last and worst of wofull destructions unto them Two considerations may clearly evince this 1. It is altogether unheard of in divine revelations that God should sound woe to his Saints Indeed tribulations are their way to Heaven and bitterest afflictions they may suffer in the flesh Phil. 1.19 Heb. 12.6 10. but this is a speciall dignation of God to honour them or love to chastise them unto greater holinesse no wo properly so called which being the effect of Gods greatest indignation Matth. 23.13 14 c. terrifies and grindeth poore soules to powder 2. The three last VVo-trumpets are directed onely to the inhabiters of the earth Rev. 8 13. men so called in opposition to the Saints who are Heavens people for by these names of Earth and Heaven are the Antichristian world and the Church of Christ distinguished by the Spirit Rev. 18.9 11 20. Therefore on these onely is allotted that wofull sound of this and the former Trumpets 2. Christ and his Saints are concerned in the best event of this Trumpet for in all this time of sounding woes upon these earthly creatures Christ is possessing the Thrones of the world Saints are worshipping and praising God It is therefore a joy Trumpet unto these So hath God set the times and states of creatures adverse each to other The worlds light is the Churches darknesse and the Saints joy the worlds greatest woe The title and event then of this Trumpet are thus reconciled To make a clearer passage to the text three precognitions will be usefull 1. Of the time 2. Of the subject 3. Of the matter of this Trumpets sound which I shall touch here but shortly for a generall light 1. What time the sound of this Trumpet doth concerne is not agreed on by interpreters some make it contemporary with the last day and so call it the last Trump 1 Thes 4.16 The chiefe grounds of this I shall take off in another place onely for present these reasons evince it cannot relate to that time 1. This Trumpet sounds onely a change of the Kingdomes of this world from Lord to Lord not the period of them which the last Trump of God will surely sound at the great day of judgement they shall all expire and be no more 2. Rev. 11.18 Under this Trumpet sinne shall abound upon the earth the Nations shall be angry at the exaltation of Christ and his Saints when power shall be taken out of their hands but such reliques shall not be when the end of all things is come 3. This Trumpet doubtlesse foundeth woe upon the earth and that of no small continuance which after the last judgement cannot be These and other considerations may demonstrate that this cannot be the last Trumpet yet by the events expressed in the successive degrees of them it may be rightly conjectured that the sound of this seventh Trumpet teacheth something neere to that of the last judgement 2. Others conceive more rightly that the sound of this Trumpet concerns Heaven upon Earth that is the state of the Church below onely the difference is about the point of time for the beginning of these events spoken of one pitcheth it upon the utter fall of the Westerne mysticall Babell and the comming of the Kings of the East which though it must be under this seventh Trumpet yet is it not so probable to be the first effect of it It is a faire glosse that from the taking of the first Kingdom of this world out of the hand of Antichrist the sound of this Trumpet should be heard for if this be a Wo-trumpet upon the Romish Babel it must needs suppose that state to be standing at least in the first sounding of it And the driving of Antichrist out of the Territories and Thrones of the world hath been and must be contemporaneous with Christs re-entrance upon the ruling of them So that all the Vials powred out upon the Antichristian state in any of the Kingdomes of this world seems to contemporize with this Trumpet although indeed severall Scenes be acted and the finishing the mysterie of God be not untill the last daies of the seventh Trumpet This state of time then seemeth most sutable whereof some portions are past and some and those most glorious are yet to come 2. The subject whom this Trumpet concerns seemeth to be the Universe sublunary even all the Kingdomes or States in the world which have been captivated by that Romish Antichrist therefore not England nor the united Kingdomes of Ireland and Scotland excluded 3. The matter of this sound and great voyces is a Reformation-change of worldly Kingdomes from the power and rule of Antichrist unto the actuall administration of the Lord and his Christ In the whole paragraph about this Trumpet we have observable 1. A proposition of the Ministry of this providence wherein 1. The Minister is described The seventh Angell 2. The ministration He sounded the Trumpet 2. A proposition of the effect which is exprest 1. Generally There were great voyces in Heaven saying 2. Specially wherein three effects are discovered 1. Christs inauguration or the Lords reassuming Kingdomes for his Christ v. 15. 