Though Peter shrunke and drew back a Mat. 26.69 at the speech of a poor wench yet when he had received power from on high He feard no coulers he could then b Act. 4.13 look with Boldnes any Tyrant in the face So howsoever before they had not life and courage yet when the Harpers Harpe such will be the hand of God upon them that they will not regard what their Enemies can doe either by fraud or force c Zech. 12.4 He that is feeble among them at that day shall be as David and the house of David shall be as God as the Angel of the Lord before them 5. d Rev. 11.11 And great fear fel upon them that saw them Though there be nothing yet done but a more lively owning of the Lords cause than before and declaring publickly for it yet this strikes a terrible astonishment and trembling among the Adversaries e Act. 5.24 As doubting whereunto this will grow And their amazement is the more to heare how the number daily increaseth in all parts Saying f Jer. 31.23 The Lord blesse theâ— habitation of Justice and mountain of holiness We will have g Isa 26.2 the gates open that the righteous Nation which keepeth the truth may enter in Besides they see no meanes or way how to keep the peoples Liberties and rights any longer from them h Psa 76.5 The stout hearted are spoiled and none of the men of might have found their hands that is they are as if they had no hands they are not able to make the least resistance or defence 6. Whiles the adversaries are thus in confusion and fear a happy union and accord will be made between the Waters and Thunder So much I think is meant by the VVitnesses ascending up to heaven in a cloud It is but one cloud that hath them both Hence about this time I do exspect a great uniting of the Common-wealth men fifth Monarchy men upon good righteous Principles Unanimously agreeing to cary on the Lords work i Zep. 39. With one consent or Soulder k Isa 11.13 Ephraim shall not envy Judah and Judah shall not vex Ephraim But the Lord will l Eze. 37.17 joyne them one by another into one stick they shall become one in his hand This blessed agreement of the People instrumentally will be made by some eminent and choise Christians men that m 1 Chr. 12.32 Have understanding of the times to know what Israel ought to do And this I take to be the n Rev. 11.12 great voyce from Heaven saying unto them come up higher 7. Union being made and all in Heaven here o Isa 13.4 the Lord of Hostes mustereth the host of the battel and p Rev. 19.14 the armies of heaven here he cloathes the Vial Angels q Rev. 15.6 in pure and white linnen having their breasts girded with a golden girdle This is Zion * Psa 110.2 out of which the Lord will send the rod of his strength the Mount Zion where r Rev. 14.1 the hundred forty and four thousand stand with the Lamb. Here he fits his people for the work and appoints them their work So that my opinion is for any people to go forth with the material Sword against Babylon or the Kings of the earth or to set up the visible Kingdome of Christ before the Lord hath brought them to this Heaven into the Temple to Zion and Mount Zion yea and to some good accord among themselves They will not be upon the Lords work as to the pouring out of any vial 8. Howsoever the Lords Sanctified ones in heaven are not smiting the Image yet it s said Å¿ Rev. 11 12 Their enemies behold them As how Terrible as an army with Banners Lifting up an ensign to the Nations and publishing warr against Babylon t Isa 52.12 Ye shall not go out in hast nor go by flight For the Lord will go before you and the God of Israel will be your rereward i. e. Seeing God hath taken away all their Feares and given them great faith made them one in the work and fitted them for it and withall experiencing the powerfull presence of God among them and how he hath left the enemy to feares darknesse division destruction c. The Dragon and the Beast shall behold what they do They need not fear these men for secret plots and treason they scorn it they need no such shifts What they do shall be in the sight of the Sun u Isa 47.12 Stand now with thy inchantments and with the multitude of thy sorceries wherein thouhast laboured from thy youth if so be thou shalt be able to profit if so be thou mayest prevaile So will these say to their Enemies bring forth the falsehood and lies ye trusted in Now see if your hypocrisie and craft will help you any more Now run to your Souldiers Lawyers Priests c. trie what they can do for you 9. The Lord having x Isa 13.3 called his mighty ones for his anger Next he brings them forth y Ps 149.8 9 10. With the high praises of God in their mouthes and a two edged sword in their hands to execute the judgement written z Rev. 11.13 And the same hour was there a great earthquake Here I understand begins the Vial work And the earth-quake to be the a Rev. 16.2 pouring out of the first Vial upon the earth The same with b Rev. 14.16.17 18. the reaping of the harvest of the earth and Clusters Only with this distinction The first Vial hath two parts or two effects which you will The first in the earth-quake The other in the sickle And the tenth part of the City fell The earth-quake reacheth but a tenth part the other nine are reserved for the Sickle As there are two Apostacies and they have each a distinct Head So they are set forth in this book by two Cities the one is called the Great Citie And alwayes so when the first Apostacy is meant The other hath not the word Great given to it because the Latter City or Apostacy shall not be so large big strong and populous neither of that antiquity and continuance as the former Understanding what this City is i. e. The last Apostacy It wil be easier to know the rest And in the earthquake were slaine of men seven thousand The Greek hath 7000 Names of men In Scripture persons that are famous renowned for Power Wealth Wisdome c. are called c Gen. 6.4 Num. 18.2 Men of Name On the contrary men without credit and respect in the d Job 30.8 world Children without name In this last Apostacy who are Men of name yea would be thought and counted the onely men of name If not Church-members and Church-officers those that are in the Congregational way as they call it As for the Cavileer Church that hath no name and the
