THE Title of this Book tells us, it is The Revelation of John, and John tells us Chap. 1.1. it is the Revelation of Jesus Christ: Christs Re­velation to John, and John's Revelati­on to us.

The Comma of this Book is set forth Chap. 1.19. VVrite the things that are, and the things that shall be hereafter, And into these two parts this book is divi­ded.

First, a Relation of the things that are, referring to the seven Churches of Asia.

Secondly, A Revelation of the gene­ral state of the Church to come, and that from John's time unto the second coming of the Lord.

The words of this Book are the true sayings of the true God, they are there­fore true and faithful, Chap. 22.6.

The matter of this Book so much concerns the good of the Church, that Jesus Christ commandeth every one that hath an ear to heare, to hearken what the Spirit of God saith unto the Church: and to shew how earnest Christ Jesus is to have all his Members and Servants acquainted with the things revealed in this Book, this charge he repeated eight times over, as this Book shewes, Chap. 2.7, 11, 17, 29. And Chap. 3.6, 13, 22. And Chap. 13.9.

A blessing is pronounced upon the Reader, Hearer, and Doer of the things written in this Book Chap. 1.3. O what can be said more, or more effectually to stir us up to hear and read, than bles­sedness? And blessed is he that keepeth the words of the Prophesie of this Book, Chap. 22.7. But how shall we keep them, ex­cept we know them? and how shall we know them, except we read them?

The excellency of this Book is such, as neither Man nor Angel, none in Hea­ven or Earth, or under the Earth, was found worthy so much as to look into [Page 54]it, till Jesus Christ went & took out of his Fathers hand to open it unto us, Chap. 5.3.

The blessed St. John could not but weep for fear least this book should have been kept close from him and the Church; so earnest was he to know those things, which we neglect to know Chap. 5.4.

This book is a most precious Jewel, which Christ hath bestowed upon his Church in the latter dayes; and it is our great duty to look into it, and read it, study it, open it, and expound it, that all the people may thorowly be ac­quainted with it, especially in these times; for now in this Age is and shall be the very heat of the war and brunt of the battle betwixt God and Beliall, betwixt Christ and Antichrist, betwixt the Lambs followers and the Beasts followers. Now this book lyeth all open, and plainly telleth us what shall be the issue and successe in the day of battel; which side shall have the victo­ry, and which side shall go down, Chap. [Page 55]17.19. And certainly the sons of Belial shall not long prevail; the date of their Reigne is almost out, and the time draweth on apace wherein both they and their Beast shall be laid in the dust.

This book sheweth us the rising of the Beast, the declining of the Beast, and the ruine of the Beast, Chap. 18:

Our Lord Jesus hath shewed us in this book the sorrowes, and sufferings, and afflictions, and tribulations, which the Church was to meet withal in the latter times, Chap. 11.7. and Chap. 12.14, 15. and Chap. 13.7.

And her deadly and cruel Enemies; the Whore of Babylon, the Mother of Harlots, the Beast, the false Prophet, and the great red Dragon which ma­keth War against her, and casteth out floods after her, Chap. 12:17:

This book sheweth us likewise the true State of the true Church upon Earth; what she is, where she is, how she is, and what she shall be hereafter; and that before the slaying, under the slaying, and after the slaying.

1. Before the slaying time the true Church is in the Wilderness, where she hath a place prepared her of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hun­dred and threescore dayes, Chap. 12.2. Before the slaying of the Witnesses the true Worshippers of God are in a low condition, in heavinesse and sadnesse, in sack-cloth and ashes, in a mourning and suffering State; being scattered and dispersed here and there, as Israell was of old. But though this be the con­dition of the poor Woman in the Wil­derness, yet she is not without comfort; she may take comfort in three things.

1. That God prepared a place for her.

2. That God nourished her, & locked her up in his chamber of Providence.

3. That God numbered her dayes of suffering: The Tribulation of the Saints of the Old Testament is recko­ned up still by years; as the bondage of Egypt four hundred and thirty years; and the Captivity of Babylon seventy years: But under the New Testament by Dayes; Ye shall have tribulation ten [Page 57]dayes, Chap. 2.10. And the two witnesses shall lye dead three dayes and a half, Chap: Chap. 11.9. So the Woman was to be in the wilderness a thousand two hun­dred and threescore days.

The Church is compared to a wo­man for four Reasons.

First, As as woman is weak and fee­ble, so is the Church, and can doe no­thing without Christ, John 15.5.

Secondly, As a woman is useful and fruitful, so is the Church, John 15.2.

Thirdly, As a woman is faire and beautiful, so is the Church, Ezek. 16.13.

Fourthly, As a woman is full of love & affection, so is the Church, Cant. 2.5.

2: Under the slaying time the true worshippers of God and witnesses of Jesus Christ lie dead in the Street of the great City, which is spiritually called So­dom and Egypt, Chap. 11.8: That is, in Antichrists Kingdoms and Dominions. The Woman which thou sawest, is that great City, which reigneth over the Kings of the Earth, Chap. 17.18.

She is called Sodom for her filthiness [Page 58]and wickedness, and Egypt for her cru­elty and oppression, Chap. 17.4.

The true Servants of God and Mem­bers of Jesus Christ, that bear witnesse for him against the evils of the Beast, and against the evils of the world, are here called two witnesses.

1. Because of the fewnesse of them.

2. Because two is a number suffici­ent to bear a witness, John 8.17.

3. Because Antichrists Beasts are cal­led two, Chap. 13.

4. They are called witnesses for Six Reasons:

First, Because their work is to bear witness for Christ and his truth, against the world, the Flesh and the Devill. A true believer is to bear a threefold testimony to and for Christ; a word-testimony to and for Christ; a word-testimony, a life-testimony, and a blood testimony, Heb. 12. John 5.33.

Secondly, Christs Members are called witnesses, because they stand up for Christ, to maintaine his name, his ho­nour, his cause, his truth, his worship, his Glory in the world, Dan. 3.16, 17, 18, [Page 58]and Chap. 6. And ye killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead, whereof we are witnesses, Act. 3.15. Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole, Acts 4.10, 11, 12.

Thirdly, The Lambs followers are called witnesses, because they keep the testimony of Jesus Christ, Rev. 12.17: Chap. 6.9. a testimony to all the Offices, works, and Kingdom of Jesus Christ, as King of Saints, and King of Nations.

Fourthly, Gods chosen and precious ones are called witnesses, because they doe appear boldly and openly for his truth; they own it, they love it, they love it, they publish it, they hold it fast, and suffer for it, who through the teachings of the Spirit in the word, and by the power of the same spirit are found in the practise of Christs Ap­pointments: they cannot deny the truth, which is a Testimony to it, Acts 24.14.

Fifthly, The true VVorshippers of God are called witnesses, because they do bear witness against the beast, and all the whole mistery of iniquity; a­gainst the whore of Babylon, who hath committed fornication with the Kings of the earth, and made her self drunk with the blood of the Saints, Rev. 17.6. Christs, faithful witnesses bear an emi­nent Testimony against all her abomi­nations and filthiness and wickedness, against the Pope, his Government, his clergy, his Doctrine, his worship, his Religion, and all his abominable pro­ceedings, Rev. 19.7.

Sixthly, Christs redeemed ones are called witnesses, because in dying they bear witnesse for him; for to dye for the truth is a living standing testimony to it. He who for Christs sake loves not his life unto the death, dyes a most glorious witnesse of Christ; Chap. 12.11. And they loved not their lives unto the death. And the beast that came out of the bottomlesse pit made war against him, and overcame them, and killed them, Chap. 11.7.9.

Antichrist riseth in a double beast; In his civil power; and his Ecclesiasti­cal power.

First, In his civil power; so he makes up one beast with the ten Kings, Chap. 17.12. And this is that Beast that rise up out of the Sea, which hath seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten Crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy. And the beast which I saw was like unto a Leaper, and his feet was as the feet of a Bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a Ly­on; and the Dragon gave him his Power, and his Seat, and great Authority, Chap. 13.1, 2.

Secondly, In his Ecclesiasticall po­wer; so he makes up another beast with the Clergy: and this is that beast that rise up out of the Earth; He hath two horns like a Lamb, and he speaks like a Dragon, vers. 11.

Now these two monstrous beasts (Antichrists Magistrates and Mini­sters) slay the faithful witnesses of Jesus Christ, and rejoyce over their dead bodies, and make merry, and send gifts [Page 62]one to another, Chap. 11.10. Oh how do graceless, faithless, Christless men rejoyce at the afflictions and calamities of Gods people! saying, where is now your God, and Christ your King? Psal. 42.10.

As touching the nature of the VVit­nesses death, we are not to conceive thereof as though the same were to be a corporeall killing or slaying; but a civill killing or slaying, not so much their bodies as their testimonies, de­prive and strip them of their Liberty, Worship, Ordinances, Religion, and the free exercise of their Gifts, suffering not a Servant of Jesus Christs to bear an open testimony against the abomi­nations of the beast, nor against their National wickedness; but make Laws against them, and lye in wait for them, stoping their mouths, and imprisoning their bodies, hating and hunting them up and down, afflicting and torment­ing them, and taking possession of their possessions: Killing and slaying them all the day long, and account them as sheep [Page 63]for the slaughter, Rom. 8.33. This is to be broken in the place of Dragons, and co­vered with the shadow of death, Psal. 44.19. This is to be killed all the day long: And upon this account, the witnesses are said to be slain, And after three days and an half, the Spirit of life from God entred into them; and they stood upon their feet, and great fear fell upon them that saw them, Chap. 11.11. A spirit of boldnesse and courage, zeale and un­dauntednesse and resolution to appear for Christ and his cause, against Anti­christ and the whole brood. Therefore rejoyce all ye Saints, and be glad all ye of upright heart; though the witnes­ses be dead, they will not alwayes be dead, but rise again.