2. The Saints triumphant song v. 16 17. 3. The Nations anger at all this with the powring out of the wrath of God to repay them v. 18 19. The first effect is the summe of the Text to the discovery of which and the certainty thereof in the Trumpets sound I shall bend the following discourse The ground worke of all shall be layd in two propositions touching this effect 1 A Reformation-change of worldly Kingdomes to our Lord and his Christ is a sure revelation from God 2. The Lord and his Christ shall King it or reigne over these reformed Kingdomes for ever and ever The full prophesie here given is compleated in these two propositions and both these will be understood in the opening of three main things carried in them 1. The true state of the subject of this change 2. The right meaning of this Reformation-change 3. The due account of the certainty of this Revelation To the first The subject of this change here spoken of are the Kingdomes of the world wherein two notions are considerable one noting the nature the other giving the specification of this subject 1. Kingdoms note the subject of this Reformation-change 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in the generall nature of it and so must import 1. The bounds of Territories which are given by God as the continent of all men that live under government in them 2. The people contained or inhabiting within the compasse of such Dominions must needs be entitled here for not lands but soules must be thus reformed 3. The chiefe of those people Princes States and Powers among those persons seem especially to be carried in this notion of Kingdoms Isai 52.15 Isai 55.5 and they not so much considered in themselves as in respect to government which they are called of God to exercise
VAE-EUGE-TUBA OR The Wo-Ioy-Trumpet Sounding the third and greatest woe to the Antichristian world but the first and last joy to the Church of the Saints upon Christs exaltation over the Kingdomes of the World UNFOLDED IN A SERMON before the Honourable Houses of COMMONS assembled in Parliament at their late solemne Fast May 26. 1647. By G. HUGHES Minister of the Gospell in Plymouth Published by Order of the House PROV 8.15 By me Kings reigne and Princes decree justice OBAD. V. 21. The Kingdome shall be the Lords LONDON Printed by E. G. for Iohn Rothwell at the Sunne and Fountaine in Pauls Church-yard 1647 Die Mercurii Maii 26. 1647. ORdered that Sir John Bampfyld doe from this House give thanks to Master Hughes for the great paines he tooke in the Sermon he preached this day at the intreaty of this House at St. Margarets Westminster it being the day of publique Humiliation and to desire him to print his Sermon and he is to have the like priviledge in printing of it as others in the like kind usually have had H Elsynge Cler. Parl. D. Com. I doe appoint John Rothwell to print my Sermon George Hughes TO THE HONOURABLE THE House of COMMONS now Assembled in PARLIAMENT Honourable and Renowned Patriots IT was a pretty Rhetoricall straine of words though scarce reasonable unlesse as a Paradox may be made with Moralists or Divines 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Longin 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 To fall in great matters is a Generous and Noble sinne It is but a conceit that the height of materials whereabout the slip was should innoble sinne False coinage upon Lead will be as high Treason as that upon better mettall and Treason upon Gold as base as that upon Brasse In the Oracles of God where we have words not inferiour to mens but wisdome and truth farre above them We are thus taught Slips in highest things are the greatest faults and a fall in Heaven fouler wickednesse than a stumbling on earth Sinnes draw the highest aggravations from the Greatnesse of God against whom and the height of place wherein they are committed The Angels which left their first station and man that sinned in Paradise have felt the truth of this Zeale for God and you and his Church most Noble Worthies wil make his your friends reckon little of their lives to keep you that are in Highest places from such high transgression By the grace given to me when I was called by you to speak from God to you for you to God in the day of your soules affliction I had this in my greatest desires to keepe you that are in highest places and mannaging the highest matters of God from sinne against him I therefore as became a Minister of Christ desired to use all plainnesse in setting out the Kingdome of our Lord unto which all States must how that would be prosperous and in pointing at such sinfull irregularities which render God an enemy irreconcileable and such States thereby eternally miserable In all which the Judge of spirits knows I intended not either by matter or form of speech to be spatter such an Honourable Judicatory with false charges or make a Parliament vile among the people I have learned better of Christ by Gods grace my aime was onely to be a faithfull Remembrancer