the sin x Hebr. 10.26 for which there is no sacrifice But of all Hypocrites beware of the WEEPING HYPOCRITE as the most dangerous Such a one was Ishmael y Jer. 41.5 6 7. who by his Religious weeping deceived fourscore men and murdred them all as they were going with their offerings to the house of the Lord. This Weeping Hypocrite is like the strumpet Phryne for this cause named 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as if you would say Weep-laugh because commonly she did both together havin◠in the midst of laughter tears at command As the silly fish swallows the hook because of the bait that hides it so many ignorant people are catch'd snared by the Tears of Hypocrites but howsoever by their weeping they may deceive men yet God they cannot neither cares he for their Tears We read often in the Prophets the reason why the Lord would not be found of the Jewes when distresses and troubles were upon them a Jer. 7.16 Isa 1.11 12 it was they had dissembled with him been old Hypocrites sought to hide their falshood lying Covenant-breaking Oppression c. b Mal. 2.13 By covering the Altar of the Lord with tears with weeping and crying out I cannot better resemble men accustomed to Hypocrisie then to that old Traytor Tyrone his manner was to send pictures to Queen Elizabeth in which he would lie weeping at her foot but still in rebellion against her the Queen hereat was extreamly displeased saying We will have no more of his Pictures but the head of the Traytor What may these men think of themselves when they lie weeping at the feet of God If they continue rebels against him do they expect a Time of finding How can that be Doth he not see their Hypocrisie surely yes and will speedily take vengeance on them for it Thirdly 3. When men are so obstinate in their sins as nothing will reclaim them There will be no Time of Finding For such persons who are so obstinate in their sins as no admonition or reproof can reclaim them As clay under the shining Sun growes harder and stiffer so the more they are told of their hypocrisie pride falshood oppression c. the worse they are Theeves whilst they have liberty none are bolder nor will they regard any thing that is spoken against their wicked course of life all good counsel is rejected and scorn'd but when trouble comes when they are brought to the bar then down upon their knees Good my Lord pardon pardon but then no pardon is to be had And as it is thus with little Theeves so it will be one day with the Great Theeves and Great Murderers c Pro. 1.24 25 c. Because I have called and ye refused I have stretched out my hand and no man regarded But ye have set at nought my Counsel and would none of my reproof I also will laugh at your calamity I will mock when your fear cometh Then shall they call upon me but I will not answer they shall seek me early but they shall not FIND ME. Again d Zech. 7.11 12 13. They refused to hearken and pulled away their shoulder and stopped their ears that they should not hear yea they made their hearts as an Adamant-stone lest they should hear the Law and the words which the Lord of Hosts hath sent in his Spirit by the former Prophets Therefore came a great wrath from the Lord of Hosts therefore it is come to pass that as he cryed and they would not hear so they cryed and I would not hear saith the Lord of Hosts but I scattered them with a whirl-wind among all the Nations whom they knew not It may not be thought that all those of whom the Prophet here speaks were Reprobates for without doubt as to life and glory many of them were saved nevertheless he will not hear them as to spare them from the common judgment In this respect though Gods chosen ones they shall have no more Time of finding then others partakers in sin partakers in punishment A father though he do not disinherit his childe and quite cast him off yet he may and justly too severely chastise him for some gross miscarriages e Pro. 19.18 And not let his soul spare for his crying as the wise-man hath it What means the Lord in saying f Rev. 18.4 Come out of her my people that ye be not partakers of her sins and that ye receive not of her plagues the words are plain enough those that abide in Babylon notwithstanding again and again call'd upon to come out may suffer Babylons plagues that is fall and perish with the wicked as to their bodies and estates howsoever saved in the day of Christ g 1 Pet. 4.17 Iudgment must begin at the house of God and h Eze. 9.6 at his Sanctuary The i Jer. 25.18 29. wine-cup of fury is to be given first to Jerusalem and the Cities of Judah afterwards all the Nations of the earth must have it k Hag. 2.6 The Lord of hosts will shake the Heavens and the Earth First Heaven then Earth therefore let Churches and Church-Officers now look about them l Mic. 6.2 The Lord hath a controversie with HIS people and he will plead with Israel and what follows m ver 9. Hear YE the rod and who hath appointed it That the Lord will begin with Churches and with a professing people there are many reasons for it 1. Because the Hypocrisie Pride Self-seeking deceit unfaithfulness c. of a Professing people more dishonors God and scandals the Gospel then the evils and sins of any other people n Rom. 2.24 The Name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through YOU As a servant in the family by his ill carriage more disgraceth the house then hundreds or thousands who are not of it But to speak home No people I think upon the face of the earth have brought more dishonor to God and reproach to the truth then the back sliding-Churches and professors of our time For 1. Who had a hand in the late REBELLION more then they o Neh. 9.17 To appoint a CAPTAIN to return to Bondage whereby not onely to build again the things which they had destroyed but to bring the sin and guilt of all the blood shed in the three Nations upon the interest of Christ and his people and so to justifie and acquit the Cavaleers 2. Who manageth and maintains the oppressions and heavy burdens which lie upon the Souls and Bodies of good people every where No King or Bishop but a Professing people yea Saints as they would be thought 3. The gross Hypocrisie and Falshood of some PROFESSORS hath of late so clearly broken forth as it hath caused many to become Atheists at least to think in their heart there is no God Neither may this be thought strange for what can lead men sooner unto Atheism then to see Professors often weep fast and
of the Nations to Jesus Christ viz. Jews and Gentiles We read in the History of the Waldenses when these good people denyed Christ's humane Body to be in the Sacrament the Priests would report they denyed God So not allowing the Virgin Mary to be prayed to that they had blasphemed her Just so are we slandred at this day Because we are against an unlawful Ministery and Magistracy Ergo saith the Accuser of the Brethren we deny all and will have none Thirdly the Lord being Found of his People 3. Because of Love many ways will have the more love from them many wayes First 1. Love to the Lord himself A TIME OF FINDING is an heart-enlarger of dear affections to Iesus Christ. e Psa 116.1 I love the Lord saith David because he hath heard my voice and my suplications So in f Psa 18.26 another place Did not David love the Lord before he had these deliverances yes doubtless and very much Notwithstanding by this means he lov'd him a great deal more As a man by stretching out a Bag or Purse it holds more then it did before So every Finding Time is a reaching and stretching out the heart our love riseth and growes by it exceedingly Secondly more Love to his Truth and holy Wayes 2. To his Truth and ways Thou puttest away all the wicked of the earth like dross Therefore I love thy Testimonies Is not this harsh that David should be encouraged to love the Laws of God of the dreadful Judgements he had seen executed upon Hypocrites Apostates and Tyrants If it be a thing very rich and pretious yet so long as it is wrapt up and foulded together few regard it neither know we what it is God's wrath powred out upon the Workers