3. After the slaying time the true Church is with the Lamb on Mount Sion, Chap. 14.1. And I looked, and lo, a Lamb stood on Mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his fathers name written in their foreheads: which notes a fixed state: Those which trust in the Lord shall be as [Page 64]Mount Sion, which cannot be moved, Psal. 12.5. before the slaying time the Church is very low, but under the slay­ing time lower, but after the slaying time the Church is very high, she is re­joycing, shining, and triumphing on Mount Sion: And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the Elders, and no man could learn that song but the hundred forty and four thousand which were redeemed from the Earth. The true Church ha­ving gotten the glorious presence of the Lamb in the midst of her, and ha­ving gotten some victory over the beast they do rejoyce mightily. And I heard a voice of Harpers, harping with their Harps: but this is not till after the re­surrection of the witnesses are risen, the Church is exceeding joyful.

This chapter out of which my Text is taken containeth six principal things

First, A Lovely Description of Jesus Christ; and he is described by the simi­litude of a Lamb: Lo, a Lamb stood up­on Mount Sion, vers. 1. And behold the Lamb of God, Joh. 1.19.

He is called a Lamb in a double re­spect.

First, In respect of his innocency, 1 Pet. 1.19.

Secondly, In respect of his meekness and patience, Acts 8.32.

Secondly, A Lively Description of the Church, the Lambs wife, and that from vers. 1. to vers. 5.

Thirdly, A glorious Description of the Churches Ministers. As the Church is in this book called Heaven, so her Ministers are called Angels: And I saw another Angel flying in the midst of Hea­ven, having the everlasting Gospel, ver. 6. And there followed another Angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, vers. 8. And the third Angell followed him, saying with a loud voyce, &c. Vers. 9.

Fourthly, Here is set down the Do­ctrine which these Angels preach and publish.

The first Angell published the free Grace of God in Jesus Christ openly a­gainst all the inventions of men: Say­ing with a loud voice, fear God, and give [Page 66]Glory to him, and worship him that made Heaven and Earth, and the Sea and the Fountains of waters, vers. 7. Namely, That men should once fear God, and worship him, and give all glory to him; none to Creatures, none to Images, none to Antichrist; he that worshipeth the Beast, worshipeth the Dragon and the Divel, Chap. 13.

The second Angell proclaimed the utter ruine of Babylon, and the destru­ction thereof, over the world, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great City, because she hath made all Nations drink of the wive of the wrath of her fornication, vers. 8.

The third Angel doth seriously and solemnly give warning to all those who shall yet adhere to the Beast, shewing the danger and misery of it. If any man worship the heast and his Image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, the same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the Cup of his indig­nation, and he shall be tormented with fire [Page 67]and brimstone, in the presence of the Holy Angels, and in the presence of the Lamb, vers. 19.20.

Fifthly, A sweet word of heavenly consolation to the Saints and People of God; And I heard a voice from Hea­ven, saying unto me, write, blessed are the dead which dye in the Lord; from hence­forth they rest from their labours, and their works do follow them, vers. 13.

Sixthly, The Judgments and venge­ance which shall be executed upon the false Church: the Spirit doth set it forth by a double similitude; the one by rending, the other by gathering; and that from vers. 15. to the end. God will as it were rain Hell out of Heaven upon Babylon; he hath fire and brimstone for this spirituall Sodome; judgement without mercy; and fury without compassion.

I shall now come to the words of my Text, These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. This text is one of the Golden Characters of the hundred forty and four thousand, [Page 68]which stood with the Lamb upon Mount Sion.

In these words are three things.

First, the Subjects, [these]

Secondly, the Act, [follow]

Thirdly, the Object, [The Lamb] whithersoever he goeth.

I shall gather this Observation from the words,

In the handling of this point, I shall shew you five things.

First, What it is to follow the Lamb:

Secondly, Why they follow the Lamb.

Thirdly, The Excellency of follow­ing the Lamb.

Fourthly, The Misery of them that follow not the Lamb.

Fifthly, How the Lambs followers may be known from the beasts followers

First, To follow the Lamb whither­soever he goeth, is to follow him in four things.

First, In his Commandements. If you love me, keep my Commandements, John 14.15. Ye are my friends if you do whatso­ever I command you, Chap. 15.14. Blessed are they that do his Commandments, that they may have right to the Tree of Life, Rev. 22.4. Oh Beloved, we cannot follow the Lamb whithersoever he goes, unless we follow him in his com­mands. Then shall I not be ashamed, (saith David) when I have respect to all thy Commandments, Psal. 119.6. Christians should take as much delight in those precepts that enjoyne holinesse, as in those promises that assure happiness.

Secondly, In his teachings. My Sheep hear my Voyce, and I know them, and they follow me, John 10.27. A stranger they will not follow, but will flee from him, for they know not the voyce of strangers, Vers. 5.

Thirdly, In his Providences, through all afflictions, all straits all discourage­ments and sorrows whatsoever, though it be a way of blood. We must forsake all to follow a crucified Christ, a con­demned, [Page 70]in bloody paths of sufferings, if he call us to it. Ye though I walk through the Valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for thou art with me: Thy rod and thy staffe they comfort me, Psal. 23.4. For (saith Paul) I am ready not to be bound only, but also to dye at Je­rusalam for the name of the Lord Jesus. We must be willing to venture the loss of all for him, Liberty, Estate, Relati­ons, and Life it self: We have forsaken all, and followed thee, Math. 19.27.

Fourthly, In his Example. For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you, Joh. 13.5. that Because Christ hath suffered for us, leaving us an example that we should follow his steps, 1 Pet. 2.21, 22. So that to fol­low Christs steps, is to take him for an example: We must walk in the same spirit, in the same steps, and in the same obedience. VVe must not fol­low wicked mens Examples, who walk in the broad way that leads to death, and are of their father the Devil, and his work they do, John 8.11. But we must fol­low [Page 71]our Head Christ, who went up and down doing good, Acts 10.38. Now this is to follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth.

• In his Commands.
• In his Teachings.
• In his Providence.
• In his Example.

Secondly, To follow the Lamb whi­thersoever he goeth, is to follow him truly, without hypocrisie; and con­stantly, without apostacy.

First, Truly, without hypocrisie: Many follow the Lord as Beggars fol­low a man, onely for an Almes; they prize the wages of Religion, above the work of Religion. You seek me not be­cause of the miracles, but because you did eat of the loaves and were filled, John 6.26. Oh Beloved, God abhors an Hy­pocrite more then a Sodomite; and Hell is provided on purpose for Hypo­crites, Mat. 24.51. My Beloved, fol­lowing the Lamb fully, is to have the heart sixed and resolved for God: My soul followes hard after thee, said David, [Page 72]Psalm 63.8. And as the Hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee O God. All the faculties of his soule are working after God: My soul, and all that is within me praise the Lord, saith holy David.

Secondly, Constantly, without Apo­stacy. A true Believer after he begins to follow the Lamb, he never leaves following him, but followeth him whi­thersoever he goeth. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall Tribula­tion, or Distresse, or Persecution, or Fa­mine, or Nakednesse, or Perill, or Sword? For I am perswaded that neither Death, nor Life, nor Angels, nor Principalities, nor Powers, nor Things present, nor Things to come, nor Height, nor Depth, nor any Creature shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Oh beloved, he doth not follow the Lamb whither soever he go­eth, that follows the Lord earnestly for a while, but afterward forsaketh him when a storme riseth: Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while; [Page 73]when tribulation or persecution ariseth be­cause of the word, by and by he is offended, Math. 13.21. Nor he that followes the Lamb in some things, and the Beast in other things: They feared the Lord, and served their own gods, after the manner of the Nations. Nor he that fol­loweth the Lord in a dull heavy man­ner, and a luke-warm temper: I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot, I would thou wert cold or hot, Chap. 3.15. Be astonished, O ye Heavens, at this and be horribly afraid, be ye very deso­late, saith the Lord; for my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountaine of living waters, and hewed them out Gisterns, broken Cisterns, that can hold no water, Jer. 2.12, 13. Oh this is not a following the Lamb: They that follow the Lord fully abide in the Lord, and cleave to the Lord, and continue constantly in Gods ways to the end of their dayes. The righteous holds on his way, Job 17.9. Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the Lord. Hosea 6.3. The righteous man holds on his way, he followes the Lamb [Page 74]whithersoever he goeth:

• First, Speedily.
• Secondly, Truly:
• Thirdly, Undividedly:
• Fourthly, Zealously.
• Fifthly, Humbly.
• Sixthly, Chearfully.
• Seaventhly, Diligently.
• Eightly, Constantly.
• Ninthly, Faithfully.
• Tenthly, Transcendently.

Now this is following the Lamb whithersoever he goeth.

Now I shall shew you why Believers follow the Lamb.

First, Because they are redeemed by the blood of the Lamb. For as much as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as Silver, and Gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a Lamb without blemish and without spot, 1 Pet. 1.18, 19. He paid a price for our re­demption, that so he might discharge [Page 75]the debt of our sins; And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the Book, and to open the Seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood, out of every Kindred, and Tongue, and People, and Nation, Rev. 5.9.

There are three things called preci­ous in the Scriptures.

• First, Faith is called precious, 2 Pet. 1.1.
• Secondly, The promises are called precious, vers. 4.
• Thirdly, The blood of Christ is cal­led precious, 1 Pet. 1.19.

O his blood hath redeemed us from six Enemies.

