THE third part of THE TRVE-WATCH or The Call of ye Lord to awake all sorts to meete him speedely with intreaty of peace, & to turne vnto him by true repentance: shew­ing what causes we haue forthwith to betake orselu's to watching & prayer.

Taken out of ye vision of Ezekiel Chap: 9. BY IO: BRINSIEY. The sec [...]und edition.

Imprinted at LONDON for Thomas Pauier 1623.

THE THIRD PART OF THE TRVE VVATCH, Containing the call of the Lord, to awake all sorts to meet him with intreatie of peace, and to turne unto him by true repentance: shewing what causes we have forthwith to betake our selves to Watching and Prayer.

Taken out of the Vision of EZEKIEL, Chap. 9.

By IOHN BRINSLEY.

IER. 36. 2.

Take thee a roule of a booke, and write therein all the words that I have spoken unto thee against Israel, and against Iudah, and against all the Nations, from the day I spake unto thee, from the daies of Iosiah even unto this day.

VERSE 7.

It may be they will present their supplication before the Lord, and will returne every one from his evill way, for great is the anger and the furie that the Lord hath pronounced against this people.

HAB. 2. 2.

Write the vision and make it plaine upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.

EZEK. 18. 30.

Returne and cause others to returne away from all, &c. Repent and turne your selves from all your transgressions: so iniquitie shall not be your ruine.

VERSE 32.

For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord God: Wherefore turneOr others. your selves and live you.

LONDON, Printed by IOHN HAVILAND for THOMAS PAVIER, and are to be sold at his shop in Ivie lane. 1622.

The summe of the whole Booke.

1. How the Lord did long forewarne his people of Iudah, calling them to repentance, sundrie waies, before he brought upon them the seventie yeeres captivitie in Babylon. And withall the p [...]incipall abominations which provoked him to this heavie judgement.

2. The wofull miseries which all sorts endured in that Captivitie, when no warnings would preuaile to bring them to unfained repentance: and more specially the plagues which came upon the wicked and impenitent.

3. Particular application hereof unto our selves, and of the manifold forewarnings which we have received, chiefly from Babylon, above all in the powder treason: shewing evidently that the Lord is angrie with us for our sinnes, and what use we are to make, as of all our forewarnings, so chiefly of that Powder-treason.

4. How to appease the Lord, so as to prevent the like judgements and all other plagues; [...]nd ever to [...]emaine a most happie people unto the comming of Iesus Christ. Also how very one of us may attaine to true Christian boldnesse to be alwaies readie to appeare be­ [...]ore his Majestie.

See the more particular contents of the severall Chapters and heads after.

A Commendatorie Epistle.

THis Author (Christian Reader) having desired first my censure, now sundrie yeeres agoe, and since my joint testimonie, touch­ing this worke, that by the mouth or two or three witnesses, God might make it more effectuall, for accomplishing all the good his heart desireth; I could no way justly denie the same: seeing as the ends, which it propoundeth and wholly aimeth at, are only to helpe to further the way to our unfained re­pentance, for the generall happinesse of us all, yea even of every soule; and that our glory may be continued to us, and to our posteritie; so he hath long tra­velled in the same, and used all holy meanes of triall and examination, that there might be nothing in it, but that which is necessarie to these ends, and which might stand before the Lords Tribunall. For the Author himselfe, though I have knowne him from my childhood, being borne neere unto him, brought up in the same Grammar Schoole, and after, in the same Colledge in Cambridge, and ever since beene most familiarly acquainted with him, and therefore could speake more in this case then I take to be con­venient, yet I may wholly spare that paines; see­ing his owne faithfull and happy labours have so long agoe commended him, and made him and his holy affection for the good of all, so well knowne [Page] to the Church of God. As first, the first part of this True watch, the Rule of Life, so much approved of all religious Christians, to whose hands it hath come, that it hath now the ninth time seene the Presse, and gone thorow the triall,See the Preface before it to the Christian Reader. Wherein he hath set out to the view of all, the holinesse and integritie of that way of life, which we all jointly professe (according to Gods sacred word, and the good Lawes of our Chri­stian Commonweale) to the justifying of our Church against the Separatists, to be the true Church of Iesus Christ, and that whosoever so walketh shall undoub­tedly finde eternall life, and in the meane while all heavenly boldnesse, peace and joy. And not only a­gainst them, but also against the superstitious and cla­morous Papists, who herein slander our Religion, af­firming it to be a religion of carnall libertie, theirs of holinesse, ours full of divisions and uncertaintie, theirs of perfect unitie, thereby to draw our people to a dis­like of the eternall truth of our blessed God, and to a liking of that popish way, which is nothing but meere superstition in outward shews of devotion, according to mens inventions, and such as God never comman­ded, or required; nay such as God hath most expresly forbidden, as tending to utter perdition, both of soules and bodies. So secondly, the second part of this True watch, the Rule of Praier, in which he hath manifested his holy desire and unfained love to the Church of God and his native Countrie, for a perfect peace and unitie, with all happinesse in the same, and hath so la­boured to trace out the most sure and plaine way, fol­lowing the direction of our blessed Saviour, as that whosoever striveth so to watch & pray, shall undoub­tedly be amongst them that are as the Chariots and [Page] horsemen of Israel, and helpe to save the Iland. And in the third place in his Schoole labours, for the bene­fit of our children and posteritie, he hath fully witnes­sed his longing desire of the perpetuall flourishing of this our Church and Nation; concerning which tra­vell, (to omit all other)Dr. Hali Commen­datorie Preface. The Iesuites have wonne much of their repu­tation, and stollen many hearts with their diligence: in this kinde we may outstrip them if wee want not to our selves. Behold heere, not feet, but wings offered to us; neither are these directions of meere spec [...]lation, but such as for the most part, to the knowledge of my selfe, and many abler judges, have beene and are daily answe­red in his experience and practise, with more then usuall suc­cesse What remaines therefore, but that the thankfull accep­tation of men, and his effectuall labours should mutually re­flect upon each o­ther, that he may be encouraged by the one, and they by the other bene [...]ited, &c. that one testimonie of the learned Doctor Hall, that worthie Deane of Worce­ster, in his Commendatorie Preface before his booke, called Ludus Literarius, or the Grammar Schoole, de­dicated to Prince Henrie and Duke Charles, (speaking out of his owne experience and of sundry other lear­ned many yeeres agoe) may fully suffice. And much more now of late, that more then ordinarie witnesse by that learnedThe Preface of Mr. Butlours Rheto­ricke, by I. M. to the Reader. Mr. Butlour of Oxford in his fourth Edition of his Rhetoricke, who in stead of the com­mendations of many other of principall note, which especially in Oxford are wont to be prefixed before any worke of speciall worth as that is; taketh only the testimonie of this Author, in a place or two in his Grammar-Schoole, and sets it before his booke, in­stead of many; there commending him for that worke, as having by it deserved worthily of all good lear­ning. Therefore seeing in all his labours his good af­fection towards the Church of God, our dread Sove­raigne, with all his royall Progenie and dominions, doth cleerely appeare,Si in Authoris ope­ [...]isve laudem (studiose lector) multorum hîc, pro more, suffragia re­quiras; instar multo­rum sit hoc vnum li­terati illius, & ob ex­quisitam docend [...] me­thodum, de bonis l [...]t [...] ­ru optimè merit [...], ma­gistri Iohannis Brin­flei: cujus in suo Lud [...] literario, or the Gram­mar Schoole, cap. 16. hac sunt verba, &c. seeking only the wealth of all, and to unite all hearts, as unto the Lord of heaven, so to our Soveraigne Lord and King, and to his royall seed for our happinesse for ever, with what thank­full acceptation are all his labours to be recei­ved? And this above all the former, wherein he now only strives to helpe to awaken us out of our dee­pest securitie, in the midst of our extremest perill, [Page] and necessitie; and when the times call us to watch and pray, yea to fast and pray, if ever heretofore. First I say to rise up and watch, that we may pray. To pray for the distressed state of all the poore Chur­ches, and our brethren abroad, who mourne and wring their hands by reason of their slaveries, butcheries, manifold feares and miseries, both of their soules and bodies: above all for them of Bohe­mia and the Palatinate, the very chiefe of them a principall part of our selves; and withall for our brethren of France now in great tribulation for the profession of Christs Gospell; taking their case to heart as feeling members, little knowing how soone it may be our owne, and ever fearing that terrible curse from the Angell of the Lord;Ier. 5. 23. Curse ye Meroz (said the Angell) curse the inhabitants thereof, be­cause they came not out to helpe the Lord against the mightie. Secondly to watch and pray, yea to mourne and crie for the fearfull viols of the Lords wrath (in all likelihood) so neerely readie to be powred downe upon our own heads, unlesse we speedily meet the Lord in unfained repentance. If in the yeere 88. all sorts so generally feared it; when yet at our ge­nerall humiliation in fasting and praier by publike commandement, and our promising amendment, God heard our cries, deferred the execution of his wrath upon us; and contrarily fought for us from heaven, arming the windes and waters for his Church amongst us, how much more may we justly feare it now. If then (I say) all joyntly confessed, that if God had so dealt with us, as he threatned, we had most righteously deserved it, for all our hainous abominations, and for that no other meanes could [Page] prevaile with us; and if in our severall acknowledge­ments, praiers and thanksgivings upon sundrie occa­sions since, we have againe and againe confessed as much, how much more truly may we now at this present? Seeing the Lord hath granted us since not one yeere more alone, to see if wee would meet him truly with intreatie of peace, and unfained submissi­on, but ten, yea thrice ten yeere and more, and also used all meanes to reclaime us, both by abundant fatherly corrections, and in his long patience and commiseration given us our third most dreadfull ad­monition, at the powder treason, never to be for­gotten, when he even plucked us out of the furnace; and now that our sinnes are, in stead of repenting, ten times more increased through all those meanes (in the judgement of all who rightly consider of them:) how can we expect any longer mercy? What can we looke for now in that we see men so generally (chiefly most of our Gallants) to make but a mocke of sinne, yea of all Gods admonitions at home and abroad, hating all true pietie, and scorning it under most odious names? Or how can we thinke truly that our land is purged of any of our abominations, but stands presently guiltie of them all, having now fil­led up our measure, seeing we commit most of those fearfull abominations so often confessed, with an higher hand then ever heretofore? Or how can we imagine that our land is out of danger, seeing many amongst us begin to doat againe upon the bloudie Romish Idolatrie; and that now our enemies are so increased in Malice, Pride, and Multitude, and so ma­ny of the infernall Locusts feared to be in the midst amongst us. My desire therefore is, that as this labour [Page] hath beene undertaken for the saving of us all, from such a vengeance, as upon these grounds we have just cause to feare, and for our perpetuall happinesse, and must needs for that cause concerne us all, that every one would take notice of it, and consider seriously of every point, as God gives him opportunitie; especially they who have leisure (and spend many houres, yea many dayes and yeeres, either wickedly or at least vainly, which will bring them nothing but sorrow in the end) to helpe hereby to turne away the wrath, or at least to save their owne soules. The worke is large (I grant) but too large thou canst not thinke it, seeing the Author of it desireth to make all plaine to the ca­pacitie of the simplest, and truly to awake every soule, and for that I know not of any point in it which doth not directly tend hereunto, or can well be made shor­ter without hurt to the whole; chiefly the generall good considered; that every sinner that repents not, turning from his evill way, must die. And therefore doubtlesse no man shall haue just cause to repent him of his labour spent in hearing or reading of it, but if God give him an heart by the right applying of it to helpe to appease the wrath, or at least to turne, and to seeke to cause others to turne, he shall have cause to blesse the God of heaven for it; which that every one may doe, and that we may all instantly set our selves to seeke his face and favour, I humbly intreat his hea­venly Majestie to grant, and rest

Thine in Christ Iesus, Edward Elton B. in D. and Pastor of S. Mary Magdalens Bar­mondsey neere London.

AN ADVERTISEMENT TO THE CHRISTIAN READER.

FOr those who would read this book with comfort, and reape the blessing desired by it, in obtaining mercie and favour from the Lord for themselves and the whole land, my humble request is, that they would first correct these faults noted after; then read and weigh these Contents in the beginning both generall and particular; whereby they may see the summe and drift of all; and have as it were a plaine view of the whole in their heads: afterwards to read the praier in the end which is according to the same, that they may better conceive and make a right use thereof; and then to read the whole in order, if their lei­sure and opportunitie serve, or at least such parts of it, as they shall thinke most necessarie; and especially the last chapter, which most neerely concerneth every soule. That considering all, [Page] as before Christs judgement seat, like as I have endevoured to doe, and so striving joyntly in faith and love for our selves and all other the poore afflicted Churches of Christ; the Lord may fulfill all our holy desires, turne away all evills from us and them, and make us to conti­nue a flourishing Church and a happie Nation to the comming of the Lord Iesus in the clouds.

Remember,

  • 1. The danger we stand in, because of the Lords displeasure for our sin.
  • 2. The meanes how we may yet pacifie and prevent the same, if we be not wanting to our selues.
  • 3. That we are all to be helpers hereunto.
  • 4. The comfort and happinesse of the true helpers, whatsoeuer come to passe: with the misery of the rest.

are the briefe and scope of all.

Esa. 65. 24.

Before they call I will answer, and whiles they are yet speaking I will heare.

Hos. 12. 4.

He had power over the Angell and prevailed, he wept and praied vnto him.

In wrastling and weeping is our victorie.

I. B.

Errours to be corrected thus.

PReface Page 1. l. 5. marg. write, hying on us. p. 5. l. 36. thus. p. 9. l. 14. as was said. p. 15. l. 19. to our good. In the Contents, b. 3. l. 2. too indifferently. l. 4. The light esteeme of the great &c. c. 2. l. 5. put out sometime. l. 12. through ignorant. In the vision, p. 1. l. 1. marg. Al: In the booke, p. 1. l. 32. should endure. p. 44. l. 25. worst. p. 45. l. 8. marg. able. p. 65. l. 28. grandfather. p 79. l. 4. and is. l. 6. Apo. 2. l. 23. shewed. p. 111. l. 23. disgrace. p. 114. l. 8. humbled. p. 123. l. 22. seduced brethren. p. 127. l. 18. portraid out p. 244. marg. l. 1. Luc. 10. 13. p. 264. l. 10. enow. l. 36. of her torment. p. 304 l. 7. marg. uncutablenesse. p. 370. l. 27. witnesse. p. 375. put out Italian. p. 377. marg. l. 16. Mat. 7. p. 389 l. 9. Tetrastylon. p. 398 marg. l. 1. A question. p. 433. l. 25. the holy Prophet. p. 468. l. 13. Together with the helpes herein contained and the reading. p. 514. l. 26 in many places. p. 515. l. 5. many. p. 516. l. 17. put out, the number of. p. 517. l. 17. put out, [...]. p. 535. for their carkases, write they. p. 543. l. 2. all that feare.

A TABLE OF THE chiefe things contained in each Chapter thorow out the whole booke in order, either handled more at large, or briefly pointed at.

