furlongs adde vnto this 1600 this 70 so is the end of the Gentils calling finished anno Christi 1670. Gogs Magogs or the Turks Kingdome began anno Christi 335 and indureth 1335 yeares ANno Christi 335 is that evill and damnable heretique Arrius who for his hereticall learning was excommunicate by a generall assemblie yet to Synodo and Ierusalem was accepted and made free againe with his doctrine which Arianish doctrine was the first beginning vnto the Gogs and Mahumets absurdities which were accepted and believed in the ruined citie of Ierusalem and especially heerefra anno Christi 335 began the Goges 1335 yeares and endeth anno Christi 1670 Daniel 12. verse 11.12 and heere is the beginning on that two tymes and an halfe tyme Daniel 12. verse 7. Anno Christi 366 Damasius and Vrsatius had great contention and diversitie about the seate of the Pope heerefra began the tyme of the two witnesses clothed in Sackcloth who should prophecie 1260 dayes Revel 11 3. THE POPES BEGINNING ANno Christi 410 Rome is taken and burnt by Alaricus King of the Gothes never was the Citie of Rome vanquished any tyme before neither given over vnto any stranger and out landish since the beginning of the fourth Monarchy at that time Sozimus was Pope who ardently stood after the Occumenick style that is that hee might be called the common and head Bishop aboue the whole clergie everie where els through the whole world This Sozimus gaue such a law that no doings in the Kirke should stand in full power without it was approved and consented by the Bishop of Rome after as it was prophecied that the sonne of perdition should then begin his governament when the Romane Kingdome began to bow for certainly that overthrow of the Romanes which was done by Alaricus hath beene a beginning hithertill Therefore that the Papistes time which is 1260 yeares or the 42 months everie month reckoned to 30 dayes and everie day for a yeare hath heere his beginning of this 410 yeares of Christ which 410 yeares added to 1260 the summe is 1670. when the Popedome with all things will only take an end Anno Christi 452. The Hunners King Attila is come in Italie who spoyled and destroyed many Cities and townes from this 452 yeares falleth in the Gogs secreete dayes whereof Ezek 38.14 Anno Christi 520 Anastasius Emperour began to banish and roote out all heriticques with all their hereticall doctrine wherevnto the Romane Pope helped with all his vttermost power which attained vnto a prosperous successe whereby Sathan the father of lyes and all heriticall doctrine was bound from this 520 yeares a thousand yeares In the which the Dragon that olde serpent which is the Deuill and Sathan is said to bee bound by the Angel with a great chayne whereof Apoc. 20.2 Anno Christi 597 is Gregorius Magnus made Pope who would not let style him with the Oecumenick tytle over the East land yet neverthelesse shewed his ambition avaritiousnesse in this he subdued vnder him the Kirks of Spaine and Britaine to his jurisdiction In this yeare Mahumet was 26 yeares old and then doubtlesse gaue him selfe to reaving and murther Therefore beginneth the houre day moneth and yeare whereof Apoc. 9.15 Anno Christi 636 Heereto indureth the time of the Gogs Now after followeth his tyme Daniel 12.7 and then is Ierusalem come vnder the Saracines power right in the 300 yeares after the clergie consented vnto that most absurd learning of Arrius Anno Christi 1450 beginneth the new Testaments joyfull yeares and about that time is Constantinople with the whole East-landish Kingdome and Emperordome subdued by the Turkes and becommeth the Gogiers stall and stinking denne Heere beginneth the 7 angelicall months which the Scripture giveth vnto Gogs sprituall burials Ezek 39.11 Anno Christi 1522. Heereto endureth the set tymes now after followeth the halfe time Dan. 12.7 This same yeare Doctor Martin Luther went to Wormes and answered his cause before the Emperour In the meane tyme Carolostadius made vprore and stormed to Wittenbergh and the locusts came vp of the which Apocal 9. verse 3.4.5 Anno Christi 1625. heere endeth the 1290 yeares whereof Daniel speaketh in his 12 chap. verse 11. and the 45 yeares beginneth heere Right so endeth the same yeare the yeare of the two witnesses which when they are ended then shall the Pope in-arme himselfe with his greatest power and that shall bee his greatest tyranny which shall stand three yeares and an halfe Apocal. 11.9 vntill anno Christi 1629 in the which yeare the spirituall tyme beginneth which shall continue 41 yeares and an halfe Anno Christi 1663 the 7 moneths haue their end Anno Christi 1664 the last 7 yeares begin of the which Ezek. 39.9.12.14 But anno Christi 1670 then haue all the yeares which the Prophets haue spoken of their only end both the Heathen Gogs and Popes as afterwards the Author himselfe cleareth yet his protestation excepted that he will not preceeslie determine such things but referreth tyme and houre into the Fathers owne hands A short interpretation and clearing of the register of the new Testament THE whole age of the New Testament according to the meaning of the Prophets are divided in 4 times The first is the calling time of the Iewes The second is the Gentiles 1600 furlongs The third is Gogs Mahumets or Turkes tyme. The fourth is the Popes tyme. The first Namely the called time of the Iewes VVEE read in the booke of the Revelation 14. v. 15 is cryed and said THE TIME IS COME TO REAPE Now is a time or an houre the foure and twentieth part of a whole day night and day reckoned to 24 houres An Heavenly day conteineth a thousand yeares as it is written 2 Pet. 3. v. 8. a thousand yeares as a day divide this 1000 with 24 so commeth there about 41 yeeres and an halfe Remarke now the groundlesse mercie of the Almightie GOD how he did visite and call his people the Iewes of the seede of Abraham and offered them his grace by Iohn the Baptist who began his calling with the preaching of repentance and Baptisme in the 29 yeare or thereby after the birth of Iesus Christ of the Virgin Marie which mercifull calling of the Iewes Christ with his Disciples continued after the beheading of Iohn the Baptist vnto one or two and fourtie yeares and did begin in Ierusalem and gaue them time eneugh of repentance in the space of this 41 yeares but when they remained in their hardnesse and condemned Gods Sonne the blessed seede which particularlie and especially was promised them in Abraham and so wittingly proceded in their sinne against the holy Ghost Then GOD tooke his scourge in hand Titus Vespasian and therewith strooke them so hard in the end of this 41 yeares or 41 and an halfe yeares after the beginning of Iohns preaching which was Anno Christi 29. so that Ierusalem their head Citie is destroyed and their whole polices