• First, From the World, Galathians 1.4. Rev. 14.4.
• Secondly, From the Curse, Galathi­ans 3.13.
• Thirdly, From Sin, Rom. 6: 18, 22.
• Fourthly, From the Devil, Heb. 2.18. Acts 26.17, 18.
• Fifthly, From the sting of Death, 1 Cor. 15.55, 56.
• [Page 76]Sixthly, From Hell, 1 Thes. 1.10. Rev. 2.12. O his blood is precious blood; his blood hath slaine our Ene­mies; he hath purchased by his blood Reconciliation with the Father, Union with the Son, and Communion with the Holy Ghost. Ye that were sometimes afar off, are made nigh by the Blood of Christ, Ephes. 2.13, 16.

Secondly, They follow the Lamb, because they are washed in the blood of the Lamb. He hath loved us, and wa­shed us from our sins in his blood, Rev. 1.5. These are they which came out of great Tribulation, and have washed their Robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb, Rev. 7.14. The blood of Christ cleanseth us from all sinne, 1 John 1.7. Christs blood washeth away our bloody sins. I said unto thee, when thou wast in thy blood, Live, Ezek. 16. For as soon as we are united with Christ, our sins are upon him, and his righteousness upon us. It is Christ that gives us life, and puts excellent Ornaments upon us to cover our nakednesse, and decketh us [Page 77]with Jewels and Gems of Gold: So we become beautiful in his sight, Isa. 6 [...].10. That he might present it to himself a glorious Church, not having spot or wrinkle, nor any such thing; but that it should be holy, and without blemish, Eph. 5.27.

Thirdly, Believers follow the Lamb, because they are risen with the Lamb. If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sit­eth on the right hand of God, Coloss. 3.1. Therefore we are buried with him by bap­tisme into death; that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the father, even so we also should wark in new­ness of life, Rom. 6.4. Every man besides a Believer is a dead man, Dead in tres­passes and sins, Ephes. 2.1. Therefore they are exhorted to rise from the dead Eph. 5.4. They must rise from evil to good, from Earthly-mindednesse to Heavenly-mindedness; but now Be­lievers by faith are risen from darkness to light: For ye were sometimes dark­ness, but new are ye light in the Lord: [Page 78]Walk as Children of light, Eph. 5.8. A­rise, shine, for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee, Isa. 60.1. When the Lord shined forth up­on his people in glorious discoveries of himself, he calls them away from their former condition. When the Lord dis­covered himself in a Gospel dispensa­tion, his people were no longer to sit under dark clouds of legal Ceremonies, but to follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth.

Fourthly, They follow the Lamb, because they are enlightned by the Lamb. God who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give us the light of the knowledge of the Glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ, 2 Cor. 4.6. But we all with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same Image from Glory to Glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord, 2 Cor. 3.18. Yea doubtlesse, and I count all things but losse for the ex­cellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord; for whom I have suffered the [Page 79]losse of all things, and doe count them but dung that I may win Christ, Phil. 3.8. Divine and Heavenly knowledge brings a man near to God, it gives a man the clearest and the fullest sight of God; and the nearer any man comes to God, the clearer vision he hath of God, and the more communion with God.

The reason why others doe not fol­low the Lamb, is because they see not the worth and want of the Lamb: Having the understanding darkned, being alienated from the living God, through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their hearts, Ephes. 4.18. Where there is a Vaile cast before the eyes of knowledge, there is a Barre set before the hands of practise. An igno­rant person neither knows what he is a doing, nor doth he know whether he is a going; he doth nothing but undoe himself by doing. Carnal men see no preciousness and loveliness in Christ; Oh what is thy beloved more then another beloved? Cant. 5,9. If thou knowest the gift of God, and who it is that asketh; thou [Page 80]wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water, John 4.10.

Christ goes undesired in the world, because he goes undiscerned by the world: But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness unto him; neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned 1 Cor. 2.14. But now believers being enlightned by the Spirit of God, and by the Word of God, they see them­selves what they were before faith, and what they are by faith, and what they shall be at the end of faith; they see Christ to be all precious, precious in his Ordinances, precious in his Disco­veries, precious in his Graces, precious in his Gifts, precious in his Promises, precious in his Members, precious in his Ministers, and precious in himself, 1 Pet. 2.7. Therefore believers cannot but love him and follow him.

Fifthly, They follow the Lamb be­cause they love the Lamb. Grace be with all them that love the Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity, Ephes. 6.24. They [Page 81]love him with a superlative love. Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon Earth that I desire besides thee, Psal. 73.25. The Spouse of Christ looks upon what she is, as not great enough for his remembrance, and what she does, as not good enough for his accep­tance. Look not upon me because I am black, because the Sun hath looked upon me; My Mothers Children were angry with me, they made me the keeper of their Vineyard, but mine one Vineyard have I not kept, Cant. 1.6. The Church is ne­ver more fair, than when she judgeth her self to be most deformed; never more happy, than when she accounts her self most miserable; never more holy, than when she reckons her self most polluted; she is never richer, than when she seeth her self to be poorest of all. The soul that loves much, is a soul that works much; the Commands of the Gospel are not grievous to him, but precious to him. Tell me (oh thou whom my soul loveth) where thou feedest, Cant. 1.7. A soul that loves Christ hath [Page 82]hath his eye upon Christ, and his desire is after Christ. The desire of our souls is to thy name, and to the remembrance of thee: With my Soul have I desired thee in the Night, yea, with my Spirit will I seek thee early, Isa. 26.8, 9. True believers love Christ more then they love themselves, They loved not their lives unto the death, Rev. 13:11. Christ is dearer to them than their lives: they slighted, con­temned, yea, despised their very lives, when they stood in competition with Christ, and his Glory, and chose rather to suffer the greatest misery, than he should lose the least dram of his ho­nour. The love of Christ hath made his Saints and VVitnesses yield all the parts and members of their bodies, to the cruel and mercilesse instruments of bloody persecutors; their backs to be whipt, their eyes to be boared, and their tongues to be cut out of their mouths, Heb. 11.37. Oh how strongly did these love! the measure of loving Christ, is to love him without measure. Who shall separate us from the love of [Page 83]Christ? Tribulation shall not, Persecution shall not, Famine and Nakednesse shall not, Peril and Sword shall not: for I am per­swaded that neither death, nor life, nor Angels, nor Principalities, nor Powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other Creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord, Rom. 8.35, 38, 39.

Sixthly, They follow the Lamb, be­cause they are married to the Lamb: Jer. 3.14. I am married unto you, Rev. 21.9. I will shew thee the Bride, the Lambs Wife, Cant. 2.16. My beloved is mine, and I am his.

Here I will shew you two things.

First, How Christs comes to be ours.

2ly. How we come to be Christs.

First, Christ is ours by the free do­nation and gift of the Father: God so loved the word, that he gave his only be­gotten Son, John 3.16.

Secondly, Christ freely gave himself unto us; so that Christ is ours by his own consent: he hath as it were passed [Page 84]over himself unto us; Christ loved me, and gave himself for me, said the Apostle, Gal. 2.20.

Thirdly, Christ hath passed himself over unto his Church by marriage; and therefore she is called his Queen, his Spouse, his Bride, and his VVife, Psal. 45.9. Although we had nothing to bring to him but poverty, shame, for­row, and misery, yet he took us, and loved us, and married us.

Fourthly, Christ is ours by commu­nicating his own Spirit to us.

2. The Saints are Christs four ways.

First, By the Donation of the Father: God hath made him both Lord and Christ, Acts 2.36. And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the Head over all things in the Church, Ephes. 1.22. And now, saith Christ, Behold I and the Children whom thou gavest me; thine they were, and thou gavest them me, John Se­venteen Six. God the Father gave us to God the Son, that he might redeem us; and God the Son gave us to God the Father, that he might sanctifie [Page 85]us, and keep us from the evill of the World, verse 17.

Secondly, We are Christs by choice: I have chosen you out of the World: And the Saints are said to be Chosen in Christ, Eph. 1.4. And they are called A chosen Generation, 1 Pet. 2.9. And chosen and faithful, Rev. 17.14.

Thirdly, The Saints are Christs by purchase. We were in our Enemies hands, and under their power, and could not free our selves from the bon­dage of the Law, Sin, Satan, Death, and Hell; therefore saith the Apostle, We are bought with a price, 1 Cor. 6.20. For in respect of Gods Justice we are bought by Christ.

Fourthly, We are Christs by com­bination and Covenant. I entred into Covenant with thee, and thou becamest mine, Ezek. 16.8. That is, I did make a Solemn Covenant or Stipulation with thee, that I would take thee to be my people. So that it is no wonder Pelievers follow the Lamb whetherso­ever he goeth; they are married to [Page 86]him, he is their Head and Husband.

Seventhly, They follow the Lamb, because they have the Spirit of the Lamb: We have not the spirit of the World, but the Spirit which is of God, that we may know the things that are of God: And we have the mind of Jesus Christ, 1 Cor. 2.11, 12, 16. And we know that he abides in us, by the Spi­rit which he hath given us: Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. This Spirit that the Lord Jesus gives to believers is a sealing Spi­rit, a lively Spirit, and an enlightning Spirit, and a leading Spirit; it leads us from all evill to all good. And all the Lambs followers are in the Spirit of the Lamb; and therefore they pray in the Spirit, and with the Spirit, and by the Spirit, and for more of the Spirit: They that have this Spirit need not a Book to pray by. Now all true Believers have the Spirit of the Lamb, therefore they follow the Lamb whethersoever he goeth,

Fifthly, Believers follow the Lamb, [Page 87]because all their Priviledges come from the Lamb: They are all Kings and Priests: Rev. 1.6. Rev. 5.10. And Sons, and Heirs, 1 Joh. 3.1. Behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us! Rom. 8.17. If Chil­dren, then Heirs, Heirs with God, and joynt Heirs with Christ. Though Be­lievers have not a Crown in life, yet they are Heirs to a Crown of life: God puts the greatest honour upon his own people, Prov. 12.26. All the honour that other men have, is not worth the having: that which makes a man great in the eye of the world, makes a man nothing in the eye of God. Men are never the better for their greatness, if they are not made better by their greatness. But now believers great­ness and honour comes by Christ, the faithful and true witness, the first be­gotten of the dead, and the Prince of the Kings of the Earth: He hath made us unto our God Kings and Priests, and we shall reign on the Earth, Rev. 5.10. [Page 88]All the light, and life, and hope, and joy, and peace, and beauty, and ho­nour, and riches, Believers have, they have it all by Christ, and from Christ; he gives them rich Grace, and rich Glory, and all things richly to enjoy, 1 Tim. 6.17.

