That is for the Deliverances Victories Preferments which I gave them I am the more wrong'd by them in my Great Name Cause and Kingdom And truly I think never a generation of men more sinn'd against kindness then some of this generation * Isa 1.2 Hear ye Heavens and give ear O Earth for the Lord speaketh I have nourished and brought up or made great and exalted children but they have revolted from me It is a pitiful fight to see a poor Bird kill'd with the feathers pluckt from her They are not only contented to feather their nest with the interest of Christ and his people but with those feathers i. e. power places Offices and preferment which they have pluckt from it shoot at her and murder her most unworthily * Deut. 32.6 Doe ye thus requite the Lord O foolish people and unwise Is all forgotten What shall I render unto the Lord for all his benefits towards me Psal 116.12 CHAP. IIII. Reasons Why there will be a Time of Finding in respect of Gods people Reasons in respect of mourners 1. Of the revilings of the proud First BEcause of the scornings and revilings of the proud as reproaching the Godly for their mourning and tears Had not the Lord been found of Hezekiah he had not been able in a little while to have born Rabshakehs and Sennacheribs blasphemies That which caused Hannah to be in bitterness of Soul before the Lord and no doubt moved the Lord to take pity on her it was the extream Å¿ 1 Sam. 1.6 provoking of her adversary for to make her fret because the Lord had shut up her womb Our Adversaries are fallen upon Rabshakehs work and seek to provoke us by the like scornful reproaches Where is the fruit say they of your tears and cries You may see the Lord cares not for your weeping fasting and praying did he regard them he would have helpt you ere now
What great mourning was there some few yeers since in Churches and among professors after righteousness and judgment and to have all heavy yokes broken but now the Abby-key being found and the fish caught that is great places Offices and preferment gotten we hear no more crying out against oppression all is quiet now and well again now they can hold their peace though the time be worse then before in respect of the interest of Christ and his People and the publick good of the Nations But what may we gather hence They were not the Lords Remembrancers Their tears and groans were their own and for their own interest not the Spirit 's and for the things of Christ for had the Spirit set them on work had they been the Spirit 's sighs and sobs for Zion t Isa 62.6 7. they would not have held their peace day nor night nor given the Lord rest VNTIL he had made Jerusalem a Prayse in the Earth u 1 Joh. 2.19 If they had been of us they would no doubt have continued with us 2. If they are the Groanings of the Spirit nothing will be askt but what is x Rom. 8 27 according to the will of God y Luk. 22 42. Not my will saith Christ but thine be done So again a Act. 21.14 The will of the Lord be done As a man that is doing somthing for a friend will indeavor to doe it so as the party for whom he doth it may like it and have content thus it is with us when the Spirit helpeth us with groanings which cannot be uttered We are all for pleasing God we would not speak nor have our hearts move or think of any thing but what the Lord should take pleasure and delight in It is true Hypocrites can groan and like Esau will beg blessings with tears but observe this it is to serve themselves upon the Lâ—â—d and to have their will done whetheâ— it be Gods will or no thus they will have the Lord to bless their Counsels and designs though they are against Himself his Son and Zion so when they have b Isa 28.15 made a Covenant with death and with hell are at an agreement then must Priests and People be call'd together to fast and pray that it may prosper 3. Spirit-Groanings are like c 2 King 2.11 Elias chariot and horses of fire carry the Soul into Heaven It is the Glory of God which now is onely eyed As the Mariners needle always trembles and shakes till her point be towards the Pole so it is with right Mourners they are not satisfied in weeping and sobbing before the Lord unless they have the sight of his glory then they are quiet seeing the mark they look after When the sun is risen we see not a star in the Firmament Reader note it What is it when thou art in bitterness of Soul that vanisheth Is it SELF Seest thou no Honour Credit Preferment Relations nor any other worldly Respects Seest thou the great Name of God dearer to thee then thy soul And for afflicted d Lam. 1.16 Zion thou weepest thine eye thine eye runneth down with Tears Blâ—â—sed art thou that thus mournest e Isa 57.1 P. the Lord shall restore comfort to thee 4. A man never sees more emptiness unworthiness and poverty in himself then when he is under the strongest groanings of the Spirit neither is his heart at any time more broken then at the woful sight thereof f Isa 6.5 Wo is me I am undon c. For mine eyes have seen the King the Lord of Hosts The Spirit in our mournings is g 2 Pet. 1.19 as a light that shineth in a dark place We did not think to have found such nakedness and baseness as we do Again the Spirit-Groanings are like fire in the Soul such may the fire be as it melts down Iron breaks Rocks and Stones asunder It is a good sign a man is under the Mournings of the Spirit when findes his corruptions and lusts hard as flint to melt and break in pieces and by the power of the Spirit consum'd and brought to nothing The groaning of Hypocrites is like the drawing of a Curtain whereby things are hid and covered The more they weep fast and pray the less fight have they of their sins For what is the reason some men see not so much evil in their wayes now as they did some yeers past I answer in their fasting and praying ever since they have been drawing curtains over their filthy sores Not but that they are far worse then they were but they see it not because of their hypocritical Tears 5. The Spirits Groanings leave two things especially upon the Soul 1. Refreshment as when a man hath eaten well he findes his spirits strengthned and comforted But this is not so with unsound hearts It is reported of Witches when they have eaten and drunk of the best and to their thinking largely they find themselves presently