Lord how manifold are thy Works in Wisdom hast thou made them all Psalm 104.24 Secondly See his mercy and goodness in his providences God holds the whole frame of Nature in his hand from the highest Angels to the lowest Worm they are all under his care He exerciseth a providence in the Government of the whole World He ruleth in the Kingdoms of Men and giveth it to whomsoever he will He is wonderful in counsel glorious in Holiness rich in Mercy high in Power and yet full of Pity and Compassion like as a Father pitieth his Children so the Lord pitieth them that fear him and he pitieth them most when they are in trouble and in distress under sore afflictions and great tryals When the Lord smites a Land with drought when the Heaven over our Heads is as Brass and the Earth that is under us as Iron Deut. 28.23 the Grass of the fields burnt up and the Beasts of the Earth languish mens Hearts failing them for fear Hosea 4.3 O what shall we do for Rain the fruits of the Earth will be destroyed and we fear a Famine when it is thus with a Land or Nation who can help them who can save them but the God of Heaven then he makes his power known and calleth for the Waters of the Sea and poureth them out upon the face of the Earth Amos 5.8 then the God of Heaven gives Rain from Heaven In that he doâ—h good and gives us Rain from Heaven and fruitful seasons filling our Hearts with food and gladness Acts 14.17 Ships that go upon the great and wide Sea from Nation to Nation are often wind bound and cannot make their way and sometimes lie at their Anchor for want of a fair wind many days and weeks the poor sea-men look out and look up to Heaven for a Wind that they may proceed on their Voyage then they are troubled saying O! that we had a fair wind to carry us to our desired port then the Lord sheweth his mercy and goodness to them in turning the wind and brings it about and carrys them to their desired haven then they are glad and rejoyce and bless and praise his holy name that bringeth forth the Wind out of his Treasures Jer. 10.13 So when they meet with foul weather at sea and are in great distress and danger of being cast away the Sea working the Waters standing up like so many Mountains the Wind bearing hard on them then all hopes of life and safety are taken from them then fear seizeth them and the thoughts of drowning terrifies them O! we shall go down to the bottom of the Sea and we are afraid we shall rise up again in the flames of Hell then they unto the Lord do cry for help when none can help them but the God of Heaven he speaks to the Winds and bids them be still and they obey him and to the raging Sea and the Waters become quiet and still Then they see the works of the Lord and his wonders in the deep his goodness and mercies towards them See the 107 Psalm Thirdly See his love and grace in his word More to be desired are they than Gold yea than much fine Gold sweeter also than honey and the honey comb moreover by them is thy Servant warned and in keeping of them there is great reward Psalm 19.10 11. The Prophet Micah makes an enquiry and the enquiry is this What will please the Lord Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of Rams or with ten thousands of Rivers of Oyl Micah 6.7 Now if nothing less than this will please the Lord then the Rich would be happy and the poor would be miserable But the Prophet puts it farther Shall I give my first born for my transgression the fruit of my Body for the Sin of my Soul verse 7. Poor People though they have not thousands of Rams and ten thousands of Rivers of Oyl yet they have a great many Children to take care of and to provide for though they are their comforts yet they are their care and trouble to feed them and cloth them therefore to part with these if the Lord should require it of them as he did of Abraham And he said Take now thy Son thine onely Son Isaac whom thou lovest and get thee into the land of Moriah and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the Mountains which I will tell thee Gen. 22.2 Would they not willingly do it and say Here they are Lord take them if this will please thee O see here his love and grace in the next words He hath shewed thee O man what is good and what dâ—th the Lord require of thee but to do Justly and to love Mercy and to walk Humbly with thy God verse 8. O! see here thousands of Rams and ten thousands of Rivers of Oyl are not required of thee nor thy first Born nor the fruit of thy Body this is not required of thee but to do Justly and to love Mercy and to walk Humbly with thy God this is that which is required of thee This is that good which the Lord hath shewed us We have many to serve but one to please and that is God he followeth us with his Mercies and shall not we follow him by Prayer and Praises He multiplies his mercies that he may preserve us and he magnifies his mercies that he may save us The Lord will not allow that the wise man should glory in his wisdom nor the mighty man to glory in his might nor the rich man to glory in his riches Jeremiah 9.23 a man would think that if any men under Heaven might glory these might do it and yet let not the wise man let not the mighty man let not the rich man glory in his riches nor the mighty man glory in his might nor the wise man glory in his wisdom If these men may not glory who then may glory see v. 24. But let him that glorieth glory in this that he understandeth and knoweth me that I am the Lord which exercise loving Kindness Judgment and Righteousness in the Earth for in these things I delight saith the Lord. A child of God may glory but a child of wrath may not a Son may glory but a Slave may not a Saint may glory but a Sinner may not he that glorieth in worldly-wisdom glorieth in foolishness hath not God made foolishness the wisdom of this world For the world by wisdom knew not God 1 Cor. 1.20 31. He that glorieth in carnal might glorieth in nothing he bringeth the Princes to nothing Isai 40.23 he that glorieth in earthly riches glorieth in that which is not Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not For riches certainly make themselves wings they fly away as an Eagle towards Heaven Prov. 23.5 Will men then glory in so little This is the glory of Vanity This is the glory of Pride which the Lord will stain The Lord of Hosts hath purposed it to
