and to an innumerable company of Angels to the general assembly and Church of the first born which are written in Heaven and to God the Judge of all and to the Spirits of Just men made perfect and to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant and to the blood of sprinkling that speaketh better things than that of Abel Heb. 12.22 23 24. And after this I beheld and lo a great multitude which no man could number of all Nations and kindreds and people and tongues stood before the throne and before the lamb clothed with white robes and palms in their hands and cried with a loud voice saying Salvation to our God which sits upon the throne and unto the lamb And all the Angels stood round about the throne And one of the elders answered saying unto me What are these which are arayed in white robes and whence came they and I said unto him Sir thou knowest and he said unto me These are they which came out of great tribulation and have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the lamb therefore are they before the throne of God and serve him day and night in his temple and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell amongst them they shall hunger no more neither thirst any more neither shall the sun light on them nor any heat for the lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them and lead them unto living fountains of water and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes Rev. 7.9 10 13. to the end I have here shew'd you what the Inhabitants of Heaven are that part of the Church that is triumphant and surely that can never be destroyed this will be easily granted by all men And now I am to shew you that part of Christs Church that is militant on the Earth and this is that Kingdom which shall never be destroyed The Church is called a Kingdom because Christ Jesus is the King of it Revel 15.3 he rules in it and over it he is the head of this body Ephesians 4.15 the husband of this wife Rev. 19.7 the shepherd and pastor of this flock John 10.11 he is the law-giver to this righteous nation James 4.12 He is the chief corner stone of this building And are built upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner-stone iâ— whom all the building fitly framed togetheâ— groweth unto an holy Temple in the Lord in whom you also are builded together for â—n habitation of God through the Spirit Ephes 2.20 21 22. Here is a building a building fitly fram'd together and a holy Temple in the Lord an habitation of God through the Spirit Behold and see a draught of the true Church here on Earth in these following things The Materials The Glory The Security 1. The Materials The Church of God is made up of People but what People are they The Apostle Peter will tell you But ye are a chosen Generation a royal Priesthood an holy Nation a peculiar People that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light which in time past were not a people but are now the people of God which had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy 1 Pet. 2.9 10. Hear the Apostle Paul also Who gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all inâ—quity and purifie unto himself a peculiar people zealous of good works Titus 2.14 The Church of God is made up of men and women but what men and women are they See Acts 5.14 And Believers were the more added unto the Lord multitudes both of mâ—n and women They were all Believers The Church of Christ is made up of Children Young men and Fathers but what Children Fathers and Young men are they the Apostle John will tell you I write unto you little children because your sins are forgiven you for his Names sake I write unto you fathers because ye have known him that is from the beginning I write unto you young men because you have overcome the wicked one I write unto you little children because ye have known the father I have written unto you fathers because ye have known him that is from the beginning I have written unto you young men because ye are strong and the Word of God abideth in you and ye have overcome the wicked one 1 John 2.12 13 14. Do but see here what these children were their sins were forgiven and they had known the Father See also what these young men were they had overcome the wicked one and they were strong and the Word of God did abide in them See also what these Fathers were they had known him from the beginning The true Church is the House of God a house not made with hands neither can hands destroy it a house not made of stones and mortar of brick timber and such materials but of lively stones are built up a spiritual house an holy Priesthood to offer up spiritual Sacrifices acceptable to God by Jesus Christ 1 Pet. 2.5 By this you may see of what materials God's House is built 2. The glory of this Church which is both within and without the glory of truth the glory of holiness the glory of purity the glory of spiritual worship the glory of saving knowledge the glory of the power of godliness the glory of Gospel innocency and the glory of heavenly walking the glory of fellowship and communion with God this excellent glory is to be found and seen no where on Earth but in the Church of God. The King's Daughter is all glorious within her clothing is of wrought gold Psal 45.13 The Church hath God's glorious presence with her and in that glory she shines For I saith the Lord will be the glory in the midst of her Zech. 2.5 This is the woman that is clothed with the Sun. And there appeared a great wonder in Heaven a woman clothed with the Sun and the Moon under her feet and upon her head a Crown of twelve Stars Rev. 12.1 This glory can no man stain nor destroy the glory of this World passeth away let a man but shut his eyes and the glory of this World will be darkned every Saint in Heaven shines forth as the Sun in the Kingdom of their Father Matth. 13.43 and every Saint now on the Earth is more excellent than his Neighbour Prov. 12.26 Men have bestowed great charge and cost on their high places that they might set them off and make them appear glorious to the beholders and the poor and ignorant people have been greatly deceived by them as if there were more holiness in these places than in others Now this is not their glory but their shame The Spouse of Christ Jesus is glorious the Lamb's wife but what is it that makes her so glorious Christ's righteousness that covers her and his graces that enrich her and fill her with all
said to the Chaldeans The thing is gone from me He had forgot it but was so dâ—sirous to know the Dream and the Interpretation thereof that he threatened them Ye shall be cut in pieces and your houses shall be made a dunghil verse 5. But if ye shew the Dream and the Interpretation thereof ye shall receive of me gifts and rewards and great honour therefore shew me the Dream and the Interpretation thereof verse 6. These promises and threatenings prevailed not They answered again and said Let the King tell his Servants the Dream and we will shew the Interpretation of it verse 7. The King answered and said I know of a certainty that ye would gain the time because ye see the thing is gone from me Here the King gives his opinion of the Wise Men of Babylon that they were no other than flatterers and liars For ye have prepared lying and corrupt words to speak before me till the time be changed therefore tell me the Dream and I shall know that ye can shew me the Interpretation thereof verse 8 9. The Chaldeans answered before the King and said there is not a man upon Earth that can shew the Kings matter verse 10. Here they make their defence for themselves and pleaded the unreasonableness of the thing that was required of them Therefore there is no King Lord or Ruler that asked such things at any Magician or Astrologer or Chaldean And it is a rare thing that the King requireth and there is none other that can shew it before the King except the Gods whose dwelling is not with flesh ver 11. That they should be put to death for not making known that to the King which themselves did not know that indeed was like a Heathen And the King commanded to destroy all the Wise Men of Babylon verse 12. And the Decree went forth that the Wise Men should be slain verse 13. Daniel hearing of what had passed between the King and the Chaldeans and fearing lest himself and his Fellows should have been slain with them he went first to the King and desired of him that he would give him time and he would shew the King the Interpretation That was granted verse 16. Daniel then went to his house and made the thing known to his companions that they would desire mercies of the God of Heaven concerning this secret that Daniel and his Fellows should not perish with the rest of the Wise Men of Babylon Then was the secret revealed unto Daniel in a Night-vision then Daniel blessed the God of Heaven By this the name of God was blessed and praised the King was satisfied the Wise Men of Babylon saved Daniel honoured and rewarded and this great secret revealed verse 17 18 19. First Daniel shews King Nebuchadnezzar the Dream or Vision Thou O King sawest and behold a great Image this great Image whose brightness was excellent stood before thee and the form thereof was terrible This Images head was of fine gold his breast and his arms of silver his belly and his thighs of brass his legs of iron his feet part of iron and part of clay Thou sawest till that a stone was cut out without hands which smote the Image upon his feet that were of iron and clay and brake them in pieces Then was the iron the clay the brass the silver and gold broken to pieces together and became like the chast of the summer threshing-floors and the wind carried them away that no place was found for them and the stone that smote the Image became a great mountain and filled the whole Earth verse 31. to verse 35. This is the Dream that is certain Secondly Daniel tells King Nebuchadnezzar the Interpretation thereof Thou O King art a King of Kings for the God of Heaven hath given thee a Kingdom power and strength and glory And wheresoever the children of men dwell the beasts of the field and the fowls of the Heaven hath he given into thine hand and hath made thee ruler over them all thou art this head of gold And after thee shall arise another Kingdom inferior to thee and another third Kingdom of brass which shall bear rule over all the Earth And the fourth Kingdom shall be as strong as iron Forasmuch as iron breaketh in pieces and subdueth all things And as iron that breaketh all these shall it break in pieces and bruise And whereas thou sawest the feet and toes part of potters clay and part of iron the Kingdom shall be divided but there shall be in it of the strength of the iron forasmuch as thou sawest the iron mixed with miry clay And as the toes of the feet were part of iron and part of clay so the Kingdom shall be partly strong and partly broken And whereas thou sawest iron mixt with miry clay they shall mingle themselves with the seed of men but they shall not cleave one to another even as iron is not mixed with clay This hath brought me to the words of my text And in the days of these Kings shall the God of Heaven set up a Kingdom which shall never be destroyed And the Kingdom shall not be left to another people but it shall break in pieces and consume all these Kingdoms and it shall stand for ever IN the opening of these words I shall shew First What this Kingdom is Secondly Who it was that should set up this Kingdom Thirdly Of the time of its being set up Fourthly The power strength and glory of this Kingdom and that in four things 1. That it shall never be destroyed 2. The Kingdom shall not be left to another people 3. It shall break in pieces and consume all these Kingdoms 4. It shall stand for ever First then This Kingdom is the Church the True Church the Church of God upon Earth this Church hath many Titles but one glorious Head the Lord Jesus Christ The Church is called a Spouse a Bride a Flock a Vineyard a Garden a Body a House a Family but here in the Text it is called a Kingdom as also in other places of Scripture That ye would walk worthy of God who hath called you unto his Kingdom and Glory 1 Thes 2.12 You are called of God and you are called to a Kingdom and it is the Kingdom of God O walk worthy of it you that are called to it Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness and hath translated us into the Kingdom of his dear Son Col. 1.13 You are of the Kingdom you are in the Kingdom the Kingdom of his dear Son. I John who also am your brother and companion in tribulation and in the Kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ Rev. 1.9 Here the Church is the Kingdom of his patience hereafter it will be the Kingdom of his glory He that will be a Saint must be a sufferer here they suffer for Christ but in Heaven they shall reign with Christ Secondly The Church of God is called a Nation Open ye the
glorious Gospel of Christ Jesus which Paul Preached unto them that a Church was here gathered and set up That their â—aith was spoken of throughout the whole world Rom. 1.8 Oh the depth of the riches both of â—he Wisdom and knowledge of God how unâ—earchable are his Judgments and his ways â—ast finding out Rom. 11.33 Next let us â—ee what God wrought by Pauls ministry â—n the City of Corinth The Apostle Paul having past through â—everal parts in Asia he came to the City â—f Corinth and finding there a poor man â—nd his wife Aquila and Priscilla that â—ad been banished from Italy by Claudius â—or their Religion they came and dwelt â—n the City of Corinth and the Apostle â—aul became their guest being of the same â—ccupation Tent-makers and he conâ—â—nued there a year and six months in which time he did so batter down the Devils Kingdom of Darkness and Blindâ—ess Superstition and Idolatry and â—otwithstanding the great oppositions he â—here met with both from the Jews and â—he Heathens God Almighty did so â—less his labours and crown his Miâ—â—stry with that success that many of the Corinthians believed and were baptized and here also was a glorious Church gathered and set up That in every thing ye are enriched by him in all utterance and in all knowledge even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you so that ye come behind in no gift waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ 1 Cor. 1.5 6 7. and see Acts 18. As God did of old set up a Kingdom in the days of the Pharaohs Kings of Egypt when the Children of Israel went down into Egypt they were but few in number a very small number being but threescore and ten Gen. 46.27 but when they went out of Egypt they were many hundred thousands they went into Egypt weak and feeble but they went out strong and mighty they were poor and needy when they went in but they went out with great substance So in the days of the Gospel the Goâ— of Heaven did then set up a Kingdom iâ— the days of the Herods in the days of thâ— Caesars and this he did in the sight of hiâ— Enemies and in the face of all oppositions The very Enemies themselves did confess in that day that they were not ablâ— to hinder it nor to overthrow it Thâ— Pharisees therefore said among themselveâ— Perceive ye how ye prevail nothing Behold the World is gone