CHAP. I.
  • THe resolution and opening of the vision in the 9. chapter of Ezekiel. pag. 1
CHAP. II.
  • Directions to make a right use of this forewarning to our selves, with Rules to be observed to this end. p. 5, 6
  • The sinnes of the wicked, are in some sort the sinnes of us all. p. 8
  • Hainous and impudent sinners helpe to draw downe Gods ven­geance. p. 8
  • Every soule that turneth not to God, seeking withall to cause o­thers to turne, must perish. p. 9
CHAP. III.
  • God not wont to bring any not able judgement on his Church, but to foreshew it first, and then to bring it when no repentance hath followed to prevent. p. 10
  • Reasons of the Lords forewarnings of his Church. p. 14
  • Application hereof to our selves, how the Lord hath forewarned us. p. 15, 16, 17, &c.
CHAP. IIII.
  • The withdrawing the lively tokens of Gods presence a signe of his departure and of vengeance at hand. p. 26. & 31
  • God being well pleased with his people is wont to witnesse his pre­sence by some apparant signe. p. 27
  • [Page] Signes of the Lords presence in the daies of the Gospell, whereby to judge of our estate. p. 28, 29, &c.
  • Signes of his withdrawing himselfe p. 31
CHAP. V.
  • The Lord makes sundrie removes of his glory from his Church be­fore he depart from it, to shew his unwillingnesse to depart. p. 35 36
  • The outward glorie of the Lord in his Church wherein it consists. p. 37
  • Abundance of sanctified knowledge a speciall part thereof. p. 37
  • Holinesse and unitie make Gods people glorious in the eies of their enemies. p. 38
  • The Lords glorious protection of his people, a principall outward signe of his presence. p. 40▪ 41, &c.
  • Application of the removall of Gods glory, first to Iudah before the Captivitie. p. 42
  • Secondly to our selves. p. 43
  • The true practise of Christianitie more reprochfull to many then to live in any sinne. p. 48
  • How welcome the Lords messengers are unto many. p. 49
  • Our unitie much departed. p. 49
  • Fruits of our dissentions. p. 50
  • Countenance to the true lovers of the Gospell much gone. p. 50
  • Our protection oft indangered to be removed. p. 50, 51
  • All our glory ready to mount up at once in the powder furnace, a fearefull forewarning unlesse we repent. p. 52▪ 53
  • God may justly leave us into the enemies hand, for suffering Pop [...] ­rie so to revive and grow up, after he had given us so just occa­sion to seeke to root it out utterly. p. 52, 53
CHAP. VI.
  • God will not spare Ierusalem if it rebell against him. p. 59
  • No priviledges can secure a people from Gods judgements if they increase in th [...]ir iniquitie. p. 58, 59
  • Priviledges wherein we secure our selves. p▪ 59, 60, 66
  • [...] priviledges. p. 59, 60, 61
  • [Page] Iudah in the beginning of her miseries not inferiour to us in prero­gatives to secure her. p. 67
  • The Gospell contemned can be no freedome no not from a temporall scourge. p. 69
  • We cannot be more secured that our land is purged of the Idolatrie of former dayes, and the bloud of Gods servants, then Ierusalem in Iosiahs dayes. p. 70, 214
  • God purposing to remaine with us, must needs deale as a kinde Fa­ther to bring us to obedience. p. 71
CHAP. VII.
  • The Lord hath ever a speciall care of his in the greatest destructi­ons, and marketh them before the judgement come. p. 73
  • Why the Lord oft lets his feele the smart with the rest in generall destructions. p. 79
  • What the marking profiteth Gods servants suffering with the rest. p. 80
  • State of the godly whom God takes away at such times. p. 82
  • State of the wicked in such calamities. p. 82
  • What the marke was wherewith the godly were marked. p. 84
CHAP. VIII.
  • The godly mourne for the sinnes of the wicked amongst whom they live. p. 85
  • The godly wont not only to mourne, but to cry for the abominations of the wicked, according to their calling. p. 89
  • Reasons why the godly so mourne and cry for all the abominations. p. 90
  • For one notorious sinner unpunished, all the place is in danger of Gods wrath, and much more for many. p. 91, 92, 93
  • Comfort to true mourners, though the Lord should execute his judgement for the sinnes of the wicked. p. 96
  • State of all contemners of Gods mercifull forewarnings. p. 100
  • Iust cause of feare for the small number of true mourners. p. 102
CHAP. IX.
  • The enemies by which the Lord threatneth or afflicteth his Church are his souldiers. p. 104, 105
  • [Page] Application to our selves to behold the Lords enemies. p. 109
  • All of them are fearefull denuntiations of vengeance untill we re­pent, and why. p. 111, 112
  • Ioyning hands with Gods enemies, is a calling them in to avenge his qu [...]rrell. p. 112, 113
  • How righteous with God to bring in the enemie to be avenged, and the day of the spend-thrifts. p. 113
  • We cannot be assured to be delivered from them till we abhorre their wayes. p. 113
  • Our enemies humbled by our unfained repentance. p. 114
  • What we should doe seeing the Lords armies approaching. p. 115
CHAP. X.
  • The mourners marked, then comes the vengeance. p. 117
  • Our comfort in the remainder of the mourners, and the preserva­tion of the Lords Anointed. p. 119, 120
  • The account we are to make of the mourners. p. 121
  • It is for the godly that the Gospell with our blessings continue. p. 122
CHAP. XI.
  • The charge to the destroyers to destroy without pittie, and why. p. 124, 125
  • Causes in generall provoking the Lord to so fierce a wrath, the hainousnesse of the abominations, and that no meanes would serve. p. 125
  • The abominations committed by all sorts. p. 125, 126
  • The Prophets to be read to behold the sins which brought the ven­geance. p. 127
  • In the abominations of Iudah we may see our owne sinnes and e­state portraied. p. 127
  • Little hope of any such search to be made by us in these daies of securitie. The authors endevour thereupon to help herein for the good of all. p. 128, 129
  • God hath ordain [...]d the faithfull discoverie of the iniquitie as a last and principall meanes to turne away a judgement. p. 130, 147
CHAP. XI. Section 2.
  • [Page]Cautions in reading these abominations. p. 132, 133
  • How their sinnes were increased. p. 132
  • The principall sinnes specially mentioned after Hezekiahs reforma­tion for which this judgement is chiefly denounced. p. 134
  • The same punishment or a beavier must needs belong to us, if we be guiltie of the same or the like sinnes. p. 136
CHAP. XI. Section 3.
  • The vengeance must begin at the Sanctuarie, because from thence chiefly all the wickednesse proceeded. p. 137, 168, 169
CHAP. XI. Abomination 1.
  • The horrible wickednesse of the Priests and Prophets generally an­gring the Lord and hastening the Captivitie. p. 138, 139
  • What holinesse the Lord required of the Priests and Prophets. p. 138
Abomination 2.
  • The blindnesse of the Priests and Prophets hastening the Cap­tivitie. p. 141
  • The Priests and Prophets ought to be Seers and watchmen. p. 141
  • Blinde and senslesse men not giving warning of Gods judgements termed dumbe dogs. p. 143
  • The blindnesse and sleeping of the shepherds calls for the beasts of the forest upon their flockes. p. 145
Abomination 3.
  • Flatterie of the Priests and Prophets hardning the people to de­struction. p. 146, 148, &c.
  • The faithfulnesse required in Gods watchmen & messengers. p. 146
  • Dawbers must looke for a storme to cause their worke to fall on them and all who trust in it. p. 151
Abomination 4.
  • Preaching mens devices in stead of Gods word hastening the Cap­tivitie. p. 152, 153, &c.
  • Gods ministers ought to preach his word sincerely and faithfully. p. 152, 153. and p. 156
  • [Page] All inventions of [...] but vaine and foolish in regard of Gods word, and to seeke out such things is to seeke out causes of desolation. p. 154
  • Preaching mens devices, the high way to cause men to forget Gods word. p. 155
  • The power of Gods word sincerely handled. p. 157
  • Good Arts and learning, grations helps, though set in place of Gods word they bring a plague. p. 158
  • They that preach their owne devices, steale his word from his peo­ple, and bring no good to them. p. 159
  • State of such teachers when their consciences shall be awa­ked. p. 160
Abomination 5.
  • Want of compassion in the Priests and Prophets hastening the Captivitie. p. 160
  • Gods faithfull ministers full of compassion towards their people. 161
  • Pastors without due regard of their flockes are butchers and wolues to their flockes. p. 162
  • Pastors without commiseration of their flockes the greatest ene­mies to Gods faithfull messengers and servants. p. 163
  • When the watchman is the snare of a fowler, he is then hatred in the house of his God. p. 166
  • Gods terrible and most just denuntiation against all carelesse Pa­stors and Idoll shepherds for his flocke, especially for his faith­full servants. p. 167
  • Application to our selves. p. 169
Abomination 6.
  • The sinne of the people in approving the wicked Priests hastening the Captivitie. p. 170, 172
  • The meanes which the Lord had provided that his people should not be deceived by false Prophets. p. 171
  • The Lord cannot but be avenged for approving of false prophets. p. 172
  • The severitie of the Lords most righteous judgement, fitting a sinfull people with Preachers to their hearts. p. 173, 174
  • [Page] How God will answer hypocrites comming to inquire of him. p. 17 [...]
  • Deceivers and deceived punished alike. p. 176
  • Antichrists delusions follow the contempt of the Gospell. p. 176
  • Why God sends false teachers and seducers. p. 177
  • How God punished in the Gentiles the abusing of the very light of nature. p. 178
  • How the people comming to the Prophets with a desire to know the truth, yet may be notably deceived. p. 179
  • How the Prophets themselves may be justly deceived and so deceive. p. 179, 181
  • How fearefull it is after a man hath received his resolute answer from God, to goe upon carnall respects to enquire the second time. p. 181
  • The punishment of the false Prophet and of him who asketh of him alike. p. 183
Abomination 7.
  • The sinnes of the people against Gods faithfull Prophets sent to them in mercie, to bring them to repentance. p. 184
  • The duties and affections of Gods people towards his faithfull mes­sengers. p. 184
  • The people grieving the Prophets by an extreme dulnesse and unto­wardnesse to learne Gods word, hastening the Captivitie. p. 186
  • The word of the Lord is in vaine to a rebellious people. p. 188
  • They that cast away Gods word have no wisdome. p. 188
  • How God punisheth the not profiting by his word with more blockish­nesse. p. 189
  • The just judgement of God, to cause [...] servants, to learne by his enemies. p. 189
  • Application to our selves. p. 190
Abomination 8.
  • Refusing to heare Gods faithfull servants, more [...], hastening the Captivitie. p. 191
  • The Lords complaint for this sinne, and how it must be [...] in a booke for the last day. p. 192
  • The just vengeance for this sinne. p. 194, 195
  • [Page] For the contempt of Gods servants, he makes their tongues cleave to the roofe of their mouthes. p. 194
Abomination 9.
  • Mocking and abusing Gods true Prophets and all the godly, haste­ning the Captivitie. p. 196
  • The custome of false Prophets to harden men in the contempt of Gods threatnings. p. 197
  • God will make unbeleevers know the truth of his word by feeling it. p. 197
  • The word in the mouthes of Gods messengers shall be as a fire to con­sume all wicked gainesaiers. p. 198
Abomination 10.
  • Discouraging Gods true Prophets by threatnings, hastening the Captivitie. p. 198
  • Vengeance for this sinne. p. 199
Abomination 11.
  • Slandering and falsly accusing Gods messengers, hastening the Cap­tivitie. p. 200
  • Incensing the Magistrates against Gods faithfull messengers haste­ [...]ing the Captivitie. p. 200
  • Ordinarie with Gods true Prophets to be railed upon. p. 201
Abomination 12.
  • Secret conspiracies against Gods true Prophets and servants to take away their lives or credit, hastening the Captivitie. p. 202
  • The Lord in due time revealeth the most secret plots against his servants. p. 203
  • The depth of Sathan to smite Gods messengers with the tongue, that none may be warned by their preaching to escape Gods ven­geance. p. 203
  • Ieremies familiars watch for his halting. p. 203
  • How fearefull it is, against conscience to practise mischiefe against Gods servants. p. 204
Abomination 13.
  • [Page]Striking and imprisoning Gods servants, hastening the Capti­vitie. p. 206
  • Pashur the Priest attempts to smite and imprison Ieremie, haste­ning the Captivitie. p. 207
  • The Princes by meanes of the Priests are against Ieremie, and la­bour the king to put him to death. p. 207
  • Zedekiah, against his conscience leaves Ieremie into the hands of the Rulers. p. 207
  • Cause of all Ieremies troubles. p. 208
Abomination 14.
  • Shedding the bloud of the Prophets and other of Gods servants, hastening the Captivitie. p. 209
  • What that bloud was which brought the Captivitie. p. 209
  • How the cry of the bloud of Gods servants ascends into hea­ven. p. 211
  • Vengeance for abusing the house and servants of the Lord. p. 211
  • How good it had beene for Iudah to have beene awaked at the admonition of the true Prophets. p. 212
  • How necessary to stop such evils in the beginning. p. 21 [...]
  • Those who were so vilely accounted of, were the dearest, ser­vants of God and chiefe meanes to stay his wrath so long. p. 213
  • Of all other sinnes God can least endure the wronging of his mes­sengers and dearest servants. p. 213
  • From the disgracing of Gods servants all impietie flowes. p. 214
  • What wisdome it is to prevent all indig [...]ies against Gods messen­gers. p. 214
  • Our nation as fearfully defiled with the bloud of Gods servants in the daies of Queene Mary, as Ierusalem in the time of Manas­ses. p. 214
  • Apparant signes that our Land is not yet purged of that bloud. p. 214
  • [Page] God cals upon us to search out this sinne if we will escape his search, and the search of the bloudy enemie. p. 215
Abomination 15.
  • The unfruitfulnesse of the Lords vineyard laying it waste. p. 216
  • What God had done for Iudah, to make her fruitfull, and so for us, and our Covenant thereupon. p. 216
  • The Lords complaint against his vineyard in Iudah, and how it con­cernes us. p. 217
  • Scarse any true godlinesse, viz: men truly sincere to be found among them before the Captivitie. p. 218
  • What the Church is to doe in times desperatly evill. p. 218
  • The Lords righteous vengeance for the unfruitfulnesse of his vine­yard. p. 219
  • Application to us, with the Lords appeale for it to every ones con­science. p. 219
  • The Papists principall argument and loud exclamations against us for our unfruitfulnesse. p. 220
  • Complaints of the dressers of the vineyard for it. p. 222
  • Sighes of the poore witnessing it. p. 222
  • Vnfruitfulnesse of the Ministerie. p. 222
  • How wee may justly lament for our negligence, and time mispent. p. 223
  • The Magistrates fruit. p. 224
  • The accusation of the conscience in the carelesse Magistrate. p. 224
  • The private mans fruit. p. 225
  • Mr. Bradfords complaint for his owne unfruitfulnesse to be well no­ted of all. p. 226
  • Each of us to acknowledge particularly our unfruitfulnesse. p. 227
Abomination 16.
  • Corruptions crept into all places and callings that almost all was be­come as drosse, hastening the Captivitie. p. 230
  • Only a few reserved in every calling. p. 231
  • Vengeance proportionall to be melted together in the midst of Ieru­salem. p. 23 [...]
  • Application to trie whether we have no need of such a melting. 232
  • [Page] How neere we were to the furnace. p. 232
  • England could not have filled the furnace. p. 233
  • The furnace proclaimed to all people that we are corrupt, and what God is about to doe unlesse we repent. p. 233
  • Our corruptions instanced in the cry of many sinnes. p. 234
  • The truth hereof as of the rest to be inquired of amongst the most conscionable and painfull Ministers. p. 234
  • This should never passe out of our hearts, how neere we have beene unto the melting. p. 235
Abomination 17.
  • Hypocrisie angring the Lord, hastening the Captivitie. p. 235
  • Their Covenant concerning the sinceritie of Gods worship. p. 236
  • Wherein their hypocrisie chiefly consisted. p. 236
  • The outward service without the inward, is a wearinesse unto the Lord, so the Ceremonie without the Morall commande­ment. p. 237
  • To trust in outward observations, is to trust in lying words. p. 237
  • Hypocrisie in observing the traditions of men more then Gods com­mandements. p. 238
  • Hypocrisie in serving God by the commandements of men, and not of any conscience to God. p. 238
  • Hypocrisie causeth the Lord to loath all our service, and to take away his Religion. p. 238
  • Application for our hypocrisie, in performing a bare outward ser­vice. p. 239
  • Hypocrisie in retaining still the dregs of Poperie. p. 239
  • Many of our people doe all principally for the commandements of men, as ready to receive any other religion. p. 240
  • How few of whom we may justly hope that they are soundly reli­gious. p. 240
  • If so, how can we looke to escape Ierusalems vengeance or a hea­vier. p. 240
  • The sinnes of the chiefe men of all sorts from whom wickednesse descended to all the rest, and the meanes how. p. 241
  • The Lord will require all his sheepe of the pastors, and why. p. 242
Abomination 18.
  • [Page]Covenant of the Magistrates and Rulers. p. 242
  • Magistrates ought to be as God in his place. p. 242
  • Magistrates ought to be fathers to all under them. p. 243
  • Magistrates ought to be most temperate, and fearing God. p. 243
  • Magistrates as lights and patternes to the rest. p. 244
  • Their great men in stead of being as God, were most rebellious against God. p. 244
  • In stead of fathers lions. p. 244
  • The Lord compares cruell Rulers to Butchers and Cookes. p. 245
  • Their great men gave themselves over to all licentiousnesse. p. 246
  • Instead of being lights, they became most vile ensamples. p. 246
  • Their vengeance proportionall on them. p. 247
  • Application in all humble reverence, how neere the vengeance was to us in each particular. p. 248
  • What the Popish conspirators pretended in blowing up the Parlia­ment house. p. 249
  • Great men are to remember the honour laid upon them, and the end why God hath done it. p. 250
  • Nehemiahs ensample to be set before the face of all worthy Rulers. p. 252
Abomination 19.
  • Taking up the evill fashions of other countries, hastening the Cap­tivitie. p. 253
  • Gods people to observe the manners prescribed by him. p. 253
  • They might not conforme themselves to Gods enemies, but were to destroy every thing that might teach them their manners. p. 253
  • They tooke up the odious fashions of other Countries, and this was a chiefe cause why the Lord did forsake them. p. 254, 255
  • They fell to doat upon the guises of the Babylonians, whom God had ordained to be their scourge. p. 255
  • Vengeance for this to be cast off, as they had cast off the Lord for these. p. 256
  • All to be caried into Babylon, on which they had so doated, where they should execute Gods vengeance on them. p. 256
  • The Lord sanctified the Babylonians for his ghuests against the [Page] time of this sacrifice, when hee would visit all who delighted in these vanities. p. 257
  • Application to examine our odious fashions of divers sorts, as char­ging with healths, whorish plaies, and the like. p. 257, 258
  • Private reading Scriptures left off by such. p. 259
  • Filthie and scurrilous Pamphlets received in place. p. 260
  • Babylonish policie by corrupting our manners, first, to overthrow our Religion. p. 260
  • Having prevailed with the greater, they make sure account of the rest. p. 260
  • The device of old Balaam, as the surest stratageme, worthy our best consideration. p. 261
  • There is no sorcerie against Israel abiding in obedience. p. 262
  • Application of the Historie of Balaams stratageme to our selves. p. 264
  • A mystery whereby to bring Italy into England, and so to ob­taine their purposes. p. 264
  • A just lamentation for that no warning will serve but we must do at after them, and be weary of the Lord. p. 264, 265
Abomination 20.
  • Oppression of the poore, hastening the Captivitie. p. 265
  • Our covenant with the Lord for justice and mercy to the poore. p. 265
  • A patterne for great men in Iob. p. 265
  • Their transgression, that instead thereof they were most cruell ex­tortioners and oppressors. p. 266, 267
  • The Lord compares extortioners to Apothecaries & Millers. 268
  • They joined house to house, till there was no place for the poore. p. 269
  • Vengeance proportionall. p. 269
Abomination 21.
  • Oppression by ingrossing and inhancing the prizes of things to swallow up the poore, hastening the Captivitie. p. 270
  • What God requires of rich men in time of dearth. p. 270
  • The rich were become as cormorants to the poore. p. 270
  • The Lord will never forget this sinne, it makes the land to tremble. p. 271
  • [Page] Application to unsatiable corne-mungers. p. 272
  • Gods warning forgotten in the levellers insurrection. p. 273
Abomination 22.
  • Oppression to raise their houses, hastening the Captivitie. p. 274
  • To build by oppression, is to consult shame to their houses. p. 275
Abomination 23.
  • Oppression to support their pride hastening the Captivitie. p. 275
  • The attire of gracious women, what it ought to be. p. 276
  • Their women helpt to flea the poore to support their pride. p. 276
  • They minded nothing but pride when God threatned them most. p. 276
  • The plagues which all such bring on themselves and theirs. p. 277
  • A glasse for proud women to view themselves in. p. 278
  • What this would worke rightly practised. p. 278
  • Our pride though exceeding theirs so as cannot be expressed, yet must one day be set in open view, before the faces of all who doe not repent. p. 279
  • Vengeance proportionall for this sinne. p. 279
  • This sinne, and the sighes of the poore for it, cry continually for ven­geance to be taken on such a monster. p. 280
Abomination 24.
  • Pride in sumptuous buildings, causing oppression, hastening the Captivitie. p. 280
  • A glasse for them who build their houses by oppression. p. 281
  • The unmercifulnesse of ambitious builders. p. 282
  • The way for great men to prosper. p. 282
  • The case of all oppressours, how they live, and what they provide for their children. p. 283
  • Application. p. 284
Abomination 25.
  • Oppression to maintaine riot and excesse, hastening the Captivitie. p. 284
  • What the Lord requires for all his mercies chiefly of rich men. p. 284
  • How they requited the Lord and used his benefits, never thinking of the worke of the Lord. p. 285, 286
  • [Page] A glasse for all given over to their pleasures. p. 286
  • Men given over to pleasures forget the affliction of Ioseph. p. 287
  • The seers given up to wine and good fellowship can see nothing amisse till the vengeance of God come. p. 287
  • The fruits of excesse and idlenesse. p. 288
  • They became to be impudent in uncleannesse, to shew their filthinesse openly like the Sodomites. p. 288
  • Men giving themselves over to carnall pleasures have no knowledge. p. 288
  • Such prepare captivitie temporall, or eternall, or both. p. 288
  • Hunger and thirst remaine for all belly-gods. p. 289
  • Neither Gentrie nor greatnesse will save from Gods vengeance, hell gapes for such. p. 289
  • The proudest must be brought downe to the depth of hell, and goe cap­tives with the first. p. 289
  • God abhorres the excellencie and haughtinesse of all such, and the pa­lace [...] where their sinnes are most practised. p. 290
  • Desperation the portion of all proud belly-gods when Gods vengeance comes. p. 290
  • God must needs visit for such things and his soule be avengedon such a nation. p. 290
  • Application to every conscience. p. 291
Abomination 26.
  • Vnsatiable covetousnesse causing oppression hastening the Capti­vitie. p. 291
  • The studie and covetousnesse of the Lords people. p. 291
  • All before the Captivitie generally given to covetousnesse. p. 292
  • The fruit of covetousnesse in the Prophets to speake only to please. p. 292
  • The manner of healing with faire words as the Prophets did before the Captivitie. p. 292, 293
  • Covetous men can see nothing but for their owne advantage. p. 293
  • Vengeance proportionall. p. 293
  • The wretched estate of all covetous Prophets. p. 294
  • The difference of the preaching of the true Prophets and the cove­tous worldlings. p. 295
  • [Page] The power of the true Prophets shewed forth chiefly in the time of abounding of all iniquitie and approching of judgement. p. 295
  • A perpetuall night came upon the false Prophets at the Captivitie. p. 296
  • Covetousnesse, dumbnesse, blindnesse, sleeping, goe together in the false Prophets. p. 296
  • Iust vengeance on all for their unsatiable greediness: p. 296
  • Application to all sorts of spoylers of the poore. p. 297
  • Application to those who oppresse to make themselves great. p. 297
  • Application to the haughtie, on whose garments is found the bloud of the poore. p. 297
  • Application to sumptuous builders oppressing. p. 298
  • Application to them that oppresse to pamper themselves, saucing all their dainties with the bloud of the poore. p. 299
  • Application to the mightie ingrossers, whose houses are filled with the spoiles of the poore. p. 299
  • Application to all who have set up the world in their hearts to wor­ship. p. 300
  • How to be beautifull and glorious indeed. p. 301
  • How to set our nests on high and to build them for eternitie. p. 301
  • How to give our selves to all delights and to be prodigall therin. p. 302
  • How to hoord up and ingrosse. p. 302
  • How to covet a holy covetousnesse. p. 303
Abomination 27.
  • The generall Apostasie of Iudah hastening the Captivitie, that they were ever starting away and departing from the Lord. p. 304, 305
  • Their zeale in the beginning of the daies of Ezekiah & Iosiah against Idolatry & for reforming religion, & how soon it was gone. 305, 306
Abomination 28.
  • Falling from their forwardnesse in Religion to all profanenesse, haste­ning the Captivitie. p. 307
  • The sum of Gods Covenant with them to magnifie and obey his word. p. 307
  • They cast away the word of the Lord, in regard of making any con­science of it. p. 308
  • The plague which is upon them that cast away Gods word to set up their own imaginations; they shal see they have had no wisdome. 309
  • [Page] The Lord will reject all them that reject his word, as reprobate sil­ver is rejected. p. 310
  • All they forsake the Covenant, who doe not obey it, though they seeme in word to embrace it. p. 310
  • Application to all sorts whose hearts tell them they are such. p. 311
Abomination 29.
  • Scorning the word of the Lord and all true profession hastening the Captivitie. p. 314
  • How pretious Gods word ought to be to his people. p. 314
  • They loathed Gods word, and counted it a burden. p. 314, 315
  • They made the word matter enough of the vilest reproch to every one truly professing it. p. 315
  • The fearfull extremities that Gods servants are oft driven to, through the hatred which they endure for the word. p. 316, 317
  • The very scornes and taunts against Gods word and servants shall be one day a heavie burden to every scorner. p. 318
  • God will visit every scorner and his house, and reward them with an everlasting shame. p. 318, 319
  • Application of this sin and denunciation to our selves. p. 319, 320
  • Scorning Gods word and faithfull messengers cannot scape unpu­punished. p. 321
Abomination 30.
  • Pollution of the Lords Sabbaths hastening the Captivitie. p. 322
  • Covenant for the Sabbath. p. 322
  • He is a bless [...]d man that endevoureth truly to keepe the Sabbath, and to such a one only the Covenant and promises belong. p. 322
  • They despised and polluted Gods Sabbath, and how. p. 323
  • They put no difference betweene the holy and prophane. p. 323
  • Their Priests hid their eies from Gods Sabbath. p. 324
  • The Lord complaines that he is profaned by them that willingly suffer his holy things to be polluted. p. 324
  • The Lord chargeth them with carying and recarying upon the Sab­bath. p. 325
  • The commandement for the Sabbath belongs as well to us as to them. p. 325
  • [Page] The Lords anger and message sent unto them for this sinne, chiefly to their King and Rulers. p. 325
  • The cvill ensample of our forefathers is no example for us, but ra­ther increaseth the wrath. p. 326, 344
  • The Lords gratious promise to the reformation of the Sabbath, VIZ. continuance of their Kings, dignitie and prosperitie. p. 326
  • All desiring the establishing of the throne of the Lords Anointed, and prosperitie of their nation, to looke to it. p. 326
  • What good friends they are to Prince, State, Church and Com­monwealth, who call into question the time of the Sabbath. p. 327
  • Vengeance for pollution of the Sabbath, viz, kindling a fire in the gates of Ierusalem, and their 70. yeeres Captivitie. p. 327
  • The feeling of such a plague (as was towards us) but one day, would make us most willingly to stoope unto the Lord. p. 328
  • Nehemiah after the Captivitie acknowledgeth Gods righteous vengeance in it for polluting the Sabbath, and laboureth thereon the redresse of that sinne. p. 328
  • Al the sins which rulers might redresse are accounted their sins. 328
  • Former examples of Gods vengeance should warne us. p. 329
  • In Nehemiah is the lively picture of a worthy ruler who had seene the miseries of a Captivitie for sinne. p. 329
  • Three ensamples in Nehemiah never to be forgotten of tender-hearted and worthy governours. p. 329
  • 1 Nehemiah lookes forthwith to the particular state and miseries of the people, to be more affected therewith. p. 330
  • 2. His willing and compassionate hearing of the cries and grievan­ces of the poore. p. 330
  • The happie way to redresse the evils of Gods people. p. 330
  • How good governours may prevaile when they wish nothing to be done, but what themselves doe first. p. 331
  • 3. Nehemiah himselfe seeth the reformation of the evils, especi­ally of the Sabbath. p. 332
  • Application to our selves concerning the Sabbath. p. 332, 333
  • To remember here the consuming fire wherwith the Lord threat­ned us. p. 334
  • Our land made well-ne [...]re as a desolate widow. p. 334
  • We are they on whom God now complaines, for despising his holy things as he then did upon Iudah. p. 335
  • [Page] For putting no difference betweene the holy and prophane. p. 336
  • Our sinne in admitting all indifferently to the table of the Lord. p. 337
  • This sin enough to bring Gods plagues upon the whole land. p. 338
  • The [...] that great censure of Excōmunication. p. 338
  • Hiding our eies from Gods Sabbath from seeing the most weigh­tie duties of the Sabbath to performe them. p. 339
  • To consider whether we be not they who have thought the Sabbath overlong. p. 341
  • Sabbath profaned by carying and recarying. p. 342
  • Our pretended necessities cannot excuse us more then them. p. 342
  • Reserving journies ordinarie for the Sabbath. p. 342
  • Concourse to plaies and the vilenesse of them. p. 343
  • The inevitable danger to frequenters of plaies. p. 343
  • Fr [...]quenting Tavernes and Alehouses where nothing is more com­mon then scorning all pietie upon the Sabbath. p. 344
  • God hath only warned us hitherto. p. 344
  • The speech turned to all who have the chiefe charge of the house of the Lord and his Sabbath. p. 345
Abomination 31.
  • Sundrie degrees of their profanenesse angring the Lord and haste­ning the Captivitie. p. 346
  • Opposing themselves against all power of religion and godlinesse, when they gloried in his outward ceremoniall worship. p. 346
  • They bent their tongues and workes against the Lord, and against all true pietie and conscience of his waies, using all devices to put out all feare of his name. p. 347
  • They spake good of evill, evill of good, glorying in their most shame­full sinnes. p. 347
  • They justified and loved the wicked, condemned and hated the good. p. 348
  • They sought to cast all shame on the godly. p. 348
  • Thence they proceeded to spoiling and all violence. p. 348
  • They used to make shewes of religion when they were as Sodome. 349
  • They would make shewes of seeking God in fasting, and leane on the Lord even then when they were so vile. p. 349
  • [Page] The vengeance for their outragious profanenesse, viz. the spoiling them by the Caldean, which they should not beleeve till it came, who should d [...]ale with them accordingly, as they had done with the Lord and his people. p. 350
  • Application to us to search our sinne before [...] to search us. p. 351
  • Our swaggerers in each place walke usually in the steps of their profanenesse, especially against the Lord and his servants. p. 351
  • These the only good fellowes, men of renowne, as before the floud. p. 353
  • The speech turned to these, if but to save some of them. p. 353
  • The terrible anger of God upon all profane despisers of the Gospell, not to beleeve any judgement towards us, though never so plainly denounced and manifested, nor towards themselves. p. 354, 355
  • The case of prophane persons in the day of Gods vengeance. p. 355
  • Their case in the day of death and of the last judgement. p. 356
  • Their happinesse who can take the time of mercy. p. 357
Abomination 32.
  • The Idolatrie of Iudah hastening the Captivitie. p. 357
  • Their Covenant with God to have worshipped him only according to his word, without retaining the least shew or occasion of Idola­trie. p. 358
  • He had enjoyned them to make open protestation against all Idola­trie even in the very enemies land. p. 358
  • There was in them notwithstanding a very generall inclination to run a whoring after Idols. p. 359
  • Hezekiah and Iosiah raised up to destroy & deface Idolatry. p. 359
  • The zeale of the people in destroying Idolatrie in Ezekiahs daies, & Gods admirable favour to Ezekiah & Iudah therupon. p. 359
  • Their relaps to Idolatrie with Manasseh falling to be worse then the heathen. p. 359
  • Manasseh led captive for this; his repentance and destroying Ido­latrie againe. p. 359
  • Iosiah raised up to worke a thorow reformation, and with a most strange detestation of Idolatrie in the hearts of the people. p. 360
  • [Page] Iosiah solemnly renues the Covenant with the Lord, to worship him only according to his will, and compelleth all to stand to it, so by all meanes convincing them before the Captivitie. p. 360
  • The Lord sent them moe Prophets, and with more power before the Captivitie then ever in former time. p. 360
  • Idolatrie was usually one sinne whereof they did ever warne the people. p. 361
  • Idolatrie practised secretly in all Iosiahs daies. p. 361
  • The remnant of Baall, with the Chemarims and those who sware by the Lord and Malcom still remaining in his daies. p. 361
  • Idolaters compared to shamelesse strumpets sending for their lo­vers, viz. Priests to teach them the worship of their Idols. p. 362
  • The Rulers fell to most horrible Idolatrie in secret, hard before the Captivitie, as the Lord shewes Ezekiel. p. 362
  • The outward forme of Gods religion may seeme to have continued even unto their very last desolation, without any publike Idola­trie. p. 362
  • A publike fast proclaimed by Iehoiakim hard before the Capti­vitie, but not performed as it ought. p. 363
  • Vengeance denounced for this sinne of Idolatrie, To cause them to run into the holes to hide them and to curse their Gods. p. 363
  • The Lord threatneth to raise their lovers against them, who should use them as strumpets for this, and cause their fornications to cease. p. 364
  • To plague them from Egypt and Babylon. p. 364
  • The Covenant ours as well as theirs. p. 364
  • The Lord as much detests Idolatrie now as then. p. 364
  • The Lord hath raised up sundrie of his worthie servants to destroy Idolatrie as well with us as with them. p. 365
  • The Lord may complain of us herein as much as upon Iudah. p. 365
  • In this sin we seeme farre to exceed them in the daies of Iosiah. p. 366, 367
  • Yet the vengeance came on them presently after the death of Iosi­ah, and principally for this sinne amongst others. p. 366
  • Certaine points to be seriously thought of by all the favourers of Poperie amongst us, and by all who stand in suspence. p. 367
  • [Page] 1. The occasion and manner of casting Poperie out of our land, p. 367
  • 2. The bloud of so many learned and most holy Martyrs, as Cran­mer, &c. witnessing against it. p. 367
  • Answer concerning their pretended Martyrs. p. 369
  • 3. So many worthie Preachers in each part of our land convincing all ever since then. p. 369
  • 4. So many learned writers unanswerable confuting it and every peece of it. p. 369
  • 5. The discoverie of their Index Expurgatorius for their wicked dealing against the Gospell, and for upholding Poperie. p. 370
  • 6. So many discoveries of their unnaturall cruelties, the fruits of their religion, and for the supporting thereof. p. 370
  • The chiefe of them made trumpetters of the abomination of their religion. p. 370
  • Our Saviours argument most strong against that religion, to prove it to be a principall religion of Sathan under a shew of holinesse, especially the Iesuited Papists religion. p. 371
  • 7. Their religion teacheth these things, witnesse those evidences which follow in the end of this Abomination, viz. p. 371
Abomination 32.
  • This alone sufficient to cause all not utterly given up to flie out of Babylon. p. 372
  • 8. Miraculous deliverances and preservations of our Princes, re­ligion, and us all, at the Spanish invasion, the death of Queene Elizabeth, and so wonderfully bringing in the Lords Anointed amongst us, and at the gunpowder treason. p. 372
  • 9. The wonderfull bringing the Gospell againe after Queene Ma­ry, with the admirable preservation of the Lady Elizabeth. p. 372
  • 10. The wonderfull continuance of the Gospell since, notwithstan­ding so innumerable stratagems against it. p. 372
  • These as infallible arguments of Gods favour and love towards us, as theirs were towards Iudea, and ought as much to knit our hearts to the Lord and his truth, and to a detestation of that bloudie Religion. p. 373
  • Our happinesse if wee have hearts to meditate of these things. p. 373, 374
  • [Page] To thinke what it is to take the marke of the Beast, chiefly after these convictions. p. 373
  • 11. The relenting of most hearts for the present, in sundrie dis­coveries of their wickednesse. p. 373
  • 12. Exhortation to thinke of these things, and to compare our way of life with theirs, whether is more equall, and whether is more agreeable to the word of the Lord. p. 374
  • To reade the French massacre, and the Spanish Inquisition. p. 375
  • What they long for who seeke to bring in Poperie againe. p. 375
  • Answer to the vaine perswasion of our professed Papists, concerning their owne safetie, if God should leave us into the hand of the enemie. p. 375
  • All the rich should be made Hugonotes as in Paris, at the French massacre. p. 375
  • What they may looke for, who looke to bee enriched by such a day. p. 375
  • Warning to all, who foreseeing these evils, doe not their uttermost endevours to turne them away. p. 376
  • God speakes to each as Mordecay to Hester. p. 376
  • Three necessarie questions. 1. How so many have and doe daily fall to Poperie notwithstanding all these things. 2. How to be resolved of the truth. 3. How to be kept from backesliding from the truth. p. 376
  • For answer to the first, to consider,
  • 1. Who they have beene that have fallen. p. 377
  • 2. Reasons why such have and doe so fall in Gods justice. p. 378
  • All are contemners of the truth, who never so received the love of it, as by all holy meanes to search the knowledge of it and to obey it. p. 379
  • The reasons why some of Gods deare servants have and may fall for a time. p. 381
  • God may thus leave up his owne for a time, but he will fetch them againe at least by strong hand, if they be his elect in­deed. p. 382
  • Answer to the second question, viz.
  • How those who stand in doubt, may be resolved which is the Reli­gion of the Lord. p. 382
  • [Page] Answer to the third Question, viz. How to be kept from decli­ning to Poperie, and from falling from the Lord. p. 385
  • For those with whom no other meanes can prevaile to cause them to be afraid of Poperie: First, to consider as before Christ of the former reasons. p. 385
  • 2. To ponder our Saviours reason against the malicious lewes, Iohn 8. 44. to prove they were of the devill: and so one rea­son against Poperie fetcht directly from it. p. 385, 386
  • A Syllogisme demonstrating plainly, that Poperie, especially the Iesuited Papists Religion is in a speciall manner of the devill, teaching lying and murder for the supporting of it. p. 386
  • Proofe of the Proposition. p. 386
  • Proofe of the Assumption, That Poperie teacheth lying and murde­ring for the supporting and advancing of it. p. 386
  • Helpes and preservatives which God hath provided for those who would be kept from Poperie, the scourge that followes the con­tempt of the Gospell. As p. 387
  • 1. Notable confutations of Poperie to keepe us. p. 388
  • 2. Notable discoveries of the bloudy cruelties and vilenesse of Po­perie, and contrarily, The perpetuall witnesses of the truth which we professe. p. 388.
  • 3. Speciall helpes for sanctification, whereby to be kept from de­clining from God, and so from this scourge. p. 389
  • 4. Helpes for praier, because we cannot be kept except we pray; nor stand in these evill daies without the speciall sustaining hand of our God. p. 390
  • 5. Helpes for fasting to humble us and to make our praiers more powerfull and effectuall that we may be kept. p. 390
Abomination 33.
  • Atheisme of Iudah, angring the Lord to the uttermost, and brin­ging the Captivitie. p. 390
  • The day of vengeance wished by desperate scoffing Atheists. p. 391
  • What a day that will be when it commeth. p. 392
  • Atheists scoffing at the threatnings of the Prophets. p. 392
  • [Page] This sinne cannot be purged till they die. p. 392
  • All were at a covenant with death and hell. p. 392
  • Atheists of all others most timorous when the vengeance comes. p. 393
Abomination 34.
  • Divisions of Iudah, angring the Lord, and bringing the Capti­vitie. p. 394
  • Their divisions flowing from all their abominations, and chiefly from the Apostasie so generally. p. 394
  • All were given to covetousnesse and spreading nets. p. 395
  • No man could trust other. p. 395
  • The greater spoiling the poorer. p. 395
  • All against the true Prophets, and against all that feared the Lord, and why. p. 395
  • Their owne familiars waiting to have matter against them. p. 396
  • Not one left with Gods faithfull servants to be seene to stand for them. p. 396
  • The Church had none to looke to but to the Lord. p. 397
  • The number of the godly exceeding small at that time amongst them, as the grapes after the vintage. p. 397
  • How the Church comforts her selfe against the insulting of the enemie. p. 397
  • A question answered, viz. In so many divisions to whom to joine. p 398, 399.
  • Application to our owne soules concerning our divisions, and the rest of the heads herein. p. 399
CHAP. XII.
  • The meanes whereby the Lord had striven with them, to bring them to repentance, that he might spare them and how in stead of repenting, their sinne was increased by them all. p. 400
  • Meanes by calling them by his word, and how he had thereby stri­ [...]n with them in all sorts. p. 401, 402
  • [Page] How he had called them by the continuall voice of his mer­cies. p. 402
  • How he had called them by the voice of his rods both bodily and spirituall. p. 403
  • The Lord weary with smiting, inforced to give them up to their owne hearts lust, and to this induration. p. 404
  • The highest step of their induration, that they were given over to scoffe at the Lords warnings, whereby he called them to repen­tance. p. 405
  • This sinne could not be purged. p. 405
  • Some causes of their induration, and why they profited not by all the meanes which the Lord used. p. 406
  • Why the Lord would spare them no longer, after he had used all these meanes to reclaime them. p. 407
  • Application to our selves. p. 408
CHAP. XIII.
  • The severitie of the Lords vengeance when no other meanes could serve. p. 410
  • The Lamentations of Ieremie written to set out this miserie. p. 411
  • Their carnall confidence in Iosiah seemeth one cause to have provo­ked the Lord to take him away; after whose death began their miseries immediatly. p. 412
  • The wofull miseries which at that time they endured. As p. 412
  • 1. Famine in the most lamentable kindes. p. 412
  • 2. Destruction by the sword. p. 413
  • 3. The desolations of the Temple. p. 414
  • 4. The finall desolation that came upon them. p. 414
  • 5. The shame cast upon the Lord and his people. p. 414
  • 6. The people that escaped caried captives. p. 415
  • The miseries of their Captivitie. p. 415
  • 7. In their Captivitie the Church acknowledgeth all this justly come upon her for rebelling against the word of the Lord. p. 415
  • Despising Gods word, and misusing his messengers, caused that [...] could be no more remedie. p. 416
  • [Page] Application why the Lord should not execute as heavie a judge­ment upon us, as on Iudah. p. 416
  • How neere we have beene unto it, and how oft. p. 416
  • The mourning of the Lord for his people before this execution. p. 417
  • The Lords expostulation after a sort mourning over us, for our foo­lish impenitency and unkindnesse. p. 417
  • The changing of our danger into such a joyfull day. p. 419
  • Our unthankefulnesse in forgetting our wonderfull deliverances and mercies. p. 420
  • The Lords expostulation further urged bemoaning our unkindnesse and wilfulnesse. p. 421
  • Whether the Lord may not justly thus speake unto us, especially ha­ving so many ready to receive our most bloudy enemies into our bosomes. p. 421, 422, 424
  • Our answer to the Lords expostulation taken away. p. 424
  • Application to all notorious sinners, who are the men that hale on the vengeance of the Lord. p. 425
  • Warning to all obstinate sinners howsoever the Lord deale with us at the cries of his servants. p. 427
  • Their miserable state at death, most at Christs appearing. p. 427
  • How each may come to the certaine knowledge of the truth hereof, viz. by inquiring of his owne heart awaked. p. 428
CHAP. XIIII.
  • How Gods faithfull servants are wont to be affected seeing his an­ger kindled against his people. p. 430
  • How they are wont in such cases to use all meanes to pacifie his Ma­jestie. p. 431
  • The meanes which they have beene wont to use to this end. p. 431
  • 1. Gods faithfull servants have beene wont to intreat the Lord in secret, to pacifie him thereby towards his people. p. 433
  • 2. They have beene wont to forewarne Gods people of their sinnes, and his vengeance comming on them for the same. p. 434
  • 3. Gods servants have beene wont to direct his people to the meanes whereby he may be pacified. p. 436
  • The principall meanes publike humiliations. p. 436.
  • [Page] Examples hereof. p. 436, &c.
  • The example of Iehosophat is to be beholden of all religious rulers, who would see the like experience of the Lords presence and mer­cie towards them, and therefore set downe at large. p. 438
  • The way to ouerthrow and daunt the enemies of the Church. p. 439
  • Our owne practise and experience. p. 441
  • Reason hereof.
  • All having provoked the Lord, all must seeke to pacifie him by hum­bling themselves. p. 442
  • The office of forewarning and calling to fasting belongs to Gods Mi­nisters. p. 443, 446
  • The supreme Magistrates to appoint publike fasts in such cases, and to see them practised by all, and give ensample hereof. p. 443
  • The Ministers to call upon the Magistrate to this end, and to warne all the people. p. 444
  • Otherwise, the bloud of every soule must be required at their hands. p. 444
  • A generall president for all posteritie. p. 446
  • The Lord then cals to fasting when his vengeance is comming for the abominations increased. p 446
  • 2. Gods Ministers are to labour that the humiliation of his people may be unfained and availeable; and to set before their faces the meanes hereof. p. 447
  • Fasts performed hypocritically, more increase the vengeance. p. 447
  • Nature of hypocriticall fasting. p. 447
  • The outward humiliation availeth nothing without the inward, and without the other parts of a true fast. p. 448
  • The true humiliation must be both outward and inward. p. 448
  • The outward humiliation, and wherein it is. p. 448, 449
  • Exercises of Religion to be adjoined to the outward humiliation. p. 449
  • The publike humiliation must be in a great assembly. p. 450
  • The people are to be warned hereof, and called on to prepare them­selves p. 450
  • Meanes to be used in these assemblies for working sound humilia­tion with faith and repentance. p. 450, 451
  • [Page] The inward humiliation, and wherein it is. p. 452
  • Time of the continuance of such solemne humiliations. p. 453
  • Things to be done after our humiliation, as reforming all the abo­minati [...]ns. p. 454
  • The fruit and happy successe of such humiliations. p. 455
  • Particular experiences of the power and fruit of such like humil [...]a­tions in Gods servants privately. 456
  • If God be so easily intreated sometimes by one of his poore servants only, how much more at the cries of so many of his children at once. p. 457
  • Till the time that the meanes be used for appeasing Gods Majestie, we can never have any comfortable hope of escaping a more ter­rible judgement. p. 457
  • Publike humiliations failing, Gods messengers are to stirre up his owne servants to seeke him privately. p. 457
  • What manner of men they are who must be called on to seeke God privately, when the publike meanes faile, viz. meeke ones, and who have wrought his judgements. p. 458
  • These in all ages have beene the only men in favour, and preservers of the rest. p. 458
  • In such desperate cas [...]s all are to intreat the meeke ones to cry unto the Lord for them. p 459
  • The Lord seekes such to stand in the breach, and when he findes none, viz. very few in respect of that they ought, then comes the vengeance. p. 459
  • The godly in such times must labour to be more righteous, and so more meeke, that their praiers may more prevaile, and so must seeke the Lord privately, as Moses, Nehemiah, and Daniel. p. 459, 460
  • The manner h [...]w to importune the Lord. p. 460
  • The godly shall thus helpe either to pacifie the Lord for all the peo­ple, or be hid themselves. p. 461
  • The cry of the Prophet Zephany to the faithfull is ever to sound in all our eares when all other meanes faile. p. 461, 462
  • 1. Complaint of the weake Christian for his unabilitie, thus to seeke the Lord privat [...]ly: answered. p. 462
  • To follow the example of Daniel in our private fasts. p. 462
  • [Page] We are to be provoked to this dutie by these holy men, viz. Daniel, Neh [...]mi [...], &c. the acceptance and successe which God gave them. p. 463
  • The second complaint of the weake Christian of unabilitie to confesse our sinnes, and beg the things which concerne our peace, answered; and so how to seeke God thus privately. p. 464
  • The fruit and blessing of this labour. p. 466
  • Gods messengers are not only to be carefull to save and pull a people from Gods wrath, but also to keepe them from comming under it againe. p. 468
  • The meanes to preserve a people from backesliding, and to keepe them ever under Gods favour. p. 469
  • The causes of the evils being removed, so will also the evils flowing from them. p. 470
  • The fountaines of obedience and grace to be heedfully looked to, to be kept pure. p. 471
  • The happy estate of a people, living under a holy Ministerie, coun­tenanced by a godly Magistracy, and contrarily, the miserable estate of people destitute thereof. p. 471
  • Experience of both amongst our selves. p. 473
  • The schooles of good learning to be regarded above all things for a perpetuall supplie and succession of such Magistrates and Mi­nisters. p. 473
  • The best meanes of learning to be sought out, established, and strict­ly put in practise in them. p. 474
  • A last dutie of the faithfull messengers of God to comfort and con­firme the hearts of all the godly living amongst the wicked in such times. p. 474
  • The Prophets never to leave importuning the Lord, all other meanes and hopes failing. p. 475
  • Application to all who succeed in the place of the Prophets, to trie whether we finde at this day the same affections in us which they had. p. 475, 476
  • Our sinnes as great as theirs all circumstances considered, and Gods anger accordingly. p. 475
  • Our wonted humiliations in pestilence, dearth, and other signes of Gods anger. p. 476
  • [Page] What we have done lately for our so many and [...] of Gods anger kindled against us. p. 477
  • Why God hath so tried many of his faith full servants by [...] and the like extremities and temptations. p. 477, 478
  • The dolefull harvest, An. 1609. p. 478
  • The Lords complaint and threatning against us for our sens [...]esnesse and not hearkning to his call, neither by his word, judgements, nor mercies. p. 481
  • If God by such things called Iudah to fasting and praier, then he hath and doth so to us. p. 481
  • He needeth no other witnesses but our owne consciences. p. 482
CHAP. XV.
  • The sinne of Gods people may be so great, that he will not spare them, no not at the praiers of his dearest servants, though their presence and praiers may wonderfully prevaile, p. 484, 485, &c.
  • Quest. Whether the Lord will not ever spare his people upon a ge­nerall humiliation and repentance rightly performed answered. p. 486, 487
  • How publike fasts may be made uneffectuall to save, viz. when men turne not from their evill way, or are not soundly humbled. p 488
  • We have no one example to the contrarie in Gods booke, but all wit­nessing hereunto, that Gods people humbling themselves and turning from their sinnes, God will turne from his fierce wrath. p. 489
  • The Lord proclaimes his mercy herein to all the world. p. 489
  • The servants of God humbling themselves though severally and at the same time, may much prevaile, as in the daies of Hester. p. 490
  • If one Moses may doe so much, much more so many. p. 490
  • Objection answered concerning the feare of the Lords decree come forth, and then too late to seeke. p. 490
  • So long as the Lord gives a people hearts to use the right meanes to pacifie him, so long there is great hope that he will be appea­sed. p. 491
  • Objection answered concerning David who feeles the temporall scourges, notwithstanding his unfained repentance. p. 491
  • [Page] The Lord hath beene wont to inflict some lesser judgement when the humiliation hath not beene unfained, though he have saved his people from the greater, and why. p. 492
  • When the time is that the Lord will not spare his people any longer, no not at the private praiers of his dearest servants. p. 493
  • Three principall signes hereof. 1. When a land is full of bloud. 2. When it is full of declining and perversnesse. 3. When it is overgone with Atheisme. p. 494
  • For the first, what that bloud was whereby their land was so d [...]fi­led that God would not spare them. p. 494, &c.
  • The second maine sinne for which God would not spare them; their generall all perversnesse and defection increased without hope of re­turning. p. 499
  • Neither word, judgements, nor mercies would doe them any more good. p. 500
  • There was also amongst them a marvellous corruption of judge­ment, both in misjudging of the good waies of God, and also in wresting of judgement. p. 500
  • Perversnesse in judgement cause of their perversnesse in manners. p. 501
  • Their last and principall sinne a senslesse Atheisme growing upon all, that they did not acknowledge God in his judgements as they had beene wont. p. 501
  • Reasons why the Lord cannot spare when these sinnes come to this height as theirs were. p. 502
  • Application to our selves, whether we be come to this height of sin, and have these tokens thereof. p. 504
  • God hath manifested his love as much to our nation as to any other, and that he is most unwilling thiu to enter into judgement with us. p. 504, 505
  • He spread [...]th out to us both his white and his blacke tent toge­ther. p. 50 [...]
  • To trie what we can answer the Lord if he charge these things on us, as first that our land is full of bloud. p. 505
  • The crie of violence and oppression goeth up to heaven for the cru­eltie of Landlords, Vsurers, and men void of commiseration. p. 506
  • [Page] The like crie amongst us as was in the daies of Nehemiah. p. 506
  • The crie of the poore in dearths. p. 507
  • The holy law of God for the care to be had for all the poore of the land. p. 509
  • We must sometime lend, looking for nothing againe. p. 509
  • How the Lord will blesse such a care for the poore; and contrari­lie. p. 510
  • Vumercifulnesse crieth loud for vengeance, and will bring judge­ment without mercy. p. 510
  • The generall crie of the poore that they and theirs must be brought to perpetuall beggery. p. 511
  • The husbandman cannot pay his rent but by selling his corne at high prizes, and according to the same must usually all other commodities bee, that the poore must live in miserie. p. 512
  • What we are growing to hereby. p. 512
  • The cause of all our unmercifulnesse and spoiling commonly, viz. to maintaine those sinnes of Sodome, Ezek. 16. 49. p. 513
  • Our land defiled with the bloud of Gods servants in Queene Ma­ries daies. p. 513
  • Deadly malice against all who make conscience to walke in the waies of God, by all those who have chosen to live in their owne evill waies. p. 514
  • The advice that a mans wisest friends will give, to any noted for prof [...]ssion, rather to put up all wrongs, then in most places to seeke redresse. p. 515
  • Our land full of the bloud of soules. p. 515
  • What our state must needs be herein through the multitude of ig­norant and unconscionable Ministers. p. 516
  • Multitudes destroyed by evill ensamples, and through the gene­rall neglect of superiours for the soules committed to them. p. 517
  • Application of the second cause why the Lord could not spare them, viz. That they fell away more and more. p. 517
  • The word in many places become unfruitfull and without power. p. 518.
  • [Page] Gods mercies have made us so insolent, as to say we will not heare. p. 518
  • Gods judgements have made us to fall away more and more, especi­ally since our deliverance from our so long feared day. p. 518
  • Pestilence, famine, and wilde beasts next forerunners of the sword. p. 519
  • All Gods strokes so multiplied to make us to seeke him, have made us more senslesse, and to walke more stubbornly against him. p. 520
  • This of all other a most infallible for erunner of vengeance, when men wax uncurably worse by smiting. p. 520
  • The manner of the Lords proceeding in judgement against Israel, before her Captivitie, is recorded for a president to us. p. 520
  • Application to our selves of Gods manner of proceeding with us in judgements. p. 521
  • We almost overthrowne as Sodome, being as a firebr and pluckt out of the burning. p. 521
  • God threatneth us with whatsoever he hath denounced, seeing we amend not. p. 522
  • God threatneth to smite us seven times more, to bring one plague in the end seven times greater then any of the former, unlesse we repent. p. 522
  • God having shewed such tokens of his love and compassion to­wards us will be magnified accordingly. p. 522
  • The third signe of Gods anger, and for which he threatneth he can­not spare, to wit, Atheisme, and how it declareth it selfe openly amongst us. p. 523
  • If we had beene rightly perswaded that all our judgements had been sent by the Lord for our sinne, we had repented long agoe in sackcloth and ashes. p. 523
  • Our timorousnesse to manifest our love to the Lord, and our hatred of sinne. p. 524
  • Our generall leaving off to mourne for all our sinnes and tokens of Gods wrath, or to tremble before him. p. 524
  • Whence come these men [...]ned but from some spice of close Atheisme, that we thinke at least, that God is not so angry against sinne or so regardeth it. p. 524
  • [Page] Cause of our drowsie professing in many, for that iniquitie hath [...] ­gotten the upper hand, that it seemes unpossible that ever pietie should looke up againe, therefore best to frame our selves to the time. p. 525
CHAP. XVI.
  • What brings true boldnesse to appeare before the Lord. p. 526
  • The assurance and safetie of the mourners, before the destruction come, being sure marked by our Saviour, repeated againe for our further comfort. p. 526
  • To be put in minde ever to beare his marke in our foreheads; that so we may alwaies have boldnesse before him. p. 527
  • The boldnesse of the marking Angell appearing againe before the Lord, and giving up his Commission. p. 527
  • This only can bring boldnesse to appeare before the Lord, when we can say, Lord I have done as thou hast commanded me. p. 528
  • Our obedience is chiefly in our willingnesse and unfained endevour, mourning for our wants, and this doth our God accept. p. 528
  • Two notable ensamples of boldnesse hereupon, to appeare before the Lord. p. 529, 530
  • Reasons why they only who have done as the Lord hath commanded can be bold to appeare before him. p. 531
  • When all nations shall tremble and shrike, they alone shall lift up their heads for joy, because of that their happiest day. p. 532
  • The contrary horrour of all who have not done as the Lord hath commanded them, whensoever their consciences shall be truly awaked, more specially at death, most at the dreadfull judge­ment. p. 532, 533
  • Reasons of their horrour. p. 533
  • State of them then, who have neglected their callings, and that which hath beene commanded them. p. 534
  • How fearefull the condition of all those men is who have not gained with their talents, nor increased them, and more of those who have used them against the Lord, and for Sathan. p. 534
  • Their case of all other most fearefull to whom most hath beene com­mitted. p. 535
  • How their horrour shall be increased. p. 535
  • [Page] No impenitent sinner can possibly looke to stand before the Lord. p. 535
  • Application to all who have neglected to doe as the Lord hath commanded them. p. 536
  • Application to the chiefe to put them in remembrance, as their an­swer must be the greatest for their place and charge. p. 536
  • The Magistrates Commission, and what the Lord will call for at his hards. p. 537
  • The Iudges commission. p. 538
  • The Ministers commission. p. 538
  • The account of each Governour of a family for every soule within his gates. p. 539
  • The account of every one to whom he hath committed any talent. p. 539
  • How the Lord will reply to all sorts beginning to excuse themselves, untill their mouthes be stopped. p. 540
  • How he will reply to all for imploying their talents by trying their advantage. p. 542
  • Objection of the weake Christian, viz. who can be able to appeare before the Lord? p. 543
  • Every one who hath unfainedly striven hereunto, shall be able to stand before the Lord, and reasons of it. p. 544
  • Object. 2. The cry of all sorts of sinners whose consciences shall be awaked when they shall bethinke themselves of this appearing. p. 545
  • The Lords answer to all such. p. 545
  • What the Lord commands the poore sinner in the first place. p. 546
  • The endevour of Sathan to drive all such poore sinners to endlesse despaire. p. 547
  • How to comfort the poore humbled sinner against Sathans assaults and temptations. p. 547
  • The second terrour of Sathan, that the time of mercie is past. p. 549
  • The time is never too late whilst the Lord calls us to repent, if we can obey. p. 549
  • Generall comfort; never repentant sinner but found mercie. p. 550
  • [Page] The Lord still stretcheth out his hands to all to come to him. p. 550
  • The terrible voice of the Lord to all despisers of mercy now offered. p. 551
  • The Lord will one day bring all that belong unto him, to say, Lord I will doe as thou commandest; at least he will bring them by strong hand. p. 552
  • God purposeth their destruction whom he suffereth to goe on per­petually in their impenitencie. p. 553
  • Application to us all in generall, what securitie we have to escape the vengeance so long threatned from Babylon, untill we doe as God commands. p. 553
  • The Lords reply to us if we answer that we have repented and therefore shall have peace. p. 554, 555
  • God threatneth us as sensibly from Rome as he did them from Ba­bylon. p. 556
  • Conclusion of all, how to trie the certaintie hereof, and when we may have securitie and boldnesse. p. 557
  • Comfort to all the meeke who can say that they have truly endevo­red to doe as the Lord hath commanded them: These only have the promises. p. 557
  • The Lord hath given most comfortable answers against each feare of his servants in such cases. p. 558
  • Against the feare of being left into the enemies hand. p. 558
  • The second feare for the wrongs and provocations of the enemies, answered. p. 559
  • Our third feare, for that we are but poore wormes, and nothing in regard of our enemies which are the mightie men of the earth. p. 560
  • The fourth feare of Gods people, for the miseries we may come into in the meane time amongst our enemies, answered. p. 561
  • A fift answer of the Lord against the feare of want of neces­sary comforts. p. 562
  • A sixt comfort against feare of fainting in the long continuance of the troubles of the Church. p. 563
  • The seventh, the Lords answer to the faithfull soule mourning for feare of the dangers of the Church. p. 565
  • [Page] What every faithfull servant of God should doe for the Church and this nation, that would never see [...] feele their miseries▪ p. 565
  • All to hearken what the Lord calleth and crieth for at our hands, moaning our estate. p. 566
  • What he will doe for us, and against our enemies, if we will yet hear­ken unto him. p. 567
  • A holy praier according to the Contents of the booke. p. 569

TO ALL ESTATES AND DEGREES, WHO truly tender their owne Soules, the Church of God, and their natiue COVNTREY.

IT is now many yeares (Christian Reader) since by reading those ho­ly Prophets which liued next be­fore the Captiuitie of Iudah,Occasion of this watch, feare of Gods iudgements lying vpon vs. who denounced the same to be ready to come vpon Gods people for their sinnes, and by considering and com­paring the same with the times wherein we liue, I haue euer fea­red the life plague or a heauier to be hanging ouer this our sinfull Nation.This feare hath not bin vvithout iust cause, as eu [...]nts haue declared. Neither haue I feared without iust cause: for how neere indeed such a iudgement hath bin vnto vs, and how the same threatnings haue bin ready to be verified vpon vs,Our later d [...]n­gers and deli­uerances still the greatest. the world is witnesse, euen all they who haue but onely heard the report of our dangers, and of our wonderfull and euen miraculous deliuerances. And euer the later perils and preseruations haue bin the more wonderfull;The duty of all Gods faithfull Ministers to be euer giuing warning. as that one of the Powder furnace was aboue all that euer former age heard of. In the due meditation and regard whereof, I haue taken it to be my dutie, and of all the faithfull Ministers of Christ, [Page] [...] [Page] [...] [Page] to follow the example of Noah, and of all those faithfull Pro­phets, [...]. 3. 17, 18. & 18. 30. in giuing warning aforehand, (keeping within the limits and compasse of our calling) to helpe to open the eyes of all, to foresee,Iam. 2. 14. and to cause all to tremble for the anger of the Lord, also to contend with all our power to turne euery soule from his euill way:Ior. 23. 22. that so his wrath may be appeased,Iam 4 17. & 5. 19, 20. and we de­liuered from the dreadfull execution of his heauiest venge­ance.2 Cor. 5. 9, 10, 11. Herevpon in my former feare amongst other causes I was chiefly emboldned (and that not long before the time of that bloudie Powder-treason,A chiefe occasion of the first part of this watch, as the title of it decla­reth. as the Lord had so directed it) to endeuour to set downe truly, and after to publish to all, the first part of this watch, viz: The rule of life, contayning the couenant which we haue all entred into with our God. To the end to helpe to keepe all his people from the generall declining from that his blessed couenant to profanesse and iniquitie, and from the outragious wickednes of the rest, that we also might all learne to watch to be preserued in the euill day.So of the se­cond part, The Rule of Prayer, to stir vs all vp to watching & prayer, as our sins & dangers still increased. And since then likewise the second part of the same watch, viz: The rule of prayer, to awaken vs the better, and to stirre vp all the Lords faithfull seruants the more speedily and instantly to betake our selues wholly to watching and prayer, not onely to be accounted worthy to escape the euills approching, but also that ech of vs may still helpe to preserue the Island; like as our most compassionate Father hath in the riches of his mercy vouchsafed to accept vs vntill this day.The time of y comming forth of the second part. And this likewise he in his wisdome directed to come forth at the very instant, yea in the midst of the last apparant danger, which we in our parts were in,The dreadful­nesse of those tunes to many, howsoeuernow forgotten. for the insurrection about inclosures: which howso­euer it might seeme nothing or small to them who dwelt far from it; yet to vs who expected the approching of the re­bells euery houre, and heard how the hearts of the people were generally bent, it was no lesse terrible than any of the former, but so much more fearefull, the neerer it was. Now therefore in the third place:The cause of this third part, our sins increa­sing. forasmuch as all men may behold all kinde of wickednesse and impietie still increasing fearefully without hope of redresse, so that vnlesse we will put out our owne eyes, we must see the iudgement of God hasting faster vpon vs, and [Page] being at the very dore, I haue taken it my bounden dutie, and my best seruice that I could doe and possibly performe, to his heauenly Maiestie, his Church, and my Country, to adde this third part: to the end to set before the faces of euery one of vs, the heynousnesse of our sinnes in euery degree, and so the equitie of the Lords proceeding against vs: that we may all be inforced to iustifie his Maiestie, though he come to execute whatsoeuer he hath so often threatned, when no kinde of fore­warning can doe vs any good. And also to try if yet at length he will vouchsafe to recall vs againe to his couenant, and put new life into vs, to meet him falling vpon our faces in fasting and prayer, to pacifie his wrath, and that ech of vs may begin to put that in practise which was intended and sought in the two former parts, that is, to watch and pray continually, not in words any longer, but in deed and truth; for the preseruation and lasting welfare of vs and our posteritie.

That the heauiest iudgement must needs be feared to be so much the neerer,The heauiest iudgment iust­ly feared to be hard at y dores. as the anger of the most High is more kind­led against vs, no man can doubt: and that his wrath is incen­sed to the vttermost, is most apparent to all, whose eyes he hath opened, or who doe but beleeue his heauenly word: for that in stead of hauing any of our greeuous abhominations (which we may behold set before our faces in the Treatise following, euen by the Prophets themselues, and forwhich he hath so often threatned us,) yet vnfeignedly repented of, we haue in­deed increased them many times more.All of vs ha­uing solemnly entred into co­uenant wt our God; haue cau­sed him to threaten to take away his coue­nant by our transgression. The couenant of our God, which the whole land professeth, and ech of vs in our Baptisme haue solemnely entred into, we haue most grieuously transgressed. And this many of vs haue done with so high a hand, as that we haue caused that his heauenly Gospell to be blasphemed, inforcing him to threaten to take his couenant, with all his blessings from vs: yea, to leaue vs to be made a prey and a spoyle vnto our enemies, which thirst after our bloud continually.This confessed by all Anno 1588. This all confessed, when they so despight­fully and proudly came against vs, as being ready to swallow vs vp quicke, and ech of vs then acknowledged, that his wrath was most iustly kindled against vs for the same: so as if he [Page] should then haue cast vs off vtterly, for euer being his people, or a nation any more, that yet we had most righteously deser­ued it.And in all our dangers Anno 1602. 1603. This we haue in like manner many a time since ac­knowledged, in all our dangers and plagues which we haue had vpon vs plague after plague, as those ten plagues of Aegypt. More especially in the grieuous dearths, and chiefly in that most poysoned plague of pestilence, as the sundry confessions of sinnes, then made and still extant, doe and shall euer beare witnesse. But aboue all other times, when we were all ready to be consumed in the hot fierie furnace at once: yea this we ordinarily and daily euery one confessed, whilst we liued in im­minent danger euery houre, before the Lord so miracul [...]sly and graciously set vp his Anointed ouer vs. [...] euery one then. Euery one then could say, Our sinnes are so [...]heynous, as that we must needes haue some terrible vengeance without speedie repentance. This wrath ther [...]fore we must needs acknowledge to be farre greater now than euer heretofore:Gods wrath must needs be greater now than euer be­fore. not onely for that in stead of repenting, our sinnes are so growne vp in euery kinde, but also because we are now so generally, and so much further off from repentance, or any purpose of amendment, yea of so much as of any sense of our sinnes, or feare of any iudgement to be toward vs for the same, than euer we were in former time, notwithstanding all the meanes which he hath so long vsed to awaken vs,This can be no way appeased, but by taking away our sins the cause of it, and turning a­gaine to his Couenant. and to bring vs to repentance. How then can this fire of the Lords anger be euer quenched, we deliuered from the violence thereof, that we should not be consumed of it, but onely by seeking out the principall causes of it, to wit, our maine transgressions against the couenant of our God, by which he hath bin so prouoked, and also by confessing and acknowled­ging them, and turning backe ioyntly to the humble obedience of that his most holy Couenant againe: Israel cannot stand before their enemies,Examples. vntill Achans sacriledge be found out and punished;Iosh. 7. 10. neither can the dearth be stayed in the dayes of Dauid, 2 S [...]m. 21. 1. 14. 24. vntill the causes of it be found out, and the Lord pacified by taking away the iniquitie. Nor yet can the storme vpon the Seas be quieted,Ion [...] 1. 15. so long as Ionah lyeth asleepe in his sinne. How much losse now, when so many Achan [...] be in [Page] euery corner, and Ionah asleepe euery where in the eyes of all? As it is with a particular man,As it is for [...] particular man, so for a whole Nation. so is it with a whole Nation. That like as there must be first a searching out of his sinne, with confession of it, and turning againe vnto the Lord, before his anger can be appeased, so must it be for a whole Nation (so far as we can iustly conceiue) before any sound assurance can be giuen that his wrath is turned away. This seemes euery where most euident thorow all the booke of God.

