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
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
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
fell on his face to the Earth and did worship and said unto him What saith my Lord to his servant And the Captain of the Lords Host said unto Joshua Loose thy shooe from off thy foot for the place whereon thou standest is holy And Joshua did so Josh 5.13 14 15. By this you may see they entered into the Land of Canaan with glory and triumph with joy and gladness Secondly Consider of the time and manner that these Jews were taken Captives and carried away out of their own Land. And there came up Shalmaneser King of Assyria and he took Samaria and carried away Israel into Assyria and placed them in Halah and in Habor by the River of Gazon and in the Cities of the Medes 2 Kings 17.6 And the Lord rejected all the Seed of Israel and afflicted them and delivered them into the hand of spoilers until he had cast them out of his sight verse 20. Until the Lord removed Israel out of his sight as he had said by all his servants the Prophets So was Israel carried away out of their own Land to Assyria unto this day verse 23. They were carried away with shame and reproach God was not with them but against them and was become their Enemy because they did secretly those things that were not right against the Lord their God and they built them high places in all their Cities from the Tower of the Watchmen to the Fenced City and they served Idols whereof the Lord had said unto them Ye shall not do this thing And they left all the Commandments of the Lord their God and made them molten Images even two Calves and made a Grove and worshipped all the Host of Heaven and served Baal And they caused their Sons and their Daughters to pass through the fire and used Divination and Inchantments and sold themselves to do evil in the sight of the Lord to provoke him to anger Therefore the Lord was very angry with Israel and removed them out of his sight that there was none left but the Tribe of Judah only By this a man may see the evil of sin It was sin that turned Angels into Devils and their Heaven into a Hell it was sin that turned Adam and Eve out of Paradise it was sin that turned the Cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into Flames and Ashes and it was sin that turned Israel out of Canaan that good Land that flowed with Milk and Honey Thirdly Consider how long these Jews have been hid and concealed from all other people on the face of the Earth that were carried away by Shalmaneser King of Assyria so long ago 2 Kings 17.6 No History can shew where they are in what Land or Nâ—tion No Travellers can tell us that go from Nation to Nation and from Kingdom to Kingdom to Countreys that are afar off even to the utmost parts of the Earth what is become of that people that are usually called the Ten Tribes I have often asked the Jews that live amongst us this question whether they have heard of them or did know in what part of the World they were their answer to me was That God Almighty had hid and concealed them in some part of the Earth or other but they did not know where but they did verily believe that God would some time or other bring them forth in the eyes of all the Nations and all the ends of the Earth shall see the Salvation of the Lord. And he said Go thy way Daniel for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end Dan. 12.9 And when the seven thunders had uttered their voices I was about to write and I heard a voice from Heaven saying unto me Seal up those things which the seven thunders uttered and write them not Rev 10.4 Fourthly Consider the restauration of Israel to their own Land they shall return to that Land which God gave them for an Inheritance The Scriptures of truth do fully and clearly shew this For the Lord will have mercy on Jacob and will yet chuse Israel and set them in their own Land Isa 14 1. But the Lord liveth which brought up and which led the Seed of the House of Israel out of the North Countrey and from all Countreys whither I had driven them and they shall dwell in their own Land Jer. 23.8 For I will take you from among the Heathen and gather you out of all Countreys and will bring you into your own Land Ezek. 36.24 Thus saith the Lord God Behold I will take the Children of Israel from among the Heathen whither they be gone and will gather them on every side and bring them into their own Land Ezek. 27.21 And at that time shall Michael stand up the great Prince which standeth for the Children of thy people and there shall be a time of trouble such as never was since there was a Nation even to that same time And at that time thy people shall be delivered Dan. 12.1 For behold in those days and in that time when I shall bring again the Captivity of Judah and Jerusalem I will gather all Nations and will bring them down into the Valley of Jehoshaphat and will plead with them there for my people and for my heritage Israel whom they have scattered