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
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
without sin There is no man will prosecute a business for another so fully as he that is tenderly affected with the case The troubles and distresses which are now upon Gods people for poor Zion are upon the heart of Christ yea and much more upon his heart then theirs and therefore doubtless he will press home their SUITS in Heaven Besides that which Adonijah said to Bathsheba is most true of Christ p 1 Kin. 2.17 The Father will not say him nay q Psa 2.8 Ask of me and I shall give thee the Heathen for thine inheritance and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession A man will be the more willing to help another if he see himself concern'd in the thing and that it is his own good that is desired For whom doe the faithfull sigh and groan Is it not for Christ as the Prophet saith r Psa 72.15 Prayer shall be made for him continually When they pray against Babylon Tyrants Tryers Lawyers Soldiers Is not this to pray for Christ viz. That his enemies may be made his footstoole Å¿ Heb. 10.13 as he expecteth and t Rev. 11.15 all the Kingdoms of the world become his u Ezek. 21 27. whose right it is And what may we learn hence Surely Christ will look after the tears and cryes of Mourners because they are poured forth for his own righteous cause Lastly That Believers should come unto God by Christ the holy Ghost giveth this reason x Heb. 7.25 Seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them y Zech. 1.5 Your Fathers where are they and the Prophets do they live for ever How often comes it to pass that there is not a Moses to stand in the breach a Ezek. 22.30 not a man to he found Is it not now our sad complaint b Psa 74.9 We see not our Signs there is no more any Prophet neither is there among us any that knoweth how long Nevertheless Jesus Christ our great High-Priest LIVETH FOR EVER and ceaseth not to plead Zions Cause or his own Cause rather before the Throne c Isa 63.16 Doubtless thou art our Father though Abraham be ignorant of us and Israel acknowledge us not Thou O Lord art our Father our Redeemer thy Name is from everlasting And here it falls in our way to discover the great presumption of Christs Enemies d Luk. 19.27 which will not that he should reign over them But instead of exalting him seek to exalt themselves It is much they are not affraid to take Christs Name in their mouth For unto whom may they be likened To a company of Usurpers who keeping an honest man out of his lawful possession will yet go to him and entreat him to assist him against himself Surely he cannot but think they mock him most grosly I leave the application to such as will not that e Rev. 11.17 Christ should take to him his great power and reign yet say Lord Lord. Sixthly 6. Because they seek him with the groanings of the Spirit Because they seek the face of God with the groanings of the Spirit And this is to f Jude 20. pray in the Holy Ghost i. e. when the Spirit works all our sighings wrestlings and strong cries As the Master holding the Childs hand what is so written is done by him and he cannot but like it because it is his own Act Thus in our sincere Mournings before the Lord they must needs be accepted because they are g Isa 26.12 the work of his own Hand not our sighings and prayers but as David said h 1 Chron 29.14 Of thine own have we given thee When the Heavens and the Earth were finished and all the hosts of them it is said i Gen. 1.31 And God saw every thing that he had made and behold it was very good It could not but be lovely fair and excellent being his own work-manship Are our Mournings the work of the Spirit Surely then as God sees them they are very good And this is matter of singular comfort and incouragement unto all Mourners in Zion What though their sighs and cryes as lookt on by Enemies are slighted and scorn'd k Neh. 4.1 2 3. What do those feeble Jews Fifth Monarchy-men will they fortify themselves do they think by their weeping to build Zion Will they revive the stones of the heaps of the rubbish which are burnt Ah ah say they poor deceived people that which they build by their praying and fasting if a fox go up he shall even break down their stone wall It is true thus are our tears and cryes to God mockt and despis'd but let us not be discouraged for all this remember what was said they are not our groanings but the Spirit 's and in that regard l Psal 65.5 by terrible things in righteousness wilt thou answer us O God of our salvation m Rom. 8.26 17. The Spirit helpeth our infirmities for we know not what we should pray for as we ought but the Spirit it self maketh intercession for us with groans which cannot be uttered And he that searcheth the