Take a man that is out of Christ, and he hath none of all this, Ephes. 2.12. That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the Common-wealth of Israel, and strangers from the Covenant of promise, having no hope, and without God in the World. They are wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked, Revel. 3.17.

O this is the condition of every grace­less, Faithless, and Christless person. But now a Believer though he be never so poor in the worlds eye, he is rich in Gods eye; for all things are his, and he shall inherit all things, 1 Cor. 3.22. Rev. 21.7. He that overcometh, shall inherit all things. But how comes it to pass that the Believer hath so much, and [Page 89]all others so little? He hath it all from Christ. Of his fulness have all we re­ceived Grace for Grace.

Therefore Believers doe glory in Christ, because they have all their glory by and from Christ, 1 Cor. 1.31. He hath enough to glory in, that hath a Christ to glory in: Now Believers cannot but cleave to him, and follow him, because all their good things comes by him.

Ninthly, They follow the Lamb, because their names are written in the Lambs Book, Revel. 13.8. And all that dwell upon the Earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever work­eth abomination, or maketh a lye: but they which are written in the Lambs book of life, Rev. 21.27. All the rest, all the Worshippers of the Beast, and all Unbelievers shall be cast into [Page 90]that Lake of fire which burns and flames for ever, Rev. 19.20. There be a great many that follow the Beast, worship the Beast, receive the mark of the Beast, and admire the Beast, Chap. 13.3, 4. But what are they? Are they any that have their names written in the Lambs Book of Life? No, no; for this see Rev. 17.8. The Beast that thou sawest, was, and is not, and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and shall go into perdition, and they that dwell on the Earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the Book of Life. So that you see what that cursed crew are that follow Babylon, they are such whose names are not written in the Book of Life. But they that have their Fathers name written in their fore-head, and their names written in the Lambs Book, they follow the Lamb whethersoever he goeth: And they that are with him are called and cho­sen, and faithful, Rev. 17.14.

Tenthly, and lastly, Precious ones [Page 91]follow the Lamb, because they shall be for ever with the Lamb. Then we which are alive and remain, shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air, and so shall we ever be with the Lamb: Wherefore comfort one another with these words, 1 Thes. 4.17, 18. Therefore are they before the Throne of God, and serve him day and night in his Temple; and he that sitteth on the Throne shall dwell among them: They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more, neither shall the Sun light on them, nor any heat; for the Lamb which is in the midst of the Throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living Fountains of waters, and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes, Re. 7.15, 16, 17. How troublesom soever a Saints beginning is, his ending is joyful. When Believers change Earth for Hea­ven, they do not lose their happiness, but compleat their happiness, Joh. 12.17, 24. Eather, I will that they also whom thou gavest me, be with me where I am, that they may behold my glory [Page 92]which thou hast given me; for thou lo­vedst me before the foundation of the world: Not only with me for ever, but with my Saints, with my Angels, and with my Father, and with all that are with me.

To be with God and Christ for ever, implyeth these seven things.

First, The presence of God.

Secondly, The happy union with God.

Thirdly, The blessed vision of God.

Fourthly, The glorious communi­on with God.

Fifthly, The fruition of God.

Sixthly, The rest that the Saints shall have in God.

Seventhly, The enjoyments of them­selves in God.

Oh how unspeakable is the glory of Heaven! Oh how infinitely glorious is the Lamb! Now true Believers follow the Lamb whethersoever he goeth, be­cause they shall be for ever with the Lamb in fulness of glory, and endless felicity, Rom. 8.17.

Thus have I shewed you why Be­lievers follow the Lamb.

Now I shall shew you the Excellen­cies of following the Lamb.

The first Excellency is, They that follow the Lamb have the presence of the Lamb with them.

The hundred forty and four thou­sand that stood upon Mount Sion, had the Lamb with them. Psal. 46.5. God is in the midst of her, she shall not be mo­ved; God shall help her, and that right early. The Lord of Hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge, Verse 7. God is in the midst of his Church, not only to behold her, but to uphold her. Though the Churches Enemies may be waves to toss her, yet they shall ne­ver be Rocks to split her, because God is in the midst of her. This is that which comforted and strengthened David; Yea, though I walk through the Valley of the shadow of Death, I will fear no evill, for thou art with me, Psalm 23.4. When thou passest thorow the Waters I will be [Page 94]with thee; and through the Ri­vers, they shall not overflow thee; when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burnt, neither shall the flame kindle upon thee, Isa. 43.2. Oh they that follow the Lamb, shall stand for the Lamb, have the presence of the Lamb; his glorious presence, his gra­cious presence, his comforting presence, his protecting presence, his quickning and sanctifying presence.

The second Excellency is, That they that follow the Lamb, shall know the mind of the Lamb.

It is given unto you to know the my­steries of the Kingdom of Heaven, but to them it is not given: And blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears for they hear, Mat. 13.11, 16. Hence­forth I call you not servants, for the ser­vant knoweth not what his Lord doth; but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father, I have made known unto you, John 17.6, 7, 8. Jesus Christ that lies in the bo­som of his Father, he unbosomes and [Page 95]unbowels the heart of the Father to Believers; they know his Secrets, his Mind, his Counsel, and his WIll; and none knoweth it but them: I thank thee O Father, Lord of Heaven and Earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast re­vealed them unto Babes, Matth. 11.25. But they that walk with God, know much of the mind of God, and the My­steries of the Gospel.

The Third Excellency of following the Lamb, is, They that follow the Lamb, may come boldly to the Lamb. Let us therefore come boldly unto the Throne of Grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find Grace to help in time of need, Heb. 4.16. A soul that hath an in­terest in Christ, may come boldly to Christ, and speak boldly to him, and to his Father, for any mercy he need­eth; he may go to the Throne of Grace for Grace, and open his heart to God, as one friend to another. Oh what a liberty have Believers! Oh what a priviledge have they, that they [Page 96]May go to God with a holy boldness! The wicked proud ones of the Earth are so high that the poor Saints cannot come boldly and freely to them; but they may come boldly and freely to the Lord their God: Mat. 11.28. Come unto me all ye that labour, and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

The fourth Excellency is, They that follow the Lamb shall have all their wants supplyed by the Lamb. Phil. 4.19. But my God shall supply all your need, according to his riches in glory, by Jesus Christ. They that follow the Lamb shall want no good thing: Oh fear the Lord all ye his Saints, for there is no want to them that fear him. The young Lyons do lack and suffer hunger, but they that seek the Lord shall not want any good thing, Psal. 34.9.10. The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want, Psal. 23.1. Delight thy self in the Lord, and he shall give thee the desire of thy heart; thou shalt have whatsoever thou desirest to have. He that hath the chiefest good, shall want no good. [Page 97] Whosoever shall drink of the water that I shall give him, shall never thirst: And he that cometh to me shall never hunger, Joh. 6.35. Oh who would not follow and believe in the Lamb; Oh happy are all they that follow the Lamb.

The fifth Excellency is, They that follow the Lamb shall share with the Lamb,

First, In his Divine Nature. Where­by are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises, that by these you might be partakers of the Divine Na­ture, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust, 2 Pet. 1.4. That is, of those Divine Qualities, whereby we are made like unto God in Wisdom, and Righteousness, and true Holiness, Ephes. 4.24.

Secondly, In his Conquests, The poor Saints share with Christ in all his noble and honourable conquests (1 Cor. [...]5.55.) over the World, Death, and Hell, and over sufferings: In all these things we are more then Conquerours through him that loved us, Rom. 8.37.

Thirdly, They share with Christ in his Graces.

Of his fulness have all we received grace for grace, Joh. 1.16. As a Child receives Member for Member; as the Paper from the Press receives Letter for Letter; as the Wax from the Seal receives Print for Print; or as the Glass from the Image receives Face for Face; so do Believers receive from Christ Grace for Grace; that is, for every grace that is in the Lamb, there is the same grace in us in some measure.

Fourthly, Believers share with Christ in his Glorious Titles.

He is called a Son, so are they; a King, so are they; a Priest, so are they; an Heir, so are they, Rom. 8.17. Rev. 5.10. Rev. 1.5, 6.

Fifthly, They share with Christ in his Glory.

I go to prepare a place for you: I will come again and receive you unto my self, that where I am, there ye may be also, Joh. 14.23. And the glory which thou gavest me, I have given them, that they [Page 99]may be one, as we are one, Joh. 17.22. My sheep hear my voice, and they follow me, and I give unto them eternal life, Joh. 10.28. The Saints shall have the same Glory which Christ himself hath: The Saints in Heaven are not only glo­rified with Christ (which is a great ex­altation) but they do enjoy the very same Glory which Christ himself doth; the same for kind, though not for de­gree. The Head and Members are glorified together with the same kind of glory: God hath not one Heaven for his Son, and another for his Saints; but one and the same heaven for both. Believers shall be as truly glorious as Christ is, and eternally glorious as he is. Our vile bodies shall be fashioned like unto his glorious body: And we shall be glorified together with him, and ap­pear with him in Glory, Rom. 8. Col. 3. Oh here is the excellency of follow­ing the Lamb; they that follow him share with him.