after him John 12.19 At the beginning of the Gospel-days this Church of Christ or Kingdom that the God of Heaven did then set up was very little and small And the number of their names together were about an hundred and twenty Acts 1.15 But the Lord did soon increase them And there was added unto them about three thousand Souls Acts 2.41 Next you find they were multitudes And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own but they had all things common Acts 4.32 And the believers were the more added to the Lord multitudes both of men and women Acts 5.14 And thus you see from an hundred and twenty they became thousands and from thousands to multitudes so great a multitude as no man could number of all Nations and Kindreds and People and Tongues By this you may plainly see and understand the way and manner how the God of Heaven â—in the days of these Kings did set up a Kingdom and this he will do to the end of the World. I shall in the next place shew you the Power Strength and Glory of this Kingdom FIrst In that it shall never be destroyâ—â— The Church of God is excellently divided into two parts Militant and Triumphant Militant on the Earth Triumphant in Heaven The Inhabitants of Heaven are of three sorts The blessed Trinity The blessed Angels The blessed Saints First The blessed Trinity For there are three that bear record in Heaven the Father the Word and the Holy Ghost and these three are one 1 John 5.7 This makes our Salvation to be sure our Inheritance to be certain our Gospel to be true our Security to be immortal this is that our Lord Jesus declared to the Jews and testified to them but they understood him not Jesus answered and said unto them Though I bear record of my self yet my record is true for I know whence I came and whither I go but ye cannot tell whence I come and whither I go John 8.14 He thaâ— believeth on the Son of God hath the witnesâ— in himself he that believeth not God hatâ— made him a Liar because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son and this is the record that God hath given to us eternal life and this life is in his Son 1 Joh. 5.10 11. The Gospel is called the everlasting Gospel Rev. 14.6 because it proceeded from God the everlasting Father The Apostles did not receive the Gospel they preached from men but from God it was published and preach'd by Christ Jesus the everlasting Son of God it was applied by the everlasting Spirit of God and the effects of the Gospel will be everlasting The blessed Trinity fills Heaven with light and glory the glory of vision the glory of a full enjoyment of all happiness For as it is written Eye hath not seen nor ear heard neither have entred into the heart of man the things which God hath prepared for them that love him 1 Cor. 2.9 Secondly The blessed Angels of Heaven And I beheld and I heard the voice of many Angels round about the Throne and the number of thâ—m was ten thousand times ten thousand and thousands of thousands saying with a loud voice Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honour glory and blessing Rev. 5.11 12. But ye are come unto Mount Sion and unto the City of the living God the heavenly Jerusalem and to an innumerable company of Angels Heb. 12.22 As these Angels are great in number being innumerable so they are excellent in their natures For verily he took not on him the nature of Angels but he took on him the seed of Abraham Heb. 2.16 They are invisible spirits cloth'd with holiness covered with glory enriched with knowledge arm'd with power fill'd with love adorned with heavenly beauty and shine in heavenly glory Are they not all ministring spirits sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation Heb. 1.14 The Scripture speaks of a threefold Ministry 1. Of the Ministry of the Prophets I have also spoken by the Prophets and I have multiplied Visions and used similitudes by the Ministry of the Prâ—phets Hos 12.10 This Ministry the Children of Israel were under Moses and the Prophets but they did not understand them 2. The Ministry of Angels And they are ministring Spirits sent forth by God Almighty to minister for them who shall be
written is true and I appeal to Saints experience whether they have not found this at the Throne of Grace when they have been lying at God's feet they have been then â—aken up into his bosom Oh tast and see â—hat the Lord is good blessed is the man that â—rusteth in him Psal 34.8 There is a Riâ—er the streams whereof shall make glad the City of God the holy place of the Taberâ—acles of the most High Psal 46.4 This is not a little Spring but a River not a few drops but streams that makes glad â—he hearts of God's People Come and â—ear all ye that fear God and I will declare that he hath done for my Soul Psal 66.16 By this you may see God the Father will not leave his Children 2. The Son will not leave them And Jesus came and spake unto them saying All â—ower is given unto me in Heaven and in Earth Go ye therefore and teach all Naâ—ions baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost â—eaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you and lo I am with you alway even to the end of the World. Amen Matth. 28.18 19 20. Will the Head leave the Body Will the Vine leave the Branches Will the Shepherd leave the Flock Will the Fountain leave the Stream Will the Bridegroom leave the Bride Will the Purchaser leave the Purchase First then the Church is his body the body cannot live without the head this is a living body and the head gives life to every member of this body A life of Grace A life of Comfort A life of Glory Because I live ye shall live also John 14.19 as the living Father hath sent me and I live by the Father so he that eateth me even he shall live by me John 6.57 Now if we be dead with Christ we believe we shall also live with him Rom. 6.8 For whether we live we live unto the Lord or whether we die we die unto the Lord whether we live therefore or die we are the Lords Rom. 14.8 When Christ who is our life shall appear then shall ye also appear with him in glory Col. 3.4 For this my Son was dead and is alive again he was lost and is found and they began to be merry Luke 15.24 And you hath he quickned who were dead in trespasses and sins Ephes 2.1 Every Member of the true Church is a living Member and this life they all receive from Christ Jesus the Head and this glorious Head cannot leave his own Body the Church Let no man say he is a Member of Christ's Church unless he be born again Except a man be born again he cannot see the Kingdom of God John 3.3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again 1 Pet. 1.3 Every Member of Christ hath in him a vigorous Faith a lively Hope a saving Knowledge a measure of the Spirit and a sufficiency of Grace 2. Christs Church is a fruitful Church I am the Vine ye are the branches he that abideth in me and I in him the same bringeth forth much fruit for without me ye can do nothing John 15.5 you see here Christ Jesus is the Vine and Believers are the Branches the blessed Jesus will never leave these branches for without him they can do nothing but in him they are more than Conquerors and do bring forth the fruits of Righteousness love and Charity love towards God and charity towards men they do bring forth out of that treasure of grace that is in them good lives and conversations living righteously and godly in this present world all the Children of God that are in this world they are but as so many branches of this Vine they are but as so many limbs of this Tree they are but so many little partys and bodys that make up this body of Christ the Church of God that shall not be left to another people 3. They are his flock I am the good shepherd of the sheep and know my sheep and am known of mine John 10.14 Our Lord Jesus is that good shepherd and pastor that feeds all the members of his body he will not leave them nor fly from them that is the part of an hireling the hireling fleeth because he is an hireling and careth not for the sheep v. 13. when he was on Earth he did not leave them but watcht over them and preacht peace to them and nourished and cherished them and fed them with that truth which he had received from the Father and often prayed for them and when he left the Earth and went to Heaven there he ever liveth to make intercession for them But this man because he continueth ever hath an unchangeable Priest-hood wherefore he is able to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them Heb. 7.24 25. For there is one God and one Mediator between God and Men the Man Christ Jesus 1 Tim. 2.5 My little Children these things write I unto you that ye sin not and if any man sin we have an advocate with the Father Jesus Christ the righteous 1 John 2.1 Every believer feeds on Christ Jesus by Faith he sups with them and they with him and when they leave this life then they live and reign with Christ in the Heavenly glory 4. The Church of God hath a fountain and this fountain is the Lord the fountain of life and from this fountain come the streams that make glad the City of God this fountain is always flowing and over-flowing with love and kindness mercy and grace righteousness and truth They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of thy house and thou shalt make them drink of the River of thy pleasures for with thee is the fountain of life in thy light we shall see light Psalm 36.8 9. But whosoever drinketh of the Water that I shall give him shall never thirst but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of Water springing up into everlasting life John 4.14 He that beleiveth on me as the scripture hath said out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water John 7.38 These rivers of living water will never be dried up because it is water of life and it flows from a fountain of life that doth always refresh strengthen and comfort the people of God. For they drank of that spiritual rock that followed them and that rock was Christ 1 Cor. 10.4 5. The Church of Christ is a Bride the Lambs wife And Jesus said unto them Can the Children of the Bride-chamber mourn as long as the Bridegroom is with them But the days will come when the Bridegroom shall be taken from them and then shall they fast Matth. 9.15 He that hath the Bride is the Bridegroom but the friend of the Bridegroom which standeth and heareth him rejoyceth greatly
my labour Read it consideringly and carefully regard not so much the dress and stile as the weight and savour of what thou readest Remember thou art at the door of Eternity and it will not be long before thou must shoot the gulf of Eternity thy soul lies at stake O work therefore while it is called to day the night cometh wherein no man can work John 1.4 That thy heart may be won to God and kept with God. Now or never Now for ever O Reader I have prayed and shall pray for thee that the God of all Grace may open unto thee his Breasts and Arms of Mercy and the Treasures of his Grace and that he may opeâ— thy heart to him as he did the heart of Lydia Acts 16.14 and open thy understanding that thou mayest understand the Scriptures Luke 24.45 And fill thee with the knowledge of his Will and with the graces of his Spirit and witâ— all the blessings of the Gospel That thou mayest be made meet to be partaker of the Inheritance of the Saints in Light Col. 1.12 is the hearty desire of thy faithful 〈◊〉 assured Friend William Dyer Mount Sion Or A Draught of the CHURCH Daniel 2.44 And in the days of these Kings shall the God of Heaven set up a Kingdom which shall never be destroyed And the Kingdom shall not be left to another people but it shall break in pieces and consume all these Kingdoms and it shall stand for ever GOD leaves not himself without witness nor his Church without the knowledge of good and great things to come great things because they are good and good things because they are glorious things to come Glorious things are spoken of thee O City of God! Psalm 87.3 God spake to Abraham on this wise For because thou hast done this thing and hast not withheld thy Son thine only Son that in blessing I will bless thee and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the Stars of the Heaven and as the Sand which is upon the Sea shore and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies Gen. 22.16 17. When Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost and prophesied he then spake of this Oath and of the glorious things contained in it As he spake by the mouth of his holy Prophets which have been since the world began that we should be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all that hate us to perform the mercy promised to our Fathers and to remember his holy Covenant The Oath which he sware to our Father Abraham that he would grant unto us that we being delivered out of the hands of our enemies might serve him without fear in holiness and righteousness before him all the days of our life Luk. 1.70 to 75. Three things were here spoken of by Zacharias when he opened this Oath First Of the deliverance of the people of God out of the hands of their Enemies when their Enemies think to hold them fastest then God takes them out of their hands Secondly Of the serving of God without fear To serve God without fear that will be your joy but to serve God in holiness and righteousness that will be your glory Thirdly Of the time here spoken of that will be all the days of their lives First being delivered out of the hands of their Enemies then comes the serving of God without fear in holiness and righteousness all the days of their lives The Jews and their Rulers heard the words of the Prophets that were read to them every Sabbath day yet they knew not the voice of the Prophets Acts 13.27 They were under an excellent Ministry Moses and the Prophets but they did not understand them So there be many now that do read these words and say these words devoutly of Zacharias but they know not the voice of God in them All the calamities and miseries that the people of God have past through in this World were but as so many fore-runners of this great deliverance O let no improbabilities hinder the exercising of your Faith in God God will perform the merâ—ies promised and fulfil the Oath which â—e hath sworn to Abraham His Seed shall â—ossess the gates of their Enemies Moses said to the Fathers A Prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your Brethren like unto me him shall you hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you Acts 3.22 Deut. 18.15 This Prophet was our Lord Jesus In the fulness of time he came into the World and in the acceptable time he wrought the works of him that sent him while he was in the World. To the Gentiles he was revealed by a Star Mat. 2.2 To the Jews he was revealed by an Angel Luke 2.10 To the Saints of God he was revealed by the Holy Spirit Luke 2.26 O what a blessed time will that be when the blessed Jesus shall be heard in all things then every knee shall bow to his Authority and every tongue will confess to the glory of God the Father and to the joy of all his Saints that Jesus is both Lord and King. I have set thee to be a light to the Gentiles that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the Earth Acts 13.47 David being a Prophet spake in Spirit The Lord said unto my Lord Sit thou at my right hand until I make thine Enemies thy Footstool Psal 110.1 Men that are Enemies to goodness for goodness sake Enemies to holiness for holiness sake and Enemies to truth for truth's sake are of all men the worst of men and though there be nothing more cursed than this yet there is nothing more common than this They are Enemies to God in their minds Rom. 8.7 They are Enemies of the Cross of Christ Phil. 3.18 They are Enemies to the Saints of God by cruel and wicked works 2 Thes 2.14 15. Now wheresoever God opens a door of Gospel-light grace and liberty there the Devil stirs up many adversaries and enemies and fills them with wrath and rage against the Gospel and the Professors of it This he did in the Apostles days For a great door and effectual is opened unto me and there are many adversaries 1 Cor. 16.9 And thus he hath done in these days but alas How can such men be friends to others that are such enemies to themselves How can they be kind to others that are so cruel to their own souls that treasure up wrath against the day of wrath But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thy self wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous Judgment of God Rom. 2.5 Their sins bring down God's wrath upon them here that makes them â—s miserable as they have made themâ—elves sinful Eph. 5.6 O! pity such that pity themselves no more that God may pity them but all enemies must come down God the Father hath declared this Sit thou at my right hand until I make thine enemies thy footstool Psal
