Christian eares with more of their Blasphemous Tenents this is enough to turn the stomacks of Christians with indignation aginst them 4. 'T is a most uncomfortable Religion it is impossible to get or keep true peace of Conscience in that way Rev. 9 5 6. And their torments was as the torment of a Scorpion when he smiteth a man And in those dayes sâ—all men seek death and shall not find it but death shall flie from them That is saith a worthy Divine the Consciences oâ— poor sinners being stung with guilt and horror of sin and finding no satisfaction nor remedy in their way shall be endlesly perplext tortured with inward troubles of spirit which are like the stinging of a Scorpion so that they shall chuse death rather then life For do but consider 1 They are enemies to free-grace and all Gospel-preaching Gardiner would not have this gap of free-grace opened to the People See saith â—ontâ—â—â— a Jesuit The fruit of Protestantism and their Gospel praeching 2 They deprived the people of the Scriptures wherein are treasured up all the Cordial and soul-reviving Comforts of a poor distressed sinner If thâ— Law saith David had not been my delight I should have perished in my affliction and again This is my comfort in my affliction thy word hath quikned me Psal. 119. 3. They lay the stress of their hopes for salvation as you have heard upon their own merits and the merits of others like themselves so that all the comforts they build upon that foundation must needs be loose and deluâ—ory things debile fundamentum fallit otus every thing is as its foundation is Lastly they deny the possibility of the assurance of â—alvation in this life so coseqâ—ntly their Consciences must be alwais cauterized dead or fluctuating dubious O what a religion is this 5. Lastly it is a Damnable religion we have no ground from Sripture to concâ—ude the salvation of any among them that know the depths of Satan and live and dye in destructive Opinions Hear what the Scriptures say Rev. 17.8 The beast that thou sawest was and is not and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit and go into perdition and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder whose Names are not written in the Book of Lâ—fe from the foundation of the Word when they see the beast that was and is not and yet is 2 Thes 2.21 And for this cause God shall send them strong delâ—sions that they should beleive a lye that they all might be damned that beleeved not the truth but had pleasure in unrighteosness When their sorest plague shall come upon them they shall not have a heart given them to repent but shall blaspheme the Name of God because of them Rev. 16.9 And therefore to shut up this first Counsel you that love the Lord hate that by which he is so much dishonoured it will make your blood boil in your veines to see how he is Crucified Dethroned and trampled on by these his Enemies 2 COVNSL Use all proper preventive means to avert this threatning judgement of which sort I shall recommend these three in speciall Mourn for the abuse of former Light and Liberty and say O remember not against us former iniquities let thy tendeo mercy speedily prevent us for we are brought very low Psal. 97.8 O England What a day of Mercy hast thou had how hast thou been exalted to Heaven with Capernaum thou mightest once have worshipped God as purely as thou wouldest you might have been as holy as you would the lot of this generation was cast upon such an happie nick of time as is scarce to be found in the history of Ages past but the most glorious morning hath its evening the brightest Sun its clouds and time of setting We know not the time of our Visitation but were both wanton and barren under those precous Mercies God is now coming with his Ax in his hand to hew down barren Trees Nothing but unfeigned repentance and speedy reformation can reprieve us Romanae leges â—â—nam pregnanti deferunt Nothing but those fruits can be a good signe of mercy to England And will you not yet mourn for the loss of such a day such peace neglected and not mourn such liberties abused and for their abuses removed and not a tear So many flourishing Churches broken and the heart not broken So many shining Lights extinct and none lay it to heart Such black clouds of Popish darkness and blood gathering over us and none tremble Lord what hearts have we how wonderful is the stupifying power of sin O ye Professors of England that ye had known at leaâ—â— in that your day the things of your peace but now they are hid from your eyes You once had those mercies now you have them not and the Lord only knows whether ever you shall see them again I am out of hopes of them till I see the people of God more humbled for the sins that removed them Make up your breaches speedily it is time I think when the enemie is entring in at them Hear me all ye friends of Christ by what names so ever distinguished among your selves Will you some and be friends one