110.1 Christ Jesus the Son of God expects this From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool Heb. 10.18 All the Saints of God live in the faith of this that all enemies will be made Christ Jesus's footstool let one then speak for all the rest the Apostle Paul For he must reign till he hath put all enemies under his feet 1 Cor. 15.25 The Prophet Isaiah hath spoken of good and great things to come And it shall come to pass in the last days that the Mountain of the Lord's house shall be established in the top of the Mountains and shall be exalted above the Hills and all Nations shall flow â—nto it Isa 2.2 See here five things 1. The true Church is the House of God 1 Tim. 3.15 Heb. 3.6 2. This House is a Mountain Jer. 31. v. 23. Isa 2.3 3. This Mountain of the Lord's House shall be established in the top of the Mountains and exalted above the Hills Micah 4.1 4. All Nations shall flow unto it They shall ask the way to Zion with their faces thitherward saying Come let us joyn our selves to the Lord in a perpetual Covenant that shall not be forgotten Isa 50.5 5. Of the time when It shall be in the last days Isa 2.2 The Prophet Daniel that was after Isaiah spake of this glory And the Stone that smote the Image became a great Mountain and filled the whole Earth Dan. 2.35 And there was given unto him dominion and glory and a Kingdom that all People Nations and Languages should serve him his dominion is an everlasting dominion which shall not pass away and his Kingdom that which shall not be destroyed Dan. 7.14 The holy Saint John that was long after Daniel saw this glory more clearly and hath shew'd it more fully And the seventh Angel sounded and there wâ—re great voices in Heaven saying The Kingdoms of this world are become the Kingdoms of our Lord and of his Christ and he shall reign for ever and ever Rev. 11.15 For all Nations shall come and worship before thee Rev. 5.4 1. Here is then all Nations not a part but all not some out of all Nations but 〈◊〉 Nations 2. They shall come to him that is the desire of all Nations Hag. 2.7 That which Gods mouth hath spoken his hanâ— will fulfil Behold the Nations are as a droâ— of the Bucket and are accounted as the smaâ— dust of the Ballance Isa 40.15 A droâ— that the Lord can dry up and dust that hâ— can blow away 3. The end of their coming To worship before the Lord. For all Nation shall come and worship before thee and manâ— Nations shall come and say Come and let uâ— go up to the Mountain of the Lord and tâ— the House of the God of Jacob Mic. 4.2 And many Nations shall be joined to thâ— Lord in that day and shall be my people Zach. 2.11 O who will not wait for thiâ— with the greatest patience and pray foâ— this with the greatest fervency that God ways may be known upon earth and his saviâ—â— health among all Nations Psal 67.2 The Prophet Jeremiah hath spoken 〈◊〉 glorious things to come But this is 〈◊〉 Covenant that I will make with the House Israel after those days saith the Lord will put my Law in their inward parts aâ— write it in their hearts and will be their Gâ—â— and they shall be my people And they shâ—â—â— teach no more every man his Neighbour 〈◊〉 every man his Brother saying Know â— Lord for they shall all know me from the least of them to the greatest of them saith the Lord Jer. 31.33 34. 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 11.9 For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the Sea Hab 2.14 Many shall run to and fro and knowledge shall be increased Dan. 12.4 This running will be from error to truth from the traditions of men to the holy Word of God from superstition to the power of godliness and from idolatry to worship the living God in spirit and truth This running will be from prophecies to providences and from precepts to promises from one part of God's Word to another and from lesser light to greater light till all men come to know and enjoy the true light of God the light of his countenance the light of his spirit the light of his providences and the light of his Word Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path Psa 119.105 This liâ—ht shines out of darkness and shines into the hearts of men to give them the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus â—hrist and in his light they shall see light To know God is mens greatest wisdom and to enjoy him for ever will be their greatest happiness Ezekiel the Prophet hath spoken of blessings of great blessings and of showers of blessings to come And I will make them and the places round about my Hill a blessing and I will cause the shower to come down in his season There shall be showers of blessings Ezek. 34.26 This Propheâ— hath spoken much concerning the Jew restauration and of the glory that shal follow and let the Reader consider theâ— these four things First how they went into the land oâ— Canaan and possest it in the days of Joshua they were as terrible as an Armâ— with Banners Cant. 6.4 The dread anâ— fear of them fell upon their enemie And she said unto the men I know that tâ— Lord hath given you the Land and that yoâ— terror is fallen upon us and that all the Iâ—habitants of the Land faint because of yoâ— For we have heard how the Lord dried up tâ— waters of the Red Sea for you when you caâ— out of Egypt and what you did to the tâ—â— Kings of the Amorites that were on the othâ— side Jordan Sihon and Og whom ye â—â—terly destroyed And as soon as we had heaâ—â— these things our hearts did melt neither iâ— there remain any more courage in any man because of you For the Lord your God he is God in Heaven above and in the Earth beneath Josh 2.9 10 11. They saw the glory of Gods miracles in their passing over Jordan the waters fled from them they stood up in heaps and were cut off Josh 3.13 They then had Gods glorious presence with them and he made his glorious Arm bare for them and the Angel of his presence went before them And it came to pass when Joshua was by Jericho that he lift up his eyes and looked and behold there stood a man over against him with his Sword drawn in his hand And Joshua went unto him and said unto him Art thou for us or for our adversaries And he said Nay but as Captain of the Host of the Lord am I now come And Joshua
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
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