gates that the righteous nation which keepeth the truth may enter in Isa 26.2 But ye are a chosen generation a royal priesthood an holy nation a peculiar people that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light 1 Pet. 2.9 The Church of God is a righteous Nation that keeps the truth a holy Nation that shews forth the praises of God This is a nation out of every nation and a people out of every people and are redeemed from the earth and from amongst men and hast made us unto our God Kings and Priests and we shall reign on the earth Rev. 5.9 10. O what Nation so wise and great as this Nation What so excellent and blessed as this Nation Blessed with all Spiritual Blessings in Christ Jesus Every Believer is a living Stone of the holy City a living Son of the Free-woman a true Member of the heavenly Jerusalem the Mother of all the Saints the Womb that brings them all forth these are called and chosen out of all Nations Then Peter opened his mouth and said Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons But in every nation he that feareth him and worketh righteousness is accepted with him Acts 10.34 35. Thirdly The Church of Christ is called a Common-wealth That at that time â—e were without Christ being aliens from the â—ommon-wealth of Israel and strangers from â—he covenants of promise having no hope and â—ithout God in the world Eph. 2.12 O â—hat a blessed Common-wealth is this â—hey are all Free-men there are no Aliens nor Strangers nor Forreigners â—mongst them God is the Father of this Countrey the Master of this Family the Walls and Bulwarks of this Land For I saith the Lord will be unto her a wall of fire â—ound about and will be the glory in the midst of her Zech. 2.5 Christ Jesus is the Head of this Body the Law-giver to this people the Captain of their Salvation â—he Spirit of God leads them into all truth â—nd fills them with joy in believing and with an increase of Grace and the supplies of the Spirit this Spirit comforts them when they are sad and helps and assists â—hem when they are at the throne of Grace this holy Spirit applies all that to â—hem which Christ hath purchased for â—hem it carries up their desires to God â—nd brings that peace from God that â—asseth all understanding Every Memâ—er of this Common-wealth is a trader â—or Heaven and he drives that Trade which is sure and certain he lays up treasures in Heaven But lay up for your selveâ— treasures in Heaven where neither moth noâ— rust doth corrupt and where thieves do noâ— break through nor steal Mat. 6.20 Richeâ— and honour are with me yea durable richeâ— and righteousness Prov. 8.18 Every Child of God hath a treasure and thaâ— treasure is in a secure place thieves cannot come nigh it nor rust cannot hurt it nor moth cannot destroy it This treasurâ— is in Heaven but while Believers are on Earth they have this treasure in hope anâ— in Faith in Expectation and in the Promise and in Reversion and a full Assurance of all this having the Earnest oâ— the Spirit and of the Inheritance Whâ— hath also sealed us and given the earnest oâ— the Spirit in our hearts 2 Cor. 1.22 Whicâ— is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession unto thâ— praise of his glory Eph 1.14 Thus yoâ— see the Church is a Kingdom a Nation and a Common-wealth Secondly I shall shew you who it waâ— that should set up this Kingdom thâ— God of Heaven the ever living anâ— blessed God. He hath made the Eartâ— by his Power he hath established thâ— World by his Wisdom and hath stretcâ—ed out the Heavens by his Discretioâ— He founded Zion and the poor of his people shall trust in it Isa 14.32 And now breâ—hren I commend you to God and to the Word of his grace which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all â—hem which are sanctified Acts 20.32 And upon this rock I will build my Church and the gates of Hell shall not prevail against it Mat. 16.18 This is the Pillar of Truth that God hath set up 1 Tim. 3.15 This is the house that God hath built a spiritual house of lively stones This is that Church which God hath purchased with his own blood Hands did not set it up and hands cannot pull it down That the Reader may know this God of Heaven let him consider and see his Power and Wisdom in his Works His Mercy and Goodness in his Provâ—dences His Love and Grace in his Word First See his Power and Wisdom in his Works God hath laid his Works before us that in them we may see his Eternal Power and Godhead For the â—nvisible things of him from the Creation of â—he World are clearly seen being understood by the things that are made even his Eternal Power and Godhead So that they are withâ—ut excuse Rom. 1.20 This Text shews us plainly four things 1. There are some things of God that are invisible 2. These invisible things of God are clearly seen from the Creation of the World. 3. These invisible things of God are manifest and understood by the things that are made even his Eternal Power and Godhead 4. This leaves men without excuse O how great and glorious is the Power and Wisdom of God! by his power he cleav'd the Earth with Rivers and by his Power he placed the Sands for the bounds of the Sea by a perpetual decree that the Waters cannot pass over by his Power Birds fly and by his Power Fishes swim by his Power Grass and other things of the Earth grow and by his Power the Stars of Heaven move and the Sun runs its race The Heavens declare the glory of God and the Firmament sheweth his handy work Day unto day uttereth speech and night unto night sheweth knowledge Psalm 19.1 2 that glory which is above all expressions and beyond all apprehensions God speaks to the Inhabitants of the Earth by heavenly bodies Day unto day they utter speech and night unto night they shew knowledge Though Nations understand not one anothers Language yet all Nations understand this Language that God speaks to them by the works of his hands these all shine out gloriously they move orderly and continue to all generations they are as glorious now as they were the first moment that they were made and came out of the hand of God this is that which the Lord hath divided unto all Nations under the whole Heaven Deut. 4.19 namely the Sun Moon and Stars not that men should worship them but admire and praise that God that made them and if the Pavement of Heaven be so glorious O what then is that glory which is within Of all ingredients Light is the most excellent this is that makes one Star differ from another in glory O
stain the pride of all glory and to bring into contempt all the honourable of the Earth Isai 23.9 But every true Child of God may glory in this that they know the Lord experimentally and savingly His power that is so glorious his ways that are so just his word that is so true his name that is so excellent his wisdom that is so great his grace that is so full his promises that are so precious his people that are so happy his mercies that endure for ever his works that are so wonderful his Spirit that leads into all truth his loving kindness that he never takes from them and that glorious inheritance which is laid up in Heaven for them now this every poor Saint may glory in therefore let no man glory in men for all things are yours 1 Cor. 3.21 Thus I have shewed you God in his works and in his providences and here I am shewing you God in his Word that you may know the God of Heaven There are amongst men several Ranks Degrees and Qualities some are mighty some are wise some are rich and some are poor men now amongst all these whom hath God chosen to be his peculiar people the Apostle James tells us Hearken my Beloved Brethren hath not God chosen the Poor of this World Rich in Faith and heirs of the Kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him Jam. 2.5 Outwardly Poor but inwardly Rich little in hand but much in hope and in the promise poor in Spirit but theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven they that have the least of the Earth have most of Heaven they have thaâ— faith which is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen Heb. 11.1 Every true believer hath in Faith and in Hope all that God hath promised and all that Christ hath puâ—chased and all that the Spirit can apply God hath begun that good work in them and they have chosen that good part which they will not part with for all the Silver in America nor for all the Gold in Africa O! ye holy and blessed Angels that shine in heavenly glory brighter than the Sun on Earth admire the depth of the riches both of the love and grace of God in that he hath chosen the Poor of this World Rich in Faith heirs of the Kingdom of Heaven to be your Companions to be as the Angels of God in Heaven Mat. 22.30 O! what a blessed Choice is this O! ye inhabitants of the Earth fear and tremble before the God of the Spirits of all Flesh And Kiss the Son lest he be angry and ye perish from the way when his wrath is kindled but a little blessed are all they that put their trust in him Psal 2.12 Rejoyce and be glad O! all ye his Saints and bless and praise the God of Heaven that sets up his Church and hath chosen you to salvation through sanctification to be the Companions of Angels and Heirs and joynt Heirs with Christ if so be that we suffer with him that we may be also glorified together Rom. 8.17 But ye are come unto Mount Sion and unto the City of the living God the Heavenly Jerusalem an innumerable company of Angels to the general assembly and Church of the first born which are written in Heaven and to God the Judge of all and to the Spirits of Just men made perfect and to Jesus the Mediator of the new Covenant and to the Bloud of sprinkling that speaketh better things than that of Abel Heb. 12.22 23 24. by this you may learn to know God which is life eternal to know Joh. 17.3 Thirdly I am to shew you the time when this Kingdom was to be set up In the Days of these Kings shall the God of Heaven set up a Kingdom let him that hath understanding mind well these three things The Days The Kings The Way First Of the days here spoken of they are here called the latter days But there is a God in Heaven that revealeth secrets and maketh known to the King Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter days Daniel 2.28 the mystery of God that was revealed and made known to Daniel what should be in the latter days in the Kingdoms of men and in the Church of God these latter days were to be the days of the Gospel for so are the Gospel days called both in the Old Testament and in the New by the Prophets and by the Apostles Gospel days are called latter days and some times last days And it shall come to pass in the last days that the mountain of the Lords House shall be established in the top of the Mountains and shall be exalted above the Hills all Nations shall flow unto it Isa 2.2 The anger of the Lord shall not return until he have executed and till he have performed the thoughts of his heart in the latter days ye shall consider it perfectly Jer. 23.20 And thou shalt come up against my People of Israel as a Cloud to cover the Land it shall be in the latter days and I will bring thee against my Land that the Heathen may know me when I shall be sanctified in thee O Gog before their eyes Ezek. 38.16 Now I am come to make thee understand what shall befal thy People in the latter days for yet the vision is for many days Daniel 10.14 Afterward shall the Children of Israel return and seek the Lord their God and David their King and shall fear the Lord and his goodness in the latter days Hos 3.5 But in the last days it shall come to pass that the Mountain of the house of the Lord shall be established in the top of the Mountains and it shall be exalted above the hills and people shall flow unto it Mic. 4.1 And it shall come to pass in the last days saith God I will pour out my Spirit upon all Flesh and your Sons and your daughters shall prophecy and your young men shall see visions and your old men shall dream dreams Acts 2.17 Now the Spirit speaketh expresly that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith giving heed to seducing Spirits and Doctrines of Devils 1 Tim. 4.1 This know also that in the last days perillous times shall come 2 Tim. 3.1 He hath in these last days spoken unto us by his son whom he hath appointed heir of all things by whom also he made the Worlds Heb. 1.2 knowing this first that there shall come in the last days scoffers walking after their own lusts 2 Pet. 3.3 Little Children it is the last time and as ye have heard that Antichrist shall come even now are there many Antiâ—hrists wâ—â—reby we know that it is the â—â—st time 1 John 2.18 How that they told you there should be mockers in the last â—â—â—â—e who should walk after their own lust Jude 18. Here you see is a cloud of witnesses the Prophets and the Apostles they have all testified and spoken of