heart knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit because he maketh intercession for the Saints according to the will of God That is we being weak and prayer a great work the Spirit helps us to carry the Burden with us and for us and supplyes our want of knowledge by prompting as it were our lesson unto us to ask such things and in that manner as God requireth and alloweth Parents many times hear their children sob and groan but not knowing the cause thereof cannot help them But the Lord knows the mind of the Spirit Though we doe but n Isa 38.13 Chatter like a Crane or swallow and mourn as a Dove o 1 Sam. 1.13 Speak onely in our hearts like Hannah and no voyce is heard This before the Lord p Psa 142.2 is as incense an acceptable and well-pleasing sacrifice Quest But how may we know the Groanings of the Spirit from our own Answ 1. Nothing will quiet the Spirit as to cease groaning but satisfaction in the thing groaned for Though Elkanah spake comfortably to his wife when he said q 1 Sam. 1 8 Am not I better to thee then ten sons yet that would not help she was in bitterness of Soul before the Lord for a childe and nothing but a childe will comfort her As Rachel said r Gen. 30.1 Give me children or else I dy Thus it is with Saints groaning in the Spirit for Zion and the Great Name of God and against the abominable Falshood and Hypocrisie of men Their Souls Å¿ Psa 77.2 refuse to be comforted until the Lord gratiously answer them here I have seen children cry and roar after a piece of mony but no sooner hath a counter or bable been put into their hand but they had done crying and all is quiet and well again
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
dayly complaint Oh that the Lord would take the plaister off remove the yoke from our necks spoyl the spoyers and them that have dealt treacherously call forth his sanctified ones to execute the judgment written But what saith the Lord My dear children be patient quiet contented I am wiser then you and know best what is to be done there is some corrupt matter some rottenness which must be purged before I can grant your desire I must first bring away your covetousness spiritual-pride censoriousness passion c. then will I arise for Zion and restore comfort to her mourners The sins of the Amorites were full at the end of the 430. years then came in d Gen. 15.16 the fourth generation yet it was forty years after before they came into the Promised Land For howsoever the time as I said was expired as to the Iniquity of the Enemies that is they were * Numb 14.9 ripe for judgment yet the Lords people not being prepared for the promised blessing fell short of it many yeers The like may be said of things now the time and times and dividing of time which according to e Dan. 7.25 Daniel the Little Horn is to have may be already expired and his iniquity full and so ripe for cutting down nevertheless the Saints of the Most High not being prepared to take away his Dominion and possess the Kingdom there may be some yeers after the three years and an half are expired before he be destroy'd and his body given to the burning flames not but that * Namely in June laâ— the time may be ended viz. the three years half the little Horn ripe for judgment but the Saints are not PREPARED for such a dispensation We read that in all Iehoshaphats reign f 2 Chron. 20.33 the high places were not taken away and the reason is given for as yet the people had not prepared their hearts unto the God of their fathers as if he should say As other abuses and corruptions were removed so had these high places been also but that the people were not enough humble holy sincere to receive such a mercy the like may be said of the high places remaining with us as the carnal-ministry Tythes Tryers the corrupt Law c. these Gillulim filthy things would soon be taken away were Saints prepared to meet their God in his judgments See Psal 81.13 14 15 16. It is with Christ and a soul seeking him as between the load-stone and iron if there be any dust or filth that sticks to the iron the stone refuseth to close with it she will not be touch'd nor touch where there is foulness but take off the filth and let the iron be clean then they sweetly close together so is the Lords heart open and his arms abroad to take into his bosome such as are pure and clean in heart have no defilements upon them are pure vessels g 2 Tim. 2.21 meet for the Masters use and prepared unto every good work here the Lord will command the blessing even the blessed TIME OF FINDING 2. When the Saints have nothing left them for help but God Secondly It is a Time of Finding When the Faithful have nothing left them for help but the Lord only MANS EXTREMITY IS GODS OPPORTVNITY The Tide you know turns when