with another have you yet enough of your Divisions how do the fruits of your Animosities Contentions and Reproaches relish now with you do you see who God is sending to part you canâ—t you yet pray together mourn together strive with God together Why then can you go to Prison together Will you stand quietly at the stake together What say you friends you profess to be the children of the God of Peace and I am sure Christ is the Prince of Peace and the Gospel the Gospel of Peace and will not you be the Sons of Peace if you will not yet unite let the ruine of England lie upon your score Do you make no more of the Commands of Christ the Credit of Religion the safety of the Nation Ah! methinks as Tertullian told Scapula Si non vis tibi parcere parce Corthagim If you have no pitie for your selves have pitie for the Nation dont sacrifice all to your unruly lusts If you profess love to Christ and yet have no love for those in whom is his Image if you pretend to be Saints and yet had rather hazard the honour of Christ then denie your passions and lusts pray pull off your Vizards fall into your places and appear as you are Brethren I beseech you seriously to consider these three Particulars and if there be any force in them or tenderness in your Consciences let them at last perswade you to love one another 1. That Scripture makes your love to the Brethren a positive mark of your Regenration 1 John 3.14 We know that we are passed from death â—o life because we love the brethren He that loveth not his Brother abideth in death And 1 Joh 5.1 Every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is
true observation That whosoever will attempt the overthrow of Religion must begin with the Ministery first â—hese are set for the aâ—â—ence of the Gospel It was the counsel that Adam â—onizen a deep-pated Achitophel of theirs long since gave in this case Suppres saith he the Ministers Et error cui patâ—acinium deerit sine pâ—â—nâ— concidet and then the error that hath none to patronize it will fall of it self So he calls the precious truth of Jesus Christ I dare not affirm that this was intentionally done to open a door of opportunity to them but that eventually ' its like to prove so who that exercises reason sees not When so many pious Ministers went off the Stage it was apparent enough what an opportunity these men had to ascend it and act their part 2. Secondly The destruction of our Famous City the strength and glory of the Nation whiâ—h they have laid in the dust a designe no douht contrived in the Popâ—sh Conclave they well enough knew how able London was to give check to their designes My heart bleedeth for thee London to see thee made of a City an Heap of a Defenced City a Ruine a Palace of strangers to be no City And if they can have their will that which follows in the text should be added It shall never be built If Parliaments will heaâ—ken to them they will perswade like Rehum and Shiniâ—ai Ezra 4.14 that it may lie stiâ—l in its Ashes and upon the same pretentions let search be made say they in the Book of Records of thy Fathers so shalt thou find in the Book of Records and know that this City is a rebellious City and hurtful unto Kings and Provâ—nces and they that have moved sedition within the same of old tâ—me for which cause it was destroyed But I trust the Lord will make our Rulers wise to discover their bloody intentions how speciously so ever palliated with pretences of Loyalty and Fidelity But mean while London is ruined that goodly mountain laid wasâ—ed the most glorious City in all respects that ever the Sun looked upon now a desolate Wilderness O London who can sufficiently bewail thy misery for mine own part as the Orator solemâ—izing a sad Funeral desired to have learned Mortality from another â—ubject rather then that of Scaliger So might it have pleased the Lord I should have been glad to have learned the vanity of all worldly glory from another example then that of Lonâ—â—n How doth the City sit solitary that was full of people she that was great among the Nations and Princess among the Provinces O London thou sealest up the summe and wast perfect in beauty Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day thou wast created untill inâ—quity was found in thee Thy renown went forth among the Heathen for thy beauty for it was perfâ—ct through the comliness thy God had put upon thee But thy heart was lifted up because of thy beauty thou dâ—dst corrupt thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness Therefore the Lord hath cast thee to the ground and brought forth a fire from the midst of thee which hath brought thee to ashes London hath grivously sinned therefore is she removed all that know thee among the people are astonished at thee thou art terrour to them London may now sit down by her Sister Ierusalem in the dust and say Is it nothing to you all ye that pass by see and behold was there ever any sorrow liâ—e unto my sorrow