linnen Dan. 12.6 How long shall it be to the end of these wonders Or as that Saint enquired of the Palmoni or the wonderful Numberer How long shall it be that the Sanctuary and the Host shall be trodden under foot And he said unto him 8.14 2300 days then shall the Sanctuary be cleansed Let 's count then from the burning of the City and Temple of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar in the 19th 2 K. 25.8 Jer. 52.12 Usser 2300 588 1712. year of his Reign which was concurrent with the 588th vulgar year before the Nativity of our blessed Lord From which time if we reckon 2300 years it leads us by the hand to the common year of our Lord 1712. About which time the pure Worship which hath been opposed and confused ever since the ruin of Solomon's Temple it 's very likely may be restored to an Evangelical Glory and the abominations of desolation removed out of the way I know what is said about the literal fulfilling of this Text under Antiochus and the mystical in the days of Julian but I take it to be a more comprehensive Oracle not to be here amply discussed As for Julians time when the Jews attempted to rebuild the Temple by his Edict in scorn to our Saviours Prophecy in the year 363 when Julian was 4th time Consul with Salustius Promotus We find no account of any Sacrifice then offered for they were but cleering the Rubbish How then can this be an Epoche from the taking away that Sacrifice which was not then offered no nor since the days of Titus Besides Julian did this in a mock-savour to the Jews and stood not with an Army in the Holy Place or City for he came no nearer than about Antioch in his march to Persia and therefore this can be no root of numeration in this case Another gracious manifestation of the time is in the 12th Chapter which must be understood of the taking away Evangelical Worship for the time Dan. 12.7 times and a half mentioned v. 7. are disertly and distinctly applyed to the duration of the ten-horned beast 7.25 Rev. 11.2.3 in the 7th Chapter and is coincident with 1260 days in John 〈◊〉 13.5 or the 42 months of their trampling down the Holy City detaining the Woman in the Wilderness and the Witnesses in sack-cloth But in asmuch that Daniel adds 30 days to the 1260 it may be suggested that he reflects upon the Restitution of Israel and their conversion to offer up spiritual Sacrifice which may be performed some short time after the resurrection of the Estate of the Church in the West So then if the Ten-horned Beast rose in the Ruines of the Roman Empire It 's but considering when that City was taken and the Imperial State demolisht and finisht 1290 410 1700 and connex the 1260 or 1293 and the blessed times will appear to the comfort and joy of the Church Rome was first taken by Alaricus A. 410. A second time by Gensericus A. 455. The third by Odoacer A. 476. When having taken Rome deposed Augustulus Paul Diacon in add ad Eutrop l. 16. p. 155. Paulus Diaconus subjoynes Ita Romanorum apud Romam Imperium toto terrarum orbe venerabile Augustalis illa sublimitas quae ab Augusto quondam Octaviano erecta est cum hoc Augustulo periit Thus the Empire of the Romans at Rome venerable through the whole World and that imperial dignity which rose in Augustus perisht in Augustulus Blessed is he that readeth and they that he are the words of this Prophecy Rev. 1.3 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and that keep the things written therein for the time is at hand The word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 sometimes signifies Astronomical Observations We ought to be more curious and diligent in calculating the motions of Scripture-times than the most accurate Observer of Eclipses and other Heavenly Configurations which are of great use in Scripture Chronology Ps 89.36 37. The Throne of this 2d David is more establisht than the Sun or the Moon before him and as a faithful Witness in Heaven Behold he cometh quickly Rev. 22 7. blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the Prophecy of this Book Obj. But some may say What comfort is this to us who it may be are never like to see these glorious times let us make our calling and election sure that we may enter into the Eternal Joy of our Lord. A I answer Of all things in the World let 's first make sure of our own Salvation and clear our evidences to eternal life 2 Pet. 1.11 that we may have abundant entrance into the Kingdom of our Lord and Saviour And then let the prosperity of Sion lye warm at our hearts All the Holy men of old took great delight in beholding the Churches Glory though but in the Glass of Vision Ps 102.14 Nay they took pleasure in her stones and favoured the dust thereof For when the Lord shall