of Iniquity is as it were the opening of himself of his Kingdom and Laws and until he doth so he is not known nor his appointments But g Isa 26 9. When his â—udgements are in the earth the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness h Psa 6.16 He is known by the judgement which be executeth and i Rev. 15.4 glorified by it So â—ong as HYPOCRITES REIGN â—nd the LAST APOSTACIE stands the Lords Testimonies will not be loved but k Mic. 6.16 the Statutes of Omri kept not the Lords Messengers hearkned unto but the deceitful workers of Antichrist But when all Murtherers of souls and bodies shall be put away like dross then will People every where love the Testimonies and Laws of JEHOVAH Thirdly 3. Provoking others to love If we have a TIME OF FINDING we will provoke others to love the Lord l Psa 31.23 24. Thou heardest the voice of my supplications when I cried unto thee And what followes O love the Lord all ye his Saints For the Lord preserveth the faithful and plentifully rewardeth the PROVD DOER If we have a friend that doth very much for us we would have others besides our selves to love him likewise Of all men those who do most experience the love of God towards themselves do especially provoke and stir up others to love him and trust in him So David in another place m Pas 34.5 8. I sought the Lord and he heard me and delivered me from all my fears O taste and see that the Lord is good Blessed is the maâ— that trusteth in him The Prophet here is like one that hath experienced â— thing and found it very good perswades others to make use also of it 4. Others will be provoked by it Fourthly This TIME OF FINDING will cause many hearing of it to love fear and honour the Lord. n Exo. 18.7 8 9. When Jethro heard what the Lord had done unto Pharaoh and unto the Egyptians for Israels sake he rejoyced saying Blessed be the Lord who hath delivered you c. Now I know the Lord is greater then all gods For in the things wherein he dealt proudly he was above theâ— We read in Esther that o Est 8.17 many of the people of the Land became Iews but when was it after the Time of Finding when Haman and his sons were hanged Then they cried p 2 Kin. 18.39 The Lord he is God the Lord he is God but whilst Haman stood in power and greatness who more honoured then he So when the good news of the q Rev. 11.13 Great Earth-quake shalâ— be spread thorow the Nations and the perishing of the Last Apostacie under the first Vial Oh what rejoycing will this be to the Churches and Saints every where how will they bless the Lord for it r Rev. 15.3 Iust and true are thy wayes thou King of Saints Å¿ ver 4. for thy judgements are made manifest Now they will clearly understand that all the pretences and protestations which some made against the Pope for THE PROTESTANT CHRISTIAN RELIGION were meer delusions and falsehoods Neither was Babylon in her idolatry and cruelty supported by any Power or State more then by them And that they were the chief obstructers of the Lord's work against the GREAT WHORE If irons be taken off from hand or foot this sets the whole body free The last Apostacie is as a great chain upon the Lords work howsoever it be broken but in one Countrey nevertheless the whole Body all the members of Christ will have Spiritual Liberty by it And therefore doubtless when they shall hear of this Earth-quake they will like Iethro bless the Lord for it 4. Of glorifying God by trusting in him Fourthly Times of Finding give incouragement unto Saints t Psa 63.8 to trust in the Lord at all times and to pour out their hearts before him And this is u Rom. 4.20 to give glory to God x Psa 9.10 They that know thy Name will put their trust in thee But how is the Name of God known truly not in any thing more fruitfully and teachingly then by Times of Finding here his glory passeth before us we behold him with open face here we have his power goodness faithfulness c. made known to us y Psa 116.2 Because he hath enclined his ear to me THEREFORE will I call upon him as long as I live A man knowing where the Fountain is and being at it a thousand times and alwayes satisfied knows where to go when he wants water a Psa 65.2 O thou that hearest prayer unto thee shall all flesh come Had we not a gracious answer of our cries and tears against the King and Prelates He bowed the Heavens and came down then the earth shooke He also thundred in the Heavens And what more He gave us the neck of our Enemies we beat them small as the dust before the winde and did cast them out as the dirt in the streets Quest But what hath the Lord gotten by granting such A TIME OF FINDING Answ The honor of trusting in him b Psa 63.7 Because thou hast been my
the Woman must be n Rev. 12.6 in the wilderness 1260 dayes and o Rev. 13.5 ' Power was given to the Beast to continue 42. Moneths Both these Numbers signifying indeed all one time do end in the aforesaid yeare 1657. This humblie do I conceive I know what will be here objected If this were so we should see some change as either to the rising of the witnesses or fear among the enemies or something done upon Babylon But things stand as they did before The Dragon Beast Little Horne both Apostacies as Rampant as ever yea rather of late grown greater are at the rising hand than otherwise Ans This being a hard knot I trust the Lord will the more help me to unty it so to take this Stumbling block out of the way of his people 1. I would say as the Lord said to Job p Job 28.22.28 29. Hast thou entred into the treasures of the snow or hast thou seen the treasures of the haile Hath the rain a father or who hath begotten the drops of dew out of whose womb came the ice and the hoarie frost of Heaven who hath gendered it Hath the Lord a Treasure for snow and hail a Father to beget the rain and drops of dew and a womb wherein the ice hoarie frost are gendered and afterwards brings them forth as he thinks good to use and spend them Then much more a Treasure a Father a Wombe for higher things greater workes wherein his name glory kingdom people are especially concernd Is not this laid up in store with me Deu. 32.34 and sealed up among my treasures Again though it may not be questioned But q Isa 48.14 The Lord will do all his pleasure upon Babylon Nothing shall faile of his threatnings against the Dragon Beast Little Hornet Yet the ordering managing and governing thereof that only and wholly belongeth to him both when to begin and how to do it Hence I humbly conceive if we should see nothing done in the year 1657. as to the rising of the Witnesses or ruine of the Bottomlesse Beast and last Apostacie It will not therefore follow that the 1260. Yeares ended not in that year No more reason Then because the Childe is not Born Ergo not conceived in the womb 2. Christs words must be remembred r Luke 17.20 The Kingdome of God cometh not with observation that is not in such manner at first that it can be taken notice of by things done Observe it is not said the kingdome shall have no Observation But Cometh not Shewing how at first little will be seen to demonstrate that such a kingdome is come But afterward it shall be visible and plain enough to be observ'd And