of you from God of the fatall diseases whereunto such Politique Bodies may be subject in their members that a timely care may be had of purging your selves least death ensue I hope your hearts are as willing to beare such plainnesse as God would have them in commanding it Never was there a more fatall character upon the State of Israel then that bitter speech of Idolatrous Amaziah to Ieroboam against honest Amos The Land is not able to bear his words Amos 7.10 When States cannot beare sound words from God spoken in his Name or not so beare them as obediently to answer Gods mind in them the doom of Elies sonnes will cleave to them 1 Sam. 2.25 The God of all grace keepe off such a curse of an Impatient hardned spirit from you and give you the blessing of a boared eare and a softyeelding-obedient heart so shall ye prosper Vpon your Order of acceptance of these poore labours and for publishing the same I have been obedient to your desire and now in all humble duty and thankefulnesse doe present that to your eyes of which your eares have tasted I have made a few additions for clearing some passages which straits of time then shut out I hope none will be loosers by them The height of my ambition is 2 Cor 3.3 that by this Inke-worke the Spirit of the living God would write the Name of the Lord and his Christ upon this Parliament and upon the people of the Land that ye may be the Lords State ruling for Christ and he in you as one Party and they the Lords people the lot of his Inheritance And now having done my worke with you I shall by the good will of our God returne to my place and there labour for you to helpe on the work of Righteousnesse Truth and Peace in your hands My suit to the Thron of grace is and shall be the Aversion of all those Woes sounded by this Trumpet upon the wicked and the Accomplishment of all those Woes sounded to the Church that Christ may be fully exalted in these united Kingdoms and reign that the Churches of the Saints also may sing and alwaies rejoyce in their Lord whose these Kingdomes are and all in your daies and by your power mannaged graciously in the band of our Lord. By whose command I must signe my selfe Your Honours most humble and faithfull servant in the Kingdom of Christ GEORGE HUGHES THE WOE-JOY TRUMPET Revel c. 11. v. 15. And the seventh Angel sounded the Trumpet and there were great voices in Heaven saying The Kingdomes of this world are become the Kingdomes of our Lord and of his Christ and he shall reigne for ever and ever THe Text is the Gospell of reinthroning God in Christ over the Kingdomes of this world after the great apostacy finished Tidings fit to be published to all States 2 Thes 2.3 that they may heare and feare and honour the Lord and his Christ and not perish in the day of his exaltation All fastings will be as Ahabs humblings untill this be done The title of this Trumpet seems crosse to the nature of the event here mentioned It is stiled the third wo-Trumpet Revel 11.14 V. 15 16 17. The event is Christs taking the Kingdoms of this world and the triumphant song of the Saints celebrating this conquest of their Lord with prayses How can these suit Very well if we distinguish the subjects severally concerned in it which eminently are two 1. Antichrist with all his creatures and confederates and all the wicked enemies of the most holy God and his Saints unto these onely it is a Wo-trumpet and the event is the
towards others so that go verning and governed as they concurre to make up Kingdomes are here the subject of this reforming change 2. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The specification of these Kingdomes sets them out more fully they are the Kingdomes of the world so that what the world signifieth must give us the speciall nature of the Kingdomes mentioned and that is used in a three fold acception 1. As opposed to Heaven the superiour Globe Matth. 4.8 and so it must note Earthy Kingdomes States and Polities 2. As opposed to God to Christ to Grace as the whole world lieth in wickednesse so it holds out wicked Kingdomes and States formerly ruled by the wicked one 1 Iohn 5.19 3. As opposed to particular regions or climates and so it must signifie the universe even all the Kingdomes of the earth there are none excepted in the text All these acceptions must be admitted here and being so taken the present subject cannot be doubted The sound of this seventh Trumpet then must needs utter things touching the Church in this life and the Lords resuming power over his enemies here beneath before the last judgement To the second The right stating of this change is not of small moment for which purpose these particulars must be declared 1. The terms of it 2. The nature of it 3. The time of it 4. The exercise of it 5. The stability of it when once the Lord hath made it 1. Every change or motion supposeth necessarily two termes one from whence the change beginneth the other whereunto it is made In the Text but one of these is named and