The sixth Excellency of following the Lamb, is, They that follow the [Page 100]Lamb shall be protected by the Lamb. He suffered no man to do them wrong, yea, he reproved Kings for their sakes, saying, touch not mine Anointed, and do my Prophets no harm, Psal. 105.14, 15. which are his Saints. Who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good? and if ye suffer for righteousness sake, happy are ye, and be not afraid of their terrour, neither be troubled, 1 Pet. 3.13. Fear thou not, for I am with thee: be not dismayed, for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee, yea, I will help thee, yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righte­ousness, Isa. 41.10. Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea they may forget, yet will I not forget thee, Isa, 49.15. Who can harm a man if God be with him and for him: He that hath the love of God, need not care for the anger of men: A true Be­liever hath the love of God, the love of Christ, the love of good Angels, the love of good men, and the love of all [Page 101]whose love is worth the having: God protects men in his way, but not out of his way: When men appear for God God appears for men; he is good to them in affliction, and he doth them good by affliction.

The seventh Excellency is, They that follow the Lamb shall not feel the wrath of the Lamb. Rev. 2.11. He that overcometh, shall not be hurt of the se­cond death, 1 Thes. 1.10. And to wait for his Son from Heaven: whom he rai­sed from the dead, even Jesus which delivered us from the wrath to come. There is therefore now no condemnati­on to them that are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the spirit, Rom. 8.1. Oh how sad is the condition of those, who live and dye without Christ! they are sent to Hell, Psal. 9.17. The wicked shall be turned into Hell, and all the Nations that for­get God: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the pre­sence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power, 2 Thes. 2.9. They shall feel [Page 102]and suffer the wrath of the Lamb, be­cause they despised the truth of the Lamb. Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded; but ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof: I also will laugh at your calamity, I will mock when your fear cometh; when your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirl-wind; when distress and an­guish cometh upon you: then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me, Pro. 1.24, 25, 26, 27, 28. Do you hear this sinners? if God will shew you no mercy if you live in your sins, and dye in your sins, be sure Hell will shew you no mercy: Now the Believer shall feel and suffer none of this, he is in a happy state and condition.

The eighth Excellency is, They that follow the Lamb shall reign with the Lamb: and this is another Excellency of following the Lamb. True Belie­vers do reign now over the Creatures, [Page 103]over the pomp and pride of the world, over all spirits, over sin, over the con­sciences of wicked men, and over suf­ferings: but besides all this, they shall reign with Christ, and over those that now reign over them: Rev 5.10. And we shall reign on the Earth, Chap. 20.4. And they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. And as the wicked tread down the Saints under their feet, so shall the saints tread down the wick­ed under their feet, Mal. 4.3 The Lord hath promised that the meek shall in­herit the Earth. Doth not the Scripture say, that In the last dayes the mountain of the Lords house shall be lifted up above the hills, and shall be established in the top of the Mountains? Isa. 2.2. And that the Kingdoms of this world, must become the Kingdomes of our Lord Jesus, Rev. 11.15. And he that loves to see the face of his Church beautiful, will ere long wipe away those bloody tears; it is not long be­fore you will triumph and say, (Cant. 2.11.12.) Lo, the winter is past, the [Page 104]rain is over and gone, the flowers appear on the Earth, the time of the singing of Birds is come.

The ninth Excellency is, They that follow the Lamb, shall sit upon the Throne with the Lamb, Rev. 3.20 21. To him that overcometh will I grant to fit with me in my Throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. Ye also shall sit upon twelve Thrones, judging the twelve Tribes of Israel, Mat. 19.28. Oh what an honour is this! what a glory is this to sit upon the Throne with Christ! Is it not honour and glory enough for us to be in heaven with God, and Christ, and Angels? but must we sit upon a Throne there? Oh what an honour is this! and yet this honour shall all the Lambs followers have.

The tenth Excellency of following the Lamb, is, They that follow the Lamb shall judge the world with the Lamb. If you consult sacred Record you shall find that both God & Christ [Page 105]and the Saints are said to judge the world: The Ordination is Gods, the Execution is Christs, the Approbation is the Saints. When the Apostle would stop the sinful suits among the Corinthi­an brethren, that did not want men of Eminency to put a period unto Con­troversies, saith, Do ye not know that the Saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye un­worthy to judge the smallest matters? 1 Cor. 6.2. Enoch the seventh from Adam Prophesied, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousand of his Saints to execute Judgement upon all, Jude 14.15. When the Son of man shall sit in the Throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve Thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel, Matth. 19.28. Now the world judge the Saints, but then the Saints shall judge the world; now they judge and condemn Christ in his Members, but then they shall be judged and condemned by Christ and his Members; For as the World cannot endure God himself, [Page 106]so neither can they endure God in the Saints: and the more God dwells in the Saints, the more the world afflicts the Saints: but they that follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth, shall sit upon those, that now sit upon them.

Thus have I shewed you the Excel­lencies of following the Lamb.

Fourthly, The misery of those that follow not the Lamb, but the Beast: O their misery is great in this life; but it will be greater in the other.

The first misery of them that follow the Beast, is, They that follow him, shall share with him in all his plagues. And the third Angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, if any man worship the Beast, and his Image, and receive his mark in his fore-head, or in his hand, the same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is pou­red out without mixture into the Cup of his indignation, and he shall be tormen­ted with fire and brimstone in the pre­sence of the Lemb, Rev. 14.9, 10. Oh the plagues, the terrible plagues, that [Page 107]shall fall upon the Beast! Death, and mourning, and famine, and fire, Chap. 18.8. The judgements shall come up­on all parties, and upon all degrees and conditions of men, that joyn with the Beast: All those that do partake of his sins, shall share of his plagues.

There is First, a Vial poured out upon the Earth; that is, upon the common people, Chap. 16. vers. 2.

Secondly, Another Viall upon the Sea; that is, the Jurisdiction of Rome, Verse 3.

Thirdly, Another Vial upon the Ri­vers; that is, their Ministers, Vers. 4.

Fourthly, Another Vial is poured out upon the Sun, that is, Princes and Ma­gistrates, Vers. 8.

Fifthly, Another Vial also upon the Seat; that is, Rome it self, the throne of the Beast, Vers. 10.

So that all that worship the Beast, and receive his Mark, and belong to him, whether they be high or low, rich or poor, if they do not come off from him, they shall share with him in all [Page 108]his plagues: Come out of her my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, that ye receive not of her plagues, Rev. 18.4.

The second misery of them that fol­low the Beast, is, they shall cry to the Rocks and to the Mountains of the Earth. And the great men, and rich men, and the chief Captains, and the mighty men, and every Bondman, and every Freeman hid themselves in the Dens and in the Rocks of the Moun­tains, and said to the Mountains and Rocks, fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the Throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb; for the great day of his wrath is come, and who shall be able to stand? Rev. 6.15, 16, 17. They that are here cloathed in Silk and Velvet, shall wish for the mountains to cover them; which would be but a poor shelter, for the Mountains melt at the presence of the Lord, and the Rocks rend asunder when he is angry. They that made others fly away from them as innocent Lambs from devou­ring wolves, shall be afraid of the wrath [Page 109]of the Lamb that sitteth on the throne. Oh how will those great men dare to appear before his Tribunal, that have stained the Sword of Authority with the blood of innocency, by turning its back against the vicious, and whetting its edge against the righteous? Many an unjust Judge that now sits confidently upon the Bench, shall then stand trem­bling at the Bar. Oh how will they be able to lift up their heads before Christ, who have lifted up their hands against Christ? The Kings of the earth stood up, and the Rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ, Act. 4.26. Rev. 17.14. Instead of help­ing the Lord against the Mighty, they help the Mighty against the Lord, Psal, 2.2. Oh how many great men are there, that make no other use of their greatnesse, but to be great in wickednesse? great Swearers, great Drunkards, great Sabbath-breakers, great Persecutors, great Adulte­rers, great Atheists; who instead of denying or forsaking the Devil and [Page 110]all his works, follow the Devil and all his works; who sin with content, and are content with their sins. Thy Princes are rebellious, and companions of Thieves, Isa. 1.23. But the great God against whom they sin, is greater than the greatest; before whom all the Na­tions of the world are but as a drop of a Bucket, and as the small dust of the Ballance. Isa. 40.15. Who will not fear thee, O King of Nations? forasmuch as there is none like unto thee O Lord: Thou art great, and thy name is great, and thy power is great, Jer. 10.6. He toucheth the mountains, and they smoak; be­fore whom the Devils fear & tremble. Therefore wo, wo, be to them that for­sake him, and follow the Beast; they shall cry and call for help, but there will be none to help them.

The third misery of those that fol­low the Beast, is. They shall be cast in­to a Lake of fire with the Beast. And the Beast was taken, and with him the false Prophet, that wrought miracles be­fore him, with which he deceived them [Page 111]that had received the mark of the Beast and them that worshipped his Image; these both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone, Rev. 19.20 The Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven, with his mighty Angels, in fla­ming fire, taking vengeance on them that know not God, and obey not the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: who shall be punished with everlasting de­struction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power, 2 Thes. 1.7, 8, 9. Oh what a dreadful thing is it to lye under the wrath of God! to lye in burning flames! and for ever to be banished from the presence of God, and his holy Angels! This will be the portion of the Beasts followers. Oh will they not wish then that they had never been born? and that they might be turned into stocks and stones? but alas all their wishes will do them no good; Christ will say to them then, Depart ye cursed into everlasting fire, prepared for the Devil and his Angels, Mat. 25.41, 42, 43. O ye Rulers and great [Page 112]Ones of the Earth, It will be no disho­nour to your Honours, to lay your ho­nour at his feet, in whose presence the Angels vail their faces, and before whose Throne the Elders cast their Crowns, Isa. 6. Rev. 4.10. O is it not better then with patience to suffer with Sion, and the Churches party, a while, rather than joyn with the Romish par­ty, and be ruined with them in the end? Rev. 14.12. Here is the patience of the Saints. Ye shall suffer a while, and be troden down by them; and you must stay for the full accomplishment of this promise for your deliverance, But I will surely come, and will recompence all your patience: And therefore be not discouraged and faint in your minds, let not your hearts turn back un­to Egypt, and hanker after Rome, those remnants of Baal, which God will sure­ly destroy.