among the Nations and parted their Land Joel 3.1 2. And I will bring again the Captivity of my people of Israel and they shall build the waste Cities and inhabit them and they shall plant Vineyards and drink the Wine thereof They shall also make Gardens and eat the Fruit of them And I will plant them upon their Land and they shall no more be pulled up out of their Land which I have given them saith the Lord thy God Amos 9.14 15. And in that day saith the Lord will I assemble her that halteth and I will gather her that is driven out and her that I have afflicted And I will make her that halteth a remnant and her that was cast far off a strong Nation and the Lord shall reign over them in Mount Zion from henceforth even for ever Micah 4.6 7. Behold at that time I will undo all that afflict thee and I will save her that halteth and gather her that was driven out and I will get them praise and fame in every land where they have been put to shame At that time will I bring you again even in the time that I gather you for I will make you a name and a praise among all people of the Earth when I turn back your Captivity before your eyes saith the Lord Zeph. 3.19 20. Thus saith the Lord of Hosts there shall yet old men and old women dwell in the streets of Jerusalem and every man with his staff in his hand for very Age. And the streets of the City shall be full of Boys and Girls playing in the streets thereof Thus saith the Lord of Hosts if it be marvellous in the eyes of the remnant of this
lay And when they had seen it they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this Child Luke 2 16 17. This brought the good tydings of great Joy which shall be to all people verse 10. This Providence fulfill'd many Prophecies As God had spoken by the mouth of his holy Prophets which have been since the World began Luke 1.70 Then was fulfilled that Prophecy Behold I lay in Zion for a foundation a slone a tryed stone a precious corner stone a sure foundation When the Holy Ghost came upon the Apostles that they were filled with it when this was noised abroad the multiâ—ude came together and were confounded because that every man heard them speak in his â—wn Language Act. 2.4 As the Providence of God brought up Joseph and Mary to Bethlehem so by a special Providence oâ— God was this great multitude brought to that meeting where the Apostles and others were assembled together and no sooner were they come within the sound of the Apostles words and under the power of God's holy Spirit but three thousand of them were converted Oh what a blessed Providence was this they came with a stone in their hearts buâ— went away broken hearted they came spiritually dead dead in their sins anâ— trespasses but they went away quickned and full of spiritual life they came fuâ—â— of enmity and prejudice against Chrisâ— Jesus and his holy ways but they wenâ— away full of Faith Love and Joy in believing in that Jesus whom they had crucified they came Subjects of the Princâ— of the power of the Air but they wenâ— away called and chosen Children of thâ— free Woman they came covered with â— vail of ignorance blindness and darkness but they went away Children of the light and of the day The vail was rent thaâ— was over their hearts and the gloriouâ— light of the Gospel shined into them bâ— the power of God's Word and Spirit then were their Consciences awakened and they were pricked in their hearts and â—heir minds were enlightned their affeâ—tions raised then they humbled themâ—elves before the Lord and said unto Peâ—er and to the rest of the Apostles Men â—nd Brethren what shall we do Then they â—ad a sight and sense of their sins the Word of Truth having taken hold on â—hem and the Spirit having made its own way into their hearts this brought them â—rom the Law to the Gospel and from Moses to Christ Jesus that was full of â—race and truth this brought them from â—he Temple-worship of the Jews to worâ—hip God in spirit and in truth this â—rought them from the National Church â—f the Jews to the Church of Christ And â—he same day there was added unto them â—bout three thousand souls and they conâ—â—nued stedfastly in the Apostles Doctrine â—nd fellowship and in breaking of bread and 〈◊〉 prayers Acts 2.42 O! what a wonderful work of God was â—his these were Jews and Proselytes some â—f all Nations under Heaven that were â—urn'd from Darkness to Light and from â—he power of Satan unto God. And there â—ere dwelling at Jerusalem Jews devout â—en out of every nation under Heaven Now â—hen this was noised abroad the multitude came together and were confounded because that every man heard them speak in his own language And they were all amazed and marvelled saying one to another Behold are not all these which speak Galileans And how hear we every man in our own tongue wherein we were born Acts. 2.5 6 7 8. By this you may see how the Kingdom was set up in that day But let us see what was then done in other places the People of Samaria were then under great darkness having been