that the last the Lord and his Christ yet the other must needs be implied out of whose hands and power these must must be taken First then the Lords that did King it over these Kingdomes of the world were the Devil in chiefe Rev. 1◠1 7 12. Revel 17.1 and his vicegerents the two beasts the Romish Antichrist in speciall whose state is shadowed by the whore who sate upon many waters that is ruled over many people These onely gave laws to the States and Nations of the world revel 13.15 and required tribute from bodies and soules of men and would set their marks upon every creature or kill those that did refuse it Of whose reign it may be noted 1. Revel 12.9 The Devill was the father or authour of it in full 2. Revel 18 13. Tyranny over bodies and soules the onely rule of it 3. Revel 13.8 Idolatry most odious was the onely tribute to their King 4. Revel 19.20 The end of all this government is Hell and perdition into the lake of fire they and all their vassals are thrown from these cruell Lords are the Kingdomes taken 2. The terme unto which this change is made is named in the Text our Lord and his Christ Two words are here absolute Lord and Christ and two relatives Ours and His all would be understood in their propriety 1. Lord here is equivalent to Jehovah and notes God in his primitive acception of Lordship not derived For indeed there is a Lord borne and derived a mediating Lord which is the Lord Jesus stiled afterward the Lords Christ Psal 110.1 but here it must note that Lord which said to Davids Lord sit thou on my right hand c. God the Father more punctually who is absolutely Lord of Lords 1 Cor. 13.24 and King of Kings to whom also the mediating Lord must give up his Kingdome when his worke is done Revel 14 6 7. that God whom the everlasting Gospell holds out to be feared to be glorifined to be worshipped 2. The relative denoting him is Our If it be inquired who were these correlates to God the King the answer must be supplied from those great voyces before which speak these words The voyces say Our Lord and the same afterward utter his prayse and sing his triumph for taking to him his great power to reigue now these were the 24 Elders the usuall representative body of the true Church so that the true Church of Christ on earth is the correlate unto the Lord the King who are bold to stile him our Lord And it not a vaine addition in this place where it is prophesied that the Kingdomes of the world are taken into his power and become his How the Church is his by election by creation by purchase by calling by covenant and by profession is not now my purpose to relate they are known things in the Gospell but the ground of the Emphaticall use of it here is the thing needfull to declare Now indeed that appeares to be that God not simply or abstractively considered in himselfe but concretely and relatively known with his peculiar ones reassumes these Kingdomes and now sheweth himselfe thus to reigne that is God so known so believed so worshipped as among his chosen and true seed the Kingdomes are become the Lords as he is our God dwelling with us and worshipped by us not as misconceived by the world For it might be said he ruled in the times of Antichrists reigne and that the worshippers of Antichrist did and doe acknowledge God and Christ as some lukewarme advocates will plead for them but is it God so known so believed on so worshipped as by the true Church who cals him ours The Sunne sheweth the contrary It is a falsified corrupted misbelieved God that Papists boast of In this concrete sence Moses writes of God triumphing over the Churches enemies Deut. 32.31 Their rocke is not as our rocke the enemies themselves being Judges Did not many of Israels enemies know and confesse the same Rock or God for essence as Israel did Yea doubtlesse but they turned the glory of the incorruptible God into Images and base resemblances and so made him a Rock distinct from Israels by false worship In which respect Moses sings God with us and worshipped by us is farre above yours he that hath ruled and destroyed your Gods and you as your selves can witnesse O how sweet a thought is this the Lord no way but as the Churches Lord known and served by them takes possession of the Kingdomes of the world The Saints cannot be low if as theirs onely God be thus exalted 3. The next term absolute which denotes the Soveraigne power to which these Kingdomes are delivered is Christ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in which notion the person and the unction must be carried 1. The person here intended is the Sonne of God manifested in the flesh Psalm 45.6 Heb. 1.8 of whom it is said Thy Throne O God is for ever and ever so that it is one God in both expressions that takes unto him this power yet so interpreted God in the Mediator God truely God sweetly God sutably held out for ruling these Kingdomes even God and man 2. The Vnction of this person is that which the name peculiarly holds forth and with an emphasis in this