build up Zion he shall appear in his glory 16. This shall be written for the Generation to come and the people that shall be created 18. shall praise the Lord. The times of refreshing shall come and the restitution of all things whereof God hath spoken by the mouth of all his Holy Prophets since the world began Acts 3.21 2 Pet. 3.2 and we ought to be mindful of the words spoken before by the holy Prophets and Apostles concerning the promise of his coming looking for and hastning to the coming of the day of God 13. when there shall be a new Heaven and a new Earth wherein dwelleth righteousness 15. testifying that Holy Paul hath spoken of these things in his Epistles Rom. 8.21 When the Creature it self distinct from Saints v. 23. shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the Sons of God Shall the great God think it meet in his heavenly wisdom and goodness to the Church to foretell by all his Holy Prophets and Apostles these glorious times Shall the Son of God receive this discovery from the Father and signifie it to his Angel and send it by his Angel to his Servant John his beloved Disciple What a magnificent apparatus is here from God the Father to the Son from his Son to the Angel and from the Angel to John Such as is before no Book of Holy Scripture besides and this upon the Lords Day to an Apostle in the Spirits extasie v. 10. and to a bosom Apostle in tribulation and in the Kingdom and Patience of Jesus Christ Nay what a Majestical Scene is laid down in the 4th Chapter which is wholy spent in preparation for these Visions of things to come A door opened in Heaven and a voice like a Trumpet and a glorious Throne appearing and a Person upon it in visage like the various-coloured Jasper and the incarnate Sardine and the Rainbow of the Covenant like the
with Bernard to Eugenius the 4th * Bern. de consid l. 1. f. 238. Plena est ambitiosis ecclesia non est jam quod exhorreat in studiis molitionibus ambitionis non plus quam spelunca latronum in spoliis viatorum The Church of Rome is stufft with ambitious persons they tremble no more in the studious endeavours after ambitious designs then a den of Robbers at dividing the spoyls of innocent travellers and then tells him to his face among other smart but serious reflections upon his Lordliness †id l. 3 f. 240. praesis ut prosis c. ut dispenses non imperes c. Nullum tibi venenum nullum gladium plus formido quam libidinem dominandi govern to edification act like a Servant and Steward not an Emperor I dread no poyson no assassinate more fatal to you then the lust of domination Be not offended at the Church of Christ because of her mean and troublesome State Inser 6. What if the King of Zion come meek and lowly riding upon an Ass Zech 9.9 or his holy Apostles walking on foot for the Conversion of Nations through the World what if the showrs of Heaven sall upon the cheeks of the lovely lowly Lilly and she sit weeping among the briars must true religion and pure worship be never courted but when the Sun shines The way to Canaan lay through stones and rocks Deut. 8.15 amidst Lions and Tygers among Scorpions and fiery flying Serpents true genuine Israel must through all and never be appaled dismayed or dare to face about to Aegypt of which the Lord hath said ye shall return that way no more Deut. 17.16 If we startle at the briars about the lillies flinch for a few prickles we are not worthy of the Kingdom of Heaven Mat. 10.37 The troubles are but momentany the glory eternal They may hurt the flesh but cannot hinder the flight of the soul into the bosome of Abraham Let not the Churches afflictions obstruct your associating to her company which is passing under the conduct of her 2d Joshua Heb. 4.8.9 into everlasting rest Judge not her beauty 't is under a mask and though besmeared by the soil of her malignant enemies she is all glorious within 'T is our ignorance of the Churches beauty A comely face must not be disingeniously wip't by a malicious tongue till the dust and spots be wash'd off and its aspect clarified nor a sweet temper dropt upon because of calumnies before converse does open it 'T is want of holiness in most and true love to it 1 John 2.10 that causes stumbling at the holy ways of God Resign your selves into his sweet and strong tuition Inser 7. who can incline the worst of brambles to be a fence and security to his lillies and the sharper and stronger they are the more offensive to the Churches enemies Is 46.11 Cyrus a ravenous Bird from East God called to feast upon the sacrifice of his wrath in the Land of Chaldea to root up the briars of Babylon which had so greatly vexed and abused his beloved people All Histories yield notable instances of divine