in a condition ready to starve Should some men speak their experiences they could not but confess when they have been some hours in prayer and sighed often they have been afterward no other then like Pharaoh's lean and ill-favoured kine not had any soul-strengthning or feeling refreshing at all 2. The Soul is left in a sweet and blessed frame as Wax that is soft is fit to take any impression so is a Saint wrought up wholy for God his will affections desires run out with Paul h Act. 9.6 Lord what wilt thou have me to do That is I am ready to receive any truth and to deny my self in every thing so that I may follow thee and serve my Generation It is a common saying and I have heard it often when some men talk of fasting and prayer Now say they beware there is some Plot or other in hand And usually it is so For after the Formality of the work is over their doings are worse then ever so far from i Isa 58.3 4 5 6. loosing the bonds of wickedness and letting the oppressed go free and breaking every yoke c. as on the contrary they smite with the fist of wickedness their fellow-servants and cast out their Brethren more cruelly then before But what saith Solomon k Pro. 1.3 To do Justice and Judgment is more acceptable to the Lord then sacrifice l Hos 6.6 I will have mercy and not sacrifice Seventhly Because the Lord is teaching Zions Mourners the ART OF SEEKING Because the Lord is teaching the art of seeking You know by long practise and use a man becoms expert and skilful in a trade especially having a good master This benefit through Grace some of the Lords people have received since the Apostacy came up namely they have been learning the Art of Prayer for not onely of late yeers have they been more frequent in the practice but have gotten more experience of the thing then ever they had before
According to the Scriptures men must pray m Mar. 11.24 in faith n Jam. 5.16 with fervency and earnestness o Eph. 6.18 watching thereunto with all perseverance p Luk. 18.1 and not faint If thousands had thrown stones at Goliah and bigger then David's was and hit him too yet I question whether he had fallen but that STONE which went out of Davids sling sunk q 1 Sam. 17.49 into his forehead and he fell down dead upon the earth The Lord hath some I hope many in the Nation who are going as so many DAVIDS against the Philistine Babylon and all her Brats and Props And howsoever he is cursing them by his gods and laughs to see nothing in their hands but a sling and stone onely sighs and groanings yet let this HEAVEN-DARING GIANT know that the Little Stone which he derides faith and prayer shall within a little while sink into his forehead and the MONSTER shall fall and his flesh be given to the fowls of the ayr and to the beasts of the field r Verse 47. That all the Earth may know that there is a God in Israel I well remember in the time of the Bishops when there rose up any cruel Persecutor the good old Puritants would say one to another Come let us pray this enemy of our Lord Iesus Christ and his people to death And I could give some memorable instances what a wonderful Return of prayer they had i. e. how the revenging hand of God smote the Enemies sometimes dead immediately upon the sighings and groanings of his people against them a warning to all new Persecutors to look about them Sions children are crying day and night unto God against them and they have learnt now the Art of praying never to be silent till they have prayed them to death that is prevail'd with the Lord to execute upon them the judgment written CHAP. V. That there will be a Time of Finding because of the good Things prayed for A time of finding because of the good things prayed for WHatsoever the Lord in his word promiseth to give that we may ask and shall surely have it so saith the Apostle Å¿ 1 John 5.14 15. If we ask any thing according to his will he heareth us No child could better love a mother then Solomon loved Bathsheba and there was no reasonable thing but she might have had it of him Nevertheless when she came to speak unto him t 1 King 2.21 22. for Adonijah who had usurpt the Kingdom he not only denyed her but gave her a close reproof Though they are the Lords own people yet when they will take that boldness as to pray for Traytors and Covenant-breakers and that Hypocrites may reign and that the Lord will bless their Councels Armies Navies I tell you the Lord doth not take it well at their hands neither shall they have a time of finding * Psa 80.4 But will be angry against the prayer of his people t 1 Cor. 14.15 I will pray saith Paul with the Spirit and I will pray with understanding also So in another place u Psa 14.2 If there are any that understand and seek God Intimating these must be joyn'd together viz. an understanding-seeking of God A man out of his way the faster he goes the farther off he is from the place where he should be So for men to ask things altogether contrary to the express word of God to wit for Babylon the Little Horn and bottomless Beast and that Satan may not be bound up but reign and prevayl still in his wicked and murtherous instruments surely this must needs be out of Gods way and not the way to find him but rather a great provocation Quest But do any pray for Babylon and that Satan may prevayl still in his destroying instruments I answer Most do so but under another name the Zion they pray for is indeed Babylon the Ministry and Magistracy which they cry up and call Lawful is Antichristian and sinful thus x Mal. 3.15 They call the proud happy and they that work wickedness are set up But how set up The Priests plead for them and pray for them and so make their Building strong as the Hebr. reads by y Isa 66.3 blessing an Idol If dung or trash should be presented to a Prince yet so as under the name of rich Pearls and jewels would he accept of it knowing what it is because it is brought to him not as dung but pearls of great Price a Mal. 1.14 I am a great King saith the Lord of Hosts and cursed be the deceiver b Isa 5.20 Wo to them that call evil good and good evil that put darkness for light c. But indeed these deceitful workers cannot deceive God men they do and their own souls likewise as they will see ere long to their bitterness and shame The good things prayed for Quest But what are the good things which the Lords people are asking according to the will of God and wait for a time of finding Answ 1. That the Lord will remember his Great Name and suffer it not any longer to lie under reproach and blasphemie but arise and shew forth his Power Faithfulness Mercy and Judgment in reviving his work in the midst of us Mat. 6.9 1 Cor. 10.31 Exod. 32.12 Num. 14.13 14. Josh 7.9 Psalm 83.17 18. Hab. 3.2 2. That Jesus Christ Heir of all things may have his right and possession That is that all corrupt powers on earth may be broken to pieces His Enemies made his Foot-stool and he alone exalted and the onely Potentate Psal 2.8 72.8 15. Dan. 2.34 35. 