thence to say hee reignes by his spirit in the Kingdomes of the world I leave unto Christian reason to judge 4. It seemes to reason a very great derogation from the glory of our Lord in his Christ to suppose him to leave the right hand of the Majesty on high to come here and sway an earthly Scepter whether in one or all Kingdomes of the world for heaven now is his Throne and the earth his Foot-stoole and if he should turne his Foot-stoole to a Throne it were very strange However that from Heaven hee shall visibly appeare to judge the quick and dead Acts i. 11. Acts 3.21 Acts 17.31 though not to dwell here in an earthly state with the Saints the Scriptures doe affirme And this account may suffice concerning the manner of his Reigne in the Kingdoms of this world To the fifth and and last thing 5. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Psal 33.11 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Psal 17.2.5 Eph. 3.21 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and last thing about this Reformation-change which is the stability of it we are now come For ever and ever shall this King reigne The phrase here seemeth synonomous with that Hebrew expression to generation and generation and throughout all generations Sometimes the word is used simply for ever without repetition and then frequently notes absolute eternity but in this kind of doubling many times lesse onely duration of some ages or an aeviternity as it is called The Word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifieth an Age or Generation among other things and so here doubled in the plurall to ages of ages is the continuance of the ages or generations of this world so that such is the stable duration of this reigne of Christ over these Kingdomes even so long as the ages of these doe continue Three things are carried in this expression 1. Progresse in his reigne from age to age He shall goe forward prosper and grow in his Government 2. Immutability of State so shall he King it that these Kingdomes shall not change their Lord nor any more retreat to Antichrist as in the great Apostacie when once the Lord hath resumed these Kingdomes 3. Eternity of duration so long as these Kingdomes last even for that ever and ever our Lord and his Christ shall reigne making friends or keeping under slaves Then the end of the Mediators Kingdome shall come and God that was from everlasting shall rule to everlasting in whom the hope of all Saints shall be perfected So farte to the state of this Reformation-change The third and last generall to be held out is the certainty of all this Revelation what that is that we may have a sure ground for faith to worke upon concerning these matters which I shall labour by some speciall considerations about the context to make cleare 1. From the Author of this Revelation it is our Lord himselfe in his Christ so it is said in the entrance of this Book The Revelation of Jesus Christ which God gave unto him to shew unto his servants Revel 1.1 Now God cannot deceive nor be deceived if he be the Author Infallibility is upon the word There is one name mention'd in the doxologie of the Church upon this Revelation peculiar unto God which must satisfie reasonable creatures concerning the truth of this event if spoken by God Rev. 1.4 Rev. 11.17 It is He that is and Hee that was and He that is to come It is He that can alwayes say I am If hee had not been from eternity if he bee not now or if he should not be to eternity just cause there might bee of mistrusting his Revelation but if hee was to make all things that have been and if he bee to make things that are and if hee shall bee to make all things to come in his owne time there can bee no ground of suspecting him Thus the Church looketh on him and is comforted Indeed were hee of yesterday and must hee cease againe his Revelation could not over-value the Delphick Oracle but this is his strong reason to be believed as God He was and is and is to come 2. The meanes of revealing this is not despicable it was by an Angel Heb. 1.14 whether so in Nature as a ministring Spirit sent out for comforting Gods chosen in this matter as I rather conceive Rev. 3.1 c. or so onely in Office and then a Man a speciall Messenger or Minister expressed in this vision as it may be Yet it is Gods owne meanes of his owne sending to declare and therefore none of a doubtfull call that hee should bee suspected by John it is com to us and he had it from Christ this whole vision 3. The clearnesse of the Revelation adds more strength to its certainty Isa 8.19 It comes not like a whispering or muttering of seducing spirits out of the earth but sounded with a Trumpet from heaven 1 Cor. 14.8 and Gods Trumpet giveth surely a distinct sound that wee may understand his minde in it and sute our selves to his will So it did in declaring wrath and warre against sinners Amos a. 6. Hos 8.1 Zech. 9.14 that they might beleeve and tremble and returne So also in revealing his grace