vndergone and never shall come vp againe Lay now together 29 with 41 so commeth thereof 70. Namely in the same yeare after the birth of CHRIST in the which yeare Titus destroyed Ierusalem and the policies of the Iewes and this is the time of the Iewes calling Apocal. 14.15 The other tyme of the New Testament namely the Gentils which should indure 1600 yeares SACRA AFter as the Iewes GODS owne people had contemned his Fatherly offerings of grace in his Sonne IESUS CHRIST and would not accept of grace yet GOD would haue his glorious Kingdome after this lyfe replenished and therefore by his Word Sacraments and powerfull presence of his Spirit ordaineth heere in the world a Kingdome of grace for poore Gentils that were not of Abrahams blessed seede as the Iewes which Kingdome of grace should reach it selfe out 1600 furlongs as it is written Apocal. 14 19.20 with which furlongs are vnderstood yeares as heereafter shall bee spoken of This 1600 furlongs stadia or yeares which remaineth now againe for the Heathens to repent and thereby to be in gathered in the Kingdome of grace that they thereafter should inherite his Kingdome of glory and there see him as he is In this 1600 yeares the third Angell rypeth the vyneyard as Iohn sayeth and casteth it in the great wine-presse of GODS wrath and the wine-presse was troden without the citie and blood came out of the winepresse vnto the horse brydels by the space of 1600 furlongs Revel 14.19.20 The three Angels with the Sonne of man that sate on the white clowd is GOD Father Sonne and holy Ghost Revel 14.14 GODS Sonne is called the Sonne of man for the humane nature hee hath taken vnto the vnion and vnseparabilitie of his person the heavenly Temple verse 15. the Heavenly Altar verse 18 the white clowd v. 14. signifieth all one namely the same man IESUS CHRIST In whom dwelleth the fulnesse of the Godhead bodily Coloss 2.9 The wyne grapes in the 18 verse that are cast in the presse of the wrath of GOD are the Iewes who were so pressed by Titus Vespasian that there were slaine eleven hundreth thousand Iewes as Iosephus writeth lib. 7. These who were pressed without the citie verse 20 and without the townes communitie who were Burgesses and indwellers Christ advertising them they listned and gaue eare to his advertisement who departed in safetie vnto Pella in the meane tyme the other wyne grapes were pressed by the armie of Titus The blood that ranne from the presse betokneth that the wrath of GODS vengeance should reach without Ierusalem and streatch it self vnto such contemners of GOD and hardned sinners and that vnto 1600 furlongs that is 1600 yeares The horse vnto whose brydles the blood ran betokeneth the furious and vntamed Heathen and tyrants that set them-selves vp against CHRISTS Kirk Psal 2. Which tyrants are like Horse Mules in whom are no knowledge of salvation Psal 32.9 who should bee cast in the great presse of the wrath of GOD vntill so long they let tame them by the brydle of the Evangel and let them bee teached and showne by the servants of the Word to serue the LORD and kisse the Sonne Psal 2.10.11.12 With 1600 Stadia or furlongs is not vnderstood the length of place but of tyme wherevnto is given three causes First CHRIST saith Luke 21.24 That Ierusalem shall bee troden vnder the feete of the Gentiles vntill the time of the Gentiles bee fulfilled Heere speaketh IESUS of the Gentiles that they should haue a time and that the Gentiles tyme should beginne when Ierusalem was destroyed which time of the Gentiles is not found written in no place of the holy Scripture how long it shall endure except only in this place Secondly This secret of 1600 stadia if it should be vnderstood according to the letter and as the words are in themselues then this 1600 stadia or furlongs maketh no more than 50 myles but now the cup of GODS wrath hath powred it selfe more at large than 50 myles about Ierusalem yea in all the corners of the whole earth therefore this 1600 stadia is not vnderstood of the place but of the tyme. Thirdly It is commonly the forme of the holy Ghost that he opneth appointed tymes definita tempora with some dark kynd of speach Daniel 4. he calleth the seven yeares seven tymes Ezek. 4. Dan. 9. hee giveth to vnderstand yeares with dayes Ezek. 47.3.4.5 there is measured 4000 cubits vntill the Evangelicall fishing where vndoubtedly is vnderstood with 4000 cubits 4000 yeares namely from the first promise of the womans seede vntill the Evangelicall fishing beganne with the fishers of IESUS CHRIST The holy Apostles heereof can be vnderstood in this place with 1600 stadia right so many yeares So indureth the Heathings appoynted tyme after this calculation vntill the Sonne of man come in his white clowd who with his Angels will reape and gather the children of men the good and fruitfull grapes in his owne citie but will cutte off the wyld grapes with his sharp sickle till the 1670 yeares The third tyme of the New Testament Namely Gogs Magogs or Mahumets and Turkes Kingdome and that for the space 1335. yeares which is ended anno Christi 1670. according to the prophecie of Daniel 12. v. 12. and Dan. 7. ver 8. IN the foresaid chapters of Daniel is written that this little horne of Gogs or Mahumets which came vp with a little beginning and stoode vp amongst the ten hornes the ten Kingdomes of the Romish Monarchs who did plucke away three of the first horns and held warres against the Sanctuarie and was for them too strong verse 11 This little horne came vp Anno Christi 335 when that Arianish heresie spred foorth in denying of the Godhead of IESVS CHRIST in that publicke assemblie of Bishops and learned till Synodo of all was consented and approved and that in the ruined Citie of Ierusalem which false doctrine of Arius was the first cause and beginning till Gogs and Mahumets successe in the world so shall the end of this Gogs Magogs or Turkes and Mahumets fall after this calculation in the yeare 1670. for 1335 added vntill 335. makes in summe 1670. Secondly There is written in the Revelalion 9. verse 14. of the foure Angels that were bound in the river Euphrates that they should bee made lowse which were prepared at one houre at one day at one moneth and at one yeare to slaye the third part of men which doublesse is vnder stood of the Mahumets tyrannie which he executed on the poore Christians in the East Lands and how he changed lawes and times for Euphrates flood is not farre from Babylon The foure Angels that are said to bee bounde in this flood or the foure Patriarchs in the East land the one to Constantin the other to Antiochia the third to Ierusalem the fourth to Alexandria which foure helped and much assisted the Kingdome of the sonne of perdition These are said to bee loused and