to this purpose speakes the Prophet Å¿ Isa 26.11 Lord though thy hand be lifted up yet they see it not But they shall see it This was the great Stumbling block which lay in the way of the Jewes when Christ came in the flesh Because he came not as they exspected before hand as it is in the comming of worldly Princes in great state and outward Pomp they would not believe in him nor receive him for the true Mesias And why may not the like be the Case of people now Because they see not as they expected WONDERS in 57. Some extraordinary power and presence of God with his people and great overturnings and breakings of Nations hence conclude it was not the Time of the End But let such know the Scripture favours no such Conclusion Question But shall the forty two moneths given to the beast end without observation Answ Howsoever immediately upon the period of the 1260. yeares there will not be I think actions of much Observation either in respect of Zion or Babilon yet the Time of the End cometh not without Observation some other way For 1. The serious Observation of the Prophesies and Visions of the holy Scriptures relating to the last dayes will lead a heart if it hath nothing in it but truth and uprightnesse and the glory of God to the knowledge of the Times 2. There is the Observation of the Spirit u 1 Joh. 2 20 The unction from the holy one and here we do observe how the Holy Ghost opens our understanding and not onely so but those great things which he reveals to his Babes and Sucklings he confirms them therein whiles they are in tears and weeping before the Throne 3. The Observation of Providence which hath brought â—orth the Persons and Things which were according to the Prophesies of the Scripture to finish and end the 1260. years But 3. Did not some men do like one who whiles he is striving to have a great gripe comes off with nothing in his hand They might see that 57. hath not altogether been without OBSERVATION For howsoever x Psal 36.6 Gods judgements are a great deep y Rom. 11.33 and unsearchable a Rev. 15.3 Great and marvellous are his workes b Ps 77.19 and his footsteps not known I say howsoever his Counsel Government Administrations and the manner of proceeding is beyond all searching into yet if matters soberly be considred by wisedomes Eye Fifty seaven hath shewed c Ps 86.17 some token for good and that d Is 63.3 the day of the Lords redeemed is come e Isa 34.8 ' and the year of recompences for the controversie of Zion For 1. VVhat may be meant by that Government which was set up December 16. 1653. and laid aside again June 26. 1657. It stood f Dan. 7.25 a Time and Times and the dividing of Times that is three years and an half almost to a day Oh the depth of Gods wayes Ashur shall fulfill his decree and counsel g Isa 10.7 Howbeit he meaneth not so neither doth his heart think so 2. VVhat things have been done and how mannaged and what success hath followed in 57. it is so well known to many mens cost as I need not mention it But what may we gather hence I mean from the Lords Acting and appearing already against some men That the National affairs in their hands is like the Fig-tree under the curse h Mat. 21 19. Let no fruit grow on thee henceforth for ever 3. VVhen Agag thought i Sam. 15.32 the bitterness of death was past then came sudden destruction upon him Fifty seaven is not yet ended k Prov. 27 1. Boast not thy self of to morrow for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth Though the man-child in June were but l Job 10.10 poured out as milk and curdled like cheese to use the holy language yet who knows what in nine Moneths the womb of Providence may bring forth m Luk. 12.19.20 VVhilst the FOOL is thinking of building his Barnes greater death ceaseth on him n Act. 1 25. That he might go to his own place 4. VVhen Caleb encouraged his brethren to fight the Canaanites He
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
a King wherein he promiseth to do so and so for him it were no presumption in this poor man having access to the Prince if he should mention it shew it to him humbly desire the performance of it neither would the other though a King be offended at it but bid him rest content for he would not be worse then his word Though the disproportion is far greater between the Creator and the Creature then between the greatest Monarch of the world and the poorest beggar on earth yet have the Lords people many times remembred him of his promise and spread it before his face and besought him earnestly to look thereon and not forget it Thus did Moses Exod. 32 13. i Remember Abraham Isaac and Israel thy servants to whom thou swarest by thine own self c. So David k Psal 119.49 Remember thy word unto thy servant upon which thou hast caused me to hope And Solomon likewise l 1 Kin. 8.25 26. Therefore now O Lord God of Israel keep with thy servant David my Father that thou promisest him Again Let thy word I pray thee be verified which thou spakest unto thy servant David my Father So Jeremie m Jer. 14.21 Remember break not thy Covenant Neither was the Lord offended with them that they did put him thus in remembrance much less did he answer them as some men use to do when they are minded of their Oaths Vows and Solemn Appeals to God that they would do such and such things for Christ and his people and the good of the Nations Ho say they Those Promises and ingagements were but pro Tempore that is as their practice shews they never meant to keep their word but as it should make for their own interest and advantage But our God n Psa 5.6 abhorreth such deceitful men and all such execrable Hypocrisie For o Mal. 3.6 He changeth not p 2 Cor. 1.20 All his promises are yea and Amen Yea so far is the Lord from breaking Covenant that he hears the cryes and prayers of his people for his promise sake q Exo. 2.24 And God heard their groaning and God remembred his Covenant with Abraham with Isaak and with Jacob. So a little after r Chap. 6.5 I have heard the groaning of the children of Israel whom the Egyptians keep in bondage and I have remembred my Covenant When Doves sigh and mourn in clifts and secret holes it doth presage say they that destruction is nigh the Birds of prey not to speak of Pharaoh Haman Herod a little before the fall of the Bishops and the King the Lord 's hidden ones were in bitterness of Soul and poured out mournful complaints day and night against their persecutors but much more have they sighed and groaned before the Lord since this sad Revolt broke forth in regard of the scandal and reproach brought to the Gospel by it And what doth this signifie That the Lord will suddenly take away this image of jealousie and revive his work in the midst of the Nations But to proceed That the Lord forgets not what he promised might be shewed in many other places Å¿ Psal 105.8 He hath remembred his Covenant for ever the word which he commanded to a thousand Generations And in the same Psalm t ver 42. He remembred his holy promise and Abraham his servant Again u Psa 106 44 45. Nevertheless he regarded their afflictions when he heard their cry and he remembred for them his Covenant See 2 Sam. 7.21 Here we may not omit how far the Lords wayes and some mens ways are unlike the Lord takes it well to be * 1 Chron. 