in Christ towards his people the Trumpet sounds it that poore soules might heare and beleeve and be comforted A trumpet-Revelation then from God needs not to be suspected A loud eminent distinct discovery doth God make of these visions that as they are sure in themselves so they might bee surely knowne and received by his Church 4. The sweet gratulations and doxology of the Church recorded in the context Rev. 11 16 17 must conclude the certainty of the event It is incredible that God would give a vision of praise to mock himselfe withall and that hee should receive blessing for that which is not nor was sure ever to be The certainty of praise argueth undenyably the certainty of this gracious event 5. The experience of so many Kingdoms and States already delivered from the yoke of Antichrist and returned from that great Apostasie to entertain the true Gospell of Gods Son may perswade that the residue of the promise to be performed is as sure as that part already accomplished in these 100 yeares past which wee see with our eyes Experience therefore should strengthen faith and breed an assured hope in Gods people of the Lords more glorious appearing to take more Kingdoms of the world into his power that they may mightily strive to it and patiently wait for it This hope shall not make us ashamed Thus the doctrine is opened and confirmed The Use followes 1. To inform us in some truths depending Use 1. their Corolaries doe issue from the sound of this Trumpet opened unto us 1. If Kingdoms of the world shall have such a Reformation-change as to be taken from Antichrist subdued to our Lord and his Christ then it must follow Corol. 1◠Kingdoms may be
and are the Subjects of Reformation though not the adequat subjects of true Conversion The understanding of the true state of Reformation as well as the visible state of Kingdomes which already are become the Lords will sufficiently cleare this inference 1. Reformation is a terme not freequently used by our Translators I remember it but twice 1. Reformation and in two different acceptions 1. As respecting the matter or object about which Reformation is And in this sense mainely is the word translated from the Apostles expression to be understood as the consideration of the context will make cleare Heb. 9.1 10. The spirit there labours to convince the Hebrews that by the Messiah Gods mind was the whole Jewish Tabernacle must be throwne downe that is their Church frame in all externall Ordinances He describes the Tabernacle with the adjoyned ordiances and services which saith he were imposed untill the time of Reformation 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Of what Surely not of hearts but of that Church frame and ordinances which were but figures for that time present putting those which were true spiritual heavenly in their places The word here rendred reformation signifieth A thorough-righting of all things in the Church in order to eternall life This Christ did by removing things shaken of God that is all shadow-workes formerly in the Church in Priest-hood heb 10.1 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Sacrifice and other services all ineffectuall to life and by establishing things unshaken the true image-works of heaven 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 lively drawne Priest-hood Sacrifice services c. by which men might certainly be brought to God and live This perrectification of Christs then is of meanes tending to heaven that men might see the right line directing unto God in the right use of which they may be saved It is a Reformation for hearts indeed but not of hearts for this reformation may truely be in a Kingdome and is where the true Priest-hood of Christ Sacrifice and spirituall services are set up and maintained though hearts for the most part may not be savingly converted to God by them The point of time in the Text evidences this to be an ordinance-reformation not an heart one 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a singular for it was a single speciall time even the space of laying this Church-frame by Christ in his Apostles and no longer the whole worke of this reformation was dispatched then but the time of heart-reformation is in all ages therefore those times are not that nor this worke that Kingdomes then are reformed after Christ when his true ordinances are established and submitted unto and false Antichristian constitutions are driven out though few hearts in truth may be changed to God by them 2. Reformation in our use respects the person or subject in whom the power of God may be manifest for changing the man according to his mind revealed in former ordinances thus we read it used by our Translators If ye will not be reformed by these things c. In the letter it is read Levit. 