many wayes spred abrode and that by the heresie of Arius and Nestorius concerning the absurd doctrine of CHRISTS person that when they had consented in the same heresie then are they forced to giue themselves vnder Mahumet and then were prepared till the houre day moneth and yeare to slay the third part of men Let now one houre bee the 24 part of one heavenly day which continueth almost 42 yeares for one whole day is reckoned for a thousand yeares the Heavenly moneth 30 yeares space this yeare being a common yeare so extendeth the summe 1073. yeares Now when the end falleth in Anno Christi 1670 then is the beginning anno Christi 579 in the which tyme as the Gothers that were in Spaine turned from that Arianish and Mahumetish doctrine which then long tyme was allowed and approved of the foure Patriarchs and therewith tooke such an end that Mahumet troade himselfe who till in this 597 yeares was in the bloome of his youth about 26 yeares of age Moreover in this same yeare the Popes ambition shew it selfe and avaritious flood Euphrates in the Pope Gregorius Magnus who sent his Ambassadors in England and by power of an armie forced them to imbrace the Romish religion In like manner the Pope had the victorie aboue the Churches of Spaine Thirdly Ezekiel chap. 39. verse 11 doth prophecie that GOD shall giue Gog a buriall place towards the East which shall be called the valley of the multitude of Gog where Gog with his armies shall be buried and cleanse the land in seven moneths and shall burne off their weapons and put the shields and bucklers vpon bowes and vpon arrowes with fire seven yeares verse 9. when there is made of the seven Angelicall moneths Angelicall dayes 30 dayes in everie moneth and dayes to the yeare so commeth of it 210 yeares adde vnto this seven yeares in the which the weapons were burnt in Summa 217 yeares Let now the end of this 217 yeares fall in 1670 and then 217 substracted from this 1670 the beginning falleth anno 1453. In the which tyme Mahumet 11 of the name tooke in Constantinople and made heerewith an end of the Romish Emperourdome in the East land so is then Constantinople Gogs buriall place and the valley of the multitude of the Gogs or that place Hamona verse 16 that lyeth toward the East vnto the sea verse 11 which Constantinople is not longer the Christians head citie in the Eastland as before but Gogs denne and spirituall dead stinking graue of the Mahumets That these armour arrowes should burne seven yeares signifieth that the Mahumetish lawes statutes ceremonies Kirkes service and deceate should be burnt to nothing by the fire of the true spirituall word of GOD. This is now of Gogs Mahumets and Turks Kingdome how long it will indure namely as long as the tyme of the New Testament indureth The fourth tyme of the New Testament namely the Popes IN the booke of the Revelation 13 chap. there is written of the seven headed beast that it should continue 42 moneths that is the Popedome to Rome shall indure 42 moneths Rome is builded on seven heads high toppes and mountaines Make monethes to dayes 30 dayes in everie moneth and reckon every day for a yeare so proceedeth 1260 yeares when the end of this 1260 yeares falleth in anno Christi 1670. and then beginneth the same 1260 yeares anno Christi 410 from which tyme hitherto Rome hath had the empyre and victory almost over all the borders of the Iewes then first subdued and taken in by Alaricus King of the Gothes then began the first Romish Monarchie to be feeble and begate weake legges Now when such wayes the policies and mightie government of Rome began to diminish then began the Romish Antichrist to increase in the government of the Church and the Pope tooke vnto himselfe the power and superioritie aboue the whole world in all Churches and clergie even as the Apostle Paul had prophecied before 2 Thess 2. v. 6 saying so And now yee know what withholdeth that hee might bee revealed in his tyme namely that man of sinne and sonne of perdition setteth himselfe against verse 7. For the misterie of iniquitie doeth already worke onely hee which now withholdeth shall let till he be taken out of the way which Pauls prophecie Chrisostomus and many others vnderstood this of the Romish Monarchy Emperourdome which then hindred the sonne of perdition and man of sinne his ambition that he could not come vp as he would and which could not bee done vntill the time the same Imperium and Emperourdome began to bow which was accomplished by Alaricus King of the Gothes II. In the Revelation 18 Iohn heareth of proud Babylon whose plagues death and sorrows shall one day fall vpon her verse 8 and in an houre shall her judgment bee verse 10 And in an houre shall the desolation of her riches come verse 17. And in an houre shall bee made desolate verse 19. So will GOD then powre his wrath on the seed of the Romanes in one day 3 houres Now one day is 1000 yeares one hour 41 and an halfe yeares adde together so is the summe 1124. and an halfe yeares when this 1124. and a half yeares endeth An. Christi 1670. then falleth their beginning in Anno Christi 546. in the which time that the Gothers King Totilias that said himselfe to be the scourge of GOD set fire in Rome and brunt the greatest part thereof From this 546 yeare of Christ vntill Luther departed in the Lord is likewise 1000 yeares one Heavenly day for he died Anno Christi 1546. and is that day of the which before therefrom and till 1588 when as the Papists contracted themselves against England and there gote a terrible defeate went out the first houre of the three therefrom and till Anno Christi 1629. When as the Papists tyrannie shall bee weakned and must vnder-goe and the two witnesses shall come on feete againe is the other houre from 1629. vntill 1670. is the third houre when all things will seeme to take their only end III. In the Revelation 9. The Apostle seeth a starre which had the key of the bottomlesse pit and was fallen downe from Heaven on the earth wherewith nothing is vnderstood except only this sonne of perdition who opned the bottomlesse pit v. 2. whereout there arose much hereticall smoake damp and reeke which darkned the righteous beames of the Sunne of IESUS CHRIST and his Evangelicall doctrine and out of that smoke came Locustes on the earth v. 3. Wherewith is vnderstood the pestilentious heretickes and false teachers who doe nothing els but bring in amongst the ground seede of the Christian Kirk the greatest mischiefe These damnable locusts faith Iohn shall vexe the people 5 moneths that is 150 Heavenly dayes or yeares for fiue tymes thirtie is 150 when this 150 yeares taketh their end anno Christi 1670. then the calculation concludeth that they begin anno 1521. In