17.23 remembred of his Covenant and promises and would have his children to mention them before him whereas you cannot more grieve and vex certain NEW LORDS then to tell them of their ingagements should any but shew them the Oaths and Vows published under their hands what they protested in such a yeer at such a place for the interest of Christ and his people their asseverations and imprecations the curses and judgments they wish'd to light upon themselves and posterity if they did not such things add hereunto their frequent tears hands laid on their breasts and eyes lifted up to Heaven calling God to witness as to the plainness and singleness of their hearts should this I say be told them what would they say x 2 Kin. 11 14. Treason Treason y 1 Kin. 22 27. Put this fellow into prison c. In all the reign of Caligula if a man did but name a Goat it was a crime of Laesae Majestatis against the Imperial person this was of his hairy body A very strange thing that a man could not say Goat but he must mean the Emperor Can you say Covenant-breaker self-seeker deceiver of the people but the Lawyer cryes out y Luk. 11.45 Master thus saying thou reproachest us also Thirdly It must needs be That there will be A TIME OF FINDING 3. Because the Lord will be honored many wayes by it because the Lord hereby will be honored and glorified many ways There is nothing that a man will sooner regard and hearken to then when his own profit and advantage is propounded To speak soberly and no more but what the Scriptures hold forth It is good for the Lord himself That there be a time of finding Quest What Good hath the Lord by it Answ 1. By this means the Saints will bless him and the high prayses of God will be in their mouth Now a By haâ—ing the â—igh prayâ—â—s of his â—eople Psa 50.3 whoso offereth praise glorifies him Was not the Lord glorified when he answered the groanings of his people in Egypt plagued the Egyptians and destroyed Pharaoh and his host in the Red Sea b Exod. 15. â— 11. Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto Jehovah c. Who is like unto thee O Jehovah among the gods who is like thee glorious in holiness fearful in praises doing wonders When Babylon shall lie under wrath d Rev. 18. â— 1. sunk like a great milstone cast into the Sea and shall be found no more at all What immediatefollows d Rev. 19.1 I heard a great voyce of much people in Heaven saying Hallelujah Salvation and glory and honor and power unto the Lord our God e ver 3. And again they said HALLELVJAH and a little after another f ver 6. great multitude saying HALLELUJAH for the Lord God Omnipotent Reigneth As when a judge hath done some notable and eminent act of justice upon a notorious offender he is highly commended for it so will the Lord have unspeakable praise from his people every where when he hath judged the Great Whore destroyed the false Church Ministery Worship and Government pluckt her up root and branch with all her props and Lovers HALLELV-JAH and again HALLELV-IAH What doth the Lord at
help saith David Therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoyce That the Lord heard us in the late wars and was found c Gen. 22.14 JEHOVAH-JIREH a God seen in the mount We can pray now against all the Hypocritical enemies of his Cause and Kingdom more earnestly d Jam. 1.6 In faith nothing wavering which is greatly to his Glory The bramble would have e Judg. 9.15 all the trees put their trust in his shadow Indeed Tyrants would be trusted though there be neither trust nor Truth in them I have read the story how Dominique dreamt the Church of Rome was falling and that he upheld it with his shoulders Have we never heard the like fable In what sore distress the Church and State were both ready to split had not a Minion Idol been devis'd like Dominique's shoulders to keep them up The Tryers probably will apply this because it is like that Shameful thing for all the world But to proceed Did not David very much honor the Lord by trusting in him when he went forth against Goliah But what caused David by beleeving to doe so he tels you f 1 Sam. 17.37 The Lord that delivered me out of the Paw of the Lyon and out of the paw of the Bear he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine I know there were many complaints and heart-groans poured out against the King and Bishops for their Tyranny and Idolatry but this I can truly say For twenty years and more in which I suffered under them the Lord did not draw out my heart to so much mourning and sighings as I have done within these three or four years against the GREAT BETRAYERS of the interest of Christ and his people And this I finde as a burning fire shut up in my bones that I cannot hold my peace day nor night Besides Howsoever I am a poor worm and the least in my Father's house yet herein I can give glory to God I do beleeve the Lord that delivered his afflicted people out of the paw of the Lyon and out of the paw of the Bear King and Bishops he will deliver them from all PROVD PHILISTIMS that defie the Israel of God yea and that speedily Fifthly 5. Do him more work and better service Times of finding ingage the Lords people to do him more work and better service afterwards If Beasts the larger allowance they have will doe their master the more service Surely then the better Christ is to his children the more they will strive to doe his will in every thing g Psa 116.8 9. Thou hast delivered my Soul from death mine eyes from tears and my feet from falling I will walk on before the Lord in the land of the living That is Seeing I have had a Time of finding I will so improve this great mercy as the Lord shall have much glory and honor by it Methinks it is at this day with some honest hearts as it was with the h Mat. 20.3 4. Laborers which stood idle in the market-place Should they be askt why they are not at work What would they say We are calling upon the Lord for imployment we would willingly be at work for it grieves our very Souls to stand thus idle Now hath not a master more profit that his servants are at work then standing still When the Great TIME OF FINDING comes then will Zions children be at work indeed for now they may be said to be idle comparatively to their work THEN Then some shall be the i Rev. 14.6 Angel To preach the Everlasting Gospel Others the k Rev. 15.1 Angels to pour out the seven last plagues Some l Psa 149.8 to bind their Kings in chains and their Nobles with fetters of iron Others m Rev. 18.5 to execute vengeance upon Babylon Come Lord Jesus When the Lord made use of Moses and Aaron to pour out vials full of wrath upon Pharaoh and Egypt and of Elias to destroy the Prophets of Baal and of Ioshua to cast out the Canaanites Was he not in those things very much glorified If so then much more when he shall answer the prayers of his people concerning his Son and Zion and the destruction of Babylon and all Tyrants Which is better and more for the honor of a King that Theeves Murderers and Rebels do spoyl and destroy the good people or to be taken and punished What is