this fully and plainly that the latter days and last days are Gospel days For so are they called in the Scriptures of truth then the days of these Kings were to be no other than Gospel days in the days of these Kings that is in Gospel days Secondly Of the Kings that were to be in Gospel times for if the days of these Kings were to be Gospel days then these Kings must be in Gospel times This is so clear and plain that it cannot be denied these Kings were to arise out of the Fourth Kingdom that was to be as strong as Iron And after thee shall arise another Kingdom inferiour to thee and another third Kingdom of Brass which shall bear rule over all the Earth and the fourth Kingdom shall be as strong as Iron for as much as Iron breaketh in pieces and subdueth all things and as Iron that breaketh all these shall it break in Pieces and bruise and whereas thou sawest the Feet and Toes part of Potters Clay and part of Iron the Kingdom shall be divâ—ded but there shall be in it of the strength of the Iron for as much as thou sawest the Iron mâ—xed with miry clay and as the toes of the feet were part of Iron and part of Clay so the Kingdom shall be partly strong and partly broken Dan. 2.39 40 41 42. And four great beasts came up from the Sea divers one from another The first was like a Lion and had Eagles Wings and I beheld till the Wings thereof were pluckt and it was lifted up from the Earth and made stand upon the feet as a man and a mans heart was given to it and behold another Beast a Second like to a Bear and it raised up it self on one side and it had three ribs in the mouth of it between the teeth of it and they said thus unto it Arise devour much flesh After this I beheld and lo another like a leopard which had upon the back of it four wings of a fowl the beast had also four Heads and dominion was given to it And after this I saw in the night visions and behold a fourth beast dreadful and terrible and strong exâ—eedingly and it had great Iron teeth it devoured and brake in pieces and stampâ—d the residue of â—t with the feet and it was divers from all â—he beasts that were before it and it had ten Horns Dan. 7.3 4 5 6 7 Thus he said The fourth beast shall be the fourth Kingdom upon Earth which shall be diverse from all Kingdoms and shall devour the whole Earth and shall tread it down and break it in pieces And the ten Horns out of this Kingdom are ten Kings that shall arise and another shall arise after them and he shall be diverse from the first and he shall subdue three Kings verse 23 24. The truth of this will yet farther appear to us because these Kings are so often named and spoken of in the New Testament And ye shall be brought before Governours and Kings for my sake for a Testimony against them and the Gentiles Mat. 10.18 Take heed to your selves for they shall deliver you up to Counsels and in the Synagogues ye shall be beaten and ye shall be brought before Rulers and Kings for my sake for a Testimony against them Mark 13.9 And he said unto them The Kings of the Gentiles exercise Lordship over them and they that exercise Authority upon them are called Benefactors Luke 22.25 But the Lord said unto him Go thy way for he it a chosen Vessel unto me to bear my Name before the Gentiles and Kings and the Children of Israel Acts 9.15 And the Kings of the Earth the great men and the rich men and the chief Captains and the mighty men and every bondman every freeman hid themselveâ— in the Dens and in the Rocks of the Mountains Rev. 6.15 For they are the spirits of Devils working Miracles which go forth unto the Kings of the Earth and of the whole World to gather them to the battel of that great day of God Almighty Rev. 16.14 And in the 17th chapter they are mentioned five times With whom the Kings of the Earth have committed fornication and the Inhabiters of the Earth have been drunk with the Wine of her fornication Rev. 17.2 And there are seven Kings five are fallen and one is and the other is not yet come and when he cometh he must continue a short space Verse 10. And the ten Horns which thou sawest are ten Kings which have received no Kingdom as yet but receive power as Kings one hour with the beast Verse 12. And the woman which thou sawest is that great City which reigneth over the Kings of the Earth Rev. 18.3.9 Verse 18. This is so clear and very plain that I need not say any more as to this for in the days of these Kings shall the God of Heaven set up a Kingdom Rev. 19.18 19. Thirdly Of the way and manner how this Kingdom was to be set up It was prophesied by Isaiah the Prophet For unto us a Child is born unto us a Son is given and the Government shall be upon his shoulders and his Name shall be called Wonderful Counsellor the Mighty God the Everlasting Father the Prince of Peace Isa 9.6 Therefore thus saith the Lord God Behold I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone a trye stone a precious stone a corner stone 1 Pet. 2.6 a sure foundation and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded Isa 28.16 Now what way did God take to bring this about this way he made Providences fulfil Prophecies And it came to pass in those days that there went out a Decree from Caesar Augustus that all the World should be taxed and all went to be taxed every one in his own City And Joseph also went up from Galilee out of the City os Nazareth into Judea unto the City of David which is called Bethlehem because he was of the house and lineage of David to be taxed with Mary his espoused Wife being great with child And so it was that while they were there the days were accomplished that she should be delivered and she brought forth her first born Son Luke 2.1 to 7. Little did Caesar Augustus think when he made this Decree that all the World should be taxed what this was to do what this was to accomplish and fulfil this thing brought up the holy Child Jesus from Galilee out of the City of Nazareth into Judea unto the City of David which is called Bethlehem to be brought forth and born there according to the Scriptures and they said unto him in Bethlehem of Judea For thus it is written by the Prophet Micah 5.2 Mat. 2.5 This brought the wise men from the East that came to worship him verse 2. This brought the Angel to the Shepherds as they were abiding in the field keeping watch over their slock by night This brought the Shepherds to the Manger wherein the Babe
heirs of Salvation and the Church of God here on Earth hath received from God many benefits and great blessings by the hands of these blessed Angels They hinder evil from us and further good to us They execute God's wrath and vengeance and judgments on wicked men and they do comfort and strengthen and relieve Gods own People This is very plain in Scripture that they have done it and we do all believe they do it still Two Angels were sent to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah For we will destroy this place because the cry of them is waxen great before the face of the Lord and the Lord hath sent us to destroy it Gen. 19.13 And it came to pass that night that the Angel of the Lord went out and smote in the Camp of the Assyrians an hundred fourscore and five thousand and when they arose early in the morning behold they were all dead Corps 2 Kings 19.35 And upon a set day Herod arayed in royal apparel sat uppon his throne and made an oration unto them And the people gave a shout saying It is the voice of a God and not of a man and immediately the Angel of the Lord smote him because he gave not God the glory and he was eaten of Worms and gave up the Ghost Acts 12.21 22 23. Angels by a special command from God do execute his wrath and vengeance on wicked men Persecutors have been cut off but no man saw the hand that smote them Gods Arrows have stuck fast in them though no man saw the Arm that drew the Bow they have been suddenly removed out of this world into another O! how many persecuters have tumbled fallen and perished Surely thou didst set them in slippery places thou castedst them down into destruction how are they brought into desolation as in a moment They are utterly consumed with terrors as a dream when one awaketh so O Lord when thou awakest thou shalt despise their image Psalm 73.18 19 20. O! how hath God made his Judgments manifest and been a swift witness against persecutors Those who were one day breathing out threatnings and slaughter against the Servants of the Lord the next day have been dead have we not heard and read this the Angels that stand before God Almighty wait but for a commission and a command but a look to cut down such wicked wretches Now as Angels do execute Gods wrath and vengeance on wicked persecuters so they do also strengthen and comfort Gods People under their sorest tryals and greatest afflictions when the Prophet Elisha was besieg'd in Dothan by the Assyrian Army the Angels of Heaven were sent down to relieve him And when the Servant of the man of God was risen early and gone forth behold an Host compassed the City both with Horses and Chariots and his servant said unto him Alas my master how shall we do and he answered Fear not for they that be with us are more than they that be with them and Elisha prayed and said Lord I pray thee open his eyes that he may see and the Lord opened the eyes of the young man and he saw and behold the mountain was full of Horses and Chariots of fire round about Elisha 2 King. 6.15 16 17. After Daniel had been mourning three full weeks and humbled himself before the Lord an Angel was sent from Heaven to strengthen and comfort him And he said unto me O! Daniel a man greatly beloved understand the Words that I shall speak unto thee and stand upright for unto thee am I now sent and when he had spoken this word unto me I stood trembling then said he unto me Fear not Daniel for from the first day that thou didst set thine Heart to understand and to chasten thy self before thy God thy words were heard and I am come for thy words but the Prince of the Kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days but lo Michael one of the chief Princes came to help me and I remained there with the Kings of Persia Now I am come to make thee understand what shall befall thy people in the latter days for yet the vision is for many days and when he had spoken such words unto me I set my face toward the ground and I became dumb and behold one like the similitude of the sons of men touched my lips then I opened my mouth and spake and said unto him that stood before me O my Lord by the vision my sorrows are returned upon me and I have retained no strength for how can the servant of this my Lord talk with this my Lord for as for me straight-way there remaineth no strength in me neither is there breath left in me Then there came again and touched me one like the appearance of a man and strengthened me And he said O man greatly beloved fâ—ar not peace be unto thee be strong yea be strong and when he haâ— spoken unto me I was strengthened and said Let my Lord speak for thou hast strengthened me Then said he Knowest thou wherefore come unto thee and now will I return to fight with the Prince of Persia and when I aâ— gone forth lo the Prince of Grâ—â—a shaâ—â— come but I will shew thee that which is notes in the scripture of Truth and there is mâ—râ— that holdeth with me in thâ—se things but Michael your Prince Dan. 10.11 to 21. When our Saviour was in an Agony there appeared unto him an Angel from Heaven strengthening him Luke 22.43 Herod that was a man of blood stretched forth his hand to vex certain of the Church and he killed James the Brother of John with the Sword and because he saw it pleased the Jews he proceeded farther to take Peter also And when he had apprehended him he put him in Prison and delivered him to four Quaternions of Souldiers to keep him intending after Easter to bring him forth to the People Peter therefore was kept in Prison but prayer was made without ceasing of the Church unto God for him And when Herod would have brought him forth the same night Peter was sleeping between two Souldiers bound with two Chains and the Keepers before the door kept the Prison and behold the Angel of the Lord came upon him and a light shined in the Prison and he smote Peter on the side and raised him up saying Arise up quickly and his Chains fell off from his Hands and the Angel said unto him Gird thy self and bind on thy sandals and so he did and he saith unto him Casâ— thy garment about thee and follow me and he went out and followed him and wisâ— not that it was true which was done by the Angel but thought he saw a vision Acts 12.1 to 9. By this you may understand the Ministry of Angels and the great benefits the Church of God receives by these blessed Angels Thirdly The blessed Saints of Heaven But ye are come unto Mount Sion and unto the City of the living God the Heavenly Jerusalem
spiritual blessings That he might present it to himself a glorious Church not having spot nor wrinkle or any such thing but that it should be holy and without blemish Eph. 5.27 Now when I passed by thee and looked upon thee behold thy time was the time of love and I spread my skirt over thee and covered thy nakedness yea I sware unto thee and entred into a covenant with thee saith the Lord God and thou becamest mine then washed I thee with water yea I throughly washed away thy blood from thee and I anointed thee with Oyl I clothed thee also with broidered work and shod thee with badgers skin and I girded thee about with fine linnen and I covered thee with silk I decked thee also with ornaments and I put bracelets upon thine hands and a chain on thy neck And I put a Jewel on thy forehead and ear-rings in thine ears and a beautiful Crown on thy head Thus wast thou decked with Gold and Silver and thy rayment was of fine Linnen and Silk and broidered work thou didst eat fine Flour and Honey and Oyl and thou wast exceeding beautiful and thou didst prosper into a Kingdom and thy renown went forth among the heathen for thy beauty for it was perfect through my comeliness which I had put upon thee saith the Lord God Ezek. 16.8 to 14. 3. The security of this Church the decrees the covenant the word Oath Writings Seals of the Omnipotent and Wise God that cannot Lie that by two immutable things in which it was impossible for God to Lie we might have a strong consolation who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us Heb. 6.18 the Church of God is sometimes as a besieged City Isa 1.8 the Devil and the World besiege it round and the Enemies Joyn together to devour Gods Israel with open mouth There are three ways that an Enemy usually makes use of to take a City that is besieg'd 1. By starving of them that they may have no supplies 2. By undermining them and blowing them up 3. By scaling their Walls that they may come at them to kill them But this City the Church of God the Enemies cannot destroy it by any of these ways 1. They cannot starve the Church He shall dwell on high his place of defence shall be the munitions of Rocks bread shall be given him his water shall be sure Isa 33.16 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus Phil. 4.19 God hath set before his people an open door which no man can shut and this door is continually open night and day Rev. 3.8 all the Devils in Hell and wicked Men on Earth cannot shut it and at this door come in the supplies of Gods Spirit to every Child of God here comes in that Joy that is unspeakable and full of glory Phil. 1.19 that peace which passeth all understanding that love that many waters cannot quench nor floods drown it that light and knowledg that Gold cannot purchase that spiritual strength that makes them conquerers at this door comes in that Kingdom of God which is not meat and drink but righteousness and peace and Joy in the holy Ghost Rom. 14.17 Ho! every one that thirsteth come ye to the Waters and he that hath no Money come ye buy and eat yea come buy Wine and Milk without Money and without Price Isa 55.1 And the Spirit and the Bride say Come and let him that heareth say Come and let him that is athirst come and whosoever will let him take of the water of Life freely Rev. 22.17 By this you may see the Church of God cannot be starv'd so as to be destroyed that way 2. The Enemies cannot destroy the Church of God by undermining it and blowing it up by all their Plots for there have been Plots upon Plots and Conspiracies one after another against the Church of Christ but all in vain because the Church of God is builded upon a Rock And I say also unto thee That thou art Peter and upon this Rock I will build my Church and the Gates of Hell shall not prevail against it Matth. 