7.14 Luk. 19.12 Obad. 21. Rev. 11.15 17. Isa 2.11 12. c. Heb. 10.13 1 Tim. 6.14 15. 3. That Jehovah the Judge of all the earth would lift up himself and in some way or other make it publickly appear who are faithful to him and who are the Apostates which have betrayed the interest of Christ and his people Psal 94.2 1 King 18.36 37 c. 1 Sam. 14.12 Mal. 3.18 Psal 99.6.8 Num. 16.16 17. 17.5 8 9. Gen. 18.25 4. That the Lord will speedily avenge the blood of his servants shed upon Babylon and take vengeance on all Civil Powers for their oppression cruelty against the Lords servants and bring in the great day of Deliverance and Restauration to the whole Creation Psal 74.2 18 22. Jer. 51.35 Deut. 32.35 41 43. Psal 94.1 Jer. 50.15 Isa 34.4 5. 47 34. Luk. 18.7 8. Rev. 18.5 Act. 3.21 Rom. 8.19 20 21. 5. That the Lord c Haâ— 3.2 in wrath will remember mercie 1. In finding out and punishing ACHANS and TROVBLERS that none innocent may suffer for the rebellion and Apostacie of others Num. 16.22 Josh 7.24 25. Gen. 18.23 24. Psal 125.4 5. Isa 3.10 11. 33.14 15. c. Psal 32.6 7. 2. That the Lord will be merciful to his people in BABYLON as
the Judge of all the earth will pay him home for all his former craft and falshood So let all thy enemies perish O God Judg. 5.31 Secondly Because they p Isa 8.12 say Because of their sinful places and standings in Babilon the last Apostacy A Conspiracy that is mix themselves with the unhallowed lump keep unsanctified places and standings in Babylon and the last Apostacy and so q 2 Tim. 3.5 not separated from the corruptions and evils of the time r 2 Cor. 6 17 18. 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 I will be a father unto you c. Plainly shewing unless we forbear to ſ Exod. 23.2 follow the multitude or Great men t Rev. 18.4 Come out of Babylon u Eph. 5.11 Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness And x Num. 16.27 depart from the tents of Corah Dathan and Abiram and all such wicked men the Lord will not be a Father to us in answering our cries when calamities and troubles are upon us What the Lord may doe in respect of his unbounded bowels and free grace y Psal 131.2 it is a thing too high for us For he is many times better then his promise and above it But this I say So long as men wrap themselves in the sin and guilt of others plead for Baal and endeavor to strengthen Tyrants in oppression and blood follow Balak as Balaam did for the wages of iniquity these cannot thus doing by any Scripture-promise expect a time of finding I speak of a temporal deliverance as to be a Zeph. 2.1 2 3. hid in the day of the Lords anger There is a twofold separation which the Lord requires of his people at this time 1. From things 2. From persons And the followers of the Lamb they do both * Rev. 14.3 They are redeemed from the earth that is from the carnal Church-Ministry worship and Government they will not communicate in any of their devised service forms customs administrations nor contribute any thing to their maintenance Numb 7.3 5. Neh. 10.23 39. Likewise †Ver. 4. They are redeemed from among men who these men are the Apostle shews viz. the Apostates in the last days MEN that shall be lovers of their own selves covetous proud c. from such turn aside 2 Tim. 1.2 5. Charls 9. having a petition brought to him from the Admiral Chastillon he refused to receive it saying If he will forsake the Rebels meaning the Protestants and come to us we will hear him but so long as he encourageth the enemy we will receive none of his Petitions I wish with my Soul that some eminent professors would lay things to heart How can they think that the Lord will receive any of their Petitions if not only they abide with his Enemies and take their part openly against him but seek to strengthen and maintain what they can the greatest revolt that ever was made against Jesus Christ It is said b Gen. 6.8 But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord Why Noah more then others why was the Lord better to him then to a whole world He was c Gen. 7.1 A SEPARATIST and a strict one too for he made conscience of his ways and wherein he saw others differed from truth and righteousness therein he differed from them Qu. But why are not many professors Separatists like Noah now so to have a time of finding when the Flood comes Answ To speak my thoughts it is because of Self-love and Covetousness These d 2 Tim. 2.2 3 c. two great leading sins like two huge Beasts open a wide Gap to the rest of the sins in the last Apostacie e 1 Tim. 6.10 For the love of money is the root of all evil which while some coveted after they have erred from the faith and pierced themselves thorow with many sorrows Howbeit in some ground there are ill VVeeds of several sorts yet commonly there are one or two rifer and ranker then others I am the more confirm'd to think the last Apostacie is come not onely because all the VVeeds appear foretold but that Self-seeking and Covetousness first named are higher and ranker then the rest The Story of the Usurer may fitly come in here when he went abroad people pointed at him and shooke their heads whereby he knew his way and trade was generally dislik'd this sorely vex'd him until he came home and saw his Bags then he would laugh and say to himself Ha ha Now let them laugh at me here is that makes a mends for all and thus his grief was over I know it doth many times extreamly trouble some professors to hear and see what they do That is how they are condemn'd by all faithful people for serving the lusts of men and for countenancing Covenant-breakers and such as have betrayed the glorious Cause of Christ This I say vexeth them at