How Poperie is growne vp againe,The increase of Pope [...]ie and all profanenosse, notorious to all. the late proclamation for preuenting it, and the furie of that bloudie Religion, and for the preseruation of his Royall Maiestie, and his Seede, set forth vpon the occasion of the cruell murther of the French King, doth sufficiently witnesse. And likewise the gene­rall vrging the Oath of Allegeance inforced therevpon: be­sides so many lamentable experiments, and our ouer-iust feares for their trecheries expected ech howre. How Atheisme also, with all kinde of outragious iniquitie, and scorning at all true pietie, doe ouerflow in euery place, aboue all former times,Some sins hey­nous hereto­fore, now tho­row custome & commonnesse, become as no sinnes. no man can denie. Indeed some sinnes haue bin odious heretofore, and especially when they began first to spring vp, and were cryed out of, as which all the godly feared, that they would presently bring the vengeance of God vpon vs all, which now through long custome and commonnesse are made no sins: as that beastly valour of powring downe wine and strong drinke, and our glorying in it; pride with all monstrous excesse therein, oppression, deriding and hating all true godlinesse, and the power of religion. Though all of them, and many like, are in a higher degree in the Land, and practised with a farre higher hand now,No sinne truely repented of. than euer heretofore. Or if any one abomi­nation be taken away and gone, who can say that it hath bin generally repented of▪ or left of any conscience, o [...] for feare of the Lord and awe of his word? And therefore if he be the same holy God, still hating sinne as much as euer he did, and who will neuer cleare the guiltie, how should it be but (though our owne hearts, and all the world doe slatter vs, telling vs that we shall haue peace) yet as our sinnes are [...] increased and our abhominations gone vp to heauen,As our sins are m [...]ltiplied, so his wrath. so his wrath and [Page] [...]ousie must needs smoke against vs, [...] 34 7. and his curses & plagues be multiplied vpon vs vntill he hath put out our name from vnder heauen;De [...]. 18. 19, 20. vnlesse we meet him speedily and appease his wrath by our humble and vnfeigned turning vnto him. But these crying sinnes can neuer be taken away,The cr [...]ing sins cānot be taken away, vnlesse y causes of them be first repen­ted of. vnlesse also euen the other sinnes of the Land be likewise repented of. I meane those from which these proceed, and for which men are so ge­nerally giuen vp vnto these monstrous iniquities. For these outragious enormities are the heauiest punishments of other sinnes, and ordinarily the immediate fore-runners of the grea­test temporall iudgement.We cannot re­pent vntill we know both the maine prouo­cations, & ech our owne sins, with the iudg [...] ­ments belong­ing to them. Neither can we euer haue any assurance to be preserued from that extremest vengeance, vn­till we returne more generally in our hearts, from all our euill wayes vnto the Conenant of our God: neither yet euer repent nor turne from them, vnlesse we see both generally the most heynous prouocations of the Land angring his Maiestie, and ech of vs our owne seuerall sins particularly, with his iudge­ments belonging therevnto. Therefore sith that our most pitifull father hath,God hath or­deyned the dis­couerie of our iniquitie to turne away our captiuitie. in the riches of his endlesse compassion, ordeyned the discouerie of the iniquitie, and of the certaine approaching of his iudgement to turne away the vengeance, and that by turning his people from their euill way; and so he complaines of the Prophets, that they had not discouered their iniquitie to turne away their captiuitie,Ierem. 23. 22. and saith plainly of them,And his Pro­phets standing in his counsell to turne vs frō our euill way. That if they had stood in his counsell, and declared his words to his people, they should haue turned them from their euill wayes, and from the wickednesse of their inventi­ons. I haue therefore as I say, taken this as my chiefest ser­uice,This is y boun­den dutie of all his messengers and their chiefe seruice. that euer I could performe vnto his heauenly Maiestie, his Church and people of this our Nation, euen to helpe to search out our sinne, by his holy word, and to set our iniquities before our faces, with his most righteous iudgements due vnto vs for the same, and ready euer to breake in vpon vs like the raging seas, thereby to helpe amongst others to bring vs to re­pentance. And the rather for that, howsoeuer euery one of vs will acknowledge that we must first turne away from our sins vnto him, before he will turne to vs from his fierce wrath, [Page] and also that we must search and finde out our iniquities, and see the danger which we stand in for them, before we can turn [...] from them, [...] yet long experience hath confirmed this, that we being lulled so fast asleepe in our securitie thorough our long prosperitie,Because we will neuer search out our sinnes of our selues. can neuer search out our sinne of our selues, vn­lesse they be set plainely before our faces, and we awaked and rowzed by his most terrible denuntiations for the same. If Dauid himselfe such a worthy Prophet,Dauid must haue Nathan to awaken him. a man of a most ten­der conscience (as is euident by all his Psalmes) and his wate­ring his bed with his teares) yet being become secure in his sinne,2 Sam▪ 12. must haue Nathan to awake him, by setting his sinne plainely before his face, before that he can see the vilenesse of it to repent so of it as to finde mercy (though his sin was so grosse and palpable, and Gods wrath lying vpon him so heauily in a spirituall manner, and also his vengeance ready to be ex­ecuted in most fearefull sort.) How much more then haue we neede of some Boanarges, sonnes of thunder, to awaken vs, being a sinfull and hard-hearted people and dead in our ini­quities. And if those to whom he hath not only spoken once & twise, but also smitten with sicknesse vpon their beds, that their soules draw to the graue,Iob 33. 23. and their life to the buriers, had neede of a messenger, an interpreter, one of a thousand to declare vnto them their righteousnesse,Men smitten with sicknesse drawing neere to the buriers, must haue an interpreter one of a thousand. to set their sinnes before their eyes, and wh [...]re they may finde the true righte­ousnes, before they can say they haue sinned, & repent to finde mercy: How much more we our selues? when most of vs who haue bin chiefe in this provocation are in health and prosperi­tie, and in no misfortune like other folke, but rather fed in all pleasure, as against the day of slaughter. And to conclude this point,They who had crucified our Sauiour. we see how those three thousand, that crucified our Lord & Sauiour, could not yet see their bloudy sin, notwith­standing all which they had formerly heard and seene in our Sauiour, and also the dreadfull signes at his passion, vntill that Peter particularly laid open their wickednesse, apply­ing it vnto them directly that they were the men, and then onely are they pricked at their hearts, and cry out, Men and Brethren, what shall we doe? Now I say, if none [Page] of these, no not they whose sinne was so intolerable, and who had bin so manifestly convinced, can search out their sinnes of themselues, to be so soundly humbled, as to turne and seeke to pacifie the Lords wrath; how much lesse hope is there of vs, a natiō so setled vpon our lees, & so hardned by our abusing the long patience & forbearance of our most tender father? who hauing bin in so many dangers, & yet still deliuered frō them all, do thinke that it shall be so with vs euer, & that now there can be no more danger toward vs. We therefore had more need of many such as Nathan, We are they y haue neede of Nathan if euer any. to set our sin most liuely before our faces, and after to tell vs directly, That we are they with whom God is now angry, and that aboue all the people of the earth, as he hath knowne vs aboue all other Nations, like as we shall see in the sequell.Amos 3. [...]. We haue neede not of that one messenger, that one of a thousand alone,Of all Gods faithfull mes­sengers. but of all the faithfull messengers and men of God, by their preaching, and all holy meanes, to shew vs our vnrighteousnes: and of Peter, Of Peter. to giue vs to know for a suretie, That we are the men who haue crucified the Lord Ie­sus.Acts 2. 36. Yea we haue neede of Ionah, Of Ionah. to proclaime vnto vs, Yet fortie dayes and England shall be destroyed for her sin.Ionah 1. 2. And finally, when preaching will not serue to awake vs, we haue neede of Ieremie or Baruck to write the sinnes of vs all,Of Ieremie or Baruch to write our sins, when all other means faile. with the plagues which God hath praepared and denounced against vs for the same; That euery one euen running by may read them, as written in capitall letters vpon tables: to try if yet at length by this meanes,Ier. 36. 2. 3. we may see the greatnes of the anger that is kindled against vs, and so repent and retùrne euery one from his euill way, that he may forgiue our iniquitie and sin, and deliuer vs from the imminent, and all like future plagues.

To this very end,We may here se [...] our sins and iudgement set before vs in the sins of Iudah. by the Lord him­selfe. that we may behold the Lord himselfe discouering vnto vs our iniquities, and so may haue [...]o more pretence nor cloakes for our sinnes, nor yet surmize the least partialitie, here we may all see (and that in the very sins of Iudah, for which God brought vpon them that terrible cap­tiuitie) the Lord himselfe and not men, setting before our fa­ces both our sinnes in generall, and the transgressions of ech of [Page] vs, as in particular, and how we haue thereby deserued such a iudgement. These I haue laboured to set out more fully, and to apply them more particularly vnto vs, because of the de­grees acknowledged by all to be necessarie vnto sound repen­tance in euery one, who lookes to get full assurance of Gods mercy.These labored in more [...]peci­ally, bicause of the degrees in true repentance As first a true search, sight and sense of his sinne and Gods anger for it. 2. Humble confession of it. 3. Griefe of heart with detestation of the same. 4. Crying for pardon. 5. A lowly offering our selues to his Maeiestie to w [...]lke with him all our dayes. 6. A faithfull performance of our vowes. For this cause haue I bent my chiefe studie to helpe somewhat herevnto, that all these parts of true repentance may be wrought in vs, and the same made vnfeigned. And to this end I haue prepared first (as [...]) and sent before,The Couenant sent before ac­knowledged by the learned. the Co­uenant of our God with vs, in the fi [...]st part of this watch: that it might be throughly tryed, like as it hath bin approued for many yeares, by sundry learned professors of the Gospell, euen by all to whom it hath come, so far forth as I know, to be that truth of God, wherein we all agree: and the summe of that which the Lord requires of vs generally, without which we cannot be established, and of euery one particularly, if we will be saued.The branches of the Coue­nant, set here before our sins. In this part I haue likewise set the seuerall branches of the same Couenant before sundry of our heynous sinnes, that by comparing them togither, we may more liuely behold our transgressions and provocations. Yea I haue striuen thorow the whole to helpe,That we may all see & turne to the Couenāt of the Lord. that euery one of vs might returne to that his blessed Couenant, for the happinesse of vs all, and of euery particular soule, and to saue vs both from the temporall and eternall vengeance.1. For y whole Nation. And first in regard of the whole Nation, because we all stand continually in danger of that anger of God to be powred out vpon vs, which had formerly almost ouerwhelmed vs all, and for ought we can imagine, must needs ouertake vs in the end, vnlesse we more generally repent and turne vnto his Maiestie.No policie can secure vs, but our more gene­rall turning. No policie of man nor humane meanes can euer secure vs from the furie of Babylon, and that he should not suffer them to execute their malice vpon vs, and leaue them to be executioners of his plagues so often and so [Page] neerely accomplished,Ier. 18. 7. but this our more generall turning. All that euer they haue done or doe intend are nothing but the Lordsthreatnings, denouncing by them to pluck vs vp, to root vs out, and destroy vs; as we shall see at large in this vision of Ezechiel. All their malice & mischieuous deuises are the Lords denunti­ations against vs. They are onely Gods axe, his souldiers, his execu­tioners, though themselues know not so much. It is true in­deed, he may deferre his plagues, or lessen them, at the prayers of his faithfull seruants, as he hath done many a day and sa­ued vs in the imminent perils;Isai. 106, 15. but there is nothing (so far as we can perceiue out of the word of the Lord to giue vs any securitie) that can cause him to repent of that great plague,Frō which no­thing can cause him to turne but our turning to him. and destruction, which he seemeth to haue denounced so plainly and directly from Heauen against our Realme and Nation, so to turne it away, but onely our turning from our wickednesse. We may all behold our pr [...]sent estate in the 18 of Ieremie, Ier. 18. 5. written as in great letters for euery one to read, and that so plainely, as none can pretend ignorance, but it must of necessitie convince euery conscience in all the Land; for to vs it is dire­cted, both to vs all in generall, and to euery soule particularly. At the 5th verse of that Chapter,vers. 5. first he sends Ieremie to the Potters house, that there he might see the Potter breake the pots in his hand at his pleasure. Then the word came vnto the Prophet at that very instant, saying,

O house of Israel, cannot I doe with you, as this Potter, saith the Lord? Behold as the clay is in the Pottershand, so are yee in my hand, oh house of Israel. And after he adds these words, vers. 7. I will speake sodeinly against a Nation to plucke it vp, and to roote it out, and destroy it. vers. 8. But if this Nation against whom I haue pronounced, turne from their wickednesse, I will repent of the plague which I thought to bring vpon them. vers. 9. And I will speake sodeinly con­cerning a Nation & concerning a Kingdome, to build it vp, & to plant it. vers. 10. But if it do euill in my sight, & heare not my voyce, I will repent of the good which I thought to doe for them. vers. 11. Speake now therefore vnto the men of Iudah and to the inhabitants of Ierusalem, saying, Thus saith the Lord, Behold I prepare a plague for you, and purpose a thing [Page] against you. Returne now therefore euery one from his euill way, and make your wayes and your workes good.

To apply this to our selues:Application. Did not the Lord shew this vnto vs much more visibly than he did vnto Ieremie; Our destructiō shewed and ac­complished in effect. That we were all as the clay in his hand, that he had not onely power to dash vs in peeces, but had in effect done it already; saue that he did (as it were) create and forme vs againe of such a sud­den,Our deliue­rance as a new creation. that we did all wonder at it; and all Nations shall haue cause to wonder to the end of the world.

How many wayes,How many wayes, yea how sensibly & sud­denly God hath spoken vnto vs may appeare in this whole worke. yea how sensibly and suddenly God hath spoken vnto vs all, (both proclayming by most infallible to­kens, that his anger is kindled against vs to the vttermost, and that he is ready to powre out vpon vs the full viols of his ven­geance: and also on the other side declaring in all his long forbearance and admirable d [...]liuerances, how vnwilling he is to proceede to the execution, if any other meanes might re­claime vs) will euidently appeare to euery one, who with any conscience or due consideration shall read that which followeth in this vision.Nothing can secure vs so as to giue vs com­fort, but tur­ning to y Lords Couenant. And for that other maine point, That nothing else can truly secure vs from the execution, so as to giue vs true comfort, but our turning to the Lords Couenant; aske of all the booke of God of all the places conteyning promises and theeatnings to whole Nations; whether all the promises be not made vnto our turning and obedient walking in his Couenant: and all the threatnings after this manner;Leuit. 26. 3, 23, 24. That if we walke more stubbornely against him, he will increase his vengeance accordingly,That all holy meanes are to be vsed therto. and plague vs yet seuen times more. So that all holy meanes are to be vsed to helpe to recall vs to the true obe­dience of that his holy Couenant, that ech may renew the oath of our obedience to Iesus Christ, for the happinesse of the whole and of euery soule.Euery soule who will not returne must die. For God will haue vs all to know, That whatsoeuer soule will not returne to his Couenant must dye; it must die eternally. Yea though we liue not in a wilfull reiecting of all the Couenant,Ezec. 8. 10, 11. but in any one abomination wit­tingly: on rary to the same; and much more doing it presum­ptuously that is, both wittingly and willingly, being warned and convinced thereof, as the word is most direct. Yea if we [Page] doe not turne,Yea all who seeke not to c [...]use others to tu [...]ne. and seeke to cause others to turne, chiefly all those committed to our charge, we must dye. Onely that man is a iust man, who doth iustice, and endeuours to walke in all Gods statutes,Iam 2. 10. and to deale truly, turning and seeking to cause others to turne,Gal. 2. 10. that man onely shall liue. Neuer any soule shall haue any assurance to escape Gods vengeance,Num. 15. 30, 31. or haue true boldnesse to appeare before the Lord,Heb. 12. 14. but only such a man.Ezech. 18. 30. Aske of the holy Scriptures,Ezech. 18. 9. whether this be not the tenour of them all:Who it is whō God accounts a iust man, which shal liue. whether any other be a liuing member of Christ, or haue any part in his bloud▪ or in that redemption wrought by him.

But aboue all,All obstinate sinners helpe to draw downe vengeance vpō the whole land, beside the de­stroying of their owne soules. this is yet more dreadfull, that whosoeuer they be, that liue in a wilfull breach of any part of the Coue­nant of God, and chiefly those who wallow in any one of those abominations which brought this captiuitie of Iudah, doe not onely destroy their owne soules, without vnfeyned repentance, but also doe helpe (so much as one mans sinne can doe) to draw downe the vengeance of God vpon the whole Land to the rui­nating both of Church and Common-wealth that bred them. Euery of our blasphemers, drunkards, whoremongers, Ido­laters, profane Sabaoth-breakers, despisers of the word of the Lord, with all other notorious sinners, haue their hands therein.The Lord frō heauen cryes to vs all to turne, speaking, Therefore the Lord from heauen speaks vnto vs all, and cryes loud vnto vs to turne [...]nto him, that we may escape his vengeance, He hath here in this vision set such a glasse be­fore our faces, as wherein we may behold our selues most liuely, both our present and future estate, what he threatneth to doe vnto vs.3. To his vine­yard. Oh tho [...] the vineyard of the Lord, he shewes vnto thee that for thy vnfruitfulnes he is about to make thee waste! You who are the fruitlesse branches behold your condition, ei­ther you must bring forth fruit speedily, or else be cut downe and throwne into the euerlasting fire.2▪ To all draw­ing neere to God with lips alone. You who draw neere vnto God with your lips in an outward profession, but your, hearts are so far from him, that by your lines you giue occ [...] to his enemies to blaspheme his name; he shewes you here th [...] i [...]dgement that he hath prepared for you.3. To oppres­sors. Open your eyes, you cruell oppressors, you that flea the poore and needie, and [Page] behold here what the Lord is prouiding for you, and what a destruction you are pulling vpon your owne heads.4. To all giuen vp to all excess in pride and belly-cheere. You who spend all your time in pride, belly cheere, and all ex­cesse of ryot, with abundance of idlenesse, neuer regar­ding to strengthen the hands of the poore and needie, but still to weaken them by plucking from them violently, see whether you are rushing forward, bethinke your selues be­fore it be too late.5. All casting away the word of the Lord. You who cast away the word of the Lord, scorning and hating to be reformed by it, here the Lord fore­warnes you what he is bringing vpon you. You that pol­lute his Sabaoths after the manner of the Gentiles,6. Polluters o [...] the Sabaoths. to you he himselfe speakes, that if you will not obserue his rest, he will make the land to rest when it lyeth desolate, and no man to passe thorow it.Leuit. 26. 34. Or that at the least your selues shall be thrust forth from his eternall rest into the place of hor­rour and crying, where you shall neuer haue rest day nor night.

All you who are outragious in your courses,7. Outragious in their courses & euil fashions. and make the euill fashions of all Countries about you, euen of the ene­mies of Christs Gospell and murtherers of his Saints, to be your glory, you may here behold how you call in continually these wicked enemies to auenge the Lords quarrell, and to be the executioners of his most righteous iudgements vpon you.8. All turning backe to the Idolatrie of former times. Oh you that are turning backe or hastning apace to the vile Idolatrie of former dayes, which sometimes very children abhorred in seeing the abomination of it: and all you who would so faine be in Babel againe, you may here take a view of the terrible vengeance of God vpon your selues in such extreme blindnesse, and how you are drawing in the bloudy Babylonian vpon your selues, and posteritie, and euen the whole Land, so far as you are able, with as ill or a worse captiuitie than euer came vpon Iudah; which how neerely you had effected, your owne hearts are witnesses. Here you may see how that one day alone of Babels crueltie, one of their powder furnace dayes, shall be inough for you, at least when you shall nish to stand a far off for feare of her torment: whereof you are sure to haue your parts, if you will needs [Page] be partakers of her sinnes.9. All challen­ging the Lord by their pro­fanesse and A­theisme. And you that by your intolerable profanenesse and Atheisme doe seeme after a sort to challenge the Lord to his face, to darè him, if he be a God, to shew him­selfe, and to hasten his vengeance, and so make your selues merry with scoffing at all who feare his name, you may in this heare the Lord himselfe telling you, as from heauen, that you are the men, for whose cause he cannot spare, for whom he can haue no more pittie, and that he will make you especially to feele whether he be a God, a iust and terrible God or no.All of vs may see y Lord set­ting before vs the meanes wt he vsed to re­claime vs and spare vs. Here finally we may all see the Lord himselfe setting before vs both our generall and particular estate, with the meanes which he hath vsed to reclaime and spare vs, the terrour of his anger and plagues when no other meanes will serue. And lastly▪ the way how yet we may be deliuered, and not onely be set free out of the danger,And how yet we may escape. but also remaine a glorious Nation vntill his se­cond comming, and how euery one may escape his vengeance.

Thorow out haue I striuen to shew my loue and earnest de­sire,Here is no more but an endeuor to saue all, not onely to the whole, but also to saue euery soule from these plague: Yet haue I not indeuoured any more herein than the Angell for Lot in labouring to pull vs out of the de­struction remayning for the impenitent; nor any more than Esay, Ieremie, Ezechiel, with other the Prophets and faith­full men of Iudah, did before the Captiuitie, in seeking to turne away that calamitie and all other their miseries from them;within the bounds of the word, and within the compasse of the calling of euery Man of God, as God offereth opportunitie & holy meanes. nor going past the bounds of the word of the Lord deli­uered by those Prophets: Nor yet any more at all, than I take to be the dutie of euery faithfull Minister and Man of God, so far as the Lord shall offer him opportunitie, to seeke to pre­serue all from Gods wrath, and to plucke euery soule out of the fire of his vengeance. And this by shewing all sorts their sinnes, to bring them to repentance thereby, by haling & draw­ing to get euery Lot out of Sodom, before the destruction come.Ezek. 18. 30, 32.

If any one shall be offended for the discouerie of his sinne amongst the generall,The offending of them who are asleepe in the midst of this perill not to be regard [...]d. without the knowledge and sight where­of he cannot be saued, and that onely because he would still liue in it; or would not be awaked, his displeasure therein is no [Page] more to be regarded, than if one in an heauy sleep, in the midst of an house all on fire about him, now ready to fall vpon his head, to burne him to ashes: whom God shall enable to pull forth any such, when he shall awake them and cause them to see their danger wherein they were, and their gracious deliue­rance, then will they magnifie his great name,They plucked forth will mag­nifie God for vs. that those did so aduenture themselues for them, and esteeme such aboue all o­ther of the earth. And as for the displeasure of men, better is it ten thousand times to haue all the world offended with vs, for our labouring in loue and dutie in our place to saue, and pull men from vnder Gods wrath, and forth of the very pit of hell, so much as he shall vouchsafe vs mercy, than to haue the Lord angry with vs,Better to haue all men offen­ded wt vs, than the Lord. for being vnfaithfull in that which hath beene committed vnto vs, and for neglecting to saue his people from destruction. Oh what extreme foolishnes is it to feare man,Foolishnesse to feare men. whose breath is in his nostrils, and whose heart is in the Lords hand, to turne as the boates in the waters, & to incline as pleaseth him, who cānot moue a finger at vs but by his permission, nor do any more than he wil turne to [...] good; and not to feare him,Not to regard the horrour of Gods anger, on Moses Exo. 4. 24. who if he be angry with vs neuer so little, all our dayes are gone! Who would haue killed Moses for omitting the circumcising of his childe; who brought the tem­pest on the sea, and would not suffer it to cease, vntill that Ionah was throwne into it,Ionah 1. 13. because he prouided for his owne peace, with neglect, or at least through feare of performance of that dutie inioyned him, which was to goe to Niniue, to preach vnto them, That within fortie dayes Niniue should be destroyed.Threatned a­gainst Ieremie 1. 17. Who finally threatneth Ieremie to destroy him, before the people, if he feare their faces: and will certainely whip his dearest seruants▪ vnto his worke, if they begin to loy­ter We therefore,Therefore Gods messen­gers had neede to looke to themselues▪ to help to saue all. To cause all to see his mercy in sparing vs. who are Gods messengers, had neede to looke vnto it, to indeuour so far as we may, keeping within our limits, to pull all sorts of sinners with violence out of the fire; and to striue to set their sinnes before their faces in their na­tiue colours. And the rather that so all of vs seeing the heynousnesse of our owne sinnes, and of the sinnes of our Land, may come to some more due consideration of the infinitenesse [Page] we did not vnderstand them, I take and hold it to be necessarie still to try further all holy meanes:Eccles. 12. 1. we know not which the Lord will blesse. Surely for the greatest part, the most plaine is the most profitable.

But if it shall be obiected,The applicati­ons so plaine to driue vs vnto Christ. that the applications to the particular kindes of sinnes and sinners are ouer plaine, and come too neere the quicke. I answer againe, Blessed man is he who can finde them to come neere to his owne corruption and sinne.Act: 2. 36, 37. Is not this the onely way to driue vs to behold the true brasen serpent,Numb: 21. 9. when we feele our selues stung at our hearts?Iohn 3. 14, 15. Can euer any wretched sinner cry out, Men and Brethren, what shall I doe, that I may be saued, vntill he haue his soule thus pierced? Or can any fornicator, adulte­rer, blasphemer, or any other notorious sinner, finde the so­ueraigne cōfort which is in Christs bloud, but only such a one? Yet this I say vnto euery soule,If any thing seem to pierce which is not Gods word, or it misapplied, it is no more to be feared than a dart of stub­ble. that if any thing doe seeme to pierce, which is not the word of the Lord, or is any way misapplied, that it is not any more to be feared than darts of stubble. But so far as it is his blessed word, & following necessa­rily out of the same, it will one day certainely wound vs, and better here, whilest we may haue our wounds cured againe, by applying that soueraigne remedie of the bloud of the Son of God, than to be smitten thorow with it, when all hope of cure is past, and so to haue our hearts galling vs and vexing vs eternally.

I therefore here doe also humbly beg of all the worthy and faithfull seruants of the Lord,The Authors humble desire to haue this brought to the tryall, and so to more perfecti­on, as all other his labo [...]s. as I haue in my former labours, to helpe me to bring euery peece of this worke to the tryall, for the full assurance of euery soule, who is desi­rous to see his euill way, and would escape the day of the Lords wrath, or who would seeke to helpe to pacifie his wrath kindled against vs. If there be in it any one sentence, which is not either the word of the Lord, or not arising out of it, and agreable thereto, that it may be reformed; or if it be­wray the least partiall affection in leaning to any side, but to the Lord, and to his manifest truth agreed vpon by vs all, who soundly professe Christs Gospell; or the least false testi­monie. [Page] Our most holy and blessed God, infinite in wisdome & power, needes not our lye to bring any of his to repentance,God needs not our lye to bring his to repen­tance. Iob 13. 7, 8, 9, 10. nor for setting forth of his glory. No, no, his owne word is inough, and shall be found aboundantly sufficient to saue all his elect, to destroy all his enemies, to deliuer his Church, to get himselfe the victorie. I dare not wittingly affirme one vntruth, no, not against the bloudie enemie, nor against Sathan himselfe, no, nor yet wrong any creature vnder heauen: farre be it from me to giue the Accuser that aduantage. How then may I doe it for the cause of the Lord, who abhorreth the very least iniquitie, and with whom no euill can dwell.

Moreouer sith all this,The work ten­deth to the re­nuing of our Couenant for the happinesse of vs and of our posteritie. wholly tendeth to helpe towards the making and establishing our peace with our God, by seeking to recall vs all vnto his obedience, that we may euery one renew our vow and couenant with him, for the wealth of vs and our posteritie, I haue strictly kept my selfe within the limits of the first part of this Watch, which conteyneth the Summe of the Couenant of our God:Limited within the bounds of the Watch, wherein we all agree. where­in we all agree in outward profession, and vnto which who­soeuer returneth vnfeignedly to walke in the sincere obedience of it, shall vndoubtedly haue eternall life: like as euery impenitent transgressor against it,For the breach whereof each impenitent per­son stands con­demned by the generall verdit of all the Chur­ches of Christ. The desire of the Author to be a faithfull witnesse. is certainely condem­ned by the generall verdict of all the true Churches of Christ.

In all this worke I haue and doe instantly desire of the Lord, that I may be a faithfull and true witnesse, both for his heauenly Maiestie, and for his people; and also, that I may shew in euery part, a right demonstration of an vnfeigned loue to the Church of Christ, and towards my Nation, euen to euery soule, for the sauing of ech from the wrath to come; and withall that I may preserue the honour due to all in autoritie, chiefly to the highest, to binde all hearts to their superiours, ech to others, and all of vs to Iesus Christ, That he may euer remaine our Captaine, Pro­tector, [Page] King and Sauiour, euen he who will one day manifest all the secrets of the hearts of men, who haue bin with him, and who against him: who will come quickly, and reward euery one as their workes shall be. Amen,Ap [...]c. 22. 20. euen so, come Lord Iesus.

CONTENTS OF THE seuerall Chapters, particularly as they arise out of the Vision, Ezechiel 9.

  • 1. THe Vision giuen to Ezechiel,
    Vers. 1.
    with the occa­sion and opening of it.
  • 2. Certaine directions to be obserued in our reading hereof, to teach vs to make right vse of the Vision to our selues.
  • 3. The Lord is not wont to bring any terrible iudge­ment on his Church,
    vers. 1.
    but euer before hand to giue some euident warning. That he neuer warned without cause or in vaine: and what iust matter we haue for all our manifold & gratious forewarnings to betake our selues to watching and prayer.
  • 4. The withdrawing of the Lords glorious presence from his Church,
    vers. 3.
    is both an euident signe of his displeasure, and a manifest threatning of his depar­ture: And what causes we haue therevpon to watch and to pray to pacifie the Lord, so to hold him still amongst vs.
  • 5. How the Lord is most vnwilling to depart from his Church,
    vers. 3.
    so long as there is any other remedie; ma­nifested in his oft threatning to depart before he [Page] goe; and of the outward tokens both of his glori­ous presence in his Church, and of his departure from it: And what causes we haue in respect there­of to watch and pray continually.
  • 6. No priuiledges can doe a people any good,
    vers. 4.
    if they grow in their iniquitie, but the mo their mercies haue bin, the greater is their sinne, and the heauier shall their iudgement be, when it commeth: what cause we haue thence to watch and to pray for the fearefull increase of the transgressions amongst vs.
  • 7. The marking of the mourners.
    4.
    That is, how Gods owne people are marked, in the midst of the grea­test confusions, before the destruction come. And so what cause euery one hath to watch and to pray that he may be so marked.
  • 8. The propertie of the godly liuing amongst the wicked in a sinfull age,
    4.
    is, to mourne and cry for all the abominations and tokens of Gods anger. Also what cause all Gods seruants haue to watch and pray for the fewnesse of such, and that ech of vs may be found of that litle number.
  • 9. The enemies by which the Lord threatneth or affli­cteth his Church,
    v. 2. & 5.
    are his soldiers; and therevpon what cause we haue to giue our selues to watching and prayer, because of the increase of them in num­ber, pride and malice.
  • 10. The mourners being once marked & made sure,
    v. 5.
    then comes the vengeance; for the destroyers fol­low at the heeles of the marking Angell. What neede we had therefore to watch and pray, bicause we know not whether this worke be not already accomplished, or how neere it is.
  • [Page] 11. The principall abominations for which the godly so mourned,
    v. 4. & 6.
    and which moued the Lord to so se­uere a vengeance; first in generall, after more par­ticularly. And therein what causes we haue to watch and pray both to be kept pure [...] from them, and to obteyne pardon and redresse of them, or at least that we may escape the plagues due vnto them.
  • 12. The meanes which the Lord had vsed to bring them to repentance,
    v. 4.
    that he might spare them, and how their sinne was increased thereby. Also the cause why the meanes could doe them no good. And what neede we haue therevpon to watch and pray continually.
  • 13. The seueritie of the Lords vengeance,
    v. 5, 6, 7.
    and the mi­series which all sorts indured in that captiuitie, when no other meanes could serue to reclaime them. And thence what neede we haue all to watch and pray continually to turne away the like, and also to be thankfull for all our former deliuerances, from as great calamities so neere vnto vs.
  • 14. How Gods true messengers and all his faithfull seruants are wont to be affected when they per­ceiue the Lords anger to be kindled,
    v. 8.
    and his iudge­ments ready to rush vpon his people. Also the meanes, which in this their holy affection they vse, to preuent the euils, and to pacifie his Maiestie. And herein likewise what cause we haue to watch and pray for the want of these affections, and for the generall neglect of the state of the people, and of pacifying the Lords wrath.
  • [Page] 15. The sinnes of a people may be so heynous,
    vers 9, 10.
    as that the Lord will not be pacified at the prayers of his deerest seruants. Also when that time is, and what cause we haue therevpon to watch and pray con­tinually.
  • 16. The true obedience of Gods faithfull messengers and seruants will bring them boldnesse to appeare before him,
    vers. 11.
    and this alone when they are able to say, in a good conscience, Lord I haue done as thou hast commanded me. And what great cause all of vs haue to watch and pray continually, that we may be alvvayes able to say so; to haue bold­nes euermore hereby, vvhatsoeuer come to passe.

THE VISION given to EZECHIEL before the great Captivitie of IVDAH, set downe in the ninth Chapter of Ezechiel; with the occasion and opening thereof.

1. HE cryed also in mine eares with a loud voyce, saying;All the visita­tions of the Citie draw neere. Cause them that have charge over the Citie to draw neere, even every man with his destroying weapon in his hand.

2. And behold, six men came from the way of the higher gate, which lyeth toward the North, and every man a slaughter weapon in his hand; and one man among them was clothed with linnen, with a writers inkehorne by his side, and they went in and stood beside the brazen Altar.

3. And the glory of the God of Israel was gone up from the Cherub whereupon he was, to the threshold of the house; and he called to the man clothed with linnen, which had the writers inkehorne by his side.

4. And the Lord said unto him, Go through the middst of the Citie, through the midst of Ierusalem, and set a marke upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof.

5. And to the others he said in my hearing, Go yee after him through the Citie, and smite, let not your eye spare, nei­ther have yee pittie.

[Page] 6. Slay utterly old and young, both maides and litle chil­dren and women, but come not neere any man upon whom is the marke, and begin at my Sanctuarie; then they began at the auncient men which were before the house.

7. And he said vnto them, Defile the house, and fill the Courts with the slaine: goe yee forth, and they went forth, and slew in the Citie.

8. And it came to passe, while they were slaying them, and I was left, that I fell upon my face, and cryed and said, Ah Lord God, wilt thou destroy all the residue of Israel in the powring out of thy furie upon Ierusalem?

9. Then said he unto me, The iniquitie of the house of Israel is exceeding great, and the land is full of bloud, and the Citie full of perversenesse: for they say, the Lord hath forsaken the earth, and the Lord seeth not.

10. And as for me also, mine eyes shall not spare, neither will I have pittie, but I will recompence their way upon their head.

11. And behold, the man clothed with linnen, which had the inkehorne by his side, reported the matter saying, I have done as thou hast commanded me.

CHAPTER I.

The resolution and opening of the Chapter.

BEfore the last and most grievous Captivitie of Iudah and the de­struction of Ierusalem by the Ba­bylonians,Occasion of the Vision. the Lord used all ordi­narie meanes to bring the people to repentance,The Lords using all means to spare his people. that he might spare them, because he pitied them, be­ing his owne chosen people and peculiar inheritance. Amongst other,Chiefly by his Prophets. he stirred up divers of his faithfull servants the Prophets, as Isay, Ieremie, [Page 1] Micah, Zephanie, Ezechiel, and others; some of them long before the same; others of them he continued unto the very day, still by them fore-warning and calling them to repentance.

To these Prophets he revealed both the particular iniquities,To whom he revealed their sins & plagues. whereby he was so provoked, and also the speciall judgements and plagues which he had prepared for them, unlesse they repented. That they might lift up their voyces as trumpets,To awake and bring them to repentance. declaring these things unto them; at least hereby to awaken them to move them to turne and seeke unto him, before his wrath was wholly powred out upon them.

This Chapter is part of a vision revealed to Ezechiel concerning the destruction of Ierusalem,This Chapter a part of ye vision. The summe whereof is a forewarning of the destruction of Ierusalem. now hard at hand, conteyned in the foure Chapters togither, to wit, in the 8. 9. 10. 11. And it consisteth of foure parts, ac­cording to the number of the Chapters. First, in the 8 Chapter is shewed the wickednesse of those,Parts of the vision▪ who still remained in Ierusalem. Secondly, In the ninth Chap­ter the slaughter and destruction is declared,1. Wickednesse of the people. cap: 8. which the Lord would bring upon all in the Citie, except those which were marked. Thirdly,2. Their destru­ction. cap. 9. In the 10 Chapter is set downe a vision of the fire of Gods vengeance, which was throwne upon the Citie,3. Famine and pestilence fore­running cap. 10 to consume many of them with pestilence and famine before the taking of the Ci­tie, and also in burning both the Citie and the Temple, when the glory of the Lord was departed from it. Fourthly,4. The miseries of those who should escape and goe into Captivitie. chap. 11. In the 11 Chapter is fore-shewed the most grievous persecution, which should follow all those, who should escape the sword, and that fire of Gods venge­ance, the pestilence and famine, and so the miseries which they shall endure: whereunto are annexed the promises of the Gospell, for the comfort of Gods servants.

Now in the 8 Chapter,Summe of this ninth Chapter. A denunciatiō that the Lord wil be avenged presently, and the manner of the execution. v. 1, 2. to 8. the Lord having shewed un­to the Prophet some secret abominations, and that in the Temple it selfe, whereby his anger was inflamed to [Page 2] the present execution of his vengeance; in this he de­clareth that he will be avenged forthwith, and the man­ner of his proceeding. The Chapter divideth it selfe into five parts. 1. The Lords denuntiation of this most grievous visitation now at hand.Division of this Chapter. vers: 8. 2. The man­ner of the Lords proceeding in two Commissions: The first for the marking and making sure of all the godly before the destruction come.9. The second for the destruction of all the rest.10. 3. How the Prophet was affected with this grievous denuntiation, and how he intreateth the Lord for Ierusalem. 4. The answer and resolution which the Lord gives unto the Prophet, That he will not spare, and why. 5. The returne of that Angell whom God had sent to marke the faithfull, giving up his answer for the execution of his com­mission.

In the manner of the denuntiation of this so terrible a destruction is set out,An opening of the severall parts of the Chapter. First, how the Lord himselfe did denounce it, crying with a loude voyce in the eares of the Prophet, both to assure him of the certaintie of it, and also to stir him up to a more due consideration of the dreadfulnes of the same.v: 1. How the Lord himselfe denounceth it. Shewing also the neernesse of the execution. Secondly, the Lord shewes unto him the neereness of the execution thereof, saying, Cause them that have charge over the Citie to draw neere; meaning the enemies, whom he had appointed to be executioners of his wrath upon it, every one armed with a weapon in his hand, as being ready to destroy it.

For the manner of the execution of this slaughter,v: 2. The man­ner of the exe­cution. it is also set forth, First, by declaring how many they were who came to destroy, that is, six men, representing the chiefe Captaines of the Caldeans, or the Angels ap­pointed for conducting the Armie. And these six are according to the number of the chiefe gates of Ierusa­lem.In the number of the Executi­oners. To signifie that the enemies should come in so great multitude and so mightily, that they should be­siege the Citie on every side, so as none should escape out; and should rush upon them so furiously in every [Page 3] street, that they should fill all with the slain, and cause the chanels to flow with bloud.From whence they came. Secondly, it is set forth, by shewing from whence these six came, which was from the way of the upper gate looking toward the North; signifying thereby, that these enemies should come from Caldea or Babylon, which was northward from Ierusalem.How they were prepared. Thirdly, by declaring how they were prepared: every one in armes with his weapon in his hand,Whither they came: viz. to the Temple for the pollution of it. as ready to destroy. Fourthly, by setting downe whither these six came; which was to the great brazen Altar in the Temple. To shew thereby that God sent these destroyers chiefly for the pollution of his holy things,The Angell of the Covenant sent amongst them for mar­king the Elect. his sacred worship and religion. Fiftly, how amongst these destroyers, the Lord sends one speciall Angell for the marking and preservation of his faithfull ones in the Citie: to wit, the Angell of the Covenant, the onely Author of the preservation and salvation of his servants.Exod. 28 42, 43. Levit: 16. 4. And he appeares clothed with linnen, atti­red like to the High Priest, prepared to make an atone­ment; with an inkehorne also by his side, as ready to marke all his elect.

In the third verse is shewed,Where the Lord appears. how and where the Lord appeared to give his commissions, both to the destroy­ers, and to the saving Angell.

1. The glory of the Lord appeares, removes from the Cherubins, where he had promised to dwell for ever, and stands upon the threshold of the dore of the Temple, as now departing from them.

Afterwards is set downe vers. 4, 5, & 6.How he gave two Cōmissi­ons. how the Lord gave two strait commissions or charges: The first is to the saving Angell for his faithfull ones:1. To the saving Angell for the Elect and faith­full ones. The second to the destroyers concerning all the rest.

In the first commission to the saving Angell, is plaine­ly expressed,To set a marke upon them. 1. what his charge or commission was, namely, to goe thorow the midst of the Citie, even thorow the midst of Ierusalem, and to set a marke upon the foreheads of sundry to be knowne from the rest in [Page 4] the destruction. 2. who they are that must be marked. That is,And how they are described. the godly abhorring all abominations of the wicked: who are also described by two properties. First, that they mourne and sigh in themselues. Second­ly, that they cry out for all the abominations of the time wherein they liued. 3. Why they are marked; that when the destroyers came, they might not touch any of them.

In the second commission to the destroyers,The second Cōmission to the destroyers to destroy all vnmarked without pitie. Not to touch the marked. is con­teyned, 1. The summe of their commission: To fol­low hard after the saving Angell, and to smite all whom they found unmarked, without any respect of old or young, maydes or children. 2. To take carefull heede, that they touched not any upon whom the marke was.

3. Where they should begin to destroy. And that was at the Sanctuarie,To begin at the Sanctuarie. at the wicked Priests and Levites, which ministred there, as being the causes of the sinnes of the rest.

4. How they should proceed in the slaughter: from the Sanctuarie to defile the whole Temple;How to pro­ceed. to fill the Courts with the slaine of them, who liuing so wicked­ly, had yet a vaine confidence in the Temple of the Lord, thinking that the Temple could shelter them from his vengeance.The speedie execution of their Com­mission. 5. The speedie execution of their commission, that as they were commanded, so they be­gan at the Ancients which were before the House, de­stroying them first, and then the rest, untill they had made a finall dispatch thorow the whole Citie. And this is continued unto vers. 8.

Vers. 8. In the third place is set downe how the Pro­phet was affected with this terrible vision of this slaughter of Gods people,3. How the Prophet was affected here­ [...]uth. though himselfe should escape amongst them who were marked: That he fell upon his face, crying unto the Lord, and making humble intercession for them; That the Lord would spare them, being but a poore remainder of the people of Israel, left after so many destructions.

[Page 5] Vers. 9, 10. To which there followeth in the fourth place,4. The answer and resolution of the Lord. the answer and full resolution of the Lord, there­by to stay the servent prayer, and importunacie of the Prophet; and also to manifest his owne iustice, in that his most righteous proceeding.That he would not be intrea­ted, and why. That he would not be intreated for them any longer; partly, bicause their land was full of blood, by their cruell oppressions of all sorts; and partly, for that the Citie where justice should have bin had, for releeving the oppressed, was now be­come full of corrupt judgement, and of all perverse­nesse, falling away more and more without hope of re­turning. But principally, for that they were generally become Atheists, shamelesly saying in their liues, The Lord saw them not, it was no matter how they liued, and making but a scoffe at all the Lords messengers and warnings; therefore his eye should not spare them, nei­ther would he have any more pitie of them.