16.18 It s defence shall be the Munitions of Rocks Isa 33.16 If the Church had not been built upon a Rock Pharaoh had destroyed it long ago And he said Come on let us deal wisely with them and they did set over them Task-masters to afflict them with burthens and made them to serve with rigour and they made their lives bitter with hard bondage in Mortar and in Brick and in all manner of service in the field all the service wherein they made them serve was with rigour and the King of Egypt spake to the Hebrew women which were Midwives of which the name of one was Shiphrah and the name of the other Puah And he said When ye do the office of a Midwife to the Hebrew women and see them upon the stools if it be a Son then ye shall kill him but if it be a Daughter then she shall live Exod. 1. See another like unto this in the New Testament And when ye have found him bring me word again that I may come and worship him also And he sent forth and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem and in all the Coasts thereof from two years old and under according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men Matth. 2.8 16. Notwithstanding Pharaoh was so long before Herod yet they were both of one mind and in one spirit and served one Master the Devil against God and his People but what became of them both God's wrath and vengeance took hold on them they perish'd but God's Church was preserv'd because it was built upon a Rock and the Gates of Hell could not prevail against it This Kingdom shall never be destroyed by undermining and blowing it up When thou passest through the waters I will be with thee and through the rivers they shall not overflow thee when thou walkest through the fire thou shalt not be burnt neither shall the flame kindle upon thee Isa 43.2 God invades his Enemies on every side and passeth through them and causeth his Arrows to pass through their hearts and they stick so fast that their Physicians will not be able to pluck them out but that Arm and Bow that shoots at the People of God the Lord God will break that Arm and Bow. No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper and every tongue that shall rise against thee in Judgment thou shalt condemn this is the heritage of the Servants of the Lord and their righteousness is of me saith the Lord Isa 54.17 3. The Enemies of God's Church and People shall never be able to destroy it by getting over the Wall that is about it Every wicked man is a fighter against God an Enemy of Christ Jesus and on the Dragon's side that makes war against the Church but God hath given
his agents and instruments This work is hard and difficult but the victory is sure and certain and the reward will be great To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my Throne even as I also overcame and am set down with my Father in his Throne Rev. 3.21 4. Their Thanksgiving They sung a double song the song of Moses and the song of the Lamb a song of Mercy and a song of Judgment They stood on the Sea of Glass mingled with Fire and blest and prais'd the most high God and gave thanks unto him for that Victory they had got over the Beast and over his Image and over his Mark and over the number of his Name and for the many mercies and blessings they had received from God Almighty that their Consciences were not in captivity that their Principles were not in chains and that their Understandings were not in the Precepts of men The Lord doth multiply mercies and magnifie mercies delight in mercies and follows his People with mercies and goodness all their days Who delivered us from so great a death and doth deliver in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us The Father of mercies fills his Children with mercies and their mercies he fills with comforts and for this they bless and praise his holy Name in all the Congregations of the Just And as the mercies of God do always abound towards the righteous so the Judgments of God are made manifest against the wicked When the Church of God went out of Egypt Pharaoh with his Army pursued after them but he could never overtake them and yet the Judgments of God soon overtook Pharaoh and his Army Then sang Moses and the Children of Israel this song unto the Lord and spake saying I will sing unto the Lord for he hath triumphed gloriously the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the Sea The Lord is my strength and song and he is become my salvation He is my God and I will prepare him an habitation my Father's God and I will exalt him The Lord is a man of war the Lord is his name Pharaoh 's Chariots and his Host hath he cast into the Sea his chosen Captains also are drowned in the Red Sea the depths have covered them they sank into the bottom as a stone Thy right hand O Lord is become glorious in power thy right hand O Lord hath dashed in pieces the Enemy And in the greatness of thine excellency thou hast overthrown them that rose up against thee thou sentest forth thy wrath which consumed them as stubble Exod. 15.1 to 7. This was the song of Moses a song of Mercy and a song of Judgment and this is the song of the Lamb Mercy to his Church and Judgment on his Enemies he sends forth his wrath and consumes his Enemies he sends forth his Mercies and saves his People and this is that which fills God's People with joy and gladness and his Enemies with rage and madness For when thy Judgments are in the Earth the Inhabitant's of the World will learn righteousness Isa 26.9 Where God's Mercies do not melt men there his Judgments will teach them or overthrow them where his Love doth not draw men there his Power will break them or destroy them where his Truth doth not conquer men there his Wrath will consume them SEcondly the Kingdom shall not be left to another people For from the top of the Rocks I see him and from the Hills I behold him lo the people shall dwell alone and shall not be reckoned among the nations Numb 23.9 The true Church is the Kingdom that shall not be left to another people The Father will not leave them The Son will not leave them The Holy Spirit will not leave them The good Angels will not leave them First God the Father will not leave them For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole Earth to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect towards him 2 Chron. 16.9 The wicked watcheth the righteous and seeketh to slay him the Lord will not leave him in his hand nor condemn him when he is Judged Psalm 37.32.33 He shall feed his stock like a shepherd he shall gather the lambs with his Arm and carry them in his Bosom and shall gently lead those that are with young Isa 40.11 Can a woman forget her sucking Child that she should not have compassion on the Son of her Womb Yea they may forget yet will I not forget thee Isa 49.15 Let your conversation be without covetousness and be content with such things as ye have for he hath said I will never leave thee nor forsake thee Heb. 13.5 God will not leave his people they are his habitation where he dwells will a man leave his habitation and wander up and down from place to place Every Saint is Gods habitation For thus saith the high and lofty one that inhabiteth eternity whose name is holy I dwell in the high and holy places with him also that is of a contrite and humble Spirit to revive the Spirit of the humble and to revive the Heart of the contrite ones Isa 57.15 In whom you also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit Eph. 2.22 Will a man forsake and leave his own Children to the wide World to poverty and misery and great calamities All true believers are Gods Sons and Daughters Wherefore come out from among them and be ye separate saith the Lord and touch not the unclean thing and I will receive you and I will be a Father unto you and ye shall be my Sons and Daughters saith the Lord Almighty 2 Cor. 6.17 18. Will men leave their Treasures and Jewels to Robbers and Thieves O! what care do they take of these to keep them safe and secure For Treasure men will stretch their Consciences and pawn their very Souls to the Devil and run the adventure of their everlasting damnation To gain Treasure men will go into forrein Countreys and rake the bottom of the Sea to seek for Silver and to search for hidden Treasures God s Children are his Treasures and his Jewels And ye shall be a peculiar Treasure unto me above all people Exod. 19.5 For the Lord hath chosen Jacob for himself and Israel for his peculiar Treasure Psa 135.4 And they shall be mine saith the Lord of Hosts in that day when I make up my Jewels Mal. 3.17 This is such a Treasure as God will never leave to another People There are three things of God always upon his People 1. The Eyes of the Lord The Eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous and his Ears are open unto their cry Psal 34 15. His Eyes run to and fro through the whole Earth and they are never off from his own People he beholds them with delight and rejoyceth over them his Eyes are on them for good watching over them day and night 2.
because of the Bridegroom's voice this my Joy therefore is fulfilled John 3.29 And the Spirit and the Bride say Come and let him that heareth say come and let him that is athirst come and whosoever will let him take of the waters of life freely Rev. 22.17 And there came unto me one of the seven Angels which had the seven Vials full of the seven last Plagues and talked with me saying Come hither I will shew thee the Bride the Lamb's wife Rev. 21.9 This glorious Bride is the Church and this Church is the Kingdom that shall not be left to another people 6. The Church of Christ is a purchased Possession In whom also after that ye believ'd ye were seal'd with that holy Spirit of Promise which is the earnest of our Inheritance until the redemption of the purchased Possession unto the praise of his glory Eph. 1.13 14. Remember thy Congregation which thou hast purchased of old the Rod of thine inheritance which thou hast redeemed this Mount Sion wherein thou hast dwelt Psal 74.2 Take heed therefore unto your selves and to all the flock over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you Overseers to feed the Church of God which he hath purchased with his own blood Acts 20.28 Will men cast away that which they have dearly bought Ye are bought with a price therefore glorifie God in your body and in your spirit â—hich are Gods 1 Cor. 6 20. You are not your own you were bought by Christ Jesus And the price he gave for you was not Gold Silver which men take out of the Earth For as much as ye know ye were not redeemed with corruptible things as Gold and silver from your vain conversation received by the tradition from your fathers but with the precious blood of Christ as of a lamb without blemish and without spot 1 Pet. 1.18 19. Will men leave that which they have purchas'd to their worst and greatest Enemies Hath not Christ Jesus purchased his Church with his own blood For thou wast slain and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred and tongue and people and nation Rev. 5.9 Now if this be so who can believe who can think that the Church of God shall be left to another People Thirdly The holy Spirit will not leave them the spirit of truth that dwelleth with you and shall be in you I will not leave you comfortless John 14.17 18. know ye not that your body is the Temple of the holy Ghost which is in you which ye hâ—ve of God and ye are not your own 1 Cor. 6.19 Howbeit when the spirit of truth is come he shall guide you into all truth for he shall not speak of himself but whatsoever he shall hear that shall he speak and he shall shew you things to come John 16.13 This holy Spirit of God is given it is given to them that ask it If ye then being evil know how to give good gifts unto your Children how much more shall your heavenly father give the holy spirit to them that ask him Luk. 11.13 Every true believer hath this spirit of Christ in him But if the spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you he that raised up Jesus from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his spirit that dwelleth in you Rom. 8.11 This Spirit of God is to be found no where but in the Church of God and in every member of that body Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ he is none of his v. 9. As a tree is known by the fruit it bears so is the spirit known to be in a man by the fruits he brings forth The fruit of the Spirit is love joy peace long-suffering gentleness goodness faith meekness temperance against such there is no law Gal 5.22 23. First then the Spirit of God convinceth Secondly it quickeneth Thirdly it leadeth Fourthly it strengtheneth Fifthly it comforteth Sixthly it maketh intercession Seventhly it witnesseth Eighthly it sealeth Ninthly it revealeth Tenthly it resteth on you That good work that is begun in any man or woman and carried on from first to last is attributed to the Spirit of God. The father he ordains calleth and chuseth and hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ Eph. 1.3 The Son he hath redeemed us and delivered us from wrath from sin and from the world and from the curse of the law Luke 1.68 The Spirit he applies all that to us that God hath given and Christ purchas'd and from hence it ariseth that there is so much contention and disagreement amongst men this is that which brings a Sword that brings a War and makes divisions and one man to hate and persecute another namely from the seed that is in them and from the Spirit that is in them For he that is born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit even so it is now Gal. 4.29 For the flesh lusteth against the spirit and the spirit against the flesh and these are contrary one to the other Gal. 5.17 It is so contrary that you may find this in the nearest relations as husband and wife parents and children brothers and sisters if any of them be in the Spirit of God and enlightened and renewed in their minds and the others be not but are in the spirit of the evil one in the spirit of the world under darkness and blindness there can be then no agreement but discord and division and they are contrary one to the other as to spiritual things For the world knows not the Spirit of God neither can it receive it Take two men that were great strangers one to the other the one living in the East Indies and the other in the West and after some time they both return home to this land and by a special providencae they here meet together and after a little discourse one with the other they so well agree being knit together in love that they could even live and the together because they were of one spirit the Spirit of God being in them both and that unites them and makes them to be one in hope and faith in love and affection The members of Christs body are many but one spirit in them all endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace There is one body and one spirit even as you are called in one hope of your calling one Lord one faith one baptism one God and Father of all who is above all and through all and in you all Eph. 4.3 4 5 6. This blessed Spirit did never leave the Church of God nor never will so long as God hath a Church here on Earth this Spirit of God leads every true believer into all truth and from strength to strength and from glory to glory from one degree of grace to another till they are taken up into the heavenly glory and to be