the heart and the more because their Consciences cannot but check them for building again the things which they destroyed Notwithstanding when they come home and see the BAG f Act. 19.25 what WEALTH IS GOTTEN BY THIS CRAFT so much honor and preferment at Court such a gainful place in the Army so much per ann in the Colledge such a fat living or augmentation in the Country besides the pride and gallantry of their Wives and Children all Ladies and Prince-like Ha ha say they now let them laugh what care we for the FIFTH MONARCHY-MEN or their witness against us they call us Time-servers Turn-coates Court-flatterers and such as will crouch for a morsel of bread But these High-places Offices and preferment make us amends sufficiently Besides what can their poor g 1 Sam. 22.7 son of Iesse do for us But let them take this into the BAG too As the Partridge sitteth on eggs Jer. 17.11 and hatcheth them not so he that getteth riches and not by right shall leave them in the midst of his days and at his end shal be a fool Nurses count them good Children which though they are ready to cry at every turn yet are easily quieted with some toy The Devil is little troubled that men do weep and cry now and then and are sometimes prick's at the heart for their corrupt walking so that for a little honour pleasure profit and such like toys their consciences are soon quieted Again I speak not this as taking delight to discover the nakedness of professours the Lord knows my desire is That h Jer. 15.19 the precious might be separated from the vile and that none of Gods elect among the Back-sliders might be partakers of their plagues And therefore in the Bowels of Jesus I beseech them to Consider 1. What a sad thing it is that men not i 2 John 8. looking to themselves should lose those things that they
Christ in his kingdome and rights m Psal 9.16 The Lord is known by the judgments which he executeth and till then his Name is not feared his truth and cause denyed and his honour is laid in the dust But when the Lord by destroying the enemies of his Glory shall put a Crown upon his GOOD OLD CAUSE then it shall be said n Psa 58.11 Verily he is a God that judgeth in the earth And o Isa 46.9 there is none else And p Deut. 33.29 the enemies as Lawyers Priests Souldiers and Apostate-professors shall be found lyars q Eze. 6.14 I will stretch out my hand upon them and make the Land desolate yea more desolate then the wilderness toward Diblath in all their habitations But what will the Lord get by this And they shall know that I am the Lord. As if he should say Their loss shall be my gaine their fall my rising for whereas by their Covenant-breaking and horrible Apostacie they have brought my Name and Glory under reproach I will recover all again upon their mine Was not the Lord eminently known in this Nation when he executed judgment upon the King and Prelates and that party To my knowledge r Esth 8.17 the fear of Gods people fell upon the Nations about us and they confest the Lord had done great things for us and began to enquire after our good cause and had honourable thoughts of it But true it is since this unblessed Apostacie came up occasioned by professours they judge otherwise both of us and it As for the English professours they call them A pack of dissemblers their profession falshood and craft and the good old Cause so signally own'd by the Lord they spurn at it nay more and truly I mourn as I wite it by reason of the gross miscarriages of some Professours the very Name of Religion is become so odious that they have made Ballads and Songs against it and they are sung by base fellows up and down the Nation and what is the Burden of their Song No Cheater like the Professour But though this be so yet when the Lord shall execute judgment upon those men who have brought such dishonour and reproach to him and so build the old wast places and be called The repairer of the breach and restorer of paths to dwell in Then he will recover the glory of his great Name and be more admired of the Nations then before When the Scribes and Pharisees had put Christ to death what ado they made to have kept him in the grave and that he might not rise again â— but Å¿ Psa 2.1 they imagined a vain thing It was not the great stone which they rolled before the door of the Sepulchre nor their sealing it nor setting Souldiers to watch that could do it but he rose in the spight of them all t Rom. 1.4 and declared himself to be the Son of God Since they crucified the Lords Cause what hath been their work but how to keep it from rising Truly little else hath been thought of or lookt after the help that is called for from this party and the other it is onely to strengthen the hands of the wicked Now as the Lord will not easily part with his glory so I think it will not be recovered without executing judgement upon the enemies of it and reviving his glorious work and cause again but in what case then are Revolters for if God in this way be glorified they must needs be asham'd If the Lord do magnifie his great Name by lifting up the interest of Christ and his people it must be to the shame and confusion of their faces who have brought it under foot As those that have been whores to great men being cast off or their masters dead every body points at them and scorns them there goes one that was such a mans whore fie upon her no less detested will they be who have served the unclean interest of men The time I am perswaded is nigh that they shall not shew their heads abroad but men women and children will point at them saying LOE THERE WALKS ONE A PROFESSOR A CHURCH-MEMBER WHO FOR A SALARY A PLACE AN OFFICE A MONOPOLY PROSTITUTED HIS HONESTY FAITH CONSCIENCE COUNTRY TO THE LUST AND WILL OF MEN. 3. By being glorifyed of some because others are punished Thirdly The Lord not granting a time of finding unto some but leaving them to perish under wrath is glorified of many by it I have been thinking sometimes what might be the cause that in pouring out the seven last plagues we finde nor any u Rev. 11.13 to give glory to the God of Heaven but when the seven thousand were slain in the Earth-quake Now my opinion is in the destruction of the Last Apostacy under the first vial Gods Justice Holiness wisdome c. will occasion some extraordinary glory to be given to