severity against barbarous persecutors when once they stretch out their hands against the Church they are quickly withered To what fearful issues the inraged and infatuated instruments of Satan in the 10 primitive Persecutions were reduced Ecclesiastick and Civil story is very pregnant let 's endeavour with all sincerity and sedulity to lead lives unblameable and keep Conscience unspotted before God and man and arm our selves with holy resolutions against every sinful course wherein we would tremble to appear at the dreadful Judgment seat of Christ and God our gracious father will take care of his part to give us divine protection and preserve us to his heavenly Kingdom What blessed lives might Christians live did they walk always as under the eye of an Omniscient God and with what comfort might they resign their spirits at death into his hands as of a faithful Creator and merciful Redeemer obtaining an abundant entrance into the everlasting Kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ FINIS
eye with delight to spend contemplations upon it and 't is always green like that Godly Man whose Leaf never withers Ps 1.3 No cold Winter strips them of their Holy profession Hypocrites are Sunshine Professors Somer Birds Butterflies that come forth when the Church enjoys her May But Gods true Myrtles are green in January the Moneth of this blessed Vision The storm of Persecution may break their Boughs but not destroy their greenness they may stand in a deep Valley the Church may be driven into holes but still retains her native emerald greenness As the Dove may be forced into a cleft of the Rock but mourns and retains the voice of a Dove still Songs 2.14 3. The Myrtle is eminent for Fragrancy All is sweet and perfumed in a Myrtle The Berries Flowers Leaves all most fragrant The Rose its Leaves are bitter though the smell sweet but here all 's desireable and therefore by the Ancients dedicated unto Love Vitis Jaccho formosae veneri Myrtus c. Whatever the Church yields is eminent The thoughts and discourses of Saints are like the fine white Flowers of the Myrtle they are full of candour and breath holiness in every Air in every Region The Life of Saints smells fragrantly Songs 5.16 like Christ his Mouth is most sweet He is altogether all over lovely 4. 4. l. 1. c. 155. The Fruit of the Myrtle is Medicinal It is astrictive says Dioscorides and therefore good against spitting of Bloud and beneficial to the Stomach 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Myrtle Wine is profitable against the bitings of the Spider Phalangium and the stings of Scorpions Gracious persons are of a healing nature to such as breath forth cruelty against the Church and whose Stomachs are full of poyson and malignant venom They are like the Trees of Paradise for the healing of the Nations wherein they dwell Rev. 22.2 A Child of God much more a Church of Christ should be like a Colledge of Physicians to a diseased World Truly what is this miserable forlorn World but a meer Hospital of crazy wounded and leprous persons Here lye some with limbs broken in Satans drudgery others raging under intollerable pains their very Nerves and Bones rotten through the Sins of youth others full of Boyls and putrifying Sores from lust and corruption and all poyson'd with the venom of Original Sin O let Saints carry about the Balm of Gilead to cure the wounded of the Daughter of their People 5. The Vision exhibits these Trees in a cluster It is a Myrtle Grove to shew Communion The Church is compared to a Flock of Sheep to a Flight of Doves to a Knot of Lillies to a Grove of Myrtles Saints love society so it be a society of Saints It was a custom of old among the Gentiles to dance in their Temples with Myrtle Crowns upon their Heads to signifie amity love Athen. Dipnos l. 15. p. 676. and delight in each other How much more excellent shall be the Communion of Saints when instead of the Thorns shall spring the Firr Trees and instead of the Briar or Nettle of the Heathen Is 55.13 shall arise the Myrtle for a Name to the Lord 60.13 an everlasting Sign to beautifie the Sanctuary of his Holiness which shall never be cut up 1. Learn Vs 1. That Myrtles may grow in Babylon nay in Groves in Church communion though in a low and secret Valley by the waters of Babilon till they are transplanted to Canaan Captive Myrtles shall be Crowns of Glory in the Temple above Saints may for a season be and thrive in a naughty world in a hostile Country and preserved from the foot of violence Saints may sing Psalms in Caesars Houshold and be chiefly saluted by an holy Apostle Phil. 4.22 The Lilly may be sheltred by Thorns and the myrtle environ'd by a sharp Babylonian Quickset Our Lord