Vers. 11. In the last verse is set downe the returne of the answer and commission of the marking Angell:The returne of the cōmission of the marking Angell. That he had done according to his commission; mar­ked and made safe all the godly, that mourned for all the abominations; and so had fully prepared and made the way to the present execution of this finall destruction.

CHAP. II.

Certaine directions to be observed in reading hereof, to teach us to make our right use of this vision and forewarning to our selves.

AS this vision was first given by the Spirit of God unto Ierusalem, to warne them of the neerenesse and greatnesse of this destruction, which came vnto them for our ensample:The vision is written to ad­monish vs. so is it written to admonish us upon whom the ends of the world are come. And is therefore our vision to awaken [Page 6] us,And is our visiō at this day. and to fore-warne us at this day, setting before our faces, what causes we have to watch and pray continu­ally to prevent the like judgements,To stir us up to watch & pray. and by all meanes to seeke to pacifie the Lords wrath, before it be thus powred out upon us; and also to helpe to stirre us up hereunto. For the better understanding whereof, and the more fruitfull applying of it to our selves, to move us to unfeigned repentance,Rules to be ob­served in rea­ding this visiō. and speedie seeking the Lord, we must carefully observe these rules and dire­ctions following.

1 1. That we read it and attend to it, not as to a bare historie,To receive it as a message sent us from ye Lord. or an ordinarie discourse, but as to a divine message and gratious fore-warning sent from the Lord of heaven and earth in the riches of his mercy to every one of us, both high and low, rich and poore, to admo­nish us to meet him presently with intreatie of peace.

2 2. Not to looke at the messenger, by whom the Lord now sends it,To looke wholly at the Lord in it. 2 Cor. 2. 4. but wholly at him who sends it, and to hearken to his lively voyce, speaking unto us herein, and to the evidence and demonstration of his Spirit ap­plying it unto us.

3 3. To consider seriously▪ that we have herein to deale onely with the holy and mightie God,To remember wt whom we have to deale herein. before whom all the wicked of the world shall one day be speechlesse; howsoever they are now most bold and wittie in excusing all their sins, and in speaking against every one who shall admonish them. And to this end to set our selves as in his presence, at whose appearing all the proudest of the earth (who dare now out-face his Majestie) shall in the guil [...]inesse of their consciences, creepe into the holes of the rocks, [...]sa: 2. 19. and wish the hills & mountaynes to fall upon them,Rev: 6. 15, 16. to hide them from his face. And withall to remember, that we must certainely appeare before him, and then be sure to answer for all our contempts and not profiting by his fore-warnings.

4 4. Herein also ech of us are yet further to testifie our religion and reverence to the Lord, in receiving this,To shew our reverence to the Lord in re­ceiving this message, as Io­siah did. 2 King. 23. 19. so [Page 7] far forth as it is his expresse word, or agreable thereunto, and belonging to us, as that worthy patterne of true godlinesse, that holy Iosiah, though a King, did receive the discoverie of the abominations of Iudah, and the threatnings of the Lord; whose heart melted, so that he powred out teares at the same. And also so to humble our selves,To humble our selves and to turne and cause others to turne. turning to the Lords Covenant, and doing our endevour to cause others to turne, as he did at the Lords message sent unto him, (though by so weake meanes) (as might seeme) but by a woman,2 King. 23. 1, 2, 3, 4. to wit, Hul­dah the Prophetesse) because he knew it to be the word and message of the Lord.Ezek▪ 18. 30. And that not onely to so much as shall be pleasing unto us, but even to that part of it, that shall most directly touch us. As indeed it shall be most happy for that man who shall so receive it, and shall so humble himselfe before his divine Majestie. There­fore we are every one to be so affected, the Lords High Priest,To be affected as old Eli was at the message of young Sa­muel. 1 Sam. 3. 17, 18. as was old Ely who disdeyned not to receive a most grievous and dredfull message by the hand of yong Samuel, a boy brought up under him; but charget [...] him in the name of the Lord, to tell him every word which the Lord had spoke unto him, not to hide a word from him. And afterwards having heard it, in stead of being offended, he saith, It is the Lord, let him doe what seemeth him good. Yea, we shall most truely declare our homage and obedience to the word of the Lord,And David at the voyce of Nathan▪ 2 Sam. 12. 13. by submitting our selves wholly unto him, and ech acknowledging our particular sinnes, as David did at the admonition of Nathan. That thereupon we may ech receive that comfortable answer,That we may receive the like comfortable answer. The Lord hath put away thy sinne. And that we may all thus helpe to pacifie him, that he may not proceed to his heavy reso­lution; howsoever he shall humble us, for the manifold dishonours, which we have done to him by all our sins, and for causing his enemies to blaspheme his great name & Gospell, which he hath vouchsafed us the profession and libertie of, above most other people of the earth.

[Page 8] 5 5. Ech of us are to apply every part as spoken to us by the Lord particularly, and as making one bodie:Ech to apply every part as spoken to our selves particu­larly. for even the sinne of the Atheist, Idolater, Drunkard, and so of every wicked man, may be said in some sort to be the sinne of ech of us; and we are all lyable to the punish­ments thereof,Sith the sins of the wicked are in some sort the sins of vs all. even those of us, that thinke our selves most innocent and free from them. As the sinne of Achan As Achans of Israel. is counted the sinne of all Israel; for so doth the Lord tell Iosua plainely,Iosu 7. 11, 12. when he punished them all; That Israel had sinned, they had taken of the excommu­nicate thing, they had done that which Achan did. Even so the sinnes of all the notoriously wicked are the sins of us all,See [...] up­on Iosu. 7. 25. confirmed out of Austin. chiefly their open abominations. All of us are guiltie and endangered by the same, if at the hearing and seeing them,If we haue not mourned for them, we have not mourned, as we should, for the dishonour done to the Lord, and his anger kindled thereby. Or if we have not cryed for pardon,Cryed for par­don, & sought to turne away the vengeance, yea and done our vtmost endevour ech of us in our places and callings, to stop them,And sought to stop the course of sinne. and the course of sinne reigning amongst us. None of us can justifie our selves, but God might for this very sin depart from us, as he threatneth Ioshuah for Achans sacriledge,Iosua 7. 12. and might leave vs to be wrapped in the same judgement.

6 6. We are to consider that ech of our particular grie­vous sinnes doe not onely hinder the power of our pray­ers, whereby we should help to pacifie the Lords wrath;Ech of our hey­nous sins hin­der our prayers & help to draw downe venge­ance. but also, in steed thereof, helpe to draw downe the anger of God, not onely vpon our selves, but vpon the whole Land: more specially and principally the notorious and outragious sinnes of our most horrible transgressors,Chiefly of all impudent sin­ners. as of blasphemers, scorners of God and of his truth, op­pressors,Isa. 5. 18. drunkards, filthy persons, and all impudent sin­ners, who hale on the vengeance of God, as it were with cart ropes. That it is his infinite mercy, that it hath bin kept off hitherto. And therefore howsoever such men▪ may imagine and boast of themselves to be friends to [Page 9] their country,Such are ene­mies to Christ, seeking to drive him out & set vp Sathan, yet in truth they will be found the princi­pall enemies: first to Iesus Christ, doing as much as lyeth in them, thereby to drive him out, and to set vp Sathan in his roome; and doe not onely murther their owne soules without repentance, but also as much as such sins can, to betray the Lords Anointed, his Church, & their native Country,And do betray all to y enemie. As in the Cap­tivitie. with all our happinesse, into the hands of the bloudie enemie. Because for the sinnes of these principally, Gods vengeance comes upon his people, as here in this lamentable captivitie may plainely be seene. And therefore ech of us are to finde out our owne parti­cular sinnes,Therefore ech to find out our particular sins, and to reforme our selves. and in the reading and hearing hereof, to say, This is my sinne, which the Lord reproves & threat­neth us all for, and me especially by name. So ech of us are to begin to reforme our selves, or else we shall never be able to judge of the sinnes of others:Els we can nei­ther judge of y danger, nor helpe to pacifie the wrath. much lesse have a right feeling of them, so as to be helpers to pacifie the wrath by our prayers, and to turne away the like plague from our selves.

7. Every one of us are to resolve with our selves,7. Each to re­solve to doe whatsoever God bids vs. Every soule y seekes not to cause others to turne to the Covenant as well as himself, must perish. that whatsoever the Lord shall say unto us, we will doe it, as the people made profession to the Prophet Ieremie to doe, if they had had hearts to haue performed it accor­dingly, and ech to cast away our deerest sins, rather than they shall beat backe our prayers, and much more helpe to pull downe vengeance upon us. Because of that which God threatneth, that every soule who turnes not to all his Covenant, (so far as he shall manifest it to his conscience,Ez [...]ch. 18. 20, 26, 30, 31, 32. to be his Covenant,) and that seeks not also with all his power to cause others to turne shall perish.Deut. 29. 19. to 25. That same sinne wherein any one continueth shall be his destruction;Happy man who hath grace to learne this lesson, & forth­with to practise it. and the endangering of all so far as lyeth in him. And this may serue for the generall di­rections in reading this vision, to make right use of it to our selves, for pacifying the wrath.

Now to the Vision.

CHAP. III.

The Lord is not wont to bring any terrible judgement upon his Church, but usually ever aforehand, to give warning thereof, neither at any time to wa [...]ne in vaine. And what cause we have for our manifold forewarnings to give our selves to watching and praier.

HEe cried in mine eares with a loud voice,Vers. 1.saying: Cause them that have charge over the City to draw neere, [or, the visitations of the City draw neere &c.] To come to the words of the visi­on. The Lord so plainely foreshewing this dreadfull captivitie, not only heere in this Vision, but also so many other wayes, and denouncing it by his Prophets so long before it came, declaring also the causes of it, sheweth in the first place.

That he hath not beene wont to bring any notable judgements upon a people,God hath not beene wont to bring any no­table judgemēt on his Church, but to foreshew it first, & then to bring it whē no repentance hath followed to prevent. especially upon his Church, or where his Church hath beene, but he hath ever used to make the same manifestly knowne before, at least to his owne faithfull servants amongst them, and after as he foreshewed it, so to bring it to passe, unlesse his anger hath beene some way pacified.

This we may see in sundry of the most fearefull de­structions that ever he brought upon the world, menti­oned in his booke; In all which he hath left this care­fully recorded, because he would have all his people to be well acquainted with it.

As first before the destruction of the old world,As first before the destruction of the old world. be­sides the plaine evidence of Gods vengeance at hand, being apparant and almost visible in the strange increase of the iniqvity, many of them being become Gyants, to set themselves impudently to fight against his Majestie,Gen. 6. 4. and against all godlinesse contrary to the light of their [Page 11] owne consciences,Gen: 5. 11, 12. and for that all flesh had corrupted their wayes; so as the earth was corrupted and filled with crueltie: he also warned them himselfe in a spe­ciall manner,Gen: 6. 3, 13. by the making of the Arke, and by the preaching of Noah. 1 Pet: 3. 20. And this he did by the space of an hundred and twentie yeeres before;Hebr: 11. 7. which time he gave them to repent, striving with them by his Spirit, chiefly in the Ministerie of Noah, to bring them to amend­ment.

Secondly,2. The captivi­tie of the ten Tribes. before the Captivitie of the ten Tribes; which were caried away by Salmanasar into Assyria, (from whence they never returned) besides many other threatnings,2 King: 17. 3, 6. dangers, warres, overthrowes and plagues: he also forewarned them long by sundry of his holy Prophets, as Ahiah, Iehu, Eliah, Michaj [...], Elisha; but more specially,2 King: 17. 14, 15, 16. but even hard before, by Obadiah, Hosea, Amos, Ioel, Ionah, and others. By all whom he foreshewed that judgement evidently unto them, though they would not obey, but hardned their necks, and were worse and worse, untill the vengeance caried them away.

Thirdly, before this lamentable captivitie of Iudah,3. Before this Captivitie. besides this vision and many others, he forewarned them likewise, by sundry of his most worthy servants the Prophets, raised up extraordinarily and sent unto them, crying unto them early and late, Prophet after Prophet, and that, for a long time togither. But most plainely by the space of threescore yeeres and more by Esay,Zeph: 3. 1, 2, 3, 5.Ieremie,2 Chron: 36. 15, 16, 17.Mica, Ezechiel, Zephanie, and others, still proclayming this terrible desolation. Although they likewise mocked his servants, misused his messengers, growing daily worse and worse, untill there was no remedie.

Fourthly,4. Before ye last and utter sub­version of the Iewish nation. before that last and utter subversion of the Iewish nation, he forewarned them sundry wayes, but in a more speciall manner: First, by the preaching of Iohn the Baptist,Matth: 3. 10. threatning them, That the axe was then [Page 12] laid to the roote of the trees. Afterwards by our Savi­our himself over and over most evidently,Matth. 21. 33, 44 & 24. 23, 24. setting downe in plaine termes, the manner of their destruction, and the grievousnesse of it.Luc: 19. 41. & 20. 9. And to omit all other admoni­tions by the Disciples of our Saviour and his Apostles, Ios [...]phus in his storie records,Iosephus de bello Iudaico. That besides many terri­ble signes from heaven and earth, strange lights in the nights, a dreadfull blazing starre over the Temple, feare­full sights of chariots and horsemen of fire, and an Ar­mie marching towards Ierusalem; a hydeous voyce was also heard in the Temple, at one of the Feasts, saying, Let us goe out of the Temple, and depart hence. There was moreover in a time of their greatest peace & plenty foure yeeres before their warre began, one of the ruder and meaner sort, whose name was Iesus, the sonne of Hanani, who being come forth of the country to Ierusa­lem at the Feast of the Tabernacles, and going into the Temple, began of a sudden to cry out with a loud voyce in this manner, A voyce from the East, a voyce from the West, a voyce from the foure windes a voyce against Ierusa­lem, a voyce against the Temple, a voyce against the bride­groome and the bride, a voyce against all this people. This he continued day and night going thorow all the streets of the Citie. And although he was rated and cruelly beaten, yet he never gave over, going up and downe th [...] Citie thus: woe to Ierusalem and the San [...]tuarie thereof woe, woe to Ierusalem. And thus he cryed out, especially on their feast dayes, and that for seven yeeres and five moneths togither, neither was he ever thought to be hoarse or weary; but went thus up and downe, being taken as a mad man, untill in the time of the siege going about upon the wall, and crying out lowder than ever before, woe, woe to the Citie, to the Temple, and people: and at last having added this voyce, woe also to me, he was smitten upon the head with a stone, shot out of an en­gine, that he dyed. And last of all, when they had suffred most grievous miseries by bloodie dissensions amongst [Page 13] themselves, murthering one another, and by most piti­full famine, as ever was before, that they were inforced to eat such things as their soules did abhorre, and which bred a most terrible pestilence amongst them, immedi­ately before the taking and sacking of the Citie, and put­ting them to the sword, a voyce was heard among the Christians,Euseb. lib. 3. c. 3. which spake to them thus, Goe forth to Pella, which so soone as the Christians had done, the enemie brake in upon them, and slaughtered the rest with a most lamentable destruction.

Fiftly, before the last and finall destruction to come upon the world by fire,Before the final destruction the signes are plain­ly foretold. the Lord hath foretold sundry signes and tokens which shall come to passe, that none can plead ignorance, or have any more excuse.

Thus the Lord hath bin wont to deale with the wickedest places of all other,This the Lord hath done to the wickedst places where any of his ser­vants have bin. especially if any of his owne deere servants have bin amongst them. As before the destruction of Sodome, because his servant Lot was there, he will doe nothing untill he hath revealed it to his faithfull servant Abraham,Gen: 18. 7.Lots uncle, that he may intreat for them.Gen: 19. 14. Afterwards, he makes it knowne to Lot himselfe, who forewarnes his sonnes in law and daughters to have gotten them all forth of the burning, if it had bin possible.

This he did to Ninivie that proud Citie before he would destroy it;Yea to the Infi­dels themselves in cōmiseration as to Ninive. for he pittying the great multitude of poore ignorant and simple people, which were a­mongst them, in the bowels of his compassion, he sends his servant Ionah first to proclaime thorow their Citie;Ion: 4. 10. Yet fortie dayes and Ninive shall be destroyed.

And to conclude this point:And even to Babylon, that his own people may get out from her. as he forewarned Ba­bylon and other the cruell enemies of his Church of their destructions; so he hath as plainely proclaymed his vengeance to come upon the spirituall Babylon, (which now holding so great a part of his Church in captivitie,R [...]v. 18. 2, 3, 4. strives to captivate all the rest) that all his owne people may by all means get out of her, & the rest be left utterly inexcusable.

[Page 14] This may sufficiently manifest his truth to every conscience,He will not doe any thing but he will first re­veale it to his servants. that we may boldly conclude this point with the Prophet Amos, Amos 3. 7. That the Lord will do nothing in his Church, in bringing in any destruction or terrible plague, but he will first reveale it to his servants the Pro­phets. He will make his owne faithfull ones to foresee it by one meanes or other, so far as shall be for his glory and their good. The reasons of it also are most cleare why he will doe it.

1. For his chosen sake among them;Reasons hereof. that he may shew his love to his,1. For his owne peoples sake. and the care that he hath for them in the greatest confusions:To shew his care for them. to the end that they may gather themselves unto him before, and prepare to be accounted worthy to be hid by him,That they may prepare to meet him. or else delivered; or certainely some way finde comfort in the evill day. That hereby their love and care may better appeare un­to the world,Seeke to save others. in their seeking by all meanes to save and pull others from the vengeance to come. More specially, that their faith and obedience may be seene to all, how they beleeve and feare the Lord and the tokens of his wrath. And that they may set themselves to become su­ters unto the Lord for the rest, as Abraham, Moses, Iere­mie, and others; that so he may either spare all at their supplications; and that thereby the world may take notice in what high favour such are with his Majestie, (even all they who make conscience to walke in his Co­venant, and endevour to be righteous in their genera­tions) when he spares so sinfull a people at their pray­ers; or at least that their prayers may returne into their owne bosomes.

Secondly,2. For the cause of the wicked. Though they willingly blind their own eyes. the Lord doth use to manifest his judge­ments aforehand even unto the wicked, as we heard, and for their causes also: howsoever they for the most part use all devises to flatter and harden themselves: yea, to lull themselves asleepe in their securitie, and to blinde their owne eyes, left they should see the judgements of God comming upon them; and so still perswade them­selves [Page 15] that there shall be no such matter. And this he doth also to declare the riches of his mercy towards the most wretched sinners,To declare the riches of his mercy, if they will turne. and how unwilling he is to take vengeance, so long as there is any other remedie, or if they will turne unto him in any time. This is most apparent in the Lords infinite compassion in sparing Ninivie that proud Citie,Ier: 17. 7, 8. As [...] Ninivie. after Ionah had proclaimed, Yet fortie dayes and Ninivie shall be destroyed. And also in reproving Ionah for his impatience, saying, Thou hast had pitie on the gourd,Ion: 4. 9, 10,for which thou labouredst not, nei­ther madedst it to grow, which came up in a night and wi­thered in a night:11, 12.and should not I spare Ninivie that great Citie, wherein are six score thousand persons, which cannot discerne betweene their right hand and their left, and also much cat [...]le? And hereupon it was that God spared it at that time, though after, when having forgotten that great deliverance, they fell into their old sins, he tooke vengeance for all, as may appeare by the Prophet Nahum; N [...]h: 3. executing most severely, whatsoever he had formerly threatned. He dealeth thus moreover with the very wickedest, that every mouth may be stopped,That all may be inforced to acknowledge him righteous. and all the world compelled to acknow­ledge his judgements to be most righteous, thus to ju­stifie him therein, when no admonition at all will serve.

So we see,Conclusion. how he hath set downe this point most clearely, and also the reasons of it, and that he hath not bin wont to give any such warnings in vaine, or without most dreadfull execution of his wrath, where his war­nings have not bin regarded.

Now then to apply this point to our selves:Application to our selves. we are first wisely to inquire, whether the Lord hath not like­wise forewarned us, & that most plainly, of some terrible judgments towards this our Nation. That if we finde it so,To try whether the Lord have not warned us of some such a judgement. we may then all know for certaine, that it is full time to look to our selves, & to betake us all forthwith to such a course, as whereby we may either altogither appease his anger, or at least in some sort mitigate and asswage [Page 16] it. To come to our very consciences: Must we not all be inforced to acknowledge and say with the Pro­phet Amos,Amos 3. 8. The lion hath roared, who shall not then be afraid? The Lord God hath spoken, who can but prophecie? Hath not the lyon roared upon us sundry times,The Lion hath roared upō us. as being ready to crush our bones in sunder, or to devoure us at once: but principally within our fresh memorie, when the proud enemie came against us in their Navie invin­cible?1. By the proud Armado. And more also when that long threatned day came,2. The long threatned day. whereof the insolent enemie had so much trium­phed, and for feare whereof the whole Land had trem­bled for so many yeeres togither.3. The Babylo­nish furnace. But most of all in that more than Babylonish and unnaturall furnace; that hellish crueltie, from which we were so marveilously de­livered in a moment, before we felt or so much as feared any such thing at all. To omit the insurrection by the rude multitude,4. The insurre­ction about throwing downe inclo­sures. about the throwing downe of the inclo­sures, the danger whereof, all who are wise-hearted did manifestly see, if any bloodie enemie had set it on foote, to have bin a Leader unto them; which issue, all neere unto them, did very greatly feare, had not the Lord so graciously prevented that perill in an instant, & quencht that fire, when the flame was now ready to have brust forth so high, that getting above our heads, it would have bin hard to overcome it, without much blood to have quenched it.

And to passe over in silence all other the treasonable devises against that our worthy Deborah, 5. Treasonable practises against our late Queene. both before her comming to the Crowne and after, that almost never yeere was without some new plot, though continuing constant with our God, they were never able to touch one haire of her head:And since against our Iosiah. and since also against our Iosiah, the breath of our nostrills (of whom we have gloried as Iudah of Iosiah, that under his shadow we should be pre­served [...] amongst our cruellest enemies, as we have bin untill this day, thorough the endlesse mercy of our God) had they not almost taken him in their nets, to have made him and all his a perpetuall prey; if the watchfull [Page 17] eye of our gracious God, had not wonderfully preserved and delivered them. But to leave all these: Hath not the Lord moreover thundred out vengeance by his hea­venly word in the mouthes of all his faithfull servants thorough the whole Land,6. Vengeance thundred out by the mouthes of all Gods servants. for the abounding of iniqui­tie, and that for many yeeres togither? Hath he not be­sides spoken unto us from heaven, as he did to Ieru­salem,7. Threatned by the Lord from heaven from y fiery tent. seeming to have inclosed us all in that dreadfull tent, spred directly over all our heads, and compassing us in round on every side (which was so terrible to be­hold, with pillers of horrible darknesse, pillers of fire and pillers of blood) about some twelvemoneth before the powder-furnace? At the beholding of wth most fear­full sight, all whose hearts were not utterly sensles, could not but tremble, for feare of the Lords dreadfull anger: for mine owne selfe I remember it well, and hope I shall never forget it. Did he not also for a long time togi­ther, heretofore,By strange lights & flash­ings in the heavens. send most strange lights and flashings in the heavens, and even at that very instant of that threatned powder-destruction in a terrible manner. Which howsoever they are taken now that they were but ordinarie matters, thorough the long continuance of them, and his forbearance of us, as the like forewar­nings were unto Ierusalem, & have bin to other places, which he hath destroyed for their sinnes;How terrible they were to us at the first, our owne hearts can beare wit­nesse. yet let this be seriously thought of, how we generally stood then affe­cted with them: whether since the time that the Lord hath begun in a most speciall manner to threaten de­struction unto us from Rome, they have not beene farre more usuall, till of very late yeeres, and much more dreadfull than formerly. Let us but call to minde, how fearfull these sights were unto us, when they began in our remembrance, to be so seene in this our Nation. Most, who are of any yeeres, must needs remember the time,Our Chroni­cles have recor­ded them. with the terrour upon mens hearts, that was there­upon. Besides that, our Chronicles have specially re­corded those first most dreadfull apparitions of them, [Page 18] as of things not knowne before in our Nation,Ann. Eliz: 17. or at least very rarely,Novemb: 14. or that the former were nothing in compa­rison of these. When such strange impressions of fire and smoke were seene in the ayre, and the heavens from all parts seemed to burne over our heads, as the historie doth mention.Theprodigious star. Eliz: 15. We cannot have forgotten that won­derfull starre, which appeared about two yeeres before these began,Novemb: 18. continuing for almost six moneths togi­ther; which, as it was found by the learned, was in place celestiall far above the Moone; otherwise than ever any Comet hath bin seene, or can naturally appeare. So wonderfull was it, as the learned did affirme, that the like was not read of to have bin since the beginning of the world. And therefore it was then accounted of a­mongst the learned, to have bin of signification, not na­turall but divine, as sent from God to warne the world of some strange worke. Let us but call these things to minde, and withall the perpetuall danger that the Church of God and our Nation have bin in, in a more speciall manner from Rome, since about that time, or not much before, togither with all our judgements and great deliverances since; and then thinke whether they may not justly seeme to foretell, that the Lord hath yet some greater worke to worke. Howsoever, this cannot. hurt us to be warned by them, and to make better use of them, than Ierusalem did,Act [...] 2. 19, 20. [...]ith they are undoubted fore-runners of the great and notable day of the Lord. And to passe over all other former tokens,Eliz: 17. Nov: 6. (as the two great tydes re­corded to have bin one within an houre after the other,The dreadfull threatnings of the Seas. and in the same moneth, when these grievous flashings so appeared; the dreadfull earth-quakes, at that time, since, and the like:) hath not the Lord since then, cau­sed the seas to roare and rush in upon us, as ready and threatning to have overwhelmed us all at once? At the very tidings whereof,Acknowled­ged by all to be an evidence of y Lords anger. and of the cry and scritching of all neere unto them, and the perishing of so many; what heart was so flintie, which either did not powre ou [...] [Page 19] teares, or at least quake and tremble at that terrible ap­proching of the vengeance of the Lord? Hath he not also spoken unto us since then, even in the yeere next af­ter, by so many strange and sodaine overflowings of the lesse rivers in the midst of the Land?The insolent over-flowing of the lesse ri­vers. as if seas and flouds and all had offered their service unto the Lord to exe­cute his fierce wrath and most just judgement in over­flowing & purging such a sinfull Land, & to have swept away all of a sodaine. Yea and this many times when no such thing was feared at all, and in such places where never feare of waters had bin heard of before. And yet to proceede:The sword of the destroying Angel drawne out so long to­gither. Hath he not proclaymed his vengeance in every part of our Land, by his undaunted Heralt, the consuming pestilence, so many yeeres togither, yeere af­ter yeere, as this Nation hardly ever knew before? What place is there against which the sword of the destroying Angell hath not bin shaken and stretched out in most fearefull manner, as ready to be avenged presently? Can there be a more visible messenger of the Lords anger? Is it not one of the foure chiefe plagues of God sent for the sinnes of a people,Ezek: 14. 19, 21. Ezek: 5. 17. by which he threatneth to destroy, and a principall sore-runner of the most dreadfull, even of the bloodie sword of the enemie? And hath not that sword of the blood-thirstie enemie beene drawne oft upon us?The sword of the bloody e­nemie devou­ring about us. Hath it not consumed and devoured about us, and made most grievous slaughters and desolations, as it were, before our faces, and at our very dores, for ma­ny yeeres togither heretofore? First, in the Low Coun­tryes; after in Ireland, laying it in many places as a de­solate wildernesse; when in the meane time our selves have bin free at home; though all was principally ay­med at us.And at length set to our very hearts. And did not the Lord after all these, in that desperate rebellion & treason unmatchable, set the sword to the hearts of us all? Yea, did he not in that so extreme and deadly winter following soone after (some prints whereof remaine unto this day) proclaime & denounce to the consciences of all men, that he hath a controversie [Page 20] with our Land? when he began with the fowles of the ayre,The deadly winter threat­ning all crea­tu [...]es. smiting the fish in the rivers, with very many of the creatures, and destroyed the most sweet and pleasant flowres and herbes which grew upon the earth, wherein we tooke chiefe delight; so as they are hardly yet repay­red againe; threatning withall the utter famishing of the cattle, as if he had determined to destroy all things from off the earth? Did he not also by reason of the same, af­terward cause amongst us a greater dearth of all victuals and other things,The grievous dearth of all things follow­ing upon it so long. than ever in any mans remembrance; all sorts of things being considered togither, and the continuance thereof so long, whereby so many of our poore were brought into so extreme povertie.

And howsoever he in pitie looking upon the poore,Though the Lord st [...]yed some of these for a season, yet what is that to us so long as our sinnes re­maine. restored bread unto them (having both increased the corne upon the ground, & after by that lamentable rayne in the beginning of the harvest, when the corne was ready to be brought into the barne, made it so as it could not be kept in long or hoarded up by cormorants, and unfit to be transported) yet did not the dearth of all other victuals grow grievously for a long time togither? Yea, and albeit, for a litle time after this, he withdrew some of the former tokens of his fierce wrath, and turned the dearth into plentie againe, yet what was that so long as our sinnes not onely remained, but were and are daily multiplyed, so that the cry of them goeth up to heaven? Did not the Lord send his people Quayles to satisfie their lust,Israel smitten with the flesh betweene their teeth. and yet for their grudgings and tempting of him, smit them while the flesh was betweene their teeth? And did he not in like manner amongst us that yeere, through that unseasonable raine leave an evident print of his displeasure upon all or the chiefe kinde of graine,The prints of Gods displea­sure left on eue­ry peece of bread with us after plenty sent. to be remembred almost in every peece of bread? Yea, that we may not deceive our selves in regard of any pro­speritie since; Did not the Lord after those so prodigi­ous fore-warnings given to Ierusalem, before her last utter desolating, (as the historie reporteth) graunt a [Page 21] most prosperous time for sundry yeeres togither,Ierusalem had divers yeeres prosperity be­fore her last de­solation. like as also before the first beginning of this Captivitie, as tho there had bin now no more danger to be feared, nor that he was angry any longer; insomuch as by their prospe­ritie,See the Centu­ri [...]s. they arose to a far greater height of all outragious impietie; yet in the midst of their jollitie and greatest securitie, so soone as ever they had filled up the measure of their iniquitie, vengeance came upon them without any more pitie.

But hath he left us without further testimonies of his anger since?God hath not left us without witnesse, since then for many yeeres togither every yeere some new war­ning. What yeere hath there bin, wherein we have not either sensibly felt the smart of his displeasure, and that sometimes againe and againe, or bin in extreme perill thereof, although we have bin usually plucked from the danger in an instant; as we were from that hi­deous furnace: so that we have had commonly for many yeeres togither, every yeere some one or mo new war­ning, to see if yet any thing would doe us good. And to come to later yeeres,The grievous snow. which are still as it were before our faces: what monument maketh mention of such a snow ever in this our Nation, so dreadfull and lying so long, as therein threatning utterly the perishing both of man & beast?The long scor­ching drought. And since the long drought in the summer, wherein the heavens were made as yron, and the earth as brasse in many parts, that it could not yeeld her in­crease; whereby the poore dumbe beasts so mourned and perished for lacke of pasture, and for the extreme scorching of the weather mixt withall? Finally, such a dearth and scarsitie of fodder and other nourishment to save the poore beasts aliue,The dearth & scarsity of fod­der. with the difficulty to preserue the Cattle alive. as neither our age, nor our fa­thers have knowne before. And what our own estate had bin even for bread, the staffe of mans life, (had not the Lord from forraine Countryes so graciously fed us, like as he hath done sundry yeeres) all of us in our parts did easily see,The famishmēt since for bread, if God had not supplyed from other countries when notwithstanding all our supplies, so ma­ny of the poore were so pinched and distracted, to pro­vide bread to save their lives. Finally, who is so senseles, [Page 22] or whose heart is so flintie, that mourneth not to heare still of so many, who have bin able heretofore to releeve themselves and families in good sort, by keeping a Cowe or two to give them milke,The u [...]er un­doing of so ma­ny poore. (the principall releefe of themselves and their poore litle ones,) then inforced to kill or sell them for very litle, through lacke of foode, and the money spent, or having lost them thorow hun­ger, shall never be able (as is feared) to buy them a Cowe againe, to the very breaking of their hearts? Who can denie this heavy hand of God amongst vs?

Therefore to draw-towards the shutting up of this point;The Prophets threatning ven­geance every where. what faithfull messenger of God in all the Land, in consideration of these things and the like, and of all our most heynous and crying sins, hath not (as it were) prophecied, plainely foretelling some more notable judgement, that must needs follow after all these, if we did not repent thereby? And shall this word in their mouthes be vaine; Shall he threaten and shall he not doe it?God striving wt us by his spirit, as with the old world by the Ministerie of Noah. In what corner of our Land hath he not striven by his Spirit, at one time or other, by the Ministerie of some of his faithfull servants, which, all about them might heare of, to have brought us to amendment? whereby all sorts have bin convinced as well as the old world by the ministerie of Noah. Who hath bin so voyde of all sense of sinne,All convinced, wondring that he should for­beare us consi­dering our sins. that hath not perceived the very earth to be corrupted with our abominations, and that hath not wondred that God should beare with us any longer, being so many wayes evicted: especially in such striving by so many for Poperie; moe for popish Atheisme, and most for prophanenesse, and all licenti­ousnesse, against the most shining light of the glorious Gospell of Christ? Or who hath bin so deafe, that he hath not heard of and trembled for the lowde cryes of the mercilesse oppressors, of pride, and irreligious con­tempt of God amongst us, knowing that the cry of them must needs have gone up to heaven, as will plainely ap­peare after? Yea, what simple man hath not at one time [Page 23] or other (in seeing our intolerable pride, and pittilesse oppressions) cryed out that some terrible plague must needs come upon this Nation,And as plainely p [...]esaging some terrible judge­ment. saying thus in himselfe, as that poore wretch did in Ierusalem, Woe, woe, woe to our sinfull Nation? Hath not many a poore soule bin of Lots minde, to remove their abode, though to their great losse,Many of Lots minde. for the wickednesse of the places where they have dwelt, to live in such Congregations where they might see some feare of the Lord? I speake not of those who have made a separation from the Communion of Saints; but of such as mourning for that rent, amongst other our heynous sinnes, doe yet continue with us in the true Church of Christ, as lively members thereof, and doe rejoyce in all the tokens of Gods presence still with us. As namely, in all those his ordinances and meanes of salvation, which through his mercy we grati­ously enjoy; with our holy and joynt profession of all the wayes of life; as also, in many worthy Teachers & faithfull servants of God of all sorts, with his heavenly protection & great deliverances of us all untill this day; and his chastising us so fatherly from time to time, that he may spare us, yea pulling us continually out of the imminent danger, as we shall see more after. And that I may speake as in the presence of Gods majestie, and ap­pealing in reverence and love to every soule: Hath not he himselfe in steed of Ionah manifested this unto us all from heaven,The Lord him­selfe in stead of Ionah manife­sting the neere­nesse of d [...]stru­ction unto us. to cause all to acknowledge it, and to leave all more without excuse, unlesse we repent, that he threatned us, Not yet fortie dayes, and England shall be made a desolation, (like as in those dangers when he brought the destruction so neere unto us) nor yet 20. dayes, nor yet ten dayes; no, nor yet three dayes, but even one day, and my fierce wrath shall be ready to be powred out upon you, to make you an astonishment and an hissing to all Nations for your sinnes? For what other thing did the threatning of destruction, so neerely to be executed, signifie, but even as to Ninivie? Surely, I am [Page 24] not able to conceive; I submit it to the judgement and conscience of all the godly learned, and that Powder vaut shall ever beare witnesse.Staid till this day at the in­stance of his sonne to see if we wil turne at length. Notwithstanding, hath he not once againe, and even untill this very day, called backe that most severe denunciation, and in his fatherly commiseration and infinite pitie spared us, as he spared that sinfull Citie; though we have not repented, no, not as they, in our abundant meanes. This he hath done partly for his faithfull ones amongst us, and partly at the instant intreatie of the dressers of his Vineyard, who have obteyned of him, to spare us yet one yeere longer, to see, if we will bring forth meete fruit in any time, and if no time, nor warning will serve, then to cut us downe.

Now we in steed of amending (by all these fore-war­nings,We growing far worse for all meanes, ven­geance must needes be hard at hand. with all the admirable deliverances and blessings which this Land doth injoy) waxing every day much worse, and the cry of our sinnes, with the malice and number of our bloodie enemies being daily increased, how can we thinke but that his vengeance must needs be at the doores; either that any peace can possibly be, so much as hoped for from him,And our hearts considering it cannot but tremble in an expectation of vengeance. so long as our heynous sinnes still remayne heaped up euery day more & more? What heart therefore having any feare of the Lord (con­sidering how his anger must needs be kindled, and re­membring that implacable hatred of the blood-thirstie enemies, but wayting their day) doth not tremble in a certaine expectation of some imminent and farre more dreadfull vengeance, than ever we felt in former times, unlesse our hearts be some way stirred up to pacifie his heavenly Majestie by turning unto him to prevent the same.Conclusion.

And therefore to conclude this point:All these for­mer considera­tions proclaime that our visita­tion draweth neere. All these things being laid togither, and set as it were in one view before our faces, principally, that above all other signes the Lord hath given us, that our third so terrible and infallible an admonition, in the hellish powder-furnace, [Page 25] sith none of his warnings shall be in vaine, who can denie, but that he daily cryeth in the eares of every one of us with a loude voyce, as he cryed to Ezechiel, Thy visitation, oh England draweth neere. Therefore repent, watch and pray, lest I come upon thee of a so­daine, and make thee as Ierusalem; because no warning will serve, neither wilt thou know the time of thy visi­tation, nor be awaked out of thy deepe securitie. But of this more fully hereafter, when we shall come to see the sinnes of our Land, written by the Lord himselfe in the abominations of Iuda before her Captivitie, and that in such capitall letters, that he that runns by may read them. And how we doe iustifie rebellious Iudah, living in these dayes of the shining light of the glorious Gospell of Iesus Christ, under such a shelter as the Lords Annoynted, and also under so good lawes commanding obedience thereunto; whereby our sinnes must needes be farre more heynous and inexcu­sable than theirs, or than ever they were in former time.

And this may serve for a first cause, which we have to watch and pray: because the Lord cryes so loud unto us all, That our visitation draweth neere, and that he will come on us suddenly, unlesse we repent speedily.

CHAP. IIII.

The withdrawing of the Lords glorious presence from his Church, is both an euident signe of his displeasure, and amanifest threatning of his departure. And what cause we have thereupon to watch and to pray to pacifie his Maiestie, and to hold him still amongst us.

Verse. 3.‘And the glory of the God of Israel was gone up from the Cherub whereupon he was, to the threshold of the house.’

A Second principall point which the Lord would have us all to obserue to this purpose is out of this third verse.The glory re­moouing from the Cherub to the threshold of the Temple shewes God re­dy to depart unlesse they re­pent. In which he revealed to the Prophet how the visitation of the City or the executioners of the vengeance determined upon it did draw neere; this is given as an evident token thereof: That the glorious presence of the Lord, named the glory of God, the God of Israel was gone from the Cherub that is from that place in the Temple, where the Lord had promised to dwell for ever, and from whence he was wont to shew his presence most sensibly (for from thence he used to give answers) and now it stood on the thres­hold of the Temple, as ready to depart and utterly to leave that house and his people for their sinnes. In this therefore God would have all men to take notice.

That it is a most certaine signe of his purpose to leave a people,The withdraw­ing the lively tokens of Gods presēce, a signe of his departure and of ven­geance at hand and of his vengeance hard at hand, when he begins to withdraw the most lively and sensible tokens of his presence from those places where he was wont to dwell and shew himselfe most familiarly. As heere for example, Although the Temple remaine with the Arke and mercy feate, from whence he was wont to speake [Page 27] immediatly, from betweene the Cherubims; yet the glo­ry is removed: the signes are there still but not the live­ly presence as had beene in former time, which was in­deed the true glory.

For further confirmation of this point:God well plea­sed with his people wont to witnesse his presence by some apparant signe. As in the Iorney to­wards Canaan. This we may observe in the booke of God. That when he hath beene well pleased with his people, and purposed to remaine with them, he then hath beene wont ordinarily to shew his presence and that (under the law) by some such vi­sible or audible signes, as whereby al might behold and heare him, or at least perceive him some way. As in all the iourny towards Canaan,Exod. 33. 3. he went uisibly before them in the pillar of fire, and the piller of the cloude. But when they had angred him by the golden calfe, he threatneth that he would not goe with them, that is, he would not goe before them in that visible manner, as he had beene wont, to bring them to the land flowing with milke and hony, because they were a stiffenecked people.Moses urgeth the Lord so to goe before thē. For that it was the cheife tokē of his favour. He would send his Angell with them, but in his owne glorious presence he would not goe before them as in former time, whereupon Moses is importu­nate with him, that he would never carry them thence, if his presence went not with them. And that it could not be knowne otherwise, that he and his people had found favour in his sight, but when he went visibly with them. Thus Moses never leaves him, vntill he hath pre­vailed, that he will go with them as he was wont.

The same we may see in the dayes of Iosua, Secondly in the daies of Ie­suah because of Achans sinne. where the Lord having withdrawne his lively pre [...]ence, and suffe­red his people to be overthrowne before the men of Ai;Ios. 7. 6.Iosua falleth upon his face before the Arke; fasting and mourning and after a sort expostulating with his Maje­stie,Vers. 12. for that he would suffer his great name to be disho­nored. Whereupon God telleth him plainely that he had indeede withdrawne himselfe from them, because they were execrable for Achans sinne, neither would he be with them any more, unlesse they destroyed the ex­communicate [Page 28] from amongst them.

So likewise when he was angry with Saul, 3 When hee will cast of Saul he will shew him no signe of his presence, n [...]r answere him any way. that he would cast him off, he doth not only take his good spirit of wisdome and government from him, and sends an e­vill spirit upon him to disquiet, and to vex him, but moreover when he asked councell of him in his extre­mity, he answeres him not, neither by dreames nor by Vrim, 1 Sam 16. 14. nor yet by the Prophets. Saul had the Priests with the Vrim before the Arke,2 Sam. 28. 6. from whence the Glory was wont to appeare from the Cherubims: but the glory was remooved, the Lord gave him no answere any more from thence.

The like might be shewed still in the story further, as we shall see after in the particulars, but this may suffice for the present to manifest this point.

To returne therefore to our selves: we are first to in­quire what are the most evident signes of Gods glorious 1 presence in his Church, especially in the daies of the Gospell,The signes of the Lords pre­sence in the dayes of the Gospell, where by to judge of our estate. and heereby we are to judge of our estate, and whether in regard heereof we have not just cause to feare the Lords departure, without speedy repentance, and all to give our selves to watch and pray.