a Christian should desire and seeke after recommending this vnto the event of tyme seing there is no surer interpretation and clearing of Prophecies as when they are fulfilled O everlasting good GOD the spring of all wisedome and grace inlighten our spirits and darke vnderstanding with the light and clearnesse of thy godly wisdome with the spring and fire of fervent charitie that in vs all worldly vanities lustes of the flesh and spring of pryde may bee extinguished and quenched by the holy lampe of thy light and that wee may rejoyce in our onelie and most excellent Iewell that thou hath given vs namely our onely Saviour and Redeemer and bee true obeyers all the dayes of our lyfe yea in the midst of death to whom with thee and the holy Ghost be praise and Glorie for ever Amen FINIS Qui paenitentiae dulcedinem libat Sacrificium pro peccatis libat A BRIEFE TREATISE AND EXHORTATION TO REPENTANCE MATH Chap. 3. verse 2. Repent for the Kingdome of Heaven is at hand IN this booke we may see the long patience and suffering of GOD towards his owne people the Iewes who in the last tymes of their visitation did send his owne Sonne the Saviour of mankynd and that of the seede of Abraham to stretch foorth his hands and armes to saue and imbrace the remnant of the lost sheepe of the house of Israel but when they did contemne Gods Fatherly visitation and were offended with CHRIST IESUS had crucified the King of Glorie as lykewayes thereafter did persecute in the same manner all his disciples Apostles and servants of GOD then GOD left them and gaue them over vnto themselues and did begin his mercifull calling with the Gentiles who were strangers and aliants from the house of Israel By whose visitation likewise wee may learne of the mercie and justice of God for those Gentiles of Asia and East-landish Dominions haue had their owne tymes of GODS mercifull visitation but after many sinnes committed together with the persecution of saincts and contempt of the word GOD hath removed his Candlestickes from them and hath given them over vnto vanities and lyes and is gone from them and now in this last houre and tyme of the world it hath pleased him to erect his Church and candlesticke within this Nation And there fore O happie and thryse happie are wee if wee will acknowledge the tymes of our mercifull visitation and day of our calling for the LORD of glorie is standing at the doore of our soules and within this Nation wee haue had our owne tymes where GOD hath knocked long with the hammers of his Word and appearantly seing the word is contemned and beareth no fruite in mens consciences and conversations that GOD is departing from vs vnto another people and yet streatching foorth his armes and calling vnto him all true Christians who will turne vnto him and repent them of their sinnes for certainly there is no sinne which hath abounded in those forraine Churches but those and more doth abound besides vs and giue the Church and Sainctes of GOD within this Nation bee not persecuted with publict Tyrants yet let the wise Christian see how shee is persecuted rent and divided within her selfe which doeth prognosticate a fearefull departure of our kynd GOD and a terrible judgement to hang over our heads and would to God I say that our judgement bee not worse of all if we take not heede in tyme Therefore let vs bee wise and learne of the figge tree and of these tokens to prepare our selues for our Bridegroome the LORD IESUS second comming in the clowdes Iohn the Baptist a forerunner of the Messias the first trumpet of the Ghospell is heere crying out according to the Prophecie of Isaiah Prepare the wayes of the LORD make his pathes streight against the first comming of the Messias Amend your liues for the Kingdome of grace is at hand and is to bee offered in the LORD IESUS to everie true penitent and belieuer of the Ghospell Now in those dayes our onely high Priest and Prophet is crying vnto vs and learning vs by the Parable of the figge tree in the Ghospell that the Kingdome of glorie is at hand Mat. 24.32 And that wee should lift vp our heads working our salvation in feare and trembling waitting for the day of the LORD for he beeing the first trumpet of the Ghospell in those dayes his onely matter and aime was in respect of the great defection and diversitie of religion amongst the Iewes as likewise their true worship of God was turned into a Pharisaicall and selfe loue of themselves therefore hee was busie preparing the first way and comming of the LORD and importing vnto them a Kingdome of grace to bee at hand and therefore did exhort them vnto repentance that they might enter and goe in into that Church militant heere on earth by this Kingdome of grace now to bee offered and reveiled vnto them in the Messias that thereafter they might bee found worthie against the second comming of the Lord to enter into the Church triumphant and Kingdome of glorie .. Our Iohn the Baptists and preachers in our tymes haue greater occasion yea all preaching stooles whatsoever being now the last trumpets of the Ghospell haue matter enough to cry out in those words Repent for the Kingdome of Heaven is at hand even that Kingdome of glorie where the Messias is not in his first comming in the lykenesse of a servant and in the basenesse of his flesh to offer more the Kingdome of grace and mercie in errecting a Church militant heere on earth as in the dayes of Iohn the Baptist But now certainly comming in his second comming in the clouds convoyed of all the Angels and trowpes of HEAVEN as a powerfull judge in full majesticall glorie to rander everie man according to his workes where grace and mercie shall cease to bee more offered and where all happie Saincts and blessed Elect who were partakers of that Kingdome of grace in the Church militant heere on earth shall bee gathred in that triumphant and glorious Church in the Heavens for ever O blessed and thryse blessed is that soule who findeth and approveth himselfe by the touchstone of repentance to bee a member in this Kingdome of grace and Church militant heere on earth hee shall be preferred and linked so fast vnto this blessed happinesse and endlesse joy of all Saincts also that no creature in Heaven nor in earth no the gates of hell can separate him from it Therefore how diligent should wee bee to imbrace this Kingdome of grace in these latter tymes seing the world is suncken into meere sinne and vanitie and all abhominations haue taken vpper hand yea all signes and tokens prophecied in Scriptures are fulfilled so that there resteth nothing except onely the signe of the Sonne of man comming in the clouds to judge the world and take acompt of our actions and which wee may as sure expect daylie to come as wee are