which is done unto me wherewiâ—h the Lord hath afflâ—cted me in the day of his fierce angerâ— They have heard that I sigh there is none to comfort me all mine enemies have heard of my trouble they are glad thaâ— thou hast done 〈◊〉 thou wilt bring the day that thou hast called and they shall be like unto me Let all thâ—ir wickedness come before thee and do unto them as thou haâ—â— done unto mâ— Mine enemies have devâ—uâ—ed me they hâ—ve crushed me and made me an empty vessel they have sâ—allowed me up like a Dragon The violence done unto me and to my flâ—sh be upon Babylon shall the Inhabitants of London say Remember O Lord the Inhabitants of Babylon in the day of London who said Raser rase it even to the foundations O daughter of Babylon that art to be destroyed happy shall he be that rewardeth thee as thou hast seâ—ved us Let no man think that I endeavour to obscure the righteous Hand of God which is to be own'd and trembled at in such a judgment Though London must acknowledge his justice in all that is come upon her yet the wickedness of Instruments is not in the least to be excused thereby God and man may concurre in the fame action and yet neither his holiness have any fellowship with their wickedness nor their Injustice be excused by his Righteousness Idem quod duo faciunt non est idem His work is perfect for all his wayes are judgment a God of truth and without iniquity just and right is He they have corrupted themselves Deut. 32.4.5 Wilt thou not confess London that thy sins were the sparks that kindled thy flames doubtless thou wilt such was thy pride Epicurisme Formality and Barrenness under such precious waterings as thou once enjoyedst above all the Cities in the world that thou mayest say it is of the Lords mercy thine Inhabitants had not all perished with their Habitations and that God had not made thee like Sodom for what couldst thou expect when thy Lots were going but that devouring flames were coming But to return from this sad though necessary digression hereby it is manifest the common Enemy hath obtained a singular and long expected advantage to their design often have they in vain attempted it but now God hath delivered it into their hands Well might they rejoice as they did to see its flames ascend and drink healths to its ashes For upon divers politick considerations it might easily be demonstrated that their cause and interest is revived and warmed by that fire 3. Lastly it cannot but much more heighten our fears if we consider the sad posture we are in at this day of our Eminent Danger Three or four sad particulars I shall here suggest and let none think it to be a laying open of our nakedness and weakness to the Enemies for I shall tell them no News in telling you that 1. They are much encouraged in that the Ceremonies of their Religion find such acceptation among us It was long since observed That as the morning ushers in the day so the Ceremonies of any Religion serve to bring in the Religion it self If we are heartily resolved against Popery What do we with their Garments Gestures Altars Crosses Liturgies and Officers among us upon this reason the Divines of Hamburgh withstood the Cerimonies of INTERIM of which they gave this account to Melancthon These indifferent things say they are nothing else but the seeds
begotten of him And to speak truth it is ordinarily the clearest signe that many poor Christians can find in their own breasts Upon the hazard therefore of your own peace and assurance be it if still you continue to bite and devoure one another 2. I will farther and that this endeared and mutual love of the Saints is the charge yea the dying-charge of Christ to them they were some of the last words of Christ in this world Iohn 15.12 This is my Commandement that ye love one another as I have loved you Dying charges are commonly received with geatest Veneration and men what ever they neglect will be sure to fulâ—fill the will of the Dead So Gen. 50.10 When Iosephs Brethreâ— were affraid lest his father being now dead he would remembeâ— the old injuries they have done him urge this pacifying argumenâ— upon him Thy Father did command before he dyed saying Forgive â— pray thee now the trespasses of thy Brethren And ver 21. you see how it prevailed with him He comforted them and spake kindly to them O my brethren will you not lay down your private differences and animosities when God threatens you with a common ruin wheâ— a common danger is upon you all In the year 1607. when by thâ— irruption of â—he Severn sea the Country in Sommersetshire was over flown almost 20 miles in length and four miles in breadth and many persons drowned it was then observable saith Mr Fuller that Creatures of contraâ—y Natures as Dogs and Hares Foxes and Conies yea Cats and Mice getting up to the tops of some Hills dispensed at that time with their Antipathies remaining peaceably together without sign of fear or any violence one towardâ— another