Fifthly, I shall shew you now how the Lambes Followers may be known from the Beasts follow­ers.

First, You may know them by their number: They are in number the few­est. Many are called, but few are cho­sen, Mat. 20.16. Though all Israel be as the sand of the Sea, yet but a remnant shall be saved, Rom. 9.27. And Christ calls his flock, a little flock, Luke 12.32. And truly Beloved, they are but a few that follow the Lamb, and believe in him. The Heathens follow the De­vil: the Turks follow Mahomet; the Jews follow Moses; the Papists follow the Pope; and loose Protestants and carnal Professors, they follow the world the flesh, and the Devil; and false Teach­ers, false Doctrine, and false Worships; And all the world wondred after the Beast, Rev. 13.3. The waters which thou sawest, where the Whore sitteth, are Peo­ples, and Multitudes, and Nations, and Tongues, Chap. 17.15. Believers though their natures are the sweetest, yet their number is the smallest: In Heaven are the best, but in Hell are the most.

O dear Christians, there are but few upright Christians; there are many Thorns, but few Lillies.

Secondly, By their Characters you may know them. You have nine love­ly Characters of them in this four­teenth Chapter.

First, they stand with the Lamb up­on the Mount Sion.

Secondly, They have their Fathers name written in their foreheads.

Thirdly, They sing a new Song, which none can learn, but onely the hundred forty and four thousand.

Fourthly, They are such as are re­deemed from the Earth.

Fifthly, They are Virgin-Saints, not defiled with women.

Sixthly, They follow the Lamb whi­thersoever he goeth.

Seventhly, They are redeemed from amongst men.

Eighthly, They bring their first fruits unto God, and to the Lamb.

Ninthly, And in their mouthes was found no guile; for they are without [Page 115]fault before the Throne of God. O how holy, how heavenly, how gracious, how glorious, how lovely and spiritu­al are these! they live in the Lord; on the Lord, to the Lord, and with the Lord; They are a chosen Generation, a Royal Priesthood, an holy Nation, a peculiar people, 1 Pet. 2.9.

Thirdly, By their Spirit: They have another spirit, Num. 14.24. All the Lambs followers are in the spirit of the Lamb, Rom. 8.9, 16. And by that spi­rit they are led and taught; a spirit of holiness, a spirit of meekness, a spirit of love, a free spirit, and a true humble and faithful spirit to, and for the Lord. Now as the Lambs followers are in the spirit of the Lamb; so the Beasts fol­lowers are in the spirit of the Beast, which is no other then the spirit of the Devil, (Eph. 2.2. According to the Prince of the power of the Air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobe­dience:) a spirit of Lording and do­mineering, a spirit of cunning and craf­tiness, a spirit of Deceit, a spirit of Su­perstition, [Page 116]a spirit of persecution and cruelty; and in this spirit are all the followers of the Beast. Now by this you may know the Lambs followers from the Beasts followers.

Fourthly, By their name: They have another name, A new name, Rev. 3.12. God gives his people honourable Titles, though the Beast giveth them reproachful Titles. God calls them The dearly beloved of his soul, Jer. 12.7. And The Apple of his eye, Zech. 2.8. And His Jewels, Mal. 3.17. His Glory, his Portion, his Bride, his Friends and Children: But the Beast calls them Seditious Hereticks, Deceivers and Deluders, Blasphemers, and Fools, and Mad-men, as if they were not worthy to have a being amongst men: But though they are Ravens in the Worlds eye, yet they are Doves in Gods eye; yea, they are such Wor­thies Of whom this world is not worthy, Heb. 11.38. Now dear Christians, by this you may know the Lambs follow­ers from others, by the Nick-names the [Page 117]world giveth them, and by the glori­ous names that God giveth them.

Fifthly, by their Graces they may be known. Such as are the Lambs fol­lowers are full of faith, full of love, full of grace and goodnesse, they are very fruitful, and bring forth much fruit, John 15. They are called Heaven, be­cause of their heavenlinesse, Rom. 8.1. And holy because of their holinesse; spiritual, because of their spiritualness; and faithful, because of their faithful­nesse: There is much of God to be seen in them, in their words, works, du­ties, and conversations, Phil. 3.20. For our conversation is in Heaven. They seek Heavenly things, and walk by a Heavenly Rule, they eye Heavenly ob­jects, and are lead by a Heavenly Spi­rit; they submit to a Heavenly Govern­ment, and imitate Heavenly ones; there is much of Heaven in them, and much of them in heaven: When I awake, I am still with thee, saith David.

But now the Beasts followers they, are full too, but it is with blould and [Page 118]swearing, cursing, stealing, lying, blas­pheming, rebellion, and all manner of abominations and filthinesse, Hos. 4.2. Rom. 3. Rev. 13. Now Beloved, by this you may know Christs precious ones, from the Beasts filthy ones.

Sixthly, The Lambs followers may be known from the Beasts followers, by their keeping the Commandments of God, and the Faith of Jesus Rev. 14.12. Here is the patience of the Saints; here are they that keep the Commandments of God, and the Faith of Jesus. So Rev. 12.17. The Dragon was wroth with the Woman, and made war with the rem­nant of her seed, which keep the Com­mandments of God, & having the Testi­mony of Jesus Christ. True Believers cleave to the Lord, and follow him ful­ly: But my servant Caleb hath followed me fully, Numb. 14.24. And Enoch walked with God, Gen. 5.24. And No­ah walked with God, Gen. 6.9. Let us also walk in the Spirit, Gal 5.25. And they follow the Lamb whitherso­ever he goeth, they hear his voice, [Page 119]they professe his worship, and obey his doctrine, they obhor Antichrist, they follow not the Beast, nor receive his mark, but keep their beautiful gar­ments of Gospel innocency, and will not touch beastly Babylon.

Seventhly, By their Company: The Lambs followers keep company toge­ther: Being let go, they went to their own company, Acts 4.23. So they are said to stand upon a Sea of Glasse toge­ther: And I saw as it were a Sea of glass, mingled with fire, and them that had gotten victory over the Beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the Sea of Glasse, having the harps of God, Rev. 15.2. So they that are with the Lamb upon Mount Sion, are together, and keep together, and follow the Lamb together. Christs faithfull Wit­nesses do not hear with Antichrists hearers, nor worship with them which worship the Beast; for they are come out of Babylon, Chap. 18.4. Come out of her my people, that ye be not partakers [Page 120]of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues: Whereof come out from a­mongst them, and be ye separate, and touch not the unclean thing, and I will receive you, saith the Lord, 2 Cor. 6.17. The Children of God wil not keep company with the Children of wrath, for they cannot agree; For what fellow­ship hath righteousness with unrighte­ousness? and what communion hath light with darknesse? and what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth, with an Infidel? and what agreement hath the Temple of God with Idols? 2 Cor. 6.14, 15, 16. there fore believers keep together, walk toge­ther, & worship God together: And they that believed were of one heart, and one soul, & continued in the Apostles Doctr. and fellowship, Acts 4.32. Acts 2.42. By this the Lambs followers are known to wit, by their company.

Eighthly, By their Language they are known: True Believers speak the Language of Canaan; their Language is Scripture-Language; you may know [Page 121]them by their speech, as Peter was known by his speech: Surely thou art one of them for thy speech bewrayeth thee, Mat. 26.73. Their words are ho­ly and heavenly; they speak of God, and to God, and for God, and He heareth them, Mal. 3.16. But the beasts followers speak wickedly, proudly, daringly, and blasphemously Chap. 13.4. And he opened his mouth blasphem­ing God, his Son, his Name, his Saints, and they that dwell in Heaven, verse 6. Men are known who and what they are, and to whom they do belong, by their Language; if they are of God, and in God, they cannot but speak much of God.

Ninthly, The Lambs followers are known by this, They are more afflicted with the Churches heaviness, than they are affected with their own happiness. The King said why is thy countenance sad? this is nothing else but sorrow of heart, seeing thou art not sick. Why should not my countenance be sad, when the City, the place of my fathers, lyeth [Page 122]waste, and the Gates thereof are con­sumed with fire? Nehem. 2.2, 3. How can Sions Sons be rejoycing, when their Mother is mourning? Though they were the Jews Desolation, yet they were Jeremies Lamentation. How can such rejoyce in her standing, that do not mourn for her falling: When the Churches Adversaries make long fur­rows upon her back, we should cast in the seed of tears. Remember them that are in bonds, as being bound with them; and them which suffer adversitie, as be­ing your selves also in the body, Heb. 13.3. Sympathising with others makes an estate that is joyful more happy, and an estate that is doleful less heavy.

The righteous perish, and no man layeth it to heart, Isa. 5.7. We may draw up that charge against many now. Amos 6.46. They lye upon beds of Ivory, and stretch themselves upon Couches, and eat the Lambs out of the flock, and the Calves out of the midst of the stall; that drink wine in bowls, and anoint them [Page 123]selves with the chief Ointments; but they are not grieved for the afflictions of Joseph. O that there were not too many such now adays, that eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and are not trou­bled for Sions troubles: Instead of sym­pathising with them in their misery, they are censuring of them for their misery. But the true Servants of God are tender and broken-hearted, they weep and mourn, and wring their hands for Sions sins, for Sions Breaches for Sions Calamities, for Sions Deliver­ance; and thus they do and will do, till they see Sion on Mount Sion with the Lamb to be.