with Christ Jesus and with the Spirits of Just men made perfect Fourthly The blessed Angels will not leave them 1. The Angels did proclaim the birth of our Saviour And suddenly there was with the Angel a multitude of the Heavenly Host praising God and saying Glory to God in the highest and on Earth peace good will towards men Luke 2.13 14. 2. They do rejoyce at the conversion of sinners I say unto you that likewise Joy shall be in Heaven over one sinner that repenteth more than over ninety and nine Just persons which need no repentance Luke 15.7 3 The Angels of the Lord encamp round about them that fear him and deliver them Psal 34.7 For we are made a spectacle unto the world and to Angels and to men 1 Cor. 4.9 For this cause ought the Woman to have power on her Head because of the Angels 1 Cor. 11.10 4. They are all ministring Spirits Spirits sent forth to minister for them who shall be Heirs of Salvation Heb. 1.14 5. Lazarus died and was carried by the Angels into Abrahams bosom Luke 16.22 The mystery of Angels we shall better understand in the next world than we do in this but this is certain the Church of God receives great benefits by them as I have prov'd before They are Spirits that are invisible They enter into our Houses as the light doth They take up no room nor justle any body aside They see and behold us though we see not them and do us good though we know it not and oftentimes keep evil from us though we do not understand it Heaven is their countrey yet they are often upon the Earth and do know the state and condition of the Church better than we do Then the Angel of the Lord answered and said O Lord of Hosts how long wilt thou not have meâ—cy on Jerusalem and on the Cities of Judah against which thou hast had indignation these threescore and ten years and the Lord answered the Angel that talked with me with good words and comfortable words Zech. 12 13. By this you may see God the Father will not leave his Children Christ Jesus the Son of God will not leave the Members of his Body the Spirit of God will not leave its temple that he dwells in the Angels of God will not leave the charge that is committed to them The Kingdom shall not be left to anâ—â—her â—eople First It shall not be left to another People as the Canâ—anites were left to the Sword of Joshua and to the Sword of the Hebrews that he might destroy them utterly and that they might have no favour but that he might destroy them as the Lord commanded Mâ—ses So Joshua took the whâ—le Land according to all that the Lord had said unto Moses and Joshua gave it for an Inheritance unto Israel according to their divisions by their Tribes and the land did rest from war Joshua 11.20 23. the Church of God shall never be left to another People as the Amalekites were left to the Spears and Swords of Saul and his Army Now go and smite Amalek and utterly destroy all that they have and spare them not but slay both Man and Woman Infant and Suckling Ox and Sheep Camel and Ass 1 Sam. 15.4 The Enemies may fall upon some small parties here and there and rout and destroy some of them as they have done all along but they will never be able to rout and destroy the main body of the Church This they could never do with all their power force and multitudes that they have brought together against the Church of God This they could never do and this they shall never be able to do as I have shewed before the Enemies have done their utmost oftentimes to cut off and destroy the Church of God by wicked ways by cruel laws and by bloody hands For lo thine Enemies make a tumult and they that hate thee have lift up the head they have taken crafty counsel against thy People â—nd consulted against thy hidden ones They have said Come and let us cut them off from being a nation that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance for they have consulted together with one consent they are confederate against thee Psal 83.2 3 4 5. This they have done often and this they will do by tumults by crafty counsel and by a confederacy Why do the Heathen rage and the People imagine a vain thing the Kings of the Earth set themselves and the rulers take counsel together against the Lord and against his anointed saying Let us break their bands asunder and cast away their cords from us He that sitteth in the Heavens shall laugh the Lord shall have them in derision then shall he speak unto thâ—m in his wrath and vex them in his sore displeasure Yet have I set my King upon my holy hill of Sion Psal 2.1 to 6. When men have done all they can and done their worst yet God will set his Son upon his holy hill of Sion and all the Enemies that are in the world will not be able to hinder it men speak great words and it comes to nothing God speaks and his word stands the Church of God is like a rock by the Sea side the Waves beat violently against the rock but they break not the rock but themselves The Enemies of Gods Church have made many assaults and like the Waves of the Sea have beat violently against it and upon it but they break not the Church but themselves to pieces The Church of God is like the Sea what it loseth in one place it gains in another When the Enemies are destroying God's faithfull Servants in one place then the God of Heaven is increasing and gathering of theâ— in another place by calling and conveâ—ting of hundreds and thousands turning them from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to himself convincing their consciences enlightning their minds opening their understandings purifying their hearts by Faith and blessing them with spiritual blessings causing them to stand up to be faithful Witnesses and to bear faithful Testimonies in their day as others had done before them for God and his Truth By this it appears very plain that the Kingdom shall not be left to another People Secondly It shall not be left to another People The people shall dwell alone and shall not be reckoned among the Nations This people shall not mingle themselves with other people Numb 23.9 They shall not cleave one to another the World is one thing but the Church of God is another thing the World is a common Field but the Church is a well watered Garden Isa 51.3 The Garden of the Lord Isa 58.11 The World is as a Wilderness a barren Desart but the Church is a Vineyard which the Lord hath planted Psal 80.15 The World is a destroying Mountain Jer. 51.25 but the Church is God's Holy Hill Psal 2.6 The World is a Kingdom of darkness Eph. 5.11 but
the Church is the Kingdom of his dear Son Col. 1.13 The World is as a Field of Blood but the Church is a righteous Nation The World is a Den of Thieves but the Church is God's Family and houshâ—ld Ephes 2.19 The World lies in wickedness 1 John 5.19 but the Church is glorious without spot or wrinkle Ephes 5.27 The World is as a heap of rubbish but the Church is God's peculiar Treasure Psal 135.4 The World is a lump of vanity but the Church is the City of God Psal 87.3 The World is as a common Harlot but the Church is the Spouse of Christ Cant. 5.1 The World is the habitation of Devils Rev. 18.2 The Devil is the God of this World the Prince of the power of the Air the Spirit that now worketh in the Children of disobedience Eph. 2.2 But the Church is the habitation of God a choseâ— Generation a royal Priesthood an holy Nâ—tion a peâ—uliar People 1 Pet. 2.9 By this you may see what the World is and what the Church of God is how vastly they differ the one from the other and how unlike they are the one to the other and have been ever separated the one from the other Be not unequally yoked together with unbelievers for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness and what communion hath light with darkness And what concord hath Christ with belial or what part hath he that believeth with an Infidel and what agreement hath the Temple of God with Idols For ye are the Temple of the living God as God hath said I will dwell in them and walk in them and I will be their God and they shall be my People wherefore come out from among them and be ye separate saith the Lord and touch not the unclean thing and I will receive you and will be a Father unto you and ye shall be my Sons and Daughters saith the Lord Almighty 2 Cor. 6.14 to 18. The Kingdom shall not be left to another People but this People shall dwell alone and shall not be reckoned among the Nations Thirdly It shall not be left to another People to follow their examples Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil Exod. 23.2 you must not follow bad men for company nor good men for applause When the Children of Israel were to enter into the land of Canaan they were not then to enquire after their Gods Take heed to thy self that thou be not snared by following them after that they be destroyed from before thee and that thou enquire not after their Gods saying How did these nations serve their Gods Even so will I do likewise Deut. 12.30 And ye shall destroy all their â—ictures and destroy all their molten Images and quite pluck down all their high places Numb 33.52 Thou shalt not bow down to their Gods nor serve them nor do after their works but thou shalt utterly overthrow them and quite break down their Images Exod. 23.24 But ye shall destroy their altars break their Images and cut down their Groves Exod. 34.13 But thus ye shall deal with them ye shall destroy their altars and break down their images and cut down their groves and burn their graven images with fire Deut. 7.5 Let the reader then well consider these Scriptures and dwell a little on them God will not be worship'd by imitation that is to worship ye know not what God is the author and object of true worship the Jews were not to enquire after other G ds and the Lord commanded them to destroy all their Pictures and to pull down their Images and burn them with fire they were not to keep them in their Houses nor to worship them in any place How vain and silly a thing is it for people to worship Idols and Images the works of mens hands they may make them eyes but they cannot make them see they may make them ears but they cannot make them hear they may make them feet but they cannot make them walk they have been often snares but never helpers they have brought Judgments upon People but never turned away any Men have provoked the Lord with their inventions and never pleased him with their Idols this prov'd a snare to Israel of old and brought upon them Gods heavy Judgments The Lord God is very Jealous of his worship and will not have his glory given to graven Images The Lord hath had a People in all ages and in all times that hath worshiped him according to his own will and commands For all people will walk every one in the name of his God and we will walk in the name of our God for ever and ever Mic. 4.5 The true worshippers shall woâ—ship the Father in Spirit and in truth for the Father seeketh such to worship him John 4.23 For we are the circumcision whâ—ch worship â—od in the Spirit and rejoyce in Christ Jesus and have no confidence in the flesh Phil. 3.3 Fear God and give glory to him for the hour of his Judgment is come and worship him that made Heaven and Earth and the Sea and the fountains of Waters Rev. 14.7 Little Children keep your selves from Idols 1 John 5.21 Thus I have shewed you that the Kingdom shall not be left to another people the Church of God. Thirdly It shall break in pieces and consume all these Kingdoms This destruction is not of mens lives but of mens lusts this destruction is not of mens bodies but of that sin that reigns in their mortal bodies this destruction is not of mens Rights and Properties but of that vanity and enmity that is in their hands and in their minds For if ye live â—fter the flesh ye shall die but if ye through the spirit do mortifie the deeds of the body ye â—hall live Rom. 8.13 Mortifie therefore your members which are upon Earth fornication uncleanness inordinate affection evil concupiscence and covetousness which is Idolatry Col. 3.5 I have already shewed you a draught of the True Church and now I will shew you a Map of the World The whole World lies in wickedness 1 Joh. 5.19 Love not the World neither the things that are in the World if any man love the World the love of the Father is not in him for all that is in the World the lust of the Flesh the lust of the Eyes and the pride of Life is not of the Father but is of the World and the World passeth away and the Lust thereof but he that doth the will of God abideth for ever 1 John 2.15 16 17. First It is a dead World dead in Sins dead in trespasses When the Assyrian Army came up against Jerusalem to destroy the Church of God the Lord sent an Angel that did destroy that great Army one hundred fourscore and five thousand this was done in one night Isa 37.36 and when the inhabitants of Jerusalem arose early in the morning they were all dead Corps what a sight was this to behold Should we see great