him For whereas he begins with a professing people and spares them not this will be more to the prayse of his Justice then when his wrath afterwards fals upon Idolaters and such as know not God And hence it is that the Mourners in Zion cry day and night with a loud voyce to him that sits on the Cloud x Rev. 14.15 Thrust in thy sickle and reap for the time is come for thee to reap for the harvest of the Earth-Apostacy is ripe Not that they fret at the prosperity of evil doers or are impatient under their oppressions or delight in blood but because of the exceeding great glory they know Jesus Christ will have by it When weeds overtop the corn bryars and thorns are grown great and thick high above the vine unless they are cut down there will be no harvest no vintage y Isa 26.9 When thy judgments are in the earth the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness When the thorns and bryars which are grown great and high among us are pluckt up by the roots then will this Nation learn righteousness then shall the Lord have a glorious harvest and vintage even sweet and blessed fruit then there will be a generation of Professors sincere single hearted faithful to God and faithful with men whereas now too many are a 2 Tim. 3.2 3 4. Lovers of themselves Covetous Boasters Proud Blasphemers Vnthank-ful Vnholy Truce-breakers Traytors c. Having a form of Godliness but denying the power thereof Howsoever it be true b Job 21.30 That the wicked is reserved to the day of destruction yet this day and destruction is c Pro. 16.4 For God's own glory but when they shall be brought forth to the day of wrath how is he then glorified Truly in nothing more then when others seeing the vengeance not only justifie it but are instructed and kiss the Son and stand in awe and sin not d Psa 97.8 Zion heareth and rejoyceth and glad are the daughters of Iudah because of thy judgments Jehovah Those
people which are a while without the Sun no sooner have a sight thereof but leap and clap their hands for joy as having now their light and life and comforts restored to them So long as men are under Tyranny and oppression which will be till the vial-plagues be gone what have they but night and darkness sorrows and vexations continually Now Christ rising in judgement removes these heavy yokes and burdens and plants peace and righteousness in the Earth Hence not only will the righteous shout for joy but the Lord every where praysed by all sorts of people even the whole Creation Fourthly 4. Iâ— being at rest and satisfied when he hath executed his judgments upon Apostates As no people by their sins do so much press and burden the Lord as back-sliders and luke-warm Professors so he is not at rest and satisfied until he have throughly executed his judgment upon them For this we have an example in the old Apostate Israel when they fell into the hands of their enemies were plundred and spoyl'd had their children ston'd and tumbled in blood their City and Temple burnt to ashes and all their power glory and greatness layd in the dust then God caused his fury to rest his jealousie to depart then was he quiet and still and angry no more The Lord seems to be troubled and unquiet before his judgment is executed but when that is once done especially upon an Hypocritical Nation then he is at rest pacified and comforted e Ezek. 5.13 Thus shall mine anger be accomplished and I will cause my fury to rest upon them and I will be COMFORTED and they shall know that I the Lord have spoken it in my zeal when I have accomplished my fury in them Again f Hos 10.10 It is my desire that I should chastise them As a man that longs for a thing is unsatisfied and restless till he have it so the Lord seeing them grown desperately wicked g IsI 1.24 Will ease himself with their just punishment Before Ionah had judgment past upon him h Jon. 1.4 15. There was a great wind and a mighty tempest in the sea the Lords displeasure and anger was up and let out but when Ionah was cast into the sea when justice was done upon him it is said the sea ceased from her raging God is quiet first then the waters So when judgment was executed upon Achan the Text saith i Josh 7.2.6 The Lord turned from the fierceness of his anger Again when judgment was executed upon the bloody house of Saul k 2 Sam. 21.14 After that God was intreated for the Land Till that was done the Lord was not at rest his jealousie and wrath ceased not The Lord threatens to bring the Assyrian upon the Iews who should take away their fair Jewels strip them and leave them naked and bare burn their houses and thrust them thorow with the sword and what then l Ezek. 16.42 So will I make my fury towards thee to rest and my jealousie shall depart from thee and I will be quiet and will be no more angry m Isa 10.25 The indignation shall cease and mine anger in their destruction as if he should say when I have destroyed them and layd all waste then I shall have ease my anger and fury will cease n Esth 7.10 They hanged Haman upon the gallows and then was the Kings wrath pacified And as the Lord is not quiet and satisfied till he have executed judgment upon Apostates neither is he at ease until he have done the like upon Luke-warm Professors o Rev. 3.16 Because thou art neither cold nor hot I will spue thee out of my mouth When a man hath something upon his stomack which he cannot brook but it is loathsome to him he hath no ease or quiet till he have cast it up They that are not hot having not the power of Godliness nor cold having yet the form they are a burden and trouble to Jesus Christ till he have by some judgment quitted himself of them For conclusion I have a few things to propound to the earth-thriving Professors of this age who are at ease in their fat places 1. Whether the Lord be not more prest and burdened with the sins of Revolters and luke-warm professors then with the sins of any other people 2. Whether any people since the rise of the Beast have made a greater revolt from God or have been more Luke-warm all things considered then the present English Revolters 3. Whether the latter Apostacie mentioned by Paul 2 Tim. 3.1 2 3. be not in every particular to the life fulfilled in them 4. Whether the Lord can be at rest satisfied and comforted till he have throughly executed his judgment upon such enemies