certaine of things past For Heaven and earth will perish but one jote or one word of the LORD shall not perish This spirituall echo resembleth well in our eares as Iohn the Baptist would say I exhort you to repent because of those miserable times in that godlinesse amongst you is thinne and Pharisaicall decisions and other diversities is in your Church as likewise all sinne and wickednesse aboundeth amongst you and the Kingdome of grace is at hand now to bee offered in the Messias and Sonne of GOD CHRIST IESUS and which Kingdome of grace who so receaveth by faith and repentance now in this last time of your calling shall inherit the Kingdome of Heaven and Kingdome of glorie and which Kingdome of Heaven no man can attaine vnto without this true repentance and amendement of life and which notable trumpet of repentance may verie well bee applyed vnto this age Therefore thou who readest this and thou who bearest this repent amend thy life in regard of those evill and latter dayes in that true godlinesse is thinne amongst vs and true religion is rent and covered with all sort of schismes and diversities in the Church of GOD and the whole earth is overladen with wickednesse and sencelesse securitie Let vs now lift vp our heads and light vp the lamps of our hearts for the Kingdome of Heaven is at hand where once grace shall rest to bee offered at which tyme all true penitents shall bee gathered and inherite that blessed glorious and everlasting Kingdome of Heaven The spirituall meaning of this text importeth a circumstance and necessitie of this repentance as if hee would say for the Kingdome of Heaven is at hand and therefore it is necessare that yee repent and amend for who so desireth to bee partakers of this Kingdome of Heaven hee can not come without this repentance Also that this repentance is such a necessare thing that thou canst not attaine vnto salvation without it yea thou canst not bee more saued in the day of the LORD without repentance then Noah was saved without the Arke from the Flood O happie is hee and thryse happie who attaineth vnto this sanctified repentance it is the pricke of conscience it is the verie sacrifice and faith of Abraham it is the sacrificing knyfe to mortifie the outward man It is the firie and fervent burning zeale of the soule accompanied and endued with the spirit of prayer and godly sorrow quenched with the teares of true repentance and with a comfortable joy and feeling of the mercies of GOD yea it bringeth vs vnto the verie sacrifice it selfe vnto the which Isaack was a type namely vnto true faith in the Blood of IESVS It is the budding rodde of Aaron which shall bring foorth such blossomes of a godly lyfe and joy in the holy spirit heere in this earthly tabernacle and in the morning in the Tabernacle of the testimonie that is when the evening of thy time is past and thou art brought vnto the morning of thy endlesse rest either by death or the day of the LORD then shall it budde and blossome vnto thee such fruites of endlesse and vnspeakable happinesse as no tongue can bee able to expresse nor heart to thinke of It is the strong hand of Iacob who by faith will wrestle and take such holde on CHRIST that it will never leaue him vntill the time hee be blessed Therefore good Christian let vs consider what excellent times and occasion wee haue as yet to day to repent while that the gates of grace are open let vs runne to this throne of grace so long as it is offered in the Ghospell and not delay the time of our repentance Now is the Kingdome of Heaven at hand even that glorious Kingdome of IESVS when the gates of grace shall bee shut and never offered no more when no repentance teares or prayers will prevaile Now I say in this last evening and houre of the world so long as CHRIST is standing knocking with the hammer of his Ghospell at the doore of thy soule refuse not to open least the time of his standing be now out and thou then bee left and locked without the doores of his mercie as a wretchfull and woefull reprobate for ever then vnhappie man that euer thou was borne thou shall then repent but too late and all thy repentance is then but aggravating of thy sorrowes and never dying torments in hell for ever The rich Glutton and reprobate already there would giue the whole earth if they did possesse it to haue the time place and meanes of grace offered vnto them as now wee haue but they can not redeeme this time with thousands of worlds mountaines of gold not so much therefore be eased as for a minute of an houre out of their never dying torments Therefore I would request the resonable man who in some sence hath gotten a sight and tast of the mercies of GOD and of thy effectuall calling in IESUS CHRIST to consider meditate and ponder with thy selfe of the fearefull event and end of the world now at hand and therefore to preasse with all diligence to frame thy lyfe and conversation according to the prescript word of GOD and let our myndes be so occupied about heavenly things dayly and hourely attending the comming of our LORD IESUS CHRIST who assuredly finding the lampe of thine heart prepared with the oyle of grace and teares of sanctified repentance will at that day transforme and metamorphose thine earthie tabernacle into an immortall body where both soule and body shall enjoy that joy of all joyes which is to behold the most comfortable sight of GOD himselfe yea that blessed contemplation of the holy Trinitie wherewith thy glorified soule shall bee filled so with such an vnexpressible and vnspeakable blessed joy comming from this maine Ocean and fountaine of all happinesse that it shall overflow with joy that it can not bee able to conteane more joy of it selfe than the presence alone and contemplation of GOD which hee himselfe shall fill it with yea ever enjoying and rejoycing and never wearying but ever praising and gloriefying GOD in all eternitie which blessednesse is the joy of all Sainctes and Elect and will be motion eneugh vnto them to rouse and waken Gods children for attending the LORD IESUS second comming in the clowdes and not to delay the tyme of their repentance but as for the secure man who hast not atteined vnto a sense of this joy neither knowest thou what this meaneth it shall bee little helpe vnto him because hee is sleeping in senselesse securitie hee may well dreame of these joyes but he hath no benefite of them because hee accounteth more of worldly things and hath a benummed conscience that he hath eyes and sees not eares and heares not a heart and yet can not vnderstand Hee is like Adam new made lying before GOD created with his whole members and yet hath no vse of them vntill the LORD breath in a living soule