prays the Father not to take his Church out of the World Joh. 17.15 Acts 2.40 but to defend them from the evil of it and save them from the untoward generation wherein they live Were it not for his Myrtles in this Valley of Tears God would soon send up his Ax upon the Oaks of Bashan and lift up his Hammer upon Babylon They must propagate and increase for a season till the time that Babylon's ripe for vengeance and the second Solomon's Garden in Zion measur'd out into Beds Songs 6.2 made delectable with Walks 4.15 and watred with Streams from Lebanon and every way fitted by culture for the reception of sweet-scented Myrtles to be Plants of renown in the Glorious State of the Church which hastens towards us Ezek. 34.29 Vs 2 2. The Churches dark and low estate moves the Divine bowels to mercy Now comes a Prophet into the Valley and a Vision meets him for the Churches Joy in the 2d of Darius This great Prince strengthens the former Edict of Cyrus in despight of Samaritan hatred Ezr. 6.1 14. and so do the following Princes notwithstanding Tobiahs Alliance to the High-Priest Eliashib Neh. 13.4 It 's the God of Israel who melts and bends the hearts of Princes and makes them flexible towards his Church that the prostrate Vine may begin to climb up and be supported by the Elm of Magistracy He turns their hearts to hate his People for a season for their correction Ps 105.25 Ps 106.46 and then repents according to the multitude of his mercies and makes them to be pittied of all those that carried them captives He puts it into the hearts of the 10 Kings to fulfill his Will and to agree Rev. 17.17 and give their Kingdom to the Beast until the words of God shall be fulfilled and then he remembers his Holy Covenant 3. Vs 3 To encourage his People to go on with Temple-work Shall the heart of Darius be enlarged towards the dust and rubbish of Zion and and shall not Zachary prophecy and Zerubabel build Zech. 3.5 and Joshua minister with a fair Mitre upon his Head and all the People shout for joy crying Grace grace to the Glory of the 2d Temple which was far greater than the former Hag. 2.9 because the Messenger of the Lord of Hosts brought peace into it Vs 4 4. It 's good to abide in communion with the Church of God to be but a Berry a Flower a Leave of the Myrtle Tree is a great honour Let Saints keep close to this fragrant Garden God smells a savour of rest in such Assemblies Every Church is a Tree and all the Trees make Gods Myrtle Grove in the Earth For as they have their fragrancy so they enjoy whole Regiments of tutelary Angels for their defence yea Christ himself delights to be no where else and to be seen among them as a Captain getting up on his Red Horse against their Enemies They may come out with their Swords and Hatchets their Axes and Acts of Hostility but shall never be able to
here and glory hereafter what swim in a River of oil into the river of Paradise no no! Canaanites will be thorns in your sides till ye come to that Canaan above Deceive not your selves scandals at the Cross make formalists stumble into Apostacy A great Roman Emperor tryed his Courtiers and State Officers by Proclamation who would renounce Christianity to prove their constancy and such who for flattery or sear fled back from the truth he turned out of their places telling them that such who were false to their Saviour would never be true to their Emperor Our great Lord and King of the Church sometimes tries whether we will suffer thorns in our comforts rather then in our consciences Turning times are trying times 3. Pray for the dews of heavenly grace to fall like Orient Pearls upon your lillies No matter what briars among us so heavens influences showr down upon us What need we beso much concerned for a scratch if a Balsam drop from Heaven presently cure it Ps 94 19. If multitudes of thoughts ramble and tumble within us let divine comforts delight our souls a rare word in the Hebrew taken from the solaces 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 dancings dandlings singings of tender Mothers to their froward and sretful Children If thou canst find and feel God to be in Covenant with thee and taking thee in arms and cherishing thee on the knees of his affection like a Father what matter what the scullions in the Kitchin and wicked men the rods of his wrath the Hang-men and Executioners of Divine Judgments in the earth be they never so great speak and twit against thee thou knowest thy Fathers love is solid and permanent though by an affliction he chide for a fault yet his heart is with thee Joh. 14.3.17.24 he 'll never leave thee till he bring thee to himself and to the high inheritance Let all the Devils in Hell fling their ragged firebrands