Like as the word sincerely preached and the Sacra­ments administred according to our Saviours institution are the most infallible marks of the true visible Chur­ches of Christ, amongst which he hath promised his presence, so long as these are duly observed, maintai­ned and reverenced; so we may marke also thorow the booke of God, fowre most lively evidences, of his glo­rious presence in his Church amongst his people.

One whereof is more inward, felt chiefly in the soules and consciences of men,Foure princi­pally. to wit, the Spirit of the Lord accompanying the word, and the powerfull operation thereof in mens hearts,The first inward viz: the spirit of God. in and by the same word, to cause all men to acknowledge the Lord to be there.

The other three are more outward and apparant to the view of the world,The other three outward. although they be nothing but [Page 29] the fruits and effects of the same spirit. The first of which three,Abundance of sanctyfied knowledge. is, when the Lord gives to his people abundance of saving and sanctifying knowledge of his heavenly word. The second when together with this knowledge, he worketh in them true holinesse of life and conversati­on and obedience to the same word: and withall peace 2 and unitie among his people arising from the same.Holinesse with peace and unity

The third is in protection, when he declares himselfe 3 to be present amongst his people,3. Protection. in shielding and pro­tecting them and overthrowing all the plots of the ene­mies, or casting a feare upon the enemie, that they dare not rise up against his Church and chosen flocke.

For the first of these which is more inward,The spirit and the word going togither are the tenour of the Lords covenāt viz: The Spirit of the Lord, speaking and working powerfully in the word. It is not the word alone, nor the Spirit alone, but the word and Spirit going together. The Spirit ac­companying the word, and speaking to the hearts and consciences of men, out of the mouthes of his servants. This is the Tenor and the very substance of Gods cove­nant with his Church, for the infallible demonstration of his presence in it and with it. And I will make this my covenant with them (saith the Lord to his Church) My spirit which is upon thee,Isay. 59. 11. & my word which I have put in thy mouth, shall not depart out of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth of thy seede, nor out of the mouth of the seed of thy seede, from henceforth for ever.

To make this more plaine;

As in the time of the law,As the answers from the Arke then. not the Arke alone, nor the mercie seate covered with the Cherubims, but the an­sweres from the Arke given immediatly from God, were were the undoubted evidences of his most glorious pre­sence amongst them,So the spirit speaking to mens soules now For exā ­ple when it is Powerfull in converting and drawing men after it. so this must needs be acknowledg­ed of all: That not the Gospell alone, nor the bare mi­nistry thereof, but the powerfull working of the spirit thereby, speaking to every mans soule and conscience is the most evident demonstration of the same glorious presence in the dayes of the Gospell. As for example, [Page 30] when the word is lively and mighty in operation, pow­erfull in converting mens soules and drawing the peo­ple of God after it.H [...]b, 4 12. This is the true presence and arme of the Lord.As at Pen [...]e­cost. As it was when the Holy Ghost was sent downe appearing in forme of cloven tongues like fire, to shew the heavenly fire, that should accompany the word and inflame the hearts of the elect: like as it then wrought wonderfully upon the consciences of the hea­rers, and that very worke was an infallible witnesse of the presence of the Lord, so is it now according to the manner of the working and measure thereof. When by the same spirit some are pricked at their hearts with re­morse for their sinnes and made to cry out;luk. 24. 31. Men and bre­thren, what shall we doe? When mens har [...]es burne at the hearing of it. as those who were so pricked at the hearts at Peters sermon. When other have their hearts burning within them, as the two Disciples going toward Emaus, at the opening & applying of the Scrip­tures unto them. When as others are smitten downe to the earth in the sense of their own vilenesse and the Ma­jestie of Iesus Christ,Acts: 9. 4 5. as persecuting Saul who was made thereby a preaching Paul: Others smitten downe at the voice of Christ. And when others are com­pelled to confesse. That they neuer heard men speake so, as those who came of purpose being sent by the Phari­ses,Ioh. 7. 46. to catch our Saviour. Or as the poore simple man who comming in and hearing the word so Preached,1 Cor. 14. 24. 25. is made thereby to fall upon his face, and enforced to ac­knowledge, That God is in these men of a truth: when others also shall receive such a strong assurance of the truth of God taught unto them,1 l [...]h. 2. 27. being indeed his very word,H [...]br. 11. 35. as they cannot be drawne away from it, by any violence or feare,Gal. 1. 8. no, nor yet by any perswasions, though an Angell should come from heaven and teach them otherwise.

And to conclude this point,When the blinde see, deaf heare, dead raised up by it. This must needs be confessed of all to be the most cleere and invincible te­stimony of his most gratious and glorious presence and of his spirit powred plentifully upon his Church,luk 4. 18. when [Page 31] by the power of the word,Matth: 16. 17. the blinde eyes are opened, the deafe heare,Ioh: 1. 12, 13. the stonie hearts are bruised, the dead in sinne are raised to a new and holy life:Acts 16. 14. & 2. 37. for this is not a a worke of flesh and blood, but of the Spirit of the Lord onely.This a princi­pall part of the visible presence in the Primitive Church. This was a principall part of that lively pre­sence, whereby he was so wonderfull, and after a sort vi­sible in the primitive Church, when the same day were added to the Church about three thousand soules by the preaching of Peter and the other Apostles;Acts 2. 16, 17. and after, when the Church increased so admirably. And by this he hath promised to be with his faithfull ones,Matth: 28. 20. teaching his truth sincerely unto the end of the world.And of the pro­mise to be with his to the end of the world. This fi­nally is the full accomplishment of that promise; To powre downe his Spirit upon his people in the dayes of the Gospell, when he would gather his Church in any place, as we may see thorow all the Historie of the Acts. And even as it was then, so is it now according to the measure of grace; whereby he sends downe his holy Spirit upon any Congregation. And in some Congre­gations under faithfull Ministeries, all these, (blessed be God) are apparent, thus graciously manifesting his pre­sence thereby. And therefore the more generally that this operation appeares in Preachers and people, the more visibly doth the glory of the Lord shew it selfe, and the more securitie may such a people have for the cer­taintie of the Lords presence continued amongst them. Every man may discerne and know it hereby.

But contrarily,The contrary a token of Gods departure, and of judgements approching. this is as evident a signe of Gods de­parture from a people, and of some heavy judgement hasting upon them, when either the preaching shall be­come generally cold and fruitlesse (except in some small remnant,Es [...]: 6. 9, 10, 11. which evermore the Lord doth reserve in his Church) or though it be powerfully preached by some few,When the word shall be without power. When [...]en [...]e­come rather worse by it. yet men shall become generally more obstinate, blinde, hard-hearted, and without feeling, given up to follow their lusts with greedinesse, when by it they shall have their hearts as hard as the nether mill-stone, or the [Page 32] Smithes stithie, that the oftner they are smitten, the har­der they are. And further also this is so palpable, that it may be felt, when men shall come to this height of prophanenesse, that hearing the most excellent Pro­phets of God, they shall heare them onely as those who have pleasant voyces,Onely hearing not doing. listening to their words, but not doing any thing in effect, which they teach, as the peo­ple heard the Prophet Ezechiel. Ezec: 33 31, 32. Thus it went with them very generally before this Captivitie,Thus before this Captivitie. according as the Lord had bidden the Prophet Isaiah to denounce,Isai: 6. 9, 10, 11. threescore yeeres and more before it came; that by hea­ring they should heare and not understand, and seeing they should see and not perceive, but have their hearts made more fat, least they should convert and be healed. And ever the neerer the vengeance approched,Ever more sen­sible the neerer the vengeance. the more apparent this judgement was, as appeareth in the Pro­phets, untill their Land was laid desolate, like as the Lord had threatned them before.Matth: 13. 14. So was it also before that last utter desolation of that Nation of the Iewes:Marc: 4. 12. whereupon we may observe this,Luc: 8. 10. that no one Scripture is oftner alledged by our Saviour,Ioh: 12. 40. and by Paul, and cited by all the Evangelists,Acts 28. 26. than that of Isaiah is against them;Rom: 11. 8. to shew how that was fulfilled in their obstinacie, which was so long before denounced by the Prophet,Ioh: 12. 39. and that the fulfilling of it, was a cleare evidence,Whence this sentence so oft beaten on by our Saviour, & the Prophet. that the Lord intended their ejection and subversion. Thus saith our Saviour plainely, Therefore could they not be­leeve, because Esaias saith againe, He hath blinded their eyes, and hardned their hearts, that they should not see with their eyes,The most dred­full signe of the Lords depar­ture, when he shall begin to plucke away [...]hem that stand [...]n the breach. nor understand with their hearts, and should be converted and I should heale them.

But of all other this is the most dreadfull signe of the Lords removing from any place, when he shall begin to take those his servants away, or to cause their tongues to cleave to the roofes of their mouthes, by whom he was wont to speake ordinarily in this powerfull manner, and to whom he usually gave this testimonie in the con­sciences [...]: 3. 25, 26, 27. [Page 33] of them that heard them. That the Lord spake in them indeed: when he shall plucke away those whom formerly he kept,Exod: 32. 10. as Moses in the breach to stay his ven­geance, what doth he else but say, Let me alone that I may destroy them at once.Psal: 106. 23. Thus he dealt with the most faithfull Prophets before the Captivitie,Ezec 22. 30, 31. shutting up Ie­remie in prison,Ier: 36. 5. & 37. 38. Ezec: 3. 25. letting Ezechiel be in bonds, afterwards removing him frō them. Or when the Prophets in steed of miting at sin, with the mightie arme of the spirit of the Lord, viz: his own word powerfully preached, shall begin to smite with the weake arme of flesh,2 Cor: 10. 4. namely, the inticing words of mans wisdome,1 Cor: 2. 1, 4. and with the ostenta­tion of humane learning and eloquence,Or when the Prophets shall smite with the weake arme of flesh. and this as shouldering forth the pure word of the Lord sincerely preached, as being too weake and meane. The more sensible this judgement groweth in any Church, the more is the glory of the Lord removed to the very thre­shold; the more also is his utter departure to be feared, and the finall leaving of such a people without unfeyned and speedie seeking to pacifie him.

Now to returne to our selves, and hereby also to dis­cerne of our estate;To consider whether the Gospell hath y same powerfull operation as formerly. Let us all who ever have had any true feeling of this working of the Spirit of the Lord in us, and whose consciences are not utterly feared, or who have used to observe the manner of Gods working in his Church, enter into a due consideration hereof. Let us examine this betweene the Lord and our owne con­sciences, whether the preaching of the Gospell have still that operation amongst us, which sometimes it hath had to convert mens soules, to draw multitudes after it in the love of it selfe, unlesse it be happily to heare some man of fame, or for his rare and singular gifts, or for some like by-respects. And whether this power of it be not feare­fully abated,Except in some few places, and removing. except in some very few places; and those for most part, where formerly it hath not bin, as in some rude countryes towards the Northerne parts, whither it is daily observed to remove, as ready to take the farewel, [Page 34] when it hath gathered forth Gods chosen of them, and convinced the rest. And whether Satan, Antichrist, and this evill world, with the pleasures and pompe of it, doe not draw men wonderfully from Iesus Christ, to follow after them: whether multitudes rush not violently to all licentious profanenesse, in steed of the zealous profession of the Gospell of Christ: others to Poperie and super­stition againe, which was so far rooted out of our Land, and by the most abhorred, and this after the time that God hath more discovered the abomination of that bloodie religion, than ever heretofore. Let us but call to minde,Whether the Lord speake so sensibly to mens soules as heretofore. how it hath bin formerly with us, in those places where God was wont to speake unto us by his messengers, and how it is now for most part: whether in many places, where the Arke of God still remaines, I meane the Word and Sacraments, whether, I say, the glorious and lively voyce of the Spirit, that piercing of our hearts, that burning in our soules, with those un­speakeable comforts which we were wont to finde there­in, be not decayed exceedingly? whether it be not with all who are fallen to fashion themselves to the extreme licentiousnesse and loosenesse of the time;Whether it be not with all the licentious, as wt Saul, that God speaks to them no more. even as it was with Saul, That the Lord speaks to them no more, tho they have happily the same Preachers, and the booke of the Law, and heare the curses against their sinnes, yet they neither feele nor feare them any more? whether that lively presence which did shake their hearts, be not utterly gone?That men be not generally more voyde of feeling & feare. yea, whether we do not see this generally, that men are every where more voyde of all feeling of sinne, and of the feare of any judgement, whereby that spirituall judgement doth daily seize upon us most evi­dently? That by hearing the threatnings against us, we heare but understand no more;Nor any more moved as for­merly. and seeing the signes and tokens of his wrath for our sinnes, we see them in­deed, but we are moved no longer with them; but as they,Hearing heare not, and seeing see not. so we have our hearts more fat, our eares more deafe, and our eyes still more blinded? And if we shall [Page 35] finde it thus, That these and all other signes mentioned, are in great measure come upon us, let us answer unfay­nedly, whether the Lord doth not sensibly threaten and proclaime to depart and leave us altogither,Whether God doe not hereby threaten his de­parture, and it be not full time to seeke him. unlesse we repent; having thus far already withdrawne himselfe from us. And to conclude this point, whether it be not full time to seeke to pacifie and stay him amongst us, if we be not weary of his abode with us, and of our happi­nesse thereby.

But of this more in the next Chapter, where we shall have cause to inquire of the outward tokens of the Lords glorious presence, and what a removall he hath made thereof, as likewise we see that he hath of this in­ward. Thus much therefore shall suffice to have spoken of this second cause, which we have all to watch & pray, yea, even to weepe and cry after him, to returne unto us againe, in shewing amongst us the power of his Spi­rit, as ever in former time, and to abide with us for ever, that he never leave us to our bloodie enemies.

CHAP. V.

How the Lord is most unwilling to depart from his Church, so long as there is any other remedie, which he manifesteth in his oft threatning to take his leave, before he goe indeed. And of the outward tokens both of his glorious presence in his Church, and of his departure from it. And what cause we have thereupon to watch and pray continually.

ANd the Glory of the God of Israel was removed,The Lord makes sundry removes before he depart; all which were to­kens and fore­runners of his departure.&c. A third point specially to be observed is this: That the Glory of God removed not once onely, but five severall times in this vision, before it departed; and that it removed not all at once, but so oft, going away by degrees, and that most sensibly. By which he [Page 36] would cause the Prophet most clearely to behold his holinesse and justice; that he must needs depart from them for their iniquities, wherewith they grieved him; and that he was now taking his farewell: and yet with­all also to see his mercy and tender compassion, and how he was (as we may so speake) most unwilling to de­part and leave his people to so many miseries; even Ie­rusalem his owne Citie to such a desolation, if any reme­die would have bin found. This he makes knowne unto them, to see if it would worke to stir them up to seeke to retaine his presence amongst them.

For the evident manifestation hereof,The first re­move. Chap. 9. 3. First, the Glory removes from the Cherub, and stands upon the thre­shold, as ready to depart. Secondly, it removes higher, and stands over the dore of the house. Thirdly, it re­moving from above the dore, and standing againe upon the Cherubims, the Cherubims mounted upward from the earth towards heaven, as ready to take their flight, and leave the Temple altogither. Fourthly, after this, the Glory removes to the midst of the Citie; thereby seeming to warne the Citie of the Lords departure. Lastly, from thence it removes out of the Citie unto the Mount of Olives, as utterly taking leave of them, and giving them a last farewell, untill their Captivitie was accomplished, and his anger appeased. These were the removes.

Here we are all againe to inquire yet more carefully,Whether he hath not made as many sensi­ble removes a­mongst us out­wardly. whether he hath not made as many and as sensible re­moves of his glory amongst us of this our Nation, and thereby given us as many plaine evidences of his depar­ture; not now in a vision, but so as all men must needs see and confesse it: and also whether withall he hath not as clearely and tenderly manifested (as I may so say) his unwillingnesse to depart from us, if any thing can serve to reforme us. This is a point of most serious conside­ration, and such a one, as it were an exceeding mercy of the Lord, and a token of his gratious purpose toward us, [Page 37] if he would but vouchsafe us hearts generally to consi­der of aright, as in his presence and as we must all know it one day.

To the end we may conceive it the better, we are first to consider wherein the glory of the Lord appeareth outwardly in his Church so as it may be beholden of all round about it, even of the very enemies. As for the for­mer evidence it being more inward, is to be perceived chiefly of the inward man, the soule and conscience, when God so speaks unto them.

This outward Glory consists in three things princi­pally,The outward glory consists in three things. as was said, whereby not only the Lord himselfe is magnified amongst his owne people, yea to be seene & acknowledged of others, but also by which he makes his people to be glorious in the eies of others, and to be honoured and feared of their enemies.

The first is,First in abun­dance of hea­venly and sanc­tified know­ledge. when he bestoweth upon his people such aboundance of heavenly and sanctified knowledge of his worde with an hungring after the same, as that the earth seemeth to be filled with the knowledg of the Lord, like the waters that cover the Sea,Esa. 2. 2, 3. as the Prophet Esay speak­eth. This he promiseth to doe in his Church when he will shew his glory in it, in the dayes of the Gospell. At what time the Church being exalted as upon the topps of the mountaines, there shalbe such a hungring and thirsting after the word of the Lord that men shal incite and provoke one another, saying, Come, let us goe up to the house of the Lord, for he will teach us his waies and we will walke in his pathes. Where he thus puts his lawes into the mindes of his people, at least in a vehe­ment desire of it. That they all seeme to know him from the least to the greatest of them; this is a visible token of Gods covenant with such a people and the pardon of their sinnes,Ier. 31. 33, 34. that he is their God and this is his glory upon them.2 In holinesse of l [...]fe accom­panying it.

A second visible token is this, when this knowledge is accompanied with obedience and holinesse of life, [Page 38] when he thus writes his law in their hearts,Ezech: 36. 23. 24. 25. 26. creating in them new hearts and new spirits. Thus the Lord pro­miseth to be sanctified in his owne people before the eyes of their enemies, when he shall clense them from all their filthy sinnes, as with pure water; when he puts his spirit so upon them, as to cause them to walke in his statutes, to keepe his judgments and to do them: when he puts his feare so generally into their hearts, as to cause them not to depart from him.Chiefly when he gives peace and unitie, one heart and one way. Then he makes this covenant for himselfe, that he wil not depart from them. And chiefly when togither heerewith, he gives peace & unity amongst them, that they have one heart and one way.Ier. 32. 39. 40. That the Lambe may lodge with the Wolfe with­out danger;Isai. 11. 6. the poore harmelesse Christian, with them who have beene by nature as bloudy as Wolues; when the little child may lead the Lion, even a child bringing the word of the Lord may perswade and lead them, who were otherwise as proude and fierce as Lyons. And when the sucking childe may play upon the hole of the Aspe; when the poore seruants of the Lord, who are for harmelesnesse as little children, may be without perill in the presence of them, who were sometimes as venemous as the Aspe and the Viper. When they shall feed & com­municate together cheerefully and lovingly in the word and Sacraments,Holy unity the marke whereby all may know Christ Disci [...]ples and in all the religion and service of the Lord, and none to hurt in all the mountaine of the Lords holinesse, within the bounds and limits of his Church. By this all must needs see,Ioh: 13. 53. that such are indeede the Dis­ciples of Christ, when they love one another. And when in regard hereof, the feet of them who bring the glad tidings of peace, to wit, of all the faithfull preachers of the Gospell, publishing life and salvation and working this obedience and love,Holinesse and unity make Gods people glorious in the eyes of their enemies. are beautifull, when their com­ming among a people is most acceptable, as of the mes­sengers of the Lord of hosts.

Now both these are such evident demonstrations of the glory of the Lord upon a people, that they make [Page 39] them amongst whom they are conspicuous, and eminent to be a glorious people, and cause them to be had in ho­nour, and to be feared of all nations round about them.

This Moses sheweth plainly in Deut. 4. Deut. 4. 5. 6. 7. &c. Where he thus speaks to the people of Israel: Behold, I haue taught you ordinances & lawes, as the Lord my God comman­ded mee, that you should doe even so, in the Land whe­ther you goe to possesse it. Keepe them therefore and do them; for this is your wisdome and vnderstanding in the sight of the people, which shal heare al these ordinances, and shall say, Onely this people is wise & of understand­ing and a great nation: for what nation is so great, unto whom the Gods comes so neere unto them, as our God is neere to us in all that we call unto him for.

The Lord himselfe also hath bidden all his people to glory in this,The Lords people bidden to glory in these. That they know and feare him, not in their wisdome, strength, or riches; declaring all the glory of these earthly things to be nothing to that,I [...]r. 9. 23. 24. and all the true outward glory of a people to consist in their holi­nesse and peace among themselves, and in the right knowledge and sincere profession of his heavenly word. As the kingdome of heaven, which is inwardly felt, in every one of Gods Servants,Rom. 14. 17. is in righteousnesse, peace and heavenly joy:The kingdome of heaven in holinesse peace and joy. so when these abound amongst any people there is the kingdome of heaven truly begun, & Christ reigning visibly. Such were those worthy con­gregations mentioned in the Acts,Christ visibly raigneth in such congrega­tions. and those to which Paul writ his Epistles; and such are all Churches which are like unto them at this day. And even as these things also doe more abound and are more apparant among them; so are they still more glorious, and Christ more evidently holding up his scepter there. Thus much for the two first parts of the outward glory.

The third principall thing,3. The Third principall out­ward signe is his glorious protection of his people. whereby the Lord is wont to declare his glory in his Church so brightly, as that it may be beholden of all about, is in the protection and defence thereof. And this is more visible also, when [Page 41] he doth miraculously deliver it, plaguing and over­throwing all the enemies, with all their wicked devises, which they plot against his people.

To omit the carefull protection of Abraham, Isaac, and Iacob, As 1. of Abra­ham, Isaac, and Iacob. with all theirs, in all places wheresoever they went; the smiting of their enemies, and that herein stood a chiefe part of their honour:Gen. 20. 16. 26. 9, 10, 11, 12. & 27. 42. & 28. 29, 31. & 24. 32. was not this that glory whereby he did so grace his Church in Egypt, when he sheltered his people, and made them to grow, notwithstanding the cruel oppressions of their enemies? when they were as the bush in the midst of the fire that yet consumed not?2. Church in Egypt. And secondly, when he plagued the Egyptians, and still kept his people safe in the midst of all those miraculous judgements.

Thirdly,3. Going be­fore them, and protecting them in all the way towards Canaan. when he went before them out of Egypt and thorow the wildernesse towards Canaan, in the piller of fire and of the cloud, so conducting them that the ene­mies could not come at them, neither by day nor night. In regard whereof, he being angry with them for the golden calfe,Exod. 33 3, 4. had threatned that he would not goe up with them, because they were a stiffe-necked people: as they sorrowed and wept for this, so Moses in particular saith,vers. 15. If thy presence goe not with us, carry us not hence. And wherein, saith he, shall it be knowne that I and thy people have found favour in thy sight?This the most cleare testimo­nie of Gods presence. Shall it not be when thou goest up with us? So I and thy people shall have preheminence before all the people of the earth: for which importunitie of his the Lord conde­scended thus still to continue his happy presence in that apparent manner.

Fourthly,4. In miracu­lous keeping their land. the Lord declared this his glorious presence in the miraculous keeping of their land, that no enemie should invade it, nor so much as once dare to attempt the same, or thinke of any such matter; no, not then when all their men went up generally thrice in the yeere at their solemne feasts to Ierusalem from all the parts of their land, and none left at home to keepe their frontiers [Page 42] from invasion, or houses from spoiling, but a few poore women and children.This continued so long as they were carefull to know & obey him. As he had promised this unto them, so he faithfully performed it, so long as they con­tinued to know and feare him. So long as they made any conscience to retaine those two former parts of his glory in knowledge and obedience,Exod. 23. 21, 22. so long also conti­nued this their gracious preservation: yea, so long as they would but humble themselves under his hand at those his threatnings and at the shaking of his rods against them,Psalm: 107. promising amendment, and would then beleeve and obey his Prophets, so long abode this glory with them.

This the Lord wrought moreover in such strange de­liverances of them from all that did offer to assaile them,5. In their won­derfull delive­rances & over­throwes of their enemies. and in such great overthrowes of their proud enemies, as never were heard of before in any nation. As in their de­livery in the sea,As in the sea. with the overthrow of the proud Egyp­tian: many a time in the wildernesse:The wildernes. in setting them also in Canaan by Iosuah; Setting them in Canaan. no man being able to resist them, so long as they obeyed him. So likewise in the dayes of the Iudges,In the dayes of the Iudges. though they provoked him by their rebellions, yet ever usually when they sought him againe, humbling themselves, he shewed himselfe their deliverer,Ios: 10. 13. fighting for them both from heaven and earth, with haile and thunder, and all his hosts, causing the very Sunne to stand still until the people avenged them­selves upon their enemies.

And yet more specially in their famous victories in the dayes of Samuel against the Philistims.Of Samuel. In Iehosa­phats of Iehosaphat. victorie against the Ammonites,2 Chron: 20. 21, 23. the Moabites, and them of mount Seir, causing their enemies to turne their swords upon themselves, and every one to fall upon ano­ther. But above all,2 Chr: 32. 20, 21. in that wonderfull deliverance of Ierusalem in the dayes of Ezekiah, Ezekiah in the overthrow of Senacherib. and that notable overthrow of that proud and blasphemous Senacherib, and his huge Armie; when the Ang [...]ll of the Lord slue an hundred and foures [...]ore thousand of the enemies in [Page 42] one night: upon which considerations, and the like, in former times, the Holy Ghost faith, that God is well knowne in Iudah,By [...] Gods name was great in Israel.his name is great in Israel. All the world talked of his name and feared. Because as his Taberna­cle was there, so there he brake the arrowes & the bowe. There he shewed his puissance and his power,Psal: 76. 1, 2, 3, 4. 12. restray­ning the rage of the enemies, and turning it unto his praise, and so there made himselfe terrible to the Kings of the earth.

To conclude this point likewise.A principall part of the glo­ry foretold to be on y Chur­ches in y dayes of the Gospell. This is a princi­pall part of that glory of the Church in the earth, which is so foretold by the Prophet Esay to be in the Churches of God, in the flourishing estate thereof, in the dayes of the Gospell. That when the Lord should wash away the filthines of his people by his word and Spirit, he would create upon every place of Mount Sion,Esai: 4. 4, 5, 6. and upon the assemblies thereof, a cloud and a smoake by day, and the shining of a flaming fire by night; for upon all the glory should be a defence: and a covering should be for a sha­dow in the day from the heat, and a place of refuge, and a covert from the storme and from the raine. In which words, all these parts of the Lords glory upon his Church are comprized, evidently foretelling, that as he would adorne and glorifie his Church then with abun­dance of knowledge and holinesse; so his protection should shelter it from all danger, as the coverings did the Tabernacle.These the glo­ry of the Primi­tive Church. So at this day. And this indeed was the glory of the Pri­mitive Church, according as it was spoken of by Esay. Yea, every wicked man, whose conscience is not utterly scared, when he commeth into any such a Congrega­tion, where these three shine bright, is inforced to ac­knowledge such a place to be a glorious and blessed place, and God to be there; untill that men have by their disobedience to the word, and by their malicious­nesse, put out the eye of their soule and conscience al­togither.

To applie all this.Application. And first to this people of Iudah: [Page 43] If wee marke well,First to Iudah. How God had withdrawn the outward glory to foreshew his departure. wee may cleerely see how God had wonderfully withdrawne from them that outward glory which formerly they had enjoyed, and had also shewed them evident tokens of his departure in every one of these respects, before he went away utterly. And first for holy knowledge,1. All holy knowledge decayed. when they daily waxed more blind and senselesse by all the paines of their Teachers, and all other their forewarnings,Isai: 6. 10. so that they were worse there­in then the oxe and the asse,Isai: 1. 2. as the Prophet Esay com­plained many yeeres before.2 Holines gone. Secondly, for holinesse of life, the abominations following will evidently demon­strate,2 Chro: 36. 15, 16. for reverence of the Lords messengers, in that they misused them untill there was no remedy. So for peace and unitie,So peace and unitie departed. when Ephraim was against Manasseh, Manas­ses against Ephraim, and both against Iudah: when all the godly,Is [...]i: 9. 21. who followed the true Prophets, and cleaued only to the word and the covenant of the Lord, were ge­nerally hated, made as signes and wonders, like as the Prophets were whose word they obeyed.Isai: 8. 18. And lastly for protection,3 Protection oft almost gone. when as the glory was almost gone in Ezechias dayes, when he himselfe and Ierusalem were in that danger by Senecharib: and cleane gone by Manasses, at what time he was carried away captive into Babylon. Afterwards also was Iosiah their shelter cut downe by the enemie,Lost utterly in Iosiah. which was the next & most manifest forerunner of the finall departure and of their glory. So they had af­ter this, overthrow after overthrow, untill this plague was utterly come upon them, and their glory also depar­ted without hope of recovery, till Gods anger was fully accomplished upon them. Thus we have seene this point at large,Glory departed till Gods anger accomplished. wherein the outward glory of the Church con­sists, & how all this was fully verified amongst them, ac­cording to the vision: That God had indeed made all these removals of their glory before his finall departure.

But now let us in the second place,Application to our selves. returne home, from Iudah, unto our selves, and lay it neere unto our hearts, considering well, first, whether the Lord have not [Page 44] begun as sensible removals of all this glory,Whether God threaten not us by as sensible removals. even a­mongst our selves, in every one of these kindes, sundry wayes and at sundry times, proceeding by degrees. And whether he doe not thereby threaten manifestly, that he is purposed utterly to remove, and to take away all his glory and his gratious presence from us, and to leave us to the will of our enemies, to be made a reproch and a shame when he is departed from us, unlesse we prevent and retaine him, by our speedie amendment.

To begin and apply in order,1. Removing so generally our delight in his word. as in the presence of the Lord. Where is that delight of ours in most places, that we were wont to take in his word, our inciting and in­couraging one another; Come, let us goe up to the house of the Lord: our talking of it, and our rejoycing in it, as of our chiefe glory? Do we not in steed hereof waxe weary of it very generally, hearing it commonly for a fashion, or for satisfying of the law, or some like respect? Are we not growne to this passe,Growing to be ashamed of tal­king of it. for the most part, to be ashamed of talking or reasoning of it? Yea, what is more com­mon, than in steed hereof, to discourage one another from being forward in following after it, and those holy assemblies of his people, where he hath promised his presence for ever? Are not our people in steed hereof, set rather to flocke to all kinds of vanities,Flocking to all vanities. and places of the worse resort, to dishonour and provoke the Lord; even to those places, where is open profession of all impietie, and schooles of all lewdnesse and ungratious­nesse? Let the ordinarie frequenting of so many profane and lascivious playes fitter for Sodome, than the Church of God, be witnesse.

Where is that holy,2. Our sound knowledge of the word in many places. sound, and powerfull knowledge of God amongst the people become, which in regard of the long and quiet time of the Gospell, that thorow the riches of the Lords mercy we have enjoyed, should have growne to ripenesse,Amongst the people. that which was wont so to abound amongst us in many goodly Congregations, whereby the Popish sort were ashamed of themselves for [Page 45] their ignorance: specially (as was said) that love which hath bin so declared in hungring after the word, in de­lighting in it as our felicitie. Nay, what is become, for most part, of that singular commendation for readinesse in the Scriptures, and soundnesse of judgement in the word of the Lord,Amongst most of our Gentry, having most meanes, wherein many of our Gentry and cheifer sort in many places did sometimes excell; for which they were much to be commended; and indeed it was their dutie far so to excell: for they of all other, have the most meanes, for all good helps and leysure, to get the knowledg of the Lord;& most bound thereto. and also are most bound thereunto,Prov: 17. 16. for the abundance of Gods blessings, which they injoy principally to that end, to buy wisdome, as So­lomon saith?All formerly to silence the proudest Papist Whereas heretofore many of them were able to put to silence the proudest Papists amongst us, in displaying the abominations of Poperie, and in main­tayning the Gospell of Christ, committed unto us in trust to that end, is it not to be feared, (our swaggering courses considered, and our generall neglect of religion) that we are in the greatest part by far, become unable to maintaine the one,Now suffering the Popish sort to insult over us. or to confute the other, or so much as to speake with any lively feeling of the truth of the Lord, or yet as having any sound love of the one, or di­slike of the other. And how should it be otherwise, when we for most part give over our selves wholly to our pleasures with all licentiousnesse,Chiefly thorow living in plea­sure. or to follow after the honours and riches of the world; and which is yet far worse, and more to be feared, (as an evident fore­runner of vengeance) when we are so generally ashamed to be noted, for being forward or zealous, in the professi­on of the Gospell of Christ? On the other side, are not many of the Popish sort growne to be exceeding cun­ning in the mysterie of Antichrists iniquitie,Popish sort growne cun­ning in their mysterie. and the depths of Sathan, whereby they deceive themselves, and others, (for that is all the glory that can justly be given them) seeing in the first principles of the know­ledge of our blessed God, out of his heavenly word, they [Page 46] are commonly knowne to be far more ignorant,Though more ignorant than our children in the first princi­ples of Christ. than our litle children, which are but catechized in the faith of Christ? Are not even ordinarily the simpler sort of them, waxen generally so perfect in the cheife points of their religion, by their paines which they take (though alas to their perdition) for setting up the throne of the Beast againe, as that they are able therein to goe about the greatest part of the cheife among us, and put us to si­lence? We can many of us be the best companions for them that may be,Many of us good compani­ons for them. and can talke with them, of any mat­ter of vaine pleasure and commoditie, and happily in scorning at all them, who shew any more love to the word, and more dislike of their abominations, than we do; and who is so good a fellow, as one of them, though a deadly enemie to the Gospell, and all that sincerely professe the same; but hardly a word either for Christ and his truth, or against Antichrist and his iniquitie. Though we have as good cause to be armed against him, with all possible meanes, especially with the armour of the word of the Lord, as ever Nation had before, having had so many faire warnings from him. Oh that this may be well thought of, for sundry parts of our Land?

But here it may be some will say: That there was never more knowledge in the Land.Objection for abundance of knowledge an­swered. To whom I an­swer: Far be it off from me, from obscuring any gift or blessing of the Lord amongst us. Nay, I magnifie him for them: but that which I have spoken, hath bin of a sanctified and powerfull knowledge, wherein the king­dome of God and our glory consists,Rom: 14 17. and that amongst our people. And secondly, of such I would demand, as before the Lord, whether in many a Congregation, there be not a sensible decay, as in all places where the meanes have failed; and for the rest, what is our know­ledge generally in regard of our meanes, and the long continuance of them? Have we not very many places, where within sundry miles, there are not two to be found in a Towne, which have any sound, substantiall, [Page 47] and saving knowledge, even of matters of salvation, and the wayes of God? And of those who seeme to have knowledge, doe not many of them, as it were grope for the wall, like the blinde stumbling at noone day as in the twilight, making no conscience at all of their wayes, no not of monstrous sins wherein they live, not fearing any judgement towards the Land or themselves? Is not the very day darke over them (as we may so speake) for seeing their owne sinnes, or the fearfull sins of the Land? And may not the Lord therefore as he threatneth, cause the Sunne to goe downe at noone, and darken the earth in the cleare day?

And where is that holinesse become,2. Holinesse & submission to Christs Gospel much removed. whereby the Lord should be sanctified of us, and honoured of all a­bout us, with that obedience and submission to his most sacred word? Are we not in very great numbers come to this passe, to make such a fearefull revolt from all holy conscience of our wayes, which many began to make, to open impietie & profanenes; as that certaine who were of us,Falling daily to most horrible impieties and profanenesse. have departed from us, although not without their owne fearefull sinne in that behalfe. The old Serpent hath undoubtedly used this, as one first and principall provocation hereunto. Even the very dishonors done to the Lords Sacred Majestie amongst us, by our hey­nous sinnes, and lest they should be polluted by our in­tolerable impieties, whereof they can see no hope of re­dresse; and also for feare of the vengeance of the Lord hanging over us for the same: whereby they have made a most grievous rent in the Church of God,Hence so many separating. to the in­dangering of their owne soules, and the advantaging of the bloudie enemie against us all, though they ob­serve not so much.Popish sort blaspheming. Doe not the Popish sort blaspheme the religion of the Lord established among us, for the ex­treme irreligiousnesse of the lives of too many of us? Do they not hereupon thinke, that no crueltie can be devi­sed sufficient for us, no not the butchering or blowing us up all at once? Though indeed, it be not our wicked­nesse, [Page 48] which they so deadly malice, for therein many of them far surpasse us.Though it be not our wick­ednesse they hate. But the Gospell. Let Italie, and Spaine, be witnesses hereof: for from them chiefly hath our iniquitie come, as will appeare heereafter: but it is Christ and his Gos­pell, which they so maligne to the death. doe not sun­dry make fresh revoults unto them for some shewes of holinesse,Sundry make revoults to the Apoc. 18. 3. that are amongst the devouter sort, accounting it much safer to live in filthy Babylon, the cage of every uncleane and hatefull bird; under that abominable slave­ry and and drudgery of Antichrist, then to communi­cate with us at his table in the true service of Iesus Christ?Our devotion waxen cold. Is not all true devotion waxen so odious a­mongst very many of us, as that it hath beene thought ordinarily a disgrace for the cheifer sort, & men of note, to kneele unto the Lord in the congregation at the pub­like prayers? And must not their private devotion be sutable in all reason. Though it be not or at least have not beene any disgrace for too many of them to kneele in the most reverend sort, as doing a most solemne ser­vice, though not to Bacchus, Ceres, and Venus, yet to their owne bellies. Certainely our Land of late yeeres hath beene grievously polluted herewith: whether it be yet left, or at least repented of, I leave it to our consciences.

Is not the true practise of Christianity,Practise of Christianity more reproach full then to live in any sin. consisting in a holy endevour to walke conscionably in every com­mandment of the Lord and in being zealous for his Gos­pell, which is our cheife honour, become far more vile and reproachfull (except in some small remnant) then to live in drunkennesse daily, in swaggering and blas­pheming, in scorning and jesting at all religion, and in making but a sport of sinne, namely of those sins, which are directly against the Lord in the first table? which yet will one day be found the most heinous and intolle­rable of all sinnes:The very name of a Christian become re­pro [...]chfull to many. yea, which may make the whole land to tremble. Hath not that glorious name of a Christi­an become a nick-name & a name of reproach with too [Page 49] many? This was well beseeming Italie and Rome it selfe,A matter fit for Italy. Rhemish Testament: the throne of the Beast, as that worthie Doctor Fulk shewed long agoe; but for any of us to take it up from them,Acts. 11. Sect. 4. or for that it had beene abused by any, to use it scornefully, and against those chiefly, who most un­fainedly beleeve, and shew forth the power of the Gospel this may make our flesh to quake, and our very bones to shiver.Lewdest com­monly in cre­dit. And yet also to proceed a little further. Are not the lewdest commonly in credit and reputation for the only goodfellowes, but for a man to make conscience to shun the forenamed and all other sinnes, and not to runn with all sorts to all excesse of vanity, doth not every one see, that this is the only matter of generall obloquie? To come unto the Lords owne messengers,How welcome the Lords mes­sengers are to the greatest part. whom he hath sent to us in kindnesse and compassion, as David sent his seruants to the king of Ammon, and to the end that he might turne us from our evill way and spare us, if they be such as are faithfull,2 Chron: 26. 16. as the Lords owne mouth, and will tell us of these and all other our sinnes;2 Sam: 10. 6. who seeth not, (although they be never so formall) how welcome their feete are to all sorts, who have set them­selves to run after Popery and all profanenesse, or to live in their evill courses, though amongst all the sinnes of the land, there be no one, which the Lord can lesse in­dure? Oh is this now become our thankfullnesse,Notwithstan­ding his kind­nesse to us. to him that hath beene so kind unto us to be ashamed of him, his word, messengers and seruants who not­withstanding hath not beene ashamed to countenance, and to shelter us, and who hath so honoured us before all the world in such admirable deliverances, fighting as from heaven, for us unto this day.

But to leave the Lords messengers,Our unity much departed. where is that unity become that hath beene forme [...]ly amongst us, when di­versity of judgment for ceremonies (which may fall up­on the deerest servants of the Lord) could not hinder our love and holy agreement in Christ? Did not all joyne cheerefully as one man, of one heart and of one [Page 50] soule, for the building up the Temple of the Lord? yea, were not those most truly reverenced,Our reveren­cing the most paynfull and holy much gone. who were the painfullest, faithfullest, and most powerfull builders, and all those most rightly had in honor, who walked most conscionably, and uprightly in all the good waies of God, to the stoppings of the mouthes of all the aduersa­ries? Hath not the glory of the Lord made a sensible re­move in this behalfe? Let us see what we can answere him herein?Fruites of our dissentions. Have not our dissentions and our violent inuectives, and courses one against another, made not onely the Lord & his glory to be reproached,To cause the Lord and his religion to be reproached. as if there were no unity nor certainty in our religion, and that therefore we are none of the Lords; but have they not caused moreover the enemie to insult over us, as now surely falling and overcome by our selues?The enemie to insult and be hartned to our destruction. And are they not heartened hereby to our destruction, when we have begun to fall by the hands of one another, and every one to make way for the common enemie to invade? And yet to proceed a little further; where is that countenance and love that was wont to be shewed to the lovers of the Gospell,Countenance to the true lo­vers of the Gospell gone. Popish sort shame us here­in. even for the Gospels sake, which we professe? doe not the Popish sort put us to continuall shame heere­in, in shewing ordinarily more countenance and kind­nesse to the most contemptible of their profession, the basest runnagate, or most ignorant priest, for their very religion which they professe, then we commonly to the faithfullest preachers of the Gospell or the deerest ser­uants of the Lord, for the love of him and his most sa­cred truth? In a word where is that submission in the greater sort,Submission to the word much removed. to yeeld to the word of the Lord, brought us by his messengers; for his honour whose message it is, & for the reverence of the word it selfe, being the eternall truth of Iesus Christ? Must not all needs acknowledge, that our glory is much departed in these respects?