that passeth all vnderstanding in which the soules of the Saincts doe rest with thee O Kingdome of everlasting blesse where thou O LORD the hope of all Sancts art and the diademe of their perpetuall glory rejoycing them on everie side with thy blessed sight In this Kingdome there is infinite joy mirth without sadnesse health without sorrow life without labour light without darknesse felicitie without abaitment all goodnesse without evill where youth floorisheth that never waxeth old life that knoweth no end beautie that never fadeth loue that never cooleth health that never diminisheth joy that never ceaseth where sorrow is never felt complaint is never heard matter of sadnesse is never seene nor evill successe is never feared for that they possesse thee O LORD which art the perfection of their felicitie Oh deare brother into this verie moment of life whereon dependeth all eternitie why should wee delay our repentance when I looke vnto the world with my spirituall eyes I wonder to see how the most part of men wearie themselues in vanitie and in the triffle of worldly things neglecting this Heavenly treasure and Kingdome of all happinesse why doth not rather now all men in the last moment of tymes runne after this Kingdome in buying this pure and tryed gold of CHRIST IESUS It is a lamentable and inward griefe of true Christians to see almost the whole world so busied and exercised in buying straw in Egypt where as they could buy fine gold with lesse labour and at a lower pryce is it not now tyme for worldly men to follow the doctrine of CHRIST and sell all that ever they haue to purchase this Kingdome and the example of Paul who esteemed all the world as dung in respect of this Iewell and Ignatius who saith fire gallows beastes breaking of my bones quartring of my members crushing of my bodie all the torments of the Devill together let them come vpon me so I may injoy this treasure of Heaven and Augustine who was content to suffer torments everie day yea the verie torments of Hell it selfe to haue this joy Oh how few considreth this Kingdome of Heaven to bee at hand and how many are they who bestow their tyme in vanitie pleasures and delyts of the world so that men all most are bent to wickednesse and abhomination which is an infallible token that destruction is imminent and the Kingdome of Heaven is at hand and seing all tokens and prophecies are fulfiled in the Scripture whereby it is most certaine that the day of the LORD is at hand so is the hardnesse of the heart and wickednesse of mankynde likewise a true token and a note of imminent destruction as is evident by all examples of the holy Scripture how it hath beene the forme of worldlings and reprobate persons to harden their hearts and double their sinnes against the day of vengeance So was it in the dayes of Sodome Gomorrah who could not bee warned of Lots exhortations but hardned their hearts and doubled their iniquities Iudas wicked resolution could not bee changed by his masters forewarning presently before his imminent destruction neither the Iewes would take heede vnto all the prophecies or plagues hanging over them but hardned their hearts against all exhortations preachings promises and thundrings made by Prophets proceeding in such an excesse in sinne and defection from GOD hard before their vtter ruine and destruction executed by Titus And when we conferre to these former examples those of our dayes and latter times how mercifully and abundantlie is GOD warning and crying vs to repentance and amendement of life by faithfull Preachers of his Ghospell But who heareth and repenteth where is the worldly and avaritious man who hath amended his life and turned from his avarice or where is the prodigall man who hath left his prodigalitie and is clothing the naked and feeding the hungrie or where is the proud and ambitious man who is become humble and lowlie or where is the false vsurer and deceatfull man restoring it againe vnto the poore with Zacheus in the Ghospell but rather all sinnes are prevailing in their highest degrees drunkennesse adulterie pryde and avarice especially are become so vsuall and followed of all men that they are rather accoumpted vertue than vice so that the Elect of this age may now sigh and cry out with that holy Martyre Policarpus O Domine in quaenam tempora nos reservasti O LORD what perrilous sorrowfull and miserable times lettest thou thy Elect liue in those dayes what tyme or age in the world since the creation of Adam hath more sinne and wickednesse abounded or what time hath there beene in old whereinto charitie and trueth hath beene so cold and wholly departed from the hearts of men as now in those dayes and if the ground of election were not sure what a hard thing is it and a matter of great difficultie for a Christian soule to attaine vnto the worke of his calling and persevere in true faith and obedience into those dangerous and latter times seeing how rare they are to bee found who by a godly life and conversation sheweth a good example to others and the Devill hath got such victory in this age that he hath almost all dominions and powers of the world vnder him as Ambassadours yea most of all creatures are verie instruments for inlarging the Kingdome of Sathan who certainly goeth about like a roaring Lyon seeking whom hee may devoure seing hee feareth his hellish torments draweth soone to a beginning and therefore striveth with all diligence if it were possible to lead and carie all soules borne on the earth vnto endlesse perdition and destruction with him will wee looke vnto all the estates of men both ciuill and eclesiasticall from the rich Monarch vnto the poore beggar from the learned doctor and prelate vnto the lowest deacon from the aged father vnto the verie infant wee shall see now in those dayes