provokes the Lord and the Eyes of his glory and this is that that hath made the Eyes of the people of God to run down with tears Rivers of Waters run down mine Eyes because they keep not thy Law Psal 119.136 Oh! that my head were Waters and mine Eyes a fountain of Tears that I might weep day and night for the slain of the daughter of my People Jer. 9.1 And the Lord said unto him Go through the midst of the City through the midst of Jerusalem and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof Ezek. 9.4 And when he was come near he beheld the City and wept over it saying If thou hadst known even thou at least in this thy day the things which belong unto thy Peace but now they are hid from thine Eyes Lu. 19.41 42. For many walk of whom I have told you often and now tell you even weeping that they are the Enemies of the Cross of Christ whose end if destruction whose God is their Belly and whose Glory is their shame who mind Earthly things Phil. 3.18 19. Behold and see O persecuting World the love and pity that is in the Hearts of Gods Children towards you They sigh and mourn for your abominations they weep and tears run down like water from their Eyes for your sins and wickedness you persecute them and yet they pray for you you hate and despise them yet they pity you and seek and endeavour to save you You can commit sin with both hands but you do not sigh and mourn you can treasure up wrath against your selves but you cannot turn it away you can pull down Judgments upon you but you cannot remove them Thirdly What do you expect that are the Saints of God from this World but Evil For I know your manifold transgressions and your mighty sins they afflict the Just they take a bribe and turn aside the poor in the gate from their right Amos 5.12 Who hate the good and love the evil who pluck off their skin from off them and their flesh from off their bâ—nes who also eat the flesh of my people and slay their skin from off them and they break their bones and chop them in pieces as for the â—ot and as the flesh within the Cauldron Mic. 3.2 3. if you look into the 11th of the Hebrews that little book of Martyrs there you will see what the sufferings of Gods Children were of old and if you read the Acts of the Apostles that will shew you how cruel the world was then to the Church of God and has it been kinder since The Saints and Martyrs have not found it so Confirming the Souls of the disciples and exhorting them to continue in the faith and that we must through much tribulation enter into the Kingdom of God Acts 14.22 A Leopard cannot change his spots and a Lion cannot change his nature no more can a wicked man cease from evil he hates the image of God wherever he sees it Let no good man expect good from the World it did hate Christ Jesus and it now hates all his members In the World ye shall have tribulation but be of good cheer I have overcome the World Joh. 16.33 The World hath been always storming the Church of God and is always preparing to make new assaults expect therefore nothing from an evil World but evil pray therefore that you may be kept from the evil of the World. Fourthly It is a carnal World. For to be Carnally minded is Death but to be Spiritually minded is Life and Peace Here the Apostle shews the difference between a carnal man and a spiritual man A carnal man is dead he hath no spiritual life in him but a spiritual man hath both life and peace that life which is eternal John 10.28 and that peace which passeth all understanding A carnal mans life is in himself but a spiritual mans life is in Christ Jesus A carnal man receiv'd his life from God by Creation but a spiritual man receiv'd his life from Christ Jesus by grace A carnal mans mind is Earthly that is his sin but a spiritual mans mind is Heavenly that is his Joy. A carnal mans mind cannot be subject to the Law of God but the spiritual man with his mind serves the law of God Rom. 7.25 A carnal mans mind is full of enmity against God a spiritual mans mind is full of love to God. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God for it is not subject to the law of God neither indeed can be Rom. 8.7 Enemies may be reconcil'd but Enmity never will be reconcil'd This enmity that is in the Hearts and minds of men against God is very great and it shews it self many ways 1. They hate God Rom. 1.30 Because of his holiness his purity his truth his laws and therefore God calls them his Enemies Rule thou in the midst of thine Enemies Psal 110.2 Yea the fire of thine Enemies shall devour them Isaiah 26.11 But these mine Enemies which would not that I should reign over them bring hither and slay them before me Luke 19.27 And you that were sometime alienated and Enemies in your minds by wicked works Col. 1.21 Every carnal man in the World is an open and a profess'd Enemy against God by wicked works the works of the Devil the works of the Flesh that are manifest which are these Adultery Fornication Vncleanness Lasciviousness Idolatry Witch-craft Hatred Variance Emulations Wrath Strife Seditions Heresies Envyings Murthers Drunkenness Revellings and such like Gal. 5.19 20 21. These are the works of the flesh wicked works enemies in your minds by wicked works 2. They hate the ways and worship of God. The naturâ—l man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God for they are foolishness unto him neither can he know them because they are spiritually discerned 1 Cor. 2.14 The carnal World did never like the worship of God Gods worship is too holy and pure for carnal men it is too spiritual and strict for them they love the way that is broad where the most go Mat. 7.13 though every step they take in it be to Hell and Damnation Carnal people do make a profession but what profession is it they profess that they know God but in works they deny him being abominable and disobedient and unto every good work reprobate They profess but they do not practice They hear but they do not do they learn but they never come to the knowledg of the Truth they confess their sins but they forsake them not They acknowledg their iniquities and yet continue workers of inquity When once the master of the house is risen up and hath shut to the door and ye begin to stand without and to knock at the door saying Lord Loâ—d open unto us and he shall answer and say unto you I know you not whence you are then shall ye begin to
Church of God shall break in pieces and consume And it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms Life shall consume deadness light shall consume darkness good shall consume evil love shall consume enmity truth shall consume error power shall consume prejudice For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalteth it self against the knowledge of God and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ 2 Cor. 10.4 5. This breaking in pieces is not by outward of the Dragons in the waters thou brakest the heads of Leviathan in pieces and gavest him to be meat to the people inhabiting the wilderness Psal 74.12 13 14. Where Faith is lively and vigorous there is nothing can stand before it it carries a man over all dangers it carries him through all difficulties it conquers all Enemies and it gives him a sight of that glory which is invisible by it he lives in Heaven while he is on Earth 2. By Prayer The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much Jam. 5.16 Moses Prayer availed much And the Lord said unto Moses Wherefore criest thou unto me speak unto the children of Israel that they go forward Exod. 14.15 Jehoshaphat's Prayer availed much O our God! wilt thou not judge them for we have no might against this great company that cometh against us neither know we what to do but our eyes are upon thee 2 Chron. 20.12 Asa's Prayer availed much And Asa cried unto the Lord his God and said Lord it is nothing with thee to help whether with many or with them that have no power help us O Lord our God! for we rest on thee and in thy name we go against this great multitude O Lord thou art our God let not man prevail against thee 2 Chron. 14.11 Hezekiah's Prayer availed much For this cause Hezekiah the King and the Prophet Isaiah the Son of Amos prayed and cried to heaven 2 Chron. 22.20 Elias Prayer availed much Wot ye not what the Scripture saith of Elias how he maketh intercession unto God against Israel saying Lord they have killed thy Prophets and digged down thine Altars and I am left alone and they seek my life 1 King. 19.10 Prayer hath obtained great Victories Prayer hath remov'd great Evils Prayer hath broken and consum'd great Enemies Fear not thou Worm Jacob and ye men of Israel I will help thee saith the Lord and thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel Behold I will make thee a new sharp threshing instrument having teeth Thou shalt thresh the mountains and beat them small and shalt make the hills as chaff Thou shalt fan them and the wind shall carry them away and the whirlwind shall scatter them And thou shalt rejoice in the Lord and glory in the Holy One of Israel When the poor and needy seek water and there is none and their tongue faileth for thirst I the Lord will hear them I the God of Israel will not forsake them Isa 41.14 15 16 17. These have power to shut heaven that it rain not in the days of their prophecy and have power over waters to turn them to blood and to smite the earth with all plagues as often as they will Rev. 11.6 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the spirit and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints Eph. 6.18 That is Mental Prayer Exod. 14.15 Vocal Prayer Acts 4.24 Secret Prayer Mat. 6.6 Accidental Prayer Judg. 16.28 That which makes Prayer so powerful and prevailing is these three things 1. God the Object 2. The Spirit the Advocate 3. The Saint the Seeker 1. God is the Object that all his people look unto Their eyes are unto him and the desire of their Souls is unto his name and to the remembrance of him Look unto me and be ye saved all the ends of the earth for I am God and there is none else Isa 45.22 When we come to the Throne of his Grace and cast our selves down at his Feet by Prayer and Supplication God is that glorious Object we pray unto and by Faith behold him and take hold of his strength and wrestle with him for the obtaining of all Spiritual Blessings in Christ Jesus This is that the Saints of God have always done and this is that the Scriptures of truth teach us to do that when we pray the Lord God should be the Object of our Prayers Prayer is a great part of Gods worship and of all parts this is the most Spiritual Now they that have other Objects when they pray do but deceive themselves and rob God of his honour in giving that glory to graven Images which is only due to God Almighty But in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God Phil. 4.6 2. The Spirit is the Advocate Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities For we know not what we should pray for as we ought but the spirit it self maketh intercession for us with greanings which cannot be uttered And be that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the spirit because he maketh intercession for the Saints according to the will of God Rom. 8.26 27. But God hath revealed them unto us by his spirit for the spirit searcheth all things yea the deep things of God 1 Cor. 2.10 For through him we both have an â—ccess by one spirit unto the Father Eph. 2.18 The holy Spirit maketh intercession and is an Advocate for man with God and this makes a Saint a Conqueror for the Spirit of God that is in him so prevaileth with God for him that whatsoever he asketh in Faith according to the will of God it is given to him For ye have received the spirit of Adoption whereby we cry Abba Father Rom. 8.15 Now the Spirit is a double Advocate it is an Advocate for men with God and it is an Advocate for God with men The first of these I have already shewed you and this will lead me to the second And all things are of God who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation to wit that God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself not imputing their trespasses unto them and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation Now then we are Ambassadors for Christ as though God did beseech you by us we pray you in Christs stead be ye reconciled unto God 2 Cor. 5.18 19 20. By this you may see how God beseecheth men to be reconciled unto him and this he doth by the Spirit in the Ministry of the Word The holy Spirit strives with men but they resist the strivings of it And the Lord said My spirit shall not always strive with man Gen. 6.3 Ye stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears ye do always resist the holy Ghost as
your fathers did so do ye Acts 7.51 Now that which makes men do this be these six things 1. Worldly Interest 2. Self-conceit 3. A blind Subjection to others 4. Pride of Heart 5. Satan's Policy 6. Education These make men have an implacable hatred to all that is good When men are governed by these they imploy their rage and fury against the faithful With the greater part of Mankind these are so powerful that nothing but the mighty power of God is able to overcome them and to rescue men from their force It will require a measure of the extraordinary graces of Gods Spirit to be poured out And this is that good work which the Lord works in the Souls of men by his holy Spirit He works in them his own Image his own holy Will Power and Strength Knowledge and Understanding a love to God and a delight in him He makes them new Creatures and leads them into the paths of truth and righteousness This is a victory and this victory overcometh the world even our faith 1 Joh. 5.4 And when he is come he will reprove the world of sin of righteousness of judgment Of sin because they believe not on me Of righteousness because I go to my father and ye see me no more Of judgment because the Prince of this world is judged I have yet many things to say unto you but ye cannot bear them now Howbeit when he the spirit of truth is come he will guide you into all truth for he shall not speak of himself but whatsoever he shall hear that shall he speak and he will shew you things to come John 16.8 to 13. 3. The Saint is the Seeker Ask and it shall be given you seek and ye shall find knock and it shall be opened unto you Mat. 7.7 And shall not God avenge his own elect which cry day and night unto him though he bear long with them Luke 18.7 There is a three-fold cry that enters into the ears of the God of Sabbaoth The cry of Blood Rev. 6.10 The cry of Prayer Isa 19.20 The cry of Sin James 5.4 This is that cry which taketh peace from the Earth This is that which turns the World upside down This is that which brings the great Earthquake that makes the Cities of the Nations to fall This is that which breaks the Arm and the Bow of the wicked and turns their counsels into foolishness This is that which makes distress of Nations with perplexity the Sea and the Waves roaring mens hearts failing them for fear and for looking after those things which are coming upon the Earth for the poâ—â—rs of Heaven shall be shaken What wonderful things have been done by Prayeâ— and if tâ—â—re â—e but a Spirit of Prayer â—â—pt up in Gods people the abomination of desolation will not be able to stand before them Mat. 24.15 Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain and it rained not upon the Earth by the space of three years and six months and he prayed again and the heaven gave rain and the earth brought forth her fruit James 5.17 18. 