Tenthly, the Lambs followers are known by their love to Christ, and suf­ferings for Christ; they chuse the worst of sorrows, before they will commit the least of sins: For thy sake are we killed all the day long, and counted as sheep for the slaughter, Psa, 44. Rom. 8.36. And ye shall be hated of all men for my Names sake, Mat. 10 22. Blessed are ye when men shall revile you, and persecute [Page 122] [...] [Page 123] [...] [Page 124]you, and shall say all manner of evil a­gainst you falsly for my sake, Mat. 5.10. Love can walk on the water without drowning, and lye in the fire without burning. How shall we land at the Ha­ven of rest, if we are not tossed upon the Sea of trouble, A believer should live above the love of life and the fear of death. Though we cannot live with­out afflictions, yet let us live above afflictions: None are so welcome to that spiritual Canaan, as those that swim to it through the Red Sea of their own bloud. In suffering the offence is done to us, in sinning the offence is done to God: In suffering we lose the favour of men, in sinning we lose the favour of God: Therefore Daniel chose the Den of the Lion, rather than he would forsake the Cause of the Lamb, Dan. 6. And the three Chrildren chose rather to suffer sadly, than to sin foul­ly, Dan. 3. And Moses chose rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season, Heb. 11. [...]5. It is bet­ter [Page 125]to be a Martyr than a Monarch; it is better to be a prisoner for Christ, than to be a Prince without Christ, or against Christ. O how precious, how glorious, how lovely, and how sweet is Jesus Christ to believers? O they love him entirely uprightly, they love his glorious person, and the beauty of his holinesse, and his Name, his Hon­our, his Cause, and his Members; they will suffer for him, and die for him, be­cause he suffered and died for them, Rev. 12.11. And they loved not their lives unto the Death. Now by this all men may know the Lambs follow­ers from the Beasts followers, viz. by their sorrowes and sufferings for Christ, for Truth, for Righteousness, and for Conscience sake, Heb. 10.34. And they took joyfully the spoyling of their goods, Heb. 11.35.

Eleventhly, The Lambs followers are known by this, They seek the pub­lick good of others above the private good of themselves. I have great heavi­ness, and continual sorrow in my heart; [Page 126]for I could wish that my self were accur­sed from Christ, for my brethren, my Kinsmen according to the flesh, Rom. 9.2.3. And now O Father, glorifie thy son that thy son may glorifie thee, Joh. 17.1. He prayed for glory more for the Fa­thers sake that bestowed it, than for his own sake that received it. A true Chri­stian doth not desire grace only for this end, that God may glorifie him; but he desires grace for this end, that he may glorifie God. For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich, 2 Cor. 8.9. O, that the Lord Jesus should not only in pitty save us, but in love dye for us! And David, after he had served his own Generation by the Will of God, fell on sleep Acts 13.36. His Generation did not serve him, but he served his Gene­ration; not the Generation that was be­fore him, for they were dead before he was living; nor the Generation that was behind him, for they were living after [Page 127]he was dead: but his own Generation; and not by his own will, but by the Will of God. Old Ely mourned more for the lose of his Religion, than for the lose of his Relation, 1 Sam. 4.18, So Moses Exo. 32.10. Now therefore let me alone, that my wrath may wax hot a­gainst them, and that I may consume them; and I wil make of thee a great Na­tion. He was no self-seeker, but a life preserver. Grace doth not only make a man carry it like a man to God, but to carry it like a God to man. Reason makes a man a man, but grace makes a man a Christian. Every gracious spirit is publick, though every publick spirit is not gracious. As we are not born by our selves, so we are not born for our selves. But the Beasts followers and Ba­bylons Merchants are for themselves, and seek themselves: Yea they are gree­dy Dogs, which can never have enough, and they are shepherds that cannot un­dorstand; they all look to their own way every one for his gain from his Quar­ter Isa. 56.11. And teaching things [Page 128]they ought not, for filthy lucres sake, Tit. 1.11. Wo to you Scribes and Pharisees, for ye devoure widdows houses, and for a pretence make long prayers: there­fore ye shall receive the great damna­tion, Mat. 23. These make not gain to stoop to Godlinesse, but Godlinesse to stoop to gain.

Twelfthly, and Lastly, The Lambs followers may be known from the Beasts followers by this, They are more for power, than form; for heart, than Art; for matter, than method; for sub­stance, than shew, Having a form of Godlinesse, but denying the power there­of; from such turn away, 2 Tim, 3.5. As they who have the power of God­liness, cannot deny the form; so they who have the form of Godliness, should not deny the power. Alas, what is hear­ing without doing? and praying with­out practising? and preaching without reforming? God loves to see the plants of righteousnesse, lodened with the fruits of righteousnesse: He bear­eth greater respect to our hearts, [Page 129]than he doth to our works. I beseech you therefore, Brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a li­ving sacrifice, holy, and acceptable unto God, Rom. 12.1. The Formalist he is all for outward action, and for nothing of inward sincerity; he is for a body without a soul, and a shew without a substance: but it is not a shew of out­ward piety, that will excuse inward hypocrisie. For he is not a Jew that is one outwardly, neither is that Circum­cision which is outward in the flesh: But he is a Jew which is one inwardly, and Circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter whose praise is not of men, but of God, Rom. 2.28, 29. I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the Synagogue of Satan Rev. 2.9. They are better in their outsides, than they are in their insides; but Believers are better in their insides, than they are in their outsides: The Kings daughter is all glorious within, her cloathing is of wrought Gold, Psalm. 45.13. The [Page 130]one bowes his knee at the name of Je­sus, the other bowes his heart to the truth of Jesus; the one signes with the Cross, the other carryes the Cross. Oh what would not superstitious men do for Heaven, if they might have Heaven for their doing? But they that sail in this rotten Bottom, will surely sink in the Ocean. Who hath required this at your hands, to tread my Courts? To what purpose is your sacrifices unto me, saith the Lord? I am ful of the burnt of­ferings of Rams, and the fat of fed beasts and I delight not in the blood of Bul­locks, or of Lambs, or of He-goates, Isa. 1, 11. It was not the Clay & Spittle that cured the blind man, but Christs anoin­ting his eyes. It was not the troubling of the Waters in the Pool of Bethesda, that made them whole, but the come­ing down of the Angel. Alas, the dish without the meat will not feed us. Man may spread the Net of Du­ty, but its God must take the Draught of Mercy. Now by this Beloved you may know the Lambs follow­ers [Page 131]from the Beasts followers.

And thus I have briefly and clear­ly shewed you these five things:

First, What following the Lamb is.

Secondly, Why gracious Souls follow the Lamb whithersoever he go­eth.

Thirdly, The Excellency of follow­ing the Lamb.

Fourthly The Misery of following the Beast.

Fifthly, How the Lambs followers may be known from the Beasts fol­lowers.

I shall make some Use of this:

First, For Examination, and Selfe-tryal. Oh friends; for the Lords sake, and for your souls sake, examine your selves, and try your selves by this, that you may know whose you are, and to whom you do belong. Know you not, that to whom ye yield your selves ser­vants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness, Rom. 6.

O who do you follow? if men, ve­rily you have your reward; if sin, you shall have sins wages, which is e­ternal death; woe, and misery in this life, and Hell and destruction in the other life: but if God, then you shall have eternal life. Therefore be not deceived, mistake not your selves, God is not mocked, for what­soever a man sowes, that he shall reap. O beloved, Examine your selves, and try your selves; what is it you mind? what is it you seek? what is it you do? do you follow the Lamb in his Com­mands, in his teachings, in his appoint­ments, and in his Examples, & through sufferings and reproaches? have you forsaken all and followed him? Matth. 10.29. Have you taken up his Crosse, and denyed your selves? Mat. 16.24. Have you learned of him to be meek and lowly? Mat. 11.29. Have you visi­ted, and cloathed his Members? Mat. 25.35. Have you kissed the Sun, and made your peace with him? O belo­ved, are you new Creatures? are you [Page 133]in Christ? are you in faith? Know ye not, if Christ be not in you, ye are repro­bates? 2 Cor. 13.5.

The second Ʋse is for Exhortation.

O Beloved, Let me beseech you for your precious and immortal souls sake, to come out of Babylon, from the Beasts Image, and from his Worship, and from his Mark, that you may not be defiled: O come away to Jesus Christ. Arise my Love and come away, Cant. 2.10. Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest, Mat. 11.28. Oh sinners, he calls you to come to him; will you not go? we must for­sake sin, and embrace vertue; put off the Old man, and put on the New man; we must have Repentance and Mortification, a dying unto sin, and a living unto righteousness; from the love of earthly things, to the desire of heavenly things. Our bodies and souls must come away unto Christ; our souls, because they are the Spouse of Christ; our bodies, because they are the Temples of the Holy Ghost: We must [Page 134]come away from the Eenticements of the flesh, the allurements of the world, and suggestions of the Divel, and from the Whore of Babylon, and from all the inventions and traditions of men, Rev. 18.4. That ye may walk with God, before God, after God, in the Name of God, and in the Spirit of God; And that we may live in Christ, as Christ lives in the Father. O what more happy then to live for ever? and so to live for ever, as Christ himself li­veth? Surely that is a blessed and glo­rious life. This is a Believers life.

Secondly, Labour more and more to be like those that follow the Lamb fully: they are very holy and pure; they are called Virgins,

First, For their Chastity: That I may present you as chast Virgins unto Christ, 2 Cor. 11.2. These love Christ with a chast, but not with an adulterous love.