of a long time deceived and bewitched by Simons Sorcery But there was a certain man called Simon which before time iâ— the same City used Sorcery and bewitched the People of Samaria giving out that himself was some great one to whom they all gatâ— heed from the least to the greatest saying that this man is the great power of God anâ— to him they had regard because that of a lonâ— time he had bewitched them with Sorcerieâ— Acts 8.9 10 11. What a sad and miserable condition were these People then in 〈◊〉 They were in the Devils snare and iâ— the bonds of iniquity and in the gall oâ— bitterness but Philip went down to the City of Samaria and preached Christ unto them ver 5. Philip being armed witâ— power from above and under the ricâ— anointing of the holy Spirit and in the fulness of the blessing of the Gospel and being enriched with all spiritual blessings having the Sword of the Spirit and that precious faith which overcomes the evil one That blessed servant of God comâ—ng amongst these Poor blind People did so convince them and inlighten them by â—he everlasting Gospel that he then Preach'd to them and by the miracles â—hat he did in their sight that many of â—hem believed both men and women and were baptized and Simon himself believed â—lso Wherever the Gospel comes in Power it â—reaks confounds the Devils Kingdom Sorcerers and False Teachers cannot stand â—efore it it swallows up Darkness it â—estroys Superstition and Idolatry It â—onfounds the Wisdom of this World â—t cuts asunder the bonds of Iniquity and â—t opens the eyes of the blind It causeth â—oy in Heaven amongst the Angels and â—t brings peace and good will to men on Earth For I am not ashamed of the Gospel 〈◊〉 Christ for it is the power of God unto Salâ—ation to every one that believeth Rom. â— 16 When the Gospel is let loose it â—ill run and it will conquer and overâ—ome Sorcerers Idolaters Persecutors and Blasphemers the very Devils cannot stand before it it makes them tremble and fly the Gospel is the arm of God the power of God the Spirit of his mouth which consumes and destroys and pulls down 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. 10.5 When the Apostle Paul fled from the Cruelties of the Jews to the Justice of the Romans from the rage and malice of the Jews to the equity and charity of the Romans Acts 28.16 he was brought â— Prisoner to Rome that was then a Synagogue of Satan a Temple of darkness a City too superstitious a place of abominable Idolatry they were Heathens anâ— yet were more kind to the Apostle Paul than his Country-men the Jews for theâ— gave him leave to dwell two whole years iâ— his own hired house and received all thâ—â— came unto him preaching the Kingdom oâ— God and teaching those things which concerâ— the Lord Jesus Christ with all confidence 〈◊〉 man forbidding him Acts 28.30 31. Here by the sound of his words and by thâ— sound of his chain many were awakened by his Sermons and by his Sufferings manâ— were converted of these Romans light sprung up and light broke forth by 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
to pass hereafter First That there would be a great Apostacy a falling away from the truth v. 3. Secondly Out of that Apostacy one would rise up to be the head of it whom he calls the Man of sin the Son of Perdition that wicked One ver 3 8. Thirdly ' That he should be revealed in his time ver 6. And made manifest that all might know him Fourthly That his coming would be after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders and with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish v. 9 10. Fifthly He shews what he would do when he was come oppose and exalt himself above all that is called God or that is worshipped and as God sit in the temple of God and shew himself that he is God v. 4. Sixthly How the Lord would punish them and plague them for their Apostacy And for this cause God shall send them strong delusions that they should believe a lie that they all might be damned who believed not the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness v. 11 12. Seventhly This he calls the mystery of iniquity For the mystery of iniquity doth already work only he who now letteth will let until he be taken out of the way v. 7. Eighthly That the Lord shall consume that wicked one with the Spirit of his mouth and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming v. 8. God hath in all ages rais'd up faithful witnesses and filled them with his Spirit and they have preach'd the everlasting Gospel peace and good Will to Men on Earth and have declared that message which was from the beginning that God is love and light and they have vindicated that truth which others preach'd before them that was condemned by the World for Heresie and this work the Lord hath been carrâ—ing on in the Earth these many years past and this is the work that the Lord is carrying on in this our day pouring out of his Spirit upon his Sons and Daughters shining into the Hearts and Minds of Men turning them from darkness