3. The Church of God shall consume the Kingdoms of the world by the Word of truth And I saw and behold a white horse and he that sate on him had a bow and a Crown was given unto him and he went forth conquering and to conquer Rev. 6.2 This Conqueror is the Lamb the Lord Jesus Christ and this Conquest he makes by the Sword. But what Sword is it not a carnal Sword but by the Sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God Eph. 6.17 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp Sword that with it he should smite the nations Rev. 19.15 For the Word of God is quick and powerful and sharper than a two edged Sword piercing even to the dividing asunder of Soul and Spirit and of the Joynts and Marrow and is a discerner of the thoughts and the intents of the heart Heb. 4.12 When the Blessed Jesus came in the form of a Servant he spake from Heaven the Word of truth Whose voice then shook the earth but now he hath promised saying Yet once more I shake not the earth only but also heaven and this word yet once more signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken as of things that are made that those things which cannot be shaken may remain Heb. 12.26 The Word of truth is that which shakes the Devils Kingdom and Antichrist's Kingdom it shakes mens Foundations and their strong Holds their Refuges and Confidences And when the Lord lifts up his Name and makes his holy Arm bare his Power known by the Word of Truth and brings in his grace into the Souls of men and works in them by his Spirit his own Will his own Nature his Righteousness and holy Fear this is that which cannot be shaken and this is that which breaks in pieces and consumes hard and stony Hearts blind and dark minds carnal and fleshly Wisdom fierce and Lion-like Spirits This changeth mens Natures into a Lamb-like Spirit as the Prophet speaketh The Wolf also shall dwell with the Lamb and the Leopard shall lye down with the Kid and the Calf and the young Lion and the Fatling together and a little Child shall lead them And the Cow and the Bear shall feed their young ones shall lye down together and the Lion shall eat Straw like the Oxe And the suckling Child shall play on the hole of the Asp and the weaned Child shall put his hand on the Cockatrice den they shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain for the Earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the Waters cover the Sea Isa 11.6 7 8 9. When sin shall be done away and iniquity shall be finished when the Tribes of the Earth shall be rent from the power of darkness and the everlasting Gospel shall be preach'd to all nations under Heaven then none shall hurt and destroy in all thy holy mountain Let no man deceive you by any means for that day shall not come except there come a falling away first and that man of sin be revealed the son of perdition who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped so that he as God sitteth in the Temple of God shewing himself that he is God. Remember ye not that when I was yet with you I told you these things And now ye know what with-holdeth that he might be revealed in his time For the Mystery of Iniquity doth already work only he who now letteth will lett until he be taken out of the way And then shall that wicked be revealed whom the Lord shall consume with the Spirit of his Mouth and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming 2 Thes 2.3 to 8. The Apostle Paul having the Spirit of God did in that Spirit tell these Thessalonians what should come
to his Church Armour and also unto every Member of Christ Put on the whole Armour of God that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the Devil Ephes 6.11 Other Armour will not serve the turn it must be the Armour of God put on the Armour of God this will not do neither unless it be the whole Armour of God put on therefore the whole Armour of God that you may be able to stand The Church of God hath not only Armour but Weapons also For the Weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty through God 2 Cor. 10.4 That which makes these Weapons mighty is that they are through God and that which makes them pull down strong holds is that they are spiritual This holy City or Church of God hath Walls and Bulwarks about it a Wall that the Enemies cannot scale and get over they that are within need not fear killing We have a strong City salvation will God appoint for walls and bulwarks Isa 26.1 For I saith the Lord will be unto her a wall of fire round about and will be the glory in the midst of her Zech. 2.5 This Wall Pharaoh could not break through with all his Army nor get over to come at Israel though he put on with all his might The Enemy said I will pursue I will overtake I will divide the spoil my lust shall be satisfied upon them I will draw my sword my hand shall destroy them Exod. 15.9 But Pharaoh did but one of all these that was he pursued the Church because the Lord was between the Egyptians and the Israelites as a Wall about his People this wall the persecuting Kings of Israel and Judah could never break through to destroy Gods Church and People For he that toucheth you toucheth the Apple of his Eye Zech. 2.8 when the Jews and the Gentiles both made an assault to use them despitefully and to Stone them Acts 14.5 God was then a Wall about his Church that the Enemies could not destroy it they are kept by his power assisted by his Spirit comforted by his promises strengthned by his presence confirmed by his word The Lord God is their Sun and Shield the Lord will give grace and glory no good thing will he with-hold from them that walk uprightly Psalm 84.11 Trust ye in the Lord for ever for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength Isa 26.4 the Church of God hath the same security now that it ever had in all times and it is the same security that Angels have for their standing and continuing for ever in Heavenly glory and happiness for they are upheld by the word of his power Who being the brightness of his glory and the express image of his Person and upholding all things by the word of his Power when he had by himself purged our sins sate down on the right hand of the Majesty on high Heb. 1.3 Gods truth and faithfulness in his word confirms and fixes them they take hold of this as we do and rejoyce in it To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be made known by the Church the manifold wisdom of God Eph. 3.10 Vnto whom it was revealed that not unto themselves but unto us they did minister the things which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the Gospel unto you which the Holy Ghost sent down from Heaven which things the Angels desire to look into 1 Pet. 1.12 And I fell at his feet to worship him and he said unto me See thou do it not I am thy fellow-servant and of thy Brethren that have the Testimony of Jesus worship God Rev. 19.10 And I John saw these things and heard them and when I had heard and seen I fell down to worship before the feet of the Angel which shewed me these things Then saith he unto me See thou do it not for I am thy fellow-servant and of thy Brethren the Prophets and of them which keep the sayings of this Book worship God Rev. 22.8 9. If the heavenly Angels should say to God Almighty Lord what assurance hast thou given unto us that we fall not and be not cast down to the fallen Angels What security have we for our standing and abiding here in Heaven and to continue in this glory and happiness for ever and ever Would not God Almighty then answer and say unto them You have my Word my faithful sayings the Word of a God that is true and certain Psal 119.87 They had almost consumed me upon Earth but I forsook not thy Precepts For verily I say unto you Till Heaven and Earth pass one jot and one tittle shall in no wise pass from the Law till all be fulfilled Mat. 5.18 Heaven and Earth shall pass away but my words shall not pass away Mar. 13.31 And it is easier for Heaven and Earth to pass than one tittle of the Law to fall Luk. 16.17 This is the assurance that God hath given both to Angels and Men if there were as many Enemies as there be drops of water in the Sea they shall not be able to destroy this Kingdom the Church of God on Earth There shall not an hair of your head perish Luke 21.18 Persecutors may kill but they cannot overcome they may lay low but they cannot lay waste they may spoil but they cannot utterly destroy the Martyrs won the day And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their Testimony and they loved not their lives unto the death Rev. 12.11 Men live upon their Inheritance and therefore are not willing to part with that at any rate The Church is God's Portion and his Inheritance For the Lord's Portion is his People Jacob is the Lot of his Inheritance Deut. 32.9 The Saints are God's Jewels which he will not suffer to be destroyed but will make them up And they shall be mine saith the Lord of Hosts in that day when I make up my Jewels and I will spare them as a man spareth his own Son that serveth him Mal. 3.17 They are the Sheep of his Pasture that enter into his Gates with thanksgiving and into his Courts with praise Psal 100 4. These are they that God holds fast in his hand so fast that no man can pluck them out I give unto them eternal life and they shall never perish neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand my Father that gave them me is greater than all and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand John 10.28 29. The Church is Christ's body and this body can never be drown'd as long as the head keeps above water He is an Advocate for his Church in Heaven and fights against the Dragon and his Angels here below And there was war in Heaven Michael and his Angels fought against the Dragon and the Dragon fought and his Angels Rev. 12.7 The Church hath been a long time on a Sea of
Glass mingled with Fire and there she will continue till the fourth Kingdom that of Iron mixt with Clay be broken to pieces and become like Chaff of the Summer threshing-floors and the wind carry them away that no place be found for them Dan. 2.35 Notwithstanding the Spouse of Christ stands on a Sea of Glass mingled with Fire she is not destroyed And I saw as it were a Sea of Glass mingled with Fire and them that had gotten the victory over the Beast and over his Image and over his mark and over the number of his name stand on the Sea of Glass having the Harps of God and they sung the song of Moses the Servant of God and the song of the Lamb saying Great and marvellous are thy works Lord God Almighty just and true are thy ways thou King of Saints Who shall not fear thee O Lord and glorifie thy Name for thou only art holy for all Nations shall come and worship before thee for thy Judgments are made manifest Rev. 15.2 3 4. John the Divine that out-lived all the Apostles he being the last of them as is believed wrote this Book of the Revelations in an excellent stile the matter of it being excellent it was sent to him from Heaven Write the things which thou hast seen and the things which are and the things which shall be hereafter Rev. 1.19 That is from that time to this and from this time to the end of the World of all the things concerning the Church of God in the latter days and in the last days Here we have a sight of the Church often in the fifth chapter of this Book And they sung a new song saying Thou art worthy to take the Book and to open the Seals thereof for thou wast slain and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every Kindred and Tongue and People and Nation v. 9. This is a thanksgiving for their Redemption being redeem'd by the blood of Christ and delivered from wrath to come In the twelfth chapter you have another sight of the Church A Woman clothed with the Sun and the Moon under her feet and upon her head a Crown of twelve Stars v. 1. But against this Woman came the Red Dragon with the power of Hell to devour her Child as soon as it was born The Devil and the World cannot endure the pure Worship of God and the true Religion that is profess'd by God s Children This Woman the true Church of God fled into the Wilderness where she had a place prepared of God but the Dragon followed her and made war with the remnant of her seed which keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ v. 17. that in the generation of the Just in all times the Church is the Mother and the Womb that brings forth Gods faithful people in all ages and though the Dragon in persecuters hath made war against them yet they could never destroy them In the fourteenth Chapter you may see this Church following the lamb wheresoever he goes and were redeem'd from among men and from the Earth and having his fathers name written in their foreheads and in their mouths was found no guile these were Virgin Saints that had not drank of the Whores cup nor been defiled with her abominations You have a sight again of this Church in the fifteenth chapter which I mentioned before And I saw as it were a sea of Glass mingled with fire and them that had gotten the victory over the beast and over his image and over his mark and over the number of his name stand on the sea of Glass having the Harps of God. See then these following things Their place Their posture Their Victory Their thanks-giving 1. Their place as it were on a sea of Glass that is the World and the People that are in it Psal 46.2 3. And four great beasts came out from the Sea divers one from another Dan. 7.3 And I stood upon the sand of the Sea and saw a beast rise up out of the Sea having seven Heads and ten Horns and upon his Horns ten Crowns and upon his Heads the name of Blasphemy Rev. 13.1 This Sea then is the World and in this World you shall have trouble 2. Their posture They stand on the Sea of Glass Glass is that which lets light into a room wherever the Church of God is there is light light springing up light breaking forth light shining out Believers are Children of the day and of the light God hath shin'd into their hearts in the face of Christ Jesus Now the World and the Devil cannot endure this light but blow up the coals and kindle the fire of persecution that they may put out and destroy this light of saving knowledg Beloved think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you as though some strange thing happened unto you 1 Pet. 4.12 This is the sea of Glass mingled with Fire the fire of contention the fire of persecution and the fire of tribulation yet however Gods people stand they stand fast and having done all they stand having their loins girt about with truth and having on the breast-plate of righteousness and their feet shod with the preparation of the Gospel of peace Eph. 6.13 14 15. 3. Their victory over the beast and over his image and over his mark and over the number of his name you see here who they are that get the victory and this victory was got on the Sea of Glass mingled with fire that is in prisons and in dungeons and in great tribulations and in times of great calamities under sore trials Who shall separate us from the love of Christ shall tribulation or distress or persecution or famine or nakedness or peril or sword as it is written for thy sake we are killed all the day long we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter nay in all these things we are more than conquerers through him that loved us Rom. 8.35 36 37. who through faith subdued Kingdoms â—rought righteousness obtained promises stopped the mouths of Lions Heb. 11.33 for whatsoever is born of God overcometh the World and this is the victory that overcometh the World even our faith 1 John 5.4 the victory then the Saints get is over the Devil over his temptations over his devices and over all his assaults and wiles For we wrestle not against flesh and blood but against principalities against powers against the rulers of the darkness of this World against spiritual wickedness in high places Eph. 6.12 this victory is over the World the pleasures of the World and the profits of the World and over the frowns of the World. Who is he that overcometh the World but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God 1 John 5.5 this victory is over the beast his ordinances and laws over his image his worship and doctrines over his mark his profession and perswasion over the number of his name