of his Glory Cause and Kingdom 5. Seeing it is not the Dragon but his Tail that * Rev. 12.4 drew the third part of the Stars of Heaven and did cast them to the Earth I query 1. Who is meant by the Tail of the Dragon 2. Who are the fallen Stars 3. Unto which of the Apostacies do they belong for to one they must if not to both Seventhly 7. Because men weep for the punishment of their sins but not for their sins causing the punishment Because men mourn and weep for the punishment of their sins but not for their sins which caused the punishment As the Dog under the whip howls and cries for the pain but not for the fault and cause of his beating Thus did the old Jews when the Amorites came out against them and chased them as Bees do and destroyed them in Seir even unto Hormah p Deut. 1.44 45. They returned and wept before the Lord but the Lord would not hearken unto their voyce And why so because they lamented the loss of their Brethren but not their sins not their Apostacie Rebellion Vnbelief which provoked the Lord to smite them When news came that the English were kil'd like so many Flies in Hispaniola so shamefully destroyed as I think never the like dishonour and shame befel the Nation before the Lord by the judgment signally shewing his displeasure against them It is true there was fasting and mourning but why as the old Jews did Because their brethen were slain But was there any repenting of the Cause was there any sincere acknowledgment of the sins which had provoked the Lord so extreamly against them who like David spake then to the Lord * 1 Chron. 21.17 and said Is it not I that commanded the people to to be numbred even I it is that have sinned and done evil indeed But as for these sheep what have they done Let thine hand I pray thee O Lord my God be on me and on my fathers house but not on thy people that they should be plagued David had a weeping heart besides weeping eyes and was no Hypocrite But the Crocodile as some write having devoured a man weeps
workers of iniquity A good Riddance A Dogg that followeth two men is not known to which of them he belongeth till the way part Then indeed you shall see Howsoever we knew not plain and honest hearts from dissemblers so long as the Interest of Christ and worldly profit kept together Yet the Lord by this STOP hath made a marvellous discovery of both A good separation 2. That the Scriptures might 〈◊〉 fulfilled For by this STOP came in the perillous Times of which Paul gave warning t 2 Tim. 10.3.1 in Timothy meaning the second Apostacy How the Characters set down there by the Apostle paralell with the Backsliders of this age I have largely * A Book entituled Truth with Time elsewhere shewed In some Fenny Countries where people are troubled with GNATS they use to hang dung in the midst of a room as a bait for the Gnats to fly to and so catch them as a snare provided for that purpose Why would the Lord have a STOP to the work and by that STOP bring up the Apostacy It is plain enough that it might be a Pit and a Snare dung indeed to catch all the GNATS of the three Nations For I verily believe there is not a worldly minded Professor whether Church-member or Church-Officer or otherwise but he is fallen into this Trap. u Job 18.5.8 9 10 The light of the wicked shall be put out and the sparke of his fire shall not shine For be is cast into a net by his own feet and his own counsel shall cast him down The gin shall take him by the heel and the robâ—â—â— shall prevail against him The snare is laid for him in the ground and a trap for him in the way x Rev. 15.3 Great and marvellous are thy works Lord God Almighty 3. As the Lord made a Proof or Tryall of Abrahams faith love and obedience by his willingnesse to offer his sonne Isaac So this STOP hath been viz. y Cor. 11.19 that they which are approved may be made manifest If a Maid that she might be such a mans Wise should refuse a great Estate and live very poorly with him would not this argue she married him for Love and nothing else There are many since this Apostasie came up for the love and affection which they bear to the GOOD OLD CAVSE have refused great places high promotion and honour and sufferd Banishment Imprisonment cruel mockings and spoyling of their goods And what doth this signifie a Gen. 22.12 Now I know said the Angell to Abraham that thou fearest God seeing thou hast not withheld thy sonne thine onely son from me Surely a man sheweth great affection and faithfulnesse unto Jesus Christ when riches preferments and great mens favours are rejected and his poor despised betrayed and crucified Cause is boldly owned of him 4. That b Rom. 11.28 the Lord may make a short work upon the earth when his work shall be revived again As a man intending to shew his skill by leaping farre goes backward first a little So the Lord intending more than an ordinary speed quick dispatch of the seven last plagues seemeth first to go backwards c Rev. 11. â—4 Behold the third woe cometh quickly Thus it was with Israel in Egypt After Moses and Aaron had been with Pharoah they had d Exod. 5.9 more work laid upon them and their bondage greater than before But when the Lord revived that work How fast went it forward then In less than thirty days all the ten plagues were poured out upon Egypt So after the forty years when the Lords work came on again the Land of Canaan is presently conquered e Josh 12.24 one and thirty Kings put to death How soon was the Lords House built when the work was revived in four years at most And so I take it here the Lord means by this Stop HAST HAST afterward 5. To strike the greater dread and horrour upon wicked men f Rev. 11. at the rising of the work Herod thinking Christ to be John Baptist he thought likewise John being risen he came with more strength and power than he had before and this tormented him That the Cause and Interest of Christ thought to be dead and buried should be raised again No marvel the sinners in Zion will be afraid and fearfulness surprize the hypocrites they know it comes forth in Power Glory and Majesty to take vengeance on them for their falshood and unrighteousnesse 6. There is a STOP that ungodly men in this Time may fill up the measure of their sinnes so be fatted for the slaughter g Jer. 51.13 Thine end is come and the measure of thy Covetousness