26.23 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 If ye will not be chastised to me by these things c. That is if by these meanes your hearts be not turned to me So that here the reformation of the man must be intended And that wee know may be two wayes 1. In truth when Christ is formed truely on the Soule 2. In shew when the outward man conformes to these constitutions of God Kingdomes may be so reformed as to yeeld outward obedience to the Scepter of Christ though few hearts have the true Image of God imprinted on them And thus indeed doe Kingdomes become the Lords when they abhorre the lyes of Antichrist and cleave to the truth of Christ though but in outward deportment 2. Kingdomes of the world are said to bee the Lords but indeed they neither have beene nor are 2. Kingdomes nor shall be all by true conversion yet they must be by Reformation No Kingdome that ever was called the Lords on earth had all Saints in it nor ever shall if Christ have prophesied truely That the last day shall find men as the Flood found the world in Noahs daies Marth 24.36 37 c. yet surely shall Kingdomes be the Lords and that must be by Reformation as declared not by true saving conversion And to say that such a Kingdome of Christ England is I suppose is consonant to the voyce of this Trumpet 2. If Kingdomes must be our Lords that is Chiefe States Kingly and Ruling Powers this teacheth us States and worldly Powers Christ will make use of to set up his glory Corol. 2. they are not utterly inconsistent with his spirituall designes Antichrist indeed had them and made use of them for his owne purpose but therefore Christ will not utterly refuse them Psal 82.6 God himselfe was the Author of these orders of men thereby purposing to make one helpfull to another for reaching his owne glory And Satan in this as other things was Gods Ape to make use of them but his enemy to corrupt Princes and great men of the earth to increase his owne Kingdome therefore perswaded he them to give their power to the Antichristian Beast Revel 17.13 and to make poore subjects by their Tyrannicall persecutions to doe so too that they might be damned together But now in the restitution of all things the Lord Christ re-possesseth these Principalities againe as a needfull order of men instituted by God though corrupted by Satan and makes use of them for his high and spirituall ends to finish his worke upon the earth 1. By putting into their hearts to ruine that great Enemy of grace the mysticall Babilon the Mother of Harlots and of all abominations as well as all spirituall and carnall wickednesse Revel 17.16.17 So it is written The Kings shall hate the whore and make her desolate and naked and eate her flesh and burne her with fire For God hath put it into their hearts to fulfill his will c. 2. By making them shields of the earth a defence unto his ordinances and people Psal 47.9 Isay 49.23 1 Tim. 2.2 and nursing Fathers and Mothers to his Saints that under them and by them godlinesse may be perfected in his Churches If these Scepters be our Lords doubtlesse they are so not as Lords but as Servants ministring for him which he would not owne were they not appointed of God and so needfull to helpe on his worke among men But Christs worke is heart-worke Obj. what can Princes doe to ward that For answer Sol. let it be considered 1. All Christs work is not heart-worke much of it is upon the outward man by restraint and otherwise in this the power of the word may be instrumentall being made the Lords 2. Gods outward ordinances were intended to make way to mens spirits his Rod as well as his Word Mic. 6.9 the Preacher hath
it is thus with you I know great affaires and difficult have been and are upon your hands that may hinder quick dispatches and great Bodies can move but slowly and it may answer much for you But yee Rulers of God bee active seek no delayes Judge while it is morning If yee doe not so farre yee deny the government of the Lord and this will be lad 5. It 's lamentable for a Kingdome to have perfidious and Covenant-breaking guides Our Lord is not so nor inveed may his deputies bee so Hee is a God keeping-Covenant faithfull and true Neh. 9.32 Deut. 4.23 and hee leaves the charge upon all his to doe so Yet it is Printed to the world That yee are all perjur'd persons and Covenant-breakers I like not reproaching of Rulers Paul acknowledged it Gods Words Thou shalt not speak evill of the Ruler of thy people Acts 23.5 He that doth shall suffer from the Lord yet yee Christian Senators it concernes you nearely to be humbled for all slips of infirmity about the Covenant of your God from which what flesh can keep free and vindicate your selves from grosser evills by a true justification or else in all the Countries it may get a common faith Weare the girdle which Christ weares Isai 11.5 Righteousnesse is the girdle of his loynes and faithfulnesse the girdle of his reines Let it be yours too and yee shall prosper but unfaithfull and treacherous Rulers woe to them and their Kingdome God will ease himselfe of such adverlaries and avenge him of such enemies This is wofull 6. It 's lamentable with a State to be remisse and carelesse