But to come to the third part of our glory;3 Protection the third part of our glory oft threatned to be removed. The Lords gracious protection. Hath he not sundry times threat­ned most manifestly the utter removing of it; so as all of [Page 51] us have oft feared, his final departing and leaving of us? Most true it is,As never nati­on had Gods glory more ap­parant in pro­tection. That never nation was eyther recorded, or heard of to have the glory of the Lord more brightly shining upon it, in admired peace, wonderfull delive­rances and even miraculous overthrowes of the enemies and discoveries of their secretest plots, then England hath had.Psal: 76. 1. That we may truly say as the Psalmist did of Iudah, The Lord hath heerein beene well knowne a­mongst us, his name hath beene great in England: yet we cannot forget how many a time the glory hath beene almost gone from us, and how certainly it had gone, if ever the bloudy Antichrist, or any of his marked soul­diers had prevailed in any one of their desperate de­signes. Nor that it was ever more neerely gone from any nation,So never any from whom it was more nere­ly gone. with whom it remained after, then it hath beene from us. Did not they themselues account all dispatched, and the glory quite removed,Accounted to be caried away in their navy invincible. in their tri­umphs which they had for their navy inuincible; and that therein they should have carried all utterly away? Did not many an English heart tremble for feare therof? And what could we looke for in all mans reason (consi­dering their long threats & mischievous designes) when ever the eies of our tender nursing mother should be laid but either a finall taking it away,The generall feare for it whē God should take away Qu: Elizabeth. Ot [...]er nations wondered. or a fearefull eclipsing or obscuring of it? What heart wished not, that it might never see that day? Did not other nations wonder at the most incredible inthronizing of our dread Sove­raigne and liege Lord in such an unexpected peace? were we not all become as men that dreame, when the Lord so turned away our captivitie in a moment, even before it came.We like them that dreame. Could we for many daies thinke that it was so indeed, or rather that we were but as in a dreame, untill that we perceived the Lord ratifying and confirming it, in so strangely continuing our admired peace, beyond all hope, and not a dogg to move his tongue against us? were not our mouthes at that time filled with laughter,Our hearts fil­led with joy. and our hearts with ioy, for this so wonderfull a remai­ning [Page 52] of our glory? In a word as Ezekiel [...]aw that the Cherubims mounted vpward & flew from the Temple & from the midst of the Citie to the mount of Olives,All our glory ready to moūt up at once in the powder sur­n [...]ce. as departing cleane away, so to demand of the conscience of the most notoriovs scorner, was not, all our glory ready visibly to mount upward from us at once? were we not, as it were, within a minute of the execution? no­thing wanting in effect, but putting fire to the match to have blowne up and utterly carried away all our glory? every part of it altogither?Rebels exal [...]ing themselues a­gainst the Lord as if it had been accomplished. did not our desperate rebels make their certaine account of it? did they not exalt themselves against the Lord of Hosts in it, as his ven­geance taken upon some of the cheife of them openly did notably declare?No pollicie could have pre­uented. could all the pollicie in the world have preuented it, or ever so much as have suspected such a hellish device, if our gracious God had not yet once a­gaine from heaven, declared the riches of his glory a­mongst us, and his pitifull compassion over us and that in a more immediate and sensible working, than at all former times?The Lord only prevented By themselues, working on the heart of his annointed. when he first made themselves the be­ginners of this discoverie, & then so mightily wrought upon the heart of our Soveraigne Lord, casting such a carefull feare upon him, as that he suffered him not to rest, untill he had disclosed it: yea, we may truely say in thankfulnesse to our blessed God, that he never gave over,Not ceasing untill our deli­verance was ef­fected againe. untill he had againe the second time, wrought the deliverie and preservation of Great Britaine, and of his Church, by the hand of his Royall Servant, and withall had granted the staying of his glory, that it should yet remaine amongst us: that thereby all our hearts might be more firmely linked to his Annoynted, and unto his Seed for ever;To binde our hearts to his Majestie and his annointed for ever. and that we might all the dayes of our life, send forth more hearty thanks, and powre out more fervent and instant prayers, for his Sa­cred Majestie, and for all his Royall Progenie.

What soule did not for the present extoll the Lord of glory for it,All did thus ac­knowledge it. as being his onely worke? Who can be so [Page 53] voyde of sense, or so brutish, as yet to have lost the fresh remembrance of it?None can deny but that it was an evident war­ning of a finall departure, un­lesse we repent. Or who can now here denie, but that this was first as sensible a danger and threatning from the Lord, to remove his glory from amongst us, as ever was in any Nation or Church, since the beginning of the world? Yea, who must not of necessitie be infor­ced to acknowledge, that this was as miraculous a stay, or rather a returne of the glory againe, and withall as evi­dent a forewarning of a finall departure, as ever was read or heard of before, unlesse we doe yet speedily humble our selves,Our glory as neerely remo­ved as theirs in the dayes of Iosiah. and give him better entertainment. And to shut up this point likewise; what part have we now re­mayning of all the outward glory, which they had not in the dayes of worthy Iosiah (the times being conside­red) or which they had not at the beginning of all those miseries following: which entred and seized upon them within three moneths after the death of holy Iosiah, save onely this one, That the Lord to accomplish his worke on them, and to make a way to his wrath, suffred their Iosiah to be taken in the nets of the enemie:Onely this is added to allour mercies, that our Iosiah is still preserved from the blou­die enemie. whereas he hath so graciously, and above all former mercies, yet pre­served our Iosiah unto us, when there was but a haires bredth betweene him, yea betweene us all and death: though yet of late he hath so fearfully shaken his rod in taking away that worthiest hope, that ever our eyes did see before, and in whom we did so pride and secure our selves.

But alas,What we have done since in token of thank­fulnes and hu­miliation, & in care to retaine him. if our holy God shall now come and examine these things among us, what we have done since, in to­ken of our thankfulnesse for this incredible deliverie, and for this so gratious a returne above all other, yea above all, that almost ever the world heard of; how we have demeaned our selves, in token of our unfeigned hu­miliation, for this so dreadfull a threatning of his depar­ture? what desire we shew to retaine him? how we ex­toll his great name for it, by advancing his religion, that he might be the better knowne and feared amongst us? [Page 54] what zeale we shew to put out that execrable and mur­thering religion,What zeale & indignation we have shewed a­gainst y mur­thering reli­gion. with all the monuments and perillous remembrances of it: that which thus teacheth and in­citeth men to expell the Lord and his glory from among them, and with all to destroy all his people at once from the face of the earth? what greater hatred and detesta­tion of it, is wrought in us, than heretofore? what can we answer to any one of these? must we not needs be compelled to lay our hand upon our mouthes, or rather to confesse,Our humiliati­on and thank­fulnesse in sin­ning impudent­ly. will we, nill we, That this is the humiliation and thankfulnesse of the greatest part among us, that we doe many times more rebelliously lift up our faces, sin­ning most impudently against his glorious Majestie, and so far grieve and quench his Spirit, as that we seeke ut­terly to extinguish all feare of his name?To grieve and thrust him out. In steed of de­testation grow­ing in admira­tion of Pope­rie. And in steed of growing in detestation of that bloodie religion, for the utter rooting it out, according to the just indignation then presently had against it, (as some good lawes there­upon provided, will ever witnesse against us, to the end of the world) doe not very many begin afresh to grow in admiration of it, and to dote after it, and the professors thereof, much more than before, casting away the Lord and his truth?That he may justly reject us, and his [...]ervants praying for us, as he did Iosuah. Ios: 7. 12. May not then the Lord most justly make a finall remove? May he not righteously forsake and leave us into their hands, as he left Iudah unto the Baby­lonian? May he not say unto his servants, when they are humbled upon their faces in secret, for these and the like tokens of his heavy displeasure, and for those who are inchanted, as by the sorcerers of Egypt, so that they put their hands to the execrable thing;) as he said to Iosuah in the like case? I will not be with you any more, unlesse you will give me my glory; but I will utterly strip you of all my glory, taking away both religion and protection at once:He may [...]orsake and leave us in­to their hands. I will leave you to be made a prey and a desolation for ever; unlesse you will search out the execrable thing, even all your abominations, whereby you have made your selves odious and execrable unto [Page 55] me, and unlesse you will doe your uttermost indevour to purge and clense your Land of them all? Not onely so many of us as run a whoring after Poperie,For suffering Poperie so [...]o revive, & grow up amongst us againe; after he had given us so just occasion to seeke to root it out utterly. or favour it; but even all of us; for that thorow our generall negli­gence and securitie, it reviveth and groweth up againe so freshly among us, after he had given such just occasion to seeke to roote it utterly out of our Land. Yea, after that he had so (above all former times) set before our fa­ces, the cruell rage of that blood-thirstie religion in the cheife professors thereof, against his own heavenly Maje­stie, his true religion & glory, against his Annoynted & all his liege people, professing his name; to destroy all at once, though with the inevitable hazarding of them­selves both soules and bodies, their owne native Coun­trie, their children and houses. And also after that he had caused us to beare such evidence against that Romish iniquitie, in those so good lawes then enacted against it, and as it were to give sentence upon it, having delivered it into our hands.

May he not justly say unto us all,1 Kings 20. 32. Whether hee may not say to us for this, as to the King of Is­ra [...]l for Bena­dad. even unto our whole Nation, for this very sin, as he said to the King of Israel for letting Benadad goe? when he spake thus unto him: Because thou hast let goe out of thine hand a man whom I appointed to dye, thy life shall goe for his life, and thy people for his people. So may he not speake and threaten us much more; especially all of us, both Magistrates, Mi­nisters, and people, into whose hands he hath commit­ted the holy meanes to restraine and withdraw men from that murthering religion,Choifly for ne­glecting y holy means, where­by they might have bin con­verted & saved. so many wayes convicted and condemned, and to bring them to Christ? and prin­cipally, the spirituall meanes of the word of the Lord? Yea, above all other, may he not speake so to those, to whom he hath committed the charge of providing a holy, learned, and faithfull Ministerie, which may ten­derly seeke the winning and saving of every soule; and also of causing all sorts to submit themselves thereunto, as unto the Lords ordinance to that end: for these meanes are first and principally to be used in tender [Page 56] compassion; [...] when as he hath so manifested the power thereof, by so much gracious experience in sundry wor­thy Congregations, where under such painfull and con­scionable Ministers, the people have bin brought from Poperie and profanenesse, to embrace and obey the Go­spell, so as hardly one Papist, or notoriously profane or disordered person, have bin to be found there, but all cheerefully submitting themselves to the Gospell of Christ.How God may righteously speake unto all for neglect hereof. May he not most righteously speake thus unto us therefore; Because through they negligence and care­lesnesse, thou hast suffered to grow up and spread in the midst of thee, that execrable, bloudie, and Antichristian religion, (whereby my glory is so desperately oppug­ned; whereby I my selfe am so openly sought to be dri­ven out, and with so high a hand, the soules and bodies of all my people so endangered every houre; yea, that which I put into thy power, and commanded thee to seeke by all holy meanes utterly to destroy out of thy land; that, against which thou hast so voluntarily made so good lawes, for the sure ratifying of the speedie execu­tion of my Commandement,) thy religion therefore shall goe for it, and all thy glory shall be trampled under foote by them, untill thou know whom thou hast disho­noured and provoked hereby.

And to conclude this point.Whether the Lord may not as justly plead against us, as against Iudah. Hath not the Lord as good cause to complaine of us, and to plead against us, for the small account which we make of him, for grie­ving his Spirit, and driving him from amongst us, by this and all other our fearefull sinnes, as ever he had to complaine of the unkindnesse of Iudah, and even to take up the same complaint against us, which he did a­gainst them, when he spake thus unto them by the Pro­phet Micha before their Captivitie:Mich: 6. 3. Oh my people, what have I done unto thee, or wherewith have I grieved thee? come testifie against me. Surely I brought thee out of the Land of Aegypt, and redeemed thee out of the house of ser­vants: I sent before thee also Moses, Aaron and Miriam. [Page 57] O my people, remember now what Balak King of Moab had devised, and what Balaam the sonne of Beor answered him, from Shittim to Gilgal, that yee may know the righteousnes of the Lord. This is the Lords plea and complaint a­gainst Israel for their unkindnesse; calling the hills and mountaines to witnesse the equitie of it, before that he would depart from them, and bring upon them that strange and terrible judgement, which he so long before threatned by his Prophets.

But we will defer this complaint against us,This complaint set downe after. untill we shall have seene of our iniquities to provoke and anger the Lord thereby, to be above the abominations of Iudah, considering that we live in this glorious light of the Gospell, with our extraordinarie mercies and meanes of all sorts. Because that then, if God shall give us hearts in reading to consider of these things aright; we shall justifie the like complaint of the Lord against our selves, and shall admire his patient stay, and his abi­ding still amongst us.

Thus much therefore shall suffice in like manner for this third cause,Conclusion. wherein yet let ech of us aske of our owne soules; whether in such a decay both of the love of the truth, and also of holinesse, peace and unitie in the Church; yea, in such danger of our protection to be ut­terly taken away (to passe over, that it is so far departed, That he that absteineth from evill, makes himself a prey) and in steed thereof, in such an increase of Poperie, of licentiousnesse, and of all profanenesse, such an enmitie against all true pietie, with the insolencie of the enemie, the Lord doe not call loude upon us all to watch and to pray for the severall removes of the glory amongst us, and the evident tokens of the Lords threatned depar­ture, which he sheweth in the same.

CHAP. VI.

No priviledges can doe a people any good, if they increase in their iniquitie; but the moe their mercies have bin, the greater is their sinne; and the heavier shall their iudgement be when it commeth, of what sort soever. And what causes we have hence to watch and to pray.

Vers. 4.‘And the Lord said unto him: Goe through the midst of the Citie, even through the midst of Ierusalem, and set a marke upon the foreheads of them that sigh and cry for all the abominations, which are done in the midst thereof.’

IN the doubling of the speech,In the doubling of the speech, adding Ierusa­lem. Goe thorough the midst of the Citie, even through the midst of Ierusalem, where the Lord adds Ierusalem, to make the speech more sig­nificant; not content to say, Goe thorow the Citie, but even thorow Ierusalem: He would have all to take notice; That though Ierusalem was the deerest unto him of all the Cities of the world,All to take no­tice, that God will not spare Ierusalem, if it rebell against him. yet having broken the Cove­nant on her part, and also cast him off, and defiled his Sanctuarie, he will spare her no longer; he will have no more pitie of any, save onely of his faithfull ones in her: But contrarily, he will forsake her, cast her off, leave her to be destroyed, untill the remnant left of her, learne to seeke him, and to be reconciled to him againe. For the Lords speech is thus much in effect:Summe of the Lords speech. Goe through the midst of the city, even through Ierusalem, which though it be unto me the deerest of all the places in the world, the Citie which I had chosen to dwell in for ever, and [Page 59] be as the signet upon my right hand: yet seeing it now casteth me off, and despiseth to heare my voyce any lon­ger, or to be reformed, I will not spare it, neither shall mine eye have pitie on it, save onely of my remnant in it, but I will leave it to be destroyed and desolate, at least for seventie yeeres. Whence the Lord would have all his people to learne,No priviledges can secure a sinnefull people from Gods wrath. That no priviledges, promises, mercies, deliverances, no, nor any profession of religion, can doe a people any good at all to secure them from his vengeance, if once they begin to cast him off and his Covenant. But when they fall to be stubborne against him and his word sent unto them in his mercy, he will cast them off and leave them.

This also is a matter to be well thought of by us. Because as they of Iudah were wont to secure themselves in their prerogatives, even so doe we ordinarily. First therefore to begin with them: Were not these and the like the things whereby they were wont to think them­selves safe,Things where­in they secured themselves. and to make their boast of so, that they could not repent. Sometimes because they had the Lords Temple,The Temple. Ier. 7. 4. of which they so gloried, saying, The Temple of the Lord, The Temple of the Lord. Sometimes they used to flatter themselves,The Law should not de­part from the Priest. depraving Gods word, thus: The Law shall not depart from the Priest, nor counsell from the wise, nor the word from the Prophet. And commonly all singing this song,Ier: 18. 18. which their children learned of them, We have Abraham to our father: They Abrahās children▪ and by these and the like did they grow so extremely impenitent, that they could not be moved by any warnings.Matth: 3. 9.

And is it not even so with us;Our custome alike. That whensoever we are admonished of the Lords anger, either by his word or judgements on us, or by any other signes or threat­nings against us, to move us to seeke to pacifie his wrath, is not this usuall with us to harden our hearts, and still to lull our selves asleepe in our securitie, thinking that we are in no such danger; and all for some speciall pri­viledges, which we imagine that we have? Although it [Page 60] be acknowledged by all,Priviledges wherein we se­cure our selves. that there are most grievous sinnes amongst us, yea, most horrible contempt of God, and his word, with dreadfull signes of his departing, and that we have had many strange and terrible warnings, yet the Lord must needs still continue with us, and there is no such danger or cause of feare, as some imagine: and why so?Gods true reli­gion. Because we have Gods true religion, established by law, maintayned by authoritie, and sincerely profes­sed by many.Gods favour manifested in our great deli­verances. The Lord hath also shewed us such mani­fest tokens of his favour and love in our sundry and most admirable deliverances: He hath taken such vengeance on our enemies:Overthrowes of our enemies. Prince & hope­full issue. He still discovers and overthrowes their plots: And which is above all other his blessings, for that he hath given us such a worthy Head and Go­vernour, such a hopefull Issue; so established the Scepter, and concluded such a peace with other Nations on every side, as hencforth we cannot have any such cause of feare, as formerly we have had. Are not these and the like, the things whereby we are commonly waxen so strong and safe in our owne conceit? And are we not hereupon become so secure from any dreadfull judgement, as that no warnings from heaven nor earth, words, corrections, threats, nor yet any mercies can do the greatest part any more good, but that they desperately proceed from evill to worse, as though no hurt could come unto us.

Let us to this end consider a litle of the priviledges of this Citie and people;Ierusalems pri­viledges. and then if the Lord open our eyes we shall easily see,2 King: 23. 27. what causes we have of this our confidence and securitie.Chosen to be the place of Gods residen­cie. First for Ierusalem; The Lord chose it to dwell in for ever, and Sion to be an habitation for himselfe: yea, he after a peculiar manner tyed his re­sidencie to that place; whereas now it is no more tyed to any one place than unto another, but one Country now being unthankfull, he removes his Church and a­bode to another.1. King. 8. There Salomon by the appointment of the Lord himselfe,His Temple there. built a house for his glorious Majestie, as the place wherein he would be specially worshipped, [Page 61] of all the places in the world. Such promises also were made by him unto that place, as never unto any other: That the people praying there (because the Temple was a speciall figure of Iesus Christ) he would heare those their petitions made in that place.Prayers heard there chiefly. Or when they could not come thither,1. King: 8. 14. if they did but turne their faces to­wards Ierusalem in prayer, that he would heare their supplications made in faith and obedience,2 King: 8. 48, 49. as he heard Daniel in the Captivitie.Valley of visi­ons. It was so famous for visions and revelations of the Lord, by meanes of the Arke of the Testimonie there;Dan: 6. 10. the Priests with the Vrim and Thummim; Isa [...]: 22. 1. the Prophets and messengers of the Lord; that it was called the valley of visions;All must pray for it. yea, it was so far preferred before all other places, as that all must pray for the peace of Ierusalem.Psal: 122. 6. So that the Prophet David prayes for the prosperitie of all them who love Ierusa­lem.Perfection of beautie. It is called for the excellencie of it, The perfection of beautie, [...]am: 2. 15.The ioy of the whole earth: and by our Saviour it is named,Ioy of the earth. The holy Citie, and at that time, when it did grow towards the very worst.Matth: 4. 5. It was then so deere unto him,The holy Citie. as that he wept over it to thinke of the sinnes of it, with the miseries that were to come upon it for the same.Luc: 19. 41. And to shut up this point: when our Saviour will set out unto the Church,Heb: 12. 22. the glory of the kingdome of heav'n,Revel: 21. 10. in the first flourishing estate thereof in earth, and fully in heav'n, he finds no fitter resemblance to expresse it by, than by Ierusalem, calling it the new Ierusalem, and holy Ierusalem; because Ierusalem was the type thereof. These are some of the priviledges of the Citie.

For the prerogatiues of the people,The preroga­tives of the people. they are far more surpassing,Rom: 9. 4. if we will beleeve the commendations which holy Paul gives of them in the 9. chapter to the Ro­manes vers. 4. where he so highly esteemes of them, that he could have wished himselfe accursed, yea, cast away utterly and seperate from Christ for evermore, from eter­nall joy to perpetuall miserie, even for his brethren, that were his kinsmen according to the flesh, if it had beene [Page 62] possible therby to turne away the Lords anger from them and to reconcile them unto his Majestie againe; that so he might have beene glorified in saving of them. These particular prerogatives are there moreover ascri­bed unto them.

1 1. They were Israelites, that is,Israelites. A people descended of the most noble stock of all the world; Israels posteri­tie who prevailed with God: discending lineally from faithfull Abraham, the father of all the faithfull, the freind of God, and with whom God entred into cove­nant, to be his God and the God of his seed forever.

2 2. The Adoption belonged to them. God freely chose them and them only of all the people of the earth to be his owne peculiar people.Having the right of Adop­tion▪ He carried them forth of Egypt into Canaan the garden of the earth, as upon Eagles wings, plaguing Kings for their sakes, and ex­pelling mighty nations to plant them in. Never ceasing untill he had setled them and his Tabernacle (the place of his rest) in this City.Called of God his sonnes, his first borne, his pretious ones. They were moreover so deare unto him, as that he cannot content himselfe to call them his sonnes, but he stiles them his first borne, his pretious ones in whome his soule delighted. So tender he was o­ver them,Ier. 31. 20. as when he was compelled to chastise them for their stubbornesse, his soule was troubled for them as a deere father striking his childe with a heavy heart.Ier. 2, 3. And above all dignities, he cals them a thing hallowed; the 3 first fruits of all nations unto him. Thirdly the glory be­longed unto them,Thirdly the glory was theirs. that is, the honour of all the earth. He gave them his owne name to call upon, and himselfe to be called their God. He vouchsafed them his pre­sence to dwell among and in the midst of them: to shew unto them his glorious Majestie, by such visible signes,2 Sam: 4. 22. as never any other people saw: specially by the Arke, which was therefore called the glory of God and the glory of Israell: Yea, they had all that glory spoken of before, belonging only unto them of all other people both inward in his presence most sensibly and also out­ward [Page 63] in knowledge, holinesse and protection, as we have heard. Their fourth prerogative was.The covenant. That they had 4 the covenant, that is, Gods covenant made with them in solemne words to be their God and they alone his peo­ple, and Canaan to be theirs for an everlasting possession.

Fiftly, the giving of the law was their prerogative.5 The law of God was given unto them first and immedi­atly upon mount Sinai out of the midst of the fire.The giving of the law. The Lord there so spake to them as never people heard him. Besides all their judiciall lawes whereby they were go­verned (passing Solons lawes and the lawes of all people besides) were given unto them by the Lord himselfe.

Sixtly, The worship was theirs,The worship theirs. Gods owne true 6 worship, according to his appointment to be performed by the priests and Levites in a most excellent order, was committed unto them alone, which was continued for the outward manner and forme, though not without some corruptions, untill the very time that this captivi­ty began: and yet the same corruptions also graciously reformed by that holy Iosiah.

Seventhly, The promises were theirs,The promises. both the pro­mises 7 of this life, and that to come were specially and chiefly made to them, and to those who should joyne un­to them.

Eightly, The fathers were theirs,The Fathers theirs. those chiefe fathers 8 of the Church, the Ancient Patriarcks, Abraham, Isaack, and Iacob, to whom the promises were made first & con­firmed againe and againe to thousand generations. So that they might seeme the sole heires of the promises,Acts: 3. 25. as they are called the children of the Prophets and of the covenants which God made unto the fathers.

Ninthly, which is the chiefest and highest degree of 9 all their excellencie,Of them Christ came. Of them Christ came, he was of their stock and kinred. He who hath so honored all mankind in taking on him the nature of man, must needs honour them much more, with whom he entred into so neere a bond to be of their flesh, even he who is [Page 64] God himselfe blessed for evermore. To conclude, all 10 this their dignitie, The Lord had so preferred both them and their city,The Lord had so miraculously preserved them as all thought Ierusalem coul [...] never have beene invaded and so declared his love unto them in his manifold and most miraculous preservations and deliverances of Ierusalem, that untill the very time of this lamentable captivitie, neither the kings of the earth, nor all the inhabitants of the world, would have belee­ved that ever the enemie could have entred within the gates of Ierusalem. Thus have we had in some sort the priviledges of the City and the people. [...]a [...]. 4. 12. Out of which we may most cleerely see,The Iewes if e­ver any had causes to secure themselues in regard of their prerogatiues. that if ever people might pro­mise unto themselves security in regard of outward pre­rogatives, it was certainly they. Yet when they proceed so farre to dishonour the Lord by abusing his religion, which he had committed in trust unto them alone to magnifie him by, and by committing all the abomina­tions which follow after to make his name thereby to be blasphemed among the heathen, and when all other his rods and meanes can do them no more good to reclaime them and reforme them,Yet comming to a height of impiety he will spare them no longer. But when there is no other remedie the destroyers must come,Deut 28. 58. 63. they must spare none, but execute the Lords most terrible vengeance, according to all that which in his law he had threatned long afore;There is no fur­ther remedy but destroyers must come. for presently within three moneths, after the death of their worthy king Io­siah, whom Ieremie so much bewaileth in his lamentati­ons, calling him the breath of their nostrills, began all those plagues of this people.2 King 23 31. 32. 33. For Iehoahaz the eldest son of Iosiah was taken captive of Pharaoh Necho and carried into Egypt, Their miseries begin within three moneths after Iosiahs death. which could not be done without much bloudshed. There land also became tributary to the king of Egypt, and that tribute, which was very great was to be levied upon every man of the land according to their estimation,2 King. 23. 35. whereby all of them became servants unto him.B [...]t ceased not ti [...]l the desola­ [...]on accompli­shed. In the place of Iehoahaz did the king of Egypt set up Eliakim his brother, whom he named Iehoiakim. So he and his people remained servants to the king of [Page 65] Egypt, untill they were soone after conquered againe by the king of Babylon, who prevailing against the king of Egypt, they all became tributaries to the king of Baby­lon. 2 King. 14. 26. Afterward Eliakim rebelling against Nebuchadnez­zar king of Babylon, Nebuchadnezzar came against him with great power, tooke him, bound him with chaines, carried him into Babel with many of the vessels of the house of the Lord.2 Chron. 36. 10. In his place did the king of Babel set up Iehoiakim his sonne to raigne in his stead, who reigned but three moneths, but he also is carried away into Babylon, with other pretious vessels of the house of the Lord,2 Chr. 36. 12. 13. and Zedechiah his uncle set in his place; who rebelling in like manner against Nebuchadnezzar, (who had caused him to sweare by God) and not humbling himselfe at the commandement of the Lord by the Pro­phet Ieremie; but hardening his neck and making his heart obstinate that he might not returne to the Lord God of Israell, the cheife also of the priests and of the people sinning wonderfully and not harkening to Gods messengers, he likewise was taken, his sonnes slaine be­fore his eyes, his owne eyes put out, he bound in chaines and caried into Babel, and all this desolation foreshewed was fully accomplished.

All this came upon them,The causes of the captivitie, not the sinnes of a few yeeres but many of them commit­ted long before 2 King. 21. 15. 16. as the Lord himselfe saith plainly, partly for the sinnes committed long before the dayes of Iosiah, even since their comming out of E­gypt, and more specially for their provocations where­with Manasses the grave father of Iosiah had provoked him by all his Idolatrie, and by the bloud of his seruants which he shed, whereof the land was not yet purged; though that bloud had beene shed threescore yeeres be­fore,2 King, 24, 3. 4. & 21, 1 [...], 20. besides his sinne wherewith he made Iudah to sinn and to doe euill in his sight.2 King: 23, 26. And yet more also for that in Iosiahs dayes the peoples heart did not so melt for those and the like iniquities,2 King: 21, 17. as Iosiahs heart did,2 Cro: 34. 27. but they rather still approved generally of their former evill waies and practised them secretly. And lastly because of [Page 66] these abominations following, whereby they filled up the measure of their iniquities, and against which the Prophets so cried out, ever threatning this judgement for the same untill it came upon them.

But heere it may be said,Our principall prerogatives whereupon we secure our selues. And are made unthank­full. howsoever these prerogatives of theirs were indeed exceeding great and may astonish us all, both in regard of our former heinous sinnes and the judgements that have beene upon us both formerly and of late, with the unplacable rage of our adversaries; yet we have many things which may seeme to assure us of Gods favour, and secure us from any such judgement or the like.

As first (which was shortly touched) for that we have so many worthy preachers and good people unfeignedly fearing the Lord. Secondly, that we have the Lords true religion so soundly maintained. Thirdly, all open Idolatrie is banished. Fourthly, such good lawes so reli­giously established; Fiftly, for that more then all these, we have the Lords annointed so graciously and miracu­lously set over us in peace, with such a happy unity con­cluded withall neighbour nations, and also so blessed an issue. Sixtly Above all these, The Lord hath so often testified his fatherly love and care for us, in such tender and marvellous preservations, both of our Princes and of our whole nation, and in so bringing his and our e­nemies to shame, as he hath heereby made this Iland the wonder of the world. And lastly for that never nation did injoy the Gospell so long in that flourishing prospe­rity and peace, which we have done; All these and the like are such evident tokens of the Lords favour & love towards us, as that we can have no such cause of feare, as this forewarning & many of our Preachers would beare us in hand.

To answer all these and whatsoever else can be said to secure us;Answer to our securing upon our preroga­tives. Let us but consider, what King reigned in Ierusalem, and how many yeeres togither before this Captivitie, even when these judgements were so threat­ned [Page 67] and hastned on,Iudah in the beginning of her miseries no­thing inferiour to us in such prerogatives. and when many of these abomina­tions following were committed, and how he continued till within three moneths of these miseries begun, as we heard before: and it will appeare most like, that this people could not be then inferiour to us in any of these signes of Gods favour, except this, that we live in the dayes of the Gospell; to which we shall answer after. For first immediately before this vengeance began, they 1 had that most holy King Iosiah, They had that holy King Io­siah. whose praises and wor­thy example shall remaine unto the end of the world; and him they injoyed, reigning in peace over them, for one and thirtie yeeres togither. And secondly, for pu­ritie 2 of religion,Puritie of Reli­gion. we know that never King went beyond Iosiah in his reformation and care, compelling all strictly to serve the Lord according to his word;2 King: 23. 3, 4, 5, 6. & 12. 24, 25. and in taking away, so far as he was able, the very monuments of Ido­latrie, with all things that might either revive it openly or secretly; or that might be any way a snare unto the people. And also how he reformed all other abomina­tions,3 All abominati­ons reformed. that could be spied in all the land of Iudah, or in Ierusalem. So as the Holy Ghost beares this witnesse of him, that like unto Iosiah was no King before him, that turned unto the Lord with all his heart, nor rose up after him: That for puritie of religion, and a holy re­formation, we can make no doubt but they were equall to us.

And for worthy Teachers according to that time, I 4 take it,Worthy Teach­ers according to that time. that we can make no question, but that they had many of the Priests and Levites both learned and godly, when the King himself was so forward to incourage and provoke them thereunto. Besides those famous Prophets stirred up by the Lord extraordinarily, as Ieremie, Z [...] ­phanie, Habakuk and others, with Esay and Micha but a litle before, for many yeeres togither, and Ezechiel pre­sently after. All these and sundry others they had, how­soever they dealt most unkindly with them, as Ieremies example doth fully witnesse.

[Page 68] 5 For good people in like manner, it cannot be imagi­ned,Many good people. but that where such a worthy head & example was, with such excellent Teachers, there must needs be also many of the children which God had given to them; and those of all sorts, even of the chiefe Magistrates, as well as others. Such were these which mourned in Ieru­salem for the abominations,Isai: 8. 18. who are commanded to be marked, who lived when they were at the very worst, and sundry Worthies, as those which spake for Ieremie, and others, which were caried away in the Captivitie; yea,Dan: 1. 3, 4, 5. even children of the Kings seede, and of the Princes, as Daniel and his companions, to wit, Hananiah, Mishael, Azariah, with others, as we shall see hereafter. Though these were and had long time bin made as signes and wonders unto the rest,Isai: 8. 18. and the off-scowring of all other, like as those Prophets were whose doctrine they obeyed.

6 As for Idolatrie; It is most evident,All open Ido­latry and the monuments thereof taken away. that they had none openly in all Iosiahs dayes after the reformation; nor so much as the prints suffred to remaine, nor any thing that might revive it, as we saw, but onely that they had not repented of that which had bin before.2 Chron▪ 34. 33.

And for peace;2 King: 23. 1, 2, 3. 25. It seemeth to be manifest; That Iosiah had peace with all about him: for although he 7 was slaine in warre by Pharaoh Necho King of Egypt, it was his owne seeking,I [...]siah had peace with all about him. and a just punishment for attemp­ting it, and not consulting with the Lord, nor heark­ning to the words of Necho, 2 Chron: 35. 20, 21, 22. which were from the mouth of God. For the King of Egypt sent messengers unto him, to tell him that he came not against him, but against the house of his enemie, which was the King of Assyria, and therefore he would not in any case have foughten with him. If the Assyrian had bin Iosiahs enemie, it is not like that Iosiah would have hindered the King of Egypt from fighting against him.

8 And finally for their securitie through their Prince and princely progenie,Iudahs security then in regard of their Prince and princely progenie. if ever Nation could glory there­in, [Page 69] it was surely they, having, as was shewed, as worthy a King as ever was, by the Lords owne record: whom they therefore accounted the breath of their nostrils, and such a goodly tree as under whose shadow they were safe in the midst of the Heathen,2 King: 23. 25. as they mourne after in the Lamentations.Lament. 4. 20. This their good King had also sundry sonnes and sonnes sonnes,2 King: 23. 24. as may appeare in the historie alledged before.

As for Gods tender love and care shewed for us in our continuall preservations,Miraculous preservation. and in all our former deli­verances,9 the abuse of them cannot but increase the wrath against us, considering our grievous unthankful­nesse. Besides that they had also then as just cause to boast hereof, as we have now or much more, both in that continuall preservation of their Land, through a feare cast on their enemies, that none durst invade them, so long as they obeyed the Lord in any good sort, (of which we spake) and by their great deliverances, as that in the dayes of Ezechiah, and others mentioned.

Whereas this may be yet further imagined,The Gospell contemned can be no freedome from a tempo­rall scourge. for our vaine securing our selves, that we live in the dayes of the Gospell, wherein the judgements of God are more spiri­tuall, and therefore having received so many strange de­liverances, it is more like that he intends to punish us more spiritually; which is indeed the heaviest judge­ment of all other. We answer; That true it is; That we may as yet certainely expect an increase of the spiri­tuall judgement of blindnesse of minde and hardnesse of heart, to fill up the measure of our iniquities, and to make the condemnation of all the reprobate and our plagues the more just thereby; yet these things follow­ing thought of and well weighed, with the former, may cause us to dread some temporall plague, and that heavi­er than all which have gone before.Witnesse tem­porall judge­ments on sun­dry Churches and Nations▪ As first the out­ward and temporall judgements which God hath been wont to bring for the contempt of the Gospell; like as in the last finall destruction and scattering of this Nation [Page 70] of the Iewes over the face of the earth after the preach­ing of Christ and his Apostles: and sundry other, where the Gospell hath come, as the judgements accomplished in removing those seven golden Candlesticks of Asia,Apoc: 2. 5, 10, 12, 13 & 2. 10, 16. and in many other famous Churches, with the afflictions upon them; which must needs be very grievous in all reason, before the Gospell could be utterly taken away. And secondly,2. Our neere­nesse to such scourges, be­sides what we have felt. if we call to minde, how many forewar­nings we have had of such a sharpe scourge; and with­all how often it hath bin so neere to our backs.

Thirdly, that we have had (as I take it) all the fore-runners of the greatest temporall calamitie,3. That we have had all the fore-runners of it. which is the very sword it selfe. That we have felt both dearths and pestilences, and also heard the cryes of the poore for mercilesse oppressors, ravening and devouring al­most in every part of our Land. Besides the taking from us so many of the Royall issue, and principally Him, up­on whom all the eyes of our Land were bent, for conti­nuance of our shelter, yea of our life and all our blessings: to cause all the godly to droope in fearing continually some greater judgement, and giving all the enemies such cause to lift up their heads afresh, as now expecting their day againe.

Fourthly, the implacable malice of our bloudie ene­mies against us,4. The impla­cable malice of enemies, with all the sub [...]leties of hell. either to destroy us utterly, or to bring our Nation by strong hand under that Babylonish yoke againe; which cruell rage of theirs doth threaten such a plague every houre, but that the Lord in mercie stay­eth it.

This,5. We cannot be more secu­red that our land is as yet purged of the Idolatry and blood of his servants, than Ierusalem in Iosiahs dayes. fiftly, may terrifie us all, so oft as we thinke of it; for that as I take it (under submission to better judge­ments) we cannot be any more assured, that our Land is as yet purged more of the abominable Idolatrie com­mitted in former times, and of the bloud of Gods ser­vants, the faithfull Martyrs of Iesus Christ in the dayes of Queene Marie, with innumerable moe abominati­ons committed both before and since, and increased also [Page 71] to this day to anger the Lord, than Ierusalem was in the dayes of Iosiah. 2 King: 21. 15, 16. If God remembred against Iudah all the Idolatrie, bloodshed, and other like abominations of former dayes, and in the day of his visitation visited them for all, what can we looke for, or how can we secure our selves?

And yet above all these,God purposing to remaine wt us, must needes deale as a kind father to bring us to obedi­ence. That if the Lord doe love us, and purpose to continue his religion and presence with us, (as we have great cause of hope that he doth) then he will deale with us as kinde and wise fathers are wont to doe with their disobedient children, he will double and treble his fatherly strokes upon us, untill he amends us and makes us stoope to him. He hath already corre­cted us very sharply, with all his other rods, over and over, and continually one or other upon our backs, and most thicke of late time; whence we must needs expect a more sharpe scourge to awaken and amend us than any of the former, or than all of them togither. And what can that be, we take not upon us to divine. But let every one bethinke himselfe, and looke into the booke of God, and he will easily see by the course of Gods former proceedings, what cause we have to feare: especially, if the same abominations be found amongst us, or rather greater than these, for which the Lord threatned, and brought this wofull judgement: for if he spared not the naturall branches then,Rom: 1 [...] 21. neither will he spare us now,1 Cor: 10. 11. be­ing but wilde Olives, and having so far greater light than they,This our lesson now. and other meanes to reclaime us. And there­fore this is our lesson in this our day, and left to admo­nish us now, as it was given first for them.

For other prerogatives;Other prero­gatives more increaseth the wrath; as the Gospell for our denying the power of it. If any can be found wherein we doe excell them, they will but rather serve to increase and hasten our judgement. As the Gospell, for example, offring more grace and power of obedience, must needs more kindle the Lords wrath. Because so many of us making profession of it,Tit. 1. 16. doe yet denie the power there­of,2 Sam: 12. 14. so far as that we make the very enemies to blaspheme, [Page 72] and doe moreover proceede not onely to hate,Isai: 52. 5. & 59. 15. but also to scorne all who labour to bring forth the fruit of it by a holy conversation.Ier: 15. 10. & 20. 7, 8. For as it is with the most gracious and munificent Princes,As the grace of a Prince a­bused. that they will shew most severi­tie to such of their Subjects, whom no patience nor be­nefits can winne, but that they rather waxe more rebel­lious by the mercy and bountie of their Prince: so we must know certainely,Rom: 2. 24. that it is with the Lord, that his mercies so abused, must needs provoke him to the hea­viest indignation: which if it be but the removing of our candlesticke,The removing of our Candle­sticke the hea­viest judgment. how dreadfull it is; yea, whether it be not far worse than any bodily plague, let all the wise-hearted judge.

Thus much likewise for this point:Conclusion. That no favour or priviledges can give any securitie to a sinfull people, professing Gods religion, if they begin to cast off his yoke, and to waxe worse and worse, to make his name to be blasphemed; but the moe their priviledges are, the greater is their sin, and the more grievous their punish­ments shall be. And secondly, what causes we have hereupon to give our selves more instantly to watching and prayer, for the innumerable mercies and priviledges bestowed upon our Land on the one side; and the in­crease of our sinnes, with the tokens of Gods vengeance, and our deep securitie on the other side. Lest our plagues doe prove greater than the plagues of all other people,Ma [...]: 11. 21, 22, 23. as much as we seeme to have bin lifted up above most, if not all others, in blessings, in this last and most sinfull age of the world, if all our blessings temporall and spiri­tuall be compared togither and considered aright. Oh Lord, at length open our eyes, and then we shall so cleer­ly see our estate, that it will not be any more needfull to cry unto us to awake, to watch and to pray.

CHAP. VII.

The marking of the godly: that is, How Gods owne people are marked in the midst of the greatest confusions, be­fore the destructions come, and what caus [...]s every one hath to watch and to pray, that he may be so marked.

Vers. 4.‘And set it marke on the foreheads of all that mourne.’

IN this Commission to the marking Angell to set a marke on the foreheads of all that mourne.The Lord hath ever a speciall care of his in the greatest cō ­fusions. The Lord giving such a charge to his holy Angell thus carefully to preserve his chosen from this destruction; to goe thorow the Citie, and set a marke upon every one of them, to overpasse none: and also the destroying Angels to follow after the marking Angell, so as they hurt none, till all the faithfull be marked; he would have all to know thus much: That he never casts off the care of his people, no, not then when all things seeme most confu­sed in the earth. And secondly, when they are so ming­led amongst the wicked, as that they can hardly be knowne amongst themselves, much lesse to the eyes of the world, that yet he still tendreth them, and watcheth over them continually. Thirdly, that he will at length make his fatherly care and watchfull providence known unto them, and that by some gracious and wonderfull deliverance, even in this world, if it be so best for them and for his glory. And lastly, that they evermore must be surely marked before the destruction come. The Lord hath bin very carefull to set downe this point also most clearely, in every of those great destructions, which are [Page 74] recorded in Scriptures, for examples and warnings to all posteritie: That hereby his owne faithfull servants may receiue comfort against the greatest afflictions that can come upon the world.

As first in that terrible▪ 1. At the stood. overflowing in the generall destruction of the old world. The waters came not untill Noah had first prepared and finished the Arke,G [...]n: 11. 16. and also God himselfe had shut up both him and his in the same; so locking and sealing up the dores with his owne hand, as that all the waters, rage they never so horribly, and hoyse him up above the highest mountaines, yet cannot hurt him. And why dealeth the Lord thus carefully with Noah? Thee (saith he) have I seene righteous before me in this generation: that is, I have seene they heart sin­cere, and thy purpose and indevour ever to please me; not following the course of the times, but crying out of the iniquitie thereof,Hebr: 11. 7. beleeving my threatnings, and pre­paring the Arke according to my commandement, to save thy selfe and familie from the vengeance to come.