it that Saints pray for and desire a Time of finding Truly this That Hypocrites and Apostates n Psa 104 35. be consum'd out of the earth and bloody Tyrants be no more That o Rev. 11.15 all the Kingdoms of the world may be Christs p Eze. 21 27 whose right it is And in order hereunto they are to ready to follow the Lamb in his work wheresoever he shall lead them But howsoever some men by Times of finding are the better yet many are the worse Here Jesus Christ may say r Psa 109.4 For my Love they are my Adversaries That is for the Deliverances Victories Preferments which I gave them I am the more wrong'd by them in my Great Name Cause and Kingdom And truly I think never a generation of men more sinn'd against kindness then some of this generation * Isa 1.2 Hear ye Heavens and give ear O Earth for the Lord speaketh I have nourished and brought up or made great and exalted children but they have revolted from me It is a pitiful fight to see a poor Bird kill'd with the feathers pluckt from her They are not only contented to feather their nest with the interest of Christ and his people but with those feathers i. e. power places Offices and preferment which they have pluckt from it shoot at her and murder her most unworthily * Deut. 32.6 Doe ye thus requite the Lord O foolish people and unwise Is all forgotten What shall I render unto the Lord for all his benefits towards me Psal 116.12 CHAP. IIII. Reasons Why there will be a Time of Finding in respect of Gods people Reasons in respect of mourners 1. Of the revilings of the proud First BEcause of the scornings and revilings of the proud as reproaching the Godly for their mourning and tears Had not the Lord been found of Hezekiah he had not been able in a little while to have born Rabshakehs and Sennacheribs blasphemies That which caused Hannah to be in bitterness of Soul before the Lord and no doubt moved the Lord to take pity on her it was the extream Å¿ 1 Sam. 1.6 provoking of her adversary for to make her fret because the Lord had shut up her womb Our Adversaries are fallen upon Rabshakehs work and seek to provoke us by the like scornful reproaches Where is the fruit say they of your tears and cries You may see the Lord cares not for your weeping fasting and praying did he regard them he would have helpt you ere now
What great mourning was there some few yeers since in Churches and among professors after righteousness and judgment and to have all heavy yokes broken but now the Abby-key being found and the fish caught that is great places Offices and preferment gotten we hear no more crying out against oppression all is quiet now and well again now they can hold their peace though the time be worse then before in respect of the interest of Christ and his People and the publick good of the Nations But what may we gather hence They were not the Lords Remembrancers Their tears and groans were their own and for their own interest not the Spirit 's and for the things of Christ for had the Spirit set them on work had they been the Spirit 's sighs and sobs for Zion t Isa 62.6 7. they would not have held their peace day nor night nor given the Lord rest VNTIL he had made Jerusalem a Prayse in the Earth u 1 Joh. 2.19 If they had been of us they would no doubt have continued with us 2. If they are the Groanings of the Spirit nothing will be askt but what is x Rom. 8 27 according to the will of God y Luk. 22 42. Not my will saith Christ but thine be done So again a Act. 21.14 The will of the Lord be done As a man that is doing somthing for a friend will indeavor to doe it so as the party for whom he doth it may like it and have content thus it is with us when the Spirit helpeth us with groanings which cannot be uttered We are all for pleasing God we would not speak nor have our hearts move or think of any thing but what the Lord should take pleasure and delight in It is true Hypocrites can groan and like Esau will beg blessings with tears but observe this it is to serve themselves upon the Lâ—â—d and to have their will done whetheâ— it be Gods will or no thus they will have the Lord to bless their Counsels and designs though they are against Himself his Son and Zion so when they have b Isa 28.15 made a Covenant with death and with hell are at an agreement then must Priests and People be call'd together to fast and pray that it may prosper 3. Spirit-Groanings are like c 2 King 2.11 Elias chariot and horses of fire carry the Soul into Heaven It is the Glory of God which now is onely eyed As the Mariners needle always trembles and shakes till her point be towards the Pole so it is with right Mourners they are not satisfied in weeping and sobbing before the Lord unless they have the sight of his glory then they are quiet seeing the mark they look after When the sun is risen we see not a star in the Firmament Reader note it What is it when thou art in bitterness of Soul that vanisheth Is it SELF Seest thou no Honour Credit Preferment Relations nor any other worldly Respects Seest thou the great Name of God dearer to thee then thy soul And for afflicted d Lam. 1.16 Zion thou weepest thine eye thine eye runneth down with Tears Blâ—â—sed art thou that thus mournest e Isa 57.1 P. the Lord shall restore comfort to thee 4. A man never sees more emptiness unworthiness and poverty in himself then when he is under the strongest groanings of the Spirit neither is his heart at any time more broken then at the woful sight thereof f Isa 6.5 Wo is me I am undon c. For mine eyes have seen the King the Lord of Hosts The Spirit in our mournings is g 2 Pet. 1.19 as a light that shineth in a dark place We did not think to have found such nakedness and baseness as we do Again the Spirit-Groanings are like fire in the Soul such may the fire be as it melts down Iron breaks Rocks and Stones asunder It is a good sign a man is under the Mournings of the Spirit when findes his corruptions and lusts hard as flint to melt and break in pieces and by the power of the Spirit consum'd and brought to nothing The groaning of Hypocrites is like the drawing of a Curtain whereby things are hid and covered The more they weep fast and pray the less fight have they of their sins For what is the reason some men see not so much evil in their wayes now as they did some yeers past I answer in their fasting and praying ever since they have been drawing curtains over their filthy sores Not but that they are far worse then they were but they see it not because of their hypocritical Tears 5. The Spirits Groanings leave two things especially upon the Soul 1. Refreshment as when a man hath eaten well he findes his spirits strengthned and comforted But this is not so with unsound hearts It is reported of Witches when they have eaten and drunk of the best and to their thinking largely they find themselves presently in a condition ready to starve Should some men speak their experiences they could not but confess when they have been some hours in prayer and sighed often they have been afterward no other then like Pharaoh's lean and ill-favoured kine not had any soul-strengthning or feeling refreshing at all 2. The Soul is left in a sweet and