the water is lowest would yee know the time of the Lords turning and returning to his Church and people It is at low water h Deut. 32.36 when he seeth that their power is gon and there is none shut up or left i Psal 107.27 28. see also v. 3 â— 5 12 13. when their soul is melted because of trouble and are at their wits end Then crying unto the Lord he bringeth them out of their distresses he maketh the storm a calm and bringeth them to their desired haven Among men to plead poverty and want experience shews it signifies very little should a poor man goe to a merchant and tell him nothing but of his nakedness and misery this would not prevail with him for clothing and other relief but with the Lord no better argument to speed then to spread miseries and wants before him Hence the Saints usually in their prayers have mentioned their DISTRESS as a great reason to move the Lord unto pity thus did Iehoshaphat k 2 Chron. 20.12 O our God wilt thou not judge them FOR we have no might neither know we what to do So David l Psa 6.2 Have mercy upon me O God FOR I am weak O Lord heal me FOR my bones are vexed Again m Psa 8â— 2 109.22 23. Bow down thine ear O Lord hear me for I am poor and needy And for our encouragement herein the Lord hath promised that it shall be A TIME OF FINDING when n Psa 50.15 in trouble we call upon him o Psa 9.9 He will be a refuge for the oppressed a refuge in times of trouble p Psa 102.17 he will regard the prayer of the destitute or naked shrub and will not despise their prayer Isa 41.7 When the poor and needy seek water and there is none and their tongue faileth for thirst I the Lord will hear them I the God of Israel will not forsake them The poor woman that had the issue of blood twelve yeers and in that time r Mark 5.26 27 had spent all that she had on physicians when she came to Christ in that extremity was it not a time of finding the Text saith Straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague And indeed her case is much like Ours she came not to Christ till all was spent As long as we had a Parliament a Councel of State an Army a General c. we too much rested on them as our Saviors and Deliverers it is therefore well for us that Iehovah hath broken these Egyptian reeds and that we have at present none in Heaven nor in Earth but Jesus Christ to trust in for now we may confidently expect A TIME OF FINDING When Christ saw that those who had continued three days with him in the wilderness f Mat. 15.32 had nothing left he took compassion on them and fed them by a miracle Again when he was at Nazareth preaching in the Synagogue he needed not to have been led from thence t Luk. 4.29 unto the brow or edg of the hill he might have escaped long before but he would suffer the enemy to go so far to shew that it is his time to work deliverance for his people when they seem to be in the greatest danger Is there nothing left no Parliament Councel Army Navy General Have u Lam. 1.2 all Zions friends dealt treacherously with her and become her Enemies Is the GOOD OLD CAVSE brought to the brow of the hill Then lift up your heads ye naked shrubs every
where now pray pray pray you are come to the Finding time and the mount where God will be seen Thirdly It is a Time of Finding 3. When the Enemies of Zion are at the highest When the enemies of Zion are at the highest that is Tryumph and insult as if all were theirs and that they shall see sorrow no more x Psa 10.3 the wicked boasteth of his hearts desire that is perceiving his designs and actions to prosper by hypocrisie apostacy falshood c. he glories in it and thinks now that neither God nor man can reach him y Psa 119.119 Thou puttest away saith David all the wicked of the earth like dross the scum or dross when it is upmost and covers the liquor then it is taken off and thrown away so when tyrants and persecutors have Saints under them make account to wear them out by cruel usage and cry victory victory then coms the revenging hand of God upon them treads them as dung under his feet Thus was the Lord found of good Hezekiah note a Isa 36.13 14 15. chap. 37.10 the message which Rabshakeh brought to him from his master and what was in the letter which Sennacherib sent him Let not thy God in whom thou trustest deceive thee hath any of the gods of the Nations delivered his land out of the hand of the King of Assyria Oh the height of this filthy scum but how did the Lord meet with him not onely in giving a wonderful deliverance to his people but by destroying his Army and the blasphemer also Thus likewise it was with b Exod. 15.9 10. Pharaoh c Esth 5.6 Haman d Act. 12. Herod c. and in our time with the King and Bishops when they were highest in pride pomp and insolent practises against the Lord his cause and