Secondly,2. At Sodomes destruction. in that dreadfull overthrow of Sodome and Gomorrha, before the fire and brimstone came upon those filthy Cities,Gen: 19. 16. Lot must not onely be marked, but also gotten forth safe from the destruction. The Angels have such a charge of him,17. 22. as that they get him by the hand, pull and hale him for haste, being far more care­full for him, than he is for himselfe, and they never leave him, till they have safe conducted him out, and then bid him hie for his life, get him into Zoar. They tell him plainely, that the Lords care was so great for him, that they can doe nothing in this destruction, their hands were tyed, untill he be there safe out of all the danger. The reason of it also is carefully set downe by the Lord himselfe,2 Pet: 2. 7, 8. why he accounted him worthy to escape; for that he was a just and righteous man, grieved with the uncleane conversation of the wicked, his righteous soule was vexed from day to day with all their abomina­ble deeds.

[Page 75] Thirdly,3. Before this destruction. before this destruction the Lord foretold to Ieremie particularly, That he would give him his life for a prey,Ieremie & sun­dry of those who favoured him. in all places wheresoever he came, because of his faithfulnesse in sticking to his word and commande­ment, and for his warning the people. And so indeed it came to passe,Ier: 40. 2, 3, 4. that the Lord did not onely preserve him with sundry others fearing his name; but gave him also speciall favour, in the eyes of the enemies, who led them captives. So as Nebuchadnezzar himselfe gives charge to Nebuzaradan his chiefe steward, to look well to Ieremie, to doe him no harme, but to doe for him as himselfe would; whether to goe home with them into Babylon, and there to receive kindnesse, or to tarry still in the land of Iudah with the people, which should be left there behinde. And this mercy did the Lord shew not onely unto Ieremie, but unto others also that had bin kinde unto his Prophet:as Ebedmelech. As to Ebedmelech the Ethio­pian, who had spoken for Ieremie to the King of Iudah, to get him out of the dungeon:Ier: 38. 8. to 13. to whom also the Lord gave his life for a prey, because he put his trust in the Lord.Ier: 39. 16, 17, 18. Gedaliah. And Gedaliah▪ whose father Ahikam had formerly delivered Ieremie out of danger, and from the rage that was against him,Ier: 39. 24. & 48. 5. & 26. 24. he is made Governour of them that re­mained in the Land, howsoever he was trecherously slaine not long after.Baruch. So to Baruch in like manner, who was Ieremies Scribe,Ierem. 45. 5. and had stucke so close to him in all his troubles; God promiseth to give him also his life for a prey in all places wheresoever he came. We have likewise the ensamples of Daniel, and of his three com­panions,Daniel and his companions. called the three children; unto whom, besides their preservation from the common destruction in the first Captivitie of Babylon,Dan: 1. 3, 4. 6. 7. [...]. 5, 6, 9. 13, 15, 17. the Lord granted that extra­ordinarie favour, both to be brought up by the King of Babylon himselfe, and by his speciall appointment, in all excellent learning, and so far to surpasse all others, as to be most meet for their singular knowledge and under­standing, to stand with high favour in the presence of [Page 76] that mightie Monarch, though otherwise a cruell op­pressor of the Church of God, who had caried them a­way captive.Dan: 3 27. He gave unto them moreover divine te­stimonies of his fatherly care and protection, in the pre­sence of all his enemies, in those miraculous deliverances out of the fierie furnace,Dan: 1. 8. and from the Lions den, because they did cleave so fast unto the Lord, that they would not suffer themselves to be polluted with the least part or shew of the Idolatrie of the Heathen.6. 22. The like favour for preservation he granted to Ezechiel, So to Ezekiel & sundry others. and sundry others.

And to omit all other examples;The Christians before the last destruction of Ierusalem. At the last and finall desolation of this Citie and Nation by the Romanes; Histories doe report that presently before the taking of Ierusalem, a voyce was heard among the Christians, Goe forth to Pella, Goe forth to Pella, which so soone as ever the Christians had done, and that they were safe there, the Citie was sacked, and all that desolation fully accom­plished, as was declared before.

God thus providing to set them safe before the de­stroyers came. Whereby we may see evidently both by the testimonies and charge of the Lord himselfe, and the continuall examples, that the faithfull servants of God, cleaving firmely unto him, in the backsliding of the rest, have the onely immunitie and priviledge, above all others, to be preserved at such times, so far as shall be any way good for them; and shall be withall, for the Lords owne glory, and the salvation of his people.

To confirme us yet further in the assurance hereof,For assurance hereof we have the Lords pro­mise & directi­on. and to stir up our hearts, so to walke with our God, be­fore that time doe come, we have the Lords most grati­ous direction and promise made to the Prophet Esay and to the godly of his time,Isai: 8. 11, 12, 13. teaching them how they should carie themselves in such outrage of iniquitie, and in such signes of the approaching of his vengeance. he hath caused it to be written for a most comfortable president to all succeeding ages, and for a sure preservative against [Page 77] all feare of every such danger.How to behave our selves in such times as that we may be sure to have the Lord a Sanctu­ary to us in all places. It is therefore carefully to be marked of all his servants. The Prophet saith, That the Lord spake unto him in taking him by the hand, as it were incouraging and strengthening him and thus he taught him. That they should not walke in the way of that people, nor have a confederacy with them, nor feare their feare, no, nor yet be afraid of them: that is; He would be a place of refuge and comfort unto them a­gainst all terrors,I [...]zech: 11. 14. 16. as the Sanctuary was. And by the Pro­phet Ezekiel he adds, That he would be thus unto them, in all the places wheresoever they should come.

Lastly besides this gratious promise we are to observe,Obserue how the godly are excepted in the greatest denun­ciation of ven­geance. how in the most terrible denuntiation of vengeance a­gainst this people, that God would not spare them, for the greatnesse of their iniquitie, no, though Noah, Iob, and Daniel were amongst them, yet alwaies this exception is added and carefully recorded by the Spirit of God,Ezek: 24. 14. 16. 18, 20. That they, to wit, Noah, Iob, and Daniel, being amongst them, Should yet deliver their owne soules by their right eousnesse. And againe, They only shal be delivered themselves, but the land shall be wast: So the point is most cleere from the Lords owne warrant.

Let us now consider the reasons of it to strengthen us yet further against the time of temptation. A principall cause hereof is, The Lords most fatherly and tender love towards these. That howsoever they are unto the world men most odious and monstrous,Isa: 8. 18. for that they will not run with the rest to the same excesse, 1 Pet. 4. 4. as the Apostle Peter speakes, and because they by their holy profession and carriage condemne the world as Noah did in his age, by his preaching and living and making of the Arke, yet are they unto the Lord as deere as the apple of his owne eye.Zach. 2. 8. That he cannot possibly forget them, wheresoever they be dispersed and howsoever. No, though it were possible for the mother to be [...]so unnaturall as to forget the childe of her wombe,Isay. 44. 14, 15, 16. yet he cannot forget these. They are graven on the palmes of his hands and are ever [Page 78] in his sight. His mercy is about them in the greatest di­stresses, as a wall of fire to fence them and to consume all contrary violence, so farre as he seeth best. And as chari­ots of fire to carry them safe out of all such dangers,Isa: 43. 1. 3. yea, to save and deliver them in the midst of the fire and in the midst of the water. And therefore when the day of the Lords vengeance commeth, those who formerly thought on his name, and spake to keep others from the wickednes of the times, are taught to comfort themselves herein, because they are written in the booke of his remem­brances, Mal: 3. 16, 17, 18. as Malachi speaketh. They are indeed the Lords true flock: & then will he declare it openly; sparing & ten­dering thē as a father doth his own son in whō he is delighted; that men may oftentimes plainly discerne betweene the righteous and betweene the wicked, betweene him that ser­veth God, and him that serveth him not, as we saw in all the former destructions. And finally for their sakes It is why he spares a sinfull nation so long. But if they be once forth, the rest can looke for nothing but fearefull execution of vengeance, for then he bids, Smite and spare none as followeth.Iob: 22. 30.

But heere It will be said, If this be so; How commeth it to passe,Objection. that many of the godly doe so oft feele the smart of such calamities as well as the rest.The godly oft feele the smart of such calami­ties aswell as the rest. As it is very cleare. That many of the deare servants of God, were ca­ried away in this and the former captivity as well as o­thers: even many of those who were marked; as we heard before. That the Prophet himselfe was carried away in the former captivitie, as also Daniel and his com­panions, with many other, and so were partakers of the common miseries of the captivitie with the rest. It is likewise very probable that sundry of them died by the sword of the enemie, and some by other calamities. And on the other side It is certaine, that many of the wicked escaped amongst the godly. It may be therefore deman­ded, what this marking did then stand the godly insteed or what they were better for it.

[Page 79] To this it may be answered,Answ: First, That this is very true,Why the Lord oft lets his, feele the smart with the rest. that many of the godly doe often feele the smart of such generall judgements. And that most justly for sun­dry causes, for which God threatneth, his wont to cor­rect his deerest seruants. As either for their former secu­ritie,Apoc, 1, 2. 4, 5. 15, 16, 20▪ & 3. 19. or else for seeking their peace carnally, by fashio­ning themselves unto the evill times, as the greatest part is wont to doe ever, so far as possibly they may, not fal­ling utterly from God. Or for that they have not mour­ned for the abominations of the rest. Or in that they have not bene so instant with the Lord, for pacifying his wrath and turning away the judgment as they ought. Or for neglecting their duties of Magistracie, ministrie, government in their families; or at least of admonition, exhortation, or example for saving the rest, and staying the course of sinne. Or finally for that they have not beene so faithfull in all things, in their places & callings as they should: or for some other their scandalous sins, or sinnes against conscience, whereby they have provo­ked the Lord against them: for he useth to correct such, and other sinnes like to these in his owne servants, by heavy and sharpe temporall scourges, and sometimes by death it selfe. Thus he shewred his displeasure against good Iosiah for thrusting himselfe into battell without warrant.2 Chro, 35. 21, 22. And against Moses for not sanctifying the Lord at the waters of strife.Num: 20. 12. 1 Cor: 11. 30. Among the Corinthians also for their unreverent receiving the Lords supper. And thus may he suffer his owne deerest servants, to endure the common calamities with the rest at such times, either for a just correction of their former sinnes, as hath beene shewed; or only for the tryall of their faith and constancy, or for an exercise of their faith and repentance, and to make them more fervent in praier, or to further their sanctification to conforme them more & more to Christ; or it may be to increase the vengeance against the ene­mies through their cruelty against them,Apoc: 3. 14. or some other like cause, as we shall see more after.

[Page 80] Yet neverthelesse,What the mar­king profits Gods [...]e [...]uants suffering with the rest. The marking teacheth us thus much, That though such goe into Captivity, yet there the Lord will be with them, his holy hand will there be over them as a buckler; There he will so protect them, that he will turne all the evils that come unto them,Isay, 4 [...], 12, 3. 41. 8. 9▪ 10. still to doe them good. He will thereby further their salvati­on and increase their glory in the heavens.Rom, 8. 28. And when they are killed all the day long, and accounted as sheepe for the slaughter; yet in all that which they indure, they are more then conquerours, thorough him who hath lo­ved them.Rom, 8. 36, 37. He chastiseth them thereby to make them to walke more holily and more humbly in his presence; and so teacheth them more sound obedience by the things which they suffer, then ever they learned in all their lives before, that they shall in time acknowledge, that to have beene the best schoole that ever they came into.Heb, 5 8. By this fire he fineth them from much of the drosse of their sinnes and corruptions, and specially of their unbeleife, to make them to come forth more pure, then the gold. For First, he at such times taking from them the meanes and staies, that they were wont to leane upon in their prosperitie, maketh them to see their carnall and vaine confidence, upon what propts they formerly relied and what unbeleife is in their hearts. And then raysing up for them such meanes as they never knew (as he did for his people Israel in the wildernesse and in other their distresses) he teacheth them to looke up higher then to earthly meanes; even to his owne heavenly hand to de­pend upon him for all, and to give him all the glory, ma­king him their only stay and comfort. At such times & in the very greatest extremities; he hath ever beene wont to reveale himselfe far more familiarly to his, in the gra­tious works of his fatherly providence and extraordina­ry favours, then ever in former time, and that even out­wardly in things belonging to the necessity & comforts of this life. But above all for the inward comforts of his Spirit, supporting and chearing up the hearts of all [Page 81] his elect, they ordinarily finde them more true and hea­venly joy with certaine assurance of Gods favour and love in Christ, then ever they felt before. And heereby doth he most fully manifest to the very enimies their faith in his promises, their patiēce, hope, obedience, love to his Majestie, and what they are ready to suffer for his name. Heereby he is wont also to kindle in his people a greater fervency in prayer, smitting them to the end to prepare their hearts thereby, that he may incline his eare unto their cries.Psal. 10. 1 [...]. To make them able in all things to give thanks and to rejoyce in their most grievous afflic­tions;Psal. 107. [...], 6. 11, 12, 13. 17, 18. 19. and so to be able to sing with a holy melody, when the fetters are about their feet.1 Thes: 5. 16. 17, 18. He waines them from the earth and makes them long after the heavens, to be ever in his presence,Acts, 16 24. 25. & 26. 19. where all teares being wiped▪ away is ful­nesse of joy for ever more.

He then also useth these his poore servants, as a special meanes of the conversion & saving of the rest of his elect and in these to reserve a holy seed by which to renew and in large his Church againe.Esai. 6. end.

And which is well worthy our carefull observation:God hereby workes grace in some who could never be moved by o­ther meanes. Some, who could never attaine to any grace at all, under the best meanes, in the daies of their prosperity, but did run riot, as the prodigall sonne, being most rebellious against the Lord and his word: yet when he hath brought them into the fetters and chaines of afflictions, then have they set themselves to seeke him; and then the word which before they despised, hath begun to worke in them to life.

A notable president of his mercy herein he hath cau­sed to be registred in his Booke,2 Chro: 33. 1. 2. 3. for all posteritie, even in Manasseh, who though he had so good a father, as that worthy Ezechiah, and was so vertuously brought up; yea, and had seene his fathers reformation, yet (as the Holy Ghost saith) he went backe and builded up that ini­quitie which his father had destroyed. ver, 20. 11. 12. He never had grace to bethinke himselfe, nor to hearken to the word of the [Page 82] Lord, untill he brought upon him the Captaines of the hoast of the King of Asshur, who put him in fetters, bound him in chaines, and caried him to Babel. But when he was in tribulation, he began to seeke unto the Lord his God, and humbled himselfe greatly before the God of his fathers, and so God was intreated of him, heard his prayer, and brought him againe into Ierusalem into his Kingdome. Then (saith the Holy Ghost) Manasseh knew that the Lord was God: and then he destroyed all the Idolatry and abhominati­ons, which he had bin the cause of, and restored that reli­gion, which he had before defaced. And to shut up all: By these the Lord doth exceedingly advance his owne glory in the midst of his enemies; as here he did by Da­niel and his companions, and makes himselfe and his truth evidently knowne by their constancie, and leaves the wicked enemies the more without excuse.

As for those whom he takes away by death in such times,The state of the godly, whom God takes a­way at such times. their death is unto them but as the gate of life. It is a finall deliverance from all their sinnes, and from all feare of every kinde of enemie and miserie. It is unto them a more speedie entrance into the full possession of their fathers joy, and of their glorious inheritance, than otherwise nature would have afforded them. And thus much for the godly which goe into Captivitie, or fall by the sword, or endure any calamitie with the rest; what the marking avayleth them; how happy their estate is, whatsoever come to passe.

But on the other side;State of the wicked in such calamities. for the wicked, who in such generall calamities escape the sword, or the like cruell death, it is cleane contrary with them: For the Lords anger & revenging hand ever followeth them,Am [...]s 9. 4. whither­soever they goe, untill they be destroyed from off the face of the earth. All these miseries are but the begin­nings of the powring out of the viols of Gods wrath up­on them, to the increase of their torment, and their feare­full expectation of further vengeance. Their calamities which they endure, are nothing else but preparatives [Page 83] and fore-runners of the damnation of hell.

Hereby they also become more senselesse and impe­nitent; they waxe more hardned and enraged to mur­mure and blaspheme against the Lord. And ordinarily they are alwaies chased in their owne consciences, as Cain; having a sound of feare in their eares; the worme beginning to gnaw, and their sinne to sting them to the very hearts; and consequently to become runnegates to the grave, and to eternall confusion. Or let the best be supposed, that ever can befall any of them; they are but in a lethargie or sleepie sicknesse, without sense, untill the vengeance of God light wholly upon them, to send them to the place of their destruction, where they shall never finde any rest after. But for their wretched estate, we shall see it further in another place. And thus we may behold the estate of all both good and bad in such gene­rall calamities.Conclusion. Now who is there that beleeves the word of the Lord, whom the due consideration of this one point alone, must not needs drive to watching and prayer; and to cause him to seeke to be prepared afore­hand in these dayes of our peace, that he may be thus undoubtedly marked, and under this protection: yea, that he may be thus hid in the evill day, and finde all the comforts belonging to the godly; and that he may be sure to escape those certaine and dreadfull miseries of the wicked, what judgements soever it shall please him to exercise us withall:Prov. 22. 3. for A wise man (as Salomon saith) foreseeth the plague and hideth himselfe; but a foole goeth on still, and is punished.

This therefore may serve as a first cause to enforce us all to betake our selves more instantly to watching and prayer, then ever we have done, if we would be so mar­ked, as to finde the Lord to be a Sanctuarie, and a hiding place unto us in the evill day; how soone soever he shall bring it upon us for all our sinnes and provocations; and in the meane time, to get boldnesse thereby, and peace of conscience, against all assaults whatsoever. And more [Page 84] also, unlesse we will strip our selves wilfully of his most gratious providence and protection, and desperately ex­pose our selves and all ours, to all kinde of miserie and unhappinesse, both in this life present, and that which is to come.

If any shall demand further,What the mark was wherewith the godly were marked. what this marke was: we must remember; That this Vision was given ac­cording to the capacitie of man, to shew this unto the Prophet, that he might make it knowne to all sorts, what care the Lord hath for his faithfull ones in the greatest confusions, and when they seeme to be utterly neglected and forgotten; and to this end he hath caused it to be written for us. This moreover seemeth evidently to be an allusion to the custome of men, who use to set a marke on such things as they have a speciall care to preserve heedfully. Or rather an alluding to the marking of the houses of his owne people in Egypt, with the bloud of the Lambe,Exo. 12. 22, 23. that the destroying Angell might not touch any of them, when he destroyed the Egyptians. Or else at least to the marking of Rahabs house in the Citie of Iericho,Iosh. 2. 18. before the destruction came, for the saving her selfe and hers.

But if it be demanded,Quest. whether they had not indeed some speciall marke of difference to be discerned from the rest: we may answer truly; That there is no que­stion,They were marked both inwardly and outwardly. but they were marked indeed both inwardly and outwardly: Inwardly, by the bloud of Christ sprinkling them, and by the Spirit sanctifying them, making them to cry, Abba oh Father: Outwardly, by a bold and con­stant outward profession of the truth of God in word and deed; and more specially by mourning and crying out, for all the abominations, which were practised daily to anger the Lord, as followeth after. But this is not that marking here spoken of, much lesse is it any marking with any outward marke or signe, as some doe vainely and very fondly conceit; but only to make them sure, that they might be preserved from the destroyer. The words [Page 85] signifying nothing else,What y words signifie. but marke them with a marke, or signe them with a signe. That is, marke them surely and carefully,Ezech: 9. 4. [...] doubling the word, according to the man­ner of the Hebrew phrase. And thus much also shortly for answering those doubts. Now to our next cause, which every soule hath, to watch and to pray.

CHAP. VIII.

The propertie of the godly living amongst the wicked, in a sinfull age, is; To sigh and cry for the abominations and tokens of Gods anger. So what cause all Gods servants have to watch and pray for the fewnesse of such, and to labour to be of that litle number.

TO proceed to a sixt cause, which yet more neerely concerns ech of us, & cals on us all to watchfulnes and prayer. We are all, who desire to finde true assurance and comfort, to consider, who and what ones these servants of God are, which are thus marked. They are described in these words,Who are they y are marked: viz. the mour­ners. which sigh and cry for all the abominations.] They were those who were so far off from framing themselves to the wickednesse of that evill time, as that they contrarily abhorred, with a vehement indignation, all those sinnes, whereby Gods anger was so kindled, and their destruction hastned so fast: Inso­much as that thereby they did not onely mourne in themselves in secret, but being inforced with a zeale of Gods glory, and indignation against all the abominati­ons, cryed out against them, according to their places and callings, and sighed in secret for mercy and re­dresse.

Here we must observe,The condition of Gods chil­dren living a­mongst the wicked, to mourne & cry for all the abo­minations. The Lord setting before our eyes the condition of the true children of God living in [Page 86] evill times, and amongst a people voyde of the sense of sinne, and of the feare of Gods judgements; That their manner is not to approve of the wicked wayes of the ungodly, much lesse to sooth and flatter them in their evill courses, nor to give over themselves to any jollitie or carnall delights, as others doe; but they use to have continually much heavinesse in themselves, sigh­ing for the grievous sinnes which are committed. An example hereof the Lord hath set forth to all posteritie in holy Lot, As Lot. who living amongst the filthy Sodomites, was thus grieved with their ungodly conversation; for so saith the holy Apostle Peter,2 Pet: 2. 7.That he being righteous and dwelling among them, in hearing and seeing vexed his righteous soule from day to day, with their unrighteous deeds. He was so disquieted with their beastly manners, provoking the Lords most holy eyes, that his whole life, for the time that he dwelt amongst them, was but weari­nesse and a continuall mourning. This holy man, the Lord would have set forth as an example to all succee­ding ages, to shew the condition of all his true and faith­full servants, living amongst wicked and ungodly men. To him we may adjoyne that faithfull Prophet Ieremie, Ieremie. who though he lived in a far better time and place, both in the bosome of the Church, and in the dayes of that holy King Iosiah; yea, & in that worthy reformation for many yeeres togither, (for he began to preach unto them in the thirteenth yeere of Iosiah, and so continued untill this Captivitie was brought upon them) yet he likewise is vexed continually, even from the beginning of his prophesying. This was a daily corosive to his soule, to see the people so backward in embracing the truth, so senselesse and impenitent in their sinnes, in such evident tokens of Gods vengeance rushing upon them, so prone to the former Idolatrie, wherein they had lived, and to all other abominations, to anger the Lord, not­withstanding the example of their most worthy Prince, and all the meanes used to reclaime them. This made [Page 87] his very soule to faint within him, and his heart to trem­ble, that no admonitions of his, nor of other the holy Prophets, could doe them any good, although they daily discovered their iniquities, and so proclaimed this desolation. That beholding this and seeing that now, there was no more hope, but that their plagues must needs breake in violently upon them, he wisheth his head full of water,Ier: 9. 1, 2, 3. and his eyes a fountaine of teares, that he might weepe for them day and night, and for all the miseries that were to come upon them. And more­over desireth that he had (if it were) but a poore cottage of a wayfaring man in the desolate wildernesse, to live all alone, and never to heare of their sinnes, nor to see their wicked conversations any more.

More than this, we may also observe, how carefully this is recorded in the Booke of God. That divers of his most faithfull servants, hearing of some haynous sins committed, to his dishonour and provocation, and con­sidering the judgements due thereunto, or foreseeing by evident signes some present calamitie hasting upon them for the same, have bin strangely humbled there­upon: yea, how they have wept, prayed, fasted, lyen downe on the ground, and could not be comforted. Be­sides Moses, Moses. who was ever thus humbled upon the new provocations of the people, and with him Samuel, Da­vid, and others; see Ezra Ezra. his behaviour, how he rent his clothes,Ezra 9. 1 & 10. 6. pluckt off the haire of his head and of his beard, sate astonied, got privately into his chamber, fa­sted, neither eating bread nor drinking water, mourning, because of the transgressions of them of the Captivitie, and fearing some new wrath to come upon them. This caused him to be cast downe in himselfe,& 9. 2. when he heard of the strange women, which Gods people had maried in the Captivitie,& 10. 9. contrary to his law; how they had mingled themselves with the prophane Heathen, which were given to all abominations, whereby their children began to prove heathenish also; and because the Princes [Page 88] and Rulers had bin chiefe in this trespasse. And not onely he himselfe, but the people likewise, sat trembling for those and other sins, and for a grievous raine, which God had sent upon them at that time, as an evident to­ken of his displeasure.

3 So holy King Iosiah, when he heard the words of the Booke of the Law,Iosiah. which was found,2 King: 22. 11. laying to heart the threatnings in it, and considering thereupon the wrath kindled against them, for their owne sinnes, and for the sinnes of their fathers,v [...]rs. 19. 13. he mourning thus humbled him­selfe, rent his clothes, his heart did melt, his eyes powred out teares. He sends straight way to inquire, where he could have any answer, even of Huldah, because he knew that shee was a Prophetesse of the Lord: with which fact of his, declaring his unfayned humiliation, the Lord was so pleased, that he sends him this message; That his eyes should not see the vengeance,2 King 22. 19, 20.which he would bring on that place. He should first be taken away in peace, before those plagues came.

4 Our Saviour also himselfe, foreseeing the last desola­tion of this Citie,Our Saviour. and yet beholding the people so senselesse in the midst of the imminent danger, when his preaching will doe them no more good, he stands and weeps over them thus lamenting: [...] 19. 41, 42, 43. Oh, if thou hadst knowne, at least in this thy day, those things that belong unto thy peace! But now are they hid from thine eyes; for the dayes shall come upon thee, that thy enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and compasse thee round, and keepe thee in on every side, and shall make thee even with the ground, and thy children which are in thee, and they shall not leave in thee a stone upon a stone, which shall not be cast downe, be­cause 5 thou knowest not the time of thy visitation. And for continuall mourning for this,Paul. the holy servant of God, Paul, Rom▪ 9. 3. calls Christ to witnesse to his soule, that he had a continuall heavinesse and sorrow in his heart, for his stiffe-necked and unbeleeving Countrymen, the Iewes. And that he could have wished himselfe separate from [Page 89] Christ, so that they might not have beene cast off, from be­ing any more a nation, or the people of the Lord.

Finally, the two Prophets in the Revelation, repre­senting 6 all the true and faithfull Preachers of the Gospell in the last age (even these daies wherein we live) are set out unto us cloathed in sackcloth,The two Pro­phets in the dayes of Anti­christ. after the manner of mourners,Apoc. 11. 3. bewailing the strange delusions of the people of God, by the abominations of Antichrist, in so cleare a light of the Gospell of Christ, shining againe so glo­riously.

And thus have we seene plainly, this propertie of Gods people, how they use to sigh and mourne for all the ini­quities of the times wherein they live.

Now to ascend to the next degree of the griefe of the godly for the wickednesse of the times, the Prophet saith, That they sigh and cry; not only that they sigh, but sigh and cry for all the abominations.

Wherein the Holy Ghost would have all to take no­tice,The godly wont not only to sigh, but to cry out for the abominations of the wicked according to their calling. that the godly at such times, have beene so farre off from bearing with the wicked, or flattering them in their sinnes; as that from mourning, they have come, in a zeale of Gods glory, and in an holy indignation against sinne, to cry out openly against the grievous corruptions and transgressions; and have shewed thereby their detesta­tion, so farre as their calling would any way suffer them; especially, when the provocations have beene hainous to anger the Lord. To omit the boldnesse of the young Prophet sent to Ieroboam, and of Eliah to Ahab in the case of open Idolatrie: this was the continuall course of these three worthy Prophets,as Esay. Esay, Ieremie, Ezechiel, and so of the rest that lived before the Captivitie. Thus God bids Esay to lift up his voice as a trumpet,Ieremie. to tell his people of their transgressions.Ezekiel. And this was Iere­mies usuall tenour,Esa. 58. 1. for which all his hatred and troubles came upon him, with earnest contention to cry out a­gainst the fearefull sinnes of his time. These God hath left as presidents to all his faithfull messengers to the [Page 90] end of the world, to declare how they ought to carry themselves in such evill times, according to their places and callings.Iohn Baptist. So Iohn Baptist cryes out against the hypocrites:Matth. 3. 7. O generation of vipers, who hath forewarned you to flie from the vengeance to come. Our Saviour also among the Scribes and Pharisees,Our Saviour. being hypocrites, thunders out nothing,Matth. 23. but woe, woe. This in like manner was the principall occasion of all the malice against him;Mat. 21. 45, 46. for that he testified in every place,Ioh. 7. 7. that their deeds were evill; and also for denouncing Gods judgements to come upon them.

And to omit all other:Lot a private man. That righteous Lot in So­dome,Gen. 19. 6, 7. though a private man, yet cryes unto them for that shamefull outrage, I pray you, my brethren, deale not so wickedly. In a word, this hath beene the continuall behaviour of the Martyrs and Confessors of Gods truth,The Martyrs & Confessors. (as all Histories doe witnesse) thus to cry against the sinnes of the times, within the limits of their calling; whence ordinarily they have suffred such bitter perse­cutions.

For crying also unto the Lord at such times,The godly have bin wont also to cry to God in such times. it hath beene a most usuall thing with all the faithfull Prophets and other of his servants, untill that he have forbidden some of them, as he did Ieremie, that he should not pray to doe that people any good,Ier. 7. 16. & 11. when as they did grow ob­durate and most extremely malicious against him:11. & 14. 11. and alwaies the neerer they have seene the wrath, the more vehemently have they cried unto the Lord, as Moses and Samuel, Psal. 106. 23. stepping into the breach to stay the Lords hand,1 Sam. 7. 8, 9, 10. that he should not destroy his people.

So that this point is likewise most cleare.Reasons why the godly so sigh and cry for all the abomi­nations. Yet to cause it to worke more effectually upon our consciences, it shall not be unnecessarie, a little to ponder some of the reasons, why the godly doe so sigh, and cry. As

1 First, for that they, who are the Lords indeed, doe spe­cially resemble their heavenly Father,Hating that wt God hateth. in hating those things, which he hateth, with a vehement indignation; [Page 91] and what sinnes they cannot reforme, nor restraine, those they sigh and grieve for.

Secondly, that they can no more endure the disho­nors 2 done unto his heavenly Majestie,That they can­not indure the dishonours done to him. according to that measure of grace given unto them, than the Angels which are in heaven, doe according unto theirs; and therefore they being subject unto these passions of griefe and sorrow, must needs in seeing and hearing vex their righteous soules continually.

Thirdly, because they have of the very [...]ame spirit of 3 zeale that was in our Saviour,The spirit of zeale in them. which was so fervent to­wards his fathers house,Ioh: 2. 17. that to see it defiled, it did after a sort eat and consume him.

Fourthly, how can it be, but that they who are the 4 children of God,Because of Sa­than set up in Christs throne. must needs be troubled to see Sathan set up and worshipped in the throne of their heavenly Father; for so he is in all places where iniquitie hath the upper hand. Or what childe is there, except he be extremely unnaturall, that is not cast downe in himselfe, when he seeth his father angry.

Fiftly, because not taking to heart such sinnes, we be­come 5 guilty of them:For that they are otherwise guiltie of the same sins. for so Paul chargeth the Corin­thians for the incestuous person, that they were therfore guiltie of his sinne, because they had not sorrowed for it: and saith,1 Cor: 5. 2. that they afterward by their sorrow and indig­nation,2 Cor: 7. 11. testified so many wayes, upon his letter sent unto them, did shew themselves free from his wickednes.

Sixtly and lastly, which is the principall; because for 6 the sinne of one notorious offender unpunished,For that for one notorious sin­ner unpuni­shed, all y place is in danger of Gods wrath. Gods anger may be kindled against all the place where he is; and that therefore all of them are in danger of this vengeance with the rest; even every one that doth not what he can within the compasse of his calling to re­forme it; at least by mourning for it, and crying unto the Lord for pardon & redresse. This he shewes plaine­ly in sundry places of his holy word; although the con­trary practise of the world, declares evidently that very [Page 92] few beleeve this point. Let us but observe two or three places, the more to convince us and rouze our soules out of this our deepe securitie.Evident in the law of inquisi­tion for mur­der. As first that, of the case of inquisition for murder, when one is found murdered, if there be not the utmost endevour, both in Ministers, Magistrates and people,Dew: 21 1, 2, 3, 4 &c. to finde out the murtherer, and to punish him by death (according to the law against murther) the land is defiled, as is evident both by the strict manner of the inquisition, that was to be made, by all the people of Israel, and by the protestation of the Rulers in the behalfe of all the people, clearing them­selves from it; and also by the prayer, that they were taught to make in this forme;vers. 8. O Lord, be mercifull unto us thy people Israel, whom thou hast redeemed, and lay no in­nocent bloud to the charge of thy people Israel, and the bloud shall be forgiven them.vers. 9.So (saith he) thou shalt take away the cry of innocent bloud from thee; wh [...]n thou shalt doe that which is right in the sight of the Lord. Whereby we may plainely see, that the bloud of one man thus murthered, defileth the bordering land, and provoketh the Lords displeasure against the people; if it be not carefully sought out, and all holy meanes used for the avenging of it, and taking away the cry thereof. Secondly, the Lord declares there evidently,Num: 35. 33, 3 [...]. that the Land cannot be clensed, and the sinne pardoned unto it, but by the bloud of him that shed it; or at least, when no meanes is neglected, to finde it out and to punish it. Thirdly, that innocent bloud cryes for vengeance from the earth con­tinually, as Abels did, untill all the meanes be used for purging it.

A last reason of Gods severitie is;God is more severe with his Church than a­ny other. because it is not with the Church of God, as with the prophane Heathen; for he dwels in the midst of his Church, and therefore if any defile the Land,Numb: 35. 34. where his Church is, he will either punish them severely,Exod: 32 33. or utterly depart from them, as ap­peares evidently in his threatning after the making of the Golden Calfe:Le [...]: 10. 3. for he will be specially sanctified in [Page 93] them that draw neere unto him,Lev: 18. 24, 25, 27, 28. in such a holy professi­on.Lev: 20 22, 23, 26. He is very terrible in the assembly of his Saints. Now, as it is in this case of bloud, so every notorious sin defileth the land,Every notori­ous sin defileth the Land to make it spue out the inhabi­tāts, as Canaa [...]. and cryeth for vengeance against all the inhabitants: the Land cannot beare it, but will en­danger all, even to spue out that people in the end, if it be not purged, as their abominations did cause the Land of Canaan.

This we may see in sundry examples,The sinne of some few may indanger all. how somtimes the sin of some of the people hath indangered al the rest; sometimes the sinne of one city, and sometimes even the sin of one man; when it hath not beene sought out and punished. As to omit that sinne at the making of the gol­den calfe, which although it was not the sin of all, yet it 1 indangered all.As for the gol­den calfe. See the feare of the people of Israel, for the suspition of the provocation, by the two tribes and 2 the halfe in the erecting of the altar of witnesse,The feare of Israel at the ere­cting the Altar of witnesse. which the rest of the Tribes did thinke that they had done for sacrifice, contrary to the commandement of the Lord. They al purposed to have gone immediatly to make war against their brethren for the punishment of that sin;Ios: 22. 18. yet sent messengers to know the truth of the matter before, with this message,v [...]r: 28. That if they did rebell against the Lord that day, the morrow next he would be wrath with all the congregation of Israell. The like we may behold 3 in the feare of the people for the villany committed by some of the inhabitants of the City of Gibeah in abusing the Levites Concubine and the vengeance that came not onely upon the City wherein it was committed,The vengeance on Gibea, and all the Tribes of Benjamin. but also upon all the Tribe of Benjamin,Iudg: 19. 25. & 20. 13, 14. because they delive­red them not to be punished, but would seeme to defend them, for as much as they were apart of their Tribe. And not upon that Tribe alone,On Iabesh Gi­lead for not helping to a­venge the vvick­ednesse. which might seeme just­ly accessary; but also upon all those who helped not to take vengeance for that wicked fact; as on all the inhabi­tants of Iabesh Gilead, becavse they came not to the war to see Gods judgements executed upon those wicked men.Iudg: 21. 4.

[Page 94] To come to the sinnes of particular men.The very sinne of one alone may indanger all as Achans. Did we not heare before of the vengeance on Israell in the dayes of Ioshuah for the sin of Achan? How that worthy Cap­taine with his valiant soldiers were not able to stand be­fore their enemies, untill Achans sinne was found out & punished? Yea, the Lord tels them, he will not be with them any more,I [...]sh, 7. 12. unlesse they destroy the excommunicate from amongst them: which thereupon they were glad to doe. And far be it from us to thinke the Lord to be unjust in this, or any other of his judgements, or to have diminished any part of his justice or holinesse unto this day.Sauls in mur­dering the Gi­beonites. Secondly, we cannot forget that anger that was kindled against Israell and the famine that came upon them in the dayes of David for three yeeres together,2 Sam: 21. 1, 2 3. for the sinne of Saul in killing the Gibeonites to gratifie the people,Iosh: 3. 16. 17. 2 Sam: 21, 1. 2. 6. 14. contrary to his fidelity: Though they were but heathens of the cursed Amorites, and had dealt deceit­fully with the Israelites in making their covenant: Yet the wrath could not be appeased or the Land purged, un­till vengeance was taken upon his bloudy house for that murther committed so long before.Gods anger oft breaks out lōg after, for sinnes committed lōg before. And therfore sith his anger may breake forth so long after, even for such sins, much more for such notorious abominations as are com­mitted daily by them, who have given themselves over to all manner of profanenesse and impiety; and whereof they can have no such colour or occasion.

This was the cheife reason of the solemne inquisition,The cause of the inquisition at fasts for hor­rible offences. which was at the publicke fasts in Israell, for the finding out both of notorious offenders and offences to have vengeance taken of them openly.1 King: 21. 9. 10, 11. Hence was the pre­tence of Iezabell for the saving of Naboth under a shew of execution of this justice against a blasphemer to pacifie the Lords anger.One cause of reading and preaching the word at so­lemne fasts. This also seemes to have bin one prin­cipall cause, why the word was read and preached at those their solemne fasts, that thereby the sins might be discovered and reformed:Nehe: 8, 8. as God bids Ieremie to indite,Ier: 36. 2. 3. and Baruch to write from his mouth and to declare to [Page 95] the people their sinnes, with the plagues & judgements due unto them, that they might returne from their evill wayes, and so pacifie his wrath by crying unto him and reforming all the abominations. Thus we see this point also cleere. That the sinnes of a people, even of a few of them not punished do anger the Lord and provoke him against the whole land, making the land uncleane, nei­ther can he be fully pacified any way, but by the punish­ing and taking away of those sinnes. Whereby it is most evident to the consciences of all men, what just cause the godly have to sigh and to tremble for all the a­bominations that are committed amongst them, and e­specially which being notoriously knowne do still re­maine unpunished.

Now to apply this unto our selues;Application. And first for the generall humiliation of us all, afterward for the comfort of those few, that are such true mourners indeed.

First,For humiliati­on to the se­cure. this may strike the hearts of all sorts, who imagi­ning that they are the servants of the Lord, yet hearing and seeing the fearfull apostacy, coldnesse and security of our age, even in many of the better sort; together with Atheisme, Poperie, and all outragious and profane licen­tiousnesse daily increasing in the rest, are yet never trou­bled therwith. And much more may it astonish all such, who are so far off from the condition of these mourners, as that they can solace themselues as freely, when they heare of all excesse in iniquity, and whatsoever can bee devised by Iewd men, to anger the Lord and to grieve his Spirit, as ever they were wont at other times. Most of all may it affright and awaken those, who use all de­vices to drive each thought of Gods anger or any judge­ment with every occasion of humiliation and mourning utterly out of their hearts.

But of all other is their estate most fearfull who can make the beastly sinnes of others their chiefest sport. Oh you that are such, consider in your hearts! Is this the spi­rit of Lot, Moses, Samuel, Ieremie, Ezra, of these mour­ners [Page 96] heere marked? Of our Saviour or Pavl? Is this the Spirit of the Lord? How deceive you your soules in a vaine imagination? what will ye doe in the day of the Lords wrath, if he let it come upon us? as we justly de­serue: Or what have ye done to turne it from us? Know, know for certaine, that this sinne of yours will one day undoubtedly bring you weeping enough; you cannot tell whether even in this life, as it did to them in the Captivity; nay, even whether this same uery day; when you shall do nothing but weep day and night in remem­brance of this one sinne; that your hearts were so hard in the dayes of your prosperity, that you could not mourne at all. Besides all the other miseries, that you are liable unto for all your sinnes, chiefly if God should give you up for them: when you shall be utterly destitute of com­fort of the Lords mercy, protection and-favour; untill you shall have soundly bewailed all this your sencelesse security.

But on the contrary;Applicatiō for the comfort of the mourners. as this is given by the Lord for the comfort of all that mourne for the iniquities, because they are surely marked before the vengeance come, to be safe then: so it may serue for the sweete consolation and cheering up even of all those of every estate and degree, from the highest to the lowest, who find their hearts thus affected in hearing of and beholding the abominations, committed dayly to anger the Lord, howsoever it shall please him to visit us. Give me leave therefore (if it were to digresse) a little & to turne my speech to speake to your soules, and consciences, for the confirming and strengthening of all our hearts who are such. The Lord heere sets before your faces the care which he hath for you.Comfort to Godly rulers. You are surely sealed, whatsoever plagues he shall smite the earth withall; whether you be rulers, from the greatest to the meanest to begin with you. If your con­sciences beare you witnesse that your hearts are set to ad­vance Gods true religion and all prety, and by all holy meanes to suppresse iniquity, and so to turne away the [Page 97] judgements threatned. And much more also if to this end, you study to procure what good you can, to the Church of Christ. If you mourne with Ezra for the grie­vous transgressions of the people,If as Ezra. for defiling themselves with the abominations of other nations, and especially with Popery, Atheisme and all irreligious licenciousnes. Of if that your hearts do melt with holy Iosiah, or Iosiah. for the former and present provocations, and to see how the word of the Lord is despised. If you use to lament and sigh in beholding the intollerable frowardnesse of men against the Lord, that they cannot be brought to submit themselues to his glorious Gospell: and in observing such a strange turning backe of many of our people in their hearts, as who will needs returne into Egypt and Sodome againe, and so strive to provoke the Lord yet more therby and by all other their sinnes. And if more­over in seeing that you cannot doe that good that you would in reforming the evils, you are not only daily humbled before the Lord upon your faces privately; but doe also shew your griefe openly in your places, as occa­sion is offered, as this is an euident demonstration of your unfeigned religion before the world, so it is a most strong bulwark to your own soules against all feare of the miseries, that can any way come upon us.