blessed frame as Wax that is soft is fit to take any impression so is a Saint wrought up wholy for God his will affections desires run out with Paul h Act. 9.6 Lord what wilt thou have me to do That is I am ready to receive any truth and to deny my self in every thing so that I may follow thee and serve my Generation It is a common saying and I have heard it often when some men talk of fasting and prayer Now say they beware there is some Plot or other in hand And usually it is so For after the Formality of the work is over their doings are worse then ever so far from i Isa 58.3 4 5 6. loosing the bonds of wickedness and letting the oppressed go free and breaking every yoke c. as on the contrary they smite with the fist of wickedness their fellow-servants and cast out their Brethren more cruelly then before But what saith Solomon k Pro. 1.3 To do Justice and Judgment is more acceptable to the Lord then sacrifice l Hos 6.6 I will have mercy and not sacrifice Seventhly Because the Lord is teaching Zions Mourners the ART OF SEEKING Because the Lord is teaching the art of seeking You know by long practise and use a man becoms expert and skilful in a trade especially having a good master This benefit through Grace some of the Lords people have received since the Apostacy came up namely they have been learning the Art of Prayer for not onely of late yeers have they been more frequent in the practice but have gotten more experience of the thing then ever they had before
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
jest at his judgments as things that never shall come to pass and be effected As Agag when he saw he was not cut off with the rest of the Amalekites concludes o 1 Sam. 15.32 Surely the bitterness of death is past So because they were not swept away in such a month or such a yeer what say they now p Eze. 12.22 The dayes are prolonged and every vision faileth Because they do not immediately see the whole Prophesies accomplished concerning the Little Horn the Last Apostacy and the Beast which ascendeth out of the bottomless pit they contemn them and laugh at them as though they should never be fulfill'd and say q Jer. 7.10 We are delivered to do all these abominations Though we have done such things sworn falsely and betrayed the interest of Christ and his people and have been grievously threatned for the same yet we are delivered from their THREATNING TESTIMONY and are well safe and without fear or danger and shall go on and prosper still yea and which is more they r Amos 5.18 Desire the day of the Lord In a profane boldness provoke and dare the Lord to bring that once to pass which he hath so long threatned Where are his Å¿ Jer. 51.20 Battle-axes the t Rev 15.1 vial-Angels u Isa 27.1 his sore great and strong sword x Isa 8.19 Let him make speed and hasten his work that we may see it and let the Counsel of the Holy One of Israel draw nigh and come that we may know it 2. Iudgment not being speedily executed What is the evil that their heart is full of y Luk. 14.14 We will not have this man to reign over us The war now is like that of the Old Gyants against Heaven against God and Christ how to a Psal 2.3 Break their bonds asunder and cast their cords from them As Herod no sooner heard b Mat. 2.2 13. of one born King of the Jewes but immediately he sought the young Child's life to destroy him The very rumor of Christs coming forth to reign and to break all corrupt powers makes Tyrants mad and it is their greatest care and study how to prevent him But 3. And let it be heeded when men are emboldned and made worse because judgment is delayed this shews not only that c Jer. 5.14 15. Divine wrath is very nigh at hand but it shall rest and abide upon them d Isa 5.25 till they are consum'd to ashes as fire doth wood No time of finding e Amos 5.21 Jer. 7.16 for their prayers cries and tears the Lord hates and despiseth Sixthly 6. God is many ways glorified when corrupt men have not a time of finding It is much to the prayse and Glory of God when Apostates Hypocrites and other corrupt people have not a time of finding Quest. Wherein is the Lord honored not being found of his people Answ 1. In vindicating his Justice Providence and Great Name 1. In vindicating his providence and great Name When God is silent and spares Hypocrites f Psa 50.2 i. They thinke him like themselves altogether as they are As the Tyrant having a safe passage homeward thought the gods well pleased with his robbery Thus do wicked men if they prosper in unrighteous ways or see others prosper therein g Psa 119.70 Their heart is as fat as grease and are ready to say h Zeph. 1.12 The Lord will not do good neither will he do evil nay they begin to call in question his Justice and Providence i Mat. 2.17 Every one that doth evil is good in the sight of the Lord and he delighteth in them that is accepteth and approveth of the wicked justifies them yea more takes pleasure in them How many in these late years by their Atheistical conceits and blasphemous speeches have wearied and vexed the Lord and whence hath it risen k Ibid. Where is the God of Judgment As if there were no Providence no God that did judge and govern things upon earth because he doth not presently punish the workers of iniquity As one not long since most blasphemously sayd If he be a God why doth he not shew his judgment upon such a one I could name both Now howsoever many reasons might be given for the prosperity of the wicked and their impunity yet doubtless the glory of God is exceedingly manifested in his Government and Administration when he breaks the power of the proud and makes them like ashes under the soles of his feet l Rev. 15.4 Who shall not fear thee O Lord and glorifie thy name c. for thy judgments are made manifest By that revenging stroke from Heaven which reach'd Iulian the Apostate many who formerly had spoken wickedly of Christ repented and acknowledged their blasphemie and gave glory to him In some such way I am perswaded will the Lord vindicate his Providence and Justice namely by making SOME MEN publick Examples of his wrath such I mean who by their false-swearing and horrible hypocrisie and prospering a while therein have occasioned many to have had hard thoughts of God WHERE IS THE GOD OF JVDGMENT Memorable is that story of Amurath at the battle of Varna when he saw the slaughter of his men and all things brought into extreame danger he pluckt out of his bosom the writing wherein the late League was comprised and holding it up in his hand with his eyes lift up to heaven said Behold thou crucified Christ this is the League thy Christians in thy name made with me and they have without cause violated Now if thou be God as they say thou art and as we dream revenge the wrong now done unto thy Name and me and shew thy power upon thy perjurious people who in their deeds deny thee their God VVas a Turk heard against Idolaters for Covenant-breaking And will not the Lord much more bow his ear to the strong cries of his children holding up in their hands the Protestations Vows and solemn Ingagements not of Papists but of great professors which they publickly have broken with God and men when they shall say as still they do Behold Lord see here these are the Oaths Attestations and promises which thy great professors have made with thee and for the interest of thy Son and Zion and without any cause but to satisfie their own lusts they have violated Now therefore as thou art a jealous God and tender of thy great Name Glory Providence so shew thy great Power upon these false and dissembling people who in their works deny thee their God 2. By making himself known in his truth cause Secondly By making himself gloriously known in his truth and cause That Saul had no time of finding but was left of God in the day of distress this made way for Davids kingdome So when Tyrants are broken in their power and Government it is in order to the exalting of Jesus