people he cut them off with a witness and the like may we expect upon those who domineer hold up their heads and look big e Exo. 5.2 Who is the Lord that I should obey his voyce f Isa 51.23 Bow down that we may go over g Dan. 3. Whoso falleth not down and worshippeth the golden Image shall the same hour be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace But whereunto may I liken such men and others following their steps to nothing fitter then to a boil or botch when it is swoln big and risen high then it breaks and what follows rottenness and stink Are they swoln big and risen high in power titles places c. it is a sign they will break the sooner and as the waves of the sea after their lifting up and roaring a while leave behind them nothing but mire and dirt so when the Lord shall cut them off what then will remain but the infamous memory of their former Apostacy hypocrisie and lies It is truly my opinion were Gods people as fit for mercy as their enemies are for judgment were they as lowâ— humiliation and Reformation as the other are high in pride blasphemy atheism we should soon see a vial powâ—ed out upon them That place h Jer. 12.1 2 3. in the Prophet me thinks notably agrees with our time They are all happy that deal very treacherously But how doth he describâ— them Thou art neer in their mouth buâ— far from their reins As the water-maâ— in his boat rows one way and looks another so these profess great things and talk much of God and his ways but in their practises and actions are most vile and wicked what follows Prepare them for the day of slaughter When the beast is fat and ful flesht then the butcher knocks him down We know now well enough why the Lord hath suffered the Apostates to enjoy such faâ— pasture viz. the very pastures or places which fatted other beasts before them it was as i Hos 13.6 the Prophet saith that they might be filled and their heart exalted and so made fat and fit for slaughter k Psal 119.126 It is time for thee O Lord to work for they have made voyd thy Law He doth not say It is time c. because they speak against thy â—aw slight it and regard it not but â—ave made it voyd signifying when â—en are grown to such a height of wicâ—edness as the Laws of Christ are deâ—troyed by them his cause and interest â—hrown down to raise themselves righeousness and truth made voyd to set up oppression and falshood then indeed it is high time for the Lord to work yea and then is the TIME in which he wil be FOVND of his faithful ones hungring and thirsting after righteousness Fourthly It is a Time of finding 4. When Saints make Jesus Christ their all When SEEKERS make Iesus Christ their ALL all their hope stay and trust and can truly say with the prophet l Ps 73.25 Whom have I in Heaven but thee and there is none upon Earth that I desire besides thee If we discern such as will not trust in us but love to stand upon their own ground we leave them to themselves to shift as they can as on the contrary the more we see our selves trusted to the more we take care for them When the Lord sees a poor soul gives up ALL to him leaves hiâ— case wholy with him depends altogetheâ— upon his power goodness faithfulness as he delights to see his children in such a frame so they may be sure he will take care for them and it shall go well with them m Psa 18.6 In my distress saith David I called upon the Lord and cryed unto my God he heard my voyce out of his temple and my cry came before him even into his ear But when did David cry and found the Lord thus good to him n ver 2. after he had made him his rock and his fortress his strength his buckler the horn of his salvation and his high tower A man that stands upon a rock when he hears the sea roar and the waves violently beating against the rock all this puts him not into any fear for he knows where he is to wit out of danger so it is with every gracious Saint he is beyond the reach of men and Devils no adversary power can hurt him I do remember what I was once told by a good old man a * Mr. Pateman dwelling at Mosley neer Brimmingham Nonconformist-Minister dwelling nigh me a neighbor of his being in prison for witch-craft he went to visit him this wretched man confest to him that he had hated him a long time and fought to do him mischief and for this end there was a compact between the Devil and him to destroy him the witch spoke often to the devil for to hasten their design now the devil told him he had several times attempted it but could not effect any thing and gave this for the reason because he found him still either in prayer and communion with God or had
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
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
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