Or secondly,Comfort to the Prophets that mourne. If you be those that succeed in the place of the Prophets, being set to watch over, and to warne the people committed to you, thereby to turne away the plagues, which are tiying upon them, and doe finde in your selves the affections of Ieremie in heavinesse and lamentation; when you see your paines to doe so litle good, that you people generally grow rather worse and worse; that you labour in vaine, & spend you strength in vaine,Isay. 49. 4. and for nothing, as Esay complaineth; that al­though the bellowes be burnt, yet you melt but in vaine, the wickednesse is not taken away: so that you may seeme to have just cause to deeme them to be but repro­bate silver, and such as the Lord hath weighed, as Iere­mie [Page 98] bewayleth them in his time;Ier: 6. 29. this may comfort you, that you are of this number, that are marked. And if fur­thermore, for this cause, you find your life to be a weari­nes, that with Paul you have a continual sorrow in your hearts for your people, and that you could be content to indure any miserie for them, to save them from the Lords wrath; this is a demonstration that the same spi­rit of Paul resteth upon you. And yet further also to comfort you; If you be such as are so far off from serving the time, or flattering them to whom you are sent, in crying peace, peace, That you have set your selves in all faithfulnesse to discover their iniquities, and to cry out against all their sinnes,Ier: 1. 8. 17. and that no feare can stop your mouth from doing your duties in your places;Isa: 58. 1. this testi­monie of your consciences shall be as a strong brazen wall unto you,Ezech: 3. 17. & 33. 6, 7, 8. whatsoever shall come to passe.Acts 20. 26, 27, 28.

And to speake generally;Mica 3. 8. If you be private Christians, as Lot and these mourners here marked,2 Tim: 1. 7. and in steed of having a confederacie with the wicked in their evill wayes,Comfort [...]o private Christi­ans, sighing for the iniqui [...]ie. you finde your selves vexed every day for the evils which you heare and see, it may minister unto you much assurance and heavenly consolation. And more specially if your hearts be troubled for these dreadfull sinnes: As first, for our monstrous unthankfulnesse for the Gospell, with all our blessings accompanying it, and for that we are most of us so weary in living in obedience unto it: and so many on the other side, ready to live ra­ther under that slaverie of Antichrist, or service of sinne and Sathan. Or secondly; If you feele your soules con­tinually grieved, in beholding, how many of us there are, which make a profession of the Gospell in word, yet denie utterly all power of it in our lives. And withall, how ready many amongst us, (who have heretofore made conscience of our wayes) are now to joyne hands and run to all excesse, with the Atheist, and with every profane and filthy person. And if aboue all this, your hearts beare you witnesse, that you strive to keepe your [Page 99] selves unspotted in this last and sinfull generation,Psal. [...]3. 15. and neither by Schisme run forth of the Church and com­munion of the Saints;E [...]cles. 10. 4. so condemning the generation of his children on the one hand; nor leave your places and callings, so long as with a good conscience you can en­joy them, to cast your selves upon the rocks of innume­rable evils: neither yet on the other hand, to decline to the coldnesse,Psal: [...]3. 2, 3. hypocrisie, and loosenesse of the time, this shall be your comfort perpetually. And yet to proceed a litle further, If you thus staying your selves from these extremes, doe use to speake every one to his neighbour, as the godly did in Malachies dayes,Mal: 3. 16, 17. to incourage one another to walke more heedfully and cheerefully in the wayes of the Lord, ech in his ranke, and within the bounds of his calling; this shall be your witnesse before the Lord. Or finally, If yet now, at least at the view of our transgressions which follow, & the Lords threat­nings against us, you can feele your hearts so affected, as those mourners, and set to continue so to walke with your God; then this shall be unto you a gratious assu­rance, that you are indeed the Lords owne servants, as these mourners were. The same Spirit of the Lord re­steth upon you, you are surely sealed therewith, and singled out for his Majestie. His care is as well for you, as ever it was for Noah▪ Lot, Eliah, or any of these mour­ners: for he is still the same to all who tread in their steps; his compassions faile not. This is written now to comfort you. Heaven and earth shall passe, but not one jot or title of his word, untill every thing be ac­complished. He may sooner breake his covenant con­cerning the day and the night, than he can with you. The hills may sooner remove out of their places,Isa: 54. 10. than his mercy can from you. Let none of your hearts there­fore faint, who have this witnesse, that you indevour hereunto. But come whatsoever will, God will provide such a deliverance for you, if he see it good. Or if he send you into Captivitie, yet he will there lead you, his An­gels [Page 100] shall conduct you, his Spirit shall support you, with joy unspeakable, even in the midst of all your tryals, un­till that your testimonie be fulfilled, your warfare accom­plished, and the crowne of glory set upon your heads; you are written upon the palmes of his hands,Isa [...]: 49. 15. that you shall be ever in his sight. And if he let you be taken a­way by death among the rest; yet even death shall be unto you the greatest advantage. It shall make an end of all your miseries, that you shall not so much as see the evils to come. Then will the Lord turne all your sor­rowes and feares into abundant joyes and securitie, gi­ving you the reward of all your labours, and whatsoever else you have hoped and longed after. Then shall you finde the fulnesse of those joyes,1 Cor 2 9. which never eye saw, nor ever eare heard, nor yet entred into mans heart to consider of. And this shall you injoy in his glorious presence, with all his blessed Angels and Saints, with whom yee shall reigne for evermore.

But as for all the rest of wicked scoffers and pro­fane contemners of the Lord,Application to all profane contemners. and of all his mercifull fore-warnings, if he in his justice should leave us up to such a judgement, to be executed on us, through the hellish devices of that bloudie Antichrist, (whose rage and furie still increaseth, as our deliverances and prospe­ritie have done) then must you all know from him, be you Atheists, Papists, belly-gods, worldlings, that you must looke for your portion to be all alike; that shift or flie whither soever you will, yee shall never be able to flie from his vengeance. Though you could dig to hell, as the Prophet Amos speaketh, [...] 9. [...], 2, 3, 4 yet his hand should fetch you thence; & although you could climbe up to heau'n, yet thence also he would bring you downe: yea, though you could hide your selves in the most secret caves a­mong the rocks, [...] 28. yet even there should his vengeance finde you out: and flying to the uttermost parts of the earth, he will still there command the sword, the pesti­lence and famine to pursue you, with terrour of heart, & [Page 101] trembling of conscience, untill you be destroyed from the face of the earth. The Lord will ever set his face a­gainst you for evill and not for good; and this is that, that you must certainely expect.

And even for you likewise,Application to our pretended Catholicks. that thinke you shall doe well enough, because you have beene knowne to be so devoted to the Catholike religion (as you terme it) and to suffer for it, doe not imagine your cause shall be any thing the better for this. If you beare false hearts to the Lords annointed and to your native country; how can you looke that vengeance shall suffer you to live? Or can you perswade your selves that a forreine enemie prevai­ling, (which evill the Lord still deliver us from) should ever trust you, whom they found so false to your Prince and countrey. Be it so, yet if you be knowne to be such as have any wealth (if the Lord should for all our provo­cations permit such a day) as they have long looked for, have we not just cause to conceive, that Papist and Prote­stant should be all alike? and that tho all such should pro­claime at each market crosse, that they are Catholiques; yet that there goods would be the goods of Hugonotes; as it was at the French massacre in Paris? would not then all such be made Puritanes of the Parliament house? the desperatest ding-thrifts and sharpest swords, slashing downe and carying all away? And although the Lord shall still at the intercession of his most faithful and deere servants, (as sometimes of Abraham, Moses, Samuel, & these mourners) preserve us from the bloudy hands of our deadly and most cruell enemies, and from ever com­ming under the Babilonish yoake againe (which we e­ver beg and cry for) yet the estate of all you,The state of all the wicked, tho the Lord still spare us at the prayers of his servants. that are the provokers of his Majestie and grievers of his people by your horrible sinnes shall be nothing the better. At death a heavier captivitie shall fall upon you, when you shall be bound in everlasting chaines of darknesse, and reserved unto the judgement of the great day, to be tor­mented for evermore. And thus if your sleepie hearts [Page 102] come once to be throughly awaked, you shall be sure to live in continuall expectation of vengeance, being cha­sed of your owne wicked consciences, as [...], untill the Lords most just decree be accomplished upon you. Then you that could not once sigh or cry to God at all, for the abominations and dishonors done unto his Majestie, or in fearing his anger, but thought this foolishnesse, shall have cause inough to call and cry continually, in feeling and fearing his most just and heavie indignation, with all his fierce plagues due unto you everlastingly. But of this we shall speake yet more, when we come to the seve­rall miseries, which they indured in the Captivitie.

And thus much may serve for the estate both of the godly, mourning for all the abominations, and for the rest. It may suffice likewise for another most just cause to drive us to watching and prayer with continuall mour­ning: seeing onely the mourners are commanded to be marked, to be preserved from the vengeance to come: and these are they principally that stay the judgement from rushing upon us;Iob 22. the end. at least untill they be so marked and made safe.

But alas, have we not here a new cause to take up a dolefull complaint for the want hereof?Iust cause of la­mentation for the small num­ber of true mourners. Where are they who lament for the abominations, which we have received from all forreine Nations, and wherewith we have so polluted our profession, as after will appeare? Where are those whose hearts melt to thinke how the law of God is troden under foote, and his judgements hastned daily by all our provocations? What is become of Moses, Samuel, Ieremie, Paul, and of that continuall heavinesse, which they were in, for the obstinacie of the people? Where are the two Prophets, prophesi [...]ng after the manner of mourners, for the prevayling of that Anti­christ, and the delusions of Gods people? That zeale of Lot for all our unlawfull deeds? Are we not come very generally to cry, Peace, peace, and all is well, desiring to be at ease, [...] as they who trusted in the mountaine of Sama­ria? [Page 103] of whom Amos speaketh: and those who cryed, the Temple of the Lord,Ierem▪ 7. 4.the Temple of the Lord? Are we not become (I meane exceeding [...] of us) as they who said, The Lord will neither doe good nor evill? Doe not our lives proclaime it? Or as those that spake against Ieremie, Our generall securitie feare­full. to [...]ull themselves and all others still asleepe; saying, we shall neither see sword nor famine? In a word; Is it not with us for the most part,Ier: 5. 12, 13. as with them that li­ved immediately before the floud, and before the over­throw of Sodom and Gomorrha? Doe we not eat and drinke, marrie and give in marriage, as they; every man giving up himselfe to follow his owne way, and for his owne advantage; never regarding our Noahs building the Arke, and calling all to enter; nor our Lots mour­ning & crying to all, Good brethren, deale not so wickedly? Doe we not daily increase in our senselesnesse, and still more harden our selves against all warnings, signes, and tokens, untill the floud-gates of heaven be open, and the vengeance of God come powring downe? And to goe yet one step higher, and to adde this one demand more; Are not very many amongst us come to that height of impietie,Scorning at all that mourne for the evils. to scorne and to abuse by all meanes, all those that mourne for the evils, and who will not run with us to all excesse of ungodlinesse? And if any doe ever re­prove such, though in the griefe of their hearts, with the greatest love and reverence, are they not ready to say, as those unto Lot, Hence, who made thee a Ruler and a Iudge? so to thrust them away with all disgrace. Or, which is yet worse, if worse may be, Is not this too com­mon in very many places, to use them as Ieremie was used, to load such with all opprobrious slanders, as tho they were the vilest men, that could live upon the earth, and those that seeke not the good of the Land but the hurt; and as if indeed there were none to be hated but they, be they never so peaceable and obedient. And fi­nally, are they not made such in many places, as Ieremie saith of himselfe, whom every bodie curseth, though [Page 104] they have neither given nor taken upon usurie, but lived without of [...]ence or intermedling in the world. Nay, al­though they be such persons, whom all the world cannot touch; except for such infirmities, as are incident to all the sonnes of Adam; or the matters of their God, as Dani [...]l was? Doe we not thus adde to the increase of their sorrowes, to kindle more the Lords anger for the injuries done unto them, and by seeking to drive them out from amongst us, or at least to cause them to cease crying to the Lord for us. Which unkindnesse he can no way indure; sith these (I meane, who make consci­ence of all his commandements) are the deerest unto him of all the people of the earth, and the onely preser­vers of the rest, so long as they remaine amongst us.

And thus much shall serve for this in like manner, [...]. what cause we have to watch and pray, yea, to tremble and cry for the small remainder of our mourners; and also to the end that we our selves may be found to be of the number of them, so to helpe to appease the wrath, or so to escape in the evill day.

CHAP. IX.

The enemies by which the Lord threatneth or afflicteth his Church, are his souldiers; and what cause we have to give our selves to watching and prayer, for the increase of them in number, pride and malice.

IT remaineth now that we shall come to shew the abo­minations for the which the godly so sighed & cryed, what and how great they were. But the handling thereof, may be more profitably reserved unto the sixt verse, where the Holy Ghost sets downe, how fierce his wrath was, and how grievous the plagues were, which the Lord threatneth to inflict upon them; that by the [Page 105] greatnes of the vengeance, we may better consider the heynousnesse of the abominations.

Having therefore thus finished this first Commission, which was to the marking Angell, for the preservation of all the godly: we will come to the second commission given to the destroying Angels, how they should deale with all the rest, conteyned in these words following.

Vers. 5.

And to the other he said, in my hearing, Goe yee after him thorow the Citie and smite; Let not your eye spare, neither have pitie, s [...]ay utterly olde and young, &c.

Here the Lord delivering this Commission aloud,The enemies by which God threatneth his Church are his soldiers. and bidding these destroying Angels to goe and smite, to spare none, will have us all to consider this well: That the enemies by which his Church is afflicted, as the Ba­bylonian here meant, (to whom he said, Goe yee after him thorough the Citie and smite) are the Lords soldiers. They come not, nor fight of themselves alone, but at his comand: they fight also his battels, though they know not so much, nor purpose any such matter, but doe it in the pride and malice of their hearts.

No point is more necessarie for us to know;The knowledg of this point most necessary, & most plaine­ly set downe in the Scriptures. becasue in the plots and conspiracies of wicked enemies, and in all the rage against the Church of God, it is so rare a thing for any man to looke at the Lord, and how he sends and orders all; but every man almost useth still to looke onely at the hand of the enemie. Neither is any truth more cleerely set forth in the booke of God. We will content our selves with two or three places, which are past all exception, in which he hath of purpose taught this point most fully.

First, we may begin with the former great Captivitie 1 of Israel,In the captivi­tie of Israel the Lord sent on them the King of Ass [...]ur. of the Ten Tribes caried captive into Assyria by Salmanazar; which was a good space before this captivitie of Iudah. The Holy Ghost saith, that the [Page 106] Lord in his wrath sent upon them the King of Asshur to destroy them.Is [...]y 10. 5, 6. Whom the Prophet [...]say (in speaking of both the Captivities joyntly, and the like instruments and reasons of both) calleth the rod of Gods wrath;The Assyrian, the rod or the Lords wrath. because he had in his wrath prepared the Assyrian as his rod, to whip both Israel and Iudah for their rebellion. He termes also their staffe, meaning the weapons in their hands, his indignation: because all their weapons were cheifly prepared to execute his most fierce indignation. He calls them moreover the Lords axe, whereby he cut downe the Nations. All were the Lords instruments: He sent these Assyrians,The Lord gave them y charge, tho the enemie thought not so. and gave them the charge to spoile and trample under foote the rebellious Israelites, as the mire in the streets. But did the proud Assyrian know thus much, how God used him as his soldier? or did he purpose in it to execute Gods wrath, and his ter­rible judgement? No, saith the Lord, he thinketh not so, neither doth his heart esteeme it so, as to avenge my quarrell, but he imagineth to destroy not a few nations: that is, All that he doth, he doth in pride and malice of his owne wicked heart; and by his owne strength, as he foolishly thinketh. Therefore the Lord saith plainely, That when he had used him, as his rod to correct his people,Atter God hath corrected his Church, he wil burne his rods in the fire. first Samaria and then Ierusalem, first Israel and after Iudah, that he would surely burne the rod in the fire: He would visit the proud heart of the King of Asshur, and bring downe his proud lookes, and as a fire in his vengeance consume him utterly.Esa: 12. 17, 14.

2 And secondly for Manasseh the sonne of that worthy Hezechiah, when he went backe from the good wayes of his father,In carying Ma [...]ass [...] into Captiu [...]ie. and set up againe all the abominations that his father had taken away, and had also destroyed that pietie and religion,2 Chr: 33. 1, 2, 3. which his good father had so labou­red to build up: and finally, when he caused his people to doe worse than the Heathen,vers. 9. 10. 17. whom the Lord had plagued, the Holy Ghost saith, That first the Lord spake unto him, and to his people, but they would not regard. And [Page 107] when that would not serve,The Lord brought on him the Assy­rian. he saith expresly, That the Lord brought upon them the Captaines of the hoast of the King of Asshur, who tooke Manasseh, and put him in fetters, and bound him in chaines, and caried him to Babel. And that then when he was in tribulatior, he prayed to the Lord his God, and humbled himselfe greatly before the God of his fathers; and God was intreated of him, and heard his prayer, and brought him againe into his kingdome in Ierusalem: then Manasseh knew that the Lord was God. So that it was God especially that brought the Assyrian upon Ma­nasseh, God did all in it. and fettred him, and caried him into Babylon, and there heard his prayer, and brought him backe, and set him againe in his kingdome: it was God that did it.

Thirdly, for this Captivitie, as the Prophet here fore­saw 3 it,So in this Cap­tivitie the Lord likewise did all. and the Lord said, he would doe it; and like as he bids the enemies, which are represented by these An­gels, to goe and smite; so the Holy Ghost saith plainely, (using the very same phrase of speech,2 Chro: 36. 17. that is used con­cerning Manasseh) That God brought upon them the King of the Caldeans, who slew their young men with the sword, and spared neither young nor old, but made this havocke of them all. They came not meerely of themselves, but God sent them as his executioners. This Ieremie con­fesseth in his Lamentations, That the Lord did it; ac­knowledging thus in the person of all Iudah and Ierusa­lem,Lament: 2. 22. Thou hast called as in a solemne day, my terrours round about: meaning, that the Lord had called their terrible enemies on every fide to compasse them in, that none might escape his wrath: wherein he shewes, how the Lord mustered the enemies to revenge these abhomina­tions. And thus hath it ever bin, when enemies have come against the Church, (as we may see cleane thorow the booke of God, and especially in the booke of the Iudges) it was principally, because the Lord had stirred them up, he had mustered and brought them. For if he but lift up his ensigne, or but hisse, or whistle for them, [Page 108] as the Prophet speaketh,Isai. 5. 26, 27. they come amaine from all the ends of the earth. They sleepe not, nor faint, unlesse the Lord himselfe stay them or plucke them backe; putting his hooke into their nostrils, and his bit into their jawes, as he did to that proud Senecharib, [...] 29. when he came so fiercely against Ierusalem. Although (as we heard) the enemies themselves doe not know so much. And when is it that the Lord brings them? Even then when his people, whom he hath put in trust with his most holy re­ligion, through long peace, ease, and prosperitie, become utterly unthankfull, and grow to loath the heavenly Manna; [...] 26. 3, 14, to 26. when once they begin to be haughtie against the Lord, and rebellious against his word and messen­gers sent unto them, and they will obey it no further, than it doth like themselves;Deut: 28. 15. to 50. when they doe waxe so senselesse and indurate, as all his fatherly rods of scarsitie, famine,2 King: 17. 13, 14, 15, 16. pestilence, and other sicknesse, signes and to­kens from heaven and earth, no, nor the continuall war­nings of his servants, can doe them any more good to move them any longer.2 Chro: 33. 10. And finally, when in steed of repenting and meeting him with intreatie of peace, they proceede to mock his servants,2 Chor: 36. 14, 15, 16, 17. to misuse his messengers, despising his word sent in mercy to warne them; for then he can beare no longer, but sets up his ensignes and calls for the sword of the enemie to avenge his quarrell, there­by to take away religion and all the comforts of this life in one day, for that their intollerable contempt of all his bounty,This threatned in the Law. long suffering, and compassion. This is that which he hath threatned in his law. That he will pu­nish such a people yet seven times more: [...]: 9 4, 5, 6. the sword and captivity being the last and heaviest outward plague and oft accompanied with all the rest, [...]: 26. 24. chiefly with famine,Deut: 28 25. to 48. & most cruell and savage beasts to devoure the rebellious people. [...] 5. 17. This he did fearefully verifie in the ensamples mentioned both in the captivity of Israell and Iudah, [...] 14 chiefly in this latter,2 Chr: [...]6. 6. 13, 14. as the holy Ghost plainely sheweth, declaring the causes of it. How, when after their former [Page 109] lesse captivities and sundry plagues begun, they in gene­rall still increased their trespasses wonderfully, according to all the abominations of the heathen, and withall mocked and misused his messengers, which he had sent unto them in compassion to call them to repentance, then there was no remedie. But he brought upon them the King of the Caldeans,vers. 17. to the end of 21. to execute all his fierce wrath and vengeance upon them all. God gave all into his hands. And this as he saith, was to fulfill the word of the Lord spoken by the mouth of Ieremie, untill the Land had her fill of Sabaoths. So all the dayes that shee lay desolate, shee kept Sabaoth, to fulfill seventie yeeres. In which words, it is most evident that the whole Captivitie, both for the manner and continuance, was altogither appoin­ted and directed by the Lord. Whence we may most plainely conclude,Isai: 54. 16. with that of the Prophet Esay, where he brings in the Lord thus speaking of himselfe: Behold, I have created the Smith that bloweth the coales in the sire, and him that bringeth forth an instrument for his w [...]rke; I have created the destroyer to destroy. If any man shall yet doubt of any part hereof, let him read with reverence the 26 chapter of Leviticus, and there he shall see all this set downe in order, especially from the 14 verse to the end.

To apply this now to our times,Application to our selves, to behold y Lords Armies. and to our selves; it being now our lesson to awaken us, and to make us to looke at the Lord, levying his Armies against us, if any thing can stir us.

Did that proud Nebuchadnezzar of Rome sound out his bellowing Bulls, to move all the Lords people to 1 rebell against his Annoynted?Pop [...]sh Bulls sent to move our people to rebellion. Or hath he so often pra­ctised our destruction both openly and secretly altogi­ther without the Lord? Or did any of that bloudie 2 League,The bloudie league. being Antichrists sworne servants, so band themselves as of themselves, without the Lords com­mand, to threaten so far forth the ruinating of Christs kingdome, and the rooting out of his Gospell? Or those [Page 110] 3 that came against us in the yeere eightie eight, in their mightie Armada,The [...] Ar­mada. [...]. which the enemie, in the pride of his heart, had named, the Navie invincible, purposing no­thing else, but the utter desolation both of this Church and Kingdome, and to massacre the mother with the children, to satiate themselves with the bloud of every one of us, as their burcherly instruments of crueltie did proclaime to all the world. Did these (I say) come only of themselves, in the malice and hautinesse of their hearts, and without the Lord so disposing and threatning us by them? Could they or durst they ever have attempted those things of themselves alone? No, no, The Lord will have us all to know hereby, that these were his own soldiers; it was he that mustered them; he lift up his en­signe unto them; he bad them so to threaten us, to goe and smite: [...] 26. He onely brought the insolent Babylonian towards our Ierusalem, [...] 5 15. he shewed us the edge of his axe, he shak'd the sword at us,Yet turned backe & over­throwne at our prayers: when w [...]ndes & wa­t [...]rs were ar­med against them to take vengeance for us. to cause us to seeke him. And so at our humiliation and prayers, which we then pow­red out so vehemently, with fasting, mourning, and con­fession of our sinnes, through the whole Land, his owne holy hand plucked them backe againe. He armed both windes and waters to take vengeance of that most inso­lent and cruell attempt, whereof so many records shall beare witnesse to the end of the world. And although the Lord wrought this our deliverance with their over­throw, so wonderfully by his owne mightie arme, and so evidently with his owne right hand, that we might just­ly have hoped, that they durst never have once so much, as thought of attempting to rise up against us after; yet doe we not see, how they have since exceeded the inso­lencie of all former ages? How they have not onely 4 contrived and practised sundry most bloudie treasons since against the Lords Annoynted,Many treasons since. thereby to make way for the butchering of us all; but even so lately devi­sed so new, so strange, & so desperate a stratagem against our dread Soveraigne, with our noble Queene, our [Page 111] gratious young Prince, and all that Royall Progenie; yea, with the Right Honorable Councell and Nobilitie, the whole state and bodie of our Nation, to consume all at once, by that most hideous and infernall furnace? For 5 what could they intend,Chiefly the in­fernall fur­nace. but to have made us all as flesh for the cauldron, and that very day to have bin the dis­mall day, both of our flourishing Realmes, and also of the Church and Gospell of Christ, so far as they were able? Of which most execrable fact, never shall future age keep silence,Branding that religion for e­ver. to the branding of that bloudie Religion, with the perpetuall infamie of lying and murther, the two principall workes of the Devill, and brands of his ser­vants,Iob. 8. 44. as our Saviour directly witnesseth; so as none can pretend ignorance thereof, except they will wilfully blinde their owne eyes.

And to draw towards the conclusion of this point; 6 what meanes that increase of outrage for Popery and all profanenesse?Increase of the outrage for Popery and all profanenesse. Their deadly malice increa­sed, declared in all devises to divide and dis­grace us. what is that so deadly malice in all those who are so bent, to that Romish Idolatrie and impiety; I meane their hatred against both the Gospell and all the true professors of it? How is it that they are not afraid to shew this openly, by all devices which they can invent to discharge the religion of the Lord and to divide us ut­terly amongst our selues, to fall by one another; and that after so many and so late and strange discoveries of their barbarous cruelties and Machivillian plots above all,After so many convictions. of all other religions, that the world hath heard of; with such notable testimony given from heaven of Gods won­derfull protection in all the admirable deliverances of the professors thereof among us.

What are all these with our ungratefull abusing of them by our impenitency.These fearefull denunciations of vengeance. I beseech you (and herein I appeale to the consciences of all men) what are they, but infallible denunciations of the hasting of the Lords most terrible vengeance,And dāger [...]us prognosticati­ons of a most heavy scourge from Babylon. unlesse we repent speedily. Or what can they, with all the former prognesticate (if we may make a particular construction of them) but threat­ [...]ngs [Page 112] of the bringing in indeed of that dreadful scourg, (which he in mercy still keepe from us) which formerly he hath, but shaken towards us, and frighted us withall. [...]ogive us either wholy into the hand of that bloudy whore of Babylon, and so to bring our necks againe un­der that cruell yoake (the common vexation of all the people of the Lord) or at least that they should come to [...] and tyrannize among us, and setting up their cursed Idolatrie againe, to pollute the Lords holy religi­on; and in the end to thrust forth his sacred truth, and our selves, to live ever in horror and shame, having al­waies the sword at our throats, as in France and other countries,For abusing his religion. where they have so prevailed, they have had too fearfull experience. Were not this most righteous for our abusing that his heavenly treasure, committed to us, beside all other our sinnes, which yet. I instantly pray day and night, that he may prevent, by our most speedy, and unfeigned repentance. And may not this be a just cause, why he hath suffered these so to increase, because howsoever we can be content with an outward forme & name of his holy religion,Not enduring the power of [...], but seeking to destroy it. which by the good lawes of our land, we doe truly professe; yet few of us can indure the power and practise of it in our selves, or others? We cannot denie, but that the true practise of religion, is the very life and soule of all religion, and yet how many doe seeke to destroy it, in whomsoever it appeares, if all scornes and contempt of it can possibly doe it: [...] better of th [...] [...] for is it not an usuall thing with many in most places, to like much better of the profane man, that hath cast all religi­on and conscience behind his backe, then of those in whom the seedes or the least beginning of grace doth appeare; Or which is yet worse, are not many of us in too many places growne to this, to like much better of the Papist and ungodly, pre [...]rring them to be our compani­ [...]s, and accounting them far honester men, then such [...] feare the Lord, making conscience to [...] before him, in that good way wherein we al (except [Page 113] the Popish sort) agree in word and generall profession? Let common experience testifie,Experience of the d [...]slike of al true lovers of Religion. how few they are who can brooke that man who is a diligent frequenter of the word of the Lord, a strict observer of the Sabboth; care­full to teach and instruct his family, that cannot like of oathes and blasphemies, filthy speeches and excesse of drinking or other vanities. And what may this seeme to be,A manifest joy­ning hands and calling for the enemie. but to joyne hands with the enemies of God, and by these and the like to proclaime a kind of defiance against him that such will not have him to rule over them? yea, even to challenge him, or at least to provoke him, to bring in the enemies to avenge his quarrell. If therefore the Lord of hoasts doe call for them, to rise up against us in new conspiracies or open violence, and with them all the crew of wicked and ungodly men, in whom we have so delighted, to take part with those to our destruction (as they, it is to be feared will be as outragious as the o­ther against all soundly fearing God) is it not just? Yea, if he should let them to make it Bellum prodigorum, How righteous with God to bring in the day of the spēd thrists. the day of all the spend-thrifts & of al the vile persons of the land, to have their fingers in every mans coffers, and their hands washen in the blould of them, whom they have hated, so soone as ever any of the Babilonish de­signes shall take their effect, could we wonder as it? May we not much rather wonder at & admire his former long sufferings, that he hath only hitherto raised them up a­gainst us, as to drive us to turne unto him, but suffered them not to prevaile, no, not so much as against any one of us.To [...] Gods mercy in saving [...]. In the midst of the fire. That though we have beene after a sort in the midst of the hot fiery furnace; yet not so much as the smell of the fire hath beene felt upon us, when as notwithstand­ing we are so many of us so ready by our countenancing them and joyning with them in their wickednesse,We cannot be assured to be delivered from them [...] their waies. to blow this fire of his vengeance; to cause it so farre as in them lieth, to consume us utterly in one day. Can we e­ver looke to be freed from the danger, untill we more generally abhorre their waies? Or can we otherwise ima­gine, [Page 114] but that our desperate perils must needs increase daily by them, so long as we are still so much delighted in them, and cast of the Lord?

Ch [...]f we had generally so received him,And renew our vowes begin­ning to per­forme them. as our Lord and master, as we have either entred into a solemne co­venant with him at our Baptisme, and as in words wee make profession; then had he undoubtedly long agoe cast such a feare upon them, as they durst never have plot­ted any more against his annointed or against his sanctu­arie. Oh If we could yet but thinke of the good motions and purposes which we have had in the midst of our dangers, and our greatest deliverances. That for those preservations and the redeeming of our lives, we would begin to lead new lives, [...]zech: 16. 4. 6. and become new men! Oh I say, That we would at length set our hearts faithfully to performe those our vowes so oft renewed with our God,Eccles: 5. 3. 4. 5. and submit our selves cherefully to obey the heavenly Gospell of his sonne, becomming zealous in the professi­on therof! Then would the Lord soone humble our ene­mies;Our enemies humble by our turning to the Lord. He would either cause their rage to cease utterly from us, as he did sundry times in Iudah, when the peo­ple so sought his face, or if they would still pursue us, as the Egyptians did Israel into the heart of the sea,Psal. 81. 11, 12, 13, 14, 15. wee should not neede to feare but even stand still, & see what he would doe for us, yet once againe in our final delivery from them, and in their perpetuall confusion. But sith we are daily further off from this un [...]eigned obedience to the Gospell and grow more rebellious; certainly we can never truly expect, that these enemies (which are his sword drawne against us) shall be turned backe,Never til then. much lesse can we secure our selves from them, untill we begin to meete him with a more generall submission and in­treaty of peace. That is, untill that we doe begin to give a more thankfull and welcome entertainement to his ho­ly worship and religion and bring forth better fruits of our profession, bearing more true affection to his ser­vants, and giving lesse countenance unto his enemies, [Page 115] we are never to looke for any peace, untill his quarrell be avenged. He will be known to be the same mighty God that ever he was, to hate sin as much as ever he did, to be as true in his threatnings as ever in former age, & as zealous for his own glory. And this especially must we assure our selues of, if the like abominations be found among us, which brought these cruell enemies upon the people of Iudah, even as hethreatned them in al the daies of Iosiah; and if he hitherto have used all other his rods in vaine amongst us; and namely, these three of all other, to wit, the sword of the destroying Angell, shaking and s [...]iting in most parts of our Land, for so many yeeres to­gether; The sword of the bloudy enemie devouring a­bout us; The same so oft and so long shaken at us, and at length so neere to have beene sheathed in the bowels of every one of us that professe his name.

Now then these things being so,What we should doe feel­ing the Lords Armies appro­ching. It concerneth so ma­ny of us, as whose eyes the Lord hath opened, to see the mustering of his armies, and who it is, that bids them go against us and smite; to doe as David and the Elders of Israell did,1 Chrou: 20. 16. when the Angell of the Lord having his sword drawne stretched out his hand against Ierusalem. It is full time that each of us, who are the Lords remem­brancers, humble our selves in secret falling upon our fa­ces, crying unto our God and never give him any rest, un­till he be appeased. Yea that all of us, who are the Lords watchmen doe get upon our walles and watch-towers & still as the enemie approacheth neerer, cry lowder to a­waken us, out of our dead sleepe and to warne all. That those in authority may more zealously command, all in­feriors more cheerefully obey▪ to the more ioyfull recei­ving and professing the Lords most glorious religion, that so his anger being asswaged, he may cease from sen­ding any more the destroyers against us, least otherwise in the end, our Religion, peace, prosperity, lives and all doe pay for it, and be utterly taken away by them togi­ther. And let us all humbly againe confesse with the Prophet Amos; The Lion hath roared upon us, all sorts [Page 116] have heard him (as we have so oft,Our so many confessions by authoritie, are so many prin­cipall witnesses of his threat­nings by them. and so publikely confessed) who shall not then tremble? The Lord God hath by his threatnings many a time spoken to us, and still speaks every day more and more (making us ech houre to hearken for some new treacherie from Rome, and to wonder that we heare of none of so long: and likewise causing all of us to admire the riches of his goodnesse, in that he hath so miraculously preserved us all from them unto this very day: who then amongs us can but give signification hereof? Is it not therefore full time to doe what we can, every one with the Lord by instant prayer, and ech with men also, stirring up one another to turne and cry unto the Lord, that he doe not indeed bring the enemie upon us, and give us into their hands without any pitie, as he did this people, and as he hath so oft and so neerely accomplished the like wrath upon us? But this may suffice for this cause, which the Lord gives us all hereby to watch and pray day and night, if we would have him to stay, or to turne from us the sword of the Babylonian, and every other enemie & terrible plague: or at least, if we would finde him a hiding place in the day of his vengeance.

Hitherto of the first part of the Commission to the destroying Angels, to goe and smite.

CHAP. X.

The mourners being once marked and made sure, then comes the vengeance; for the destroyers follow at the heeles of the marking Angell: And what neede we have therefore to watch and pray, because we know not whether this be not already accomplished, or how neere it is.

Vers. 5.‘And to the other he said in my hearing; Goe yee after him through the Citie, and smite, let your eye spare none, &c.’

IN this next place we are to observe, how the Lord bids the destroyers, to goe after the marking Angell, following him, as it were, hard at the heeles, that so soone as ever the servants of God are marked and safe, they should stay no longer; but presently execute their charge, which was, Kill, kill, and spare none: for so the words doe plainely import.

Herein the Lord would have us all to know yet fur­ther,The mourners marked▪ then comes the ven­geance. that so soone as ever he hath gathered forth those, that bewaile the sinnes of the times, that is, his faithfull ones, from among the rest, or made sure provision for them, then he will stay no longer, but presently begin the execution of his vengeance on the rest which re­maine.

This truth the Lord hath left unto us as cleare as any of the former;This set downe clearely, and why. that when we see him taking the godly a­way, all may learne to prepare for themselves to escape, or else be left more without excuse. To shew this in or­der out of the former destructions; as being in my un­derstanding most fit, as so set downe, to this purpose; and also most plainely for the simplest to conceive of.

[Page 118] 1 1. Noah is no sooner in the Arke, fast lockt in by the Lord himselfe,In the old world. and so out of the danger, but presently the sloud-gates of heaven are set open, the fountaines of the great depths broken up,Gen: 7. 11, 13, 16, 17. destruction rusheth upon them:Noa [...]. that [...] they, or climbe they whithersoever they will, the vengeance of God still followeth them at the heeles, untill they be utterly swept away from the face of the earth, without any more pitie and compassion.

2 2. Lot is no sooner out of Sodom, and gotten safe in­to Zoar,Lot. past all the danger, but (though it was a goodly morning to see to,Gen: 19. 22, 23, 24, 25. the Sunne rising gloriously upon the earth, as it was wont) yet the fire and brimstone came powring downe, The Holy Ghost saith, that The Lord rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrha, brimstone and fire from the Lord out of heaven, and overthrew all. He turned all those filthy Cities into ashes, making them most loathsome pits, and a terrible monument of his most severe vengeance to all such beastly livers,2. Pet: 2. 6. to the end of the world. All perish togither in an instant, as they were partakers togither in the same filthy sinnes. Howling and crying then will do no more good: no place is now lest to repentance, nor to mercy any longer.

3 3. The Christians are no sooner gotten out of Ieru­salem to Pella, according to the warning;The last over­throw of Ieru­salem. but presently Ierusalem is taken, (as Iosephus reports) and then as great cruelties are exercised,Matth: 24. as ever upon any Citie or people before, and as great miseries followed them, ac­cording as our Saviour had foretold.

4 4. And lastly, that same holy Iosiah hath his eyes no soo­ner closed,This captivitie beginning up­on the death of [...]. that he might not see the vengeance, and himselfe taken to his rest, as the Lord had promised him; because his heart so melted, at the hearing of the abominations, and the judgements denounced for them, but straight-way,2 Chr: 34. 27, 28. even within three moneths, begins this wofull tragedie of Iudah and Ierusalem.Ierem: 8. 7. As the flying away of the Swallow is a signe of winter at hand; so the departing and taking away of these mourners [Page 119] forth of any Church, must needs be a fearefull threat­ning of some terrible winter,Gen: 17. 10, 11▪ & 19. 22. if not a desolation, to come upon that people;2 Cl [...]: 34. 27, 28. especially, when we consider, what such are for the preservation of the place where they are. And so much first for the evidence of this truth.

Now that we may againe returne home unto our selves;Application to our selves. Let us see whether hereby we have not just cause to be awakened, & ech to betake our s [...]ves to watching and prayer, to stay the vengeance of God, before it be come upon us, and it be too late. Have not many of our Noahs, Many of our Noahs pluckt into the Arke. I meane, many of Gods faithfull servants, most famous both in Church and Common-wealth, for helping to build and prepare the Arke, bin taken away from us, not many yeeres ago, long before their time? And amongst others; Did not the Lord specially pluck unto himselfe, in a short space, togither, sundry of our most worthily renowmed and victorious champions, so approved against that proud Goliah of Rome? Hath he not thus caried up these, into the Arke, not made with hands, as accounting us thereby unworthy that they should remaine any longer amongst us upon the earth, to helpe to stand betweene the Lords wrath and us? What heart was so flintie, which dissolved not into teares for sundry of them? or which was not astonished at the apprehension of his manifest displeasure there­in, and in a fearefull consideration of that which he saith,Isai: 57. 1. That the righteous are taken away from the evils to come.

This yet is some comfort;Our comfort in the remnant of the mour­ners still amōg us. That we have still some Noa [...]s carefully preparing and finishing the Arke, and warning the secure and unthankfull world. All our Lots are not yet pluckt from amongst us. The Lord of hoasts hath as yet in mercy reserved us a remnant, who unfeig­nedly feare the tokens of his wrath. He hath some that stil lift up their voyces like trumpers,Isa [...]. 58. 1. to tel his people of their sins. Some that lift up their hearts with their hands, [Page 120] with Moses against Amaleck. Some that made continu­all intercession with faithful Abraham. Some that mourne in secret, who wrastle and weepe with Iacob, and who will not let the Lord goe, untill he shew us mercy and save us, from the scourge, which we have justly deserved. Some, I say, (for what are they compared with the rest, or in regard of our time and meanes, or that they have beene in sundry parts of the Land) otherwise we had bin made long agoe as Sodome and like unto Gomorrha.)Isay: 1. 9. And we may further say by the infinite mercy of God;And the preser­vation of the Lords Anoin­ted. That the Lords annointed is still preserved, for our shel­ter and the breath of our nostrils, by whom alone under the highest, we hitherto enjoy our safety, in the midst of the greatest furies of our implacable and bloud-thirsty e­nemies. If the Lord had ever, or yet should never so little take away his hand for all our provocations,1 amen: 4. 20. (which e­vill of all other,what could we looke for, these being taken a­way. he ever turne from us, like as hitherto he hath done) sith the enemies hunt after his life and the lives of us all continually, and our sinnes doe cry for it, what then could we looke for? Or if he should any way suffer the mouthes of all his faithfull messengers to be shut that there might be none to reprove, & much more if he once take from amongst us, those that sigh and cry out for all the abominations, and restrayn utterly that spirit of mourning and prayer, what may we expect then? And is not this the thing which the Atheist and belly-God,Though the ungodly long for it, & why. with all the company of the wicked and ungodly do desire so much, and which the I do latrous murthering enemies doe conspire continually? And why? Because these are they that chiefly trouble all the wicked: these will not suffer them to lye wallowing in their sinne; but seeke to pull some of them with violence out of the fire,Iude. 23. others to save with feare as Iude speaketh. These are continually watching upon their walls, crying out of ini­quity with [...], and threatning the judgements of Gods approaching for all the crying sinnes, so to turne away the plagues from us by turning us to the Lord. [Page 121] These are still in Christs place calling Gods people out of Babilon; discovering the filthinesse of the whore, and warning all to get far of frō her for feare of hir burning,Apoc: 18. 4. to beware of being partakers with her in her sinne, lest they be partaker with her in her torment.

And to be briefe, for that these are they, who have stood principally in the way of the bloudie enemie, that they could neither bewitch nor invade the Church and Sanctuarie of the Lord, as otherwise they would have done.These once ta­ken away, to looke for the judgement. Well, all of us should yet consider in time, that if these shall be once pluckt away from us, (as being un­worthy of them) and the Swallow having taken her flight (howsoever some may conceit, that then it would be well with us, and we should have merry times, yet) then undoubtedly we may justly looke for the coldest and wofullest winter, that ever the Church amongst us felt and endured: for after that these are once marked and made sure, what can be expected, but the destroyers to follow after their heeles? what, but this terrible charge,When all shall be alike. Smite, spare none. Then shall belly-god and worlding, Papist and Atheist, be all alike; because they have joyned alike in angring the Lord, and grieving his servants, to make them thus to sigh and cry unto him. And thus had it bin with them long ere this day,Thus had it bin, if God had not prevented. if ever forraine enemie had prevayled, or any of their treasona­ble practises; and much more if that late infernall devise, had taken effect: yea, if the Lord of hoasts had not in mercy, at the cryes of these mourners, saved us even mi­raculously frō that evill day.To cry for the preservation of our si [...]elter, and all these. This may teach us therefore to cry day and night, that our shelter may never be taken away from us; but that it may spread it selfe more large­ly, and that the candle of Israel may never be put out, but shine still more bright, untill his glorious appearing. This may also warne all of us, who beleeve the word of the Lord,To make more account of Noah and our mourn [...]s. to make more account of every Noah, which is yet admonishing and finishing the Arke: and of poore Lot, whose righteous soule is vexed for the abounding of [...]

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