unto light and from the power of Satan unto God that all men may come to the knowledge of the truth that they may be saved and this is the Spirit of his Mouth the Rod of his Mouth that shall destroy that man of sin and all the wâ—rks of darkness and all that which exalts its self aga â—st Gods will and authority his love and grace The word of truth doth prevail and it will prevail This is that brightness that shall destroâ— tâ—e works of the flesh wherever it comes and â—l nes into any Hearts and this is that which shall â—reak in pieces and consume all these Kingdoms Namelâ— The Lord shall consume with the Spirit â—f his Mouth shall desâ—roy with the brightness of his comiâ—g Before she travelled she brought fortâ— before her pain came she was delivered of a man child who hath heard such a thing Who hath seen such things Shall the Earth be maâ—e to bring for him one day Or shall a Nation be born at one For as soon as Zion travelled she brought sâ—ith her Children Isa 66.7 8. This shews the great success of the Gospel how it shall prevail and overcome And he shall reign over the House of Jacob for ever and of his Kingdom there shall be no end Luke 1.33 I am now to shew you in the last plaâ—â— tâ—aâ— tâ—e true Church shall stand for ever aâ—d this I shall evince from these following considerations 1. From the Word of od 2. From the Provi eâ—ces of God. 3. From the Pâ—ople of â—â—d 4. From the Enâ—mie of God. First from the W rd of God thâ—â—â—s The Word of Prophecy The Word of Promise The Word of Threatning 1. The Word of Prophesie The Lord God hath spoken by the mouth of his Prophets which have been since the World began that his people should be saved from their enemies and from the hands of all that hate them 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. 22.17 They that trust in the Lord shall be as mount Zion which cannot be removed but abideth for ever Psalm 125.1 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 and all nations shall flow unto it Isa 2.2 The Lord hath founded Zion and the poor of his people shall trust in it Isa 14.32 behold the voice of the cry of the daughter of my people because of them that dwell in a far countrey Is not the Lord in Zion is not her King in her Why have they provoked me to anger with their graven Images and with strange vanities Jer. 8.19 And the Kingdom and Dominion and the greatness of the Kingdom under the whole Heaven shall be given to the people of the Saints of the most high whose Kingdom is an everlasting Kingdom and all Dominions shall serve and obey him Dan. 7.27 And it shall come to pass that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be delivered for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance as the Lord hath said and in the remnant whom the Lord shall call Joel 2.32 And saviours shall come up on mount Zion to Judg the mount of Esau and the Kingdom shall be the Lords Obad. 21. 2. The Word of Promise God is in the midst of her she shall not be moved God shall help her and that right early Psal 46.5 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 for I am the Lord thy God the holy one of Israel thy saviour Isa 43.2 3. 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 Mat. 16.18 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 The question is put by God himself in that great and known place Isa 49.15 Can a Woman forget her sucking Child that she should not have compassion on the Son of her Womb yea she may forget yet will I not forget thee Behold I have graven thee upon the Palms of my Hands thy Walls are continually before me Thy Children shall make haste thy destroyers and they that made thee waste shall go forth of thee God did never forsake his people God cannot forsake his people God will never forsake his people And our Lord Jesus Christ hath promised that there shall not an Hair of their
Head perish Luke 21.18 3. The Word of Threatning The Adversaries of the Lord shall be broken in pieces Out of Heaven shall he thunder upon them The Lord shall judge the ends of the Earth and he shall give strength unto his King and exalt the Horn of his Anointed 1 Sam. 2.10 Associate your selves O ye people and ye shall be broken in pieces and give ear all ye of far Countreys Gird your selves and ye shall be broken in pieces gird your selves and ye shall be broken in pieces Take counsel together and it shall come to nought speak the word and it shall not stand For God is with us Isa 8.9 10. And I will make drunk her Princes and her Wise men her Captains and her Rulers and her Mighty men And they shâ—ll sleep a perpetual sleep and not wakâ— saith the King whose name is the Lord oâ— Hosâ—s Jer. 51 5â— Wo unto you that desire the day of tâ—e Lord To what end is it for you the day of the Lord is darkness and not light As if a man did flee from a Lion and a Bear met him or went into the House and leaned his Hand on the Wall and a Serpent bit him Shall not the day of the Lord be darkness and not light even very dark and no brightnâ—ss in