Secondly, For their purity: They are Virgin-Saints, they are not defiled with the Whore of Babylon, but have kept themselves from her Idolatry and [Page 135]Superstition, and from her sin and wickedness; And in their mouth was found no guile.

Believers are stiled and titled Hea­ven: Christs Members are glorious Members; they are called Heaven for two Reasons.

First, Because there is much of Hea­ven in them.

Secondly, Because there is much of them in Heaven.

First, There is much of Heaven in Believers, much of God, much of Christ, and much of the Spirit: Of his fulness have all we received grace for grac, Joh. 1.16. The glory of God, the knowledge of God, the presence of God, the love of God, the holiness of God, the joyes of God; these are the things that make Heaven to be Hea­ven: Now there is much of these in Believers, therefore they are called Heaven. We are taken into Commu­nion with Angels, and our Communion with the Angels in a great measure doth consist in bearing a part with [Page 136]them in praising God; it is the action of Heaven. Believers are holy Ones, and they have glorious Titles.

First, The Lords Portion, Deut. 32.9.

Secondly, His Pleasant Portion, Jer. 12.10.

Thirdly, His Inheritance, Isa, 19.25.

Fourthly, The Dearly beloved of my soul, Jer. 12.7.

Fifthly, Gods Treasure and peculiar Treasure, Exod. 19.5.

Sixthly, His Glory, Isa. 46.13.

Seventhly, The House of Gods glory, Isa. 60.7.

Eighthly, A Crown of Glory, Isa. 62.3.

Ninthly, A Royal Diadem; in the same place.

Tenthly, The Glory of God, Jer. 3.17.

Eleventhly, Golden Candlesticks, Rev. 1.12.

Twelfthly, Kings, Rev. 5.10. And in my Text, Heaven.

There is as much difference between the Church of God and other men, as [Page 137]there is betwixt Gold and Dirt, as be­twixt Diamonds and Pebbles, in the Lords esteem; they are to God above all people: The righteous is more excel­lent than his neighbour, Pro. 12.26. O how precious, how happy, how bles­sed and glorious are Believers? they are called Heaven.

Secondly, Believers are called Hea­ven, because there is much of them in Heaven.

First, Their Thoughts are in Hea­ven, Psal. 139.18.

Secondly, Their Desires are ie Hea­ven, Psal. 73.25.

Thirdly, Their Affections are in Heaven, Col. 3 2.

Fourthly, Their Hopes are in Hea­ven, Tit. 2.13.

Fifthly, Their Conversations are in Heaven, Phil. 3.20.

Sixthly, Their Hearts are in Hea­ven, Mat. 6.21.

Seventhly, Their Aims are in Hea­ven, Luke 10.20.

O there is much of Believers in hea­ven; [Page 138]their souls are in heaven, when their bodies are walking upon the Earth; they live in heaven whil'st they are on the earth, and they come to hea­ven when they leave the earth, Eph. 2.6. And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. The Saints are set in heavenly places, heavenly Dignities, heavenly priviledges, heavenly Prero­gatives. The Saints of the High God, are set in high places. The true Church is that Spouse that is fair and beautiful, Cant. 2.14. O the Church of Christ is lovely and glorious:

• First, Glorious in her Head.
• Secondly, Glorious in her Titles.
• Thirdly, Glorious in her Gifts and Graces.
• Fourthly, Glorious in her Offices.
• Fifthly, Glorious in her Priviledges.
• Sixthly, Glorious in her Members.

O the Church of Christ is a holy Church, and a glorious Church: That he might present it to himself a glorious Church, not having spot or wrinke, or [Page 139]any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish, Ephes. 5.27. They are not defiled, they are Virgins, and in their mouthes is found no guile. Now he that hath an ear to hear, let him hear.

I shall exhort you that are members of this heavenly Church,

First, To seek Heavenly things be­fore, and above all things else; Let your hearts be filled with Heavenly knowledge, and heavenly riches.

Secondly, Delight in heavenly things, let it be your heaven upon Earth, to serve the God of heaven.

Thirdly, Act by Heavenly Prin­ciples.

Fourthly, Have a holy dependance upon God,

• For Direction,
• For Protection,
• For Assistance,
• For a blessing.

Fifthly, Eye Heavenly objects, God, Christ, and the Spirit.

Sixthly, Imitate Heavenly Ones; [Page 140]follow them that follow Christ.

Seventhly, Walk by a Heavenly Rule; walk according to the Laws of heaven.

Eighthly, and lastly, Live much in heaven.

• Your Father is in heaven,
• Your Head is in Heaven,
• Your Husband is in heaven,
• Your King is in heaven,
• Your Treasure is in heaven,
• Your Crown is in heaven,
• Your Wages are in heaven.

And where should you be but in hea­ven; Knowing in your selves that ye have in heaven a better and an endu­ring substance, Heb. 10.34. For we know, that if our Earthly house of this Tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, and a house not made with hands, eternal in the Heavens, 2 Cor. 5.1.

Oh these are blessed and holy ones: And they that are with him, are called, and chosen, and faithful, Rev. 17.14. Oh labour to be like these in purity, [Page 141]and piety, in holiness and humbleness, in meekness, and patience, in faithful­ness and uprightness, in spiritualness and in all Godliness.

Thirdly, Follow the Lamb out of Babylon. And they cryed with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the Earth? Revel. 6.10. And another Angel came out of the Temple, cry­ing with a loud voice to him that sat on the Cloud, Thrust in thy Sicle and reap, for the time is come for thee to reap, for the harvest of the Earth is ripe. And he that sat on the Cloud thrust in his Sicle on the earth, and the earth was reaped. And another Angel came out of the Temple which is in heaven, he also having a sharp Sicle, Rev. 14.15, 16, 17. The Whore of Babylon shall be de­stroyed with a double destruction:

• Her walls shall fall down:
• Her wall of Power;
• Her wall of Policy;
• Her wall of Superstition;
• [Page 142]Her wall of Maintenance:

And that for these Reasons.

First, Because she hath corrupted Religion, and that both in Doctrine and Worship. Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great City, because she made all Nations drink of the Wine of the wrath of her fornication, Rev. 14.8. Chap. 18.3.

Secondly, Because she hath poyson­ed the Kings of the Earth. The Whore of Babylon hath been the great corrup­ter of Kings. And I saw three unclean spirits like Frogs, come out of the mouth of the Dragon, and out of the mouth of the Beast, and out of the mouth of the false Prophet; for they are the spirits of Devils working miracles, which go forth unto the Kings of the Earth, and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty, Rev. 16.13.14. Chap. 17.2.

Thirdly, For her cruelty: In her was found the blood of the Prophets, and all the Saints that were slain upon the Earth, Chap. 18.24. And I saw the [Page 143]woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the Mar­tyrs of Jesus; and when I saw her I wondred with great admiration, Chap. 17.6.

Fourthly, Because her ruine and destruction is published and proclaim­ed over the world. And he cryed migh­tily with a strong voice, saying, Baby­lon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of Devils, Chap. 18.2. Chap. 14.8.

Fifthly, It is the great design that Christ hath in the latter dayes of the world to destroy Antichrist. The Lamb shall overcome them, for he is Lord of Lords, and King of Kings, Cha. 17.14. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many Crowns, and he was cleathed with a Vesture dipt in blood, and his name is called, The Word of God: And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the Nations, Chap. 19.12, 13, 15.

Sixthly, Because she hath greatly in­sulted and triumpht over the Lords [Page 144]people in their miseries and calamities. And they that dwell upon the Earth shall rejoyce over them, and make merry, and send gifts one to another, Rev. 11.10.

Seventhly, Because of all the Churches enemies that ever were, this is the cruellest enemy. The fourth Beast is worse than any of the former Beasts: And behold, a fourth Beast, dreadfull and terrible, and strong exceedingly, and it had great Iron teeth, and it was divers from all the Beasts that were be­fore it, Dan. 7.7. Rev. 18.24.

Eightly, It is the expectation of all the Saints that Babylon should be de­stroyed, and thrown like a Mil-stone, Chap. 18.21. Now God that hath rai­sed this expectation in the hearts of his people, he will not frustrate their expectation, he will fulfill their Peti­ons.

Ninthly, God hath promised to de­stroy the scarlet Whore, because she hath destroyed his Saints, and she is to be rewarded as she hath rewarded others, Chap. 15.5, 6. Chap. 18.8.

Tenthly, The Whore of Babylon shall be destroyed, because she trusteth in the arm of flesh, and glorieth in her strength, and riches. How much she hath glorified her self, and lived deliciously, so much torment and sorrow give her; for she saith in her heart, I sit a Queen, I am no Widdow, and shall see no sor­row: therefore shall her plagues come, Chap. 18.7. Now Beloved, consider of this, and think of this, and keep your selves from Babylon, that ye do not partake of her sins, least ye receive of her plagues, O poor sinners, if you have any love to your Souls, if you have any mind to be saved, follow the Lamb, that you may be saved by the Lamb.

He leads poor souls from darkness to light,

• From death to life,
• From vice to vertue,
• From Satan to God,
• From poverty to plenty,
• From sorrow to joy,
• From misery to glory,
• [Page]From an earthly Kingdom, to a hea­venly Kingdom:

Come ye blessed of my Father, inherit the Kingdom, Mat. 25.34.

O the Kingdom which Christ leads poor souls to, is,

• First; A Rich Kingdom.
• Secondly, A peaceable Kingdom.
• Thirdly, A Righteous Kingdom.
• Fourdily, A blessed Kingdom.
• Fifthly, A Glorious Kingdom.
• Sixthly, A satisfying Kingdom.
• Seventhly, A Universal Kingdom.
• Eighthly, An Everlasting Kingdom.

Oh follow the Lamb, follow the Lamb, that you may be for ever glo­rified with the Lamb, and by the Lamb.