his former doctrine turning his tale as if there were no providence at all but every thing went by hap It is too probable by some late Turnings many are turned Atheists And therefore questionlesse God will revive his work again For otherwise how can the great reproach and dishonour be taken off from his Providence and Government So 2. Is Religion the true profession of the Gospell which never will have the Credite Glory Beauty it had formerly if the interest of Christ and his People be not revived Nothing better heals the sting of Vipers than to apply their own flesh to the disease The dust of a Toad put to its venomous biting takes away the poison It is much upon my heart by some such APPLICATION the Lord will heal those fearfull wounds and bitings which are upon the truth Though men have not regarded the Credit and Honour of it yet Christ doth and will recover it and revive it again by destroying the fond glosses and covetuous practises of corrupt men and raising up faithfull ones to preach the everlasting Gospell Eusebius writes of Peregrinus the Philosopher having gotten a great estate by feigning himself a Christian that he might consume it the more freely on his lusts revolted to Gentilisme It is plain enough to see why some men have left the Lords work and this people It was that they might be at liberty to spend what they had gotten in excesse pride riot lasciviousness They well knew should they have kept close to Christ and his interest they could not have fulfilled the desires of the flesh and walked after their own lusts And therefore thought it better to turn Heathens again For so doing they knew they should have elbow-room enough might do whatsoever seemd good in their own eyes But what of all this let such know the Lord will make That Holy Profession of his Name Gospel Kingdome glorious and honourable again Though they have made it vile and contemptible in the eyes of the world m Ezek. 36.23 I will sanctifie my great Name which was prophaned among the Gentiles which ye have prophaned in the midst of them 3. Such were the wonderfull actings and appearances of God for and with this Cause as it is not possible it should come to nothing vanish away like smoak which yet will be so unlesse it be quickned and raised again n Judg. 13.23 If the Lord were pleased to kill us he would not have shewed us all these things Let no man think that he would so eminently have shewed his power justice and wrath against the late King for his Tyrany and Arbitrary Government So a-against the Bishops for their pride and humane inventions but that he means to destroy the like wickednesse in others if afterward they shall take it up o 1 Sam. 3.12 When I begin I will also make an end Though it be a judgment and to be executed upon his own people yet he will perfect the work And will he not do so and more p Lam. 3.33 willingly when it is to have mercy upon Zion 4. In reviving this work he will q Isa 57.18 Restore Comfort to his Mourners r Ps 85.6 would not thou revive us again that thy people may rejoyce in thee That is when thou shalt take that which letteth out of the way and bring us again upon thy work Our mourning will cease and thy power faithfulnes goodnes justice will be soul-refreshing unto us I know some men can take pleasure in beholding beastly and filthy things So is oppression falshood and deceit to a time-server turn-coat a most pleasant sight As Hanibal when he saw a pit full of mans blood O formosum spectaculum and the Scots Queen seeing her Subjects lie dead and stripped on the earth cryed out The goodliest Tapestry that ever she beheld The cryes and groans of the poor under their oppressions and heavy burthens what sweet musick makes this in the ears of Self-seekers Now their pay comes in their salary and their so much per annum But the joy of good men riseth otherwise Å¿ Pro. 29.2 When the wicked beareth rule they mourn t Pro. 11.10 and when wicked Rulers perish they shout for joy So that untill this work be revived Saints may expect little joy as to outward and publick Affaires 5. This Cause will surely be revived because it is not mans but the Lords For 1. Are not u Ps 110.12 Christs Enemies to be made his foot-stool and x Psal 2 6. he to sit upon the holy hill of Zion 2. Is not all oppression to cease and y Isa 60.18 Violence to be heard no more in the Land The first and second Apostasies both to be destroyed 3. Must not a Ps 85.11 Truth spring out of the earth and Righteousnesse look down from Heaven And b Dan. 7.22 the Saints possess the Kingdom But can these things be and not the work revived that is impossible When it is night and dark whence do ye expect to have light again in this visible world Is it not by the rising of the Sun So these great things which we are waiting for concerning Jesus Christ and his Kingdome the coming in and accomplishment of them will be by the Lords reviving his work and Cause again Quest But is there not something for the Lords people to do in order to the reviving of the Work Ans Yes surely For 1. Howsoever Achan was the TROVBLER and had caused the STOP yet c Jos 7.11 Israel had sinned also d Jer. 5.55 Your Iniquities saith the Prophet have turned away these things and your sins have withholden good things from you When the clouds are scattered which hide the Sun from us then we behold his shining face again So the Lord e Ps 85.1 2 he forgives the iniquity of his people f Isa 44.22 Blots out their transgressions and sins as a thick cloud and then he will be favourable to his land and bring back the Captivity of Jacob. So that it is the duty of every Saint waiting for the great Promises of the Father to be at the foot of God exceedingly bewailing his Own and his Brethrens great miscarriages And as there is hope our Deliverance is nigh so our hearts should be the more broken and in bitternesse and our tears and sighings encrease now we should rise at midnight and cry g Iâ—el 2 17. Spare thy people h Hos 14.2 Lord take away all iniquity receive us graciously so will we render the calves of our lips We must not so look upon Achans Troublers abroad without as not to see the Achans and Troublers at home in our own hearts Though some have been i Num. 3.3 55. pricks in the eyes of the Lords work and the good old Cause and k Iosh 23.13 Scourges and Thornes in the sides of his people yet must we confess the righteousnesse of