the hearts of Kings moved and induced more by Ambassadours of Sathan than by the counsell of the godly imbracing rather the counsell of subtill and treacherous Achitophell who standeth after the destruction and ruine of a Commonwell than the counsell of the old wise favourer of land and policie and that in those last times How pittifull a thing it is to see such a consort of traitours to intrude themselues in the companie of potentats and superior estates who by their deceiving prctaickes haue brought to passe such fearefull events in whole Europ as miserable experience by losse of life wife children and goods hath proued vnto many thousands within those few yeares begone Behold how nobles and men of State how their hearts and eares are locked vp from the cryes of the poore and repell their cryes without helpe as the stony rockes repelleth the vaves of the Sea without sence looke vnto the lower estate of men thou shalt finde nothing more to abound than pryde in imitating the footsteps and forme of apparell of noble men
lust of the flesh in abusing the Temples of the holie Ghost with incest adulterie and fornication drunkennesse in spending of their owne life and meanes behold the verie beggars who as men would say in troubles in necessities and want should worke and seeke that everlasting riches in the LORD waiting for the comming of the LORD IESUS thou shall marke no hungring nor thirsting after righteousnesse in them but a maine consort of ignorance lewde and vitious creatures who are more exercised and busied in time of divyne service in tipling and secret places and about their owne bodies rather as to finde them in GODS house begging grace vnto their soules will we looke vnto the common course of youth thou shalt finde and heare the first lesson they learne is pryde cursing and prophaning of GODS Name even from their verie infancie againe from their youth to their age running from one vice to another and where then wee see commonly they are more addicted vnto the worlds avaritiousnesse and lewdnesse than with any godlinesse or goodnesse and so most part ending their dayes without repentance they die miserablie without any sence of their sinnes and are swallowed vp at the houre of death into the horrible pit of despare where their torments doe beginne with never dying paine Behold the Ecclesiasticall government thou shall see avarice and ambition so to haue intruded themselues amongst many of them so that they seeme rather to digge earthly than heavenlie treasures resembling well the workemen of Noah who were good biggers but not possessers so that many Kirkmen are good edifiers in the word but are evill example givers who are so possessed part with ambition and other with avaritiousnesse of the world that they seeme to neglect their owne salvation Farre bee it said from the worthie Divine and faithfull Preacher of the Ghospell who seeketh not their owne glory and advancement but the advancement of GODS glory and edifying of soules vnto GOD all which spait of iniquitie and senselesse securitie are evident tokens I say of imminent ruine and destruction for this our age liveth as secure of our selues as in the dayes of Noah Sodom and Gomorrha and as the Iewes before the destruction of Ierusalem but how came it to passe in these dayes when they were most sure and expected least any destruction presentlie the flouds of Heaven opened and the waters overflowed the whole earth with her creatures the elements conjoyned them selues in fire and brimstone and destroyed Sodom and Gomorrha and when the Iewes cuppe of abhomination was full GOD stirred vp instruments amongst themselues who presentlie were the cause of their owne destruction in Ierusalem and the whole land of Iudea It is to bee feared therefore that it will likewise so event in these last dayes when all sinne taketh the vpper hand and when men liue most negligently and carelesse of themselues that then the LORD IESUS will come in the clowdes and take account of the wickednesse of mankynd The wicked abhomination of mans heart made GOD in his wrath cry out and say I repent that ever I made man Genes 6.6 And certainly if we will view and consider now in those tymes the tragedie of the world it is placed in verie wickednesse it selfe and when wee looke vnto conscience of religion how many wonderous cursed and damned sects and opinions are spred on the faee of the earth and everie man affirming Scripture for vpholding their hereticall opinion wresting the Word of GOD vnto their owne willes and inventions O thou religion how art thou changed and disfigured yea rather abused how can the simple soule knew thee or to what hand shall hee turne when so many miserable opinions are at strife 2 Cor. 4. It is onelie the humble heart that the trueth is manifested vnto it is not without cause that the spirit of GOD prophecieth in the Revelation that thou shouldest bee clothed in sackcloth Revel 11. yea thou art surelie disguysed and most by the great comfort of Antichristians who are dispersed amongst all Nations Now is the mother of whoredome mounted vpon the seven headed beast that ten horned monster yea that old Dragon the devill hath given him his power and hath printed on his fore head the name of blasphemie he spueth out now a dayes vncleane spirits who are ambassadours to inlarge the Kingdome of Sathan so that the Church may now lament in the prophet Ieremiah Haue you no regard all yee that passe by this way behold and see if there bee any sorrow like vnto my sorrow and that GOD is forced now to speake I haue long tyme holden my peace I haue beene still and refrained my selfe now will I cry like a traweling woman and I shall destroy and devoure both at once O wicked and abhominable age O sinfull and miserable generation what other object dost thou bring before our eyes but sinne and wickednesse are not Kings opposed against Kings and Nation against Nation so that the one triumpheth over other mens spoile yea subjects mutine against their owne naturall Prince and all sinnes wickednesse are conquerours and drunken in by men as water of a thirstie stomacke what lying and deceiving what slander and shamelesse villanie is done by all the estates of men in all places the generall voice of the people is nothing els but vanitie baudrie whooring detraction and backbyting pryde envy deceit drunkennesse dissimulation wantonnesse flatterie lying swearing perjuring and blaspheming so that all abhomination and wickednesse is growne to a certaine perfection and maturitie in those dayes and that the shoulders of this vniversall