at thee make but a tush of it in the name of the Father of mercies they can't hurt thee Pray for the gentle Zephyrus the sweet breathings of Gods Spirit to flow down and invigorate your Beds of Spices Song 4.16 4. Care not what the World counts If God pronounce you to be his Lillies Labour to be more eminently what God styles you for what he loves you and for what the World hates you John 15.18 If the World hate you saies our Lord ye know that it hated me before it hated you If ye were of the World the World would love its own but because ye are not of the world but I have chosen you out of the world therefore the World hateth you In his heavenly prayer our Lord also addresseth thus to the Father John 17.14 I have given them thy word and the World hath hated them because they are not of the world even as I am not of the world Disgrace from the world let it arm you from going back and let holy emulation edge you forward Love not the world nor the things of this world the childish fashion the apish attire the vain pomp and glistering gewgaws the tickling and soul-alienating pleasures of this transient and perishing life Be solid and serious persons let your affections be risen with Christ to the pleasures and treasures that are above Col. 3.1 5. Take heed of the thorns within more then them without While your soul tabernacles in flesh it dwells in a Thicket of thorns scarce sees Heaven but through Crannies Paul had this thorn 2 Cor. 12.7 a thorn given but it bore roses at last His sufferings incensed him to fight the good fight of faith the more couragiously O the piercing thorns of temptation that annoy the choicest Saints he mourns more intensely for the thorns at his heart then those at his feet He cuts down the former but they grow again Hinc ille lachrymae hence his continual spring of tears the others without him he tramples down valiantly Worldly cares fiery tryals dark desertions that touch his heart these exercise his saith and patience But O the fearful Bramble of Original lust a bramble like the Oakes in Bashan as big as the Waste of his soul Here he lays on with the ax of Repentance every day and makes the Chips to fly till death help him to fetch the killing stroke upon all his deadly enemies He sweats and pants till he gets the Victory 6. Be very solicitous to keep your selves from the thorns without To live holy and ward off wicked mens blows with all prudence consistent with confession of truth and the name of Christ Col. 4.5 walk in wisdom toward them that are without let your speech be alway with grace seasoned with Salt If your salt be unsavoury wherewith says our Lord shall it be seasoned A violent calcining fire takes away much of the grateful savour of salt Take heed of fiery tryals that are to try them that dwell upon the earth If ye draw back Heb. 10.38 my soul saith God shall have no pleasure in you a dreadful saying Hosea 8.8 to be like Israel's vessel wherein there 's no pleasure Hieronym in loc Immundum vas seu inutile c. quo ad projicienda stercora uti sobemus a vessel made for the requisites of nature to be fill'd with things unseemly let Saints study to be holy and useful and likewise to be careful and watchful against the tinctures and temptations of a prophane World A Saint must always carry about him a dove-like heart and sometimes use the nimble sparkling eye of the Serpent to guard his dove-like innocency Spina poena est thorns will be afflictive To live near them and not to be hurt is the fruit of divine grace and power but 't is usually connext with our use of holy wisdom towards them Persecutions are oftentimes chastisements for sin and preparations for glory Though a fruit of the fall yet they become medicinal to a Saint his troubles being his comforts Boysterous winds hurry a Ship to its haven Dangerous diseases often ferment the bloud into a purity for more prosperous health The poison of sin mingles the potion of repentance 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 evipera Andromachus's Treakle composed of a Viper cures its venome The flesh of a Scorpion applyed to the place affected healed Olearius of his pain and torment Olear Travels p. 195 A Saints inward bitings from Satan are cured by the Dragons bloud slain by the Spear of Christ VVendelin de nilo C. 16. G. §. 11. It s said that Crocodile's tears pierce the skull of man I am sure that a Saints penitent tears dissolve the head and all the inventions of Satan To end a gracious soul may gather the flowers of assurance from the sharp prickles of temptation and persecution He sucks much hony of the thorns that molest and afflict him 7. Associate with heavenly Lillies All the World besides are but thorns The common