My Readers thoughts will doubtless anticipate me in thâ— application of this strange passage Our want of love hath cut thâ— banks and let in an inundation of Calamities upon us and a more fearful flood of judgments is yet expected and will not such publick dangers yet cause us to depose our private Differences shall we act below Dogs Cats and Foxes shall we prefer private revenge before common safety If so I much doubt God will still us and part the fray in a more terrible manner then most think of I doubt it may be said of us ere long as he said who saw the dead carcasses of Enemies that had been slain in a duel lie quietly together as if they had embraced each other quanta amicitia se invicem amplectantur qui mutua implacabili in mâ—citia perierunt How lovingly do they embrace each other being dead who perished through their mutual and implacable enmity how justly may the Lord sweep away this generation of Professors and raise up others in their room who will agree and love one another better What shall I say more If there be any consolation in Christ if any comfort of love if any fellowship of the spirit if any bowells and mercies fulfill ye my joy that ye be like minded having the same love being of one acccord and of one mind Phil. 2.12 Strive day night with God by importunate prayers for the prevention of those eminent judgments but strive no more one with another no more of that work I pray O 't is a thousand pities to see the sheep 〈◊〉 â—â—rist to push and goâ—e each other Non Secuâ— ac Cum duo conversis inimica in prelia tauri Frontibus incurrent O rather put out as the Elect of God bowels of mercy and compassion let the â—â—ople of God be but once heartily united and then Rome do thy worst Associâ—te â—â—out selves O ye people and you shall be broken in pieces and give ear all 〈◊〉 of far Countrys gird your selves and ye shall be broken in pieces take â—ounsel together and it shall come to nought speak the word and it shall â—ot stand for God is with us â—ye day and night at the throne of Grace interceeding with God for your â—â—ves and for the Nation What Mr. Pâ—rkids said of his times it iâ— no less suiâ—â—â—â—le to these Non sunt istae litigandi sed orandi tempora these are not times for â—â—tention but Prayer This will be a good omen of mercy and deliverance at â—â—nd we may say of the spirit of Prayer as Christ said of the budding of the 〈◊〉 tree Mat. 24. when ye see the Fig-tree and all the trees of the field put forth â—nder leaves ye know that Summer is nigh So the reviving and budding forth the spirit of Prayer is a sign that Salvation is nigh The Psalmist knew the â—â—ne to favour Sion was come and that God would arise and have mercy upon 〈◊〉 because he found a spirit of compassion and prayer for Sion poured out â—s â—2 13.14 When the decree for judgment is gone forth and God will not be â—â—pt he usually shuts up aud straitens the spirits of praying ones Jer. 7.16 he neâ—â—r shuts out prayer till the case become desperate and â—emediless Jer. 15.1 O â—â—â—ds great is the efficacy of prayer prayer will rain all your enemies David 〈◊〉 up but one petition against Achitopnel ' Lord turn the councel of Achitopnel into foolishness and it ruined both him and his design 2 Sam. 15.3 Prayers â—nd tears will do more then Guns or swords 2 chron 14 9. O be not discouraged because you presently see not the effects and returns of â—ur Prayers your prayers are heard though their answers be suspended and 〈◊〉 confident in due time they shall be answered also O how many millions of â—â—ayers are upon the file in Heaven as a Memorâ—al before God upon this accounâ—â—â—ot a good man all the world over but joins with you in this cry Lord raze the â—oundations of Antichrist pull down Babylon and build up Sion Yea the prayâ—â—s of thousands who are now in heaven are yet to be answer'd in that matterâ— or though we may say of their persons as the Church speaks of Abraham they â—now us not yet me may say of their prayers as the Church speaks of Abel though â—â—ey be dead their prayers are not dead they live and yet speak O then stir up â—our selves to take hold oâ— God weep and make supplication Two things exceedingly discourage our spirits in prayer great guilt in uâ— and â—â—ng delayes of answers from God against both these shé Lord hath laid up encouragements and sweet supportâ— in the word are we undèr great guilt have we abused mercies so did Israel Ps. 106.7.8.16.17 18.19.28 Yet mercy comes triâ—mphing over all their unworthiness with a non obstante ver 44. Nevertheless he regarded their affliction when he heard their cry What though England like Israel be a polluted Nation yet Israel hath â—ot beâ—n forsaken nor Judah of his Goâ— though their land was filled with sin against the holy one of Israel Jer. 515. or doth God exercise your faith and patience by delaying the returns of prayeâ— so that you are â—eady to look at your prayers as lost See