that is when Babilons Covetousnesse is full and ripe then come the vials of wrath to be poured out upon her Among the Egyptians it was a custome when any man was condemned for some notorious crime to feast him and fat him that he might undergo the greater Torment I think no man will deny but some men of late are fatted to purpose h Ps 119.70 Their heart is as fat as grease But it was not thus before the STOP For their Coveteousness Pride Lightnesse Luxury was nothing in measure and height to what it is now A sad stop wofull places offices promotion maintenance c. that prepares men like Sheep for the day of slaughter 7. For the praise of his great power Christ was able to have kept Lazarus from death and the grave but he would not and why i Joh. 11.4 That the son of man might be gloried And indeed I think there was no miracle which our Saviour wrought more to his glory than this Not onely is Lazarus dead and buried but supposed to stink having been three days buried And for all this to raise him up what a wonderfull work is this Though it be true as was said the Lord could have prevented all STOPS yet he would not But he will have his Cause slain and buried and in the opinion of the Enemy to rot and stink no fear of rising again And then will he k Ps 78.65 awake as one out of sleep break the heavens and come down shake the mountains and raise up his friend Lazarus to the glory of his power the joy of his people and the confusion of his Enemies Amen Amen Quest But what reasons have you to believe that the good old Cause will be revived again Answer 1. Because the honour of God is much concerned in it since the STOP What say the Scoffers l Luk. 14.30 This man began to build but was not able to finish it As if some by their craft and policy had over-reached Jesus Christ As long as Pompey stood and flourished Cato stoutly maintained a Providence But when he fled into Egypt and was slaine of a base fellow and lay upon the shoare without any honour of Burial when Cato also was beset with Caesars army He fell from
had established The evil of this is told him again and againe But no admonition will take place For he grows so wicked that he causeth the Prophet who reprov'd him to be stond even his sonn who had set him on the Throne But what followed oh sad things and that suddenly first upon the Land that was made the seat of war spoyld and plunderd afterward a sore punishment upon himself by the hand both of God and man The like befel Amaziah his son b 2 Chr. 25.25 26 27. I know saith the Prophet to him God hath determined to destroy thee because thou hast done this and hast not hearkened to my Counsel The which thing came to pass soon after Again it is said of Eli's children c 1 Sam. 2.25 They harkned not to the voyce of their father because the Lord would slay them That is he gave them not grace to repent but did more and more forsake them gave them in his justice over to a reprobate mind to their own ruin and destruction Which also d cap. 4.11 came to pass When Ahab hearkned to his false Prophets not to Michaiah Gods Judgment soon reacht him Was there ever a Generation of men that did cast off the threatnings of God against their sinnes with more contempt and scorne than some do now For unless he be an Ahitophel a Machiavel a Subtil Serpent tush they care not for any mans Counsel a rush But is not this some notable signe of the Times Yes surely e When it is evening ye say it will be fair wether Mat. 16. For the skie is red And in the morning it will be foul weather to day For the skie is red and and lowring Such is my confidence in the Truth of the Scripture as from the Premises I can sooner beleeve that there is some great judgment very nigh the dispisers of good Counsell than conclude fair or foul weather from such signes in the face of the sky That the work 's upon reviving This also shews it neer in my apprehension did Time look so like midnight as now Night it hath been some years together But no Midnight till of late If sleep hath not seiz'd on the Virgins Wise as Foolish yet truly a great slumbering doth for there is not methinkes that activeness that life and soule to the great Cause of God as some times there was Several wayes people may fall a sleep And children very often sing themselves asleep And are there not some of the Lords sweet Babes fallen now into some slumbering as to THE DAY WORKE by their own pleasant Singing I should be a great deale more affected and dissatisfied with this late slumbring of the Virgins but that I consider the Scripture must be fulfil'd f Isa 63.5 I looked saith the Lord and there was none to help g Amos 7.2 By whom shall Jacob arise for he is smal small indeed For if the wise Virgins fall asleep who then are left Though this be so yet herein am I comforted The Midnight-time being upon us It declares that the womb of providence is opening and the Crie nigh h Mat. 25.15.16 Behold the Bridegroom cometh go ye out and meet him Yea and it is a mercie seeing the Midnight Time is upon us that there is a Voice kept up to awaken such as are asleep 7. Reader mark this Such men as by engagement ought to joyn with the Interest of Christ his people if they neglect their duty here joyn with the Lords Enemies against him and his Cause there is certainly some great judgement nigh them It was Midians duty i Deut. 23.4 to have met Israel with bread with water in the way when they came forth out of Egypt That is they should have refreshed assisted their Brethren in their travels towards Canaan but in stead of doing so Midian hired a Wizard a Witch to curse the Lords people But what is his punishment for it He shall not enter into the Congregation of the Lord for ever Israel must never seek his peace nor prosperity Many Reasons there were why Achitophel should have stood faithfull to David and his Righteous Cause But like an unthankfull wretch he went with Absalom in that unnatural Rebellion But how sped he k 2 Sam. 17.23 When he saw his counsell was not followed he went home and hanged himself Again whose part should Judas have taken in point of Reason Religion and Conscience Doutless his Masters but he falls in with the Scribes and Pharisees to take away his Masters life What his end was and how he was rewarded for it It is recorded g Ma. 27.5 He went and hanged