of Gods affaires in reforming his House and setling his Ordinances and giving up the Kingdome to our Lord and his will revealed yet to be active and mindfull about their owne matters The Lord made the returning State of the Jewes smart for this and he points at the matter Hag. 1.4 5 c. It is time for your to dwell in your sieled Houses and thu house lye waste Consider this is the reason yee sow much and bring in little c. A woe was upon them for they did not minde to exalt the Lord above themselves And the advise to remove it is to fall about the worke Hag. 1.8 Gods Reformation worke was the end of his calling you together that your affairs might thrive in the prosperity of his for sute Gods matters going well make the Kingdome glorious this doth not make that Let not God lost the glory of the small beginnings visible toward that work But is this laid to heart and is it contended for as your glory It is said by some that yee will never reforme up to Gods Word though yee bee ingaged by Covenant to doe so I dare not believe this I pray for the strengthning of your hands to this work and wait working in my place if I might there give helpe and at last receive more from you for the purging of Congregation and keeping the holy things of God from being defiled Yet great Remoraes keek back the Fabrick Carnall and Spirituall wickednesses though not tolerated by a Law yet connived at or not reproved as God would have them Doctrines against the eternall Son-ship of the Mediator published and assertions against the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the selfe-credibility of Scripture maintained the very prime errour that brought in the great Apostacy Our Lord and his Christ hate such things as these no Lawes of his Kingdome tolerate contradictions to his owne being his prime Ministers would not vouchsafe a God-speed to such as those Yet the world knowes a Joh. v. 10 11. with what ardency the toleration of those and other Heresies as bad are striven for A timely Item may be given An admission of Doctrine devilish and destroying the saving revelation of God in his Sonne is an emission of Christ and so the losse of him I would not be severer then God would have me against any that pretend Conscience in matters circumstantiall and that divide not from the head therefore can I not cry That nothing must be tolerated in lesser differences but this Christ saith That the woman Jezabel must not bee suffered Rev. 2.22 who could not vent worse lies under lesse paine then the losse of God and his Christ and the ruine of Churches And I must say that the Toleration of all things must be a destructive principle to the State or Church where-ever it be allowed Experience hath shewed us no lesse in Kingdomes and Churches called by Gods Name These are only suggested which need a larger Treatise to State fully ye Servants of Christ take heed of yeelding to these pretences of Conscience the Devill and not Christ hath his throne there And no stronger hold for him than Conscience if he once take it Christ will not suffer him to shelter here therefore ye may not so much as in you lyeth if ye doe the Lords Trumpet sounds Woe upon you Doe not other States Dub. as some of the united Provinces tolerate all these heresies and protect them and yet they prosper Who more I desire not to deale with other Srates Sol. unlesse I might doe them good I am now onely called to our owne yet others being made exemplary a word in sobernesse and truth may not offend I suggest onely these thoughts 1. Can any man say that prosperitie is a sign peculiar unto Truth Then let Rome come in and speake more than any for outward prosperitie Ecles 9.1 No man can know the love or hatred of God by all that is before him 2. Are not spirituall wickednesses as odious to God as carnall Gal. 5.20.21 And are not these Heresies such which God condemnes as workes of the flesh inconsistent with the Kingdome of his Christ 3. Hath God made an end yet of visiting Nations for the sinnes of them When God hath done judging were a better time to urge this example than now I pray God the evill day may not overtake those States The good Lord cause the Cup of trembling to passe by them and purge their iniquities peaceably But I am pressed in spirit to say 1 King 12.26 c. 1. King 13.24 Qui non vetat peccare cum patest jubet Sen. God hath not spared such State-Polities which have sought their own rise by the ruine of God and his Truth Witnesse Jeroboam the sonne of Nebat who made Israel to sinne And he bids sinne that doth not hinder it when he can I feare their sorrowes may begin in the day of their confederacy with Spaine But Gods Truth my beloved and not mans example must be the rule strive up to the perfection of God If none of these lyes must be in Heaven it is mans dutie not to allow them on earth If Heresies yet must be let us mourne for what we cannot helpe It is a miserable necessitie when not allowed it will be rejoycing in iniquitie either for Stute