globe is overlaiden with the wickednesse of mankynde The trumpets of GOD may now cry out with the Prophet Ieremiah O yee Heavens bee astonied at this bee afraide and vtterly confounded saith the LORD And lastly will wee looke vnto GODS creatures and vnto the elements what comets signes and wonderous tokens hath beene seene and heard within those few yeares I doubt not but it is well knowne vnto the diligent searcher as experience hath well taught albeit not to all in those parts yet in sundrie parts in Germanie Italie Denmarke and Norvay are kythed fearefull tokens as vntimely birth and Monsters borne in Denmarke blood rained from the Heavens on the earth one halfe foote deepe ashe stones and fire rained from the Heavens in Island the pittifull crying thryse of a chylde in the mothers wombe in Berone in Norvay All which I haue seene approved and heard by experience and many more visions and terrible tokens seene in Europ both by earthquakes overflowing of watters and fearefull visions seene and heard in the elements and witnessed by sundrie all such things may verie well teach vs that the latter dayes are imminent Therefore hee that is vnjust let him bee vnjust still saith CHRIST Revel 22. let the wicked man dwell in his abhominations and triumph in all kynde of wickednesse for beholde saith Christ I come shortly and my reward is with mee to render everie
man according to his workes O would to GOD wee could consider attentiuelie the prospect of all GODS creatures how they teach vs dayly that all things draweth to their end all things waxe worse and briefer the earth giveth not her wonted fruits but worse men sinneth with new sinnes GOD plagueth againe with new sicknesse and the life of man commonly attaineth not vnto former and wonted age and commonly cut off in her first prime the waters giue not their wonted aboundance of creatures the sunne and Moone misseth their wonted shine and vertues the starres of Heaven are turned into comets for preaching of GODS vengeance the Aire and all elements are moved with fearefull and vnacquainted tempestuousstormes and all thinges as it were wish to bee disolved so that the earth is waerie worne and overburdened with the wickednesse of her creatures also that shee fainteth trembleth and wisheth to bee fred and disburthened of her most vntolerable birth all which prophecies fulfilled and conferred together with the experience of this our age there is no spirituall man but of necessitie must conclude that the day of the LORD is at hand and if any learned Divines haue ought to pretend as yet not fulfilled yet I perswade my selfe there is none of them but will subscryue to CHRISTS owne words that the latter tymes shall bee shortned for the Elects sake Math. 24. and that all the Saints in Heaven are now rejoycing and hoping for the accomplishment of the fulnesse of their joy when that soule and bodie may be coupled and vnited together and enter with all the blessed Elect into that glorious and triumphant Church and Kingdome of glory Therefore to conclude I say Will nothing moue thee vnto this repentance no the mercies patience and long suffering of GOD can moue theâ— neither the benefites and temporall blessings of GOD bestowed vpon thee nor the prospect and defection of elements and creatures neither the abhomination and wickednesse of mankynd no not the dayly experience of violent death can moue thee yet let the feare of imminent justice and day of the LORD that glorious Kingdome of Heaven now at hand moue thee to repentance and amendement of life I pray thee consider with thy selfe if there bee any creature created in Heaven or in earth who can by any evident argument assure thee that when thou sittest downe to thy table that thou shall ryse before CHRIST come in the clowdes and aske account of thee or when thou goest out of thy doores about thy worldly respectes to turne back to thine house but that thou may be caught into the clowdes of Heaven before the justice seate of GOD either when thou lyest downe in thy bed with thy mortall bodie but that thou shall be in an eye blinck in thy sleepe exchanged into an immortall creature and presentlie presented before the glorious throne and Majestie of CHRIST IESUS to giue account of thy workes Good LORD when I doe meditate with my selfe of the imminencie of this Kingdome of Heaven and of the former workes of mankynd in this age it troubleth my thoughts and vnquyeteth my spirits and maketh my bones to quake and my flesh to tremble for feare to thinke how that the LORD of Glory shall find the whole world in such damnable and pitiefull estate and how few they are who are prepared with the oyle of grace in the lampes of their heartes shall hee not rather find men busied about the vanities of the world and lustes of the flesh then attending the comming of the LORD IESUS O doolefull and miserable experience O wicked abhomination and sinfull generation of mankynd What fearefull justice art thou prophecying to bee imminent Oh how doolefull lamentable and sorrowfull will the event proue to many who are sleeping in sencelesse securitie in the lap of worldly vanities awaken O secure man and harden not thy heart nor delay not the tyme of thy repentance abuse not the long patience and suffering of GOD accept of grace in this verie last moment of grace for now the Kingdome of Heaven is at hand where the gates of grace and mercie shall bee closed and never opened nor offered againe O miserable wretched damned and forlorne creature art thou if thou repent not in time how pittifull shall then thy estate bee when thou shall bee forced with perpetuall shame infamie and confusion to stand naked in the presence of all creatures and before the justice throne of GOD where thou shalt heare that horrible sentence of the KING of all Kings and judge of all the whole world Depart from mee yee workers of iniquitie into everlasting fire prepared for the Devill and his angels O terrible and fearfull sentence once pronunced how fearfull and vnexpressible shall thy paine bee where no repentance no teares no treasures no friend no foe no griefe no sorrow will then helpe thy miserable damnable desperate soule out of her endlesse quaill and never consuming torments And on the contrare how joyfull shall that soule bee who hath repented heere in this life when they shall bee promoted in the Heavens to liue as Kings in that everlasting happinesse and joye of all Saincts The LORD of his mercie make vs prepared against the comming of the LORD IESUS to whom with the Father and holy Ghost be praise and glory for ever AMEN