himself h Act. 1.18 And falling headlong burst asunder in the midst and his bowels gushed out Are there any such in our Time who in respect of many Engagements should assist and help the Lords people stand up with them for Righteousnesse and Truth And do they like Midian Achitophel Judas side take part with Wizards Rebels Pharisees and marked Slaves of the Beast I say are there such If so then I question not but Providence ere long will shew some notable work uppon them l Psal 46.8 Come and behold the works of the Lord what desolations he hath made in the earth Lastly And which is not the least that perswades me the good old Cause is ready to rise I do observe that the Lords people every where are expecting it Now what means this k singing of the Birds if the spring be not nigh Is it possible that it should lye with so much weight upon the Spirits of all the little remnant that the Lord is coming sorth to take vengeance on his adversaries and to comfort Zion And nothing should be in it I cannot think so neither is there any reason for it Indeed l Pro. 4.19 The way of the wicked is darknesse they know not at what they stumble m v. 18. But the way of the just is as a shining light that shineth more and more to the perfect day Thus Reader thou seest the Reasons why I think the WORK is at the Birth I shall offer a little more to thee And no more I hope then what is according to Truth and with supplications the Lord hath led me From the Creation to the Flood according to the best account that I have seen were 1657. yeeres And so many yeeres we reckon past since Jesus Christ was born In this yeare viz 1657. doth period the 42. Months and 1260. dayes in which the Beast was to reigne and the Saints to suffer Mr. Tilling hast of Pretious memorie beginning at the Head of the account i. e. at the rise of the Beast brings down the two Numbers to the yeare 1657. I have done something by inquiring at the foot to wit the last three years and an half of the Account and here we do agree as to the Time of the End That is whereas
Presbyterian very little The Common wealths men and Fift Kingdom men al under hatches Their crown is fallen they must go for a company of ideots giddie heads sillie fellowes In a word all without name that beare a faithfull Testimony to the good old cause Hence I am perswaded and in the fear of God I speak it by the 7000. Names of men is meant such members and officers of Congregationall churches and other Professors of Religion as have greivously revolted from the Lords work and the Interest of Christ and his people The judgement followes Were slain As the Witnesses were not corporally slain So may this be understood of a spirituall death upon the Churches Officers Worship Government Which is worse more grievous than the other Neither is this without some appearance already For 1. Is there not an earth-quake in their Churches From whence else are all those Rents Divisions Distractions 2. Is it not evident that the Lord of late hath very much withdrawn his presence from them so that they have not the power comfort and sweetness of his ordinances as formerly 3. Do not the gifts and parts of their Officers sensibly abate and wither 4. For the Characters of the last Apostacy viz. Self-seeking Coveteousnes Pride c. do they not spread and appear like a Gangreen every day more and more But 5. What means this bitter complaining of late among the new raised Masters and Doctors That the sons of Zerviah are too hard for them not onely get away their places but jeer and deride them If half be true which themselves report the Lord hath met with them already for their unfaithfulness Now howsoever these things are but a beginning and little to what probably will follow yet enough to shew if the earth-quake be not come there is a Type of it at least 11. The other nine parts of the City which I take to be the Civill power these are left to the stokels e Deu. 32.32 33. For their vine is worse than the Vine of Sodom and of the fields of Gomorrah their grapes are of gall their clusters are bitter their wine is the poyson of dragons and the cruell venome of Aspes A reason why they are f Rev. 14.19 20. cast into the great wine-presse of the wrath of God Observe Reader Reaping is mans work but to cause earth-quakes is proper to God This makes me think that the judgment on Churches and professors will be by some immediate hand of God but the other which is to be executed upon the Civil state will be by the hands of men g Dan. 7.26 They shall take away his Dominion to consume and destroy it unto the end So then though the latter Apostacy be the subject of the first vial yet it must be understood as Church and State and the judgements distinct 12. No sooner are the effects seen of the first viall but h Rev. 11.18 the Nations are angry i Ps 99.1 Iehovah reigneth the people are stirred As k Rev. 16.2 men that have noisome and grievous sores upon them are extreamly impatient so prophane men and Idolaters when they shall see the kingdomes of this world are become the kingdomes of our Lord and his Christ as they will soon do in the effects of the first vial oh how will they storm and ragel no torment like it But the children of the kingdome will do otherwise l Ps 97.1 The Lord raigneth let the earth rejoyce let the multitudes of Isles be glad thereof I shall conclude with a short word Though these things should come to passe yet they may be so mixt as not easily observed when the Lord shall bring them forth without marvellous and serious Watchfullness If to a little wine as much water be put Though the wine remaine in the vessel yet not so well to be known wine as if no water had been mixt with it It is my Opinion with much Confidence when the witnesses shall stand on their feet and ascend up to heaven and the first Angelis pouring out his vial and the earth-quake come Here the works wayes judgments and appearances of God will be so manifold various and strong That in this regard very few even of Gods own people at first will discern or understand how the JVDGMENT WRITTEN is executed upon the little Horne Bottomless Beast and last Apostacy m Luk 21.38 Watch therefore and pray alwayes that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things which shall come to pass and to stand before the sonne of man FINIS