it Amos 5.18 19 20. Though they dâ—â— into Hell thence shall mine hand take them Though they climb up to Heaven thence will I bring them down And though they hide themselves in the top of Carmel I will search and take them out thence And though they be hid from my sight in the bottom of the Sea thence will I command the Serpent and he shall bite them And though they go into Captivity before their Enemies thence will I command the Sword and it shall slay them And I will set mine Eyes upon them for evil and not for good Amos 9.2 3 4. Therefore wait ye upon me saith the Lord until the day that I rise up to the prey for my determinâ—tion is to gather the Nations that I may assemble the Kingdoms to pour upon them mine indignation even all my fierce anger For all the Earth shall be devoured with the fire of my jealousie Zeph. 3.8 For behold thoâ—â—y cometh that shall burn as an Oven and all tâ—e Proud yea and all that do wickedly shall be stubble and the day that cometh shall burn them up saith the Lord of Hosts that it shall not leave them neither root nor branch Mal. 4.1 These shall hate the Whore and shall make her desolate and naked and shall eat her Flesh and burn her with fire For God hath put in their hearts to fulfil his will and to agree and give their Kingdom unto the Peast until the words of God shall be fulfilled Rev. 17.16 17. Therefore shaâ—l her Plagues come in one daâ— Death and Mourning and Famine and she shall be utterly burnt with fire For strong is the Lord God who judgeth her Rev. 18 8. God hath given assurance to all men that his Church shall stand for ever Now he that runs may read and he that reads may see in these many Texts of Scripture I have set before you that the True Church shall stand for ever Secondly From the Providences of God. God brings forth Time. Time brings forth Providences Providence brings forth Things And things work together yea all things work together for good to them that love God to them who are the called according to his purpose Providence is that seal d Book sealed with seven Seals And I saw in the right Hand of him that sate on the Throne a Book written within and on the back side sealed with seven Seals Rev. 5.1 The Angels were to sound the seven Trumpets The Angels were to pour out the Vials of the wrath of God. But the Lamb was to open the seven Seals that had sealâ—d up the Book of Providence And as the Lamb opened the Seals Providence brought forth thâ— things that were to be as God had purposed and determined according to his own Counsel and Will and these things knoweth no man till Providence brings them forth But of that day and that hour knoweth no man no not the Angels which are in Heaven neither the Son but the Father Mark 13.32 And he said unto them It is not for you to know the Times and the Seasons which the Father hath put in his own power Acts 1.7 Surely the Angels that are in Heaven know more than men that are on the Earth and yet you see they did not know of that day nor hour nor the Son as he was man but the Father And after our Lord Jesus was risen from the dead the Apostles asked of him saying Lord wilt thou at this time restore again the Kingdom to Israel He then soon answered them It is not for you to know the Times or Seasons which the Father hath put in his own power No man knoweth what shall be on the morrow what a day may bring forth Jam. 4.14 No man can say This shall be or that shall be in this time or at that time He can go no further than conjectures and imaginations which have led men into error and confusion and into great mistakes This is very plain that men do not know what shall befal them and others the next hour And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the Seals I heard as it were the noise of thunder 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 And when he had opened the second Seal there went out another Horse that was red And power was given to him that sate thereon to take peace from the Earth and that they should kill one another And there was given unto him a great Sword. And when he had opened the third Seal I beheld and lo a black Horse and he that sate on him had a pair of Ballances in his Hand And I heard a voice in the midst of the four Beasts saying A measure of Wheat for a penny and three measures of Barley for a penny and see thou hurt not the Oyl and the Wine And when he had opened the fourth Seal I looked and behold a pale Horse and his name that sate on him was Death and Hell followed with him And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the Earth to kill with Sword and with Hunger and with Death and with the Beasts of the Earth c. Rev. 6.1 to 8. By this you may see things did not appear until the Seals were opened but as soon as the Lamb had opened any of the Seals Providence brought forth the things that did appear to the sight and view of men Then that came to be known which before was unknown When he had opened the first Seal I saw and behold a white Horse and he that sate on him had a Bow